The St. Louis American Foundation held its fourth annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking and Awards Reception Thursday, February 13. Twenty accomplished African-American professionals under the age of 40 were recognized for making positive contributions to their communities.
Some 400 people – mostly family, friends and colleagues of the awardees – attended the event, held for the first time at the Four Seasons St. Louis near Laclede’s Landing.
“We honor these young people who have already shown the self-motivation, grit and perseverance necessary to make a difference in their professional work, as well as their civic endeavors,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation and publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American newspaper.
Suggs introduced Orvin Kimbrough, himself an African American under 40 who is president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the sixth-largest United Way in the country. Kimbrough said the awardees were among the best and brightest the community has to offer and reminded the awardees that the potential for greatness lives within each of us.
Kimbrough also drew a distinction between young professionals and young leaders.
“You are a young professional by virtue of your age and occupation,” Kimbrough said. “You are a young leader by virtue of your service and commitment to advancing the common good.”
Suggs encouraged the Young Leaders to provide for those who come after them.
“It is not enough to make your own fortune, you must be involved in helping others,” Suggs said. “The remedy for more progress, even if only incremental, must be collective.”
This encouragement registered with Young Leader awardee Danielle Y. Blount, a senior analyst of diversity and inclusion at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
“I really want to begin to plant the seeds in the community,” Blount said, “and hopefully my peers will do so as well.”
The foundation received dozens of nominations of accomplished African-American professionals, representing diverse professions in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
The awardees, chosen by a committee of their peers, participate in several of the region’s professional networks, such as the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, the Charmaine Chapman Society and the young professionals affiliates of the Regional Business Council (RBC), the United Way and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Emerson was once again the event’s presenting sponsor. Partner sponsors included Edward Jones, Wells Fargo Advisors and the RBC.
“We have developed a network of over 2,000 young diverse professionals,” Sally Roth, area president for Regions Bank and vice chair of partner sponsor the RBC, said of the RBC’s Young Professionals Network (YPN). “Over half the awardees are members of the YPN.”
Emily Pitts, principal of inclusion and diversity at partner sponsor Edward Jones, encouraged the awardees to lead courageously and avoid settling for the status quo. She said one of the responsibilities of a true leader is to help develop others.
Mary Atkin, chief administrative officer for partner sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, said that leadership “encompasses many qualities and takes on different forms.”
The event is one of the city’s premiere networking opportunities, said mistress of ceremonies Rebeccah Bennett, senior public engagement consultant at Vector Communications. Bennett said the awardees not only shine brightly but have helped to create a field of enlightenment “that makes it easier for all us to shine and be radiant.”
In addition to a crystal award, each of the awardees received a $50 gift certificate to Vincent’s Jewelers. They also received two tickets to the 27th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala in September.
Net proceeds from the Salute to Young Leaders event will benefit scholarships to high-potential local minority students awarded annually by the St. Louis American Foundation.
