A Red Circle promotes community betterment in North St. Louis County, MO, through a racial equity lens. The organization, founded in 2017, is committed to providing sustained, focused attention to the racial equity issues that impact the community and works toward building a stronger community that benefits from equitable investment that leads to a healthy environment and food ecosystem, quality education, and opportunities to enjoy the arts. A Red Circle’s programs center around Black empowerment through art and creativity; equitable educational opportunities for all students; and community wellness through health and financial wellness initiatives. Projects include designing The Creative Spot by A Red Circle, a space to host crafters, artists, musicians and workshop leaders; and Art in the Garden, a community-based project that assists A Red Circle and partners in raising awareness about the group’s Healthy Community Market and the North County Agricultural Education Center.
A Red Circle sponsors a number of community initiatives focused on healthy living, the arts and education, including book drives to collect culturally appropriate books for school children. (Photo courtesy of A Red Circle Facebook page)
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 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. The group’s name was chosen to define the singular geographical focus of its mission; the blood that flows through all humanity and our evolution as individuals and in connection to our community. Now 20 employees strong — along with a Board of Directors and Advisory Council — the group has secured an old shopping center and is working toward transforming the building into the North County Community Nexus, a central hub featuring a grocery store and other entities focused on healthy living, including a restaurant, a commercial kitchen for rent, an education and community health resource center and group headquarters.