The St. Louis American Foundation selected (from left) UMSL alumni Aunyã McElroy, Christan E. Shelton, Brittae Gray-Ross and Marcel Scaife (not pictured) to be honored at the 10th Annual Salute to Young Leaders. They were selected based on their professional achievements and community involvement. (Photos courtesy of Aunyã McElroy, Christan E. Shelton and Brittae Gray-Ross)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis was well represented at the 10th Annual Salute to Young Leaders, with four UMSL alumni among the 20 honorees.

The St. Louis American Foundation recognized high-performing African Americans for their professional excellence, achievements and community involvement. All of the 20 recognized professionals are under the age of 40.

“It was an honor and privilege to be one of the recipients of the 2020 Salute to Young Leaders Award,” said Brittae Gray-Ross, a liberal studies graduate. “It’s a reminder that I stand on the shoulders of giants and that what I’ve done and continue to do is because of the people that sacrificed their lives for me to be here.”

Aunyã McElroy, an education graduate, was equally flattered.

“I am extremely honored to be selected as one of the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2020 Young Leaders,” she said.

The foundation celebrated the honorees at a reception Feb. 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

Below is a list of all the UMSL alumni who were among the 2020 Salute to Young Leaders honorees with links to their Q&As with The St. Louis American:

Brittae Gray-Ross, BA liberal studies (with emphasis in Information Systems), is an application developer with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Aunyã McElroy, MEd counseling, is a school counselor in the Hazelwood School District.

Marcel Scaife, BA liberal studies, is the manager of Safe and Thriving Communities.

Christan E. Shelton, MEd secondary education, is an educator in the Riverview Gardens School District through Teach for America.