In the Media

2023

Thanks to the generosity and trust of Chairwoman Shalonda Webb of St. Louis County, A Red Circle will receive $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support Black farmers in Council District 4! Read more here in an article by St. Louis Public Radio.

2022

STL Public Radio interviewed Erica about the plans for our community grocery store. Read and listen here.
KSDK did a segment on the upcoming grocery store.Watch and read here!
The North County Agricultural Education Center, A Red Circle’s urban farm, was featured in a beautiful article in St. Louis Magazine! Read it here.
St. Louis Community College celebrated 60 years and Erica was a featured alum in this story!
Erica was featured in the Wallace Center‘s Food Systems Leadership Network anthology titled: Willful wildflowers: journeys and dreams from food systems leaders.
Robert Townsend of KSDK featured A Red Circle at the North County Agricultural Education Center for Good Food Friday! Watch and read here!

2021

KSDK interviewed Erica about the Healthy Flavor Community Garden. Watch it here!
St. Louis County named A Red Circle a recipient of their Children’s Service Fund. Read the Grassroots Award Press Release here.
Be The Change magazine, Fall 2021. Find us on page 22.
Missouri EATs helps communities strengthen local food systems. Read more here .

2020

The Association of Fundraising Professionals profiled Erica Williams in its September blog. Read the interview here .
A Red Circle was recently featured in a blog from Green the Church about the North County Agriculture Education Center, titledA Red Circle Promotes Community in North St. Louis County
Erica Williams’ alma mater Maryville University featured her in its Spring, 2020 magazine! Enjoy reading about how she is Shaking Up North County !
How to do a food demo for 95 in a pandemic highlights the work of Missouri University Extension and Beyond Housing to introduce the North County Agricultural Education Center to residents in Pine Lawn, Missouri, with the challenge of quarantine.
Executive Director Erica Williams was interviewed for the podcast We Live Here on April 30, 2020. The topic is Food Security During Covid-19. Enjoy and join in the action to increase healthy food access in North St. Louis County.
Please enjoy this great article from writer Mia Turner of St. Louis Partnership, which highlights A Red Circle’s work in North St. Louis County.
We are pleased to be included in this list of recipients to address holistic living with new moms at Jamaa Birth Village in Ferguson, Missouri. Read more about our program and the other recipients here .

2019

See the article posted by Missourinet titled, “Missouri Department of Agriculture gives grants to projects in “food deserts” around state, which includes A Red Circle’s North County Agricultural Education Center!
St. Louis Public Radio interview about school district boundaries and racial equity in education.
Erica Williams participated on a panel discussion about voting suppression tactics and provided practical ways that community organizations can get involved. Read more about the event.
Read about Ignite Missouri, an event powered by A Red Circle, to increase opportunity for Blacks and other minorities in Missouri’s cannabis industry!
St. Louis Public Radio did a piece titled, “With Stores Gone, Farmers Market to Fill Void in North St. Louis Food Desert”, to highlight our Healthy Community Market! Check it out here.
A Red Circle received the What’s Right With the Region Award! Read about the award and the Emerging Initiatives category here.

2017

KMOV conducted our first on-camera interview about our Education Advocacy Coalition in July, 2017!

Our Team

Erica R. Williams

Erica R. Williams holds a BA in Paralegal Studies and an MBA, both from Maryville University. She is working on her PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, with a concentration on policy analysis. Erica is:

A St. Louis Master Gardener
Co-chairs MOCAN – Missouri Council on Activity and Nutrition and the Food Systems Work Group
Lead a Peer Circle for Executive Directors of Color for
Winrock International’s Food Systems Leadership Network,
A member of the Nine Network Community Advisory Board
The recipient of a Focus St. Louis Award, My Name is Need, an Impact Award, and an award from the Coalition for Human Rights.

When not working for A Red Circle, Erica is on the Board of Directors for Kids Win Missouri and the Community Advisory Board for Refuge and Restoration Nonprofit Organization.

Elizabeth Joseph

Executive Assistant

Elizabeth Joseph joined A Red Circle in June 2021 as an Environmental Studies intern through Washington University in St. Louis. She is majoring in psychology with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience and minoring in writing. She enjoys poetry and old Bollywood.

Bailey Williams IV

IT/Accounting/Facilities Director

Bailey Williams, a full-time volunteer, holds a Bachelor of Technology degree and has worked in the financial sector for 18 years. His guiding principles, which he calls his Circle of Themes, reflect his approach to his work at A Red Circle: connectedness, analytical thinking, inclusion and futuristic vision.

Laura Madden

Strategic Support Specialist

Laura Madden joined A Red Circle in May 2022 after working 30 years in government affairs. Laura is passionate about food and nutrition programs, food safety, community and economic development, water resources, and environment protection. She is committed to working for a revitalized and resilient North County,

Suzanne Whitman

Grants Development Director

Suzanne Whitman started working with A Red Circle in August 2019 as a volunteer grant writer and assumed her current role in September 2021. Suzanne worked for 13 years at MasterCard as a technical writer and manager. In her free time, she does Buddhist meditation, reads and runs.

Jessica Johnson

Publicist/Arts Coordinator

Jessica D. Johnson was one of A Red Circle's first volunteers and was named Arts Coordinator in 2019. Using her skills and abilities in art, music and creativity, she directs programs, projects and events for the communities served by A Red Circle.

Jesse Strod

Development Associate

Jesse Strod is devoting his year of national service through AmeriCorps VISTA to A Red Circle. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Jesse is creating internal processes and serves on the core strategy team for the North County Community Nexus. Outside work, he is involved with the St. Louis ultimate frisbee community.

Han Zhao

Data Analyst

Han Zhao has served as a volunteer data analyst since June 2022. He manages the data available to A Red Circle and analyzes the information to reveal areas of significant impact. Han is pursuing his Master of Data Science at Maryville University.

Christopher Willcox

Director of Policy & Advocacy

Chris Willcox joined A Red Circle in July 2021. His previous experience includes securing resources for clients through his work with StL Mutual Aid. He obtained his Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Kayla Vescovo

Community Wellness Coordinator

Kayla is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has a BS in Health Education & Promotion. She is passionate about healthy food access and health education initiatives that promote prevention of disease and injury. She also educates caregivers about car seat installation and safe sleep practices.

Deborah Rice-Carter

Outreach & Programming Associate

Deborah Rice-Carter is a state notary, community activist, and jewelry designer. She is seated on the Ferguson Senior Council, Ferguson Farmers Market Board and The Ferguson Eco Team. Additionally, Deborah has vast experience in the medical field.

Tamar Brown

Education Advocacy Director

Tamar Brown is an experienced nonprofit practitioner, community leader and organizer. Tamar runs a consultant business specializing in nonprofit organizing, capacity building and resource management. In her spare time, she and her husband own a youth sports organization.

Cynthia Veal

Education Advocacy Associate

Cynthia Veal is a lifelong educator who retired after 33 years of teaching. Cynthia has a passion for shaping future leaders and impacting every student she comes in contact with. When Cynthia is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, traveling and reading.

Jacquelyn Randle

Program Coordinator for Parent Café

Jacquelyn Randle has 17 years of experience in Early Education, holding a BA in Early Education and MO Directors Certification. She serves on three boards as an advocate providing parent and educator viewpoints on early education. Jacquelyn fights for equitable education opportunities.

Daria Keys

Food & Farm Lead Organizer

Daria Keys has a rich background in research and community development. The skills she learned while working for AmeriCorps have made her an asset to A Red Circle as she continues to make a positive impact on North County.

Vincent Lang

Food & Farm Manager

Vincent Lang has 10+ years of experience in skilled building trades, transportation and safety. He caught the farming bug four years ago. As a nature lover, he enjoys hiking and outdoor adventures. He is passionate about serving the community.

Nicholas Williams

Food & Farm Assistant

Nicholas Williams is a 2020 graduate of McCluer Senior High School. He is an avid gamer and enjoys playing his clarinet.

The Board of Directors

LaKeisha Griffin, MSW

Interest : Healthy Food Access & Racial Equality
Employment: Northside Community Housing Inc.

Roderick Gilliam

Interest: Community Outreach
Employment: Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

Dr. Destiny Reddick, Ed.D

Interest: To Serve Where Needed
Employment: Maryville University

Charles Johnson

Interest: Community Development
Employment: AT&T

Jerome Carroll

Interest: Community Building and Holistic Living
Employment: Veteran’s Administration

Dr. Keisha Windham, D.P.A., M.P.P.A.

Interest: Holistic Living
Employment: Washington University School of Medicine

Ketosha Harris-Anderson

Interest: Social, economic, and educational equity
Employment: St. Louis City Government

Rebecca Halcomb

Interest: Food and Environmental Justice and Literacy
Employment: GKUPR Accounting Firm

Angela Statum

Interest: Holistic Living and Community Development
Employment: Willis Towers Watson

The Significance of Our Name

A defines the singular geographical focus of our mission. Red represents the blood that flows through all of us. Circle illustrates that we are all connected by humanity, in motion, transforming and evolving as individuals and as part of a greater community

Planting the Seeds

for a Stronger Community