THe East St. Louis Podcast Episode 1: Dennis Jackson

Hello, World!

In the latest episode of the East St. Louis Library Podcast, co-hosts TaDarrell Qualls and Seth Tower Hurd sit down with Dennis Jackson, a leader from the Mount Sinai Development Corporation, to discuss an inspiring story of transformation in East St. Louis. Over two decades, Jackson and her team have worked tirelessly to create affordable housing in a community once marked by disinvestment. With 98 homes built and a goal of surpassing 200, this episode dives deep into the determination, faith, and partnerships fueling their mission.

The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of securing funding and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, as well as the heartwarming rewards of seeing families move into new homes. Co-host TaDarrell Qualls, who serves as the President of the East St. Louis Public Library Board, reflects on the community-building potential of these efforts, while Seth Tower Hurd brings his journalistic expertise to highlight the larger implications for the city’s growth.

Listeners will also hear about the broader vision to pair housing with youth programs, entrepreneurship, and community spaces, painting a hopeful picture of East St. Louis’s future.