A World Cup taco contest has garnered a lot of attention on the Tulsa Vlogs social media account, with thousands of people nominating and voting for their favorite taco spots in the city.

This is just part of a much bigger story.

WATCH: Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy

A study published in 2017 shows immigrants contributed $3.8 billion to the city's metro area GDP between 2010 and 2015.

At that point, the population went from having 59,649 Latinos in 2010 to 72,657 Latinos in 2015.

Currently, the group makes up about 20 percent of Tulsas population according to Census data taken from 2020-2024.

According to Newswise, Oklahoma is one of the top 10 states with the highest growth in Hispanic buying power since 2000.

Business owners in the Tulsa area are excited to keep growing together.

In the last 10 years, the Hispanic population has increased a lot, and its important because we do contribute to Oklahoma," said Griselda Moreno, the owner of Taqueria Azteca. "Each day, we have more businesses, so I think we are important to the community."

Alejandro Guajardo is the owner of Taqueria Nelly and echoed the sentiment.

I hope we all keep moving forward together, better our community, hire more people," he said. "So that we can all have our own piece.

Jessica Reyes helping to represent Taqueria Rey del Pollo said everyone helps build each other up.

"We are one of the most hard working communities out there, and not only the most hard working, but we spend a lot of our money," she said. "It's very important that our community is seen, because we do contribute a lot to the community management financially, but we're out there volunteering as well and bringing businesses and bringing more economy to the state."

Abel Murrieta is a team leader with Tamale Boyz and said he's honored to bring a bit of his culture to the city.

"I think that's the big thing," he said. "Hispanic people have been getting more resources to be able to open up businesses."

One of the organizations helping to connect the Latino and Hispanic entrepreneur community is the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Rodrigo Rojas is the Board Chair, and said he's been honored to help his community.

We serve over 300 businesses as members, but we have over 3200 Hispanic employer owned businesses just in Tulsa County itself," he said. "So it's really, really great to again just be that anchor that can, that can support our community.

The four finalists of the Taco Contest are:

For more info on how to vote, you can visit Tulsa Vlogs' social media.

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According to Tulsas 2024 Equality Indicators, the percentage of white Tulsans with health insurance is 32 percent higher than Hispanic Tulsans.

2 News decided to delve deeper and find out why.

WATCH: Hispanics among top uninsured population in Tulsa, organizations aiming to help:

Dr. Carolina Hernandez is the Executive Director of UMA Tulsa.

It's a Spanish-speaking non-profit with its headquarters located in east Tulsa's Plaza Santa Cecilia.

Hernandez said families she works with have come to her talking about several obstacles that prevent them from being able to afford insurance, with a primary barrier being cost.

The problem is where we work, Latino communities or immigrants usually are working in trades, industries, agriculture, architecture or building, food services," she said. "These are industries that regularly don't offer the benefits of health.

2 News also spoke with community members like Denisse Ahuero.

She said she did run into some obstacles when trying to find out more about securing insurance.

There was about two months where I didnt have insurance," she said. "I didnt have enough information to where I knew of insurance providers that spoke my language.

She said now, shes glad shes been able to find an insurance provider in east Tulsa that speaks her language, but she knows others who have faced this same problem.

Ahuero also agreed that cost can be an issue.

She said once she was able to find affordable coverage, thats when she made the leap to buy insurance.

If you do have an accident or something like that, then you have a way to back yourself up," said Ahuero.

Another reason Dr. Hernandez said Latinos stray away from buying insurance is lack of information.

People are afraid," she said. They don't know if they're eligible, sometimes even knowing that they're elgible, they don't know if this is going to change. So they fear, even if they have the whole family here, they live, they work, they pay taxes, they fear getting close to the system.

Currently, UMA Tulsa has seven different programs that promote physical and mental health, including free therapy and check-ups focusing on catching pre-diabetes.

For more information on how you can take advantage of these free resources, you can visit UMA's website here or visit them at Plaza Santa Cecilia.

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News of the Meta data center being built in East Tulsa broke after being previously referred to as Project Anthem, and people are sharing their thoughts.

Governor Stitt and Meta both stated that the data center has set a goal of net-zero water usage, and that taxes will not go up for residents, since Meta said it will pay for its energy usage.

WATCH: MIXED REACTIONS: Community reacts to Meta data center in east Tulsa:

Just outside of the Greenwood Rising building in downtown, where state officials officially made the announcement, protesters gathered to show their disapproval.

Jordan Harmon said shes a Policy Specialist at Indigenous Environmental Network.

We don't accept their community announcements or whatever kind of bribes or manufactured consent they want to give to people to try to make it look like a good thing," said Harmon. We don't want hyperscale data centers; it's not needed. They're building them in so many towns in Oklahoma, and we really don't need the generative AI or crypto mining. It's just for billionaires to get even richer. It's really not for us.

Cheyenna Morgan attended the protest. They live about three miles from the centers site.

Despite the remarks, Morgan said they arent convinced the data center will keep its promise not to increase taxes or to reach its goal of net-zero water usage.

This project was approved about two years ago, and in those two years, there has been a real lack of community engagement around this project," said Morgan. "They don't have to live near these facilities. They don't have to deal with the generational environmental harms right next to where they go to bed at night, where they, you know, go outside and enjoy their garden, and they're not going to have to deal with, like, the direct impacts, because they don't have to see it.

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The Crosstown Learning Center in north Tulsa is hoping to connect the community for a unique fundraising event so that they can keep providing childcare in classrooms at an affordable price.

Samantha Hammond has several children attending the non-profit Crosstown Learning Center and said shes loved every minute of it.

It takes a village, me being a single mom of three boys, you it's definitely helpful," she said. "Community is key, and it's awesome.

Executive Director Kristina Ellis said the learning center has 90 children, with most families receiving some kind of subsidy help and every family receiving tuition assistance from the learning center.

WATCH: Crosstown Learning Center fundraising to help families with childcare:

Hammond said since Crosstown also accepts state help, she's been able to enroll her children.

Even though you don't think that you that you can afford it, they work with you," she said. "Crosstown is really good about that.

Executive Director Kristina Ellis added that Crosstown is a non-profit and operates through fundraising.

It's why the learning center is hosting its first-ever Crosstown Classic basketball game, to help raise funds.

The money gathered will go towards making sure Crosstown can keep helping their families.

High schoolers have been invited to show off their skills at the game on June 26

with nominations being due April 24

.

You can click here if you're interested in submitting a nomination.

There's a lot of needs in our community, and so we know that it's important to have an event that the community can come together and celebrate each other," said Ellis. "That's what we're doing.

She said she wants to provide quality, affordable childcare for families who need it.

"It's important for children to be ready for school, but it's also important for families to be ready for work," she said. "Childcare is a workforce issue. If as a family member, you know that your children are in a safe, caring environment that is reliable and affordable, you're going to be a better employee as well, and that's going to help the growth of Tulsa."

Ellis also outlined how to nominate or be nominated to play at the basketball game in June:

If you are a high school student and you're interested in playing in the Crosstown Classic, reach out to your coach," she said. "Your coach and athletic directors, they all are aware of our event. And if you're a coach and you want to nominate a player, fill out the nomination form that we sent you, and that way we can get your information, get the players selected, and start the process of putting this event together.

"This is a very fun environment, positive environment, and they're welcoming," said Hammond. "They're awesome here."

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Guests gathered at Tulsas University of Oklahoma campus to talk about challenges and stigmas the Black and African American community face when it comes to mental health.

According to the CDC, suicide rates among Black and African Americans nationwide have increased each year between 2018 and 2023, jumping from 3,022 to 3,911 in that time period.

WATCH: FREEDOM TO SHOUT: Community gathers to discuss improvements to mental health:

Seeing data like this, Psychiatrist Dr. Brittany Taylor wanted to do something about it.

It's why she organized the Freedom to Shout workshop that aims to combine the power of religion, spirituality and community to help with mental health.

I'm going to educate people about how I formulate or assess patients through the biological the social and psychological lenses," she said. "While also incorporating spirituality like scriptures, as well as helping people understand that it's multi-factorial."

Taylor said there are several things contributing to poorer mental health in these communities.

She explains one of them is courtesy stigma.

Stigma within their own community and family that's preventing them from wanting to get help," she said. "Preventing them from believing that they can go to whether a psychiatrist, a therapist, or even just talk to someone about the struggle that they're having with their emotions or their mental health. It's pretty bad.

Fellow psychiatrist and guest Dr. Nicole Washington said she wanted to learn more.

I'm most looking forward to hearing the input from the community," said Washington. "I want to hear from the faith community about what gaps they see as far as it relates to their interconnection with the medical side of things. So I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking forward to just seeing people learn more about mental illness.

Dr. Washington said it was a "no-brainer" to attend the event and support Dr. Taylor's mission.

I think it's just important to remember that people are whole beings, and you cannot separate your spirituality from your physical health from your mental health," said Washington. "It's all in one casing, and it's important to nurture every aspect of it.

Taylor echoed the sentiment.

The only way that we really can address this crisis by connecting and becoming a community and just understand, once we connect and talk, things can change," said Dr. Taylor. "When we continue to keep things secret and under the rug, people don't heal. So this is what freedom to shout is. It's time to shout.

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James Johnson has been advocating for safer road conditions near his home on Troost and Mohawk Boulevard for years.

2 News Oklahoma has previously spoken with him about what he hopes to see, with the latest developments having been the medians being taken off the road.

WATCH: 'If not now, when?': North Tulsa man fighting for more traffic safety as city makes changes

Police have responded to at least two accidents on the intersection and Johnson said his grandson died in one of them.

Since the last time 2 News spoke with Johnson, the city has installed Deer Crossing signs and new rumble strips.

Johnson said many people speed on the street, so he bought official speed limit signs and put them on his fence, but the city told him to take them off, so now he has them on his trees.

If you try to come and remove my signs in my yard, you're going to have a problem, major problem," said Johnson.

The city has heard Johnsons concerns and has already taken steps to make the intersection safer.

The city confirmed in a statement that it will install a new traffic signal either late Spring or early Summer, and that this specific area of north Tulsa will be part of a new resurfacing project.

Still, Johnson said there are many things that haven't been addressed yet.

We asked them for flashing speed limit signs, but they won't give us that," he said. "We asked them for three-way stop signs, but they won't give us that. We asked for speed bumps, but they won't give us that.

Johnson said hes not gonna stop fighting.

If not now, when? If not me, then who?

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Robbi Tabbert is getting ready for her wedding soon.

She's been clean for five years. She said the journey wasn't easy, but she's thankful to people like Casey Robinson, the owner of Robinson Properties.

Tabbert had some tough times while getting clean and couldn't find a place to rent until she met Robinson.

The gratitude is immeasurable," she said. "It's hard to kind of explain it to people sometimes.

She said having access to affordable, quality housing is very important to her and helped her get to where she is now.

Being affordable is huge, especially in this economy," said Tabbert. "That allowed me to still pay my car payment and provide groceries and provide for my children, and so it was really, really beneficial for me.

Now, Tabbert is getting ready to get married and upgrade to a home with her family.

She is grateful to people like Robinson who trusted in her and allowed her to reach her full potential.

Staying focused and continuing to take one step after another," she said. "Recognizing where I came from and where I want to be.

Casey Robinson specializes in completely renovating vacant buildings and turning them into updated, affordable housing for people seeking a second chance.

It's really hard for someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps if no one will sell them a pair of boots," he said. Addiction is something that's really affected our family, and we started hearing from people close to us that, you know, they got their life on track, but nobody would give them a chance. Nobody would rent to them.

Currently, Robinson said he has 80 affordable workforce housing units.

"We don't want to take housing from the community," he said. "We want to add it to the community."

Most of his properties are in North Tulsa because he saw a need he wanted to help counteract: lower incomes.

According to the City of Tulsas 2024 Equality Indicators, only 40 percent of North Tulsans live in households earning a livable wage, compared with 71 percent of South Tulsans.

It makes it all worth it when it's finished, and we hand somebody their keys, and they're just so grateful because they've been told no time and time again," said Robinson. "We believe that real change happens within a community with consistent, incremental changes."

Robinson is gearing up to open a six-unit building on Archer Street in a few weeks, and several other projects are coming that will increase affordable housing in north Tulsa.

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After the F-1 tornado that hit north Tulsa on March 6, 2 News Oklahoma caught up with residents about how they're rebuilding.

Suzanne Desautel said it's not her first time experiencing severe weather, so shes keeping extra stocks of batteries, water and flashlights.

This storm wasn't quite as severe as the last one we had, but it did hit, of course, at night, when things were hectic and people were trying to go to bed" she said. "It affected a lot of people, people that lost their roofing.

WATCH: ONE MONTH LATER: North Tulsa recovering after F-1 tornado:

She also said she's lived in her North Tulsa home for about three years, and also sustained some damage in March.

We did lose our hot water heater vent and the roofing," she said. "We had some roofing work done, but we had some really good roofing people that took care of it right away.

She said the community rallied together during tough times.

In times of disaster, everybody pulls together," said Desautel.

In fact, less than a day later, 2 News covered the Dream Center helping to rally people together to help residents who were impacted by the tornado.

The tornado also damaged the Tulsa Tech Peoria campus, specifically damaging the roof, making the building unsafe for students.

Because of it, students were dispersed to other campuses.

2 News reached out to Tulsa Tech and received an update.

It reads Tulsa Tech administrators along with instructors and staff from all campuses have worked tirelessly to accommodate students for the remainder of the year.

It continues to read planning is underway to return to business as usual at the Peoria Campus.

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The Dawson neighborhood in northeast Tulsa is no longer a food desert after 25 years, thanks to the opening of Bazaar, a new nonprofit grocery store.

Located at 5215 E. Pine St., the membership-based store provides fresh, local fruits, vegetables, and meat to a community that long struggled with food access.

WATCH: 'BAZAAR' grocery officially opens in Dawson Neighborhood:

Before Bazaar opened, the lack of access had a severe impact on the community. Dawson scored just a 1.3 on the Tulsa Neighborhood Conditions Index, a metric used by the city to evaluate the livability, economic vitality, and overall health of its neighborhoods, with 0 being the worst possible score.

When the last store in the Dawson neighborhood closed, residents like Delisa Woodruff had to drive miles just to buy food.

Almost to Highway 244 is the closest grocery store, Woodruff said.

Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries and city leaders worked to bring the grocery store to the area to improve those conditions.

"People are born and die in this community without access. The great thing about today. That they're going to be people who were born and die here who don't even know what the world was like before they had that access," Mayor Nichols said.

Mayor Monroe Nichols said projects like Bazaar are what make communities thrive.

Previous Coverage>>> CONSTRUCTION BEGINS: 'BAZAR' micro grocery store coming to north Tulsa

"And so now folks who didn't have access for a long time, they do," Nichols said.

Former city councilor and Dawson resident Crista Patrick said food brings people together.

Buying food together creates a community... and after losing our grocery store, we lost a lot of that in the neighborhood, and so this is a way for us to grow together and really bond with each other and be there for each other in a very safe way, Patrick said.

The new store is already making dinner easier for local families.

I can run up here, run in, grab something, Woodruff said.

Outside the store, there are food trucks, and Bazaar is providing one free meal a day to students at nearby Hamilton Elementary School and Tulsa MET Junior High and High School.

For Woodruff, its a blessing her grandson and other kids can get food without paying a penny.

Previous Coverage>>> 'BAZAR' vending machine grocery store coming to north Tulsa

So good for them to not have to feel like it's a burden to need some food, they happily come here, they're able to come here without money and to be able to walk out with something, Woodruff said.

Bazaar is a membership-only store. Patrick said its to track members' metrics and know who they serve.

Memberships are free for anyone living within half a mile of the location, and $25 a year for anyone else.

I think it's a huge thing for this neighborhood and the rest of what they're doing here is just awesome, Woodruff said.

Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries will open a community garden on the 29 acres they bought with the store. That is scheduled to open in the coming weeks.

Bazaar is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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