Judith Arnold shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Judith, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Whether it’s the rhythm pulsing in my headphones or the melody weaving through the air, music has a way of carrying me beyond the moment. The world fades, replaced by lyrics and harmonies that seem to clear my mind and let me rediscover parts of myself I might have forgotten. As a child of a prominent Cleveland jazz musician, I was exposed to music at an early age, beginning piano lessons at the age of five. Now I teach group piano to children living in under resourced neighborhoods. One of my students just received a music scholarship to Webster University. Witnessing the transformative power of music in my students’ lives continually inspires me. Seeing a young musician thrive and earn opportunities they never imagined reminds me of the joy and purpose that music has always brought me. Whether I’m playing, teaching, or simply listening, I find that music not only helps me lose track of time, but also reconnects me with who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Judith concentrates resources along Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri, a 3.5-mile stretch known as the Delmar Divide for its stark socioeconomic and racial separation. Historically, segregation and redlining kept African Americans north of Delmar, while restrictive covenants ensured predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods to the south. This legacy has created pronounced socioeconomic and cultural differences on either side of the boulevard.
Judith began her work in 2019, to break the Delmar Divide and concurrently took on the leadership of the North Central plan for two northern neighborhoods adjacent to the Delmar corridor. Her responsibilities included overseeing community engagement initiatives and infrastructure projects aimed at promoting neighborhood stabilization, fostering new construction, and facilitating the rehabilitation of buildings for home ownership and adaptive reuse.
Judith led Saint Louis’s largest cleanup along 3.5 miles of abandoned Hodiamont streetcar tracks to beautify the desolate area and highlight its potential for green space. A year later, Judith became Greenway’s champion on the Hodiamont Tracks, a project by Great Rivers Greenway to link neighborhoods with a system of metro-wide greenways. This initiative aims to turn a neglected area into a community asset, promoting community engagement, and spur development. Redevelopment costs are $45 million, with $25 million already committed to new construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center, which supports workforce and research development for St. Louis manufacturing industries. Construction has already begun on the greenway. Judith led Proposition NS, a $40M fund to stabilize vacant city-owned properties through a general obligation bond. To date, 200 buildings have been stabilized and sold to the public, reducing neighborhood vacancies.
A beautification and safety strategy was needed for the Delmar corridor to shift perceptions about the area. Drawing inspiration from other thriving residential streets across the divide, 120 trees were planted through collaborative efforts by the services, residents, and volunteers. People from both sides of Delmar analyzed common traffic roundabouts and bump out models to enhance the residential environment and support the Delmar Makers District—a creative hub that features studios, shops, and restaurants highlighting local artisans and makers. Delmar is now more marketable, older vacant buildings are now being rehabilitated.
Judith developed a strategy to help elderly homeowners stay in their homes as market values rose. She authored the Missouri Senior Property Tax Free law, signed by the Governor in 2024, to address gentrification concerns for seniors statewide. Her anti-displacement efforts earned her a gubernatorial proclamation. In 2022, Judith won the Women of Achievement Award.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Establishing and sustaining a strong level of mutual trust is essential for effective and resilient professional relationships. When trust is lacking or diminished, it often results in considerable difficulties in communication, collaboration, and overall unity, ultimately undermining the foundation that supports individuals and teams. Recognizing its critical importance is necessary to create a productive and harmonious work environment.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Upon consideration, I have recognized that concerns over possible disapproval or lack of acceptance has often significantly hindered my willingness to move forward on certain opportunities.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would likely describe me as someone who values deep, authentic relationships, loyalty, and integrity. They might also note my commitment to intentionality, making others feel acknowledged and supported, and fostering community through genuine connections.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I recognize that individuals who enter my life might not remain indefinitely. Our interactions serve a particular purpose, and any parting is not personal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https:.//slaco-mo.org www.vandeventer.cdc.org
- Facebook: North Central SBD northcentralsbd Judith Arnold
- Other: arnold.judith@yahoo.com
