December 5th, 2024 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

A story of Trans-Atlantic horror and triumph

Author Kwesi Essel-Blankson visits

Griot Museum

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

While African American history has long been politicized and targeted by right-wing zealots, the agonizing story of the nefarious slave trade, which brought many Black families’ first forebearers to these shores, must never be forgotten.

In acknowledging the horror of slavery and the ultimate triumph of Black Americans who endured this shameful and heinous period of U.S. history, The Griot Museum of Black History welcomed Kwesi Essel-Blankson, author of “Our Story: Cape Coast Castle & The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade” on Tuesday evening.

See GRIOT, A6

Kwesi Essel-Blankson, author of “Our Story: Cape Coast Castle & The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade,” has been a tour guide at the Cape Coast Castle for over 20 years. In 2009 he led a tour with former U.S. President

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Valerie Patton, corporate force retires after stellar career

‘There’s still much work to be done’

By Namratha Prasad St. Louis American

After more than 20 years of a career in the corporate world, Valerie Patton has retired from her position as chief DEI officer of Greater St. Louis Inc. On Tuesday afternoon, friends, col-

The Ghanian Cultural free event, held in leagues and family members gathered at the St. Louis Marriott downtown to celebrate her four years with GSL and her outstanding career and accomplishments. Patton managed workforce diversity and inclusion for the business community through GSL, a civic advocate

Black Americans aren’t vacating vaccination shots

whose mission is to attract more businesses and foster economic growth in the region for all residents and communities. She also led an annual fellowship program and served as a mentor for

“Cort

public servant. As a federal prosecutor, he’s worked to protect victims of crime. As an attorney, he’s represented everyday

‘Economically empower ourselves’

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American

A large part of the campaign arsenals of President-elect Donald Trump and Republican candidates was an all-out attack on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Conservatives successfully argued that DEI policies are discriminatory and, following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in summer of 2023, pressured corporations to drop them.

To date, companies including Ford, Toyota, John Deere, Lowe’s and Walmart have given in to pressure that included threats of boycotts from some right-wing groups.

“Multiple companies in the United States have begun to walk back almost a decade of DEI progress, seemingly in a domino effect,” John Bowman, president

10th Ward Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard and Rung for Woman CEO Leslie Gill (at podium) present Valerie Patton with a new pair of tennis shoes during her retirement luncheon on Tuesday. Dec. 3, 2024. at the St. Louis Marriott downtown. Patton is retiring after 20 years of service in the St. Louis corporate world. Her last four was with Greater St. Louis Inc.

Photo courtesy of Griot Museum

Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha.

Cort VanOstran

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Wesley Bell

Funny men Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy will soon be family

The daughter of Martin Lawrence and the son of Eddie Murphy took to social media and let the world know of their plans to become husband and wife.

In a joint post on Instagram, Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy shared a romantic video that showed Murphy leading Lawrence into a room filled with candles and getting down on one knee in front of a giant heart on the wall. After seeing the ring, Lawrence could be heard saying, “It’s beautiful!”

In the caption, they wrote, “God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.” According to the post, the pair became engaged the day before Thanksgiving.

Lawrence and Murphy are no stranger to documenting their relationship on social media. In June of 2021, Eric Murphy shared a photo of himself with Jasmin Lawrence on Instagram. In the caption Murphy said that he was “head over heels in LOVE” with Jasmin Lawrence. A date for the nuptials has yet to be released.

Court docs say Wendy Williams is ‘permanently incapacitated’

TMZ is one of many outlets who reported that the dementia battle faced by former media personality and daytime talk show host Wendy Williams has taken a tragic turn.

In a court filing first released by the US Sun, Williams’ guardian Sabrinia Morrissey says “an acclaimed entertainer who, tragically, has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and, as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.”

The filing further states, “In January 2022, after becoming aware of a pattern of disturbing events con cerning [Wendy’s] welfare and finances, Wells Fargo took the highly unusual step of initiating a guardianship pro ceeding on its own initiative in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County (the ‘Guardianship Proceeding’), to seek the court appointment of an indepen dent guardian for [Wendy’s] financial affairs.”

A family insider who chose to remain anonymous disputed the filing to The Daily Mail.

“She is more clear now than she’s ever been throughout the guardianship,” the person reportedly told the outlet.

“Which is a problem for some.”

Kyrie slapped with $400K lawsuit stemming from wellness retreat tragedy

According to MSN.com, a celebrity therapist hired by Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving to facilitate wellness workshops at a family retreat he hosted claims the eight-time NBA All-Star is now refusing to pay for her services. Those services reportedly included additional counseling after one attendee died unexpectedly during Social worker Natasha provided, among other things, guided meditation sessions, ionic foot baths, and “intuitive life readings” to Irving and his relatives at a five-day gathering in North Dakota last summer, according to a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court and obtained by The Independent. When she was forced to pivot quickly to crisis intervention and grief counseling, McCartney’s suit says she went above

and beyond, acting as a liaison between police and the family, making arrangements with the coroner, and “promptly facilitating the removal of Kyrie from the scene to avoid media exposure.”

The lawsuit alleges that Irving continues to withhold the nearly $400,000 he owes McCartney, the lawsuit alleges. It accuses Irving of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and fraud, and seeks payment in full, plus interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter gifted seven-figure wedding budget

During a visit to “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” West Coast gangster rap legend turned national treasure Snoop Dogg spilled the tea on the biggest splurge he’s ever given to his only daughter, Cori Broadus.

“It’s the truth, but the only thing about this gift is she never got to open it, or she hasn’t opened it yet,” Snoop told Jennifer Hudson. “It was a million dollars for her wedding. But, Jen, I told her if it was me, my wedding would have been $100 and $900 would have gone in my pocket.”

Sources: US Sun, The Daily Mail, E! News, MSN.com, Instagram.com, USA Today

Kenneth Randle finds meaning in his ‘Void’

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Kenneth Randle refuses to see everything around him in simple terms.

“In a world where people often see only in black and white, I have always used light, color, and shape as a form of representation to express my ideas,” Randle says.

The High Low Gallery is presenting “Void Spaces,” by the St. Louis-based artist through Saturday, Jan. 5,2025. Void Spaces is part of the 2024-2025 season of juried exhibitions in KAF’s ‘The Call’ artist submission program.

Randle’s work normalizes the Black aesthetic and how one can engage with it, questioning how something and someone can be invisible in a world where there’s no such thing as invisibility. His paintings are a beacon to show the viewer all of the beautiful subtleties of the Black experience.

“By studying painters through a diverse lens, I’ve focused my intention on how I use light and how I choose to implement it in my everyday practices from both a historical and metaphorical standpoint. My ideals serve as a window, allowing my paintings to speak about the African American historical narrative and the Black aesthetic.”

Randle discovered his remarkable talent for creating art at the age of six. He attended Visual & Performing Arts schools from elementary through high school, where he participated in a student art show at the St. Louis Art Museum in 2011.

In 2017, he was part of the First Annual Juried Student Show, where he received a First Place Certificate for Best of Show and a small stipend to fund his artistic practices. He graduated from Alabama

Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) in 2018.

After graduation, Randle spent two years as a professional graphic designer. In 2019, he worked as the Gallery Coordinator for Arts Huntsville in Huntsville, Ala., curating multiple in-house shows for local artists. He moved back to St. Louis in 2021 and in 2023 he received a scholarship to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

St. Louis American: What is the meaning behind Void Spaces?

Kenneth Randle: Void spaces represent two ideas that I have been investigating. One is the approach. That has to do with how I will address these issues through picture-making. By that, I mean the process of solving problems. That has to do with a vacancy specifically dealing with Black history and the everyday lives of Black folks dwelling in void spaces.

Secondly, it manifests what it means for African American artists to occupy obscurity. Although only 7 percent of Black artists are shown or represented by institutions, museums, or galleries, being chosen to hang my work at The High Low Gallery allows me to fill another void space.

SLAM: How did you create the concept?

KR: After working on the remaster of the Death of Socrates, painted by Jaques Louis David, I wanted to simplify things. I remember one of my first assignments in a painting class and that was to put the pencil on the paper and to allow the mind to run free and have fun while never removing the pencil off the paper. I carried that idea over into my one-line drawing series for Black pioneers that

inspired and motivated me to continue my story.

SLAM: How does this project relate to the Black experience?

KR: In creating through my personal experience, there would be little difficulty in drawing from the darkness of existence for those who look like me. However, I’ve decided to allow my renderings to embrace and depict that sense of urgency by using my paintings as a beacon of light. My ideals act as a window that allows my paint-

ings to speak about the African American Historical Narrative and the Black aesthetic.

SLAM: How do you use light, colors, and shapes?

KR: The reason light is so important in my work is because it gives identification to an invisible subject matter. When I think about how my ideals are formed, my mind immediately starts to conjure ways I can bring light into a situation where that moves not only the piece but challenges my last piece to evolve.

SLAM: What are some takeaways you hope people will gain at your show?

KR: I want the viewers to look at my work and be able to empathize with my paintings. I hope that it inspires people to look at more artwork in general. But also support other Black artists who get these types of opportunities.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the

St. Louis American.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Randle

St. Louis artist Kenneth Randle says the use of light and color are integral to his work because he refuses to see the world "in black and white." Randle’s exhibition "Void Spaces," is on display at The High Low Gallery through Saturday, Jan. 5,2025.

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial Commentary

Black America should bypass Walmart

By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier

Walmart needs Black America a heck of a lot more than Black America needs Walmart.

Wielding roughly $1.8 trillion in spending power this year, Black folks’ economic clout is undeniable. We get to choose where we spend our hard-earned cash during the holiday shopping season and beyond.

But Walmart — one of many companies that made lofty promises about fighting systemic racism after George Floyd’s murder — just pulled the plug on its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Now, after Donald Trump’s election, they claim they want to be “a Walmart for everyone.” And the anti-woke bros on the right are trading high-fives, claiming they forced the retail giant to abandon its DEI initiatives.

Yes, DEI, the root of all so-called reverse racism in America. Because for some folks in this nation, DEI is code for anything that gives the appearance of supporting Black people, communities, or businesses.

Right-wing anti-DEI activists like Robby Starbuck are popping champagne, claiming they pressured the company into ditching its “woke” policies. Starbuck, a former music video director, regularly posts lines like “It’s a fact that DEI is antiwhite,” and “DEI IS racism and deserves to die,” on X.

In a lengthy post on the social media platform, Starbuck insinuated that his conversations with Walmart — the nation’s biggest, most influential retailer — led to this rollback, a move that will “send shockwaves throughout corporate America.”

Walmart touts itself as Black America’s biggest private employer and has long been a retail giant in the Black community. A 2023 analysis by Collage Group identified Walmart as our favorite brand, due to the company’s investments “in Black enrichment, and taking a stance on social matters.”

By Carl Mack

The president-elect has officially announced the nomination of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

Many of us are stating the obviousKennedy is dangerous.

Washington state Sen. Patty Murray said Kennedy was “nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families.” On Oct. 25, Kennedy posted on X: “…If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”

According to Richard Besser, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “If we were to come in and wholesale remove departments of public health and areas in public health, everyone in our country would be at risk.”

There should be no doubt he is an anti-vaxxer, and there is no doubt he’s spread false and reckless information to the Black community. His credibility was in part established by reminding us of the horrific Tuskegee experiment conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service and the CDC. The two organizations injected nearly 400 Black men with syphilis and left them untreated to study the effects of the disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy told all who would listen that the virus was aimed at Caucasians and Blacks.

He went on to say the Chinese scientists were making “ethnic bioweapons” and collecting data on people of various races so that they can specifically target their desired group.

It’s not that Black folks thought the post-George-Floyd-murder racial reckoning would last forever. Our ancestors lived through Reconstruction, so we know better.

But back on June 12, 2020, just days after Floyd’s murder, Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon emoted in a blog post about how the company’s goal was “to help replace the structures of systemic racism, and build in their place frameworks of equity and justice that solidify our commitment to the belief that, without question, Black Lives Matter.”

But here’s the other side of the coin: research revealed that Walmart stores in Black and Latino neighborhoods consistently get worse reviews for service quality. Walmart’s been hit with multiple discrimination lawsuits. Remember that $17.5 million class-action lawsuit? Yeah, the 2009 one where Walmart settled claims that it discriminated against Black folks trying to get truck driving jobs?

That was a thing.

McMillon pledged to examine every aspect of Walmart to ensure the company was prejudice-free. He waxed poetic about a conversation he had with a Black woman employee about racial microaggressions.

He pledged $100 million to a Center for Racial Equity that would “address the root causes of gaps in outcomes experienced by Black and African American people in education, health, finance and criminal justice systems,” according to Walmart’s website.

Walmart, he vowed, was on a “journey in support of racial justice and equity.”

One thousand, six hundred twenty-eight days later, that journey is over.

Walmart now says it wants to foster “a sense of belonging.” Apparently, as journalist Judd Legum quipped on Bluesky, “Walmart has solved racism.”

Let’s call Walmart’s abandoning DEI efforts what it is: a slap in the face to the Black folks who’ve kept their registers ringing for decades.

Across corporate America, anti-DEI crusaders are attacking anything and everything related to leveling the playing field for Black folks, the Latino community, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Black America is not powerless. Walmart, like every other company, runs on dollars. And Black dollars matter — a lot. If Black shoppers took their spending power elsewhere, the fallout for Walmart would be seismic.

Should Black America keep shopping at Walmart when it seems Walmart might have forgotten who helps keep its lights on?

A company that caves to racist attacks coded as “anti-woke” does not respect Black America. It doesn’t deserve our loyalty. Because loyalty isn’t free — and $1.8 trillion in purchasing power can go a long way somewhere else.

Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier is the managing director of Word In Black.

On July 20, 2023, Kennedy testified before a congressional committee regarding censorship of Americans’ free speech on social media and said, “I have never been anti-vaxx. I have never told the public to avoid vaccination.”

That was a lie, and for the record, his soon-to-be boss lied when he said he didn’t lose the 2020 presidential election.

Either the folks in Congress didn’t remember or just didn’t know what he said in a 2021 podcast. I clearly remember him saying to the listening audience to “resist” CDC guidelines on when children ought to get vaccinated.

Then he doubled down saying, “I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, better not get them vaccinated.” If a picture is worth a thousand words, what do you think the video is worth showing him standing next to a sticker that read: “If you’re not an anti-vaxxer you aren’t paying attention.”

I wish Congress was paying attention after he was sworn in under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Never mind. What does the truth and rule of law mean to Kennedy and Trump?

It’s clear to me that Congress missed the mark, or simply ignored it. I need us to be “paying attention.”

His history is clear: Kennedy is full of these types of conspiracies, and very academically empty on science. There has not been one credible scientific organization that has validated his conspiracies. Numbers don’t lie. In 1912, measles was placed on the list of diseases to be reported nationally. Before the vaccine in 1963, nearly every child got measles by age 15. The estimate of those infected was between 3 million and 4 million per year. Hundreds died and thousands were hospitalized each year. In 2000, the United States declared measles a nonissue. Since then, there have been only 1,577 cases of measles reported in the country (1,300 in 2019, and 277 in 2024).

Why? Because of science and the application of a very effective vaccination program. Given his rhetoric, Kennedy could make measles great again.

Was the COVID-19 vaccine perfect? Absolutely not, however, I don’t know of any medicine or vaccine that is perfect. What I do know is that science has proven to save far more lives than conspiracies. What our community ought to be telling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is just one thing: PACK YOUR BAGS!

Carl B. Mack is former president of the Seattle King County NAACP and former executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers.

By Ron Reynolds

As the dust settles on this election, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Vice President Kamala Harris has lost her bid for the presidency, and for the first time in years, Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House.

For those fighting for equity, opportunity and justice, it feels like the ground has shifted under their feet. The dreams nurtured, the policies fought for, and the progress celebrated now face new and daunting challenges.

But in the midst of this loss, I am reminded that true change has never come easy. It has come through our resilience, our determination, and our commitment to the ideals we hold dear.

The question we face now is, “Where do we go from here?”

Our task is not to retreat or to abandon our vision. Our task is to refocus, reenergize, and recommit to the values that brought us to this fight in the first place.

As Democrats, as progressives, and as Americans, we cannot afford to look at this election as the end.

ence the policies that matter most by continuing to organize, to educate, and to mobilize. Think of the Civil Rights Movement, think of the countless movements for social and economic justice that flourished against even greater odds. It was the spirit of ordinary people coming together to demand extraordinary change that moved this country forward. And that spirit is still alive in every one of us.

We are the voice of millions who still long for justice, healthcare, and education that empowers rather than excludes. Every loss must sharpen our resolve, not weaken it. This is the time for reflection and a recommitment to stand with the people left behind, ignored and marginalized for too long.

We may face challenges at every level of government, but we are not powerless. Our communities, our neighborhoods, and our grassroots networks remain a powerful force for change. We can influ-

If we have learned anything, it’s that actual change begins at the local level. We need to engage with our city councils, our school boards, our state legislatures, and our communities. These are the places where our work will make the most difference, where we can shape policies that directly impact the lives of those we serve. Together, we can keep pushing forward with policies that reflect the needs and values of our communities — especially for those who have felt the sting of discrimination, exclusion, and systemic inequality.

So, as we look ahead, let’s remember this: Our fight is far from over. This moment, challenging as it is, is also a call to action. Now, more than ever, we need to come together, to rebuild, and to be relentless in our pursuit of the America we believe in.

An America that stands for justice, equity, and opportunity for all. Together, we will forge a path forward, one step at a time, one community at a time. This is our moment to rise stronger and more united than ever before.

Let’s get to work. Texas state

Ron Reynolds represents District

Guest Columnist Carl Mack

Guest Columnist

Columnist

Health and STL Foodbank will host a series of free food distribution events beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday December 10 at SSM Health DePaul Hospital. The event is open to the public and will run until supplies last.

SSM Health, STL Foodbank team to halt hunger

St. Louis American

SSM Health is continuing its work addressing food insecurity in the St. Louis region and is partnering with St. Louis Area Foodbank to host a series of food distribution events for anyone in the community in need.

“Our commitment to the health and well-being of our neighbors goes beyond medical care, and we’re proud to partner with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to do what we can to address food insecurity in our region,” says Karen Bradshaw, SSM Health regional director of community health.

Team members from SSM Health will help distribute food beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday December 10 until supplies last at SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis. The event is open to the public.

Food distribution events will also be held:

Tuesday, December 17, 9 am until supplies last at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles, 300 1st Capitol Drive, Saint Charles, Missouri, 63301

Thursday, December 19, 9 am until supplies last at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis; 6420 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117.

This event is set up as a drive through distribution and volunteers will put food directly into vehicles. SSM asks that motorists have space in vehicles for food items and that they not leave vehicles during the distribution.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.

For more information, please contact the St. Louis Area Foodbank at 314-2926262.

Give where you live this season

By Brandelyn Anderson

Supporting nonprofits has always been near and dear to my heart. Throughout my career and volunteer life, I have learned that nonprofits do the work to strengthen and connect our community. I learned firsthand how critical volunteers, board members, and donors are to the success and longevity of these organizations.

A report by The Generosity Commission earlier this year highlighted a troubling trend: over the past two decades, fewer people have been donating to or volunteering with nonprofits. This hits hardest for community-based organizations operating with small budgets and teams – 88% of all nonprofits in the United States have budgets below $500,000.

I’ve seen the effects firsthand. As the former executive director of For Love of Children (FLOC), an education nonprofit here in Washington D.C., I saw the impact that our tutors and coaches had on our students by simply showing up and giving them the attention they deserved.

I have seen how real change begins at the local level, with neighbors coming together to create a more vibrant, interconnected, and thriving region. As we approach this holiday season with reflection and gratitude, how do you plan to invest in the well-being of our region?

Give your time

Volunteering is not just about giving your time; it’s about creating positive change in your community. Whether you’re passionate about youth mental health or ensuring our neighbors experiencing homelessness have warm food and clothing this winter, your contribution matters.

Volunteering with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers is a meaningful way to strengthen your relationships while creating positive change.

Give your talent

Do you have time for a longer-term project and professional skills you can offer? Sharing your expertise in areas like marketing, legal, or finance is enormously helpful for small nonprofits. When you find an organization working on a cause you’re passionate about, ask them if there are skilled volunteering opportunities that may suit you. You can also consider joining a nonprofit board, a highly effective way to leverage your time, expertise, and resources to create greater impact.

Give your testimony Sharing the story of the organization you care about makes a big difference for small nonprofits that rely on word-of-mouth recommendations. Take time this giving season to learn about the grassroots organizations crucial to addressing local issues and spread the word about them to your network.

Give your treasure

Donating to a local nonprofit ensures your dollars go toward your community and influence the well-being of your neighbors.

Make a one-time gift this holiday season or consider making a recurring gift to sustain a nonprofit’s work for the long term. Have friends, family, or colleagues who may also be interested in supporting local? Get them a gift card so they can do the same!

Local nonprofits are deeply rooted in the neighborhoods they serve—mentoring the next generation, nurturing our dynamic cultural scene, stewarding regional ecosystems, and increasing the quality of life for everyone who lives here. Supporting them is a powerful way to uplift your community.

Brandelyn Anderson is senior director, head of strategic partnerships at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

SSM

Photo courtesy of St. Louis Foodbank

Brandelyn Anderson

Essel-Blankson’s honor, included spoken word, an African Dance Troupe, and a book signing. Guests were dressed in their finest traditional African attire and enjoyed authentic Ghanaian food.

Dennis-Nana, a retired career foreign service officer who coordinated former President Barack Obama’s historic Cape Coast, Ghana visit on behalf of the US Embassy, celebrated with guests and shared her history.

The event had teachings of rich African heritage stories that guests soaked up tales and stories from the beginning to the end while enjoying Ghanaian traditional dishes, including “apra pran sah.”

The culinary dish is served only on festive occasions, and the meal also included Groundnut Stew, Ghana’s national dish served with fufu/ kenke/banku, waayke (beans/rice), Ghana Jollof Rice, charcoal chicken, and fish.

“I’m very excited and pleased about the quality of the food. I want St. Louis to have some authentic African food beyond jollof rice,” said Regina Dennis-Nana, who was passionately called Mama Regina in the community.

While giving a brief history lesson on traditional Ghanaian food, and dishes from other countries in Africa, Dennis-Nana said with a smile “people in St. Louis just got hip to FuFu and now ask me to cook it.”

Essel-Blankson, who resides in Ghana, is on a nationwide tour following the August release of his book.

He explained that his work weaves historical data and current affairs together to explain the dynamics of the TransAtlantic slavery trade. He shared the story of the

VanOstran

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Missourians and stood up to powerful corporate

song “Amazing Grace” and invited the audience to sing in English while he sang a Ghanaian song to the same tune.

The author has been a tour guide at the Cape Coast Castle for over 20 years, including dignitaries, such as former U.S. President, Barack Obama, and his family in 2009.

“It was such a privilege and honor to show people around in Ghana,” said Essel-Blankson.

“The history of Africans during the Atlantic Slave Trade is misrepresented, and it is our responsibility as people who are part of the

interests,” said Page. “As the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, he will work every day to keep our community safe.” Missouri Attorney

African Diaspora to learn the truth and teach it in our families and communities.”

Few Americans, including Black Americans, know that the United Nations recognizes The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade annually on March 25.

According to the UN, the day “is a time for reflection.”

Despite myths to the contrary, enslaved Africans enriched the Americas not just through their labor but also through a transfer of vital skills

General Andrew Bailey, with outgoing Gov. Mike Parson’s approval, is suing Page, contending that it is Parson who should select the St. Louis County prosecutor.

and knowledge. In addi-

tion, rather than accepting their fate, they engaged in powerful acts of resistance.

The transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, which operated between the 15th and late 19th centuries, involved the trafficking of millions of women, men and children, mostly from West Africa to the Americas.

While making vast fortunes for enslavers, ship companies, and many businesses, it also gave rise to false narratives of white supremacy and racial inferiority, which were used to justi-

Parson selected Gabe Gore to replace Kim Gardner after her resignation, but Page contends the state constitution leaves that responsibility in his hands, not the governor’s.

fy slavery and are still part of American culture to this day.

The transatlantic trade still impacts conceptions of race and “an understanding of this period is necessary to fight its legacies, including racism and prejudice.”

This is why EsselBlankson’s book, and his tour are essential to continued understanding of the slave trade and its ongoing influence on American society.

The event opened with a drum call and an African performance from the Spirit of Angela West African Dance Troupe.

Bell said he met with his staff and advised them if VanOstran is the next prosecuting attorney, “give him a fair chance and I think it will pay off for them individually, but more importantly for the office as a whole.”

Before becoming a prosecutor, VanOstran was in private practice with the St. Louis law firm Gray Ritter Graham, where he frequently represented Missourians taking on corporate interests.

According to a County release, he was part of a team that represented American farmers in their suit against a foreign-owned biotechnology firm, litigation that ultimately resulted in the largest agricultural legal settlement in U.S. history.

He is a former law clerk to United States District Judge John Ross and United States District Judge Audrey Fleissig, who were both appointed by President Barack Obama.

Spoken word artist

moved the audience as guests often softly murmured “amen” to her words of truth and triumph and what she experienced during her pilgrimage to Ghana. The Griot Museum of Black History is partnering with the St. Louis Art Museum’s “Narrative Wisdom and African Arts Exhibit,” which will be on display until February 16, 2025.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

In 2018, VanOstran was the Democratic nominee for United States Congress in Missouri’s then-Second District, which was comprised primarily of west and south St. Louis County. Longtime Congresswoman Ann Wagner prevailed in the race. VanOstran earned his law degree with honors from Washington University in St. Louis. He was born and raised in Missouri and attended Harvard University on a scholarship before moving to St. Louis over a decade ago. As for Bell’s imminent departure for Washington, D.C., he told his staff “they are not going to lose me after I am sworn in as a member of Congress.”

“They will gain an advocate for this office and, ultimately, an advocate for public safety in the St. Louis region as a whole.”

African dance performance by the Spirit of Angela West African Dance Troupe at the Griot Museum on Tuesday December 3 in honor of the book tour of Kwesi Essel-Blankson.

Photo by Ashley Winters / St. Louis American

Stacee ‘Slo Burn’ Dixon

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some key-players in the corporate industry in the area.

Patton took to the stage near the end of the event to thank her friends, family, colleagues and God for her success. She spoke of how important it was to watch the girls in her family and mentees grow into strong women in leadership roles.

“It is really something to see all the people here,” Patton said.

“I’m not going anywhere. There’s still much work to be done.”

Michelle Tucker, United Way of Greater St. Louis CEO, shared that she has known Patton for 20 years, since they first started together at Bank of America. She said Patton’s fellows program is a catalyst for professionals in diverse groups to plant their careers in the corporate world and watch them grow.

“She inspires diverse groups to want to make an impact on the community,” Tucker said.

Tucker said Patton will not slow down, despite retiring from the role. She said the next chapter of her life will be fueled by her passion to improve the lives of those who live in

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of the St. Louis County NAACP, said in a recent press statement.

“The latest to join the rollback is Walmart, once a community partner with the St. Louis NAACP. In a disappointing statement, Walmart has decided to pull out of the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index and not renew a five-year commitment to a racial equity center.”

Calling for “an appropriate community response,” Bowman went on to say, “Our dollars matter just as much as our voices. We are not powerless, and we can’t afford to sit back.”

Although Bowman’s press release didn’t specifically call for a boycott of Walmart, he did acknowledge the power of a social media boycott campaign against the retail giant aimed at Black shoppers on Black Friday.

“Physical boycotts are hard to sustain,” Bowman said. “But the social media campaign has caught on nationally and it’s very effective.”

There’s no empirical evidence of the latest boycott’s effectiveness but several videos posted online showed empty or near-empty Walmart stores on Black Friday.

One self-identified group of “Black organizations” wrote on TikTok: “We as community members recognize the power of our dollars. By choosing where it’s spent, a clear message is sent that corporations must prioritize supporting and uplifting minority communities.”

Boycotts initiated by either the “left or right” can be effective. Last year,

the greater St. Louis area. “I don’t think Valerie will know how to retire,” Tucker said. “I think this will definitely be a next

conservatives lambasted another retail behemoth, Target, for selling so-called “woke” merchandise during Pride Month.

Activists organized boycotts, while other online “influencers” threatened the store’s employees or caused disruptions at locations. The campaign was so effective, this year, Target decided to eliminate its Pride collection.

Like the NAACP, another leading civil rights agency, the National Urban League, hasn’t endorsed a national boycott. It has condemned Walmart’s recent decision to end its DEI initiatives.

Marc Morial, the organization’s president and CEO said he was “dismayed by this decision.”

“I think what they did is succumb to a smear campaign, to threats, to bullying and to blackmail by a handful of extremists,” Morial said on a recent episode of CBS Mornings.”

Bowman went even further than Morial, questioning the rationale behind the DEI siege.

“The whole thing is totally made up,” he said.

“As we all know, the initial inception of it back in the civil rights movement was to address the issue of equity and inclusion in education and things of that nature. It was all about getting access which was never on an equal playing field.

“Since the end of slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the civil rights eras; that hidden or suppressed racism has been there ever since. Then Trump came along and gave the green light saying, ‘white is right and everything else is wrong.’

“And now, they (MAGA supporters) have been emboldened.”

According to Bowman,

chapter for her.”

A mentee of the fellows program, Ed Bryant, vice president of public affairs at Heartland Coca-Cola,

(boycotts) are a great form “of attention-getting.”

It’s also, along with protest marches, part of the NAACP’s legacy to attain equal rights.

“There’s an all-out attempt to openly revert systems back to the Jim Crow era,” he said. “I’m not going to roll over for that. The NAACP has been around since 1909. We have endured all types of obstacles and barriers and we’re here to do it

said Patton inspires people of color to seek leadership roles.

“Valerie is just a great leader,” Bryant said.

again and again.”

Considering Trump and the Project 2025’s agenda, Bowmen suggested economic boycotts may have to serve as a precedent for what is to come.

“I think that’s the only way forward,” he stressed. “It’s just going to be a way for us to economically empower ourselves. This early round that’s been fired off should serve as a catalyst for how we should move in 2024 and

“One thing she’s always encouraged us as leaders is to stand really strongly in our spaces. That’s what she does, she stands really

beyond…it’s the only fight that they understand and the only fight that will empower us economically.”

Recalling a recent conversation with his sonin-law, Bowman said he stressed the importance of the next generation joining the resistance movement.

“He’s a part of the next generation and I told him, ‘you guys have to level up!’” Bowman recalled. “I’m in the winter of my

solidly in her space.” Patton leaves behind a legacy of fellows, Bryant said. He said she taught them lessons she learned the hard way, so they did not have to. He said she provides a network of people of color to help each other solve problems and collaborate in the corporate space.

“I don’t think I would have been where I am now in my career, if it hadn’t been for folks like her,” Bryant said. “She was a trailblazer.”

Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith said the economic landscape and the leaders who run it in the region should mirror the people who work, live and play in the St. Louis area.

“I think it’s very important for our region, given the history of St. Louis. [Valerie’s] position has been a pivotal role in transforming the lives and transforming the landscape of the workforce here.”

Lakesha Mathis, GSL vice president of strategy, said Patton took a chance on her, and helped her build her career. She said what makes Patton such a good leader is that she listens to people.

“If any leader can be half the leader she is,” Mathis said, “this region is going to see some growth.”

life and what they are about to do will be more impactful on my children and my grandchildren in a negative way.

“They have to get in this fight full throttle because they are about to see the rawness and the ugly hand of racism like they’ve never seen before.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

Tina Duckett, Steward Family Foundation executive director, Juanita Logan, World Wide Technology Global Corporate Development vice president and David Steward II, Polarity Inc. founder and CEO, presented honoree Valerie Patton with a certificate of appreciation for her 20-year career on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

for your support of The St. Louis American named the #1 Black newspaper by its NNPA peers two of the last four years.

The community told us they want to keep The St. Louis American newspaper and website FREE. A supporter program has been developed to continue this model.

Learn more about The St. Louis American at stlamerican.com, and help secure the future of this valued institution by becoming a St. Louis American supporter today.

The St. Louis American Staff

The St. Louis American is dedicated to continuing to be there for the community

While difficult times continue for newspapers, The St. Louis American remains a trusted news source for our community.

The St. Louis American team is aware of the role our readers and audience tell us we play in their lives as a reliable source of information.

We know we have the greatest readers and audience in the nation, not simply because we’ve been chosen as the best Black newspaper in the nation by our colleagues in the NNPA two of the last four years, but because of the ways in which our print readership and fast growing digital audience engage with The St. Louis American.

We provide you with essential coverage of the African American community in our region that makes you proud. You engage with us, follow us, comment online, call us and occasionally stop by the office to let us know that something significant happened in your neighborhood, or a cherished friend or family member just passed away.

St. Louis American team members are proud that The St. Louis American (The American) is affectionately referred to as “The paper,” and is seen as part of the family in so many households. Scores of self-described supporters and others outside of the local African American community read The American in print and online to get a better understanding of what’s going on in the Black community. St. Louis is still seen as a bellwether of what’s happening in Black America and Middle America writ large.

As print newspapers continue to decline and scholarship events and award shows multiply, it’s become more challenging for The American to maintain and grow its position in the market.

You are probably aware that local newspapers and magazines have been in decline and some have already closed.

The American is determined to find viable paths for sustenance and growth to ensure that we can be here for the next generation and beyond. This has led us to introduce our Supporters campaign. It is a new initiative to ensure that The American survives and thrives despite the most challenging social and political landscape of current times.

It is now more important than ever with the outcome of recent elections powered by disinformation that now outweighs news from traditional sources that have a reputation for integrity that we continue to serve you with news that comes from an institution you trust.

Please help us continue to strengthen our mission to serve, empower and advocate for greater equity in St. Louis by becoming a Supporter of the St. Louis American today.

Thank you for learning more about this initiative and registering online at stlamerican.com or using the QR code below.

Your Support will help us continue to amplify voices in our community that are often demeaned or simply ignored. It will help The American continue to evolve to meet the challenges of the moment and best serve our community, celebrate our achievements and help find solutions locally, nationally and globally.

‘Taking

Care of You’

Black Americans aren’t vacating vaccination shots

Most likely to be immunized

While 60% of Americans say they won’t get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, according to a Pew Research study, Black Americans are the most likely to have already received the updated vaccine, ahead of cold and flu season. The vaccine can help protect people from long COVID, heart disease, and other respiratory complications, which strike African Americans at higher rates.

By Anissa Durham Word In Black

With the amount of vaccine misinformation and disinformation out there, it’s no surprise many Americans don’t plan to get an updated COVID19 vaccine.

The growing skepticism is happening against a backdrop of shifting political and cultural dynamics that could significantly impact public

health efforts in the coming year. In a new Pew Research Center survey, 60% of Americans say they won’t get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, which is available in pharmacies and doctors’ offices right now.

Republicans are the most likely to say they won’t get the vaccine. But Black Americans are the most likely to have already received the updated vaccine, ahead of cold and flu season.

Getting the annual COVID-19 vaccine can help protect Americans from Long COVID, heart disease, and other respiratory complications. But forgoing vaccination, can make people more susceptible to avoidable illness.

In November, FrameWorks Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, held a virtual

SHOTS, A11

Facing dire kidney dialysis policies

By Jade Curtis

Lisa Parker never thought she’d be living her life around dialysis treatments. Diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease without warning, she found herself thrust into a whirlwind of medical appointments and treatments with little understanding of what was happening. “I didn’t even know what dialysis was,” Lisa shared. It was a crash course in survival—and in how systemic inequities affect patients like her every step of the way.

Lisa’s story isn’t unique. Nearly 50% of dialysis patients in the U.S. are African American or Hispanic, even though these groups make up a much smaller portion of the population. The numbers paint a clear picture: kidney disease isn’t just a health crisis; it’s a justice issue. And now, looming policy changes threaten to make things even harder for kidney patients. Here’s what you need to know— and how you can help protect those most vulnerable.

n Nearly 50% of dialysis patients in the U.S. are African American or Hispanic, even though these groups make up a much smaller portion of the population. The numbers paint a clear picture: kidney disease isn’t just a health crisis; it’s a justice issue.

“Imagine you’re driving a car, but someone decides to replace your premium fuel with regular,” said Dr. Gary Puckrein, President of the National Minority Equality Forum.

“You might still get to your destination, but the long-term damage is inevitable.” This striking analogy illustrates the challenges facing kidney care,

See CURTIS, A11

Fighting pharmaceutical abuse

SSM Health offers safe disposal opportunity

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

According to the data provided by the Office of the Medical Examiner, between 2018 and 2023 in the city of St. Louis, Black fatalities were much higher than white or other race fatalities. Since 2022, this disparity is decreasing, with an increase in White and other race fatalities and a decrease in Black fatalities.

In the past year, public health officials, government health departments and local health care providers have made efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

In alignment with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, SSM Health’s Drug Take Back Drive took place in late October.

“Whenever we were talking about

ways that we could involve medication safety in the community, this was one thing that came to mind because all of our hospitals have the appropriate drug take-back boxes to safely take the medications and ship them to where they can be disposed of,” said Tyler Lotz, director of Pharmacy Services at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis.

In October, SSM Health in St. Louis collected 892 pounds of unused and expired prescription drugs. SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis collected the most with 227 lbs. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital collected 53 lbs.

“According to the DEA, unused or expired prescription medications that are left in people’s homes could lead to not only abuse or potential overdose, but acciSee DRUGS, A11

Expired and unused pharmaceutical drugs can fall into the

if they are not properly discarded, which can increase the number of overdoses in the St.

SSM Health is offering opportunities to dispose of unwanted drugs at several locations.

Photo courtesy of Word In Black

Photo courtesy of Department of Health

wrong hands

Jade Curtis

Drugs

Continued from A10

dental poisoning as well,“ Lotz said.

“A lot of the pharmaceutical medications are just as dangerous as illegal medications if they are not taken the right way, so by making sure that we’re giving the community a safe place to dispose of them, then we’re removing that potential health risk from our community’s homes.”

The MedSafe bins that collect unused and/or expired prescription drugs are available year round at each SSM Health hospital in St. Louis. SSM Health in St. Louis hosts two competitions each year: one in the Spring and one in the Fall.

“SSM Health in St. Louis hosts the competition internally between hospitals,” Elizabeth Sharpe-Taylor, senior communications consultant at SSM Health, said. “It’s a way to raise awareness of how to properly dispose of unused and/or expired prescription drugs, [and] we are listed on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s web-

Shots

Continued from A10

event that examined the rise of anti-public health narratives in American discourse.

Dr. Julie Sweetland, a senior advisor at the institute, provided an in-depth analysis of the growing influence of anti-vaccine messaging and its implications, particularly as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, has been nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The event highlighted the cultural dynamics enabling such rhetoric to gain traction and raised questions about the future of public health leadership in the United States.

Some common mindsets or cultural beliefs Americans across the country hold include the idea that nature is pure, modern technology is a threat, and the system is rigged. Regardless of any demographic or political affiliation, Sweetland said, these mindsets help explain why Americans

site as an official place to dispose of unused and/ or expired prescription drugs.”

The SSM Health Drug Take Back Drive program aims to provide a safe, convenient, and respon-

Continued from A10

where cost-cutting policies could jeopardize the quality of treatment patients receive.

That’s what patients could face if Medicare adopts a new “bundling” policy for dialysis treatments. Currently, critical medications like phosphorus lowering therapies— used to manage kidney disease—are provided separately. But if these drugs are bundled into one flat payment, dialysis facilities might cut corners, choosing cheaper options or forgoing these medications altogether. This has happened before with calcium-lowering drugs, and the consequences disproportionately hurt Black patients.

sible way of disposing of prescription drugs. Unused prescription drugs found in home medicine cabinets can get into the wrong hands, creating dangerous and often tragic situations for adults and children.

This program ensures that the drugs are disposed of safely, preventing them from being misused or accidentally ingested.

SSM Health conducts this community collection twice yearly. During the

are becoming less trustful of science and government.

“The majority of Americans agree with the idea that the system is rigged,” she said.

“This is not a right wing or left-wing sentiment. This mindset can help explain why the ideas that RFK puts forth resonate across opinion

For someone like Lisa, who already struggles to navigate her care, these changes could mean the difference between managing her disease and facing life-threatening complications.

Dialysis isn’t just a treatment—it’s a lifestyle adjustment that takes a massive toll. Patients spend hours tied to machines multiple times a week, upending their daily lives. On top of that, there are financial burdens, emotional stress, and systemic barriers to getting the care they need.

Lisa experienced these challenges firsthand. After complications with peritoneal dialysis, she had to return to hemodialysis—a grueling schedule that became even more isolating during the COVID-19

groups. Many of his opinions rest on and reinforce the mindset that the system is rigged.”

In the Pew report, most Americans are choosing not to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine because they don’t think they need it and are concerned about side effects. These are the top two reasons regardless of age,

pandemic. “I felt like I was just surviving,” she said. But through education and support groups like the Kidney Connection Group, Lisa found her voice as an advocate. “It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving.”

Her journey highlights why patient advocacy is crucial, especially in the face of policies that could make treatment even harder to access.

Enter the Kidney Patient Act, a proposed law designed to protect access to life-saving medications by keeping them out of Medicare’s bundled payment system.

Advocates like Dr. Jesse Roach, Senior VP for Government Relations at the National Kidney Foundation, are urging policymakers to prioritize this legislation.

“This isn’t just about

party, race, and ethnicity.

“Many of these mindsets that RFK is speaking to, or reinforcing are long standing,” she added. “The pandemic certainly made these mindsets stronger, but it didn’t create them. There was a COVID effect on these mindsets.”

In a 2021 study researchers found that Republicans

April 2024 Drug Take Back, SSM Health collected 327 pounds of expired and unused medications across the St. Louis region.

SSM Health collected 423 pounds in October of 2023.

were more likely than Democrats to believe anti-vaccine misinformation. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, science became increasingly politicized which directly contributed to the uptake of vaccine hesitancy, the report states. Even now, 84% to 85% of Republicans ages 18 to 64 don’t plan to get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Which is in stark contrast to 34% to 47% of Democrats in the same age groups who don’t plan to get the vaccine.

As reported by Jimmie Williams of the Washington Informer, there are different options available, including mRNA and protein-based non-mRNA vaccines.

The mRNA vaccines, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, teach cells how to make copies of the spike protein, which triggers an immune response.

It’s safe to mix and match COVID vaccines, so if you previously received an mRNA vaccine, your next dose can be the non-mRNA protein-based vaccine.

New COVID-19 vari-

numbers on a page. It’s about lives,” Dr. Roach said. Without protections like the Kidney Patient Act, thousands of patients could lose access to the medications they depend on. The consequences would be devastating— especially for minority communities already grappling with systemic inequities in healthcare.

Advocacy doesn’t have to start in Washington, D.C.—it can start with you. Here are three simple ways to make an impact:

1. Contact your representatives

Share Lisa’s story, your story, or the story of someone you know. Let lawmakers know why protecting kidney patients matters. Write to your representative today and urge them to support the Kidney PATIENT Act.

The community is encouraged to clean out their old and unused prescription medications and drop them off at any of the following SSM Health ministries. MedSafe bins, used to collect unused prescription medications, are located in the lobbies at:

• New Location: SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis • SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis • SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Fenton • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital –Wentzville • SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

SSM Health encourages the use of MedSafe containers to dispose of prescription and non-prescription medications in a hassle-free way. Disposals are free and anonymous, and no screening or checkin is required.

ants continue to evolve over time, which is why manufacturers have developed updated COVID vaccines for the 2024-2025 immunization season. If you’re like me and you’ve had COVID, you should still get an updated COVID vaccine, according to the CDC. Getting COVID does not mean you’re immune. As the NAACP and others have reported, health disparities resulted in Black Americans being more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and dying from it at higher rates; in fact, nearly two times greater than their share of the population.

To quote the Men’s Health Network on its website dedicated to vaccine education: we can get with “this” (the vaccine) or get with “that” (sick with COVID).

Vaccines are proven to be a safe and effective way to prevent avoidable illness and death. Navigating vaccine misinformation isn’t easy but it’s better to be factual informed than misled by the overwhelming amount of vaccine misinformation and disinformation.

2. Raise awareness Talk to friends, family, and community members about kidney disease and the importance of the Kidney Act. The more voices join the conversation, the harder it is to ignore.

3. Join support networks Groups like the Kidney Connection Group not only empower patients but also amplify their collective voice in the fight for better policies.

The fight against kidney disease is about more than healthcare— it’s about fairness. As Dr. Puckrein put it, “Patients shouldn’t be stuck in the backseat, unaware of the decisions being made about their care.” Advocacy is about putting patients back in the driver’s seat, ensuring they have the tools and resources to live not just longer but better lives. Lisa’s transformation from overwhelmed patient to empowered advocate shows what’s possible when patients are given a voice. Now, it’s up to all of us to ensure that voice is heard. Supporting the Kidney Patient Act is just the first step in building a healthcare system that truly works for everyone. Kidney disease doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With your help, we can protect access to care, push for equitable policies, and give every patient the chance to thrive. Be part of the change today. Jade Curtis is Blackdoctor.org executive editor

Curtis

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Students from the St. Louis American Summer Science Academy practice using a compass to navigate and investigate locations.

SCIENCE CORNER

What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is the study of organisms that are so small, they can only be seen with a microscope. These micro pic organisms include bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. These are also known as microbes. Why is it important to study microbiology? It can give scientists information about nutrients, climate change, food safety, and the cause and control of diseases.

There have been many big discoveries in microbiology, such as the invention of

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Soaps and Sanitizers:

Do they prevent the growth of mold?

In this experiment, you will see how effective soap and hand sanitizers are at preventing the growth of mold.

Materials Needed:

• 8 Slices of Bread with No Preservatives

• 16 Ziploc Bags • Latex Gloves • Masking Tape • Pen

• Toaster • Knife • Spray Bottle • Baking Sheet

• Camera • Teaspoon • Liquid Soap • Hand Sanitizer

1

2

3

penicillin, the smallpox vaccine, etc. Microbiologists can work as health care professionals, teachers, research technicians, veterinarians, and environmental scientists. If you enjoy gardening, working with microscopes, healthy lifestyles, and environmental causes, microbiology is for you.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-text and text-to-self connections.

Procedure:

STEP ONE: Put on latex gloves and toast 4 slices of bread, leave 4 slices untoasted.

STEP TWO: Cut all 8 slices of bread in half so that you have 16 slices of bread—8 toasted, 8 not toasted.

STEP THREE: Prepare the Ziploc bags according to the chart.

STEP FOUR: Begin filling the bags. Place the bread and toast in the bags that receive no treatments. Place these bags on the baking sheet.

STEP FIVE: Next, use the spray bottle to mist water on the bread and toast that receive water only. Place these bags on the baking sheet.

STEP SIX: Next, add a teaspoon of hand soap to the spray bottle and spray the bread and toast samples with “hand soap only.” Place these bags on the baking sheet.

STEP SEVEN: Rinse out the spray bottle and add the hand sanitizer. Spray the remaining bread and toast samples and place them in their bags on the baking sheet.

STEP EIGHT: Place the baking sheet next to a window in sunlight.

STEP NINE: Take pictures each day for 21 days to observe the rate that mold grows.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

MATH CONNECTION

Finding Patterns

Scientists often have to identify patterns in their research. Solve the patterns listed below.

q 0, 25, 50, ____, 100, 125, _____, ______,

DID YOU KNOW?

The human mouth has about 500 species of bacteria. There are approximately 100,000 bacteria on a square centimeter of human skin.

Learning

I

In 1918, 30 million people died from the influenza virus, compared to 10 million people who died from World War 1.

African-American Microbiologist Agnes Day

Agnes Day was born in 1952 in Plains, Georgia. She was the youngest of 13 children and was raised by her third grade teacher, Rose Marie Bryon. As a young child, Day was very interested in science. She enjoyed walking in the woods, catching insects, and observing animals. She graduated from Mainland Senior High School and then went to Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethune Cookman College. In 1984, she earned a PhD in microbiology from Howard University.

After graduation, Day worked at the Bone Research Branch at the National Institute of Dental Research. Four years later, she returned to Howard University as a professor. In 1992, she became a tenured associate professor of microbiology in Howard University’s College of Medicine. Day taught students medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Day has served as a mentor to more than 40 students. Personally, her research focused on breast cancer and drug resistant fungi. She also worked to review research grants for the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense Cancer Research Institute.

Day has published journal articles, has been interviewed by PBS, and has been a part of numerous speaking panels. Day was awarded the Outstanding Research Award by the Howard University College of Medicine, in 1995. She also received the College’s Kaiser-Permanente Outstanding Teaching Award. She received the William A. Hinton Award for outstanding mentoring in 2011. Day is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society for Microbiology where she is a member of the Committee on Microbiological Issues which Impact Minorities (CMIIM). She also served as a consultant for the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Black Churches-Black Colleges program.

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. can make text-to-text connections.

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activities —

Acknowledgment Phrases:

Scan the front page of the looking for phrases that give acknowledgment to the source of information, such as: he said, allegedly, an informed source, according to, etc. Underline the phrases as you find them in the newspaper.

The Four Kinds of Sentences: Find two examples of each of the four kinds of sentences: declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative

Learning Standards:

I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can find identified sources and identify types of sentences.

HSSU celebrates Small Business Saturday

Support Black business during holidays

Emilia Robertson, owner of Shots by Emilia, a licensed mobile bartending service, is a Harris-Stowe State University Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship MECCA Incubator graduate. The CIE celebrated Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, 2024, and has served 1,200 entrepreneurs and potential future business owners since its inception.

CIE executive director.

Thompson named County Police Commissioner Tony Thompson

Anthony (Tony) Thompson has been appointed to the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners by County Executive Sam Page. Thompson is the president and CEO of Kwame Building Group, Inc. which he founded in1991. The construction management firm, headquartered in St. Louis, has offices in eight states.

“I am proud to serve in a capacity that honors my family, who dedicated their lives to law and order and justice for all. My dad was a military police officer. My youngest brother is an attorney, and my late brother was a dedicated police officer for 20 years,” said Thompson.

Raven Whitener a Delux Power 100 honoree

Raven Whitener

Raven Whitener, director of The St. Louis American Foundation & Special Events, will be honored as a member of the 2024 Delux Power 100 on Saturday, December 14 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Delux Power 100 celebrates some of St. Louis’ most inspiring and influential African American professionals. The event recognizes those who lead, inspire, innovate and demonstrate through their individual talents, the very best in St. Louis.

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Thanksgiving weekend is a tradition celebrated with friends and family coming together to break bread in the spirit of Thanksgiving. However, over the years, another tradition has become established during the Thanksgiving holiday: shopping–Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. In honor of Small Business Saturday, the Center of Innovation &

Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University is highlighting several entrepreneurial program participants, amplifying their businesses, perseverance, dedication, and the creativity they bring to the marketplace. The CIE encourages the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area to support local businesses this holiday season.

“We’re proud to be a part of and bring awareness to Small Business Saturday and encourage everyone to shop small and support our local entrepreneurs,” said HSSU’s Kristy Jackson,

The CIE program is intentional in driving economic growth and entrepreneurial success in the community, and Small Business Saturday offers an ideal opportunity to spotlight and support the diverse small businesses created by HSSU scholars, CIE community entrepreneurs, and others. Kristy points out that every large retailer started as a small business, she believes early stagers are often overlooked during the holiday shopping

See HSSU, B2

Jason Hall, equity and inclusion advocate, leaving GSL

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Jason Hall, departing Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO, was never shy when speaking about the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity in the regional business community.

While speaking at the October 3, 2024, grand opening of the HarrisStowe State University Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship building, Hall said the facility will “drive inclusive growth forward.”

“We are at a critical fork in the road. We have to get inclusion right in this region. This center represents what it means to tear down barriers.”

Greater St. Louis Inc. has announced that Hall, who often called equity and inclusion “our North Star,” is leaving his native St. Louis and role with GSL to take a similar position with the Columbus (Ohio) Partnership.

“Jason has been a good friend and a tireless cheerleader for our region for many years, and we will miss him dearly,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

“I wish Jason nothing but the best in his new endeavor and look forward to our continued partnership with Greater St. Louis, Inc. as they transition to new leadership.”

“Jason Hall has been a pivotal

Headed to Columbus, Ohio

partner for the St. Louis Development Corporation during his tenure at Greater St. Louis Inc.,” said SLDC CEO and President Neal Richardson. “Jason’s commitment to the region helped the City of St. Louis attract and keep businesses.”

“Jason worked hard to create a uni-

fied vision of what the future of this great region should look like,” said St. Louis County Executive Sam Page in a statement.

“Focusing on growing the economy and creating a more welcoming environ-

See HALL, B2

Sonnier appointed to SLDC board of directors

Alisha Sonnier

Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier has been named to serve on the St. Louis Development Corporation board. Appointed by Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Sonnier has served as a member of the Board of Aldermen Budget Committee, vice chair of the HUDZ Committee, and is a former SLPS liaison to the TIF Commission.

“I look forward to serving as a representative for the Board of Aldermen in this space, bringing my experience, broadening my knowledge, and doing my part to ensure transparency and accountability,” said Sonnier.

Taylor honored with MOKAN diversity award

Sylvester Taylor

Sylvester Taylor, Electrical Connection’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, has received the 2024 MOKAN Workforce Diversity & Inclusion Award. The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractor Association (NECA). In 2022, Taylor was selected as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S Department of Labor and is the co-founder and president of IBEW’s Electrical Workers Minority Caucus.

Mayor Tishaura Jones waves to Jason Hall, Greater St. Louis Inc.’s CEO, before giving a speech in front of the Katherine Ward Burg Garden in downtown St. Louis in October. GSL has announced last week that Hall is departing for a similar position in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo by Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio

Photo courtesy of Shots by Emilia

Continued from B1 season.

“Until they have proven traction until they have proven success,” said Jackson.

For the larger box retail stores to become the household names that they are she said someone had to mentor that eager, bright-eyed entrepreneur.

“Someone invested in them and connected them to the right people,” she added.

The CIE program sees the value in supporting the early stages of startups. Unfortunately, Black and brown startups don’t always have that support.

Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows from 1996 to 2020, Blacks started new businesses at a rate 22% lower than whites.

Some factors that make a difference, compared to Black and brown startups, is access to capital may also be an important factor.

In surveys of small business owners, Black borrowers report expecting to be rejected for credit more frequently and, conditional on borrowing, to be charged higher interest rates. Black founders have only received 1.2% of overall VC investment in

Continued from B1

ment for businesses and residents.”

GSL Founding Chair and Executive Chair of Enterprise Mobility Andy Taylor called Hall, “a driving force in creating the GSL vision and enhancing our metro’s ability to com-

the U.S. in 2022. “It is critical to support small businesses because they provide the services we need,” Jackson said when explaining the role startups play in the St. Louis community. The CIE offers incubator programs for entrepreneurs including funding opportunities, leadership programs, and mentorship.

Jackson suggests during holiday shopping small business owners should be intentional about the products they are selling that consumers would want to purchase. For instance, using social media in a savvy way to promote your business, and also relying on your customer base. Word of mouth, Jackson said, is the best marketer for any business small or large.

Also, vendor events are a great source of getting your business out in the community.

“Create opportunities to promote your business,” Jackson said.

According to Jackson, the CIE program has served 1,200 participants.

“ We have invested $215,000 in our businesses,” she said.

The program has over 400 business owners in the program’s virtual community–CIE has a budget of $5.1 million to dedicate to the entrepreneurial resources and programs

pete with a unified voice to drive change and economic growth.”

“Under his leadership, GSL has put major wins on the board and, in just four short years, is already recognized by our peers as a best-in-class organization.”

Among Hall’s achievements was fostering creation of the STL 2030 Progress Tool, which has

that are a part of CIE. In addition to the new physical space, small business owners have backing to help them sustain.

The CIE aims to inspire others to patronize small businesses and show the critical role they play in fostering economic resilience and cultural vitality.

The Anheuser-Busch School of Business Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) serves as a physical hub of innovation, a center for entrepreneurship, and a

the respective goals of increasing the income disparity between Black and white households and increasing Black home ownership.

The online tool was unveiled by Greater St. Louis Inc. during its first Inclusive Economic Growth Summit on Sept. 21, 2023.

Hall said his organization “is focused on getting

Kristy Jackson, CIE executive director, says the CIE program is intentional in driving economic growth and entrepreneurial success for underrepresented business owners in the St. Louis region. The CIE celebrated the opening of a new headquarters in October.

Kravings, said her firm specializes in customized decorated baked cookies, baking workshops, and cookie decorating parties. She said Small Business Saturday is important economically and expresses a more personal connection.

“Small Business Saturday is a great way for Black and brown entrepreneurs to set an example in the community so that other Black and brown kids can see a representation of who they can become. Growing up I didn’t see entrepreneurs or small business owners, I didn’t even know what entrepreneurship was,” she said.

Ashley Martin is the owner and founder of A Splash of Ash, a personal assistance service. Martin helps small business owners in her words ‘go from chaos to clarity.”

facilitator of partnerships and programs to enhance Black and Brown scholars as well as the broader innovation community and entrepreneurship ecosystem, hssu.edu/absb.

Entrepreneurs include:

• Cherlier Willis of Krafty Kravings - custom decorated cookies (CIE Nxt Lvl Incubator participant)

• Emilia Robertson of Shots by Emilia - licensed mobile bartending services (CIE MECCA Incubator graduate)

the region growing again and doing so in a way that ensures everyone in the metro has the opportunity to thrive.”

According to Hall, “Broad-based economic growth that enables all stakeholders in the St. Louis metropolitan area (including residents, workers, entrepreneurs, companies, organizations, and communities) to realize

• Kyntorrious Brison of Mr. and Mrs. Trending

Topic Clothing - clothing brand (HSSU scholar, CIE Fellow)

• Deirra Williams

Verlinda’s Village - Nonprofit organization (HSSU scholar, CIE Fellow)

The CIE also encourages the community to check out databases such as Shop Small STL, For the Culture STL, and Love Local STL, where you can find even more small businesses to support. Willis, owner of Krafty

their full potential. Such growth enables the widest range of people and places to both contribute to and benefit from economic success.”

“Inclusive growth aims to produce more prosperity alongside greater equity in opportunities and outcomes by substantially increasing the number of quality jobs and radically reducing racial and spa-

“We help small business owners fulfill their dreams,” Martin said.

“The day represents more than shopping; it’s about building stronger communities and investing in the people who drive our local economy.”

For more information about the CIE’s efforts to support small businesses, visit hssu-cie.startuptree. co/ Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

tial disparities in income, health, and wealth that have undermined metropolitan performance for decades.”

Greater St. Louis, Inc.’s board of directors will conduct a national search to find a new CEO. While the search is underway, Chief Real Estate Investment Officer Dustin Allision will serve as the interim CEO.

Photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State University

n “I’m just praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes.”

– Jameis Winston after two interceptions spoiled a record performance

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

East St. Louis, Althoff storm to Illinois football titles

The Metro East area is the home of two new state championship football teams as the East St. Louis Flyers and Alfhoff Crusaders showed up and showed out at Illinois State last weekend.

East St. Louis defeated Geneva 48-28 to win the IHSA Class 6A state championship while Althoff defeated LenaWinslow 57-14 to win the Class 1A state championship. The respective games were held at Hancock State on the campus of ISU in Normal.

For East St. Louis, the victory marked the 11th state championship in its storied football history. The Flyers finished the season with a 13-1 record with its only loss coming against national power IMG Academy (FL).

Quarterback Kendrick Lyons led the Flyers as he completed 16 of 17 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Ronnie Gomiller had five receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns while Larevious Woods rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns.

For Althoff, senior running back Dierre Hill had a performance for the ages in his final high school game. The Oregon recruit rushed for 436 yards and scored six touchdowns. He also added an 80-yard reception for his seventh touchdown. He finished the game with 516 yards of total offense. The Crusaders finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record.

The Missouri State

Championship games will be played at Faurot Field on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

Class 6

DeSmet (11-2) vs. Nixa (13-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: DeSmet defeated Liberty 34-14 in a state semifinal game. The Spartans are led by senior quarterback and Kansas State recruit Dillon Duff and running back Jayden McCaster. Nixa is led by sophomore quarterback Adam McKnight and offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell who is one of the nation’s top prospects.

Class 4 Lutheran North (12-1) vs. Festus (11-2), Friday, 11 a.m.

Outlook: The Crusaders advanced to the ShowMe Bowl with a 24-21 road victory at defending state champion Kearney. Festus defeated Warrenton 21-16 to advance to the state championship game. Festus gives Jefferson County a Show-Me Bowl representative for the second consecutive year. Hillsboro played in the Class 4 state championship game last season.

Top individual performers

Defensive back Mike Clark of Lutheran North had two interceptions in the Crusaders’ 24-21 victory over Kearney in the Class 4 semifinals.

Running back Jayden

McCaster of DeSmet rushed for 201 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown in the Spartans’ 34-14 victory over Liberty in the Class 6 semifinals.

Quarterback Dillon Duff of DeSmet rushed for 156 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown, and passed for three more TDs in the Spartans’ 34-14 victory over Liberty in the Class 6 semifinals.

Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood completed 36 of 56 passes for 447 yards and five touchdowns in the Pioneers 56-46 loss to Nixa in the Class 6 semifinals.

Receiver Jacob Eberhart had nice recep-

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Running back Larevious Woods of East St Louis scores one of his three touchdowns in the Flyers’ 48-28 victory over Geneva in the IHSA Class 6A state championship game last Saturday in Normal, Illinois. It was the 11th state title for the Metro East power.

tions for 124 yards and a touchdown in the Pioneers 56-46 loss to Nixa in the Class 6 semifinals.

Earl’s World

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of former Sumner High basketball standout Travis Brown, who passed away last week. Not only was Travis a great basketball player, but he was also a top coach and a long-time administrator in the St. Louis Public Schools system. Brown was a starting guard on Sumner’s legendary Missouri Class L state championship team in 1969. He also had a Hall of Fame collegiate

career at Missouri Baptist University, where he scored 1,643 points. He was the head coach at Sumner High from 1979 to 1988, where he led some of the most entertaining and high-scoring teams in the St. Louis area. He was an administrator in the SLPS for 21 years and he also served on the board of directors for the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Above all, Brown was a nice man and a leadership figure who was loved and respected… Former MICDS football standout Steve Hall of Lindenwood University was tabbed as the Offensive Freshman of the Year in the Big South/ OVC. In his redshirt freshman season, Hall rushed for 808 yards and five touchdowns while averaging seven yards per carry. He was also named to the All Big South/OVC First Team for his efforts. Finally, Hall was named as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which will go to the FCS Freshman of the year. Hall was the National FCS Freshman of the Week after his 259yard, four touchdown performance against Western Illinois on October 26.

• Former DeSmet High football standout Christian Gray of Notre Dame turned in one of the biggest defensive plays of last weekend in the Irish’ 49-35 victory at USC. With the Trojans trailing 35-28 and driving towards a potential game-tying score, Gray intercepted a pass on the goal line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to give Notre Dame a 42-28 lead. Gray also finished the game with seven tackles.

Luther Burden’s next reception will be in the NFL

When Luther Burden III announced he was staying close to home and playing collegiately at Mizzou, I thought the Tigers had a future Heisman Trophy finalist.

Burden announced on Monday that he is departing Missouri for the 2025 NFL Draft and skipping whichever bowl game the Tigers are destined to play in.

“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden told ESPN. “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”

Burden proved deserving of being a first-round selection in the NFL Draft during his three seasons with Missouri. However, I thought he would leave Missouri as its unquestionable all-time receiver. It did not happen, through no fault of Burden’s.

During his three seasons, Burden caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. What seems a bit off is that

Burden’s receptions by-the-year were 45, 86, and 61. His yardage totals were 375, 1,212, and 676. He regressed his final season. He finishes sixth all-time in Missouri receiving yards, just behind Jeremy Maclin –who played just two seasons with the Tigers. I think Missouri coaches also missed opportunities to use Burden in multiple ways. He ran the ball just 34 times for 234 yards and four touchdowns. He should have done that during a single season, let alone three.

I also wonder why Burden was not used more as a punt and kickoff returner.

After returning 12 punts for 151 yards and a touchdown as a freshman, he returned just 11 punts for 61 yards in his final two years. He attempted no kickoff returns.

Several mock draft

pundits have Burden ranked as the top receiver entering the draft. Joining him in the top three are Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who has starred at receiver and defensive back and is a lock to win the Heisman Trophy, and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan

Burden’s exit included praise for receivers coach Jacob Peeler “for pushing me each and every day.”

I’ll leave it to the reader to determine what to

think of this statement from Burden, and the role that head coach Eliah Drinkwitz played.

““Every day wasn’t sunshine and rainbows; there were tough times. I’m grateful for [Peeler] sticking by my side and pushing me.”

The Reid Roundup

Thank you to former St. Louis American and PostDispatch sports reporter

Kevin Boone for alerting me to the passing of former St. Louis Cardinals All-Pro lineman Ernie McMillan. “While better known for his career at the University of Illinois and National Football League, perhaps Ernie’s most profound impact was as a founder and publisher of Proud magazine,” wrote Boone. McMillan also served as a volunteer coach at several camps, including Sumner High School. He helped that program ascend to state football championships during the 1980s and ‘90s…A pair of Black quarterbacks passed for over 400 yards during the NFL weekend. Jameis Winston set the Cleveland Browns franchise single-game record with 497 passing yards, completing 34 of 58 passing attempts for four touchdowns and three interceptions in his team’s loss to Denver… Russell Wilson continued his resurgence with the Pittsburgh Steelers by passing for 414 yards and two touchdowns in a road

victory over Cincinnati… St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado could be traded, however his current team might have to pay some of the $74 million over three years that the Gold Glove winner is owed…0-8 Jackson State University put a scare into SLU on Monday night. JSU led 64-63 with just over four minutes remaining before the Billikens pulled away and won 74-66. Jayme Mitchell led the Tigers with 14 points…Thomas Brown was serving as Chicago Bears interim coordinator during the last three weeks when struggling quarterback Caleb Williams displayed noticeable improvement. When head coach Matt Eberflus was fired last Friday, Brown became interim head coach, and he has a decent shot at landing the full-time gig…Two Black coaches are reportedly topping the Bears interview list: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Nakita Malone

Luther Burden III could be the first receiver selected in the 2025 NFL Draft

Photo by Denny Medley / USA TODAY Sports

Israel-based public company Israel Chemicals Ltd., battery materials plant will call north St. Louis home in the future.

After breaking ground for the new plant on its South County campus, the firm said last Tuesday it will be which will be constructed on 19 acres at 5401 W. Third St. Lithium iron phosphate cathode active material will be manufactured at the site.

North St. Louis lands major business expansion

North America for ICL Group, said in a statement.

n “Our expansion into north St. Louis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city.”

“While we had initially intended to locate our state-of-the-art battery materials manufacturing plant at our existing ICL Carondelet campus, we have now selected a more suitable site in north St. Louis,” Phil Brown, president of the Phosphate Specialties and managing director of

– Phil Brown

“Our expansion into north St. Louis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city. While we will continue to be a good neighbor in south St. Louis, at our existing 19-acre campus, we also look forward to bringing positive economic change to north St. Louis with our new facility.”

ICL plans to invest $500 million in the new battery materials plant, which is expected to create more than 150 jobs. The plant will create materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets, ICL said. The jobs at the new site are expected to include 131 full-time manufacturing and maintenance roles and

22 support positions for operations there. The company previously pegged the plant investment at

Neal Richardson, president and CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation.

$400 million. “We commend ICL on its commitment to expanding in the City of St. Louis,” said Neal Richardson, president and CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation.

“In addition to the 150 new full-time, well-paying manufacturing, maintenance, and support jobs that will be created by ICL’s approximately half a billion-dollar investment in North City, construction of the new facility will bring more than 1,000 construction jobs over a two-year period, having a positive impact on St. Louis area contractors, diverse/ minority suppliers, and the entire region.”

The expansion will receive tax abatement from the city of St. Louis. According to the ICL website, it employs 12,000 people globally and its 2023 revenue was $7.5 billion. There are 335 employees in the St. Louis area and its U.S. headquarters is at 622 Emerson Road in Creve Coeur. The firm also has its Carondelet campus and a research and development center in Webster Groves.

City seeks public input on Rams settlement proposals

After more than a year of soliciting ideas and feedback from the public, the Board of Aldermen will now determine how to direct the Rams settlement to address a range of resident-backed, city-wide priorities.

Members of the public identified six priority areas for funding in January 2024. The most important issues to residents were water and street infrastructure, Downtown streets and sidewalks, subsidized child care for city residents, and the establishment of a revolving redevelopment loan fund to support distressed areas throughout the city.

The final online phase

of the public engagement process invites the public to review legislative proposals for allocating the Rams settlement. The public can now comment directly on Board Bill 131, sponsored by Alderwoman Pamela Boyd and supported by Greater St. Louis, Inc. Another comment period will fol-

low for a bill sponsored by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier and Board of Aldermen President Megan Green.

Once proposals have been assigned to the appropriate aldermanic committee, the public will have another opportunity to provide comments by submitting

written testimony or attending hearings in person or virtually.

St. Louis City received its portion of the Rams Settlement in 2022 and placed $250 million in a Missouri Securities Investment Program where it has accrued approximately $22 million in interest. During that time, Resolution 48 passed at the Board of Aldermen reflecting President Green, Mayor Jones, and the Board’s commitment to an extensive public engagement process to determine how the funds could create generational change for city residents.

Living It

“One day people [will] wake up and realize LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed.”

LL Cool J on Apple Music show “Le Code”

Harmony for the holidays

IN UNISON Christmas will feature Grammy winning vocal group Take 6

By Zaria Mac The St. Louis American

Over the past 30 years, St. Louis Symphony’s IN UNISON Chorus has become a reflection of our rich African-American heritage.

“Seeing those traditions from the core of our community and culture is very important to what the mission and vision of IN UNISON is,” said IN UNISON Chorus Manager Michelle Byrd.

Next up as IN UNISON continues the work of preserving, promoting, and performing the music of African and African-American culture is IN UNISON Christmas. The musical event, which takes place on Friday, December 13th at Stifel Theatre, is as much a St. Louis cultural staple as it is an annual concert. Each year IN UNISON and The St.

Ten-time Grammy winners Take 6 (left to

Alvin

David Thomas, Mark Kibble Claude McKnight, Khristian Dentley, and Joe Kibble) will help IN UNISON Chorus and The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra usher in the holiday spirit as part of IN UNISON Christmas on Friday, December 13 at Stifel Theatre.

Louis Symphony Orchestra uses holiday classics and more as a reminder of the vast influence of African Americans within music. It also pairs the famed chorus

n It’s been more than a decade since Take 6 graced the stage with IN UNISON, but the relationship has become more like family than guest collaborators.

with some of the industry’s brightest stars.

Next week, Grammy Award-winning vocal group Take 6 will once again join forces with IN UNISON – and will be backed by the fellow Grammy winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

“What we’ve experienced working

with IN UNISON, is there’s an angelic sound that is added to what we do that makes the concert more rich,” said Take 6 member Khristian Dentley.

It’s been more than a decade since Take 6 graced the stage with IN UNISON, but the relationship has become more like family than guest collaborators. A distant relative, but one with the same mission and style – which makes it easy to pick up where they left off.

Byrd says “the wholesome gospel experience” is the chorus’ sweet spot. The same can be said for Take 6, who formed on the campus of Seventh-day Adventist HBCU Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.

In addition to harmonies, the group uses their voices to simulate instrumentation to add layers to the sound. According to Dentley, Take 6 creates their signature sound with the belief that “each individual was born to answer a question God knew

‘It’s the honor of a lifetime’

Famed dancer and educator Alicia Graf Mack named artistic director at Ailey

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

There is a St. Louis connection to the amazing new chapter soon to be underway at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Two weeks ago, the company announced that Alicia Graf Mack has been named to succeed Robert Battle as the company’s artistic director. St. Louis was fortunate enough to have her spend a few years here when she took a hiatus from her world-class dance career to earn her MA in nonprofit management at Washington University.

“Alicia’s appointment as the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey Dance comes at a pivotal moment for the organization and the dance world at large,” said Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre.

Kirven Douthit-Boyd danced with Graf Mack as a fellow principal member of the company. They collaborated in St. Louis upon his relocation to the region to co-chair COCA’s dance department with husband Antonio Douthit-Boyd.

“In these troubling times, the world needs to lean into the healing power of cultural creative energies,” Kirven Douthit-Boyd said. “The Ailey Company is one of the leading dance institutions that has the ability to inspire change, and I know that Alicia will hold that responsibility at the core of her decision making.”

Graf Mack, a former principal dancer with the company, is only the fourth per-

Alicia Graf Mack, a world class dancer, Washington University graduate school alum, and former COCA teaching artist, was recently named Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director. Mack, who will succeed Robert Battle, said “I am committed to preserving the company’s rich heritage.”

Courtesy photo

son to assume the role in the 66-year history of AADT. Judith Jamison inherited the position from the company’s founder and namesake due to Ailey’s untimely passing in 1989. Jamison, who died on November 9, passed the torch to Battle. He now makes way for Graf Mack. “It’s the honor of a lifetime to step into this role and continue the legacy of Alvin Ailey—a legacy rooted in celebrating the beauty and resilience of the human spirit,” Graf Mack said in a statement about her new role, which she will assume on July 1, 2025. “I am committed to preserving the company’s rich heritage while boldly exploring new voices and perspectives that push the boundaries of dance and reflect the world we live in today, and the world we hope to see.” What was most striking about her time in St. Louis was her accessibility. While

Tidings of jazz

will also

Denise Thimes headlines holiday benefit concert for pancreatic cancer research

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Christmas in the Thimes’ home was always something special.

“It was my mother’s favorite holiday,” Denise Thimes said. “We would have family gathered around and we would be listening to my father on the radio – he was always on the air for Christmas – it would always be a wonderful time. I get a special feeling just thinking about it.”

The five Thimes siblings would race down to the tree. Their father, the late radio legend Lou “Fatha” Thimes, spared no expense to ensure every one of their Christmas wishes came true.

That feeling is one she promises she will bring to The Sheldon on Wednesday, December 11. Next week with It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas, Thimes will be honoring her mother’s memory while scratching an item off of her bucket list.

n “We want to continue to create that awareness. And we want to be a huge supporter of The Siteman Cancer Center.”

- Denise Thimes

“I always wanted to present the type of Christmas concert where there was that old-fashioned holiday excitement,” Thimes said. “You know, the same type of joy when you wake up at five or six o’clock in the morning. And play The Temptations all day.” The concert will conjure up those throwback feelings of Christmas past – and with proceeds benefiting the Mildred Thimes Foundation for pancreatic cancer research, it will be a party with a purpose. The foundation was established in honor of Thimes mother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1997.

“We want to continue to create that awareness,” Thimes said. “And we want to be a huge supporter of The Siteman Cancer Center.” Thimes’ Christmas excitement rivaled what she felt as a child when she talked about the upcoming concert. The show will feature special guests Kim Fuller, Robert Nelson and stage and screen veteran Antonio Fargas.

“If you had told me that I would have someone of his caliber as a featured artist on one of my shows, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Thimes said of Fargas. “To find out what he will be doing on stage, audiences will have to come to the show and see for themselves.”

Thimes’ appreciation for Fuller dates

Photos courtesy of Denise Thimes

Jazz diva Denise Thimes will headline The Mildred Thimes Foundation’s presentation of It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas on Wednesday, December 11 at The Sheldon Concert Hall. The show

feature Antonio Fargas, Kim Fuller, Robert Nelson and The Girls Inc. Choir.

Photo courtesy of SLSO

right:

Chea,

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Nov. 30 – Dec. 23, Saint Louis Ballet presents Gen Horiuchi’s The Nutcracker. Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

Sat., Dec. 7, 12 noon, Frizzmas Holiday Extravaganza, Cortex Innovation Community, 4302 Forest Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit frizzybynature.com.

Sat., Dec. 7, 3 p.m., Ferguson Holiday Streetfest, Plaza at 501, 501 S. Florissant Rd. For more information, visit fergusonstreetfest.com.

Sun., Dec. 8, 3 p.m., UMSL Music presents Jazz for the Holidays, Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Wed., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. (VIP cocktail Christmas party at 5:30 p.m.), The Mildred Thimes Foundation presents It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas starring Denise Thimes with special guests Kim Fuller, Robert Nelson and Antonio Fargas, The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For tickets, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. St. Louis Symphony’s IN UNISON Chorus presents IN UNISON Christmas starring Grammy winning vocal group Take 6, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.slso.org

Sat., Dec. 14 – Sun., Dec. 15, Better Family Life’s 40th Anniversary Kwanzaa Expo.

STL Sites & Sounds

Strayhorn’s Nutcracker, Skip Viragh Center for the Arts, 425 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, visit www.

Through Dec. 22, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents Christmas Carol: The Remix, .ZACK Theatre. 3224 Locust Street. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit stlshakes.org.

Sat., Dec. 28, 10 a.m., Saint Louis Art Museum Kwanzaa Celebration, Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Through Dec. 31, Gateway Arch Park Foundation presents Winterfest, Kiener Plaza. For tickets or additional information, visit archpark.org.

CONCERTS

Wed., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., Purple Madness (Prince Tribute Band) at City Winery STL, 3730 Foundry Way. For tickets, visit www.citywinery. com.

Thurs., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., Justin Timberlake The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, Enterprise Center. Visit www. tickemaster.com for more information.

Sat., Dec. 21, Black Promoters Collective presents Kash Doll: The Last Doll, The Hawthorn, 2231 Washington Ave. For tickets, visit BPCTickets.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

roof, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. For more information, visit www.whiskeyinthewinter. com.

Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m., The Missouri Historical Society presents The Wendell Pruitt Celebration of African American Service, 2024

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Matthew Delmont, author of Half American: The epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. Soldiers Memorial, 1315 Chestnut St St. Louis, MO 63103. Registration is required for this event. For more informa-

Sat., Dec. 14, 6 p.m., DELUX Power 100, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. For more information, visit deluxpower100.org.

COMEDY

Thurs., Dec. 5, The Follow Instructions Tour starring Funny Marco. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit thepageant.com.

Sun., Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m. Poetry Comedy Brunch with live performances by Akeem 3407 California Ave. St. Louis, MO 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com

Willie Lynch Jr. and Smokey Suarez, St. Charles Funny Bone, 1520 S. Fifth Street, Suite 108, 63303. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone. com.

Thurs., Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m. The Brewery Comedy Tour at Rockwell, Rockwell Beer Company, 1320 South Vandeventer Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Sat., Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m. Let There Be Light Live, Atomic by Jamo, 4140 Manchester Ave. St. Louis MO 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com Sat., Dec. 28, 7 p.m. Jamo Presents: Sir Eddie C and Friends III, Atomic by Jamo 4140 Manchester Ave. St. Louis MO 63110. For more information, visit www.ticketweb.com

THEATRE

Fri., Dec. 6, 3 p.m. Behind the Curtain

Sun., Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Class

Klowns featuring Jovan Bibbs, Willie Lynch Jr. and Smokey Suarez will surely have audiences cutting up with laughter at the St. Charles Funny Bone. See COMEDY for additional information.

By the Missouri Historical Society

Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis is hosting its first an nual Wendell Pruitt Celebration of African American Service on Sunday, December 8.

Known for their courage and determi nation during an era of segregated military service, the famed Tuskegee Airmen began training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in July 1941. Nearly 1,000 pilots and thousands more bombardiers, naviga tors, and support staff graduated from this all-Black aviation program in Tuskegee, Alabama.

The Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction in the Army Air Forces during World War II, where the red tails on their planes and their strong record as bomber escorts earned them the nicknames “Red Tails” and “Red-Tail Angels.” Their accomplishments helped pave the way for military integration starting in 1948. In 2007 they were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award presented by Congress. The medal cites their “outstanding combat record [that] inspired revolutionary reform in the armed forces.”

Dozens of Tuskegee Airmen hailed from Missouri, and many of them called St. Louis home. Among them was Captain Wendell O. Pruitt, a graduate of Sumner High School and Lincoln University, who proudly flew his P-51 Mustang with the 332nd Fighter Group in Europe during World War II. The plane was nicknamed “Alice-Jo,” the combined names of Pruitt’s fiancée and of his crew chief’s girlfriend.

A fellow pilot once described Pruitt as having “a little bit of rogue in him. He didn’t mind breaking regulations with his flying and did things higher authorities didn’t approve. He was the best we had in the skies at the time. On the ground, Pruitt was a quiet, unassuming man. He just flew loud.”

Pruitt and Lieutenant Lee Archer became known as the “Gruesome Twosome” for racking up the most air victories of any pair of Tuskegee pilots. Pruitt was credited with shooting down three German planes over the course of 70 combat missions. He also helped sink a German destroyer, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

By late 1944, Pruitt had earned a furlough to return home to St. Louis. It was on this visit that Mayor Aloys Kaufmann declared December 12, 1944, to be Wendell O. Pruitt Day in the city, commemorating Pruitt’s achievements with a ceremony held downtown.

Pruitt then returned to Tuskegee as a flight instructor but was killed during a training exercise just four months later. He was later chosen as one of the namesakes for the Pruitt-Igoe housing project in St. Louis. A school and two American Veteran

earned his BA from Harvard University and his MA and PhD from Brown University.

Half American includes stories of Black heroes such as Thurgood Marshall, the chief lawyer for the NAACP, who investigated and publicized violence against Black troops and veterans; Benjamin O. Davis Jr., leader of the Tuskegee Airmen, who was at the forefront of the years-long fight to open the Air Force to Black pilots; Ella Baker, the civil rights leader who advocated on the home front for Black soldiers, veterans, and their families; James Thompson, the 26-year-old whose letter to a newspaper laying bare the hypocrisy of fighting against fascism abroad when racism still reigned at home set in motion the Double Victory campaign; and poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a war correspondent for the Black press.

The Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative is presented by Wells Fargo.

Take 6 has become synonymous with holiday music thanks to their trio of Christmas albums –1991’s “He Is Christmas,” 1999’s “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and 2010’s “The Most Wonderful Time of Year.”

Take 6

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their generation would ask”.

The unique symphonic approach to acapella instantly connected Take 6 with music lovers. Their debut single “Spread Love” helped propel their self-titled album on the gospel, R&B and jazz charts in 1988. They have gone on to win ten Grammy Awards and two NAACP Awards, among others – making them the most awarded acapella group of all time.

The group is an ideal companion to the IN UNISON sound, especially when it comes to songs of the season. Take 6 has become synonymous with holiday music thanks to their trio of Christmas albums –1991’s “He Is Christmas,” 1999’s “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and 2010’s “The Most Wonderful Time of Year.”

Take 6’s upcoming featured performance with

Garden

IN UNISON will once again be under the musical direction of Kevin McBeth.

As IN UNISON commemorates its milestone of three decades, McBeth will soon celebrate his 14th year as director of IN UNISON.

“If you have your mind made up that Black music is just one thing, or classical music is just one thing, I encourage people to come and hear what we are doing,” McBeth told The American earlier this year.

“I want to be able to use this platform and podium that I have to support the arts and Black music – and to bring the finest music to the community and just continue to live in that vision.”

When McBeth blends songs and orchestrations, he weaves messages of harmony through the performance to tell a story. The audience is taken on a journey that connects them to the music on a spiritual level.

Along with songs of the season, McBeth will be using IN UNISON Christmas to celebrate the

Dance

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obtaining her degree, she worked as a teaching artist for COCA – the institution that honed the talent of fellow Ailey alum and St. Louis native Antonio Douthit-Boyd.

“There is no point in being an artist if you can’t inspire lives,” Graf Mack told The American in 2015. “That’s what being an artist is all about – sharing your experience in the world with the world.”

For Graf Mack and Douthit-Boyd, who now leads the dance department at COCA, it has also been about training up the next generation of dancers, and creating an environment for them to thrive.

After the Columbia, Maryland native completed her studies at Washington University, Graf Mack became a full-time faculty member of Webster University. She returned to Ailey in 2011. Upon her retirement in 2014, she again returned to Webster, and Washington University, as an adjunct professor.

“I can tell when a student has a certain spark about them,” Graf Mack said. “I just want to help them reach their goals –whatever that is.” She relocated to Houston with her husband Kirby, a native of the St. Louis region, and their infant son Jay in 2015. The couple had their daughter Laila two years later.

In 2018, Graf Mack became Director of Dance at Juilliard School. She made history as the youngest and the first woman of color and youngest person to hold the position.

“Alicia has always been a trailblazer in the dance world,” COCA said in a social media post celebrating

125th birthday of William Dawson. McBeth has drawn a lot of inspiration from Dawson – an African American composer from the 1800s who continues to inspire directors and musicians from the clergy to even collegiate level singers. His Negro folk influences directors across all racial lines and has become a staple for making African American centered works. Whether it’s the traditional holiday tunes or the Dawson tribute, Byrd says audiences can once again expect to be blown away by IN UNISON Christmas. “There is no greater feeling than the electricity,” Byrd said. “From the time you enter to the time you leave, it’s life changing”.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and IN UNISON Chorus will present IN UNISON Christmas featuring Take 6 at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www. slso.org

Graf Mack’s appointment. “This past March, we were honored to welcome her back to COCA for the Juilliard Dance Experience. She shared her artistry and wisdom with the next generation of dancers.” She will leave Julliard to take the ranks at Ailey.

“Living heritage is central to the artistic achievement of Alvin Ailey,” said Daria L. Wallach, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. “And it is just as integral to AILEY as an organization.”

Wallach pointed out that passing the artistic leadership of AILEY to Alicia Graf Mack – who was introduced to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under Judith Jamison’s direction and performed under the leadership of Robert Battle – honors and celebrates the legacy of the company, going back to Mr. Ailey himself.

“We know that this powerful continuity across the generations, combined with Ms. Graf Mack’s outstanding talents as a dance artist, educator, administrator, and communicator, will ensure that both the traditions and the innovation of AILEY remain strong for years to come,” Wallach said.

It’s a sentiment shared by Kirven Douthit-Boyd.

“I know that her connection across genres of dance, her experience in arts administration, and her personal values have nurtured her into a human equipped with all of the qualities needed to serve her community well,” Kirven said. “With the recent passing of our queen Judith Jamison, there’s an entire tribe of artists ready to uphold her legacy. Alicia is part of a dynasty that is prepared and willing to support her vision and champion her work.”

Courtesy photo

Untreated wounds

CVPA shooting survivors are being forgotten

By Jamala Rogers

I don’t know why there has been no concerted response. Maybe it’s the general chaos in this society that we don’t focus on the needs and concerns of children and youth.

Maybe it’s because adults don’t really know how to respond. I refuse to believe it’s because we do not care. But when a student survivor of St. Louis’ first school shooting came to me for a platform to express her discounted pain, I wondered about us as a society.

St. Louis Public Schools experienced its first school shooting in October 2022. Central Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) and Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (CSMB) high schools share a school building—the former Southwest High School.

Orlando Harris, a troubled CVPA graduate, entered his former high school armed with automatic weapons. Jean Kuczka, a beloved teacher and Alexzandria Bell, a bubbly CVPA student, were killed by Harris. Several other students were injured before Harris was ultimately gunned down by St. Louis police.

Recommendations.” The document was sent to leadership at the city, police department, and school levels. The hope was to jumpstart a community-wide discussion that would address fears and engage in a healing process. It never happened.

Weeks before the second anniversary of the shooting, the SLPD finally released the edited video footage and a 432-page report to the media. The report revealed important information that the community needed to know, a community that is capable of developing realistic strategies that address the issues.

Other schools and communities around the country have rallied to understand their tragedies, explored lessons learned and worked together to implement programs and strategies. In typical St. Louis problem-solving manner, we have buried our collective heads and hoped everything would be alright—all by itself. It won’t be.

We know that now because in the last couple of years, reports have been published that studied the long-term impact on students victimized by shootings. The research coming out of Stanford University found that students exposed to school shootings face ‘lasting, persistent’ adversity in their lives.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

That year saw the highest number of school shootings since Columbine, the first school shooting in 1999. The number of shootings have doubled since Columbine—417 and counting. This made our horrific tragedy historically unique because not only were we in that statistic, but St. Louis also became a school shooting trifecta: the shooter was an African American teen in an urban public school headed by an African American principal. There is much that we need to learn from our situation to share with other urban school districts and communities.

Some of us village parents rushed to Gateway Highway in the shooting aftermath to help students get connected with their parents. Some of us met in the days afterward to put our concerns in a document entitled, “Gateway Observations and

Other reports point to the negative impacts on students’ mental well-being such as the lack of school and job success, depression, drug abuse and suicide. The students and staff in this city are still suffering from the trauma of that fateful day. The trauma is there whether we acknowledge it or not.

It would be a powerful display of leadership to see the bureaucratic systems come together—the schools, public safety and city government—and hold a public hearing on what happened on October 24, 2022 and why, and to share their plans for more effective coordination in the future. The anxiety and fear remain real.

How will we know if the schools will be better prepared the next time if we never talk about it? It’s not too late to have that conversation. With each passing day of no intervention, the trauma is buried deeper. At some point, the trauma will be triggered and force us grown folks to get serious. Our young people are begging us for relief. How long will we ignore their cries for help?

Student survivors reflect on their lives since the school tragedy on “Voices from the Battlefield.”

Two possible Black saints have Missouri roots

Augustus Tolton, Julia Greeley born slaves here

By Francesca Pollio Fenton Catholic News Agency

National Black Catholic History Month is celebrated in America in November, and it honors the history, heritage, and contributions of Black Catholics across the nation. The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) first established Black Catholic History Month in 1990.

Here are six prominent Black Catholics on their way to sainthood:

Venerable Father Augustus Tolton

Augustus Tolton was born into slavery in Brush Creek, Ralls County, Missouri, on April 1, 1854, to Catholic parents Peter Paul Tolton and Martha Jane Chisley. In 1862, he, along with his mother and two siblings, escaped by crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois. Called to enter the priesthood, Tolton sought

to enter the seminary but none in America would accept him because he was Black, so he studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained in 1886 at the age of 31, becoming the first African American ordained as a priest.

Tolton returned to the U.S. where he served for three years at a parish in Quincy, Illinois. From there he went to Chicago and started a parish for Black Catholics — St. Monica Parish.

Servant of God Julia Greeley

Julia Greeley, also known as Denver’s Angel of Charity, was born into slavery near Hannibal, Missouri. After she was freed in 1865, she spent her time serving poor families mostly in Denver. In 1880, Greeley entered the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver. She attended daily Mass and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and

the Blessed Virgin Mary. She joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1901 and was active in it until her death in 1918. Her cause for canonization was opened by the Archdiocese of Denver in 2016.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint

Venerable Pierre Toussaint was born on June 27, 1766, in Haiti and was brought to New York City as an enslaved person. After his master died, he was determined to support the household. In his early 20s Toussaint became an apprentice to a hairdresser and quickly learned the trade.

Toussaint himself was freed from slavery soon before his former master’s widow died in 1807.

Toussaint attended daily Mass and is credited by many as being the father of Catholic Charities in New York. He played a major role in raising funds for the first Catholic orphanage and began the city’s first school for Black children. He also helped provide funds for the Oblate Sisters of Providence, a religious community of Black nuns founded in Baltimore.

Venerable Henriette DeLille

Born on March 11,

1813, in New Orleans, Henriette DeLille was a religious sister who devoted her life to improving the welfare of her community, especially African Americans who were currently or formerly enslaved. She was born in New Orleans; her father was from France, and her mother was a free woman of African descent.

After being confirmed in 1834, she began pursuing religious life and sold her possessions to use the money to establish the Sisters of the Presentation, the second Black religious order in the United States. DeLille also established the Lafon Nursing Facility, which is the first and oldest Catholic nursing home in the U.S.

Venerable Mother Mary Lange

Mother Mary Lange, who was born in Cuba, came to the United States in 1813 and settled in the Baltimore area. She quickly realized that the children of her fellow Caribbean immigrants needed an education and decided to use her own money and home to educate children of color.

In 1829, Lange became the founder and first superior of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Her deep faith helped

her persevere against all odds and she gave herself completely to help her Black brothers and sisters. In addition to establishing a religious order, she also opened an orphanage, a widow’s home, and a school.

Servant of God

Sister Thea Bowman

Born in Canton, Mississippi, in 1937, Thea Bowman converted to Catholicism as a child inspired by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, who were teachers and pastors at Holy Child Jesus Church and School in Canton. Bowman witnessed Catholics around her caring for the poor and those in need, and this is what drew her to the Catholic Church. At the age of 15, she told her family she wanted to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. She left her home in Mississippi and traveled to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where she would be the only African American member of her religious community.

This article is courtesy of the Catholic News Agency

APRIL 8, 2025 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

The City of Bellerive Acres is currently seeking an energetic, detail-oriented, and self-motivated individual for a part-time position of Code Enforcement Officer. Visit our website at https://new.belleriveacresmo.gov for a detailed job description. Please apply by emailing a letter of interest and resume to Deletra Hudson, City Clerk at clerk@bellerivearesmo.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Wellston will begin to accept filings for the April 8, 2025 election at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm from Dec. 10 until Dec. 31, 2024. Candidates for Councilmember representing Wards 1, 3 and 5 may file at Wellston City Hall, located at 6203 Cote Brilliante Ave., 63133.

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

MBE / WBE Encouraged 60 Units Multi Family –ST. LOUIS, MO For Bid Information: 573-204-3097 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

Double Diamond Construction 2201 Walton Road, Ste. B Jackson, MO 63755

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for 25-109 – City of St. Peters Water Interconnect Pump Station will be received by the City of St. Peters, Purchasing Department, City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 until 2:00 PM local time, December 16, 2024 and then opened and read aloud.

Contract Documents will be available on December 5, 2024 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website https://mo-stpeters. civicplus.com/Bids.aspx

All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line 25-109 – City of St. Peters Water Interconnect Pump Station before noon local time, December 11, 2024.

A bid bond in the amount of 5% (five percent) shall be submitted with each proposal.

This project will be awarded to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder.

No 2nd tier subcontracting will be allowed on this project.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality in bidding and to reject all bids.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LANDSIDE ROADWAYS AND PARKING GARAGE WITH GROUND TRANSPORTATION CENTER AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications are due by 5:00 PM CT, DECEMBER 20, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https://www. bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home? agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from the BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/ public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or email Board of Public Service at bryanth@stlouis-mo.gov 25% MBE and 5% WBE goals.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the County of St. Louis (the “LCRA”) requests proposals from qualified contractors to inspect the current HVAC system and implement a recommended approach for replacement or repair of the same for the Early Explorers Child Development Academy located at 1232 Robert L. Powell Pl, St. Louis, MO 63133. A copy of the full RFP is available at https:// stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/ Proposals should be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Friday, January 10, 2025.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

even more valuable insights! In addition to introducing the St. Louis Philanthropic Organization and its Responsive Grant, topics will include leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance proposal development, using evaluation to secure additional funding, and building support from local officials and funders. To reinforce understanding, participants will apply key skills in real time, ensuring they leave with a solid grasp of essential workshop components. Visit the SLPO website above to register for the workshop. The SLPO Board is pleased and excited to partner again with Mosaic Beginnings to provide the grantwriting workshop for area nonprofit organizations. Mosaic Beginnings is a management consulting firm with a diverse team of consultants with over 100 years of combined experience committed to increasing organizational capacity for organizations, helping them achieve and, often, exceed their goals. Capacity building workshops sponsored by the SLPO are available at no cost to agencies.

FURNISHED

314-952-1614

Holiday Cheer Found Here

By Barry Draper

Whether you’re planning a romantic hol-

idate, a kid-friendly outing or an unforgettable New Year’s Eve, St. Louis has an event for every festive occasion. For more ideas on how to spend the holidays in St. Louis, visit explorestlouis.com.

Christmas Carol: The Remix Until December 22

In this laugh-out-loud musical remix of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of HipHop Past, Present and Future. As Scrooge is shown the path of rhythm and redemption, will he throw off his selfish chains and get down to the beat? Playing at .ZACK in Grand Center, Christmas Carol: The Remix blends everything from reggae to rock, taking this beloved story of love, forgiveness and Christmas spirit to the next level.

Garden Glow Until January 4

Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden dazzles visitors with its exquisite light displays year after year. Come to celebrate the season with more than two million twinkling lights, beautiful projections and immersive experiences. The lights adorn some of the Garden’s most iconic locations, including the rose garden, and while you’re here, you can enjoy s’mores and festive drinks. Add a delicious meal or reserve a fire pit to enhance the evening.

Wild Lights November 29 to December 29

Jingle Bears! Jingle Bears! This holiday season, escape to a wild wonderland at the Saint Louis Zoo. Wild Lights is back with brand-new twinkling light displays and festive family fun. A 40-foot walk-through lighted tree, among other displays such as the Frosted Forest, Toy Town, Arctic Alley, Peppermint Pathway and Gingerbread Lane, offer dynamic photo opportunities for all.

A Spirited Holiday Past December 7

join. Once at the event, you will have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want. 12 Bars of Charity is a great opportunity to get family, friends and co-workers together around the holidays for a super fun event that gives back to some of the best local organizations.

Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour December 15

The annual parlor tour in Lafayette Square is too special to miss.

Participants of the Holiday Parlor Tour will be invited into 11 festively decorated homes on the self-guided walking tour. Unique in its history and character, every home reflects the diversity of the neighborhood’s residents. Ticket holders can also enjoy carriage rides in the park and trolley stops around the area.

Ellington Strayhorn Nutcracker December 20 and 21

As part of a grand tour of historic sites, museums and homes in the region, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum will host guests for history and iconography walking tours, holiday games and more on Dec. 7.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra IN UNISON Christmas December 13

Ring in the holidays with a powerful performance by the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Take 6, who will perform alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the IN UNISON Chorus. Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet,” Take 6 brings their unparalleled harmonies to this soulful celebration, blending gospel, jazz and traditional favorites in an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years to come.

12 Bars of Charity December 14

This year marks the 12th annual 12 Bars of Charity event, which features a friendly competition between eight local charities. The charities are divided into “teams” and assigned a team color; the largest charity team, with the most sign-ups, gets a $1,000 prize. All you have to do is sign up for the charity team that you want to

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She’s performed for Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and Queen Elizabeth II – at their request. Her most recent

Looking for a new year-end tradition? Honoring its commitment to innovation and collaboration, Saint Louis Dance Theatre will partner with Jazz St. Louis to put an exciting new spin on Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. Snag seats at the performance to experience an exciting blend of live music and dance as the contemporary dance company reimagines a vibrant time in St. Louis history, set to the backdrop of Ellington’s remarkable score.

Thursday Night at the Museum: Kwanzaa Celebration December 26

Join the first event in a weeklong celebration honoring African American culture at the Missouri History Museum. During the Kwanzaa celebration, you can reflect on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, spend time among community and enjoy live performances.

New Year’s Eve with Victor Goines and Friends December 31

The most sensational New Year’s Eve party returns to St. Louis. In two separate performances on Dec. 31, Jazz St. Louis president and CEO Victor Goines will lead a band of extraordinary musicians in a jubilant celebration featuring jazz standards, classics and originals. Swing into 2025 with this special celebration and dazzling performance!

performances prior to Wednesday’s show were as a featured soloist for The Count Basie Orchestra. “It feels pretty damn terrific,” Thimes said of knowing that her name is now tethered to the jazz icon who paved the way for so many –including the region’s own Miles Davis and Clark Terry.

It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas will have some of the best musicians the region has to offer, including a few with their own national and international reputations. Lamar Harris, Damarius Hicks and Eric Slaughter are among them.

“The musicians alone are worth the price of the ticket,” Thimes said.

But they won’t be alone, in addition to Thimes, Fargas, Nelson and Fuller,

the concert will include an opening performance from The Girls Inc. Choir.

“I’m so happy that they will be there performing,” Thimes said. “Because when I think of Christmas, I think of my childhood and how I was blessed to have so many wonderful Christmases.” The Mildred Thimes Foundation’s presentation of It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas starring Denise Thimes with special guests Kim Fuller, Robert Nelson, Antonio Fargas and The Girls Inc. Choir will take place at 7 p.m. (with a special VIP cocktail Christmas party at 5:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, December 11 at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd. For tickets, visit www. metrotix.com.

Columnist Barry Draper

Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden