The Honorable Michael McMillan Chairs The Saint Louis Argus' 100 Year Celebration & Annual Distinguished Citizen Awards Luncheon

            The Honorable Michael McMillan, License Collector of the City of St. Louis and Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board for the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation, will take the reigns of leadership as Chairman of the Saint Louis Argus’ 100 Year Celebration & Annual Distinguished Citizen Awards Luncheon. Each year the celebration focuses on a particular industry or community focus. This year the theme is “Celebrating Men of Achievement.” The event will be held Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Missouri Athletic Club in Downtown St. Louis starting at 11:30 AM.

           This event originated 56 years ago to recognize both blacks and whites who were trying to make St. Louis a better place to live and work. This terrain is familiar to McMillan which prompts him to enthusiastically agree to serve as Chairman of this significant event. McMillan is considered one of the “biggest givers” in the St. Louis community. His support of education and economic empowerment spans over 25 years. “Recognizing others gives me great pride. Recognitions appropriately given are the fuel that encourages people to know they are appreciated, respected and it inspires them to do more to help their communities and to inspire others to do the same, “ says McMillan. 

           Those to be recognized this year are a diverse group on all levels and authentic in their contributions to the community. The honorees this year include: Cbabi Bayoc, Artist; Bernie Hayes, Legendary print and broadcast journalist; Zaki Baruti, President & Governor General, Universal African Peoples Organization; Thomas Irwin, Executive Director, Civic Progress; Chief Preston Bouie, First African American Assistant Fire Chief; Clarence Jackson, President, DDC Advertising & Public Relations; Alfredric Cathion, Educator; Brian K. Leonard, Sr. Business & Community Relations Manager, Ameren Missouri; Philip Deitch and Jesse Swanigan, Co-Chairs, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church and Central Reform Congregation Join Venture Project; Attorney Benjamin A. Lipman, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh L.C.; Wade Mayham, Assistant Principal, Metro Academic Classical High School; David Diener, Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor, U.S. Bank Private Client Research; Adolphus M. Pruitt II, President, St. Louis City NAACP, Rev. Larry Rice, Founder and President, New Life Evangelist Center; Joseph DuBose, President, Royal Vagabonds Foundation; and Halbert Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Father’s Support Center of St. Louis.

           McMillan praises the support of his steering committee for their outstanding commitment and due diligence to ensure the success of this event. Those members include John H. Abram; Dr. Doris Graham; Cheryl Polk; Dawn Fuller; Dr. Celerstine Johnson; and Dr. Katie Harper Wright. Yaphett El-Amin is the President of the Saint Louis Argus Foundation.