Photo by Humans of St. Louis

We amplify the experiences of people impacted by racial inequities.

For there to be justice, we must center those whose voices and narratives have long been left out or twisted. 

Storytelling can change hearts and minds, inspiring policy and systems change. That’s why storytelling is one of Forward Through Ferguson’s key strategies for advancing Racial Equity.

Our #10YearsLater storytelling series highlighted stories from St. Louis-based movement leaders such as Jamala Rogers.

“For a lot of people, this work can be overwhelming. I tell them, ‘Pick one thing you’re passionate about and stay there.’ Nobody’s asking you to save the whole world. Pick something then find other people to help you work on it.’ Because it’s not a luxury right now to be passive and spectating. There’s just too much going on and too much going on that’s gonna affect all of us in ways we have not even imagined. For me, it’s all about: How do you maximize a democracy? And how do you protect people’s human rights? Fight for that.”
-Jamala Rogers, Founder Member & Executive Director of Organization for Black Struggle
Click to view Jamala’s full #10YearsLater story

Explore and share Forward Through Ferguson’s storytelling projects below.

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: Mike Brown Sr. & Cal Brown

Cal: “We met in junior high. I was an errand girl and I’d run into his...

Learn More

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: Jamala Rogers

“We’re at the Rowan Community Center, which celebrated its 50th...

Learn More

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: Percy Green

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡...

Learn More

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: Kristian Blackmon

“I was at home and remember scrolling social media when I saw Mike...

Learn More

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: DeMarco Davidson

“The moment I felt like I was a leader was in 5th grade. I was captain...

Learn More

#10YearsLater #UnflinchingProgress: Tommie Pierson

“If there was such a thing as a self-made man, you’re looking at him....

Learn More

#Transforming911

Photo of B.N. BlithedeCarona, a Black mixed-media conceptual artist and resident of Fountain Park. She is holding an art piece entitled Call My Mama Not The Cops. The title is repeated in red ink with a copper and black stain on the front. In the background are other art pieces since as For Sale 100 % Cotton, an American flag hijab with safety pins, and a collage piece. Bee is wearing a long sleeved white shirt, is bald with bleached eyebrows, glasses, and has a serious expression on her face.
Photo by Lindy Drew / Humans of St. Louis

We partnered with Humans of St. Louis and My Friends And I to create video and photo stories that amplify St. Louisans’ experiences with calling and using 911 services.

Learn More

Still Unequal

Photo of Williams' sons reading different books. One standing in a red shirt and black shorts and socks, another sitting in a white shirt and black pants, and another looking down at the one who is sitting with lots, a blue sport jacket, and khakis. They all have natural hair and glasses.
Photo by Humans of St. Louis

We partnered with Humans of St. Louis to share photo stories and conversations about education equity from St. Louisans who are closest to the issues.

Learn More

Barriers & Blessings

Photo of Dwayne T. James and Toby Weiss sitting together on a picnic bench. In the background is bright sunlight foliage. Toby is a white woman with bright blue pants and white shoes under a blue patterned dress. She has blonde hair that is pinned up and glasses. Dwayne is a Black man with salt and pepper short hair and facial hair. His hands are clasped on his lap as he is leaning forward. He is wearing jeans and brown leather shoes.
Photo by Colleen O’Connell Smyth / Humans of St. Louis

The Barriers & Blessings  series with Humans of St. Louis  details the relationship between commercial property development and education outcomes, and the disproportionate impact that relationship has on students across the St. Louis region.

Learn More

Five Years Later

Josh Jones is a Black man sitting under a shady tree with bright green leaves dappled with sunlight in the background. He has neat close cropped haircut and a close cut beard. He is wearing a t-shirt that says SMART in all caps letters at the top.
Photo by Humans of St. Louis

The #FiveYearsLater series with Humans of St. Louis shares stories five years after the killing of Michael Brown Jr. and the Ferguson uprising. 

Learn More

#STL2039

Photo of Jacqueline Hutchinson, an older Black woman with a bob. She has a closed mouth smile, is wearing a navy blue blazer and turquoise top along with a multi-colored beaded necklace. In the background is her colleague, Elisabeth Risch, who is a white woman with brown shoulder length hair, a teal button up, black cardigan, and black slacks. Behind her colleague is the Midwest Bankcentre building.
Photo by Lindy Drew / Humans of St. Louis

This #STL2039 series with Humans of St. Louis accompanied the release of the #STL2039 Action Plan for achieving an equitable St. Louis that was released in 2018.

Learn More

Racial Equity Catalysts

De Nichols a Black woman whose back is to the camera, with her face turned to the left and her hand holding a sticky note say that the true expert is he/she who is affected most by the issues. There is a wall of sticky notes in front of De. De is wearing a silver watch, a navy blazer, and has natural hair with more length at the top rising up from her head.
Photo by Lindy Drew / Humans of St. Louis

These are stories from people committed to the work of Racial Equity with photos by Lindy Drew, which were captured around the time that Forward Through Ferguson was first formed.

Learn More