April 26th, 2018 Edition

‘We demand change’

Students protest on anniversary of Columbine shooting

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St.

Louis American

As thousands of students across the country walked out of their schools on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, about 400 St. Louis high school students from around the region gathered in front of Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley’s office at noon to rally against gun violence.

“We will not rest until not one more person, not one more student, not one more child has to live with the effects of gun violence,” said Peyton Kidkuk, a member of Students Demand Action STL. “We demand change.” They chose Hawley’s office for the target of the protest because he accepts campaign contributions from the National Rifle

n “We are one nation that allows children to go to school and risk their lives. We will not stand for it.” – Alayna Jenkins

Association (NRA), they said. Across the country, the March for Our Lives movement – started by Parkland, Florida students who survived a mass school shooting – is targeting politicians running for office who support the NRA’s agenda to loosen gun laws. The St. Louis students vowed to vote out any politician who accepts campaign contributions from the NRA,

National Democratic leader visits East St. Louis to stump for Kelly

‘Red to Blue’ program hopes to flip Illinois’ 12th Congressional District

By Jessica Karins

For The St. Louis American

New Life Christian Church in East St. Louis got a visit on April 15 from a current congressman and a congressional candidate hoping to win their votes in the 2018 congressional election in Illinois’ 12th district.

Brendan Kelly is running as the Democratic challenger to Mike Bost, the Republican currently occupying the seat. Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran currently serving at the St. Clair County state attorney, said the concerns of Southern Illinois were being neglected by the national political conversation. “Here in the heart of the country

there’s a feeling that the country’s been hollowed out, and the center of the country, both geographically and politically, has disintegrated,” Kelly said. “That’s not a good thing at all for the health of our country and the health of our democracy.” Like the parishioners of New Life,

St. Louis area high school students demonstrate outside the office of Missouri

General

Hawley’s office to rally against gun violence on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting.

The reluctant protestor

Believe it or not, Anthony Shahid does not like to protest –it’s his duty

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Anthony Shahid is a feared man in St. Louis in part because there is no way of knowing what will come out of his mouth next. For decades he has earned the reputation of someone willing to speak truth to power – right to power’s face, possibly while wearing a Ku Klux Klan costume, and often using language you can’t print in a newspaper. But at the end of a long interview with The American about his role in recent protests, Shahid said perhaps the most unbelievable thing yet: “I don’t like to protest.” That’s right. St. Louis’ most visible and notorious protestor does not like to protest. “I just look at it like that’s my son lying in the street,” he said of the police killings of civilians that have driven him to protest again and again. “That’s your son. You’ve got to get out in the streets and protest that.”

Protest is a duty, not a pleasure.

Protest in the St. Louis region garnered national and international attention during the Ferguson unrest, where mostly young people new to protest were caught in the spotlight. It was a Twitterdriven movement, and young protestors who used Twitter the most became best known. But the role of veteran protestors, in particular Shahid, was

Attorney

Josh

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Kaleigha March (7), ZaBren March (6), and Khalil Jackson (6) take a break enjoying snow cones at the Children at the Center Community Fair hosted by the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being Saturday, April 21 in Grand Center.

Richaundra Poe worked her way up from White Castle to management at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

of the Ferguson protest, Anthony Shahid told young protestors, “This will not be business as usual,” urging

Photo by Wiley Price

Kanye speaks on management, Yeezy brand

Earlier this week, it was rumored that Kanye West would be parting ways with his new manager, Scooter Braun, just weeks after he parted with longtime manager Izvor “Izzy” Zivkovic. The rapper took to Twitter to confirm the rumors.

“I no longer have a manager. I can’t be managed,” West tweeted in a thread about his plans to grow the Yeezy brand. “I’m nobody’s client. Yes, I got rid of my last lawyer, why? Because he wouldn’t come to work full time. I also asked my last manager to come work full time for Yeezy. Of course, the last lawyer and manager said no. So now I hired a CEO and CFO. I have two full time lawyers as of now.”

The thread continued with West laying out his ambitious goals for Yeezy.

“We have 160 positions to fill by the end of the year. Yeezy will hit a billion dollars this year. It is the second fastest growing company in history. It is a unicorn on its way to becoming a decacorn. I am currently the single

highest paid person in footwear. That means I make more money on shoes than Michael Jordan,” West tweeted.

“There has been a lot of fake news, so I jut wanted to give you the facts. Yeezy will become the biggest apparel company in human history by working with the most genius level talents and creating product at an affordable price.”

Meek Mill helicopters to 76ers game after being granted bail

According to Celebretainment.com, rapper Meek Mill was released shortly before 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, and took a chopper to Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball game just minutes after he was granted bail.

He had been in prison for several months after being sentenced to two to four years in prison –five months after being convicted of violating the terms of his parole stemming from a drug and weapons conviction in 2008.

Mill met the players in their changing room before the

game, and then walked down the tunnel to applause from the 20,000-strong sold out crowd just after 8pm.

He performed the ceremonial pregame ringing of the bell, which tends to feature a local person of influence ringing a Liberty Bell replica before the tip off and precedes every 76ers home game.

“I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, my attorneys, my team at Roc Nation including JAY-Z, Desiree Perez, my good friend Michael Rubin, my fans, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time,” Mill said in a statement through is lawyer Joe Tacopina. “While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive.”

Williams, who was most recently seen on stage with Beyonce at Coachella, shared her love story with PEOPLE Magazine.

Williams met her husband-to-be in March of 2017, when she attended a spiritual retreat in Arizona run by Johnson, a pastor and life coach who has also worked as a chaplain for pro sports teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and L.A. Dodgers.

“When we met, both of us were in very similar places on a personal level,” says Johnson, who at the time had all but given up dating. “Michelle was coming off the heels of a really bad relationship, and I was just in a place of despair as well.”

The couple told PEOPLE that they spent months without seeing each other after they initially connected – and built their relationship on the phone and through FaceTime.

Johnson popped the question less than a month ago, but the couple will have a short engagement — and plan to get married this summer.

Michelle Williams is engaged

Destiny’s Child member and singer Michelle Williams announced that she was engaged to pastor Chad Johnson.

“We do wanna get married very, very soon,” Williams, who has already chosen a dress, told PEOPLE. “We’ve been moving very quickly and planning. Why wait? I want to get married now, but he wants a wedding!”

Sources: Celebretainment.com, Twitter.com, People.com

Meek Mill

Michelle Williams

The struggle continues

The legacy of Eric E. Vickers

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

For The St. Louis American

A luta continua.”

Those were the words scribbled on the flap of a plain, white envelope handed to me by attorney Eric E. Vickers in 1996. I was familiar with the Latin phrase thanks to Vickers. “The struggle continues” is the English translation.

My personal “struggle” at the time was in full force. The late St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Greg Freeman had just pinned a commentary about the looming death of my monthly publication, Take Five Magazine

“Perhaps most painful to Brown was that while the paper was losing money, it was winning awards,” Freeman wrote. “But awards don’t pay the bills, and they’ve been piling up at Brown’s door. He’s gradually come to the painful conclusion that it’s time to pull the plug.”

Eric summoned me to his office, Vickers & Associates, in University City. Shortly after my arrival he handed me the envelope. Inside was a $10,000 check. On the brink of tears, I expressed my deep gratitude. Waving off my words and reminding me of the Latin words on the flap, Eric simply said, “We need Take Five on the streets.”

On Friday, April 13, Eric E. Vickers, renowned civil rights activist, attorney and former chief of staff for state Senator Jamilah Nasheed, passed away at the age of 65.

Reportedly, his death was attributed to pancreatic cancer. As is often the case when a loved one passes, memories of my dear friend, confidante and inspiration immediately flooded my mind.

The first thing that came to my mind was what Nasheed described as Eric’s “goofy laugh.” It was. The laugh defied Eric’s staunch, piercing stare or his strong, no-nonsense voice when articulating various marches or fights for justice and inclusion. In private, Eric was a hoot. He somehow found a way to segue into a subject that elicited that high-pitched, body-shaking laughter of his. I will always treasure his ability to lighten heavy loads. He spoke to this in a 2017 blog post dedicated to his children and grandchildren: “I hope my legacy can see that standing and fighting for a cause can be done with a smile.”

Winston Churchill’s quote, about a “riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,” best describes my memories of Eric. As close as we were, I could never quite figure out how he managed to do the things he did. For example, in 1996, he invited me and whoever else I knew to accompany him to New York City. He had chartered a TWA jet, reportedly at a cost of $30,000. Roughly 150 of us, including some homeless people, flew to the Big Apple to “shut down Wall Street.” The protest was staged to stop the merger between Bank of America and Mercantile Bank

formula for future progress should be based on “politics combined with business, combined with activism,” I was speaking from examples left by Eric. Our discussion, which included fellow panelists St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden and Amy Hunter, manager of Diversity & Inclusion at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, was intense and robust. What stayed with me most was the inspiring number of young present or aspiring black politicians who came up to me after the conversation. Like Franks, some were activated by the demonstrations after Mike Brown’s death in 2014.

Engaging with these young people reminded me of a commentary Eric wrote in the summer of 2014. There, he mused about how the “Black Power generation” could possibly influence the “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) movement and future demonstrations for justice and empowerment.

in St. Louis. There we were, many of us for the first time, on Wall Street staring down hordes of angry policemen and rude, cantankerous New Yorkers intent on disrupting our public disruption. After the

that “goofy laugh” of his, Eric assured me that he was backed by a cadre of passionate, diverse and influential people who supported our ongoing “struggle.”

This past Saturday, I was a

n Rest in peace, dear friend. I will always cherish your ability to laugh in the face of inhumanity.

protest, Vickers took us all to Sylvia’s in Harlem for lunch.

This was the same year he’d given me that $10,000 check. “How are you able to do all this?” I asked him. Again, with

guest panelist at the St. Louis Association of Community Organization’s (SLACO) 22nd Annual conference at Forest Park Community College. Our panel discussion, moderated

by state Rep. Bruce Franks, was titled, “Pathway to a New St. Louis, Building on Our Strengths.” During my opening remarks, I informed the audience of Eric’s passing and that my comments would probably be influenced by recollections of my friend.

Eric’s voice was in my head when I described the Sweet Potato Project, my entrepreneurial program for young people. In 2014, he described black entrepreneurship as “the solution, the key to the economic enfranchisement and upliftment of the black community.” He said black entrepreneurs should work “hand in glove with black elected officials” to demand blacks “get a fair slice of the economic pie.”

When mentioning that the

“The anthem of the Black Power movement was ‘Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,’ not ‘We Shall Overcome,’” Vickers wrote. “Maybe the only thing the Black Power generation can prepare the Black Lives Matter generation for is that ‘This is lifetime work.’”

Arguably, St. Louis stands as national and, dare I say, international example of how to stage effective protests. As creative, resilient and forceful as the BLM movement is, I hope young people remember they are brilliantly updating a platform Eric and other black leaders established with the powerful Highway I-70 shutdown in 1999. It’s one of many accomplishments of his brief life.

Rest in peace, dear friend. I will always cherish your ability to laugh in the face of inhumanity. Know that you lived a meaningful life and left us all, including our young, with an important, meaningful message: “A luta continua. The struggle continues.”

Photo by Sylvester Brown Jr.

Eric E. Vickers at the St. Louis Bread Co. in 2010

Editorial /CommEntary

Hazel Erby prevails inclusion ordinance passes

On Tuesday, the St. Louis County Council adopted the county’s first minority contracting ordinance. When the St. Louis County Executive signs the measure into law, as he has said he will, the county will require 24 percent minorityowned business and 9.5 percent women-owned business participation for construction, as well as 16 percent minority-owned business and 15 percent women-owned business participation for architecture and engineering projects. The legislation also provides a 5 percent discount for bids from eligible minority- or women-owned businesses and establishes management positions in county government to promote the growth of minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as a staff to oversee the crucial function of contract compliance.

The ordinance’s passage was a testament to the hard work and countless hours Councilwoman Hazel Erby devoted to finally codifying these requirements. We commend her for her leadership and diligence. Countless new business opportunities will be provided to disadvantaged businesses as a result of her leadership and the consensus she finally built around business inclusion – in campaign season, which no doubt influenced the council’s unanimous support for the measure and the county executive’s agreement to sign it.

Under County Executive Charlie Dooley, the county took its obligations to leveling the playing field for minority contractors and workers seriously. Dooley routinely required contracts to include minority contracting and workforce goals, even though they were not required by ordinance. The Stenger era brought a different approach to minority contracting. Under Stenger, the county typically has required minority contracting and hiring only when it was required by state or federal law. Stenger finally agreed to commission a disparity study –the kind of analysis required before legally implementing a full-fledged minority inclusion program – but insisted on narrowly tailoring that study to look only at contractors, and not at worker inclusion. The Stenger administration delayed the disparity study several times, didn’t publicize its conclusions, and its final report reads like a document manicured for political use. The final report even stated, erroneously, that the Dooley administration had not required minority contracting.

Despite the challenges of working with the Stenger administration, Erby did the yeoman’s work of pulling together the sundry constituencies impacted by the new ordinance. The final version received the support of the African-American community, big labor, and big business. In a divided County Council –

where Stenger ally Pat Dolan ordinarily casts the lone dissenting vote – even Dolan came on board for Erby’s bill to make the final vote unanimous.

Stenger’s staff told the Post-Dispatch that they expect the county executive to sign the ordinance, and we have no doubt that he will try to use his signature on the ordinance to act as though his administration is responsive to the African-American community’s concerns. We aren’t naive enough to fall for that. We expect to see Stenger pandering more and more to black voters as his reelection campaign heats up. Whatever his political motives may be, now clearly is the time to press Stenger for more action.

The County Council passed this minority inclusion ordinance just two weeks after the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a similar ordinance. That is important, because there now is no disparity between the city and county on this crucial matter of business. Since both legislative actions came so fast in the wake of the passing of activist attorney Eric E. Vickers, whose life work was devoted to fighting to give minorities greater opportunities in business, we consider this legislative success to be another flower to be placed on Eric’s grave.

Since successful African-American businesses bring unique social and economic benefits to the entire society, it is heartening to see the enactment of laws that give greater access to opportunity for African-American businesses. However, now is not the time to celebrate a victory. There continues to be a need to better realize increased opportunities so these businesses can be built to scale. These aspiring entrepreneurs must have the capacity to raise capital, access to financial management, brand positioning and other requirements for growth. Access to opportunity is only the beginning.

Commentary

Understanding the context of the black experience

By Mike Jones For The St.

Louis American

I wrote two commentaries about my perspective of the economic reality of the St. Louis region, “100 of years decline and us” and “Why we’re not like Atlanta,” to illustrate a point about the importance of context. If you want to understand why St. Louis is what it is today, you have to understand what I’d call the macro forces that influence the ecosystem of St. Louis. I’d say the same is true for us, the black community of St. Louis and America.

This is what I was alluding to when I wrote we’re not the people we used to be. We have the tendency to think of ourselves in constant terms (all people do, really) because the current reality is the only reality we’ve ever experienced. But the black community of today is the product of a cultural evolution that spans 400 years in North America. In order to understand why we’re struggling to develop a consensus on a political and public policy agenda that speaks to our collective interests, you need to know why we are who we are today. That requires an understanding of the context of the black experience in America. The United States really is a country of immigrants. Historically, the bulk of the American population was composed of European immigrants who voluntarily came to America in search of not just a better life but a new life. They brought with them their European identities and cultures, but after a few generations these identities were erased and their ancestral

cultures were absorbed into a homogenized American culture. They gave up their specific European national identities and became white Americans. Until 1965, when passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act changed the demographic destiny of America, the preceding was always true except for two notable historical exceptions. Native Americans were the indigenous population of North America, but the genocide perpetrated by European immigrants decimated their numbers and the reservation system made them marginalized prisoners in their own land. And then there’s us.

In a perverse way we’re also American immigrants, except we didn’t choose to come to here. We were forcibly brought here for the sole purpose of providing labor for America’s early stage capitalist development. While the institution of slavery is as old as human history, what was done to enslaved Africans in America was uniquely evil. They lost not just their freedom and the benefit of their labor, but were robbed of their historical identities and even the very idea of themselves as human beings.

The context for understanding the black community of today begins with recognition and acceptance of this historical reality. The question is: How do we access and comprehend this historical

Addressing the violence in our community Commentary

By Redditt Hudson For The St. Louis American

Violence that blacks commit against one another in our own communities devastates families. One of the especially painful things when it involves young people is the loss of their futures. What might they have become? What might they have become in a community where policy decisions and resource allocations driven by race had not resulted in the desperate poverty, joblessness and hopelessness that are so prevalent in many urban-core communities? If you put those conditions anywhere in the world, and add guns to the mix, you’ll get what we have. We have lost many futures to gun violence.

But a criminal justice system that is institutionally racist at its foundation costs communities of color vastly more futures than gun violence does. That fact in no way lessens our sense of urgency about blackon-black violence, and it’s our responsibility to address it. Yet systemic racism is nowhere more evident than in our criminal justice system as it functions every day and does grave violence to the black community.

The legal, social, educational and economic barriers created for a person taken into the criminal justice system often permanently remove them from viability. As a result of legislated inequities in our laws and targeted enforcement, on any given day nearly one-third of black men in their twenties are under the supervision of the

criminal justice system, either behind bars, on probation, or on parole. That is violence against black people. Failing to fund education for black children is violence against black people. Using police to wring money out of poor black families to fund a city’s budget is violence against black people.

One part of the violence of the criminal justice system against black communities is continued state-sanctioned gun violence in the form of police killings of unarmed black men. For this gun violence to stop, officers who violate the human rights of the people they’ve sworn to serve must be held accountable. That rarely happens. And a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court expanding qualified immunity for officers puts them even further away from accountability. So what do we do? Are we able to address systemic racism in police culture and in the larger criminal justice system?

Yes. We start from inside the system.

The Ethical Society of Police Officers has a model program that is part of the answer to changing police culture. We host this program at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. It’s a 10-week pre-police academy course for individuals who want to be police officers.

Letters to the editor

Props for help on Prop R

reality in a way that enhances our understanding of our contemporary circumstances?

From my perspective, the black experience in America can be divided into three clearly defined periods.

From 1619 to 1864, I refer to as our Period of Enslavement. The second period, from 1865 to 1965, is Post-Civil War. The third period, the one in which we currently live, is Post-Civil Rights. These historical periods have unique characteristics that differentiate them from each other, but are part of a continuum that contextualizes the black experience in America.

The Italian philosopher and politician Benedetto Croce said, “All history is contemporary history,” meaning the study of the past is always connected to our need to understand and rationalize our current circumstances. In 1619, disparate groups of people from the continent of Africa were forcibly brought to North America; this is where the contemporary history of today’s black community begins.

There’s a joke that explains why this commentary is ending at this point. A writer is asked, “What’s your column about this week?” His answer: “About 650 words.” Whatever I write about, I have to be able to say it in about 650 words or 650 words at a time.

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board. In 2016, he was awarded Best Serious Columnist for all of the state’s large weeklies by the Missouri Press Association.

On behalf of myself, the schools, staff, parents, and the communities of the Riverview Gardens School District, thank you for your time and generosity in helping to tell our district’s story while covering Proposition R. Reporter Rebecca Rivas did an excellent job, and we so appreciate her efforts and support from Chris King.

Early on, the meeting with you, reporter Sandra Jordan and columnist Mike Jones was very informative and helpful in seeing us through to an overwhelmingly successful outcome. We are very grateful to have been beneficiaries of your insight and expertise on matters relating to the campaign and community.

We truly believe you helped reinforce the message that a victory for Prop R would be a victory for communities we serve. And now, having this tremendous vote of confidence in our hands, we will work hard to make sure that is so.

You have our most sincere appreciation not only for your help with Prop R, but also for all that you and your team of journalists do each day in service to our communities. We wish a happy 90th anniversary to you and to the entire team of The St. Louis American newspaper!

Scott D. Spurgeon, superintendent, Riverview Gardens School District

Apology to young people

We apologize to our young people. Too many of the older generations let too many young people down by not providing the consistent leadership needed to lay a sustainable foundation for them to build upon. Many got bought off or scared off. We are building a New Movement off the shoulders of the great Civil Rights Movement, which many of us elders who have survived helped build.

In building the New Movement, we want the people,

Members of the Ethical Society give attendees excellent instruction in preparation for possible acceptance into the St. Louis Police Academy. There are candid discussions about race and its impact on policing and on the larger criminal justice system. Our connection to the communities we’ve come from is emphasized. The inherent humanity, dignity, and worth of the people in our communities are acknowledged and affirmed with all pre-academy participants, pre-empting their later acculturation into a group that features some who recognize none of that. This is where you change police culture – before the existing police culture warps minds. The immediacy of a sudden shooting death in the black community locks our attention on the guns and senselessness of the murders of people in our communities. But we must never lose focus on the conditions that give rise to black-on-black violence. The violence of systemic racism is ever-present and unrelenting in its destruction of black families and communities. It’s not an either/or approach when we look at these two kinds of violence. It has to be both/and, and with the same urgency. For information on the prepolice academy course, call 314-478-8140 or connect via Twitter at @STLMin_Recruits. Redditt Hudson is vice president of Civil Rights and Advocacy at Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.

especially the young people, to know that we need time to consider the best ways to go. We want to make sure the foundation is built on solid ground. We as elders want to share our experiences with young people and others who want to improve their quality of life. As talk show host Lizz Brown often said, “We got to save our babies.” As elders we know the people of the human race, who are God’s children, must get back to the basics with the Bible.

Clifford Wilson Sr. Bob “Brother Bob” Williams The New Movement

Eric Vickers’ style

Although I had heard much about Eric Vickers and his active fight for his people and for justice and for equality, I just recently met him. I am not sure what I expected in meeting Eric but I can tell you I felt like

he was a friend within the first 10 seconds of shaking his hand. Not sure if it was the smile, the laugh or the confidence he had about him, but I was at ease within seconds and felt like I knew this guy well and that we had the right man for the job. I would wager that I have personally met with more law firms and individual lawyers and had more depositions, court cases, arbitrations, mediations, and settlement conferences than any one single person in this town. I have never witnessed any lawyer working the way Eric worked, straight and to the point and in language everyone could understand. It was a pleasure to read his pleadings and his responses. Some may say it bordered on being unprofessional and a bit too conversational; I would simply say it was Eric’s style that matched his personality. He took what he learned in law school and applied it to the streets. Enough said. Ron Unterreiner, Via email

Columnist

Redditt Hudson

Columnist Mike Jones

St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby with then-County Executive Charlie Dooley.

Kiwanis support Normandy Kindergarten Center

The Kiwanis Club of Normandy 24:1 presented a big basket full of books and stuffed animals to the Normandy Kindergarten Center, part of the Normandy Schools Collaborative, on April 13. The basket and its contents will be used to provide comfort and encouragement to the school’s children, especially those having a particularly challenging day or mood at school. Pictured with smiling children and their teacher are Superintendent Charles Pearson, club Secretary Monica Huddleston, club Vice-President Douglas Anders, and club President John Ditto. Kiwanis is an international service organization whose mission is to change the world one child and one community at a time.

Free Teen Empowerment & Prevention Summit

Better Family Life, Inc. is hosting a free Teen Empowerment & Prevention Summit for young ladies ages 12-18 to promote health, prevention and self-awareness in our community 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Better Family Life’s Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd.

The summit will offer free resources and services, educational workshops, a sister circle, completion ceremony, keynote speaker and panel discussion led by physicians and city leaders.

For more information, contact Sharnell Sharp at 636-5793785 or email sharnell.sharp@betterfamilylife.org.

Hazelwood seeks to fill school board vacancy

During the school board meeting on April 17, Hazelwood School District Board of Education Director Karlton Thornton announced his resignation from the school board effective April 30; he has one year remaining on a three-year term.

Per board policy, residents wishing to be appointed to fill the vacancy shall make their desire known by sending a letter to the Hazelwood School District, Attn: Secretary to the Board, 15955 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63031.

Interested residents should state their qualifications and their reason(s) for wanting to serve on the school board. The Board of Education will accept letters through Wednesday, May 2. The school board will conduct a special meeting on a date yet to be determined to review all letters submitted prior to the deadline.

St. Louis needs major change

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

I have lived in St. Louis city my entire life and have enjoyed living in this city. Although life has allowed me to travel to many beautiful places, I have always felt that St. Louis was my home.

I felt a bit disappointed when my adult children left home and vowed to never live in St. Louis ever again. However, I now understand why my children feel the way they feel.

My daughter left St. Louis to find employment. She has always been able to find work since leaving St. Louis. My son-in-law left to seek employment. He is much sought after in his field of work. My two sons left St. Louis and have not looked back. My one son is about to retire from the U.S. Army after noteworthy promotions.

If my black children had all of these qualifications but could not find work in the city they grew up in, then that is a story within itself. They were educated, very qualified young adults but could not find employment here.

North St. Louis is riddled with crime, drugs and death. Natural Bridge Avenue has vacant lots empty buildings and people being run over by cars. Police officers have no problem chasing criminals down residential streets in North St. Louis with seeming disregard for the lives of children or elders in the neighborhood. Alleys that run north and south from Margaretta to Lee Avenue are high-traffic drug areas and the police seem to act as if they don’t exist.

People of color have to live with second rate everything. We pay for trash pickup, and the whites come into our neighborhood and dump their trash into our dumpsters.

There is a young lady who works for the City of St. Louis and has vowed to keep our neighborhood clean. She has personally taken Operation Brightside trash bags and attached them to stop signs. People are actually filling the Operation Brightside trash bags and, when filled, the trash bags are replaced. They do not look the best, but it is so much better than debris scattered all over the streets. Hopefully the city will see fit to put trash cans that cannot be stolen or removed on the corners.

We hear gunshots so often in our neighborhood that it is almost commonplace. I refuse to let that become commonplace, and I tell all of my neighbors to call each and every time they hear a gunshot.

When I watch the youth speaking against gun violence and social injustice, then I say to myself, “The youth shall lead us to change.” St. Louis needs to undergo major change.

Dorothy Dempsey

Continued from A1

chanting, “Vote them out.”

Hawley is trying to unseat U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in the November general election. Hawley’s office did not respond to The American’s request for comment.

The students had just begun to give speeches when an older white man stormed through the crowd, yelling obscenities and telling them to leave.

The man then aggressively rushed at Sunny Lu, a sophomore at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and an organizer with Students Demand Action STL. Lu stood face-to-face with the man and told him they had a First Amendment right to be there. A guard nearby escorted the man away within seconds.

“I was in a state of complete shock,” Lu said. “My fear came afterwards. We heard rumors of counter-protestors and if he was the only one, then that’s good.”

The man continued to yell things from across the street, including that the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 never happened.

But despite the early disturbance, the students carried on, reminding each other to “remain respectful.” They marched around the building at 815 Olive St. in downtown St. Louis, chanting loud enough for people within several blocks to hear. Some said it sounded as loud as a baseball game.

Alayna Jenkins, a junior at Orchard Farm High School, gave a speech about what it means to say “one nation” when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

“No matter Democrat or Republican, we are one nation and our one nation’s children are dying,” Jenkins said. “We are also one nation that allows children to go to school and risk their lives. We will not stand for it.”

Tom Bergan, the St. Louis team leader for voter registration group HeadCount,

was on site to get students registered – a strong focus of the national movement. He said they registered 20 students that day. During the March for Our Lives events on March 24, Bergan said the group registered 5,000 throughout the country. The students also held a die-in, where they held 13 minutes of silence to remember students who have been killed in school shootings. The rally also emphasized ending gun violence as a whole, not just school shootings.

Afua Owusu-Agyeman, a Hazelwood West High senior, read two poems on guns and

discrimination in the black community.

“You wonder why little black boys want a gun,” she read. “They’ve made the mistake of wearing a hood, ignoring what his mom said to do. They don’t feel protected enough by the people who tell them to sit down and shut up. In the land of the free, being treated like they’re still in chains. You wonder why little black boys want a gun.”

Zoë Rosenberg, one of the main event organizers and a Parkway Central High senior, wrote a speech about white privilege. It was read by Izzy Essman, a senior at Mary

Institute and St. Louis Country Day School.

“When I wear a pink hat, I’ve created a revolution,” Essman read. “When my fist is up, I am revolutionary. When my sisters of color take to the streets, they are ‘starting a riot.’ When they speak, they’re just angry black women.”

Rosenberg stated that black people are disproportionately affected by gun violence and have to fear for their lives and safety in almost every setting.

To white women, she said, “You have a duty to use your privilege for good. You must use it to amplify our sisters of color.”

East St. Louis students on gun violence

Some students in the East St. Louis School District spent the day focusing their lessons on data and issues around gun violence. Many of the students spoke about their own experiences losing loved ones. Devon Mosely, a seventh grader at Mason/Clark Middle School, had a cousin in the Columbine school shooting.

“For my poster, I said ‘Gun Violence Needs to Stop,’” he said. “I don’t understand why, when people get upset, they shoot. I feel horrible for

by

people that lose family to gun violence.”

Richard Lowe, social science teacher at Mason/ Clark, said the lessons fit into the curriculum work on the constitution, examining the First and Second Amendment rights.

“Our seventh graders began to understand their rights, including their right to have their voices heard, even though they are minors,” Lowe said. “It is shocking how many students are impacted by gun violence, not just in schools but in communities.”

Photo

Wiley Price

High school students in the St. Louis area demand an end to gun violence during a noon rally outside of Missouri Attorney General John Hawley’s office on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting.

KELLY

Continued from A1

residents of East St. Louis are predominantly black, and his campaign has a message of outreach for them.

Kelly said he wants to bring economic development to communities like East St. Louis and Cairo, including by encouraging the construction of new and better public housing. He said he also wants to invest in “trauma-informed education” that can help break up the school-to-prison pipeline and treat drug offenses as symptoms of addiction rather than serious crimes.

“These are communities that have had things done to them and have had things done for them – neither of those has worked,” Kelly said. “You have to do things with the people of East St. Louis, not to the people of East St. Louis or for the people of East St. Louis.” Kelly was joined at New Life by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico), who is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which works to elect Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The DCCC recruits candidates and helps them fundraise and campaign. This

SHAHID

Continued from A1 essential in galvanizing the movement – and possibly in saving the lives of some of the younger protestors by cooling them down at key moments when they were willing to risk a more violent confrontation with police than simply protesting them.

Shahid was an early responder to Canfield Green Apartments in Ferguson on August 9, 2014, called to the scene by David Royal. Shahid was among the first people on the scene to counsel Dorian Johnson, who had just seen his friend Michael Brown killed by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. And while the circumstances of this killing and its aftermath – the terrible reputation of the Ferguson Police Department, their leaving Brown’s lifeless body on the pavement for hours, the deployment of dogs on grieving people – were such that a protest movement may have been galvanized without Shahid’s help, he worked very deliberately from the beginning to spark a movement.

“This will not be business

election cycle, it hopes to turn the Republican-dominated House back to blue. Democrats currently have 193 seats in the House; to regain a majority, they need 218.

“We have about 100 districts across the country that we’ve identified as the most competitive,” Lujan said. “We need incredible candidates in all of those districts. And here in the 12th, we have a great candidate in Brendan Kelly.”

Kelly is part of the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program, a group of candidates the committee is supporting in hopes of flipping currently Republican-held seats for Democrats. The DCCC’s website notes that Barack Obama won the 12th District twice, and though Donald Trump secured a victory there in 2016, the district also voted for Tammy Duckworth, a liberal Democrat, for U.S. Senate.

Kelly has also already outfundraised his Republican opponent.

Kelly’s projects as a state’s attorney include creating a violent crime unit that increased the prosecution of domestic violence and prosecuting major pharmaceutical companies for deceiving customers about the dangers of opioid painkillers. The Southern Illinois Law

as usual,” he told the young people on the streets of Canfield Green. He told them this would not be another oneday protest that dwindles into hopelessness and resignation.

The next day, when angry and grieving people began to congregate at the Ferguson Police Department, Shahid came upon a woman lost in prayer. He waited for her to finish praying, then said, “That’s enough praying for now.” He then pumped his arms in the air and chanted, “No justice! No peace!” Bradley J. Rayford captured this moment on film. It looked in retrospect like the defining moment of moving from grief to protest. Shahid came upon hurt people praying, and transformed them into protestors chanting in unison.

In that same footage, Shahid declared that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder would come to Ferguson. Given that 11 days later Holder would do just that – yet there was no way possible to know that the day after Brown’s killing – the moment had the force of prophecy.

Ironically, Shahid had a meeting on the books with Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson scheduled several

Enforcement Commission named Kelly “Southern Illinois Prosecutor of the Year” in 2012.

Kelly was recruited to run for office in both 2012 and 2014, but did not feel ready to leave behind the state’s attorney office until this year.

“As a prosecutor, I worked with law enforcement but also

days after Brown was killed. Shahid works an inside as well as an outside game, meeting personally with police officials as well as protesting them in the streets. That meeting was no longer possible as Ferguson devolved into chaos, but Shahid and Jackson did have an unforgettable moment together in the early days of protest.

The rumor was circulating among protestors that police had killed Dorian Johnson in a Ferguson alley, and Shahid called Jackson out of the police station, stood him up on the short wall in front of the station, and prodded Jackson to tell the steaming group of

worked with members of the community here,” Kelly said.

“I’m a prosecutor who strongly supports law enforcement, but I’m also a lifetime member of the NAACP. And those two things are not exclusive.”

Kelly falls into the DCCC’s ideal profile, but he is also the type of candidate the committee has been criticized

protestors that Johnson was unharmed.

It was a quintessentially Ferguson moment – protestors commanding a police chief. It also was one of countless times that Shahid defused a potentially violent moment on the streets of Ferguson. Ferguson was legitimately a mass movement with no leader, or many leaders, but the next sustained protest in St. Louis without question started with Shahid. It was Shahid who – working, again, with inside police sources, along with Rev. Phillip Duvall – filed the Freedom of Information Act request that busted open

Speaking with members from New Life Christian Church in East St. Louis after service on April 15 were U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and congressional candidate Brendan Kelly.

for throwing too much of its support behind.

In March, Politico reported on the DCCC’s role in a political divide between the progressive and more centrist wings of the Democratic Party. The piece noted that the DCCC had come under fire for getting involved in primaries between Democrats, including

the Jason Stockley case, leading to the former St. Louis police officer being tried and acquitted of murder, and the resulting protests. Make no mistake – no Anthony Shahid and no Stockley trial, no Stockley verdict, no Stockley protests.

publishing opposition research on a progressive candidate in Texas to favor her more moderate opponent. Internal DCCC memos cautioned candidates to avoid bold stances on gun control and single-payer health care.

Kelly himself defeated a primary opponent, David Bequette, whose campaign focused on universal health care and campaign finance reform, though Bequette attracted relatively little grassroots fundraising and organizing.

Lujan said he saw a parallel between New Life Pastor Kendall Granger’s sermon, on the topic of finding the strength to forgive people who have hurt you, and the Democrats’ 2018 efforts.

“We’ve all gone through trials and tribulations, we’ve all had our faith shaken at one time or another,” Lujan said.

“We have to work to restore that faith and earn the trust back of the American people. And it happens one community at a time, one person at a time.” Lujan said this mission also applies within the party.

“Everywhere that we’ve lost any trust, we have to go back and earn it,” he said. “And that’s not just people from across the aisle, it’s people from this side of the aisle as well.”

Shahid’s police sources on Stockley’s killing of Anthony Lamar Smith – five black cops; four men and one woman –told him they thought the case had been covered up. Shahid continues to believe that the decisions of then-Mayor Francis G. Slay and thenCircuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce not to seek reelection stem from their roles in the alleged cover-up, knowing that the case would come to light. Both deny that accusation.

Despite his essential role in the Stockley affair, Shahid was again overshadowed by other protest leaders as the movement progressed. The Riverfront Times did run a detailed story about Shahid’s role in breaking the case, but his role was mostly eclipsed by front-line protest leaders. Shahid has come to accept this. After all, he doesn’t protest because he likes to. He protests because that’s his son lying on the street. That’s your son. It’s a duty.

Community Tree Planting

New respect for hip-hop

Thanks to Dr. Rosalind Norman, also known as Dr. Roz, I now have an understanding of the culture of hip-hop.

Because of a series of lectures and classes conducted by Dr. Roz at Webster University, I have new respect and admiration for an ethos that is accepted around the world. Before sitting on a panel with Dr. Norman I had been obsessively studying the influence of hip-hop music and the culture, and I must admit that I was presumptuous and condescending.

Then I was introduced to The Temple of Hip Hop M.A.S.S. – Ministry, Archive, School, & Society Hip Hop Declaration Of Peace. It recognizes Hip-hop as an international culture of peace and prosperity. It is also a set of principles that advise all Hiphoppers on how to sustain the peaceful character of hip-hop culture and to form worldwide peace.

of Missouri! Thanks to a Partners for Places grant from The Funders Network, 500 trees will be planted this year in St. Louis City.

Additionally, this declaration is meant to show hip-hop as a positive phenomenon that has nothing in common with the negative image of hip-hop as something that corrupts young people and encourages them to break the law. KRS One, Pop Master Fabel, Afrika Bambaataa, Ralph Mc Daniels and Harry Allen helped to create the declaration. There are 18 principles of the charter, and the 15th principle is: “Hip-hoppas respect and learn from the ways of nature, regardless of where we are on this planet. Hip-hop Kulture holds sacred our duty to contribute to our own survival as independent, free-thinking beings in and throughout the Universe. This planet, commonly known as Earth is our nurturing parent and Hip-hoppas are encouraged to respect Nature and all creations and inhabitants of Nature.” The 16th principle is: “Hip-hop’s pioneers, legends, teachers, elders, and ancestors shall not be inaccurately quoted, misrepresented, or disrespected at any time. No one should profess to be a Hiphop pioneer or legend unless they can prove with facts and/ or witnesses their credibility and contributions to Hip-hop Kulture.”

Respect is the greatest asset which a person earns through his behavior and activities done for the community, and I have a new outlook on the culture we call hip-hop. I still can’t stand gangsta rap, though. Please watch the Bernie Hayes

or e-mail at: berhay@

Democratic socialists fixing broken brake lights for free April 28

If you see strangers in the Central West End on the afternoon of Saturday, April 28 trying to flag you down to change your broken brake light for free, it’s not a prank. Those will be democratic socialists trying to promote their movement while helping area drivers remain street-legal.

The St. Louis Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America will be set up at Trinity Episcopal Church, 600 N. Euclid Ave., from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, trying to get drivers’ attention and fix their broken lights.

“This public service aims

to help the most vulnerable St. Louis workers and residents to retain access to reliable transportation, preventing unnecessary police stops, expensive tickets and fines, and possible court appearances,” the group said in a press release.

“A ticket can cost a significant amount of a working person’s earnings, and it can lead to court dates, and major disruptions to a person’s life, especially if they work long hours and/or have child care responsibilities. By reducing the opportunity for police stops that disproportionately affect

vulnerable populations, the St. Louis DSA works for its vision of a more just, humane, and free society.” Democratic socialists – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is the best-known – “reject an international economic order sustained by private profit, alienated labor, race and gender discrimination, environmental destruction, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo,” according to the group’s website, http://www.dsausa.org. For more information, call 314-799-5589 or email andrewwilliamsorrells@gmail. com.

Bernie Hayes

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Outdoor adventures and celebrations

you’ll

only find in St. Louis

By Kiara Bryant

For The St. Louis American

From our own resident Circus Flora to the Annual Art Fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park over Mother’s Day, there is so much in store this spring in St. Louis. Many festivals kick off prior to Memorial Day, giving you a multitude of reasons to get out and explore St. Louis.

Are you familiar with all of the outdoor attractions and activities in St. Louis? The Outdoor Adventures page at explorestlouis. com is here to help. You’ve been to Forest Park, but what about our state parks and the Katy Trail? When is the last time you spent some time walking through the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden? Events, nature and wildlife are all around us from Citygarden’s outdoor sculpture park and Kiener Plaza of downtown to the sandy beach of Creve Coeur Park and all of the rivers and trails. We invite you to journey along the miles and miles of green spaces throughout our region with your family.

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year so there’s a lot of fun to be had at the big annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Cherokee Street (May 5 from 11 a.m. -10 p.m.). The festival will be filled with people enjoying authentic food, drinks, music and entertainment while providing a variety of free kid and family friendly artistic activities throughout the day. Not to be outdone, the 16th annual Mary Meachum Celebration also takes place on

Saturday, May 5 from 12p.m. – 5 p.m. along the Mississippi Greenway (28 E. Grand Ave.).

All ages are invited to the reenactment of this important part of history. This year’s theme for the Mary Meachum Celebration is “Prejudice on the Pike.” In 1855, a free-born black woman, Mary Meachum, took a stand against slavery. In 1904, the World’s Fair was held in St. Louis and this year’s celebration approaches the fair from the perspective of people of color at the fair that were working or on display. In addition to recreating festivities from 1904, there will be church choirs singing gospel music, a vignette performance, Vaudeville acts by Circus Harmony and international acts.

Circus Flora, St. Louis’ resident circus, returns presenting another magical production, “The Case of the Missing Bellhop,” from April 19-May 13. Under the Big Top, the story unfolds with animals, trapeze artists and fun during this month-long run. Be there with your kids to solve the mystery of what happened at the Balding Hotel.

Back again on Memorial Day weekend (May 26-28) is the St. Louis African Arts Festival, featuring the African Marketplace, children’s activities, performing arts stage, food court, vendors, arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, teen safari hunt, health and wellness village and more at Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion. Spring will be in full swing before you know it. Need brunch ideas for Mother’s Day? Don’t miss a beat by visiting www.explorestlouis.com

No country for black men

Pervasive and persistent racial profiling of AfricanAmerican men is only part of their reality. When Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson entered a Philly Starbucks for a business meeting, it took all of two minutes for the police to come and arrest them for trespassing. (It took Cleveland police two seconds to murder 12-year-old Tamir Rice.) The Starbucks incident took me back to the recent study by the Equality of Opportunity Project that re-iterated a troublesome fact: Black men are trapped in a vicious cycle, a no-win situation.

Researchers from Harvard and Stanford universities, along with the U.S. Census Bureau, tracked 20 million children born between 1978-1983. The take-aways in The Equality of Opportunity Report are depressing. The anxiety of black parents and guardians raising black boys surely skyrocketed. Blood pressures probably went up.

“How am I supposed to raise my son?” asked one exasperated mother I talked to about the report. Hers is a family of two parents with abundant resources. Despite good parenting and a stable lifestyle, it doesn’t appear that it will make a damn bit of difference in the life outcomes for her black son.

The report basically exploded the myths of why black males don’t/can’t succeed. The worst places for poor white children are almost all better than the best places for poor black children. Black

boys growing up in wealthy families were more likely than their white peers to live in poverty as adults. Income gaps are worse for black boys than any other demographic except for Native Americans. Black families are painfully familiar with all these scenarios.

Family characteristics – parental marriage rates, education, wealth – were not big influencers for reducing the wealth gap. Eliminating single-mother households, working hard and getting a good education are not enough to overcome the soaring apex of racism.

Columnist

Jamala Rogers

New York Times created a dramatic, interactive graph showing how fast black boys from wealthy families fall into the lower rungs of the economic ladder.

The Opportunity Report (or No Opportunity Report) was a powerful reality check for this nation, especially for the African-American community, especially for middle-class African-American families who thought they had a leg up on the poor black families.

The video of the two young men’s incident at the trendy franchise coffee shop quickly went viral. They were put in double-lock handcuffs (same cuffs used on murder suspects), were not read their rights and were not told why they were

being arrested. Nelson and Robinson said they feared for their life, and well they should. Rarely does anything good come out of young, black men being taken into police custody. The young, wanna-be entrepreneurs in Starbucks were treated no different than the Pookies in the hood –handcuffed and humiliated. The common thread between the two is the color of their skin. We should not be impressed by the shallow action of Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson. The viral video inside one of his stores that has been viewed by over 11 million people prompted Johnson to shut down his 8,000 stores to do a few hours of anti-bias training. Racism and white supremacy have blocked the doors to the so-called American Dream. It’s past time to face the ugly truth of how high and wide racism is. We gotta go deep and dirty to get to the roots of the systems that choke the opportunity branches in the Black Tree of Life. Protest of the racist incidents by the boys in blue or the boys in the corporate board rooms is not enough. We need coordinated, strategic actions that cut at the policies, laws, attitudes and practices that thwart the potential of black males. And the change in attitudes and practices – fear, contempt-- - towards black males needs to happen at home, in our own community. Dante Robinson encouraged us to get past words. Accept his challenge to move to action.

The 16th annual Mary Meachum Celebration takes place on Saturday, May 5 from 12p.m. – 5 p.m. along the Mississippi Greenway (28 E. Grand Ave.).

‘Lack of sleep is killing us’

A good night’s rest is essential to optimize health and prolong life

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Most people have operated without a sufficient amount of shut-eye. Missing out on sleep is never a good thing; however, persistent lack of sleep interrupts the body’s restorative process, throwing out of whack your circadian rhythm and affecting neurocognitive, psychiatric, inflammatory, cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems of the body. Chronic lack of sleep increases the risk for serious chronic health conditions that can lead to an early death.

According to the American Academy for Sleep Medicine, sleeping less than seven hours per night on a regular basis is associated with weight gain and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, and increased risk of death. It is also associated with compromised immune function, increased pain, impaired performance, increased errors, and greater risk of accidents.

“Lack of sleep due to sleeping too little, untreated sleep disorders, or another cause is associated with poor health, such as future cognitive impairment (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), heart disease, diabetes, etc.,” said Brendan Lucey, M.D., a sleep expert and assistant professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. “In one sense, lack of sleep is killing us. Motor vehicle accidents due to lack of sleep are a serious and potentially fatal public health problem.”

Dr. Brendan said chronic sleep deprivation is when someone only gets five to six hours of sleep per night.

Dr. Brendan said chronic sleep deprivation is when someone only gets five to six hours of sleep per night.

Myrtle Hilliard Davis’ name should have remained

By Drew Hilliard Davis For The St. Louis American

It was with sadness and deep regret that I learned of the change in name of Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Center to CareSTL Health.

Anyone familiar with the history of the health center knows that it owes its very existence to the vision and effort of Myrtle Hilliard Davis.

In 1969 Davis wrote the grant which resulted in the construction of what was then known as St. Louis Comprehensive Health Center. With the exception of a oneyear stint as the CEO of a health center in Boston, Davis worked tirelessly at the center to ensure, above all else, that residents of the community had access to primary, preventative, and prenatal care of the highest quality, without regard to the economic station of the client.

For almost 20 of those 30 years, she served with excellence and distinction as the president and CEO of St. Louis Comprehensive Health Center. Put very simply, one didn’t think of the center without thinking of Myrtle Hilliard Davis.

“This is more insidious because individuals may not recognize the problems

Missing out on sleep is never a good thing; however, persistent lack of sleep interrupts the body’s restorative process, throwing out of whack your circadian rhythm and affecting neurocognitive, psychiatric, inflammatory, cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems of the body. See SLEEP, A11

with attention, reaction time, and other performance measures, as well as poor health outcomes, chronic sleep restriction/ deprivation may cause,” Brendan said. “Chronic sleep deprivation could continue

potentially for years. Complete sleep deprivation, on the other hand, occurs for a short period of time and is more obviously

n You don’t repay that debt by stripping the name of a phenomenal AfricanAmerican woman from the landmark institution she created.

Upon her retirement in 2001, the Board of Directors voted to rename the health center in her name. It was a decision that was applauded throughout the St. Louis community. Davis’ retirement was further recognized by a mayoral proclamation, and she would posthumously receive a star on the Gateway Classic Walk of Fame. Davis is an icon in the St. Louis community and beyond. Her work to provide healthcare equality was recognized nationally as she met with President Gerald Ford and First Lady Barbara Bush during her career. All of the honors and recognition bestowed upon Myrtle Hilliard Davis were well earned and richly deserved – especially the renaming of the institution to which she devoted her life’s work.

The reasoning behind the name change offered by the current Board of Directors and CEO Angela Clabon seems disingenuous at best. If there were in fact issues of name confusion across the various entities under the Myrtle Hilliard Davis umbrella, the logical solution would be branding efforts that reinforced that all of the entities are locations of Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Center. Instead, Clabon suggests that changing the name entirely will somehow eliminate any existing confusion. It’s an explanation that simply doesn’t make sense.

If Clabon is a student of history, she surely realizes that the road of opportunity she currently travels was paved by pioneers such as Myrtle Hilliard Davis, Frankie Muse Freeman, Ina Boone, and Margaret Bush Wilson. We all owe a debt of gratitude to these pioneers for breaking through the glass ceiling of racial and gender discrimination. You don’t repay that debt by stripping the name of a phenomenal African-American woman from the landmark institution she created.

Drew Hilliard Davis is an attorney at law and son of the late Myrtle Hilliard Davis.

Drew Hilliard Davis

SLEEP

Continued from A10 debilitating.”

A panel of sleep experts spoke to journalists at the annual conference of the Association for Health Journalists held in Phoenix, Arizona two weeks ago.

Sairam Parthasarathy, M.D., director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, said sleep is an active process

“Each cell of your body is keeping time, and diseases or things you do or don’t do interfere with that rhythm,” Parthasarathy said. “You are recharging your brain in your sleep and ... you are not only recharging brain, you are recharging every cell in your body.”

He said people with persistent insomnia are more likely to die of cardiovascular events.

“Lack of sleep is conferring a great chance for developing inflammation and, as you know, inflammation is the basis for developing heart disease,” Parthasarathy said. “Inflammation also leads to developing cancer.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends at least seven hours of sleep per night for adults, eight to 10 hours of sleep per night for teenagers, nine to 12 hours per night for children ages 6-12. Within a 24-hour cycle, infants from four to 12 months should be sleeping 12 to 16 hours, one to two years old should sleep 11 to 14 hours, and children three to five years old should sleep 10 to 13 hours to promote optimal health.

The academy does not include a recommendation for infants under four months of age due to the varied and irregular sleep patterns of newborns and lack of sufficient evidence on health outcomes for infants in that age group.

The main reason people are not getting that much-needed sleep should not be a surprise in today’s society.

“Electronics is the No. 1,”said Brynn Dredla, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist for the Mayo Clinic out of Jacksonville, Florida. She said one in three persons is not getting enough sleep at night.

“We are now being exposed to light more so than ever,” Dredla said. “Back in the 1800s, our light source was

“Sleep troubles may be clinically significant if they cause impairment of daytime function or cause or aggravate medical

mainly from oil lamps – more natural light. When the sun went down, we went down. However, now we have artificial light; we have more lumens in our light from dayto-day.”

Maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule, eating a healthy diet, exercising and morning-light exposure all factor in to help sleep. Seek a doctor evaluation if you suspect a sleep disorder.

According to the Saint Louis University Sleep Disorders Center, regular difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or daytime drowsiness may point to a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, depression or diabetes, so it is important to discuss sleep problems with your doctor.

n “You are recharging your brain in your sleep and ... you are not only recharging brain, you are recharging every cell in your body.”

– Sairam Parthasarathy, M.D.

Joseph Espiritu, M.D., medical director for the SLUCare Sleep Disorders Center and professor of Internal Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, said other factors that affect getting a good night’s sleep include jet lag; late bedtimes; night or evening shift work; and some blood pressure and

CWAH Walk-a-Thon & Health Fair on May 19

at 8:30 a.m. and the walk beginning promptly at 8:45 a.m. It’s a non-competitive walk/run with three options: 1K, 3K, or 5K. Healthcare booths will be staffed by the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, Behavioral

Health Network, Betty Jean Kerr Peoples Health Centers, Gateway To Oral Health, Knight’s Alzheimer Disease Research Center and Planned Parenthood, among others. For details, call 314-2897523 or visit www.cwah.org.

antidepressant medications. Environmental factors include noise, excessively cold or hot bedroom temperatures, light from lamps or electronics, snoring co-sleepers, and having children or pets in the bed. Medical issues that cause difficulty sleeping include uncontrolled asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain, psychiatric

disorders, and sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and chronic insomnia.

“Sleep troubles may be clinically significant if they cause impairment of daytime function or cause or aggravate medical problems,” Espiritu said. “Alternatively, the person may resort to the use of sleeping pills, alcohol, narcotics, sedatives, etc., to help them sleep or use stimulants and excessive caffeine to stay awake. Adult men may become irritable and prone to anger while children may become hyperactive. Obesity, glucose intolerance, and frequent infections may also occur with lack of sleep.”

At his sleep center, obstructive sleep apnea accounts for 95 percent of the cases they encounter.

problems.”

Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep and is a serious sleep disorder. Espiritu said while the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device addresses that issue, only one or two patients can use CPAP adequately long-term. Espiritu said, “A happy lifestyle with good diet and exercise, good sleep hygiene, avoidance of substance use, and treatment of medical, psychiatric, and sleep disorders can enhance the quantity and quality of nighttime sleep.”

For more information on Saint Louis University Sleep Disorders Center or to schedule a sleep evaluation or referral, call 314-977-5337.

Medicaid crisis shifts to Missouri House

‘The only way to fix Medicaid is to fund it’

By Stan Hudson For The St. Louis American

After years of underfunding Medicaid, the Missouri Senate has unanimously passed SB818 to increase the reimbursement rate for skilled nursing. Now it’s time for the Missouri House to do the same.

The bill calls for increasing Medicaid reimbursement incrementally over a threeyear period, until it meets the required amount set by the state’s own formula. Beginning in 2021, the Medicaid rate will be recalculated – and adjusted – each year to respond to fluctuations in the marketplace.

This is very welcome news for Missouri seniors and those

n If the state fails to fund skilled nursing now, it will likely have to pay for hospitalizations later and families will have to provide care –possibly at the expense of their jobs.

who care for them. But the state still has a long way to go. First, legislation to fully fund Medicaid must pass the Missouri House. And second, it must get funded. There is just a $25 difference between the $178 daily cost to provide average Medicaid skilled nursing

care and the $153 Missouri is actually paying. But that $25 shortfall is more than some Missouri nursing homes can afford. This means some of those facilities may have to close their doors, leaving their residents with nowhere to go. If the state fails to fund skilled nursing now, it will likely have to pay for hospitalizations later and families will have to provide care – possibly at the expense of their jobs. Whether viewed through a moral or a practical lens, the answer comes out the same. The only way to fix Medicaid is to fund it. Stan Hudson is community manager for Centennial Plaza Apartments.

Urban League Guild to host Healthy Awareness Day

The Urban League Guild of Metropolitan St. Louis will host a National Healthy Awareness Day on Saturday, May 19 at the YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 West Florissant Ave. Health care providers will

screen and inform participants about the prevention and management of chronic conditions. More than 15 agencies are participating, including St. Louis University, St. Louis Department of Health, Siteman Cancer Center and Affinia Dental

Mobil Van. The focus this year is on mental health, diabetes, obesity, infant mortality and AIDS. For more information, contact Kimberly Turner at 314-479-8649 or turner. kimberly6@gmail.com.

CWAH’s 2018 Walk Committee: Cynthia Clay, Joan Montague, Dr. Christy Richardson, Gloria Taylor (front row); Mavis Merritt, Tracy Baker, Dr. Pamela Jackson, Deborah Phelps, Robin Boyce, Kelly Ward (back row).

Photo by Roscoe Crenshaw

Healthy Kids Kids

Nutrition Challenge:

all of your meals are at the table.

> 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.

Focus On Mealtime!

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.

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

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.

> Don’t eat in front of the television. Make sure

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

from local pesky animals that just might want to come by for a taste.

As the weather warms up, one great way to get outside and stay active is to try gardening! As soon as the threat of frost has passed, ask your parents where you can start a small vegetable garden.

You’ll only need a small area of dirt. Look for a spot that gets several hours of sun a day. Working with an adult, you can begin digging up the area.

The ground is usually pretty solid and hard after a long, cold winter and you can start “working” the soil to get it ready for your garden. You might also want to explore ways to protect your plants

Digging, planting and weeding a garden is a great way to bend, stretch, work muscles and increase your heart rate. If all goes well, you will be enjoying your very own home-grown vegetables this summer!

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

What

Weathering theStorm

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.

> Watch the local news for storm predictions and updates.

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

wanted to be able to help her. Now I can help so many people when they are not feeling well

What is your favorite part of the job you have? What I love about my job is that I get to work with students that are interested in becoming nurses. We form great relationships with our patients and their families. I also get to learn something new every day.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Peanut Butter Dip

Devita T. Stallings, PhD, RN

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Crump’s 4th Grade Class

Annette Officer Elementary School

At

SCIENCE CORNER

SCIENCE STARS

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN SPACE— Mae Jemison

Who Wants To Be An Astronaut?

Many people are fascinated by space travel. Have you ever thought about being an astronaut? Becoming an astronaut takes a lot of work, and the training begins early. Astronauts study hard to learn all they can about science and astronomy. To be considered, you must have a college degree in engineering, medicine, biology, or physical science. A master’s or doctorate degree is a must.

hours of flight experience and two years of intense training at The Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston, Texas.

If you are interested in becoming an astronaut, your training starts now. Read as much as you can about space and astronomy. Practice your math and science skills. Work hard to stay healthy and cooperate with others.

Do you accept this mission?

Want To Learn More?

Space missions are coordinated with astronauts from around the world. Astronauts must be able to speak more than one language so they will be able to communicate with their teammates. Furthermore, astronauts must show that they are able to work cooperatively and get along with their coworkers.

NASA requires that applicants pass a physical to show they are in good health. If chosen, applicants must have 1000

Check out: www.sciencekids.co.nz/space.html www.nasa.gov/ audience/foreducators/ trainlikeanastronaut/home/index. html

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for background information.

Dr. Mae C. Jemison was born on Oct. 17, 1956, in Alabama. When she was 3 years old, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, to enjoy more educational opportunities. Jemison enjoyed such hobbies as photography, sewing, skiing, and dancing. She also was interested in learning other languages, such as Russian, Swahili, and Japanese, and collected African Art. Jemison loved to read and spent a lot of time at the library. She read many books about space and astronomy, the study of the moon, sun, and the planets.

Jemison was an honor student and graduated high school in 1973, at the age of 16. She was granted a National Achievement Scholarship and attended Stanford University to study chemical engineering. While there, she also studied African and Afro-American studies. She graduated with a degree in both chemical engineering and African studies in 1977. In 1981, Jemison received her doctoral degree in medicine from Cornell University.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the earth. It keeps you on the ground and will cause objects to fall if they are dropped. Is it possible to defy gravity? In this experiment, you will test that theory. Make a prediction now: is it possible to defy gravity? Why?

Materials Needed:

Glass • Water • Piece of Cardboard

Procedure:

q Fill the glass to the top with water.

Defying Gravity!

Does the cardboard stay on the glass?

Wrap Up: Was your prediction correct?

If you completed the experiment without allowing air bubbles to enter the glass of water, the cardboard will stay in place. Why? The air pressure outside the glass is greater and will force the cardboard in place.

After graduation, Jemison worked with computer programming, participated in research projects for the hepatitis B vaccine, and worked with the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control. She worked with the Peace Corps and traveled to Cuba, Kenya, and Thailand, providing education and vaccines to people around the world. In June of 1987, she was selected for the astronaut program and became the first female African-American astronaut in NASA history. This was Jemison’s second application; she was turned down the first time. She was one of 15 selected from over 2,000 applications. In 1992, she completed an eight day mission, logging over 190 hours in space.

Dr. Mae C. Jemison serves as a role model for hard work, persistence, and perseverance.

Mae Jemison is currently the leader of the 100 Year Starship™ Initiative. “The 100 Year Starship™ will make the capability of human travel beyond our solar system to another star a reality over the next 100 years. 100YSS™ will embark on a journey across time and space … If my language is dramatic, it is because this project is monumental. And our team is both invigorated and sobered by the confidence DARPA has in us to make interstellar flight a reality.”

Mae Jemison, M.D. Leader of 100YSS™

w Cover the glass carefully with the cardboard, making certain no air bubbles are in the glass.

e Turn the glass upside down over a sink.

r Remove your hand from the cardboard.

MATH CONNECTION

Want To Try More Fun Experiments?

The following website has a collection of activities to try at home or school. http://www.kids-science-experiments.com/ cat_gravity.html

Learning Standards: I can make a prediction and follow a process to test my prediction.

Discuss: Name some of Jemison’s achievements. If you were going to interview her, what questions would you like to ask and why?

Want to know more? Read “Mae Jemison: Out of This World,” by Rose Blue. Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to understand the main idea and supporting details in a biography.

Congratulations! You have been selected for a space mission. All of your basic necessities (food, water, clothing, etc.) will be provided for you. You will need to pack your personal belongings to keep you occupied on your long journey.

Challenge: Here’s the catch. All the items your crew takes along must fit into a box 1 meter wide by 1 meter high by 1 meter deep (1 cubic meter).

By the Numbers

You will need to choose your items and measure them to be certain they will fit in the box. Remember: there is no cell phone service in space!

Extension: Explain why you chose each item.

Learning Standards: I can apply measurement to solve

Use the newspaper to practice your skills.

Fact and Opinion:

in which they happened). This is the sequence of events. Next, read a newspaper article and write the sequence of events in chronological order.

A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true; an opinion is a person’s thoughts or beliefs about a topic. Read the biography of Mae Jemison and find an example of a fact and an opinion. As a class, read a newspaper article and underline the facts and circle the opinions. Next, use the newspaper to find three examples of facts and three examples of opinion.

Sequencing: Sequencing is the order of events. As a class, write the events of Mae Jemison’s biography in chronological order (the order

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper as a resource to find fact and opinion, and to sequence events.

Photo by Wiley Price

Greitens picks up another felony charge, still refuses to resign

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner filed another felony charge against the Governor Eric Greitens – computer tampering – based on evidence from Attorney General Josh Hawley’s investigation into whether Greitens made political use of a donor list without its permission from a nonprofit he founded.

It stems from Greitens’ 2016 campaign for governor. Greitens’ campaign allegedly received a fundraising list from the Mission Continues, a veterans charity that Greitens helped found before he ran for office. Hawley reported that his office had evidence that Greitens illegally obtained that fundraising list. The Mission Continues has adamantly denied giving the donor list to the Greitens campaign.

“Evidence now in our possession would likely support a finding of probable cause that Mr. Greitens obtained an electronic donor list given by the Mission Continues for that organization’s internal purposes,” Hawley said. “Mr. Greitens however used that list for political fundraising. He transmitted that list for political fundraising. And he did all of this without the permission of the Mission Continues.”

House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, Senate President Pro-tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and several other Republican leaders have called on Greitens to resign. But Greitens doggedly remains twisting in the wind – to the delight of Democrats.

The EYE obtained a sealed motion from Greitens’ lawyers calling for Gardner to be removed from the case that had a buried news item: the claim that William Don Tisaby, the private investigator retained by Gardner, has interviewed 35 witnesses for the new money case. And Hawley? Well, he held a press conference.

Torches come out for Burns

The top leaders of the Missouri Democratic Party are calling for a south St. Louis County lawmaker to resign after he praised a radio host who commonly makes racist and

misogynist remarks.

At issue are state Rep. Bob Burns’ calls into a radio show hosted by Bob Romanik, St. Louis Public Radio reported. Romanik often says things on his show that are derogatory to African-Americans and women.

In March, for instance, Burns, who is a Democrat, called in and said: “I’m proud of you for standing up for our veterans. You do it with your actions, not just your words.”

And state Sen. Maria ChappelleNadal, D-University City, posted a YouTube video where Burns called in to Romanik after the host used the N-word to refer to African Americans.

After that video started making the rounds on social media on Saturday, House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty released a statement calling on Burns to step down. The Kansas City Democrat said, “While we acknowledge some of the recordings have been edited, the fact that Rep. Burns repeatedly called into this show is reprehensible given the host’s well-known racist views.” Later on Saturday, Missouri Democratic Party chairman Stephen Webber called Burns’ actions “indefensible,” adding that he believes the lawmaker should resign.

show were edited in a way that makes him look bad.

“They have tapes of me talking, [and] a lot of those tapes - I believe all of them have been spliced, so it makes me look like I might be agreeing with him,” he said. “But he’ll say something racist and I’ll say, ‘but on this veterans’ issue’’...you can tell they’ve been spliced together.”

Burns is unopposed for re-election this year.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, who are both running for reelection, also released statements calling for Burns to step down. Burns worked as a staffer for McCaskill for three years, according to his House biography.

In 2016, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed did more than call into Romanik’s show. Reed appeared on the show and later had to apologize for not doing enough to challenge Romanik (a significant donor to Reed’s campaigns) when he made obscene disparaging comments about Alderwoman Megan Green, a 15th Ward Democrat who clashed with Reed over the funding of a NFL stadium.

Burns told St. Louis Public Radio on Monday that he’s not resigning, and that his comments on Romanik’s

Green, who is running against Reed next year for Board of Aldermen president, alluded to that incident in a tweet questioning why McCaskill hadn’t spoken out back in 2016.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens following his 2018 State of the State Address. To his right is Rep. Diane Franklin, who says her constituents are supporting the governor despite his legal troubles.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / UPI

Central Committee toxicity

Burns’ support of Romanik’s show is definitely a stain for the Democratic Party. But nothing can be more toxic for the state party than actions that took place at a recent St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee meeting.

The committee held a public meeting on Saturday, April 21 to discuss changing its bylaws. City resident Sarah Felts attended the open-session portion of the meeting and started livestreaming the meeting. Robert Stelzer, committeeman for the 10th Ward, began to give a summary of the changes to the bylaws. But Teri Powers, committeewoman for the 24th Ward, interrupted him and told Felts, “Please stop recording.”

“Why?” Felts asked.

“Because this is a meeting of the Central Committee,” Powers said. Felts responded that it’s open to the public. Committee Chairman Bob Hilgemann told Stelzer to continue.

But Stelzer said to Felts, “You should have respect for what they say up there. It’s not up to you. It’s not necessarily a public meeting. We open it to the public.”

After a testy exchange, Powers said, “I’d like to make a motion for our honored guest to leave at this time, so we can discuss this.” Hilgemann denied the request.

Later, Powers insinuated that Felts was a “whore,” which earned gasps from the room. For all the outcry over Burns’ approval of racist remarks,

there should be equal outrage from the Missouri Democratic Party about committeemen who infringe on citizens’ rights to record public meetings and attempt to illegally kick citizens out of these meetings. Everyone from the top of the party down to the bottom should be asking for Powers and Stelzer to step down.

Post-Dispatch editorial disses mayor

The Post-Dispatch greeted the one-year anniversary of Mayor Lyda Krewson’s tenure in Room 200 by upbraiding her for being a do-nothing, or do-not-enough, mayor.

“Krewson served as 28th Ward alderman for 20 years but has approached the mayor’s job as though she was new to government. Someone with her experience should have hit the ground running,” the Post opined, saying she “should be taking bolder steps” to address the city’s woes and accusing of her colluding in the airport privatization study “to yield the specific result suitable to the proposal’s backers.”

The EYE agrees with the Post editorial board in this instance, which is an unfamiliar feeling, but it’s a little silly for them to be calling out Krewson for not being audacious when the Post editorial board and news editors spent the entire mayoral campaign trying to clip the wings of the most bold candidate for mayor, Tishaura O. Jones

This also may be the place to revive the discussion of the Post endorsement in that race, which was not of Krewson, the status quo candidate most of us assumed the Post wanted to win, but Antonio French. Jones nearly doubled French in vote totals –16,374 to 8,530 – but lost to Krewson by 888 votes. The conventional wisdom is that the Post endorsement was intended to give French’s flagging campaign new life and divide change voters. Whether or not that’s what the Post intended to do – it’s possible they actually wanted French to be the next mayor – it’s what they did, and in so doing they helped to defeat exactly the kind of mayor they now say they wish they had.

Business

‘I had to prove myself’

Richaundra Poe worked her way up from White Castle to management at Four Seasons

By Tashan Reed For The St. Louis American

Prior to being promoted to a supervisor at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, Richaundra Poe was simultaneously preparing to have her second son. She pursued maternity leave benefits but learned that she would be paid for her previous position as office coordinator. Poe had already been supervising without the title as a part of her training for about a year and a half, but was denied the full benefits because of her title in the system. She was livid. She kept fighting until her manager finally relented and assured her that he’d make her promotion to supervisor official.

“I felt like that was my first step to knowing that I could make something happen for myself,” Poe said. “I’m no longer afraid to voice what I

n “Some people struggle with thinking that they have to change who they are. It’s not that you’re changing who you are, it’s that you’re changing your environment.”

Poe

Richaundra

–

feel is right, to push to make things happen for myself.”

Four years later, Poe is the housekeeping

assistant manager at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and has her sights set on the assistant director position.

Poe was born in St. Louis in 1987 and lived with her mom and two of her brothers after her parents split up. She had another brother who lived with her dad, but she said they were around each other all the time.

They all grew up in an environment where drugs and violence were the norm, but still managed to enjoy a pretty normal childhood.

Once she graduated from Gateway High School in 2005, Poe attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she majored in psychology while working at White Castle.

Poe returned to St. Louis after her freshman year of college and got promoted to shift

See POE, B2

We must better align community college with

By Jeff L. Pittman For The St. Louis American

As chancellor of St. Louis Community College, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with many of you about the college’s positive impact on your lives and careers. Listening to these stories and seeing the end result — graduation, new careers, promotions — continues to influence STLCC’s work to maintain programs that are relevant to the workforce, create clear transfer pathways to fouryear institutions, and keep tuition rates stable and affordable.

I recently attended an open house celebrating the college’s partnership with the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center. Our

Jeff L. Pittman

Florissant Valley campus, located in Ferguson, is one of the pillars of North County, and by partnering with the Urban League and other organizations, STLCC is able to further extend its reach into the community. We’re excited to offer financial aid, admissions, registration, advising and career services at the center. We will continue to pursue initiatives and programs similar to our offerings at the Empowerment Center, although the college still may face challenges given the current budget situation in the state. As most of you have heard, Missouri

n The fastest growing job sector in the region is healthcare, and the college is responding.

Governor Eric Greitens is calling for a total of $68.2 million in cuts from higher education, which, if finalized, would amount to as much as $4.6 million in reductions to STLCC’s core funding, plus other budget withholds that may occur.

See PITTMAN, B2

Doris Shaw joined Maryville University as dean of the John E. Simon School of Business. She is leaving the Haile/ U.S. Bank College of Business at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where she was professor of marketing and chair of the departments of marketing, sport business and construction management. She also has led NKU’s economics program.

Jeffery Hardin was selected as executive director of the National Blues Museum, replacing founding Executive Director Dion Brown, who announced his resignation in January. Hardin has provided business oversight on various fundraising campaigns for not-forprofit organizations, such as The Wolff Jazz Institute and Citizens for Community Improvement, where he served as VP of Business Development.

Michelle Martin Bonner joined Lathrop Gage as the firm’s director of Diversity and Inclusion. She has more than 10 years of experience in leading a law firm’s diversity efforts. She is the past chair of the Association of Legal Administrators National Diversity Committee and is a member of several other diversity organizations, including the Gateway Association of Legal Administrators and Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals.

Blake Strode was invited to speak at Harvard Law School’s bicentennial celebration. A 2015 Harvard Law alumnus, he was a featured panelist, speaking during the session, “Innovative Legal Services in an Era of Uncertainty.” He is executive director of ArchCity Defenders, a nonprofit civil rights law firm based in St. Louis.

Yashica McKinney was inducted into the 2018 “Wall of Fame” by Grace Hill Women’s Business Center. She is the owner and CEO of Desserts Out The Jar and More. She is also the recipient of the 2017 St. Louis American Young Leaders Award, 2017 Phenomenal Woman Award, 2017 Emerald Small Business Award and 2017 Score “Manufacture of the Year” award.

Christopher E. Ware II graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas as a U.S. Air Force Airman. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is the son of Christopher Ware of St. Louis and Christina A. Means of Carlinville, Illinois.

Doris Shaw

Michelle Martin Bonner

Christopher E. Ware II

Yashica McKinney

Jeffery Hardin

Blake Strode

Richaundra Poe is the housekeeping assistant manager at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

We must work together to build black wealth

By Jeffrey Hicks

For The St. Louis American

A half-century ago, the Fair Housing Act was enacted to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, creed and national origin. The law also supported efforts by National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB) to increase black homeownership, which we believe serves to increase wealth and other economic outcomes for black Americans. We have since experienced highs and lows in the

n Today, black homeownership stands at 42.1 percent, almost the same as nearly 50 years ago.

journey towards economic empowerment and black homeownership. While sometimes challenged, we are not discouraged. And, we have learned vital lessons along the way. NAREB has advocated for black Americans to own their homes since 1947, and we are proud to play a leadership role in that struggle. But this is not a solitary endeavor. We must grow a community of concern by partnering and actively involving civil and human rights organizations, community-based and social service organizations, business

Jedidiah James awarded for Aspirations in Computing

Jedidiah James, a student at Hazelwood West High School, recently was awarded the 2018 National Center for Women and Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Award, which honors high school students who are active and interested in computing and technology and encourages them to pursue a career in the computer science field.

James has been interested in computer science since her freshman year and has demonstrated her desire to excel in this industry. James has worked with multiple computer science programs such as Scratch, App Inventor, and Python. To date, her greatest technical accomplishment was creating a mobile app.

Jedidiah James

“These are the skills that 21st-century technology companies look for when recruiting employees,” said Stephanie Carson, Project Lead the Way computer science teacher. Nicelle Mariano, also a student at Hazelwood West High School, also received the award. For more information on the National Center for Women and Information Technology, visit their website, aspirations.org.

groups, and the faith-based community-our oldest and most trusted institution. We must collaborate to create strong, viable communities that help to stabilize black Americans and their families through homeownership. In 1970, two years after the passage of The Fair Housing Act, black homeownership was 41.6 percent. It reached its height in 2004 at 49 percent. Today, black homeownership stands at 42.1 percent, almost the same as nearly 50 years ago. The economic downturn of a decade ago hurt many Black homeowners with high foreclosures, upside-down

mortgages, and financial upheaval from which many are still struggling to recover. Today, economic segregation remains a problem. Urban centers, long the home of black Americans, are being gentrified. Many with deep community roots are being forced out by rising taxes and skyrocketing housing values. While obvious obstacles like Jim Crow segregation no longer exist, we still face formidable obstacles to owning homes. Obstacles like credit scoring, which is based not on how diligently we pay our bills, but on how much consumer

debt we can amass. Obstacles like crippling student debt, which impacts Black Americans deeply. Obstacles like unfair mortgage lending practices. Despite these challenges, we know that wealth can be built through education, through financial literacy, through creating and growing our community of concern to support homeownership.

This is how Black America educates its children and how we set up businesses-by using equity from our homes to invest in ourselves, our families and our futures. We stand on the shoulders of NAREB founders and visionaries like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who spoke to NAREB in 1967 about

the need for “middle-class Negroes to ... publicly identify with the problem of poverty which engulfs the life of the masses.”

NAREB’s motto is “Democracy in Housing,” and we will continue to fight for that. We must continue to be vigilant. We must continue to educate black Americans, to encourage black Americans, and do everything we can to empower black Americans to build wealth, to build stability, and to invest in our futures through that most fundamental part of the American Dream: homeownership. Jeffrey Hicks is president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc.

MSD offers scholarships for water control program

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is offering a limited number of academic scholarships to women and minority candidates who reside within the district’s

service area. The scholarship will provide $3,500 toward tuition and fees to attend the ERTC Water Quality Control Operations Program at Southern Illinois University

at Edwardsville (SIUE) for the school year of 2018-2019.

MSD and SIUE will have an informational session 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, May 14 at MSD’s Administrative office located at 2350

St. Louis. For more information go to https://www.stlmsd.com/ diversity.

St. Louis Enterprise Center-Wellston gets state tax credit

The Missouri Department of Economic Development approved of a $90,000 Small Business Incubator state tax credit to go towards the St. Louis Enterprise CenterWellston, 6439 Plymouth Ave., on April 19. Previously

PITTMAN

continued from page B1

In the past two years, we have laid the groundwork for addressing state budget reductions by deactivating

utilized as a portion of Wagner Electric, which ceased operations in the early 1980s, the redevelopment of the St. Louis Enterprise CenterWellston on this site would provide start-up businesses low-cost office, manufacturing

or consolidating programs, reducing administrative and operating costs, and unfortunately, conducting a reduction in force. Although it is too early to tell, such proposed cuts from the state could result in a significant increase in our tuition, potentially prohibiting some students from attending the college. Regardless of these challenges, we continue to look for innovative and affordable means to align programs and services to meet the expectations of students and employers.

One such example is aligning our resources to meet community educational needs. The fastest growing job sector

POE

continued from page B1

manager at the same White Castle’s location where she started at the age of 16. She had switched to Missouri College, which has since closed, and intended to continue her education, but then she became pregnant.

Working from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and then going to school from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. just got to be too much during her third trimester, so she dropped out. A couple years after having her son in 2007, she pursued a second job at the Four Seasons. She planned to work as a part-time room attendant while working fulltime at White Castle, but the director of housekeeping at the time had different plans.

He told her that he didn’t see her cleaning rooms, but she told him, “With all due respect, I just wanna take care of my son, so whatever it is that I need to do I’m gonna do it.”

When the assistant director of housekeeping called her back for a second interview, she was surprised to discuss computer training. “Your room attendants work off computers?” she asked. “No,” she was told. “You didn’t know we were going to offer you the office coordinator position?”

Poe put in her two-week notice at White Castle and worked as an office coordinator for the next two and a-half years, while also cleaning rooms and helping out wherever she was needed. Meanwhile, she returned to school at the University of Phoenix and earned her bachelor’s degree in

and warehousing space, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities through shared services and information from other businesses, according to state Rep. Joe Adams, D-University City, whose district includes the development. St. Louis Enterprise Centers are a partnership between St. Louis Development Corporation and the St. Louis County Economic Council. Call 314-727-6132.

in the region is healthcare, and the college is responding. That is why a new Center for Nursing and Health Sciences will replace two outdated buildings on the Forest Park campus.

Another example includes our efforts to address enrollment shortfalls. We’ve increased our partnerships to expand our successful early college and dual enrollment programs, broadening on-line course offerings to make the college more accessible to students; and forming alliances with companies in the St. Louis region, such as developing apprenticeship opportunities to provide skilled workers to area employers.

psychology in 2012. Her first opportunity to be a supervisor came when the Four Seasons opened up a location in Baltimore. She volunteered for the move, but quickly realized that the situation was a bad fit for her after a rough opening. She returned to St. Louis using the Four Seasons’ safety net provision before eventually earning her aforementioned promotion in 2014. In that same year she earned her master’s degree in business management.

Now she is in charge of anywhere between seven and

n “We’re afraid that there’s already a stereotype of us. We’re afraid to step outside of that stereotype and show the world, ‘This is who we are.’”

– Richaundra Poe

20 room attendants on a daily basis.

“It’s hard to get up and come in and have to clean behind people, but you’re doing it because you have a purpose,’” she said. “If you can see yourself being a manager or you can see yourself leading, then this is the first step.”

Poe serves as a mentor to the room attendants, many of whom are also black women and come to her for advice. Her willingness to help comes from knowing how hard it is for people who look like her to make it. “Of course, with me growing up in the inner city, black people have that persona of being ghetto, very outspoken, very proud,” she said.

Simultaneously, we know we must be responsible to the taxpayers in the region who fund the college. Moreover, we must better align the college with the community’s needs. That’s why St. Louis Community College is making needed changes to keep programs relevant and tuition costs stable to remain the affordable and high-quality education institution that the region so desperately needs. By working directly with the communities the college serves, we will continue to strengthen our commitment to expand minds and change lives.

Jeff L. Pittman is chancellor of St. Louis Community College

Poe said that she possesses some of these qualities but had to suppress them in order to move through the ranks.

“Some people struggle with thinking that they have to change who they are,” she said. “It’s not that you’re changing who you are, it’s that you’re changing your environment, so you have to adapt.”

Poe said that it’s fear of changing and adapting that holds black people back in the industry.

“I have to always tell them, ‘Hey, I’m African-American, I made it,’” Poe said. “It’s about you. You have to put yourself in a position to where they have no choice but to choose you. She said that black people have to work hard, be versatile and promote themselves in order to be noticed. She knows from experience.

“I won’t lie, it was hard,” Poe said. “I basically had to prove myself. I had to start to put myself in positions to where I was willing to do whatever it took to get the job done.”

She said success starts in the household. As a child, her mother made sure that she read a lot, participated in activities at school and believed that she could do and be whatever she wanted to.

“What I’m trying to teach my children is, ‘Don’t be afraid to try,’” Poe said. “I think a lot of times we’re afraid that there’s already a stereotype of us. We’re afraid to step outside of that stereotype and show the world, ‘This is who we are.’” This is the fourth in a series of profiles of hospitality professionals that Tashan Reed is reporting for The American.

Jeffrey Hicks

Sports

Trump not

Stars shine at local meets

Parkway North’s Suber named Outstanding Athlete

There were some strong performances around the area last week as there were some big meets in town.

Parkway North standout Jakeel Suber was the Outstanding Male Athlete at the Fred Lyon Invitational on his home track. Suber swept both the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Suber’s winning time in the 110high hurdles was 14.761 seconds. He also ran a leg on the Vikings’ 4x100-meter relay team that finished third. Suber leads a talented Parkway North team that will be a contender for the Class 4 state championship next month.

On the girls’ side, sophomore Michelle Owens of McCluer North was the Outstanding Female Athlete at Parkway North. She won three events at Parkway North, including the 100-meter high hurdles, 300meter low hurdles and long jump.

Area stars shine at KU Relays

Several area athletes made the trip to Lawrence, Kansas last weekend to compete in the KU Relays against other top athletes in Missouri, Kansas and other states. Senior Diamond Riley of Ritenour finished first in the triple jump with an excellent effort of 40 feet 7 ½ inches. Senior Zionn Pearson of MICDS was second with a jump of 38-1 ½ and second in the long jump. Christine Williams

MAGA American pastime

Seventy-one years after Jackie Robinson broke through the color barrier in baseball, it seems that Donald Trump’s America has embraced another pastime. This new sport is catching on like wildfire, likely because it can be easily played by all. It does not require great athleticism, coordination, training, practice or money. We live in an era where players such as Tiger Woods Serena Williams, P.K. Subban and the Nigerian women’s bobsled team have made an impact in sports that have historically been dominated by white athletes. Now, MAGA Americans upset with the shifting demographics of the country are embracing the sport of calling the cops on black people for trespassing In one of the latest exhilarating matchups, the Grandview

Golf Club in York, Pa. called the police on five black women, who held memberships at the club, for allegedly playing too slow.

According to The Washington Post, the five women, part of a group known as Sisters in the Fairway, were approached on the second hole by former Republican York County Commissioner Steve Chronister, and told that they needed to “keep up the pace of play.” This is despite the fact that the ladies’ start time was delayed almost an hour due to frost on the golf course. The women were also given the green light to play as a group of five by the Grandview clerk, instead of the traditional foursome. Yet, two holes in, they were confronted by the former commissioner, who is the father of the club’s co-owner, Jordan Chronister

“He was extremely hostile,” Myneca Ojo told the York Daily Record The women consulted with a golf course pro about their speed of play and were told they were “fine” and had kept

pace with the group ahead of them. That didn’t stop Steve Chronister from approaching the women again, saying “You’re going too slow, I’ll give you a refund,” as if he hadn’t

See CLUTCH, B5

Earl Austin Jr.

Ojo and Sandra Thompson returned to the course from the customary break at

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

(center)

The Grandview Golf Club called the police on Carolyn Dow, Sandra Harrison, Karen Crosby, Sandra Thompson and Myneca Ojo for allegedly golfing too slow.

Facebook / Myneca Ojo

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Trump not boxed in when it comes to pardoning Jack Johnson

I avoid President Trump tweets like they were rabid racoons, but one caught my interest on April 21.

First, I had no idea that Republican Sens. Peter King of New York and John McCain of Arizona had sought a pardon for heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson Johnson’s crime was sleeping with white women and he was convicted of this heinous felony in 1913.

A resolution was passed in Congress for Johnson’s pardon at King and McCain’s behest, but neither President Bush nor President Obama granted a pardon. The move to pardon Johnson stalled when the Justice Department made it clear to the White House that pardoning deceased individuals was not Oval Office policy.

Enter Sylvester Stallone, the actor who portrayed Rocky Balboa in the series of seven movies. Stallone reportedly called President Trump last week and asked him to pardon Johnson for his so-called crime. Always in search of self-glory and media coverage, the idea apparently is intriguing to Trump. He tweeted, “Sylvester Stallone called me with the story of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. His trials and tribulations were great, his life complex and controversial. Others have looked at this over the years, most thought it would be done, but yes, I am considering a Full Pardon!” Johnson claimed the heavy-

weight championship by defeating Tommy Burns in 1908 and the nation then clamored for a “Great White Hope” to win he crown back for the white race. James Earl Jones portrayed

Johnson in a movie with that title.

Johnson served a one-year prison sentence for violating the Mann Act for taking a white woman across state

lines. Federal prosecutors said his dating white women was “a crime against nature.” Seriously.

Sen. King said following the Trump tweet, “It would be great recognition and a correction of injustice if President Trump granted the pardon of Jack Johnson.”

Jesse Washington of the website “The Undefeated,” wrote that Obama steered clear of a Johnson pardon for obvious reasons.

“Exonerating Johnson would have opened Obama up to racial repercussions unique to the first black president. The boxer enjoyed rubbing white America’s face in his profligate habits with sex, money, cars, clothes and jewelry,” Washington wrote in a column.

“Obama pardoning Johnson would have appeared to some people like pardoning Tupac Shakur or (the imprisoned rapper) Bobby Shmurda. Obama was focused on clemency for living victims of mass incarceration polices, which disproportionately affect the black community.”

He added that in our nation today, “Black Americans … are more uncomfortable than whites with interracial unions.”

A majority of his base might not like it, but don’t count out Trump’s pardoning Johnson.

In a Nick of time

Ritenour High School graduation is not until June 2, however one of its graduates

has already started his Big 12 college education and football career.

Nick Williams, a 6’-8,” 290-pound offensive tackle completed his classes at Ritenour and enrolled at the University of Kansas in January after signing to join coach David Beaty’s Jayhawks on December 20.

He is taking part in KU’s spring practice sessions, which end with an open practice on Saturday. The scheduled scrimmage/game was changed to a practice because of a number of injuries to offensive linemen.

Beaty told the Lawrence Journal-World last week that four linemen were out for the remainder of the spring with injuries. Williams is “battling through” a less serious injury along with senior Jacob Bragg, juniors Andru Tovi, Hunter Saulsbury and Antione Frazier

Along with KU, Williams had offers from Minnesota, University of Central Florida, Ball State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Southeast Missouri and South Dakota.

Last August, Williams told the Post-Dispatch, “(KU has) a great coaching staff and wonderful facilities. There’s so much potential and then the chemistry of the team,” Williams said.

“They’re starting to build and have better seasons.”

While Williams could still be a redshirt freshman during the coming season, there is

also a chance he could play an on-field role with the beleaguered Jayhawks.

Last year was a 1-win disaster for KU, and lack of depth on the offensive line was one of several weaknesses for the Big 12 basement residing Jayhawks.

As for the facilities, Williams will be among the first Jayhawks to practice in a new indoor facility, which is now under construction.

From the small world department, Williams’ coach at Ritenour, Hoyt Gregory, is one of Beaty’s former teammates and college roommate at Lindenwood University. Each served as best man at their respective weddings and were assistant football coaches on the same staff at a pair of Texas high schools.

“I don’t tell kids where to go but, in my heart, once Nick told me that’s where he wanted to go, I believe that’s a really great fit for Nick,” Gregory said on Williams’ signing day. This is not a shot at Missouri. However, if the Tigers are serious about St. Louis area recruiting how did the program not even offer this 3-star offensive lineman a scholarship?

Rice stirs it up

The NCAA commission headed by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to release its report on corruption and the future of collegiate sports. Its three central goals were to examine the relationship of the NCAA national office, member institutions, student-athletes, and coaches with outside entities (shoe companies, agents, and AAU leagues); the NCAA’s relationship with the NBA; and creating the right relationship between the universities and colleges of the NCAA and its national office to promote transparency and accountability.

Mark Emmert, NCAA president, said last week that he expects some major recommendations from the commission – although he says he does not know what they will be.

“Just to be blunt about it, you don’t waste Condoleezza Rice’s time if you’re not serious about it,” Emmert said last week.

He added that he has had to convince many of its NCAA members that the report is not “window dressing.”

Emmert is still living in the past and flat-out refuses to entertain payment of players in college.

However, the commission is expected to endorse an “Olympic model,” that will allow players to profit off their likeness through jersey sales and appearances.

The commission was created in the wake of the FBI’s corruption probe that led to criminal charges against assistant coaches, agents, apparel company employees and others.

The Justice Department arrested 10 people, including four assistant coaches from Arizona, Southern California, Auburn and Oklahoma State. Hundreds of thousands were allegedly offered to parents and guardians to influence recruits on choosing a school or agent.

Basketball power Kansas is the latest school to have allegedly had players receive money from an Adidas employee.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, is a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and can also be heard on Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson’s crime was sleeping with white women and he was convicted of this heinous felony in 1913.

inSide SPorTS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Missouri Coaches’ Hall of Fame for Austin and Reed

The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association held its annual Hall of Fame ceremony last Saturday in Springfield, Missouri.

One of the members of the Class of 2018 Hall of Fame class was yours truly, and it was indeed an honor to be included amongst these esteemed individuals who have enjoyed so much success as high school and college coaches while also helping to shape the lives of so many young people. Well, that’s enough talk about my own induction. The individual who I really want to congratulate is my friend Randy Reed, who was also inducted after putting in two wonderful decades of success at McCluer North, St. Louis

CLUTCH

ees and told the police had been called.

In a video submitted by Thompson, during the confrontation, Jordan Chronister stated, “It’s 1:28, you got off the green at 12:45. I was sitting there counting.”

Let that sink in for a moment.

‘I was sitting there counting.’

Exactly why was the owner of this golf club sitting, watching, waiting and counting the time for the only black women present on the golf course? Why didn’t he confront the group of white men behind the women, who were still taking a break in the clubhouse?

A quick look at the video clearly shows that it’s very unlikely that the Chronister’s beef with the women had to do with the pace of the game and everything to do with the color of their skin.

State honors name Ramey ‘Mr. Basketball’ and Morris ‘Ms. Basketball’

Community College and Cardinal Ritter. He has won more than 400 games and several championships. As a player, Reed was a great high school player for Vashon in the late 1970’s and an All-American junior college performer at Forest Park Community College. He finished his collegiate career at Kansas State, where he helped the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 1981. When you look beyond the three programs where Reed was a great player and see who the head coaches were at these schools, it is easy to see how a potential Hall of Fame coaching career could be born. Reed played at Vashon for Floyd Irons, Forest Park for Bob

Nelson and Kansas State for the late Jack Hartman. All three men are Hall of Fame coaches and legendary figures who also knew how to teach the game. I was armed with this knowledge more than 20 years ago when my alma mater, McCluer North, was looking to hire Randy Reed as its new boys’ basketball coach. When talking to then-Athletic Director Dave Carpenter, I couldn’t hide my excitement. I told them this was a no-brainer. Not only has he learned from the best basketball minds, Reed was also good with young people. Reed was hired and the

rest, as they say, was history. It took him a few years to get the program going, but once he got McCluer North performing at its peak level, there wasn’t a better program in the state of Missouri. In a 10-year period, Reed led McCluer North to seven district championships, four Final Four appearances and three state championships in 2007, 2011 and 2012. When Randy was at McCluer North, the Stars took on all comers. Only one program from the state of Missouri has gone over to the Illinois side to win the Collinsville, Centralia and Carbondale Christmas Tournaments. That would be

she wants. This is what she does for a living.”

forth, there were no problems. No need for us to be there.”

declined the meeting request, the golf club issued a second statement, which seemed to double down on calling the boys in blue.

“Grandview currently has 2400 members. In the past players who have not followed the rules, specifically pace of play, have voluntarily left at our request as our scorecard states. In this instance, the members refused to leave so we called police to ensure an amicable result.”

McCluer North. The Stars also won tournament titles at St. Francis Borgia, Normandy and Troy. They competed everywhere and won everywhere. As a McCluer North alum, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Randy Reed for making our basketball program a statewide powerhouse. It has also been great to enjoy a long friendship with him over this time period. Congratulations of the special honor, my friend.

Statewide Basketball Honors

Webster Groves star Courtney Ramey was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Missouri. The 6’4” Ramey led the Statesmen to back-to-back Class 5 state championships. He leaves Webster Groves as the school’s all-time leader in scoring and assists. Ramey also collected the award for Class 5 Player of the Year in Missouri. Incarnate Word Academy girls’ star Sonya Morris was named Ms. Basketball in the state of Missouri. Like Courtney Ramey, Morris led her school to back-to-back state championships as Incarnate Word dominated the Class 4 scene. Morris has signed with DePaul University. Whitfield boys’ star Torrence Watson was named the Class 3 Player of the Year. The Mizzou-bound Watson averaged more than 30 points a game to lead the St. Louis metro area in scoring, including three games of more than 50 points this season.

could happen at any time. Get too close to the tree line on a secluded part of the course and wake up in the sunken place or in a jail cell because I couldn’t keep the ball in the fairway. The bigoted sport of calling

the police on non-violent black and brown people needs to stop.

Continued from B3 relay team that finished in second place. Pittman has already earned All-Conference recognition this season during the indoor season by finishing in second place in the 60-meter high hurdles at the University Athletic Association championships in February.

Perhaps Harrison was being targeted for being the head of the York County branch of the NAACP. As Jordan Chronister continuously and aggressively got in Harrison’s face, his father told him, “This is what

TRACK

Continued from B3 of Timberland was first in the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.59 seconds. Mikayla Reed of Washington was second in the 800-meter run while Abigail Green of Francis Howell Central was second in the discus.

On the boys’ side, St. Louis University High finished first in the 4x800-meter relay at KU. Matthew White of Hazelwood East finished second in the 800 and Josh Sutton of MICDS was second in the 100. Hazelwood West did well in the sprint relays, finishing second in the 4x100 and third in the 4x200.

Phil Brusca-Connie Strobach at Ladue

Sprinters Deja Ingram and Aisha Southern of Hazelwood Central turned in top performances at Ladue. Ingram finished first in the 100 in 12.34 and the 200 in 24.48. Southern was second in the 100 and first in the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.67. Jade Moore of Pattonville defeated a talented field to win the 400-meter dash in 58.0 seconds. Freshman Kylie Goldfarb of John Burroughs won the 800-meter run while Cardinal Ritter swept the spring relays by winning the 4x100 and 4x200. Several boys’ athletes had some impressive performances as well. Pattonville’s Dakari Streeter was excellent in the throws, finishing second in the shot put (52 feet 10 inches), discus (163-1) and javelin (165-0). His effort in the javelin was second behind Pattonville teammate Derrick

Luckily for the Sisters in the Fairway, the Northern York County Regional Police had more sense than the Philadelphia police officers who arrested Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson for waiting while black. When the York PD arrived and discovered the ridiculous reason they were called to the Grandview golf course, they determined that their presence was not needed and exited stage left. We determined this was not a police matter, and we left,” Northern York County Regional Police Chief Mark Bentzel told The Washington Post. “Other than people offering their opinion back and

Boyce, who had a throw of 182-0. Junior Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter won the 100 in 10.94. Kemeric Winston of Trinity won the 200 and finished third in the 100. Daniel Hopkins of Rockwood Summit won the 400 in 48.74 while Jerald Allen of Gateway won the 800 in 1:58.34. Sophomore phenom Brandon Miller won the 1,600-meter run in 4:27.93.

Dale Collier Invitational

The Carnahan girls displayed some talent in the sprints at Kirkwood last Saturday. Maleah Page finished

Sunday, the other Grandview Golf Club co-owner, JJ Chronister, issued an apology.

“…Several of our members had an experience that does not reflect our organization’s values or our commitment to delivering a welcoming environment for everyone. We are disappointed that this situation occurred and regret that our members were made to feel uncomfortable in any way. We have reached out to the members who shared their concerns to meet in-person, to fully understand what happened so that we can ensure it never happens again.”

However, after the women

first in the 100 in 12.3 and the 200 in 26.05. Teammate Terriel Herdon finished second in the 100 and third in the 200. Carnahan also took home first place medals in the 4x100 and 4x200.

Kelsey Cole of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC won three events, including the triple jump where he turned in an impressive mark of 47-2. Cole also finished first in the long jump with a leap of 21-7 and the 200. The Commanders also got first place finishes from James Allen in the 800 and Antonio Norman in the 300meter intermediate hurdles. The McCluer Comets dominat-

**Twitter name change** You can now follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshCreates.

The second statement also points to “voices escalated” as a reason the police were summoned. No, no, no! We can’t have those black women raising their voices while being harassed.

As a black person who has taken up the sport of golf over the past few years, I’ve often feared running into a situation like the five women in Pennsylvania went through – or worse.

In 2015, Missouri was deemed “The Heart of Racial Tension in America” by the Huffington Post. I can’t deny that there are certain courses that I’ve felt uncomfortable playing by myself. Though most golf courses are beautiful and scenic places, it’s hard to shake the subconscious feeling that a “Get Out” moment

ed the boys’ relays, winning the 4x100 and 4x200.

On tap this weekend

The Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational will be held on Friday and Saturday at Gay Field in Clayton. The Lindenwood High School Classic will be held on Saturday in St. Charles. The Patriot Classic will be held at Parkway South on Thursday. It’s an all-boys meet. The Eureka Girls Classic will be held on Thursday and Friday. The Lutheran St. Charles Culver Classic will be held on Thursday afternoon.

The junior sprinter from Detroit, Michigan had an excellent day at the Rose Hulman Institute Twilight Meet in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Pittman finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles, third in the 200meter dash and fourth in the 100. She also ran a leg on the Bears’ 4x100-meter

DeVonte Tincher

SIU-Edwardsville – Men’s Track

The freshman sprinter from Edwardsville High enjoyed a big day at the Tom Botts Invitational at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Tincher finished second in the 100-meter dash in a personal best of 10.71 seconds, which is also fourth on the all-time list at SIUE. He also finished second in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet 6 inches.

Tincher also finished second in the 100 at the Redbird Invite at Illinois State. Tincher finished in the top five in four different events at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships last month. He was fourth in the long jump and fifth in the 60-meter dash, 200-meter dash and triple jump.

Earl Austin Jr.

Several Grandview Golf Club employees, including Steve Chronister (left) and co-owner Jordan Chronister (right) accosted five black women and demanded they leave the course for golfing too slow. The club called the police when the women disputed their claims.

Shayba Muhammad of Mahnal Jewelry wins pitch competition

Shayba Muhammad of Mahnal Jewelry recently won the Elevator Pitch Competition at the Be Seen Brunch Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs of Color, presented by DK Solutions, the Hispanic Chamber, the BALSA Foundation and Brazen St. Louis, with support from JP Morgan Chase Foundation.

She won a $2,500 cash prize (funded by the Clark Fox Family Foundation), two memberships in the new CIC co-working space for six months, one year of membership to the Hispanic Chamber, a coaching session with “goal achievement expert” Kim Burke, and one year of membership to Brazen St. Louis, which empowers women entrepreneurs. The elevator pitch competition with five entrepreneurs was reviewed by a panel of judges from the St. Louis investment community: Brian Kinman of St. Louis Arch Angels, Cheryl Watkins-Moore of BioSTL, Brian Matthews of Cultivation Capital, Travis Sheridan of

Venture Café and Dr. Mary Jo Gorman of TripleCare. Ronke Faleti of Korédé was runner-up. Other pitch finalists included Rachel Simon-Lee of Heartwork Videos, Brittany Hill of Back Trap Yoga and Felice McClendon of SoundScrip. According to Brazen St. Louis, between 2007 and 2016 the number of women-owned firms increased by 45 percent – a rate 5 times the national average – and 78 percent of these net new women-owned firms are owned by women of color. However, fewer than 15 percent of all ventures receiving equity capital in 2014 had women on their executive teams, and only 2.7 percent of those companies had a woman CEO. Women of color received only 0.2 percent of all venture capital funding over the last five years.

To learn more about the event sponsors, visit www. BrazenSTL.com, http:// dksolutionsfirm.weebly.com/ , https://www.hccstl.com/ and http://www.balsafoundation. org/.

U.S. Black Chambers joins Small Business Roundtable

The nation’s leading small business and entrepreneurship organizations have banded together to form the Small Business Roundtable (SBR), a coalition dedicated to advancing policy, securing access, and promoting inclusion to benefit small businesses. Members of SBR include the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), National Association for the Self Employed (NASE),

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Small Business Association (NSBA), the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), and the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE). Small Business Roundtable is founded and managed by long-time small business advocates Rhett Buttle and John Stanford, and chaired by

Karen Kerrigan, president & CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.

“We will be focused on directly conveying our small business priorities to relevant leaders via meetings, briefings, conference calls and special events” said Ron Busby, president & CEO of the USBC. For more information, visit www. smallbusinessroundtable.org.

Watkins-Moore of BioSTL and Brian Matthews of Cultivation Capital

CVS, Jennings Schools partner in CVS Mock Pharmacy

Jennings School District and CVS Health have partnered to establish a CVS Mock Pharmacy to help teach students of all abilities important life and customer skills while still in school.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate its opening at Jennings’ Gary Gore Community Center at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11. In partnership with the Special School District, this

new workforce development program includes new courses that allow students of various ability levels to gain customer service experience and sales certifications, as well as the opportunity for internships with their local CVS Pharmacy. The new program uses training to empower all students, and especially those with special needs, to be work-ready.

Theresa L. Badgett, Jennings Senior High School JAG (Jobs

for America’s Graduates) program specialist, and JAG students helped to create the mock pharmacy setting, and five educators were trained by CVS Health to deliver this curriculum. The JAG Students will continue to serve as technical assistants for the CVS Mock Pharmacy and as mentors to the Jennings studenttrainees, with various needs, throughout the program.

Dr. Mary Jo Gorman of TripleCare, Brian Kinman of St. Louis Arch Angels, Travis Sheridan of Venture Café, Pitch Competition winner Shayba Muhammad of Mahnal Jewelry, Cheryl

Photo by Mena Darre Photography

Talented teens vie for top prize

Finals for Fox Foundation annual competition to take place Saturday night

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I can’t believe that this is our eighth year!” said Tony Parise. “The talent of St. Louis teens never ceases to amaze me, and it is always an honor to help guide them on their path to performing on the Fabulous Fox Stage!”

Just as he has done since the inception of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition back in 2011, the Broadway actor, dancer, director, choreographer and St. Louis native will return to write the script and direct the competition’s finals on Saturday, April 28 at The Fox Theatre.

The program for the finals is a sight to behold. Young people sing, dance, play instruments and more on a stage reserved for the biggest stars and touring productions of beloved Broadway musicals – most recently the threeweek, sold-out run of the national tour of “Hamilton.”

When finalists take the stage, they will also be given the Broadway treatment. The production is scaled to rival a major televised event as the 15 acts perform for more than $40,000 in total prizes, cash awards, college scholarships and bragging rights as the most talented teen in the region. It will once again be will be condensed to air on the Nine Network.

The annual program presented by Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation gives young people from across the region a taste of what is to come if they continue to hone their respective talents. And because the finals are free to attend, the community has an opportunity

Black Rep’s ‘Torn Asunder’ displays emotional toll of enslavement

World premiere season finale plays Wash U.’s Edison Theatre through April 29

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

There is an ache that lingers long after the final scene of The Black Rep’s season finale

“Torn Asunder” fades to black. Processing

Nikkole Salter’s emotional drama that sheds light on the emotional collateral damage the institution of slavery took on African-Americans held in bondage. Main characters Hannah and Moses are forced to make impossible decisions during unimaginable circumstances. The heartache from their plight is made more difficult upon realizing that the ordeal they faced was common occurrence.

Famed stage lighting director Kathy Perkins and Heather Andrea Williams commissioned

The Black Rep is the first company ever to stage “Torn Asunder,” which continues through April 29 At Washington University’s Edison Theatre.

In the midst of the harshest life imaginable, Hannah and Moses manage to carve out a slice of happiness by way of each other. As they step into their new life as a couple, their future is at the mercy of others who see them as mere property. Their situation is further complicated by the Civil War and a seriously ill master. The

See REP, C4

The Black Rep’s presentation of ‘Torn Asunder’ continues through April 29 at Washington University’s

The Art and Soul of Michigan II

Grand Rapids, a city brewing with culture and creativity

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

It will only take one visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan to force those who operate under the assumption that beer and culture blend like oil and water to reboot their brains.

The personality of Grand Rapids as a city can be summed up by the layout of its Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. A classic homage to history with a contemporary addition and a lobby that connects the two in the middle. Riding through the city, historic structures reflect everyone’s perceptions of the heartland – at least from the front. Thanks to Art Prize, which we’ll get to in a bit, the back or side of those same buildings might have a mural so meticulously detailed that they rival sleeves created by some of the world’s most reputable tattoo artists.

The tatted-up buildings are just piece of a city with a fantastic visual art scene (particularly street art), dance community and brewery scene that will get the attention it deserves as a cultural hotspot sooner than later. All it takes is one visit, to compel one to plan for the next visit.

Our first stop in Grand Rapids was the mar-

velous complex that houses the Grand Rapids Ballet. They have a performance venue with seating that goes as close to the stage as architecture will allow framed in the center of a host of studios with state-of-the-art rooms for rehearsals and education programs. During our visit, they were planning for a staging of “Alice in Wonderland.” The first St. Louis connection came in discussing the production. The presentation was being choreographed by Brian Enos, artistic director for the Big Muddy Dance Company.

The second St. Louis connection came upon a visit to The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). The fallout from Kelley Walker’s “Direct Drive” exhibit at CAM St. Louis was still fresh. The folks at UICA found the backlash of the exhibit by a white man that many felt objectified and exploited black women in popular culture and frontline activists brutalized by police during the Civil Rights Movement to be a

Shawn Michael Warren’s ‘In A Promised Land’ was among the murals competing for the 2015 Art Prize. The 15 feet wide by 8 feet high mural depicted a scene from the aftermath of the 1921 race riot in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s “Black Wall Street.”

Salter to write the play based on the research Williams conducted for her book, “Help Me to Find My People: The African American Search for Family Lost in Slavery.”

Edison Theatre.

Photos by Dunsi Dai

How to place a calendar listing

1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR

2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

Sun., Apr. 29, 5 p.m., Harmony for Peace. Artists from around the globe will perform with Jr. Peace & Music Ambassadors and musicians from St. Louis. Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

May 4 – 6, St. Louis Symphony presents Wynton Marsalis Swing Symphony 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.shop.slso.org.

Fri., May 4, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents DDG 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.ticketf.ly

May 4 – 5, Jazz St. Louis presents The Peter Martin Trio. Feat. Peter Martin, Brian Blade & Chris Thomas. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

Sun., May 6, 7 p.m., An Evening with Audra McDonald: Songs from the American Music Theater Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., 63121.

Wed., May 9, 8 p.m., The Firebird presents Day 26 2706 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketfly.com.

Fri., May 11, 7 p.m., 95.5

The Lou presents the District Rhythm Series feat. MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. ticketfly.com.

Sun., May 13, 5:30 p.m., Denise Thimes Mother’s Day Concert. With musical guests Jermaine Smith and Matthew Whitaker. Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University

Blvd., 63121.

Sun., May 13, 7 p.m., Smooth presents R&B Legends Mother’s Day Edition feat. Evelyn “Champagne” King with Tony Terry and Kim Massie. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 13, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Monica 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Fri., May 18, 5 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Ezinma Ramsay Strings Attached Concert. With special guest Rhoda G. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 20, 7 p.m., Jazz St. Louis welcomes Terence E. Blanchard feat. The E-Collective. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 20, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Fri., June 8, 5:30 p.m., Hot 104.1 Super Jam. Feat. Post Malone, 21 Savage, Remy Ma, SOB X RBE, DJ Luke Nasty, & Derez De’Shon. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www. topeventpromoter.com.

local gigs

Fri., Apr. 27, 7 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents A Spring Jazz Concert feat. Julian Vaughn and Tim Cunningham. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sat., Apr. 28, 7 p.m.,

Kenya Vaughn recommends Maryville Women & Leadership hosts author Areva Martin, author of ‘Make It Rain.’ For more information, see LITERARY.

Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels presents the Fabulous Motown Revue. 999 N. 2 nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Apr. 29, 4 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Soulful Sundays with Rhoda G. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sun., May 20, 3:30 p.m., Notes from Home. J. Samuel Davis, with special guests Wycliffe Gordon Harvey Lockhart, celebrates music legend Robert Edwards. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

special events

Thur., Apr. 26, 11 a.m., LPN Hiring Event and BBQ Grab some food, win some prizes, and meet your new team. Phoenix Home Care, 2088 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, call (855) 881-7442 or visit www. careers.smartrecruiters.com.

Thur., Apr. 26, 5 p.m., Kiener Cocktails Happy Hour. Support the Gateway

Arch Park Foundation and enjoy an evening in the park with live music. 500 Chestnut St., 63101. For more information, visit www. archpark.org.

Fri., Apr. 27, 6 p.m., Habitat St. Louis Benefit Auction. Join us to bid on items from Rescued Furnishings & Designs to benefit Habitat for Humanity. 2714 Lafayette Ave., 63104. For more information, visit www. rescuedfurnishings.com.

Sat., Apr. 28, 9:30 a.m., National Caolition of 100 Black Women –Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter presents Hats Off to Mother’s Day Brunch. Norwood Hills Country Club, 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Apr. 28, 12 noon (11:30 a.m. doors), African and African American Designers Fashion Show, Proceeds will benefit the African Orphanage Foundation Non-profit organization Water Project. Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, 2711 Locust Avenue. For tickets contact 314-6967593. Tickets can be purchase at Progressive Emporian Educational Center 1108 N. Sarah St. Louis, MO 63113 or

Worldwide International Foods & African Market 8430 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.

Fri., Apr. 28, 6 p.m., The Kids in the Middle Broadcasting Live! Gala 2018. Auctions, entertainment, and raise funds for families experiencing divorce. River City Casino & Hotel, 777 River City Casino Blvd., 63125. For more information, visit www.kidsinthemiddle. org.

Sat., Apr. 28, 8 p.m., Variety Children’s Charity presents their 22nd Annual Dinner With The Stars featuring John Legend. The Peabody Opera House. For more information, For more information, visit https:// varietystl.org/charity-events-stlouis/dinner-with-the-stars.

Sat., Apr. 28, 8 p.m., 8th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. The Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Sat., Apr. 29, 8 a.m., Annie Malone’s Kids on the Run Against Child Abuse & Neglect. 5K Run/Walk, vendors, children’s activities, raffles, and more. Forest Park (Upper Muny Parking Lot), 63112. For more information, visit www.anniemalone.com.

Sun., Apr. 29, 4 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter presents ARIYA. Celebrate seven young ladies as they celebrate the completion of their rites of passage program. Airport Marriott, 10700 Pear Tree Dr., 63134. For more information, visit www.sla-dst. com.

Wed., May 2, 11 a.m., National Career Fairs presents St. Louis Career Fair. Meet top employers and interview onsite for several positions. Doubletree Hotel, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.nationalcareerfairs.com/ career-fair/st-louis-career-fairs.

Sat., May 5, 7:30 p.m., The 2 nd Annual St. louis Open Black Rodeo. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., May 5, 11 a.m., Broken but Recovered presents The Strength of a Woman: A Mother’s Day Celebration Honoring women caring for children of the incarcerated.

2127 California Ave., 63104. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 6, 3 p.m., Central Visual and Performing Arts Concert. The St. Louis Wind Symphony will perform a shared concert with CVAP High School. 3125 S. Kingshighway Blvd., 63139. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Thur., May 10, 6 p.m., Disney Junior Dance Party on Tour. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Tues., May 15, 6 p.m., MSD Rate Commission Public Hearing. A public hearing for the community to give feedback on the 2018 MSD Stormwater Capital Rate Proposal. City of Bridgeton Recreation Center, 4201 Fee Fee Rd., 63044. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

Fri., May 18, 9:15 p.m., The Muny Centennial Gala: An Evening with the Stars Co-hosted by Heather Headley and Matthew Morrison. 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Mon., Apr. 30, 7 p.m., National Poetry Month Reading: Aaron Coleman & Eileen G’Sell. Coleman is the author of Threat Come Close and G’Sell is the author of Life After Rugby. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Wed., May 2, 7 p.m., One Book, One Kirkwood: Stephanie Powell Watts – No One is Coming to Save Us Nipher Middle School North Gymnasium, 700 S. Kirkwood Rd., 63122.

Wed., May 2, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Storytelling Festival Opening Concert. Join us for a night of music, stories, art, and fun. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Mon., May 7, 7 p.m., Maryville Women & Leadership hosts author Areva Martin, author of Make It Rain. Learn the power of media appearances to revolutionize a business. Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville

University Dr., 63141. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

comedy

Thur., Apr. 27, 8 p.m., University of Missouri

St. Louis Program Board presents Leslie Jones with Lenny Marcus. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

Thurs., May 3, The Lit AF Tour starring Martin Lawrence and featuring Rickey Smiley, JB Smoove, DeRay Davis and Benji Brown. Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., May 11, 7:30 & 10 p.m., Peabody Opera House presents Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark Tour 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

theatre

Sat., Apr. 28, 4 p.m., Unheard Voices: You Don’t Know My Story Workshop. The real-life stories of the young men who reside at Marygrove Children’s Home, in Florissant. Ferguson Youth Initiative, 106 Church St., 63135. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Apr. 28, 6 p.m., Will Ray Productions presents Gossip! The Jewel Event Center, 407 Dunn Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., Apr. 29, 1 p.m., Radio Arts Foundation presents Careers in the Arts: Theater

A discussion on a career in theater with Mike Isaacson, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of the Muny. Centene Auditorium, 7700 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.rafstl. org.

Through Apr. 29, The Black Rep presents Torn Asunder. True stories of newly emancipated African Americans trying to overcome the vestiges of chattel slavery to reconnect with their families. Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www. theblackrep.org.

Thur., Apr. 26, 5 p.m.,

Seeing Other People Exhibition Opening. The exhibit considers the rhetoric of the constructed self as it is shaped by the act of gazing or being gazed upon. projects+gallery, 4733 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. projects-gallery.com.

Fri., May 4, 6 p.m., St. Louis Public Schools presents Performing Arts in the Park Students from Central VPA and Roosevelt high schools will entertain attendees with dance, music and live art. Ritz Park, 3147 S. Grand Blvd., 63118. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Fri., May 4, 6 p.m., St. Louis ArtWorks presents Young at Art – A Celebration of St. Louis ArtWorks. Dinner, silent auction, and performance by Denise Thimes. 5959 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Through June 24, From Caricature to Celebration: A Brief History of AfricanAmerican Dolls. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.fieldhousemuseum. org.

lectures and workshops

Sun., Apr. 29, 11 a.m., Shades of Beauty Bridal Workshop Series. The Dollhouse Studios, 1428 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. shadesofbeauty.eventcreate. com.

Wed., May 2, 5:30 p.m., Donald Danforth Plant Science Center presents Seeds of Change. Dr. Ruth Oniang’o will discuss the intersection of food security and sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. 975 N. Warson Rd., 63132. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thurs., May 17, The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will host Cornel West at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., For more information about the free May 17 events, call 618 650-3991; email eredmon@siue.edu; or write the club at P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62201.

Sundays, Through Dec. 30, 2 p.m., Center for Divine Love Church presents Finally Understand Race in America. A portrayal of the

African-American experience.

Discussion will follow. 3617 Wyoming St., 63116. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

health

Fri., Apr. 27, 11 a.m., The St. Louis American Foundation’s 18th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon, Frontenac Hilton. To order tickets, call 314-5338000 or visit www.stlamerican. com

Sat., Apr. 28, 12 p.m., Get Sexy Movement presents Cardio for Cancer Join us for classes, vendors, and to raise money for local charities supporting the fight against breast cancer. Cuetopia II Billiards & Bar, 11824 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Apr. 28, 1 p.m., Union Memorial United Methodist Church invites you to Put the Brakes on Bullying and Young Adult Suicide 1141 Belt Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 367-8314 or visit www. unionmemorialstl.org.

Sat., May 5, 9 a.m., St.

Louis HELP Home Health Equipment Donation Drive Receive a tax deduction voucher for every item you donate, and help provide free loans of home health equipment. For more information or a list of donation sites, call (314) 5674700 or visit www.stlhelp.org.

Sat., May 5, 9:30 a.m., Gateway Hemophilia Association presents Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk/5K. Forest ParkLower Muny Lot, 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. uniteforbleedingdisorders.org.

Sat., May 5, 5 p.m., Central Institute for the Deaf presents CID Out Loud! Raise funds to help children

who are deaf and hard of hearing acquire spoken language. The Ritz-Carlton, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, visit www.cid.edu/support-cid.

Sat., May 19, Community Women Against Hardship’s 14th Annual Walk For Life & Health Fair, Honorary Co-Chairs are Dr. Christy Richardson, Dr. Jacqueline turner, Dr. Tracy Reed, Myrtis Spencer and Dr. Will Ross. Grand Entrance – Son of Rest Shelter. Tower Grove Park. For more information call 314289-7523 or website: www. cwah.org

Sat., May 19, 8:30 a.m., Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter presents the Walk to End

Lupus Now. Chesterfield Central Park & Amphitheater, 16365 Lydia Hill Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www.chapters.lupus.org.

May 19, 10 a.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Guild Annual Health Fair, O’Fallon Rec Plex, 4343 West Florissant.

Wednesdays through June 6, Health & Wellness Series: Boot Camp. Led by Heath Norton, Owner of TITLE Boxing Club-Rock Hill. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., 63101. For more information, visit www.archpark.org.

spiritual

Sun., Apr. 29, 10 a.m., Chancel Choir 40th Anniversary Reunion Service. Special guest Dr. Leo Davis of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 W. Florissant, 63115. For more information, call (314) 389-4510.

Sat., May 5, 7 p.m., Festival of Praise Tour presents Texture of a Man feat. Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, and Donnie McClurkin Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sat., May 19, 9 a.m., Breaking the Silence through Prayer and Praise Breakfast Bellefontaine United Methodist Church, 10600 Bellefontaine Rd., 63138. For more information, visit www. breaksilencewithsummers.com.

Thur., Apr. 26, 6 p.m., Movie Night: Teach Us All – Segregation for a New Generation. A panel will discuss the correlation between education inequity and racial disparity. Morrissey Hall, 3700 Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Festival of Praise Tour presents Texture of a Man feat. Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Donnie McClurkin. See SPIRITUAL for details.

teachable moment.

“The Kelley Carter situation was unfortunate,” said Katie Zychowski, marketing coordinator for UICA. “But it gave us – and the entire contemporary arts community –new and invaluable insight with respect to audience equity.”

Luckily for me, my visit coordinated with the final weeks of their “Us Is Them” exhibition. First curated by the Pizzuti Collection in Columbus, Ohio, “Us Is Them” featured more than 50 pieces of original artwork by 42 international African and African American artists. Kehinde Wiley and Nick Cave were among the artists represented in “Us Is Them.” And as a compliment to “Us Is Them,” UICA simultaneously exhibited “Here + Now” which felt like an ode to African-American women. “Us Is Them” highlighted the work of emerging and mid-career African American visual artists, spoken word artists, curators, and performance artists. It was a beautiful thing to see so much of their space devoted to showcasing the artistic expressions of black people.

The awesomeness of Art Prize

Did you know that every year in Grand Rapids, street artists from around the world stop through and use the city’s buildings as their canvass for a chance to win their share of $500,000? Yes, you read the zeroes properly. No, it is not a typo. Each year, at half-a-million is up for grabs each fall as the city morphs into the world’s biggest international public art competition. Any artist working in any medium from anywhere in the world can participate. Art is exhibited throughout downtown Grand Rapids – museums, bars, public parks, restaurants, theaters, hotels, bridges, laundromats, auto body shops, vacant storefronts and office

Nakeya Brown’s ‘More Than a Woman’ appeared as part of the Here + Now Exhibition last spring at UICA of Grand Rapids.

spaces. Last year, nearly 1,500 works by artists from 40 states and 44 countries were exhibited in 170 venues. Winners are selected both by a panel of contemporary art experts and by the public through online and mobile voting. Art Prize takes place over the course of three weeks from late September through mid-October – and it is on my bucket list to attend.

A beer lover’s dream city

I don’t have the facts and figures, but I’m compelled to believe there are as many breweries in Grand Rapids as there are Chop Suey establishments in North St. Louis. I don’t drink beer, so I thought this would be the part of the trip that I wouldn’t particularly want to be bothered with. But, as my travel cohorts discussed IPAs, ales, wheat grain or whatever as we brewery hopped, I was in a bliss of my own with taste tests of root beer.

New Holland Brewing Company hipped me to the

delights of a perfectly brewed root beer. I probably sounded silly when I asked, “This is just regular root beer?” And then I was offered ginger beer –which is essentially root beer’s more glamourous and sophisticated sister.

A staple in the Caribbean and regions with heavy Caribbean migration, it’s not as well known in the Midwest. It’s less frothy, but more flavorful than root beer. And the ginger gives a spice that bites the back of your mouth – but in a good way. It’s an exotic alternative to the run-of-the-mill root beer that everyone should try at least once if they are so fortunate to come across it – or visit a city like New York, Miami or Toronto where it’s more likely to be found.

And I could do a round three of American Travels in Michigan devoted specifically to brewery food, but I feel like you would judge my gluttony, so I won’t. Just know that Harmony Brewing has soft pretzels and popcorn that will change your life – and your waistline.

TALENT

Continued from C1

to see the rising stars that are being produced right here at home.

“We couldn’t be happier with the level of talent,” Mary Strauss, Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation Board President. “The students seem to get better and better each year.”

The competition is always fierce.

Last year’s winner, singer Christina Jones, made it to the top 50 of ABC’s reboot of “American Idol.” The O’Fallon, Illinois native beat out tens of thousands to travel to Hollywood to showcase her chops before ‘Idol’ celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

Jones, a senior at O’Fallon Township High School, will return to the Teen Talent Competition stage for a special

REP

Continued from C1

eventual doom of the South means that their lives and family dynamics for the enslaved crumble around them – which only strengthens their devotion and resolve for a better future.

“Torn Asunder” shows a residual trauma of slavery that didn’t end with emancipation. Newly freed black people spent their time and what little resources they had available to them to restore their family units, including those that had been ripped apart generations before.

The play is a haunting reminder of the resilience of African Americans and showcases the unshakable will of a people to build a legacy through family and communities rooted in love despite the hate and inhumanity that shaped their existence.

Though “Torn Asunder” is a

performance during the finals.

Saturday night will be a journey that was months in the making. The student performers survived preliminary, semifinal rounds and endured as one-on-one rehearsals with the teen talent production team to put the finishing touches on their performances.

Among this year’s competitors are singer Josh Royal, singer Morgan Taylor, dancer Nicaya Wiley and the dance troupe Labels.

A team of nationally renowned judges with local ties will judge the students on technical ability, stage presence, interpretation and originality.

Judges for the 2018 Teen Talent Competition finals include Audrey Kwong, artistic operations manager for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Mike Isaacson, the artistic director and executive producer for The Muny and a Broadway producer; Carl Nappa, an independent producer and executive direc-

departure for the Black Rep’s usual end of season musical format, Director Ron Himes’ determination to give the viewers a grand farewell to season 41 – and set the bar high for other companies to follow as the first to present the play –are evident.

Scenic designer Dunsi Dai incorporates corresponding waves in his interpretation of a bright southern sky with a wooden walkway that looks more a bridge than a welltraveled road. Through the authentically somber recordings of Negro spirituals that echo during scene transitions, sound designer Kareem Deanes perfectly set the tone of the play.

Perkins, who also co-commissioned the play, gives special attention to the North Star in her lighting design. Rotating set elements add to the grandeur of the presentation, but also create a bit of additional lag in a play that at nearly three hours has not a moment to spare.

Himes mostly relies on fresh faces to tell the tale of “Torn Asunder.” LaShunda Gardner and Myke Andrews both make their Black Rep debuts in the leading roles of Hannah and Moses. There is room for growth, but the talent and potential of the duo are instantly recognizable – particularly their ability to convey the chemistry and undying love for each other as their story unfolds remotely.

Also making the absolute most of their first appearances on the Black Rep mainstage are Graham Emmons and Brandi Threatt as slave owner John and his favored house servant

tor at Ex’treme Institute in St. Louis; Ken Page, a native St. Louisan and Broadway performer; Endalyn Taylor, assistant professor at University of Illinois, Broadway performer, and former principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem; Denise Thimes, a native St. Louisan, jazz vocalist and recording artist.

“Wonderful, just wonderful,” Page exclaimed about the talent after he served as judge for the finals of the 5th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition in 2015. The young competitors feed off the energy of the audience – which makes for a night of pure magic.

The 8th Annual Teen Talent Competition finals will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at The Fox Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, visit https://www. foxpacf.org/programs/teentalent-competition/.

Melinda. Emmons’ portrayal as John, a young white Southerner who hates the system of slavery almost as much as the people he enslaves, will give viewers pause. He expresses range of emotions (and sometimes lack thereof) and varying contradictions that come with the territory of a participant in the business of buying and selling people as goods.

Black Rep veteran Alan Knoll’s portrayal of nearly 10 characters over the course of “Torn Asunder” will give theater fans a new appreciation for his ability as a solid supporting player.

Carl Overly Jr., who was introduced to the St. Louis theater scene as a member of the Black Rep’s Professional Intern Program, has his career come full circle as Henry, the lovable mulatto who puts Hannah’s happiness before his own as they embark on their new experience of liberation.

Aside from a scene in the field where a trio picks cotton and incorporates a jovial moment of song and dance that feels contrived and out of place, “Torn Asunder” gives the ills of slavery and the ripple effects that still penetrate the African American experience more than 150 years after emancipation an authentically haunting post script.

The Black Rep’s world premiere presentation of “Torn Asunder” continues through April 29 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth. For more information, visit www.theblackrep. org or call 9314) 534-3807.

Birthdays

Reunions

Beaumont Alumni Class of 1968 50th Class Reunion will be held June 8-10, 2018. Our 2018 meetings in preparation will be held at STL County library located 7606 Natural Bridge at 1:00 p.m. Dates are (Saturdays) February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19 and June 2. For more information call (314) 8698312 or email bhsco1968@att. net. Pass the word and let’s celebrate!

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug-10-12, 2018! Banquet is Aug. 10 at Orlando’s, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, picnic at January Wabash Park. $100 per person includes entire weekend. Deadline is June 15! To register, contact Dr. Liz Franklin at mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also checkout BHS Class of 73 Facebook page.

Beaumont High Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296, madeshe@ sbcglobal.net.

Homer G. Phillips and St. Louis Municipal School of Nursing is planning an all class reunion in June 2018. Please send your name,

Celebrations

address and telephone number to: Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni, Inc., P.O. Box 8033 St. Louis, Missouri 63156.

McKinley High School Class of 1978 40th Class Reunion will take place July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy SuitesAirport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Classmates from all McKinley H.S. classes are invited. Registration is required. To register, contact Barbara Lindsey, Barbara_ Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com or (314) 647-0707.

Northwest High School Class of 1978 is planning its 40 year reunion for next year. PLEASE reach out to our classmates, tell them get ready for this. If you have any questions please contact Sly at (314) 397-0311 or email us at

On April 29, 1978, George and Flora Stone were married at St. Mark’s COGIC in East St. Louis, IL. They will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and wish to thank everyone. Lord willing, they will have many more years to share!

northwestbluedevils@78gmail. com. Check us out on Facebook Northwest High School-Class of 1978.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us. Date to sail is July 20, 2019. Contact Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Soldan Class of 1978 will sponsor a “40 and Still Triple Threatening” basketball tournament. Contact Janice A. Tompkins 314-322-6406 if interested in participating.

Sumner High School Class of 1973 will have its 45th year class reunion the weekend of June 22-June 24, 2018. More info to follow outlining the

details. If you did not receive a newsletter in January, please contact Marsha JosephWilliams (314-606-8701) or Dorris Simmons-McGhaw (314-541-2462) or you can inbox Sid S. Shurn or Dorris on Facebook.

OF

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Sumner Alumni Association will host its 10th Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show on June 9, 2018, Noon—4pm. The cost is $50 to attend and it comes with a cash bar, free parking, attendance prizes and more. For more info, contact B. Louis at 314-385-9843 or email: sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com.

University City Class of 1978 will hold its 40th reunion May 25-27, 2018. For more information please email ucityhs1978@gmail.com.

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Happy Birthday to “twins”, retired master upholsterer Bennie Hale (right) who celebrated his 90th birthday along with his 64 year old brother-in-law, Lewis McKinney on April 18. Lewis is the Chief of Business Development at Ashcroft Group, LLC. Paulette McKinney (center) is the wife of Bennie and sister of Lewis.

Alphonsus Young (aka Skeet) celebrated his 80th birthday on April 18 at Al’s Lounge with his beautiful wife, Leona Young.

Swag Snap of the Week

Harmonizing with the Hamiltones. Not only was Thursday night the best edition of the “A Night of Soul Searching” to date, it will probably land in my favorite concerts of 2018. This is no shade to any of the artists who participated in my girl Angel’s shows to date – but BB’s was on fire from both sides of the stage thanks to Anthony Hamilton’s background singers stepping out front. I ran into some of my favorite folks up in there. I’d need a whole Partyline to name all of us that miraculously squeezed up into that spot. But I want to public apologize to Tracey McDuffie if at any point my bosom spilled over into your plate of burger and fries! Yes, it was that tight up in there. Life was to be had before the Hamiltones hit the stage. I walked in to my girl Tiffany Elle serving Brandy’s most underrated tune, “Almost Doesn’t Count.” She went from En Vogue to Daniel Caesar letting us have it with that gloriously airy soprano tone of hers. Theresa Payne was slaying in that mid-riff mesh ensemble … do you hear me? She was way more chatty than usual, but I forgave her because the singing in-between the talking was great – and her conversation gave me a chance to focus on how awesome the band was. “The Voice” top 24 finalist Tish Haynes Keys made a surprise appearance was giving Donna Summer realness in a gold blouse and side swept curls. The men of the hour took the stage and while I knew they could sing their faces off, I didn’t know what to expect them to do for a full set. I mean, they have a handful of viral moments and a single – but that’s it outside of backing up Anthony Hamilton. Well I guess they showed me. I was blown away by that trio from start to finish. They were so fire that I got up and followed them out the door like I was the fourth Hamiltone – I wish I could tell you I’m lying, but I can’t. As awesome as the show was, can somebody tell your cousin that the venue was too small for her to whoop and holler like she was watching “Beychella.” Anyway – they came on that stage and did their boss Anthony Hamilton proud. They had me at Jodeci and kept me with that extended remix and glorious “Sexual Healing” grand finale that turned into a crowd participation choir – which came through with a three-part harmony and reminded me that Angel’s audience is made up of mostly the music scene.

Jordan Rock’s got jokes. I must be honest and admit that I was preparing to be underwhelmed by the baby brother of the Rock family when he made his way back to the Funny Bone this weekend. In all honesty, I don’t know why – I live for Chris Rock and Tony Rock. His twitter bio says that he is “The Solange of his family,” but that’s not a bad thing. Either way, I was dead wrong. Jordan Rock had me hollering up in that Funny Bone. It was so packed when I stopped through Saturday night, that if one more person came through, he or she would have had to be seated on the stage next to Jordan. I guess I’m the absolute last one to the Jordan Rock party, but I’m so glad that I showed up. In the same way that Tony is not like Chris, Jordan has a style completely all his own. As a matter of fact, if he didn’t talk fast and bend his hand funny when he told his jokes, I would have forgotten he was related to them. He provides a much-needed voice on the comedy scene – the black millennial’s perspective. When he talked about eating off the value menu after buying Jordans and still being on his mama’s family plan at 27, I couldn’t help but think of how that group needs their own representative in the comedy game. And I christened him as the chosen one when he started talking about “Moonlight” specifically being disappointed about the lack of a “happy ending.”

Will Robinson sells out latest legend series. If you had told me that I would be singing along to “Sexual Healing” twice in one week, I would have said, “no ma’am,” but that’s exactly what happened. After getting roped into the rapture of harmonies served up during The Hamiltones’ rendition, I recalled the moment so fondly when I stopped by Larry Blue’s presentation of Will Robinson’s latest Legends tribute show that I found myself singing it along with Will. My seat neighbors didn’t appreciate it nearly as much at The Gallery By Troy as Tracey did at BB’s. I can’t imagine why – perhaps because I was a one-woman choir amongst the packed crowd at Troy’s. They quickly got over it as Will ran through hit after hit of Marvin Gaye’s magnificent catalog, much to the delight of the capacity crowd. Although this is the first year that I can remember that Blue didn’t have an official birthday bash, the sold-out concert surely sufficed. Happy birthday!

Big ups to Brunch-ish. I still had my church clothes on when I high-tailed it over to Sub Zero for the kick off of the new BFree and Koncepts event “Brunch-ish,” which is technically the love child of brunch and a day party. I didn’t stand out, because the young, black and fabulous crowd stays in their good clothes – and Sunday in the CWE was no different. I had a ball as I mixed mimosas with my sushi. Keith and Teddy, this was most definitely a good look. I’m predicting that Brunch-ish will be to 2018 what the day party was to 2015. I must send a personal note of encouragement to the poor thing in the cobalt blue and black stilettos that appeared from a distance to be Prada. I hope those shoes got compliments from everybody up in Sub Zero, because it took you so long to limp down Euclid in them that I was able to park, walk from my car into the brunch, mingle in the brunch, walk back to my car and drive off just as you were making it in. Beauty is pain I suppose, but everybody knows that parking in t he Central West End is more than a notion. Next time you better carry a big bag with flip flops and hide off in the cut to change into your

pumps.

freakum

STL was representing in Philadelphia as Justin Tatum, Larry Hughes showed love to Allen Iverson’s Allen Iverson Classic this weekend

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Sklyer was on hand as Jasmine celebrated her Bday Saturday @ The O Bar

Anxus of EMG along with JT and Tre of MoneyKutz celebrated Saturday @ Klymaxx

Tina Carter and DmareLoves were spotted in the crowd @ That 90’s Jam Friday @2720

Cam Aja MiMi Corvel and Myke as they arrived @ The Ready Room Friday night

Brittany Lakecia and Raejean arrived at 2720 with intentions to party like its 1999 @ That 90’s Jam Friday

The party was just beginning as Richard TeeRowe and Sherri turnt The Marquee up for A dot KAPITAL’s Bday Bash

Kristen and Kyle dropped in Pieza Vibes for the personal delight special @ Master Pieza Saturday

Blac Chyna and Rekendra snapped it up as she paused to serve the crowd face @ Klymaxx Saturday

Nowlege and DJ Chilly just before they stepped into Artist Art for the 4/20 Reggae set Friday

Angel Shields with the Hamiltones before their sold-out headlining set for “A Night of Soul Searching” Thursday night at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups. The trio of North Carolina natives were known for providing background vocals for Grammy Award nominated singer Anthony Hamilton until a series of viral videos put them in their own spotlight.

Photos by V. Lang

THE

MUNY ANNOUNCES Auditions for Bass (acoustic/electric)

The Muny will hold auditions for a bass position on May 4, 2018 at 11am (acoustic/electric bass). A bass amp will be provided. If you are hired by The Muny you must be/or become a member in good standing of M.A.S.L. Local 2-197.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Professional experience in Musical Theater

• Excellent Musical training/studies

• Solid technical and artistic skills in the musical field

• Excellent level of musical interpretation

• Versatility, ability to interpret a large variety of musical styles

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Ability to play fretless electric bass when called for in a book

Audition repertoire will be furnished via e-mail after receipt of your audition request. Applicants will need to bring both acoustic and electric bass. An amp will be provided, please bring your own cord. Sight reading excerpts will be provided at the audition.

To schedule an audition time or other questions, please contact James Prifti via e-mail by April 20, 2018. jprifti@muny.org

The Muny Orchestra is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis Local 2-197, AFM.

The Muny is an equal opportunity employer.

“JANITORIAL”

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Individual Contract Employee Position for Senior Project Manager Great Rivers Greenway seeks an experienced contract employee to work part-time as a Senior Project Manager. The full description can be found at www.greatriversgreenway.org/jobs-bids/ HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School in St. Louis seeks a full-time, 10-month Social Studies teacher in the 2018-19 school year for girls grades 9–12. Benefits include medical, retirement, life insurance, personal laptop, tuition remission, professional development, buffet lunch, on-campus childcare, and fitness center. Salary is competitive with comparable institutions. Please visit www.vdoh.org/ careers to apply.

YOUTH IN NEED JOB OPENINGS!

If you love working with children, Youth In Need is looking for you!

Youth In Need has current openings for: Lead Teacher, Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Support Teacher, Cook, and Assistant Cook (Part-Time) between both of our locations in St. Louis, MO.

The minimum qualifications are 18 years of age and a high school diploma or equivalent.

Youth In Need provides our full-time employees with an excellent benefits package, including 401K, vacation, sick time, paid holidays and floating holidays, tuition assistance, and paid dental, life, and disability insurance; our current health insurance premium is $40/month for full-time staff. Youth In Need strives to be an inclusive workplace.

To Apply: Please visit our website at www.youthinneed.org, go to About Us, then go to Career Opportunities, and click on the position you are interested in to complete the online application and to attach your resume.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

American Publishing Company, now in our 90th year, is in search of an optimistic, energetic, hard-working and creative Account Executive. Must be growth oriented, have a strong work ethic and exceptional people skills. Your hard work, energy and strong desire to meet and exceed sales opportunities and challenges will ensure your success in this position.

Must work well independently, be entrepreneurial, persistent and have a proven work record. This is a great opportunity for those who love sales and want to be an integral part of the ongoing growth of a major St. Louis media outlet.

Your task will be to consistently sell a variety of products to meet clients’ needs: print advertising, online advertising, social media advertising, special sections, events, sponsorships, etc.

Full time opportunity, with health benefits. Salary plus commission. High earnings potential.

For information, contact: Kevin Jones, Chief Operating Officer The St. Louis American kjones@stlamerican.com (Absolutely no phone calls will be accepted)

CLAIMS ANALYST

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Excess WC LOB. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

FULL-TIME ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

Saint Louis Art Museum. Full-Time Accounting Coordinator. Apply at http://www.slam.org/careers

ACCOUNTANT (PT)

Arts organization of 20 yrs. seeks person with mastery of Quickbooks. Will consider MBA student or retiree that wants to enjoy life. Call 314-440-3855

CMS ENSEMBLES REPRESENTATIVE

Webster University is seeking a CMS Ensembles Representative. Please visit our website at https:// webster.peopleadmin.com/ for a complete job description. No phone calls please. We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

MANAGER –CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Supports fundamental corporate regulatory and/or reporting compliance activities across all lines of business, by supervising the day-to-day operations of implementing regulatory and company filings into our policy rating/quoting/policy issuance systems for all lines of business. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

NOW HIRING

East St. Louis Housing Authority is seeking to hire (7) Maintenance Mechanics; (1) Property Manager; (1) Human Resource Manager; (1) Clerk positions. For complete job description and apply at www.eslha.org or within at 700 N. 20thSt. East St. Louis, Il. 62205. AA/EOE

THE MUNY ANNOUNCES Auditions for Harp

The Muny will hold auditions for a harp position on May 3, 2018 starting at 11am. If you are hired by The Muny you must be/or become a member in good standing of M.A.S.L. Local 2-197.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Professional experience in Musical Theater

• Excellent Musical training/studies

• Solid technical and artistic skills in the musical field

• Excellent level of musical interpretation

• Versatility, ability to interpret a large variety of musical styles

• Ability to work as part of a team

Audition repertoire will be furnished via e-mail after receipt of your audition request. Sight reading excerpts will be provided at the audition.

To schedule an audition time or other questions, please contact James Prifti via e-mail by April 20, 2018. jprifti@muny.org

The Muny Orchestra is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis Local 2-197, AFM.

The Muny is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsible for assisting Claims Department personnel with medical related issues on their claims. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

DRUG ANALYSIS

TECHNICIAN

Drug Analysis Technicians, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2018-11. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Attorneys are also expected to be involved in community education activities and work with community groups, as well as participate in private bar activities, as appropriate. The position closing date is Thursday, April 12, 2018. Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to llingard@lsem.org.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

St. Joseph’s Academy, a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women in St. Louis, Missouri, is seeking an accounting assistant. This position is primarily responsible for processing accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and human resources. A strong accounting background along with 3- 5 years of payroll processing experience is required. Must have strong organization and communication skills along with a high attention to detail. Experience with Integrated Payroll Systems, Great Plains Accounting software and FACTS Management is a plus. Must be proficient in

and Word. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to skemp@sja1840.org.

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel: Responsible for overall Company corporate regulatory compliance coordination for all lines of business, including responsibility for implementation of procedural and/or policy form changes resulting from regulatory, legislative or judicial action, and oversight of regulatory and legislative actions impacting Company’s underwriting, actuarial, claims, finance, loss control and general business practices. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

The Missouri Historical Society seeks a Membership Coordinator. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

VBA DEVELOPER

Responsible for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of VBA within actuarial models. Also responsible for general maintenance and enhancements to excel-based models. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

LETTING #8667

CHOUTEAU, COMPTON HILL, DESOTO PARKS

DECORATIVE LIGHTING

Sealed

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed Bids for:

SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE RENOVATION

Will be received by the Administration of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Owner, at 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 at 5:00 PM on May 18, 2018. The bids will be privately opened and read.

Electronic copies of the drawings, specifications, and other related contract information will be available beginning on April 23, 2018 and may be downloaded at no cost from Cross Rhodes Print & Technology https://www.x-rhodesplanroom.com/jobs/public (314 421 5141).

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday May 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM, at the West loading dock, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Missouri.

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed, in writing, to Dan Jay at Christner (dan.jay@christnerinc.com). Questions over the phone will not be accepted.

Questions regarding commercial conditions should be directed, in writing, to Mark Macinski, Director of Building Operations (mark.macinski@slam.org). Questions over the phone will not be accepted.

The owner reserves the right to waive informalities in bids and to reject any and all bids.

Construction estimate: $870,000.

SEALED BID

Normandy Schools Collaborative is soliciting sealed Asbestos Floor Tile Abatement Bids. The entire bidder’s package will be available electronically on Friday, April 27, 2018, through Kwame Building Group. A mandatory pre-bid conference and walk-through will be held on Monday, May 7, 2018, 4:00 p.m. at Normandy 7th & 8th Center, 7855 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Sealed proposals will be received at: Normandy Schools Collaborative, Attention: Randal Charles, 3855 Lucas and Hunt Road, St. Louis, MO 63121 until 2:00 p.m., May 15, 2018. Normandy School Collaborative reserves the right to reject any and all bids, in whole and in part, and to waive any informality. It is the policy of Normandy Schools Collaborative that no person shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or disability, be subject to discrimination in employment or activity in the District. All inquiries pertaining to this project shall be directed to: Greg Coudron Kwame Building Group 1204 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103 gcoudron@kwmebuildinggroup.com (314) 862-5344

Need

PUBLIC NOTICE

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is submitting to HUD the Annual Submission of the FY 2018 Agency Plan. The Plan outlines the goals and objectives to accomplish its vision over the next five years. SLHA has posted the “Draft” FY 2018 Agency Plan for public review on its website at www.slha.org.

Additionally, the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), a component of the Agency Plan, and a revised Utility Allowance and the Flat Rent Schedules are simultaneously being made available for public review and comment. The link to the webpage is: http://www.slha. org/for-residents/public-housing/policies-procedures/

Also, the Capital Fund Program Five-Year Action Plan (FY 2018 - FY 2022) is simultaneously being made available for public review and comment.

SLHA will hold the Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. to accept comments on its Agency Plan, ACOP, Utility Allowance and Flat Rent Schedules and Capital Fund Program. The Public Hearing will be held at the SLHA Central Office, Conference Room, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106. All parties that wish to speak at the Public Hearing must abide by the SLHA’s Speaker’s Policy. A copy of the policy is available at the SLHA Central Office.

Written comments will be accepted until June 13, 2018. For additional information or questions, contact Fran Bruce, Development & Planning Coordinator, at (314) 2864365 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for Electrical

One Line Update and Arc Flash Study Services (Phase II) at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, May 24, 2018 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org, under On Line Plan Room, or call Helen Bryant at 314-589-6214. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure ten additional user licenses from Accela, Inc. The District previously purchased fifty user licenses from Accela and requested an additional ten. The District is proposing single source procurement for these licenses. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from I T Convergence in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Oracle 10 Active Data Guard and Software License & Support. The District is proposing single source procurement to Oracle America, Inc for this service because Oracle America, Inc is the software designer and owner providing technical support and licenses. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

INVITATION TO BID

ICS Construction Services is requesting bids for the Normandy Schools Collaborative Early Learning Center & Kindergarten Center project from subcontractors and vendors. Written bids are due by 10:00AM, May 11, 2018. Bids may be emailed to bids@ ics-stl.com or faxed to 314-5346663. The entire bidders package is available electronically through TR,i Architects at 314-395-9750 or https:// secure.smartbidnet.com/External/ PublicPlanRoom.aspx?Id=368202.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

#: 57818114

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting bids for removal and replacement of existing flooring in Gillespie Residence Hall student bedrooms. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in room 201 of the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration (HGA) building, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. A copy of the IFB is available by calling (314) 340-5763 or (314) 340-3325, emailing: morrowb@hssu.edu or barskys@ hssu.edu or faxing a written request to: (314) 340-3322. Bids must be submitted to room 105 in the HGA building no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 and will be opened and the name(s) of the bidders as well as the price(s) read at 10:15 a.m. in room 201 in the HGA building.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

St. Louis Community College invites separate sealed bids for Elevator Service Agreement No. M-331-DW. Bids will be received by the Board of Trustees of St. Louis Community College until 2:00 p.m. local time, Friday, May 11, 2018, and publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Supervisor of Maintenance at the Corporate College, 3221 McKelvey Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the manager’s office.

Non-mandatory pre-bid meeting: Wednesday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Corporate College Maintenance Office An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 23, 2018 to contract with a company for: RE-BID ROOF REPLACEMENT FOR HARLEM DRAIN P-148 & HARLEM SOUTH P-145. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9321-2 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 25th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Courier Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9367 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 31st, 2018 to contract with a company for: Landscape Design Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9362 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 31, 2018 to contract with a company for: HARDWARE & HAND TOOLS. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9363 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

REQUEST FOR BID PROPOSALS from MBE/WBE/DBE SUBCONTRACTORS

Tri-Co Inc. Commercial, General Contractors, is accepting bids for the NORMANDY SCHOOLS EARLY LEARNING CENTER. Bid Proposals are DUE by 12 noon Friday, MAY 11. Plans and Specs are available by request. Please submit bids by email to trico@tricostl.com, or fax to (314) 432-3794. For any questions, call (314) 432-2794.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 507, Abatement of Asbestos Materials in Social Science Building, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, until 2:00 p.m. local time Thursday, May 3, 2018. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5015. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Saint Louis Zoo Emergency Services RFP 2018

The Saint Louis Zoo is requesting proposals for Zoo Emergency Services in the following categories, Annual Fire Alarm Testing and Repairs Emergency Automatic Door Services Emergency Electric Gate Services

Elevator Maintenance Services and Annual Pressure Testing

HVAC Services Emergency Plumbing Services Emergency Roof Services Tree Maintenance Services HVAC Filters Services Fire Sprinkler and Fire Backflow Testing and Repairs Bid Documents will be available on 4/25/2018 at: https://www.stlzoo.org/ about/contact/vendoropportunities/ MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION: On 5/3/2018 at 2:00PM in The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before May 17 at 10:30 AM.

SEALED

BIDS for Site Security System Upgrades, Missouri School for the Deaf, 505 East 5th Street, Fulton, Missouri , Project No. E1617-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/17/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for

and

Readiness Center, (Bridgeton, Missouri), Project No. T1736-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/24/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS, PUBLIC NOTICES, NAME CHANGE CALL ANGELITA AT 314-2895430

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for Reconstruction of Runway 12L-30R Outer Panels from Taxiway Lima to Taxiway Juliet; Replace Runway 12L-30R Circuits; Rehabilitate Taxiway Kilo within Runway 12L-30R Safety Area, Letting No 8664 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Please phone 636-688-8794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@ millstoneweber.com or ryan.taylor@ millstoneweber.com, quotes to Bob Stubbs by 5:00 pm Monday, May 21st. Subcontract work includes, removals, concrete, bituminous pavement, PCC backfill, hauling, landscaping, striping, and electrical. Plans and Specifications are available for review on City of St Louis website http://www.stl-bps.org/ planroom.aspx or at Millstone Weber office.

Mandatory Pre-Bid meeting May 1st 2018, in Room 4066, Ozark Conference Room, Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd, Bridgeton MO 63044

INVITATION TO BID

Tarlton Corporation, 5500 West Park Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110 is soliciting bids on the Terminal 1 Ticketing Drive Staircase and Baggage Claim Drive Recoating project for the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service located at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The work will consist of the removal of the existing concrete stairs and ramp between Terminal 1 Baggage Claim (Arrivals) Dr. and Ticketing (Departures) Dr., and construction of new concrete stairs and ramp in the same locations, including glass handrail, electrical and pedestrian shelter relocation. Also included in this scope is the joint repair between Arrivals and Departures Dr., sidewalk modifications, and interior work in the office spaces below as related to temporary shoring. Alternate access and signage into the terminal must be provided for the benefit of the pedestrians will also be constructed. Also included in this project is concrete repairs and recoating of the Arrival Drive and its sidewalks. Also included are ADA upgrades to the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Drive for pickup areas, cross walks and cub ramp modifications. Phases temporary wayfinding included in this scope comprises temporary signage for vehicular redirection, temporary construction water-filled jersey barriers, and temporary channelizers.

Tarlton is soliciting subbids on the following work categories: Shotblasting, Demolition, Traffic Control, Concrete, Waterproofing, Glass Handrail, Acoustical Ceilings, Gypsum Drywall, Signage, Plumbing, Electrical Work, Pavement Marking.

The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goal and the Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) goal for this letting is a minimum of 25% MBE plus 5% WBE.

Subbids are due at 12:00 p.m. on May 14, 2018. These may be emailed to bids@tarltoncorp.com. Any questions please contact Kurt Aubuchon at KSAUBUCHON@TARLTONCORP.COM or 314.633.3300.

It is our desire to provide meaningful opportunities or minority-owned (MBE) and women-owned (WBE) businesses to participate to complete for our clients. Firms that do not have MBE/ WBE status are strongly encouraged to include MBE/WBE firms in their cost Additionally, we work to enhance diversity through the workforce, or “boots on the ground” which serves to increase the representation of women and minorities, apprentices and St. Louis City residents.

Bid documents may be viewed at: https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/55b2997ad17b3807006f2618/projects/5acfc301b518a7000fcccae8

Tarlton is an equal opportunity employer.

CLEAR GAME TOTES

Missouri Lottery is accepting bids for the purpose of establishing a contract for clear game totes. The bid document with the specifications can be obtained by going to http:// www.molottery.com/learnaboutus/bid_opportunities.shtm or by contacting Melissa Blankenship atmelissa.blankenship@ molottery.com or 573-751-4050.

Advertised

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

LETTING #8664

may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City and State laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. in the Ozark Conference Room (AO4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

INVITATION FOR BID

Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation’s Weatherization program is soliciting sealed bids for the following in Jefferson and Franklin Counties:

1) Contracts to provide weatherization and insulation work from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 with a yearly renewal option of up to two years.

2) Contracts to provide HVAC services (gas, oil and electric), water heaters, and ASHRAE compliant ventilation from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 with a yearly renewal option of up to two years.

Request bid packets at P.O. Box 920, Hillsboro, MO, 63050 or (636) 789-2686, ext. 1302, or email at drose@jfcac.org or Relay Missouri Service Users 1-800-735-2966, TT/TTY or 1-800-7352466 VOICE.

Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation reserves the right to reject any and all bids, in whole and in part, and to waive any informality.

Funds are made possible through the Missouri Department of Economic Development/Division of Energy.

Bid Deadline: June 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. JFCAC is an Equal Opportunity Agency.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

# 57818100, CAMPUS AND RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY SYSTEM

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting sealed proposals from qualified providers for a Campus and Residence Life Community System. A copy of the RFP is available by calling (314) 340-3325, emailing: barskys@hssu.edu or faxing a written request to: (314) 340-3322.

Proposals will be received until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 7, 2018 and should be mailed or delivered in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Proposal for Campus and Residence Life Community System” to Harris-Stowe State University, Attn: Shelley Barsky; 3026 Laclede Ave., Room 105, St, Louis, MO 63103.

INVITATION FOR EQUIPMENT BIDS

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is seeking bids for ballistic helmets & vests, shoring equipment, rope rescue equipment, automated license plate reader cameras & radio batteries. Bids are due May 8, 2018. Funding provided by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. MBEs / WBEs are encouraged to submit bids. Find details at www.ewgateway.org or by calling 314-421-4220 ext. 208.

INVITATION FOR BIDS CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION The St. Louis Development Corporation is currently seeking bids for maintenance of several planting beds located along Tucker Boulevard, Lafayette Avenue, Park Avenue and 14th Street in the City’s near south side. The work required for the project includes Trimming and removal of dead plant material, as needed; Weeding, by hand, herbicide or both, once every 2 weeks during growing season; Trash/debris pickup, once every 2 weeks and Fertilize twice per year; Pruning

A mandatory pre-bid conference and walkthrough will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018, 4:30 p.m. at Normandy 7th and 8th Grade Center, 7855 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Sealed proposals will be received at: Normandy Schools Collaborative, Attention: Randal Charles, 3855 Lucas and Hunt Road, St. Louis, MO 63121 until 2:00 p.m., May 11, 2018. Normandy School Collaborative reserves the right to reject any and all bids, in whole and in part, and to waive any informality.

It is the policy of Normandy Schools Collaborative that no person shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or disability, be subject to discrimination in employment or activity in the District.

All inquiries pertaining to this project shall be directed to: Angela Rodriguez TR,i Architects 9812 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 angela.rodriguez@triarchitects.com (314) 395-9750 x236

Journey to Islam

‘Islam was not the end, but a means to love Him more dearly’

By Eric Erfan Vickers

For 52

nd City

As America faces today the seeming inevitability of Iran becoming a nuclear power, I am reminded of a similar backdrop when I decided to become a Muslim. It was 1979, and I was in my second year of law school at the University of Virginia when an enigmatic and almost mystical figure named Ayatollah Khomeni burst upon the world scene like a whirlwind force. With the nation shocked by daily TV images of Americans held hostage by Khomeni’s Iranian followers, the Ayatollah became for the media and the American public the personification of Islam. Against this backdrop, my journey into the faith took place. I had already begun to question the point of my going to law school. I loved the study of law, the beauty and serenity of Charlottesville, and the prestigious institution founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson (“UVA”). But at the same time, I felt like I was subtly being programmed for a life as a “silk stocking” lawyer, that is, to represent the rich and powerful. My black consciousness and years of social activism naturally rebelled. I felt my soul seeking something permanent, something beyond the material existence of a legal career, something greater even than race consciousness. My mother, instinctively, I suppose, began sending me letters laced with Biblical quotes and

lessons.

Perhaps by destiny, while a law student I also taught parttime in the history department at UVA, and among my students was a teenage African American from Philadelphia named Farid Akkani, whose character, studiousness and political consciousness stood out from the other students like a bright light. I discovered that he was a Muslim, and as I sought to learn more from him about the faith, I became his student. He gave me several books about Islam, and also the Qur’an, the Muslim scripture.

While absorbing these, I began hearing and reading about an African-American Muslim lawyer in Virginia named Sa’ad El-Amin. After receiving an MBA from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Yale, Sa’ad joined the Nation of Islam founded by Elijah Muhammad and made famous by Malcolm X, who later broke from the Nation’s teachings of Islam. When Elijah died in 1975, the Nation essentially split, with the majority following Elijah’s son, Warith Deen Muhammad, and the others Louis Farrakhan.

Sa’ad, who oversaw the Nation’s legal and business matters, departed for Richmond when Warith Deen, who directed the followers away from the teachings of his father and towards orthodox Islam, began selling off the Nation’s vast business holdings. Sa’ad then shook up Virginia with his bold and brilliant socially conscious litigation. He had a reputation for fearlessly suing white cops and major institutions, and was considered one of the premier trial lawyers in the country. He was the “peoples’ lawyer” – their champ – in every sense of the word, and after he came to UVA and gave a rousing speech on the societal obligations of lawyers and why they should seek to be respected rather than

n I would visit and assault him with questions like a fresh young lawyer: “Why is it necessary to pray five times a day if God is around all the time?

which Muslims pray. After instructing me on the religious tenets and rituals, Farid, sensing my spiritual quest for something deeper, had me seek out a professor in UVA’s religious department, Abdullah Aziz Sachedina. When a week later I entered Sachedina’s office, located in one of the campus’ stately historic buildings, I entered Islam. His voice was calm, his mannerisms peaceful, and his demeanor humble. He was born in Tanzania, Africa to parents of Persian ancestry. He had studied at the foremost Islamic universities in the world, published several books, spent considerable time studying in Iran, and was among an elite group of worldwide Muslim leaders.

respectable, we connected. While Sa’ad was exemplifying the black nationalism and social activism I had always associated with Islam because of the Nation and Malcolm, Farid was teaching me about the five pillars of the faith, including the pilgrimage to Mecca that transformed Malcolm, and the unique prostrating manner in

Almost every Thursday for over a year I would visit and assault him with questions like a fresh young lawyer: “Why is it necessary to pray five times a day if God is around all the time? What’s wrong with eating pork if properly cooked? What’s this issue with Jesus? And what makes the Qur’an so special?” He would simply smile and then ask, “What do

you think?” – reminding me of the Qur’an’s saying that Islam “is a religion for people who think.”

One early morning, some 16 years after graduating and returning to St. Louis, I wrote to him about the faith:

Dear Professor Sachedina: I was thinking about you late last night I thought about my final night in Charlottesville, as I as preparing to leave the somewhat protective realm of student life and venture into the world as a lawyer, as a Muslim. You will remember that I arrived at your house very late that night. I will never forget sitting around your kitchen table, with you dressed in that splendidly vibrant white robe, looking God-sent, and discussing, one-on-one, God. And discussing what he expected of me as a Muslim. I can remember telling you my fear of keeping and maintaining my faith in a world where we are so misunderstood and even hated. It was what you said then that made me think of you last night. You told me to be a Muslim in everything I do. Whether it’s going to the store to get a loaf of bread, you said, or just cleaning the house, be a Muslim. Have God in your heart I want to thank you for teaching me that the love of God is greater than any religion, and that as great and wonderful as His scripture is, it will never be greater than the revelation Allah brings through a person’s heart… I thank you, my teacher, for being my guidance to the center of His heart, for teaching me that Islam was not the end, but a means to love Him more dearly.

Eric Erfan Vickers (19532018) was a civil rights activist and attorney in St. Louis. Reprinted with permission from 52nd City, “Faith” issue.

Photo by Sylvester Brown Jr.

Eric Erfan Vickers speaking at the farewell event for Take Five magazine in 2003.