Project Profiles

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Collaborated with Anheuser-Busch Executive Vice President Mike Roarty, a professional film producer, and public relations team to produce and air a “Three R’s: Respect, Restraint and Responsibility” national advertising campaign, raising more than $100,000.

Arranged for free advertisements promoting the agency’s Computer Literacy Instruction Program volunteer/member in Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, US News, Money, Business Month, Changing Times, Nation’s Business, Sporting News and Financial World magazines.

Served as official spokesperson and coordinated event-day press conference, attended by St. Louis Rams Owner Georgia Frontierre, to announce the team’s practice site in St. Louis.

Coordinated publicity with the Discovery Travel Channel spotlighting actor/comedian Cedric the Entertainer’s community service work in St. Louis.

Coordinated interviews with NBC “Today Show” Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric spotlighting the organization for its diversity, during their St. Louis visit.

Launched 40th anniversary “Big 40 Campaign” and sold 60,000 specially designed, eight-ounce, commemorative Coca-Cola glass bottles in area Schnuck Markets with Chairman Craig Schnuck.

Selected by KSDK NewsChannel 5 General Manager to attend Oprah Winfrey’s “Live Your Best Life Conference” with Entertainment Tonight host.

FUND RAISING

Chaired and planned Golden Dream fund-raising gala with Boosters Association to support the erection of the James “Cool Papa” multi-purpose, outdoor baseball and football complex, in honor of the first Negro Leaguer inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Organized Mississippi Weekend Community-Wide Festival “I’m Sold on St. Louis…But I’m High on Mississippi, featuring NBC “Today” Weatherman Willard Scott, as honorary chairman, Miss Mississippi, James Meredith and Governor Jim Mavis as keynote speakers.

Arranged the one-and-only reunion of the NBC Amen Series television cast for the 21st Annual “Say Amen” gala: Thelma Gregory (Anna Maria Horsford); Casseita Hetebrink (Barbara Montgomery), Amelia Hetebrink (Roz Ryan) and Deacon Frye himself (Sherman Hemsley), and Rev. Reuben Gregory, himself, Actor Clifton Davis.

Organized fund-raising and promotional campaign led by campaign chairs August A. Busch III and Charles F. Knight, for a 19,000 square-foot expansion wing, featuring six learning classrooms, teaching demonstration kitchen and a gymnasium, named in honor of Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Coordinated Walter Payton Computer Literacy Instruction Program Lab (CLIP) reopening with major 21st Century Technology Initiative funding from “Say Amen” Gala Lead Chairman Andy Taylor of Enterprise Rent-Car.

Launched 40th anniversary “Big 40 Campaign” and sold 60,000 specially designed, eight-ounce, commemorative Coca-Cola glass bottles in area Schnuck Markets with Chairman Craig Schnuck.

Developed “Bring on the Girls’ Millennial Fundraising Campaign, with Headline Sponsor Insituform Technologies, featuring KMOX Wendy Wiese and KPLR Christine Buck as emcees, Robert Grote, Charles “Big Charlie” Ruprecht and Evie Williams and the United Way of Great St. Louis as major donors, to launch the historic name change of a notable nonprofit.

Developed and Coordinated $1.5 million Girls’ Program Millennial Fund-raising Campaign in conjunction with President & CEO, that culminated in an Unveiling Official Name Changing Ceremony & Press Conference for a local organization.

Successfully landed Professional Recording Artist Tyrone Davis to headline the “Turning Point” concert at the Sports & Awards Showcase and established a $100,000 Adopt-A-Team Campaign.

Oversaw fundraising efforts for a $2.3 million restoration that landed a $1 million donation from the Jack Taylor Foundation to paint, repave parking lots, and replace roofs, floor replacements, air conditioning and heating units for a local nonprofit.

Launched $1 million Operational Reserve campaign in memory of Jack Buck with a $500,000 leading pledge celebrated with an on-the-field ceremony at Busch Stadium by Edward Jones Lead Partner Jim Weddle, St. Louis Cardinal’s manager Tony LaRussa, Ameren’s Richard Mark and the organization President, CEO & Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews.

Created the Coca-Cola Classic Golf Tourney with Professional Golfers Calvin Pete and Tom Watson to raise funds for a Summer Youth Day Camp with major support from the Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation.

Initiated and planned “Say Amen” educational banquet, with chairmanship of the Maritz Inc. Chairman, President & CEO Bill Maritz’s and NBC Amen Series star Clifton Davis as the inaugural speaker.

Instituted “The Spirit of St. Louis” Dinner Roast with Marcus Distributing Chairman Nicholas Karakas, raising $1 million, with a major gift from Dana Brown Charitable Trust over a five-year period.

Instituted the “Jack Buck Celebrity Night with the Stars” sports auction in honor of the late Hall of Fame Broadcaster Jack Buck to raise emergency funding for youth recreation and sporting activities.

Founded Sheer Elegance fashion show and luncheon extravaganza and organized a 60-member development to support the girls’ programming efforts, such as academic, community service and extracurricular accomplishments, in conjunction with Famous-Barr and, later, Macy’s. Event grew from a luncheon-styled event to a runway-style fashion gala, to include entertainment, a delectable buffet and reception, with high-level dancing and singing and fashions from New York and abroad.

CORPORATE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Formulated “World’s Largest Classroom concept, featuring Miss America 1990 Debbye Turner, to recruit 200 plus math, reading and language arts tutors to “Stamp Out Illiteracy Through Learning.”

Instituted Alumni Reception & Program with Anheuser-Busch Corporate Headquarters as host-sponsor, featuring veteran KMOX Broadcaster Bill Wilkerson and KTVI Fox2 on-air personality Bonita Cornute.

Initiated “Say Amen” educational banquet, with chairmanship of the Maritz Inc. Chairman, President & CEO Bill Maritz’s and NBC Amen Series star Clifton Davis as the inaugural speaker.

Founded state-of-the-art Computer Literacy Instruction Program (CLIP) and named in honor of Chicago Bears Running Back Walter Payton.

Launched “Maleness to Manhood Mentoring and Career Workshop Series” to building character and leadership skills for young men, ages 12-18, headlined by St. Louis Native & Ebony/Jet Magazine Art Director Raymond Thomas.

Served as co-founder of the city-wide gang-prevention Motivation Vocation Preparation (MVP) Project with Washington University MSW in association with the US Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration.

Wrote Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Grant for a collaborative with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Launched “Safety Weekend for Kids,” City-wide Toll Road Operation with the St. Louis City Fire Department.

Founded “The Sky is the Limit” career-readiness, scholarship and mentorship for middle-to-high-school age young women with Karen Foss as inaugural emcee and Barbara & Reginald Brack, Jr. as supporters.

Launched $1 million Operational Reserve campaign in memory of Jack Buck with a $500,000 leading pledge made Edward Jones Lead Partner Jim Weddle, St. Louis Cardinal’s manager Tony LaRussa, Ameren’s Richard Mark and the organization President, CEO & Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews during an on-the-field ceremony at Busch Stadium.

Established cultural and educational Entourage Program with Actor/Comedian Cedric “The Entertainer” for inner-city youth.

Traveled to R.H. Bearden Elementary in Tallahatchie, Miss., to deliver 500 stuffed book bags to deserving students in HBO’s LaLee Wallace Bookbag Campaign and held a “Rappin’ History” concert by Jamie “King James” Dennis.

Worked with Fox Theatre Owner Mary Strauss to recruit 10 models for the 100 Anniversary Celebration of notable St. Louisan, actor/singer Josephine Baker.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Launched “A Few Good Men” leadership program that evolved into “Maleness to Manhood Workshop Series” character and leadership skills building career and mentorship program for young men, ages 12-18, headlined by Ebony/Jet Magazine Art Director and St. Louis native Raymond Thomas.

Founded Computer Literacy Instruction Program (CLIP) in honor of Chicago Bears Running Back Walter Payton to augment the organization’s tutorial services with corporate MIS to teach students learning the latest in computer technology.

Served as one of three founders/developers of the city-wide gang-prevention Motivation Vocation Preparation (MVP) with a team of Washington University MSW students that earned Certificate of Appreciation from the US Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration.

Founded “The Sky is the Limit” career-readiness, scholarship and mentorship for middle-to-high-school age young women. Since program’s inception, $4,500 has been awarded in scholarships to 450 young women. Local news anchor Karen Foss served as the inaugural emcee, and Barbara Brack, wife of Time Inc. chairman emeritus Reginald Brack, Jr., became first honorary chairwoman. Featured speakers included a Who’s Who of women who’ve made a substantial contribution to society.

ADDED VALUE THROUGH CELEBRITY APPEARANCES

Provided event-day protocol for U. S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans to laud “The Sky is the Limit” career-reading and mentoring programs as a model for the country.

Coordinated protocol of Former U.S. Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and future Secretary of State Colin Powell and U. S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond in a visit to a local organization, to highlight the goals of the “America’s Promise” volunteer initiative.

Formulated the “World’s Largest Classroom concept, featuring Miss America 1990 Debbye Turner, to recruit 200 plus math, reading and language arts tutors for area youth for the Volunteer Tutorial Program, titled “Stamp Out Illiteracy Through Learning via the St. Louis Public Schools and other area districts.

Secured U.S. Deputy Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Alphonso Jackson to deliver the keynote address and for Mayor Francis Slay presents “Key to the City” to Mr. Mathews at the 14th Annual “Say Amen” Gala.

Coordinated event-day protocol and introduced the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden for his announcement of the Missouri Next Generation Jobs Initiative, and arranged for four volunteers to serve as motorcade drivers for the Biden and President Barack Obama’s visit to St. Louis.

Coordinated protocol for the United States Secret Service for Director Ralph Basham to present an outstanding service award to the organization’s President, CEO & Co-Founder Mr. Martin Luther Mathews.

Coordinated event-day protocol and sold 20 tables to the St. Louis American’s “Salute to Excellence in Education,” honoring the President & CEO’s receipt of the “Lifetime Achievement” Award. Type your paragraph here.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Created and chaired Golden Dream Fund-raising gala with Boosters Association to support the erection of a multi-purpose, outdoor baseball and football complex in honor of the first Negro League Hall of Famer, James “Cool Papa” Bell.

Organized three-day Mississippi Weekend Community-Wide Festival “I’m Sold on St. Louis…But I’m High on Mississippi, featuring NBC Today’s Weatherman Willard Scott, as honorary chairman, Miss Mississippi, James Meredith and Governor Jim Mavis.

Instituted “The Spirit of St. Louis Dinner Roast” with Marcus Distributing Chairman Nicholas Karakas, raising $1 million, with a major gift from Dana Brown Charitable Trust over a five-year period.

Instituted the “Jack Buck Celebrity Night with the Stars” sports auction in his honor to raise emergency funding for youth recreational sports.

Founded Sheer Elegance Fashion Show and Luncheon Extravaganza featuring super model Kimora Perkins and organized a 60-member development to support the girls’ programming efforts in conjunction with Famous-Barr and Macy’s.

Organized fund-raising and promotional campaign led by campaign chairs August A. Busch III and Charles F. Knight, for a 19,000 square-foot expansion wing, named in honor of Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Developed “Bring on the $1.5 million Girls’ Millennial Fund-raising Campaign, with Headline Sponsor Insituform Technologies, featuring KMOX Wendy Wiese and KPLR Christine Buck as emcees, culminating in an Unveiling Official Name Changing Ceremony & Press Conference for a local organization.

Successfully landed Professional Recording Artist Tyrone Davis to headline the “Turning Point” Concert at the Sports & Awards Showcase and established a $100,000 Adopt-A-Team Campaign.

TALENT REPRESENTATION

Coordinated protocol for Professional Golfers Calvin Pete and Tom Wats at the inaugurated Coca-Cola Classic Golf Tourney with the Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation.

Handled event-day protocol for United States Vice President Dan Quayle and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in recognition of the St. Louis Internship Program’s expansion in 36 cities.

Provided event-day protocol for U. S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans to laud “The Sky is the Limit” career-reading and mentoring program.

Secured U.S. Deputy Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Alphonso Jackson to deliver the keynote address to promote the “Say Amen” gala.

Worked with Pink Floyd Co-Founder Roger Waters handlers to coordinated special performance of

with 166 youth before an audience of 12,000 cheering fans at the Scottrade Center.

Coordinated event-day protocol and introduced the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden for his announcement of the Missouri Next Generation Jobs Initiative with Governor Jay Nixon.