Because all blood is red...
Leading and promoting substantial investment into North St. Louis County
The idea for A Red Circle took root as founder Erica Williams researched St. Louis’ real estate history and discovered the tie between racial tensions and the past racist laws and public policies. She decided that a substantial investment into North St. Louis County was necessary to provide equitable relief to the region. Since its genesis as a nonprofit in 2017, A Red Circle has directly impacted thousands of lives. The team, now 20 employees strong, develops and executes life-enriching programming in employment, education, holistic living, policy and arts.
March 2024 More than $3 million rewarded to 21 organizations that serve St. Louis County and the region including A Red Circle. Click here to learn more. April 2024 Erica Williams featured on the Mortgage & Real Estate Podcast by Pinnacle "TAKE A CHANCE, MAKE A MOVE, REACH FOR AUDACIOUS GOALS" Click now to listen May 2024 A Red Circle Healthy Community Market 2024 season was featured in St. Louis Community News Magazine. Click to view the feature on page 2! Common Reader: "The More St. Louis Changes, the More It Remains the Same": The people and predilections of Black migration from St. Louis. Click to read June 2024 Our 2024 Pig Roast was covered by LaDue News. Click here to read. July 2024 Featured on page 18 of "the pulse" newspaper August 2024 West Florissant Avenue burned in the 2014 Ferguson unrest. Its recovery has been uneven
KSDK: 'Growing food in a disinvested area is an act of liberation': Fresh food initiative expanding in north St. Louis County A Red Circle founder Erica Williams recognized as PLACE changemaker
On June 3rd, A Red Circle dedicated the building for the North County Community Nexus to the community. Read the featured article in the St. Louis American here. A Red Circle is featured in the article "Decades of Damage: the origins of food insecurity in St. Louis today" in Feast Magazine. Click here to read the article. Erica Williams was recently recognized by Community Builders Network STL. Read more here. Thanks to the generosity and trust of Chairwoman Shalonda Webb of St. Louis County, A Red Circle will receive $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support Black farmers in Council District 4! Read more here in an article by St. Louis Public Radio. "A New Food Retailer, People’s Harvest Community Grocery Store, to Expand Healthy Food Access in North County"- Reinvestment Fund Impact Story . Read more here Fall 2023November 2023, MU Extension will be working with local St. Louis Metropolitan region. Which will help focus on teaching socially disadvantaged beginning farmers, military veterans and veteran farmers with disabilities served by the Missouri Agriculture Project. "The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded the University of Missouri a $676,784 grant to break down barriers for beginning farmers and ranchers in the St. Louis metropolitan region." -MU Extension Read more here December 2023Check out A Red Circle's article in Terrain Magazine! Click on the link to see what A Red Circle has been up to. Read Article Here
Erica Williams is the Founder and Executive Director of A Red Circle, a nonprofitthat works for community betterment in North County through a racial equity lens. ARed Circle operates programing in education, community wellness, and the arts. Ericais a native of north St. Louis County. She grew up in the Normandy and Ferguson-Florissant School Districts and later went on to attend St. Louis Community CollegeFlorissant Valley as an adult learner. Erica holds a BA in Paralegal Studies and anMBA, both from Maryville University. She is working on her PhD in Public Policy andAdministration from Walden University, with a concentration on policy analysis. Erica isa wife and mother of five thriving adult children, two grandchildren, and a dog namedTrixie. Erica hails from an amazing line of educators, faith leaders, and communityactivists, including Damu Smith, who spent the majority of his life protesting againstenvironmental injustice in Washington D.C.
Jessica D. Johnson was one of A Red Circle's first volunteers and was named Arts Coordinator in 2019. Using her skills and abilities in art, music and creativity, she directs programs, projects and events for the communities served by A Red Circle.
Tamar Brown is an experienced nonprofit practitioner, community leader and organizer. Tamar runs a consultant business specializing in nonprofit organizing, capacity building and resource management. In her spare time, she and her husband own a youth sports organization.
Ashlee Fitzgerald has a background in special education and has served as a teacher as well as a Parent Educator for a local school district. She has also spent some time in the corporate world as a Customer Success Manager. Her B.S. is in Special Education and also has 15 graduate credit hours in School Counseling and is currently completing a M.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology. Investing in people is Ashlee's passion.Ashlee has three kids (Nora-11, Navy-8, and Henry-5) and her bernedoodle puppy, Pearl. She loves to snuggle with her babies, hike, read fiction, and is learning to throw pottery on a wheel.
Jessica Carter is a Researcher, Entrepreneur and Farmer from Saint Louis, Missouri. Currently completing her PhD in general psychology and studies ethnic-racial identity among African American women college students. She is also a self-published children’s book author. Driven by passion and a deep-rooted love for her community, Jessica strives to help educate others about the benefits of self-sustainability and living life unapologetically. She is also a mentor for local Saint Louis County students and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She loves exploring the world with her amazing daughter, running, traveling, astrology, and religious studies.
Passionate public health professional with a demonstrated history of working in the academic and non-profit sectors. Skilled in program and system design and innovation, strategic planning, social policy and advocacy.
Bailey Williams, a full-time volunteer, holds a Bachelor of Technology degree and has worked in the financial sector for 18 years. His guiding principles, which he calls his Circle of Themes, reflect his approach to his work at A Red Circle: connectedness, analytical thinking, inclusion and futuristic vision.
Erisha Tyus is the executive assistant, I am entrusted with numerous key responsibilities, including but not limited to the management of calendars, organization of pertinent documents. Through diligent attention to detail, I strive to provide exceptional support to my executive team. It is my duty to ensure that all aspects of my work are carried out in a professional and efficient manner, as I understand the significance of my role in contributing to the success of the team.
Erin Tyus, a St. Louis native, serves as the Food and Farm Project Coordinator. Passionate about health and community service from a young age, she witnessed the detrimental impact of limited access to fresh, healthy food firsthand. She is excited to join an organization dedicated to eliminating food deserts. She aims to provide deserving communities with better access to nutritious food.
Nicholas Williams is a 2020 graduate of McCluer Senior High School. He is an avid gamer and enjoys playing his clarinet.
Eric Williams has a bachelor's degree in music and is also a business owner. As the oldest son of Director and Founder Erica Williams, he has seen her do all of this good work by herself and has helped out in small ways before while witnessing its growth. Now, he has the chance to be an integral part of this organization and looks forward to seeing the good that they will do together.
Queenie Vesey is a canning and farm educator. She plays a crucial role in educating individuals or groups about the art and science of canning, as well as sustainable farming practices. She is a self-taught canner, chef and gardener. Who enjoys spoken word poetry cooking and feeding the community. This position combines practical knowledge of food preservation with hands-on experience in farming, aiming to empower communities with skills that promote self-sufficiency, nutrition, and environmental awareness.
St. Louis native, Joyce A. Huston, has a varied range of skills and talents. She graduated Central High School as Valedictorian and voted “Most Talented Female”. She attended the University of Kansas and Howard University as a Music Theory/Composition major, earning a B.S.B.A. degree from the University of Redlands, CA. She relocated to Las Vegas, NV and worked twenty years with Department of Energy subcontractors on building a nuclear waste repository. Here she held multiple positions including Database and Website Administrator, Project Controls Engineer, and team leader on Safety and Diversity music programs. Also known as “Lady J Huston”; she is a multi-award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter who reigned many years as the “Las Vegas Queen of Blues”.
Rochelle Gray brings extensive expertise in diverse government facets. She served as a Legal Administrator at a local law firm for almost 30 years. A dedicated community advocate since before 2008. She has a wealth of knowledge in policy stems from her extensive experience at both the State and Local levels.
Emma Crocker, born in St. Louis, MO, and raised in KCMO, is a dedicated nurse leader. With a Bachelor's in Nursing from UMSL and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice: Leadership in Population Health and Health Policy, Emma's career has been defined by community-driven initiatives.Her pivotal work at CHIPS Health and Wellness Center, where she supported uninsured community members, led to the creation of Senior Saturdays at CareSTL Health during the Covid Pandemic, ensuring vulnerable seniors received timely vaccinations.Currently serving as the Program Manager for Food & Nutrition at A Red Circle, Emma focuses on promoting food security and healthy food access in North St. Louis County. Alongside her husband Kevin, also a nurse, Emma enjoys gardening and gaming on their days off.
Cary oversees day-to-day operations at the Nexus, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. He is also responsible for community engagement and organizing outreach events. With over 20 years of ministry experience, Cary understands the importance of compassionate support in transforming lives. He believes in building strong, lasting relationships within the community. Cary envisions the Nexus as a beacon of light, providing essential resources and services. His passion for helping people drives his dedication to his work.
Lyndsey Ellis has a background in nonprofit communications, media work, and community organizing. As a creative writer and teaching artist, she enjoys crafting stories that highlight regional history and intergenerational experiences in the Midwest. Her debut novel, "Bone Broth" (Hidden Timber Books, 2021), was selected as a first-year read at Maryville University for two consecutive school years. This achievement led to a Heartland Journalism Fellowship from Washington University in St. Louis, where she covered the outmigration of Black St. Louisans. Lyndsey is also a dog mama who loves Zumba, horror films, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Daria Keys has a rich background in research and community development. The skills she learned while working for AmeriCorps have made her an asset to A Red Circle as she continues to make a positive impact on North County.
Caitlin Ung serves as the Outreach and Media specialist. She leads the volunteer program, internship program and outreach efforts. Her connection to the community informs her creation of photos and videos for the organization.
Cynthia Veal is a lifelong educator who retired after 33 years of teaching. Cynthia has a passion for shaping future leaders and impacting every student she comes in contact with. When Cynthia is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, traveling and reading.
Jacquelyn Randle has 17 years of experience in Early Education, holding a BA in Early Education and MO Directors Certification. She serves on three boards as an advocate providing parent and educator viewpoints on early education. Jacquelyn fights for equitable education opportunities.
Raised in Ferguson, MO, Jessica Moore grew up in a God-fearing, community-oriented family. Engaged in church, sports, and student council, she found inspiration in local clergy. Moving to St. Louis City, she thrived in its public schools, discovering passions in dance, radio, and fashion. Transitioning to the culinary world, she honed skills in various restaurants, eventually launching her own lash business. Now, pursuing certification as a Plant Based Culinary Chef, she aspires to promote wellness and healthier living within her community.
Tony Rushing was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Gateway Tech Highschool before pursuing higher education at Southeast Missouri State University. There, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and later completed his master's degree in higher education administration.Tony is apart of the Community Wellness team as the Food and Farm Project Coordinator. Outside of his professional pursuits, he runs his own gardening company named Tony TNT Gardening LLC. Tony is passionate about gardening, starting everything from seed and offering items ranging from seedlings to fresh produce.An avid lover of the outdoors, Tony prefers staying active rather than watching TV. He enjoys hobbies such as hiking, playing sports, and riding motorcycles.
Role: President Interest: Community Outreach Employment: Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Role: Vice President Interest: Community Wellness Employment: Washington University School of Medicine
Role: Treasurer Interest: Community Building and Community Wellness Employment: Veteran’s Administration
Role: Secretary Interest: Community Development Employment: AT&T
Role: Member Interest: To Serve Where Needed Employment: Redefine the Pipeline
Role: Member Interest: Community Wellness Employment: Archwell Health
Role: Member Interest: Social, economic, and educational equity Employment: St. Louis City Government
Role: Member Interest: Community Wellness Employment: Washington University
Role: Member Interest: Community Wellness and Community Development Employment: Willis Towers Watson
Role: Member Interest: Fundraising and Community Development Employment: Insperity
Role: Member Interest: Arts and Education Employment: UMSL (Retired)
Role: Member Interest: Community Development Employment: Cushman Wakefield
Role: Member Interest: Community Development and Racial Equity Employment: State of Missouri
Role: Member Interest: Education and Community Wellness Employment: Opportunity Trust
Vincent Collins, M. Michelle Wilbret, LaSaundra Hagans, Jessica Moore, Sarah Willey, MA, CFRE, SMS, Nancy Harcar, Lisa Adams, Erica Davis, Craig Bardo, Kristen Wagner, PhD, MSW, Betsy Sinclair, PhD
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