Resilience & Courage: Black History in St. Louis

History of the Black Community in St. Louis

This February, for Black History Month the Social Justice Ministry is highlighting the resilience and courage of the black community in St. Louis, especially in the face of various forms of oppression. The display in the Social Hall includes Dred and Harriet Scott, George L. Vaughn, Maya Angelou, and Mill Creek Valley.

Dred and Harriet Scott filed suit for their freedom in St. Louis in 1846. When their case reached the Supreme Court it was ruled that they, and all African Americans, were not considered citizens of the United States. Opposition to the decision was one of the causes of the Civil War and led to the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments to the constitution. The Scott's struggle for freedom stands as a defining moment in the history of the Civil Rights movement.

George L. Vaughn, a prominent attorney and the son of former slaves, was a towering figure in the St. Louis political arena. He helped forge the Citizens Liberty League to promote and endorse Black political candidates, which resulted in the first Black candidate elected to public office in Missouri. Vaughn was also known for his pivotal role as legal counsel in landmark Supreme Court case focused on restrictive covenants, Shelley v. Kraemer (1948). Restrictive covenants aimed at preventing the sale of property to African Americans.

Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis and a renowned author, poet, and civil rights activist. She is best known for her autobiographical work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which addresses themes of racism, trauma, and resilience. Angelou was also involved in the civil rights movement, serving as the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conferenced. In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for her contributions to literature and activism.

Mill Creek Valley was a city within the city of St. Louis known as a center for black life until its destruction in 1959. Nearly 20,000 people lived in this community known for vibrant commercial life, rich culture, and popular entertainment venues, but almost no trace of it remains today. Despite racial segregation, Mill Creek was home to a black newspaper, offices for many black professionals, a center of social activism, and the birthplace of ragtime music. The neighborhood, which was destroyed in the 1950s covered 454 acres in what is now the known as the central corridor. The Missouri History Museum currently has an exhibit called Mill Creek: Black Metropolis where you can learn much more about this neighborhood and all that was lost when it disappeared.