Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D, Executive Director for FOCUS St. Louis, stood at the doors at the Visitors Center at Forest Park greeting the hundreds of young professionals who came out for Connect With St. Louis. The event proved to be the premier networking event for young professionals in the region. If you are looking to become engaged with other young professionals or get more involved with volunteering in your community, don’t miss out on events like this.
The first person I saw coming in was Timothy Slater, who informed me that his wife has taken a job in South Bend, Indiana and the couple is relocating with their young son. Slater pointed me in the direction of the Annie Malone table.
Victoria Harris and LaTanya Reeves were there with bright smiles and making signing everyone up to volunteer. I’m looking forward to seeing LaTanya Reeves in action in her new role as Fund Development Chair with the Urban League Young Professionals – because under her leadership the ULYP will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Urban Renissance Gala.
Ashley Dantzler and Bree DeGraw with Susan G. Komen St. Louis were the most energetic pair out of the over 30 organizations represented. f you are still one of the sad few that complain that St. Louis has nothing to offer, it’s time to admit that you just haven’t taken the time to become engaged. And not that I’m trying to play matchmaker, but there was also a room full of single (not to mention well-paid) professionals.
New-to-town leaders at Harris-Stowe. Harris-Stowe State University is heading in a progressive direction under the leadership of new President Dwaun J. Warmack. He does more networking around town than anybody I’ve seen – and with good reason. President Warmack is committed to St. Louis and wants his new team to stay connected, increase enrollment and take community engagement to a new level at our HBCU. So if you see him or his wife Lakisha, please introduce yourself and welcome them to our city.
Dr. Warmack wasn’t alone as far as fresh new talent. Joining him is Emmanuel Lalande, the new Dean of Student Success at Harris-Stowe. And like the newly elected president, Lalande is also native of Detroit. Director of admissions, advisement and retention is Brooklyn, NY native Reynolda Brown. Mr. Brown, who most recently was with Bethune-Cookman University, comes to St. Louis with his wife and three daughters. He’s also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Save the date. Napoli Night for Crisis Nursery, hosted by their Young Professionals Board, is Thursday, November 20 at Bar Napoli. I’m honored to represent The St. Louis American this year as a “Celebrity Watiress,” so please make your reservations now. VIP admission is only $40 per person or $50 at the door. Don’t wait too long to inquire about this event – because it will sell out. For more information, please visit www.crisisnurserykids.org.
A magical wedding. Congratulations are in order for Britteni Williams – daughter of well-established businessman Jerome Williams and his lovely wife Gwen. She is now Mrs. Williams!
She married Kent Williams at the Magic House on Saturday in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. Britteni looked absolutely stunning in her white gown with the sweetheart neckline and curls off to one side. Britteni who was a basketball standout at Incarnate Word and University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she graduated, is now relaxing in St. Thomas with her groom Kent.
Her husband Kent along with his groomsmen looked like the perfect gentlemen that they are in their custom fitted grey tuxedos. But their dapper attire didn’t stop them from staying on the dance floor all night long at the reception. Congratulations, Britteni and Kent on your magical nuptials.
Tea & Crumpets. Christmas is coming, and before you buy an expensive watch for the special man in your life please make sure you aren’t buying them a fake.
A local entertainer was recently called out in social media by an Instagram user whose sole purpose is to “out” celebrities who wear fake Rolex watches and other high-end brands.
Well, someone who calls St. Louis home recently was called out as well – but a local businesswoman defended his name for him, because he was too busy enjoying his honeymoon with his new wife. I’m definitely going to need to some sugar with this hot tea.
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