About
Blake Ashby lives in Ferguson, Missouri, with his wife Dara (and dogs). He was previously a member of the City Council of Ferguson, representing the 2nd Ward. He also ran for Missouri's 1st Congressional District seat in the 2024 election under the banner of a new political party, the Better Party. A longtime entrepreneur, he has helped start several successful businesses. He writes the occasional commentary for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other publications and is an occasional talk radio guest.
During the Ferguson unrest Dara and Blake were deeply involved in the efforts to help the community move forward. They were regularly interviewed by local and national press and appeared in the Arts & Entertainment special “A Conversation on Race”, hosted by recording artist John Legend. In 2013 they helped start an innovative program to teach capitalism to urban youth. The program was eventually included in the Urban League’s Save Our Sons workforce development program for adults and eventually coalesced into The Institute For Urban Capitalism (www.theiuc.org) with Blake continuing as a volunteer teacher.
Many years ago he was involved in Republican politics, working for Missouri House Member Jim Talent and for Missouri State Treasurer Wendall Bailey’s gubernatorial campaign. With 1990 U.S. Congressional candidate Mack Holekamp he co-authored “The Battle for America: The Rebirth of the Individual," which traced the evolution of U.S. Liberalism through the scope of utopian movements. Frustrated by the direction of the Republican Party, he ran as a protest candidate in the 2004 Republican Presidential Primary.
As an entrepreneur and consultant Blake has been involved with dozens of early-stage companies. He helped raise the first round of funding for SAVVIS Communications, for several years the world’s fastest Internet backbone provider and also oversaw mpXML, a data standards organization for the U.S. meat and poultry industry. He helped start The Delmar Lounge, for many years one of St. Louis’ most popular nightspots. Blake also served as an executive coach for Washington University’s Olin School of Business Hatchery program for several years. Dara and Blake are members of Faith Church St. Louis.
During the Ferguson unrest Dara and Blake were deeply involved in the efforts to help the community move forward. They were regularly interviewed by local and national press and appeared in the Arts & Entertainment special “A Conversation on Race”, hosted by recording artist John Legend. In 2013 they helped start an innovative program to teach capitalism to urban youth. The program was eventually included in the Urban League’s Save Our Sons workforce development program for adults and eventually coalesced into The Institute For Urban Capitalism (www.theiuc.org) with Blake continuing as a volunteer teacher.
Many years ago he was involved in Republican politics, working for Missouri House Member Jim Talent and for Missouri State Treasurer Wendall Bailey’s gubernatorial campaign. With 1990 U.S. Congressional candidate Mack Holekamp he co-authored “The Battle for America: The Rebirth of the Individual," which traced the evolution of U.S. Liberalism through the scope of utopian movements. Frustrated by the direction of the Republican Party, he ran as a protest candidate in the 2004 Republican Presidential Primary.
As an entrepreneur and consultant Blake has been involved with dozens of early-stage companies. He helped raise the first round of funding for SAVVIS Communications, for several years the world’s fastest Internet backbone provider and also oversaw mpXML, a data standards organization for the U.S. meat and poultry industry. He helped start The Delmar Lounge, for many years one of St. Louis’ most popular nightspots. Blake also served as an executive coach for Washington University’s Olin School of Business Hatchery program for several years. Dara and Blake are members of Faith Church St. Louis.
COMMENTARIES
Change employer FICA to support U.S. employment Feb 24, 2025
https://labortribune.com/opinion-change-employer-fica-to-support-u-s-employment/
Is it time to bring back Democratic Capitalism? Nov 25, 2024
https://labortribune.com/opinion-is-it-time-to-bring-back-democratic-capitalism/
Ferguson and Our Conversation on Policing October 11, 2024
https://stlargusnews.com/opt-ed-ferguson-and-our-conversation-on-policing/
Trump’s immigration failures and the Republican nomination Aug 7, 2023
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/column/blake-ashby-trump-s-immigration-failures-and-the-republican-nomination/article_0a16cf58-3092-11ee-9f3f-4f599679e31c.html
In Defense of Affirmative Action Jul 7, 2023
https://www.stltoday.com/print/editorial/blake-ashby-in-defense-of-affirmative-action/article_e03b21c8-1cc5-11ee-b405-6fddcd8bd860.html
The Curse of the Dallas Cowboys Feb 9, 202291
https://yourferguson.org/curse-of-the-cowboys/
Opinion: The delicate balancing act of Senator Josh Hawley Nov 16, 2021
https://themissouritimes.com/the-delicate-balancing-act-of-senator-josh-hawley/
When civil society stops being civil, defunding the police proves unworkable Oct 21, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/ashby-when-civil-society-stops-being-civil-defunding-the-police-proves-unworkable/article_0cda1970-7531-50ca-8ca3-f38166bc6b52.html
The Cherokee Indian is gone, along with reminder of a rich and diverse history Sept 21, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/ashby-the-cherokee-indian-is-gone-along-with-reminder-of-a-rich-and-diverse-history/article_0e0eeec2-55a9-5f06-8e1a-fff0439eea9f.html
Churches must not become purveyors of pandemic misinformation Feb 10, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-churches-must-not-become-purveyors-of-pandemic-misinformation/article_9cea2cf0-2bb9-5626-95e3-8643ed17c313.html
Keyon Harrold, of the North County Harrolds Feb 2, 2021
https://yourferguson.org/keyon-harrold/
Make them prove it Dec 16, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-make-them-prove-it/article_a2861869-b64b-5d26-8630-e1a2ea4366ea.html
An opportunity missed for Democrats to redeem capitalism Dec 1, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-an-opportunity-missed-for-democrats-to-redeem-capitalism/article_df288fc1-4040-5ab7-b13f-5776aff6e935.html
Democratic Capitalism for Democratic Candidates June 29, 2020
https://demcastusa.com/2020/06/29/democratic-capitalism-for-democratic-candidates/
Speaking out against protest vandalism doesn’t warrant physical attack June 4, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-speaking-out-against-protest-vandalism-doesn-t-warrant-physical-attack/article_49f6bad2-8f00-5680-a55c-3ce1f5f2ce56.html
The missing data: What you don't measure, you can't manage April 11, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-the-missing-data-what-you-dont-measure-you-cant-manage/article_0ab2d969-d32d-56fa-99b4-4a366907ad40.html
Democratic Capitalism – the Compromise That Made Our Country Great Jan 18, 2020
https://demcastusa.com/2020/01/17/democratic-capitalism-the-compromise-that-made-our-country-great/
Ferguson's 2016 consent decree curtailed code enforcement. Blight ensued Nov 26, 2019
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-ferguson-s-consent-decree-curtailed-code-enforcement-blight/article_2e040fb3-a5b7-5bc2-aecf-b6d8f47a8f67.html
Will the DOJ live up to its agreement with Ferguson? July 17, 2019
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-will-the-doj-live-up-to-its-agreement/article_be267dc3-d7e2-5b05-99a1-fdeda06cb1ad.html
The corruption of the social justice movement Sep 13, 2018
Everything wrong with the social justice movement is currently on display in Ferguson.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-corruption-of-the-social-justice-movement/article_a1451ad7-fc4f-5847-8dc9-0c9636901248.html
Oppression, rights and the protesters Nov 1, 2017
I think the protest movement lost something when it went from fighting for rights to fighting against oppression.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/oppression-rights-and-the-protesters/article_194aa324-c50e-586c-acbd-ba20d492bc00.html
The Stockley verdict, change and the protesters Oct 2, 2017
For African-Americans, the Stockley verdict is going to hurt for a long time.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-stockley-verdict-change-and-the-protesters/article_318ce516-b659-544b-ac93-73548e413f45.html
We need to stop accusing the police of murder Aug 2, 2016
Last week, the Baltimore prosecutor’s office ended its efforts to convict six police officers for the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore res…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/we-need-to-stop-accusing-the-police-of-murder/article_cd8fd8f1-2ead-5cd5-adea-8bf927e664a0.html
A cancer in the social justice movement Feb 21, 2016
Activists' need for constant anger is blinding them to real changes already happening.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/a-cancer-in-the-social-justice-movement/article_99386d23-c23a-57d6-a04d-0d9c0a19c45c.html
Baffled by 'white privilege' in Ferguson Jan 28, 2016
The term suggests that what white people have they somehow didn’t earn.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/baffled-by-white-privilege-in-ferguson/article_8d6fc00b-2117-548b-8287-db3ff7d47849.html
All Ferguson residents should see DOJ settlement before it's signed Dec 22, 2015
By Stefannie and Kenneth Wheat, Tom Claffy and Dara and Blake Ashby
As members of the organization Ferguson Truth, we are concerned that something has gone terribly wrong with the Department of Justice’s negotiations with the city of Ferguson
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/commentary-all-ferguson-residents-should-see-doj-settlement-before-it/article_a6424ebd-9998-5305-8f92-c882950ae851.html
The sadness in Ferguson Nov 28, 2014
It seems we consider violence an unavoidable ingredient in the progress toward social justice.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-sadness-in-ferguson/article_2a73ef5f-50c1-5561-8424-23ddb61e79e8.html
The tragedy of Grover Norquist Sep 27, 2013
Modern conservatives are actively pushing the country toward a government bankruptcy.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-tragedy-of-grover-norquist/article_02260724-7d36-5963-b044-bca3b47e8004.html
Bring back Rational Republicanism Jul 30, 2013
Founders recognized need for a strong federal government.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/bring-back-rational-republicanism/article_35c995f4-16df-5fbf-9fe9-6b0edfdad4ef.html
The Affordable Care Act and health care costs Apr 4, 2013
We have to discuss how much we can spend to save one person.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-affordable-care-act-and-health-care-costs/article_7d7fcad3-2536-57dd-be8a-e314a42f55c6.html
Redistribution and the Republican Party Nov 29, 2012
Three leading Republican senators have now indicated that they would be open to additional tax revenue to help balance the budget, even if it …
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/redistribution-and-the-republican-party/article_0f80793a-f1e8-5bd7-9055-16f9706b09dc.html
Mandating an end to personal irresponsibility Jun 6, 2012
Sometime soon the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, in particular its mandate that individuals must…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/guest-commentary-mandating-an-end-to-personal-irresponsibility/article_97e41ba1-e218-587c-acd7-618ebe151976.html
Cost and transparency in end-of-life care Dec 31, 2010
The quiet reintroduction of end-of-life counseling for Medicare recipients is a good first step toward returning balance to end-of-life decisi…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/cost-and-transparency-in-end-of-life-care/article_f9af754b-c72c-5799-afff-a8972cfcd6dd.html
An outdated view of patriotism Aug 12, 2010
It bothers me that the Tea Partiers spend so much time questioning the president's patriotism and love of country. There was a time when Ameri…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/an-outdated-view-of-patriotism/article_408ec9c4-c58a-5a4c-8b59-dd8943ba44e1.html
Change employer FICA to support U.S. employment Feb 24, 2025
https://labortribune.com/opinion-change-employer-fica-to-support-u-s-employment/
Is it time to bring back Democratic Capitalism? Nov 25, 2024
https://labortribune.com/opinion-is-it-time-to-bring-back-democratic-capitalism/
Ferguson and Our Conversation on Policing October 11, 2024
https://stlargusnews.com/opt-ed-ferguson-and-our-conversation-on-policing/
Trump’s immigration failures and the Republican nomination Aug 7, 2023
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/column/blake-ashby-trump-s-immigration-failures-and-the-republican-nomination/article_0a16cf58-3092-11ee-9f3f-4f599679e31c.html
In Defense of Affirmative Action Jul 7, 2023
https://www.stltoday.com/print/editorial/blake-ashby-in-defense-of-affirmative-action/article_e03b21c8-1cc5-11ee-b405-6fddcd8bd860.html
The Curse of the Dallas Cowboys Feb 9, 202291
https://yourferguson.org/curse-of-the-cowboys/
Opinion: The delicate balancing act of Senator Josh Hawley Nov 16, 2021
https://themissouritimes.com/the-delicate-balancing-act-of-senator-josh-hawley/
When civil society stops being civil, defunding the police proves unworkable Oct 21, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/ashby-when-civil-society-stops-being-civil-defunding-the-police-proves-unworkable/article_0cda1970-7531-50ca-8ca3-f38166bc6b52.html
The Cherokee Indian is gone, along with reminder of a rich and diverse history Sept 21, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/ashby-the-cherokee-indian-is-gone-along-with-reminder-of-a-rich-and-diverse-history/article_0e0eeec2-55a9-5f06-8e1a-fff0439eea9f.html
Churches must not become purveyors of pandemic misinformation Feb 10, 2021
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-churches-must-not-become-purveyors-of-pandemic-misinformation/article_9cea2cf0-2bb9-5626-95e3-8643ed17c313.html
Keyon Harrold, of the North County Harrolds Feb 2, 2021
https://yourferguson.org/keyon-harrold/
Make them prove it Dec 16, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-make-them-prove-it/article_a2861869-b64b-5d26-8630-e1a2ea4366ea.html
An opportunity missed for Democrats to redeem capitalism Dec 1, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-an-opportunity-missed-for-democrats-to-redeem-capitalism/article_df288fc1-4040-5ab7-b13f-5776aff6e935.html
Democratic Capitalism for Democratic Candidates June 29, 2020
https://demcastusa.com/2020/06/29/democratic-capitalism-for-democratic-candidates/
Speaking out against protest vandalism doesn’t warrant physical attack June 4, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-speaking-out-against-protest-vandalism-doesn-t-warrant-physical-attack/article_49f6bad2-8f00-5680-a55c-3ce1f5f2ce56.html
The missing data: What you don't measure, you can't manage April 11, 2020
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-the-missing-data-what-you-dont-measure-you-cant-manage/article_0ab2d969-d32d-56fa-99b4-4a366907ad40.html
Democratic Capitalism – the Compromise That Made Our Country Great Jan 18, 2020
https://demcastusa.com/2020/01/17/democratic-capitalism-the-compromise-that-made-our-country-great/
Ferguson's 2016 consent decree curtailed code enforcement. Blight ensued Nov 26, 2019
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-ferguson-s-consent-decree-curtailed-code-enforcement-blight/article_2e040fb3-a5b7-5bc2-aecf-b6d8f47a8f67.html
Will the DOJ live up to its agreement with Ferguson? July 17, 2019
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/blake-ashby-will-the-doj-live-up-to-its-agreement/article_be267dc3-d7e2-5b05-99a1-fdeda06cb1ad.html
The corruption of the social justice movement Sep 13, 2018
Everything wrong with the social justice movement is currently on display in Ferguson.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-corruption-of-the-social-justice-movement/article_a1451ad7-fc4f-5847-8dc9-0c9636901248.html
Oppression, rights and the protesters Nov 1, 2017
I think the protest movement lost something when it went from fighting for rights to fighting against oppression.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/oppression-rights-and-the-protesters/article_194aa324-c50e-586c-acbd-ba20d492bc00.html
The Stockley verdict, change and the protesters Oct 2, 2017
For African-Americans, the Stockley verdict is going to hurt for a long time.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-stockley-verdict-change-and-the-protesters/article_318ce516-b659-544b-ac93-73548e413f45.html
We need to stop accusing the police of murder Aug 2, 2016
Last week, the Baltimore prosecutor’s office ended its efforts to convict six police officers for the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore res…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/we-need-to-stop-accusing-the-police-of-murder/article_cd8fd8f1-2ead-5cd5-adea-8bf927e664a0.html
A cancer in the social justice movement Feb 21, 2016
Activists' need for constant anger is blinding them to real changes already happening.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/a-cancer-in-the-social-justice-movement/article_99386d23-c23a-57d6-a04d-0d9c0a19c45c.html
Baffled by 'white privilege' in Ferguson Jan 28, 2016
The term suggests that what white people have they somehow didn’t earn.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/baffled-by-white-privilege-in-ferguson/article_8d6fc00b-2117-548b-8287-db3ff7d47849.html
All Ferguson residents should see DOJ settlement before it's signed Dec 22, 2015
By Stefannie and Kenneth Wheat, Tom Claffy and Dara and Blake Ashby
As members of the organization Ferguson Truth, we are concerned that something has gone terribly wrong with the Department of Justice’s negotiations with the city of Ferguson
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/commentary-all-ferguson-residents-should-see-doj-settlement-before-it/article_a6424ebd-9998-5305-8f92-c882950ae851.html
The sadness in Ferguson Nov 28, 2014
It seems we consider violence an unavoidable ingredient in the progress toward social justice.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-sadness-in-ferguson/article_2a73ef5f-50c1-5561-8424-23ddb61e79e8.html
The tragedy of Grover Norquist Sep 27, 2013
Modern conservatives are actively pushing the country toward a government bankruptcy.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-tragedy-of-grover-norquist/article_02260724-7d36-5963-b044-bca3b47e8004.html
Bring back Rational Republicanism Jul 30, 2013
Founders recognized need for a strong federal government.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/bring-back-rational-republicanism/article_35c995f4-16df-5fbf-9fe9-6b0edfdad4ef.html
The Affordable Care Act and health care costs Apr 4, 2013
We have to discuss how much we can spend to save one person.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/the-affordable-care-act-and-health-care-costs/article_7d7fcad3-2536-57dd-be8a-e314a42f55c6.html
Redistribution and the Republican Party Nov 29, 2012
Three leading Republican senators have now indicated that they would be open to additional tax revenue to help balance the budget, even if it …
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/redistribution-and-the-republican-party/article_0f80793a-f1e8-5bd7-9055-16f9706b09dc.html
Mandating an end to personal irresponsibility Jun 6, 2012
Sometime soon the Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, in particular its mandate that individuals must…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/guest-commentary-mandating-an-end-to-personal-irresponsibility/article_97e41ba1-e218-587c-acd7-618ebe151976.html
Cost and transparency in end-of-life care Dec 31, 2010
The quiet reintroduction of end-of-life counseling for Medicare recipients is a good first step toward returning balance to end-of-life decisi…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/cost-and-transparency-in-end-of-life-care/article_f9af754b-c72c-5799-afff-a8972cfcd6dd.html
An outdated view of patriotism Aug 12, 2010
It bothers me that the Tea Partiers spend so much time questioning the president's patriotism and love of country. There was a time when Ameri…
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/an-outdated-view-of-patriotism/article_408ec9c4-c58a-5a4c-8b59-dd8943ba44e1.html