FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Consumers Council of Missouri to host 2026 Annual Fundraiser
Annual event supports consumer protections; will host Rev. Traci Blackmon, honor awardees 314 Oasis and Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC)
ST. LOUIS, MO – Consumer advocacy nonprofit Consumers Council of Missouri is hosting its biggest fundraiser of the year on Thursday, October 1st in St. Louis.
Themed “Building Equity and Healthy Communities,” the fundraiser brings together community leaders, advocates, and supporters to advance consumer protections around utility rate hikes, healthcare costs, and lending practices. Tickets and sponsorships are here.
St. Louis-area nonprofits 314 Oasis and Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will receive the Consumer Council’s prestigious Alberta Slavin Award and Joyce Armstrong Award. Each award is named after Consumer Council’s co-founders.
Rev. Traci Blackmon, who served on the Ferguson Commission following the killing of Michael Brown Jr. in 2014 and was featured in Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s PBS series “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This is Our Song,” will provide the keynote address. Blackmon was the Associate General Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries for The United Church of Christ
and served as Senior Pastor of Christ The King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Missouri.
WHAT: Consumers Council of Missouri 2026 Annual Fundraiser: “Building Equity and Healthy Communities”
DATE and TIME: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, 2711 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
TICKETS: https://moconsumers.org/events/2026-fall-fundraiser-registration/
“With three investor-owned monopoly utility companies across Missouri seeking rate increases this fall and winter, now is a pivotal time for public advocacy,” said Jeanette Mott Oxford, Board President of Consumers Council of Missouri. “Donor support will help the Consumer Council intervene in all three rate increase cases on behalf of millions of Missourians.”
“We’re thrilled to honor 314 Oasis and Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) with this year’s awards,” said Shawna Collier, Board Vice President of Consumers Council of Missouri. “At a time of rising costs and challenges for many people, we admire their work and proudly stand with them.”
“Missourians are struggling under utility rate hikes, medical debt, predatory lending practices,” said Ed Bryant, Executive Director of Consumers Council of Missouri. “Supporters make it possible for our team to produce Consumers Council of Missouri’s urgently-needed work in research, consumer education, and advocacy.”
About Consumers Council of Missouri
Founded in 1971, Consumers Council of Missouri builds a more inclusive and equitable future for low- and moderate-income Missourians. With a focus on utility rates, personal finance and healthcare, the organization maintains a steady presence in state and local policy and in communities with events, virtual discussions and podcasts, research reports, and consumer resources. Learn more at moconsumers.org.
