The tornado that struck North St. Louis last May was not only a violent storm. It was a revealing test of what happens when disaster collides with neighborhoods already burdened by decades of disinvestment and economic vulnerability.
As the Missouri Independent reported, the EF3 tornado carved a 22-mile path across the region, damaging or destroying 16,000 structures, killing five people and causing an estimated $1.6 billion in damage — the state’s most devastating weather disaster since Joplin.
Yet, even as the scale of the destruction became clear, something equally powerful emerged. Communities organized. Neighbors showed up. Grassroots leaders moved with urgency because families could not afford to wait.
“Grassroots organizations mobilized, deployed, and came together in a way that was both historic and divine,” Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier said. “They are among the strongest advocates for rebuilding in a way that ensures the same residents who called North and West City home before the tornado can continue to do so for generations.”
For their speed, coordination and unwavering commitment, Action St. Louis, ForTheCultureSTL, Operation ANY MEANS Necessary, Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation, Gateway Early Childhood Alliance, 4theVille, Invest STL, Dream Builders 4 Equity and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis are The St. Louis American’s Organizations of the Year. This is the first year the Foundation has bestowed this honor.
These groups stepped in immediately, clearing debris and blocked streets, delivering food and essential supplies, creating access to services and stabilizing families facing sudden displacement and uncertainty. Their combined efforts helped distribute thousands of supply packages, support thousands of households and serve more than 21,000 meals across neighborhoods including College Hill, Penrose, O’Fallon, the Ville, Greater Ville, Fountain Park, Lewis Place and Academy.
They acted because delay was not an option.
Last year, Action St. Louis Executive Director Kayla Reed told The American that her team understood the urgency immediately.
“We knew folks would immediately need food, water, hygiene products — and help cleaning up,” she said.
The People’s Response Impact Report — prepared by Action St. Louis, ForTheCultureSTL and the University of Missouri’s Community Innovation and Action Center — documented how residents “self-deployed” while formal systems caught up. Between May 16 and June 28 alone, more than 10,000 volunteers cleared debris, distributed 8,000 supply packages and served 21,000 meals.
At 4theVille, Aaron Williams described how quickly the work began. The day after the tornado hit, he said, “We bought three chainsaws and we hit the streets… just cutting trees and power lines and light poles for people, just so they can get off their block to get whatever they need. While we were doing all of that, more people started calling us, saying, ‘How can we help?’”
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis also served as a critical stabilizing force, coordinating relief efforts, hosting large-scale distributions and helping families access essential support as recovery moved from emergency response toward rebuilding.
Beyond statistics, the response demonstrated something deeper — a roadmap for what is possible when recovery is rooted in dignity, proximity and love. As the People’s Response report stated:
“This was not just a moment of emergency response. It was the result of years of community organizing, infrastructure-building and leadership development in Black neighborhoods… What we created was not just a hub — it was a demonstration of what is possible when community leads and love is the foundation.”
That is why these organizations are being honored. They showed that resilience is not abstract. It looks like neighbors with chainsaws, volunteers with meals, organizers building structure out of chaos and communities refusing to leave one another behind.
Together — alongside Michael P. McMillan, The American’s 2025 Person of the Year — they once again displayed the very best of St. Louis.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.