Nearly
$300,000 was pledged at the African American Leadership Society’s
campaign kickoff event on June 29.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>More than 400 people attended the gathering at Vin de Set, and 30 new people pledged and became members at the $1,000 level or above.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In 2010, the group (formerly known as the Charmaine Chapman Society) had more than 800 members and raised more than $1.8 million for the United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign. The society recognizes African Americans who donate $1,000 or more to United Way annually.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>St. Louis
remains first
in African-American giving among United Ways across the
U.S.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Gwendolyn DeLoach-Packnett, assistant vice chancellor at University of Missouri St. Louis and a cabinet member of the society, said she is thrilled to be a member.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I know without a doubt that my money is put to good use in this community in an organized fashion,” she said in the evening’s opening speech. “Of the $20 million that the entire United Way will receive through contributions, 30 percent of that goes to our community. That in itself is a great reason for giving.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>DeLoach-Packnett said the society’s strong leadership is another good reason for joining.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We have the kind of leadership that we don’t mind following,” she said. “That all began with the concept and the vision and leadership of Dr. Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American. We’ve been blessed with great leadership through the years in the likes of Deborah Patterson and Larry Thomas, David and Thelma Steward, and we have strong leadership in Richard Mark.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mark, senior vice president of customer operations at Ameren Missouri, is 2011 chair of the African American Leadership Society for United Way of Greater St. Louis. That evening, Mark announced the society’s goals of 1,000 members and $2 million raised in 2011.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mark said that there are 260,000 African American over the age of 25 in the St. Louis area, according to the Census. Currently with 840 members, Mark said they believe it’s possible to have 1,000 people who are willing to give back to their community.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“$1,000 a year is equivalent to $2.75 a day,” Mark said. “That’s less than a gallon of gas. If you cut down on driving, you can give that to the United Way.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He recognized all the cabinet members and his Ameren colleagues in the audience. “If we don’t support each other, none of us will succeed,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Preston Davis, a communications consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors, received an invitation through his company for the kickoff event. He became a member that night largely because his mother, Sharon Harvey-Davis, has been a member for nine years and conveyed its importance.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“For a city like St. Louis to give this kind of support is impressive,” he said. “I’m grateful to be here.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Harvey-Davis, director of diversity for Ameren, lives in Ferguson. Though she was not affected by the Good Friday tornado, many of her neighbors were.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I felt good that the United Way was there to step in and take care of people,” she said. “And I’m glad to know I can be part of it.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It’s a positive way for people to give back to the community, especially busy people who don’t have time to research all the causes,” said Darcella Craven, executive director of the Veterans Business Resource Center. “You know if you give to them you are giving to causes that have been vetted.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>To learn more or become a member of the 2011 African American Leadership Society, contact Orvin Kimbrough, senior vice president, United Way of Greater St. Louis, at 314-539-4249.
