Fourth Annual A Night With the Stars Event Honors Direct Service Providers in Biggest Celebration of the Year
The Community Impact Network (Network) hosted its fourth annual “A Night With The Stars” Celebration on December 12, 2025, where a record number of nominees and guests gathered to celebrate generational growth.
A record-breaking 71 individuals were nominated across four newly named categories, beating last year’s record of 47. Over 250 attendees and nominees descended upon the St. Louis Marriott Grand Hotel, where they joined the Network to honor the direct service providers and individuals who make a difference in the 24:1 community day in and day out.
Emmy-award winner and KMOV Channel 4 Anchor Damon Arnold returned as the emcee. Sharing his own story about being homeless, Damon said he would not have been able to be the first in his family to graduate from college had it not been for his community. “My teachers who were with me, my social workers, all invested time in me, and it was my community that rallied behind me because I had never seen it be done before,” Arnold said.
Network CEO and President Neosha Franklin shared that A Night With the Stars is special because it is a night to celebrate the people who bring the Network’s mission to life and an opportunity to be in community with one another. The theme for this year’s celebration was Celebrating Generational Growth, a vision for a thriving community where every generation is supported, connected and empowered.
“As a Network, we are not only in service to those we serve; we’re also in service to each other. And tonight is about honoring every one of you,” said Franklin during the event. “Celebrating Generational Growth, is a powerful reminder that what we build today isn’t just for us, it’s for the generations that follow, and a tribute to the legacy of generations that paved the way.”
Miranda Walker-Jones, CEO of the Little Bit Foundation, who served as the keynote speaker, shared her experiences and expressed how generational growth plays a vital role in every stage of life.
The evening also featured fantastic performances from violinist Bell Darris, who provided both new and classical tunes during the cocktail hour and dinner.
A total of 17 recipients received awards. For the complete list of our award recipients, please see below. All photos by Phillip Hamer Photography.
Community Collaboration Award Recipients
Brittany Mischeaux is the Community Liaison at Urban Sprouts Child Development Center. She works tirelessly to support families and early childhood educators in the 24:1. The community knows that she is always one call away and will do her best to assist any way she can.
Dr. Kynedra Ogunnaike is the Senior Counselor at Normandy High School and the Lead Counselor for Normandy Schools Collaborative. She is an advocate for the high school seniors and a leader for the district’s counseling staff, ensuring that each member of the school community feels valued.
Tina Mosley is the Co-Executive Director at STAR for Early Childhood Educators. She co-founded STAR out of a dedication to creating spaces for educators to receive professional development and personal wellness, providing children in the 24:1 with the opportunity to attend childcare centers where staff are trained and whole.
Equity Builder Award Recipients
Yarima Lewis is the Spanish-Speaking Family Engagement Liaison at Beyond Housing. As an immigrant and educator, herself, she is intimately familiar with the struggles that non-English speaking families face, and she uses her voices to uplift theirs’ every day.
Erica Roberts is a Parent Educator and Doula with Parents as Teachers. Her work advocate and support of women going through pregnancy was inspired after witnessing the disparities Black mothers face in the healthcare system and she has since began to educate others on the pivotal role doulas play in health literacy and accessibility.
Teona McGhaw-Ward is the Founder and Executive Director of The Mission Attempt. She has established a grassroots nonprofit centered on intentional investment and genuine connections to support residents of North County and tirelessly advocates for the rights of those with disabilities.
Compass Award Recipients
Jacob Painter is a Social Emotional Learning Coach with CHADS Coalition for Mental Health. He meets with Lucas Crossing Middle School students in individual and group settings to equip them with the tools they need to grow in both their academics and their interpersonal relationships.
Darius Riddle is a Family Engagement Liaison with Beyond Housing. He works to foster trusting relationships between students, families, and school staff at Lucas Crossing Middle School to create a learning environment where students are supported in achieving their goals.
Tiffany Mitchell is the Coordinator for Student Support Services at the Normandy Schools Collaborative. She leads the districts’ counselors, nurses and social workers with unwavering compassion, ensuring that all students receive the physical and emotional care they deserve.
Emerging Changemaker Award
Olivia Curd is a Junior at Ritenour High School. Through personal experiences, she noticed a lack of empathy and awareness related to mental health among her peers, and was inspired to create a podcast and mental health support groups in her school and community.
Solomon Johnson is a Senior and Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory Academy. During his high school career, he has won multiple leadership awards, excelled in his coursework, forged strong relationships with classmates and teachers, and maintained a part-time job.
Tyrinn Carter is a 6th grader at Lucas Crossing Middle School. He is a young man whose growth has been noticed by multiple members of the middle school staff, he found his voice through song, and his confidence has bloomed into a change in demeanor all his peers can attest to.
The Blade Runners are a lawn care business started by these four Normandy High School Seniors. Through the exposure to entrepreneurship provided by The Legacy Center, these young men were inspired to start their own business, and while managing business logistics, they are dedicated to offering services affordable, making lawn care accessible to their neighbors.
Treyton Parker is an 8th grader at Lucas Crossing Middle School. He is known by the staff as a young man who stands up for his peers to decrease the use of punishments that interrupt his peer’s learning time and is often seen after lunch periods assisting the custodial team in cleaning up.
To view the 2025 A Night With the Stars recap, please click below.
For more photos of A Night With the Stars 2025, please view below.
