The Insider: 4.4.18

Big news at Craf Alliance Center of Art + Design! Mark Witzling has joined the nonprofit as executive director. He comes to the post from Citibank, where he was senior vice president of marketing. Witzling will be introduced to the local community at an April 25 reception at Craft Alliance.

It’s been a while since St. Louis’ biggest urban park had a major makeover, so Forest Park Forever raised a bunch of cash for the next one. The fundraising campaign exceeded its $130 million goal by $9 million, making it Forest Park’s most ambitious funding drive to date. About $30 million will go toward improvements, and the rest will expand the park’s endowment for future needs.

Congratulations are in order for Mizzou Ph.D. student Kathlee Freeman, the first-ever recipient of Operation Food Search’s Mary Ellen Gipson Fellowship. Freeman is studying domestic and international food insecurity and dietary health. The fellowship was established as part of the nonprofit’s Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in St. Louis.

There are thousands of public libraries in the U.S., but only 25 have been selected to participate in the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Great Stories Club—and St. Louis County Library is one of them! The American Library Association program supports reading and discussion activities that get underserved teens involved in social justice issues. Books like Angie Thomas’ bestselling novel The Hate U Give are featured.

the main events

The Spring Your Park event returns to the Gateway Arch grounds April 7, highlighting recent improvements to the national park. The free festival kicks off at 11 a.m. at the North Gateway near Laclede’s Landing. Food trucks, music and a scavenger hunt round out the fun.

Calling all fashionistas! The talented duo behind fashion powerhouse Badgley Mischka, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, will be in the StL at Neiman Marcus April 11 to celebrate the launch of their ready-to-wear collection. Rub elbows with the celebs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP required at rsvpstlouis@neimanmarcus.com or 314.994.5004.

Local leaders in health come together April 12 at The Sheldon for Think Well: Healthcare Out Loud, the first 2018 event for the TEDxGatewayArch chapter. TEDTalk presenters include Dr. Jeremy Goss of St. Louis Metro Market and Dave Minifie of Centene Corp., and Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee will be interviewed.