On May 15, 2025, FOCUS St. Louis will honor 20 individuals, organizations, and initiatives making a difference at the 28th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration. These honorees were nominated by the public and selected by a committee of local leaders for their impact and service to the community.

FOCUS St. Louis will recognize the following outstanding honorees in five categories:

Demonstrating Innovative Solutions

Honorees have demonstrated innovation and vision in making the St. Louis region a better place to live, work or visit.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC)
Peter & Paul Community Services
Propel Kitchens
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri’s Treesilience

Improving Equity and Inclusion

Honorees have shown a commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion and opportunity for all.
Bridge 2 Hope Parent Institute
Immigrant Home English Learning Program
Per Scholas St. Louis
The Village

Promoting Community Health and Well-being

Honorees are working to improve the collective health and wellness of our region’s residents, as well as addressing the social determinants of health.
Affinia Healthcare
Camp Rainbow Foundation
Girls in the Know
Vitendo 4 Africa

Emerging Initiatives

Honorees are promising new businesses, organizations or initiatives that are already serving as catalysts for change.
Educators for Gun Safety, an initiative of Confluence Academies
Empower, a program of WashU Continuing & Professional Studies
Local Food Purchase Assistance Partnership
Save Lives Now!

Community Changemakers

Honorees are individuals leading and inspiring change in their organizations, their community and/or our region for the benefit of all.
Pastor Andre Alexander
Katie Rodriguez Banister
Kevin FitzGerald
Riz Khan

FOCUS will also present the Leadership Award to Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway, and the Legacy Alumni Award to Leon Sharpe, Founder & Principal of The Praxis Group.

All in the community are invited to help recognize these outstanding leaders at the 28th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration.

When:              Thursday, May 15, 2025 – 5 p.m. Reception; 6:30 p.m. Awards Presentation
Where:             Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
Learn More:   Early-bird tickets are on sale now! 

This year’s What’s Right with the Region Co-Chairs are:

Kathy O’Neill                                          
President, St. Louis Market                          
CommunityAmerica Credit Union

Andy Struckhoff
President
PGAV Planners

The event Leadership Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, PGAV Planners, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Media Partners are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Public Radio. View all sponsors here.

Funds raised support the work of FOCUS St. Louis in developing leaders and building strong civic capacity.