‘Caribbean Nights’ nets more than $88,000
By Bill Beene
Of the St. Louis American
After raising more than $250,000 just two months ago, the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ Charmaine Chapman Society raised $88,230 last Friday during a fundraiser and membership drive targeting emerging leaders.
The gala, “Caribbean Nights,” showered patrons with island delicacies, outdoor lounging and live music at the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center. About 240 people attended the festive, intergenerational event.
The hip-hop mix featured a live performance by “the original human beat box” and national recording artist Doug E. Fresh, accompanied by St. Louis’ standout hip-hop deejay, Needles.
St. Louis-born American Idol Aloha Mischeaux hit a couple of R&B tunes. In another room, the homegrown Anita Jackson and Jeremiah Allen Band provided a jazz edge, Caribbean melodies and reggae, the musical backdrop of the tropical theme.
White attire donned beautifully by guests topped off the scene perfectly.
Charmaine Chapman Co-chairs Johnny Furr Jr. (vice president, sales development and community affairs, Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.) and his wife Minga Furr tapped Harry Michel and Fred Finley to help chair the fundraiser and to access their influence as emerging leaders.
Michel and Finley are co-proprietors of Seven and 1st Friday-St. Louis, the region’s most popular and well-attended networking party.
“It was a good effort, because they do bring out a lot of young professionals with their hot club and 1st Friday events,” said event promoter/marketer Mohammed Witherspoon, who attended the fundraiser.
Witherspoon also enjoyed the mix of music and ambience.
“I liked the variety and the option to be indoors or outdoors and enjoy reggae, hip-hop and jazz. It was excellently planned.”
The Furrs called on the expertise of Jacque and Leata Land, who co-own the Platinum Group, an event-planning, marketing and PR firm, to coordinate the entertainment.
“You got the young pros out there making money, and they don’t mind giving, but you have to present a fundraiser in a lively, upscale manner,” Jacque Land said of targeting young leaders.
“With this move, the Society can increase gifts to more agencies, and those agencies primarily serve African Americans.”
Emerging media leader Tammie Holland, who emceed the event, said, “We’re carving our paths in the community, and part of that is giving back. We’ve all been touched by the United Way in some way.”
Holland is a personality on Majic 104.9 and director of community affairs at UPN46.
“Of course, the whole purpose of the Charmaine Chapman Society and this event is to help thousands of people in our region,” said Johnny Furr.
“Our emphasis tonight is on how the emerging leaders in our community are stepping up to have a role in helping to build a stronger, better community.”
Furr added that becoming a member of the Charmaine Chapman Society is one of the best ways to have an impact on the life of someone else.
Members of the Society contribute 1,000 or more annually. This year’s campaign has amassed $412,825 to date.
