‘There is not a person of color in the world that hasn’t earned something.’ – Nikki Giovanni
The St. Louis Racial Equity Summit 2023 brought together an array of diverse organizations Nov. 9-11 under the theme “Together We Rise: The Power of Community.”
Held at the America’s Center Convention Complex downtown, summit topics included racial equity, opportunity to thrive, and justice. Business subjects included corporate and Black women leaders networking.
Award winning poet Nikki Giovanni was the keynote speaker on the summit’s opening evening and shared her humor and love for St. Louis. She also detailed her experiences with growing up in a segregated America.
“Those in power believe we are not supposed to have nothing, our children are supposed to go without. They believe you and I aren’t supposed to have clean water to drink,” she said.
“I’m tired of people telling us we haven’t earned a life [that will] get our basic needs met. There is not a person of color in the world that hasn’t earned something.”
Sandra Keely, CEO of SK2 Enterprises, a St. Louis based real estate company, called the summit “a refresher, a place where people can get innovative ideas and get words of encouragement.
“This is a life’s work,” said Keely.
The summit hosts said the three days of discussions and action had three goals:
Awareness of Inequity: Participants built awareness of systemic inequities that exist in the region– from education to housing to healthcare and beyond.
Understanding Why Inequity Exists: Gaining an understanding of systemic issues and building a plan to address them. This included reviewing successful tactics in St. Louis and other regions.
Transforming Towards Equity: Successful strategies for immediate action were shared. Local leaders of color shared their thoughts on what can be done to eliminate structural inequities.
Dr. Will Ross, associate dean for diversity at Washington University School of Medicine and professor of medicine in the Nephrology Division, explained how little to no access of healthy options impacts the region.
He said Black and brown neighborhoods are the most vulnerable, adding that “reparations are a subject that should be included when talking about racial equity.”
According to Ross, a grassroots approach is the first step. Telling the stories of the communities that have been impacted by systemic racism is vital.
“Hopefully by taking this approach it will create a ground swell of activities that will help keep the ball rolling for a more equitable society and not just in the St. Louis region,” said Ross.
“It’s time we had restorative justice and I’m not going to give up.”
A youth panel led by Precious Barry was centered on getting young people more involved with civic work, bridging gaps between generations, and creating spaces for them to energize other youth.
Elizabeth Franklin, St. Louis County Youth Advisory Council chair, would like to see more adults “reach out to younger people and not leave them out of the conversation.”
“[We should] adhere to some of the suggestions and requests they are making because they feel they can help make a difference too.”
Raevyn Ferguson, College and Career Readiness Program coordinator for the Little Bit Foundation said the conversation must be open and consistent.
“These conversations are so important because we are fighting the same fight our grandparents had to fight [and] that was decades ago,” said Ferguson.
“Something has to change.”
Ferguson wants to build “a united front” between generations that are working for equity building. She hopes older generations “really see value in [youths] and the efforts they have made.”
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.