St. Louis Crisis Nursery hosted their annual Napoli Night fundraiser focused at young professionals and the way they ran out of appetizers before 7pm you know the event was a success. They have become one of my favorite organizations to support and mainly because Val Joyner keeps me engaged in all things Crisis Nursery. While everyone was networking and making connections someone brought me a hot a cup of tea.
One of their board members, Naretha Hopson, who was celebrating her birthday, would end the night celebrating her engagement because her longtime partner Charles Brown had prepared to pop the question. Her parents, siblings and close family and friends were all on there waiting to congratulate her as she exited the private room where Brown got on bended knee. First to congratulate her out the door was Gina Cheatham – yes, from “BAPS,” but don’t put a label on Ms. Gina because she is doing much more than Lifetime cared to tell. Kira Van Niel, Alice Prince, Daffney Moore and Ebony Marshall were just a few of the ladies who came straight from work to Bar Napoli looking fabulous.
Speed Dating to the Altar. They met speed dating in 2009 and the deal was signed in 2014 when Eric Thurman II, son of Eric and Sharon Thurman, married Christina Furr, daughter of Stephen Furr Sr. and Wilette Furr-McGee, at the Bear Creek Club earlier this month. The ceremony and reception were absolutely beautiful and filled with the beautiful bridal party including the bride’s sisters Tiffany and Kimberly Furr. (Side note: Kim rocks a short cut like no other.)
Christina who works in marketing within the healthcare industry and her groom Eric a senior technical recruiter exchanged vows in front of close family and friends including their aunts and uncles, Johnny and Minga Furr /Pat and Solomon Thurman – whoown one of my favorites, 10th Street Gallery in downtown. Mr. and Mrs. Thurman both come from well-connected families in St. Louis so, I’m predicting these two follow suit to become one of our future power couples.
Ebony Power 100 includes UMSL Alum. Dr. Danielle Lee, who considers St. Louis her second “hometown,” was just named one of Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 honorees. Lee is a post-doctoral research associate at Cornell University but while in St. Louis she was a very busy and dedicated member of the young professional community. From the Urban League Young Professionals and Big Brothers Big Sisters it’s a wonder how Danielle ever found the time to also to win several blog awards for her dynamic blog “The Urban Scientist.” She’s dedicated to engaging more young African Americans in science.
Dr. Danielle Lee received her Ph.D. from University of Missouri St. Louis in 2010 and has been making moves ever since. Congratulations, Dr. Lee, and I continue to enjoy your strong support of science on social media, often teaching me along the way.
Giving while enjoying Jazz In Pink. Community Women Against Hardship is an organization that prior to this event I didn’t know enough about. I was aware they did great things in the community and for hundreds of families, but hearing the stories from Co-Chair Mavis Thompson and founder Gloria Taylor made me truly aware that this is exactly what our community needs. And it is an honor to know that our publication is a member of their Supportive Circle. Their annual fundraiser was filled with seasoned leaders in the community who couldn’t help but enjoy the all-female band Jazz In Pink.
Had the pleasure of meeting of Keith Williamson, general counsel for the Centene Corporation – who shared with me he is a fan of Partyline! The fact that I snagged a full-length mink coat form their silent auction following the concert is all the reason I need to support this event every year.
