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CEO CONNECTION
Michael P. McMillan
President & Chief Executive Officer 
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Michael P. McMillan has dedicated his life to public service, with a profound impact on the St. Louis region as President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULSTL). Since his appointment in 2013, McMillan has led the organization to historic growth and success.
Under his leadership, ULSTL has expanded its annual budget from $15 million to over $50 million, increased service locations from 8 to 25, and broadened its outreach with over 60 programs and services that empower more than 200,000 residents each year. The St. Louis Urban League remains the largest in the country with the most clients served, staff, programs and locations.
In 2024, McMillan oversaw seven groundbreaking projects that significantly expanded the League’s impact. He, along with his team, led the construction of the Urban League $10,000,000 Senior Living Building in Dellwood, addressing critical housing needs for seniors.
Additionally, he secured a historic $25 million building donation from Centene, further enhancing the League's capacity to deliver community services in North St. Louis County, and spearheaded the groundbreaking of the Urban League Plaza, a new hub dedicated to empowering local communities.
His leadership has been instrumental in forging key partnerships with local organizations and corporations, advancing the Urban League's mission of promoting economic empowerment, education, housing, jobs and advocacy.
McMillan’s connection with the Urban League began as a youth volunteer at 16 years old, and his career ascended from there. Today, ULSTL continues its mission for African Americans and others in the region. Notably, ULSTL remains the first Urban League affiliate to be awarded and maintains a prestigious Five-Star Rating.
Key milestones during McMillan’s tenure include the merger with Grace Hill Settlement House, resulting in a $38 million infusion for Head Start/Early Head Start programs and the creation of a Women’s Business Center. He also led the acquisition of the Victor Roberts Building, a former Sears department store, now transformed into ULSTL's new Regional Headquarters—a $40 million project revitalizing the African American community.
McMillan’s leadership has shone brightest during times of crisis. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he orchestrated the state’s largest and most efficient emergency relief effort, distributing essential resources to over 250,000 families across 43 large-scale operations. His commitment to uplifting the community was also evident after the Ferguson crisis, where he established the Save Our Sons program, helping over 3,000 African American men secure employment, and oversaw the construction of the Urban League Community Empowerment Center of Ferguson, a symbol of hope and renewal on the site of a former QuikTrip.
Before joining the Urban League, McMillan made history as the youngest person elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and later as the city’s License Collector. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. McMillan has received hundreds of prestigious honors, including being recognized with the International Trumpet Awards, being the youngest member of the International Civil rights Walk of Fame and the St. Louis American Newspaper’s 2020 Person of the Year and most recently, being awarded the esteemed John W. Mack Medal of Honor at the National Urban League Conference.
McMillan also serves on various influential boards, including Chairman of Harris Stowe State University, Chairman of the Community Connections Board of Enterprise Bank and a member of the St. Louis University, The Xernona Clayton Foundation, U.S. Bank, the St. Louis Sports Commission, Heat Up St. Louis/Cool Down St. Louis, the St. Louis Community Foundation, the Municipal Opera, the Boy Scouts of America’s Greater St. Louis Area Council, and the Simmons Bank Community Advisory Board.
A graduate of Saint Louis University, McMillan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies with a minor in Political Science, emphasizing Finance. His unwavering dedication to public service and community empowerment continues to drive the Urban League's mission forward, creating lasting positive change across St. Louis and beyond.
Under his leadership, ULSTL has expanded its annual budget from $15 million to over $50 million, increased service locations from 8 to 25, and broadened its outreach with over 60 programs and services that empower more than 200,000 residents each year. The St. Louis Urban League remains the largest in the country with the most clients served, staff, programs and locations.
In 2024, McMillan oversaw seven groundbreaking projects that significantly expanded the League’s impact. He, along with his team, led the construction of the Urban League $10,000,000 Senior Living Building in Dellwood, addressing critical housing needs for seniors.
Additionally, he secured a historic $25 million building donation from Centene, further enhancing the League's capacity to deliver community services in North St. Louis County, and spearheaded the groundbreaking of the Urban League Plaza, a new hub dedicated to empowering local communities.
His leadership has been instrumental in forging key partnerships with local organizations and corporations, advancing the Urban League's mission of promoting economic empowerment, education, housing, jobs and advocacy.
McMillan’s connection with the Urban League began as a youth volunteer at 16 years old, and his career ascended from there. Today, ULSTL continues its mission for African Americans and others in the region. Notably, ULSTL remains the first Urban League affiliate to be awarded and maintains a prestigious Five-Star Rating.
Key milestones during McMillan’s tenure include the merger with Grace Hill Settlement House, resulting in a $38 million infusion for Head Start/Early Head Start programs and the creation of a Women’s Business Center. He also led the acquisition of the Victor Roberts Building, a former Sears department store, now transformed into ULSTL's new Regional Headquarters—a $40 million project revitalizing the African American community.
McMillan’s leadership has shone brightest during times of crisis. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he orchestrated the state’s largest and most efficient emergency relief effort, distributing essential resources to over 250,000 families across 43 large-scale operations. His commitment to uplifting the community was also evident after the Ferguson crisis, where he established the Save Our Sons program, helping over 3,000 African American men secure employment, and oversaw the construction of the Urban League Community Empowerment Center of Ferguson, a symbol of hope and renewal on the site of a former QuikTrip.
Before joining the Urban League, McMillan made history as the youngest person elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and later as the city’s License Collector. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. McMillan has received hundreds of prestigious honors, including being recognized with the International Trumpet Awards, being the youngest member of the International Civil rights Walk of Fame and the St. Louis American Newspaper’s 2020 Person of the Year and most recently, being awarded the esteemed John W. Mack Medal of Honor at the National Urban League Conference.
McMillan also serves on various influential boards, including Chairman of Harris Stowe State University, Chairman of the Community Connections Board of Enterprise Bank and a member of the St. Louis University, The Xernona Clayton Foundation, U.S. Bank, the St. Louis Sports Commission, Heat Up St. Louis/Cool Down St. Louis, the St. Louis Community Foundation, the Municipal Opera, the Boy Scouts of America’s Greater St. Louis Area Council, and the Simmons Bank Community Advisory Board.
A graduate of Saint Louis University, McMillan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies with a minor in Political Science, emphasizing Finance. His unwavering dedication to public service and community empowerment continues to drive the Urban League's mission forward, creating lasting positive change across St. Louis and beyond.
