The Be The Change Foundation will celebrate its eighth Living Legends Awards Ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Missouri History Museum.
The annual event honors individuals whose leadership, service, advocacy and lasting impact have helped shape the St. Louis region.
Wiley Price, the retired, iconic St. Louis American photographer and a member of the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame, and Bernie Hayes, a longtime St. Louis American columnist and founder of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame at Harris-Stowe University, are among the honorees.
“The greatest honor we can give our community leaders is to celebrate them while they are here to inspire us,” said Lyah LeFlore-Ituen, director of the African American History Initiative for the Missouri Historical Society.”
Price retired from The St. Louis American in December after more than 45 years as a photojournalist whose work documented generations of Black life in St. Louis. A member of the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame, Price photographed every U.S. president from Jimmy Carter to Joe Biden.
One of his best-known images — then-Sen. Barack Obama surrounded by clergy in prayer during his 2008 presidential campaign — is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Hayes wrote a regular column for The St. Louis American from 1979 to 2009, offering his perspective on politics, culture and issues affecting the Black community. A longtime broadcaster and journalism educator, he also founded the National Black Radio Hall of Fame and has been recognized for his contributions to Black media and broadcasting.
“As both the director of the African American History Initiative and a past Living Legends honoree, I am proud to celebrate this year’s extraordinary recipients, whose vision, service and leadership continue to shape a stronger St. Louis for generations to come,” LeFlore-Ituen said.
Aja Owens, president of the Be The Change Foundation, said, “We believe our community heroes deserve to be honored while they can experience the appreciation and gratitude of the people they continue to serve.
“Living Legends is our opportunity to celebrate those who have dedicated their lives to creating positive change.”
Joining Price and Hayes as honorees are Arriel Bivens-Biggs, Zaki Baruti, Anthony Shahid, Lady Ada Taylor, Nicole Galvin (Queen Mocha Latte), Dr. Eugene B. Redmond and Afro World (Sheila Forest).
The free event will include a reception and awards ceremony at the Missouri History Museum.