Former Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin

Biography

      First elected in 1997 at the age of 27, 5th Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin has served in several critical capacities while at the Board of Aldermen including serving as: chairman of the Neighborhood Development Committee, vice-chair of the Streets Committee and is a key member of the Ways and Means, Housing and Urban Development and Personnel committees. Alderwoman Ford-Griffin has also served as chairman of the African American Aldermanic Caucus. Alderwoman Ford-Griffin also is a former commissioner of the St. Louis Airport and a former member of the Governor’S Lead Prevention Board.   

      The Alderwoman is also involved in political advocacy in that she serves as a member of the 5th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, served as an at-large delegate representing the State of Missouri in the 2000 Presidential Convention and also served as the Chairman of the 5th Ward get-out-the-vote in 2000. Ford-Griffin most recently served as campaign manager for Lewis Reed in his successful bid to become the first African-American to be elected president of the Board of Aldermen.   

      During Ford-Griffin’S tenure in office as a full-time Alderman, the Fifth Ward has undertaken over $800,000,000.00 worth of new residential, commercial and institutional development. Her leadership has lead to the construction and/or renovation of over 1,500 units of quality, mixed-income housing. She was also recently very instrumental in assisting the St. Louis Housing Authority and minority developer KAI in securing a $20,000,000.00 HOPE VI grant which is being used to transform the dilapidated Cochran Gardens public housing development into Cambridge Heights a viable, attractive, mixed income community. Ford-Griffin has also been celebrated for her commitment to the inclusion of minority developers and contractors in the revitalization of the 5th Ward. To date, minority developers have spearheaded over $25,000,000.00 worth of new development activities in her ward. She has also ensured that local minority contractors have had an opportunity to participate meaningfully in the on going renaissance of the area.   

      Alderwoman Ford-Griffin has also developed a keen sense of awareness of the effectiveness of non-profit organizations operating in the City of St. Louis. To date she has provided legislative and/or financial support to organizations such as the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, Prurient Igoe, Inc., Better Family Life, Places for People, Doorways, Youth and Family Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Cahill House Tenant Affairs Board, Haven of Grace, 100 Black Men, Grace Hill, Habitat for Humanity-St. Louis, North Grand Neighborhood Services, Monsanto Family YMCA, Employment Connection, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, Community Renewal and Development, CHIPS, Vashon/Jeff-Vander-Lou Initiative and COVAM in their efforts to serve the residents of the 5th Ward.   

      Alderwoman Ford-Griffin comes from a family with a long history of elected public service. Her parents, Louis and Ida Ford, served for over thirty years in public office and her brother, Anthony, is a former state representative. Alderwoman Ford-Griffin a dedicated mother of three children and is also a member of the Rhema Baptist Assembly church, a member of the Order of Easter Star and a member of the Daughters of Isis.