FOCUS St. Louis pays tribute to hometown heroes

St. Louis has suffered its share of negative depictions over the years. Universities across the nation teach that the problems associated with Pruitt-Igo’s 33, 11-story concrete buildings led to the federal government’s decision to stop funding high-rise public housing projects.

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Legacy Jackson brought the crowd to their feet expressing

exuberant appreciation for the youth’s ingenuity.

The city’s vastly shrinking population loss from almost one million in the 1950s to less than 300,000 today has been an unrelenting news topic. Crime, poverty and the 2014 killing of Mike Brown Jr. and resulting clashes and protests have added to already negative perceptions of our city.

However, one nonprofit hasn’t dwelled on what’s wrong with the region. In fact, the organization has spent the past 27 years acknowledging extraordinary individuals dedicated to making the St. Louis region a better place.

On May 9, Focus St. Louis held its 27th Annual “What’s Right with the Region” awards celebration at the Sheldon in the Grand Arts District.

More than 20 organizations and individuals in five categories:

“Innovative Solutions, Equity and Inclusion, Community Health & Well-being, Emerging Initiatives and Community Changemakers,” were recognized for their contributions to the city and the region.

The raucous crowd at the sold-out event clapped thunderously and gave standing ovations as recipients were summoned to the stage to accept their awards.

Welcoming the crowd, Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Focus’ president and CEO credited the awardees for their “dedication to collaboration, equity, exemplary leadership and active civic participation” adding that they “reflect the core principles and values that the nonprofit champions.”

The event’s co-chairs, Orvin T. Kimbrough, chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre and Richard J. Liekweg, president and CEO of BJC Healthcare introduced the video presentations and presented awards to the recipients.

“As the region’s premiere civic leadership organization, Focus educates, inspires and connects leaders to build a stronger St. Louis,” Liekweg said.

Introducing the first category of the night “Innovative Solutions” – Kimbrough said the honorees “have shown resourcefulness and vision in making St. Louis a better place.

The agencies included Conflict Resolution Center – St. Louis, the River City Journalism Fund, St. Louis Survivors Legal Support and YWCA Metro St. Louis. Respectively, the agencies work to “resolve disputes with the goal of fostering a healthier and more peaceful community”; address the need for more accurate, in-depth journalism” in the region; provide legal assistance, advocacy and “justice” to families and children; and provide childcare and head start services to underserved youth.

The BALSA Foundation, Ujima, Urban Sprouts Child Development Center and Welcome Neighbor STL were recognized in the second category: “Equity and Inclusion.

Collectively, the organizations support first-time entrepreneurs, cultivate “community” through “food justice” initiatives, offer early childhood education and provide crucial support for refugee families in the region.

The third category: “Community Health & Well-being,” recognized Be Well Café and Market, Chestnut Health Systems, Just Enduring: Living & Loving After Child Loss and Valeda’s Hope.

These recipients demonstrated creativity and determination to revitalize neighborhoods, offer behavioral health support, provide support for families after losing a child and breast cancer support and services. Afghan Support Program of the International Institute of St. Louis, Harris- Stowe State University.

Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA), The FAM and Northside Economic Empowerment Center all receive “Emerging Initiatives” awards.

What was arguably the highlight of the night was when 14-year-old Legacy Jackson, founder of Little Legacies, a nonprofit that has recruited some 1,200 youth for voluntary service, spoke via video.

“Our main goal is to make sure we always incorporate fun,” Jackson said in describing her community service organization. “But I would also like to say that we’re trying to make better leaders and change-makers in the world.”

Dressed in a Met Gala- like, cotton candy-colored, puffy garb, Jackson brought the crowd to their feet expressing exuberant appreciation for the youth’s ingenuity. Other awardees in that category included Maxine Clark (Delmar DivINe), Kelly McGowan (Transform314) and Kristen Sorth (St. Louis County Library).

All the individuals awarded last week deserve recognition. In a city sometimes besieged with negative references, they represent what “can be” with healthy doses of tenacity, ingenuity and compassion. Or as, Focus’ Akande-Bartsch phrased it, they “represent the power of a single individual to create lasting change.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.