FTF Co-Chairs and Community Partners Call for Swift Policy Action
Residents Call for Policy Change, Regional Leaders Must Rise to the Challenge Forward Through Ferguson co-chairs, Rebeccah Bennett and Zachary Boyers, and 30 community partners call on policy and decision makers to deliver swift action on Ferguson Commission Calls to Action. Read the full statement on Medium, or download a pdf here. “Unfortunately, we’ve been…
A Path To Racial Equity Worksheet
Racial Equity is a state in which race no longer predicts outcomes. Achieving Racial Equity is the mission of Forward Through Ferguson. But the 189 calls to action in the Ferguson Commission Report are a reminder that there is no one-step, straight-line path from our current state—where racial disparities exist in almost every set of…
Opportunity for a New Approach to Public Safety in St. Louis
An open letter to Mayor Lyda Krewson from Rebeccah Bennett and Zachary Boyers, Co-chairs of Forward Through Ferguson, on the public safety opportunity in front of our region. Click here to download a pdf of the open letter. Mayor Krewson, The retirement of Police Chief Sam Dotson represents a new day for public safety in St. Louis….
Three Questions for St. Louis City Mayoral Primary Candidates
Before its sunset in December of 2015, the Ferguson Commission created Forward Through Ferguson to catalyze action on the calls to action in the Ferguson Commission report, develop a vision for Racial Equity in the region, and to ensure accountability to the 3,000+ St. Louis residents who participated in the report development. In that spirit, Forward…
The Only Way Forward Is Through — Ferguson Commission Playbook
July 8th, 2016 We are heartbroken as we watch families in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Dallas grieve. As we watch communities reel we are, not surprisingly, taken back to almost two years ago in the days and weeks after the death of Michael Brown Jr. In the shadow of renewed tensions and tragedy in…
Tracking Regional Action and Initiatives with the FTF Action Tracker
If you, or someone you know of, is implementing a Call to Action and it’s not listed in the Action Tracker, you can let us know through this form: bit.ly/FTFSubmitYourAction At the core of the Ferguson Commission’s report, Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity, are the 189 Calls to Action — 189 recommendations sourced from…
Ferguson Commission Co-Chairs Urge Supreme Court of Missouri to Act on Behalf of Citizens
0Statement from Rev. Starsky Wilson and Rich McClure [For a PDF version click here] While our duties as co-chairs of the Ferguson Commission sunsetted along with the commission at the end of 2015, the alarming conclusions of the March 1, 2016 report of the Municipal Division Work Group to the Supreme Court of Missouri compels…
Take the Racial Equity Baseline Survey
Finding a baseline for where the region stands in achieving Racial Equity will be essential to measure progress as organizations implement the policy calls to action recommended by the Ferguson Commission. Take the opportunity to make your voice heard and fill out a short 10 question survey on where you think the region is on…
Alignment Analysis – Working Group Report for the Supreme Court of Missouri
The Signature Priority Alignment Analysis is a tool to gauge the alignment of a given set of priorities or initiatives with the calls to action issued in the Ferguson Commission Report. Click here for the Alignment Analysis of the Municipal Court Division Working Group Report for the Supreme Court of Missouri. (PDF) How to read the…
Know your new rights
Know the new rights secured by recent legislation to municipal courts and government, namely 2015 Missouri Senate Bill 5, which is now law.
Support early career development
Ask your employer about opportunities that may exist to intentionally expose students to your industry via internships, mentoring or other volunteer programs. Encourage your employer to develop relationships with local schools to expand opportunities for young people in diverse industries.
Use public transit
When possible use public transit as an alternative to commuting or exploring the region. Participate in existing programs intended to increase ridership; visit Citizens for Modern Transit for more information on trying our local transit system: https://cmt-stl.org/programs/cmts-try-ride-program/.
Support affordable housing
Support affordable housing in your neighborhood.
Support financial empowerment
Invest in programs and organizations positioned to help others build financial capacity.
Invest in a child’s future
Make a financial investment in a child’s savings account.
Support increased access to care
Contact your local state legislator to express your support for Medicaid expansion. Join local or state advocacy organizations to get involved.
Support great school climates
While policy changes are important to changing the landscapes of our schools, it is only effective when paired with culture changes. Engage with your child’s school to facilitate a great school climate and culture for all students, teachers and administrators. This can take the form of attending PTA meetings, starting discussion groups with other parents, or…
Change your environment
Build trauma-informed communities and spaces.
Understand the issues
Understand the limitations with the current state accreditation system, including becoming familiar with the measures for which accreditation is based, to become a more informed advocate for struggling school districts.
Support alternative interventions
Consider ways to support schools in change how students are disciplined.
Understand political demonstrations
Enter the debate. If you chose to participate in a political action, know your rights and be aware of the advised protocol as communicated by designated organizers (if applicable).
Participate in civic life
Participate on established civilian oversight boards. Advocate for independent local municipal government able to access non-confidential police data.
Support progress
Track movement towards positive change.
Understand the issues
Learn what is at stake behind the movement.
Know your rights
Empower yourself and others with knowledge of how the law protects you.
Build new relationships with law enforcement
Discover others ways to engage law enforcement officials