On May 11, 2023, FOCUS St. Louis, the region’s premier leadership organization, will honor 20 individuals, organizations, and initiatives making a difference at the 26th 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.
Angels’ Arms
Arriel Biggs, Founder, Young Biz Kidz
Keyway: Center for Diversion and Reentry
National Blues Museum
Enhancing Regional Prosperity
Honorees are dedicated to the growth of the region and building a stronger workforce and economy for the benefit of all.
Ava’s Grace Scholarship, a program of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
Build Back Better Regional Collaboration on Advanced Manufacturing, led by Greater St. Louis, Inc. and St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
Building Union Diversity, a program of the Missouri Works Initiative
Save Our Sons, a workforce development program of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
Improving Equity and Inclusion
Honorees have shown a commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion and opportunity for all.
Black Girls Do STEM
Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School
Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA)
Flance Early Learning Center
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.
Girls on the Run St. Louis
Kendall and Wyvetta Granger
I Define Me Movement
Nicole Nelson, Founder, Equity Legal Services
Emerging Initiatives
Honorees are promising new businesses, organizations or initiatives that are already serving as catalysts for change.
GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness
Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund
Tap In Center
The Believe Projects
FOCUS will also present the Leadership Award to The Steward Family and the Emerging Alumni Award to Vin Ko (Emerging Leaders 2015), Director of Team Operations for St. Louis CITY SC.
All in the community are invited to help recognize these outstanding leaders at the 26th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration.
When: Thursday, May 11, 2023 – 5 p.m. Reception; 6:30 p.m. Awards Presentation
Where: The Sheldon
Tickets on sale now!
This year’s What’s Right with the Region Co-Chairs are:
Dr. Kristin Sobolik Steve Smith
Chancellor Founder & CEO
University of Missouri-St. Louis New + Found
The event Leadership Sponsors are Bayer, New + Found, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Media Partners are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Public Radio. View all sponsors here.
Funds raised from this event support the work of FOCUS St. Louis in developing leaders and building strong civic capacity.