TULSA – One of the top competitive road cycling teams in the nation will carry a piece of FC Tulsa and Greenwood throughout Tulsa Tough this weekend. L39ION of Los Angeles, who is managed by one of the sport’s top riders in Justin Williams, will wear FC Tulsa’s Greenwood Ave. patch on their L39ION race uniforms.
"One hundred years after the tragedy of Black Wall Street, we are blessed with the opportunity to represent the idea of black ownership," said Justin Williams. "L39ION of Los Angeles is a symbol of the vision O.W. Gurley & J.B. Stradford had when helping to build the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This year we are blessed with the opportunity to wear a Greenwood patch on our race jerseys at Tulsa Tough; our intentions are to honor those who lost their lives for picking themselves up from nothing with all odds stacked against them."
One of the only minority racers in professional cycling, Williams is the defending U.S. Criterium National Champion and has won 11 National Championships in his illustrious career. He, alongside his brother Cory, formed L39ION of Los Angeles wanting to help diversify the sport and uses his team to help mentor up and coming Black and Hispanic cyclists.
"When we think about Tulsa, we think about what could have been – a community full of opportunities for minorities that was uprooted by hate and ignorance." said Cory Williams. "I'm proud that L39ION can elevate and support Greenwood Ave. in its quest to help Black Wall Street thrive again."
After hearing about FC Tulsa’s Greenwood patch initiative which raises Black entrepreneurs and celebrates the past, present and future of Greenwood, Williams and L39ION of Los Angeles immediately purchased 20 patches. Not only will L39ION wear the patches this weekend at Tulsa Tough, but Williams and his team will feature them throughout the 2021 cycling season.
"When we heard that Justin and his team were interested in helping spread our message about Greenwood, we couldn’t have been more honored," said FC Tulsa president James Cannon. "Educating our city and country about Greenwood is a cause very near to our hearts. With L39ION of Los Angeles track record and experience, we have no doubt that the Greenwood patch will be on the podium several times this weekend."
FC Tulsa is a Presenting Sponsor of Tulsa Tough which begins Friday night and goes throughout the weekend. L39ION of Los Angeles’ men’s and women’s teams will compete in all three days of races including Saturday’s Tulsa Arts District Criterium, presented by FC Tulsa.
TULSA – One of the top competitive road cycling teams in the nation will carry a piece of FC Tulsa and Greenwood throughout Tulsa Tough this weekend. L39ION of Los Angeles, who is managed by one of the sport’s top riders in Justin Williams, will wear FC Tulsa’s Greenwood Ave. patch on their L39ION race uniforms.
“One hundred years after the tragedy of Black Wall Street, we are blessed with the opportunity to represent the idea of black ownership,” said Justin Williams. “L39ION of Los Angeles is a symbol of the vision O.W. Gurley & J.B. Stradford had when helping to build the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This year we are blessed with the opportunity to wear a Greenwood patch on our race jerseys at Tulsa Tough; our intentions are to honor those who lost their lives for picking themselves up from nothing with all odds stacked against them.”
One of the only minority racers in professional cycling, Williams is the defending U.S. Criterium National Champion and has won 11 National Championships in his illustrious career. He, alongside his brother Cory, formed L39ION of Los Angeles wanting to help diversify the sport and uses his team to help mentor up and coming Black and Hispanic cyclists.
“When we think about Tulsa, we think about what could have been – a community full of opportunities for minorities that was uprooted by hate and ignorance.” said Cory Williams. “I’m proud that L39ION can elevate and support Greenwood Ave. in its quest to help Black Wall Street thrive again.”
After hearing about FC Tulsa’s Greenwood patch initiative which raises Black entrepreneurs and celebrates the past, present and future of Greenwood, Williams and L39ION of Los Angeles immediately purchased 20 patches. Not only will L39ION wear the patches this weekend at Tulsa Tough, but Williams and his team will feature them throughout the 2021 cycling season.
“When we heard that Justin and his team were interested in helping spread our message about Greenwood, we couldn’t have been more honored,” said FC Tulsa president James Cannon. “Educating our city and country about Greenwood is a cause very near to our hearts. With L39ION of Los Angeles track record and experience, we have no doubt that the Greenwood patch will be on the podium several times this weekend.”
FC Tulsa is a Presenting Sponsor of Tulsa Tough which begins Friday night and goes throughout the weekend. L39ION of Los Angeles’ men’s and women’s teams will compete in all three days of races including Saturday’s Tulsa Arts District Criterium, presented by FC Tulsa.
