Read about the successful second Gala hosted by the Kwame Charitable Foundation, which welcomed over 250 guests and featured a jazz cocktail reception and afterparty with DJ Sam Hood.
Tony Thompson – Chairman and CEO Kwame Charitable Foundation
Jack and Betty Thompson
Speakers for Kwame Charitable Foundation’s Gala.
Lydia Huston – Executive Director – Kwame Charitable Foundation
ST. LOUIS, MO November 12, 2024. 250 guests poured into the Four Seasons Hotel on Friday,
November 8, as Kwame Charitable Foundation hosted its second Gala. The elegant fundraiser started
with a jazz cocktail reception, recognizing Presenting Sponsor, Regional Business Council, and ended
with a celebratory afterparty, led by DJ Sam Hood from Foxy 106.9FM.
This year’s Gala marks the launch of the new ‘Betty and Jack Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award’,
named in memory of the parents of Tony Thompson, Chairman and CEO of Kwame Building Group.
Thompson presented the inaugural award to Kathy Osborn, founding President and former CEO of St.
Louis Regional Business Council. tireless efforts to increase opportunities and improve the lives of
countless women and minorities, Thompson stated there was criticism over a white woman receiving
the award.
“There are very few individuals in this region who have so effectively used their knowledge,
experience, influence and power, to strategically help Black and brown people. Kathy Osborn’s efforts to
increase opportunities and improve the lives of women and minorities, over the past 30 years, has been
groundbreaking – so this award, named after my parents, Jack and Betty Thompson, is befitting her.”
Osborn herself noted that the enduring impact of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson’s lives still resonates today,
through their relationships, advocacy for others, as well as through their descendants.
Executive Director, Lydia Huston shared that in spring 2025, the Foundation will take a more direct
approach to fulfilling its mission – launching a new scholarship and grant process for individuals or
organizations to apply directly to Kwame Charitable Foundation. For the past 21 years, scholarship
support was exclusively awarded through the specific colleges and universities where the foundation
has endowments.
This new model will start modestly, but will allow the organization greater
engagement and personal interaction with recipients.
www.kwamecharitable.org
Kwame Charitable Foundation, a public 501(c)3 organization, was established in 2003 by Kim and
Anthony (Tony) Thompson, CEO of Kwame Building Group, Inc. Created to address a prevailing need
among first generation African American students, The Foundation provides support to equip students
to reach ‘More Hopeful Futures’.
For more information, please visit our website: //kwamecharitable.org
or contact Lydia Huston at lhuston@kwamebuildinggroup.com or 314-754-5619
Tony Thompson, Kathy Osborn, Karen Branding and Dr. Donald Suggs.
Tony Thompson presents the inaugural ‘Betty and Jack Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Kathy Osborn.
All images are a courtesy of KWAME Foundation
Kwame Charitable Foundation, Second Gala, Four Seasons Hotel, Fundraiser, Jazz, Cocktail Reception, Afterparty, DJ Sam Hood, Foxy 106.9FM, Regional Business Council, Charity.
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