Number 315 February 28, 2025 St. Louis

Black History Month

Black History Doesn’t End in February—It’s Every Day

As Black History Month comes to a close, let’s remember that honoring Black excellence, resilience, and contributions shouldn’t be confined to just one month. History is ongoing, and so is the impact on Black communities. Let’s continue to celebrate, uplift, and engage beyond February by supporting Black-owned businesses, learning from local Black leaders, and having meaningful conversations about the present and future. Every day is a chance to recognize, learn, and take action—because Black history is still being made

Honoring Jordan “Pop” Chambers

Picture courtesy of www.missionstl.org

As Black History Month draws to a close, it’s essential to remember that celebrating Black excellence, achievements, and history should be a year-round commitment. Today, we honor Jordan “Pop” Chambers, a pivotal figure in St. Louis history and a trailblazer in Black political activism.

Widely regarded as the “father of Black politics” in St. Louis, Chambers played a crucial role in the 1930s by leading African American voters from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, significantly reshaping the city’s political landscape. Beyond politics, he emphasized the importance of economic and political unity within the Black community, urging African Americans to go beyond mere desegregation and work collectively to challenge the city’s racial power structure.

His leadership and advocacy provided a voice to those who had been historically silenced. As a civic leader and activist, Chambers influenced local government to take meaningful actions in support of African Americans in St. Louis. His legacy is still recognized today, highlighted by Chambers Park, which stands as a tribute to his contributions. His significance was acknowledged even by national leaders; during his illness in 1962, both President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson sent personal messages of sympathy.

At Justine PETERSEN, we continue the work of empowering Black entrepreneurs, homeowners, and communities by providing access to capital, credit-building opportunities, and financial education. The legacy of leaders like Jordan Chambers reminds us of the critical importance of this work. We encourage our JP Update readers to support Black-owned businesses, advocate for economic equity, and uplift Black voices—not just in February, but every day. If you’re a Black business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, connect with us to learn how JP can support your journey. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more inclusive St. Louis.

Further reading:

Welek, Mary (1972). “Jordan Chambers: Black Politician and Boss”. The Journal of Negro History. 57 (4): 352–369. doi:10.2307/2716981. ISSN 0022-2992. JSTOR 2716981. S2CID 150140098.
“Jordan W. Chambers (1896-1962), a prominent black civic leader”. City of St Louis.

Turning Passion into Purpose: The Success Story of Graciously Noticed

Jonnie Williams and Niccole McConnell had a vision—not just to start a business, but to create a space that would uplift and inspire. Their dream was bigger than a traditional business venture; they wanted to build an event space for artists of all ages and a nonprofit dedicated to the arts for children, helping them develop both creatively and financially. Their goal? To ensure that young artists not only express themselves but also gain the financial knowledge to secure their futures.

Jonnie, an artist, musician, and entrepreneur, has always been passionate about sharing his talents and influencing the next generation. Niccole, with her expanding real estate portfolio and expertise in project management, brought the perfect blend of skills to help bring their shared vision to life. The two had crossed paths long before this idea was born, and when the time was right, they knew they had to act.

But like many entrepreneurs, they faced roadblocks—mainly in securing funding. They heard many no’s before finally receiving the yes that would change everything. That yes came from Justine PETERSEN, thanks to the guidance and support of JP’s very own Aida Richardson.

With their loan secured, Jonnie and Niccole could finally bring Graciously Noticed to life. Their journey is proof that dreams can become reality with persistence, passion, and the right support. As Jonnie puts it, “I am leaning on the meant-to-be mentality.”

Their message to other dreamers? If your work fills the void of the 9-to-5 grind, and you can spend hours doing it without realizing time has passed, it’s for you. Don’t give up. Go to JP!

Be sure to check out Graciously Noticed at www.graciousnoticed.com and mark your calendars for their upcoming expo on March 23, 2025, at The Post Building!

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Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation · 1023 N Grand Blvd · Saint Louis, MO 63106-1641 · USA