Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to Highlight City Budget, American Rescue Plan Act Commitments in First State of the City

Tomorrow, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones will deliver her first State of the City address just ahead of the first anniversary of her historic inauguration on April 20. The State of the City will be held at the Givens Auditorium at Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis’ historically Black university.

The program begins at 6:00pm, and includes a presentation by the Clyde C. Miller Academy ROTC Color Guard, Kennedy Moore singing the National Anthem, a performance by Phil Woodmore and the Phil Woodmore Singers Kidz, and an opening invocation by Bishop Michael Jones of Friendly Temple Baptist Church. Local media veteran Tammie Holland will introduce Mayor Jones, and the closing prayer will be held by Pastor Anthony Riley of Central Baptist Church.

Highlighting her family’s roots in North St. Louis, Mayor Jones will discuss the ways she has seen St. Louis change throughout her lifetime, while emphasizing the incredible opportunity offered by the American Rescue Plan Act to reverse decades of disinvestment in our neighborhoods. Already, the administration has worked to make St. Louis a safer, healthier, and better place for families through Direct Cash Assistance, COVID-19 vaccine incentives, Gateway Go MetroTransit passes for youth, SLDC’s STL Small Business Grant Fund, and more.

In her remarks, Mayor Jones will also emphasize her budget priorities for the coming year. Since February, Mayor Jones has been meeting with frontline City workers across departments to hear from them what St. Louis needs to retain our workforce and improve city services. Mayor Jones will also reaffirm her commitment to reimagining public safety and the ways the City is working to make communities safer.

Mayor Jones believes that despite the challenges our city faces - like our long-neglected 911 system she has tackled head-on - the city is on the precipice of transformative change.

Media is encouraged to RSVP for the event to Nick Dunne at dunnen@stlouis-mo.gov. Space is available for photographers as well as one reporter from each outlet. Masks will be required at all times. Representatives from outlets will check in with Nick Dunne at the entrance and join the press area. The program can also be livestreamed by STLTV on the City’s Youtube channel.