As you may have heard, on May 16, Missouri was battered by a debilitating tornado.

Our condolences and hearts go out to those who are now in a state of recovery from loss of loved ones, property, cherished memories, and personal security.  We are particularly saddened by the devastation in St. Louis, a city where Race Forward built deep relationships with residents in communities across the city as we prepared for and hosted our 2024 Facing Race conference there last year.

While weather emergencies are increasing in both frequency and intensity due to climate change, recovery remains fraught, especially for communities of color and persons living in poverty. As an organization committed to racial equity, we understand the ways in which gaps widen due to race, socio-economic status and geography between those who can adapt and recover and those who cannot.

For instance, after weather events, aid is not always evenly distributed, nor are directly impacted communities routinely invited to the table to participate in recovery efforts, and often the very integrity of the infrastructure of some communities—housing, roads, drainage systems—reduce resilience and delay recovery.

Therefore, Race Forward stands in solidarity with and supports recovery efforts in St. Louis, and we encourage you to join us. The truth is communities of color, including persons living in or near the poverty line, often face intersecting oppressions that make navigating crisis situations challenging. They are least responsible for climate crises, but suffer disproportionately because of it. Often, when there is a weather emergency, it is community-based organizations that are the first on the ground to serve those in need. The same is true for St. Louis. Grassroots groups have galvanized to provide immediate support and aid, but their funds are limited, while the needs are exponential.

Particularly vulnerable are senior residents whose lives have been upended. Some have lived in the community for most of their lifetime and are now in the position of having to find housing. Their homes have been destroyed, yet many are experiencing difficulty leaving the place where they’ve raised families, built friendships, and created a tapestry of cherished memories. In the face of unimaginable loss, our elders deserve dignity, care, and support.

Many St. Louis residents, including seniors, worry that city officials will use this latest catastrophe as an opportunity to implement plans to replace affordable housing with luxury homes for the wealthy. Community members report receiving eviction notices even as they try to make sense of an event so severe.

Race Forward is joining our voice with those on the ground to urge not only a recovery, but an equitable recovery that honors local residents and helps them rebuild. We acknowledge the resilience shown by so many in this moment as they are giving their all to support their neighbors.

For our part, Race Forward is donating to support the community organizations that have been consistently showing up for the people. We encourage those in our network to contribute directly to the organizations leading efforts on the ground, including Action St. Louis, Power4STL, and Better Family Life. 

In solidarity,

Race Forward