Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Marie Randels
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in STL as my dads only biological child and my mothers baby, I’ve always had love and support engrained in me from the village I was birthed from and the one that I chose within community. Fast forward to 2014, three months before Michael Brown Jr was killed- I’d moved to Ferguson. In hopes of raising my family and settling in the community, I never imagined the chaos that would ensue just months later.
I was catapulted through pain and desperation into community activism and then over the years transformed my paradigm into community organizing. Along my journey I have held several pivotal civic positions in various sectors, yet have made change without ever running for an elected seat.
I have been the Ferguson Economic Development Sales Tax Chair (funds enacted since the uprising, every dollar that comes in the city, a half cent accrues into this fund) roughly 1.6 million annually. I was the regional coordinator for Amendment 3 which legalized the possession of cannabis and helped to expunge roughly 60,000 records automatically. During that time I opened the historic business The Canna Education Collective- the first black owned canna resource center in the region.
In my most recent years, I’ve gone on to become the interim Executive Director of the Michael Brown Sr Chosen for Change Organization; alongside the leadership of Michael and Cal Brown Sr. I currently serve in a supportive role as a Change Agent. Our focus is to assist fathers and families who are processing the unthinkable. Work spans across 12 states, impacting families across the globe.
The work I do at home spans across the region and nation and I look forward to another decade or more doing this work. Change is inevitable by then.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What is a smooth road exactly? Lol of course not- during my protesting days- being met with military force, a barrage of insults and the character smear of Mike Brown Jr along with the Ferguson Community has made it difficult for the past decade. As a protestor we were targeted a lot- random police stops, invasion of property happened to me, threats and so much more trauma. Working in the community, yet working hard to change the stigmas with my own two daughters (12&8) that plague our communities. Living in and being a part of the systemic struggles you are trying to change is hard. Rest in power to all my comrades lost in the struggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a life long connector of people. I am a community organizer in the realm of social justice. I’m employed by Race Forward, a social justice organization focused on creating equitable Communities for BIPOC culture. We are hosting the largest multicultural, multiracial conference in the nation “Facing Race” at the America’s Center Nov 20th-23rd and are expecting over 4,000 attendees. Our goal is to create space and connections for people aligned to create change. STL was selected as the host city and I can’t wait to plug you all in to the vibes!
I am also consultant by trade as well, Through Melanie Marie LLC with the slogan “I am the Business”, I focus on assisting non profit organizations and practitioners with strategic planning and execution of their organizational goals. I think something that sets me a part from others is my ability to wear many hats at once, and wear them well.
I am most proud that the community I love and serve, loves me just the same. I have gotten my flowers over and over and over again and I couldn’t be more grateful to bask in the big STL energy that shows me so much grace and gratitude.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice I would give anyone who is longing for a career in entrepreneurship or civic justice would be to show yourself grace. We have all fallen short of the glory of our creator and purpose but the first step to change is being present. As long as you keep showing up, keep holding yourself accountable along with the decision makers around you; things will always work out for the greater good of those whom love God.
I wish I knew the magic in my melanin, the glow of my frequency and the sheer magic of being an individual encompassed within a collective and how each piece is essential. We can be our own worst critic, but show yourself some grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniemariestl?igsh=MTM4aDRvNXJoMWpwcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
