Tea Bags of Love: Celebration, Sisterhood, Legacy

Julie Nicolai, co-owner of The Brand Stand STL Art Gallery, was honored to have recently attended the 9th Annual College Trunk Party, Teabags of Love, organized by Barbara Washington’s The Bobcat International Women’s Career Mentoring & Scholarship Initiative.  Barbara is an amazing lady whose community philanthropy and uplifting of young people is legendary.  She is the founder of Bobcat Event Management & Consulting Services, which delivers exceptional services that broaden clients’ networks, promote their public image and bolster their community engagement.  Barbara indicates that, “guided by God-given talent, we unite a dedicated team of creative professionals and humanitarians to design impactful initiatives that enhance lives.  Our strategic vision and commitment to excellence ensure every project exceeds expectations.”

The lovely scholarship recipients. Photo by author.

At the memorable Teabags of Love event, Barbara presented scholarships to six amazing young women forming the Class of 2026.  Each recipient has a mentor to guide her in her educational, career and life journeys.  Julie, an Ambassador for the event, donated a copy of her book, Enslavement & the Underground Railroad in MO & IL, to each recipient, and also donated a trunk to hold gifts and supplies for a recipient.  

Julie Nicolai's donated books are in the polka dot bags. Photo by author.

The list of Ambassadors, College Send Off Presenters and School Partners reads like a whose-who of local movers and shakers, including Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Janice Huff, Chief Meteorologist for NBC 4 New York, and Aisha Sultan, Columnist and Features Writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

One of the School Partner Memorial Honorees was the iconic Ida Goodwin Woolfolk, former Assistant Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools.  According to the program booklet, she was “a trusted mentor, educator, and connector whose roots in​​ The Ville shaped a lifetime of service…Known as the Toast Mistress of St. Louis, she delighted in celebrating others and had a rare gift for bringing people together…Upon her passing, she became the first person to lie in state at St. Louis City Hall, a powerful testament to her extraordinary legacy.”

Lisa Nichols. CEO and Co-Founder of Technology Partners LLC, was a Program Presenter and Ambassador for the event.  She was named one of the Most Influential Businesswomen by the St. Louis Business Journal.  Per the program, “through conversations with leaders across industries, she explores the qualities that define effective leadership in today’s marketplace, continuing her mission of elevating people and purpose at work.”

Julie Nicolai, Lisa Nichols and Barbara Washington (L-R). Photo by author.

Teabags of Love was an incredible experience and I am so happy I could contribute in some small way.  I wish all of the scholarship recipients the best of luck in the future and look forward to many more College Trunk Parties.