August 2026
August 2026
Quen Agnew Community Outreach Liasion
Welcome to August August is Black Business Month, and this month The Connection is celebrating the entrepreneurs, small businesses and big ideas that help move our region forward. Across St. Louis, Black-owned businesses are doing more than opening their doors each day. They’re creating jobs, bringing new energy to neighborhoods, building something for the next generation and turning ideas into opportunities. Some have been part of our communities for decades, while others are just getting started—and each has a story worth sharing.
This month, we’re shining a light on a few of those stories while encouraging all of us to discover a new business, make a purchase, share a recommendation or simply tell someone, “You need to check this place out!” Because when local businesses grow, our communities grow right along with them. Let’s connect, support and celebrate!
Inside This Issue
Local Black-Owned Businesses STL Shoutout Resources and Events ...and more!
Community Hidden Gem Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum Containing over 314 acres of land, the final resting place of many notable US historical figures is also classified as a Class 3 arboretum (one of only 44 in the entire world). This stunning natural oasis is free and open to the public 365 days a year, so take a visit the next time you’re near the area!
Quote of the Month “There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew.” — Marshall McLuhan
Did You Know? A St. Louis native, Susan Blow, helped bring the concept of Kindergarten to America after observing similar programs in Germany. She directed the first public American Kindergarten classroom in 1873 at the Des Peres School in Carondelet on Michigan Avenue. By 1883, every public school in St. Louis featured a kindergarten. Teachers across America and Canada would travel to St. Louis to learn this model.
Local Black-Owned Businesses Phillips Concrete Services, owned by Al’s Concrete Solutions, has set the bar high by striving to be the preferred supplier of ready-mixed concrete in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The company is minorityowned and located in the Wellston Business Incubator, which is operated by STL Partnership. Entrepreneurs and startups can plug into a dynamic network, access essential resources, and get below market rate office space at each of the four incubator locations throughout St. Louis. In 2025, the CEO and President, Alfredo D. Jones, was recognized as a St. Louis Business Journal Champions For Diversity & Inclusion Award winner. As a certified Minority Business Enterprise and SAM-registered vendor, Phillips Concrete Services actively support supplier diversity goals for commercial, municipal, and government projects across the St. Louis region.
Tailored Pieces is a brand dedicated to helping women embrace rest as a path to renewal through authentic storytelling, a supportive community, and quality products. It offers high-quality handmade satin bonnets, sleep accessories, and self-care essentials that allow women to rest comfortably and confidently. But the brand does more than sell bonnets and self-care essentials, it also reclaims rest as a birthright. LaParis Hawkins, founder and CEO, watched her mother pour her everything into everyone else. When she passed, LaParis saw firsthand the cost of neglecting rest. Moving home from New York back to St. Louis, she felt compelled to support those who spent their life supporting others. Tailored Pieces products are sold at tailoredpieces.com, and bonnets are featured in the gift shop at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. Hawkins is also a STL Partnership Wellston Business Incubator client. Learn more about how your business can get started in our incubators!
TIME Names BioGenerator One of America’s Best Incubators & Accelerators 2026
BioGenerator has been recognized by TIME as one of the top 80 incubators and accelerators in the United States. Considered a pioneer of the shared lab model—BioGenerator’s approach has been adopted by many since the early 2010s. The award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. This year’s list was announced on August 18, 2026. All awardees were judged on three key aspects: alumni evaluations, track record and expert recommendations. This recognition reflects BioGenerator’s role in converting St. Louis’ scientific and competitive strength in human health and agriculture into high-growth, investable life science companies.
Since 2004, BioGenerator has invested $53 million across 143 St. Louis startups—primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages—which have gone on to leverage over $3.1 billion from more than 200 global investors. Through a non-profit model combining $33 million in charitable contributions with $20 million in reinvested returns, BioGenerator continuously funds successive generations of founders. To date, 22 BioGenerator’s portfolio companies have had successful exits. Approximately 93% of BioGeneratorbacked companies remain headquartered in St. Louis, creating jobs and long-term economic value locally. Additionally, BioGenerator’s shared labs in the Cortex and 39 North
innovation districts give startups access to world-class facilities and capital equipment at a fraction of the cost of comparable labs on the East and West Coasts. So far, more than 200 companies have benefited from the two spaces, shared equipment, and operational infrastructure provided by BioGenerator Labs.
ultimate runway for founders to build and scale.” The recognition of BioGenerator comes at a time when BioSTL celebrates its 25th anniversary and is in the process of developing an ecosystem strategy for the coming quarter century.
“As innovators ourselves, two decades of company-building experience “Over the past 25 years, St. Louis and lessons learned along the way has built a world-class life science have enabled pivots and adjustments innovation economy spanning to optimize our model, just like the therapeutics, medtech, diagnostics, individual startups we support,” digital health, AI, research tools, and said Donn Rubin, BioSTL Founding agtech,” said Jim McCarter, Senior President & CEO and BioGenerator Managing Director of BioGenerator. “The recognition by TIME validates our Chairman. “The TIME recognition comprehensive model, which goes far acknowledges the commitment and experimentation that has helped beyond capital. We have supported more than 400 startups with offerings build St. Louis’ thriving innovation ecosystem, which addresses some including funding support, business of the greatest challenges in human leadership and lab infrastructure— we are proud to provide the health and agriculture.” About BioGenerator Founded in 2003, BioGenerator is the startup arm of BioSTL. With a non-profit approach, BioGenerator creates, builds and invests locally in high-potential St. Louis companies and entrepreneurs who solve critical challenges in human health and agriculture, making an impact globally. For more information: www.biogeneratorventures.com
About BioSTL Founded in 2001, BioSTL, a non-profit with a bold vision, has turned the promise of ag tech and health innovation into global solutions and lasting impact for St. Louis. The organization’s work focuses on three areas of impact: startup creation, workforce development, and building regional capabilities and reputation. For more information: biostl.org
A P P LY H E R E
Multi-Ethnic Chamber Mixer: Celebrating our Cultural Diversity International Institute 3401 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63118
Thursday, October 8 | 5 PM - 8 PM Join us for our first Multi-Ethnic Chamber Mixer, to learn about our diverse cultures! This is a family friendly event. Ethnic food and drinks are available. Cultural entertainers will be performing! Dress in your Cultural Attire. All are welcomed!
REGISTER HERE
John Cochran VA Hospital Medical Center Replacement Program CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Keeping You Informed as We Build for Heroes
ATTENTION: STREET CLOSURE NOTICE N. Grand Blvd will be closed to through traffic from Delmar Blvd to Page Blvd as early as September 2026 for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year. This closure is necessary to relocate existing city water mains, improve reliability of service, and allow for continued infrastructure improvements on the hospital campus.
Your Safety is Our Priority! We are committed to minimizing disruptions to the community and completing this project as quickly as possible, while maintaining a safe and quality project. Please make sure to:
• Follow all posted detour routes and traffic control signs. • Allow extra travel time and plan alternate routes in advance. • Reduce speed and use caution when driving near construction areas. • Watch for workers, equipment, and changing traffic patterns. • Stay alert and avoid distractions while traveling through the area.
Community Impacts: • Vehicles will be detoured from N. Grand Blvd to Spring Ave between Delmar Blvd and Page Blvd • Enright Ave will remain accessible for local Medical Center Traffic Only • Cook Ave will remain accessible for local neighborhood traffic only • Church’s Texas Chicken and Currency Exchange will remain open and accessible from Franklin Ave • While pedestrian walkways along N. Grand Blvd will be accessible and detours will direct pedestrians around dangerous work zones, we recommend avoiding Grand Blvd between Delmar Blvd and Page Blvd for your safety during this time. US Army Corps of Engineers Integrated Project Office 3735 Grandel Sq, St. Louis, MO
STAY INFORMED Join our mailing list
For more information, email STLPAO@va.gov