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NAACP hosts job fair and political luncheon honors

ST. LOUIS – Thursday marked the beginning of a two-day event for the Missouri NAACP at the St. Louis Airport Hilton, which will feature a diversity job fair, a visit from Attorney General Chris Koster and even a special award for a certain newspaper’s publisher.

The diversity job fair, hosted by the St. Louis County NAACP, included employers from industries like health care, finance, government, and law enforcement offered over 300 positions. It also featured a seminar to provide applicants with skills and tips to better succeed at other interviews. One such seminar provided by a human resources expert gave job seekers tips on how to perform better in job interview scenarios.

“The NAACP St. Louis County Branch is proud to empower the community economically with an opportunity to interact with employers that are eager to hire individuals from our communities,” St. Louis County NAACP President Esther Haywood said in a statement. “Diversity is more than just words on a corporation’s website, it’s a commitment to hire a diverse workforce that reflects our community.”

Four hundred people from the community attended the event, which encouraged John Gaskin III, a representative of the St. Louis County NAACP.

At a reception Thursday night, Barry Aycock sponsored a reception welcoming John Stifler, the new executive secretary-treasurer for the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council. Over 100 labor leaders across the region, as well as numerous NAACP pro-labor supporters, attended the event to celebrate the increased coordination between labor and the NAACP.

At Friday’s political luncheon, several groups and individuals were recognized for their work with the organization. Attorney General Chris Koster served as the keynote speaker, and State Auditor Nicole Galloway and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel also received recognition for their work in state government.

The Missouri NAACP recognized Progress Missouri with their Advocacy Partner of the Year Award, and former Commissioner of Administration Kelvin Simmons will be given the groups’ “Keeper of the Flame” Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last but not least, the Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn also received the group’s Media Partner of the Year Award on behalf of the newspaper at Friday’s luncheon on behalf of the newspaper.

“It’s our passion at all of our outlets to wake up and tell people the way it is, give them facts and information about the policymaking process,” Faughn said in a statement. “We’re so honored to receive recognition from such a respected group of people. I have a great appreciation for the NAACP and the work they’ve been doing in the last year. We’re humbled to receive this award.”

“We’re very excited about the work [The Missouri Times] has done for us, and they’re commitment to covering news not only in Jefferson City, but across the state and continuing to give the Missouri NAACP an opportunity to get its message out across the state in various demographics,” Gaskin said. “We’re very proud of Scott and the work that he’s continued to do in the community, and his staff that continues to be supportive in all of the great work they are doing.”