Ferguson and Beyond

The Ferguson crisis has exposed tensions between African Americans and the law enforcement, as well as racial disparities among minorites, not only in St. Louis but throughout the country. It is our mission at the Urban league of Metropolitain St. Louis to secure economic self-reliance, social equality, and civil rights. We plan to further this mission through our Ferguson and Beyond  Campaign. Its time to not only discuss  critical concerns, but also address them. As a community working together, showing mutual respect, and maintaing accoutablity, we can heal Ferguson and beyond. 


Following the Michael Brown Shooting, we


•Donated over $20,000 in funds and scholarships to Michael Brown’s family and younger siblings.

•Served over 2,000 Ferguson and surrounding North County Residents with hot meals, groceries, toiletries, utility and rental assistance

•Organized the largest Job and Resource Fair in the Agency's history at St. Louis Community College at Florissant valley with 5,000 in attendence--- The event promoted over 90 employers in the St. Louis area

• Conducted voter registration with Ferguson  residents

•Sponsored three peaceful demonstrations in Ferguson

•Participated in the Regional Business Council's Reinvest North County Fund to provide immediate relief to small business affected during the crisis

•Participated in meetings with the Department of Justice to discuss Ferguson's Police Department investigation and the voluntary review of the St. Louis County Police Department


Desiring to help continue the healing process and further promote change,  we recently created a Leadership and Advocacy Committee made up of African American organization’s focusing on leadership and youth. The committee will:

•Provide civic leadership training to those seeking to become officials in Ferguson;

•Lobby for reorganization of the Ferguson Police and the St. Louis County Police Department;

•Promote diversity within the St. Louis City and County Police Department;

•Increase the accountability of local police departments to the communities in which they serve; and

•Promote voter registration, mobilization, and education


Despite our country's advances, young men of color continue to face significant challenges. Currently, 54% of African American men graduate from high school, compared to more than 75% of their peers. The lack of a high school education often leads to increased poverty and unemployment rates in African American communities. In 2012, nearly one-third of African Americans lived in poverty in St. Louis, a rate higher than the national average.

But this crisis does not have to continue.  With our new  Save Our Sons program , we seek to  help  African American men of Ferguson and the surrounding North County areas find jobs that provide opportunities to earn livable wages.   The Urban League’s Save Our Sons initiative is a workforce and job training program that will serve up to 500 men in St. Louis County over the next two years.




 Join Us in Rebuilding Ferguson and St. Louis into a model Diverse City for the 21st Century! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.