Purchase a ticket to Sweet Success 

• Sweet Success, our annual fundraising celebration to honor the outstanding successes of women, children, and families served by YWCA St. Paul will be held on May 30th, 2024.
• Tickets, at the inviting price of $50/advance; $60/includes stadium tour; $65/at the door, include:
• Delicious food
• Ray Covington’s live music
•  Silent auction
• Exclusive views of the stadium
• Supporting YWCA St. Paul’s mission

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sweet Success sponsors help to ensure that YWCA St. Paul continues our work focused on Health Equity and improving BIPOC health outcomes. Sponsors also support our efforts in fighting racism and gender inequity, combating homelessness and disparities in employment and education, helping youth build life and leadership skills, and supporting the health and well-being of our community by helping people meet their health and wellness goals.  

To reserve your sponsorship, please complete the secure payment form. For questions or other payment methods, please reach out to Sarah O’Brien, Director of Advancement, at SObrien@ywcastpaul.org or 651-265-0772.

Your support makes a difference in the lives of women, children, and families served by YWCA St. Paul. 

Dr. Robin P. Hickman-Winfield, is Blessed to be married to Steven Winfield. She’s the CEO and Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions, a television, film production, youth development, community engagement consulting, and legacy preservation company. SoulTouch’s mission is to make meaningful media and produce powerful social impact experiences. Established in 2001, the business of SoulTouch and Robin’s personal commitment, is to plant seeds of hope, and through the arts, media and authentic community engagement, present “visions of possibilities. “We’re in the business of touching souls.” Robin’s strong spiritual faith and family legacy, has guided her decades of servant leadership, and the wisdom of her Mother Patricia, “Be humble, but know your .”, has given her the resilience to uniquely navigate her professional journey. “Take your RIGHTFUL place in the world.”, her service and work has been global. She’s also the Founder and Artistic Visionary of A Celebration of Soulful Dolls.

A fifth generation Minnesotan, descendant of Rondo, and proud “Selby-Dale” girl, Robin is a product of a strong family lineage, nurturing village elders, and culturally committed St. Public School educators. At the age of 12, inspired by her great-uncle acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks, at the Inner City Youth League, which was co-founded by her father Bobby, she developed her skills and passion for media and artistic expression. She also set her sights on attending Howard University’s School of Communications, a vision realized in 1985 when she received her B. A. degree, Communication Arts and .Business Administration. In 2022, Robin received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Concordia University.

Robin is dedicated to teaching the Parks Legacy class Scholars at Gordon Parks High School, and her work with the young media makers of color on the Emmy and CPB Award-winning Don’t Believe the HYPE, which she executive produced in the the 90’s and returned to TPT/PBS for it’s revival in 2021. In the mid 90’s, when she approached her Uncle Gordon about producing a documentary about his life, he asked, “Are you ready Baby?” She replied, “Yes, you taught me well.” The HBO documentary, Half Past Autumn: The Life and Work of Gordon Parks aired in 2000. Robin is currently a producer on a major film project, and like Parks, is working to ensure diversity is represented behind the camera. Before his passing 2006, her promise to him was that his living wouldn’t be in vain, her commitment is walking youth in his footsteps.

Robin is a tireless advocate for YWCA’s mission, and during her time on our board of directors, she provided critical leadership and compassionate support. Robin partnered with the YWCA to implement SoulTouch’s impactful youth programming – two of which were housed at YWCA: Lovin’ The Skin I’m In (inspired by acclaimed author Sharon G. Flake, who was the YWCA’s

Centennial special guest.), Choice of Weapons Arts and Media Movement (inspired by Gordon Parks’ autobiography.)

As the Director of Taking our Place Center Stage at the Ordway, provided opportunities for families and staff to attend performances, pre and post show events, and youth programs participates engaged in a “Careers in Theater” experience.

Robin helps strengthen our community by sharing love, joy and building partnerships, and leading efforts to eliminate racism and empower women! We at YWCA St. Paul are honored to celebrate Dr. Robin Hickman-Winfield as the 2024 Changemaker of the Year award recipient!

Dr. Yohuru Williams is Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. He received his Ph.D. from Howard University in 1998. Dr. Williams is the author of:

• Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights Black Power and Black Panthers in New Haven (Blackwell, 2006)
• Rethinking the Black Freedom Movement (Routledge, 2015)
• Teaching beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies (Corwin Press, 2008)

He is also the editor of several books and has served as an advisor on the popular civil rights reader Putting the Movement Back into teaching Civil Rights.

Dr. Williams has appeared on a variety of local and national radio and television programs most notably ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Aljazeera America, BET, CSPAN, EBRU Today, Fox Business News, Fresh Outlook, Huff Post Live, and NPR. He was featured in the Ken Burns PBS Documentary “Jackie Robinson” and the Stanley Nelson PBS Documentary “The Black Panthers.” He is also one of the hosts of the History Channel’s Web show “Sound Smart.” A regular political commentator on the Cliff Kelly Show on WVON, Chicago, Dr. Williams also blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and is a contributor to the Progressive Magazine.

Dr. Williams’ scholarly articles have appeared in the American Bar Association’s Insights on Law and Society, The Organization of American Historians Magazine of History, The Black Scholar, The Journal of Black Studies, Pennsylvania History, Delaware History, the Journal of Civil and Human Rights and the Black History Bulletin. Dr. Williams is also presently finishing a new book entitled In the Shadow of the Whipping Post: Lynching, Capital Punishment, and Jim Crow Justice in Delaware 1865-1965 under contract with Cambridge University Press.

As a dynamic Anchor and Community Relations Manager at KARE 11 News in the Twin Cities, Alexis is not just a storyteller—she’s a force of empowerment. She anchors KARE 11’s new one-hour News at Noon show. A Murrow and Emmy Award-Winning Storyteller and Culture Connoisseur, she is also the Founder and force of Lisa’s Girls Inc., a leadership and life skills community for BIPOC girls, women, and allies.

From working in newsrooms and communities across the country to creating and hosting the acclaimed “Let’s Talk Cincy” on WLWT in Cincinnati and revamping an alternative news with a twist show, All Indiana in Indianapolis, she pioneers robust community initiatives, leaving an enduring imprint on city after city.

A proud graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Alexis is not just a storyteller; she’s a catalyst for change. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists, she personifies empowerment in action.

Alexis doesn’t just report the news; she shapes narratives, sparks change, and inspires action. 

I AM A SINGER, SONGWRITER AND ENTERTAINER, BASED IN THE BEAUTIFUL“TWIN CITIES” OF MINNEAPOLIS AND SAINT PAUL, MN.

THE YOUNGEST OF 7 MUSICALLY GIFTED SIBLINGS, I ALWAYS KNEW I WOULD BE AN ENTERTAINER. BY AGE 4, I WAS SINGING, DANCING AND WRITING SONGS! I REALIZED VERY EARLY IN LIFE THAT,“MUSIC IS MY PASSION!”

MY FIRST BIG SHOW WAS AT MINNEAPOLIS’ COTTON CLUB IN 2002. THE ALL-STAR BAND INCLUDING NEW POWER GENERATION’S KIRK JOHNSON, MONTE MOIR AND CHANCE HOWARD OF THE TIME AND TODD BURRELL OF ALEXANDER O’NEAL FAME.

I’VE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE SHARED THE STAGE WITH MANY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STARS. JAHEIM, KC AND JO JO, KEITH WASHINGTON, TONY TERRY, THE SOS BAND, ALEXANDER O’NEAL, GLENN JONES, CONFUNKSHUN, MONTEL JORDYN, KEM, H-TOWN, BROTHERS JOHNSON, RAY J, R.L., HOWARD HEWITT, THE MAXX BAND, V.I.P., ILLISM, CHANTEL SINGS, ASHLEY DUBOSE, MIKE DECOLE,

YOU NAME IT, I’VE BEEN THERE.

WITH THE LOVING SUPPORT OF FRIENDS, FANS AND FAMILY, ALONG WITH A CONTINUALLY GROWING FOUNDATION OF NEW R&B MUSIC LOVERS, THE FUTURE LOOKS GREAT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE MY BEST AND ENTERTAIN THE ONES I LOVE AS LONG AS I AM BLESSED TO DO IT.

          – RAY COVINGTON

Where is Sweet Success being held, and where do I park? 

Sweet success will be held at Allianz Field, Stadium Club, the premier event space in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. Enter Allianz Field from Snelling Avenue and park in Lot B or Lot C (parking is FREE!). Check out the map

What do I need to bring? 

Just yourself – but feel free to bring a friend, partner, spouse, neighbor, colleague, or family member! There will be fabulous silent auction items to bid on – so consider bringing your wallet too :). 

What should I wear?

Attire is completely up to you. We have a few folks who attend in ballroom gowns and a few who attend in jeans. Most land somewhere in between and wear business attire and cocktail wear. I hope this helps. Whatever you decide to wear is the right thing to wear. 

Is there a security check? 

All guests will be subject to a search of their person and possessions prior to entering Allianz Field. Guests should be prepared to open their bags to be inspected upon direction by security staff. Guests may be asked to move/remove items from their bags in order to complete a full inspection. There are no bag size limitations.

Will there be music? 

Yes! The Twin Cities’ very own Ray Covington will be performing. Ray will perform a few of his own songs, and a few cover songs. Ray will open the evening, and close the evening, with songs. Dancing is welcomed and encouraged. Listen to some of Ray Covington’s songs here

Sweet Success is YWCA St. Paul’s most anticipated annual fundraiser!

Come and celebrate our outstanding achievements of YWCA St. Paul programs, participants and community. Sweet Success is a jam-packed evening of fun! It begins with a social hour, an opportunity to tour the stadium, live music, a silent auction, a short presentation, and an awards ceremony including inspiring stories of hope, perseverance, and sweet success. We anticipate 300 community members gathering to celebrate! 

Please consider supporting YWCA St. Paul’s Sweet Success event this year. Your generosity will make a positive and significant impact on the lives of vulnerable adults and children.

Thank you, Sweet Success Volunteers!

sweet success is made possible due to the passion, commitment, and dedication of the YWCA St. Paul fundraising and donor Development Committee members.