Progressive partnerships promise hope
By Eric E. Vickers
For the St. Louis American
The recent USA Today newspaper article spotlighting St. Louis [“More say, ‘Meet me in St. Louis’ as city rebuilds” – May 11, 2006] exposes the perfect potential now presented to this historic city.
The article, noting how St. Louis pioneered and leads the nation in using tax credits for redevelopment – pouring $3.5 billion into downtown – reveals the city’s remarkable rebuilding renaissance that includes the renovation of the Old Post Office, the new stadium and the restoration of Forest Park.
But with the Dred Scott history pictured in the background, the article poignantly asks whether the city, the region’s “Crown Jewel,” will include its 53 percent African-American population in this economic rebirth. If ever the necessary elements for change were aligned to permanently implant such inclusion, that time is now.
The element of opportunity is now squarely upon the city. Over the next five years the metropolitan area will generate over $5 billion in construction work, ranging from the $500 million Interstate-64 reconstruction, to the $700 million Ball Park Village project, to the $550 million in casino projects on both sides of the river. Thus the hour is ripe for seeding and sowing minority entrepreneurs, workers and professionals into the economic flow of the area’s multi-billion dollar construction industry.
The opportunity element has – for a change – been greeted less by elements of resistance and more with an element of enlightenment.
Last year’s recipient of the city’s coveted Citizen of the Year Award, Dr. Donald M. Suggs, has voiced and advocated through this nationally acclaimed newspaper a simple but bold challenge: economic inclusion. This year’s recipient, Father Lawrence Biondi, Saint Louis University’s president and visionary, echoed and confirmed before the civic leaders gathered to honor him, that for there to be progress, minority inclusion is a must.
This enlightenment has met and converged with an unremitting energy for inclusion. Six months ago, an alliance of five of the city’s foremost minority contractor and worker organizations was formulated to force by civil disobedience, if necessary, minority goals and programs on area construction projects. This has crystallized into the Minority Inclusion Alliance Rosa Parks Initiative, which is systematically targeting for minority inclusion eleven projects totaling $3.6 billion.
The Alliance’s energy has connected with the crosswind of those who idealize a more progressive city.
At the mast is the president of the city’s third largest construction company, Bob Clark, who has instilled a policy and culture in his company, Clayco, that insists on and enforces minority inclusion goals on all their projects – irrespective of any government mandate. Similarly, the president of the city’s fourth largest construction firm, Scott Wilson, has embraced, emphasized and implemented inclusion. And the Dean of SLU’s School of Business, Dr. Ellen Harshman, is now transforming the idea of minority inclusion into an area of academic study that will provide an analysis of inclusion efforts and the economic impact on the city.
These various elements have congealed to mesh with a local economy that has now tilted away from a manufacturing base. This new confluence stands to unleash the skill, knowledge and creative capacity latent in the minority community. And that phenomenon will not only spur profound economic growth for the region, it will supplant Lindbergh’s flight as the new spirit of St. Louis.
Eric E. Vickers is the spokesperson for Minority Inclusion Alliance.