Number 312 February 7, 2025 St. Louis
Black History Month
The St. Louis Rent Strike of 1969: Jean King’s Pioneering Leadership in Housing Activism
In 1969, Jean King emerged as a key figure in the fight for affordable housing in St. Louis and nationally. Leading over a thousand public housing tenants, she organized one of America’s largest post-war rent strikes in response to a sixfold rent increase announced by the St. Louis Housing Authority. The strike lasted nearly a year, focusing on issues of affordability, dignity, and housing security.
King’s efforts culminated in a historic victory, securing an agreement that capped rent at 25% of tenants’ income and ensured tenant participation in housing management. This achievement was significant for tenant activism and led to King being named vice-president of the National Tenants Organization.
She also collaborated with U.S. Senator Edward Brooke to promote the “Brooke Amendment,” which integrated rent caps into the 1968 Fair Housing Act, ensuring no family would pay more than 25% of their income in rent. King’s leadership inspired similar tenant movements across cities like New York and Chicago, reinforcing St. Louis as a center for social justice.
Her legacy, highlighted in the documentary Envisioning Home, reminds us that the struggle for affordable housing continues, with her work paving the way for policies that benefit low-income families today.
Sources
McCormack Baron Salazar. (2015). Envisioning Home [Documentary]. McCormack Baron Salazar. Retrieved from https://www.mccormackbaron.com/news/2015/04/22/envisioning-home-documentary-now-available-on-dvd%2C-digital-download-and-online-rental
Barnes, H. (2012, November 13). What started as a rent strike revolutionized public housing. The Beacon. Retrieved from https://www.iut.nu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/What-Started-as-a-Rent-Strike-Revolutionized-Public-Housing.pdf?_kx=4fOjRfP3L4w8I5dN8n2REw.RRkaKC
ArchCity Defenders. (n.d.). 5 Black St. Louisans who shook up history. Retrieved from https://www.archcitydefenders.org/5-black-st-louisans-who-shook-up-history/
Frank Davis: Moving Homes, Rehabbing Dreams, and Serving Up Sweet Success
Some people dream of success. Others roll up their sleeves, put in the work, and build it from the ground up. Frank Davis is one of the latter. In St. Louis, he’s become a household name—whether it’s for moving families into new homes, transforming properties through expert renovations, or serving up mouthwatering desserts at his family’s Heaven’s Creamery.
Yes, you read that right. Frank is both a mover and a master of sweet treats.
On one side, he runs Davis Moving LLC, a thriving business built on trust, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to helping people settle into new beginnings. On the other, he and his family own Heaven’s Creamery, a dessert haven inspired by his grandmother’s cherished recipes. While moving and dessert-making might seem like worlds apart, they both represent Frank’s passion for building—whether it’s homes, businesses, or lasting memories.
Moving Up and Moving Forward
Photo courtesy of Instagram
Frank didn’t just wake up one day with a moving truck and a plan. He spent years earning his reputation as the go-to guy in St. Louis for moving, rehabbing, and revitalizing homes. His knack for breathing new life into properties, coupled with his efficiency in getting people where they need to be, has made him a trusted name in the industry. If you need something moved, improved, or transformed, Frank is the one to call.
Photo courtesy of Instagram
But that’s only half the story.
A Taste of Legacy: The Sweet Side of Business
While Frank is making waves in real estate and renovations, his heart is also in the kitchen. Heaven’s Creamery is more than just a dessert shop—it’s a love letter to his grandmother, whose passion for baking filled their home with warmth and sweetness. Now, Frank and his family are keeping her legacy alive, crafting heavenly desserts that bring people together, one bite at a time.
Photo Courtesy of Facebook
Just like with his moving business, Frank understands that success isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you make people feel. Whether he’s helping a family settle into a new home or serving a scoop of nostalgia at Heaven’s Creamery, he’s creating experiences that last.
The Power of Community and Support
Every great entrepreneur knows that success isn’t a solo journey. Frank credits organizations like Justine PETERSEN for helping him secure funding, giving his businesses the financial boost needed to thrive. Their support has been instrumental in his ability to grow and create opportunities for others.
He also gives a special shoutout to real estate powerhouse Lakeisha Stephenson for guiding him in the right direction and to Yolanda Nelson, whose mentorship has made navigating the entrepreneurial world much easier. Surrounding himself with the right people has been key to his success.
For Frank, working with a community that believes in his vision makes it easy to keep coming back and reinvesting in St. Louis.
The Key to Success: Faith, Family, and Hard Work
Above all, Frank’s foundation is built on faith. Keeping God first in his life has given him the strength, clarity, and drive to push forward, no matter the obstacles. For him, success isn’t just measured in profits—it’s measured in impact, integrity, and the ability to uplift those around him.
What’s Next? The Sky’s the Limit
Frank Davis isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With Davis Moving LLC growing stronger and Heaven’s Creamery serving up smiles, his journey is a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance. From moving houses to moving hearts, Frank is proving that when you dream big, work hard, and keep the faith, the possibilities are endless.
St. Louis, keep your eyes on Frank Davis—because he’s just getting started.
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