Cori Bush

A native St. Louisan, solely educated at local St. Louis schools and universities, Cori Bush is a single parent, a registered nurse, an ordained pastor, an activist, and a community organizer. Her work crosses cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious lines. As co-director of The Truth Telling Project, Cori travels the country highlighting the voices of the voiceless bringing light to their stories. She’s an international presenter on nonviolent conflict and has worked as a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center.

Through her activism, Ms. Bush was honored as a recipient of the 2015 “Woman of Courage” Award from the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, the 2016 Delux Magazine “Power 100” Award, named one of the ‘Top 50 Women of St. Louis” by Gazelle Magazine, and honored as an “Unsung Human Rights Shero” by the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights in 2017. She also received the 2018 “Community Activist” award from the Missouri Association of Black Ministers. Cori emerged as a community leader through her work on the front lines of the Ferguson movement as a protester, as clergy, as a medic, and as a victim of police assault. Her work extends into the areas of mental health and sexual assault with efforts to co-found an emergency shelter for the unhoused community. Seeing firsthand the need for proper representation and better legislation for all, Cori ran a groundbreaking campaign for the U.S. Senate in Missouri in 2016, mobilizing thousands to engage in the political process, inspiring many to run for elected office. In 2017, she was elected the first vice-chairperson of the of the Missouri Democratic Party Progressive Caucus and was an organizer on the front lines of the St. Louis protests known as ‘Expect Us.’

In 2018, Cori received national recognition for her aspirational campaign, centering everyday people, as she sought to become the first black congresswoman from her state receiving endorsements from prominent leaders such as Dr. Angela Davis, Senator Nina Turner, Congressman Ro Khanna, and Shaun King.

As a result of her bold leadership and inspirational run to put an end to the political dynasty that has represented Missouri’s 1st since 1969, Cori’s campaign was featured in the documentary Knock Down The House. The award-winning documentary, directed by Rachel Lears and produced by Jubilee Films, follows four Brand New Congress candidates including Amy Vilela, Paula Jean Swearingen and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez through their election journey to pull off the most shocking political upset in recent American history.

Through the adversity – racism, sexism, misogyny, inequality, and corruption, Ms. Bush plans to continue in the bold fight for justice, equality and equity for all. Cori knows that her work is not done, and that the people of Missouri’s First Congressional District still deserve true representation.

Bush (Democrat) became the first African-American female to win Missouri's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House.