School District of Clayton Celebrates Black Excellence at Annual Celebration of Black Achievement

The School District of Clayton hosted its fourth annual Celebration of Black Achievement on Feb. 23 at Clayton High School, welcoming alumni, students, staff and community members for an inspiring evening honoring excellence, leadership and cultural impact during Black History Month.
Hosted by Clayton High School’s Black Student Union, the event brought the community together to recognize the lasting contributions of Black alumni while celebrating the bright future ahead. The evening featured meaningful reflections and powerful performances highlighting Black culture and achievement.

Honoring Distinguished Alumni
This year’s celebration recognized two exceptional alumni whose careers reflect leadership, innovation and service:
Alexandra Butler (Class of 2001) is a celebrity makeup artist, creative director and entrepreneur whose career blends engineering and artistry. After graduating from CHS, she earned a degree in industrial engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Today, she applies both technical precision and creative vision to her work across print, film, television, fashion and live events. Based in Atlanta, she continues to inspire others through mentorship and a commitment to excellence grounded in purpose and passion.

Jordan Bond (Class of 2003) has built a career defined by leadership and service. A University of Missouri graduate, former Mizzou football walk-on and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he spent eight years with BNSF Railway before earning a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Loyola University Chicago. After being named Big Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chicago, he went on to found FITKONNEKT Gym in Chicago (follow @fitkonnekt on social media). Today, he is a tech-enabled fitness and real estate entrepreneur and a proud father of three.

Both honorees reflected on their time at Clayton High School, sharing personal stories and words of encouragement with current students. They urged students to embrace their passions, stay involved in their communities and lead with confidence. Find out more. 

Student Awardees

A special highlight of the evening was recognizing students who exemplify the attributes of the Profile of a Clayton Graduate. From empathy and intellectual curiosity to creative thinking and beyond, District staff shared meaningful examples of how these students demonstrate scholarship, service and leadership in their schools every day.

Student awardees by school include:

• Jazulynn, Glenridge Elementary
• Autumn, Captain Elementary
• Journey, Meramec Elementary
• Michael H., Wydown Middle School
• Alanna S., Wydown Middle School
• Karim Jamison, Clayton High School
• Zuwena Mwaniki, Clayton High School
• Zuri Mwaniki, Clayton High School

Celebrating Culture and Community

The evening also showcased student talent. Wydown Middle School’s Chamber Orchestra, led by Carolyn Day, performed works by Black composers. Tashara Earl (Class of 2007) energized the audience with a curated musical selection, and Eric Mayes (Class of 2005) produced videos honoring the alumni recipients.

The celebration also highlighted a unique learning opportunity sponsored by the Clayton Education Foundation. For the past four years, CEF has funded a trip for Black students to tour Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), allowing them to explore campuses firsthand and consider whether they might be a good fit after high school.

The District extends its appreciation to the Black Student Union, performers, alumni, families and community members who made this year’s celebration a success.