Cincinnati was the backdrop for the annual National Urban League conference, and St. Louis was there to show full support. Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President, Michael McMillan was on hand to see the Urban League Young Professionals (YP) in St. Louis receive the Chapter of Excellence award. New YP president Kenya Leonard received the award, along with past president Kira Van Niel, who has been instrumental in taking the local chapter to the next level.
Of course, Ms. Niel served fashion and elegance while rocking her curls and pearls. ULYP member Kimberly Thomas was named Outstanding YP member in the Central Region. Congratulations to the entire ULYP family on all of their success, and I look forward to seeing what Kenya Leonard has to in store during her term.
The ULYP will host the Urban Renaissance Gala on Saturday, August 9 – an event you don’t want to miss.
Royal court at Brennan’s. The self-proclaimed princes and princesses who make up the cast of the new St. Louis-based reality show “BAPs” were on hand at Brennan’s last week to watch Lifetime Network’s series debut last Wednesday night. A who’s who of the “BAPs” circle watched (sometimes in horror) as the show aired for the first time. Show creator Riccarda Lacey and SOME castmates were joined by Alderwoman Marlene Davis, Romney Edwards, Napps owner Mekhat Moore and Kevin Cunningham (who I hear is working on something beyond the St. Louis city limits).
Whether you loved you the show or clutched your pearls as you saw the interaction between Anisha and Kristen, we encourage you to join the discussion with us on social media. Looking forward to seeing the show go beyond the aftermath of drama overload and highlight the great careers (for those that have jobs) and commitment the cast has to the St. Louis community. Like Jason Wilson – who will open his second Chronicle Coffee in Grand Center. These accomplishments should be the real storyline of a show with a premise of highlighting local black American royalty.
Juiced in The Lou. St. Louis has been flooded with food trucks lately, and I love the often unhealthy goodies that roll off of them. I’ve needed an alternate healthier option when I’m on the go, and lately I’ve been chasing down Juice Masters. Entrepreneur Corey Logan offers a full-service juice bar and smoothie truck. This is much-needed addition to the food truck line in a city filled with fatty goods and an obesity epidemic in the black community. Looking forward to seeing Coreyaround town, and I hope he can park and set up shop during those late nights to help curve the addiction to those burgers in a box.
Save the date for Salute. The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala is not far away, so this serves as your official warning to get your Spanx together, gown ordered or tuxedo out from the back of the closet. This year I’ve decided to stand at the entrance and give gentle hugs to those who didn’t know that GALA meant you needed to wear formal attire – and that we frown upon “online boutique bandage dresses.” Terrance L. Freeman will receive the Stellar Performer in Education award this year, and if it’s anything like last year I know his speech will be memorable.
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