Lewis Reed
Lewis Reed has spent over two decades serving the people of St. Louis in elected office, civic and charitable involvement. He is currently the President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and serves as the head of the legislative branch of city government. Reed is the first African-American ever to be elected to this position.
In his time in office, Lewis has championed many causes including founding Bike St. Louis and the rebirth of Washington Avenue. He is responsible for passing legislation addressing crime prevention, creating opportunities for at-risk youth, environmental sustainability, as well as neighborhood and economic development.
Prior to becoming President, Reed served as Alderman for the 6th Ward for eight years. During his time as Alderman, he drafted and passed the first neighborhood-based TIF in city history, created over 100 miles of interconnected bike routes throughout the city and the region, added hundreds of new housing units throughout his ward and hundreds of millions of dollars in new development, sponsored legislation and worked to create development plans resulting in over $1.7 billion of development.
In 2007, President Reed was selected by the Aspen Institute in a national search for the very best, brightest, and most promising members of America's emerging political leaders and named as an Aspen-Rodel Fellow. [1]
Education
As a young man, Lewis attended Southern Illinois University on a wrestling scholarship where he majored in Mathematics and Computer Science. [2]
Career
Before entering public service, Reed had a successful career in the private sector. He was the Director of Networks and Telecommunications for the Edison Brothers Stores’ worldwide operations. He also was the Manager of Data Networks for SSM Health Businesses, where he managed multi-million dollar budgets and developed technology solutions to meet business goals.[3]
Mayoral campaign controversy
The mayoral campaign of St Louis aldermanic President Lewis Reed announced a new campaign manager, January 2013.
Former ACORN director and Communist Party USA member Glenn Burleigh was named to the post.
Former manager Matt Teter is on permanent absence from the campaign.
Teter became Reed's manager after stepping down from his job with the Democratic Party, on the heels of his arrest on suspicion of domestic assault.
After saying Wednesday that the management duties would be split between him and former state Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, Burleigh called back to say he had been named to the post.
In a following interview, Reed said he and Burleigh had been negotiating terms when Burleigh was first asked to describe his role in the campaign.
"Now, he is the manager," Reed said. "Robin has no decision-making or leadership role" in the campaign.
Burleigh stated his his membership with the Missouri/Kansas Communist Party had ended. "I don't (belong) anymore. Everybody has had their wild side; I was younger then," he said.[4]
Beloved Community Conference
Saint John’s United Church of Christ, located at 4136 N. Grand Blvd, is hosting its 4th Annual Beloved Community Conference November 1–4 2012, to equip people of faith to work toward Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of peace and justice, through this year’s November 6 election.
Renowned speaker, author and scholar Dr. Obery M. Hendricks will open the conference at a community forum on Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m., discussing “Martin Luther King and a New Political Economy of Justice.”
Friday speakers include Lara Granich of Missouri Jobs with Justice, Dr. Jonathan Smith of Saint Louis University and a lunch for faith leaders with Mayor Francis Slay and Lewis Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen.
The weekend will close with Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. Community Worship Celebration with the Very Rev. Mike Kinman of Christ Church Cathedral preaching. After worship congregants will canvass the neighborhood to get out the vote in low-turnout wards.[5]