When Ferguson made national news 10 years ago, there was little positive news to report. The tragic death of 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. at the hands of former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shocked the world and left a stain that some thought might last forever. But the signs of progress are a testament to show how resilient this community was then and now.
MICHAEL BROWN JR.
The new businesses that have been built are replacing the images of Ferguson as a war zone of protests with the promise of prosperity and progress to come.
The new businesses that have been built are replacing the images of Ferguson as a war zone of protests with the promise of prosperity and progress to come.
The QuikTrip on West Florissant Avenue that was burned down during the uprising is the site of a new Urban League location. Urban League and Salvation Army opened the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center.
“We have come to St. Louis because we want to shine a bright light on how many of you are working and have worked every day for the past three years to convert anger into action,” Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said at the grand opening on July 26, 2017. “To take the tragedy that occurred and, from that tragedy, try to shape a new beginning for this community – many cities, big and small, across America I hope take note.”
The facility houses the Urban League’s Save Our Sons workforce development program, which provides job training and placement services for African Americans and other young men in Ferguson and North St. Louis County.
“Together we’re responding to racial inequality and human distress experienced not only in Ferguson but across our nation,” Commissioner F. Bradford Bailey of the Salvation Army said at the event. “The center is a gathering place, dedicated to listening to people where we can learn and act together.”
Further down the road is the Teen Center of Excellence established by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis which opened Oct. 3, 2019.
The center is intended for youth ages 12-18 and primarily for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Fowler said the clubs hope to serve more than 1,500 teens with the center.
“Placing ‘Youth at the Center’ is needed to impact generational change. This center is an expansion of the Innovative Education Hub called for in the [Forward Through Ferguson] report,” said Flint Fowler, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.
“We strongly believe that greater attention must be given to the massive out-of-school time opportunities we have to support, protect and prepare our children and teens.”
Next door to the Boys and Girls club is Mercy Clinic Primary Care facility, a 5,500-square-foot operation at 9180 West Florissant Ave., that has served families of Ferguson and surrounding communities with adult, pediatric and women’s health services for three years.
“This has been an opportunity for collaboration and partnership that will benefit Ferguson residents for decades and generations to come,” Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones said.
The health and well-being of a community starts with the health of its people, according to the National Health Disparity report, which gathered data on social determinants evaluated from doctor’s visits to access to healthcare.
“Accessible health care in this community will mean a great deal to mothers who have to take public transportation to get to essential places,” Jones said.
A future update for the area provided by Health and Homes will include a renovated bus shelter for people waiting for the bus across the street from the new clinic.
“We knew that we wanted a clinic that would serve the community, but we didn’t know that it would blossom into the wonderful structure we have today,” said Mercy Clinic Vice President Tesh Jewell.
Another change that’s moving the needle forward in Ferguson is the Urban League Plaza on West Florissant. Urban League Plaza will feature a full-service bank, restaurant/banquet facility and a minority business incubator.
None of these businesses were here when Michael Brown Jr. was killed, but all are helping redefine Ferguson.
The National League of cities included downtown Ferguson in a recent tour. The reason they selected Ferguson was to showcase the city’s resiliency.
“Our City has demonstrated its resilience and commitment to building a thriving, inclusive community,’’ Ferguson Mayor Jones told nlc100. “That is what I hope people will take away from our tour and presentation. We are thrilled to host our esteemed colleagues from the National League of Cities and proud to show off our City.”
Downtown Ferguson has also flourished along with the northeast shopping areas, with Starbucks, the new Burlington and Five Below all coming after the uprising to help bolster longtime anchors Walmart and Sam’s Club on West Florissant Avenue.
“One of the things that was highlighted for the representatives is the fact that businesses feel comfortable locating downtown, and we know that public safety plays a big role in that,” said Patricia Washington, Public Information Officer for the Ferguson Police Department. “Nobody is going to invest in opening and growing a business in an area that is not safe and welcoming. Community policing is at the heart of our overall public safety strategy. Our business owners tell us they appreciate the high visibility patrols and the relationship building that is intentional.”
The May NLC tour turned out to be a pleasant surprise during its Centennial ‘Roadshow.’
“It is truly an honor for NLC to visit remarkable municipalities, like Ferguson, Missouri, that have made significant contributions to the advancement of local government over the past 100 years,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “Each of these cities has played a pivotal role in moving our local communities forward and has a unique story that showcases transformative change.
As we celebrate and chart a course for the next 100 years, I am more excited than ever for the future of cities, towns, and villages and look forward to continuing important work together.”
This article originally appeared in the St. Louis American
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