Speak Up St. Louis

Senator Brian Williams represents the St. Louis region's 14th District in the Missouri Senate.

Brian joins the show to discuss his entrance into politics, what drives him as a lawmaker, how he creates legislative impact despite being in a super-minority, navigating the dynamics of Jefferson City, and what St. Louis can do to move forward as a region.

Senator Williams is a brilliant political mind, and hardworking change agent who brings the voice of the people to the halls of power. We thank him for his work serving his constituents, and for taking time to come on Speak Up St. Louis!

Dr. Art McCoy is a trailblazer, educator, entrepreneur, evangelist, and leader passionately empowering people. He is the former Superintendent of Ferguson/Florissant and Jennings School District, and is currently the Champion of Workforce Development at STL.Works.

On this episode, Dr. McCoy describes his journey from becoming the youngest teacher in the state of Missouri, to a Superintendent, CEO, and community leader. He shares his philosophy on life and career, while tying everything back to his new role at STL.Works, and their mission of providing high paying jobs to thousands of St. Louisans.

Dr. McCoy is a charismatic speaker, brilliant multidisciplinary thinker, and passionate advocate for change in St. Louis. Whether your interests are education, leadership, or community development, you will thoroughly enjoy listening to Dr. McCoy!

https://stl.works/

LinkedIn

Julia Ho is the Founder of Solidarity Economy St. Louis. She has been living and organizing in St. Louis since 2011 and has been heavily involved in dozens of campaigns, coalitions, and organizations in the region.

On this episode, Julia Ho and youth organizer JD Carranza explain what the Solidarity Economy movement is, how it's being cultivated in St. Louis, the journey of the activist and community organizer, and the importance of living your values.

Thanks to these amazing young people for the great work they do in St. Louis, and for coming on the podcast to share their perspective! To get involved in Solidarity Economy, check out the link below.

https://www.solidaritystl.org/

Javyn Solomon is a St. Louis based Artist and Designer.

He is the founder of LouTopia, an art experience that envisions a more creative, sustainable, & mindful version of St. Louis. He is also the Vice President of AIGA St. Louis, & co-founder of STL By Design podcast.

In this Episode we discuss Javyn's journey as an artist, the philosophy of action and activism that fuels his artistic practice, and the purpose of LouTopia and how we can envision a more beautiful, equitable version of St. Louis.

Jayvn is a blast. He's insightful, hilarious, and very multidisciplinary. We absolutely loved having him on the show! Check out his work below:

https://www.stloutopia.com/

STL By Design Podcast

Speak Up St. Louis turns 50!

Join us on this special 50th Episode featuring Shavanna Spratt.

Shavanna is a Mother, Doula, Ferguson resident, and host of Da Hood Talks, a great podcast highlighting community voices in St. Louis. Shavanna is very active in the Ferguson community, and has dedicated her life to empowering community voices.

In this Episode, we discuss Ferguson (and St. Louis) since Michael Brown, black maternal health, the Neighborhood Leadership Academy, and the ins and outs of Da Hood Talks Podcast.

We are honored to share the mic with Shavanna Spratt for our 50th episode: a passionate, lively, intelligent, strong, and kind person who is making a difference in her community. She embodies what is great about St. Louis!

https://www.dahoodtalks.com/#top

David Kirkman is a independent filmmaker from St. Louis, and the founder of Woke Nation.

Raised in Ferguson, David has become a force to be reckoned internationally. He is best known for legendary Black Sci-Fi movies including Hardware, Icon, and Static Shock.

In this episode, David discusses his origins as a filmmaker in North County, the genre of Afrofuturism, the relationship between music and movies, the burgeoning local film scene in St. Louis ,  and what it means to recapture the black imagination.

David is busy doing BIG things, and it was a complete honor to have him on the show!

Check out all of David's films here:

Static Shock

Icon

Hardware

David Stavron is the Co-Founder and General Manager of Morning Glory Diner on Cherokee Street. He is an artist, fabricator, businessman, musician, and 13 year veteran of the Merchant Marines.

In this very fun and engrossing episode, Dave talks about growing up on the Southside, his adventures as a Sailer, building the MetroMarket bus, the mission/genesis of the Morning Glory Diner, surviving the pandemic, and the spirit of Cherokee Street.

Thank you Dave for coming on the show, and all you do in St Louis! And if you haven't yet, go check out Morning Glory Diner on Cherokee!

Morning Glory Website

Facebook Page

YELP

JerMarco Britton is a musician, advocate for the arts, and founder of Soul Shed STL.

Soul Shed is a bi-weekly jam session and musical university that develops the  local community of musicians through training in performance, business and wellness.

In this episode, JerMarco explains his musical roots, ecstatic experiences on stage, beating performance anxiety, and the spiritual elements of music, as well as the founding of Soul Shed, the challenges overcome, and major plans for future growth.

JerMarco Britton is a brilliant human doing crucial and impactful work for local musicians; we thank him for sharing his story, time, and perspective with our listeners!

JerMarco Britton

https://www.soulsheduniversity.org/

Janett Lewis is the Founder and Executive Director of Rustic Roots Sanctuary, a community based organic farm and healing sanctuary in Spanish Lake.

In this episode, she explains her journey from Stone Mountain Georgia, to becoming a powerhouse real estate broker, to discovering Spanish Lake and founding Rustic Roots, and what it means to manifest a vision.

This conversation took place onsite at Rustic Roots, and covers sustainable farming, the Spanish Lake community, food equity, the need for healing spaces during the pandemic, and what's next for this social entrepreneur.

Be sure to check out the weekly Farmers Market at Rustic Roots, and the arts festival on October 16th!

https://rusticrootssanctuary.org/

Fall Arts Festival

Kelly McGowan is the founder of EVOLVE, a community-driven platform that activates equitable food systems and built environments to support the wellbeing of all St. Louisans.

In this episode, Kelly discusses growing up on the West Side, her journey towards founding EVOLVE, and the state of Public Health in St. Louis. We also touch on many other topics including food justice, local politics, community development, and North St. Louis.

This was a fun episode, thanks to Kelly for always keeping it real and sharing her story with our listeners!

Facebook - @314Evolve

Instagram - @314evolve