City Garden Montessori School set the bar high on test scores and enrollment years ago, and this year they outdid themselves for their 4th Annual Gala at Windows on Washington.
Teacher Christine Huck made sure to keep me informed of what was going on. Attorney Aaron Banks stepped away from the courtroom and handled the red carpet with his camera in hand. Going out solo, I expected to dine, donate and dash, but not with that crew. I did switch tables and join City Garden parents and sponsors Keith Griffin II and his wife Carrie, who were having too much fun for me not to join their table.
Familiar faces Anthony Beasley and Karen Drake were in the building, and Beasley is a board member for the school. Desiree Coleman, who is a donor and VP of Community Affairs at Wells Fargo, attended with other leaders in our community – including City Garden teacher Darcell Butler and her husband Dr. Melvin Butler (who I shamelessly tried to get free medical advice from).
Butler was featured in a video with students Tariq and Trajee Muhammad that showcased just how important the school is and why the gala and fundraising is so important. Their mother Teppie Jackson was such a pleasure to meet. It’s no wonder why her kids are so pleasant because they clearly have a dynamic support system at home and school. The night ended with Mr. Paul shutting the dance floor all the way down with his dance moves.
Nothing but NETworking. My absolute favorite networking event each year is Nothing But NETworking. For 2015 they’ve outgrown previous venues and moved things to Ballpark Village for the annual event taking place on March 26. Order additional business cards now because the Minority Professional Associations (MPAC) is pulling out all the stops, and with over 10 minority professional organizations coming together for this epic event you don’t want to miss – and of course, they will have the games on.
Masquerading with the Chums. You don’t know the meaning of living your life to the fullest until you’ve been to the St. Louis Chapter of Chums’ annual Masquerade Ball. I had the pleasure of sitting at one of three tables hosted by Carnell Debow, who’s a Chum emeritus and the best silver-haired stepper I know. I really thought I was doing it big with my DIY mask and even made the finals of the mask contest, but these ladies and gents came correct with feathers reaching the sky. Check instagram @theSTLsuite for pictures of my favorite mask of the night.
June and Flint Fowler are one of my favorite power couples in St. Louis and always a pleasure to see out. Ms. June was working that navy dress with just the right amount of shear. I thought I would be the only person under 40 in the room, but I was wrong. The sold-out event that has raised over $100,000 in scholarship money for college students is attracting other young professionals.
I spotted newly engaged couple John Head and his bride-to-be Monique Brown, who stayed on the dance floor the entire night. I’m going to have to call Yvonne Turner up and see what’s the hold up on new members, because these ladies know how to party. The emcee of the evening, Earl Strauther Jr., was a comical handful on and off the mic. Can’t forget about Kimberly MacLean, who has a strong business history in St. Louis and traveled from her new home in the South of France to celebrate with her fellow Chums members.
Tea & Crumpets. The song “Blurred Lines” is in the news, but there is nothing blurred about the stripes worn by Fox 2 News anchor April Simpson that somehow landed her on every website including World Star and even Playboy (no comment on that one). I’ll bet she’s loving every moment of it. Actually I’ve had plenty of giggles from the video in which her former co-host Tim Ezell makes reference to Simpson as the Hamburglar. She didn’t seem amused that day – or last week, when she was pelted with burgers for a second attempt to go viral by Fox 2 (again, no comment).
But with every one focused on the youthful new brown faces on KMOV, I’m going to assume she sent Tim a very nice thank you for bringing some life back to Fox 2. Head to the STL Suite Facebook page for the full video that even caught the attention of comedian Kevin Hart and plenty of others.
