Alisha, a black woman with black and blond balayage and wearing an activist tee and lavender blazer. Alisha is running for 7th Ward alderwoman in the city of St. Louis.

WHO I AM

I am Alisha Sonnier- a public servant, mental health advocate, leader, and visionary who is passionate and dedicated to all thing’s community empowerment, social justice, and liberation.

I was born and raised in Saint Louis, MO, where my calling to serve the community came as natural to me as breathing.

Alisha, a black woman with shoulder-length hair, hugs her brother Izaya, a black person with duo-tone red and white hair. Alisha is running for 7th Ward Alderwoman against Cedric Redmon and J.P. Mitchom

WHAT I DO

In my day job, I work as a mental health advocate, which requires flexibility and strong multitasking abilities, including education, initial mental health screenings, and providing tailored referrals. My experiences have shaped how important and vital the mind is in shaping and transforming the world. A person’s mental status and mentality has a lot to do with what they think they deserve and are capable of. This perception then relates to people’s ability to collaborate and work alongside others to execute their own mission in the world. One of my strongest desires is to normalize self-reflection and healing for my community. 

Alisha, a black woman with shoulder-length hair in a floral top, shakes hands with a voter at their door. Alisha is running for 7th Ward Alderwoman against J.P. Mitchom and Cedric Redmon.

RUNNING FOR BOE

In 2021, I made the life changing decision to run for the Board of Education. The city had just closed eight schools, and I had seen on both a macro and micro level how powerful and critical educational institutions can be with the right leadership. I ran a city-wide campaign as a 25-year-old black woman without a political family name and any of the other advantages many people believe is required to accomplish a successful political campaign. I was just 26 votes shy of winning. I was appointed by Mayor Jones in May 2021.

Alisha Sonnier, a black woman with long braided hair, stands holding a purple and gold yard sign with a group of supporters of various genders and ethnicities..

ON THE BOARD

As a Board of Education member, I have seen the trials and triumphs of our cities' youth and families through an intimate but systematic lens.

I’ve been part of passing historic, much needed raises for teachers making us the second highest paying district for new teachers, helped pass a much needed $160 million dollar tax bond to get our scholars academic conditions closer to the quality that they deserve, and supported raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for the third largest employing entity in our city (SLPS). I’ve seen families of all backgrounds thrive despite the various challenges they face, meet principals and teachers who love their scholars as their own, and see the Saint Louis community rise and support SLPS-from lobbying on our behalf in Jefferson City to showing up to support the district after the tragic shooting at CVPA/CSMB.

Alisha, a black woman with shoulder length hair in a floral blouse, leans over a white balcony, smiling as she looks off-frame.

MY VISION

The reality is that for too many of us making it to eighteen and/or sustaining a healthy and happy family is a luxury. It can sometimes feel that our city has been built only for those who already have a secure and stable place in it-from our lack of investment in youth and families to our lack of safe and affordable housing to struggling businesses who are still recovering from a global pandemic. As your alderwoman, I am daring to ask for your support in moving our city to do better for all of us.

Make your voice heard.

As your Seventh Ward Alderperson, it is my mission to represent all voices in our Ward. I want to hear from you.