The women gathered in the lobby of the Urban League Senior Center on the Ferguson–Dellwood border were as giddy as schoolgirls on the eve of Valentine’s Day. Every time the door buzzed, heads turned.
“Is that him?” one woman asked, leaning forward in her chair.
“What’s the holdup?” another shouted from across the room, half‑laughing, half‑anxious.
“He wanted to come and show you all some love,” said attorney Jerryl Christmas, who kept the room lively with conversation — and a little legal advice — while they waited.
The “him” was R&B star Trey Songz — the Grammy‑nominated singer known for hits like “Say Aah,” “Bottoms Up,” and “Can’t Help But Wait.” Born Tremaine Neverson in Virginia, Songz has long had a soft spot for St. Louis. He’s performed here countless times, headlined major tours, and made surprise community visits over the years.
This time, he was in town as one of the headliners for the Valentine’s Mixtape Tour at Chaifetz Arena on Friday night. But before stepping onstage, he stepped into a different kind of spotlight — one filled with aunties, grandmothers, and great‑grandmothers who adore him just as much as their grandkids do, thanks to a special visit organized by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
“He wanted to come and show you all some love,” said attorney Jerryl Christmas, who kept the room lively with conversation — and a little legal advice — while they waited.
Weather delays pushed Songz’s arrival back, and a mandatory soundcheck stretched the wait even longer. But when Farrakhan Shegog finally walked him through the glass doors, the room erupted.
“It’s really him,” one woman whispered to her seat neighbor.
“I see,” the neighbor replied with a laugh.
Songz greeted the women with early Valentine’s Day gifts — white roses and teddy bears holding heart‑shaped boxes of chocolates. He moved slowly and intentionally, making sure no one felt rushed.
Then he spotted Remona Johnson, sitting tall in a birthday tiara with a smile that could light up the room.
Without hesitation, Songz broke into the chorus of his hit “Say Aah” — acapella.
“Go girl, it’s your birthday,” he sang.
Johnson bounced in her seat, clapping along as the rest of the room chimed in.
When he handed her the bear and chocolates, she didn’t miss a beat.
“You better get over here,” she said.
Songz laughed, leaned in, and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he replied.
Johnson pointed toward the Five on Your Side camera in the back.
“Y’all better put this on TV tonight!”
Johnson, who turns 65 this weekend, said the moment was one she’ll never forget.
“For him to walk through that door like that, I was blown away,” she said. “Honey, I want to stick that little man in my pocket and go on about my business. I had no idea how nice and kind he is.”
Songz didn’t leave until every woman who wanted a photo got one. He hugged, posed, laughed, and listened — giving each person a moment that felt personal.
“I thought it was so special for him to come here and spend this time with us,” Johnson said. “Valentine’s Day or birthday — I don’t know what more I could have asked for. I’m good. This is gonna kick my weekend off. I’m ready! My birthday isn’t until Sunday, but it’s starting tonight!”
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.
