That’s right…in the words of early 21st century scholar Bubba Sparxxx (who we will discuss a bit later), we only have one month to “get it right, get it tight.” The St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala is going down on Saturday, October 17 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. I don’t know about y’all, but I made some serious gains with operation, “get into this dress.” After being cooked down to the gristle at the Northside Trap Run and Tacos and Tequila – which I will also get into a bit later – I’m feeling hopeful that my mission will be successful. In the meantime, I want to take a moment to shout out the 2026 honorees. Tamiko Armstead, Dr. Paula Knight, Richard McClure, Dr. Samantha March, Dr. Demetrius Adams and Dr. Cierra Wourman, y’all did the thing! I can’t wait to see all of you get your flowers. Be sure to get your tickets at www.stlamerican.com. The analogs can call 314.533.8000.
Speed meets style. I was ready to do an overhaul of my whole look after popping over to Neiman Marcus for the Runway to Raceway fashion extravaganza Friday night that geared us all up for the Enjoy Illinois 300 and Confluence Music Festival over at World Wide Technology Raceway. And my feelings began even before those Oscar de la Renta ensembles hit the runway. The ladies who serve looks on the daily set the tone as they mixed and mingled. Lee Haynes, girl, that off-white dress and the chocolate shoe was serving. I normally don’t check for an asymmetrical hemline, but I stand corrected after seeing it on you. And don’t even get me started on the likes of Gisele Marcus, Janet Williams, Gail Holmes, Arica Harris and Leah Harris. I might as well accept that they are just gonna be baddies forever. Oh, and I almost forgot about Yolonda Lankford gagging us with her Kiki Shepherd 2.0 look. But let me get to the actual runway. The late, great Oscar de la Renta would have been over the moon by how those looks slayed.
Turning up and burning up. Listen, the last thing I expected when I made the road trip to CarShield Field for the (allegedly) St. Louis leg of Tacos and Tequila was to get turned into a quesadilla! I’m talking hot and melted with crispy cheese on the edges. I had such a time that it was almost worth getting cooked. Social House showed all types of hospitality – even before we arrived on site. Y’all, why were they serving up complimentary Tequila to the folks riding shuttles to the show. I was already on the verge of heat exhaustion when I showed up. And when Bubba Sparxxx sent well wishes to a woman who fell out, I was like, “Who told him about me?” Even before Bubba got started, DJ Ashton Martin let us know that we were going to get our turn-of-the-millennium hip hop life with his top-tier turntable action. I forgot about how many bops Bubba has. But what had me on ten the whole night was how Murph Dirty and (most of) The St. Lunatics tore that stage up for the home team! And why did second place go to somebody not even on the bill? Yes, Busta Rhymes this sentence is about you! I was delightfully shocked that he came out during Fat Joe’s set. I thought I had sacrificed seeing him at Confluence Music Festival by coming to Tacos and Tequila. His two-song sip was exactly what I needed. Just about everybody got it all the way in on that hot plate of a stage. I’m so thrilled that Yung Joc went back to his natural hair, because his conk wouldn’t have made it through that high energy set. Paul Wall gave me life more abundantly. And while I couldn’t tell you the title of two of Xzibit’s songs, I enjoyed him too. Was I the only one who saw Ginuwine on the jumbotron and thought it was Cash Cohnes? His little set was cute enough despite his complaints about only having a sip of stage time. Rick Ross was giving “It’s hot as a mug. I’mma give y’all these hits, but don’t expect me to get musty while doing it.” I wasn’t mad, but I wasn’t overly impressed either. Fat Joe picked the energy back up until it was time to go.
HBCUS and AKAs. After I left Frontenac, I made my way back to North County to kick it with the OTO chapter of AKAs for their annual HBCU House Party at the Machinist Hall. This set is the perfect pre-game for HBCU homecoming season. And like HBCU homecomings, it should be attended at least once – preferably once a year. I saw some of my most beloved pink and green baddies in the place to be. Micha Brown, I’m officially sick of you being snatched from head to toe. She wasn’t the only one. But every time I see her, she makes me feel like I need to go to the gym, or the doctor. I had a ball as usual. My only note is to suggest that the ladies of OTO host a Tamia Slide tutorial ahead of next year’s party. Because some of the girls were stumbling and struggling.
