Prestigious Black Events Referred to as "Rubber Chicken Events" by Jake Wagman, Feature Writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In a blog entry regarding St. Louis City License Collector Michael McMillan, Jake Wagman wrote of McMillan - a fixture at the rubber chicken and awards dinner circuit - and basically dismissed the License Collector's attendance at a number of prestigious events (at least to us Black people) as "keeping a low profile."
Terry Artis, Black Man, to Jake - Wagman, my White press colleague, I kindly ask that you and your newspaper please refrain from your insensitive and dismissive remarks about events that Mr. McMillan attended, which collectively benefited tens of thousands of St. Louisans and by lending his support to, raised over a $1 million with audiences exceeding ten thousand people. And if you don't know better, please feel free to call and ask. Thank you.
The "Rubber Chicken" Events that Mr. Wagman referred to:
* Co-Chairman: Monsanto YMCA Black Tie-Tennis Shoe Gala;
* General Chairman: Human Development Corporation;-Impacts over 100,000 people annual with services-
* Speaker and Presenter: Unity Ball sponsored by Better Family Life;
* Honorary Chairman of 100 Black Men Black Tie Gala;
* General Chairman: Metro Sentinel Yes I Can Awards Dinner; -One of the City's oldest and nationally known publications-
* Presentations to all honorees at the St. Louis American's Salute to Excellence;
* Presenter :Aaron Neville for contributions to St. Louis-based BASIC program;
* Speaker at Harris Stowe State University's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kick-off Celebration Program to a crowd of over 1,000 people;
* Recipient: Public Servant Man of the Year 2009 by St. Louis River City Examiner;
* Presenter: "Precious" Movie Preview and Forum
* Recipient: NAACP East St. Louis Chapter (93-year old chapter, one of the oldest in the nation and 3rd largest): Regional Leadership Award;
* Recipient: Ramadan Man of the Year;
* Recipient: NAACP East St. Louis Chapter: Regional Ambassador of Goodwill;
* Recipient: Senior Citizen Tribute for Public Service to Senior Citizens hosted by Southside Wellness with nearly 100 senior citizen guests who represented organizations throughout the City. The seniors wrote personal notes to him that was presented in a bound notebook. Proclamations were also presented by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay;
* "Make Change for Haiti" a campaign with the American Red Cross that raised over $6,000 in 5-hrs. for victims of the earthquake in Haiti;
* As Chairman of the Board of the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation also known as Vashon/JeffVanderLou Initiative he hosted Holiday Programs for Dunbar Elementary School, where over 300 students, families and teachers received recognition as well as gifts, food, and certificates;
* Also 7 Senior Citizen facilities and nearly 500 people were provided public safety and health information, discount books along with an update from his office;
* At the Office of the License Collector, 24 employees were recognized for customer service, special revenue initiatives and innovative processes to make the office more efficient;
* Speaker at the Annual Martin Luther King Celebration and Essay Contest at St. Alphonsus Rock Catholic Church, Chaired by Mrs. Anita Banks, which recognizes and benefits youth essay winners; and, many small churches, memorials, or neighborhood and business events that he routinely attends and supports as well.
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