Percy Green II: Champion of Economic Development and Black Equality | St. Louis Economic

Progressing St. Louis through activism

Percy Green II is a prominent St. Louis activist and community organizer whose work has spanned nearly five decades. His focus is economic development, equality and Black inclusion.

Green’s career began in the early 1960s as a member of the St. Louis branch of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). However, after participating in the Jefferson Bank and Trust picket, Green transitioned to more direct-action protests, believing they would bring progress for the Black community more effectively.  In 1964, Green was a founding member of the Action Committee to Improve Opportunities for Negroes (ACTION). Their primary focus was ensuring equal access to employment opportunities. Green believed that economic stability through employment would empower Black families and foster long-term prosperity and community development. ACTION’s advocacy targeted systemic barriers, seeking to secure a fair share of jobs and opportunities for African Americans in St. Louis.

One of Green’s most notable actions was in 1964 when he, and fellow activist Richard Daly, scaled the North Leg of the Gateway Arch in a protest demanding fair employment for Black workers and contractors on the Arch project. The protest aimed to highlight the exclusion of Black workers despite the federal funding involved in building the monument. Green and fellow activists pressured the contractor, MacDonald Construction Company, to hire at least 10% Black workers within 10 days. The protest garnered national attention, and Green’s legacy is now memorialized with his photograph on display inside the Arch Museum.

Following the protest, Green faced professional setbacks. He was laid off from his job at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, where he worked as a mechanic and laboratory technician. While the company cited budget constraints, Green believed the layoff was racially motivated. After reapplying for the same position, he was denied employment due to his activism. This led to a landmark legal case, McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, with the Supreme Court ruling in Green’s favor. The case established an important precedent in employment discrimination law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ruling clarified the process for proving racial discrimination in employment.

Green was also involved with several other significant protests. ACTION organized protests against corporations, such as Wonder Bread, Southwestern Bell, Laclede Gas and Union Electric. They all focused on securing fair treatment and equal economic opportunities for African Americans.

Green’s work continued to have a lasting impact on the city’s fight for racial equality. He oversaw the Minority and Women-Owned Business Utilization program during Mayor Freeman Bosley’s administration. Although his role was diminished during subsequent administrations, Green’s influence remained strong in advocating for equitable development in North St. Louis.

Today, Green continues his work as a board member of the Peace Economy Project. His decades of activism have left a lasting mark on the city. Percy Green’s efforts in advocating for racial and economic justice remain a cornerstone of St. Louis’ growth and development.

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society.

This article was originally published by a stlpartnership.com . Read the Original article here. .