Race, Identity & Faith

The Archdiocese of St. Louis invites people of different faiths on a tour Saturday from downtown St. Louis to north St. Louis to explore ways to eliminate racism in health care, education, housing and the criminal justice system.

St. Louis has asked Black clergy to encourage church members to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Pastors are preaching about it, talking it up at Bible study and even offering churches as vaccination sites.

People who work for organizations that help immigrants in the St. Louis region fear that many others are reluctant to get the vaccine. They worry that people who do not speak English won’t do so because of language access and a lack of information.

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush introduced legislation that would grant permanent residency to Alex Garcia, an unauthorized immigrant who has lived in a Maplewood church since 2017.

Today, Black artists are describing the trauma of police brutality, the agony of seeing friends suffer violent deaths and the pain of losing loved ones to COVID-19. Black artists in the St. Louis region will showcase works that connect grief and joy in a virtual exhibit from the Griot Museum of Black History on Saturday.

Churches in the St. Louis region are rethinking Ash Wednesday in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Some churches are skipping ashes altogether, while others will have parishioners put on their own ashes.

The St. Louis County Library celebrates Black History through 40 virtual programs that include presentations by local artists, a genealogy workshop and a conversation with author Walter Mosley.

Black pastors in the St. Louis region are worried that some members of their congregations will not get the coronavirus vaccine because they are wary of it. Some preachers are using their online services and social media channels to encourage members to take the vaccine.

Black St. Louisans are appalled at what they saw at the U.S. Capitol last week, when a largely white mob forced its way past police to try to stop Congress from certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden. They couldn't miss how police officers did not aggressively counter white rioters and how that contrasted with how officers treat Black people at demonstrations for Black lives.

Tracie Berry-McGhee, a licensed therapist and founder of the I Define Me Movement, created the I Define Me Wellness Mobile to reach more girls where they are. The delivery truck-size Wellness Mobile is giving girls of color a safe space to express themselves.