By Publisher Cillah Hall
As a minority St. Louisan, I realize that though it’s sometimes uncomfortable, it is necessary to have conversations about race and the divisions that keep us from moving forward as a community. More importantly, these conversations allow us to take a step in a direction that fosters change and acceptance.
I have had the privilege and pleasure of interacting with many remarkable African-Americans who are investing in diverse democracy in our community. In the February Black History Month edition, we highlight three strong, opinionated, provocative and progressive women, who are helping to change the racial narrative. When they speak, the community listens.
Nonprofit
Adrian Bracy
As executive director of the YWCA Metro St. Louis, Adrian Bracy works every day to improve the lives of minorities, while fighting poverty, and racial and social injustice. As a leader, she reaches across racial lines with a spirit of oneness to draw other female leaders into the organization’s mission. Under her leadership, the YWCA recently launched the 10-week course, “Witnessing Whiteness,” a safe place for white colleagues and community members to learn more about the culture and history of people of color, and introduced a pilot program for people of color to foster mutual understanding.
Bracy joined the YWCA after a 20-year career in finance with the NFL, serving as comptroller for the Miami Dolphins and CFO for the Arizona Cardinals. She said when she looks back at where and how she arrived in her current position, she couldn’t be more shocked or amazed. But she feels like she is right where she needs to be. “This is not just a job for me – this is my calling in life,” she said.
Over the years, she has received numerous local and national awards, including the African-American Women of Distinction Award, the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women Award and the YWCA Leaders of Distinction Award in corporate management. Bracy earned an MBA at Nova Southeastern University.
Politics
Tishaura Jones
When it comes to racial injustice in our community, City of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones is literally, on the front lines. Most recently, she cut the ribbon for the second opening of the redeveloped St. Louis Gateway Arch grounds, a ceremony that came about as a result of an aggressive social media campaign to shed light on the lack of minority representation at the initial ceremony.
Jones is not only fighting racial inequalities, she is standing her ground in a very challenging role as the first female treasurer for the city of St. Louis, facing opposition with nearly every significant move she makes. Her work and commitment to improve race relations goes well beyond the boundaries of St. Louis. She served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, where she was selected by her colleagues as the assistant minority floor leader, thus becoming the first African-American and the first woman to hold this position in Missouri history.
Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hampton University, and a master’s degree in health administration from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. She is a graduate of the Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Media
Carol Daniel
Journalist and KMOX radio host Carol Daniel works diligently to promote diversity in media.
One way is by serving as president of the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists, which provides scholarships to minority high school students with an interest in pursuing journalism.
She is also a prominent voice on St. Louis race issues, and a huge supporter of minorities, minority businesses and events that honor and benefit minorities. Along with her husband, Patrick, she is committed to raising strong, self-aware black sons, who are comfortable in their identity. In a previous interview with Gazelle, Daniel shared a couple of thoughts on race issues:
“I push back on racial assumptions. I no longer use the phrase ‘black-on-black crime,’ because some statistics show 83 percent of crime against whites is committed by white people, but we don’t call it ‘white-on-white crime.’
“Did I prepare my sons for what faces them as black men? I worry all the time. Have I done the right things to get my sons ready for success, including how the world treats black men? I want them to understand their value so powerfully that no one can make them doubt it. I want them to be men of God and know they deserve every good thing.”
In addition to her work in the community, Daniel helped launch “Great Day St. Louis,” where she was a co-host for four years. Her award-winning column, “Carol’s Journal,” ran for nearly 10 years in the St. Louis American. She has been honored by the Missouri Broadcasters Association and the St. Louis Association of Black Journalists, and received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission’s Distinguished Local Media Award.
