August 5th, 2021 edition by The St. Louis American

St. LouiS AmericAn

“My grandfather taught me what foundation is and what family means.”

—Jarrett Woolfolk, Dr.

Givens’

grandson

The motorcade of Dr. Henry Givens Jr., the late, longtime president of HarrisStowe State University, leaves through the main gates of the campus that carries his name following his funeral service on Saturday, July 31.

Community mourns Dr. Henry Givens

Service held in auditorium named for the late icon, change agent, visionary

By Dana Rieck

The St. Louis American

A memorial service was held Saturday morning at the Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building Main Auditorium on the very campus that this St. Louis icon helped transform.

The auditorium was an appropriate venue to hold the service for Givens, who served the university as its president for 32 years. He passed July 20 at the age of 90.

Rev. Anthony L. Riley, a senior pastor at Central Baptist Church, presided over the almost three-hour service. It was attended by a small group of people, but was streamed live on the Harris-Stowe University Facebook page. His grandson, Jarrett Woolfolk, stood with his young daughter and Givens’ niece, Catherine Givens, to offer their personal trib-

utes during the service. Woolfolk said he knew Givens as “poppy” and grew up with a living legend in his life.

“My grandfather taught me what foundation is and what family means,” Woolfolk said. “As much as he loved the community and everybody, he loved his family 10 times more. It’s an honor for you all to show up for

21st Salute to Excellence in Health Care celebrated

By JoAnn Weaver The

Dr. Denise Hooks-Anderson, medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American, introduced the program host, KMOX News Anchor Carol Daniel. Daniel welcomed online viewers and spoke about health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

“Our doctors, nurses, transporters, technicians, EMTs, pharmacists, and others who support patient care, have risen to the challenge of caring for our most vulnerable populations across the metro region and in communities where racial disparities in health care have never been more glaring; they deserve our deepest respect and gratitude for their dedicated service,” Daniel said.

Dr. R. Jerome Williams, Jr. received the Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Award for his work over the span of four decades making sure St. Louis and St. Louis County residents have access to quality health care. He also paved the way for others to become medical professionals. Williams retired from private practice in July after successfully carrying on the family legacy as physicians started by his grandfather and continued by his father.

“It was very, very rewarding when I had family members of patients then also become patients,” Williams said.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., speaks to crowds that attended a sitin at Capitol Hill after it was announced that the Biden administration will enact a targeted nationwide eviction moratorium on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Studies

Eviction moratorium extended

show women, people of color face greatest threat

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs and Sophie Hurwitz The St. Louis American

Nearly 100 St. Louis County residents facing imminent eviction likely got a reprieve late Tuesday when the Biden administration extended a moratorium until early October. The move followed days of protests locally and in the nation’s capital as housing advocates braced for a wave of evictions. The previous national moratorium, described earlier as the final one, was allowed to

expire over the weekend, leading to days of anxiety. Calling it a “precipice moment,” one attorney said he wants to see sheriff’s authorities “slow down” and let rental assistance funds already allocated by the federal government find their way into local hands.

“All weekend my phone was ringing,” said Lee Camp, a senior staff attorney with ArchCity Defenders.

“We all knew that this moratorium was... very likely coming to an end at the end of July,” he said. “And for some reason, maybe I was naive, maybe I was holding out some optimism, but I didn’t necessarily expect when Monday [August] second got here that it would feel this overwhelming, but there is a very, you know, just heavy feeling of concern around

Nottage’s drama Sweat opens

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

See GIVENS, A7

Dr. R. Jerome Williams, Jr.

Photo courtesy of AP

Tamron Hall show relocates from Big Apple to Windy City

Emmy-winning journalist Tamron Hall’s daytime talk show Tamron Hall is moving to ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago and will air at 1 p.m. weekdays. Season three, which premieres Sept. 6, is impacted by the move.

“My love for Chicago is deep and real. It’s a second home for me and, as we know, there is no place like Sweet Home Chicago,” Hall said.

“Moving to the iconic ABC 7 is like winning life’s lottery. I look forward to joining forces with everyone there. I want to thank everyone at WCIUNew York as their support over the past two years has been immeasurable in our success.”

Eddie Murphy, Regina King and Patti LaBelle are a few of the stars who’ve graced the stage of Hall’s show.

executive producers. As with the New York broadcast, the show will continue to include a mix of live and taped shows.

George Clinton unretires, teases possible ‘Verzuz’, becomes painter

Walt Disney Television produces the show and it is distributed in national syndication by Disney Media & Entertainment

Distribution. Hall and Candi Carter are

In the case of George Clinton you can retire and unretire not long after that. In 2019, Clinton went on what was supposed to be a farewell tour with Parliament-Funkadelic, but in a recent interview with Rolling Stone he says he changed his mind Clinton, who turned 80 on July 22, said he’s going to pull back from retirement because his health is in excellent shape and he feels great. He even said he would be content with dying on stage.

“I feel good as hell right now,” he said. “So if I go out on stage, yeah, cool. ‘You went out funking.’”

Clinton also revealed a Verzuz episode is in progress that will feature him, his current touring group of P-Funk and hip-hop artists who’ve sampled his music over the years. (A Verzuz spokesperson wasn’t available to comment.)

Fans can look forward to two P-Funk albums from Clinton, Reaching for Litness, a trap-influenced studio album and a live ver-

sion of it.

Being colorblind also has not stopped Clinton from taking on painting.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” he said. “And everyone seems to like it. It reminded me of when we actually started going into funk music as opposed to doo-wop, we was adlibbing and jamming and grooving, and it became our thing Funk became our calling.”

Whoopi Goldberg cast in role in movie about Emett Till’s family

Whoopi Goldberg will star in an upcoming film about Till-Mobley’s fight for jus tice in the murder of her son, Emmett Till Variety reported Goldberg will be joined by The Haves and the Have Nots Danielle Deadwyler Deadwyler’s character is Till-Mobley, while Goldberg’s portrayal is Till’s grandmother, Alma Carthan “I am charged with humility and great will to embody her life at such an inte

gral moment of personal tragedy and political rebellion, a boon to the civil rights movement, and to represent the joy in the love and life shared between Mamie Till and her beloved Emmett Till,” Deadwyler said.

The film trails Mobley-Till’s story following the heinous 1955 murder of her son, who traveled from Chicago to Mississippi to visit family for the summer. Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam kidnapped Till from his family’s house and committed a gruesome crime by beating him, mutilating him, shooting him in the head and dumping his body in the Tallahatchie River. This transpired after Bryant’s 21-year-old wife Carolyn Bryant claimed Till flirted with her in a local grocery store.

The movie examines Mobley-Till’s choice to permit Jet magazine to share David Jackson’s photos from the funeral, where she refused to have a closed casket service.

The graphic images influenced the Civil Rights Movement.

“We have waited a very long time to bring this historically necessary important film to people,” Goldberg said. “And as we watch the repression of American history when it comes to people of color it makes it even that more important.”

Sources: TheJasmineBrand.com, Vibe.com, RollingStone. com, Complex.com, Deadline.com

Whoopi Goldbreg

Tamron Hall

George Clinton

By Dana Rieck

The St. Louis American

Six weeks after St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones fulfilled her campaign promise to close the Workhouse, dozens of inmates have been transferred to the facility following two uprisings at the City Justice Center.

Interim Public Safety Director Dan Isom confirmed Sunday, August 1 that 18 women and 120 men would ultimately be moved to a portion of the Workhouse, which is referred to as the CJC auxiliary annex. As of last Sunday, about 70 had been transferred.

Detainees who were transferred volunteered, Isom said, and those who wished to remain at CJC were allowed to do so. He confirmed the detainees causing problems were taken to the most secure parts of CJC.

Isom said the annexed portion of the Workhouse facility was part of a contingency plan after its closure while officials updated the CJC and replaced broken cell locks — a process that could take over one year to complete.

“We believe this is the best option going forward for a facility that has been neglected for more than 20 years,” said Isom, standing in front of the CJC alongside Heather Taylor, his senior advisor, and Jeff Carson, acting corrections com-

Recent uprisings lead to inmate transfers to Workhouse

missioner.

“In this case, it’s the best of two bad situations that have been allowed to fester for many years,” he later noted.

Isom did not know how long those detainees would remain housed in the annex.

The transfer was spurred by two separate uprisings that occurred last week. The first one began around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 27. During that incident, detainees took control of the pod and corrections officers eventually had to abandon their posts.

They moved furniture and decimated the control station in the middle of the pod. Corrections officers appeared to have control of the situation by 5 p.m.

At about 7:30 p.m. Friday, Isom said 25 detainees caused a disturbance during meal and recreation time. No one was injured, however there was some property damage to the jail.

Detainees responsible for each uprising will go through an internal disciplinary process. Isom noted that not all detainees present were involved. In both instances, officers regained control using pepper spray. The St. Louis American recently reported that in March former Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass approved a $17,379 order for the chemical, or as much pepper spray as they

almost useless, Isom said that while the door will lock the detainee is able to flip the lock from the inside. He said while the Jones’ administration is looking for a permanent solution, jailers are working on temporary stop gaps which include routine inspection of each lock.

“[But] it has become clear that management of the debris that is placed into the locks, which in effect defeats the lock, is not an option,” Isom said.

Isom said the Jones’ administration is zeroing in on a permanent corrections commissioner, a decision that should be made within the month.

Glass retired at the end of May, after four major uprisings on the third and fourth floors of the CJC.

Two protests occurred just before and on New

had purchased in the previous six years combined. Jones’s administration could not confidently explain the unusually large purchase.

When pressed about officer safety, Isom confirmed that there were three officers on duty

watching about 60 detainees during the second uprising — a number he said was well above the industry standard of one correction officer for every 40 detainees.

“There are serious systemic problems, not only at CJC but at

MSI annex and the workhouse,” Isom said. “These things have been allowed to deteriorate for over 20 years.” Isom said detainees can jimmy the locks by using items such as toilet paper or toothpaste, which renders the lock

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Backward Missouri’s deadly health policies

“The court notes that although some will take this court’s ruling as a victory there is no victory while the COVID-19 virus remains a significant threat to public health and there is no question it remains a significant threat to public health.”

-St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo

Not satisfied with presiding over the disparate priorities of the state of Missouri, which finds itself being compared to some of the nation’s most backward states, the Republican party’s appointed Attorney General, Eric Schmitt, sought a restraining order prohibiting St. Louis County from enforcing a mask mandate. The court granted a temporary restraining order that will last at least until Aug. 17. St. Louis County Council Court Judge Ellen Ribaudo ruled that, “it’s likely that Schmitt will prevail because of the state law that gives the St. Louis County Council the authority to terminate the July 26, 2021 face covering order issued by the county defendants.” She wrote further that, “the court’s ruling in no way speaks to or determines the wisdom of the St. Louis Council vote to determine the face covering order.”

Schmitt, who is running a desperate candidacy for the U.S. Senate, was elated, writing, “This is an important, hard-fought victory.” He hopes to replicate this outcome in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the mask mandate across the state in Kansas City. His position is understandable, even expected from a senatorial candidate anxious to gain acceptance from the Trump-fixated Republican base in Missouri. No matter that this modest preventative health mandate is in accord with the CDC’s latest recommendation that wearing a mask is helpful in slowing the spread of this deadly, highly contagious virus that is surging in Missouri. The state Department of Health and Senior Services announced on Tuesday that COVID-19 hospitalizations were over 2,000 for the first time since January, and the seven-day average of reported cases was up 9% from a week ago and 211% from a month ago.

It is widely acknowledged that the spread of COVID-19 is largely clustered in communities in North St. Louis city and county. So where are Black elected officials in the fight against this scourge? The two Black members on the St. Louis County Council provided the decisive votes that allowed this victory for the Republican minority on the council. That means that these two women just joined the three Republicans led by the dubious councilman and former St. Louis County Police Chief, Tim Fitch, to overturn an initiative to help ameliorate the spread and destruction wreaked by a virus that disproportionately impacts Black people.

Fitch says he supports the restraining order,

arguing that his opposition is based solely on his concern that County Executive Dr. Sam Page has worked around the council. He snidely says he is ready to sit down with the county executive and health department to collaborate on health policy. These are the disingenuous words of a person who is expected to run for county executive and is a persistent, outspoken critic of Page.

Fitch, who says that although he has already taken the vaccine himself, is an opponent of mandates, as is his Republican colleague Ernie Trakas, citing the dubious Republican argument that they support individuals’ freedom to make their own health decisions.

Meanwhile, The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force stated firmly on Tuesday that whatever the status of the mask mandate, the task force favors masks and social distancing, especially indoors, to protect the vulnerable and underage children who are not yet eligible for vaccines. The Task Force said that, “due to the more contagious nature of the delta variant, without an increase in vaccination rates and mask wearing, the virus will keep winning and...we will see more deaths in our area.”

So far, we have not heard much from the Black women on the council about their position on this critical, life and death issue that is a plague on the Black community. We need to hear from them, and most certainly from Rita Heard Days, who is council chair and the person who presided over the raucous council meeting on Tuesday that saw an honorable public health professional of color, Dr. Faisal Khan, being mistreated by the unruly anti-mask mandate zealots.

The crowd included Mark McCloskey, who along with his wife waved guns at peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors marching through their Central West End neighborhood last year. He was pardoned earlier this week by Republican Governor Mike Parson. He seemed to agree with what Days told The American—she said she believes that the meeting went well, and that she maintained control of the highly-partisan, mainly white crowd. McCloskey seemed to agree with Days’ assessment.

Clearly the Black community deserves more forthright and principled leadership in any efforts to better contain this COVID scourge, not more self-serving political posturing that includes consorting with the Republicans that control this state and yearn to seize power in the Democratic stronghold, St. Louis County, a county whose most reliable Democratic constituency is the Black community.

Under Republican dominance in this state, we see Missouri in the lower half of prosperity measurements compared with the country’s other states and Republicans seem unwilling to shake the backwardness of the state’s regressive Southern roots and its dire consequences.

Commentary

Whitewashing history, voter suppression go hand in hand

There’s been a lot of news about the Democratic legislators in Texas who fled the state to prevent Republicans from pushing through sweeping new voter suppression laws. Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to have them arrested to force them to attend a special session of the state legislature. Now it turns out that voter suppression is not the only “special” project Abbott has in mind. He and his fellow Republicans are pushing a farreaching “memory law” that would limit teaching about racism and civil rights. Abbott already signed a bill last month restricting how racism can be taught in Texas schools. But he and other Republicans in the state don’t think it went far enough. The Republican-dominated stateSenate has voted to strip a requirement that white supremacy be taught as morally wrong. Also on the chopping block: requirements that students learn about civil rights activists Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

It’s not just Texas. Just as Republicans are pushing a wave of voter registration laws around the country, they are also pushing laws to restrict teaching about racism in our history, culture, and institutions.

CNN’s Julian Zelizer recently noted that such laws downplay injustices in our history and lead to teaching “propaganda rather than history.”

Here’s a good example:

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the new legislation is meant to keep students from being “indoctrinated” by the “ridiculous leftist narrative that America and our Constitution are rooted in racism.” If Patrick really believes it is a “ridiculous” idea that racism was embedded in our Constitution from the start, he has already put on his own ideological blinders. And he wants to force them onto teachers and students.

Some of these state memory laws specifically ban teaching that causes “discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex.” As educators have noted, that’s a recipe for erasing and whitewashing history.

“Teachers in high schools cannot exclude the possibility that the history of slavery, lynchings and voter suppression will make some non-Black students uncomfortable,” history professor Timothy Snyder wrote in the New York Times Magazine. Those laws give power to white students and parents to censor honest teaching of history. “It is not exactly unusual for white people in America to express the view

This too shall pass Commentary

There was a time last year that I believed it was possible that America was on the cusp of positive change, even during a surging pandemic and while Donald Trump was still President of the United States.

After the Democratic National Convention, I wrote about what the selection of Kamala Harris as VP could mean for America.

“[T]his new America struggling to be born is the context for Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for VPOTUS. Kamala Harris’ resume’ makes her the best VP choice; it’s her biography that makes her the right VP choice. It’s that biography that makes Harris more than a representative of that emerging America, she is that emerging America.”

But I wrote that about Harris before 75 million people voted to re-elect Trump and the complete collapse of the presidential transition process. It’s clear that something is fundamentally broken in America that’s beyond the ability of the existing American leadership class to address. The American elites that founded a country, doubled its size in a generation, won a civil war to preserve it and managed through the Great Depression and WWII to maintain it, are no longer relevant.

We’re arguably witnessing the beginning of the collapse of American society.

Last November, in the chaotic aftermath of the presidential election and COVID-19 deaths exceeded 250,000, I wrote “Is America a Failing State?”

“If America feels broke to you, that’s because it is broke. It would not be unreasonable for a rational objective observer to conclude that America is a what political science calls a failing state, if not a failed state. The first responsibility of any society or its government is the health and safety of the citizens or members of that society. The inability or unwillingness to fulfill this responsibility represents

an existential failure.” I’m not a devotee of American presidents or the American ruling elites, but American culture has produced men of exceptional ability who have had multi-generational impact on American history.

The four that come to mind are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. All but Lincoln were scions of the American ruling class, and all, including Lincoln, were products of America’s high culture.

Which raises the question: how does a culture that produces these men, produce Donald Trump? It doesn’t!

Trump is a product of a different America, an America without a high culture.

Sociologists define high culture as the exemplary art, the intellectual works of philosophy, history and literature that a society considers representative of who they are, think of it as the aspirational norms that a society uses to define itself, to itself and the world. It’s the responsibility of the privileged elites, the ruling class, to maintain and uphold these cultural norms.

There is a word that describes American culture today and explains Donald Trump. It’s philistinism.

Philistinism is a derogatory term of the 18th and 19th centuries with its origin in Germany. It refers to a person or people whose attitudes, habits and character are predisposed to undervalue or depreciate notions of art and beauty, spirituality and intelligence. Philistinism and philistines are hostile to aesthetics, culture and the life of the mind.

The 19th century German polymath Johann von Goethe describes the Philistine this

Letters to the editor

Rita Days turns her back on own community

that they are being treated unfairly; now such an opinion could bring history classes to a halt.”

Snyder also explained how new state “memory laws” are connected to voter suppression.

“In most cases, the new American memory laws have been passed by state legislatures that, in the same session, have passed laws designed to make voting more difficult,” he wrote. “The memory management enables the voter suppression.”

“The history of denying Black people the vote is shameful,” he explained. “This means that it is less likely to be taught where teachers are mandated to protect young people from feeling shame. The history of denying Black people the vote involves law and society. This means that it is less likely to be taught where teachers are mandated to tell students that racism is only personal prejudice.”

As I wrote in The Nation, far-right attempts to suppress honest teaching about racism is meant to “convince a segment of white voters that they should fear and fight our emerging multiracial and multiethnic democratic society” and to “help far-right politicians take and hold power, no matter the cost to our democracy.”

That’s also what voter suppression bills are designed to do. We cannot tolerate either of these assaults on democracy.

Ben Jealous, former president and CEO of the NAACP, is president of People For the American Way.

Regarding Councilwoman Rita Heard Days recent vote on rescinding the county mask mandate. This sends the wrong message to her constituents who comprise a vast majority of unvaccinated St. Louis County residents. We all know that wearing masks and keeping socially distant helps to keep down the spread of COVID and the new Delta variant strain. Hospitalization and deaths are soaring again. That is the message that needs to be reinforced by any means necessary to avoid such a disastrous loss of life and overrun our hospital system.

Thankfully, many are wearing masks and socially distancing in the stores and other public places, but the lack of a mandate gives those who refuse to wear a mask, that much more latitude to endanger the rest of us. They don’t have the freedom or the liberty to infect our family and friends because they are too politically charged or choose to ignore proven scientific data.

way, “. . . the Philistine not only ignores all conditions of life which are not his own, but also demands that the rest of mankind should fashion its mode of existence after his.”

I cannot think of a more applicable description of Trump and white MAGA America. In his 2005 book, “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive,” Jared Diamond defined societal collapse as, “a drastic decrease in human population size and/or political/economic/social complexity (my emphasis), over a considerable area, for an extended time.”

Throughout human history, civilizations, societies and empires have come and gone. Let’s take a quick look at America’s favorite empire, Rome, to see how quickly the bottom can fall out for great powers. From the time Augustus became Rome’s first official emperor in 27 BC to the Visigoths torching the place in 410 AD was a mere 383 years. And leadership fails even faster. Only 119 years separated Julius Caesar from Nero.

I would argue that whatever the ultimate environmental cause of their demise, be it severe climate or population changes, political dysfunction, economic stagnation or military defeats, a major common mitigating factor was cultural collapse. It’s the inability of a society to mobilize itself to address existential environmental threats that ensure its demise.

At this moment, America is at the precipice, staring into the abyss of history, abandoned by weak, ineffectual and selfabsorbed elites that have abandoned the country to the mob. But if this is the end, be mindful of Mark Anthony’s eulogy of Julius Caesar. “The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft entered with their bones.”

Whether this end will be brutally quick or agonizingly long, understand that MAGA America will not go quietly into that good night.

for

We wish more were vaccinated and, yes, the outreach in the Black community was way too slow for too long. Sites to get the vaccine are plentiful now, however, and we are still begging folks to get vaccinated.

That’s where Councilwoman Days could be a major force with helping to reach out to her community by educating them and getting the correct message out to them. Instead, she has chosen to make this about an on-going feud with the County Executive and repeatedly voting with her Republican colleagues who don’t have her best interest at heart. She has chosen to turn her back on her community and those who supported, campaigned and voted for her.

We can’t allow our elected officials to politicize and use deflection tactics while people are dying. The real Bogey man or woman in the room was the Council Chairwoman and the puppet master Councilman Tim Fitch.

Columnist Ben Jealous

Columnist Mike Jones

Four for Texas

the AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, which runs through August 7. From left are Harlen Futrell Jr., Christopher Favell Jr., Izaiah Taylor and Kenny McAlister. Brian Hayes of the Pitt Development Group and Bob Clark of Clayco Inc., joined to sponsor the trip to Texas.

also provided support for

People’s Community Resource Fair set for August 7

The People’s Family of Corporations will host its annual Community Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 7 on the People’s Health Center parking lot at 5701 Delmar.

People are invited to learn more about services provided through People’s Community Action Corporation (energy assistance), Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers (screenings including blood pressure, dental exams, mammograms and COVID-19 vaccinations) and the Amanda Luckett Murphy Hopewell Center (mental health screenings).

Children will receive a school supply kit, internet flash drives, free haircuts and other items on a first-come, firstserved basis.

The local band Dirty Muggs will provide entertainment.

The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers [PHC] have served the health needs of underserved communities for more than 40 years and established several community support corporations. Its clients are residents of St. Louis and Wellston who are at 125% of the poverty level or below with direct and referral programs.

The PHC support corporations include a 60-unit senior affordable housing residence, along with 18 multifamily apartments for families with disabilities; a Connective Services corporation that houses a Social Security Administration office adjacent to the Delmar site and the Murphy Hopewell Behavioral Health Center.

The People’s Community Action Corporation was recently added to the People’s Family of Corporations

For additional information call Carl Green at (314) 7491509.

I swear America will be America to me

By Dr. Kaye Whitehead

“America,” Langston Hughes once wrote, “never was America to me. And yet I swear this oath—America will be!” What will it take, I often wonder, for America, the land of the oppressed, home of racist cowards, to be America to me? What will it take for America, a place where billionaires are playing in outer space while the rest of us are drowning in debt; where people are arguing about vaccines and masks even after almost 700,000 Americans died of COVID, to be a place where I can roam and be free? What will it take for me to love this country enough to believe that it can be better?

I think about this often as I come from a long line of people who loved this country. They fought for it, died for it and believed in it. Our blood is mixed deep within the soil of South Carolina. I come from enslaved people on both sides of my family. On my daddy’s side, my ancestors lived on a plantation owned by two brothers, Jim and Dave Draft. I remember hearing these stories when I was younger and realizing early on that our history was entangled with their history. Even before I understood it or could articulate it, I knew that Black history was American history and that American history, when it was taught, only included White history. I knew what it felt like to be erased, which made it hard for me to love this country and call it my own. My grandfather, my daddy’s daddy, loved this country. Even though he grew up in Jim Crow South Carolina and he was called the N-word more times than he could ever admit, he loved the promise of America. It is that America, the one that we talk about, sing about, and pledge our allegiance to, that called to him. It was the dream of that America that kept him moving forward. He would always tell me that we were the heart and soul of this country. “We are survivors,” he would say, “and because slavery couldn’t break us, Jim Crow didn’t, and white folks won’t.”

He used to walk around reciting the Preamble, stopping after every line to add his commentary, and he would tell me that within those 52 words lay the promise of America: We the people (“Boot,” he would say, “it’s not Them the People but We and that includes all of us”) of the United States (“We fought and died for this wretched country to become united, and it is in that bloody union, that we find ourselves.”) in order to form a more perfect Union (“A perfect Union can only exist when everyone comes to the table, when we all can contribute our time, our talent, and our treasure to this country to establish justice (“We want to do more than survive America, we want to thrive in this here nation as well.”) insure domestic tranquility (“Words that if actualized could have saved Emmett Till and Dr. King.”) provide for the common defense (“We hire the police so that they will protect us, not kill us.”) promote the general welfare (“We do this not for ourselves but for you and for the children you may have someday.”) and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, (“We fight for freedom and equality. We fight to be left alone and to be free. We fight so that our shoulders are strong enough for the next generation to stand on.”) do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (“This is why I love this country because no matter what they do or what they try to tell us, this is our land. We built this country, and nobody can take that from us.”)

As Langston Hughes extolled, “The land that never has been yet— And yet must be—the land where every man is free.”

Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead is an associate professor of African and African American studies at Loyola University Maryland.

St. Louis American staff

Four Ferguson boys are competing at

Former Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee has

the effort. Selfnamed “The 12 O’clock Boys” the young athletes had a photo session with JJK before heading to the Junior Olympics, which includes international participants. They qualified in the 4X100, 4X400, javelin and shotput events.

Photo courtesy of Pitt Development Group

Dr. Kaye Whitehead

“I would look forward to waking up, initiating those relationships and continuing those relationships. Meeting family members motivated me to continue waking up and going back to the practice.”

Williams noticed how women were not getting mammograms, so he and his practice partnered with Siteman to bring mammograms to his patients through a van that comes three times a year.

Kendra Holmes, Pharm. D., was recipient of the Stellar Performer in Health Care Award. She serves as vice president and chief operating officer at Affinia Healthcare, which established five COVID testing sites in St. Louis and St. Louis County to test more than 29,000 residents. Holmes has now turned to administering the COVID vaccine and addressing vaccine hesitancy in the community.

“There was limited testing available at the beginning of the pandemic, so Affinia Healthcare stepped up to provide those services and I served as the lead for the testing efforts,” Holmes said.

Dr. Daniel Mamah received the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award.

“In the past, I have been involved in mental health advocacy which for me has been

Givens

Continued from A1 my grandfather and love him the way that you all do.”

Before Woolfolk’s comments, numerous speakers took to the podium to offer their condolences to his family, particularly Givens’ wife Belma Givens, and reflect on his life of dedication to service, mentorship and leadership.

“Givens is truly a historic figure, not just because he was a master educator who broke down racial barriers within his profession, but because he also saved historically Black colleges —Harris-Stowe and Lincoln University — simultaneously,” said former U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. during the service via Zoom. Clay went on to note that he believes thousands of African Americans would not have attended college without Givens.

“Dr. Henry Givens made an

very rewarding,” Mamah said.

“I have sat on the boards of American Psychiatric Association and Mental Health America; these things provide the opportunity for me to try to implement policy.”

The St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund sponsored the Excellence in Mental Health Award, which is named in honor of the late psychiatrist Dr. John M. Anderson. Mamah is an associate professor at Washington University, founder and president of the Missouri Psychiatric

indelible mark, and his legacy will endure for generations to come,” Clay said. “He was truly an irreplaceable St. Louis treasure.”

It was announced during the service that St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones proclaimed July 31 as Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Day in the city.

Dr. Donald Suggs, The St. Louis American’s publisher, said Givens’ skilled and determined leadership and firm sense of mission made possible the dramatic evolution and growth of what is now HarrisStowe State University.

“He achieved so much in his lifetime, has created a splendid legacy that will continue to benefit thousands, many of whom have been forgotten and ignored for years,” Suggs said.

During his tenure as HarrisStowe’s president, Givens tripled student enrollment, built six buildings and turned the single elementary education degree it offered into 14 baccalaureate programs.

He also established one of

Association, Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and director of the Washington Early Recognition Center, which provides free mental health care services.

This year, community-based gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr. Damon Clines, Blottie Ussery, RN, Carlita Vasser, director of nursing and CEO of At Home Care, and Dara Webb, executive director of quality and care management at Mercy Clinic received 2021 Excellence in Health Care

the top childhood centers in the state.

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, chairwoman of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission, said Givens embodied a favorite MLK quote: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Givens was pivotal in the effort to get the state to rec-

awards.

These awards recognize individuals for outstanding and transformative work in their respective healthcare fields.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis received the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year award. During the ongoing pandemic, the Urban League became a source that thousands of St. Louisans turned to for medical necessities as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) and housing needs.

“When COVID first hap-

ognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day before it was recognized by the federal government. Collins Smith recalled things Givens did that weren’t publicly lauded, like how he encouraged members of his administrative cabinet to join him in donning aprons to serve late-night breakfast to students during fall semester finals. Or how he participated in homecoming events, regardless of his schedule.

“He was a humble yet fierce

Dr. R. Jerome Williams Jr. said one of the most rewarding parts of his career was when he had family members of patients also become patients.

“Meeting family members motivated me to continue waking up and going back to the practice,” he said during the virtual St. Louis American Foundation’s 21st Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards on July 29. Williams was the recipient of the Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Award.

pened and society shut down across this region, nation and the world, we had to make a decision as an agency what we were going to do and how we were going to respond to this crisis,” Michael McMillan, president of the Urban League, said.

“And literally because we were born out of a crisis, in the form of the East St. Louis race massacre that really founded the Urban League, we found that we needed to go in and do as much as we could, for as many people as we could,

leader who served as an example and champion of success for the students who often quipped that someday they wanted to be just like him,” she said. “We also know that we will miss him dearly.”

Michael P. McMillan, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and chair of the Harris-Stowe State University board of regents, said Givens was a dear friend, leader and iconic figure. He said he first met the doctor

for as long as we could, in a way that we never have before, while keeping our staff and clients safe.”

The Urban League held PPE drives for 20 weeks in addition to holding 30 large-scale events for months to hand out supplies to serve 125,000 families in the region.

Notable sponsors included lead sponsor Centene Charitable Foundation, Affinia Healthcare, A.T. Still University, Mercy, Vincent’s Jewelers and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

“We share the St. Louis American Foundation’s belief in the importance of recognizing dedicated Black health care professionals for their exemplary performance and invaluable work,” Keith Williamson, president of Centene Charitable Foundation, said.

“The challenges these professionals have faced in light of the pandemic make their achievements even more inspirational as they worked to provide testing, vaccinations, and other life-saving care in our hardest-hit communities.”

Proceeds of the Foundation’s Salute to Excellence events benefit education programs and scholarships for high-potential, local students of color. In 2020, the Foundation and its partners awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to AfricanAmerican students, with a total of more than $9 million donated in the St. Louis area since its inception in 1994.

when he was eight years old, running around Harris-Stowe where his mother worked.

“I was inspired because this was the first time in my life that I saw a Black man in charge of an institution, and it inspired me in ways that I will never, ever forget,” he said.

“Dr. Givens … was the embodiment of grace, sophistication, elegance and professionalism in a way that we were all looking to him as our role model.”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Khan calls County Council meeting “a

disturbing experience”

By JoAnn Weaver

political theatre that I walked into.” Khan was invited to the St. Louis County council meeting on Tuesday, July 27 to talk about the mask mandate reintroduced to the St. Louis region in lieu of rising Covid cases. The county council voted 5-2 to end the mask mandate one day after it took effect.

St. Louis County Judge Nellie Ribaudo issued a temporary restraining order against the mandate on Tuesday, August 3 ruling that council members are within their rights to terminate the mask mandate.

On Wednesday, County Executive Sam Page said he

was not giving up his call for a mask mandate without a legal fight.

“Unfortunately, our mask requirement was put on hold by a judge as [Attorney General Eric Schmitt] continues to put party over protecting the health of those he is supposed to serve,” Page said during his weekly briefing. Page called the mandate “proper and necessary” and that it would be proven in court.

Wrath against Khan

While Khan did not have a vote on the matter and did not enact the mask mandate, he was

met with hostility and disdain from audience members and council members alike.

“I was not prepared, nor did I expect any such hostility,” Khan said.

Khan has served as a member of the St. Louis County Public Health Department for almost ten years in various capacities. For the past six months, he has served as the acting director for county public health.

“I have been in plenty of situations in that chamber where members of the public and of the council were upset about various aspects of proceedings, but this is the first time a public health order has received this kind of attention,” Khan said. In a letter addressed to Council Chairwoman Rita Days, Khan aired his grievances.

“I can almost feel the chill-

ing effect it would have on public officials across all counties,” Khan said. “When you’re being constantly heckled, it is easy to lose your train of thought. I requested Councilwoman Days restore order, but regrettably that did not happen.”

Khan calls out Fitch

Additionally, Khan addressed Councilman Tim Fitch, who he said asked him questions, not as a way of judging his credentials, but to invalidate his experiences because he is a “foreigner.” He said Fitch acted this way in front of a politicized crowd.

“With all due respect, it was not an innocent introductory question and people can pretend otherwise, but it was an insult to all of the hard-work and dedication of migrant physicians all over the U.S. and in particular in the St. Louis region,” Khan said. “We have not only been in the trenches in the fight against COVID, but have been working diligently for decades to keep people healthy.”

Khan noted how the chamber was filled with unmasked people who jeered him with racist remarks as he spoke. This happened after Fitch set the tone of the meeting.

“There were hundreds of people packed into that chamber without masks on, which is a direct threat to their own health,” Khan said. “The dynamics of the whole thing were such that rules of order were allowed to lapse, to the point where the whole thing was in utter shambles.”

On Aug. 2, 585 physicians in St. Louis wrote and signed a letter submitted to the council members, which declared their disdain for the events that took place at the meeting.

“We are grateful for Dr. Khan’s leadership and commitment and saddened by the reality that engaging in scientific dialogue has made him a

See Khan, A15

Dr. Faisal Khan

Carter Commons now part of Pagedale Town Center development

Minority-owned restaurants are anchors

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

Quiana “Queen” Chapple has operated restaurants in the Jamestown, Chesterfield and West County malls and her Goss’Up Pasta is now part of the growing Pagedale downtown business community.

Chapple’s new location is in Carter Commons, the $6.5 million second phase of the $55 million Pagedale Town Center development.

“Two years ago, Beyond Housing reached out to me and asked if I wanted to take a spot in the revitalization program,” Chapple said during the center’s grand opening on July 31.

“I ended up joining the team. It has been everything and more than I expected.

Chapple grew up near the Carter Commons location at the intersection of Page and Ferguson Avenues in Pagedale.

Goss’Up will offer catering, as well as serve meals in the Carter Commons food court and

n “I was so impressed with all the studies that were completed on this community (by Beyond Housing) and all the information that was presented when they reached out to us about this location.”

– Marlon Austin, restaurateur

a second-floor event area called “A Meeting Place.” Six of the seven inaugural businesses in Carter Commons are minority owned, according to Beyond Housing, a comprehensive community development organization.

The seventh, Propel Kitchens, is a new nonprofit commercial kitchen that will teach participants skills and knowledge that could lead to

culinary careers. It will also be a production partner for other Carter Commons businesses.

Marlon Austin, who owns Three Vegan Brothers with his brothers Mark Austin and Brian Austin, said communication and data were important in their decision to open in Pagedale.

“I was so impressed with all the studies that were completed on this community (by Beyond Housing) and all the information that was presented when they reached out to us about this location,” Marlon Austin said.

“We focus on helping heal our community. No white flour. No sugar. Those our killers in our community,” he said.

The Austin brothers’ mother, Mary Austin, is chef and creates recipes for Three Vegan Brothers products, which include artisan plant-based cheeses, gluten-free/grain-free crackers and vegan sweet treats and desserts.

While Beyond Housing has a $75 million

See CARTER, A10

Golf legends reminisce in STL

Nicklaus,

Watson promote tournament that will benefit local charities and North County

By K. Michael Jones For The St.

upcoming tournament. The two spoke at the Legends Luncheon at Norwood Hills Country Club on behalf of the Ascension Charity Classic which is set for Sept. 6 to 12 at Norwood. The special event showcased an exclusive conversation between golf’s greatest champion Jack Nicklaus and Missouri native and World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson. The two legends shared stories from their playing days, at a Q&A session which was hosted by KSDK’s Rene Knott. The two shared stories from times they played against each other, including the 1977 Master’s tournament which Watson won. They can still remember every single shot/stroke they took, even though the tournament was 44 years ago. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit charity, including the tournament’s primary beneficiaries, Marygrove, a residential facility for children and teens; the Urban League of Metropolitan St. See GOLF, A10

Perri Johnson

Perri Johnson, a retired captain and 27-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, is the new dean of students and admissions at Loyola Academy. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Johnson holds a B.S. Degree in Television Broadcasting with a minor in Mass Communication. With an extensive background in community engagement, Johnson has devoted years to creating and supporting youth development initiatives.

Leslie Burrows was promoted to regional vice president at McCormack Baron Management. As regional vice president, Burrows is responsible for providing leadership and management of an assigned division which includes managing the dayto-day operations for a variety of affordable housing and fee-managed assets. Burrows has extensive knowledge of HUD, state and local housing programs and the compliance regulations of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. Burrows was selected for the 2020-2021 Leadership 100 Cohort of the Young Professionals Network of the St. Louis Regional Business Council. Johnson named dean at Loyola Academy

Lydia Huston, CFRE, is the new director of development and marketing for Loyola Academy. Huston has been a fundraising and non-profit professional for 15 years, having worked previously with The Little Bit Foundation, YWCA Metro St. Louis and Girls Incorporated of St. Louis. Huston earned CFRE designation in 2015 and is a graduate of Saint Louis University, with a B.S. in Organizational Studies and Strategic Communication. She currently serves on the board

Clarke selected for elite academy Burrows named VP at McCormack Baron

Faith Clarke

Faith Clarke, a senior pursuing her bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, is moving closer to her dream through her participation in the Diversity Cyber Academy a joint effort of the International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals and the SANS Institute The St. Louis native was one of fewer than 20 students among more than 500 applicants selected to attend the academy, which provides women and people of color an opportunity to pursue industry-recognized certifications through a hands-on, six-month training program.

Quiana ‘Queen’ Chapple, owner of Goss’Up Pastas Catering, LLC (in the grey shirt) is surrounded by her staff on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the grand opening celebration for Carter Commons in Pagedale.

Golf great Jack Nicklaus (L) shakes hands with Osborne Shannon while fellow great Tom Watson greets Richard Brown at Norwood Hills Country Club before the start of the inaugural Legends Luncheon at the club in St. Louis on Thursday, July 29. The two golfers were in St. Louis as part of the 2021 Ascension Charity Classic, which will be held at Norwood Hills Country Club on September 6-12.

Leslie Burrows

Photo by Jennifer Sarti / St. Louis American

Lydia Huston

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Opportunity Trust offers grants for minority educators

The St. Louis American

The Opportunity Trust, a grantmaking nonprofit, has launched the $100,000 Reinvention by Community Fund. Grants of $2,500 to $10,000 will be allocated to local educators for projects “outside of the scope of going back to a more normal version of school next year.”

Applications for grants will be accepted through August 13. This fund will be the first by the organization to use a “participatory grantmaking model.” This means the grants will be distributed based on decisions made by a committee of Black and brown community members, rather than by Opportunity Trust executives.

Mia Howard, an advisor with Opportunity Trust, explained the decision to create this committee of community

members.

“For us as an organization, we recognize that … we were doing a lot of our philanthropic investments in really traditional ways that maintain the status quo in terms of power and who has the ability to influence the decisions that shape our school system the most,” she said.

“And so a lot of the last year has been about learning new models and unlearning old models of grant making.”

The granting committee will include three St. Louis-area students, Howard said, “which we’re very excited about.”

Potential projects of interest, Howard said, could be focused on aspects of schooling from emotional health and wellness to new uses of time in the school day.

“Teachers may need additional training and development on how to build learning environments that focus on emo-

tional wellbeing and health and wellness for students,” she said.

“We’re recognizing that the school systems across the country, not just in St. Louis, were not designed for the 21st century. They’re often from a factory era of industrial learning.

“We could see innovations for how time is used in the school day. We need to build in tutoring programs during the school day or beyond the school day.”

After the grantees are announced in late August, they are expected to put their funded projects into action this fall — and to share what they learn with the broader community.

“We’re going to be convening grantees throughout the fall, to share what they’re learning from these projects,” Howard said.

For more information, visit www.theopportunitytrust.org

Carter

Continued from A9 investment in Pagedale redevelopment, President and CEO Chris Krehmeyer said the community is making it happen.

“This is not a Beyond Housing idea,” he said.

“This is community built. This is how you build community. Everything that is here, is here because the community said it wanted it to be.

“It’s not about one building. It’s about being transformational, not transactional.”

The Pagedale Town Center’s first phase includes 24:1 Cinema, the Crawling Crab restaurant, US Bank, Affinia Healthcare, Rosie

Golf

Continued from A9 Louis; and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. There was

Shields Manor and a Save A Lot grocery store. Carter Commons is named for longtime Pagedale Mayor Mary Louise Carter, who died in 2020. Carter served as mayor from 1992 to 2020.

Mayor E.G. Shields was elected in 2020.

“Mayor Carter is saying, ‘this is not the end. There is plenty of work to be done,” Shields said.

Joining Goss’Up Pasta, Three Vegan Brothers and Propel Kitchens in Carter Commons are:

• Burn 365 Fitness which is owned by kinesiologist and former Pagedale police officer Shameka Smith. This is the company’s second location and offers group training and personal coaching.

• The clothing bou-

a special presentation to youth participating in Diversity Golf, a program tied to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, that provided brand new sets of golf clubs and equipment for them.

tique Girlfriend’s Closet, which carries unique, small-quantity styles. It is a second location for owner Brittany Wayne, following the first at 3236 Parker Road in Florissant.

• Healthy Habits Smoothies was established in 2015 and is also owned by Brittany Wayne. The Pagedale shop will offer smoothies, protein shakes, salads and breakfast.

• Missouri Home Health and Therapy, founded by Dionneshae “Dionne” Forland in 2005, which provides physical, speech and occupational therapy and skilled nursing services. It also offers state-funded in-home care and consumer-directed services. Its office is on the second floor of Carter Commons.

With the tournament moved up in the schedule this year to the first week of September, excitement continues to grow with additional sponsors and partners joining the effort – and the recent announcement that legendary golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson would be competing in the “Legends Charity Challenge” at the inaugural event, with proceeds going to First Tee of Greater St. Louis and PGA REACH, two organizations committed to making golf a more inclusive and diverse sport. The Ascension Charity Classic will be a unique chance to

Three Vegan Brothers – Marlon, Brian and Mark Austin – share food for a healthier lifestyle on Saturday, Jul. 31, 2021, at the grand opening celebration for Carter Commons in Pagedale.

Photo by Jennifer Sarti / St. Louis American

Sophie Hurwitz

Sports

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Saniah Tyler taking her basketball talent to Kentucky

Congratulations to Incarnate Word Academy girls’ basketball star Saniah Tyler on her recent commitment to the University of Kentucky.

A 5’7” point guard, Tyler is the reigning St. Louis American Player of the Year after leading the Red Knights to a 29-0 record and the Class 6 state championship. She is also the state’s No. 1 rated recruit according to the website Prep Girls Hoops Missouri’s Class of 2022 ranking. She chose Kentucky over major programs including Tennessee, Michigan and Iowa.

As a junior, she averaged 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals while making 72 three-pointers. She saved her best performances for the most important games, which is why I gave her the nickname “Big Game.” She is a tremendous point guard who will enter her third year as the Red Knights’ starting floor general.

Tyler had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists in a victory over Class 5 state champion Whitfield. She also had a season-high 31 points with six rebounds, four assists and four steals in a victory over Class 4 Final Four participant Vashon in a January showdown.

In the state quarterfinals, she scored 21 points and led a big comeback victory over Columbia Rock Bridge to punch the Red Knights’ ticket back to the Final Four.

She spent the summer playing for Lady Brad Beal Elite, where she enjoyed several sparkling performances.

Tyler is the latest in a line of talented IWA point guards who moved on to Division I collegiate ranks. She follows players including Nakia Bell (Iowa State/SIUE), Sonya Morris (DePaul) and Marissa Warren (Saint Louis U).

Two decades ago, Kentucky came to the metro area to sign talented East St. Louis point guard Rita Adams, who enjoyed an excellent career with the Wildcats from 2001-04.

Pretty as a Peach

The Brad Beal Elite 17U boys’ basketball team concluded an outstanding summer by advancing to the championship game of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C.

The annual Peach Jam is recognized as the most prestigious basketball event on the summer

basketball circuit. Brad Beal Elite battled top-rated Team Final to the finish before falling 64-61 in the championship game. The championship game BBE’s semifinal victory over Meanstreets were televised nationally on the ESPN networks.

Braxton Stacker and Robert Lewis (Cardinal Ritter), Nick Kramer (St. Louis University High), Kellen Thames (Pattonville), Connor Turnbull (Fort Zumwalt North) and Christian Jones (East St. Louis) were BBE teammates. The team was coached by Corey Frazier, former head coach at John Burroughs School.

Frazier has departed Burroughs to join the Overtime Elite Basketball League, which is

based in Atlanta. The OTE, a fledgling new league, will feature players between the ages of 16 and 18. Players will be paid a minimum of $100,000 a year. Frazier will oversee the skill training operations for the OTE.

Czech mate

Former Chaminade College Prep AllAmerican Jayson Tatum had a breakout performance in the USA’s victory over the Czech Republic in Tokyo Olympics pool play last week. Tatum had a game-high 27 points in the 119-84 victory. He scored 17 points in the fourth

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Kentucky coaches were jumping for joy when Incarnate Word’s Saniah Tyler posted on Twitter that she will play for the Wildcats in 2022. Tyler is reigning St. Louis American Player of the Year and will return for her senior year with the Red Knights as the state’s top player.

quarter, including 14 in a key stretch that broke the the game open. Kevin Durant scored 24 points while becoming Team USA’s all-time leading scorer in Olympic play. After the game, Durant pointed to Tatum as the player he thinks will break his record.

Tatum is making his first appearance with the Men’s National Team but is a veteran of the USA Basketball system and international competition. He has already won gold medals while playing for USA Basketball at the FIBA U19 and U17 World Cups and the FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

Biles’ bravery is now bronzed for the world to see

This will help tell you how we rolled back in the 1970s. During family or school picnics, or to liven up a football or baseball practice, two teams would be formed, and a back-and-forth relay race was contested.

But, before you ran, you had to put your forehead on the handle end of a standing baseball bat and spin around five or 10 times. Now go. The straight line you thought you were running is really a tilted mess. This would be as close as I will ever come to experiencing what Simone Biles calls “the twisties.” The scientific terminology is that your ‘spatial awareness’ is out of whack.

ance beam and flipping around. Biles did exactly that early Tuesday, and won a bronze medal. It was her seventh in Olympics competition, tying a record she now shares with Shannon Miller.

Let’s go back a week to Biles leaving the allaround final.

“We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do,” she said.

“We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”

A few days later, Biles explained on Twitter that she was off physically, as well as mentally.

“I have experienced [the twisties] before,” she said.

Gymnastics is dangerous enough without the natural gyroscope in an athlete’s head spinning off center.

That, not only mental anxiety, is what led Biles to withdraw from the individual all-around final at the Tokyo Olympics last week. She also did not compete in the vault and uneven bars.

The thought of a routine on uneven bars with Biles’ condition is terrifying.

But so is leaping onto a bal-

Simone Biles overcame her bout with “twisties,” mental strain, and won a bronze medal in the balance beam competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

chances of even getting on the podium. And that takes courage. It also takes humility for someone to recognize that and to bow out.”

“They’re not fun to deal with. It’s honestly petrifying trying to do a skill but not having your mind and body in sync. 10/10 do not recommend.”

A kindred spirit

Dominique Dawes became the first Black American woman gymnast to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in 1992. The outpouring of sup-

port from thousands of Black girls, parents and grandparents was overwhelming, she told National Public Radio.

Four years later at the Atlanta Olympics, she became the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic medal — a bronze in floor exercise. She also won a team gold and would win two more Olympic medals during her career.

But her stellar performance in Atlanta came after she broke down minutes before the open-

ing ceremony. She fell to her knees and prayed for help in understanding that she wasn’t in the competition alone.

Dawes said she can relate to Simone Biles’ mental anguish as the 24-year-old returned to Olympics competition after winning four medals in 2016. “What Simone Biles does out there, and all of these young athletes do out there in gymnastics, is unreal. Unreal. And so, there is a probability of them getting severely injured,” Dawes told the Washington

City Paper. “They’re smart enough to know that. They’re 24, they’re not a 12-year-old who’s just going to sacrifice their body and not realize how dangerous this sport is. It was very heartbreaking to watch her go through that, and then to hear some of her quotes afterwards of just battling with her mind, and she didn’t want to take the risk for her mental or physical health.

“She really did feel as if she would jeopardize her team’s

The Reid Roundup Mark Alnut, Buffalo athletic director, is reportedly being considered for that role at Missouri. Alnut, an African American, played linebacker and tight end for Mizzou in the ’90s, was MU’s associate athletic director from 2006-12 and served as athletic director for Southeast Missouri State until 2015…It wasn’t long before Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr., was greeted with roster upheaval. Russell Westbrook was traded to the L.A. Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Montrezl Harrell and the No. 22 NBA overall draft pick…That deal led to several reports that Bradley Beal would remain a Wizard and not be dealt this offseason…The NFL is making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for league employees who do not have a qualifying disability or “sincerely held religious belief or practice.” Too bad it can’t/won’t give its players the same mandate.

Alvin A. Reid

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo courtesy of Saniah Tyler / Twitter

Photo courtesy of debatepost.com

“Taking Care of You”

An African-American teenager recently received her COVID-19 vaccination at a New Jersey hospital. As

area students 12 and older head back to schools this month, doctors and health care providers are

vaccinated.

COVID surge

Confusion greets students, teachers as they return to class

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

doing what we love,” he shared in a commentary to the St. Louis American.

optimism was high and there was a sense of achievement as the number of coronavirus cases seemed to be in decline.

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center

12 and older can keep them, our families and our friends safe. Reducing the number of COVID-19 cases can keep our economy and our country moving and get us all back to

“We are close to a point where we can start to think about going back to more freedoms and normal social interactions for everyone.”

It’s debatable how close anything resembling “normal” is, and that includes in the nation’s classrooms. Two months ago,

Public schools face dilemma

By Sophie Hurwitz

As a mask mandate is reinstituted across St. Louis and St. Louis County, local colleges and universities are nearing opening for the fall semester. They are taking drastically different paths when it comes to COVID mitigation for students and faculty.

Missouri has become a national hotspot for COVID, averaging around 2,400 cases per day after dropping to less than 500 two months ago. The state has one of the lowest fully vaccinated populations in the U.S. at just over 40% as of late July.

Some local universities are joining the 400plus higher education institutions nationwide which are requiring the vaccine.

Washington University announced that it would be mandating vaccination for all students on June 7. On July 6, St. Louis

University did so as well. Webster University followed suit on July 22. Each school’s policies include an option to apply for a vaccine exemption for health or religious reasons.

“Having a fully-vaccinated community means all of us — people who are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or who are granted a University-approved exemption from vaccination — can work, study, teach, research, minister, dine and socialize without face masks and social distancing,” wrote Professor Terri Rebmann of SLU’s department of epidemiology and biostatistics in a letter to the school community.

“It will be joyous for us to be in community once again.”

In Webster’s announcement, President Julian Z. Schuster said that the decision was made due to the advance of the Delta variant of the virus.

In mid-May, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced that most fully vaccinated people didn’t have to wear masks indoors or outdoors. In early July it said that vaccinated teachers and students would not need to wear masks inside school buildings.

High hopes were dashed following reports of the Delta virus variant. Nationwide, cases and hospitalizations started increasing. Health

If you’ve finally reached that age when you’re officially an adult and starting to branch out on your own for work, school or another adventure, you’ve likely received a lot of advice from the older adults in your life. Some of it you may have sought out. Most of it, probably not. And, yes, as you’ve guessed, I’m here to add to that latter list with some tips about a topic that may not be very exciting but is quite important: your health.

n A healthy diet and regular exercise are cornerstones of good health. On their own, they lower the risk of many diseases, and they can help keep weight gain in check.

Admittedly, it may feel a little odd to get advice about health at an age when you, and most of your friends, are probably pretty healthy. But what you do today really does matter, not only in helping to improve how you feel right now but also in laying the foundation for lifelong wellness, so you’re less likely to develop serious diseases like stroke, diabetes and cancer down the road. Start with these tips: Eat plant-based diet, exercise. A healthy diet and regular exercise are cornerstones of good health. On their own, they lower the risk of many diseases, and they can help keep weight gain in check. Try to build up to at least 30 minutes of activity each day. When it comes to eating, focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans – and try to cut back on red and processed meats, sugary drinks and fast foods.

Get enough sleep. It’s easy to skimp on sleep, especially when trying to catch up on

See COLDITZ, A13

and practice social distancing.

St. Louis

urging parents to get them

Photo courtesy of Newark Times / NNPA

The St. Louis American

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

Photo courtesy of Harris-Stowe State University

“Taking Care of You”

NAACP: Black Americans ‘optimistic’ but over-indexed in COVID-19

St. Louis American Staff

Over the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc upon Black communities nationwide and most African Americans know someone who has succumbed to it.

Recent research commissioned by the national NAACP reveals that half of the Black community in the U.S. has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and is optimistic about a return to normalcy soon.

However, African Americans continue to overindex in confirmed cases and hospitalizations, the most severe economic impacts and the number of deaths.

As the war against the pandemic in America’s Black communities rages on, the key battlefront in mid-2021 is reliable, up-to-date, trustworthy information enabling the unvaccinated—and those who are wary about vaccinating their younger children—to make the most well-informed decisions.

The NAACP’s ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ campaign was launched in May to provide Black Americans with data and resources on COVID-19

COVID

Continued from A12

officials attributed the upticks in coronavirus cases in states like Missouri, to the pockets of the population with low vaccination rates.

“The constant barrage of new knowledge and recommendations was dizzying and overwhelming at times,” Rohatgi wrote.

What seemed like flip-flopping by the CDC was actually the organization responding to science and increased coronavirus infections, President Joe Biden explained in a recent press conference.

Students return to classes on August 23 and 24 in St. Louis and St. Louis county, respectively. The highly contagious Delta variant has ripped through conservative areas in Missouri, including Branson and Springfield, and is spreading into the city and county.

Vaccines

Continued from A12

“Medical agencies report that those who are unvaccinated make up nearly all cases of those who become critically ill from these mutations,” he wrote. “Given that environment, Webster University will now require that all students, faculty and staff begin the vaccination process by the start of the fall semester.” On top of requiring vaccinations, Washington University is piloting a smartphone-based COVID exposure tracking system.

“It’s a way of getting alerts of possible exposures to people very quickly so they can take

Continued from A12

things you missed during the pandemic shutdowns. But for your mental health and overall well-being, it’s important to make sleep a priority and to try to get seven to nine hours a night.

tailored specifically to them.

“We are certainly a strong, enduring and resilient people, but the data doesn’t lie,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO.

“Our research shows that Black Americans are optimistic about getting ahead of the COVID-19 crisis and resuming their daily lives and activities, yet there remains a great deal of work to be done—especially in reaching our young people and men with the information that they need,” he added.

The NAACP survey has concluded:

As of July 28, more than half of African Americans (51%) report that they are fully vaccinated; another 5% have received one dose and 6% report that they have an appointment to be vaccinated.

Younger, lower-income and Southern Blacks lag, being the least likely Black adults to have received any of the vaccines.

Preventing the spread of the coronavirus, especially to friends and family, are the greatest motivations for African Americans to get vaccinated.

70% of Black parents with children ages 12 and older have had their children vaccinated

The alarming trend has local health officials worried about the impact on school-aged children.

“When you look at what’s happening across the state; hospitals in Springfield are seeing more hospitalizations among youth infected with the virus,” said Dr. Frederick Echols, acting director for the St. Louis Department of Health.

The CDC as well is showing there are increased transmissions among the younger populations. And, in the city of St. Louis, we’re seeing increased transmissions among youth.

“The evidence is definitely there, so we have to do our very best to not only create safe spaces for our youth but make sure we maintain that over a period of time. We have to be mindful of those who are under the age of 12 who are ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.” And therein lies the rub. According to a recent

appropriate action,” said Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, director of the university’s Institute for Informatics and associate dean for health information and data science.

“Quick notification can have a huge impact on the dynamics of a pandemic, especially as we continue to re-open our university and need to keep tabs on new variants and their impact on our campus community.”

Other local institutions, though, are opting for a strategy based more on masking and distancing than on mandatory vaccination.

Lindenwood University “reviewed many options and encourages employees and students to get vaccinated,” according to Julee Mitsler, Lindenwood’s director of

Keep a lid on alcohol. The more we know about alcohol and its many risks, the more we know that not drinking is the healthiest choice overall for people of all ages. If you do drink, try to keep it to a minimum – and be in control.

Keep up with health care, vaccines. As an adult, you’re now in charge of your health

City ordered 6 years’ worth of pepper spray amid jail uprisings

$17K order came as city dealt with unrest

By Dana Rieck

The St. Louis American

Just under three weeks before City Justice Center detainees staged their fourth uprising since December, and amid numerous complaints of excessive use of pepper spray by jailers, the city put in one order for as much pepper spray as they had purchased in the previous six years combined.

The $17,379 order was approved by former Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass and included 100 sixteen-ounce “cell buster” canisters, 200 sixteen-ounce canisters and 500 three-ounce canisters, according to records obtained by The St. Louis American. This purchase came as detainee complaints about jail staff abusing the use of pepper spray accelerated through lawsuits and activist groups.

The allegations range from officers pepper spraying a detainee while he was having a seizure to officers using the chemical without warning or commands and then denying those men access to water and medical treatment following exposure.

The cell buster product includes an attachment to slide under doors and spray the chemical in an enclosed area, while officers carry the 3-ounce

canisters on duty. The 16-ounce product is typically used for crowd control during a major disturbance.

Glass, who stepped down at the end of May, told The St. Louis American he has “long since retired” and declined to comment on the matter.

The March purchase was almost triple the amount of pepper spray corrections officials purchased in 2020 — which totaled $6,320.70 and was parceled out in multiple orders.

Pepper spray is made from a chemical derived from a plant and is classified as an inflammatory agent — unlike mace, which is classified as an irritant and is similar to tear Pepper spray is made with capsaicin, a chemical derived from plants including chillies and is classified as an inflammatory agent — unlike mace, which is classified as an irritant and is similar to tear gas. Pepper spray is used to immediately incapacitate its target and works better on those under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Dr. Evan Schwarz, a Division Chief of Medical Toxicology at Washington University, said pepper spray is less toxic than mace.

“Although some people can kind of confuse all the terms

and just call everything the same thing, there are different chemicals in them,” he said.

Jumping to conclusions about the purchase is something Pat Mobley, an attorney with the MacArthur Justice Center, said he won’t do, but he said it does seem to support the stories he’s hearing from detainees. Mobley worked on the recent lawsuit filed against the jail alleging pepper spray abuse.

“I don’t think it would be wise for us to hazard a guess at why they are doing this, but we also can’t help but notice that excessive [pepper spraying] and buying lots of [pepper spray] seem to correlate,” Mobley said.

of force’ form be submitted, and in certain (more serious) circumstances requires written justification prior to using the chemical.

Heather Taylor, senior advisor to the city’s interim public safety director, said she is reviewing the jail’s pepper spray policies, incident reports and how the facility tracks its inventory. She said Mayor Tishaura Jones’ administration cannot with confidence say what accounted for the $17,000 purchase in March. The new mayor took office in April.

“And really, no one can give us an answer for all the things that happened before we got here,” she said. “But some of the stuff that was more concerning to me is the policies in place with tracking purchases.”

Use at the jail

The jail’s policy for using pepper spray says the chemical may be used when the staff’s safety is threatened or when an inmate is displaying active resistance. Any use of pepper spray requires a ‘use

She and Jeff Carson, acting corrections commissioner, both confirmed the employee overseeing the pepper spray inventory logs went on extended leave under Glass’ tenure amid protests. It would appear no one was assigned the responsibility in her absence, and she

has not returned to her post.

Carson, the former superintendent of the now closed Workhouse, is reviewing inventory records and use of force policy. He believes the large purchase, while excessive, was in response to past uprisings.

He confirmed July 23 the jail had 84 “cell busters” in their inventory out of 100 purchased in March.

“I can tell you why it seems large, because of the three disturbances and then the one disturbance that they were to have 15 days [after this purchase] … now what made the order big is the cell busters, which I would have done something different, but I’m not trying to micromanage what the jail did,” Carson said.

With 329 uniformed officers employed at the Workhouse and the CJC at the time — who are all now stationed at CJC — Carson did not think the 500 smaller canisters was an excessive purchase. He confirmed that both facilities ordered through the same office, meaning the inventory reflects products used at both jails.

Carson also noted city departments are forbidden from submitting orders from April through about mid-July as the next year’s budget is put in place, citing that as a possible reason for the large order.

However, over six years of pepper spray purchase records illustrate inconsistent demand for the product within the city’s two jails: · 2015 — $6,646

· 2016 — $0 · 2017 — $0

· 2018 — $3,168 · 2019 — $927 · 2020 — $6320 · 2021 (through June 14) — $17,379

Detainee complaints

Prior to the federal government expanding the availability of pepper spray, it conducted a pilot program and found using pepper spray reduced the time needed to contain violent incidents to 2.73 minutes, from 4.34 minutes, according to a 2015 report by The Marshall Project.

The CJC’s policy mandates that all corrections staff receive four hours of training on how to use the chemical before they are issued a canister to carry while on duty. Employees are strictly prohibited from using the spray as a punishment on inmates.

But that’s exactly what a recent lawsuit alleges is happening. The stories of abuse at City Justice Center detailed in the lawsuit seem endless — but there’s a common thread through them all: detainees say correctional officers are excessively pepper spraying inmates and withholding access to clean water and medical treatment as punishments.

One of the plaintiffs, Derrick Jones, said he was pepper sprayed after requesting to move to a different cell because his cellmate was showing signs of COVID-19. Jones says he was then taken to the ground, kicked, handcuffed and pepper sprayed again. Instead of providing him with a change of clothes and medical attention, Jones said a lieutenant told other officers to “let him marinate.”

His mother, Catrese Howard, told The St. Louis American she’s overwhelmed by the way her son has been treated in the jail and said she has not been able to once get in touch with someone at the facility about the conditions.

“It is really unfathomable just to know no one has been held accountable for the things that have happened to my son — like a caged animal in so many words,” Howard said.

“You know, my son has said that to me before, ‘Mom, they treat me like an animal.’” Schwarz, the Washington University doctor, said that if someone does not receive treatment — like the situation multiple detainees say they’ve been in — a person’s body will produce tears and eventually the chemical will leave sensitive body parts.

“So, it just depends on where it’s made contact with you and how bad that contact is. … it’s rare for it to cause long-term damage,” Schwarz said.

Taylor said it’s difficult to prove exactly what went on when it comes to those allegations, because if the medical wing is not notified of a pepper spray incident and no report is made by the corrections officers, there’s no way to record whether inmates received treatment.

“Medical not being notified — we know that has likely happened,” she said. “We’ve seen some of the reports that are problematic. That’s why there are a number of lawsuits. I can’t discuss the lawsuits but people tell you that; and in seeing some of that, especially with the last administration, we should have gotten ahead of a lot of these things that were happening and buying $17,000 worth of [pepper] spray without a detailed inventory list of expirations — it’s very concerning to see that.” Maureen Hanlon, a staff attorney with ArchCity Defenders, previously told The St. Louis American that because most of these detainees are being held pretrial, they legally cannot be punished.

“And so, to the extent that [pepper spray] is ever used in any way, not for security purposes or not against someone who is aggressive or harmful but against people who are passively resisting [or] non-resisting, [pepper spray] has been given without warning [and] is used to inflict pain. All of those are completely inappropriate uses of [pepper spray].”

target,” they said in the letter. “We implore you to investigate every threat of violence and every racist or xenophobic slur our public health servants face in the tireless execution of their jobs.” According to Page, on the same day the physicians’ letter was submitted, a city resident who attended last week’s council meeting tested positive for COVID-19. Since it was a city resident, the city health department is the lead agency in the investigation.

“Our department is working in tandem with the city health department to identify other people who may have contracted the virus through contact tracing,” Page said.

Page said the treatment Dr. Khan received at the meeting was not representative of the

community at large. “This was not St. Louis County’s finest moment,” Page said.

“The community I love was thrust into the national spotlight for bad behavior, xenophobia, racism and resistance to recommendations from scientists and doctors, including the CDC. It’s time to stop the name calling, the intimidation, the spreading of misinformation; it’s time to work together.”

While Khan said he would not file a police report, he wrote the letter to council members in hope that they would conduct an investigation. or create a policy that will protect future public officials from what he experienced.

The main goal Khan wanted to get across in the council meeting was how desperate the situation was becoming in the St. Louis region for people to get vaccinated and wear masks to lessen the spread of COVID, especially the delta variant.

“Time is not on our side,”

Khan said. “Our focus has to be on stopping this virus. It does not discriminate, it does not stop working on Tuesdays or wait for the next council session to start. It is infecting people and putting people in the hospital as I speak.”

He added that the denigration of public health officials will not help end the pandemic.

“As a public health professional, I am saddened at the steady erosion in public discourse and vilification of health professionals over the last 18 months,” Khan said.

“This doesn’t help anything because it is not about rights.”

Khan urges the St. Louis region to take action against the delta variant of COVID-19, even as cases continue to soar in the county and the city.

“Our region is right in the middle of this storm,” Khan said. “Please put a mask on in public settings even if you are vaccinated.”

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Gamma Omega Chapter presented its 37th Annual (Virtual) FASHIONETTA™ Scholarship Presentation on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Event and souvenir journal presently available @AKAGOSTL.com.

Ten amazing young ladies were presented: Lauren Agnew, Torriona Baker, Landis Bingham, Kristyn Bills, Victoria Brown, Jordan Davis, Lauryn Donovan, Fatou Guisse, Amour Jones and Lauren White.

FASHIONETTA™ is a trademark of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and a fundraising activity for the chapter’s philanthropic endeavors of the Ivy Alliance Foundation (IAF). Debutantes participated in an eight month virtual experience which included, college preparation workshops, community service, entrepreneurial workshops, church service, Mother Daughter Luncheon and a slumber party. Debutantes received over $55,000 in monetary and scholarship awards at the Virtual Presentation.

Jordan Elaine Davis crowned Miss FASHIONETTA 2021 received a scholarship of $12,750. Jordan is the daughter of Claudia Davis and Ronald Davis (Wanda). Jordan is a 2021 honors graduate of Pattonville High School. She will attend Stephens College and major in Psychology. Jordan’s career goal is to become a clinical psychologist.

First runner-up is Miss Landis Rachelle Bingham, the daughter of Galen Bingham and Monique Garris-Bingham. Landis is a 2021 graduate of Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS). She will attend Spelman College in the fall and major in biochemistry. Landis’ career goal is to be a biochemical researcher.

Second runner-up is Miss Amour D’mirajoi

Jones, the daughter of Addam and Miranda Jones. Amour is a 2021 graduate of Clayton High School. She will attend Tennessee State University in the fall and major in Early Childhood Education. Amour’s career goal is to own a daycare center and teach preschoolers.

Third runner-up is Miss Ndeye Fatou Guisse. The daughter of Rhonda BeLue, Ph.D., and Alioune Guisse is a 2021 honors graduate of Incarnate Word Academy. She will attend Hampton University in the fall and major in graphic design and criminal justice. Fatou’s career goal is to be a visual communications specialist for the FBI. Fourth runner-up is Miss Torriona Baker. The daughter of Kevina Townley and Torriono Baker. She is a 2021 honors graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School. She will attend Loyola University New Orleans and major in psychology. Torriona’s career goal is to be a clinical psychologist.

Other debutante participants and college choices for fall of 2021

Lauren Agnew – North Carolina A & T State University: major in Computer Science Kristyn Bills – Alabama A & M: major in Computer Science

Victoria Brown – University of Missouri Kansas City: major in elementary education Lauryn Donovan – Howard University: major in Political Science

Lauren White – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: major in nursing Chairman for the Virtual FASHIONETTA™ 2021 is Ruby Grady. Co-Chairmen are Michelle Sanders and Carla Baker Moore. Lonita Blackman, President and Betherny Williams, Vice President of The Gamma Omega Chapter and Ivy Alliance Foundation.

Amour Jones

Lauren White

Lauren Agnew

Torriona Baker

Fatou Guisse

Kristyn Bills

Lauryn Donovan

Jordan Davis

Victoria Brown

Landis Bingham

Miss Fashionetta Jordan Davis and her Parents

Some things must be heard Black Rep is back

Community activist shares harrowing experiences in poetry book

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

Transparency in sharing all she has experienced in her 38 years comes naturally for Tracy “T-Spirit” Stanton, a published author, poet and community activist.

The average person most likely would be ashamed or afraid to openly talk about their past if the story included dysfunctional familial ties, drug addiction, prostitution and incarceration.

Her childhood trauma began at age seven when she saw her brother’s lifeless body on a bathroom floor after he was electrocuted. He had slipped from the tub and landed on a washing machine.

His unexpected passing brought sadness to her heartbroken family, her mother especially. She suffered a mental breakdown after the tragedy. Her mental state caused a divide in what had been a normal family dynamic. The family split. Stanton’s other brother moved in with their father, who was addicted to crack. She stayed with her mom. While with her mom, they struggled to find a stable living environment.

They dealt with homelessness, moving from home to home and the indignity of being kicked out of places they lived.

In the midst of the turmoil, Stanton’s mother gave birth to another daughter. Stanton became her little sister’s guardian, even though she was a child herself. Eventually, they moved into a family and social services housing facility. Stanton thought her mother’s mental state was intact since she was receiving the help and treatment.

That was all an illusion. One day, the staff told her she had to move in with her father and that her sister would be put up for adoption.

After that day, she never saw her mother again. At 10 years old, she learned her mother died of lung cancer.

Stanton was enrolled in a gifted program at school while living with her father, who was still addicted to crack. Her neighborhood was rife with heavy drug and alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a positive

“T-Spirit” Stanton has lived a life full of trauma and pain stemming back to her childhood. Rather than dwell on those experiences, she’s turned her past into perseverance with her poetry book, “Some Things Must Be Heard.”

45th season opens with Pulitzer Prize winner “Sweat”

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

A virtual format including roundtable discussions, summer performing arts classes and video performances helped The St. Louis Black Repertory Company remain active during the past year. Without further ado, live performances will return to The Black Rep’s mainstage for its 45th season beginning in September. The season’s theme centers on exploring identity and selfworth.

Age ain’t nothing but a number

Jessie Trice-O’Bryant celebrates her 107th birthday

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Age ain’t nothing but a number and it couldn’t be truer in Jessie Trice-O’Bryant’s case. Seated in a shimmery, metallic long-sleeve frock adorned with pewter and silver jewelry, this sassy resident at Christian Extended Care & Rehabilitation served the perfect amount of glam, including long, lavender fingernails, when she celebrated her 107th birthday on July 23. To honor her remarkable legacy, her greatniece (her late brother John’s granddaughter) Karan Henderson, organized a virtual call with family members in Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois and Michigan.

n “The more that I gave my pain air the less power that it had over me coming home and going through my process of recovery and transformation.”

-T-Spirit Stanton

role model or voice of reason to help cultivate her academic gifts and talent. Not long after, an aunt stepped in to help raise Stanton, but by then she was smoking marijuana, drinking and having sex at age 12. Stanton and her aunt eventually settled in north St. Louis County. She graduated from

McCluer High School a year early, went to Lincoln University for a semester and was expelled for fighting.

Not only was she still using drugs, she started selling them and objectifying herself to prostiuttion, which led to her incarceration.

In 2017, she came home from prison and made the necessary changes she needed to better herself and has since had a clean slate.

With the help of various community organizations and a 12-step program, Stanton has maintained a high-level of sobriety. Her life-changing journey has catapulted into opportunities that allow her to help others by telling her story and providing help to formerly incarcerated individuals.

“When I came home from prison in 2017, I was introduced to myself without the use of any

See Book, B8

Balloons, a backdrop with a picture of her that read Jessie Trice-O’Bryant Happy 107th Birthday and a chocolate cake were part of the festivities. Renee Cwiklowski, a Christian administrator, said she loves O’Bryant’s “larger than life” personality.

“I love her spirit and her sassiness,” Cwiklowski said. “It’s just never dull with Miss Jessie. She’s just one-of-a-kind.” Born Jessie Washington on July 23, 1914,

See Birthday, B8

“As we all pick up the pieces of our life in our community, we wanted to include a range of plays that explore how people define their self-worth and cope with society’s view,” Ron Himes, founder and producing director of The Black Rep, said in a press release.

“With each of our five productions this season we’ll ask our audience to join us to explore their own identity and place. And, I personally can’t wait to see everyone.”

Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama “Sweat” opens the season at Washington University’s Edison Theatre Sept. 8 to 26. It is the story of friends from different walks of life who work at a steel factory in Reading, Pennsylvania. Decisions between loyalty and fending for oneself come into play when layoffs and picket lines materialize.

Himes said the company is currently in the preproduction planning process. Set design, costume design and other work are underway.

Sweat’s ensemble cast will feature veteran actors who’ve been on The Black Rep’s stage several times. Actors new to the Black Rep will also make their debut.

Casting is still in place for one more role and auditions are being held.

“We are anxious to start rehearsal on the 17th of August.” Himes said. “We are elated and very, very excited about coming back live in September.”

Himes thoroughly enjoys Nottage’s work calling her an “incredible wordsmith” and her writing “concise” and “poetic.” His admiration for her way with words and storytelling motivated him to feature several of her other plays.

“Our audience loves her work and so we thought that this would be a good play to come back with,” Himes said. “It’s got a nice diverse cast and I think it speaks to a lot of current issues that have been brought to light during the shutdown. I think that people will come out and enjoy Lynn’s work.”

“Dontrel Who Kissed the Sea,” written by Nathan Alan Davis, will run Jan. 12 to 30 at the Edison Theatre. The production chronicles 18-year-old Dontrell Jones, who has embarked on a quest in the Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of finding an ancestor who was lost in the Middle Passage. It’s a culmination of wit, poetry, comedy and formality. It’s a modern tale about the extreme measures that can occur in attempting to reimagine historical misfortunes.

“It’s a wonderful play,” Himes said. “Nathan’s a wonderful young writer.”

“Fireflies” by Donja R. Love premieres See Rep, B8 n Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama Sweat opens the season at Washington University’s Edison Theatre September 8-26.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Jessie O’Bryant (right) celebrating her 107th birthday with her great niece Karan Henderson and her family over a zoom call Friday July 23, 2021.

Photo courtesy of tspirit.net

SNEAK PREVIEW AUGUST 12

JOIN US OPENING WEEKEND AT THE 24:1 CINEMA IN PAGEDALE, AN INDEPENDENT THEATER WITH FOUR MOVIE SCREENS.

See STL Tours Explore the Delmar Divide and More

By Amanda Clark, Missouri Historical Society

“I’ve lived here my entire life, and I had no idea.” As a tour guide, hearing those words while sharing St. Louis’s vibrant history always makes me happy. For a city with a history as complicated and deep as ours, those words can have several meanings—maybe someone is visiting a location they’ve never seen, or maybe they’re hearing an unfamiliar story in a familiar place.

I manage the Missouri Historical Society’s new See STL tour program, which offers over a dozen walking tours, four virtual tours, and now several bus tours. The walking tours feature neighborhoods such as Old North St. Louis, the Central West End, and the Hill. Originally, the program was supposed to start in March 2020. By July 2020 we were given the go-ahead to do walking tours, which served over 900 people during the pandemic.

See STL tour guides are a great mix of locals and transplants, each bringing their own passions to their tours. Whenever possible, we partner with community organizations and residents so that we can accurately represent what life is like in those neighborhoods today. My personal favorite stop is when we visit St. Louis Place’s New Roots Urban Farm in late summer and leave with our pockets stuffed with freshly harvested garlic. The newest additions to our tour lineup are our city-wide thematic bus tours. Our goal is to create an entirely new tour experience for St. Louis—one

that doesn’t just hit the fun highlights, but also shares the honest history of our city, taking guests from Carondelet to the Ville and just about everywhere in between in two hours and from the comfort of a luxury bus. Tours are unscripted, and guests are encouraged to share any personal connections with the histories we’re discussing.

For the public, we offer several themed bus tours each month. The most popular is always our “Brick City Broads” women’s history tour. We introduce people to so many women they may not know about and illustrate how women’s experiences, struggles, and achievements fit into the larger context of St. Louis history. Other themes feature the history of manufacturing, historical true crime, and a great general city tour called “More than an Arch.” Uniting all of the tours are routes that really take guests off the beaten path and show the great history hiding throughout the city!

All walking, bus, and virtual tours are offered as private tours as well and can accommodate different ages, abilities, and interests. We also provide private groups with tours focusing more on particular topics than they would see on a public tour. The most popular is the “Delmar Divide” bus tour that touches on the racial and social divides in our city. These tours are often requested by educators in both the city and the county looking to better connect either themselves or their students with the many layers of racial history at play in St. Louis. We learn about gentrification in Benton Park West,

immigrant communities in Dutchtown, segregation in the Ville, displacement in St. Louis Place, and much more. The tours also celebrate the resilience of St. Louis’s Black community and current movements toward healing the infamous Divide.

Jeremy Brock, the program director of local nonprofit educational group Cultural Leadership, notes, “As a youth social justice program based in St. Louis, providing our students with an experience that would expose them to and engage them in the deep history and current effects of the Delmar Divide is something we’ve long searched for. Amanda Clark and the Missouri History Museum provided just that experience when they led out students on their ‘Delmar Divide’ bus tour this past June. Our students tend to ask tough questions, and I applaud Amanda and her staff for leaning into the complexities of the Delmar Divide and engaging our students in challenging conversations surrounding its history and present. We teach our students that we can’t address today’s issues without first understanding the past with all of its complexities, and so we very much appreciated the ‘Delmar Divide’ bus tour that embraces that approach.”

We invite you to join us on one of our public walking, bus, or virtual tours! Tours are offered seven days a week throughout the year. You can find a calendar of upcoming tours at mohistory.org/see-stl or contact me directly at aclark@ mohistory.org to book a private tour that fits your schedule and needs.

Many Black churchgoers on board with online services

By Leonardo Blair

Christian Post

The

Black churchgoers have adapted so well to online church amid the pandemic some 41% of them now favor a hybrid model of in-person and online services, even after COVID-19 is no longer deemed a threat, and 7% say they would rather their church services remain digital going forward, a new study has revealed.

“Data show that the pandemic pushed Black church pastors to innovate and challenged their ability to disciple people digitally during the pandemic. Even now, as churches emerge from COVIDera regulations, pastors and their people wonder if or how these shifts will continue to

shape the trajectory of their ministry strategy,” Barna Research noted.

Follow-up data showed that as of September 2020, three in five Black adults had watched services online during the pandemic. Some 47% of Black adults who participated in church during the pandemic said the experience made them more open to digital church, while an equal percentage who attended church online in the past six months said they favored in-person gatherings going forward.

At the height of the pandemic, many Black and Hispanic churches were more likely to close due to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on their communities. Data released by

New York City showed how the coronavirus killed Black and Latino people at twice the rate that it killed whites. Nationwide data reflects a similar trend. The situation forced many congregations of color to adapt quickly out of necessity and congregants felt they adjusted well.

“The vast majority of Black church congregants, (64% strongly agree) feel their church responded well to the pandemic. Across the board, larger churches were more likely to be ready and

resourced to embrace the digital and hybrid space, compared to smaller churches,” Barna Research noted.

The Rev. A.R. Bernard, leader of New York City’s 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center, which caters to a strong African American audience, told The Christian Post in a recent interview that coupled with the “age of convenience” he has seen a strong appreciation for online church in his own congregation.

“The culture right now, we’re in a culture of

convenience when it comes to church. That’s real.

We surveyed our people (congregation) … and the larger percentage of our people are enjoying service at home,” he said.

Carey Nieuwhof, a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church, suggested in an op-ed earlier this year that it’s likely the hybrid church will stick around even after the pandemic because a postmodern cultural shift has taken place.

“Perhaps the deepest threat to in-person attendance comes from a cultural possibility …, that we might be entering into a relatively selfish me-centered

behavior that might relegate churches even farther to the sidelines than they were prepandemic,” he wrote.

“Among the many characteristics of postChristian, postmodern spirituality, three stand out when it comes to future attendance trends. Postmodern spirituality is self-directed, anti-institutional, selective,” he wrote.

“In other words, people will pick and choose what they want to do. That goes from choosing a favorite preacher to listen to, to deciding to watch from home or on the go, and even (you’ve already seen this) tenets of the faith they are inclined to embrace and tenets they’re inclined not to,” he added.

The study, Trends in the Black Church, was conducted in partnership with the Rev. Brianna K. Parker of Black Millennial Cafe, Gloo, Urban Ministries, Inc., LEAD. NYC, American Bible Society and Compassion. The data was gathered through follow-up with 1,083 U.S. Black adults and 822 Black churchgoers who had participated in an online survey conducted April 22 to May 6.

For some reason, the phrase “rejuvenated in the spirit” is resonating with me right now. My reference point however is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, if you can believe that. I have been revisiting Christ’s last experience on Earth and was struck by the fact that God’s

Christ had to be excited, if not relieved to be going home. He humbled himself by putting on human skin to fulfill the new covenant under which we all now live. Now some of y’all might think I’m being a little sacrilegious here, but I promise you I am not. After the

beatings, stabbing, thorns and nails he went through to save the world, he said that ‘father forgive them, they don’t get it thing.’ I am sure Jesus was ready to get up out of here. Job well done! Mission accomplished! Let’s go be God again. What a rush! Can you imagine

The Y is the place where any youth can come to cultivate the skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and lifelong success—and have fun doing it. Don’t worry, our coaches will still put a focus on the fundamentals, too!

We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of all different types of families, so no matter what your background, your financial situation, or your schedule, there’s a place for your kids and teens at the Y.

the celebration in heaven at the return of this Son?

Now if you remember before He left, He spent a little more time hanging out, letting folk see touch and feel His redemption of us. I can’t help but sense His expectancy of being a member of the Godhead again, as He continued to fulfill His calling.

I know many of you can attest to a special feeling at knowing you’re going ‘home’ for Thanksgiving, Christmas, family reunions and other infrequent anniversaries and celebrations which bring sheer joy just at the thought of seeing loved ones soon. There are many families arriving and waiting at airports today just to see and touch once again their loved ones. There

are children about to burst with unbridled enthusiasm because they know in a few minutes, mommy or daddy will be coming in that door right there. It’s what makes this pandemic so tortuous. You remember how important family really is don’t you?

That anticipation is what I am describing as ‘rejuvenated in the spirit.’ I just believe if we could view the cross as a symbol of our eternal life after death, then maybe we could look upon death a little differently than we currently do. I mean really. If you call yourself a believer, then that’s what this is all about.

The party for Christ had to be incredible. If the truth be told, that party is still going on

and everybody is anticipating when you will walk through the door. That’s that Jesus thing again. I find it illuminating that after death, Christ walked among us without the disfigured body on the cross, except for enough to make believers out of the doubting Thomases. That’s proof that when you get to the party, you too will be perfect in your form and perfect in your reception. This may not be a typical column but, based on the cross event, you too are transformed from ‘glory unto glory.’ If you can feel what I feel today, then you understand being rejuvenated. I am because He is. I will because He fulfilled the Word and I’ll see you when you get there. I just know that’s a welcome to look forward to. Until then, may God bless and keep you always.

purpose of the research study is to determine how well a blood test can detect an Alzheimer’s disease protein. You may qualify if you meet the following study criteria:

(Study to Evaluate Amyloid in Blood and Imaging Related to Dementia)

Columnist James Washington

WE’RE HIRING MATERIAL HANDLERS

$17.51/ hour

1st, 2nd & 3rd Shift

Material Handlers are responsible for performing a variety of routine hazardous and non-hazardous waste tasks in the movement of solids and liquids. Tasks could include all types of manual labor in cleaning and decontamination operations, vacuum projects and handling, packing, re-packing, unloading and loading containers for processing at site or transportation to appropriate facilities.

Education/Experience:

High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED)

Prior work in the hazardous waste or chemical industry and/or forklift experience preferred but not required (We’ll train!)

Apply today, we would love to hear from you! For more information, visit our website at www.veolianorthamerica.com or contact: Darrell Lewis Human Resources Business Partner 618-857-7322 darrell.lewis@veolia.com

MEMBERSHIP & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Membership & Volunteer Coordinator-grow the # of members & engage volunteers throughout MO for statewide environmental org. 40 hours/ week, $39-$43K, 100% paid health insurance. Email resume to jobs@moenviron.org with subject line Membership and Volunteer Coordinator by 8/16/21. See moenvironment. org/careers for full listing.

ACCOUNTING CLERK

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Accounting Clerk . To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/ Applications will be accepted from August 1, 2021 through August 14, 2021.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Administrative and professional position of routine difficulty involving the performance of a variety of specific staff projects or assignments. Involves the performance of specialized duties related to the activities of the Development Department. Establishes and maintains general office procedures. Distributes mail, files, types (sometimes composes) correspondence, memorandums, reports, logs and related materials utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other division related software. HS diploma plus at least 5 years secretarial/administrative experience. Graduation from an accredited secretarial school may be substituted for part of the experience. Must demonstrate typing skill at the rate of 50 wpm. Starting Salary $36,855 Annually. Apply via our website www.slha.org. Position will be open until filled. A Drug Free Work Place/EOE.

OPERATIONS

COORDINATORASSIST ED

Operations CoordinatorAssist ED w/ financial management & oversight & manage office operations of statewide environmental org. 32 hours/week, $18-$22/hour, 100% paid health insurance. Email resume to jobs@moenviron.org with subject line Operations Coordinator by 8/16/21. See moenvironment.org/careers for full listing.

PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALIST

The St. Louis County Library is seeking qualified applicants to fill part-time Public Safety Specialist positions. The Public Safety Specialist will work in a public library setting, ensuring a welcoming, safe and secure environment for employees, patrons, and the protection of library assets.

A High School diploma or GED required. A Bachelor’s degree or 60 hours college credit preferred. Three-five years of experience in security, social services, or related experience working directly with the public. Requires good interpersonal skills and excellent organization and communication skills. Salary - $21.75/hour. Apply online at https://www.slcl.org/ content/employment Equal Opportunity Employer.

JOIN SIERRA CLUB’S ORGANIZING FOR CLEAN ENERGY IN MISSOURI!

The Sierra Club is hiring an experienced community organizer to build grassroots power with communities to stop dirty, unhealthy energy production and create a just and equitable clean energy economy. The organizer will help to lead our work in Missouri on building partnerships, supporting leadership development, and expanding the grassroots base.

Location: St. Louis, MO. Salary: $59,000 Full job description for the Organizing Representative position and application details and can be found at sierraclub.org/careers

LETTING NO. 8733

WINDOW REPLACEMENT WEST

CLIMATE CONTROL PLANT

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, in Room 301, City Hall 1200 Market St., St. Louis, MO. Until 1:45 p.m., on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, then publicly opened read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website: https://www.stl-bps.org (BPS online plan room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with applicable City, State, and Federal laws, (including MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in the Ozark Conference Room, 4th Floor of the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Salt Creek Bridge, Katy Trail State Park, Project No. X2102-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/2/2021 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

PENGUIN & PUFFIN COAST HVAC IMPROVEMENTS

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Penguin & Puffin Coast HVAC Improvements. Bid documents are available as of 8/4/2021 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Responses for St. Louis Community College on RFP B0004104 for Routine Furniture Purchases will be received until 3:00 PM (CST) on August 26, 2021. Go to https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com for bid document and submission.

BID

Alberici Constructors and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified construction firms to submit proposals for multiple projects at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. Projects consist of Building Re-Roofing, Building Demolition and Perimeter Fencing & Roadways. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Repair

Parking Lot and Loading Dock Infrastructure, M i s s o u r i Geological Survey, Rolla, MO. Project No. W1901-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 26, 2021 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for REBID: Improve 4-Plex A r e a A c c e s s Bennett Spring S t a t e P a r k , Lebanon, MO, P r o j e c t N o . X2007-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, September 2, 2021. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SOLICITING BID

PJ Hoerr, Inc is Soliciting Bids MBE/WBE/DBE/Veteran/ SDVE for the following:

University of Missouri- Patient Care Tower- Pharmacy Renovation Contact: Mike Murray, mikem@pjhoerr.com Phone: 573-682-5505

ROANOKE CONSTRUCTION SEEKS BIDS FOR NEW SENIOR HOUSING

Roanoke Construction has been selected to be the General Contractor for the construction of the Scott Manor Phase II Senior Apartments located in St. Louis, MO. The proposed building is 50,651 SF and consists of (50) one and two bedroom units.

The project site work includes but is not limited to site work grading, site utilities, concrete and asphalt paving and landscaping. The building consists of a three story wood frame building with grade beam foundations, masonry, composite siding, hollow metal doors and frames, vinyl windows, TPO roofing, gutters and downspouts, drywall, painting, vinyl and carpet flooring, cabinets, elevators, fire suppression, split HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical packages.

We anticipate that construction of this project will begin in October of this year and will take one year to complete.

This project is NOT tax exempt and does not require prevailing wages.

Minimum of 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation will be required for the project. All questions should be submitted via email to Jacqueline True Director of Preconstruction bids@roanoke-construction.com www.roanoke-construction.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Detailed Update to the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants to develop a detailed update to the Council’s Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). A DBE goal of 14% has been set for this project. Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. on September 3, 2021. Submittal details and specifications can be obtained at www.ewgateway.org www.stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for BELLEVUE AVE #1600 - 1618 LATERAL SEWER (IR) under Letting No. 13288-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, September 08, 2021, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Americas Center is seeking construction bids from qualified companies for repair of stone façade, interiors and general construction. Interested bidders must attend a mandatory pre-bid walk through which will be held at the Americas Center on Monday August 16 at 10am. Please meet outside at 7th and Washington in front of the Center. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.

SINGLE FEASIBLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR PROCUREMENT OF THE RAISER’S EDGE NXT FROM BLACKBAUD, INC. Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) anticipates procuring the product listed above from Blackbaud, Inc. Blackbaud, Inc., is the sole owner of any and all intellectual property related to The Raiser’s Edge NXT. The anticipated dollar amount of the product is $36,000.00. The award is scheduled to take place on or about August 5, 2021.

The contact for the University is Barbara A. Morrow, Director of Business Services, email address: morrowb@hssu.edu or telephone #: (314) 340-5763.

COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 8/05/21

City of St. Louis: Department of Human Services (DHS) 1520 Market Street, Suite 4062 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related requirements for an activitiy to be undertaken by the City of St. Louis, Missouri

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or after 8/20/21, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Corona virus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act ( Cares Act) Public Law 116-136 (2020) Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following Public Improvement, within the City:

Public Improvement: Capacity Building for homeless youths

Purpose: The interior renovation of the existing facility to involve no ground disturbance consisting of the main building

Location: Site 1. 2727 N Kingshighway, 63113

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $599,713, with $599,713 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2020 Federal ESG Program Funds— Grant # E-20-MW-29-0006.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The activity proposed is categorically excluded subject to under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is on file at the City’s DHS, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Donata Patrick, DHS, Program Manager I, at (314) 657-1702.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Donata Patrick, DHS, Program Manager I, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to these programs can be directed to Valerie Russell, DHS, Director, at the address listed above. All comments received by 8/19/21 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Visit https://www.onecpd.info/environmental-review/environmental-reviewrecords to review HUD ERR.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones, in her capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use these program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ms. Renee Ryles, Acting Community Planning & Development Director, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 418-5405. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Mayor Tishaura Jones, Mayor of the City of St. Louis, Missouri City Hall-Room 200, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis Missouri

Date of Publication: 08/05/202112/25 City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TDD)

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of St. Louis (“The City.”) REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or after 08/22/21, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG Program funds under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake the following projects:

Project Title: West End Court III

Purpose: New construction of seven (7) single-family homes, on vacant lots, each containing approximately 1,784 square feet, three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms

Location: 5885 Cates Ave, 5876 Cates, 5875 Cates, 5872 Cates, 5869 Cates, 5868 Cates, 5864 Cates, St. Louis, Missouri 63112

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $2,251,634, with $865,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2020 Federal CDBG Program Funds— Grant # B-20-MC-29-0006..

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City has determined that these projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Certain conditions will apply to this project. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information for each project is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City CDA, at the above address, where the ERR is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Lisa Selligman, Architectural Manager, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 08/21/21 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City certifies to HUD that, Nahuel Fefer, in his capacity as Acting Executive Director, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use the City’s above-referenced HUD program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of the release of funds by HUD; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ms. Renee Ryles, Acting Community Planning & Development Director, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 418-5405. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Nahuel Fefer Certifying Officer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Normandy Schools Collaborative Printing Services RFP available on www.Normandysc.org Bids Due on 8/19/2021 at 2:00 PM

Normandy Administration Building 3855 Lucas and Hunt Rd. Normandy, MO 63121

Attention: Dr. Teri Green

BID

Great Rivers Greenway is issuing this Request for Proposals to purchase the properties at 1245 – 1251, 1246 and 1300 Lewis Street. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by August 10, 2021.

BID

BID NOTICE

K&S Associates, Inc. is soliciting MBE/WBE/SDVE/DBE/VBE for the following project for August, University of Missouri, ColumbiaNew Indoor Practice Facility, City Of Brentwood-Lawn Event/Comfort Station BuildingPlans and Specs can be viewed at www.ksgcstl.com-submit bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com or Fax 314-647-5302

NOTICE OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OPEN ENROLLMENT

You may have what it takes to be successful in the construction industry if you are…

- Dependable

- Someone that enjoys hands-on work

- Someone that works well in a team environment

- Someone that is looking for a career with room for growth

- Someone that wants to help build their community

Associated Builders and Contractors Heart of America is accepting applications for its Pipefitting and Plumbing Apprenticeship programs. All programs take place at our Eastern Missouri Training Facility.

To apply you must be 18 years or older, attend a scheduled orientation, and submit an application including the following documents in person:

Valid Driver’s License High School Diploma or Transcripts or a GED Certificate DD214 – Veteran Documentation (if applicable)

Please visit www.abcksmo.org for more information and to complete an interest form in your trade of choice. Staff will contact you to schedule a time for you to attend an orientation.

All minorities, including women, are encouraged to apply. The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, creed, disability or sexual orientation. All contractor members are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Pre-Bid

Point of Contact: Briana Bryant– bnbryant@flystl.com

Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8174. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at https://www.flystl.com/business/contract-opportunities Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

outsource that causes me not to be okay with reality,” Stanton said. “I was able to heal and process all those layers of trauma I’ve experienced since I was 12.” Rather than dwell on those experiences, Stanton instead unapologetically shares her truth in her book “Some Things Must Be Heard,” which encompasses vulnerable, honest and thought-provoking poems about her past, present and future. In accompaniment with the book, readers can also scan a QR code that allows them to listen to a playlist of her reciting her most impactful pieces.

“I use my transparency to invite other people to a space where they can feel comfortable with sharing their truth and honest self,” Stanton said.

“The more that I gave my pain air the less power that it had over me coming home and going through my process of recovery and transformation.”

Stanton said her book has received a lot of positive feedback namely for her being so

open about her past. While others’ experiences may be different than hers, she still encourages everyone to feel confident and comfortable enough to tell their story.

“If I can have compassion for myself, give myself a break and not be so hard on myself

then I can ultimately look at the next individual and be able to project that same type of grace.” Stanton said. Stanton’s book is available for purchase on https://tspirit. net/.

Like People? Like Driving?

Part-time driver positions start at $17.50 an hour. Health insurance offered following 90 days of employment.

Applicants must be positive, reliable individuals with solid work experience and a clean driving record. Applicants must also pass USDOT physical and drug test, and with ACT assistance, obtain IL CDL B license with air brakes and passenger endorsements. ACT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Continued from B1

Feb. 9 to 27 at Washington University’s Hotchner Studio Theatre.

“Donja is another wonderful playwright,” Himes said. “Fireflies is a two-character play that will feature in the blackbox small theater during the season. It is part of a trilogy, and so I’m very excited to be able to present his work in St. Louis.”

Set during the Jim Crow South era, “Fireflies” delivers a story about Olivia, an aspiring speechwriter, and her undeniable loyalty to her husband Charles and his voyage to freedom. The aftermath of a church bombing that claimed the lives of four girls causes their relationship to become rocky. Olivia contends that the current society is too unsafe to bring a

Birthday

Continued from B1

in Tunica, Mississippi, she was raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi by Arthur and Lillie Washington. She and three siblings, Lillie, John and Bennie grew up in a small town where most likely freed slaves once lived.

Everyone knew each other, and people often lived on the same street as fellow church members.

One of O’Bryant’s fondest memories of her mother was her cooking, particularly when she baked her favorite dessert, a double-chocolate cake.

“Whenever she said she baked a cake I would start dancing around,” O’Bryant said. “Sometimes I would sit on her lap in a rocking chair and think of it. It was a dark chocolate cake with chocolate icing.”

Going to church every Sunday morning was routine for her family’s household. Before service, her mother would try to comb and style her hair, but there was something about the way her older sister Lillie styled it that made O’Bryant feel at ease.

“When we’d go to Sunday school, my sister would part my hair and style it one way and my mother would try to do it the same way, but when she did it I cried,” O’Bryant said. “But my sister would still comb it.”

Eventually, she relocated from Clarksdale to St. Louis for better economic opportunities.

Black child into the world.

For its first production at the Center of Creative Arts’ (COCA) Berges Theatre, The Black Rep will showcase Charly Evon Simpson’s “Behind the Sheet” Mar. 16 to Apr. 3.

Set in 1840s Alabama, Philomena helps her owner with experimental surgeries on fellow slave women in hopes of discovering a solution for post-childbirth complications.

The production reveals a brutal truth surrounding the history of involuntary surgeries in women.

August Wilson’s “Jitney” concludes the season May 11-29 at the Edison Theatre.

Set in the late 1970s, this is Wilson’s first play in a 10-play series explaining Pittsburgh’s history of urban renewal and how it jeopardizes a temporary cab service. It follows male cab drivers as they deal with issues affecting their personal lives and community.

Back home, most people did domestic work or worked on a farm.She wanted something better for herself.

She knew how to sew, and gained more experience in the field working as a seamstress at the Linda Rose and Charlotte Better Dress Company factories for almost 20 years.

She first learned how to sew at school and home. Her sister helped her.

“My mom would save scraps she had laying around because she knew I would come looking for them and do something with them,” O’Bryant said.

She met her first husband, Albert, when she moved to St. Louis and they married young. He died in 1971 and she later married George O’Bryant, who has also passed. When she lived in Mississippi, she had a daughter named Shirley who died at five weeks old. Since it happened years ago, and O’Bryant was only about 19 at the time, no autopsy was performed to confirm the cause of death.

After her second husband died, she became more independent and lived alone until she was 103. Doctors told Henderson it was time for O’Bryant to move into an assisted living facility.

She has been a resident at Christian for about four years and Henderson said she appreciates the much-needed love, care, and attentiveness they provide her beloved great-aunt.

“I like Christian Extended Care because they build a really good relationship with her and they cater to her needs,” Henderson said. She’s what I

The Grammy Awardwinning Fisk Jubilee Singers will perform at The Black Rep’s annual gala. Himes assures that this season has something to offer for all demographics.

“I think that the season certainly has something for everybody, across the board in terms of demographics and age groups,” Himes said.

“I think all the plays have some appeal and speak directly to a broad range of demographics on each production. Each production will have a student matinee. That’s how wide we think the range will be. We think that all the plays will be appropriate for junior high, high school age audiences as well as our regular audience all the way up to the senior matinees we do as well.” For more information about The Black Rep’s 2021-2022 season, visit www.theblackrep. org.

call a “diva,” she likes to be catered to and looked after. They do that for her and I appreciate that.”

O’Bryant’s niece, Helen Flagg, said O’Bryant was always her go-to, getaway person whenever she vacationed in St. Louis from West Helena, Arkansas. Similar to her mother’s culinary skills, many people raved about O’Bryant’s cooking, including Flagg.

“I would eat things that she cooked that I didn’t eat from my mom,” Flagg said. “My mom asked her how do you get her to eat certain things that you cook. She joked and said ‘change the pots, she’ll eat it’. I remember this meal she cooked. It was pork chops, speckled butter beans and rice. I wouldn’t eat that at home but when she fixed it I would.”

O’Bryant surprisingly eats the same thing every day; tomato soup and ice cream. She was asked what’s her secret to living a long life and being a feisty jokester. She responded by asking if the reporter “was drunk.”All jokes aside, Henderson credits O’Bryant’s positive energy, her faith and belief in God and her being an active person as reasons for her longevity.

“She’s always been a busy person doing things,” Henderson said. “She always sewed and baked for others. Even now she likes to work on puzzles, read the Bible, and read magazines. I think as long as she keeps her mind and her body active she’ll be around for a while.”

Photo by Mena Darre

Tracy “T-Spirit” Stanton

August 5th, 2021 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Community mourns Dr. Henry Givens

Service held in auditorium named for the late icon, change agent, visionary

21st Salute to Excellence in Health Care celebrated

Eviction moratorium extended

Recent uprisings lead to inmate transfers to Workhouse

Backward Missouri’s deadly health policies

Commentary

Whitewashing history, voter suppression go hand in hand

This too shall pass Commentary

Letters to the editor

Four for Texas

People’s Community Resource Fair set for August 7

Givens

Khan calls County Council meeting “a

Carter Commons now part of Pagedale Town Center development

Minority-owned restaurants are anchors

Golf legends reminisce in STL

Opportunity Trust offers grants for minority educators

Carter

Golf

Sports

InSIdE SportS

Saniah Tyler taking her basketball talent to Kentucky

SportS EyE

Biles’ bravery is now bronzed for the world to see

“Taking Care of You”

COVID surge

Confusion greets students, teachers as they return to class

Public schools face dilemma

“Taking Care of You”

NAACP: Black Americans ‘optimistic’ but over-indexed in COVID-19

COVID

categories

City ordered 6 years’ worth of pepper spray amid jail uprisings

$17K order came as city dealt with unrest

Some things must be heard Black Rep is back

Community activist shares harrowing experiences in poetry book

45th season opens with Pulitzer Prize winner “Sweat”

SNEAK PREVIEW AUGUST 12

See STL Tours Explore the Delmar Divide and More

Many Black churchgoers on board with online services

WE’RE HIRING MATERIAL HANDLERS

MEMBERSHIP & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

ACCOUNTING CLERK

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

OPERATIONS

COORDINATORASSIST ED

PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALIST

JOIN SIERRA CLUB’S ORGANIZING FOR CLEAN ENERGY IN MISSOURI!

LETTING NO. 8733

WINDOW REPLACEMENT WEST

CLIMATE CONTROL PLANT

SEALED BIDS

PENGUIN & PUFFIN COAST HVAC IMPROVEMENTS

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BID

SEALED BIDS

SEALED BIDS

SOLICITING BID

ROANOKE CONSTRUCTION SEEKS BIDS FOR NEW SENIOR HOUSING

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

REQUEST FOR BIDS

PUBLIC COMMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

RELEASE OF FUNDS

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

BID

BID

BID NOTICE

NOTICE OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OPEN ENROLLMENT

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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