4theville

02/21/2026

Few schools can claim a legacy as rich and influential as Sumner High School. Located in St. Louis’s Ville neighborhood, Sumner was the first high school for Black students west of the Mississippi River.

Its teachers, principals, and supporting staff nurtured students who went on to shape the world through arts and entertainment, education, the civil rights movement, and sports.

Named after Charles Sumner, a US senator from Massachusetts who fought for the abolition of slavery, Sumner High School originally opened in 1875 at 11th and Spruce streets. In 1895 it moved to 15th and Walnut streets. After parents protested its poor location and lack of amenities, Sumner opened a state-of-the-art facility located at 4248 West Cottage Avenue, a building that remains a jewel in the Ville neighborhood.

Students received a world-class and rigorous education despite racism, segregation, harsh discrimination, and limited funding. And while the city and school board have contemplated its closure several times, Sumner’s alumni, staff, community, and students continue fighting for it.

Learn more about some of Sumner's illustrious alumni: https://bit.ly/4rWm9zE

02/06/2026

Great neighborhoods don't just happen—they're shaped by people like you.

A new neighborhood plan is in the works for Academy-Sherman Park and Fountain Park Lewis Place, and we want to hear from you. Your stories, your priorities, your ideas.

Help shape the next 20 years. Join us for the Community Launch Event on Thursday, February 12 from 5-8 PM at Third Degree Glass Factory.

bit.ly/RisingTogetherSTL

11/15/2025

Opening day of the Mill Creek exhibit, and we could not be more excited!

We are happy to announce that our 4theVille memory tellers, will be serving as exhibit guides for the Mill Creek Black Metropolis exhibit at !

We are humbled that MHS and the amazing Ms. Gwen Moore are trusting us with this extremely important narrative! The kindred relationship between Mill Creek and The Ville is unquestionable, and we are honored to celebrate the St. Louis Black Metropolis!

Register for a private tour of the exhibit and spend time with us! And if you can't do it with us, PLEASE find the time to visit the exhibit!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

10/06/2025

🚨 Exciting news! In partnership with Ranken Technical College - St. Louis & 4theville, SLDC is one of 8 coalitions selected by the New Growth Innovation Network for the SCALE (Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies) program! SCALE is a 12-month initiative designed to help Small & Midsized Cities advance community wealth & commercial real estate projects through coaching, peer learning, technical assistance & project support. Participating coalitions will also take part in a fully funded immersive learning trip to Cincinnati in late October to explore best practices in community-led economic development.

🏢As part of the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Track, the St. Louis coalition will focus on building neighborhood wealth in The Ville by combining commercial redevelopment with workforce training, local ownership models & community-led cultural initiatives. SCALE coalitions in the CRE strengthen business corridors, create community-owned assets, and expand Black entrepreneurship.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/GZjM50X7hMF

10/03/2025

https://www.aidaade.com/event-details/silly-dreams-album-release-show

Come hear Ms. Aida Ade! Not only is she an amazing artist, but she is also our beloved therapist at Sumner High School and showing our arts pathways love with this benefit concert!

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Join us in celebrating Aida Ade's debut album: Silly Dreams with special performances by REVÉ, Rachel Bouzier, and The Dhoruba Collective! ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL'S ARTS PROGRAMMING.

09/25/2025

I Am the kinfolk providing tours and experiences that celebrate and uplift Black stories, people, spaces and history.

I am reclaiming the legacy of The Ville, restoring community pride and transforming our public spaces into a cultural destination.

I am the steward that leverages our past as the currency of our future.

I Am Sumner High, Homer Phillips Hospital, Poro College, Stowe College, Lincoln Law, and Turner Open Air. I am the Father of Rock AND the Queen of Rock. I am The Ville legacy.

I am a lifetime resident that believes deeply that our time is NOW.

I Am 4theVille.

I Am St. Louis

07/04/2025

We're excited to welcome our summer doctoral interns! They will be supporting 4theVille and community partners with public history and preservation projects. They will also work with our partners at .stl on disaster relief efforts.

07/04/2025

Calling all alum, families, and past faculty to contribute to the historical context research for Sumner's pursuit of landmark status!

We are happy to be supporting the proud Sumner Alum at PRFC Sumner, INC. in this pursuit. 4theVille is honored to have a WashU Center for the Humanities intern assisting PRFC and NPS with their research.

Sumner's history is of national significance and worthy of the highest praise! #

06/30/2025

Four years ago, the storied Sumner High School nearly closed, with St. Louis Public School leaders citing low enrollment and the high cost of renovating its historic building.

But in the years since, the school has increased its enrollment by 60 percent, from 221 students to 361. The school’s graduation rate for African American students is 92 percent, significantly higher than the SLPS system as a whole.

That’s according to a new report by the Sumner Advisory Board, a group of students, alumni, educators, residents and nonprofit workers who put together a plan to save the school in 2021. Its chairman, Aaron Williams, wrote that the milestones speak for themselves and are in large part thanks to the school’s new model of integrating arts education and collaboration with outside entities into the curriculum. The report has been sent to SLPS Superintendent Millicent Borishade and the Board of Education....

https://www.stlmag.com/news/sumner-high-school-closure-tornado/

to champion the legacy of The Ville means to support our legacy institutions with ingenuity and love. This is just the beginning!

06/14/2025

Over the last five years, we have been working closely with 4theville on the new arts program for Sumner High School. The Ville neighborhood was hit especially hard by the recent tornado, and 4thVille's quick and extensive response reminds us of our responsibility as a community: We Care. We Act. We Rise. We Neighbor.

This summer, we're giving 10% of any donations made at Shakespeare in the Park directly to 4theVille. Join us by donating when you visit Shakespeare Glen or online at 4theville.org/st-louis-tornado-response

📸 Photo credit: Tyler Small

06/12/2025

Nothing should stop us from celebrating ourselves and our liberation.

At the same time, we can show up for each other and protect joy, spirit, and the blood of our ancestors. Now, tomorrow, forever ✊🏽

On Saturday, let's do it on a 🚲!!

For Jubilee Day!

Links in chat for more info about the significance of red food on the Juneteenth holiday.

Register here: https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/MO/StLouis/2023JuneteenthCommunityRide

06/12/2025

‼️ IMPORTANT RESOURCE‼️

📌 HOW TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE IF YOUR HOME, PROPERTY OR BUSINESS WAS IMPACTED BY THE MAY 16
TORNADO IN STL.

📋 Check out and share this resource from The People’s Response with information about FEMA assistance types, what to expect during the application process, step-by-step instructions to apply online, and more.

📣 Share this with your loved ones and neighbors so everyone
impacted can apply for the assistance to support their recovery and rebuilding. 🖤