The Grace Hill Women’s Business Center (WBC) recently inducted the latest members to its Wall of Fame in a formal ceremony at the St. Louis University John C. Cook School of Business.
Janice Martin of J. Martin Gifts; Melisa Mershon of New Hope Community Center; Jan Scott of St. Louis Women on the Move and Women’s Yellow Pages of Greater St. Louis; Pandora Spencer of Lots of Love Learning Center; and Vernell Stokes of Ms. Vee’s Properties were inducted for their dedication, drive, and business acumen.
“These five women show that given support and encouragement, hard work and dedication will produce business success,” said Kendra Martin, director of the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center.
At the celebration, Theresa Mayberry Dunn, Ph.D., President and CEO of Grace Hill Settlement House, and Dennis Melton, District Director of U.S. Small Business Administration, welcomed more than 75 attendees with testimonials and statistics of minority business success.
Before honoring each Wall of Fame inductee, Mistress of Ceremonies Kristi Carson, Community Outreach Liaison for Emmis Communications, enthusiastically introduced the night’s keynote speaker, U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay, Missouri’s First District.
After Clay’s encouraging words, Carson brought each Wall of Fame honoree to the stage for a formal acknowledgement and huge round of applause from the audience.
Janice Martin’s J. Martin Gifts produces tee shirts, caps, and other promotional items. Martin contracts with another entrepreneur to reproduce her designs on a computer and transfer them to the shirts. A grant through Grace Hill allowed her to purchase the equipment that she needs for that process. Currently, Janice sells her shirts from a booth at Soulard Market. She also sells at fairs, flea markets, music festivals. Her business is steadily growing.
“Many times a counselor can advise you on a simple matter, because the chance of making a big mistake could cost big,” said Martin
Melisa Mershon’s New Hope Community Center was initially operated out of the basement of the family home. During that time, Melissa attended classes at the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center. After completing a business class, she was awarded a grant which allowed her to purchase an historic building in the Hyde Park area. The New Hope Community Center has evolved into a family development center that focuses on strengthening the family unit. It offers a literacy program, adult education classes, parenting classes, and counseling, as well as an early-childhood education program.
“Without Grace Hill Women’s Business Center, New Hope would not exist,” said Mershon. “The grants were a major factor, but the knowledge and support have been just as much a necessity. If I am a success today, it is truly because of everything they have taught me about business.”
After stints with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the CORO Women in Leadership program, in the summer of 2005, Jan Scott met Kendra Martin at a Community Express Loan. Martin provided the technical assistance needed to process Jan’s loan request. The loan was approved, and Jan used the money for her publication, St. Louis Women on the Move.
“Grace Hill Women’s Business Center opened the door for me to get a small loan that normally is impossible to get,” said Jan.
Pandora Spencer has been running a daycare center since 1994. In 2004, a business acquaintance asked Pandora to serve on Grace Hill Women’s Business Center’s Economic Advisory Board. She began attending classes at the Business Center around the same time, and in 2005 participated in the center’s program for Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) grantees.
“It is so rewarding to help mold young children’s lives,” said Pandora. “It is good for the kids to see the importance of giving back. And I believe I am giving back to the community by serving on the board.”
Vernell Stokes first came to the center in 2001, shortly after becoming involved in a real estate business. She realized that she needed business training, so she began taking classes and seeing the business counselor at Grace Hill. After learning all she could at Grace Hill, she began to buy up single-family houses to rent to black women with families, so that they could have quality housing with yards and adequate living space.
“I am very appreciative of the practical knowledge and support that I have gotten from the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center,” said Stokes. “The classes and the counseling have been very helpful to her in running and planning her businesses.”
“Grace Hill accomplishes some amazing things and tonight’s program is just more evidence of that,” Clay told the audience. “Grace Hill has been busy transforming lives and building up neighborhoods for over 100 years.”
