Credited to: Lacey “G Souldier” Turner
On the westside of St. Louis, where streets like Goodfellow and Wabada once echoed with the laughter of children and the familiarity of neighbors who knew each other by name, Tamaron Coleman’s story began. Raised in a tight-knit community rooted in connection and care, Coleman carries those same values with her today—values that now fuel her mission to give back in powerful, intentional ways.
A passionate community leader and organizer, Coleman has made it her life’s work to pour love, service, and opportunity back into the very neighborhoods that shaped her. Whether through outreach, organizing, or simply showing up, she operates with one belief at the center of everything she does: every child deserves joy, celebration, and support.
That belief is the driving force behind the upcoming Afro Bunny STL Takeover, a citywide community event set to take place on April 4th, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Blackstone and MLK.
A Movement Rooted in Collaboration
While the Afro Bunny concept may already be familiar to some in St. Louis, Coleman is helping take it to an entirely new level. The initiative, originally trademarked by Afro World and Sankofa Unity Center, has evolved into a collaborative movement that now includes five impactful organizations: H.U.G.S (Helping Unite Grieving Sisters), Chans-STL, Afro World, Sankofa Unity Center, and Cary On The Ball Foundation.
Together, these organizations have expanded the event into 10 different hubs across the city and county, ensuring accessibility and reach throughout North West and North County communities.
“This isn’t about just giving away free Easter baskets,” Coleman explained. “It’s about bringing the community together and actually learning what people need—not guessing, not relying on statistics, but listening directly to them.”
Each hub will include assessment efforts, with plans to partner alongside local aldermen to better understand and address the real needs within each neighborhood.
More Than a Celebration
While children ages 0–12 will receive free Easter baskets, Coleman emphasizes that the impact goes far beyond gifts.
“At those ages, children are still tender,” she said. “When you give them something and bring them into a positive environment, it sparks their interest. They begin to recognize that there are organizations in their community that care about them.”
Families attending the event can expect an atmosphere filled with joy and engagement—bounce houses, face painting, games, food, and even a special appearance from the Afro Bunny himself. But woven into that fun is a deeper purpose: connection.
“It’s very important to combine fun with community support,” Coleman shared. “We have to give people a reason to come out, to engage. Unity breaks barriers.”
The Heart Behind H.U.G.S
At the center of Coleman’s work is H.U.G.S (Helping Unite Grieving Sisters), an organization she founded a decade ago during a deeply emotional period in her life.
“I created H.U.G.S when so many women around me—my sisters, friends, cousins—were losing their children,” she recalled. “I hadn’t experienced that kind of loss myself, but I found myself being the shoulder for them.”
One moment, in particular, changed everything.
“I was at the hospital with a friend, and I asked about her kids. That’s when I learned she had lost her middle son. The pain on her face… it stayed with me. When she walked away, I turned—and in that moment, God dropped the name in my spirit. I had been searching for something, and that’s when H.U.G.S was formed.”
Today, H.U.G.S serves as a healing space—one that aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Afro Bunny STL Takeover.
“Our mission is healing,” Coleman said. “And this event is about unity, healing, and love. That connection is powerful.”
A Return to Community Roots
For Coleman, events like this are deeply personal. They represent a return to the kind of community she grew up in—where block parties were spontaneous, where hotdogs on the grill meant everyone was welcome, and where love was shared freely.
“It means a lot to me,” she said. “I come from places like this, where community was everything. I’m really pushing for people to come out, get together, and spread love.”
A Message to St. Louis
As the city prepares for April 4th, Coleman’s message is clear and heartfelt:
“The Afro Bunny Takeover is about love, healing, and laughter. It’s not about the baskets—it’s about coming together. True unity.”
In a time where division can often feel louder than connection, Tamaron Coleman is proving that grassroots efforts, genuine care, and collaborative action can still bring people together—one neighborhood, one family, and one smile at a time.
