John Collins-Muhammad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Collins-Muhammad
Collins-Muhammad in 2017
Alderman for the 21st Ward of St. Louis
In office April 2017 – May 2022
Preceded by	Antonio D. French
Personal details
Born	1991 (age 34–35) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Asia Collins Muhammad ​ (m. 2019)​
Residences	St. Louis City, Missouri
Alma mater	Lincoln University of Missouri

John Collins-Muhammad Jr. (born 1991), also known as JCM, is a former politician and a Muslim minister from Missouri. He served as an Alderman for the City of St. Louis, representing the 21st Ward.

Collins-Muhammad was first elected in April 2017 when he was 25 years old. This made him the youngest person ever elected as an alderman in St. Louis. He was also the first Muslim to hold this position. He was re-elected in April 2021. He was involved in protests during the 2014 Ferguson Uprising.

About John Collins-Muhammad

His Early Life and Education

John Collins-Muhammad grew up in North City, St. Louis, Missouri, in the Greater Ville Neighborhood. He went to St. Mary's High School. He studied political science and history at two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Missouri. These were Lincoln University in Jefferson City and Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

John has a twin sister named Jazmine, who is a public educator. His younger sister, Kimberly-Ann Collins, is a state representative in Missouri. His mother, Dr. LaTonia Collins-Smith, is the President of Harris-Stowe State University. While in college, Collins-Muhammad worked as an intern in the Missouri Capitol building.

Collins-Muhammad is a Muslim and serves as an assistant minister at a Nation of Islam temple in St. Louis.

His Time as an Alderman

Collins-Muhammad was elected as Alderman for the 21st Ward in April 2017. He took over the seat after Antonio D. French decided to run for Mayor. At 25, he became the youngest person ever elected Alderman in St. Louis. He was also the first Muslim to hold this role.

Committees and Community Work

As an Alderman, Collins-Muhammad worked on several important committees. He was the Chair of the Education & Youth Matters Committee. He also served on committees for:

• Ways & Means
• Public Safety
• Housing & Urban Development
• Transportation & Commerce
• Public Utilities
• Intergovernmental Affairs

In 2017, Collins-Muhammad suggested a big plan to improve Natural Bridge Avenue. This area in North St. Louis had many vacant buildings and economic challenges. His plan aimed to help redevelop the area.

In 2018, during very cold weather, Collins-Muhammad opened an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. This shelter was at the St. Peter community center in his ward. It could house up to 150 people each night and operated 24 hours a day. He also wrote a letter to the Governor to highlight the issue of homelessness in St. Louis.

Collins-Muhammad also supported a program to sell city-owned homes for just $1.00. This program allowed developers to lease properties for 18 months. During this time, they had to complete renovations.

He also introduced a law called "ban the box." This law stopped employers in St. Louis from asking about a job applicant's criminal history on initial applications. The goal was to give people with past criminal records a better chance at getting a job. This law started on January 1, 2021, for employers with at least 10 employees.

Collins-Muhammad was re-elected for another term in 2021. In the 2021-2022 legislative session, he was part of the special COVID-19 response committee. He helped pass laws that used over $300 million in federal funding for COVID relief. This money went towards housing, health department grants, and help for residents with utility, rent, and mortgage payments.

Before becoming an Alderman, Collins-Muhammad ran for Missouri state representative in 2016. He came in second place in that election.

Involvement in Protests

In 2017, protests happened after a police officer was found not guilty in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith. Collins-Muhammad helped organize many of these protests. He also presented a resolution to honor Smith, which was approved by the Board of Aldermen.

Ferguson Protests

Collins-Muhammad was a leader in the protest movement that followed the 2014 death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. He spoke about how the police handled the situation. During the protests, he was among those who were affected by tear gas. He helped organize rallies and events that called for changes in the police department.

Political Offices Held