Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis marks record fundraising and historic milestones at 107th Annual Dinner
The occasion reflected on a pivotal year of growth, honored outstanding partners and inspired continued investment in the Urban League's mission to empower communities and change lives.
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Celebrating local champions
Two major awards highlighted the evening's focus on leadership and legacy. Anthony 'Tony' Thompson, founder and CEO of Kwame Building Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact in both business and philanthropy. Thompson built one of the largest African American-owned construction management firms in the country and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through his Kwame Foundation to support scholarships and youth development. His work has left a lasting imprint on the city's civic and economic landscape.
The Corporate Citizen of the Year Award went to Emerson, led by president and CEO Lal Karsanbhai. The company has demonstrated strong corporate responsibility, investing in equity, education and housing initiatives. Its partnership with the Urban League has strengthened efforts to close opportunity gaps and expand services across St. Louis.
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Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
A year of breakthroughs
The 107th Annual Dinner also served as a platform to highlight 2024, a year described by Urban League leadership as the most transformative in its 107-year history. The Urban League scaled up major programs and secured unprecedented investments that expanded its capacity to serve.
Public safety initiatives like Clean Up Build Up, Grill to Glory and Urban Opioid Triage mobilized churches, residents and law enforcement to build trust and reduce violence. Meanwhile, the Reroute program supported individuals in the justice system with mentorship and employment resources.
Workforce development remained central. Save Our Sons and Save Our Sisters trained hundreds of men and women for high-demand careers, while the Energy Sector Training Initiative created job pathways in partnership with local utilities. Additional programs in digital literacy, small business development and Boeing Bootcamps broadened access to opportunity.
A major milestone came when the Centene Corporation donated a $25 million building marking the largest gift in the 115-year history of the National Urban League. Now called the Centene Connected Community, the North County site houses the Urban League's Head Start division and serves as a shared space for nonprofits and entrepreneurs.
The Urban League also broke ground on the Urban League Plaza, a mixed-use campus in the Ferguson-Dellwood corridor designed as a hub for advancement in education, economic opportunity and health.
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A record fundraising night
In addition to celebrating these milestones, the event shattered past fundraising records. It drew strong support from corporate sponsors, philanthropic leaders and individual donors all dedicated to sustaining the Urban League's vital work.
Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, emphasized collective effort in his remarks.
'The Urban League was born out of crisis in 1917, and here we are, 107 years later, still rising to meet every challenge,' McMillan said. 'This work is about more than programs — it's about people. This record-breaking night proves that when the community believes in the mission, we can do extraordinary things together.'
The evening also included program testimonials, a multimedia recap of 2024 and a reminder that the work ahead remains urgent.
Looking ahead
With more than 60 programs and a strong network of partners, the Urban League is set to expand its impact in 2025. As it enters its 108th year, the focus remains on innovation, inclusion and investment in underserved communities.
Sustaining and growing strategic partnerships is essential to that vision. By working with corporate, grassroots and regional collaborators, the Urban League continues to deliver meaningful, lasting solutions.
The 107th Annual Dinner was more than a celebration — it was a powerful reminder of what's possible when equity and leadership unite. With continued support, the Urban League is ready to build on this momentum and drive even greater progress ahead.
The Urban League extends its deepest gratitude to the generous sponsors who made the evening possible. Chairman Sponsors included World Wide Technology, Inc.; the Centene Charitable Foundation; Ameren; Emerson; and the Steward Family Foundation. President Sponsors were Dowd Bennett LLP, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, the William F. Siedhoff Foundation, and Edward Jones. Advocate Sponsors included BJC HealthCare, Clayco, Jeff & Nancy Jensen, and JuVee and Nike.
Thanks to their unwavering support, the Urban League's mission remains not only alive but thriving.
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. provides a roadmap to equality for African Americans and others through partnerships with corporations, community leaders and governmental and civic institutions. Since its founding, the Urban League has continuously worked to diffuse racial tensions and improve living conditions for African Americans in St. Louis. The St. Louis Urban League is the largest in the nation, the first to earn a five-star rating, and one of only two providing services in both Illinois and Missouri. It serves over 200,000 individuals annually through 25 facilities and 65 different programs.
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