April 27th, 2023 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

MarCh 1, 1927 – april 25, 2023

Farewell to a cultural force

Giant of social activism, groundbreaking entertainer Harry Belafonte passes at 96

By Kenya Vaughn

He stood on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. He held court in Ferguson as protests gave our region an international spotlight. For the past seven decades, the contributions of Harry Belafonte the social justice warrior have been as revered as his unparalleled film, stage and music career. For the next chapters of equity-driven humanitarian work and activism, Belafonte will be present in spirit alone – as an ancestor.

The award-winning activist/actor/singer/ producer/director passed away on Tuesday,

See BELAFONTE, A7

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, with iconic actor/singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte after a ceremony announcing the installation of a Nelson Mandela plaque in

A healthy hop

Surge in ‘No Bond’ rulings riles protestors

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Daniel Riley, the 21-year-old who critically injured a 17-year-old volleyball player, Janae Edmondson, while out on bond for a robbery case, has brought grief to more than just the victim who lost both her legs in the accident.

Not only has Riley’s reckless actions led to several local and state politicians calling for the removal of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, it seems hundreds of others seeking bonds for alleged crimes are being

n “This failure will once again fall on the backs of Black people and tear apart our communities.”

– Mike Milton, Executive Director of the Freedom Community Center

needlessly punished. That’s the charge leveled by the Freedom Community Center (FCC)

during a protest rally Monday in front of the Carnahan Courts Building downtown. The FCC describes itself as “a new, Black-led organization in North St. Louis, founded to dismantle systems of oppression that inflict harm and trauma on Black communities in St. Louis City, particularly the police and the criminal punishment system.”

According to a new report issued by the organization’s CourtWatch Program, since January, “the jail population has grown by 31% due to the increase in No Bond Allowed bail determinations.” Since

Mayor says city foresees progress

‘Making

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones challenged all St. Louisans and city supporters to “Meet me upstream,” during her second delivered State of the City address at Saint Louis University’s Center for Global Citizenship on Tuesday.

“No matter your place in St. Louis, I see you, I hear you, and we are working towards solutions to fix our shared problems,” said Jones.

“St. Louis, we’ve worked hard in the past year to move some major pieces into place to make transformative change in our city, change that residents will see and feel in the years to come. But the kind of long-term, transformative change we’re working on doesn’t happen overnight because St. Louis didn’t get like this overnight. Jones immediately address the crime situation in St. Louis, saying “At churches across the city, I hear families praying for their loved ones and asking God to make our city safer for their babies.”

See MAYOR, A6

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

The news that President Joe Biden will seek re-election has many curious about how well he will perform among African American voters.

According to the results of a recent poll conducted by TheGrio and KFF, Black people had a positive opinion of both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. There remains some debate among Black Americans about whether or not they will support Biden for president in 2024. According to the results of the poll of 1,000 Black voters who were registered between August 24, 2022, and September 5, 2022, 69% of respondents were pleased with Biden’s performance.

When asked whether the Democrats should select someone other than Biden in

See BIDEN, A6

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The St. Louis American

Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park.

Photo courtesy of the AP

Andi Martin (5), a student at New Life Christian Academy, is getting a frog painted on her forehead by Tinika Page at the AKA Community Health Fair Saturday, April 22, at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones

Pras Michel of Fugees rap group confesses to being an FBI informant during his conspiracy trial

No one saw this coming. It has been disclosed that Pras Michel of the rap group Fugees was an FBI infor mant.

Vibe reports Michel testified on Tuesday (April 18) during his conspiracy trial and admitted he provided information to the FBI.

Michel was a U.S. informant at the time of China’s plan to “extradite dissident Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui with assistance from Malaysian financier

Jho Low, a current fugitive.” He also said he convened with FBI agents several times to talk about Guo and three Americans that were held hostage in China.

“I took it upon myself to report because I thought the FBI should know,” Michel said during his tes timony.

Michel pleaded not guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and falsifying

records and is now standing trial. The charges are related to Low’s crimes, which include an allegation of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.

Michel told Rolling Stone he met Low when he was considering entering politics “to help people,” but later learned politics wasn’t his calling.

“I was one of those people who was just dabbling,” Michel said. “I never thought I would be full-time into politics. I realized politics is not for me. The problem with politics is this: It’s that the people within politics, they’re dirtier than the people who are not in politics.”

Michel could face up to 22 years in federal prison if he’s convicted. He maintains that he didn’t make political donations on Low’s behalf.

CNN abruptly fires Don Lemon after nearly two decades with the network

After nearly two decades with the netDon Lemon says CNN fired him without notice. Lemon most recently co-an-

chored “CNN This Morning” with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow for six months.

Lemon shared the news in a statement on Twitter.

“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned,” Lemon wrote. In an email sent to CNN staffers obtained by USA TODAY, CNN CEO Chris Licht wishes Lemon well and encourages him on his future endeavors in a statement.

“To my CNN Colleagues, CNN and Don have parted ways. Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” Licht wrote.

He added, “CNN This Morning has been on the air for nearly six months, and we are committed to its success.”

Candidates interested in having their name on the presidential election ballot are mandated to file with the Federal Elections Commission, which Afroman has completed.

The FEC filing displays Joseph Afroman Foreman for President and candidacy as an independent. Afroman wants to legalize marijuana nationally and has strong views on criminal justice reform. His stance on other issues and initiatives haven’t been shared yet.

Afroman

Neither Lemon or CNN explained the reason for the departure Monday. Lemon joined CNN September 2006.

“Because

I Got High” rapper Afroman is interested in running for president

Rapper Afroman is planning to run for president in 2024. TMZ reported the rapper filed the official documentation to join the race on April 18, 2023.

He expressed his interest in running for president in December 2022 during a concert in Missouri. His campaign manager Jason Savage said Afroman’s most recent legal battle against California authorities serves as his motivation to secure a seat in the Oval Office.

“Afroman’s ongoing persecution by the overtly corrupt Adams County Sheriff’s Department perfectly highlights that this corruption of leadership has trickled down to law enforcement all across the country,” Savage said.

“Criminal Justice Reform and Federal Marijuana Legalization remain two of the primary planks in his campaign platform. We are asking for your support as Afroman takes on this great and worthy cause as our Cannabis Commander in Chief.”

Sources: Vibe.com, BlackAmericaWeb.com, RollingStone.com, USAToday.com

Don Lemon

Pras Michael

“Tonight, I’m calling for real, meaningful gun reform in Congress that bans assault weapons in this country.”

- Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott during State of the City address

St. Louis celebrates Earth Day with calls to action for the environment

By Isaiah Peters

The St. Louis American

Earth Day is about more than environmental protection.

Last weekend, many St. Louisans vowed to combat food insecurity and food deserts, while also nurturing the environment and expanding educational opportunities.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page joined over 1,500 people during Forest Park’s Earth Day Festival on April 22 and 23. President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All on April 21. Its goals include protecting communities from pollution and environmental harms, according to the White House.

for the Environment [MCE], Urban Harvest, and City Greens Market.

MCE and its branch, Just Moms, target environmental hazards including radioactive contamination.

“Radioactive material is interspersed throughout St. Louis,” MCE’s website states. “The goal is not to create panic, but to educate the majority.”

n Almost 1 in 5 residents in St. Louis City in 2018 did not have consistent, reliable access to sufficient nutritious food, according to Feeding America.

“I support President Biden’s initiative and look forward to working to address St. Louis’ environmental injustices,” Mayor Jones said. Despite cold and gray weather, St. Louis organizations that showed up to amplify enviromental issues locally included STEMSTL, Missouri Coalition

In 1973, while uranium was being processed throughout the U.S., 8,700 tons of radioactive waste was illegally dumped at West Lake, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Just Moms is fighting for a voluntary buyout for residents within a mile of the West Lake Landfill.

“We all must work together to address our environment,” Dr. Page said. “The county’s recycling division scheduled 12 electronic recycling events in partnership with our county municipality to divert hazardous materials from our landfills.”

On the education front, STEMSTL Community Coordinator Samantha Minor

said as digitalization takes priority in many schools, her organization works on integrating hands-on STEM classes into more St. Louis K-12 schools and expanding its programs into Metro East.

“Students learn better handson,” Minor said. “Trading hands-on classes for tablets is not concrete and foundational for students to comfortably build upon.”

As for funding, Minor said the ongoing trend of diverting money for digitization is unproductive.

“We didn’t discuss middle schools properly before,” Minor said. “During middle school, students explore and get more into sports and art. And so, we’re working to incorporate STEM into those interests.”

Almost 1 in 5 residents in St. Louis City in 2018 did not have consistent, reliable access to sufficient nutritious food, according

to Feeding America.

“The disparity is very evident between what’s offered in St. Louis County versus the city,” Urban Harvest Events Coordinator, Wangui Gathangu, said.

“We have different education programs teaching farming for beginners until they can independently grow produce.”

Urban Harvest said its five farm locations help reduce food deserts by focusing on low-income food access. Food is distributed to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry, Flance School early-childhood development center, and LifeWise Community Center.

Located in The Grove neighborhood, City Greens Market sources from 160 local vendors and farmers to offer at-cost [reselling at the wholesale price] membership plans starting at $20 a month based on a family’s finances, according to City

Greens Market Community Outreach Director LaTia Thomas.

Founded in 2008, Thomas said the now eight-person team hopes to launch a mobile market vehicle and park in underserved neighborhoods.

“The Grove faced a lot of gentrification, and there were few, if any, grocery stores,” Thomas said. So these women [the founders] came together and asked, ‘How can we feed our community?’ [They] found local farmers, created food boxes for the public, and the mission grew into a market.”

CGM offers free membership for people who are unemployed or in financial hardship, Thomas said.

“There’s always been a discrepancy between people having or not having food, but it is a basic human right,” said Thomas

for men. At times, men get overlooked in the family and their emotional needs are not met. With their

Locker Room Chats program, RSTL shines a positive light on the male role and how they can be their best with positive support.

Locker Room Chats are held each quarter on the last Saturday of the month at the New Northside Conference Center and consist of a 30-minute open forum discussion where all men are invited to join the conversation. A variety of topics are covered ranging from the struggles and joys of new fatherhood, issues that may arise at work, relationship and financial questions, and any other subject that may be on the minds of the participants. It’s a safe space for all the men who choose to speak and share, or to just listen. It’s a place to laugh, let loose and just be one of the guys with no pressure. Once the discussion has ended, then the real fun begins with a friendly game of basketball where they can show off their skills get some exercise and continue to bond on the court.

Steve Williams, Male Engagement Coordinator and Christopher Deloch, Community Health Worker, manage the Locker Room Chats. Steve said, “I believe our Male Engagement program along with the Locker Room Chat is essential and unique because we bring men together in a no judgement zone where we can learn from one another and grow to become better men, fathers and role models for our children and community. It’s a space for men to talk about everything from manhood to relationship building. I truly believe iron sharpens iron.” Locker Room Chats is a well-rounded program that serve men’s mental, physical, and spiritual health.

There are many organizations that do great work to strengthen our communities. CHAO and RSTL supports their efforts in a quest to do what’s right for children, their families and the entire community.

StLouisChildrens.org Child Health Advocacy and Outreach programs are made

Photo by Isaiah Peters | St. Louis American

Samantha Minor, STEMSTL community coordinator, speaks with Glen Holmes, 66, and Josh Holmes, 17, at St. Louis Earth Day Festival on Sat. April 22, 2023.

Locker Room Chat Members

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial

Harry Belafonte was a beautiful example of Black manhood

By Kamaria Fayola

Harry Belafonte’s spirit was beautiful. And I don’t mean to say powerful, bold, influential or some other equally acceptable masculine-leaning adjective. Yes, he was that too — but above all else, he was beautiful. His energy was beautiful. Giving and kind. Thoughtful and caring. Decisive and direct. He spent a lifetime pouring his love across the world into others who needed it most, and that is nothing short of beautiful.

So, as he leaves this physical form and returns home from a life well lived, I’ll unapologetically call his life what it was, beautiful. A beautiful display of manhood.

Harry Belafonte exemplified this in outstanding fashion. He was a different breed. Walked in his own lane. Defined manhood on his own terms. Defined living on his own terms. Even defined Blackness on his own terms. And he did it all, effortlessly. A strong moral fortitude birthed of struggle and love, he was a good man. He had an immense capacity for caring, working as an activist alongside not only Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the battle for civil rights in the United States but also alongside humanitarian workers in Africa in the service of human decency worldwide.

He was a beautiful example of Black manhood. A powerful reminder that Black men have limitless capacity to be as visionary as they desire. Limitless magic to create a new order in their communities. And limitless capacity to be giving and nurturing in service to humankind.

Belafonte had an intense desire to do something about the problems of the world, and he had the drive and determination to get about the business of actually doing it. Action is at the forefront of his legacy. An artist who gave truth a stage. A heart that gave those in need of refuge and shelter. Love that was split, shared, and multiplied throughout the world.

There is not a decade in most of the past century where Harry Belafonte was not relevant.

In the ’50s, he used his artistry to tell Black stories to diverse audiences, tapping into his Jamaican roots and Harlem upbringing to bring to life the tales of the working class with songs like “Day-O.”

His debut album “Calypso” was the first LP by a single artist to sell a million copies. But he was not one-dimensional in his artistry. He seamlessly shifted from singing to acting and back again during this decade, starring in both TV and film, including in one of the first successful all-Black major motion picture films, “Carmen Jones” with Dorothy Dandridge. To this day, this film is still applauded and celebrated for its milestones and artistry.

Into the ’60s, Harry Belafonte was a powerful voice in the civil rights movement. He marched beside Dr. King, even helping to plan the March on Washing-

St. Louis then and now

By Mike Jones

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has started a new chapter in governmental and political history in St. Louis. For the first time, 14 Alderpersons were sworn in as the board dropped from 28 members. The change was long overdue.

Back when I was a neophyte alderman in 1981, I thought Board membership should be reduced. Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor, I didn’t mention my feelings about the issue.

Strong advocates of governmental reform usually believe that a major culprit of dysfunction is inefficiency and ineffectiveness of governmental processes. This is both right and wrong. No entity uses the operating systems today that were structured the same way they were a hundred plus years ago, except American governments.

The St. Louis region has existential problems, but no level of governmental reform or reorganization will solve them.

The 1914 city charter date is significant because the way city government is structured hasn’t fundamentally changed in over 100 years. Even the most casual or uninformed observer would note the difference between the world of 1914 and the world in 2023.

the 100,000 plus public school students and their parochial school counterparts. Passage of the earnings tax, which is considered by some to be an albatross that weighs down the city’s ability to attract and keep businesses, was championed by Civic Progress in 1953. Here’s the caveat, while the population of St. Louis increased by almost 300,000 to 850,000, the country had doubled in size from 75 million to 150 million. Relative to the size of the country, St. Louis had gotten smaller. It went downhill from there.

If you were born here in 2000, say the grandchild of the person born here in 1950, or came to St. Louis in 2000, there’s no correlation between your St. Louis circumstances and someone born or who arrived in 1950. You would have found St. Louis with a population of 346,000 and declining (current city population is 293,000), and a regional population that hasn’t changed in 70 years. In 1950, the combined population of St. Louis city and St. Louis County was 1.26 million. In 2000 it was 1.36 million, and in 2020 it was 1.29 million. This is what stuck in neutral looks like.

ton. On several occasions, he used his celebrity to raise money for various civil rights causes, including to bail Dr. King and other protesters from jail following peaceful protests. He also used his celebrity to support the various initiatives of well-known equal rights organizations, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) of which a young John Lewis was an active member.

The ’70s and ’80s were spent building upon the legacy that he’d begun to create in his early career. He continued moving back and forth between music, film and activism, always using his voice to amplify the needs of those whose voices weren’t heard.

In 1984, he helped organize the celebrity packed “We Are the World” charity benefit song in support of the humanitarian needs of Africa. He initiated the idea, he was a visionary who sought to use his privilege and position for good.

In the ’80s, he also became an outspoken advocate for the ending of apartheid in South Africa. His humanitarian efforts found a permanent home in Africa during the ’80s and ’90s. He gave love. He gave of himself.

After all of this, Harry Belafonte could have literally rested on his work, hung up his hat and enjoyed retirement, but he kept at it. In 1987, he was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and remained as such until he died.

In the 2000s, he spoke his mind on politics to both Democrats and Republicans alike. In 2014, he and actor Danny Glover came to Ferguson, Missouri during the “Ferguson Uprising” after a police officer shot and killed unarmed Michael Brown.

Harry Belafonte was a voice that sought to speak the truth. He was the hand that sought to right wrongs. The love that sought to heal the world. What a beautiful way to live.

Kamaria Fayola is an attorney, writer, runs the blog ‘Words of my Mother.’ This commentary was originally published in The Griot

At the beginning of the 20th century (1900), St. Louis was the 4th largest city in the United States with a population of 575,000. It was preparing to host the 1904 World’s Fair. By the end of the 20th century (2000) there were 270 million people in America, but St. Louis had fallen to 51st, with a population of 346,000. So, in those 100 years the country got 4 times bigger, while the city lost 40% of its 1900 population (226,000 people).

If you took a one-hundred-year nap, and woke up in the St. Louis region of 2000, your first question would probably be “ where am I?” Followed by, “What the hell happened?”

For the first 50 years of the 20th century, St. Louis still had its mojo working. In 1950, St. Louis remained a major commercial and transportation center, home to the national and/or world headquarters of at least a dozen Fortune 500 companies. Downtown was the commercial and cultural hub of the region.

St. Louis had big city public infrastructure, functioning public transportation, two full service public hospitals along with a network of community-based public health clinics, and year-round citywide public recreation programs that supported

Another important context is that the St. Louis of 1950 existed in a different America than the St. Louis of 2023. St. Louis circa 1950 was a major city in an emerging superpower, the world’s economic and political hegemony. As actor and director Mel Brooks said in History of the World Part I, “it’s good to be the king!”

St. Louis circa 2023 is no longer a major commercial center, and just as importantly, it’s in an America that’s beginning to lose its global economic and political hegemonic status. If post WW II America was the Rome of Augustus, then the MAGA America of today is clearly the Rome of Nero or Commodus. St. Louis needs to be reimagined, before it can be redeveloped and revitalized. How and why St. Louis and the St. Louis region got here isn’t as important as recognizing and acknowledging this is where St. Louis is today.

You can’t afford the luxury of continuing to lament a lost past. “The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on. Nor all your piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line. Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.”

This emerging generation of St. Louis political leadership has inherited difficult questions that require hard answers and complex problems without obvious solutions. Unfortunately, it is what it is.

Clarence Thomas does not belong on Supreme Court

By Svante Myrick

It’s been over 30 years since Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court seat once held by the great Thurgood Marshall, and it’s safe to say that his reputation for unethical behavior – which was poor to begin with – has only gotten worse.

What are we supposed to think about a justice’s career that started with allegations of sexual harassment, moved on to extreme coziness with conservative political donors, then multiple instances of questionable gifts and payments to himself and his wife, and now revelations that years of free trips and perks lavished on him by right-wing billionaire Harlan Crow went unreported -despite laws that clearly say they should be? Even after the news of Crow’s largesse first broke, it got worse: Crow had also bought Thomas’s mother’s house in Savannah, a helpful real estate deal that Thomas never reported, either.

doing the decent and honorable thing. So that means others will have to hold him accountable. The question is how. There are plenty of calls for impeachment, but with a Republican-controlled House the option would appear to be off the table. Meanwhile the Senate will hold hearings and may call Thomas himself to testify. That is an important step. I would add that two other steps are essential right now: a Justice Department investigation and Supreme Court reform including an enforceable code of ethics.

The Justice Department has clear grounds to investigate Thomas under a federal disclosure law that applies to government officials including Supreme Court justices. The law authorizes DOJ to pursue both civil penalties and criminal fines from government officials who fail to report gifts as legally required.

We could think that Thomas either doesn’t know or doesn’t care about the ethical standards expected of a Supreme Court justice, or the laws that apply to him as a public employee. But Thomas is a graduate of Yale Law School. Ignorance is not a believable defense here. So, we must conclude that Thomas just doesn’t care about the rules or thinks that he can ignore them.

That’s not the kind of person who belongs on the Supreme Court. If he wanted to do the decent and honorable thing, Thomas would admit his wrongdoing and resign. But Thomas doesn’t have a history of

Thomas has claimed that the generosity he received from Harlan Crow was just “personal hospitality” – not subject to reporting. Even if some of that were true, some perks, like free use of Crow’s private jet for Thomas’s personal travel, and the real estate transaction in Georgia are, according to most ethics experts, clearly in a different category.

The Justice Department can give a definitive answer as to whether Thomas’s actions were not only unsavory, unethical, improper and all the rest – but also illegal. And then, to help ensure that trust in the Court isn’t further eroded by scandal after scandal, we need to have Supreme Court reform.

Svante Myrick is People For the American Way president

Guest Columnist Kamaria Fayola

Columnist Mike Jones

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Harry Belafonte, left, and Sidney Poitier pose in the audience at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Los Angeles.

Columnist Svante Myrick

Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee recently visited students at Jefferson School in the Normandy Schools Collaborative to donate books and read from her children’s book, “Jackie Joyner-Kersee; Running for the Gold, Connecting Kids to Dreams.” Joyner-Kersee will host a 5K run/walk on June 3 and serve as grand marshal of the Enjoy Illinois 300 on June 4.

JJK named Illinois 300 Grand Marshal, host 5K race

St. Louis American staff

Six-time Olympic medalist Jackie JoynerKersee will issue the historic instruction of “Gentlemen, start your engines,” as Grand Marshal of the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Race at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) at 2:30 p.m. June 4, 2023.

The noted philanthropist and regional civic icon will also host the inaugural JJK 5K race and walk with participants running on the 1.25-mile oval track. The JJK 5K will take place Saturday, June 3, following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 race and will be followed by a concert on the infield stage.

Registration information can be found at wwtraceway.com and proceeds from the 5K race and walk will benefit the Jackie JoynerKersee (JJK) Foundation. The JJK 5K is sponsored by Purina and Elco.

“I am excited to be a part of the NASCAR Cup Series weekend as it brings so much attention to my hometown and the work we

do here,” said Jackie Joyner-Kersee. “I like things that go fast! Combining a 5k race with the Enjoy Illinois 300 is just my speed.”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee grew up in East St. Louis and was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon. Kersee still holds the world heptathlon record, as well as the Olympic and national records in the long jump.

She established the JJK Foundation and JJK Center in East St. Louis 23 years ago to ensure children in the area have access to high quality after-school programs and a safe environment within the community.

Curtis Francois, owner and CEO, called JJK “a true partner and inspiration for us as we work together to lift up the Metro East communities around the track and the JJK Center.”

Tickets sales for the Enjoy Illinois 300 race, presented by TicketSmarter, can be found at World Wide Technology Raceway Events | MetroTix

Financial training can’t start too early

By Frances Toni Draper

It was a colorful 3×5 card (more like a booklet) with patriotic symbols and slogans about money. Every day, I put a dime in one of its tiny slots. If I recall correctly, the card held about $5 worth of dimes that I could take to school and exchange for a U.S. Savings Bond. U.S. Savings Bonds were sold in schools as part of a program called the “Savings Bonds in Education Program.” The program began in 1956 and continued through the 1970s. It was designed to encourage students to save money and to learn about finance, while supporting the government. Under the program, bonds could be purchased for as little as $1.

This was my first introduction to finance and savings. A few years later, I got another lesson in finance from my mother who was a single parent to three school-aged children. I was the oldest. One day, my mother called all three of us into a family meeting and said “I’m working two jobs and in graduate school, and I need some help. So, from now on, your sister Toni will be handling the family checkbook, and paying the bills for the household.”

What? I’m 16. What do I know about checkbooks and bills?! Isn’t it enough that I have two younger siblings to watch? Well, anyone who knew my mother, knows that didn’t deter her. Not one bit. A couple of weeks later, she took me to the bank and added my name to her checking account. Then she sat me down at the dining room table, gave me a list of bills and said, “Just make sure we have food, that the mortgage is paid, and that the lights stay on.”

Surely, she’s kidding, I thought to myself.

I didn’t even like math (or so I thought), much less budgets and bills. Thank God, she coached me along the way and eventually I learned how to handle the family finances. And, yes, we ate every day and the lights stayed on.

The point of sharing this story is not to highlight my mom or me, but to highlight the importance of teaching financial lessons to our children at an early age – the earlier the better. Many times, however, that’s not what’s happening in the Black community for a variety of reasons. So, I decided to go visit (chat.openai.com) to see what “it” had to say in response to my query, “Why is it that many Black Americans do not know about finance and investing.”

“There are a number of factors that contribute to the financial literacy gap among Black Americans.”

Historical discrimination: Black Americans have faced discrimination in many areas of life, including education, employment and housing, which has limited their access to financial resources and opportunities.

Lack of financial education: Many schools do not offer comprehensive financial education, and Black Americans may not have access to financial literacy resources outside of school. Additionally, financial information is often written in complex terms and jargon, which can make it difficult for people with limited financial education to understand.

Lack of trust in financial institutions: due to historical and ongoing discrimination, many Black Americans have a lack of trust in financial institutions and may be hesitant to invest their money. They may also be more likely to rely on informal financial networks, such as friends and family, rather than traditional financial institutions.

Economic inequality: Black Americans are more likely to live in poverty and have lower median incomes than White Americans, which can make it difficult to save and invest money.

It is important to note that these factors are not exclusive to Black Americans, and that financial literacy is a widespread issue in the United States.

Bottom line? While structural and overt racism are still alive and well in America, financial literacy is a must for the advancement of any community and the creation of generational wealth.

Frances Toni Draper is publisher of The Afro.

Photo courtesy of Normandy Schools

Frances Toni Draper

the next presidential election, 58% of Black voters answered that they would rather see another candidate run than Biden.

Additionally, the results of the survey suggested that an astounding 70% of Black voters would cast their ballots for Harris if she were to run for president, revealing the possibility that African Americans would offer more support to Harris than Biden.

This is a pivotal moment in our history,” said Harris.

“For two years we have made transformational investments to build a nation in which everyone can be safe and healthy, find a good job, and retire with dignity. The Republicans running for President want to take our country backwards. We will not let that happen. Just like we did in 2020, we must come together to fight for our democracy, continue to make progress, and make sure all Americans can get ahead and thrive.

“Joe and I look forward to finishing the job, winning this battle for the soul of the nation, and serving

Mayor

Continued from A1

“And for those who think that Black elected officials don’t talk enough about crime, we live it every day,” said Jones, who shared that she had just lost a family member to gun violence in Chicago.

The mayor noted creation of the city’s first Office of Violence Prevention, “to marshal all of our public safety resources and youth programs under one umbrella, instead of in a constellation across city departments.”

“I’m proud to report that the office is not only up and running but is a

the American people for four more years in the White House.”

Somebody other than Biden?

There remains a greater degree of disagreement among Black voters who identify as Democrats or who lean toward the party.

The poll reveals a consensus among respondents (49%) that the party ought to put forward Biden as its candidate for another term.

The remaining half

permanent division under the department of public safety.”

With a state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department looming, Jones said, except for car thefts, crime is trending lower than at this time in 2021 and 2022.

“A state takeover of police would mean a police department more accountable to unelected bureaucrats than the communities they patrol,” said Mayor Jones.

“Kansas City, whose police are still under state control, just experienced their three most violent years on record.

Chief Robert Tracy has just completed his first 100 days with the police department and Jones hailed the fact that the first

of voters have indicated that they would want the Democrats to select a different candidate for president in 2024.

Even among Black voters, there’s a wide range of viewpoints about the question of whether Biden should be the nominee.

Those under the age of 50 and those who lean Democratic are more likely to seek a different candidate than those over the age of 50 who want Biden to run for a second term.

This is especially true

external police chief in the city’s history has focused on operations, building community relationships at more than 75 events, and [helped reach] a contract agreement approved overwhelmingly by rank-andfile officers.

“Our legislature must not push politics into public safety and instead give our new chief the time he needs to implement proven crime-reduction strategies, like he did in Wilmington,” Jones said.

St. louis demands “a safer future with common sense gun regulations like universal background checks and red flag laws, made all the more urgent by last year’s act of senseless violence at Central Visual and Performing Arts - a tragedy we still

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with Tennessee state lawmakers Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, left, and Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, right, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, April 24, 2023, in Washington.

has also been debated in the Black community. His efforts to pass a comprehensive voting rights package and reduce gun violence have been unsuccessful, but he has honored campaign vows to select a Black woman as his vice president and appoint one to the Supreme Court.

Biden also must overcome the problems caused by some of his supporters privately and publicly bashing Harris, an issue that has alienated some Black voters.

of Black Democrats.

Fifty-seven percent of Black Democrats and Democrats-at-heart aged 50 and over want Biden as the nominee, however only 42% of all Democrats and Democrats-at-heart want the party to choose someone else.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party has struggled to win Black voters, and the poll shows that this pattern hasn’t changed.

The anger and obstruction that Republicans have

mourn six months later,” Jones said.

“To Jefferson City, a 12-year-old receiving gender-affirming healthcare is a bigger threat than a 12-year-old with an assault rifle. We have been vocal about what we need to improve public safety, and a state takeover of SLMPD isn’t it.”

Jones said her office worked with the Board of Aldermen to allocate remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help support working families, expand access to healthcare improve and calm our streets, and direct more than $250 million to neglected neighborhoods

Jones said being a former restaurant owner and serving as treasurer taught her the importance of modernizing city government to improve reliability of services like refuse collection.

The city now has a digital payroll system, done

shown toward Barack Obama throughout the years, in addition to their resistance to a voting rights law in Congress, make gaining the Black vote an uphill battle for the GOP.

By identifying themselves with Christian nationalists and organizations with roots in white supremacy, some Republicans have made it impossible to gain the support of Black voters.

The track record that Biden has on racial issues

away with typewriters, and the administration is working to streamline services - especially around the liquor license process for small businesses.

“My first brush with City government technology was serving as the Treasurer,” said Jones. “In City government, we’re still using 90’s-era technology like green screens and mainframes. We’re cleaning up our data and service tracking so that we can measure city services.”

“We want all of our departments to work together, break down silos and communicate effectively with the residents we all serve.”

Mayor Jones closed the address emphasizing that just like she did as a reservation and sales agent with TWA, she hears the concerns of residents on city services like refuse collection, 911 consolidation, and public safety. The city also launched a website, www.aftertheworkhouse.

Four years after announcing his campaign for the 2020 election that finally resulted in the defeat of the criminally indicted and twice-impeached Donald Trump, Biden again seeks to beat back a run by the MAGA leader.

Reportedly, Biden’s most prominent supporters were invited to a financial summit in Washington, D.C, in the days running up to his planned announcement, which kicked off a wild race to stock the president’s war chest.

The meeting last Friday, was viewed as an important first step in a campaign that is going to try its best to fly under the radar for at least one year.

com, to solicit feedback on how to use the former Workhouse site, which is currently empty of detainees.

Noting that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had spoke in the same facility on October 12, 1964, two days before he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Jones said “I want you to leave here tonight with Dr. King’s words echoing in yours, just as his voice bounced off the walls of this historic building.”

“Dr. King said: ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.’”

“We can reduce crime by reversing poverty. And to build faith in our government, to build faith that we can solve the big problems, we need to tackle the everyday problems we see and feel in our neighborhoods,” Jones said.

“Let’s steer that boat upstream, to stem the tide.”

Photo courtesy of the AP

April 25 from congestive heart failure. He was 96.

“I’m heartbroken at hearing of the death of Harry Belafonte, a true mentor and friend,” Rev. Al Sharpton said via Twitter. “I cherished the time he would give me and others to guide us and correct us. He was a history changing activist, a culture changing entertainer, and an unmatched intellectual.”

During the height of his fame, Belafonte was one of the biggest stars the world had seen, before or since. He created a blueprint for leveraging commercial success as a popular artist to fuel one’s passion as a change agent.

“It wasn’t easy for me, because I was an activist who became an artist –not an artist who became an activist,” Belafonte told PBS NewsHour in 2011. “My activism really started the day of my birth. By the time I came upon the idea of being an artist, I brought with me this mission of activism.”

As an activist, Belafonte helped organize the 1963 March on Washington – and was a close friend and confidant of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was immersed in the work of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and spent decades fighting for the liberation of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. He galvanized the music industry’s biggest stars to form supergroup USA for Africa and record “We are the World” in 1985. The chart-topping single raised more than $60M (more than $156M in today’s dollars) in the fight against world hunger. Belafonte served as an ambassador for UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) for the

Bond

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March, CourtWatch wrote that it has “observed more hearings where people were denied bond (153 hearings) than total hearings observed in January and 104 more hearings than last March.

The report, “CourtWatch STL bears witness to the harms of the criminal legal system,” also levels charges of racism: “Disproportionately, the people targeted by this system are Black and poor. Over 85% of the accused people were Black despite Black people making up only 45% of St. Louis City’s population. The criminal legal system continues to target Black and poor people at alarming rates,” the report states.

“This failure will once again fall on the backs of Black people and tear apart our communities” Mike Milton, Executive Director of FCC, said in a press statement.

The numbers were high even before this year. The report details how from June 2021 to June 2022, the Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) recommended that people be held without bond 88% of the time. In total, the report noted that during that time, 1,315 people were cycled through bail hearings resulting in their lives and futures being “dramatically altered by a hearing that lasted an average of 10 minutes.”

The public outrage due to the Edmondson tragedy has swelled, Sarah Nixon, pretrial organizer with FCC, told the crowd. Judges have denied bonds at staggering rates as police are arresting more people and prosecutors are filing more bond revocations, she added.

The crowd of about 50, mostly wore t-shirts proclaiming: “Peace & Power” and “Black Lives

last 36 years of his life. The list of organizations, initiatives and worthy causes to which he gifted his influence are too vast to individually mention.

Belafonte the artist was a seismic force that changed the way the world saw Black people depicted. He used his natural magnetism to attract audiences first to his art, and then to his cause.

He was offensively good looking, so talented that it seemed unfair – and so charming it was impossible to harbor jealousy for him being so handsome and talented. “I was a good singer, but I wasn’t the best,” Belafonte wrote in his 2011 book My Song: A Memoir of Art, Race and Defiance. “I had known from the start I would have to rely on my acting. And in the end, I could make a case that I was the greatest actor in the world. I had convinced everyone in the world that I could sing.”

His gifts and onscreen presence were criminally underutilized within the Hollywood machine due to the color of his skin. The roles that he was offered were limited. He refused many of them because of a conscious decision not to subject his image or his people to marginalization –which contributed to his decade-long hiatus from film at the height of his marketability.

Not even the systemic racism that crippled the careers of so many – including his Carmen Jones co-star Dorothy Dandridge –could stifle Belafonte’s impact or dim his light, mainly because activism was at the core of his art and his life.

One day after being presented with the Academy Awards’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on November 8, 2014, Belafonte could be found in Ferguson.

He and fellow artist/ activist Danny Glover con-

Matter” hoisted colorful cardboard placards that read: “No Justice, No Peace.” “Humans don’t belong in cages” and “Let Our people Go!” “As we recognize the profound physical and emotional trauma that Janae Edmondson has suffered…we remain steadfast in our commitment to consider our collective responsibility to foster an environment of safety, civility and wellness for all residents of Missouri,” Nixon said.

Jake Lyonfield, a volunteer with the FCC’s CourtWatch program, called out 22nd Judicial Circuit Court judges and the circuit attorney’s office who “so often make the cruel and unnecessary decision to keep our neighbors in pretrial detention.” Defendants who are largely indigent and Black are subjected to the arbitrary whims of judges and prosecutors, Lyonfield said, “who destroy lives by unnecessarily jailing hundreds of people a year before they can even face trial. And let’s be clear; these people are legally innocent.”

Pretrial detention, Lyonfield continued, is lengthy and cruel.

“Accused persons can be held for weeks, months or even years at a time. People are separated from their families, stripped of income from lost jobs and are denied medical treatment.”

The Freedom Community Center’s report challenges “public safety,” the dominant reason judges and prosecutors cite for bail hearing recommendations and decisions.

“There is little evidence, however, that pretrial detention and incarceration produces public safety,” the report declared. “Incarceration makes our communities less safe.”

The 22nd Judicial Circuit has turned its back

versed with a small group of protest and community leaders for a private, closed-door meeting. The gathering took place as demonstrations had been underway for months in response to the death of Michael Brown – who was fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer on August 9th of that year.

“I think Ferguson sits as the first real substantive display of a community that is willing to take on the necessary protest and the necessary rebellious nature that is required to make this issue [of fatal police shootings] able to be discussed by everybody,” Belafonte told Gregg Killday of Billboard

Natural born activist

Harry Belafonte was born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927, in Harlem, New York to Jamaican-born parents Harold George

on the people it “supposedly represents,” the report matter-of-factly states. It lists people “incarcerated at the City Justice Center (CJC), their families and loved ones, civil rights

Bellanfanti Sr. and Melvine Bellanfanti.

He considered his inclination towards activism to be an inheritance of sorts from his mother. It was cultivated as a small boy when he accompanied her to Marcus Garvey rallies in the early 1930s.

“I saw her passion for justice,” Belafonte said. “All of that rubbed off on me – and here I am.”

His family returned to Jamaica, where Belafonte spent a portion of his youth before returning to his native Harlem to attend high school.

He left school to serve his country by way of the U.S. Navy. Like so many Black men returning home from World War II, his reward for service included limited opportunities and menial labor jobs. While working as a janitor’s assistant, he was given two tickets to a performance produced by the American Negro Theater in lieu of

advocates, defense attorneys, community members and even survivors of violence” who’ve been let down by the judges and prosecutors.

Describing “jail” as

a tip. The random gesture changed the course of his existence.

“I saw theater as a social force as a political force,” Belafonte told PBS NewsHour. “I felt that art was a powerful tool and that it was what I should be doing with my life. The arts have been the greatest liberator of Black people. The arts have captured who we are – and reflected our history in an impressive and meaningful way.”

A star is catapulted

It was through the American Negro Theater that Belafonte met lifelong friend and fellow icon Sidney Poitier. In the early days of their friendship and honing their respective crafts as actors, the pair was so strapped for cash that they would buy a single ticket for a performance. Poitier would attend one act and Belafonte another. They would fill in the blanks for each other at intermission.

By the late 1940s, Belafonte and Poitier were studying at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School alongside Bea Arthur, Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis and Walter Matthau among others while performing with the American Negro Theater.

“How we presented ourselves was very important to Sidney and myself,” Belafonte said in the 2018 Simon Frederick documentary They’ve Gotta Have Us. “We decided that our task would be to not just do the best that we could with the platform that was offered us, but to make sure that we did not perpetuate the stereotypes that had been used by cinema so effectively and disastrously to the definition of who Black people were and what they were.”

By the early 1950s, Belafonte had become the first Black man to

win a Tony Award for his Broadway debut performance in John Murray Anderson’s Almanac. Soon after his musical career and film career launched in close succession. His breakthrough album Calypso, released in 1956, became the first LP in the world to sell one million copies. The song Banana Boat commonly referred to as Day-O, was the album’s signature track and became an instant classic.

Banana Boat wasn’t just a song that delighted people,” Belafonte said via video as he received the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s 33rd Annual National Equal Justice Award. “If they dug deeply enough into the lyrics of that song it is a song of power and protest from the Black voice. ‘Six hand, seven hand, eight hand bunch. Daylight come and me want to go home.’ That wraps up a whole life of who we are.”

By 1960 he had become the first Black man to receive an Emmy Award for his “Tonight with Belafonte” television special in 1960. His film career continued through 2018, concluding with his appearance as elder statesman activist Jerome Turner in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman. He won three Grammy awards in the 1960s. He was a Kennedy Center Honors for Performing Arts recipient in 1989. In 1994, then President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts. Last year, Belafonte became the oldest living inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when he was enshrined in the Early Influence category. And through it all, he used the leverage that came with his celebrity to help bend the world towards equity and justice.

a sometimes “death sentence,” the report notes how, since April 2022, six people-Robert Lee Miller, Augustus Collier, Donald Henry, Courtney McNeal, Nelly Boo (street name) and one unidentified person have all died last year while detained at the justice center. These cases, according to the FCC report, “remain shrouded in unnecessary mystery.”

Harry Belafonte visited Cathy Jenkins’ restaurant in Ferguson, Cathy’s Kitchen, in August 2014 when he supported protestors during the Ferguson Uprising.

Photo courtesy of KSDK Channel 5

Living, dying by a political sword

ESL now has a new mayor

For a second consecutive mayoral election, East St. Louis saw an incumbent mayor downed by a challenger. This time, incumbent Mayor Robert Eastern III, who defeated one-term Mayor Emeka JacksonHicks four years ago, will relinquish his title to Councilmember Charles Powell III. Powell won by a little more than 300 votes.

For a city with a population of approximately 17,748, and supposedly 15,200 registered voters, apathy and alleged nefarious political puppeteering were hallmarks of this election.

Nearly 70% of “registered voters” failed to participate. The official turnout was listed as 31%, with Powell receiving 2,097 votes to Eastern’s 1,734. Of that, 76% of votes received by Powell

were by way of “early voting”. A third candidate, activist Marie Franklin, received 841 votes.

For the past two elections, the Democratic Party chairs in East Boogie were convicted felons. Frank Smith was chair during Eastern’s 2019 victory.

Michael Collins, the current chair, pulled a political coup in ousting Smith as party chair.

I’ve written about these gentlemen, so I won’t dwell on their criminality. However, anyone familiar with ESL “poli-tricks” knows the name of the game in East St. Louis elections is mining absentee/early voting ballots to solidify a candidate’s margin of victory.

n Traditional debates and public forums have become irrelevant in East St. Louis.

I’ve written of operatives allegedly filling out ballots for senior citizens in advance of elections and political party buses which allegedly picked up voters and supplied them with alcohol and cigarettes while they completed their ballots as instructed.

Some allegations were exposed on social media. The tactics are many, but the results are always the same in the eyes of many East St. Louis residents

and voters. Elections don’t reflect the will of voters, but rather that of “da chairman.”

Traditional debates and public forums have become irrelevant in East St. Louis. Eastern didn’t participate in a mayoral forum prior to being elected in 2019. Powell walked out in the middle of last month’s forum and still won.

They both considered that voter apathy could mean no consequence for thumbing their noses at voters. They both must have felt that if “da chairman” had the margin of absentee votes on lock, the elections were a mere formality.

This election was so pathetic that Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not endorse a candidate for the top office in a city that votes heavily democratic and played a hand in his election.

So, I’m blaming this one on the voters. Also, non-voters because in politics, non-participation is a vote for the status quo.

Until voters demand more, they will be forever viewed by many East Boogie politicians as suckers who can be bought for $5 to $10, liquor, Thanksgiving turkey or Easter ham.

Until you demand more, you will continue to reap what you have sown… absolutely NOTHING!

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com Twitter@ JamesTIngram

The Right stays headed in the wrong direction

There is a majority view in this country that supports women’s right to choose. Despite this compelling fact, last year the U.S. Supreme Court did the unthinkable, it struck down Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision made by a SCOTUS of a wholly different character in 1973.

that consolidates power by any means necessary. One means includes gerrymandering to take over the courts, the legislatures and the governorships to maintain their power.

The latest ruling on abortion rights is unprecedented in that it’s the first time a judge has unilaterally taken a drug off the market in the face of the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s objections. It’s not just an attack on the right to choose, it is another flagrant abuse of power by the courts.

The conservative right is heading in the wrong direction on most issues but its attack on a woman’s right to make choices about her body is openly playing out like a horror movie where you know the ending but it’s hard to watch how you get there.

The extremist right has taken over the Republican Party and pushed it even more to the right. Extremists have run any vestige of moderates out at the points of their racist, sexist and homophobic ideologies. They have united around a strategy

The St. Louis American Foundation is now accepting award nominations from the public and Health Care Institutions. The nomination can be a self­nomination or for another party for the following awards:

• 2023 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care

• 2023 Stellar Performer in Health Care

• 2023 Excellence in Health Care Awards

Please fill out this form and attach any additional information (resume, narrative about the nominee, etc.) and send it to:

St. Louis American Foundation

Attn: Health Care Awards

2315 Pine Street

St. Louis, MO 63103

Email: raven@stlamerican.com (The form is also on stlamerican.com)

Nominee's Name:

Your Name:

The Texas case was originally filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom which is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The judge who ruled on their case is a trump appointee. The actions of the ADF and Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk are part of a tightly coordinated strategy that pledges allegiance to white supremacy and male dom-

n The extremist right has taken over the Republican Party and pushed it even more to the right.

inance.

That the Republicans are concerned about unborn babies and women’s health is a joke that’s not funny. If the GOP were genuinely concerned about children, its budget and laws to defund programs that support child well-being would cease. Planned Parenthood and other agencies who provide reproductive services—beyond abortions— would not be the target of shutdowns and violence.

twenty years. Before its distribution in the U.S., the drug was safely and widely used in Europe.

The Biden Administration appealed the lower court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court which initially intervened to halt the restrictions until it could review the case thoroughly. Since then, it has dialed back on that decision and temporarily extended the use of Mifepristone until its next ruling.

The volleying in one week of an issue impacting millions of women is a constant source of outrage. The issue gets bounced from one court to another, always becoming the business of (mainly) men in courts of law. That’s precisely why abortion rights advocates have hit the streets in protest of the latest legal shenanigans. The GOP-driven mandate to end all forms of abortion is now beyond the clinic walls, it seeks to end any other methods women have at their disposal. The court decision could affect mail orders for the medication, even for states with existing abortion access. Further restrictions could force abortion services to go underground. We should expect that any attempt to get around or over the law will come with harsh criminal penalties.

At the center of the latest skirmish is the drug Mifepristone. It is one part of the drug duo known as the abortion pill. It is taken in tandem with the drug Misoprostol. First popularized as RU-486, women have used Misoprex as a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy for

Abortion rights proponents will be keeping a sharp eye on SCOTUS to see what its next move will be. This is the same court which overturned Roe, so I have no faith in their deliberations. We who believe in democracy and the power of the majority must step up our organizing on the local and state levels. United and organized, we can create a different ending to this horror movie.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Columnist

James T. Ingram

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

A Magnificent May

By Barry Draper

Spring has sprung, and along with sunshine and gorgeous blossoms, St. Louis offers entertainment for everyone. Whether you’re interested in art, music, dance or community, we believe these experiences will move you.

As spring turns to summer, the epic events continue. If you want to plan ahead, visit explorestlouis.com/events.

Chihuly in the Garden 2023

May 2 to October 15

There’s something new growing at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In its most ambitious exhibition to date, world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly will “plant” 20 installations throughout the Garden, uniting art, nature and light in an unparalleled experience. Vibrant, bold and captivating, Chihuly’s work features all-consuming suns above outstretched blossoms, boats loaded with brilliant glass forms and massive towers with thousands of intertwined pieces of blown glass. Don’t miss Chihuly in the Garden 2023, which also features Chihuly Nights when visitors will have the opportunity to experience the artist’s masterpieces in an extraordinary way.

Eubie!

May 3 to 21

Season 46 of The St. Louis Black Repertory Company will end on a high note with Eubie! by Eubie Blake, Julianne Boyd, Andy Razaf and Noble Sissle. A musical revue from the 1970s, Eubie! showcases the groundbreaking American musician and composer, who broke down barriers with his 1921 musical Shuffle Along, the first Broadway musical written, directed by and starring Black Americans, which helped shape American musical theater as we know it today.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town May 4

This free community celebration allows you to be a tourist in your own town. From 10am to noon, representatives from St. Louis attractions, restaurants and hotels – think City Museum, Miss Augusta, The Magic House, The Muny, World Wide Technology Raceway, Steve’s Hot Dogs, The Fountain on Locust, Drury Hotels and Magnolia Hotel – will be scattered throughout Kiener Plaza, providing information about what’s new this summer. What will you discover? 106.5 The Arch will also broadcast live from Kiener Plaza all morning, and KSDK will arrive at 9 a.m. to highlight the reactivation of Kiener Plaza for the season.

Cinco de Mayo Cherokee Street Festival

May 6

¡Vamos de fiesta! On May 6, more than 100 vendors will pack Cherokee Street for the Cinco de Mayo Street Festival. The stalls will offer everything from traditional Mexican street food to margaritas served in real pineapples to eye-catching apparel. The festival footprint, which stretches from South Jefferson to Nebraska avenues, will also feature two stages with all-day entertainment. Cherokee Street has the largest concentration of Hispanic-owned and -operated bakeries, restaurants, gro-

ceries and shops in St. Louis, and their presence maintains the exuberance of the area, making this the best place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the region.

The Road to Freedom

May 12

In May 1961, seven Black and six white Americans made a courageous journey into the Deep South to protest segregation on public transportation. Their actions inspired other “riders” to join the movement and led to the legal outlawing of segregation on interstate buses. Join Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for a special concert that celebrates Black excellence, the 61st anniversary of the Freedom Riders and all that is possible when people from different backgrounds stand together. The free concert is curated by musician, composer and producer Damien Sneed, who has worked with such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Jessye Norman, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.

Laumeier Art Fair

May 12 to 14

Held over Mother’s Day weekend, the Laumeier Annual Art Fair is a three-day, outdoor event, where you can shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, savor tasty food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment and get creative with hands-on activities. The art fair draws more than 17,000 patrons every year, and it showcases 150 juried artists from across the country, who exhibit work in 10 media categories: ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, 2D mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood. Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the U.S. – and the perfect setting for this exciting event.

Emerson SPRING TO DANCE Festival

May 26 and 27

The Midwest’s most celebrated dance festival returns for the 15th year. The Emerson SPRING TO DANCE Festival draws nationally touring professional dance companies to St. Louis to bestow their artistry on eager audiences. The annual festival is an unmatched buffet of dance, featuring two days of nonstop performances from a wide range of companies, including the Big Muddy Dance Company, Buglisi Dance Theatre, Dance Now! Miami, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, New York City Ballet, Rock Moves Contemporary Dance and The Joffrey Ballet. With a distinct and dynamic program each night, SPRING TO DANCE offers something for everyone, from ballet to tap, flamenco to hip-hop and contemporary to aerial.

St. Louis African Arts Festival May 27 to 29

The St. Louis African Arts Festival aims to increase awareness of the global contributions that African people and people of African descent have made through artistic, cultural and educational programs. In its 32nd year, the festival will be held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park from May 27 to 29. The multi-day event draws locals and visitors together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of African and African American people. Attendees can enjoy the African marketplace with arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry, alongside cultural demonstrations, traditional foods and African films.

Twilight Thursdays series returns to the Missouri History Museum

By the Missouri Historical Society

May ushers in another fantastic season of Twilight Thursdays at the Missouri History Museum! This popular, free outdoor concert series takes place on the North Lawn and brings a lineup of spectacular shows from local musicians and bands. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic basket, and listen to music under a beautiful Forest Park sunset. Some of the area’s best food trucks will also be on hand each week.

Bring family, friends, and food, and revel in the music as the sun goes down. The Museum’s galleries—including Soccer City and Coloring STL—are open late, and some of the area’s best food trucks will be on hand. Concerts take place from 6pm to 8pm every Thursday throughout May.

On May 4, the concert series kicks off with Whitney Houston Anthology In 1985 Whitney Houston had her first Top 10 single, “Saving All My Love.” Six Grammy awards and nearly 40 years later, she is remembered as one of the greatest of all time. This tribute to “the Voice” features vocals performed by Cheryl Brown under the musical direction of Jeremiah Allen. Scheduled food trucks include Pure Café STL, FarmTruk STL, Jaaise Grub, Street Dogs, Street Sweetz, STL Kettle Corn, and Chillax.

The concert on May 11 features the Stax Records Catalog. In 1957

Jim Stewart created Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, a label that went on to produce top-selling artists from Otis Redding and Johnnie Taylor to the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes. Enjoy the integrated sounds of Stax with lead vocals by Gene Jackson and Marty Abdullah, with Terry Coleman as music director. Scheduled food trucks include Pure Café STL, Crooked Boot, Salt + Smoke, Sandi Daniels’s Ice Cream Truck, and Zacchi.

Some say that funk was born in 1967 with the release of George Clinton’s “(I Wanna) Testify.” The sound of funk spread with Bootsy Collins, the Ohio Players, Rick James, and more. On May 18 the funk continues with Funkology 101. Performers include former Bootsy Collins and George Clinton guitarist Dee

James of the

Scheduled food trucks include Pure Café STL, Jaaise Grub, Crooked Boot, Salt + Smoke, and Sandi Daniels’s Ice Cream Truck.

The final concert on May 25 is Black Magic: The Santana Experience. For more than five decades the legendary guitar music of Carlos Santana has been one of the most unique and recognized sounds in popular music, topping charts worldwide. Enjoy a blend of African-inspired rhythms, bluesy organ, and melodic guitar played straight from the heart, with musical direction by Aaron Burlbaw. Scheduled food trucks include Pure Café STL, FarmTruk STL, Street Dogs, Street Sweetz, STL Kettle Corn, and Pappy’s Smokehouse. All concerts begin at 6pm. Plan to arrive early to explore the Museum’s exhibits, which will be open until 8pm, and to save a spot on the North Lawn at Lindell Boulevard. Blankets, lawn chairs, tables smaller than 3 by 3 feet, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted. Tents, large umbrellas, and barbecue grills are prohibited. Pack a picnic basket or small cooler with snacks, soft drinks, water bottles, and alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles, please), or save time and support a local small business by visiting one of the many food trucks that will be available each week. (Food truck schedules are subject to change.)

Parking is available within Forest Park and on Lindell Boulevard. The Museum’s west lot is available on a first-come, firstserved basis and is partially reserved for accessible parking. Nearby public transit stops provide additional options. In the event of inclement weather, call the Twilight Thursdays Information Hotline at (314) 454-3199 after 2pm or listen to iHeartMedia radio stations.

For additional information, visit mohistory.org/twilight-thursdays.

The Twilight Thursdays concert series is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. Soccer City is presented by Bank of America. Coloring STL is presented by William T. Kemper Foundation.

Dee

St. Louis band Dirty Muggs and Dave Grelle of the Playadors. Music directors are Dee Dee James and Dave Grelle.

Twilight Thursday concerts will be held on May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2023.

‘Taking Care of You’

Black women less likely to get breast cancer; more likely to die

Screening can be lifesaver

Black women should begin breast cancer screenings at

cludes. An estimated 13% of American women develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.

By Alexa Spencer

A new study suggests that Black women should begin breast cancer screenings at 42-years-old, challenging the long-standing recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for all U.S. women to start at age 50. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center and the National Center for Tumor Diseases who proposed the change believe it could save lives.

“Screening according to a ‘one size fits all’ scheme disadvantages women from certain ethnic groups,” Mahdi Fallah, a researcher at the Heidelberg, Germany-based institutions, said in a statement.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. An estimated 13% develop the disease at

n Although Black women are slightly less likely than white women to develop it, they’re 40% or more likely to die — and at younger ages.

some point in their lives.

Although Black women are slightly less likely than white women to develop it, they’re 40% or more likely to die — and at younger ages.

“Unfortunately, despite these enormous differences, no screening recommendations have been derived to date that are adjusted to the individual risks depending on the ethnic descent,” Fallah said.

Advocates suggest more women need to receive a mammogram to change these outcomes, but equally important is when the check-up is

completed. The longer cancer goes untreated, the worse it gets.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests women begin at age 50 to prevent adverse side effects, such as false positives or overdiagnosis. For those at higher risk due to family history, screening in their 40s is an option.

Other organizations recommend getting started even earlier.

The American Cancer Society suggests between ages 45 and 54 as the standard. And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says start at 40.

For Black women, waiting until age 50 could be deadly. By that time, they’re dying from breast cancer twice as much as white women.

That’s why researchers are suggesting varying screening times based on race.

Having family discussions on sexual health

By Brittinae Phillips

Discussing sex can be difficult between most parents and their emerging adults. If your family is part of a Black community, openly discussing sexual health is nearly impossible. More now than ever, this needs to change.

Brittinae Phillips

April is Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and their impact on our lives while ensuring everyone has the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing, and treatment

n Although comprising only 8% of Los Angeles County’s population, Blacks have been disproportionately affected by STIs.

Transgenerational racial trauma, hyper-sexualized portrayals of Black people, and the devaluation of Black bodies as commodities have led to deep-rooted anxiety for Black parents when discussing sex. Most of our sex talks revolve around warnings “Don’t have (or think about) sex until marriage!” “Don’t come home pregnant!” or “Don’t get anyone pregnant!” Sex is part of life, and not talking about it doesn’t make it suddenly disappear. We do a disservice to youth in Black communities by not providing a safe space for sincere discussions related to sex and sexuality.

Although comprising only 8% of Los Angeles County’s population, Blacks have been disproportionately affected by STIs, including 20% of syphilis cases, 19% of gonorrhea cases, and 17% of HIV cases as of November 2022. Keep in mind that STIs could be transmitted during sex or from skin-to-

Tommye Austin taking immediate action at BJC

Navigating nurse shortage a priority

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

Since the St. Louis American profiled Tommye Austin, BJC HealthCare Senior Vice President and System Chief Nurse Executive, last October, she has made her presence known in positive ways.

She completed an analysis of the nursing division and patient care systems with 14 chief nurse officers and created a list of priorities.

“We’ve started to take some actions,” she said.

“The first one we’ve been working on is our workforce, and that’s in collaboration with our talent acquisition or human resources department.”

Austin said BJC is launching specific campaigns for hiring nurses to combat the national nursing shortage.

“We have been able to add associate degree nurses to our care delivery model, and we have been able to add licensed practical nurses to our care delivery model, which is one aspect of the workforce, in addition to improving relationship with colleges,” Austin said.

BJC accepts nurses who have associate degrees and, to engage them, Austin said they have them perform clinicals at BJC facilities so that the major healthcare provider can hire them.

There are more than 800 nurse vacancies at BJC HealthCare, according to its website.

“Our turnover was around 20%, but

we’ve reduced it to around 17%. That means we still have multiple vacancies in nursing. We’re seeing the biggest gap, where nurses want to enter the profession, is medical surgical nursing,” Austin said.

Another way Austin is working to increase and maintain BJC’s workforce system is by adding virtual nursing.

“We’re piloting virtual nursing at Progress West and St. Peter’s. This virtual nurse is helping to perform the admission assessment while the physical nurse might be off doing something else, she said.

“We’re also using the virtual nurse to help admit our patients who are avoided in the emergency rooms.”

According to Austin, BJC is still experiencing overflows of patients in its emergency rooms.

She is collaborating with staff to address patient outcomes, which includes “looking at the types of beds that we have, having enough staff to assist patients, and innovative technology.”

“We’ve seen an improvement in our patient experience, patients say that the nurses are attentive and you know that they’re responding to them when they need assistance, and when they say nursing, and that includes the patient care assstant or a patient care technician that works alongside the team because it takes a village to take care of patients,” Austin said.

“We have seen an improvement in our patient experience, and to me that’s an indicator that one, our staffing is stabilizing, but also that the nurses have

age 42, a new study released this week con-

Photo courtesy of University of North Carolina

See CANCER, A11

See PHILLIPS, A11

Tommye Austin

Affinia Healthcare partners with Islamic Center

St. Louis American staff

Affinia Healthcare has reached an agreement to provide healthcare services to the Al Taqwa Islamic Center.

Al Taqwa Islamic Center [also known as Al Taqwa Masjid and Funeral Service Foundation] is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, educational, humanitarian, and charitable organization.

Through this partnership, Affinia Healthcare will provide comprehensive medical and dental care to Al Taqwa Islamic Center (ATIC) staff and community members. The services will include medical, dental, and behavioral health services, immunizations, referrals for resources, outreach and Medicaid enrollment services. The partnership aligns with Affinia Healthcare’s strategic priority of increasing healthcare access to underserved and immigrant communities.

“We are honored to partner with the Al Taqwa community to provide these needed services,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President & CEO.

Austin

Continued from A10 the time to really provide that high level touch that is needed for great patient outcomes.”

One of Austin’s priorities for the health care provider is ensuring the institution be able to provide stroke care to the region, a major milestone for the organization.

Ensuring that this level

Cancer

Continued from A10

“Our findings suggest that the age for initiation of breast cancer screening in the U.S. should be adjusted based on ethnicity so that all women can benefit equally from screening,” Fallah said.

Fallah and her team came to their conclusion after analyzing data from 415,000 women who died of breast cancer between 2011 and 2020.

Black women are often diagnosed with more advanced and aggressive forms of breast cancer such as triple-negative and inflammatory.

Anna Lehrberg, a breast cancer surgeon with Henry

Phillips

Continued from A10

skin contact. Over the last five years, the St. Louis region also has seen a sharp rise in cases of syphilis and specifically congenital syphilis, which can have devastating effects on newborns. In 2021, there were 11 cases of congenital syphilis in St. Louis County and 11 cases in St. Louis City. In 2017, the county had only three cases, and

Mohamed Mohamed, Health Outreach Manager with Affinia Healthcare, greets two young members of the Al Taqwa Islamic Center. The Center has entered into a partnership with Affinia Healthcare to provide services and resources to the members and staff of the Center.

“As many in the Al Taqwa community are new to this country and St. Louis, one of the best ways to welcome them is to help alleviate any health concerns they may have. Our staff will be able to help address some imme-

of care is provided across the board has been a task Austin sought to accomplish early in her time at BJC.

“We were one of the first institutions to provide stroke care to a teenager,” Austin said.

“We are making sure that all our nurses are educated in regard to stroke care but there are so many things that we do as an organization to make sure that we have great patient outcomes.”

Ford Health, stated on the organization’s site that “Black women with triple-negative breast cancer have higher rates of carrying a BRCA1 gene mutation — 35% compared to 15% in white women — which is passed down from parents.”

The BRCA1 trait increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer by 70%, but that genetic factor is not the only cause of the disease. Environment and lifestyle also play a significant role.

Systemic racism has forced Black women to live in neighborhoods overrun by chemical plants and gas stations And the beauty and tobacco industries have pushed toxic products

the city had one case –meaning that cases are up 233% in the county and 1,000% in the city in only four years. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the number of syphilis cases in Missouri increased by 259% from 2015 to 2021. In 2021, there were 63 congenital syphilis cases reported in Missouri, the highest since 1994. In addition, nearly two-thirds, or 65%, of all babies born with congenital syphilis in

diate needs and connect them to resources that can provide needed care regarding their health and overall well-being. We are truly committed to providing access to healthcare to all who need it, and look forward to serving the

Austin brings more than 30 years’ experience in the nursing field, having most recently served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive for University Health, a health system in San Antonio, Texas.

Austin was also part of Barnes-Jewish Hospital celebrating their fifth consecutive Magnet Award win for nursing.

into the Black community for decades.

Only recently are companies being held accountable for the hundreds of thousands of lives lost or crippled by cancer-causing hair relaxers and cigarettes

Lastly, inadequate access to breast cancer screenings and treatment contributes to breast cancer risk. Being uninsured or underinsured, lacking transportation, or fearing medical bias are all barriers that make accessing care a challenge for Black women.

“Thus, the substantial difference in mortality between Black and white U.S. women cannot be attributed solely to unequal access to screening,” Fallah said.

America were Black or Hispanic, according to the National Coalition of STD Directors. More Black youth are getting tested and receiving education, which are great ways to prevent the spread of STIs in our communities. As a Planned Parenthood Los Angeles educator, I recommend that Black families normalize conversations about sex and sexual health so that our young people know how to protect themselves. Here are five tips for parents to start these

Muslim community.”

Through this new partnership, Affinia Healthcare will employ its mobile dental and medical units to provide care onsite to the ATIC community. Affinia Healthcare will also offer dental examina-

tions and health education to children in the ATIC Early Childhood Education program. In addition to the healthcare services, Affinia Healthcare will also provide referrals and contacts to resources to address

social determinants of health including diapers, feminine hygiene products, and food pantries. The community health center will also provide health insurance application and enrollment assistance.

The Affinia Healthcare mobile medical and dental units will be at the Center, located at 1947 Gravois Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, May 6 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Saturday, June 1010 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, July 8 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Affinia Healthcare has 11 locations [including school-based health centers in St. Louis and St. Louis County]. It serves almost 44,000 people per year, and more than 90% of its clients have incomes under 100% the federal poverty level. About 70% of patients served are Black or African American, 11% are Hispanic/Latinx, and over 4,000 are un-housed. To schedule an appointment with Affinia Healthcare, please call 314-814-8700, or visit the website at www.affiniahealthcare.org

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is helping address the acute shortage of nurses at BJC and throughout the nation. Tommye Austin, BJC HealthCare Senior Vice President and System Chief Nurse Executive, has reduced nurse turnover since her arrival in October 2022, and is also adding a virtual nurse component.

conversations with their families about sex and healthy practices:

Talk early: Setting the groundwork early to discuss sexual attraction, gender identity, and personal boundaries helps young adults become more open about sex and sexual relationships. Talk often: Breaking this topic down into small, frequent discussions can make this conversation easier to facilitate conversations about sex and sexual relationships. Keep it togeth-

er: Don’t be shocked by anything asked or discussed. Empowering young people to talk openly and honestly about sex shouldn’t be taboo. Educate yourself You don’t have to know the answer to every question but use honesty and transparency as guidelines to become their “go-to” to find the correct answers together. Listen and validate Listening without judgment will help youth feel more comfortable coming to their parents with questions. Before offering

insights or advice, thank them for sharing with you.

STI Awareness Month is a prime opportunity for all parents to use these tips with the young adults in their lives; not only could it help them delay sex, but it also increases the likelihood of using condoms which decreases STIs. Brittinae Phillips is the community education manager for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles’s Black Health Initiative.

Photo courtesy of Goldfarb School of Nursing

Photo courtesy of Affinia

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Ninth-grade

SCIENCE CORNER

Social Media Safety

Computers and social media are becoming more and more popular with daily activities. There are many online games targeted to your age group that allow kids to make friends and talk with others. While this is exciting, it is important to remember to be courteous and safe.

First, set limits. Use your computer or device in a central location where your parents can see what you are doing. This will keep you accountable. As a family, set a limit to screen time—phones, TV, and computers. Adults and kids should follow this rule. Save time for reading, exercise, homework, clubs, family activities, etc.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Second, keep all information private. Do not give out your first and last name, location, phone number, or address. If any site asks for this information, tell your parents. Do not tell this information to any friends you make online. As an added precaution, add your parent as a “friend” so they can see your interactions. Finally, remember to use your manners. What you say and do online can be hurtful to others. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

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

Tie-Dyed Milk

In this experiment using simple ingredients, you will observe milk as it takes on a tie-dyed appearance. This experiment uses surface tension.

Materials Needed:

• A Shallow Dish (such as a pie pan)

Milk (for this experiment it works best if the milk is room temperature) • Food coloring

(4 different colors is a good combination)

Liquid dish soap Toothpick

Process:

q Poor the room temperature milk ½ inch deep in the shallow dish.

w Put one small drop of each color of food coloring in the dish, spreading the colors out as wide as possible.

e Place one drop of liquid dish soap in the center of the bowl.

r You may want to dip a toothpick in the dish soap so that a small drop of soap remains on the end of the toothpick,

MATH CONNECTION

Try these fun math games with your family at home.

Race for $1

then touch the drop to the surface of the milk.

t Observe what happens.

Think of the following questions: What happens to the food coloring when you first put it in the milk? Why do you think that happened?

What happens when you add the drop of soap? What direction does the food color move when you first add the drop of soap? What direction does the food color move after the experiment has been running for a while? How long does the movement last? Does it slowly fade or stop suddenly? What happens if you add another drop of soap after the colors have stopped moving?

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

Family Game Night

In this game, you will practice your money skills. You will need 30 pennies, 10 nickels, 20 dimes, 1 quarter, a dollar, 2 dice and 2 players. The youngest person will go first. Roll both dice. Add the sum. Take that number of pennies. Once you have 5 pennies, trade for a nickel. Once you have 10 cents, trade for a dime. Players will continue taking turns rolling the dice. The first person to reach $1 wins!

Place Value Race

In this game, you will practice place value skills. You will need a deck of cards and 2 or more players. The object of the game is to collect all the cards. First, remove all cards from the decks that are not numbers. If two people are playing, divide the cards evenly between them. Each player turns over a card at the same time. Player 1 represents the 10s place and Player 2 represents the 1s place. The first player to say the number represented, gets to keep

both cards. For example, player 1 turns over a 6 and player 2 turns over a 3, the first person to say “63” gets to keep both cards. If you have 3 players, you will have the 100s, 10s, and 1s place represented.

Salute

In this game, you will need a deck of cards (only the cards with numbers) and 3 players. You will have Player A, Player B, and a Judge. Divide the cards evenly between Player A and Player B. Player A and Player B will sit facing each other, will draw a card, and will place it on their forehead. The judge will state the sum of these two numbers out loud. The first player to guess their number wins both cards. Keep playing until one of the players has won all of the cards.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

Twitter has 396.5 million users. 7.2% of internet users access Twitter at least once a month.

SCIENCE STARS

African

American Chemical

Engineer and STEM Educator Tokiwa Smith

Tokiwa Smith grew up in Florida. She graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She taught in Atlanta public schools, Georgia State University, Atlanta, and Spelman College. She has over 12 years experience working with STEM education.

Smith founded a group to expose urban youth to STEM called Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Link, Org. (semsuccess.org). She is also the CEO of Kemet Educational Services, which specializes in STEM educational activities. She writes for HBCU Lifestyle, which is a website for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is the Oakland contributor for the blog www. blackgivesback.com which focuses on African Americans who give back to their community. Her personal blog, entitled the Science Socialite can be found at www.thesciencesocialite.wordpress. com. Finally, she is also a member of the Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (CoPUS).

In 2013, she appeared on Ebony Magazine’s Top 10 Twitter Tweeps to Follow. In 2014, she wrote the book “A Guide to Hosting STEM Events.” She also appeared on NPR’s Women Digital Thinkers Tweet for a Day.

To read an interview with Smith about her experience in STEM, visit: https://blogs. scientificamerican.com/urban-scientist/tokiwa-t-smithexposing-an-encouraging-urban-youth-in-science-andmath/.

Learning Standards: a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.

MAP CORNER

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

Activities — I Want That: Look through the items for sale in the newspaper advertisements. Choose an item you would like to have. Write a paragraph persuading your parents to buy the item for you. Make sure you include the point you want to prove, three or more supporting details, and a concluding statement.

Over 7,500 people are employed by Twitter

An average 500 million tweets are sent per day; which is approximately 6,000 yweets per second.

Thinking Out

Loud: Identify and explain the message conveyed in a news story by sharing your thoughts. Read the story aloud. Pause occasionally to take turns sharing what you are thinking with others. Your thoughts can be in the form of a question, comment, or feeling about what is being read.

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

students Omari Reed and Da’Kylin Edwards, in Ms. Cheryl M. Christian’s class at Jennings Senior High School, are working in groups cooperatively gathering data on how to determine mass and volume using a graduated cylinder / triple beam scale for the Density of Water Lab.

Photo by Ms. Cheryl M. Christian

Mayor Jones proclaims a St. Louis resurgence

As we say at the EYE, “whatever it is, it ain’t,” and despite what you may read or watch elsewhere, this week was in several ways an overwhelmingly historic and a mostly-positive week for our city.

Let’s see what’s happened so far:

Granted the week had a bumpy start, for Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner who avoided one contempt order on Monday morning while catching the ire of yet another city judge. Mere hours after Judge Scott Milikan decided to not hold Gardner in contempt, Judge Michael Noble entered another “show cause” order against Gardner, summoning her (or a designated agent) to personally appear before his court this afternoon (Thursday) to answer for yet another prosecutorial absence at a trial for a violent felony.

Gardner’s office has faced a recent series of harsh public setbacks including the public exit of another of her three remaining assistant prosecutors able to appear in court and her assistants unable to make quadruple-booked court appearances. The back-toback contempt hearings underscore the woes of the beleaguered office, where both the legal and support staff have been depleted since Gardner took office in 2016. We may even be at a “constitutional crisis”

level of staffing shortage when you consider the shortage of attorneys who are even able to appear at bond hearings for defendants detained in the City Jail awaiting trial.

Assuming that each of the 635 current detainees could afford to pay their bonds (while also assuming that every detainee was given a bond amount), there would still be a pretrial detention crisis because the Circuit Attorney’s office simply lacks attorneys who can appear at hearings to set and/or reduce bonds.

Defense attorneys have raised concern for years, as Gardner’s office repeatedly files criminal charges, pushes them to trial, and drops those charges, only to refile them the next day and continue the detention of sometimes innocent persons. This is untenable, unsustainable, and should be concerning for every one. We still maintain firmly that removing Gardner as Circuit Attorney is ultimately the sole discretion of St. Louis City voters, and the Missouri Attorney General has no business making up rules to try to force her out of office.

On Monday morning, Judge Milikan found that Gardner’s office allowed a murder case to “fall through the cracks;” later that afternoon, Judge Noble asserted that the staffing shortage in the Circuit Attorney’s office

“thwarts and defeats the authority” of the court.

While Judge Noble was writing his “show cause” order, advocates gathered outside of the St. Louis City Justice Center to raise public awareness that there has been a 30% increase in the City Jail’s population since the beginning of the year. According to the Freedom Community Center, city prosecutors requested that 92% of all criminal defendants brought before a judge for their first hearing be denied bond This approach might make sense under a fully-staffed Circuit Attorney’s Office, but considering Gardner’s office’s inability to make appearances scheduled months in advance, we see the likelihood of avoidable anguish and civil rights transgressions against detainees. Chief Public Defender Matthew Mahaffey reiterated that this trend disproportionately harms Black men detained while waiting for trial. The average detention in St. Louis City Jail currently exceeds 300 days

•

In stark contrast to the afternoon, on Monday evening the St. Louis City Reparations Commission held its first meeting of a year-long process to consider one of the nation’s more extensive reparations programs to compensate

Black St. Louisans for the generational damage caused by slavery and Jim Crow laws. After all, St. Louis is renown for massscale erasure of Black neighborhoods, failed public housing projects like Pruitt Igoe, and the 1857 Supreme Court Dred Scott decision that held that the Constitution did not extend citizenship rights to people of Black African decent Our region perfected redlining and block-busting, segregating schools through privatizing public education, and police-forhire

Needless to say, the city has a lot of history to examine, redress, and properly recompense.

During Monday’s meeting, residents called for reforms to the criminal legal system, increased mental health support, and access to quality, affordable housing.

Fulfilling one of Mayor Tishaura Jones’ campaign promises, the St. Louis Reparations Commission will focus on evaluating “the history of slavery, segregation, and other race-based harms” that are unique to our city. The Commission is charged with developing tangible recommendations that repair systemic harms caused historically by the City.

Monday’s meeting set forth the Reparations Commission’s process and anticipated timeline, and while monetary payouts to eligible residents may be on the table, the Commission will aim to propose systemic, larger-scale reforms that remove barriers and cre-

ate greater opportunities for Black St. Louisans as descendants of enslaved persons.

The next public meeting will be held on May 22. The EYE looks forward to progress of this important commission.

• • •

On Tuesday evening, Mayor Jones delivered her State of the City address on the Saint Louis University campus in the very same room where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a 1964 speech before a crowd of nearly 4,000. Mayor Jones quoted Dr. King’s address from nearly fifty years ago, “there’s nothing new about poverty, what is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.” Noting how similar the social and economic conditions of 1964 are to those in 2023, Mayor Jones remarked, as Dr. King did, that “as long as there is poverty, the temptation for crime deepens. That social isolation, economic deprivation, poverty, and ignorance breed crime and the conditions for it, no matter what color you are.”

The Mayor’s State of the City address planted a flag for St. Louis, defiantly declaring that St. Louis has “99 problems, and the state stepping in and taking over our criminal justice system ain’t one.”

Mayor Jones called for a regional approach to address the root causes of crime, and she pointed out the despicable attempts by the state legislature to take over our police department

and prosecutor’s office as well as the state’s attacks on pregnant women, the LGBTQ community, and the teaching of racial history in public schools. “To Jefferson City, diversity is dangerous, history must be buried, and our centers of learning - our beloved libraries and schools - cannot be trusted,” Mayor Jones proclaimed. “If Ruby Bridges was strong enough to endure racism, our children are strong enough to learn about it.”

We are encouraged by all these important events, not just for their historic value but to also take hope from our city’s ongoing transformation. As Mayor Jones noted, for the first time in a very long time, the City’s top leadership is not in conflict, but is collaborative. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and “long-term, transformative change” doesn’t happen overnight. While this alignment in itself is noteworthy, within the greater picture of this week, and despite the naysayers, we can see the stormy skies parting for more sunny days ahead of St. Louis. Reader alert: A new book you might want to read shows some remarkable parallels with the past in today’s political environment, including the hubris of those who seek to exploit white rage and extremism, rampant in Missouri and nationwide in one of the country’s major political parties and some of its most influential leaders including Donald J. Trump. The title is A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan.

APR. 27 – MAY 3, 2023

Giving a boost to Black-owned businesses

Urban League, Walmart partnership part of national entrepreneurial effort

some of

products during an announcement

and CEO

By Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

The

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis announced a three-year partnership with Walmart to help build and sustain Black women-owned businesses.

During an April 20, 2023, press conference, Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan said the partnership is the first of its kind for the local Urban League, and its goal is to assist Black women entrepreneurs in getting into the retail spaces.

n “I’m excited about this opportunity to have a chance to have my merchandise in Walmart, “said Hampton.

The inaugural classes have begun and are part of a 12-month accelerated program which concludes with a graduation ceremony. Participating entrepreneurs must be in business for at least two years. The Urban Leagues’ national

entrepreneurship initiative selected five cities to partner with Walmart, including Atlanta, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

“We want to help Black women business owners accelerate their business,” said Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Center for Entrepreneurship at Urban League Metropolitan St. Louis director.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Grimes said the partnership will create “a positive ripple effect” by supporting local small businesses, helping create

See BUSINESSES, B2

Black real estate brokers want to close the home ownership gap

St. Louis in Rocket Mortgage program

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Home values also The median net worth for Black households is an embarrassingly low $24,000 compared to $188,000 for white families. And that’s one reason only 45.3% of Black Americans owned their homes in 2022, compared to 74.6% of white people, according to the National Association of Real Estate Brokers –or NAREB. The organization, which counts as America’s oldest trade association for Black real estate professionals, demands that mortgage lenders utilize Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs) to increase mortgage originations from Black buyers.

The group believes this would help close the homeownership gap between races.

PeoPle on the Move

Lacy Clark named president, CEO for BHR

Tiffany Lacy Clark will become the president and CEO of Behavioral Health Response (BHR). Since 2020, Lacy Clark has served as chief operating officer for BHR. She brings 20 years’ experience in behavioral health and business administration. Prior to joining BHR, Lacy Clark worked for Places for People as vice president of clinical operations. Her social services background extends to her former executive director of mental health role for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Pearson named director of human services

Cisroe

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones appointed Adam Cisroe Pearson director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the City of St. Louis. Pearson is a St. Louis native who has worked in human services in various leadership capacities since he completed his Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011 from Washington University in St. Louis. As chief operating officer at homeless service provider Peter & Paul Community Services, Pearson managed a division of over 70 team members providing housing and supportive services around the clock in various locations around the City of St. Louis.

Kenya Williams names executive director Kenya Williams

National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) announced the appointment of Kenya D. Williams, EdD, RN, RP, CAE, as executive director. Before joining NSNA, Dr. Williams was the cardiology and respiratory care service line director at Barnes Jewish St. Peters in St. Peters, MO, and Progress West Hospital, O’Fallon, MO. A native of Missouri, Williams earned an associate of science in nursing from St. Louis Community College and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Missouri.

Dr. Candia-Bailey named VP at Lincon

Lyndia Pope, National Association of Real Estate Brokers president, says “overt racism in government and private sector” have limited home ownership opportunities for African Americans.

Dr. Antoinette “Bonnie’ CandiaBailey

Lincoln University of Missouri recently announced LU alum Dr. Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey as the new vice president for student affairs. CandiaBailey has worked in higher education for 23 years. In her previous role, she was vice president of student affairs, chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She has also served as associate dean of students and senior project coordinator at the University of WisconsinMadison, and assistant vice president of student affairs-housing and residence life at Towson University.

“America has a low homeownership rate among Black families because of the overt racism in government and private sector practices and policies that limited the building of intergenerational wealth. SPCPs provide oppor-

and

“It’s disappointing that more mortgage lenders are not using these programs to increase homeownership, especially for those living in under-resourced communities,” NAREB President Lydia Pope said. See HOMES, B2

Promotion, board appointment, new hire, award... please submit your People on the Move item (including photo) to kjones@stlamerican.com

Michelle Robinson (center), owner of Demi Blu, points out

her

of a new partnership between the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Walmart. Joining her were, left to right: Kathi Hadley of the Urban League, Urban League President

Michael McMillan, and Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship director.

Tiffany Lacy Clark

Adam

Pearson

Photo courtesy of Urban League

Photo courtesy of NAREB

Homes

Continued from B1

for economically or socially disadvantaged consumers and commercial enterprises.

The programs, which have been available for nearly 50 years but are rarely used, allow banks and creditors to consider prohibited-basis information in credit transactions to meet special social needs or to help a buyer of lesser means.

In 2021, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development released guidance that SPCPs can legally be developed by non-profit and for-profit financial institutions to help resolve barriers faced by poorer groups, such as Blacks, Hispanics, and women, when they seek to purchase a home.

Examples of such programs include where buyers can have a higher loanto-value ratio than usual or a lower down payment.

NAREB noted that Rocket Mortgage recently announced that it expanded its special-purpose credit program to offer a $3,000 credit for first-time homebuyers to use toward their downpayment in select cities.

Previously, Rocket Mortgage announced its Purchase Plus program, which offered first-time buyers up to $7,500 in credits to use toward their mortgage costs.

Additionally, the company said it would offer Freddie Mac’s

BorrowSmart Access program for buyers purchasing homes in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, El Paso, Houston, McAllen, Memphis, Miami, Philadelphia.

Pope called the programs “vital,” mainly because a divided Congress is unlikely to pass significant legislation addressing the homeownership gap in America.

“This is an opportunity to use public policy for good, to expand opportunities for Black families to enjoy the American Dream of homeownership,” she said.

“Homeownership is the major driver of wealth for Black families. By increasing homeownership, it will strengthen communities and expand family economic security.”

Ironically, Pope noted that before World War II, the government rolled out a series of initiatives for white families to purchase homes and build wealth. She said that action led to a housing boom, creating modern suburbs surrounding major cities nationwide.

Pope also said that the wealth made from home equity has been passed down from generation to generation, making it possible for white families to improve their quality of life and keep living in their homes.

However, African Americans aren’t allowed to participate in those programs, and the private sector and government are engaged in redlining to relegate Black households

to segregated neighborhoods.’

Homeownership for the Black community has declined nearly 20% since 2008, Pope determined. Despite the enactment of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which was designed to offer legal protections from housing discrimination, the homeownership gap continues to expand, disenfranchising the most marginalized, she summarized.

For instance, in 1960, 38% of Black Americans owned homes while white homeownership was at 65%, a 27-point gap.

In recent years, the United States has experienced the largest homeownership spread since 1890, with 44.6% of Black Americans owning a home compared to 74.2% of whites, a 29.6point gap.

“The cycle can only be broken by improving the major driver of Black wealth – intergenerational homeownership that yields prosperity and family economic security,” Pope said.

“America’s public and private sectors claim to be committing to a more equitable society, one with opportunities for wealth and success regardless of race or ethnicity. But to make racial equity a reality, government, corporate and civic leaders must address the wealth and home ownership gaps that diminish the aspirations, hopes, and dreams of Black families and individuals.”

Businesses

Continued from B1 jobs, and reducing crime.

McMillan said it is essential for St. Louis to promote, help develop, and sustain Black-owned businesses. These are core fundamentals for the Urban League.

“St. Louis can be the Atlanta of the Midwest,” said McMillan.

“Having significant thriving businesses that provide employment, giving back to the community, and making a difference. All while stimulating economic growth in the St. Louis region.

“It’s major to have corporate partners like Walmart to help fund and grow our initiative in supporting Black women-owned businesses and put some of these products in its store.”

Walmart is one of the top brick-and-mortar retail stores in the country, and the national retailer is looking to add more products from minority and women entrepreneurs to its

shelves.

The first classes will focus on leadership skill building. Some will be in-person at the Urban League campus, and some will be virtual. The program has partnered with local business owners to teach some sessions.

The first-year class will include 15 entrepreneurs and, after the three-year partnership, Walmart plans to add 30 of the cohorts from the program products to its shelves.

Even if some of the cohorts’ products aren’t sold in Walmart, Walmart’s goal is to prepare them with the skills needed to get their products in other retail stores.

“This is a celebration, this has never been done before,” said the director of the program as she excitedly expressed her feelings of gratitude about the partnership.

Nicole Bailey, the owner of Pearlie’s Pickles, says that she is delighted to be a part of the partnership with Walmart to help build out her business.

“Entrepreneurship is important today in most

African American households, it’s important for us to pass along the family business to create generational wealth,” said Bailey. She hopes to have an opportunity to network with other local businesses and learn more about being an entrepreneur and developing her business. Monica Hampton owns Wall Street Company in the St. Louis Galleria Mall. Named for the historic Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, consumers can find luggage covers, graphic tees, and sneakers at the store.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to have a chance to have my merchandise in Walmart, “said Hampton.

“This means more visibility for the products that I have.” Mitchell is confident Walmart will continue the partnership and “hopefully, this partnership will encourage other billion-dollar corporations to get involved.”

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

Left to right: Michael Holmes, Urban League Regional Executive VP Workforce Development, Ciara Butler, CEO Beaute Debonir, Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Director, Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship, Michael McMillan, Urban League President and CEO.

Photo courtesy of Urban League

“It’s not a thing. It’s not. I just be hooping.”

– Miami guard Jimmy Butler on being called ‘Playoff Jimmy’ following his 56-point effort against Milwaukee

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Glide in their stride

St. Louis American Girls ‘Fab Five’ All-Stars

An excellent season of St. Louis area high school girls’ basketball produced six state champions, with Incarnate Word Academy, Vashon, and Lutheran St. Charles on the Missouri side and O’Fallon, Okawville, and Mater Dei on Illinois side. As we wrap up another great season, here is the 202223 St. Louis American Girls “Fab Five” AllStar Team. These talented young ladies are perimeter players who can dominate games with the ability to score and make clutch plays in the biggest moments of tight games. A trio of seniors - Raychel Jones of Vashon, Shannon Dowell of O’Fallon, and Shakara McCline of East St. Louis – is joined by junior JaNyla Bush of Vashon and sophomore Kiyoko Proctor of Alton of the Girls “Fab Five” First team. They can absolutely do it all.

JaNyla Bush (Vashon): The junior point guard was the mover and the shaker for the Wolverines in their run to the Class 4 state championship. She has tremendous speed and quickness to go along with her ability to score and

make her teammates better with her passing. She is a ball-handling wizard who can also create her own shot off the dribble. She averaged 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals while making 55 3-pointers and shooting 40 percent from long distance. Bush has already given an early commitment to Missouri State University.

Shannon Dowell (O’Fallon): The talented senior guard is the St. Louis American Player of the Year. She put together a tremendous season as she led the Panthers to the Illinois Class 4A state championship, which was the first in the school’s history. She is a tremendous athlete who could score when attacking the basket. She was also an improved 3-point shooter, which made her even more difficult to defend. As a senior, Dowell averaged

21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals while shooting 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range in leading O’Fallon to a sparkling 34-3 record. She will be playing collegiate basketball at Illinois State next season.

Raychel Jones (Vashon): The 5’10” senior forward concluded her stellar four-year varsity career by leading the Wolverines to their first state championship in girls’ basketball. As a freshman starter four years ago, she was the building block to a program that would advance to two Final Fours and a state title. She’s a versatile athlete who could excel in the low post or on the perimeter with her excellent skills. She averaged 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game. In her final game in a Vashon uniform, she had

24 points and 10 rebounds in the Wolverines double-overtime victory over Benton in the Class 4 state championship game. She will be playing collegiate ball at UMKC next season.

Shakara McCline (East St. Louis): The talented senior guard was a tremendous bucket-getter this season as she led the Flyerettes to a regional championship and a berth in the Illinois Class 3A sectional playoffs. She averaged 26 points a game to lead the St. Louis metro area in scoring. She went on a big scoring rampage during the Flyerettes postseason run. She scored 42 points against Taylorville in the regional semifinals and 28 points against host Mascoutah in the regional championship game. She finished her stellar season and career with a 42-point performance against Mt. Vernon in the sectional

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

semifinals. Her quickness and ability to make jumpers made her virtually impossible to defend. She recently signed to play at DePaul for next season.

Kiyoko Proctor (Alton): A talented sophomore point guard who has already emerged as one of the top young prospects in the state of Illinois. She is a ball-handling wizard who can score and set her teammates up while also playing excellent defense with her speed and quickness. She led a young and talented Alton team to a 31-2 team and the championship of the Southwestern Conference as well as three other in-season tournaments. As a sophomore, she averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.9 steals a game. She also shot 45 percent from 3-point range while making 56 triples.

Jael Green (University City) Zha Harris (Lift for Life)

Evelyn Shane (Ursuline Academy) Kennedy Stowers (Lutheran-St. Charles)

Jameson Williams’ gamble leaves him a big-money loser

As a guy who places a legal wager on football games, my criticism of Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams, a Cardinal Ritter College prep star before playing at Alabama, is not on moral grounds.

I’m calling him out for simply not being aware of NFL rules that led to a sixgame suspension to start the 2023 season, for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Stanley Berryhill

Williams did not bet on NFL football and was not suspended indefinitely as were two former teammates who have since been released. He placed an online bet within the Lions’ facility, which is an absolute no-no. Why he couldn’t wait until he was home – even in the parking lot – is beyond me.

“Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”

Former Lions Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, as was Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. Joining Williams with a sixgame suspension is Lions second-year wide receiver

The Lions drafted Williams, 22, in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft knowing that he would miss much of the season following knee surgery for an injury suffered in the 2022 NCAA Championship game loss to Georgia. He played his first game in Week 12 and the St. Louis native caught one pass, a 41-yard touchdown, during the season. He also had one rush attempt for 40 yards. Williams was set to earn a fully guaranteed $1.5 million this season. He would make $5.3M in combined pay the following two seasons, and his fifth-year option season in 2026 would have come with a sizeable raise. His ill-advised betting and the six-game suspension will cost him about $500,000 this year. Here is the tough part - the salary guarantees on the remaining $6.87 million has been voided. Williams certainly isn’t hurting for money. While his annual salary might not seem like much in NFL dollars, he received a $9,879,484 signing bonus and $17,461,790 in guaranteed money.

The Lions would not be in violation of the NFL Collective Bargaining agreement if they sought

to recoup some of Williams’ signing bonus. Williams has been mum on his suspension. His representative, Alliance Sports, released a statement saying in part, “Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as

possible.”

Intentional or not, Williams ran the wrong route, and he has cost his team dearly.

The Lions were quick to release two players, and it’s obvious Williams will remain under scrutiny.

“We are disappointed by the decision making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Lions

work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward,” said Lions GM Brad Holmes, one of few Black NFL general managers.

The Reid Roundup

Bradley Beal’s dis-

appointing 2022-23 season ended with the Washington Wizards far below .500 and out of the playoffs. Now he must contend with a lawsuit filed by a Florida man seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The suit alleges Beal knocked a hat off his head after Beal was heckled [by another fan] over a lost bet…Injury and illness limited Beal to 50 games out of 82, and he scored just 23.2 points per game. He played in just 40 games during the 2021-22 season. A trade rumor links Beal with the Miami Heat in 202324. Beal told ESPN, “I don’t think we’re good enough right now. I’m definitely frustrated. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t control it, and I’m not going to sit here and cuss everybody out.”… Colorado football coach Deion Sanders said he was “amazed” that more than 47,000 fans attend the team’s spring game. I didn’t know it would be like that. It was unbelievable.”…Less than 24 hours after the game Sanders learned that his top returning wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson, is entering the transfer portal. Tyson finished last season with 470 yards on 22 receptions. Another wide receiver, Montana Lemonious-Craig was among six players who entered the portal.

Earl Austin Jr.

JaNyla Bush

Alvin A. Reid

Jameson Williams fumbles start of new season

Kiyoko Proctor

Shakara McCline

Raychel Jones

Shannon Dowell

SLDC allocates $10 million of tax credits to redevelop, expand Urban League’s headquarters

At the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis’ (ULSTL) 105th Annual Dinner earlier this month, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) presented the organization with a check to represent its allocation of $10 million of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to the redevelopment and expansion of the Urban League’s headquarters at 1408 North Kingshighway Blvd.

“The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is a key partner in strengthening communities across St. Louis,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This investment will help the Urban League empower residents and serve our neighborhoods.”

“The $10 million allocation will further advance the Economic Justice Action Plan in North St. Louis and support the Urban League’s vision to create a onestop service delivery hub that anchors a neighborhood that has been too-long neglected,” said SLDC’s President & CEO, Neal Richardson.

“We are proud to support the Urban League’s vision to create a new, more efficient hub — anchored in North City — to better serve the community.”

“We are grateful for the support of Mayor

Jones, Neal Richardson and the staff of the St. Louis Development Corporation for investing in the Urban League’s vision for transforming not only the Urban League headquarters but the entire area at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and North Kingshighway,” said Michael P. McMillan, President & CEO of ULSTL. “The $10 million in tax credits will help spur investment in the campaign that will completely transform a long-neglected area in keeping with the Mayor’s Economic Justice Action Plan.”

American’s Pamela Simmons wins top advertising award

The Missouri Press Advertising and Marketing Executives (MPAME) organization bestowed its top award to St. Louis American Senior Account Executive Pamela Simmons last week in Springfield, Missouri. Simmons received the Dee Hamilton Memorial Sales Pro Award for her outstanding work in the advertising and marketing side of the business. Criteria for the award includes: excellent sales skills; must be revenue driven; and the person goes above and beyond revenue expectations. In the nomination letter sent in by The American’s COO Kevin Jones, he noted “Pam had her best year in 2021, a COVID year, which was the best any account executive did

in our 95-year history.”

The award was named after Dee Hamilton, a former Missouri Advertising Managers’ Association president who worked for the Buffalo Reflex newspaper from 1978-1993 until she lost a battle with cancer. Hamilton “embodied the spirit of a true sales pro,” according to the organization.

Missouri Press Advertising and Marketing Executives

President

JPMorgan Chase commits $30 million to support HBCUs

JPMorgan Chase announced an expanded five-year, $30 million commitment to the financial and career success of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This commitment expands on the firm’s Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative which launched in 2019 to chart clearer pathways toward economic success and empowerment within the Black community.

As part of the larger initiative, the firm committed $5 million to help HBCUs expand their career pathways programming and connect more students with career mobility opportunities following graduation. The commitment includes $3 million in philanthropic capital provided

to five HBCUs and $2 million in philanthropic capital provided to UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and its Institute for Capacity Building to help these institutions increase student completion of high-quality career pathways and scale their operational models to improve overall student success.

As part of the $30 billion commitment,

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management created The J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Scholarship Program in partnership with UNCF to strengthen career pathways for HBCU students into the wealth management industry.

Established in 2021, the program provides scholarships and mentorships to students studying any major at select HBCUs

and will help them develop the skills needed to grow a career as a financial advisor. J.P. Morgan Wealth Management will award a total of 375 scholarships through 2025.

The firm also supports innovation in student support and education delivery through direct equity investments in companies transform-

ing higher education and career readiness. In March 2021, the firm co-led a $5 million funding round for Upswing, an online student engagement organization that supports 11 HBCUs and two predominantly Black institutions, and provides tutoring, student support and other services to 49,000 HBCU students.

SLDC’s Neal Richardson, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, the Urban League’s Michael P. McMillian, and Bill Seddon, SLDC.

Gina Langston, from the Joplin Globe, presents The St. Louis American’s Pamela Simmons with the 2023 Dee Hamilton Memorial Sales Pro Award.

Opera for all

OTSL announces New Works Collective 2024 cohort

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Last month, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis created a transformative moment for diversity within their field as they presented the commissioned projects for their inaugural New Works Collective. Still basking in the glow of the experience, last Tuesday OTSL announced the artists and ideas that will comprise the 2024 cohort.

The selected stories that graced the stage at COCA’S Berges Theatre for 2023 reflected people and experiences not commonly associated with the traditional canon of opera. A diverse panel of creative influencers, artists and arts professionals carefully sifted through more than one hundred submissions to select Tre’von Griffith’s Madison Lodge, Simon Tam and Joe X. Jiang’s Slanted: An American Rock Opera and Samiya Bashir and Del’Shawn Taylor’s Cook Shack.

“People shy away from opera because either they don’t see themselves or they don’t necessarily have an entry point,” Griffith said as he was putting the finishing touches on Madison Lodge ahead

of its premiere. “I am hoping that someone who has not seen an opera before they can find this as an entry point for individuals with a curiosity for exploring the art form.”

With pieces that reflected Asian, African American and LBGTQIA

n “I am hoping that someone who has not seen an opera before can find this as an entry point for individuals with a curiosity for exploring the art form.”

- Tre’von Griffith

communities and leaned on American musical genres such as jazz, rock, blues, funk, and gospel, 2023 New Works Collective did exactly that.

“What was once invisible is now seen,” said Rejendra Ramoon Maharaj, who directed the stage productions of the 2023 cohort. “This program is the

first of its kind to take funding resources to commission an opera, give the decision making to the community that look like the artists and the art makers – holding them up and saying, ‘here is your space.’”

OTSL is still enjoying the momentum of praises for the artistic and audience affirming experience. And this week they announced the selected works for the 2024 cohort. The works include On My Mind by composer Jasmine Barnes and librettist Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton. On My Mind tells the story of Lyric and Melody, who are caregivers during their grandmother’s and mother’s final days.

Mechanisms, by composer J.E. Hernández and librettist Marianna Mott Newirth, explores the life of a neurodivergent child and her inner experience as the outer world attempts to force behavioral conformity upon her, missing the greater insight she has into what humanity is becoming.

Closing out the 2024 New Works Collective is Unbroken, by

“Chevalier” a thoughtful blend of fact, fiction

Violin work is “scene stealer’

By Dwight Brown NNPA Film Critic

It’s not the same as it was. This retelling of 18th century French violinist-composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ life is steeped in history but rocked with a modern imagination. Screenwriter Stefani Robinson’s (Atlanta) research and ingenuity resurrects Bologne (Kelvin Harris Jr.) as a European superstar, given the honorary title Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Queen Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) confers him an officer of the King’s Guard and welcomes the mixed-race artist into her court.

It’s quite an ascension for a Creole child born in 1745 on the Caribbean Isle of Guadalupe. Son of a teen slave named Nanon (Ronke Adekoluejo) and a white French plantation owner. Joseph, as a boy (Reuben Anderson) and violin virtuoso, is torn from his mother, brought to France by his father and left at the La Boëssière Academy. There he studies music, math, literature, and fencing with the sons of white aristocrats. None of it is easy. Emotionally, psychologically, and physically he’s abused.

n Robinson’s blend of fact and fiction with hints of today’s racial/ identity issues are thoughtful.

Years later, Joseph Bologne is a champion fencer who stabs his competitors and pierces their egos. He also plays the violin like it’s an extension of his being and is so sure of himself he challenges Mozart to a violin duel. In a crowded concert hall, his virtuosity embarrasses Wolfgang Amadeus. That success while being embraced by the Queen give him confidence but not security. He flirts with high society but is stymied by France’s Code Noir, a set of laws regarding slavery that hinder Black people from gaining status or class.

Competing to be the head of the Paris Opera exacerbates Joseph’s very weighted struggles. When his mother comes to stay and the proletariats rebel against the Queen’s iron grip, he finds his bearings. The immigrants and workers edging towards liberty inspire him. Nanon helps him see the errors of his superficial lux life after he buys her expensive madeto-order clothes: “All the money you paid for those dresses could have fed the whole city.”

By Danielle Brown St. Louis American

Robinson’s blend of fact and fiction with hints of today’s racial/identity issues are thoughtful. The composer’s works were banned by Napoleon and details about him are skimpy, compared to Mozart, so fabrication is necessary and useful. Her intellectual and emotional grasp of injustices in today’s world and what must have been unfairness in 18th century Europe seem perceptive and intuitive. Indignities and life ironies are seen and heard in profound dialogue. As Joseph fathoms the complexities of marriage, he states his paradox: “Can’t

See Opera, C6

Photos by Phil Hamer

X (Namarea Randolph-Yosea), Sister (Olivia Johnson), and Club Owner (Kyle Oliver) in “Madison Lodge” by composer/librettist Tre’von Griffith.

Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures Kelvin Harris Jr. in “Chevalier.”

Damon Davis, Pillars of the Valley, courtesy of the artist and St. Louis CITY SC.

Tamela Mann’s 10th top charter sets Gospel Radio record

St. Louis American staff

Major gospel awards are not new to artist Tamela Mann. She has garnered Grammy, Stellar, Dove, and American Music Awards, respectively.

Mann established a Gospel music record recently when she became the first artist to score 10 No. 1 singles under the gospel radio format.

Her current single, “Finished,” co-written with singer-songwriter, Travis Greene, is the fourth song to ascend to No. 1. It is included on the Tillymann Entertainment CD, Overcomer.

n

“Finished,” Overcomer’s No. 1’s include “He Did It For Me,” “Help Me (feat. the Fellas),” and “Touch From You.” Best Days’ lead single and RIAA certified Gold track, “Take Me To The King,” One Way’s “God Provides,” and “My World Needs You,” were written by gospel icon Kirk Franklin. Other fan-favorite chart-toppers include “This Place” from Best Days, “I Can Only Imagine” from Best Days Deluxe, and “Change Me” from One Way.

- Tamela Mann

“Finished” set an industry record this week when it scored a No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Radio Airplay chart, notching her 10th No. 1 at the format.

In addition, the track also landed at No. 1 on the Mediabase Gospel chart this week. Tamela’s historic gospel radio chart honor is the culmination of her Billboard Gospel Radio Airplay chart success. Her first chart-topper was in 2012. In addition to

“Thank you to everybody who listened, streamed, and made this possible,” said Mann said in a released published on the Journal of Gospel Music website.

“An extra special thank you from the bottom of my heart to gospel radio for making me a part of your music family and always believing in me. With your love and support we did it –ten #1’s! To God be the glory!” Mann’s husband and manager David Mann said, “I am so proud of Tamela and all her accomplishments. The continued

recognition for her music is truly a gift from God and the fans.”

According to her biography, Mann was born June 9, 1966, in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest of 14 children. Mann was singing in the Holy Tabernacle Church [COGIC] adult choir at just 12 years old.

“I’m a true Texan. I don’t want to live anywhere else, but Texas. I’ve been singing since I was 8 – started in church,” she recently told NBC Dallas. Her career gained a boost when Kirk Franklin selected

her to sing with his group, The Family, and she sang on five of Franklin albums. She would later star in David E. Talbert’s gospel musical He Say…She Say…But What Does God Say? In 2000, she starred as Cora Brown in Tyler Perry’s stage play, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, appeared in several of his movies, and was a regular character on Meet The Browns.

Mann said she and her husband return to their old Fort Worth neighborhood when their schedules allow.

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• Creates a “day of”

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“To me, it gives inspiration for kids to say – ‘if I did it, you can do it too.’ And that’s the goal that you want to reach to inspire them,” she said.

“Just because you live in this box doesn’t mean you have to stay in this box.”

The Manns were recently honored during the 2023 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards in Atlanta for accomplishments as songwriters, artists. and actors.

Photo courtesy of Tillymann Entertainment

Tamela Mann’s

recently reached No. 1 in the Gospel Radio format, becoming the 10th

and establishing a new record.

Maintenance Technician to join our team.

You’ll be responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on various systems and equipment, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing downtime.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits package, and opportunities for growth and advancement. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join our maintenance team! Apply now to take your career to the next level email to JRichards@broadmg.com

RECEPTIONIST/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis (PSRSSTL) seeks a Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant with proven customer service skills to work M-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Responsibilities include serving as the receptionist & general administrative duties, including the processing of mail, data-entry, and preparing files for scanning. Applicants must have two or more years’ experience working with clients in-person & by telephone, performing general business duties in an office setting. Strong Microsoft Office skills are needed. PSRSSTL serves over 13,000 Active and Retired Members. The System offers competitive pay and excellent benefits, including paid health insurance, defined benefit retirement plan, and generous vacation and sick leave benefits. For more information visit the job posting on the website, www.psrsstl.org. To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and salary history to administration@psrsstl.org. First applicant review will begin on May 15, 2023.

Please visit our website, www.stifel.com/careers, to apply, and for additional opportunities not listed above. JOIN OUR TEAM AS A SKILLED MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN!

POLICE OFFICER

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer $62,791 - 67,368 DOQ. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

The Client Engagement Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining enterprise level engagement with Safety National clients, brokers and TPA partners for the purpose of ensuring efficient and effective delivery of Safety National service capabilities. This position will report to the Vice President Client Engagement.

To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

looking for professionals ready to do what it takes to help our clients and fellow employees achieve their goals.

See open roles and descriptions listed below:

Treasury Management New Account Representative

Responsible for providing information and support in response to inquiries from clients and various business units to aid in the delivery of treasury products and services.

Commercial Loan Coordinator I

Responsible for partnering with commercial lending teams to process a loan from the time of application to closing. This position will balance service and compliance needs while gathering proper documentation, managing multiple loan files in process, and coordinating with the closing and funding department.

MANAGER, MECHANIC FOREMAN, MECHANIC

AND MORE PT AND FT ROLES

The City of Clayton is now hiring for HR Manager, Mechanic Foreman, Mechanic and more PT and FT roles. Apply at www.claytonmo.gov

EDI DATA INTAKE ANALYST II

As the company’s largest department, I.S. is responsible for supporting both ongoing operations and our next innovative project. Information technology is prioritized, allowing us to partner with colleagues to securely enable and support new capabilities every day. Utilizing a diverse set of technologies, like Guidewire, Salesforce, Java, C#/.NET, Mule, and Azure, the available career opportunities continue to grow rapidly.

To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

ARTS LEAD (AA LEAD)

The ARPA for the Arts Lead (AA Lead) is a newly created position that is responsible for the central coordination and project management of all American Rescue Plan ACT (ARPA) grant funding that is received by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) to support the recovery of the St. Louis arts and culture sector.

This is a full-time position that includes a comprehensive benefits package and is funded through March 31, 2027, using ARPA dollars allocated by the City of St. Louis to RAC.

For more information, please visit the job posting on the website, https://racstl.org/ career-opportunities/. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter online by April 9, 2023.

SYSTEM OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

In the role of Systems Operations Coordinator, you will be part of a team that supports the critical software applications leveraged by our Business Development department. You will work closely with business development personnel, analysts, and teams within our information services department. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

FAMILY COURT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY CONTRACT JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEY

The Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking an attorney to perform full time legal work as a juvenile defense counsel in delinquency cases. This is a contractual position with a monthly retainer of $5,000 per month. The position is subject to annual renewal and continued availability of funding.

MINIMUM

QUALIFICATIONS

: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, at least two (2) years of trial experience preferably in juvenile, family or criminal law with additional years of trial experience or any equivalent experience being preferable. Applicants are not prohibited from engaging in the practice of law outside the terms of the contract where no conflict of interest exists. However, juvenile defense cases must take priority over all other cases including but not limited to dockets and case settings. Any office space and/or other accommodations provided by the Family Court shall not be used for any purpose other than to perform services under the terms of the contract entered into by the parties.

To apply, candidates should send a cover letter and resume to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov, or mail to Human Resources, Saint Louis County Circuit Court, 105 South Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105. Applications must be received by 5 PM, Friday, April 21, 2023

Note: Any selected individual will be required to submit to a drug screen and background check prior to hire. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO711 or 800 735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Service: Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services

Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: May 2, 2023

Meeting will be held via Zoom. See RFP for details.

Question Due Date: May 4, 2023

Proposal Due Date: May 24, 2023

M/WBE Goals & Incentives:

MBE goals: 25% WBE goal: 5%

A 15% M/WBE incentive credit shall be applied to the evaluation of professional service prime contracts who are currently certified MBE-African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American and WBEWomen owned Business Enterprises.

Point of Contact: Gigi Glasper – gxglasper@flystl.com

Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 890-1802. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl. com/business/contract-opportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Upgrade Electric Network - Camp Rising Sun at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Project No. X2202-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 18, 2023, via MissouriBUYS.

Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Paving Repairs

MSHP General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO, Project No. R2221-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 18, 2023

For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/ WBE/DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:

CP211852 Lottes Health Science Library – Renovation for Consolidation

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem @reinhardtconstructionllc.com Phone: 573-682-5505

To Advertise your Bid Notices, Proposals, Audits email Angelita Houston at ahouston@ stlamerican. com

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

ASPHALT

OVERLAY RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Facilities Management Asphalt Overlay RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 4/26/2023 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The City of St. Louis Department of Health has posted a request for proposals (RFP) to provide STI testing and treatment. The RFP has been entered into the City Journal and can be found at https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/departments/ health/documents/fiscal-documents/sexually-transmitted-infection-sti-treatment-rfp.cfm

All questions can be addressed to Suzanne Alexander, Bureau Chief for Communicable Diseases, at alexandersu@stlouis-mo.gov

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS # 57823115, FEDERAL GRANT WRITING SERVICES

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Federal Grant Writing Services. If interested, a copy of the request can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@ hssu.edu

Proposals must be emailed no later than 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu

The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND MATERIAL TESTING FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXILANE CHARLIE FROM TAXIWAY SIERRA TO TAXIWAY GOLF AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, April 11, 2023 through the Bid Express online portal at https:// www.bidexpress.com/businesses/20618/home?agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3439.

25% DBE participation goal.

ADVERTISEMENT

FOR BIDS UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT ST. LOUIS THOMAS JEFFERSON AND MERCANTILE LIBRARY

Interface Construction Corp is bidding major renovations to the UMSL Libraries noted above. We are seeking proposals from qualified diverse firms. Bids are due on May 10, 2023 by end of day. Plans, specifications and bid documents are available online at our Building Connected site. If you did not receive an invitation please contact jimq@interfacestl.com and we will forward it to you.

LETTING NO.8756

RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXILANE CHARLIE FROM S TO G - PROJECT 1

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on MAY 16, 2023, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www. bidexpress.com/businesses/20618/home Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined and downloaded online through Bid Express.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held April 25, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., via Zoom:

Meeting URL: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/j/85231927282? pwd=aS82YVc4akVwTktkV3lad2FsRFZxUT09

Meeting ID: 852 3192 7282

Passcode: 696699

Dial

(New

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC; +1 305 224 1968 US

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

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

UMSL – TOUHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – INTERIOR LED LIGHTING & CEILING REPAIR – PHASE I

Color Art Construction, a general contractor is seeking competitive bids for an interior LED lighting & ceiling repair project at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The project scope includes but is not limited to demolition, drywall, painting, electrical and gypsum board accessories. A bid walk is scheduled for Monday, April 17th at 10:00am. Bids should be emailed to Color Art Construction Wednesday April 26th by noon. Please email your bid or any questions to bidrequestsCAC@color-art.com

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS

The City of St. Peters is seeking qualifications for the “23-148 – Harvester Rd at Queensbrooke Blvd Signal Replacement (CMAQ 7305(625))” until 2:00 p.m. local time, May 12, 2023. This will be a Non-Public opening. The purpose of this project is to provide construction phase services and prepare all required plans and specifications required to acquire needed property rights and bid the traffic signal replacement at the intersection of Harvester Rd and Queensbrooke Blvd.

The RFQ will be available on April 27, 2023 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website https://mo-stpeters.civicplus.com/Bids.aspx

If your firm would like to be considered for providing these consulting services, please prepare a Technical Proposal. This proposal should include any information which might help us in the selection process, such as the persons or team you would assign to each project, the backgrounds of those individuals, and other projects your company has recently completed or are now active. The proposal shall be submitted in quadruplicate, in a sealed container, and clearly marked with the Consultant’s name and “City of St. Peters – 23-148 – Harvester Rd at Queensbrooke Blvd Signal Replacement (CMAQ 7305(625))”. The proposal must be received by the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department by 2:00 p.m., local time, May 12, 2023.

All questions regarding the project and proposal submittal are to be submitted via e-mail to Bids@stpetersmo.net and specify in the subject line “RFQ No. 23-148 – Harvester Rd at Queensbrooke Blvd Signal Replacement (CMAQ 7305(625))” before noon local time, May 4, 2023.

The City of St. Peters will evaluate firms based on a) experience and competence, b) the capacity of the firm to perform the work in the timeframe needed, c) past performance.

Once a proposal is selected, a contract will be negotiated, with the firm, based on a mutually agreed upon scope of services. This project has received federal reimbursement funding through the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) administered by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments. A DBE goal of 12% has been determined by Missouri Department of Transportation for the Preliminary Engineering portion of the project.

DBE firms must be listed in the MRCC DBE Directory located on MoDOT’s website at www.modot.gov, in order to be counted as participation towards an established DBE Goal. We encourage DBE firms to submit proposals as prime consultants for any project they feel can be managed by their firm.

It is required that your firm’s Statement of Qualification (RSMo 8.285 through 8.291) and an Affidavit of Compliance with the federal work authorization program along with a copy of your firm’s E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding (15 CSR 60-15.020) be submitted with your firm’s technical proposal and with your firm’s Letter of Interest. It is also required that your firm be prequalified with MoDOT and listed in MoDOT’s Approved Consultant Prequalification List

The City reserves the right to waive any informality and to accept the qualifications most advantageous to the City.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

NOTICE TO SMALL (SBE), DISADVANTAGED (DBE), MINORITY (MBE), & WOMEN’S (WBE), SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED (SDVOB) & VETERAN OWNED (VOB) BUSINESSES ADVERTISEMENT

RIVER CITY CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C., 6640 AMERICAN SETTER DRIVE, ASHLAND, MISSOURI 65010, (573) 657-7380 (PHONE) (573) 657-7381 (FAX) IS SEEKING QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVATANGED, MINORITY, & WOMEN’S BUSINESSES FOR THE LOTTES HEALTH SCIENCE LIBRARY – RENOVATION FOR CONSOLIDATION & LOTTES HEALTH SCIENCE LIBRARY – REPLACE GLAZING & ROOFING IN BARREL ROOF SYSTEMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI FOR THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: CONCRETE, METALS, WOOD, PLASTICS, AND COMPOSITES, THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION, OPENINGS, FINISHES, SPECIALTIES, FURNISHINGS, SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION, FIRE PROTECTION, PLUMBING, HVAC, ELECTRICAL, AND ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. ALL INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY AND WOMEN’S BUSINESSES SHOULD CONTACT, IN WRITING, (CERTIFIED LETTER, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) JUSTIN BEATY, TO DISCUSS THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES. ALL NEGOTIATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE BID OPENING BID DATE OF 5/11/2023 @ 1:30 PM. PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED IN ORDER ON THE BASIS OF LOW RESPONSIVE BID RECEIVED.CERTIFICATION OF DBE/ WBE/MBE/SDVOB/VOB STATUS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH BID. BID DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY: 1) Email your company name, contact name and phone number, as well as the project

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (“SLEPD”) solicits proposals from certified public accounting firms to conduct an annual independent audit and related Single Audit Report for multiple entities, for up to a three-year contract period. The services shall include SLEDP and affiliate entities, including the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, St. Louis County Port Authority, Industrial Development Authority, STL Partnership CDC, STLVentureWorks, World Trade Center, Gateway to the Midwest Investment Center, and Midwest Cargo Hub Commission. A copy of the full RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/. A five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms. Submissions should be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Monday, May 22, 2023.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Bennington Place-McKelvey Road-Ameling Road Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1680, Federal Project No. STP-5558(609) will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on April 24, 2023

Plans and specifications will be available on June 7, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

Bids for High Voltage Electrical Services – Missouri State Fairgrounds / Statewide, Project No. IDIQMCA-3007, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/2/2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Multipurpose Building Renovation at New Madrid State Office Building, Project No. O2233-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 25, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Install Solar Array, LED Lighting and Roof Replacement at Springfield Field Maintenance Shop, Project No. T2035-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 25, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Normandy Schools Collaborative is issuing a Request for Proposals for Landscaping Services for 2023. Proposals due May 1, mandatory pre-bid meeting to be scheduled between April 20 and April 24. See https://www.normandysc.org/departments/businessoperations/request-for-qualificationsbids for details.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Request for Proposal

Attention: Food Service Management Companies

City Garden Montessori School is seeking bids for food service management services. The Food Service Management Company would provide services according to the requirements of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals, contact: Mary Swofford at (314)664-7646 x118 Food Service Management Companies may submit proposals to: City Garden Montessori School Attn: Mary Swofford 1618 Tower Grove Ave. St. Louis MO 63110

All proposals should be delivered in a sealed envelope marked Food Service Management Proposal.

Interested bidders must meet to review the specifications, to clarity any questions, and for a walk-through of the facilities with school officials on June 16 at 10 AM, at 1618 Tower Grove Ave. and 4209 Folsom Ave. City Garden Montessori School. Attendance is required.

Sealed bids for the Baxter Road (South) ARS Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1555, Federal Project No. STP-5548(606), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on May 24, 2023

Plans and specifications will be available on April 10, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed Bids for:

ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM LIGHTING CONTROL UPDATES

Will be received by the Administration of the St. Louis Art Museum, Owner, at 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110 at 2:00 p.m. on May 12, 2023. The bids will be privately opened and read.

Bids from certified M/WBE contractors are encouraged.

Electronic copies of the drawings, specifications and other related contract information will be available beginning on April 17, 2023, and may be downloaded at no cost from Sharepoint (https://bit. ly/43s8Oni).

A mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. on the West Loading Dock, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO.

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed, in writing, to Steve Dietiker, McClure Engineering, sdietiker@mcclureeng.com. 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.

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

1 BEDROOM FOR RENT Walkout Basement, 1 BA, Yard Incl., $650/mo 5976 Lalite Ave. 314-819-3040 FOR RENT CITY SECTION 8 ONLY!

composer Ronald Maurice and librettist J. Mae Barizo. Set in

urban St. Louis, Unbroken chronicles the resilient journey of a single parent and her three sons.

Kimille Howard will serve as stage director for the 2024 New Works Collective productions.

“After a successful

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Continued from C1

marry a white woman of my class, and if I marry a Black woman, I will lose my class.” The Chevalier/Mozart face-off never happened. It’s just one of many melodramatic devices designed to draw today’s audience into the complex world Bologne encountered and thrived in, until he didn’t. His friend and advocate Philippe (Alex Fitzalan) is an activist, a love affair with the chanteuse MarieJosephine de Comarieu (Samara Weaving) blossoms, powerplays with her jealous husband Marquise De Montalembert (Marton Csokas) hint at danger and being trolled by a lecherous, vindictive prima donna (Minnie Driver) leads to sabotage. These subplots and characters fill out the violinist’s story.

Emmy Award-winning director Stephen Williams (Watchman) uses Robinson’s script as if it’s

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engaging with our generation.”

Yvonne Osei’s “While You’re Still Here” vinyl installation artwork along the Jefferson Avenue Bridge celebrates everyday workers that utilize the

inaugural year, we’re elated to embark upon the second year of this fantastic initiative,” said Andrew Jorgensen, General Director. “This year’s cohort is brilliant, thoughtful, and highly collaborative; we’re thrilled to champion the stories they’ll be sharing.

The collective panelists will select three projects each year through 2025 for OTSL to develop, workshop, and premiere.

“We’re grateful to the St. Louis community

a sketch for an oil painting. He adds color, movement, details and style, recreating 18th century Paris/Versailles as vividly as any artist could. Shonda Rhimes popular Netflix series “Bridgerton” set the precedent for historic multiculturally-cast dramas. So, what’s on view feels natural.

Under Williams’ guidance the visuals are flawless, evocative, and beautiful. Costume designer Oliver Garcia (The Favourite) uses tones, patterns, and textures impeccably on clothes that are natty and so French. Salons, concert halls and boudoirs feign places where the rich and snooty congregate (production designer Karen Murphy, A Star is Born), nothing looks out of place (set decorator Lotty Sanna) and the spectrum of colors aptly recreate the period’s aesthetics (art director Gemma Randall).

As your eyes peruse France, the camera (Jess Hall, Brideshead Revisited) is perfectly placed, from a distance or

overpass, while also paying homage to the area’s floral district.

“The four corners of the bridge act as these portals that greet the viewer as they step onto the Jefferson Bridge,” Osei said.

“The work highlights the workers that use the bridge - an attendant from QuikTrip, a United States Postal Service worker, a Walter Knoll florist, and a

members who make up the New Works Collective for their time and care in choosing this cohort,” Jorgensen added. “And of course, none of this would be possible without the Mellon Foundation and the Edward Jones Foundation. We remain deeply appreciative of their belief in, and support of, this work.”

These works will also broaden the scope of opera through themes and subject matter that are not commonly formatted for its stage. The struggles

Black women are often compelled to keep to themselves while serving as the adhesive for their family units, stereotypes and discrimination faced by the disabled community and the still faced by Black people as a byproduct of slavery and institutional racism are not topics one even conceived to be expressed by way of an art form most associated with wealthy white people. And yet through the New Works Collective, OTSL is creating a gateway to

opera for all.

“The hope is that the wave felt through this type of work – work that Opera Theatre Saint Louis is putting the full weight of their brand and resources behind – will continue to create a lightning bolt that will change the reality for BIPOC people in opera,” Maharaj said. He added that through the New Works Collective – which is the first of its kind for an American opera organization – people of color no longer feel

up close. During opera or symphony scenes, performances and audience reactions are neatly clipped together making the footage fresh and kinetic (editor John Axelrad, The Lost City of Z), not staid and stodgy. Between

receptionist at Courtyard by Marriott.”

McAnally and Lee Broughton organize the showcase with assistance from Allison Glenn, Diya Vij, New Red Order Katherine Simóne Reynolds, and Risa Puleo. They each research the origins of a specific neighborhood and to help Counterpublic reach its various audiences.

The neighborhoods

Robinson’s use of spicey language and William’s vibrant direction, the populous rebellion, and the rhythmic pacing the film starts with a zest and maintains a quixotic feel for 1h 47m. Harris does an excel-

include Sugarloaf Mound, the last standing Indigenous mound in St. Louis, and Mill Creek Valley, the historic Black neighborhood that was demolished due to urban renewal.

“I’m building infrastructure to make sure that we are connecting local artists, local neighborhood associations, groups, storytellers, and volunteers with Counterpublic,” Melisa Sanders, Counterpublic community engagement strategist said.

“We look at it as a national platform, but it’s also a way for us to amplify the voices of those locally who are doing a lot

nameless and faceless both as artists and patrons of opera. “With this work, Opera Theatre is allowing us to say, ‘we are here,’” Maharaj said. “And, that our stories matter.”

For more information on the initiative and 2024 New Works Collective selected works, visit www. experienceopera.org

lent job displaying the angst and bravery of a man straddling two worlds. Understated for the most part but ready to roar, when necessary.

E.g., when he confronts the deceptive Marie Antoinette: “Your people

of amazing things in the art world, and in the visual and audio history world.”

Sanders added Counterpublic is asking for a response from people who see small yellow signs along Jefferson.

“We ask a question or a prompt about your own history, your stories that need to be heard or told,” Sanders said. “We want you to text in those things important to you to make sure we highlight that.”

Other projects include the Griot Museum of Black History, commissioned works to the Griot, the George B. Vashon Museum of African American

are starving in the streets! You are a traitor, a fraud!” Adekoluejo as his knowing mom, Weaving the lover, Boynton the shallow Queen and Csokas as a belligerent officer are all as wonderful or disdainful as they should be.

The violin is the scene stealer. Legato, staccato, solo, or flanked by other instruments. Its sounds are wondrous as it performs the composer’s music (updated by Michael Abels) or the entrancing score by Kris Bowers (Green Book, King Richard), especially in the final concert (Violin Concerto No. 9). Its only competition is a cello that moans during Joseph and Marie-Josephine’s first kiss scene. Musically, it will be hard for audiences to distinguish what once was and what’s new.

Chevalier is a fitting coda for an artist who deserved a biofilm. In this world, it’s enough. Framing a story, the same as it was or should have been, is enough.

History, and more. Counterpublic was launched in 2020 by The Luminary gallery on Cherokee Street, which McAnally co-founded. The first edition was along Cherokee Street and featured works from 37 artists. Counterpublic incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit in 2021.

“Counterpublic is about highlighting the community, looking at St. Louis as a promise and at the idea of healing the city,” Osei said.

Learn more about Counterpublic by visiting its website, counterpublic.org.