When the powerful tornado ripped through North St. Louis last May, it left entire neighborhoods scarred and, months later, still struggling to recover. But in the aftermath, the region’s response revealed a powerful truth: when emergency strikes, leadership, coordination and compassion matter.
For demonstrating that leadership on a citywide scale, The St. Louis American names Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, its 2025 Person of the Year.
“Michael is an extraordinary and transformative leader, a visionary deeply rooted in the community who has dedicated his entire life to serving others,” said St. Louis American Publisher Donald M. Suggs. “He is being cited as the 2025 Person of the Year for his role in making the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis a steadfast anchor for providing crucial relief and hope to thousands who were devastated in the aftermath of the catastrophic storm.”
McMillan leads an agency that mobilized immediately after the tornado and remained a steady, trusted presence as families — many displaced — worked to rebuild their lives.
Under his direction, the Urban League helped organize disaster cleanup partnerships; hosted nine large-scale community distribution events that collectively served thousands of residents; provided hotel vouchers and housing support; supported children returning to school; and ensured families had access to food and essential services as the storm deepened already existing needs. Leaders across the region noted that the Urban League stepped in when many families could not afford to wait for formal systems to respond, helping stabilize neighborhoods at a time when uncertainty was widespread.
One month after the devastation, Fox 2 St. Louis reporter Shirley Washington noted that efforts like the Urban League’s sent a clear message of support to the community after one of the worst tornadoes in the city’s history.
His leadership in crisis was forged early. One year after he became president and CEO in 2013, Ferguson — and the nation — were shaken by the killing of Michael Brown. The upheaval that followed demanded stability, coordination and a renewed commitment to rebuilding. Out of that period came a sharpened focus on strengthening communities, building trust and expanding resources where they were needed most.
As a self-described “old soul trapped in a child’s body,” McMillan, an only child, grew up listening to elders discuss politics and race, often asking more questions than they had patience for. He joined the Urban League at age 16 and later served as a mayor’s assistant, the youngest elected alderman and license collector, while continuously holding a seat on the Urban League board since age 24.
Under his leadership, the organization has grown from a $17 million annual budget in 2013 to $52 million in 2025, expanding to 20 locations and dozens of programs supporting education, workforce development, health access and economic empowerment.
The Urban League faced another defining test in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. McMillan helped mobilize what became one of the state’s largest relief operations, providing protective gear and emergency support to thousands of families across Missouri.
Alderwoman Shameem Clark-Hubbard said the same spirit guided the tornado response.
“Being on the ground daily in all the neighborhoods in my ward, I personally witnessed the tornado relief efforts of the Urban League. They have been responsive and resourceful and led with empathy and humanity in helping people get to the next step.”
McMillan said he is “beyond honored” to receive the recognition and emphasized that recovery remains ongoing and deeply personal.
“When we look at what’s happened over the past 7½ months after the tornado, you see what the Urban League and other organizations were able to do, it showed the best of St. Louis once again,” McMillan said.
For McMillan, the work ahead is as important as the work already done. He has repeatedly stressed that rebuilding is not just about replacing what was lost, but ensuring North St. Louis emerges stronger, safer and better supported than before the storm. That commitment to long-term recovery, grounded in both urgency and compassion, is why he is being honored — and why his leadership continues to matter at one of the region’s most critical moments.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.