Scale AI donates to AABCA tornado relief

St. Louis, MO — May 22, 2025 - In the wake of the deadly storm and tornado that struck St. Louis on May 16, causing over $1.6 billion in property damage and affecting more than 5,000 buildings, the Advancing

Scale AI Center Lead AJ Segal (left) donates nearly 200 cell phone power banks to Makal Ali, president of the Advancing American Business & Contractors Association for their  #AABCACares, a humanitarian outreach effort on Friday, May 23 at James House.

American Business & Contractors Association (AABCA) has stepped forward to aid in the city's humanitarian, cleanup, and rebuilding efforts .  Five people lost their lives, 38 were critically injured and thousands of people  in north St. Louis were impacted.

On Friday, May 23rd, at 12:00 p.m. the nonprofit will distribute cell phone power banks and other supplies in front of  James House, a mixed-income residential building at 4310 Saint Ferdinand Avenue (63113). The donations will be distributed to households on a first-come-first served basis or while supplies last. AABCA will also set up a cell phone charging station for those without power.

The supplies were made possible by a generous donation from Scale AI, a humanity-first AI company with offices in St. Louis. The tech partner donated nearly 200 devices that will aid seniors who need cell phone services, after power and critical infrastructure were disrupted by thousands of residents by the storm.

“We are grateful for AJ and Scale AI’s donation and assistance in our efforts to provide relief to those in need,” said AABCA President & Co-Founder Makal Ali. “This is what real community partnership looks like. Our organization is working to secure building supplies, much-needed resources for families, volunteers, and skilled laborers so we can work to stabilize St. Louis’ most vulnerable families as we continue to mourn the loss of lives and the destruction of people’s homes and businesses.

“More than 70 percent of those impacted lacked insurance and have little savings to restore window, repair damaged walls and infrastructure, or to even replace their food, furniture and other tangibles,” Ali said. “AABCA is committed to working with all of the citywide partners to restore our communities. If anyone has additional resources, they are welcome to join us on Friday.”

“St. Louis isn’t just where we work—it’s our community. Our AI Center in downtown St. Louis employs nearly 250 people who contribute to Scale’s mission, said AJ Segal, AI Center Lead. “When disaster struck, our priority was making sure our team and our neighbors were safe and finding real ways to help. We’re proud to partner with AABCA to get these power banks into the hands of people who need them, and we’re grateful for their partnership during this critical time.

“Our St. Louis AI Center has been part of this city for years—and we’re committed to standing with St. Louis through both progress and hardship,” Segal said.

AABCA, a nonprofit advocacy group,  is part of a citywide collaborative effort recently announced by Mayor Cara Spencer. This partnership aims to expedite debris removal, restore critical infrastructure, rebuild and create new housing, and offer humanitarian to impacted communities. The organization recently launched a humanitarian drive called “#AABCACares” and is partnering with its members to organize private and public partners, including small businesses, construction firms, nonprofits, and advocacy groups in Missouri and throughout the country.

Residents in need of food, supplies or repair work and building assistance  are encouraged to contact the city's recovery hotline at 211. To volunteer, donate supplies or lend financial support to these efforts, people  are encouraged to visit AABCA’s website: (www.aabcastl.org), email (aabca@aabcastl.org)  or call the #AABCA Hotline( 636-290-4462).