December 27th, 2018 Edition

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. LouiS AmericAn

Elder Madison appointed pastor of Kennerly Temple

Succeeds late Bishop Robert J. Ward at helm of historic COGIC church in the Ville

By Cassandra Scott For The St. Louis American

Elder Edgar O. Madison Jr. was appointed pastor of the historical Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), 4307 Kennerly Ave., on Saturday, December 15, after he was the overwhelming preference in polling of the local church membership. He succeeded the late pastor, Bishop Robert J. Ward, who transitioned on September 30 at 88. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, who is serving as the interim

n “I want to reach out into the community to build our mission in the Ville and provide more community services.” – Elder Edgar “Petey” Madison

jurisdictional prelate and General Board member of COGIC, made the appointment with the approval of Bishop

See MADISON, A6

Elder Edgar “Petey” Madison is the new pastor of the historical Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), 4307 Kennerly Ave.

Workhouse inmate died of opioid overdose

Autopsy shows ‘acute fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl intoxication’ when Louis Payton died

By Ashley Lisenby Of St. Louis Public Radio

The inmate who died at St. Louis’ Medium Security Institution (MSI) in August died of an accidental fentanyl overdose, the autopsy report shows.

Louis L. Payton, 48, was the latest inmate to die at the facility known as the Workhouse this year. He was the fifth inmate to die in custody at a city jail this year, according to records St. Louis Public Radio received in August from the city.

Sisters celebrate Christmas

‘It’s all our fight – these are all our children’

Ferguson protestors organizing at detention camp at Texas-Mexico border

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

Two days before Christmas Eve, Ferguson activists Cathy “Mama Cat” Daniels and Elizabeth Vega – along with seven other activists from St. Louis – set out on an 18-hour journey to the Texas-Mexico border. Their plan was to set up a resistance encampment in the middle of the desert, where nearly 3,000 immigrant refugee children are being held in a detention camp about 40 miles southeast of El Paso. In June, the Trump administration erected what the activists are calling a “concentration camp” to detain children, ages 12 to 17, before they are hopefully reunited with their families. However, an hour after they arrived on December 23

Ferguson activists Cathy “Mama Cat” Daniels and Elizabeth Vega –along with seven other activists from St. Louis – traveled to the Texas-Mexico border on December 22 to assist with the crisis caused by the Trump administration separating immigrant children from their parents.

Louis L. Payton

“We are here because there must be no more,” said Close the Workhouse campaign leader Michelle Higgins this summer. “No more death and dying in a place that claims to be for the purpose of rehabilitation.” Close the Workhouse campaign advocates say they want to end the cash-bail system that they say detains low-level offenders who cannot afford to be released. Court records show Payton had been in jail since January on charges of unlawful firearm and marijuana possession. His court date would have been in October. Many inmates at MSI are detained before trial because they cannot afford bail.

Back in August, Payton’s family called for answers at a media event organized by Close the Workhouse.

“What happened to him, we don’t know. We don’t know,” a relative of the Payton’s told the news media this summer.

There is a lawsuit pending against the jail alleging inhumane conditions and treatment. The city has denied those

was

Looking back at a pioneer in desegregating American education –in Missouri

By Dwyane Smith

For The St. Louis American

December 12 marked the 80th anniversary of the Gaines decision, a very significant but overlooked U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Lloyd Gaines had sought admission into the University of Missouri School of Law but was denied based on his race and the laws of Missouri that called for the separate education of African Americans and whites. On December 12, 1938, the Supreme Court ruled in Gaines’ favor and declared that the University of Missouri had to either admit him to its law school or provide separate but equal accommodations as mandated by the 1896 Plessey decision which upheld the “separate but equal” racial segregation doctrine. The Gaines decision stands out as one of the early defining moments in the Civil Rights movement. His case predates Rosa Parks’ defiant act that led to the Montgomery

See GAINES, A6

Sisters Brielle Keen, 4, and Bre’Ann Keen, 5, showed their excitement on getting a new toy for Christmas at the annual

CARESTL Health Santa Land Christmas Toy Giveaway on Saturday, December 22. Parents were invited to bring their children to receive a free toy and pictures with Santa. Logan University donates hundreds of new toys for the annual event.

Photo by Wiley Price

Eddie Murphy is caregiver for daughter as Mel B recovers from accident

A few weeks ago, Spice Girl Mel B was said to have severed her hand and broke several ribs in a freak accident. Several sources are reporting that her ex Eddie Murphy has been caring for their daughter Angel as Mel recovers.

“The 11-year-old is living with her dad, Eddie Murphy, in Los Angeles while the Spice Girl recovers from emergency surgery for two broken ribs,” Us Weekly says, citing several sources.

“Angel is very well cared for,” one source told Us Weekly. “Eddie and Angel have been spending a lot of time together in recent months.”

Mel B is recovering in England because her doctor doesn’t want her traveling with her injuries.

Jeezy’s son slashed in face, alleged assailant dead after altercation

According to TMZ.com, rapper Young Jeezy’s son suffered a knife wound to the face

during an altercation that reportedly resulted in a death.

“According to law enforcement, the ATL rapper’s 22-year-old son, Jadarius, was involved in an incident Sunday morning in Georgia that ended with gunfire,” The celebrity news and gossip site said. “Officers responded to a ‘shots fired’ call, and when they arrived, they found a 37-year-old man had been shot. He later died at the hospital.

TMZ says cops reported that Jadarius sustained a “possible knife wound to the face,” and was treated at the scene. The site also says that it’s unclear what occurred prior to the altercation between the two.

“Another source close to Jadarius tells us he was act ing in self-defense,” TMZ. com said. “And cops say they are investigating two burglaries that occurred nearby around the same time as the shooting –possibly involving the man who was killed.”

Are Carmelo and LaLa

reunited?

Last year, actress La La Anthony left her husband

Carmelo Anthony after he fathered a child outside their marriage.

The couple has reportedly reconciled.

“La La and Carmelo have recently reconciled, and they truly still love one another,” an insider told Us Weekly. “It’s so obvious when they’re together.”

The source, who confirms that the pair are officially back together, claims their 11 yearold son factored into the reconciliation.

“They also both want what’s best for their son and are committed to being a family,” the source told Us Weekly.

OWN cancels ‘Love Is…’

Last month, Amber Dixon Brenner filed a lawsuit against “Love Is...”producer Salim Akil In the suit, she reportedly accuses him of horrific emotional, physical and sexual abuse and breach of contract for stealing her idea for “Love Is…”

The OWN Network, which airs “Love Is,” was named in the original lawsuit. Akil’s wife, Mara Brock Akil was also named in the filing, which demanded an injunction against them from continuing to profit

off her work and unspecified damages. Despite the fact that OWN and Mara have since been removed from the suit, the network has decided to cancel the show. OWN announced earlier in the spring that “Love Is…” would be renewed for a second season.

According to The Blast, Brenner is moving forward with her lawsuit against Salim.

Cardi B plans to reenergize by starting 2019 with ‘reset’

In an interview with “Extra” rap star Cardi B says she plans to kick back a bit in the new year.

“Everything is good,” Cardi told “Extra.” “I’m very excited for 2019. I just feel like it’s going to be a reset.”

She’s been in the headlines because of her recent split with husband, Migos rapper Offset, and his failed attempt at a public reconciliation. Offset crashed Cardi’s set at Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles, along with a huge “Take Me Back Cardi” sign made out of white and red roses. She rejected the gesture. She said that 2018 was “the good, bad, and the ugly year, a lot of good, a lot of bad, a lot of ugly all mixed together.” She and Offset welcomed daughter Kulture in July. Cardi announced her split with Offset in November.

Sources: Us Weekly, TMZ.com, Extra.com, The Blast

Carmelo & LaLa Anthony

Jenisha McDonald named 2019 Katherine Dunham Fellow

UMSL junior selected in A&E program that grooms for AfricanAmerican arts administrators

American staff

Jenisha McDonald was named the 2019 Katherine Dunham Fellow by the Arts and Education Council (A&E), the region’s only privately-supported united arts fund, which has raised and distributed more than $100 million in private funding for the arts since its inception in 1963.

n The Katherine Dunham Fellowship promotes diversity in arts leadership by giving African-American students an opportunity to explore, gain experience and be mentored in arts administration.

The Katherine Dunham Fellowship, created and funded by Sara and Jack Burke and managed by A&E,

promotes diversity in arts leadership by giving AfricanAmerican students an opportunity to explore, gain experience and be mentored in arts administration. McDonald, a junior studying business administration at University of MissouriSt. Louis, currently works at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. She expects to graduate from UMSL with a bachelor’s of science in business

administration in spring 2020. Following graduation, she hopes to open a nonprofit focused on art education for St.

Jenisha McDonald, a junior studying business administration at University of Missouri-St. Louis, hopes to open a nonprofit focused on art education for St. Louis youth after she graduates.

young woman whose commitment to the power of the arts and arts education to shape a more vibrant community aligns with A&E’s mission,” said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO. “We are thrilled to help her in her journey to become one of our community’s next generation of arts leaders.”

The program is named in honor of legendary dancer, choreographer, educator and social activist Katherine Dunham. Considered one of the most successful dancers of the 20th century, Dunham founded

the Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) at the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (an A&E grantee). Dunham taught dance, along with foreign language, cultural history and anthropology at the PATC. The 2019 fellowship begins in January and continues through the spring semester. McDonald will receive a $3,000 stipend, experience in all the critical skills needed to manage an arts organization – including fundraising, corporate relations, database management, fiscal and board management – and mentorship from current arts administrators and leaders. McDonald is the 10th individual to be named a Katherine Dunham Fellow. The inaugural recipient in 2011 was Antionette D. Carroll, a TED Fellow and founder and CEO of Creative Reaction Lab. For more information about A&E’s Katherine Dunham Fellowship, visit KeepArtHappening.org/

Ashley Gerald named Hazelwood Teacher of the Year

Ashley Gerald, first grade teacher at Lusher Elementary School – seen here with her class and Superintendent Nettie Collins-Hart – was named the 2018-2019 Hazelwood Teacher of the Year. She is a Hazelwood Central High School graduate and has taught at Lusher Elementary for the past four years; she began teaching in the Hazelwood School District in Spring 2007 and taught previously at both Grannemann and Keeven

elementary schools. Katie Hernandez of Jana Elementary School and Stephani Durant of Hazelwood West High School tied for first runner-up.

A Teacher of the Year is named at each school, after which an overall District Teacher of the Year and two runners-up are selected.

The Teacher of the Year recipients at the other schools are Lizabeth Johnson, Amy Williams, Paris Bouchard, Jean Goldstein, Monica Warren,

Stacey

Cassandra Thomas.

Anderson, Toni Grimes, Jernae Craig, William Kuhnert, Kelsey Bodie, Allison Cooke, Angela Turner, Jaimie Wilmes, Teresa Fiudo, Rachel Johnson, Molly Vatterott, Chelsea Christman, Sharene Brown, Renee Jenner, Cindy Miller, Anna Zakrzewski, Lauren Chadbourne, Joyce Pipes, Matthew Loyet, Mark Hicks, Dorothy Burford, Patrick Rocco and

2018 Person of the Year: The Wesley Bell coalition

Since The St. Louis American began recognizing a Person of the Year, only once – in the locally historic year of 2014 – did we recognize a group of people rather than a person. At the end of 2014, protestors were still organized in the streets in Ferguson, rallying against the police killing of Michael Brown, the police response to their protests, and the region’s approach to criminal justice that made those misdeeds possible – and, indeed, defensible in the eyes of many people. We recognized their courage and focus on justice by naming Ferguson protestors collectively as our 2014 Person of the Year.

In 2018, we are recognizing many of those same people once again – but also many others who did not protest in Ferguson – in a new collective recognition for 2018 Person of the Year. For this year we believe that the most important local positive newsmaker was the coalition that elected Wesley Bell as St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, crushing incumbent Bob McCulloch in the Democratic primary by more than 24,000 votes, 56 percent to 43 percent. This coalition includes Bell himself, given that the candidate obviously is the most critical person in a campaign. But his election would not have been possible without a disciplined campaign staff, support from progressive groups (local and national) eager to hand Ferguson villain Bob McCulloch a whipping, St. Louis County voters of all types weary of seeing the region equated with backwards racism and clueless white privilege – and those pesky Ferguson protestors, who moved their activism decisively from the street to the ballot box.

Kayla Reed of WokeVoterSTL and Action STL was a Ferguson protestor who played a pivotal role in the grass-roots effort behind Bell. In The American she described the coalition’s work registering North County high school

seniors to vote, educating voters on the role of the prosecutor, and talking about cash bail, pre-trial detention, sentencing and diversion programs “so that voters understood all that was at stake with this election.” In the last two weeks of the campaign, the coalition hired 23 canvassers and knocked on 7,000 North County doors. Its partnership with Color Of Change PAC – a national political action committee dedicated to electing progressive prosecutors –resulted in over 50,000 text messages sent and over 2,000 calls made on Election Day.

Other activist groups that worked hard to elect Bell include Missouri Faith Voices and the Organization for Black Struggle. The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, which does not endorse candidates, made an unprecedented effort to educate the public on McCulloch’s record of holding people with misdemeanor offenses who could not post cash bail and the meager results of the diversion program for drug offenders that he initiated after Ferguson. And, as our columnist Mike Jones wrote, “Bell’s winning strategy had to include substantial numbers of white voters, whom he attracted without diluting his commitment to criminal justice reform or running away from the black community.”

We recognize the coalition that elected Bell, which includes the candidate, rather than Bell himself because all of his hard work in reforming a disgraceful prosecutor’s office starts now. As Mike Jones wrote, “Bell is now positioned to implement life-changing reforms to St. Louis County’s criminal justice system and has the potential to provide national leadership to this existential issue for black Americans.” And as Kayla Reed urged, “Now it’s time for Wesley to turn those campaign promises into reality and usher in an era of criminal justice reform.”

Since school shooters are white, why is DeVos punishing black kids?

By Charles Jaco For The St. Louis American

According to U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, the best way to handle mass murders at schools is to make it easier to expel and suspend black kids, since all of the shooters have been white.

It’s a racist recommendation that makes absolutely no sense, but it’s what you expect from a conservative billionaire who made her money by marrying well and who never attended any public school.

But. then, extremist politics are a family tradition. Her in-laws are a right-wing dynasty who founded Amway, making a fortune off of a perfectly legal pyramid scheme that turned middle-American housewives into a sales force who spent billions of their own money buying everything from furniture polish to vitamins from Amway, then reselling it at a mark-up.

Betsy DeVos didn’t just marry into the fringe of conservative politics, though. Her maiden name is Betsy Prince, and the Prince family has made its own notorious imprint on American history, mainly because of her brother Erik. Erik Prince is an ex-Navy SEAL (just like Eric Greitens). In 1997, he took advantage of the U.S. military outsourcing many operations and founded Blackwater, a group of ex-military mercenaries-forhire (he prefers to call them “security contractors”) best known for the slaughter of 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2007.

DeVos, spoke at a Christian philanthropy conference, where the now-Education secretary said, “Our desire is to confront the culture in which we all live today in ways which will continue to advance God’s kingdom.”

This is not a God’s Kingdom of charity and the Sermon on the Mount, but one of harsh consequences and Leviticus. Never a fan of public schools and never having attended one, DeVos has helped direct her husband’s money from the DeVos Family Foundation to an assortment of Christian schools, the kind where the ascent of angels is presented as fact while evolution is not.

DeVos, not surprisingly, is also a fan of directing tax dollars to largely unregulated charter schools, including schools with an overt religious agenda. When she was nominated to be Education secretary, 2,700 of her fellow alumni from Calvin College (a Calvinist school in Grand Rapids, Michigan) signed a letter saying DeVos was unfit for the top federal education job because she is not a supporter of public education and had zero experience in public education.

By Jonathan Pulphus For The St. Louis American

We must be willing to address the ongoing disparities in education.

I grew up hopping from school to school. Due to various challenges, I moved around a lot experiencing education in the county and city of St. Louis. I witnessed the impact that unchecked discipline has on the lives of myself and peers. At one school, there were in-school suspension programs, and in others there were only outof-school options. However, none offered an alternative to suspension.

Last fall’s “From School to Prison: Missouri’s Pipeline of Injustice” report by the American Civil Liberties Union was a wakeup call to some. However, for many it is a daily lived experience. The statistic that black students are 4.5 times more likely to be kicked out of school than their white peers is more than alarming. The fact that black students are almost twice as likely to be hit as their white peers because corporal punishment in Missouri is still legal is more than appalling. These are realities that our youth face every day. Our youth are lovable; however, the education system that surrounds them does not treat them with that vibe. We expect them to study in schools with culturally irrelevant curriculums that do not reflect them and police that surveille them like criminals.

In exchange, we kick them out of class, hit them, deny them their future, and cage them like animals.

We need to care for our youth by providing them access to equitable resources, ending youth jails, and implementing systems that enrich instead of punish them.

At Metropolitan Congregations United’s “No More Sittin Out” event in early October, I was honored to listen to the testimonies of school advocates and youth around St. Louis’ education system.

One of the speakers was a youth named Dominic. Through the American Friends Service Committee, I came in contact with Dominic as his peer mediator coach. We train students on skills around conflict resolution. Dominic called for the institutionalization of more programs like peer mediation while condemning the mistreatment of black youth in schools. He received a standing ovation from audience members, including SLPS Superintendent Kelvin Adams. However, our youth deserve more than handclaps. They need increased levels of resources, support, care, alternatives to suspensions

and a restorative, culturally sensitive learning environment.

According to the Ferguson Commission report, there must be changes in schools. It includes research that supports this call. Vague infractions for “insubordination/disrespect” leave all students, particularly black and brown youth, susceptible to suspension. Missouri is notorious for being ranked 47 out of 50 in secondary education for suspension rates in a UCLA study called “Are We Closing the School Discipline Gap?.”

These youth are our next generation of lawyers, doctors, teachers, politicians, and professionals. They will be in our courtrooms, hospitals, schools, public offices, and boardrooms. When you need a legal opinion, these youth will be people you consult. If you fall ill, these scholars will be the ones who provide medical attention. How will you ensure that your child receives a quality education? These youth will be the answer to that as they will teach your student. We need to treat and value them as such.

There is no smoking gun. There are no easy wins to celebrate. We have no trump card. Let’s stop playing games with our youth’s lives and future. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Jonathan Pulphus serves as the St. Louis Peace Program associate with the American Friends Service Committee and

Called “the world’s most powerful private mercenary army,” Blackwater changed its name twice to try to wash away the stench and then was sold in 2011to a private equity firm, which now direct the hired killers as the Academi Company. Former Blackwater soldiers filed sworn statements in Virginia federal court in August 2009 alleging that Erik Prince considered himself a “Christian crusader” who wanted to “eliminate Muslims and Islam.” They also claimed that Prince ordered the murders of several people who were going to bring charges of human rights abuses against Blackwater. Prince settled the lawsuit and sold Blackwater the next year.

While Betsy DeVos doesn’t share her brother’s predilection for war crimes, she does share his fervid, fundamentalist brand of white Christianity. In 2001, Politico reports, DeVos and her husband, Amway CEO Dick

Her entire right-wing worldview is on display in the gibberish that passes itself off as the Trump administration’s report on school safety. The panel that wrote the report, chaired by DeVos, was created after the mass slaughter at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February.

It ignores any mention of gun control and instead suggests that teachers arm themselves and that maybe the federal government will help pay for their firearms training. That sort of nonsense is par for the course when conservative extremists – that is to say, Trump supporters – are given the power to suggest policy.

But the biggest head-shaker is DeVos’ demand that the 2014 Education Department guidelines for reducing the disparity in suspensions and expulsions between white students and minority students be tossed out.

That stunned St. Louis lawyer Luz Marie Henriquez, who heads the Education

Justice Program for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. “I was surprised,” said Henriquez, who works with school districts across Missouri. “Mass shootings are not committed by children of color. This is going to adversely impact the children we work with.” The DeVos commission claims that it included the recommendation in the report because the 2014 Obama guidelines made Stoneman Douglas High School officials reluctant to act to expel or suspend mass shooter Nikolas Cruz, despite almost no evidence that was the case. Instead, it seems clear these guidelines are being jettisoned for the same reason the report says the solution to school shootings is more guns: it’s what Trump’s white nationalist base wants. Any Obama program aimed at minority kids, no matter how successful, is doomed.

The Obama guidelines, even though they aren’t mandatory, have already shown results in trying to disrupt the schoolto-prison pipeline for minority students. Saint Louis Public Schools, for example, had been among the nation’s top 10 districts when it came to suspending or expelling minority children. Now, the city schools no longer suspend students if they’re between kindergarten and second grade. In the ‘burbs, the Kirkwood Schools have announced an end to all out-of-school suspensions, instead keeping suspended students in special classes.

“School is where poor students have access to food and to mentoring,” said Henriquez. “If kids are out of school, especially younger kids, that leads to disengagement. Ninety-five percent of suspensions are for non-violent offenses, like not having a complete school uniform. After the 2014 guidelines, a lot of schools changed policies.”

A 2015 ACLU study concluded black students are five times as likely to be disciplined as white students. The DeVos guidelines say that’s just fine, all in the name of keeping schools safe from mass shootings.

But since mass school shooters are almost exclusively white, the new policy makes no sense to anyone. Except white nationalists. Charles Jaco is a journalist, author, and activist. Follow him on Twitter at @ charlesjaco1.

Schmitt could prove that he cares Gov. Mike Parson is appointing Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt to replace Josh Hawley as Missouri’s attorney general. Though in most cases we have opposing views on reproductive freedom, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri would like to see Attorney General Eric Schmitt take strides to make improvements on important issues that will help Missouri women and families succeed. Where Josh Hawley let his constituents down, Eric Schmitt could prove that he cares about the success and health of Missourians by doing

something about the thousands of untested rape kits in the state and standing up for survivors of sexual assault.

Alison Dreith, executive director NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri

Thanks to Tishaura

Thanks to Tishaura Jones for explaining the backlash from the last election with specific examples. This insightful, first-hand picture of what is going on is needed to inform all Americans in order to bring about positive change. It is our calls, letters, and visits to those who represent us that can help these changes come about.

This article is a good one to send in with our ideas to our representatives. This builds political will in Congress to take action. It is the reason for the recent bipartisan Farm Bill passing, protecting America’s front line program battling hunger, SNAP. It is the reason America’s support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has helped to save 27 million lives since 2002. Our voices can make a difference, and with the power of the press to inform us, we can continue to bring about positive change.

Willie Dickerson Snohomish, Washington

Columnist Charles Jaco

Columnist Jonathan Pulphus

From Florissant to Venezuela

Rodrigo Camacaro (head custodian), Chanel Higgins (Instructional Support leader), Jane Crawford (principal), LaDonna Lowe-Sutherlin (counselor) and Tracy Shorley (assistant principal) helped to lead the effort at Parker Road Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District to donate approximately 200 medium and large boxes of Christmas gifts to children in Venezuela, in collaboration with St. Andrew United Methodist Church and Charity Christian Center. Students, staff, and the community also donated enough food to run Venezuela’s feeding program for half of 2019.

“Everything started with my aunt and my brothers that live and serve children in the community where I was raised in Venezuela,” Camacaro said. “The economy recently collapsed, so a lot of people are struggling there. We made it a project where our school and the churches came together to give these kids everything from toys, clothes, and shoes, to food.” Camacaro connected with Sarah Jennings, a fourth-grade teacher at Parker Road, who developed a service project for her students to raise money and collect items to donate. Students not only orchestrated events to collect donations, but they also studied the economic climate in Venezuela. Students in second grade also formed pen pals with the children in Venezuela and mailed them letters with postage stamps to send letters back.

County Library building History & Genealogy Center

The St. Louis County Library has purchased approximately 6 acres near the intersection of Clayton Road and Spoede Road in Frontenac for the construction of a new History & Genealogy Center and an administrative building. The projects will be designed by BatesForum Architects and are funded by proceeds from a 2012 tax initiative. The cost of the land was $6.1 million; construction is scheduled to begin in late 2019, and both buildings are expected to be completed in 2021.

The new History & Genealogy Center will house the library’s substantial genealogy and local history collection, which includes over 100,000 print items, 850 periodical titles, 40,000 microfilm rolls, a variety of electronic databases, and several rare collections.

Following the completion of these buildings, a new branch library and event center will be constructed at the current Headquarters location, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., by 2022.

More details about the construction projects can be found at www.slcl.org/your-library-renewed.

Re-imaging a black agenda

Recently Michael Butler convened a gathering of black community stakeholders. The former Missouri state representative had the audacity to run against long-time politico Sharon Carpenter and the campaign savvy to take her job as St. Louis recorder of deeds. Butler’s main goal for the convening was to assess the level of unity in the room to forge a legislative agenda.

The kind of initiative may seem uncharacteristic of millennials who are often accused of being self-promoting, ahistorical narcissists. I found Butler’s call to action a breath of fresh air.

The call for a black agenda is not a new one.

Two that immediately coming to mind are the Freedom Agenda of the Black Radical Congress in 1998 and the Missouri Black Agenda (MBA) in 1984. For now, let’s stay in Missouri and see what lessons we can glean from the MBA.

The architects of the MBA were people – like Virvus Jones, Paula Carter, Charles Troupe, Bertha Mitchell and Freeman Bosley Sr. – who also sought out how to coalesce around an agenda that could move the issues of the African-American community.

The state agenda was inspired and informed by a report of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1980. The caucus was founded in 1971. The influx of black elected officials in the early 1970s, including William “Bill” Clay, fueled the need to move the ship of strategic goals for the black community in a sea of hostile, white interests.

The MBA’s goal was to offer the black community a way of evaluating the progress of its elected officials and to provide an opportunity for black leadership – elected and non-elected – to work together on a common program.

The agenda called for putting African Americans on state boards, commissions and authorities that impacted black life. It also addressed issues such as judicial and executive appointments. The vision included economic participation of black vendors and businesses. Most of the 1984 MBA remains unfinished as the political will dissipated over the years.

The contributors to the MBA were clear that it was a living document that sought to include all sectors of our community to continually improve the agenda and to expand its reach. It further advocated its use to support those seeking and retaining public office.

Black voters are weary of the excuse by some black state legislators that they can’t get anything done in Jefferson City because they’re minorities in the minority party. Black legislators have been minorities in the minority party yet were able to accomplish some gains because of disciplined focus and creative negotiating across the aisle.

Community agendas helped to push candidates Kim Gardner and Wesley Bell into their prosecutor offices. Those agendas called for the end to judicial corruption and the start of fair practices to replace racist ones. Near the top of the list is prosecution of police who have committed crimes, underscoring they are not above the laws they enforce.

Michael Butler wasn’t even born at the time of the MBA, but his efforts are in the tradition of those in perpetual search of a more effective way to achieve progress in our people’s struggle for self-determination and economic justice.

Dr. Martin Luther King said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.” Implementing a powerful black agenda is always the right thing to do.

Jamala Rogers

Continued from A1

Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of COGIC.

“The former first lady, Mother Dorothy Ward, and the whole Ward family have embraced my succeeding his ministry,” Elder Madison told The American His first two weeks leading the congregation have gone smoothly. “No surprises,” he said. “I grew up there.”

A native St. Louisan, Elder Edgar “Petey” Madison is a product of COGIC and has served the Kennerly Temple COGIC since an early age. While he is recognized as a preacher, he also has the

GAINES

Continued from A1

Bus Boycott by 20 years. Martin Luther King Jr. was a mere six years old when Gaines enrolled in law school. The Gaines decision was the first major Supreme Court victory for the then-fledgling NAACP and its corps of attorneys, including a young Thurgood Marshall, who served as the NAACP assistant legal counsel under Harvardtrained NAACP Special Counsel Charles Houston. Yet few are familiar with the case or its impact on the higher education aspirations of African Americans. Gaines’ victory set into motion a series of subsequent lawsuits that led to the landmark 1954 Brown decision outlawing legalized segregation in America’s educational system.

An outstanding scholar and student leader, Gaines was valedictorian of the Vashon High School Class of 1931. He decided to become an attorney

responsibilities as state minister of Music of the Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction of COGIC, president of the Midwest Area Music Department of COGIC and vice president of the International Music Department of COGIC. Elder Madison also found time to remain extremely active on a local level as a member of Kennerly Temple COGIC and assistant pastor to Bishop Ward. Elder Madison lovingly continued his loyal service under the leadership of Bishop Ward until Bishop Ward’s demise.

Excelling from his humble beginnings in the local church choir, Elder Madison was appointed state minister of Music of the Eastern Missouri Music Department of COGIC

through the encouragement of his teachers and the advice of Homer G. Phillips, a leading African-American attorney in St. Louis. Upon graduation, Gaines attended Stowe Teachers College’s two-year division then Lincoln University on a $50 Curator’s Scholarship, graduating with honors as president of his senior class.

He was encouraged to apply to law school by S.W. Canada, the University of Missouri’s registrar, but this encouragement was short-lived once Canada and university officials received his admission documents and realized that Gaines was African-American. After an eight month delay, the university denied Gaines admission based on his race and state law, and Gained sued the university with the support of the NAACP. In mounting its defense, law Dean W.E. Masterson contacted a variety of state law schools that did not admit African Americans for legal precedent. Ira P. Hildebrand, dean of the University of Texas

in 1983, under the late Bishop William E. Turner. In 1994, he received the appointment as administrative assistant and director of Finance in the National Music Department of COGIC under the leadership of Evangelist LuVonia Whittley, national president. In 2000, he was reappointed to both positions by the newly appointed International President Iris Stevenson.

In January 2009, Judith McAllister appointed Elder Madison to the high office of vice president to continue his service within the International Music Department.

Elder Madison has labored untiringly for years in the gospel music arena, both locally and nationally. He gave considerable attention to the

School of Law, suggested that Masterson contact the dean of the University of Virginia Law School since he knew that Virginia refused to admit “a Negro” and that they might offer suggestions.”

Hildebrand shared with Masterson that the University of Texas had many Northern instructors that were “Negro lovers” and he feared that his school would be troubled with the same issue that confronted Missouri.

late Mattie Moss Clark, who was the national president of the International Music Department for 25 years. He served in many capacities under her administration.

Elder Madison devoted a great amount of energy and time to the ministry of music during her reign as the so-called “Queen of Gospel Music.” This was a period of nurturing and training that is deeply instilled into the soul, spirit and body of Elder Madison.

Elder Madison has worked in the community of St. Louis intricately with the likes of the late Ida Goodwin Woolfolk and Alderman Sam Moore and as a member of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

the leadership of Houston, Marshall and St. Louis attorney Sidney Redmond, the NAACP appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.

n The Gaines decision stands out as one of the early defining moments in the Civil Rights movement.

The university counsel argued that the University of Missouri “belongs to White people” and that any insistence on the contrary connotes a desire on the part of “Negroes” for “social equality with Whites.” With its six attorneys – led by Nick Cave, who referred to 25-yearold Gaines as a “colored boy” – won its case with the Columbia Circuit Court, and the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the decision. Under

In a stunning reversal, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gaines, 6-2. The court ordered the university to admit Gaines into its law school or to provide a “separate but equal” law school for him.

The Gaines decision was far reaching. At least 10 states were directly affected by the court’s decision since they did not have any provisions for graduate schools for African Americans. An additional seven states that sent African-Americans to other states would be affected as well.

Many newspapers, including a majority of the Black Press, cited the Gaines decision as the number one news story of 1938. The victory made Gaines a hero to African Americans

under the leadership of former President and CEO James H. Buford and the current President and CEO Michael McMillan.

Elder Madison is a much sought after and nationally known as a gospel speaker, teacher, and preacher. He is known as one of the hardestworking men in the field of gospel music today. Elder Madison fulfills the Biblical pronouncement that “your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men.” Standing at the pinnacle of achievement, he remains humble, reserved and somewhat embarrassed by the attention being showered on him as a result of his many appointments, including this most recent honor of

and propelled him into the national spotlight. He gave speeches attracting hundreds and raising significant funds for the NAACP.

This was the first time since the Civil War that there was any serious discussion of African-American education. Seven years after the decision, seven graduate schools were established and by 1958 there were at least 11, including the South Carolina State University School of Law. Many of these schools still exist 80 years later. The North Carolina Central School of Law was established in 1939 as a direct result of the Gaines decision.

Overall, there was an increase in funding for African-American schools, with many graduate programs being established. After the Gaines decision, African Americans were emboldened to apply to schools across the country and lawsuits ensued, challenging the separate but equal doctrine.

Missouri responded with plans to start a law school

succeeding Bishop Ward as pastor of Kennerly Temple COGIC. “I want to build on his legacy,” Elder Madison said of Bishop Ward. “This is an historic church.” However, he sees opportunity for the church to do more work in the local community. “I want to reach out into the community to build our mission in the Ville,” he said, “and provide more community services.” His Installation Ceremony is being planned for the latter part of April, when weather will be favorable for the many visitors expected from out of town. The American will share that information when it is finalized.

for African Americans. The state had until September 1939 to establish the law school or admit Gaines into the University of Missouri School of Law. The state rushed and passed legislation that established the Lincoln Law School, Missouri’s first African-American law school. In less than a year, the Lincoln Law School would be established in St. Louis, enrolling its first class of students. Lloyd Gaines would vanish mysteriously, never to be heard from again. It would not be until 1950 that Gus T. Ridgel would become the first African American accepted into the University of Missouri. Then on May 7, 1954, the last legal bastion of Jim Crow came tumbling down. In a MarshallNAACP led attack, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in schools was unconstitutional – 16 years after the Gaines decision. Dwyane Smith is provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Harris-Stowe State University and a Fulbright Scholar.

PROTESTORS

Continued from A1

just dropped them off with nothing at 11 at night. It was mayhem.”

There was also a father who had to sleep sitting on a toilet holding his son in the family detention center because the room was so crowded, Vega said.

outside of the children detention “tent city,” alongside Latino resistance groups from El Paso and Santa Fe.

the children – delaying their release.

“Some had no coats,” Vega said. “No shoes. No money. Really sick babies. It’s a sin what this country is doing. In true Ferguson style, Mama Cat is now cooking for both the occupation camp and for folks who are now at this emergency shelter that we established with the Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee.”

Now, every day since the St. Louis group arrived, Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials have released hundreds of migrant asylum-seekers in a park in downtown El Paso – even on Christmas Day. Because the local homeless shelters are overflowing, the St. Louis activists have been working with local volunteers to set up their own independent shelters at local motels.

“There is a Guatemalan mother who has three sick babies, one on her back and two under the age of four, and they have been in a detention center,” Vega said. “And they

INMATE

Continued from A1 and started setting up the encampment, they learned that about 200 migrant asylumseekers had been released from a family detention center and dropped off at the Greyhound station with nothing. It was 11 p.m., but they still got back in the 15-passenger van and went to lend a hand.

allegations in the past.

Police reported that Payton collapsed at the jail at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, August 2. The autopsy record reports the time of death as a little over an hour later. There was evidence of medical care including defibrillator and EKG stickers, according to the medical examiner’s report. Payton’s family members

About 90 miles north of the border crossing in El Paso, an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy, Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, died on late Christmas Eve in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

“It’s been heartbreaking to see what these families and especially children are dealing with,” Mama Cat said. “The children have sores around their mouths because they are dehydrated. They aren’t giving them water in there. To see the loss of hope and people are afraid, you gotta see it to really believe it. It went from an occupation to an ‘assist and resist’ because the need is so great here.”

A St. Louis nurse arrived on Christmas night and immediately went to care for the sick children, some of whom have bronchitis and pink eye. Working tirelessly, Vega and the others have been catching only a couple hours of sleep here and there. But more help on its way. More than 30 people from St. Louis – including several Ferguson frontliners – will come this week to help with the shelters and hold actions

told the news media this summer they did not know of any medical conditions that would have caused his death. The medical examiner’s report describes many of Payton’s organs as “normal,” “intact” or “not remarkable.” Payton did not have any apparent injuries, according to the report. However, one particular finding stands out: “Acute fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl intoxication.” Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.

The children’s camp, which is near the small town of Tornillo, was meant to be a temporary facility with 400 beds to house children separated from their parents through the Trump administration’s controversial family-separation policy enacted in May. However, the facility was expanded to 500 beds in August and to 3,800 in September The government now has custody of almost 15,000 “unaccompanied children” who were apprehended at the border without a guardian, up from the 3,000 at the beginning of the Trump administration.

Although the family separation policy was technically ended in June, the number of children detained apart from their families continues to increase. That’s because in June the Trump administration immediately replaced the separation policy with rigorous requirements for reuniting children with their families, including fingerprinting. These requirements have been at the center of debates recently among Democratic legislators, who say fingerprinting isn’t necessary and only makes potential sponsors fearful of coming forward to claim

A spokesman for the city said months ago that officials are working to make city jails safer. But Payton died of an opioid overdose. How did fentanyl get in the jail in the first place? City officials who oversee the jail would not address Payton’s death specifically, citing HIPAA laws and an active investigation into the jail.

“The smuggling of drugs and other contraband into jails and other secure facilities is a problem law enforcement struggles with across the

When The American asked Mama Cat why she was willing to spend her Christmas at the border, she said, “These are all our babies – babies who are being mistreated.”

Mama Cat especially feels for the parents. The children who are in custody mainly come from Central American countries, where parents had to flee because they feared their children would be killed by gang violence or general unrest.

“They came here for safety,” said Mama Cat, who is known for nourishing the local protest community with her home cooking. “They got here, and they were met with hatred. It’s important to let these kids know they are not by themselves. There are people in this country who care for them.”

So, Mama Cat said it was an easy decision when fellow “Ferguson O.G.” Elizabeth Vega called her and asked her to cook for the resistance camp. She said she packed her cooking knife kit and came ready to “bang some pots.”

“This occupation is needed,” Mama Cat said. “And from what I understand, this area is pretty conservative. They are certainly not used to what they’re about to get. They are used to barking orders

country,” city spokesman Koran Addo said in an emailed statement. “The St. Louis Corrections Division works diligently to address the issue and provide a safe environment to the jail population.”

Close the Workhouse has lobbied the city on behalf of ex-Workhouse inmates to have the facility closed for much of the year. Coalition member Montague Simmons said in addition to allegations of subpar medical attention, the campaign has heard

and people saying, ‘Okay’ because they are afraid. I’m not afraid because I live for liberation because that’s how I was made.”

Vega, the leader of the activist group called the Artivists, traveled to the Tornillo camps in November with a group of clergy. The first thing she noticed was that the “brown resistance” needed some backup, she said.

“Folks from St. Louis and Ferguson are uniquely trained and skilled to help build other resistance movements because we’ve been doing it,” Vega said. “I’m excited to share things that we learned the hard way.”

Local activists are mainly coming from the groups Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee and Movimento Cosecha. The locals led the creation of a Christmas tree out of empty water jugs that the nonprofit No More Deaths leaves along common migrant routes. The tree remembers 7-year-old Guatemalan Jakelin Caal Maquin, who died on December 6 from dehydration and shock after reportedly not eating or drinking for several days, along with thousands of others who have died making the treacherous journey through the desert.

The resistance is pushing for the closure of the Tornillo camps and immediately placing the children with

allegations of drug trafficking in the jail.

“I’ve definitely heard rumors of drug trafficking,” Simmons said. “I haven’t heard much in support of rehabilitation.”

Jail Commissioner Dale Glass has talked in the past about drug-rehab programs at the institution.

“Unfortunately, even some of the allegations around drug trafficking made allegations against staff who were complicit or turned a blind eye,” Simmons said. “And, if

their families. Activists also believe America’s foreign policies had a hand in destabilizing the countries where these people are fleeing from and that those policies need to change.

Mama Cat said she believes African Americans should take note and care about what’s going on at the border. “What affects them affects us,” she said. “We have crossed these same roads. It’s all our fight. These are all our children.” The costs of the camps are also directly impacting funding for services that go into black communities nationwide.

The Trump administration has transferred $446 million from programs such as Head Start, cancer and allergy research and for substance abuse treatment programs in order to pay for detaining these children. That’s on top of the $1.2 billion that the administration budgeted in fiscal year 2018.

Vega said she decided to hold the actions over the holidays because she knew people, especially students, had time off.

“We have a choice on how we want to spend that time,” Vega said. “There were enough people who understand that this situation needs to be addressed and would be willing to give one Christmas up to justice.”

that’s the case, it means that folks are not safe.”

Ashley Lisenby is part of the public radio collaborative Sharing America covering the intersection of race, identity and culture. This new initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, includes reporters in Hartford, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Portland (Oregon). Follow Ashley on Twitter @aadlisenby. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

The white Christmas of Trump’s white supremacist Christians

Charles Jaco – journalist, author, and activist (on Twitter at @charlesjaco1) – who took down

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Republican challenger Todd Akin six years ago in a bruising broadcast interview, came out of retirement to write for The American before the November 6 general election and has stuck with it. He penned this guest Political EYE.

Christians have been disguising one thing as another at least since 336 AD, when the Roman Emperor Constantine decided to co-opt the Roman solstice celebration of Saturnalia and the “barbarian” Celtic Yule festivities by officially declaring December 25 Jesus’ birthday. That way, Christians marking the birth of Christ could slide right in to already established pagan holidays around the same date, take them over, and eventually pretend that the late December holiday had been about Jesus all along.

In the same way, white conservative Christians who helped give us the Trump hellscape have long pretended that their political movement is about traditional morality and opposition to abortion. That, like Constantine’s juggling the date of Christ’s birth, is a cynical retrofit. The right-wing white Protestant evangelicals (and “traditionalist” Catholics) who support Trump by an 80 percent-plus margin actually became a conservative political force because of racism.

That much should be clear by now, since their claims of morality evaporated like water in a hot skillet once they threw their support behind an amoral con-man who pays off porn stars and Playboy playmates to either keep quiet or have abortions. Their excuses for a man who hides his moral emptiness behind sociopathic cruelty only make sense once you realize that Trump and conservative white Christians share something more powerful than the Gospels: white supremacy.

White fundamentalist Christianity has always had a racist streak. It was used to justify 17th and 18th century slaughter of Native Americans and enslavement of black people in the 19th century. It’s why the pro-

slavery Lutheran Missouri Synod and Southern Baptists split from northern abolitionist churches in the years leading up to the Civil War.

In our era, their political muscle was first flexed by Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority in the early 1980s, when legions of politically savvy evangelicals were the primary force behind sweeping Ronald Reagan into office. It’s continued ever since, whether campaigning for Trump or against abortion rights. And it always came spewing sanctity, claiming to be a crusade to oppose gay marriage, abortion, contraception, and anything else offensive to Old Testament morality.

The truth behind the emergence and continued political muscle of conservative white Protestants and Catholics is a good deal uglier and is based in racism. To understand the white nationalism behind white conservative Christianity in modern America, you have to go back to the mid-1950s, when a 20-something pastor on the make named Jerry Falwell bought the old Donald Duck soft drink bottling plant in Lynchburg, Virginia and turned it into the Thomas

Road Baptist Church.

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling outlawing school segregation in Brown v Board of Education, many whites, especially in the South, staged mini-riots at newly de-segregated schools. Then, they began setting up their own private schools, “segregation academies,” to avoid integration. It was against that backdrop that 25-year old Jerry Falwell took to

the pulpit in the converted Virginia bottling plant in 1958 to deliver a sermon called “Segregation or Integration: Which?” A dark twin to Dr. King’s sermons of light and hope, it laid out the philosophy that still governs conservative Christianity.

“If Chief Justice Warren and his associates had known God’s word and had desired to do the Lord’s will, I am quite confident the 1954 decision

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. (son of Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority) was an early endorser of Donald Trump for president.

Christian movement, that’s a lie. Their activism began two years earlier, and the driving issue wasn’t abortion. It was racism.

would never have been made,” Falwell grumbled. “The facilities should be separate. When God has drawn a line of distinction, we should not attempt to cross that line. Integration will destroy our race.”

Falwell put his money where his mouth was. In 1966, he founded the Lynchburg Christian Academy, a segregationist academy for white students. Things went along smoothly for Falwell, and he concentrated his efforts on maintaining white supremacy mostly in the Lynchburg, Virginia area.

But in 1971, the Supreme Court ruled in Green v Connally that racist segregationist academies couldn’t claim tax exemptions as religious schools. That ruling began both the alliance between right-wing Catholics and racist Protestants and kick-started conservative Christians into political action.

The evangelicals’ political creation myth claims that conservative Christians didn’t become active until 1973, following the Roe v Wade decision, and that the animating issue was abortion. Like just about everything else about the conservative

In 1976, the IRS took away the taxexemption of Bob Jones University in South Carolina because it refused to admit black students. That same year, Paul Weyrich, a conservative Catholic from Wisconsin who had just founded a right-wing D.C. think tank he dubbed The Heritage Foundation, drove to Virginia to meet Falwell. They founded a movement they called The Moral Majority. The issue uniting them, Weyrich recalled in a 1990 interview, wasn’t abortion or even morality. It was all-white schools being forced to admit black students. If it hadn’t been for Donald Trump, the coalition between conservative Catholics and right-wing Protestants might have been able to hide behind the smokescreen of family values and allegedly Biblical morality indefinitely. It might have even worked if the candidate was someone like Mike Pence, a Catholic who had converted to evangelical Protestantism and who camouflaged white nationalism behind a façade of stiffnecked morality.

Instead, conservative white Christians threw their wholehearted support behind a man whose moral landscape looks like the back of Rick James’ van. Adultery, porn actress payoffs, reported payments for secret abortions, bragging that he could grab women in the crotch and get away with it, and lining up contestants to his Miss Teen America pageant – teens –to offer them a chance to win if they came up to his penthouse all didn’t square well with professions of moral rectitude.

But that doesn’t matter anymore. Now that their conservative white Christianity is out in the open as white nationalism with sketchy scriptural footnotes, evangelicals roll with it. Their religion was never much more than white supremacy covered in Biblical icing anyway, so they’re not bothered by the hypocrisy.

Beside, under Trump, they can say, “Merry White Christmas” again.

Art Museum Collaborates with Delta Sigma Theta on Annual Kwanzaa Program

On Sunday, December 30 from noon to 4 pm, the Saint Louis Art Museum will host Kwanzaa: Wearing Our CROWN. This free event is a celebration of African and African American culture and history, combining the visual arts with West African dance, drumming, and storytelling. The Kwanzaa principle for the day is Nia (purpose) and according to Dr. Karenga, it is “to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”

The Art Museum’s Kwanzaa Celebration will include a family art activity, auditorium performance, and a scavenger hunt based on the Nguzo Saba. Beginning at noon, visitors can create a wearable work of art and take a self-guided tour of the Museum’s African and contemporary art galleries with a Kwanzaa themed scavenger hunt. The family art activity takes place in Grigg Gallery from noon to 4 pm. All events and activities are free, but tickets are required for the Auditorium performance. Tickets will be made available at the Museum starting at noon on December 30 while supplies last. Auditorium seating is limited. Auditorium doors open at 1:30 pm and the performances will begin at 2 pm. For over twenty years the Museum has presented its annual Kwanzaa celebration in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter established to promote educational excellence, public service, and leadership development. Since its formation in 1998, chapter activities have involved Delta members as volunteers in direct services, catalysts for community action, recruiters of interagency support, and leaders in networking and partnership building with other organizations. The chapter also has a long history of mentorship for youth ages 5-18 and many of the participants will play a major role in the Museum’s annual Kwanzaa celebration. Beginning at noon on December 30 the Delta GEMS, a program serving 9th through 12th grade girls, will assist during the family program, act as Museum guides for visitors, and deliver the closing call to Unity or Harambee following the auditorium performance. The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning. The Delta Mahavavays, girls enrolled in the

SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM

Sunday, December 30, Noon-4 pm

FREE KWANZAA CELEBRATION

Learn the 7 Kwanzaa principles with a gallery hunt

Make your own Zawadi (gift) art activity

FREE PERFORMANCES

Free, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available at the Museum on December 30 starting at noon.

Community Performance Ensemble of Sunshine Cultural Art Center

Kenya Ajanaku

Kunama Mtendaji

The Farrell Auditorium

Doors open at 1:30 pm / Showtime at 2 pm

Delta Rites of Passage Training, will help introduce the auditorium program by explaining the seven principles (Nguso Saba) at the heart of the Kwanzaa celebration.

The Vipepeo and Delta Academy will take part in the performance in the Farrell Auditorium with presentations on the day’s theme, Wearing Our CROWN. The name, Vipepeo, is the Swahili word for butterflies and underscores that the young women who comprise the group are still growing, changing, and will eventually develop wings and take flight. The Vipepeo program which serves girls 5-10 years old, teaches the history and culture of people of African descent, with significant attention given to women, and introduces the concept of community service to participants through group service projects.

Events you can’t miss this winter in St. Louis

By Kiara Bryant For the St. Louis American

From family-friendly entertainment to annual celebrations, don’t miss all that St. Louis has to offer throughout the winter season.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. With celebrations at Ballpark Village, Marriott St Louis Airport, Hollywood Casino, The Hyatt Regency at the Arch, Three Sixty Rooftop Bar, Gateway Arch Riverboats, the James J. Eagan Community Center and many others on Monday, December 31.

We encourage you to make the most of the season as the fun doesn’t stop after the New Year begins. ‘Tis the season for ice skating; you can visit Steinberg Ice Skating Rink in Forest Park, the rink is open every day through Feb. 28 and Shaw Park Ice Skating Rink in Clayton is open through Feb. 24. You can also hit the slopes at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Wildwood.

Museums are a popular choice for those who want to stay inside until the winter chill thaws. In that case, The Magic House and City Museum are also great places to visit with your family this time of year.

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the MLK holiday, you can take the kids to The MLK Community Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 19 and Monday, Jan. 21 at Missouri History Museum. Participate in workshops throughout the museum including youth activism and engagement, and more to discuss how to make a difference in your community and learn more about Dr. King’s March on Washington. This event was created for children under 14 years of age and the first 100 kids to attend will receive a free storybook. On Sunday, Jan. 20 they will also host Beyond the Dream: A Conversation with Traci Blackmon.

The Saint Louis Art Museum will also offer their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Celebration featuring a keynote speaker, spoken-

word, and music on Friday, Jan. 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Farrell Auditorium. It’s season 42 for The Black Rep, and this season brings the world premiere of Canfield Drive (Jan. 9-27) to Edison Theatre. When the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown erupts in Ferguson everyone struggles with the greatest questions of our time. And that’s not all we have to look forward to from The Black Rep. In Milk Like Sugar (Feb. 13-Mar. 3), 16-yearold Annie Desmond’s choices lead her to a life-altering pact with her friends in a journey of hope, and lastly, Nina Simone: Four Women (May 16-June 6, 2019), explores the powerful lyrics of Nina Simone. Maybe you’re not familiar with PAW Patrol, but your kid surely is. They’ll want to see “PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue!” when the show comes to the Stifel Theatre on Jan. 18-20. The pups will need all paws on deck for this one including the help of your little one to make it a fun filled memory. Need help finding your dream car? Look no further than the STL Auto Show featuring The Motorcycle Show (Jan.24- 27) at the America’s Center Convention Complex. As the largest automobile event in the St. Louis area, you’ll see more than 500 new cars, trucks, SUVs and luxury vehicles all under one roof. Now this annual event has joined forces with the Motor Cycle Show providing you with two shows for one price. Make a visit to various neighborhoods in St. Louis for community festivals. In University City, dozens of family friendly activities await you at The Loop Ice Carnival (Jan. 18-20) including game booths, ice slides, ice carving demonstrations and more. These are just a few ideas to get your year started. Stay tuned for the 2019 Official St. Louis Visitors Guide featuring more upcoming events. You can find this and more at www. explorestlouis.com.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. With celebrations at Ballpark Village (above), Marriott St Louis Airport, Hollywood Casino, The Hyatt Regency at the Arch, Three Sixty Rooftop Bar, Gateway Arch Riverboats, the James J. Eagan Community Center and many others.

Empowering men to take control of their prostate health

and battle misconceptions about preventing and treating the disease.

Siteman oncologists and Prostate Cancer Coalition partner in radio show

By Chabelis Byamana

American

Louis

For The St.

Prostate cancer can affect men of any race, but African-American men are at greater risk of having the disease, and of getting it at a younger age.

Knowing this, Dr. Lannis Hall and Dr. Arnold Bullock of Siteman Cancer Center and their colleagues at the Prostate Cancer Coalition are working to educate men, including through a radio show and podcast, and to challenge them to take control of their prostate health.

They created the “Our Healthy Men” radio show, presented in conjunction with RareGem Productions, to reduce fear and battle misconceptions about preventing and treating

n “The significant reduction in mortality from prostate cancer indicates the importance of getting men screened, treated and on clinical trials to find the best therapies for all men.”

– Dr. Lannis Hall

the disease.

“We want men to lead healthier, happier lives,” said Dr. Hall, a Siteman Cancer Center radiation oncologist. “Through the radio show we provide essential, life-saving

information that moves men to improve their health and the health of their loved ones.”

“Our Healthy Men” is available on iHeartRadio and iTunes, as well as on the websites of Siteman, siteman.wustl. edu, and the Prostate Cancer Coalition, prostatecancercoalitionstl.org.

Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer in men, and getting screened is critical, Dr. Hall said. The PSA test, evaluated extensively by Washington University physicians at Siteman Cancer Center, is one such screening method. The blood test measures the level of PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. Elevated levels are associated with the potential presence

See PROSTATE, A11

‘Most women underestimate the amount of danger that they’re in’

Washington Post report shows terrifying trends in domestic violence

By Evie Hemphill Of St. Louis Public Radio

A new Washington Post report found that 48 of the 148 women killed in St. Louis from 2007 to 2017 were murdered by an intimate partner – and that one-third of those men were publicly known to be a potential threat before the attacks occurred.

n “It happens everywhere all the time, and I challenge anyone to say that they don’t know someone who is in this situation or has been in this situation.”

– Katie Zezima

“We analyzed homicide data of women in 47 major U.S. cities, and it was 4,484 killings of women,” said national Washington Post correspondent Katie Zezima. “And what we found was that [overall] 46 percent of these women died at the hands of an intimate

partner. What we did then was we closely analyzed the homicides in five of the cities, including St. Louis.”

Among the 280 men implicated in a domestic killing in Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, San Diego or St. Louis, 36 percent had a previous restraining order against them or had been previously convicted of domestic violence or violent crime.

“There’s been some research on it but See VIOLENCE, A11

By Ron Inge, DDS For The St. Louis American

Contrary to popular belief, tooth loss is avoidable. When properly cared for, pearly whites can last a lifetime.

Teeth can be prone to cavities at any age.

Older adults are more susceptible to cavities on the roots of their teeth. Older adults also need to be mindful of the risk of mouth cancer, the prevalence of gum disease and how the side effects of certain medications can be detrimental to dental health.

To help spread strong, healthy smiles across the state, here are some reminders. Sticking to the oral health basics is beneficial. Cavities and gum disease are largely preventable. Much comes down to keeping teeth and gums free of the sticky, colorless film of bacteria known as plaque. It allows bacteria to hide in hard-to-reach places. The bacteria produce acid that breaks down tooth enamel and gum tissue.

Gum disease is a major cause of adult tooth loss. It is imperative that aging older adults adhere to an oral health regime of brushing twice daily, flossing and visiting the dentist regularly. If dexterity is a problem, electronic toothbrushes and flossers are very effective at removing plaque and keeping teeth clean.

Side effects of medications can manifest in the mouth. Certain prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements can cause a wide range of oral health issues, including swollen gums, a metallic taste, canker sores, tooth discoloration and more.

n It is imperative that aging older adults adhere to an oral health regime of brushing twice daily, flossing and visiting the dentist regularly.

On average older adults are taking multiple medications that result in dry mouth. As a result, dry mouth is very common and detrimental to dental health. Saliva helps cleanse and maintain healthy teeth and gums, serving as a natural buffer against the acids that cause cavities and gum disease. Dentists can detect early signs of oral cancer Cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, the roof and floor of the mouth, inside of the cheeks and gums and the throat. The average age of diagnosis for oral cancer is 62. Unfortunately, by this time the cancer has usually progressed to later stages.

Dentists screen for oral cancer as part of routine exams. As with any form of this disease, early detection is key to treatment and survival.

It is important to note that all of the previously discussed issues can be complicated by the fact that as individuals age, dental health problems can begin to develop without the presence of pain or discomfort.

Visiting the dentist at least annually for an exam and preventive care is imperative. A lot of investments are made leading up to, and during retirement, and an investment in one’s dental health shouldn’t be an exception.

To learn more about Delta Dental of Missouri, the state’s dental benefits leader and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, and healthy aging tips, visit www. DeltaDentalMO.com.

Ron Inge, DDS, is chief dental officer, chief operating officer and vice president of professional services for Delta Dental of Missouri.

Ron Inge, DDS

Dr. Lannis Hall and Dr. Arnold Bullock of Siteman Cancer Center created the “Our Healthy Men” radio show, presented in conjunction with RareGem Productions, to reduce fear

Photo by Wiley Price

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

The World Health Organization says hand hygiene is the most important measure to avoid transmission of harmful germs and to prevent infections. The same applies at home, work, or wherever you are.

But dangling your fingers under the water long enough to get them wet before grabbing a paper towel or soaping up the palms and not the rest your hands will not get the job done.

“Infection control is so important. I don’t think sometimes people realize it, but it’s really the cornerstone of healthcare,” said Cynthia Matthews-Snow, a nurse who is the Quality Control/ Infection Control coordinator at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers on Delmar in St. Louis.

Wash your hands!

Soap, warm water and a hot minute can prevent the spread of infection and disease

things,” she said. “It can be direct touch or indirect touch.”

Think of direct touch as person-to-person and indirect touch as touching a contaminated doorknob, light switch or some other object.

Remember, germs are invisible to the naked eye.

Teaching the community proper ways to wash hands cuts down on the risk of infection, the need to use of antibiotics and not adding to increased antibiotic resistance, she said. What is the best method to wash your hands thoroughly?

n As for that “shaking the excess water off the hands before you dry them” thing that most of us are guilty of doing at one time or another –that’s flinging potential germs all over.

“Handwashing is the simple and almost standalone way to prevent the spread of infection. Everything else builds upon handwashing – especially, when we are in the influenza season.”

She stressed importance of getting a flu vaccine as well.

“Research says over 80 percent of communicable diseases are spread by touching

VIOLENCE

Continued from A10

not a lot,” Zezima said, “so we really wanted to dig into it and see who was killing women across the country.”

Zenique Gardner-Perry, is prevention education manager for Safe Connections, which seeks to reduce the impact and incidence of relationship violence and sexual assault through education, crisis intervention, counseling and support services. She regularly deals with cases of domestic and sexual violence in her role and said what Zezima and her colleagues uncovered didn’t come as a surprise.

“We’re really familiar with some of the legislation that Missouri has around domestic-violence perpetrators and their access to weapons and guns,” Gardner-Perry said. “We know how prevalent it is, especially in the St. Louis city area.” Zezima noted that nationwide it’s a problem

PROSTATE

Continued from A10

of cancer in the prostate. While PSA is specific to the prostate and not cancer itself, the test is a critical first step in determining one’s health.

The Prostate Cancer Coalition and the American Cancer Society advocate that African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer get screened regularly – every one or two years, depending on PSA test results – starting at the age of

As

Matthew-Snow said the first thing you do is stand away from the sink (where organisms can be lurking) a bit and turn the water on. Use comfortably warm water and wet the hands before soaping them.

“You want enough soap,” she said. “You are going to do palm to palm, and then you’re going to do the back of the hand – what we call the dorsum.”

Then repeat with the other side – palm to-palm, palm to dorsum. Then clean inside the fingers.

“You’re going to make sure your fingers interlace – and you still got a pretty good lather,” she said. “That’s the back of the fingers on both hands. You’re not going to forget the

that “cuts across every age, demographic, race.”

“It happens everywhere all the time, and I challenge anyone to say that they don’t know someone who is in this situation or has been in this situation,” she said. “And I think we all need to have a greater awareness of that.”

Gardner-Perry outlined some of the warning signs she emphasizes in her work, such as growing isolation, jealousy, and attempts to increase emotional control and financial dependency.

“There are ways to tell when someone is going to be violent to their partner,” Gardner-Perry said. “It’s important for women and girls to understand when they’re working and dealing with and loving someone who could be potentially violent and potentially put them in a situation where their life is in danger.”

Both stressed how difficult it can be to leave an abusive partner.

by

Handwashing is the easiest way to prevent the spread of disease-causing germs and bacteria.

thumbs – now, you’re going to do the tips of your fingers.”

On each hand, the tips are pursed together and scrubbed in a circular manner in the palm.

When all parts of her hands were thoroughly washed and scrubbed, without touching the inside of the sink, MatthewsSnow let the water run down over each hand to rinse away all soap residue. And as for that “shaking the excess water off the hands before you dry them” thing that most of us are guilty of doing at one time or another –

according to the handwashing police, that’s flinging potential germs all over the sink and vanity.

Handwashing vs. sanitizers

Wash hands with warm water and soap when hands are visibly dirty, soiled and after using the bathroom. Alcohol-based hand cleaners or sanitizers are effective when the hands are not dirty, and are faster and more effective for routine hand cleansing if the hands are not visibly soiled.

“It’s very hard for a woman to leave – she has to [consider] shelter options, she might have to quit her job,” Zezima said. “It’s not an easy thing to do at all.”

45. Dr. Hall recognizes that cancer can be a scary subject but emphasizes that, if prostate cancer is discovered before it spreads, the survival rate is nearly 100 percent. “I strongly recommend that men make an appointment with their doctor before their 45th birthday to get a PSA screening,” she said. “It’s not the most exciting birthday gift, but it could be the one that saves your life.”

Treatment, a topic of the “Our Healthy Men” program and podcast, can vary depending on how soon it is

And that’s something that people need to grapple with when baffled by an abused partner’s struggle to walk away, Gardner-Perry said.

“That’s a huge question that folks ask, even families, friends. They [may] turn their

diagnosed. Options include radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy, or a combination thereof. In some cases, active surveillance, when a physician monitors but doesn’t remove the slow-growing cancer, is an appropriate management strategy.

According to Dr. William L. Dahut, scientific director for clinical research at the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Clinical Research, it has been found that when participating in clinical trials, AfricanAmerican men do very well, if not better, than their Caucasian

backs on victims of abuse because they don’t understand why [you] keep returning back to a cycle of abuse,” GardnerPerry said.

“Usually perpetrators are manipulative, and they know how to have their partners believe that they’re going

counterparts. For Dr. Dahut and Dr. Hall, this is significant information for those diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Being involved in clinical trials is particularly important for African-American men,” said Dr. Dahut. “I would encourage them to talk to their doctors about participating in clinical trials, as these trials are crucial to advancing medical research.”

According to Dr. Hall, only 30 to 40 percent of men have gotten PSA testing even though the blood test is one of the easiest tests to administer. Due to PSA testing the mortality

“Interestingly enough, the hand rubs and the hand sanitizers in the hospitals and health care facilities are less irritating,” Matthews-Snow said.

Using a hand-rub sanitizer to cleanse hands pretty much follows along the lines of the soap cleansing. The WHO method has you starting with a palm-full of sanitizer – not a coin-sized dollop. After all –the sanitizer has a lot of area to cover. The entire process takes 20-30 seconds.

Paper towels vs. hand dryers

Matthews-Snow loves her some paper towels, and she said you should too – lots of them.

“This is what I tell people: use up all of their paper towels,” she said with a laugh. “Use them up. Use up everybody’s paper towels.”

Matthews-Snow uses one towel to dry one area, tosses it, then grabs another paper towel for another area, and so on. One rub, then it’s thrown away. The last step is to turn off the water with another clean, dry paper towel. Otherwise, the germs you just wiped off may now be making their way to the sink knob or even the bathroom door handle for some unsuspecting soul to come in contact with later.

As for those hot-air blowing hand dryers – think of them as a whirlwind germ party from the floor up.

“The blowers are not the best idea. Stuff is getting in the air. And when you have those blowers, it’s just blowing everything that has settled in the atmosphere in the air, and now you’ve just stirred it all up and it’s on your hands,” she said. “But if you don’t have anything in there, then I guess you’d have to use the blowers.” Once you are out of harm’s way, she said, it wouldn’t hurt to follow it up with some hand sanitizer.

For more information about handwashing, go to https:// www.cdc.gov/handwashing/ when-how-handwashing.html.

through a hard time, that this isn’t something they’re going to be doing consistently, and that they will return to that great person they were at the beginning of the relationship.”

Many victims also do not want to prosecute their abuser or see their abuser go to jail or be punished for what they did, Zezima said.

“And there are numbers of reasons for that,” Zezima said.

“It could be that the person is a source of financial support. It could be that they’re afraid of losing their children, [like] one of the women in our story. They love the person, and that is an extremely powerful thing.”

As various communities seek to address domestic violence, one area of focus is to work toward intervening earlier.

“What we’re seeing now on the law-enforcement side is that

rate has decreased and patient outcomes have improved, she said.

“The significant reduction in mortality from prostate cancer indicates the importance of getting men screened, treated and on clinical trials to find the best therapies for all men,” said Dr. Hall.

Educating men about why they should be screened and reminding them to make an appointment are what make the “Our Healthy Men” radio show and podcast an important effort.

“This is an important educational program to provide

a number of agencies around the country are now starting to intervene much earlier in the relationship, basically saying to the woman, ‘He could kill you. There’s a very good chance he could kill you,’ and getting that across to her,” Zezima said. “Because most women underestimate the amount of danger that they’re in.” Gardner-Perry said getting a restraining order can be very helpful and important, but is not the only thing Safe Connections encourages people in potentially dangerous situations to do. She suggested “safety planning” and connecting to local resources for help.

Safe Connections has a 24-hour crisis helpline: 314-531-2003. For more information, visit https://www. safeconnections.org. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

necessary information to our community about prostate health, prostate cancer and the various treatment options,” Dr. Hall said. “The importance of participating in clinical trials is paramount. When high-risk men are treated in a timely fashion, outcomes are excellent and many side effects can be minimized.”

To learn more about prostate cancer screening and cancer, visit siteman.wustl.edu or prostatecancercoalitionstl. org. The “Our Healthy Men” radio show is also available on the websites and on the iHeartRadio app and iTunes.

Photo

Wiley Price

Zenique Gardner-Perry (at left) is Safe Connections’ prevention education manager. Katie Zezima is a Washington Post national correspondent whose recent reporting looks into the killings of women in cities across the U.S.

Photo credit: St. Louis Public Radio, Washington Post

Normandy students enjoy Glasper gig

Normandy High School students Rakaya Hilliard (center) and Genesis Gregory were among several North St. Louis County students who attended a concert at the Ferring Jazz Bistro on December 14 with Grammy Award-winning pianist and producer Robert Glasper (left). The students met Glasper and saw him perform during the arts and literacy event sponsored by the St. Louis Promise Zone, a local economic development partnership. This event was free to students and co-sponsored by St. Louis Jazz and Emerson Jazz in Schools.

Photo by Bernard Long Jr.

Murder down, hope up in East Boogie

At this time last year East St. Louis, had a murder rate per capita that was 20 times the national average and 5 times that of Chicago and had been dismissed by many as a hopeless situation.

Our neighbor St. Louis has led the nation in big city murders since 2014 and has a current murder rate of 66.1 per 100,000 residents, according to the Pew Research Center.

However, as we close out 2018, East Boogie has recorded a phenomenal 42 percent drop in homicides, down from 36 to 21 at this same time last year. That minor miracle isn’t coincidental or some computational error, but rather the result of a year-long collaborative effort and partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as with the East St. Louis community.

Project Safe Neighborhood, a federal strategy designed to crack down on violent crime, began one year ago, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft, by targeting violent crime in ESL. One year ago, Weinhoeft met with ESL police to solicit their input in providing the names of the worst and most chronic violent offenders from their community. The

project then prioritized those individuals for prosecution on provable offenses as a means of disrupting the violent cycle and patterns prevalent at that time. As a result, 16 known violent offenders were charged and taken off the streets. The strategy is tantamount to punching an old schoolyard bully in the face and causing his cronies to flee.

Columnist James Ingram

During a recent press conference Weinhoeft, along with St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly, heaped praise on the Illinois State Police, East St. Louis police, federal and state prosecutors and U.S. marshals, who rank second in the nation in seizure of firearms.

East St. Louis Police Chief Jerry Simon expressed his surprise at the success of the program and cited an incident where he was given the name of a man who routinely carried and fired his assault rifle, to the terror of the elderly in his community, leading to his

subsequent arrest.

Notice that last part. An East Boogie resident, despite the mantra of “snitches get stitches,” took the courageous step of providing the necessary information to authorities which led to the arrest of a violent offender form their midst.

I think it speaks to the reality that courage, just like apathy, is contagious. This citizen and others have seen law enforcement step up their game and, therefore, have stepped up their game as responsible citizens who are fed up with the status quo and are now coming forward.

And the more that folks feel comfortable (and their anonymity protected), the more villains will begin to understand that business as usual will not be tolerated and law enforcement will have gained a new ally in their crime-fighting efforts.

This to me spells a Happy New Year for the citizens of East Boogie and a tough new year for would-be offenders. We can only hope that this new found courage by ESL citizens will eventually permeate ESL “politricks” as well.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

Missouri History Museum celebrates Emancipation Day

Emancipation Ordinance of Missouri passed on January 11, 1865 provided for the immediate emancipation of slaves in Missouri – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

By Shakia Gullette

For The St. Louis American

On January 11, 1865, the delegates of the Missouri State Convention, led by Radical Republican Charles Drake, passed the immediate emancipation of all enslaved persons. Contrary to popular belief, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 did not free all enslaved people. The executive order didn’t include pro-Union border states, such as Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware. Emancipation Day is historically significant and represents the freedom of African Americans from the bondage of slavery in Missouri.

During last year’s inaugural Emancipation Day Celebration at the Missouri History Museum, representatives from Greenwood Cemetery gave a voice to those once enslaved and celebrated their lives and contributions to American society. Greenwood Cemetery opened in 1874 as the first commercial cemetery dedicated to burying St. Louis-area African Americans.

Individuals highlighted during last year’s program included Orrie Ferguson Rice (1817–1888), Isabelle Lackey Reed (1843–1918), James Madison Monroe Stokes (1840–1916), Henry Singleton (1826–1921), and George Washington Boldrew (1848–1908).

Along with her team, Etta Daniels, the head historian for Greenwood Cemetery, uses primary resources to recreate obituaries for those buried at the cemetery. Through their research, Greenwood staff has created several narratives that show how emancipation impacted the lives of individuals who were still enslaved and after they were freed.

Here is an excerpt from one narrative that describes the first Emancipation Proclamation celebration that took place in St. Louis on January 1, 1863:

“Second African Baptist church (now known as Central Baptist Church) was the site that organized the historic 1863 St. Louis Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Central Baptist, which had been founded in 1846, had been the catalyst for change since its beginning, and the church’s second pastor John Richard Anderson was an integral part of its heritage and history.

“Despite the weather – which was described as cold, with deep snow on the ground and howling winds – many were in attendance. When the gathering grew beyond the capacity of the

church building, Anderson and his deacons, with lanterns in hand led the crowd of enslaved people, free black people, and sympathetic white people through the church at 8th and Lucas to Turners Hall on 10th and Market.

The fact that the proclamation applied only to the Confederate States in rebellion, the fact that slaves in Unionist Missouri would remain in bondage did not matter, as the Bible says – the people rejoiced.”

Much like the story of the first Emancipation Proclamation celebration, the Missouri Historical Society’s Emancipation Day program looks to give a voice to those who once lived as slaves and also put into context the factors that led to the Civil War. This year, Miller M. Boyd is the guest speaker, who will talk about the importance of the Emancipation Ordinance and Confiscation Acts, laws passed by Congress during the Civil War with the intention of freeing enslaved persons held by the Confederacy. He will explain the harsh realities that newly emancipated African Americans faced during the antebellum period.

“I think that there are a lot of misconceptions about the Emancipation Proclamation. Many Americans, black and white, believe that Abraham Lincoln destroyed slavery with the stroke of a pen. This simply was not the case,” Boyd said.

“While the Emancipation Proclamation weakened the peculiar institution, slavery was far from dead in 1863. Lincoln’s signature decree only applied to those states still in rebellion to the Union. As such, the Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to the loyal slave states of Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland, and Missouri, as well as Union-occupied parts of the South. Enslaved Missourians had to find other ways mechanisms to secure legal freedom, and I will discuss this in detail in my lecture.”

Boyd said his extensive research is inspired by the fact that most Americans do not fully understand or appreciate the nuances and complexities of African-American history.

“Our story – the good, the bad, the ugly – is a part of our collective American narrative,” Boyd said. “There are so many forgotten people whose stories deserved to be told. I live to clarify, deconstruct, and teach this history.”

Join the Missouri History Museum on 6 p.m. Thursday, January 10 for Emancipation Day. For more information, please visit www. mohistory.org.

Business

Residential development breaks ground in Vandeventer neighborhood

Yaphett El-Amin and others recently broke ground on Finney Place, occupying the 4200 blocks of C.D. Banks, Finney, and Cook avenues in the

Committeeman Jessie Todd; El-Amin, developer; state Senator Jamilah Nasheed; Jeff Smith, executive director, Missouri Workforce Housing Association; Tarold Davis, vice president, Fulson Housing Group; Charles Quincy Troupe.

Yaphett El-Amin partners with Kansas City-based Fulson Housing on Finney Place

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Fifteen years ago, Yaphett El-Amin was a state representative who wanted to revitalize the North St. Louis neighborhoods that she represented. She saw herself as a future state senator, maybe even a congresswoman someday, making policy that would uplift her community.

She never imagined back then that she would be rolling up her sleeves and redeveloping these neighborhoods herself – no longer in the rarefied air of the state Capitol, but one block at a time as an affordable housing developer.

“I grew up in a family of builders like my father, who used his carpentry skills to rehab

n Finney Place comprises 40 new affordable three- and four-bedroom homes.

our little North Side bungalow and make room for me and my siblings,” said El-Amin. “So I’m thrilled to be doing this work that both takes me back to my roots and rejuvenates our community.”

El-Amin and others recently broke ground on her latest development called Finney Place, occupying the 4200 blocks of C.D. Banks,

Homegrown Black Males

Finney, and Cook avenues in the heart of the city’s Vandeventer neighborhood. After decades of disinvestment and decline, the neighborhood is beginning to thrive. First, from 2011-2017, McCormack Baron Salazar built 300 mixed-income rental homes in the neighborhood, helping fill development gaps and catalyzing further reinvestment. Still, some blocks remained barren or dotted with dilapidated buildings.

Hoping to continue efforts to knit the neighborhood fabric back together, El-Amin and her co-developer Matt Fulson of Kansas City-based Fulson Housing conceived Finney

See FINNEY, B2

‘Unleashing Potential’ at Saint Louis Public Schools

By John Phillips For The St. Louis American

Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. After graduating from high school, I moved down South in 1990 to pursue a degree in Business Administration from Alabama A&M University. I always had a passion for youth, St. Louis, and teaching, but I knew I needed to get away and expose myself to new things and people. I returned in 1993 to help raise my son and to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I knew Missouri was riddled with racism and segregation, so being a positive influence for my son and the youth in the community had always been compelling to me.

To no fault of their own, black youth in St.

n Employing the brightest kids in our city, Magnificent Creations provides not only an outlet and safe haven, but also a source of income for the students.

Louis have a stigma that I’ve been working to undo for nearly 15 years. Often times, they get a bad rap and it’s really because the city has neglected to find positive outlets that engage enough of them to participate and commit to.

As we get older, we forget to include the youth in these conversations about change, programming, and development. We talk about “what we think they need” – neglecting to realize that many of them are highly intelligent and can communicate their own needs and the deficiencies in their lives.

Over the years, I’ve served as mentor, youth football coach, alderman and now program manager for Magnificent Creations at Unleashing

Potential. I’ve been with the Unleashing Potential organization for nearly six years, and I know my presence is making a difference.

In 2015, Unleashing Potential launched a T-shirt screen printing program and business for Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) students ages 16 to 19, and that’s how the program Magnificent Creations was born. At Magnificent Creations, we have employed over 45 teenagers throughout the city. Employing the brightest kids in our city, Magnificent Creations provides not only an outlet and safe haven, but also a source of income for the students. Leading and developing programming provides a service for the community while creating jobs. It takes passion and dedication from the entire organization. There is so much rewarding work that needs to be done in our city. It’s going to take many men and women to step up and involve themselves with organizations that are already doing the work. For example, we are currently looking for more teens to enroll in Magnificent Creations to further our reach and provide

Pamela D. Harris was appointed the executive director of the North Newstead Association, which provides community development services for over 18 neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis and has developed over $30 million worth of residential housing in North St. Louis. Harris was most recently employed at Great Southern Bank.

Jaison K.D. McCall won the Society of Professors in Christian Education scholarship. His submission “The Double Consciousness of Blackness and Christianity; Towards a Biblical Intersectionality” was selected from a national pool. He is completing doctoral studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is director of Education and Financial Capability for an area non-profit organization and the youth minister at True Fellowship Church in Madison, Illinois.

Ana Stringfellow relocated her financial advisor practice to a new Edward Jones Investments Branch at 11520 Page Service Dr. in Maryland Heights. She received the 2018 “Achieving Excellence: One Step Beyond Award” from Top Ladies of Distinction-Confluence Chapter and the Exemplary Leadership Award from National Coalition of 100 Black Women Metro St. Louis for her work in the community.

Albert Mitchell joined The Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He is the vice president of corporate engagement at Bayer Corporation, where he is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of strategies that support the company’s short- and long-term corporate social responsibility goals in the United States, supporting the Crop Science, Consumer Health and Pharmaceutical businesses.

June McAllister Fowler

June McAllister Fowler was elected secretary of The Muny’s Board of Directors, which furthers its mission of producing exceptional musical theatre that is accessible to all. She is senior vice president of communications, marketing and public affairs at BJC HealthCare, where she leads internal, external and public policy communications and government and community relations efforts.

Ron Nixon joined The Associated Press as its international investigations editor, based in Washington, D.C. He will manage a team of reporters based in London, Cairo, New Delhi, Shanghai and Washington, and work closely with colleagues around the globe to conduct ambitious investigative and accountability reporting on a variety of topics. He leaves a position as homeland security correspondent for The New York Times

Jaison K.D. McCall

Ron Nixon

Albert Mitchell

Pamela D. Harris

Ana Stringfellow

city’s Vandeventer neighborhood. Left to right: Monica Cambell, vice president, Community Development Enterprise Bank; Dan Kania, dean of Academic Affairs, Ranken; Nancy Rodney, architect, Rosemann Architects; Kevin Buchek, general contractor, Roanoke Construction; Alderman Terry Kennedy;

John Phillips

Photo by Kim Love

International Institute now offers career training for refugees

The International Institute of St. Louis has established the St. Louis Refugee Career Pathways program to help refugees who have been in the U.S. for less than five years and are struggling to enter their career fields in the U.S.

The program includes individualized career planning, coaching and support, vocational English language training, soft skills and professional communication training, connections to job training and higher education, and financial support of career attainment goals.

The International Institute was awarded a grant –$250,000 per year for three years – in September by the

n “Every year, the St. Louis region misses out on $57 million in lost earnings due to brain waste from immigrants working in low-skilled jobs despite being highly skilled.”

– Blake Hamilton

federal Administration of Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement to establish this program.

“Every year, the St. Louis region misses out on $57

MALES

continued from page B1

February 15 deadline for outdoor recreation grants employment and skills to SLPS high school students. We are also looking for businesses

There is a February 15 deadline to apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program grants from the Missouri Department of Natural Resource’s’ Division of State Parks. The grants are available to cities, counties, public school districts and public universities to be used for outdoor recreation projects. For more information on Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program grants, call 573-7510848 or 573-522-8191 or email lwcf.rtp@dnr.mo.gov Visit https://tinyurl.com/ outdoor-grants to download the grant application and to register for a grant application workshop. The application deadline is February 15.

FINNEY

continued from page B1

Place, comprising 40 new affordable three- and fourbedroom homes for families not unlike the one in which she grew up. The $9.4 million development is funded through a mix of public and private capital and made possible by the state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, administered by the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC). After the mandatory 15-year

million in lost earnings due to brain waste from immigrants working in low-skilled jobs despite being highly skilled,” said Blake Hamilton, International Institute of St. Louis vice president of Programs.

“Addressing brain waste in our region will assist not only skilled-immigrants themselves and act as a talent attraction tool, but will also assist our region’s employers who are struggling to access the skilled talent they need to grow their businesses in our region.”

To learn more about the Refugee Career Pathways program, contact Chelsea Hand-Sheridan at handc@iistl. org or (314) 773-9090 ext. 132.

to place T-shirt orders so that the students have steady work. Doing business with Magnificent Creations causes a positive domino effect for the entire community. The youth need you, just as much as you need the youth.

Ranken, STLCC try to enroll Vatterott students left hanging

American staff

Ranken Technical College and St. Louis Community College are among the local education institutions offering to help students enrolled at Vatterott Educational Centers after the school’s sudden and immediate closure on December 17 – so sudden and immediate that “some personal belongings may have been left behind,” Vatterott noted on its now-legacy website

Ranken – which offers degree programs in areas such as Diesel, Automotive Maintenance, HVAC, Welding, Information Technology, Electrical

Contact Unleashing Potential at 314-383-1733 or https://www.upstl.org.

John Phillips serves as the program manager for Magnificent Creations at Unleashing Potential and as alderman of the 4th Ward

n The $9.4 million development is funded through a mix of public and private capital and made possible by the state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

lease compliance period, the homes will be sold to existing residents for purchase within affordable housing sale guidelines.

The groundbreaking was preceded by a series of speeches, including a tour de force from outgoing 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy, dean

n Local education institutions are offering to help students enrolled at Vatterott Educational Centers after the school’s sudden and immediate closure on December 17.

and Carpentry & Building Construction, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management degree – noted there is still time to enroll in the classes that begin on January 7. For more

of Vinita Park in St. Louis County.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis

Bank), job and vocational training seminars (via SLATE and Ranken Technical College), youth activities, community beautification events, and social gatherings.

of the Board of Aldermen’s Black Caucus. Kennedy provided a history lesson for those unfamiliar with the area, highlighting the critical role of a two-decades-old community planning effort in laying out a long-term vision that Finney Place will help realize.

In accordance with this vision, the development’s unique community house will serve as a nucleus for community enrichment activities, including block unit meetings (through the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis), financial empowerment classes (taught by Enterprise

“I liken it to the Turner’s house on my block when I was growing up,” El-Amin said. “This was the house that everyone convened and gathered to address community concerns. Today we do not connect in the ways like we used to. So the community house rebuilds that connection. It will be the gathering place for block unit meetings.”

El-Amin then introduced general contractor Kevin Buchek, a young white business owner known for his staunch support of minority inclusion efforts. “If you go outside and you see that the people building these homes don’t look like this community,” he said from the

information, or to make an appointment, contact Director of Admissions Ann Farajallah at 314-286-3339 or amfarajallah@ranken.edu St. Louis Community College resumes classes on January 22. The college had a mobile unit on location at Express Scripts near the nowformer Vatterott NorthPark campus in the week following Vatterott’s closure. The college posted a web page to assist Vatterott students at stlcc.edu/Vatterott and also encouraged those students to visit any STLCC location – Forest Park, Florissant Valley, Meramec and Wildwood – for assistance.

stage, directing his comments at Alderman Kennedy, “then you call me immediately and I will fix it.”

A final speaker was former state Sen. Jeff Smith, now executive director of the Missouri Workforce Housing Association, which fights to protect the state LIHTC program that made Finney Place possible. Smith alluded to his hard-fought 2006 Senate campaign against none other than El-Amin herself.

“Yaphett didn’t run for office so she could have a title. She did it so she could get things done,” Smith said. “While she’s no longer in politics, Finney Place is simply a new manifestation of her passion to lift up this community, one block at a time, and I’m delighted that we’re no longer rivals but allies.”

American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

n “In the NFL, they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality.”

— LeBron James

Sports

P

BaskeTBall noTeBook

page B4 ~

Holiday tourneys in full force

Collinsville matchups feature top Illinois talent

The holiday tournament season gets going at full force this week with several of them getting underway today around the St. Louis metro area. Several tournaments were featured in last week’s American, and here is a look at some more excellent tournaments.

Coaches vs. Cancer features excellent field. The Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament features a very good field of teams, which will convene at the Meramec Community College. The top seeds in the tournament are No. 1 Webster Groves, followed by McCluer North, DeSmet, Kirkwood, Mehlville and Rockwood Marquette. The semifinals are set for Saturday night at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with the championship game scheduled for Sunday night at 8 p.m.

Collinsville Tournament features top Illinois talent. Several top Metro East teams will be on hand at the Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic, which will begin on Thursday. Defending tournament champion Collinsville leads the field along with fellow Metro East teams East St. Louis, Belleville East, Edwardsville and O’Fallon. The tournament also features teams from around the state of Illinois, including Quincy, Springfield Southeast, Decatur Eisenhower and Lincoln (IL). The championship game is set for Saturday night 7:30 p.m.

Vashon wins Consolation title at City of Palms. The Vashon Wolverines participated in the prestigious City of Palms Classic last week in Fort Myers, FL. Playing in a national field, Vashon finished

Although the Illinois Fighting Illini entered its matchup with the Missouri Tigers with a paltry 4-7 record, it’s safe to say the squad from Champaign, Ill. was probably prepared to pop bubbly Saturday night. After all, the Illini were on a fivegame winning streak against the Tigers and led 25-12 in the series matchup. Illinois also held a nine-game winning streak against Mizzou from 2000-2008. So despite the popularity of the neutral ground rivalry, Mizzou probably looked like Central Connecticut State on the Illini’s schedule - an easy win. However, in recent years Mizzou has fortified its program with an influx of talent from the “Ill side.” In fact, it’s almost as if Mizzou has raided the Illinois talent cupboards. Head Coach Cuonzo Martin and sophomore forward Jeremiah Tilmon are East St. Louis natives.

Freshman guard Javon Pinkett is from Belleville. Sophomore guard Mark Smith from Edwardsville.

Martin was reportedly offered the Illinois job before accepting Mizzou’s offer a season ago. Smith transferred to Missouri from Illinois. Tilmon and Pinkett both committed to the Fighting Illini before changing course and joining the Tigers. As the fisherman in the State Farm commercial would tell say, “Come on Illinois! Gotta be quicker than that!”

Every time Smith or Tilmon touched the ball, the Illini fans booed and mocked the players as turncoats. It’s possible that the boos affected Smith, who scored just five points on 2-of8 shooting. However, the extra attention seemed to empower Tilmon, who racked up 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks to help lead the Tigers to a 79-63 victory. One of Tilmon’s biggest

came with

Earl Austin Jr.

See CLUTCH, B5

foul

the game, Tilmon saw the Fighting Illini’s Kipper Nichols slashing to the basket. Tilmon

Mizzou fans

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

East St. Louis Flyer’s Terrance Hargrove Jr. (34) had 13 points on the night against Parkview of Springfield, MO. during the 12th Annual Midwest Showdown Shootout at Webster Groves High School on Sat., Dec. 15, 2018. East St. Louis went on to defeat Parkview 61-43.

Jeremiah Tilmon pushes past Illinois’ Giorgi Bezhanishvilli for an attempted slam dunk in the second half of the Braggin’ Rights basketball game Saturday at the Enterprise Center. Missouri earned a 79-63 victory over Illinois.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Jason Vance / Columbia Missourian

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

May the New Year bring success to the area sports scene, respect for black athletes

Yep, 2019 is upon us. Here are a few wishes for some folks and some franchises.

May Dexter Fowler find his 2016 form and be the MVP for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019.

May Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Miller set the Cardinals in position for a postseason run.

May the St. Louis sports media stop with the “Cardinals best team in NL Central stories” immediately.

May the MLS decide to place an expansion team in St. Louis – and be up front with this region about what its true financial picture is.

May the members of the Taylor and Kavanagh families land that expansion franchise – and not drop any surprises on us.

May the St. Louis Blues stun us all and ride a second-half surge to the NHL playoffs.

Kansas for (gulp) Missouri.

May Les Miles get the KU football program together in his first season, setting the stage for a KU vs. Missouri bowl game in 2020.

May offensive lineman Nick Williams, formerly of Ritenour, become a cornerstone of a dramatic turn in KU’s football fortune beginning next season as a sophomore.

May the NFL hire a black head coach or two following the season because most of the current ones – plus Hue Jackson who was fired in November – will either retire or be fired.

May the NFL’s black players truly begin commanding respect from team owners, who as LeBron James said last week, have a “slave master mentality.”

May the Blues add a star-caliber player of color to the roster next season – or next month.

May Bradley Beal get traded from the dysfunctional Washington Wizards to a team that is headed to the NBA Playoffs.

May Jayson Tatum find the form of his rookie season and help stabilize a shaky Boston Celtics team.

May the NBA bring a preseason game to St. Louis featuring both Beal and Tatum.

May the Missouri Tigers continue to successfully recruit black players from the St. Louis area.

May my wife and I come to grips that our youngest daughter, a senior at Kirkwood High School, is going to bypass

May more black players in all major sports leagues follow James’ lead and speak out on social injustice and political matters.

May more black players use their resources to support local high school drama, music and science departments – not just athletics.

May Major League Baseball and the NFL learn from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that black players and white fans can live in harmony and together create a more successful league.

May MLB admit that its problem with hiring black managers is caused by team owners worried about offending a major part of their respective fan bases.

May the NFL drop the phony pretense and adopt a realistic marijuana policy.

May quarterback sensation Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs reach the Super Bowl.

May the Chiefs play the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl (stop laughing, everyone.)

May the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams play a preseason game here in the future.

May Cuonzo Martin keep Missouri on its upward trend in men’s college basketball and reach the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

May some Tigers’ hoop fans not be ready to fire him if the team doesn’t make the tournament.

May the St. Louis American’s Earl Austin Jr., and St. Louis University basketball broadcast partner Bob Ramsey work a NCAA Tournament game – or two – in the 2019 March Madness.

May the Missouri Valley

Conference continue to have one of the nation’s best conference basketball tournaments in 2019 and more fans attend games.

May the XFL make its required payment of $125,000 by January 15 to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.

May the SLCVC immediately abandon plans for the team to play in the Dome at America’s Center if that payment is missed.

May the state legislature get busy passing a bill to legalize sports wagering in Missouri and beat Illinois – and a most states – to the punch.

May St. Louis political leaders – including Congressman Lacy Clay – find a way to insure some wagering dollars are generated by black business owners.

May the ugly incidents that occurred at several high school sporting events in 2018 come to an immediate end.

May more black parents stress the importance of solid grades and educational advancement over the longshot odds of professional athletic success.

May more young black athletes realize the wish above is their best shot at happiness in life.

May more coaches – espe-

cially white ones – have the fortitude to discipline black male players for poor grades, fighting, insubordination, poor sportsmanship and as much as yelling at a female.

May the incidents involving violence against women be viewed as harshly by the NFL as failing a drug test for marijuana use.

May former world boxing champion Devon Alexander call it quits in 2019 – if he hasn’t done so already.

May Oklahoma shock the world with an upset win over Alabama on Saturday in a college football playoff semifinal.

May Clemson beat Notre Dame on Saturday in the other semifinal – soundly.

May the college football playoff expand to eight teams as soon as possible, giving a shot at the title to at least one non-Power 5 conference team.

May someone explain to me how three players from Alabama and three players from Clemson could be foolish enough to be suspended for rules violations this close to game day.

May Congress please investigate the NCAA and determine that it should be disbanded immediately.

May every college coach and administrator that fails to act against physical abuse or

sexual assault against female athletes, or any woman including a coach’s wife or girlfriend, be immediately fired and charged with a crime.

May someone explain to me why Ohio State University would allow Urban Meyer back on its campus after the Rose Bowl, let alone serve as an associate athletic director.

May the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City find more financial success in preparation for the 100th anniversary of Negro League Baseball in February 2020.

May the citizens of the United States of America wake up in 2019 and decide this nation can do so much better.

May all of you have a happy, safe and joyous new year!

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

May Dexter Fowler find his 2016 form and be the MVP for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019.

By Earl Austin Jr. Of The St. Louis American

The 2018 St. Louis All“American” Small School Football Team features an abundance of talented players that will matriculate to the major college level in the future. Several of the talented seniors on the team are headed to programs such as Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Iowa State and The Ohio State University. Many of the players represented come from the powerhouse programs Class 3 state champion Trinity, Class 3 state finalist Cardinal Ritter and Class 2 state semifinalist

CLUTCH

Tilmon would give up the basket in order to ensure that he would on the floor. Instead, Tilmon slid in front of Nichols. A collision ensued. A collective gasp was heard throughout the Enterprise Center. The referee signaled an offensive foul by Nichols. Tilmon had beaten him to the spot. Tigers’ fans roared in approval. Pinkett was not treated as harshly by the Illinois fans, maybe because he was not quite as highly-touted as Tilmon or Smith. That did not affect him from rising to the

PREP

Continued from C7 the tournament with a 3-1 record and won the consolation championship. After losing to No. 3 ranked University High (FL) in the first round, the Wolverines defeated Osceola (FL), xx and xx to win the consolation bracket.

Junior guard Cam’Ron Fletcher was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 19.5 points in the Wolverines’ four games. Junior guard Phillip Russell enjoyed a big performance with 28

Best of the smalls

St. Louis All-‘American’ Small School Football Team

Lutheran North. Here is a look at the St. Louis All-“American” Small Schools All-Star Football Team.

Offense QB- Isaiah Williams (Sr.)

Trinity RB: Isaiah Azibuike (Sr.) Lutheran North RB: Shamel Morrow (Sr.)

Ritter RB: Alphonzo Andrews (Sr.)

WR: Jameson Williams (Sr.)

Austin Achievement Awards

(Small Schools)

Offensive Player of the Year: Isaiah Williams (Trinity)

Defensive Player of the Year: Shammond Cooper (Trinity)

Lineman of the Year: Jack Buford (Lutheran North)

Freshmen of the Year: Luther Burden (Cardinal Ritter), Kevin Coleman (St. Mary’s), Arlen Harris, Jr. (Lutheran St. Charles)

Team of the Year: Trinity Titans

Ritter WR: Marcus Washington (Sr.) Trinity WR: Terrell Cannamore (Sr.) Roosevelt WR: Luther

occasion to defeat the Illini. Pinkett more than doubled his season average of 7.5 ppg by contributing 16 points on a remarkable 7-of-8 shooting night.

The Tigers were led in scoring by senior guard Jordan Geist, who scored 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Geist has made a remarkable turnaround. Last season, he often seemed to be the Tigers’ weakest link. This season, Geist is undeniably the team’s leader and most stabilizing force.

With the impressive victory, the Tigers sent many Illini fans home early and improved to 8-3. Meanwhile the Fighting Illini dropped to 4-8. The

points and five 3-pointers in the Wolverines victory over Osceola.

Sikeston headlines St. Dominic Tournament Southeast Missouri powerhouse Sikeston has been coming north to play in the St. Dominic Tournament for many years. The Bulldogs have dominated the tournament and they enter come in as the No. 1 seed again this week. Sikeston figures to get a challenge from No. 2 seed Fort Zumwalt South. The championship get is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Francis Howell Central received the No. 1 seed at the

future looks pretty bleak for John Groce’s team as the Illini will face four ranked teams in its next seven games. As far as the Tigers, Martin’s team has a more forgiving schedule with only one ranked opponent (Tennessee) over the next seven games. For the second-consecutive season, Martin has his Tigers team seemingly overachieving after losing a star player. Last season, the Tigers finished 20-13 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013 despite losing Michael Porter Jr. at the start of the season.

This year, the Tigers team is finding success despite losing Jontay Porter to a torn

St. Dominic Girls Tournament. Lutheran St. Charles, Wentzville Holt and St. Charles West follow Howell Central as top seeds. The championship game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. before the boys’ championship game.

Howell Central girls continue excellent run. The Francis Howell Central girls’ basketball team enjoyed a big postseason run in 2018 as it won a district title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5 state tournament. The Spartans have picked right up where they left off as they have started the season

The ST. LouiS AmericAn AreA coLLege AThLeTeS of The Week

The junior center is enjoying an excellent start of the season in leading the Colts to a 6-2 record.

Kelly had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Colts to a victory over St. Joseph’s in the first round of the Visitation Christmas Tournament. She also added 22 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in a victory over Webster Groves.

For the season, Kelly is averaging 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 61 percent from the field. As a sophomore, she averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game in helping lead the Colts to a 22-5 record.

Parkway Central will next face Parkway North in the quarterfinals of the Visitation Tournament.

ACL and MCL before the season began. It will remain to be seen whether the Tigers can make it back to the Big Dance. However, the Tigers’ current five-game winning streak, including victories over University of Central Florida and Xavier, seem to signal that the Illinois Missouri Tigers don’t have any plans to roll over just because the team’s star player was lost for the season.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates. For Sports Break videos with Ishmael and Melvin Moore, subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page.

at 6-1 en route to the top seed at the St. Dominic Christmas Tournament.

The Spartans are led by 5’9” senior guard Yani Curry, a Toledo signee who is averaging 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals while shooting 54

percent from the field. Curry scored 22 points in the Spartans big come-from-behind victory over Troy in a big Gateway Athletic Conference showdown last week. Curry gets plenty of support from guard Azaria Hulbert, who averages 11.3

points. Guard Lauren Elbert is a top shooter who averages 10 points and makes 43 percent of her 3-point attempts. Sophomore point guard Gracie Stugart averages six points and three assists a game.

Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin hugs Jeremiah Tilmon on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Tilmon recorded a double-double against the Fighting Illini, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Photo by Jason Vance / Columbia Missourian

Employment Connection bids good-bye to Brenda Mahr

Sal Martinez will replace longtime CEO retiring on January 4

American staff

Employment Connection

hosted an event on December 13 to acknowledge the accomplishments of outgoing Chief Executive Officer Brenda Mahr and to announce her successor, Sal Martinez. Mahr will join the agency’s Board of Directors upon her retirement.

Mahr will retire on January 4 after serving the agency for over 41 years in various capacities. Under her leadership, the agency developed new and innovative programs in employment, housing, behavioral health, and social enterprise and has seen its annual budget grow from $550,000 in 1989 to over $5 million in 2018.

learned from and worked with Brenda Mahr for many years and have always appreciated her fierce dedication to the community. She is truly a living legend in the field of public service,” Martinez said. “I look forward to continuing our work together when she becomes a board member of the agency next year. I look forward to what the future holds for this long-standing organization, as we continue to identify innovative ways to empower, employ and inspire our clients.”

n “I am honored to have learned from and worked with Brenda Mahr for many years and have always appreciated her fierce dedication to the community.”

Martinez most recently served as the executive director of the North Newstead Association, a nonprofit community-based development organization serving North St. Louis. Martinez also serves on several civic boards, including Community Builder’s Network, Civil Rights Enforcement Agency and the Central Patrol Business Association. He is the former chairman of the St. Louis Housing Authority and previously served on the boards of Grand Center, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.

“I am honored to have

– Sal Martinez

The organization was founded in 1977 after a study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis discovered that employed ex-offenders were 66 percent less likely to return to incarceration. The agency immediately began work to reduce recidivism in the community.

Over time, the organization has expanded its services beyond ex-offenders to assist homeless and low-income individuals and families, at-risk youth, U.S. veterans, new Americans, individuals with untreated and undiagnosed mental health disorders, and non-custodial fathers. It assists an average of 1,500 clients on an annual basis.

Guest speakers at the event included state Senator Jamilah

Recorder of Deeds-elect Michael Butler congratulated Brenda Mahr, outgoing chief executive officer of Employment of Connection, on her retirement at an event on December 13.

Nasheed, state Representative Steven Roberts, 6th Ward Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, Recorder of Deeds-

elect Michael Butler, St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts, St. Louis Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly, and Alana Green,

Living It

City says goodbye to a word warrior

St. Louis’ first Poet Laureate Michael Castro passes at 73

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

When Michael Castro spoke in the City Hall Rotunda last month to pass the St. Louis poet laureate torch to his good friend Shirley LeFlore, he beamed.

It was clear that cancer was taking its toll on his body, but his spirit seemed defiantly filled with joy. He smiled big, hugged long and was so thrilled it was as if he was getting installed all over again.

“I’m happy to be on the stage to honor her,” said Castro, who served as the city’s inaugural Poet Laureate from 2014-2017. He then read the

title poem from his book “We Need to Talk.”

That Friday in the first week of November would be one of Castro’s final public appearances. He passed away on Sunday, December 23 after a battle with colon cancer. He was 73.

“Our hearts break because of what he has meant to the city and the poetry community,” said poet and educator MK Stallings. “Over the last few years of his life, Michael Castro was focusing on bringing different parts of the St. Louis community together.”

A classically black gospel Christmas with Take

of Barry Jenkins’ ‘Moonlight’ follow up hampered by painfully slow pace

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

The anticipation of the cinema world has been palpable since it was announced that James Baldwin’s writing gets the Barry Jenkins treatment on film in his adaptation of “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

Jenkins turned playwright and actor Tarrell

Alvin McCraney’s semi-autobiographical graduate school theatre project into an acclaimed film that went on to earn multiple Oscars, including the “Best Picture” top prize in 2016.

For his follow up, he audaciously selected the fifth novel of the famed literary giant, social and cultural critic. After a festival run that included last month’s St. Louis International Film Festival and a limited release on December 14, “Beale Street Blues” hit theatres nationwide on

Christmas Day. Jenkins once again struck a chord with the film among critics and peers. The film earned three Golden Globe nominations and has found its way on several top 10 lists for 2018’s best films. The cinematography triumphs and shows Jenkins’ growth in the visual aspect of filmmaking. He captures the love, affection and conflict in the film in a manner so striking that it lends marvelously to the story. However, Jenkins’ take on the story itself is another matter altogether. Unfortunately, his rewrite of “Beale Street” for film falls short in giving viewers a comprehensive and nourishing illustration of Baldwin’s words. Exactly forty years before Ferguson became

‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ Barry Jenkins’ highly anticipated follow-up to his Oscar winning film ‘Moonlight’ opened in theatres nationwide on Christmas Day. The film adaptation of the James Baldwin novel of the same name stars Regina King, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parrish and introduces Kiki Layne.

See BEALE, C4

Michael Castro gives an embrace to East St. Louis Poet Laureate Eugene B. Redmond after Castro was installed as Poet Laureate for St. Louis City on January 31, 2015.

Photo by Wiley Price

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

In a show that sold out almost as soon as it was announced, few were disappointed by the headlining performance of the Grammy Awardwinning group Take 6 on Thursday night at

Powell Hall for the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus’ annual Gospel Christmas concert. Well, perhaps except those hoping for their breakthrough hit “Spread Love” during the encore. With harmonies even more crisp live than

on their recordings, Take 6 blended their own signature songs with a medley of holiday classics that were well performed and well received.

See TAKE 6, C4

Grammy Award-winning vocal group Take 6 headlined the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus’ “A Gospel Christmas” Thursday night at Powell Hall.

Photo by Wiley Price

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

holiday haps

Thurs., Dec. 27, 10:30

a.m., Winter Wonderland Performances at the Missouri History Museum, Five talented musicians from the Sheldon will celebrate the season with a wonderful mix of winter and holiday music both old and new. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Thurs., Dec. 27, 6 p.m., St. Louis Public Library Kwanzaa Celebration, St. Louis Public Library –Carpenter Branch, 3309 S. Grand. For more information, visit www.slpl.org

Fri., Dec. 28, 7 p.m., A Red Circle Nonprofit Organization presents Seven Days of Kwanzaa Concert. Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, 3975 N. US-67, 63034. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., Dec. 30, 12 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter presents Kwanzaa Celebration: Wearing Our Crown. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.slam. org.

Dec. 30 & 31, Circle of Friends presents the New Year’s Eve 2 Day Party Event. Embassy Suites Airport, 11237 Lone Eagle Dr., 63044. For more information, call (314) 265-6870.

Mon., Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m., Family Friendly Noon Year’s Eve Party. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Mon., Dec. 31, 6 p.m., Westport Plaza New Year’s Eve Firework Display. 111 West Port Plaza, 63146. For more information, (314) 576-

7100.

Mon., Dec. 31, 7 p.m., Afrosexycool New Year’s Eve. With special guests ZO! + Carmen Rodgers plus ASC residents Blvck Spvde, Makeda Kravitz, DJ Nico, and ASC creator James Biko. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mon., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Omega Chapter invites you to their 2018 NYE Gala. Doubletree Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mon., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., St. Louis Alumni Chapter’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Feat. MC Lyte. Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St., 63013. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mon., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Building Life Foundation Nonviolence Center presents a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. All Occasions Banquet, 111 Compass Point Dr., 63301. For more information, call (314) 680-7533.

Mon., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, visit www.hyatt. com.

Mon., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Dread Out 2018. The annual Jamaican style New Year’s Eve bash. Rowan Community Center, 1401 Rowan Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 229-7018.

Mon., Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m., One80 Entertainment and B&W Productions presents The New Year’s Eve Ball. Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For More information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Mon., Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Moonrise Hotel presents A Stellar New Year’s Eve. 6177 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Mon., Dec. 31, 9 p.m., New Year’s Eve Cruise. The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., 63102. For more information, visit www. gatewayarch.com.

concerts

Dec. 28 – 29, Jazz St. Louis presents Good 4 the Soul. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.tickets. jazzstl.org.

Fri., Dec. 28, 8 p.m., Pop’s Concert Venue presents Saint Oeaux – The Gumbo. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www.ticketweb.com.

Sun., Dec. 30, 8 p.m., The Ambassador presents Lil Baby. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Jan. 12, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Jacquees 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Jan. 23, The Pageant Welcomes Noname, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

local gigs

Thur., Jan. 17, 7 p.m., Art of Live Festival feat. Scrub & Ace Ha and Tonina. Gaslight Studio, 4916 Shaw Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Jan. 19. 8 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Midwest Avengers: Hip Hop Live. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mondays in January, The Monday Night Mixer hosted by the Keith Bowman Quartet. Dark Room at the Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63103. For more information, visit www.thedarkroomstl.com.

New Year’s Weekend Comedy

Feat.

for details.

special events

Fri., Dec. 28, That 90s Jam 5 Year Anniversary, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Fri., Jan. 4, 6 p.m., St. Louis Science Center presents First Friday: Indiana Jones. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. slsc.org.

Jan. 5 – 6, St. Louis Bride and Groom Magazine presents The Wedding Show Enjoy catering samples, a New York-style runway show, a prize vault, and hundreds of giveaways and samples. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Jan. 5, 2nd Annual Mississippi Nights Reunion, Delmar Hall. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com

Sat., Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m., The 33rd Annual Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration. Protect the Dream: The Fierce Urgency of Now. Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63013. For more information, call (314) 446-0288.

Jan. 12 – 13, Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo St. Louis Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. bikeandoutdoorexpo.com.

Jan. 18 – 20, Loop Ice Carnival. Jan. 19: Snow Ball. Jan. 20: Ice Carnival. Delmar Loop, 63112. For more information, visit www. visittheloop.com.

Sat., Jan. 19, 10 a.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter presents the 2nd Annual MLK, Jr. Holiday Celebration. Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave., 63113. For more information, visit www. aphia-epsilonlambda.org.

Sat., Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Eta Omega Chapter &

Festival.

Mike Epps, Sommore (left), DC Young Fly, Guy Torry and Mark Curry. See COMEDY

Kenya Vaughn recommends Sheldon Concert Hall presents Midwest Avengers: Hip Hop Live. For more information, see LOCAL GIGS

The Ivy Foundation of St. Louis present the AKA 111 Anniversary Party. Lambert Airport Concourse B, 10701 Lambert International Blvd., 63145. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., Jan. 20, 12 p.m., St. Louis’ Best Bridal Show Visit with photographers, DJs, gown and tuxedo shops, florists, salons, and more. St. Charles Convention Plaza, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 63033.

Sun., Jan. 20, 1 p.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter invites you to the MLK Weekend Brotherhood

Brunch & Day Party

Centennial Edition. BLUE Dine + Lounge, 5917 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Jan. 21, 28th annual St. Louis Arts Awards, Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel. For more information, visit KeepArtHappening. org/2019ArtsAwards.

Jan. 31 – Feb.3, Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic, Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800745-3000 or visiting www. Ticketmaster.com. To discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.Disneyonice.com.

literary

Friday, December 28, 10:30 a.m., the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will “The Snowy Day” and “Feast for 10.” The first 200 children in attendance will receive their own copy of one of the featured picture books. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Sun., Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m., Poetic Justice Open Mic, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Sat., Jan. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts authors David and Nic Sheff

authors of High. The ultimate resource for learning about the realities of drugs and alcohol for middle grade readers. Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.com.

Wed., Jan. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Chris McGreal, author of American Overdose. A look at how Big Pharma hooked Americans on powerfully addictive drugs and got away with it. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

comedy

Dec. 27 – 29, Helium Comedy Club presents Nicole Byer 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

Sat., Dec. 29, 8 p.m., New Year’s Weekend Comedy Festival. Feat. Mike Epps, Sommore, DC Young Fly, Guy Torry, and Mark Curry. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S.

Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

theatre

Through Jan. 26, Fox Theatre presents Anastasia Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat to embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103.

Through December 30, Metro Theater Company presents Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Jan. 10 – 13, Ignite Theatre Company presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Jan. 17- Jan 27, Max and Louie Productions presents “Love, Linda, ” directed by Ken Page, Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive

(3 blocks east of Grand Blvd). Tickets are on sale at metrotix.com and by phone at (314)) 534-1111. For more information, visit maxandlouie. com

art

Through January 15, Dimitrina Stamboldjiev Kutriansky’s The Sentimental Landscape, Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar.

Fri., Jan. 18, 7 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Dreaming in Color: Arts, Equity, and Inclusion. 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Through February 3, The Saint Louis Art Museum presents Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit www.slam.org.

Through February 10, Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit http:// www.slam.org/exhibitions/ kehinde-wiley.php

Through Feb. 28, National Blues Museum presents Our Living Past: A Platinum Portrait of Music Maker Photographer Timothy Duffy provides a look at the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of American roots music. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.com. lectures and workshops

Fri., Dec. 28, 6 p.m. 2K19 Health & Wellness Seminar with keynote speaker “The Minister Of Wellness” Nathaniel Jordan, Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63120.

Thur., Jan. 10, 7 p.m., Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice presents Being Poor: No Crime, All Punishment. Speaker: Blake Strode, Executive Director, ArchCity Defenders. Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Ave., 63117. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

spiritual

Sat., Jan. 5, 3 p.m., Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church to present “The Heal Our Land” Concert featuring Lowell Pye (formally of the gospel group Men of Standard), guest artist Leah Joelle, Christopher Watkins and band, 3200 Washington Ave. For more information, contact the church at (314) 533-8763.

Continued from C1

Stallings was on the task force that selected Castro as the city’s poet laureate.

“The whole poet laureateship for him was about him bringing people together,” Stallings said. “He’s always been present, he’s always been supportive. He was constantly thinking about what it means to be a poet in the different communities that we often times don’t consider as participants or contributors to our literary canon.”

LeFlore said Castro spent years and years going from place to place sharing poetry with all kinds of people.

“He went everywhere – he performed his poems, and he listened to the poems of other folks too,” LeFlore said. “He wanted to learn how they used their language. He wanted people to understand each other – in poetry and outside of poetry.”

As a St. Louis native and established poet in the city and beyond, LeFlore often served as his guide to the local poetry scene. Castro arrived in St. Louis in the early 1970s to attend Washington University, where he obtained a Ph.D. in American Literature that focused on Native American mythology and culture.

‘A delight for language’

Born July 28, 1945 in New York City, Castro’s love of words began almost as soon as he learned to put them together on paper.

“I look at my writing as having begun in the fourth grade when my teacher would assign what she called an original paragraph,” Castro said in a video interview produced by the Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri. “She would give us a phrase

Louis. “He’s a walking, talking, living, writing example of what so many people are trying to catch up with or understand and speak of: diversity, multiculturalism, pluralism.”

Castro’s ability to build bridges between poets and to celebrate many different kinds of poetry left as much of an impression on Stallings as Castro’s body of work. He recognized all of the deep racial divisions in the city, which also manifested on the poetry scene. Stallings pointed out the “schism between the so called academic poet and the spoken word poet,” and Castro’s active pursuit of bridging that divide.

TaKe 6

Continued from C1

to write about. Where most of the kids viewed this as an onerous chore, to me this was a great opportunity to play with language. I think that’s where poetry starts – with a delight for language.”

He came to St. Louis as a graduate student in his early twenties. He later spent decades developing that delight he found for himself in elementary school among students of his own as a professor at the University of MissouriSt. Louis and Lindenwood University.

He was one of the founding poets of River Styx, which grew out a series of jam sessions featuring poets and musicians in the early 1970s. River Styx still holds readings every third Monday at 7:30 p.m. Castro founded the River Styx literary journal. He published several poetry books and the critical study “Interpreting the Indian: Twentieth Century Poets and the Native America.” With Gabor G. Gyukics, he was a major co-translator of contemporary Hungarian poetry. Castro was recognized by his

peers as being a word warrior within the city of St. Louis. He loved to perform – almost as much as he enjoyed helping others find their voice.

“Poetry is often an art that involves discovery,” Castro said. “You don’t always know what the next phrase is going to be or how the next line is going to be resolved. Poetry can be inspirational for younger people – especially in terms of self-worth.”

‘Poet of the people’

His work as an educator stretched far beyond the classroom.

“He was teaching poetry in the university level, but he was also living it in the streets,” Stallings said.

Through publishing and performance, Castro was a monument to the healing power of poetry.

“He is a poet of the people,” longtime friend and legendary Poet Laureate of East St. Louis Eugene B. Redmond told St. Louis Public Radio when Castro was announced as the first-ever Poet Laureate of St.

“Black poets are often lumped into this whole spoken word, street poetry space,” Stallings said. “But he recognized that it’s beyond that – that all of us who write poetry are all participating in this sort of art making and we are all valued for what we have to offer and should not be marginalized just because of a particular style of poetry that we prefer.”

Castro edited a book entitled “Crossing The Divide” that was an important part of his legacy. According to Stallings, the book represented what Castro wanted to see for the St. Louis poetry scene and the community in general.

“He wanted people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to be in the same kind of space,” Stallings said. “He recognized the value in making sure all of these poets from different places – whether it was North City and North County or South City and South County or the Metro East – were all a part of this literary tradition in St. Louis. We are going to make sure we keep that alive.” Castro is survived by his wife Adelia Parker-Castro, son Jomo Castro, stepdaughter Veronica James, stepson Darin Parker and seven grandchildren. Services are pending.

But what stood out for this year’s offering of the annual performance that has become a staple of the St. Louis holiday season was the show’s intention to highlight the works of black composers – including native St. Louisans. Before the start of the show, a slideshow featuring images of mixed-race composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1772-1834) and contemporary African-American composer Jeffery Ames. ColeridgeTaylor’s “Christmas Overture” performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra opened this year’s presentation. IN UNISON joined them for Ames’ “A Festive Praise.” The choir’s director Kevin McBeth also served as conductor for the concert.

IN UNISON director emeritus Robert Ray’s composition “He Never Failed Me Yet,” a favorite selection of gospel choirs around the country (and the world), was also featured. Ray is the founding director of IN UNISON, which is currently celebrating its 25th season.

When the symphony’s string section started with the introductory notes of “And He Blessed My Soul” – which are typically performed as piano chords – the applause began before soloist Randall McGee started singing. Originally recorded by gospel group Chris and Kyle with True Spirit, the song was written by Anita Watkins-Stevens, a renowned local musician within the

faith community who also serves as a musical director for New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church. The symphony’s care and intention to the orchestral elements blended with the spirit-filled soulful singing of McGee and the choir on a composition by a black woman from St. Louis. Music can be so beautiful as to evoke emotion and lift spirits – but just as impactful as the art itself, music builds bridges and connects communities, which was especially evident during “And He Blessed My Soul.” As choir, composer and orchestra operated as one voice, the diverse audience was able to find a piece of themselves in the performance – and witness cooperative creativity and unity at the highest level. The collaborative effort commanded an extended standing ovation. St. Louisan Malcolm Speed also arranged a pair of selections for the evening’s performance, including the crowd favorite “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” that featured soprano soloist Karen Hylton. After a performance of “Hallelujah” from “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” – which has become an IN UNISON Gospel Christmas standard – Take 6 returned to perform “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Mary,” “Bless This House and “Over the Hill is Home.” For more information on St. Louis Symphony’s In Unison Chorus, including its annual “Lift Every Voice” Black History Month concert and programming related to its 25th Anniversary season-long celebration, visit https://tinyurl. com/IN-UNISON-Chorus or call (314) 533-2500.

Beale

Continued from C1

the flashpoint for conversations on the dysfunctional relationship between black people and the police, Baldwin uses his 13th book to shed light on the systemic oppression within criminal justice that fails black men and boys and fractures households within the black community through the experiences of Clementine “Tish” Rivers and Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt in Baldwin’s native New York City. Lifelong friends who take their relationship to the next level as they enter adulthood, their love story is stopped in his tracks when Fonny is falsely accused of a vicious crime by a racist beat cop. Tish learns she is pregnant soon after Fonny is imprisoned. As it does for so many African-Americans, innocence and justice operate independent of each other in “Beale Street.” Tish and Fonny’s family attempt to navigate a system they know very little about. The stress and pressure take a toll on their relationship and the young couple’s families – particularly Tish’s. The rainbow in the cloud is the new life, but the burden of fighting for Fonny’s freedom is so heavy, it threatens to break the will and structure of their nuclear and extended relationships. As Fonny languishes behind bars, the task of earning his exoneration is daunting –so much so that his innocence may become a casualty when faced with the choice of having his freedom at the expense of admission of guilt or rotting away in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Jenkins didn’t transfer the meat of the novel version of

“Beale Street” to his film, which makes for laborious lag times between beautiful nuances that never quite feel worth the wait. The performances – particularly as the film progresses – help viewers hang on. KiKi Layne leaves an impression with her major starring film role as Tish. Naïve and optimistic as the film begins, she captures her characters resignation to the reality of her character’s life circumstances with conviction. The chemistry between Layne and co-star Stephan James as Fonny is authentic – and James’ portrayal as a passionate artist devoted to his work as a sculptor and his woman humanizes the millions of young black men caught up in the prison system. Regina King, a 30-year veteran of urban film and television who has captured the attention of mainstream entertainment with a pair of roles that earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe, carries the film from about halfway through to the very end as family matriarch Sharon Rivers. His role in the film is limited, but acclaimed writer and stage actor turnedjourneyman supporting film actor Colman Domingo leaves an impression as Tish’s father Joseph Rivers. He is the moral compass of his family – and manages to see the bright side of their uphill climb against all odds and inspire his daughters and his wife to do the same.

“If Beale Street Could Talk,” opened in theatres nationwide on Christmas day. The film is rated R with a running time of 119 minutes. The film is currently playing at Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre and Plaza Frontenac Cinema. For more information, visit https:// www.landmarktheatres.com/ st-louis.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Michael Castro with Deyur Blackman after being installed as St. Louis city’s inaugural Poet Laureate at the Regional Arts Commission on January 31, 2015.

Stephan James and Brian Tyree Henry in a scene from the film “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

Celebrations

Team Signing Photography Debut

A

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School

Class of 1979 is planning its 40 year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September

27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us!

Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss

the boat!

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Sumner Class of 1976

Congratulations to Myrina Renaissance of TJS Photography, whose photograph “Arshmino” made its debut as part of the Malcolm X Street collection at UrbArts on display from December 16 through January 3. The image captures St. Louis music artist Arshad Goods and Smino at LouFest 2017.

Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 21, 2018, 7pm @ DEJAVU II Cafe, 2805 Target Dr., 63136. 2 for 1 Drink Specials (5:307:30pm), free parking, band performs from 7:30 - 9:30pm. no cover charge; classmates and guest each pays $5 for the catered food, served during intermission, whether you partake of it or not. Limited reserved seating available until 10 pm. (Doors open 5 pm/ close 1 am) For more info, call B. Louis at 314.385.9843.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th

reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ ymail.com or call 314-4064309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

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

St. Louis American Celebrations

c/o

2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com

Interfaith Partnership moved to Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church

The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis has moved its headquarters from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves to a newly renovated house on the grounds of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church at 9450 Clayton Road in Ladue.

The new office provides larger space for Interfaith Partnership’s growing staff plus meeting and conference rooms under one roof in a central part of the St. Louis region. The stand-alone, fiveroom house known as The Cottage has served over the years as housing for some Ladue Chapel staff and more recently as the location for Care and Counseling, an interfaith agency providing mental health services for children, adults and families, as well as congregational and clergy training and psychoeducation programs.

it underscores our close working relationships with many different faith communities. We are not under Ladue Chapel’s roof, but we are nearby and grateful for their partnership.”

“This move is a win-win for everyone,” said Rev. Dieter Heinzl, associate pastor – Faith Formation at Ladue Chapel and representative of the Presbyterian Church USA to Interfaith Partnership.

n “The Ladue Chapel congregation stepped up when we reached out to them.”

– Rev. Dr. David Mehl, executive director of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis

“In 2016 we found ourselves outgrowing the office space Eden Theological Seminary generously provided to us since 2010 and started asking ourselves, what does our future look like and where do we need to be to best serve our broad-based constituencies and faith groups,” said Rev. David Mehl, executive director of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis.

“The Ladue Chapel congregation stepped up when we reached out to them. This new location came at the right time and in the right place, and

“Helping Interfaith Partnership ties in with our Christian mission and demonstrates the breadth and depth of our outreach to the St. Louis community. Our members spent hundreds of hours preparing The Cottage for our new neighbors. The fact that this move took place during our 75th anniversary year has made it extra special for our congregation and further strengthens our relationship with Interfaith Partnership.”

Founded in 1985, the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis works to deepen the understanding, respect and appreciation among all persons across lines of religious difference and moves people toward greater peace and understanding. It is built on strong relationships and active programs that reach across the many religious divides that exist in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Membership includes nearly 30 communities of faith and conscience. For more information, visit www. interfaithstl.org. Founded in 1943, Ladue

Christmas spirit at Hazelwood North Middle School

Children and families from across the community will benefit from the generosity of Hazelwood North Middle School this holiday season. Students, staff, PTSA members, and parents donated $3,000 as part of a schoolwide effort to support those in need. Students used the money to buy clothing, toys, and electronics that will benefit the St. Vincent Home for Children and St. Louis Crisis Nursery. The gifts also will be shared with three local families the school adopted for the holiday season. The school held a Holiday Give Back assembly December 17 where the gifts were collected and given to representatives of each organization.

Chapel is a congregation of God’s people, welcoming all, illuminating faith, serving God and neighbor, and making a difference on behalf of Christ. It is part of the Giddings-Lovejoy

The Message

Heard you’re studying the Bible

People really react to you differently when you tell them you’re studying the Bible. Their reaction is distinctly different, say, from when you tell them you’re studying a foreign language, returning to school to learn computers, or something as innocuous as taking a cooking class or line dancing. When you tell someone you’re in Bible study, be prepared.

Prepared for what? For any and everything.

For the most part, people tend to respond positively to a genuine effort to get closer to God. However, there is almost a universal questioning about whether or not you’re serious. The question of your faith always comes up because most people have a hard time putting you and the Lord in the same thought pattern.

It’s inevitable, then, that people become a little standoffish towards you because they really don’t know where you’re coming from. Some are compelled to remember the sins you committed together. Some just heard rumors about you, but have little proof that the rumors are true.

For whatever the reasons, those who hear directly from you of an honest attempt to walk with God have a hard time believing you because they can’t or haven’t made the effort themselves. I’ve experienced astonishment, disbelief and skepticism when

I’ve told someone I’m in Bible study.

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised that a lot of people I’ve known for a long time have opened up to me. I know things now about them spiritually that I would never have guessed before my admission of being in Bible study. I can honestly say, as a result, that I hardly knew them at all.

Our conversations have changed and, subsequently, our relationship has changed, all because I let it be known that I had changed. I’ve got to attribute it to me, because after all is said and done, the change is in me. Somewhere along the line I said something, did something that opened a side of me to others that allowed them to see me.

In other cases, it has brought to my attention that some people, rather than question me, question others about me. When that has happened, I’m told, it’s usually brought up in such a way as to question my sincerity or to be insulting about my audacity to think that I actually could be trying to order my steps to put me on a clear path to God.

Remember that studying the Word is a bit different than telling people you’re going to church. One is akin to habit, while the other is more like desired learning.

Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA). On November 4 the church celebrated its 75th anniversary. For more information, visit www. laduechapel.org.

I’ve come to understand that from now until the day I die, I need to be in some form of structured Bible study. I hope to compliment this with informal reading and conscious personal spiritual investigation. Once you get a glimpse of all that is contained in the written Word of God, you must have more. When the effort is genuine, it’s probably okay to assume that people really are reacting to a changed you. The good news is, if there was no reaction, there would probably be no real difference that anyone could see in you.

Columnist James Washington

DIRECTOR

Deaconess

interested in creating an exceptional experience for every patron. Visit the About Section at www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary. org for details and how to apply.

SITE COORDINATOR

Deaconess

DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

staff and students, coordinate afternoon activities, filed trips, family engagement initiatives and volunteer responsibilities and ensure that the CDF Freedom Schools Integrated Reading Curriculum is implemented with fidelity.

To apply for this position, visit Deaconess Foundation’s website - http://deaconess. org/cdf-freedom-schools-site-coordinator.

SEALED

BIDS

for Lakeshore Trail Extension, Table Rock State Park, Branson, Missouri, Project No. X181601 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 1/24/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

Webster University invites applications and nominations for the Director of Undergraduate Admissions position. Please visit our website at https://webster.peopleadmin.com/ for a complete job description. No phone calls please. We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

PROJECT MANAGER

U.S. COURTS EXPERIENCED DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Federal Public Defender – IL www.uscourts.gov/careers/ FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Firefighter/Paramedic. Apply at www.richmondheights.org by Friday, January 4, 2019. EOE

QUALITYASSURANCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

Assist the Claims Department through innovative measures to improve quality by providing in-house claim oversight and external oversight of third party administrators and non-medical vendor relationships. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

Notice to M/WBE Businesses

Plocher Construction Company, Inc. 2808 Thole-Plocher Road Highland, IL 62249

PH: (618) 654-9408

Fax: (618) 654-6454

bids@plocherco.com

Seeking MBE (African) businesses for the MSD Lemay Pump Station Sluice Gate Replacement for Union Subcontracting & Supply opportunities in the following areas:

Safety, Debris Removal, Demo, Operators, Millwrights, Fitters, Electrical

All interested and qualified business should contact Andrew Wirz (amwirz@plocherco.com) or Chuck Wagner (crwagner@plocherco.com) in writing or via email to discuss the subcontracting and supply opportunities. All quotes are requested to be received by January 16, 2019 which is one day prior to the bid opening.

All proposals will be reviewed for the lowest, responsive, and responsible quote.

Plocher will host a Pre-Bid conference. It will be held at 9 AM on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 at Plocher Construction office at 2808 Thole-Plocher Road, Highland IL 62249.

Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.”

www.stlamerican.com

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPAIRMENT LIABILITY. THE CRANE AGENCY was used for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on MSD’s Green Park and Lakeshire I/I Reduction (Tesson Ferry Rd and Green Park Rd)

Contract Letting No. 12372-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member:

J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. 15 Truitt Drive Eureka, MO 63025 636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m.

January 3, 2019

SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

MSD’s Maffitt #5651-5659 & Roosevelt #5632-5636 Bioretention (CB 5202 & 5243) CSO VR GI Contract Letting No. 12891-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member: LanDesign, LLC 50 Tower St., Moscow Mills, MO 63362 636/332-4500

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. January 3, 2019 SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Publication: 12/27/2018

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) Planning & Urban Design Agency (PDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

On or after 1/4/2019, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following program comprising part of the City’s 2019 Action Plan, within the City:

Project Title: Dutchtown Satellite

Purpose: The project is for the interior & exterior renovation, including: repair/replacement of existing windows, installation of interior glass-tempered doors in classrooms, exterior stairway reconfiguration for accessibility, new bathroom on first floor, new gymnasium flooring, replacement of outdoor recreational equipment, overall building electrical upgrades, main entry vestibule area creation of a new storage area above the gymnasium and classroom expansion behind gymnasium stage, and remodeling of interior stairway enclosure at north end of building.

Location: 3212-16 Pulaski, St. Louis, MO 63111

Estimated Cost: $450,000.00 City of St. Louis Year 2018 CDBG, with an approximate total project cost of $734,485.00

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City’s PDA, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Mark G. Jefferies, PDA, Environmental Review Officer, at (314) 314-657-3874.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mark G. Jefferies, Environmental Review Officer, PDA, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to this project can be directed William Rataj, Acting Executive Director, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 1/3/2019 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

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

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL

ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR COMPTON AVENUE BRIDGE

RECONSTRUCTION, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, PROJECT NO.

STP-5451(602). Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org under On Line Plan Room, Professional Services, or call Helen Bryant at 314-589-6214. 18% DBE participation goals.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for HERMITAGE SANITARY RELIEF (SKME-615) under Letting No. 10863015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Minitree Ct #101 Storm Sewer Repair (IR) under Letting No. 13069-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR I-64 AT JEFFERSON – CITY STREETS, PROJECT NUMBERS STP-5417(605) AND CMAQ5417(604), SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org under On Line Plan Room, Professional Services, or call Helen Bryant at 314-589-6214. 18% DBE participation goals.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is confirming procurement: XPSWMM Maintenance and Support extension. The District is confirming single source procurement to Innovyze for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an 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.” Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 to

WBE, DBE & Veter-

Various Locations – Fire Alarm Upgrade, Project No. CP181191 Columbia, Missouri - Bid Date: January 8, 2019 Project information available at: http://operations-webapps.missouri.edu/pdc/adsite/ad.html Bids are required by email on 01/08/19 before 11:00am –info@howertonelectric.com Tel: 573/636-5046

A look back at 2018. As I sat down to sum up 2018, I had convinced myself the year was a lowkey bust as far as the nightlife and entertainment scene goes. But as I got to digging through the crates of my archives, I realized that I was dead wrong. We had plenty of wins; they just came from some unlikely places. I will continue my 2018 rewind into next week because of space and my wonky deadline schedule because of the midweek holiday, so please check back next week before you get to hollering about who and what was left out. Now, feel free to drop me a line about something you feel is worthy of the 2018 recap at dshante@stlamerican.com.

The freshman class of funny. While the usual suspects of urban comedy came through and left me with an “I guess…” instead of a chuckle, the folks who aren’t on most folks’ radar came to town and tore it up. Tiffany Haddish’s unfortunate set of sold-out shows are the exception to this. She earned some serious star power for her “Girls Trip” role, but the only way I can describe the experience for those of us who got the golden tickets to check her out onstage is to ask that you imagine that out of nowhere, your boss decides to let everyone go home just before lunch, but when we get outside, parking enforcement put boots on every employee’s vehicle on the company lot. I heard that her standup act has grown by leaps and bounds since her visit to the Lou. I’m happy about that, because I want to see her win. It’s possible. Hey, Kountry Wayne proved with his set at the Laugh Lounge this year that it is possible to go from “meh” to “My eyes are watering, this is so funny I’m about to cry...” relatively quickly. The normally hilarious DL Hughley decided that he would take us back to the late 2000’s with an extremely recycled routine. And the funniest thing about Kevin Hart’s visit was how folks cutup while getting carried out for being oppositional defiant about his super-strict, no cell phone policy. But then the “Real Comedians of Social Media” (featuring Tony Baker, Kev On Stage and E. St. Louis’ own Tahir Moore) came to a church and tore it up with their clean comedy show. I went to Helium to check out Rickey Smiley, but Prescott and Marvin Hunter were the highlights of my visit. And King Keraun couldn’t get any of his social media folks to follow him to the Laugh Lounge, but his opening act D’Lai had me hollering so hard that I was hoarse. And another one of my favorite nights of funny from 2018 was courtesy of the Laugh Lounge when comedienne Cocoa Brown came through. She had me straight up weak. And speaking of Kevin Hart, his “Hart of the City” comedy TV show made a stop at the Laugh Lounge for a live taping that showcased some of the funniest cats in town who on the cusp of a big break. Tahir Moore was on this bill, along with Princeton Dew, Vincent Bryant and host Maurice G. Show producer Joey Wells was so happy, he could have cried after admitting Cleveland was such a bust that they almost stopped production on the show.

Intimate venue concerts carried it. Drake and Lauryn Hill were the exceptions, but most of my favorite concerts from 2018 were in small spaces with familiar faces. The first was my girl Lalah Hathaway’s breathtaking show at the Pageant – where she paid tribute to her dad, St Louis’ own Donny Hathaway. Husband and wife duo The Baylor Project, which includes our own Marcus Baylor and his wife Jean (formerly of Zhane) had my undivided attention when they played the Ferring Jazz Bistro. And Anthony Hamilton’s backup trio The Hamiltones came to BB’s and brought the house all the way down. Marsha Ambrosius did the same thing will vibing with Love Jones The Band. And let’s not forget the ultimate revenge performance that Ashanti served up at The Pageant that caused all sorts of family drama for St. Louis’ most famous rapper. I feel like her giving the show of her life, looking the best that she’s ever looked, and looping in folks to root for her to the point that we saw a side of a particular St. Lunatic that nobody expected was intentional. It caused some drama, but at the end of the day, it was better than any performance I expected her to deliver. The Pageant was clearly had the secret sauce for 2018, because Janelle Monae was pure magic when she played there too.

Enchanted by Anita. Anita Baker was living her best life and wearing her best bite-sized heels when she put a spell on the city with a weekend of shows this spring at The Fox. Y’all had Anita fever – and she clearly didn’t let y’all down as she stop through for an alleged retirement tour. I guess her upcoming Vegas residency settles whether or not she’s really walking away from the stage.

St. Louis on the national entertainment stage. Our city was making major moves on the national entertainment scene in 2018. Things kind of got started with Kinloch’s own Jenifer Lewis. Her “Mother of Black Hollywood” memoir was technically released in late 2017, but real traction for it began in 2018 and the momentum continued with viral videos that included a visit to “The Breakfast Club” and an interview with “The Root” where she gets candid about dismantling the stigma behind mental illness. She also made a pair of sold-out visits back home that lived up to every bit of hype. St. Louis’ own Sterling K. Brown didn’t let 2018 get a week old before he put on for his city in a major way by becoming the first black man to win a “Best Actor in a TV Drama” Golden Globe for his role as Randall on “This Is Us.” He then appeared on the big screen in the record-smashing illustration of black excellence cultural phenomenon that is “Black Panther” and starred in “Hotel Artemis” alongside Jodie Foster And while household names with hometown roots were in the spotlight, some talented STL natives received major exposure by way of television talent shows. Gabbii Jones and Christina Jones (no relation) represented our city on the reboot of “American Idol” at the same time that Tish Haynes Keys sang her way to the Top 24 on season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice.” It was a sign of what was to come. For season 15, Kennedy Holmes, a 13-year-old (she’s now 14) straight outta Florissant blew America away with “The Voice” blind audition season opener, and St. Louis area resident Audri Bartholomew held her own until the third round. But Kennedy Holmes made it to the final four. And while she was clearly robbed of first place, she made it the furthest on a television talent show since Amber Bullock was named “Sunday Best.”

Kev on Stage and his wife Melissa, Tony Baker, Cris Sosa and ESL native Tahir Moore, aka the Real Comedians of Social Media @ Equation Church on April 14

DJ Quik and Scarface fellowshipped with St. Louis rap stars Chingy and Tef Poe after a co-headlining performance presented by Orlando Watson’s RockHouse Ent

Angel Shields with the Hamiltones before their sold-out headlining set for “A Night of Soul Searching” @ BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups on April 19

Wyclef with Anthony Kiekow, his wife Apryll and Karen Loaiza after a Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop with the St. Louis Symphony March 9 @ Powell Hall

Cash, Lisa, Lydia Caesar and Tish Haynes Keys who opened for recording star Melanie Fiona @ Remy Martin’s A Taste of Luxury Sept. 14 @ Moto Museum

Comedian Frank L. met with Martin Lawrence after his winning impression of “Jerome” from the “Martin” sitcom during the Lit Tour May 3 @ Chaifetz Arena

Black Ceasar had bottles popping in VIP for singer Keri Hilson before she hit the stage on Feb. 9 @ The Marquee

Radio One St. Louis Sales Manager Christina Bailey with the one and only Teddy Riley at the St. Louis Music Festival on Feb. 17 at Chaifetz Arena

‘Girls Trip’ star and comedian Tiffany Haddish with American columnist James T. Ingram when her “She Ready” Tour sold out two shows at The Pageant January 26

Film and TV star Larenz Tate was happy to pose with Vanessa @ Cash Cohnes’ Party and Paint event June 16 @ Mandarin Banquet Hall

Grammy winning R&B star Marsha Ambrosius instantly gelled with Love Jones The Band for her impromptu performance at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups on November 16.

Year in Review 2018 • 2

2018: St. Louis, Missouri, the U.S. at a turning point

A midterm election year inevitably poses a turning point, and 2018 certainly provided that, though in which direction the United States, Missouri – and, our more immediate and particular concern, St. Louis – are turning is far from clear.

The outcome of the congressional elections at President Trump’s midterm was divided. Democrats took control of the U.S. House of Representatives, but the Republican Party that protects and enables this dangerous, potentially disastrous president retained control of the more powerful U.S. Senate with its power to remove him from office. More troubling for the future of our democracy, Republicans became more brazen in their determined efforts in various states to exclude African-American voters and, for the most part, they succeeded.

Yet more troubling still, revelations in the investigation of the Trump campaign’s collusion with Russia – not to mention Trump’s own frequently astonishing actions in regard to Putin and his agenda –gave increasing credence to the notion that our president has been compromised by a hostile foreign power. Yet leaders in his party continued to shrug off the notion and protect and enable Trump.

The statewide midterm elections in Missouri revealed a starkly bipolar electorate. Voters approved measures to raise the minimum wage, legalize medical marijuana, and reform politics in the directions of democracy and

January 4 – Newly appointed St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden talks to The American about police actions against demonstrators during the Jason Stockley verdict protests, investigations into police shootings and anti-bias training.

transparency, yet elected a U.S. senator who opposed each of these measures, sued to undermine affordable health care in this country, and campaigned loudly as a Trump ally in the Senate.

In the St. Louis region, St. Louis County was the major newsmaker in 2018, as voters approved the County Council’s efforts to rein in an untrustworthy county executive and elected an African American as county prosecutor for the first time. Almost laughably, Bob McCulloch’s soon-to-be-former staff responded by joining the St. Louis Police Officers Association, a move so blatantly reactionary it almost beggars belief. This is the same fraternal organization that represents the police officers implicated in what are now dozens of federal law suits alleging unconstitutional policing in the Stockley verdict protests that dominated local news last year.

Who are you, St. Louis? Missouri? The United States? Who do you want to be when you grow up? Anyone who claims to know the answers for certain should not be believed. What is certain is that we are at a very dangerous turning point, and only an intently informed, committed and courageous citizenry is going to turn us in the direction that we need to go. And that direction is greater equity, sanity, transparency, and – to name an institution that we might not have expected to be defending for dear life as we look forward to 2019 –democracy built on truth, trust and equity.

JANUARY

1 – The New York-based Bail Project opens a new branch in St. Louis and begins using donated funds to help incarcerated poor people get bailed out of jail while awaiting their court date.

4 – Newly appointed St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden talks to The American about police actions against demonstrators during the Jason Stockley verdict protests, investigations into police shootings and anti-bias training.

7 – St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown becomes the

first black man to win a Golden Globe award for “Best Actor in a TV Drama.”

8 – Cardboard Porta Potty protest at the doorstep of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and at City Hall for inadequate response to homelessness, in memory of the lives of Grover Perry, who froze to death in a Porta Potty, and an unidentified man who froze to death in a dumpster.

11 – The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Missouri’s requirement that hair braiders must have 1,500 hours of cosmetology training, most of which covers topics unrelated to hair braiding. The appeals court decision was overturned on October 9 by the U.S.

Supreme Court. The suit was brought on behalf of two unlicensed hair braiders in St. Louis, Tameka Stigers and Ndioba Niang

11 – Mediation date set for Service Employees International Union Workers who have been on strike since December 1, 2017 and representatives of Christian Care Home in Ferguson.

16 – Sara Lahman becomes the new CEO at Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center.

16 – DC Comics superhero “Black Lightning” premiers on The CW network.

23 – At a St. Louis County Council meeting, employees who provide medical, mental and dental health services to County Justice Center inmates demand Proposition P pay raises that other corrections employees received.

25 – Twenty-six former judges and prosecutors ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision against Bobby Bostic, who was sentenced to 241 years in prison for armed robbery at age 16.

25 – State Senator Jamilah Nasheed announces her run for president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in the March 2019 election.

27 – NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams, pastor of The Spirit of the Lord Family Church, opens its new permanent church location in St. Ann.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill holds a town hall meeting at Harris-Stowe State University, discussing criminal justice reform and the upcoming midterm elections.

28 – Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson is installed as the president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition.

31 – State auditor Nicole Galloway accepts the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s request to audit the City of St. Louis.

FEBRUARY

1 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces a proposed five-year cleanup of radioactive waste at West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, expected to cost $236 million.

January 7 – St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown becomes the first black man to win a Golden Globe award for “Best Actor in a TV Drama.”

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

February 22 – A St. Louis grand jury indicts Missouri Governor Eric Greitens on felony charges stemming from allegations that he photographed a partially nude woman without her consent

5 – Hazelwood School District holds meetings for community feedback on redistricting plans, also on February 7.

6 – St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones and Alderman Jeffrey Boyd clash over the Parking Commission at a Board of Aldermen meeting.

8 – St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad receives a threatening letter allegedly from the Ku Klux Klan, warning him to take down a Pan-American flag honoring Black History Month outside of City Hall.

10 – U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay and Democratic National Committee Chairman Keith Ellison visit St. Louis to support striking workers and to advocate for minimum wage increases and racial and economic justice.

13 – Annie Rice defeats Paul Fehler in a special election in St. Louis’ 8th Ward to replace longtime Ald. Steve Conway, who was appointed city assessor.

16 – The release of Marvel’s “The Black Panther” movie smashes global and domestic box office records.

20 – Attorney Anthony Gray announces a class action lawsuit against several companies regarding polluting residential areas near the West Lake Landfill.

22 – A St. Louis grand jury indicts Missouri Governor Eric Greitens on felony charges stemming from allegations that he photographed a partially nude woman without her consent; he admitted they had an extramarital affair but denied the criminal charges.

24 – Ten coding students from Collegiate School of Medicine and BioScience Magnet School win $10,000 in a STEM Student Forum Hackathon event hosted by World Wide Technology for their app, aimed at helping St. Louis students understand their educational options.

26 – Activists and supporters gather at the Carnahan Courthouse in support of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, in response to recent media criticism.

27 – The Ethical Society of Police, which advocates for racial equity in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police

February 16 – The release of Marvel’s “The Black Panther” movie smashes global and domestic box office records.

Department, begins a free, 10-week, evening PreAcademy Recruitment Program at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

28 – A May 14 trial date is set for Missouri Governor Eric Greitens’ trial on felony charges.

28 – The aldermanic Public Safety Committee votes unanimously to pass Board Bill 233 giving subpoena power to the St. Louis Civilian Oversight Board. Oral arguments are heard concerning the constitutionality of St. Louis County’s “wanteds for questioning” system that allows for suspects to be arrested, questioned and held for 24 hours without a warrant from a judge.

MARCH

1 – Between a thousand and 1,500 people gather in Webster Groves for the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America rally.

5 – More than a thousand community members gather at Bridgeton’s Machinist Hall to learn about the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to clean up radioactive waste in the West Lake Landfill and Coldwater Creek areas.

6 – A coalition of 27 organizations sends letters to St. Louis city leaders asking that some Proposition 1 sales tax revenue go toward the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

7 – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development removes anti-discrimination language from its mission statement.

12 – More than 100 supporters of the LGBTQ+ community go to John Burroughs School to support the school’s out gay athlete Jake Bain, who is being protested by members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas.

14 – McKinley High School students participate in a national school walkout to protest gun violence following the Parkland, Florida school massacre in February.

14 – Rev. Starsky Wilson of the Deaconess Foundation speaks at the Parents United for Change meeting in East St. Louis, Illinois, where residents are fighting housing authority fees that they say keep people from moving and keep them impoverished.

19 – Following a 104-day strike, workers at Christian Care Home go back on the job after a new two-year contract is signed.

20 – Civil rights activist Percy Green II gets the inaugural Presidential Social Justice Icon Award honors from Harris-Stowe State University.

22 – About 200 Jennings Junior High students Walk for Water, a 2.8-mile trek to raise money to build a well in rural Kenya.

22 – Clinton-Peabody housing residents discuss mice infestation and structural issues with the St. Louis Department of Health in a meeting convened by

Interfaith Partnership moved to Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church

The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis has moved its headquarters from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves to a newly renovated house on the grounds of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church at 9450 Clayton Road in Ladue.

The new office provides larger space for Interfaith Partnership’s growing staff plus meeting and conference rooms under one roof in a central part of the St. Louis region. The stand-alone, fiveroom house known as The Cottage has served over the years as housing for some Ladue Chapel staff and more recently as the location for Care and Counseling, an interfaith agency providing mental health services for children, adults and families, as well as congregational and clergy training and psychoeducation programs.

it underscores our close working relationships with many different faith communities. We are not under Ladue Chapel’s roof, but we are nearby and grateful for their partnership.”

“This move is a win-win for everyone,” said Rev. Dieter Heinzl, associate pastor – Faith Formation at Ladue Chapel and representative of the Presbyterian Church USA to Interfaith Partnership.

n “The Ladue Chapel congregation stepped up when we reached out to them.”

– Rev. Dr. David Mehl, executive director of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis

“In 2016 we found ourselves outgrowing the office space Eden Theological Seminary generously provided to us since 2010 and started asking ourselves, what does our future look like and where do we need to be to best serve our broad-based constituencies and faith groups,” said Rev. David Mehl, executive director of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis.

“The Ladue Chapel congregation stepped up when we reached out to them. This new location came at the right time and in the right place, and

“Helping Interfaith Partnership ties in with our Christian mission and demonstrates the breadth and depth of our outreach to the St. Louis community. Our members spent hundreds of hours preparing The Cottage for our new neighbors. The fact that this move took place during our 75th anniversary year has made it extra special for our congregation and further strengthens our relationship with Interfaith Partnership.”

Founded in 1985, the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis works to deepen the understanding, respect and appreciation among all persons across lines of religious difference and moves people toward greater peace and understanding. It is built on strong relationships and active programs that reach across the many religious divides that exist in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Membership includes nearly 30 communities of faith and conscience. For more information, visit www. interfaithstl.org. Founded in 1943, Ladue

Christmas spirit at Hazelwood North Middle School

Children and families from across the community will benefit from the generosity of Hazelwood North Middle School this holiday season. Students, staff, PTSA members, and parents donated $3,000 as part of a schoolwide effort to support those in need. Students used the money to buy clothing, toys, and electronics that will benefit the St. Vincent Home for Children and St. Louis Crisis Nursery. The gifts also will be shared with three local families the school adopted for the holiday season. The school held a Holiday Give Back assembly December 17 where the gifts were collected and given to representatives of each organization.

Chapel is a congregation of God’s people, welcoming all, illuminating faith, serving God and neighbor, and making a difference on behalf of Christ. It is part of the Giddings-Lovejoy

The Message

Heard you’re studying the Bible

People really react to you differently when you tell them you’re studying the Bible. Their reaction is distinctly different, say, from when you tell them you’re studying a foreign language, returning to school to learn computers, or something as innocuous as taking a cooking class or line dancing. When you tell someone you’re in Bible study, be prepared.

Prepared for what? For any and everything.

For the most part, people tend to respond positively to a genuine effort to get closer to God. However, there is almost a universal questioning about whether or not you’re serious. The question of your faith always comes up because most people have a hard time putting you and the Lord in the same thought pattern.

It’s inevitable, then, that people become a little standoffish towards you because they really don’t know where you’re coming from. Some are compelled to remember the sins you committed together. Some just heard rumors about you, but have little proof that the rumors are true.

For whatever the reasons, those who hear directly from you of an honest attempt to walk with God have a hard time believing you because they can’t or haven’t made the effort themselves. I’ve experienced astonishment, disbelief and skepticism when

I’ve told someone I’m in Bible study.

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised that a lot of people I’ve known for a long time have opened up to me. I know things now about them spiritually that I would never have guessed before my admission of being in Bible study. I can honestly say, as a result, that I hardly knew them at all.

Our conversations have changed and, subsequently, our relationship has changed, all because I let it be known that I had changed. I’ve got to attribute it to me, because after all is said and done, the change is in me. Somewhere along the line I said something, did something that opened a side of me to others that allowed them to see me.

In other cases, it has brought to my attention that some people, rather than question me, question others about me. When that has happened, I’m told, it’s usually brought up in such a way as to question my sincerity or to be insulting about my audacity to think that I actually could be trying to order my steps to put me on a clear path to God.

Remember that studying the Word is a bit different than telling people you’re going to church. One is akin to habit, while the other is more like desired learning.

Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA). On November 4 the church celebrated its 75th anniversary. For more information, visit www. laduechapel.org.

I’ve come to understand that from now until the day I die, I need to be in some form of structured Bible study. I hope to compliment this with informal reading and conscious personal spiritual investigation. Once you get a glimpse of all that is contained in the written Word of God, you must have more. When the effort is genuine, it’s probably okay to assume that people really are reacting to a changed you. The good news is, if there was no reaction, there would probably be no real difference that anyone could see in you.

Columnist James Washington

June 15 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirms that the government has separated almost 2,000 children from parents at the border since implementing a policy that results in such family separations, causing national outrage. Trump signs an executive order five days later to end the policy.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition hosts a press conference encouraging the public to assist in the reduction of violent crime.

JUNE

1 – Mayor Lyda Krewson confirms that her chief of staff, Tim O’Connell, will leave and be replaced with City Assessor Steve Conway, her longtime ally.

2 – Hundreds participate in the #WearOrangeSTL march against gun violence in North St. Louis, organized by Radio One St. Louis, Crimestoppers and Better Family Life.

6 – Jason Stockley, a former St. Louis police officer acquitted of murder for an on-duty shooting, sues the prosecutor for bringing murder charges against him and the police department.

8 – A coalition of health and social and economic justice groups slam Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley for his lawsuit that they claim put millions of Missourians with pre-existing conditions at risk of losing coverage.

A special prosecutor decides not to criminally charge former Gov. Greitens, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to prove he took a photo of a semi-nude woman and then transmitted it in a way it could be accessed by computer.

12 – The Krewson administration announces that it has nullified the city’s 2009-initiated development agreement for the Northside Regeneration Redevelopment project, which encompasses over two square miles and had $390 million in approved public financing, because the developer allegedly violated the agreement.

The Ethics Committee of the St. Louis County Council presents its report and recommendations on St. Louis

County Executive Steve Stenger’s questionable actions and alleged false statements to the council pertaining to the leases on Northwest Crossing (formerly Northwest Plaza).

15 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirms that the government has separated almost 2,000 children from parents at the border since implementing a policy that results in such family separations, causing national outrage. Trump signs an executive order five days later to end the policy.

16 — After nearly 15 years of guest appearances and features, music power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z drop their first joint album, “Everything Is Love.”

17 – On Father’s Day, teen survivors from the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida come to St. Louis to hold town hall and meet with family of Michael Brown.

18 – A federal government agency releases findings that radioactive contamination in Cold Water Creek in North St. Louis County could cause increased risk of certain types of cancer in residents who live near the waterway, confirming years of suspicion from residents.

22 – St. Louis Alderwoman Annie Rice files a resolution calling for Missouri’s elected leaders in Washington, D.C. to oppose family separation and for Gov. Mike Parson to withdraw Missouri National Guard resources from the border.

29 – Owners of the Bridgeton Landfill agreed to pay $16 million to settle a 2013 state lawsuit over its handling of a smoldering underground chemical event that residents have for years blamed for respiratory health issues and foul odors.

privatization of the St. Louis airport’s operations holds its first meeting.

3 – The newly renovated Gateway Arch National Park and Museum opens in downtown St. Louis.

The Missouri Supreme Court sides with a tenant, Latasha Johnson, over a landlord in what could become a landmark ruling for tenants’ rights.

6 – A diverse “People’s Ribbon-Cutting” is staged at the Arch to protest the all-white photo opportunity from the official reopening.

7 – Clayton Police force 10 incoming black freshman at Washington University to return to an IHOP, where the manager tells police they were not the suspects who dined and dashed.

12 – ArchCity Defenders gives its inaugural award for Lifetime Achievement in Poverty Journalism to Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American

14 – On the 54th anniversary of his climb (along with Richard Daly) up the partly constructed Gateway Arch to protest the lack of black workers, Percy Green II is honored by two black St. Louis aldermen.

19 –Twenty immigrant advocates and clergy are arrested while occupying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in downtown St. Louis.

Cedric The Entertainer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

JULY 19 - Cedric The Entertainer gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

21 – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who upset an incumbent Democratic congressman in her primary, stumps for Cori Bush in St. Louis; Bush will come nowhere beating incumbent U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay Anita Baker plays St. Louis on her farewell tour.

23 – Hana S. Sharif is named the new artistic director of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

24 – The community forces police to arrest two employees of a Gas Mart, Jehad Motan and Ahmed Qandeel, who were caught on video kicking a woman, Kelli Adams, outside the store; the employees were fired.

31 – The National Black Nurses Association opens its 46th annual conference in St. Louis.

AUGUST

3 – Advocates gather at the St. Louis County jail to call for clemency for Joshua Williams, a Ferguson protestor sentenced to 8 years in prison for a failed arson attempt during a protest.

7 – Wesley Bell delivers a crushing and stunning primary defeat to 27-year incumbent St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, one of the main villains of the Ferguson unrest of 2014.

Karla May upsets incumbent state 4th District state Senator Jake Hummel, who was appointed to the seat and enjoyed mainstream labor support.

Michael Butler defeats 38-year incumbent Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter

9 – In partnership with the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, The American starts a year-long series of commentaries by black males in memory of Michael Brown dedicated to reshaping the narratives around young black males in St. Louis.

10 – Lezley McSpadden, Michael Brown’s mother, announces her bid for Ferguson City Council.

12 – Tiger Woods and other golfers tee up for the final round of the 100th PGA Championship in St. Louis, where Woods finishes runner-up to Brooks Koepka

16 – Community members led by the Universal African People’s Organization demand an investigation into a fatal crash on August 10 that witnesses claim was caused by St. Louis County police officers who did not stop; the officers eventually will lose their jobs.

18 – Ray Lankford and Vince Coleman are inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

23 – Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley accepts the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ offer to review its records on child molestation; advocates say it’s “exactly backwards” to allow suspects to guide an investigation.

25 – Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General C. David Turner has a park in Rock Hill renamed in his honor.

26 – East St. Louis hosts its inaugural Heritage Festival.

29 – More than three weeks after the tightly contested primary election, Mark Mantovani concedes defeat to incumbent County Executive Steve Stenger; he lost by less than 1 percent of the vote.

31 – Aretha Franklin is memorialized with a funeral watched around the world in Detroit.

SEPTEMBER

3 – St. Louis celebrates its first Unpaid Labor Day, in memory of the slaves who farmed and built America without compensation.

4 – Nike features Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback blackballed from the NFL for his activism on police accountability, in its new “Just Do It” ad.

5 – A refurbished Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Fountain Park is rededicated.

6 – The American publishes “Show me support for the national prison strike” by Amy E. Breihan, which results in the Missouri Department of Corrections refusing to deliver this edition of the paper to inmates, claiming it encourages sedition.

7 – Sanford Biggers’ self-titled exhibition, which features unique memorials to victims of police violence, opens at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.

11 – The Rev. Traci D. Blackmon opens “Reviving Justice” at Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant.

13 – Advocates release a 42-page report calling for St. Louis to close its troubled Medium Security Institution, the notorious Workhouse.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis breaks ground on a Teen Center for Excellence in Ferguson. Firebrand St. Louis journalist Charles Jaco comes out of retirement to write a column for The American leading up to the midterm elections.

14 – St. Louis County Health Director Faisal Khan resigns, citing political obstruction as the county executive and council are locked in battle.

17 – The City of St. Louis and its police department are hit with another dozen federal lawsuits over the brutal kettling mass arrests of Stockley verdict protestors one year ago.

24 – Kennedy Holmes, a 13-year-old veteran of The Muny stage and 8th grader at John Burroughs School,

August 7 – Wesley Bell delivers a crushing and stunning primary defeat to 27-year incumbent St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, one of the main villains of the Ferguson unrest of 2014.

Photo By Wiley Price

performs for the first time on “The Voice”; Jennifer Hudson will choose her as coach and the youth will advance to the finals then finish fourth behind three country singers.

27 – The St. Louis American Foundation celebrates a sold-out 31st annual Salute to Excellence in Education with marquee awardees Johnetta R. Haley (Lifetime Achiever) and Michael P. McMillan (Stellar Performer).

28 – The Empowerment Network, a community-based prostate-cancer awareness organizations, celebrates its first decade with a gala.

OCTOBER

1 – “The Neighborhood” starring Cedric The Entertainer premieres on CBS.

KAI Design & Build acquires Atlanta-based Dorsey Engineering.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway releases an audit that reports law enforcement officials lost track of more than 1,200 registered sex offenders.

2 –Cori Bush, Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green and State Senator Jamilah Nasheed and dozens of others demonstrate against the impending confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh outside the St. Louis offices of U.S. Senator Roy Blunt

Six new lawsuits are filed against the City of St. Louis and its police department alleging police misconduct during protests of the Stockley verdict.

Former Missouri secretary of State Jason Kander announces his withdrawal from the Kansas City mayoral race to deal with his depression and PTSD.

3 – St. Louis city and St. Louis County officials announce that they will work together on $175M plan to update and expand America’s Center.

4 – St. Louis native John Keene is awarded the MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship in Fiction and Nonfiction writing.

6 – Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court amid controversy of sexual

assault allegations.

9 – Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, and members of the Taylor Family from Enterprise announce a new proposal to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to St. Louis.

12 – Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss announces his resignation from the department to be with family in Miami. He will officially step down in November. Circuit Court Judge Gloria Clark Reno is elected by her peers to become the first African American to lead the 21st Judicial Circuit since it was established in 1815.

15 – Rev. Starsky Wilson announces he is stepping down as pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ after a decade of leadership.

18 – Normandy School District breaks ground on early learning center. The facility will open in fall 2019.

19 – “Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis” opens at Saint Louis Art Museum featuring portraits of African-American St. Louisans in poses inspired by works in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s permanent collection.

21 – Harris-Stowe State University President Emeritus Dr. Henry Givens Jr. released his book “Taming Trouble Waters” about his 30-plus year transformational tenure at the helm of the regions only HBCU.

24 – St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson rejects allowing for a public vote on lease of airport operations.

27 – St. Louis County Library’s innovative partnership with Career Online High School graduates its first high school class.

29 – Hazelwood East School-Based Health Centers open at Hazelwood East and Riverview Gardens high schools.

Gerald L. Early receives the 2018 Tradition of Literary Excellence Award from the Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters of University City.

NOVEMBER

1 – The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Enterprise Bank & Trust partner to open a financial services support center at the Urban League’s Jennings location.

2 – St. Louis American’s Wiley Price and KSDK’s Art Holiday are honored as “Living Legends” by the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists.

Washington University announces that Dr. Will Ross, associate dean for Diversity Programs and a renal specialist, will also serve as principal officer for Community Partnerships.

5 – Church of God In Christ 111th Holy Convocation convenes at America’s Center.

6 – Wesley Bell makes history as the first AfricanAmerican elected St. Louis County prosecutor.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay wins 10th term in Congress 50 years after his father William “Bill” Clay broke the state color line by getting elected to the same seat. Missouri votes yes on Proposition B, which raises the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023, and yes to Constitutional Amendment 2 to legalize medicinal

marijuana.

Incumbent U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill loses her seat to Josh Hawley, the Republican Missouri attorney general with ties to Donald Trump. Democrats win the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

8 – John Gaskin III is elected president of the St. Louis County NAACP.

Members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus are voted into five of the seven Democratic Caucus leadership positions.

9 – Shirley Bradley LeFlore is sworn in as the second Poet Laureate of St. Louis.

Kahalia Adams is named Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Youth of the Year.

13 – Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming” is released. The book sells 2 million copies in its first 15 days of release and becomes the best-selling book of 2018.

14 – The United Way of Greater St. Louis raises more than $76M during its 2018 fundraising campaign.

18 – Grocery store chain Shop N Saves closes its doors. Schnucks purchases 19 stores from the chain that has been in the St. Louis region since the late 1970s.

24 – St. Louis County Police Department fires Mikel Neil and Townsal Woolfolk, two St. Louis County police offers who fled the scene of a car crash in Berkeley that killed two men.

25 – State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. released footage of county police officers during Berkeley protest and files suit for excessive use of force and retaliation during the protest.

29 – St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers are indicted on felony charges for their conduct in the arrest and assault of Luther Hall, a black St. Louis police officer working undercover during the Stockley verdict protests.

30

December 25 – State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. released footage of county police officers during Berkeley protest and files suit for excessive use of force and retaliation during the protest.

Salute to Excellence in Business is held at the RitzCarlton with marquee awardees Vanessa Cooksey (Corporate Executive of the Year), James Clark (NonProfit Executive of the Year) and Maryville University (Corporate Diversity Award).

DECEMBER

1 – St. Louis prep football athletes make history by sweeping every state championship from class three to class six. CBC wins third title in four years.

Kansas City becomes the first city to honor a Missouri lynching victim by remembering Levi Harrington, a black man who was randomly lynched in the West Bottom neighborhood of Kansas City in 1882.

4 – The Missouri Supreme Court sides with St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, giving her the authority to investigate officers as she summons witnesses.

6 – James Clark of Better Family Life is honored by the U.S. Department of Justice with its Project Safe Neighborhoods Award for Outstanding Community Involvement.

7 – Steven Cousins, the first African-American attorney, partner and Executive Committee Member at Armstrong Teasdale, announces the formation of Cousins Allied Strategic Advisors.

13 – Laddie Roebuck, a 59-year-old inmate in the St. Louis City Justice Center who claims he lost his toe due to medical neglect while incarcerated, is denied bail reduction.

15 – Cedric The Entertainer has a street named in his honor near Vandeventer and Olive.

17 – Prosecutors and investigators at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office voted by secret ballot to enter the St. Louis Police Officers Association weeks before Wesley Bell is sworn in as the first AfricanAmerican St. Louis County prosecutor.

Vatterott Educational Centers abruptly closes all of its campuses, citing financial woes for the unexpected action.

In Memoriam 2018

JANUARY

7 – Civil rights activist Georgia Tallier Rusan passes at 96.

12 – Renowned housing and civil rights attorney Frankie Muse Freeman passes at 101.

15 – Gospel musician Edwin Hawkins passes at 74.

16 –Olympian and NBA Hall of Famer Jo Jo White passes at 71.

19 – Emmy-winning actress Olivia Cole (“Roots,” “Backstairs at the White House”) passes at 75.

health and education in St. Louis, passes at 78.

10 – Ruth Allen Gordon Richards, an African American pioneer in social work, passes at 95.

12 – Rapper and producer Craig Mack passes at 47.

23 –Actress DuShon Monique Brown (“Chicago Fire”) passes at 49.

27 – Jackson Family patriarch and manager Joe Jackson passes at 89.

JULY

4 – The Rev. Samuel Hylton Jr., who led Centennial Christian Church for 35 years, passes at 91.

AUGUST

Yvonne Taylor Chatwell, educator and past president of Harris-Stowe State Alumni Association, passes at 79.

20 – Physician, civil rights and health care activist Bernard C. Randolph Sr., M.D. passes at 95.

23 – South African jazz icon Hugh Masekela passes at 78.

FEBRUARY

1 – Temptations and Temptations Review lead singer Dennis Edwards passes at 74.

9 – Actor Reg E. Cathey (“The Wire,” “House of Cards”) passes at 59.

14 - Lerone Bennett Jr., scholar, author social historian and longtime Ebony Magazine editor, passes at 89.

25 – Linda Brown Thompson, the namesake of the Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court case that desegregated U.S. public schools, passes at 75.

APRIL

2 - Winnie Mandela, activist and former wife of South African civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, passes at 81.

10 – Yvonne Staples of the Staples Singers passes at age 80.

13 – Civil rights activist and attorney Eric E. Vickers, who defended causes and cases on both sides of the Mississippi River, passes at 65.

26 – Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers passes at 79.

MAY

16 – Singer Barbara Alston of The Crystals passes at 74.

19 – Rev. William Collins Jr., longtime senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, passes at 93.

MARCH

8 – Mary Cordelia “Mikki” Brewster, advocate for public

15 — Spiritual leader and social activist Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning Sr., who served as the 112th bishop of the AME Church, passes at 82.

16 – Actor Hugh Dane (“The Office,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) passes at 75.

JUNE

15 – Blues guitarist Matt “Guitar” Murphy of the Blues Brothers passes at 88

16 – The legendary “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin passes at 76.

18 – Ghanaian diplomat and former United Nations secretary general who shared the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize with the UN Kofi Annan passes at 80.

21 – Pioneering St. Louis physician and surgeon Dr. James Whittico Jr passes at 102.

22 – Dr. William W. Adams Sr., revered Metro East OBGYN, passes at 94.

SEPTEMBER

Harlem, passes at 84.

29 – Blues musician Otis Rush passes at 84.

30 – Bishop Robert J. Ward, longtime Senior Pastor of Kennerly Temple and COGIC leader, passes at 88.

OCTOBER

4 – Hamiet Bluiett, legendary baritone saxophonist and co-founder of the Black Artists Group and World Saxophone Quartet, passes at 78.

6 – Thad Mumford, Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer (M*A*S*H,” “Good Times, “The Cosby Show”), passes at 67.

19 – Arthur Mitchell, the first African-American principal dancer at New York City Ballet and founder of Dance Theatre of

Comics legend who created or co-created superheroes like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, passes at 95.

15 – Kim Porter, model who had three children with Sean “Diddy” Combs, passes at 47.

18 – Ethel Ayler, a character actress best known for “The Cosby Show,” passes at 88.

22 – Vernita Lee, mother of Oprah Winfrey, passes at 83.

27 – Famed playwright and author Ntozake Shange passes at 70.

29 – The longtime 21st Ward committeeman and black Democratic political pioneer Arthur “Chink” Washington passes at 88.

31 – Hall of Fame Major League Baseball first baseman and slugger Willie McCovey passes at 80.

NOVEMBER

2 – Grammy Award winning trumpeter and jazz composer Roy Hargrove passes at 49.

12 – Stan Lee, the Marvel

27 – Ferguson activist Bassem Masri passes at 31.

30 – 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush passes at 94.

DECEMBER

7 – Charles Weldon, the artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company, passes at 78.

13 – Grammy Award-winning Jazz legend Nancy Wilson passes at 81.

15 – Richard Rogers Henderson, longtime St. Louis jazz promoter, educator and mentor, passes at 86.

23 – Michael Castro, St. Louis’ first poet laureate, passes at 73.

Frankie Muse Freeman

Dr. James Whittico Jr.

Bishop R.J. Ward

Michael Castro

Roy Hargrove

Aretha Franklin

Winnie MandelaHamiet BluiettStan Lee