Organization for Black Struggle & Kansas City Black United Front invites you to the Virtual Celebration
Anniversary
Sunday, May 22, 2022 4:00 - 5:00 PM CST
Scholar, Activist & Author of Dialectics of Liberation: The African Liberation Support Movement
Other panelists include Mickey Dean
Nat’l Black United Front-Kansas City
Kalimu Endesha
Organization for Black Struggle
Moderated by Jamala Rogers
This virtual event is FREE but you must register: https://bit.ly/ALD50AC
For more info, email us at contactus@obs-stl.org
The Arts Today Ezine team would like to Thank You for your continued support, even now as many of us are being affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Our hearts go out to those who have lost friends, family, jobs and other opportunities since the beginning. It is a situation none of us could have predicted or expected. But being a resilient peoole we believe that this too will pass. Until that time, we encourage you to continue being vigilant in your hand washing, maintaining safe distance and wearing face coverings. Remember to check out the local mandates for your area. We will do our best to keep you up-to-date on this and other situations that affect our community.
With that in mind, we at Arts Today, attempt to provide information on resources and access to events that can be appreciated in a safe manner. Our magazine is offered online for virtual viewing, with the option to order paperback copies if you choose. Please note, if you order physical copies of our magazine, there might be a delay in receipt due to Covid 19. We thank you in advance for you patience and understanding as we all navigate these new ways of living.
Important Numbers CDC.gov
As the publishers of The Arts Today Ezine we take care in the production of each issue. We are however, not liable for any editorial error, omission, mistake or typographical error. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of their respective companies or the publisher.
COPYRIGHT:
This Ezine and the content published within are subject to copyright held by the publisher, with individual articles remaining property of the named contributor. Express written permission of the publisher and contributors must be acquired for reproduction.
6 IN THE NEWS INT. TRADE
Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program in partnership with Infinite Scholars Program
8
The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of the students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria:
1. 95 percent school attendance
2. 3.3 or better cumulative grade average
3. 22 or better composite ACT score
4. No major discipline problems
OTHER NEWS NEWS LINKS 10 IN
Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and univers ities to find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program is “Our Badges Create Scholars.”
Moline Acres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri To learn more, contact the Moline Acres Police Department at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.
Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.
Learn about export opportunities in three major markets in the Americas region. Brazil is recovering from recent political and economic upheaval and reforms have seen growth in the energy and agricultural sectors in particular.
Canada's economy has enjoyed greater than expected growth, outpacing all other members of the G7.
Mexico continues to offer a wide range of opportunities for US exporters from industrial equipment and inputs to agricultural products.
Speakers:
Mr. Fabio Yukio Yamada
Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Brazil
Mr. Ludovic Ortuno
Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Canada
Ms. Gloria Garcia
Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Mexico
Click here to view speaker bios and learn more.
In a time where we are experiencing baby food shortages, slowed shipping, and drought due to climate change theatre is lighting a way to a possible solution to some of these issues. That solution is to grow your own food. Now this is a concept that has been pushed in recent decades. You find urban farms popping up all over the country. During the height of the pandemic more and more people began to garden.
Theatre is not the usual place that you would hear about gardening and growing your own food, but Metro Theater Company talks about just that. In a new play, In My Granny’s Garden, a work inspired by the children’s book of the same title by playwright and author Pearl Cleage and her husband, writer-director Zaron W. Burnett, Jr. The play is a lovely interactive work that is geared for the smallest of our community, 0–6-year-olds. It is a combination of group participation, scavenger hunt, and musical theatre. The wee ones sit on their socially distanced patch of green grass with their adults. Then they are asked to the stage to help plant seeds, find sprouts, and pick vegetables when it is time to harvest. As they “play” in this play they are also learning about the journey of how food gets from farm onto their dinner tables.
Directed by Rosemary Newcott, it is performed by an inviting and energetic cast consisting of Alicia Reve’ Like (Granny), Jenise Sheppard (Riza), Camille Sharp (Miss Mamille) and rounded out with the musical compositions written and performed by Colin McLaughlin and Syreah Conaway. It is a delight to watch the little ones dance and move to the music and eagerly pull weeds and water sprouts and then pick and wash their vegetables. It is no easy feat to engage this young of an audience but, Metro has been creating and performing successfully for this demographic for about 15 years. The company has been creating and producing and performing theatre for young audiences for 50 years.
So, if you are looking for an impactful and engaging show for your little ones then please check out In My granny’s Garden. It is a lot of fun, and the kids will love it. I watched it at the performance space at Metro, but they are taking it on the road to other family partners and to real working
farms.
WHERE:
May 13-16: Metro Theater Company Studio (3311 Washington Ave, St. Louis)
May 20-23: Better Family Life (5415 Page Blvd, St. Louis)
June 3-12: EarthDance Organic Farm School (233 S. Dade Ave, Ferguson)
June 16-26: Eckert’s Belleville Farm (951 S. Green Mt Rd, Belleville, IL)
*Performances on June 10 at 4 p.m. and June 19 at 10 a.m. include audio description by MindsEye.
WHEN:
May 13 – June 26, 2022
Fridays at 4 p.m.
Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Additional weekday morning performances offered May 16 & 23 and June 8, 9, 16 & 23 at 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
TICKETS:
Pods for 2-6 people start at $48
Online virtual streaming begins at $20 and available June 1-26 through the MTC website https://www.metroplays. org/garden. (The video for the virtual streaming is from a filmed May performance.)
Metro Theater Company is committed to ensure that economic barriers do not prevent families from experiencing its programs. MTC is offering Pay-WhatYou-Wish tickets for live performances and virtual streaming on these dates:
May 13 & 20 at 4pm
May 21 at 10am, 11:30am & 2pm
June 3 & 17 at 4 pm
More information at https://www.metroplays.org/garden
COVID-19 SAFETY: Metro Theater Company has been approved as Missouri ArtSafe Certified. MTC continues to update its policies to protect all patrons from COVID-19 exposure risks. For In My Granny’s Garden, the following safety measures apply:
• Medically eligible guests ages 12+ must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be asked to show proof of vaccination.
• Unvaccinated patrons ages 12+ with documented medical conditions must be able to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance or a negative antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance
• Mask wearing is required at indoors performances at Metro Theater Company Studio and Better Family Life.
• Masks are not required while seated in purchased pods during open air performances at EarthDance Farms and Eckert’s Belleville Farm.
For more detailed information on Metro Theater Company’s COVID health policies, please visit metroplays.org/covid
St. Louis comes alive in spring and summer. You never have to look far to find folks who are thrilled to be outside getting up close to some truly unique events. StLouisArts.org can help you find your vibe this summer.
The long, sunny days send good vibes throughout the entire community. Whether you feel like a picnic in the park at sunset during the Shakespeare Festival, shopping an amazing artist market while sipping a local beer, or making memories at a stellar music festival, May to September in STL has it all.
As the weather warms up, dip your toes into the local arts scene with these unforgettable experiences.
Counterpublic Brings National Attention to St. Louis Arts and Culture Sector
Counterpublic 2023 is one of the nation’s largest public art platforms, bringing 30+ new artist commissions to life in public parks, gardens, historic houses and museums around the city. Free art installations, performances, screenings, conversations and parties will animate the six miles of Jefferson Avenue with art and stories.
The RACSTL-supported civic exhibition, which runs until July 15, 2023, has been gaining a lot of national attention - putting St. Louis on the map as a place where the arts are appreciated and celebrated.
Forbes - Counterpublic 2023 Triennial Brings
America To St. Louis, And Takes St. Louis To America
The Guardian - Six miles of American questions: An ambitious art exhibition pushes boundaries
Artnet - Counterpublic’s 2023 Exhibition in St. Louis
Shakes Up the Formulaic—and Often Problematic—
Shape of American Triennials
RAC Grants Update
As the 2023 grants season progresses, we wanted to thank all those who applied for the Artist Support and Program Support Grants as well as those who applied to serve as grant reviewers!
As a reminder, here are few key dates:
- 5/8 - 5/12: RAC Staff Rating Analysis
- 5/15 - 5/26: Panel Meetings
- 5/30: Staff Finalizes Ratings
- 6/8: Commission Votes on Grant Awards
- 6/8 & 6/9: Grant Award Announcements
Check the full timelines for Artists Support Grants and Program Support Grants
RAC Grants Update
Program Support Grants as well as those who applied to
HEC-TV's Spotlight program airs every Sunday at 9:30 1 and showcases St. Louis’ finest contributions to art, education and culture.
s St. Louis: Jack Lane Gives His Regards to Broadway
“Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape” at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Regional Arts Commission
6128 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112 (314) 863-5811
HEC-TV's Spotlight program airs every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Channel 11 and showcases St. Louis’ finest contributions to art, education and culture.
Schankman’s St. Louis: Jack Lane Gives His Regards to Broadway
“Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape” at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Meet the Artist: Reinhard Herzog
In 2013, a tax credit for movie producers to film in Missouri expired. Since that time, Missouri has seen projects like Ozark, Sharp Objects, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri filmed outside the state.
Beyond Belief at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild
Meet the Artist: Amy Koch
VIEW SPOTLIGHT
In 2013, a tax credit for movie producers to film in Missouri expired. Since that time, Missouri has seen projects like Ozark, Sharp Objects, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri filmed outside the state.
Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.
www.the-arts-today.com
The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of the students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria:
1. 95 percent school attendance
2. 3.3 or better cumulative grade average
3. 22 or better composite ACT score
4. No major discipline problems
Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and univers ities to find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program is “Our Badges Create Scholars. ”
Moline Acres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri To learn more, contact the Moline Acres Police Department at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.
And it is not the first time that we have had to figure out how to metabolize our grief and fear in ways that did not immobilize us, but caused us to actualize our power to change the world.
lived through horrors that were generational in scope and scale. They persisted through times when there was little chance of a better tomorrow, much less a better life – not even for their kids. Yet they responded to their lot in life by creating resistance movements, aid societies, educational and religious institutions, banks and co-ops, art forms, innovations and spiritual practices that continue to make our lives better today.
and principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC.
Remember that their blood is our blood. Their strength is our strength. They are the ROOTS and we are their FRUITS.
PRAYER:
Right now it might do us some good to call upon our ancestors for wisdom, strength and guidance. Our foremothers and forefathers
We call upon our ancestors, those upon whom the sky fell. We call upon our ancestors who experienced all manner of degradation, humiliation, violation and death. We call upon our ancestors, people who swung from trees and were forced to live on their knees. We call upon our ancestors, many of whom persisted, survived and endured without destroying themselves or others. May whatever it is that nourished and sustained them come more fully alive in us. Ashe
This is not the first time that this country has been run by a bigot. It is not the first time that we have experienced political isolation and social rejection.by Malaika B. Horne Malaika B. Horne
by Malaika B. Horne
I choose to reflect the times and the situations in which I find myself. How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?
An artist's duty, as far as I am concerned, is to reflect the times.
(Nina Simone)
(Nina Simone)
Edwin Way Teale said that The world’s favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May.
As usual, there are so many possibilities for us to enjoy this month in St. Louis! We have some great festivals that I can’t wait to see again. Hopefully, you’ll join me in reveling in the Spring that has been created just for us, all of us.
5 MAY
thru
It’s First Friday! Head to the Grand Center Arts District to check out the exhibits for free and until 9:00. You might want to catch the Artist Lounge @ The Met where they will be celebrating inclusion in the Arts featuring multifaceted poet & actor Ill Skillz who will bless the stage, followed by an open mic night!
Major Sponsor: Proud to support the Arts & Cultural Scene in St. Louis. Click Here 7 MAY
This year marks the 16th anniversary of QFest The fest will feature films that would not otherwise screen in St. Louis, from May 4th - 10th at Hi-Pointe Theatre Presented by Cinema St. Louis, QFest features 26 films from 9 countries. including eight narrative features, two documentary features, 15 narrative shorts, and one documentary short.
On Saturday, join me at the Cherokee Cinco de Mayo Festival on Cherokee Street in South City! This is one of my favorite festivals of the year in St. Louis! My girls and I can't wait to enjoy the delicious food from Cherokee’s Mexican and MX
American eateries, listen to live music, join the People's Joy Parade, watch the wrestling matches, and more. What started a decade ago as a few booths has blossomed into one of the city’s biggest and happiest festivals!
Also Saturday is St. Louis Microfest! With over 100 international and craft beers available at the Annual St. Louis Microfest, the festival also includes live music, a silent auction, tastes from 75 breweries, food and fun!
Sunday head to Grant’s Farm for Maifest! This German celebration will feature dance performances, German cuisine and Anheuser-Busch products. If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry- Maifest is all month long!
Sunday is also World Laughter Day. Not only is laughing a good work out (Vanderbilt says 15 minutes burns 40 calories!), it’s also good for you brain!
It enhances your intake of oxygen, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases endorphins released by your brain.
So laugh a little today, it’s good for you.
Movies & Bar downtown will have Off the Wall Mondays, serving up a full bar, kitchen items, and of course fresh popcorn while you enjoy a hilarious and immersive night of comedy.
May is the month of Twilight Thursdays at the Missouri History Museum, a free outdoor concert series on the North Lawn under a beautiful Forest Park sunset.
Friday at The Missouri Botanical Garden you’ll have the opportunity to taste more than 250 wines, both domestic and international, at Grapes in the Garden.
The Laumeier Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, and not only features up to 150 juried artists from across the country, but also local food and beverage vendors, hands-on activities for kids, and live music!
On Saturday morning, downtown St. Louis will welcome cyclists from throughout the region for 2023 Car-Free STL, a free, family-friendly downtown bike ride with Trailnet and Metro St. Louis.
On Saturday afternoon, you can enjoy tastings from 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. along South Grand Boulevard at the South Grand Brew Hop, followed by a performance by the Steve Ewing Band in Ritz Park.
Sunday is Mother’s Day and each state has its own unique way of celebrating! In Hawaii, they give mothers a lei, while in Tennessee, there is a special Mother’s Day Brunch featuring classic southern dishes, and in Alaska, some families celebrate by taking a whale-watching tour.
Monday is International Family Day, an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
City Winery St. Louis presents Rio Romeo Tour 2023 live on Tuesday! Rio is a musician creating cabaret punk & indie pop.
Friday is Plant Something Day, and also the opening reception of Botanicals & Blooms III, a celebration of all things floral and botanical at the Green Door Art Gallery in Webster Groves.
Friday and Saturday you might find me over on Sutton Blvd for a Taste of Maplewood! This is the 10th year the festival has been held as a culmination of Maplewood and Richmond Heights’ most renowned restaurants, beloved boutiques, and unique specialty stores, plus live entertainment on two stages!
Saturday 20th head to Delmar Hall to see St. Louis bread artist NandoSTL’s Y.O.T.A Album Release Concert. The Year of the Ape concert will also feature Young Cash and the hip-hop legend himself, T-pain.
Saturday is World Bee Day, aimed at protecting these important little pollinators. Not only do 75% of the world’s food crops depend, entirely, or at least in part, on pollinators, but they are key to conserving biodiversity. Plus, they’re cute!
Sunday, head to the Missouri Botanical Garden to see Chihuly in the Garden, a stunning exhibition uniting art and nature. Thousands of pieces of blown glass forms in 20 dramatic installations will be throughout the Garden’s grounds until the end of June.
On Tuesday mornings through October, you can awaken your body with Sunrise Yoga at Gateway Arch National Park!
This series is free, made possible by Gateway Arch Park Foundation as part of their mission to bring innovative, fun and accessible programs to Gateway Arch National Park and Downtown St. Louis.
Thursday at City Park, World Wide Technology will host the 2023 Biz Dash Known as “St. Louis’ Healthiest Happy Hour,” the event is the perfect opportunity for St. Louis area businesses to bring employees together to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. All levels of runners and walkers are welcome!
If you’re wanting to cook up something fresh this weekend, swing by the Soulard Farmers Market sometime this week! The market is open WednesdaySaturday, year ‹round.
Friday the 26th is National Road Trip Day and everyone knows I love a good road trip! Me and the family may have to plan a quick one and knock another National Park off our list!
Friday night, you can head to Clayton Community Theater to see Agatha Christie›s Murder on the Nile live on-stage!
Saturday through Monday, the St. Louis African Arts Festival will be at the World’s Fair Pavillion in Forest Park. This African Arts Festival includes an African marketplace, African arts and crafts, health village, jewelry, clothing, oils, African films, authentic foods, children’s activities, cultural demonstrations and more.
Sunday is National Hamburger Day, and I gotta say, my favorite burger is at Bailey’s Range in downtown St. Louis, I›m also a fan of the Hi-Pointe DriveIn but today would be a great time to try a Carl’s Drive-In and their famous root beer!
Monday is Memorial Day. Originally started in order to honor the soldiers of the Civil War, today we commemorate military heroes throughout history.
The merchants of Historic Cherokee Antique Row will have their annual Memorial Day, Cherokee Caravan. Go explore charming tree lined Cherokee Street between Jefferson and Lemp and enjoy the eclectic atmosphere.
Wednesday is the last day of May, but the first day of The Missouri Botanical Garden’s free, open-air concerts as part of the annual Whitaker Music Festival
This is a cherished St. Louis tradition, which promotes common heritage, celebrates diversity and encourages vitality within the community.
Let’s all stay safe & support local! I look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best. -Nate
Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. -Nate
thru
MAY
P.S.
Here is the latest housing report for your review. Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. -Nate
Nate K. Johnson ABR,AHWD,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Real Estate Solutions Group Redkey Realty Leaders314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office
nate@livingstl.com
www.livingstl.com
I hope you’re doing well where you are. I just wanted to share that my new book is out now. It advances my narrative of No economic power = No political power. Leaving our valuable cultural property on the table, exposed for exploitation, including the stuff we post on the YouTube and social media networks is not an option. They’re worth billions of dollars.
The discussion of popular music is a matter of economics, especially for those whose culture gave birth to the music genres. Who is benefiting from the economical windfall since the music evolved is an important dialogue to have.
I wrote the book, not for profit.
The Stolen Music book is the story of how Jazz or popular music developed. It is African music culture that was in the making for thousands of years, until the black peoples were brought to the Americas against their will to work in the plantations.
It is the story of the Bantu linguistic ethnic group which started in the South east of the present day Nigeria. The group gradually, progressively spread to the Congo basin.
Information in the book points to the charts explaining how popular music evolved in the New York area of Tin Pan Alley, in the late 1800s. It includes how the name Jazz came about in (Congo Square) Louisiana. Book narrates the spirit of improvisation in African music and Jazz music particularly.
The story is based on history and years of research, and not another book of Mein Kampf. Writing the book is sharing 25 years of music journey, in a business that I invested over a million dollars, in the life of the business. The book narratives give an insight on how African music was introduced by way of free slavery labor. Maps in the book show the different ethnic groups that were brought to work in the plantations, by the European slave masters.
Testimonials of the book:
Maestro Pete Escovedo
Dr. Greg Scott
Dr. Richie Garcia
Maestro Kenneth Nash
Prof. Marvin Sparks
Please help spread the news about my new book, and share your thoughts. Book is loaded with information.
Best wishes.
Origin of Rumba Jazz
https://youtu.be/EDk5Kwld-Zw
Int’l Exhibition - NAMM
https://youtu.be/7_vArTPEB0k
is the director of Last Stop on Market Street! She is a brilliant actor, director, and educator. As an assistant professor of theater at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, she is passionate about providing students opportunities to explore their creativity and embrace their individuality.
BY MALAIKA HORNE, PHD
In Observance of Women’s History Month
Nita Wiggins has written a masterclass about broadcasting excellence in her book Civil Rights Baby: My Story of Race, Sports, and Breaking Barriers in American Journalism. Rising through the ranks of sports news, she landed her dream job at the Fox Affiliate in Dallas, covering the Dallas Cowboys. But the dream had nightmarish tinges. As many Black mega- talents have come to experience. Notwithstanding the negative stereotypes that claim African Americans lack capacity, we now know that this has been simply a shill to cover racism and for her sexism and eventually ageism. She found some White males were galled by her exceptional talents and competitiveness, seeking to undermine her at every turn.
An expatriate now residing in Paris, she is a journalism professor at Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme. Now, Professor Wiggins is conveying her extraordinary skills and knowledge to her students as well as teaching them to be ever vigilant in fairness, objectivity and integrity. This interview has been edited & condensed. First, I loved the book and without giving too much away I want to ask you about your storied career.
Thank you for the positive response to Civil Rights Baby. I filled up my days from age 8 until age 45 with visions of the Dallas Cowboys dancing in my head. Truly, I
started at age 8 seeing myself as a reporter not only on the Cowboys beat, but in Dallas, Texas. I am flattered that you called mine a storied career.
I committed early on to outlast all the naysayers as I pursued my place in Dallas. But that it took from age 8 to age 35 to land that dream job. I didn’t necessarily fit the bill as the vivacious and youthful female sports reporter that some station managers considered the ideal. For example, intentional unflattering camera angles on a 35, 38, or 40-year-old woman are far more devastating to her career's longevity than those angles would be to a 28-year-old woman's career.
Yes, there were interviews with the most recognizable Cowboys, as well as Mrs. Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and Jimmy Carter, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and the highest-caliber sports superstars.
Focusing on the big-time interviews is a way to look at a career, maybe that’s the view from 30-thousand feet. But, in the book, I tried to give people the up-close view of a television career. It turned out to be a story of striving, unyielding preparation to be a journalist, building a career by getting unusual credentials. I’ll leave that part to the imagination. A university student who read the book said that a person shouldn’t be almost broken in pursuing a career. The word resilience comes up often. That is what is ‘storied' in the minds of some is the level of resilience they saw in me and that they said they hadn’t seen before.
Wiggins was born on May 7, 1964 in Macon, Georgia, the year of the historic 1964 Civil Rights Act. An award-winning journalist, she worked for 21 years as a U.S. television news and sports broadcaster.
You were one of only a few women of color. What drove you to such excellence and success in these predominantly White male environments? My father, Roosevelt Wiggins, is on every page. If not his name, a trace of something he taught m e is there. My drive to train myself until I improved at something comes from him. He coached my brother’s baseball and basketball teams at the neighborhood rec center. It was voluntary, not his work.
I went to many practices and games. I saw how novice-level players became solid team contributors by the end of the year and after several years of being on my dad’s teams. I copied that ritual of practice, practice, practice and study, study, study from seeing that growth. When a male manager would knock my reporting work during my TV career, I wouldn’t spend time trying to defend it. I would look at what I didn’t do well enough and go back to practicing or studying. It’s what athletes are supposed to do when they fall short of the championship for whatever
reason. I took it as my responsibility to up my game and up my skills so that there could be no conceivable way a manager could pick apart my performance.
You worked at Fox during the era of Roger Ailes (head of Fox Broadcasting) and Bill O’Reilly (Fox TV host), which was later revealed to be infused with toxic masculinity even at your Dallas network, fourth largest TV market in the U.S. There were some White males (not all) who seemed hell bent on diminishing your work while you excelled among your peers. How did you cope under such circumstances?
Practice, study, travel
Black Women in Europe® named Wiggins to the group’s 2018 Power List for her prominence as a thought leader and educator.
What concerns you about the industry, particular its treatment of women, African American women in particular?
When I was a teenager, the women who were landing on-camera jobs in TV were former beauty queens. We have to look at the timeframe, the late 1970s. These were primarily White women because few Black women were contestants in major pageants. Black women, who had been in the workforce since forever in the U.S., weren’t in front of the camera. This is the reality that I saw in high school. It coincided with the story of Christine Craft, a white woman and a well-known figure for broadcasters. In her civil rights lawsuit, she says that she lost her studio-anchor job because she was regarded as not pretty enough to be the face of the newscast.
I started my journalism studies in college about the time of the lawsuit. I’m a realistic person, so I knew from my first job and in every subsequent job, that somebody’s judgment of my looks could determine how long my career lasted. And I knew it would be a White man or a group of White men who would have the most control. Whether a woman is Black, White, or anything else, women are united in the fact that a man or several men will hold their careers in their hands. For sure, one of the deciding factors will be how the men assess her looks.
Yes, I agree whole-heartedly. Looks and age can be everything, particularly in front of the camera and it’s so unfortunate. Reflecting on your journalism career, is there anything that you’d do differently?
I did not run a flawless race, but I did move with deliberation and thoughtfulness. There could be something that I could ’ ve tried in a way different from what I chose to do, but I frankly don’t dwell on life that is already lived. I’m very introspective, however. When I’m nearing the end of something that didn’t go as I wanted, I make
the players were truly on my side when it came to accepting interview requests and giving me great responses.
As a preteen, I watched Phyllis George and later Jayne Kennedy as NFL reporters. I had already pictured myself as a Cowboys reporter when I was 8 years old, but seeing the two women doing professional, polished and entertaining work solidified that I also was going to make it.
I never told my sports colleague, Glenn Carver at WREG TV in Memphis, that he was my role model, but he was. We overlapped for 2 years in the mid-1990s. I never worked with anyone who worked as hard as Glenn. I patterned myself after him and his work ethic when I moved from Memphis to Seattle and on to Dallas. He respected my work; he valued my contributions and he told me so.
The list of sports royalty you interviewed and how you cultivated so many close relationships are quite impressive. How did you work your magic? Which ones stood out the most?
I do something called the “ person ” -al interview, which means focusing on the “ person ” in front of you. It is, in essence, to delve into what makes the person different from everyone else, even those who are similar. Many people might be chasing a first title or trying to prove to a previous team that he shouldn’t have been released. Those are not “ person ” -al stories and I find that those angles don’t open the interviewee up to share anything outside of the routine.
By the time I interviewed Jackie Joyner-Kersee in Seattle in the mid-1990s, (Named by Sports Illustrated as the 'Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century.’) I had my technique down pretty solidly. I know this because she tells me, in around 2003, that she remembers the first interview we did in Seattle. I connected with the person that she was. I questioned her about why, at age 30 -plus, why she’s accepting a back-up role on a team in the American Basketball League. And she answered that she didn’t want the first pro league for women to play basketball on American soil to take off without her name, reputation and support.
Many interviewers stumble in creating connection because th ey repeat a lengthy list of accomplishments and offer stale questions. I created a strategy to build confidence in the interviewee through the right kind of research and then follow it with the questions that allow the person to tell her truth. This is the lesson from not delving into the uniqueness of Mrs. Parks’ motivations.
What struck me was your findings about the high rate of fibroid tumors among African American women. I also had two surgeries for the same problem and as a woman working in predominantly male environments, the
stressors of race, class and gender bias appear to be hazardous to your health. Your thoughts?
Until 2017, I didn’t know medical evidence existed to show that daily stresses impacted the health of Black people. I knew this anecdotally, but then I heard with surety when a medical doctor asserted it at a panel discussion I attended. This is distressing news. It’s a disgraceful fact of working conditions in the U.S., whether in white- collar careers in an office setting or in labor-intensive, physically demanding jobs. This stings me as a form of workplace violence intentionally inflicted. And I salute anyone who was faced with the health side-effects, as you were, and made recovery.
was around 2015 that I began to link these concepts in what became my paper, Testimony on Economic Lynching in the United States, which I released in 2020. I present multiple examples of exactly what you ask in the question: an environment typically headed by a male manager and falling in line with the manager’s biases and calculated mistreatment of subordinates, the group assists the manager in the economic lynching of the designated person.
see parallels between physical lynching and economic lynching, and I share the following points: (An excerpt from the paper)
• Intentionally dismissing a person's pursuit, whether for air to breathe or live or advancement to keep alive a career or simply erasing her.
• Choking her off from her aspirations.
• Enlisting others who may be powerless to rebel, based on a power hierarchy.
Like literal lynching, that stain on our American history, the targeted person is toyed with, mocked, criticized and mentally tortured by willing and/or coerced participants.
Facing that situation at three of my seven television stations led to my fibroid tumors. The imaging technician who discovered the tumors offered me no answers about their formation around 2005, but I now know that medical evidence shows that discrimination can trigger fibroids. I had surgery to remove the tumors in 2008 and I have no lingering effects. And I am a survivor of what I see as an economic lynching of a career because I removed myself from wanting to succeed under those unsafe conditions. My constant effort of trying to work around managers’ biases, my being from an out-group instead of their in-groups, led to my fibroids and a potentially serious health crisis.
It’s a devastating thought when I consider how many people have lived under the thumbs of biased decisionmakers, having their jobs and their pay in the hands of someone who created havoc for them, at will.
Studies show that African American women are four times more likely to have fibroid tumors than White women.
Why did you write the book?
Writing about myself is out of character for me, but I felt the need to reveal the inner workings of the journalism business and the badly run newsrooms that fall short in serving the public. Some readers have told me they were angered by reading what I faced in Seattle, Dallas and West Virginia. What I experienced for parts of 21 years is all too typical and unfair. It was important for me to recount the instances of winning out in the field by landing exclusive interviews but fighting inside the news organizations’ walls to stave off being fired by a boss who would search for flaws in my performance.
I want journalism to do better, both in its treatment of hard-working, serious people and in its programs that need to move away from shiny-object reporting and horserace-type election coverage. I really thought I had the freedom to chase the career goalposts that suited me, but I found manmade obstacles in the male domain of sports journalism and under the direction of mostly male executives. My story is repeated in numerous industries. Civil Rights Baby readers have informed me of specific examples in pharmaceuticals, banking and art.
And add universities to that list as well. Moving on – your book is a compelling read. Is there a screen play for a movie in the works? Yes, I am now working with a pair of writers in France to create a project for the screen. I will keep the information under wraps.
Congratulations. What a milestone. So, what’s next for you?
What I find I thoroughly enjoy is helping people tell their stories to bring out empathy. I never would’ve imagined that writing my memoir would lead people to empathize with a woman or others who are discounted and discriminated against in their places of work. But that is the effect, as people from all walks of life tell me.
~~Malaika Horne, PhD, is a political and cultural commentator and author, Mother Wit: Exalting Motherhood while Honoring a Great Mother.
IN PERSON:
All Month: Storytime
June 1: Artist Kids
June 6 & 28: Game On!
June 7, 14, 21, 27 & 29: College
Help Drop In
June 9: MPOWERSTL Queer
ONLINE:
June 1 & 15: Cabanne Writer's Group
June 2: Marketing Basics
June 4, 8, 18 & 22: Central Writers Group
June 6, 13, 20 & 27: Decluttering Series
June 7, 14, 21 & 28: ELL
June 16: Lunch & Learn Wellness Series
IN-PERSON
June 15: Workshop Wednesday
June 27: Google Does That!
June 29: Workshop Wednesday
Youth Book Club
June 14 & 28: Eye Thrive Mobile Vision Clinic
June 14: Father's Day Cards
June 16: Teen Pride! Flag Weaving and Q&A
IN-PERSON:
June 1-25: 36 Views of St. Louis
June 1: Chromebook Basics
June 2: Building and LGBTQIA+ Community
June 3 & 11: String Quartet
June 4: Breathwork
June 6, 13, 20 & 27: Monday Matinees
St. Louis Public Library
1301 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 314-241-2288
slpl.org
On Friday, April 22, 2022, Ms. Carla “Coffee” Wright, candidate in the August 2, 2022 Missouri Democratic Primary election for U.S. Senate was the only announced Senatorial candidate to attend the legendary Kansas City political organization, “Freedom Incorporated” celebration of the life and legacy of their legendary founders, Leon Jordan and Bruce R. Watkins. This prestigious event was attended by over 100 prominent Kansas City political and community leaders. The event was held at the Bruce R. Watkins Culture Heritage Center.
The program included recognizing community leaders with service awards. Freedom Inc also acknowledged their past presidents including Mr. Archie Welch who introduced Ms. Wright to the guest speaker Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. Also, Ms. Wright shook hands with the majority of those in attendance.
Ms. Wright was the only Black candidate in the 2018 Missouri U.S. Senate Primary elections and of the eight Democratic candidates she finished 2nd Her attendance at the above program was one of many campaigns stops over the weekend as she shared her vision with the voters of the state of Missouri. Those campaign stops included drops of campaign literature to several Kansas City churches and a day of handshaking back in her hometown St. Louis late Sunday at the popular
Grand Slam Marketplace where she greeted at least 170 potential voters.
In addressing the many social issues impacting the people of Missouri and the United States, she is very passionate about the lack of racial diversity in the US Senate of 100 members with only three being Black and not one Black woman. Accordingly, with her election she hopes to change those racial dynamics along with working to improve the quality of life for Missourians. Her campaign slogan is “We All Matter.”
At each campaign stop with Carla “Coffee” Wright was longtime human rights activist and Campaign Advisor President General of the Universal African Peoples Organization, Zaki Baruti. For more information, please feel free to call (3140461-8187 or (314)477-4629.
PO Box 9226
Saint Louis, MO 63117-0226
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Linda Jo Smith is a photographic artist, writer, and CoFounder/Executive Director of A Call to Conscience: Interactive Theater for Social Change. My artistic pursuits are diverse but my first love is photography. Her works interpret the symmetry and patterns of nature and the effects of time and conditions which include all living and man -made subjects. The most grotesque subjects become beautiful phenomenon. The images can be as simple as a dilapidated building transformed into a colorful decorative image. The collage process invites storytelling and historical THEMES which is often expressed in the context of social justice.
Ida B. Wells Barnett, an emancipated slave from Holly Springs Mississippi, was an educator, journalist, and one of the founders of the NAACP. She dedicated a lifetime raising the awareness of the violence against African Americans in this country and fought for the right for women’s suffrage. The collage represents the women who fought with her and are still inspired by her.
The St. Louis community awaits the resurrection of the Old North Neighborhood. The neglect and decay have been hazardous havens for those seeking shelter and cover for criminal activity. Although this is not to sugar coat the decadence, Old North Symmetry is a celebration of the once beautiful and vibrant neighborhood and what it can be in the future.
Kabi ( カビ), Japanese for mildew, is an example of how Linda views the patterns of nature and the effects of time and conditions.
“Many things in our world are perceived as grotesque yet can be most alluring; my goal is to challenge the viewers’ Perspective and Perception to expand consciousness and stimulate the senses.”
Visit her website at perspectionsbylinda.com.
Grab your Mom or Friends & Join our Jewelr y Set Experience!
Come discover the fun of dichroic glass. Create a pair of earrings & a pendant from our gorgeous dichroic glass. There's still time to buy this experience as a fun gift for Mom. Create memories and your own unique jewelry set!
Our bar will be open for drinks and food will be available from All Rolled up, Sugoi Sushi & Beignet All Day
AMonster, about the missing and murdered Black children in Atlanta during the early 80s, and to reflect on the passing of Edwin Hawkins as well as the dignity of Black mourning ensured by the Black church and the rapidly disappearing Black-owned funeral home.
The “end” of the Atlanta Child Murders predated my move to Atlanta by about 5 years, but I can recall the fear I felt and flashes of what I can assume was the 1985 film, The Atlanta Child Murders, and Monica Kaufman’s voice asking “Do you know where your children are?” I can’t say I recall the exact moment I realized the life of a missing Black child is not treated with the same level of importance as the life of a missing white child, but listening to Atlanta Monster touched this sore spot in my soul.
Patrick Baltazar, the first child mentioned on the podcast, was killed at age 11. When Master Baltazar’s brother recounted the battle he fought to hold a second homegoing service at a church in their Louisiana hometown, I began to weep. In 1981, a white church refused to hold Master Baltazar’s funeral service because he was Black. Even in mourning the death of a loved one, a child at that, his family had to fight, had to persist in a way that makes one weary to the bone. Master Baltazar made history in 1981 and not as a murder victim. He made history when he integrated the white church which ultimately relented and held his homegoing service.
Master Baltazar’s body was found, asphyxiated, in DeKalb County, Georgia. DeKalb County, Georgia is where I learned Black people could excel in any profession including doctors, lawyers, teachers, college professors, principals, mayors of major cities and radio personalities. Mike Roberts and Carol Blackmon narrated my elementary school mornings on V-103. I could tell not just the time of the morning, but also the day of the week, when the first few bars of Edwin Hawkins’ “Oh Happy Day” crescendo-ed through my brother’s clock radio. 7 am on Friday. Black radio was still an institution in Atlanta with its pulse on the community.
When I heard Edwin Hawkins had passed, I immediately
Baking soda has been one of those things we've all had around the house for many years. It has so many uses from speeding up super glue bond to cleaning and deodorizing. There was always a box of baking soda in the fridge and by the washing detergent. We even used it to brush our teeth if we were out of regular toothpaste. I still add it to my toothpaste in between dental cleanings for a deep clean that regular brushing can't touch.
Baking Soda is a mixture of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions (sodium bicarbinate or bicarbinate of soda) often found in evaporated lake beds. It's also called a natural mineral or salt. One of the main healing properties of Baking Soda is it alkalizes ph and is a neutralizer.
Like Epsom Salt, adding about a cup of Baking Soda to bath water has healing benefits, though they treat different conditions. Epson salt baths treat circulatory health, blood pressure, and nerve functions. Baking soda baths are normally benefical for skin issues. Some of these benefits are:
Soothes itching and irritation
Calms hives
Relieves tension and pain
Boosts circulation
Encourages healing
To prepare for the Baking Soda bath, drink plenty of water. If skin is healthy and does not have dam aged skin (excema, psoriasis or other rash), dry brush (starting with feet and brushing upward toward your heart, when you get to your arms start with your hands and brush inward toward your heart).
Run warm bath water and swirl about a cup of bak ing soda into the water. Soak in the bath for 10 to 40 minutes. Rinse off with clean water, dry off and moisturize. Then drink more water.
Note: Check with your physician if you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or nursing. Try a skin patch test if you have allergies to certain chemicals.
Ivory Crockett Park
Thursday, August 11 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
This FREE event includes:
live storytelling performances by Jackie and Papa Wright, Ric Vice and Sherry Norfolk hands on art activity with Webster Arts take home books provided by Book Book Go lunch provided by Webster Rock-Hill Ministries
Organization for Black Struggle & Kansas City Black United Front invites you to the Virtual Celebration
Anniversary
Sunday, May 22, 2022 4:00 - 5:00 PM CST
Featuring Guest Panelist Abdul Alkalimat
Scholar, Activist & Author of Dialectics of Liberation: The African Liberation Support Movement
Other panelists include Mickey Dean
Nat’l Black United Front-Kansas City
Kalimu Endesha
Organization for Black Struggle
Moderated by Jamala Rogers
This virtual event is FREE but you must register: https://bit.ly/ALD50AC
For more info, email us at contactus@obs-stl.org
Spring and our 2022 Festival Season are fast approaching! We are preparing for our return to the theater featuring two world premieres: Harvey Milk & Awakenings. Create your own flexible subscription & don't miss these groundbreaking productions!
Read on for everything going on here at OTSL: Save your seat for the season! We know how to make a scene.
Don't miss this season full of passion, fantasy, miracles and revolution!
Get Tickets ➜
Tune in to Nine PBS on Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. to experience the groundbreaking Metropolitan Opera production of Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Learn more ➜
My name is Alan Gray Corujo, known on social media as @Blackgodcomics and I'm a self taught illustrator/ storyboard artist who also writes. LOL, i was a military brat, so i moved around from puerto rico, baltimore, north carolina, and georgia while never ignoring my craft. I dont even remember when i started drawing, its one of those things that was always the focal point of my pursuits. My goal is to create great comics/manga for black kids who can see awesome characters that resemble them.
The power of strong imagery is my greatest motivator!
Follow me on all instagram and facebook @blackgodcomics
PRESENTING WORLD-CLASS DANCE TO ST. LOUIS FOR 57 YEARS
3310
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Sarah Thompson, 314.884.8306 PR | Marketing | Communications sarahtproductions@gmail.com
2 NIGHTS. 17 COMPANIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. 90 ARTISTS.
DANCE ST. LOUIS AND WHITAKER FOUNDATION PRESENT
EMERSON SPRING TO DANCE® FESTIVAL 2023
AT THE TOUHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, MAY 26 & 27
St. Louis, MO (May 2023) – Dance St. Louis, one of the oldest and now one of only fournonprofit dance presenters in the country, wraps its 57th season with the Midwest region’s most celebrated dance festival—15th Annual Emerson SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2023—Friday and Saturday, May 26-27, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Noted as one of the region’s must-see festivals – “arguably the best dance buffet in the Midwest” (Chicago Tribune) and “a celebration of dance and… an invitation to bask in its artistry” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) – the vibrant dance extravaganza brings together 90 dancers and 17 prominent dance companies from across the country for two unique, exhilarating nights of nonstop dance during Memorial Day weekend. From ballet, contemporary and modern to flamenco, tap and hip hop, the festival offers something for everyone with a distinct, dynamic program each night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Lobby performances begin at 6 p.m. and mainstage performances start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, $20 and $25. Nightly 4-packs are $60 and $75. Additional festival packs (6-packs, 8-packs & 10-packs) are also available.
All tickets are on sale through MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com
WHAT: 15th Annual Emerson SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2023
FEATURES: 90 dancers, including 17 professional dance companies from across the country performing a variety of styles and repertoire for 2 nights of nonstop dance
FESTIVAL LINEUP & DETAILS: https://www.dancestlouis.org/emerson-spring-to-dance-festival-2023
• New York City-based brotherand-sister ballet & Broadway stars – Tony-nominated Robbie Fairchild and award-winning Megan Fairchild
• Global sensations Amanda Assucena & Alberto Velazquez of the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet
• Acclaimed international flamenco artist Irene Rodríguez
• Native American Hoop dancer extraordinaire Eddie Madril
• Collage Dance Collective – one of the world’s few professional ballet companies with a roster of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) dancers
• Eisenhower Dance Detroit –Michigan’s premier professional contemporary dance company
WHEN:
Friday & Saturday, May 26 & 27, 2023
5:30 p.m. – Doors open
6 p.m. - Performances by St. Louis-area companies and troupes
Terrace Lobby
7:30 p.m. – Mainstage performances –Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall
TICKETS: Tickets are $15, $20 and $25. Nightly 4-Packs are $60 and $75. Additional festival packs are available. All tickets and festival packs can be purchased MetroTix at https://www.metrotix.com/events/ detail/dsl-spring-to-dance or by calling 314-534-1111.
Emerson SPRING TO DANCE continues to be one of the Midwest’s most popular dance festivals. It’s the best opportunity to experience a wide range of nationally touring professional dance companies on the same night at one venue. With all tickets $25 and under, the St. Louis-area community is invited to experience nationally touring professional dance companies that may be inaccessible geographically or cost prohibitive.
The Emerson SPRING TO DANCE Festival 2023 program order is as follows. (*NOTE: Program order and lineup subject to change. Cont. pg. 109)
FRIDAY, MAY 26
Terrace Lobby • 6 PM
STL Rhythm Collaborative
COCA’s Ballet Eclectica
Grand Center Arts Academy’s Hip Hop Troupe
Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall • 7:30 PM
Joffrey Ballet Concert Group (New York City, NY)
ROCK MOVES Contemporary Dance (Little Rock, AR)
Megan Fairchild & Robbie Fairchild - New York City Ballet (New York City, NY)
Eisenhower Dance Detroit (Detroit, MI)
Irene Rodríguez (contemporary theater flamenco) (Miami, FL)
Buglisi Dance Theatre (New York City, NY)
Owen/Cox Dance Group (Kansas City, MO)
SATURDAY, MAY 27
Terrace Lobby • 6 PM
Jennifer Owen & The Big Muddy Dance Company Apprentice Company
Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall • 7:30 PM
Dance NOW! Miami (Miami, FL)
LaneCoArts (New York City, NY)
The Rosin Box Project (San Diego, CA)
The Big Muddy Dance Company (St. Louis, MO)
Eddie Madril (Hoop dance) (Bay Area, CA)
Amanda Assucena & Alberto Velazquez - The Joffrey Ballet (Chicago, IL)
Collage Dance Collective (Memphis, TN)
Tickets are $15, $20 and $25. Nightly 4-packs are available for $60 (Grand Tier) and $75 (all other seating areas). Additional festival packs (6-packs, 8-packs & 10-packs) are also available. All tickets and festival packs are on sale through MetroTix at 314.534.1111 or
https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/dsl-spring-to-dance
Beautiful high-res press images of the participating companies and video are available in Dance St. Louis’ press folder at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uwdphq2fvfi2349/ AACAw8TNCdJpsMR2g-JzPboJa?dl=0. More information about the 15th Annual Emerson SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2023 https://www.dancestlouis.org/ emerson-spring-to-dance-festival-2023.
Dance St. Louis is grateful for sponsor support to continue its nearly six decadeslong mission to bring world-class dance to St. Louis and to present the 15th Annual Emerson SPRING TO DANCE® Festival 2023. The title sponsor of the festival is Emerson. The presenting sponsor is Whitaker Foundation. Ameren is presenting sponsor of the lobby performances. Supporting sponsors of the festival include the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council and McCarthy. Major sponsors of the 2022-23 season include Ameren, Edward Jones, Emerson, Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Drs. Susan and Dan Luedke, Missouri Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Regional Arts Commission, The Shubert Foundation, Mary Strauss and Whitaker Foundation. Bayer Fund is the education outreach title sponsor.
Founded in 1966, Dance St. Louis has been bringing the greatest dance of the world to St. Louis audiences for 57 years. Dance St. Louis is dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural landscape and artistic reputation of St. Louis by presenting world-class dance and educational opportunities that make dance accessible to everyone. Dance St. Louis also conducts a broad range of education programs for the St. Louis community. Each year, the Bayer Fund Education Outreach Program introduces schoolchildren to the magic of dance through in-school residencies and mainstage performances. For more information, please visit https:// www.dancestlouis.org.
Fighting since 1983 for the end of the criminalization of a generation, for the end to police violence and for the implementation of an effective, independent Civilian Oversight Board.
The Republican wrecking ball has hit St. Louis. There may be more damage when the smoke clears this weekend when the Missouri Legislative Session ends. We have fought too hard for accountability of the police and courts! We have fought too hard to include citizenship participation in government!
The forced resignation of CA Kim Gardner last week could set these gains back 20 years. Also at stake is the attempted repeal of local control of the police department. The CAPCR meeting will focus on assessing the political damage to our agenda by the GOP and its cronies and how we should move forward to ensure genuine citizen participation for political empowerment. #RealPublicSafety
Join us Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 6:00 pm Deaconess Center - 1001 N. Vandeventer
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.
-- Charles Mingus
St. Louis
The May Day Parade has been a staple of St. Louis since 1910. It was created as a fundraiser for the St Louis Colored Orphan’s Home which is now called the Annie Malone Children and Family Center (Annie Malone Children and Family Services). This center was pivotal in taking in children in emergency situations and making sure these children can attend school alongside other children in St. Louis. It currently still serves as a center to meet to needs of abused, neglected, abandoned, homeless, and/or disadvantaged children and their families.
Annie Malone was a local African American businesswoman, philanthropist and inventor. She was the first African American woman to become a millionaire in the United States. Ms. Malone became the benefactor of the St. Louis Children’s home in 1919.
The Mayday parade is the largest fundraiser for the Annie Malone Children and Family Services, and the second largest African American parade in the country with more than 3,000 participant and around 30,000 spectators.
Rain or shine, the parade has continued every year. This Year’s Grand Marshall is Ben McLemore (NBA – Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers). He is currently with the Shandong HI-Speed Kirin in the Chinese Basketball Association
To Make a Donation visit anniemalone.com/parade
Juneteenth, the annual celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, has not only become a significant cultural and historical event but has also emerged as a powerful source of inspiration for contemporary artists. In this article, we delve into the profound influence of Juneteenth on contemporary art movements, examining how artists have used their creativity to express the themes of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.
1. The Afrofuturism Movement:
Afrofuturism, a cultural and artistic movement that combines elements of African diaspora culture with science fiction, has drawn inspiration from Juneteenth to explore themes of liberation and empowerment. One notable artist in this realm is Janelle Monáe, whose concept albums, such as "The ArchAndroid," blend music, visuals, and storytelling to convey narratives of black liberation and future possibilities.
renowned Soundsuits, elaborate wearable sculptures made from repurposed materials, are performative expressions that symbolize resilience, identity, and the reclamation of black bodies in the face of oppression.
4. Public Installations and Murals:
Juneteenth has also fueled a surge in public art installations and murals that serve as visual testaments to the struggles, achievements, and cultural legacy of African Americans. Noteworthy examples include the vibrant and powerful murals by artist Kehinde Wiley, who depicts contemporary black figures in the grandeur of traditional European portraiture, challenging historical narratives and celebrating black identity.
Contemporary artists employing mixed media and collage techniques have embraced Juneteenth as a subject matter, using found objects, historical photographs, and archival materials to create powerful visual narratives. Examples include the works of Wangechi Mutu, whose collages address issues of identity, history, and the African diaspora, intertwining them with the spirit of Juneteenth.
Performance art has become a vehicle for artists to convey the significance of Juneteenth through live actions and transformative experiences. Artist Nick Cave's
Contemporary conceptual artists have utilized Juneteenth to explore deeper philosophical and sociopolitical questions surrounding freedom and equality. Hank Willis Thomas, for instance, employs text-based works and multimedia installations that critically examine historical and contemporary narratives of race, power, and systemic oppression, prompting viewers to engage with the complexities of Juneteenth's significance.
From Afrofuturism to mixed media, performance art to public installations, and conceptual art to murals, artists have utilized various mediums and techniques to explore the profound legacy of Juneteenth. Through their creations, these artists not only celebrate the past but also shed light on the enduring struggles and aspirations of African Americans, fostering dialogue, reflection, and the continued pursuit of social justice.
Note: the mentioned artists and their works are representative of the influence of Juneteenth on contemporary art movements, this is by no means an exhaustive list, as the creative landscape is continually evolving with new voices and expressions emerging.
St. Louis, MO - Community activist and visionary artist Robert E. Green, who is a recent recipient of a prestigious Divided City Urban Humanities Initiative grant from Washington University in St. Louis funded by the Mellon Foundation, and is also included in the groundbreaking Counterpublic citywide art event, will open a major, site-specific installation of his work, THINK, IMAGINE, RECLAIM, at 2205 St. Louis Avenue in the historic St. Louis Place neighborhood on June 3, 2023. The exhibition continues throughout the summer and is open by appointment following the opening.
ZGrilled Barbecue Chicken
For the Grilled Zucchini:
Usher in the vibrant flavors of summer by firing up that grill that's been shoved in the garage for months, and GRILL! As the sun warms and embraces the environment the smell of grilling must follow suit right? There's no other way to honor these summer holidays than with family, friends and the aroma of grilled foods in the air. That being said, there's nothing like grilled meats and fresh veggies, whether store bought or home grown.
The following recipe is a simple marinated and grilled chicken and zucchini dish. Succulent boneless chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, thyme, and lemon, alongside tender, charred zucchini slices infused with hints of garlic and oregano, create a feast that captures the essence of outdoor gatherings and joyful celebrations.
Feel free to customize the recipe according to your personal taste... or until the ancestors say so :-), because we know the day after, those seasonings are going to set in and make it taste 10 times better.
Serve with rice, pasta, salad or just as it is, you can't go wrong.
Ingredients:
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken quarters
1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand or homemade, or 1/4 cup of balsalmic vinegar)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Ingredients:
3 medium zucchini
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
For the Grilled Chicken:
Preheat your grill to mediumhigh heat.
In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried thyme, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Mix well to make the marinade.
Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off.
Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
For the Grilled Zucchini:
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the zucchini.
Cut the zucchini into lengthwise slices, about 1/4-inch thick.
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Brush both sides of the zucchini slices with the olive oil mixture.
Place the zucchini slices on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are tender and have grill marks.
Once cooked, remove the zucchini from the grill.
To serve, place the grilled chicken and zucchini on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil, if desired. This dish pairs well with a side of rice, quinoa, or a fresh sauce.
Serving Our Vital Creative Community | May 26, 2023
The dispute over the future of the Fox Theatre has settled with a purchase agreement calling for Mary Strauss and her Fox Associates partners to take full control of the historic Grand Center venue. Fox Associates, which renovated the 4,500-seat theatre and has operated it as a presenter of Broadway tours and concerts since the early 1980s, has been paying rent to Foxland Inc., which owns 75 percent of the land beneath the building. Both parties said they were entitled to full ownership when their unusual 99-year-old lease expires in 2025. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Congratulations to the following National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant recipients: CAM ($40,000); Jazz St. Louis ($18,000); Kimbilio ($12,000); The Luminary ($25,000); National Blues Museum ($20,000); Saint Louis Story Stitchers ($20,000); St. Louis Black Repertory Company ($35,000); St. Louis Classical Guitar ($17,000); and Variety the Children’s Charity ($15,000). By law, the NEA allocates 40% of its annual grants budget to state, jurisdictional arts agencies, and regional arts organizations. The Missouri Arts Council will receive $912,725 and Mid-America Alliance will receive $1,733,000.
The Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF) is launching its revamped residency program. Beginning in 2024, KAF will host four visual artists, two writers, and two musicians. The visual arts and writer residencies include $2,500 stipends; musicians will have paid KAF venue performance opportunities. Professional development
workshops, some offered in partnership with VLAA, are a new component of the residency program. Pre-qualifying applications open on May 30.
To serve more nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, we have changed our referral guidelines. Organizations with annual budgets under $1 million now qualify for free assistance — that’s up from $500,000. Please note that our volunteer accountants cannot conduct audits and that IRS Form 990-EZ preparation may not be able available on a pro bono basis. Apply for assistance here.
Attend this free New York Foundation for the Arts webinar on May 30 at 11:00 AM to learn different approaches to pricing your artwork. Register here.
JOBS
The Muny is looking for a seasonal Covid compliance officer and a donor relations and stewardship coordinator. The Saint Louis Art Museum is hiring a part-time gallery attendant. COCA is advertising for a registrar and a grants coordinator.
If you enjoy Briefly Stated, please forward this issue to your friends and colleagues and encourage them to sign up.
accounting services. Readers are encouraged to consult a competent professional for advice concerning specific matters.
Executive Director
Konchel, Associate Director Dannie Boyd, Community Engagement Manager
foreign country. Miscommunication between patients and surgeons may lead to misunderstandings, unrealistic expectations, or insufficient understanding of postoperative care instructions. Effective communication is crucial in ensuring patient safety and optimal results.
5. Limited Post-operative Care and Follow-up:
Aftercare plays a vital role in ensuring successful recovery from plastic surgery. Traveling back home shortly after a procedure in Mexico may limit access to necessary followup appointments and care.
Many of these dangers have been reported in past and current events. Light has been repeatedly shed on the risks involved, emphasized the importance of informed decision-making and of prioritizing safety over cost when considering plastic surgery in Mexico. Lets look at some of those risks.
1. Lack of Stringent Regulations and Oversight: Mexico's regulatory standards and oversight for plastic surgery may not be as stringent as those in countries like the United States or Canada. This discrepancy raises concerns regarding the qualifications, training, and expertise of practitioners, as well as the safety protocols and sanitation measures implemented in clinics.
2. Potential Compromises in Surgical Facilities:
Lower costs often mean compromises in surgical facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. Some clinics may not have access to state-of-the-art technology or maintain sterile environments, increasing the risk of infections and complications during and after surgery.
3. Surgeon Qualifications and Experience:
While there are undoubtedly skilled and qualified plastic surgeons in Mexico, there is also a risk of encountering practitioners with inadequate training or dubious credentials. Thoroughly researching the surgeon's qualifications, experience, and patient reviews is crucial to minimize the risk of subpar outcomes or even surgical mishaps.
4.
Inadequate post-operative care can impede the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
6. Potential Legal and Insurance Issues:
Seeking legal recourse or navigating insurance matters in a foreign country can be complex and challenging. In the event of complications or unsatisfactory outcomes, patients may face difficulties in addressing their concerns or receiving appropriate compensation.
While considered a travel destination for many years, these issues in addition to the continual safety issues involved with local crime keep travel advisories in place. More recently, the story of the 4 americans who were kidnapped due to mistaken identity where two died. One of these travelers were reportedly there for a cosmetic procedure. And the isssues following the Shanquella Robinson case are highlights of the criminal element that reaches deep into the healthcare system in Mexico.
There is yet an additional advisory cautioning against going to Mexico for surgeries due to a fungal meningitis
The allure of affordable plastic surgery in Mexico has drawn the attention of individuals seeking cosmetic procedures. While cost savings can be tempting, it is essential to thoroughly consider the potential dangers associated with plastic surgery abroad.
that claimed the lives of 2 Americans this month. The surgeries are believed to have been performed in Matamoros, Mexico which is just across the border from Brownsville, Texas. Anyone who had surgery in that city between January 31st and May 13th could potentially be exposed.
Mengingitis is a type of infection that causes inflamation in the spinal fluid and the meninges (three membranes) that cover the spinal cord and brain. The dangers of this type of infection is it attachs the spinal cord and brain. Signs//symptoms can occur weeks after initial infaction.
Common symptoms are:
Headache
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Stiff Neck
Light Sensitivity
Altered Mental State
What exactly is the price of beauty? Should human lives be the real collateral for these payments? Before traveling to Mexico for vacation and/or cosmetic procedures please research travel advisories for the city you're planning on visiting. Check out Travel.State.gov.
~The Arts Today Ezine
Shontel
Author: Jabari Asim
Narrators: Adam Lazarre-White, Imani Jade Powers, Janina Edwards, JD Jackson, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Lamarr Gulley
Release Date: January 11, 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Unabridged Audiobook
ISBN: 9781797137759
Mental Health Awareness Month, first celebrated in 1949, holds significant importance in raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting overall well-being. The commemoration originated from the efforts of the Mental Health America organization, previously known as the National Committee for Mental Hygiene and later as the National Mental Health Association. The association was founded by Clifford Whittingham Beers, who was born in 1876 in Connecticut. Beers, along with his siblings, experienced mental illness and psychological distress, undergoing multiple admissions to mental institutions. These experiences made Beers realize the long-standing reputation of malpractice, maltreatment, and bias within the mental health field.
Amidst the challenges of adulting and navigating everyday life, it's easy to lose track of our own bodies and mental well-being. The constant demands of school, work, childcare, home life, and the overwhelming presence of social media, coupled with the post-Covid-19 lockdown situation, often lead us to neglect our mental health.
The United States has witnessed a worsening mental health crisis since the pandemic and the subsequent increase in social media use. This has resulted in a higher prevalence of depression, affecting both the younger generation and adults alike. Additionally, there has been a persistent stigma surrounding mental health issues and treatment, particularly among black and brown males.
Furthermore, substance abuse/misuse tends to be more prevalent among individuals struggling with mental health conditions. Substance Use Disorder in addition to co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or bi-polar disorder are a bit more complicated to treat since multiple symptoms are present. And many times, are linked or are direct triggers of one another.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing mental health challenges, especially among children and teenagers, the Biden Administration has taken significant steps. Recent mass shootings and the pressures of social media and school have contributed to the persistence of mental health symptoms. The United States leads the nation in terms of the number of people experiencing depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
To prioritize your self-care and promote mental well-being,
consider incorporating the following practices into your routine:
1. Physical Health: Ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet, stay hydrated, and engage in regular exercise. Taking care of your physical health can have a positive impact on your mental well-being.
2. Emotional Health: Express your feelings, set boundaries, practice self-compassion, connect with others, engage in hobbies, and prioritize your emotional well-being. Developing healthy emotional habits can help you cope with stressors effectively.
3. Spiritual Health: Cultivate gratitude by expressing it vocally or through journaling. Practice compassion, meditation, and forgiveness towards yourself and others. Establish healthy spiritual habits and find ways to give back to your community.
If you find yourself in need of help, here are some resources you can reach out to:
- In emergency situations, call 911 for immediate assistance.
- Seek counseling services in person or online. Check with your health insurance provider or schedule an appointment with your medical provider for referrals.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or having suicidal thoughts, contact the Suicide or Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate support.
- Explore federal resources such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also reach out to the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Remember, Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder to prioritize your mental well-being and seek support when needed. By taking proactive steps towards self-care, you contribute to a healthier and more resilient community.
Nate Burleson
Poem,
Co-Hostof “CBS Mornings” – Won Day at a Time
https://news.google.com/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNic25ld -
3MuY29tL3ZpZGVvL25hdGUtYnVybGVzb24tcmVjaXRlcy1vcmlnaW5hbC1wb2VtLXdvbi1kYXktYXQtYS10aW1lLWZvci1tZW50YWwtaGVhbHRoLWF3YXJlbmVzcy1tb250aC_SAQA?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
Biden Administration – Mental Health Awareness Month: How the Biden Administration Plans to Combat Mental Health Challenges https://r. search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrEsUSslGtkCyEFeiBXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZANDQVEyNTUyM0FfMQRzZWMDc2M-/RV=2/RE=1684800812/ RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.usatoday.com%2fstory%2fnews%2fnation%2f2023%2f05%2f18%2fmental-health-awareness-month-biden-administration-plan%2f70229818007%2f/RK=2/RS=Drv67. Lnl4cebfXFioGrh89l7Fk-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Lead Mental Health Awareness Conversation in Youth Group https://clutchpoints.com/ prince-harry-meghan-markle-lead-mental-health-awareness-conversation
We have a very special guest we’d like to introduce for our Business highlight of the month. Damon Patterson is an up and coming basketball referee on the collegiate and semi-professional circuit. In this interview he shares with us his journey as an athlete and how it lead him to his current career path where he now owns his own company, Above the Rim LLC.
You can follow Damon on social media: Instagram: @stldame Twitter: @dame_stl Facebook: Damon Patterson
Also for more content, you can follow us on social media as well:
Instagram: @ezmoneyinvestmentsllc
Twitter: @ezmoneytraders
Facebook: EZ Money Investments LLC
Thank you, Juwan Carey
https://www.ezmoneyinvestments.com/
St. Louis' own, Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock) ,was the superstar singer called “The Queen of Rock and Roll.” Starting out with her husband, Ike Turner (1931–2007), she was the star of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, known for their electric live show. They recorded funk rock hits such as their cover of “Proud Mary” as well as “River Deep – Mountain High,” “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine, and “Poor Fool.” Their 1973 hit “Nutbush City Limits” was written by Turner about her hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee, where she grew up poor in a farming family.
Legacy.com
November 26, 1939 - May 24 , 2023
Born 1984 - March 11, 2022
Ms. Walker was an ardent advocate for women, children, and the underserved throughout Ferguson, the state of Missouri, and the world. An Advocate for the community who put service before self.
She served in the Missouri House of Representatives, elected to her first term in November 2016. Most recently, Ms. Walker served as the Chief Policy Officer for the St. Louis County Executive.
Yes! Please send me Mother
by Malaika B. Horne
$16.00 • ISBN: 978-1-4809-4550-0
by Malaika B. Horne
$16.00 • ISBN: 978-1-4809-4550-0
We are excited to provide an update on the search for Forward Through Ferguson’s next Executive Director As you know, we have engaged a third party executive search firm, Daniels Solutions led by Yanika Daniels, to conduct a national search for our next leader in collaboration with the Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) Board Search Committee As part of this process, it is critical that we gather your insights into what skills and experiences Forward Through Ferguson’s next leader must possess to be successful We have developed a short survey to capture your thoughts and reflections. The survey is being shared with the public, FTF staff, and other stakeholders. Survey data will be analyzed to inform the interview process and candidate profile
This survey will remain open from Monday, May 22 to Friday, May 26
Forward Through,
Jia Lian Yang Director of Storytelling &Communications
Forward Through F uson
Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) believes one day St Louis can be a region that achieves Racial Equity – a state in which life outcomes are no longer predictab e by race Embracing the Ferguson Commiss on s mandate, we center impacted commun ties and mob lize accountab e bodies to advance racially equitable systems and po icies that ensure all peop e in the St Louis region can thrive Learn more at forwardthroughferguson org and transforming911 org
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