St. Louis community leaders who were honored during the St. Louis African American Heritage Celebration on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in the City Hall Rotunda received unique gifts.
They were presented with facsimiles of the 1928 Articles of Incorporation of The St. Louis American newspaper.
“The American is an institution in St. Louis,” said Michael Butler, St. Louis Recorder of Deeds.
“We came across the articles in our archives department and thought there was not a better way to tie together the American’s history and our Black history celebration.”
The St. Louis American was founded by Judge Nathan B. Young and several African American businessmen, including Homer G. Phillips. At the time, the American was an eight page “paid” tabloid, with a circulation of just over 2,000.
Nathaniel Sweets came to the newspaper less than a year later. Sweets helped keep the American alive for more than 45 years as an owner/publisher.
“Just think, the American was founded just as the Depression began. It survived. The St. Louis American embodies everything St. Louis is about,” said Butler.
“On this time of challenges to Black history, we as African Americans must speak out. The American does that.”
This year’s honorees include KSDK Anchor Rene Knott, the City of St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson and EncoreSTL founder Effrem Thomas Boudreau Grettenberger. The African American Heritage Celebration is presented by the Recorder of Deeds office and was hosted by Butler, Alderwoman Laura Keys, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, Alderwoman Pam Boyd, Alderwoman Shameem Hubbard, Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, and Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier.
The African American Heritage Celebration is the first in a series of cultural heritage celebrations, to
be celebrated in City Hall, throughout the 2024 year. The event featured live entertainment
and refreshments as well as a presentation of an Aldermanic Resolution and Recorder’s Proclamation to the evening’s honorees, who are each invited to speak at the event.
“I am so honored to present the evening highlighting the significance of the African American
community in St. Louis,” Butler said.
“By celebrating the contributions of African Americans, we honor the past and inspire a future of unity, equality and shared prosperity.
“St. Louisans are unique – we embrace the diversity that defines us. Through this and all of our upcoming heritage celebrations in 2024, I hope we may forge stronger connections that elevate us all as one community.”
