One of David Steward’s proudest personal accomplishments is his inspirational book, “Doing Business by the Good Book,” where he shows how faith in God can guide the pursuit of success in business.
The founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. and his wife and partner in philanthropy, Thelma Steward, acted on the principles in his book by citing faith as their inspiration to make an annual gift of $1 million to the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
They are the first African-American philanthropists in St. Louis to donate $1 million to the United Way in one year.
“The Holy Scriptures guide our life,” David and Thelma Steward said in a statement.
Their specific guide in making this gift to the region’s premiere funder of social service agencies was 2 Corinthians 9.
“Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure,” the Stewards quoted from Scripture.
“God loves a cheerful giver. God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.”
The occasion of their milestone-setting gift was a major milestone in St. Louis and African-American philanthropy: the 20th Anniversary Gala of the African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society at the United Way. Some 600 guests attended the gala at Peabody Opera House.
“I’d like to thank David and Thelma Steward,” said Orvin Kimbrough, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, “and every one of the Charmaine Chapman Society members for their continued extraordinary contribution to our community.”
The Society, comprised of African Americans who pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to United Way, was founded in 1994 by Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American. Suggs founded it, he said, in an effort to enable “a growing segment of the community to be visible and gain recognition for their support of health and human services through United Way.”
In 2001 the leadership giving initiative was named after Charmaine Chapman, the first African-American president of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, following her death. The initiative has raised $26.4 million for United Way since 1994 and is the leading African-American giving group among all United Way affiliates nationwide.
“As former co-chairs of the Charmaine Chapman Society,” David and Thelma Steward said, “it is an honor and privilege to make this gift to help people in our community.”
The Stewards said they intended their gift to be literally a leadership gift, in that they hope others will follow, according to their means.
“Charmaine and Dr. Suggs understood the importance of promoting the prominence of African-American philanthropy to help people from all walks,” the Stewards said. “Thus, we hope this occasion encourages other families to give more to help more people through United Way.”
For more information on United Way’s 2014 campaign and the African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society visit www.HelpingPeople.org.
Follow this reporter on Twitter @chriskingstl.
