nickel for every time I was called the
N-word, I would be living very large”.
But he conveys that it was the same
for most black kids who he was raised
with in his neighborhood. He learned
to not only deal with those situations
with tolerance, but to somehow
figure out a way to work his way into
a system that was set up to keep him
on the outside, by people who didn’t
look like him.
Parker’s coached college and
professional football for nearly a
quarter of a century, but reach a point
in his life where it was no longer the
highlight of his drive. He decided to
change his life after a career where
he was constantly in the public eye.
“I spent most of my professional
life in a fish bowl, but it taught me
how to not only handle the public,
but also understand the real power
players in corporate and legislative
circles.” He went through a divorce,
moved back to St. Louis, continued
his radio and television broadcasting
career, and slowly began to redevelop
his relationships in the area. He has
often been aligned with other power
players in the area such as David
Steward (World Wide Technology),
Michael Holmes (RX Outreach), and
David Kemper (Commerce Bank),
and the contact list in his cell phone
reads as a virtual “who’s who” of the
Gateway city. “If I am mentioned
in the same sentences as those
individuals, I am honored, but I
don’t consider myself in the same
category as them” stated Parker
Parker’s appearance and demeanor
are at first, low-key publicly, but his
client list isn’t. He latest business
venture is Parker Public Relations
(1221 Locust Ave. Suite 703), a
boutique PR firm that designs tailor
made PR campaigns for individuals,
companies and charitable
organizations. He has organized PR
campaigns for doctors, bars and
restaurants, political candidates, and
charities of all sorts. He recently
worked one night with Alive
Magazine Editor, Elizabeth Tucker
as “the voice” for St. Louis Fashion
Week at the Union Station Hotel.
“Elizabeth and I always joke about
how much she likes my voice, and
it is always a treat to do anything
with Alive” said Parker. Also, he
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