Chaos and Accusations Continue at Prominent Community Nonprofit

We previously reported on a letter from SLACO’s Board President Catherine Smith-Morgan, concerning possible improprieties involving the organization’s Executive Director Kevin McKinney. The letter addressed numerous issues, many of which involved SLACO’s real estate development arm, SLACO Homes. The letter also accused McKinney of potentially misusing funds connected to a government grant. At the time, McKinney chalked up the letter’s contents to a misunderstanding.

Months later, it appears that the conflict is ongoing and that staff have now begun to turn the spotlight on members of the board. Keith Antone Willis, SLACO’s Project Manager, has now emailed the board claiming that board members have been improperly seated and that southside neighborhoods have been systematically excluded from the organization’s board leadership. The letter claims that board members have estranged “Greg Meyer and Leah Sweetman, two of the hardest working and dedicated board members SLACO has every had put of [sic] leadership positions.” This runs counter to SLACO’s website, which lists Tower Grove South’s Leah Sweetman as co-chair of the membership committee. 

Antone Willis particularly singles out Board Secretary Angela Drake’s membership on the board as problematic. The email states that “Ms. Drake does not even have a neighborhood association that she represents.” Instead, the email states that she and another member are “allegedly at-large members”. While it is not explicitly clear, the second board member in question appears to be Board President Catherine Smith-Morgan. The email claims that Ms. Smith-Morgan isn’t qualified to be SLACO’s board president, as “your board president was ran off her own neighborhood association.” The missive also states that SLACO bylaws state that one has to be a president of a neighborhood association to serve as SLACO’s board chair. The bylaws do not actually appear to require that the board’s president also serve as the current president in their neighborhood association.

The email states that neither Ms. Drake nor Ms. Smith-Morgan could currently hold at-large memberships, since bylaws require that SLACO “vote every year on at large [sic] members, you have not in the last year or more.” SLACO’s website does note that Ms. Drake is an at-large member, though this is not the case for Ms. Smith-Morgan. It does appear to be the case for two additional SLACO board members: Vice President Sherri Bailey and Monica Campbell. This is also true for Mr. Meyer, who was alluded to as a southside member who has now stopped serving. Mr. Antone Willis’ claims appear to contradict the bylaws, which stipulate that members of the board of directors are elected to three-year terms. There does not appear to be an exception for at-large members elected to leadership. There also does not appear to be any language regarding at-large members generally needing to be renewed on an annual basis. The bylaws do state that organizational “officers”, which appear to include the previously named members of the executive board, are elected to one-year terms.

The email goes on to state that Ms. Drake has been attempting to enter into an unethical conflict of interest. Antone Willis alleges that Ms. Drake, who is a realtor, is seeking to represent SLACO in property sales matters. As previously reported, Mr. Antone Willis and his wife are currently SLACO’s realtors through their Evergreen Resimercial Realty LLC firm. Interestingly, this would appear to be a potential conflict of interest not unlike what he is accusing Ms. Drake of attempting. The letter ends with Mr. Antone Willis stating, “This team has now got SLACO prepared for a major law suit [sic] when THEY had a chance to avoid it two times las [sic] week.” The subject of the potential lawsuit mentioned by Mr. Antone Willis is unknown.

Ms. Smith-Morgan has since responded in a letter addressing the points raised in Mr. Antone Willis’ email. She addressed his concerns about board eligibility. “Please note that a full board meeting and election of officers and at-large members was conducted at 6:30 p.m. on April 28, 2025. Again, we encourage you to review our current bylaws and records for verification.” As to questions of southern neighborhood involvement in SLACO’s leadership. Ms. Smith-Morgan responded, “SLACO values all its members and is committed to diverse representation across all St. Louis neighborhoods. While we encourage participation from all areas, and our executive leadership and board strive for broad geographic representation that reflects the entirety of St. Louis, it is unfortunate that during the most recent election in April, we did not have members from south city run for elected office. Nevertheless, we still welcome and value the vital input of all members, including those from the southside, through their participation in various committees and initiatives they lead on behalf of and in partnership with SLACO pursuant to Article X of the bylaws.”

Ms. Smith-Morgan goes on to say, “Any concerns regarding relationships with the agency, potential violations of bylaws, or alleged misappropriation of federal funds are taken seriously and investigated. Including Mr. Willis’ current financial relationship with the agency through the Keeping It Clean (KIC) program funded by federal proceeds. We were recently informed of concerns regarding the potential mismanagement of these federal project funds which resulted in a full audit by the St. Louis Community Development Administration and St. Louis Development Corporation due to multiple reporting inconsistencies and unapproved payments and expenditures. A full reconciliation of the KIC payment history is ongoing and must be satisfied before any further expenditures are approved for payment. SLACO will continue to work with the City of St. Louis and legal counsel to evaluate its position regarding this matter and the potential ramifications for the agency.” This appears to reference the financial improprieties mentioned in her springtime letter to the board.

The email from Ms. Smith-Morgan concludes with a mention of last night’s board meeting. She states that there would be time on the agenda to discuss these matters. The outcome of that board discussion is unknown.

Given Mr. Antone Willis’ specific focus on Ms. Drake, she was contacted about this story. She deferred comment and provided a copy of Ms. Smith-Morgan’s email in response.