Congratulations and many thanks to our trailblazers, the very best, the allies, the uplifters, the creators, and the amplifiers. Most are from St. Louis and surrounding communities. All have left a lasting legacy on the African American experience locally, nationally, and internationally.
We also recognize the incredible contributions and influence of The Divine Nine, the African American sororities and fraternities which collectively impacted St. Louis and the entire nation.
*Open Classroom Black History Month Series Presenters 2024
Champions
Alana Marie
Alana Marie is a digital content creator and story strategist helping people and organizations translate their current skillsets into new industries by amplifying their stories and developing authentic connections. She is passionate about highlighting stories of underrepresented people, places, and spaces, and has produced her first feature film, The Kinloch Doc. She has contributed to national publications such as Blavity, XoNecole, and The Root.
Anne Walker
Anne Walker is an arts/activism baby boomer, born in St. Louis (“Show Me”), raised in Brooklyn, IL (slave founded & UGRR village) and lives in East St. Louis, IL. Impacted by the 1917 race riot of East. St. Louis and influenced by the worldwide experiences gained through Katherine Dunham’s mentorship, she is committed to social justice and political change. With the educational toolbox of Communications, Theater/Dance & Public Administration (non-profit development), she has engaged in issues such as civil rights, equity, hunger, and historical reenactments, e.g. establishing the 1917 Riot commemorative Eads Bridge crossings and founding Freedom Trails, Legacies of Hope.
cbabi bayoc
cbabi bayoc, a visual artist and promoter of Black dopeness, is an internationally renowned St. Louis based artist, muralist, and New York Times Best Selling illustrator for “Good Night Racism” authored by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Acrylic paint, a flat brush, and an iPad have become not only his voice but his weapons of choice in battling the ignorance of prejudice and racism by showing the dopeness of Black people.
A recording of cbabi bayoc’s Feb. 5 presentation “Art Is My Voice” is available via the Brown School’s Open Classroom and on youtube here.
Cynthia Williams is the Assistant Dean, Office of Community Partnerships at the Brown School. A native of St. Louis, Williams leads efforts at the Brown School to build and sustain bi-directional and meaningful partnerships with organizations and communities. The goal of these partnerships is to advance social impact, eliminate inequities, and improve the health and wellness of individuals, groups, communities, and neighborhoods. Additionally, Williams serves on the Board of Directors for Delmar DivINe and is the creator and co-chair of the Black History Month Committee, where the focus is on elevating Black voices and stories.
This year, Cynthia Williams received a Drum Major Award from the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Washington University School of Medicine. This award is given to individuals who embody the essence of an upstander — someone who speaks and acts against injustices.
Dalychia Saah
Dalychia Saah is an Assistant Professor of Practice with the Brown School, a writer, and a speaker who facilitates space for people to connect deeply with their desires. She is the co-founder of Afrosexology, a sex education platform that centers the pleasure, empowerment and liberation of Black people. She teaches courses on social theory, social justice, and sexuality education; and she is a sought-after subject-matter expert, facilitator and keynote speaker in media, for conferences, and events. Her work has been featured in many magazines and she has received numerous awards for her advocacy.
Damon Davis is a multi-media artist, musician and filmmaker based in St. Louis, Missouri. His 2014 public art installation “All Hands on Deck” has been collected in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He is also a founder of Far-Fetched, a St. Louis–based artist collective, and co-director of Whose Streets?, a documentary on the Ferguson unrest following police officer Darren Wilson’s fatal shooting of Michael Brown. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017.
As the director of the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2), Darrell Hudson is dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities in health. His extensive career includes research on perceptions of depression and mental health care among African Americans, as well as exploring the relationship between comorbid depression and Type 2 diabetes in various settings. Hudson holds a joint appointment with the Washington University Department of Psychiatry and serves as a faculty scholar with the Institute for Public Health.
Under Hudson’s leadership, CRE2 sponsored a visit from Heather McGhee, a distinguished visiting scholar and New York Times bestselling author, to Washington University on February 1 of this year. McGhee’s book, “The Sum of Us: Moving Beyond the Myth of Equity as a Zero-Sum Game,” delves into the profound costs of racism and anti-Blackness to our nation.
Da’Shaun Scott
Da’Shaun Scott is the Assistant Director for Student Engagement at the Brown School. His career is marked by being a dedicated student affairs professional with a fervent commitment to building inclusive spaces and nurturing supportive environments for all. Da’Shaun’s work goes beyond the traditional boundaries of education, aiming to empower individuals and foster a sense of belonging within the campus community.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Da’Shaun was honored with a nomination for the esteemed 2024 Forbes “30 Under 30 in Education” list. This acknowledgement reflects his innovative approach and tireless efforts to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape. As he continues to strive for excellence, Da’Shaun Scott stands as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of student affairs and higher education.
De Nichols is a User Experience (UX) design researcher and community organizer who mobilizes changemakers to develop creative approaches to social, civic, and racial justice issues across their communities. She is a Lead UX Researcher of YouTube’s Culture Lab, which helps the platform understand the online and off-platform experiences of Creators from historically marginalized communities. She additionally serves as a Core Organizer of the global Design as Protest collective and chairs the Board of Directors of The Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis, MO.
DeBorah Ahmed
In 1983, DeBorah and husband Malik co-founded Better Family Life, Inc. Ahmed holds an M.S. in Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Grinnell College, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work at Saint Louis University. Ahmed’s dissertation will address the influence that racial knowledge and understanding has on the personal agency and self-efficacy of adult Afrikan Americans. The expected completion date is spring of 2025.
DeBorah D. Ahmed Open Classroom | Creative Energy: A Tool for Change? Tuesday, February 6, 2024 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CT A panel discussion with Deborah Ahmed with dancer and journalist Malena Amusa, spoken word artist Dacia “InnerGy” Polk, and thespian and organizer Serroge Watt Free.
Donna Burch is a professional photographer, videographer, creative mentor, and visual storyteller. Her photography runs the gamut, but she has garnered the most acclaim for her series on Black Fathers, her photojournalistic profile “Ain’t I a Woman”, and her latest artistic depiction of the Advent calendar. Donna is also the mother of St. Louis-born San Francisco-based muralist and artist Christopher Burch.
Born in St. Louis and a graduate of Vashon High in 1963, Donny Hathaway wasn’t just a soulful singer. He was already an accomplished producer, composer, and musician when he released his breakout album “Everything Is Everything” in 1970, featuring the R&B hit “The Ghetto.” Over the next three years, Hathaway delivered two more exceptional studio albums, a live recording, and the collaborative masterpiece “Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway.” Their frequent collaborations produced two Top 10 hits, the Grammy-winning “Where Is the Love” (1972) and the enduring classic “The Closer I Get to You” (1978). He also wrote and recorded the enduring R&B holiday classic “This Christmas” (1970). Despite a relatively short recording career tragically cut short by mental illness, Donny Hathaway’s influence on soul, R&B, and even pop music remains immense, resonating with generations of fans and musicians alike. Donny Hathaway left us in 1979 after an 8-year battle with paranoid schizophrenia. He was 33 years old.
“There’s nothing you can teach me, that I can’t learn from Mr. Hathaway.” — Amy Winehouse
Dean Dorian Traube is the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School and a professor. Traube developed Parents as Teachers@USC Telehealth, the first partnership of its kind between a national home visitation model and a university-based telehealth clinic. In doing so, she also established the first virtual home visitation program, offering a reliable home visitation model via video conferencing technology.
Traube earned her bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and her master and doctoral degrees in social work from Columbia University.
Edna J. Patterson Petty, a lifelong resident of East St. Louis, Illinois, is an accomplished artist holding a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Art Therapy, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SIU-Edwardsville. Edna’s artistic journey is propelled by a profound belief in her art as divinely inspired. With the unwavering support of her husband, she has crafted exquisite art quilts showcased in books, catalogs, and galleries worldwide since the 1980s. These quilts, which incorporate found objects and photo transfers, serve as a testament to her bold artistic vision. Through solo exhibitions and group shows, Edna’s unwavering dedication and captivating art have left an indelible mark on the world, proving that creativity knows no bounds.
Her artwork is featured as part of the Art in Embassies program, further extending the reach of her impactful and inspiring creations.
Dr. Erica Bumpers is the managing director of the Brown School’s Race and Opportunity Lab. She oversees people operations, HomeGrown StL Campaign, and works directly with and supports the principal director to execute strategic implementation and growth of HomeGrown StL. She is passionate about making a difference in youth development, bringing an awareness that engages them with intellectual development, character building, self-confidence, and skills needed to grow into productive, civic-minded, and responsible citizens of society.
Artist Faye Dant is founder and director of Jim’s Journey, a museum dedicated to the African-American experience in and around Hannibal, Missouri. Thanks to Dant’s efforts, plans for a large mural depicting Huck Finn were revised to include a portrayal of Jim, based on the actual enslaved resident of Hannibal named Daniel Quarles, whom Mark Twain used as inspiration for the character. This representation was significant for Dant and the small Black community of Hannibal, leading to meaningful change in the rural area. Dant’s artwork is showcased at Jim’s Journey and has been exhibited in galleries and shows across Missouri and Illinois, including Chicago, St. Louis, and East St. Louis. Additionally, Dant engages in educational storytelling at schools, churches, community events, libraries, and at other museums. A former Missouri Humanities Council board member, Ms. Dant currently serves on the boards of the Missouri Association of Museums and Archives, Marion County Historical Society, the Grants Panel for the Missouri Folk Arts Council, and the NEA Our Town Grants Panel.
In 1838, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland and found refuge in New York. Three years later, at the age of 23, he sat for his first photographic portrait. This marked the beginning of a lifelong engagement with the medium. Douglass became the most photographed man in 19th-century America, amassing over 160 images, a rarity for his time.
Recognizing photography’s power, Douglass used it to challenge slavery and racism, and counter harmful stereotypes of blackness. In his 1861 lecture, “Pictures and Progress,” Douglass stated, “Men of all conditions and classes can now see themselves as others see them—and as they will be seen by those who come after them.”
Douglass died in 1895 at age 77 from a heart attack. His legacy as a passionate advocate for equality, coupled with his strategic use of photography for protest, continues to inspire generations in the digital age.
Gwen Moore
Gwen Moore is a historian and curator of Urban Landscape and Community Identity at the Missouri Historical Museum. She preserves, assembles, and tells stories that go untold in the St. Louis area. Her exhibit, #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis, is one of those stories that showcases how free Blacks and whites in St. Louis played a pivotal role in civil rights since 1819. She is working on an exhibit that will address why St. Louis is one of the most segregated cities in America. She is inspired by a quote from W.E.B. Dubois, “Black institutions are a source of strength. We cannot be afraid of our history.”
Heather McGhee
Heather McGhee is a national thought leader dedicated to equity. Over her career in public policy, she has crafted legislation, testified before Congress, and helped shape presidential campaign platforms. Her book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, spent 10 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was longlisted for the National Book Award and Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. The New York Times called it, “The book that should change how progressives talk about race.” and the Chicago Tribune said, “Required reading to move the country forward…”
McGhee implores the reader to reframe equity, moving away from a “zero sum” mindset to an inclusive perspective in which everyone can thrive.
A recording of Heather McGhee‘s February 1 presentation, “The Sum of Us: Moving Beyond the Myth of Equity as a Zero-Sum Game” is available via on Vimeo here.
Henry Eugene Hampton Jr. was an American documentary filmmaker known for his groundbreaking work in creating documentaries that focused on civil rights, social justice, and African-American history. He was born on January 8, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri, raised in Richmond Heights, and graduated from Washington University in 1961.
Hampton’s most notable achievement is his documentary “Eyes on the Prize,” which first aired in 1987. The critically acclaimed series was recognized with numerous awards including six Emmys for its comprehensive exploration of key events and figures in the struggle for civil rights.
Aside from “Eyes on the Prize,” Hampton’s filmography includes “The Great Depression,” “America’s War on Poverty,” and “I’ll Make Me a World: A Century of African-American Arts.” Through his works, Hampton shed light on overlooked aspects of American history and aimed to promote understanding and social change.
Henry Hampton passed away at the age of 58 due to complications of post-polio and lung disease on November 22, 1998. Upon his death, Washington University Libraries preserved the Henry Hampton Collection for educational and scholarly use by students, faculty, and filmmakers as well as by institutions and individuals in the surrounding community and beyond.
Jack Kirkland of the Brown School is a prominent scholar with a global reputation for his expertise in African American family dynamics, as well as social and economic development. His involvement as an activist and strategist in the Civil Rights Movement has shaped his career, leading him to assume various public service and elected positions. In his teaching, Kirkland delves into topics such as community work, group relations, international social development, racism, social planning, and urban environments. Notably, he conducts a field-based summer course titled “Poverty – The Impact of Institutionalized Racism,” which exposes students to the challenges faced by the community of East St. Louis and equips them with the skills to devise policies to counteract deliberate urban decay and poverty. Presently, Kirkland holds the role of social economic developer at The Helping Village in East St. Louis and has spearheaded workshops on African-American culture for educators nationwide, aiming to enhance multicultural classroom settings. His contributions have garnered several accolades, including a National Service Award from the National Association of Home and Services for Children, a Spirit of Crazy Horse award from the Black Hills Seminars, and the Distinguished Faculty Alumni Award from the Brown School, with his inclusion in the Library of Congress in 2014 further underlining his impact.
James Hemings
James Hemings, born into slavery in 1765, emerged as a pivotal figure in American cuisine. Trained in Paris, he served as head chef for Thomas Jefferson, preparing exquisite meals for prominent figures in Paris and at Monticello. Hemings’ culinary repertoire, heavily influenced by French techniques, introduced iconic dishes like macaroni and cheese, vanilla ice cream, and crème brûlée to American palates.
Despite his talent and contributions, Hemings remained enslaved for most of his life. He eventually negotiated his freedom from Jefferson on February 5, 1796, at the age of 30, but died by suicide six years later. Heming’s influence and legacy on American culinary history serves as a reminder of the overlooked contributions of enslaved cooks and bakers to American culture and society.
Jason Newland MD MEd
Dr. Jason Newland, professor of pediatrics, infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has been at the forefront of research on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for children. Dr. Newland’s work is focused on the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs in children’s hospitals. His team has developed a large national collaborative of stewardship programs, SHARPS, dedicated to the appropriate use of antibiotics for hospitalized children. This network is working to demonstrate the importance and needed research to improve antimicrobial use.
Jewel D. Stafford serves as the director of the Racial Equity Fellowship Program in the Office of Field Education. She has more than 15 years of practice and research experience working with diverse communities. Her career has focused on training, research coordination, and program planning. Stafford has managed and implemented community-based initiatives that address racial inequities, promote partnerships and improve health outcomes.
Josephine Baker, born June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, was an internationally renowned entertainer, French Resistance agent, freemason, and civil rights activist. While her career primarily flourished in Europe, particularly in her adopted France, her impact extended far beyond. In 1927, she broke ground as the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture, the silent film “Siren of the Tropics.” Baker’s fervent belief in racial equality led Coretta Scott King to approach her about taking over the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. However, Baker declined, prioritizing her young children who she felt were “too young to lose their mother.” Despite facing financial difficulties leading to the sale of her French estate in 1968, Baker found support in an unlikely source: fellow entertainer and Princess Grace of Monaco. Grace Kelly offered Baker a home for life, enabling her to continue performing occasionally until her passing in 1975, tragically coinciding with the 50th anniversary of her Parisian debut.
Katherine Dunham
Katherine Mary Dunham (also known as Kaye Dunn) was a powerhouse of talent, defying boundaries as an African-American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, author, educator, and activist. Her impact on 20th-century dance, both African-American and European, is undeniable, earning her the title “matriarch and queen mother of Black dance.”
Dunham’s influence extended beyond the stage. In Hollywood, she refused to compromise her artistic integrity, rejecting a lucrative contract that demanded she fire her darker-skinned dancers. Her 1951 performance of “Southland,” a powerful dance depicting a lynching, challenged the State Department’s expectations of a goodwill ambassador but resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. In 1950, her refusal of unequal treatment in Brazil led to a change in the country’s laws, making racial discrimination in public spaces a felony.
After her performing career, Dunham’s dedication to community continued. In 1968, she moved to East St. Louis, becoming an artist-in-residence at Southern Illinois University. Her free public classes at the Katherine Dunham Center provided a safe haven for many and left a lasting cultural legacy of the arts and humanities in the region.
Dunham’s life and work stand as a testament to artistic excellence, unwavering social justice, and the transformative power of dance. She passed away peacefully in 2006, one month shy of 97, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Hailing from St. Louis, MO, KVtheWriter is a rapper and songwriter with a sound that can’t be associated with just one genre. Describing herself as a “writer turned artist,” KV quickly made a name for herself in the St. Louis rap scene after the release of her debut EP and sold out headlining show “Love Sucks!” in 2019. KV describes her artistic success as “a gift from her giants in the sky.” KVtheWriter started writing as a way to cope with the loss of her father to gun violence in June 2010. After losing her older brother, well known visual artist Tyrell “Rell Finesse” Thompson, to the same fate in June 2016, she turned to make her longtime dream of being an artist a reality.
See a recording of KVtheWriter’s free Open Classroom Black History Month Series presentation:
Lezley McSpadden, forever in the heart of the Black Lives Matter movement, is the mother of Michael Brown whose fatal encounter with Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in 2014 sparked protests worldwide. Rising from unimaginable grief, she channeled her pain into advocacy, founding The Michael O.D. Brown We Love Our Sons & Daughters Foundation. This organization strives for justice, fosters better health and education, and bolsters families. Notably, McSpadden established Rainbow of Mothers, a beacon of support for mothers who have endured the agonizing loss of a child. Now residing in St. Louis with her family, she’s woven a remarkable tapestry of resilience: earning her high school diploma, launching a political bid, and co-authoring the powerful memoir Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil.
MK Stallings wears many hats: educator, poet, skilled event planner, and tireless community arts administrator. For the past 15 years, his expertise has graced high-attendance events for non-profit organizations, universities, and cultural institutions. Beyond the professional realm, he fosters creativity through workshops for both youth and adults, and even shares his sociological knowledge as an adjunct teacher.
But his dedication extends far beyond the demands of employment. He finds immense satisfaction in serving a non-profit organization that empowers community artists and mentors young minds.
See a recording of MK Stallings’s free Open classroom Black History Month Series presentation:
Maxi Glamour is a non-binary artist who utilizes drag, music, spoken word, and multimedia to express both creativity and activism. This St. Louis native and powerful Black Queer voice has gained recognition for political engagement and artistic flair.
Glamour’s commitment to queer rights and representation extends beyond the stage. They actively participate in protests and organize initiatives raising awareness of Black Lives, queer rights, and community initiatives. This activism stems from a transformative experience in 2007 when they faced their fears by canvassing for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in rural Missouri. This experience instilled in them the importance of courage and being a positive role model.
Debuting internationally on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula in 2019, Glamour became the first reality show drag contestant from St. Louis. They use their platform to promote literacy and imagination by reading at libraries. As a classically trained musician, they sometimes incorporate flute performances into their repertoire. Drawing inspiration from the early 20th century Dada movement, Glamour’s self-proclaimed “Modernadada” style offers a unique perspective, philosophy, and inspiration.
Maya Angelou, born in St. Louis as Marguerite Johnson, was an influential American memoirist, poet, civil rights activist, and educator. Following a sexual assault in childhood and the beating death of her attacker, Angelou was sent to live in Arkansas where a teacher helped her to overcome her traumatic selective mutism. Angelou authored seven autobiographies, including the renowned “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” in 1969. Her extensive body of work extended to plays, essays, and screenplays. Angelou was a dedicated civil rights activist, collaborating with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her autobiographies — characterized by their unfiltered honesty and exploration of racism, sexism, and resilience — became literary classics and inspired countless readers. Her poetry, known for lyrical beauty and powerful themes of hope, strength, and resilience, resonated worldwide. Angelou’s talents extended beyond writing, as she also excelled as an actress and singer in plays, films, and television shows. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Book Award. Even after her passing, Angelou’s legacy continues to inspire generations of writers, activists, and individuals facing adversity including poet Amanda Gorman who read at the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden. Maya Anelou joined with the ancestors on May 20, 2014 at the age of 86.
Miles Dewey Davis III was a trumpet virtuoso, a visionary bandleader, and a prolific composer who left an indelible mark on the world of jazz and 20th-century music. Born in Alton, Illinois, and raised in East St. Louis, Davis’s musical journey spanned five decades, during which he embraced a kaleidoscope of musical styles, from bebop to cool jazz, fusion, and beyond.
Davis’s genius lay in his constant evolution. He assembled and nurtured bands that became breeding grounds for some of jazz’s most iconic figures, including John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. Each era of his music reflected his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.
Beyond music, Davis was also a talented painter whose works were exhibited in galleries across America and Europe. His artistic pursuits mirrored his musical ones, showcasing a deep well of creativity and a restless spirit that refused to be confined.
In 1991, at the age of 65, Davis succumbed to the combined effects of stroke, pneumonia, and respiratory failure. Yet, his legacy lives on in the countless musicians he inspired and the timeless music he left behind.
Born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, but better known by his stage name Nelly, the American rapper, singer, and actor hails from the St. Louis suburb of University City. Launching his musical career in 1993 as part of the Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics, Nelly later turned his hometown into a platform for giving back.
In 2006, he established the “White and Black Ball” in St. Louis, an annual fundraiser for scholarships. This dedication to education has translated into sending two students to college every year for over a decade. He further bolstered this commitment by creating a scholarship fund honoring Michael Brown after his tragic shooting.
Nelly’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond St. Louis. In 2010, he embraced Do Something’s “Tackle Hunger” campaign, challenging teens to collect one million pounds of food for the holiday season through a public service announcement.
Paul Revere Williams stands out as a pioneering African American architect who shaped the iconic Los Angeles Modernist architecture style. Despite encountering racial discrimination in his nearly six-decade-long career, William’s portfolio boasted more than 2.000 buildings. Architecturally significant projects and collaborations include the Beverly Hills Hotel, LAX, the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. Shrine Auditorium, and residences for notable figures like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball. Williams was the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and he was posthumously honored with the prestigious AIA Gold Medal in 2017.
As the leading architect of Palm Springs, California, Williams pioneered the aesthetic that has characterized the desert town for 100 years. His remarkable talent included the ability to sketch detailed plans upside down — a skill born out of the discomfort white clients felt sitting on the same side of the table with him. Sadly, Williams himself was often barred from entering the very buildings he designed due to racial segregation.
Nevertheless, his architectural legacy profoundly impacted Los Angeles and beyond, transcending racial barriers and promoting excellence in design. Williams died from complications of diabetes at the age of 85 in 1980.
Robert McFerrin, Sr.
Renowned opera singer Robert McFerrin, Sr., a St. Louis native, is best remembered for his exceptional vocal contributions to the 1959 film “Porgy and Bess” which starred Sidney Poitier. Born in Marianna, Arkansas in 1921, McFerrin moved to St. Louis to attend Sumner High School, where he joined the choir and impressed director Wirt Walton, who became his private vocal instructor. McFerrin held his first solo recital to raise funds to attend at Fisk University. After his freshman year, he transferred on a scholarship to Chicago Musical College where he graduated in 1948.
McFerrin became the first black man to sing solo on the Metropolitan Opera stage, just three weeks after Marian Anderson’s groundbreaking performance in 1955. Over the next three years, he performed various roles at the Met, eventually leaving in 1958 to pursue opportunities in Hollywood.
After leaving Hollywood, McFerrin returned to St. Louis. Despite suffering a stroke in 1989, McFerrin continued to tour and perform until 1998. His son, Bobby McFerrin, is a Grammy-winning artist, and his daughter, Brenda McFerrin, is also a recording artist. was enshrined on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2004.
McFerrin passed away in 2006 at the age of 85.
Ron Himes
VisionaryRon Himes founded The St. Louis Black Repertory Company in 1976 while pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Washington University. As the founder and producing director of The Black Rep, Ron has left an indelible mark, having produced and directed over 200 plays, including the entire repertoire of “Fences” playwright August Wilson’s ten masterpieces. Himes’s commitment to showcasing the work of Black playwrights is unwavering, focusing on producing, reimagining, and commissioning their creations. Ron’s vision aims to elevate social, cultural, and educational awareness within the community. The Black Rep stands as a beacon for new voices in theater, providing a stage for emerging talents. Under Ron’s guidance, The Black Rep’s season, from September to May, consistently delivers compelling theater experiences, making it a vital cultural institution in St. Louis and nationally.
Scott Joplin was a composer and pianist who lived at 2658 Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions and was dubbed the King of Ragtime. During his brief career, he wrote over 100 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the “Maple Leaf Rag”, became ragtime’s first and most influential hit, and has been recognized as the archetypal rag.
Joplin died penniless from the effects of syphilis at age 48 in 1917. Decades later, his song “The Entertainer” won an Oscar in 1974. This created a revival of interest in Joplin’s life and music. In that same year, his grave in New York was marked with a headstone.
Vetta Sanders Thompson
Vetta Sanders Thompson is an E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity and the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of diverse communities, particularly the African-American community. In May 2022, she was named the inaugural Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Siteman Cancer Center.
Weedie Braimah, born in Ghana and raised in East St. Louis with ties to New Orleans, is a prominent figure in Djembe music. Introduced to West African culture at a young age, he began performing at 2 and has since dedicated his life to studying African folklore and cultural music. As a Grammy-nominated Djembefola, Braimah collaborates with artists like Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Baaba Maal, Trombone Shorty, and Bokante. Leading his own band, Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time, he aims to showcase percussion as a front-facing element in diaspora music, emphasizing the importance of West African music as the essential root of Jazz, funk, fusion, global music, and hip-hop.
In St. Louis, the organizations known collectively as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) or the “Divine Nine” function as city-wide chapters. Historically, each of these organizations was established with unique core values and principles but share a common goal, that is, for the betterment of the African American community, raising awareness of racial inequities and disparities, social change and shaping the political landscape of their cities. We celebrate the ongoing contributions, i.e., countless hours of service, scholarships, and extraordinary leadership that these organizations have contributed to the health and wellbeing of communities in St. Louis, across the region and around the world. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity – Founded 1906, Cornell University Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Founded 1908, Howard University Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Founded 1911, Indiana University Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Founded 1911, Howard University Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Founded 1913, Howard University Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Founded 1914, Howard University Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Founded 1920, Howard University Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Founded 1922, Butler University Iota Phi Theta Fraternity – Founded 1963, Morgan State University
