Anna C. Roth Honoree - Maybelle Wallace

Maybelle Wallace is a trailblazing cultural leader whose work in Tulsa has woven together the arts, history and community activism in service of equity, representation, and legacy. Born in 1929 and rooted in the Greenwood community that would later become central to the Black Wall Street story, she understands the power of memory and place. As executive director of Theatre North since 1981, Wallace has nurtured the organization into an award-winning institution that makes African American voices and perspectives visible in the local theatre landscape. Under her guidance the company tackled challenging works such as For Colored Girls… and Who Will Sing for Lena, traveled nationally, and supported broad community festivals that helped prevent demolition of historic buildings in Deep Greenwood. 

Beyond the stage, Wallace’s leadership has anchored major cultural and historical initiatives. In the 1982 Greenwood Arts Jubilee, her festival work helped turn what was once slated for demolition into a site of renewal and celebration — ultimately influencing the preservation of buildings and identity in a neighborhood rich with heritage. She has also lent her voice to public history, sharing personal family recollections and the importance of community remembrance for the Tulsa Race Massacre legacy. 

Wallace’s influence is rooted in her belief that art, storytelling, and community matter. She created pathways for theatre roles beyond subservient parts, stood behind female and Black performers, and helped shape a more inclusive Tulsa arts ecosystem. Her work has helped shift both narrative and infrastructure, providing the city with cultural institutions that reflect and elevate historically marginalized voices. For her lifetime of excellence in arts, heritage and community leadership, Maybelle Wallace embodies the spirit of the Anna C. Roth Legacy Award — a living testament to the enduring power of legacy, voice, and purpose.