Revitalizing St. Louis Neighborhoods Panel Discussion

Join us for this insightful program exploring the economic and social impact of neighborhood renewal. The panel discussion will highlight how collaboration among residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can create lasting change when planning begins with listening.

The panel will feature three distinguished leaders. Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop and the visionary behind the Delmar DivINe, will share how transforming underutilized spaces into hubs for collaboration builds both community identity and economic vitality. Lisa Madkins, Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development at Midwest BankCentre, will emphasize the critical role of access to capital. She will discuss how banking partnerships can help families secure affordable housing, empower churches to expand their community service, and equip small business owners to grow. Beverly Jenkins, pastor, R&R Church, president (ex-officio) and founder/CEO, Refuge and Restoration Nonprofit, and an experienced leader in community development, will offer insights into how residents’ voices shape effective strategies, ensuring programs respond directly to neighborhood needs.

The panelists will describe how listening sessions and stakeholder meetings inform community-driven solutions from which emerged initiatives such as affordable housing investment, job training programs, shared nonprofit workspaces, and entrepreneurial support systems. This event will underscore that neighborhood revitalization is most successful when economic investment is coupled with human connection—building communities where people and opportunities thrive together.

Guests are welcome and space is limited. Refreshments will be served.

Parking: Parking lot is located on Belt Ave.; additional parking is behind the building.

Special Accommodations: Please email the event host, Nina Needleman, if you have mobility issues and/or a handicap parking tag and require accessible parking and entrance to the building. nina_needl@yahoo.com