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Rev. Starsky Wilson, co-chair

St. Louis

president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation

“I am called and have been blessed to serve children and youth of our region through engagement at the grass tops and grassroots of civic leadership. Effective investigation, assessment and response to the multiple structural challenges that led to and have been exposed by the August 9th shooting and its aftermath will require the perspective and credibility of both worlds. The work of this commission aligns with the work of Deaconess Foundation, which I lead, to advance the health of the region and its people through effective alignment of philanthropic, social service and governmental resources and policies. We envision a region that values the health and well-being of all children and prioritizes the most vulnerable.”

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Rich McClure, co-chair

chair, St. Louis Regional Board of Teach for America; former president of UniGroup Inc.

“I am deeply committed to making St. Louis a stronger and fairer place for all, and am honored to be asked to serve on the Ferguson Commission as co-chair with Starsky Wilson. The significant challenges we face as a region have been vividly exposed by events in Ferguson. Committed and thoughtful citizens must identify necessary actions to take and polices that have to change. Then, our state and our region must pursue their implementation vigorously. I am passionate about addressing these very complex and serious issues, working with a diverse and committed Commission.”

Rev. Traci deVon Blackmon

Florissant

pastor, Christ the King United Church of Christ; coordinator of faith-based initiatives for BJC HealthCare

“I believe in the inherent good of all people and, although there are many systemic and structural challenges that must be addressed, commitment, collaboration, and authentic conversation will lead us toward the Ferguson that some residents experience and other residents only imagine. My clinical and pastoral backgrounds equip me to positively contribute to this goal and I want to be part of this healing work.”

Daniel Isom

director, Missouri Department of Public Safety, former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department chief

“I’ve lived in the St. Louis region all my life. I was born here, got married here and raised my daughter and son in this community. As a former police officer, police chief, father and lifelong resident of this area, I want to make sure we seize this opportunity to make St. Louis a better place for everyone to live and achieve their dreams.”

Scott Negwer

Florissant

president, Negwer Materials, a Ferguson-based company; serves on Ferguson Center Committee, Downtown Revitalization Committee and Ferguson Business District

“I was born and raised in Ferguson, as was my father. My grandfather started Negwer Materials in Ferguson in 1924, and its headquarters are still there. I am now president of the company with nine locations and more than 200 employees. As business owner and citizen, I am very committed to Ferguson and the entire North County community. One of my strengths is the ability to take a complex issue and break it down into pieces. I also know what I do not know and am open minded. My main reason for wanting to be involved is this is a passion of mine on many fronts. I am passionate about education. I am passionate about enabling those who are disadvantaged to succeed, and I am passionate about the well-being of North County.”

Bethany A. Johnson-Javois

St. Louis

CEO, St. Louis Integrated Health Network

“As a faith leader and young leader in the public health care sector in the St. Louis region, I have both personal and professional experience in developing strategies to transform systems to be more responsive and equitable for the people who our public systems were designed to serve. I have over 15 years of experience in strategic planning that values the inclusion of a variety of voices into planning and implementation efforts. Bottom line, it’s time to address the systemic inequities in our municipalities, in our region and in our great state. I want to support the Governor’s effort and join with other leaders in developing workable and sustainable solutions to begin the healing process that is so desperately needed in these very trying times.”

Gabriel E. Gore

St. Louis

partner, Dowd Bennett

“My hope is that the end result of the events that have led to the recent social unrest in our community will be that we grow stronger and more connected as a community. The commission has an opportunity to play a role in achieving this result, and I am eager to contribute in whatever way I can.”

Brittany N. Packnett

Florissant

executive director, Teach for America in St. Louis

“As a native of North St. Louis County and leader of Teach For America, which serves thousands of county students, the revival of this region is deeply personal to me. I recognize both the economic and moral imperative of ensuring that Ferguson, North County and this entire region receive the kind of sustainable, long-term solutions that ensure tragedies like this no longer occur. Since August 9, I have worked to intensively listen to the needs of the community, especially our students and young people, to represent their voice and our collective truth through multiple outlets to establish tactical solutions like Teach For Ferguson, and to coordinate peaceful protests to promote the value of our children’s lives. We have the power to end this cycle and set a model for the rest of the nation. I believe in Ferguson; I believe in St. Louis; and I believe in our ability to pursue a more just region for all of our citizens, together.”

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Rose A. Windmiller

assistant vice chancellor, government and community relations at Washington University

“As a native St. Louisan who grew up in North County, I am deeply aware of the issues affecting many parts of our region. The question we must face is this: are we actively engaged with members of our community who are, by virtue of visible and invisible barriers, less able to take full advantage of the educational, healthcare and economic benefits that many of us accept as standard? The members of the Commission on Ferguson will listen, learn and help create an agenda to move our region forward at this critical time. I am honored to serve.”

Rasheen Aldridge Jr.

St. Louis

student, Forest Park Community College; director, Young Activist United St. Louis; student co-chair on Missouri Jobs with Justice

“I want to be part of the Ferguson Commission so I can provide concerns and issues of the young people who feel like their voices and lives don’t matter in this world, which all lives matters. I want to get to the root of the issues in Ferguson, Shaw and the whole city on why individuals feel like they are targets to the police and the whole system. I feel like I can be a great asset to this Commission because I have been in Ferguson and Shaw on a daily basis and have talked and peaceful protested with young folks and have an understanding on why we are angry. I work with all different ages, races and religions and understand the importance of how all people work and play together. I hope with the Commission we will be able to solve and come up with real solutions of the problems that are affecting people of all colors and how to make St. Louis a place that people love and feel like they belong in their own city.”

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Grayling Tobias

Florissant

superintendent, Hazelwood School District

“I feel the commission can have a positive impact on changes moving forward not just in Ferguson, but throughout the St. Louis region, and possibly nationwide. This situation is more than just about North St. Louis County, it is about improving relations between all races, creeds ethnic and social economic backgrounds. I personally believe by serving on the commission, I can lend a voice on where this region has been, and where it needs to go for improvement. We must study ways to address the underlying systemic inequality in our town, our state and our nation. It begins here at the local level with this commission.”

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Becky James-Hatter

president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri

“My willingness to serve on the Ferguson Commission is anchored in my belief that with courage, fair minds and persistence, we can face our region’s toughest challenges, build more trusting relationships and ensure greater opportunities for our children, teens and young adults.”

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Felicia Pulliam

Ferguson

Development director for FOCUS

"Through the Ferguson Commission, I can lend my strength as a trusted problem solver to create a comprehensive, strategic, and sustainable solution for our region. This healing initiative may model a “next practice” that similarly situated communities will use to transform and promote positive change. An attentive and active resident of Ferguson, I was raised in North County and intentionally nurtured my family here, embracing its value. My vitae confirms my commitment to three primary issues central to our challenges; child well being, commerce, and civic engagement, each where I have deep experience. As a Trustee of MICDS I advocated for increased diversity and inclusion to create a rich learning community. Thereafter, with administration, designed the Pathfinders Summer Institute mentoring program to assure these families would be successful at our 150 year old institution. As a founding, 2 term member of the Lambert Cooperative Development Commission, I helped draft the NorthPark agreement and understand it can solve issues around economic disparity. During my 7 year tenure as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice program at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, I worked to create a network of support for my students to pursue a life of purpose and meaning. I’ve attended the Department of Justice Ferguson town halls and dozens more regional panels. I will bring a perspective that may otherwise not have voice. More importantly, I am not one of the usual participants, whose perspectives and agendas are recycled over and again in nearly every situation."

Kevin Ahlbrand

St. Louis

Detective sergeant with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and deputy commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis

“I look forward to being part of the process to identify issues and seek solutions which will build trust and bring our communities and law enforcement closer together in our efforts to keep our citizens safe.”

Patrick Sly

St. Louis

Manager, Emerson Charitable Trust 

"I am Executive Vice President of Emerson which has been located in Ferguson for over 70 years. I have oversight of all of our community relations and charitable trust as well as other administrative responsibilities. I put together the "Ferguson Forward" initiative for Emerson which will invest now over $5 million to support the community. I am on the Urban League Board and on the Executive Committee of the Regional Chamber as well as several other non-profit boards and am well known and respected across the community. I want to join the Ferguson Commission to help support and heal the community and to represent Emerson which has a vested interest in supporting our "home town."

T.R. Carr

Florissant

Professor and former chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

"My goal is to build bridges, build relationships, help advance Ferguson, North County and the St. Louis region. Our challenge is to build trust between the public, law enforcement and local government. I believe my background and skills will contribute to the effectiveness of the Ferguson Commission. I live in North County, served as mayor of Hazelwood for nine years, am a graduate of McCluer High School and a professor of public policy at SIUE. The issues that emerged in Ferguson require thoughtful deliberation with a range of voices on the Commission. It is important to effectively communicate with the law enforcement community as strategies are developed for this region. I can help serve as a bridge in this area.”