Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club’s Benefit Concert

It was a splendid and grand affair the evening of Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.  Mathews-Dickey Co-founder Martin Luther Mathews celebrated not only his retirement as President and CEO of the organization but his 90th birthday in grand style with a dinner, tribute and finally a concert by the incomparable world-famous Isley Brothers.

Not many people can claim that they have changed the life of one person, but in 56 years Mr. Mathews has improved the lives of over 2 million children through his organization.

The evening began with a VIP dinner in the splendor of the Fox Club on the second and third floors of the Fabulous Fox.  At 6:30 guests entered the ballroom for the musical stylings of Nappy DJ Needles. The evening’s tribute began with footage of President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 visit to St. Louis to give a special presentation to co-founders Dickey Ballentine and Martin Mathews for their impact on the community. Retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert Ellison gave a moving performance of “A Change is Gonna Come” before the masters of ceremonies for the evening, KMOX Radio’s Jon Grayson and KTVI FOX 2’s Shirley Washington, welcomed the crowd to the program. Honorary co-chair Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals spoke about the Cardinals relationship with Mr. Mathews and Mathews-Dickey. Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis presented Mr. Mathews with a gift of a book right before Tom Sullivan, vice-president of sports and operations of Mathews-Dickey presented a ring commemorating the life events and service of Mr. Mathews. Interim president and CEO Debra Denham, CFO Randy Sanderson and vice-president of PR and special events Bill Fronczak joined Mr. Mathews on stage. Patrick Sly, executive vice president of platinum sponsor Emerson took the stage to express his longtime relationship with Mr. Mathews. Keith Williamson, executive vice-president of Centene gave his remarks about Mr. Mathews before Ralph Beck, Jr., a Mathews-Dickey youth participant sang “Goody-Goody.” Dr. Donald Suggs, president and publisher of the St. Louis American spoke as part of the media salute to Mr. Mathews before the alumni perspective was given by Karl Grice of Grice Group Architects.  Jackie Joyner Kersee gave heartfelt remarks about the advice Mr. Mathews gave her in her own pursuit of starting a youth club before St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay presented Mr. Mathews his second key to the city stating he might “possibly the only person to ever receive two of these.”

Those who could not be there or contributed video tributes to honor Mr. Mathews were co-chair Kevin Demoff, COO & EVP of football operations for the St. Louis Rams, former Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, Fox 2’s Bonita Cornute, former Cardinal’s pitcher Kyle McClellan, hall of fame Cardinal’s legend Lou Brock, actress Anna Maria Horsford, co-chair Tom Stillman, chairman of the St. Louis Blues, singer Garth Brooks, former Blues great Bob Plager, Fox 2’s Elliot Davis, retired NFL champion Grant Williams, actor Malik Yoba, Ameren Illinois president Richard Mark, World Wide Technology founder and chairman David Steward, senior board member Jack Raymond, KTVI Fox 2’s Spencer Koch, former St. Louis Public Schools executive Ida Goodwin-Woolfolk, alumnae Brittany Packnett, Northside Community Center founder John Grote, City Academy founder Don Danforth, Alumnus Charonn Wodds and Judge Richard E. Webber.  Retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert Ellison gave a performance of the Sinatra song “My Way” before the final remarks from Mathews-Dickey chairman of the board Reverend Earl E. Nance, Jr.

The Isley Brothers are a musical institution whose unmistakable sound has been the major influence for countless superstars of the 80’s, 90’s and current era, including Nelly and Kendrick Lamar.  Hits include “It’s Your Thing,” “That Lady (Part I),” “Fight The Power (Part I),” “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You),” “For the Love of You” and “Shout.” All told, the Isley Brothers have 23 gold, platinum and multiplatinum records to their name.

The evening’s event was announced to have raised over $500,000 that night for Mathews-Dickey.

Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) United Way member agency that annually provides educational, athletic and cultural enrichment programs to more than 40,000 young people from throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Since 1960 the Club has taught youth respect, restraint and responsibility so that they may obtain credibility, integrity and accountability. For more information, call Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 228.