April 21st, 2022 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Urban League to open Entrepreneurship Center

By Alvin A. Reid

Focus on Black-owned small businesses

McMillan.

National Urban League President Marc Morial officially announced a new National Urban League-designated entrepreneurship center in north city Tue. Apr. 19, 2022. The center will be in the former Commerce Bank building at Natural Bridge Rd. and Newstead Ave.

Jones backs $150M in ARPA funds for North city

Proposal follows veto of similar spending push

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs

An egg-cellent afternoon

An Easter Egg hunt for children was held Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Nance Elementary School in St. Louis by the non-profit organization 4 Walls and Beyond, which assists kids with incarcerated parents. 4 Walls and Beyond also offers life skill sessions that focus on the well-being of the children it serves. To volunteer, visit www.4wallsandbeyond.org.

MLBC blasts effort to censor Black History

Bill targets ‘Black authors, thinkers’

As the war on Black history rages throughout America, the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus helped stave off a legislator’s effort to “dismantle the First Amendment,” state Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, MLBC chair, said in a statement.

State Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson proposed an amendment to House Bill 1858 that would restrict Missouri schools from teaching that “an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex.”

While he withdrew the proposed amendment, Seitz vowed to return with another proposal.

“The MLBC proudly stood against legislation that dismantles the First Amendment rights of our state’s students and teachers by limiting their ability to discuss uncomfortable but necessary topics,” said Bland, a Democrat

hear that the mayor has finally joined myself and other city leaders in her willingness to target ARPA funds in North St. Louis,” he said.

“From the beginning, this has been a clear priority of the Board of Aldermen,” he said. “There have now been two board bills that have been sent

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

St. Louis American staff

Jamaa Birthing Village is one of the few places in the state that offers doula training and could now see an increase in enrollment.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Harlem-born hip-hop icon DJ Kay Slay loses COVID-19 battle

Revered hip-hop icon DJ Kay Slay died April 17, 2022 after a four-month long battle with COVID-19 complications. He was 55.

Born Keith Grayson in Harlem, Slay burgeoned in New York City’s hip-hop scene displaying his talent as a teenage graffiti artist. He was featured in the 1983 documentary “Style Wars.”

From there, he started selling mixtapes and released his first studio album, “The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1,” in May 2003. He released several other albums and worked with recording artists including Nas

He was a celebrated DJ with Hot 97, and CEO of Straight Stuntin’ Magazine, and A&Ring business ven tures.

Slay’s long time friend and hip-hop pro moter Van

Silk talked to HipHopDX about his impact.

“Hip Hop lost a real gem. My dear brother is gone. I’ve known him since he was 16 years old. He was my little brother. I introduced him to many and we did a lot of things together,” he told the outlet. “We last talked in December because we were finishing up the 200 rolling deep project. He was gonna do his video part with MC Sha-Rock.”

Isaiah Rashad breaks silence on same-sex sextape scandal

n****s done kept me alive these last couple months.”

Rapper Isaiah Rashad has finally broken his silence following a sex tape footage leaked earlier this year. He addressed the situation last week during his Coachella set with a montage of video clips from news anchors, celebrities, and others expressing their opinions. A majority praised him for being true to himself, while others said they would still support his music.

“The purpose of doing that was to try to embarrass him,” one voice said. “But, however, it backfired.”

Another voice said, “When his video leaked, his streams and whatever went up. He’s up on the charts now.”

“I see all the messages and all that [expletive], all the positivity,” Rashad said to the crowd during his performance. “Y’all

Maino’s bizarre fantasy involves hin being a “runaway slave”

“Hi Hater,” rapper Maino has proven himself someone not afraid of controversy, especially racial fetishes.

The Brooklyn emcee recently sat down with “Angela Yee’s Lip Service,” podcast and shared he likes to role play as a runaway slave.

He further explained when he has sexual relations with white women he enjoys playing “a disobedient slave.”

“You’re massa’s wife and I just got whooped by him,” he said. “and the whole time I been eyeballing you and you eyeballing me and I’m gonna come all sweaty after just getting whooped, and you’re going to say, ‘No, Billy-Joe, no. Massa’s not gonna like it. And I’m like, ‘You know you want it lady.’”

what nobody said, what nobody has about anything to say about what you got going on.”

“We Ready” rapper Archie Eversole shot, killed by brother Arthur “Archie” Eversole, most popular for the 2002 mega-hit “We Ready,” was found shot on March 25. He died April 3, 2022, nine days after the shooting from blood loss. His brother Alexander Kraus is the accused murderer. He was found at the same shooting location. Their mother thinks Kraus is innocent. Eversole’s manager John Williams recorded a video of her explaining why she thinks Kraus is innocent.

“They had no arguments. They had no feuds,” she said. “OK, no. And I know that. Yesterday I talked to the neighbor next door. I asked her and I say: Did you hear any arguments? Did you hear any fights? She said no. She didn’t hear nothing. Not that day. Not any other day.”

No further details have been confirmed by the Dekalb Police Department.

He hasn’t addressed the interview, but he did make a post alluding to it.

“Yo, it just hit me. I just realized that absolute freedom is not giving a [expletive],” he says in the clip. “It is absolute freedom in not giving a [expletive] about what nobody think,

Sources: Pride, GQ, Fox 5 Atlanta, Hip Hop DX, USA Today

WASHU unveils painting of renowned educator Dr. Robert L. Williams II

Founding dean of African American Studies

By Isaiah Peters

The St. Louis American

Washington University of St. Louis

debuted a portrait of Dr. Robert L. Williams, founding director of the Department of African and African American Studies, on April 15, 2022.

It is the first to feature a subject adorned with African accessory, a Kente cloth stole.

The painting features the colors red, yellow, and green prominently, representing Black unity.

“Dr. Williams overcame the poverty and racism of his youth to become an educated black professional and become a race man dedicated to Black Power and Black Consciousness,” said African American Studies Professor Gerald Early.

six months to form. He finalized the piece’s concept in November 2020 with Early and the Black Studies Department. It took about a year to complete.

“He will bless the halls of this university. When I look at this portrait, it is a challenge that Black studies are the stewards of our history and the dedication of our founding director,” said Shanti Parikh, African and African American Studies chair

n “He challenged and encouraged young people to explore what it means to be black in America, think critically about privilege, and create social change.”

- Andrew D. Martin, Washington University Chancellor

Among the more than 200 people attending the event or viewing online, two of Williams’ children, Y’vonne Williams Johnson and California State East Bay Dean Robert A. Williams spoke at the gathering.

The 44 by 48 inches painting was created by Jamie Adams, a Wash U. associate professor and painting Area Coordinator. He said the portrait took

Growing up in Arkansas, Early said it was not easy for Williams.

He shared that Williams’ parents did not have a formal education.

During his career, Williams would highlight a moment during high school when he received an IQ test result of 82.

His school counselor said he was not mentally equipped for higher education.

“I lost my confidence for a long time,” Williams said in a 1981 interview.

Despite the score, he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1953 and his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1961.

He became the first Black person hired as a staff psychologist at Arkan-

sas State Hospital in 1955.

“He challenged and encouraged young people to explore what it means to be Black in America, think critically about privilege, and create social change,” said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Williams broke several racial barriers, and he became an Arkansas Black Hall of Fame inductee in 2011.

“Black Studies was born in the days of high protest,” Williams said during his time as chair of the Department of African and African American Studies.

He co-founded the department in 1969 and became the director the following year.

“His brilliance dramatically altered the history of our university,” Martin said.

In 1972, Williams made national headlines for calling out inherent cultural biases in standardized testing. Seizing the moment, the following year, he organized a national conference on “The Cognitive and Language Development of Black Children” in St. Louis. In response to his stance on standardized testing, he created the 100-question Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity — an examination to demonstrate intelligence tests show racial and cultural biases through the higher performance of Black Americans more familiar with the contexts presented than more familiar to Black Americans, and the white test-takers, who performed lower. In 1973, he coined the term ‘Ebon-

ics’ [English often spoken by African Americans or African American Vernacular]. His work on Ebonics and Black intelligence was a theme for an episode of the popular 1970’s show Good Times titled The IQ Test

The Williams portrait brings the number of campus paintings featuring Black people to three.

“To be a living memorial, not to think of what he was, but what he claimed to be,” The Rev. Douglass Petty said.

Black people account for 2 percent of the paintings hanging at the university, according to Parikh. She said she hopes this painting will travel around the university. The portrait will currently be displayed in the Department for Black Studies Faculty office.

“Doing the work we do that Dr. Williams did is real,” Parikh said. “The work is radical because the truth is radical, and it makes the world a better place.”

“He is not physically here anymore, but that does not mean he is not here,” Petty said. “He has spoken life into many.”

You may be eligible for free energy-efficient upgrades and weatherization assistance from Spire and local community partners.

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See if you qualify and discover more about weatherization services.

Washington University African American Studies Professor Gerald Early (left) and Associate Professor and Painting Area Coordinator Jamie Adams unveil a portrait of Dr. Robert L. Williams on April 15th, 2022.

Photo by Taylor McIntosh/St. Louis American

Thomas’ name has been synonymous with controversy

Time’s up for Clarence Thomas on Supreme Court

He’s long been no friend to Black America

Clarence Thomas has been a controversial figure since Day One — and it’s time for him to step down from the United States Supreme Court.

From the allegations of sexual harassment by Anita Hill and his ethically questionable behavior and connections with his politically active wife, to his commitment to upholding laws that do harm to the Black community, Thomas’ name has long been synonymous with controversy.

It began after his nomination in July 1991 to the Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush. Thomas was selected to replace retiring civil rights icon, and the court’s first African American justice, Thurgood Marshall. Who can forget the contentious confirmation hearing — and Anita Hill’s testimony about alleged sexual harassment — that immediately followed?

The controversy also stems from his inexplicable, confusing, and contrarian views on race in America. From his early years to his overall performance during his 30-year tenure on the court, his rulings have justifiably earned strong disdain, even loathing among most Black Americans, as well as many Hispanics and women.

The calculation of Republicans at the time, to place a young, reliably conservative Black person in the so-called ‘Black Seat’ that was held by liberal justice Thurgood Marshall, for more than 30 years, has proven to exceed the right’s wildest expectations. Thomas (only 43 when he came to the court) has repeatedly supported policies that have helped maintain the status of disenfranchised minority communities.

Thomas’ ascendancy to the court has created particularly disastrous consequences for Black America’s aspiration to move forward in American society. His response to criticism, while not unexpected based on his history, still shows an almost pugnacious and unyielding indifference to the plight of Black people in the United States — a condition that has plagued them since the nation’s founding.

their majority approval to the full Senate. They reported that nominee Marshall, “demonstrated those qualities we admire in members of our highest judicial tribunal…along with a balanced approach to controversial and complicated national problems.”

In contrast to Clarence Thomas, Judge Jackson embraces her role as a Black person. She proudly and unequivocally said, “It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, but we’ve made it. We made it — all of us.”

Reflecting on the continuing travail of many Black people in the country since they were brought to the U.S. as slaves — but still holding a belief in our drive to continue forward — she quoted poet Maya Angelou: “I am the dream and hope of the future.”

The actions of right-wing racists — despite their praise, even adulation — show what they really think about Clarence Thomas and the millions of Americans who look like him. They consider him and his fellow Black Republican Tim Scott, the U.S. Senator from South Carolina, exploitable, as “useful idiots.”

Clarence Thomas

Now, he will be joined on the Supreme Court by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a proud Black woman, who was confirmed by the Senate despite a wild and disingenuous smear campaign against her by some Republican senators on the Judicial Committee. She is expected to offer a sharp contrast to Thomas’ servile obedience to far right-wing Republican ideology and its racist political dogmas.

Remember, Thomas had succeeded a judicial giant on the court, someone who championed equal justice for all under the law during his long years as a Supreme Court Justice. Marshall was even eulogized by conservative Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who wrote, “inscribed above the front entrance of this court building are the words ‘equal justice under the law.’ Surely no individual did more to make these words a reality than Thurgood Marshall.”

The Senate confirmed civil rights litigator Thurgood Marshall as the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court on August 30, 1967, following his nomination by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He had led the NAACP legal team that in 1954 won Brown vs. Board of Education, a historic landmark decision that invalidated the concept of segregated public schools under the 14th Amendment — a constitutional amendment that had been enacted in 1868 after the Civil War, almost exactly a century before.

A majority on the Senate Democratic-controlled Judiciary Committee, in a rebuff to the dissenting Southern Senators on the panel, sent

Even Thomas, 73, must be concerned about the inevitable future comparison between him, his intellect, his integrity in the past on the bench, and his verbal ability compared to this brilliant, unequivocally Black woman, Ketanji Brown Jackson, only 51. More recently, we have seen some different challenges created by recent revelations about the role of his wife Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist and Thomas himself.

According to dozens of messages to Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Ginni Thomas worked tirelessly after the presidential election in 2020 to overturn the thoroughly vetted defeat of Trump (who has still not conceded). Moreover, the couple has long had questions raised about Thomas’ ethics in cases in the past where she has been an active advocate. He has continued to refuse to answer those questions appropriately.

A report in the New York Times Magazine in March 2022 said that they have appeared for years together at highly political events hosted by advocates hoping to sway the court. While it is possible that married people can have independent views and careers, the Thomases have gone way beyond what is considered ethically proper behavior, particularly because they brag about how they are fused “into one being” in their marriage and their politics.

Although Thomas is protected from a code of judicial ethics as a Supreme Court justice — a code that applies to all other federal judges — he continues to use that special dispensation to ignore any sense of duty to avoid what Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the “stink” of partisanship.

This adds weight to calls for him to leave the court to make room for someone who accepts their responsibility to protect the highest court in the country’s credibility and reputation. In the difference to the two other branches of the federal government, the Supreme Court depends on public trust to maintain its influence and authority. Thomas has repeatedly betrayed that trust and therefore undermined the democracy and freedom he claims to revere.

In conclusion, let’s turn to the last words back in the 16th century of William Shakespeare, “Live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee.”

Across America, students must learn all history

By Ben Jealous

That shouldn’t be a controversial statement. But thanks to politicians like Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, teaching honestly about history is getting downright dangerous.

Youngkin got elected in part by embracing a dishonest campaign launched by far-right activists to make parents fear that teaching about racism represents some kind of sinister plot to shame and indoctrinate children.

Once he took office, the very first official action he took as governor was to sign an executive order supposedly designed to “get divisive concepts out of our schools.”

You know what was “inherently divisive?” The Confederacy, which waged a brutal war to defend slavery from its capital in Richmond, Virginia. How about massive resistance to the desegregation of schools? How about Virginia’s law that made interracial marriage illegal until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned it in 1967?

Youngkin has claimed that his order will still allow students to learn about history— both good and bad. But he also set up a tip line that parents could use to report on “divisive” teachers.

That’s in the worst tradition of authoritarian politicians everywhere.

It’s a terrible policy. It’s a terrible way to think about edu-

cation.

And, I will admit, I take it a bit personally. My ancestors were enslaved in the state of Virginia. One of my forefathers was elected to the state legislature during Reconstruction. He helped create the state’s system of public education. Then white supremacists took back power, made segregation the law of the land, and made it impossible for Black Virginians to build political power for decades. That’s pretty “divisive” stuff.

A coalition of civil rights groups has launched the Black History is American History campaign to push back on Gov. Youngkin’s efforts to force teachers and schools to whitewash teaching about history and racism. Students have the right to learn the truth about our history and our present. We are inviting Virginia

n Watching politicians build power by inflaming fears about Black people can be deeply discouraging. It can also be intensely motivating.

parents and families to use the governor’s “tip line” to tell Gov. Youngkin that denying students the freedom to learn is bad for children, families, and the future. Unfortunately, Virginia is far from alone. Politicians and political operatives are out to build power by mobilizing a backlash to honest teaching about racism in our history and institutions. And those efforts are connected to campaigns

for so-called “Don’t Say Gay” laws, which threaten teachers who acknowledge the reality of LGBTQ students and families. And all of this goes hand in hand with a surge in censorship in classrooms and libraries. The American Library Association recently released its list of the books most often challenged last year. Most of them were about Black and LGBTQ people. And that reminded me that Gov. Youngkin’s campaign actually ran an ad featuring a woman who objected to the teaching of Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Beloved” in her son’s senioryear English class. Watching politicians build power by inflaming fears about Black people can be deeply discouraging. It can also be intensely motivating.

As a Black Christian writing this column during Holy Week, I draw strength from the historic witness of the Black church and its role in supporting and sustaining Black people as we made history. I celebrate the power and impact of Martin Luther King, Jr’s appeal to both the Constitution’s promise of equality under law and the great faith traditions’ call for us to treat one another with decency and respect. And I lift up the words of Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and now the director of the Smithsonian Institution, who reminds us that “there are few things as powerful and as important as a people, as a nation that is steeped in its history.”

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

By Cheryl Smith

Sorry, “Ms. Jackson.” Those words ring in my ears to the tune of the same song by hiphop’s legendary OutKast. Yes, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is owed an apology for the treatment she received during her recent Senate confirmation hearings.

I won’t hold my breath, though.

While many social media posters questioned the messages that our children would glean from “the slap heard around the world” at the 2022 Academy Awards, I wondered what takeaways our children would glean from the awful “verbal slaps” of disrespect and mid-sentence cutoffs lodged against the brilliant jurist, Ms. Jackson. These jabs appeared OK to many.

However, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), former mayor of Newark, my birth city, didn’t have time for foolishness.

He eloquently – and respectfully addressed Judge Jackson, affirming her skills and abilities and, by extension, those of so many other accomplished women.

I call it his finest moment. I wonder what future generations will say when they look back at these “slaps?”

Decades from now, my descendants will read my thoughts and feelings during the historic vote to confirm Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court. My heart raced at a faster pace than usual. Which brings me to my truth.

Part of me wants to go into a secluded, dark room — away from everyone — where I can

release every emotion imaginable.

Poet extraordinaire Nikki Giovanni encourages this practice. I find it helpful for my balancing act and emotional stability.

Tears, laughter, silence, screams, prayers! I would let it all out!

At some point, I would probably dance.

I would be cheering for Judge Jackson, this country’s first Black woman to serve as a United States Supreme Court judge.

I would reserve some moments of elation for pioneering activist Constance Baker Motley; economist and attorney Sadie T.M. Alexander; trailblazing attorney Charlotte E. Ray; Judge Jane Bolin, the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first to become a judge in the United States, and too many others to mention in this space. The Constitution does not require Supreme Court Justices to be lawyers or have attended law school. So, I can’t help but question whether some Black women, including U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan of Texas; journalist Ida B. Wells Barnett; educator, activist and philanthropist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune; and civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy

Irene Height all might have received the nod. That is had it not been for the racial norms of their day.

There are many others who have come before us who were eminently qualified but denied opportunity.

It’s important to pay homage to Black women who were refused the privilege of serving at higher capacities, including legal scholar Lani Guinier and professor and attorney Cheryl Wattley.

I applaud efforts like “Because of Them We Can,” a digital space which Eunice Jones Gibson devotes to teaching and refreshing “Black history while connecting the dots between the past, present and future.” Because of Them We Can features “sheroes” like Judge Jackson. It serves as a reminder that we have so much to be proud of.

I absolutely love that Judge Jackson publicly acknowledges the giants on whose shoulders she stands.

Future generations, I believe, will view her with pride: She will serve as a role model to many. I know the work is not over. We must continue urging people to VOTE.

On April 7, 2022, I needed a little time for “me.” I needed to absorb the moment.

I am, like philosopher, scholar and humanitarian Pastor Frederick D. Haynes III says, “feeling peacock proud and hyena happy!”

Cheryl Smith is Texas Metro News and Garland Journal publisher

Guest Columnist Cheryl Smith

Columnist Ben Jealous

Harris-Stowe charters entrepreneurial honor society

Harris-Stowe State University has established a Sigma Nu Tau chapter, an honor society recognizing students, faculty members, and entrepreneurs who excelled in the study of entrepreneurship or “are exemplary models of principled entrepreneurship.”

Stacy Gee Hollins, Anheuser-Busch School of Business dean said in a release that the chapter is the first in Missouri, adding it will “provide our scholars with another opportunity for academic excellence in education and entrepreneurship.”

HSSU students Victoria Aguilar, Corine Arrington, Ja’Nise Duckworth, Dajia Tate, Cheyenne Thomas, and Alexander Williams, became the chapter’s first members during an April 8, 2022, ceremony. Nancy J. Church, Founder, Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society founder, president, and executive director greeted the new members.

“I enjoy and really am proud to attend most of the charter ceremonies,” Church said in a release she enjoys attending charter ceremonies.

“I think it makes that personal connection between the national organization and the wonderful advisors and

administrators at the schools in which we are starting the chapters,” she said.

HSSU faculty members Patricia Hodges, Hollins, Shelitha Peppers, and Rebecca Wilson were also inducted. Other inaugural chapter members are Michelle Robinson, DemiBlue Natural Nails CEO and Kristy Jackson, DK Solutions CEO.

“This is a great trailblazing and historic moment,” Wilson said she was “overjoyed” when she learned Harris-Stowe could be home to the state’s first chapter.

With more than 2,600 members, Sigma Nu Tau is the only honor society dedicated to entrepreneurship. Founded in 2009, the organization has 38 chapters and will be making HSSU its 39th. Wilson says the group will offer “leadership opportunities, a community service component, and workshops and speakers to enhance personal and professional development.”

According to Sigma Nu Tau, to be inducted students must have a GPA of at least 3.2, junior class standing or higher, and possess honor, integrity, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

‘Brother Biden’ must do more

By Julianne Malveaux

I do this thing in my head with President Joe Biden. When he gets on my nerves, I often call him President. When I want something from him or want to thank him for something, I call him Brother Biden. As I write this, I thank him for our incoming Supreme Court justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and I’m celebrating her gracious, humble, generous presence like so many of us.

This woman inspires me, and that’s an understatement. I admire how she has managed to keep her effervescent smile through the kind of nonsense that would have me throwing punches. Ted Cruz, really? Lindsey Graham, really? These privileged white men attempted to rattle the cage of a woman who could be taken off her game. May we all have some measure of her restraint.

So thank you, Brother Biden, for doing the right thing. But it isn’t the only right thing you can do. You talked about reparations during the 2020 campaign. Now there is legislation in the House of Representatives to pass HR 40, the legislation that Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) introduced annually since 1989, and that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is now carrying. The votes are there, but the Senate will not pass it. Why not do an executive order to study the reparations issue officially. It would take a stroke of your pen to make this happen. Why won’t you do the right thing?

You also agreed to forgive some student loan debt. While there is some pushback on forgiving all debt, why not take the first step by forgiving some of it? With a stroke of a pen, you could forgive at least ten grand of it for everyone who carries debt, and we know that Black folk, in particular, have more. What is preventing you from honoring a campaign promise and helping needy people?

As an educator, I’m more than familiar with the equity arguments that the likes of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) make. Is it fair for working-class folks to carry the debt of the highly educated? Did people take out too many loans for the wrong purposes? What will loan forgiveness cost? From an equity perspective, Manchin may have a minor point. There is a flip side, though. What will it cost us if we don’t forgive the loans?

Democrats are sitting in the crosshairs. They are worried about the 2022 election and turnout when President Biden’s (not Brother Biden’s) rankings are tanking. He has options, though, and one of them is to keep more of his promises. It would take him five minutes to do student loan forgiveness. It would take another five to offer an executive order about reparations. And most importantly, it would take him some concentrated effort to put his shoulder to the wheel on voting rights.

The Republicans in the Senate do not have his back, even as a special few supported the nomination of incoming Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Those same three — Sens. Susan Collins of Main, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah — know that voting rights have been trampled on. They know that they can do the right thing. They won’t do it because they don’t have to and because too many of them are currying favor with the former president to speak out of their integrity.

Instead, we have mostly blustering bullies who would publicly bully a woman of extreme faith and integrity, who are more enamored with their own voices than with the truth. President Biden, stop trying to reason with these idiots. Stop being a senator and start being a president. Use your executive orders to move your student loans and voting rights agenda. Push them to the limit, like they are pushing you to yours.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State University

Harris-Stowe State University celebrated chartering the state’s first chapter of the Sigma Nu Tau

honor society on April 8, 2022. The society recognizes students, faculty members, and entrepreneurs who excelled in the study of entrepreneurship.

Julianne Malveaux

The move puts the county in step with St. Louis to fund the expansion of the downtown center. The plan required the city and county to pay for their share of the convention center work.

Approval comes after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that county and city officials approved a bid by Ben Hur Construction for the convention center that costs more than the initial plans for the first portion of the project.

The process to finalize the north county center’s funding has been the center of debate for the past few months.

Explore St. Louis and Days’ predecessor, Hazel Erby, that would put hotel-motel tax funds toward a north county recreation center.

Convention commission officials have said that the coronavirus pandemic had depleted the hotel-motel tax revenue and that the organization only agreed to help fund the center, not develop it.

Councilman Mark Harder also said he was concerned about costs for the downtown center, though he voted for it after Days said it was her understanding that the council would vote on the $105 million that was decided years ago.

n “If we make one part of the county healthy, the other part of the county’s going to be healthy.”

Councilman Ernie Trakas objected to the final bill, arguing that the rising cost to develop the first phase of the downtown center is a concern.

– Rev. Darryl Gray

“That is only the beginning of this fiasco,” Trakas said. “If we pass this bill tonight, we are saying to our constituents, ‘We don’t care what happens to your money.’ We are telling the hardworking men and women in the hospitality industry, ‘We don’t care about your well-being.’” Trakas called for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission leadership to appear before the council to provide more details on construction costs.

Days had held back the county’s portion of funding, citing a 2019 agreement with

Jones

Continued from A1

to her desk both with unanimous favorable votes, the first had the funding for North St.

“We’ve got a number of probably six to eight hurdles to go through on the rec center as this project develops in the next year or so,” Harder said. “I think the enthusiasm of this project will be the momentum that will make it through those opportunities.”

Councilman Tim Fitch said that costs could still change depending on inflation and supply chain issues and that the final cost could end up being less or more than the amount approved.

Details surrounding the rec center have yet to be announced, though St. Louis County leaders have requested that the University of Missouri-St. Louis study the possibility of the recreation complex at the school, according to university officials.

Saluting the best in health care

Councilwoman Lisa Clancy said that while she supports the bill, she had some concerns over the accessibility of a recreation center on UMSL’s campus.

“If it ends up at UMSL, will it be accessible for all to enjoy, we’ll figure those things out,” Clancy said. “I’m not going to stand in the way of this project, nor of moving

Louis removed by a line-item veto. After tonight’s remarks, my hope is that history doesn’t repeat itself.”

On Aug. 16, Jones enacted a spending plan for the first $135 million of the roughly $500 million in federal money

the city will receive through the COVID-inspired American Rescue Plan Act. At the same time she vetoed about $33 million in North city economic development allocations, arguing they violated U.S. Treasury guidelines on how the money

forward on the convention center, which I know is also really important for this region.”

Community leaders and north county elected officials said a recreation center would be an asset for the community.

“Development of the north county rec center will directly benefit our young people, their families and a safe place for them to engage in organized extracurricular sports,” Vinita Park Mayor James McGee said. “North county has been neglected for too long, and we need something for our young people.”

could be spent.

On Wednesday, mayoral spokesman Nick Dunne called the $150 million a “commitment” on the part of the mayor – subject to the regular discussions with the Board of Aldermen – and said the office

The Rev. Darryl Gray, an activist and community leader, said that by supporting the north county center, all of St. Louis County will feel the effects.

would work with the Treasury Department to stay within guidelines. The $150 million amounts to 60% of the $249 million in ARPA funds expected this year. Meanwhile, the vetoed $33 million is now included in a separate board bill, calling for $37 million in spending, that the mayor is expected to sign.

Beyond the ARPA spending plan, Jones proposed a 3% pay raise for city employees across the board on top of the regular annual step increase, as well as $1 million for paid family leave for city employees, “to keep our benefits competitive and show our working families how much we value their dedication.”

This year, Jones has been meeting with frontline city workers across departments to help determine what St. Louis needs to retain its workforce and improve city services, which includes a focus on competitive pay. She also proposed retention incentives, funded through ARPA, for city employees.

She also touted some successes over the past year including an influx of jobs at companies such as Proctor and Gamble, the distribution of hundreds of free bus passes to

“The area in which this community, sports, recreation center is being asked to be built could do so much,” Gray said. “If we make one part of the county healthy, the other part of the county’s going to be healthy.”

youth and the $500 Direct Cash Assistance Program that “has helped thousands of St. Louis families put food on the table and pay the bills.”

Jones began the 35 minute speech, delivered at Harris Stowe-State University, with a look back at her roots in North St. Louis, including at her grandparents’ former three-story home in Wells-Goodfellow affectionately known by the family as “The Big House” and her parents’ home in Walnut Park.

Noting the challenges the city has faced that have caused some neighborhoods to “fade like my grandparents’ old photos,” Jones spoke of the unprecedented potential afforded the city by the ARPA funding and the proposed settlement with the NFL, which she said she was not allowed to discuss in detail.

“We cannot rewrite the past,” she said, “but we can have the hard conversations about how we align our priorities. We can be a city where everyone can succeed across racial lines. We can change the course so that our city, our communities and our neighborhoods grow and thrive again, north and south of Delmar.”

The 2022 Salute To Excellence in Health Care Advocacy organization of the Year was PREPARE STL represented by former Director Rebeccah Bennett (second from left) and Riisa Rawlins, chief operations and strategy officer at the St. Louis Regional Health Commission with program emcee Carol Daniel (left) from KMOX radio and St. Louis American Foundation Chair Raven Whitener Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the Frontenac Hilton. Look in next week’s paper for our photo coverage of the event. Photos can be viewed now at www.stlamerican.com.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Urban League

“Like your Urban League affiliate, this will probably be the best entrepreneurship center in America.”

St. Louis will be home to the 13th National Urban League Entrepreneurship Center, and the site will also house the St. Louis Women’s Business Center.

“We want this to be an ecosystem of support. Through it, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis can expand its voice. It can expand its voice to say, ‘you must do more business with Black owned businesses,” Morial said.

Morial said the center’s doors would not be closed to any small business owner, but “our focus is on Black business owners.”

“This is because Black owned businesses have been marginalized and ignored. There are 2.5 million of these business in America and 90% have a single employee, the owner.

“Imagine the impact if each hired two more people. That would be five million more people working. This center is going to be about wealth building and income.”

According to the Urban League, 75% of entrepreneurs who utilize its services improve their company’s financial outlook. They provide management counseling, mentoring, and training services geared toward the development of management skills that can help minority entrepreneurs grow their businesses, obtain financing or contracts, and preserve or create jobs.

Most participants utilizing an Urban League center are African American female entrepreneurs whose business is at an early stage of development.

“We would like to see hundreds of companies throughout the entire region to provide jobs

MLBC

Continued from A1 representing Kansas City.

“I take great pride in the way [our] members handled debate on an incredibly divisive amendment.”

Bland and the MLBC cited language in Seitz’ proposal that “would do little more than threaten to censor essential aspects of American history, literature and scholarship, especially works produced by Black authors and thinkers.”

“We do our children no favors when we coddle them away from controversies present in the real world and hide them from the truth of our nation’s past.”

Bland said Seitz promised to return with an even harsher bill during the 2023 legislative session.

“We promise to stand even

and economic opportunity for people who have never had it before,” McMillan said. “We want to make sure our movement is as relevant today as when we started.”

John W. Kemper, president and CEO of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., and Commerce Bank chair CEO, said “it is bittersweet” in turning the 100-year-old former bank building over to the

more united in opposition to it,” she said Bland added that Seitz “has a history of making comments considered offensive by the Asian-American community.”

In March, during debate about state revenues and a bill that would allow Missouri to collect sales taxes from online retailers that don’t have a physical presence in the state, Seitz repeatedly used the term “Chinese virus.”

“While the zombie apocalypse has seen a shortage of revenue for the state, I remind the body that the Chinese virus has not shut down one business,” Seitz said.

“The continued use of the term is at best willful blindness to the effect these words have, or at worst, deliberate use of racist rhetoric for political gain at the expense of Asian Americans,” the Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City, St. Louis

Urban League. The bank had moved across the street several years ago, and the building was empty.

“The Urban League’s track record is unique. It grabbed our attention. When this opportunity came, we jumped at it,” he said.

“Small business is the backbone of this [region], and this is especially true in Black and brown communities. We could

Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Asian American Bar Association, and the Organization of Chinese Americans in St. Louis said in a joint statement.

St. Louis Public Radio reported on Tuesday the Missouri House passed a “Parents Bill of Rights” that the MLBC, Democrats opposed, and a few Republicans opposed.

The House bill outlines rights for parents including the ability to review instruction material (which is already available), visit the school during school hours and have “sufficient accountability and transparency regarding school boards.”

School districts that violate these provisions could face civil suits, including those brought by parents. If ruled noncompliant, districts could see state funding withheld until alleged violations were

have moved away. We moved across the street.

In 2021, the 12 National Urban League Entrepreneurial Centers served more than 29,000 small businesses, according to Morial. The centers helped businesses secure $119 million in private and public sector financing and created 1,000 jobs.

“We had long been recognized as a job connector,”

addressed.

Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City, a former teacher, school board member and principal, called the bill “a path that sets up an adversarial relationship between the parents and the school, and it creates a threat.”

Democrats contend enforcement would be difficult and that several of the rights listed in the bill are either already granted to parents or address situations that have not occurred in Missouri.

Rep. Mike Stephens, R-Bolivar, voted against the bill.

“We should have done a better job of finding words that open the door for more parent participation, where they know what’s going on at school, and they have a voice that is heard and recognized and has weight,” Stephens said.

“But this language can wreak havoc in the classroom.”

Morial said.

“We needed to become a job creator. We are doing this with the entrepreneurial centers.”

McMillan also noted that the National Urban League is building a new $250 million headquarters in Harlem, New York.

“The National Urban League budget, and its impact, are the biggest ever,” he said.

Morial also spoke at the

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis 104th Annual Dinner Meeting on Tuesday night at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel. He was honored as the 2022 Whitney M. Young Humanitarian Award recipient. Elizabeth Mannen Berges and James G. Berges were Annual Dinner Lifetime Achievement Honorees.

Local Urban League President Michael P. McMillan with board members and John W. Kemper, president and CEO of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., and Commerce Bank chair and CEO following the announcment of a new National Urban League-designated entrepreneurship center in north city Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022. The center will be in the former Commerce Bank site Natural Bridge Rd. and Newstead Ave.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

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Teens honored during Boys & Girls Club Table for Four fundraiser

Youth of year awarded full ride Scholarship

St. Louis American staff

With the theme of “Women Leading the Way,” the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis held its annual Table for Four event on April 14, 2022, at the Ritz Carlton St. Louis.

The event raised over $140,000 to support activities and experiences designed to help girls develop healthy lifestyles, positive self-esteem and make good decisions.

Mathews-Dickey Club

member LaiJeon Williams and St. Louis Internship participant Angelia Viviana won the Joan Ellyn Silber Award for Volunteerism and Leadership, which included a $1,000 scholarship for each.

Williams is a sophomore at Whitfield School and has served 87 volunteer hours at her school, church Northside Community School and her Club. At the Club she works as a volunteer with the St. Louis Green Machine, helps with community food distribution, assembling care packages and meal kits as well as assistant to the basketball coordinator.

“The thing I enjoy most about Mathews-Dickey is the automatic feeling that I’m at home and the people there are my family. I love how the Club gives out so many opportunities and is a place for people to grow and flourish in many different fields. I feel honored specially to know that my actions and leadership roles have been acknowledged and even better rewarded. I’m very grateful to have received this

Mathews-Dickey Club member LaiJeon Williams and Flint Fowler,

of Greater St. Louis president and CEO, display the award winner’s $1,000 display check during the Table for Four fundraiser on April 14, 2022,

award and inspired to do even more,” she said Viviana is a senior at Hazelwood West High School and has served 110 hours for various after school events, including being her school’s head after school tutor.

“Through SLIP I was given the opportunity to learn essential skills for the workplace and an internship in a fascinating field I would have never experienced without SLIP’s support.

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I was able to learn the satisfaction of designing elaborate projects with my coworkers and being able to present them in front of an audience,” she said.

I will never forget the infinite lessons I learned that summer.”

Lailah G. was named 2022

Youth of the Year and received a Presidential Scholarship (a full ride) to Harris- Stowe State University by Harris-Stowe President Dr. LaTonia Collins

Smith. Table for Four co-chair Laura Herring and her family also pledged to gift her a $5000 scholarship (matching the previously gifted Youth of the Year scholarship by Wanda and Michael DeHaven. The Herrings are also giving two $500 scholarships through Impact Group Foundation for the girls who did not win the $1000 Joan Silber scholarship.

Photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs

at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis.

Orlando Watson, Prime 55 Restaurant co-owner, passes

By Sylvester Brown

Restaurant in the University City Loop and Prime 55 Restaurant and Lounge at 1019 Pine Street downtown.

Last year, the St. Louis American interviewed Watson about his business success and his long-time battle with lymphatic cancer. At the time, he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee because sarcoma cancer had formed there. By the time he graduated from University City High, Watson, a University City native, had already started making marketable music tracks and beats. After high school, Watson moved to Atlanta and continued making music. By the 1990s, his production company, “Ol

School,” was signed to R&B singer Keith Sweat’s record label.

His company “PrettyBoy Productions” (which later became Prettyboy Records) was part of the production team that created the Bone, ThugsN-Harmony album, “Strength & Loyalty.” The album was certified “gold” by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Watson formed Rockhouse Entertainment in 2005 with his partner Bradd Young. The independent recording, concert, management and promotion company has produced hundreds of concerts locally and nationwide featuring artists that included Kelly Roland, Chris Rock, Mike Epps, Jodeci, Megan The Stallion, Kodak Black, Toni Braxton and the late DMX.

Prime 55, an upscale restaurant in University City, was a joint venture between Watson and his old high school classmate Tony “T-Luv” Davis

Orlando Watson, concert promoter and co-owner of Prime 55 Restaurant in the U. City Loop passed away on Easter Weekend.

(rapper, Nelly’s former manager). Prime 55 Downtown, the anchor restaurant to the Le Meridien Hotel, opened late last year.

Watson told the American his life story fortified him to battle cancer twice and ride out the rocky waves of COVID.

His grandfather on his mother’s side, Herman Dennis, fled the South at the age of 13 after witnessing a lynching. Soon after, he relocated to St. Louis and founded his own construction company, Dennis Construction, in the 1930s. His father owned a cleaning company, and his uncle was also an entrepreneur.

“I liked how entrepreneurism looked on them,” Watson reminisced. “So, at an early age, I knew I wanted to work for myself.”

Service information for Mr. Watson was not available at the time of publication.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

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The right Connection

Wilma Schmitz MA, regional liaison and trainer with Missouri Connections for Health, shares a dance move with St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Health Care host Carol Daniel of KMOX while accepting her Excellence in Health Care Award on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the Frontenac Hilton. For more photos from the event, please visit www.stlamerican.com.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

2022 Salute to Young Leaders Awards

Honoring 20 Outstanding African-American Professionals under Age 40 Presented by

DEADLINE: APRIL 28TH, 2022

Do you know a young leader who is going above and beyond in their professional performance and community involvement? The St. Louis American is accepting nominations for its 11th annual Salute to Young Leaders Awards. Winners will be featured in The St. Louis American and will be honored at the 11th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception on May 26, 2022.

Young Leaders are committed, compassionate and generous individuals who are excelling in their professional careers and making a positive impact in our community.

To nominate a Young Leader, fill out the form below and email to raven@stlamerican.com and or visit stlamerican.com. Nominees must be under 40 years of age as of May 1, 2022. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m., April 28, 2022 to be considered. For questions, contact Raven Whitener at raven@stlamerican.com

Nominee’s Name:

Nominee’s Company:

Nominee’s Title: Company’s Address:

City, State, Zip:

Nominee’s Email:

Nominee’s Phone:

Please attach a brief overview of nominee’s career history with significant achievements. (300 words max.)

Also include the following: How has the nominee contributed outside the company (specific community involvement)? (300 words max.)

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North St. Louis County sewing center helps people heal from trauma

By Andrea Y. Henderson

St. Louis Public Radio

Kacie Long remembers watching her grandmother sew for a living and for her family members. But it took her decades to pursue sewing and learn how much it could help her deal with life’s struggles.

Long, 41, began honing her skills in 2016 at a sewing center and later started offering one-onone classes in her home. Four years later, she began teaching group classes to help people learn new skills that would help them destress.

Her love for sewing and building a community for people of color who face daily affiliations led her to creating Sew Hope Community Sewing Room.

The Florissant center is a space for people to release pain from past trauma and spark creativity, Long said.

“Sewing is a way that can bring healing. It can bring peace,” she said. “Studies show that when you sew, serotonin is released in the brain, confidence is built up, and stress is decreased as you are sewing and working on a project with your hands.”

Long said many African Americans can benefit from sewing therapy, particularly those who have faced the pain of racism and inequality.

Sew Hope offers sewing, quilting and craft classes for children and adults.

The 2,600-square-foot building at 630 N. Highway 67 is equipped with five sewing machines, sergers, sewing supplies, embroidery machines and craft tables.

“Sewing is a door that can open to so many different possibilities, and I think representation is important,” Long said.

She hopes the center will inspire young Black people in north St. Louis County to aspire to careers in design or to want to open their own creative studio.

St. Louis designer Olivia Davis saw an increase in people buying sewing machines and becoming interested in taking sewing classes during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Davis, who owns ORD Academy design school in south St. Louis, will teach classes at Sew Hope.

She said sewing can be therapeutic for Black Americans because it allows them to forget about their frustrations for a period of

time and create a project with a needle and thread.

“Sewing is really important for Black people, especially now because it gives your hands and your mind something to focus on that isn’t negative,” said Davis, 23.

During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Davis saw many Black people using the sewing machine to create protest art to decry racism.

The sewing center will offer entrepreneurship workshops for people who are interested in pattern

making, design, alterations or the business side of design. It also will offer programs for formerly incarcerated women to use the space for support or to learn how to sew as a primary or secondary source of income.

“[Sew Hope] really just gives you a place in a community where people come together and accomplish a task,” Davis said. “It’s just a nice place to have an outlet to just relax and focus on something other than your problems.”

Photo by Wiley Price/St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Kacie Long

Kacie Long began sewing in 2016 for a living and for fun. During the coronavirus pandemic she saw how people of color could therapeutically benefit from sewing, so she opened Sew Hope Community Sewing Room.

Photo courtesy of Kacie Long

Sew Hope Community Sewing Room in north St. Louis County offers sewing, quilting and craft classes. Participants can use the space to create projects that can help heal from past traumas.

Connecting the dots of Days’ delay; Roberts Jr.’s KMOV defense, $100K settlement raises more questions

More than nine months have passed since St. Louis County Council Chairwoman Rita Heard Days first introduced Bill No. 201, 2021, which included the fulfillment of St. Louis County’s legal obligation to issue municipal bonds for much-needed renovations and repairs to the America’s Center convention center complex. At Tuesday’s Council meeting, the bond issuance bill finally passed 6-1, with Councilman Ernie Trakas as the lone hold out. The delay had been watched closely by local media, as the County has been on the hook for its half of the America’s Center expansion funding since 2019. A deal cut by Days’ predecessor, the late councilwoman, Hazel Erby, included the construction of a North St. Louis County recreation center as part of the bond package. However, the agreement included only a mechanism to fund the North County rec center project -- not to design and build it. Further complicating the rec center’s construction was Erby’s agreement that funding would come from a county hotel tax, which saw a sharp decline in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And this was the exact basis that Days used to stall the County Council’s final vote on the bond issuance bill. Since July 2021, Days flexed and wielded her power as Council Chairwoman to block a vote on the bond issuance and to conceal the details of the publiclyfunded project, threatening the viability and future of tourism in the St. Louis region. But unless you were paying very close attention to a recent Post-Dispatch article, you may have missed a subtle quote by Clayco lobbyist (and former mayoral chief of staff) Jeff Rainford, commenting on the delay. Quoting from the article, Rainford affirmed that Clayco founder Bob Clark was “no longer fighting the convention center expansion.” As noted in Days’ MEC campaign finance reports, Rainford donated $1,600 to her campaign in 2021 - with the first contribution only a few weeks after Days introduced Bill 201, 2021.

The public, however, has been unaware that Clayco was fighting against the County’s legal obligation to advance the regional development project, primarily due to Days’ lack of transparency around the project. Emails produced under

a Sunshine request revealed that Days had been in contact with developer Larry Chapman of Seneca Commercial Real Estate, despite refusing to share any details on the rec center

project or even the identity of who provided cost estimates for the development. Until those emails were revealed, constituents were prevented from knowing most details on public funding for the $40 million project. This revelation, quietly tucked into the body of a longer article, illuminates some of Days’ financial reasons for delaying the issuance of the bonds for nearly the entire current legislative session of the County Council – but to what end?

As a result of Days’ delay, the region has lost an estimated $30 to $50 million in anticipated convention revenue, according to Explore St. Louis, the marketing organization responsible for selling St. Louis and St. Louis County as a convention, meeting and leisure destination. Also, according to regional industry insiders, contractors are hesitant to bid on and sign contracts for America’s Center because of funding concerns.

These unwarranted delays also mean that some scheduled meetings might cancel if there is continued uncertainty about the construction schedule. This also shortens the opportunity to book new business to replace any cancellations.

• • •

Last week, dozens of protesters gathered outside of a private Central West End neighborhood during Steve Roberts Jr.’s congressional campaign launch to call attention to the multiple sexual assault allegations against the current Missouri state senator. In response, former Congressman Lacy Clay -- who was soundly defeated by current Congresswoman Cori Bush -- stepped out of political retirement to make remarks to the Post-Dispatch at his street sign dedication over the weekend and Roberts even sat down with KMOV to “clear his name.” During his interview, Roberts

denied allegations the late Cora Faith Walker made against him, of drugging and assaulting her. He dismissed the protesters outside his fundraiser as “Cori Bush supporters.” No one from Congresswoman Bush’s campaign was present at the demonstration, but here’s a list of some individuals who were: former Clay communications director Steve Engelhardt, who photographed demonstrators on several occasions; St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed; City Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly; controversial developer Paul McKee; and a number of Jefferson City lobbyists and Clay allies.

Roberts’ KMOV interview raised more questions about lawsuits against him, nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), and settlement agreements with his accusers. Roberts released his settlement agreement with Walker, who died in March, but notably did not release his settlement agreement with attorney Amy E. Harms, who was a law student at the time Roberts -- then an assistant prosecutor under former circuit attorney Jennifer Joyce – allegedly sexually assaulted her at a bar in 2015. Harms, who collected hers and Walker’s police reports via open public records requests, stood alongside protesters outside of Roberts’ campaign event and raised issues with both assaults being sent to St. Charles County prosecuting attorney Tim Lohmar to investigate further.

Prosecuting attorneys generally do not ask elected officials from other counties to investigate sexual assault cases within their jurisdictions. So both of Roberts’ cases being sent to St. Charles County within about a year of each other should raise eyebrows. Even though SLMPD arrested Roberts in relation to Harms’ report, Lohmar’s office declined to file charges and cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing without speaking to Harms.

Walker, of course, was unable to defend herself against Roberts’ most recent attacks on her character and credibility.

And KMOV contacted Harms after the station began airing advertisements for the “special” and with only four days to air time -- the bulk of which fell during a holiday weekend and left her with no reasonable time to listen to Roberts’ interview and prepare a response.

Rita Heard Days Jeff Rainford

In direct response to Roberts’ denial of her allegations against him, Harms released her agreement with Roberts to The Intercept, a national publication, which revealed the $100,000 settlement payment by Roberts to Harms. The Roberts campaign said Roberts did not make the payment. Instead an

insurance company made “the business decision” to pay the $100,000, Simonne Kimble deputy communications director for the Roberts campaign sent a statement.

“Here goes Cori Bush and her supporters again…recycling false negative stories in an attempt to distract from her

indefensible voting record. This false allegation was thoroughly investigated by the St. Louis Police Department and an independent prosecutor. It was dropped because it did not happen. In a separate civil matter, against the wishes of Mr. Roberts, an insurance company reached a settlement agreement, which Ms. Harms has now violated. Steve Roberts, nor anyone in the Roberts family, paid anyone a dime.” KMOV’s program omitted the perspectives of Harms and the late Walker and left other questions unanswered, including: Why would Roberts release the agreement with one accuser, who is deceased, and not the other?

Some supporters of the women who have accused Roberts have called for the immediate suspension of his congressional campaign and for his resignation as senator from the Missouri General Assembly. The Missouri Democratic Party has chosen not to take any meaningful action to censure Roberts.

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“Taking Care of You”

Missouri House advances funds for doula training

Program named after Cora Faith Walker

By Rebecca Rivas Missouri Independent

After 28 hours of labor, Adrianne Blakemore remembers the incredible joy she felt when her first son came into the world in 2017. But she also felt completely exhausted. She wished she would’ve had a doula –someone dedicated to caring for the mother during and after pregnancy.

Last year, Blakemore decided to take doula training at Jamaa Birthing Village in St. Louis County, so she could become that coach for families through challenging birthing experiences like the one she had.

n “Cora Faith Walker devoted so much of her life to helping keep moms and kids happy and healthy, and naming this fund in her honor continues her legacy.”

– State Rep. LaKeySha Bosley

At Jamaa Birthing Village, she learned about ancient and modern cultural traditions created to uplift the spiritual, emotional and

physical well-being of an expectant mother and family.

“To be that sacred gatekeeper of a birth room is a wonderful experience,” said Blakemore, who offers her doula services through her own education consulting business.

Jamaa Birthing Village is one of the few places in the state that offers doula training. And if the state legislators approve $500,000 in funding for statewide doula training program, the center and others could see an increase in enrollment.

The additional funding was part of

When politics, public health collide

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

n “This is not the time to declare premature victory over COVID.”

The intersection of politics and public health has led to volatile and divisive outcomes. The seeds of doubt sewn two years ago by then-President Donald Trump have blossomed into full-fledged scenarios where medical scientists are seen as villainous arbitrators of draconian public safety measures that harm the economy.

– Dr. Faisal Khan

Many health officials are ridiculed by right wing media and lambasted at community and at public school meetings. In a bizarre world where some people relied on politicians for leadership during the pandemic, it’s understandable if health officials are hesitant to contradict the political missives of local, state, and federal politicians. Not so for Dr. Faisal Khan, acting director of the St. Louis County Public Health Department. Khan spoke with the St. Louis American after Gov. Mike Parson

ended the state’s emergency responses to the pandemic.

Khan feels he has no choice but to take an oppositional stance, especially after the governor downgraded the state from pandemic status to an “endemic” recovery stage.

“I don’t have any other mode,” Khan said, explaining his conflicting attitude. “This is not the time to declare premature victory over COVID and say the crisis is over. It most certainly is not. The pandemic is still with us.”

To emphasize his concern, Khan pointed to the more contagious Omicron sub-variant, BA.2, which has already become dominant in China, Europe and spreading to the U.S and many other parts of the world.

“Current data nationwide tells us that almost 72% of new cases being diagnosed are related to BA.2, which

See HEALTH, A13

By Akilah Wise Black Health Matters

Depression among Black men is an oft-unspoken pain that deeply affects the health and quality of life of Black people. In fact, the most current review of evidence on Black men and depression suggests a prevalence of five percent to 10 percent. This figure may be much larger, as depression is commonly underdiagnosed. Even more, the failure to address the roots of Black male depression is undermining our communities and keeping us blind to the deep harm of historical and structural racism.

Depressive moods and major depressive disorders are defined as the presence of a low mood, sadness, and reluctance to engage in activities for long periods of time. These symptoms often build upon one another, which makes life even more difficult. The physical and mental problems from depression can seep into all areas of life, including home, work, friends, family, and community.

n Black people living in the United States are subject to greater levels of factors that drive depression, such as poverty and violence.

The sociological risk factors for depression are well-known—income, poverty, employment, childhood trauma—but for Black men and women, these factors are rooted in the greater lived experience of being Black in the United States. “A lot of our [Black people’s] depression comes from our situation as a people,” says Eric Bridges, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Clayton State University who studies depression among Black men. Black people living in the United States are subject to greater levels of factors that drive depression, such as poverty and violence. According to 2014 US Census Bureau data, the poverty rate for Black men ages 18 to 64 years-old was 21 percent. Furthermore, Black youth are exposed to poverty and violence that sow the seeds for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in later life.

According to the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, 38 percent of Black children in the U.S. live in poverty, compared to 22 percent of all U.S. children. While U.S. children are exposed to high

Dr. Faisal Khan, acting director of the St. Louis County Public Health Department, said Gov. Mike Parson’s decision to end the state’s emergency responses to the pandemic is premature, especially for the Black community.

Former state Rep. Cora Faith Walker speaking on the Missouri House floor in 2018. Walker, who became a top aide to St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, died March 11, 2022.

Photo courtesy of St. Louis County Health Department

Photo by Tim Bommel/Courtesy of Missouri House of Representatives

Akilah Wise

“Taking

Care of You”

CDC launches center for forecasting public health threats

Goal to improve outbreak response

NNPA Newswire

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has opened its Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA).

The center seeks to enhance the nation’s ability to use data, models and analytics to enable timely, effective decision-making in response to public health threats for CDC and its public health partners, the CDC said in a statement.

“CFA’s goals are to improve outbreak response using infectious disease modeling and analytics and to provide support to leaders at the federal, state, and local levels,” the statement read. It noted that CFA will also develop a program to provide insights about infectious disease events to the public

Health

Continued from A12

means there’s a high level of community transmission taking place,” Khan warned.

“We simply have no idea what might happen in a few weeks or in a couple of months. This is definitely not the time to send people the wrong message about being complacent and letting our guards down.”

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a subvariant, called BA.2.12.1, an offshoot of the BA.2 version of omicron, now accounts for roughly 1 in 5 new cases nationwide.

The majority of cases in the U.S. are still caused by BA.2., which has been the country’s dominant variant since late March.

Parson’s announcement came at a peculiar time.

According to John Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center, Missouri, to date, has had more than 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases with more than 20,000 deaths.

As part of his pronounced “transition stage,” Parson, a Republican, said the state will “discontinue detailed, coun-

Doula

to inform individual decision-making – the equivalent of the National Weather Service for infectious diseases.

“I am excited we have launched CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics,” said Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, CDC director.

“This new center is an example of how we are modernizing the ways we prepare for and respond to public health threats. I am proud of the work that has come out of this group thus far and eager to see continued innovation in the use of data, modeling, and analytics to improve outbreak responses.”

Walensky added that CFA’s work will be focused on three main pillars: to predict, inform and innovate.

The center has begun to build a world-class outbreak analytics team with experts

ty-level and individual case reporting.”

Last year, the American interviewed several St. Louis County health department officials who commented on the importance of their data-driven work. Khan re-emphasized his department’s role.

“Data-collection happens locally and on the state level. From a public health perspective, the data we collect allows us to characterize the disease and how it’s spreading in our communities and across the state,” Khan said.

Parsons’ declaration will be carried out through the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHS). Local health departments, like St. Louis County’s, can still carry out daily COVID assessments. But not being able to coordinate local and state outcomes, Khan said, can be problematic.

“One of the things DHS will no longer do is collect and report on the metrics that we’ve all been accustomed to following that characterize the pandemic. This means that two years of hard work in strengthening the disease surveillance system will suddenly be mired in confusion and weakness,” Khan explained.

“That (announcement) is disappointing because there

Continued from A12 sent shockwaves through the St. Louis community, where she was seen as a champion of health equity, reproductive rights and social justice. She was a health care attorney and worked on issues such as Medicaid expansion and public health reform.

the $46.5 billion state budget plan that the House sent to the Senate last week. The funding was proposed by state Reps. Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, and LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, to honor former state representative Cora Faith Walker — a fervent advocate for quality maternal health who died on March 11 at the age of 37.

News of Walker’s passing

Depression

Continued from A12

levels of violence, the rates of victimization and exposure to violence for Black children are exceedingly high. Black children are twice as likely to be sexually abused as white children. In addition to trauma, Black men deal with a constellation of racism-related stressors, like discrimination, stereotypes, mass incarceration, and police

During her time in the legislature, she often offered bills and budgetary amendments to improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants, the sponsors said. “Cora Faith Walker devoted so much of her life to helping keep moms and kids happy and

brutality. These stressors degrade their emotional and mental well-being to various degrees. When paired with social norms and ideals about masculinity that require men to remain “strong,” dealing with this harsh reality raises the risk of depression. Symptoms of depression that are commonly found in men include sleeping too much or too little, loss of focus, anger, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, physical pain, and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms can be

across several disciplines to develop faster, richer evidence to predict trends and guide decision-making during emergencies, the CDC said.

The center is hiring expert communicators to regularly

will be activities the state will no longer invest in or continue which means local health departments will have to pick up the burden and continue to do whatever we can. It’s not ideal and it does not help.”

At the local level, Khan stressed, his team is determined to remain vigilant.

“Unlike others, we don’t have the luxury of hiding in our offices. We serve the public directly, locally. It’s where we live and breathe. So, we have to provide answers and explain disease statistics and the big picture of the disease in our community,” he said.

In backing Parson’s COVID crisis announcement, Paula Nickelson, acting director of DHS, said the decision to reduce reporting on COVID-19 statistics is justified because “the science doesn’t support” such data-driven analysis.

Khan breathed deeply when asked to respond to the comment.

“I don’t understand that statement. All I can do is just laugh at it,” Khan responded.

“If you ask any scientist or epidemiologist, they will say ‘what are you talking about?’”

Data collection not only identifies COVID’s impact and mutations, Khan added, it has also exposed massive dispari-

healthy, and naming this fund in her honor continues her legacy,” Bosley said.

Jamaa Birthing Village in Ferguson — the area Walker represented as a state representative — was one of the programs she strongly supported to ensure that particularly women of color had access to healthy maternal care, Bosley said.

“Doulas perform essential work for new and expecting mothers, helping them through some of the most difficult steps of parenthood,” Bland Manlove said. “I can-

damaging to families and communities. The inability to process anger can lead to family dysfunction and contribute to intimate partner violence. Calling out these behaviors as symptoms of depression can be complicated due to the power or privilege straight cisgender men hold over women, who are likely to be impacted by such behaviors. Such symptoms like anger and substance abuse are normalized behaviors for men. Naming these violent behaviors

share insights with federal, state and local partners and the public.

CFA will also continue to advance the state of the science of outbreak data, models and analytics to improve the

ties in the healthcare system.

“Just look at what the African American population in St. Louis County has experienced. It’s there for all to see, Khan said before citing several examples.

“A recent report stated that older Black Americans (between 65 and 74 years of age) were five times more likely to die (from COVID) than white Americans. Additionally, between April 2020 and June 2021, 1 in 310 Black children lost a parent or caregiver compared to 1 in 738 white children and that’s just one huge disparity.”

Khan also took issue with the governor’s decision to downgrade the virus from a “pandemic stage” to an “endemic” phase.

“The word ‘endemic’ is a scientific term. It means a disease has regressed back to a baseline of what we would consider a normal/usual existence, like West Nile or Lime diseases,” Khan said.

“Are they major threats to public health? Not really. But the problem with COVID is that we don’t know what the baseline normal is yet. So, using that word and saying we’re ‘transitioning to an endemic stage means nothing and it’s frustrating to even

not think of a better use of these funds, nor a better way to honor the late Cora Faith Walker.”

The Department of Health and Senior Services will oversee the doula training program, and details on how the funding will be dispersed is still being “ironed out,” Bosley said. Blakemore said she was thrilled to hear the funding has advanced to honor Walker, particularly on the eve of Black Maternal Health Week.

In 2018, Missouri ranked 42nd in maternal mortality in the nation. Between 2010 and

because of mental health concerns does not absolve men who engage in these behaviors of their responsibility or individual culpability but provides a macro-level contextual picture of the various ways mental health issues can manifest.

Many Black men may hold on to masculine ideals to fight against emotional distress. For example, many Black men believe that gaining financial success, a masculine ideal, will relieve them of oppression. But that isn’t the

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, who recently visited St. Louis and toured the CARE STL Health Clinic, says launch of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics will modernize the way it prepares for and responds to public health threats.

nation’s ability to respond to health emergencies.

“The capabilities and team we are building at the new center will improve decision-making in a health crisis,” said Dr. Dylan George, director for

hear.”

Khan has walked the intersection of politics and public health often in his career in St. Louis health. He worked as the director of communicable disease control and was acting director for the county department of public health from 2010 to 2015. After he was appointed public health director, he resigned in frustration in 2018 after the county council forced him to trim his budget by more than $8 million which, Khan said, held up several contracts with his department.

Last year, Khan was in the news again after he was met with hostility and disdain from audience members and council members at a St. Louis County council meeting where he was invited to talk about reintroducing mask mandates in response to rising COVID cases in the county.

In most cases, Khan said, politics and public health are complementary.

“The two work well together and depend on each other. It is sad and disappointing, however, when the worst public health crisis in over a century has become politicized. This virus does not discriminate. It doesn’t care what your political opinions are. It affects everyone regardless. When people

2017, the maternal mortality rate among Black mothers was nearly 2.5 times higher than for White mothers.

“Black women do have more complications and die at a faster rate than other women,” she said.

Yet, doulas can be a powerful partner for the family in preparing for a healthy birth and advocating for what the woman wants, Blakemore said.

And it’s those racial inequities in maternal health care that led the sponsors to push for the doula training. They cited a 2013 study from the

case. Structural racism in the form of residential segregation, labor market discrimination, a lifetime of negative stereotyping and overcriminalization severely undermines Black men’s economic opportunities In this country, Black people have been stripped of our humanity, including the right to express the full range of human emotions Historically, the enslaved were violently deterred from expressing emotional

operations. “I am proud of the CFA team and excited for the future. Better data and analytics will give us better responses to protect all Americans.”

Planning for the center began in August, with the initial funding of $200 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Thus far, the CDC has awarded $26 million in funding to academic institutions and federal partners to advance modeling and forecasting methodology, with an emphasis on workforce development and health equity.

In December, CFA worked with academic partners to assemble models anticipating the Omicron wave and generated early estimates of Omicron severity, giving leaders an opportunity to bolster the response.

use political rhetoric to attack us, they’re not doing anything useful, they’re actually creating more problems than there ought to be.”

According to Johns Hopkins, less than 60% of Missouri residents are fully vaccinated, a number Khan and other health officials wish was much higher. Only about 30% of Missourians eligible for boosters have had their shots, Khan said. Khan said Parson’s premature announcement of COVID’s ending, will not help boost vaccination results.

“We still don’t know yet what the full picture of immunity related to the full vaccination series looks like because boosters are a necessary part of that series. You can’t just stop at your first or second shot,” Khan said.

“Uptake has been slow and such preannouncements could increase a sense of complacency where people may feel ‘well, I don’t need to get vaccinated or complete my shot series because the chief executive (of the state) said the crisis is over.’

“That is frustrating because we’re in the middle of the pandemic, not at the end of it.” Sylvester Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

Journal of Perinatal Health that noted children of doulaassisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight and half as likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby.

“I’m afraid to have children in Missouri because of the practices, because of the myth that Black women don’t feel pain or we feel pain at a higher threshold,” Bosley said. “Doula training was one of the ways that we knew could increase healthy birthing outcomes.”

distress or mental illness. We must recognize that the dominant ideals of manhood that tell Black men not to be vulnerable are rooted in white patriarchy and oppression. Swallowing the pain of being dehumanized contributes to depression.

Akilah Wise is a public health researcher and journalist who covers public health, medicine, and inequity. She was a research fellow at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Photo courtesy of CDC

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Nutrition Challenge:

Nutrition Challenge:

Is A Serving

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

The Smart Way!

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

Whole!

Mealtime!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

Exercise Game

Day of Spring! Calculate BMI

Weathering the Storm

Tech-Neck

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

Cola

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown

One reason many of us overeat is because we simply aren’t paying attention! Have you ever grabbed a bag of chips while watching a movie, and before you know it the bag is empty? It is very important that we are aware of all of the food that we eat. Here are some ways to think about what we’re eating.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.

> Don’t eat in front of the television. Make sure all of your meals are at the table.

Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Activities:

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.

If you do want a snack while playing a video game or working on your computer, take a break and sit at the table for your snack.

prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day. Celebrate by spending as much time as you can outside and enjoying our planet.

Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

> And as always, eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

Melissa Douglass, MSW

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Sitting at the table allows you to focus on your foods, enjoying the taste. It also helps you stay more aware of your stomach’s “full” signals, reducing the amount you eat.

Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 2, NH 3, NH 5

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Why not recruit some of your friends to clean up a

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl.

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

What are some other “active” ways that you can make a difference at home, at your school and in your community?

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

neighborhood park? Kick off a new recycling program at your school. Or spend an afternoon planting flowers outside your home.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 5

Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

Where do you work? I am an electrophysiology nurse practitioner at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Where did you go to school? I graduated from McMain Magnet High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Kansas University, Kansas City, Kansas.

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling.

Spring brings many wonderful things: flowers, warmer weather, fun late-night outdoor play… but it also brings storms! Remember to use caution when storms are predicted. When a storm hits, follow these safety procedures.

Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

> Watch the local news for storm predictions and updates.

> Have a family plan for where to go if you hear a

Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

Learning Standards: HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

Healthy Snacks

Learning Standards: HPE 2,

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

tornado warning or siren. If you have a basement, that is usually the best place to be!

> Stay away from windows.

> Do not stand under a tree in a storm. Trees can attract lightening.

Also — remember to look people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without

> Never, ever play in flooding water, ditches or storm drains. As a class, discuss other ways to stay safe in a storm.

before they break loose from What

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

> What to do if you are bullied. and design. Discuss the words

holder to keep it at eye level,

Cracker-wiches

Ingredients:

8 Saltine crackers

Easy Hummus Dip

Banana PB Smoothie

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

What does an electrophysiology nurse practitioner do? Electrophysiology is the study of the heart’s electrical system. As an electrophysiology nurse practitioner, I take care of patients with slow, fast, or irregular heartbeats. Why did you choose this career? Growing up, I always loved science and medicine. I also enjoy interacting with others. Being a nurse practitioner allows me to take care of others, teach patients and families, and participate in scientific research for the advancement of healthcare.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city. Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

4 Tbsp Peanut butter

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

2 Large Strawberries

1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans

1 cup blueberries

What is your favorite part of the job you have? The best part of my job is helping patients to understand what is going on inside their bodies. Teaching patients how to take care of themselves and how to prevent problems, makes our communities healthier and stronger.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

1 Garlic clove, crushed

1 Tbsp Honey (optional)

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

pan and bake 30 minutes at

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Students in Rhonda Stovall’s 1st grade class build a model of a house that meets the Three Little Pigs needs and constraints using novel engineering. Qu’ran Muhammad and Samyra Jones work together to create a suitable structure. Gateway MST Elementary is in the Saint Louis Public Schools District.

Photo by Rhonda Stovall.

Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

Bacteria are everywhere! They are the smallest living organism on Earth and they are made of only one cell. That cell is surrounded by a cell wall to protect it. Some bacteria have hairs called pili, and some bacteria have long threads called flagella. Bacteria are divided into three groups, depending on their shape. Cocci bacteria are round, bacilli bacteria are straight, and spiral bacteria have a corkscrew shape. Bacteria live in colonies and can reproduce very quickly, about once every 20 minutes.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will learn about attributes of light.

Materials Needed:

• 4 Plastic Clean Bottles (such as 16-20 ounce water/soda bottles) • Water • Tape

• Scissors • Large Cardboard Box • Food Coloring • Foil • Plastic Cups (to fit over bottles) • Note Book Process:

q Fill the bottles with water. Add food coloring to three of the bottles.

w Trace the bottom of the bottles on the top of the box and cut 4 holes.

e Put tin foil on the top of the box to help light reflect into the bottles.

Bacteria Are Everywhere!

Some bacteria cause disease, like tuberculosis, tooth decay, salmonella, E. coli, cholera, and many more. However, bacteria can also be helpful. An example of helpful bacteria is the bacteria found in yogurt and cheese. This helps our stomach process food. Bacteria can also be used to create some types of medicine. To learn more interesting facts about bacteria, read the “Did You Know” section (below).

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

Create a Light Box!

t Push the bottles into the 4 holes. The top of the bottle will still be above the top of the box. Cover the tops of the bottles with a cup.

y Look through the side of the box and observe how the light looks as it moves through the different colors. Record your findings in the notebook.

Reflect: Which colors tend to absorb light? How do the light rays bend and expand as the sun shines? For more information, read about light refraction.

For A Light Refraction Video, Visit: http://www. dailymotion.com/video/x2rvd3j.

SCIENCE STARS

African -American Inventor and Engineer Emmett Chappelle

Emmett W. Chappelle was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 24, 1925. He grew up on a small farm and helped his family raise cotton and take care of cows. In 1942, Chappelle graduated from Phoenix Union Colored High School. After graduation, he was drafted into the army. He was able to take some engineering courses when he was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program. Later, he was sent to Italy with the All-Black 92nd Infantry Division. Upon his return to the US, Chappelle earned his associate’s degree from Phoenix College, then used his GI Bill of Rights to receive his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, in 1950.

From 1950 to 1953, Chappelle worked as an instructor at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also conducted research. The University of Washington offered him an opportunity to continue his research with them while he earned a master’s degree in biology. Chappelle was an eager student and he continued taking graduate classes at Stanford University. From there, Chappelle went to Baltimore to join the Research Institute for Advanced Studies. He worked on creating a safe oxygen supply for astronauts. He also worked for Hazelton Laboratories and joined NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. His research focused on the study of luminescence (light without heat). He used chemicals from fireflies as part of his method of detecting life on Mars. This method of using light created by living organisms is called bioluminescence. Chappelle used this method to detect bacteria in water.

In 2001, Chappelle retired from NASA. He has fourteen patents, and has written more than 35 scientific publications. He has been honored as one of the top 100 African-American scientists and engineers, has received an Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal from NASA, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, in 2007.

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

r Cut a hole in the side of the box to look inside.

MATH CONNECTION

In today’s biography, you learned about a method that helped make water safe to drink. Water is a liquid that is measured in ounces, cups, pints, etc. Use this chart to answer the following questions.

8 oz = 1

=

= 1 gallon

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can make deductions and

x Elizabeth bought a ½ gallon of lemonade for her birthday party. She has 5 guests. If each guest is given 1 cup of lemonade, how many cups of lemonade will be left?

c Steven chose a gallon of milk at the store. If he uses 2 cups of milk for a

z Water is essential for good health. You should drink 8-10 cups of water per day. If you drank 8 cups of water, how many ounces of water did you drink?______ How many pints of water did you drink? ______ How many quarts of water did you drink? ______ How many gallons of water did you drink?

DID YOU KNOW?

There is an average of 4 pounds of bacteria in a human body.

Researchers have found 1,458 new types of bacteria in belly buttons. A dollar bill has 3,000 types of bacteria.

recipe and drinks 2 cups of milk, how many quarts of milk does he have left?

v How many ounces of fluid are in one pint? ______

b If you have a 16-ounce sports drink, how many pints do you have?

Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve a word problem. I can covert units of liquid measurement.

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One — the newspaper can be written a variety of ways. Can you find an example of a numeral, a number written as a word, a decimal, a percentage, a fraction, a roman numeral? Can you find an example of a metric number? Explain how the numbers were used in the newspaper.

Activity Two — Circle 12 words in the newspaper that begin with a capital letter. Discuss why each word begins with a capital letter. Then, identify which of those words are proper nouns. Divide the proper nouns into categories of person, place, thing, or idea.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify

Digital divide damaging region, acute in low-income areas

A study commissioned by the Regional Business Council and St. Louis Community Foundation concludes that the digital divide is felt throughout the region, but especially in communities with large African American populations.

‘Cohesive

effort’ needed to shrink gap

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

With the digital divide threatening to become a communications canyon, a report commissioned by the St. Louis Community Foundation and Regional Business Council (RBC) concludes the region must take immediate action to reduce the gap.

According to the St. Louis Digital Divide study, “the region must address service and device affordability, coverage and quality gaps within its technical infrastructure, and provide digital training and support for many.”

Prepared by the Center for Civic Research and the accounting firm Ernst & Young, the study shows that poverty plays a role in nearly half of St. Louis and St. Louis County households face at least one digital divide aspect.

n Prepared by the Center for Civic Research and the accounting firm Ernst & Young, the study shows that poverty plays a role in nearly half of St. Louis and St. Louis County households face at least one digital divide aspect.

Reducing that number “will require investment to ensure adequate long-term connectivity,” the report states.

“What was once considered primarily an issue of urban and rural divide has significant impact on urban and suburban families in our

region.”

“We have known for more than a decade there is an incredibly serious divide between those who have digital access and the technical knowledge to use it, and those who do not,” Kathy Osborn, Regional Business Council president and CEO, said in a release.

“The pandemic highlighted how serious the problem is not only for school children who lost nearly a year of education, but also for parents required to work from home, and others — particularly seniors, who had to access services like healthcare online.”

Sharonda Hardin, University City School District superintendent, said the digital divide will grow wider for students, especially those in underserved communities, without action.

Wealth building a foundation for Black community

By Deborah Bailey The Afro Newspapers

The economic “wealth gap” between African American and white communities is acknowledged and a renewed effort is taking place by individuals in Black communities to build wealth.

“We have to get comfortable talking about challenging issues like the racial wealth gap,” said Erika James, the first Black woman dean of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

“When everyone in our community is able to participate in the economy in meaningful ways, our entire society benefits.” Wharton is a partner in the NinetyToZero initiative. It includes national CEOs, businesses, nonprofit and philanthropy organizations, and universities. Its goal is “to combat the racial wealth gap,” which could increase the U.S. Gross Domestic Product by $1.5 trillion in the next 10 years.

“Racial wealth inequity is a threat to child well-being and America’s future,” said Rev. Starsky Wilson, Children’s Defense Fund president and CEO.

“Institutions committed to the promise

PeoPle on the Move

Crystal Grant named senior ops manager

Missouri American Water recently named Crystal Grant as senior operations manager – St. Louis. In this position, she oversees field customer service and the construction and maintenance teams throughout St. Louis County, the largest community served by the company. Grant has been with the American Water family for 24 years. Grant holds a bachelor’s degree in business, bachelor’s degree in computer science, and master’s degree in teaching from Webster University.

LeNoir named principal of Danforth Elementary

Riverview Gardens School District named Dominic LeNoir as the new principal at Danforth Elementary for the 2022-2023 school year. LeNoir will be tasked with providing instructional leadership and direction to support the professional growth of faculty and staff to achieve positive educational change at Danforth. He will also develop and implement plans for meeting the educational needs for scholars. LeNoir previously served as an assistant principal at Riverview Gardens High School.

Clinkscale new chair of Zoo Park Museum Dist.

Darnetta Clinkscale

The Board of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District recently elected new officers and introduced its newest board members. Darnetta Clinkscale, patient care director, BJC Healthcare (retired) was named chair. The Zoo Museum District was created in 1971, when St. Louis County and City citizens voted to establish a new governmental entity to support its cultural institutions. The Mission of the Zoo Museum District is to represent the taxpayers of the District in the careful oversight of the financial affairs of its subdistricts who represent the Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, and Saint Louis Zoo.

STL Construction Forum hires Hayes

The St. Louis Construction Forum has announced that Howard Hayes, Director of St. Louis County’s

Howard Hayes

robust employment and economic growth. Hayes is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of St. Louis University.

Photo courtesy of RBC

Starsky Wilson,

Photo by Wiley Price

Crystal Grant

Dominic LeNoir

Digital

Continued from B1

“We know that economics and race make a big difference, the digital divide is exacerbated by these factors. COVID magnified the problem because of in-home learning. Even if you give a child a [computer], if the home does not have adequate [internet] service there is a problem,” Hardin told The St. Louis American

The study features five components of the digital divide:

Coverage: Fiber internet is currently the best available way to ensure a “future-proof” connection. Between 250,000 to 300,000 households in the city and county would require an upgrade. Fiber internet availability is limited in the most economically disadvantaged areas of the region.

Quality: Coverage and (high-speed broadband) quality differences exists in St. Louis. Sizeable portions of the study area exhibit low levels of competitive intensity. Speed test results imply widespread broadband service deficiencies on a more local basis.

Service Affordability: Approximately 150,000 households in the city and county struggle to afford high-speed broad band service. The problem is acute in the city and North County because of the

Wealth Gap

Continued from B1

of Black children and families must push beyond public statements to concrete action to close the wealth gap.”

From 2011 through 2020, Wilson was president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation, a faith-based philanthropy for child well-being and racial justice in St. Louis.

In a recent report issued by the US Federal Reserve, DMV economist Akila Forde Black stated the wealth gap is increasing.

“Hispanic or Latino households earn about half as much as the average White household and own only about 15 to 20% as much net wealth,” she and co-author Aditya Aladangady write in the report on the Racial Wealth Gap.

Seminars, social media posts and corporate and community resources across the nation are connecting with Black communities to change this picture.

“We tend to publicize dramatic successes and dramatic failures,” said Granville Sawyer, director of the MBA program at Bowie State University.

number low-income households.

Device Affordability: A quarter of city households do not have a computer, or only have a smartphone. In some North city neighborhoods, the rate tops 30%. Approximately 90,000 of city and county households cannot afford adequate devices.

Mentoring: Students, families, and an estimated 100,000 adults need some form of digital literacy or mentorship engagement. Challenges are more common among older individuals. A Pew survey indicates that around 60 percent of individuals aged 75 or older have low tech readiness.

The “vast majority” of city and county residents face at least one of these five components, the study concludes.

Low-income areas (households with an average income of $35,000 and below) often face three or more barriers. Almost 55 percent of the population live in areas meaningfully impacted by two or more digital divide pillars.

“The response to these challenges will take an even more concentrated effort from organizations, politicians, schools and businesses,” Hardin said.

“We have to prioritize who needs the most, it will take a cohesive effort.”

The report estimates investments needed to shrink the digital divide:

“The majority of us are in between and need practical tools and support to move forward financially. African Americans have to focus on investing in financial assets as well as material assets like houses and property.

Sawyer said wise investment is a path to financial independency.

“The average annual compound rate of return on the New York Stock Exchange is 9.6%. If you can invest $200 per month over 40 years, you will be a millionaire,” he added.

But only 33.5% of African Americans own stock, according to a 2019 Federal Reserve Report. Sawyer encourages African Americans to get started with a portfolio either through an employer or independently through an investment management company.

“A well-diversified portfolio of financial assets; stock, mutual funds. That’s as low of a level of risk as you can get but will help you save more than a basic savings account,” Sawyer said.

Build emergency fund

More than 73% of African Americans reported the inabil-

The St. Louis County Library GrandPad tablet program has received $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funding from St. Louis County to assist residents over the age of 75 stay connected with the world.

ity to cover expenses for three months in an emergency, according to an April 2021 Pew Research Poll. The pandemic has impacted Americans overall in this category with only 4 in 10 Americans of all backgrounds reporting the ability to manage a $1000 emergency expense right now without using the charge card.

“Create an emergency fund,” Sawyer said. “If you can’t afford three months of expenses, put away $1000 because the emergencies will come,” he said.

“If you keep using the credit card for unanticipated expenses, you are borrowing against your future money to pay that card back,” Sawyer added. Get a bank account, insurance

More than 17% of African Americans are without traditional bank accounts compared to approximately 7% of Whites, according to the FDIC. In addition, Black banks, credit unions and other financial institutions have declined from a record 134 in 1934 to a current 44. A 2020 study by Haven Life found that African Americans have a third of the insurance coverage of their white counterparts. The National African American Insurance Association, with chapters in 18 cities, is working to help African Americans ensure their families understand how to build wealth through life insurance.

Mindset matters most Sawyer advises that the first thing needed to make personal financial changes is to focus on a mindset that’s ready to sustain a change for the better.

“Make room in your life for focus, discipline and consistency,” he said.

“There’s going to be many times when your faith is tested on the road to building wealth,” asserts Sawyer. “But the net will not appear until you leap.”

The St. Louis American staff contributed to this report

Photo courtesy of St. Louis Public Library

Sports

InSIdE

SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

St. Louis American Boys ‘Fab Five’

Rob Martin is The St. Louis American ‘Player of the Year’

Selecting the 2022 St. Louis American Boys “Fab Five” All-Star Basketball Team was not a layup because the region is laden with top-notch players. The five All-Stars named to the first team represent an abundance of talent and versatility on the court.

Standout senior point guard Rob Martin of CBC leads the team and is joined in the backcourt by senior Brian Taylor of DeSmet. The terrific trio of senior Robert Lewis of Cardinal Ritter, and juniors Macaleab Rich of East St. Louis and Kennard Davis Jr. of Vashon round out the frontcourt.

Kennard Davis Jr. (Vashon): The 6’6” forward led the Wolverines to their second consecutive Class 4 state championship. The lone returning starter from last year’s title-winning team, he took over as the team’s leader and go-to player. The versatile performer can score inside and be a playmaker on the perimeter. He averaged 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals to lead the Wolverines to a 27-4 record.

Robert Lewis (Cardinal Ritter): The 6’8” forward had a big season in leading the Lions to a third-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament. He consistently dominated games at both ends of the court with his length and athleticism. Lewis averaged 21.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, while shooting 64 percent from the field and blocking 64 shots in leading Ritter to its third consecutive Final Four. He has committed to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Rob Martin (CBC): The 5’11” guard is the St. Louis American Player of the Year after leading the Cadets to the Class 6 state championship. His speed, quickness, and ability to score were often dominant in games. A clutch performer, Martin often took over in the fourth quarter of tight games. “Li’l Rob” averaged 20.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 49 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range. He recently signed with Indiana State University.

Macaleab Rich (East St. Louis): The 6’6” forward was a force in leading the Flyers to a 27-6 record and a berth in the Illinois Class 3A Supersectionals. His big, physical stature and athletic ability, along with his versatile skill set, create matchup problems for defenses. He was also good for an electrifying dunk or two during a game. He averaged 19.2 points, 10.9

rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game while shooting 54 percent from the field.

Brian Taylor (DeSmet): The 6’4” senior point guard put together a tremendous senior year in leading the Spartans to a 19-9 record. He was a force all over the court with his size, length, and great defensive instincts. Taylor averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field. He will attend Wisconsin-Milwaukee next season on a basketball scholarship.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Roberts’ rules of order involve more Black MLB players

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who joins Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker as the two Black men who currently hold Major League Baseball managerial positions, used Jackie Robinson Day to rip MLB for its lack of African American players. The annual Society for American Baseball Research report on the number of Black players on MLB rosters on Opening Day was released April 15, the day Robinson is honored league-wide for making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

American players” by cutting the number of rounds in the June draft and eliminating minor league teams.

“When the draft is shortened, it just doesn’t give those same guys the opportunities. It also doesn’t give the organizations the opportunity to seek those guys or identify those guys,” Roberts said.

Alvin A. Reid

It concluded Black players represented 7.2% of the league when the 2022 season began, a decrease from 7.6% in 2021.

“It’s really hit me in the face,” Roberts told the L.A. Times

“When you’re talking about African-American ballplayers, we need to do better. I think about it all the time. It’s really getting uncomfortable.”

Roberts said MLB is reducing opportunities for “undeveloped, raw, talented African

Roberts’ honesty is appreciated, especially because he does not spare himself from criticism.

Roberts’ Dodgers won the 2020 World Series, earning him the privilege of managing the 2021 National League All Star team. MLB moved the game from Atlanta to Denver after Georgia passed draconian, unwarranted voter restrictions. Before the game was moved, Roberts announced he was considering skipping the event, and “blowback” against his comment was immediate.

“In years past, I probably would not have even voiced that,” Roberts said.

“But it’s bigger than just my job. If Jackie Robinson

were just a baseball player, I wouldn’t be here today, and the world would look different. I encourage our players to speak up and be advocates about the issues they believe in, and I have to follow that.”

During the 2020 season, many Dodgers did not want to play the evening after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot by a Wisconsin police officer. Roberts joined his players in protest, and the game was postponed.

“In years past, it would have been, ‘My job is to manage, and everything outside that is not my concern,’” he said.

According to SABR, 18.5% of all players were Black in 1986, an all-time high.

Baker’s career began in 1968, and he played with the late Hank Aaron for seven seasons. His final year was 1986, when Black player participation was at its highest.

“Today, you can count (Black players) on one hand,

and before it was two or three hands,” Baker told mlb.com.

“We made a lot of progress, and in a lot of areas, we haven’t made that much progress. … We’ve already regressed enough; it’s time for some progress.”

The Reid Round

The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2022 induction class and it includes some guy named Curt Flood After a stellar 12-season career as a St. Louis Cardinal, which included three World Series, two championships, three All-Star Game appearances and seven Gold Gloves for defensive excellence, Flood is not in the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame. After challenging MLB’s reserve clause in a landmark lawsuit in 1972 which, while unsuccessful, led to free agency for players and his getting chased from the game he loved by vindictive owners, I repeat, Flood is not a member of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame. …Joining Flood in the 2022 class are Ottis Anderson (football); Don Bliss and Carol

Fromuth (golf); Mark Buehrle and Danny Cox (baseball); Eugene “Deke” Edwards (wrestling); Nikki Ziegelmeyer (ice skating) and Frank Cusumano (media)…Notre Dame will play Tennessee State University in its second football game of 2023, marking the first time the school has played an HBCU team and its first FCS opponent. Both teams have Black coaches. Former Ohio State and NFL star running back Eddie George leads TSU and Marcus Freeman who was hired in December after Brian Kelly bolted for LSU, guiding The Fighting Irish…The MLB Network is airing a new show called “Off Base,” which is aimed at younger baseball fans. Hosted by Lauren Gardner panelists including Hannah Keyser and Xavier Scruggs The show originates from the network’s New Jersey studio, and Scruggs also contributes to ESPN and SiriusXM baseball coverage. This makes me wonder if he remains the Cardinals Diversity and Inclusion consultant, a job he was hired to in April 2021.

Earl Austin Jr.

Rob Martin

Photo courtesy of Dodgerblue.com

Macaleab Rich Brian Taylor

Kennard Davis Jr. Robert Lewis

SLSO receives $1M federal grant for music education programs

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra received $1 million in federal funding to support its music education programs.

The appropriation was made possible by U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and signed by President Biden on March 15.

The funding is from the Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Education Innovation and Improvement Fund, which is part of the federal appropriations bill. The appropriation was awarded through a Congressionally Directed Spending Request made by the SLSO to Blunt.

The SLSO will use these restricted funds to ensure ongoing access to music education resources for students, teachers, and schools throughout the St. Louis region and across the country.

“This award will support the

Qualified

12-month repayment plan by making a 10% down payment.

“The decision to extend the 10% down payment option was

SLSO’s music education programming, a cornerstone of the organization’s mission since 1921,” said Marie-Hélène Bernard, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra President, and CEO. “Music education is vital to learning success and has the power to help build connections between people, ideas, and the greater world. We thank the Senator for sharing our vision to support teachers, students, and families.”

The funding will also help the SLSO expand its digital education platforms—an area of programming which has seen exponential growth in the past two years, engaging and connecting teachers, students, and families worldwide.

The SLSO reached students and teachers in 42 states and 15 countries in 2021, introducing six new virtual programs that connected with more than 65,000 students in 565 schools.

Ameren Illinois offering repayment plan, energy assistance

made in response to economic hardships some customers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of higher natural gas supply costs,” said Joe Solari, VP of Customer Experience, Ameren Illinois. “We want to

make sure that our customers have every avenue of support available to maintain essential energy services.” The offering is available for customers who apply by July 31. In addition to the repay-

ment plans, approximately $150 million in utility bill assistance is available through the state-administered Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers whose incomes are at or below

200% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for assistance. Customers can apply for assistance through May 31, 2022. To establish a payment plan, customers can self-serve through the Ameren Illinois

Arts and Education Council Grant applications open through May 5

The Arts and Education Council is currently accepting applications for its Operating Support Grants – which provides ongoing, unrestricted support to arts organizations whose programming supports the goal of the Arts and Education Council to drive community impact.

“We’re excited to open this grant application to a larger pool of arts organi-

zations in our region than ever before,” said Jessireé Jenkins, Arts and Education Council Manager of Grants and Programs. “This year, arts nonprofits within our 16-county bi-state region with annual operating budgets of $250,000 or more are eligible to apply. Emerging from a two-year pandemic, arts organizations of all sizes need unrestricted funds to grow

and thrive, creating a vibrant arts community. We’re grateful to our donors who make this support possible.”

The grants are made possible by contributions from thousands of individuals, corporate and foundation donors to the Arts and Education Council’s annual fund.

Operating Support Grants provide unrestricted funding to help strengthen infrastruc-

ture, build sustainability, and grow outreach programs.

To be eligible for an Operating Support Grant organizations must have a primary mission to provide programs or activities in areas directly concerned with arts, arts education or cultural heritage for the public with active programming for most of the year, operate within the Arts and Education Council’s

16-county bi-state region, have a 501(c)(3) tax status for three or more years and operate under board-approved annual budgets of $250,000 or more. Additionally, organizations should meet all other criteria and requirements as outlined in the Operating Support Guidelines.

For specific criteria and application information, visit KeepArtHappening.org/

Students awaiting the concert portion of the St. Louis Symphony College Connections program at HarrisStowe State University in 2019.

OperatingSupport Applications for Operating Support Grants are due May 5, 2022, at 5 p.m. central time. A volunteer grant panel comprised of the Grants and Programs Committee of the Arts and Education Council’s Board of Directors determines grant awards. Awardees will be notified and announced in June.

Photo by Eric Dundon

Living It

History and hip-hop collaboration shines in ‘Hamilton’

Delightful St. Louis return of Broadway phenomenon leaves little to be desired

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Until Lin-Manuel Miranda got his hands on a copy of the eponymous Ron Chernow biography, Alexander Hamilton was essentially an unsung hero among America’s founding fathers. But through Miranda’s hip-hop and pop infused translation of American History, he created a cultural phenomenon with Hamilton

The national tour of the Broadway smash returned to St. Louis last week for a month-long engagement at The Fox Theatre. It runs through May 15.

n As the ensemble settles into the performance, they lean into letting their own embodiments of the roles shine through – and the production is all the better for it.

Hamilton’s entire life story rivals a Shakespearian tragedy. And through the musical, Miranda uses Hamilton’s role in the fight for independence to enable sel determination to decide the promise. Miranda also shows the price that was paid for that promise – the emotional toll, ethical contradictions and tragic consequences are presented as par for the course among those leading the charge of a country’s liberty from it’s colonial rule.

His interpretation of Hamilton’s life as it relates to America’s origins as an independent nation is simply stunning. And the most recent St. Louis leg of the tour is on brand with the original production. The local run showcased just how powerful Hamilton can be in the hands of a talented cast who can engineer a musical experience which holds its own against the wellknown production that featured performers who have since gone on to become household names.

Hamilton is so engaging that the bits of revisionist history and moral grace afforded to

the least deserving of the founding fathers are quickly forgiven. The production reinforces the scope of hip-hop by applying the art form to an 18th century struggle for national independence. And similar to the best of the genre, this remix of American history manages to resonate deeply with everyone who experiences it – from Baby Boomer to Gen Z. Those who grew up with hip-hop will see the parallels between the rise of the genre and the rise of our nation. They will instantly align themselves with the ambitious group of young people with their own swagger and value system that drives them to build something

that changes the world. And both America and its cultural contribution of hip-hop ascend to – and maintain – the status of global superpower. Hamilton would be an easy show for an ensemble to ditch the heavy lift of administering a unique experience and strictly adhere to the blueprint provided by the Grammy and Tony Award-winning original cast.

That’s how things seemed to start – at least with the singing

Washington D.C. mural completed April 14

Vibrant Ketanji Brown Jackson Mural celebrates power of Black women

By Nadira Jamerson

Word In Black

Washington D.C.’s 14th Street has long been known as a hub of creativity and community it’s home to the legendary bookstore and cafe Busboys and Poets and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. And now the neighborhood’s residents and visitors will have a visual reminder of the groundbreaking accomplishments of one of DC’s own: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

That’s because a mural in honor of Judge Jackson’s historic confirmation to the Supreme Court has just been completed at the intersection of 14th and S Streets NW in Washington, D.C. The final piece features Judge Jackson illuminated in swirls of yellow, blue, and purple, as she sits above Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary.

“Black women are often disregarded or ignored,” says muralist Nia Keturah Calhoun, the creator of the public art.

“The opportunity to show reverence to two

Black women in Chocolate City on a mural is amazing. We need more Black women on walls in D.C., and in the world, period.”

Unlike most murals which can take months to plan and execute, Calhoun only had a few weeks to design and paint this mural in celebration of Judge Jackson. Immediately following Judge Jackson’s confirmation, she received the call to start designing

portions of the show early on in act

These moments lead one to instantly commit the unfair act of comparing the voices and nuances with the original cast recording and film presentation of the Broadway production that streamed via

from Sista SCOTUS, an organization founded by four Black women in the District: Kim Tignor, Brandi Colander, Sabriya I. Williams, and April Reign. The organization’s main goal — to create greater equality in America by ensuring a Black woman justice on the US Supreme Court — was

Photo courtesy of Maya Pottiger

Above: The national tour of the Broadway smash “Hamilton” returned to St. Louis last week for a month-long engagement at The Fox Theatre. It runs through May 15.

Photos by Joan Marcus

Warren Egypt Franklin in the role of Thomas Jefferson in the St. Louis leg of the national tour of ‘Hamilton.’

Beyond the surface.

At Maryville University, we strive to make our campus a welcoming place for everyone. Students are encouraged to be themselves and embrace diversity as an opportunity to grow personally. We ask students, like Tristen Moore, to dig deep.

In his first year of college, Tristen has gotten to know students from a variety of backgrounds — races, religions and ethnicities different than his own. This range of diversity among his peers has changed the way he sees the world, encouraging him to develop strategies to become a better advocate for himself and a better ally for others.

EMBRACE. INCLUDE. EXPAND.

and programs, said contributions from thousands of individuals, corporate and foundation donors to the annual fund, creates resources needed to reinforce infrastructure, improve sustainability and cultivate outreach programs.

“We’re excited to open this grant application to a larger pool of arts organizations in our region than ever before. This year, arts nonprofits within our 16-county bi-state region with annual operating budgets of $250,000 or more are eligible to apply,” Jenkins said.

“Emerging from a two-year pandemic, arts organizations of all sizes need unrestricted funds to grow and thrive, creating a vibrant arts community. We’re grateful to our donors who make this support possible.” Eligibility requirement for the Operating Support Grant include having “a primary mission to provide programs or activities in areas directly concerned with arts, arts education

or cultural heritage for the public with active programming for most of the year, operate within the Arts and Education Council’s 16-county bi-state region, have a 501(c)(3) tax status for three or more years and operate under board-approved annual budgets of $250,000 or more. Additionally, organizations should meet all other criteria and requirements as outlined in the Operating Support Guidelines.”

Applications for Operating Support Grants close at 5 p.m.

A volunteer grant panel consisting of the Council’s Board of Directors Grants and Programs Committee will select the grant awards. Winners will be announced in June.

For specific criteria and application information, visit KeepArtHappening.org/ OperatingSupport. For additional information contact Jessireé Jenkins, Manager of Grants and Programs at Jessiree-J@KeepArtHappening.org or 314.289.4015, or Eli Wennstrom, Grants and Programs Specialist at EliW@KeepArtHappening.org or 314.289.4012.

Do you know someone who has been impacted by gun violence?

Have you witnessed a violent crime or incident? If

Have you personally been impacted or injured due to a violent crime or incident?

Keith Williamson, Centene Charitable Foundation at Centene Corporation president, welcomed guests to the 2020 Arts and Education Council St. Louis Arts Awards. After a two-year pause, the celebration of St. Louis art will be held May 23, 2022 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Applications for the Council’s Operating Support Grant Program are open, with a deadline of May 5, 2022.

Photo by Suzy Gorman/ Courtesy of A&E Council

By Shannon Sloan For the St. Louis American

All congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the world could again hold in-person meetings starting April 1

“Just being back in this building –it feels like this is where I’m supposed to be,” said Kristina Williams, who has been attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall on Park Avenue since 1998.

For most of the last two years, buildings for worship were closed globally due to the risks associated with meeting in person. Jehovah’s Witnesses in the U.S. also suspended their public ministry on March 20, 2020.

Since that time, they have continued their ministry through letters

Religion

By Rev. Preston T. Adams III

“Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Human beings are familiar with the experience of day and night. Light and darkness are used as metaphors. Light symbolizes what is good. Dark symbolizes what is not good or evil. If a person doesn’t understand something, he or she is said to be “in the dark.”

Conversely, if you have an understanding regarding a particular matter, you are considered

and phone calls while holding twiceweekly meetings in a virtual format.

Average attendance at these meetings exceeded 1.5 million each week in the U.S., even though there are fewer than 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in some 13,000 congregations.

“There is a collective shout of joy among Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world right now,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“While we have prospered in many ways as individuals and congregations using technology to bring us together, nothing can adequately replace being together in person. We have longed for this moment for the better part of two years.”

The move back to in-person meet-

“enlightened.”

In scripture, light speaks of God (1 John 1:5) and the darkness speaks of sin and Satan (John 3:19-21). Sinners perform deeds of darkness. While God’s people should live as “children of light.” The Book of Revelation tells us there is no night in heaven (Revelation 21:25). Unbelievers are lost in darkness (John 12:46). Believers are called “out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

In the eighth chapter of John, the religious leaders bring a woman to Jesus who has been caught in the act of adultery. Jesus initially ignores the accusers. As the story progresses,

for these special events will have a powerful effect on the worldwide congregation.”

Over the past six months, many Kingdom Halls have been equipped with the required technology to hold a productive meeting that allows for in-person and remote attendees, all of whom can participate in the discussions.

One of Williams’ favorite aspects of returning to in-person meetings is being able to hug fellow congregants again.

“Just to be able to see people and feel them, to know they’re beside you, looking for the same exchange, is beautiful,” Williams said.

“I told somebody that I was going to bring my sleeping bag because I didn’t want to have to leave again.”

ings coincides with two global events being held in all 120,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses during the month of April. The annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ was

Jesus passes sentence upon the accusers with a profound statement: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

How did the accusers respond? By leaving. John 8:9 notes: “Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

In John 8:10-11, Jesus does not condemn the woman. Instead, he challenges her to go and sin no more. John 8:12 is the pivotal text: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.’”

held on April 15, 2022.

“The timing of resuming in-person meetings could not be better,” Hendriks said.

“Bringing everyone back together

the world. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is the light that dwells in darkness. God is light and Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

In this season of Lent, it is crucial that we remember Jesus is the light of

But it is also important that we remember: “… whoever follows Jesus will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” Our present-day world is full of darkness, just as the world was in Jesus’ day. Pain, misery, poverty, war, murder, mayhem, abuse, neglect, addictions, political and religious corruption, and the continued oppression of the poor and disenfranchised are all darkness. Our joy is found in believing that Jesus is the light of the world. There are two benefits to following Jesus. First, you will not walk in darkness. As a traveler follows the light on a dark

As of now, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no plans to resume their public ministry, though their “alternative” ministry continues. Since the start of the pandemic through November 2021 in the U.S. alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent more than 400 million hours in virtual Bible studies, writing letters of comfort to their neighbors and making phone calls. “No time was wasted in the past two years,” Hendriks said.

night, it is our duty to follow Jesus. It is our duty to submit ourselves to him. His way leads to happiness and to the light.

Secondly, you will have the “light of life.” False lights lead to destruction. But Christ is the true light. It is not enough to just look at his light. It is not enough to just believe in his light. We must follow his light and walk in it daily. Everyone who follows Jesus will have the “light of life.” The “light of life” is that knowledge and enjoyment which leads to fulfillment in this life, and to the fulfillment of everlasting life.

Preston T. Adams III is senior pastor at Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis.

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN OPERATOR TRAINEE

To

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Starting hourly rate is $29.63. Can earn as much as $46.97 after 3 years of service.

To apply, please go to Phillips66.jobs or apply directly at https:// career4.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=55859&company=Phillips66

To learn more about the various jobs at the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, please enjoy this video created by our Black Employee Network: https://vimeo.com/699156053 NO RESUMES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE REFINERY.

www.stlamerican.com

Public Administrator

21st JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF MISSOURI

DEPARTMENT: Public Administrator

NOW HIRING PART-TIME RN for In-Home Health Care Agency Please fax resume to 314-395-7932

SERVANT LEADER INTERN

General: The Public Administrator (PA) is charged with the duties of administering decedent estates, conservatorship estates, and serving as guardian for those matters assigned to the office by the Probate Division. The PA supervises a staff of eight persons including deputy public administrators.

Qualifications: Candidates should possess a Juris Doctorate and be licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri with 3-5 years experience working in probate and possess an excellent working knowledge of probate law and practice. In addition to probate issues, the PA will face challenges related to property interests in marketable securities, real property, contracts, insurance, and other issues. The PA must also be able to navigate through elder law issues such as Medicaid program eligibility, disability law, and special needs trusts. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and are required to be bonded.

Duties: The PA must supervise staff including the management of payroll and benefits, in conjunction with the Circuit Court. Each position in the office has a job description and performance criteria for individual review and evaluation of the staff.

The administration of decedent and conservatorship estates can require a great deal of time marshalling assets. The PA may spend many hours making an inventory of safe deposit boxes, collecting bank deposits, sifting through personal papers, and making inquiries regarding additional assets. The PA should retain the services of contract agents when possible to assist in the processing of personal property.

The PA must make reasonable efforts to assure that tax returns have been filed and tax obligations paid. This may require additional inquiry with the Internal Revenue Service and the assistance of competent tax preparers. The PA is ultimately responsible for proper payment of all expenses of administration, claims and distributions to heirs. The PA will work with members of the Probate Division, attorneys, bankers, real estate agents, social workers, Department of Mental Health employees, physicians, and other mental health providers.

Notice and How to apply: Interested parties should send their cover letter and resume to the following address or via email addressed to: St. Louis County Family Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105, or to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov on or before May 5, 2022. At the recommendation of the probate judge a vote will be made by the court en banc and forwarded to the Saint Louis County Council for confirmation. The current appointment will be made for the current partial term which expires December 31, 2024. Subsequent appointments may be renewed by the court en banc for a 4 year term thereafter. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

Deaconess Foundation will sponsor a network of Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs this summer. The seven-week program provides summer enrichment for children and families. College-age young adults and recent college graduates play a key role as facilitators in the CDF Freedom Schools program in the position of Servant Leader Intern (SLI).

The Servant Leader Intern’s primary responsibility is to supervise and maintain the safety of children. The Servant Leader Intern will facilitate daily literacy activities; manage classroom spaces; establish and maintain a supportive, structured environment; serve as Harambe leader, afternoon activities facilitator, and field trip chaperone. Starting salary range is $15.00 to $18.00 per hour.

To apply for this position, submit cover letter, resume and references, all as one document, at: https://deaconess.org/joinus

STAFF ATTORNEY (LAW CLERK –FULL TIME & PART TIME)

Description Primary responsibilities for this position include conducting a variety of legal research and writing legal memoranda, judgments, and opinions for judges and court administrators.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be licensed in the state of Missouri. Applicants with judicial clerkship experience are preferred.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY: Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ stlouis. We only accept On-line applications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY: The policy of the Civil Service Commission of St. Louis County is to support fair and equitable employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans’ status or political affiliation. Call the Division of Personnel at (314) 615-5429 for more information on this policy. St. Louis County Division of Personnel, 7th Floor Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 615-5429 Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966 An Equal Opportunity Employer Fax: (314) 615-7703 www.stlouiscountymo.gov

St. LouiS american Career Center St. LouiS

EQUITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT DIRECTOR

Great Rivers Greenway is hiring an Equity and Economic Impact Director. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids to apply.

THE CITY OF JENNINGS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the following positions: Recreation Specialist; Deputy Building Commissioner; Finance Director; Code Enforcement Inspectors, Correctional Officers, Seasonal Parks Crew Laborer; Court Clerk, Recreation Department Administrative Assistant, Public Works Laborer; Building Department Administrative Assistant II; Permit Clerk; Accounting Clerk; P/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Assistant to the City Clerk; P/T Bus Driver; P/T Public Works Laborers; P/T Site Monitor; P/T Concession Stand workers; P/T Umpire; P/T Scorekeeper; P/T Economic Development Assistant. Please see the full job descriptions online at www.cityofjennings.org. Applications are available at the Jennings City Hall or on the website at www.cityofjennings.org

The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

United Way of Greater St. Louis hiring Chief Development Officer. For details on this and other opportunities, please check out https://helpingpeople.org/ careers CONTRACT

SPECIALIST

Contract Specialist. Bachelor’s in Legal Studies.

Resume: ITF LLC

dba ITF GROUP LLC., 11990 Missouri Bottom Rd., Hazelwood, MO 63042

PRE-TRIAL SERVICES

BOND OFFICER

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court seeks applicants for a PreTrial Services Bond Officer. Responsibilities of developing and maintaining relationships with Court’s vendors, departments, and community partners and any pre-trial defendants as assigned. This position requires work on all three shifts, 8am-4pm, 4pm-12am, 12am-8am. Must have degree in law, criminal justice, social work or related area. Salary range is $47,814 -$74,906. Applicants must be at least 21 yrs. of age. Please email resumes to stlca.resumes@courts.mo.gov See www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com for complete job description. EOE

PROBATE COMMISSIONER VACANCY

22nd Judicial Circuit, City of St. Louis, is soliciting candidates for Probate Commissioner. The Court en banc will make the appointment for a term of 4 years. Annual salary $149,723, payable by the State of Missouri. Missouri law requires the Probate Commissioner to possess the same qualifications as a circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state for the three years preceding their selection, residents of the City of St. Louis, Missouri for at least one year, at least thirty years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See Chapter 487 R.S. Mo.). Candidates shall have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in probate law. Questionnaires and instructions to apply may be obtained from the Court’s web page at https://www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com, click “Employment Opportunities”. Materials must be returned to stlca.resumes@courts.mo.gov, before 5 p.m. May 20, 2022. EOE.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEER I

Provide tier 1 technical software, hardware and network problem resolution to all Safety National computer users by performing question/problem diagnosis and guiding users through step-by-step solutions. In addition, will clearly communicate technical solutions in a user-friendly, professional manner and provide one-on-one end-user training as needed. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational. com/careers-page/

FULL-TIME CUSTODIAN/ MAINTENANCE POSITION

Full-time custodian/ maintenance position with rotating weekends Senior Citizen Apartment Complex Experience preferred but not required For an Application: Email; tammy@ alphaterraceapartments. com

CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST

Customer Accounts Specialist. Bachelor’s in Business and Financial Management. Resume: ITF Logistics Group LLC., 11990 Missouri Bottom Rd., Hazelwood, MO 63042

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

CITY OF JENNINGS INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

City Owned Property Auction - IFB #042022

The City of Jennings is seeking sealed bids for the auction of city owned properties. Bid specifications may be obtained from Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Avenue, Jennings, MO 63136 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CST) or via the City’s website at www.cityofjennings.org. Sealed bids shall be delivered to the above address during the period of April 25, 2022 through May 6, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. CST. All bids should be addressed to the attention of the City Clerk. Sealed bids proposals will be opened and publicly read aloud on May 17, 2022 at 10:00 am in the Council Chamber at Jennings City Hall. Please contact Myra Randle, Economic Development Specialist, at 314-388-1164 or mrandle@cityofjennings.org if there are any questions or to request additional information. Also , visit the City’s website for pictures and addresses of the properties.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: THE BRIDGE APARTMENTS

Following up to our advertisement in February, PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the SITE, CORE AND SHELL ONLY for THE BRIDGE APARTMENTS. This is a five story structure located on Delmar Ave scheduled for an August 2022 tentative construction start. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link, if you have not received a bid invitation send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com

The Core and Shell consisting of Site & Civil Drawings, Structural Foundation Drawings and Structural Steel. The last day for questions is currently APRIL/20/22.

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON MAY 11, 2022

Send all questions to Cory Paschen CPaschen@paric.com

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

• 21% African American

• 11% Women

• 3% Other – Hispanic, Asian American, Native American Goals for Workforce (field) participation

• 25% Minority

• 7% Women

• 20% Apprentice

• 23% City of St Louis Resident

All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

POSITION HIRING FOR: INTAKE ASSOCIATE

M-F 8 HOUR SHIFTS

SALARY: $18.00/HR

Justine PETERSEN, a NonProfit focused on credit building, homeownership, and micro-enterprise lending and training is accepting applications for a Business Assistance Manager, a Business Assistance Associate, and an Asset Building Counselor focused on Auto Lending. To apply go to justinepetersen.org/ get-involved/job-opportunities/

CITY OF CLAYTON HIRING FOR FULLTIME POSITIONS

The City of Clayton is hiring for full-time positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY. EOE

ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER

The St. Louis County Library is seeking applicants for a full time Assistant Branch Manager at the Lewis & Clark Branch. This position will assist the Branch Manager with the operation and maintenance of the branch to provide quality Library services to all Library customers. A Master’s degree in Library Science is required. Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Salary: $54,886 plus paid health insurance and vacation. Apply online at https://www.slcl. org/content/employment. Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the 2021 CRS Collector Overlay, Area C, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1831 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors.munisselfservice. com/Vendors/default.aspx until 2:00 p.m. on May 18, 2022.

Plans and specifications will be available on April 18, 2022 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

BID NOTICE

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing a new elevator in the existing headquarters building. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

Project:

HSSU – Innovation Center

Owner: Harris Stowe State University Architect/ Construction

Manager: Lawrence Group/ Navigate

Description: Sitework, paving and new construction of an educational facility in St. Louis, MO. This project is Tax Exempt and Prevailing Wage

MBE Goals: 10%

WBE Goals: 10%

SDVE: 10%

Estimator working on this project is Erik Hankins. Please send all proposals to office@hankinsmidwest.com

LouiS american

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St. LouiS american

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Proposal for Ticket Paper & Envelopes

Proposals will be received by City of Saint Louis Treasurer UNTIL 5:00 pm 5/31/2022

For specific project information, go to https://www.stltreasurer.org/ Request-for-Proposals/

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

> Proposal for Parking Facilities Garage Repair Design Services

> Proposals will be received by City of St. Louis Treasurer UNTIL 3:00PM 4/25/2022

> For specific project information, go to

> https://www.stltreasurer.org/ Request for Proposals/

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org

> Doing Business With Us

> View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids)

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

CROCODILE

ROOM & LIZARD ROOM HVAC RFP 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Crocodile Room & Lizard Room HVAC RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of 4/20/2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

SOLICITING BIDS

Sisters of Lavender Rose is soliciting bids from food service vendors. Bids are for service in the Saint Louis Area (i.e., Hazelwood, Ferguson Florissant).

We are looking for providers to serve CACFP compliant meals for suppers and snacks. The days of operation are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; with additional meals for Saturday and Sunday to be served on Fridays as well. The contract will be for one year with the possibility of renewal. All contracts are subject to review by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

To obtain a bid packet contact; Sisters of Lavender Rose; Telephone: (618) 531-7440 sistersoflavenderrose@gmail.com

Upon contact Sisters of Lavender Rose will provide a physical address to pick up the bid packet. The deadline for bid submission WIll be Tuesday, April 28, 2022 at 11:59p. A public bid opening will take place at 7220 N. Lindbergh on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 10:30a.

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/ WBE/DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following: CP220321 MU Medical Science Building Update Morgue Facility Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com Phone: 573-682-5505

INVITATION TO BID CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER-ST. LOUIS

SERVICES

JANITORIAL

Sealed bids for Janitorial Services at the Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis (part of the Ferguson-Florissant School District) will be received by April 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM CST. Specifications must be obtained from the Ferguson-Florissant School District website: https://www.fergflor. org/domain/2531. Contact Tasmyn Front (314) 521-6205.

CROCODILE ROOM & LIZARD ROOM HVAC RFP 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Crocodile Room & Lizard Room HVAC RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of 4/20/2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

PCI COMPLIANCE CONSULTING SERVICES RFP 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for PCI Compliance Consulting Services RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of 4/20/2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Is soliciting “Request for Qualifications” for Construction Management Services. A single firm will be selected for Construction Management Services as Owners Agent for possible future bond issue project s: The Request for Qualifications will be available on the District Website on April 18th 2022 @ www.webster.k12.mo.us front page and can be accessed under RFP/RFQ icon at bottom of page. Responses to the RFQ will be received by the WGSD Construction Project Manager on Thursday May 9th 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the WG Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. The owner reserves the right to reject all proposals

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC System, Verelle Peniston State School, P r o j e c t N o . E2011-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/19/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

The University of Missouri-St. Louis has an open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a planning and development consulting team to work closely with UMSL’s economic development team in developing a master plan framework to guide redevelopment of a 35-acre parcel located on UMSL’s South Campus into a mixed-use North County Workforce and Business District. A mandatory information session will be on May 3rd at 11am and submissions due at 2:00 PM on May 20th. To view the RFQ go to: https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/fa/ facilities/construction-bids/requestqualifications-north-countyworkforce-and-business

RFQ 2022-102

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Roof and Repair Concrete & Brick, Hearnes Complex Buildings, Fulton State Hospital, P r o j e c t N o . M1803-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/19/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

MOLINE ACRES COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT, 2454 CHAMBERS

Environmental Review in accordance with HUD CDBG Compliant Procedures and Documents per Part 58, subpart E of 24 CFR Part 58.36. RFQ DUE DATE: 2 P.M 4/28/22

DUE TO COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL, ELECTRONIC BIDS ONLY WILL BE ACCEPTED:

TO: Reanglea Roddy, City Clerk, Email: rroddy@molineacres.org

CC: Michele Deshay, Mayor, mdeshay@molineacres.org

CC: Dennis DeShay, Public Works, ddeshay@molineacres.org

CC: Tina Zimmerman, Project Administrator, tmzmarket@icloud.com

FMI-Call Tina Zimmerman at 314-440-3650.

RFQ for a Phase I Environmental Assessment (ESA) at 9953 Lewis and Clark Blvd, STL, 63136.

RFQ DUE DATE: 2 P.M 5/2/22

SEND BIDS:

TO: Reanglea Roddy, City Clerk, Email: rroddy@molineacres.org

CC: Michele Deshay, Mayor, mdeshay@molineacres.org

CC: Dennis DeShay, Public Works, ddeshay@molineacres.org

CC: Tina Zimmerman, Project Administrator, tmzmarket@icloud.com

FMI-Call Tina Zimmerman at 314-440-3650.

BID NOTICE

Kairos Academies (Agreement Number 115-931) is accepting bids for fixed price food service management companies for the close of the 2021-2022 school year and going forward. Bids are due by May 9, 2022 at 12:01 PM. There will be a mandatory walkthrough for all bidders on April 22 at 2:30 PM. For questions and bid specifications please contact Ben Huebner at (314) 252-0602 Ext: 4 or FSMC@ KAIROSACADEMIES.ORG. Kairos Academies reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Kairos Academies is an equal employment and educational opportunity institution.

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!

Disney+. But as the ensemble settles into the performance, they lean into letting their own embodiments of the roles shine through – and the production is all the better for it.

The blend of the harmonies on “The Schuyler Sisters” seemed so keen on matching the original production that it forsakes the vocal strengths and charisma of the trio of singers at hand. But for their solo and leading numbers, each of the voices shined – particularly the higher register of Stephanie Jae Park in her portrayal of Eliza Hamilton.

And much of Jared Dixon’s performance of the widely recognized selection “Wait For It” is lost on him trying to match the tone and pitch of Leslie Odom Jr.’s Tony Awardwinning performance of Aaron Burr. But just when the song is written off as an attempted

carbon copy, he flexes his vocal ability with a powerful run that sets up for a brilliantly executed finale. The pivot into his own personal touches left audiences leaning forward in their seats and thrillingly anticipating what he would do with his next vocal flex – which he did not disappoint at all with the “Dear Theodosia” duet, and every subsequent musical number.

Pierre Jean Gonzalez is strong in the production’s title role – and paired perfectly with Park. But what adds to the wow factor of this production is the strength of the supporting ensemble and how each manages to leave an impression, no matter how small the role. This is especially true of Neil Haskell’s portrayal of King George III.

But the MVP for making the most of his moments on stage goes to Warren Egypt Franklin and his dual performance of Marquis De Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. He plays both roles so differently that it is easy to forget that the same person is performing in each respective part. And the flare

he brings as Jefferson - including the repeated whips of his silly wig – seems to shift the energy of the entire cast as they work to make sure he doesn’t steal the entire spotlight. This is most evident in the “Cabinet Battle” raps between Franklin and Gonzalez. Conroe Brooks gives similar energy when he assumes the role of the ailing James Madison in the second act. While most of the signature songs – including the title song, “My Shot,” “Satisfied,” “Wait For It,” and “Dear Theodosia” – reside within the first act, the second act delivers the bigger punch between the two. It’s probably a bit cliché – and unoriginal – but the most fitting consensus can be found on the list of songs within the production. Hamilton managed to “blow us all away.”

The Fox Theatre’s presentation of Hamilton continues through May 15. For tickets and/or additional information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

met on April 7, the day of Judge Jackson’s confirmation vote. In a statement released after the confirmation, Sista SCOTUS

said that “For Black Americans, specifically Black Women, this represents a major breakthrough in becoming more fairly represented in the policies and laws that shape our country.”

And now it’s a breakthrough that will be remembered and celebrated publicly through Calhoun’s art.

With the help of No Kings Collective, a D.C.-based design collective that creates inspiring murals across the country, Calhoun designed the mural in just one week. She was able to have the finished mural up on the wall only one week after that.

“People were so excited that I think there was really great momentum and energy. People were motivated to get it done really quickly,” Calhoun said.

“A lot of the mural is very dark because it’s representing we had to get through a long period of oppression to get to a Black woman being on the highest court of the land.

“But there is a rising sun coming from the East and it’s shining directly on her because it’s a brand new day.”

Calhoun has been designing professionally for the past eight years, but she only began mural work last year. Creating Judge Jackson’s mural was Calhoun’s first solo mural, and she was grateful for the opportunity to highlight such a pivotal moment in history as her debut.

“It celebrated Judge Jackson’s first, and I got to celebrate my first, so that was a really exciting moment for me,” she says.

Nadira Jamerson is Word In Black digital editor

Photo by Joan Marcus