We Stories is among several nonprofits and advocacy groups in the St. Louis area founded shortly after the 2014 death of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Now, after seven years of helping people teach young children about diversity, equity and inclusion, We Stories is closing its operational doors. All of the nonprofit’s resources will be available for free on its website until it shuts down on June 30.
“Over the last seven years, our organization has provide[d] resources, support and a community for folks to practice leaning into anti-racist parenting skills,” said Executive Director Maggie Klonsky. “Hopefully [this would] help move some of the political will in St. Louis towards racial equity by activating previously unengaged parents.”
The board of We Stories decided to shut down the organization because there was a sharp decrease in participation over 2021 and 2022. Board member Pamela Washington told St. Louis on the Air that We Stories has worked hard to make resources accessible to institutions, individuals and families, and that its job is to continue anti-racist work.
“The question is … ‘What are you going to do to change your actions to be anti-racist?’ Not, ‘what additional free resources are there?’” Washington said. “The same books that we used were always available for free at public libraries. They were before and they still are now. The guides that we have on our website are simply to support the work.”
Hear about Maggie Klonsky’s and Pamela Washington’s recommendations on being anti-racist by listening to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or by clicking the play button below.
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Avery Rogers is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr. Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.
