In March, five listening sessions were conducted with Jefferson City residents regarding interactions between their community and the Jefferson City Police Department. A subsequent survey was taken by the participants. The racial makeup of those surveyed were as follows: 20 African Americans35 European Americans2 individuals who did not disclose their race The genders of those...Read More

The racial disparity between stops of drivers is at its highest level since publication began in 2000.Read More

June 3, 2019   For More Information: Jeanette Mott Oxford Executive Director, Empower Missouri (314) 775-3261   Conner Kerrigan Communications Director, Empower Missouri (815) 263-1261 On May 31st, 2019, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt released the annual Vehicle Stops Report of 2018 (VSR) as mandated by Missouri statutes. As an organization that advocates for the...Read More

The sold-out crowd was inspired by the words spoken by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell during his keynote address, when he spoke of the long arc of justice and how important it is to work together in the fight for justice.Read More

The major take-away for me from the 2019 Legislative Session is the importance of working in coalition with others for evidence-based public policies.Read More

On Saturday, May 11th, The Griot Black History Museum in St Louis hosted a Community Prayer Breakfast to honor and recognize the caregivers and the legacy of those we’ve lost to HIV.Read More

In last week’s Perspective, we talked about the roadblocks our HIV policy modernization bill hit and how we’ll persist and organize for future success. Today, though, we want to tell you about a few truly unmistakable wins that Empower Missouri saw this week.Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2019 For More Information: Sara Baker, 314-809-0658 Jeremy Cady, 417-597-3838 Jeanette Mott Oxford, 314-775-3261 Jefferson City – Yesterday, the Missouri Legislature approved HB 192, a proposal that would reform Missouri sentencing law and allow eligible individuals to have earlier parole hearings.  HB 192 requires the parole board to evaluate those currently serving...Read More

Reformed theologian and ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr (born in Wright City, MO in 1892) began sharing a prayer in 1934 that was published in this form in 1951: ….give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the...Read More