100 (Fashionable) Black Men gather for Gala

The gentlemen of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis put on a Gala to remember this year, and it has appeared to be one of the most talked about events with young professionals in the area. With membership growing under the new leadership of 100 Black Men of St. Louis President Joseph Anderson, the Gala is as well.  

I wasn’t able to make it this year but I was still served with all the tea and from pictures and comments alike I have to say the best looking couple of the evening was Darryl Frierson and Alexia Anderson. With Alexia and her classic glam makeup with long nude and black gown I’m sure she made her father (Joe Anderson) very proud.

Rev. Traci Blackmon switched her entire style game up that night when she accepted her award for outstanding work in the Health & Wellness in a floor-length red gown with a shoe that should have been on Wendy Williams’ shoe cam. Rev. Blackmon is surely one to watch as she becomes a prominent leader whose movement goes above and beyond Ferguson.

Brown Baby goes National. I was online searching for my baby boy (because I’m a new mom and that’s what we do) and I spotted Brown Baby USA on Zulily.com and was too proud of owner Diana Hopper for her growth with the line. Someone gave me Brown Baby products as a birthday gift for my son and I loved it and was pleased to find out that the owner Diana is from St. Louis. Be sure to check her products out on Zulily who have featured them as a product of the week and offering the entire line at a great discount. Oh and I see they have something called Brown Lady now as well, so if you’ve check it out before contact me on facebook.com/theSTLsuite and let me know how it is.  

Goodbye and congratulations. Daffney Moore, a longtime Community Development Planner, is saying goodbye to the City of St. Louis and taking her talents to Berkley, where she will now serve as the Economic Development Director for Berkeley. Ms. Moore will lead economic initiatives aimed at attracting new business and provide support and grow Berkeley’s business community, and improve the infrastructure of commercial and residential areas. Moore who has served as past president National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Metropolitan St. Louis, and has received numerous awards including one from President Bush. Daffney Moore has been making moves for well over a decade.

A leading lady of mental health awareness.  Andrea Purnell, an actress and North County native, was recently recognized by North County Incorporated Regional Development Association as one of the 30 Leaders in their Thirties at Norwood Hills Country Club. Purnell works with Missouri Institute of Mental Health at UMSL and has been using her talents to help bring awareness to Mental Health. Her passion to help others deal with mental health in a positive way goes beyond her 9-5. She has been an advocate for mental health for almost a decade and continues to use her passion for the arts, and social skills to help others learn how to cope with various forms of mental illness.

Tea & Crumpets. And while the majority of men and women at the 100 Black Men Gala looking stunning there were a few that only associate gala with prom. It’s my duty as professional tea sipper to let you know that Prom fashions should be reserved for those still in high school. I’m low key over men being able to get away with wearing faded black suits to galas and throwing a bowtie on and calling it formal attire. If I have to buy a gown the least you could do is rent a tuxedo. Rant over.

On another note, we’ve all seen the footage of the beautiful demonstration in support of Justice for Mike Brown at Powell Symphony Hall but one thing the video didn’t show was … BAPS. That’s right I didn’t spot one cast member of the now cancelled St. Louis-based reality show. I know that they said the Symphony was one of the many of activities they did, but besides social media they haven’t been spotted.