Charli Cooksey

Founder/CEO of @wepower_stl

[WEPOWER @wepower_stl]

Thank you, City of St. Louis! BB153 passed out of the HUDZ committee with $34 Million going to early childhood education. Next, it will go to a full vote at the Board of Aldermen meeting on February 7.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@Pinkelmmmkay @MarkMaxwellTV That’s an intense conspiracy theory. lol No money will go to us the way the bill and allocations are structured, which is fine by us. We advocate for funds to go DIRECTLY to childcare programs, families, educators, and orgs doing direct service related to early childhood.

[Mike Milton @MikeAMilton314]

@Harvatin Please don't get distracted, this dont got nothing to do with WEPOWER. It's clear in Cara's statements she wants this money to go to police and GSL instead of Black people in North City.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@Harvatin @Beganovic2025 How would you know what you are talking about? Have you ever engaged with us — attended our community meetings or events? Had coffee with our team? Reviewed our policy platform?

[President Megan E. Green @saintlouispres]

Rumor: The Board of Aldermen and community stakeholders are unable to work together to find a compromise and invest the Rams settlement thoughtfully and effectively.

Fact: In reality, the Board of Aldermen and other stakeholders have worked day-in and day-out to craft a piece of legislation that meets resident priorities and creates sustainable funding for a variety of transformative initiatives. The process to ensure these funds work for everyone continues; the bill will be heard by the full Board of Aldermen next Friday, with a final vote scheduled for February 7th.

Read the full legislation using the link in my bio!

[Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. Jr (He/Him) @AlderSheenBean]

@Lindsay_Pattan @CaraSpencerSTL @MarkMaxwellTV The reality is however you feel about we power these funds wouldn't go to them. It would start with city employees and then city-wide. We power is not in either bill. #FactsAreImportant

[WEPOWER @wepower_stl]

#morewemorepower

[Lindsay Pattan @Lindsay_Pattan]

In a moment where North St. Louis, Downtown, + the early childhood education system can all win, all contributing to a better STL, it's imperative we are working together and focusing on solutions. Rhetoric, misinformation, campaigning, divisiveness... they don't help St. Louis.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

There’s TONS of research available and we have made attempts to meet with her as an Alderwoman to go over that research. Still happy to do so!

[Mark Maxwell @MarkMaxwellTV]

Spencer, who's running for mayor, calls for a comprehensive study on the benefit of early childhood education (there are years and years of academic research in this area), and she calls the push to spend <10% of the Rams money on this category "short-sighted."

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

If there’s any misunderstanding, WEPOWER DOES have a special interest in improving early childhood education in service of children, families, and the mainly women early childhood educators who are overworked and underpaid.

[Mark Maxwell @MarkMaxwellTV]

At City Hall, there is still a lot of passionate disagreement over how to spend the Rams settlement funds. Alderwoman Cara Spencer says influence from "special interests" like WePower (who back $34M in early childhood education funding) are "a big concern for me."

[Denis Beganovic @Beganovic2026]

Attacking a non profit that advocates for better childcare funding as “special interest” sure is a choice.

[ArchCity Defenders @ArchCityDefense]

.@STLCityGov's trend of "asking for" community input but not reflecting it in its decisions:
1. Rams settlement $
2. What happens to the former Workhouse jail & land
3. Public hearings on CJC conditions & numerous deaths 4. Reparations
5. SLMPD Use Plans for surveillance tech

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover Deeply grateful for the filibuster!! Defending IP is sooo important!

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

Policy is complex, the mechanisms that govern us and get resources where they need to be are complex. We are committed to working with the Board of Alderman and others who want to be part of this discussion on finding the best possible solution. (3/3)

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

Following the confirmation that SB1447 will not move forward, we will not proceed in pursuing a ballot measure in St. Louis County this year. (1/3)

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

In the City, we are going back to the drawing board on another potential home for the revenue with the unwavering commitment that the new home allows for 0-5 including but not limited to public schools and to resource the improvement of access, quality, and affordability. (2/3)

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover Not Twitter savvy enough to figure out how to DM you. Email is [email protected].
You don’t know my goals. You just make assumptions and Tweet abt them.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover @SolidaritySLPS @RiverfrontTimes Efforts were made before and after the hearing to meet. Have a goodnight. Will DM you my cell and email if you want to chat more.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover @SolidaritySLPS @RiverfrontTimes Yes, the parent who spoke was aware.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover Def worth a convo with BoE which is why folks have reached out to talk about it. I will send an email myself to BoE as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Charli Cooksey @CharliCooksey]

@bcconover Would love to see and learn about case studies of public schools that manage 0-5 funds for an entire city. Please share. Offer still on the table to meet with you in person. Can’t solve complicated issues via Twitter.