Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society

Our foundation is deeply embedded in the St. Louis community. In 1994, Dr. Donald Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American, recognized that Black leaders needed a voice in the philanthropic community in St. Louis. In turn, he founded the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society (CCS), which has since grown into the number one philanthropic program for Black leaders in the nation.

A United Community

It’s part of the CCS culture that to whom much is given, much is expected. Our members are a community of individuals who make it their mission to be “a hand up” to others. Our Society focuses on fostering the next generation of Black leaders, all while helping to make an impact in the St. Louis region.

A Continued Legacy

Charmaine Chapman was the first woman and first person of color to head United Way of Greater St. Louis as its president and chief executive officer. She led the organization to some of its greatest fundraising successes during her tenure. As our Society’s namesake, we continue to honor her dream of building a better community and her passion for helping people. Learn about our history.

Your Dollars at Work

$1000

provides a month’s supply of diapers for 75 toddlers

$2500

provides a two-week hotel stay for a domestic violence victim needing immediate shelter

$5000

supplies five homebound seniors hot meals for six months

Ready to Join?

A gift of $1,000 or greater gives you access to join one or more Leadership Giving Societies and helps people in the St. Louis region live their best possible lives.

2022 Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society Cabinet Members

Adrian Bracy, Steward Family Trust, 2022 Co-Chair

Vernon Bracy, RVC Solutions, 2022 Co-Chair

Rhonda Carter-Adams, DOT Foods 

Dr. Julia Burke, Educational Services by Burke, LLC 

Carnecia Cole, Christian Hospital Northeast/Northwest  

Brittany Cummings, BKD 

Christina Dancy, Edward Jones 

Jill Dixon Young, Community Advocate 

Flint Fowler, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis 

Gail Holmes Taylor, Energizer 

Kenyatta Holmes, Mastercard 

Naretha Hopson, Ever-Appropriate 

Francella Jackson, Village of Cahokia 

Kesha Kent, Ascension 

Ann Marr, World Wide Technology, LLC 

Dr. Glenn Miller, SLU 

David Noble, Midland States Bank 

Aaron Omotola, BJC 

Nekisha Omotola, Kunkel Wittenauer Group 

Erica Randall, Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. (RGA) 

Chalana Scales-Ferguson, SLU 

Monica Stewart, People’s Community Action Corporation 

Cheri D. Tillis, Fathers and Families Support Center 

Brian Turner, Merrill Lynch 

Kel Ward, St. Louis Children’s Hospital 

Dara Webb, Mercy