The group that gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Sales Network’s St. Louis Chapter recently in the ballroom of the Bridgeton Crowne Plaza were reps, managers and vice presidents for some of the most recognizable organizations in corporate America.
But the prim and proper energy that often comes with a professional organization gala was nowhere to be found.
Keynote speaker John Watson, a founding board member of the national organization, spoke of the special swagger that NSN St. Louis exudes.
They proved him right.
Larry Blue, board chair for NSN St. Louis, was charged with distributing the Pinnacle Awards. He wanted to give a definition that truly illustrates the meaning of “pinnacle” and the winners who reflect that word through their work with NSN St. Louis.
“I found a great philosopher from our community and he had a great quote,” Blue said, then quoted: “I’m the pinnacle, that means I reign supreme. I’m notorious, I’ll crush you like a jelly bean.”
He was quoting a line from an LL Cool J hip-hop classic.
“Everybody I’m about to introduce is just ‘Bad,’” Blue said.
They were fun, but it was clear over the course of the night that the group has been serious about doing the work and fulfilling the mission of the organization since the chapter’s inception 10 years ago.
They handed out several awards, including the S.A.L.E. (Sales and Leadership Excellence) Awards, Founder Awards and the previously mentioned Pinnacle Awards.
During his remarks, Watson shared the story of how NSN St. Louis came to exist. In 2007, Debbie Fleming approached him during the NSN national conference in Washington, D.C.
“She had this folder and went straight into close mode,” Watson said. “She said, ‘I’m a part of this organization called Mound City Pro. Here’s our mission and, as you can see, it aligns very well with National Sales Network.’ Her passion really got me. If I said no, she wasn’t going to hear it.”
He was confident that Fleming had what it took to make the St. Louis NSN chapter happen, which Watson admitted was not easy.
“If I had a nickel for everyone who talked about starting a chapter, I’d be a very rich man,” Watson said. “There are only 18, and there’s a reason for that. It takes work, and they were ready to do that work.”
Fleming, Blue and the other charter members got busy.
The work of NSN St. Louis became the standard for excellence for the entire organization from the very beginning.
“This is what happens when you are able employ that passion in a professional organization of African Americans whose mission is to meet those professional and developmental needs of those African Americans in sales,” Watson said.
“That passion is what has made this such a successful chapter – and has made me a such a big fan of this chapter. And, quite frankly, what you have done here has rubbed off on every other chapter. I say to another group, ‘You’ve been a chapter for 15 years. St. Louis came in, and in two years they were chapter of the year twice. What’s the problem?’ It was a great motivational tool.”
The efforts of NSN St. Louis were praised – particularly the Backpack to Briefcases Scholarship and Mentoring Program created by Kendra Neely-Martin.
“It was so great to see that kind of energy and the dedication that they had to helping other people – and to help make other people successful,” Watson said. “That’s what this organization is all about.”
The evening’s master of ceremonies, Dometi Pongo, anchor and reporter for Chicago’s WGN Radio 720 AM, was a graduate of the program.
“Our community needs our help. The beauty of National Sales Network is you can do that through this organization,” Watson said. “It’s very important that you use that passion to help make our communities successful. That’s what happened here within ten years of National Sales Network.”
