Jackie Joyner-Kersee has been on the global stage for more than 40 years. She has been honored and celebrated – and bestowed with some of the most distinguished awards that the athletic and humanitarian spheres have to offer.
As she sat at her table in the main banquet hall of America’s Center waiting to be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 37th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, the joy she exuded filled the entire room. Her excitement level was more like someone receiving their first award ever.
She began her remarks with a deep breath. “Thank you from the depths of my soul,” as she released the air from her lungs. Even before she took the podium to give thanks, there was a permanent expression of gratitude on her face and in her body language. The most inspiring thing about her presence Saturday evening was how she fervently cheered for her fellow honorees and the scholarship recipients.
When it was announced that the evening’s total in scholarship awards given exceeded $2.3 million, her eyes widened – and her already thousand-watts smile seemed to elevate to 10,000.
“Jackie has been an inspiring leader,” Webster University Chancellor Tim Keane said during the school’s scholarship presentation of the latest cohort of Suggs Scholars for the school. He added that having her as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient made the moment even more special. “Her commitment to education and community development is unmatched.”
She showcased her East St. Louis pride when Excellence in Education awardee Dr. Latricia Singleton-Clark mentioned that she graduated in the final class of Lincoln
High School, Joyner-Kersee’s alma mater. And when 2024 Stellar Performer in Education honoree Ellicia Lanier talked about “The Wiz” being her favorite movie and pointed out the inspiring symbolism from the film, Joyner-Kersee lit up with laughter.
“’The Wiz’ might seem like a lighthearted movie, but it contains many valuable lessons for leaders,” Lanier said. “Lessons like believing in yourself and your vision, growing a strong team, taking risks, communicating clearly and leading with love and compassion.”
As the night continued, Joyner-Kersee was the personification of the first line of Pastor Rick Warren’s best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life,” which reads,
“It’s not about you.”
Paying education forward
The same could be said for all of the honorees, as well as the nearly 40 sponsors who helped make this year’s Education Salute possible – including title sponsors World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation. David and Thelma Steward served as co-chairs for this year’s Education Salute.
“Tonight, we honor some of the community’s most dedicated and accomplished educators – who instill a love of learning in our students,” said master of ceremonies and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO
Michael P. McMillan. Along with Joyner-Kersee, Lanier and Singleton-Clark, this year’s recipients included Asquith S. “Sean” Armstrong, Dr. Mary Hairston, Lt. Colonel Nina McLean and SEMO Counselor of the Year Kimberly Merrill.
“We’re also here to award scholarships to many high achieving students with financial support to reach their higher education goals,” McMillan said. A total of 18 students became Dr. Donald M. Suggs scholarship recipients at Harris-Stowe
State University, Maryville University, Southeast Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Webster University and Washington University St. Louis.
Dr. Mark Lombardi, President of Maryville University, leaned on the wisdom of an iconic Black thought leader and educator as he presented his institution’s Suggs Scholars.
“Dr. W.E.B DuBois said, ‘If America doesn’t destroy ignorance, ignorance will destroy America,’” Lombardi said. “America is on the frontlines of that fight, right here in Missouri. And we have to continue that fight with the amazing young people you are seeing tonight.”
McMillan not only spoke about the $17 million awarded since the event’s inception, but pointed out that the Education Salute can be used as a counter narrative with respect to the educators within the region.
“Don’t let anybody from outside of this city come here and tell you that we don’t
have great educators and that we have a talent problem in St. Louis,” said McMillan. “We have some amazing educators who are working hard every day for the benefit of our students. They are largely unsung community heroes who meet the challenges of teaching and making a positive difference in the lives of our young people.”
Fighting for the future
Lanier, Founder and Executive Director of Urban Sprouts Child Development Center, is proof that the power and agency offered through education can reap generational rewards. She was forced to leave high school to support the family when her mother became ill, and passed away.
“It’s unbelievable how God will give you back what most people thought was stolen from you,” Lanier said. “When I had to give up education to care for my mom, that was a hard choice to make.”
Her destiny was delayed, but not denied. Lanier ascended from getting her GED to serving as an adjunct professor for St. Louis Community College. Urban Sprouts, the learning center she founded 15 years ago, is now a leading early childhood education provider. Lanier was particularly moved by the scholarship distribution portion of the program.
“Education is so important, and for folks like me, education was something that we had to fight for,” Lanier said. “Tonight, we gave children the opportunity to take a deep breath and not have to fight as hard.”
Joyner-Kersee and Lanier have common threads within the challenges of their respective origin stories. Lanier was a teen parent. Joyner-Kersee was the product of teen parents. Al Joyner, Sr. and Mary Joyner were 16 and 14 when Joyner- Kersee’s older brother, and fellow Olympic Gold medalist, Al Joyner was born.
“My mother wasn’t able to finish high school, but she told me education was the key,” Joyner-Kersee said. “She didn’t care what I was doing athletically. She said she wanted me to get an education and a job – and pay her 10 percent of the money that I earned.”
Joyner-Kersee did more than have a successful career. She answered a call. Her Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation is on the cusp of 25 years of service.
“We were proud of her when she became an Olympian, and we were proud of her when she took her skills, her talent and her connections and brought it back home to the community,” said Reginald Hudlin, Academy Award nominated filmmaker and fellow East St. Louis native, in a special video tribute to Joyner-Kersee. “She’s an extraordinary role model. She’s a hero. I’m glad to be able to brag that I’m from her hometown.”
“When you honor me, you honor my city, East St. Louis,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I was told that nothing good comes out of the community of East St. Louis, but I ammhere to tell you that God is always shining down on us. We are transforming lives and pouring into young people and families. Come and see what we are doing, because it is an oasis over there.”
Along with her invitation, Joyner-Kersee issued a call to action.
“We have to continue to pour into these young people,” Joyner-Kersee said. “Celebrate tonight, but know that the work is just beginning.”
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