The friendship between Kristen Slaughter and Kiara Brown is unconventional. The two are of completely different generations; Slaughter is 22 years Brown鈥檚 senior. They also met at wildly different stages in their lives. And their friendship was meant to last just a year.
Yet somehow they鈥檝e managed to stay close friends for two decades.
Slaughter and Brown were introduced through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, an organization that seeks to benefit youth by facilitating meaningful relationships with adults. At the time, Slaughter was early in her career with the nonprofit organization and Brown was an 8-year-old student at Adams Elementary School in south St. Louis.
Over the years, they learned how much they have in common. 鈥淲e鈥檙e both Aquarius,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淥nce people got past the difference in age and the difference in the way that we look, it鈥檚 like, 鈥榃ow, those two are kindred souls,鈥欌�� Slaughter said.
Brown, now 28, is a mother of two and has started her own career, but she still finds time to connect with Slaughter. 鈥淎s life happens to us we don鈥檛 talk as much, but as soon as we get together, it鈥檚 like we鈥檝e never been apart,鈥� Brown said.
Since their introduction 20 years ago, they have celebrated birthdays together and many meals. The content of their conversations has also changed.
鈥淜iara knew me when I was newly married, no children, newer in my career, and over the last 20 years that has changed a lot,鈥� Slaughter told St. Louis on the Air. 鈥淚 became a little more seasoned and stepped into a new role at work. I have a 14-year-old son now, and we鈥檝e gone through other personal changes.鈥�
Slaughter was recently named Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri鈥檚 new CEO. She credits a conversation with Brown during a recent lunch with inspiring her to go for the top job. 鈥淜iara was really one of the determining factors [for me], and I think that goes to show how much influence she鈥檚 had over the last 20 years,鈥� Slaughter said.
To hear more about how Kristen Slaughter and Kiara Brown have maintained their 20-year friendship, listen to St. Louis on the Air on , , , , or by clicking the play button below.
鈥�鈥� brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by , , , and . is our production assistant. The audio engineer is . Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.
