About the Gospel Music Hall of Fame

MEET THE TEAM

St. Louis Committeewoman Yolonda Yancie, CEO of Lawrence Group and New+Found Steve Smith,  and film producer / founder Monica R. Butler.


The Butler Group has partnered with Steve Smith of The Lawrence Group and New + Found to redevelop the former Second Baptist Church on Kingshighway into a 40,000+ square foot museum, education, cultural and performing arts center in heart of the Central West End's “Holy Corners” historic district.

Monica R. Butler

Monica R. Butler, owner of The Butler Group, has been a part of television, theatre and film production for over 25 years. With passion and compassion, she has produced for Black Entertainment Television working with Bobby Jones Gospel, Tyler Perry stage play production and served as Producer at The Word Television Network. Ms. Butler has worked on many notable films such as Jurassic World and John Wick, and has produced her own projects through The Butler Group while preparing the next generation of young creatives with Film Camp USA. A recipient of the 95.5 The Lou Phenomenal Woman Award, she is a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and a Producer of the International Gospel Music Summit. She serves on the Board of Directors of MOMMA and St. Louis Filmworks, and is a proud member of IATSE Local 493 Studio Mechanics.

Yolonda 'Yogi' Yancie

Yolonda “ Yogi” Yancie is a lifetime resident of the fabulous 18th Ward in the City of St. Louis whose family has over 75 years of residential and active involvement in the community. Serving over 25+ years as a Professional Social Worker providing intensive Case Management resources to thousands of families in the local community of North city, South city, and surrounding St. Louis County areas. Aug. 4th, 2020, Yolonda won in an overwhelming 3-way election with an incumbent Committee women candidate and previous 2019 Aldermanic candidate. Also, a strong advocate for bridging the gap in the community. One FAMILY at a time. Doing the WORK together...18th Ward PROUD!

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Lawrence Group and its affiliate company, New + Found. For more than 35 years, Steve has committed to the redevelopment of the St. Louis region, leading the development of more than $600 million in historic renovation over the last 10 years, including projects such as Angad Arts Hotel, The Marquette Building, Park Pacific, Sun Theater and the City Foundry STL redevelopment on the former Federal Mogul site.

Help to restore the old Second Baptist Church into

Missouri's first Gospel Music Hall of Fame Art Museum and Research Center

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