For more than three decades, the St. Louis American Foundation has been committed to strengthening the community through investment in education and opportunity. Its mission focuses on developing major gifts to support the financial needs of high-potential students.
Founded in 1994, the foundation serves as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit and philanthropic arm of The St. Louis American newspaper, a trusted institution that has served the region since 1928. While the news organization provides news and information for Black residents in the St. Louis region, the foundation extends that mission through community-centered programs, including scholarships and professional development opportunities supporting marginalized students, particularly African Americans.
In partnership with The St. Louis American, the foundation also supports efforts that amplify community voices and help sustain independent, community-focused journalism. This mission expands opportunity while ensuring stories shaping the region’s Black communities continue to be told.
The foundation invests in promising individuals, helping open doors to higher education and career pathways.
Recognition remains central to the foundation’s philosophy. Leaders describe recognition not as symbolic but strategic, noting that visibility can create access, access can expand opportunity, and opportunity can drive lasting change.
Through Salute to Excellence in Education, Salute to Excellence in Business and Salute to Young Leaders, the foundation convenes corporate, nonprofit, civic and community leaders to celebrate individual achievement while supporting scholarships and foundation programming.
Educational access continues to anchor the organization’s work. In partnership with more than 15 colleges and universities, the foundation has helped generate more than $19 million in scholarships across Missouri and Illinois.
The foundation also plays an important role in preserving The St. Louis American as a vital, independent media institution. Preserving the newspaper, leaders emphasize, is about more than sustaining a news organization. It is about protecting a historic voice that has chronicled Black life, advocacy and progress for nearly a century.
At a time when local newsrooms are shrinking nationwide, sustaining a strong Black-owned media presence remains central to the foundation’s mission.
The foundation’s impact is strengthened by the leadership of its distinguished Board of Directors, whose collective experience spans business, education, philanthropy and public service.
As the foundation looks ahead, its purpose remains clear: honor excellence, invest in leadership, expand educational access and help sustain a trusted media institution.
St. Louis American Foundation Board of Directors
- Michael Holmes, Board Chairman
Edward Jones executive – retired
Express Scripts executive – retired - Dr. Kelvin Adams, Vice Chairman
CEO, The St. Louis Community Foundation
Superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools – retired - Dr. Denise Glyn Borders
Columbia University, Teachers College – Board of Trustees
Co-lead, Academic Affairs Executive Committee
COGNIA – Board of Directors, Finance Committee
McREL International – Board of Directors, Chair-elect, Executive Committee - Gary Dollar
Partner and consultant, EMD Consulting Group
United Way of Greater St. Louis CEO – retired - Dawn Suggs
Digital Director, St. Louis American newspaper
Board member, St. Louis American Foundation - Dina M. Suggs
Senior Program Specialist, Public Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State
Kingston Land Trust – Steering Committee - Donald M. Suggs
Publisher and owner, St. Louis American newspaper
Founder and Board member, St. Louis American Foundation