National Impact in TYA

Producing Artistic Director of The Coterie in Kansas City. A multidisciplinary artist and nationally recognized arts leader, Davis has led groundbreaking new works and large-scale collaborations that have reached hundreds of thousands of young people across the country. Her leadership includes world premieres addressing racism, immersive and accessible musical experiences, and innovative digital and audio programming developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis has worked with prominent theaters including Disney Theatrical Group, New York City Children’s Theater, Atlantic for Kids, A.C.T., and First Stage, among many others. She currently serves on multiple national boards and has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership in the field.

St. Louis Champion for TYA

Richardson is a playwright, director, and educator whose relationship with Metro Theater Company spans decades. She is the author of fifteen plays, including Delilah’s Wish Bold, Brave, Curious!, both commissioned by Metro Theater Company and premiered in the fall of 2009 and 2022, respectively. Richardson has directed numerous plays and films, served as a staff writer and voice actor for Nine PBS’s animated series Drawn In, taught first-year acting at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts, and produced 8 episodes of the YouTube YYA series, Delilah Shares Our World. Currently, she is Assistant Professor in Mass Communications at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.

St. Louis Educator

Artistic Director and Conductor of the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis (CGC-STL). Palmer is a longtime teacher in the Normandy School District and a passionate advocate for music as a tool for unity and expression. Through CGC-STL, she brings together a diverse community of singers, celebrating African-American spirituals and gospel music while fostering connection across cultures. Palmer is a familiar presence in local media and education programming, sharing her belief in the power of live, communal music-making to inspire and strengthen communities.