James H. Buford joked that he was presiding over his “last supper” Monday night when the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted its 95th annual dinner meeting – the last with Buford as president.
The overflow crowd of 1,200 chuckled at the biblical reference. There was no thought of Buford elevating himself by comparison to Jesus Christ. In fact, Buford clearly was humbled by his own legacy of service. He first became overcome with emotion while thanking his staff for their hard work and dedication.
“I hired smart people and let them be smart,” Buford said, after he had collected himself.
And there was not a hint of Buford’s last annual dinner being poisoned by a Judas. There was no betrayal in the air at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis. In fact, a long line of civic power hitters specifically stated that their support of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis would continue after Buford steps down. Buford already has been insisting on as much in private meetings.
“My good friend David Steward asked me, ‘Jim, what can I do?’” Buford said of the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, one of the nation’s wealthiest African Americans. “And I told him, ‘You can continue your strong support of the Urban League.’”
Buford clearly has given his legacy serious thought. Legacy is what carries the past into the future, and on an evening when many people started many rounds of applause for Buford, the guest of honor himself started only one round of applause: for his young leaders.
“Our Young Professionals were awarded regional Chapter of the Year in 2012,” Buford said, when reporting to his Board of Directors and the public on accomplishments and services in 2012. When the audience did not applaud the Young Professionals, Buford did, and then the crowd followed him.
Buford’s emphasis on youth as he moves into retirement was characteristic. “The Urban League’s programs in St. Louis have been heavily focused on kids partly because Jim loves kids,” John E. Jacobs, the former National Urban League president and retired Anheuser-Busch executive, said of Buford in a tribute video.
The National Urban League’s current President Marc Morial attended the dinner, as did Washington University Chancellor Emeritus Dr. William H. Danforth, attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, County Executive Charlie Dooley, License Collector Michael McMillan, Police Chief Sam Dotson and senior executives from Enterprise, Ameren, Armstrong Teasdale, Centene, Bank of America and BJC Healthcare. The dinner was hosted by Buford’s board chair, BJC executive Debra Denham.
During his remarks, Dooley attempted to lighten up the emotional tribute by diverting into an anecdote about the barber he shares with Buford.
“Charlie, it’s not a roast,” Buford could be heard saying just off-mic, and the room erupted into laughter.
But the normally witty Buford remained somber and reflective throughout his comments. He asked his wife Susan and sons James Jr. and Jason to stand. He also remembered his late wife of 32 years Helen Freeman Buford “and all those who have gone before and paved my path.”
The path ahead for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis looks promising, thanks to Buford’s foresight. He even addressed the consequences of $300,000 in looming budget cuts to the league’s Head Start program, a result of Congress mandating severe budget cuts in an ongoing skirmish over federal funding commitments.
“We have $1.9 million in new grants, which should balance our budget,” Buford said – leaving his audience mentally to note “with $1.6 million to spare.”
There was widespread recognition of the caliber of leader St. Louis is losing. Andy Taylor, CEO of Enterprise, said it best: “If you’re drafting a team, Jim is a first rounder.”
However, the dominant tone of the dinner, and the business meeting it enfolded, was that the mission of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis remains strong as the man who has led it for 28 years steps down.
“While he is stepping down, we must continue to step up,” Clay said. “If we truly want to honor Jim, we must renew the struggle.”
For more information on the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, visit http://www.ulstl.org. Follow this reporter on Twitter @chriskingstl.
