The 45th Anniversary Sister City Series: Mwanza
As Tulsa Global Alliance celebrates 45 years of Sister Cities, we end our summer series by shining a light on our newest and ninth partnership. This one is rooted in hope, hospitality, and a shared vision for the future.
In 2024, Mwanza, Tanzania officially became Tulsa’s first Sister City on the African continent. The relationship may be new, but the connection runs deep. From the glittering granite boulders that earned Mwanza its nickname “Rock City” to the calm expanse of Lake Victoria and the nearby Serengeti, the city is a center of culture, resilience, and possibility.
A Tale of Two Ceremonies
The Sister City relationship between Tulsa and Mwanza was made official on both sides of the world. The initial signing took place in Mwanza in May of 2024, with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum leading a delegation to explore opportunities and formalize the connection. That ceremony included local leaders, community partners, and cultural performances that reflected the spirit of partnership from the very beginning.
In April 2025, Mwanza delegates traveled to Tulsa for a reciprocal visit. On April 2, Mayor Monroe Nichols welcomed the group at a formal signing ceremony held at the Arvest Convention Center. Community leaders, city officials, and Tulsa Global Alliance supporters joined together to mark the moment. The experience was full of exchange and exploration, from Greenwood Rising and Gathering Place to campus visits, healthcare tours, and cultural events.
The two ceremonies, held months apart on different continents, reflected a shared commitment to people-to-people connection. They marked the start of a partnership built not only on official agreement but on mutual curiosity, hospitality, and respect.
A Foundation of Friendship
This partnership didn’t come out of nowhere. For more than 20 years, Tulsa nonprofit Mainsprings has been working in the Mwanza region, providing education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture programs. Founded by Tulsa native Chris Gates, Mainsprings has connected hundreds of Tulsans to Mwanza through service, learning, and community engagement.
That groundwork helped make the formal Sister City relationship possible. Through long-standing ties and shared values, the connection between Tulsa and Mwanza had already begun to grow. The formalization in 2024 and 2025 was the result of months of planning, advocacy, and leadership from both cities.
Behind the Scenes: April Gordon
The formalization of the Tulsa-Mwanza Sister City partnership was the result of a broad and collaborative effort. Staff and board members of Tulsa Global Alliance, partners from the City of Tulsa, and community leaders on both sides of the globe all played a role in bringing the relationship to life. At the time, April Gordon served on TGA staff as Consultant for Special Projects, providing key leadership and coordination throughout the process. She now serves as Vice Chair of Sister Cities on the TGA Board.
April worked closely with representatives from Sister Cities International, TGA staff, and with local partners in both Tulsa and Mwanza to shape the early stages of the partnership. From early research and cross-cultural communication to delegation planning and event logistics, her efforts helped ensure that the process honored the priorities of both cities and set a strong foundation for the relationship ahead.
Meet the Chair: Kuma Roberts
Kuma Roberts serves as Chair of the Tulsa–Mwanza Sister City Partnership. She brings experience in community engagement and equity work to the role and has been involved since the earliest conversations, helping guide the relationship from idea to reality.
“I believe deeply in the power of people-to-people connections to change the world. This partnership is meaningful to me because of its potential to connect Black Tulsans, many of whom are descendants of enslaved Africans, back to the continent in a tangible, healing, and future-focused way.”
For Kuma, the 2024 signing ceremony with music, dance, prayer, and promise was an unforgettable reminder of what Sister Cities are really about: connection, culture, and shared hope for the future.
The Power of Connection
The Mwanza partnership includes contributions from many. From Mayor Bynum’s early visit to Mwanza, to the leadership of City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper, who serves as Honorary Ambassador to Mwanza, to the volunteers and community leaders who brought their time, insight, and support to the process. Together, these efforts created fertile ground for something lasting.
As we look ahead, the possibilities are wide open. Joint youth programs, cultural festivals, educational exchanges, tourism development, and economic initiatives all offer ways to reflect the needs and strengths of both cities.
In the spirit of Ubuntu — I am because we are — Tulsa and Mwanza are beginning this journey together, building a future shaped by friendship and shared opportunity.
Why It Matters
For 45 years, Tulsa Global Alliance has supported Sister City relationships that bring the world a little closer to home. These connections grow through exchange, hospitality, and shared experience.
If you believe in the power of people-to-people connection, join us.
