What goes into planning the Salute to Excellence in Education?

6 months of planning
50+ award winners
Great sponsors who support education
One incredible night celebrating educators

The goal? Honor those who dedicate their lives to public education.

#SaluteToExcellence

The best part of the Salute to Excellence in Education? Watching educators connect.

From first-time grantees to veteran Fellows, our gala brought together an incredible community of education leaders.

These connections spark collaborations and inspire new ideas.

#SaluteToExcellence

Last month's Salute to Excellence in Education celebrated:

→ 47 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence
→ Karen Pittman (Outstanding Service)
→ AISES (Equity Partner Award)
→ Active Minds (Student Voices Award)

#SaluteToExcellence

🎉 GALA HIGHLIGHT: 47 Exceptional Educators

At our Salute to Excellence in Education, we celebrated 47 educators who received the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch

#SaluteToExcellence

‘I Am Somebody’ sets tone at Salute to Excellence luncheon A refrain echoed through the ballroom before a single award was handed out — a reminder of dignity, resilience and possibility. “I am somebody,” read KSDK news anchor Brent Solomon, invoking the words of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday. “I may have made a mistake but I am somebody. My face […]

'‘I Am Somebody’ sets tone at Salute to Excellence luncheon'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis American

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence #STLBusiness #BlackExcellence

Brent Solomon to emcee business awards luncheon Brent Solomon’s personal motto — “To whom much is given, much is required” — reflects a belief in service that aligns closely with his next public role. The KSDK (Channel 5) co-anchor will emcee the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Business Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The annual luncheon […]

'Brent Solomon to emcee business awards luncheon'

🖋 Sylvester Brown Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo courtesy of Brent Solomon on Linkedin

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence #STLBusiness #CommunityLeadership #BlackPress

2026 Salute To Excellence In Education Gala | Full Event The NEA Foundation will honor outstanding public school educators and those making a difference in public education at the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Educa...

TODAY! 🌟

Salute to Excellence

Tonight in DC

47 teaching awards + special honors

Follow along as we celebrate the very best in public education.

#SaluteToExcellence

https://youtube.com/live/lHiNfWjyHjE

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Almost sold out... Don't miss this annual networking event! This is the last week to get your tickets or table: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx

#SaluteToBusiness #StLouisAmericanFoundation #SaluteToExcellence #STLNetworking #STLBusinessLuncheon #StLouis #STL

2026 Salute To Excellence In Education Gala | Full Event The NEA Foundation will honor outstanding public school educators and those making a difference in public education at the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Educa...

Friday! 🎉

Salute to Excellence

Feb 13 | DC

Bookmark our Livestream, celebrate with us!

#SaluteToExcellence

https://www.youtube.com/live/lHiNfWjyHjE

ONE WEEK! 🎉

Feb 13 | DC

Salute to Excellence in Education

48 teaching awards + special honors

Livestream the excitement!

https://www.neafoundation.org/get-involved/awards-gala/

#SaluteToExcellence

"The power of teaching is the power to ignite change—one mind, one heart, and one future at a time." — Vincente Lorenz, Indiana

Travelers Award recipient & lifelong educator.

10 days to celebrate. #SaluteToExcellence

https://www.neafoundation.org/get-involved/awards-gala/

Tickets and tables on sale now: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebL... ...
#SaluteToBusiness #StLouisAmericanFoundation #BusinessSalute #SaluteToExcellence #STLNetworking #STLBusinessLuncheon #StLouis #STL

A bridge between boardrooms and neighborhoods When Akberet Boykin Farr walks into work on a hard day, she doesn’t reach first for a spreadsheet or a strategic plan. She thinks about children — students she has met in St. Louis classrooms, about literacy programs and after-school spaces that can change the arc of a young person’s life. She asks herself the […]

'A bridge between boardrooms and neighborhoods'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo courtesy Akberet Boykin Farr

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence #STLBusiness #BlackLeadership

3 weeks until Salute to Excellence!

Feb 13 | DC

48 teaching awards + special honors

Register: https://ow.ly/RxUe50Y0lub

#SaluteToExcellence

Maria Derner, recipient of the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence, has spent 35 years teaching students that dreams can come true through passion, resilience, and persistence.

Celebrate Maria and 47 other exceptional educators on February 13. #SaluteToExcellence

https://ow.ly/g7sa50Y0jt2

"I hope a piece of our time together continues to travel with them wherever they go." — BJ Butcher

Travelers Award recipient who creates lifelong memories for students.

Meet all recipients Feb 13. #SaluteToExcellence

https://www.neafoundation.org/get-involved/awards-gala/

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'Keith Williamson: A steady hand in St. Louis civic leadership'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Courtesy photo

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence

www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/kei...

Tickets and tables on sale now: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebL...

#SaluteToBusiness #StLouisAmericanFoundation #BusinessSalute #SaluteToExcellence #STLNetworking #STLBusinessLuncheon #StLouis #STL

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Tickets and tables on sale now: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx

#SaluteToBusiness #StLouisAmericanFoundation #BusinessSalute #SaluteToExcellence #STLNetworking #STLBusinessLuncheon #StLouis #STL

Saluting Business Excellence Black entrepreneurs and executives play a vital role in driving economic growth, job creation and civic leadership across the St. Louis metropolitan area. The three co-presenters for the 24th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking and Awards Luncheon understand the importance of recognizing the region’s brightest leaders. The Regional Business Council (RBC), Urban League […]

'Salute to Excellence in Business'

🖋 Nia Hightower for The St. Louis American
📸 Taylor Marrie | The St. Louis American

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence #BlackBusiness #STLBusiness #EconomicEquity

Salute to Excellence in Business to highlight regional leadership Business, nonprofit and community leaders across the region should mark their calendars for one of St. Louis’ longest-running celebrations of leadership and economic impact. The St. Louis American Foundation will host its 24th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The event is scheduled from 11:30 […]

'Salute to Excellence in Business to highlight regional leadership'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo by Michael B. Thomas for The St. Louis American

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #SaluteToExcellence #STLBusiness #BlackLeadership #EconomicEquity

Gala honors educators who shape futures and the students they inspire A week from Saturday, members of one of the most unsung professions will take their well-earned turn in the spotlight when The St. Louis American Foundation presents its annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. For one evening, America’s Center will transform into a celebration of teaching, learning, and legacy — honoring […]

'Gala honors educators who shape futures and the students they inspire'

🖋 Kenya Vaughn | The St. Louis American
📸 Wiley Price | St. Louis American

#stlamerican #stlnews #stlouis #StLouisEducation #SaluteToExcellence #STLEvents

We are honored to announce that "Beyond the Battlefield: Double V and Black Americans' Fight for Equality" has been nominated in the Feature category of the National Association of Black Journalists #SalutetoExcellence Awards.

Watch our short doc today: retroreport.org/video/beyond...

#NABJ25