Leadership

NARETHA HOPSON | FOUNDER, EVER-APPROPRIATE ETIQUETTE INSTITUTE
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About the Founder

Naretha A. Hopson

Naretha Hopson is the Founder and Executive Director of Ever-Appropriate Etiquette Institute (EAEI), which offers Leadership, Dining Etiquette, Business Etiquette, and Impression Management programming for youth and professionals. Since the inception of EAEI in 2011, Ms. Hopson has instructed approximately 1,000 people with her dynamic, interactive, and contemporary brand of professional soft skills refinement. Ms. Hopson’s dynamic client track-record includes K-12 schools, universities, non-profit organizations, and corporate executives - with a curriculum directly impacts individual preparedness for academic and business success. Her clients include St. Louis University, Harris Stowe State University, Midwest Black Law Student Association, The National Urban League- Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP), St. Louis County and Public Library Systems, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Girls Inc, The St. Louis Internship Program and the Mound City Bar Association.

Ms. Hopson’s career in business, diversity and sales has afforded her the competitive edge as a regularly sought-out professional/motivational speaker and instructor. She served as Director of Diversity Outreach and Assistant Editor for United Media International, a global publishing house for the Korean American Journal and Beauty Times Magazine (the leading trade publication within the international multi-billion dollar ethnic beauty industry). Additionally, as an emerging young professional, Ms. Hopson garnered success as a realtor with over $3 million in sales and the luxury automotive industry with approximately $10 million in sales. These business experiences early in her career are a testament to her ability to forge ahead within industries where emerging professionals and women are not ordinarily identified as being at the forefront of business success.

Ms. Hopson remains active in civic and business leadership development programs. Naretha is a proud 2010 graduate of the Focus St. Louis-Leadership St. Louis program (LSL), one of the most highly respected and competitive leadership development programs in the nation. In 2012, Naretha was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Consortium for Leadership Development, led by former Fortune 500 CEO’s, high-profile corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and educators respectively. These leaders have joined forces to create a training program for high-potential individuals and emerging business leaders.

Service is a cornerstone of Ms. Hopson’s values. A St. Louis native, she has served on the executive boards and committees for numerous local organizations and initiatives. They include the United Way, Urban League, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Naretha’s current board leadership and service includes: Advisory Committee to the Urban League Young Professionals - St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Business Council Young Professional Network, Young Professional Boards of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery and the St. Louis Zoo. Since 2009, she has served as an appointee to Mayor Slay’s Vanguard Cabinet. Her most recent appointments are to the Board of Directors of Vernare Learning (schools incorporating STEM curriculum and sustainability, slated to open in 2015) and Special Friends Mentoring, an advocacy program for underserved K-12 students.

Recently, Ms. Hopson was recognized with an award at the inaugural St. Louis Sister Salute Luncheon, acknowledging the accomplishments of women of color. Naretha has also been mentioned in the Who’s Who of Black St. Louis. Additionally, Ms. Hopson was inducted into the Regional Business Council’s Young Professional Network (RBC-YPN)- Leadership 100 cohort, a highly esteemed program established to attract, retain, develop and engage young diverse professionals in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Regional Business Council is a network of 100 Presidents and CEO’s from some of the region’s largest companies.

Naretha is a highly motivated speaker with a message of inspiration through action. She strives to make a positive impact on the world by providing insights garnered through her voracious quest for knowledge. Ms. Hopson also emphasizes the importance of mastering a “positive mental attitude” as taught by Napoleon Hill. Boldly confronting the status quo with creativity and innovation, Naretha believes that all things are possible. She connects business and heart with her core values of service, gratitude, philanthropy, empowerment and excellence.