August 11th, 2022 edition

Urban League Expo/Career Fair got the job done

SThet. LouiS AmericAn

Will challenge city Civilian Oversight Board expansion

‘The bill will withstand a legal challenge’

By Rebecca Rivas

Missouri Independent

The Ethical Society of Police [ESOP], which was founded in 1972 by Black police officers “to address race-based discrimination within the community and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department,” has joined the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association and St. Louis Police Leadership Organization in a lawsuit against St. Louis to block a law expanding civilian oversight of the police.

The three organizations saw the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the eighth anniversary of unarmed Michael Brown’s shooting death at the hands of a former Ferguson

Ferguson frontline forever

Mayor Tishaura Jones signed a bill into law on Aug. 3, 2022, that will create an independent civilian-led agency that will investigate police misconduct and useof-force cases.

apartment

Inaugural Michael Brown Foundation Awards Gala honors fomenters of the movement

By Dawn Suggs

Standing before the crowd of supporters at the inaugural Michael Brown Foundation Awards Gala on Saturday, August 6, Calvina “Cal” Brown confessed that the weekend before the anniversary of her stepson’s death is always the most difficult. But as the community prepared to commemorate eight years since he was fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer, Cal Brown

FirsT in a series

Millions of dollars set to pour into St. Louis’ North Side

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs

For The St. Louis American

This story was reported in partnership with Type Investigations, where Karen Robinson-Jacobs is a Knobler fellow.

Set on St. Louis’ neglect-scarred north side, 3211 Blair Avenue barely stands out. With shards of rotting wood serving as the only reminder of a front porch and windows shrouded in graying plywood, it’s one of more than 10,000 vacant buildings in the city. Some of the city’s skeletal structures have burned-out, caved-in roofs. Others are wall-less. One rained red bricks onto the adjacent sidewalk, rerouting pedestrians into the street. Neighbors have complained to the city that 3211 Blair Ave. is collapsing, posing a hazard to residents. Its owner owes hundreds of thousands in unpaid property taxes and has faced court judgments over this and other dilapidated properties. Nearby, a three-bed, two-bath fixer-upper in the 3500 block of Blair Ave. sat similarly unloved until neighbors took the owners to court. The neighbors won and were able to acquire the deed. The renovated property sold in mid-March for more than $90,000, according to the rehabber.

partnership

Affinia, Gateway ‘Y’ celebrate construction start on new facility

By Ashley Winters

Will negligent property owners cash in? and her husband Mike Brown Sr. found the strength to honor those who took to the streets in the name of justice for Mike Brown.

The purpose of the gala was to raise funds for The Michael Brown Chosen For Change Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Cal and Michael Brown, Sr. which provides community support, outreach programs, and “a place for healing for fathers, youth and families that have experienced the traumatic effects of police brutality and [violence].”

The inaugural gala – held at the Marriott

St. Louis Airport – collectively recognized members of the group commonly referred to as the Ferguson Frontline as part of the ceremonies. These committed activists galvanized on that fateful day and relentlessly protested for justice and police reform. Their response to the August 9, 2014 tragedy sparked a global conversation regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the Black community, particularly about the people of color

“With

Jones said.

The 15,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in 2023, and will have 23 medical exam rooms, four dental operatories, two behavioral health exam rooms, and two Medication Assisted Treatment exam rooms.

“It is our mission at Affinia Healthcare to meet

The

Photo courtesy of Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office

and Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Mike Brown Sr. (left) stands with his family during a memorial tribute to his son, Michael Brown Jr., by activist Anthony Shaheed Tuesday, Aug. 9, in the Canfield Gardens

complex. Brown was fatally shot by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson on this site Aug. 9, 2014.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Nelly, Ashanti reunite in performance following Irv Gotti’s “Drink Champs” interview

Nelly and Ashanti sparked more controversy by reuniting in a performance of “Body On Me,” following Irv Gotti’s comments about being heartbroken about he and Ashanti’s former relationship.

The timing of the reunion comes after Murder Inc CEO Gotti ap peared on an episode of Drink Champs podcast, and re vealed how he found out the former lovers were a couple.

Not disclosing the year he learned the news, Gotti told N.O.R.E. that, while watching an NBA game, he saw the pair walk out and perform together, leaving him surprised because he was allegedly in a romantic partnership with her around the same time.

Nelly, Ashanti, JaRule, Ma$e, Lil Jon, and others headlined the

“My 2000s Playlist” concert last weekend in Oakland, California.

The show was already booked before the new “Drink Champs” episode, but the former couple still managed to leave the internet buzzing after their set.

Some believe the appearance could be a petty jab at Gotti’s expense, which is potentially true after hearing Nelly ask Ashanti if she would join him in floor seats at an upcoming NBA game.

Nelly and Ashanti first began dating in 2003, and dated for over a decade before calling it quits in 2014.

New details surface about Mystikal’s rape case

New details have been released regardMystikal’s latest rape charge. Mystikal, born Michael Lawrence , was recently arrested for reportedly violently attacking a woman on July 30 in Prairieville, Louisiana.

Reports from allhiphop. com claim the rapper attacked the woman because he thought she stole $100 in cash from him.

He allegedly punched, choked, and pulled the woman’s braids out of her head, then took her keys and cellphone and blocked her from leaving the scene.

Mystikal’s lawyer Roy Maughan says he and the victim are in a long-term relationship.

The victim allegedly helped Mystikal look for the money, and while looking, she told law enforcement that she found a “crystalline” substance in one of his drawers. Investigators found he had meth, Xanax, heroin, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in his home.

The unnamed woman says Mystikal displayed extreme mood swings throughout the evening, from being upset about the money to apologizing for his actions.

She said Mystikal prayed with her, covered her in rubbing alcohol to wash away her “bad spirits,” and then allegedly threw her on a bed before raping her.

Mystikal is currently detained without bond, and Maughan is furious about it.

Different World” and Effie Williams in the 1976 musical “Sparkle” died of natural causes Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in New York City at the age of 85. She starred in “A Different World” for two seasons and played Ellie Grant Hubbard on “All My Children” in the 1980s.

“We’re extremely disappointed that the judge decided he needed to hold Mr. Tyler without bond,” Maughan said. Mystikal is facing [additonal] first-degree rape, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery (strangulation), simple robbery, and simple criminal damage to property.”

Emmy, Tony-winning actress Mary Alice Smith dies of natural causes at 85

Emmy-winning actress Mary Alice Smith who played Leticia “Lettie” Bostic in “A

Other major roles included Oracle in “The Matrix Revolutions” and the same role in the video game “Enter the Matrix.” She was also featured in the films “Malcolm X,” “Down in the Delta,” “The Inkwell,” and more. Smith was born in Indianola, Mississippi, and started acting at a young age in her hometown. She left an elementary school teacher career and returned to acting in the 1960s, participating in community theater and stage productions in Manhattan’s East Village. She made her transition from film to tv in 1974 with her debut in “The Education of Sonny Carson,” and appeared in the television series “Police Woman,” and “Sanford and Son.” She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for 1993’s “I’ll Fly Away.” She also won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in the 1987 production of August Wilson’s “Fences.” She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2000 and retired from acting in 2005.

Sources: TMZ, The Shade Room, Variety

Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams to leave SLPS after 14 years

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

Dr. Kelvin Adams, who helped guide Saint Louis Public Schools to full accreditation, announced Tuesday he is retiring as superintendent on December 31, 2022, after 14 years of service.

Adams said in a release he wants to give the Board of Education adequate time to plan for the district’s next leader.

“Over the years, we have marked several important milestones, the latest of which was the passage of Proposition S on August 2, 2022. We are extremely grateful for the overwhelmingly positive support for Prop S (87% passage),” Adams said in a release.

“It shows us that voters trust this Board and administration to continue to build momentum and accomplish great things for our students, teachers, and families. Having managed the elected Board’s return to power and the great energy they bring to the position, I am leaving the district in caring and capable hands.”

Adams was hired by the Special Administrative Board that ran SLPS in 2008, and Adams said in a letter to parents and staff on the SLPS website,

“I dedicated myself to increasing academic outcomes for students with a commitment to returning the district to full accreditation. Together we did it.”

“Full accreditation then was a goal. Now it is an expectation. Looking back on our time together, we have accomplished so much more. We have doubled our Pre-K capacity, balanced 13 consecutive budgets, increased graduation rates, and brought unprecedented financial stability to SLPS.

Board President Matt Davis called Adams future departure, “the end of an era.”

“Dr. Adams often says he is, ‘datadriven,’ and he used that talent to analyze information and help change the trajectory of the district. Today, SLPS is fully accredited, due to the leadership of our superintendent and his team,” Davis said.

“SLPS includes some of the top schools in the state. Each of our 62 schools have distinguished themselves through programs and services, and

challenged our schools to continue to improve. The district is fiscally strong, and we have the second highest starting salary for teachers in the region. That’s quite a legacy by any standards,” Davis said.

Davis added that a nationwide search for Adams’ replacement will begin in the upcoming weeks.

“What we have built over the past

fourteen years is a solid foundation of support for our students, families, and community. I am leaving strong people and programs in place, and I trust them to keep moving SLPS forward,” Adams said.

“We still have a great deal of work that must be accomplished. That list includes focusing on returning students to safe, secure classrooms now

St. Louis Public Schools

Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams blows bubbles for Wilkinson Early Childhood Center at Roe Elementary School students on Monday Aug. 23, 2021. Adams announced on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, that he will leave the post he has held for 14 years on Dec. 31, 2022.

that the pandemic appears near its end, continue supporting the efforts of the City-Wide Plan to develop a uniform blueprint of schooling for all students in the city, and approving the next version of the Transformation Plan, which will provide a vision for the future of the district.”

Adams, a former SLPS Human Resources director, came back to St. Louis after serving as chief of staff for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, a district in which 86 percent of students are eligible for free/ reduced lunch and 99 percent are of a minority group.

“One of my strengths in the last 10 years is bringing people together to solve problems,” Adams said during a superintendent candidates forum in September 2008.

He was in line to be superintendent in New Orleans but decided to leave and return to St. Louis for this superintendent position.

“St. Louis is unique to me in that it presents a challenge,” Adams said during the forum

As his time with SLPS superintendent nears its end, Adams said, “As I continue to serve the students, families, and staff of Saint Louis Public Schools over the next few months, I do so with a deep sense of pride and humility.”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, at National Association of Black Journalists convention

Commentary

The voting rights path comes full circle, 1880-2022

On August 6, 1880, the Republican candidate for president, James A. Garfield, spoke to thousands of supporters from the balcony of the Republican headquarters in New York City. Ten years before, in 1870, America added the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ensuring that Black men could vote by guaranteeing that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

When the amendment was ratified, there was immediate opposition in the South. White southerners who were dead set against their Black neighbors participating in their government claimed they had no problem with Black men voting on racial grounds.

Their objection to Black voting was that poor, uneducated Black men just out of enslavement were voting for lawmakers who promised them public services, like roads and schools, which could be paid for only with taxes levied on people with the means to pay. In the post–Civil War South this usually meant white men.

Complaining that Black voters were socialists—the term was used in 1871—white southerners began keeping Black voters from the polls. In 1878, Democrats captured both the U.S, House and the Senate, and former Confederates took control of key congressional committees.

From there, in the summer of 1879, they threatened to shut down the federal government altogether unless the president, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, agreed to end the federal protection of Black Americans in the South. The congressional leader who eventually forced them to back down was James A. Garfield (R-OH). Impressed by his successful effort to save the country, in 1880, party leaders nominated him for president.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “ideas outlive men; ideas outlive all earthly things. You who fought in the war for the Union fought for immortal ideas, and by their might you crowned the war with victory. But victory was worth nothing except for the truths that were under it, in it, and above it. We meet tonight as comrades to stand guard around the sacred truths for which we fought.”

States also cut up districts unevenly to favor Democrats, who ran an all-white, segregationist party. In 1880, the South became solidly Democratic, and with white men keeping Black people from the polls, it would remain so until 1964.

But then, exactly 85 years after Garfield’s speech, on August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. The need for the law was explained in its full title: “An Act to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and for other purposes.”

Black Americans had never accepted their exclusion from the vote, and after World War II, they and other people of color who had fought for the nation overseas brought home their determination to be treated equally. White reactionaries responded with violence, but Black Americans continued to stand up for their rights. In 1957 and 1960, under pressure from President Dwight Eisenhower, Congress passed civil rights acts designed to empower the federal government to enforce the laws protecting Black voting.

Bill Russell designed game plan for activist athletes

By Marc Morial

“Racism cannot just be shaken out of the fabric of society because, like dust from a rug, it dissipates into the air for a bit and then settles right back where it was, growing thicker with time. Police reform is a start, but it is not enough. We need to dismantle broken systems and start over. We need to make our voices heard, through multiple organizations, using many different tactics. We need to demand that America gets a new rug.” – Bill Russell

When current NBA players speak out against racism and social injustice, they might face criticism from right-wing media, like Laura Ingram’s infamous “shut up and dribble” tirade, but they have the backing of their union and of the league.

That wasn’t the case in the 1950s and 1960s when Bill Russell risked not only his livelihood, but his very life, to demand equal treatment and respect.

a search of the image, you’ll find that most versions are cropped to frame Bill flying up over the bar. Yet, if you see the complete photo, you’ll see about three dozen white people watching him, most of them frowning, glaring, or just staring. But standing beside the post is one young Black kid with a smile on his face. A kid who suddenly saw the possibilities for achievement, despite a crowd of mostly white faces who saw the future of sports in America—and didn’t like what they saw.”

freedom and justice and the dignity of man are not just words to us.”

“[W]e will remember our allies who fought with us,” he said. “Soon after the great struggle began, we looked beyond the army of white rebels, and saw 4,000,000 of [B]lack people condemned to toil as slaves for our enemies; and we found that the hearts of these 4,000,000 were God-inspired with the spirit of liberty, and that they were all our friends.”

As the audience cheered, he continued: “We have seen white men betray the flag and fight to kill the Union; but in all that long, dreary war we never saw a traitor in a Black skin.” To great applause, he vowed, “[W]e will stand by these [B]lack allies. We will stand by them until the sun of liberty, fixed in the firmament of our Constitution, shall shine with equal ray upon every man, [B]lack or white, throughout the Union.”

As the audience cheered, he continued: “Fellow-citizens, fellow-soldiers, in this there is the beneficence of eternal justice, and by it we will stand forever.”

Garfield won the presidency that year, but just barely. The South went solidly Democratic, and in the years to come, white northerners looked the other way as white southerners kept Black men from voting, first with terrorism and then with state election laws using grandfather clauses that cut out Black men without mentioning race. The laws included permitting a man to vote if his grandfather had voted, literacy tests in which white registrars got to decide who passed, poll taxes that were enforced arbitrarily, and so on

In 1961 the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) began intensive efforts to register voters and to organize communities to support political change. Because only 6.7% of Black Mississippians were registered, Mississippi became a focal point, and in the “Freedom Summer” of 1964, volunteers set out to register voters. On June 21, Ku Klux Klan members, at least one of whom was a law enforcement officer, murdered organizers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner near Philadelphia, Mississippi, and, when discovered, laughed at the idea they would be punished for the murders. That year, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which strengthened voting rights. On March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, marchers led by John Lewis (who would go on to serve 17 terms in Congress) headed for Montgomery to demonstrate their desire to vote. Law enforcement officers stopped them on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and beat them bloody. On March 15, President Johnson called for Congress to pass legislation defending Americans’ right to vote.

“There is no constitutional issue here,” he told them. “The command of the Constitution is plain. There is no moral issue. It is wrong— deadly wrong—to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of states’ rights or national rights. There is only the struggle for human rights.” Congress passed the measure. Johnson would then sign the Voting Rights Act into law.

“Today is a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory that has ever been won on any battlefield,” he told the country. “I pledge [to] you that we will not delay, or we will not hesitate, or we will not turn aside until Americans of every race and color and origin in this country have the same right as all others to share in the process of democracy.”

“[M]en cannot live with a lie and not be stained by it,” he said. “The central fact of American civilization…is that freedom and justice and the dignity of man are not just words to us. We believe in them. Under all the growth and the tumult and abundance, we believe. And so, as long as some among us are oppressed—and we are part of that oppression—it must blunt our faith and sap the strength of our high purpose.”

Heather Cox Richardson, a professor in the department of History at Boston College, teaches nineteenth-century American history at both the undergraduate and the graduate level.

When Milwaukee Bucks players refused to leave their locker room in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020, the NBA cancelled not only the Bucks’ playoff game against the Orlando Magic, but every game that day. The NBA’s postseason was pushed back because of the pandemic.

The WNBA, Major League Baseball, NHL, and Major League Soccer responded with boycotts of their own.

Sixty years earlier in 1961, Black players were refused service in their hotel’s restaurant just before an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky. Russell, along with four of his Black teammates and two Black members of the opposing St. Louis Hawks, walked out, but the game went ahead as scheduled. One of the striking Hawks, rookie Cleo Hill, never played another season.

After the walkout, Celtics owner Walter Brown vowed “never to subject my players to that embarrassment again.”

That was the same year Russell first met a 14-year-old who idolized him: Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who kept a 1956 photo of Russell, then a University of San Francisco track and field star, competing in the high jump.

“There was something else about that photo that affected me even more than Bill’s amazing performance,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “If you do

Abdul-Jabbar would join Russell in what became to be known as the Cleveland Summit of 1967 – a meeting of the nation’s top Black athletes regarding Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the Army. After subjecting Ali to tough questioning about his motives and beliefs, the group decided to back his decision. Russell later told Sports Illustrated, “I envy Muhammad Ali. He faces a possible five years in jail, and he has been stripped of his heavyweight championship, but I still envy him. He has something I have never been able to attain and something very few people I know possess. He has an absolute and sincere faith. I’m not worried about Muhammad Ali. He is better equipped than anyone I know to withstand the trials in store for him. What I’m worried about is the rest of us.”

Any serious debate about the greatest NBA player of all time surely would cite Russell’s record 11 championship rings and his unrivaled defensive stats. But what made Russell the GOAT, to quote Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell, “was ferocious, indomitable seriousness of purpose, wedded to elite intelligence … His presence, his competitive menace, his fearless, reckless abandon in midair and his desire to glare into the opponent’s psyche and break some crucial gear made him exhilarate and frightening to watch.”

Russell never put his love for the game above the fight for dignity and racial justice. In his final years, he was heartened by the wave of Black Lives Matter protests that swept the nation. As we mourn his passing, we share his unflagging hope that that these kinds of strange days are forever behind us, and that real, lasting change will finally be realized.”

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

Arizona could be major threat to Democracy

By Ben Jealous

Red flags are flying for democracy and democratic values. We need to pay attention to the threats — and also to signs that we can work together to preserve our freedoms.

This summer’s primary elections are making it clear that our rights and freedoms are threatened by the rising power of extremists within the Republican Party.

Consider the Aug. 2 primaries in Arizona.

President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state sent many Arizona supporters of former President Donald Trump down a deep hole of lies and conspiracy theories about the election. They engineered a ridiculous “audit” that stirred up election-deniers from across the country but failed to undermine Biden’s victory.

Responsible Republicans defended the election and its outcome, but on Aug. 2, they were outvoted by Trump’s troops. Mark Finchem, who claims against all evidence the election was stolen from Trump, won the nomination to be secretary of state.

He has called for the 2020 election to be decertified. He wants to get rid of early voting and restrict voting by mail — and give legislators the power to override voters. Finchem, who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, is a member of the Oath Keepers, the far-right group whose members were involved in planning and leading the assault.

Arizona is also home to politicians who openly embrace white nationalists, including U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and state Sen. Wendy Rogers, who both won their primaries. The list goes on — too many to name in a single column. This is bad news. In a political system dominated by two political parties, it is dangerous to have one party taken over by the kind of truthrejecting, voter-suppressing, authoritarianismembracing people who are still driven by the same lies and rage that fueled the Jan. 6 attack on our country.

But Trumpists aren’t winning all their races. We have seen examples of courageous Republicans standing up to the Trump mob. And voters in Kansas gave us another big bright spot on Aug. 2, when they rejected an anti-choice referendum by more than 20 percentage points.

Columnist Ben Jealous

Arizona Republicans have also nominated Blake Masters for the U.S. Senate. Masters’ campaign was backed and funded by far-right billionaire Peter Thiel, who has openly said he no longer believes in democracy. Masters has blamed gun violence on “Black people.” His campaign has generated excitement among the white nationalist crowd that was energized by Trump.

In the Arizona governor’s primary, Trump endorsee Kari Lake won the Republican nomination and will face Democratic nominee Katie Hobbs. Lake, an election conspiracy advocate, calls President Biden “illegitimate” and has said if she wins, she will instruct the attorney general to seize all voting equipment in the state.

After the Supreme Court’s hard-right majority overturned Roe v. Wade, antichoice legislators have rushed to pass more extreme anti-abortion bills targeting health care workers and even friends and family who help someone needing abortion care. Those bills represent the wishes of powerful religious right groups that have a lot of influence in the Republican Party, but they don’t represent the public, which overwhelmingly supports access to abortion.

Given a choice about whether to strip abortion rights protections out of the state constitution and give legislators a green light to pass a ban, Kansas voters overwhelmingly voted no. That victory for privacy, freedom and bodily autonomy was driven by huge voter turnout and the organizers who worked to achieve it. It is a promising sign that many Americans can be motivated to vote this year by the Supreme Court’s harmful embrace of a restrictive and regressive social agenda.

Let’s make it so.

Ben Jealous is president of People For the American Way and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Homeless SLPS students can start the upcoming school year on the right foot after receiving a free pair of new shows through the Soles4Souls and Caleres partnership. 140 pairs of shoes and 324 pairs of socks were distributed on July 28 at an event at Gateway 180 Shelter.

Caleres, Soles4Souls right fit for some SLPS students

St. Louis American staff

Soles4Souls and St. Louis-based Caleres recently provided new shoes for homeless children who attend Saint Louis Public Schools. The partners are collaborating to provide Caleres shoes to 4,000 students during the Fall 2022 semester.

The shoe initiative is the result of a $1 million donation from the Caleres Cares Charitable Trust to Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid program, which provides new, branded athletic shoes to children experiencing homelessness across the United States.

The first round of this donation took place July 28, and a deluge two days earlier and floods did not stop the effort.

140 pairs of shoes and 324 pairs of socks were distributed at a back-to-school resources distribution event at Gateway 180 Shelter.

Deidra Thomas-Murray, SLPS Homeless and Foster Care liaison, says the new shoes have an immediate impact on the lives of the students.

“The gift of shoes meets their immediately needs. It helps with the tangible need for shoes and the intangibles of self-esteem. The partnership (between Soles4Souls and Caleres) speaks volumes for Saint Louis Public Schools students and families,” she said.

Soles4Souls President and CEO Buddy Teaster assisted at the St. Louis event.

“We are honored to work again with the Saint Louis Public Schools with our 4EveryKid program. This year, in partnership with Caleres, we will be able to bring new shoes to thousands of kids experiencing homelessness in St Louis. And we look forward to continuing to serve more kids in the future,” he said.

Thomas-Murray says the new shoes steer children into positive peer interaction, improved attendance and reduces ridicule.

“It creates a celebratory climate. Our students dance, sing, and smile upon receipt of new shoes. It is as if we can literally hear their hearts saying, ‘Thank you!’”

Soles4Souls turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to use.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization repurposes product to supply its micro-enterprise, disaster relief, and direct assistance programs.

With international locations and warehouses across the not-for-profit Soles4Souls has distributed more than 73 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing in 129 countries since 2006. Visit soles4souls.org for more information.

Economic violence is deadly too

By Julianne Malveaux

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law on June 25, 2022, was a win for the Biden-Harris Administration.

The legislation was genuinely bipartisan, more so in the Senate, where 15 Republicans joined 50 Democrats to pass the legislation, than in the House, where only 14 Republicans joined Democrats in passing the legislation. While I often think of the Senate as the more partisan of the two legislative bodies, it is notable that 30% of Republican Senators were willing to join their colleagues to stop gun violence and to provide funds for mental health, and community violence intervention, school safety, and some control.

In contrast, fewer than 7% of Republican Congressional representatives were willing to cross party lines.

Buoyed by the legislative victory, President Biden has now released a Safer Communities Plan, which is reflected in his 2023 budget. While many aspects of this plan are laudable, one of the most troubling aspects is the plan to commit $13 billion over five years to flood the streets with 100,000 more police officers.

The program uses the correct language by saying it will support “accountable” policing, but not a week goes by when we do not learn of the unaccountable policing that rankles anyone who believes in human rights.

We don’t have to go back down memory lane to call the names of Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, or George Floyd.

Just this year, there have been more martyrs. Jayland Walker was executed in Akron, Ohio. Patrick Loyola was killed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Amir Locke was asleep on a couch in his cousin’s apartment in Minneapolis when a no-knock warrant allowed police offers to enter and shoot him in the head. And yet we need more police?

The market forces that create homelessness are forms of economic violence. The gentrification that pushes people out of their neighborhoods is a form of economic violence. Rising prices and the inflation that hits poor people harder are also forms of economic violence. We get alarmed about physical violence, but we are far too silent about economic violence.

The World Health Organization defines violence as “The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either result in or has a high likelihood resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” Unpacking that definition, this country was built on a foundation of violence.

I will not make excuses for those who pick up guns and kill folks, even when it is young men shooting each other in the street. There are not enough “mental health” so-called explanations to contextualize the rabid monsters who shot up Black elders in Buffalo, New York, or baby Latino innocents in Uvalde, Texas. And there is no excuse for the economic violence that traps people in poverty-tinged existences with either inadequate housing or none, with food bank food or less. Poverty is a form of economic violence. Joblessness is a form of economic violence. Predatory capitalism is a form of economic violence, and many corporate entities benefit from economic violence. If we want to combat violence, we need to fight all of it, from the shootings in the streets to the racist killings in supermarkets to the capitalistic violence that pushes people into poverty that can generate nothing but pain, despair, and violence. The Safer Communities Plan is a step in the right direction, but it is a misstep if it hinges on putting more police on the streets. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Soles4Souls

140 pairs of shoes distributed

Julianne Malveaux

Ferguson

Continued from A1

who experienced fatal encounters with police.

Before she called them to the stage, Cal spoke of how she and her husband felt compelled to reciprocate support to the protesters as they were putting their bodies on the line in the name of Mike Brown.

“We would sneak out right before curfew and make sure that they could eat, had money and they had water,” Cal said.

The group emerged and spontaneously burst into the same chants they delivered during their nearly yearlong nonstop protest throughout the streets of Ferguson – as they faced down tanks, rubber bullets and tear gas under the constant threat of arrest.

“I am Mike Brown. I am Mike Brown,” they chanted.

“Hands up, don’t shoot.”

“When Black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up. Fight back.”

“Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail, the whole damn system is guilty as hell.”

“Tell me what democracy looks like…this is what democracy looks like.”

As the honorees received their plaques from Mike Brown Sr., they talked about continuing to fight for change – and expressed their commitment to the Ferguson frontlines for life.

The 2022 Ferguson Frontline honorees included Ned Alexander, Avery, Aminah Ali, Calina and Solomon Bodie, Amir Brandy, Derk Brown, Cori Bush, Anthony Cage, Queen Daughtery, Dontey Carter, Gina Gowdy, Cheyenne Green, Fran Griffin, Dasha Jones, Melanie Marie, Meldon Moffitt, Lala Moore, Canton Rhodes, Shellie Robinson, Tory Russell, Anthony Shahid, Kyzar Sharp and Ebony Williams. Cary On The Ball Foundation, Real STL

North Side

Continued from A1

Both buildings are in a part of St. Louis now flagged for major reinvestment. At least $37 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, sent from the feds to combat the disastrous impacts of COVID 19 — and potentially $150 million more — is expected to flow into north St. Louis neighborhoods, according to the city’s mayor and an official with St. Louis Development Corporation, the city’s develop-

News, The Canna Education Collective and Young Voices with Action were recognized as organizational honorees.

Former newscaster April Simpsons, was the host of ceremonies and commandeered a silent auction of original artwork by Ciera Janae. Aja La’Starr Owens read a poem she wrote the day Mike Brown life was taken about how she took it personally. Precious Berry, 17, a self-described activist and entrepreneur, spoke about her view of the uprising as a nine-year-old and the way it instilled a sense of justice in her that’s deepened with age. During the awarding of the plaques, Mike Brown Sr. said that there were individuals present among the group who stood by his family when it seemed like he couldn’t trust anyone. He paused before recognizing Brother Anthony Shahid. He shared examples of the invalu-

ment arm.

Mayor Tishaura Jones, the city’s first Black woman mayor, has called the cash influx a once in a lifetime opportunity” for the city’s north side, which also is the future home of the $1.7 billion western headquarters of the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency. That campus, called Next NGA West, is under construction in the St. Louis Place neighborhood of north St. Louis, and is expected to open to workers in 2026.

City officials have said residents of the six neighborhoods nearest the NGA campus will benefit from the planned invest-

able counsel and support the longtime activist and community leader offered him as he was going through the unimaginable horror of losing his son while the world watched – and in some cases attempted to exploit – the tragic situation as it unfolded.

Mike Brown Sr. revealed that early on in the movement that a popular tobacco brand offered the Browns a multi-million-dollar endorsement to use his late son’s likeness.

He said that Shahid stepped forward with insight.

“[He said] Hey man, I don’t even know you. I’m going to sit back and see what your response is,” Shahid said, according to Mike Brown Sr. “I’m going to be honest with you Brother Mike, I ain’t [expletive] with you no more if you accept it. Cause you’d have been bought brother.”

Though Shahid’s willing-

ment, through a focused effort called Project Connect.

It is a moment decades in the making. Many residents see the federal funds, commitment from the Jones administration, and recent successes in the courts as a planetary alignment with the potential to finally bring about actual change.

Yet there is skepticism.

Some long-time residents wonder aloud why the problem has persisted across multiple city administrations and question whether city leaders have done enough over the years to hold negligent property owners accountable. The residents fear that as government funds begin to flow, lax owners will cash in, selling their properties to the highest bidder and reaping a reward after years of dereliction.

Few stand to gain as much as developer Paul McKee, whose company, NorthSide Regeneration, inked a deal with the city in 2009 to help redevelop a two-square-mile section of north St. Louis that includes parts of the Project Connect neighborhoods — including all of Carr Square and parts of JeffVanderLou, St. Louis Place, Columbus Square and Old North St. Louis.

NorthSide still foresees a “large-scale and holistic transformation” of the area, according to its website. But city officials and neighbors have complained that progress has moved at a glacial pace, with only a few structures actually completed.

As of this spring, NorthSide Regeneration owned more than 1,600 vacant parcels in the city, mostly in the Project Connect area. That includes nearly 230 vacant buildings, according to data compiled by the St. Louis Vacancy Collaborative, a coalition of community members, private and nonprofit organizations, and local government agencies working to reduce the negative effect of vacant property in St. Louis.

That’s nearly half — 46% — of the vacant buildings owned by the top 10 private owners listed by the Collaborative.

A list of resident concerns in 2021 included nearly three dozen “building collapsed” complaints in the Project Connect neighborhoods. Seven reported properties were listed as being owned by NorthSide Regeneration, the most for any one property owner. The city issued “structural condemnation” notices to six

ness to speak up established his bond with the Brown family, Mike Brown Sr. said taking the deal was never an option for him.

“I thought it was very disrespectful,” Mike Brown Sr. said. “I would have sold out Ferguson if I had did that. That’s how I looked at it. I couldn’t walk around and see wrappers on the ground, after seeing Mike four and a half hours on the ground. Now, I got to see wrappers with his face on the ground everywhere –because who ain’t gonna want to smoke a Mike Brown blunt?”

Mike Brown Sr. went on to talk about how Brother Shahid selflessly extended himself not only to the movement, but to the Brown family as they attempted to navigate their new reality.

“This guy has always shone up, shone out,” Mike Brown Sr. said. “He picked my kids

up, took them to school when we were going through all that.

A lot of people don’t know we were living in a hotel when Mike got killed.”

The family was in the midst of transition due to a house fire that had taken place just two months before his son’s death.

“People were wondering why we were going to a hotel when all these people … [like] Al Sharpton, was in town,” Mike Brown Sr. said. “They thought they were just keeping us all together. No, we was actually living in the hotel, but this bruh [Shahid] made sure that my other kids got to school.”

The Browns attempted to give Shahid a monetary token of their appreciation when they received their insurance payout, but he refused.

“He wouldn’t accept it, but we made sure this this guy was respected and loved,” Mike

of the properties, including NorthSide Regeneration’s vacant property at 3211 Blair which was condemned in June 2013, according to the Vacancy Collaborative. A condemnation notice means the property is not safe for habitation. The building owner has 30 days from the notice date to make progress — obtain a building permit to demolish or repair — and 10 days to file an appeal, according to the city’s Building Division.

Most of the buildings, including 3211 Blair, were still standing as of mid-June, according to an inspection by The St. Louis American and Type Investigations.

In the JeffVanderLou neighborhood, as of this spring, nearly 60 NorthSide properties were condemned, according to the Vacancy Collaborative.

Neither the city nor Darryl Piggee, McKee’s attorney, responded to questions about specific properties, so it’s impossible to determine whether the owners took action.

In an emailed response to questions from The American and Type Investigations, Piggee instead focused on the significance of McKee’s decision to invest in the area. “Mr. McKee decided to invest where no one — not third parties or even the city’s development agencies— were willing to go for almost six decades,” he wrote. “Since making that decision, Mr. McKee has expended more than $8 million toward real estate taxes, grass cutting, demolition and maintenance charges.”

“We challenge you to find

Brown Sr. said. “This is from my family – from me, bruh. Love you, love you, love you.” The crowd proceeded to chant “Shahid, Shahid, Shahid” as Mike Brown Sr. handed him the plaque.

Frontline members have remained active in the community, many have started their own businesses, media outlets, become elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Cori Bush – the first Black Woman to represent the First Congressional District of Missouri – and former Councilwoman Fran Griffin, the first Black woman elected to serve in Ferguson’s 3rd Ward. Bush was unable to attend due to political commitments. She did however release a statement in commemoration of the eighth anniversary of Mike Brown’s death.

“Like many from the Ferguson frontlines, my life changed eight years ago,” Bush said. “The police killing of Michael Brown is what propelled me and many others into lives dedicated to building a world where Mike would not have been taken from us.” Rapper, actor and activist David Banner closed out the festivities as the evening’s keynote speaker. He pointed out that history illuminates what African Americans are capable of.

“Many largely Black towns and municipalities, in addition to Tulsa, Oklahoma’s ‘Black Wall Street,’ prospered in spite of segregation until Black business owners and entrepreneurs were expelled, lynched, massacred and Black infrastructures were destroyed and extinguished by white supremacists,” Banner said. “This history makes evident that Black people can achieve great success when they’re not handicapped by white power structures…or themselves.”

The events of Ferguson and those who fought for social justice in our region can be counted among that history.

question.”

While politicians for years have promised to address the vacancy problem, the push took on new urgency earlier this year when St. Louis Firefighter Ben Polson was killed fighting a fire in a vacant home in North St. Louis. The roof collapsed as Polson was checking to make certain no one was trapped inside. An estimated 40% of calls answered by the St. Louis Fire Department are to vacant structures, according to Fire Captain Garon Mosby. Beyond the fire danger, the vacant properties can drain city resources.

As of mid-July, Northside Regeneration owed at least $320,000 in property taxes on its vacant buildings alone, not counting taxes owed on hundreds of empty lots, city records show.

anyone whose financial commitment to North St. Louis approaches that level, or who has expended these kinds of sums on vacant lots and abandoned property in the long-ignored North side, the City included,” he said

As part of Project Connect, city officials have embarked on a listening tour of the six neighborhoods — Hyde Park, St. Louis Place, JeffVanderLou, Old North St. Louis, Carr Square and Columbus Square — seeking resident input on how the federal rescue funds should be spent.

In a survey the city released in June, 2,108 respondents who live in St. Louis selected “addressing vacancy” as a top priority, one of the highest tallies for any specific category.

That concern was echoed by nearly a dozen community leaders and neighborhood advocates contacted by The American as part of a monthslong reporting project with Type Investigations.

“Vacant, uncared-for property and land, it’s just not appealing,” said Andre Logan, pastor of the Thessalonian Missionary Baptist Church, a predominantly Black congregation in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood.

“It’s not desirable to the community, especially when it’s next to a homeowner’s house. I mean, it’s just not good. Some of the properties are dangerous. Some of them have fallen down.”

“Why has it been allowed to happen?” he asked. “Why is a very good question; that I don’t know. That’s the million-dollar

As of July, the Vacancy Collaborative reported that citywide, property owners owed $4.9 million in unpaid property taxes; $7.6 million in billed forestry maintenance fees; and $3.5 in unpaid vacant building fees and fines for a total of $16 million. The site does not break down the fees by property owner.

Asked about the unpaid taxes, Piggee did not comment on specific properties but said, “We pay our taxes.” When asked if property owners behind in taxes and fees would be required to pay up before participating in the coming development, a spokesman for the mayor’s office directed the question to the Development Corporation, which did not respond.

The idea of neglectful property owners cashing in doesn’t sit well with homeowners like G. Fatimah Muhammad, who, along with husband Donald Harden, chose to move to the north side’s Hyde Park neighborhood about 20 years ago.

“These properties have sat vacant for years,” she said.

“Some of the owners opted [for] paying citations and continuing to let the building remain in disrepair and [be] a continuous eyesore and danger to the community. Others let the citation fees and back taxes accumulate and still did nothing to eliminate the nuisances, waiting for a real estate payday.”

This story was produced with support from Report for America. Research assistance

by Paco Alvarez and Nina Zweig. Logo by Kyle Alcott.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Family members wipe away tears as they celebrate the life of Michael Brown Jr. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 at the spot where he was killed, eight years ago, in Ferguson. On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown Jr. was fatally shot by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson after an altercation. This event ignited unrest in Ferguson.

The map of North St. Louis neighborhoods includes six neighborhoods [shaded] that are slated for development through the city’s Project Connect.

Continued from A1

the needs of the underserved and often underrepresented with dignity and respect,” said Traci O’Bryan, CEO of Arcturis and an Affinia Healthcare board member.

Affinia Healthcare provides affordable primary and preventive health care and serves over 43,700 people per year. More than 90% of its patients have incomes under 100% of the federal poverty level. Almost 70% of patients served are African American, 11% are Hispanic/ Latinx, and over 4,000 are un-housed.

The healthcare center depends on a wide array of funding sources and individual donor contributions to care for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our community.

Dr. Kendra Holmes, executive vice president and COO, said “quality healthcare is a right and not a privilege.”

Affinia Healthcare held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022 for the soon-to-be 15,000-square-foot health center in Ferguson thanks to a $2 million federal grant. The center will be located on Pershall Rd.

“We are grateful for elected officials and all of you who worked tirelessly to continue to advocate for healthcare for everyone,” said Holmes, who will become Affinia’s president and CEO later this year. Congresswoman Cori Bush worked to direct $2 million to

Lawsuit

Continued from A1

Police officer.

When asked why the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, ESOP spokesperson Rachel JostBrown replied, “The lawsuit was filed [Monday, August 8], but the courts didn’t accept/process it until [Tuesday.]

Jost-Brown did not respond to an inquiry asking if ESOP had reservations about the suit being filed so close to the anniversary of Brown’s death.

ESOP released a statement on the lawsuit, saying “This lawsuit is not against the Citizen Oversight Board [COB] nor the citizens of the City of St. Louis.”

“We have opposed the language of this particular bill because we are concerned with

its broadness. For example, a teenager could be on the COB. ESOP would like to be involved with both the creation and implementation of legislation as it pertains to law enforcement reform. We are committed to the best interests of officers as well as the citizens of St. Louis.” Nick Desideri, communications director for Mayor Tishaura Jones, said in a statement, “While we cannot comment on pending litigation, Mayor Jones has emphasized that improving public safety requires building trust between police and the community, with accountability being the foundation of that trust - especially eight years after the death of Mike Brown, Jr. and the protests in Ferguson that sparked the formation of the Civilian Oversight Board.” The law, which was

Affinia for the project, and she was on hand when the project was announced in May.

“We are doing the work to

approved by the St. Louis Board of Alderman last month and signed last week by Mayor Jones, would create the Division of Civilian Oversight. Over the next year, the civilian-led independent agency will build a team of 10 investigators to take over all internal police investigations that have to do with misconduct and use of force.

Proponents of the law said it will transform the way the city investigates allegations of police misconduct and be one of the biggest victories for police accountability since Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson made St. Louis the epicenter of the most promising civil rights movement since the 1960s.

The lawsuit requests the 22nd Circuit Court to grant a preliminary injunction preventing the law from going into

help close these disparity gaps, to help with equity in our communities,” Bush said.

“You have to do that start-

effect on Sept. 2.

The associations argue that the new city ordinance violates the state law, passed in 2000, that allows municipalities to establish civilian review boards.

“Violating Missouri state law does not promote the goals of fairness, equity and transparency that the ordinance purportedly seeks,” the petition states, “and could result in less cooperation from police officers who lack faith and trust in the COB Ordinance and process.”

The associations argue that the ordinance will grant new power to the board to discipline police, beyond what’s allowed under state law.

Since 2015, the city has had a seven-member, volunteer Civilian Oversight Board, which reviews the St. Louis Metropolitan Police

ing with direct investment and another way to do that is to work with folks who do the work.”

Department’s internal investigations into officers accused of excessive force, abuse of authority and discrimination.

However, up until last year the police department had withheld nearly all of the complaints it received against officers, leaving the board unable to fulfill its basic function, according to a joint investigation with The Independent and Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting.

Longtime activist John Chasnoff, who worked with city officials during creation of the new law as well as the original 2015 legislation establishing the board, said the associations’ lawsuit was anticipated.

“The police associations failed to bring up any issues… until the bill was in final form, but they are now trying to create a narrative that doesn’t hold legal water,” Chasnoff said.

Bush said north St. Louis County communities have long needed doctors closer to home.

“We just have a few [health centers] where people can go where they are uninsured or underinsured,” she said.

“Having that in every place is necessary, and it’s been a long time coming.”

O’Bryan said providing the community of Ferguson and other nearby towns with medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare is a part of community outreach, and the partnership between the “Y’’ and Affinia brings both the organizations “so much joy.”

Ferguson-Florissant School

District Superintendent Joseph Davis said, “Healthcare is at the center of building community.”

Tim Helm, Gateway Region YMCA president and CEO says the partnership will expand and continue to build on the work in the community.

“The collaboration between the two entities displays the mission both the “Y” and the healthcare center have in common and that’s people first. This is really going to make a difference in the community, and that is what makes today special,” he said.

Under the state law that gave the city local control of the police department, Chasnoff said discipline cases go through the city’s civil service commission.

“The new bill adds to the process by giving the [division’s] director a say in discipline, while retaining the final authority for the civil service commission,” Chasnoff said, “and also allowing the director of public safety to resolve any differences about what discipline should be administered.” Chasnoff said city officials took the state laws into account when writing the oversight legislation.

“The bill,” he said, “will withstand a legal challenge here.”

Alvin A. Reid of the St. Louis American contributed to this report

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Dogan, Black conservatives get slap in face

By Michael Butler

State Rep. Shamed Dogan

has been the lone Black Republican in Jefferson City for eight years. He truly believes in the values of many conservative politicians and voters. He has proven it by voting for Voter

Photo ID, several of the worst gun laws in the country, restrictive abortion laws, charter schools, business tax cuts and credits - and even disgraced former Gov. Eric Greitens.

He is a standout in his party as a representation of the diversity it wants but can never fully achieve. He’s been a fixture at countless fundraisers, grassroots events, and galas. You couldn’t miss him, even if you tried.

Many of his fellow Republicans are avoiding eye contact with Dogan these days because on August 2, 2022, Dogan lost his Republican primary election for St. Louis County Executive to Katherine Pinner, a white woman.

She didn’t even campaign. How did voters know to vote for her when her neighbors didn’t even know she was running for the office?

How did this happen? Don’t ask me. Try asking a Republican. They know, but probably won’t tell you. The answer is apparent: racism.

Republicans had a clear choice of whether to elect an experienced Black legislator

named Shamed or an inexperienced white woman most never heard of named Katherine. She didn’t just win, mind you. She won by 15 points. Since the primary, many St. Louisans have learned that Pinner owns a professional consulting firm. She also believes COVID-19 vaccines are part of a global scheme to control people by covertly inserting microchip into people’s bodies. Last October, she carried an American flag as she protested at SLPS headquarters against mandatory vaccinations for the district’s teachers and staff.

Republican St. Louis County Council members Tim Fitch and Mark Harder endorsed Dogan. Yet, he still was soundly beaten by an unknown.

Black conservatives, it’s time to wake up! You are supporting a bigoted movement and a political party

n Republicans had a clear choice of whether to elect an experienced Black legislator named Shamed or an inexperienced white woman most never heard of named Katherine.

that does not support you or your ambitions.

Many conservatives lambast Black progressives for being “woke.” They join conservative “friends” in cursing the “woke mob on social media.” They dream of a Missouri where Black people would understand that conservatives just want our

community to take care of itself. That is a dream, make no mistake. Because you must be asleep to believe it.

Many falsely assume that the racism which drives much of the Republican Party’s recent success began when the GOP unified around the Cult of Trump. It is important to remember, however, that Trump himself did not create conservative racism.

Trump merely took advantage of what was already there. He is an opportunist racist, who gives strength to white supremacists, currying their favor to win their votes.

If conservatives are the beneficiaries of a system of racism, what motivation do they have to end it? They have none.

As the great, Black civil rights and business leader A. Phillip Randolph said, “In every truth, the beneficiaries of a system cannot be expected to destroy it.”

The Democratic Party, conversely, combats oppression and racism by creating opportunities. By elevating Black communities through education, equal opportunity initiatives, and through targeted social programs.

Black conservatives; today is the day. Dogan’s loss should make things clear. Get the racists out of your party or join ours.

Michael Butler is St. Louis Recorder of Deeds and Missouri Democratic Party chair

Guest Columnist Michael Butler

The “Ethical” flip on police conduct; bizarre beliefs of Katherine Pinner

Last week, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed into law Board Bill 47, which finally gave “teeth” to the Civilian Oversight Board after seven years. Provisions of the bill included giving subpoena power to the oversight board and creating the independent Division of Civilian Oversight.

Despite, previously supporting and even testifying in favor of such provisions, the Ethical Society of Police - now under new leadershipcuriously opposed the creation of a separate entity to investigate St. Louis Metropolitan (SLMPD) police misconduct and giving any sort of investigative alleged powers to an independent body. This is not unlike the position held by the St. Louis Police Officers Association (SLPOA) - typically referred to as the “white police officers’ union.” Historically speaking, SLPOA has opposed any measure of police reform and oversight, favoring blank check policies and increased protections for police accused of misconduct. The inclusion of subpoena power - meaning the Civilian Oversight Board could obtain otherwise confidential records - and moving the Board under the larger umbrella of the Department of Public Safety have been opposed by SLPOA because St. Louis police officers no longer receive special treatment and favorable decision-makers overseeing employment-related disciplinary matters, like reports of abuse by civilians or shooting an unarmed person. ESOP, on the other hand, has oftentimes been a lone voice for police reform that fights to hold all officers, regardless of race or rank, accountable for civil rights abuses and violations.

Not any longer, it seems.

Although both the Director of Public Safety Dr. Dan Isom and his Senior Policy Advisor Heather Taylor were members of ESOP during their respective time spent at the SLMPD, the Black police union has found itself now at direct odds with the City - and likely the wrong side. The new ESOP vice president, SLMPD Detective Sergeant Todd Ross, reportedly has been aligned with the objectives of SLPOA, where Jeff Roorda seems to still be rearing his obnoxious head. Our

readers will recall Roorda as the former business manager and racist windbag for SLPOA who is fresh from yet another electoral loss. Out of jobs to grift, Roorda still seems to be wielding what little influence remains, to the detriment of ESOP and the policies the organization used to support.

Considering the complete turnaround that has occurred within ESOP, we wonder if the membership base was aware of Ross’s alignment with SLPOA. SLPOA is, after all, the greatest opposition to ESOP being recognized as a union with bargaining power in both the City and County.

ESOP, on the other hand, has been the police union that has, for decades, focused on advancing policing reform and accountability policies to improve relations between police and the community they are sworn to serve and protect. So of course, its sudden flip and subsequent opposition to those measures are noteworthy - something is amiss. ESOP even went so far as to sue the City of St. Louis, alongside SLPOA, for adding “teeth” to the Civilian Oversight Board, policies that ESOP leadership testified in support.

Dueker’s siphoning some GOP votes but even more consequential - racism.

As Dueker tumbles into her sad spiral of irrelevance, we look to the obvious cause for Dogan’s double-digit loss to political newcomer Katherine Pinner. Pinner pulled out an unforeseen upset for the Republican nomination to the St. Louis County Executive seat, currently held by County Executive Sam Page. If you’ve never heard of Pinner, there’s likely a good reason:

Until last week Pinner had no candidate committee filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission to formalize her run, which means minimal campaigning and fundraising. Pinner further was unknown to St. Louis County Republican leaders, who have reportedly still haven’t been able to get in contact with her since her victory on August 2. Pinner comes into St. Louis County politics as a follower of Qanon, the fanatical conspiracy theory that believes high-level American politicians are engaged in a child-harvesting cabal and that the war in

Falling for the oldest trick in the book, ESOP has been manipulated into carrying water for SLPOA’s racist publicity war against Mayor Jones for the sole benefit of the white police union. After all, what’s the point of having segregated police unions if they’re both fighting for the status quo?

Next, the EYE would like to congratulate former police lobbyist and now-failed candidate Jane Dueker for being the first woman to lose both the Democrat and Republican nominations at the same time.

We, of course, refer to the karmic double losses of Dueker, who ran as a Democrat and pulled thousands of Republican votes away from her friend, State Representative Shamed Dogan, who soundly lost the Republican nomination by around 7,200 votes. Dogan possibly have had a decent chance at winning the seat but for

Ukraine is part of a plan to replace President Joe Biden with deceased former president John F. Kennedy, who is disguised as living former president Donald Trump, among many other completely nonsensical things. Pinner has written on her blog that coronavirus vaccines are a plot to “inject humans with nanotechnology to program people against their will” and compared COVID-19 quarantines to Nazi concentration camps. So how does an unknown candidate, with no money and no campaigning and no sense, manage to upset a candidate who was all but a shoo-in for the Republican County Executive nomination? If you forgot that you were in St. Louis, let this be your reminder: Racism.

Shamed vs. Katherine

Pinner had the whitersounding name on the Republican ballot. Her victory was as simple as that. Even one of Dueker’s biggest cheerleaders, Ray Hartmann, named the readon for Dogan’s loss as racist during last week’s Donnybrook program.

If St. Louis County Re-

publican voters are willing to forego a qualified loyal Black candidate for an unknown white woman who - as it turns out - represents the most extreme fringe beliefs in national politics, then that sounds like even County Republicans have some soul-searching to do. Let’s not hold our breath until we see how much party leaders will support Pinner’s candidacy between now and November.

Dr. Dan Isom

Shamed Dogan

katherine Pinner

FEMA workers walk St. Louis neighborhoods, registering people for flood aid

By Jeremy D. Goodwin St. Louis Public Radio

Orange notices marking buildings as condemned are stuck to the front doors of rows of houses in University City, where devastating flash floods last month endangered lives and damaged property.

On Wednesday August 10, staff members from the Federal Emergency Management Agency walked through the neighborhood and others hit hard by recent flooding. They knocked on doors and looked for people who qualify for federal assistance. FEMA personnel visited St. Louis and St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

FEMA is offering money to help flood survivors make repairs, replace damaged property and find new housing.

The federal agency has paid out more than $1.4 million to St. Louis flood survivors so far, a spokesperson said. The flooding July 25-27 created at least $35 million in uninsured property damage and emergency response costs, according to the office of Gov. Mike Parson.

The Biden administration on Monday approved Parson’s request to issue a major disaster declaration on Monday, thereby qualifying flood survivors for FEMA’s grants to individuals.

The chance to apply for help was welcomed by Alphonso Chappelle, who has rented a home in University City for about four years. He greeted FEMA workers on his front porch and registered for aid.

“My neighbor called and told me my car was floating down the street,” Chappelle said of his experience in the July floods. “So I came out on

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the porch, and sure enough all the cars that were parked over were floating down and kind of stockpiled. And then a dumpster floated in from around the corner.”

Laverne Williams-Lacy has lived several doors down for 40 years. At the height of the flooding, she was trapped in her home as her finished basement filled with water. Her family’s three cars floated away. She would be willing to sell — if she can find a buyer.

“I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to be bought out. If we were, that would be fine. But we wouldn’t be able to sell,

with people knowing this has happened more than twice,” she said.

Overflow crowds have lined up for hours at community meetings to receive information about disaster assistance.

Charitable organizations have also distributed food and basic supplies.

FEMA can offer different types of aid depending on each applicant’s situation, said John Mills, an External Affairs officer.

“We’re working with people one on one,” he said. “We want to hear from people directly about what their unmet needs

are, when it comes to their living situation — and we’ll work with them to try to get them some assistance.”

FEMA workers carried iPads on Wednesday as they invited flood survivors to register with the agency. But many of the residents hit hardest already have fled their homes for alternate housing.

Flood survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Immediate assistance from charitable organizations including the United Way is available by calling 2-1-1.

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FEMA worker Peter Boyer, left, speaks to Alphonso Chappelle outside his home on Wednesday, August 10 along Cabanne Avenue in University City.

“Taking Care of You”

African Americans face increased cognitive decline, study says

Institutional racism leads to poor memory

have Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and racism is playing a role.

Four ways to get Black men to see a doctor

By Derrick M. Lane

It’s hard enough to get a man to roll over on his side when he’s sleeping to stop his snoring. Now you’re asking a fully woke Black man to lie on his side while he’s conscious and allow somebody he doesn’t know to stick a finger up his butt for a prostate exam? Good luck with that one.

We’re kings of the phrase “I’m aight” while the women in our lives are screaming, “Babe, why don’t you go get that checked out? It’s been three months now.” Men don’t like going to the doctor unless they absolutely have to. That dissonance gets especially greater when there are major checkups on the horizon such as prostate and colon cancer screenings.

A new national survey commissioned by Orlando Health found that nearly half (48%) of men made an excuse for NOT making their yearly doctor’s visits, with the top excuses being:

• I’m too busy to go

• I’m afraid to find out what might be wrong • I don’t want to get uncomfortable body exams

With the life expectancy of men being five years shorter than women, doctors are urging men to stop making excuses. The deaths of Phife Dawg PM Dawn’s Prince Be Doug Banks and countless other Black men have led many to start rethinking their beliefs about going to the doctor.

Dr. Michele Reed is a board-certified family medicine physician who has done tremendous work surrounding the prevention of chronic diseases in the Black community. She provides insight into the top reasons why Black men don’t go to the doctor for major health screenings.

1. Stigma of Having a Disease

By JoAnn Weaver

For The St. Louis American

Experiences of structural, interpersonal, and institutional racism are associated with lower memory scores and worse cognition in midlife and old age, especially among Black individuals, according to studies reported at a recent Alzheimer’s Association conference.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association

2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, Black people are about twice as likely and Hispanic/Latinos are about one and one-half times as likely as whites to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

“In order to achieve health equity — as a step toward complete inclusion — individuals and society must identify and reduce racism and other forms of discrimination,” said Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH, chief diversity, equity and inclusion, officer at the Alzheimer’s Association.

“We must create a society in which the underserved, disproportionately affected and underrepresented are safe, cared for and valued.”

In a study of nearly 1,000 middle-aged community-dwelling adults (55% Latinx;

We would rather limp than get an ankle brace. Men don’t want to feel or appear weak in any capacity. The stigma of “having something” is often too great for our Black men who are constantly labeled in society already. In addition to being Black, male, this age, this weight, from this place, you now mean to tell me I have X, Y and Z conditions?

Missouri ‘a problem state’ when it comes to Medicaid expansion

Feds apply pressure to help

By Clara Bates The Missouri Independent

Federal officials last month approved a plan to help Missouri deal with “ongoing and persistent” delays in processing Medicaid applications that have left the state out of compliance with federal standards for nearly a year.

Longtime observers of the state’s Medicaid program say the decision by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to intervene is unusual and demonstrates how severe the application delays have become.

The most recent publicly-available data, from the end of June, shows Medicaid applicants waiting an average of 115 days for the state to process their paperwork. That is up from 106 days a month earlier, and more than double what federal regula-

tions allow.

Before Medicaid eligibility was finally expanded to include low-income adults last year, the average processing time in June was eight days.

Last month, the federal agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a summary of Missouri’s shortcomings and signed off on strategies proposed by the state to help it come back into compliance with federal standards. The state’s Medicaid program, which is called MO HealthNet and administered by the Department of Social Services, has committed to those strategies. The plan includes measures some advocates say they’ve been pushing for months. One measure, for applications received through the federal marketplace, allows the state to accept the federSee MEDICAID, A13

A pair of recent studies concluded that Black people are about twice as likely and Hispanic/Latinos are about one and one-half times as likely as whites to

Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association

Derrick M. Lane

Photo by Tessa Weinberg / Missouri Independent Demonstrators

Study

Continued from A12

23% Black; 19% White), exposure to interpersonal and institutional racism was associated with lower memory scores, and these associations were driven by Black individuals. Experiences of structural racism were associated with lower episodic memory among all racial and ethnic groups that were included in the study.

“These systemic disparities are related to less access to important health-protecting resources such as high-quality care and social networks that provide valuable health information and support,” said Rev. Miriam J. Burnett, M.D., MDiv, MPH, medical director, African Methodist Episcopal Church International Health Commission.

In a study of 445 Asian, Black, Latino, white and multiracial people 90 and above, individuals who experienced wide-ranging discrimination throughout life had lower semantic memory in late life compared to those who experienced little to no discrimination. The various types and expe-

Medicaid

Continued from A12

al information and put those eligible onto a fast track for coverage.

The mitigation plan set a deadline for Missouri to meet the federal standards: Sept. 30.

The wait times have been on a steady uptick since late last year. And the backlog, though decreasing, still sat at nearly 50,000 applications at the end of June.

Advocates and researchers are largely excited to see their suggestions implemented, although many remain skeptical that the state can meet its goal by the deadline.

“I’m happy the plan is in place and [the Department of Social Services] is moving forward with it,” said Sheldon Weisgrau, vice president of health policy at Missouri Foundation for Health.

“But given their performance,” Weisgrau added, “it’s hard to really feel confident that they’re going to get the problems all under control, certainly by Sept. 30.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, works in tandem with state agencies to fund Medicaid, and states administer the program under broad federal guidelines.

But CMS rarely steps in when states limit access to services or coverage, said Joel Ferber, director of advocacy at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, who has been studying Medicaid since the late 1980s.

“CMS doesn’t usually intervene to deal with problems on the ground on client access issues,” Ferber said.

Paul Shafer, co-director of the Boston University Medicaid Policy Lab and assistant professor at the BU School of Public Health, agreed with Ferber that CMS’s decision to intervene in Missouri was an unusual one,

Doctor

Continued from A12

The pressure is too great for our Black men who would rather suffer in silence because of this stigma. Dr. Reed believes part of this stigma is affected by a level of shame in being diagnosed with a condition or disease.

2. We Don’t Know Our Family History Our bloodline is a gateway to the story of our health’s present and future. If your family has a history of high blood

“Taking Care of You”

riences of structural racism and discrimination contribute to systemic inequities, including, lower socioeconomic status; lower quality early life education; and less access to healthy food and proper health care.

Individually and cumulatively, these factors impact brain health over the life course in Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and other communities.

“The consistent and pervasive lack of resources, as well as social and environmental factors, lead to disparities in other health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease

to match unusual circumstances.

“I don’t think any states have had the widespread and bad enough problem with the pure processing elements of this, that [Missouri] rose to national prominence,” Shafer said.

DSS did not respond to questions about the process leading up to the mitigation plan.

In general, when CMS works with states on mitigation plans, it is after months of dialogue have failed to resolve compliance issues, said Tricia Brooks, research professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.

“When they go to a mitigation plan,” Brooks said, “it’s often at the point when CMS is not seeing any progress on the more informal dialogue that’s going on.”

CMS tries to put the plans in writing to hold the state accountable, Brooks said. Ferber said it was a “big deal that they’re engaged at this level,” adding that because CMS sees Missouri as potentially a “problem state,” they’re more likely to keep an eye on the program moving forward.

Caitlin Whaley, spokesperson for DSS said in an email to The Independent that the department has been “working closely with solution-driven stakeholders, policymakers, and partners” for months while navigating “unprecedented challenges,” and will continue to “work diligently to deliver services and benefits to some of Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Slow progress

DSS has consistently pointed to staffing shortages as among the most significant causes of the delays, holding hiring fairs and offering overtime to try to fill the gaps.

In March, MO HealthNet

pressure it could help inform you on your next steps to either prevention or maintenance of this condition.

Dr. Reed recommends talking to your family once a year about their current and past medical history to get an overview of what’s going on. Awareness can provide you with some prevention strategies to extend your life.

3. Lack of Awareness It’s one thing to go to the doctor, but it’s another to be completely knowledgeable about what your doctor said. Men are often passive participants once they hit the doctor’s

and diabetes, which increase the risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Adriana Perez, Ph.D., CRNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, FGSA, assistant professor of nursing at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

Research suggests interpersonal and structural racism are contributors to racial and ethnic disparities in cognitive aging. However, there’s little understanding of how multilevel racism influences cognition throughout the life course.

“Chronic exposure to racism and interpersonal discrimi-

nation among marginalized communities leads to stress that affects the body and influences physiological health, and likely contributes to the development of cognitive decline,” said Jennifer Manly, Ph.D., professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the senior author of this work. “Overall, our findings indicate that racism impacts brain health and contributes to the unfair burden of Alzheimer’s disease in marginalized groups.”

Discrimination is a fundamental cause of health inequities. However, it is unknown

whether discrimination contributes to disparities in cognitive aging among the oldest old, a group sometimes referred to as “super agers.”

Kristen George, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology in the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of California, Davis, and colleagues, examined the relationship of lifetime experiences of major discrimination with cognitive function and decline among a diverse cohort of Asian, Black, White, Latino, and multiracial participants of the Life After 90 (LA90) Study. Among 468 participants

Director Todd Richardson told lawmakers he expected to see “momentum” on bringing the processing times back within 45 days “in the coming weeks.”

By early June, CMS was working with the state to develop the compliance plan, Evans said at the June 1 oversight meeting.

By August, they’d be work-

office.

A brother can go to the doctor and still walk out clueless as to what happened during that visit. Men don’t know how real things can get until it’s too late, so it’s important to ask questions and understand completely why you’re there. Here are Dr. Michele Reed’s tips to overcome these issues. Pass these on to the men in your care:

4. Find a doctor you feel comfortable with. Guys don’t like discussing anything that’s too personal. We’re not the emotional beings that will give you our whole life

ing towards 30 days, she said.

But so far that optimism has not been borne out, and by July, CMS approved the plan for how the state would get wait times and application backlogs down.

In addition to allowing the state to fast track applications received through the federal marketplace, the mitigation

story. We get especially private when it comes to our health issues. Finding a physician that you feel comfortable speaking to about your concerns is one of the most important steps to developing a healthy lifestyle. Men, we have to let that guard down. Find a doctor that makes you feel at ease.

Hold community leaders accountable for speaking up. Anybody who has a vested interest in the community and has power needs to speak up about the importance of health screenings. Dr. Reed speaks to church leaders all the time about how their voice has the

(20.5% Asian; 21.8% Black; 14.5% Latino; 35.7% white; 7.5% multiracial), the average age at enrollment was 93.

Participants completed three cognitive assessments over an average of 1.2 years. Participants reported experiences of major lifetime discrimination via questionnaire and were grouped based on their responses.

The researchers found that participants in first group (workplace discrimination) had higher levels of baseline cognition in domains of executive function and semantic memory compared to second group (no discrimination). The third group (wide-ranging discrimination) had worse semantic memory at baseline compared to the second one. Across the groups, there were no differences in cognitive decline over time.

“These findings highlight that among the oldest old, inequities in cognitive function persist after accounting for experiences of major lifetime discrimination,” said George.

“Despite the incredible longevity of this group, discrimination has an indelible impact on cognitive health, and oldest old adults still stand to benefit from efforts to eliminate and redress health disparities.”

Stanley Jackson spoke during a protest for Medicaid expansion in May 2021 at the Missouri Department of Social Services, and the battle continues. Missouri is listed as “a problem state” and the federal government is getting involved because of lengthy delays in getting eligible Missourians enrolled.

mer chair of the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee, said he will applaud DSS if the agency can meet the new Sept. 30 goal.

“But it’s a big mountain to climb,” he said. On average, the state processes 2,000 to 3,000 applications per week, although this past week they saw a jump, processing 5,000 applications.

Over 200,000 newly-eligible Missourians have enrolled in Medicaid since expansion went into effect last year. But the state is still receiving a steady influx of new applications atop the large backlog.

“The fact that you have [over] 200,000 people enrolled in Medicaid expansion and you still have this many more that are waiting in a queue really speaks to the need,” Weisgrau said.

In November, the federal marketplace enrollment season will open, which typically brings in a stream of new applications to Medicaid, because the marketplace automatically transfers the applications of those with too low an income to qualify for the federal healthcare.

Longer-term, possibly early next year, the end of the federal public health emergency looms, which paused recertifications for Medicaid. The state cannot currently remove anyone from its Medicaid rolls.

plan also includes strategies such as enrolling the parents of children enrolled on Medicaid.

Prior to expansion, low-income adults were not eligible for Medicaid, but their children were.

Tim McBride, a health policy analyst, professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and for-

potential to affect the outcomes of their congregations. She believes that if you can get them to tithe, fast and volunteer their time, they’ll also work out and treat their bodies as temples as well.

Stop being a guinea pig.

Dr. Reed says that oftentimes men are too passive when they go to the doctor. Men need to start asking questions about what’s exactly going on at every step of the process during their doctor visits. If you’re unsure of something have the doctor write it down for you. Stop them and ask for clarification if they’re going too fast or

Once the public health emergency ends, the state must complete eligibility renewals for all Medicaid recipients — a process some worry could overwhelm the department, erroneously strip qualified patients of coverage, and strain the state’s processing of new applications.

“If they don’t dig themselves out of this hole, they’ll be facing a significant uphill battle in terms of processing renewals for the hundreds of thousands of people enrolled come the end of the (public health emergency)” Brooks said.

speaking in medically exclusive ways.

Make it a family affair. It’s a good idea to take a family member to the doctor with you. Dr. Reed says that bringing someone else to the table who loves you will bring out questions that you might not ask. You can’t rely on the medical summary to tell you everything!

Derrick M. Lane is a columnist for BlackDoctor.org, where this article was originally published.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Urban League Expo/ Career got the job done

Urban Closet offered interview attire

Bryant-Vaughn,

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

League case manager, helped staff the Save Our Sons Urban Closet during the Urban League of

and Career Fair on August 5, 2022. The closet offered suits, dresses, shoes and other accessories for

keep

Americans are seeking jobs and finding them, and many are also trying to improve their employment status.

The same is true in this region as hundreds of job seekers visited the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Expo & Career Fair at America’s Center on August 5, 2022.

According to the Urban League, 78 companies were represented at the Career Fair, 27 job offers were made on the spot, and 40 applicants left with second interviews scheduled.

“I’m here to find a job, start a career and better my future,” said Edward Johnson of St. Louis.

“I’m 24 and ready. I cannot do anything but move forward.”

Johnson added that he had been offered a job with SSM Health but was still checking out other employers.

“Team SSM poured its heart and soul into many career conversations with attendees,” said Roderick Nunn, SSM Health Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion vice president.

“It’s a tough talent marketplace, but we were blessed to extend a number of job offers on the spot while identifying several prospects we are actively working with. Many thanks to Michael McMillan [president and CEO] and the team at Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. for a productive Expo & Career Fair.”

Teamsters Local 300 had representatives in attendance, and their goal was to help find more minority workers for their union and the business where they represent employees.

See JOB FAIR, B2

PeoPle on the Move

LaKricia Cox becomes executive director

St. Louis-based Girls in the Know (GITK) announced that it has named LaKricia Cox as executive director. Cox will lead an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls during their most vulnerable stage of life, bringing 12 years of program leadership, volunteer engagement and community outreach to the role. An active community member, Cox serves on the boards of Happiness Now and Jacob’s Ladder Ministries, and is part of the Community Development Project Planning Committee of Refuge and Restoration NPO.

Curtis Burton promoted to assistant dean

Curtis Burton

Lincoln University (LU) of Missouri has promoted Curtis Burton to assistant dean of students in the Division for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Burton will assist in facilitating the institution’s strategic plan to support enrollment and retention through holistic co-curricular student experience at LU. As assistant dean of students, Burton’s leadership will focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, student rights and responsibility (formerly student conduct), violence prevention initiatives, and student engagement.

Parents as Teachers National Center (PATNC), home of the nation’s leading early childhood home visitation and parenting education program headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, has promoted Diane Givens to Senior Director of FACE Project and Implementation. The Family And Child Education (FACE) program is a Native American early childhood education/parental involvement program for families with children prenatally through age eight under the U.S. Bureau of

Adams-Gulley promoted to controller

Adriann Adams-Gulley has been promoted from director of accounting to controller at Parents as Teachers National Center (PATNC). As controller, Adams-Gulley oversees PATNC’s Accounting and Human Resources operations. She holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. AdamsGulley currently serves on the Trustee Ministry at Mt. Sinai M.B. Church.

Kelly

an Urban

Metropolitan St. Louis Expo

interviews, and people could

the outfits.

Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American

Diane Givens

Adriann

LaKricia Cox

Photo courtesy of Washington University

Job Fair

Continued from B1

“Diversity. Yes, we are looking for it all the time,” said Local 600 member Michael Green.

To help attendees land that new job or employment opportunity, the Save Our Sons [SOS] team had its Urban Closet open at the fair for anyone needing interview attire. Suits, dresses, shoes, and accessories were available and could be fitted for the individual. The clothing could be kept by those who received them for use in future interviews.

“A lot of people have come through, and they can keep the outfits,” said Kelly BryantVaughn, an Urban League case manager.

“We do need clothing donations, especially women’s clothes. We also have a table with women’s jewelry to complete the look.”

A man being fitted for a suit

Harris

Continued from B1

relationship-building opportunities between diverse businesses and those making purchasing decisions,” she said.

Out of that vision, the Diverse Business Training & Showcase Fair was created, and presented by the Olin School of Business - Center for Experiential Learning, Skandalaris Center, Dining Services, and WUSM Community Development.

“With so many purchasers across the University, I thought it would be best to narrow each event to those who have a current or future need for a specific industry,” she said.

The inaugural event featured businesses in the event industry, including food, floral, and event planning.

“Who doesn’t get excited about good food and creative ideas for a party?” she said.

Turner said business owners have shared that training of employees comes at a cost.

said he felt empowered after putting it. He pondered whether he should come to the fair because of how he was dressed.

After donning the suit, he said he now felt like he belonged there.

The SOS program helps economically disadvantaged African American men in the St. Louis region find jobs and earn a livable wage.

This program assists participants in obtaining post-secondary education and job training. Volunteers from many occupations teach career life skills and work ethic needed to become a successful employee.

The curriculum is covered over four weeks and includes How to Find a Job; How to Keep a Job; How to Get Promoted; and How to Remain Marketable in the Workplace

While the July job report was encouraging for the American economy and slowed recession fears, it still held distressing news for Black people.

The economy regained all jobs lost during the pandemic,

Many do not have the staff to pull away for training not specific to respective businesses.

To ensure the training aligned to current needs, Turner surveyed participants to narrow the training to topics of most interest.

An event highlight was the showcase segment, which brought over 50 WashU purchasers and anchor institution representatives from the St. Louis Anchor Action Network’s Purchasing Working Group, to engage with each business.

“It was critical to have purchasers face to face with the businesses so that they could, in this case, use all of their senses, to experience what each business had to offer.” Turner said.

The showcase helped me to understand that being good at what I do is good, but it’s not enough,” said Amber Elliott, owner of Amber’s Appetite.

“That’s okay because there are resources available to help my brand be the best it can be! It was great meeting new people and seeing them experience and embrace my food. I appre-

showing a gain of 528,000 jobs, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was more than double the 250,000 that economists were expecting. The unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5% after holding at 3.6% for the past four months. The July jobless rate matched the half-century low last seen in February 2020. The unwelcome news is that Black unemployment was 6%. The jobless rate among Whites was 3.1%. The Black jobless rate is 94% higher than the White figure.

The Economic Policy Institute listed the primary reasons as “racism” and single adult households where one person tries to care for children and hold a full-time job at the same time.

Education also plays a role in the disparity. Currently 54% of African American men graduate from high school, compared to more than 75% of their peers.

ciate the avenue of exposure that this event provided me and my business. I look forward to a greater partnership with WashU and community partners.”

Delicious food samples and beautiful floral arrangements and decorations greeted each guest. Despite a torrential rain and flooding on July 19, the vibe two days later was festive and energetic. Many of the guests shared that they would be reaching out to the businesses that they had met during the event to support upcoming opportunities.

All the event’s needs were provided by minority owned businesses, which included printing services (Cross Rhodes Printing), linens (All Seasons Party Linen), photography/videography (Church Productions), breakfast (Coffeestamp), box lunches (Gobblestop), beverages (Ken’s Lemonade, Kreative Image Design & Events, and desserts (Mia’s Treats).

“My experience at the event was very fun, positive, and informative. I think it benefited my business because it allowed me to interact with the amazing staff of Wash U. I also had the opportunity to connect and glean from the other awesome business owners that were showcased,” said Ken Lockett, Ken’s Lemonade owner. The next showcase is tentatively planned for late 2022 with a focus on the construction industry.

If you are a diverse business and would like to register on WashU’s supplier portal, please do so @ https://supplierdiversity.wustl.edu/supplier-registration/ Once the process is completed, you will hear from the department and from there be featured in WashU’s diverse business directory https://supplierdiversity. wustl.edu/search-directories/ To learn about the St. Louis Anchor Action Network, please visit https://www.stlaan.org/ for more information.

Teamsters Local 600 member Michael Green speaks with job seeker Edward Johnson during the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Expo and Career Fair at America’s Center on August 5, 2022. Johnson said he discussed careers in truck driving and warehouse work, adding that he had earlier been offered a job with SSM Health.

Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American

n “Honored to work with a world class team and serve as an example of the value of more diverse leadership across all sports.”

– F1 seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton on joining Denver Broncos ownership group

Sports

AUGUST 11 – 17, 2022

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

A positive vibe

St. Louis Surge cap a decade of desire, success

Congratulations to the St. Louis Surge on celebrating its 10th anniversary as a women’s professional basketball franchise.

Thanks to the vision and hard work of owner Khalia Collier, the Surge has managed to cut their own niche in the St. Louis sports landscape. They play an exciting brand of basketball and the young women have become role models to a lot of young fans in the area. They are constantly in the hunt for national championships while also building a very loyal fan base along the way.

I can still remember my first meeting with Collier a decade ago when she was about to become an owner of the Surge. It was set up by the late, great Rich Gray, a man who was a definite mover and shaker in the St. Louis sports scene. Rich: “Hey Earl, I need you to come over to my office. I’ve got a young lady here that I want you to meet. She’s going to own a women’s professional basketball team in St. Louis, and I want you to talk to her.”

Me: “What?!”

Rich: “Yeah, you need to do a story on her.”

That was how Rich operated. That was when I found myself in his office face to face with this young lady who just a year or two out of college. After meeting with her and listening to her vision of what she was going to do as a new owner, I was blown away with her plans for her new franchise.

At the time, Collier was working at a car dealership that was across the street from a restaurant where I usually hang out with a group of guys that became known as the “St. Louis Basketball Mafia.” We just sit around and talk about basketball during these lunchtime sessions, often getting into real arguments. We always sat at “Table No. 35.” What we also liked to do was bring in guests from the basketball community and treat them to lunch and talk ball with them. I had the idea to bring Collier over to join us for lunch and she was glad to come over to talk about the Surge.

Now, this is group is full of old curmudgeonly types who are not easy to impress. What would they think about a young 23-year-

old woman talking about owning a professional women’s basketball team in St. Louis. It turns out there was nothing to be concerned about. By the time the time we were done, Collier had owned Table 35 like the boss she was. The old dudes were just as blown away by her as I was during that first meeting in Rich’s office. It was at that point that I knew this was a wrap. Collier was going to be successful in this endeavor. And anything else she chose to do.

So, when that first season rolled around in 2011, I find myself serving as the public address announcer for the Surge’s home games. I don’t know if that was Rich or Collier that talked me into that. Anyway, it was a blast. The games were fun, the players were great, and Collier had

already created a great game-day atmosphere for the fans all ages and backgrounds. Everything about a Surge basketball game had a positive vibe about it. You could see the attendance growing with each game because folks who were in attendance for the first time were coming back and bringing their friends with them.

Now, just fast forward to a decade later and the Surge are still going strong. In their final home game of the season two weeks ago at Washington University, they had a record crowd for their franchise. There is star power on the floor and on the bench with a definite local flavor.

The head coach is Petra Jackson, a former

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

star player at University City and Hall of Famer at Southern Illinois. She is assisted by Justin Tatum, who was a standout player at CBC and Saint Louis U. and now a great coach at his high school alma mater. The team features top local talent such as Sug Sutton (Parkway North), Shug Dickson (Lutheran North) and Brittany Carter (Incarnate Word). All three were high school stars and former NCAA Division I players. And to show how things have come full circle for the franchise, another local player on the team is Abbey Hoff, who also played an Incarnate Word. Hoff was a regular at Surge home games during her middle school and high school years. Now, she gets to put on the Surge uniform. That’s what it is all about.

A reader shares thoughts, I really appreciate it

While in a staff meeting on Monday morning August 1, news broke that Deshaun Watson was found to have violated National Football League policies for sexual misconduct yet was only sentenced to a six-game suspension. I still think that was ridiculously light, and within a few hours of the announcement I penned last week’s SportsEye imploring the NFL to appeal Judge Sue L. Robinson’s wayward decision.

thought. Still, a no. That does not mean I can’t share some content with readers. This is not malice or shaming of anyone. There is another side of thinking to the Watson suspension. People should hear it.

Alvin A. Reid

The NFL did just that, and I applaud the action. I wish the league had waited until our newspaper was published Thursday morning to release its statement instead of Wednesday night for purely selfish reasons. On Friday, I received a well-written correspondence taking me and some other media members to task for calling for a lengthier suspension. I replied to the writer that I wanted to run his thoughts as a letter in this week’s newspaper. They declined.

I emailed back that the writer had a lot to say, and that I appreciated the sharing of

“What do you guys want? Watson didn’t play a single game last year. Do you want him to be penalized for two complete seasons? And never be charged or found “guilty?” It was a lady judge who made the decision---is her decision not good enough? That’s disrespectful for women.” Yep, Watson was never charged in criminal court, but he faced about 30 civil lawsuits for his alleged action. He also settled all but one, which does not make him guilty. It makes him worthy of another year away from the field. If not a year, at last 12 games. The writer makes an excellent point about the judge being a woman. Some seized on her gender as why she was so lenient. I’ve read online that, as a woman, she wasn’t convinced that all the plaintiffs were tell-

ing the truth. My guess is that she could care less about that. She said the ruling was based on precedent and the fact that no violence toward the accusers was involved. She should have sat Watson down for more games, if not the entire season, regardless of what transpired with past NFL player penalties.

How about you and the other moral writers help us get

rid of pseudo massage parlors, or for that matter pornography, that’s all over the place-- that might help women. Most people involved with the media do not consider themselves The World Police. Place me in that category. We have opinions. People agree, disagree, or could care less. Our faces and our names run with our respective commentaries.

Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner, got busted in

a pseudo massage parlor after being videotaped. He beat the charge, and was not suspended.. In a bizarre kind of way, he was in the same boat as Watson, but he made it to shore when it sank.

“Is there jealousy involved here? A man making millions of dollars---I wonder if you would bash a garbage worker for the same accusations. You join the morally and politically correct writer-ethicists who embellish their sports reporting with their worldviews. Why be so punitive?

A garbage person would have been fired or suspended indefinitely the minute the allegations were reported.

As for jealousy, I have the opposite reaction. I could care less about someone’s wealth. I wanted Kraft to be convicted, or at least plead his alleged crime down. I knew it would not happen. He’s way richer than Watson.

Part of being an NFL star is how you carry yourself. Watson’s conduct is reprehensible. That’s why he should be suspended for most, if not all, of the 2022 season.

To the writer, I say “thank you.” Please stay in touch. Like

America, I’ll bet we agree on more than we disagree.

The Reid Roundup Serena Williams announced Tuesday her tennis career will be coming to an end soon. She told Vogue she plans to focus on her Serena Ventures investment firm and plans to have a second child, which she does not want to do while an active athlete. Williams won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and 73 tournaments overall. She finished as the No. 1 ranked player in the world five times and won five Olympic gold medals. Three of those were doubles championships playing with her sister Venus Williams…Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott have had their respective intelligence and ability challenged by unnamed NFL defensive coaches in recent articles Of course, race has nothing to do with it…A lot of folks on the conservative political side clamoring for Brittney Griner’s release via negotiation will be irate with President Biden when the trade involves a convicted arms dealer/terrorist.

Earl Austin Jr.

St. Louis Surge forward Michelle Berry (23) drives past Flint Monarchs’ Stasha Carey (4) during game action at Washington University Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Dak Prescott

Photo by WIley Price / St. Louis American

Missouri Central School Bus is ready to roll for SLPS

St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) has a new transit provider! Missouri Central School Bus (MCSB), known nationally as North America Central School Bus Services, recently signed a five-year agreement to serve as the transportation provider for SLPS, the region’s largest transporter of students with an estimated 17,000 children riding 265 buses.

Toyin Akinola, SLPS Director of Transportation, says the district is thrilled with its partnership with MCSB. “Missouri Central is focused on providing safe and efficient transportation for our students and families. We expect great things from MCSB we head

SLPS families have a new transportation provider for school year 2022-2023

into a new school year.”

MCSB’s Regional Manager, Scott Allen says his company looks forward to building partnerships in St. Louis. “We are excited for the opportunity to serve SLPS families while collaborating with the District’s team to build a transportation system students and parents will be proud of.” Allen started his career in the Rockwood School District before moving to the Voluntary Interdistrict Coordinating Council (VICC) program. He has 37 years of experience in the school bus industry. Allen says MCSB has been working diligently to fill open positions and he encourages anyone

looking for employment to consider Missouri Central. “Our bus drivers make a guaranteed $25 and hour with weekly pay, flexible hours, and paid training” Allen said. “We also have a child-ride-along program for drivers in need of daycare. Kids can ride the bus while their parents are driving. We also have openings for monitors

and bus technicians. MCSB is a great company to work for, and I urge anyone looking for a career to join us.” Allen and SLPS are working on establishing open lines of communication with parents. “We plan to work directly with the Parent Action Council and PTOs across the District,” Allen said. “We want this to

Chenaults commit $1 million gift to Concordance St. Louis

Kathryn and Ken Chenault, chairman and managing director of General Catalyst and former chairman and CEO of American Express, has committed a $1 million gift to Concordance, a nonprofit committed to ending the cycle of reincarceration and promote racial equity. Kathryn and Ken

Parkway South High School

rising senior, Nell Williams was named as a Bank of America Student Leader for 2022. This prestigious program helps prepare students to enter the workforce through skill-building and leadership development.

As a part of this paid intern-

are driven to create opportunities for racial equity and believe that economic mobility within the Black and Hispanic communities is the next phase of the civil rights movement. Reincarceration disproportionately impacts communities of color, and Concordance supports justice-involved indi-

viduals with mental health and substance use treatment, job training, job placement, and more. In addition to their gift, Ken supports Concordance as a co-chair for their First Chance campaign, a national initiative to scale Concordance in St. Louis as well as expand the

program to 11 cities nationwide over the next five years. Ken and Kathryn hope their gift will act as a catalyst in changing the narrative around formerly incarcerated individuals and inspire others to give justice-involved individuals their first real chance at success.

be a partnership so everyone is on the same page in terms of expectations and progress.”

Parents will be able to download a free Transportation App, to help track their student’s location and MCSB is operating a call center for families. “We are doing what we can to make the 2022-2023 school year a success for bus transportation in St. Louis, Allen said. “Although we are affected by the nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, we are committed to bringing all of our resources to the table. We have been working nonstop to fill open positions, and our team of logistics experts will continue to be creative in find-

ing ways to meet District needs. It’s going to be a team effort and, we are ready to roll!” SLPS says they are ready to supplement any issues caused by bus driver shortages. “Presently, we are renewing our agreements with cab companies and additional transportation services to support MCSB efforts,” Akinola said. “We are confident that MCSB’s new energy, coupled with their parent-centered approach, will lead to better outcomes for our transportation needs.” To apply for positions at Missouri Central School Bus, visit driveayellowbus.com or call 314-226-7322.

Local student named as Bank of America Student Leader

ship, Williams will work closely with the United Way of Greater St. Louis in their efforts to help create a strong safety net of nonprofits to meet the vast needs of our community, so our neighbors always have a place to turn for help. Williams was selected for

her hard work and diligence through many volunteer activities, both through Parkway South High School and other organizations. She co-founded ‘Speak Up’, which is a student led group at Parkway South that meets to discuss issues, fundraise and research projects that correlate to current issues around the world. She is one of four student leaders selected from St. Louis. The Bank of

America Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors every year from across the country. These students participate in an eight-week, paid internship, working closely with local nonprofits, developing leadership and workforce

skills, and participating in a week-long virtual leadership summit. This program is part of the bank’s overall commitment to youth employment,

Nell WIlliams

Kathryn and Ken Chenault

Living It

Rap and R&B unite

‘The Color Purple’ is a crowd pleaser

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

To quote a line from the Pulitzer Prizewinning novel from which the musical was adapted, plenty were eager to see “what the fuss was about” when The Color Purple made its debut on the Muny stage on Thursday August 4. It was clear from the critical and commercial response of the 2005 Tony Award-winning original production and the 2016 Tony Awardwinning revival, the power of Walker’s story translated as easily to the stage as it did to film. Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation became a staple of Black cinema and Black culture, despite the controversy of having a white director at its helm.

Muny’s debut of hit musical resonates with audience

The Color Purple reveals the heartbreaking, but ultimately triumphant life of Celie. She is born into seemingly insurmountable circumstances, even beyond those that came with the territory for being a poor Black woman born in the south during the first half of the 20th century. Celie spends most of her life victimized in one way or another. She has her faith shaken to its core as she experiences heartbreak, loss and abuse that would break a woman of lesser fortitude. Celie’s story is Black America’s story. And based on the reception of the Muny audience, it is a story that connects with all

Rolling on in Dellwood

Free skating, fun for the community

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Roller skating in St. Louis has been a thing for decades.

Popular skating rinks including Skate King and St. “Nicks” had their fair share of fancy “crazy leg” moves, twists, and turns. And the skating movement is still rolling. Newcomers and old schoolers both find joy in performing moves at the rink. And Skate Culture is a new roller skating crew, which meets once a month it hosts the Skate Culture Dellwood Summer Series

“I love skating,” said Andy Stephens, one of four organizers of Skate Culture. Stephens, Stephanie Larimer, A’iesha Rooks, and Stephanie Lindley came together with a common goal: to provide safe and healthy fun for free in the Dellwood community.

So in May, the Skate Culture Dellwood

Americans.

The musical leans more into Alice Walker’s novel than Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation, which was a big risk for Muny audiences considering that it fleshes out the strong themes of a same-sex relationship that is mostly implied for the cinematic production. But it was clear from the standing ovation, so lengthy it compelled the cast into a moment of musical reprise that served as an encore, that the risk paid off.

Like many of the recent regional productions, The Muny presentation of The Color Purple is modeled after the 2016 Broadway revival – which features minimalistic scenic design and relies on lighting, projection and moving parts. Unlike the elaborate original 2005 Broadway staging, the cast and production crew must compel the audience to use their imagination with respect to scenic visual stimulation – and all parties involved were up for the

See Muny, C8

ed to throw an adult skate party at Skatium. He wasn’t expecting a large turnout since it was his first party, but to his surprise, the skate party was jumping.

“It just popped off like really hard,” said Stephens.

Larimer and Landley (the Stephanies) approached him with praise and high fives about how much fun they had at his party and asked if he would be interested in collaborating and hosting more skate parties around the St. Louis area.

Rooks had the same conversation just a few days before with Larimer about the same idea. They came together, agreed on goals and concepts, and Skate Culture was born.

“It all just organically came together,” said Lindley.

Lindley says Skate Culture allows her to have fun and share different kinds of skating and skating cultures within the St. Louis area,

“The bonus is we are providing a service to those in need,” she said.

“We skate together, we talk and connect, we leave it on the skating rink, it’s like we counsel each other.”

The group says skate parties transcend age, gender. They have friends who are in their 50s and some as young as their 20s.

R&B leading man’s ballads finally take on true meaning of love

August 13, at The Stifel Theatre.

Brian McKnight joins SWV, Lyfe Jennings in “R&B Kickback” this Saturday at Stifel Theatre

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Brian McKnight has come to terms with the “new normal.”

“We [my family and I], like everyone else, decided to sequester ourselves away from everyone, which wasn’t a stretch because my wife is the kind of person who doesn’t want me shaking hands and being close to people anyways,” said McKnight in a phone interview.

“The pandemic makes you realize how quickly you can get sick from someone. I don’t think we’re returning to a time when people are frivolous with how they interact with others.”

McKnight called touring “interesting” because he doesn’t have one-on-one interactions with fans as he once did in pre-COVID times.

“I kind of joke at the beginning of the show that although everyone in the audience is sitting very close together, I’m not coming down there with them, and they all laugh,” he said.

n “I play all the songs that people are coming to hear me sing, and I try to do them to the best of my ability. My goal is for people to leave my show thinking they probably should have paid more.”

- Brian McKnight

Summer Series hosted its first skate party at the Dellwood Community Recreation Center outdoor roller rink.

More than 100 skaters enjoyed bopping skate music and R&B hits, free food, and fruit drinks.

Plus, there is no charge for skate rental.

Stephens, “Calamity Andy” for those who are familiar with his DJ name, decided he want-

“Every week I meet someone new, and it’s awesome,” said Stephens.

They say skating is an activity that brings everyone together, no matter the skill level. Rooks, who considers herself a beginning

“It’s not because I don’t like them. It’s just the way things are these days. You cannot be careful enough.”

McKnight will perform in St. Louis with SWV and Lyfe Jennings for the “R&B Kickback” at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 13 at The Stifel Theatre. He said he’s looking forward to the evening being “a wonderful live nostalgic night from the 90s.”

“I play all the songs that people are coming to hear me sing, and I try to do them to the best of my ability,” he said. “My goal is for people to leave my show thinking they probably should have paid more.”

It may surprise diehard McKnight fans to know that many of his 90s classics, including “Anytime” and “Back At One,” didn’t come from a place of passion. McKnight said at that time in his life he was “just writing songs to be writing them.”

But when he met his wife, Leilani, in 2014 and married her in 2018, one of R&B’s leading men said he learned the true meaning of love. His bal-

Photo Courtesy of Full Scope Public Relations

Brian McKnight will perform in St. Louis with SWV and Lyfe Jennings for the “R&B Kickback” at 8 p.m. on Saturday,

See Skate, C8

Stephanie Lindley, Stephanie Lariner, Aiefha Rooks and Andy Stephens at the Dellwood skate rink Sunday July 31, 2022.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Chris Brown (above) and Lil Baby delivered a show that R&B and hip-hop fans could equally enjoy when their co-headlining ‘One of Them Ones Tour’ played to a sold-out crowd at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Friday, August 5. Visit stlamerican.com for our online gallery.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Ivy Alliance Foundation Awards $74,000

FASHIONETTA™ Scholarship Cotillion

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Gamma Omega Chapter presented its 38th Annual (Hybrid) FASHIONETTA™ Scholarship Presentation on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Event and souvenir journal presently available @AKAGOSTL.com.

Nine amazing young ladies were presented: FASHIONETTA™ is a trademark of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and a fundraising activity for the chapter’s philanthropic endeavors of the Ivy Alliance Foundation (IAF).

Debutantes participate in an eight month virtual experience which included, college preparation workshops, community service, entrepreneurial workshops, church service, Mother Daughter Luncheon and a slumber party. Debutantes received over $74,000 in monetary and scholarship awards at the Hybrid Presentation.

Addison Alexandria Thornton crowned Miss FASHIONETTA™ 2022 and received a scholarship of $31,000 Addison is the daughter of Byron Thornton and Pamela Morris-Thornton. Addison is a 2022 honors graduate of Francis Howell High School. She will attend Spelman College and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a premed concen-

tration. Addison’s career goal is to become an emergency room doctor.

First runner-up Miss Syrai Faith Elizabeth Lovelace, the daughter of Rudolph and TaKisha Lovelace. Syrai is a 2022 honors graduate of Westminster Christian Academy. She will attend Fisk University in the fall and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Public Health. Syrai’s career goal is to be a physician assistant.

Second runner-up Miss CarlyRae Lewis, the daughter of Anthony Lewis and Vernice Hill. CarlyRae is a 2022 honors graduate of Incarnate Word Academy. She will attend Tennessee State University in the fall and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Physics. CarlyRae’s career goal is to be a pediatric dentist.

Third runner-up Miss Folake Taylor Adewale, the daughter of Abe and Nicole Adewale. Folake is a 2022 honors graduate of University City High School. She will attend the University of Kansas in the fall and pursue a major in architecture and urban planning. Folake’s career goal is to be a licensed professional architect and urban planner.

Fourth runner-up Miss Brooklyn Marie Smith. The daughter of Monanique Ford and Antwoine Smith. She is a 2022

graduate of McCluer North High School. She will attend Auburn University in the fall and pursue a Bachelor’s degree in interior design. Brooklyn’s career goal is to be an interior designer.

Other debutante participants and college choices for fall of 2022

Jazmin Buford will be attending Tennessee State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Diamond Curtis will be attending North Carolina University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Kennedy Gaskin will be attending Howard University and pursuing a major in business.

Cydneye Phillips will be attending Alabama A&M University and pursuing a major in athletic training and a minor in psychology.

Chairman for the Hybrid FASHIONETTA™ 2022 is Ruby Grady. Co-Chairmen are Michelle Sanders and Carla Baker Moore. Lonita Blackman, President and Betherny Williams, Vice President of Gamma Omega Chapter and Ivy Alliance Foundation.

Miss Brooklyn Marie Smith

Miss CarlyRae Lewis

Kennedy Gaskin

Cydneye Phillips

Miss Folake Taylor Adewale

Diamond Curtis Jazmin Buford

Miss Syrai Faith Elizabeth Lovelace

Expanding the African American history initiative

By Dr. Jody Sowell, Missouri Historical Society

St. Louis history is Black history. You cannot understand St. Louis history without understanding its Black history, and I would argue that you can’t fully understand the Black experience in the United States without understanding St. Louis history.

My name is Jody Sowell, and I am the new president of the Missouri Historical Society (MHS). It always sounds funny for me to introduce myself as “new” because I have been at MHS for 16 years and have lived in St. Louis for 19. I know this community. I love this community. I’m invested in the future of this community. Because of that, I’m passionate about sharing the rich, diverse, and complicated history of this community. I’m proud of the way MHS has expanded the history that is told of St. Louis and how we have told a more complete story than is found at most history museums, but we must do more. And we will. In the years ahead we will share more Black history than we ever have before.

A big part of that effort will be through our African American History Initiative, established in 2015 thanks to a generous endowment gift from Emerson Electric. This initiative has been an important tool in creating new programming and tours and in helping the Missouri History Museum host important conversations including those around the killing of

George Floyd.

In the years ahead, the initiative will be even more visible.

We have plans to collect more Black history through photographs, films, artifacts, and oral histories. We have plans to create a regular social media series examining Black history that will include recurring features about inspirational figures who launched their careers in St. Louis. We have plans for new exhibits that will wrestle with issues such as how St. Louis became one of the most segregated cities in the country and that will feature important neighborhoods—both ones that have been demolished and ones that remain.

To help tell these stories, we will expand the staff dedicated to the African American History Initiative. But we will do more than just diversify our staff.

MHS should also be a leader in diversifying the museum field as a whole. One of the major ways we will do that is by creating a new African American History Fellowship open to college students in St. Louis and across the country. We will invite Black students interested in history or museums to spend their summers in St. Louis to learn about this city’s history and learn from MHS professionals about museum work. We hope at least some of these students will decide to become curators and historians. We know all of them will leave with a better understanding of Black history and a deeper appreciation for the power of public history.

As you can see, we have big plans that will help us fulfill

the promise of showcasing more Black history than we ever have before, but you do not have to wait to find that history. In just the last week I have attended everything from a program about a Buffalo Soldiers unit that in 1897 traveled by bike from Missoula, Montana, to St. Louis to a tour of the Ville neighborhood that featured the national leaders who got their start right here.

Our St. Louis Sound exhibit features Black musicians who launched their careers and made a name for themselves in St. Louis. Those artists include Scott Joplin, Josephine Baker, Henry Townsend, Oliver Sain, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Fontella Bass, Chuck Berry, Willie Mae Ford Smith, and Nelly. Just try to imagine American music history without those entertainers.

Black history is a regular feature of our Thursday Nights at the Museum series. Upcoming evenings in this series include stories of prominent Black women from St. Louis on August 18 and stories of Black architects and builders on September 8 We believe all of this history—the history we are currently sharing and the history we plan to share in the future—is about much more than the past. We believe connecting visitors to St. Louis’s Black history will encourage St. Louisans of all races to think more deeply and invest more fully in a more inclusive, equitable, and just future of this community.

Above all, we believe in St. Louis—in the power of its past and in the possibilities for its future.

Dr. Jody Sowell is the new president of the Missouri Historical Society.

New Life in Christ program celebrates graduates with

scholarships

St. Louis American staff

New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church (NLIC) has awarded $19,000 in scholarships to nine Metro East high school graduates and one college student who is currently enrolled in seminary school. The scholarships were recently announced during the O’Fallon, Illinois church’s Annual Celebration of Education program, which was also streamed live to others via New Life’s various social media channels.

Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, New Life’s senior pastor, says the educational challenges and uncertainties faced by graduates and students during the pan-

demic, has also prepared them to overcome life’s challenges they may face in the future.

“You’ve been shaped by this moment and shaped by the pandemic,” said Dudley.

“Take all that you have learned, apply it and show your shape to the world because God’s grace will carry you through.”

Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church senior pastor, says the pandemic and educational challenges it created has helped forge outstanding students. His church recently presented $19,000 in scholarships.

The Celebration of Education event recognizes New Life in Christ members who are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school as well as those transitioning from elementary and middle school levels. The New Life in Christ Scholarship program supports its commitment to promote educational success. Since the program was established in 2003, it has provided $305,000 in financial assistance.

Stumbling blocks, stepping stones

By Velma J. Sanders

Luke 17 begins with Jesus instructing His disciples. He said to them, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

While Jesus was talking to His disciples about what to expect when encountering others, He warns and prepares them for times when there would be various hurts, emotional injuries and injustices committed by others to them. He says, “Offenses will

come.”

Offenses are an element of life where we live in a fallen world; where unbelievers will oppose the truths we hold dear and some will seek to cause us harm. Offenses is defined as a breach of a law or rule, an illegal act. Jesus lets us know that in this life they cannot be avoided. They are certain and sure. He warns us so that we will be prepared when they do come. But He also would warn and instruct

For 2022, the church is awarding 10 scholarships, which includes three new

His disciples so that they personally would not be used to bring an offense or be a cause of offense to others. He goes on to say, “Woe to him through whom they do come.” In other words, do not be the source of an offense coming through our heart and mouth to harm others. The seriousness of this offense is qualified by the one-syllable word, “Woe!” It is further illustrated by the graphic illustration of a millstone hung around the

awards: The Allen Dorsey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship bears the name of New Life in Christ’s former scholarship chair. It is awarded to an African American student who plans to study business.

The Rev. John B. Nurse, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which is given to a theological student, and The Anne Robinson Nurse Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to a student studying cosmetology Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their high academic achievement and their ability to demonstrate a love for serving others as well as their communities. All applicants submit written essays on specific topics provided by the church and are then interviewed by members of New Life’s scholarship committee. Those receiving the highest scores are awarded the scholarships which range from $1,000 to $4,500.

The 2021 New Life in Christ Scholarship recipients are: Mariah May, Belleville Township High School East, Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr. Pastoral Scholarship of Excellence, $4,500 Kelly Miller II, O’Fallon

neck of the guilty one and he then cast into the sea. Actually, Jesus is telling us in light of the seriousness of the crime that it would be better to be cast into the sea than to offend one of His children. After the warning given in Luke 17:3 and 4 to “Take heed to yourselves,” Jesus gives clear instruction of what to do to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. It begins with repentance. He says, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, I

Township High School, John H. McCants Hope Scholarship, $3,500 Kennedi Machlin, Belleville Township High School West, Bishop Leamon & Ida Dorothy Dudley Memorial Scholarship, $2,500 Kayla Conklin, O’Fallon Township High School, Minister Sheila Renee Swygert Memorial Scholarship, $2,500 Seth Hunter, Belleville Township High School East, NLICIC Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000 Olivia Mitchell, Belleville Township High School East, NLICIC Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000 Kaylee Jackson, O’Fallon Township High School, Chyriell Drain Hill Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 Jalil Roundtree, Edwardsville High School, Allen Dorsey Jr. Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 Naomi Williams, Grand Canyon University Theological Seminary, Rev. John B. Nurse Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 Stevee Eskridge, East St. Louis Sr. High School, Anne M. Robinson Nurse Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

repent, you shall forgive him.” We can see that in our relationships with others, there will be times where we must be forgiving of others; just as God has been with us. There will always be offenses. Let us be prayerful as we seek God to continue His workmanship in us so that stumbling blocks that come our way will be ultimately used as steppingstones on this Christian journey.

Velma J. Sanders is founder and president of “God’s Word, Alive, Inc., a Biblical teaching ministry. This article was first published in The Omaha Star

Guest Columnist

Velma J. Sanders

Photo courtesy of New Life in Christ Church

PUBLIC WORKS LABORER

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Public Works Laborer

$37,996 - 40,765 . To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

Covenant House Missouri CASE MANAGER

Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) is a non-for-profit organization that welcomes youth who are runaway, at risk or experiencing homelessness.

CHMO is looking for a Case Manager, responsible for providing goal-oriented support and individualized direct care and supervision of program youth.

CHMO opportunities can be found on our website: https://covenanthousemo. applicantpro.com/jobs/

EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

GRANT CONSULTANT

RESOURCE COORDINATOR

The Housing Partnership, Inc. has an opening for a Resource Coordinator.

The primary function is to serve as the initial point of contact for clients (potential/current/previous), answer questions as trained, coordinate intake/closing procedures, documents, and files, and properly connecting clients with appropriate staff when necessary. Duties include intake, file management, reporting, closeout, and follow-up for various programs. For a full job description go to www. TheHousingPartnershipSTL.org

Submit resume to The Housing Partnership, Inc. P.O. Box 16356, St. Louis, MO 63125 or via email to kevin@ TheHousingPartnershipSTL.org

Apply by August 31, 2022. An Equal Opportunity Employer

MANAGER –EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION – TECHNICAL OPERATIONS

Responsible for managing the technical operations of the Executive Department and will work closely with the Chief Operations Officer/ Chief Innovation Officer to participate in detailed analyses of the enterprise operations in an effort to optimize efficiencies, handling varied and complex tasks requiring technical aptitude, creativity, initiative, critical thinking and discretion.

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

The City of Jennings is seeking to engage with a grant consultant to perform the following duties: research available government grants; monitor reporting and deadlines; work closely with staff to complete grant applications, proposals, and letters of inquiries; create and ensure a strong narrative; verify the accuracy and completeness of the grant application package to meet the standards and guidelines of the grant application. Qualified candidates should submit their proposal to Deletra Hudson, City Clerk, at cityclerk@cityofjennings.org

Include on the subject line: GRANT CONSULTANT.

FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/ Paramedic $65,038 - 69,779 . To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

BUILDING INSPECTOR

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Building Inspector $47,969 - 59,240 DOQ. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

JR67477 Clinical Director – Medical Oncology: Position directs and coordinates clinical operations for the Division of Oncology Siteman Cancer Center all locations ensuring seamless integration with clinical activities through planning, developing, organizing and implementing medical services and management systems that support the successful operations and promote the fiscal integrity of the Division. Designs and coordinates all clinical plans, both current and future, with the Division Chief, practicing physicians, the Director of Business Operations, Director of Clinical Research, and other management staff to provide quality medical services and clinical research support in an efficient, effective and safe manner. Provides administrative supervision for clinical administrators and pharmacy director for all locations.

JR67755 Senior Director Business Development & Operations –Cardiology: Administrative responsibility for the various business and operational affairs of the Division. Manages the operational, administrative and support functions of the Division, including, but not limited to, the following areas: financial management and operations management. In conjunction with the Division Chief, develops, implements and maintains appropriate policies and procedures for the Division to help ensure the business of the Division is managed in an organized and efficient manner. Assists the Division Chief in strategic planning and implementing activities for the Division. This would include, but is not limited to, (1) new programs, (2) new faculty, (3) resources, (4) space, (5) strategic initiatives, (6) clinical practice, (7) teaching and training programs.

JR68637 Clinical Operations Manager – Pediatrics:

Position is responsible for operational management of clinical services in the Department of Pediatrics. This includes all operations necessary to deliver services such as electronic medical records systems, patient services / satisfaction, physician relationships, staff supervision (clinical and clerical), and quality / performance improvement; will include technical training and optimization processes aimed at supporting increased quality and efficiency This position will also interface with person(s) responsible for scheduling / registration. Participates in the strategic planning and overall development of clinical services.

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- JR64741

Are you looking for a career change, or wanting to start a fulfilling career in the healthcare field? Be a Medical Assistant!! Don’t have time or the funds to go to school? We have a solution for you! Once you complete all entrance requirements and are hired through Washington University, you can complete our Apprenticeship program in just 12 weeks. Upon completing, and passing the credentialing exam, along with being a continued employee for 1 year, you will receive recognition as a Certified Medical Assistant. Class times will be during working hours (4 hours a week), and there will be no tuition costs to you.

For a full description of these positions and other career opportunities, please visit https://jobs.wustl.edu/ to apply. Click search jobs and enter the job ID number. We seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us in a supportive environment that encourages boldness, inclusion and creativity. EO/AA/VET/Disability

ARBORIST

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Arborist $45,254 - 50,290. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

SOLICITING BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting bids for Gateway Arch National Park radio system improvements. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids/ and submit by August 23, 2022.

INVITATION TO BID

New Construction of 31 multifamily units in Jennings MO. MBE/WBE/Section 3 subcontractors are encouraged to bid. (314) 292-6800 or office@housingplusllc.com

BUILDING

INSPECTOR

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Building Inspector Senior $64,193 DOQ. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

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, Disadvantaged, Minority Women’s, Service Disabled Veteran Owned & Veteran Owned Businesses For The University of Missouri – (CP222221) – 4230 PHILLIPS FARM ROAD – DISCOVERY PARK DERMATOLOGY BUILD OUT, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI: for subcontracting opportunities in the following areas: Demolition, Asbestos Removal, Paving, Landscape, Earthwork, Drilled Piers, Concrete, Masonry, Metals, Rough Carpentry, Roofing, Doors, Glazing, Painting, Drywall, Flooring, Specialties, Equipment, Furnishings, Cold Storage Rooms, Conveying, Fire Protection, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Communications, Electronic Safety, Utilities. All interested and qualified SBE, DBE, WBE, SDVOB, AND VOB businesses should contact, in writing, (certified letter, return receipt requested) Jacob Pettit or Joe Seymour to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date 8/30/2022 @ 1:30 P.M. 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

THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District), the Owner, will receive sealed bids for Infrastructure Repairs (Rehabilitation) (2023) Contract A under Letting No. 13018-015.1, at its office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 2:00 PM, local time, on Tuesday, September 13, 2022

All bids are to be deposited in the bid box located on the first floor of the District’s Headquarters prior to the 2:00 p.m. deadline. Bids may, however, be withdrawn prior to the opening of the first bid. BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BID DUE DATE/TIME AT 2350 MARKET STREET, AT A PLACE DESIGNATED.

The Work to be performed under these Contract Documents consists of: The work to be done under this contract consists of the rehabilitation of approximately 29,112 lineal feet of sanitary sewers varying in size from 6-inches to 72-inches in diameter, utilizing cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) methods. The project is within the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Boundaries, inside the city(ies) of St.Louis and various municipalities in St.Louis County and unincorporated St.Louis County in the State of Missouri. The work will be performed in various quantities at various sites.

All prospective bidders must prequalify in the Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) category, and be certified prior to the Bid Opening. Prequalification forms for obtaining said certification may be obtained from the Owner at the above mentioned address. All bidders must obtain drawings and specifications in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

This project will be financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and Federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri. Neither the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, its divisions, nor its employees will be party to the contract at any tier. Any Bidder whose firm or affiliate is listed on the GSA publication titled “List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-Procurement Programs” is prohibited from the bidding process; bids received from a listed party will be deemed non-responsive. Refer to Instructions to Bidders B-27 for more information regarding debarment and suspension.

Nondiscrimination in Employment: Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order 11246. Requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in the specifications.

Plans and Specifications are available from free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 2731 S. Jefferson Ave St Louis, MO 63118. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of bids from Women and Minority Business Enterprises.

THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District), the Owner, will receive sealed bids for North Fee Fee Creek Public I/I Reduction under Letting No. 12433-015.1, at its office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 2:00 PM, local time, on Wednesday, September 07, 2022. All bids are to be deposited in the bid box located on the first floor of the District’s Headquarters prior to the 2:00 p.m. deadline. Bids may, however, be withdrawn prior to the opening of the first bid. BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BID DUE DATE/TIME AT 2350 MARKET STREET, AT A PLACE DESIGNATED.

The Work to be performed under these Contract Documents consists of: The work to be done under this contract consists of the rehabilitation of approximately 45,713 lineal feet of sewers, varying in size from 6-inches to 12-inches in diameter, utilizing cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) methods, 965 service connections, and 9 point repairs. The project is within the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Boundaries, inside the city(ies) of Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, and the Village of Champ in the State of Missouri. The work will be performed in various quantities at various sites.

All prospective bidders must prequalify in the Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) category, and be certified prior to the Bid Opening. Prequalification forms for obtaining said certification may be obtained from the Owner at the above-mentioned address. All bidders must obtain drawings and specifications in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

This project will be financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and Federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri. Neither the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, its divisions, nor its employees will be party to the contract at any tier. Any Bidder whose firm or affiliate is listed on the GSA publication titled “List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-Procurement Programs” is prohibited from the bidding process; bids received from a listed party will be deemed non-responsive. Refer to Instructions to Bidders B-27 for more information regarding debarment and suspension.

Nondiscrimination in Employment: Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order 11246. Requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in the specifications. Plans and Specifications are available from free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 2731 S. Jefferson Ave St Louis, MO 63118. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of bids from Women and Minority Business Enterprises.

NOTICE REGARDING TRAFFIC COURT COMMISSIONER VACANCY TO ALL ATTORNEYS RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, announces that it is soliciting candidates for the position of Traffic Court Commissioner of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.

The Circuit Judges and Associate Judges will make the appointment for a term of (4) years, at an annual salary of (1/3) of an associate circuit judge and (1/3) the approximate time commitment, payable by the State of Missouri, pursuant to RSMo §479.500

Missouri law requires the Traffic Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as an associate circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, at least twenty-five years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See RSMo §479.500).

Questionnaires and Candidate Instructions may be obtained by sending a resume and cover letter to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov

Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov on or before August 31, 2022

The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the Court en Banc on or about September 7, 2022 or at such time as announced by the Presiding Judge. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

PINE LAWN CITY SEEKS ASPHALT BIDS

Needed by Monday August 15, 2022 from licensed, bonded, insured Asphalt Contractors to install Traffic Calming Speed Humps on Pine Lawn streets. Get job specifications @ 6250 Steve Marre Ave., Pine Lawn, Mo. 63121

NORMANDY SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE AUDIO / VISUAL SYSTEM EAST HALLS – NORMANDY HIGH SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Normandy Schools Collaborative will be accepting bids for the construction of East Hall Auditorium A/V System Upgrades at Normandy High School. Estimated construction value: less than $250,000. Optional pre-bid meeting will be held at the school on August 18, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Download the entire Advertisement for Bids at www. normandysc.org or contact Karen Huntington, with KAI 360CS, at khuntington@kai-db.com.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consulting services to assist SLDC in the Implementation of the North St. Louis City Commercial Corridors Program. The program will undertake the revitalization of 11, defined by ordinance, commercial corridors and their adjacent neighborhoods. A successful respondent will be qualified to provide at least one (may submit proposals for all) of the following services – community engagement; technical assistance to small businesses; technical assistance to real estate developers.

Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide funding for these services. The RFQ will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/SLDC on Friday, August 12, 2022. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Friday, September 2, 2022. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

St. LouiS american Bids

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

> Doing Business With Us

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the Parking Lot 49 – Pine Street

PROJECT NO. RC000522

Bid Date and Time: 10:00 am Wednesday August 24, 2022 Plans/Specification is available via dropbox or www.adsplanroom.net

Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail.com

Donald Maggi Inc.

SOLICITING BIDS

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is soliciting bids from MBE/WBE/ SDVE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for work on the Discovery Park Dermatology Build Out, University of Missouri-Columbia. Bids are due Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 by 1:00 pm and can be faxed to (573) 392-4527 or emailed to shawn@cms-gc.com. For more information, call Shawn @ (573) 392-6553. Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BID SOLICITATION

INVITATION TO BID

SEALED BIDS

SOLICITING

BIDS

Bids for Interior & E x t e r

Renovations

Barn, Missouri S t

, Sedalia, MO, Project No. F2205-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , S e p t e m

DECATUR

REHAB CONTRACTORS NEEDED IN

Multi-million-dollar rehabilitation projects available for contractors in Decatur, IL. City of Decatur seeks pre-qualified, qualified, and lead-abatement contractors to help meet this demand. The goal is to rehab 150-300 homes over the next two years. Bids will require prevailing wage, excluding any lead-abatement work. A Contractor’s Loan Fund is available to provide additional cash flow if needed. Visit www.decaturil.gov/ contractors-manual to view the Contractor’s Manual and be added to our list, or contact Connie Hamilton at 217-4502350, cfarrar@decaturil.gov

Keeley Construction Group, 500 S Ewing Ave, Suite G, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-421-5933, is seeking qualified minority and femaleowned businesses for the University of Missouri – Rolla Parking Lot H Expansion and Improvements Phase II for subcontracting opportunities in the following areas: The project consists of the expansion of the existing Parking Lot H. Demolition shall consist of removal of existing driveways, pavements, and sidewalks and clearing of existing trees, underbrush, and topsoil. Civil work shall consist of site grading, utility installation, sidewalk and asphalt paving, and installation of parking lot lights and controls. Landscape work shall consist of select topsoil backfill, tree, perennials, and grass planting and mulching, and installation of an irrigation system. All interested and qualified minority and female-owned Businesses should contact, IN WRITING, (Certified Letter, Return Receipt Requested), Emily Dewees edewees@keeleyconstruction.com

All negotiations must be completed prior to bid opening 08/12/2022 at 10:00 A.M.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

> Proposal for City Block 177 Geotechnical Services

> Proposals will be received by City of St. Louis Treasurer

UNTIL 3:00PM 8/23/2022

> For specific project information, go to

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

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS

Sealed proposal for 22-168 – Electronic Ticketing will be received by the City of St. Peters, Purchasing Department, City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 until 2:00 PM local time, August 25, 2022. This is a non-public opening.

Contract Documents will be available on August 11, 2022 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376 or requested in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “22-168 – Electronic Ticketing.”

All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo. net under the subject line “22-168 – Electronic Ticketing” or by mail to City of St. Peters Purchasing Department, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, MO 63376 before noon local time, August 18, 2022. The City reserves the right to waive any informality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the City.

&

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for replacement of ceiling tile in Divisions 3 and 5 on the 5th Floor of the Civil Court Building. The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com Click on General Information, Then Request for Proposals. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on September 12, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Division 3 at the Civil Court Building, located at 10 N. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63101. Bids are due September 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EOE

INVITATION TO BID

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for replacement of cork flooring in Division 16 on the 4th Floor of the Civil Court Building and Division 17 on the 3rd Floor of the Carnahan Courthouse. The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com Click on General Information, Then Request for Proposals. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on September 26, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.in Room 308, 3rd Floor of the Carnahan Courthouse located at 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Bids are due October 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EOE

MARKETING VENDOR FAIR

The Saint Louis Zoo’s Marketing Department invites St. Louis metropolitan area vendors with marketing-related skillsets — vendors that can provide B2B services regarding public events, printing, journalistic writing, electronic communications and membership marketing — to come to the Zoo for a “meet and greet” vendor fair August 25, 2022, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the McDonnel Center at River Camp at the Saint Louis Zoo. Members of the Zoo’s Marketing Department will provide an overview of B2B services needed now and in the future. WBE and MBE vendors strongly encouraged to attend. Visit stlzoo.org/vendor for more details. Register using the QR code.

8, 2022. For specific project i n f

i o n and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

Operation Food Search sponsors the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and is soliciting bids from food service vendors. CACFP provides meals to children attending after school activity programs in low-income neighborhoods. The program is intended to provide a nutritionally balanced meal to children. All meals served must meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pattern requirements and Operation Food Search’s established menus.

Bids are being solicited for service in the St. Louis region for approximately 109,000 meals served annually. The program will run from October 1, 2022 –September 30, 2023. There will be a break in service during the summer months when the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is available. All contracts are subject to review by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Services. To obtain a bid packet, contact Melissa Weissler at Operation Food Search, 1644 Lotsie Blvd., St Louis MO 63132, or melissa. weissler@operationfoodsearch.org or at (314) 325-1304.

The deadline for bid submission is August 31, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. A public bid opening will be at 2:00 p.m. on August 31, 2022 at 1644 Lotsie Blvd., St. Louis MO 63132.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

SOLICITING BID

Helix Realty is seeking proposals for bids for 28,000 sf of loft conversions. Scope of work includes Demolition. Carpentry, Drywall, Painting, Fire Protection, Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical and has diversity participation goal. Contact Stephen Levin 314 496-9150 slhelix@gmail

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing 10 agricultural style barns. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

Continued from C1

lads became more meaningful.

“I didn’t believe love existed the way we see in movies and often hear in music until I met my wife,” McKnight said. “I never loved anyone before. I don’t even think I liked anybody back then. I was a different person, but it takes a very special woman, and I finally found the right woman.”

He has dedicated his recent albums “Exodus” and “Genesis” to his wife. His album “Better” had two songs honoring her, as well.

“It’s my 20th [album], and I felt like that was a good round number to take a step back from creating entire bodies of work,” McKnight said. The song “Faithfully” is a testament to that,” he said.

McKnight isn’t stuck on the sounds of yesteryear and embraces younger artists’ works.

“I wouldn’t consider the music we created in the 90s R&B because it sounded nothing like The Temptations, The Four Tops, or The Supremes, but we all lumped it in together,” he said.

“I think it’s unfair to young artists who are making music to call it all R&B.”

He said he appreciates that current acts “have their own vision, music, style, and way of doing things.”

“I shy away from comparing,” he said. “Every 10 years, artists and writers have their way of doing things, and I applaud them all.”

McKnight said he is excited to return to St. Louis, a place he says was an integral part of the beginning of his career.

n “It makes St. Louis one of those places you circle on the map to come and play.”

- Brian McKnight

“Playing there at The Fabulous Fox early in my career was one of the best highlights,” he said. “Being able to come back 30 years later and still do shows is pretty remarkable and it’s only because of the support I had up there.”

He said St. Louis’ people and rich music history and heritage make it special. “It’s something great about the Gateway to the West,”

McKnight said. “They’re very astute musically about how they expect your music and you to sound. It makes St. Louis one of those places you circle on the map to come and play.”

For tickets and more information about McKnight’s show at Stifel, visit https://www. stifeltheatre.com/events/detail/ brian-mcknight.

challenge. Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson enlisted the creative team behind the Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre 2019 presentation of the musical for The Muny’s staging. The show starred Anastacia McCleskey as Celie and Tracee Beazer as Shug Avery. They are joined by St. Louis natives Duane Martin Foster, Kennedy Holmes, Omega Jones, Sage Lee and Sean Walton and an ensemble of 20 performers total.

As a whole, the show was solid – though the vocal

Skate

Continued from C1

skater, says that she looked like Bambi on ice when she first got back into skating.

But the local skating community was supportive. She says Stephens would give her tips and tricks on how to improve her skating, and now she passes those same tips to newcomers.

“On the fly, I would look over and see Andy giving someone pointers. He’s always trying to help someone,” said Rooks.

The skate series is growing a buzz in the community. State Rep. Mike Person, District 74 has attended, and Jigga Juice representatives are helping keep

arrangements felt a bit homogenized and didn’t quite feel effortlessly blended. The vocals could have been an issue that resolved itself as the run continued. This reporter saw the show on the first night of full performance, after a rainsoaked preview was halted at intermission the previous evening. But what The Color Purple lacked in authentic downhome flatfoot singing, it made up for with heart. Musical director Jermaine Hill’s orchestration, the direction of LilliAnne Brown and the skillful execution of Breon Arzell’s choreography by each person that graced the stage created an enjoyable experience overall.

It’s a rare thing for a musical that is not completely centered

skaters and others hydrated with infused fruit drinks.

The Skate Culture crew loves that they get to create new partnerships and friendships. People they would have never imagined they would meet are showing up in Dellwood.

But what really makes them proud, they say, is the fact that the events are free.

“I appreciate that we have free skates just like we have this wonderful outdoor skating rink. We step in because not everyone can afford to buy or rent skates,” said Rook.

A’iesha remembers being at the skating rink when she didn’t own skates and sometimes her mom couldn’t pay for rental. Skate Culture is providing access to skating to some people who wouldn’t otherwise have that opportunity and its

around dance to have such a large ensemble so obviously adept and intentional regarding movement, but that was exactly the case for The Muny’s The Color Purple. They never missed a step as they conveyed the emotionally charged story of Celie and company, particularly Tracee Beazer’s Shug Avery and Gilbert Domally’s Harpo.

And costume designer Samantha C. Jones deserves a nod

exercise.

“It’s a safe activity that encourages health and wellness, including mental and emotional health,” said Larimer.

But Stephens says it’s still a party, the atmosphere is party, you’re meeting people, having fun, and finding love.

“I’m excited about the future of skating,” said Larimer. Look for upcoming events at skateculturestl.com and follow them on Instagram at skateculture.stl.

Lindley said, “We skate together, we talk and connect, we leave it on the skating rink, it’s like we counsel each other.”

“I appreciate that we have free skates like we have this wonderful outdoor skating rink, but no skates, and so that’s where we step in because not everyone can afford to buy or rent skates,” said Rook.

Photo Courtesy of Full Scope Public Relations

Nicole Michelle Haskins, Gilbert Domally, Erica Durham and the company of The Color Purple.

Photo by Phillip Hamer / Courtesy of The Muny

Back To School

St. Louis Surge cap a decade of success

Brian McKnight this Saturday at

The to open rooms, health Treatment

Shop Smart and Spend Less This Back-to-School Season

(StatePoint) As summer nights shorten and the school year approaches, you may be looking for ways to reduce the stress and costs of back-to-school preparations and ease into a new routine.

School supplies

Start by separating and categorizing students’ supplies lists and compare to items that may be left over from the previous school year. To pick up needs in one easy stop, visit a local Dollar General to purchase school supplies that are colorful and costeffective, with over 100 back-toschool items priced at $1 or less. School and classroom essentials may include notebooks, coloring supplies, backpacks, a reusable water bottle and more. Additionally, a variety of hand sanitizers starting at $1 can be easily placed into lunchboxes, desks, pencil cases or given to school staff to help stop the spread of germs. For teachers who want to save

big in 2022, sign up for a DG account and get verified for 30% off qualified items on up to four shopping trips through September 9, 2022. Additionally customers can save $3 on qualifying $15 or more supply purchases in the stationery, cleaning and paper, and houseware categories through September 9, 2022. All offers are available through DG Digital Coupons online and in the DG

App, where customers can load coupons and rewards on an easyto-use platform and redeem them at checkout.

Healthier eating

Back-to-school also means after school activities such as clubs and athletics. While juggling practices, rehearsals and club meetings, consider packing healthier snacks to support a busy schedule. Meal prep can also be helpful on busy days, and Dollar General’s DG Easy Meals provides access to simple recipes with affordable ingredients to make breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner easy and stress-free. Entrees like Pecan-Crusted Salmon or Buffalo Chicken Pizza can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat. Dollar General also offers Better For You recipes that provide healthier meal options featuring ingredients available at DG stores.

Organization necessities

As the school year begins and schedules fill up, some find it harder to stay organized. Use a customizable planner or calendar to remind you of pick-up times, parent-teacher conferences and other important appointments. These tools are also great for high school or college students managing a new class schedule. Write out chores on a dry erase board, which can be secured to the side of the fridge, to keep track of daily duties. Finally, if your surfaces tend to collect clutter, a large canvas storage container can be a great way to keep items together for a quick cleanup.

With these back-to-school tips and tricks, you can send students of all ages to their classes prepared with everything on the list, all while saving time and money in the process.

Back

How to supplement classroom learning at home with tech for kids

(StatePoint) When the school bell rings at the end of the day, the learning doesn’t need to stop. Some of the latest and greatest tech can get kids excited to expand their knowledge at home in ways that are fun, all while supporting and augmenting what happens in the classroom.

Here are some of the coolest techinfused options to consider introducing to children this school year:

Screen Free Fun

LeapPods Max from LeapFrog are comfortable over-the-ear headphones designed to be safe for little ones’ ears while offering an immersive audio experience and a break from screen time. Beyond listening to music, hours of included activities spark a different kind of learning, taking kids on audio adventures, getting their mind and body moving with active challenges, introducing mindfulness activities and more. The included 14-page Adventure Passport guidebook that accompanies the audio adventures pairs engaging soundscapes and animal sounds with detailed illustrations. Play right away with no web connection, downloads or account setup required.

Jump-Start to Coding

Kids can explore the fundamentals of coding while having fun using apps like Cargo-Bot. Puzzles challenge them to teach a robot to move crates. Another great

Interactive Books

Explore exciting new ways to learn with the touch-and-talk pages of the LeapStart Learning Success Bundle. This interactive system includes activities such as games, puzzles and creative challenges to enhance learning and help kids build math, reading, problem-solving skills and more. It comes preloaded with the Go! Go! Cory Carson Superhero School book based on the popular animated series and an additional activity book, and can be expanded with the compatible LeapStart library of books (sold separately). Covering a variety of preschool through first grade subjects for 2-7-year-olds, each title features more than 30 re-playable activities, so kids can start at the right level and move up when they’re ready. For example, the LeapStart Level 1 Preschool 4 Pack features four popular books that focus on the alphabet, shapes and colors, math and baby animals.

subscription-based option is Kodable. Offering an array of activities that familiarize kids with coding skills, along with opportunities to create original programs, this self-guided approach allows kids to master 21st century tech skills at their own pace.

Supplemental learning at home can provide kids with the tools they need to thrive in the classroom. Thankfully, new tech is making it fun, interactive and engaging.

Students from STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley participated in Future Business Leaders National Championship

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) brought together more than 12,000 students and academic advisers from 48 states and territories to McCormick Place in Chicago, from June 24 to July 2. Students attended learning sessions with industry leaders, elected a national student officer team, and competed, with more than 700 middle school students, 8200 high school students, and nearly 600 college students competing in a variety of national events. The National Leadership Conference is the culmination of students’ hard work over the previous academic year and an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.

STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley’s FBLA Chapter was honored to represent the Ferguson-Florissant District at the National Leadership Conference. They are trailblazers by

having the most national qualifiers in their school’s history. In preparation, these students put in countless hours over the course of the school year leading them to advance from District, State, and the National level. This led the team to thrive in Chicago. During their time, the 12 qualifiers emerged themselves into a bustling schedule of mini conferences and competitive events.These competitions range from online testing of advertising, word processing, to creating a computer game to performance events such as public speaking. When not competing, the students independently chose workshops to attend that helped them to perfect their public speaking, elevator pitches, negotiation skills, networking, and many more interchangeable skills. At the closing of the conference several of our members did advance to the finals, however, two Steam High scholars left

victorious with hardware rewarding their dedication and passion for public speaking— Leilani Billups and Daryus Shurn. Leilani received 4th place in Intro to

Daryus Shurn and Leilani Billups placed 4th in the nation for Public Speaking and Introduction to Public Speaking respectively.

Public Speaking and Daryus also received 4 in Public Speaking. In reflecting over a successful trip each and every member left NLC with the experience and connections that will resonate with them for the remainder of their high school expedition as they pursue their future endeavors.

“Since joining the Future Business Leaders of America in 2019, I have been blown away at the magnitude of talent and drive that FBLA student-members demonstrate every day,” said FBLA President and CEO Alexander T. Graham. “From middle school through college, our members

truly are the future of leadership in our nation. It is an honor and privilege to contribute to our members’ education and success.”

Both keynote speakers at the conference were former FBLA members. Brent Comstock, who founded digital consulting agency BCom Solutions “by and for rural America” in 2009, at just 12 years old, spoke to FBLA college students. Christopher Gray, founder of Scholly, an online app that helps aspiring college students find scholarships to cover the cost of college, spoke to FBLA middle and high school students.

“I am so glad we were able to be back in person this year for FBLA’s National Leadership Conference, said Advisor Love. “The students had a great time competing, learning from one another, and seeing Chicago!”

Fun ways to get little ones active

(StatePoint) Movement is an essential part of early childhood development. It encourages motor skills and helps kids grow to be healthy and strong. There are tons of fun ways to get little ones on the move! Here are some great activities, games and toys to try incorporating into children’s playtime:

1. Rhythm of the beat: Play all kinds of music at home to inspire little ones to find the beat and move in time to the music. Wrist bells, maracas and egg shakers are all simple percussion instruments that are perfect for little hands. As kids get older, you can introduce musical games like “Freeze Dance” and “Hokey Pokey.”

2. Baby steps to big steps: Seek out toys that adapt as children

grow and gain new skills. The Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker from VTech, suited for ages 9-36 months, can be an essential part of the journey from crawler to walker. Start out with the easy-to-remove activity panel for interactive floor play, then once a child is ready, step it up with the walker. It teaches topics like shapes, colors, animals and music. Plus, the walker’s spinning gears, piano keys, rollers, telephone handset and light-up shape sorters and buttons can offer engaging fun, while helping develop motor skills and creativity.

3. Works of art: Finger painting is a chance for kids to move around, get messy and express themselves. Just be sure to use age-appropriate supplies. New, eco-friendly, organic paints made

from fruit and vegetable extracts can help ensure that art time is safe for little ones.

4. Coordination fun: Provide children with opportunities to hone coordination, like with the Popa-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer.

Designed for ages 12-36 months, kids can push the handle to roll the bulldozer across the floor, watch balls pop out the chimney and into the bucket, then load it up and do it again. Press the buttons to learn colors, numbers, construction objects and to listen to music.

5. Go for the gold: Playing sports teaches kiddos cooperation and teamwork, improves physical and mental health, and is a great way to make friends. It’s never too early to pique their interest in traditional sports like basketball and soccer. Check out the Smart Shots Sports Center. This interactive sports center for ages 12-36 months features a soccer net and basketball hoop for a two-in-one play experience. Kids can toss the basketball into the hoop, then watch as the LED screen counts the number of baskets they make and cheers them on with animations. When little ones on the go kick the soccer ball into the goal, the sports center plays encouraging sounds and phrases.

As babies and toddlers grow, a healthy dose of movement is important. From forays into the world of music, art and sports, to interactive learning toys, there are many avenues for getting children active during play.

Back to School 2022-2023

A new view on the horizon as RGSD goes back to school

Riverview Gardens School District is revved and ready for the 2022-2023 school year! On Tuesday, Aug. 2, the District welcomed students, parents, staff and community members for the Back to School Bash.

Riverview Gardens provided registration assistance and the opportunity for parents and scholars to meet their teachers and principals. RGSD collaborated with community partners to offer free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and several additional services and resources.

Live entertainment was provided by a live DJ, a petting zoo, bouncy houses and more. Also, several food trucks provided tasty treats for attendees. The event featured the largest turnout in recent history.

“We are grateful to our scholars, parents and partners for helping to make the Back to School Bash a great success,” stated Tanya Patton, Ed.D., assistant superintendent of Student, School & Community Support. “The tremendous turnout shows that the RGSD community is ready for an amazing school year.”

The momentum from the Back to School Bash was carried over to the 20222023 Convocation event, held on Monday, Aug. 8 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri - St. Louis campus.

District employees came together as teachers and other (non 12-month) certified staff members reported back to work after summer vacation. Special Administrative Board President Veronica Morrow-Reel gave an impassioned speech, thanking staff for their dedication and commitment to the Riverview Gardens School District scholars and community.

Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Ed.D., provided a state of the district address that informed, celebrated and motivated district staff. She highlighted the importance of bringing staff together on one accord to address the needs of RGSD scholars.

“We must celebrate our successes and leave behind the shortcomings of our past to reach the new view on the horizon,” Pruitt-Adams stated. “Our scholars deserve the best!”

The event also featured performanced by the Gentlemen of Vision, the Riverview Gardens High School drumline, staff choir performances, a motivational speech from Darius Bass, a RGHS graduate, and more.

As RGSD continues to engage and partner with alumni and community groups, the district announced it will host Beautify RGSD days. On Saturday, Aug. 20, the District will welcome all stakeholders to assist in beautifying the grounds of the campuses of all 13 schools and the district’s administration building.

From 7:30 am - 1:00 pm, volunteers will gather to clean up trash, pull weeds, trim

bushes, pour mulch, clean and care for the school campuses.

On Sept. 24, a second event will be held to continue the beautification process by planting perennials and conducting additional work to beautify the campuses. The District is providing all supplies and resources for the beautification efforts. However, all alumni, local municipalities, parents, scholars, teachers and other community partners are invited to donate the invaluable sweat equity to help instill scholar and community pride at all RGSD campuses.

RGSD is hiring

Riverview Gardens School District continues to seek qualified candidates to fill certified and non-certified positions in the district and has increased salaries to help recruit and retain employees. In April, the SAB approved a five percent salary increase for all employees.

In June, the Board approved the following salary increases for staff members:

• $15/hour minimum salary for support staff (revised Custodial, Food Service and Clerical Salary Schedule)

• One step movement for teachers (exception - longevity teachers will receive 3%) and all support staff (exceptions: Custodial, Food Service, and Clerical)

• 3% increase for administrators

Still, the district is seeking to fill more than 150 vacant certified and non-certified teaching, administrative and support staff positions. Every Thursday in August, the District will host a hiring and career fair from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the administrative building, located at 1370 Northumberland Drive.

On the spot interviews are available as the District seeks to be fully staffed for the upcoming school year.

RGSD is also recruiting retired educators to return to the classroom following recent legislation in Missouri that waives the working after retirement limits on part-time or temporary-substitute work performed by PSRS/PEERS retirees as substitute teachers.

Registration

All scholars, new and returning, must be registered for the 2022-2023 school year. Registration must be completed online at rgsdmo.org/register for all schools, except those attending the Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center. Children attending MO-ECAC are required to register in person at 1111 St. Cyr Road.