First-Ever Awards/Jazz Brunch Carry On Legacy of Charles E. Fleming, Pioneering Black Architect
Date Posted: December 16, 2025
Posted In: Organizations, People,
On December 7th the Charles E. Fleming Legacy Foundation hosted its first-ever Holiday Joy & Jazz Brunch at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, bringing together educators, civic leaders, business innovators, and community champions to honor service, leadership, and community impact across the St. Louis region.
Under the theme “Celebrating Our Region’s Most Valuable Assets,” the brunch spotlighted educators and community leaders whose work reflects the life and values of architect and civic pioneer Charles E. Fleming.
Honorees Recognized at the Brunch
State Senator Brian Williams (Missouri 14th District) was honored for his advocacy in education and community advancement throughout the region. Williams has been recognized for championing expanded educational opportunity, support for public schools, and initiatives promoting youth development and investments in local communities.
The Missouri Times
Maxine Clark, entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop and a major civic leader in St. Louis, was highlighted for her longstanding commitment to education and community enrichment through philanthropy and strategic civic engagement.
Karl Grice, principal of The Grice Group Architects, was recognized for contributions to the built environment and his leadership in design, reflecting Charles Fleming’s own legacy in architecture and community building.
Michael McMillan, president & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, was celebrated for his impact in advancing economic empowerment, equity, and opportunity for families and youth across the region.
Dr. Nathaniel Murdock & Sandra Murdock, community leaders were also among the honorees, recognized for their distinguished service in civic and community engagement.
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Darryl & Villa Jean Jones were honored for their contributions to education and community leadership.
In addition to these leaders from business and civic sectors, the Foundation recognized 23 outstanding educators with the Edward and Esther Haywood Caring Educator Awards, celebrating teachers whose compassion and care have profoundly shaped student lives.
Honoring a Trailblazing Legacy — Who Was Charles E. Fleming?
The Foundation commemorates the life and work of Charles E. Fleming, AIA, a St. Louis-born architect, entrepreneur, and community leader whose career spanned more than five decades. Fleming was the first Black architect to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis and the first Black owner of a full-service architecture firm in Missouri, leading the Fleming Corporation on large-scale projects that shaped communities both locally and nationally.
In addition to his architectural practice, Fleming helped found the Urban Housing Foundation to confront housing discrimination, played a key role in establishing Gateway National Bank (Missouri’s first minority-owned bank), and contributed to major civic projects including community health centers and senior housing. His broad legacy includes mentoring future architects and designers and advocating for equitable community development.
Mission and Use of Funds
The Charles E. Fleming Legacy Foundation’s mission is to honor Fleming’s contributions by educating the public about architecture, engineering, construction management, STEM careers, and design’s role in community development. It does so through scholarships, mentoring programs, and internships connecting students with professionals across these fields.
Funds raised at events like the Holiday Joy & Jazz Brunch support the Foundation’s scholarship programs for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in architecture, engineering, STEM, and construction-related fields, as well as initiatives such as the Edward and Esther Haywood Caring Educator Awards and stipends for nontraditional learners entering education careers.
By celebrating educators and civic leaders, the Foundation seeks to expand opportunity and inspire future generations to pursue careers that contribute to community growth — fulfilling Fleming’s belief in the transformative power of design, education, and service.