Our Team

Our leaders

Lillie Clay, Founder, and President

Lillie always loved her community and other communities she became a part of in her relocations in the military. As a youth, she volunteered in nursing homes, a willing workers program in her church, and worked with the homeless and displaced in several of her assigned locations in the military.

Lillie’s love for the disadvantaged began early and shaped her career path in education and serving her country. As a college graduate with studies in Business Administration Health Services Management, a Senior Leader in the US Army allowed her to work energetically with great pride to make a difference in other lives.

After retirement in 2012, Lillie could have relocated anywhere in the world, however, she chose to return to her hometown community. She saw an unmet and vast need to improve the residents’ lives and the community. Her wide scope of military training and education allowed her to utilize her leadership, human resources, strong organizational, planning, and training skills to form Fairground Neighborhood Revitalization Organization.

Filicity K. Winston, Vice President

Filicity is an energetic and definitely customer service-driven individual with a strong management background. As Vice President Felicity provides services that assist the residents and the Fairground Community, filling the gap between the community and other organizations that may benefit the residents and the community. She is straightforward and has the ability to make everyone have fun when completing any task. Filicity has a desire to see the neighborhood and community be revitalized again and is willing to ensure the residents are included and not displaced in the growth process. She also is returning to her hometown to make a difference.

As a leader, Filicity has excellent and strong supervisory skills, is an assistant grant writer, and has a great rapport with organizations and community volunteers. Filicity’s various type of position in various industries throughout the years and her ability to “get the job done” serves Fairground Organization and the community well.

Geraldine Jones, Secretary

Geraldine Jones has been an FNRO Committee member since 2013. She has successfully organized several bar-b-que fundraisers and numerous volunteer hours to beautify the neighborhood and community.

Ms. Jones was born at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in the Ville Neighborhood and attended and graduated from historic Sumner High School. After high school, Ms. Jones attended and graduated from the Vanderschmidts Business School once located in the downtown city of St. Louis. She achieved her diploma in clerical and professional business skills. Upon graduation from Vanderschmidt’s Business School, Ms. Jones began he Federal Service career by becoming obtaining employment at the Veterans Administration Hospital on North Grand, the Federal Records Center, and closed out her career in the downtown office of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the position of Customer Service Representative after 45 years of service on March 3, 2022. Ms. Jones has also worked as Poll Manager for various St. Louis City Polling Election locations during several elections.

Barbara Thompson, Treasurer

She is a member of the Fairground Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (FNRO) since 2013 and spent many hours volunteering to beautify the community. Ms. Thompson holds a BS and MBA in Accounting, a licensed Real Estate Broker, and Tax Preparer.

She also has completed Coro Training which is a professional fellowship program that builds civic leaders through community-based leadership training to work effectively across sectors, catalyze systems, and accelerate positive change.

Barbara Thompson served as past financial secretary and president of the Federation of Block Units and has been a community worker for many years. In addition to working 22 years in management at Brown Shoe Company, Ms. Thompson has volunteered with many organizations St. Louis Public Schools, Fairgrounds Community Development Organization, Neighborhood Council, Progressive M.B. Church, and Fifth District Police Community Support Association. Additionally, Ms. Thompson has given her time as a volunteer tax preparer for seniors and low-income individuals.

Sherrel Mondaine (Past Secretary)

Sherrell is fun-loving and always has the ability to make everyone feel welcome and loved. As the Secretary of the organization, she has to be focused as well as detailed. She has held various positions throughout the years mostly in customer service and administration. Excellent organization and detailed oriented skills.

She has been a caregiver and provider for her parents and grandchildren which sparks her to make the neighborhood and community better. Sherrell is a longtime resident and loves the area which is the reason she has remained in the community. Her background, and love for people, the neighborhood, and the community make her a valuable asset to all.