A Night With the Stars 2025 nominations are now open
Do you know someone who’s making a difference in the 24:1 community? We’re accepting nominations for our Fourth Annual “A Night With the Stars celebration: Celebrating Generational Growth”.
This occasion is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of direct service providers in the 24:1 community. These remarkable individuals are the unsung heroes who tirelessly work to forge genuine connections with the residents of the 24:1 community.
The spotlight will exclusively focus on these exceptional frontline heroes. It won’t be a night to discuss the organizations they represent, the executives who lead them or the boards that govern them. Instead, it will be an evening dedicated to celebrating and shining a light on the individuals who are the true luminaries of service in the 24:1 community. Their dedication and compassion are the driving forces behind positive change, and the Community Impact Network is excited to acknowledge their outstanding efforts.
Nominate here
AWARDS NOMINATION CRITERIA
Community members and organizations in the 24:1 can nominate outstanding employees, volunteers, or motivated young people within the categories listed below. The Network’s goal is to ensure that each of the following awards is presented to deserving individuals who provide direct, face-to-face services within the 24:1 community:
- Compass Award – For the listener who helps others find their way. This individual is attentive and compassionate, helping others find direction in times of uncertainty. This person’s steady presence and thoughtful guidance offer clarity and inspire courage and empowerment. (Previously known as the Listening Award)
- Community Collaboration Award – This Collaborator builds meaningful, effective partnerships. They exemplify the spirit of collaboration by working hand-in-hand with fellow providers, organizations, and community members to create stronger, more connected support systems. (Previously known as the Team Work Award)
- Equity Builder Award – Recognizes outstanding commitment to advancing equity and solutions by actively working to dismantle barriers and create inclusive opportunities. (Previously known as the Solutions Award)
- Emerging Changemaker Award – An Emerging Changemaker is an individual aged 18 or under who is making a positive impact in the 24:1 and laying the foundation for a brighter future for their peers. Nominees must attend school or live within the 24:1 boundary; a parent/guardian cannot nominate their child.
AWARDS NOMINATION PROCESS
- Each organization can nominate up to three individuals to select the award category that best fits their nominee.
- The following eligibility requirements apply to all awards: The nominee must spend a substantial amount of their time serving the 24:1 community, providing direct, face-to-face (in-person or virtual) services to people who live or work within the boundaries of the 24:1 community.
- Individuals awarded in a previous year are not eligible for an award in 2025. People who were nominated but did not receive an award are still eligible.
ELIGIBILITY
The following eligibility requirements apply to all awards:
- People who were nominated but did not receive an award are still eligible.
- Award recipients will be recognized at an awards celebration in December.
- All nominators will be invited to the event, but they must RSVP to secure a seat. More information will be available closer to the event date.
Last year’s recipients for the Solutions Award
Carrie Henderson
is the Director of Youth and Family Programming at Beyond Housing. She is a St. Louis native and currently leads the network of Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools that Beyond Housing sponsors.
Dr. Lanor Payne
is the principal at the Normandy Early Learning Center. He has 18 years of experience in education as a teacher and as a leader, and has brought an innovative approach to the Early Learning Center.
Joey Sanders
is the Chief of Strategy and Institutional Advancement for Urban Sprouts. He has helped streamline operations and lead the organization of a program to build capacity of early education leaders in the region.
Last year’s recipients for the Teamwork Award
David Gorden
is a Teaching Artist with St. Louis ArtWorks. He teaches young people the power of art, runs his own freelance studio and has done many community projects in the 24:1.
Jessica Gant
is the founder of Jesse B’s Academy. She works with children with physical and mental disabilities. She instructs teachers and caregivers how to effectively support children for their long-term success.
Lertichan Liwapattanapichit
is a PE Teacher at the Normandy Early Learning Center. He makes sure students of all ability levels are involved and inspired, and he uplifts coworkers with his positive attitude.
Last year’s recipients for the Listening Award
Antoinette Becerra
is a Parent Educator with Parents as Teachers. She has served families for PAT in the Normandy Schools Collaborative for the past six years.
Ti’Ana Edwards
is a Street Outreach Worker for Epworth’s Drop-In Center in Normandy. Ti’Ana builds trust and fosters a sense of hope and possibility among the youth she serves.
Terricka Reese
is Family Development Specialist with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. She has worked in the child-welfare field since 2013 and currently works with foster families.
Last year’s recipients for the Emerging Changemaker Award
Amir Brown, Zechariah Barber, and Adaiah Gordon
are on the chess team at Normandy High School. They recently won the Gateway Chess regional championship and have even been invited to Washington D.C. to meet and play against U.S. senators.
Jaylen Stewart
is a senior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. He lives and works in the 24:1, serving as a tutor at SoulFisher Ministries for the past four years. He also has completed LEAD STL’s year-long Cultural Leadership Fellowship.
