n “This day will never be an easy day for me, but my Lord and savior will keep me covered.”
– Lezley McSpadden-Head
Samaria Rice, Lezley
McSpaddenHead, attorney Benjamin Crump and McSpaddenHead’s husband Louis Head visited the grave of Michael Brown on August 9, 2019, five years after he was killed by a Ferguson police officer.
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
“I said I wasn’t gonna cry today,” Lezley McSpadden-Head said after placing a wreath on her son Michael Brown’s grave at St. Peter’s Cemetery to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his passing on Friday, August 9. The tears came anyway. McSpadden-Head has been forced to mourn the loss of her son as the world watched, from the moment she
learned he was fatally shot by a Ferguson Police officer on August 9, 2014.
Five years later, she grieved publicly once again.
“This day will never be an easy day for me, but my Lord and savior will keep me covered,” McSpadden-Head said. “I thank Him for protecting my mind.”
As she dropped her head to cry, Samaria Rice put her head on McSpadden-Head’s shoulder. Tragically, it’s a pain she is all too
familiar with.
Three months after Michael Brown was killed, Samaria Rice’s son was killed by a Cleveland police officer. Tamir Rice, 12, was shot at point-blank range when the cop mistook his toy gun for a real one as he played in a local park.
“It’s not the proper order to bury your children,” Samaria Rice said. “We definitely
Elnora Lofton Suggs was a homemaker and life-long member at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in East Chicago, Indiana. She committed herself to service and worship as a faithful missionary, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Mother’s Board.
Elnora Suggs, mother of ‘American’ publisher Donald M. Suggs, passes at 106
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
Elnora Lofton Suggs was a woman of faith and fierce determination. That’s what her son Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American and president of the St. Louis American Foundation, remembers most. Mrs. Suggs passed away on Friday, August 9. She was 106 years old. “I-R-O-N,” Suggs spelled out when describing the willfulness of his “Mother Dear.” “I can only imagine the type of life she would have lived had she come
‘Teaching
my passion’
Chandria Taylor honored for Early Childhood Education at 2019 Salute
When the little boy came into
preschool class at Gateway MST Elementary School, he would run to the corner and hide.
“He just wasn’t very comfortable being around a lot of people, so we made a corner in our room and called it Andy’s House,” Taylor said (his name was changed for anonymity). Taylor and her teaching assistant put a bean bag in his “house,” along with some toys. Whenever he felt “overwhelmed or freaked out,” they would tell him to go to his house, and that
Chandria Taylor SALute to educAtion See SUGGS, A7
A$AP Rocky found guilty of assault, won’t face more jail time
A$AP Rocky in a Swedish court on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old rapper and his co-defendants, David Rispers, guilty of assault and ordered to pay $1,300 to their 19-year-old victim, Mustafa Jafari.
The sum will be split between the trio. The New York Times reported that the victim had initially sought $16,000.
Jafari was awarded damages for “the violation of his integrity and for pain and suffering.”
Rocky and his friends were arrested in Stockholm, Sweden in July for their involvement in a fight prior to a music festival.
Rocky, who claimed that the victim harassed his entourage, spent several weeks in a Swedish jail. He referred to his time spent behind bars as “a humbling experience.”
Swedish prosecutors had asked for them to be given a six-month prison sentence, but they won’t have to serve any more jail time, after being released on August 2.
Several outlets have reported that a more serious sentence was not handed down because prosecutors could not prove Jafari’s claim that a bottle was used in the attack.
‘black-ish’ creator files for divorce after 20 years of marriage
According to records obtained by The Blast, “black-ish” creator Kenya Barris filed for divorce Friday in L.A. County against wife, Dr. Rania “Rainbow” Barris
Kenya’s relationship with Rania has served as inspiration for the relationship between Andre “Dre” Johnson and Rainbow “Bow” Johnson on the ABC sitcom starring Anthony Anderson Tracee Ellis Ross.
The Associated Press reported that Rania filed for divorce in 2014, but the couple was able to
reconcile – and she withdrew the request for divorce the following year.
The Season 4 finale of “black-ish” seemed to draw from that experience.
In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rania said that she told her husband, “I think you owe it to your viewers to show this.”
Andrew Caldwell claims he was arrested for defending himself against attack
Last Thursday, St. Louis native and internet sensation Andrew Caldwell went viral again after several reports that he was arrested under mysterious circumstances – and while shirtless.
Caldwell took to Instagram to deny claims that his arrest was due to outstanding warrants.
punched out his face. I got charged with five felonies.” He then goes on to say that “Jesus dropped the charges,” and he has since been released.
In the video, he claims that he was defending himself after being followed, and that the five felonies he claimed he was charged with have been dropped.
“I did not go to jail for a warrant. I had a warrant,” Caldwell said.
He then goes on to say in the Instagram video that he pulled over on Kingshighway, “near the hospital,” and was instantly attacked by the person who he claims was following him.
“He immediately started punching me in my face,” Caldwell said in the video. “So, I started punching him. I punched out his window. I
Wendy admits to Andy Cohen that she knew that Kevin Hunter was creeping
Back in April, talk show host
Wendy Williams filed for divorce from Kevin Hunter after 20 years of marriage when her husband fathered a child with his longtime mistress.
In an interview with Andy Cohen of “Watch What Happens Live,” Williams admits she was well aware that he stepped outside of their marriage.
“I knew a lot of things for years.... But it wasn’t fair to [my son],” Williams told Cohen. “You know, I’m not going to grab his hand and flee the scene and move zip codes. You know, now he has to move high schools and stuff like that. He’s just making friends. So now he’s away in college, and the person I am now is very single because he’s not living with me. He goes to school in Miami.”
Sources: Instagram.com, The Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, People.com, The New York Times, bravotv.com
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
On the fifth anniversary of his son’s death, Michael Brown started the day with a call to action. As the nation and world watched to see how Ferguson would be commemorated by those who lived it, Brown held a press conference and demanded that investigation of his son’s death be reopened.
“I stand here today to discuss how unsatisfied I am with the way my son’s death was handled,” Michael Brown said. “I am demanding evidence to be analyzed and accountability to follow.”
He delivered his remarks Friday, August 9, near the entrance of the St. Louis County courts building in Clayton, where St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s office is located.
“This is not an attack [on Wesley Bell], but I do believe processes need to be speeded up,” Brown said. “The evidence does not match up. Everyone covered things up – everyone up to the guy that used to sit in this office.”
Brown referring to former St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch – who handled the grand jury that made the decision not to indict then-Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson in November 2014 for fatally shooting unarmed teen Mike Brown on August 9, 2014. The elder Brown’s words came two days after the one-year anniversary of Bell’s historic win against McCulloch – becoming the first ever African-American St. Louis County prosecutor. In a statement to St. Louis
Public Radio, Bell declined to comment on Michael Brown’s demand.
President Obama’s Department of Justice also declined to even submit the case to a federal grand jury.
“The evidence, when viewed as a whole, does not support the conclusion that Wilson’s uses of deadly force were ‘objectively unreasonable’ under the Supreme Court’s definition,” the DOJ concluded on March 4, 2014. Brown told the crowd that he has been forced to cope with the loss of his first-born and only son – with no one being held accountable for his son’s death being the most difficult part of the process.
“Mike Mike lay in the street for four and a half hours. As he laid there, he was dehumanized and disrespected,” Brown said. “As parents, neither of us were able to hold him or identify
his lifeless body. We got no answers, no apologies and no justice. I will never grasp the fact that my son will no longer be here and justice has not been served.”
He referenced Jason Pollack’s film “Stranger Fruit” more than once in the brief press conference – saying that the documentary proves that there was systemic cover-up and that Wilson should face criminal charges.
After his remarks, Brown took a few questions. In that exchange, he reiterated that he does not have any problems with Bell. “This is not an ambush on Wesley Bell – I definitely respect this man,” Brown said. “Hopefully, he can see something that was flawed, and we can reopen this case.”
When asked about the impact of his son’s death and the resulting unrest, Brown said that not enough reform has
taken place.
“My son was not the first to die at the hands of those who vowed to serve and protect him. Sadly, he won’t be the last,” Brown said. He said that there are still “black and brown bodies are still being found on the ground” as a result of police violence.
“As a father, I vowed to protect my children. But on August 9, 2014, that wasn’t the case,” Brown said. “I could not protect him that day, and it breaks my heart. [But] I will stand and fight until the day I die for justice.”
Five years of suffering
An hour after the press conference, hundreds gathered where Michael Brown’s body fell to the middle of Canfield Drive at the exact moment five years before. Crowds
lined both sides of the streets, and residents of the Canfield Green Apartments looked on from outside their doors.
Yet the only sounds during a four-and-a-half minute-long moment of silence led by Brother Anthony Shahid were the sniffles of those fighting back emotion as they paused to recognize the four and a half hours that Michael Brown laid in Canfield.
The sun beat down and the high noon heat felt hotter than the 90 degree temperature. The first minute was the longest.
“We’ve got three and a half minutes left – that’s how long the body laid on that ground,” Shahid said.
It was almost 10 degrees cooler in 2019 than it was in 2014, when – as Michael Brown still remained where he was killed – the community began to galvanize.
“We’ve got two-and-a-half minutes left,” Shahid said.
It was just a fraction of the time the moment actually represented, but it felt like an eternity.
“Four and a half hours he was out there,” Shahid said. “You can drive to Chicago.”
The thought of Michael Brown being on the ground as he was five years before was too much for the family to take. His siblings cried as if they were losing him for the first time.
Trinity Walker spoke on their behalf when she read “a letter to our hero.”
“We are just waiting for that moment for this long nightmare to be over – the day we can open our eyes and you are right there,” Walker said. “The day we can see your smile again
and hear your laugh.” There was 90 minutes of programming that commenced as Chosen For Change, the nonprofit organized by his father Michael Brown marked the five-year anniversary. There were songs. There were prayers. There was a step performance by Gentlemen of Vision and two pieces by Marcellus Buckley – who came to be known as The Ferguson Poet because of his constant presence on the frontlines.
But the most compelling words of the afternoon came from Walker on behalf of Mike Brown’s brothers and sisters. They all stood together –ranging from young adult, teens to just out of the toddler phase – making a rare appearance in the spotlight.
“All of your siblings got to see you graduate,” Walker said. “And in these five years three of your sisters have walked across the stage. You weren’t there in person, but we know you were there in spirit watching over us like you have always done. We wish we could have said goodbye one more time. We miss you dearly, Mike Mike.”
The program culminated with the releasing of doves in Michael Brown’s memory –and the dedication of this year’s event to the frontline protestors of Ferguson.
“We can’t tell y’all how grateful we are to all of you,” his stepmother Cal Brown said. “Y’all kept Mike Mike from being just another statistic.” Information from St. Louis Public Radio contributed to this report.
One of the other grieving mothers who came to Ferguson to support Lezley McSpadden-Head on the fifth anniversary of the police killing of her son Michael Brown spoke our mind well. “It’s not a one-day event,” said Rhonda Dormeus, whose daughter Korryn Gaines was killed by Baltimore County Police in August 2016. “This is not annual. This is every day for us.” What has changed in the five years since Michael Brown’s lifeless body was left on the street by Ferguson and St. Louis County Police for four and a half hours? Given the unique mission of this newspaper – to inform, empower, and defend the black community in the St. Louis region – we don’t wait for major anniversaries to consider these matters. This newspaper was founded 91 years ago to empower and defend this community, and we are not going anywhere. This is every week, every day, for us.
That said, we should point to some positive changes in which our community –and, in particular, Michael Brown’s family – should take pride. The public is more aware of the need for greater inclusion and equity and criminal justice reform. Both St. Louis and St. Louis County elected progressive black prosecutors on the strength of a community informed by the Ferguson unrest who voted to change the narrative of criminal justice in the St. Louis region. How deeply this change unsettled the status quo, including St. Louis police officers, may be judged by the relentless and coordinated attacks that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner has withstood. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell had the advantage of watching Gardner and her enemies at work for more than a year before he was elected, and he has had a far smoother time putting progressive changes into place.
Bell now faces a turning point in Michael Brown’s father and supporters demanding that Bell reopen the investigation into Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson’s killing of the unarmed 18-year-old teen. President Obama’s Department of Justice placed a high priority on the physical evidence in its decision to not even send the case to a federal grand jury to consider an indictment. Given that this physical evidence was in police custody, we believe Bell should at least review that chain of custody with fresh and skeptical eyes. We don’t trust the eyes or intentions of his predecessor, Bob McCulloch.
In the City of Ferguson, the mayor who watched the August 2014 unrest from his couch, James Knowles III, somehow has remained in office, though a number of black City Council members have come – and, in
some cases, like Bell, gone. Gone, too, is Delrish Moss, the police chief who worked hard on Ferguson’s Consent Decree with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and we remain disturbed that Moss was not replaced, as he suggested, by Frank McCall, the deputy chief who did the most work on the Consent Decree. The Post-Dispatch has published an op-ed by a white Ferguson gadfly declaring that the Ferguson Police Department should be allowed to monitor itself, which leaves a nauseous feeling of going back in time five years and undoing five painstaking years of progress.
Not only has the community done its work at the ballot box, in a number of critical elections, but we also have seen the DOJ deliver justice in the region, even under the Trump administration. The brilliant investigation and effective prosecution of St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger left the region with something we see far too little of – a stroke of genuine good luck. Stenger is headed to federal prison while his successor, Sam Page, has made only promising, progressive moves thus far in restoring public confidence in county government. The fact that Stenger’s downfall also sparked the implosion of Rex Sinquefield’s Better Together proposal designed to further empower and entrench Stenger was another stroke of good luck that borders on the miraculous.
In the City of St. Louis, voters – and, perhaps, the DOJ – have more hard work to do in delivering a real payoff from the reform energy spurred by the Ferguson unrest. While we have no reason to believe that Mayor Lyda Krewson deserves to join Stenger in prison, she is the last holdover in power from the sinister, undemocratic Better Together proposal. Krewson had agreed to dissolve city government and yield it to Sinquefield and Stenger. We hope city voters remember how quickly she was ready to get rid of this city’s autonomy –and, in the meantime, raffle off its valuable airport – should Krewson come before the voters again. Certainly, a more progressive, transparent and engaged mayor in the City of St. Louis is a major final piece that must be put in place if this region is to stabilize, become more equitable and grow.
The St. Louis region simply will never realize its social and economic potential if it does not improve the outcomes of its young, black people – especially its young, black men, like Michael Brown. That is why it is quite fittingly in Mike Brown’s memory that we now rededicate ourselves to informing, empowering, and defending the black community in the St. Louis region for the betterment of the entire region.
By Laverne Mitchom For The St. Louis American
As a former Ferguson Council member, I attended most of the quarterly status hearings on the consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ) from the start. I clearly remember several hearings in which Judge Catherine Perry, the DOJ and the monitor said Ferguson seems to be working in good faith and was making some progress. I also remember a meeting in which the DOJ expressed to council members that they wanted us to succeed in meeting the compliances so that we could heal and move forward as a community. Ferguson has committed, determined, good people who work together daily on committees, commissions, neighborhood associations, events, and activities to promote healing, prosperity and a better Ferguson. However, a city comes under a consent decree when the constitutional rights, human rights and civil rights of its citizens have been violated. Blake Ashby has argued that fully satisfying the consent decree would have required 20 percent tax increases on Ferguson’s mostly AfricanAmerican population, the very people the consent decree was supposed to help. Ashby may not understand that while
increased taxes may cause financial hardships, nothing hurts or interferes with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness like not receiving equal protection under the law. African-American people live with this reality every day.
The DOJ did an investigation in which mostly African Americans were not receiving equal protection under the law. The findings of the DOJ indicated a disproportionate number of African Americans were written tickets by Ferguson police and had become a means of raising revenue for the city. Ashby comes across as if residents of Ferguson are living in a community that is lawless with race-track streets and under-staffed and underpaid police officers who cannot enforce basic public safety by writing tickets. I believe Ferguson police officers are doing a good job considering the circumstances. Yes, we have crime in Ferguson. Yes, we are not fully staffed. However, all over the country recruitment of police officers has become a difficult task. A recent poll indicated fewer individuals desire to be police officers. Also, cities are very competitive as far as offering salaries and benefits to recruit top officers. Ashby mentions Ferguson passed two tax increases but those tax increases were offset by drops in revenue, including a significant drop in ticket revenue, which resulted in police officers receiving only a 5 percent increase in salaries.
It is not just his stoking of white supremacist sentiment that makes Donald Trump such a dangerously unfit president. It’s also the corruption, the weakness, the ignorance, the incompetence and the stunning lack of empathy – all of which we just saw on grotesque display.
What kind of man visits two grieving communities, shattered by horrific mass shootings, and somehow makes it all about him? I covered the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and had trouble sleeping for weeks afterward; colleagues of mine have had similar reactions to other massacres. Yet what apparently lingered with President Trump from his trip to Dayton and El Paso was the tone of the coverage he received on cable news.
No one expected Trump to play the consoler-in-chief role particularly well. His prepared statement on the deadly shootings, which he read from a teleprompter with all the passion of a hostage tape, was about all anyone could expect. But even with my jaundiced view of this president, I couldn’t have imagined that soon after getting home to the White House he would be tweeting about all the “love, respect & enthusiasm” he was shown and complaining that the “Fake News worked overtime trying to disparage me.”
Me, me, me, me, me. Always me.
“We vow to act with urgent resolve,” Trump said, in what he quickly demonstrated to be a lie. The National Rifle Association doesn’t want any action, period, and Trump is in the NRA’s pocket. We’ve been learning from court documents and news reports just what a cesspool of corruption the NRA is, but Trump knows he’s too weak to have a chance at reelection without the gun lobby’s money and influence. The president has cowed the Republican Party – morally even weaker than he is – into submission. If he demanded a ban on military-style assault weapons of the kind used in Dayton and El Paso, a step favored by a hefty majority of Americans, Congress would surely give it to him. But he won’t. Instead, Trump natters about video games and mental health.
Trump has been talking about universal background checks for gun purchases, a measure that has overwhelming public support. But he made the same noises last year after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, and nothing happened. The Washington Post reported that NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre called Trump to warn him against moving forward on background checks legislation, which has already been passed by the House but is being blocked by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Senate. I don’t believe for a minute that Trump has the guts to disobey.
Our former Police Chief Delrish Moss constantly emphasized to the council and our officers that Ferguson must do constitutional policing. He also emphasized to the council that thorough vetting in hiring was critical because we did not want the wrong person as an officer for Ferguson. This process may have resulted in understaffing but it is still very important to the community.
I am concerned about our financial situation in Ferguson and meeting compliances of the consent decree. I understand the $300,000 for the monitor is 2 percent of our budget and the financial burden this imposes on the city when salary increases for our police, street repairs and other services are needed in our community. However, if the DOJ started operating in a manner where consent decrees were changed to simply meet the financial needs of cities, the DOJ would no longer be an effective agency enforcing rights of citizens. Our council must find ways to get us through this and meet compliances of the consent decree.
As far as the Ferguson Police Department selfreporting or self-monitoring, that’s totally ridiculous. How can our city be accountable to itself without the proper accountability process provided by the DOJ? Can you imagine the rage and condemnation on our city if we self-monitored or selfreported?
Laverne Mitchom is a former Ferguson Council member.
I’ve been a registered nurse for over 30 years. I worked in ECT—aka “shock therapy”— for several of those years. When I first started there, I hadn’t been aware that ECT was still being utilized. Once I’d worked there a while, and talked to people socially about my work, I found that most people I spoke with knew someone who had had ECT. Like abortion, ECT is something no one wants to talk about, yet everyone knows someone who’s experienced it. I had an abortion as a
For those trying to make that important transition from renting to owning, one solution can be a renters’ tax credit. The mortgage-interest deduction helps homeowners, but what about the renters? A renters’ credit would help level the playing field. The credit would basically serve as a cap on the amount of rent and utilities a low-income household would
Trump obviously knows very little about American history. But he must at least be aware that belief in white supremacy was used as a justification for 250 years of slavery and a century of Jim Crow repression. Trump can clearly see how closely the El Paso shooter’s racist manifesto tracks his own Make America Great Again rhetoric about an alleged “invasion” of Latino immigrants coming across the border. Trump has to know these things. By claiming equivalence with some mythical “other kind of supremacy,” he’s saying: I don’t care.
While Trump was making a sad clown of himself, Joe Biden was in Iowa giving a fine speech of the kind we expect from a president after tragedies. Biden repeated something he’s said throughout the campaign –that he fears having Trump in the White House for a second term could irrevocably change the nation. I used to think that was hyperbole, but I’ve come to fear he may be right. My hope is that these awful shootings will refocus all the Democratic candidates on the stakes of this election. Nuanced differences in various plans to achieve universal health care are secondary. The important thing is to fight – together –for the soul of the nation. And to win.
Trump’s racism is now, at least, a matter of frank public discussion. On August 5, he dutifully denounced white supremacy. But two days later, in remarks to reporters at the White House, he was also denouncing “any other kind of supremacy,” whatever that means. It was a return to the kind of both-sides rhetoric he used after Charlottesville, when he saw “very fine people” both in the anti-Nazi and the pro-Nazi ranks.
teenager. Was I careless? Yes. I was also young. Part of adolescent mentality is feeling that “it will never happen to me.” It happened to me. I wasn’t prepared to be a mother. I was afraid to tell my parents. Abortion, to me, was the only alternative. This decision was between myself, my boyfriend at the time, and God. I aborted a mass of cells, not viable outside of the womb, with the potential to become a person but not at that time a living, breathing human being. My
grandmother wasn’t as lucky. She died in 1934 of peritonitis following a back-alley abortion, and left four orphaned children. I have no shame. My only regret is having become pregnant to being with. I’m grateful that I could do so safely and legally – and will fight for the right of women everywhere to be able to do the same.
Kathryn Sherman St. Louis
Needed: renters’ tax credit pay (around 30 percent of their income). Renters would receive a federal refundable tax credit up to 100 percent of the area’s fair market rent value. By providing renters some relief from growing rental costs, more families could not only find safe, affordable places to live but also have the opportunity to put aside money to eventually buy a home and
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Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Elbert Jennings and Milon Dowell of Collinsville played pool at Cougar Lanes on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus during Team Illinois Youth Police Camp. The camp, which meets on the SIUE campus, had its largest graduating class of 74 this July. The camp, which is coordinated by the Illinois State Police and hosted in partnership with SIUE Police and other Metro East agencies, offers guidance and support to youth, ages 13-17, using military structure. Forty officers participated in the weeklong camp. “We want the kids to leave camp with increased discipline, structure and self-respect,” said Illinois State Police Trooper Calvin Dye Jr. “For many of the youth, SIUE is the first college campus they have visited.”
It’s once again time to stand up to domestic terrorism
By Charlene Crowell For The St. Louis American
A shooting rampage in El Paso, Texas on August 3 took the lives of 22 people and seriously injured more than two dozen others. Reportedly, the alleged shooter wanted to kill as many Mexicans as he could. Armed with safety glasses, ear coverings and an assault-style rifle, the shooter entered a Walmart store during a back-to-school sale.
Hector Tobar, an associate professor at the University of California at Irvine, called it an “attack on the Mexican heritage of millions of Americans – and also part of a history of white supremacist and nativist acts in Texas across three centuries” in a New York Times op-ed.
Later that day during evening hours and nearly 1,600 miles away in Dayton, Ohio, another gunman’s attack left 9 people dead and 27 injured in that city’s Oregon district. Like the Texas shooter, Ohio’s shooter was heavily armed, but he was shot by police before he could enter a nightclub where he could have killed far more. The victims of this shooting reflected the city’s diversity and included blacks, Latinos, and whites, including the killer’s own sister.
during the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s.
Even in 1998 the body of James Byrd, a 49-year-old black man Jasper, Texas was ripped to pieces as he was drug over a mile and a half by whites driving a pick-up truck. Other and more recent heinous hate crimes remind us of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice – just to name a few.
According to researchers at Rutgers University, black men today are 2.5 times more likely than white men to be victims of violence, looking at 11,456 fatal encounters with police and members of the public reported between 2013 and 2017. At the same time, the emergence of hate groups has been on the rise, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In response to these and other tragedies,
a rainbow coalition of leaders held a noon rally on August 6 in the nation’s capital. In a joint statement, the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights was joined by key partners including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Voto Latino, the Center for Community Self-Help, and the Center for Responsible Lending.
“Our organizations are united in saying that members of Congress can no longer look away as communities of color are murdered with impunity,” said the leaders in a written statement. “We must all unite and demand accountability.”
The NAACP is additionally calling for the passage of the bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Passed on a bipartisan House vote of 240-190 on February 27, the bill has yet to be taken up by the Senate. The bill would address both background check requirements for firearms and firearm transfers between private individuals.
The terror now facing America’s Latinos resurrects past horrors, particularly how blacks encountered racial hatred for more than a century during Jim Crow era and later
“The total number of hate groups rose to 1,020 in 2018, up about 7 percent from 2017,” wrote Heidi Beirich, who leads its Intelligence Project, which publishes The Intelligence Report Its report released this February found that white nationalist groups grew from 100 in 2017 to 148 the following year, 2018 – a 50 percent growth. Other hate groups – antiSemitic, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Muslim -also grew from 233 to 264 during these same years. While the Ku Klux Klan dominated hate groups in the Jim Crow and civil rights eras, its presence across the country now appears to have been eclipsed by the growth of neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and skin head organizations. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Hate Map by State shows that the largest number of statewide hate groups are located in California (83), Florida (75), and Texas (73). At the local level, additional hate organizations currently operate in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tallahassee. Beyond these three states, hate groups can also be found in 45 other states and in more metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Just as the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prompted the enactment of major civil rights legislation, now is another time to stand up to the many forms of domestic terrorism that plague the nation. Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s communications deputy director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.
share a pain – and this is a group that I wouldn’t like nobody to be in.”
Marion Gray-Hopkins was there for McSpadden-Head to lean on as well. On November 27, 1999, her 19-year-old son Gary Hopkins Jr. was fatally shot by police in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
“This is a sorority, but we didn’t pledge for this,” GrayHopkins said.
They are members of McSpadden-Head’s “Rainbow of Mothers,” women who have lost children to police violence and other violence. She provides fellowship and support to them through her Michael OD Brown We Love Our Sons and Daughters Foundation.
“We are all collectively feeling the same pain,” said Nadine Jeffries, who lost her daughter, Brishell Jones in March 2010. “When we see each other, we don’t have to open our mouths. We already know the pain that has been instilled in us because of our tragedies.”
Also at the grave was Gina Best. Her daughter India Cager was fatally shot by members of the Virginia Beach SWAT
team a year after Michael Brown’s death. Cager’s 4-month-old daughter, Best’s granddaughter, was in the backseat of the car when her mother was killed.
Some of the mothers lost their children before Michael Brown’s death. All agreed
that the support system
McSpadden-Head extended to them has been critical.
“For Lezley to reach out to us mothers, it’s a healing of itself,” Best said. “We birth our babies into life, and we labor in their death as well. And this is a space that we don’t have every day. Some of us have no family – our sisters have
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churches on the campaign trail.
His attorney, Rosenblum, noted that the federal government had so many cooperating witnesses that some of Stenger’s offending statements were caught on more than one wire. His text messages also were incriminating.
What Stenger said (unwittingly) into those many microphones was much discussed during the sentencing hearing. Rosenblum said that Stenger’s admittedly “rude, boorish and vulgar” statements should be understood in the context of his saying them in private to his “closest friends.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith shredded that claim.
“These were not his ‘closest friends,’” Goldsmith said.
“They were his top executive
become our families.”
It’s a pain so profound that no word exists to describe their sorority.
“There is no word in the lexicon to describe parents who have lost their children,” Best said after pointing out the terms ‘widow,’ ‘widower’ and ‘orphan’ are used to define individuals with deceased
staff members, and they were intimidated and threatened to carry out his orders to advance his scheme.”
None of Stenger’s many outrageous quotes released in the indictment, plea agreement or sentencing memo were quoted in court. But Goldsmith did summarize one – when Stenger threatened to block a minority contractor from a major public contract because that contractor’s mother had recorded a campaign ad against Stenger. Clearly, this referred to Anthony Thompson of Kwame Building Group and his mother, former state Rep. Betty Thompson.
“He is threatening someone with loss of honest public services because his mother exercised her 1st Amendment rights to politicize against him,” Goldsmith said, with audible scorn.
Perry also ordered Stenger to pay $130,000 in restitution to the St. Louis County Port
Lezley
McSpaddenHead visited the grave of her son Michael Brown at St. Peter’s Cemetery on Friday, August 9 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of his death.
spouses and children with deceased parents.
As the world looked to Ferguson five years later,
McSpadden-Head has been taking things day by day since the tragic moment that ignited a community to call for change.
“It’s not a one-day event,” said Rhonda Dormeus. “This is not annual. This is every day
Authority to repay a fraudulent consulting contract that Stenger ordered to be awarded to a campaign contributor. Stenger already has paid this restitution to the clerk of courts.
Perry also went above the sentencing guidelines to hit Stenger with the maximum possible fine of $250,000.”
“Usually this court does not order fines because the defendant does not have the ability to pay, but, Mr. Stenger, you do have the ability to pay the fine,” the judge said, with a sting. That payment is due “immediately in full or within 60 days.”
As for incarceration, Goldsmith did not contest Rosenblum’s request that Stenger be allowed to turn himself in not before September 21, because he has a child due on September 13 and has not violated any terms of his bond to date. The judge granted that request. She also agreed to Rosenblum’s request
for us.”
Dormeus’ daughter Korryn Gaines was killed by police in Baltimore, Maryland in August 2016. They thanked McSpaddenHead for her strength and sisterhood – and the region for bringing attention to the fractured relationship between the AfricanAmerican community and law enforcement by way of Ferguson.
“Michael changed the world – everyone knows what happened in Ferguson with Michael Brown,” Best said. “You don’t hear about the other hundreds and thousands that no one knows about. It happens every day and has continued [since Michael]. But he is going to bring about change through his mom. She birthed a warrior – and she is a warrior.” And the mothers by McSpadden-Head’s side – her rainbow – vowed to continue the fight with her.
“We didn’t pledge for this, we were chosen. I believe that wholeheartedly,” Gray-Hopkins said.
“That’s why we are here standing on the front line for change. We know that it may not happen in our lifetime, but we know that we are building a foundation for those behind us in hopes that our children will say that this world was changed on the strength of our work.”
that she ask the Bureau of Prisons to assign Stenger to a federal prison far from the constituents he defrauded. His requests (radically different in climate) were prisons in Pensacola, Florida and Yankton, South Dakota.
Stenger has 14 days to appeal this sentence. Goldsmith reminded the court and Stenger of the campaign promises he made when he first ran for county executive against incumbent Charlie Dooley, winning a glowing endorsement from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch which ran a year of stories and editorials accusing Dooley of corruption. Unlike Stenger, Dooley was never charged.
“He said he was going to ‘restore public confidence in government,’” Goldsmith quoted Stenger, “and have an administration ‘free of embarrassments and scandals.’”
Continued from A1
along in a different time.”
She was a black woman born in the Jim Crow South seven years before women had the right to vote. Systemic racism and patriarchy were meant to hold her back, but her resolve and fortitude did not go to waste. Quite the contrary. She poured those most redeeming qualities into her family – and her faith.
Elnora Lofton Suggs was born to Berry and Frances Lofton born on April 16, 1913, in Montpelier, Mississippi.
One of six children, the family was among the first wave of
Continued from A1 helped calm him down.
“Then the kids would ask, ‘Andy, can I come to your house?’” Taylor said. “It helped him build relationships with the other children in the classroom because he had his own space.”
As the school year went on, Andy started to come out of his shell and socialize with the other children, she said.
Southern blacks to participate in what later became known as The Great Migration.
After a brief period in Arkansas, the family moved to East Chicago, Indiana, where Mrs. Suggs was educated in the East Chicago Public School System – and met her future husband Morris G. Suggs.
“I interviewed my grandfather and grandmother when I was a freshman in college,” her granddaughter Dawn Suggs said. “I vividly remember my grandfather telling me that he was really taken with my grandmother when he met her because she had such a great mind.”
Dawn recalled how her grandfather gave the biggest smile she had ever seen him
“As a teacher, it is my goal to create a classroom that is fun, engaging, and safe so that each child who enters into my room knows that this is a place where they are welcomed and loved,” Taylor said. Because of her ingenuity in creating a safe and fun space for all children, Taylor will receive the PNC Bank Early Childhood Education Award at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, held at the America’s Center on Saturday, September 21. This is Taylor’s fourth
give when describing what drew him to Mrs. Suggs.
“He stretched his arms out wide and stomped his feet in emphasis of how smitten he was with her after their first conversation,” Dawn said. “He mentioned that she was a good-looking woman, but he was really bowled over by her intellect – which was most important to him – as well as the way she handled herself and expressed her ideas.”
The couple wed in 1930 and remained happily married for the rest of his life: 58 years. Out of their union came three children, Donald, Loretta and Walter.
Mrs. Suggs was a homemaker and life-long member at Faith Temple
year as a preschool teacher at Gateway, which is a SLPS magnet school.
A Kansas City native, Taylor said coming into Gateway was a culture shock for her because she grew up in a “more privileged community.”
“When I got here, I noticed some kids came to school wearing the same clothes as they did the day before,” she said. “But what I learned is, I have to really get to know those families and the students to know that Little Johnny
Church of God in Christ in East Chicago, Indiana. She committed herself to service and worship as a faithful missionary, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Mothers Board.
Her only daughter, Loretta Johnson, and son-in-law, John Johnson, cared for her until the very end. Mrs. Suggs lived with them for years until she went to live at The Villa at South Holland care facility in recent years.
The closeness of the Suggs family was especially evident when Donald would make one of his regular trips from St. Louis to East Chicago, and later to Harvey and South Holland, Illinois. She cherished those visits with her family.
is acting out because maybe he didn’t have breakfast that morning or he didn’t get enough sleep the night before because he’s sharing a room with his five other siblings.”
Taylor said her college education didn’t prepare her for teaching in schools where the families lacked basic needs and resources, and she believes it’s something colleges need to address.
“If she sees someone in need, she will do something to help,” said Peggy Trotter, Taylor’s teaching assistant. “If
“No one had a greater influence on me than my mother,” Donald said. “She will live on, as will all of the things she taught us over many years, in our hearts. She will always be there.”
Mrs. Suggs was also known for her generosity. She supported missions (especially in Haiti) and her church for many years, always helping those in need.
Dawn will particularly miss her grandmother’s way with words and the sound of her voice – which she said was so melodic that it was almost as if she were singing.
“She always sounded like a poet to me,” Dawn said. “Especially when she spoke with intensity and emotion
a child is wearing shoes that hurt, she will search the school for a pair. By the end of the day, that child is going home with shoes that fit.”
On November 1, 2018, Taylor was 32 weeks pregnant when she lost her youngest daughter, Adelyn, as a result of stillbirth. It happened on a Thursday, Taylor said, and she was back to work the next Monday.
“I just knew being at home was not going to be good for my mind,” Taylor said. “Being around children who are
about her family, or her love for the Lord.” Mrs. Suggs is survived by one son, Donald M. Suggs; one daughter, Loretta Johnson (John) and a special son, Mr.
grandchildren,
grandchildren and five
grandchildren. She also leaves behind multiple nieces and nephews. Her husband Mr. Morris G. Suggs, her son Walter Suggs and grandsons, Donald Suggs Jr. and Kevin Johnson, preceded her in death.
laughing and keeping me on my toes, I don’t have time to be sad. Being here, it brought me so much peace. The parents in my room were so supportive. The whole school was such a family to me.”
The 2019 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the America’s Center Ballroom. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. stlamerican.com and click on Salute to Excellence, or call 314-533-8000.
Committeeman Marty Murray co-hosted three events that ran out of supplies
By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
Committeeman Marty Murray (D-7th Ward) and his team had to invite youth back to 12th and Park Recreation Center on Saturday, August 10 to give away more school supplies after they ran out of supplies during three successful events the previous weekend. Murray, who also founded the youth-development nonprofit Gloves 4 Grades, and a number of sponsors gave away supplies and entertained youth at the Cochran Youth
and Family Center (on Friday, August 2) and at the Last Days Church and the 12th and Park Recreation Center (both on Saturday, August 3).
Alderman Dan Guenther (D-9th Ward) and the Arthur Roy Johnson Foundation co-hosted the event at the Last Days Church,
“This was our third year hosting this event, and we wanted to expand it to the broader 78th District. This year we were able to distribute over 700 book bags that were filled with notebooks, binders, crayons and other needed
school supplies,” Murray said, referring to the 78th District in the Missouri House of Representatives.
“Hundreds of people in the community joined each day to receive no-cost school supplies, free food, giveaways, music, and fun. It takes a village and the community really stepped up to make sure the students are prepared for a year of academic excellence.”
For more information, contact Marty Murray at MissouriForMurray@outlook. com or call (314) 425-9259.
Missouri Republicans elected to statewide positions have been moving on up, and now Missouri’s only statewide elected Democrat – state Auditor Nicole Galloway (D-Columbia) – is trying to make her own move up to governor. She surprised no one conversant with Missouri politics when she announced her campaign for governor on Monday, August 12.
Galloway, who turned 37 in June, pitched herself as a protector of public transparency, fairness in government, and the tax dollars of working families. “Dark money and insider deals have rigged the system against working families,” Galloway said in a campaign-launch video. “As auditor, I’ve fought it. As governor, I’ll end it.”
If Galloway wins the Democratic nomination, she could face incumbent Governor Mike Parson, a Republican from Polk County. Parson was not elected governor but rather lieutenant governor in 2016, then moved up to governor after Eric Greitens resigned while mired in scandal over dark-money donors and allegations of felony invasion of privacy.
Parson, who will turn 65 during the election year of 2020, has not yet said whether he will run.
Other statewide elected Republicans who moved up in recent election cycles are Josh Hawley, the former state attorney general who moved up to the U.S. Senate when he beat incumbent Claire McCaskill, and Eric Schmitt, who moved up to fill Hawley’s seat, leaving his elected position of state treasurer.
Galloway herself moved up from a countywide elected seat to assume her statewide position as state auditor. She was initially appointed to the office by Gov. Jay Nixon, following the suicide of Thomas Schweich, a Republican. She was later elected as auditor in November 2018, carrying nine counties won by Donald Trump Running for governor as a Democrat (and a woman) in a state where Trump beat Hillary Clinton by more than a half-million votes and upstart Hawley beat the entrenched incumbent McCaskill by more than 100,000 votes, Galloway’s campaign launch stressed her bipartisan credentials.
“While working with legislators from both parties, Galloway has had nine bipartisan policy priorities enacted into law,” her campaign stated.
Yet she also goes head to head with Parson in her launch, as she has publicly for months over his administration’s troubled reporting of state tax withholdings and delays in paying refunds to taxpayers.
Her campaign stressed that Galloway has urged Parson to take action to require disclosure of anonymous political contributions that could influence state business. “Parson instead signed legislation allowing his administration to shortlist companies seeking state contracts, meaning fewer Missouri companies can compete for state business,” her campaign stated.
The good works of diligent state auditors have a hard way of reaching the mass of voters and sticking, but Galloway’s campaign rightly touted a stellar record. Her campaign claimed Galloway has identified more than $350 million in government waste, fraud, and
mismanagement as auditor, a number that checks out to those following her voluminous audit reports. Partnering with law enforcement, her audits have led to 40 criminal counts brought against corrupt public officials, both Democrats and Republicans. In the past year, she uncovered a massive nationwide medical billing scheme operating through a small rural Missouri hospital that is now the subject of a Department of Justice criminal investigation.
Before being appointed auditor in 2015, Galloway served as the elected treasurer of Boone County, where she managed a multi-milliondollar investment portfolio on behalf of county taxpayers.
She is a graduate of the University of Missouri Science & Technology, with degrees in Applied Mathematics and Economics, and has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner. Prior to serving in public office she was an auditor in the private sector, where she audited Fortune 500 companies.
Galloway is the only Democrat to have run and won a statewide race in Missouri since 2012.
That Jeff Roorda!
Jeff Roorda, business agent for the St. Louis Police Officers Association, did not miss an opportunity to continue his role as the villain of the Ferguson protest movement at the 5th anniversary of the Ferguson unrest that erupted when Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown While much of the community was mourning the dead young man and reassessing where the region stands five years later, Roorda was congratulating the still-living man who killed the teenager.
“Happy Alive Day,” Roorda posted, with a photograph of Wilson.
For most people with a pulse who are not Jeff Roorda, this seemed like a gratuitously cruel and insensitive reminder that Wilson is alive while Brown is dead. It seemed calculated to enflame passions and anger against him and the police whom Roorda purportedly represents. The Riverfront Times captured this widespread sentiment with an unforgettable headline saying, “Jeff Roorda is still a [vulgar term for penis used as an insult].”
The EYE asked Roorda what he was thinking.
“‘Happy Alive Day’ is a common phrase that’s been used by cops for some time. It is meant to celebrate the anniversary of an officer surviving a deadly confrontation. It is not meant to celebrate the death of his attacker. Other than the death
of a police officer, the death of a civilian is the worst possible outcome of a police encounter. No cop celebrates that. No cop relishes that,” Roorda responded.
“Forget the likelihood that an officer may be prosecuted, sued or fired for taking a life even when he or she acts completely inside the law. I can tell you from talking to many, many cops over the years that taking the life of another person weighs heavily on the heart and soul of every cop that’s ever been put in that horrible situation. Survival should be celebrated. So should the truth. That’s why I sent Darren my well-wishes. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
The EYE suspected that Roorda might be trying to draw some attention to himself. Though no longer a cop, he seems to love to play one on TV and in other media. He got a lot of national shine during the Ferguson unrests. Roorda’s “Happy Alive Day” post did not get the national media ringing him up again, which must have been a disappointment, though Elizabeth Warren did help Roorda get back on Fox & Friends when later on August 9, Warren tweeted about Michael Brown, noting he was “murdered by a white police officer.”
Vannah Shaw and Jeff Jensen
The EYE will have more to say about the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling to suspend the law licenses of Ambry Nichole Schuessler and Katherine Anne Dierdorf. They were disciplined for their roles, when working as prosecutors in St. Louis, in covering up a St. Louis police officer assaulting a suspect and another prosecutor falsifying charges against that suspect in an attempt to account for the injuries the suspect suffered at the hands of the cop. The cop, Thomas Carroll, and the prosecutor who falsified
But, for now, here is a little bit of irony in the fine print. Worrell, Schuessler and Dierdorf (all white women) conspired to keep their cover-up away from another prosecutor in the office, Vannah Shaw. Shaw – whom the co-conspirators knew would not go along with their abuse of the law – is a young black woman attorney and former St. Louis American editorial intern. The EYE is not surprised that colleagues would hide misdoings from this ethical young woman. Also, the attorney who represented Dierdorf was none other than Jeff Jensen. Jensen, then in private practice, took his client to testify to Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith Goldsmith would later leave the DOJ for private practice, only to be enticed back to the
by
(Carroll
52 months
Eating bitter vegetables becomes not so bitter over time
Many people don’t like the taste of vegetables, bitter greens, in particular. But give that broccoli a chance. Doing so won’t just change your mind; it will actually change the taste of those foods
Newswise
The introduction of plant-based foods to a diet is a common-sense approach to healthy eating, but many people don’t like the taste of vegetables, bitter greens, in particular. But give that broccoli a chance. Doing so won’t just change your mind; it will actually change the taste of those foods, according to a new University at Buffalo study.
What sounds at first like a culinary parlor trick is actually a scientific matter based on
specific proteins found in saliva. These proteins affect the sense of taste, and diet composition, at least in part, determines those proteins.
Saliva is a complex fluid containing around 1,000 specific proteins. Identifying all the players is a work in progress, but everything we eat is dissolved in saliva before it interacts with taste receptor cells, and all these proteins are candidates for influencing stimuli before food is tasted.
“What you eat creates the signature in your salivary proteome, and those proteins modulate your sense of taste,” said AnnMarie Torregrossa, an assistant professor in UB’s Department of Psychology and the associate director of the university’s Center for Ingestive Behavior Research.
“We’ve shown in previous work with rats that changing your diet changes what proteins are in your saliva. Now we’re showing that the proteins in your saliva change how you
See VEGETABLES, A11
We need to warn our college students of campus dangers
By Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Of The St. Louis American
Recently I attended a conference in Nashville, Tennessee where I had the pleasure of hearing an amazing speaker. This particular speaker had been sentenced to a mandatory 24 and a half years in federal prison with no chance of parole even though she was a first-time non-violent offender. Kemba Smith Pradia eventually regained her freedom after serving 6 and a half years when President Clinton granted her executive clemency in December 2000. Now let’s be clear on the facts. It was not from the goodness of his heart that President Clinton decided to grant clemency. Many people fought on her behalf, such as the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated. These groups raised millions of dollars, mounted a letter-writing campaign, and they flooded the media with the details of this harsh punishment. Let’s also be clear that these harsh sentencing guidelines were developed during the Clinton presidency. It was his solution to the drug epidemic. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 provided funding for tens of thousands of community police officers and drug courts, banned certain assault weapons, and mandated life sentences for criminals convicted of a violent felony after two or more prior convictions, including drug crimes. These mandatory life sentences were known as the “three strikes and you are out” provision. Other important points to remember include the fact that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders voted in favor of that crime bill. And though Hillary Clinton was not in the Senate at the time, she was also in favor of the bill. The Kemba Smith story resonates with me for a variety of reasons. I was a recent college graduate when I read her story for the first time in Emerge magazine back in the ’90s.
See ANDERSON, A11
Nya Martin will be first black president of student nurse association at Goldfarb
By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
New and returning students received scholarships and loans from The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis during a series of presentations held recently.
On Thursday, August 1, nursing student
Nya Martin received a Deaconess Nursing Scholarship to use toward her bachelor of science in nursing degree at the BJC Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis. The Deaconess Nursing Scholarship Program honors the nursing heritage of the Deaconess mission through its support of local students with demonstrated financial need. These grants are administered through a partnership with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the St. Louis American Foundation. She also was one of the first recipients
n “Nursing school is hard, but I love it because it’s my passion.”
– Nya Martin
of the newly established BJC Bright Futures Scholarship at Goldfarb, which offers up to $20,000, to be applied to the awardee’s tuition and academic fees, to current undergraduate students admitted to Goldfarb School of Nursing at BarnesJewish College who commit to employment at Barnes Jewish Hospital. Martin, who is in her second term out of five at the school, will serve this fall as the first African-American president of the student nurse association at Goldfarb.
“I am interested in nurse midwifery and labor and delivery,” Martin said. “Nursing school is hard, but I love it because it’s my passion.”
This year, Deaconess Nursing Scholarships totaled $125,000 for new and returning 13 students. Faith Sandler, executive director at The Scholarship Foundation, said it will award $5.4 million this year to students in various educational endeavors.
“Our hope is that you are going to get more from us than just a check,” Sandler said. “We are going to do everything we can to make sure your dreams are going to come true, so these loans and grants come with the opportunity for advice and counsel; they come with a phone number you can text in the middle of the night; they come
See MARTIN, A11
Continued from A10 taste.” The findings, published in the journal Chemical Senses, have applications ranging from the obesity crisis to medical compliance.
“If we can convince people to try broccoli, greens and bitter foods, they should know that with repeated exposure, they’ll taste better once they regulate these proteins,” said Torregrossa.
How much repeated exposure?
“Our data doesn’t provide a number, such as 12 servings of broccoli. However, for people who avoid these foods because of their bitterness, but would like to include them in their diet, they should know their taste will eventually change.”
Bitterness is also a near-universal characteristic of many pediatric medicines, and getting infants to swallow a bitter liquid – which by nature they want to reject – can be a challenge.
“An additive to that medicine to make it less bitter would increase compliance,” she said. “It’s similar to liquid dietary supplements in the geriatric population, which often contain sugar to tame the bitterness. Achieving the same result without sweeteners has obvious benefits.”
“Trying
At a bare minimum, Torregrossa said health care and nutritional professionals can counsel people to explain the role of these salivary pro-
because to that person it doesn’t taste great,” she said. “Understanding with taste that we’re dealing with something that’s moveable is significant.”
For the study, Torregrossa trained to rats to choose from one of two water bottles after tasting a solution, to indicate whether it tasted bitter. Animal
research in this case allows for tighter dietary control and the variation of specific proteins can be monitored in a way that’s difficult to achieve with
n “For people who avoid these foods because of their bitterness, but would like to include them in their diet, they should know their taste will eventually change.”
– Ann-Marie Torregrossa, Center for Ingestive Behavior Research
human participants.
“This is interesting because we’re not asking, ‘Do you like this?’ we’re looking only at ‘Can you taste this as bitter?’” she said. “Animals with these bitter-induced salivary proteins turned on cannot taste the bitterness at higher concentrations than animals who do not have the same protein activated. Once these proteins are on board the bitter tastes like water. It’s gone.”
Torregrossa’s work is an intriguing tactic in the obesity fight which sees many battles focusing on over-consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods.
“The variation around sweets is very small,” she said. “Nearly everyone likes a cupcake, but the variation around liking broccoli is enormous. This research helps explain why that variation with bitter food exists and how we can get more people to eat broccoli instead of cupcakes.”
A number of changes in state law pertaining to child care providers passed and signed into law as House Bill 397 will go into effect on August 28. For unlicensed child care providers, the total number of children in care was increased from four to six, including a maximum of three children who are under two years of age. Children who live in the home and who are five years old and older will not be included in the total number of children in care. All other children will be included in the total number of children in care. For licensed child care facilities, all children, including related children, will count in the license capacity, regardless of facility ownership.
The offense of providing unlicensed illegal child care has been raised from an infraction to a Class C misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. The penalties were also increased to a fine up to $750 for the first offense and up to $2,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000 for subsequent offenses.
The state is now required to file for civil penalties, between $750 and $2,000, for the provision of unlicensed illegal child care. The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) must provide written notice of the violation, educational materials about Missouri’s child care laws and regulations, how a facility may become exempt
or licensed, and penalties for operating an unlicensed, nonexempt child care facility. DHSS must also provide the individual with 30 days to become compliant, including attaining exempt status or becoming licensed.
Civil penalties will not be assessed against those providers who are criminally charged for providing illegal child care. DHSS is now provided with the explicit authority to deny an application for licensure if the child care facility is located within 1,000 feet of a location where a person required to register as a sex offender resides or regularly receives treatment or services, excluding those provided by a hospital. For more information, visit https://health.mo.gov/safety/ childcare/index.php.
Continued from A10
Smith was a sheltered girl from a two-parent home who attended debutante cotillions, played a musical instrument and did all the other activities that middle-classed young people do. However, she started dating a drug dealer while attending college at Hampton University in Virginia. Your daughter or my daughter could have easily been Kemba Smith!
Throughout her relationship with this young man, there were warning signs for Smith and her friends. He was mentally and physically abusive. He was also very jealous and possessive. He isolated her from her friends and her family. He demonstrated typical
abuser tendencies. Even when Smith’s friends would notice that her clothes were disheveled and she was obviously wounded, no one said anything. The Kemba Smith story brings to light so many issues that need to be addressed: mass incarcerations of blacks who commit non-violent crimes, intimate partner violence, and sentencing disparities as it relates to crack vs. powder cocaine. For example, 5 grams of crack has the same federal five-year minimum sentencing as 500 grams of powder cocaine. If you are lost in the semantics, let me
explain. Poor, minority people are individuals most likely to use cocaine and wealthy, white people are more likely to use powder cocaine.
As we send our young people, particularly our young girls, off to college, we need to do more than just buy the supplies for their dorm rooms. We need to warn them about the dangers that ease onto the campuses of their beloved institutions. We need to also share with them the resources they need if they are in situations similar to Smith. Though Kemba Smith
is free today, she will never be able to regain those precious years she lost in prison. Therefore, let us also not forget to continue to fight for criminal justice reform. The circle of dysfunction is real. Incarcerated parents cannot raise their children, have difficulty gaining employment, have no health insurance on release, and eventually may bounce right back into the system due to this impossible cycle of despair. Stay woke. Now is not the time to be complacent.
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., FAAFP, is associate professor at SLUCare Family Medicine and the medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American. Email her at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com.
Regina Mars was getting discharged from the hospital when she got to meet one of her favorite comedians, Cedric the Entertainer, and his sister, Sharita Kyles Wilson, outside her room at SSM St. Mary’s hospital on Monday, July 29. The siblings have been ambassadors for SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in honor of their late mother, Rosetta Boyce Kyles, who was treated there for cancer. The Rosetta Boyce Kyles Women’s Pavilion at St. Mary’s was named in tribute to her.
Continued from A10
with somebody that may or may not visit you on your campus ... they come with the opportunity to engage, to lead and to be educated.”
The foundation is coming up on its 100-year anniversary in 2020. In that century, thousands of students have fulfilled educational needs with support from advocates provided by the foundation.
The foundation’s core service area is comprised of counties on both sides of the river in the greater metropolitan St. Louis area, but it’s now also reaching students in more rural parts of the state.
“In 2020, we expect to award interest-free, feefree loans and grants to 600 hundred students,” said Buff Buffkin, board president of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.
“Our small but mighty advising staff will work with almost 7,000 community members in workshops, in schools, fairs and one-on-one work sessions. Our advocacy efforts will continue working with and for students and colleges, as well as at state and fellow governments.”
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ yxmmaoay, call the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis at 314-725-7990 or email info@sfstl.org.
> Do I feel good most of the time?
> Do I have energy (or does your energy go up and down during the day)?
> Can I keep up with my friends? If you answered “no” to one or more of these questions, it might be time to look at the kinds of food you eat. Food choices are important because the foods you eat are what keep your body strong and moving.
In addition to eating healthy, one of the best ways to be a Healthy Kid is to add daily exercise to your new lifestyle. Before you start—remember to:
> Check with your family doctor. Find out the right kinds of exercise for you.
> Start slowly. Let your body adjust before you gradually increase time, distance, speed, etc.
Be on the Lookout...
Challenge: Keep a food diary for one week. In a notebook, write down every single thing you eat and drink for seven days. At the end of the week, take a look at your diary. How many fruits and vegetables are in there? How many glasses of water? How much soda? Candy? As the Healthy Kids series continues, you’ll learn some very practical, easy changes you can make to your diet that will put you on the road to feeling happier and healthier!
Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH1
> Always stay safe. Exercise in areas that are well-lit and filled with others who are exercising.
> Warm up and cool down. To get the most benefit out of exercise, spend at least a few minutes stretching, walking and bending before and after you exercise.
Want to Challenge
Yourself? Set an exercise goal for your first week. On a piece of lined paper write the words “In
Health includes more than just nutrition and exercise. Smart choices, safety and happiness all affect our health. Every single day is filled with opportunities to make smart choices. Look in the newspaper for an example of someone who made a smart choice. Summarize the article and explain why you think it was the right thing to do.
Learning Standards: HPE2, NH2, NH5, CA3
one week I will be…” and finish the sentence. It could be “I will be walking the neighborhood with my mom at least four nights a week.” After you have completed your weekly goal, go ahead and write out a monthly goal and an exercise goal for the end of the school year. Challenge yourself to increase your exercise level over the next several months.
Learning Standards: HPE2, NH6
LaToya Smith Wilson DMD
and
that we can work with them and watch them become excited about being free from tooth pain and infections, and then be proud about their “new look.” That confidence encourages them to maintain their smiles with twice daily brushing and flossing.
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or
Barrington Elementary School 5th grade teacher
Dr. Bouchard shows students Lauryn Becton, Ethan Shim, Raymond Like and Delaney Bell how to use Legos in a science experiment inspired by the newspaper's STEM page. Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American.
Diabetes is a condition where a person’s body does not use glucose (also known as sugar) properly. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetic factors. It is not caused by eating too much sugar. Type 2 diabetes is usually linked to being overweight, along with poor diet choices (sugar, fats, fast foods, etc.)
and kidney disease. They are more likely to have high blood pressure and strokes. Diabetes also effects a person’s skin and the ability for wounds to heal.
Diabetes is not contagious. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and lead an active lifestyle.
James R. Gavin, III, was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1945. Growing up, Gavin was very close to his grandmother whom he called “Mama Rennie,” and he looked forward to visiting her for fun adventures and story time. One particular visit, Gavin was surprised to find his energetic grandma in bed. Mama Rennie explained to Gavin that she had diabetes and had to have her leg amputated (removed) due to complications from the disease. The following summer, Mama Rennie lost her other leg and became very ill and died. Gavin was very determined to learn more about diabetes and work to find solutions.
In 1966, Gavin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Livingstone College. He graduated magna cum laude. Magna cum laude is a Latin phrase meaning with high honors. College students who maintain very high grades will earn this honor. In 1970, Gavin earned a PhD in biochemistry from Emory University. Next, he focused on his diabetes studies with the National Institutes of Health and earned a medical degree from Duke University in 1975.
When a person has diabetes, their pancreas is affected. A diabetic has to maintain a very careful and balanced diet to keep their body working effectively. They are in danger of high or low blood sugar effects. Diabetics are more likely to develop heart disease
Background Information:
Will a marshmallow sink or float? What do you think? Do you believe it is possible to sink a marshmallow? In this activity, you will use trial and error to choose your course of action when you attempt to sink a marshmallow.
Materials Needed:
• Marshmallow • Container of Water (glass, bottle, pitcher)
Process:
q Place the marshmallow in the container of water. Does it sink or float?
Diabetics need to watch their carbohydrate intake. In this activity, you will focus on carbs. The American Diabetes Association suggests eating 45-60 grams of carbohydrate per meal, for a total range of approximately 150 grams of carbohydrates per day.
z If your meal consists of the following, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat?
Baked chicken: 4 oz serving, 0 carb grams
Mashed potatoes: 4 oz serving, 25 carb grams
Caesar salad with dressing: 3 oz serving, 5 carb grams
Mixed vegetables: 3 oz serving, 8 carb grams
A medium-sized roll: 2 oz serving, 22 carb grams
Total grams of carbohydrates ______
x If 1/3 cups of rice has 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many carbohydrates are in a 1 cup serving? ______
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the American Diabetes Association:
For more information, visit: http://kidshealth.org/ kid/centers/diabetes_center. html#cat20491.
Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-world connections.
w What can you do to make it sink? Work with a partner to create a list of 5 ideas.
e Try your five ideas from step 2. Which idea was most effective? Why?
r Compare your results with your classmates. Was anybody successful?
Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete a prompt. I can make predictions and analyze results.
c If you eat 1/2 bagel with 30 grams of carbohydrates and 1 tablespoon of jelly with 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat? ______ How many grams of carbohydrates do you have left for the day? ______
v A 16 ounce bottle of soda has an average of 48 grams of carbohydrates. If you drink two bottles of soda per day, how many grams of carbohydrates did you consume? ______ If you drink one bottle of soda per day, how many carbohydrates do you consume in a week? ______
Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems. I can make text to world and text-to-self connections.
Gavin has worked as Senior Scientific Officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland and Director of the National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. He has served as president and professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. He has also been a Professor and Chief of the Diabetes Section, Acting Chief of the Section on Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, and the William K. Warren Professor for Diabetes Studies at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Dr. Gavin was a medical expert in the court case Kapche vs. Holder. Jeff Kapche applied to work as a special agent for the FBI, but was denied due to the fact that he treated his diabetes with an insulin injection, instead of a pump. Gavin stated that Kapche’s diabetes was considered a disability under federal law. Therefore, the FBI could not use his medical condition as a reason not to hire him. Dr. Gavin is considered a national authority on diabetes.
Gavin has written more than 180 manuscripts, book chapters and scientific abstracts and has received the following awards and honors: Banting Medal for Distinguished Service, Association's Clinician of the Year award, Association's Public Policy Leadership Award.
Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.
Activity One —
Exercise Graph: Look through the newspaper ads for sports and fitness equipment or classes. Judging from the ads, what are the most popular forms of exercise? Create a bar graph to display the results. What are the benefits of each type of exercise? Create a newspaper advertisement for the form of exercise you enjoy most. Include the benefits of that exercise in your ad (muscle tone, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, etc.)
Activity Two — Sports Expressions: Locate final scores of various games in the newspaper. Write an expression representing the difference of two final scores. Have a friend find the difference to form a number sentence. Check your friend’s answer.
Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can create a bar graph to display information. I can write to persuade. I can write for a specific person and audience. I can make text-to-self connections.
‘I’m committed to the HSSU classroom’
The Harris Stowe State University Board of Regents has granted lifetime tenure and advancement in academic rank to Charlene Lofton Jones. Jones formerly was assistant professor of Political Science at the university. She also has taught at Saint Louis University, Lindenwood University, St. Louis Community College and Tougaloo College, as well as held leadership roles in Saint Louis Public Schools.
“The entire tenure process was both arduous and humbling,” Jones said. “You had to describe and document every aspect of your performance and contributions from the very first day you stepped into a Harris-Stowe State University classroom.”
Areas of evaluation included teaching style and effectiveness, projects spearheaded, academic and social justice programs and events created to enhance the link between the university and the community.
“It was also humbling because the tenure recommendation resulted from evaluations made by students, outstanding faculty and administrators who comprised the Rank and Tenure Committee, the provost and the university president,” Jones said.
It also inspired a look back at a long career.
Her most meaningful memory was of January 20, 2009. The historic Inauguration Day of the first AfricanAmerican U.S. President Barack Obama also was scheduled day of her first
class at HSSU. How could any African American turn down the opportunity to witness history in the making?
On January 20, she picked up her briefcase and walked into her HSSU American Government classroom, rather than into Obama’s inauguration.
“I saw 30 sets of eager eyes on me,” Jones said. “I slowly walked to the podium, turned around chuckled and said to myself, ‘Who knows? This just may be my privilege to teach the next Barack Obama.
Lesson learned – students always first.”
In 2012 she was elected HSSU Educator of the Year by students and faculty. Along with 12 other educators from across the state, she was summoned to the state capitol to receive the Governor’s
Excellence in Education Award.
Several years later, she received a telephone request to come to the university president’s office, where President Dwaun Warmack informed her that he had received a request from the superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools Kelvin Adams to approve a leave of absence for Jones to return to SLPS to design and serve as campaign manager for an extremely important Tax Levy. Warmack told Adams that he would approve only if Jones agreed.
“I did agree, packed up my bags and moved back into the cash-strapped district for a semester,” Jones said.
“Working with SLPS staff and Special Administrative Board member Richard Gaines, we passed Prop P with a crushing
70 percent of the vote.”
Prior to becoming a HSSU Political Science professor, Jones was employed 25 years for SLPS serving in a variety of positions including assistant to the superintendent, associate superintendent and campaign manager for tax and bond levy elections. She helped SLPS win 24 elections and raise over $750 million dollars for the school district. She said the most significant campaigns were the $40 million bond issue to construct a new Vashon High School, the bond issue to air-condition all SLPS schools, and several tax levies to increase teacher and staff salaries.
“When my son Mikey was a youngster he played on a Select basketball team. All of their games were held at K-12 schools in surrounding towns
Charlene Lofton Jones granted lifetime tenure and advancement in academic rank at Harris Stowe State University by its Board of Regents.
or in the county. I remember driving to those school sites and just marveling at how most all resembled college campuses – large areas of green space, expansive gymnasiums, shiny, sparkling equipment rooms, buildings that looked like school buildings – and then we would drive back to our city and pass our schools, buildings with crumbling roofs, sitting in cramped spaces in the middle of dilapidated neighborhoods,” she said.
“Building a brand new, state-of-the-art Vashon High School felt real good, but it still was not nearly enough to create meaningful change in our students’ academic environment – they still had to walk and navigate through abandoned buildings, some unsafe, dangerous blocks to get to the new Vashon. But at least
it provided some light at the end of the tunnel.”
As for air-conditioning the city schools, she said, “County parents could never conceive of their youngsters sitting in un-air-conditioned classrooms. I remember in high school in the Spring being unable to read silently in class because the perspiration was dripping from my forehead onto the textbook, blurring the words. Our schools were like hot ovens from March sometimes through mid-October.”
Increasing teacher and staff salaries she likened to “a religious mandate.”
“City school teachers face the greatest academic, social, economic and behavioral challenges in their classrooms of teachers in any other school district in the state,” Jones said. “They give the most and they get paid the least. It was heartwarming to see city voters support these tax levies. But, because of the cruel economic and racially discriminatory school-funding structure, those with the greatest needs still receive the least.” As for her new lifetime tenure at HSSU, she said that teaching “has never been about employment - it’s always been about having the privilege to do so. I’m committed to the HSSU classroom. Many of our students are first-generation college students, some with both hands tied behind their backs as a result of underfunded, under-resourced educational experiences. My job is to give them all the knowledge that I have in every way that I can until I see that light bulb flash in their eye that says – ‘I got it!’”
American staff
The West Florissant corridor in Ferguson – the heart of the community and the epicenter of protests and civil unrest five years ago – is undergoing revitalization by business leaders who have joined together as Health & Homes STL. Health & Homes has currently raised $8 million and secured four acres of land.
n “It’s about removing the barriers that cause isolation and replacing them with connections that provide options.”
The first project of the WestFlo District, already under construction, will be a new Boys & Girls Club Teen Center of Excellence to open in October, followed by a new Mercy health care hub, surrounded by 12,000 square feet of ADA-compliant sidewalks, 17 new crosswalks, almost four miles of improved curbs and gutters, and much-needed street lighting.
The new Boys & Girls Club is a $12.4 million project that will provide three stories and more than 26,000-square-feet of space to serve 1,500 community members between the ages of 12 and 18. “This center will provide our children with access to fun, fitness, job readiness and leadership programs in the neighborhood where they live,” said Flint Fowler, president of Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis. Mercy plans to break ground by the end of the year on an 11,000-square-foot facility next to the club. The clinic will provide primary care and women’s services, as well as behavioral health services and other needed social services. Longer term plans include the addition of better housing, a new grocery store and improved storm water management. The underlying effort is in line with addressing the social determinants of health developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via Healthy People 2020.
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis announced future plans for the Urban League Plaza, a shopping center strip mall on West Florissant at the former site of an Advanced Auto Parts store and Juanita’s Clothing Boutique that were destroyed during the Ferguson unrest.
Reuben Shelton III was elected 34th grand polemarch by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. during the fraternity’s 84th Grand Chapter Meeting and Conclave held recently in Philadelphia. It is a two-year term. For the previous four years, Shelton served as senior vice polemarch and ran unopposed. He also previously served as polemarch in St. Louis and over a region of seven Midwestern states.
Nellie Collins-Hart superintendent of Hazelwood School District, was named 2019 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents. She joined the district in 2016, previously serving in similar roles in Illinois and North Carolina in a career spanning more than 40 years. She will be honored in Washington, D.C. at the NASS IgnitED Conference September 15-17.
Kevin Windham Jr. will be awarded the Young Democrat of the Year Award by the Missouri Democratic Party on Saturday August 17 at The Truman Dinner. Windham, a state representative in Missouri’s 85th House District, is the youngest black man ever elected to the Missouri House of Representatives and currently serves as the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Vetta Sanders Thompson is the new associate dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at the Brown School at Washington University. The E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the Brown School, Sanders Thompson is a researcher in racial identity, psychosocial implications of race and ethnicity in health behavior, and determinants of health disparities. A licensed clinical psychologist, she co-directs the Center for Community Health Partnership and Research at the Institute for Public Health at Washington University.
By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis announced new and future community and economic development projects to revitalize the Ferguson and Dellwood area to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the police killing of Michael Brown. The Urban League will partner with First Financial Federal Credit Union to provide auto loans, credit counseling, checking and savings accounts to members of the Urban League’s Save Our Sons program and local residents at the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, using a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant announced by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.
on August 24 is free for teens 13-19
– Donn Sorensen, founder and board chair of Health & Homes See MALL, B6 The inaugural Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) will be held noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 24 in Bellerive Hall at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Youth attending YES will learn leadership skills and obtain training and support to make positive changes in their schools and communities. Participants will also generate suggestions to improve policies effecting youth in the region. YES is free to all teens 13-19 years old.
One hundred teens are expected to attend YES from school districts across the St. Louis region. Organizers are providing transportation to help participants travel from their home communities to UMSL and back. Participants will have the opportunity to select training on one of the following leadership topics: Skills for Success; Creative Thinking & Decision Making; and Dealing with Conflict. At the conclusion of the summit, the teens
will present their policy suggestions to a panel of decision makers to help ensure their work results in action. Policy suggestions will center on Educational Access & Equity; Diversity & Inclusion; Housing; and Law Enforcement & Community Engagement.
“My main hope is that this summit will spark an interest in policies that affect youth to
Larry H. Blue Jr. was promoted to senior key account manager at Astellas Pharma, US Inc. He will lead strategic engagement within targeted accounts in Missouri and Illinois. Most recently he served as an award-winning primary care senior regional sales manager for the state of Missouri. Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo based-based Astellas Pharma Inc. which is located in Northbrook, Illinois.
Elizabeth SharpeTaylor joined St. Louis Community College as administrative assistant to the marketing and communications director. She previously served as communications coordinator for The College School and account executive for MSW Marketing and communications coordinator for The Scholarship Foundation. She is a member of The Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and owner of The Principle Communications Network, LLC.
On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news
By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
Dr. Richard B. “Rick” White and Anita R. White will co-chair United Way’s Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society once again in 2019, which is the 25th anniversary for one of the nation’s top philanthropic programs for African Americans. The society is comprised of African Americans who pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to United Way.
Members will celebrate the society’s anniversary with the co-chairs at a fundraising kickoff event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 29 at The Coronado, 3701 Lindell Blvd.
The spouses also led the society’s 2018 fundraising campaign efforts, when they raised $3.9 million for United Way.
LaunchCode
As we move towards a more automated workforce, technology is slowly becoming embedded in our children’s lives and education. Digital tools and coding curricula are the norm in many American classrooms, transforming our workforce into creators and builders who will shape the technical solutions of the
n Michelle Tucker, president and CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis, called the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society “a true testament of the generosity and commitment to our community.” A huge pool of
future. Tech education in the K-12 space is important and necessary, but there’s a large group being left behind: the career-changers. As our workforce requires an everincreasing number of technical skills, this population is hungry to adapt and learn. With the number of open tech jobs mounting, this is a huge pool of potential talent St. Louis can’t
Dr. Richard B. “Rick” White
Dr. Rick White, who is executive medical director of health plan affairs for SSM Health Care, said society members “embody a culture of caring and generosity.” Anita White serves as treasurer of The Archway (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She spent her career in IT and finance, including serving as faculty at California State University Fresno and as an adjunct assistant professor at University of Missouri-St. Louis’ School of Business. Since the society was
Anita R. White
founded in 1994 by Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American and president of the St. Louis American Foundation, it has raised more than $42 million, according to Michelle Tucker, president and CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis. Tucker called the society “a true testament of the generosity and commitment to our community.”
The society is named after Charmaine Chapman, the first woman and first African
American to head United Way of Greater St. Louis as its president and chief executive officer from 1994 until 2001.
Wayman Smith III was the society’s first chair in 1994 and served three terms. Other co-chairs in its 25-year history include David B. Price; John and Barbara Jacob; Dave and Thelma Steward; Arnold and Hazel Donald; Johnny and Minga Furr; Larry Thomas; Deborah Patterson; Michael and Gail Holmes; Richard Mark; Maurice and Brenda Newberry; Reuben and D’Anne Shelton; Keith Williamson; and Ann Marr.
At the fundraising kickoff event on Thursday, August 29 at The Coronado, Ptah Williams will perform
afford to ignore. The number of middle- to late-career-changers hoping to enter the tech industry is increasing, yet the barriers to entry can sometimes seem impossible to hurdle. Learning a new set of skills – skills which didn’t exist when many career-changers first entered the workplace – is difficult and costly. Even after obtaining tech skills, hiring biases create
and there will be a panel conversation featuring Adrian Bracy, president and CEO of YWCA of St. Louis; Johnny Furr Jr., former corporate vice president of AnheuserBusch; Emily Pitts, principal of diversity and inclusion with Edward Jones; and Suggs. Andre Stevens, principal at Slalom, will serve as moderator.
United Way of Greater St. Louis helps one in three people in the region it serves, which includes 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois. Its mission it to help build a foundation for a good quality of life through basic needs, financial stability, education, health and strong communities. For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www. HelpingPeople.org.
even more barriers.
LaunchCode, a nonprofit connecting talented candidates with companies in need of tech talent here in St. Louis, combats antiquated hiring practices daily.
For one, many companies still prioritize applicants with a four-year degree and, in the evolving tech industry, this rigid hiring practice shuts out lots of talented people. Obviously, cost, not talent, is the main barrier to gaining traditional credentials. The time demanded to earn even an associate’s degree is more than someone working full-time or with dependents can afford to give.
Secondly, there are institutional barriers. The programming skills companies are looking for change so rapidly, someone earning a computer science degree may very well be equipped with outdated knowledge by graduation. Companies searching for “the perfect resume” often overlook great candidates who have insight from both work and life experience that, although unconventional for the tech industry, gives them a unique perspective that adds value to a tech team.
Kimberly Vaughn, for instance, spent her career in social work and in the insurance industry before looking to LaunchCode to start a new career in 2015. She knew gaining tech skills would launch her into a world
continued from page B1
Factors include health and health care, economic stability, education and neighborhood environment. “We met with residents in southeast Ferguson and asked them to tell us what the community needs,” said Donn Sorensen, founder and board chair of Health & Homes, as well as executive vice president of Mercy. “Their hopes for the neighborhood included basic services such as adequate health care, better infrastructure and new economic opportunities.”
with more opportunities for advancement and greater financial stability.
“In order to get on a level playing field, I needed to change my career,” Vaughn said. “For mid-career individuals to be competitive in the workforce, it is almost imperative to have some type of technical knowledge.”
She now works as a project manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. When LaunchCode first connected her to the Federal Reserve, the job experiences listed on her resume may have looked out of place to many tech hirers. But the skills she brought to the table, mixed with the technical ability she gained through LaunchCode, were the perfect tech cocktail.
LaunchCode’s free and parttime learning model also lifts up career-changers.
“Technology was the only career pathway I felt I had the capability of learning quickly and, because LaunchCode doesn’t charge learners, I was able to close the gap on the monetary losses that I had taken for many years,” Vaughn said. “Making the choice to change careers into technology was the best decision that I have ever made.”
Despite the common conception of what a technologist looks like, the makeup of LaunchCode’s classrooms are far from typical. LC101, LaunchCode’s 20-week flagship computer programming course, is filled
continued from page B1
empower them to become active members of their communities,” says Tony Merritt II, a sophomore at Webster University and an alum of both the MU Extension 4-H Youth Futures College Readiness Program and the Ferguson Youth Advisory Board. Supporters and sponsors of the 2019 Youth Empowerment Summit include UMSL School of Social Work, Youth Violence Prevention
LC101, LaunchCode’s 20-week flagship computer programming course, is filled with over 100 students from all walks of life and from all corners of the region.
with over 100 students from all walks of life and from all corners of the region. Over 45 percent of LaunchCode’s students are over the age of 30, and most come from non-technical career and education backgrounds. About half of its students have a college degree in a major other than computer science, and 45 percent have no fouryear degree. Although these demographics don’t reflect those of an average college classroom, LaunchCode has been successful in placing its learners into high-paying and upwardly mobile tech jobs at employers like Boeing, MasterCard and Express Scripts. The need for tech talent in our region is only growing, and if we want to continue to attract and retain businesses, fostering local tech talent should be our top priority. It’s no secret that our universities and colleges simply aren’t graduating the amount of technologists needed to match employer demand. But there are a countless number of individuals here in our region who are driven to gain the skills needed in these high-demand roles. Their resumes aren’t the resumes of computer science grads, but that’s the point. They are the resumes of hungry, passionate and experienced learners waiting for the opportunity to prove they belong in tech. For more information, visit www.launchcode.org.
Partnership, Missouri Foundation for Health, The Vine at St. Stephen’s, Ferguson Youth Initiative, Emerson Family YMCA, The Principia School, Playtime Recreation, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, the Thomas Dunn Learning Center, Urban Strategies’ Southeast Ferguson Youth Fellowship, Future in Action, Youth Achievers Foundation and MU Extension – St Louis County 4-H. For more information about YES and how to register, visit https://tinyurl. com/stlYES.
n “Either don’t call anything and let us play old school NBA style...Or call everything.”
– Brittney Griner after receiving a three-game suspension for a fight with Kristine Anigwe
Track and field athletes from the St. Louis area showed up and showed out at last week’s PanAmerican Games in Lima, Peru.
Teenage sensation Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West continued his tremendous run of success that has gone to heights that no other high school track athlete in St. Louis has ever reached.
Earl Austin Jr.
Robinson’s brilliant run continued as he brought home a couple of medals from this prestigious international event. Robinson earned a bronze medal in the men’s 400-meter dash in a time of 45.0 seconds. Robinson then won a silver medal as a part of the USA men’s 4x400-meter relay. The young phenom was the star of the relay team as he turned in a spectacular 43.5-second split on the third leg to bring the USA from a distant third place to the lead when he handed off the baton for the final leg.
It was just a few months ago that Robinson was finishing up his junior year by leading Hazelwood West to the Missouri Class 5 state championship, which was the first in the school’s history. From there, he followed up with one stellar performance after another on the national circuit, culminating in his double-medal winning performance in his first big international meet against seasoned professionals. This has been truly remarkable as Robinson is just 17 years old.
On Aug. 7, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and social justice warrior Colin Kaepernick posted a video to Twitter. The opening frame was a blacked out screen with a white scoreboard that read “Denied Work for 889 Days.” The video went on to show Kaepernick hitting the weight room for a workout.
“5 a.m. Five days a week. For three years. Still ready,” the free agent QB states in a voiceover. The message is clear. Kaepernick still has a desire to play quarterback in the NFL.
Kaepernick’s protest against injustice and inequality created a fiery collision between the sports and political worlds. The last time he laced up his cleats under an NFL contract was Jan. 1, 2017. After it was announced that Kaepernick and the NFL had come to a settlement in his collusion case against the league, many thought Kaepernick
would ride off into the sunset, becoming a full-time social justice advocate. That does seem like the most likely scenario since NFL owners seem frightened to death at the scrutiny a Kaepernick signing would bring. Never mind that according to USA Today, there have been at least 95 incidents of NFL players getting arrested and/or charged with crimes (ranging from driving with a suspended license to DWI to assault) since Kaepernick last played in the NFL. Many of those players were welcomed back to their teams with open arms. Meanwhile Kaepernick is out of the league for a silent, peaceful protest. Jay-Z has been a vocal Kaepernick supporter. He wore a Kaepernick jersey while performing on Saturday Night Live. He reportedly turned down an offer to perform at the Super Bowl last season to show solidarity with Kaepernick. He even went as far as dis-
With Alvin A. Reid
Hopefully, a white man with red hair and the first name of Race will stir a passion among black athletes in America and move them to visibly demonstrate their opposition to racism. Maybe a black woman wearing blue lipstick with the guts to emulate American icons John Carlos and Tommie Smith can do the same.
Race Imboden, a member of the U.S. fencing team that won a Gold Medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, took a knee during the national anthem and medal ceremony on Friday, August 9. Following his peaceful, yet forceful, protest, Imboden said on Twitter, “We must call for change.”
social issues.
“Just a testament to everything I’ve been through in the past year, and everything the country has been through this past year,” she said after her protest, which was the same as Carlos and Smith’s at the Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968.
“A lot of things need to be done and said and changed. I’m not trying to start a political war or act like I’m miss-knowit-all or anything like that. I just know America can do better.
“This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart.
“Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list … I chose to [sacrifice] my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed. I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.”
He would later tell the reporters, “It is not a time to stay silent.”
Imboden also knelt during the anthem during a World Cup event in Egypt in 2017. A day later, AfricanAmerican hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist on the podium to draw attention to
“Every individual person has their own views of things that are going on. It’s in the Constitution, freedom of speech. I have a right to feel what I want to feel. It’s no disrespect at all to the country. I want to make that very clear. If anything, I’m doing it out of love and respect for people in the country.”
Of course, the governing body of the U.S. team is not happy with the protests.
“Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature. In this case, Race didn’t adhere to the commitment he made to the organizing committee and the USOPC,” Mark Jones, vice president of communications for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, said in a statement to the Associated Press the following day.
“We respect his rights to express his viewpoints, but we are disappointed that he chose not to honor his commitment. Our leadership are reviewing what consequences may result.”
The statement was released
again after Berry raised her fist. Jones should have left out the part about respecting their rights. If the organization did, it would not be reviewing his punishment – and you best believe there will be a punishment for fear of angering the president.
A mass shooting by a deranged racist in El Paso, Texas has moved few black athletes (if any) to protest in any fashion. Not a single NFL player took a knee during the national anthem before a preseason game in the wake of the El Paso tragedy. As for MLB players, don’t hold your breath, it ain’t happening.
Hopefully, Imboden and Berry’s actions on a world stage will embolden other athletes to show the world they are sick of racism and the president’s persistent race baiting – and take a knee or at least talk loudly about the dreadful situation the nation is facing.
Good job guys!
While the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club RBI junior baseball team did not bring home the 2019 RBI World Series title, history shows that the trip to Vero Beach, Florida
could set the stage for a future title.
The St. Louis squad dropped a 4-1 decision to Puerto Rico (Carolina) in its first qualifier round. Puerto Rico’s Diego Ortiz drove in two runs and starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez threw 3 1/3 scoreless to pace the victory.
Manager Rae Merriweather’s team then displayed the tenacity that helped the squad bounce back from a Central Region second-place finish and earn a wild-card berth in the World Series with a win over host Indianapolis two weeks ago.
Mathews-Dickey bounce back to defeat a favored Harrisburg, Pennsylvania RBI 10-8 in its second game in the qualifying round.
Another win followed with a 14-4 thumping of Boston Red Sox RBI, setting up a possible trip to the semifinals.
A 6-4 loss to Miami RBI ended the team’s title dream.
Chicago White Sox RBI won the Junior Division Championship defeating Miami Marlins RBI 3-0 at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
Chicago starting pitcher Yashion Boswell was named the Most Valuable Player of the Junior Division Championship Game, having posted an impressive 2.10 earned run average during pool play and playoff games.
Chicago, after losing in the championship game last year to Philadelphia RBI, claimed its second RBI World Series title after winning in 2016.
We always tell them: Bigtime guys make big-time plays in big-time situations,” said White Sox coach Marcus
Rodgers, whose team actually lost its opening round game to New Orleans.
“And for us, this is our biggest tournament of the year.”
So, keep your heads held high, Mathews-Dickey. We look forward to seeing you in the World Series next season.
And be like Chicago, and qualify a Senior Division baseball team too.
Ezekiel is a trip
A year ago, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott supported owner Jerry Jones after the team threatened to cut any player that took a knee or demonstrated during the national anthem. Jones said “toe on the line,” and Elliott dutifully told the press “we’re the Dallas Football Cowboys, America’s Team. We stand for the national anthem.”
A year later, Jones doesn’t know if Elliott is standing or sitting because he’s in Mexico during a holdout that is nearing its third week.
When Elliott was facing a lengthy suspension two years ago, Jones provided legal assistance in his battle against the NFL and an accuser who said he physically abused her.
He was suspended six games and Jones led a revolt against Commissioner Roger Goodell. He failed to land enough votes to oust Goodell, but he made it clear he was not happy.
His payback has been Elliott’s hold out before the fourth year of his five-year deal. Elliott wants Todd Gurley money. The Cowboys, so far, have said no. Now, let’s put ourselves in
Jones’ very expensive shoes.
In January, Elliott and his representatives reportedly told the Cowboys that he would not play in 2019 if he did not receive a hefty raise and contract extension.
To his credit, Elliott took part in all voluntary and mandatory offseason team activities.
However, after threatening to skip the season Elliott found himself in trouble again after arguing with a woman and bumping a security guard in Las Vegas this summer. The events were captured on a cell phone and went viral within hours. He looked like he had been drinking and threw another embarrassment on America’s Team.
The incident was enough for Goodell to order Elliott to his New York office. He escaped another suspension, but received yet another stern warning from the commissioner. Jones has got to be thinking, “why should I make him the highest paid running back in the NFL when he keeps getting in trouble?”
It’s a fair question. It’s one I would be asking Elliott and his people behind the scenes daily during this holdout.
The Reid Roundup Gymnast Simone Biles made history as the first woman to land a clean triple-double – two flips and three twists in the air – in her floor routine last Sunday during the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City. Only two men have ever accomplished the move. Biles won her record-tying sixth United States Gymnastics national championship … Back spasms forced Serena Williams to abandon her championship match at last week’s Rogers Open last week and her chance to win an elusive record 24th Grand Slam title at the upcoming U.S. Open seem slim … Williams topped FORBES list of the highest paid women in sports for the fourth straight year after earning $29.2 million in the 12-month period ending June 1 … Tiger Woods’ mild oblique strain kept him out of the Northern Trust last week. He’s scheduled to play in the BMW Championship this weekend in what could be his final tournament of the year … Kudos to the Detroit Tigers to devoting an entire weekend of activities to former Negro League players and Negro League baseball during a threegame series against the Kansas City Royals.
Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” Find him on Twitter at @aareid1.
Continued from B3
Mike Rodgers wins gold
Former Berkeley High star
Mike Rodgers is a veteran on the international track and field scene and he won a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter dash. Rodgers also anchored the USA men’s 4x100-meter relay team to a bronze medal.
After a great prep career at Berkeley and stellar collegiate career at Lindenwood University and Oklahoma City, Rodgers has enjoyed a very productive career on the international circuit for more than a decade.
Gwen Berry wins throw, raises fist
Another gold medalist from North County was former McCluer High girls standout Gwen Berry, who won the women’s hammer throw with an effort of 244 feet and 9 inches. She is the current American record holder in the event.
Berry’s gold-medal winning performance in the hammer throw was just the beginning of the story. While on the medal stand, Berry raised her right fist in the air during the playing of the national anthem, evoking memories of the iconic moment during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when USA sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during the medal ceremony after the 200-meter dash. Berry was taking a stand against injustice in America and, in her words, “a president who’s making it worse.”
“It’s too important to not say something,” Berry told USA Today. “Something had to be said. If nothing is said, nothing will be done and nothing will be fixed, and nothing will be changed.”
Berry was one of two American athletes who used the platform of the Pan-Am Games medal stand to make their statement in protest. The other was fencer Race Imboden, who took a knee on the medal stand after winning a gold medal in the Team Fencing and bronze medal as an individual.
By Earl Austin Jr.
Of the St. Louis American
Two of the top high school football programs in the state of Missouri will get the opportunity to shine in the national television spotlight this season. The Metro Catholic Conference showdown between CBC and DeSmet, scheduled for Friday, September 20, will
Continued from B3 “Kap” back into the league? Is Jay-Z abandoning his principles and selling out for that NFL money? It looks like we’ll all have to wait and see.
According to Carolina Panthers’ DB Eric Reid, the first player to kneel beside Kaepernick, Jay-Z is not working with the banished QB in this initiative. Reid showed his displeasure for the agreement, accusing the NFL of “acting like they care about people of color by forming numerous disingenuous partnerships to address social injustice while collectively blackballing Colin.”
It’s hard to disagree with Reid’s point. How can anyone take the NFL seriously when it comes to advocating for social
be broadcast live on ESPN2 as part of the network’s GEICO ESPN High School Football Showcase. The game will be played at CBC. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Both powerhouse programs will be in contention for the Missouri Class 6 state championship. CBC has won the state title for three of the past four years while DeSmet has a load-
justice while the league continues to actively blackball a player for doing just that?
However, I’m not sure there has ever been a more optimal time for Kaepernick to return to the NFL. Last week, the POTUS was asked if Kaepernick should be given an opportunity to return to the NFL and responded surprisingly.
“Frankly, I’d love to see Kaepernick come in — if he’s good enough,” the current White House occupant stated.
While I don’t generally believe anything Individual 1 says, that statement alone would seem to give cover to teams who need a quarterback but are frightened of the media spotlight that would accompany Kaepernick.
With the DNC debates ongoing, potential impeachment, an ongoing border fight and more, the POTUS should have bigger concerns than
ed roster that is primed to make a championship run this season. It is also a game that could very well decide the championship of the MCC. CBC has had a stranglehold of the MCC with nine consecutive titles, but DeSmet is looking to unseat the Cadets. CBC will be looking to reload after graduating a terrific senior class that brought home
Colin Kaepernick. This could be the season that some team finally comes calling. Many things have occurred that should give the league confidence that a Kaepernick return wouldn’t hurt its precious ratings. First, Nike’s stock rose after running a pro-Kaepernick campaign. Reid has had success with the Panthers while remaining an outspoken advocate for social justice. The NFL has also signed various social justice-related partnerships. Most of those things occurred without a groundswell of public passion. It seems like this season is Kaepernick’s best chance to serve as a signal-caller in the NFL once again.
Even if he doesn’t, his protest has worked to a certain degree. Howso? Just watch the NFL fall all over itself to put together social justice initiatives that would have never existed had Kaepernick never
back to back state championships. One of their leading returning players is senior running back Ray Lingard, who rushed for more than 600 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season. The senior offensive lineman is back to anchor the offensive line, while senior defensive lineman Mike West is one of the top returning players on defense.
decided to kneel during the national anthem. I have little doubt that Kaepernick still possesses the skill to play. The big question is whether there is an owner in the NFL that possesses the
DeSmet returns several top players from last year’s team that finished 9-3, with those losses coming against MCC foes CBC and Vianney, who were both state champions. The Spartans are led by senior wide receiver Jordan Johnson, who has already committed to Notre Dame. They also have a pair of talented junior running backs in Taj Butts and Rico Barfield, along with returning defensive stalwarts Mekhi Wingo and Lanell Carr. The CBC-DeSmet clash will mark the first time that St. Louis area teams have been featured on ESPN since the 2007-08 season when Parkway North played Parkway West in a game which featured nationally-ranked quarterback Blaine Gabbert of Parkway West.
courage to make the call. While I won’t hold my breath that one will emerge, I indeed remain hopeful.
The NFL can sign deals with Jay-Z, Van Jones or the ghost of Marcus Garvey, until
one of its teams signs Colin Kaepernick, the league’s calls for justice rings hollow. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch online at stlamerican. com and on Twitter @ishcreates.
from page B1
Kiara
a full-time financial empowerment coordinator and Ferguson resident, to work on-site at the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center to provide budget and credit counseling, as well as access to necessary transportation, mortgage and credit building loans and free and low-cost deposit and checking products. The Ferguson Community Empowerment Center is built on the site of the QuikTrip gas station on West Florissant that was burned down early in the Ferguson unrest and became an early organizing point for police accountability protests. The Urban League facilitated the acquisition and makeover of the property. “People need
a beacon of hope in their communities to show them that it is possible to become successful,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Save Our Sons, a workforce development program created by the Urban League during the Ferguson unrest to help African-American and other men find jobs, also received two new boosts – a $500,000 state appropriation announced by state Senators Jamilah Nasheed, Karla May and Brian Williams, and another $250,000 donation from Ameren.
“From the very beginning, Ameren was involved in working with the Urban League to help resolve the Ferguson crisis,” McMillan said. “As a result, more than 750 men obtained jobs through the Save Our Sons program.” McMillan announced future plans for the Urban League
Plaza, a shopping center strip mall on West Florissant at the former site of an Advanced Auto Parts store and Juanita’s Clothing Boutique that were destroyed during the unrest.
He said the Urban League Plaza will feature a full-service bank, restaurant and banquet facility, and minority business incubator. The project will host First Bank as its anchor tenant along with Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant, At-Home Care and other minority-owned businesses and services.
“We are excited to provide further economic development to this Ferguson-Dellwood corridor which was affected by arson during the crisis,” McMillan said. “It is our hope to see the Ferguson/Dellwood area completely restored and provide increased services to its residents.”
For more information or to assist with any of these projects, call (314) 615-3662 or visit ulstl.com.
By Harsh Patel, CFP, AAMS
New restaurant in the Loop pairs U. City native music industry veterans
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
Orlando Watson and Tony “T-Luv” Davis want to make one thing clear about the new restaurant they partnered to open in the Delmar Loop. Prime 55 is not a steak house.
“We only have two steaks on the menu,” Watson said, “They are good steaks, but there are only two.” Watson admitted that assumption is due to the restaurant’s name. But Prime is the best way to describe their intention for the dining experience they provide to patrons.
“When you say prime, people know that means ‘topnotch,” Davis said.
As far as the 55, Watson says the number 5 represents new beginnings, which explains their new venture in a nutshell.
“It’s a natural progression if you think about it,” Watson said. “When you think of enter-
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
“You are going to stop to get something to eat on your way in or your way out,” Davis added. “And we wanted to have a black-owned, high-
Louis Public Radio and Cheeraz Gormon’s ‘Living #Ferguson: A Storytelling Event’ Thursday at Greater St. Mark Church.
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis
On the
By American staff
How to place a calendar listing
1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR
2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing
Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.
Thur., Aug. 15, 7 p.m., Fubar presents Young AR. 3108 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. fubarstl.com.
Sat., Aug. 17, A Night of Class starring Dionne Warwick. With special guests Peabo Bryson & Deniece Williams. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.
Fri., Aug. 23, 8 p.m., Throwback Legends presents Young Dro. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 374-5565.
Fri., Aug. 23, 8 p.m., Pop’s Concert Venue presents Polo G. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.
Wed., Aug. 28,7 p.m., Live Nation presents Hot 104.1 FM’s Super Jam, featuring the Meek Mill & Future: The Legendary Nights Tour. With YG, Mustard, and Megan Thee Stallion. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.
Fri., Aug. 30, 8 p.m., River City Casino presents En Vogue. 777 River City Casino Blvd., 63125. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.
Fri., Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater presents Nelly. 1 Riverfront Dr., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.
Tues., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m., Fox Theatre presents Lenny Kravitz. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.
Fri., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m., AllN-1 Entertainment presents Divas with Voices Live Tribute Concert. Hosted by Lady Re. Jewel Event Center, 407 Dunn Rd., 63031. For more information, call (314) 690-3660.
Sat., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., Kim Fuller and Carolbeth True Perform The Music of Billie Holiday. Ozark Theatre, 103 E. Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, call (314) 962-7000.
Sat., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., Tonina: The St. Louis Tour. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.delmarhall.com.
Aug. 16 – 18, Blankfest 2019 A music festival to showcase some of St. Louis’ best Hip-Hip, R&B, Alternative, Rock, Hard Blues artists/ bands. Blank Space, 2847 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Sun., Aug. 18, 4 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Soulful Sunday with the Renaissance Band. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.
Sat., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., 15th Annual Smooth Jazz Concert feat. Marvin F. Cockrell & Focus. The Purser Center, Logan University, 1851 Schoettler Rd., 63017. For more information, call (314) 298-8818.
Thur., Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m., United 4 Children 7th Annual Golfing for Kids Golf Tournament Fundraiser Norman K. Probstein Golf
Course, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.united4children.org.
Sat., Aug. 17, 6 p.m., The Advancing Church presents We on Blast: Youth Back to School Concert and Giveaway. Community resources, school supplies, hip hop artists, poetry, and more. 4152 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.
Aug. 16 – 18, 2019 Black Pride Weekend: So St. Louis. Events include an awards mixer, festival, church service, and more. For more information, visit wwww. facebook.com.
Aug. 16 – 18, St. Louis World’s Fare Heritage Festival. World’s Fair Pavilion, Forest Park, 1904 Concourse Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. stlworldsfare.com.
Aug. 16 – 18, Festival of the Little Hills. Featuring over 300 arts & craft booths, demonstrations, vendors, a kid’s area, and more. St. Charles Historic District, 63303. For more information, visit www. festivalofthelittlehills.com.
Sat., Aug. 17, 2 p.m., Rise
Up Festival 2019. A one-day street festival celebration of revitalization in St. Louis. 1627 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.
Sat., Aug. 17, 5 p.m., FoodSpark presents The Spark Dinner: Black Summer. A dinner party which capstones a threemonth-long series of conversations on Black summer and Black liberation. Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www.foodspark.org.
Wed., Aug. 21, East St. Louis Historical Society meeting, EStL Public Library, 5300 State Street, 62203. Inquiries may be sent to The Historical Society, c/o I am EStL, 518 Missouri Ave., E. St. L, IL 62201.
Thur., Aug. 22, 5 p.m., St. Louis Crisis Nursery Celebrity Waiters Night. 80 W County Center Dr., 63131. For more information, visit www.crisisnurserykids.org/ events.
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., The Pink Carpet Community Gala. With host Derrion Henderson and guest speaker Dr. Lannis Hall. Bold &
Confident You Fashion Show. Missouri Athletic Club Downtown, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Sat., Aug. 24, 9 a.m., Greater North County Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Career Fair. James J. Eagan Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr., 63033. For more information, visit www. greaternorthcountychamber. com.
Aug. 24 – 25, 10 a.m., International Institute presents the Saint Louis Festival of Nations. Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Dr., 63113. For more information, visit www. festivalofnations.org.
Sun., Aug. 25, 5 p.m., Kris Cole presents The Black Swan: 2nd Annual Solo Fashion Show. Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Tues., Aug. 27, 4 p.m., Next NGA West Construction Training Fair. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Community Center, 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, visit www.nextngawest.com.
A Night of Class starring Dionne Warwick. With special guests Peabo Bryson and Deniece Williams. For more information, see CONCERTS.
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., The Zoo Young Professionals invite you to Jammin’ At The Zoo. 1 Government Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.stlzoo.org.
Sat., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Omega Unincorporated Chapter presents The SmokeOwt: Stix & Stilettos Edition. Eagle Springs Golf Course, 2575 Redman, 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Aug. 31 – Sept. 1, Taste of Africa 2019. Come out for the food, vendors, activities, musicians, and more. O’Fallon Park, 799 E. Taylor Ave., 63147. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.
Sat., Sept. 7, 11 a.m., 4th Annual ConsciousFest. A celebration of community, culture, vendors, performances, and more. 4057 Evans Ave., 63113. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.
Sat., Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m., Girls Circle YD, Inc. invites you to an All Girls Resource Fair. Women entrepreneurs are invited to be the examples girl entrepreneurs need to see. Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave., 63105. For more
information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Sun., Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m., St. Peter’s Church Annual Community Picnic. We will have an inflatable obstacle course, petting zoo, photo booth, and much more. 1425 Stein Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. stpeterschurch.org.
Sat., Sept. 14, 10 a.m., Taste of Black St. Louis. A day with food, music, shopping, and learning. Tower Grove Park South West Kingshighway Experience, 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Sat., Aug. 17, 2 p.m., Malaika Tinashe Book
Signing. Hear select readings of her new book My Words, My Rules. Progressive Emporium & Education Center, 1108 N. Sarah St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 875-9277.
Sat., Aug. 24, 3 p.m., Meet, Greet, Conversation Book Signing with Author Lydia Douglas. Douglas has authored over 7 books perfect for back to school and your inner spirit. Afro World, 7276 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 3895194.
Wed., Sept. 4, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Ben Westhoff author of Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.org.
Thur., Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Gina Whitlock Fletcher, author of Stumble to Rise: My Life Surviving and Thriving with M.S Grant’s View Branch, 9700 Musick Rd., 63123. For more information, visit www.slcl. org.
Sat., Aug. 17, 1 p.m., 6th
Annual Saint Louis African American Artifacts Festival and Bazaar. Crown Square Plaza, 14th Street & St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. saintlaaafab.com.
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, The Greater St. Louis Art Association presents The Art Fair at Queeny Park Featuring up to 130 artists. Greensfelder Recreation Center, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www.artfairatqueenypark. com.
Sept. 6 – 8, Saint Louis Art Fair. Featuring 181 artists from around the world exhibiting their work. 225 S. Meramec Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www. saintlouisartfair.com.
Aug. 15 – 18, Helium Comedy Club presents Luenell. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www. heliumcomedy.com.
Thur., Aug. 15, 8 p.m., The Whole Crew Is Stupid Tour. Feat. Barry Brewer, Jahdai Pickett, and Minks. Jazzy 159, 5225 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL. 62208. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Aug. 16 – 18, The Laugh Lounge presents JJ Williamson. 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. thelaughloungestl.com.
Aug. 23 – 25, Helium Comedy Club presents Tony Roberts. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117.
Sat., Aug. 17, 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. StarFire Productions presents NOT MY SONS written and
directed by Star Ellis. A full length play coupled with a served 2 course catered dinner by StarFire Catering. The Empowerment Center @ The Center for Divine Love 3617 Wyoming Street St. Louis, MO 63116. Tickets can be purchased online at www.StarFireHot.com or call 314.732.5146 for group/ organization rates.
Aug. 17 – 24, 8 p.m., Union Avenue Opera presents Glory Denied. Follow the life of a long held POW after he returns home. 733 N. Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, www.unionavenueopera.org.
Thur., Aug. 22, 8 p.m., An Evening With Iyanla Vanzant: Acts of Faith Remix Tour. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 Touhill Circle, 63121. For more information, visit www. iyanlavanzantlive.com.
Sat., Aug. 24, 10 a.m., All The King’s Men Restorative Justice Clinic, Co-Sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed featuring Sen. Brian Williams, Alderman Brandon Bosley and Rep. Wiley Price,
Mission St. Louis, 3108 N. Grand. For more information, call (314) 690-8373.
Wed., Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m., City-Wide Town Hall on Gun Violence. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.
Thur., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m., COCA presents Speak Now: Marcus Jarrell Williams An intimate conversation with the former Alvin Ailey dancer. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.
Thur., Sept. 5, 5:30 p.m., What’s Next? The City-County Merger. Three experts on regional governance discuss next steps now that plans for a City/County merger have collapsed. Hillman Hall, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. JFedSTL.org/events.
Sat., Sept. 7, 9 a.m., The Alzheimer’s Association presents Aging-Friendly Congregations Workshop. St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3975 N. Highway 67, 63034. For more information, visit www. communityresourcefinder. org.
Aug. 22 – 25, United in Faith presents the Refreshed by Fire Conference. Holiday Inn Downtown Convention Center, 811 N. 9th St., 63101. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.
Sat., Aug. 24, 12 p.m., Temple of Praise Ministries Empowerment Day. Empowerment seminars, activities, vendors, trivia, and more. O’Fallon Park, 799 E. Taylor Ave., 63115. For more information, visit www. topministriesstl.org.
Sat., Aug. 24, 12 p.m., Apostolic Women St. Louis presents On Purpose for a Purpose. Keynote speakers Shalia Ford & Amber Price.
Ferguson Empowerment Center, 9420 W. Florissant Ave., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Sun., Aug. 25, 10 a.m., The Cathedral at St. Paul AME Church 88th Annual Usher Day Celebration and Worship Service, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave. St. Louis, MO. For more information, call (314) 3858900.
Sun., Aug. 25, 3 p.m., True Light Missionary Baptist Church 110th Church Anniversary: We’re Better Together Women in White Service. Feat. St. Louis Finest Women in Christ. 2838 James Cool Papa Bell, 63106. For more information, call (314) 707-5608.
Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater presents Nelly. See CONCERTS for details.
Aug. 28 – 30, YFC Ministries presents We Are Overcomers Conference 2019. Chase Park Plaza, 212 Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.
Thur., Aug. 22, 3 p.m., Movie Screening: The Upside. Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, 910 N. Newstead Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-0534.
Thur., Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m., Pre-Screening of Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II. St. Louis Public Library, Buder Branch, 4401 Hampton Ave., 63109. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.
things than this.’”
Davis is perhaps best known as Nelly’s former manager, though his Starpower Ent. group has signed artists to major label deals – including Fresco Kane to So So Def. Watson has worked as a producer for some of the biggest names in music, including Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. His RockHouse Ent. also has success as a concert promotion entity.
“Does that mean that we are going to be successful more than the person who doesn’t have our background? No,” Watson said. “I think we have a leg up in that we do have a base to tap into, but it’s a risky business. But so is bringing an artist and paying them $50,000 to come to The Pageant. It’s a coin toss, but we have surrounded ourselves with good people and have had some really good consultants.”
They got into the restaurant business because they wanted to fill what they saw as a void.
“I’ve been to places in other cities where you go to dinner, you socialize for a few hours and then you go home,” Davis said. “Me and Orlando felt like St. Louis didn’t have that type of go to for our community.”
Beyond the night club
Davis and Watson have been friends since middle school. Watson was one of the earliest producers for The St. Lunatics
before putting St. Louis on the global rap stage by way of Nelly’s “Country Grammar.”
“We didn’t do a ton of work together in the music industry, but we all did start out together,” Watson said. “We were all from the same neighborhood.”
Since then they carved their own lanes but had been in talks for a few years about working together again on a business venture outside of the music industry.
Originally, they were thinking a nightclub, but another childhood friend who was a chef joined in on the conversation about what it would take to open a restaurant.
“After three or four months, we said ‘let’s give it a shot.”
As the restaurant business goes, their chef friend moved on to another opportunity after delays pushed the opening of Prime 55 back to summer.
But they are thrilled to give 28-year-old Tyler Wayne his first executive chef role. It’s a responsibility that Wayne does not take lightly.
“With it being a black owned business, these gentlemen know how different it is to maneuver in this world as a black man,” Wayne said. “I’m forever grateful to these guys for believing in me and taking a chance on me. These guys were nice enough to give me all of the creative freedom I’ve ever had or ever wanted. I’ve spent a lot of my career making other people’s visions come to fruition on a plate.”
Wayne has a knack for fusion when it comes to what he serves up at Prime 55. The lobster fries give a Cajun twist to a classic American comfort food. Cheese fries are overloaded with creole seasoning and chunks of lobster. Elotes,
or street corn, is also given a kick with Louisiana spices. The steak that bears the restaurant’s name is so tender that even cooked to well-done there is barely any use for a knife. They were also mindful of the vegetarians with the menu that includes cauliflower steaks for dinner and veggie tacos for lunch. There’s also fish on the menu for pescatarians.
The restaurant sits on the corner of Delmar and Rosedale – and the fact that their restaurant it is located in their beloved U. City is not lost on them. Prime 55 has both upstairs and downstairs dining areas. The upstairs area has plenty of light from the windows that surround the entry way. The downstairs is more quaint with low lights and a diverse mix of music curated by Watson set to a volume low enough to where guests don’t have to battle with the ambient noise as they fellowship over the food.
“Sharp look, great ambiance, great service and the best dining experience you can get,” Davis said. “That’s what we’re shooting for.”
As they look towards the future for Prime 55, they have one word in mind: more.
“We want a Prime 56, Prime 57 and a Prime 58,” Davis said. “We want one in Lafayette Square and Town and Country. That’s the goal. Not to oversaturate, but we want to grow this concept in other areas within the region.”
And quite possibly, other cities.
Prime 55 is located at 6100 Delmar (at Rosedale). For more information, visit www. prime55stl.com or call (314) 553-9595.
then I decided to pick up my phone,” Gormon said. “The first of these messages said, ‘Raz, the Ferguson police just shot a boy.’ The next one read, ‘Cheeraz, it’s a dead body out on Canfield Drive.”
She went to Facebook. She saw the now viral image of Louis Head holding a sign that read “The Ferguson Police just executed my unarmed son.” She retreated further into her grief.
“The only thing I could think was, ‘Dear God, I hope his brothers and sisters are nowhere around to see this,’” Gormon said.
She then introduced the first of the four storytellers.
The story that actor, playwright and theater professor Gregory Carr Sr. told wasn’t one about a creative response to Ferguson. He came from the position of helping a friend in need – and through it further revealed how Ferguson residents had become collateral damage. Between the curfew and the closed stores, Carr’s friend from high school, whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years, posted on Facebook that she hadn’t been able to make it to the store to get groceries. He volunteered to pick some up for her. As they sat and talked after he delivered them, there was a knock at the door. A man with the “I Love Ferguson” campaign was at the door with sign for her to post in her yard.
“She said that she didn’t feel comfortable doing so with everything that was happening,” Carr said. “The man’s tone changed. We realized that he was no longer asking.
“I stepped in and said, ‘I think she’s told you she doesn’t want to put the sign in her yard – and I think you should respect that.”
Cat Daniels, who became known as “Mama Cat” for making sure that those involved in the protest were fed, talked about how she found her calling in Ferguson through a group of committed youth.
She saw a group of 10 young people on a furniture
store parking lot on West Florissant.
“I was like, ‘What y’all doing?’” Daniels said. “They was like, ‘We ain’t going nowhere until we get justice for Mike Brown.’” That group later became known as the Lost Voices. “They were out there every night,” Daniels said. “I know, because I was out there with them.”
Her work feeding the activists in Ferguson led her to form Potbangerz, a nonprofit organization that provides meals to the homeless.
Michael Brown’s death forced filmmaker Aziza Binti to confront the harsh truth of the assumptions and misconceptions she had about black men based on her own fears.
Binti, a black woman, was so afraid that even though she had grown close enough with Danny Boyd to designate him her best friend, when he asked if he could come by her house one night to chat, she called another friend over so she didn’t have to be alone with him in her house.
“They came over and everything was fine,” Binti said. “But after they left, the fear stayed.”
Ironically, Boyd was also one of the evening’s storytellers. He addressed the hurt that came the moment he realized he went from being seen as an innocent child to a menacing presence – and it was long before he reached adulthood.
When he was in first grade, his gym teacher favored him to the point where he had a special song announcing his arrival in class.
“Oh, Danny boy,” Boyd sang with a smile as he imitated his beloved teacher. He and the teacher crossed paths when Boyd was in middle school. Even though it was clear that he recognized Boyd, his teacher said nothing. He looked at Boyd not as a cherished former student, but “one of those thugs.”
“A part of the child in me died at that moment,” Boyd said.
He suggested that perhaps if Darren Wilson had seen Michael Brown for the teen that he was as opposed to an object to be feared that warrants the use of deadly force, perhaps things could have ended differently on that fateful afternoon of August 9, 2014. country as well as cities from around the world in one of the
longest-running celebrations of competitive spoken word poetry in the United States for teens. Teams from Kansas City, Chicago, New York, and New Zealand were represented in this year’s contest. Notable Youth Speaks alumni include
actor Daveed Diggs, who came back to emcee BNV in 2016 after starring in roles in the Broadway pop culture phenomenon “Hamilton” and ABC network’s hit sitcom “blackish.” BNV received national attention in 2008 when HBO produced a series that aired on the cable network.
During the Grand Slam Finals, the St. Louis team faced off against teams from Seattle, Chicago, and Newark. In a close finish, St. Louis won by the slimmest margin in a poetry slam, a tenth of a point, edging out the Chicago team in a dramatic finish.
The 2019 champion St. Louis team is comprised of teen poets Sarah Abbas of Marquette High School, Camryn Howe, a recent graduate from Kirkwood High School, Keana Fox of Collinsville High School, Caleb Broeker, a recent graduate of Northwest High School (in Cedar Hill, Missouri), former St. Louis Youth Poet Laureate and Emerson College freshman Zack Lesmeister and current St. Louis Youth Poet Laureate Kalyn McKoy of Parkway North. This year’s coach for the UrbArts team was Paul Tran, who was a fixture of the New York poetry slam scene before enrolling at
Aunt Mae Mae, August 15 is the day that I want to wish you a wonderful and blessed birthday! Love, Your niece, Donna
On July 1, 2017 Amber Turner became Amber Farrar when she married my son. Most would say she’s my daughter-in-law, but I say she’s my daughter now. On August 15 I want to wish her a wonderful and joyful Bornday. Love you Amber, Your second mother, Donna
Vashon High School Class of 1974 is planning for its 45th reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.
Vashon High School Class of 1969 will be celebrating their 50th reunion August 11, 2019: All-White Dance at the Signature Club, 9006 Overland Plz.63114 5pm-10pm. October 18: Meet & Greet at Renaissance Hotel 5-10pm. October 19: 50th Golden Banquet, same location. For additional info contact Yvonne Clemons (314) 620-0551 or Genies Parks Jordan (314)4486658.
Vashon-Hadley Old School Reunion 1960-67, October 19, 2019, 2-6 pm at The Atrium in Christian Hospital. For more details text (only) Brenda Mahr at 314-580-5155 or email at: brendamahr@att.net.
Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.
Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.
Soldan is having its 14th AllClass Alumni Picnic, August 17, 2019, at Tiemeyer Park, 3311 Ashby Rd., St. Ann, MO 63074 from 10 am-6 pm. Bring your own basket or grill out there. Food trucks will be present. T-Shirts are $15—get your grad year on your t-shirt
before August 3, 2019. For more information call: (314) 413-9088.
Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!
Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50th year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314-239-5202 or Ophelia at 314-280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.
Cole School Alumni Fourth Annual Cute and Casual Dinner Dance “An Old Fashioned Big Show Reunion” Featuring: The Pure Image Band with songstress Carolyn Munson. Date: Sunday August 25, 2019, 3:00--7:00 p.m at Infinite Occasions Conference and Banquet Center, 3515 North Lindbergh (across from Northwest Plaza, St. Ann, MO 63074.
Mrs. Arzella Abernathy will celebrate her 95th birthday on August 26. She was a teacher for almost 40 years at Riddick and Emerson before retirement. She has been a faithful longtime member of St James AME Church since 1958. She enjoys traveling, church club meetings, crafts such as drawings and artwork and family gatherings.
A very happy 40th birthday to Kirsten Franklin Petty. Kirsten is a full-time photographer in the St. Louis Metro area, dedicated to her community, especially Gravois Park where her husband, Daniel Petty, is neighborhood association president. Happy Birthday, Kirsten! Here’s to many decades more! Love, The Donald Franklin Family
Central All-Class Reunion Weekend will be held August 9-11 2019. Meet and Greet - Friday - Midtown Bar and Grille 5:00pm, Redwing Dance - Saturday - 7:00 pm, Alumni PicnicSunday - All Class Picture at 3616 Garrison 9:00am. Picnic following picture at St. Louis Place Park/ Rauschenbach Park/ For more info: Contact Harri-o Jackson at 314-226-6332 or Phill Berry at 314-243-1927, St.louisheat52@yahoo.com. Beaumont High School Class of 1979 is planning its 40 year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is
The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-276-4392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.
Beaumont High School Class Of 1969 will celebrate its 50 year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles.. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@ yahoo.com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.
Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:
Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine
St.
MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com
Honorable in memoriam 5th anniversary activities. I just wanted to take a moment to issue a “job well done” to all of the people, organizations, institutions and media outlets that reflected upon the five-year anniversary of the tragic death of Michael Brown by celebrating his life and paying homage to the community that stood up on his behalf. It was a beautiful thing to show his family how much his life mattered to the world. A certain glowstick-holding racist who shall remain nameless – tried to drum up some mess – but the weekend was otherwise extremely positive, despite the day being rooted in tragedy. The fact that the piece of filth feels like he has license to be divisive during such a sensitive time in the region and not be worried about his job, is quite telling. I’ve given him too much space already, so I will leave it at that. Let me end on the positive note of how wonderful it was that the region lifted Michael Brown’s family and those who shouted so loudly for justice that the whole world heard them. Hammer is still hurting them. Friday night I made it my business to get to Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre to check out M.C. Hammer’s House Party. The last time I saw Hammer, I rode the 90 Hampton bus to the Arena to see him with Jodeci and Boyz II Men – and may or may not have crouched in the bathroom of what is now the Union Station Hotel waiting for my opportunity to sashay to the lobby and seduce Shawn Stockman. Y’all bet not (yes, I said bet not) be judging me. Okay, enough with the Hammer history, except to say that here and now, Hammer still has all those same moves nearly 30 years later. But before I get to the main attraction, let me talk about the openers for a few minutes. First of all, let me issue a public apology to any of these little mannish millennial rappers I may have judged. After hearing 2 Live Crew’s lyrics performed live as a woman of a certain age, I was downright shame. I really don’t remember them being that raunchy. Do y’all? I also didn’t remember those other members of the group. It wasn’t until I saw them that I realized that the only two members of 2 Live Crew that I actually knew were Luke and Fresh Kid Ice. When they came out after being announced, I was like “2 Live Crew….more like 2 Live Who?” I knew who Tone Loc was out the gate though. Those vocal cords are as ashy as they’ve always been. Now I will shade the new-school rappers by saying that if he can power through with that Weezy Jefferson voice without vocal tracks, then they have no excuse. And the same goes for Sir Mix-A-Lot, even though his vocals are substantially more moisturized. He got up in the crowd and performed. And who else was Friday years old when they learned that he wrote “Don’t Cha” for The Pussycat Dolls. He put on a great little set. My only regret is that I didn’t assemble my high school dance crew and make a reunion out of the concert. MixA-Lot and the rest of the folks would have gotten their whole entire life from the routine we made to “Posse On Broadway.” And who else was thrilled to hear him say “My Hooptie” was inspired by a car he bought in East St. Louis? Okay, now back to Hammer. Listen, he had me so jealous of his agility. Every time I try to muster up a simple twerk, my knees crack like knuckles. Perhaps all of that dead space between songs was a form of recovery. I can’t think of a show that had worse transitions, but it was worth it. I really enjoyed his set and was hometown proud when STL’s own Gentry Kozia was singing alongside him. But for the life of me, I don’t understand why he didn’t end with “U Can’t Touch This.”
Bates and some talented strangers. I slid through Pop’s Saturday night to see Bates and the Strangers, but many in her roster of openers (most of whom I had never heard of before) had me giving them a second look. Shout out to her for giving them a platform. A lesser artist wouldn’t have let folks so good go up ahead of them out of fear of being shown up. Oops was in the building. I was nodding to the Pharcyde vibe Hayzie P & Louis Confliction served with their portion of the show. And that Nando STL had the crowd on lock. I didn’t know what to expect when he stepped on the stage in a choir robe – and I still don’t understand why (hint, hint…lose it) – however, by the end of his set he had me and everybody else in there checking for him. His stage presence and energy were everything. And you already know how Bates gets down. My only wish is that there had been a bigger crowd to see them all in action.
The cutest cultural kickback Ohun.Ashe and the rest of the For The Culture STL crew had the Cortex courtyard looking like a baby Afro Punk Sunday afternoon with their Culture Kickback. I mean it was absolutely lovely. It brought out plenty of folks from the Ferguson and Stockley verdict protest movement for the sake of fun and fellowship. I was so thrilled to see some self-care recreation in action. It was if all the woke folks in everybody’s family decided to come together and have their own cookout/reunion. Biko was on the tables. Shea butter and other naturalista needs were being sold by vendors. And they closed things out with an Electric Side to “Before I Let Go (and yes, it was the Maze featuring Frankie Beverly version).
Another turn at Tani. Since I’m on the subject of reunions, let me tell y’all about turn up situation at Tani Saturday night. I ran into folks I hadn’t seen in years – including Craig Blac. It was that time of year for him to come through with his Community Cuts for Kids, and he took a few minutes for himself to step out. I was glad we chopped up for old times – and caught a cackle at the “Flipside” cover Isis Jones posted on her page featuring the Q 95.5 FM family. He wasn’t the only one who came out of the cut to kick it with Shadzilla, DJ Reminisce and the rest of the crew. I really enjoyed the vibe.
at http://www.slam.org/careers
Greensfelder Hemker & Gale, P.C. has an opening for a part-time General Services Clerk in its St. Louis office. Working hours for this position will be 4 hours per day, 5 days a week with potential growth to full-time. The ideal candidate will have the ability to handle multiple tasks & be customer service oriented. At least 1 year of job experience preferred. Position requires lifting, retrieving & distributing objects up to 50 lbs.
Position responsibilities include:
• Distribution & stocking of paper to printer/copier areas on all floors
• Stocking & organizing of kitchens on all floors
• Assist in all areas of General Services as needed
• Light maintenance work, such as repairing small office equipment or furniture, moving & installing light weight furniture, hanging artwork, etc.
Please direct all interest to Jessie Fenton, HR & Recruiting Manager or candidates can apply online through our career portal at http://www. greensfelder.com/careers.html.
LOAN PROCESSOR/ HOMEOWNERSHIP ADVISOR
The Housing Partnership, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has an immediate opening for a full-time employee. Responsible for client file management for participants in the Homebuyer Services program. Establish and maintain records of client files and ensure conformity to HUD guidelines and funder requirements. Looking for individual with experience in real estate, mortgage lending or housing counseling. Aptitude with numbers and excel spreadsheets important. For more information go to www.thehousingpartnershipstl.org
Please submit a resume and cover letter to The Housing Partnership, Inc., P.O. Box 16356 St. Louis, Missouri 63125 or via email to kate@thehousingpartnershipstl.org. An Equal Opportunity Employer.
ARCHS, a highly respected not-forprofit funding agency, is seeking a full-time Communications Specialist with dynamic digital-age expertise. Use creative and technical skills to convey ARCHS’ story through strategic use of social media, writing, graphic design, photos, and videos. Requirements: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree; 1-2 years of digital media experience; highly organized; deadline focused; multi-tasker; outgoing; inquisitive; have reliable transportation/ able to travel locally. ARCHS’ benefit package includes a 401(k) match. Be prepared to provide portfolio of work upon request. EMAIL initial letter of application and resume by August 30, 2019 to careers@stlarchs.org or FAX to ARCHS’ HR, 314-289-5670. No Phone Calls Please. ARCHS INFANT
United Way of Greater St. Louis seeking Financial Community Outreach Manager and more.
https://helpingpeople.org/ careers/ Submit your resume to Careers@stl.Unitedway.org.
Be part of the solution for vacant and abandoned property in the City of St. Louis. If you have experience managing construction or inspecting buildings, you may be interested in St. Louis Development Corporation’s (SLDC’s) Demolition Specialist position. SLDC is also seeking a experience Program Manager to Lead the efforts of Proposition Neighborhood Stabilization (NS) Building Stabilization Program. A full description can be found on-line at www.stlouis-mo. gov/sldc select “Careers at SLDC” and follow the online application process.
Position available immediately In Ferguson 314-736-0105
SLDC offers a full range of benefits including deferred comp, 401(a), and medical insurance. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer. Successful candidate must be a St. Louis city resident or establish residency within 180 days of completing a probationary period.
SLDC values a diverse workforce, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Marino Engineering Associates, Inc. (MEA) seeks Civil/Geotechnical Engineer in St. Louis, MO to perform engineering duties in planning, designing and overseeing construction and maintenance of geotechnical and subsidence services, including shallow and deep foundation systems, retaining structure, underground excavations, numerical 2D and 3D seepage, soil structure interaction analyses, slope stability analyses and rock engineering. Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and 1 yr. employment exp. in Geotechnical Eng. required.
Send resume, cover letter and salary req. to: Human Resources Director Marino Engineering Associates, Inc, 1370 McCausland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63117
Pattonville Fire Protection District is accepting applications for a FIREMEDIC position. Must meet minimum qualification, please see website www.pattonvillefd.com for details. Apply at 13900 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, Missouri, 63044; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., August 13th, through August 28th, 2019.
ARCHS is looking for 2 Infant/ Toddler Specialist to work in Warren, Lincoln, Montgomery and St. Charles counties. Applicant must have at least 2 years of experience with infant/ toddler care environments, goal setting, early childhood best practices, and be familiar with strength-based coaching techniques. Applicant will be required to complete site evaluations using the Infant Toddler Rating Scale, quality improvement goal setting, on-site visits, model best practices, and training using the West Ed Project Infant Toddler Curriculum (PITC). Associates Degree in Early Childhood, Social Work or a related field with at least 24 credit hours in Early Childhood Education is required. Competence in Microsoft software including: Word, Excel, Power Point and Web Based Data Systems a plus. Applicant will be expected to be available on evenings and weekends for training purposes. Full benefits package, including 401(k) match. Email letter of application and resume by August 30, 2019 to careers@stlarchs.org or Fax to HR, 314-289-5670. No phone calls please.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service is looking to add to our dynamic staff! Visit our job board at www.jfcsapply.com to view our exciting opportunities!
Building,Macon
e, Macon,Missouri, ProjectNo. T1833-02 willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 9/5/2019.For specificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities Saint Louis Zoo Exploration Outpost Kitchen Renovation RFP The St Louis Zoo is seeking contractor bids for food service equipment replacement and associated construction renovation materials and labor as outlined in bid documents.
for RepairStorm Damage& Replace Roof, Jackson ReadinessCenter, Jackson,Mo, Project No.T1931-01 willbe receivedby FMDC, StateofMO, UNTIL 1:30PM, 9/12/2019 Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities
Bid documents will be located on 08/14/19: https://www.stlzoo.org/ about/contact/vendoropportunities
Great Rivers Greenway is seeking qualifications for a sole provider to fabricate trail signage. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by September 4, 2019.
IPR Great Lakes will host a Pre-Bid meeting for the Gravois Trunk Sanitary Rehabilitation Project, within The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District:
This will be held Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 @ 1:00 – 3:00 in Meeting Rm. 3
Residence Inn St. Louis Downtown 525 S. Jefferson Avenue St. Louis, MO 63103 314-289-7500 Large Diameter pipe CCTV/Cleaning (36-60” Dia), Bypass
SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS
Notice to contractors, Special School District is accepting bids for Cooling Tower Replacement at Central Administrative Office.
For details, please visit the website at www.ssdmo.org/rfps.html
Altman-Charter Co., requests subcontractor/supplier proposals for the construction of Preservation Square Phase I in St. Louis, MO. This is a new development consisting of 131 New & Remodeled Apartment Units. Proposals are due at the office of Altman-Charter Co., 315 Consort Dr., St. Louis, MO 63011 on or before Thur., August 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM (CT). Qualified Minority, Section 3, and Women owned businesses are encouraged to submit proposals. Plans can be viewed at FW Dodge, Construct Connect, SIBA, MOKAN, and the Altman-Charter plan room in St. Louis. Bidders should contact Mr. Greg Mehrmann with any questions or to submit a proposal at gregm@altman-charter.com. Our telephone # is (636) 207-8670, and our fax # is (636) 207-8671.
SEWER DISTRICT
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August29, 2019 to contract with a company for: FARVAL LUBRICATORS FOR P-159 CARR
LOUIS ZOO PRIMATE CANOPY TRAILS RFP
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 20 403, Substation Replacement, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770. MANDATORY Pre-bid Meeting: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 1:30 p.m. at 5464 Highland Park Drive 63110 An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
vendoropportunities/
MBE/WBE contractors and non-minority contractors
Insituform Technologies USA, LLC, 17988 Edison Ave. Chesterfield, MO 63005, is seeking subcontractor quotes for The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Re-Bid Gravois Trunk (Whitecliff to RDP) Sanitary Rehabilitation (Fannie Ave to Pardee Lane), Letting No. 10496-015.1, Bidding Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 2:00pm. Potential subcontracting opportunities available for consideration on these projects include: Lab testing services, Closed-circuit TV inspection & cleaning of existing sewer lines including heavy cleaning, interstate hauling with a reefer truck, Manhole construction, cover locate, adjustment, lid replacement, repairs, Cementitious manhole rehabilitation, Chimney Liners, Cured-in Place Chimney Liners, Rock lining and rock toe protection, and site protection and restoration; all in accordance with project specifications.
IMPORTANT: QUOTE LINE ITEMS ON A TURNKEY BASIS AND INCLUDE PERMITS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, SEWER BY-PASSING, ETC, IF REQUIRED.
All M/WBE and non-minority contractors should contact Greg Patton or Mark Reeves in writing (certified letter, return receipt requested) to discuss bid opportunities. In lieu of a certified letter, contact can be made by e-mail to gpatton@aegion.com and mwreeves@aegion.com. Acknowledge in your quote your company will meet the workforce per trade minority requirements per the project specifications.
All quotations will be evaluated for overall compliance with the project specifications, scheduling availability and pricing. Subcontractors should review and meet the Work Force Utilization requirements of the project. All subcontractors are expected to self-perform all work quoted. If this is not the case, you must note this in your quote.
SAK Construction, LLC; 864 Hoff Road, O’Fallon, MO 63366; 636.385.1000 is seeking Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District: Re-Bid Gravois Trunk (Whitecliff to RDP) Sanitary Rehabilitation (Fannie Ave to Pardee Lane), Contract Letting No. 10496-015.1 project. The project bids on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 2:00 PM local time. Subcontracting opportunities are in the following areas: Sewer Cementitious Manhole Lining (769 LF); Cured-In-Place Chimney Liners (140 LF); Manhole – Standard Construction (607 LF); Temporary Access, Clearing and Grubbing, and Restoration incidental; Rock Lining (2 Ft. Thick) for Sanitary Sewer Pipe Stabilization (160 SY); Rock Toe Protection for Sanitary Sewer Pipe Stabilization (40 SY); Sidewalks and Driveways – Concrete – Remove & Replace (160 SY); Sidewalks – Asphaltic Concrete – Remove & Replace (85 SY); Street Pavement – Asphaltic Concrete – Remove & Replace (70 SY); Sanitary Sewer Construction for Temporary Bypass, including pipe and trenching; Restoration including seeding, sodding, re-planting trees, etc. All disadvantaged businesses should contact, IN WRITING (certified letter, return receipt requested), Tom Qualls to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All DBEs may also contact estimating department at bidcippc@sakcon.com with questions. All negotiations must be completed prior to bid opening on September 4, 2019. Plans and specifications are now available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website, www.stlmsd.com, go into I want to Do Business with MSD, then I would like to view capital bid opportunities. This will link you to CrossRhodes Reprographics / “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM” or http://order.planwell.com/PWELL_Main.asp?mem=1067. Plans and specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Plans and Specification are NOT available for purchase at MSD. Please contact Tom Qualls (636-385-1000) with questions.
Sealed bids for Allen Road Bridge No. 329, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1274, Federal Project No. STP-4900(634), will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on August 28, 2019
Plans and specifications will be available on August 5, 2019 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.
Bi-State Development and Metro Transit announce 2 public hearings to learn more about the final plan for Metro Reimagined, which will impact all MetroBus routes in Missouri when it is implemented this fall. Public Hearings: Monday, August 26 from 6-8 p.m. at St. Louis Public Library -Central Library Auditorium, 1301 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63103; Thursday, August 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the University of MissouriSt. Louis, Millennium Student Center -- Century Room B, 1 University Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63121. Final plan presentation at 6:15 p.m. each night, followed by public comment and one-on-one time for trip planning assistance with the Metro Transit team. All are welcome. To request interpretation services, call 314-231-2345 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. To find out more information about Metro Reimagined, please go to metrostlouis.org/reimagined.
Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003850 for Scientific Laboratory Supply Items will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: FAIRBANKS PUMP PARTS. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because HYDROKINETICS CORPORATION is the only known available source for the equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
for Upgrade/ Improve Electrical, Swine Pavilion, Missouri StateFairgrounds Sedalia,MO, Project No.F1904-01will bereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30PM, September5, 2019.Forspecific projectinformationandordering plans, goto:http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities
forCamp ClarkBuilding 430, DiningFacility Addition,Camp ClarkTraining Site, Nevada,Missouri, ProjectNo. T1716-02, willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO, UNTIL1:30 PM,9/5/2019. For specificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities
Public Notice of Single Source Procurement
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from Kelly Services in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Publication: 08/15/19
City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TDD)
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of St. Louis (“The City.”)
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or after 08/31/2019, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG Program funds under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake the following projects:
Project Title: West End Apartments
Purpose: Renovation of a 3-story apartment building containing 30 units total, comprising 12 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments
Location: 5882-96 Cabanne, St. Louis, Missouri 63112
Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $3,933,000.00, with $600,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2016 Federal CDBG Program funds.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City has determined that these projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Certain conditions will apply to this project. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information for each project is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City CDA, at the above address, where the ERR is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Jason Hensley, Residential Development Manager, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 08/30/2019 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.
The City certifies to HUD that, Lyda Krewson, in her capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use the City’s above-referenced HUD program funds.
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or
Training Site,Nevada, Missouri,Project No.T1719-02 willbe receivedby FMDC, StateofMO, UNTIL 1:30PM, 9/5/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities
,Missouri,Project No.T1833-01 willbe
by FMDC,Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 9/5/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities
for RepairstoCCC Thunderbird Lodge, WashingtonState Park,DeSoto, Missouri,Project No. X1802-01 willbereceived ONLINEat https:// missouribuys. mo.govUNTIL 1:30PM, 9/5/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities
office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: NATURAL CHANNEL STABILIZATION Plans and Specifications are available for 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 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
District is proposing to procure temporary help services from SmartGeoTech in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
L. Keeley Construction Co., 500 S. Ewing Ave, Suite G, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-421-5933 is seeking MoDOT certified disadvantaged businesses for the Sullivan Special Road District Bridge No. 34600081 On Spring Bluff Road Over Spring Creek. Scope of work includes removal of the existing bridge, construction of a new 68’ single span bridge, bridge approach slabs and approach roadway construction including pavement construction, pavement striping, traffic control, etc. All disadvantaged businesses should contact Nick Timmermann, to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. Proposals are due to LKC by close of business Monday, August 12th, 2019.
Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is soliciting bids from MBE/WBE/ SDVE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for work on the Lafferre Hall 3rd Floor Lab & Cleanroom Shell Space Fitout, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Bids are due Thursday, August 22, 2019 by 1:00 pm and can be faxed to (573) 392-4527 or emailed to bbrown@ cms-gc.com. For more information, call Bob @ (573) 392-6553.
Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Public Notice of Single Source Procurement
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Industrial Vending Machines –Safety Supplies & Equipment. The District is proposing a 5-month single source procurement (5/1/19 – 9/30/19) to St. Louis Safety, Inc. Any inquiries should be sent to acooper@stlmsd.com.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. APT FOR RENT 60XX W. Florissant,
ROOMS FOR RENT Fully Furnished Free Cable, Quiet $120/wk, City & County 314-532-0928
2 BEDROOM FOR RENT North County, $550/mo, $550/Dep. 1 Bed, Loop Area, $500/mo, $500/Dep. 314-651-6671
ROOMS FOR RENT Good heating and cooling. Fully furnished & Cable 314-484-3147 314-688-7095 FOR RENT 5460 N. Kingshighway Stove, Fridge, 1 Bed, $475/mo Plus Deposit Ready Now! 314-243-3188
Rev. Jerry Hodges and First Lady Paula Hodges of True Light Missionary Baptist Church
True Light Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the 13th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Jerry Hodges and First Lady Paula Hodges on Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. True Light Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2838 James “Cool Papa” Bell Ave. in St. Louis. Call the church at 314-797-8029. All are cordially invited.
Trinity Church has new art installation
The Chapel at Trinity Church in the Central West End (600 North Euclid at Washington Avenue) is the site of a permanent new installation, “On the Surface of Things,” by St. Louis artist John Early.
Eight 23-carat gold leaf rectangles enhance the visitor’s experience both in, and of, the chapel space. “Viewed collectively,” said Mr. Early, “the rectangles decrease in size as they rise higher on the wall to emphasize verticality – creating a slow, subtle movement connecting the terrestrial to the celestial.”
Trinity Pastor Jon Stratton said, “We are grateful for John Early’s beautiful interpretation of the spirit – a modern celebration of faith joining Trinity’s 164-year continuum of worship. By placing gold leaf on top of small blemishes and other surface imperfections in the chapel, the artist reminds us of God’s grace, illuminating – rather than concealing – who we are.”
Visitors may view the Trinity Chapel, which also includes an installation of colorful parishioner-created origami, Tuesdays through Fridays during church office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). This project was sponsored by Trinity’s Arts Committee,
which creates temporary art installations for the church sanctuary. The committee also manages and curates the Parish Gallery, which displays the work of local artists in three to five exhibits each year. The Parish Gallery can be found online at www.parishgallerycwe.org.
John Early is an interdisciplinary artist who works in installation and site-based forms. Using a visual language of marks and traces, his drawings, sculptures, and spatial interventions elevate the overlooked, reframing the relationship with things familiar, forgotten, or cast aside. More recently, his work has taken the form of quasi-archeological explorations of the physical fabric and material landscape of St. Louis. He is currently a lecturer in the College of Art at Washington University.
Trinity Episcopal Church, founded in 1855, has stood at the corner of Euclid and Washington since 1935. Trinity is urban, socially progressive and Anglo-Catholic in its worship. Its rector is 34-year-old Jon Stratton, a social-justice activist involved with the Clean Missouri campaign and a member of the leadership team with Missouri Jobs with Justice.
Trinity’s parishioners are young and old, black and white, gay and straight, some with many material resources and some with few, some new to the Episcopal Church and some long steeped in its traditions. Families are traditional and nontraditional. Children are a valued part of Trinity’s community and are always welcome. Trinity has weekly Sunday school activities and, once a month, offers an alternative, lively and informal “Messy Church” service for children and families. For more information, visit trinitycwe.org.
The Message
We all understand the concept of “card-carrying member.”
As a matter of fact, you can be categorized by what affiliation you hold by what cards are in your purse or wallet. We’ve got card carrying Democrats and Republicans. You can get a membership card for every organization from the NAACP to the ACLU.
Being a professed card-carrying Christian, man or woman of faith, is tantamount to putting a bull’s eye on your back and inviting an artillery barrage on your location. Scripture tells us that accepting Jesus Christ as a way of life is never an easy task. Being crucified, thrown to the lions for fun and games, beheaded or ostracized were all very real possibilities for early Christians, those who believed and then lived according to the Word of God. Is today so different? Once you commit your life to Christ, isn’t it interesting the kind of attention you attract?
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Looking around the world today, it is ludicrous not to recognize that religious persecution is still the number one cause of war and man’s inhumanity to man.
People all over the planet are being systematically annihilated for the so-called God they worship. We sometimes take for granted the religious freedom we have (or used to have) in this country and I believe it has lulled us into a sense that being a Christian is easy.
Well, it’s not and never has been. It’s empowering. It’s enlightening. It’s eternal. But it is not easy.
The good news is we are not alone and never have been. Living for God is the reality of human existence. Christians believe in life after physical death. We have some insight into what to expect. Faith lets us know the difference between the physical and the eternal.
Is it a wonder then, that belief in a deity who demands love and appreciates mercy causes an adverse reaction from those who believe otherwise? Is it a wonder that those who love Christ invite the wrath of Lucifer in all his forms?
That target on your back should be worn like a red badge of courage, because courage is what it’s going to take to first withstand the ridicule of the world and next the scorn of those who would tempt the weaknesses of your passions and addictions, let alone threaten your very life.
I continue to be moved by the acts of faith contained in the Bible and those we see every day, where a simple declaration that Christ is the Son of God is an invitation to certain and immediate harm and yes even death. Let me at least acknowledge that there is a target on my back and thereby tell the world I’m very easy to find.
