Black entrepreneurs and executives play a vital role in driving economic growth, job creation and civic leadership across the St. Louis metropolitan area. The three co-presenters for the 24th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking and Awards Luncheon understand the importance of recognizing the region’s brightest leaders.
The Regional Business Council (RBC), Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Greater St. Louis Inc. return as co-presenters for the event, partnering with the St. Louis American Foundation to spotlight outstanding leaders across corporate, nonprofit and entrepreneurial sectors whose work strengthens communities and expands opportunity.
“The Salute to Excellence in Business event gives people an opportunity to be in a room with the region’s top business leaders — presidents, CEOs and other executives,” said Raven Whitener, director of the St. Louis American Foundation. “Being able to be in that space and to network and connect is an invaluable experience.”
The honorees this year will be announced next week. Awards will be presented in four categories: Lifetime Achiever in Business, Corporate Executive of the Year, Nonprofit Executive of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. The event will be held Thursday, Feb. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
As one of the key partners in the event, the RBC represents a powerful economic force in the region. Karen Branding leads the organization, a group of 100 CEOs from some of St. Louis’ largest employers. Their companies employ more than 120,000 people and generate more than $65 billion in annual revenue, driving the region’s economic health.
“We really believe in the whole idea of working together as a region,” Branding said. “Sponsoring this event is a great example of why we want to salute business, but also do it in a way that recognizes what we can all do together.”
At a time when equitable economic growth remains both a challenge and a priority, the Salute to Excellence in Business Awards aims to highlight leaders who are helping push the region forward.
That regional outlook underscores why events like this are significant. The St. Louis region ranks No. 6 in the nation for the share of Black-owned businesses relative to its Black population, according to a Brookings Institution study released last year. Even so, minority-owned businesses accounted for only 12.7% of all businesses in 2022, while minorities made up 26.6% of the population.
“We need to keep that progress going,” Branding added. “It’s about forming strong cultural relationships, but also a good information exchange that helps small businesses grow.”
By elevating leaders who are shaping industries, mentoring the next generation and reinvesting in their communities, Whitener said the St. Louis American Foundation helps ensure the region’s legacy of Black entrepreneurship and leadership is recognized, strengthened and carried forward.
“We have a really great lineup of awardees this year, and I think it’s going to be a very inspirational afternoon,” Whitener said. “The recognition of these business leaders is important because of the impactful work they are doing that not only is changing their own lives but the lives of others in their communities.”