Communities Forward

Today's interview is part 2 of our discussion with Charles Bryson, policy catalyst for Trailnet. In the episode, he continues to discuss his ideas for improving how city government can better serve the people in St. Louis, as well as what Trailnet is and how the organization makes a positive impact in the region through access to, and the creation of, walking and biking networks and infrastructure.

Charles Bryson is policy catalyst for Trailnet. Trailnet is a St. Louis nonprofit whose mission is to lead in fostering healthy, active, and vibrant communities where walking, bicycling, and the use of public transit are a way of life. Trailnet believes that everyone should have access to safe low-stress walking and biking connections where we live, work, and play in our communities.   To foster their mission, Trailnet works within the St. Louis region and across the state to respond to the demand for improved walking and biking networks that attract and retain talent, strengthen our economy, and connect people to the places they love.   Charles has extensive experience working in nonprofits and various positions within city government, including as special advisor to former St. Louis mayor Francis Slay, then as director of public safety, and finally as director for the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency.   In part one of our interview, Charles describes his experiences growing up in St. Louis, moving away to begin his professional career, and how these early experiences shaped his journey to become a leader.

Today’s episode is part 2 of our interview with Michael Woods, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dream Builders for Equity. DB4E works to develop economically sustainable and socially engaged communities by growing equity for youth, businesses, residents, and real estate. You can learn more about the organization by visiting https://www.dreambuilders4equity.org/.   Michael is a St. Louis native and North City resident, is a certified personal trainer, published author, entrepreneur, and mentor. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Lindenwood University.    Michael’s passion is unifying all communities towards creating a better future that is informed by the hopes and needs of those who are often forgotten.   In today’s episode, Michael discusses a very personal experience stemming from his decision to sell drugs as a teenager and how his subsequent arrest shaped him as an author, future leader, and mentor to students who also experience substantial life challenges themselves.

Today’s episode is part 1 of our interview with Michael Woods, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dream Builders for Equity. DB4E works to develop economically sustainable and socially engaged communities by growing equity for youth, businesses, residents, and real estate. You can learn more about the organization by visiting https://www.dreambuilders4equity.org/. Michael is a St. Louis native and North City resident, is a certified personal trainer, published author, entrepreneur, and mentor. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Lindenwood University.    Michael’s passion is unifying all communities towards creating a better future that is informed by the hopes and needs of those who are often forgotten.   In today’s episode, Michael talks about growing up in North County and North St. Louis and how his early life experiences shaped his vision as an author and entrepreneur.

Today’s podcast interview is with Jenny Weber, Interim Executive Director of College Bound. College Bound is a St. Louis nonprofit organization that, through an individualized, holistic, and multi-year commitment, CB empowers students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete higher education and enter successful careers. Jenny previously served as VP and Chief Development Officer at College Bound prior to being elevated to the position of Interim ED. Jenny has over ten years of experience serving nonprofit organizations and has spent most of her career in philanthropy focused on education. Being raised by social worker parents in St. Louis city and county, she had an early orientation to equity and social justice which led her to College Bound in 2016. In today’s interview, Jenny outlines her leadership journey, as well as how organizations like College Bound positively impact families and communities in the wider St. Louis region.

Hello and welcome to season three of the Communities Forward podcast. After a hiatus at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, we are back. We are launching season three with 2 back to back episodes. The episodes are parts 1 and 2 of our interview with the honorable Webster Groves mayor Laura Arnold. Mayor Laura Arnold was elected to Webster’s City Council in 2018 and elected Mayor in 2022. Mayor Arnold is a retired college professor who earned multiple degrees, including a PhD in political science from the Ohio State University. Her research and teaching focus was on American Government and Politics, especially legislative institutions. Her career included positions at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Webster University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis teaching a wide range of courses. In episode 2 of our discussion with Dr. Arnold, she discusses the importance of encouraging women to participate in politics. 

Hello and welcome to season three of the Communities Forward podcast. After a hiatus at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, we are back.  We are launching season three with 2 back to back episodes. The episodes are parts 1 and 2 of our interview with the honorable Webster Groves mayor Laura Arnold. Mayor Laura Arnold was elected to Webster’s City Council in 2018 and elected Mayor in 2022.  Mayor Arnold is a retired college professor who earned multiple degrees, including a PhD in political science from the Ohio State University. Her research and teaching focus was on American Government and Politics, especially legislative institutions. Her career included positions at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Webster University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis teaching a wide range of courses. In episode 1 of our discussion with Dr. Arnold, she discusses her experiences growing up in Webster, her journey as a leader, and her entrance into politics.

This week's podcast episode is part 2 of our interview with Cassandra Kaufman of the St. Louis Mental Health Board. In this episode, she continues to describe MHB's programs and how the organization seeks to help address the mental health challenges experienced in the St. Louis region.

This week’s guest is Cassandra Kaufman. Cassandra brings more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and leadership in health and human services. She is currently the executive director of the St. Louis Mental Health Board. Prior to being appointed as executive director, she served as MHB’s deputy director, overseeing strategic investments of the Community Mental Health and Community Children’s Services Funds. Before working at MHB, she served as vice president in the Community Investment Division at the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Cassandra holds a BA in Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a MSW and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. In part one of our two-part interview with Cassandra, she discusses some of the leadership experiences that have shaped her, as well as what the Mental Health Board is and how it seeks to serve the residents of the City of St. Louis.

Today’s guest is the honorable Nikylan Knapper. Ms. Knapper is an administrative judge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the first Black mayor in the year history of Maplewood, MO. Judge Knapper’s legal career has spanned more than 16 years and includes stints as a trial lawyer for the U.S. Department of Labor, a solo practitioner, and public defender. Prior to being elected as mayor she served on the Maplewood Richmond Heights school board. On today’s episode, which is part-2 of our interview, judge Knapper discusses her career in politics, which began with her service for the Maplewood Richmond Heights school board and led to her serving as the first Black mayor of Maplewood, MO.