A new nonprofit newsroom is taking off in Tulsa — and it’s born from listening.
This week marks the official launch of Tulsa Flyer, a free, community-driven news outlet created by the Tulsa Local News Initiative with startup support from the American Journalism Project. At the helm is Gary Lee, longtime journalist and executive editor of the Oklahoma Eagle, who says Tulsa Flyer was designed directly in response to what residents said they needed.
The newsroom shares a physical home with the historic Oklahoma Eagle in Tulsa’s Greenwood district, and the two outlets will collaborate closely while maintaining separate sites under TulsaFlyer.org.
The Eagle will continue its century-long mission of serving Tulsa’s Black community as a weekly print and digital publication, now distributed free at more than 70 locations.
Lee says Tulsa Flyer will focus squarely on Tulsa County — covering the city and suburbs like Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Sand Springs — with stories that feel personal and practical.
The newsroom’s early partnerships include News On 6 (Griffin Media), Tulsa World, The Frontier, KOSU, La Semana, and Focus: Black Oklahoma, creating what Lee calls a stronger news ecosystem rather than a competitive one.
Another early success: the Tulsa Documenters Program, which has already enlisted more than 75 residents to attend public meetings, take notes, and publish them for everyone to see.
Like The Eagle, Tulsa Flyer will operate as a nonprofit sustained through a mix of philanthropic grants, reader donations, and community partnerships.
FAQs about Tulsa Flyer:
What is the Tulsa Flyer?
A new nonprofit newsroom serving Tulsa County, launched by the Tulsa Local News Initiative with support from the American Journalism Project.Who leads Tulsa Flyer?
Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist Ziva Branstetter is Tulsa Flyer’s CEO. Veteran Tulsa journalist Gary Lee, executive editor of both the Flyer and The Oklahoma Eagle.How does it differ from existing outlets?
It’s community-driven, free to access, and focused on representing all neighborhoods in Tulsa County.What partnerships does Tulsa Flyer have?
Collaborations with News On 6, Tulsa World, The Frontier, KOSU, La Semana, and Focus: Black Oklahoma.What is the Tulsa Documenters program?
A civic initiative training residents to attend and report on public meetings across Tulsa.Where is it located?
On Archer Street in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district, shared with the Oklahoma Eagle newsroom.How is Tulsa Flyer funded?
Through philanthropic support, community donations, and reader contributions — free to read, but sustained by local giving.
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