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Out of respect for St. Louis families who are impacted by the tornado damage, ABBCA has postponed its annual bike giveaway and family fest normally held each July. In lieu of bikes and other charitable items distributed during that event, we are asking for donations to our ongoing tornado relief efforts in north-St. Louis. For more information visit our #AABCACares section to learn how you can be of assistance. Keep all of St. Louis in your thoughts and prayers as we recover, restore and rebuild. We continue to thank all of the Mayor Cara Spencer, our first responders, volunteers, donors, private and public partners throughout the city, county and state for their outpouring of support for the people of St. Louis. Our families are not out of the woods as of yet. The repair efforts are estimated at nearly $2 billion. More than 5,000 homes, businesses, churches and facilities were damaged. If you or someone is in need of assistance during this tough time, please reach out to our hotline for support. Call us at 636-290-4462 or email AABCA@aabcastl.org .

Urgent Request for Tornado Relief Support – St. Louis, MO Dear Friends, Partners, and Community Members, In addition to the tragic loss of life, the May tornado caused nearly $2 billion in damage. In the wake of the devastating tornado that struck St. Louis on Friday, May 16th — especially impacting North St. Louis — the African American Business & Contractors Association (AABCA) is urgently calling on all who are able to assist in the clean-up and rebuilding efforts. Mayor Cara Spencer has appointed AABCA to join the coalition leading the city’s recovery and rebuilding efforts that she has put together. Many families in our city have experienced significant losses, and the need for support is substantial. We are seeking assistance for the items listed below:   Heavy Equipment & Hauling Support:  Woodchippers, trailers, dump trucks, and other equipment to assist with debris removal. Construction Materials: Plywood, 2x4s, tarps, nails, and similar items for temporary stabilization and rebuilding. Essential Supplies:  Trash bags, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, hygiene products, and non-perishable foods. Hands-On Labor:  Skilled tradespeople and labor teams who can volunteer their time and expertise on-site.   If you or your organization can contribute in any way, please reach out to us by email AABCA@aabcastl.org or by phone (636) 290-4462 as soon as possible. Every contribution, big or small, will make a difference in helping these families rebuild their lives.   Thank you for standing with and supporting St. Louis during this difficult time. With gratitude, AABCA – African American Business & Contractors Association

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).

May 16—causing over $1.6 billion in property damage and affecting more than 5,000 buildings—the Advancing American Business & Contractors Association (AABCA) is stepping forward to assist in the city’s cleanup and reconstruction. The storm resulted in five fatalities and 38 injuries, leaving behind a path of widespread destruction across several neighborhoods. As part of a citywide coalition of builders, contractors, engineers, St. Louis residents and local businesses appointed by Mayor Cara Spencer, AABCA will play a key role in accelerating debris removal, restoring essential infrastructure, rebuilding residential areas, and coordinating on the ground support services for impacted communities. The organization has mobilized its membership and reached out to volunteers, local contractors, corporations, nonprofits, and other  advocacy partners to contribute to this vital effort. AABCA President & Co-Founder Makal Ali. “We continue to lift up the families and businesses affected by the recent storm,” said Makal Ali, president and co-founder of AABCA. “In the wake of this disaster is the true spirit of St. Louis—neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together. I’m proud to be a part of the mayor’s citywide initiative. It means a great deal to stand alongside so many dedicated partners working to restore hope and stability where it’s needed most.” He said, “While the tornado did damage to our infrastructure it could not fracture the sense of community and history we have in St. Louis,” he said. “My father was an independent residential painter who took my brother and I on his jobs as young as 11 and 12 years old during the summer months. He taught us to take pride in our work and to always be accessible and accountable to those who entrust us to do the job. “Later we went to work for Ether Bledsoe who owned Alliance Painting, one of the biggest union painting sops in the state of Missouri,” he said. “Then in 1987 we started our own union painting shop.” AABCA recently expanded its efforts in response to an increased demand for its services across sectors. The organization now operates beyond Missouri and is in the process of opening satellite offices in other markets to support an array of small business enterprises in need of resources, training, advocacy and guidance. AABCA Board Member Dorrie Harris Mayor Spencer appointed Ali, who has been a successful painting contractor for nearly five decades, to the Demolition and Debris Removal as well as the Re-Building North St. Louis committees. Also appointed to both groups is AABCA Board Member Dorrie Harris, an award-winning business leader and contractor, to on both boards. Harris, president of D&K Welding Services Inc, which  s pecializes in structural steel erection and concrete reinforcement, has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. “I’m honored to serve on the advisory board at such a critical time,” Harris said. “Our goal is to ensure that rebuilding efforts are efficient, community-driven, and inclusive of qualified local businesses that are ready to get to work. This is about restoring our neighborhoods with strength and integrity.”   ABOUT AABCA: Founded in 2019, the Advancing American Business & Contractors Association (AABCA) is a St. Louis-based, national nonprofit organization committed to expanding opportunities for small business enterprises, contractors, and professional service providers.  Its mission is to strengthen local economies, support job growth, and expand access to competitive opportunities across public and private sectors.