St. LouiS AmericAn
Black judge to preside over Jan. 6 Trump case
Tanya Chutkan an Obama appointee
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, a Black woman, will preside over the case of former President Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
This decision comes after Chutkan’s previous involvement in key motions related to
See CHUTKAN, A6
Pitching in
Boston Celtics forward and four-time NBA
All Star Jayson Tatum was joined by his son, Deuce, as the St. Louis native threw a ceremonial first pitch before the Minnesota Twins-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan will preside over former President Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D.C. Chutkan had previously denied Trump’s 2021 motion to prevent records from being given to the January 6 committee.
Total Exposure
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Devon Alexander, who kept St.
Echols an inaugural Obama Foundation cohort
44th president creates leadership program
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program has tapped Dr. Frederick L. Echols, a former St. Louis Health Director, as one of its 2023 “Inaugural Cohort” members.
Dr. Frederick L. Echols
Echols will participate in a six-month leadership development program in which “new leaders will accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities with a focus on strengthening institutions across sectors toward a more inclusive, participatory democracy,” according to an Obama Foundation release.
Echols, who said he has deep admiration for President Obama’s “lasting legacy” and his foundational work, is proud to have been selected as a foundation leader.
“Being part of the Obama Foundation’s inaugural USA Leaders cohort is an immense privilege, and I am determined to serve as a positive role model for young people globally, especially those from marginalized communities,” Echols said.
See ECHOLS, A7
Harris-Stowe celebrates its new ‘Potential’
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
n The Vashon Center on the HSSU campus of Harris-Stowe State University officially opened on Tuesday April 11, 2023.
The power of three ‘Ps” are part of Harris-Stowe State University’s future. HSSU has unveiled its new tagline: Potential, Possibility and Power after a year-long process that included surveys, focus groups, and student input. As HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith enters her third year at the helm of the HBCU, her school has structured a new strategic plan, celebrated the opening of its newest building, and continued expanding its programs.
The Vashon Center on the HSSU campus of Harris-Stowe State University officially opened on Tuesday April 11, 2023. The renovated center is home to the Wolff Jazz Institute and See HARRIS-STOWE, A7
Photo courtesy of NNPA
Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American
Former boxing champion Devon Alexander shared some pugilist tips with Anniya Johnson on Monday at the Gamble Recreation Center in North St. Louis.
Urban Expo includes job fair, Back to School Festival
Photo by Marcus Allen / Urban League
Drug dealer sentenced in connection to overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams
A drug dealer was sentenced Tuesday (July 25) to two and a half years in prison in connection to the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams
Carlos Macci, 72, is among four men arrested on drug trafficking charges related to Williams’ death. Williams is most known for his role as stickup man Omar Little in HBO’s “The Wire” and Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire.”
Macci was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and one year in an inpatient drug treatment facility.
“I would like to say, your honor, I’m sorry for what has happened,” Macci said in the New York City courthouse before the verdict was determined.
“Today was a sad day. There are no winners here,” Dominic Dupont, Williams’ nephew, said outside the courtroom following the verdict. He added, “We lost an amazing human being.”
Williams, 54, died in September 2021 after inhaling heroin laced with fentanyl that was purchased the day before from someone in Macci’s crew in Brooklyn. Prosecutors said Macci and the three other suspects continued selling the bundle of fentanyl-laced heroin following Williams’ deadly overdose making headlines.
Macci pleaded guilty in April to owning and issuing narcotics.
Tina Knowles ends 8-year marriage to Richard Lawson
To the left, to the left, everything you own is in a box to the left. Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, is taking a page out of Beyoncé’s lyrics proving her soon-to-be ex-husband Richard Lawson is irreplaceable.
After eight years of mar riage, Knowles and Lawson have decided to call it quits. The two have separated and Knowles filed for divorce on Wednesday (July 26) according to court documents, acquired by Entertainment Tonight. Knowles claims irreconcilable differences as the out-
come for the divorce.
The documents also show the couple’s date of separation as Tuesday (July 25). She is also requesting for the court to reinstate her name as Celestine Knowles.
Knowles and Lawson have allegedly been living separately and fans have taken notice that Knowles hasn’t been seen with Lawson in support of his newest film “Black Terror”.
Knowles and Lawson have known each other for decades, they married in 2015 after two years of dating.
Before marrying Lawdson, Knowles was married to Mathew Knowles from 1980-2011. From that union, Mathew and Knowles welcomed two daughters Beyoncé and Solange in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
Netflix will launch influential female hip hop docu series on Aug. 9
What better way to celebrate hip hop turning 50 this year than to recognize hip hop’s most impactful female rappers? Netflix is releasing a documentary series in August featuring some of hip hop’s most influential female rappers.
“This timely limited docu series recontextualizes the role the irrepressible women of hip-hop played throughout the revolutionary genre’s 50 years by reinserting them into the canon where they belong: at the center, from day one to present day,” Netflix wrote in the series summary on YouTube.
“Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop” is a four-episode docu series chronicling female rap icons and how their contributions to the genre have changed the game for the younger generations. The series will highlight Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and more.
“We have been through a lot,” Latifah says in the docuseries trailer. “We have stood back up, and we’ll always keep standing back up.”
The series also features current rappers Latto Tierra Whack, and more. Viewers will also have the chance to learn more about top record labels, stylists, journalists, and more.
The docu series was executive produced by Dream Hampton, Troy Carter, Raeshem Nijhon, Carri Twigg, MC Lyte, Nicole Galovski, Justin Simien, and Jennifer Ryan.
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop will launch exclusively on Netflix on Aug. 9, 2023.
Sources: NBC News, ETOnline.com, BlackEnterprise.com
Tina Knowles
“We refuse to be victims, and we will not be silenced.”
- U.S. Rep.
Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Congressional Black Caucus chair
“Domestic
Diamond’s anniversary
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
The Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation’s (2DEF) commitment to ending domestic violence in the St. Louis region has reached a decade.
Its commitment to educating, strengthening, and empowering domestic violence survivors was celebrated on July 29, 2023, during the inaugural Fifty Shades of Purple Charity Gala at Hilton St. Louis Ballpark.
Under the theme “Together We Can End Domestic Violence,” the event helped near the non-profit’s goal of raising $500,000 for food, clothing, toiletries, housing, and transportation assistance.
The evening included theatrical performances demonstrating five examples of domestic violence, which moved the audience members as they viewed.
“We are embarking on a momentous occasion, a celebration of incredible strides we have made as an organization in the fight against domestic violence,” said Eddie Ross, 2DEF co-founder.
Co-founder Bran-Dee Jelks-
Ross, Eddie Ross’ wife and director of programs, called domestic violence “a scourge that holds no boundaries.”
“Domestic violence continues to plague our communities, inflicting pain and suffering upon our loved ones. It is affecting people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It demands our collective attention, our unwavering dedication, and our unyielding resolve. Together we can end domestic violence,” she said.
In addition to its focus on adults, the couple also operate the 2DEF Kids Program, which extends the organization’s mission to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness, and academic achievement.
The anchor is an anti-bullying component designed to help youngsters deal with anger. It also helps them navigate bullying by teaching them how to articulate feelings and, if necessary, self-defense techniques.
“We want them to manage whatever the conflict is,” JelksRoss told The St. Louis American in 2021.
“Conflict resolution doesn’t have to turn into a physical
Korey Johnson of the
altercation, but at the same time, them being trained to defend themselves gives them the confidence to speak up and not allow themselves to be bullied.”
According to a resolution by St. Louis County Councilwoman Sholanda Webb, the organization has recorded over 8,162 hours of volunteer services, donated over $2,450 to clients, and provided case management and essential resources to approximately 816 survivors of domestic violence.
State Rep. Chantelle Nickson-Clark announced that Missouri will annually recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Day the third Saturday of October.
Former state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed was awarded the 2023 Diamond Diva Humanitarian Award and Barbara Levin
Join Jubilee Community Church, PECaD, Affinia Healthcare, Living with Purpose and Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc. Zeta Sigma Chapter for our Health and Wellness Expo: A Smart Health Event! Saturday, August 12th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy live music, food, free backpack giveaways, and a fun
received Motivational Empowerment Award was presented to Barbara Levin for devoting more than 40 years to social work.
Kel Ward, manager of community relations at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, was a recipient of the Leadership in Community Service Award, and Ada Taylor, owner of Deer Valley Home Health was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Korey Johnson of the Korey Johnson Foundation, which introduces youths to philanthropy and community service, was the Community Engagement Award recipient.
“It’s just a vision for me,” Eddie Ross said.
Yolanda “Lady Yo” Lankford, TV host of the Own Your Now Show and public relations director of SistaKeeper, served as the mistress of ceremony.
A portrait of the late Tina Turner, which was painted by Eric Wilson of the ERG Gallery during the event, was auctioned at the evening’s close and the band Dirty Muggs performed a Turner tribute.
For additional information or to donate to 2DEF, please visit www.2def.org.
“It’s a passion for me. For 10 years with [the executive team and board of directors of 2DEF] we have supported and executed the power of vision. I didn’t know which way it was going to turn and didn’t know where it was gonna end up. I thank y’all, I love y’all.”
Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American
Korey Johnson Foundation received the Community Awareness Award, Fifty Shades of Purple founder Teresa Fuller and Media Relations Specialist and Event Coordinator for Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation, former Senator Jamilah
Nasheed received the Diamond Humanitarian Award and Kel Ward receives The Leadership in Community Service award.
Editorial/Commentary
Guest Editorial
Over the past decade, race- and gender-based health disparities continue to be concentrated in economically distressed neighborhoods, particularly in North St. Louis.
A tribute to a social justice titan Health and reparations in St. Louis
By Will Ross MD, MPH
Our health status should not be predicated on our place of residence, but that is the case across the country, and particularly true in St. Louis. Life expectancy for someone living in an inner-city zip code is 18 years lower than someone living in a zip code less than 10 miles away.
Many factors have conspired to reduce the health status of African Americans. These include social and structural determinants of health, such as systemic racism and sociocultural barriers.
Public health researchers and practitioners have focused more attention on the role of social determinants of health when discussing health disparities. Health is affected by discrimination, adverse early life events, poor education, unemployment, job insecurity, economic inequality, poverty, neighborhood deprivation, food insecurity, poor-quality housing, housing instability, inadequate built environment, and poor access to health care.
A 2019 study by Zimmerman and Anderson revealed that income inequality was the largest predictor of health outcomes, with race playing an outsized role in the disparity. In St. Louis, poor and low-income neighborhoods are more likely to be unsafe, have exposed garbage, and have poor or dilapidated housing. They also are less likely to have sidewalks, parks or playgrounds, recreation centers, or a library. Poor members of racial and minority communities are more likely to live in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty than their white counterparts. Individuals living in extreme poverty have “more chronic illness, more frequent and severe disease complications, and make greater demands on the health care system.”
ing in high concentrations of poverty. A persistent gap in the rate of poverty in the past 30 years means that poverty affects close to 1 in 3 African Americans but less than 1 in 10 whites in both St. Louis County and St. Louis City.
The impact of poverty on children is especially troubling since starting life in poverty has negative consequences for health well into adulthood. Almost half (46%) of African American children under 18 live in poverty in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. African American infant mortality continues to outpace white infant mortality deaths. Within St. Louis City, African American infant mortality rates, at 13.5 deaths per 1000 live born, are three times higher than Whites. The health disparities and resulting negative outcomes have prompted a variety of responses over the decades to address such barriers.
These efforts are evident in the region’s promotion of and provision of healthcare through the region’s health departments and public hospitals. However, a deteriorating healthcare safety net and the lack of a dedicated tax stream in the City of St. Louis to support public health functions have hampered these efforts.
A cross-sectional survey from 1999-2018 revealed that African Americans were 30% more likely to die of heart disease and twice as likely to have a stroke, with the racial trend in cardiovascular risk factors persisting through the study period. In 2019, African Americans were twice as likely to die of diabetic related complications.
In the greater St. Louis community, the social determinants that negatively affect health outcomes have deep historical roots in the poverty and degraded socio-environmental setting of the area. Communities like North St. Louis became purposefully racially segregated through policies that supported the movement of white families into suburban areas, coupled with housing discrimination against African Americans.
In 2021, 19.5% of Black people living in the United States were living below the poverty line, compared to 8.2% of White people, and 8.1% of Asian people. The legacy of segregation continues in such St. Louis neighborhoods to this day, result-
The lack of available care, particularly for African Americans, is reflected in the fate of public hospitals in the city. A hallmark is the fate of the Homer G. Phillips Hospital, which was in the Ville Neighborhood in North St. Louis. Homer G. Phillips Hospital and was a source of immense pride for its patients and the members of the surrounding community, many of whom were employed by the facility.
Despite some improvement in health status in the St. Louis region over the past decade, raceand gender-based health disparities continue to be concentrated in economically distressed neighborhoods, particularly in North St. Louis. What has been remarkably consistent over the past several decades are the unrelenting, gripping reports on how poverty and racism continue to afflict the St. Louis region and impede progress in achieving health equity.
These disparities will remain intractable until a coordinated approach is undertaken to address the social determinants of health status among African Americans in St. Louis. The persistence of these unconscionable disparities obligates systemic reform to repair the harm done to the African American community through sustained and targeted reparations. Rebuilding our neighborhoods and schools and eliminating intergenerational poverty would go a long way to improving health of African Americans in St. Louis.
Will Ross, MD, MPH, is vice chair of the St. Louis Reparations Commission
By Marc Morial
No generation can choose the age or circumstance in which it is born, but through leadership it can choose to make the age in which it is born an age of enlightenment, an age of jobs, and peace, and justice.” - Jesse Jackson
“I am somebody.”
It was the repeated refrain of a poem composed in the 1940s by Atlanta pastor and civil rights activist Rev. William Holmes Borders Sr.
The Rev. Jackson, who has announced his retirement from the organization he founded, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, made it the anthem of a generation.
Jackson is a trailblazer, a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to countless others.
As a teenaged protégé Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackson was an eyewitness to some of the most pivotal moments in civil rights history, including King’s tragic assassination 1968.
“It’s a hurtful, painful thought,” he said, “that a man of love is killed by hate; that a man of peace should be killed by violence; a man who cared is killed by the careless.”
Jackson’s tireless fight for voting rights, economic justice, and racial equality have left an indelible mark on our nation and have been a guiding force for the National Urban League’s work.
Of that generation who picked up the torch directly from King only Jackson and Andrew Young remain. They carry it forward to illuminate the path towards justice and equality. When as assassin’s bullet stilled King’s voice, it was Jackson’s that thundered forth, resonating the clarion call for justice well into the 21st century.
In 1984 and again in 1988, I proudly traveled as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention to cast my vote for Jackson. His keynote address at the 1984 convention inspired a generation of young leaders – myself included – and continues to resonate today:
“This is not a perfect party. We are not a perfect people. Yet, we are called to a perfect mission. Our mission: to feed the hungry; to clothe the naked; to house the homeless; to teach the illiterate; to provide jobs for the jobless; and to choose the human race over the nuclear race.”
His historic presidential runs were not mere campaigns; they were seismic shifts in the political landscape. Jackson ran with purpose, with passion, and with an unyielding belief in the possibility of change. Finishing third in 1984 and second in 1988, Jackson shattered the
glass ceiling for future leaders like Barack Obama.
Jackson founded People United to Serve Humanity – Operation PUSH – in Chicago in 1971 to promote the employment of Black Americans by the companies operating in their communities, and to nurture Black-owned businesses. The National Rainbow Coalition was a political movement that grew from Jackson’s 1984 Presidential campaign. Jackson merged the two organizations in 1996. For more than five decades, Rainbow PUSH has served as a blueprint for multicultural coalition building. Jackson advanced the idea that elected office was not just a position of power, but a platform to advance social and economic justice. He gave voice to progressive issues and served as a relentless catalyst for change, creating productive tension that spurred action.
In his retirement statement, Reverend Jackson said, “I have been doing this stuff for 64 years... I’ve had a good run.” Indeed, he has. His life’s work has brought about significant change and progress, and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. As we navigate this transition, we welcome his successor, Frederick Douglass Haynes III, a man of equal passion and commitment. Haynes is a longtime civil rights activist and former president of the National Baptist Convention USA. Haynes has pledged to ensure that the Rainbow PUSH Coalition remains a powerful force for justice and equality. In the spirit of Rev. Jackson, let us continue to carry the torch of justice, to push for a world where everyone, regardless of their race or background, has an equal opportunity to thrive. Because, as Jackson has shown us, when we fight for justice and equality, we don’t just change the world, we create a new one.
Marc Morial is National Urban League president and CEO
By Rev. Al Sharpton
Sixty years ago, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a historic march in Washington, D.C., when the nation was at an inflection point. Hundreds of thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963, as Dr. King called for better wages, jobs, voting rights and true representation, fair housing, and equality across the board.
Many of those hard-fought gains are under renewed threat, along with an increase in hate crimes and democracy itself hanging in the balance. We as a country are at a crossroads. Do we continue on the path of progress, or do we revert to the dark days?
We will raise our voices in unison for a clarion call for fairness and justice at the March on Washington once again.
rise, and some elected officials (and others seeking office) have only fanned the flames of this hatred and created an environment of fear and uncertainty for so many. We say, no more.
Just this summer, the highest court in the land effectively ended affirmative action in higher education, which will have a detrimental impact on Black students’ enrollment in many institutions. When Dr. King convened that massive crowd 60 years ago on the National Mall, he demanded civil and economic rights for the Black community and laid out his dream for America. While we celebrate the advancements achieved since that historic moment, we recognize the clear and present dangers before us.
The National Action Network, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and the Drum Major Institute will lead a coalition of more than 60 groups that span racial, cultural, religious, and generational lines at this pivotal event on August 26, 2023.
In March, the FBI released an updated report on hate crimes in 2021 (the latest year for which data is available). According to those stats, hate crimes rose 12% from the previous year, with 65% of victims being targeted because of their race or ethnicity.
White supremacist groups are on the
That is precisely why the 60th anniversary March on Washington won’t be a commemoration, but rather a continuation of Dr. King’s work and vision.
As our multiracial, intergenerational demonstration meets at the Lincoln Memorial and marches to Dr. King’s memorial, I am reminded of his timeless words: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Rev. Al Sharpton serves as the founder and president of the National Action Network
Guest Columnist Rev. Al Sharpton
Guest Columnist Will Ross MD, MPH
Marc Morial and Jesse Jackson at a recent National Urban League convention
Affinia hosting pair of Back to School Bashes
St. Louis American staff
To help families prepare for the start of school, Affinia Healthcare is hosting two backto-school events for families.
The first Back to School Bash will be held Saturday, August 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Affinia Healthcare location at 3930 S. Broadway. There will be a second Backto-School Bash 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, August 19 at the 4414 N. Florissant Avenue health center.
“Affinia Healthcare is proud to be a part of the community and offer these vital services for families and youth,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare president & CEO.
“Good health is critical to doing well in school and we want to make sure that our community has the health and wellness resources necessary to show up on the first day ready to learn and succeed.”
The back-to-school events will feature free school supplies, health screenings, school
physicals and immunizations, Medicaid application assistance, and community resources. Families must also schedule appointments for the immunizations, physicals, and other vaccines. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (314) 814-8700.
The events are free and open to the public.
Annual fundraiser Sept. 14, 2023
The Affinia Healthcare Foundation gala, its premiere fundraising event, will return to the Stifel Theatre September 14.
“This year the theme of our Starburst Gala is Advancing Equity, focusing on the health disparities among Black, Brown, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals and other vulnerable populations in our region,” said Yvonne Buhlinger, foundation executive vice president. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. For more information, go to: http:// one.bidpal.net/2023starburstgala or call Yvonne Buhlinger at 314-814-8507.
By Camike Jones
Emmett Till’s mother made the decision to keep the casket open. This let the world know the horror that her son had endured. It also burned the image of her son’s battered face and body into the minds of generations to come.
It’s hard to recover from the video of the Rodney King beating, the image of a lifeless-looking Sandra Bland, the footage from Breonna Taylor’s home and the minutes that felt like hours of the knee on George Floyd’s neck.
We are tasked with seeing these images, hearing the cries for help, and moving on with our day. When this graphic content is repeated on the news and social media, how does this really affect us?
While it is important and necessary to stay informed, repeatedly taking in media coverage of traumatic events has been found to cause real harm to one’s mental health.
In an interview with Psychology Today, Dr. Dana Rose Garfin explained findings from her research on the effects that media exposure to trauma has on mental health
“In all of these studies, we found that the more event-related media that people consumed, the higher their psychological distress,” said Garfin. In other words, the more traumatic events you read about or watch, the worse it is for your mental health.
Garfin’s research found that exposure through media had similar effects to real-life traumatic events.
The effects become even more harmful over time.
“Nevertheless, after conducting more than a dozen surveys on representative samples after exposure to a myriad of collective trauma, media exposure keeps showing up as one of the strongest predictors of distress over time,” Garfin said.
George Floyd’s slow death was replayed so many times. The video captured the world’s attention. The positive outcome included a flood of support for Black and minority issues.
Finally, there were people willing to listen, to understand the disparities that exist and to start doing something about it. The downside was the daily dose of fear, stress, and the lack of safety so many felt after watching that video again and again.
Social media and news outlets now warn us of the graphic nature of the next video that is about to play. We can then choose to keep watching or not.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers coping strategies, which include limiting the consumption of news stories that replay traumatic events. This can help reduce reliving the incidents.
Violent images can draw in clicks and views, but the lasting effects cannot be ignored.
In the interest of protecting our peace, it must be noted that being flooded with graphic traumatic images and footage is yet another form of trauma.
I sometimes wonder how much differently I would see the world if these images did not hold a place in my mind. I wonder how the knowledge of these tragedies colors my world view –whether I might be a little more optimistic, trusting or a little less weary.
I may never know, but I can now choose to be informed without being re-traumatized.
Camike Jones is Indianapolis Recorder editor-in-chief
Youth at the Back-to-School Fair in 2022 at the Affinia Healthcare location on South Broadway participated in activities like touring fire trucks and face painting. This year’s BTS bash will offer physicals, immunizations, free health screenings and activities for families and youth.
Photo courtesy of Affinia Healthcare Camike Jones
Urban Expo
Continued from A1
“I love the Expo. I was a poor kid, and I just remember the fun, the snacks, and food. Besides boxing, the Expo was very important in my life,” he said while visiting young boxers at the Gambe Recreation Center on Monday.
The event that Alexander recalls has grown into a partnership between the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) as hosts of the Urban Expo Back to School & Community Empowerment Festival August 4-5, 2023, at the America’s Center in Downtown St. Louis.
Attendance is expected to top 30,000 and youths can pick up book bags, shoes, and school supplies to youth. SLPS officials will be onsite to assist with transportation, enrollment, and other school related questions and concerns.
The festival includes over 350 partners, and nonprofit and civic organizations share information on housing, jobs, public safety, and education. Social service agencies will have representatives, and health screenings will also be available.
In addition, the Urban League is also offering a warrant recall program
Chutkan
Continued from A1
the January 6 committee’s investigation.
Chutkan has a history with Trump. She denied his 2021 motion to prevent records from being given to the January 6 committee. In her decision,
at the Expo. While it will not clear them of charges, people with an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor can have the warrant addressed. Those charged would still be responsible for court costs.
The Expo Career Fair returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday August 4 and more than 60 companies will have representatives on site. Resumes and business attire are requested for the event, and sup-
she emphasized that “Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not president.” This ruling showcased her commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
A trailblazer in her own right, Chutkan’s background is impressive. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the United States
portive services will be available.
The Fair is sponsored by the Regional Business Council, Urban League SOS program, stl.works, and Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Hiring and job placement opportunities will be available to qualified attendees who complete interviews.
A new event at the 2023 Expo will be the US Bank Financial Family
to pursue higher education.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from George Washington University and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Chutkan began her law career working in private practice and later at the District of Columbia Public Defender Service.
After that, she joined the law firm Boies,
Feud from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Families and individuals can compete by answering financial literacy and money management questions. National award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and producer Fred Hammond will perform a variety of his classic chart-topping hits at ULSTL’s Grill to Glory Urban Expo Gospel Explosion main stage at 2 p.m. Saturday at
Schiller, & Flexner LLP, where she specialized in white-collar criminal defense for a total of 12 years.
Legal experts described Chutkan as incredibly dedicated to justice and fair representation as a public defender. They said her commitment to ensuring equal access to justice was evident.
Her colleagues said her extensive experience in complex legal matters and criminal defense undoubtedly contributed to her well-rounded understanding of the law.
Chutkan was appointed to the District Court for the District of Columbia by former President Barack Obama in 2014.
Chutkan has a reputation for being a fair and committed judge.
Still, she hasn’t shied away from imposing harsher sentences than the Justice Department initially requested in cases
America’s Center.
Not boxed in
Before turning professional, Alexander fought as an amateur during the Black Expo. He will be ringside during the Urban Expo Rumble in St. Louis boxing bouts from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in Hall 5 of the America’s Center and has two sons participating.
Alexander,
involving January 6 defendants.
When federal prosecutors suggested that Matt Mazzocco serve three months of home confinement and probation after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Chutkan insisted that there must be consequences “beyond sitting at home” for individuals involved in an attempted violent overthrow of the U.S. government.
“If Mr. Mazzocco walks away with probation and a slap on the wrist, that’s not going to deter anyone trying what he did again,” Chutkan asserted from the bench.
“It does not, in this Court’s opinion, indicate the severity – the gravity of the offenses that he committed on Jan. 6.”
Ultimately, she sentenced Mazzocco to 45 days in jail and 60 hours of community service.
who held the unified WBC and IBF light welterweight titles in 2010, and the IBF welterweight title from 2012 to 2013, grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood and trained under former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Kevin Cunningham.
His exposure to the nuances of boxing convinced him that more Black youths should be introduced to the sport, especially those who seem destined for trouble.
“If a kid has an attitude, brin him here,” Alexander said while pointing to a boxing ring in the basement of the Gambe Rec Center.
“Boxing teaches you humility and discipline. I recommend that boxing training for 8 to 12-yearold boys be almost mandatory. Not just for the boxing aspect. You face frustration, but you can’t get mad and go get a gun. You have to use your mind to get your shot back legally.’ Alexander said for all its fury, “boxing calms you down.”
“Kids learn ‘I can get hit, and I don’t have to go get a gun.’” Alexander, 36, said he still enjoys the Expo just as he did as a youth.
“The Expo is one of those things I looked forward to back then, and I look forward to now.”
Many observers said her stance reflects a belief in the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions during the insurrection.
The judge has refused to bow to political pressure or executive privilege.
In addition to denying Trump’s emergency motion in 2021, attempting to prevent the National Archives from turning over his administration’s records to the January 6 committee, she has remained steadfast in upholding the law.
“For a lot of people, I seem to check a lot of boxes: immigrant, woman, Black, Asian. Your qualifications are always going to be subject to criticism and you have to develop a thick skin,” Chutkan was quoted as saying in a February 2022 profile posted by the federal judiciary.
Photo courtesy of Urban League
Health screenings, which are needed to improve health equity in the African American community, will be available during the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Expo and Back to School Empowerment Festival August 4-5 at America’s Center.
“My focus is on encouraging and inspiring emerging leaders who embody the values of a just democracy and work towards realizing their full potential.”
According to the Obama Foundation website, the leadership program “focuses on emerging leaders (24-45 years old) who aim to drive systems-level change across sectors and issues and have at least three years of demonstrated impact.”
Echols will join other cohorts representing 37 states and five tribal nations. The program includes “values-driven leadership curriculum;” action labs focused on “strengthening democratic institutions and culture in the U.S.;” courses on “fostering constructive dialogue in a polarized environment;” and “one-onone support to help tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Participants “will be inspired, empowered and connected with emerging leaders and powerful experts across the country, including President Obama.”
Echols served as chief of communicable diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy before he joined the St. Louis County Department of Health Communicable
Harris-Stowe
Continued from A1 the National Black Radio Hall of Fame on the upper level. The lower level is designated for HSSU classrooms and support spaces. It is also a new repository for historical documents from former Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr., the late attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, and the late Dr. Henry Givens Jr. President Emeritus of Harris-Stowe State University. The historic building dates to 1937 when the center opened its doors to the St. Louis community. There were few public recreational centers available for Black people in
Disease director. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the St. Louis region and much of America, Echols’ name became known in most area homes.
In March 2020, the health department announced that a female patient in her 30s was the city’s first death related to COVID-19.
St. Louis and the Vashon Community Center was one of them.
The center served residents in the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood and surrounding communities. The idea behind facilities like the Vashon Community Center was to create a place for Black families and youth for cultural events, sports, and education.
“The rebranding represents the university’s progression and continued elevation. Students come to HSSU with unlimited potential, and our dedicated faculty and caring staff introduces students to infinite possibilities, then they graduate with the power of HSSU embedded in them, Smith said in a release.
“The tagline serves
It was a chaotic time.
Echols, who was appointed by former Mayor Lyda Krewson, was the first medical doctor to serve as director of the city’s department of health since 2007. The advisory Joint Boards of Health and Hospitals lauded Echols’ work.
“We’ve watched Dr. Echols since his announcement as director and over
as a constant reminder that HSSU welcomes our scholars, mentors, and educates them, which sets them up for success. Our graduates take this power into their careers and communities to accomplish their goals, impact our region, nation, and world.” Smith served as interim president of the university for a year before she was
the past year, particularly in terms of his oversight of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen nothing but professionalism, competence and commitment to the health of St. Louisans,” said Dr. Will Ross, then chair of the Joint Boards of Health and Hospitals.
Lawyers suing the city over its COVID-related mandates argued that Echols was no longer a
named to the position. In June, she was officially sworn in as the HBCU’s 21st president, making her the first woman to serve the university in that role.
She explained the tagline reflects the talent of HSSU students, the superlative education the faculty and staff provide, and the powerful contributions graduates will make.
Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, says the Obama Foundation’s mission is “to help people turn hope into action— to inspire, empower, and connect them to change their world.” The Foundation recently named its inaugural class of Leadership Cohorts.
licensed physician and lacked qualifications to hold the position.
Echols’ title was then changed to “acting” health director. In September 2021, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones appointed Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis as the city’s new health director.
In 2022, Echols was named CEO of Cure Violence Global, an anticrime program. He says
“We are very excited about what this message conveys to our HarrisStowe family and to all the communities we serve,” Smith said.
the experience as the city’s health director prepared him for the new role.
“The challenge was that programs, including Cure Violence, treated violence as a stand-alone issue. What I was able to do in the city during COVID was to highlight the fact that all the health issues are connected,” Echols explained.
“We had to look at the root causes and what we saw, particularly in St. Louis, was poverty, disenfranchisement and the lack of access to resources.”
The goal at Cure Violence, Echols said, was to “gather the right partners, provide the right training and replicate that model across the United States and even in other parts of the world so people can have a fair chance of achieving their optimal health level and maintaining that over the course of their life span.”
He left Cure Violence Global earlier this year to found Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, and he serves as CEO. The nonprofit, Echols said, was created “to provide strategic direction and leadership to advance and facilitate system-level change necessary to improve health outcomes.”
Echols said his work with Cure Violence attracted the attention of the Obama Foundation Leaders program. He was named a cohort and is the lone representative from Missouri.
“We are excited about our scholars, what they bring and who they are. And we are dedicated to ensuring that they graduate with bright futures enabling them to contribute throughout the region and the world. Potential, Possibility & Power says it all.
“Our new tagline broadcasts the university’s personality– enterprising, optimistic, and proactive‒and focuses on the unique potential our scholars can tap into through academics and campus life at HarrisStowe.”
Photo courtesy of Obama Foundation
Bush reintroduces Unhoused Bill of Rights legislation
Calls for end to homelessness by 2027
By American staff
On August 1, 2021
Congresswoman Cori Bush
slept on the steps on the U.S. Capitol to protest her colleagues adjourning for August recess without passing an extension of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eviction moratorium for renters.
Bush said the inaction could lead to thousands of Americans being left homeless. Three days earlier, Bush had introduced the Unhoused Bill of Rights, a federal resolution calling on Congress to permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2025.
The proposed bill stalled, but Bush has reintroduced the legislation, which declares unalienable rights for unhoused persons and
provides solutions for the federal government to permanently end the crisis by 2027. Bush said, “this legislation responds to the bleak post-Covid economic reality faced by millions of low-income renters, where rising housing costs continue to rapidly outpace wages and force people to live on the streets.”
“My children and I have personally experienced the trauma, stress, stigma, and pain that comes with being unhoused. Our veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and our youth are disproportionately at risk of becoming unhoused. Being able to afford a safe place to live is a human right that has been undermined by intentional policy
decisions,” Bush said in a release.
“As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, I am proud to reintroduce [this] legislation that commits the federal
government to addressing the root of our nation’s housing crisis once and for all. We have the power and money to end the unhoused crisis, we just need the will to reorient Congressional priorities.”
According to Bush’s office, the legislation would:
• Increase the affordable housing stock, provide universal housing vouchers, and bolster funding to federal housing programs, shelters, transitional and permanent housing programs, social services, and permanent emergency rental assistance;
• Call on the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the unhoused crisis a public health emergency;
• Protect unhoused individuals from the violation of their fundamental human rights to housing, health care, livable wages, education, employment opportunities, access to public facilities, and freedom from harassment by law enforcement, private businesses, property owners, and housed residents;
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush slept on the U.S. Capitol steps in August 2021 after Congress failed to extend an eviction moratorium for renters. Days earlier, she had introduced an Unhoused Bill of Rights, and she reintroduced the bill this week.
grassroots and community-led organizations;
• Develop holistic, health-based, and non-carceral solutions to the unhoused crisis in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community-led organizations, and unhoused advocates from a health-based approach that addresses both the unhoused and public health crises.
• Support historic federal funding levels for state and local governments to provide 24-hour support for unhoused people, including: shelters, transitional housing programs, supportive services, public restrooms, hand-washing stations, showers, laundry facilities, and water fountains in coordination with
“In St. Louis, there are many examples of the dual crises of increasing housing insecurity and the criminalization of our unhoused neighbors. We support Representative Bush›s bill of rights for our unhoused neighbors and her commitment to meeting their needs comprehensively using all available federal resources,” says Christopher Wilcox, director of policy and advocacy for Red Circle, a St. Louis community service organization.
Bush has been joined by fellow Congressional Caucus on Homelessness co-chairs in an ongoing effort to educate members of Congress and their staff on issues faced by unhoused persons.
Image courtesy of CBS News
Robo on the go Life will not always leave you ‘Laughing Out Loud
By Robert Townsend For the St. Louis American
As I have grown older, I have begun talking more to myself. I know people often say you shouldn’t do that, but I’ve found it to be highly beneficial. I’d like to share some insight, advice, and wisdom that life has taught me. I hope you will find something enriching here that will help you continue becoming a better you.
The resounding theme is “I’ve lived long enough to learn.” Let’s see where that takes us.
I’ve lived long enough to learn how to see the beauty of God in everything and everybody. This has not always been easy. If you try, I think you really can see God in everything. From a flower to a beautiful bird, to a flowing river, to our beloved pets, to a squirrel racing across the street, even amid a torrential storm. The key is to be willing to see a sovereign God in everything He made in one breath. Try it and you’ll see it’s amazing.
I’ve lived long enough to appreciate every day for what it is. We don’t always have to have all the answers as to why something did or did not happen. Also, it’s okay to not have a schedule or write “a must do list.” Just know that life is full of explorations, possibilities, and unfolding experiences.
I’ve lived long enough to learn how to really create my own peace. No matter what successes, dis-
Guest Columnist Robert Townsend
appointments, or challenges I face, I have learned to quiet myself, encourage myself, reflect on bountiful past blessings, and remind myself that God is eternally in control of everything no matter what I see, think, or imagine. Moreover, as a human being, a man of faith, a Believer in Jesus Christ, a warrior for the world, a champion with a childlike spirit and more, I have lived long enough to know that God is faithful, loving, merciful, kind, gracious, helpful, and always willing to do more for us.
I’ve lived long enough to know that life is eternally unfolding. Let’s take a quick pause and tell ourselves, “Our lives are awesome, blessed, absolutely amazing, and worth living.”
Don’t you feel better after declaring that?
That’s a perfect segway to my next lesson of life thus far.
I’ve lived long enough to study and embrace helpful quotes on wisdom. They include, “Learn to listen, and you will grow wise.” “Wisdom lives inside all who are quiet enough to listen for it.”
“Growing older means being wise enough to know when to let things go and let things be.” “Never decide you are smart enough. Be wise enough to recognize that there is always more to learn.” “A wise man never wears his wisdom like a badge.” “Growing wise means learning what to put your energy into and what to walk away from.”
Finally, friends, also remember Proverbs 4:7 which tells us, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
I’ve lived long enough to learn my words really do have power! As a result, I encourage you that at the dawn of each day, you should declare your day. Tell yourself, tell your environment, tell every step your feet trod that this will be a “day of joy, victory, learning, helping others, encouraging others, listening to others, supporting others. This will be a day that I love myself more, forgive myself more and push myself to try more new adventures. Break forth, keep spreading your wings in whatever you do and decide to become a new you! Learn how to live long enough to see your own growth. See yourself growing personally, emotionally, mentally, and physically, if that’s your desire.
Robert Townsend is an award-winning reporter for KSDK Channel 5 and KSDK.com
The Post-Distraction and Fields Fumbles
The Board of Aldermen broke for summer recess two weeks ago on July 20 and since then much city business has come to a halt. While the recessed Board chambers undergo some essential revamps - including long-overdue electrical upgrades and removal of some asbestos - some local media outlets have been struggling to find relevant local political content.
Since the beginning of the Aldermanic recess, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch apparently has not been able to find enough stories that connect with the community. Rather they seem focused on coverage of the mayor’s father, Virvus Jones, and his social media posts. Yes, readers, a metropolitan daily newspaper is so bereft of interesting local content that they had a veteran reporter spend his time penning a snarky column centered on some accurate Jones’ statements, then had his column edited, and finally, a (likely) out-of-state editor made an intentional decision to run the column.
We normally wouldn’t respond to this type of journalism chicanery in our column, but because a reporter tried to whitewash some of the highly questionable legacy of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department with an ad hominem attack on a seasoned political practitioner – a response is warranted.
At the center of veteran Post-Dispatch writer Joe Holleman’s pumped up controversy is a Twitter post, in which Jones stated “Most police regardless of their race believe that reducing crime is locking people up. Slave patrols, a forerunner of police departments, hired slaves to hunt escaped slaves. So don’t expect much needed criminal justice reform to come from police of any color. Just check out [the Ethical Society of Police].” Show us the misinformation in that statement.
But rather than examining the underlying facts raised in Jones’ social media post - which referred to the sudden and complete reversal of progressive policy positions once taken by the Ethical Society - the Post-Dispatch opted to behave like a glorified gossip rag and regurgitated every negative, unverified detail about Mayor Tishaura Jones that the newspaper, once highly regarded for its journalism standards, was able to scrounge up. Providing a disservice to our neighbors and community, both the reporter and the newspaper have been integral in pushing a racist campaign against the Mayor, her father, Congresswoman Cori Bush, and other outspoken Black elected leaders through some of its opinion columns. As a matter of fact the Ethical Society’s own leadership started the conversation about some of modern policings’ origins in organized slave patrols. Former Ethical Society president and retired SLMPD Sgt. Heather Taylor was a vocal advocate for calling out racism within SLMPD and the institution of policing. She testified before numerous state and congressional legislative hearings about her experience with white supremacists and toxic police culture. But after Taylor’s retirement and a few other leaders being pushed out of the leadership, Ethical Society sadly became aligned with the white police union, the St. Louis Police Officers Association. The once-reform driven organization has now become complicit with that same toxic police culture that it once
opposed. Why not investigate this sudden shift from the organization’s original organizing principles?
Perhaps, the Post-Dispatch is trying to distract the public’s attention away from its own legal challenges? Earlier this week, a federal judge cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit against Lee Enterprises, owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, for violating readers’ privacy rights against federal laws. Specifically, Lee Enterprises is accused of unlawfully sharing readers’ personal information with Facebook without their permission.
At a time when Lee Enterprises is fighting organized labor and starting to reduce its delivery days of its dailies to just three and relying on US Postal Service workers to deliver papers instead of carriers, we recognize the situation for what it is.
The plaintiffs are seeking a $5 million judgment and an immediate order that requires Lee Enterprises to remove all trackers from all newspaper websites and to first obtain consent from subscribers before sharing their data with third parties.
Seems like a pretty reasonable ask to us!
Meanwhile, grocery store chain Fields Foods has found itself in some difficult legal and financial situations. Founder and owner Chris Goodson has been trying to get an abatement to develop another store location and gain city approval to redevelop Cleveland High School.
Let’s back up and start with the genesis of some of Fields’ problems:
In mid-May of this year, Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 12) sponsored a rezoning bill that initiated the process for Goodson breaking ground on a North City development. This proposed project in the Greater Ville neighborhood, announced initially by local development blog NextSTL, included afforded housing for seniors and a new Fields Foods grocery location. North City has been identified as a “food desert,” meaning that there is a significant lack of grocery stores and fresh food vendors within a defined area. A full-service grocery store is badly needed in this part of the city, especially for seniors.
After rezoning permissions are gained, the next step oftentimes is to negotiate an abatement agreement with the alderperson and the St. Louis Development Corporation to work out the length of time for tax abatements and the percentage of taxes that will be waived. However, there has been no further movement on this project since the bill was passed on July 7. This redevelopment, as it seems, may have been built on false promises.
Only a few weeks later, on July 20, Fields Foods abruptly shut down its Pagedale location with no notice to customers or the surrounding community. The Pagedale Fields was the only northside location, and it was closed down less than six months after opening. Goodson has said that he plans to sellall five locations to an employee ownership group. That same day, the City Collector of Revenue filed a lawsuit against Fields Foods for unpaid city earnings and payroll taxes.
On July 25, the landlord of Fields’ location on DeBaliviere Avenue filed a lawsuit against the grocery store chain for more than $44,000 in unpaid rent. On the same day, the landlord
of Fields’ Washington Avenue location filed its own lawsuit against the store for nearly $293,000 in unpaid rent and $75,000 in unpaid taxes and maintenance expenses. Fields and Goodson have also found themselves in conflict with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, which has raised issues about low wages and minimal benefits at the grocery store’s locations. The union has accused Goodson of taking tens of millions of dollars in public subsidies while underpaying workers.
Needless to say, the closures, litigation, and labor disputes do not suggest a solvent corporation that is contributing to its surrounding community.
Questions are being raised - or should be. Yet, despite these well-publicized legal and tax woes, Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 3) has apparently approved of Goodson’s latest project: redeveloping the long-vacant Cleveland High School. Although LCRA designated Goodson’s Goodco LLC as the developer for the site, the Fields Foods founder likely has a number of hurdles he must clear before this project becomes a reality.
The troubling history of abatement abuse at the Board of Aldermen is no secret. If this Board intends to serve the public’s interests better than its predecessors, they need to table any further discussions on public subsidies and tax abatements to any of Goodson’s projects. It would be irresponsible to award any future public support for developers who owe hundreds of thousands in unpaid city taxes, outstanding rent, and other obligations.
Perhaps a public hearing would be more appropriate, to summon developers like Goodson, NorthSide Regeneration’s Paul McKee, and Phil Hulse of Green Street, to account
for previous promises made to City Hall in exchange for public subsidy. The scales always seem to be tipped in favor of these predatory real estate developers. Public subsidies should
include some public benefit. With so much tax revenue at risk with some of these development deals, the least we should expect from our elected Board of Aldermen is greater scrutiny and due diligence
when weighing these types of projects. We should be mindful that our history is doomed to repeat itself, if our elected leaders continue to ignore our past experiences.
Nadal shares history of German immigrant abolitionists
10th U.S. Grant Symposium
American staff
Ulysses Grant, the Union Army general who would become U.S. president, spent years living and working on land which has since become Grant’s Farm.
His family abhorred slavery and it shaped his view of the nation and his calling to defeat the Confederate Army in the Civil War.
On July 21, 2023, the Missouri Humanities Council presented the 10th Annual Ulysses S. Grant Symposium at the Soldiers Memorial
Museum in St. Louis. Cecilia Nadal, playwright and sociologist, opened the symposium by detailing how the history of German abolitionists in Missouri inspired her play, “An Amazing Story.”
Nadal shared the historic roles of German immigrants Carl Strehly and Eduard Muehl in Hermann, Mo., who started the German language newspaper the Hermanner Wochenblatt, which advocated for the end of slavery while also assisting runaway slaves that sought assistance on the Missouri River.
She also explained the role of Judge Arnold Krekel, a German immigrant and abolitionist that assisted members of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantry to start Lincoln Institute that would become the current Lincoln University.
Nadal called the alliance between Black veterans, German and Black abolitionists a “dream team” that left an important and visible legacy in the State of Missouri.
She told the audience that George Hussmann, who is considered the “father of the wine industry of Missouri” was a member of the writing committee for the development of the emancipation decree that freed slaves in Missouri. He also spent time in Hermann and worked with Arnold Krekel who headed the convention emancipating slaves.
Nadal said she delved into research conducted by fellow Skinker DeBaliviere resident Sydney Norton, who have shared speaking tours on Germans and African American throughout the state.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Humanities Council
Cecilia Nadal, sociologist and playwright, shared the history of German immigrants who worked as abolitionists in Missouri during the 10th Ulysses S, Grant Symposium on July 21, 2023, at the Soldiers Memorial Museum in St. Louis.
$78M boost to state childcare subsidy can help
By Clara Bates Missouri Independent
Childcare providers who accept a subsidy from the state to serve low-income families will see a boost in payments next month, thanks to a $78.5 million funding increase approved by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year.
The funding hike, included in the state budget signed by the governor, went into effect July 1. It won’t be reflected in payments to providers until mid-August because the state pays the subsidy retroactively, the month after services are provided.
Cortaiga Collins, the owner of Good Shepherd Early Learning Center in St. Louis and Good Shepherd Early Learning Center West in Warrenton, said she was “elated and relieved” to hear about the increase.
Most children at Collins’ center are low-income and receive state assistance.
“I’m hopeful that this is just the beginning of more public investment in early childhood,” she said. “I was very excited to see the difference — it’s a noticeable increase.”
The subsidy program is targeted toward encouraging childcare providers to offer services to low-income and foster families. The increase in the reimbursement rate was part of Gov. Mike Parson’s legislative agenda seeking to improve access to childcare around the state.
Almost half of all children in Missouri under the age of 5 — roughly 202,000 kids — live in child care deserts, The Independent and MuckRock found as part of a joint investigation called “Dis-
appearing
Day Care.”
A childcare desert is an area with more than three children ages 5 and under for every licensed childcare slot or no licensed slots at all. They exist in every corner of Missouri.
Even in areas not considered deserts, where capacity looks plentiful on paper, many providers say waitlists abound, in part because providers struggle to hire staff.
Providers often cannot afford to pay their staff more than near-minimum wage with the rates they charge parents. Yet parents can’t afford higher fees that would be needed to boost pay.
Casey Hanson, director of outreach and engagement at the child advocacy nonprofit Kids Win Missouri, said she hopes the rate increase will expand access to care. She said she’ll also be looking for whether it spurs “shifts in available capacity.”
The subsidy does not cover the entire cost of care: Parents often are required to pay the difference between what the state covers and the cost of tuition, but not all can afford to, Hanson said. If parents can’t pay, providers may lose money or opt to accept fewer children.
Providers who serve mostly children on the subsidy, and/or who are accredited, also get an additional payment that is a percent of the base-level reimbursement rate — which will be higher because the reimbursement rate will be higher.
“Everyone’s kind of waiting until the payment hits in August,” Hanson said, “but people are really excited for what this can mean for programs.”
Cortaiga Collins, founder of Good Shepherd Learning Centers, said she is “elated” that $78 million will soon be available to childcare centers who serve low-income families.
Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd
As of June, roughly 23,000 children receive the subsidy in Missouri — a federal program, administered by states through the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Families apply for the state to directly pay a childcare provider part of the cost of care. Only very low-income families qualify in Missouri, along with foster kids. In Missouri, the cutoff is 150% of the federal poverty line, equivalent to an annual income of $41,625 a year for a family of four. There is a benefits phaseout for those between 150% and 215% of the federal poverty level.
Healthy Food Access, Education Play Key Role in Reducing Diabetes
Food insecurity, or a lack of consistent access to nutritious and affordable food, is a pervasive issue that affects communities across the country. In St. Louis, this problem is prevalent, with a significant portion of the population facing challenges in getting the right kinds of food. Often, this is because grocery stores or other fresh food options are limited or simply because many can’t afford to buy nutritious food.
According to Feeding America’s 2021 data, 8.9% of the overall population of St. Louis County and 14% of the population of the city of St. Louis is food insecure. Food insecurity often occurs in underresourced communities. In many cases, those communities are predominately Black. In the county, 23% of Black residents are food insecure compared with 7% of white residents. In the city, that number jumps to 30% of Black residents compared with 11% of white residents. The numbers are sobering, but organizations throughout the region are working together to try to change them.
“We’re working with community-based organizations to make more food available in non-traditional outlets like farmers markets,” said Kara Hughes, a partnership specialist with BJC HealthCare. BJC is focused on holistically improving community health in the region through various initiatives. One of its focuses is food insecurity.
The Link Between Food Insecurity and Diabetes
The consequences of food insecurity extend far beyond hunger and malnutrition. Studies like The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study: Rationale, Findings, and Future Directions and the TODAY study have shown a direct correlation between limited access to healthy food and the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes. In the St. Louis area, the impact of food insecurity on diabetes rates is concerning. It’s estimated that 12% of adults in St. Louis County have diabetes. That’s three points higher than the state’s percentage.
But perhaps even more disturbing is the rise of type 2 diabetes in children.
“Before the mid-1990s, type 2 diabetes would almost never be diagnosed in adolescents,” said Dr. Jennifer Sprague, a Washington University pediatric endocrinology specialist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Now we’re diagnosing about one adolescent weekly.”
Adolescent type 2 diabetes is more aggressive than adult type 2 diabetes, Sprague said. The disease is associated with multiple other problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea, among others. And complications like eye disease and kidney disease develop faster in adolescents than in adults.
Sprague says there are many factors involved in the uptick of the disease in younger people, but food is a key factor — both from an access and an education perspective. And while overhauls in lifestyle can help stop the disease, the goal is always prevention. And that starts with education about food choices and exercise.
What: Be Well Farmers’ Market
When: Every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m.
Where: 2027 Salisbury St., St. Louis Find out more: bjc.org/bewell
Photography by Doneisha Bohannon
Sprague said mixed messages about certain food groups also can be harmful, like when people mistake processed meats like sausage, bacon and hot dogs for suitable protein, or believing that high-sugar juice drinks are better than soda.
“We need more holistic food education throughout our communities, at every level,” said Marilyn Tanner, a dietitian in the department of pediatric endocrinology at Washington University School of Medicine. “This doesn’t just impact children — it impacts their families. There is a lifestyle aspect to this as well, along with cultural and multigenerational factors. We need everyone in the house to eat healthily.” Another factor is simply the fast-paced lifestyles of many people today. “People gravitate toward quick and easy food because meal prep takes time,” said Melissa Sicard, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Washington University School of Medicine. “This type of eating is more prevalent in all populations.”
Enhancing the Local Food Ecosystem
Still, the lack of access to affordable and nutritious food disproportionately affects low-income and Black communities that have endured generations of intentional disinvestment, which created areas with limited grocery stores commonly referred to as “food deserts.”
Addressing this issue requires collaboration — which is where BJC HealthCare comes in. The team brings together resources and organizations that can work together to make more sweeping improvements.
BJC is focused on a variety of efforts to help improve access to healthy foods and address diabetes disparities. This includes collaboration with community organizations to provide diabetes education and nutritional counseling, as well as delivering medicallytailored and culturally-appropriate foods to select patients and their families who have expressed food insecurity. BJC also provides nutrition education in schools, libraries and community recreation centers and supports the creation of new healthy food access points through local, state, and national advocacy in communities experiencing low food access.
“We work with community-based organizations to connect and identify resources that can enhance the overall food ecosystem,” said Hughes.
An example of this is BJC’s collaboration with Fatimah Muhammad to make healthy food accessible through the Be Well Farmers’ Market. The market brings together urban farmers and growers, artisans, health providers and food trucks in the Hyde Park neighborhood of North St. Louis. It began as a farmers market in 2020, and last year
BJC worked with Muhammad to include access to free exercise demonstrations and health screenings, which will continue in 2023.
“It’s more than just a market. It’s a holistic meet-up place,” said Muhammad, who is chair of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association and the founder of Be Well Café, Apiary at the Park and the Be Well Farmers’ Market.
In the three years since the market opened, its popularity has steadily increased. “People like that it offers an alternative-style menu, and they like finding different types of food to try,” she said. The market offers gluten-free, low-sugar, vegan and vegetarian options.
And in the spirit of education, Be Well Farmers’ Market offers food demos onsite to showcase produce and products some market-goers might deem unusual, like Swiss chard.
“We’re changing mindsets and opening up new opportunities and new tastebuds,” Muhammad said. The market also accepts SNAP and EBT payments, which makes a huge difference in accessibility, she said. Both Muhammad and Hughes hope that by showing up and meeting people where they are, it will continue to make a difference in the health and lives of the community.
“Everything we’re doing with BJC and with other organizations locally is creating the needed synergies so we can start to work on healthful food, healthful living and healthful minds to build an entire healthy community,” said Muhammad.
‘Taking Care of You’
Alzheimer’s first county by county breakdown
Essential for dealing with disease
African Americans have a higher rate of Alzheimer’s disease dementia both in the St. Louis region and nationally. An Alzheimer’s Association study pinpoints cases in each Missouri county, which could lead to more resources reaching areas with the highest need.
By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American
Finding where Alzheimer’s disease dementia has the largest impact in Missouri had been elusive until a recent report pinpointed areas where there are more cases.
An Alzheimer’s Association study details prevalence of the diseases by county, which could lead to more public health programs for dementia, and an increase in culturally sensitive health support and caregiver training.
The map of counties includes a correlation on health issues including diabetes, heart disease, and poverty levels.
Sarah Lovegreen, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of programs, said research at this “big data” level had never been collected. It could affect how resources are distributed around the region.
n “This [report] allows us to look at different factors, as well as what resources we need to bring to those communities to help alleviate [areas] with the highest burden.”
– Sarah Lovegreen, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of programs
“We’ve had some pretty good estimates by state for a long time,” she said.
“I think when we would look county-by-county, we would assume that dementia was evenly distributed across the state, based on the popula-
tion of the counties. This study helps us better understand where a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is occurring in the community.
“This allows us to look at different factors, as well as what resources we need to bring to those communities to help alleviate [areas] with the highest burden.”
She said the report will help her organization determine the best ways to accomplish that mission.
Typically, we’ve prioritized communities based on population density or the number of people 65 and older that might live in those communities,” Lovegreen said.
“We also know that some [ethnic] communities are more impacted. For example, Black Americans. We can prioritize this community based on that factor.”
Unveiling hidden truth about fibroids
By Amaka Watson
Deep-rooted systemic inequalities in the American healthcare system have contributed to skepticism within the African American community. With a history marked by disparities in pain management and healthcare access, the issue of fibroids and hysterectomies has emerged as a prominent concern, particularly impacting Black women.
In the United States, 26 million women aged 15 to 50 have uterine fibroids, or benign growths of the uterus, and more than half of those women will experience associated symptoms and health risks.
For African American women, the lifetime incidence of fibroids is even higher. They tend to have fibroids diagnosed at earlier ages, and they are more likely to present symptoms. African American women also have higher rates of hospitalizations due to their fibroids, as well as higher rates of myomectomies and hysterectomies, compared to their White counterparts.
Widespread Prevalence
Fibroids, noncancerous growths in the uterus, affect a staggering 80% of women and individuals with uteruses by the age of 50, according to the Office on Women’s Health. This highlights the urgent need for understanding and addressing this common health issue.
Disproportionate Impact
Shockingly, Black women are three times more likely than their white counterparts to develop uterine fibroids, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. This racial disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted awareness, support, and accessible healthcare for affected
Why I’m fighting for people with diabetes
‘I’m a Diva-betic’
By Patti LaBelle
More than 25 years ago, I collapsed on stage while performing. I had no idea what was happening, but that night in the hospital, when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, my life was forever changed. At first, I was angry, and I was terrified. I watched my aunt and uncle lose their sight, and my mother lost both her legs before she died in her 60s due to diabetes. I know firsthand the toll that this disease can take. It took me a while to do something about my diabetes. I was in denial. I kept my old unhealthy eating habits. If it was battered or fried, I ate it! Eventually, I realized my glucose levels weren’t getting any better, and I knew it was time to do something. I made a conscious choice to prioritize my health and change my way of living. I turned to my love of cooking to overhaul my diet. It meant I had to put down the butter and pick up the vegetable steamer. I would
even take my pots and pans with me on tour and cook in my suite with ingredients from the local farmer’s market, just so I could better control my food intake. Has it been easy? No. But has it paid off? Absolutely.
Black people and diabetes
The more attention I pay to my health, the better I feel. Exercise and I are not friends, but I started becoming more active – whether walking my dog and exercising in my pool or hopping on the elliptical machine.
I use my Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (or CGM) to stay on top of my glucose levels throughout the day, without the need for painful finger pricks. It lets me know where my glucose levels are and where they’re headed, all with a glance at my iPhone. I can even share my levels with
See LABELLE, A15
Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association
See ALZHEIMER’S, A15
See FIBROIDS, A15
Patti LaBelle said fainting on stage in 1994 changed her life forever. She learned that evening at the hospital that she has Type 2 diabetes. Labelle is calling on the health care industry to do more for those who also have the disease.
Amaka Watson
Photo courtesy of WebMD
‘Taking Care of You’
32,000 Missourians lose Medicaid coverage
By Clara Bates Missouri Independent
More than 32,000 Missourians – half of them children – lost Medicaid coverage in June during Missouri’s first round of eligibility checks after the COVID public health emergency.
According to a Department of Social Services announcement on July 27, 2023, out of the roughly 116,000 Medicaid recipients who had their eligibility checked in June, around 43% retained coverage, 28%
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members of my family and my physician so they can keep a close eye on them, too.
I am proud of how far I have come on my health journey, and I am blessed and privileged to have an incredible support system in my doctors, family, and friends. But millions of Americans in this country are not as fortunate.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes (34 million), and approximately 90% of them have Type 2 diabetes.
Black people are 60% more likely to develop diabetes than white people, and in 2018, the U.S. Department
lost coverage and 29% have their determinations pending.
June was the first month of eligibility reviews as the state works through all of the roughly 1.5 million Medicaid enrollees on its books. About onequarter of the state’s population is enrolled in Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income residents, called MO HealthNet in Missouri.
As part of the federal government’s COVID relief measures, states
of Health and Human Services found that Black people were twice as likely as white people to die from diabetes.
Lots of things are making this true, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Living with diabetes has never been easier; insulin pumps talk directly to continuous glucose monitors and automatically deliver insulin, and you can keep a close eye on your glucose levels from your smartwatch or phone without pricking your finger – no one likes to do that!
But this amazing technology is still not in the hands of people in Black communities and communities of color. A recent survey of people with insulin-treated diabetes found that most believe they deserve new technology to manage their
were barred from removing Medicaid participants from their rolls in most cases from March 2020 to May 2023, regardless of whether they no longer qualified due to income or other eligibility limits.
The public health emergency ended in May and states have begun the process of “unwinding” the continuous coverage rule. In Missouri, the process will play out over 12 months, and then regular annual renewals will resume.
The majority of those
disease, and I couldn’t agree more.
Why are so many of us out here fighting diabetes with the same old tools that have been around since my aunt, uncle and mother were diagnosed? If today’s health care system provided more coverage for (and access to) these technologies, millions of lives could be saved.
A ‘Diva-betic’ advocating for others
Diabetes is often invisible to everyone except those living with it, and for too long, minorities have felt invisible in this country. They deserve to feel seen and heard. I am proof that you can not only live with Type 2 diabetes but also live well with it. I am not a diabetic, I’m a Divabetic! And I am proud of it. That is why this
who lost coverage in June — around 72%, or 23,000 Missourians — were not directly found ineligible but were instead disenrolled because of what are called “procedural reasons,” meaning the state was unable to determine whether they were eligible or not. Procedural reasons could refer to a participant’s failure to return a form, to submit additional information, or their inability to be reached by the department.
Children accounted
November, along with the Global Movement for Time in Range, I am sharing my story to amplify this important topic, and advocating for better access to diabetes technology and asking that decision-makers take action for communities of color to receive the care they need.
Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, care for someone with diabetes, or you simply believe that people with diabetes deserve better, you can take action too by joining the conversation at wheninrange.com
It’s time that we all truly #SeeDiabetes, because we can’t help change what we cannot see.
Patti LaBelle is a singer, actor, author, and advocate
St. Louis and St. Louis County are included among Missouri counties with the highest levels of Alzheimer’s disease dementia, according to a recently released study.
Fibroids
Continued from A14 communities.
Varied Symptoms, Severity
Fibroids can manifest in several ways, leading to a range of symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, frequent urination, and even fertility challenges. The severity of symptoms can vary, highlighting the importance of personalized medical care and tailored treatment plans.
Reproductive Health
Fibroids can significantly impact reproductive health, including fertility and pregnancy outcomes. They can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth and miscarriage. It is crucial for individuals considering starting a family to be aware of the potential implications and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Diverse Treatment Options
While a hysterectomy, the surgical removal
of the uterus, has traditionally been the standard treatment for fibroids, there are now a multitude of alternative options available. These include minimally invasive procedures, hormonal therapies, and uterine fibroid embolization, which offer less invasive alternatives and preserve fertility for those who desire it.
Researchers analyzed U.S. cancer data for women 40 and older and found overall uterine cancer death rates increased by 1.8% per year from 2010 to 2017, according to the study.
“The worrying issue is that more and
for half of all Medicaid terminations, and nearly half of all procedural terminations.
Two-thirds of children denied coverage lost it because of procedural issues. There were 16,262 kids removed from the rolls, 10,747 for procedural reasons.
Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, said she was “concerned” that the state could be “cutting kids off Medicaid who really through no fault of their own or even of their parents, and they really should still be on
Medicaid.”
“It’s, unfortunately, kind of what I was afraid was going to be happening and it’s not good with that many terminations and so many still not processed,” she said.
A significant portion of renewals initiated in June were not finalized — nearly 30% are pending, meaning they were ‘held open due to a potential determination issue found before the end of June 2023,” according to the state’s website.
Alzheimer’s
Continued from A14
St. Louis and St. Louis County were among the state’s highest levels of Alzheimer’s dementia cases. Nationally, the East and Southeastern U.S. had the highest prevalence, according to the study. The Alzheimer’s Association can begin a targeted approach in getting public programs and caregiver training to these regions.
“At the Alzheimer’s Association, we think about how we can implement public policy efforts; having this data can really help us prioritize bringing resources to different communities,” Lovegreen said.
“This data comes at a really great time for us because [Gov. Mike Parson] signed the Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force which came forward with a report and set of recommendations in December of 2022.”
The report found that higher percentages of older people and Black and Hispanic residents
more women are being diagnosed with aggressive types of cancer, who are more at risk of dying of disease,” Dr. Dineo Khabele, Washington University School of Medicine professor and chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology told the St. Louis American in August 2022.
“They’re more at risk of getting a late diagnosis when the cancer has already spread and is harder to treat.”
An estimated 65,950 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year and 12,550 women are expected to die from it, according to the AMA.
Khabele said some obstetrics and gynecology departments lack adequate uterine screenings and sometimes fail to see the signs that indicate an individual may have uterine cancer.
“We do know that bleeding after menopause is abnormal but because Black women are often diagnosed with fibroids, which are benign and can cause bleeding, this can cause a delay in diagnosis,” Khabele said.
According to Dr. Brianna Walton, urogynecologist and medical director for female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at UM Capital Region
live in specific regions. This could explain the higher prevalence in those areas. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Black people are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia than white people.
Last year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) included a discussion on racism’s role in African Americans’ increased level of Alzheimer’s disease.
“We’re thinking about how chronic racism would increase stress, inflammation, not having access to healthy foods or safe physical activity options. If we can’t practice healthy behaviors, some of those factors are going to impact whether we have diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease,” Lovegreen said.
“We’re thinking about prioritizing access to care and treatment, ensuring that there is respite and care resources for people who might be further along into the disease. Those are things this data will help us with [when making decisions,] she said.
Health, many African American women don’t even know they have them.
She said race is one of the main risk factors for uterine fibroids, as Black women have fibroids at higher rates than their counterparts. They are more likely to have larger fibroids, as well as more severe symptoms. Aside from being a woman of reproductive age, other risk factors for fibroids include obesity, family history of uterine fibroids, vitamin D deficiency and high blood pressure.
JoAnn Weaver of the St. Louis American contributed to this report
Patti LaBelle has authored several cookbooks for those managing diabetes.
AUGUST 3 – 9, 2023
Hot Wings
No Competition Salon was six years in making
on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
A new local business’ name says a lot about the owner’s confidence in his team’s ability.
The No Competition Barber and Beauty Salon at 5200 Helen Avenue in Jennings recently celebrated its opening, culminating Carnell Wings’ six-year endeavor to open the 6,000-square-foot barber shop and beauty salon.
Bounce houses, food trucks, and ice cream trucks lined its parking lot as guests also listened to live music. Green, silver and black balloons adorned the entrance as family, friends, and community supporters gathered to share in Wings’ big day.
n “Growing up I had a passion for cutting hair at 12 years old and at 15 I was working in a barbershop,” said Wings.
where he played football. However, life had other plans. He returned to St. Louis and began cutting hair full-time.
He got his start after his late mother gave him his first pair of clippers. Almost 30 years later, Wings has mastered his craft and learned other lucrative skills. As a contractor, he designs floors and installs them, erects walls, and does plumbing.
“I designed and built everything in my barber and beauty salon,” he said.
PeoPle on the Move
Woodmore named an artistic director at COCA
Philip Woodmore
Dr. Philip Woodmore has been named artistic director of voice at COCA. Woodmore has been an active member of the St. Louis music community for many years. He spent 14 years in the classroom teaching middle school choir at Ferguson and Berkeley Middle Schools in the Ferguson Florissant School District and Crestview Middle School in the Rockwood School District. He is a vocal coach to many students in the St. Louis area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York.
Kwame adds Smith as accounting manager
Kwame Building Group recently named Davidra Smith accounting manager. Smith brings more than 25 years of accounting experience with a focus on the construction and commercial real estate industries. As accounting manager, she ensures the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting and analysis and provides company financial information to guide decisions about strategy. Smith holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Detroit College of Business.
Harmon appointed to County advisory board
Three years later, he said he improved to a high 9. After high school, Wings went to Alabama A&M
“Growing up, I had a passion for cutting hair at 12 years old. At 15 I was working in a barbershop,” said Wings. Wings’ first customer was a kid from his neighborhood in the West End who was just a few years older than him. He said that first haircut “gained a lot of traction,” because people couldn’t believe a 12-year-old could cut hair that well. Wings said he ranked his skills back then “at a 6.”
Wings said his journey to entrepreneurship “had its dark moments.”
He sacrificed time with friends, buying trendy clothes, and vacations. He lost his mom and three brothers as he worked to open his dream. He didn’t let the personal setbacks stop him— he used the hurt and pain as fuel to keep going.
Wings said the shop’s name is not braggadocio. It is a reminder to him and
See WINGS, B2
Removing obstacles to Black home ownership
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
n “It is disgraceful that the Black homeownership rate is only 44% compared to 72% for White families.”
HUD initiative to increase supply
HUD Secretary
“Today,
costs,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said.
As part of the July 27, 2023, Fudge said the new $85 million program will
Steven Harmon has been appointed to serve on the Advisory Board of the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation. Harmon is vice president of Human Resources, Equity & Inclusion, Compliance with Affinia Healthcare. Harmon earned his law degree from Saint Louis University; and master’s of arts degrees in human resources and development, and in management from Webster University. Since 2018, he has served as the director of safety for the Normandy Schools Collaborative. In 2022, Harmon was recently appointed to The Missouri Bar’s roster of delegates for the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
Anderson named project manager at Kwame Lee Anderson
engineer at Kwame Building Group. As project engineer, Anderson is responsible for assisting project managers with quality control, project budgets and cost reports, reviewing and coordinating submittals and RFIs, subcontractor management and maintaining communication with the client and the entire project team.
Anderson brings more than 25 years of industry experience and is currently working on runway projects at Lambert St. Louis International Airport.
Media specialist Carrie Sandes (left), makes introductions before the ribbon-cutting at the grand opening of No Competition Barber and Beauty Salon by owner Carnell Wings and his son, Carnell Jr., 7, in Jennings
Dr.
Steven Harmon
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Marcia Fudge, who delivered the keynote address Tuesday at the National Association of Real Estate Brokers [NAREB] convention in Houston, said her office’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing initiative will help increase the supply of affordable housing.
Photo courtesy of Ohio State University
Davidra Smith
Home
Continued from B1
and preservation. Communities with acute needs can apply for up to $10 million in funding.
The funding could help lead to a shift to higher-density zoning and rezoning for multifamily and mixed-use housing, while reducing requirements related to parking and other land use restrictions, the White House said.
The White House plan will provide new financing for affordable, energy efficient, climate resilient housing and clean energy investments.
The Department of Transportation recently announced it would provide up to $3.16 billion for planning and capital construction projects that prioritize disadvantaged communities and improve access to daily destinations.
production pipeline, and 13 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects representing more than 1,000 affordable units awarded in the 2021 and 2022.
Nationally, HUD, the Department of Agriculture, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, and Federal Housing Finance Agency plan to publish “best practices” to landlords, operators, and stakeholders who rely on tenant screening reports when evaluating applications from renters.
In addition, the White House said it is taking action to protect the rights of renters.
This news comes after the city of St. Louis enacted a bill which will help provide access to legal representation for tenants facing eviction.
The legislation creates a Right to Counsel program, which represents the “the city of St. Louis’ commitment to protecting renters while preventing families from ending up out on the street,” according to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.
The St. Louis Development Corporation, Community Development Administration, and the Affordable Housing Commission are also making investments in affordable housing with more than 200 single family homes in the
“The guidance communicates the administration’s expectations on informing renters of what information in their screening report is responsible for their application being denied. This information will help renters by giving them an opportunity to correct errors in their reports and address issues that impact their applications,” according to the White House.
Also of note, HUD announced $10 million in new funding for tenant outreach and education, including tenant organizing in project-based Section 8 properties, and a commitment to propose a rule requiring that tenants in public housing and project-based Section 8 properties receive a written notice at least 30 days prior to lease termination for nonpayment of rent.
NAREB Convention underway
Fudge delivered the keynote address during the Tuesday opening session of the 2023 National Association of Real Estate Brokers Convention in Houston, an organization of Black real estate agents,
brokers, and stakeholders.
The session runs through Saturday.
Under the theme of “Restore, Rebuild, Retain,” NAREB President Lydia Pope said “new partnerships, alliances, and training that will support our members and bolster Black home ownership” will be announced at the five-day convention.
“It is disgraceful that the Black homeownership rate is only 44% compared to 72% for White families. NAREB’s unwavering commitment to this cause will create a better environment for Black families seeking the American Dream of homeownership.”
Among the new initiatives is BMO Bank North America’s down payment assistance program for graduates and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and members of Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI).
Throughout the convention, various financial institutions are providing details about their Special Purpose Credit Programs aimed explicitly at assisting buyers from underresourced communities to become homeowners.
Courtney Johnson Rose of Houston, incoming NAREB president, says she plans to increase the nation’s number of Black developers.
“With more Black developers, we can have more control over our neighborhoods and create more opportunities for Black people to own their homes. It will be a critical component of wealth building,” she said.
“NAREB believes Black developers will be more inclined to build affordable housing and increase the singlefamily inventory, creating more homeownership opportunities in Black communities.”
Wings
Continued from B1
his team to always keep a humble state of mind.
“I feel like there is no competition outside the shop or in the shop,” said Wings.
“It’s a vibe when you walk up in here.”
Wings want clients “to feel like family” when getting hair service. He strives to offer affordable pricing and a luxurious setting.
Yolanda Austin, former Jennings mayor, stopped in to offer congratula-
tions and shared that she remembers when Wings first bought the building in 2017.
“I’m so proud of him, he did not give up,” she said.
Wings’ daughter shared the same sentiments, saying “Since I was a little girl, I remember seeing him in his shop painting the walls, it’s just so amazing to see that he has come this far,” said Cori Carter.
Tequia Turner remembers when Wings was cutting hair in his house, and feels a sense of gratitude.
“Knowing where he came from and how long
it has taken him to get to this point inspires me to go after my dreams. Everything he has he deserves,” said Turner.
“He is a community person who goes all out for those in need.”
Wings is planning a community event with discounted prices on haircuts for kids for the upcoming school year.
“As long as you have the vision in your head and your heart it doesn’t matter what else anyone has to say,” said Wings. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
Owner, Carnell Wings and supporter.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Courtney Johnson Rose
n “I’m an overachiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I kept achieving.”
– Undisputed 147-pound champ Terrence Crawford after a dominant TKO over Errol Spence Jr.
InSIdE SportS
By Earl Austin Jr.
Colleges get the call from area football standouts
August is here and high school football season is not far behind.
As the 2023 season approaches, let’s catch up on the recruiting scene for top St. Louis area prospects entering their senior class.
East St. Louis enters the season as the area’s top team and is a strong contender for another Illinois state championship. Several of its top players have made their collegiate decisions, led by senior quarterback Robert “Pops” Battle who gave a commitment to Lindenwood University. Battle will be joined at Lindenwood by Rico Bond, a 6’0” 175-pound wide receiver who caught four touchdown passes for the Flyers last season. A pair of Flyers standouts have given commitments to Purdue. Defensive back Leontre Bradford and wide receiver Jesse Watson plan to be Boilermakers.
Bradford, a three-star recruit, is a 6’0” 190pound safety. He had 87 solo tackles, three quarterback sacks and one interception last season. The 5’10” 150-pound Watson had 35 receptions for 516 yards and nine touchdowns.
Also, the Flyers’ Taylor Powell, a 6’4” 185-pound athlete, gave a commitment to Northern Illinois.
Standout lineman Tionne Gray of Hazelwood Central has committed to Oregon.
The 6’6” 295-pound Gray is a three-star defensive tackle and is among the top prospects in Missouri. Joseph Anderson, a three-star defensive end from Westminster Christian, has committed to Iowa. The 6’5” 210pound Anderson is also
First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all. That is the motto of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., of which I am a member. In standing true to those words, the nation’s first Black fraternity became the first major Black organization to withdraw a national convention from the state of Florida. Hopefully, it will not be the last to act against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education by moving conferences and conventions elsewhere.
“In this environment of manufactured division and attacks on the Black community, Alpha Phi Alpha refuses to direct a projected $4.6 million convention economic impact to a place hostile to the communities we serve,” General President Willis L. Lonzer said in statement announcing the organization’s 2025 99th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Celebration are being moved from Orlando. Florida recently
a track and field standout who was a state champion in the triple jump at the Class 4 state meet in Jefferson City.
Caleb Redd, a threestar defensive end from Desmet, committed to Kentucky. The 6’4” 220pound Redd had 21 sacks last season to lead the St. Louis metro area.
Jude James, a 6’4” standout athlete from
Francis Howell, committed to Missouri. James had 584 yards receiving and nine touchdowns on offense along with 119 tackles and four interceptions on defense for the Vikings’ Class 5 state championship team. Quarterback Antwon McKay of Class 3 state champion Cardinal Ritter gave a commitment to Northern Illinois. McKay
SportS EyE
With Alvin A. Reid
passed for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for the undefeated Lions.
Basketball stars make their choices
Webster Groves boys’ basketball standout Iziah Purvey has given a commitment to the University of Missouri-St. Louis. A skilled 6’4” combo forward, Purvey helped lead
Black athletes have power to alter Florida’s policies
released K-12 African American Social Studies curriculum that requires instructors for grades six through eight to highlight how slaves “developed skills” that could be used for their “personal benefit.” Alpha Phi Alpha is doing its part to transcend the backward thinking in Florida, and I’m proud of this action. Guess where the NFL Pro Bowl Games will be held following the upcoming season, Orlando, Florida. In a league governed by ultra-conservate (borderline racist) owners including Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, I doubt the NFL would decide to move on from Florida in February 2024. It has the money to pull up stakes and move its Pro Bowl weekend elsewhere (like Hawaii or Los Angeles), but Commissioner Roger Goodell is a highly paid puppet. Jones and other owners pull his strings and craft the words which leave his wooden mouth. Goodell does not have
the personal courage of Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred, who put principle over potential backlash when he moved the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta because of Georgia’s continued assault on Black voting rights.
The Pro Bowl Games will go on in Orlando, but they should proceed without any Black player participating. This stand would put Florida on Front Street and demonstrate that
Willis L. Lonzer, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. general president, announced that the organization’s 2025 convention is moving from Orlando, Florida.
Black players are aware of what is happening in America.
If named to the Pro Bowl, there is no contractual obligation for any player to attend. Many of them find reasons to skip the weekend, including indifference, feigned injury, or family obligations. Black players should not even fib. They should remind the world of the atrocities of slavery by not going to Florida the first weekend in February.
NFL players, Black or white, can’t boycott regular season or playoff games in Florida because of their respective contracts. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t going to relocate regardless of Florida’s pillaging of Black history.
However, what if a few elite football and basketball prospects announced they would not play collegiately at a school in Florida?
What if some star Black collegiate players announced they are entering the transfer portal and leaving Florida because of the state’s bizarre slavery education standards?
How long would it be before the bigmoney boosters of the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, and a myriad of other schools let DeSantis know that the slavery edicts must be dropped?
Most Black athletes in high school and college don’t realize the power they hold through their ability. They could
the Statesmen to the Class 5 state championship in 2022 as a sophomore. He averaged 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game. As a junior, Purvey averaged 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field and 39% from 3-point range. Cardinal Ritter girls’ basketball standout Hannah Wallace recently gave a commitment to Saint Louis University. A 6’1 guard, Wallace is one of the most versatile players in the state of Missouri. As a junior, she averaged 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks.
Fall League Basketball Registration
• Registration is open for the Rameybasketball Fall Basketball League, which will be held from September 9 to October 8 at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. The league will field teams in three divisions; fifth and sixth grade; seventh and eighth grade; and high school. To register, visit the website, www. rameybasketball.com
• The Sweet Hoops Girls Summer League will begin its sixth year on September 10 at Lift for Life Academy. The league will feature players in the junior high and high school divisions. To register, visit the website, www.sweethoopsevents. com. The deadline for registration is August 18 with the league draft taking place on August 26.
help change a Florida educational policy, and in doing so help make a positive change in America.
The Reid Roundup
Jordan Hicks is now a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, and Jack Flaherty is with the Baltimore Orioles. Suddenly, the St. Louis Cardinals are down to one Black player; rookie Jordan Walker
Sophie Smith and the U.S. Women’s National Team, the most diverse in its history, moved to the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup with an unimpressive 0-0 draw with Portugal…The NBA apparently told Damian Lillard to cool it on demands to only be traded to Miami. The league confirmed that the All-Star guard would honor his contract in any potential trade…The Akron Beacon Journal reports that no incoming eighth-grade students at LeBron James’ I Promise School has passed a state math test in over three years. Only 8% tested proficient in English.
Earl Austin Jr.
Alvin A. Reid
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Cardinal Ritter QB Antwon McKay (10) dashes to the goal line during the Missouri Class 3 state championship game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Faurot Field in Columbia. McKay has committed to play at Northern Illinois University.
Photo courtesy of Alpha Phi Alphs
Gross is first Black managing editor of Kansas City Star
According to The Kansas City Star, Andale Gross, a longtime journalist who recently worked as the race and ethnicity news editor at The Associated Press, has been named The Kansas City Star’s next managing editor.
Gross, a native of Moberly, Missouri, earned a journalism degree at the University of Missouri and started in the industry
in 1994, covering Olathe schools out of The Star’s Johnson County bureau.
Gross will become the first Black editor to hold the position of managing editor. He will be The Star’s second-highestranking editor and be in charge of day-to-day newsroom operations.
After his first stint at The Star, which lasted until 1996, Gross worked at newspapers in Iowa and
Ohio before coming back to Kansas City in 2006 as an AP reporter.
He then spent a decade as an AP editor on a regional desk that included overseeing coverage in Missouri and Kansas.
During that time, he also traveled as a reporter to Ferguson, Missouri, after the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown.
Gross worked as the AP’s race and ethnicity
news editor for nearly four
years, overseeing a team of reporters who cover race across the U.S. and world. They reported on spot news but also took a step back to do more “courageous” and meaningful work, he said.
More recently, Gross’ team produced a series of stories in May centered on how the legacy of racism “laid the foundation” for health inequities that Black Americans face today.
Goff first Black White House director of OLA
next managing editor.
Shuwanza
President Biden recently announced that Shuwanza Goff will serve as assistant to the president and director of the Office of Legislative Affairs.
Biden stated “I am pleased to announce that Shuwanza Goff, a Day 1 member of my team, will serve as my new Director of Legislative Affairs and help finish the job.
According to Black Enterprise, Alpha Phi Alpha, the country’s oldest intercollegiate Black fraternity, has announced plans to move its 2025 99th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Convention from
“Shuwanza is a proven leader and trusted voice on both sides of the aisle. She returns to the White House with strong relationships across both Chambers, forged over more than a decade on Capitol Hill.”
Goff recently served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of White House Legislative Affairs and House Liaison.
In this role, she led negotiations with Congressional leaders and coordinated outreach to advance White House
initiatives and priorities on issues including infrastructure, COVID-19, gun violence, healthcare and two major reconciliation packages. In addition, she assisted in the historic confirmation process of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Alphas dump Florida for proposed convention
Florida, citing the state’s “harmful” and “racist” policies targeting the Black community.
“In this environment of manufactured division and attacks on the Black community, Alpha Phi Alpha refuses to direct a project-
ed $4.6 million convention economic impact to a place hostile to the communities we serve,” said said general president Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III.
“Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha
will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha Brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis.”
This decision comes
Goff will serve as assistant to the president and director of the Office of Legislative Affairs.
after Florida released its new K-12 African American Social Studies curriculum that now requires instructors for grades six through eight to highlight how slaves “developed skills” that could be used for their “personal benefit.”
In May, the NAACP issued a travel advisory notice warning various demographics against visiting the Sunshine State.
Harris Stowe’s CIE|MECCA accepting applications
Harris-Stowe State University’s CIE|MECCA is currently accepting applications for their 2023 Entrepreneurship Accelerator programs. These programs are
designed to help aspiring/ current entrepreneurs learn the skills and strategies needed to start and grow a successful business Here are some key details:
• Apply ASAP because spots will fill up quickly!
• Application deadline: Friday, August 11th
• Fall Accelerators begin on August 24th
• No cost to participate
• Open to anyone in the St. Louis area Learn more and application link: https://hssu-cie. startuptree.co/university/ manage/applications/list
Middendorf expanding in North St. Louis County Performance foodservice Middendorf has announced plans to
expand operations with a new facility in NorthPark in North St. Louis County. Once the new facility is complete, the company anticipates adding 100 new jobs.
Andale Gross, a longtime journalist who recently worked as the race and ethnicity news editor at The Associated Press, has been named The Kansas City Star’s
Photo courtesy The Kansas City Star
Living It
In Living Funny
Tommy Davidson in STL for shows at Helium Comedy Club
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
Stand-up comedian and actor Tommy Davidson, popular for his roles on the iconic 1990s sketch comedy TV show
“In Living Color” will be in St. Louis at Helium Comedy Club for five shows this weekend, Aug. 4-6.
Davidson, who also provides the voice of Oscar Proud in the animated Disney+ series “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” calls St. louis “a second home.”
“St. Louis, that’s like my home,” he said.
“My best friends are from St. Louis. Joe Torry, Guy Torry, Cedric [the Entertainer]. St. Louis… that’s like coming home. I love St. Louis.”
He also shared how impressed he is with the talent that comes from St. Louis and East St. Louis.
“They the bomb,” Davidson said while talking about the city’s comedy scene.
“St. Louis knows how to put it out. St. Louis [has] put out everything. St. Louis [has] put out great athletes, great everything. East St. Louis [has] put out great [people.]”
He shared a story about a Black girl from East St. Louis named “Pookie” whom he met years ago when he performed at a university in Illinois. She scheduled his visit and showed him around the campus.
She also told him that she wanted to be a doctor. About 25 years later, Pookie approached him at a show and reintroduced herself confirming that she did in fact become a doctor.
“I always tell kids you can do anything, if a Black girl from East St. Louis named Pookie can be a doctor,” he said. Davidson has more control over his career now than in the past. He has released movies and TV shows under his global entertainment company One/ Song Entertainment.
“I’m having a lot of fun doing what I’m doing, it’s a good time for me because it took me a long time to get to
n “I’m having a lot of fun doing what I’m doing, it’s a good time for me because it took me a long time to get to the point where I could do exactly what I wanna do.”
- Comedian Tommy Davidson
‘Let
the praise begin’
Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and producer Fred Hammond will perform a variety of his classic chart-topping hits at ULSTL’s
Gospel
the point where I could do exactly what I wanna do,” he explained.
“I’ve had a great career. I’m so grateful about my career. But I [was well into] my career before I realized ‘I think it’s time my audience saw some stuff that comes from me and me only.’”
He has a kids movie release coming soon. He plays a principal who appears to be nice, but is really plotting to get another principal’s job. He’s also been performing comedy shows around the country.
He also has established himself as
Oliver
Pollock-Krasner Foundation honors St. Louisan for lifelong artistic achievement
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American
When St. Louis native Oliver Lee Jackson arrived at the University of Iowa’s School of Art and History to begin his MFA coursework, a painting by famed artist Jackson Pollock caught his eye – initially for all the wrong reasons.
“It moved me, but I didn’t necessarily like it,” Jackson told Iowa Magazine ahead of being bestowed with an honorary doctorate from his alma mater – exactly sixty years after he earned his MFA.
“I thought I knew what painting was, and I argued that you can’t paint like that,” he added. “But there was the painting. ... It helped open my eyes and way of thinking.”
These days, Jackson’s Painting (4.78I) and Painting (4.78-II) hang along with Pollock’s Mural – the 1943 masterpiece that transformed Jackson’s ideas about art– at the UI Stanley Museum of Art. And in an even deeper intersection of their respective artistic legacies, two weeks ago he was selected by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation to receive this
a smooth jazz artist on his own label. His singles are entitled “I Know,” “Kid Zero” and “Sweet Reunion.” They are receiving airtime on several platforms including the SiriusXM smooth jazz station Watercolors.
Music has always been a part of Davidson’s life. He began singing when he was four and wanted to start singing professionally at seven after seeing a 12-year-old Michael Jackson perform
See Davidson, C8
year’s Lee Krasner Award. The highly coveted honor is given as recognition for lifetime achievement in the visual arts.
“We are so pleased to recognize Jackson’s innovative experimentation in his practice, his deep commitment to community engagement, his teaching, and his leadership in the arts community with this award for a lifetime of outstanding achievement,” said Caroline Black, Executive Director of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation
Like Pollock, Jackson’s work has been featured at world-class arts institutions over the course of his career. Unlike Pollock, Oliver Lee Jackson’s name is not among those casually thrown about to suggest an understanding of
With a career that spans six decades, St. Louis born Oliver Lee Jackson was recently selected to receive the 2023 Lee Krasner Award by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation for a lifetime of achievement in the visual arts.
or an appreciation for the visual arts. However, those who know his work–and grasp its capacity to shift value systems with respect to art consumption, creation and inspiration – are often moved to put the weight of their careers, reputations and influence behind an endorsement of him and his artistry.
“If we were in Japan, Oliver Lee Jackson would be what they call a living national treasure,” Harry Cooper, senior curator and head of modern art at the National Gallery of Art, said during the 2019 opening for Oliver Lee Jackson: Recent Paintings Cooper also told Capitol File Maga-
See Jackson, C8
To
on the main stage at 2 p.m. Sat., Aug. 5, 2023 at America’s Center.
Fred Hammond in concert at Expo Gospel Explosion concert Saturday at America’s Center
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
National multi-award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and producer Fred Hammond will perform a variety of his classic chart-topping hits during the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Grill to Glory Gospel Explosion at 2 p.m. Saturday at America’s Center. The event is part of the Back to School Festival and Expo and St. Louis Christian radio and TV personality Scooda will host.
According to ULSTL’s website, “Grill to Glory provides an inviting community activity each week that encourages and draws neighborhood family participation.”
Hammond told The St. Louis American fans and supporters will receive “an anointed treat,” and can expect a lot of energy during the concert.
“I’m a regular guy and I love God,” Hammond said.
“Just come out, they’ll have an amazing time. I’m comedic. I deal with real life stuff and the music itself is gonna speak for itself. At some point in time we go all the way back. We do oldies, we do goodies, we do whatever else.
“We give God the glory. It’s going to be fun. I’m not a stick in the mud type of person. We’re gonna laugh, we’re going to have a ball, and we’re going to sing favorites everyone enjoys cause that’s what people are coming for.”
Hammond, a Detroit native, has been a staple in gospel music for over 40 years through his work with the group Commissioned, his music group Radical For Christ, and solo career success. His mega hits include “No Weapon” “We’re Blessed” “Jesus Be A Fence.” Hammond has sold over 8 million albums including “Purpose By Design” “Spirit of David” and “Pages of Life: Chapters I & II.”
“I look at it as being effective and doing what I was meant to do—my calling,” he said.
“I made a decision. I wanted to tell people about The Lord. I’m not a great speaker. I’m not a preacher, but I have a way of ministering through music and that was what I dedicated myself to. If you take care of God’s business, he’ll take care of yours.”
Hammond said he plans to retire from recording full-length albums after he releases one in the coming months.
“It won’t be a thing where it’s necessarily gonna be on streaming platforms at all. It will be me saying thank you to everybody, giving an opportunity for the real fans of Fred Hammond to say ‘Hey man thanks for the memories,’” he said.
“The industry has changed and basically taken all the value out of music.
Photo courtesy of tommydavidson.com
Photo by M. Lee Fatherree
Photo courtesy of Fred Hammond’s Facebook page
Grill
Glory Urban Expo
Explosion
Ernest and DeVerne Calloway, Activist
By Aaron Kravish, Missouri Historical Society
Digitization and Cataloging
Specialist
DeVerne Lee and Ernest Calloway were important leaders in civil rights struggles in St. Louis in the mid- to late-20th century. In honor of them and their work, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists still presents the Ernest and DeVerne Calloway Award to Black leaders continuing the Calloways’ legacy.
Long before their marriage, the Calloways had supported civil rights causes independently. In his youth, Ernest refused to register for the draft because of the military’s segregation policies. He was the first Black man to file as a conscientious objector of the “Jim Crow Army.” His case worked its way through the draft and appeal boards for years. The case was not resolved, but he never served in the segregated military.
During World War II, DeVerne worked with the United Service Organizations (USO) at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, where she was involved in educational and social programs. Later, she served in the Red Cross in China, Burma, and India. While in India, she led other Black women at the Red Cross in a boycott. Because dedication ceremonies for new soldiers were segregated, Black soldiers were forced to hold their dedication event on July 3, while white soldiers held theirs on Independence Day. DeVerne and the other women refused to organize these separate ceremonies.
In 1946 DeVerne moved to Chicago and found work as a typist at a union for the Red Caps, Black railroad workers who acted as porters for passengers and offered them navigational assistance. Ernest had been instrumental in starting this union in Chicago in 1937. DeVerne and Ernest first met after she organized his chaotic office while he was out. When he returned, he demanded to know who had messed up his office. The couple married in 1948.
Two years later they moved to St. Louis, where Ernest worked with Harold Gibbons at the Teamsters Local 688 union. Ernest and Gibbons started a community stewardship program that helped workers advocate for themselves
both in and out of the workplace. As part of the program, members could reach out to a steward about community issues such as city services. The steward then worked with relevant city departments to try to resolve the issue. This program helped union members have a more direct impact in their neighborhoods.
In 1955 Ernest became the president of the St. Louis chapter of the NAACP. DeVerne assisted with her husband’s work. Gibbons and the Calloways worked with the Teamsters and the NAACP to stop a new city charter in 1957 that would have diluted the power of Black and union communities. Together, the NAACP and the Teamsters stewards defeated the new charter.
In 1962 DeVerne became the first Black woman elected to the Missouri General Assembly. She had earned support from Black St. Louisans through her activism with the NAACP, and she also had support from Black leaders such as state senator T. D. McNeal after working on his campaign to become the first Black member of the Missouri Senate.
In Jefferson City, DeVerne was instrumental in creating a congressional district to elect a Black representative. She and other Black legislators wanted Black people in St. Louis to have a voice in Congress. William Clay Sr. became the first Black member of the House of Representatives from Missouri in 1968.
DeVerne also helped lead the charge to save Harris-Stowe College from closing in the 1970s. The St. Louis Public Schools district funded the college to train teachers for the city and beyond, but its own budget crunches endangered Harris-Stowe. DeVerne worked with her colleagues to keep the college open so that it could continue training teachers. In 1975, she got a recommendation for Harris-Stowe College to join the state university system through a committee. Over the next four years, the proposal was approved by various boards, and the college became Harris-Stowe State University. Ernest died in 1989, and DeVerne passed away in 1993. The Calloways’ legacy of activism lives on through their achievements and the inspiration they continue to provide to others.
STL Sites and Sounds
St. Louis American Calendar
Party
Aug. 4, 9 pm-1 am: Rb&B | An All Black R&B Affair, Come dressed in your best ALL BLACK fit because it’s giving sexy, slow, & sultry. You’ll be swooning all night to the sounds of Big Esco & me, DJ Nico Marie, as we spin NEW, OLD, THROWBACK, ALTERNATIVE, & CONTEMPORARY R&B.Central Stage, 3524 Washington Ave.
$10.00 - $15.00
Aug. 4, 8 pm-12 am: Trap Karaoke, TRAP Karaoke began in the fall of 2015 after Jason Mowatt, a music festival organizer, envisioned what he calls a “user-generated concert” experience, placing fans at the center of the concert experience.The Hawthorn , 2231 Washington Ave.
$38.00 - $72.00
Concerts
Aug. 9, 7:30-10:30 pm: Derrick Hodge, **City Winery St. Louis presents Derrick Hodge, Wednesday, August 9th at 7 PM.Derrick Hodge is one of our moment’s most complete and complex musicians.City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158. City Winery St.
$25.00 - $35.00
Aug. 10, 8 pm: Cory Henry - Live At The Piano Tour, Simply put Cory Henry is a Grammy Award Winning Artist, Composer, Producer, Multi-instrumentalist, all around keyboard master, and is the future of music! In 2021, Cory’s album Something to Say was City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158.
$42.00 - $48.00
Comedy
Aug. 4, 8 pm: Corey Holcomb: ‘The Book of Coreythians’ Chapter 1, Reserved Seated Show. 18 & Older Only w/ Valid ID. Please note: All tickets carry fees. Tickets purchased in person at The Pageant Box Office with cash will be discounted to face value.The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd. Reserved Seated Show.
$40.00 - $78.00
Aug. 4, 8-11 pm: Tiera O’leary, **City Winery St. Louis presents Tiera O’Leary live on Friday, August 4th at 8 PM.Tiera is a standup comedian born and raised on the west side of Chicago, Illinois.City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158. City Winery St.
$25.00 - $35.00
Aug. 4 - Aug. 6, 7:30 pm: Tommy Davidson at Helium Comedy Club, Tommy Davidson’s exceptional range in stand-up comedy, acting, and versatile music ability has earned him a reputation as an extraordinary performer. Best known as one of the original stars of the hit television show “In Living Color.”Helium & Elements Restaurant, 1151 St Louis Galleria Street.
$26.84 - $39.26
Theater
Aug. 4 - Aug. 6, 7:30-10:30 pm: The Color Purple musical presented by Hawthorne Players, Hawthorne Players presents the inspirational musical The Color Purple at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie.Florissant Performing Arts Center, 1 James J. Eagan
$22.00 - $25.00
Aug. 4 - Aug. 8, 8:15 pm: Rent, Strength. Revolution. Survival. In the 1980s, New
-
6, 7:30 pm:
York City’s East Village was a place of struggle and angst for impoverished artists living through the AIDS epidemic; however, they persevered through love and acceptance.The Muny, #1 Theatre Dr. Strength. Revolution. Survival. $19.00 - $120.00
Visual Arts
Aug. 5, 2 pm: Public Tour ‘African Modernism in America’ at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Student educators lead interactive tours of this season’s exhibition African Modernism in America.Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr. FREE
Aug. 6, 10:30 am-12 pm: Getting Your House in Order Free Luncheon &Workshop, New Awakening UMC, 8000 Natural Bridge Road. Free
Health & Wellness
Aug. 5, 10 am-3 pm: One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market, The One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market team is incredibly excited to launch our 2023 season: We are under new management, and in a new location- the historic O’Fallon Park!O’Fallon Park Boathouse-West Florissant and Harris Ave, Wilbert Long Senior Drive. Free
Aug. 5 - Aug. 8, 8 am-12:30 pm: Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, The Tower Grove Farmers’ Market is Saturdays from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (April through October) and Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. (May through September).Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive. FREE
Religion & Spirituality
Aug. 5, 2 pm: ULSTL Grill to Glory Urban Expo Gospel Explosion, National multi-award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and producer Fred Hammond will perform a variety of his classic chart-topping hits at ULSTL’s Grill to Glory Urban Expo Gospel Explosion on the main stage at 2 p.m. Saturday at America’s Center. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza. Free
Tommy Davidson at Helium Comedy Club, Aug. 4
Aug.
Missouri Historical Society Collections
Ernest DeVerne (left) and DeVerne Lee (third from left), date unknown.
Progressive National Baptist Convention coming to STL
“All roads lead to St. Louis”
The 62nd Annual Session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) will be held in St. Louis August 6-9, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency at The Arch. Its theme is “It’s Time: To Embrace Esther 4:14, Embrace, Empower, Emend, Evaluate.”
The biblical passage “reminds us of the divine call to embrace our purpose and destiny,” according to Rev. David R Peoples, PNBC national president.
“All roads lead to St. Louis,” Peoples said in a release.
“Throughout the convention, we will explore the various aspects of embracing our mission and empowering ourselves and others to create meaningful change in our communities.”
The convention’s “PreWelcome Musical” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday featuring the St. Louis Progressive Missionary Baptist Music Ministry and special guest JJ Hairston.
The convention will include the Singles Luncheon, the Couples in Ministry Luncheon, and the Social Justice Luncheon. The gatherings will provide opportunities for networking, dialogue, and celebration of the rich diversity within the faith community.
Throughout the convention, workshops, plenary sessions, and keynote addresses will address pressing issues facing communities today. Attendees will have
the chance to engage in discussions and gain insight from speakers and leaders.
“As the theme reminds us, ‘It’s Time’ to step into our destinies and make a lasting impact,” said Peoples.
“We look forward to welcoming you to St. Louis.”
According to the PNBC website, its founding meeting was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1961 and the Rev. T. M. Chambers was elected as its first president. Leadership from across the United States joined the Progressive Baptist family, and it would become the Progressive National Baptist Movement.
“Issues of freedom, civil and human rights, and progressive ideas became the cornerstone for the convention. The PNBC became a new Christian movement which included an array of social and political concerns,” says the PNBC history page on its website.
“The PNBC movement supported Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s struggle for freedom for African Americans. It was the PNBC that provided a denominational home for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many of the Baptist leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. They all became important forces in the life and work of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.”
For more information and to register for the convention, please visit the PNBC website at https://www.pnbc.org/.
Pastor Mike Jr. was Stellar
The songs “Miracles” and “Impossible” were performed by Kierra Sheard Kelly and Pastor Mike Jr., during the opening of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards – and then Pastor Mike stole the show.
Pastor Mike, Jr. earned eight awards for his work on the album “Winning,” The project was named Album of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, while Pastor Mike, Jr. also took home the prestigious Song of the Year
Presented by McDonald’s, Artist of the Year Presented by Dream In Black, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year awards.
DOE, who entered the industry with her family as a member of the group Forever Jones, won three Stellar trophies, including the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for her album “Clarity.”
Zacardi Cortez also brought home three Stellar awards, earning statuettes for Traditional Male Artist of the Year, Traditional Album of the
Year, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year for his album “Imprint.”
The collaborative effort of Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin resulted in their joint album “Kingdom Book One” winning in two categories, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year Presented by P&G and Contemporary Duo/ Chorus Group of the Year.
Tye Tribbett also brought home two awards, including Producer of The Year Presented by AFLAC and Recorded Music Packaging of The Year.
A complete list of winners is available at www.stellarawards. com.
St. Louis American staff
Photo courtesy of PNBC
The Rev. David R. Peoples, Progressive National Baptist Convention national president.
If
Interviews
Mission:
This position may be financed wholly or in part through an allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.
“All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, sex, sexual
PARK FOUNDATION IS HIRING:
FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER
Provide case management services for children in foster care. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Minimum of one year of employment in child welfare field. Interested candidates forward letter of interest and resume to: vatkins@posimpacts.com, Attention: Valerie Atkins. Employee will be employed by Positive Impacts, Inc. and contracted to Epworth Children & Family Services.
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation is seeking to fill the following open, full-time positions in Development and Operations. Assistant Director, Communications and Marketing & Operations Manager View full job descriptions and application process at www.archpark.org/ foundation/careers
LEGAL COUNSEL (CLERK’S OFFICE –21ST CIRCUIT)
The St. Louis County Circuit Clerk’s Office (21st Circuit) is seeking a professional individual to provide legal research, analysis, technical support, representation in hearings, and interpretation of law to Judges, Commissioners, Circuit Clerks, or other administrators, in one of the largest judicial circuits within the Missouri State Court System. Work involves the performance of a variety of legal services and technical research duties in facilitating the smooth operation of a large circuit court or division thereof. Work includes preparation of memoranda or orders for Judges or Commissioners concerning cases before them or review of court procedures, rules, or statutes for a Circuit Clerk or other administrator. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Judge, Commissioner, Circuit Clerk or administrator and is reviewed through conferences and written reports. Note: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume, Attention: Human Resources (Legal Counsel), Circuit Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 or apply online at: https://mocareers.mo.gov/hiretrue/mo/osca/index.html. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314-615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format
AVP - WC CLAIMS STRATEGY & OPERATIONS
The position works closely with the WC Leadership team to formulate, develop, and execute short and long-term planning to achieve Department goals. Working closely with the Vice President WC, the AVP will be responsible for structured problem solving, performance trend analysis, efficient workflow management, and project management. The position will have high visibility within the department and within the company. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/
ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER - PRAIRIE COMMONS BRANCH
915 Utz Ln, Hazelwood, MO 63042
The Prairie Commons Branch is seeking a full-time Assistant Branch Manager to assist the Branch Manager with the operation and maintenance of the branch and assumes the responsibilities of the Branch Manager in their absence in order to provide quality Library service to all Library customers.
The mission of the St. Louis County Library is to provide the resources and services to enrich individual minds, enhance lives and expand perspectives. SLCL is an award winning library system with branches throughout St. Louis County. We have transformed into a meaningful community resource with updated facilities and an array of programs and partnerships that serve over 860,000 patrons.
Salary: $65,597.00
Hours: Monday - Friday, two evenings per week
One Saturday and some Sundays may be required
Essential Responsibilities: Schedules staff and monitors attendance to ensure adequate staffing.
• Assists with overseeing branch operations, building, and grounds maintenance so the branch is clean, safe, and attractive.
Supervises and participates in public service activities including circulation and reference services to meet the needs of customers. Participates in program planning and implementation to meet the needs of existing customers and to attract new customers.
• Participates in hiring, training, evaluating, and disciplining staff to ensure the Library staff is capable of giving the highest quality service.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of the branch collection to ensure the branch meets the needs of the community it serves.
Job Qualifications:
• Master’s Degree in Library Science
• Ability to supervise, train, and motivate staff
Must possess a commitment to a high level of public service to Library customers
• Must possess good judgment, analytical, and problem solving skills Must possess excellent communication and organization skills
Ability to work effectively with other Library managers in a professional manner
Benefits:
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Holidays Paid Parental Leave
•
•
•
• Tuition Reimbursement
Physical and
St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St.
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
St. Louis Community College will receive sealed bids for the General Contracting Work for Contract No. F24 401, Transformed Projects at the Forest Park Campus for the New Transportation Center, until August 29, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. local time CST. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. Specifications, drawings and bid forms may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or at Tarlton Corporation’s Building Connected website using the link below: https://app.buildingconnected.com/ projects/64c2d85bc78c63004f984b05/files
Documents are also available in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com
A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on August 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the Forest Park Student Center, Room SC118.
The College has the proposed minority goals: MBE 15% and WBE 12%.
Individuals with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact 314-644-9039.
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The St. Louis Community College is requesting submittals of experience and qualifications from architectural/engineering firms, Consulting Agreement No. A24-024X, for technical consultants for Architectural, Engineering and Technical Consulting Services for Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), specifically Building Commissioning Authority services with the option to renew. Submittals of the Consultant’s qualifications will be received by St. Louis Community College, in the Engineering & Design Department until 2:00 P.M. Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 5464 Highland Park Drive, St Louis Mo, 63110. Specifications and bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 2731 S. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63118 (https://www.x-rhodesplanroom.com). and in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com and may be downloaded at no cost to the plan holders.
Questions regarding this project should be directed to Jere Sheehan Senior Project Manager.
The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12%. Also proposed for Contractors to participate in a registered Apprenticeship Program approved through the United States Department of Labor.
Individuals with special needs as addressed by the ADA may contact: 314-984-7673
Pre-Bid
INVITATION TO BID
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids from qualified contractors for the following project:
Phelps Health EMS/Flight Crew Base
Phelps Health is building a new facility for ambulance and helicopter crews and adding a secondary helicopter pad to the northeast side of the campus. It will be a 17,500 sf, 2-story emergency medical services building and helipad, with capabilities to house 8 ambulance bays, as well as conference/training space.
BID DATE: August 10, 2023 by 2:00 PM CST
Bid Documents will be available by 7/28/23 All contractors interested in this project must contact Brian Nisbet via email at: bnisbet@mccarthy.com
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. 12851 Manchester Road | St. Louis, MO 63131
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Replace Roof, Howerton State Office Building, Project No. O2015-02 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/31/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Sealed bids for the Mason Road Resurfacing and Multi-Use Trail project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1746, Federal Project No. STP-5574(606) will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on August 30, 2023
Plans and specifications will be available on July 31, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.
DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY
SERVER AND STORAGE SOLUTION RFP 2023
The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Server and Storage Solution RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 8/2/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor
Guarantee Electric is seeking T&M quotes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport certified MBE Electrical Contractors. Manpower will be required to assist with electrical and system repairs at Lambert. The ability to work with a collective bargaining unit is also required. Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 09, 2023.
Contact: Guarantee Electrical at 314-280-4402.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing one pre-engineered metal building, being built for a giraffe barn. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2024 SAINT LOUIS ZOO CALENDAR RFP
The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for 2024 Saint Louis Zoo Calendar RFP. Bid documents are available as of 8/2/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Dome at America’s Center is seeking bids to install LED fixtures on Concourse and Terrace levels. Interested bidders must attend a prebid and walk-thru meeting on Tuesday August 22, at 2pm at The America’s Center. Enter building at the Broadway Central entrance, located center of building off Broadway between Cole St and Convention Plaza Drive. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Paved Trail Repair, Weston Bend State Park, Weston, MO, Project No. X2117-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/22/23. Bidders must be registered to bid. This is an equal opportunity bidding event and MBE/WBE firms are encouraged to respond. Federal funds are being used in the project, and all relevant federal, state and local requirements apply. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Replace Boilers and Controls at Farmington Correctional Center, Project No. C2006-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 29, 2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Fields Creek Reclamation Project, Project No. Y2301-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/31/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED
BIDS
Bids for Replace Sewer Lines and Infrastructure, Ozark Correctional Center, Project No. C1907-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/24/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Upgrade Cave Electric, Onondaga Cave State Park, Project No. X2212-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/22/23 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for HVAC Modifications at Joseph P. Teasdale State Office Building, Raytown, Project No. O2020-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 31, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
NOTICE REGARDING FAMILY COURT COMMISSIONER VACANCY (Family / Juvenile, Division 63) TO ALL ATTORNEYS RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI
The Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, announces that it is soliciting candidates for the position of Family Court Commissioner of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.
Pursuant to section 487.080, RSMo., the Family Court has exclusive original jurisdiction to hear the following matters including but not limited to proceedings governed by Chapter 452, Chapter 453, Chapter 455, Chapter 210 and Chapter 211. Applicants must be willing to serve in a domestic relations assignment and/or a juvenile court assignment.
The Circuit and Associate Circuit Judges en banc will make the appointment for a term of (4) years at an annual salary of an associate circuit judge, payable by the State of Missouri.
Missouri law requires the Family Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as a circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state for the three years preceding their selection, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri for at least one year, at least thirty years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See Chapter 487 R S Mo.)
Questionnaires and Candidate Instructions may be obtained by sending a resume and cover letter to St. Louis County Family Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov. Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Family Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov on or before August 31, 2023. The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the Court en banc on or about September 13, 2023. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would
St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
# 57823213,
REDESIGNING, DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING THE WEBSITE
Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Redesigning, Developing and Deploying the website on the CMS platform.
If interested, a copy of the request can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@hssu.edu
Proposals must be emailed no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu
The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
PARIC Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: BADEN SCHOOL APARTMENTS located at 8724 Halls Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO
The project consists of the renovation of the historic building into 50 Apartments. We are currently soliciting bids for the following scopes: DEMOLITION, CONCRETE, CEMENTITIOUS FILL, MASONRY RESTORATION, STONE, STRUCTURAL STEEL, WATERPROOFING, ROOFING, SHINGLES, FIRESTOPPING, SHEET METAL FLASHING AND TRIM, LATH AND PLASTER, INTERIOR FINISHES, EARTHWORK, PAVING, FENCES AND GATES, PLANTS / LANDSCAPING, SITE UTILITIES. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not received a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexander@paric.com.
A PREBID meeting will be held on 8/8/23 at 1:00pm at the project site
Questions / RFI’s are due to Paric by August 25th, 2023
BIDS WILL BE DUE ON September 6th, 2023 @ 11:00am
Send all questions to Andrew Kalicak (AKalicak@paric.com) or Michael Skalski (MSkalski@paric.com)
Job will have prevailing wage requirements
Goals for Construction Business Enterprise
• 21% African American
• 11% Women
• .5% Asian American
• .5 2% Hispanic American
Goals for Workforce (field) participation
• 25% Minority
• 7% Women
• 20% Apprentice
• 23% City of St Louis Resident
All bids should be delivered to PARIC via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).
PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership requests proposals from qualified firms to develop a comprehensive real estate development plan for the City of Kinloch. The plan would identify areas for redevelopment and support other quality-of-life improvements, including removing building foundations and creating development-ready sites, industrial business, and job opportunities. A copy of the complete RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3PM CST on August 25, 2023.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND CONTINUUM OF CARE HOUSING URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONTINUUM OF CARE FY23 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPORTUNITY
The St. Louis County Continuum of Care is seeking proposals for the Housing Urban Development Continuum of Care FY23 Grant. The total funding available is approximately $5,857,198.00 Proposals are due August 29, 2023 by 11:00 a.m. and are to be submitted to Christeena Curtner @ ccurtner@misi.org A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom. us/j/82309876309 Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Continuum of Care web site @ https://www.stlcountycoc.com/
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership requests proposals from qualified and experienced firms to perform a feasibility study to assess and evaluate the current space needs within the West County Business Incubator, located at 743 Spirit 40 Park Drive, Chesterfield, Missouri 63005, with the goal of ensuring optimal service. A copy of the complete RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3PM CST on August 11, 2023.
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Replace HVAC System at Scott Joplin House State Historic Site - Rosebud Cafe, Project No. X2201-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 31, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety will hold a public hearing regarding the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant application on: MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023 AT 10:00 A.M. IN ROOM 401, CITY HALL The purpose of the Justice Assistance Grant is to assist the city in reducing crime and improving public safety through proven prevention efforts. Copies of the application are available for viewing at the address above.
zine that the 2019 exhibi-
tion was for, “anyone who wants to ‘discover’ an artist who has been working at the top of his discipline for some fifty years.”
When he delivered the University of Iowa School of Art and History Spriesterbach Lecture earlier this year, Jackson revealed that his passion for “making” can be traced back to his youth in St. Louis.
“I have always been uncomfortable with the word artist because I didn’t know what it demanded of
me,” Jackson said. “It is a term that is used by others when you achieve something that they recognize. But what I do know is that I was always called to make things since I was a child. I didn’t know about creativity, I just liked to make things.”
The calling he referred to was an internal one.
“I had strong feelings to do it, but I didn’t understand the range and possibilities until I saw those makers who had accomplished very unique, interesting and beautiful things,” Jackson said. “Then I thought, ‘I’ve got to get to work.’
Nearly eighty years after initially being compelled
follow their music and the costs that go into producing it. Hammond said people who work behind the scenes aren’t being fairly compensated either.
They’ve taken the value out of it. They found a way to allow artists to work very hard and to put their work out there but to not reward them.”
He added that streaming dampens how artists can
with The Jackson Five.
His mother wanted him to live life “as a regular kid” and he’s now ready to introduce himself to the world as a musician.
“The way the music industry is right now, I was careful of how I entered into it,” he said.
“I wanted to be able to express myself musically with a group of people that appreciate and understand
“They have sucked the life out of the music,” he said.
“I’ll still make some singles here and there if The Lord sees fit, but I’ve kind of moved into a new genre. This will be my last
it. I wanted to get into the music industry because now I’m at a point in my life where I can express myself even better.”
His role as the overbearing Oscar Proud, father of Penny and twins BeBe and CeCe, husband to Trudy, and witty salesman and creator of Proud Snacks, was reprised 20 years after its Disney Channel debut in 2001.
“I’m loving it. It’s even better,” he said.
“When was the last time that you had a job 25 years ago and then they called you to come back and do
to create, Jackson is still working.
‘Making’ to serve
His work has evolved over the decades. It took his deconstructing and disassociating from the baggage that comes with the label of artist to fully grasp the nature, intention and motivation behind his work.
“I was a good copier, but I didn’t understand how to originate anything,” Jackson said. “I had a capacity of some kind – and an attraction to the making process, but the depth of it, I didn’t understand.”
For him, the acknowledgement and acceptance
full album and I wanna be able to enjoy it.”
Hammond also recently announced his retirement from Commissioned.
“God gave me the vision for what that group was supposed to be, but other visions sprang up,” he said.
“God is speaking to one person, but everybody believes he’s speaking to them. The group is being torn into many different
it again?’ I got really lucky with that.”
Davidson’s earliest success was as a cast member of “In Living Color,” created by Kenan Ivory Wayans. The show was a launch pad for Davidson, Wayans and his family, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Jim Carrey, and several other entertainers.
His memories of being on the set of “In Living Color” are positive.
“Everybody there was at their best and we were having fun with it,” he said. “What made this the best was that we all loved
of his role as a servant is what truly tapped him into his creative source.
“You don’t get a lot of accolades for that. You get accolades for being an artist,” Jackson said. “Artists don’t serve. They are geniuses and all of that. But I am telling you this –and I mean it – the making process made me understand what my relationship truly was. You’ve got to have a me to make it, but I’m telling you it’s not about me.”
Through his making, he serves as a communicator.
“I am not trying to communicate me – it is about the feeling that arises in me,” Jackson said. “When you are sad and you can’t
directions, and it’s ineffective. It’s not doing anything. I’ll go back to what I’m doing where it’s one vision. We move in that direction, and we’re effective.”
He’s reducing his production of musical recordings; however, Hammond has been getting his feet wet with directing plays and films. This year his new stage play “Hood-
each other. We all loved the heck out of each other.”
He released his memoir “Living In Color: What’s Funny About Me?” in 2020 detailing his life, including being abandoned as an infant in a trash can. He was adopted by a white family, which began a new journey. He decided to write the book because his sister questioned why he never talked about their mother publicly.
“I was ashamed of her,” he said. “As long as she wasn’t around I ain’t have to deal with her on either side [in the Black commu-
bear it, you want to communicate that. You are not telling people something that they haven’t experienced, but you can’t hold it and you want to share it. That’s what’s going on –and you want it to be true.”
When people connect to the commonality of the truth within the work is when the magic happens.
“There is not anybody between you and the experience,” Jackson said. “No explanations, no art history – but simply something that from a made thing can give you an experience that can last all of your life and change you in ways that you can’t calculate. It does and you don’t know how it does it. It’s wonderful
book” will tour on a test run. Dates and venues haven’t been announced, yet.
“It’s a story of a young kid who doesn’t believe God loves him because he’s aging out of the foster care system and his mother and father died when he was four in a car accident,” he said. “He doesn’t know where he’s gonna go. An older lady related to him finds him and lets him
nity or white community].
I wanted to tell people about how that was, how much I loved my mom, and how much my family changed me into the man that I am today.”
His advice to up-andcoming comics is to practice their comedy live on stage in clubs and the places they typically perform at and don’t perform from their phone.
“Don’t try to do it from your phone cause once you get to the place where people are you might not be that good because you’ve been doing it on the
that this object somebody made 500 years ago can still make you feel full and grasp something of sadness or joy. Think about that. It’s wonderful and it is a mystery too.” That magic and mystery continue to compel Jackson.
“It was a call and I answered it the best I can – and I am so glad I did,” Jackson said. “It has nothing to do with making a masterpiece or being successful. If other people liked it, that’s good. But I would still be doing it whether I was paid for it or not. It was demanded of me, and I yielded it to it –and let the chips fall where they may.”
stay with her. While there, he finds an old book with nothing written on the page. When he puts on his Oculus game piece he’s then brought to the Garden of Eden where he finds several animals and realizes everything in the garden is similar to him.” Hammond calls it a cross between “The Lion King” “Hamilton” and “The Wiz”.
phone,” he said. “You may not be used to it or didn’t get as good as you needed to because you wasn’t there.”
Davidson has two shows at Helium on Aug. 4, one at 7:30 p.m. and the other at 10 p.m.; two shows on Aug. 5, one at 7:30 p.m. and the other at 10 p.m. and a final show on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Helium is located at 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, Saint Louis, MO 63117.
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