“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The African-American business leaders were on a victory high at the Nov. 9 St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The day before, the United Way of Greater St. Louis announced that the African-American Leadership Society had reached its goal of $2 million, setting a new local and national standard for the organization’s black philanthropy. Most of the awardees and attendees are part of the society and cheered the achievement. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Danny Ludeman, CEO and president of Wells Fargo Advisors, led United Way’s overall campaign, which reached a regional record high of $71 million.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“One of the things I absolutely cherish about this city is that whenever there is a spotlight on a need, this community rallies behind it,” Ludeman said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Wells Fargo Advisors received the 2011 Corporate Diversity Award. Larry Thomas, partner at Edward Jones, received the 2011 Corporate Executive Award. Valerie Patton, executive director of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, received the 2011 Nonprofit Executive of the Year, and David Price, founder and CEO of Birdet Price, received the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>After cracking the glass ceiling at two Fortune 500 businesses and becoming a top executive at Monsanto and B.F. Goodrich, Price retired and started his own business as a consultant in the chemical industry. However, Price told the audience that what he loves most is working with young minority businesses to grow their businesses. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I’m not your classic entrepreneur,” Price said. “I didn’t invent anything new in 2011. I believe the reason St. Louis American Foundation chose me for this award was they recognized my genuine effort in building and creating that next generation of success minority entrepreneurs and leaders.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Price said he is honored to say he develop young leaders. In doing this work, he’s noticed that young entrepreneurs don’t always get the financial backing they need.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We need financial institutions in our neighborhoods who are will to put cash to work for entrepreneurs in our region,” he said, “as opposed to taking cash out of our communities to satisfy investors who are non-residents and who don’t care about our jobs or our growth plan.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I challenge you all to work with me,” he said. “Follow my lead because I’m going to be out front.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Orvin Kimbrough, of the United Way, introduced the Corporate Executive of the Year award for Larry Thomas, who currently leads the diversity recruitment programs at Edward Jones. He was previously chairman of the Charmaine Chapman Society for two years. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Larry is always very poised and very intentional with his reactions. I call it ‘cool pose,’” Kimbrough said, getting a round of laughs from the audience. “Larry is among a top tier of individuals in this community who yearn to see it better.” “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Thomas said he was thankful to all the people who he leaned on throughout his career.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“What makes St. Louis great is its people, all of you in this room,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>David Steward, founder of World Wide Technologies, introduced Valerie Patton as one of St. Louis’ true gems. Patton leads the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, which has a yearlong fellowship program for young executives of color. Besides having many of the fellows in the audience, he noted that she had two “gunslingers” sitting on either side of her – her mother Betty Patton and the legendary civil rights attorney Frankie Freeman. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“She always comes fully loaded where ever she goes,” Steward said. “She’s got two six-barrels on either side.” “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patton said she was humbled and honored to get the recognition for her work. However, the most important recognition goes to the St. Louis American Foundation for helping children to get the education to be the next leaders in our country. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patton told the story of her father working as a mail carrier in an affluent part of St. Louis City.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“He always told me, ‘Be good to the help. Those are the people who really propel you to be successful,’” she said. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patton continued saying that in the Metropolitan One building downtown, where her office is, there was a gentleman who shined shoes. “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“One time I went down to get my shoes buffed and I was telling him, ‘Well I’ll try,’” she said. “He told me, ‘There is no such word as try. You will do your best.’ So you see, your lessons come from many different places.”
