Joy didn’t just show up for 314 Day—she spent nearly two full weeks moving through the city like a burst of sunshine in her bright yellow sneakers.
Before St. Louis reached the day set aside for civic pride, the I Define Me Movement mascot—whose name stands for Just be an Original You—popped up at landmarks across the region. She posed for selfies in the Grand Center Arts District, stood beneath not one but two arches—The Gateway Arch and the arch that extends across the entrance of Harris-Stowe State University. She leaned against the “I Love STL” display outside the Missouri History Museum.
Through workshops, school partnerships, mental‑health programming, and her signature “SistaKeeper” model, Berry‑McGhee has reached thousands of girls locally and globally. Joy has become the movement’s newest extension—a playful, approachable way to bring affirmations and emotional wellness into everyday spaces, especially online.
In every photo captured by Videll, Joy radiates exactly what her name promises. And in a few frames, she’s joined by the woman who dreamed her into existence—Tracie Berry‑McGhee, the St. Louis‑born therapist, author, and empowerment architect behind the I Define Me Movement.
Long before Joy became a mascot with books, journals, affirmation cards, and a YouTube presence, Berry‑McGhee was building a blueprint for girls’ wellness that stretched far beyond traditional mentoring.
She launched the I Define Me Movement many years ago as a response to what she saw in her work with girls and young women. She recognized an urgent need for safe spaces, positive identity development, and tools that help them define themselves before the world tries to do it for them.
Through workshops, school partnerships, mental‑health programming, and her signature “SistaKeeper” model, Berry‑McGhee has reached thousands of girls locally and globally. Joy has become the movement’s newest extension—a playful, approachable way to bring affirmations and emotional wellness into everyday spaces, especially online.
“Joy is an I Define Me Movement mascot focusing on social media positivity,” Berry‑McGhee said. “She has books, journals, affirmation cards and a YouTube presence.”
And this March, Joy had a mission.
“We literally did a photo shoot spotlighting places to go and we posted them every day starting 3/1–3/14,” Berry‑McGhee said. “Joy wanted to spread some STL 314 Day joy for the kids.”
From Best Steak House to Imo’s, from Union Station’s Ferris wheel to the Fabulous Fox and Ballpark Village, Joy made her rounds like a hometown ambassador.
The tour doubled as a celebration of the 20‑year milestone of 314 Day and an introduction to Joy herself—a character designed to help young people embrace authenticity, wellness, and self‑love.
Joy is available for wellness events, book signings, and school visits—places where young people need a reminder that they are enough, exactly as they are.
“Celebrating the city has been a joy,” Berry-McGhee said. “We hope we brought STL a little joy. Find some joy – and remember to just be you.”
For more information on Joy and the movement she represents, visit www.idefinememovement.com.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
