Pulaski County NAACP Urges Action to Protect Democracy in Missouri

2025 Jefferson City Freedom Fund Dinner Photos

The Pulaski County Branch is getting the word and awareness out to the community!

Watch our recent Townhall with information on our efforts to push back against the Governor's Unconstitutional call of a special session on redistricting and changing the way votes are counted when citizens amend the Constitution.

Legislature rushes through controversial measures while Attorney General's office causes unnecessary delays in Constitutional challenge.

We are suing to protect democracy from unchecked executive overreach.

Published in the Jefferson City News Tribune, August 24, 2025

ST. LOUIS, MO – July 18, 2025 In response to the recent decision by St. Louis Development Corporation to pause Certify STL’s business certificate program, President John Bowman issues the following statement: “We recognize political scapegoating when we see it. As the largest and oldest civil rights organization, and as a community in the St. Louis region, we have seen these maneuvers in spades across decades. Political agendas are strong-arming our friends and partners at SLDC, and the M/WBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) community is paying the price for it. It’s not lost on us that a St. Louis developer has just escalated a high-profile, compelling lawsuit in response to an 18-month-long federal investigation helped by SLDC alleging misuse of SLDC’s minority program.”  President Bowman continues, “We see the pressure these politicos are putting on our local programs and longstanding relationships in the St. Louis region, and we won’t stand for it. We recognize this as a political move, not one that considers the impact these decisions are having on the lives of thousands of minority and women-owned small and large businesses in the St. Louis area. SLDC, we stand with you and will work with you to ensure that the political pressures are lifted and these programs can continue in St. Louis.” NAACP St. Louis County President John Bowman and community partners stand with the leaders of the St. Louis Development Corporation in advocating for what is fair and right for the thousands of minority and women-owned business owners they serve. To continue supporting programs that protect minority and women-owned business owners from being excluded from government contracts, NAACP St. Louis County President John Bowman will submit a formal complaint to NAACP National on behalf of the St. Louis Development Corporation and the region’s minority business owners, friends, partners, supporters, and program recipients. NAACP St. Louis County will continue working with County Executive Sam Page and Councilwoman Rita Days to ensure a fair and equal effort in supporting SLDC as they uphold their longstanding commitment to the St. Louis community. Change is inevitable, and we recognize that we are the agents of change. NAACP President John Bowman is available for follow-up and questions at the email address below. ### NAACP St. Louis County John Bowman – President PO BOX 210464 • St. Louis, MO 63121 ● 314.899.0033 ● naapstlouiscounty.org