Letter To Kinloch, Missouri, the place where I grew up and lived until age 19.

Dear Kinloch Mo.,

As a once buzzing all-Black city located in the suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, I want to say thank
you. The things I learned, observed and experienced inside your city limits I cannot ever
replace. These were the times when society was pushing separate but equal. However, Kinloch
you were separate but great.

Remembering the story of Rumpelstiltskin where the beautiful maiden was ordered to spin
straw into gold. The citizens of Kinloch were given lots of straw, namely old textbooks, outdoor
toilets, houses and schools without air condition. The gold that spun from the straw is a
nationally known actress, singer/songwriter, political officials, doctors, lawyers, school
teachers, nurses, and me.

I learned the art of public speaking and presenting with confidence. We had to practice that art
at least twice a year through Easter and Christmas speeches, at least until age twelve. We also
had the children’s choir at church and the Kinloch High school choir that was so renowned, we
were invited to may competitions and concerts. An album was produced by the choir.
Greatness in every sense of the word.

I also learned what Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship looked like. In Kinloch, we
had many examples. Kinloch had numerous small confectionaries (corner stores) that sold
soda, cut meat, and penny candy to the school kids. I can remember gas stations, liquid stores,
grocery stores, restaurants, clothing stores and even a night club which was all Black-owned
and operated. I guess you can say the city was pretty much self-contained.

I learned the value of helping and supporting your neighbors. In Kinloch, we were all poor by
many economic standards; however, we did not know we were poor because we were rich in
community. Credit was freely extended to customers that could not pay but promised to pay on
payday or when they got their check. For those that fell on even tougher times, families
willingly extended help. Respect was demanded from the children and adults. Adults enforced
that code of conduct when it came to the children. The village raised us.

Kinloch was incorporated which afforded us to have our own all-Black city government. Our
mayor, aldermen, city clerk, police department, fire department and judge were managed by
our own. We also had our own School Superintendent and School Board. Our school system, of
course was substandard but great. The teachers encouraged, no demanded, your best
regardless of textbook conditions.

Kinloch, I am sad to admit that while growing up inside your protected cocoon, I did not realize
the total extent of your greatness. I did not see the beauty of the resilience and determination
demonstrated and expected from each of us. You led by example.

These are things that will forever be with me: Spinning straw into gold is difficult but
achievable. Trials and tribulations can produce treasures.

Thank you for what you did for me and so many others!

Sincerely,
Glenda Small
Kinloch High School Class of 1973

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