Black Power Blueprint

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Black Power Blueprint builds African self-reliance in St. Louis

The Black Power Blueprint is a joint initiative of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) and Black Star Industries (BSI), transforming North St. Louis through renovation, economic development and political power by and for the black community.

APEDF is a nonprofit group that has invested over one million dollars in the revitalization of St. Louis’ Northside. Associated with the Uhuru (freedom) Movement, the APEDF has acquired and renovated numerous dilapidated properties in North St. Louis. They’ve built a community center, low income housing, a community garden, a farmers market and a state-of-the-art basketball court, with plans underway for a women’s health center and job training program.

City blocks new eatery in food desert

In January 2024, APEDF purchased a property at 3719 W. Florissant Avenue, planning to renovate the former restaurant by July 2024 for a new eatery to be operated by its long-time partner, Uhuru Foods & Pies. Uhuru Foods & Pies has operated successful food businesses in Oakland, CA; Philadelphia, PA and St. Petersburg, FL for over 40 years. 

The architect’s plans for the Uhuru Bakery & Cafe included an addition to increase production space and a popular design where patrons could see their food being prepared through glass windows. APEDF submitted drawings and applied for a building permit in May of 2024. They were denied and have encountered a series of road blocks ever since.

Residents fight predatory developers, official corruption

Residents attribute efforts to thwart Black community economic development to the Team Four Plan and the expansion of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) facility, located just blocks from the planned restaurant.

St. Louis American columnist Jamala Rogers writes that “The 1974 Team Four plan divided the city into three areas: conservation, redevelopment and depletion. The North Side was designated a ‘depletion’ area, where destabilization efforts included lack of private and public investment and reduction of services. The goal was not just to take land but to dilute the political power of a burgeoning black population.”

Compounding a predatory gentrification program, Black families living in the Northside have been displaced by the hundreds to make way for construction of the 2,000-acre NGA, called the “Pentagon of the West,” a massive military compound used to collect data and direct U.S. wars around the globe.

In recent years, St. Louis officials have come under criticism and investigation for corruption and a lack of transparency or accountability. Several have been indicted and some imprisoned. The Building Division responsible for denying APEDF’s permit is currently under federal investigation.

What people are saying

“The African community is full of good people. We are working hard to build economic self-reliance and a strong thriving neighborhood. We will not allow for the big developers and their puppets at City Hall to drive out families who have lived here for generations. We ask our friends and supporters from across the country to call on City officials to do the right thing and grant this permit so we can move forward.” – APEDF President Ona Zené Yeshitela

“I have owned my salon and spa for 15 years and I’m here standing in support of this organization [APEDF]. We must continue to pressure the city to do the right thing and stop blocking economic development. This North city neighborhood deserves every opportunity to thrive just like those in South city. This neighborhood deserves good healthy choices of food. This neighborhood deserves small businesses and resources for uplifting families that foster pride and wellness.” – Tameka Stigers, head of the 100-member St. Louis Business Association and operator of a popular hair salon

“The African People’s Education and Defense Fund has done a great job in this community. Everything they touch is gold. Everything they bring into this community beautifies this community and helps us in ways that the city refuses to do. I stand in support of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund and in support of opening this bakery.” – Karen Greer, owner of a home healthcare service in North St. Louis, where she has been a business owner for over 20 years.

“I want to find a way to use some of the skills and talents that my father has given me to help further what you’re doing because what you’re doing is really commendable. If we can’t have a bakery what can we have?” – Prince Carter, Northside resident since the 1970s

“Since Uhuru has been here in St. Louis and especially in this neighborhood, it has gone up and up and up. … There has been great progress in this area.” – Ben Petty of Mr. Dependable demolition, a Northside business

Timeline of efforts to open an eatery in Northside food desert

  • Jan 26, 2024 APEDF buys former restaurant at 3719 West Florissant Ave to build the Uhuru Bakery & Cafe
  • March 2024 Architectural design completed by Duane Thompson of HT Design. Rendering and floor plan design of addition on the side.
  • May 28, 2024 Plans submitted to zoning department. Told 3 to 4 weeks for approval.
  • June 4, 2024 Zoning Dept informed APEDF the need for a Conditional Use Permit, scheduled for August 22nd, 2025 because “restaurant is not allowed in zone F”
  • June 26, 2024 College Hill neighborhood association meeting. APEDF presents plans to the meeting. Neighborhood association said they would meet to vote on support by Friday, June 28.
  • June 28, 2024 Neighborhood association holds a closed meeting to vote on whether to support APEDF’s conditional use permit. APEDF was told that businesses were not allowed to be members of the association, so Uhuru Foods & Pies could not attend. Later, having acquired a copy of the bylaws, it says clearly that businesses can be voting members.
  • June 30, 2024 President of the neighborhood association Devante Sanders texted a message saying they could not support the bakery cafe at this time with no reason given.
  • August 2024 Conditional use hearing. APEDF submits:
  1. 223 signatures of support
  2. 114 business letters
  3. 14 Speakers at the meeting in support
  • Sept 3 2024 Board of Public Service holds closed door meeting. Richard Bradley, President Board of Public Service, empowered to improve or deny conditional use permits – rubber stamped the denial as the 223 signatures supporting the bakery sat on his desk. When asked, he said he never opened the file. Didn’t apply the standards of the permit approval stated in the conditional use ordinances. At same meeting they approved two business expansions on the southside with full alcohol and outdoor seating. Shaved Duck restaurant, Rays sports bar.
  • Sept 23, 2024 APEDF sends letter calling for meetings to overturn the unjust ruling to:
  1. Mayor Tishaura Jones
  2. Board of Alderman President Megan Green
  3. Alderman 14th Ward Rasheen Aldridge
  4. Commissioner of the Building Department, Ed Ware
  5. Board of Public Service President, Richard Bradley
  6. Public Safety Director, Charles E. Coyle,Sr.
  7. Neighborhood Stabilization Division, Executive Director, Sandra Zambrana
  8. Special Committee on Red Tape,  Chair Daniela Velazquez
  9. City Counselor, Sheena Hamilton
  • Sept 23- Oct 2024 APEDF visits City Hall, going office to office seeking support. Mayor Jones has been unwilling to meet even after a letter asking her to intervene. She brags about making it easier (4-6 weeks) to get temporary liquor licenses on southside but not Northside (black community).
  • November 12, 2024 APDEF press conference – calling on the city to give the permit
  • Feb 12, 2025 Permit appeal hearing

What you can do

The APEDF will go before the Board of Adjustment on February 12 at 1:30pm CT for a permit appeal hearing. The hearing is open to the public via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/9616100275 Passcode: FDhmG9 or by phone at: 253-215-8782 with Meeting ID: 961 610 0275 and Passcode: 892471 


Community meetings are held at the Uhuru House in St. Louis at 4101 W Florissant Avenue, every Sunday at 3 pm and broadcast live on The Burning Spear TV YouTube Channel.

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