REVIVING THE JEWEL

The historic Jewel Theater, built in 1931 in the heart of Oklahoma City (OKC), stands as a testament to the cultural heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and social progress of the historically Black community of Northeast Oklahoma City (NEOKC). More than just an entertainment venue, the Jewel served as a critical space for collective joy, community dialogue, positive representation, and organizing for Black residents during the violent era of Jim Crow.

Systemic and inequitable events, including three urban renewal plans activated by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (OCURA) from the 1960s to the 1980s, led to the physical and social degradation of NEOKC which had a direct impact on local Black businesses. These plans caused the demolition of homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods, disproportionately affecting the Jewel Theater area. The construction of highway I-235 further displaced thousands of residents, resulting in gentrification and cultural erasure still present today.

In the 1970s, Mr. Arthur Hurst, a lifelong community resident and frequent visitor of the Jewel as a child, purchased the theater and established the Jewel Theater Foundation NOW to mobilize resources for its restoration. Despite challenges like predatory developers and financial constraints, the team has retained ownership, secured its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and advanced restoration efforts. Open Design has worked with the Foundation over the years on engagement and visibility efforts, and in 2023 secured a $1 million Mellon Foundation grant to begin stabilization construction, which started in November 2024. Open Design is also working with local funders and strategic partners to ensure the theater’s full restoration and future sustainability.