Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Griffin.
Hi Christi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a native St. Louisan, born and raised in North St. Louis until I was 17 years old. I attended Webster College and Saint Louis University School of Law. In 1984, I opened my law practice, eventually building the largest consumer and small business bankruptcy practice in the State of Missouri. As I transitioned from law to coaching my law clients on their finances, skills, and opportunities to monetize their gifts, I encountered a client who altered my life. While concurrently balancing a growing practice and defending a case in the US Federal Court of Appeals Bankruptcy Appellate Panel in the 8th Circuit of Missouri, I found myself battling a system that we now see permeates every aspect of our government. Having proven with 100% of the evidence the degree of integrity with which I practiced law, I found myself as part of a quagmire of injustice that removed a law school dean from her position, the removal of a woman who had headed the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Council overseeing the conduct of attorneys in Missouri, and the end of a law practice. I had painstakingly built on ethics and service.
At that point, my focus shifted from coaching clients to founding The Ethics Project, a non-profit organization designed to reduce instances of injustice and mass incarceration by raising the bar on legal ethics. Since that time, I have collaborated with hundreds of other non-profits, universities, school districts, churches, academics, and national civil rights leaders to educate the public about wrongful convictions, legal ethics, injustice, and the impact of mass incarceration on children, families, and communities.
Guided by the leadership of Andrew Young, top advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., former US Ambassador to the UN, US Representative, and Mayor of Atlanta, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Chairman of the Board of the Sourthen Christian Leadership Conference, Director of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Council, and world leader in nonviolent resolution, and Terrence Roberts, on of the Little Rock Nine, who now serve my board, among others, we have reached tens of thousands of youth, educators, parents, and corporate and community leaders through such programs as our Youth Gang Summits, Youth Leadership Summits, the National Youth Summit on Education, Justice, and Leadership, and Mother 2 Mother, conversations between Black Mothers, and White about the challenges and dangers of raising Black sons in America.
I am the author of two books, 21 Days to Joy, a Daily Devotional to Finding Joy, and Incarcerations in Black and White the Subjugation of Black America, and I am currently writing a third book, False JUDGEment, about my experience with our legal system, a critical meeting with a former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Judge, and the judgment of many individuals I have encountered over the last two decades. As an abstract artist, I use the proceeds from my art to support my non-profit work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth, but as a woman of strong faith, my faith has been honed and strengthened through those struggles. As a young, divorced mother of three, the early years of building a law practice while raising my children were particularly strenuous. I persevered through prayer and focus, building the second-largest bankruptcy practice in the State of Missouri.
Money was extremely tight in the early years, but by narrowing my practice to one field and meeting my clients’ objectives, I was able to build a successful and lucrative practice.
There were many obstacles in building my non-profit, developing relationships, and securing donations and participants. Through perseverance, The Ethics Project has now become a multi-award-winning organization and I have personally receiving numerous awards including being names to Who’s Who in America.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 2022, I began to dabble in art. It had not grown into a hobby, let alone a profession, but after I posted my first effort on social media, I received two bids to purchase them. From that point, I began to be more intentional about producing art that would appeal to people willing to donate to my non-profit, receiving a piece of my artwork as a thank you for the donation.
In 2024, through the generosity of the Mid America Art Alliance and the Regional Arts Commission, I was selected to be part of the Artist Inc emerging artist program, and from there, I was selected to participate in the St. Louis Art Fair as an emerging artist. I continue to expand my skills and grow my audience of followers who appreciate my abstract and impressionist art.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I balance my work between The Ethics Project, currently developing a program to bring Trust-Based Relational Intervention to St. Louis, to equip professionals who work with traumatized children and youth, and thereby reduce incidences of violence and crime..
I am extremely grateful for the support of the community, which has donated, volunteered, and attended our events. As a country entering into an unprecedented era in modern times, I encourage everyone to be more diligent in aligning with our efforts and/or those of other organizations who are working to create a healthier and more vibrant society. Your donations and contributions of every kind are invaluable to our efforts.
Contact Info:
- Website: TheEthicsProject.org / TheNYS.org / ChristiGriffin.com / ChristiGriffinArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christigriffinartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christigriffin.16
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christi-m-griffin-jd-8bb84511/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicsProject
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChristiGriffin
