St. Louis, Missouri | November 3, 2025 – YWCA Metro St. Louis is proud to announce Keziah Jones, a senior at Bishop DuBourg High School, as the 2025 Future Leader honoree. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants across the region, Keziah will be recognized at Leader Lunch 45 on Friday, December 12, where she will also receive a $1,500 scholarship in support of her educational goals.
Keziah stands out as a dedicated student and engaged community member. At school, she is involved in Cheer, Spanish Club, the National Art Honor Society, and serves as a school ambassador. She participates in Campus Ministry, contributes to volunteer efforts, attends community events through her school, and plans to run track in the spring. Beyond her academic and leadership roles, Keziah is also a lifelong dancer, having started in first grade and even founded an after-school dance club in fifth grade.
Her application emphasized her commitment to community resilience and support. Drawing from her experience living through the severe May 16 tornado in St. Louis, Keziah reflected on the importance of equitable disaster preparedness and recovery resources—especially for women, families, and communities often overlooked in the aftermath of emergencies. Her thoughtful perspective and her vision for youth-driven neighborhood preparedness efforts made a powerful impression on the selection committee.
“We are thrilled to honor Keziah as this year’s Future Leader,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Knott, MBA, President and CEO of YWCA Metro St. Louis. “Her compassion, leadership, and determination to strengthen her community embody the values we strive to uplift through this award.”
After graduation, Keziah plans to attend the University of Missouri to major in Pre-Nursing and minor in accounting, with the long-term goal of opening her own medical practice. She is inspired by the words of Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high,” a message she carries with her as she leads with grace and resilience.
Keziah will be recognized on stage at Leader Lunch 45 on Friday, December 12 as part of YWCA Metro St. Louis’s annual celebration of women leaders and changemakers. Tickets for Leader Lunch 45 are available at www.ywcastl.org/LL45.
ABOUT YWCA:
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving nearly 10,000 women and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers crisis services and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; services for pregnant women, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; career readiness and economic empowerment services for all clients; and racial justice educational programs.