WEPOWER
2025 St. Louis Community Wealth Building: Power Building Application

Calling St. Louis Neighbors, Business Owners, and Workers
Ready to Close the Racial Wealth Gap

Apply By Sunday, June 29, 2025! 

Why Apply?

  • Learn about the current state of our economy

  • Build skills to become a leader and organizer who achieves economic change in our region

  • Put your skills to use to build regional awareness and grow the movement to close the racial wealth gap

Benefits

  • $1,000 stipend for individuals; $3,000 grant for brick-and-mortar businesses accessible to the public 

  • Childcare & meals provided at all sessions

  • Join a lifelong community of changemakers

  • Become a leader of active efforts to defend and win policy changes to close the racial wealth gap

Details

You are expected to attend all four in-person modules, each lasting approximately 16 hours. 

What is WEPOWER?

At WEPOWER, we work to make childcare a civil right and close the racial wealth gap.

WEPOWER is a community of members who work together to address systemic injustice at its root. We design the solutions that we know will support our well-being. We build wealth that can resource the dreams of our families and the transformation of the communities we call home.

We believe that change starts with one person and can grow into a powerful force for good. Our movement requires the leadership of people like you, who are called by their passion for justice, to join us in the fight to create better systems that protect and nurture the people most marginalized in our neighborhoods. Together, our community creates systems that work for everyone in St. Louis. 

What are the Power Building Academies and the Power Building Hubs?

These are for community members and business owners who are ready to build power and lead change to create a St. Louis economic system that supports our well-being and dreams. You will build leadership and organizing skills to drive economic change and use your voice to grow awareness about the racial wealth gap and solutions to address it. Key qualities include:

  • Committed to community wealth building 

    • Especially business and workers at physical and publicly accessible brick-and-mortar stores 

    • Neighbors and residents in neighborhoods, especially those who live in or are natives of a historically disinvested neighborhood

  • Those who are ready to learn how to and are willing to engage in community canvassing. We will provide alternative experiences for those with varying accessibility needs and circumstances

*Are you a resident or native of East St. Louis? Check out our Metro East Power Building programs!

Take a look below to see which track is right for you!

 

How to Apply

  • If you are applying as a representative of a brick-and-mortar business wanting to serve as a physical resource for economic justice organizing, please select "I'm signing up on behalf of a company / organization" in the contact information section and select "Power Building Hub" in the application type section.

  • If you are applying as an individual community member, please select "Power Building Academy" in the application type section only (do not select that you are signing up on behalf of a company or organization).

Contact Information

Power

Please respond in 1 - 3 sentences

Commitment

Power Builder: A community leader who will complete the Power Building Academy and take action to build awareness and achieve wins to close the racial wealth gap.

Power Building Hub: A brick-and-mortar businesses that is accessible to the public and ready to engage in civic change.

Note: Those selected as a Power Building Hub will access a $3,000 grant in addition to a $1,000 stipend for the point person who completes the Power Building Academy sessions and trainings.

Supports for Power Building Academy Experience

We offer childcare at no costs for children ages 2-13. We also aim to support disability needs, dietary restrictions, and general  accessibility to the Power Building experience. Please complete the section below. 

We want to understand you, our community, as we continue to learn how to improve our programming to support your work. That includes collecting these additional demographic data. This information will not be shared outside WEPOWER and will be used for anonymous reporting and internal evaluation only.

Next Steps + Other Opportunities to Engage

After submitting your application, a WEPOWER team member may reach out to schedule a 30-minute one-on-one to discuss your application and to assess fit. A follow-up email confirming your submission will also be sent. We look forward to speaking with you!