On Friday, May 16th, a powerful tornado tore through our historic neighborhood near the Central West End in Saint Louis, Missouri. Our family home, built in the early 1900s, was severely damaged. Of the seven people in our family, six lived in the home, and three—my sisters Jerikah and Jada, and Jada’s 7-month-old son Saint—were inside during the storm. We are grateful they made it out safely, but the experience was terrifying and life-changing.

The tornado devastated our street, destroying multiple homes and leaving our neighbor with life-altering injuries. Our own home suffered catastrophic damage: the back end collapsed, the second story’s walls were ripped off, windows shattered, and the roof was severely damaged. We lost nearly everything—appliances, clothing, furniture, and especially baby items for Saint. Jerikah’s vehicle was also damaged. Right now, our most urgent needs are baby food and clothing, as well as essentials like pajamas, socks, shoes, and toiletries for everyone in the family. Thankfully, we are currently somewhere safe, but the road to rebuilding is long and uncertain.

We are reaching out for support not just for our family, but for our neighbors who are also struggling in the aftermath of this disaster. Your help will go directly toward replacing lost essentials, securing temporary housing, and beginning the process of rebuilding our home. We also want to express our deepest sympathy for those who lost their lives and those injured during this storm. Any support you can offer will make a meaningful difference as we work to recover and restore our community.