The official theme of the St. Louis American Foundation’s 22nd Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking and Awards Luncheon was “In Support of Inclusive Regional Economic Growth.”
“That is where our North Star is,” said Jason Hall, CEO of presenting sponsor Greater St. Louis, Inc.
But there was another theme that could have also applied to Thursday’s sold-out event at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. And that is, “Like father, like son.” The generational impact of successful entrepreneurship loomed over this year’s luncheon –and inspired awe among all in attendance.
2024 Entrepreneur of the Year David Steward II was not the first person in his family to receive the award. His father, David Steward – chairman and founder of World Wide Technology – was the inaugural recipient of the award 24 years ago.
“To walk in his footsteps is a great honor,” David Steward II, CEO & Founder of Polarity, said in his acceptance remarks. “Growing up, I got to see first-hand the challenging journey of an entrepreneur – and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.”
In a video featuring personal and career highlights, the elder Steward beamed.
“For him to be an Oscar award winner in his field, to be an Emmy award winner in his field – to see that happening and people recognizing the work that he is doing in this generation and in generations to come is gratifying to see,” David Steward said.
David Steward II told the audience that he was reminded of Ephesians 3:20, the Bible verse that anchored his dad throughout his entrepreneurship journey – one that his father often quotes.
“Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” the verse states.
“This is the essence of entrepreneurship – in the face of adversity, it is our faith that sustains us,” David Steward II said. “It is our faith that reminds us that all things are possible.”
But as the program continued, another verse probably came to mind for many – and that is Proverbs 22:6. It states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
After crediting his wife Lynn for “having more faith in me than I had in myself,” when it came to him stepping out on faith into entrepreneurship, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and KAI Enterprises Inc. Founder and Chairman Michael Kennedy, Sr. said that his greatest professional accomplishment was hiring his son, Michael B. Kennedy. He spent the past 15 years grooming his son to take helm of the company – which he now leads as president.
“The future is in his hands now,” Michael Kennedy, Sr. said. “And today I just want to thank Mike for being my partner for the 23 years that we spent together. Know that they were the best 23 years of my career.”
The younger Kennedy received Entrepreneur of the Year honors in 2019 – nine years after his father accepted the same award.
“To Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Steward, I want to say thank you for being prime examples for your sons,” event host and 5 On Your Side anchor Rene Knott said. “Knowing that your sons are now able to lead in your footsteps is so important. And it is so dynamic to be that person in the family.”
2024 Corporate Executive of the Year Steven Harris credited his father, E.C. Harris, for planting seeds of greatness in him as he worked side-by-side with him in the drapery installment business E.C. Harris owned and operated in North County.
“When everybody else was going to summer camps and things like that, I was riding along and working with my dad,” Harris said. “I think that is where I obtained my work ethic.”
He is now the first Black managing partner for RubinBrown LLP, one of the nation’s top accounting and business consulting firms. Harris is only the fourth Managing Partner in the organization’s 70-year history.
“I am standing on the shoulders of so many great leaders who have come before me – and just have the opportunity at this point in time to carry the baton,” Harris said. “As a leader you have to understand that. You get the baton, you pass it on to somebody else, you catch your breath and you cheer them on.”
Non-profit Executive of the Year Cheryl Jones, President & CEO of Girls Inc. of St. Louis has made her life’s work cheering on the next generation of women leaders.
“This award is saying that not only do I matter, but Girls Inc. matters,” Jones said, fighting back emotion as she pointed out that her organization serves 9,000 young women in the St. Louis region. “This work is just beginning. We cannot stop for a moment. Our kids are absolutely in need of role models and opportunities.”
A bittersweet Salute
As uplifting as it was, there was an underlying sadness at this year’s Salute to Excellence in Business. The heavy hearts were due to the loss of two pillars who made invaluable contributions in helping push the mission of The St. Louis American forward. Thursday’s event was the first Business Salute ever without longtime St. Louis American Chief Operating Officer Kevin Jones. He played an integral role in the event’s inception – and served the company for more than 30 years before his untimely passing last month at the age of 57.
“Kevin, in tandem with St. Louis American Publisher Dr. Donald M. Suggs, was gifted in finding new and impressive ways to help the publication that he truly loved and the employees that he truly respected,” St. Louis American News Editor Alvin Reid told the audience during a special tribute just before the program commenced. “We miss Kevin tremendously, but Kevin and his outstanding love and service to the community through The St. Louis American newspaper, its online platforms and foundation will always be a part of The St. Louis American.”
This year’s Salute to Excellence in Business also celebrated the life and work of longtime Centene President & CEO Michael F. Neidorff, who passed away in 2022. He was posthumously honored with the inaugural Champion for Civic & Business Inclusion award.
“He was a true visionary, who literally took a company from $40 million dollars to $125 billion dollars as the largest publicly traded corporation in the entire state of Missouri when he left it,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis – which was also a presenting sponsor for this year’s Business Salute. “He was a true champion of diversity – from his board of directors, to his senior leadership to his personal philanthropy and corporate commitment to giving back, making a difference and helping others.”
Neidorff was the first and only national chairman of the National Urban League board of trustees from the St. Louis region. “And he was the most visionary and successful leader that we had at the National Urban League leadership ever,” McMillan said. “We are building a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar headquarters in Harlem right now because of what he did when he was the chairman.”
His commitment to equity and inclusion – and willingness to leverage his wide-reaching influence as a corporate leader for the greater good of the St. Louis region – cannot be overstated.
“What is very unique about him is that not only did he build a great company, but he also brought the community along with him,” said Kathy Osborn, President & CEO of the Regional Business Council. “It’s unusual that you can do three major things in your life: be completely committed to his family – which he was – build a gigantic company and give back.”
Knott agreed.
“Because of him we are indeed a better community.”
