Zekita Armstrong Asuquo

President of Gateway Global Data Logistics Co.

Zekita Armstrong Asuquo is President of Gateway Global Data Logistics Co. and Chair of Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies.

DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT & TALENT ACQUISITION
Zekita has held the position of Diversity Manager with an MBE certified IT recruiting and consulting firm where she oversaw diversity spend of $70M with more than 300+ billable consultants in 35 states. In this role she also helped to build the build the brands of leadership through media outreach, community partners, events, and public relations.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Zekita served as Director of Social Enterprise for a nonprofit women’s recovery facility helping to build its social enterprise, manage business operations, and creating the organization’s workforce preparedness program “Adjusting to Work” for women re-entering the workforce.

EDUCATION
Zekita has served as Director of Operations and Finance for a private academy serving grades 6-12. In that role she managed an annual budget of $2.5M in the office of Institutional Advancement. She was also responsible for managing multiple departments including human resources, finance, facilities, and development.

Zekita has been featured and published by countless newspapers and some of the most influential online publications across the U.S and abroad including ABC World News, Diversity Journal, Christianity Today and TheRoot. She has been interviewed by CNN commentator and radio show host, Roland S.Martin, on The Intersection with award winning journalist, Rebecca Roberts, the Charlie Brennan Show on CBS/KMOX Radio, Fox News, HEC TV, The Bernie Hayes Show, and many more.

She has served on the planning committee of the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) Breast Cancer Survivor Project, a former member of the board of directors for Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH), and served as the 2012 General Chair of the CWAH Annual Circle of Support Gala and Jazz Concert. Zekita is also a former member of the Harris Stowe State University Workforce Preparedness Advisory Council (WPAC) for students and alumni. She is the past President of St. Louis Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

Zekita currently is a member of the St. Louis region’s GeoFutures Advisory Committee and Opera Theatre St. Louis’ Engagement and Inclusion committee. She is also a member of United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USFIF) where she recently led the historic efforts to become the first organization in the U.S. to award high school level GEOINT credentials to students in Missouri.

Zekita holds a B.A. in Sociology (minor in Political Science), a CCIT Certification in International Trade from World Trade Center St. Louis, and is an MML Candidate at Maryville University. She currently lives in St. Louis, MO with her two youngest daughters Yanahni and Eno.

 

What makes St. Louis a model for other mid-sized cities?

I think St. Louis is a model for other mid-sized cities because in spite of its challenges, the city continues to seek out solutions that will help to restore it to its historic relevance. Leaders in our city want to make an impact not just on the nation, but on the globe and I think that is a pretty strong quality that we have.

What do you find most inspiring about your city?

I find the city residents most inspiring. The people who live and work in St. Louis truly believe in the city and all that it can offer. They are committed to making it a place that other people and businesses can call home.