(St. Louis)
WHAT:
Grand Opening of the Northside Movement Center: Ribbon Cutting and Open House
WHO:
Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders
Community members and organizations, Neighborhood businesses, and Supporters
WHEN:
Friday, February 27, 2026
3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Ribbon cutting ceremony and welcoming remarks begin at 3:30, followed by an open house
WHERE:
Northside Movement Center
5939 Goodfellow Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63147
DETAILS:
Held during Black History/Futures Month, the opening of the Northside Movement Center honors generations of Black-led organizing while investing in the future of Black-led movements.
Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders are inviting the community to celebrate the official grand opening of the Northside Movement Center, a newly renovated 36,000-square-foot building that will serve as the shared home of both organizations with rental and co-working space available for community groups.
Remarks will reflect on the legacy of Black-led movements in St. Louis and the futures this shared space makes possible. Speakers include: Executive leadership from ArchCity Defenders and Action St. Louis, Blake Strode and Kayla Reed, board member Rev. Michelle Higgins, honorary campaign chairs Jamala Rogers and Percy Green, and Rev. Rodrick K. Burton, Senior Pastor of New Northside Missionary Baptist Church.
Following the ribbon cutting, attendees are invited to participate in guided tours, enjoy light refreshments, access community resources, and take part in family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
Neighbors, partners, and supporters are encouraged to attend and help mark this milestone event.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
The Northside Movement Center is characterized as a home for movement and centralizes advocacy, organizing, direct services, and events all under one roof. The building previously served as a family center for the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church for over twenty years.
ArchCity and Action’s search for a centralized location in North St. Louis began in 2021, and was driven by a commitment to be rooted in, and invest in, the communities they serve and organize alongside.
The Grand Opening celebration continues the following day with a fundraising luncheon hosted by Friends of Northside, the organization leading the capital campaign for the Northside Movement Center. Tickets and tables are available for purchase online.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
• Ribbon cutting ceremony
• Visuals of the newly renovated space
• Interviews with organizational leaders and community members
• Community turnout and activities
REGISTRATION:
bit.ly/nmc-ribbon
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About Action St. Louis
Action St. Louis is a grassroots organization working to build power for Black communities in the St. Louis area through organizing, advocacy, and direct action to fight for racial justice.
About ArchCity Defenders
ArchCity Defenders is a holistic legal advocacy organization that fights against the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color.
About Northside Movement Center
Northside Movement Center is a nonprofit organization and joint venture of Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders that provides north St. Louis with convening space for community organizations and St. Louis residents to move together towards a brighter future.
About Friends of Northside
Friends of Northside is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit which is classified under 509(a)(3) as a charitable foundation and Type I supporting organization of Action St. Louis and ArchCity Defenders. Friends of Northside supports joint ventures of these organizations by coordinating capital campaigns, receiving charitable donations, managing endowments, and lending or donating to affiliated nonprofits, all with oversight of a governing board.
About Northside Center for Power and Transformation
Northside Center for Power and Transformation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and charitable foundation under 509(a)(1) that exists to acquire and improve real estate property in under-served and under-invested neighborhoods. We lease our developed property to justice-oriented nonprofits who will operate these spaces for the benefit of the surrounding community.
Follow ACD on social media for regular updates.
Media Contacts:
Z Gorley, Communications Director, ArchCity Defenders
(314) 898-8185 | zgorley@archcitydefenders.org
Ohun Ashe, Communications Director, Action St. Louis
(314) 224-2888 | ohun@actionstl.org