Better Family Life was added into the Congressional Record of the 109th Congress when Congressman William Lacy Clay paid tribute to Founder and CEO, Malik Ahmed, with a Congressional Record Insert on Tuesday, November 15, 2005. Congressman Clay made the announcement before a crowd of over 1,400 at the Better Family Life 20th Annual Unity Ball Saturday, November 19, 2005.
Congressman Clay said Ahmed has “pioneered the concept of synthesizing and blending the imperatives of African-American culture with the complexities of community and economic development.”
Clay said he was “honored to recognize Ahmed before the United States House of Representatives for his tireless dedication to the development of culture, community and self-improvement among minorities in St. Louis.”
Congressman Clay also announced that Congress approved his request to provide $150,000 to Better Family Life to support the construction of the new Better Family Life Cultural Center and Museum. The contribution was matched by Anheuser-Busch, Inc.’s Vice President of Sales and Development and Community Affairs, Johnny Furr Jr., bringing the total pledge amount to $300,000.
The Unity Ball also included a Welcome Address from Mayor Francis Slay. Mayor Slay declared his support of the cultural center being entered into The Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD), which would provide a solid financial backing for the institution. Other organizations seeking entrance to the Tax District include the Black World History Museum, Harambee Institute, Juneteenth Heritage & Jazz Festival Foundation and Portfolio Gallery & Educational Center.
In February 2006, Better Family Life will celebrate twenty-three (23) years of dedicated service to the African American community. Its mission is to develop social, cultural, youth, job training, housing, economic and educational programs within the St. Louis and East St. Louis Metropolitan communities.
