Because I haven’t been to every Education Salute, I can’t say with certainty that this year’s honorees, scholars and guests were the best dressed in the history of The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. And I’ve heard plenty of stories about how folks showed up draped in diamonds and furs during the fabulous late‑1980s era.
But I’ve been perched for at least the last 25 — one of them virtual thanks to Rona — and I can say with full authority that the crowd that traipsed into St. Louis Union Station Hotel for the 39th Annual Education Salute was collectively the best dressed in the modern era. No shade to anyone, but game recognizes game. Y’all had my head turning so much I thought I might need to stop by somebody’s North County urgent care for a neck brace. Honorees, guests and even the scholarship recipients were giving looks. And y’all know the young folks don’t usually trip when it comes to black‑tie attire.
Now let me get to the who and the what. There were 600 people in the building, so if I missed you — don’t be mad – and know that you probably looked good too!
Last year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mary Elizabeth Grimes is the perfect place to start. Ma’am. I have never seen anybody cook, eat and serve the way you did in that black cape with the electric plum ensemble peeking through. After seeing her, I went ahead and charged my big second‑look wardrobe reveal to the game. Somebody saw me bowing to her and asked if I wanted a photo. I said, “Absolutely not.” My gown would’ve looked like sweatpants and Crocs next to hers.
And 2026 Lifetime Achievement honoree Tamiko Armstead understood the assignment too. That metallic off‑the‑shoulder gown with the feather trim carried the torch beautifully.
Speaking of honorees —Didn’t I tell y’all about Carmen Meeks and Dr. Cierra Wourman? Dr. Wourman, even your son was killing it in his little blue tux. Carmen, that winter‑white suit with green accents was everything. How did you keep your heel time from expiring? I would’ve been in flip‑flops as soon as I left the stage, but I’m glad you pushed through so the world could see those nasty evergreen pumps. Dr. Earline Patterson — ma’am, was that your sister slaying from the table while you were serving on stage? It was giving Tia and Tamera slayage. Okay, maybe fraternal twins….=but still.
And let me give it up for the scholars who decided to give us seasoned folks a run for our money with the looks. Courtney Wright, Webster University’s newest Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholar, is in the 25‑way tie for Salute 39’s best dressed. The mug. The gown. The hair. And the high‑glamour hijabs of UMSL Dr. Suggs Scholars Taubah Pettus and Maryam Pettus were everything.
Now for the rest of the best — broken down into categories.
Divas in black: Janet Williams — that backless gown was the gift that kept on giving. L’Erin Wagner served pure bombshell energy. So did Jasmine Turnage! Shuntae Shields Ryan will slay in any color, and clearly black is no exception. Naretha Hopson — that sequined pencil skirt with the velvet jacket was a risk worth taking. Micha Brown — I’ve had about enough of you killing the game.
Latte baddies: Was it me, or were Raven Whitener and Melanie Johnson giving Vanna Brown realness from the stage? Linda Robinson served her own interpretation of mocha while making things happen on the sidelines and behind the scenes. Did y’all ladies plan that?
Couples who were killing it: I’m glad Demond Meek and Diamond White did a three‑peat slay, because I accidentally left them off my list year before last and I haven’t been okay. last year. Arica and Steve Harris were giving as well. Arica, where did you get that roaring 2020s gown? It was life. Eric and Tachelle Rhiney weren’t matchy‑matchy, but his gray jacket and her Kente cloth gown looked so good separately, that they worked together.
Fashion gambles that hit the jackpot: If you had told me I’d get my life from somebody in leather, I might’ve threatened to slap your face. But Indigo Sams proved me wrong. Girl, how did you know that blouse would give like that? The jewels at the bodice did exactly what they were supposed to do! Morgan Moody showed how a gown’s structure can make a dress pop, regardless of how muted the color might be. Like Ms. Meeks, Porsha Key showed that white can work in any season if you know how to work it. Those blush‑colored pumps were chef’s kiss.
The classic men: Niddy — that blue tuxedo with the black lapel was an absolute yes. Elcardo Moore’s look was busy, but enjoyable — the black velvet jacket with the print shirt was bold without being tacky. Previous honoree Christopher Miller’s blue velvet tuxedo was another audacious style win. And Dr. Vincent Flewellen went with all-black and still managed to pop.