The legacy of the historic Mill Creek community will be celebrated during an educational event at 1 p.m. Friday March 27, 2026 at the Anheuser-Busch School of Business (ABSB) Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) HSSU ABSB CIE, 3203 Olive Street.
Held in partnership with the Missouri Historical Society (MHS), the free event will explore the history of Mill Creek Valley, a thriving center of Black professional life and entrepreneurship before its demolition for “urban renewal” in the late 1950s.
The CIE is located on land which was within Mill Creek Valley.
“The CIE is more than just a building; it is a reclamation of space,” said Kristy Jackson, CIE executive director.
“By partnering with the Missouri Historical Society, we ensure that our current efforts to build Black wealth are rooted in the deep, resilient history of the giants who built Mill Creek Valley before us.”
Gwen Moore, MHS Urban Landscape and Community Identity curator, will share narratives and archives of Mill Creek Valley’s more than 20,000 residents and 800 businesses. The event includes lunch, providing opportunities for students, local entrepreneurs, and history enthusiasts to connect.
“To understand the landscape of modern St. Louis, we must understand what happened to Mill Creek Valley,” said Moore.
“This event is a vital opportunity for the community to engage with our city’s difficult history while celebrating the vibrant cultural and economic identity that this neighborhood contributed to our region.”
“Black history is civic history, cultural history, and living history. Sharing stories like Mill Creek is essential to understanding the footprint of Black history in St. Louis,” said Lyah LeFlore-Ituen, MHS African American History Initiative director.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with CIE to share stories and legacies like Mill Creek because they help us understand where we’ve been and what we’re meant to carry forward.”