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.
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.
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.
Fall 2023
November 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 2023
Check 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 nonprofit
that works for community betterment in North County through a racial equity lens. A
Red Circle operates programing in education, community wellness, and the arts. Erica
is 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 College
Florissant Valley as an adult learner. Erica holds a BA in Paralegal Studies and an
MBA, both from Maryville University. She is working on her PhD in Public Policy and
Administration from Walden University, with a concentration on policy analysis. Erica is
a wife and mother of five thriving adult children, two grandchildren, and a dog named
Trixie. Erica hails from an amazing line of educators, faith leaders, and community
activists, including Damu Smith, who spent the majority of his life protesting against
environmental 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 Peck 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.
Suzanne Whitman started working with A Red Circle in August 2019 as a volunteer grant writer and assumed her current role in September 2021. Suzanne worked for 13 years at MasterCard as a technical writer and manager. In her free time, she does Buddhist meditation, reads and runs.
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.
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.
Nicholas Williams is a 2020 graduate of McCluer Senior High School. He is an avid gamer and enjoys playing his clarinet.
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.
Carmen O'Hara is a proud member of the A Red Circle Team People's Harvest, Grocery Manager. She brings a wealth of experience to the team. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to customer service. She is excited about the upcoming launch of People's Harvest, which will provide healthy food options for the community. She enjoys traveling on cruises and exploring new places
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.
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”.
Ch'aska Farber was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA. She currently works for A Red Circle through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, she has found herself in the beauty that is St. Louis. She uses her studies of sociology and anthropology to inform her work in supporting communities within St Louis County. Outside of working for A Red Circle, you can find Ch'aska rock climbing in and around the city!
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.
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.
Barron Rutledge moved to St Louis in 2017, prior to that lived in Charlotte NC, Memphis TN, Richmond VA, and spent most of his life in Columbus Ohio. I attend the University of Toledo for undergrad and the University of Tennessee for graduate school.
Caitlin Ung serves as the Outreach and Media specialist. She enjoys transforming complex policy into art through the mediums of photography, videography, and writing.
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.
Interest
: Fundraising & Racial Equity
Employment: Insperity
Interest: Community Outreach
Employment: Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Interest: To Serve Where Needed
Employment: Redefine the Pipeline
Interest: Community Development
Employment: AT&T
Interest: Community Building and
Holistic Living
Employment:
Veteran’s Administration
Interest: Holistic Living
Employment: Washington University School of Medicine
Interest: Social, economic, and educational equity
Employment: St. Louis City Government
Interest: Food and Environmental Justice and Literacy
Employment: GKUPR Accounting Firm
Interest: Holistic Living and Community Development
Employment: Willis Towers Watson
Interest: Fundraising and Community Development
Employment: Insperity
Interest: Arts and Education
Employment: UMSL (Retired)
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
Help us continue to grow our organization by making a donation.
Make a DonationWe are always interested to hear from you! You may call or email at any time; we will try our best to get back to you as soon as possible!
Address: 6439 Plymouth Ave., Suite #W130, St. Louis, MO 63133
Phone: 314-328-2286
Email: info@aredcircle.org
You are also welcome to complete our Contact Form.
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