Restoring Oklahoma City's Last Historic Black Theater
A legacy worth saving. A future worth building.
About the Jewel
Built in 1931, the Jewel Theater once stood at the heart of Northeast Oklahoma City's thriving Black cultural entertainment district, serving as a beloved gathering place for film, music, and community events. Today, a community-led effort is bringing the Jewel back to life as a vibrant center for film, arts, and cultural storytelling, honoring its legacy while creating new opportunities for creative expression. This effort not only seeks to restore the physical structure of the theater, but also aims to use that restoration to reactivate the vitality of the NE 4th Street corridor, restoring its role as a lively eastern fringe of the Historic Deep Deuce neighborhood.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
For generations, the Jewel Theater was more than a movie house. It was a gathering place where families, neighbors, and artists experienced the power of film and storytelling together. During segregation, when many venues were closed to Black residents, the Jewel offered a place where the community could see itself reflected on screen and celebrate culture together. Today, it stands as the last remaining historic Black theater in Oklahoma City — a powerful reminder of the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that shaped Northeast Oklahoma City. Restoring the Jewel is about more than saving a building. It is about restoring memory, culture, and opportunity for the next generation.
The Future Awaits
When restored, the Jewel Theater will once again serve as a cultural anchor for Northeast Oklahoma City and will host:
Independent and community film screenings
Live performances and events
Cultural storytelling and heritage programming
Workforce development in the technical arts
Youth and young adult film and media workshops
Community gatherings and special events
Through these programs, the Jewel will help revitalize the historic NE 4th Street corridor while supporting artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders.
The Restoration of a Cultural Landmark
Community members, preservationists, architects, and cultural leaders from within the community and across the country have joined together to restore the Jewel Theater and secure its future for generations to come.
The restoration project includes:
Structural stabilization and historic preservation
Interior restoration of the theater space
Modern film and performance capabilities
Community gathering areas
Educational and cultural programming space
This work will transform the Jewel into a living cultural institution.
Join the Restoration Campaign
The Jewel Theater Foundation is currently raising $2 million to restore and reactivate the historic theater in its current phases 2-3.
Every gift moves us closer to reopening the doors of this cultural landmark for community enjoyment.
Ways to Support
$25 — Preserve the historic structure brick by brick
$50- support cultural programming
$100- Invest in our workforce development efforts in the technical arts
$500 — Restore a theater seat for future usage
$1000 — Help raise the velvet curtain once again
$5000 — Rebuild the stage for future generations to stand
History in the Remaking.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
— Muhammad Ali