Why have a Community Governance Board?
The Racial Healing + Justice Fund is informed, designed, and led by community members and advocates who are directly impacted by racialized oppression. The Community Governance Board (CGB) of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund is a voting body of 9-15 community members from St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Clair County who receive a stipend for their time and insight. Community members serve one or more terms on the Community Governance Board of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund.
Community Governance Board Responsibilities
Grants and Allocation Decision-Making
- Running grant process and supporting applicants
- Conducting initial grant review
- Recommending slate of applicants for funding
Community Voice & Learning
- Activating on community engagement and voice
- Collecting, evaluating, learning from process and granting outcomes
- Continual improvement and adaptation based on process and community voice
Full Board
- Voting on recommended slate of grants in each cycle
- Deciding on new and continuing priorities
Community Governance Board Members
The 2020-2021 members included Aaron Rodgers, Dawne Turner, Jenniqual Johnson, Kaylan Holloway, Lettie Hicks, Mia Malcolm, Michelle Barbeau, Patrice Hill, and Tiana Glass.
The 2022-2023 Community Governance Board members included Michelle Barbeau, Aaron Rogers, Mia Malcolm*, Dawne Turner*, Perez Maxwell, Tyrean Lewis*, Samantha Minor*, Rorke Chhouk*, Shonda Ambers-Phillips*, Angel McCain*, Diamond Spencer*, Darian Wigfall*, Erika Essiem, and Ashley Winters*.
* These members also served on the CGB in April 2026 to make decisions for the Recovery Grants.
Additional Support
From 2020 to 2023, Forward Through Ferguson (FTF), Deaconess Foundation, and the Missouri Foundation for Health partnered to successfully pilot the Racial Healing + Justice Fund. Deaconess Foundation and Missouri Foundation for Health supported grants and allocation decision-making, while Forward Through Ferguson supported Community Voice & Learning and coordinating the full board. In 2026, Forward Through Ferguson took over full administration of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund.
