• Improving Equity & Inclusion: Latrice Dinkins (2nd from left) and Tami Timmer (3rd from left) of Flance Early Learning Center, one of several organization awarded in this category, at the Focus St. Louis’ 26th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards ceremony.  Award presenter Steve Smith (left) is founder and CEO of New + Found.

  • 2023 St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Business Non-Profit Executive of the Year Yemi Akande-Bartsch, President and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis, spoke of the tremendous challenges the pandemic brought for changemakers, and nonprofits in the region and all that it takes, the partnerships and community support and investments, for those who have survived to thrive.

  • David Steward II accepted the lifetime Leadership Award on behalf of his family, his parents David and Thelma Steward, he and his sister Kimberly Steward, for their “Legacy of entrepreneurship, leadership and philanthropy throughout our community and beyond,” and read scripture which reflected the culture and spiritual mission of service nurtured within his family.

  • Enhancing Regional Prosperity: Dr. Kristin Sobolik, Chancellor of UMSL (left) presents an award to Megan Price (2nd from left) and Aurora Bihler (3rd from left) of Building Union Diversity/Missouri Works Initiative.  Some of the other Enhancing Regional Prosperity honorees include: Stephanie Regagnon (3rd from right) of Ava’s Grace Scholarship; Rodney Crim of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (2nd from left); and Jason Hall of Greater St. Louis, Inc. (right).

  • Improving Equity & Inclusion: Tamiko Armstead (middle) and son Jahari Armstead (right) of Cardinal Ritter College Prep, one of several organization awarded in this category at the Focus St. Louis’ 26th Annual What’s Right with the Region awards ceremony.  Award presenter Steve Smith (left) is founder and CEO of New + Found.

  • FOCUS Board Member Irasa Downing, principal, business human capital-branch, Edward Jones spoke of the importance of FOCUS St. Louis and it’s leadership programs.  “Leadership Sponsors” of the 26th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards ceremony and reception include:  Bayer, Edward Jones, New + Found and University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL).

  • Improving Equity & Inclusion honorees (l to r):  Latrice Dinkins and Tami Timmer of Flance Early Learning Center; Kayla Harrison and Cynthia Chapple of Black Girls Do STEM; Tamiko Armstead and son Jahari Armstead of Cardinal Ritter College Prep; Dr. LaChrisa Crenshaw of Youth & Family Center and Kelly Behlmann of Disabled Athlete Sports Association.

  • Vin Ko, director of team operations, St. Louis City SC, is presented with the FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Emerging Alumni Award from FOCUS St. Louis President and CEO Yemi Akande-Bartsch on Thurs., May 11, 2023.

  • Abdul Abdullah of Park Central Development (right) and Gregory F.X. Daly of City of St. Louis (middle) helped launch the Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund, and were some of the honorees in the Emerging Initiatives category of the 26th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards. Award presenter Steve Smith (left) is founder and CEO of New + Found.

  • Enhancing Prosperity honorees (l to r): Charles Hands, Dr. Kenneth Powell and Dr. Marcus Howard of GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness; Julius B. Anthony and Shelia Caradine of The Believe Projects; Miranda Gibson of St. Louis County; Abdul Abdullah of Park Central Development: Dr. Sam Page of St. Louis County; William Newsome of The Bail Project; and Gregory F.X. Daly of City of St. Louis.

  • Emerging Alumni awardee Vin Ko (left), director of team operations, St. Louis City SC, and other 2023 What’s right with the Region honorees greet and mingle with attendees after the awards ceremony at the The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, the night of May 11, 2023. 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *