The Uhuru Movement’s Black Power Blueprint project is mobilizing black community recovery efforts in areas of North St. Louis that were devastated by at least one severe tornado on Friday, May 16, 2025. The National Weather Service (NWS) said they believe the tornado was an EF-3 with winds between 100-165 mph and was up to a mile wide at times. More than 80,000 buildings remain without power.
Immediately after the storm, activists with the Uhuru Movement began to mobilize support and resources for neighbors in need. From the Uhuru House black community center at 4101 W. Florissant Avenue, they organized a drive for tools and supplies. On Sunday, they set-up a charging station, as well as a grill and gave away hot food.
Volunteers brought chainsaws, handsaws, brooms, rakes, shovels, trash bags and gloves to help with door-to-door clean-up. They continue to collect and distribute donations of water, non-perishable food items, tarps, ice, coolers, propane, butane, flashlights, batteries, charcoal, fans and first aid items.
They’ve launched a fund drive at blackpowerblueprint.org/northsidedisasterfund to restore damaged buildings, set up community charging stations, continue free food giveaways and provide support needed by local residents.
The residence of Uhuru Movement founder and leader Chairman Omali Yeshitela is located on one of the hard-hit streets. On Sunday he walked through the affected areas talking with neighbors. He called for the City to do better. “They could make changes with infrastructure so that you don’t lose your electrical power. They know that tornadoes come through and knock down the power poles. They could do better but they don’t. We saw what happened in New Orleans where the politicians allowed the people to drown. We can’t wait for the City to bring in water and basic necessities. We must organize and build our own capacity to respond to all assaults on our community – whether natural or man-made disasters.”
The Black Power Blueprint and the nonprofit African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) have invested over one million dollars in the revitalization of St. Louis’ Northside over the past seven years. This is the area of St. Louis that was intentionally allowed to deteriorate under the “Team Four” plan of “benign neglect”, resulting in over 30,000 black residents being forced to relocate.
The APEDF has acquired and renovated numerous dilapidated properties in North St. Louis. They’ve built a community center, low income housing, a community garden, a farmers market and a state-of-the-art basketball court, with plans underway for a women’s health center and job training program.
The Gary Brooks Garden has become a model of sustainability and community resilience. Over 1,000 pounds of fresh healthy food is produced annually given out free of charge to community members on Fridays during the harvesting months. The garden has also played a critical role in neighborhood revitalization, turning once-vacant land into a source of pride and connection.
African People’s Education and Defense Fund President Ona Zené Yeshitela says, “We are bringing Black self-determination and prosperity to North St. Louis. While the disaster that we experienced was a tornado, we are particularly impacted due to decades of neglect and devastation. We must come together and do for self.”
More information at blackpowerblueprint.org