August 18th, 2016 Edition

City

White House comes to Harris Stowe

By Chris King Of The St.

Project Manhood teaches tough love

By Chris King Of The St.

n “Everybody

– Deacon Mosquito

n “People will do things for you, but you have to branch out and talk to people. A closed mouth never gets fed.”

– Armoni Williams

Robinson, Project Manhood chairman, went over a

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish jump the broom

Comedian/actor Kevin Hart, 37, married his longtime girlfriend, Eniko Parrish, 31, in California on Saturday.

The couple, who’ve been engaged for two years, gave fans a glimpse into their nuptials by documenting the lavish affair on Instagram.

Parrish wore two custom Vera Wang gowns for the big day – one for the ceremony, and another with French Chantilly lace appliqué for the reception.

Hart, who has two children from his previous marriage to Torrei Hart, made their eightyear-old son, Hendrix, man.

Hart’s daughter Heaven 11, was also part of the ceremony and posed for a beautiful family pic with

the caption, “#Harts What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained! #livelaughlove.”

Hart posted a photo at the end of the evening of himself bleary eyed and sprawled out on the lawn captioned, “How my wedding night ended.”

Donnie McClurkin in love with, but not engaged to, Nicole C. Mullen

Earlier this week news leaked that formerly gay gospel singer and pastor was engaged to marry fellow gospel artist Nicole C.

family, is marriage. Financially, I’m there. Spiritually, I’m almost there. Emotionally, I’m getting it together. But the only thing that’s missing out of everything that I’m doing locally, cross country and globally is that aspect that makes family, family — is that wife that would make man whole, that element that brings favor to man.”

The Old Black Church blog caught McClurkin addressing the rumors on Periscope. He admitted being in a relationship with Mullen – and that he loves her dearly – but said they have both agreed a marriage will not happen without counseling first.

would trigger a miscarriage.” She is currently five months pregnant. Knight Pulliam also accuses Hartwell of cruel treatment and claims he had several affairs during their short marriage, including one with his ex-wife Lisa Wu. Knight Pulliam is asking the judge to order Hartwell to have a mental evaluation, and she wants to courts to take away his guns until their divorce is final.

He was caught completely off guard when TBN’s Matt Crouch talked about the rumored engagement as if it were true on the network’s “Praise The Lord” show.

“Well praise God. Honestly, the only thing in my life that is missing is marriage,” McClurkin responded. “The only thing that is missing in my life that can cause real

Shocking new allegations in Knight-Pulliam vs. Hartwell divorce war

The divorce between Keshia Knight-Pulliam and Ed Hartwell has reached a new level of contention after the actress reportedly accused him of trying to kill their unborn child.

Several outlets claim that in legal filings to end her eight-month marriage Knight Pulliam accuses Hartwell of “plotting to harm and obstruct [her] pregnancy” by engaging in “certain underhanded and unusual conduct” that

Drama ordered to stay away from Phaedra after bomb threat

Last month local Atlanta rapper Drama was arrested at Lennox mall for threatening to blow up a law office after being told “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra

Eryn Harris finds her voice in Mizzou’s digital storytelling program

By Josh Murray University of Missouri

When she was 10 years old, Eryn Harris and her family visited an aquarium while on a trip to Atlanta. Harris asked to borrow her mother’s camera to photograph the jellyfish. She was immediately fascinated with the camera. That allure continues today as she pursues a digital storytelling degree at Mizzou.

When she came to Mizzou, she planned to follow in her father’s footsteps by pursuing a business marketing degree. While growing up in Florissant, Harris admired her father’s work as a sales manager for

Pepsi, Dr Pepper and Snapple.

“I wanted to do what he did,” she said. Her first semester at MU consisted mostly of math and economics courses, as is usual for a business marketing major. While exploring elective course possibilities to take in the spring semester of her freshman year, Harris came across a digital production class taught by Katina Bitsicas.

“As soon as I saw that, I knew I wanted to try that class out,” Harris said. She took the class, liked it and then enrolled in the advanced digital production course. Harris soon realized it was time to switch majors. “I

Eryn

found something I love,” she said. The first project Harris worked on as part of her new major was a piece she titled “This is Me.” In the video, nine women speak candidly about insecurities they have had about their bodies.

years, without the possibility of parole.

If he is forced to serve out his entire sentence he will be 70 years old when he gets a taste of freedom, and the state will undoubtedly have exceeded its million-dollar investment in him.

So who benefits from this?

“I’m big in promoting the idea of loving yourself,” Harris said. “In order to love yourself, you also have to appreciate your flaws. All of these girls share their stories about how they went through different insecurities.”

In the video, all nine women

By Barbara Finch Guest columnist

Missouri must really love my friend, Eric Clemmons. It has spent close to a million dollars on him. That’s what it has cost Missouri taxpayers to keep him in a maximum-security prison for the past 33 years. The circumstances that brought Clemmons into the criminal justice system still trouble many people, three decades after the fact.

One hot August night, a 20-year-old black man went to the defense of his brother, who was being robbed. A brawl ensued. No firearms, drugs or alcohol were involved. When the melee was over, a young white man lay dead from a blow to the head. The black man, who had no criminal record, felt perhaps he was responsible, and he went to the police. And that was the last day Clemmons was free. He was sentenced to 50

Certainly not Missouri taxpayers. The cost to run Missouri’s prisons increases every year; in 2014 the Legislature budgeted $667 million, an increase of $10 million over the previous year. This is not because we are lavishing perks or benefits on the incarcerated. Our inmates are fed on $2.61 per day; those fortunate enough to get prison jobs make $7.50 per month. It’s costly to be an inmate, too. Prisoners are forced to

purchase items (most of them highly marked up) in canteens or commissaries, where state, county and sometimes city sales taxes are levied. The few inmates who come from wealthy backgrounds may rack up “room and board” debts to the prison, which must be repaid after they are released.

Having a loved one in prison also is costly for families. Most prisons in Missouri are located in small towns, frequently hours away from relatives and friends. Visits cost time

remain on screen – in nine separate boxes – throughout the video, each taking her turn describing insecurities she has experienced. “I wanted to portray it as the ladies were listening to each other,” Harris said.

“The viewer is able to connect with the honest statements the women make on screen,” Bitsicas said. “Eryn’s use of timing in the work, where a conversation between the women forms on screen, allows a place for the viewer to insert themselves into the work.”

At the end of the piece, the tone shifts as one of the women talks about all of the things she loves about herself. “I am so uniquely and marvelously made in God’s eyes,” the woman says, “and that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Harris entered “This is Me” into the Rewriting Realities contest, sponsored by the Multicultural Certificate, and won first place in the digital storytelling category.

Another project of Harris’ titled “My Queen” is a narration of a poem. In “My Queen” a woman is shown on screen throughout the piece while a man’s voice is heard

and money. Phone calls are expensive, so communication is frequently limited.

And what happens when prisoners are released? Let’s take Clemmons as an example.

During the past 30 years he has successfully completed his GED and all of the restorative justice classes, educational courses and vocational training offered by the Department of Corrections. Thanks to family funding, he has earned a paralegal certificate. But job prospects for a 70-year-old former inmate are limited, even if he remains healthy. He will have no pension, no retirement income, no health insurance. Once again, taxpayers will be responsible.

For the past eight years, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has portrayed himself as a

reading the poem, which was written by recent Mizzou alumnus Wycla Bratton.

“It’s the opposite of my first piece,” Harris says. “It shines a light on the AfricanAmerican woman and shows how valued, appreciated and cherished she truly is. It is a man appreciating a woman, not just for her looks but for the way she carries herself and the things that she inspired him to do.”

Harris’ best asset, according to Bitsicas, is the ability to take an idea and translate it into a visual work in multiple media.

“She doesn’t think of her ideas in a cut-and-dry fashion,” Bitsicas said, “but rather is open to exploring multiple facets of her ideas. She isn’t afraid to explore the tough concepts and make the viewer think about the issue in a new way.”

Harris’ stories come from what she finds important to her as a young woman.

“I’m inspired by your everyday hard-working woman, who is often overlooked or torn down by others,” she said. “My goal is to give a new meaning to self-worth, self-love and being a woman.”

conservative, cost-conscious chief executive. Now, in his last months in office, he has a chance to demonstrate that he can save both dollars and dignity for Eric Clemmons and other inmates who were over-charged and who have been languishing in the prison system for too many years. If you agree, now is the time to speak out. Contact Gov. Nixon at P.O. Box 720, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or call him at 573-751-3222. Tell him that time is money, and those who have done more than their fair share of time need to save Missouri money. Barbara L. Finch is a co-founder of Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. She lives in University City.

Columnist Barbera Finch

Photo by Katina Bitsicas

Editorial /CommEntary

Black political power in North County awakening

We disagreed with the Fannie Lou Hamer caucus in the Missouri Democratic Party about two statewide endorsements in the August 2 Democratic primary. Since we generally respect and endorse the caucus’ avowed agenda to leverage greater power for the black community within the major political party that depends on our votes for its candidates to win, we discussed these differences with the caucus.

We questioned their support of Teresa Hensley over Jake Zimmerman in the Missouri attorney general race, and they admitted it was the most difficult decision the North St. Louis County-based caucus faced this political season. Jake is a proven friend and an ally of our community, but he had been outmaneuvered in the battle for black political support in Kansas City and the City of St. Louis. They contend that their arithmetic convinced them Jake couldn’t win. It was business, they said, not personal – they wanted to befriend the winner, since that would increase black political leverage inside the Democratic Party. In the end, they did in fact back the primary winner. They espoused a different, long-view rationale for taking a very promising Latino newcomer, Pat Contreras, over former state representative Judy Baker for Missouri treasurer, even though they thought Baker would win (as she did). They liked Contreras’ energy and urban orientation. As the future of the Democratic coalition needs to be both black and brown, they wanted to send the message that they not only understand that, but also embrace it. They reasoned that the black-brown coalition in the party is a little stronger after their support of Contreras, despite his loss.

Organizationally, the caucus covered 65 polling places in four North County townships, showing the boots-on-theground electoral activism that

Democrats must organize the base

By Walle A. Amusa Guest columnist

The primary elections and party conventions are over. The road to November 8 is narrower but full of distractions as the major parties and their candidates face off. Hopefully, the campaign of insults, namecalling and entertainment will recede and serious organizing around the major issues facing the American people will come into focus.

attend graduate programs.

And the housing industry has rebounded.

By state Rep. Shamed Dogan Guest columnist

I’m pro-Second Amendment. I’m pro-law enforcement. And I’m pro-black.

To heal America’s racial wounds, ease the escalating tensions, and end the violence, conservatives must lead the way on reforms that are both pro-black and pro-law enforcement, and do not entail curbing Second Amendment rights.

End for-profit policing and reform civil-asset forfeiture. One of the key reforms enacted in Missouri following unrest in Ferguson addressed the problem of policing for profit, which had led to much of the distrust of police in that community. The Republicandominated legislature passed, and our Democratic governor signed, a law to limit the fines and revenues that cities can collect from traffic violations, in order to ensure that law enforcement is used for public safety rather than as a replacement revenue stream for cash-strapped local governments.

Another idea that has been championed by groups on the left and right is civil-assetforfeiture reform. Federal law and statutes in 35 states give police the power to seize cash and other property from citizens even if they aren’t charged with a crime. These laws almost always include arduous hurdles that essentially force people to prove that their property wasn’t obtained illegally in order to get it back. Ending the practice is the conservative thing to do, and the right thing, too.

Improve police training, reform police unions, and

the Democratic Party should be compelled to respect. And so the awakening of the sleeping giant of black political power in North County continues, gradually – with Rochelle Walton Gray’s thumping of incumbent County Councilman Mike O’Mara on August 2 its first definitive victory. North County Labor, which for decades has enjoyed much more influence within the party than the black community, is nursing a grudge over O’Mara’s defeat and apparently trying to stifle this upsurge in black political power. Jay Mosley won the Democratic nomination for state representative in House District 68. Normally that ensures the labor endorsement in a general election – especially if you’re running against someone like Keith English, now an independent. English was the only Democrat to vote to override Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Republican legislation that caused massive cuts in programs for working families. As a result, the Democratic Caucus voted to strip him of his committee assignments, and he eventually resigned from the Democratic Party. Despite that troubled history, North County Labor Council voted to endorse

English – who is white – as an independent over Mosley, the Democrat, who is black. If Mosley wins, he will join Alan Gray, who is running unopposed as a Democrat in House District 75, and state Rep. Courtney Curtis, who effectively turned back a laborinspired attempt to unseat him because he consistently and militantly puts the interests of the black community ahead of the agenda of union bosses. It’s relevant here that Alan Gray is the spouse of Rochelle Walton Gray, who trounced North County Labor’s candidate on the County Council, O’Mara. The opposition to Curtis, and now Gray and Mosley, is the kind of arrogance and political malpractice that Democrats will come to regret.

Some advice to organized labor: You have too many Republican enemies to pick a fight with black allies in an attempt to flatter the grudges of some outliers like North County Labor. Also: The days are over when you can beat a black incumbent in a majority-black North County district with a white challenger. There are new players at the table now in North County, and Democrats will need to learn to deal with them.

In 2009, when President Obama was sworn into office, the U.S. was losing 850,000 jobs every month. Unemployment was in double digits. Wall Street was at its lowest in 20 years. Public school systems were in crisis across the nation. The housing industry had collapsed. Over 50 million Americans had no health care coverage. Gas prices at the pump were nearing $4 a gallon.

And all Americans faced draconian eligibility requirements for health insurance: pre-existing conditions, caps on level of care, higher health care premiums for women, and millions of young people kicked off their parents’ insurance when they turned 18.

Despite vitriolic GOP attacks, the Obama administration made significant accomplishments. Over 15 million new jobs have been created. Unemployment has dropped. The Dow Jones has tripled. The U.S. auto industry was saved. Gas prices now hover around $2 a gallon. Significant improvements have been made in education as minority graduation rates improved. More women

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law without a single Republican vote. Today, 22 million Americans get their health care benefits through ACA. Over 300 million Americans silently enjoy its benefits. Because of it, no American can be denied health care coverage due to preexisting conditions. Millions can now stay on their parents’ health care insurance until the age of 26. Women can no longer be charged more for insurance because of their gender or reproductive functions.

This law that has improved access to healthcare for all Americans remains at risk. The Republicancontrolled U.S. Congress has voted more than 55 times to repeal the ACA. Virtually all Republicans in Congress are on record voting for its repeal. The Republican Party nominee, Donald Trump, has promised to sign into law the repeal of the ACA within 100 days if he is elected.

The hard-won gains of the Obama administration on voting, Wall Street regulations, healthcare and civil, labor, women’s and LGBT rights are all seriously at risk.

Robin Carnahan in Missouri and Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky built their campaigns for the U.S. Senate on distancing themselves from

President Obama’s solid record of accomplishments. Carnahan and Grimes would not stand by or defend a progressive President.

Both candidates ran against Republicans (Roy Blunt and Mitch McConnell, respectively) who voted more than 20 times against raising the minimum wage. Yet voters never found out about Blunt and McConnell’s votes against the vital interests of American families. Both Democrats spent millions of dollars on ridiculous ads, and they both lost their bids.

It is bizarre to run away from President Obama’s progressive record of accomplishments while courting so-called Reagan Democrats. Regardless of what the current polls show, to engage in this electoral malpractice is to chase a mirage, demoralize the base of the Democratic Party and lose. Walter Mondale built a campaign on chasing Reagan Democrats in 1984 and lost. While the country may not need Donald Trump, the Republican Party needs Donald Trump to rubber-stamp legislation to repeal the ACA and to roll back the gains that have been made to advance labor, women, civil, voting, LGBT, health care, educational and immigrant rights. Clinton and statewide Democratic Party organizations and candidates must cut the crap. They must organize the base of the party like never before and engage in fearless, intense and focused campaigns on the issues of vital importance to America’s working families.

increase police pay. In the short term, there needs to be a renewed focus on de-escalating conflict and avoiding deadly force whenever possible. But in the long term, police unions, like other public-sector unions, need to be challenged so that discipline and dismissal for misconduct or poor performance becomes the norm, rather than the exception. Taking on police unions should not preclude us from addressing a real problem that they have yet to solve: As much as our society talks about the importance of law enforcement, officers just starting out their careers are too often compensated at fast-food wages. We need to put our money where our mouths are and boost pay for law enforcement, both as an acknowledgment of the stress and danger of the profession and as an incentive for more talented people to enter it. Require outside investigations into officerinvolved deaths. Thanks to the efforts of Michael Bell, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel whose son was shot by police, Wisconsin’s Republican legislature passed a ground-breaking law in 2014 that requires independent criminal investigations into officer-involved deaths. With proceeds from a $1.75 million wrongful-death settlement, Bell led a statewide campaign with the slogan “When Police Kill, Should They Judge

Themselves?” and was able to get law enforcement’s support for the bill. Since its enactment two years ago, the law has increased public trust of law enforcement in Wisconsin and quelled protests based on the assumption that officers would be cleared of wrongdoing no matter what.

Rethink the War on Pot. At a time when murders are increasing in many of America’s largest cities, heroin and other opiates are ravaging many communities with addiction and fatal overdoses, and half of our states have legalized marijuana for either recreational or medicinal purposes, why on earth is our country still spending more time and money arresting people for marijuana than for any other drug? Enabling law enforcement to focus more on violent crime and alleviating the racial injustices involved with the War on Pot would be good for everyone.

Acknowledge and address racial profiling. In Missouri, we have conducted a yearly analysis of traffic stops broken down by race since 2000. The data show that blacks are more likely than whites to be stopped, arrested and searched compared to their proportion of the state’s population, but are actually less likely than whites to be in possession of contraband when searched. States should be encouraged to collect this type of data in order to identify problematic agencies and officers.

Now more than ever, we must come together to heal and tackle our society’s longstanding ills.

Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin) represents Missouri House District 98.

Thinly veiled, race-based restrictions

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned North Carolina H.B. 589, a monster voter suppression law with sweeping implications for voters. Presented with clear evidence that provisions of the measure would disproportionately burden voters of color, the threejudge panel struck down the law, finding that it violated the Voting Rights Act, the United States Constitution and that it was enacted with discriminatory intent.

The court stated that it “cannot ignore the record of evidence that, because of race, the legislature enacted one of the largest restrictions of the franchise in modern North Carolina History.”

This is a victory for the people of North Carolina, who spoke up by the thousands against a racist, undemocratic, suppressive law. We congratulate every organizer, resident and impacted persons on this win, as well as the courageous plaintiffs and witnesses who brought the true impact of this discriminatory law to light. In saying that the law “targets African-Americans with almost surgical precision” in an effort to depress black turnout, to “impose cures for problems that did not exist,” the court stated what is known in the black community.

Voter ID is about thinly veiled, race-based restrictions to the polls, enacted to thwart the growing political power of the rising American electorate.

Judith Browne Dianis executive director Advancement Project

Obama has not forgotten his roots

I am pleased that the location of the Obama Presidential Center will be in historic Jackson Park, which is located within the boundaries of the Illinois Second Congressional District. This comes on the heels last year of President Obama designating Pullman as a national park.

The Pullman National Monument will transform the South Side and a significant portion of my congressional district.

I am thrilled that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have selected Jackson Park, which clearly demonstrates that the president has not forgotten his political roots on Chicago’s South Side and that his passion for building strong communities will continue to play a central role after his presidency.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly Chicago

Worst kind of fearmongering

The Anti-Defamation League condemns the marketing of a bumper sticker that reads “ISIS Hunting Permit 2016” by a Missouri gubernatorial campaign. The Greitens

campaign’s fundraising initiative traffics in the worst kind of fear-mongering. In a campaign season that has been rife with anti-Muslim, antiimmigrant rhetoric celebrated by the hate movement, this initiative stands out as an especially incendiary manipulation of fear. By advertising “no bagging limit, no tagging limit” on the “ISIS hunting permit,” the initiative appears to encourage vigilante violence and may lead to attacks against already vulnerable communities such as Muslims, refugees, immigrants, or others who may erroneously be identified with ISIS. This only helps terrorists paint the U.S. as engaging in a violent religious war with all Muslims. We urge Mr. Greitens to halt this incendiary and divisive initiative.

Karen Aroesty, regional director, ADL St. Louis

Photo by Wiley Price

The Fannie Lou Hamer caucus in the Missouri Democratic Party from a file photo in September 2014.

Guest Columnist

Walle A. Amusa

Barbers for boys in Ferguson

G-Revae’z, a Ferguson barber/beauty salon, recently hosted a “Barbers for Boys” event at the Boys & Girls Club of Ferguson. The owner of the shop, Gary Winfield, recruited 15 barbers to help provide free haircuts to boys who are members of the club and students of Ferguson Middle School as part of their Back to School registration event. Left to right: Chyna Holbrook, Fulton Tate, Keri Gilyard, Flint Fowler (executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis), Gary Winfield (owner of G-Revae’z), Terron Donnell and Ricardo Dillworth.

Software solutions to homelessness

GlobalHack, a nonprofit focused on building a better tech community through software competitions, is partnering with St. Patrick Center, which provides housing, employment and health programs to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The partnership will center around GlobalHack VI, where more than 2,500 software developers, designers and entrepreneurs will converge on Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz Arena from October 21-23. Participating teams will be tasked with building software solutions for the homeless community, competing for $1 million in cash prizes. Under an open-source software license, winning solutions will be made free and available for anyone to use, and for software developers to improve upon. To ensure a level playing field for all hackathon participants, full details of the challenge will not be released until the Friday evening of the event. For more information and to register for the event, please visit globalhack.org.

Tax increase will help Ferguson hire cops

Voters in the City of Ferguson approved a two percent business license utility tax increase on August 2 by nearly a 2:1 margin. This is expected to generate nearly $700,000 in additional municipal revenues by increasing the current business license utility tax (from 6 percent to 8 percent) including companies supplying light, electricity, power, gas, telephone and water. The city is also looking to hire five additional police officers not currently included in the city’s Budget that was approved by Ferguson Council members on June 28. For more information, visit www.fergusoncity.com.

The real nitty gritty

By Esther J. Cepeda Washington Post

Education policy wonks have been hearing the gospel of grit as evangelized by Angela Duckworth for years now. Her premise that academic success can be attributed to a child’s tolerance for the hard work of persevering through the frustrating learning stage to mastery was popularized in Paul Tough’s book “How Children Succeed.”

Now, in her own book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” Duckworth fleshes out the concept so it can be applied to any endeavor. She explains that using grit to achieve a major life goal means combining passion, practice, purpose and hope.

The point of her emphasis on grit is that it replaces the common belief that innate talent, or even genius, is what makes high performers successful.

Esther J. Cepeda

Duckworth believes that it is this incorrect assumption about the other-ness of high achievement that leads people to put selfimposed limitations on themselves.

Unfortunately, people who are lacking in grit are likely to also lack one or more of passion, purpose or hope. This was my thought as I plowed through the many examples of people who made it to the top of their disciplines through grit. Duckworth terms them “grit paragons” and, frankly, the vast catalog gets a little discouraging.

However, if you are naturally a diligent worker and can plow through this book, Duckworth addresses how to develop all the necessary qualities.

For instance, you’ll learn that grit is not merely concentrated practice, it’s about working hard on something that’s so meaningful to you that you are willing to commit to working on it for the many, many years it will take to master it. This is where the passion, purpose and hope come into play.

Passion, Duckworth says, is not about the falling-in-love euphoria with which most of us approach new interests. It is about finding something that captures your interest and imagination and staying with it. It is the difference between enthusiasm and endurance.

The purpose part is more difficult to wrap the mind around. If you want to raise money to build orphanages or find a cure for cancer or teach inner-city kids to read, it makes sense that the idea of sticking to your goal, working hard at it and seeing the value that your effort will have on the world will make it easier to persevere.

But what if you just want to learn to play the piano, meditate or paint seascapes because it’s a passion but not one that’s really going to pay off for anyone but yourself? That remains unclear.

The last piece of the puzzle is hope, which helps gritty people persist through the inevitable disappointments and setbacks of achieving a big goal. Yet this is another land mine if you’re pessimistic, prone to depression or not terribly resilient.

My favorite parts of Duckworth’s book are those in which she details how miserable, torturous and hard it can be to persist. She quotes author Joyce Carol Oates comparing writing the first draft of a book to “pushing a peanut across a dirty kitchen floor with your nose” and dancer Martha Graham describing dance as “fatigue so great that the body cries even in its sleep. There are times of complete frustration. There are daily small deaths.”

If that level of sacrifice doesn’t sound appealing to you, it may be that you haven’t yet found something that seems worth that amount of trouble. But once you do, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to be a genius to really go for it.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

PROJECT

Continued from A1

Robinson, Project Manhood chairman, told the youth. “You’ve got to care about yourself.”

“If you don’t take this leadership training,” Justin Jackson told them, “there are plenty of systems out there willing to have you do their bidding.”

“The world don’t care about your story,” Guy Johnson said. “They only care what you can produce for them.”

And Richard Hudlin (uncle of filmmaker Reginald Hudlin) told them point-blank, “There are people who do not want particularly us to be all that we can be.”

It’s tough love, to say the least – very tough. But also, very loving.

The session started with students sharing their recent accomplishments. Ahmed Fennoy reported that he was awarded “most improved” on his swim team and enjoyed applause as his trophy circulated around the room. Nico Perry discussed the challenges of being the only African American on an elite karate team, then passed around the medal he won.

The atmosphere of mutual support among the youth was overwhelming.

“Everybody here became brothers,” one youth, Deacon Mosquito, told a reporter.

“We had no choice,” Perry added. “We room together, eat together.”

Perry referred to their experiences on the road in Project Manhood’s annual Historically Black College & University (HBCU) tour. Mentees also travel and bond together on the Project Manhood Chess Team and Debate Team.

Currently, 80 youth from the East St. Louis area participate in Project Manhood, which has been active since 1995. The program has graduated more than 200 young men to higher education or military service, and volunteers continue to

monitor their progress.

They are certainly being sent out into the world with their eyes wide open – or “woke,” as millennial activists like to say. And they are being alerted by African-American professionals from the region who show by example what black leadership looks like.

At the May session, they learned about professional etiquette. If that seems like a soft topic for a bunch of young males, consider that their teacher was Annalisa Melton, chief of Protocol for the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base. She does not advise women on what color to wear for the season. She advises a four-star Air Force general on things like what gift to buy a visiting dignitary from a foreign country and unfamiliar culture.

“In some countries, a gift of a knife would imply you are severing ties,” she told the wide-eyed youth. “I have to do my research with the State Department before the general

gives any gifts.”

She did offer more mundane advice on navigating table settings at formal dinners and the need to press your clothing – “don’t just throw it in the dryer for a minute” – before getting dressed for the day, but most of her advice had an edge.

is. “People get one time to make an impression of you,” she said. “One time.” That includes online interactions.

“Social media will follow you,” she warned. “Things go out worldwide, and you can’t get it back. You don’t want to be posting everything.”

n “As young, African-American males, you may get upset, but you need to understand how to deal with it.”

–

Will Robinson, Project Manhood

She demonstrated a proper handshake and then explained what she did.

“I go in hard and make them look me right in the eye,” she said. “As an African-American female in a dominantly white male world, I start off by presenting myself as strong and confident.”

She reminded them how crucial that initial greeting

She tailored her wardrobe advice for a young, black male audience – again, with tough love.

“I have a hoodie and ripped jeans, but I think about it when I wear them,” she said. “It’s perception. When you have your hoodie pulled up, you’re giving someone an opportunity to be a jerk.” Inevitably, in providing

wardrobe etiquette for young black males, the question of sagging pants came up. She was decisive with advice that referred to the fictional character of Steve Urkel, the archetypal black nerd from Family Matters. “Pull your pants up!” she said. “I didn’t say to walk around like Urkel, but pull your pants up!”

Like several of the Omega Psi Phi brothers, she narrated her career arc, pointing out where it wasn’t a straight line and how she couldn’t always see where she was going. “Life, it takes time,” she said. “You work hard all your life, then one day you wake up in a job where you’re the person you want to be.”

Despite the challenges. With every lesson, Project Manhood reminded these youths of the challenges that face –especially – them.

The black history lesson in this session was devoted to Abraham Bolden, an East St. Louis native who became the first African American to work

in the U.S. Secret Service.

As he described in his book

“The Echo from Dealey Plaza” (2008), Bolden claimed he was framed for a crime he did not commit to prevent him from testifying to the Warren Commission about misconduct on the part of Secret Service agents that may have left President John F. Kennedy vulnerable to assassination. This is heavy-duty, highwire stuff.

“He told the truth, and they turned a barrage against him. He’s still trying to clear his name. He was a whistle blower on the bad stuff,” Johnson told them.

“You don’t want to protect people who are doing wrong. But you need to understand what’s out there. As young, African-American males, you may get upset, but you need to understand how to deal with it.”

For more information on Project Manhood, email willie. robinson3870@yahoo.com.

“When you hit this world, nobody is going to care about yourself,” Will Robinson, Project Manhood chairman, told a group of 34 black male youth during a recent day-long session in East St. Louis. “You’ve got to care about yourself.”

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

too many efforts to improve education, Johns said, “Adults talk to adults without ever listening to young people. We’re here to listen.”

Adults – and a group of freshmen making their way through orientation – listened to a panel of four Harris-Stowe students (a senior, junior and two freshmen), as well as an alumnus pursuing graduate studies in higher education administration at Lindenwood University.

“You have to expand your network,” the alumnus, Christopher C. Miller, advised the freshmen. “You have to introduce yourself, shake hands, challenge yourself, and don’t worry about what other students are doing.”

Miller, who spoke in a rich, assured tone, said he started Harris-Stowe as a shy student with a speech impediment, who had not been popular in high school, but was determined to make more of his university experience.

“I introduced myself to student leaders,” Miller said, “and some of them took me under their wing. Even student leaders started somewhere.”

Jaemica Logan, a senior at Harris-Stowe, is a current

NIE

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 teachers in their use of the newspaper in their classroom.”

The American has now expanded its NIE program to reach directly more than 7,000 elementary students and nearly 300 teachers at seven area school districts (Saint Louis Public Schools, Normandy, FergusonFlorissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Riverview Gardens and University City), making it the largest free NIE program in the Midwest and one of the largest free NIE programs in the nation, among all dailies and weeklies.

student leader. She was junior class president and is currently Miss Harris-Stowe, but she started at ground zero.

“When I came here, I had no friends, so it was a survival thing for me,” Logan said.

“I went to mixers, I went to karaoke night, I went to everything because I didn’t want to be alone.”

She networked with faculty as diligently as she did with students, after a faculty advisor,

Starting this year, The American is also partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club and the Archdiocese of St. Louis to provide weekly newspapers to aid in their educational programs for their students. The program’s material which is printed in all 70,200 copies of The American, will begin this week for the 2016-17 academic year. In addition, it is available on stlamerican.com.

The STEM portion of The American’s NIE program is currently funded, in part, through corporate sponsors, including Ameren, Boeing, Centene, Emerson, Express Scripts, Monsanto and World Wide Technology (WWT).

Salim Kenyatta, gave her a critical piece of advice that she took to heart.

“Mr. Kenyatta told me you need three mentors,” Logan said. “So I found three mentors. These are people, when you need a recommendation letter or you don’t understand something, they’re there. So find mentors. Go into people’s offices and ask them things. The worst they can say is no.”

Shaquille Muhammad,

Shaquille Muhammad, Armoni Williams, Dajon Stewart, Jaemica Logan and Christopher C.Miller participated in a summit hosted by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans at Harris-Stowe State University’ on Wednesday, August 17.

“Networking in high school prepared me for networking in college. People will do things for you, but you have to branch out and talk to people. A closed mouth never gets fed.”

Dajon Stewart is an incoming freshman pursuing a dual degree in mathematics and engineering at Harris-Stowe and Saint Louis University. He said he failed eighth grade, but bounced back with the support of family and mentors in his high school robotics program. He said that effective networking should extend beyond students and faculty to include experts – and future employers – in the wider community.

“If you want to be an engineer, then walk into an engineering company and ask for a mentor,” Stewart said. “It is interesting to get inside their heads and get them talking about engineering.”

a junior at Harris-Stowe returning from a study abroad experience in China, said that African-American students should try to develop themselves with a collaborative mindset.

“You’ve got to have initiative to get what you want, but you also got to have a mindset of building something larger,” Muhammad said. “All it takes is getting to know your neighbor and knowing

n This marks the fourth consecutive year The American has won national first-place honors for its Newspaper In Education program from the National Newspaper Association.

“It is important for kids to learn STEM education at a young age, for St. Louis, for the economy, and quite frankly, for our business,” said David Steward, founder and chairman of WWT. “This program has been a great return on our investment.”

Since the program’s inception, The American has added several subject areas to its NIE program, including a

Healthy Kids page (sponsored by Ascension, BJC and St. Louis College of Pharmacy) and the Kidvisors financial literacy page (sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors).

“It’s a complete-academicyear program,” said Donald M.Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The

that you’re here to make a difference. If you’re going to rebuild your community, it starts with education. I consider it my duty.” Armoni Williams, an incoming freshman from Chicago, said she plans to try the same approach that worked for her in high school.

“In high school, I was into everything – ROTC, modeling, cheerleading, I would go greet new freshmen,” Williams said.

American. He noted that the additional components – such as a year-long syllabus, dozens of resources for teachers, professional development and teacher training, guides on how to use the newspaper in the classroom and a monthly e-newsletter for teachers and administrators – contribute to the effectiveness of the program.

“We want to help open the minds of these young people to their potential,” Suggs said. “We want to encourage scientific literacy and challenge students and their teachers to value the critical lessons

Logan, the junior class president who became Miss Harris-Stowe, said the new freshmen were in a position to create their future starting now, regardless of what support they had – or lacked – before.

“Even if you don’t have the family support you need, start now building that support,” Logan said. “You got it in you. You got here. You are here for a reason.”

learned in the process of learning. We are excited about continuing to grow the program, and want to touch and positively affect as many young lives in their classrooms and their homes as we can.”

For more information, visit stlamerican.com and click on “Newspaper In Education” or email nie@stlmerican.com. All kids’ pages run in the entire press run of The American, as well as on stlamerican.com. All readers are encouraged to enjoy and learn with their families the information on the kids’ pages.

Photo by Wiley Price

An avenue for Bishop Ward

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Sergeant Willie Prothro of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department cast his vote at Nance Elementary School during the primary election on August 2.

results, 28 percent of registered

Koster passes hat in black community while running to right

Former Missouri State Rep. Esther Haywood held a fundraiser for Chris Koster’s gubernatorial campaign on August 17. Haywood, who is president of the St. Louis County NAACP, sent out a flier for the event that listed the suggested contributions for between $150 to $1,000.

Although the flier stated that it was paid for by Haywood, several people who are on the St. Louis County NAACP email list said they received it and they don’t know how Haywood would have gotten their information other than from the NAACP contact list.

Koster, the two-term attorney general, is a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association and said recently that he would have signed the bill removing training requirements for concealed carry of a firearm. Because of this stance, he’s received criticism from many African-American elected officials, including Kansas City Mayor Sly James Koster recently released a campaign video that touted his accolades as “suing Barack Obama’s EPA to keep federal regulators off our land.” The video shows him walking with a farmer who put his hand on Koster’s shoulder.

In 2015, Koster joined several Republicans in attacking the revised Waters of the United States Rule, also known

as the Clean Water Rule. It was intended to clarify the bodies of water that can be regulated under Obama’s Clean Water Act. It grants protection to two million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands that were previously not clearly protected under the Clean Water Act—streams and wetlands that supply nearly one-third of Americans with their drinking water.

While most environmental groups praised the action, Republicans claimed the government was overstepping its authority.

Candidates who bash Obama and support relaxed gun laws are not people who NAACP leaders typically support. It might be one thing if it seemed the Democratic candidate needed help from the AfricanAmerican community to raise money. But he clearly does not. Eight days before the August 2 primary election, Koster had $10.9 million cash on hand, according to his campaign finance report. His Republican opponent Eric Greiner was nowhere near him with $628,000. He hasn’t done a thing to show that he would even spare a glance in the black community’s direction. So why the support?

John Gaskin III, a voting member of the NAACP National Board of Directors

(and Haywood’s grandson), said he was unable to talk with The St. Louis American before deadline because of a busy schedule. Haywood did not return The American’s call.

Cops for Koster

On August 16, Koster also announced his endorsement for governor by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police. The Post-Dispatch headline said it all: “In latest nod to right, Koster touts police endorsement for governor.”

Tishaura not yet drafted

Draft Tishaura – the grassroots effort to draft Tishaura O. Jones to run for St. Louis mayor – held a meetup and fundraiser on August 11 that netted $1,500 for a prospective campaign. Kara Clark, one of the organizers, said that about 65 or 70 people attended the event. The group raised $1,127 during the last campaign reporting period.

Mayor Theodore Hoskins won by 13 votes – beating the next top contender Babatunde Deinbo 485 to 472 votes.

Berkeley’s four polling sites were among 63 voting locations that experienced ballot shortages – which resulted in the suspension of Democratic Director of Elections Eric Fey for two weeks without pay.

Although the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners certified the election results on April 19, the commissioners came back and decided to recommend a new election in Berkeley at a meeting on May 10. They cited Berkeley’s “voting irregularities” as the reason.

On August 10, Judge Maura McShane denied the commissioners’ petition for a special election. In her judgment, she stated that “the evidence demonstrates that the irregularities were not sufficient to cast doubt on the outcome of the election.”

“I am tired of the status quo of candidates we tend to get,” Clark said. “I think she offers something different. She is more focused on the real issues of the city – education, unemployment and our racial problems, which have been heightened in the last couple of years. Only she understands the issues and knows what to do.”

Jones, who won her unopposed primary for state treasurer on August 2, attended the event and spoke briefly, without committing to run.

“I am still strongly considering it,” Jones told The American. “I was absolutely delighted by the support in that room – the diverse support. When I got there, it felt like a surprise birthday party – better than a surprise birthday party.”

No re-vote in Berkeley

City of Berkeley residents will not recast their votes for mayor, according to a St. Louis County Circuit Court judge’s order on August 10. In the April 5 election, sitting

Out of all the areas that had ballot shortages, Berkeley was the only citywide race that the election commissioners chose to petition for a special election. The only other race the board filed a petition for was Sunset Hills’ Ward 1 race.

In the commissioners’ petition, they state that more than 50 voters were turned away at one of the four voting locations in Berkeley.

“While some of those voters did return and cast their ballot, many did not,” the petition stated.

Hoskins’ attorney Rufus Tate said that the voters left their contact information and were called back when the ballots were in. Every single person on the list cast a ballot, he said. The commissioners could not provide a witness who was not able to vote, he said.

“All they had was speculation,” Tate said.

For Hoskins, the process has been “tedious and nerve-wrecking,” he said. He was confused why the board certified the election and then turned around and filed the petition. He also didn’t understand why the

commissioners singled out Berkeley. In some other county races where there were ballot shortages, the candidates won by as few as four votes.

“I really don’t know why they chose Berkeley,” he said. “Perhaps because of the embarrassment of the board of elections, they had to save face.”

De-escalation in Berkeley

Overall, Hoskins is glad he can move forward.

He said this week, the city “started turning dirt” on a new state-of-the-art police station for the city’s 35 police officers and 53 total department employees. About 75 percent of their police officers are African-American, Hoskins said.

He believes the relationship between the police and community is good, but they are “taking the necessary steps to make sure that the things that occurred in Ferguson don’t happen in Berkeley.”

All the officers are attending training this year on de-escalation, he said. Berkeley received national attention after 18-year-old Antonio Martin was shot and killed by a Berkeley officer in December 2014. Martin was armed, but the event sparked debate about the department’s need for body cameras. In 2015, the department did receive some body cameras for officers. Through a St. Louis County grant, Berkeley just reopened a swimming pool that has been closed for a few years. They also recently implemented a housing stabilization initiative, where the city gave 75 residents $1,000 to repair the exterior their homes.

Balancing the city’s budget has been his proudest achievement in his tenure, he said. He did this by taking steps to secure the city’s $3 million bond and cutting back on spending.

“When I first came in, we were $1.7 million in the hole,” he said. “Now we are $3 million-plus to the good.”

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Chris Koster and Esther Haywood in a file photo from October 2014.

their clients.

Growing gifts

The People’s garden prescribes healthy eating

By Sandra Jordan Of The

St. Louis American

It’s time to plant turnip greens in the garden, Charity Kennedy said. A home gardener for more than 20 years, she said turnip greens are a very popular harvest item for those looking for healthy and homegrown food.

n Mothers who participate in WIC, the Women Infant and Children nutritional program, receive the vegetables and fruit grown at the garden as a free food supplement for their children and families.

“We have spring, summer and fall,” Kennedy said. “I’m getting ready to do the fall stuff – the greens, the broccoli, the cauliflower, kale.” What is most endearing about this garden is where it is located – not in a backyard, or a farmers’ market or even a curbside fresh produce stand. It is in the middle of a medical facility – the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers on Delmar in St. Louis. Additionally, the garden is seeded, tilled and toiled with love, by People’s employees. They volunteer to water and tend to vegetables and flowers –led by the green thumb and infectious smile of Kennedy, who works in housekeeping at PHC. She is joined in the garden cultivation by PHC employees Johnny Carter, Floyd Sims and Director of Dental Services Dr. Karen Richardson.

“I’ve been doing gardening for a long time … helping my grandmother, and I missed it as she passed away – just going out there picking the fresh items from the garden” Kennedy said. Gateway Greening helps support the work of PHC for the garden.

“It is funded just from the staff and administration here at People’s Health Center,” said Mark Sanford, executive vice president.

“We also receive a small grant annually from Gateway Greening, that helps us sometimes with the tools, or the seeds and the flowers that we get.”

PHC nutritionists determine what they should grow.

“They grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, greens, cabbage and a little bit of kitchen herbs,” Sanford said, like rosemary and thyme.

“When we harvest our products, then we offer it to our WIC clients,” Richardson said.

Mothers who participate in WIC, the Women Infant and Children nutritional program, receive the vegetables and fruit grown at the garden as a free food supplement for their children and families, as well as other PHC clients with interest and need.

“They work with clients – they promote

See GARDEN, A11

The People’s Nutrition Garden is voluntarily worked and funded by PHC staff, along with a grant from Gateway Greening.

By Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D.

For The St. Louis American

Ever since I began practicing medicine, I’ve always enjoyed well child exams. Children will indeed say anything and provide the best comedy. In addition, I enjoy hearing what these bright little people want to be when they grow up and for my teenage patients I love hearing about their college choices and the rationale behind it. This time of the year across the nation teens are piling into their doctor’s offices getting their precollege physicals. However, I wonder how many of these young adults are also discussing serious collegiate issues such as sexual assault.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women while in college are sexually assaulted. Only a small fraction of these abuses are ever reported. More than 90 percent of them go unreported.

Contributing to these startling statistics is of course alcohol use. It is reported that 4 out of 5 college students drink alcohol and many of these students are also binge drinking. More than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

But even more concerning are the numbers of female students, 23 percent of them, who reported nonconsensual sexual contact of any kind in a report by CNN based on a survey by the Association of American Universities which included more than 150,000 students from 27universities.

For instance, I’m sure many of you remember the case involving Stanford student, Brock Turner, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting an inebriated, unconscious female student about a year ago. Two students who were passing by found Turner on top of the student behind some bushes with the unnamed student’s dress above her waist. Turner got up and ran but the students tackled him to the ground. Though Turner was convicted, the case drew outrage because Turner was only sentenced to 6 months.

So what are colleges doing to address these issues? In many states, it is no longer “no means no” but instead “yes means yes.” Consent is defined as an unambiguous yes and if a person is intoxicated they cannot give consent. Many universities are also requiring mandatory education on sexual assault prevention. And a host of schools have implemented bystander prevention programs such as the Green Dot. This program teaches participants strategies to help deescalate situations that lead to sexual assault, such as causing distractions so that the victim can get away.

Hopefully, we all realize now that curbing sexual violence on college campuses will be a joint effort of administration, students, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and parents. We must educate future collegians of their responsibilities. Males and females alike must now their roles of engagement. Each partner must be fully aware of the ramifications of sex with a partner under the influence.

No consent equals rape. “I thought she wanted it.” “Earlier in the day she said ok to sex.” “All I did was touch her.” These arguments are common, but are totally unacceptable!

Therefore, my advice to parents: have this conversation with your teens now before they learn this information the hard way.

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D. is assistant professor at SLUCare Family Medicine. You may contact her at yourhealthmatters@ stlamerican.com

At its Delmar location in St. Louis, Johnnie Carter and other BJK People’s Health Center employees grow a garden every year with tomatoes and vegetables to give to

Photo by Wiley Price

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

Photo by Sandra Jordan

HealtH Briefs

VA Mental Health Recovery Summit tomorrow

The VA St. Louis Health Care System’s fourth annual Mental Health Recovery Summit takes place Friday, August 19, 2016 at Forest Park Community College, 5600 Oakland Avenue in St. Louis.

The daylong summit runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4:40 pm and it has two components – presentations about mental health and a provider resource fair. Mental Health Summit presentations includes My VA Access, Suicide Prevention for Veterans and Families and the PTSD Consultation Program.

other mental health providers on their programs. This event is open and free to the public; refreshments will be provided.

The provider resource fair will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. During the fair, VA and community providers will present information to

Onsite registration starts at 7:30am on Friday, August 19. R.S.V.P. to Kate Audette, local recovery coordinator at (314)652-4100 x63502 or email Katherine.Audette@ va.gov.

Federal grant to SLU increases nursing scholarships

Saint Louis University will receive $2.1 million in federal funds over the next three and a half years for scholarships to future nurses who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Our grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will help students who don’t have the financial means to pursue their dreams of becoming nurses,” said Joanne Langan, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate education at SLU School of Nursing.

HRSA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funds come from HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.

n SLU will award scholarships to 10 incoming freshmen and 10 rising nursing sophomores for the 2016-17 academic year.

SLU will award scholarships to 10 incoming freshmen and 10 rising nursing sophomores for the 2016-17 academic year. Those who are eligible demonstrate financial need and include students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Selected by the school’s scholarship committee, the students will

receive mentoring and support during their time at SLU to ensure their academic success.

Nursing students who earn the scholarships will serve their clinical nursing practice rotations in medically underserved areas in the region, with an eye on improving health care for the metro area.

“A more diverse workforce that mirrors the population we serve is better for our patients and better for our profession,” Langan said. “Nurses from diverse backgrounds play a significant role in addressing health disparities, help everyone feel more included in our health care system and improve the health of our communities.”

CHAP at Christian Hospital receives statewide 2016 Community Service Award

Christian Hospital’s Community Health Access Program (CHAP) has received the 2016 Community Service Award from the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) to recognize the hospital’s CHAP team for making north St. Louis County a better place to live and dedication to the overall improvement of the community’s health. The award was presented July 27 at the MESMA annual meeting in Branson, Mo. CHAP was introduced in February 2014 to connect people with the appropriate medical care and needed resources at the right time to reduce unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits, as well as decrease hospital readmissions. To date, CHAP

has touched over 10,000 lives, navigated more than 8,600 patients away from 911 systems and the emergency department, and connected more than 630 people to primary care providers or medical homes.

Shannon Watson, CHAP community health supervisor, said CHAP takes a holistic approach with their patients to ensure not only their medical needs are met, but also their daily living needs such as food, shelter and transportation.

“Our focus is helping people navigate through the health care system, improve population health and the overall experience of receiving care. Among the 150 patients identified as high utilizers and enrolled in CHAP,

GARDEN

we had a 63 percent reduction in emergency utilization and a 54 percent decrease in admissions,” Watson said.

“We’re honored and humbled to be recognized statewide by MEMSA as a program that is really making a difference to fill those gaps in health care and create a healthier community.”

“I am amazed at the successes for our patients facing some of the most complex medical, social and economic challenges,” said Brian Froelke, MD, CHAP medical co-director. “The novel approaches that CHAP has developed are truly changing the face of emergency medical services across the country, and this recognition truly validates the successes of our work.”

Continued from A10

nutrition and they work with the clients to help with preparation of dishes, and then it’s also offered to any of the patients who need it,” Richardson added.

“If the social workers identify a need with any of the clients, then they can access some of the vegetables,” Sanford added.

Kennedy estimates they harvest about a hundred pounds or more of fresh produce each year. This is the fourth year for the garden.

“They just love it. They walk around the clinic, looking and they’re just standing in the glass window watching – saying ‘Ooh, this is just beautiful garden – can I have some?’”

The beautiful impatiens that line the garden are an aesthetic touch that have a

“We do the flowers just as an addition to the garden,” Dr. Richardson said. “Our purpose is to promote health, healthy lifestyles, good nutrition … ambiance. It stimulates – attitude is very important, so we want to have a pleasing environment.”

Youngsters are fascinated by the garden.

“The kids – they stare and look and it’s exciting to them to see the flowers grow and the vegetables,” Kennedy said.

“It’s good for the kids to see that tomatoes are on vines and cucumbers,” Richardson said.

The garden has also been a location for student community service.

“We’ve had some eighth-graders – some youth

who have come in to help manage the garden,” Sanford said. “At one point we had about 30 of them from the City of St. Louis that came through and helped us clean things every year.”

“At the same time, they understood a little bit better about where food and vegetables come from, and what they look like,” he added.

Kennedy said. “I want people to remember to learn how to eat healthy from the different vegetables we have in the garden and I always remember that I’m out here and the rest of us are out here helping in the garden.”

Sanford added, “It’s part of our larger scope in keeping people healthy and we are the custodians of our community’s health.”

At the MESMA Award presentation, from left: Ruby Mehrer, MESMA president; Christian Hospital CHAP advanced practice paramedics Michelle Moffett, Katie Eisenbeis and Jenny Rieker; Amanda Phelps, CHAP resource coordinator; Rebecca Poindexter, CHAP manager; Brian Froelke, MD, CHAP medical co-director; and Les Jobe, Missouri Bureau of EMS chief.

Photo by Wiley Price

Charity Kennedy is the key gardener in charge of the People’s Nutrition Garden, which grows fresh produce for WIC families and People’s Health Center clients.

By Melanie Adams

Best black baseball historian in America

Phil S. Dixon speaks on Tweed Webb at History Museum

The Missouri History Museum is proud to welcome Mr. Phil S. Dixon to speak about the history of Negro League baseball. He will specifically talk about the accomplishments of Normal “Tweed” Webb and Wilber “Bullet” Rogan. I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Dixon and learn about his interest in Negro League baseball and these two men. Why did you become interested in the history of Negro League and specifically Normal “Tweed” Webb?

I used to meet with Mr. Webb during my early 1980s visit to St. Louis. Many times he would get several players together at his home for me to interview when I was writing my book, “The Negro Leagues a Photographic History.” Other times we would go over to “Cool’ Papa’s home. Tweed took me under his wing as a young African-American researcher and allowed me to learn from the master. Tweed had passion and I caught his fever. Tweed was also a letter writer. I have over 30 letters that he sent to me between 1982-1992.

Was there anything you learned about the Negro Leagues that surprised you?

Tweed’s big thing was that he had “seen them all.” No one could make this statement but he. I wanted to learn about the personality of the players and anything else he knew directly from Tweed, Cool Papa and others. Especially their stories. I tell lots of stories in my presentation. No one knew more stories about St. Louis African-American baseball than Tweed and Cool Papa in my estimation.

Some people believe that the integration of baseball destroyed the Negro League. What do you think was the effect of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier?

It killed barnstorming for sure and by 1961 semi-professional traveling teams were almost a thing of the past. You might say, there was baseball before Jackie and after Jackie, two eras.

Turning to the Kansas City Monarchs, Tell us a little about Wilbur “Bullet” Rogan and what made him an interesting subject for a book?

Rogan is simply the greatest all-around baseball player ever born. Cool Papa once told me “The greatest baseball players ever were African-Americans” I took him at his word and showed the world one such figure in Wilber “Bullet” Rogan. He is equal to Ruth and the rest, but never got his due recognition. Rogan could pitch and hit and hit for power.

With films like Race about Jesse Owens and 42 about Jackie Robinson, do you find there is a renewed interesting in the history of African American athletes?

I have presented in over 130 cities in the past 2 & 1/2 years and in my estimation this history isn’t being taught to the everyday man, the average American. I have been called the people’s historian because I go into small towns, to libraries, historical societies and schools

St. Louis Browns uniform worn by centerfielder Jim Delsing, who played with the Browns for the latter part of the 1950 season through the middle of the 1952 season.

to reach people who never want to feel the excitement I bring to this topic. We need more movies, more books and more speakers educating the public. With all that has been done, I can go 50 to 100 miles from Kansas City and asked the average man, “Have you ever heard of the Kansas City Monarchs? Have you ever heard of Satchel Paige? Often they will say “no.” On occasions I have had some tell me they never heard of Jackie Robinson also. If you would like audiences to take one thing away from your lecture, what would it be and why? It would be “remember those that came before us. Men like Tweed who deserves recognition beyond the normal.”

The Story of “Tweed” Webb:

Most Prominent Black Baseball Historian in America

When: Sunday, August 21 2016 at 1:00 pm

Where: AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room How Much: Free

Negro League baseball historian Phil S. Dixon looks at the life and extraordinary accomplishments of St. Louisan Normal “Tweed” Webb. Dixon will sign copies of his book, Wilber “Bullet” Rogan and the Kansas City Monarchs, following the program.

Folk Art Exhibition Closes September 11

As the summer comes to a close, I hope that you have made your way to Saint Louis Art Museum to see the extraordinary exhibition, SelfTaught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum. If you have not, there is still time and it is well worth the trip. SelfTaught Genius presents a wide range of extraordinary works created by self-taught American artists. Drawn from the permanent collection of the American Folk Art Museum, New York, this diverse grouping is comprised of unique works by artists who originate from the Deep South and Midwest to the East and West Coasts. The show includes more than 100 objects—including paintings, ceramics, furniture, sculptures, textiles, carvings, handmade books, and more— that date from the 18th century to the present day. The works of art were created by individuals who had no formal training in visual art, yet their achievement is comparable in integrity and feeling to the creations of academically trained professionals. The exhibition includes a few “must see” works by eight African American artists displaying both outstanding technical refinement and artistic expression.

A large stoneware jug created by Dave Drake, also known as “Dave the Potter,” is certainly noteworthy due to its deceptively simple, yet skillful design. But perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that Dave boldly signed his name on this high-quality pot—and over 100 more— during a time in our nation’s history when slaves capable of reading and writing could be killed for asserting their

B. Telfair, American, 1913 -1986;

1983,

knowledge and individuality. Also exceptional is a 19th century needlework quilt hand-stitched by a pair of sisters who worked as slaves on a Kentucky plantation; the intricately stitched quilt underscores the anonymous legacy of artwork made by unidentified hands. The work of local Missouri artist Jesse Howard is featured, along with the paintings of Purvis Young, Sam Doyle, and Sister Gertrude, along with an exceptional graphic quilt by Jesse Telfair. Viewers also may recognize the work of two artists who were among the first self-taught black

Americans to gain recognition from the national and international art world: draftsman and painter Bill Traylor and sculptor William Edmondson. Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum will be open through September 11 and I encourage you, your family, friends and organization members to make the Saint Louis Art Museum a destination in the next few weeks. Remember that admission to the Art Museum is free every day and exhibitions are always free on Fridays.

Jessie

Freedom Quilt,

cotton, with pencil; 74 x 68 inches, Collection American Folk Art Museum, New York, Gift of Judith Alexander in loving memory of her sister, Rebecca Alexander, 2004.9.1; Photo by Gavin Ashworth

A visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Planting the Seeds for Success!

and

Think Before Your Eat!

Ask yourself these questions:

> 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?

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

FoodDiary

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.

Learning Standards: HPE2, NH2, NH5, CA3 Beonthe

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.

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

Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

6-8 Strawberries, hulled, sliced and frozen,

2 Tbsp Honey (optional), ¼ Cp Low-fat Milk,

2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt, 2 Ice Cubes, Small Splash of Vanilla

Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Healthcare Careers

Dr. Rosa Kincaid President of Kincaid Medical Associates, PC

Where do you work? I work at Kincaid Medical Associates.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Evander Childs High School in Bronx, New York, and earned a BA from City College of New York, an MD from Temple University School of Medicine and an FAAFP from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

What does a family physician and company president do? Since I am the boss, I make sure the nurse, office manager and secretary, are all doing their jobs. I tell my patients how to eat vegetables and exercise so that they can get off of some of their medications.

Why did you choose this career? I got interested in healthcare when I saw some doctor shows on television. It looked like it was fun. The doctor also appeared to be a very powerful person; I liked that. What is your favorite part of the job you have? I have travelled to Nigeria and Ghana, where I learned a lot about delivering babies and doing surgery. The District of Dutch Komenda in Ghana, Africa, crowned me as their chief.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Airport Elementary School 3rd grade teacher, Nicole Binion, shows students

Chrishan Goodson, Rodney Phillips, Reanna Young, and Gavin Hamilton how to work math patterns as a STEM lesson. Airport Elementary is in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

St.

SCIENCE CORNER

Scientists, especially inventors, must follow the scientific method. This method has specific steps in the process.

q Ask a question. What do you want to learn? The method is easier if you choose a question that can be measured, specifically with a number.

w Complete background research. What information has already been discovered about your topic? What mistakes can you avoid?

e Construct a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a predicted answer to your question. An example of a good hypothesis is, “If I _______ (do this), then ________ will happen.”

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

r Test your hypothesis. This is the point where you will begin completing your experiment.

t Analyze data and draw conclusions. Based on your data, was your hypothesis correct? If not, what

Did you know the game of checkers was invented in France more than 900 years ago? All games are inventions. In this experiment, you will apply portions of the scientific method to invent a game with logical methods and rules. You will need to clearly explain how to play the game.

Materials Needed:

• Various board games and card games

• Egg cartons • Marbles • Magnets

• Paperclips • Card stock • Pencils • Markers

• Note cards • Boxes • Dice • Counters

Process:

q View game samples provided. What do you like and dislike about the games? How can you use the examples to create a new game?

w Think of a new idea for a game. What is the objective of

MATH CONNECTION

changes do you need to make to revise your hypothesis?

y Communicate your results. Professional scientists publish their results in academic journals. You might choose to communicate your results in a science fair project or in a display for your classmates.

Important Note: It is very helpful to keep a journal. Jot down your thoughts and ideas. Draw pictures of various stages of your research.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting information. I can make text-to-text and text-to-world connections.

your game? How many players do you need? What are the rules?

e Use the materials provided to invent a game. Write specific rules r Test your game; ask some classmates to read the rules and try your game. Are the rules easy to understand? What is unclear? Are there any other changes or suggestions for improvement that you need to consider? t Make any necessary changes and share your game with others.

Learning Standards: I can apply the scientific method to invent a game. I can analyze results and make revisions as necessary. I can write for a specific purpose and audience.

Problem Solving

Inventors are skilled at problem solving. Brush up your math skills with these word problems!

z Alanna baked 12 dozen muffins, which was 16 more muffins than Judah baked. How many muffins did Judah bake? ______

x In the summertime, Deonte mows grass to earn money. If he earns $30 for each lawn he mows, how many lawns will he need to mow to earn $250? ______

SCIENCE STARS

African-American Inventor Frederick McKinley Jones

Frederick Jones was born in 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. By the time he was only 9 years old, both of his parents had passed away. A priest in Kentucky took Jones in to take care of him. Two years later, Jones returned to Cincinnati and began working as a janitor. Jones really enjoyed mechanical machines and taking things apart to discover how they worked. He took time to read and educate himself to learn as much as he could.

In 1912, Jones moved to Minnesota and began working as a mechanic on a farm. Jones briefly left the farm to serve in World War I. While serving in the war, he learned a lot about electronics. When he returned to the farm, he built a transmitter for the town to have a radio station. Jones also worked for the film industry, producing equipment that combined sound with moving pictures.

In the 1930s, Jones patented a portable air-conditioning unit for trucks to keep food refrigerated. Jones partnered with Numero and created the company U.S. Thermo Control Company. During WW2, Jones’ inventions were used to preserve blood, medicine, and food. Less than 20 years later, U.S. Thermo Control was worth millions of dollars.

Jones earned more than 60 patents. Some were related to X-ray machines, engines, and sound equipment. However, most of the patents were related to refrigeration. In 1944, he was the first African American to be elected in the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers. In 1961, Jones died of lung cancer. Jones was inducted in the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1991, President Bush awarded Jones the National Medal of Technology. Jones was the first African American to receive this honor, and his widow was presented his award in the White House Rose Garden.

Learning Standards: an African American who has made contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

c The adult donkey at the zoo weighs 240 pounds, which is 10 times more than the newborn donkey. How much does the baby donkey weigh? ______

v Emmy Noether, the Mother of Modern Algebra, was born in 1882. In what year did she celebrate her 29th birthday?

b You have $12 in nickels and quarters. If you have the same number of each kind of coin, how many nickels do you have? ______

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

Over 8 million refrigerators are sold each year in the U.S., and about 15% of American households contain two refrigerators.

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One — That Can Be Recycled: Recycling is an easy and effective way to preserve resources. Use the newspaper to locate items that can and cannot be recycled. For the items that cannot be recycled, list ways that you can reuse the item or an alternative item to preserve resources

Activity Two — New Inventions: Creative minds are often thinking of new ways to improve our lifestyle. Think of all the technological advances in the past year. Use the newspaper to locate a new technology item. Maybe you will see this in an advertisement or news article. Write a prediction for how this item will improve your lifestyle with specific examples.

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

Photo by Wiley Price/

Louis American

FBI crashes ESL

An old American Express card commercial used to advise us “Don’t leave home without it.” Apparently, East St. Louis Township Supervisor Oliver Hamilton took their advice to heart.

Given his over $230,000 in charges, during the course of a four and a half year period, it would appear that he may have practically worn the numbers and lettering from his township-issued AmEx card.

Even Kim Kardashian would be proud of his shopping acumen. The FBI has even taken notice. Agents from the bureau recently raided the township ofice on a Wednesday evening for about three hours, collecting information for their investigation into ESL township expenditures, following a scathing expose by the Belleville News-Democrat

And given Hamilton’s orgy of spending – including Las Vegas trips, expensive car washes and detail jobs, as well as hardware,

truck tire and steak dinner purchases – you can’t blame the government for crashing the party over such questionable purchases, especially in a city with a nearly 50 percent rate of poverty.

Exacerbating matters is the fact that, amid all of this excessive spending, the township mismanaged and subsequently lost a $300,000 granttoruntheMealsonWheels program, which was supposed to deliver meals to approximately 200 senior citizens throughout

the community.

But, not to worry. The township managed to deliver $10,000 in fruit baskets to the elderly during the Christmas holidays. Way to come through when it really counted, Oliver.

One thing we know is that Hamilton has the cleanest car in East Boogie, with over $2,000 in car wash charges from the Auto Spa Carwash in Fairview Heights. He is also well-rested from his junkets to Las Vegas.

And he’s most certainly wellfed from his many free steak dinners on the dime of the poor taxpayers of ESL.

However, Hamilton’s sister June Hamilton-Dean, an ESL councilwoman, paid township consultant and Scott Airforce Base employee, seems conident that the FBI investigation will vindicate the township, telling the BND that “the Township is fully cooperating because it has nothing to hide.”

That remains to be seen. My advice to Hamilton-Dean, in matters FBI investigations, is never to be so premature as to say that you have nothing to hide.

Former Alorton Mayor Randy McCallum made similar remarks when he was under investigation by the feds. The result: federal prison time. If these charges are true, Hamilton’s abuse of the public’s trust is deplorable, given the destitute state of his community. The citizens and taxpayers of East St. Louis need and deserve dedicated and honest leadership, not “public serpents” who suck their blood at every opportunity. Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

Northside-Southside Can’t Wait

By Tishaura O. Jones Treasurer, City of St. Louis

Do not call what you are about to read finger-pointing. There’s enough of that going around. This is plain talk.

Light rail has worked in every city across the U.S. It connects marginalized communities to economic growth, increases regional productivity, de-concentrates poverty, promotes healthy living, creates vibrant and accessible public spaces, and catalyzes development in struggling neighborhoods.

St. Louis is dense enough to support more light rail than it has. Denver, which is less densely populated than St. Louis, just invested $7.6 billion in new light rail.

It is true, however, that density is one determinant of ridership, which is the critical metric by which potential routes are evaluated.

Les Sterman, who led EastWest Gateway for 26 years, was recently quoted in this newspaper explaining that the three routes proposed for study by St. Louis County won’t have enough ridership to attract federal funding. He proceeded

to make an important point: that the “insistence on studying them ‘seems more like a political gesture than any serious attempt to expand MetroLink.’”

Sterman raises a fundamental question that has stalled light rail: Is St. Louis County serious about expanding mass transit?

If it is serious, then we should be exploring regional funding strategies. If it is serious, then we should be engaged in a joint planning effort of the full NorthsideSouthside alignment, which includes 10 miles in the county, instead of studying those three routes that would only be reasonable after NorthsideSouthside was operating.

Regardless of the county’s current sensibilities, city families without access to cars, cut off from jobs and grocery stores, can’t wait. They are stranded. But they don’t have to be.

A $2.2 billion NorthsideSouthside light rail extension does sound daunting, but that’s for the full 28-mile alignment, 10 miles of which are in the county. The cost of the city’s portion is closer to $1.4 billion, and building it would use 50 percent federal funding, bringing the city’s cost to only half that. More importantly, the line can be built in phases. The Conceptual Design study, which my office is using parking revenue to fund, will tell us what that the first phase – the “Minimum Operating Segment” (MOS) – could look like.

While the ultimate end points of the MOS will be driven by engineering and planning realities, a potential MOS costing between $500 and $750 million could run from Cherokee Street or Broadway in the south to Florissant or Fairground Park in north. With 50 percent federal funding, the city’s match for the MOS falls to between $250 and $375 million – and $250 million looks a lot different than $2.2 billion.

This money could be raised in a variety of ways: a 30 cent GO bond; a 3/8 cent sales tax, potentially imposed through a citywide Transit Development District (TDD); raising the parking tax to 20 percent, the rate already in place in many of our peer cities; or by even more creative options, including Right of Way donations, special assessment districts, tax increment financing, and public-private partnerships. Of course, most of these ideas would be (and should be) put to the voters. I am not worried about that. The people who live here in the city want this. They support this. And, they will come out to vote for it.

O.

James Ingram

Tishaura

Jones is the treasurer for the City of St. Louis.

Guest Columnist

Tishaura O. Jones

Business

N.Y. City to New City

Alexis Wright was first African American named to lead a private school in St. Louis

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Alexis Wright, the new head of school at New City School, already has blazed a trail in St. Louis as the first African American to be named to lead a major private school in the region.

“It’s a distinction,” he told The American “and it may make me stand out in St. Louis, but it’s not something I will think about all the time.” At the moment Wright, who moved here from New York City, is thinking more about having an entire house for his family on a broad, safe street in the Central West End.

“The other day, I saw a priceless image,” he said after his first month in St. Louis: “my girls riding bikes down the middle of the street. Children don’t ride bikes down the middle of the street in New York. It was a magical moment.” More space for his family and “a different pace of life,” he said, were major motivators for him to leave his position as dean of Children’s Programs and head of school at Bank Street College of Education in New York. But his new school had to be just right, not least of all because his own children (Morgan, 8, and Avery, 3) will become students there.

See WRIGHT, B6

Sisters in service at BJC

Lauren Witherspoon and Brittanie Shanks work and volunteer together

American staff

“We’ve always been close,” Brittanie Shanks, 30, said of her sister, Lauren Witherspoon, 28. “We attended the same middle school and high school, and we come from a close family. But now that we’re adults, we’re going through similar major experiences like starting our families and being young professionals in health care.”

The two sisters volunteer together, mentor girls together, will endow a scholarship together and both work at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH). They grew up in St. Louis, where their parents raised them to value education. Both have doctorate degrees – Witherspoon graduated from Howard University to pursue a career as a physical therapist, and Shanks

See SISTERS, B2

Lauren Witherspoon and Brittanie Shanks are sisters who volunteer together, mentor girls together, will endow a scholarship together and both work at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Elijah E. Cummings received the President’s Award from the National Urban League at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala. Cummings (D-Baltimore) represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. He was recognized for his achievements in public service and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of marginalized communities nationwide.

Anne Marie Clarke received a Merit Award from the National Bar Association. She is an attorney and St. Louis Family Court commissioner. The National Bar Association is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. It represents the interests of approximately 65,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students.

Tony J. Westbrook Jr. was selected as the 2016-2017 Social Justice Fellow for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. A St. Louisbased activist, he will spend a year studying Jewish texts at the Pardes Institute and working with the local Jerusalem community on issues of social justice.

Alayna Jenkins was appointed to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri board of directors. She is a freshman at Orchard Farm High School. She has been a Girl Scout since first grade, and has earned her Girl Scout Bronze Award and Girl Scout Silver Award. She hopes to use her position on the board to provide insight into the needs and interests of today’s girls.

Shamed Dogan was awarded the Freshman Legislator of the Year Award for Elections by Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Todd Richardson. Dogan (R-Ballwin) represents House District 98 in the Missouri Legislature. He chaired the Task Force on Election Procedures & Accountability and was vice chair of the Elections Committee.

Nia Spencer received a Dance St. Louis Career Award. She is a student at University City High School and captain of its dance team. She will receive help from Dance St. Louis with auditions, summer intensives, supplies, letters of recommendations, coaching and anything else to help her succeed in the field of dance.

On the move?

Elijah E. Cummings

Tony J. Westbrook Jr.

Alayna Jenkins

Shamed Dogan

Anne Marie Clarke

Nia Spencer

Alexis Wright is the new head of school at New City School, 5209 Waterman Blvd. He replaced Tom Hoerr, who retired last year after leading the school for 34 years.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Six basics to consider before investing with a robo advisor

By Nathaniel Sillin

You’re looking to grow your money, but you’re not quite sure how to get started.

Should you go robo?

Robo advisor, that is. A robo advisor is a digital investment management service that allows you to input your funds, financial data and investment preferences online and designs algorithmbased recommendations based on your responses. While a human advisor may charge one percent or more of your invested assets to help you manage your money, robo advisors typically charge only a fraction of that amount in management fees. Some allow you to open an account with only a few dollars, and others don’t even require a minimum deposit to open an account. Major investment firms have entered the growing robo advisor market with their own computerized services. As new advisor options emerge and evolve quickly, it’s a good idea to consider all options carefully. Examine the services industry experts (http://www. investopedia.com/articles/ personal-finance/011916/5best-roboadvisorsinvestors-2016.asp) provide to know what you should look for in an advisor. Here are some considerations to factor into your research on robo advisors as you evaluate whether they are right for your needs.

1. Reasonable management fees and small initial investments. Robo funds often have preset investment choices based on

client questionnaires about risk tolerance and investment goals, and they typically charge lower fees than human advisors. Human advisors may charge upwards of one percent of all the money you have in your account, while robo advisor pricing options are typically a fraction of that.

2. The best robo advisor sites are streamlined and simple. Good robo advisor sites provide clearly organized, straightforward advice. For

example, one of the leading robo advisor sites makes sure you have an emergency fund in place before you start selecting investments. That’s the kind of good financial practice you should look for in an advisor, robo or not.

3. Federal regulators are still evaluating robo advisors. The Securities and Exchange Commission has its own recommendations for investing with robo advisors, but the most important unanswered

question is whether robo advisors (and the companies that own them) really exercise fiduciary responsibility by truly putting the needs of the investor first. It’s essential to understand the risks involved with entrusting your investments to the robo advisor market, where restrictions and consequences are still not completely clear.

4. As major investment firms and even banks enter the market, it’s likely

SISTERS

continued from page B1 graduated from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University to become a pharmacist.

At Howard University, Witherspoon met a recruiter from BJH during a career fair, which led her to work at the

that more diverse options in advisory services and pricing will emerge. As big investment names are starting to offer their own robo advisor options for small investors, different robo advisor providers will likely start to differentiate their marketing, services, and fees. It’s always smart to shop around for the best deals and fit for you.

5. Robo advisors are no substitute for a basic personal finance education.

It’s easy to sign up for a robo fund or even find a fee-only financial planner, but it’s still important to cultivate your own financial knowledge. Consider public resources on basic financial topics, the range of money management resources offered on Practical Money Skills for Life, or workshops at your community college or public library. Selfeducation is the most powerful tool for any endeavor, but it’s especially essential to handling your finances.

6. Robo advisors aren’t capable of providing truly personalized investment advice. An algorithm can’t ask countless questions about your long-time financial goals and values or answer all of your queries during a major market change. Though robo advisors provide a low-cost way to get started in investing, you won’t have someone who can give you personal advice when unexpected situations arise. Before you sign up, take some time to consider how much personal assistance you think you’ll need.

Bottom line: Like most computerized services, automated financial advise and investment planning will probably get more sophisticated with time. But while robo advisor services allow lower initial investments and fees, it’s important to study the pros and cons first.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

n “Working together and starting a scholarship in our adulthood has definitely made our relationship closer.”

– Lauren Witherspoon

hospital on innovation unit, 11300. She later encouraged her sister to pursue a career at the hospital. “I liked the environment and the supervisors were welcoming,” said Witherspoon. “I accepted the position before I graduated from physical therapy school, and I’ve been here for about two years. My sister and I really don’t get to see each other, but it feels good to know she’s here.”

Shanks started her career in retail pharmacy before coming to BJH. “There’s so many opportunities here, especially at The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center,” said Shanks, clinical pharmacist for oncology at BJH. When Witherspoon started volunteering, Shanks joined her. They both supported Sky is the Limit, a career preparation program at Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. They now both mentor and encourage African-American girls to pursue degrees in science and technology. Shanks and Witherspoon also support the BJC School of Outreach and have presented at career health fairs for youth. The sisters’ next endeavor is creating a scholarship for African-American girls. “Our mother is a school principal and pushed the value of a good education, so the scholarship will be in her name,” said Shanks. The two say they want to use their own money to fund the scholarship, which will be announced to the public once Witherspoon and Shanks set the criteria. They hope to help more young girls gain an interest in science and technology and pursue advanced degrees.

“Working together and starting a scholarship in our adulthood has definitely made our relationship closer,” said Witherspoon. “We have a very special and cherished connection.”

n “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps.

I’m the first Simone Biles.”

– Simone Biles

Terry Beckner Jr. looks to continue the roar

Earned 2015 Freshman All-American honors

By Maurice Scott Jr.

For The St. Louis American

In 2015, former Missouri head football

coach Gary Pinkel and his right hand man, assistant coach Cornell Ford, landed the best football recruit from the East side since the late great Damien Nash in Terry Beckner Jr. Nothing against the great Jimmie Hunt from Cahokia, but Beckner and Nash were both major recruits for the Tigers’ program for more than just game days.

Maurice Scott

At the time, Nash was one of the most sought after running backs ever from the metro-east. In addition, Missouri had been shut out in the recruiting wars as it pertains to the Flyers’ program.

Prior to Nash’s signing, the last major recruits from East Side who signed with Mizzou were Ronnie Cameron, Homer Bush, and Kenneth Dunn, which came in the late 1980’s and early 90’s.

n Last year, Beckner made 27-tackles (13-solo) despite missing 4-games against South Carolina, BYU, Tennessee, and Arkansas due to injury.

Enter Gary Pinkel and Ford, who established relationships with trust and integrity with the difference makers close to the East St. Louis program, and look what’s has transpired. Pinkel and his staff re-established themselves in the metro-east with local coaches, and that has propelled the Tigers to respectability once again. No, they haven’t beaten Oklahoma in Norman. No, they haven’t won a National Championship. But what the Tigers program has done is restore the roar back in Columbia. That has made local players like Sheldon Richardson, Jimmie Hunt, Marcus Golden, Kony Ealy, and others want to play football at Mizzou.

Enter Former East St. Louis Flyer Terry Beckner Jr., who during his freshman year at Mizzou made believers out of all a long list of locals who decided to stay close to

Speed is king at the Olympics

If you ask me my favorite sport, 99 percent of the time the answer will be basketball. Growing up, it’s a sport that I often played, competing on blacktops and hardwood courts across St. Louis. I was always an above average player and even today, as my athleticism wanes, I can still get buckets in any gym. However, every four years, during the Summer Olympics, basketball takes a backseat to track and field on my personal sports pedestal.

I’m sure many others have a similar love for Olympic track and field. It’s easy to dream about being an athlete on the world’s greatest stage for sports. At bare minimum, basketball requires a ball, a court, decent shoes and a basket. Gymnastics require

expensive apparatuses and thousands of hours of training before being able to compete at even the most basic level. Swimming requires access to a pool, which is especially difficult in urban, inner city and economically-challenged areas. However, all that many track and field events require to start are working arms and legs. We learn the skills of running, jumping and throwing as wee toddlers.

For example, I ran track and field for four years in high school, mainly just for something to do in the spring. Back in those days, the track at Lutheran North was made of dirt and the jumping pits were hard and in terrible condition. Still, we were able to put together three consecutive state championships teams. Even though I treated

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Usain Bolt of Jamaica, the reigning sprint king, smiles for the camera before

the finish line to win the 100-meter finals at the Rio Olympics. With the victory, Bolt became the first sprinter in history to win three-straight Olympic golds.

Terry Beckner Jr. anchors one of the most feared defensive lines in the country.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Gabby gets grilled, while Solo seems to slide once again

The next time you’re at a St. Louis Cardinals game take a glance around to see how many people have their hand over their heart during the National Anthem.

Oh say can you see about 50 percent following that tradition?

I stand with my hands clasped behind my back – kind of like I’m being arrested - but with total respect for our flag and this great nation.

Gabby Douglas failed to place her hand on her heart during the U.S. women’s gymnastics team gold medal ceremony and was immediately skewered by many in the press and even more on social media. The tiny, shining star of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London is being portrayed as disrespectful.

Douglas said “I don’t want anyone taking it as I was jealous or I want attention. Never, I support them and I’m sorry that I wasn’t showing it and I should have.”

“I still love them, still love the people who love me and the people who hate me.”

Meanwhile, over on the soccer pitch, Hope Solo embarrassed every American with her postgame comments following a loss to Sweden in the quarterfinals. She called the victors “a bunch of cowards,” for their conservative game plan and belittled former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage who now guides the Swedes.

Also, she was heavily criticized for not wildly cheering for Simone Biles and other team members during their respective performances.

Give me a break. Much of this is racism wrapped in an American flag.

Douglas said she wondered to herself “Wait, what did I do to disrespect the people?”

“I’m sorry if I offended them. What have I done? I was standing in respect for USA. I am coming out here and representing them to the best of abilities, so how would I be in disrespect? I don’t get this part. Sorry,” she said.

As for the perception she wasn’t cheering hard enough for Biles and Aly Raisman,

While Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post and a few other took Solo to task, the media outcry and social media backlash paled in comparison to that heaped on Douglas.

Solo gave up a soft goal in a 2-2 tie to Colombia and got outdueled 4-3 in penalty kicks in the loss to Sweden. She even tried to freeze Swedish player Lisa Dahlkvist by inexplicably changing her gloves before the final kick. Dahlkvist responded by booming the ball so hard into the goal it almost tore through the netting.

“For every shiny marketing moment and big victory she’s been a part of, she’s given the U.S. a nasty unwanted drama. The victories usually smoothed over her behavior. Not this time. This time she went pure loser and lout,” Jennings wrote.

Solo was benched before the 2007 World Cup semifinal against Brazil and went berserk on coach Greg Ryan and

every quarterback drafted before him.

St. Louis area product Ezekiel Elliott dressed for the game, but did not play because of a tender hamstring. He returned to practice on Monday and will likely see action on Friday when the Miami Dolphins visit Dallas. The huge crowd chanted “Jerry, Jerry” when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on video screens and on the sideline. He was an early backer of Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s new stadium and desire to move to L.A. Rams haters

goalie

Brianna Scurry, who is black.

After the 4-0 loss, Solo said “[Starting Scurry] was the wrong decision. And I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that.” Compare that to Douglas’ actions.

In July of 2012, Solo failed a drug test, was warned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and was still allowed to participate in the Olympics.

“I took a medication prescribed by my personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes that I did not know contained a diuretic,” she said, adding that it did not enhance her performance.

In June 2014, Solo was arrested on two charges of domestic assault involving her half-sister and nephew. According to an ESPN report, “Solo was so combative (while being processed) that she had to be forced to the ground, prompting her to yell at one officer, “You’re such a b----. You’re scared of me because you know that if the handcuffs were off, I’d

kick your ass.” She continued insulting officers and when asked to remove a necklace, “an apparently drunk Solo told the officer that the piece of jewelry was worth more than he made in a year.”

The charges were dismissed in January 2015 because her half-sister and nephew failed to give depositions to Solo’s lawyers, numerous times.

With all that baggage, Solo was – and is – an American hero. So is Douglas – but you wouldn’t know it based on this past week.

90K at L.A. Coliseum

More than 90,000 fans jammed the L.A. Memorial Coliseum to watch the Los Angeles Rams beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-24 in last Saturday’s preseason game.

Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott stole the show, completing 10 of 12 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The fourth-round draft pick outplayed Rams’ No. 1 pick Jared Goff and

Alvin A. Reid

Gabby Douglas was heavily criticized for not wildly cheering for Simone Biles and other team members during their respective performances.

Prep football players to watch in 2016

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

Another year of high school football begins this weekend in the state of Missouri. Here is a look at some of the top players to watch in 2016.

Tony Adams (SLUH): Excellent two way performer at wide receiver and defensive back. Had six interceptions as a junior. Committed to Illinois.

Kamryn Babb (CBC): Outstanding junior prospect at wide receiver who had 41 receptions for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns for Class 6 state runners-up.

Jake Bain (John Burroughs): Junior running back who rushed for 2,172 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Class 3 state champions.

Continued from B3

home wasn’t a bad idea.

The 6’4 300-pound defensive tackle that wavered from the #1 or #2 recruit in 2015 depending on the recruiting service earned Freshman AllAmerican honors for Pinkel despite missing four games due to injury.

Beckner contributed right away for a Missouri team who enters the 2016 season as one of the most feared defensive lines in the country despite the dismissal of 2-potential starters for disciplinary reasons going into the season.

Last year, Beckner made 27-tackles (13-solo) despite missing 4-games against South Carolina, BYU, Tennessee, and Arkansas due to injury. In addition, Beckner had 14 assists for the Tigers who finished 5-7 in 2015, and 1-3 without the freshman defensive tackle in the line-up. Beckner so far has shown no-signs of the injury that sidelined him the last three

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

ly blistering performances have led me to abandon all patriotism when he’s on the track. I scream and cheer for the Jamaican sensation as if I was straight outta Kingston. I have no doubt that Wade van Niekerk’s insane 400-meter world record from lane 8 in Rio will be a lasting memory as well.

It’s a shame that track and field’s popularity doesn’t really last beyond the Olympics here in the United States. Track and field is the second most-popular sport in the world, after soccer. But like soccer, here in America, track and field is treated like a family reunion. It’s all love when the big event rolls around, but everybody is pushed to the backburner as soon as it’s over. Bolt, track’s biggest superstar, earns $30 million per year in worldwide endorsements. But how many times have you seen someone in the USA rocking a fresh pair of his Pumas? Most people would live in fear of starring in their very own ‘What are those’ videos on social media.

‘Those’ are the kicks of an Olympic legend.

With all due respect to Michael Phelps (the greatest Olympian of all-time), Simone Biles (possibly the greatest gymnast of all-time), Team USA basketball, Kerri Walsh Jennings and other Olympic stars, the burners on the track truly rule the roost of the Olympic Games.

Leave Gabby alone

This biggest disappointment for me in these Olympics, even more than Team USA’s basketball struggles, has been the treatment of Gabby Douglas Douglas failed to qualify for the all-around competition, despite finishing third-overall in the prelims, due to a rule that limits each country to two competitors in the finals. It’s time for that rule to change.

Andrew Clair (SLUH): Senior running back who rushed for 1,303 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior.

C.J. Coldon (Althoff): Excellent senior wide receiver who had 64 receptions for 1,347 yards for Illinois Class 4A state runners-up.

Dyllan Conway (Westminster Christian): Excellent wide receiver who had 48 receptions for 790 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Dallas Craddieth (Hazelwood Central): Outstanding junior prospect at wide receiver and defensive back. Had seven touchdowns on offense and four interceptions on defense.

Reggie Crawford (Chaminade): A 6’4” senior wide receiver who had 28

games of the SEC season. Said assistant coach Cornell Ford recently, “Terry Beckner Jr. has been making plays early in camp that sometimes have you shaking your head. I will just say this, if he continues to stay healthy, he has a chance to play on Sundays.”

Not only has Beckner’s presence made a major impact on SEC scouting reports. Currently, the Missouri football program, under first-year Head coach Barry Odom is ecstatic to have the former Flyer on board because of his relationship with his former teammates at East St. Louis Senior.

Currently, the Tigers have five players from East St. Louis on its roster in Beckner, free-safety Gregory Taylor (Hinds JC) offensive lineman Tre’vour Simms, running-back Nate Strong (Hinds JC) and wide-receiver Dominic Nelson. Last week Mizzou received a verbal commitment from East St. Louis Senior quarterback Reyoundus Estes who de-committed from Western Michigan. The Tigers are

receptions for 613 yards and nine touchdowns for Class 5 state runners-up.

Kaleb Eleby (Pattonville): Talented junior quarterback who passed for 2.047 yards and 22 touchdowns. Has been a starter since his freshman year.

A.J. Epenesa (Edwardsville): One of the top-rated defensive ends in the country returns for his senior year. Has committed to Iowa.

Tyler Foote (John Burroughs): Junior quarterback who passed for 2,141 yards and 35 touchdowns for the Class 3 state champions.

Aqeel Glass (Lutheran North): A 6’5” senior quarterback who passed for 2,811 yards and 32 touchdowns. He committed to Florida

International.

Reece Goddard (Kirkwood): Senior dual threat quarterback who passed for 1,878 yards and rushed for 970 yards. Accounted for 30 touchdowns.

Marquis Hayes (Pattonville): A 6’6” 320-pound offensive tackle who emerged as a top college prospects. He’s committed to Oklahoma.

Tionne Harris (Vianney): Excellent junior dual-threat quarterback who passed for 1,979 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 890 yards.

Cody Schrader (Lutheran South): Talented two-way performer who rushed for 2,441 yards and 36 touchdowns an recorded 158 tackles.

Tahj Telfair (Kirkwood): Excellent 6’5” two-way per-

former at tight end and defensive end is back for the Class 6 state semifinalists.

Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis): A four-year starter who is one of the nation’s top-rated prospects at wide receivers. Has run a 4.38 40-yard dash.

Michael Thompson (Parkway North): A 6’5” 270-pound junior lineman who has already received several major Division I offers.

Steve Webb (Westminster): Senior running back who rushed for 1,874 yards and 25 touchdowns for the Class 4 state semifinalists.

Prep Football Games of the Week

Friday, August 19 Chaminade at Kirkwood, 7

also in the hunt for Flyer AllAmerican wide receiver Jeff Thomas, who has offers from Alabama, Michigan St., Florida State among others.

Many sports have a two-person (or team) limit for a particular sport or event. The difference though is that more than two gymnasts are allowed to compete in the all-around competition in gymnastics.

The rule should allow for the top-three or top-five gymnasts to advance to the finals, regardless of country. That way, you’re guaranteed to have the best of the best competing for a spot on the podium. To exclude

possibly the third-best gymnast in the world from the finals means that the bronze medal is essentially a participation award. Despite the fact that Douglas still walked away with her

Usain Bolt of Jamaica assumes his familiar victory pose after becoming the first man in history to win three straight 100-meter Olympic gold medals.

third gold medal in the team all-around, she caught heat from the peanut gallery about her hair and her hand placement during the Star-Spangled Banner. Since my colleague Alvin Reid has the national

anthem part covered, let me touch on the hair bit for just a second. A young, black woman proves that she is one of the best in the world, at one of the most difficult sports, yet she is hammered on social media about her ‘edges’? Maybe if more internet critics spent as much time on a sport as they do on their edges, we’d see more barrier-breaking athletes such as Douglas, Biles, Simon Manuel, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Michelle Carter and others. That may seem contradictory coming from a sports columnists, who is paid to talk about and sometimes criticize athletes. However, to critique an athlete’s performance on-thefield or behavior off-the-field is one thing. To personally attack them for how they look or dress while performing amazing acts at a level of which most of us can barely dream is just outright stupid. Gabby critics, please zip it and allow the three-time Olympic gold medalist to have her shine.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

Terry Beckner Jr. is doing his part in the classroom as well. In addition, he has become a favorite in the locker room and on campus as well.

The future is bright for the soft-spoken yet determined sophomore, and if somehow the big fellow from the Mount neighborhood in East St.

Louis can talk his former teammate Jeff Thomas to commit to the Tigers. LOOKOUT!

The 6’4 300pound Terry Beckner Jr. wavered from the #1 or #2 recruit in 2015 depending on the recruiting service earned Freshman AllAmerican honors for Pinkel despite missing four games due to injury.

WRIGHT

continued from page B1

“New City stands for academic excellence and a commitment to diversity with a broad definition of diversity,” Wright said. “I knew I could see my children going there and it’s a place where I would be comfortable.” As for academic excellence, 6th grade New City students score in the 92nd percentile for reading, the 97th percentile for math and the 94th percentile overall, compared to national averages on the Stanford Achievement Test.

There are 48 faculty with a 7:1 student to teacher ratio. Last year, nine graduates went to John Burroughs School, and nine also went to Crossroads College Prep, with the rest attending a mix of private, public and charter schools.

The student body –currently, 320 students from age three to 6th grade – is composed of 42 percent students of color. Students come from 49 different zip codes throughout the city and county. The school provides need-based financial aid for 39 percent of students. (The current full tuition is $18,800.) The school’s total annual allotment of financial aid is $1.2 million, or approximately 15 percent of the operating budget.

“The school led the job search,” Wright said. “It just happened to be in St. Louis.” During his job search, of course, the St. Louis region was forced into national focus by the Ferguson protest movement and subsequent reform efforts toward achieving greater racial equity in the region. That also attracted him.

n “Now is a good time to be here,” he said. “There is an ascendancy. PostFerguson, this is a great opportunity.”

“Now is a good time to be here,” he said. “There is an ascendancy. Post-Ferguson, this is a great opportunity.”

His leadership of an expensive private school does not limit his ability to make an impact on the wider community, he said.

“There is a misperception that independent schools are not necessarily part of the community,” Wright said.

“There is work already being done at New City to help the children realize that their community is not just the school, but it’s much wider. And I have some ideas for how to ensure our kids define their community broadly.”

Brittany Packnett is one of

countless change agents who studied at New City School as a child. She served on both the Ferguson Commission and President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and recently accepted a promotion to a national vice president position at Teach For America that takes effect October 1.

Currently she is executive director of Teach For America St. Louis and serves on the New City School board.

Wright has diversity experiences of his own, starting long before he blazed a trail at St. Louis’ independent schools. Originally from New York City, he earned an undergraduate degree in Human Ecology from Rutgers University and a Masters in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami before getting involved with teaching children. “Just because of my course of study,” he said, “I was always one of the first, if not the only, African American.”

He may have been the first African American named to lead a major private school in the St. Louis region, but he already is not the only one.

This May, City Academy announced Milton Mitchell, a native of Kinloch, as its new principal. Wright and Mitchell actually started work at their respective schools on the same day, July 1.

Financial Focus

By Roger Macon, AAMS

Globetrotting with YFC

2nd annual gala gives guests a taste of Dubai

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Last year we offered a journey to Rio, and this year we are headed to Dubai” said Rev. Rodney Francis, executive director emeritus for The Youth and Family Center.

For its second annual “Fun-Raiser,” The Youth & Family Center (YFC) ballroom will be transformed into an enchanting desert oasis for Discover Dubai: A Journey with a Cause on Wednesday, August 31.

“Imagine from the moment you hit the property at 818 Cass Avenue, experiencing the sights, the sounds the smells and the flavor of Dubai,” Francis said. Senses will be tantalized as they bring the Middle Eastern nation synonymous with luxury to life in their St. Louis operating space – save for the 120 degree temperatures. “Well, it is St. Louis –so you never know, you might get that too.”

The premise of the fundraiser is to drive traffic to their actual space and raise funds for the community support programming the organization provides annually.

n The gala also has an awards ceremony woven into the festivities.

They wanted to get outside the box of the traditional banquet or golf scramble fundraiser. Development Board Chair Jeanetta Hill, an event planner by profession, came up with the idea of re-imagining their space to reflect popular global travel destinations.

“YFC had never had an agency-wide fundraiser and so we started talking amongst the board and it was like ‘okay, what can we do to unique, different and fun and something that can utilize the space,’” Francis said. “Jeanetta said, ‘let’s take them on a world tour.”

“We are pleased to bring this culturallyenriching experience to our constituents,” said YFC Board President Joshura Davis. “Each attendee will receive a passport for a fantasy journey and have an opportunity to bid in an auction to raise much-needed funds to improve the lives of children and families.”

The gala – which is headed up by honorary co-chairs, the Honorable Betty L. Thompson, former Missouri State Representative, and the Honorable Jim Talent, former United States Senator – also has an awards ceremony woven into the festivities.

Five recipients will receive the Equalizer

Award for creating, and supporting equal access for others and for being a “change agent” in making a difference in the St. Louis Community. Honorees include: Allison A. King, MD, associate professor, Washington University in St. Louis; Dr. Martin Luther Mathews, president emeritus & co-founder, Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club; Ollie Stewart, executive director and founder, Southside Wellness Center; Education; Mary Stillman, founder and executive director, Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls; and the Hon. E. Richard Webber, senior judge, United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri.

“The event is especially exciting because it allows the agency to move forward and get resources to reach even more people and enhance our programs – and to get our name out there,” Francis said.

According to Francis, Youth and Family Center comes out of the settlement house tradition and has been a staple in the community for more than 125 years.

“We were a charter member of the United Way – one of the founding members of the current

Soul of the circus returns to St. Louis

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

R&B grand diva Chaka Khan had only four words when asked what audiences can expect from her when she returns to St. Louis next Saturday.

“A damn good show,” Khan said. She’ll make her way back to town as part of the culminating entertainment for the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club’s inaugural Family Reunion Weekend August 26-27.

The concert, billed as “An Evening with Chaka Khan and El DeBarge,” will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Khan considers it “a beautiful thing” to be able to share her gift for a cause as worthy as the community staple that is Mathews-Dickey.

“I’m always trying to be of service to anybody who needs something,” Khan said. “That’s one of the foundations for my existence. There’s a lot of love coming from the stage and going to the stage. It’s a great reciprocal feeling – and I’m really happy to be doing for something that will help people.”

With more than 40 years in the music industry under her belt, Khan sits atop many of the best singers’ list of all-time greats.

“Whatever I am as far as my gift is concerned – it’s all by the grace of God,” Khan said. “I don’t put a lot of thought into singing. It just comes natural – like cooking or taking a bath. It’s a fundamental of my life, and it comes from God.”

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Take everything you think you know about the circus, and throw that out the window,” said Hank Ernest, a spokesperson for UniverSoul Circus.

He’s absolutely right – especially those who remember being shushed and/or reprimanded for being incapable of quelling our excitement while taking in the awe of the circus in its traditional form. Outbursts are not only encouraged, but they are often elicited at UniverSoul Circus. The

UniversSoul expands to two locations for 2016 STL stop See CIRCUS,

experience is best described as a cross between the circus and a lively family reunion. The only thing missing is the potato salad as guests laugh, dance and engage with each other and the circus performers as one community under their soulful big top.

“Our show is about bridging generational and cultural gaps,” said UniverSoul Circus founder and CEO Cedric Walker. “As our world is getting smaller, families are looking for ways to spend time together and appealing

Concert series highlights historic landmark and local musical tradition

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“The blues is more than entertainment,” Mississippi bluesman Vasti Jackson told the crowd as he played and sang for the kickoff of the Blues at the Arch Concert Series Friday evening. “The blues is a life force.” The show, which also featured local band Phi, is the first of three upcoming Friday performances that pair local and national talent that pay homage to the

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Fri., Aug. 19, 5 p.m., the National Blues Museum and the CityArchRiver Foundation present Blues at the Arch with Marsha Evans & the Coalition and Skeet Rodgers & the Inner City Blues Band, Luther Ely Smith Square (between the Old Courthouse and The Arch) at the corner of Fourth and Market. For more information about Blues at the Arch, visit www.bluesatthearch.com.

Fri., Aug. 26, Lumiere welcomes Betty Wright, Lumiere Live Theatre. Visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets.

Fri., Aug. 26, 5 p.m., the National Blues Museum and the CityArchRiver Foundation present Blues at the Arch with National Park Service Centennial Jazz Band and Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child,” Luther Ely Smith Square (between the Old Courthouse and The Arch) at the corner of Fourth and Market. For more information about Blues at the Arch, visit www. bluesatthearch.com.

Sat., Aug. 27, 7 p.m. An Evening with Chaka Khan and El DeBarge, a benefit concert for Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club, The Fox Theatre. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com .

Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. The Formation Tour with Beyoncé, The Dome at America’s Center. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com

local gigs

Sat., Aug. 20, 12 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Gregg “Happy Guitar” Haynes. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For

more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Wed., Aug. 24, 8 p.m., Dirty Muggs Jammin at the Zoo. One Government Dr., 63110. For more information, email info@ladedaentertainment. com.

Tues., Aug. 30, 6 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Twilight Tuesdays: The Melvin Turnage Band 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

special events

Thur., Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m., St. Louis City Treasure’s Office of Financial Empowerment 1st Anniversary Celebration. Meet our team, our bank partners and learn how we’re helping St. Louis residents make better decisions about their finances. City Hall, 1200 Market St., 63103.

Thur., Aug. 18, 6 p.m., United Career Fairs St. Louis Job Fair. Our career fairs focus specifically on Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Customer Service, and Retail & Sales Management jobs. Doubletree Hotel Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information or to register, visit www. unitedcareerfairs.com/eventcalendar.

Fri., Aug. 19, 11:30 a.m., The Salvation Army presents the 2016 Doing the Most Good Awards Luncheon with keynote speaker Chef Jeff Henderson. Honoring those who have individuals who have made a difference in improving the quality of life throughout the region. The Chase Park Plaza, 212 Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 646-3000 or visit www. stlsalvationarmy.org.

Calendar

Old School 95.5 FM presents The Old School Comedy Jam starring Don “DC” Curry, Teddy Carpenter and Damon Williams. For more information, see COMEDY.

Featured Event

Sat., Aug. 27, 10 a.m., Better Family Life presents PeaceFest 2016 – Back to the Basics: Family, Faith & Neighborhood. Forest Park Central Fields, 63110. For more information, call (314) 367-3440 or (314) 381-8200.

Aug. 19 – 27, St. Lou Fringe Festival. 2016 will see the premiere of microtheater (short performances for an audience of no more than 13 patrons in an intimate, immersive setting), spin rooms (post show talk backs and workshops), and an incubator program (a specialized collaborative showcase setting with more support for emergent artists). Over half of the Festival performances will focus on stories of individuals underrepresented in the mainstream performing arts based on ethnicity, gender identity, language, dialect, age, physical ability, BMI, or other barrier. Past favorite programs like Fringe Family and the Artica sculpture garden will again enliven Strauss Park. Grand Center, 3526 Washington Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 643-7853 or visit www. stlfringe.com.

Sat., Aug. 20, 2 p.m., 2016 Rise Up Festival –Celebrating Revitalization. A wide variety of musical performances will take place at the festival, including The Original Wailers (Reggae), Platinum Rock Legends (Rock), Roland Johnson and Soul Endeavor (Blues), and Dr. Zhivegas (Dance Music). Local restaurateurs will be providing a generous sampling of food and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company will provide the microbrew. Other attractions at the festival include a Kids Carnival and Circus Area including face painting, games, and juggling. 1627 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 333-7008 or visit www. riseupfestival.org.

Sat., Aug. 20, 4 p.m., Paint it Like You Mean It presents Her Natural Beauty Paint Party. 3351 N. Highway 67, 63033. For

Sat., Aug, 27, 8 a.m., Rags to Riches: Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale. Start at the Grace United Methodist Church parking lot, 6199 Waterman Blvd., to get your map and find bargains and treasures sold by vendors and residents throughout the neighborhood. Grace United Methodist Church, 6199 Waterman Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 862-5122 or visit www.skinkerdebaliviere. wordpress.com.

Sat., Aug. 27, 10 a.m., Better Family Life presents PeaceFest 2016 – Back to the Basics: Family, Faith & Neighborhood. The family and community celebration includes a children’s play zone, live music and entertainment on the main stage, competitive sports, dancing, vending services for skin, hair products, handcrafted jewelry, clothing accessories, food, and much more. While PeaceFest is about family, the theme for this year is to stop the gun violence occurring in the city of St. Louis. Forest Park Central Fields, 63110. For more information, call (314) 367-3440 or (314) 3818200.

more information, visit www. paintitlikeyoumeanit.com.

Sat., Aug. 20, 4 p.m., Paint it Like You Mean It presents Her Natural Beauty Paint Party. 3351 N. Highway 67, 63033. For more information, visit www. paintitlikeyoumeanit.com.

Sun., Aug. 21, 1 p.m., The Perennial Clothing Swap. Bring clothes you don’t want. Find new clothes you want. Pay the door fee ($10 with clothes to swap; $15 empty handed) and then place your items out with similar clothing. Nothing is individually priced, so you can take as little or as much clothing as you would like. All proceeds benefit Perennial’s educational programs. Thomas Dun Learning Center, 3113 Gasconade St., 63118. For more information, visit www. tdunn.org.

Sat., Aug, 27, 7:30 a.m., Great Things Incorporated Foundation presents the Hitting the Greens to Feed the Hungry Charity Golf Tournament. All proceeds benefit our organization’s efforts to provide hot meals to those in need. Eagle Springs Golf Course, 2575 Redman Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 534-3227 or visit www. greatthingsinc.org.

Sat., Aug. 27, 12 p.m., A Conscious Conversation STL presents Conscious Fest. A festival celebrating our culture, building our community, and enabling collective consciousness. Events include live music, poetry, vendors, healthy eating demonstrations, a kids korner, and more. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (618) 509-2594.

Aug. 27 – 28, International Institute presents the Festival of Nations. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 773-9090 or visit www. festivalofnationsstl.org.

Aug. 27 – Oct. 30, COCA presents Outside In: Paint for Peace. Showcasing the power of the arts, the exhibition presents a selection of the murals painted on the boardedup storefronts by amateur and professional artists in the days and weeks following the 2014 protests in Ferguson. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 7256555 or visit www.cocastl.org. Sat., Sept 3, 8 a.m., Sixth Annual Race For Refuge This popular event generates funding for the St. Louis organization, The Covering House, which provides refuge and restoration to girls who have experienced sexual exploitation or sexual trafficking. There will be a

10K/5K and a Run/Walk. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 962-3450 or visit www. raceforrefuge.org.

Sat., Sept 3, 5 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents ALA White Summer Finale Day Party. Music by DJ Lee. Kappa House, 500 Vandeventer Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 341-3970 or (314) 496-4720.

Wed., Sept. 7, 5 p.m., FOCUS St. Louis 40/20 Anniversary Party. We’re turning 20 and celebrating 40 years of Leadership St. Louis. We’re inviting alumni from all our programs and friends from across the St. Louis region to join us to celebrate. This is an opportunity to connect with FOCUS alumni from all eight leadership programs. Each ticket purchased helps support our ongoing effort to connect and educate leaders to create a thriving region. The Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch, 1200 Lynch St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 6574027 or visit www.focus-stl. org/Anniversary.

literary

Sat., Aug. 21, 1 p.m., The Story of Tweed Webb: The Most Prominent Black Baseball Historian in America. Negro League

baseball historian Phil S. Dixon looks at the life and extraordinary accomplishments of St. Louisan Normal “Tweed” Webb. Dixon will sign copies of his book, Wilber “Bullet” Rogan and the Kansas City Monarchs following the program. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thur., Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Secure Entertainment presents Word Play Haiku Slam. A new open mic event dedicated to the art of haiku. Join us for a night of enlightenment. Urb Arts, 2600 N. 14th St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 2997947 or visit www.secure-ent. com.

Sat., Sept. 3, 1 p.m., Live, Love and Laugh Book

Signing and Speaking Event

Join motivational speaker and published author, Souljourner Howard, as she shares her secrets of how she Lives, Loves and Laughs. She is very excited to share what she has learned in her journey, especially in the rearing of 2

autistic children; she maintains that their is never a dull moment but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She invites all people, especially those with special needs children, to hear how she has despite her challenges found joy in her everyday life. The Wilder Theatre, 252 North Main, Edwardsville, IL. 62025. For more information, visit www. degreesofperfection.com.

comedy

Aug. 18 – 21, 8 p.m., Funny Bone presents Azeem Muhammad. Whether he is hosting a corporate event, headlining a comedy club, or engaged in his professional training seminars, his comedic style affords him the ability to reach people in ways that many never attempt. 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www. stlouisfunnybonecom.

Sat., Aug. 20, Old School 95.5 FM presents The Old School Comedy Jam starring Don “DC” Curry, Teddy Carpenter and Damon Williams, The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry. Tickets are available at metrotix.com, The Ambassador box office, or by calling (314) 869-9090.

Fri., Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m., The Derek Martin Food Drive presents The Annual Comedy Fundraiser. Featuring Maurice G and Friends, Hosted by Rev Lil’ Nate on the turntables Old School 95.5’s Don D2ThaC Clair. Join

us for a night of memorable laughs and assist us in our efforts to feed 1000+ families this Christmas. Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 359-3258.

Sept. 23 – Sept. 25, Aug. 13, Helium Comedy Club St. Louis welcomes Adele Givens, Helium Comedy Club, 151 St. Louis Galleria St., St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information, call (314) 727-1260 or visit http:// st-louis.heliumcomedy.com

theatre

Through Aug. 21, Stages St. Louis presents The Drowsy Chaperone. It all begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan decides to play his favorite cast album in his small brownstone apartment – a 1928 smash hit musical called “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Robert G. Reim Theatre, 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 821-2407 or visit www.stagesstlouis.org.

Sat., Sept. 10, 2 p.m., Prince of Peace Church presents the National Gospel Musical Play – It Must be Love ‘Cause Hate Don’t Hurt this Bad Christian Comedian Reggie “The Bishop of Comedy” Reg stars in the play with an incredible cast that brings you into the life of a family who finds adversity knocking at their lives. As everything is turned upside down and inside out they come to realization that true love is the answer.

unknown relative who was able to trace the family history back to Africa. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Sat., Aug. 20, 2 p.m., EETechnologies presents Online Banking Seniors Educational Workshop. Thomas Dunn Learning Center, 3113 Gasconade St., 63113. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m., Saint Louis University School of Law presents an Entrepreneurship and Small Business Workshop Youth and Family Center, 818 Cass St., 63106. For more information or to register, call (314) 977-2778 or visit www. eventbrite.com.

scavenger hunt, face painting and team competitive games. Turner Park, C.D. Banks Ave. and N. Sarah St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 875-9277.

Sat., Aug. 20, 1 p.m., The Red Pump Project presents Cupcakes and Condoms. This free event brings women and girls together for an afternoon of complimentary desserts while engaging in dialogue designed to foster healthy intimate relationships and promote positive choices to aid in the prevention of HIV and STIs. Yeyo Arts, 2907 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www.cupcakescondomsSTL. eventbrite.com.

9350 Natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, call (314) 258-0480 or visit www.princeofpeacechurchstl. com.

lectures and workshops

Thur., Aug. 18, 10 a.m., U.S. Small Business Administration presents Encore Entrepreneur. St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Aug. 19 – 20, National Black Business Empowerment Convention. We will be launching our St. Louis Chapter. All business owners and professionals are welcome. Crowne Plaza Downtown, 200 N. 4th St., 63102. For more information, email nationalbbec@gmail.com.

Sat., Aug. 20, 1 p.m., African American History & Genealogy Series: One Journey Back to the Motherland with John Wright. For our August program, join Dr. John A. Wright, author and retired school administrator, for a presentation about his discovery of a previously

Tues., Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m., Girl Power W.O.V.E. Mentoring Program. A ten week program designed to promote sisterhood and weekly workshops that focus on empowerment, self esteem, body image, public speaking, and peer pressure to name a few. St. Louis County Library, 9909 Lewis and Clark Blvd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 388-4174 or visit www.ourfathershouse1.org.

health

Thur., Aug. 18, 10 a.m., Dole Get Up and Grow! Together Healthy Living Tour & Challenge. Team up to get healthy this summer with free recipe tastings, giveaways, a hands-on Kid’s Corner and other fruit and veggie fun. Visit the Healthy Living Challenge Kiosk for the chance to win chef-led parties and other group prizes. Save A Lot, 1631 S. Jefferson Ave., 63104. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 20, 10 a.m., African Community Health Fair: Love Yourself with Good Health. We will have health screenings, cooking demonstrations, vision screenings for kids, fitness demonstrations and much more. Throughout the day, interactive workshops will be offered including: “Ask Your Physician” and “What’s In Our Water”. There will also be fun-filled activities for kids including a bounce house,

Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Yoga & Chill. A beginner-friendly, all levels (75 minute) class that spends time working through fundamental yoga postures and shapes while exploring alignment, breathing, relaxation techniques, and a good time. Modern Healer Studio, 1908 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Get Sexy Movement Boot Camp. Station styled boot camp with 1 minute at each station for three rounds. North County Recreation Center, 2577 Redman Rd., 63136.For more information, call (314) 898-8898.

Aug. 19 – 20, Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center presents Empowered to Emerge with Supernatural Power 2016. There will be workshops for leadership development, music, young adults, and more. Guest speakers include Timothy Alden, pastor of City of Praise Christian Church, and Min. SShemetris Vital, radio host. 1350 S. Lafayette St., 63031. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Aug. 26 – 27, Eagle Eye Ministries Fire Conference 2016. Featuring Dr. Venice L. McCoy, host and speaker. Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 10000 Natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information or to register, call (866) 9466796 or visit www.eagleeyeministries.com.

The Blues at the Arch concert series concludes with National Park Service Centennial Jazz Band and Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child.” For more information, see CONCERTS.

Continued from C1

United Way and currently a United Way agency,” Francis said. “Our work is about serving families, children and individuals who are striving to be successful in school and life in that district.”

The organization operates in the space of former Cochran community Center.

The YFC has youth development programs from school-age children into the teens – afterschool, summer day camp, sports recreation, teen clubs, mentoring programs and tutoring programs.

“We have a plethora of programs related to positive youth development. But we

CIRCUS

Continued from C1

to all ages is no easy feat.”

They certainly make it look easy – and local audiences can see for themselves when the UniverSoul Circus family returns to St. Louis next week. The tour includes on average only about 30 cities – and St. Louis has managed to stay in the mix probably because of the capacity crowds that come out year after year. They have expanded to two weeks at two locations for 2016. The UniverSoul Circus big top will be downtown near the Dome and at its regular Jamestown location. St. Louis has become only the third market in the annual national tour to expand with additional dates and two locations. The other two regions are New York City and Washington, D.C.

And as the organization nears 25 years of producing its unique interpretation of the circus experience that speaks to the black experience but welcomes all ethnicities with

also have programs for senior citizens,” Francis said. “They get congregant meals, field trips, health, exercise and the whole nine yards.”

The organization also operates sickle cell awareness programs at the center and a community basketball program for youth.

“We serve over 3,000 people a year and it’s a great organization that does wonderful things,” Francis said. “All of our programs are prevention-based. People tend to focus on the crime and violence statistics, but imagine what they would be without all of these different organizations – like ours – that do wonderful work on the prevention end that we hardly ever hear about.”

Francis says the secret to YFC’s success is a matter of

open arms – UniverSoul Circus has become an institution in its own right. They audaciously use the hashtag #bestcircusever, and few who attend would disagree with them. With each stop on their nationwide tour, they get about the business of proving that there’s no circus party like a UniverSoul Circus

n From 18 months to 80-plus years, the entire audience is given an unforgettable experience that they’ve grown to anticipate as UniverSoul’s roots in the region continue –and expand.

party. Their efforts aren’t lost on the audience – or the performers recruited from around the world to entertain the crowd. “When our show comes around, people are up

trust. “We have established trust equity in the community, residents and in the families,” Francis said. “They know we are there and they know we are going to be there. They trust us and they keep coming back.”

The hope is that with funds raised through Discover Dubai: A Journey with a Cause, YFC will maintain its position as an anchor in the community.

The Youth and Family Center’s presentation of Discover Dubai Fun-Raiser will take place on Wednesday, August 31 at 5 p.m. at The Youth and Family Center, 818 Cass Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets, sponsorship opportunity or silent auction donations, call (314) 231-1147, (314) 4782229 or visit www.theyfc.org.

dancing and singing and highfiving performers,” Ernest said. “When performers get a load of that at our show, it’s infectious and they want to be a part of it. They tell their friends back home. We have circus schools from around the world who want to come be a part of our show because our audience makes them feel so good.”

From 18 months to 80-plus years, the entire audience is given an unforgettable experience that they’ve grown to anticipate as UniverSoul’s roots in the region continue –and expand.

“UniverSoul’s blend of oldschool soul and modern hip-hop sounds provides entertainment and a rich cultural experience that grandparents, parents and kids can enjoy,” Walker said.

UniverSoul Circus returns to St. Louis on August 24-28 at the Jamestown Mall location and across from the Dome (Formerly Edward Jones Dome) from August 31-September 5. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. com at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information, visit www.unipversoulcircus.com

CHAKA

Continued from C1

Surprisingly, it wasn’t until she joined the funk band Rufus that she ever considered a fulltime career in music.

“I was about 19 or 20 when I decided I was going to pursue this life as long as I could,” Khan said.

Her life in music has earned her gold and platinum records, Grammy Awards and two separate inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – as an individual and as a member of Rufus.

The secret to her success: “God’s grace, honey.” Khan’s inluences come mostly from jazz. Primarily from horn players – which made perfect sense, considering her intricate vocal runs and phrasing – but also from the great jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and

BLUES

Continued from C1

opened our doors in downtown St. Louis, we are excited about this partnership that will hopefully happen every year.”

As storm clouds threatened to rain on the parade of people that gathered at the newly renovated Luther Ely Smith Square at the corner of Fourth and Market, the energy of Jackson’s life force sucked in even the most unlikely blues lovers.

Two toddlers, who at first sight one would assume to be more comfortable bopping to a sing-a-long on the Sprout Network, threatened to steal the show from Jackson during his headlining performance.

Every time Jackson would unleash a guitar riff, a pintsized blonde girl would catch the groove like she had danced in juke joints in a past life.

She danced next to her family for the first few minutes of the set, but with her parents watching closely she edged to the front of the stage and let the “life force” overtake her entire body. An adult woman decided to join her in the dance – and the youngster stole the show from her as well by mimicking the woman’s every move.

Soon after their dance duet, another toddler arrived at the concert with his mother and couldn’t get to the front fast enough. Onlookers assumed he was going up there to share a dance with the lone youngster in front of the stage, but he was following the infectious sound that he heard as Jackson masterfully riffed and sang blues classics like Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man” and delved into reggae with Bob Marley’s “Stir it Up.”

Ella Fitzgerald.

“As far as today’s generation of singers, there are a couple of really good ones out right now,” Khan said. “Jazmin Sullivan is one of them – I really like her.”

Khan keeps abreast of what’s going on in the industry, but it was also surprising to learn that Khan doesn’t play music at all in her home.

“That way, it keeps my mind clear,” Khan said. “There’s so much music in my head at any given time, so I just leave it there.”

Her advice to the young singers, like Sullivan, is the formula she followed.

“Express your gift, take no prisoners and don’t lie down for anybody,” Khan said. “Be what you are – and be the best at it that you can possibly be.”

She’s currently in the studio, but is keeping the nature of what she’s working on close to her chest.

“Just know that I have some stuff coming out,” Khan said.

In the meantime, she’s look-

ing forward to spending time sharing some of her greatest hits next Saturday.

“When I’m on stage, it’s an exchange of love that takes place – and that’s what I thrive on,” Khan said. “I can’t wait to get to get back to St. Louis and share the love.”

Mathews-Dickey Boys &Girls Club is inaugural Family Reunion Weekend will take place on Aug. 26-27. The festivities kick off with a Food Truck Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the organization’s 4245 North Kingshighway facility on Friday, Aug. 26. The weekend culminates with An Evening with Chaka Khan and El DeBarge at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27 at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Boulevard. Tickets for the concert are on sale now at fabulousfox.com and by calling Metrotix at (314)534- 1111. Special packages for the 5 p.m. dinner-and- show and corporate sponsorships are available at www.mathews-dickey.com and 314-679-5228.

Before the children got a chance to truly steal the spotlight, Jackson jumped down and played alongside them as they danced around him and his wailing guitar.

“The blues touches the soul,” Jackson said.

It was clear as he returned to the stage that he gave the young people – and the rest of the crowd – a moment they wouldn’t soon forget. Strangers came over to dote on the two youngsters as they beamed with delight.

But the show wasn’t over yet.

“We’ve got time for one more – and I want to play for you what is probably the best blues record in the last thirty or so years,” Jackson said.

The opening riff was instantly identifiable, but not a single person in attendance would have identified it as a blues tune before Friday.

But as Jackson sang and played the chords of his finale, it was hard to imagine the classic tune as anything else.

“Purple Rain…Purple

Rain,” Jackson sang – and the audience sang along – just before the drizzle turned into a full-fledged storm. A four-minute guitar solo that seamlessly merged classic blues guitar riffs with the Prince’s composition closed out the show –and illustrated the genre as the underlying foundation for Rock and Roll as we know it.

“The blues came from the pain and experience of a culture of people, but it speaks to all of us,” Jackson said. Blues at the Arch continues at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 19 with Marsha Evans & the Coalition and Skeet Rodgers & the Inner City Blues Band. It concludes on August 26, with the National Park Service Centennial Jazz Band and Mr. Sip “The Mississippi Blues Child,” at Luther Ely Smith Square (between the Old Courthouse and The Arch), at the corner of Fourth and Market. For more information, visit For more information about Blues at the Arch, visit www.bluesatthearch.com.

Photo by Wiley Price

Mississippi bluesman Vasti Jackson sings and plays for the crowd at the kickoff of the Blues at the Arch Concert Series Friday at Luther Ely Smith Square.

Celebrations

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to our amazing baby girl, Amirah Muhammad, who turns 8 on August 21. Watching you become a big girl is truly a joy. We hope you have the most exciting day ever. Love, Mommy, Daddy, Your Big Brother & Sister

Happy Birthday to Na´ila Samiah Kerr turns 8 years old on August 20. Happy Birthday from your grandmother, Rosalyn McKissick.

Myrdie M. Rembert will celebrate her 105th birthday on August 20. Her daughter, Carole Ann Drew, says she will be surrounded by family and friends to celebrate the day. Happy Birthday, with love!

Reunions

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School Class of 1976 will have its 40th year reunion September 23-25, 2016. For more detailed information please email bhs1976@ swbell.net or Facebook: Beaumont High class of 76.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018.

For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296, madeshe@sbcglobal.net.

Cardinal Ritter College Prep Class of 1987 is hosting an “Old School Hip Hop” party September 24, 2016 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Ave., St. Louis, 63120. Tickets: $20 at door, $15 in advance. Call April Brown at 314-446-5500 for more information.

East St. Louis Class of 1971 will celebrate its 45-year reunion Sept. 2-4, 2016 at the Casino Queen. For more information, please contact Opal at 314-952-4729, Sandra at 314-249-7295 or Glenda at 618-781-4888 or email

timac48@aol.com.

Hadley Technical High School Class of 1961 will celebrate its 55th class reunion, September 16-18, 2016 at the Renaissance Airport Hotel. For more information, contact Ralph Johnson 477-2042, Shirley Woods 361-5351, or Jeffery Raybon 3821875. Send updated contact information to celiajteach@ gmail.com. Our picnic is Sept. 4th at John L. Brown Park, 4300 Calvert Ave.

Harrison School All Class Reunion Saturday September 10, 2016, 6:30 pm-10:30 pm at Ambruster Great Hall (6633 Clayton Rd. Tickets are $60 per person.For more info contact; Judy Darris at

314-443-6741, Yolanda Beck at 314-346-8103 or Làshell Tolliver at 314-420-3566.

Ritenour High School Class of 1976 is having its 40th reunion on October 1, 2016. For more information please see our Facebook page, Ritenour Class of 1976 or email ekbyers58@gmail.com.

Soldan High Class of 1966 has planned its 50-year reunion for September 9-10, 2016 at Christian Hospital Atrium, 1111 Dunn Road St. Louis, Mo 63136. For more information, please contact: Meredith Wayne Farrow, 314.521-8540, Robert Collins, 908.313-5002 or Marilyn Edwards Simpson, 341.837-7746. Facebook,

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

soldan class of 1966 or email: stlsoldan1966@yahoo.com.

Sumner Class of 1966 has scheduled its 50-year reunion for August 26-28 at the St. Louis Embassy Suites Hotel. For complete information, please contact Ida Harris at ezmaxx2@ sbcglobal.net or Ella Scott at Els12188@sbcglobal.net.

Vashon Class of 1967 is planning its 50-year reunion and is need of contact information for all interested alumni. Please contact JoAnn Alvoid at alvoidjoe8@gmail. com; Sarah (Taylor) Robinson at srobinson647@hotmail. com; or Sonya (Walker) Smith at 314.381.8221, with your address, email and phone number.

Congratulations to Calvin J. Stewart and Dr.

Monica A. Stewart, who celebrated 40 years of marriage on August 7.

Amirah Muhammad

Na´ila Samiah Kerr

Myrdie M. Rembert

Parents of MuslimAmerican who sacrificed his life in Iraq to save other soldiers

Religion

Khans remind America of religious freedoms Get busy for God

By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar For TIME

Khizr Khan’s impassioned speech at the Democratic National Convention about the heroics of his Muslim-American son didn’t just shame Donald Trump’s crude lack of American values, it reminded us of a quaint concept that we haven’t paid too much attention to lately: sacrifice.

Since John F. Kennedy in his 1961 inaugural speech encouraged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” we haven’t really had much of a national discussion about the role sacrifice plays in maintaining a free society.

Mr. Khan reminded us of that noble ideal when he talked about his son, Army Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan, a Muslim-American who sacrificed his own life in Iraq in 2004 to save other soldiers. Mr. Khan, of Pakistani heritage, had moved to the U.S. in the 1970s for “freedom and opportunity,” the two ideals that Americans feel proudest of providing. Mr. Khan told us that had it been up to Trump, his son never would have been permitted into the country.

“Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery?” he said directly to Trump. “Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”

Mr. Khan’s passion for justice was contagious, but his story of sacrifice was as inspiring as JFK’s call to action. Days after Mr. Khan brandished his pocket edition of the U.S. Constitution, that same edition became the No. 2 bestseller on Amazon (behind the new Harry Potter book), 80,000 copies were downloaded through the American Civil

Liberties Union and views of the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution increased by 16 percent. Mr. Khan had made the U.S. Constitution hip again. The Khan family’s national presence couldn’t have come at a better time for America – and for me personally.

Khizr Khan, a MuslimAmerican, asked Donald Trump if he had ever read the U.S. Constitution while speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

n Mr. Khan told us that had it been up to Trump, his son – a Muslim – never would have been permitted into the country.

Although I have been politically active for most of my life, especially in civil rights, this year’s Democratic National Convention was my first. I was excited to contribute, but a part of me had been disheartened in the months leading up to the convention. I had begun to feel like America was trapped in a nightmarish Alien sequel, with Donald Trump starring as the toothy creature who feeds on America’s insides until bloated with our vital organs, ultimately destroying the host.

Much of my dystopian despair was the result of watching the Republican National Convention. I observed with shock and embarrassment mobs of people rally behind a man who gazes out at America with eyes, as Yeats put it, “as blank and pitiless as the sun.”

My anguish wasn’t a left wing-right wing thing or blind loyalty to a particular party. It was a patriotic thing. I liked to believe that these conventions were about groups coming together to create a platform that reflected us striving to be our best selves – our most humane, most “American” selves. We would discuss how we could go forth in the coming four years applying the principles of the U.S. Constitution by choosing a person to champion those principles. Instead, I was standing by watching in HD clarity while reasoned loyalty was being set ablaze by combustive rhetoric, as if it were a witch being burned at the stake. So when I arrived at the DNC, I worried that this going to be just another exercise in preaching to the choir. The lines had been drawn, the sides already chosen. However, I met so many enthusiastic and hopeful people who were dedicated to bringing about their vision of a diverse and inclusive American society that I couldn’t help but get caught up in their enthusiasm. No one was talking about who we hate, who we should blame, who we should exclude, who we should punish. They were talking about justice, freedom, and opportunity. Whatever doubts, depression, or disgust I felt before were washed away by Mr. Khan. I realized that Capt. Khan’s sacrifice – as well as the sacrifices made by so many others to protect our Constitution – demanded that we don’t indulge in lazy melancholy or hipster cynicism, but work twice as hard to make sure those sacrifices are not in vain.

Scripture says you should live your life in such a way that those around you can see the Jesus in you. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

I know that sounds good. But what does it really mean? The only explanation that works for me is the one that talks about service, i.e. doing something in the name of the Lord.

The man who professes to love Jesus shouldn’t be okay with cheating on his wife, be content with a life of crime, or rationalize illicit sex, drugs and satanic rock and roll. If so, then the Lord cannot be your leader, nor Christ your example.

At some point in your supposed walk with God, your behavior, your obedience, your principles and integrity must shine through. Perfection may be impossible, but serious effort is not only possible, it’s mandatory. You’ve got to give it your best shot each and every day.

James Washington The Message

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be given you as well.” Matthew 6:33. This “seeking” to me has always meant working in some capacity. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me.” John 9:4.

Now none of us has Jesus’ pedigree, but I am not opposed to working for what I want. I’ve done it all my life. You probably have too. So the important question is how hard are you willing to work knowing that your very soul is at stake?

The good news of the gospel makes it clear that this is easy, if not ridiculously easy. Love God and love your neighbor. Do enough so that the Jesus in you meets the Jesus in me. Do something, anything, that another person can’t mistake for anything else but kindness from above.

For me, I’m asking God to walk with me in an effort to witness. I don’t exactly have it down yet. I’m finding that it’s not something you can study. I do know it’s triggered by the recognition that somebody needs to hear a word from God. You should know that at that particular moment, God has chosen you to deliver His Word. So open your mouth and speak.

This work that I am trying to focus on is recognizing that I must let go and let God use me to uplift another human being. For those of you who are used to this, you know this is a very humbling experience. In the vernacular of the day, get up. It’s time to get busy.

Columnist

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Swag Snap of the week

Six weeks until Salute. I just thought I would issue this friendly reminder to have you and by you I mean me put those cheese fries in the garbage disposal if you have any intention of zipping up the back of your gown. That’s right, the 28th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala is right around the corner. The powers that be made the fantabulous decision of moving it to Saturday (October 1) so you don’t have to take a half-day at work to get the level of glamour that our gala requires. I’m already excited – and I have a vision for the look I plan to pull off. Now if I could just stop with these counterproductive food choices I would on task for my preparation activities. Y’all need to get about the business of securing your tickets, because it will sell out. For more information, call (314) 533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.

Who knew NeNe had jokes? Even after seeing his regular (at best) performance back in 2011, if you told me that there would be a day when NeNe Leakes could clock Martin Lawrence in a standup performance I would have punched anybody who even suggested such dead in the face. Well “you know what” has frozen over, because if I had to judge both of them as comedians based on their most recent performances, NeNe would emerge the victor. She did a two-night run at Helium Comedy Club this past weekend and she actually was not bad. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of wrinkles to be ironed out – but that’s always the case with a young comic. If she were to put in the work to develop a tight, streamlined show with a healthy heap of material, she’d be giving the original Queens of Comedy a run for their money. Trust me; I was just as shocked as anybody when I caught life from her little act. Watching her on stage was like seeing a good comedian early on in their career – there are plenty of hiccups, but the potential is absolutely there. When she said she got pulled over by the police and called 911 on the cops, I liked to have died. “They ain’t bout to blow my wig off,” NeNe said. “I called them and they said ‘what’s the emergency?’ I said, ‘the police have pulled me over…send help’.” She took questions from the audience and gave delightful shade – and tea –regarding her “Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-stars. She kept it cute enough, but one or two got read for filth – namely Kenya Moore. I must say that her nemesis Wendy Williams would have been insanely jealous of her standup routine after the mess she shoveled on us at the Peabody last year with her little tired, raunchy attempt. NeNe said herself “I’m not a comedian, I’m a hustler [b-word expletive.”

But if she took the time to get polished, comedy could be her next hustle once the reality star well runs dry. And while I by no means approve of his stage name, her opening act Burpie was pretty funny too.

Stormy Friday. I called myself making the usual rounds in these streets despite the severe thunderstorm that made it too humid for my twist out to be great. I was clearly the only one brave enough to bother suffering through the elements in the name of tearing the club up. I’ll just say this… I went to four spots and couldn’t rub together a crowd big enough to fill up the tiniest VIP section. I did manage to get my life from Needles’ party at Copia though –but it’s been a minute since the last time I’ve gone to a set of his that wasn’t absolutely everything.

No Jeezy for me. Here’s the space where I would’ve spoken of Jeezy’s traptastic performance at IP54 Saturday, but since security stay set trippin’ there’s a blank space where Jeezy praise would be. I even rode by and saw how cars were lined up so far down Grand that I wouldn’t have been surprised if folks were parking in the Symphony lot and walking down. But when I saw all the folks, I figured it would be too much work to convince a bodyguard on a power trip that we belong. Hopefully, they’ll reach out to make us feel at home before the next major star comes through.

We’ll see.

Who’s that girl? This is not a play on her song; it’s seriously what I asked myself when Eve took to the stage to open up for Gwen Stefani last Wednesday at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. She came out in full witness protection swag –big sunglasses and the most tired quick weave I’ve seen on any major concert stage or basement banquet hall. What? I’m sorry, but she married into all the money in the world, so there is no excuse for spreading microwave ponytail curls across your head in lieu of dramatic concert hair. Eve is still my girl, but I was underwhelmed. I thought I was going to get a sip of Eve and go on about my business – leaving Gwen to the soccer moms and reformed mall rats – and be thrilled. I guess that little show is what happens when you don’t need to rap for coinage. I thought since she was hitting the road as a passion project she would be all into it. I’m going to charge it to the game of her being rusty. I must say that two of the interpretive twerkers on her backup dance squad got it in though. I was heartbroken when she didn’t sing “Let Me Blow Your Mind” in her set – and then crushed to learn that she came back on stage to perform it with Gwen. In hindsight, I should’ve just stuck it out and got my taste of pop/top 40, but in all fairness to me I was too tired to bother. Decent Daytox. As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve quit complaining and just accepted the fact that Sunday mid-evening is just as much a part of my nightlife schedule as “club time” on Friday and Saturday night. I doubled back to Copia for Daytox –and it was cute enough. I didn’t regret pulling myself away from my beloved Olympics at all to get a sip of the girls in their sundresses and the fellas in their summer white denim…okay, well maybe just a little, but the Olympics only happen every four years and there are at least two Sunday day parties per week.

Briana and Kim got it in at the Glo Party Friday @ The Marquee

Jerika, Winnie, Jasmine, Victoria and Catrina showed Jasmine some b-day love Saturday night @ Mood

Tina Carter of the Tina Carter Show, Amber, Dana and Nick caught some good vibes @ Copia Friday.

6 I Am, Raphael, and Superego Mitch @ Mood Friday for a celebration of Leos

Vicky and Jenni made their way to The Marquee for Element Saturdays

Above: Tanejah and her bridal party helped her have an unforgettable bachelorette experience Saturday night @ Mood

Herb, Brad and Phil made sure Daytox was smooth sailing Sunday @ Copia

Asia, Miss Pooh and DJ Nappy Needles kept the party rocking with 90s music @ Copia Friday

Tish and Emily made Sunday a “fun day” by stopping through Copia for Daytox

Teairra, Alyse and Marketa came to chill in V.I.P Friday night @ Mood

NeNe Leakes, of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and E!’s “Fashion Police” fame, was personality plus with fans who stopped through to check out her foray into comedy. Zoey Daniels was one of dozens who spent quality time with Leakes during the first of two VIP postshow meet and greets that followed her sets Friday night at Helium Comedy Club.