Thank you for joining us at Boomtown!

On November 2, 2024, TYPROS hosted the Boomtown Awards, its annual event honoring the people, businesses, and organizations that make Tulsa exceptional.

In addition to being one of Tulsa’s liveliest award galas, TYPROS Boomtown Awards also is the largest annual fundraiser benefitting the TYPROS Foundation. Since 2015, the TYPROS Foundation has provided catalytic funding for placemaking projects that engage young people across the city.

A total of $18,000 in funding for three grant projects was announced at Boomtown this year. The projects include a Route 66 traveling stage, a new Tulsa comedy and arts festival, and support for the Williams Dreamland Theatre.

Standout TYPROS members and impactful Tulsans and local organizations also were celebrated at Boomtown. Award winners were:

TYPROS Member Awards

Volunteer of the Year: Bee Paredes

Rookie of the Year: Oscar Guillen

Shining Star: Malayna Hasmanis

Crew of the Year: Government Relations Crew

Boomtown Awards

Individual: Isaac Bennett

Organization: Tulsa Changemakers

Business: Et Al.

Legacy: Paul Ross

TYPROS Boomtown Award Categories:

Individual - This award honors an individual whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have made a significant impact on Tulsa. They exemplify the spirit of community and contribute to making our city a vibrant place for young professionals.

Organization/Nonprofit - Recognizing an organization or nonprofit that fosters positive change and strengthens Tulsa through its initiatives. This award highlights their commitment to making a lasting impact in our community.

Business - This award celebrates a business that exemplifies innovation, excellence, and community engagement. Their contributions play a pivotal role in making Tulsa an attractive and dynamic place for young professionals to thrive.

Legacy - The Legacy Award honors an individual who has made enduring contributions to Tulsa’s development and culture. This award recognizes their long-term impact and commitment to fostering growth and success in our community.

TYPROS Member Award Categories:

Volunteer of the Year - This award celebrates a TYPROS member who selflessly dedicates their time and talent towards volunteerism and service within TYPROS and elsewhere.

Rookie of the Year - This award is for the new TYPROS member that hit the ground running within the organization. The member is an active member who has joined in the last year and already made an impact.

Crew of the Year - This award recognizes a TYPROS crew that has shown an exceptional dedication to their passion, and the events held for the year reflect that. This crew has consistently gone above and beyond to engage the community and our members to drive the mission of making Tulsa awesome.

Shining Star - This award acknowledges above-and-beyond contributions from a TYPROS member or leader. They have exemplified the values of the organization and worked to build meaningful relationships, helped others become skilled leaders, or became a skilled leader themselves. Their impact on Tulsa will no doubt be the driver for meaningful change.

 

Thank you to our 2024 Boomtown Sponsors!

 

Want to be a Boomtown sponsor?

Connect with our staff now to learn more.

 

Support those who #MakeTulsaAwesome!

Want to support the TYPROS Foundation without all of the fanfare? No problem, you can still make a direct donation.

All donations are tax deductible and directly support the development of our next generation of philanthropic leaders.

Thank you for your support!

 
 

Thank you to our 2023 Boomtown Sponsors!

 
 

Event Host Sponsor

 
 
 

Outsiders House Museum Level Sponsor

 
 
 
 
 
 

Black Wall Street Mural Level Sponsors

 
 
 
 
 

Outsiders House Level Sponsors

David & Leanne Tollette

Tulsa Remote

Great Raft Race Level Sponsor

Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust

Explorer Pipeline

Want to sponsor next year’s Boomtown Awards? Contact David Tollette for more information.

Congratulations to the 2023 Boomtown nominees and Winners!

Individuals

Venita Cooper is the visionary behind Silhouette Sneakers & Art, a unique sneaker resell and apparel boutique nestled in Tulsa's historic Black Wall Street district. Venita's entrepreneurial journey is marked by innovation and community spirit. Cooper, a former educator who opened her store in fall 2019, has built a powerful retail concept centered around the hot sneaker resale market and an art gallery showcasing a rotating selection of street art. Venita's contribution to Tulsa extends beyond her business. Her philanthropic endeavors, including partnering with an anonymous donor to provide new shoes to the Hale boys championship basketball team, reflect her commitment to her community. 

Diamond Marshall, an accomplished Afro-Latina middle school educator, devotes her career to social justice and equity. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom as she champions equitable policies, tackling the root causes of inequality. As a dedicated community organizer, she unites diverse groups, orchestrating impactful events and campaigns spotlighting vital issues. Diamond's unwavering efforts amplify the voices of marginalized communities, ensuring their representation and fostering positive change. Through her teaching and advocacy, she inspires the next generation while actively shaping a more just and inclusive society. 

Lauren Orr has served in the Tulsa nonprofit sector since 2015, and in that time has stood out as a true embodiment of compassion and dedication. She shined during her tenure at Meals on Wheels, before joining the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma as Volunteer Center Manager earlier this year. Her work ethic is second to none, and her ability to both learn from her peers and teach those around her sets her apart. She exemplifies leadership with excellence, being recognized for a NextGen 30 Under 30 Award in 2021. Lauren's contributions to the Tulsa community extend beyond her professional life, as she consistently goes above and beyond to support and care for those fortunate enough to cross paths with her. Lauren Orr is a testament to the transformative power of service, and someone with a dedication to making the world a better place.

Organizations

 

WINNER

Founded in Tulsa, The Uma Center of Tulsa is a local non-profit with the mission to advance the health and economic well-being of underserved communities through culturally responsive programs and services. Uma Tulsa provides health and business education in Spanish and coordinate health screenings and vaccination clinics in partnership with government agencies and community-based organizations. 

 

Tulsa Service Year is a dynamic post-baccalaureate gap year program that recruits graduates from both top national universities and local and regional institutions. It is designed to provide recent college graduates with the opportunity to engage in a year of high-impact work in a city celebrated for its culture of innovation. This immersive program aims to create a close-knit community of eager learners and active participants, offering a unique chance to join a vibrant network of young leaders dedicated to driving social change and fostering civic engagement. The core objective of Tulsa Service Year is to catalyze personal and professional development for its fellows while simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of Tulsa. This mission is accomplished by placing fellows in nonprofit organizations across the city, where their work becomes instrumental in advancing the goals of these nonprofits, supporting career growth, fortifying the local community, and establishing a lasting positive influence on Tulsa. 

The Tulsa Opera Incorporated, formed back in 1948, serves as an outgrowth of Tulsa’s booming spirit and cultural richness. Today, as the 18th oldest opera company in North America, Tulsa Opera produces three grand operas annually and is recognized as one of America's top 10 regional opera companies. Its performances and educational programs serve the Tulsa region, as well as a broader audience encompassing Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. Supported by nearly 700 dedicated volunteers and a Board of Directors consisting of 55 individuals from diverse Oklahoma businesses and organizations, Tulsa Opera continues to thrive as a cornerstone of arts and culture in the region, contributing to the betterment of the community.

 

Mercury Lounge is a neighborhood dive-bar by day and a regional, benchmark music venue by night. They have resident artists, bringing some of Tulsa's best original music, almost every weeknight. Mercury Lounge has always served as a shining example of a business that cares. They are a top notch venue that hosts diverse acts and widely displays messages of inclusion and belonging. They make a point to bring musicians and drag performers and host fundraisers for an array of organizations. They've also been home to events on behalf of Reservation Dogs, Red Dirt Relief Fund and dog fostering agencies. They are never afraid to support neighbors and be a home base for community gatherings. The Mercury Lounge is exactly the kind of business that makes Tulsa an amazing place to live. 

 
 

Legacy award - TYPROS highest honor

 

Elliot Nelson, is the founder and CEO of McNellie’s Food Group. While he was a student at Notre Dame, Elliot studied abroad in Ireland. While he was in Ireland he fell in love with the atmosphere and unique hospitality that he experienced every time he walked into classic Dublin pubs. When he returned to his hometown of Tulsa after graduating  he couldn’t find a pub that felt right, he decided to build one himself. He’s since grown the McNellie’s group to a food and hospitality company with ten unique brands spread across twenty locations, four cities and two states. Elliot Nelson’s visionary leadership, dedication to community development, and exceptional generosity and compassion have brought numerous exciting developments to Tulsa, making a significant positive impact on the local economy and community. They have always believed Tulsa could be a thriving place and we are all excited to see the future developments he bring to our city.

 

Congratulations to the 2023 TYPROS Foundation Grant Recipients!

Community Skate Court at McClure Park - Mandy Durham

Roller skating as a sport has had a major resurgence. This project helps create a well-designed, family-friendly outdoor skating rink at McClure Park in Tulsa. The grant improves the skating rink by providing amenities like barbecue grills and outdoor seating. This project provides fun, safe, affordable entertainment, particularly for families in north and east Tulsa, helps address the detrimental effects the pandemic has had on mental and physical health and our ability to socialize, and brings people together from all parts of the city who want to skate.

The Business Cycle – This Machine Bike Share

This Machine Tulsa Bike Share is a nonprofit program that connects people to places where they live, work, and play through cycling. The Business Cycle program will raise awareness around the employee benefits of cycle commuting for businesses, including cost savings; improved mental and physical health, improved concentration, fewer sick days, and better productivity. This program will also raise awareness about additional benefits of cycle commuting, such as reduced motor vehicle expenses, increased calorie burn, improved mental and physical health and pollution reduction. Through this grant, the Business Cycle program will encourage Tulsans to commit to cycle commuting one day a week to make a big impact for themselves and their community… a simple one day commitment that will make a large impact over time.

Cultural Night Market and Food Festival - APIDA Tulsa

The goals of this event are to promote cultural diversity through food, support local, minority-owned small businesses and restaurants, and bring Tulsa’s unique cultures together through ongoing cultural events. Two night markets will be held in 2023. These events will invite Tulsans to meet, mingle, enjoy delicious food and vendors from various cultures, and build community with their neighbors.

Sister City Spotlight - Twisted Arts

"Sister City Spotlight" is a series of free, live performances in which a local LGBTQ+ artist from Tulsa will share a stage with a world-class underground LGBTQ+ artist from outside Oklahoma. These special evenings will highlight local talent and give Tulsa artists the chance to gain national exposure, as well as bring amazing performers to Tulsa from major cities around the country. Shows will include cabaret, drag, performance art and music.

Mental Health Education Project - Andrew Duffy

The Mental Health Education Project will offer free, accessible mental health classes to Tulsans. Through lectures, guided discussions, and coping skill practices, licensed therapists will create safe and inclusive environments for people to come and learn about mental wellness. Classes are open to all ages. Everyone is invited to come out and learn more about how to be mentally healthy.

Art Workshops and Tours in ASL - Nic Annette Miller - LoLoLook

This innovative project produced by LoLoLook will bridge the gap between the deaf community and major museum establishments in Tulsa by producing up to five guided tours at Tulsa museums in American Sign Language, followed by hands-on art activities. This program will be led by a Deaf educator or teaching artist directly in ASL. There are 71,000 deaf individuals in Oklahoma, yet programming for the Deaf community is limited. Making art accessible in ASL provides an opportunity to reach a large audience of visual learners. These programs will educate Deaf adults and children, along with their families, on a multitude of topics, inspire creativity, and encourage discourse from multiple perspectives. LoLoLook elevates American Sign Language programs at cultural institutions. 

Want an update on the 2023 TYPROS Foundation Grant Recipients?