The St. Louis American is moving into the headquarters of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, relocating the nearly century-old newspaper from its offices on Pine Street to North St. Louis.
Operations will officially begin at 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd. on Nov. 2. The Urban League, which owns the building, renovated second-floor space to accommodate The American’s offices. The building already houses other businesses and community organizations.
“It puts us right in the core of the Black community,” said Publisher Donald M. Suggs.
The two organizations have longstanding ties, but Suggs emphasized that sharing space in a building will not change The American’s independence. “We are two very separate, autonomous organizations,” he said.
The American will continue reporting on the Urban League when its activities warrant news coverage, Suggs said.
Urban League President and CEO Michael P. McMillan said it’s a source of pride to have “one of our city’s most respected and influential newspapers under our roof.”
“The St. Louis American has played an extraordinary role in documenting our history, celebrating our achievements and keeping our community informed for generations,” he said.
The American’s lease at 2315 Pine St. was ending, and the new location offered an opportunity to move into space better suited to its needs, said Chief Operating Officer Julie Erickson.
With many employees working remotely and journalists frequently reporting from the field, the staff no longer requires as much traditional office space. Journalists are increasingly shooting video, posting updates on social media and filing stories from their laptops while working in the community.
“We didn’t need as big a footprint,” Erickson said. The reduced office space will allow the news operation to devote more resources to reporting and other aspects of its mission.
Erickson said the new location also presents an opportunity to become more involved in activities taking place in the surrounding community.
The idea of moving into the Urban League’s building came from McMillan, who approached Suggs about the possibility several years ago. Suggs has long had a close relationship with McMillan, which helped lead to the move, Erickson said.
Founded in 1918, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis works to expand economic opportunity, promote civil rights and help families achieve financial stability. Its programs include employment assistance through Save Our Sons + Sisters and Head Start early childhood education.
Suggs sees the move as a way for The American to join ongoing efforts to revitalize North St. Louis, particularly the area around North Kingshighway Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
Suggs has his own professional history along North Kingshighway Boulevard. Before becoming publisher, he practiced oral surgery and has operated offices at three different locations along the street.
He praised the Urban League’s work to redevelop the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building, calling it a monumental undertaking. The department store, once a vibrant shopping destination for North St. Louis residents, closed in 1976. Six years later, the building became home to the Roberts brothers’ businesses and was renamed the Victor Roberts Building.
The Urban League acquired the property in 2020 and announced plans for a $40 million redevelopment project. Suggs credited McMillan’s leadership and vision for the progress made repurposing the building.
McMillan said the newsroom’s presence will add “energy, purpose and excitement” to the headquarters.
“We look forward to this exciting new chapter as they continue their remarkable legacy of journalism and community service,” McMillan said.
The relocation comes as The American approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028.
The American was founded March 17, 1928, by Judge Nathan B. Young, prominent attorney and civil rights leader Homer G. Phillips and other Black leaders. It gave Black St. Louisans a voice when mainstream newspapers ignored their concerns. Today, the award-winning news organization reaches audiences through print, its website, social media and digital newsletters.
In a March 17, 2023, article marking The American’s 95th anniversary, Suggs wrote that the newspaper had developed a sense of community ownership through its “for us, by us” editorial model.
Erickson encouraged readers to visit the new office once employees have had a week or two to settle in.
Readers will still be able to pick up copies of The American at the new location. Its telephone numbers and email addresses will remain unchanged.