John
Parker from coaching sports
to life successfully
One of the most interesting things about the St. Louis is that, day in and day
out, the people that are the most influential and powerful in this city are the
ones who have come up through the ranks, have unique backgrounds attached
to their public persona, and have an uncanny ability to make people listen
to what they have to say. Such is the case of John Parker. The former college
/ professional football coach, turned public relations mogul. The President
of Parker Public Relation has constructed himself into one of the true “power
players” in the St. Louis area, and one that every charity board around town is
seeking to have join their cause.
Attend any local charity event or public soiree, and it’s quite possible you’ll
be rubbing elbows with this influential leader, who has found himself making
news, or his photo in the STL public eye every week within the pages of Alive
Magazine, or St. Louis Mag, or even on the cover of the Ladue News.
The varied list of “Most Influential St. Louisan’s” includes health-care
administrators, energy executives, life-science pioneers, civic leaders, bankers,
politicians, builders, real estate developers and more. If there’s money flowing
in this town, someone on this list knows where it’s going, and how it will get
there. Somehow, whether because of his media background, his personal
connections with the leaders of the city and county as well, or because of his
outgoing electric personality, Parker has become a power broker with the ability
to influence individuals, companies and charitable organizations in the St. Louis
area.
Parker remains publicly humble about his rising status. He always refers to
himself as a “poor black kid from Berkeley”, a small municipality in North
County known more now for rising crime rates, and the home of Cedric the
Entertainer. Parker’s family moved there in the 60’s and his mother Barbara, has
seen a multitude of change pass through the area. “Everything from “whiteflight” to airport expansion” says Parker. When asked about his influential
power, Parker stated “I have five children who I can barely get to listen to me
at all. I am not sure I have that much influence on anybody. I have an opinion
about circumstances and have relationships with a few people. I pass that to
individuals and organizations that want it (and sometimes those that don’t) with
the true intent of making them better.”
Growing up as a black kid in Berkeley in the late 60’s and early 70’s was not
an easy task. Parker faced racism both visual to him, and hidden in the feeling
of his teachers, and many adult influences of his l