On May 13, 2021, FOCUS St. Louis, the region’s premier leadership organization, will honor 20 individuals, organizations, and initiatives making a difference at the 24th 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.
HOME WORKS! The Teacher Home Visit Program
Sri Jaladi, Founder of Nanolending
UMSL, MU Extension & St. Louis Promise Zone Neighborhood Leadership Fellows
Wyman Center’s Teen Connection Project
Fostering Creativity for Social Change
Honorees have harnessed the power of the arts and imagination to bring about change in the region.
Britt Tate-Beaugard, Art Teacher, St. Louis Public Schools
Dance the Vote
Faces Not Forgotten
Hope Creates
Improving Equity and Inclusion
Honorees have shown a commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion and opportunity for all.
Computer Village
Construction Career Development Initiative
Jamaa Birth Village
The SoulFisher Ministries
Promoting Stronger Communities
Honorees have worked to address problems, develop initiatives, or make lasting improvements that result in stronger, more stable communities.
Concordance Academy of Leadership
Employment Connection of St. Louis
Eye Thrive
Gateway Pet Guardians
Emerging Initiatives
Honorees are new organizations that are developing practical solutions, responding to identified needs and serving as catalysts for change.
Dasha Kennedy, Founder, Broke Black Girl
Navigate STL Schools
Racial Healing + Justice Fund
St. Louis Teacher Residency
FOCUS will also present the prestigious board-designated FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Awards to Constance Gully, President & CEO of Parents as Teachers, and Michael McMillan, President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
The FOCUS Legacy Alumni Award will be presented to Kathy Lambert, Co-founder of Connections to Success and 2001-02 graduate of Leadership St. Louis.
All in the community are invited to help recognize these outstanding leaders at the 24th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration.
When: Thursday, May 13, 2021 – 5 p.m. Reception; 6 p.m. Awards Presentation
Where: FOCUS Virtual Campus (online)
Cost: Early-bird tickets are now on sale – $25 for FOCUS members; $35 for nonmembers
Register: Tickets can be purchased at www.focus-stl.org/WRWR or by calling (314) 622-1250.
This year’s What’s Right with the Region Co-Chairs are:
Vanessa Cooksey Jason Hall
President & CEO CEO
Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Media partners are the St. Louis Business Journal, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Public Radio.
Funds raised support the work of FOCUS St. Louis in developing leaders and building strong civic capacity.