Urban League reflects on tornado response, plans next phase
The applause inside the St. Louis Marriott Grand last Thursday reflected a community still processing the impact of the May 16 tornado that tore through north St. Louis nearly a year ago. At the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ 108th annual dinner, speakers and videos focused on recovery — what was lost, what has […] The post Urban League reflects on tornado response, plans next phase appeared first on St. Louis American.
Black News 
The applause inside the St. Louis Marriott Grand last Thursday reflected a community still processing the impact of the May 16 tornado that tore through north St. Louis nearly a year ago.
At the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ 108th annual dinner, speakers and videos focused on recovery — what was lost, what has been rebuilt and what remains ahead.
For thousands of families, the storm’s path was more than physical. It cut through routines, stability and the illusion that tomorrow would look like today.
“You start your morning off normal and happy … and afterwards, you come home to a disaster,” said Angela Meeks, recalling the day in a video shown during the program.
Unable to reach her block, she parked two streets away and walked through what felt like a movie set — neighbors stunned, homes split open, futures suddenly uncertain.
“If you don’t have a roof, you don’t have a home,” she said. “And the Urban League got us back to where we had a roof over our head.”
Roosevelt Price described a similar moment of uncertainty.
“May 16 changed my life,” he said. “The help that you guys gave us was such a big relief … to know that my family would not be on the street.”
The storm also affected the Urban League itself.
“At our business center on Natural Bridge, one of the HVAC systems fell on top of our staff member’s car,” said Urban League President and CEO Michael P. McMillan. “Had she been in it, she would have died.”
Despite that, the organization expanded its response.
The Urban League reported supporting more than 30,000 people through weekly relief drives and investing more than $3 million to assist more than 40,000 residents affected by the storm. It placed 750 families in hotels and distributed more than one million pounds of food over 15 weeks.
“Even in the face of challenges … we did not pause our mission,” McMillan said. “When the work was hardest, we expanded it.”
The organization now serves about 225,000 people annually through programs that include workforce development, housing support and early childhood education.
Looking ahead, McMillan said the next phase includes a Rebuilding St. Louis Fund with a goal of raising $10 million to repair homes and support recovery in North St. Louis.
A weekend of service is planned for May 15–17, including a large-scale distribution of food and toiletries for about 5,000 residents.
Donations announced during the event included $100,000 from United Way of Greater St. Louis and $1 million from the Centene Foundation.
“We believe deeply in the work you’ve done here,” said Centene Foundation President Keith Williamson.
The evening also included recognition of civic leaders Steve Smith, executive chairman and co-founder of The Lawrence Group, and Michael Holmes, chairman of The St. Louis American Foundation board.
“St. Louis can be a great city,” Holmes said. “But we will never truly be great until everyone has an opportunity to live a good life.”
Nearly a year after the tornado, speakers said recovery is ongoing.
“In two weeks and two days, we will commemorate one year,” McMillan said. “Not just to remember, but to rebuild.”
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