Black St. Louis

Black St. Louis explores the rich and inspiring history of African Americans in St. Louis from the city's founding as a French fur trading post during the Spanish colonial era to the new millennium. Author NiNi Harris highlights great figures who showed leadership, incredible innovation, and courage despite the injustices they faced. Learn about the people like feisty Charlton Tandy, a Union Army veteran who fought for Civil Rights, or John Berry Meachum, an ex-slave who led the Black community with kindness and founded the First African Baptist Church. In the early 20th century, businesswoman Annie Malone built an industry that served and enriched African Americans and left a lasting impact on the city. Jordan Chambers, a night club owner, held so much political sway that he was known as the "Negro mayor of St. Louis." Black St. Louis covers more than 250 years of history to tell the stories of extraordinary people who helped pave the way for the St. Louis we know today.