Forward Through Ferguson Prepared for Transformational 2022 with Appointment of Seven New Board Members
As Forward Through Ferguson enters 2022, its seventh year of operation, it has appointed a dynamic team of new and familiar leaders to the helm of the organization. The nonprofit was created in 2015 by the Ferguson Commission to advance its community-sourced policies and vision for a racially equitable, thriving St. Louis where life outcomes cannot be predicted by race.
Following an open application process, Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) selected seven community leaders to join and serve the board of directors beginning January 2022. As they begin their terms as directors, they will be led by new board co-chairs Josina Greene, Giving Strategist at St. Louis Community Foundation, and Melanie Powell-Robinson, Founder of Revisioned Connections.
The seven new directors on the FTF board are:
- Natalie Self — Senior Vice President of Equitable Economic Impact at the Cortex Innovation Community
- Claire Schell — VP, Director of Employee Experience and DEI at US Bancorp Community Development Corporation
- Lisa D’Souza — Hon. Richard B. Teitelman Chair at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- Seth Waite — President & CEO of Algrthm
- Riisa Rawlins — Chief Operations and Strategy Officer for the St. Louis Regional Health Commission
- Von Walker — Community advocate, Student Teaching Practicum at Classical Junior Academy in St. Louis Public Schools
- Charlin Hughes — LEAD Community Outreach Manager — St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office
These leaders come from a diverse set of St. Louis sectors and neighborhoods, and are unified by a commitment to catalyze FTF’s transformative vision and support the growing network of residents and organizations advancing the Racial Equity movement.
Co-chair Greene remarked,
“Over the past few years, I’ve watched Forward Through Ferguson prove its equity and systems change expertise by elevating impacted community voices, producing region-specific research, demonstrating systems change frameworks, and challenging individuals and organizations to embark on the path toward Racial Equity. I’m thrilled and humbled to join the dynamic FTF staff and new Board members in accelerating this momentum as we begin the strategic planning process and continue to actively pursue sustainable and racially equitable systems and policies for the St. Louis region.”
Co-chair Powell-Robinson added,
“I remain encouraged by St. Louisans who are unflinching in their commitment to disrupting racially-biased systems and dedicated to supporting those working to creatively and imaginatively implement the recommendations of the Ferguson Commission Report. Our newest board members are passionate about doing what it takes to realize positive change in our communities. I am honored to serve alongside them.”
Greene and Powell-Robinson take over as Co-Chairs following the stewardship of Adelaide Lancaster and R. Nelson Williams. “I am grateful and excited about the addition of FTF’s new board members as well as our next co-chairs, Melanie and Josina. To be stepping forward to further serve at this time is a gift to the organization and the St. Louis community. This next constellation of membership and leadership will enable us to better steward the important work we have ahead,” Lancaster said.
This year, Forward Through Ferguson will share community-based research on repairing our fragmented 911 system, stories from those most impacted by systemic racism in public safety systems, and the opportunity to pilot a non-police first responder pilot in St. Louis. The organization remains a vital part of the Defund. Re-envision. Transform. coalition, along with partners Action St. Louis, ArchCity Defenders, Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression, and Freedom Community Center.
FTF will also be publishing its annual State of St. Louis report, with a 2022 focus on Opportunity to Thrive and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Racial Equity. The organization continues to train up a movement of courageous people with systems change and anti-racism skills, and supporting them as they hold institutions accountable for achieving Racial Equity.
