The Ecumenical Leadership Council of Missouri recently expanded to the Fulton/Columbia area. The organization now has chapters in Southeast Missouri, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Central Missouri.

The Ecumenical Leadership Council was formed to unite Missouri’s African American Clergy. Its membership is composed of
African American denominational leaders representing Missouri’s Black population, which according to the 2010 Census is approximately 12% of the state’s population. The organization’s mission is to present a committed body of church pastors with influence among Missouri’s African American church population. Although all Council members are church leaders, they act as individuals working together to bring about a more equitable allocation of public resources.

The president and vice president of the St.Louis chapter is Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, and Rev. Douglas M. Parham. The president and vice president of the Kansas City chapter is Bishop Mark Tolbert, and Rev. John Brooks. The president of the Southeast Missouri chapter is
Rev. Ronnie Webb. The president of the Central Missouri chapter is Rev. Adrian Hendricks ll. Collectively the Council represents over 200
predominantly African American churches throughout Missouri. According to the Council’s Executive Director, “the plan is to have Ecumenical Leadership Council chapters in all of Missouri’s major markets”.

The Council is currently meeting with political candidates of both parties to asses who is best suited to pursue political policies that work to the interests of the Missouri’s African American population. Among the concerns of the Council members are adequate funding for elementary and higher education for minorities. Healthcare is another concern. At present the Missouri legislature has declined to
expand Medicaid in the state. Also, the Council wants to know how candidates feel about appointing more African American judges
and departments heads in state government.

On the Council’s immediate agenda is preparing for a voter registration drive, the July 15th Black Tie Ball to be held in St. Louis, and building collaborative relationships with unions, and other ethnic groups.