An award-winning program,Nationally recognized for its commitment to the community.
Proceeds from the Salute to Excellence events are used for community grants as well as scholarships for minority students. In 2006, the St. Louis American Foundation distributed more than $100,000 in minority scholarships and community grants.
The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence program was recently the recipient of the following awards:
* National Newspaper Association’s First Place Award for Community Service
(2003, 2004 and 2005)
– Illinois Press Association’s First Place Award for Community Service
– Missouri Press Association’s First Place Award for Community Service
– Suburban Newspapers of America’s First Place Award for Public Service
Twentieth Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Banquet
Honoring outstanding African-American educators:
Lifetime Achiever, Stellar Performer, Eight Excellence in Education Awardees
Friday, September 14, 2007 — 6pm Reception, 7pm Program, America’s Center
St. Louis’ largest civic event honoring African Americans
(Anticipated attendance, 1,700)
Previous Keynote Speakers Include:
Mayor Shirley Franklin (Mayor, City of Atlanta)
Dr. Joycelyn Elders (former US Surgeon General)
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski (Univ. of Baltimore, Maryland County)
Cornel West (Author, professor, activist, etc.)
Dr. Mae Jemison (First African American female astronaut)
Dr. Patrick Swygert (President, Howard University)
Tavis Smiley (Author, radio and TV talk show host, etc)
Geoffrey Canada (Harlem Children’s Zone)
Dr. Keith L. Black (world-renowned neurosurgeon)
Rev. Floyd Flake
Dr. Derrick Bell (New York University Law School)
Dr. Benjamin Carson (pediatric neurosurgeon)
Dr. Shirley M. McBay (Quality Education for Minorities Network)
Dr. Mary Frances Berry (US Commission on Civil Rights)
Previous Lifetime Awardees in Education Include:
Dr. Henry Givens, Martin Mathews, Dr. Queen Fowler, John E. Jacob, Gloria Waters
White, Judge Theodore McMillan, Kathryn Nelson, Rev. William Gillespie.