November 28th, 2024 edition by The St. Louis American

St. LouiS AmericAn

A day of reckoning for St. Louis region

By Ashley Winters The St. Louis American

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist who has long used her powerful voice to champion the fight to erase racism in the United States.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, O’Brien was in St. Louis to lead an enlightening panel discussion that’s making its way around the country.

Reckoning with Our Racial Past: Conversations for Our Shared Future is a traveling series about the impact of race and racism on communities. The Smithsonian Institution organizes it with the support of Bank of America.

Communities across the St. Louis region, and the nation, continue to struggle with racial, social, and economic disparities, including education, housing, jobs, career training, and health.

Keondre Harrison said watching the panelists collectively bring their ideas to the conversation around race and building equity across the board is a great start to turn back the decades of trauma and many disparities that have affected Black and

11th Ward Alderwoman Laura Keys was among dozens of volunteers who braved a chilly Tuesday morning to help the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Schnucks Markets serve the community by providing over 700 turkeys and side dishes in boxes to recipients during the annual Urban League Turkey Giveaway. Cars began lining up near the Urban League headquarters at 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd., before 6 a.m. for the noon start and the procession lasted for three hours.

Urban League turkey giveaway feeds 700 families

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from noon to 3 p.m., meaning some recipients waited more than six hours to receive the valued holiday meal food

The partners hosted the annual Urban League Headquarters

Calling it a “cherished community tradition,” Michael P. McMillan, Urban League president and CEO, said 700 families will be provided with turkeys

for Thanksgiving. “This event is a true testament to the power of partnership and community,” said McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “We are deeply grateful to

St. Louis American

The Honorable Esther Haywood of St. Louis was remembered as a fierce civil rights and social justice advocate, bold community leader political pioneer and trusted leader during her memorial service on Monday November 25, at Prince of Peace Church at 9350 Natural Bridge Road. A persistent champion of education, she was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, according to her daughter, Esther Haywood spent her entire career fighting for the disadvantaged, the underserved and the downtrodden,” said her daughter Dr. Angela Haywood-Gaskin.

“Whether it was her time as one of a handful of African American teachers helping to integrate the Shelby County Public Schools System, or her time remaining dedicated to her students in E. St. Louis school District 189 for 27 years, or her time on the Normandy School Board. “[She spent] nearly a decade in the Missouri General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives fighting for working families, and appropriating additional funding for public education

By Alvin A. Reid St.

Louis American

The St. Louis Public Schools district improved its performance during the 2023 school year, according to data compiled and released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. SLPS saw its overall Missouri School Improvement Score [MSIP] score rise from 63.2% in the 2023 tally to 65.7% this year. The SLPS score released in 2022 was 63.8%. Among the categories that are examined by DESE are test scores, graduation rates, attendance and “school culture.” A school’s accreditation status is also determined on other factors, While SLPS is improving, it still falls below the 70% level that insures it would remain fully accredited.

St. Louis area districts also falling short of the 70% benchmark are Hazelwood (65.7%), Jennings (69.5%), Normandy

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American Gentlemen of Vision kick off the Reckoning With Our Racial Past Panel on 11/21/24 at the Grandel Theater.

Esther Haywood

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

Bishop TD Jakes suffers medical emergency during sermon

World-renowned mega pastor Bishop TD Jakes is said to be in stable condition following a health situation that took place while he was preaching at his Dallas-area church.

The Potter’s House senior pastor was winding down his message in a sermon that was being streamed live around the world when he began to appear incoherent. He lowered the microphone and began to tremble as he sat on a stool. Church staff came to his aid and whisked him away.

The church released a statement regarding the incident, saying that Jakes “experienced a slight health incident and received imme diate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message.”

The statement said that Jakes is stable and under the care of medi cal professionals.

“The entire Potter’s House family is grate ful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and

support from the community,” the church’s statement said.

Denzel speaks on his sobriety milestone

When stage, screen and television legend Denzel Washington will turn the big 7-0 next month. With his birthday comes another milestone for the Academy Award-winning actor who is currently starring in the blockbuster “Gladiator II.”

In his cover story with Esquire Magazine, Washington shares that with his birthday comes 10 years of sobriety.

Washington said he hasn’t “had a thimble’s worth since” quitting alcohol when he turned 60. He told the publication that it started with wine.

“Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow,” Washington said, according to Esquire.com. “It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden. I had this ideal idea of wine tastings and all that — which is what it was at first.

And that’s a very subtle thing. I mean, I drank the best.”

He shared that he “wasn’t drinking when we filmed ‘Flight.’” The 2012

drama starred Washington as an alcoholic airline pilot.

“I’m sure I did as soon as I finished,” Washington told the outlet. “That was getting toward the end of the drinking, but I knew a lot about waking up and looking around, not knowing what happened. I’ve done a lot of damage to the body.”

Singer Khalid outed by ex

A former partner took to social media to reveal his relationship with platinum-selling “American Teen” singer Khalid

While he didn’t address the full scope of allegations made by his ex, Khalid confirmed that he is indeed a part of the LBGTQIA+ community. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted a rainbow flag with exclamation points.

In the tweet he says, “There y’all go. Next topic, please.”

Some of his fans felt compelled to offer their opinions.

“The closet was glass baby, but we accept you,” an X (formerly Twitter) user with the handle of Mermaid. “It’s not about who you love. It’s about your artistry.”

Khalid responded to her personally.

“I wasn’t hiding anything,” the singer tweeted. “It just wasn’t any of your business.”

He then offered a general statement about the ordeal.

“I got outed and the world still continues to turn,” Khalid said. “Let’s get this straight (lmao) – I am not ashamed of my sexuality. In reality, it ain’t nobody’s business! But I am okay with me. Love y’all.”

Diddy lawyers accuse prosecutors of editing infamous video

Newsweek is reporting that lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs argue the recently surfaced 2016 video of him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura is an edited version of surveillance footage.

The publication’s website said that in court documents filed Thursday ahead of Combs’ bail hearing Friday, the defense claimed that the government had a more complete version of the video footage from the Intercontinental hotel. But instead, they gave the judge the “edited, manipulated version of the video published by CNN.”

They claim the government provided the court with the “edited” footage to make Combs, 54, seem more dangerous in an attempt to deny him bond as he remains behind bars awaiting his May sex trafficking trial.

Sources: Esquire.com, Newsweek.com, People.com, Instagram.com, X.com.

Confluence College Fair offers new opportunities

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Confluence Preparatory Academy hosted its College and Career Fair on November 21, 2024, offering a chance for inspired and motivated students to pursue their dreams.

Teen scholars had the opportunity to connect with colleges, career professionals, and community leaders, all dedicated to supporting their paths to success.

Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith announced the launch of her “Presidential Dollars for Scholars Tour,” and presented $180,000 in meritbased scholarships to deserving students.

Her generosity and commitment to higher education made a lasting impact on both the scholars and the community, according to Dr. Cierra Wourman, Confluence lead college and career counselor.

With more than 50 colleges, businesses, and organizations represented, the fair was a hub of opportunity.

Students explored career pathways, learned about postsecondary options, and engaged in meaningful conversations about their futures. From local institutions to national organizations, every participant contributed valuable resources and insights.

“This event was all about exposing our students to the endless opportunities available to them,” explained Wourman.

“Our post-secondary team dedicated countless hours to ensuring a diverse group of universities and career fields were represented. We wanted

every scholar to see a path that resonates with their interests and ambitions.”

Christopher C. Miller, dean of students at Confluence Preparatory Academy, shared his vision for the students, which includes challenging themselves.

“The goal is for our scholars to dream big, set ambitious goals, and feel confident knowing they have a community supporting them every step of the way,” he said.

“Many of our students are prospective first-generation college graduates, and that comes with a unique set of challenges and responsibilities.

At CPA, we are committed to eliminating any doubts they may have about their post-secondary plans and empowering them to succeed.”

The gap between female and male college enrollment is widest for African American students, according to a 2018 National Center for Education Statistics report. Black students are underrepresented in higher education, in large part because of the absence of young African-American men in college.

According to the Blue Heart Foundation, an educational non-profit that focuses on the empowerment and education of under-served youth, advantages for Black students who attend college include:

-Higher education typically has general education requirements which allows students to explore different subjects and get a better idea of what they want to do without wasting time, money, or credits.

-The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that African American high school graduates

with no college education are more than twice as likely to be unemployed than African Americans with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

-Getting to class on time, completing assignments, and participating in group projects are standards that will be set in college. Like-minded, engaged peer groups provide a culture of support that will help African American young men welcome this kind of responsibility. The structure of higher education allows for students to consistently be rewarded for putting in hard work.

-Higher education also provides the opportunity for Black students to enroll in classes and sign up for activities

that excite them, without the structured limitations of high school. They can meet people from various backgrounds and cultures that have similar interests, in addition to discovering new interests they didn’t know they had.

- Travel opportunities are often found at college. Whether an athlete, studying abroad, or working as an intern, traveling can be an education in itself.

Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also show that educational attainment improves health and life expectancy.

The College and Career Fair is a cornerstone of Confluence Preparatory Academy’s mission

to prepare students not only for graduation but for life beyond high school and slogan they call “To and through.”

“By connecting scholars with resources, mentors, and lifechanging opportunities like those offered by Harris-Stowe State University, the school continues to cultivate a culture of ambition and support,” said Miller, who extended the school’s “deepest gratitude to Dr. Collins-Smith, Harris-Stowe State University, and all the colleges, businesses, and community members who made the event a success.”

“Together, they are helping to shape the future for a generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Confluence Academy

Confluence Preparatory Academy students spoke with a recruiter from Southeast Missouri State University during the annual College and Career Fair on November 21, 2024. Students met with college representatives, career professionals, and community leaders, and Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith presented $180,000 in merit-based scholarships.

As we give thanks, work toward a more equitable

The Ga people of Ghana, West Africa, begin a celebration in August that continues as a month-long thanksgiving known as Ga Homowo — the Harvest Festival. Many ethnic groups in Ghana and all over Africa have similar traditions.

Ceremonies and rituals vary, but the purpose is the same — remembering lean times, being thankful for present blessings, and praying for future abundance.

There are no written documents to account for the origin of Homowo. But, according to traditional stories, the Ga people emigrated from the Middle East and descended throughout the Sahara to Benin City in Nigeria. They settled there for a time before relocating to Accra, sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Legends say the Ga had only a bit of corn and palm oil when they landed, which women ground and mixed together to make kpokpoi. After the men caught fish, the clan enjoyed their first meal after landing — kpokpoi and fish soup.

The immigrants planted millet, and corn seeds they had brought with them. Then, they endured a long, lean waiting period while crops matured. When the harvest came, the Ga held a feast and gave thanks to their gods. The first celebration became the Hom Yi Womo, meaning a “hooting at hunger.” Thanksgiving began in the United States in the 17th century as a celebration, a friendly coming-together of European settlers and the Indigenous people of North America. The Native Americans had welcomed the Pilgrims to this land and shared the vast knowledge they had about the continent’s flora and fauna. They explained planting corn and plowing and taught the newcomers trapping and fishing.

future

used by Europeans to dispossess the original people of their land is not pretty. And now it is almost completely ignored.

In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad had Marlowe define the “conquest of the Earth” as “taking from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves.”

In both sub-Saharan Africa and North America, the native people were mostly cooperative in the early days of European arrival. Nevertheless, conquest and colonization ensued later on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although some of us of African descent in this country now enjoy modest affluence, the overall status of our people must be defined largely in terms of the marginalized and less fortunate.

For those without jobs, without hope or dignity in the troubled neighborhoods of St. Louis or the squalor of Soweto or Port-au-Prince, Thanksgiving can be meaningless and is certainly no holiday. It is mostly a grim reminder of misery and powerlessness.

African Americans should not forget the early occasion that brought this particular holiday into existence in this country. We must dedicate ourselves to remembering the “least among us” in a society that has effectively shut out so many of our people. Indeed, we are especially obligated to support policies and initiatives that strengthen family life and enable the poor to share in the nation’s bounty.

Using the holidays as time of healing

By Ben Jealous

With the holiday season approaching, it seems that our country could not be more divided. That division has been perhaps the main overarching topic of our national conversation in recent years. And it has taken root within many of our own families.

Blood may be thicker than water, but for many American families it seems like it is not as thick as politics. Or, if not politics specifically, then the cultural rifts that have been widened and inflamed within our political debate.

Maybe our national healing can start with our families, around the holiday table. There are mixed views within my own family, just like there are in millions of American families. And within my family there are stories of division and stories of healing.

ever national president of the NAACP. He was the Confederate general who essentially fought to preserve the institution of slavery.

The Civil War itself was a conflict that famously divided families. “Brother against brother” is a phrase commonly used to describe those divisions that emerged within many American families, especially in the border states like my home state of Maryland.

And after the Civil War, America’s divisions certainly did not go away. But there are inspiring stories of coming together as well that simply have not been told as much as the stories of division and oppression.

According to tradition, both peoples slaughtered turkeys, made dressing, and had a version of cranberry sauce at the first Thanksgiving. They feasted together. During those tough early days for the newcomers, Native Americans extended their hands and opened their hearts. Their hospitality and support helped Europeans survive in an unfamiliar land.

We know of the bitter and bloody relationship that subsequently developed when conquest and colonization replaced the spirit of sharing and cooperation. The vicious assault on Native Americans is not widely discussed anymore. The holiday has come to mean turkey and the trimmings, pre-Christmas sales and football. The history of the brutal process

That is truer today than ever. The overtly racist, misogynist, hate-mongering man who frequently stood with white nationalists and white supremacists, not to mention hostile foreign powers, while undermining and abandoning many of this nation’s strongest, most productive, and protective alliances is returning to office on Jan. 20, 2025.

His return means an intensified spread of misinformation, including an increased acceptance of hate speech as well as an increase in the likelihood of political violence as seen on Jan. 6, 2024. It helped him win re-election over the infinitely more qualified Vice President Kamala Harris.

Regardless, let us all give thanks for what blessings we have — and commit ourselves to resisting resurgent white nationalism and white male supremacy and working toward a more equitable future in policies that lead us more forthrightly toward greater fairness, where blessings are more justly shared.

My family traces its roots in America on my dad’s side back 400 years to Massachusetts – the home of the first Thanksgiving. My mom’s family has also been here the better part of 400 years, but in Virginia and Maryland, tracing back to that area’s earliest white settlers and their African slaves.

When my parents fell in love as young civil rights activists in Baltimore and got married, their marriage was illegal in Maryland. Their relationship was taboo at the time. My father’s family disowned him for marrying a Black woman and he lost his inheritance.

I grew up on America’s racial fault line. And learning about my own family’s history has provided an important perspective on the nature of division both within the family itself and the country –our big, messy American family.

Using DNA research to trace my own family’s origins, I discovered that like President Barack Obama, I am distant cousins with former Vice President Dick Cheney. That revelation was interesting. But the revelation that I am also distant cousins with Robert E. Lee was a little harder to swallow. I was the youngest

My grandmother’s grandfather was at the center of one of those stories. In the years immediately following Reconstruction, Edward David Bland – who had been born into slavery – led Virginia’s Black Republicans into coalition with former white Confederate soldiers to form a third party that took over the Virginia state government.

Known as the Readjusters, the bipartisan, multiracial movement won all statewide elected offices and controlled the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1881 to 1885. In that time, they abolished the poll tax and the whipping post, radically expanded Virginia Tech and created Virginia State University, and readjusted the terms of the Civil War debt to save the free public schools and take the state from a financial deficit into a surplus. That is just one story that illustrates how as a country we have managed to work through our divisions and move forward. We have common ground. We just need to look for it. And it should not be that difficult to search for and find that common ground within our own families. Whether we sink or float, it will be together. And to truly thrive, we must heal our divisions. Within our own families is as good a place as any to start. Ben Jealous is the Sierra Club executive director and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Commentary

Felony disenfranchisement a Jim Crow relic

By Marc Morial

“Today it is perfectly legal to discriminate against criminals in nearly all the ways that it was once legal to discriminate against African Americans. Once you’re labeled a felon, the old forms of discrimination—employment discrimination, housing discrimination, denial of the right to vote, denial of educational opportunity, denial of food stamps and other public benefits, and exclusion from jury service—are suddenly legal.”

– Michelle Alexander,

“The New Jim Crow”

One out of every eight Black people in Florida, where President-elect Donald Trump is registered to vote, is disenfranchised due to felony convictions. Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony charges, is not.

Florida law allows those convicted of felonies to vote only after their full sentences have been served, including probation and parole, and all fines, fees and court costs have been paid.

The vast majority of disenfranchised Floridians have served their sentences. Trump has not even been sentenced yet.

ple were arrested and convicted “almost always under the thinnest chimera of probable cause or judicial process.”

Almost 160 years later, Black Americans are three times as likely to be disenfranchised as non-Black Americans. Nationwide, about 1 in 22 Black citizens of voting age is disenfranchised. In five states — including Florida — more than 1 in 10 Black adults is disenfranchised.

Over the last eight years, the number of Americans disenfranchised for felony convictions has fallen dramatically due to new laws and policies. In Maine, Vermont and the District of Columbia, even those who are incarcerated have the right to vote. In 38 states, voting rights are restored upon release from incarceration or upon completion of parole or probation.

But under Florida law, Trump is subject to the far less restrictive laws of New York state, where he was convicted. Only those currently incarcerated on felony charges are barred from voting in New York.

Felony disenfranchisement is a relic of Jim Crow white supremacy. Its enforcement after the election of a convicted felon to the nation’s highest office is indefensible.

Confederate states were required to ratify the 14th Amendment to be readmitted to the Union after the Civil War. No longer legally able to deny the vote based on race, the states rushed to deny the vote to anyone convicted of a felony, while at the same time enacting “Black Codes” — laws “essentially intended to criminalize Black life,” Douglas Blackmon wrote.

While white people accused of crimes often escaped punishment, Black peo-

But 10 states, including Missouri, withhold indefinitely the right to vote from those convicted of felonies, or require additional measures like payment of fines and fees before voting rights are restored. In Virginia, home of the former capital of the Confederacy, the right to vote can be restored only by the arbitrary whim of Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Felony disenfranchisement not only is racially discriminatory and anti-democratic, it makes our communities less safe. Returning citizens whose voting rights were restored are less likely to be arrested than those who remained disenfranchised.

“Restoring voting rights gives citizens the sense that their voice can be heard in the political process and contributes to building an individual’s positive identity as a community member,” researchers for The Sentencing Project wrote.

The election of a president with 34 felony convictions makes a mockery of any defense of felony disenfranchisement. Lawmakers in every state must acknowledge the racist origins of these policies and relegate them to the garbage heap of history.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Columnist

Ben Jealous

Columnist Marc Morial

University City’s 2024-25 Returning Artist Christopher J. Thomas shared his talents and wisdom with Brittany Woods Middle School students on Nov. 8 and he visited his high school alma mater Friday, Nov. 22. Registration is open for a Monday, Dec. 2 public reception to celebrate his acclaimed career.

Christopher J. Thomas named U. City Returning Artist

St. Louis American

The University City Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters has named Grammynominated musician Christopher J. Thomas as the Returning Artist for 2024-25

Each year, a University City High School (UCHS) graduate who has achieved acclaim in the arts is invited back to the school, and Thomas is a 1988 alum of the high school.

The Commission will host a public reception in Thomas’ honor at the UCHS library, 7401 Balson Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday, December 2, at 7 p.m.

Thomas’ education began in the Step-byStep preschool program, continued through McKnight Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade, Brittany Woods Middle School for sixth through eighth grades, and he graduated from University City High School.

He calls U. City “a melting pot” of inspiration,” and speaks fondly of his teachers,

including Linda Pregrave, John Brophy and Carol Ray.

“I had all my credits to graduate by the end of my junior year of high school,” Thomas said.

My senior year was a remarkable experience with classmates (and fellow musicians) such as Jeremy Davenport, Peter Martin and David Berger.”

Thomas’ bass studies began with Henry Lowe, principal bassist of the St. Louis Symphony and continued under Richard Davis at the University of Wisconsin and Ellis Marsalis at the University of New Orleans. By age 18, he was touring with jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, marking the start of a celebrated career of performing and recording with artists including Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., Please visit www.ucityschools.org/RA2024 to register for the reception.

I worry for the future of America

By Trinity Taylor

I am a junior at Howard University, and on November 5, I had the pleasure of voting for my alum, Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside my mother and father. Although it was not my first time voting, it was my first presidential election.

Leading up to Election Day, the excitement, pride, and civic engagement on campus were contagious. It was important at Howard University to have not only a Bison on the ballot but also a Black woman Bison.

There was also fear surrounding the presidential election at Howard University, Harris’ alma mater.

Washington, D.C., is a focal point for both positive high-profile events to frightening unrest - the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.

While presidential elections draw significant attention, voting is just as important in state and local elections because they too directly impact people’s lives. State and local governments manage many issues affecting communities, such as education, healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure. By voting in local elections, citizens have a say in shaping their immediate environment and can address issues that matter most to them. State and local officials are usually more accessible than federal officials, making it easier for citizens to hold them directly accountable.

By consistently voting, you actively shape the policies and environment that define your daily experiences. You help create a community that reflects your personal values and priorities.

The nation now has a Republican trifecta — presidency, House, and Senate Control. I am deeply concerned for our future, especially for people of color, the working class, the LGBTQ+ community, women, immigrants, students, and those in poverty.

I worry about increased police abuse if Trump’s plan to expand immunity from prosecution for law enforcement officers is approved by Congress or Executive Order.

I’m concerned about the potential loss of federal funding for schools that teach critical race theory and the dismantling of the Department of Education, which heavily benefits low-income families.

I worry about federal funding being cut for HBCUs, simply because they exist.

I fear restrictive abortion laws and prosecution of healthcare providers, even in cases where a patient’s life is at risk.

I worry about the fact that Trump is becoming Commander in Chief.

Overall, my most significant concern is about the future of this country.

I realize our civic engagement continues after we vote. We must continue to be there for each other, spread awareness, and demand change.

Our work is not done. it’s just the beginning. We must stay informed, stay involved, and continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to us.

Trinity Taylor is a junior at Howard University majoring in media, journalism, and film, with a concentration in audio production and a minor in business administration.

Photo courtesy of University City School District

Trinity Taylor

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brown communities.

“How can we move St. Louis forward without this conversation … everyone should bring the resources they have to the table, we need to start looking at things through a different lens and listen to different points of view,” Harrison said. “I believe that’s how we can reckon with our past.”

Panelist Melanie Adams, director of Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum and former St. Louis resident, believes the legacy of slavery has created centuries of hardships for many Black Americans.

“We all want the same things, we all want to be treated fairly, we all want the opportunity to have a good education, to have a job, and take care of our families,” she said. “Because of that legacy, [Black people] are not where we need to be.”

Co-signing Adams’ point Karishma Furtado researcher, Office of Race and Equity Research, Urban Institute said slavery isn’t the only factor that has contributed to the racial inequalities that many communities of color face. She points to the eras of Jim Crow, mass incarceration, laws and policies that support racial injustice. “You can’t

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undo nearly five centuries of inequality by waving a wand and saying it’s fixed,” said Furtado The Smithsonian launched Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past in 2021. The initiative uses the Smithsonian’s vast resources to explore how people of all backgrounds understand, experience and

confront racism.

The initiative strives to help the public understand the past and build a better future and is built on six pillars: race and Wellness; race and wealth; race and place; race, policy and ethics; race beyond the U.S.; and race, arts, and aesthetics. The initiative hosts virtual and live events nationwide and creates

digital content, storytelling, and learning resources. Bank of America is the founding partner of the series.

President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Michael McMillian suggests one way to reckon with our racial past is to tell the whole story of America’s history, and

“not just the four pages in the back of the history book.” He said ignoring the contributions of Black people in this country doesn’t create a sense of pride, dignity, or self-respect for Black learners.

Following McMillian’s statement Furtado added that for decades St. Louis has gotten away with inequities built into poor

neighborhoods affecting school districts’ funding through local property taxes, which can result in disparities within our school districts.

“We need a holistic multi-faceted solution to racial inequalities,” said Furtado.

McMillian painted a vivid picture of the historical Delmar Divide that for years has legally kept Black people from living south of Delmar Boulevard.

“We were redlined into an area of poverty and did not have the opportunity for loans or additional assistance,” said McMillian. “So many homes in north St. Louis City are now upside down.” That basically means that residents of these neighborhoods are paying more to renovate than what the houses are appraised for. “We need to continue to improve the quality of housing, retail, and job and economic opportunities.”

An evening of reckoning with the past and present of St. Louis can be sorrowful, but Furtado reminded the audience that even though the work is hard and thankless, it’s still a beautiful movement to be a part of. “It is our responsibility collectively,” she said. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Schnucks Markets for their continued generosity and commitment to supporting families in need. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors, ensuring they have a reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving.”

running smoothly.

The Urban League anticipated a strong turnout, with vehicles lining up hours before the event began. Hundreds of volunteers were on hand to keep the turkey giveaway

While turkey giveaways are an annual tradition in the St. Louis area, including the Metro East, 1 in seven area residents finds themselves short on food at times or in a predicament where they must choose between paying bills and

eating.

According to the St. Louis Area Foodbank:

• 40% of those served have to choose between paying for food or medical care.

• 53% have to make a choice to feed their family or pay their utility bills.

• 39% make the difficult decision between putting fuel in their cars to get to work and putting food on the table.

• 18% of the people we serve are veterans.

These individuals sacrificed so much and now struggle to ensure their own needs are met.

• 42% of those we serve have to choose between paying for food or housing.

• 1 in 7 people in the bi-state region need food assistance.

• 1 in 5 children in the bi-state region need food assistance.

Micheal P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Karishma Furtado at the Reckoning With Our Racial Past Panel on 11/21/24 at the Grandel Theater.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

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and lowering costs for seniors; and most notably her leadership to the St. Louis County NAACP for nearly 25 years.

Haywood-Gaskin noted that her mother “was proud” to have been endorsed several times by the St. Louis American during her time in the State House.

“She will be missed, but our community has been immensely enriched because she lived,” said her daughter.

Haywood “was all that and much more,” according to family members before she passed from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2024. She was 84.

For more than 60 years, the trailblazing Haywood dedicated her life to advocacy, education and public service, leaving a long-lasting impact on countless lives in Missouri and beyond.

Haywood was at the forefront of the St. Louis County NAACP as President for nearly 25 years, guiding the branch to unprecedented success.

Haywood was committed to equity in both education and public office — she was one of the first five

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(55.2%), and Riverview Gardens (64.2%).

Riverview Gardens did accomplish a 2.8% improvement over the 2022-23 score, and Normandy’s score improved from 54.7%

Last year, local control returned to the Normandy and Riverview Gardens school districts.

DESE announced that it would postpone reclassifying any school district this year, as originally planned. Instead, it will make decisions based on three-year composite scores.

A district’s accreditation cannot be lowered until 2026.

Ferguson-Florissant climbed from 69.4% to 73% in the latest ranking, and Superintendent Joe Davis said the improvement begins in the classroom with teachers.

“Teachers and those other folks in schools who support our teachers are the core of the improvement,” Davis told St. Louis Public Radio.

“I attribute a lot of it to giving teachers some additional support.”

The support includes additional training for math teachers and supplemental math curriculums to help students struggling in those courses.

The median score for districts in Missouri is 78.8%, an increase of almost 2% from last year.

“The data shows that Missouri schools are meeting the more rigorous requirements and higher expectations set forth in MSIP 6,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger.

“MSIP 6 takes a closer look at what districts are doing to implement effective practices and sustain improvements, while increasing the focus on individual student outcomes. We are seeing positive movement because of hard work at the local level.”

Former superintendent saga

Following her dismissal by the SLPS school board, former superintendent Keisha Scarlett said through her attorney she would sue for wrongful termination.

While that case progresses, the school board announced this week that an independent audit of

African American teachers to integrate Shelby County, Tennessee’s Public School District in the 1960s. She was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000 and served four terms until 2008 and championed legislation supporting working families, public education, financial literacy and voting rights.

Haywood stood firmly against anti-labor initiatives like the “right to work” legislation. She sponsored several significant bills, including the designation of February 4 as Rosa Parks Day in Missouri and legislation criminalizing cross and church burnings.

As a co-sponsor of the Senior Tax Justice Act, she helped exempt seniors’ social security and pensions from state income tax.

Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Haywood served as vice chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education and contributed to numerous committees, including Insurance, Education Appropriations, Public Pensions and more.

An educator for more than three decades in East St. Louis Public School District 189, Haywood also devoted 18 years to the Normandy School District Board

the school district during Scarlett’s tenure would be concluded soon.

“The St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education met in closed session on November 22, 2024, to review the status of the ongoing independent investigation authorized in July 2024. The investigation is almost

Winterfest keeps Fredbird from flying south

of Education, where she fought to uphold accreditation and maintain high standards for teachers and administrators.

Haywood’s influence extended to community organizations as well. She was a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and an active participant in St.

complete, and the Board expects to receive the final report by December 10, 2024,” the board said in a statement.

Scarlett also had an announcement of her own on Instagram; she has founded a company called WOVEN (the E is backward).

“My time as super-

Louis Links, Forest Park Forever and Murchison Tabernacle CME Church.

A graduate of Lincoln University and Barrett’s Chapel High School in Tennessee, Haywood completed graduate studies at Mississippi State University and St. Louis University. Her many efforts

intendent of Saint Louis Public Schools officially ended on October 14, 2024—sooner than anticipated—but it was one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my life. I loved being a superintendent. To me, it’s the greatest job on the planet. Leading Saint Louis Public Schools was

earned her widespread recognition, including awards from Lincoln University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, AFT of District 189, the NAACP and many others. Among these honors, she was especially proud of being named President Emerita of the St. Louis County NAACP. Haywood, who was

an honor, a privilege, and a joy,” Scarlett wrote.

“Now, as one chapter closes, another begins. Just as my superintendent journey started with courage and faith, my journey as an entrepreneur begins with the same. I am thrilled to announce the launch of WOVƎN Consulting, where I will serve as

Haywood’s dedication to justice, education and service will

founder and CEO.

“This new venture is an opportunity to live out my core values—authenticity, faith, and joy—while continuing to make an impact.”

The post includes a photo of Scarlett near the Thomas Eagleton Federal Court Building.

Fredbird greets Jayden “JJ” Jones and Aaron Bentley “AJ” at Winterfest on Nov. 23, 2024 in Kiener Plaza.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

married to her husband, Edward J. Haywood, of over 55 years, lived in St. Louis County. She had two daughters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

forever inspire those who continue her work.

‘Taking Care of You’

Palliative care bypasses Black heart disease patients

SLU study details racial divide

Palliative care has been proven to help patients recovering from heart failure or illness. As in many other healthcare treatments, there is a gap in access. Black patients are 15% less likely to receive palliative care than white patients who have similar heart ailments. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It can also help patients understand and monitor side effects from medical treatments.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

A study by Saint Louis University

researchers paints a grim picture for many heart failure patients in America – and the outlook is worse for African Americans.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that only one in eight patients with heart failure nationwide receive palliative care consultations within five years of diagnosis.

n The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that only one in eight patients with heart failure nationwide receive palliative care consultations within five years of diagnosis.

Alarmingly, Black people were 15% less likely to receive palliative care compared to white patients with similar heart health illness.

Other recent respective studies illustrate the higher risk and mortality

rates for cardiovascular disease in the Black population – further demonstrating that the missing palliative care options have a greater negative impact on African American health.

New statistics from a medical team at EHproject show African American women are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease than their white counterparts. It found that 47.3% of Black women have heart disease. If they do not have it currently, they are 2.4 times more likely to develop heart disease.

The report also found Black women to have the highest rate of hyperten-

SLU STUDY, A9

Healthcare under a Trump presidency

By Denise Hooks-Anderson

The president-elect of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Per the website, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the U.S. federal government created to protect the health of the U.S. people and provide essential human services.

The secretary is responsible for the preparation and response to medical and public health emergencies. Kennedy is considered a controversial choice due to his non-evidence-based claims in the past.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is a supporter of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and has been known to spread false claims about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

n “Robert F. Kennedy’s wild theories could lead to unnecessary deaths and disabilities in children.”

In a 2023 interview with Fox News, Kennedy claimed that “autism comes from vaccines.” That theory was made popular by a UK doctor, Andrew Wakefield, whose work was later discredited. Wakefield’s 1998 study was retracted from the Lancet medical journal. Since then, many studies from around the world have shown that there is no link between autism and vaccines

Kennedy has also made false claims against fluoride in water. In the U.S., as well as in some other countries, fluoride is added to water to help prevent tooth decay. Roughly 63% of the population live in areas with fluoridated water. Kennedy is against the practice and has claimed on social media that Trump will be advising to remove fluoride from all U.S. water systems.

See ANDERSON, A9

Black life expectancy takes sharp dip

Acute in rural South, segregated cities

By Jennifer Porter Gore Word In Black

n The disparities are so stark that the study’s authors divide the nation into ten mutually exclusive populations, which the study authors term “The ten Americas.”

A study of life expectancy trends in the U.S. released on Nov. 21, 2024, has found that the gap between Black and white lifespans has nearly doubled over the last two decades, exacerbated by geographic and racial health disparities — and reversing decades of a slow but gradual narrowing of the gap.

The study published in the journal The Lancet also found that life expectancies can vary by roughly 20 years, depending on an individual’s race, ethnicity and the economic conditions where they live. The disparities are so stark that the study’s authors divide the nation into ten mutually exclusive populations, which the

study authors term “The ten Americas.”

Overall life expectancy in the U.S. had increased nationwide between 2000 and 2010 but had slowed in most of the country by 2019 — before the COVID-19 pandemic drove down longevity across all demographics.

The study’s senior author, Professor Christopher J.L. Murray of the University of Washington, said the study’s findings illustrate health inequality in the U.S.

“The extent and magnitude of health disparities in American society are truly

See BLACK LIFE, A9

Photo courtesy of Center to Advance Palliative Care

Photo courtesy of PBS

An Association of American Medical Colleges study found Black people live longer in areas with more Black primary care doctors. The projected life spans of Black Americans are shorter than white Americans, and the gap has nearly doubled over the last two decades, according to a study by the medical journal, “The Lancet.”

Denise HooksAnderson

Black life

alarming in a country with the wealth and resources of the USA,” said Murray, director of UW’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle.

“These disparities reflect the unequal and unjust distribution of resources and opportunities that have profound consequences on well-being and longevity, especially in marginalized [sic] populations.”

Between the years 2000 and 2021 the gap increased from 12.6 years to 20.4 years in 2021, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new study is an updated and expanded version of the landmark “Eight Americas” study published almost 20 years ago. The earlier study examined the drivers of health inequities by dividing the U.S. population into eight groups based on similar categories. However, that study also included homicide rates in its analysis.

The highly detailed look at the life expectancy gap began by splitting the country’s population into ten groups based on geography, race and ethnicity, metropolitan or rural areas, income, and levels of residential segregation.

The results show that in 2000, Black Americans living in rural, low-income counties in the South, as well as Black Americans living in highly segregated cities, had the lowest life

SLU study

Continued from A8

sion, coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke than women of any other ethnic group in the United States. According to the data, the average age for a Black woman to experience a heart attack is 72 compared to age 74 for white women.

A March 2023 study published in JAMA Cardiology showed that Black men remain at the highest risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

(The age-adjusted mortality rate from cardiovascular disease for Black men in 2019 was 245 per 100,000, compared with 191 per 100,000 for white men and 135 per 100,000 for Hispanic men.)

What is palliative care?

According to the Mayo Clinic, palliative care focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It can also help patients understand and monitor side effects from medical treatments.

A palliative care team, which can include doctors, nurses, social workers, and other trained specialists, collaborates with patients and families “to add an extra layer of support and

expectancy, around 70.5 years for both populations. Asian Americans had the highest lifespan, about 83.1 years on average.

Between 2000 and 2010, however, Black people had experienced the largest gains in life expectancy, increasing by as much as 3.7 years on average. In some parts of the country, such as in Appalachia and the lower Mississippi Valley, Black life expectancy surpassed that of white people living in low-income counties.

Study co-author Thomas Bollyky of the Council of Foreign Relations said the life-expectancy gap between life expectancy at birth for Black and white Americans “may never have been narrower than it was in the mid-2010s.”

It’s likely, he said, that “long-term improvements in education available to Black children and young adults in recent decades, as well as reductions in homicide rates and deaths from HIV/AIDS — causes

of death that have disproportionately impacted Black Americans — may have contributed to these noteworthy gains for Black Americans.”

However, in the following decade (2010-2019), improvements in life expectancy at birth for the three Black Americas regions — as well as all the other Americas—largely stalled.

The pattern may be explained by an increase in drug overdose deaths and homicides as well as

a slowdown in reductions in cardiovascular disease deaths, likely related to increases in obesity, according to the study.

The first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a steep drop in life expectancy nationwide and substantially widened racial disparities in lifespan.

For example, Black Americans living in highly segregated cities and rural, low-income counties in the South were expected to live an average 74.9 years

relief that complements ongoing care.”

The American Heart Association (AHA) and European Society of Cardiology recommend integrating palliative care into managing heart fail-

Continued from A8

Therefore, Trump’s choice for this extremely important post is troubling. What will happen to our vaccine programs? People often forget how important vaccines are because they have no memory or expeAnderson

rience with the diseases for which they are protected. When was the last time you saw a kid with chicken pox or saw someone with polio? Vaccines save lives and reduce morbidity. Kennedy’s wild theories could lead to unnecessary deaths and disabilities in children.

Also, did we forget that almost a million people

ure.

“Anecdotal reports suggest that most patients with heart failure do not receive palliative care, and those who do typically receive it only in the last two to three weeks

died in 2020 and 2021 from COVID? What will happen to agencies like the CDC and FDA under this second Trump administration?

Furthermore, what will happen to programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Obamacare, Medicaid, and Medicare? Both Kennedy and Trump often stress the

of life,” Zidong Zhang, Ph.D., said in a SLU release.

Zhang, a research scientist at the AHEAD Institute at SLU’s School of Medicine and the paper’s senior and cor-

need to rid departments of corruption.

Kennedy has also said he plans to remove hundreds of people from their federal jobs in some of these agencies. So, does this mean that additional conspiracy theorists will enter spaces that should be free of bias and solely rooted in evidence-based science? The scary possi-

and 72.5 years, respectively. But In 2019 Black lifespans fell by approximately 4 years in 2020; however, white, Asian American, and American Indian-Alaska Native people living in other more prosperous counties showed a decline of only 1.4 years.

While the study took a granular look at the problem, study co-author Professor Ali Mokdad from IHME said more research is needed “to fully understand why life expectancy is worse for some Americans so we can better tackle the root causes of poor health for the most disadvantaged.”

America’s life expectancy gap won’t diminish “until a comprehensive, coordinated approach that includes preventive measures and public health initiatives that transcend political divides and fosters collaboration and accountability between state, local, and national entities is developed,” Mokdad said. “Only then can we hope to create a more equitable and healthier society for all the Americas—and all Americans.”

Murray agreed: “Policymakers must take collective action to invest in equitable health care, education, and employment opportunities and challenge the systemic barriers that create and perpetuate these inequities so that all Americans can live long, healthy lives regardless of where they live and their race, ethnicity, or income.”

studies focusing on Medicare beneficiaries or veterans, our research provides a more general insight into early palliative care integration for heart failure across the entire nation,” he explained.

Zhang and his co-authors analyzed data from a national all-payer database covering 2011 to 2018. The study cohort included nearly 170,000 patients aged 18 to 80 from throughout America. Some had advanced heart failure or had received advanced therapies such as left ventricular assist devices or cardioversion.

The AHA recommends early integration of palliative care consultation for all patients with heart failure,” particularly when evaluating patients for advanced therapies.”

Increasing the number of patients who receive palliative care “might include removing barriers in the payment system.”

responding author, said, “this is the first study to investigate the uptake of palliative care consultation following a heart failure diagnosis in the general U.S. population.”

“Unlike the previous

The systemic change could clear a way for concurrent care, assisting physicians in determining when to initiate the palliative care conversation with patients, and, in a health system, expanding outpatient and community-based palliative care service,” said Zhang.

bilities are endless. Thus, my recommendation: Make sure you are up to date on your vaccines, yearly physical exam, and blood work. Get in to see your provider. Discuss your medications. If you lost your insurance, could you afford to purchase the medications out of pocket? Make sure your kids are caught up on their shots. I also recommend picking up some extra COVID test kits. You need to be prepared. These next 4 years may be full of unwanted surprises. Denise HooksAnderson, MD, FAAFP can be reached at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

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

On Forensics Day

from the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, shows students how to use trace chemistry to solve a crime.

Photo by Cathy Sewell

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS

The Tuskegee Weathermen

SCIENCE CORNER

Predicting the Weather

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, weather, and weather predictions. A meteorologist is a person who studies meteorology. There are many different types of tools used to predict the weather. A thermometer will give information about the temperature. A barometer measures air pressure. A hygrometer measures humidity, which is the amount of water vapor in the air. Technology, in the form of satellites, radars, and computers, are also used. When meteorologists make weather predictions, they look at temperature, humidity, dew

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

point, air mass, and fronts. They look at the sky to see if it is clear, and they study types of clouds. Meteorologists make observations and predictions based on these facts and on previous weather trends.

For a list of vocabulary terms associated with weather prediction, visit: http://www. weatherwizkids.com/weather-words.htm.

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

Make a Thermometer!

In this experiment, you will witness how a thermometer works.

Materials Needed:

• Clear, plastic bottle (empty water bottles work perfectly) • Water • Rubbing Alcohol

• Clear Plastic Drinking Straw

• Modeling Clay • Food Coloring Procedure:

q Fill about 1/4 of the bottle full with equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol.

w Add a few drops of food coloring.

e Put the straw in the bottle, but don’t let it touch the bottom.

Flex those brain muscles as you answer these word problems!

z After the temperature had risen 16°F, the temperature was 9°F. Write and solve an addition equation to find the starting temperature. ______

x Each yard in the neighborhood had 3 trees. The hurricane blew 1/2 of them down. There are 26 yards in the neighborhood. How many trees are left standing? ______

DID YOU KNOW?

r Use the modeling clay to seal the neck of the bottle to secure the straw in place. (Make sure the straw does not touch the bottom of the bottle.)

t Hold your hands on the bottom of the bottle and watch the mixture move up through the straw.

Reflection: When the mixtures in a thermometer get warm, they expand. Your hands provided the heat in this experiment.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can draw conclusions and analyze results. I can make text-to-world connections.

Weather Works!

c An average of 3 1/8 inches of rain fell each month from April-October. What is the total amount of inches that fell during that time period? ______

v If it is -2°F in Alaska and it is 75°F in Honolulu, what is the temperature difference between the two cities?

b In Buffalo, New York, the temperature was -4°F in the morning. If the

temperature dropped 7°F, what is the temperature now? ______

n The daily temperatures for the past week were 71°, 82°, 66°, 58°, 67°, 75°, and 63° degrees Fahrenheit. What was the average temperature? ______

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

During World War I, there were a lot of developments in aviation. Therefore, there was a need for military meteorology so the pilots could be safe while they were in flight. In that time period, many African Americans were not active in the field of aviation because their financial background limited their resources. Also, Jim Crow laws made it difficult for African Americans to enter the military at that time.

In 1938, Mary McLeod Bethune was an African-American activist and was elected to President Roosevelt’s “black cabinet.” The black cabinet was a group of public policy advisors for the president. Bethune persuaded Roosevelt to implement pilot training programs at black universities, such as Tuskegee. The Tuskegee airmen were the African-American military aviators in the US Army in World War II. They were called “red tails” because of the red tails in the airplanes they flew.

The Tuskegee weathermen were formed on March 21, 1942. They were part of the Tuskegee Army Flying School and they supported the Tuskegee pilots. These weathermen had to pass very difficult tests and challenging classes to qualify for this program. These meteorologists had to gather data, and apply mathematical and physical principles to this data.

After the war, retaining these trained meteorologists in the field helped with the expansion of the American Meterological Service (AMS). Some of the Tuskegee weather officers pioneered in meteorology after the war. The first AfricanAmerican weather cadet, Wallace Reed, became the first African-American meteorologist in the Weather Bureau. John Willis went into weather technology development at Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory. And Charles Anderson went on to be the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in the field and taught for many years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin and North Carolina State University.

As of 2015, only two percent of AMS members are African Americans.

Learning Standards: I can read about a development in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math.

MAP CORNER

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

Activities —

Weather Headlines:

weather headline that you like. Write a poem using the headline as the first line of the poem.

NOAA Predicts Warmer but Wetter Winter for 2024-25 Season

Weather Prep: Write an editorial to persuade newspaper readers to get prepared for severe weather emergencies.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write for a specific purpose and audience. I can make text-to-text connections.

at The St. Louis American’s Summer Science Academy, forensic scientist James Riggins,

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

Mayor Jones makes it official, seeks re-election

‘For the city I love’

By Rachel Lippmann St. Louis Public Radio

Filing for St. Louis mayor, comptroller and odd wards at the 14-person Board of Aldermen opened Monday.

Mayor Tishaura Jones and a challenger, Cara Spencer, were among the first 10 candidates to file their paperwork at the Board of Elections’ headquarters in Downtown.

“I am excited to file today,” Jones said. “I’m making a choice for the city I love.”

Jones said she is ready to campaign on her record as mayor, rather than on aspirational policies.

“We’ll be able to show people exactly where we have improved some of the things that they are most concerned about, and also let them know how we’re going to improve things in our second term,” she said.

Jones pointed to a significant decrease in violent crime, particularly homicides, and increased investment in the city.

This is Spencer’s second run for the office — she lost to Jones by about 2,300 votes in 2021.

“I learned that knocking on doors and being present, being able to get out and really talk to

Mayor Tishaura Jones turned in more than the required amount of signature and signed the paperwork to officially file for reelection on Monday at the Board of Election Commissioners office downtown. Also filing for mayoral primary were Alderwoman Cara Spencer and Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler.

people is important, something we were not able to do in 2021 because of the pandemic,” she said.

Spencer has built a campaign focusing on fiscal responsibility and transparency, a message she said is resonating with voters.

“People are very, very frustrated about the lack of urgency

and lack of transparency and just what has been spent with our ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] dollars,” she said.

“People are very frustrated with a lack of transparency in our jails. We saw another loss of life just a week ago, and people are very rightfully demanding answers to what the heck is

going on there.”

Current Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler had also filed his paperwork as of 5 p.m. Friday. He’ll be listed first on the ballot — all candidates who file on the same day draw numbers to determine their position, and Butler drew the lowest.

Contest for Comptroller

One of St. Louis’ longest-serving elected officials will face at least one serious challenger in the March primary.

Donna Baringer, a former south city alderwoman and state representative, filed her paperwork Monday to run against Comptroller Darlene Green.

“We need a fresh set of eyes on the comptroller’s office,” Baringer said.

“I see we have a fiscal problem within two years. Whoever’s sitting in that position needs to be prepared to do what needs to be done to make sure our city thrives and grows.”

Baringer said she would not have waited until newspaper articles outlined problems to audit federal American Rescue Plan Act spending. She said she would also increase transparency around the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, a fiscal oversight board of which the comptroller is a member.

A second challenger, Celeste Metcalf, has created a campaign committee but had not filed for election by the end of the day Monday.

Green, who had not filed as of Tuesday, is planning to seek reelection. She finished the term of Mayor Jones’ father, Virvus, after he pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 1995, and has won every one of her elections since 1996.

Filing for the March 4 primary closes Jan 3. Under St. Louis’ approval voting system, the top two candidates for any office advance to the April 8 general election.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Jones office

Tips on staying safe from holiday scams

Watch out for dishonest Scrooges

If a holiday deal or credit card offer sounds too good to be true, they probably are. Holiday scams can hijack family joy so be cautious of online scams and false ‘missed package’ emails.

State of emergency

St. Louis American

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report reveals a troubling environment for bolstering Black homeownership in the U.S. The two best-performing demographics for African Americans - Black female-headed households and millennials - both declined in home sales in 2023.

The report authors, James H. Carr and Michela Zonta, underscore the persistent barriers that hinder Black homeownership. The homeownership rate among Black households was 45.7% in 2023, a sharp contrast to the 74.3% among White households and a significant drop from its peak of 49% in 2004.

The report was presented last week at the NAREB Black Wealth Summit at Clark Atlanta University during an event featuring acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, financial services industry executives, and lenders.

“The 2024 SHIBA report confirms that we are in a state of emergency with Black homeownership,” said NAREB President Courtney Johnson Rose.

“The SHIBA report underscores that there has been little progress in increasing Black homeownership. The past two years have been tough, but even before 2021, Black homeownership was either falling or stagnant and

She and others are issuing “a call to action.

remains far from its pre-2004 high of nearly 50%.” Rose said that the fall in Black millennial applications and originations, in particular, is “exceptionally troubling” because those home buyers significantly contribute to the potential for long-term wealth accumulation for

Black families. “When millenniums slow their home purchases, it curtails opportunities for intergenerational wealth,” she said. “Their success determines the aggregate potential for future Black homeownership increas-

Carren Johnson elected AFT-Missouri president

Carron “CeeJay” Johnson has been elected American Federation of Teachers –Missouri president. Nominated for the position from the floor during a September conference, Johnson earned the support of more than 3,000 AFT-Missouri members.

Carren Johnson

Johnson, the third African American female to hold this statewide position, brings over 15 years of experience in education and advocacy for underserved communities. She has been a member of Local 420 in St. Louis for the past nine years and most recently served as the vice president of support staff.

Broxton now leads SLDC communications staff

Deion Broxton, a former reporter at KMOV (Channel 4), has accepted a position at the St. Louis Development Corporation vice president of communications and public affairs. He will lead efforts to elevate SLDC’s visibility and strengthen its brand.

Deion Broxton

A Baltimore native, Broxton spent three years at KMOV. He attended Towson State University and made his on-air debut in 2018 with the NBC affiliate in Bozeman, Montana.

Franklin promoted at Missouri American Water Ken Franklin

Ken Franklin has been promoted to director of business development and community engagement at Missouri American Water. He will support business development activities and manage relationships with local government and community stakeholders in the company’s Eastern service area. Franklin has worked for the respective administrations of Mayor Francis Slay, Gov. Jay Nixon, and Gov. Bob Holden. He was also a member of Mayor Freeman Bosley, Jr,’s political team, and McKinley Franklin Global LLC founder.

Ssewamala honored at Washington University

Fred M. Ssewamala

Fred M. Ssewamala, MSW (1999) PhD (2003), received the Arthur Holly Compton Faculty Achievement Award during the Washington University Founder’s Daw celebration on Nov. 9, 2024. Ssewamala is the William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor and founding director of the International Center for Child Health and Development at the Brown School, and the Global Research Network faculty fellow in the Office of the Provost.

Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman is joining the National Association of Real Estate Brokers in sounding an alarm about the large dip in Black homeownership in 2023.

Photo courtesy of HUD

Photo provided by JPMorganChase

Scams

Continued from B1 goods exist.

• Phony charities prey on your generosity:

The Holidays is also a season of giving. Before you donate money, double-check contact and payment information for your charity of choice and watch for text, email or phone call solicitations.

Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments that may contain malware or attempt to steal your information.

“Scammers do not discriminate and can target anyone during this festive season. Don’t let your guard down. Always remember that if something seems off, it likely is. By staying

Homes

Continued from B1

es.”

The SHIBA report found that Black homeownership is hampered by a mortgage finance system that continues to discriminate. Black mortgage applicants are turned down more often than Whites;

Blacks are more likely to receive high-cost home loans than their white counterparts on similar properties, and houses in Black neighborhoods are less likely to be appraised at the same values compared to similar homes in White communities.

Further, it’s alarming that while Blacks have a strong presence in the labor market, it is not

alert and informed, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim during this holiday season,” said Darius Kingsley, head of Consumer Banking Practices at Chase.

Tips to avoid scams

• Don’t send money to unknown individuals or for goods or services that you can’t confirm exist.

• Be cautious of friendly messages from strangers on social apps. Scammers might try to build trust before asking for money.

• If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for deep discounts or low prices that may be scams.

• If you shop on social media marketplaces, never pay using Zelle—it is the same as cash and you may

prompting increases in homeownership or narrowing the wealth gap.

“Improvements in employment prospects or minor wage increases are insufficient to narrow the Black-White racial wealth gap significantly,” said Rose.

“The rise in the value of assets more significantly impacts the growth in household wealth than wage increases. Given that white households hold more valuable assets and enjoy a broader range of investments than Black households, the disparity in wealth between these two demographics is anticipated to continue to increase for the foreseeable future.”

Moreover, the report found that lower-income Blacks and Whites were more likely to pay the highest rates for mortgag-

not get it back if there is an issue.

es when buying a home. This underscores the urgent need for reforms to reshape the nation’s housing finance system so it can help the families that need it most.

The SHIBA report also found:

• In 2023, the number of applications and approvals for home loans decreased for all racial and ethnic categories, with white applicants experiencing a particularly notable drop. This decline, as revealed by the SHIBA report, has significant implications for the housing market.

• A comparison of loan denial rates reveals that Black applicants in 2023 faced more significant challenges than their white counterparts. Black appli-

For more information about ways to help protect yourself from scams, visit

cants were denied mortgages at more than double the rate of White applicants, with a 17% denial rate for Blacks compared to 7% for Whites.

• Mortgage applications submitted by Black women decreased. Until 2021, there had been a steady rise in the number of applications from Black women since the Great Recession. In 2022, there was a noteworthy shift, and the number of applications began declining. By 2023, applications submitted by Black women decreased by 24% from 2022.

• In 2020, there was an impressive 28% increase in home loan applications from Black millennials over 2019, signaling hopeful signs for improving Black homeownership

chase.com/scamspotting

—it’s a free resource that offers information in

rates and longer homeownership. However, the encouraging trend was short-lived. The application numbers from Black millennials have dropped since 2021. From 2022 to 2023, Black Millennial applications and approvals decreased by about 21%.

• Investors purchased 1 in 6 homes (or 16%) sold in the second quarter of 2024, with single-family homes accounting for nearly 70% of purchases. Investors disproportionately buy lower-priced homes, accounting for 45% of investor purchases in the second quarter and almost 25% of all lower-cost homes purchased that quarter.

• 21% of the Black population is highly exposed to hurricanes compared to 11% of the White popula-

English and Spanish.

For informational/ educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/ recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

tion. Blacks are also more exposed to coastal and riverine flooding, wildfires, and areas at high risk of heat waves.

“The 2024 NAREB SHIBA report demonstrates that we need all hands on deck to increase Black homeownership,” said Rose.

“This is a call to action. There must be a united, multi-sector response that involves public, private, and non-profit entities implementing practices, policies, and regulations that can finally reverse the trend and boost Black homeownership. We need innovative ideas and leadership that can bring about change. Black homeownership must increase if America is to have fair and equitable communities.”

n “[I] Start getting the ball when it’s 30-0. What do you want me to do?”

– New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers after 30-7 loss to Tampa Bay

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Flyers, Crusaders in title games

East. St. Louis reaches state championship fifth straight year

The state of Illinois will be handing out championship hardware this weekend as the state playoffs come to an exciting conclusion.

East St. Louis and Belleville Althoff will be trying to bring back state championships to the metro east area. Statechampionship weekend in Illinois will be held on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.

East St. Louis (121) will be taking on Geneva (13-0) on Saturday for the Class 6A state championship. The Flyers defeated Oak Lawn Richards 48-0 to advance to the state championship game for the fifth consecutive year. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Belleville Althoff (130) will face Lena-Winslow (13-0) for the Class 1A state championship on Friday at 10 a.m. The Crusaders defeated Camp Point Central 58-18 to advance to the state championship game.

Missouri state semifinal matchups

Class 6 Kirkwood at Nixa, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Liberty at DeSmet, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Outlook: Kirkwood continued its postseason run with a convincing 45-35 victory over Jackson while DeSmet defeated host Rock Bridge 28-14. Kirkwood will visit a strong Nixa team that defeated Lee’s Summit North 21-20.

Class 5 Lafayette at Helias,

30-18 upset loss to Lafayette Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at Ritter. Cardinal Ritter had won back-to-back state championships previous to this season.

Saturday, 1 p.m.

MICDS at Platte County, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Outlook: Lafayette pulled off the stunner of the weekend with its 30-18 victory over two-time state champion Cardinal Ritter last weekend. MICDS is still in the hunt after its 49-3 victory over Fort Zumwalt West in the quarterfinals.

Class 4 Festus at Warrenton, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Lutheran North at Kearney, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Outlook: Lutheran North escaped an upset attempt from Parkway North with a last-second 20-18 victory. Undefeated Warrenton and Festus should be a tremendous matchup in the other semifinal.

Class 3 Lift for Life at Seneca, Saturday, 1 p.m. Maryville at Blair Oaks, Saturday, 1 p.m. Outlook: Lift for Life continued its impressive march in the state playoff with a big victory over Dexter. They will visit an always strong Seneca team.

Last weekend’s top performers

Running back Dierre Hill of Althoff rushed for 318 yards on 13 carries and five touchdowns in the Crusaders 59-19 victory over Camp Point Central in the IHSA Class 6 semifinals

Running back TaRyan Martin of East St. Louis rushed for 144 yards and

two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in the Flyers’ 44-0 victory over Oak Lawn Richards in the IHSA Class 6A semifinals.

Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood passed for 425 yards and three touchdowns in the Pioneers 45-35 victory over Jackson in the Class 6 quarterfinals; Receiver Jacob Eberhart of Kirkwood had seven receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns; and receiver Larry Robinson of Kirkwood had four receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in the Pioneers’ win.

Receiver Jacob Bass of Lutheran North had two touchdown receptions, including the game-winner

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

in the closing seconds of the Crusaders’ 24-18 victory over Parkway North in the Class 4 quarterfinals.

Quarterback Jack Behl of Lafayette passed for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the Lancers’ 30-18 victory over Cardinal Ritter in the Class 5 quarterfinals.

Linebacker Keandre McClendon of East St. Louis had 11 tackles in the Flyers 48-0 victory over Oak Lawn Richards in the Class 6A semifinals.

Receiver Terrance Bills of Lafayette had seven receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Lancers victory over Cardinal Ritter in the Class 5 quarterfinals.

Defensive back Cameron Hurst of Lift for Life had two interceptions returns for touchdowns in the Hawks 50-12 victory over Dexter in the Class 3 quarterfinals.

Earl’s World Former CBC football standout Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame continued his excellence this season with another big game in the Fighting Irish’ 49-14 victory over Army last Saturday at Yankee Stadium in New York. Love rushed for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns. For the season, Love has rushed for 850 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He is averaging seven yards a carry for a 9-1 Notre Dame team that is primed to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff…St. Louisan Niele Ivey and her Notre Dame team made a big early-season statement when they defeated host No. 3 USC 74-61 in a battle of Top 10 women’s basketball programs . No. 6 Notre Dame was led by sophomore star guard Hannah Hildago, who had 24 points, six rebounds and eight assists. She was joined by talented backcourt mate Olivia Miles, who added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists…Congratulations to St. Mary’s basketball standout Zyree Collins, who is the new career scoring leader at St. Mary’s High School. A 6’0” senior guard, Collins opened the season by scoring 27 points against St. Pius on Friday night, then followed up with 41 points against LutheranSt. Charles on Saturday, both Dragons victories.

‘I’m here for Prime’ was a chime of many Buffs’ fans

While a football manager at the University of Kansas, the team traveled to Boulder, Colorado twice.

Boulder is spectacular. The University of Colorado campus is tucked between Denver and the majestic Rocky Mountains.

During my visits in 1980 and 1982, I noticed a level of diversity in Denver that had not reached the Midwest. However, Boulder and the university were overwhelmingly white. Fast forward to last Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colorado Buffaloes were visiting the University of Kansas for a Big 12 football game. Much of the tailgating looked very HBCU.

ing. Many had on “Prime” shirts or sweatshirts. It’s black-and-gold and tied directly to Nike and Deion Sanders.

Entire Black families were at the game, with all members bedecked in Colorado haberdashery.

I asked several groups, ‘what is your Colorado connection?’

Most responded that they were there to support Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and the ‘movement’ that has been created in Colorado. It is their lone tie to the university.

Black people by the hundreds were grilling, serving drinks, and talking lots of stuff more than two hours before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

These revelers were decked out in Colorado gear, top-of-the-line cloth-

While many of these new Colorado fans were from the surrounding area, LaToya Terrell Meredith and her husband awoke long before dawn and drove from Little Rock, Ark., to Kansas City to see their man Deion.

“I’m here for Prime,” she said.

‘This is so positive. The message is positive and proud. How can you not be for them?”

Well, I wanted the other team to win, LaToya, that’s how.

I reached my seat near the south endzone of Arrowhead. The Buffaloes were doing pregame preparation in that end zone. It was like a rock concert. Colorado fans ringed the field in the stands to get a close look at their heroes. The team responded by gyrating, jumping, smiling, laughing and

acknowledging every hoot or holler from the stand. This wasn’t a 2024 Big 12 team; it was Dallas Cowboys 1995. The sun was already creeping across the field when the game kicked off. Hunter displayed why he is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, and a future NFL first-round pick. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is also a firstround NFL pick, possibly No. 1, and he proved it

during the game.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the expected coronation of the Colorado Buffaloes as the best team in the Big 12. KU 37, Colorado 21.

Devin Neal, who became KU’s all-time leading rusher earlier this year, scored four touchdowns – two more than the vaunted Hunter. He compiled 208 yards rushing, and 80 receiving yards including a 51-yard TD reception.

Colorado and their fans came in very loudly. They left very quietly.

Following the game, Sanders told his players they fell for the hype –which he helps create.

“Nobody in here can say you gave the maximum effort. The problem is you guys get intoxicated with success,” he said on a file posted on Instagram.

“You bought into all that foolishness... and we went out there and we got humbled. Coaches, players, everyone—we went out there and got humbled.

“This moment ain’t just about football, it’s about

life. This is a tremendous life lesson.” It was also a day I’ll remember, thanks in part to what Deion Sanders is doing in Colorado. Truthfully, I was honored to be a part of the show.

The Reid Roundup

Following his second touchdown, Colorado’s Travis Hunter struck the Heisman Trophy pose… Forget Shedeur Sanders Hunter is the star of the Colorado show. He was the last to leave the field after pregame warmups to a thunderous ovation. He was also the last player to return to the field near gametime…After Colorado crept back within two points after trailing the entire game, KU responded with an 8-yard TD drive behind the arm and legs of Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels…There were Deion Sanders jerseys in the stands representing Florida State, the Atlanta Falcons, San Francico 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Quarterback Carson Boyd throws a pass during the Lions season ending

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Black Colorado Buffaloes fans were out in force tailgating before the game against the KU Jayhawks in Kansas City.

Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RACSTL) awarded more than $9.69 million in grants to the arts and culture sector, with $3,697,743 coming from hotel/motel tax grants and nearly $6 million coming from ARPA for the Arts funding.

Funding through hotel/ motel tax grants supported 46 artists, 37 programs and 96 organizations, according to Vanessa Cooksey, RACSTL president and CEO.

She said the arts and culture sector provides nearly $868 million in economic activity, 12,000 jobs, and brings 8.1 million tourists and attendees to our theaters, venues, museums, festivals and other events.

“The arts and culture sector continues to recover from the pandemic, as does the tourism sector,” said Cooksey.

“This year, St. Louis saw one of its lowest lev-

Regional Arts Commission comes through for arts, culture

els of convention activity, as measured by hotel room nights booked, since the pandemic began.

Additionally, about 40% of business travelers who took a trip at least three times a year before the pandemic expect to never travel for business again.”

changes in

Vanessa Cooksey, Regional Arts Commission president and CEO, says the arts and culture sector annually provides nearly $868 million in economic activity, 12,000 jobs, and brings 8.1 million tourists and attendees to our theaters, venues, museums, festivals and other events.

philanthropy – means the need in our arts community outpaces what funding we have available. This year, we received 960 total grant applications, by far, the highest in our history, said Ann Haubrich, grants and programs senior manager.

RACSTL ensures a diverse community of stakeholders and perspectives are included in the grantee selection process. Based on experience and interest, St. Louis City and County residents nominate themselves or others for the opportunity to receive an honorarium for reviewing grant application submissions, intentionally encouraging community involvement.

audience behavior, in-person attendance is shifting – that coupled with a decline in corporate

RACSTL works diligently to create an efficient application process, enhance opportunities for technical assistance, and focus on widespread outreach efforts.

Bayer continues backing Operation Food Search

Operation Food Search (OFS) has announced a $75,000 grant from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S. The funding will support the OFS St. Louis MetroMarket, a mobile grocery store that brings fresh, healthy, and affordable food directly to underserved neighborhoods across the St. Louis region. The food insecurity rate in Missouri is higher than the national average of 12.8% and significantly higher in areas served by OFS, where 1 in 4 children is at risk of hunger. The total health care cost of hunger and food insecurity in the U.S. is $160 billion a year and impacts educational outcomes, labor

productivity, crime rates, Gross Domestic Product, and much more.

“MetroMarket is a key initiative that addresses food insecurity in St. Louis. Bayer Fund’s generous support allows us to expand our reach, ensuring that more St. Louisans can access nutritious food while learning how to make healthier choices

for themselves and their families,” said Kristen Wild, president and CEO of OFS.

Bayer’s mission is Health for all, Hunger for none, which inspires their giving through Bayer Fund to organizations and nonprofits like OFS that deliver shared goals and strengthening communities.

“Bayer Fund is proud to support Operation Food Search’s MetroMarket program,” said Al Mitchell, president of Bayer Fund. “Our partnership aligns with Bayer’s commitment to improving community health and addressing food insecurity. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of this program in the St. Louis area.” OFS’s MetroMarket program regularly visits health clinics, community centers, and other partner sites to ensure consistent access to nutritious foods. The schedule for neighborhood visits and popup markets is available at https://stlmetromarket. org/schedule.

Photo by Lilley Halloran / St. Louis Public Radio

Living It

Hot, flashy and funny

Sitcom star Ms. Pat to play The Factory in Chesterfield on December 5

By Zaria Mac

The St. Louis American

Ms. Pat keeps it real. So real that some of the lines spoken in her Emmy Awardnominated BET+ sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show” could hold their own against “Def Comedy Jam” when it comes to profanity.

“I feel like my comedy is an accurate representation of the Black experience,” Pat told The American. “It’s real life –and there is so much that’s raw about it.”

It’s real life, and real funny.

St. Louis audiences will have a chance to see the TV star on the platform where her career started – a standup stage. She’s bringing her “Hot and Flashy Tour” to The Factory in Chesterfield on Thursday, December 5th.

She hopes it will be an entertaining evening, but also wants to recognize and uplift women who may be struggling in their menopause journey.

“The world has no problem openly discussing men and their blue pills,” Pat said. “However, there is a bashfulness when women’s health and reproductive cycles are brought into the conversation. The unwillingness to even say the word menopause has led to misconceptions for both women and men about the process.”

“The Hot and Flashy Tour” gives Ms. Pat an opportunity to normalize the experiences of menopause, and laugh about all the things that women go through.

Using her comedy to dispel myths and speak truths is on brand for Ms. Pat. About ninety percent of her jokes come from her real life making her comedy sets gripping and relatable.

She grew up in Atlanta and was raised in the home of her grandfather in an abode she endearingly refers to as “the bootleg house.”

Her life was headed in a different direction before she discovered comedy. After having two children and dropping out of school in the eighth grade, she turned to selling drugs to support herself. What seemed like the easiest choice turned into a felony conviction and time behind bars. Upon her release, her goal was to show her children a life she never had. With perseverance, discipline, and forgiveness most of all, she transformed herself into a successful comic, writ-

Ms. Pat, comedian and star of the hit BET+ shows ‘The Ms. Pat Show’ and ‘Ms. Pat Settles It,’ is bringing her ‘Hot and Flashy’ Tour to The Factory in Chesterfield on Thursday, December 5.

er, producer, and the star of an Emmy Award-nominated sitcom.

n Using her comedy to dispel myths and speak truths is on brand for Ms. Pat. About ninety percent of her jokes come from her real life making her comedy sets gripping and relatable.

Pat was encouraged by her caseworker to pursue a career in standup in the early 2000s. By 2006 she was polishing her act at Morty’s, a well-known comedy venue in Indianapolis – where she had relocated. She spent the next decade honing her craft by studying comedy greats like

Dave Chappelle. Though she had those she looked up to, she always believed comedy was something that had to be in you.

“It’s not something that can be taught or learned,” Pat said. “Only developed through tough experiences and hard life lessons.”

In 2015, she participated in the final season of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

Pat found confidence in her performance ability by continuing to speak from a true and honest place. Then she developed her content into the hit series

“The Ms. Pat Show” on BET+. The show has been nominated for three consecutive “Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series,” and returned to television for a fourth season this fall.

“I’m just so thankful for everyone at

A pitch perfect family affair

- Kendrick Lamar screamed this word on ‘TV Off,’ and it has gone viral

‘The history is on the plate’

keynotes the inaugural annual Black Writers Program presented by the African American History Initiative of the Missouri Historical Society and Washington University on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Missouri History Museum.

Acclaimed food historian keynotes inaugural writers program at History Museum

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

The traditional Black Thanksgiving meal came up early in the lecture of food historian Dr. Jesssica B. Harris earlier this month at the Missouri History Museum.

“Let’s begin to parse out what is an African American plate,” Harris said.

The bestselling author – whose work inspired the Netflix hit series “High on the Hog” – discussed the culinary history of people with ancestral roots in the African diaspora.

“The history is on the plate,” Harris said.

She used her “COVID Thanksgiving plate” as a prime example.

“This was my Thanksgiving present from a very caring friend,” Harris said before describing the image she shared with the audience. “Complete with sweet potatoes, mac and cheese and a not quite brown enough Cornish game hen.” She pointed out the soul food staples that are often the featured dishes of the holiday feast – including greens and cornbread.

‘The

Piano Lesson’ is a fitting film tribute to famed Black playwright’s ingenuity

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

The preservation of a family legacy can be an overt and singular gesture that impacts generations. It can also come through the monotony of being defiantly committed to stay in the game within a system built to ensure that people who share your lineage are always dealt a losing hand.

“The Piano Lesson,” a Pulitzer Prizewinning stage drama by August Wilson explores both. The film adaptation, which premiered on Netflix this past Friday, carries the legacy conversation beyond the screen.

“The Piano Lesson” is Malcolm Washington’s feature film directorial debut. It is the third of Wilson’s plays to be brought to the screen. The first was 2020’s “Fences.” Malcolm Washington’s father, Denzel Washington, was the film’s star, director and producer. In fact, Denzel Washington has produced all the film adaptations of Wilson’s plays. His daughter Katia is also a producer

Image courtesy of David Lee/Netflix

John David Washington as Boy Willie with Skylar Aleece Smith as Maretha in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.”

for “The Piano Lesson.” His son John David is the film’s star, and their mother – Denzel’s wife Pauletta Washington –makes a cameo appearance . It would be easy to write the movie off as an extreme act of nepotism. But from the opening frame, it is clear that the Washingtons have inherited the patriarch’s mission to celebrate the genius of Wilson – and his intention to serve the playwright’s work

to its highest possible level. Denzel Washington directed “Fences,” from the vantage point of an actor. Malcolm Washington led with the cinematography for “The Piano Lesson.” His choices with respect to imagery, lighting and other nuances intended for

See Piano, C3

n “Soul food is not monolithic –nor is it the sum total of African American food, it is simply one facet of African American food.”

- Dr. Jesssica B. Harris

“Then there is mac and cheese,” Harris said. “It’s the dish that you fight over. If it isn’t the way your mama made it, it doesn’t exist.” Harris confessed that the statement applies to her as well. She admitted to a personal Thanksgiving tradition that proves it.

When her mother died – more than 25 years ago – Harris found a frozen container of her homemade mac and cheese.

“I still have it,” Harris said. “Every year, I scrape a bit of it off to have some. And I enjoy it.”

Harris’ talk was the inaugural offering of the Black Writers Program, an annual event that will highlight nationally renowned authors every fall presented by the Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative. The first one was co-presented by Washington University.

“We want to highlight Black Joy at these events,” said Rochelle Caruthers, director of the African American History Initiative. “We want to really talk about things that are inspirational and inspiring and uplifting for the African American community. We are always looking at different aspects of Black culture. And

Photo by Kenya Vaughn/The St. Louis American

Food historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris

Photos by Taylor Marrie

Sites and Sounds

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time, Enterprise Center. Visit www.tickemaster.com for more information.

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.

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 A Gospel Christmas starring Grammy winning vocal group Take 6, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.slso.org.

Sat., Dec. 14, 12 p.m., Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Santa, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge St. Louis, MO 63134. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.

STL Sites & Sounds

Dec. 20 – Dec. 21, Jazz St. Louis and Saint Louis Dance Theatre present Ellington and 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.

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

Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., Hip Hop and R&B Bingo with Tom Swoope, City Winery STL, 3730 Foundry Way. For tickets, visit www.citywinery.com.

Sun., Dec. 1, 11 a.m., Drag Me to Brunch Versus Battle: The Doll House Edition, COCACenter of Creative Arts, 6880 Washington Ave., St. Louis MO,

63130. Find ticket information on eventbrite.com.

Sat., Dec. 21, 7 p.m., The Moment: Commercial HipHop Concert and Showcase, The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103. For ticket information visit metrotix.evenue.net.

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 Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Registration is required for this event. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

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

er100.org. COMEDY

Fri., Nov. 29 – Sat., Nov. 30, Helium welcomes St. Louis’ own Lavell Crawford, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria Street, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, call 314.727.1260 or visit st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

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

Thurs., Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Ms. Pat: The Hot and Flashy Tour, The Factory, 17105 N. Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield MO 63005. For more information, visit mspatcomedy.com

Sun., Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Class Klowns featuring Jovan Bibbs, Willie Lynch Jr. and Smokey Suarez, St. Charles Funny Bone, 1520 S. Fifth Street, Suite 108, 63303. For more information,

visit www.stlouisfunnybone. com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Fri., Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Coffee and Whiskey Live at the Blue Strawberry, The Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge, 364 N. Boyle, St. Louis MO 63108. Tickets $20-$25. For more information, visit www. bluestrawberrystl.com.

Sat., Nov. 30 6:30 p.m., Eugene & Company: “Play One More,” National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Avenue, St. Louis MO 63101. For more information, visit nationalbluesmuseum.org/live-music.

Sat., Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., Tim Cunningham, The Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge, 364 N. Boyle, St. Louis MO 63108. For more information, visit www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

THEATRE

Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, The Fabulous Fox presents Chicago For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Fri., Dec. 6, 6 p.m., The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents When Gold Turns Black a staged reading, Clyde Jordan Senior Center, 6755 State Street, East St. Louis IL. For more information, visit www.theblackrep.org.

ART

Sat., Nov. 30, 6 p.m., Can I Kick It?/Art of The Native Tongues (Art-Music-EraVibe), High Low Gallery, 3301 Washington Ave. For more information, visit kickitart/ Eventbrite.com.

The Missouri Historical Society presents The Inaugural Wendell Pruitt Celebration of African American Service with keynote speaker Dr. Matthew Delmont on Sunday, December 8. See SPECIAL EVENTS for additional information.

ensure that those coming behind them had the capacity to endure.

Continued from C1

visual stimulation feel like those that a painter or sculptor might employ to activate or connect them to the piece.

Malcolm also co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams. Between them and the actors embodying Wilson’s words, “The Piano Lesson” manages to amplify the playwright’s gift for illustrating the literary gems hidden within the everyday conversations between Black people. A masterclass in Blackness, his ten play cycle that explores Black life in each decade of the 20th century.

The film starts in 1916, but “The Piano Lesson” represents the 1930s. A family heirloom has traveled from Mississippi to Pittsburgh as part of the Great Migration. A brother and sister have contrasting views on its ownership. For Berniece, the piano is a treasured keepsake. Boy Willie is eyeballing the instrument as a revenue stream for an opportunity that could possibly ensure generational wealth. Their uncles are on the fence, with one in each direction. Even as superstitions and

The artists charged with embodying Wilson’s characters helped Malcolm successfully complete his mission. Most of the conversation surrounding the powerhouse performances are led with John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler. There is legitimacy in doing so. He’s not quite as dialed in as his castmates, but John David Washington – who reprised his Boy Willie from the 2022 Broadway production – still gives the best performance of his career. And Deadwyler would deserve to be in the Oscar conversation if she had stood as still as a mannequin and came to life for the last six minutes of the film for the culminating scene. Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Potts are the unsung master craftsmen among the ensemble. They siphoned the best from their costars, and each other.

Samuel L. Jackson has been a movie star for so long, it’s easy to overlook the fact that he is a true actor. He’s offered on screen reminders from time to time, but he immerses himself so deeply into his portrayal of

Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Potts and Ray Fisher in a scene from the film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.”

Photo courtesy of Netflix

to remember he is Samuel L. Jackson. His connection with viewers comes so swiftly that the hair and makeup team will be instantly forgiven for the ill-shaped prosthetic eyebrow in the middle of his face poorly fashioned into a Hitleresque mustache. Jackson’s stunning performance gets an additional boost when Potts enters the film as his onscreen brother Wining Boy. It’s a harmony the pair developed when they played the roles on Broadway in 2022.

Though a 35-year veteran of stage, film and television, Michael Potts is not a household name. He should be – and his Wining Boy proves it. The cast is rounded out by another reprisal from the 2022 Broadway production with Ray Fisher once again taking on the role of Boy Willie’s trusted and gullible sidekick Lymon. His portrayal feels more performative as opposed to the authentic portrayals of the cast, which also included a strong showing from Corey Hawkins as Avery. He had help from his family, but with “The Piano Lesson” Malcolm Washington just might have made the best feature

Continued from C1

tonight, we are talking about a part of our culture that everyone loves –food.”

Harris took a deep dive.

“I am not a dietician. I am a historian,” Harris said. “The thing that is fascinating about history is that everybody writes about food. Columbus writes about having casava bread.”

Her dive was so deep in fact that she took the audience to the Atlantic Ocean. She talked about the impact of the slave trade on Black culinary practices around the world. She referenced the mixed meat stew that is the national dish of Brazil.

“It is the story of enslavement,” Harris contended. “All of the enslaved came together with the scraps from master’s table. We exist throughout the western hemisphere – north, central and south.”

The transatlantic slave trade and colonization created a culinary exchange that went both ways. Harris pointed to Jamaican Escovitch fish, a staple dish in the Caribbean.

“It shows not just Jamaica’s connection to Spain,” Harris said, revealing the little-known fact that Jamaica was a colony of Spain before being

Ms. Pat

Continued from C1

The BET Network,” Pat said. “They honored my vision of creating a show that portrays life as I know it.”

acquired by Great Britain. “It also shows Spain’s connection to the Arab world.”

After her exploration of the hemispherical impact of slavery on the Americas and Caribbean, Harris focused on the food characteristics of Blacks in the United States.

“Soul food is not monolithic – nor is it the sum total of African American food,” Harris said. “It is simply one facet of African American food.”

The James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame inductee and James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient who conceptualized the cafeteria for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture says the African American palate is characterized by a generalized taste for the well-seasoned.”

“I have contended that if you enter a soul food restaurant and do not see a long thin bottle of hot sauce on the table, you are in the wrong place to get soul food,” Harris said.

The tradition of eating soul food has come under scrutiny in the wake of health crises within the Black community – such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

“We are the only people who demonize our food,” Harris said. “If it hadn’t been for that pork and greens, you wouldn’t be

It.” The show, which has a courtroom format, stars her longtime friend – and St. Louis native – Carmen Barton. It airs on BET+. Pat is excited about hitting the road with “The Hot and Flashy Tour” and finally getting to share this new hour of rousing jokes and relatable anecdotes. There are two surprise comedians joining Ms. Pat for her show in St. Louis. She says they will “rock the house.”

here. So, somebody did okay. Now the problem comes when you are eating the diet of an agricultural laborer and then sliding your ever-widening backside behind the wheel of your car to go three blocks, because you don’t walk. That’s what’s killing us.”

The Great Migration, which changed the landscape of urban America, has had a major influence on regional dishes. Harris got a taste of that when she visited 23-yearold Juwan Rice’s Rated Test Kitchen and had a meal that infused soul food with recipes inspired by the chop suey establishments, which are a comfort food staple for Black St. Louis.

“Those takeout spots in the hood are part of our world as well,” Harris said.

In a conversation with media personality Jade Harrell following her keynote, she says she enjoys the audacity of chefs – like Rice – who are mixing, matching and combining cuisine.

“We are the world –particularly the Africans of the diaspora in the western hemisphere,” Harris said. “here has been no one like us before in history. We are unique. We combine the universe. And to see that show up on plates is pretty extraordinary.”

clever banter and original punchlines alone, the entire venue is sure to be shirking with laughter.

“Ms. Pat: The Hot and Flashy Tour” will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5 at The Factory, 17105 N. Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield MO 63005. For more information, visit mspatcomedy.com or thefactorystl.com.

1 11/22/24 10:54 AM

OUTREACH STRATEGIST AND POLICY ANALYST

Missouri Budget Project is

seeking a full-time Outreach Strategist and Policy Analyst to help advance policies that expand economic opportunity and promote well-being so every Missourian can thrive. The individual would strengthen partnerships with ethnically, racially, & economically diverse community organizations across Missouri and assist in research and analysis on state budget, tax, health, & economic issues.

MBP seeks to expand the diversity of voices in state policy debates by identifying highly motivated candidates who have experience with communities that are traditionally underrepresented.

https://mobudget.org/ position-announcement-outreach-strategist-policy-analyst/

FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT POSITION

Guardian Angel Settlement Association invites applicants to apply for our Food Pantry Support position. This candidate will assist with the daily operations of GASA’s Client-Choice Food Pantry.

• Valid driver’s license required and must be able to pass background check & lift up to 50lbs

• 40hrs/wk, Mon-Fri, 1 Sat a month

• $15 - $17/ hr

Interested applicants can apply on Indeed or email your resume to hr@gasastl.org

The position is financed through CDBG funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration. GASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WORSHIP PASTOR (ST. LOUIS, MO)

Worship Pastor(St. Louis, MO) Planning & leading worship services, utilizing musical expertise to select appropriate songs, arrange music, and create a meaningful worship experience. Overseeing the musical aspects of the church’s worship ministry, including recruiting, auditioning, and training musicians & vocalists, as well as arranging and conducting rehearsals. Providing pastoral care and spiritual guidance to worship team members and congregants, nurturing their spiritual growth through music & worship. Working closely with other church ministries to coordinate worship elements and support their programs & events through music. Bringing creativity & innovation to worship services, incorporating musical elements, visual arts, and technology to enhance the worship experience. 40hrs/wk, Offered wage: $54,205/yr, Bachelor’s Degree in Music or related, along with Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity / Ministry or related, required. Resume to Jubilee World, Inc. Attn: Dorothy LI, 5341 Emerson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63120

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting Digital Support Services. Go to https:// greatriversgreenway.

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

MBE / WBE Encouraged

60 Units Multi Family –ST. LOUIS, MO For Bid Information:

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

Section 3 / MBE /WBE Encouraged 40 Units Multi Family –PERRYVILLE, 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CONTINUUM OF CARE PLANNING CONSULTANT GRANT FY2023

The St. Louis County Department of Human Services – Supportive Housing Program is seeking proposals for the Continuum of Care Planning Consultant Grant FY2023 Bid Number 2045. The total funding available is approximately $292,860.00. Proposals are due electronically by 2:00 p.m. on December 19, 2024. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at https:// stlouiscountymove ndors.munisselfservice. com/Vendors/VBids/

NOTICE OF ELECTION FILING CITY OF DELLWOOD

Please take notice that the City of Dellwood, Missouri, will hold a general municipal election on April 8, 2025, to elect one (1) Alderman from each of the four (4) wards for a two-year term and a Mayor for a two-year term. Interested individuals can file a declaration of candidacy for the aforesaid offices at the City Clerk’s office located at 1415 Chambers Road, Dellwood, Missouri. The filing period begins on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. and ends on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

573-204-3097 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

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

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications and Pre-qualifications for Fundraising and Development Consulting Services. Go to https:// greatriversgreenway. org/vendors/ for details and submit by December 10, 2024.

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.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The dome at Americas Center is seeking bids from qualified companies to replace approximately 220 light fixtures with LED fixtures. Interested bidders must attend a pre-bid meeting and walk thru which will be held at the Dome at Americas Center conference Room on Wednesday December 4, 2024 at 11AM. Park off Broadway at the Broadway Central entrance. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.

On Thursday, December 12th at 9:00 a.m., the

Board will host a grantwriting workshop, aimed at assisting agencies in their preparation of the 2025 Responsive Grants application. First-time applicants interested in submitting an application must attend the workshop to learn more about the platform, the application and process changes.

This year’s workshop, Supporting Nonprofits in an Evolving Grant World, has been expanded to offer 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.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NCRDA requests proposals from qualified consultants to serve as a Small Business Navigator. Person responsible for working with a diverse group of businesses to increase sustainability and growth, developing an inclusive system of support in coordination with area stakeholders, grant writing and management. Complete RFP at https://northstlouiscounty.com/job/small-business-navigator-request-for-proposal/. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage submissions from MBE, WBE, Immigrant-owned, Vet-owned, & Labor Surplus Area businesses. Proposal deadline is 5 PM CST on Dec. 16, 2024.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP FOR CITY OF ST LOUIS LETTING

# 8780 & 8781

LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED SUBS FOR CONCRETE & BRICK REMOVAL AND COMPLETE SIDEWALK INSTALLATION

SP-121 DUE BY 12/3/24

SP-122 DUE BY 12/5/24.

All labor utilized in the construction of this public improvement project must receive compensation at a rate that is at least equal to the prevailing hourly wage for similar work in the City of St. Louis, as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Federal Wage Rate) or the applicable state wage rate, whichever is greater. This includes the general prevailing rates for legal holidays and overtime work.

Subcontractors engaged in public works projects are required to ensure that their on-site employees complete a 10-Hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction safety program, or an equivalent program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, within 60 days of commencing work on the project.

The participation goal for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE), collectively referred to as M/WBE, for this letting is set at 24% MBE participation, distributed as follows: 21% for African American, 2% for Hispanic American, 0.5% for Asian American, and 0.5% for Native American, along with 11% WBE participation. The M/WBE participation level is calculated based on the base bid and any accepted alternates. Eligible M/WBE firms must be certified and listed in the City of St. Louis M/WBE Directory by the bid opening date. Any questions please call Annie @ 314-832-1422 or email at ajstika@aol.com

All firms interested in participating must meet the M/WBE requirements outlined above.

All bids due by 12/5/2024

LETTING NO.8781 CONCRETE & BRICK REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT AND COMPLETE SIDEWALK INSTALLATION; PROJECT NO. SP-122

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on December 17, 2024, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using the “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true and may be downloaded for free.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on November 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in Room 325 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. NOTE: Contractors that attended the pre-bid meeting for SP-121 (Letting 8780) are eligible to bid without attending this meeting.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps. org (Announcements).

NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS

The St. Louis County Department of Transportation is requesting the services of a highly-qualified consulting engineering firm to perform professional engineering services for the Trianon Lane Bridge No. 274-C project (St. Louis County project number CR-1903).

Full details for this project, including submittal requirements and deadline, will be available on November 25, 2024 from the St. Louis County Vendor Self-Service portal: https://stlouiscountymovendors.munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Industrial Development Authority of the County of St. Louis, Missouri (the “IDA”) solicits proposals from qualified firms to serve as a financial advisor for the IDA’s operations. A copy of the complete RFQ is available at https:// stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/ To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3PM CT on Friday, December 13, 2024. St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS West Pine Apartments Elevator Replacement 4490 West Pine Blvd. Saint Louis, MO 63108

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is soliciting proposals from qualified offerors to perform work consisting of removal and replacement of the current building elevator system with a new elevator system designed to meet all current code requirements. The replacement of two passenger elevators will include the replacement of all elevator switchgear, cables, structural supports, and control systems. Elevator cabs will be rebuilt and upgraded to include new finishes. The offerors must also provide incidental construction as required to accommodate the elevator work, which will include, but may not be limited to, masonry repairs, structural steel repairs, rough and finish carpentry, drywall repairs, painting and finish material replacement, electrical, and mechanical equipment repairs. Contractor will also be responsible for maintaining at least one (1) elevator for resident use throughout the performance period.

Firm qualifications include experience as the prime contractor on traction elevator replacement projects in buildings of 10+ stories; experience as the prime contractor in project of more than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) in construction cost; experience maintaining occupant access during the elevator replacement and construction process; and evidence of performing such services on time and on budget.

The anticipated performance period for this project is 546 calendar days.

Information available at https://www.slha.org/ partner-with-slha/ on December 2, 2024 A pre-bid conference will be held on site at 10:00 a.m. (CT), Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the project site. Sealed bids are due 10:00 AM (local time) Thursday, January 23, 2025 via QuestCDN or delivered personally at SLHA Offices at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106.

Latasha Barnes Executive Director Contracting Officer AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hankins Construction Co. is requesting proposals for the St. Louis Community College Forest Park Campus EHC Renovation. Bids are due no later than 9:00AM on 11/26/2024. This project has diversity goals of 15% MBE, and 12% WBE. To access the plans and specifications or if you have any questions please email/call Nicole at office@hankinsmidwest.com/ 314-426-7030. Please submit bids to Bids@hankinsmidwest.com

Hankins Construction Co. is requesting proposals for the UMSL Entrepreneurship Innovation Center. Bids are due no later than 10:00AM on 12/3/2024. This Project has diversity goals of 5% MBE, 5% WBE, 3% DBE, 3% DVBE. To access the plans and specifications or if you have any questions please email/call Nicole at office@hankinsmidwest.com/ 314-426-7030. Please submit

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

Religion

UMC Bishop Tracy Malone says faith, hope love will prevail

Methodist Church Council of Bishops

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Just over a year ago, Bishop

Tracy S. Malone, the area bishop of East Ohio Conference, was elected president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church during the bishops’ meeting at Lake Junaluska Assembly.

She became the first Black woman to be elected to lead the more than 110 bishops in the global denomination that includes Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas.

It fell upon her in the wake of the Nov. 5 election to offer a response and guidance to United Methodist Church membersand the world. Her words boldly displayed her faith in The Lord, faith in justice, and faith that the church she provides leadership for will not lose sight of its goals and its purpose.

Hate did not win on Nov. 5 – unless the church allows it to change the way it does its business.

Guide by the Biblical passage, “Now faith, hope, and love remain…and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13, on Nov. 9, 2024, on Malone wrote the following pastoral letter: May the grace of God and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amid the change and uncertainty that have resulted from the recent

U.S. elections, and the ways in which these matters will impact the whole world, we remember that we are held by the enduring power of God’s love and the call to be agents of that love in the world.

We find ourselves at a critical historical juncture that future generations will scrutinize. It presses upon the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, a worldwide body, to speak and act with moral clarity, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and our commitment to justice and compassion for all.

We affirm the inherent dignity of all God’s children. As our Social Principles remind us, “God calls all members of the human family to recognize and protect the dignity and worth of all people.” The lessons of history teach us the dangers of silence in the face of threats to

human rights. Therefore, we cannot remain silent. We call upon all United Methodists to exercise their faith and to pray, speak, and act for justice and peace.

Our baptismal vows call us ‘to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.’ We therefore reject rhetoric, policies, and actions that demean or discriminate against any of God’s children and will be vigilant in defending the rights of the vulnerable and speaking out against oppression.

To people of all generations, especially our young, who yearn for a more just and inclusive world, your vision and passion give us hope. We commit to working alongside you to build the beloved community that reflects God’s kingdom on earth. In the days ahead, we will con-

Bishop Tracy Malone, United Methodist Church Council of Bishops president, says “hope, faith and love” remain steadfast in the wake of the Nov. 5, 2024, election. Malone became the first woman elected to hold the position in November 2023.

Photo courtesy of United

tinue this vital work uninterrupted and with renewed vigor. And we commit ourselves to prayer for our political leaders around the globe.”

The Social Principles Malone refers to “are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation,” according to the United Methodist Church.

They include:

Community of All Creation - All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.

The Economic CommunityProfessing that all we are and all that we possess, belong to God.

The Social Community –Affirmation that human beings are made for God and for one.

The Political Community –The support of structures in the

church and in civil society that honor the basic freedoms and rights of all human beings and protect God’s creation.

Malone’s writings are based on a philosophy of the United Methodist Church, which is shared in The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church (2016)

The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So, we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex.

The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other ‘mind-makers-up’ that exist in our society.”