I never knew what was going to greet me on the other end…sometimes, I’d be met with all sorts of frustrations. Most days, I would clock in, find a workstation near my work-buddies, plug in my headset, answer the phone, and say: I started off on the 2nd shift because my seniority was so low. When I was on this journey of self discovery in my mid-twenties, I stumbled upon a job as a reservations and sales agent at TWA – a good union job, and I was a proud member of Machinists Local 949. While I eventually ended up returning back home, it took several fits and starts to find a job that I really liked. Louis’ incredible arts and culture scene.Īfter graduating from Affton High School, I headed east to Hampton University and imagined a career in investment banking, somewhere on Wall Street. It was here that I developed a deep appreciation for St. At 16, my first job was an usher at the Muny, guiding theater patrons to their seats and enjoying Broadway renditions such as Porgy and Bess, Annie, or Grease. My professional journey started the same way it does for many young people here in St. Louis, and EACH one of them taught me a critical lesson, forming the lived experience as the FIRST Black woman mayor I carry into City Hall with me every single day. I’ve had many different experiences here in St. Last year, I spoke about my family’s home - the Big House - and how it influenced my upbringing. He said, “There’s nothing new about poverty, what is new however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.” King was a scholar, and he even recognized that poverty is the parent of crime. That social isolation, economic deprivation, poverty and ignorance breed crime and the conditions for it, no matter what color you are. He noted as long as there is poverty, the temptation for crime deepens. He talked about how we still have a long way to go before economic justice is a reality. King used the specific phrase “economic justice” throughout this particular speech. King described had not changed much since then, more than FIFTY years ago.ĭr. King’s speech from that night - My mind was blown at how the conditions Dr. As I prepared for tonight’s event, I revisited Dr. King’s leadership, I discovered that his work towards the end of his life expanded from civil rights to silver rights…or economic justice. King was, but I was drawn to learn more about him when I found out that he and my dad shared a birthday! I was like most kids, I thought my dad was a superhero, but it meant more when I discovered he shared a birthday with one of the most prolific leaders of the civil rights movement.Īs I delved deeper into Dr. spoke for about 45 minutes to an integrated audience, in this very room, at what was then the West Pine Gym.Īs a child, I generally knew who Dr. On October 12, 1964, two days before he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. City government may not always seem like the MOST exciting way to spend your Tuesday night, but your engagement is critical and valuable. Louisans watching along here and at home – thank you for spending your evening with me tonight. Martin, Regional Business Council Chair Kathy Osborn, Bi-State Development CEO Taulby Roach, and East-West Gateway Executive Director Jim Wild for being here tonight.īut I’m most appreciative of the everyday St. I also want to give a shoutout to Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, Madison County Board Chair Kurt Prenzler, and St. To the leaders joining us from outside the City - St. I want to recognize my fellow City elected leaders joining us today: President Megan Green, all our new and returning members of the Board of Aldermen, Comptroller Darlene Green, Treasurer Adam Layne, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, Collector of Revenue Greg Daly, and License Collector Mavis Thompson, Thank you to American Legion Post #77, for the presentation of the colors.Īnd I am grateful to Pastor Booker and Koran Bolden for your powerful words - you’re tough acts to follow! Thank you to the McKinley Classical Leadership Academy for lending their incredible talent to tonight’s proceedings, and to Grand Center Arts Academy students for sharing your art with us this evening. Michael Lewis for the warm welcome and thoughtful reflection - I believe all of us in the room today are hopeful, and committed to the future of our city. Thank you Saint Louis University for hosting us, and Provost Dr. Good evening, and thank you for joining me tonight…
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