Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett does not let race or gender dictate how she works for her 6th Ward in the city of St. Louis.
“Leadership transcends gender and race,” Triplett said.
“I’m very grateful the residents of the 6th ward decided to think outside of the box when they elected me their alderwoman.”
Triplett, one of the youngest elected leaders in St. Louis history, took office after Lewis Reed (also African-American), who ran successfully for president of the Board of Aldermen.
On June 19, Triplett will host her campaign re-election kick off event at the Grand Hall of Marriot Union Station from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
“I had a burning desire to serve my community. I knew this is what I was supposed to do,” said Triplett, whose father, the late John Triplett, was active in local union politics.
Triplett grew up in the 6th Ward, which spans from the near South Side to the near North Side, between 14th Street and Compton, so she has always known its neighborhoods.
She ran a grass-roots campaign, freely giving residents her cell phone number. Triplett continues to make herself accessible through social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
“A fresh perspective is needed,” she said.
Safety was a crucial neighborhood issue when Triplett began as an alderwoman. She and her team went door to door recruiting residents to be part of a Neighborhood Watch program and become block captains. They emphasized to residents that it was a community effort. Triplett has helped to utilize vacant buildings in her ward and fought for legislation that would add new penalties for owners who neglect vacant properties.
“There are great folks that have delivered their time, talent and resources. It’s really been a team effort and partnership,” Triplett said of her efforts to engage constituents in community renewal.
Triplett hosted a community day with activities on a neighborhood lot called Just Because, with no reason other than to offer community appreciation for all the residents to get involved and meet one another.
Triplett is proud that despite the economic downturn, her ward has benefited from development, with new loft apartments Downtown carved out of old warehouse buildings and new businesses forming.
“Downtown should be diverse,” Triplett said.
“It’s all about rebuilding the neighborhood and rebuilding the community and devoting all resources to target different properties within the 6th Ward.”
Triplett also is active as a youth mentor in her community and accepts the responsibility as a role model, being a young, black woman pursuing leadership in a city that often is regarded as backwards and self-protective of its status quo
“Trust your gut and stay focused,” Triplett advises. “Don’t let anyone dissuade you from pursuing your dreams.”
Triplett mentors a young lady in the 6th ward, who will be a high school freshman this year, and she has interns working in her office to learn politics and government.
“Once you climb the ladder, it’s important to make sure that the ladder is still down for others to climb,” Triplett said.
In a city with large problems – a budget crisis, a legacy of racism, huge African-American unemployment, persistent crime, unaccredited public schools, an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases – Triplett insists that doing the small things right can help the city improve. She encourages residents to attend public meetings, participate in neighborhood watches and just get involved in the local community.
Triplett said, “It truly takes a community to make the city what it can be – us working together and not being on the sidelines.”
For more information on the June 19 event for Kacie Starr Triplett, visit www.kaciestarrtriplett.com.
