BLUF (bottom line up front)!
Crystalizing my newsletter posts in 250 words (or less)!
I wanted to let you know that I’ve heard from some readers who like the newsletter but say they frequently don’t have time to read it all. I get that. They are long as one of my “imperfections” is wanting to explain things in detail and comprehensively!
In all future newsletters, I will include a section called BLUF—which stands for Bottom Line Up Front! (I don’t like the term TL:DR.)
The full post—for those who have the time to read!—will always follow BLUF.
Here’s my pilot BLUF for the newsletter I sent out earlier this week summarizing progress in Ferguson, Missouri, over the past decade so you can see what that might look like.
Let me know what you think!
Hopelessness to Justice: Ferguson’s Progress Since Michael Brown Jr.’s Death
Bryan Stevenson’s quote—“hopelessness is the enemy of justice”—frames the reflection on Ferguson’s systemic racism and its gradual change.
Ferguson protests catalyzed local and national racial justice advocacy through the Black Lives Matter movement.
Key Changes in Ferguson’s Leadership and Representation
First Black mayor and police chief.
Police force now 50% African American (from 6% in 2014).
Town council flipped to 6 African American members from 1 in 2014.
School board representation shifted to 86% Black (from 86% White).
Cori Bush, a Ferguson activist, became a Congress member; Wesley Bell, a Ferguson mediator, succeeded her in 2024.
Ferguson Commission and Forward Through Ferguson (FTF)
2014: Governor-appointed commission outlined 189 calls to action for systemic reform.
2015: FTF launched to sustain activism and monitor racial equity progress.
Recent efforts include a $2M Racial Healing and Justice Fund supporting Black and Brown-led organizations.
Progress in Education and Criminal Justice
Ferguson-Florissant School District improved graduation rates (92.3% in 2024).
Police force reforms: body cameras, de-escalation training, reduced ticketing and fines by 50%.
DOJ consent decree drove critical changes, though challenges remain (e.g., racial profiling persists).
Prospects for Continued Change
Activists and leaders emphasize sustained urgency for racial equity.
Local efforts serve as a national model for responsive philanthropy and grassroots activism.
The journey forward, though challenging, reflects a shared commitment to justice and equity.