Office of the License Collector

According to St. Louis License Collector Michael McMillan, “It was time for the African American Aldermen to be recognized for the countless contributions, billions of development dollars raised and hundreds of legislative Board Bills they have sponsored for the good of all of St. Louis.”

The Office of the License Collector brought Black History Month into the present with a Salute to African American Aldermen currently serving the City of St. Louis and the first African American President of the Board of Aldermen. This occasion marked the first time all of the African American Aldermen had been recognized as a group in City Hall for their collective contributions to the past, present and future of St. Louis. The first African American Alderman held office in 1943.

 

The Office of the License Collector, joined by its community partners Ameren Missouri, St. Louis Community College District, St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation, Advanced Technologies and Solutions and Better Family Life, presented a culturally Afro-centric, historically relevant and noteworthy salute to the City of St. Louis’ African American Aldermen. The event attracted more than 250 community supporters and families of the Aldermen.  The Mistress of Ceremonies was philanthropist and civic advocate, Ida Goodwin Woolfolk.

 

All participating vendors and executive level participants were African American.

Each Alderman received over 20 different gifts and recognitions. The contributing vendors were Michael’s Catering and Country Kitchen; Amber Boykins, Souvenir Customized glasses; Richard Davis Designs, Graphics; Sherri Robins, Dior Designs, Awards; Keith Tyronne Williams, Private Art Collection; Malik and DeBorah Ahmed, Private Art Collection; DeBorah Ahmed, Decorations; Forget Me Not Florist, Gift Basket Arrangements; Afro-World, Afro-centric letter openers, musical instruments, fans and mugs; George Curry’s book: Emerge Magazine Re-prints; Missouri History Museum: Anthologies of Black Writers in St. Louis; and Norman Ross, Historian and Innovator of the 20 Dynasties of Egyptian History displayed on 8-ft. tall by 120-ft. wide Mural.