State of the Report: Tracking the Ferguson Commission’s Calls to Action

Download the State of the Report

Download the State of the Report: At-a-Glance

Jump to information on the town hall series

Our definition of Racial Equity is straightforward: a region where life outcomes cannot be predicted by race. To achieve this future, the Ferguson Commission gave us a community-sourced roadmap with 189 Calls to Action that would eliminate our racial inequities—189 policy and systems changes to create a new St. Louis where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Implementing those recommendations will take investments of time, effort, and resources from individuals and institutions across the entire region—in all sectors.

That is why we are excited to share the inaugural State of the Report: a report card and accountability tool assessing policy and systems action on the Ferguson Commission’s 47 signature priorities to achieve a racially equitable St Louis. While it is not perfect, for reasons that we discuss within the report, it is an important first attempt at mapping and sharing the constantly-changing landscape of systems change for Racial Equity.

The findings reveal that progress is lacking in many areas, especially at the local and state policy levels due to a lack of robust investment in racial equity and counterproductive, sometimes hostile, state politics. Major takeaways include:

Implementation of Calls to Action is weakest at the local and state policy levels.
Implementation of a Racial Equity lens is moderate but must continue to grow.
Financial investment in Racial Equity is lagging, but there is reason for optimism.

This is the first accomplishment from FTF’s recently released 3-year #STL2039 Action Plan—strategies for a transformed St. Louis region where, regardless of race and zip code, all residents have justice and the opportunity to thrive, especially our youth. It is time for residents and leaders to join the regional movement for Racial Equity.

We are confident this tool will be a key resource for catalyzing more fervent action. This tool represents our commitment to democratize and demystify systemic change. Now, any resident can use the State of the Report to better understand where action is and is not happening and to hold their institutions and leaders to account. It is our intention that this progress tracker drives further engagement, advocacy, and urgency to achieve policy and systems shifts that will break down barriers that limit communities of color and, as a result, ultimately strengthen our region.

State of the Report Town Hall Series

Please join Forward Through Ferguson for our three-part community town hall series following the release of our State of the Report results. We wills share the results with community members, reflect on regional progress towards racial equity, and strategize action steps.

Town Hall #1

Thursday, September 6th | 6:00 – 8:00pm
Indian Trails Library Branch,
8400 Delport Dr, Overland, MO 63114

Town Hall #2

Wednesday, October 10 | 6:30pm-8:30pm
O’Fallon Park Rec Complex,
4343 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115

Town Hall #3

Saturday, October 27 | 10:30am-12:30pm
Thomas Dunne Learning Center,
3113 Gasconade St, St. Louis, MO 63118