St. Louis is in the midst of a political renaissance. The evidence of this transformation can be witnessed in the recent and historic election of progressive Black women in the highest offices in our region, the passage of historic policy aimed at investing in Black communities and the growth of Black-led organizations who are on the frontlines of change. These wins are not accidental, but the intentional outcome of focused organizing, collaboration and partnership.

Since  2018, a group of local Black leaders, supported by the Amplify Fund,  have engaged in a strategy development process to create a political alignment and leadership development program designed by and for Black leaders in the region. The purpose of the cohort is to bring emerging and established Black leaders together to deepen relationships and trust, support skills development and strengthen individual and collective capacity.

Over the summer of 2020, during the COVID-19  pandemic and social unrest, following the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor,  LeadBlack was conceptualized and designed by St. Louis local leaders,  Charli Cooksey (WEPOWER), Kayla Reed (Action St. Louis), and Blake Strode (ArchCity Defenders), with the facilitative support of Interaction Institute for Social Change, in partnership with Amplify Fund and Deaconess Foundation.