December 14th, 2023 Edition

Boom town

Metro Boomin honored as a ‘key’ St. Louis celebrity

Metro Boomin honored by mayor with Key to City

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Big supporter of single moms

By Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

St. Louis native Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne, Diamond-certified Grammy Awardnominated producer and entrepreneur, received the city’s highest honor from Mayor Tishaura O. Jones when he was presented a ceremonial Key to the City on Thursday in the City Hall Rotunda “in recognition of his years of commitment to supporting single mothers and families.”

St. Louis native Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne, Diamond-certified Grammy Awardnominated producer and entrepreneur will receive the city’s highest honor from Mayor Tishaura O. Jones when he is presented a Key to the City on Thursday “in recognition of his years of commitment to supporting single mothers and families.”

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones says the young top charting award-winning producer is a force to be reckoned with.

“Metro has a distinct ear for music,” said the mayor.

City NAACP launches

Following the presentation at the City Hall rotunda, Wayne will host a series of events including his annual holiday celebration in partnership with Rung for Women 2023 marks the seventh “Single Moms Are The Real Superheroes” campaign and the

Mayor Jones described him as a family man, being the big brother to his four younger

Metro Boomin Wayne was joined by his siblings on the City Hall Rotunda steps after receiving a Key to the City from Mayor Tishaura Jones on Thursday.

Metro Boomin returned home for the inaugural St. Louis CITY block party in March. The Grammy Award winning producer and performer will receive a Key to the City from Mayor Tishaura Jones on Thursday Dec. 14, 2023.

Gospel greatness

Grammy nominated baritone Wintley Phipps performed at the Stifel Theatre Friday night Dec. 8, 2023 with the SLSO IN UNISON Chorus conducted by Kevin McBeth.

Shooting spree puts spotlight on teen gun violence

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow

Last week, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell informed the community of shocking news.

His office has charged Clifton Booze Jr., 14, of Hazelwood, with seven felonies in connection to the March 26, 2023, murder of James Bond, also 14 years of age. Berkeley Police had received calls about a wandering group of about 15 juveniles randomly firing gun shots that struck vehicles and residences in the 6800 block of Larry Lane. Responding officers found Bond, shot in the chest, dead in the front yard of a home. Witnesses at the scene, police said, identified Booze as one of the shooters.

n “What more can we do to avoid tragedies like this?”

– County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell

Two other defendants previously charged in this incident, La’Marrion Matthews and Taivion Kirk, are being held on a $250,000 bond. Booze has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a

to Read’ campaign

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

St. Louis Public Schools students have a reading proficiency score of 19% compared to a 45% statewide average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics annual report card. In the St. Louis region, African American students lag in reading proficiency when compared to other ethnic groups. The same is true throughout Missouri.

The NCES report card shows that only three in ten Missouri students demonstrate reading proficiency at a fourth-grade level. Only one in 10 African American students reach the reading proficiency level.

The knowledge of these numbers led the St. Louis NAACP to announce on Wednesday the launch of its “Right to Read” campaign. Adolphus Pruitt, chapter president, calls the effort “a comprehensive literacy initiative aimed at ensuring every child in St. Louis and St. Louis County has the opportunity to read on grade level by 3rd grade.”

He said the campaign’s goal is for students to meet or exceed the overall state average by 2030. The campaign will be

See READ, A7

By American Staff

Three stalwart organizations have joined the St. Louis American Charitable Foundation in presenting next year’s annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon.

Greater St. Louis, Inc., Regional Business Council and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis have agreed to join the St. Louis American in presenting its 22nd annual Salute to Business luncheon Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the RitzCarlton St. Louis.

Led by president and CEO Michael P. McMillan, the mission of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. is to empower African Americans and others throughout the region in securing economic self-reliance, social equality and civil rights. The local organization has become the top Urban League affiliate in See SALUTE, A7

Photo courtesy of St. Louis City

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Ashley Winters

Cam Newton’s girlfriend Jasmin Brown jokes about being the third woman

Comedian Jasmin Brown’s fans began calling out what they consider hypocrisy on her part.

Online comments accused Brown of speaking negatively about “baby momma culture” in the past and then choosing to partner with football star and podcaster Cam Newton with five young kids, seven in all.

In response to several comments like “Why would you ever be with someone with 5 young children?” one commenter wrote, “5x the love. 5x the fun. 5x the positive impact I get to have on their lives.”

When making her pregnancy announcement, she said she would do a comedy tour titled the Third Times a Charm Tour. The title reportedly makes light of people criticizing that she is

the third woman to have a child with Newton.

Sauce had police hot on his tail at 130 mph

The 33-year-old Hip Hop star Houston rapper Sauce Walka ran hit a red light and then sped away from cops in a pursuit that lasted 2.2 miles.

Before crashing, Walka reached 130mph, evading police after beating a red light before crashing his 2021 Jeep Tracker.

He was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

He was charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle.

Sauce Walka, legal name Albert Walker Mondane, was released on a $15,000 bond.

“I want to tell all my fans that I appreciate y’all for your care

and concern,” Walka said. “I’m good, I’m straight. I made it through a catastrophic accident, and the Super Saiyan that I am, I’m still here, I’m good, I’m healthy, and I will continue to be wealthy. Right now, I’m incarcerated, but I should be getting out soon. I’ma drop a video for y’all ‘cause I know y’all miss me. And I’ve been working hard, so I’ve got some more work I’ma drop for y’all.”

Tracy Morgan finds some new kinfolk

BET and other media outlets have reported that Tracy Morgan learned another branch on his family tree has rapper Nas on a limb.

The comedian said the revelation came while appearing on a segment of the PBS docuseries

“Finding Your Roots” –set to air on Feb. 20, 2024. Morgan also said his bond with the rapper transcends the limelight.

“Me and Esco was always tight before that,” he explained. “I did a show years ago on “Comedy Central” called ‘One Mic,’ that was for Nas’ mom that just passed away. So me and Esco always been tight.”

After Morgan got the news of his newfound family member, he reached out to Nas to notify him.

“I called him up, and I say, ‘Yo Esco,’ he said, ‘What up Trey?’” Morgan recalled. “And I said, ‘I just did ‘Finding Your Roots.’ Me and you related.”

While sharing the news, both became overtaken with emotion.

“He started crying, I started crying,” Morgan recalled. “And I said to him, ‘If you ever need me, I’m there, Cuz.’ He said, ‘Cuz, if you ever need me, I’m there.’”

Source: The Shade Room, Yahoo News, BET, TODAY

- Attorney Ben Crump

Divine 9 unite in support

of United Way CCS campaign

$385,000 tops last year’s total

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

In a divine gesture of community support, the United Way of Greater St. Louis Charmaine Chapman Society’s (CCS) Divine 9 members raised over $385,000 through its Divine 9 Challenge.

The CCS initiative provides a friendly fundraising competition between the nine historically Black Fraternities and Sororities in the St. Louis region.

CCS members give an annual donation of $1,000 or more to United Way of Greater St. Louis that helps over 160 local nonprofits that United Way funds.

“We are thrilled to see our local Sororities and Fraternities unite to collectively give through this fun and exciting Divine 9 Challenge,” said Michelle Tucker, United Way of Greater St. Louis president and CEO.

“CCS’s goal is to

respond to the needs of the community and this annual friendly competition has been pivotal to them accomplishing that.”

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., led the way in respective competitions.

Delta Sigma Theta raised $154,940 and Alpha Phi Alpha raised $104,610, respectively. The winners were announced last week at A Gathering for Good event. The co-chairs for the 2023 challenge

were Francella Jackson (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.) and Cedric Mitchell (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.)

The Deltas and Alphas are repeat winners in 2023, and the campaign was even more successful this year.

Last year’s challenge raised $354,000 and the respective sorority and fraternity winners were Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - $107,857; and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - $53,273

“Contributions through the Divine 9 Fundraising Challenge ensure United Way’s Safety Net Agencies impact more than a million neighbors annually, including 350,000 Black individuals – real lives touched by CCS and Divine 9’s generosity,” said Tucker. The late Charmaine Chapman was the first woman and first person of color to head United Way of Greater St. Louis as its president and chief executive officer. She led the

Charmaine Chapman Society Campaign co-chairs Adrian and Vernon Vito Bracy helped celebrate an outstanding Divine 9 Challenge during the “A Gathering for Good” event at the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Black Greek sororities and fraternities raised $385,000 in support of the CCS campaign. Photo courtesy of

organization to some of its greatest fundraising successes during her tenure.

The local Charmaine Chapman Society (CCS), which was founded by Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis American publisher and executive director, is one of the top African American philanthropic giving groups in the nation. It is comprised of more than 600 members and, since the group’s inception in 1994, members have raised over $88 million for the Greater St. Louis region. This year’s CCS campaign co-chairs are Adrian and Vernon Vito Bracy.

According to the United Way, “It’s part of the CCS culture that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’

“Members are a community of individuals who make it their mission to be ‘a hand up’ to others. The Society focuses on fostering the next generation of Black leaders, all while helping to make an impact in the St. Louis region.”

The organizations raised the following amounts:

Sororities: Delta Sigma Theta: $154,940 Alpha Kappa Alpha: $102,820

or make a gift to United Way’s campaign at

Guest Editorial

The GOP goal in investigating these trumped-up charges is clear: help their 2024 presidential nominee — most likely former President Trump — defeat Biden in the November election.

Another Trumpinspired farce

By Donna Brazile

The Republican-controlled U.S. House is expected to vote soon on whether to authorize an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, even though there is no evidence he committed an impeachable offense and no chance the Senate will convict him and kick him out of office.

House Republicans have come up empty after launching their impeachment inquiry in September, authorized only by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. The White House has said the inquiry is unconstitutional without a vote of the full House, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to announce last week that he would soon schedule such a vote.

The proposed Biden impeachment inquiry is a farce. Neither the Justice Department (including during the administration of President Donald Trump), the FBI nor the media have ever found any evidence to back up allegations against Biden.

The only “crime” Biden is guilty of is being a Democrat running for reelection. That’s enough to unite most House Republicans behind an effort to smear him with baseless charges that he corruptly profited from the foreign business dealings of his son Hunter and accepted bribes.

up 67 votes in the Democratic-controlled Senate to convict Biden if he is impeached on phony partisan accusations.

Some 83 House Republicans and 10 Republican senators have endorsed Trump for another term in the White House, and more are sure to follow if he starts winning primaries and locks up the GOP nomination. These Trump worshippers are eager to do his bidding and jockey for his favor, fueling the House effort to impeach Biden on charges as phony as a $3 bill.

Trump has long called for Biden to be impeached. The former president has falsely claimed on the social media platform he owns and elsewhere that Biden is “the most corrupt President in the history of the United States.”

In demanding Biden be impeached and making wild fact-free accusations against him, Trump is relying on the standard playbook he’s been using for decades. Whenever he’s accused of misconduct, he claims his accusers and opponents are actually guilty of the same misconduct and demands they be punished.

SCOTUS ethics code worse than nothing

By Marc Morial

“There’s no clearer indication that these rules are useless than the fact that they end up codifying Thomas’s outrageous behavior as ethically within bounds.” —

Mystal

Elie

The so-called Code of Conduct the U.S. Supreme Court won’t put a stop to corruption and wasn’t intended to do so. Quite the opposite: it is intended to justify corruption.

The Code’s most glaringly obvious failing is the lack of any enforcement mechanism. But it’s clear the justices don’t intend their feeble code to be enforced: In “adapting” the federal judiciary’s code of conduct, the word “enforce” is dropped from the opening section. Other federal judges are expected to “maintain and enforce high standards of conduct.” Supreme Court justices are called upon merely to “maintain and observe” such standards.

Lower court judges should not “lend the prestige of the judicial office” to advance their own private interests or permit others “to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge.” The Supreme Court justices gave themselves considerable wiggle room by inserting the word “knowingly.”

tion.” The Supreme Court justices threw that standard out the window, along with a discouragement against accepting outside compensation that exceeds “what a person who is not a judge would receive for the same activity.”

The new Code of Conduct is not an effort at reform, but a ham-handed exercise in public relations. In their statement on Monday the justices made it clear they were adopting the code — not because any of their own behavior had been a problem — but to dispel “the misunderstanding that the Justices of this Court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules.”

If Justice Clarence Thomas regarded himself as restricted by ethics rules, he would not have accepted cruises on the yacht of a politically-active billionaire who had business before the Court, excursions on his private jet, and vacations at his private resort. At the very least, he would have disclosed the gifts, along with his sale of three properties to the same billionaire, including the home where his mother still lives, rentfree, and the tens of thousands of dollars the billionaire spent on improvements to the home.

The GOP goal in investigating these trumped-up charges is clear: help their 2024 presidential nominee — most likely former President Trump — defeat Biden in the November election.

Trump was justifiably impeached twice by the House — first on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Biden before the 2020 election, and next on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop Biden’s election victory from being certified by Congress.

Thanks to Republican votes, Trump was acquitted in both his impeachment trials by the Senate. A two-thirds vote (67 senators if all 100 voted) is needed for a conviction and removal from office. There is no way Republicans will round

For example, when confronted with the fact that he is an authoritarian who refuses to accept the results of any election he loses and threatens American democracy, Trump said earlier this month: “Joe Biden is not the defender of American democracy, Joe Biden is the destroyer of American democracy.” Sure, just like I’m the queen of England. Congress is nearly paralyzed today by Republican obstructionism, hyper-partisanship and refusal to compromise on right-wing extremist proposals that GOP members demand become law.

We don’t elect members of Congress to prioritize partisanship over patriotism, baseless investigations over vital legislation, or blind loyalty to one man with dictatorial ambitions over loyalty to serving our country and the American people.

Donna Brazile is a veteran political strategist and senior advisor at Purple Strategies

Lower court judges are directed to “take appropriate action” if they have reason to believe that a judge, a judicial employee, or a lawyer has violated the code of conduct. Supreme Court justices are expected to act only in response to employee misconduct.

Lower court judges “should make required financial disclosures … in compliance with applicable statutes …” Supreme Court justices “have agreed to comply with the statute governing financial disclosure,” sending a strong signal that they consider their compliance voluntary, and that the statute does not apply to them.

Lower court judges are urged to “divest investments and other financial interests that might require frequent disqualifica-

If Justice Samuel Alito regarded himself as restricted by ethics rules, he would have turned down a luxury fishing trip with a billionaire whose hedge fund has repeatedly had business before the court, or at least disclosed it.

The list of the justices’ ethical transgressions is disturbingly long, and the new Code of Conduct neither makes clear that they were, in fact, transgressions, nor prescribes any consequence for such transgressions.

The justices may safely consider any misunderstandings dispelled. They have made it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt they regard themselves as unrestricted by ethics rules.

Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

The buoyancy of hope

By E. Faye Williams

It’s a good thing in many ways that we Americans tend to believe in hope, but if you are truly listening to the Republican leader who is trying to get back into the White House, there is no doubt that he is getting more airtime than the law should allow. As I talk with friends, many tell me they must turn off their televisions during the day because of all the negative messages glaring at them.

The Hamas-Israel war is one event taking up so much time and is offering so much pain on all sides. It’s concerning that so many people could die with the end of the tragedy being nowhere in sight. Nobody I know started this tragedy, but we’ve been forced to suffer from what we hear on the news in a play-by-play repeat that forces all of us to have a front-row seat at the tragedy where we are a part of the tragedy. You can’t help but feel the pain on all sides — yet feel helpless to do anything about it.

had nothing to do with what happened on Oct. 7. Jewish people and several of their organizations in America have been there for Black people during the civil rights movement — and we’ve applauded and thanked them. As well, some have been there to hurt us — but we haven’t blamed all of them for their acts. My heart breaks to see so many Black candidates already being targeted for defeat just as I once was without cause. I hear the concern about antisemitism around the world. I am equally concerned about racism and other hate-filled treatment. When this Hamas-Israel war is over, we need to go to the table with the goal of ridding our country of antisemitism, racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab racism. All are troublesome. They make no sense. We’ve worked together before, and we can do it again. We also can’t do it without friends who experience hatred, too.

When it’s not Hamas and Israel, we’re fed the Republican clown show in Congress where its leaders care nothing about those for whom they were elected to serve. They care more about the one-ups-man-ship game they’ve been playing for many months now. Their biggest concern seems to be how to hurt President Joe Biden and his family which leaves no time to do anything that helps our people in need of basic help.

Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

I’ve visited Israel and Gaza three times. I’ve had friends in both places. My heart bleeds for what happened in Israel on Oct. 7. Since that day, whatever blood I have left, also flows for the people of Gaza. At the risk of being criticized by one side of the tragedy or the other, it’s painful to see progressive friends being called antisemitic just because they can’t agree with Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to innocent Palestinians who

Right now, we’re facing the potential of having to deal with authoritarianism in America, and our energy should be focused on resolving problems to protect our democracy.

There’s no joke about having the rights our people have worked long and hard for being taken away. We’ve been warned if we elect someone who has already promised to come down hard on the media, to punish those who disagree with him and people who’ve not supported him in his hatefilled campaign.

In our community, no matter how we’ve been treated, we’ve always held onto that upward force of buoyancy. That’s what we are holding onto now — hope that we can solve the problems dividing us. The buoyancy of hope is what brought my people through some very hard times.

E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Guest Columnist Donna Brazille

Conflict Resolution Center to expand outreach

St. Louis American

The Conflict Resolution Center - St. Louis (CRCSTL) will begin serving residents of St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County in 2024.

Through funding from the Missouri Housing Development Commission, CRCSTL will offer select housing mediation services to residents of these counties at no cost, in addition to continued service to the city of St. Louis.

Mediations will focus on landlord and tenant relationships in which an involved party is facing eviction, is below 80% area median income, and has been impacted by COVID-19. This could include anything from a change in finances to health status to family status.

“At its core, we hope to halt and prevent evictions by helping landlords and tenants identify creative solutions to their challeng-

es,” Wolf Smith, CRCSTL executive director said.

Smith said in a typical renting relationship, both parties can succeed. Tenants receive quality housing and landlords get paid.

“But, like any relationship, things can go wrong. Whether it’s unpaid or late rent, breakdowns in communication, repair issues, lease violations, or something else, mediation can help find solutions that leave both parties satisfied, often with eviction avoided,” he said.

“We believe in creating collaborators out of adversaries. When two parties come together through mediation, they are able to create solutions outside of what the court can do.”

Residents seeking mediation can contact the Conflict Resolution Center - St. Louis at crcstl.org/gethelp.

Voters keep raising your voices

By Mary-Pat Hector

From the time I could talk, I’m told I was loud and opinionated. Though not calling it democracy back then, I believed being heard by the powers-that-be would make a difference. My adamant pitch and passion were always met by opponents bent on silencing and shutting me down.

One hurdle after another, this Black girl-child coming of age in the deep South eventually realized going it alone to get results was an impossible feat.

I found my tribe — a chorus of like-minded voices — all screaming synchronously at the top of our lungs. Together, we unharnessed the secret to being heard, fighting back, and making an impact.

In this “off-year” election, the primal scream of voters reverberated. The message is simple. They’ve had enough of being dismissed, denied, and deceived.

The stunning wins for the abortion rights movement in ruby-red Ohio, deep-purple Virginia, and light-blue Pennsylvania were not about party or candidate victories. It was a full-throttle response to disinformation maneuvers by extremists who are clueless about how democracy works or that it can work.

This victory can’t be claimed by one state or coalition alone. It is part of a still roaring scream, pushing to the tipping point a changing landscape to exact a people’s victory that proclaims democracy is us. Grassroots organizers, nonprofit advocacy groups, and institutions committed to public interest are the small “d” democrats who are saving the day.

From Vermont to Virginia, Kansas to Kentucky, Montana to Maine, the call is loud and crystallizing. Politicians should read the edict from voters, not the latest polling data.

Just as abortion rights in the post-Dobbs era have triggered unstoppable pushback and movements in ballot campaigns, constitutional amendments, and legislatures across the country, groundswells of voices for change are surging and coming to their feet around gun safety and climate change; saying NO to book banning and assaults on LGBTQ rights; demanding clean water in Jackson and Flint; and justice for workers on picket lines at work sites nationwide.

There is a well-paved path of civic engagement animated by people devoted to action and advocacy. Together, we are the connective tissue of democracy. You don’t need an advanced degree to read the message plainly spelled out on November 7.

Without abstractions or caveats, the voters are collectively embracing authentic solutions. Across generational, demographic, and geographic divides, we are responding to issues that hit hard where we live, impacting real-life choices and everyday circumstances.

What’s motivating us with each new ballot initiative is our demand to raise our voices for ownership of our civic life. We can secure common sense solutions that speak to an elevated form of basic brilliance.

We know the role of government is to help, not hinder, obstruct, or enter the corridors of our personal lives. Rights denied, reversed, or taken away will ultimately spur movements.

My call to action to anyone unsure they hold power in their voice: join a group that shares your values. Get involved. Speak, meet, organize, and act. Become the movement to plow the ground and plant the fertile seeds of change.

Mary-Pat Hector is CEO of Rise, a student/youth activist and action organization in Atlanta.

St. Louis Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard and Wolf Buddy Smith, Conflict Resolution Center executive director, recently discussed the importance of mediation in preventing evictions.

Photo courtesy of CRCSTL

Mary-Pat Hector

Continued from A1

siblings.

annual event is now held in honor of his late mother Leslie Joanne Wayne who tragically lost her life to gun violence last June.

toward independence through career coaching, skills training, and additional needed resources.

Giving the philanthropist his props Jones said, “At 30 years old Metro has done only what many people dream of, and young brother this is just the beginning.”

The Leslie Joanne Soiree will be held at the Rung for Women located at 2717 Sydney Street from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm.

Wayne would learn that his mother was killed in a murder-suicide by her husband.

“I am excited to issue a proclamation declaring today as Leland ‘Metro Boomin’ Wayne Day, to recognize Metro’s generosity to the St. Louis community,” said Jones.

According to Jones, the proclamation is just one way to recognize a noble person like Metro Boomin.

Partnering with Rung for Women helps provide essential resources and build a positive community for single mothers, domestic violence survivors and their children.

Rung for Women helps single mothers transition

“To give someone a key to the city is the highest and most prestigious honor. It represents a culmination of lifetime achievements,” she said.

Violence

Continued from A1

weapon and two counts of armed criminal action.

The Class A Felony charge alone carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment. Booze, whose cash-only bond has been set at $750,000, has been certified to stand trial as an adult.

Bell commented on the judges’ decision.

“The court has the discretion to certify juvenile defendants to be charged and stand trial as adults. I am sure this is one of the most difficult decisions a judge ever makes,” Bell lamented.

“No one should feel good about prosecuting a 14-year-old as an adult, but more importantly, no one should feel comfortable seeing a 14-year-old shot dead, as happened in this incident.”

Bell ended his statement with a societal challenge:

“What more can we do to avoid tragedies like this?”

Metro Boomin is known for his unparalleled talent and groundbreaking contributions, he stands as the undisputed best producer of this generation.

With chart-topping albums and visionary collaborations, he has left an indelible mark on the music scene.

“This is surreal, and I appreciate it, today is officially Leslie Joann Day,” said Metro Boomin. The day is in honor of his mother Leslie Wayne. Wayne hosted a series of events including his annual holiday celebration in partnership with Rung for Women. 2023 marks the seventh “Single Moms Are the Real Superheroes” campaign.

Metro Boomin has a series of events planned Thursday December 14 in St. Louis including a reception with Rung For Women and his annual Leslie Joanne Soiree.

Metro Boomin has a series of events planned Thursday December 14 in St. Louis including a reception with Rung For Women and his annual Leslie Joanne Soiree.

training, and additional needed resources.

Rung for Women helps provide essential resources

Notably, Metro’s foray into film includes

Certainly, Bond’s family and victims of crime deserve justice. But a thorough look inside the juvenile justice system underscores the critical need to address issues and circumstances that help ensnare juveniles in criminal and too often deadly situations.

A systematic review also reveals patterns of bias, inequity, and dire concerns about the process of charging youth under the age of 18 as adults.

Consider the Children’s Defense Fund’s “State of America’s Children 2023” report which emphasizes “children of color are especially vulnerable to overcriminalization and therefore overrepresentation on every front.”

According to the report, of the 265,600 children arrested in the United States in 2021, 1 in 3 were Black; two-thirds (67%) in the juvenile justice system are children of color; and of the 2,000 kids under the age of 18 held in jails, approximately 85% of them were being held as adults.

The Children’s Defense Fund recommends “well-established healthier

and build a positive community for single mothers and their children. Rung for Women helps single mothers transition toward independence through career coaching, skills

executive producing the Spider-Verse soundtrack, where his touch enhanc-

alternatives to harsh punishment” which include “treatment, diversion, mental health counseling, and after school programs—none of which require an encounter with the criminal legal system.”

Policy and practice reforms, the report asserts, “can contribute to reducing youth incarceration while improving youth and public safety outcomes by ensuring that youth justice systems make better decisions and provide relevant, appropriate responses to youth behavioral offenses.”

Empower Missouri is a self-described agency “dedicated to secure basic human needs and equal justice for every person in our state.” According to the organization, “there are 4,500 children incarcerated in adult facilities across the country on any given day.”

Missouri law, it alleges, “allows for children as young as 12 years old to be tried as an adult at the discretion of the court.”

Arguing that treating children as adults is “not justice,” Empower Missouri is pushing “Raise the Age”

Metro Boomin is known for his unparalleled talent and groundbreaking contributions, he stands as the undisputed

best producer of this generation. With charttopping albums and visionary collaborations, he has left an indelible mark on the music scene.

es the highly anticipated movie. Seamlessly merging music and cinema, his cameo appearance and extraordinary talent create an unforgettable experi-

legislation to ensure “12, 13 and 14-year-olds can never be tried as adults.”

Serious violent crimes committed by youth have declined since the mid1990s, according to the “Youth and the Juvenile Justice System: 2022 National Report.” Yet, according to the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ), nearly 300,000 children are serving sentences in adult prisons and nearly 250,000 have been transferred to adult courts each year, “where they face lengthy prison sentences.”

CJJ, a nationwide coalition dedicated to preventing children and youth from becoming involved in the courts, argues that a child’s brain structure and function undergoes considerable changes during adolescence, especially when childhood abuse, psychiatric problems and other socio/economic conditions like poverty and education are factored into the equation.

“Trying a minor as an adult in the court of law contradicts neuroscientific research and defeats the purpose of a juvenile justice system,” CJJ argues,

Notably, Metro’s foray

because the practice does not “prioritize rehabilitation over retribution.”

A 2017 report by Human Impact Partners, a nonprofit working to foster equity within social and criminal justice systems, stated that “Charging Youth as Adults is Ineffective, Biased, and Harmful” to society.” Laws that allow youth to be tried as adults not only reinforces racial inequities, the report outlined, they expose juveniles “to extreme violence” and imposes economic burdens of legal fees, court costs, restitution and other expenses on families that already live in poverty.

Obviously, charging a 14-year-old-with a still-developing brain-as an adult isn’t on par with charging a 21-year-old with a felony offense. Still, in Missouri, youth as young as 12 can be placed within the “adult” category of crimes.

It’s difficult to gauge what actions committed by Booze led him to being charged as an adult.

The Berkeley police

into film includes executive producing the SpiderVerse soundtrack, where his touch enhances the highly anticipated movie. Seamlessly merging music and cinema, his cameo appearance and extraordinary talent create an unforgettable experience for global audiences. Beyond his artistic endeavors. Continually pushing creative boundaries, Metro Boomin’s multifaceted career cements his status as an industry visionary. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

ence for global audiences. Beyond his artistic endeavors. Continually pushing creative boundaries, Metro Boomin’s multifaceted career cements his status as an industry visionary. The upcoming event is presented by Amazon Access, Amazon Access teams up with community-based organizations like Rung for Women across the country to help champion initiatives like the Leslie Joanne Soirée. For more information metroboomin@fyibrandgroup.com Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

department did not respond to questions regarding Booze’s intent or how he was identified as Bond’s sole killer out of a group of others foolishly firing guns on the streets.

A spokesperson for Bell’s office said the prosecutor was not involved in the judge’s decision to charge Booze as an adult. In his statement, Bell stressed that the charges against Booze “are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent” until he is convicted in court. Bell lamented that he welcomes “a world where 14-year-olds are not being shot dead and 14-yearolds are not being tried for murder.”

Basic answers to his question about finding ways to keep juveniles from being prosecuted as adults can be found in legislation pushed by Empower Missouri or in the simple remedy offered by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice:

“If America truly defines itself as a nation of second chances, action must be taken now to fix the juvenile justice system.”

Photo courtesy of St. Louis City

Photo courtesy of St. Louis City

Continued from A1

led by Ian Buchanan, the chapter’s new education chair.

“Many suggest that literacy is the civil rights issue of our era,” said Buchanan.

“If Black and brown students continue to underperform in literacy, we severely limit their life options even before they hit adolescence. This is a solvable problem.”

NAACP leadership will extend invitations to community and educational leaders to join the campaign to “foster a collaborative effort to address literacy challenges in the region,” said Pruitt.

Buchanan and cam-

Salute

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the nation.

As the leading champion of empowerment and opportunity for African Americans, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis envisions a region where all people: are valued members of the community; can adequately support themselves and their families; can live in neighborhoods that are vibrant and thriving; and can share in the region’s prosperity and well-being.

Greater St. Louis, Inc. was founded on Jan. 1, 2021, combining the strengths of five legacy organizations — AllianceSTL, Arch to Park, Civic Progress, Downtown STL, Inc., and the St. Louis Regional Chamber — to unify around a common vision

paign leaders will host meetings with school leaders, elected officials, and community organizations throughout the year to introduce campaign goals and gather feedback.

A documentary featuring Kareem Weaver, NAACP Oakland vice president and education chair, will be screened on January 17, 2024, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday week. Weaver will attend the screening and discuss the campaign with parents, educators, and community leaders.

Pruitt and Buchanon want every district and charter school in the city and county to adopt a resolution “and a concrete goal” that ensures the number of Black children reading on grade level by 3rd grade meets or exceeds the overall state average by the year 2030. “The question is, ‘Do

and strategy for fostering inclusive economic growth. It’s led by CEO Jason Hall.

In 2000, the Regional Business Council was launched with 50 business executives representing some of the St. Louis region’s largest companies. Today, led by President and CEO Kathy Osborn, the RBC is composed of 100 CEOs representing some of the region’s largest employers. These companies have a tremendous impact on the economic health of the region, employing over 120,000 people and generating over $65 billion in revenue annually.

Over the past 20+ years, community support has enabled the Business Salute to become an established, respected St. Louis institution that highlights successful African Americans in business and encourages more African Americans to pursue careers in business. The

we have the courage and commitment to solve this literacy dilemma facing

program also provides a public platform to support the value of diversity and inclusion as a business and social imperative for our region and state.

2024 awardees announced

The awards committee has chosen the following individuals to be awarded at the February 22 luncheon. Each will have a more in depth article in upcoming editions of The St. Louis American and stlamerican.com.

Michael E. Kennedy, Sr. founder and chairman of KAI Enterprises will receive the Lifetime Achiever in Business Award. He founded KAI in 1980 from his home office and grew the business alongside his oldest son Michael Kennedy, Jr., CEO, into one of the largest minority-owned AEC firms in the country with a diverse workforce of over 150 employees at its St.

Louis headquarters and offices in Kansas City, KS; Atlanta, GA; and DallasFort Worth, TX.

David Steward II founder and CEO of Lion Forge Animation, will receive the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Founded by Steward, Lion Forge Animation won an Oscar with its debut film, Matthew A. Cherry’s 2019 short Hair Love about a Black father’s struggles to do his daughter’s hair for the first time Steward was recently named to The Hollywood Reporter list of The 75 Most Powerful People in Kids Entertainment.

Steven L. Harris, RubinBrown’s managing partner will receive the 2024 Corporate Executive of the Year Award. As his firm’s managing partner, Harris oversees operations firmwide, and represents RubinBrown in the community and profession across all

Ian Buchanan, a former University City School District assistant superintendent, will lead the St. Louis NAACP’s “Right to Read” campaign. Its goal is to ensure all area students have the opportunity to read on grade level by 3rd grade.

precious Black and brown students in our region and throughout the country,

markets. He has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and client service. Before stepping into his role as managing partner, Steven served as partner-incharge of RubinBrown’s Entrepreneurial Services Group.

Cheryl Jones, president and CEO of Girls Inc. St. Louis, will receive the 2024 Non-Profit Executive of the Year Award. Girls Incorporated of St. Louis, which Jones joined in 2012, provides educational, recreational, and cultural programs to girls in a safe environment to enable them to raise their aspirations and realize their potential. The organization inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold. The St. Louis chapter serves more than 8,000 girls each year.

Special Award: There will be a special commemorative presentation, posthumously honoring Michael

said Buchanan?’”

Buchanan is Nia Education Group CEO and prior to founding the firm served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and Instruction (Chief Academic Officer) in the School District of University City.

The campaign will issue annual progress reports when reading scores become available.

“[The reports] will celebrate successes and highlight areas for improvement,” said Pruitt.

“The St. Louis City NAACP is confident that under Dr. Buchanan’s leadership, the “Right to Read” campaign” will make significant strides towards literacy and ensure that every child has the fundamental right to read.”

F. Neidorff, former Chairman and & CEO of Centene Corporation, who will receive the Champion for Civic & Business Inclusion Award. Neidorff was Centene Corporation’s visionary leader for more than 25 years. Passionate about the arts and a great civic leader, he also had a strong sense of social justice and supported institutions that benefitted the African-American community. He served as chairman of the board of trustees for the National Urban League for years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis Tickets for the February 22, 2024 Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon are $125 each or a table of 10 for $1,250. VIP seating is available for $200 each or a VIP table of 10 for $2,000. Tickets can be purchased on stlamerican.com

Photo courtesy of Ian Buchanan

Medicaid, kids, and naughty politicians

By Jamala Rogers

Half of the children in the U.S. are eligible for Medicaid. Since April, millions have been removed.

As the holiday season continues and children await Santa Claus and his bag of goodies we should be protecting them from Uncle Sam’s unhealthy policies.

The government’s guaranteed coverage plan launched during the Covid-19 pandemic expired last spring. The re-enrollment process has been cumbersome and many families have lost coverage because of the ongoing online nightmare. This news goes hand-inhand with the serious issue of child poverty, which should have no place in one of the richest nations in the world.

Missouri’s Republicandominated state legislatures don’t care whether the 52,000 children who lost their Medicaid eligibility in this state were naughty or nice. Many of these same ruthless politicians earlier fought against Medicaid Expansion and other family-friendly laws.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which researches health policies, nearly 80% of young Medicaid recipients lost coverage because of “procedural reasons.” In plain talk, that’s bureaucratic nonsense including failure to list a working phone number on a form. The disenrollment numbers in Missouri are higher than the national average. The state’s Republican leaders

work tirelessly to reach the bottom when it comes to health and well-being indicators.

Medicaid is an important cog in the government’s safety net for children and adults with limited resources and significant needs. The program was instituted in 1965 and expanded by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. It’s a life-saving program, especially since it subsidizes or totally underwrites the skyrocketing costs of prescriptions.

The Georgetown Center for Children and Families reported nearly 7 million children could be dropped from Medicaid rolls, throwing families into an abyss of uncertainty. How will medical treatment, medicines, and wellness visits be paid for? This burden is added to a daily struggle for food, shelter, and transportation. There are nonprofit groups throughout the state assisting families in renewing their Medicaid benefits. But our government must do more to ensure the safety and viability of its youngest citizens.

It is ridiculous to think you can undercut the needs of children in their vulnerable, formative years and then expect them to

grow into productive and healthy adults. It doesn’t work that way. There are generations of evidence that proves such.

Concerned citizens have taken matters into their own hands through ballot initiatives or by convincing a few sensitive legislators to sponsor bills which bolster the deteriorating safety net for families.

Signatures are being collected to get The Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages Initiative on the ballot next year. The initiative seeks to raise the minimum wage and increase workers paid sick leave.

Many of our elected officials refuse to acknowledge this crisis or be moved by data regarding our children. If we smacked them across the head with the numerous reports, books, data, and actual children’s outcomes, we could be charged with assault.

It is reasonable to expect local, state, and federal governments to enact legislation that provides funding to Medicaid and support the well-being of our nation’s children. Child and family advocates strive to get politicians to work on a serious, long-term plan for the well-being of children. It’s a true challenge.

Don’t expect to hear children’s issues raised in next year’s presidential debates. In a sea of corruption, divisiveness, racial and ethnic strife, it is difficult for politicians to see babies drowning in poverty and unfulfilled promises.

Pagedale on pace to add affordable housing

By Marissanne Lewis-Thompson St. Louis Public Radio

A north St. Louis County city is on track to receive more affordable housing by 2025.

Beyond Housing and its partners are working to bring 36 new single-family homes to Pagedale Town Center and throughout the city in north St. Louis County.

Pagedale Mayor Faye Millett said the $12 million investment is needed for residents in her city.

“I’m happy to see growth in our community,” Millett said.

“I’m even happier with the fact that when you look at a house and you drive through Pagedale, they’re going to start looking like we live in [University City] somewhere. I love decent housing, and I want the people of the community to live in decent housing.”

The energy-efficient homes will be a mix of three and four bedrooms. Rents will run $400 to $700. For years, Millett

and her constituents have been frustrated with the state of affordable housing in the area and with absentee landlords.

“We need housing where people can walk in and not see a big spot in the ceiling or a big clunk of paste on the wall where they half-fixed it,” Millett said. “Or doors that rotted out or walk on floors that are separated from the wall. I’ve seen it all.”

The St. Louis-based nonprofit has been working to change that. Chris Krehmeyer, the president and CEO of Beyond Housing, said this latest effort is an expansion of the work the organization has been doing to improve the city, including providing a senior building with a full-service bank.

“We’ve already built over 100 homes there,” Krehmeyer said. “We’ve rehabbed a couple hundred homes as well. In addition, we built, own and operate the 24:1 Cinema. We brought Affinia and BJC Health to another new building that we constructed and own.”

In the past 10 years, the average price of single-family homes per square foot has gone up 338% in Pagedale, Krehmeyer said. During that same time frame, crime has dropped by nearly 42%.

“What we want to do is keep building attractive housing stock that people will be proud to live in,” Krehmeyer said. “That will increase property value, which will increase the tax base, which will give more resources for critical and needed services for people living in the city of Pagedale.”

Residents who meet the income and other requirements will have access to a number Beyond Housing’s services, including financial advising and help from a health care liaison. After a 15-year compliance period, residents will have an opportunity to purchase the homes. Construction is to be completed by early 2025. This marks the 20th project the St. Louis-based nonprofit organization has been involved in since 1988.

St. Louis

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Chris Krehmeyer, president of Beyond Housing, said his organization has built over 100 homes in Pagedale and is working to add more.

A Housing Dept. divided cannot stand

By James T. Ingram

St. Louis American

To say that the East St. Louis Housing Authority (ESLHA) is no stranger to scandal and controversy is tantamount to saying that Donald Trump is a toxic narcissist; both are a matter of record.

This past summer Interim Executive Director Angela Russell-Perry was terminated following complaints by senior citizens regarding alleged horrific

conditions in one facility and an insect infestation at the Gompers Homes housing project. The ESLHA team did not learn its lesson. Instead of addressing its shortcomings, it made matters worse.

Interim Director Jacqueline Powell was fired following allegations of nepotism and inappropriate spending of thousands of dollars.

The whistleblower is Housing Commission President Shonte Mueller. She

conducted an investigation which led to her recommending that Powell be dismissed. Mueller said she discovered multiple contracts (more than $206,000) were awarded to family members, including a brother-in-law.

It is explicitly against HUD policy to award contracts to family and, according to Mueller, “We have knowledge that these people are related and…you cannot award contracts to family members if you have approving

authority.”

Powell’s brother-inlaw may have received contracts totaling between $9,100 and $9,900, Mueller alleges. In addition, the contracts included subsequent change orders as high as $6,000. There are additional allegations of unnecessary high-end renovations being completed at the John DeShields public housing units. According to Mueller “We shouldn’t be spending money to get custom counter tops and

luxury plank wood flooring when we have people who need to be removed out of units with infestation.”

But investigations and allegations have never stopped alleged criminality from continuing in East St. Louis.

When Fox 2 News anchor and investigative reporter Elliott Davis attempted to gain answers from the ousted Powell, she was elusive, evasive, and deflective. She ghosted Davis after agreeing to chat via Zoom. According to Davis, she later texted him, writing; “I know the media likes to shed negative light on East St. Louis because of the foolishness.

This is just a distraction plot…we will talk soon.” Conspiracy theories and blaming the media aside, Powell has not provided further information to vindicate herself or her alleged accomplices. And, in true ESL political tradition, rather than congratulating Mueller for being an honest guardian of public and federal dollars and exposing possible corruption, she claims some ESL politicians encouraged her to “look the other way.” Mueller, instead, followed her conscious and reported the alleged misappropriations to HUD, resulting in an ongoing investigation by the FBI and other federal agencies. So instead of being hailed as a hero, the East St. Louis City Council (which appoints members of the Housing Authority Board) voted to fire her. Additionally, her husband was removed as assistant police chief after 32 years with the ESL police department. Mueller suspects it was in retaliation for her refusal to accept the misappropriation of funds. The plot thickens. If allegations are proven true, there is the potential for federal indictments of corruption, lawsuits for retaliation, and possible incarceration.

To say that East Boogie’s politicians sometimes put the ‘H’ in hot mess is an understatement of the millennium. I’ll be following this story and others, don’t worry.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com X@JamesTIngram

Columnist

James T. Ingram

Youth on the move

Special to The American

Paris French and Micah Long, two outstanding scholars at Riverview Gardens High School, were announced as the student representatives for the Riverview Gardens School District’s Special Administrative Board (SAB).

As student representatives to the SAB, French and Long will be responsible for attending SAB meetings to share student reports, input and feedback. Both young ladies will help provide valuable perspectives, feedback and insight as the Riverview Gardens School District looks to better serve its scholars. French and Long will also be responsible for advocating for the needs of RGSD scholars.

Research shows that if students are involved in service-learning projects such as civics and gov-

ernance, they develop a higher degree of voice and ownership, their self-concept and political engagement will improve as well.

Having a student representative on the Board also increases opportunity and access for our scholars.

“We’re all here because we are dedicated to educating scholars and educating ourselves,” stated Long.

“It’s really important for me to understand how board meetings [work] in order to complete my role as a student ambassador.”

“I’m looking forward to working with [the SAB] and making positive change for the ‘View,” French added. Both scholars are heavily involved at Riverview Gardens High School. Long is a member of the dance team, DECA and the school’s journalism class. French is involved in the National Honors

2024 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Washington, DC.”

St. Louis native Jordan Braithwaite receives leader award at Grambling

Society, student council, cheerleading, book club and journalism.

HSSU’s

Christian Blue receives Taylor Diversity Fellowship

Christian Blue, a senior information sciences and computer technology major in the Anheuser-Busch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), has been awarded a $15,000 Taylor Diversity Fellowship. This award was granted by the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) and supports students from underrepresented groups

in the geospatial sciences to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the geospatial field. Nominations for the Taylor Diversity Fellowship are made by research council members for their respective institutions. HSSU’s director of the institute for science and math, Dr. Tommie Yvette Turner is the TGI Research Council member and HSSU’s Vice president of STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships, Dr. Freddie E. Wills, Jr. is the TGI Governing Council member. As an inaugural recipient of the Taylor Diversity Fellowship at HSSU, Blue said that he has had opportunities to participate in geo-

spatial research projects and present his research at various local and national conferences.

“This past semester I worked on a TGI funded undergraduate research project with Jessie Bleile and the support team of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA),” Blue said. “The focus was on ports that support the trade of petroleum, oil, and lubricant as they are essential to worldwide growth, facilitating the flow of fuel energy to many industries. I had the opportunity to present the project at the Geo-Resolution Conference at Saint Louis University (SLU), and I will present my research at the

Senior history major Jordan Braithwaite was presented with the Student Excellence Award, which recognizes an undergraduate student as a leader who embodies the ideals expressed in Grambling State University’s core values and a commitment to serving humankind. This recipient has contributed to positive social change on campus and throughout the community. In 2021, Braithwaite was selected as an HBCU Scholar by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is among 86 students from across the nation being recognized for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement, and more.

Braithwaite has also been a strong voice in trying to establish a polling place on the GSU campus in hopes of removing a major obstacle preventing students from participating in elections. Having an easily accessible location where students can cast their votes will not only increase voter turnout but also foster a sense of civic responsibility among our student body. A native of St. Louis, Braithwaite has served as a diligent fourth-year undergraduate scholar at Grambling State University majoring in history with a concentration in Law and Society.

Christian Blue

Jordan Braithwaite

Photo courtesy of Riverview Gardens School District

High School scholars Paris French and Micah Long, two outstanding scholars at Riverview Gardens High School, were announced as the student representatives for the Riverview Gardens School District’s Special Administrative Board.

Seniors Community Fund awards grants totaling $350K

To improve health system infrastructure

Northside Youth and Senior Service Center [NYSSC] received a grant from the Seniors Community Revitalization and Development Fund to help the organization provide transportation for the seniors it serves. The St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Deaconess Foundation partnered to establish the fund.

St. Louis American

The Seniors Community Revitalization and Development Fund has awarded $350,000 in grant awards to support services for seniors in six Missouri counties and three Illinois counties.

Launched by The St. Louis Regional Health Commission (the RHC), in partnership with Deaconess Foundation, the fund seeks to improve the public health system infrastructure to better serve residents 55 years of age and older.

Its Seniors Advisory Board selected 14 grant recipients with a focus on transportation, safety, and health navigation support for seniors.

Grant recipients include:

Transportation

Robert Fulton Development Inc. (Friendly Village Senior Center)

Southside Wellness Center (Senior Citizens Center)

St. Clair County Older Adult Services Inc.

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Transportation for

Individuals with Vision Loss) Northside Youth and Senior Service Center Walk N Faith Disability Resource Association, Inc.

Health Navigation Bilingual International Assistant Services Pony Bird, Inc. (Caring Transitions Program)

Rx Outreach (Senior Health and

Dealing with diabetes with a smile

By Lamart R. Smith

When people ask for my golden rules of managing diabetes, they aren’t surprised by the first items on my list—listen to your physician, exercise regularly, watch what you eat and pay attention to food labeling. But when I get to my final item, have fun, I typically get a quizzical look. Don’t get me wrong, managing diabetes successfully takes work. But I’ve come to learn that living your life and having fun should be—and needs to be—part of that effort.

n In the U.S. in 2018, Black adults were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes — and twice as likely to die from the disease.

The journey that has brought me to these realizations started when my primary care physician told me about the Diabetes Self-Management Training opportunity at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The training course is part of a larger initiative called “Healthier 2gether” that is run by Johns Hopkins Medicine and University of Maryland Medical Center. It offers a program for people living with diabetes, like me, as well as the Diabetes Prevention Program for at-risk individuals. When I learned of the program, I had an A1C level of 7.0, which put me right at the threshold of having diabetes. My doctor and I discussed that being at the threshold meant I could turn things around. When she asked if I wanted to learn more about getting support for this through Johns Hopkins, I gave her a resounding “Yes!”

Affinia providing drug disposal pouches

Helping slow rise in overdoses

St. Louis American

Drug overdoses in the United States have reached a record high, with over 109,000 Americans dying from overdose in the 12-month period ending in March 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

To help slow the tragic rise in overdose deaths, drug misuse prevention tools are vital, and they are being made available for households throughout the St. Louis region and America.

Affinia Healthcare is providing the local community with Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal Systems for permanent, at-home drug disposal. The healthcare provider has over 200 pouches available to the public at its two pharmacies, 1717 Biddle Street, and 2220 Lemp Avenue. The pouches will help local households prevent medication misuse, accidental

n To help slow the tragic rise in overdose deaths, drug misuse prevention tools are vital, and they are being made available for households throughout the St. Louis region and America.

ingestion, and environmental harm by safely deactivating and disposing of unwanted medications.

“Safe medication disposal keeps children, pets and others safe from accidentally ingesting unused or expired medications, helps prevent medications from being misused or

See AFFINIA, A17

Kenyatta Johnson, Affinia Healthcare director of pharmacy, demonstrates how the Deterra Drug Activation pouch destroys medications. The disposal tool has a three-step process and helps prevent accidental drug overdoses and drug misuse.

Photo courtesy of NYSSC Facebook

Lamart R. Smith

Photo courtesy of Affinia

FDA approves gene therapies that could ‘cure sickle cell disease’

NNPA Newswire

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two revolutionary cell-based gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, which could be a lifesaver for people dealing with the disease who are 12 and older.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell affects approximately 100,000 Americans, with over 60% of that number being Black. It impacts one out of every 365 Black or African American births.

About 1 in 13 Black/ African American babies is born with sickle cell trait, and SCD occurs among about one out of every 16,300 Hispanic American births.

Health officials said the root cause of SCD is a mutation affecting hemoglobin, a crucial protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen

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Wellness)

Memory Care Home Solutions (Dementia Care Navigation)

Safety EnergyCare

Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois St. John’s Community Care.

“We are inspired by the work of these funded initiatives and the greater movement throughout Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois region to create generational systems change for our seniors,” said Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation.

“This fund aligns with Deaconess Foundation’s intergenerational commitment to building Beloved Community and embracing healing for all communities as a holistic and interconnected process. Uplifting the concerns and needs of our elders and supporting their requests is a crucial part of these commitments.”

Rosetta Keeton, RHC patient advisory consultant and Seniors Advisory Board member said as a senior she understands the

Affinia

Continued from A16 stolen, and helps keep unused medications out of our water and soil,”

Diabetes

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There were a few reasons for my enthusiastic response.

First, the impact of diabetes in the Black community is more pronounced than in other populations. For example, in the U.S. in 2018, Black adults were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes — and twice as likely to die from the

delivery. The genetic problem causes red blood cells to have a unique “sickle” shape, which can lead to vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) or vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are very painful and damage organs. The recurrence of these crises poses life-threatening risks and potential disabilities.

“Sickle cell disease is a rare, debilitating, and life-threatening blood disorder with significant unmet need, and we are excited to advance the field,” said Nicole Verdun, M.D., director of the Office of Therapeutic Products within the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Casgevy, a groundbreaking cell-based gene therapy, is the first FDA-approved treatment employing CRISPR/Cas9, a revolutionary genome editing technology. The therapy is for individuals 12 years of age or

importance of the fund and how it empowers seniors.

“In giving seniors and those who work with us decision-making power, the fund allows us to create conditions in which we may live with greater peace and independence,” said Keeton, who was honored with the 2020 Lifetime Achiever award during the annual St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Health Care.

The board is comprised of residents aged 55 and older, leaders of organizations serving seniors and families, and community representatives from St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, Warren, Franklin, and St. Louis Counties in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois. It shares decision-making power to advocate for and invest in the needed services.

The funds’ mission is helping seniors thrive in their communities and close gaps in services, accessibility, and isolation.

Priorities were determined after an extensive senior community feedback process, including in-person focus groups and online surveys. Examples of initiatives funded that address the needs that seniors identified in Eastern Missouri

said Kenyatta Johnson, Affinia Pharmacy Services director. With a three-step process, a user deactivates drugs by putting them in a pouch, adding water, shaking, and throwing

disease. Secondly, my family history indicated I could use all the help I could get. My father, mother, sister and brother all had diabetes to varying degrees. On the extreme side, my sister’s decline in health, which eventually led to her passing, started with diabetes. On the more positive side, my brother was able to turn things around, just like I am. As my family’s experience shows, diabetes is a disease that must be taken seriously—but it’s also

older who have recurrent vaso-occlusive crises. It changes the patient’s hematopoietic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9, a technology that can precisely edit DNA. The edited cells are then transplanted back into the patient, enhancing the production of fetal hemoglobin and preventing the sickling of red blood cells. Lyfgenia is another cellbased gene therapy that uses a lentiviral vector to change genes. The FDA

approved it for those 12 years of age or older who have SCD and a history of vaso-occlusive events.

Lyfgenia changes blood stem cells to make HbAT87Q, gene-therapy-derived hemoglobin that looks like adult hemoglobin and makes it less likely that red blood cells will sickle. Both therapies utilize the patients’ blood stem cells, administered through a one-time, single-dose infusion following myeloablative condi-

tioning.

“These approvals represent an important medical advance with the use of innovative cell-based gene therapies to target potentially devastating diseases and improve public health,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The Casgevy and Lyfgenia applications received Priority Review, Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations. Casgevy was granted approval to Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Lyfgenia to Bluebird Bio, Inc.

The FDA said its approval of Casgevy was based on a single-arm, multicenter trial evaluating its safety and effectiveness in adult and adolescent SCD patients. Of the 44 treated patients, 93.5% achieved freedom from severe VOC episodes for at least

The Seniors Community Fund awarded a grant to Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois, which preserves affordable homeownership and revitalizes neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need.

and Southern Illinois include:

Transportation On-demand accessible rides for older adults with disabilities who have no other form of transportation to medical appointments and essential shopping through Disability Resource Association, Inc.

Health Navigation

Support

Health education, connection to healthcare resources, and financial

away in the household garbage. Each pouch uses organic activated carbon to deactivate up to 15 pills, two ounces of liquid, or two patches.

The pouch package is made of plant-based

important to always have hope!

Thirdly, I knew that managing my glucose levels meant changing my diet and exercising more. But I lacked the understanding, tools and methods to do this—and to implement changes that fit my lifestyle needs. So my doctor referred me to enroll in the Diabetes SelfManagement Training, where I met Diane Pabon, my diabetes educator. And the rest, as they say, is a wonderful history for me

support for life-saving medications for underinsured or uninsured seniors through Rx Outreach Senior Health and Wellness.

Safety Winter and summer emergency service programs to help seniors age in place safely in their homes, including providing space heaters, winterization services, and air conditioning units, through Missouri EnergyCare, Inc.

“We are thrilled to

materials and non-toxic ingredients to prevent harmful chemicals from entering landfills and water supplies.

Affinia serves over 43,700 people annually at its 11 health centers locat-

and my diabetes! In our very first session, I could see that Diane understood how to manage diabetes. But she also wanted to understand me. We worked together to determine actions I could take that also fit into my work schedule, family responsibilities and lifestyle. When Diane learned that my wife and I ate out most nights, we developed a plan around that. Now, when I eat out, I know how to control portion sizes, and I take

receive funding from the Seniors Community Fund to advance our volunteer-led work to provide seniors in Madison County with necessary home repairs and modifications,” said Chris Azar, Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois president. “These funds will help ensure that we can continue to meet the growing need for our services, which allow our senior community the opportunity to more safely age in place.”

ed in St. Louis city and county. Many patients have incomes under 100% of the federal poverty level. Approximately 70% of patients served are Black/African American, 11% are Hispanic/

half my meal home for lunch the next day. Diane also suggested I get my exercise in during the workday instead of waiting until I get home, when I’m tired and less likely to do it. This has worked wonders! I’ve also come to understand that some things I love — like getting outside, playing with my grandchildren, and having quality time with my family — can be fun and support my diabetes management.

I’ve been in the

12 consecutive months. Common side effects included low platelet and white blood cell levels, mouth sores, nausea, and musculoskeletal pain. Lyfgenia’s approval was based on a 24-month multicenter study, with 88% of patients achieving complete resolution of VOEs between 6- and 18-months post-infusion. Side effects included stomatitis, low blood cell levels, and febrile neutropenia.

A black box warning highlighting the risk of hematologic malignancy accompanies Lyfgenia’s label, emphasizing the need for lifelong monitoring in patients.

“Today’s actions follow rigorous evaluations of the scientific and clinical data needed to support approval, reflecting the FDA’s commitment to facilitating the development of safe and effective treatments for conditions with severe impacts on human health,” Dr. Marks said.

The merged organization of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (the RHC) and Alive and Well Communities (AWC) is a collaborative effort of cross-sector stakeholders and community members to advance health equity across the State of Missouri and beyond. Since its formation in 2001, the RHC has addressed crises in access to care and advanced health justice through its successful implementation of the Gateway to Better Health program, as well as incubation of several initiatives that now exist as separate organizations. These include the St. Louis Integrated Health Network the Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, Health Literacy Media and AWC. Deaconess Foundation envisions a community that values the health and well-being of all and gives priority attention to the most vulnerable. A ministry of the United Church of Christ, Deaconess has invested more than $96 million to improve the health of the St. Louis community since 1998. Learn more about the Seniors Community Fund and grant recipients at www.stlrhc.org/blog.

Latine, and over 4,000 are un-housed. For additional information, call (314) 814-8700 or visit www.affiniahealthcare.org.

program less than 12 months, but I can’t imagine my life without Diane. All this brings me to my final rule for success in managing diabetes: Seek and accept the support that exists.

Physically, my A1C went from 7.0 to 6.5. I feel better overall and don’t tire as quickly as I used to, and I sleep better. Emotionally, I feel in control. I feel like a person of accomplishment!

Photo courtesy of Rebuilding Together

Nutrition Challenge:

The image also includes a side of milk.

Share! Dividing Your Plate!

For years kids were taught the proper variety of different categories of food by the use of a “Food Pyramid.” The tip of the pyramid represented the small amount of fats a child should consume and that was followed by the five food groups (Milk/Cheese, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits and Grains/Breads). Now, the more common image is a plate divided into portions, showing how much room vegetables, fruit, meats and breads should fill.

A fun way to run around, get your heart rate up and have fun is to play good old-fashioned tag.

Play Tag!

One person is “it” and they must tag someone else who is now the chaser. This game has many variations including:

Freeze Tag — Once you are tagged, you are frozen until a friend crawls through your legs to un-freeze you. Game continues until everyone is frozen. When this happens, the first one frozen is now “it.”

Seeing the different kinds of foods on a plate can help you see how much of each type of food you should eat. Notice that the fruits/vegetables portion fills half of your plate. And remember to include whole grains in the “bread” section of your plate.

For more information visit: http://kidshealth. org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

Partners Tag — Two people hold hands and chase the others. Once they catch another player, that player joins their chain. Once two more partners have joined the team, they can split into two teams of two, and so on. (Teams must always have at least two players.)

Most of our childhood we are taught to share. But there are some things that should never be shared!

These include eating utensils such as forks, spoons, straws and even napkins. But some other items to keep to yourself are your brush, comb, toothbrush, headbands and make-up. Germs, allergens and even living organisms (such as lice) can be passed through sharing these items. What are some other things that should not be shared?

Learning Standards: HPE 3, NH 1, NH 7

Jacqueline Hayes-Dickson, MD

Flashlight Tag — Instead of tagging other players, “it” must simply shine a flashlight on another player, who then becomes “it.”

What are some other ways to play tag? Share your ideas with your classmates.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 3, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Fruit Roll-ups

Ingredients: 1/3 Cp No-sugar-added fruit preserves (any flavor) 1 Tsp Cornstarch

Directions: Mix the fruit preserves with the cornstarch until dissolved. Spread into a 12-inch by 2-inch rectangle onto greased parchment paper. Bake at 225 degrees for 45 minutes and cool. Cut around the rectangle and roll up.

Metro High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Lincoln University and an M.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine.

What does a family physician do? The main part of my job is keeping patients healthy. If they do not have medical issues, we perform physical exams and labs, and other testing, to make sure that the whole family is healthy. Family medicine doctors treat children and adults of all ages. We also care for patients who have illnesses by maintaining their medications and treating diseases.

Why did you choose this career? When I was 7, my mother delivered my little sister at home. I wanted to be a “Baby Doctor” and do deliveries and take care of the babies. Specifically, family medicine was the right choice for me because I would get trained in OB/GYN but also could treat chronic medical conditions.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

My favorite part is being able to take care of entire families. My training allows me to be able to take care of babies, and the entire family: the children, the parents and even the grandparents. Sometimes these relationships last for years, and so these become my “medical families.”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

Ninth-grade students

Antonio Barnes and Aariana Hopson, in Ms. Cheryl M. Christian’s class at Jennings Senior High School, are collecting data and sharing information by determining the volume of irregular objects through water displacement.

Photo by Cheryl Christian

Computers are an essential part of our daily life. It is important to protect them from harmful (and expensive) viruses. What is a computer virus? A computer virus is a piece of programming code spread through email attachments, application programs on your computer, or application programs installed from disk drives or flash drives.

There are several different types of viruses. The program virus starts with application programs and spreads to

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will test your inventor skills to create a security device.

Materials Needed:

Wires (red and black) Battery Snap Connector • Scissors

Ribbon or

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER:

Window Snyder

other programs on the computer. It can also be spread when a copy of the program is installed on another computer. The boot sector virus enters your system through a disk and infects the hard drive.

With this virus, any time a disk is used, it will be infected. The macro virus specifically targets applications on your computer like Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

When you open an infected document in these programs, the program itself becomes infected, allowing the virus to spread to any document opened

up inside the program. The email virus spreads through email attachments and links. Once an infected attachment is opened, the virus enters your email application, and duplicates itself by emailing everyone in your email list. In order to protect your computer, be sure you keep an updated version of anti-virus software. Also, do not open email from anyone you don’t know. If you receive an email from a friend that has a link or attachment, check with your friend to be sure they actually sent the link and that it is not a virus.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

battery and the black wire needs to connect to the negative end. Use the other materials to conceal the alarm (remember you don’t want others to know it is there).

q Brainstorm a design for your alarm using the materials that you have available. Sketch the design.

• Concealing Materials (aluminum foil, paper, magnets, tape, push pins) • Large Rubber Band • A Door Tape

Process: Your goal is to build an alarm that will make a buzzing sound when someone enters your room. You will need to attach wires from the buzzer to the battery. The red wire needs to connect to the positive end of the

MATH CONNECTION

Computer scientists are excellent problem solvers. They have a good eye for detail and strong logic skills. Solve these multistep word problems. Remember to read all parts of the question carefully and check your work.

z Sami and Krystal have twenty five minutes to walk to school together. It takes them eight minutes to get to the corner where the library is. It takes them another seven minutes to get to the fire station. How much longer do they have to get to school without being late? ___________ minutes

w Build the design and test it. If your alarm doesn’t work, try reattaching the wires from the buzzer to the battery.

e Revise and rebuild the alarm as necessary.

r Compare designs with your classmates. Which designs were most effective. Why?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results.

x Joseph earned $15 on Saturday but he only managed to earn half that amount on Sunday. He earned $23 the previous weekend. How much more does he need to earn to give him the $80 he needs to buy a new computer monitor? ___________ dollars

DID YOU KNOW?

c Ashleigh runs 2 miles on Monday and three times that many on Tuesday. If she wants to run a total of 25 miles this week, how many more miles does she need to run? ___________ miles

v A salesman bought a case of 48 backpacks for $576. He sold 15 of them for $18 each at the conference, and the rest were sold to a department store for $25 each. How much was the salesman’s profit?___________ dollars

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide

In 1976, Mwende

Window Snyder was born to an American father and a Kenyanborn mother, Wayua Muasa. Mwende means “beloved”and is the name of her maternal grandmother. This tradition of passing down the names is customary in Kenya. Snyder’s mother taught her basic computer programming at 5 years old. Snyder learned new concepts quickly and taught herself phrases in Swahili at 9 years old. This came in handy when she accompanied her family on trips to Kenya. Snyder attended Choate Rosemary Hall in the early 1990s and was the youngest of 30 board members there.

Snyder is an IT expert who has worked as director of security for such companies as @stake, Microsoft, Mozilla, and Apple. Snyder even had“chief security of something-or-other”printed on her business cards. In 2004, she co-authored Threat Modeling, an online security guide designed for software engineers. She also co-founded a security company, @ stake, that was sold to Symantec for $49 million dollars. Snyder’s approach to security is to think like a hacker and to identify weak points in security. Many people are taking notice and praising her success. Dave Goldsmith, president of Matasano Security refers to Snyder as an“online rock star.”Eva Chen, CEO of Trend Micro says,“It’s gratifying to see other women in prominent roles in tech security. For so long, men have dominated the field.” Mitchell Baker, chairman of Mozilla, adds,“She is effective and respected among several constituencies—nitty gritty geeks, customers, and the general public. She has learned to walk the fine line of making complex concepts understandable and accurate.”

To follow Window’s blog, visit: http://www.dec.net/ws/.

Learning Standards: person who has made a contribution in the field of science, technology, or

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Fact and Opinion:

Choose an editorial (or opinion column) in the newspaper to read. While reading, underline the facts, and circle the opinions. Did the writer rely more on facts or opinions? How did this technique affect the reliability of their writing?

Activity Two —

Digital Citizenship:

Part of digital citizenship involves giving credit to the proper sources. Find examples in the newspaper for crediting others for their photographs, quotes, articles, etc.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify fact, opinion, and reliability.

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000

Content—Jennifer

MAP CORNER

Business

Randall Jones makes tracks to a new business

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Randall Jones, a Union Pacific Railroad engineer since 2004, never thought olive oil and balsamic vinegars would be part of his world until October 2020.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 54-year-old father and grandfather discovered a new passion, which led to the creation of his business, Olivia’s Olive Oil

Jones said he first tasted flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegar while on vacation. His travel led him to Nika’s Olive in Branson, Missouri, and

that’s when curiosity took over.

“I was impressed with everything that I saw,” said Jones.

Jones likes to cook and was also intrigued by the health benefits and many flavors of olive oil.

“I was so interested in what this one simple fruit could provide,” he said.

According to the owner, his brand of olive oil can add health benefits and loads of flavor to all dishes.

“Olives can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, enhance immunity, fight fat, and slow the aging process,” he said.

Olivia’s Olive Oil has 27 olive oil flavors, 26 balsamic vinegars, three

avocado oils, and a variety of specialty oils including walnut, grapeseed, and toasted sesame.

His products can be purchased online or at Paul’s Market, Thies Farm and Greenhouses, and City Green Market. Free delivery in the St. Louis region is also an option, and Jones also offers international shipping.

Jones said the enterprising spirit was also part of his olive oil endeavor because he believed it would be profitable, adding that the business can be passed down to the next generation.

Olivia’s Olive Oil was named after

See JONES, B2

Buying stocks, building sisterhood

By Bria Overs Word in Black

Not enough Black people use investment vehicles to grow wealth. The rate of investors over the last 25 years mirrors that of a stock market ticker. Some years it’s up, other years it’s down. The number of Black people investing today is about the same as it was in 1998, which was 57%, accord-

PeoPle on the Move

Vasser presented 2023 Loretto Award

Every year, a Webster University alumna or alumni who has dedicated a considerable portion of their life to the advancement of social justice and humanity is given the Loretto Award. The purpose of the award is to uphold the Sisters of Loretto’s commitment to social justice and community service, which led to the founding of Webster College in 1915. Carlita Vasser’s profound dedication to fostering positive change has left an indelible mark on local communities. Her tireless efforts and impactful initiatives resonate with the core ethos of the Loretto culture, embodying the spirit of compassion, justice, and selfless service.

Kieran Blanks named VP at Cortex

Cortex has named Kieran Blanks vice president of workforce systems to lead the Tech First initiative and advance workforce training in the St. Louis innovation ecosystem. With extensive experience in tech workforce strategies and advisory roles with CompTIA, the World Technology Games, and the $75M Public Health Informatics & Technology Workforce Development Program, Blanks has made a significant impact in setting new standards for the future of education, skills-based training, and workforce readiness.

Alexander named senior director at Schnucks

Tiffany Alexander has been named senior director of learning and leadership effectiveness at Schnuck Markets. She previously served in similar roles at BJC HealthCare, as well as Nestle Purina North America where she worked for more than 17 years. She holds an MA in organizational management from the University of Phoenix as well as a BSBA from the University of Missouri Trulaske School of Business. She currently serves as an advisory board member of Trulaske School of Business.

Randall Jones is the creator and owner of Olivia’s Olive Oil. The product is carried by Paul’s Market in Ferguson, Missouri.

Carlita Vasser

Sonia Deal

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Black Women Invest

Kieran Blanks

Jones

Continued from B1

Jones’ youngest granddaughter.

He said his bestselling olive oils include parmesan, garlic and rosemary extra virgin olive oil, roasted garlic EVOO, and Italian herb EVOO.

Pineapple white balsamic, garlic cilantro balsamic, and strawberry peach balsamic are his top-selling vinegars.

“The goal for my company is to be a major supplier and distributor to grocery stores,” said Jones. He also wants to own a storefront to sell his olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

Jones has continued learning the legal side of the industry, including obtaining permits and paying fees, taxes, and insurance. He calls learning the history of olive oil and balsamic vinegar “the fun part.”

less-quality oils, which he says is ongoing in the food industry.

“The quality of extra virgin olive oils is a huge part of the benefits olive oil provides,” he said.

Working a full-time job and starting a business is not the easiest task, but Jones said his railroad career taught him “how unpredictable and demanding being an entrepreneur can be.”

“The time demand prepared me mentally to adjust to unforeseen challenges,” said Jones, who added the railroad job has him on call “24-7, 365 days a year.” Jones focuses on the positives, such as making a difference in his legacy and building something he calls his own.

“The pride I feel in my business and my product is amazing and beautiful. I’m inspired to stretch my thoughts, ideas, vision, and potential as well as the possibilities I can manifest. It forces me to step outside of my box. I feel unlimited,” Jones said.

He has studied how olive oil and balsamic vinegar are produced, the difference in qualities, and the regions where particular olives are grown. Olive oil was “a big part” of a counterfeit food scandal, according to the owner, in the early 2000s.

Many products were diluted with

He recommends that all aspiring entrepreneurs “dream as big as your imagination will allow and start that journey.”

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Invest

Continued from B1

among Black women.

Doirin, 30, sees a way to accelerate the number of Black investors — create a safe space and community for Black women to learn how to invest, grow wealth, and build ideal futures.

“The momentum is already there,” she says. “This is our time as Black women to transform the narrative. Black Women Invest is just here at the right place, at the right time, and it’s the right platform.”

With 14,000 members nationwide, Black Women Invest offers educational tools and resources on stocks, index and mutual funds, real estate investing, and more through a sixweek accelerator program.

But the foundation of the business is its online and in-person community. There are chapters in Columbus, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Houston, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Southern California, and its most recent addition, Washington, D.C.

She would host courses and events at her job, but looking around the room, she barely saw any Black women. Doirin wanted to talk about money and her investment desires without feeling ashamed.

“We were extremely underrepresented, and it became very clear to me this was the case across the country,” she says.

“I wanted to find other women interested in investing and people I could become friends with.”

Black Women Invest started as a small community for friends. In January 2020, she had around 300 members. By May 2020, she was up to 5,000.

n With 14,000 members nationwide, Black Women Invest offers educational tools and resources on stocks, index and mutual funds, real estate investing, and more through a six-week accelerator program.

“There’s nothing new about the importance of community in regard to investing,” Doirin says.

“People need validation that this will work for them. Because if you don’t have anyone around you who’s done it, then it feels like a foreign concept. It helps you believe in yourself.”

Doirin began her “investment journey” in 2014. She is well-versed in investments, with a background in finance and years of experience working in real estate, but that was not always the case.

In the beginning, investing was this mysterious and uncharted thing. Doirin read books about it, but she didn’t gain the knowledge to make smart financial decisions.

She said conferences didn’t do much good, either. It wasn’t until she started working in real estate investment that concepts began making sense.

The COVID-19 pandemic then hit. People lost their jobs, income, and security. Black women wanted to do things differently, so they’d be ready if something like this ever happened again, according to Doirin.

“That’s when it really became a business,” Doirin tells Word In Black. “I started to provide services because I realized the questions these ladies were asking; I was equipped to answer.”

She said many women believe they need a lot of money or are too old to invest. A windfall rarely happens, and waiting could lead to “lost money.”

“With the right kind of strategy, investment accounts can grow in a short amount of time,” Doirin said.

“One thing I’ve learned over time is that people don’t want to go to boring investment conferences, and they don’t want to be oversold.

“I’ve had women tell me that the classes they’ve taken and events they’ve attended [with Black Women Invest] are the best investments they’ve ever made in their lives.”

The organization is deeming 2024 the “Year of Abundance” and will host its inaugural annual conference April 12-14, 2024, in Temecula, California.

Participating in the Black Women Invest community costs $25 monthly for a membership and $497 for the six-week program. For additional information, visit www.blackwomeninvest.com

Schelo Doirin (in red) says she founded Black Women Invest to create a safe space for Black women to learn and grow together. “When it comes to building wealth, Black women need more than just financial resources. We need community.”

Photo courtesy of Schelo Doirin

n “For me to be a part of this team is just an outstanding honor.”

– NFL Hall of Fame QB

Warren Moon on induction to Houston Sports HOF

By Earl Austin Jr.

Showdown Shootout features first-rate matchups

Terrell Ramey’s Midwest Showdown Shootout is annually one of the top high school basketball events in the St. Louis area.

The 16th edition is on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Ritenour High and features seven games with excellent teams from Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Here is a look at the games presented by Rameybasketball.

Game 1: Ritenour vs. Madison (IL), 11:30 a.m. - Host Ritenour is led by 6’3” junior guard Tai-Shaun Ewing, who averages 13 points a game. Madison is led by 5’10” junior guard Jamerion Skinner, who is averaging 32 points a game.

Game 2: SLUH vs. Montgomery County, 1 p.m. - The Junior Billikens are led by athletic 6’4’ senior forward Jalen Jones. Montgomery is a strong small-school program from Mid-Missouri. The Wildcats are led by 6’8” junior forward Clayton Parker, who is one of the state’s top forwards.

Game 3: Father Tolton vs. John Burroughs, 2:30 p.m. - John Burroughs features a tall and talented front line with 6’8” sophomore Tristan Reed and 6’9” sophomore

I’ve

Taylor Swift recorded a song entitled “Don’t Blame Me” in 2017. That is the lone fact I know about Swift – and I stumbled across it online.

You can’t escape Swift right now if you are a Kansas City Chief or a Chiefs fan. Heck, it doesn’t matter which NFL team you root for, you’re getting a blitz package of Swift, TIME Person of the Year. I know that Swift wasn’t daffy enough to line up offsides and cost the Chiefs a potential game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills. That was Kadarius Toney last Sunday.

Sheek Pearson, along with 6’3” senior guard Ramzi Salem. Father Tolton is a power program from MidMissouri that is led by 6’1” junior guard Exavier Wilson, who is one of the top guards in the state.

Game 4: East St. Louis vs. Douglass (OK), 4 p.m. - East St. Louis is a tall and talented team led by 6’8” senior Davis Bynum, a Cal-State Fullerton recruit, and 6’5” forward Taylor Powell. Douglass is coming off a state championship in the state of Oklahoma.

Game 5: Webster Groves vs. Chicago Mt. Carmel (IL), 5:30 p.m.Webster Groves is led by 6’4” senior forward Iziah Purvey, an UMSL signee and talented 6’3” freshman guard Scottie Adkinson. Mt. Carmel is led by 6’7” senior forward Milod Angelo Ciaravino, who is headed to Northwestern, and 6’5” senior forward Lee Marks. They won a regional title last season.

Game 6: Chaminade vs. Milwood (OK), 7 p.m. - Chaminade is a talented and deep Class 6 team that features 6’10” junior Ben Winker, 6’1” junior guard Colin Perry and 6’7” sophomore forwards Jamison White and Jahidi White Jr. Milwood is led by 6’4” junior guard Jaden Nickens, a two-sport star who has already committed to Oklahoma to play football and basketball. They are the two-time Class 3A state champions.

St. Mary’s Zyree Collins (21) goes up for two of his 23 points during third-period action Monday night Dec. 11, 2023 at St. Mary’s. The Dragons of St. Mary’s went on to defeat the Wolves of KIPP 74-70.

Game 7: Cardinal Ritter vs. Memphis Cordova (TN), 8:30 p.m.

- Cardinal Ritter is a talented, senior-laden team

that is led by 6’2” guard Clayton Jackson, 6’5” forward Nashawn Davis and 6’4” guard Quentin Parker. Cordova is led by

the stellar backcourt of Drake recruit KJ Tenner and Missouri State recruit Julius Thedford.

Keep an eye on these guys

Zyree Collins (St. Mary’s): The 6’0” junior is already averaging 30 points a game for the 10-0 Dragons.

Davis Bynum (East St. Louis): A 6’8” senior forward who has signed with Cal-State Fullerton.

Rini Harris (O’Fallon): A 6’3” senior guard who is currently averaging 17 points a game this season.

Clayton Jackson (Cardinal Ritter): A 6’2” senior guard who helped lead the Lions to the Class 5 state championship last season.

Iziah Purvey (Webster Groves): A 6’4” senior forward who has signed with UMSL.

Nathaniel Randall (Vashon): A 6’8” junior forward who has multiple Division I scholarship offers.

Tristan Reed (John Burroughs): A 6’8” sophomore forward who already has several Division I offers.

Bryce Spiller (Lutheran North): A 6’5” senior guard who has already committed to the Air Force Academy.

cally involved. In her Time interview, Swift called Chiefs and NFL fans that don’t care for her frequent appearances on TV during Chiefs games “dads, Brads and Chads.”

Swift hasn’t dropped so many passes that her team leads the league in that awful category. That would be the Chiefs’ receiver room.

She certainly didn’t go on postgame podium rages like quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid following the offsides call. Swift was probably waiting to leave Arrowhead Stadium with her boyfriend Travis Kelce.

In case you didn’t know, the two are romanti-

I’m a dad, and I resent that remark. You know what else? I do blame Taylor Swift for some of the Chiefs’ problems this season. It is difficult enough to survive the pressure of an NFL season if all you do is practice and play games. Players have wives, children, girlfriends, and social lives. They are constantly being praised, critiqued, or insulted on social media and national broadcasts. They can handle it. But this Swift phenomenon is something new.

If you were a Chiefs player or coach on Monday morning and you listened to the ESPN radio program “Unsportsmanlike” that features Belleville, Ill. native Michelle Smallmon you heard 10 minutes of chatter on when Kelce and Swift will get engaged and when a wedding will take place.

If they weren’t gut sick already from the Sunday loss, they probably were after that conversation.

If they switched channels, intertwined with “what’s wrong with the Chiefs?” segments were “Did you see the jersey Taylor Swift was wearing?” and “Taylor Swift had to walk past Bills’ players when she entered the stadium and one of them gave her a dirty look.”

Seriously, who needs that when you are trying to win back-to-back Super

Bowls and a third in four years?

I ran my Taylor Swift thoughts past a couple of friends on Monday. You would have thought Swift was their girlfriend. She isn’t a damsel in distress, but if you say a word against the woman people look like you insulted their mother. Mahomes’ tantrum directed at the officials following the offsides call spoke to something else. Yes, the team is frustrated. That frustration begins in the Chiefs’ locker room.

Patrick Mahomes’ melt down followed ref’s call - but is that all that’s bothering him?

But there is some hot water at Arrowhead Stadium that is about to boil over. My guess is that Swift will feel some heat. Before this season is over, somebody on that team or in that organization is going to speak out.

“I’m sick of Taylor Swift and I wish she had never met Travis Kelce.”

The Reid Roundup

Jordan Walker will be among the St. Louis Cardinals signing autographs and speaking with fans during the 2024 Winter Warmup held MLK Weekend at Ballpark Village… Bradley Beal has returned to the Phoenix Suns’ lineup after a lengthy absence while he dealt with a back ailment. When he plays, he’s an All-Star. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played much the last three seasons…Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum took in a SLU Billikens men’s basketball game and watched the home team top Hofstra. SLU is 6-5 and could use Tatum on the court to avoid a sub-.500 season…While I would have voted for Washington quarterback Michael Penix for the Heisman Trophy, I can’t argue with LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels winning. He doesn’t win without that dynamic performance against Mizzou on October 7… While Shohei Ohtani has deferred $680M of his 10-year $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the deal is ridiculous… Deion Sanders is Sports Illustrated Person of the Year. Sanders said he wishes he had “more privacy” his first year as Colorado head coach. I burst out laughing when I read that.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of AP

Ivory Clarke named VP at Missouri Foundation for Health

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) has added a new role to its executive leadership team and tapped Ivory Clarke to fill the position after a nationwide search. Clarke will join MFH as the first vice president of strategic relationships on January 8, 2024. Previously, she worked at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), where she served as the director of the Culture of Health Program. As the foundation’s vice president of strategic relationships, Clarke will forge connections with leaders in Missouri in conjunction with MFH’s community liaisons. Building meaningful relationships that lead to equity has been a theme throughout her career, starting with her time in AmeriCorps with Teach for America. Clarke taught advanced high school math and science in the Atlanta Public Schools. Her interactive approach incorporated students’ feedback, resulting in significant gains in their academic growth and success. She brings a strong

background in relationship management and organizational leadership to her new role.

At NAM, Clarke led a multiyear collaborative effort focused on advancing health equity. Among the program’s goals and initiatives, Clarke elevated community-generated health equity strategies that could support the health and well-being of people across the country. Notably, she was also NAM’s first equity and inclusion officer, embedding inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism principles into NAM’s programs and practices.

“Ivory’s deep commitment to creating trust in communities is central to our achieving health equity on behalf of all Missourians. She’s eager to learn about the challenges that prevent everyone from living their healthiest lives. We are thrilled to welcome her and the expertise she brings, as we work toward strengthening partnerships and advancing health equity in Missouri by 2033,” said Dr. Dwayne Proctor, MFH President and CEO.

Carrollton Bank continues support of Urban League

Carrollton Bank recently made a $50,000 gift to the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. to support the agency’s Restoring Hope Capital Campaign. Carrollton Bank is a major Urban League partner supporting numerous programs with a special emphasis on housing

and financial education. Carrollton routinely hosts first time homeowner education and lending programs supporting the Urban League’s homebuyer programs and the bank’s employees are a key volunteer group for numerous Urban League initiatives.

Shevon L. Harris-Holyfield joins Lewis Rice

of former heavyweight champion who she met in St. Louis

By Dana Grace Randolph St. Louis American

Shevon L. HarrisHolyfield has joined St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice as a member. She is practicing in the firm’s Commercial Litigation department and is the contract Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for neglected and abused children.

The lawyer and St. Louis Smart Setter, who married former cruiser weight and heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield in February 2022, owned and operated the Harris Law Firm for more than two decades. HarrisHolyfield’s law firm

focused on matters related to litigation, guardianship, conservatorship and adoption. Now HarrisHolyfield is returning to the firm where she started her legal career. She practiced at Lewis Rice

from 1995 to 2001 after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law. A recognized advocate for women in leadership roles, Harris-Holyfield was invited to speak at the Power Women’s Summit in Vatican City in 2023 and in Monaco in 2022. This led to her invitation to join the Advisory Board for the Institute for Advanced Studies and Cooperation based in Vatican City. She is also a member of the Gateway Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and she previously served on the board of Covenant House Missouri from 2016 to 2023. Throughout her legal career she has earned numerous honors including St. Louis County Family Court Guardian Ad Litem of the Year and The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis President’s Award.

Wife

Shevon HarrisHolyfield

Ivory Clarke

Pictured left to right from Carrollton Bank are: Talena Wiley, senior loan officer assistant; CEO Tom Hough; Michael McMillan, Urban League president and CEO; Tamika Staten, community development officer; Terrence Rogers, president of community lending; Suzanne Hough, community development officer; and Waymon Williams, lending officer.

Living It

C1 • ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

“Music and rap [are] all about what you’re going through and what your reality is.”

- Hip-hop icon Ludacris, who will release a new album in 2024

‘Gospel Christmas’ again a moving holiday celebration

Nadia Maddex owned Stifel Theater stage

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Nadia Maddex was an IN UNISON Scholar in 2021 while studying music education at Lindenwood University and she is now a sopranist for the acclaimed IN UNISON Chorus.

n “It was powerful to walk into a room and see so many people that relate to me, doing the same thing I do.”

- Nadia Maddex on joining IN UNISON

Maddex thrilled the Stifel Theater crowd with a “Children Go Where I Send Thee” during the annual St. Louis Symphony Orchestra “Gospel Christmas” celebration on Dec. 8, 2023. During the two year renovation of Powell Symphony Hall being renovated, this year’s concert was performed at Stifel, and the artists were nestled in with the orchestra on the smaller stage. The intimate setting on stage did not quiet the holiday sounds or yuletide spirit that filled the venue from the first notes to the last. Under the direction of Kevin McBeth, the orchestra, IN UNISON Chorus, and Maddex simply crushed the rendition of the gospel classic, which was arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson and Ayana Davis.

Grammy-nominated baritone Wintley Phipps was also stirring as he performed several Christmas classics before an

Tower

of

appreciative audience.

In a 2021 interview, Maddex said joining IN UNISON changed her life as a singer as well as socially.

“I had never seen so many African American people in one room. I was so happy to be in a space where I was not

Power

celebrates 55 years with ‘It’s Christmas’

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Tower of Power, known for their iconic horn-led funk and soul sound, is pleased to announce their new Holiday EP, “It’s Christmas.” The band’s first Christmas release comes on the heels of a major touring year for Tower of Power, celebrating 55 years since the band’s founding.

“55 years have flashed before us in

the blink of an eye, and this year has been extraordinary,” shared Emilio Castillo - founder and bandleader for Tower of Power.

“2023 has been a monumental year for Tower of Power - from a sold-out European tour to performances with world-renowned symphonies and shows that have attracted fans from every era

only exposed to so many people, but people who loved music,” she said.

“It was powerful to walk into a room and see so many people that relate to me, doing the same thing I do. I look forward to rehearsal every single Monday night because I’m like, “Oh, my people!”

IN UNISON is an auditioned ensemble of volunteer singers that performs a variety of musical styles, with a focus on the interpretation, performance, and

Grown and sexy with Terisa Griffin

R&B veteran to play City Winery on Sunday, December 17

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

When Terisa Griffin forged a connection with the St. Louis region nearly 15 years ago, her urban adult contemporary hit “Wonderful” was on national airwaves and was a certified smash in her base city of Chicago.

Although not a household name, she was already working to give back through her Better Love Yourself Foundation. St. Louis students became beneficiaries for many years when her organization hosted an event that featured life skills programming for rising college freshmen and their families and culminated with each participating student being gifted a trunk full of dorm essentials to take with them as they started the first chapter of their lives as college students. Each trunk event would conclude with a performance by Griffin. Pouring into the youth of St. Louis, she developed a hard-core local fan base for her brand of soul and R&B.

As she gears up for the release of her fourth studio album “More Than a Woman” in early February, Griffin is returning to St. Louis this weekend at City Winery – where she will give them a taste of her new music as well as a healthy serving of the Soul they have come to know and love.

Her performance on Sunday,

December 17 will have a bit of a different feel from the ones that served as the finale for her foundation’s trunk event.

“There won’t be any young people in the audience, so this is a grown and sexy performance,” Griffin said. “I’m typically pretty uncensored, so St. Louis will get to see that side of me. Plus, I get to do a whole show – and I’m very excited about that.”

In an industry often informed by gimmicks and trends, Griffin is among the steady cadre of artists working to serve up and pay tribute to the timeless

See SLSO, C8

St. Louis American Staff Photo

Nadia Maddex and SLSO IN UNISON Chorus crush “Children Go Where I Send Thee” (arranged by Kevin Phillip Johnson and Ayana Davis, and conducted by Kevin McBeth) for the Gospel Christmas program, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Stifel Theatre, St. Louis, Missouri.

Courtesy Photo Terisa Griffin

Courtesy Photo Tower Of Power

Cirque

12/15/2023 7:00pm

3648

STL Sites &Sounds

Sharita Morris Live from The Dark Room 12/16/2023 10:00pm Doors 1/2 hour prior to the show 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis, MO $15 - $25

Brna The Holiday Soul Glow Live from The Dark Room 12/17/2023 10:00pm 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis, MO $15 - $25

Saint Louis Chamber Chorus: A Choral Atlas, “The Holy Land” 12/17/2023 3:00pm 4501 Westminster Pl. St. Louis, MO $40.00

Beyond FM Showcase #4

12/16/2023 7:30pm

Pop’s Concert Venue 300 Monsanto Ave Sauget, IL $8.00

Karlous

$39.50

Ignite the Theatre Company Elf the Musical 12/18/2023 The Grandel 3610 Grandel Square St. Louis, MO $60+

Mercy Holiday Celebration

12/16/2023 2:00pm 12/16/2023 7:30pm

Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO

$35.00 - $74.00

Kribmas at The Pageant - Smino: SOLD OUT

12/17/2023 8:00pm The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd

St. Louis, MO $50.00 +

Mercy Holiday at Stifel 12/17/2023 2:00pm Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO

$35.00 - $74.00

Mercy Holiday Celebration

12/17/2023 2:00pm Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO

$35.00 - $74.00

Psalm Theatrics: I Believe a Nativity Christmas Musical

12/17/2023 1:30pm The Kranzberg Arts Center

501 N Grand Blvd

St. Louis, MO 63103

Night Out / Mud +

Merlot: Wax Warmers

12/15/2023 6:30pm Laumeier Sculpture Park 12580 Rott Road St. Louis, MO $58

Sultry Sundays @ Too Much Sauce

12/17/2023 8:00pm Upcoming Sultry Sundays Dec 3rd - Rhythm & Beyoncé (Beyoncé Inspired Attire Suggested) Dec 17th- Christmas Pajammy Jam (Christmas PJs Suggested. Too Much Sauce 5247 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO $10.00 - $15.00

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS Ferguson’s Winter

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Planetarium:

Brna The Holiday Soul Glow Live from The Dark Room Sun. Dec. 17, 2023 at 10 pm.

“A Christmas Tree Miracle” touches holiday hearts

By Lyndia Grant Washington Informer

During the Thanksgiving break, I got a chance to get some house cleaning done and even got to watch a few Christmas movies.

Have you ever watched “A Christmas Tree Miracle?” I just did and it gave me an “ah-ha” moment:

“You ought to write about how this family went from one extreme to another.”

Released in 2013, the feature begins with life being good for David George and family. He had a very lucrative job, a beautiful home, he had regular parties with politicians, and his sweet little daughter was taking cello lessons.

Then suddenly, David loses his “good paying” job and he’s too proud to take a lesser one.

Everything went downhill, along with friends and influential acquaintances, and oh, the “super-tragedy” that is bound to happen when any teen’s phone is turned off.

They stayed in a motel, until they didn’t even have money to pay for one more night. They were given 20 minutes to get out! They were suddenly homeless!

One simple, innocent voice of logic remains — that of Nina, the sweet kindergartener and cello player.

After losing their home and being rebuked by

alienated family members, the family follows Nina’s suggestion of sleeping at the church. There they meet the Christmas tree handler, Henry, who by coincidence (or not), recognizes David as the person who bought him a coffee in a time of need.

“A Christmas Tree Miracle” brings us random acts of kindness and because of David’s earlier goodwill, Henry invites the family to stay at his place atop a 200-acre Christmas tree farm. We learn Henry lives to keep alive his late wife’s dream of giving a free Christmas tree to whoever needs it.

Earning their keep, the George family begins to see the fruits of their hard work on the farm, and gradually, the values of fellowship, industriousness and appreciation replace the shallow place from which they came.

Henry has been this family’s light in a time of need; indeed, he’s given a hundredfold back from that simple cup of coffee David offered Henry so long ago. The family is tested when Henry suddenly dies, leaving the farm to the Georges.

Do they choose the farm and the dreams Henry was carrying on for his departed wife? Or do they sell it for the money to get back to the comfortable life they had before? This sweet film doesn’t directly appeal to faith in God but depicts a family blessed by

transformation through a positive change of values and is entertaining and uplifting for everyone.

Life is change — one moment you could be on top of the world, and suddenly, something awful happens, as with the George family. You may

•

•

•

•

•

lose a job or like me, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my company lost a lucrative contract.

I believed in God and I believed in miracles, but I also knew that I had to seek, ask, knock, and the doors would be open.

Long story short, the

David George family was blessed with a miracle.

The man from the church that invited them to stay with him at the Christmas tree farm visited his attorney the day after their arrival. He signed over his will to them, so that when he dies, they’ll inherit the home and the farm, plus all of his savings from him and his deceased wife. He willed everything over to this needy family, though they were once high rollers. A movie worth thinking about.

Photo courtesy of Evanston Parent

JOB POSTING - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OPENING: DECEMBER 12TH

CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 29TH, 2023

The Housing Authority of East St. Louis, Illinois (ESLHA) is seeking a highly qualified and motivated applicants for the position of Executive Director. Please visit our website at www.eslha.org

HOME REPAIR PROJECT COORDINATOR

Mission: St. Louis is looking for a Home Repair Project Coordinator, to coordinate and perform minor home repairs for the Energy Efficiency, Accessibility, and Weatherization Program, which serves senior citizens in the city of St. Louis. Applicants should possess at least 3 years home repair or construction experience. If interested, submit cover letter & resume to todd.martin@missionstl.org.

Interviews will begin immediately.

Mission: St. Louis is an EOE. This position(s) may be financed (in part) or (wholly) through an allocation of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration.

RECREATION SUPERVISORRENTAL SERVICES

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Recreation Supervisor - Rental Services

$54,338 - 58,321. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

CASE MANAGER

Criminal Justice Ministry seeks Case Managers for our successful Release to Rent Reentry Housing program. Assist returning citizens to become independent. We encourage those with experience in the justice system to apply. See www.cjmstlouis.org. Send resume and cover letter to apply@cjmstlouis.org.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Vintech Solutions Inc has openings for the position Software Developer with Master’s degree in Computer/ Digital Science, Engineering any, Technology, Mgmt Info Sys/Security or related to design, develop, implement, maintain and test business functions and web applications using a variety of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customizesoftware for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. Work location is Olivette,MO with required travel to client locations throughout the USA.

Please mail resumes to 9715 Olive Blvd, Floor 2, Olivette, MO 63132 (or) e-mail legal@vintech.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Launched in 2021, the mission of the Gateway Early Childhood Alliance is to create and sustain an early childhood system that ensures Black and Brown children and families have access to high-quality early childhood care and education. The Gateway Early Childhood Alliance is seeking an Executive Director to replace their Founding Executive Director.

This position is responsible for catalyzing a regional coordination nonprofit that drives early education (ECE) quality and access in St. Louis seeking to provide the most benefit to underrepresented, marginalized, and highest need communities.

For a full job description and to APPLY, visit: https://tinyurl.com/24dyx35z

HOME REPAIR

PROJECT COORDINATOR

and reporting, facility and fleet management, procurement and distribution of food, and overseeing all pantry, garden, and kitchen services, as well as all associated administrative operations and activities. This person will also ensure that all federal, state and health state policies, guidelines, and regulations for client care are met. Additionally,

Mission: St. Louis is looking for a Home Repair Project Coordinator, to coordinate and perform minor home repairs for the Energy Efficiency,Accessibility, and Weatherization Program, which serves senior citizens in the city of St. Louis. Applicants should possess at least 3 years home repair or construction experience. If interested, submit cover letter & resume

SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR/ ADMIN. ASSISTANT

City Seniors, Inc., an equal opportunity employer, is accepting applications for Senior Center Coordinator/ Admin. Assistant. Strong activity and planning skills a must. Call 314.352.0141 to apply in person. www. stlouiscityseniors.com Position may be funded through CDBG ad CDA.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The James S. McDonnell foundation is hiring a Director of Communications with the following experience:

• 4 year college degree or equivalent in communications, marketing, or related discipline

• 5-7 years equivalent and related experience. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.jsmf.org/job1

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is now recruiting for two full-time positions: Executive Assistant to the CEO and Camp Ranger. For more info and to apply, visit www.girlscoutsem.org. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

INSPECTORS

Missouri State Highway Patrol, Be a part of the solution to Highway Safety. Missouri State Highway Patrol is hiring Driver Examiner and Motor Vehicle Inspector Professionals in the St. Louis area! Includes full state benefits starting your first day with state holidays, weekends, and nights off! Make a positive impact in your community and career! Visit: STATE PATROL.DPS.MO.GOV.

Washington University in St. Louis offers rewarding opportunities in various fields at all levels, with positions in engineering, nursing and health care, research, administration, technology, security and more.

JR73427 Maintenance Technician II - Real Estate

Performs maintenance services and /or repairs in two or more areas of skill including but not limited to plumbing, machine servicing and electrical repairs or installations for the properties maintained by Quadrangle Housing Company. The maintenance Technician II will complete these repairs and preventive maintenance as required for the general upkeep of the properties of Quadrangle Housing Company. The ideal candidate will meet the following required qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or technical school diploma or equivalent. Required/ Licensure/Certification/Registration: Certain departments, based on job duties, may require Missouri Class E Driver’s license and Missouri Class B CDL required within six months of employment.

LPN Nursing Openings

Washington University currently has several LPN openings in highly sought after outpatient clinical departments. We offer competitive wages and outstanding employee benefits. LPNs with clinic or hospital experience; Epic charting experience are highly preferred.

• Orthopedic Surgery in Central West End and Progress West Clinic

Locations

• Urologic Surgery Clinic

• Outpatient Dialysis in Forest Park or North County Locations (Dialysis Experience Required)

• Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Gastroenterology Clinic

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

Staff Therapist or Clinical Social Worker (Part Time)

DATE

The Division of Child Psychiatry at Washington University is seeking to hire two part-time Staff Therapists for itsAdolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP). The position will involve a combination of direct clinical interventions and group care to adolescents and/or their caregivers and the therapists will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to implement novel models of care delivery and measure outcomes.

• Equivalent of a master’s degree in social work.

• REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

• AAMFT,ASLPC, LCSW, LPC, CPC, LMFT or licensed Psychologist in the state of Missouri

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of subcontractor scopes of work related to construction of giraffe and rhinoceros barns. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Heartland Regional Investment Fund, LLC (“HRIF”) seeks a Certified Public Accounting firm to conduct independent audits of financial records and to prepare and file associated tax returns, for a period of up to three years. The services shall include HRIF and its related, subrecipient entities. A copy of the full RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/. Submissions should be received no later than 3PM CT on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

St. Louis

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) 890-1802. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/business/contractopportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Campsite Renovation and Update Dr. EdmondeBabler State Park, Wildwood, MO, Project No. X2312-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 1/11/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership hereby give public notice that they are soliciting proposals from interested firms with experience to conduct a holistic community engagement effort with the goal to create a community-driven vision for development in the St. Louis City neighborhoods in which the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL) and MLK Innovation Center will be located.

Copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found at: www.GreaterSTLinc.com/ RFPs

Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. central time January 22, 2024.

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on January 9, 2024, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/home. The bidder must pay $40 to submit a bid through the Bid Express service. Monthly subscriptions are available. Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/businesses/20618/home? agency=true and may be downloaded for free.

An optional pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on Waterman Blvd. at Clara Ave. on December 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM St. Louis time. All bidders are strongly encouraged to attend the pre-bid meeting. Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is considered an important element of a Contractor’s Good Faith Effort to maximize the utilization of M/WBE if M/WBE participation goals cannot be met.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

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).

INVITATION FOR BID

BADENHAUS APARTMENTS

SEWER REPAIRS & WATER

HEATER REPLACEMENT

SOLICITATION NO.: RD24-04

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) seeks bids to perform the following project:

The General Scope of Work for this project will consists of, but will not be limited to the “in-place” repair and/or replacement of existing sewer lines throughout the 100 - unit Badenhaus Development. In most locations, a minimally invasive strategy will be used that will allow residents the ability to remain in place while these repairs are being performed across the 9 buildings located on the property. In addition, the natural gas water heaters throughout the complex will be replaced. The anticipated performance period for this project is 270 calendar days. Bid information available at https://www.slha.org/partner-with-slha/ on Monday, December 18, 2023

Pre-Bid Meeting is Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM (CT) on site: Badenhaus Apartments, 8450 Gast Place, St. Louis, MO 63147

Sealed bids are due Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM (CT) via QuestCDN or delivered personally at SLHA Offices at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106. Bid opening will be held virtually on Zoom.

Alana C. Green Contracting Officer

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 24 801, South County

Sim Lab Renovation, until 2:00 p.m. local time Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Bids will open and be read aloud at the office of the Director of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314.

Drawings, Specifications, bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained at ePlan or from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770. Thy will also be at The Builders Association and at the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council. Electronic bid sets are available and may be printed by the plan holders in https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com/.

PREBID MEETING: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 11:00 am, at the South County Campus Room 217. A walk-through of the project will follow the meeting.

Questions regarding this project should be directed to Brandon Strauserbstrauser1@stlcc.edu, 314-951-9873.

The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12%. Also proposed for Contractors to participate in a registered Apprenticeship Program approved through the United States Department of Labor.

Individuals with special needs as addressed by the ADA may contact: 314-984-7673

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Advertisement Date: December 4, 2023

Bids

SEALED BIDS

will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, January 18, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

Bids for Repair Paving, Infrastructure, Bellefontaine Habilitation Center, St. Louis, MO, Project No. M1904-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, January 18, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

Visit our Website stlamerican.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Momentum Academy is looking to contract with a firm to provide Managed Technology Services. All proposals due no later than December 30th @ 12pm. Contact Carshaundra Baker, operations@ momentumacademystl. org, for more information.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership requests proposals from qualified firms to develop a comprehensive plan for a Transportation Development District within the West Florissant Great Streets District located in Ferguson, Dellwood, and Jennings, Missouri. The primary objective of this plan is to generate funding to support construction, design improvements, and operation and maintenance costs. A copy of the full RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/. Submissions should be received no later than 3 PM CT on Friday, January 19, 2024.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

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.”

contributions in the canon of R&B. Her most recent radio record was a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic

“Distant Lover.”

“I was riding down the street and the live version came on,” Griffin said.

“Before I knew it, I was singing along. Then I started thinking about how I would do it if I had recorded it in my head.”

She proceeded to “Terisa-rize” the song in her head with different instrument and vocal arrangements that would make the song all her own.

“By the time I was done, I was like, ‘I’ve got to cut this.” And so she did. Her

rendition was predicated by Gaye’s live recording of the song.

“Girl, it was the live version that did it – that made me feel like I had to do the song,” Griffin said. “The live version sounds like he is making love to the crowd. It is so sensual and piercing.”

Intimacy and engagement are also goals for Griffin when she takes the stage.

“When I can see their faces and I know they are into it – oh my God, there is nothing like it,” Griffin said. “They are moving their heads. They talk back to you. They hit you with a ‘you better sang.’ You know it- and you want to stay there forever.

The straight-no-chaser Griffin couldn’t help but get grown and sexy in her description of what it feels

when the vibe is just right between her and the audience – and what they can expect to see when she hits the stage Sunday night.

“Sometimes they are singing with you. Sometimes they are encouraging you. But when you have the crowd, you know it,” said Griffin. “And it’s just so powerful to have a room full of people in a moment with you. It’s definitely orgasmic. And when you finish, and the applause that comes –that’s the climax.”

Terisa Griffin will perform live at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 17 at City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis MO 63110. For tickets or additional information, call 34.678.5060 or visit https://citywinery. com/st-louis.

SLSO

Continued from C1

preservation of music from the African diaspora.

While its members have traditionally come from churches, like

of Tower of Power’s history. And we’re glad to be celebrating the holiday season with the release of our new EP.

“It’s Christmas” was produced by Joe Vannelli and bandleader Emilio Castillo at Blue Moon Studios outside of Los Angeles. The EP features a number of traditional Christmas songs as well as an original, “It’s Christmas (A Long Way from Home),” written by Emilio, Doc Kupka and Joe Vannelli. “It’s Christmas” is available now, exclusively on CD through the band’s online store and on tour this winter. The complete track list

Maddex, many come from area universities and colleges. Another annual event combining the internationally acclaimed orchestra and IN UNISON will return in February.

The “Lift Every Voice and Sing: Celebrating Black History Concert,” will be performed at 7:30

Special Christmas; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Silver Bells; It’s Christmas (A Long Way from Home); and O Holy Night Tower of Power will resume touring in January with a week-long stint across Florida and up into the Midwest, including a March 14, 2024 date at The Factory in Chesterfield, Mo.

The band’s members all say it is difficult to believe they have been performing together for more than half a century.

“We were a Soul band called The Motowns,” recalls Castillo.

p.m. Friday February 23, 2024, at Stifel Theater.

SLSO Mercy Holiday Concert

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and conductor Stuart Malina will ring and sing in the holidays with its Mercy Holiday Celebration Dec. 16-17 at

landed them with Warner Brothers. Bump City, their 1972 debut for the label, was a hit on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart and netted them the hits “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to The Nightclub.”

The Christmas Song; This Christmas; A Very

“Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met ‘Doc’ Kupka back in 1968 and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power.”

East Bay Grease defined their sound and

The 70s were a boom period with radio classics like “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip?”, and the band continued to tour and record over the years. Castillo says their love of the stage is the same today as it was back in 1968. The band has long since surpassed Castillo’s modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others.

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

InUnison Chorus vocalist Jeffrey Ames soloing on A Festive Praise during the St. Louis Symphony’s A Soulful Celebration Friday night Dec. 8, 2023 at the Stifel Theatre.

NewYear,NewCareer!

Cortex receives $7M from the state of Missouri for tech training

By Laura Barczewski KSDK

Money to go toward free training programs

The tech industry continues to grow in St. Louis, technology and biological science hub, Cortex, just received $7 million from the state to train the next round of workers headed for thousands of open tech jobs in the metro area.

The Per Scholas program at Cortex is training the next generation of tech workers right here in St. Louis.

“No college required. They take an aptitude test to get into the program. It’s free, no tuition. For 15 weeks full time, you work hard and they’re going to train

you to prepare you to enter the workforce for major employers, medium-sized companies, and even startups,” Cortex Innovation District President and CEO

Sam Fiorello said.

The grant from the state of Missouri will help keep Cortex programs through nine different training partners free and accessible to anyone who wants a job in the technology field.

“There are thousands of unfilled tech jobs in our region alone, let alone the state, tens of thousands. There’s no way we’re going to get there if we just rely on a typical four-year college degree,” Fiorello said.

Jasmine Owens is a graduate of one of the programs, CyberUp, where she specialized in cyber security; something she realized she had a passion for. “If you got technology running through your environment, you’re going to need cybersecurity. So in order to do that, we need more talent in the pipeline. So that’s what I’m passionate about. I’m passionate about keeping my organization safe, but also letting the community know this is an opportunity that could change our legacy if we are afforded the opportunity to get into it,” Owens said. Students have a direct connection to employers and can get to work right

away. BJC Healthcare is one of several companies hiring through these programs. “I got to work with the cohort from the beginning. They asked for input from companies locally to say, ‘What are you looking for? What are the things that make sense? What are the things that we need to make sure we’re teaching? How can we best prepare the learners?’” vice president and chief information security officer Matthew Modica asked. “After the program was over and learners were placed at a company they’d spend time making sure it was the right fit and helping learners along the way.”

Geospatial Advanced Technology Lab to begin serving students

By Steve Walentik UMSL

The newly constructed Geospatial Advanced Technology Lab on the fourth floor of Benton Hall is nearly complete and will begin welcoming students and researchers from across the University of Missouri–St. Louis – and beyond – in the spring semester.

“This will be a hub for all research, training and geospatial workforce development on the UMSL campus and in St. Louis’ geospatial ecosystem, where we are leading the talent initiative working group within the GeoFutures coalition,” said Reda Amer, who has helped shepherd their development since taking over as the director of UMSL’s Geospatial Collaborative last February.

Recognizing the importance of developing talent to feed the region’s growing geospatial sector, the state of Missouri directed more than $1 million in funding through the MoExcels Workforce Initiative to establish the lab on campus. The university provided matching funds toward the project.

It includes GIS and virtual reality labs to serve students in all branches of geospatial science, including geographic information systems – or GIS – remote sensing, digital image processing and analysis, drone classes, spatial analysis, cartography, human geography, data visualization and GPS.

The lab features 25 workstations outfitted with the latest GIS technology, including high-powered Dell computers equipped with software from leading manufacturers such as Esri, makers of ArcGIS; NV5, which makes ENVI; Pix4D; and Trimble. Each one is connected to a curved wide-screen monitor, ideal for displaying satellite images and other geospatial data. The room also includes interactive

monitors and cameras to facilitate virtual learning and online classes.

Next door, there is also a virtual reality lab complete with eight headsets for viewing VR content, an interactive table, 3D and wide format printers and GPS stations that can be deployed in the field.

n The lab features 25 workstations outfitted with the latest GIS technology, including high-powered Dell computers equipped with software from leading manufacturers.

The university has also invested in Spot, the agile mobile robot dog from Boston Dynamics, which is outfitted with infrared and laser sensors that can be deployed remotely to autonomously gather data in the field.

Amer said these tools can be used to support student learning even beyond the geospatial realm, including professors in chemistry or biology who might wish

to show their students the interaction between atoms or molecules using VR technology.

“They can see exactly how the chemical reaction between atoms and molecules is happening at a microscopic level,” he said.

“They’ll watch it through the headset instead of the atomic microscope.”

What’s more, there are applications for geospatial technology in a multitude of fields and industries – public health, national security, agriculture architecture, history, social science, biology, chemistry, geology, geography, and environmental science.

“This technology makes it easy for people in these disciplines to visual-

UMSL’s new GIS lab features 25 workstations outfitted with the latest GIS tools, including software such as ArcGIS, and connected to curved widescreen monitors, ideal for displaying satellite images and other geospatial data.

ize and gain a better understanding for what they do,” Amer said. “Instead of just based on their imagination of what something looks like, I can see it, so I can make better decisions.”

He noted local nonprofit organizations such as Unleashing Potential, Gateway Global, The Little Bit Foundation, Rung for Women and St. Louis Community College who will be able to bring students and adults to UMSL’s labs to get training on the equipment. It’s all part of the university’s commitment to help lead the collaborative K-16 talent initiative and geospatial workforce development while strengthening and expanding its partnerships.

UMSL has started offering a new undergraduate certificate program in GIS and has plans to develop graduate programs in GIS and geospatial science over the next few years.

Photo by Derick Holtmann

Photo courtesy Getty Images

The Per Scholas program at Cortex is training the next generation of tech workers right here in St. Louis. No college required.

Youth job training program provides alternative to college degree

Students can prepare for careers in construction, transportation logistics, computers or health care

By Alex Fees (KSDK)

An Illinois job training program is providing young people with an alternative path to a high school diploma and a viable future.

YouthBuild at Lewis and Clark College in Godfrey, Illinois prepares students for careers in construction, transportation logistics, computers or health care. The Americorps component of this federal program provides students with soft skills and income while helping them get into a position to qualify for a mortgage in the future.

Lewis and Clark College Associate Dean of Adult Education Dr. Valorie Harris said, “Sometimes we rehab a home, and sometimes we build from the ground up.”

Harris said the YouthBuild program at Lewis and Clark is working on their fifth home, right now. The full-time, non-traditional program provides education, vocational training and leadership development on a work site, in the classroom and in the workshop.

The program provides students not only an Illinois high school diploma but a start on what to do with it toward a

career. Harris calls it a comprehensive youth development effort. The program is 30 hours a week. Students spend five days a week in the program from 8:30 a..m. to 3:30 p.m. It sounds like school because it is.

“Youthbuild was modeled on construction,” Harris said, “and most of our students start in construction. It’s almost like a basic skill, for everybody. Some students want to go to work in construction. It’s youth development. Some students are 16 years old when they start with us; they don’t know what they want to do, yet. But construction is a really

great place to start for everyone.”

YouthBuild is designed for young people 16 to 24 years of age.

This initiative funds 16 apprenticeship intermediary programs in Illinois. Links to programs in Region 9, which serves Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties, can be found below.

• East St. Louis Community College Center

• Lewis & Clark Community College

• Southwestern Illinois College

Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, ILL

Tips to help you start a business in the new year

(StatePoint) Millions of new businesses are formed nationwide each year and women of color are leading the charge. The Wells Fargo Impact of WomenOwned Businesses Report found that Black women are one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs in the United States, representing 14.8% of all women-owned businesses, and Hispanic/Latina women represent 14.3% of all women-owned businesses.

Steve Hall, vice president of Economic Development and Small Business Lending for Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a non-profit that connects under-invested people and places with hard-to-tap resources, shares these tips for ensuring your business will succeed in the new year and beyond:

1. Increase financial literacy. It’s important to have a solid working knowledge of credit, bookkeeping, projections, financial statements, reporting and financing to help you make sound business decisions. Free educational resources like Hands on Banking can get you started.

2. Be passionate. Running a successful small business requires round-the-clock dedication, so be sure it’s something you enjoy and are passionate about.

3. “Run the idea.” Speak with a business banker about your business plan, ways to fund your operations and how to establish credit. A strong relationship with a business banker can help set you up for success. They can guide you toward the right financial products for every stage of the business, identify potential barriers you may face, help you find capital and help you avoid predatory debt collectors. Likewise, a certified public accountant can advise you on what paperwork you need to file to start your business, how to structure your business and how to manage monthly financials and taxes. They can also help connect you with the right vendors.

4. Seek out capital. Capital is the fuel to start and grow your business.

More credit options can be the difference between survival and closure. In addition to traditional lending, working with community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions can create an ecosystem of support that provides additional avenues to accessing capital. These institutions specifically work with underserved entrepreneurs, including those in low-to-moderate income areas and minority populations. Thanks to new efforts, more small businesses have a shot at success. Through its Open for Business Fund, Wells Fargo is helping to create greater access to capital and resources. This industry-leading effort has donated

roughly $420 million to nonprofits that serve small businesses. Since the fund was created, Wells Fargo has given grants directly to community development financial institutions and provided more than $50 million to nonprofits to support entrepreneurs with technical assistance. In the program’s third and final phase, the focus is on funding nonprofits to assist small businesses in growing equity in their business, with money going to strategies such as acquiring property and equipment as part of physical business improvements.

5. Solicit trusted advice. Check out LISC’s webinars, local networking events

and online resource center. No matter what industry you’re in, SBA.gov and your local chamber of commerce can also be helpful. For guidance in accessing capital, lean on Business Development Organizations, which serve as trusted ambassadors to underinvested communities, guiding business owners in accessing loans and resources.

“It takes passion and grit to start and grow a business. It also takes planning, important financial decisions and a series of legal steps,” says Hall. “Fortunately, a range of resources exist to guide an entrepreneur through the logistics of turning their dream into a reality.”

How to overcome job hunt burnout in today’s tough market

(StatePoint) As the job search continues for unemployed Americans, a new national survey reveals a massive case of job hunt burnout.

The Insight Global survey, conducted among recently unemployed American adults actively seeking employment, found that a competitive job market, a lack of applicable jobs, low self-confidence and an inability to interview well are all contributing factors in job candidates’ lack of success in securing employment.

Fifty-five percent of respondents have been searching for a new job for so long that they are completely burnt out, and many are willing to take drastic measures to save and make money in the meantime: More than 2 in 5 would live at home with their parents; the same amount would rather create an Etsy business or thrift flip than send out another blast of resumes, and of Gen Z respondents, 44% admit they would rather get a sugar daddy or sugar mommy than apply to more jobs.

“It’s no wonder that so many unemployed Americans are feeling unmotivated – between several years of a volatile job market, headcount reductions, budget cuts, hiring freezes and a total overhaul of the way companies are running their businesses, it can feel downright impossible to get back on track,” says Bert Bean, CEO of Insight Global, a leading national staffing company.

To beat job hunting burnout and get back in the game, Bean recommends the following tips:

• Rethink Remote: Of millennials surveyed, 21% feel they’re still unemployed because they will only apply to remote job opportunities. To greatly expand your options, be open to hybrid and on-site work opportunities.

• Stand Out: Over a quarter of those seeking full-time work feel that there are no jobs available for their skill set or there is too much competition for avail-

able jobs. To stand out in the crowd, get creative. Whether it’s creating an interactive resume, dropping by the office for a quick hello, or just not stopping until you hear back, doing whatever it takes to get your foot in the door improves your chances of success.

• Find Small Wins: Job hunting can be exhausting and disheartening. Find things you can accomplish that help you feel productive and remind you what it feels like to win again. It could be getting in shape, completing a 5K, journaling for a month, or making five new daily connections on LinkedIn.

• Don’t Write Anything Off: Interestingly, 26% of men surveyed said they are still unemployed because the jobs they hear back from are beneath them. Leave preconceived notions like this at the door. Many companies offer opportunities for promotions and upskilling, so look past the specific outlined role

and imagine future possibilities with that organization.

• Reach for Resources: When trying to get back in the workforce, don’t go at it alone. Companies like Insight Global can help you shape up your resume, brush up on interview skills, boost your confidence and connect you with companies and opportunities that fit the bill. Leverage events like the Be The Light tour, Insight Global’s free-to-attend mobile career center in select cities around the country. Accepting help from professionals will put you in a better position for landing a job. To learn more, and for additional tips and resources, visit insightglobal.com.

“While searching for employment that fulfills your professional goals can feel overwhelming, changing the narrative and thinking about the market in new ways can connect you with additional opportunities and position you to succeed,” says Bean.

Black professionals can overcome career challenges

Special to the St. Louis American

Many businesses say they’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), but the statistics show Black professionals still don’t receive equal consideration for their talents and skills.

According to McKinsey & Company, the median wage for Black professionals in the United States is around 30% less than for white workers. The overrepresentation of Black employees in low-paying service roles and their underrepresentation in leadership jobs offer some examples.

CareerBuilder.com offers the following advice for Black professionals starting their career journey can lead them to success.

Look beyond the job title

Focusing on obtaining a specific job title is a common way of kick-starting your career, but you can find a suitable role in other ways. Rather than zeroing in on a particular title, think about what you want in your career. Some questions you might ask yourself are:

• What issues do I want to address?

• What challenges excite me?

• What lifestyle do I enjoy?

• What type of company do I want to work for in my career?

When you have a clearer picture of your ideal role, you are more likely to obtain a position that engages and fulfills you. Remember that companies aren’t just interviewing you; you’re interviewing them. With more companies focused on DEIB initiatives than ever, you have some leverage to find the best role, even when it’s early in your career.

Always behave professionally

If you see your colleagues slacking off on social media or skipping out early on Friday afternoons, it can be tempting to think that the company accepts these minor indiscretions. However, it’s a sad truth that Black professionals often get scrutinized twice as closely as their peers

in the workplace.

Just because people turn a blind eye to your colleagues bending the rules, you can’t assume they’ll do the same for you.

Join an employee resource group for Black professionals

Employee resource groups are voluntary communities of professionals with a common characteristic, such as the color of their skin, in an organization. These groups can help you feel supported, informed, and less isolated as you embark on your career. If your workplace doesn’t already have an employee resource group for Black professionals, speak to your supervisor about starting one.

Network with all types of people

Networking with a diverse range of

people can help you learn essential professional development skills and advance your career. While you may have a natural affinity with other Black professionals, who can relate to many of your experiences, different people’s professional journeys can give you new perspectives on your career outlook and responsibilities. Try to surround yourself with people at all levels of your organization from different walks of life.

Get a mentor

A mentor is a trusted individual who can help guide you through your career. You can ask anyone more experienced in your network or employee resource group to become your mentor. Meeting with this individual regularly and discussing your professional life can help you navigate the challenges you face in your job and

advance your career. As you progress to more senior positions, be on the lookout for people just starting in their careers whom you can assist in the same way your mentor helps you with your career ambitions.

Pay attention to how people act

The old saying that actions speak louder than words is often true in business. Many companies promote their commitment to DEIB, but some only pay lip service to these ideas. How you get treated may be much more telling than what someone says to you.

Imagine you ask for a promotion, and your supervisor says you need more time to be ready to advance to a higher-level position. You may need more experience behind you or get told no for various reasons. You can respond by spending more time at the company and taking on more complex duties while getting certified in your spare time. If you see others getting promoted while you remain in the same role, despite your best efforts, moving on to a company that recognizes your commitment to continued professional development may be in the best interests of your career.

Be yourself

If you’ve ever felt that nagging feeling that you’re a fraud who doesn’t measure up and doesn’t deserve opportunities, you’re not alone. Studies show Black individuals are more likely to experience imposter syndrome. Overcoming imposter syndrome and being your authentic self can be challenging, but the following tips can help you:

• List your accomplishments and best qualities, and refer to this list when you’re struggling with self-doubt.

• Challenge negative thoughts with positive self-talk.

• Own your contributions and achievements.

• Accept that your mistakes make you human, and learn from your missteps so that you can understand and correct them in the future.

Having a mentor and taking advantage of networking opportunities are instrumental in crafting a successful professional career, regardless of the field you work in.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Black Star