Thank you for making this #GiveSTLDay a great one!
Number 375 May 8, 2026 St. Louis
Happy Mother’s Day From All of us at Justine PETERSEN!
Honoring the Heart of Motherhood This Mother’s Day
Motherhood is more than a title — it’s strength, sacrifice, compassion, resilience, and unconditional love. It means showing up even on the hardest days, putting others before yourself, and creating hope for the next generation.
A mother can be someone who gives guidance, encouragement, comfort, and support. She may be raising children, mentoring others, caring for family, building a business, strengthening a community, or simply offering love where it’s needed most. The impact of a mother reaches far beyond the home — it shapes families, neighborhoods, and futures.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate every mother, grandmother, guardian, mentor, and mother figure whose dedication and love continue to inspire those around them.
From all of us at Justine PETERSEN, thank you for the countless ways you nurture, lead, and uplift our communities every single day.
Happy Mother’s Day! 💐
Thank You for Making Give STL Day a Success
Because of your generosity and support, Give STL Day was an incredible success for Justine PETERSEN.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, whether through a donation, sharing our posts and emails, encouraging others to give, or simply helping spread awareness about our mission. Every act of support helped strengthen this campaign and expand its impact throughout our community.
This year’s campaign centered around the idea of “starting the next success story” and paying it forward. Thanks to you, more individuals and families will have access to opportunities that help them move toward financial stability, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and long-term success.
Your support represents more than a single day of giving. It reflects a shared commitment to building stronger communities, creating opportunities for others, and investing in a brighter future for St. Louis.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue creating lasting impact!
Celebrating Culture, Community, and Culinary Excellence: Congratulations to FUFU n’ Sauce!
Picture courtesy of LinkedIn
From the rich culinary traditions of Togo, West Africa, to the vibrant food scene of St. Louis, FUFU n’ Sauce continues to make an incredible impact through culture, authenticity, and unforgettable flavor.
We are proud to celebrate the success and continued growth of owner and operator Adjo Honsou-Piper, whose passion for sharing African cuisine has turned FUFU n’ Sauce into one of the region’s most exciting and unique food brands. As the proud winner of PBS’s The Great American Recipe and Delmar Main Streets’ Small Business Pitch runner-up in 2024, Adjo has not only brought national recognition to her business but has also introduced countless people to the beauty and richness of African food traditions.
Built on the belief that nutritious food should also taste amazing, FUFU n’ Sauce has become a favorite at festivals and community events throughout St. Louis. From the African Arts Festival to Festival of Nations and Taste of Black St. Louis, the business has created memorable experiences for customers by offering authentic dishes made with fresh ingredients and spices sourced directly from West Africa.
What makes this journey even more inspiring is the vision behind it.
What began as a successful festival operation is now growing into a year-round business model with plans for St. Louis’ first African food truck. This exciting expansion will create new jobs, increase accessibility to African cuisine throughout the community, and open the door for even more opportunities through catering services, branded spices and curry products, cookbook sales, and online engagement.
“Our food stands out because we stay authentic,” Adjo shared. “We source our ingredients from Africa because it matters to the taste, the culture, and the experience we want people to have.”
As the business continues to grow, so does its commitment to community connection. Through social media, email engagement, a new website, and future subscription meal offerings, FUFU n’ Sauce is building lasting relationships with customers while proudly sharing African culture one plate at a time.
Justine PETERSEN became a key partner in helping move that vision forward.
With support and guidance, Adjo was able to continue building the infrastructure needed to grow FUFU n’ Sauce beyond festivals and into a scalable, community-centered business model. Her commitment to authenticity sets the brand apart. Core ingredients are sourced directly from West Africa to preserve the traditional flavors of the dishes, something customers immediately recognize and appreciate.
At its heart, this story is about more than food. It is about representation, entrepreneurship, perseverance, and creating spaces where culture can be celebrated openly and joyfully.
Congratulations to Adjo Honsou-Piper and the entire FUFU n’ Sauce team on your continued success and exciting future ahead. St. Louis is fortunate to have a business that brings people together through flavor, culture, and community.
Level Up St. Louis: Small Business Growth Event
Join us for an experience designed to bring small business owners together to connect, learn, and grow. Through actionable insights, meaningful conversations, and real-world tools, you’ll gain what you need to move your business forward with confidence.
The Details –
Date: Saturday, May 30th, 2026
Time: @9:30 A.M.
Location: St. Louis County Library – Clark Family Branch
Registration: https://luma.com/y8je4163
Not yet part of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform? Join for free to get started on growing your business before the event!
https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/partner-brit-and-co
Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn at Elevator St. Louis featuring our own LaTrisha Gandy
Join us for our first in-person Lunch & Learn on May 14, 2026, and experience the space for yourself while connecting with fellow business owners and professionals.
Photo courtesy of elevatorspaces.com: Elevator event space and kitchen
If you would like more information so you can host your next meeting or need a workspace, go to Elevator Spaces St. Louis
If you have any questions, contact Yolanda Nelson: ynelson@justinepetersen.org
To register, go to bit.ly/47UqgEZ
Grow Your Business This Year!
Join the free Lunch-and-Learn Series brought to you by efactory and Missouri State University
We’re excited to share that the Show-Me Network, in partnership with Justine PETERSEN, is launching a yearlong series of FREE virtual Lunch-and-Learns for entrepreneurs and small business owners across Missouri.
These no-cost sessions will provide practical guidance on funding, credit, financial management, and business growth—designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are and help them move forward with confidence.
⏰ All sessions are held online from Noon–1 p.m. (CT)
💻 Open to all Missouri entrepreneurs at no cost
Register Today!
All sessions are free and open to the public.
View the full calendar and register here:
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical tools, expert insight, and connections that support your business growth in 2026.
JP Family Corner
Happy JPVersary to the AMAZING Ray!!!
Ignite Illinois: Empowering Small Business Owners in Southern Illinois!
It’s Gonna Be MAY… 🎶 So Let’s Talk About Your Credit
You know the meme. You’ve heard the song. And now that it’s officially gonna be May, it’s the perfect time to check in on those financial goals you said you’d start earlier this year 👀
If your credit is still on that “I’ll get to it” list, no judgment—we’ve got you.
My Credit Compass from Justine PETERSEN is a free program that helps you understand your credit, build better habits, and create a plan that actually works for you. No confusing jargon. No going it alone. Just real support to help you move forward.
Because let’s be honest… adulting is hard enough. Your credit journey doesn’t have to be.
Make May the month you finally start.
👉 Sign up for My Credit Compass today and take control of your financial future.
Contact Cameron Stuhl for details! cstuhl@justinepetersen.org
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Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation · 1023 N Grand Blvd · Saint Louis, MO 63106-1641 · USA