Our Facing Race conference theme, “Our Power, Our Solutions,” isn’t just a catchy phrase–it’s a clarion call that resonates deeply with St. Louis’ residents and community leaders.
We sat down with our incredible partners and host committee members to hear firsthand how this powerful theme shapes their daily efforts to build a more just, thriving, and resilient St. Louis. Through a series of video interviews, these local leaders share their insights on how the theme manifests in their ongoing work in St. Louis and beyond.
From grassroots organizers to community advocates, each committee member brings a fresh take on what “Our Power, Our Solutions” means to them, their city, and the broader fight for racial justice.
These short videos offer a glimpse into the heart of the city's movements for justice and the individuals shaping the future of racial equity in St. Louis.
Melanie Randels
Local Host Coordinator, Facing Race
Melanie Marie, a St. Louis native, graduated from Fontbonne University with her bachelor's degree as “Corporate Communications Student of the Year” in 2015. A trailblazing entrepreneur and community champion, she has been on the frontline of various social justice initiatives, including Ferguson Economic Development Chair and Racial Equity board member for St. Louis County. Melanie has helped clear over 50,000 cannabis convictions and pioneered various policy issues. She operates her own consulting company, Melanie Marie LLC, and is the former Executive Director of The Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization. With a decade of active service in her community in Ferguson, she exemplifies power and humanitarianism.
Aaron Williams
Committee Chairman/ Project Manager, Young Friends of The Ville/ 4TheVille
Aaron Williams, Chair of ULI St. Louis and a Project Manager at Penn Services, was recently named a St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. A dedicated community leader, Aaron is actively involved with organizations such as 4 The Ville and the Northside Community Housing Board. As Chair of ULI St. Louis, Aaron drives impactful change in the region and champions initiatives like UrbanPlan and the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI), creating pathways for a more diverse generation of urban planners and real estate professionals.
Dr. LJ Punch
BRIC Director/Trauma Surgeon, Power4STL
Dr. LJ Punch is a trauma surgeon, aspiring healer, and founder of Power4STL, a community of health working to reduce the impact of trauma in the St. Louis region. This includes The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) and The T, a holistic harm reduction program with a focus on overdose risk. Both programs center the experience of Black masculine-bodied people because #BlackPainMatters.
Leslie Hughes & Valerie Hughes
CEO & Founder, Frizz Fest | Executive Director, Frizz Fest
Leslie Hughes & Valerie Hughes are passionate about empowering and supporting women and inspiring their community. With the intention of creating spaces for the Black community to feel safe, seen, and celebrated, Leslie founded the nonprofit Frizzy By Nature and created Frizz Fest. Along with support of her sister-in-law, Valerie Hughes, and brother Ricky Hughes, Frizzy By Nature aims to provide opportunities to create a thriving St. Louis through holistic health and well-being initiatives Frizzy By Nature continuously discovers opportunities that serve the Black community. Frizz Fest has grown exponentially over the past seven years, becoming the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest, attracting thousands of guests from all over and impacting the lives of many.
Leslie states, “Frizzy By Nature is the vessel that allows us to do our part in making the world around us a better place.”
Okunsola Amadou
CEO, Jamaa Birth Village
Okunsola M. Amadou is the Founder & CEO of Jamaa Birth Village, which was founded in 2015, in Ferguson, MO. A 19-time award-winning Black Maternal Health pioneer, Okunsola is recognized in Missouri as the First Black Certified Professional Midwife and First Black Registered Preceptor through the North American Registry of Midwives. Okunsola is currently training her first-born son as a Black Male Midwife.
Sandra Thornhill
Reproductive Justice Doula/Mamavisit, Jamaa Birth Village Affiliate
Sandra Thromhill is on a freedom journey reclaiming her identity, and creating sacred spaces where authenticity, transparency, and community thrive With a passion for equity and a veneration for policy, she is committed to creating access for historically marginalized communities.Sandra is a highly motivated servant leader with astute knowledge and veneration for the development and implementation of public policy. She has several years of supporting organizational policy and initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to access and equity. Sandra’s strong interpersonal communication, presentation, and organizational skills contribute to cross-functional teams while allowing her to manage externally-facing engagements independently.