In challenging times, our focus on education endures
On November 1st, we will celebrate the 38th anniversary of the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education. Each year this program celebrates a diverse group of individual achievers who have made a difference in our community. Initially, the program targeted its net proceeds to a variety of community charities.
The Foundation was formed in 1994 and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status soon after. We sharpened our focus to enhance educational opportunities for individuals and to recognize talented and dedicated educators. Over the years, the community has embraced our efforts and has supported our mission. We developed partnerships with local universities and they have responded by providing Donald M. Suggs Scholarships for deserving students.
Including proceeds from this year’s event and the tremendous partnerships we have with universities in our area, over $19 million in scholarships has been provided to high-achieving students with financial
needs. We expect these grants to exceed $2 million.
In this politically sensitive moment, it is more important now than ever to invest in tomorrow’s leaders. Funds are being cut, and universities are having a difficult time navigating some of the restrictions as well as current pushback on programs that target the people who need them the most. While navigating these changing requirements can be difficult, we cannot take our eye off the fact that we are here to help these individuals who desperately need our assistance. While many programs may look different for the next few years as we deal with the political realities of our time, we believe most people will come to understand that we cannot abandon those with the potential to contribute so much to our society.
gives us an opportunity to recognize those who have dedicated their lives for years to enhancing the development of our youth. As we approach the event, each week the St. Louis American has been — and will continue — to highlight them. They have been dedicated and impactful in increasing the quality of education for our young people.
University and Webster University. While we expect everyone to have a great time at our 38th celebration, we have a heightened awareness of the importance of the work that we are doing. We fully expect to navigate the current distractions and limitations of the current environment. We look for others who care about the future of people in need, to join us in ensuring the next generation of students are able to get the education they need to make a difference in our communities.
Importantly, this annual event also
We are grateful to Errin Braddock and Mark Stallion for agreeing to co-chair this year’s gala. In addition to our own scholarships, we are thankful and most appreciative of the scholarships provided by HarrisStowe State University, Maryville University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, St. Louis Community College, Goldfarb School of Nursing, University of Missouri St. Louis, Washington University, St. Louis
I want to thank Raven Whitener, our Foundation Director for her dedication and hard work to make sure this event goes well. Additionally, I want to thank the entire staff of the St. Louis American for their support of this year’s event. Finally, I want to thank you, our community, for without your support, we would not be able to help so many young people as they work to improve the outcome of their lives, families and communities. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 1st.
Michael R. Holmes Board Chairman St Louis American Foundation
38th Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala
Committee Co-chairs and Members
Co-chairs
Michael R. Holmes
Excellence In Education Awardees
A legacy of learning
Salute to Excellence marks 38 years of honoring education
By Raven Whitener St. Louis American Foundation
For 38 years, The St. Louis American Foundation has partnered with universities across the region to provide college scholarships for high-achieving and first-generation students. The annual Salute to
Excellence in Education Gala highlights the contributions of educators and the students they inspire.
The event brings together educators, community leaders and families to honor those advancing academic success in the St. Louis region. Since its inception, the program has supported thousands of students through the
scholarships and institutional partnerships aimed at expanding educational opportunities.
Now approaching its fourth decade, the Salute continues to recognize the achievements of teachers and students whose work and commitment strengthen the community’s educational foundation.
The educators recognized this year
are Dr. Flint W. Fowler, Lifetime Achiever Award; Mary Elizabeth Grimes, Stellar Performer; Maxine Clark and Bob Fox, Champions in Education; and Dr. Rhonda Key, Tamara Pendleton, Dr. Michael Peoples, Dr. Michael D. Triplett, and Erica Williams, all Excellence in Education honorees.
Michael D. Triplett, Ph.D.
Erica Williams
Dr. Rhonda M. Key
Tambra Pendleton
Michael Peoples, Ph.D.
Lifetime Achiever Award in Education
Legacy in action
Dr. Flint Fowler’s lifelong mission: helping youth find their path
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
For nearly three decades, Dr. Flint Fowler has been a steady force in shaping the lives of St. Louis youth — a mentor, advocate and builder of opportunity whose quiet leadership has changed the course of countless futures.
That impact will be formally recognized this year when Fowler receives the Salute to Excellence in Education Lifetime Achiever Award, presented by the St. Louis American Foundation. The honor reflects not just a career devoted to young people, but a lifetime rooted in service, family and faith.
Fowler’s passion for helping young people succeed has long inspired those around him. Under his leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis reached new heights, transforming lives through his commitment to cultivating greatness. He first took the helm in 1996, when the organization was still known as the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club on North Grand Boulevard — a role that would define the next 28 years of his life’s work.
Fowler grew up at Goodfellow and Bartmer in what he fondly calls the “original West End,” a close-knit neighborhood filled with extended family. His father, a Navy veteran and steelworker, and his mother, a community organizer and artist, modeled service and perseverance. His mother’s work with the West End Community Conference — where she rose to executive director — showed him how grassroots leadership could change lives.
Faith and family were the foundation. Sundays meant church at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist, once a synagogue before “white flight” reshaped the neighborhood. “I wanted to be on the Usher Board so bad,” Fowler recalled with a laugh. “I thought it was so cool.”
Those early lessons in community and adaptability would guide him for the rest of his life.
Fowler joined the Cub Scouts at age
8 or 9, spending summers learning resilience in the woods. “It was purposely structured to get you out of your settings where you’re comfortable and to get you to develop some confidence in other places,” he said. “That was a tremendous lesson I learned — one I would need later down the road as an adult.”
At 22, fresh out of college, he turned that experience into his first full-time job
with the Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council, raising money, recruiting youth and finding volunteers. The role taught him how stewardship and teamwork build lasting impact. “If I were doing the right thing for those adult leaders,” he said, “they would know the right thing to do for the kids.”
A lifelong learner, Fowler went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychol-
ogy and Black studies and a master’s in psychology with an emphasis in minority mental health from Washington University, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University.
Before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, Fowler helped shape youth programs such as Upward Bound, Operation Teamwork and INROADS-St. Louis. Each initiative shared a central goal: helping young people see what’s possible early in life.
“I think oftentimes we wait too late in the process to let young people know what they’re capable of and what’s available to them,” he said. “The earlier you do that, the greater their chances of aligning with something that meets their needs, their values, their talent set.”
When he became president of the Boys & Girls Clubs in 1996, he brought that philosophy with him. Over 28 years, he guided the organization’s transformation from a single site into a network of 11 locations reaching nearly 14,000 youth annually. Under his leadership, the Clubs added programs in leadership, academic success, career readiness, arts and athletics — including Mentor St. Louis, Keystone Clubs, Diplomas to Degrees, Career Launch, Money Matters and even a free dental clinic.
He also steered key mergers with the Mathews-Dickey and Bethalto clubs, expanding access and strengthening funding across the region.
At the heart of his professional success is a strong family foundation. Fowler met his wife, June, in a Spanish class at Soldan High School. Years later, their paths crossed again at college parties where he’d track her down when Earth, Wind & Fire came on. “And we’re still dancing,” she said with a smile.
To June, her husband is “a man of joy.” Even in high school, he was voted “Friendliest Kid.” She jokingly calls him “Friendly Flint Fowler.” That warmth defined their home life. After becoming
See FOWLER, page 7
Over 28 years, Dr. Flint Flowler guided the Boys & Girls Clubs’ transformation from a single site into a network of 11 locations reaching nearly 14,000 youth annually.
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
Celebrating Excellence
UB Greensfelder and Partner Mark Stallion are proud to support the St. Louis American Foundation in their mission to invest in promising students from under-resourced communities, opening doors to education and brighter futures. ubglaw.com
UB Greensfelder was created in 2024 through the merger of Ulmer & Berne LLP and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.— two strong, growth-focused firms that joined forces to create an Am Law 200 legal powerhouse.
Fowler
Continued from page 5
empty nesters in 2009, they enjoyed several carefree years — until their 6-yearold great-niece needed a place to stay. “It’s not even a question — of course she can stay with us,” he told his wife. They’ve been raising her ever since.
Their three adult children — Jessica, Stacey and Evan — say their father’s lessons continue to shape them. “Never forget who you are or whose you are,” he told them when dropping them off at college. For Stacey, those words meant staying grounded in faith and purpose.
They remember the playful side, too. “He loves to sing and will just break out into long, high squeals at any given time,” Stacey said. Jessica added, “He truly wants to be a soprano.”
But the deeper lessons endured. “His entire life has been service to others,” Jessica said. “And it is a model I try to follow.”
That sense of service extends beyond his family. Jessica recalls her father visiting during her residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and asking if she knew the name of one of the cafeteria staff members — and whether she’d met the woman’s daughter who wanted to study medicine. “Go and connect. Go and support,” was the message she heard in his gentle question.
“He’s found a way to be such a great father not only to us but to so many in our circle,” Stacey said. “I love sharing him with whoever needs him.”
Evan agrees: “He set an encouraging example of how to persevere, how to lead and how to serve others.”
During his tenure, Fowler often encouraged teens to think beyond themselves. One story that still fills him with pride came during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. When Club members organized a bottled-water drive, they decided not only to collect donations but to personally deliver them to their peers at the Flint Boys & Girls Club. “They wanted to show them that St. Louis had their back,” Fowler said.
That same spirit surfaced again during the Ferguson uprising, when teens organized memorials for Michael Brown Jr. and created a call to action that led to a new teen center in Ferguson — a safe space for reflection and leadership.
His friend and fraternity brother Michael Holmes, chairman of the St.
After nearly three decades of service, Dr. Flint Fowler retired in 2024, leaving an organization and a city stronger for his leadership. Over the years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis has provided scholarships, mentorship and safe spaces for tens of thousands of children.
Louis American Foundation Board, said Fowler’s influence reaches far beyond his formal titles. “Flint has always demonstrated a desire to help young people develop to their full potential,” Holmes said. “When Flint does something, you know it has been well thought out, and its execution will be flawless.”
After nearly three decades of service, Fowler retired in 2024, leaving an organization and a city stronger from his leadership. Over the years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis has provided scholarships, mentorship and safe spaces for tens of thousands of children
— many of whom still reach out to share their success stories.
Among them is Deonte Brown, who joined the Club at age 6, later earned a veterinary degree from Purdue University and returned to donate $10,000 to the organization that helped shape him. His story, Fowler said, embodies the purpose behind his life’s work.
“When someone asks me to reflect on my life, I get a chance to say, Wow, maybe I did make a difference,” Fowler said. “Somehow, I set a model to put the right opportunities or tools in place for young people — the right programs, the
right services and the right people they could connect with. It’s pretty gratifying to know that I contributed to someone’s well-being.”
Dr. Flint Fowler remains a steadfast believer in possibility — a mentor whose quiet faith and joyful leadership continue to ripple through the lives of those he has inspired. His story is not only about the programs he built, but about the people who carry his lessons forward: Lead with love, serve with purpose and always make room for someone else to shine.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
By Ashley Winters
The St. Louis American
Stellar Award in Education
Mary Elizabeth Grimes
A visionary leader shaping the future of St. Louis youth
Mary Elizabeth Grimes has spent her career helping young women see their potential — and this year, that lifelong mission is being honored.
The president of Marian Middle School will receive the Salute to Excellence in Education Stellar Award, presented by the St. Louis American Foundation to educators and community leaders who make a lasting impact on students.
“It’s an honor to carry the mantle — it’s God’s work,” Grimes said.
As president of Marian since 2014, Grimes leads more than 200 students from fifth grade through post-secondary education, ensuring they have the support to finish high school, succeed in college and prepare for meaningful careers. The faith-based school serves girls from underserved communities and provides long-term mentoring well beyond eighth grade.
“At Marian specifically, we are here to pour into them those things that are purposeful and to help them understand and embrace who God created them to be,” she said.
Grimes said her late mother — a teacher who believed every child deserves the chance to learn — remains her guiding inspiration. “At this moment, I’m holding back tears,” she said. “She was an educator who believed all children should have the opportunity to learn.”
Her sister, Sheila Williams, a longtime educator, said Grimes’ influence extends well beyond Marian’s halls. Years ago, after Williams felt betrayed by a colleague and withdrew from school activities, her sister challenged her to reconsider. “Mary asked whether, by stepping
back, I had put my own hurt feelings ahead of my commitment to serving children,” Williams recalled. “Her question struck a chord. It was typical Mary Elizabeth Grimes.”
“Mary’s greatest legacy is the example she sets for the Marian Girls,” Williams said. “Her life is a testament to walking in faith and living according to one’s beliefs.”
That quiet determination has inspired generations. Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee credits Grimes as a men-
tor who helped shape the vision for the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Youth Center 25 years ago, when the project faced daunting obstacles.
“She was relentless,” Joyner-Kersee said. “Her legacy lives in the people — the girls who are doing amazing things.”
Grimes has also been a mentor to Khalia Collier, owner and general manager of the St. Louis Surge and vice president and chief of staff for basketball operations with the Dallas Mavericks. Collier said Grimes’ faith and warmth have been
a steady source of inspiration.
“She took me under her wings to be my very best,” Collier said. “She feels like community — she embodies it and encourages it. Mary Elizabeth is love.”
Before joining Marian, Grimes built a wide-ranging career revitalizing organizations and leading teams through transformation. She headed the Greater Missouri chapter of the March of Dimes, led Forward Vision Inc. and held leadership roles at BJC HealthCare, Fair St. Louis, the St. Louis Sports Commission and KMOV-TV. Earlier in her career, she worked in senior marketing and sales at MTV, HBO and CBS, gaining national experience she would later channel into her work for St. Louis youth.
Her achievements have brought numerous awards and speaking invitations, but Grimes measures success by the confidence she sees in her students. She describes middle school as a pivotal time when girls begin to question who they are and where they belong. At Marian, she connects those questions to lessons about history and purpose.
She often reminds students of the women whose shoulders they stand on — including Maya Angelou — and urges them to recognize the strength they carry forward. Through her leadership, Marian has become a place where girls “see themselves fully — worthy, capable and ready to thrive,” she says.
Grimes believes no one is defined by circumstance but by purpose. “Like compost, what once seemed broken or discarded becomes the rich soil that grows something strong, radiant and beautiful in you,” she said. “Your scars become a testimony, a roadmap, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is a way forward.”
That faith-filled perspective — rooted in resilience and love — guides her work and her life. For those who know her best, from family to students to community leaders, Mary Elizabeth Grimes is not just an educator but a steady force for transformation.
Mary Elizabeth Grimes, president of Marian Middle School, chats with students.
Mary Elizabeth Grimes
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
DEVOTED EDUCATORS DRIVE ST. LOUIS FORWARD.
Enterprise Mobility™ is proud to sponsor the St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala. We celebrate tonight’s inspiring honorees and their meaningful impact on students and educators throughout the region.
Champions in Education
A legacy of impact
Clark and Fox built success — and used it to build opportunity for others
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
For Maxine Clark and Bob Fox, success has never been measured only by profits or titles. It’s also measured by what they give back — and in how they use their success in business to increase opportunities for others.
They have touched the lives of scores of people across the St. Louis region through their contributions to numerous educational initiatives and their involvement in issues that intersect with education or expand pathways to success, including public health, immigration, social and racial equity, criminal justice reform and entrepreneurship.
In recognition of their decades of impactful work, the couple will receive the Champions in Education Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education gala in November.
But how did two individuals who epitomize personal success become so committed to improving the lives of people often overlooked and helping to unlock their potential?
For Clark and Fox, the philosophy was ingrained from childhood.
Clark’s mother, Anne Lerch Kasselman, worked for Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1940s as the First Lady pursued international diplomacy and other human rights work. Later, Kasselman and a few friends started a nonprofit for children with Down syndrome.
“My mother’s philosophy was that although we weren’t rich people, we always had more than someone else,” Clark said. “So, how do you find that ‘someone else’ and help lift them up? That was our family philosophy. That’s just how we lived our lives.”
Fox was influenced by his parents’ humble backgrounds.
“I was raised right here, in Clayton. My mother was from the Ozarks. My father was a Polish immigrant raised in the ghettos of Buffalo, New York. He had a 10th-grade education but became presi-
dent of the International Retail Shoe Co.
Although my father just worked, … my mother was always very charitable.”
Clark originally planned a career in law. She turned to retail to support that career. She worked in various department store divisions, including FamousBarr, Macy’s, Venture and Payless Shoe Source, where she eventually rose to the position of president. Her dream to become a civil rights attorney who “helped children, and families and persons of color,” were deterred, she explained in a 2021 interview with Early Learning Nation. She said she had become fascinated with her rising role in the retail business “because as a woman joining the workforce in the early 1970s, there was nothing for us.”
Clark originally planned to pursue a career in law, with the goal of becoming a civil rights attorney who “helped chil-
dren, and families and persons of color.”
To support that dream, she entered retail, working in various department store divisions, including at Famous Barr, Macy’s, Venture and Payless Shoe Source, where she eventually rose to the position of president.
In a 2021 interview with Early Learning Nation, she explained that her legal ambitions were derailed as she became fascinated with her fast-rising career in retail “because as a woman joining the workforce in the early 1970s, there was nothing for us.”
Fox, who served in the U.S. Air Force, founded NewSpace Inc., a company specializing in home organization, contract furniture and retail fixtures in 1984. In 1997, Clark launched Build-A-Bear from an office in Fox’s building.
Their personal lives eventually converged. In a 2021 interview with the St.
Louis Post-Dispatch, Fox said he was intrigued by “Clark’s fast-moving energy” though she initially dismissed him as “not her type.” They started dating and married in 1984.
By the time she stepped down as CEO of Build-A-Bear in 2013, there were nearly 500 Build-A-Bear stores worldwide. Fox sold NewSpace to his employees and an outside investor in 2017 after 33 years of successful operation.
In 2004, the couple launched the Clark-Fox Family Foundation. The nonprofit is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the region through research and program development as well as investments in PK-12 and higher education, public health, immigration, social justice and racial equity, community leadership and entrepreneurship.”
Tina L. Klocke, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer with the Clark-Fox Family Foundation described the couple’s invaluable contributions.
“Maxine Clark and Bob Fox are two individuals whose impact on education and community innovation speaks volumes,” Klocke said. “Their work reflects a deep commitment not just to improving educational access, but to nurturing the potential of every learner.”
The foundation created “Blueprint4 Platforms,” web tools that connect families to learning resources for pre-college and college access programs and other academic and apprenticeship programs. Clark and Fox also are among the founding sponsors of Teach For America and KIPP charter schools in St. Louis. Fox founded and chaired Casa de Salud, a nonprofit health and wellness center serving new immigrants.
Charli A. Cooksey, founder and CEO of WEPOWER, credits much of her growth as a leader to their support.
“When Maxine and Bob truly believe in something, they go all in — and they truly believe in our region’s children and those doing work in service of them. They have consistently invested in my
In recognition of their contributions to education, Maxine Clark and Bob Fox will receive the Champions in Education Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education gala.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
WHERE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES INSPIRE MEANINGFUL CHANGE
LEADING BOLDLY, INCLUSIVELY AND WITH HEART.
At Webster University, diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t just part of our mission — they are at the heart of everything we do.
The Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship at Webster University honors high-achieving students who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools, neighborhoods and communities — a commitment they continue to live at the University and beyond.
At Webster University, we’re cultivating the next generation of leaders who understand that access, belonging and purpose change everything.
Dr. Rhonda M. Key Excellence in Education Awardee
A single day in the classroom changed her life — and countless others’
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Dr. Rhonda M. Key never imagined her future would be decided by a single day in the classroom.
Fresh out of Lincoln University with a degree in biological science, she was preparing for medical school when a shortterm substitute teaching job changed everything.
“Then, I subbed as a science teacher, and I fell in love,” Key recalled. That unexpected spark led to a 37-year career in education — one that has taken her from the science lab to the superintendent’s office. Today, Key serves as deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood School District after decades in both classroom and administrative roles across urban, rural and suburban schools.
Her decades of leadership and student advocacy have earned her recognition as one of five Excellence in Education awardees at this year’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, sponsored by the St. Louis American Foundation. The event will be held Nov. 1 at America’s Center.
“I certainly didn’t expect this recognition. I am very excited and very humbled,” she said. “I am motivated to do what is best for children. When kids are successful, that’s when I find success.”
Key says her proudest accomplishments include helping boost graduation rates and preparing students for life after high school. She has built partnerships with businesses, universities and community groups to connect students with career pathways and hands-on learning experiences.
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Topeka Public Schools in Kansas and former Jennings superintendent, called Key “beyond exceptional.”
“She has high standards for excellence and inspires those around her to reach those standards,” Anderson said. “Her fearless leadership and advocacy for every student helped the districts she has served to improve significantly.”
Former Jennings teacher Miranda Ming remembers Key as the first administrator to regularly visit her classroom. Now an advisor to the executive director of Momentum Academy, Ming said Key became a mentor who “saw something in me.”
“If you give Dr. Key 99 reasons something won’t work, she will begin a relentless pursuit of the one reason it will,” Ming said.
Key’s leadership journey began early. While teaching at the Jefferson City Ninth Grade Center, her principal encouraged her to pursue graduate study and move into administration.
“My reaction was, ‘I don’t want to leave the kids,’” Key recalled. “He said not only would I still touch the lives of kids, I would touch the lives of adults.”
She went on to earn both a postgraduate degree and a master’s in education from her alma mater, Lincoln University. Key has since co-authored several works on urban education, including “The Path Less Traveled: Creating Authentic STEM Career Pathways by Removing Barriers for Underestimated Youth,”
written with Ming.
“You have to be willing to remove barriers. You have to adapt when you want to see your kids be successful,” Key said.
She reminds aspiring educators that the profession demands both empathy and accountability.
“They need role models to show them how to carry themselves, how to be professional,” Key said.
And it’s that same belief — in the transformative power of education — that continues to guide her after nearly four decades in the field.
“What other job gives you this satisfaction?” she said.
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Dr. Rhonda M. Key serves as deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood School District.
Dr. Rhonda M. Key
PARTNERS FOR BETTER EDUCATION:
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SALUTE TO EDUCATION
Learning and leadership Excellence in Education Awardee
Tambra Pendleton prepares students for life beyond graduation
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
Tambra Pendleton has always believed education should do more than prepare students for college — it should teach them how to build a life.
As founding principal of BELIEVE Academy on Garrison Avenue, she leads an innovative charter high school where financial literacy, self-sufficiency and representation are woven into every lesson. The school opened this year, earning Pendleton recognition as one of five Excellence in Education Award recipients to be honored at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on Nov. 1, sponsored by the St. Louis American Foundation. Pendleton’s sense of service began on Chicago’s West Side, where her single mother, Lestene Norris, and her father both worked hard, ran small businesses and modeled generosity. Growing up in a bustling home full of siblings, adopted and biological alike, she learned responsibility early and developed a deep compassion for others.
“I think I learned a sense of selflessness from my mom, who was always providing for the needs of others,” Pendleton said. “Being the oldest and seeing my mother lean in and give so much where others may not, I probably unconsciously learned that I need to be a giver to others in their journeys and not leave anyone behind.”
That compassion defines her leadership.
“One of Tambra’s best qualities is that she identifies with the kids and families,” said Tenesia Simmons, executive director of Believe Middle College. “Sometimes parents or kids have anxiety and have trouble adjusting, and she’s able to get them to invest in ways that’s harder for others.”
Pendleton initially planned to skip college and become an entrepreneur.
After improving her ACT scores, she enrolled at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she built lifelong friendships and joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Originally a business major, she shifted to education after her mother’s work with the Department of Family Services inspired her to understand “displaced children, how they are affected, what resources were available and the reunification process.”
Pendleton earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from SIU. She began in early childhood education but soon moved to high school classrooms, joining Chicago’s Noble Schools network, where she became one of its top-performing biology teachers before moving into leadership.
Her search for new opportunities took her to New York, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and eventually St. Louis, where she joined KIPP St. Louis
as Founding Dean of Culture, later advancing to Founding Assistant School Leader of Instruction.
Along the way, she helped launch BELIEVE Circle City in Indianapolis, founded to “develop students into leaders through a community that fosters their agency, autonomy and acceleration.”
BELIEVE Academy STL, which opened this fall with Pendleton as founding principal, builds on that model.
“It’s kind of like the law of attraction thing,” Pendleton said. “I think God works things out how they should be because the principles and foundation of BELIEVE is how I was raised, part of the hard work, sacrifice and doing for others that I saw my mother do for many years.”
BELIEVE’s curriculum emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion and representation while teaching practical skills such as entrepreneurism, financial literacy, time management and problem-solving — lessons Pendleton believes will pre-
Tambra Pendleton interacts with students at BELIEVE Academy, an innovative charter high school she founded. The school weaves financial literacy, self-sufficiency and representation into every lesson.
pare students for any path they choose.
“Tambra proactively provokes her passions for young people to build sustainable pathways and ensure that those in our most vulnerable communities have the best resources and support so that they, too, can succeed,” said Colby Chapman, alderwoman in Harvey, Illinois, and Pendleton’s sorority sister.
Pendleton says her journey has come full circle — a reflection of the selflessness, nurturing and independence she learned at home. Her hope, she said, is that BELIEVE Academy continues to grow as a space where students not only learn but discover purpose.
“Eventually, as I get older,” she said, “I think I’ll always end up in education. No matter if I come into this building personally or not, I will always be a part of the BELIEVE Community.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Tambra Pendleton
Perseverance ROOTED IN
Congratulations to each of the award recipients!
Steward Family Foundation honors you and celebrates your commitment to academic excellence and leadership in education.
SALUTE TO EDUCATION
Driven by purpose Excellence in Education Awardee
Dr. Michael Peoples left engineering to shape young lives
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Dr. Michael Peoples seemed to have his career path — and its many angles — covered as an accomplished engineer. He completed his pre-engineering studies then earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering management with a technology emphasis. After graduation, he held several engineering positions, including with Emerson Electric, IBM and General Motors.
Today, that same drive to excel has carried him far beyond engineering — into the classroom and district leadership, now serving as principal of University City High School. For his nontraditional path and record of student achievement, Peoples will be honored as one of five Excellence in Education awardees at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, sponsored by the St. Louis American Foundation.
The event will be held Nov. 1 at America’s Center.
Though successful in corporate life, Peoples said he felt he should be on a different path. “I always knew internally that I had a different calling. I wanted to contribute more to society beyond simply making money,” he said.
He left the engineering world — and its higher salaries — in search of purpose. That search wasn’t easy. “Several people around me thought I lost my mind,” he recalled. “But I knew money alone was not enough.”
While coaching his son’s YMCA basketball team, Peoples had what he called his “first interaction with young, impressionable African American males,” sparking a passion for working with youth.
He soon found a foothold in education, joining the Special School District of St. Louis County as a math tutor.
Encouraged by teachers and staff, he earned his teaching certification and later taught mathematics at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, Pattonville High School and Hazelwood East High School.
At Hazelwood East, he also directed summer school and served as a math instructional coach — experiences that inspired him to further his education. He went on to earn master’s degrees in teaching and school administration from Lindenwood University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Saint Louis University.
Peoples later rose through the Hazelwood School District’s ranks as assistant principal and associate principal before being named principal of University City High School in 2017. Today, he also serves as director of secondary education for University City Schools, overseeing middle, alternative and adult education programs, as well as instructional planning across the district.
Under his leadership, University City High has seen notable gains in graduation rates, academic performance and col-
lege acceptance. Students earned more than $2 million in scholarships from 65 colleges and universities following the 2024-25 school year.
Dr. Ian Buchanan, an engineer-turned-educator who once taught math in University City, said he relates to Peoples’ path and described the school’s progress under his leadership as “amazing.”
“Mike is receiving this award because of the incredible work he is doing, and it is measurable,” Buchanan said.
Peoples credits that success to the district’s strong leadership team, including Superintendent Sharonica L. HardinBartley, and to a shared vision that emphasizes excellence and equity.
He has also seen how learning itself has evolved. Teachers, he said, now act more as facilitators.
“The role of the teacher has changed,” he said. “We’ve found that students learn best by speaking and working with each other. There is more of a sense of agency.”
Peoples describes the University City School District as “a family, a com-
munity,” one that embraces all races, backgrounds and income levels. That inclusive spirit, he said, is what makes the high school thrive.
Counselor Kim Merrill, who joined University City High the same year Peoples became principal, said she immediately noticed a difference with him leading the school.
“The students like to say he has ‘swag,’” she said, adding that his opendoor style makes him approachable. “He is a person of vision; he understands the importance of relationships. It is definitely a community here.”
Peoples said he wants parents and families to be part of that community as well. Every Monday, he sends an email to staff, students and families outlining the week ahead.
“We work together, and we all come together as a team,” Peoples said. He also is motivated by his wife, six children and three grandchildren.
“Of all I have accomplished, I am most thankful for my family,” he said.
Photo by Maurice Meredith
Dr. Michael Peoples is principal of University City High School.
Dr. Michael Peoples
Excellence in Education Awardee
Leadership that lifts Normandy and inspires new possibilities
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
When Dr. Michael Triplett became superintendent of the Normandy Schools Collaborative, colleagues immediately sensed a shift.
“He’s one of the most conscientious people I’ve ever met,” said Dr. Deborah Powell, a former educator, politician and athlete. “He’s always mindful of what others are feeling, and that drives his leadership. He believes if he helps others become their best, they’ll give their best to those they serve. That’s one of the secrets to his success.”
That kind of praise follows Triplett across a career that began in a sixthgrade classroom and spanned roles as social worker, principal, and administrator. Known as both a no-nonsense leader and a servant of people, he is now being honored as one of five Excellence in Education Awardees at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on Nov. 1.
Triplett said he was floored to learn he would be on stage this year.
“I was like, ‘Ah, man, I’m not just an attendee this time,’” he said with a laugh. “It’s really special and good to know that the work you’re doing is being recognized. Even when people don’t say it, you know somebody’s watching — and I appreciate that.”
His rise began in East St. Louis, where he graduated high school in 1987 and dreamed first of firefighting, then professional basketball. An earthquake ended that plan and led him to Lane College in Tennessee, where he studied business and discovered a gift for helping classmates succeed academically.
The joy he found in helping others “understand content, get better grades and
reach their academic goals” stayed with him long after graduation.
He became a substitute teacher, and one of his first assignments — a rowdy sixth-grade class at L’Ouverture Middle School — nearly made him quit.
“It was just a really tough, unruly, rowdy class,” he recalled. “And I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, I gotta teach here?’”
Instead, he experimented — removing desks, adding movement and slowly reintroducing structure. Within weeks, conversations replaced chaos.
“We all have a story, and kids respond when it’s genuine and one kids can relate to,” he said. “Who’s better to trust, a person who has never lived a life they’ve lived or a person who has lived that life and can tell that story?”
Triplett refined his teaching under the late Dr. Alice Roach, who encouraged
his innovative, student-centered methods. Still, he wanted to make a broader impact. He pursued a social work degree at Saint Louis University to tackle root causes like poverty and homelessness.
“Even as a school social worker, I did not think that was enough, so I got into administration to be a change agent in the school, making more systemic change.”
From program director in alternative education to assistant superintendent in Riverview Gardens and later associate superintendent in Olathe, Kansas, Triplett kept widening his reach. Colleagues praised him as “an extremely capable manager, supporter and servant of people,” a reputation that helped him earn the top job at Normandy in 2023.
Dr. Tiffany McConnell, a nearly 30-year district veteran, said his leader-
ship has been transformative.
“For the first time, we have a leader with a true vision for what public education should look like,” she said. “Under his leadership, we’ve implemented many different initiatives that have raised the bar for all our students.”
Triplett describes his own leadership style with candor.
“I’m the toughest cookie in the world. I’m really structured, really stern and I have a no-nonsense kind of demeanor,” he said. “But when the grass hits the fan, teachers love working with me. Students love me as a leader. Why? Because I believe in them, and I put everything I have into them.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Dr. Michael Triplett is superintendent of the Normandy Schools Collaborative.
Michael Triplett, Ph.D.
BUILDIN G BO L D L EADER S
Congratulations to the Maryville University Suggs Scholarship recipients! Thank you for your commitment to diversity and inclusion and for being a part of the access and opportunity revolution.
MA RYVILLE.E DU
LAWRENCE BRAITHWAITE
SALUTE TO EDUCATION
Turning adversity into hope Excellence in Education Awardee
Erica Williams lifts up students who face the odds she once did
By Melanie Johnson
For
the St. Louis American
Erica Williams has built her life around proving what’s possible.
Growing up in north St. Louis as one of 10 children, she faced hardship and loss — including the deaths of two siblings, one to gun violence. But education became her way forward, a tool she now uses to show her students that circumstance does not dictate destiny.
“My skin looks like them. My dialect — I sound like them as well. But I also foster a sense of hope,” she said.
Williams, now assistant school leader at Momentum Academy in Tower Grove, is being recognized for her deep commitment to children. She is one of five Excellence in Education honorees who will be celebrated at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, sponsored by the St. Louis American Foundation, on Nov. 1.
Her dream of becoming an educator began on the steps of her grandmother’s home in Walnut Park. At age 5, she fell in love with teaching while playing school with her cousins. It was there she also first played the role of an administrator, acting as the family’s school principal in their childhood game.
As the aspiring educator grew older, school became tougher than expected after her father pulled her out of Normandy High School. Her move to Gateway Christian High, a private school, proved to be an academic culture shock.
“I went from an A-B student to a C-D student at Gateway Christian,” Williams said. “So, I had no choice but to be engulfed in education. My dad promoted school, and my mom taught us survival.”
Williams’ determination paid off. Her fight to rise above failure led her to receive degrees from St. Louis Community College, Central Methodist University and the University of
Missouri-St. Louis.
Colleagues say what sets her apart is the attention and care she gives to children who have a troubled home life and struggle in school. Momentum Academy school leader Christian Jude said Williams inspires staff and students “to not let anything be a barrier but to use that as a launchpad to be successful.”
Williams was inspired to go into education by her son, who learned differently than other kids and was suspected by his kindergarten teacher of having a developmental delay. Her son had no learning disabilities, but Williams was motivated to better understand children who do. She began taking early education classes, advancing in her studies as her son advanced in his.
While Williams was a teacher at KIPP St. Louis, her then-school leader, Justin
Schulze, assigned her to a classroom of students with low grades and poor behavior. Looking back, Schulze said she transformed the class so quickly that it seemed like magic.
“She just brings a certain type of energy that makes kids want to pay attention to what she is saying and doing,” Schulze said. “Twenty years from now, those kids will look back and say, ‘Ms. Williams made me feel seen and heard.’”
At Momentum Academy, Executive Director Liz Valerio said Williams “walks with that aura” of seriousness about educating students. “I respect that so much,” Valerio said.
As Williams prepares to accept her Salute to Excellence award next month, she carries the memory of two loved ones who left too soon: a brother mur-
dered in Walnut Park in 2018 and a sister who died of AIDS when Williams was 19.
“My sister and brother will be cheering me on. My brother would say, ‘I knew it,’” she said.
Jude, who also grew up in north St. Louis, sees Williams’ recognition as proof of what’s possible. “It shows you don’t have to move away to make an impact,” he said. “We can still help St. Louis babies become awesome people and to do awesome things in this world.”
Williams hopes her students will carry that same lesson — that anything is possible — as her legacy.
“They just have to believe in themselves,” Williams said. “If I was able to obtain it, there is no doubt in my mind others can.”
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Erica Williams is an assistant school leader at Momentum Academy in Tower Grove.
Erica Williams
Gala co-chairs share belief in power of education to transform lives
By Nia Hightower
For The St. Louis American
For Errin Braddock and Mark Stallion, serving as co-chairmen of The St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Salute to Excellence in Education Gala is far more than an honorary role. It’s a reflection of their shared belief in the transformative power of education and opportunity.
Both men, accomplished in their respective fields, share a deep commitment to empowering young people through learning, mentorship and access.
Braddock, chief diversity officer at Enterprise Mobility, said the recognition holds special meaning because it continues a family legacy — his mother, Antoinette Bailey, chaired the event in 1996.
“This role means so much to me,” he said. “We’re honoring people who are creating real opportunities for young people in St. Louis, and that aligns perfectly with Enterprise Mobility’s ROAD Forward initiative, where we invest in early childhood development, youth wellness and helping students prepare for college and careers.”
Enterprise’s initiative supports community organizations advancing social equity. For Braddock, that mission mirrors his own lifelong investment in education. He has served on numerous local boards, including the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, Girls Inc. of St. Louis and Goodwill Industries.
“Mentors, friends and role models like Dr. Flint Fowler have shown me what it looks like to care fiercely about our kids and their future,” Braddock said. “So for me, this is more than a role. It’s a full-circle moment and a chance to help lift up the incredible honorees who are opening doors for the next generation right here in St. Louis.”
Braddock and Stallion worked with Fowler, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, where Fowler served as president for 28 years.
Stallion, a registered patent attorney at UB Greensfelder, said Fowler’s example epitomizes what the gala celebrates.
“He has certainly been a pillar in the community, particularly in the area of working with our youth,” Stallion said. “He is that unicorn in the room, where he has the ability to have such a reputation in the community that everyone loves him.”
A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Saint Louis University School of Law, Stallion has long used his professional platform to mentor students and entrepreneurs. He has championed innovation, education and entrepreneurship through his work with Arch Grants, Venture Café and the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Greater St. Louis. He also founded the HBCU Consortium, dedicated to supporting historically Black colleges and universities and their students.
“There were individuals in my life who took the time to pour into me when I was a young person,” he said. “That made a difference in my life. Since I graduated undergrad, I have always tried to reinvest in our youth because someone invested in me.”
Raven Whitener, director of The St. Louis American Foundation, said Braddock and Stallion embody the spirit
of the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala — celebrating those who open doors for others through mentorship, advocacy and investment in the next generation.
“Working with the co-chairs, it’s been really helpful to have them out there making sure that the community knows exactly what the foundation is doing,” Whitener said. “We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of Errin and Mark.” Their leadership as co-chairs honors their own achievements while amplifying a collective vision for a more inclusive and educated St. Louis, Whitener said.
Mark Stallion is a registered patent attorney at UB Greensfelder
Errin Braddock is chief diversity officer at Enterprise Mobility.
Photo courtesy of Mark Stallion
Photo courtesy of Enterprise Mobility
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
EDWARDSVILLE
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to support the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala.
As a premier metropolitan university and leading producer of bachelor’s degrees in the St. Louis Metro area, SIUE provides a high-quality education that transforms lives, enables economic mobility, and powers the regional workforce.
At SIUE, we proudly join in saluting excellence and celebrating the remarkable achievements of this year’s honorees. Congratulations!
Scenes from last year’s Salute
University
SALUTE TO EDUCATION
2025 Donald M. Suggs Scholarship Recipients
Lawrence Braithwaite – Maryville University
South Side Chicago native Jasmine Patricia Cole is a political science major with a minor in criminal justice and a pre-law concentration at Harris-Stowe State University. Salutatorian of CICS Ralph Ellison, she earned 85 college acceptances before choosing HarrisStowe for its sense of community. Cole serves as vice president of the campus NAACP, sophomore class senator, and assistant to the residential life coordinator. She plans a career in government law and politics, focusing on advocacy and justice for underrepresented communities.
Ja’Mell Frazier – Harris-Stowe State University
Detroit native Ja’Mell Frazier is a sociology major concentrating in law, justice and society at Harris-Stowe State University, where he maintains a 3.9 GPA as a Presidential Scholar.
Valedictorian of Loyola High School with a 4.2 GPA, he is active as secretary of the NAACP chapter, member of the
Collegiate 100, TRIO participant, and tutor in the Academic Resource Center. Frazier aspires to be a sociologist and civil-rights attorney and eventually serve in Congress to champion equity and opportunity.
Hazelwood West High School graduate Lawrence Braithwaite earned a full ride to Maryville University, where he is majoring in game design. He first connected with Maryville through its summer coding camps and was drawn to its collaborative culture. Braithwaite focuses on interactive storytelling, user experience and prototyping, blending creativity and problem-solving to build immersive game worlds. He hopes to design original titles that inspire players and showcase diverse perspectives in gaming.
E’Sabel Merriweather – Maryville University
E’Sabel Merriweather, a graduate of the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience in St. Louis, is majoring in computer science at Maryville University. Fascinated by problem-solving and innovation, she plans to pursue a career in machine-learning engineering.
Merriweather credits her family and friends for encouraging her academic journey and says she is excited to apply her skills to build technology that improves everyday life.
Natalie Smith – Maryville University
Natalie Smith, Class of 2029 at Maryville University, is majoring in interior design. Her creative interest began with decorating her own room and grew into a career goal to design inviting, functional spaces. A graduate of STL Artworks and two-year captain of her high-school shot-put team, she hopes to land an interior-design internship soon. Smith credits her family and mentor Dr. Oliver Tacto for encouraging her growth as an artist and student.
Preston Nance – Maryville University
Preston Nance is a first-year sports business management major at Maryville University and a sprinter on the Saints Track and Field team. He is drawn to the strategic and operational side of athletics and hopes to work for a professional sports organization. Nance also wants to mentor
youth in his community and encourage others to turn their passions into purposeful careers.
Shane Chronister – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Psychology major Shane Chronister returned to college after years in the workforce to fulfill a personal goal. The Belleville East graduate spent his career in IT and contact-center management before deciding at 35 to complete his degree. He credits his partner’s support
for helping him balance school, work and life.
“Without a degree I’ve built a career, but this is about rounding myself out,” he says, encouraging others that it’s never too late to finish what you start.
Dane Farris – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Dane Farris, a senior computer science major, graduated from Granite City High School and earned an associate degree from Southwestern Illinois College. His interest in technology grew from early years without internet access. After a multi-year hiatus, he returned to college determined to graduate debt-free. Farris plans a career in software development and credits the Suggs Scholarship with helping him stay on track academically and financially.
Erin Stanley –Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Erin Stanley, a senior majoring in applied communication studies with a minor in sociology, graduated from Belleville East High School and plans to earn her degree in spring 2026. Balancing full-time work and motherhood, she says
Jasmine Patricia Cole – Harris-Stowe State
her son is her greatest motivation. “Every class I complete is not just for me — it’s for him,” she says. Stanley hopes to use her education to build a better future for them both.
Ibrahim Bedwan – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Belleville East graduate Ibrahim Bedwan earned an associate degree from Southwestern Illinois College and now studies criminal justice while serving as a fulltime police officer in O’Fallon. He returned to school to deepen his understanding of the justice system and its impact on communities. Balancing rotating and night shifts with coursework, Bedwan hopes to use his degree to pursue leadership roles in law enforcement and contribute to safer, stronger communities.
Elexia James – St. Louis Community College
Elexia James is a freshman at St. Louis Community College pursuing a degree in baking and pastry arts. She believes food has a unique way of bringing people together and considers baking her creative language. James hopes to open a cozy, welcoming bakery where every dessert tells a story and builds community through the simple joy of shared food.
SALUTE TO EDUCATION
from Webster University. After 20 years in the technology field, he is pursuing a cybersecurity degree, a path he says was guided by faith after initially planning a career in respiratory care. Away from work, Yusef enjoys writing and pushing himself to grow and excel.
Kayla Williams – Saint Louis University
A Jennings Senior High School graduate, Kayla Williams is a psychology major aspiring to become a clinical psychologist. In high school she led the Neuroscience Club, served as Beta Club and Book Club treasurer, and earned repeated honors for academics and the arts. Williams gained research experience through internships at Washington University and UMSL and volunteered widely in the community. She hopes to open her own practice to expand mental-health support in underserved areas.
Aries Scruggs – Saint Louis University
Messiah Yusef – St. Louis Community College
Born in East St. Louis and raised in St. Louis, Messiah Yusef holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from UMSL and a master’s in educational technology
she also served in student council, debate, and Key Club. Hammad volunteered at her mosque and participated in UMSL’s Bridge Program, fueling her commitment to advocacy. She hopes to pursue law or social work to promote justice and equity.
Marlo Shivers – University of Missouri–St. Louis
Aries Scruggs, a St. Louis native and Saint Louis University High School graduate, majors in computer information systems with a focus on cybersecurity. A 2023 Intelligence Community Study Abroad Scholarship took him to Madrid to study European security. Once a 2.5 student, he now maintains a 3.6 GPA while leading through the African American Male Scholars program, Black Student Alliance, and SOAR. A former Kappa League treasurer and ByteWorks volunteer, he combines leadership, service, and a passion for technology.
Kauthar Hammad – University of Missouri–St. Louis
Hazelwood West High School graduate
Kauthar Hammad is a UMSL Honors College criminology and criminal-justice major. Founder of her school’s book club and a National Honor Society member,
St. Louis native Marlo Shivers, a Ritenour High School graduate, brings creativity and purpose to engineering. Participation in orchestra and the College and Career Ambassadors Program balanced his technical drive with community engagement. A high-school engineering course sparked his passion for design and innovation, leading him into robotics. Now majoring in civil engineering, Shivers hopes to build structures that improve neighborhoods and everyday life.
Taylor Moore – University of Missouri–St. Louis
Taylor Moore, a Lutheran North High School graduate, distinguished herself through the National Honor Society, student government, and the UMSL Bridge Program. She also represented her school at citywide investment events and led several student organizations. Moore’s mix of leadership and scholarship reflects her dedication to community engagement. She plans a career in international business as a consultant, aiming to help shape global partnerships.
Anira (Rein) Clark – Washington University in St. Louis Roosevelt High School graduate Anira (Rein) Clark excelled in speech and debate while competing in wrestling, track, and volleyball. Known for balancing academics with family responsibilities, she now studies psychology and social work at Washington University. Clark hopes to guide children and teens in finding purpose and confidence through counseling and community service.
Tamiah Woodfork – Washington University in St. Louis
Tamiah Woodfork, a Hazelwood Central High School graduate, was first-chair trumpet in the symphonic band and brass-section leader in marching band. A National Honor Society member and junior-class officer, she blended leadership and artistry throughout high school. At WashU, she is pursuing a degree in biology with an English minor, combining her love of science and the humanities.
Anisa Dzananovic – Webster University Born and raised in St. Louis, Anisa Dzananovic is a first-generation college student pursuing a business administration degree with an emphasis on accounting and finance at Webster University. A Mehlville High School graduate, she interned with Arsenal Credit Union, where her professionalism impressed managers and sparked her interest in finance. Dzananovic plans to earn an MBA and use her career to open doors for others in her community.
Jack Dawson – Webster University
Jack Dawson, a Seckman Senior High School graduate from Imperial, Missouri, is studying business administration with an emphasis in marketing at Webster University. A former DECA vice president and state competitor, he blends creative strategy with leadership. Dawson also competed in varsity volleyball and track and field, experiences that taught teamwork and perseverance. Growing up Korean in a diverse community inspired him to use art and media to promote cultural understanding.
SALUTE TO EDUCATION
Reyla Audriana Green – Webster University
Originally from Louisville, Mississippi, Reyla Audriana Green is majoring in legal studies at Webster University with plans to become a law librarian. A Parkway Central High School graduate, she maintained a 3.7 GPA and was a delegate at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. Green was active in theater, earned National Honor Society induction, and received multiple academic awards. A former Miss Alabama Sweetheart, she also completed the ARIYA Rites of Passage program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Ava Monaco – Webster University
Graduating high school a semester early with a 4.0 GPA, Ava Monaco earned both a Student Choice Award and an A+ Scholarship. Now a sound recording and engineering major at Webster University, she is active in the Audio Engineering Society and The Journal, the campus newspaper.
A songwriter and guitarist, she hopes to one day launch a female-run record production company that provides safe and empowering creative spaces for women in the music industry.
Elias Tannous – Webster University
Independent filmmaker Elias Tannous studies film and television production at Webster University. Raised in a Palestinian American household, they focus on telling underrepresented stories that challenge stereotypes and amplify marginalized voices. As a director and cinematographer, Tannous has created several short films and documentaries. With support from the scholarship, they are beginning production on a debut feature exploring identity, empathy, and connection.
STLA Foundation Scholars
Harmony Hudson – Spelman College
A St. Louis native, Harmony Hudson is an economics major at Spelman College with minors in management and entrepreneurship. On campus, she serves as treasurer of BLISS and participates in the Spelman Entrepreneurship Club, Future Business Leaders of Spelman, and the National Council of Negro Women. Her long-term goal is to work in asset management and use financial education to uplift historically excluded communities. Hudson hopes to eventually launch a business focused on economic justice, offering professional development, college prep, and financial literacy programs.
Jeremiah Pinex – Bowie State University
Ladue Horton Watkins High School graduate Jeremiah Pinex is pursuing visual
communications and digital media arts at Bowie State University in Maryland. A former All-State track and field athlete, he combines artistic and athletic discipline in his pursuit of ethical, creative fashion design. Pinex aspires to build a brand that blends integrity, innovation, and style while celebrating cultural expression. Guided by Proverbs 25:28 — “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” — he strives to live and create with purpose.
Korriana Williams – Aspiring Dentist
Korriana Williams has always loved science, a passion that fuels her goal of becoming a dentist. She plans to begin with a degree in dental hygiene before continuing her education to earn a doctorate in dentistry. Outside the classroom, Williams enjoys reading, playing basketball, and watching movies — activities
that help her stay motivated and balanced. Grateful for the support of the scholarship, she says it provides the opportunity to keep moving toward her academic and professional dreams.
Mekhi Brown – Project Management
Major Mekhi Terrance
Michael Brown is pursuing a degree in project management with a vision of becoming a respected leader in his field.
Combining tech-
nical skill with creativity, Brown draws on his love of film and photography to enhance his perspective and problem-solving approach. He hopes to guide
and mentor those who follow him into the profession and credits the St. Louis American Foundation with helping make his future “all the more secure and clear.”
Precious Barry – Washington University in St. Louis
At just 20 years old, Precious Barry has emerged as a powerful youth activist and public speaker dedicated to empowering marginalized voices. A Riverview Gardens High School graduate and sophomore at Washington University, she founded the university’s first NAACP chapter. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Barry began civic engagement at 14 by interviewing local politicians. She continues to champion youth inclusion in decision-making and uses her platform to inspire peers to challenge injustice through grassroots activism.
The St. Louis American Foundation believes in the power of potential
We invest in promising students from under-resourced communities, opening doors to education and brighter futures. In partnership with The St. Louis American, we amplify voices, tell untold stories, and inspire hope through independent, impactful journalism.
The Foundation and its university partners have awarded more than $2.4 million in scholarships this year — part of an ongoing commitment that has nurtured and supported more than $19 million in scholarships for exceptional students since the program began.
Breakdown of 2025 Scholarships
St. Louis American Foundation Scholarship: $50,000
Harris-Stowe State University: $69,104
Webster University: $629,000
St. Louis Community College: $20,000
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: $128,000 Maryville University: $572,000 Goldfarb School of Nursing: $25,000 Washington University: $680,000
University of Missouri–St. Louis: $214,032
Saint Louis University: $20,000
Total: $2,407,136
Clark & Fox
Continued from page11
ideas of building a better future for our youth,” Cooksey said, adding: “If you look beyond the surface, so much of what is good about education in our region can be attributed to Maxine and Bob’s time and treasure.”
The 2014 fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson affected the couple deeply, prompting them to address criminal justice. In 2016, they launched the Mass Incarceration Community Education Initiative, which has engaged more than 7,000 regional and statewide leaders to advance criminal justice reform.
Retired St. Louis Commissioner of Corrections Doug Burris credits Clark and Fox with “expanding and strengthen-
ing educational opportunities” that have helped the region prosper. “They are passionate about education being the great equalizer in society and should be made available to all people,” Burris said.
Clark recalled how conversations with young people during her visits to protest sites in Ferguson influenced her to support summer camps and programs that inspire disadvantaged youth and guide them toward careers.
“I wanted that for all children because so many have basic skills but don’t know how to channel their energy,” she said. “Imagine if they were directed to a program that was music or dance. … They would have a positive use of their talents.”
Building on this work, Clark in 2021 launched Delmar DivINe, a social enterprise zone for social service agencies. Its 35 tenants include nonprofit, capacity-building, social innovation institutions.
These organizations serve children and families in the St. Louis region across health, education, food service and finance sectors.
The couple was clear on what those with more and those with less should understand about each other.
“The less fortunate need to know there are people who care about them, and they need to reach out and share their stories,” Clark said. “We need to know … that they can add to our society and our communities. With the right inspiration and respect and humanity, we can change the world. America would be much greater if all people were considered capable.”
Asked if current challenges discourage them, Clark responded, “No, it makes me work harder because I can control what I do, not others. It inspired me to do more work with Delmar DivINe … to have more impact in the community.”
Fox added: “You can’t get discouraged
when things aren’t working perfectly. If we were shy people, we wouldn’t be doing this. But we were raised in homes where doing nothing just wasn’t acceptable.”
What do they want their legacies to be?
“It would be that (we helped) make St. Louis a better place for the future, … inclusive of all people,” Fox said. “I want to have contributed to that.”
“For me,” Clark added, “I wanted to make a difference. Even though I’m a 4-foot-9 person, you can think big and dream big and accomplish big goals. If you think about the greater good, not just the little good you can do. … It’ll never be perfect, but it certainly can be better. And that’s what I work toward every single day.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
NOURISHING POTENTIAL.
Proud to support the St. Louis American Foundation and our friend Dr. Flint Fowler. The 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education G ala celebrates educational excellence and honors a lifetime spent creating meaningful opp ortunities for St. Louis children.
Congratulations to Dr. Fowler and all this year’s awardees!
Education is a critical priority for young African Americans to elevate themselves
The St. Louis American Foundation is fortunate to have an opportunity to collaborate with generous individuals and organizations in the region who share our view that education is a critical priority for African Americans to provide more opportunites for them to elevate themselves. That results in their contributing to more community progress and the well being for all.
The St. Louis American Foundation and its donors and collaborative partners have awarded over $19 million in scholarships, education and community grants since its inception in 1994.
Past Excellence in Education Awardees
Looking back at all the awardees from the past 37 years
Salute Class of 2024
Asquith S. “Sean” Armstrong
Dr. Latricia Singleton-Clark
Dr. Mary Hairston
Lieutenant Colonel Nina McLean
Salute Class of 2023
John Carlos Armstead, Sr
Dr. Shawn A. Baker
Brian C. Griffin
Brandon Haynes, PH.D
Christopher C. Miller
Briana Morales
Charles Murphy
Kendra Vaughn
Salute Class of 2022
John Carlos Armstead, Sr.
Dr. Shawn A. Baker
Brian C. Griffin
Brandon Haynes, Ph.D.
Christopher C. Miller
Briana Morales
Charles Murphy
Kendra Vaughn
Salute Class of 2021
Howard E. Fields III, Ph.D.
Brian M. Gant
Lynn R. Hinton
Jonathan Strong
Ronda Wallace
Salute Class of 2020
LaShanda R. Boone
Shantana Goodwin-Payne
Karen I. Hall, Ed.D
Romona Miller
Sheryl Denise Rogers
Rhonda Stovall
John E. Thomas
Craig A. Waddell, Ph.D
Salute Class of 2019
Petra Baker
Monica D. Diggs, Ed.D
Victoria A. Harris
Kimberly Patrice Long
Duane McGowan
Tina Clark-Scott
Lawerence Shields
Tanesia L. Simmons
Salute Class of 2018
Dr. Chauncey Granger
Kim I. Haywood
Bernard Long Jr.
Dorthea B. Nevils. ED.S.
Raymond K. Robinson, M.DIV
Dr. Leslie Thomas Washington
Dr. Tamara D. Wells
Rhea M. Wells
Salute Class of 2017
Alan Byrd, Jr.
Anya Gray Franklin
Dr. Crystal Gale
Shanise N. Johnson
Angela Keys
Dr. Kevin M. Martin
Dr. Raghib Muhammad
Dr. LaTisha A. Smith
Salute Class of 2016
Kimberly D. Berry
Dr. Sarah Briscoe
Cori Cloyd
Kathleen Foster
Dr. Stacy Hollins
Dr. Kacy Seals
Dr. Gladys Smith
Cynthia D. Warren, Ph.D., Ed.D.
Salute Class of 2015
Russell Arms
Dr. Erica L. Bumpers
Dr. Ingrid Clark Jackson
Alicia G. Davis
Veronica Hildreth
Dr. Ashley R. McGhaw
Bessie Bennett Peabody
Dr. Tiffany L. Taylor-Johnson
Salute Class of 2014
Wesley J.C. Bell
Nicole Binion
Nina D. Caldwell, Ed.D.
Edward M. Johnson, Ed.D.
James Paine, II, Ph.D.
Germaine Stewart
Jim Triplett
Martha Warren
Salute Class of 2013
Clara Collins Coleman
Tiffamy C.E. Fane, M.A.
Vanessa Howard, Ed.S.
Wanda P. LeFlore, Ed.D.
Nathalie Means Henderson, Ed.S.
Wilma L. Slaughter, MS
Jody J. Squires, Ph.D.
Deitre J. Terrell
Salute Class of 2012
Jason Brown
Earnestine Carr
LaChrisa Crenshaw
Duane M. Foster
Andrea N. Hayes
Jaqueline Storman Turnage
Doretta A. Walker
LaRhonda L. Wilson
Salute Class of 2011
Carolyn Blair
Nikki Doughty
Latasha M. McClelland
Michelle L. McClure
Art J. McCoy, II
Marsha Yvonne Merry
Natissia Small
Darnell P. Young
Salute Class of 2010
Dr. Celeste A. Adams
Michael Blackshear
Sheandra P. Brown
Florida M. Cowley
Bruce Green
Carole Johnson
Matthew McCallum
Sybil Selfe
Salute Class of 2009
Kelly Ballard
H. Eric Clark
Niyi Coker, Jr.
Natasha Mosley
Rona Roginson-Hill
Michelle A. Pendleton
Dr. Alice F. Roach
Margaret Williams
Salute Class of 2008
Julia Robinson Burke
Mama Lisa Gage
Terry J. Houston, Sr.
Eric D. Johnson, Sr.
RaShawn Johnson
Marilyn Mims
Darlene Morgan
Simone Williams
Salute Class of 2007
Luella Atkins
Haliday Douglas
Sonja P. Little
Romona Miller
Tyrone Jeffrey
Darlene Norfleet
Victor Poindexter
Brian Rogers
Salute Class of 2006
Jowanda Bozeman
Dr. Harvey Fields, Jr.
Kathryn Garrett
Clarice Hall
Crystal Herron
Howard Rambsy
Kathy Walker Steele
Zella Williams
Salute Class of 2005
Charles Ransom
Betty Robinson
Gwendolyn Shannon
Makeda Reid-Vales
Shirley Washington-Cobb
Chelsea Watson
Brian Weaver
Dr. Brenda Youngblood
Salute Class of 2004
Travis Brown, Sr.
Patrick Jackson
Pat Johnson
Vernon Mitchell
Terri Moore
Joan Barnes-Parham
Monette Gooch-Smith
Dr. Ann Chism-Williams
Salute Class of 2003
Vera Atkinson
Dr. Stephanie Carter
Rose Coleman
Dr. Vern Moore
Juanester Russell
Frank Smith
Dr. Linda Lou Smith
Dr. Gwen Turner
Salute Class of 2002
Cynthia Boone
Thomas Edwards
Terrance Freeman
Flossie Henderson
Billie Mayo
Edna Pipes
Salute Class of 2001
Dr. Edwin F. Bailey, Jr.
Terrence Curry
Juliette Hite
Dr. Larona Morris
Annie House Russell
Hattie K. Weaver
Salute Class of 2000
Prof. Bennie A. Adams
Ian P. Buchanan
Mabel Thomas Edmonds
Michael T. Railey, M.D.
Linda Riekes
Cynthia J. Sutton
Salute Class of 1999
Michael R. DeBaun, M.D.
Roland Nichols
Eugene B. Redmond
Althea Taylor
Kerry M. Woodberry, M.D.
Salute Class of 1998
Alexander Harris, O.D.
Louis M. Marion
Dr. Patricia Nichols
Dr. Savannah Miller-Young
Louis Zitzmann
Salute Class of 1997
Alice M. Aldridge
Marion Bosley-Evans
Cynthia L. Cosby
Ivory Johnson
Andrea Walker
Salute Class of 1996
Carol Barnes
Nino Fennoy
Dr. Charlene Jones
Bettye Reed
Chanuncey Trawick
Salute Class of 1995
Victoria Cothran
Dr. Charles Harris
Dr. Ernest Jones
Michelle Lowery
Viola Murphy
Salute Class of 1994
Dean James McCleod
Dr. Arvarh Stickland
Rudolph Wilson
Barbara Woods
Dr. Edith Mae Young.
Note: The specific category of “Excellence in Education” Awards commenced in 1994.
Past Merit Awardees:
Salute Class of 1993
Dr. Edna Allen
Dr. Frances J. Gooden
Elizabeth Hutcherson
Addie Bryan Jackson
Fontroy Todd
Salute Class of 1992
Dr. Harvest Collier
Dr. Lincoln I. Diuguid
Alicia Ivory-House
Sandra Murdock
Dr. Wilfred Sorrell
Salute Class of 1991
Dr. Nettie S. Armmer
Leon Burke, Jr.
Dr. Queen Fowler
Yvonne Howze
Louise Mitchell
Bessie L. Reid
Beatrice Strong
Betty Porter Walls
Louise T. Wilkerson
Salute Class of 1990
Lt. Col. Leroy Adkins
Stephen Banks
Marguerite Ross-Barnett
Lynn Beckwith, Jr.
Evail Boyd
Jerry L. Bryant
Lois Harris
Edward Hightower
Kermit Hill
Floyd Irons
Rev. Dr. Buck Jones
Jerome B. Jones
Betty Jean Kerr
Shirley LeFlore
Kathryn Nelson
Hershel J. Walker
Rochelle Walker
Wilma Wells
Edna J. Whitfield
Gaye S. Wilson
Dorrie K. Wise
Salute Class of 1989
Sarah Short-Austin
Ron Carter
Rose Davis
Mathew Foggy
Rev. C. Garnett Henning, Sr. Hulas King
Andre Jackson
Oval Miller
Eugene Redmond
Ollie Steward
Eric Vickers
Salute Class of 1988
George Elliott
Jonathan Ford
Dr. George Hyram
Carolyn Kingcade
Richard Martin
Judge Theodore McMillan
Jamie Rivers
Irene F. Schell
Norman Seay
Willie Mae Ford-Smith
H. Phillip Venable, M.D.
Dannette Connor-Ward
Bill Wilkerson
2024
Previous Salute major awardees
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Lifetime Achiever)
Ellicia Lanier (Stellar Performer)
2023
Dr. James T. Minor (Stellar Performer)
Dr. Joycelyn Pugh-Walker (Stellar Performer)
2022
Holly Cousins (Lifetime Achiever)
Dr. Latonia Collins Smith (Stellar Performer)
2021
Arthur R. Culver (Lifetime Achiever)
Gwendolyn Diggs (Stellar Performer)
2020
Doris A. Graham, Ph.D (Lifetime Achiever)
Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, Ph.D (Stellar Performer)
2019
Charles and Shirley Brown (Lifetime Achievers)
Valerie Bell (Stellar Performer)
2018
Johnetta R. Haley (Lifetime Achiever)
Michael P. McMillan (Stellar Performer)
2017
Michael A. Middleton (Lifetime Achiever)
Dr. Kelvin Adams (Stellar Performer)
2016
Dr. Charlene Lofton Jones (Lifetime Achiever)
Deborah Patterson (Education Advocate)
2015
Alice Faye Roach, Ed.D. (Lifetime Achiever)
Tiffany Anderson (Stellar Performer)
2014
Katie Harper Wright, Ed.D. (Lifetime Achiever)
Terrence L. Freeman, Ph.D. (Stellar Performer)
2013
Lynn Beckwith, Jr., Ed.D. (Lifetime Achiever)
Art J. McCoy, Ph.D. (Stellar Performer)
2012
Gerald Early (Lifetime Achiever)
Judge Jimmie Edwards (Stellar Performer)
2011
Joyce M. Roberts (Lifetime Achiever)
Anthony ‘Tony’ Thompson (Stellar Performer)
2010
2010
Dr. Zelema Harris (Lifetime Achiever)
Dr. Stanton Lawrence (Stellar Performer)
2009
Eugene B. Redmond (Lifetime Achiever)
Diane Miller (Stellar Performer)
2008
James E. McLeod, Ph.D. (Lifetime Achiever)
Donna Patton (Stellar Performer)
2007
Dr. Henry Shannon (Lifetime Achiever)
Don Danforth III (Stellar Performe
2006
Dr. John Wright (Lifetime Achiever)
Dr. Cheryle Dyle-Palmer (Stellar Performer)
2005
Dr. Queen Fowler (Lifetime Achiever)
Darlynn Bosley (Stellar Performer)
2004
Dr. Henry Givens (Lifetime Achiever)
Joyce Roberts (Stellar Performer)
2003
Martin Mathews (Lifetime Achiever)
Audrey Ferguson (Stellar Performer)
2002
Dr. George H. Hyram (Lifetime Achiever)
Vickie & Howard Denson (Stellar Performers)
2001
John E. Jacob (Lifetime Achiever)
Victoria Nelson (Stellar Performer)
2000
Rev. William G. Gillespie (Lifetime Achiever) Carolyn D. Seward (Stellar Performer)
1999
Dr. James M. Whittico (Lifetime Achiever) Gloria L. Taylor (Stellar Performer)
1998
Gloria Waters -White (Lifetime Achiever)
Steven N. Cousins (Stellar Performer)
1997
Judge Theodore McMillan (Lifetime Achiever)
Gwendolyn Packnett (Stellar Performer)
1996
Dr. Helen Nash (Lifetime Achiever) Fr. Maurice Nutt (Stellar Performer)
1995
Kathryn E. Nelson (Lifetime Achiever)
Khatib Waheed (Stellar Performer)
1994
Bob Shannon (Lifetime Achiever) Dr. Doris Wilson (Stellar Performer)
1993
Al Johnson (Lifetime Achiever)
Carol E. Jackson (Stellar Performer)
1992
Frankie M. Freeman (Lifetime Achiever) Drs. Victor & Vincent Rodgers (Stellar Performers)
1991
Jesse Hill (Lifetime Achiever)
Dr. John H. Gladney (Stellar Performer)
1990
Fred H. Black (Gold Medallion Awardee)
1989
Bertha Gilkey (Gold Medallion Awardee)
1988
Vincent E. Reed (Gold Medallion Awardee)
