The First Rainbow Coalition charts the history and legacy of a groundbreaking multi-racial coalition that rocked Chicago in the 1960s. Comprised of activists from the Black Panthers, the Young Patriots (southern whites), and the Young Lords (a former Puerto Rican street gang), this formation briefly united poor blacks, whites, and Latinos around common issues facing their communities before being destroyed by police sabotage. Building a strong, radical multiracial movement will be critical in a post-trump world. What lessons can we learn from the brothers and sisters who founded the first Rainbow Coalition.
FRIDAY December 4, 2020 7:00 pm CST
Recent Posts

Mourning Mill Creek – Aug 14 & 15, 2026
A tribute to St. Louis Mill Creek community that was destroyed in the mid-20th century due to urban renewal, displacing its vibrant African American residents.

Project Her Name Matters Presents – Town Hall – Aug 8, 2026
How does the epidemic of missing Black women and girls impact the St. Louis region and what can we do about it? The Her Name Matters Town Hall event will cover these topics and more, bringing together Jamala Rogers of the Organization for Black Struggle, State Senator Angela Mosley (Sponsor of the Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force), and Sara White of the Salvation Army Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for an in-depth discussion on this urgent crisis.

The Golden Era of Black Radio presented by the National Black Radio Hall of Fame – Aug 8, 2026
This exciting fundraising event will feature a heartfelt tribute to the late Doug Eason and will bring together many of the legendary voices heard on local radio stations, along with several pioneers of the industry.
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Organization for Black Struggle
P.O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959 | contactus@obs-stl.org