The inaugural Black Wall Street Nation Experience brought filmmakers, entertainment executives, educators, entrepreneurs and artists to Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District from September 25–27, highlighting efforts to develop a sustainable creative economy in Oklahoma. The three-day event provided Polaris Films with an opportunity to showcase its strategy for expanding independent film production, workforce development and long-term industry infrastructure in the state.
Black Wall Street Nation Brings Creative Industries Together in Tulsa
Co-founded by Polaris Films founder Marc Benjamin and Tulsa educator and community leader Lincoln Cochran, the Black Wall Street Nation Experience combined the inaugural Film Summit with live entertainment, professional training, entrepreneurship programs and career development opportunities.
Events took place at Oklahoma State University–Tulsa and other locations throughout Greenwood, a district historically associated with Black entrepreneurship and economic achievement.
The weekend featured performances by MC Lyte, Aluna, Buena Vista Orchestra, Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, Lena Byrd Miles, Carson Barnes and Lisa Page Brooks.
Rapper Wale, originally scheduled to headline Saturday’s entertainment, canceled his appearance because of severe weather. Other programming continued throughout the weekend.
“Black Wall Street Nation was never meant to be three days of programming and then disappear,” says Benjamin. “The idea was to put people who make things, finance things, teach skills, hire talent and build businesses in the same place, and create relationships and opportunities that continue after the stages come down. Seeing that happen in Greenwood reinforced exactly why we believe so strongly in Oklahoma.”
Polaris Films Explores Sustainable Independent Film Production
The Film Summit served as a central component of the event, bringing industry professionals together to discuss emerging production technologies, independent filmmaking and the infrastructure required to support long-term growth.
Polaris Films founders Mark Harris and Kristofer McNeeley participated in discussions alongside executives from Buffalo Roam Studios, the company’s Oklahoma production partner.
Film Screenings and Industry Discussions
The summit featured screenings of Jay Duplass’ See You When I See You, Alex Stapleton’s The Brittney Griner Story, Dreams of Violets and the Oklahoma premiere of the American Red Cross documentary Iconic Excellence: The Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
The documentary premiere was followed by a discussion moderated by DeMarco Morgan, featuring Dr. Yvette Miller, Dr. Janel Pasley and Hannibal B. Johnson.
Harris joined Buffalo Roam Studios CEO Jeff Smith and Film Summit Director Spade Robinson for a discussion examining virtual production, generative technologies and evolving filmmaking workflows.
A private screening of Harris’ award-winning short film The Platform, which is circulating through film festivals, followed the discussion.
McNeeley participated in a separate conversation with Buffalo Roam President Kassie Gann about developing an independent studio model focused on recurring productions, financial discipline and local industry resources.
Oklahoma Partnership Supports Long-Term Film Industry Growth
Polaris Films is expanding its Oklahoma operations through a partnership with Buffalo Roam Studios in Bartlesville.
The collaboration aims to establish a recurring production base combining Polaris’ film development and distribution strategy with Buffalo Roam’s production infrastructure, industry relationships and technology.
“What happened at the Film Summit is the same question we’re trying to answer at Polaris: how do you turn creative energy into something durable?” Benjamin says. “Oklahoma already has talented crews, filmmakers, institutions and people committed to growing this industry. What we want to help add is continuity – a business model where one production strengthens the infrastructure for the next.”
Polaris is developing an initial slate of three films while strengthening its presence in Oklahoma. The company is also developing a relationship with Cherokee Film as part of its broader regional strategy.
Its proposed production model incorporates regional film incentives, virtual production technology and the ethical use of emerging filmmaking tools.
Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship Take Center Stage
Beyond film production, the Black Wall Street Nation Experience emphasized professional development and business ownership.
Programs included a TV Writers’ Room Bootcamp, a tuition-free beauty entrepreneurship initiative led by LAMIK Beauty founder Kim Roxie, and name, image and likeness (NIL) education and financial literacy sessions featuring Pro Football Hall of Famer Will Shields.
These initiatives were designed to connect participants with practical skills, professional networks and opportunities for economic advancement.
Building Opportunities Beyond Individual Productions
Polaris Films is pursuing a similar approach within Oklahoma’s entertainment industry, seeking to maintain relationships among production crews, filmmakers, technology providers and investors between projects.
“Greenwood was built by people who created opportunity rather than waiting for it,” Benjamin says. “For Polaris, the next step is taking the relationships, talent and momentum we’re seeing across Oklahoma and helping build the machinery that keeps people working, keeps projects moving and allows an industry to grow.”
Polaris Films Continues Expansion in Oklahoma
Founded by Benjamin, McNeeley and Harris, Polaris Films develops character-driven independent films intended for broad audiences. The company operates within Polaris Media Lab, Benjamin’s media and entertainment business.
The inaugural Black Wall Street Nation Experience demonstrated how film production, education, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration can contribute to regional economic development.
For Polaris Films, the next challenge will be translating the connections established in Tulsa into sustained production activity, employment opportunities and a stronger independent filmmaking infrastructure across Oklahoma.
