Aniya Betts has a passion for youth organizing. Aniya is the block captain for block unit 1746 in the Greater Ville Neighborhood. She trains emerging leaders with Young Voices With Action. They have a Global Presence as an organizer for The International Black Freedom Alliance where she supports the Political prisoners campaign and works towards economic freedom.
She is a young innovator and entrepreneur. Aniya founded a Global Tech Company called Nyrobeonka LLC. The company makes developing ideas affordable and is working towards revolutionizing the way we organize and use technology in our efforts. She believes that the youth are leading the way to right the injustice done to the diaspora. The youth must lead us away from systems of control to systems of liberation. Top
Anthony Bilal began his Law Enforcement career 1999, with Northwoods Police Department. With 20+ years of experience, Anthony has always been devoted to improving the relationship between Citizens and Police. Anthony is currently with Pagedale Police Department, where he is assigned to the Bureau of Investigation, where he conducts long and short-term investigations.
Within the Detective Bureau, he maintains and oversees Operational Annual Review Policies, Internal Affairs and Custodian of Evidence. Anthony is an Investigator with the Major Case Squad of Greater Saint Louis. He served in various positions and attended countless professional training and Law Enforcement enrichment programs. During Anthony's tenure with Northwoods and Dellwood Police Departments, he worked with and for great people, who mentored him and developed his leadership skills and the concepts of Crime Prevention and Community Policing.
Anthony also worked as a Project Coordinator for a non-profit organization, FWCA, which was based at Saint Louis County Justice Center. This organization was instrumental in reducing recidivism, assisting 300+ participants. Anthony is a member of several social, civil and community support organizations. He coached the Red Bird Rookie team with Beyond Housing. Anthony enjoys traveling, attending sporting events and spending time with his wife, family, and friends. Top
He is currently employed at Woodard Cleaning & Restoration where he gained skills in demolition by hand, forklift & scissor lift training. Outside of work he is a Deacon at his church, The Lighthouse SDA where he hold many hats. He is involved in various groups & organizations including Action St.Louis & Expect Us. Both help shine a light on the social injustices that plague the black community. When he was in college he worked as a mentor at AAMI African American Male Initiative mentoring his peers which led him to start mentoring young black men. Top
Daphne Redding is a St. Louis native who currently works as a Para-professional for the Special School district of MO. In this capacity, She wears the title of Substitute Teacher in the Normandy School district.
She is also an independent contractor, working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has been practicing in this industry for 15 years, serving as the Director of Rehab and treating patients, which she enjoys the most. These are just a few of the many things she will manage to do in my daily life.
Her professional life so far has been to be of service to others; it is what brings her joy. What she values most in this life is her family and equality, and these are things she will always fight for. In her spare time she enjoys DIY home improvements and acting as a personal stylist.
She recently launched her online luxury resale and consignment shop, dba Maddie P Christian’s, offering pre-loved luxury goods. The website address is maddiepchristians.com. She created this online business, secondary to one of her biggest hobbies, the love of shopping. Top
Daria Keys was born and raised in St. Louis MO. After graduating from Rockwood Summit High School, she moved to Pine Lawn. Daria grew up seeing the differences between Fenton and North County and always wondered why both neighborhoods couldn’t be the same. She got her start in being an advocate for community betterment after joining AmeriCorps in 2019. (Shout out to Katie and Danielle). After her year of service was over, Daria worked as a pharmacy technician for one year. While she enjoyed the security of a 9 to 5 job, she knew she was not making as big of an impact as she could.
In 2021, Daria was fortunate enough to join the A Red Circle team and became the Food and Farm Lead Organizer. Through her work, Daria has been able to bring fresh food into a food insecure region. The goal is to continue empowering her community and finding ways to right the wrongs through policy change and use her farming connections to pet as many cows as she can. Top
Darius J. Rucker (He/Him) is a proud Black Same-gender loving man who fights everyday to ensure the world is left better for all people. As a leader, he is devoted to ensuring others have the tools they need to wield their Power. His expertise is in anti -racism/anti -oppressive training, project management, strategic planning, and trauma informed care practices. He lives in Ward 12 and is originally from St. Petersburg, FL. Darius has a BA in Sociology and MA of Secondary Education. Top
Darron is 61 years of age, attended Ford, Clark, Banneker, Baden Elementary Schools, and Enright Middle up through the 8th Grade. He attended Northwest High School and Central High School both as a Co-Op Student at O’Fallon Technical High School. He is also a custodial Single Father of three teenagers. Was recognized for my work by Employment Connection (employer for the past 12 Years two as a Volunteer) as Employee of the Year [September 21, 2017] and The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. for Exemplifying Superior Community Service through The Father’s Support Center of St. Louis Inc. [June 18, 2014] received the Roger Hines Community Service Award.
His mother was a Community Outreach Liaison for Alderman Freeman Bosley when he first was elected to office and a member of The St. Louis Ambassadors under former Mayor A. J. Cervantes. She is also a Hadley Tech. and Sumner High School Alumni, Class of “61”. Top
Eddiemae Brown is a Supervisor at Benefit Plans Plus, LLC. She works with retirement plans and 401k; helping people put away money for their retirement. She works closely with the biggest client for the firm which services almost 2,000 plans in the insurance market. The firm is 3rd party administrators – retirement has evolved – providing clients with detailed updates on their retirement landscape and new insights into savings and spending behaviors of retirees. She works with advisors to identify risks and factor in longevity, the market and health risks (medical expenses).
Eddiemae is one of 10 family members (eight girls and two boys). She is originally from St Louis, having played basketball and softball. She enjoys shopping and reading; and has traveled to Africa – Ghana, in West Africa, meeting some very appreciative people
Currently getting into the housing market with my son, we want to purchase a home, work on remodeling together, and to rent it out. Eddiemae is a unique name, said just as it is spelled, named after her father (Eddie) and adding Mae. Top
Jacqueline Ewing is a Property Management Professional specializing in Low Income Tax Credit Housing. Her career spans over nearly three decades where she has mastered every aspect of the industry including opening new and managing new projects and developing inter-generational programming designed to foster community relationships between youth and the Elderly. Jacqueline is currently a Housing Specialist with the St. Louis Housing Authority where she hopes to utilize her housing experience to help improve community relations.
Jacqueline is a recent graduate of St. Louis University’s Cannabis Science Operations Program (December 2022); she hopes to share her knowledge by working with industry leaders to expand efforts to combat ongoing social injustices imposed on marginalized communities within the criminal justice system. Jacqueline is a member of Project Connect, an action plan organization focused on connecting development projects and community enhancements in neighborhoods north of Downtown, including the future home of the NGA West. Jacqueline has a primary goal is to be a catalyst for change within her neighborhood (St. Louis Place) by leading efforts to “Re-imagine Again” what wholesome communities look like. She believes that engaging youth and young adults is key to the process. Jacqueline is a 2022 NLA graduate. Top
Influenced by pioneering tenants’ rights activists Bertha Gilkey, Loretta Hall, and Shirley Whitaker, championing social and human rights was the norm in the Whitaker household. Expanding on her intrinsic gifts, Jennifer brings more than 20 years of government program and policy experience centered in the principles of case management and Self-Sufficiency.
Jennifer is a social work professional with a background in organizational behavior and policy. Her projects over the years range from shaping Missouri's TANF Welfare Reform program to a recent UMSL grant to measure the impact of COVID-19 on youth depression. Notably, Jennifer has served on social service advisory boards for several Missouri governors.
Jennifer holds an undergraduate business degree from UMSL in Marketing and Organizational Behavior and a specialized graduate degree from Washington University in Social Work focusing on Youths and Family, and Community and Urban Development.
Jennifer describes herself as a community servant with the mind of a businessperson and the heart of a social worker. Her motto is "Social work chose me, and I'm proud to serve". Top
Joyce Green is a compliance inspector for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Ms. Green licenses childcare facilities and assists childcare centers in maintaining local, state and federal mandates, policies and laws. Ms. Green has a 25 year history of public service and has previously worked within the Missouri Department of Social Service and Missouri Department of Corrections. Due to Ms. Green’s diligent work throughout the years, she has been voted Employee of the Month on a few occasions and has been chosen to spearhead projects using her expertise. Ms. Green is passionate about providing safe, structured, quality learning environments for children and believes this is amplified in the service she provides as a state employee.
Ms. Green is a lifelong resident of St. Louis, MO, who enjoys reading, dancing and attending plays/musicals. Ms. Green currently volunteers at her church and assists with community projects. Top
Karen Jeaneen Washington-Dudley
Mrs. Karen Jeaneen Washington-Dudley is a City of St. Louis resident and a dedicated City of St. Louis employee, with the Neighborhood Stabilization Office. Mrs. Washington-Dudley has 30+ years of professional working experience in St. Louis City Government, that include:
Mrs. Washington-Dudley joined the Neighborhood Stabilization Team in July 2019 as a Neighborhood Improvement Specialist. In November 2021, she was promoted to the Neighborhood Improvement Specialists-Supervisor. Due to her experience in Human Service Management and Professional Counseling, Mrs. Washington-Dudley consistently demonstrates a unique and results oriented approach in advocating and empowering constituents to sustain a quality environment within their neighborhoods, through organization, education, intervention, and assistance. She believes in the motto “We Are The People We Serve”.
Both, Mrs. Washington-Dudley and the Neighborhood Stabilization Team, strive to strengthen trust and transparency between communities, City Services, and Law Enforcement. This approach makes neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, become safer, by promoting the City’s initiative, related to quality of life. Top
Kiana Fleming holds an MSc. in Global Media and Communications from the University of Southern California and the London School of Economics & Political Science. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Spelman College.
She serves as the City of Olivette, Missouri’s Communications Manager, leading the Public Affairs Department, and as the Early Education Associate at Nine PBS contributing to the advancement of Drawn In, an early learning transmedia initiative.
Kiana recently completed the Reading and Writing Against Racism Series (RWARS) with Undo Bias, an anti-racist consulting film. She participated in the 2022 Black Women Organized for Political Action's (BWOPA) DWJ Public Policy Leadership Fellowship and is a 2020 Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders graduate. Kiana previously worked in DEI at Washington University in St. Louis, media advocacy in San Francisco, and early childhood education, where her passion for children blossomed.
She is a published writer, avid reader, vinyl enthusiast, yelp eliter (ask her where to find the best food), fantasy football expert, proud mama to several thriving houseplants and a kitten named Sweet Baby Tang, and lastly, a LeBron James super fan. Top
Kimberly Northcross is currently a Realtor and Receptionist with a small dental office. Becoming a new agent in real estate has been most exciting for Kimberly. In recent years, Kimberly has found a love for gardening and farming. With this newfound passion and the knowledge gained from fellowships, Kim plans on starting a community garden in the North St. Louis, O’Fallon Park area where she will educate neighborhood youth and anyone seeking the knowledge of gardening and growing.
Kimberly has three young children who are part of the reason why she wakes up and tackles each day with determination and strength that sometimes only comes after prayer. These same three pieces of her heart also push her to dream bigger for their family. Kim believes it is God who gives so much of Himself in her, that allows her to grow through her learned experiences.
St. Louis is Kimberly's home. It is one thing to be surrounded by family, but it is another thing to literally be surrounded by family. Next door, in the unit downstairs, three houses down the street, and around the corner, this is where Kimberly's immediate family lives. This gives Kim a village like no other. Top
Monica Groves is Program Director at XPRIZE where she leads impact strategies, program planning, and community engagement for XPRIZE learning programs and XPRIZE Rapid Reskilling.
With over a decade of experience in community outreach and program management, Monica oversees activations in learner empowerment, intersectionality in EdTech, and partnerships. She also leads the XPRIZE Anti-Racism Council to recognize and find solutions to addressing the systemic inequities faced by people of African descent in our work and culture and is active in the Women of XPRIZE to promote gender parity internally. She has a MA in Media Communications from Webster University and a BS in Mass Media from Missouri State University. In her spare time she is a storyteller, writer, wine educator, and empowerment workshop facilitator. Top
Nellie Quinn is a retired educator with 30 years of service. Before retiring, she served as a classroom teacher, teacher consultant and Instructional Specialist. Nellie was a consummate teacher leader who provided quality instructional methods, led teacher development sessions and coordinated assessment data for instructional programming.
Since leaving the education field, she has served her community in diverse ways. Her desire to learn and give back led her to become an arbitrator for FINRA, a financial regulatory agency that is charged with resolving disputes between financial advisor and client. Nellie canvassed her community during the 2020 census procuring accurate counts for the City of Greendale. Currently, she serves as an Alderwomen in that same community. She has been instrumental in hiring a new policing service and restoring community engagement.
When not working on a strategic plan or gathering data to share with others in order to make informed decisions, she enjoys traveling. Nellie has visited more than twenty states in the US and China. Traveling has elevated her interest in the fine arts and culinary arts experiences. As a result, her vision and hard work is leading to the launch of an at home wine tasting business. Top
Pameal Neal is presently a Business Development Specialist with SLATE Career Center. In this role, she is responsible for connecting regional businesses to employees looking for employment. Pamela works with local, private, nonprofit, state and federal employers. She successfully managed three summer youth employment grants and more than 250 youth were employed in two and a half months.
Pamela grew up in the rural south to a large family with parents and seven siblings. Her motto is, “To whom much is given much is required.” She works in the Human Services field because she feels it is her duty to give back to the community and leave it better than when she found it. Top
Shelia Caradine is a retired School Teacher. She currently is the owner and operator for the licensed home daycare, WE STILL BELIEVE. She provides quality care for a school age child ages 3 to 12 years while out of school for holidays, or professional days. While the children are in my care, learning does take place.
When she chose to go back to school to get my Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and to be able to retire in that field and still work with children.
She does what she does because she loves educating children. She believes that children should be able to have the best learning environment one can offer equipped with the tools and resources that are needed because I am educating future leaders.
She has two beautiful daughters, two granddaughters, and one grandson. She has been residing in the City of St. Louis, for 65 years. Shelia loves to dance and loves spending time with my friends and family. She loves to laugh and act silly stating, “It’s funny at the age of 65, I’m still a silly little girl. I just had a birthday party with my friends I’ve been around all my life and I was acting silly someone said you still act like “Lucy”.” Top
Tammy Marie Tuggle is the founder and CEO of AT Your Service Specialist Services. AT Your Service is a residential and commercial cleaning and maintenance company that she started with her husband, Andrew, which boasts large commercial contracts with REI and Ulta Beauty. As an entrepreneur for more than 23 years, Tammy understands the needs of her clients and works diligently to ensure a level of discretion and professionalism.
Tammy has also made it a priority to employ people from all backgrounds. From the youth in her neighborhood to those that may need a second chance in life, Tammy offers them the opportunity to gain maintenance skills that they would be able to utilize in other areas of their lives. She also trains start-up cleaning company owners in business accounting, bidding processes and how to obtain the necessary licensing, insurance and clientele building.
Most recently, Tammy has become more in her community by volunteering to assist during the transition of the trustee board in Glasgow Village.
Tammy is a native of St. Louis and lives in Glasgow Village with her husband, Andrew. Top
Yolanda Campbell is a veteran teacher of 23 years. She is also a first-term council person for the city of Normandy. Yolanda Campbell holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics; as well as, two master's degrees, one in special education and the other in education administration. She is a single mother to a 13-year-old Benjamin and an 11-year-old Sophia; as well as 60+ houseplants since Covid.
She has a passion for family, community, and education. In her first term as a city council member Yolanda initiated and organized a city-wide clean-up and an annual easter egg hunt. She also secured Missouri Department of Conservation Funding for Normandy. It is her hope to win a second term to continue to work for her ward and city. As a teacher, she has served as a basketball coach, after-school tutor, and liaison to leadership and social skills groups. As a mother, she serves as a taxi.
Yolanda hopes that her passion for community and helping others creates a spark inside of her children that will carry on with them into adulthood. Top
Aniyah Betts 
