Washington University in St. Louis will work alongside 10 other local organizations in a newly formed coalition designed to reduce racial, economic and spatial inequities in the St. Louis region. The St. Louis Anchor Action Network (STLAAN) comprises universities, institutions, businesses, community leaders and other stakeholders committed to reducing inequities through increased employment, health and wealth-building opportunities.
STLAAN grew out of conversations among local leaders that began in December 2019 — and became more urgent in 2020 — amid growing awareness of inequities due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued national reckoning with racial injustice.
“Washington University is fully committed to the St. Louis region through its mission and demonstration of operational excellence in how we do business every day within our community,” said Shantay Bolton, executive vice chancellor for administration and chief administrative officer. “We look forward to working in partnership with other leading institutions and community partners to address inequity in employment, income and imbalanced access to opportunity. Our aim is to engage in impactful collaborations that provide economic opportunity to create a fairer, better community for all of us and our future generations.”