elegance with purpose
37th Annual Salute showcases admired educators, high-potential scholarship winners
$2.3 million of student scholarship awards
The St. Louis American Foundation’s 37th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala provided another memorable evening of elegance and celebration. Guests at the America’s Center Ballroom paid tribute to Stellar Performer in Education Ellicia Lanier, founding executive director of Urban Sprouts Child Development Center and Lifetime Achiever in Education Jackie Joyner-Kersee, founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. Kimberly Merrill received the Southeast Missouri State University Counselor of the Year award, while four dedicated educators from throughout the region received 2023 Excellence In Education awards. David and Thelma Steward served as Salute to Education co-chairs. (Look for extensive photo coverage in the photo gallery section of stlamerican.com.)
Family
World
and
this year to
The Steward
Foundation,
Wide Technology
The St. Louis American Foundation partnered
present Jackie Joyner-Kersee with the Salute to Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award. Standing left to right: St. Louis American Foundation Board Chair Michael Holmes, David Steward, World Wide Technology, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Thelma Steward, Steward Family Foundation and St. Louis American Foundation Founder Dr. Donald M. Suggs.
Salute to Excellence in Education Lifetime Achiever Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Excellence in Education Awardee, Lieutenant Colonel Nina McLean
Excellence in Education Awardees receive their flowers on stage. Standing left to right: Dr. Mary Hairston, Dr. Latricia Singleton-Clark, Asquith S. “Sean” Armstong
Stellar Performer Awardee Ellicia Lanier receives her award from Foundation Director Raven Whitener
Reverend Terri Swan, Salem United Methodist Church, blesses the meal
SEMO Counselor of the Year
Kimberly Merrill receives award with Valdis Zalite, director of TRIO and Educational Access Programs
Photos by Wiley Price, Lois Ingram Maurice Meredith and Susan Gorman
Michael McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
SIUE students and staff
Salute to Education guests
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Minga Furr, Johnny Furr
Jackie Joyner-Kersee arrives at the 37th annual Salute to Excellence in Education
Robin Boyce, right, and friends
Stellar Performer awardee Ellicia Lanier with St. Louis City Mayor, Tishaura O. Jones
St. Louis American Foundation Board Chair Michael Holmes gives welcome address
Kenya Vaughn, St. Louis American
Salute to Education guest Salute to Education guest Salute to Education guests
Naretha Hopson and Chuck Stewart
Webster University, Dr. Donald M. Suggs scholarship recipient, Jineen Hamdallah (left) and family
Artist, Jasmyn, presents an original painting of Jackie Joyner-Kersee to her after the program
Dick and Josephine Weil and Dr. Donald Suggs
Kamarra Williams
Michelle Sherrod, Drexel Stith and Susan Stith
Dr. Brian Gant, Jennifer Raphaelle Prange, Jaime Peters, Kate Whiting and Maryville
President Mark Lombardi
Maryville University scholarship winners
Linda Steward and Catherine George
Barbara Reed, Dr. Terrence Freeman and Dr. Doris Graham Salute to Education guests
Stellar Performer Ellicia Lanier and her children
Raven Whitener, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dr. Donald M. Suggs
Jackie Joyner-Kersee thanking the American Foundation for her Lifetime Achievement award.
Ellicia Lanier
Robin Shepherd of Bubbling Brown Sugar with the winner of an all-inclusive trip to Costa Rica!
Lieutenant Nina McLean with Raven Whitener
The New Orleans style band
Roy and Brittany Robinson with Pat Smith-Thurman, Danielle Smith and Terri Thurman
Chuck Stewart, Naretha Hopson with Minga and Johnny Furr
Reggie Hill, Jeremiah Dyson, Senya Simmons, and Madison Beckum-Herron
Alvin A. Reid with Dionna Fountain, Noelle Collins
Tim Keane, Elijah Pfingsten, Pratima Khatri, Janeen Handallah, Emery Bass and Vincent Flewellen Dr. Julie Fickas and Nichole Vaughn
SIU-E Chancellor James T. Minor
Harris-Stowe State University President LaTonia Collins-Smith and Amiya Jones
Ellicia Lanier with Raven Whitener
Dr. Mark Lombardi, Jeffery White, Kenneth Cunningham, Zaria Purvey and Skylar Moore
Kamarra Williams and Valdis Zalite
Karen Gordy and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones
Michael and Gail Holmes
Mike Claiborne with Erika and Dr. James T. Minor
The Jazz Edge Band
Dr. Mary Hairston, Dr. Latrecia Singleton-Clark and Asquith S. Armstrong
Family and friends celebrate Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Michelle and Kennard Tucker with Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Dr. Mark Lombardi
Raven Whitener, Kitty Ratcliffe and Michael Holmes
Above: Ellicia Lanier and Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Right: Steve Cousins, James Williams and JohnnyFurr
Wiley Price, James Clark and Tydrell Stevens
Education Salute guests
Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Daniel Kramer of Neiman-Marcus
Ellicia Lanier, Annette Thirdkill, Pastor G.E. Harris and Taylor Simone Harris
Above: Jackie Joyner-Kersee with friends and family
Left: Pete Wyatt, Ron Wilkinson, Johnny Furr and Chuck Stewart