www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 30, 2020
Around Town
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St. Louis-native media figure supports voter registration efforts St. Louis native Areva Martin is supporting The St. Louis Association of Organizations (SLACO) and Neighborhood FORWARD voter registration, education, and participation initiative targeting St. Louis City and Ferguson residents. Martin is known as a passionate, outspoken, and insightful leading voice in the media. An award-winning attorney, advocate, legal and social issues commentator, talk show host and producer, Martin is an audience favorite on a long list of shows from “Dr. Phil,” “The Doctors” to “World News Tonight.” Martin is also a CNN Legal Analyst whose television credits include regular appearances on “Good Morning America,” “Daily Mail TV” and talk and news shows across CNN and HLN. When asked to support this initiative Martin said this about the importance of this year’s election. “Growing up in St. Louis, I know that the north and south sides of the city are often divided. That is why I am so excited to see SLACO and Neighborhood FORWARD come together for the greater good. I am proud to support their joint voter engagement project. These two organizations are working tirelessly every day to ensure that the residents of
‘the Lou’ have a voice. This year, more than ever we need every eligible voter to stand up and make their voices heard at the polls on Nov. 3. Our collective vote can and will make a difference,” she said. SLACO’s Executive Director Kevin McKinney said, “We are honored to have someone from St. Louis who has a national voice support our initiative. Her voice and passion will be critical to the success of this project!” SLACO’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Initiative has three key components: voter registration, voter education, and voter participation. The organization’s approach will be multi-faceted and include the active participation of its member associations. Neighborhood FORWARD believes that in order to change our neighborhoods, we must reform the criminal justice system, reinvest in our communities and reimagine our neighborhoods. Submitted photo None of that is possible without “get out the vote” efforts like those being led by SLACO. “We are excited to partner with SLACO and honored Areva is joining this effort,” said Mike Brown, spokesperson for Neighborhood FORWARD.
Citizens for Modern Transit recognizes ‘Champions of Transit’ The region’s transit advocacy organization, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) recently celebrated the incredible efforts of organizations and individuals for their exemplary commitment to championing transit in the St. Louis area. During its 36th Annual Meeting, held virtually on Sept. 17, CMT presented the 2020 Service Award to Don C. Musick, III; the 2020 Chairman’s Award to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project; and the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing Project and Mission: St. Louis. Don C Musick, III, of Musick Construction and the DCM Group, was recognized with the 2020 Service Award for his time and selfless commitment to CMT. He has been a member of CMT’s Board of Directors for two decades, serving as the chair of the organization for five years. His vision and leadership have played a key role in CMT’s ongoing efforts to help maintain a safe, integrated and affordable public transportation system for the St. Louis region. While retiring from the board, Musick plans to continue providing strategic counsel. In partnership with AARP in St. Louis, CMT honored the city of Maplewood and Citizens National Bank with the 2020 Chairman’s Award for their commitment to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project. This effort succeeded at transforming the MetroBus Stop – located at the southwest corner of Manchester Rd. and Marshall Ave. – into a newly renovated space that encourages active play, cultivates community and increases transit use. The ADA-accessible stop now boasts vibrant colors, green spaces, artwork, a hopscotch game, a glider and bench, new shelters, better lighting and more to improve visibility, safety and security. This year, CMT presented the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing and Mission: St. Louis. Bywater Development Group, the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, The Village of Swansea and the Illinois Housing Development Authority were recognized for collaboratively bringing to life the new senior housing development in Swansea, Illinois, known as The Metro Landing. It serves as the Metro East’s first transportation-oriented development. Mission: St. Louis works to empower people to transform their lives, families and neighborhoods. Its EACH1 community health and workforce development program helps people access the resources they need to achieve sustainable employment, live healthy lifestyles and create real change in their lives. Mission: St. Louis started including CMT’s Try & Ride Program, which provides complimentary passes and assistance navigating the transit system, as part of its EACH1 program offerings beginning June 1. This partnership removes the transportation barrier to job access and workforce development.
Mission: St. Louis was one of the winners of the 2020 New Initiatives Award from Citizens for Modern Transit.
Submitted photo
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