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Thanks to your generous support, we raised over $143,000 to further FOCUS' work of developing leadership and civic engagement for a stronger region. The event sold out with 693 citizens registered to attend and celebrate this year’s outstanding honorees.
2013 Leadership Award honoree Frankie Muse Freeman received three standing ovations during her acceptance, and called upon all citizens to appreciate all we have accomplished, but recognize there is more work to be done. Thanks to our event co-chairs: Virginia McDowell, President & CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., and Rakesh Sachdev, President & CEO, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. Many thanks to Robin Smith of KMOV Channel 4 for hosting WRWR again this year. We appreciate their time and generous support of this event! Thank you to our lead sponsors, Edward Jones, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Monsanto Company and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, and our Underwriters, Paradowski Creative, Thompson Coburn LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors. A special thanks to our media partners KMOV Channel 4, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and St. Louis Public Radio for helping us gather nominations and spread the word. We could not have done this without you! Start thinking now about who you want to nominate for the 2014 What's Right with the Region! awards. We will begin accepting nominations in the fall. Congratulations to all honorees, and thanks to everyone involved for an uplifting and inspiring event.
Left to right: Rakesh Sachdev, President & CEO, Sigma-Aldrich, Virginia McDowell, President & CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Frankie Muse Freeman, FOCUS Executive Director, Christine Chadwick, FOCUS Board of Directors President, Kathy Reeves
Christine Chadwick speaks to a sold-out crowd at the Sheldon Concert Hall
2013 Leadership Award Honoree and civil rights hero Frankie Muse Freeman received three standing ovations and energized the crowd with her call to action.
Check out more photos from this year's event at Blacktie.
Demonstrating Innovative Solutions Brittany Woods Community School Initiative Institute for Family Medicine Madison County Transit Trails The SPOT World Chess Hall of Fame & Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
Fostering Regional Cooperation Accelerate St. Louis Community Council of St. Charles County Nine Network of Public Media – KETC Poplar Street Bridge Project RBC Young Professionals Network
Improving Racial Equality & Social Justice The BEACON Project. Saint Louis Effort for AIDS The Bosnia Memory Project Latino Leadership Institute NAACP – St. Louis City Shearwater Education Foundation
Promoting Stronger Communities The Bridge Lift for Life Gym Sebrina Johnson The St. Louis Children’s Choirs University City Children’s Center
2013 Leadership Award Honoree Frankie Muse Freeman
The board of directors have selected Frankie Muse Freeman to receive the 2013 Leadership Award. Ms. Freeman is a St. Louis Attorney, Civil Rights Activist, NAACP 2011 Spingarn Medalist, and 2011 St. Louis Citizen of the Year.
FOCUS’ prestigious Leadership Award is presented to someone in our region whose personal example of committed and courageous leadership serves as an effective agent for change.
Special thanks to our event co-chairs:
Virginia McDowell, President & CEO, Isle of Capri, Inc.
Rakesh Sachdev, President & CEO, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Underwriters
Ameren Missouri
Ascension Health
Bank of America
BJC Healthcare
Centene Corporation
Charter Communications
Commerce Bank
Coventry Health Care of Missouri
Deaconess Foundation
Maritz
Missouri Foundation for Health
Peabody Energy
SSM Health Care - St. Louis
Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
Webster University
Acropolis Investment Management, LLC
Development Strategies, Inc.
Fox Family Foundation
HOK
Lashly & Baer, P.C.
McCormack Baron Salazar
St. Louis Community College
TricorBraun
U.S. Bank
Washington University
Mulligan Printing
Penguin America, Inc.
Purina
Russo's Catering Company
St. Louis Presort
Tiffany & Co.
More Information
For more information or any questions regarding What's Right with the Region! awards, please contact Felicia Pulliam at (314) 622-1250 ext. 119 or feliciap@focus-stl.org.