Jill Bell
St. Louis County - Cool Valley
Jill Bell is a St. Louis native and have lived primarily in North County. Jill is passionate about providing health education to the community and empowering others to improve self-efficacy. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Health Science from UMKC. Jill serves as the Program Manager & Health Equity Fellowship Coordinator. In my free time, she loves spending time outdoors with my dogs, reading, and painting. Jill enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new things. Her favorite quote is “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Top
LaChelle Billups
St. Louis County - Velda City
LaChelle Billups is a dedicated social worker, change agent, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, committed to empowering individuals and fostering positive, lasting change. With a results-driven and solutions-oriented mindset, she brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership to every role she undertakes.
As the St. Louis Regional Data Manager for a nonprofit, LaChelle oversees our local and regional data, trains staff, and generates reports to monitor and evaluate grant funding. Her attention to detail and strategic vision help drive informed decision-making and accountability.
Integrity is the cornerstone of her professional approach. LaChelle prioritizes transparency and precision in data management, knowing that trust is essential for meaningful collaboration and sustainable progress.
A proud native of St. Louis, Missouri, LaChelle is deeply invested in my community’s well-being. Outside of her professional work, LaChelle is family-focused and a small business owner, committed to contributing to the local economy and creating opportunities for growth. Lifelong learning is central to her ethos, continually shaping her perspectives and strategies for both personal and professional development. Top
Felicia Bishop
St. Louis County - Bellefontaine Neighbors
Felicia Bishop is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and dedicated public servant with a passion for community betterment. With 20 years of experience at one of the Big 3 auto manufacturers, Felicia transitioned into public service, where she has excelled as a Code Enforcer, Lead Inspector and Planning & Zoning Commission member. Her expertise in residential housing inspections and floodplain mitigation exemplifies her commitment to safety and sustainability in urban development.
Felicia’s innovative leadership has driven remarkable success, including increasing departmental collection revenue from $25,000 to over $200,000 in just one year. Her entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her past venture, a women’s boutique designed to empower confidence and self-expression.
As the founder of a non-profit organization, Felicia devotes herself to community service, mentoring, and mental health advocacy. She has guided five inner-city youth from high school to college graduation and actively works to foster positivity and growth within underserved communities. Top
Kyra Clerk
St. Louis City
Kyra Clerk was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. Saint Louis City to be exact. Kyra attended Parkway West High where she was highly involved in creating a safe environment for her counterparts, winning numerous awards for inspiring change among those around her. Kyra stepped, cheered, played basketball, softball, and ran track. She is currently a Political Science major at UMSL full-time. Her goal is to become a lawyer and eventually a judge. Her specialties include civil rights and criminal justice. These days you can catch her writing her thoughts and poetry in her notebook, chatting with her family about controversial topics, or reading a novel. Kyra does, however, still enjoy watching those sports she once enjoyed playing, but it's probably best she sits on the sidelines except for stepping. She can still get down. Kyra has been doing community work with her cousin to get her footing. She's recently considered doing a podcast to broadcast issues within the inner city and share resources people may not know are available to them. Kyra is very outgoing, and a complete open book. She enjoys intellectual counterparts and learning from others. Her ultimate goal is to provide equal opportunities for everyone. Top
Kalonda Kay Cloyd
St. Louis County - Calverton Park / Ferguson
Kalonda Kay is a dynamic entrepreneur, Army veteran, and community leader dedicated to service and innovation. She is the Owner and COO of Under Grace Home Health Agency, Under Grace Adult Day Program, UG Commissary Kitchen, and Gamers Island. She also serves as Chairman of New Avenue Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering youth and families through education, media, and community engagement.
With a degree in Mass Communication and over a decade of experience in social services, Kalonda specializes in state and federal resource programming. She is a certified Food Protection Manager through the National Restaurant Association and has more than seven years of small business management expertise. Her strengths include policy development, marketing, finance, and human resource leadership.
Kalonda’s passion for community shines through her service on the Ferguson Small Business District Board, Ferguson Police Community Council, and the Community Advisory Board for KDHX. She is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women. In media, she hosts events, red carpet interviews, and is a TV Hostess for the AH! TV Network.
As founder of Beat District Radio, she amplifies youth voices while uniting community and culture through broadcasting. Top
Colby Crowder
St. Louis
Curtis Griggs works at the intersection of community engagement, economic development, and urban planning—overseeing initiatives in six North St. Louis neighborhoods to connect residents, small businesses, and city agencies. He leads the revitalization of the OurPlan neighborhood planning initiative, guiding the creation of actionable plans for each neighborhood with the goal of city adoption. His work focuses on aligning community voices with existing plans and future public and private investments, fostering capacity building, and supporting small business growth.
Through his company, ConsulTech Multimedia Management LLC, Curtis helps businesses and nonprofit organizations craft digital media strategies that reach and resonate with targeted audiences.
A lifelong North St. Louis resident, Curtis is driven by a passion for his community and a commitment to economic empowerment. Rooted in a strong sense of civic responsibility and a spiritual calling as an astrologer, he uses his skills, insights, and lived experience to inspire transformation and unity. Top
Arica Davis-Clark
St. Louis City - Dutchtown
Arica Davis-Clark is a Practice Mgr. of Operations at Onsite Dental. Arica began her career as a CASA worker for the 2nd Judicial District in her hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas. After moving to St. Louis in 2016, she launched the skincare line Ari-ganics, gaining recognition as a grant recipient of the BALSA program and a featured entrepreneur in Ladue magazine. She further solidified her presence in the business community as a member of the Meta/Facebook business leaders program, where she represents small business owners in meetings with national congressional leaders.
Arica’s entrepreneurial journey also includes a shift into dental practice management, where she honed her passion for helping others thrive by promoting accessible dental care, and was a special guest on the season finale of Dental-Ish, a podcast highlighting Black Dental professionals. As an advocate for small businesses, she has visited Washington, D.C. twice as a Meta Small Business Ambassador, speaking on issues like the aftermath of COVID policies and the rising costs of advertising. Arica is also deeply committed to community engagement and leadership, her work includes promoting civic engagement, advocating for Black women in the workplace, and supporting community initiatives that support a safer St. Louis. Top
Sequoi Edwards
St. Louis City - O’Fallon
Sequoi Edwards is a visual artist, model, and entertainer. By the age of six, Sequoi had already started his technical training in piano, voice, chess, foreign language, and aikdio. After publishing his first book of poetry at 13 years old, Sequoi began his modeling career by officially signing as an international model with Allure Modeling at age 15. He would go on to work with such reputable companies as Redken, Paul Mitchell, Cartoon Network, Sony and countless others.
These early successes led Sequoi to a small role in the movie "The Game of Their Lives" directed by Chris Stoia. During which he developed a found passion for the arts and would begin to do more work in commercial and television. Soon he would be performing as Shakespeare's King Richard Ill, while simultaneously performing in The Opera Theater of St. Louis.
However, constant travel between Florida, California, and Missouri began to take its toll. Ergo, Sequoi relocated to Los Angeles where he would study under the renowned orchestra composer Benjamin Wright.
As a visual artist, Sequoi has been able to commission and collaborate with the AKA Sorority and Comfort Inn and Suites who currently have his work on display. GOD bless!!! Top
Della El-Amin
St. Louis City
Della M. El-Amin is the owner/CEO of Apex Millennium Group LLC (formerly Building Investment Group LLC), a real estate development firm focused on building Affordable Housing in underserved communities. Della and her late husband, Arthur B. El-Amin, are responsible for the development of over $22 million dollars worth of Real Estate Development Projects in the Metropolitan Area.
She holds Master’s Degrees in Non-Profit Management & Business Administration from Washington University and Fontbonne University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She’s also a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Missouri, possessing more than 30 years in the industry as she brokers her own real estate company, Development Investment Realty LLC.
Her most cherished possession is her family – As a widow, she is the mother of 3, the grandmother of 14, and the great-grandmother of seven. Her deepest desire is to honor her late husband’s legacy by continuing the work they started over twenty years ago and to create a pathway for knowledge & wealth building for the future generations. FUN FACT: Did you know? Della was born in Sunflower, Mississippi AND she was delivered at home by both of her grandmothers. Top
Curtis Griggs
St. Louis City - JeffVanderLou
Curtis Griggs is the Neighborhood Transformation Manager at St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), overseeing six north city neighborhoods as part of Project Connect, a citywide initiative to create alignment between neighborhood residents, existing plans, and both current and future public and private sector projects.
Curtis also runs ConsulTech, a multimedia consulting firm that helps businesses and nonprofit organizations develop digital media strategies for targeted demographics. One of his key accomplishments at SLDC has been revitalizing the OurPlan neighborhood planning initiative as the project manager. This initiative aims to create actionable plans for each of the six Project Connect neighborhoods, with the goal of having them adopted by the city.
A lifelong resident of North St. Louis, Curtis is driven by a deep passion for his community and a commitment to economic empowerment. His family instilled in him a strong sense of civic responsibility and the importance of building a unified, supportive community.
Curtis’ work is shaped by his spiritual calling as an Astrologer, focusing on natal astrology. After studying his own natal chart, he discovered character strengths that aligned with his life’s purpose, leading him to work that fulfills him while making a meaningful impact in his community. Top
Reign Harris
St. Louis City - Kingsway East
Reign Harris is a married woman, a mother of five children; two biological and three adopted. She is in the process of adopting her nephew. Reign has traveled many roads during this thing called life. She attended an all girls high school in Chicago, attended the University of Kansas, and enjoyed football games since her high school years. She loves shopping (it’s therapeutic for her) and enjoys professional football as the Chicago Bears are her favorite team.
Reign is a mother that has loss a child, her son Jaz was 27yrs old, and loss him to the senseless crime of carjacking in October 2017. Having such a loss like this hasn't changed her love for people, but she is more determined to rid bad behaviors from being in her life. Reign works for the City of St. Louis and has in different capacities for at least 17 years. Right now, she holds the title of Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, and she loves it.
Reign loves her life. She is passionate about human rights and people being allowed to live in peace. She has 7 more years to work, and has a great deal of plans after retirement so is planning now. Top
Kyra Jefferson
St. Louis County - Florissant
Kyra Jefferson is a dedicated financial coach, community advocate, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience empowering individuals and families to achieve financial stability and generational wealth. As a Community Mortgage Officer with Busey Bank, she provides customized financial solutions to promote homeownership and strengthen communities. A HUD Certified Housing Counselor, she specializes in financial counseling, credit management, budgeting, and homeownership education.
Kyra's leadership includes roles such as Director of Partnerships & Collaborations at Beyond Housing, where she supported thousands of families in improving their financial well-being. She also serves on the Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition, working to expand financial literacy and equity throughout the St. Louis region. As the founder of Peacock Possibilities LLC, Kyra merges her entrepreneurial vision with her passion for community uplift, offering services in financial counseling, real estate, and life coaching.
Outside of work, Kyra enjoys cheering on her two sons’ sports teams, exploring new restaurants as a foodie, and supporting Mizzou athletics. A lifelong learner, she is excited to join the UMSL Neighborhood Leadership Fellows program, enhancing her leadership skills to foster a stronger, more resilient St. Louis. Top
Keba Jones
St. Louis City - Dutchtown
Nykeba Keba Jones, principal of MK Media, a production company. Her primary responsibilities are crafting social impact solutions for tv, radio and print. She is author of, The Thrift Method, a financial guide. The Thrift Method shifts financial mindsets. Keba Jones is a CPS, CHW and CHW Instructor for KSCHW. Her passions are public health, social justice and art. As an autonomous learner she created and produced a radio show, INFO 92.9 FM. The 1 hour format featured local entrepreneurs, health, and policy show topics.
As a policy advocate Ms. Jones won the Action STL Census contest, participated in the Fight for 15, & an urban farm grant recipient for Gravois Jefferson Neighborhoods Planning Initiative. Ms. Jones led Patmos Haus 2017-2020 providing transitional living and case management services to the unhoused. Keba Jones skillfully weaves together passion and purpose. Her energy is undeniably fueled by a value system of hard work and creating opportunity. Keba envisions safe, beautiful, healthy sustainable communities full of food forests and harmony. She is a grandmother to a 4-year boy who thinks he’s a dinosaur. So you may find them on any of Missouri’s fabulous trails or the Science Center. Top
Ajia Knight-Brooks
St. Louis City - O’Fallon Park
Ajia Knight-Brooks is a dedicated Clinical Service Representative and Billing & Care Advocate specializing in interventional radiology at Washington University. In her role, she ensures seamless patient care by handling insurance verifications, scheduling, and securing financial assistance for those in need. Ajia’s commitment to patient advocacy and resourcefulness is a cornerstone of her professional life.
Before transitioning to healthcare, Ajia served as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army, an experience that taught her resilience, teamwork, and the value of service. Her time in the military laid the foundation for her passion for helping others and reinforced her drive to make a meaningful impact.
Originally from St. Louis, Ajia’s life journey, including moves prompted by military service, has deepened her understanding of diverse communities. A proud mother of three, she draws inspiration from her children to lead by example, instilling the importance of compassion and service.
Ajia is deeply passionate about food accessibility, sustainability, and chronic disease management. She channels this passion into gardening and herbalism, where she finds joy in nurturing growth—whether it’s plants or people. For Ajia, planting seeds is not just a hobby but a metaphor for her commitment to cultivating positive change in the world. Top
Samantha Minor
St. Louis City - Gravois Park
Samantha is a proud St. Louis native and a product of the Saint Louis public school system. She is a graduate of Saint Louis University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication with a minor in Special Education.
With nearly a decade of experience in community engagement and outreach, Samantha is passionate about creating opportunities that empower youth and strengthen communities. She is dedicated to connecting people with resources that open doors, from STEM career exploration to wraparound services, all while amplifying community voices.
Throughout the years, Samantha has coordinated STEM nights, organized an annual region wide STEM celebration week, and built meaningful relationships with community partners—while fostering a sense of collaboration and purpose.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys gardening with her son, singing, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Top
Vynetta A. Morrow
St. Louis City – West End
Vynetta A. Morrow, a relationship builder, visionary strategist, community engagement specialist, historian, educator, literary teaching artist, and storyteller, spends time communing with the ancestors and imagining a liberated world through Visioning for Justice, Virtual Women’s Retreats, Creative Community Leadership for Youth, and Community Leadership for Teachers in Hazelwood. Vynetta holds spaces to Shift the Center of the Narrative and find what fortifies our roots of the Tree of Social Injustice. Vynetta completed the FOCUS St. Louis Community Leadership for Teachers Institute in 2002, RAC Community Arts Training Institute & Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute in 2014, Intercultural Leadership Institute in 2019, and the Creative Community Leadership Institute 2021.
Vynetta serves on the weCollab Plan Implementation Team centering resident-led community development in the West End & Visitation Park Neighborhoods in St. Louis, Missouri and was awarded a mini-grant for her upcoming program, Roots of Love & Belonging: Storytelling In Our Park, after completing the Neighborhood Leadership Academy Fall 2024 cohort (University of Missouri Extension).
With a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Missouri - St. Louis, Vynetta has completed graduate coursework in restorative justice, education, and library science. She once lived in Jubilee Hall! Top
Denitria Neil
St. Louis County - Florissant
Denitria Neil is a visionary leader committed to transforming education and youth-serving systems through innovation, healing, and community-rooted collaboration. She brings over 16 years of experience in education, having served in district-level student services, founded alternative programs for at-risk youth, and helped launch the first charter school in St. Louis County. Denitria is the Founder of North County Innovative School (NCIS)—a proposed PreK–8 public charter school integrating STREAM education, mental health, and community wellness. NCIS is slated to open in Fall 2026, serving families in the Riverview Gardens School District attendance area.
She currently serves as Director of Operations at FamilyForward, overseeing facilities and operations across multiple campuses for a trauma-focused nonprofit supporting foster and adoptive families. Denitria also leads advocacy and engagement initiatives focused on school culture, literacy, and equitable access to education.
A licensed evangelist, Denitria is the 2026 President -Elect of the Florissant Valley Kiwanis Club, a founding board member of Friendly Academy, and the Youth Curriculum Coordinator at her church. Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of purpose, healing, and collective impact to create lasting change for children and communities. Top
Deborah Ogunti
St. Louis County - Northwoods
Deborah Ogunti is community liaison with Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Louis. While that is her current position, Deborah brings to a breadth of community-based and family focused work that covers decades. Her commitment to providing services and connecting with families while keeping an awareness of their histories has allowed her to become a relatable, authentic partner with those she serves. This authenticity is felt the moment you sit down with her.
This commitment to her passion of helping others is a core belief that guides her in life…if she can help, she does. Over the years she continues to feel the joy and personal fulfillment from being a contributing factor in the lives of others, reaching a place they imagined for themselves.
In quieter moments of her life, Deborah enjoys time with her family and friends, listening to music and exploring the world intimately on her travels. If you see her sitting on the grass at the Missouri History Museum for the Twilight Thursdays Concerts, be sure to stop by and say hello, she will most certainly have a smile and snacks to share. Top
Tashauna Parker
St. Louis County - Florissant
Tashauna Parker is the visionary leader behind New Avenue Inc. and Gamers Island, transforming innovative ideas into impactful community programs. As Director of ventures like Under Grace Home Health Agency and UG Commissary, Tashauna has built a career centered on uplifting underserved communities through education, employment, and holistic development. With a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, she skillfully connects, inspires, and advocates for meaningful change.
A recent winner of the Delmar Divine Pitch Competition, Tashauna excels at turning challenges into opportunities. Guided by faith, family, and fairness, she is passionate about creating inclusive spaces for youth and showing families a world beyond their zip codes—a mission inspired by her upbringing in the Ferguson, Kinloch, and Berkeley neighborhoods.
When she’s not planning her next big project or leading a workshop, you’ll likely find her at the bowling alley—she’s been perfecting her game since the age of five and even earned a bowling scholarship to Missouri Baptist University.
Tashauna’s superpower? Her ability to see potential where others see limitations. Whether she's building partnerships, empowering youth, or just sharing a story, her goal is simple: to inspire others to dream big and act boldly. Top
Marti Peebles
St. Louis County – Kinloch
Marti Peebles is a lifelong resident of Kinloch, Missouri, shaped by the resilience of the state’s first African-American historic community. An honors graduate of Harris-Stowe State University, she earned a B.S. in Management Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration.
In April 2025, Marti was elected Alderwoman of Kinloch, embracing the role as a calling to serve with integrity, advocate for residents, and lead with transparency. Her priorities include rebuilding partnerships with neighboring communities, driving sustainable economic development, and promoting authentic community engagement to deliver real, positive change.
Previously, Marti served five years as Treasurer on the Kinloch Fire Protection District Board, where she managed an annual budget exceeding $380K and oversaw $725K in federal grants that supported firefighter and EMT training and certification. She also serves as a block unit captain with the Urban League of Metro St. Louis Federation of Block Units, Bohannon “North County” Council.
Beyond civic leadership, Marti enjoys cooking, baking, traveling abroad with her sisters, and visiting family in Memphis. She is an active member of Trinity Mt. Carmel Baptist Church’s Women’s Leadership Ministry and has sung with the St. Louis Gospel Choral Union, Inc. for 25 years. LOCH’D into Change! Top
Raven Pugh
St. Louis City - Mark Twain
Raven D. Pugh is a passionate, strategic, and newly transitioned entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Upper Coaching, a consulting firm that provides coaching, training, business administration, and project management services. Upper Coaching empowers clients to rediscover their values, improve efficiency, and achieve their goals. Raven combines her academic excellence with her leadership strengths, innovation, strategic thinking, responsibility, maximizing potential, and connectedness to create impactful solutions that foster resilience and equitable opportunities.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Raven is a proud mother to a 12-year-old football enthusiast and a lover of the arts. She enjoys visiting museums, attending jazz shows, and experiencing dance performances and plays. Top
Tori Sombright
St. Louis City - Mark Twain
Tori Sombright is an educational equity enthusiast with a deep dedication to driving systemic change within [educational] policy and systems. She has a commitment to service that expresses itself in many forms, including volunteering and supporting causes that prevent marginalization of BIPOC. She is an advocate for all humankind with an explicit interest in community building and culture sharing.
Not only is she a St. Louis native and proud alumna of St. Louis Public Schools but she also earned a Mathematics degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she attended Pierre Laclede’s Honors College. Currently, she is a Grant & Program Manager at The Opportunity Trust, an organization that aims to improve education outcomes for PreK-12th grade students in Missouri. Top
Rachel Swinney
St. Louis County – Berkeley
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Rachel Swinney is deeply connected to her community's history and resilience. She attended schools in the Ferguson-Florissant and Hazelwood school districts and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 2010. Fueled by her passion for understanding and supporting others, Rachel completed her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2023.
With over a decade of experience in community-focused work, Rachel is committed to empowering individuals and transforming underserved neighborhoods. As a Tenant Advocate with the Equal Housing Opportunity Council and Family Supportive Services Manager for Urban Strategies, Inc., Rachel brings resources, support, and hope to the communities she serves, particularly through collaborations with the Urban League’s Neighborhood Healing Network.
Rooted in service, her upbringing as the daughter of a pastor and community educator instilled in her a strong love for faith, family, and making a difference. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Rachel leads with passion, dedication, and purpose.
Inspired by her husband, Letorre Swinney Jr., and her son, Elijah Smith, Rachel lives by the motto: "Be the change you wish to see and inspire others to follow." Top
Nikki Wilson
St. Louis County – Vinita Park
Nikki Wilson, a proud St. Louis native and graduate of Normandy High School, serves as an Asset Building Counselor in the Housing Department at Justine PETERSEN. A HUD-certified housing counselor, she brings over 30 years of combined experience in customer service, financial services, and workforce development. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Behavioral Health from Ashford University and an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Directing.
Nikki has demonstrated leadership through managing community portfolios, cultivating partnerships, serving on boards and advisory panels, and equipping clients with the tools to achieve housing and financial success. She also founded Blessings Closet Thrift Boutique, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provided professional attire to job seekers through the “Dress Like You’re Blessed” program in collaboration with Better Family Life and Goodwill STL Youth.
Passionate about community advancement, Nikki continues to volunteer with transformative organizations such as the I Am My Sister Foundation. Her long-term aspiration is to become a Licensed Clinical Therapist, expanding her ability to address mental health needs, foster resilience, and inspire purposeful change. Top