Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Action in Ferguson
The Ferguson MLK Unity Day Tour brings community and business together. What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in required more than words. It required action, collaboration, and a shared commitment to strengthening our communities. This past Monday, the Dr. King Holiday was not simply a day to stay home and relax. It became a day of reflection, purpose, and progress in Ferguson, Missouri.
Staff Writer and founder of STL Black Biz had the opportunity to join the Ferguson MLK Unity Day Tour and speak with Emerging Business Leaders founders Dominick Tice and Trey Scott. Beyond networking and collaboration, the tour created space for fellowship among like-minded individuals committed to justice, economic empowerment, and community building.
About Emerging Business Leaders LLC
The founders of Emerging Business Leaders LLC, Trey Scott and Dominick Tice, shared their vision with STL Black Biz for bringing the Ferguson MLK Unity Day Tour to life. This community-centered event was designed to connect businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, and residents across Ferguson and the greater St. Louis region.
The Unity Tour served as a hands-on experience rooted in justice, service, and economic empowerment, aligning directly with Dr. King’s call for unity, collective progress, and equal access to economic opportunity for Black communities.
A Moving Tour Highlighting Minority-Owned Businesses
The Ferguson MLK Unity Day Tour unfolded as a multi-stop journey along North Florissant, connecting participants with minority-owned and community-based businesses throughout the city.
At each location, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and were encouraged to patronize local Black-owned businesses. Conversations centered on critical topics including voting rights and civic engagement, women’s rights and economic empowerment, mental and physical health sponsored by 8 Dimensions Wellness, social justice and accountability, community leadership and culture, and economic development.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Through Economic Action
The tour was intentionally designed to generate direct economic impact. Through economic activations, participants were encouraged to spend intentionally at local businesses, reinforcing the importance of circulating dollars within the community.
Throughout the day, local entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and wellness professionals were present, demonstrating the power of collaboration and collective investment.
Reflection, Healing, and Modern Civil Rights
There was a moment of reflection at the Michael Brown memorial. After the murder of Michael Brown Jr., Ferguson was often portrayed through a lens of unrest rather than resilience. The Unity Tour helped reframe that narrative. Ferguson is not only where pain occurred. It is where healing, entrepreneurship, and progress continue to grow.
Brown’s father, Mike Brown Sr., through his organization Chosen for Change, continues to focus on grief, healing, and empowerment, particularly for Black men and young Black boys. That mission aligns closely with Dr. King’s belief that dignity and mental wellness are essential components of justice.
Unity in Action
When asked what unity looks like in practice, the message was clear: unity means residents, business owners, youth, faith leaders, organizers, and elected officials choosing to build together.
The Ferguson MLK Unity Day Tour brings community and business together. It was concluded with a Closing Mixer at Midwest Wine Bar, creating space for continued dialogue, connection, and collaboration.
As Trey Scott often reminds participants, “Justice doesn’t only live in courtrooms or speeches. It lives in who we choose to support, where we spend our money, and whose labor we value.”
Get Involved
To learn more about Emerging Business Leaders LLC, and future community initiatives, contact emerging_leaders@outlook.com.