“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt;”>“There needs to be a new kind of black leadership,” Kevin Powell said. “One that’s rooted in unconditional love – and building instead of protesting.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Just as he does in his widely read “open letters” that tend to spark a flame among readers, Powell unapologetically calls it how he sees it.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I am in love with black people,” Powell said. “And when you are really in love with someone, it should be tied to honesty. It’s the only way to heal– to look ourselves in the mirror and be honest. My grandmother used to say, ‘The truth shall set you free and a liar is a thief.’”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Powell will serve as master of ceremonies for the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2nd Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception, presented by Emerson 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23 in the Starlight Room of Chase Park Plaza.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Powell’s tough-truth love will give the young leaders and their supporters something to talk about.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“A lot of our folks don’t know what to do or where to turn to because we have leadership who really wants us to stay in a state of misery so they can keep a job,” Powell said. “I call it a ghetto monarchy. Our people have been lied to for decades.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He has made a name for himself telling such tough truths in 10 published books and through a prolific career as a social critic, activist and public intellectual.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I don’t consider myself a celebrity,” Powell said. “I care about things like poverty, gender bias, voting rights and violence against women.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>He credits his single mother for teaching him the importance of hard work and education. Through her guidance, the Jersey City, NJ native broke the chains of poverty and miseducation to become a sought-after author and speaker.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>His work has been featured in “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>Esquire “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Essence, and Rolling Stone and he has made countless television appearances, including on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>With a new project, BK (Building Knowledge) Nation, he hopes to create a paradigm for black leadership and community activism.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When you really look at the Civil Rights Movement, it was the people whose names we will never know that made that movement happen,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The four areas of focus for its initial year are jobs and small business development, education, civic engagement, and health and wellness.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Powell thinks St. Louis is a good place to plant his new meesage.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I’ve traveled all over this country, and St. Louis is truly one of my favorite cities,” Powell said. “I love St. Louis. It is one of the communities that can take us forward and be an example of what is possible for the rest of the nation.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Tickets for the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception, presented by Emerson, are $25 each and can be ordered though stlamerican.com, by calling 314-533-8000 or emailing
“color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;”>kdaniel@stlamerican.com The recognition event will be held from 5:30-7:30, Thursday, February 23 and will include complimentary beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar for premium drinks.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Partner sponsors for the Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception are Ameren Missouri, Edward Jones, PNC Bank, RBC and St. Louis Community College.
