“This is not like any of the other award experiences that you have had or participated in,” Rebeccah Bennett. “It is animated and exciting – and it reflects the energy of the young leaders who are being honored this evening.”
As mistress of ceremonies, Bennett encouraged the already lively group to get comfortable with cheering the honorees on as Wells Fargo Advisors and The St. Louis American Foundation presented the 5th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Reception Thursday night at The Four Seasons.
“Unlike other experiences we will not ask you to hold your applause – we ask that you show your appreciation and give them their flowers while they are here to appreciate them,” Bennett said. “We want to set the tone that this is a different kind of occasion in that you are invited to thoroughly enjoy yourselves tonight.”
The audience was obedient to say the least.
They shouted out with delight, they called out the names of the honorees they came to support – and gave repeated rousing applause sessions for the ones that they hadn’t heard of before last night.
It was almost as exhilarating as watching points exchange during a nail-biting sporting event as one anticipated what creative manner in which guests would big up the 20 awardees.
“1-9-1-9-1-9,” a young man shouted from the audience. “Ohhhhhhhhh-Six” a young leader chanted back – joined by a chorus of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers scattered throughout the crowd.”
The gesture was just one example of many celebratory moments that one would simply be unable to witness anywhere else with respect to events that highlight professional achievements and community service.
“We love you Charli,” a group of friends shouted in sync as Inspire STL co-founder and executive director Charli Cooksey approached the podium to accept her award.
Audience members willingly chimed in for a “Happy Birthday” choir performance – in the style of Stevie Wonder’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute (of course) to Chalana M. Scales-Ferguson.
The jovial antics were especially warranted for the 20 individuals under the age of forty that were selected to represent the fifth class of young leaders. They ranged from brain surgeons, corporate and community leaders to voices that emerged from the Ferguson unrest.
“There’s been an historic awakening in St. Louis – sparked by brave, often dangerous,’ protest that offer a promise of transformative change in this community,” said Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis American Foundation president and publisher of the St. Louis American. “Change that you all will certainly help shape and implement.”
The inspirational energy sparked by the honorees efforts towards creating a better and brighter St. Louis could be easily felt over the course of the evening.
“Tonight is about celebrating the positive difference that you are making in this community and I’m asking you to continue to push for the transformative change that this region needs,” said Vanessa Cooksey, senior vice president of Community Affairs for Wells Fargo Advisors.
She also mentioned that she gave up canned corporate remarks for Lent.
“There is an African Proverb that says ‘alone we can go faster, but together we can go further’,” Cooksey said.
While the tone was loose an informal as far as the applause and cheering, there was a serious campaign by presenting sponsors directed towards retaining the Young Leaders.
“One of my jobs for Monsanto is recruiting talent from all around the world and the 20 of you represent what’s absolutely right with this community,” Melissa Harper, vice president of global talent acquisition, diversity, inclusion and HR compliance for Monsanto. “I hope your stories get told well beyond even our own community today – just don’t leave St. Louis.”
Rick Stanton, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance for Washington University’s School of Medicine, took his pitch a step further.
“For this twenty, I want to say to you that this is not just an award – it’s a covenant,” Stanton said. “You may punch your ticket along the way, but come back to St. Louis. You are who we need to build this community to what it aspires to and should be.”
His remarks seemed to strike a chord with the entire room.
“Yes, this award is a sacred agreement with our community,” Bennett said. “That you will continue to hold us dear wherever your lives take you.”
