February 29th, 2024 Edition

St. Louis American part of city celebration

Community leaders presented with newspaper’s Articles of Incorporation

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

St. Louis community leaders who were honored during the St. Louis African American Heritage Celebration on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in the City Hall Rotunda received unique gifts.

They were presented with facsimiles of the 1928 Articles of Incorporation of The St. Louis American newspaper.

“The American is an institution in St. Louis,”

See AMERICAN, A7

Getting down to business

Like father, like son

The Salute to Excellence in Business Networking and Awards Luncheon featured father and son duos celebrating excellence in the Black business and non-profit communities.

Michael

Generational excellence inspires all at sold-out Business Salute Luncheon

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

n 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year David Steward II was not the first person in his family to receive the award. His father, David Steward – chairman and founder of World Wide Technology – became the award’s inaugural recipient 24 years ago.

son.” The generational impact of successful entrepreneurship loomed over this year’s luncheon –and inspired awe among all in attendance.

2024 Entrepreneur of the Year David Steward II was not the first person in his family to receive the award. His father, David Steward –chairman and founder of World Wide Technology – became the award’s inaugural recipient 24 years ago.

“To walk in his footsteps is a great honor,” David Steward II said in his acceptance remarks. “Growing up, I got to see first-hand the challenging journey of an entrepreneur – and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.”

In a video featuring personal and career highlights, the elder Steward beamed.

“For him to be an Oscar award

SLPS bus drivers walk out in protest

Worker found noose near work station

By Lacretia Wimbley St. Louis Public Radio

Thousands of students within the St. Louis Public School District were left without a way to and from school Wednesday after many bus drivers didn’t show up to work, following allegations of racism against their employer, Missouri Central Bus.

n Nearly 100 bus drivers called off sick on Monday after a diesel mechanic, Amin Mitchell, found a noose last week near his work station.

Nearly 100 bus drivers called off sick on Monday after a diesel mechanic, Amin Mitchell, found a noose last week near his work station. The workers rallied at a local park on Monday to support Mitchell, who said he found the noose near his station a day after having an argument with his manager, according to the St. Louis PostDispatch.

On Tuesday morning, 72 drivers called out and 68 drivers called out in the afternoon, Missouri Central said.

On Wednesday, SLPS posted on its website that it could not service some routes that afternoon.

“We are diligently working to find coverage for the routes, but it could take

See NOOSE, A6

GOP files avalanche of anti-trans bills

By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American

Culture wars are not new. Throughout American history, ideological forces have clashed over Black, women, gay, immigrant rights, policing and much more.

n “I’m begging you… just leave us alone!”

– Father of Transgender child

Unfortunately, an effective tool in the arsenal of today’s attacks has been personalized propaganda, manufactured mistruths, and divisive, fear-inspiring stereotypes. Rarely are the human lives enmeshed in these debates ever presented fully or accurately.

An example is the political discourse on gender-affirming care. Missouri legislators employed cruel, bizarre rhetoric when they introduced dozens of anti-trans bills last year. Some were even adopted

See BILLS, A7

St. Louis Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler displays a facsimile of the March 1928 Articles of Incorporation of The St. Louis American.

Photo courtesy of Recorder of Deeds office

Salute to Business

Photo by Maurice Meredith / St. Louis American

From left, Entrepreneur of the Year David Steward II, founder and CEO of Polarity; David Steward, founder and chair of World Wide Technology; Lifetime Achiever in Business

Kennedy Sr., founder and chair of KAI Enterprises, and KAI CEO Michael Kennedy Jr.

Queen B becomes the first Black woman to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart

Beyoncé ushered in her country era with a bang, going #1 almost instantly with her tracks “Texas Hold’ Em” (No. 1) and “16 Carriages” not far behind (No. 9).

Black Country artist Tanner Adell’s streams shot up by 188%, as well as “Buckle Bunny” and “Love You a Little Bit,” as interest in the genre grows.

Wendy Williams

diagnosed with dementia

Wendy Williams, the former talk show host and infamous radio host, was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia diagnosis last year, and it’s a sizable struggle.

Reyna Roberts’s song “Stompin’ Grounds’’ increased by 250% from 57,000 streams during Feb. 9-12. R&B artist K. Michelle, who’s also dived into country, experienced a 185% increase in her country catalog.

Aphasia progressively weakens a person’s ability to understand and communicate. “The messages shared with me have touched me, remind ing me of the power of unity and the need for compassion,”

Williams said.

“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” according to Wendy’s team. “She maintains her trademark sense of humor and

receives the care she requires to ensure she is protected and that her needs are addressed.”

Patients usually begin to notice symptoms between 40 - 65 years of age. It is the most common form of Dementia for people under 60.

diverged, and it is in the best interest of both of us to part ways,” Princess Love, star of Love and Hip Hop Hollywood, recently posted on Instagram.

Producers of “Where is Wendy Williams?” released a statement saying if they knew she had dementia “the cameras never would have rolled.”

Princess Love has (really) filed for divorce from Ray J

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our decision to divorce. After much reflection, discussion, and counseling, we have come to the difficult realization that our paths have

Princess filed for divorce in Los Angeles and thanked their fans for their support throughout their relationship. Princess Love initially filed for divorce from Ray J in May 2020 after four years of marriage. She dismissed her petition, but Ray J filed for divorce months later. And, once again, in 2021, Princess filed and dismissed the divorce.

Just this past summer at the BET Awards 2023, Ray J noted the ups and downs in their relationships. “I mean love is hard. It’s never easy but it always works out. And that’s what it’s supposed to be, right?” he said.

Sources: BET, People

Race for 1st Congressional seat is officially underway

Absentee voting for April 2 opens

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The

St. Louis American

Congresswoman Cori Bush, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell and Maria Chappelle-Nadal were among more than 400 candidates who officially filed to run for office in Jefferson City on the first day possible, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

Bell and Chappelle-Nadal are challenging Bush for her seat in Congress.

Gabe Gore also made it official on Tuesday that he will seek election to the office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney.

According to a St. Louis Public Radio report, Bush said “St. Louis deserves a representative that not only lives here, but believes in the people and wants the people to actually have the change that they’ve been asking for.”

Bell said, “We need steady and effective leadership in our district” and criticized Bush for voting against a number of Democratic priorities such as the federal infrastructure bill and support for Israel.

Chappelle-Nadal said she will be a vocal advocate for the federal government to be held accountable for radioactive waste exposure throughout the St. Louis region.

“We have a lot of challenges in the 1st Congressional District, including radioactive waste,” Chappelle-Nadal said. “And right

now those issues are not being addressed as they should.”

Candidate filing closes March 26 at 5 p.m. Individuals planning to file for office must possess a paid filing fee receipt from a political party; a copy of an affidavit (does not apply to candidates running for U.S. Congress) filed with the Department of Revenue; and proof of identity – voter identification card, Missouri driver’s license, birth certificate, or other form of official identification.

Representatives from the political parties and the Department of Revenue will be available at the secretary of state’s office, on opening day only, to provide documentation if the individual has not obtained the necessary documents.

Voters in the City of St. Louis who want to vote an absentee ballot for the April 2, 2024, General Municipal Election may do so at the Board of Election

Commissioners, 300 N. Tucker Blvd., starting Tuesday, February 20, during regular office hours of 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. The last day the Election Board can accept an absentee ballot application by mail is Wednesday, March 20. The last day to vote an absentee ballot in person is Monday, April 1, at 5:00 P.M., the day before the Election. You may vote by absentee ballot if you fulfill one of the following criteria:

Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability

Expect to be absent on Election Day Election workers, first responders, healthcare workers and members of law enforcement

Prevented by religious beliefs from going to the polls on election day Incarcerated but haven’t lost right to vote

Active-duty military personnel and close family members living with them.

Missouri citizens living outside the U.S

“No-excuse” early voting is an additional option to the regular absentee voting period. During the two-week period before April 2 (March 19 to April 1), “no

excuse” absentee voting will be available at the Election Board during regular office hours. In addition, the Election Board will be open to the public the Saturday before the Election, March 30, from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. There are no candidates on the April 2 ballot. Registered voters will be able to vote “Yes” or “No” on two Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) propositions -- Proposition W, which would authorize MSD to issue sewer revenue bonds in the amount of $750,000,000 to make various improvements in its sewer and drainage systems; and Proposition S, which would authorize MSD to impose a property tax on residential tax-

able property within the District and a charge on non-residential customers in the District to fund capital improvements for flood and erosion control.

Any city resident who has any questions about their voter registration status should contact the Election Board at 314-622-4336. A sample ballot, as well as other helpful information, is available on the Board’s website at www. electionboard@stlouis-mo.gov .

Additional information and a detailed listing of requirements can be found on the secretary of state’s website: https://www.sos. mo.gov/elections/candidates

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

Where learning is measured in experiences

For students participating in the Spire Cooperative Education Program, learning extends well beyond the classroom.

This two-year, hands-on educational experience prepares students to become highly skilled technicians in the natural gas field, while they complete a relevant associate degree.

Congratulations to the following students accepted into the Spire Cooperative Education Program:

Jefferson College

Tyler Midyett (Fenton, MO)

Cole Simpson (Fenton, MO)

Ranken Technical College

Sylvester Young (St. Louis, MO)

Michael Davis (St. Louis, MO)

Josh Gay (St. Louis, MO)

Photo by Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent

After filing for re-election, Congresswoman Cori Bush speaks to reporters about her campaign.

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial

By Dwayne Proctor Ph.D

One of our finest American qualities is that we often pull together in times of need and show our best selves during a crisis. We open our hearts to our neighbors and strangers across the globe, shifting resources on personal and national levels and responding to the most critical needs. Our most basic human beliefs drive us to care for those who have the least. When emergencies end, that generosity of spirit can fade – especially if someone injects the idea of “equity” into the conversation.

Changing that attitude is essential when it comes to health equity, which – with consideration of our unique geographies, personal identities, and life situations –promises a healthier, more prosperous, and secure future for all of us.

When we work towards health equity, we leverage community wisdom to address the root causes of health disparities. When health outcomes can’t be predicted by what we look like, where we live, or who we love, we’ll know that we’ve reached our goal.

Done well, it means all Missourians could have lives where physical and mental health is fully supported for their entire family, where gainful employment means they can put delicious, healthy foods on the table. Babies would flourish from their first years of life in high-quality housing and grow up in vibrant neighborhoods free of firearm violence with walkable schools and nurturing communities.

enshrined new protections in law and ensured access to the ballot box and due process. However, these advances didn’t address structural barriers that continued to disenfranchise women and most Indigenous people. They also didn’t stop an immediate deconstruction in the form of Jim Crow laws and Black Codes that enforced racial segregation and employment oppression. This backlash also turned a blind eye toward the Ku Klux Klan’s vigilantism. Unfavorable media characterizations appeared in the press and in movies that glorified white supremacy.

This entrenched resistance eventually led to a second reconstruction, more commonly referred to as the Civil Rights Era Americans across racial and socioeconomic groups rallied to repair the harms of deconstruction. Fundamentally unconstitutional Jim Crow laws and systemic discrimination were no longer enforced in our military, public accommodations, and schools. Federal Civil Rights Acts were passed, as were Voting Rights and Fair Housing Acts designed to eliminate voter suppression and housing discrimination. Our economy flourished and the American middle class was fortified.

These changes would also boost Missouri’s economy. By lowering health care costs, improving workplace productivity, and reducing crime, we could add $17.3 billion to the state’s budget in the next 10 years.

Examining Our Shared History

Our nation’s founders asserted that all men were created equally. The “inalienable rights” they envisioned suggest a morality that, in truth, did not apply to everyone—not to Indigenous peoples, enslaved Africans, or women. This contradiction is uncomfortable because it was intentional.

The American Civil War nearly dissolved our democracy because of the mismatch between American ideals, like liberty and justice for all, and chattel slavery, the engine of the Southern farming economy. After the war, free and freed citizens banded together to reconstruct America and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure. Our mutual destinies were on the line and work began to build a better future for everyone.

During Reconstruction, freed Black men were elected to state and national government. Constitutional amendments

Deconstructionists moved to reduce and roll back these impressive gains or ensure that they weren’t enforced as originally intended. The lesson is clear: passing laws without enforcement mechanisms to ensure continued impact despite predictable resistance means each generation must navigate the same challenges again and again, ultimately slowing progress.

Moving Forward Together

Bringing health equity to fruition may seem daunting, but we already have a blueprint for success. For Missouri, it can bring economic benefits that boost our economy and improve our future.

To reach this goal and reap the benefits, we should all commit to learning our history, engaging our elders who have lived it, and sharing it with future generations. Our country’s leaders should value the wisdom of those most affected by systemic and structural barriers.

Although ours is a painful past, the next reconstruction must be focused on healing, reconciliation, and accountability so that the gains we make together are not so easily washed away. A North Star of creating a more fair and just society will bring us together across our disparate interests to realize the promises of our country’s founders.

Dr. Dwayne Proctor currently serves as president and CEO of Missouri Foundation for Health, which addresses health equity issues across the state.

By Marc Morial

“We have more tools than ever to protect against serious COVID-19 disease and death, but we must make sure everyone has equitable access to those tools.”

— CDC Director Mandy Cohen

COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 18 million hospitalizations and more than 3 million deaths in the United States, while saving about $1.5 trillion in medical costs in the first two years after they were introduced.

The nation’s vaccination strategy, aimed to quickly deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, achieved remarkable success by vaccinating 270 million Americans within the first two and a half years after its approval. This accomplishment was largely attributed to the fact that anyone could receive a vaccine at no cost, regardless of their insurance status.

More than 40 Urban League affiliates, including our outstanding Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis under the leadership of Michael McMillan, supported this effort by partnering with community health clinics, hospital systems, local pharmacies and health departments to bring the vaccines directly to community members.

charged, leaving the most vulnerable Americans unprotected amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases this winter.

Most adults are able to receive the COVID vaccine at no cost through their private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid plans.

However, there are still between 25 million and 30 million adults without health insurance, and additional adults whose insurance does not cover all vaccine costs.

People of color are also disproportionately experiencing long-term symptoms and health problems following a COVID19 infection, a condition known as long COVID. Long COVID does not affect everyone the same way, but common symptoms include fatigue, fever, cough, headache, chest pain and shortness of breath for weeks, months or years after COVID-19 illness.

They established pop-up vaccine clinics in Urban League offices, churches, schools, community centers, housing complexes, senior centers, local colleges and universities, farmers markets and street fairs to ensure their communities had reliable and convenient access to the vaccines. In total, Urban League affiliates hosted more than 850 vaccine events and clinics, administering more than 120,000 vaccine doses to community members.

However, after the public health emergency ended in the spring of 2023, the federal government stopped purchasing and distributing the vaccines for free to individuals. Although most uninsured and underinsured Americans remain eligible for free vaccines, many are unaware of how to access them. Consequently, many have delayed getting their updated COVID shots out of fear of being

Anticipating this crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services created a public-private partnership called the Bridge Access Program to ensure continued access to COVID-19 vaccines. Bridge Access provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. Bridge Access providers include Walgreens, CVS and pharmacies in the eTrueNorth network, select local healthcare providers, and HRSA-supported Health Centers.

To find an approved Bridge Access provider:

1.Go to vaccines.gov, enter your zip code, select the vaccine you prefer, and check the Bridge Access Program participant box. 2. Select your preferred location and make your appointment. 3. When you arrive for your appointment, confirm that your vaccine should be covered under the CDC’s Bridge Access Program based on your insurance status

By getting vaccinated, we can protect ourselves and the health of our entire community — especially the most vulnerable among us.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

Commentary Biden must appeal to working class Americans

By Ben Jealous

One way or another, the Supreme Court is going to decide that a state cannot remove Trump from based on the 14th amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding elected office. Trump is an insurrectionist. But that is not the question currently before the Court. The decision will likely be joined by some of the Court’s moderates. It could even be unanimous.

Regardless of the reasoning behind or the narrowness of the ultimate decision, another barrier will be removed for Trump. His base will be further energized.

Increasingly, the question on many people’s minds is this: with the Trump train picking up speed again, what can President Biden really do to stop it?

Trump has been stealing Bernie Sanders’ talking points since back in 2016. Remember before the all the “rigged election” rhetoric, Trump spoke of the “rigged economy.” He truthfully told voters our healthcare system is broken but dishonestly said he would give us a better one. And, of course he lambasted NAFTA as the disaster it was. But Trump lacked the conviction, knowledge, and genuine desire to do anything about these issues.

The first step is to recognize what we’re dealing with. Yes, many Americans are depressed about this election, and depressed about it being a rematch between the same people who were on the ballot last time. However, turnout will still be high. It is still a presidential year. The media coverage will not let any of us escape constantly hearing about the election. And people know there is a ton at stake.

Each side sees a lot to fight against. Each side sees a lot to fight for. This election is likely to go to the side that working class America believes is fighting for them.

The economic and social struggles of this broad base of American society define the political moment that we are in. It is a populist one. This has allowed Donald Trump to speak to Americans’ anxieties with no intention of following through, and in completely dishonest ways.

Take the issue of trade. All of Trump’s tough “America first” talk about trade belies the fact that his policies would do nothing to ensure American competitiveness. Despite China being a favorite target from the stump, Trump would allow China to dominate the emerging global economy by preventing the domestic growth of the industries at its center.

The irony is that what working class America is demanding, Joe Biden is delivering. He is just not talking about it.

Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reopening American factories, rebuilding American manufacturing, and creating jobs. Our current president is backing up industrial unions like the United Auto Workers when they find themselves in a real fight. And he is ensuring that America seizes the moment to lead the world economy in this century like we did the last one.

We all grew up hearing that actions speak louder words. But talking the talk is becoming more and more important in our politics. This is not a case against action. Rather, where President Biden is already showing great leadership with his actions, he needs to also make sure the American people hear about it.

Ben Jealous is Sierra Club executive director and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Spire welcomes students from Ranken, Jefferson College

Spire has added students from Ranken Technical College and Jefferson College into its Cooperative Education Program — a two-year educational, hands-on experience that provides students the opportunity to gain experience and work with skilled technicians in the natural gas field.

The February 21 ceremony at the company’s St. Louis headquarters featured Spire Missouri President Stephen Mills and Gov. Mike Parson.

Ranken Technical College students Joshua Gay, Michael Davis and Sylvester Young, all of St. Louis, were joined by Jefferson College students Tyler Midyett and Cole Simpson of Fenton as new cohorts.

“Ranken’s partnership with Spire has been key in helping students acquire real work skills while pursuing their education at Ranken, creating opportunities for students who may not have otherwise considered a technical career,” said Don Pohl, president, Ranken Technical College. “Our work with Spire provides pathways for students to earn meaningful wages through paid internships and to secure stable careers upon graduation.”

The program was created in 2020 to help meet the demand for uniquely skilled workers in the natural gas industry. Since its launch, Spire has hired more than a dozen co-op students for full-time positions as service technicians.

Spire serves 1.7 million homes and businesses, making it one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. It provides gas utilities to customers in Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi.

To learn more about the Spire Cooperative Education Program, visit spireenergy. com/co-op.

A sad chapter in SLU’s Black history

The first Negro History Week was established on Feb. 7, 1926, by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to get a Ph.D. in history after Dr. WEB DuBois earned his in 1895. Woodson said that most history books “overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed the accomplishments of Black people. Woodson was both a visionary and an unusual academic, having worked on farms and in mines before beginning high school at age 20.

He founded the Association on the Study of African American Life and Culture in 1915. He picked the second week of February for Negro History Week because it included both President Abraham Lincoln’s Feb. 12 birthday and abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ chosen Feb. 14 birthday.

Douglass did not know when his actual birthday was because his birth was recorded in a property ledger indicating only that he was born in February

During the 1960s, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, and President Gerald Ford was the first president to issue a proclamation proclaiming February as Black History Month in 1976, our nation’s bicentennial.

Ford’s proclamation urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Since then, every president has issued a Black History Month proclamation. On Jan. 31 of this year, President Biden said, “America is a great Nation because we choose to learn the good, the bad, and the full truth of the history of our country — histories and truths that we must preserve and protect for the next generation. This National Black History Month, as we remember where we have been, may we also recognize that our only way forward is by marching together.”

Do we really march together? Forty-four states have introduced legislation to restrict the ways race matters are taught, concerned that white students might be “indoctrinated” to “hate” our country. Why does the truth hurt so many so much? Enslavement happened, and it has had an impact on contemporary life. Too few are willing to consider ways to address and repair ugly aspects of our history, perhaps through reparation, restitution, and reconciliation. Instead, many want to run and hide from our history.

The Jesuits at St. Louis University are among those who are running and hiding. They commissioned a study to show their relationship to enslavement. They acknowledged that as many as 16 enslaved people were forced to walk from Maryland to St. Louis to cultivate a farm to support a Jesuit mission (ironically to “civilize” Indians). Now, researchers have identified more than 200 survivors of these enslaved people. The University of Connecticut’s Dr. Thomas Cramer calculated the value of stolen labor as between $361 million and $70 billion. The university, so far, has been silent about what it owes and what it plans to do about it. SLU should take a page from the book of another Jesuit university, D.C.’s Georgetown. The remedy they have begun to implement has been insufficient, but it is a remedy nonetheless.

Attorney Areva Martin, who was retained by the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved (DSLUE) and has worked closely with Robin Prudie, the founder of the nonprofit organization (dsule.org), wonders why the university would go to the trouble of documenting their troubled history without doing anything about it. St. Louis University is not unique in using slave labor as the foundation for its thriving enterprise. There would be no White House, Capitol buildings, or even a Wall Street without the contribution of the enslaved. Celebrate Black History Month, but make it plain. Black History Month celebrations remind us that Black folk are due more than presidential proclamations. We are due economic justice! Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist and author

Photo courtesy of Spire

Spire Missouri President Stephen Mills applauds students and parents attending a ceremony welcoming five new cohorts into its Cooperative Education Program — a two-year educational experience that introduces students to a career in the natural gas field.

Julianne Malveaux

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30 minutes to an hour. If possible, we ask that you transport your student from school. We will continue to update this web page regularly and text messages.”

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Missouri Central Call Center at 314-449-9162 or the SLPS Transportation call center at 314-633-5107 to schedule an alternate ride for your students.

Mitchell, who is Black,

alleges his white supervisor requested he make bare minimum fixes to bus brake systems so they could pass inspection last Friday, despite Mitchell’s concerns that some brakes weren’t fully serviced and others needed to be replaced, the newspaper reported. The company provides bus services for St. Louis Public Schools, the Ladue and University City school districts and Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corp., commonly known as the desegregation program. The St. Louis Public School District said

Tuesday thousands of children and their families are being impacted by the driver walkout.

George Sells, a spokesman for the district, said 56 routes were left uncovered Tuesday morning and afternoon due to the Missouri Central dispute. This is the district’s second year contracting with the bus company, he said. After-school activities were canceled on Monday and Tuesday due to the dispute. After-care at the schools will continue as normal and parent pick-up will also follow normal timing and procedures, the

district said.

Athletics are being handled on a school-byschool basis, and officials are encouraging parents to contact their school’s athletic director for more details.

Sells said they’re doing their best to maximize the number of routes that can be covered by the buses that are available. Families are being asked to transport their kids to and from school, if possible. “Some have been able to take on this burden,” Sells said in a statement. “Others are unable. The

allegations that surfaced Friday from the Missouri Central bus depot are upsetting, and it is our hope that management at Missouri Central will get to the bottom of what is clearly unacceptable behavior.

“The families of Saint Louis Public Schools should not be the ones left suffering in this situation.”

Mitchell took to Facebook on Sunday in a live video to speak against claims that he staged the noose himself. He said he arrives at work at 5 a.m. every morning

and another tech worker has to let him inside the building.

“The proof is in the pudding,” Mitchell said in the video. “The time frames don’t even add up. I’m not even there at the time any of this could have possibly happened. It was put there for me to see. I’m cool, I ain’t tripping. I just got to have my head on a swivel a little bit more, I got to watch myself a little bit more.”

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The Laborers’ International Union of North America is representing the drivers. winner in his field, to be an Emmy award winner in his field – to see that happening and people recognizing the work that he is doing in this generation and in generations to come is gratifying to see,” David Steward said.

David Steward II told the audience that he is reminded of Ephesians 3:20, the Bible verse that anchored his dad throughout his entrepreneurship journey – one that his

father often quotes. “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” the verse states.

“This is the essence of entrepreneurship – in the face of adversity, it is our faith that sustains us,” David Steward II said. “It is our faith that reminds us that all things are possible.”

After crediting his wife Lynn for “having more faith in me than I had in myself,” when it came to him stepping out on faith into entrepreneurship,

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and KAI Enterprises Inc. Founder and Chairman Michael Kennedy, Sr. said that his greatest professional accomplishment was hiring his son, Michael B. Kennedy. He spent the past 15 years preparing his son to take helm of the company – which he now leads as president.

The younger Kennedy received Entrepreneur of the Year honors in 2019 –nine years after his father accepted the same award.

2024 Corporate Executive of the Year Steven Harris credited his

father, E.C. Harris, for planting seeds of greatness in him as he worked sideby-side with him in the drapery installment business E.C. Harris owned and operated in North County.

“When everybody else was going to summer camps and things like that, I was riding along and working with my dad,” Harris said. “I think that is where I obtained my work ethic.”

He is now the first Black managing partner for RubinBrown LLP, one of the nation’s top accounting and business consulting firms. Harris is only the fourth Managing Partner in the organization’s 70-year history.

“I am standing on the shoulders of so many great leaders who have come before me.

Non-profit Executive of the Year Cheryl Jones, President & CEO of Girls Inc. of St. Louis has made her life’s work cheering on the next generation of women leaders.

“This award is saying that not only do I matter, but Girls Inc. matters,” Jones said, fighting back emotion as she pointed out that out that her organization serves 9,000 young girls in the St. Louis region.

A bittersweet Salute

As uplifting as it was, there was an underlying sadness this year’s Salute to Excellence in Business because of the loss of two pillars who made invaluable contributions in helping push the mission of the St. Louis American forward. Thursday’s event was the first Salute to Business ever without longtime St. Louis American Chief Operating Officer Kevin Jones. He played an integral role in the event’s inception – and served the company for more than 30 years before his untimely passing last month at the age of 57.

“Kevin, in tandem with St. Louis American Publisher Dr. Donald M. Suggs, was gifted in finding new and impressive ways to help the publication that he truly loved and the employees that he truly respected,” St. Louis American News Editor Alvin A. Reid told the audience during a special tribute just before the program commenced.

This year’s Salute to Excellence in Business also celebrated the life and work of longtime Centene President & CEO Michael F. Neidorff, who passed away in 2022, by posthumously awarding him the inaugural Champion

for Civic & Business Inclusion award.

“He was a true visionary, who literally took a company from $40 million dollars to $125 billion dollars as the largest publicly traded corporation in the entire state of Missouri when he left it,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis –which was also a presenting sponsor for this year’s Business Salute. “He was a true champion of diversity – from his board of directors, to his senior leadership to his personal philanthropy and corporate commitment to giving back, making a difference and helping others.”

Neidorff was the first and only national chairman of the National Urban League board of trustees from the St. Louis region.

“What is very unique about him is that not only did he build a great company, but he also brought the community along with him,” said Kathy Osborn, President of The Regional Business Council. “It’s unusual that you can do three major things in your life: be completely committed to his family – which he was – build a gigantic company and then three, give back.”

St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Corporate Executive of The Year Steven Harris (center) is cheered on by ETA Boule Archons surrounding him at 22nd Salute to Excellence in Business Networking Reception and Awards Luncheon at Ritz-Carlton St. Louis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

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into law like the bill banning gender-affirming care for minors which includes blocking access to puberty blockers and hormones.

This is why a recent “St. Louis on the Air” program on KWMU served a valuable purpose. Host/ Producer, Elaine Cha, brought human voices and experiences to life by simply inviting a group of trans kids and their parents on air to share their stories and address efforts in the Missouri legislature that impact their lives.

The 2024 legislative session is again stacked with GOP-driven anti-trans bills such as SB 49, the “Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act.” Sponsored by Senator Mike Moon (R-9th Senatorial District), the bill, if passed, modifies provisions related to public funding of certain gender transition procedures. A violation of the provisions will be considered “unprofessional conduct” and can result in legal action and the revocation of a health care provider’s professional license.

The ACLU is tracking 48 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in

American

Continued from A1

said Michael Butler, St. Louis Recorder of Deeds.

“We came across the articles in our archives department and thought there was not a better way to tie together the American’s history and our Black history celebration.”

The St. Louis American was founded by Judge

Missouri—more than any other state except Texas. Proposed gender-affirming care bills here and across the country are rife with untruths and fabrications such as: “Young people become transgender because it’s trendy;”

Gender-affirming care will permanently alter the lives of children; puberty blockers will cause permanent and irreversible side effects including infertility; children who receive gender-affirming care are given ‘mutilating’ surgeries by doctors; and “Liberal parents and social media are making young people transition.”

The facts: Genderaffirming care is not about genital mutilation. It is decade’s old medically necessary, life-saving healthcare services for transgender people of all ages. It has always been delivered in age-appropriate, evidence-based ways, and decisions to provide care are made in collaboration with doctors, psychiatrists, patients, parents, and their children. Hormone therapy is typically only given to people aged 18 and older and has been proven to be safe with provider supervision and clinical management.

Prior to puberty, “transitioning” is entirely social and includes things like

Nathan B. Young and several African American businessmen, including Homer G. Phillips. At the time, the American was an eight page “paid” tabloid, with a circulation of just over 2,000.

Nathaniel Sweets came to the newspaper less than a year later. Sweets helped keep the American alive for more than 45 years as an owner/publisher.

“Just think, the American was founded just as the Depression

changing names, pronouns, clothing, and hairstyles.

The fabricated claims have been debunked by medical professionals in the field yet, the myths take up more bandwidth than reality. Facts are defeated by falsehoods, stereotypes are used to blur statistics, making it easier for opportunistic politicians and gullible, biased voters to destroy what they don’t understand.

The NPR program, originally aired last year, featured three children-each trans boys (ages of 9 and 11)-who discussed gender awakening and how they “came out” to their parents, peers, teachers, and relatives. They talked about what it took for them to change their names and pronouns and accept the role in which they identified.

Their parents shared their thoughts on the difficult roles they play in helping their children “transit” and their frustrations with state legislators who won’t accept their children as they are, and how politics and misinformation is used to revoke the rights of trans children and their parents.

“So, I’m begging you…I don’t know how else to say it or what the magic words are, but I’m

began. It survived. The St. Louis American embodies everything St. Louis is about,” said Butler.

“On this time of challenges to Black history, we as African Americans must speak out. The American does that.”

This year’s honorees include KSDK Anchor Rene Knott, the City of St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson and EncoreSTL founder Effrem Thomas Boudreau Grettenberger. The African

begging you to just leave us alone,” Rabbi Daniel Bogard pleaded.

Bogard was one of the fathers featured on Cha’s show titled, “It is hurting us: Trans kids and parents in Missouri speak out.” He has traveled to Jefferson City often to testify in favor of gun control and abortion rights, but over the past couple of years, he’s been showing up trying to block legislation targeting trans kids, like his 10-year-old son.

“My kid trying to go to the bathroom with dignity is not the issue. It’s bills like this (SB 49) that will drive my family from this state. I’m desperately fighting to stay…but I feel like I’m drowning, because it happens again and again and again…that we have to come here (Jefferson City) and fight for the basic dignity of our kids.”

A parent identified by her first name, “Rori,” commented on the false conception that parents force a trans life on children, like her son.

“This notion that being transgender is something that’s forced upon a child or it’s an agenda by parents…I find it so incredibly painful for so many reasons. “It builds on this narrative that ‘to be transgender is a choice people make’ as part of some kind

American Heritage Celebration is presented by the Recorder of Deeds office and was hosted by Butler, Alderwoman Laura Keys, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, Alderwoman Pam Boyd, Alderwoman Shameem Hubbard, Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, and Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier. The African American Heritage Celebration is the first in a series of cultural heritage celebra-

On the ball

of manipulation.’

“These ideas are so insidious because it absolutely undermines their identity, but it also seeks to explain something that I think a lot of people don’t understand,” Rori continued. “The most painful thing for me, as a mom, is that somebody would rath-

tions, to be celebrated in City Hall, throughout the 2024 year. The event featured live entertainment and refreshments as well as a presentation of an Aldermanic Resolution and Recorder’s Proclamation to the evening’s honorees, who are each invited to speak at the event.

“I am so honored to present the evening highlighting the significance of the African American

er think we are part of a conspiracy than just understand that we are parents committed to our children living the best lives they possibly can. Isn’t that the goal of any parent?”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

community in St. Louis,” Butler said.

“By celebrating the contributions of African Americans, we honor the past and inspire a future of unity, equality and shared prosperity.

“St. Louisans are unique - we embrace the diversity that defines us. Through this and all of our upcoming heritage celebrations in 2024, I hope we may forge stronger connections that elevate us all as one community.”

Saint Louis City SC Njabulo Blom (right) takes the ball away from Real Salt Lake Cristian Arango in the first half at Citypark in St. Louis on February 24, 2024.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

An afternoon of affirmation for more equitable economic inclusion

The 22nd Annual St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon, co-presented by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Greater St. Louis Inc., and other business sponsors, highlighted outstanding entrepreneurs, corporate executives, non-profit leaders and the work of those in the St. Louis business community that share a commitment to increasing opportunities for all people in all communities across the region.

A completely sold-out audience of nearly 450 people joined in the recognition and celebration of Black business excellence on February 22, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis ballroom, that included a special Champion for Civic and Business Inclusion Award for the late Michael Neidorff, longtime chair and CEO of Centene Corp.

The St. Louis American’s Alvin Reid pays tribute to the late Kevin Jones, longtime COO of the St. Louis American.

Lifetime Achiever In Business Michael Kennedy, Sr., founder and chairman of KAI Enterprises

Entrepreneur of the Year David Steward II, CEO and founder of Polarity

Non-Profit Executive of the Year Cheryl Jones, president and CEO, Girls Inc. of St. Louis

Corporate Executive of the Year Steven Harris, managing partner, RubinBrown

Photos by Wiley Price, Taylor Marrie, and Maurice Meredith

Jason Hall, CEO, Greater St. Louis, Inc., co-presenter of 2024 Business Salute

The sold-out crowd enjoying themselves at the 2024 Salute to Business Networking Reception.

Arica Harris, Shuntae ShieldsRyan and Chalana Ferguson.

John Wright makes a point to Jeanetta Hawkins. St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Corporate Executive of The Year Steven Harris (holding framed feature) is cheered on by his RubinBrown team.

Chad Kennedy, Jonathan Kennedy, Michael and Julie Middleton, Lynn and Michael Kennedy, Sr. and Fred Sweets.

Andrew Soll (left), Centene Director of Excellence, talks to Centene Foundation Director Keith Williamson.

Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of Regional Business Council

Non-Profit Executive of the Year Cheryl Jones speaks with St. Louis Muny Opera’s Kwofe Coleman.

Minister Terrance Clark of Salom Church (City of Peace) delivers the opening prayer.

James Tatum (left) and Solomon Thurman.

Dr. Jerome Williams, Jr.

Kesha Kent, Pamela Ford, and Cathey Williamson are all smiles at the Networking reception.

Abe Adewale of ABNA Engineering with Yinka Faleti of ASCEND Venture Capital.

Missouri

members Summer Richardson, Ren Lawrence, Nita Brooks and Patrice Bryant.

Rene Knott, Salute to Business emcee, selects an attendance prize winner as St. Louis American Foundation Director Raven Whitener assists.

Personal Touches President and CEO Jeanetta Hawkins (left) greets St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee David Steward II (center) and Yi Du.

Michael McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, co-presenter of 2024 Business Salute

Michael Whitley (left), Jomo Castro and Kendall Norris.

Jimmie Williams, CEO of Estel Foods, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore (center) and Dr. Richard White.

President and CEO of Network Nine Amy Shaw and Founder & CEO of Entrepreneur Business Basics Kira Cheree’ Cobb.

Thelma and David Steward, founder and chair of World Wide Technology.

Shaylah Roundtree and Diamond Spence.

American Water team

St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Corporate Executive of The Year Steven Harris is cheered on by family at 22nd Salute to Excellence in Business Networking Reception and Awards Luncheon at Ritz-Carlton St. Louis on Thurs., Feb. 22, 2024.

Laurna Godwin, St. Louis American 2023 Charitable Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year and Joan Berkman, columnist for Town and Style Magazine.

Black mental health crisis awareness ‘came at great cost’

Candia-Bailey’s death spurs action

By Katelynn McIlwain and Elena Wilson KBIA Columbia

“Heartbreaking.”

That is how Falon Ensley, a student and former student government president at Lincoln University, described her feelings reading

Antoinette Candia-Bailey’s final email to LU president John Moseley. On Jan. 8, Candia-Bailey, former vice president of student affairs at LU, took her own life. In that final email sent hours before her death, CandiaBailey describes the toll that life at Lincoln has taken and offers ways that workplace culture could be improved.

Candia-Bailey, who went by the nickname “Bonnie,” had assumed her role as vice president in May 2023 less than a year prior. In that time, she contended she was overworked, subject to microaggressions, faced harassment and bullying

See

A historic name in health care you should know

By William Maurice Redden, MD

You may not know the name Dr. Alois Alzheimer, but he is recognized almost immediately for his work on the disease that bears his name.

The name Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller may not be as familiar. But not only was Dr. Fuller the first African American psychiatrist, it was his research involving brain tissues that was critical to the discovery of Alzheimer’s disease. In a review by “Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association,” a search of Dr. Fuller’s name in scholastic journals returned just two results when compared to 41 for Dr. Alzheimer’s name. It is a reminder that while Dr. Fuller’s work was instrumental at a time when African American researchers were underrepresented, the Black population continues to be under-represented when it comes to research and clinical trials related to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

n Not only was Dr. Fuller the first African American psychiatrist, it was his research involving brain tissues that was critical to the discovery of Alzheimer’s disease.

Older Black individuals are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s when compared to white individuals of the same age. Research hasn’t yet identified the cause, although higher rates of cardiovascular disease may play a role. This is why representation of the Black population in research and clinical trials is so critical.

Unfortunately, high levels of distrust of clinical trials remains for Black Americans, who have had a history of

See

Ending discrimination in health care faces new challenges

Age of healthcare workers plays role

By Anissa Durham Word In Black

Older generations of healthcare workers are less likely to say discrimination against patients is a serious problem, a new Commonwealth Fund report found. In the report, researchers surveyed 3,000 health care workers, including nurses, doctors, dentists, medical assistants, mental health workers, and several others.

Discrimination against patients in health care settings continues to negatively impact their quality of care and health outcomes — with Black and brown patients most at risk.

Unfortunately, this is not new.

Black and Latino healthcare workers were more likely to say discrimination against patients based on race, ethnicity, or language is a serious problem that impacts patient care and their own mental health. Younger health care workers and workers of color said they witnessed discrimination against patients more often than white healthcare workers.

The quality of treatment for Black patients living with sickle cell disease differed by age, previous reporting by Word In Black found. Pediatric patients were treated with more compassion, whereas adult patients were often discriminated against and seen as seeking drugs instead of seeking care for pain management.

A staggering 64% of all health care workers between the ages of 18-29 say they have witnessed discrimination against patients — whereas only 25% of all health care workers 60 and older

See CHALLENGES, A13

Diana Bruce, left, and Kelsie Rhimes, right, hold a sign urging administrators to support mental health awareness during Lincoln University Founders’ Day Convocation on Feb. 8 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Students started the protest outside before entering the Robert & Charlene Mitchell Auditorium.

Photo by Rilee Malloy / The Columbia Missourian

William Maurice Redden, MD

Challenges

Continued from A12

say they have witnessed discrimination against patients.

Nearly 60% of all health care workers agreed that patients who speak Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Creole, or other languages besides English may not always receive equal quality treatment from health care providers compared to Englishspeaking patients.

Latino and Black health care workers experienced the most stress from dealing with racism or discrimination in health care settings.

Nearly 70% of Black health care workers said

Death

Continued from A12

after receiving poor performance evaluations, and was dismissed by Moseley and the LU Board of Curators when requesting Family and Medical Leave and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations due to her mental health.

Ensley is disappointed at the university’s inability to “take care of an alum, and also a faculty member that they begged to come back and work.”

Candia-Bailey’s story mirrors a phenomenon associated with Black women and girls known as “weathering.” Coined in 2006 by researcher Arline Geronimus, weathering describes how marginalized communities experience “early health deterioration as a consequence of the cumulative impact of repeated experience with social or economic adversity and political marginalization.”

“When you think about weathering, think about something that continues to be beat, and beat, and beat until it’s unable to really maintain its shape or maintain whatever posture position it was in,” said Erica Savage, a wellness lifestyle consultant who has written on weathering. “And this is exactly what is happening to Black women. This phenomenon speaks to social structures that impact us.”

Geronimus’ initial 1986 study analyzed fetal mortality rates among Black and white mothers. She found that Black teenage mothers gave birth to healthier babies than Black mothers in their 20s and older. She suggested that teenage mothers gave birth to healthier children as a result of fewer years of racism-related stress.

The maternal mortality rate for Black women is also disproportionately high compared to their non-Black counterparts.

The CDC reported in 2021 that the rate was 2.6 times the rate for white

Redden

Continued from A12 exclusion from medical trials and a lasting history of discrimination from the medical establishment, including but not limited to the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study.

That is one reason I chose to join the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors for

medical providers are more accepting of white patients advocating for themselves than Black patients doing so. Researchers tested multiple strategies to see which of them would be most effective at decreasing discrimination based on race or ethnicity in health care. Here’s what health care workers said would be most effective.

•Leaders of health care systems need to create simple ways for their workers and patients to report situations of discrimination or racism.

•Health care organizations’ management and leaders should regularly review their policies and procedures to create more equitable health outcomes

and treatment for patients and workers.

•Health care workers at every level should receive training to recognize discrimination and bias within health care interaction and be taught how poor treatment leads to poor health outcomes.

The last of these strategies is now being tested in a California court, according to an article by Ronnie Cohen of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

the Medical Board of California to end a state requirement that every continuing medical education course include training in implicit bias — the ways in which physicians’ unconscious attitudes might contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

Marilyn Singleton

Kaiser reports that Los Angeles anesthesiologist Marilyn Singleton who is Black, has sued

Singleton, who has practiced for 50 years, sees calling doctors out for implicit bias as divisive, and argues the state cannot legally require her to teach the idea in her continuing education classes.

The way to address health care disparities is to target low-income people for better access to care, rather than “shaking your finger” at white doctors and crying “racist,” she said. “I find it an insult to my colleagues to imply that they won’t be a good doctor if a racially divergent patient is in front of them.”

The litigation is backed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento-based organization that describes itself as a “national public interest law firm that defends Americans from government overreach and abuse.”

Its clients include the activist group Do No Harm, founded in 2022

to fight affirmative action in medicine. There is a national crusade by right-leaning advocacy and legal groups against diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives in health care. The pushback is inspired in part by last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling barring affirmative action in higher education.

The California lawsuit does not dispute the state’s authority to require implicit bias training. It questions only whether the state can require all teachers to discuss implicit bias in their continuing medical education courses. The suit’s outcome, however, could influence obligatory implicit bias training for all licensed professionals.

women. Within Missouri, Black women are three times more likely to die within a year of childbirth than white women, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Other instances of poor mental health outcomes for Black women and girls are also prevalent today.

A December 2023 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry finds that suicide has disproportionately increased over the past two decades among Black women, and has more than doubled for young Black women and girls aged 15-24.

Following Candia-

the Greater Missouri Chapter and be a part of efforts to ensure that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. New treatment advances have generated excitement and real hope for the first time for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, which makes education around this topic even more important.

Bailey’s death, Savage re-shared an essay on her social media detailing her struggles with suicide after suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2021. In it, she suggests that the everyday stressors of Black womanhood keep “Black girls and women relegated to lives of labor, punchlines, punching bags, deterioration, and death.”

Her conclusions are mirrored in the life expectancy for Black Americans. A 2022 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that life expectancy for Black Americans falls behind that of white Americans.

Missouri saw the greatest increase in life expectancy

In my clinical practice, usually my Black patients with Alzheimer’s are seen later in the disease process. At that point it is often too late to make any disease modifying adjustments, and we must then discuss symptomatic treatment options. Therefore, it is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of this devastating disease.

Keep in mind as well

disparity from 1990-2019, the years included in the study. Prevalent in the professional sphere is burn-out, a phenomenon caused by workplace stress causing “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy,” as defined by the World Health Organization.

At Lincoln, CandiaBailey’s death has led to calls for student involvement in administrative decisions and created a space for students to highlight

that the racial disparity exists not only for prevalence rates but in its impact on those who serve as caregivers for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Black dementia caregivers often indicate greater care demands, less outside help/formal service use and greater depression compared with white caregivers.

Much has changed since Dr. Solomon

other ongoing issues at the university, such as the quality of food and conditions of their residence halls, according to previous Missourian reporting.

“We’ve been saying this constantly for years and years,” said Kenlyn Washington, the current student government president at LU. “It’s just sad that it took us (until) now until we have the news until we have TV for them to actually understand where we’re coming from and how we’re feeling.”

Other students echoed the sentiment that without the loss of life, they would not have had the space to address their

Fuller’s time. Now more than ever, diversity is being recognized as an integral part of Alzheimer’s research. While we continue to look for answers about risk disparity, we have to do more right now to help and support those who are currently dealing with the disease. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, I

concerns. “It comes at a great cost,” said LU student Tyree Stovall, “but at the same time (Candia-Bailey is) kind of saving Lincoln.”

Students say by writing her email, she left a call to action that they intend to follow.

“She made a statement in her letter that said, ‘It started at Lincoln for me, and it ended at Lincoln for me,’ and it’s not ending in Lincoln,” Ensley said.

“Even though she is not here anymore, we are going to make sure that her story lives on forever at Lincoln University, and we are going to make sure that mental health is taken seriously within the years moving forward.”

encourage you to reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7

Helpline - 800-272.3900 for information and support.

William Redden, MD is an associate professor of geriatric psychiatry in the St. Louis University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience

From left: Falon Ensley, Kenlyn Washington and Tyree Stovall after presenting demands and questions to the Lincoln University Board of Curators. Ensley is the former student government president. Stovall is the former Mr. Lincoln University, Washington is the 89th student government president.

Photo by Katelynn McIlwain / KBIA News

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Students Jeremiah Robinson and Lioma Herrera, in Ms. Stovall's second and fifth-grade class at Gateway MST Elementary School, are using the engineering design process to

Have you ever dreamed of designing a car? Do you wonder how these ideas become a reality? Car designers start with research. They study the current trends and interests. The car has to appeal to the buyers. Next, they sketch a design of the car (computers are often used for this stage). After the design is perfected, a prototype is built. A prototype is a sample, or model, of the car. The next stage is testing. Cars must undergo many tests to see how they will handle crashes, extreme temperatures, wind variations, and various road conditions. Once the car has passed the tests, then it will be built.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this open-ended experiment, you will design a car. Get ready for some critical thinking!

Materials Needed:

• 3 Straws • 4 Lifesavers • 1 Piece of Paper • 2 Paper Clips • 50 Centimeters of Tape

Process:

q Use the materials given to design a car.

This car will be used for a race. Here’s the catch! You can only move the cars by blowing on them!

In factories, a steel sheet is cut according to the size of the part and then is bent and cut in a stamping machine to make parts such as car doors, roofs, and hoods. Welders use electricity to melt these stamps at certain points to join them together to form the car. One car has approximately 30,000 parts counting every part down to the small screws. After the car is formed, it will be painted. Cars can be made customized to the customer’s order.

To create your own car online, visit: http://www.abcya.com/create_ and_build_car.htm.

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

Analyze: What did you notice about the most effective designs? What surprised you? What would you do differently next time?

Learning Standards: I can complete an experiment and create a model. I can analyze results.

African -American Industrial Designer Earl Lucas

Earl Lucas was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1970. As a kid, Lucas loved to draw. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School of Performing and Visual Arts. At a high school career fair, he met representatives from The College for Creative Studies. Musicians Norah Jones and Erykah Badu attended this school.

Lucas went to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, to study 3D jewelry design. He later switched to Industrial Design because of his interest in transportation. While in college, he worked with friends to help design a van to transport elderly citizens. After college, Lucas worked designing car seats, panels for doors, and headliners for an auto supply company. In Texas, he was given the opportunity to design extravagant planes with gold, platinum, and jewels for the Sultan of Brunei.

In 1999, Lucas was hired to design cars for Ford. He designs the exterior of the car. Of his 10-20 designs, he will narrow it down to one that works. He was part of the design team that developed the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, 2003 Lincoln Navigator and Expedition. His favorite part about the job? Lucas replies, “You get paid for sketching!” According to Black Enterprise magazine, Lucas is one of 25 to 30 African-American car designers in the world.

“Whether I’m designing cars for the average person or planes for the world’s richest man, it’s those lessons I learned at College for Creative Studies that helped me become the designer I am today,” said Lucas. “I was used to working in an atmosphere where pressure and competition were the norm. Because I was not treated as a star student, I yearned for better design solutions and attention. This forced me to work harder.”

To read more about Earl Lucas and his designs, visit: http://www.ebony.com/life/the-brother-who-revivedthe-ford-taurus-earl-lucas#axzz3m32AUwm2.

Learning Standards: about a person who has made a contribution in the fields of science, technology,

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

DID YOU KNOW?

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One

Margin of Victory:

Use the sports section the newspaper to compare Locate the final scores of two different games. Use pictures, objects, or symbols to calculate the distances covered.

Activity Two — Newspaper Road Map: With a friend, choose a news story to be your make believe road map.

Both of you cut the story from two separate newspapers. Your starting point will be the first word. Your partner will give you cardinal directions (ex: 2 words east, 4 lines south, 1 word west, etc.), while they also navigate the route.

When they say “stop,” compare your maps.

Choose another article so you can give your partner directions.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can compare numbers. I can follow directions.

Photo by Ms. Stovall

McGee Masonry helps rebuild St. Louis brick-by-brick

Entrepreneur got an early start

By Ashley Winters

The

St. Louis American

At just 31 Jonathan McGee has been in his career field for almost 20 years.

The then 12-year-old started learning the art of tuckpointing, grinding, and bricklaying before he could get a learner’s permit. Now owner of McGee Masonry, the young entrepreneur passes everything he has learned to his crew.

Just barely in his 20s, he started McGee Masonry, “Everyone looked at me like who’s this crazy kid.” He experienced potential clients not wanting to fully trust him with their projects. McGee describes that time in his business as a struggle that he had to grow through, and it was all part of the

journey of owning his own business.

“I had to prove to a lot of people that my business could handle the workload”

To prove that McGee Masonry was worth it, he would undercut his prices, and those financial sacrifices helped build his brand. “I’m trying to get as many contracts completed with good reviews.”

He wasn’t trying to work on just big jobs, but the smaller jobs allowed his team to have more of an impact.

“Now more people know us,” he said.

His crew was doing four jobs per week versus just one big job per month. Word of mouth propelled the brick-layers business and more community members in the West End neighborhoods sought out McGee to work on their homes. His next-door

neighbor’s chimney collapsed after a rainstorm and McGee fixed it for free.

The kind-hearted young man helps a lot of his elderly neighbors or single parents who live in his neighborhood. His crew consists of 15 members, and they understand how expensive it is to care for the 100-plus-year-old large brick homes.

“The only way to see change is to help,” he said.

McGee grew up looking at vacant homes and overgrown fields, so he is taking it upon himself to help beautify the community he grew up in. Last year his crew worked on a $200,000 project for Habitat for Humanity, he believes in the work the nonprofit organization does in renovating dilapidated homes and then selling them at an affordable price.

See McGEE, B2

Why closing the racial wealth divide is challenging

By Bria Overs Word In Black

Experts list nine setbacks to prosperity

earlier this month on where Black Americans stand compared to other racial and ethnic groups since 2019.

Five hundred years. That’s how long experts say it would take for Black people to reach economic parity with white people and close the racial wealth gap, given current trajectories.

That’s 100 years longer than slavery existed in the U.S. In fact, it’s longer than the U.S. has been a country. And it’s about six times the lifespan of an average Black person.

Economists and researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago shared findings in a webinar

While acknowledging Black people have made gains in recent decades, they also identified a series of disparities that keep them from gaining financial ground with whites — including higher rates of unemployment, lower rates of home ownership and wages, regardless of education.

The experts point to a total of nine factors directly affecting the racial wealth gap. Here’s what they found.

1. Minorities have more wealth; not enough to shrink racial wealth

Their

“While the multiplier for the Black-white wealth gap decreased from 9.9 in 2016 to 7.8 in 2019 to 6.3 in 2022, the gap in dollar terms increased from $153,800 to $165,000 to a staggering $240,000 — showing that the disparity is getting worse,” said Kristen Broady, senior economist, economic advisor, and director of the

PeoPle on the Move

Patton to receive FOCUS St. Louis Alumni award

FOCUS St. Louis will honor Valerie E. Patton, Greater St. Louis, Inc, chief DEI officer and Greater St. Louis Foundation president, with its 2024 Legacy Alumni Award during the 27th Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration on May 9.Patton is a 1990 graduate of the FOCUS Women In Leadership program and 1992-93 graduate of Leadership St. Louis.

Dr. Yemi Akande-Bartsch, FOCUS St. Louis president and CEO said, “Our alumni awards are designed to recognize FOCUS graduates who have demonstrated this commitment to putting their leadership into action for our St. Louis region.”

Candace Hall named an ACPA Emerging Scholar

Candace N. Hall

Candace N. Hall, an assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Educational Leadership, has been named an American College Personnel Association (ACPA) 2024 Emerging Scholar Award. “I’m excited for the fellowship experience, particularly to support my work with my new project, Imagined Futures of Black Faculty.’ The $3,000 grant will help with some of the initial planning of the project,” said Hall.

Strong a ‘LifeChanger’ award nominee

Jessica Strong

Jessica Strong, a math interventionist in Hazelwood School District’s Grannemann Elementary School, has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2023-24 LifeChanger of the Year award. The nominees are regarded among the best K-12 educators and school district employees in the U.S. “who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.”

Cornelius Ruffin honored by McDonald’s

Cornelius Ruffin

Cornelius Ruffin, president of Estel Foods, has received the Outstanding Operations Contributor Award from McDonald’s Nashville Field Office. The award is based on running outstanding operations and driving sales and guest counts. Estel Foods, an African American company owned by Jimmy Wiliams, owns and operates 25 McDonald’s restaurants in the region (Missouri and Illinois).

Head mason Jonathan McGee, owner of McGee Masonry, and tuck-pointer Monte Holtrup work on a chimney on the roof of a home in the College Hill neighborhood of north St. Louis Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Valerie Patton

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Kristen Broady

Anthony Barr

McGee

Continued from B1

He has partnered with Job Corp training students in the skilled labor field helping them earn service hours to graduate from the Job Corp program. His mentoring doesn’t stop with them, he mentors the guys that are a part of his crew by building on their strengths while helping them in areas that may need some improvement.

“I see myself in all my guys,” he said.

Often, he experiences those ‘proud dad’ moments when one of his guys accomplishes a new skill that he taught them.

Mitchell Holtrup has worked for McGee Masonry for almost five

Divide

Continued from B1

Economic Mobility Project at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

2. Black Americans earned 34% less than all racial and ethnic groups combined Stark differences in earned income — takehome pay — still exist. It is why conversations around the racial and gender pay gap and its intersections are so persistent.

As of 2022, the median U.S. household income across racial and ethnic groups was $74,580. Black households earned around $52,860, but white households earned $81,060, and Asian households brought in $108,700. Half of Black households’ total income was between $15,000 and $75,000.

3. Higher education does not guarantee better economic mobility Black people with a

years, Holtrup has had a great experience with the company. “I’ve made so many great connections not only in the construction field but also great friendships,” he said.

Holtrup started working for McGee to get out of working in fast food, he has learned how to brick lay and manage job sites. Holtrup said, “Since leaving fast food I’ve started my own business with Jon’s help. I never had a strong male influence in my life until Jonathan came around.”

Growing up a pastor’s kid in the West End Neighborhood near Etzel and Hodiamont, his dad’s church New City Fellowship Church started a youth ministry program. Aaron Henning, co-pas-tor and director of the

bachelor’s or master’s degree had on average the most student debt and borrowed more than other groups yet had the lowest income. Black students borrowed around $58,400, and after four years, they still owed 105% of it, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics

The combination of low income and high debt makes repayment more challenging, leaving many Black people in a financial hole that is hard to climb out of.

“When we think about this, it makes it harder to accumulate capital and do things like get a mortgage,” Broady said.

4. Unemployment is still higher for Black workers

While the Black unemployment rate is at an all-time low, it is still significantly higher than that of white workers, according to the January 2024 Bureau of Labor Standards Job Report.

youth ministry program Harambee taught young boys ages 12 through 18 tuckpointing, grinding, and how to take care of their tools. The boys in the program learned about selfpride and self-respect.

“The skills required in construction, and in bricklaying particularly came naturally to him,” said Henning.

“Jonathan was able to think conceptually about the work and everything involved in completing the job. He excelled at figuring things out on his feet.”

After graduating from the program, he was determined to learn all that he could about the trade of bricklaying. “When I started at 12 years old, I was incredibly determined,” he said.

“If I’m going to do

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black and Latino workers had the highest unemployment rates.

Four years later, as the national rate moved closer to pre-pandemic levels, Black workers were left behind

“Their unemployment rate took longer to peak and also longer to subside back to that normal baseline relative to other workers. It’s also why periods of unemployment, even if relatively brief, can have outsized effects, like taking on more debt,” says Anthony Barr, research and impact director at the National Bankers Association

5. Black households are less likely to own a home

While homeownership is another driver and indicator of wealth, the Black homeownership rate has never reached 50%. It came close in recent years, peaking at 46.4% in 2020, but dipped

this, I’m going to put my all into it,” he added. He wanted to be the best. However, the road to success is filled with obstacles and hurdles and the young future entrepreneur found himself in trouble.

At 17 years old he was reflecting on a choice he made that left him in a space of not knowing what his future was going to look like because he had a case pending against him. “I didn’t know if I was going to college or what I was going to be doing, all because of the pending of this case”

Henning has personally known McGee his whole life but honestly says that when he was younger he needed more structure to help keep him out of trouble. “During those years, he had to go through some

during the post-pandemic economic recovery period.

6. Viewing financial futures differently

There are several ways to build a nest egg for retirement: employersponsored retirement savings plans, Roth IRAs, and pensions, to name a few. Yet as of 2022, just 35% of Black workers had some type of retirement account, and those that did had saved only around $117,530, according to the Survey of Consumer Finances

While they still have the least amount on average invested in the stock market, Black Americans are increasingly active on Wall Street. Young Black investors are changing the game; experts say access to technology and information has helped.

7. Lower access, higher distrust of banking institutions

The term “unbanked” refers to those who do

difficult life lessons, which made him stronger and more ready for leadership and more understanding of the humanity and reallife struggles we all have,” said Henning.

So, he decided to move forward and continue to put all his focus into becoming a skilled laborer in bricklaying and joined the Harambee Company under the leadership of Henning. After two years at the company, McGee was promoted to supervisor and was managing a crew, and two years after that he was promoted again and was managing multiple crews for the company. Not in a braggadocious way but he describes himself as being Henning's go-to person.

However, he found himself at a crossroads at

not have an account with or use a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. Black people are overrepresented within this group at 13%

Many traditional financial institutions do not have branches in Black neighborhoods, charge their own fees or require minimum deposits or balances — factors that can affect Black consumers’ ability to do business with them.

8. Black households rely on credit cards Credit cards’ popularity is due to their direct effect on credit scores. A higher credit score lowers interest rates, increases credit limits, and even what neighborhood someone can live in, according to the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research in Ohio. Undermining this is a common myth that carrying a balance on credit cards helps boost credit scores. It’s the

the Harambee Company, he had to decide if he was going to stay with the company, climb the success ladder, become a partner, or venture out on his own and start a business. Well, of course, he chose the latter. McGee hopes to one day become the largest masonry company in St. Louis, and he plans to accomplish that goal through youth-focused community programs.

“I want to hire kids from the community to help redevelop the community,” he said. He plans to buy more properties on the LRA list and renovate them.

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

opposite, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says. But, in 2022, 78% of Black households had a balance they were carrying monthly.

9. The Black-owned business boom could fade There has been a surge of new Black-owned businesses that hit markets, according to the Small Business Administration

“While Black entrepreneurs may start businesses in an effort to increase wealth and income, without proper support and tools, their efforts may prove inadequate to increase wealth and may even become detrimental,” Broady said. And this is already proving to be true. Broady points to the U.S. Census Bureau that found Blackowned businesses with employees were “least likely to have earned a profit and most likely to have taken on losses in 2022.”

n “It’s fun to come down here and see the guys.”

–Darryl Strawberry on working with New York Mets in spring training

Sports

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Roll on Columbia

Local teams hope to take high road to state titles

The “Road to Columbia” series is underway for high school basketball teams across the St. Louis area as the postseason is upon us in the state of Missouri.

District championships were handed out to the small schools last week and the big schools take center stage this week with their district tournaments. As we begin the postseason, here are a few of the top St. Louis area storylines to watch:

•The Incarnate Word Academy Red Knights enter the postseason on a state-record 126-game winning streak. IWA has also won the past three girls Class 6 state championships and they are seeking a fourth in a row.

•The Vashon Wolverines have won three consecutive Class 4 state championships and are the favorites to win a fourth title.

•The Lutheran St. Charles girls are looking to defend their Class 5 state championship. One of their top challengers will be John Burroughs, who have moved up to Class 5 this season after winning the Class 4 state title in 2022 and advancing to the quarterfinals last season.

•Cardinal Ritter College Prep has moved up to Class 6 this season after winning the Class 5 state championship last year. The Lions have won three state championships in the past four seasons.

•The Class 5, District 2

tournament field includes three of the state’s top teams in St. Mary’s, Vianney and host Webster Groves. The Class 5, District 5 field includes two more top teams in Ladue and DeSmet.

Here is a brief look at those Class 4, 5 and 6 district tournaments that involve St. Louis area teams. If you want to see the full district tournament brackets across the state, you can visit the state website, mshsaa.org.

Class 6 Boys District 1 (at Lindbergh)

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 p.m.

Top Teams: Cardinal Ritter, Jackson, Lindbergh, SLUH

District 2 (at Parkway South)

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Eureka, Marquette, Kirkwood

District 3 (at Chaminade)

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.

Top Teams: Chaminade, CBC

District 4 (at Troy)

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Francis Howell, St. Dominic, Wentzville Liberty, Timberland, Troy

Class 5 Boys District 2 (at Webster Groves)

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: St. Mary’s, Vianney, Webster Groves

District 3 (at Parkway

Central) Championship Game, Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Ladue, DeSmet, Hazelwood East, Westminster District 4 (at St. Charles) Championship Game,

Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.

Top Teams: Fort Zumwalt South, Wentzville Holt, Parkway North, St. Charles

Class 4 Boys District 4 (at MICDS) Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 1 p.m.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Top Teams: John Burroughs, MICDS, Principia, Maplewood

District 5 (at Vashon) Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 1:30 p.m.

Top Teams: Vashon, Confluence, KIPP, Miller Career Academy

District 6 (at University City) Championship Game, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Top Teams: University City, Lutheran North, Normandy

District 7 (at St. Charles West)

Championship Game, Saturday, March 2, 7 p.m.

Top Teams: Borgia, Orchard Farm, St. Charles West

Class 6 Girls District 1 (at Oakville) Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Cor Jesu, Lindbergh, Oakville District 2 (at Parkway South) Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Eureka, Marquette, Kirkwood, Waynesville, Parkway South

District 3 (at Incarnate Word Academy) Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 5 p.m.

Top Teams: Incarnate Word, St. Joseph’s, Hazelwood Central, Pattonville

District 4 (at Francis Howell Central) Championship Game: Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Fort Zumwalt West, Troy,

Battle, Francis Howell Central, Francis Howell

Class 5 Girls

District 2 (at Clayton)

Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: John Burroughs, Cardinal Ritter, Clayton, Summit

District 3 (at Parkway Central) Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Parkway West, Parkway Central, Parkway North

District 4 (at Fort Zumwalt South)

Championship Game, Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Lutheran St. Charles, Fort Zumwalt East, St. Dominic, Warrenton

Class 4 Girls District 4 (at Affton) Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Ursuline, Lutheran South, Notre Dame

District 5 (at Vashon)

Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Top Teams: Lift for Life, Vashon

District 6 (at University City) Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 5:30 p.m.

Top Teams: University City, STEAM Academy, Jennings

District 7 (at Orchard Farm)

Championship Game, Friday, March 1, 7 p.m.

Top Teams: Orchard Farm, Winfield, St. Charles West, MICDS

Bubba Wallace in right lane for first 2024 NASCAR win

World Wide Technology Raceway will host the third Enoy Illinois 500 on June 3, 2024 –which would seem a distant way away except for the fact it was 80 degrees on Tuesday. Included in that field will be Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 23XI Toyota car and still lone Black driver on the NASCAR Cup Series.

With 12 races between this weekend’s Penzoil 400 in Las Vegas and the Enoy Illinois 300, Wallace has a chance to capture his first checkered flag since a win at Talladega in October 2021. Personally, I would love for him to do it here.

You see it amongst fans in the stands, on pit row, and throughout the infield where numerous minority vendors are on the scene.

Track owner Curtis Francois, John Bisci, public relations director, and the entire staff deserve it because their partnership with David Steward, founder and chair of World Wide Technology, has led to this race being a showcase of diversity and opportunity.

I’m sure Wallace would love to already have a win under his chassis when he gets here, and his 2024 season seems headed to a historic victory. In the two NASCAR Series events in 2024, Wallace posted a 5th place finish at the rain-delayed Daytona 500 and followed that at No. 5 again in last weekend’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He is the only driver with top-10 finishes in both races and both were top five. Wallace is currently in fourth place in points, three back of leader Kyle Busch and two behind a second-place tie between William Byron and Austin Cindric. Following the grueling race, Wallace wrote on X. “May sound like a joke but my brain is mush.

The psychological piece to plate racing is massive. Yes it’s [as] big as any other race but receiving and digesting the info from [spotter Freddie Kraft] lap by lap, corner by corner to make sure you’re in the right spot is intense.

“You have to be ON from start to finish…Proud of this 23 team There is something special with this group this year! Time to really lock in and get the stars aligned. Back to back top5s is a great start… but there is 24 more left. Y’all enjoy it for me.”

Noted NASCAR reporter Nilavro Ghosh wrote this week, “Wallace has

probably had the best start of his career in any Cup Series campaign. “Racing super-speedways is one of the most physically and mentally taxing jobs a NASCAR driver can ever think of. For the entirety of the event (which lasts more than 3 hours), Bubba Wallace experienced all the emotions and came out with flying colors.”

The Reid Roundup Lewis Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes and joining Ferrari after the 2024 Formula 1 season. He won six of his

seven world titles with Mercedes (one with McClaren) and as he prepared for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix he said he’s ready for a new challenge. “It’s all about a new chapter in my life and I really feel like I’ve done everything I could possibly do with [Mercedes} and I’m on the back end of my career.”…It’s almost March and free-agent Tommy Pham is not on an MLB roster. Some team is going to get a bargain with a bang…I confess to being a San Francisco Giants fan. It dates back to seeing Juan

Marichal tangle with Bob Gibson on a steamy hot Sunday afternoon….I like former Giant Brandon Crawford signing with the St. Louis Cardinals but he’s 38 and hit .194 last season…If the NBA season ended today, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder would tie for best record in the Western Conference with 41-17 records. I got no problem with that…The problem those teams have is that they could easily be facing LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers or Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs… Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics continue to make a shambles of the Eastern Conference. At 46-12, they are eight games better than the Miami Heat. Tatum is averaging 27 points and 81/2 rebounds a game… Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons, which had a 28-game losing streak this season, and the Washington Wizards have just nine wins.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Bubba Wallace is the lone NASCAR Series driver with two top 10 finishes in 2024.

Photo courtesy of 23XI Racing

Vashon’s Jordyn Richard (21) coming up into the paint on Burlington’s King Gibson (2) during a Jan. 19, 2024 game. Vashon has begun its quest for fourth consecutive state title.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Boeing gives boost to Saint Louis Science Center programs

The Saint Louis Science Center has received an $80,000 grant from Boeing for its Community Science programming, which enhances skills and brings fun learning to St. Louis area youths who have limited access to STEM (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) curricula.

“A STEM-based education prepares individuals for more than simply careers in science; it develops their personal leadership and problem-solving skills for the nearand long-term horizon,” said Bobby Sanderson, chief institutional officer for the Saint Louis Science Center.

“By supporting STEM learning, the Science Center and our community partners hope to spark students’ educational interests, expose them to potential career fields they may not readily consider on their own, and develop them into role models for our community.

We’re honored to continue this relationship with Boeing and are grateful for their support in providing this much-needed programming for youth in the St. Louis area.”

“The Saint Louis Science Center is an important STEM organization in our community,” said Chris Bray, Boeing Global Engagement Central Region senior manager. “Our long-standing relationship has increased STEM educational opportunities for youth of all ages and backgrounds.

Boeing is proud to support programs like Youth Exploring Science that support our local future innovators.”

The City of St. Louis Department of Personnel will hold respective job fairs on Saturday, March

2, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Wohl Recreation Center, 1515 N.Kingshighway Blvd,

The Christian Hospital Foundation will host its annual gala on Saturday, March 2, at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. The event theme is ‘80s Flashback Costumes’ and proceeds will support essential funding to improve the

City to hold pair of job fairs for summer jobs

and Saturday, March 9, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. LouisSouth City campus, 2625 Cherokee Ave. These job fairs are intended to help fill 300 summer jobs in the

city. The job fairs will give job seekers an opportunity to learn about summer jobs with the city and have direct interaction with hiring managers.

“We are looking to

hire lifeguards, recreation assistants and utility workers. Department of Personnel staff will be on hand to assist individuals with applying for jobs on-site. A completed application is required

to be considered for City jobs. City residency is not required,” said Anthony Byrd Sr. city Department of Personnel.

Anyone interested in employment with the City is encouraged to apply

Christian Hospital Gala on March 2 at the MAC

health and well-being of our north St. Louis region. The celebration also will honor several individuals for making a difference in our community. Honorees this year include:

• Dr. Smita Parikh,

a Washington University radiologist and Dr. Sharad Parikh, a vascular surgeon at Christian Hospital –Christian Hospital Distinguished Leadership Award

• Dr. Matthew Boland, a Washington University anesthesiology and inten-

sive care unit co-director at Christian Hospital –Physician of the Year Patricia Eppel –Nursing Leadership Award

• Dr. Shontel Ray, a BJC Medical Group nurse practitioner – Advanced Practice Provider Award Honorary co-chairs

Boeing is providing an $80,000 grant to the Saint Louis Science Center’s Community Science programs.

are Arnold Bullock, MD; Lannis Hall, MD, MPH; Michael Kennedy and Ross Toohey.

For tickets, reservations, sponsorship benefits and additional information, visit www.christianhospital.org/Gala.

at stlouis-mo.gov/jobs. For more information on the job fair please contact the Department of Personnel at (314) 622 - 4308 or ByrdA@stlouis-mo. gov

Anyone interested in employment with the City is encouraged to apply at stlouis-mo.gov/jobs. For more information on the job fair please contact the

Department of Personnel at (314) 622 - 4308 or ByrdA@stlouis-mo. gov

Photo courtesy of Science Center

Living It

Feeling the spirit with IN UNISON and BeBe Winans

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

When conductor and IN

UNISON

Chorus director Kevin McBeth described a particular work that the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra would be performing as part of their annual “Lift Every Voice” Black History Month concert, his description summed up the entire evening’s musical experience.

“In ‘Everytime I Feel the Spirit,’ I feel like [Adolphus] Hailstork decided that he wanted to put everything he possibly could into this arrangement,” McBeth said. The selection featured a classical orchestral introduction, but as the strings and woodwinds floated, they transitioned to the tempo of a jubilee chorus. There was a booming crescendo, but for the finale of the piece Hailstork opted for an understated homage to the blues.

And in his arrangement of “Kum Ba Yah,” Hailstork – who McBeth refers to as “one of the deans of Black American composers” – he gives the instrumentation of the spiritual a jazzy undertone.

Dance reflections

Ailey II comes to the Touhill as part of 50th anniversary tour

Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

When Francesca Harper stepped into the role of Artistic Director of Ailey II in 2021, it was a homecoming. The 30-plus year dance career that has taken her from Germany to Japan began as a student of the Ailey School – where her mother Denise Jefferson served as director from 1984 until her death in 2010.

“It was a big part of my life and my home,” Harper said. “My mother lived and breathed dance. It was who we were and a huge part of our identity.”

And when Ailey II comes to St. Louis this weekend as part of the tour commemorating the company’s 50th anniversary, it will be a homecoming of sorts as well. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has a direct connection to the rich dance

A merging of sounds as homage to the diversity and genius within Black music was a theme of sorts for the performance –which featured Grammy winning gospel artist BeBe Winans – as IN UNISON

Grammy-winning featured soloist helped stir souls for ‘Lift Every Voice’ concert

dives into its 30th anniversary.

“If there is such a thing as a royal family of gospel, I think we have the prince here tonight,” McBeth said of this year’s featured artist. For the past four decades, the Winans name has been synonymous with the genre. When Kirk Franklin was still in elementary school, BeBe’s older brothers Carvin, Marvin, Michael and Ronald – known collectively as The Winans – were blazing trails by blurring

the lines between gospel and R&B. The message of the music was rooted in the Word. But contemporary music arrangements with smooth R&B vocals – and collaborations with the likes of Teddy Riley and Anita Baker – had them as likely to be seen on BET’s “Video Soul” as they were on “Bobby Jones Gospel.”

Soon after, BeBe and sister CeCe Winans with their easy listening gospel became a mainstay on the urban adult contemporary charts with hits like “Addictive Love” and “Lost Without You” to name a few. By the mid-1990s, they had both launched successful solo careers.

BeBe’s performance with SLSO and IN UNISON started and ended on an autobiographical note.

“The Winans name might be familiar, but our families are similar,” he sang while performing “Book of Life.” “When you see your name in the lights above, it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t have love.”

Coloring pathways of life

Koi Nikole coloring books inspire Black youth

By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American

Koi Nikole is highly personable and motivational. Although she has no qualms sharing life lessons based on her own, it’s not accurate to define her as an “open book.” It’s more apropos to say the poet/ author is a manuscript opened privately years ago that’s evolving with new chapters of self-discovery.

Last week, Nikole was spotlighted on KMOV’s “First Alert” for the debut of her coloring book collection designed to “uplift Black children.” The male coloring book is titled, “Bruh Be Amazing,” the female one is titled, “Sis You’re Amazing.” Released during Black History Month, her new coloring books with stunning images reflect Black culture and provide positive affirmations and mental health exercises that encourage youth to recognize their potential, manage emotional intelligence, log their dreams and, most importantly, see beauty and brilliance in themselves.

n “You don’t know all the greatness that’s in you…. keep being creative, keep using your imagination, and the sun is not going to stop shining on you.”

- Koi Nikole

“In a lot of spaces, especially with African American boys, we don’t have those visuals for them,” Nikole told news anchor, Melanie Johnson. “Those are things that I really wanted my sons to see.” Nikole went on to say: “You don’t know all the greatness that’s in you…. keep being creative, keep using your imagination, and the sun is not going to stop shining on you.”

Few knew she was summarizing the footsteps of her own journey.

Nikole said she lived a sheltered life. As an only child raised by a mother she described as “book smart” and a father who was “street-smart,” she was gifted with attributes from both. Nikole was an outgoing, excellent student who took to tutoring her cousins with their school assignments. After high school, the young lady-who had limited religion in her life-became religiously active. By the age of 25, she was married and, on her way, to mothering five children.

“I just had a flashback to a moment when I was in the school,” Harper said. “I think he [Ailey] had invited Katherine

It was a moment she will never forget. “It was so indicative of how Mr. Ailey loved Ms. Dunham. It’s an absolute honor to be a part of this legacy,” Harper said. “Being able to understand the full circle history

Life up to that point, Nikole said, didn’t really challenge her; didn’t force her to come face-to-face with who she was or who she really wanted to be.

“I was really working hard to make it good on the other side (marriage and children), not on my side. I was doing what I

legacy of Katherine Dunham. Alvin Ailey, founder and company namesake, studied under Dunham. Harper says that to this very day, Dunham technique is an integral element of the Ailey School’s curriculum.

Dunham to choreograph for the company and they had a showing in studio four.”

Photos by Nir Arieli/Courtesy of Dance St. Louis

Dance St. Louis and PNC Arts Alive will present Ailey II, the second company of the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, this weekend at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. The troupe is currently on a nationwide tour to commemorate its golden anniversary.

Photo By Wiley Price/St. Louis American

Grammy-winning gospel artist BeBe Winans performing “Born For This” with the IN UNISON Chorus, under the direction of Kevin McBeth, at its annual ‘Lift Every Voice’ Black History Month concert on Friday, Feb. 23 at the Stifel Theatre.

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American Koi Nikole with her two coloring books for boys and girls shot on the campus of Webster University Monday Feb. 26, 2024.

See SLSO, C8

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Ailey II: Dance St. Louis and PNC Arts Alive Terrace Lobb 3/1/2024 7:30pm

Dance St. Louis and PNC Arts Alive Terrace Lobb will feature an art exhibit by local students inspired by Alvin Ailey’s renowned masterpiece “Revelations,” a live vocal performance by The Phil Woodmore Singers and the “Speaking of Dance” Q&A with representatives from Ailey II and Dance St. Louis

Artistic Director Michael Uthoff. Blanche M. Touhill

Performing Arts Center

One University Blvd St. Louis, MO $45.00 - $75.00

Broadway Rave 3/1/2024 8:30pm

Delmar Hall 6133 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO $15.00

The Love Hard Tour: Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, & more 3/1/2024 8:00pm

Chaifetz Arena 1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103 $87.00 +

Dancing with the Stars:

STL Sites & Sounds

Johnnie Taylor Experience

3/2/2024 6:00pm Backstreet Jazz & Blues Club 614 Westport Plaza Drive St. Louis, MO $25.00 - $45.00

Parkway School District All-District Orchestra Performance 3/6/2024 7:30pm Family Arena 2002 Arena Pkwy St. Charles, MO $5.00

Operatic Favorites 3/3/2024 3:00pm

Stéphane leads us on an operatic journey, featuring virtuoso turns by the SLSO’s own Erin Schreiber and Melissa Brooks. The fanfare from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, one of the very first operas, sets us on a path through Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Bellini, and Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours,” now best known as the hippopotamus ballet from Fantasia.

Blanche M. Touhill

Performing Arts Center

One University Blvd St. Louis, MO Shuttle from Plaza Frontenac: $15.00

Ticket prices vary

$90.00 - $165.00

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Black History and the Disability Rights Movement (Virtual Event)

The program will conclude with a performance by guitarist and singer Deb Busch of the Angel Band

Explore the History of Black Baseball with Gerald Early 3/6/2024 5:30pm

Washington University Professor Gerald Early will discuss his work as a consultant to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s newly renovated and reconceived exhibit on Black Baseball. He also will speak about the book he’s writing to accompany the exhibit.

Emerson Auditorium,

COMMUNITY

Left Bank Bookstore presents: Phillip B. Williams - Ours 2/29/2024 6:00pm-8:00pm

Phillip B. Williams will discuss his highly anticipated debut novel “Ours”!

Left Bank Bookstore 399 N. Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO Free

Black History Meet and Greet Special Black innovators panel discussion 2/29/2024 5:00pm-7:00pm

Filament

4220 Duncan Ave., 1st Fl. St. Louis, MO

For more information, contact: The Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship kafolabi@lentsmazur.com Free

Christian Hospital Gala on March 2 at the MAC

Annual gala, proceeds to essential funding to improve health and well-being of north St. Louis region 2/29/2024 5:00pm-7:00pm Missouri Athletic Club 405 Washington Ave. St. Louis, Missouri visit www.christianhospital.org/Gala.

Tickets $200 and up

Almost Home Opens

Family Health Clinic 3/4/2024 10:00am

Almost Home provides resources for economic mobility, access to housing, education, mental health, and lifelong economic opportunities.

Focused on teens and young families struggling with complex trauma by providing them with critical, vital resources including food, shelter, and utilities. Approximately 95% of clients served are Black and under the federal poverty line and experienced long-term trauma.

3200 St Vincent Ave. St. Louis, MO Free

The Love Hard Tour: Keyshia Cole (pictured), Trey Songz, & more will be at the Chaifetz Arena on March 1 at 8:00pm.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

New season, new activities

By Barry Draper

With winter in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to get out of the house and enjoy these spectacular local events.

Art in Bloom March 1 to 3

Art in Bloom, the Saint Louis Art Museum’s annual celebration of flowers and fine art, remains one of the most arresting signature events in the region. With every iteration, dozens of works from the museum’s collection are imaginatively interpreted through floral designs by the area’s most talented florists. In addition to the lush displays, the festival includes special ticketed events, family activities, dining and shopping.

2024 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament March 7 to 10

Looking for a slam dunk on your calendar? The State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship – affectionately known as Arch Madness – is a spectacular showcase for the league. Held in the Gateway City for more than 32 seasons in a row, the games feature rip-roaring competition that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Make plans to attend the event at Enterprise Center, as all 12 teams will be battling for a trip to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Schlafly Stout & Oyster Festival March 8 and 9

Herman, her white lover, the unforgettable drama searingly addresses prejudice and ignorance in early 20th-century America. Set in the Deep South at the end of World War I during the flu epidemic, Wedding Band traces the couple’s confrontations with anti-miscegenation laws, family racism, community disapproval and their own long-buried feelings.

Animals Aglow Lantern Festival March 13 to May 5

The first-ever Animals Aglow lantern festival will bring a dazzling spectacle of lights to the Saint Louis Zoo. More than 60 larger-than-life Chinese lanterns, along with interactive light displays in the shape of plants and animals, will illuminate paths throughout the Zoo in this nighttime event. Guests can stroll through the colorful Chinese Dragon Corridor, pose with giant glowing animals and play with interactive displays such as the Moonlight Swings and the Star Stepping Pads.

For 25 years, brewmasters, shuckers and musicians have converged on St. Louis for the Schlafly Stout & Oyster Festival. Bringing more than 40,000 oysters, as well, it’s the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest – and one that you shouldn’t miss! Head to Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood for the tasty event, when 20 professional shuckers promise to put on a show. There will also be more than 10 stouts on tap to pair with your oysters and live music in the background.

Wedding Band

March 13 to 31

This month, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company will stage Wedding Band by American novelist and playwright Alice Childress. Following the romance between Julia, a Black seamstress, and

Romeo and Juliet with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

March 16 and 17

The scores of two classic ballets – Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite and Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet –will receive a new St. Louis collaboration at this event at Stifel Theatre. As Stéphane Denève conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The Big Muddy Dance Company, choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, will dance to the music.

The 16th Annual Gateway Blues Festival March 29

The 16th Annual Gateway Blues Festival, featuring Tucka, King George, Pokey Bear, West Love, J-Wonn and Theodis Ealey, comes to Stifel Theatre on March 29.

AMA Supercross

March 30

Get down and dirty with AMA Supercross, which comes to The Dome at America’s Center at the end of this month. A newer version of motocross, the sport’s original form, Supercross is an indoor dirt bike racing championship. The event in St. Louis will also include Supercross FanFest, where you can get an insider look at teams as they prepare, practice and qualify for the main event!

Black History and the Disability Rights Movement

By the Missouri Historical Society

On Thursday, February 29, the Missouri History Museum will present “Black History and the Disability Rights Movement,” a Thursday Nights at the Museum program about the experiences of Black individuals with disabilities who have confronted both racism and ableism, as well as the contributions that Black people with disabilities have made to the disability rights movement.

The discussion, which begins at 6:30pm, will be moderated by Pamela C. King, an executive coach, business consultant, and Starkloff Disability Institute board member. Panelists include Teona McGhaw, Rush Wilkerson, and Dr. Jo Grove. The program will include performances by musician Deb Busch of the Angel Band Project. ASL interpretation will be provided. The program will also be streamed on Zoom; visit mohistory. org/events for the Zoom link.

Arrive early for happy hour beginning at 5:00pm, where you can learn more about the intersection of Black and disability identities in St. Louis with community resource tables and take an accessible gallery tour led by the MHS Accessibility Department. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Key Bistro.

The program was organized by Hana Ayele, the Missouri Historical Society’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility coordinator. “When we commemorate significant cultural and historical observances like Black History Month, it is essential to remember that within these communities, there are individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups,” Ayele said. “This program is not just an event, but also a platform to foster commitment, empathy, awareness, and allyship that ensures voices of Black people with disabilities are heard, their stories are acknowledged, and their rights are upheld. By doing so, we take a crucial step toward creating a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive society that values and respects the diversity of all individuals.”

vantages including barriers to economic opportunities, housing, and social support can intersect, perpetuating cycles of inequality. Cultural insensitivity within organizations and a lack of understanding compound the challenges faced by those navigating both forms of discrimination.”

Ayele explained that the successes and activism of the civil rights movement inspired individuals with disabilities to advocate for their rights as they drew parallels between the discrimination they experienced and the discrimination faced by African Americans. She noted that Black people with disabilities have made significant contributions to the disability rights movement. “For example, Kathy D. Woods is not only known for her efforts to raise awareness about the intersectionality of race and disability, but she is also an advocate who has made significant contributions to the disability rights movement,” she said. “Harriet Tubman is recognized for her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad during the 19th century and fighting for the rights of others, including those with disabilities. Brad Lomax, a founder of the Black Panther Party’s disability caucus, was a key figure in the Black disability rights movement. Claudia Gordon is the first Deaf Black female attorney in the United States.”

Ayele explained that racism and ableism intersect in many ways. “One major facet is the experience of double discrimination, where individuals who are both racial minorities and have disabilities face bias and prejudice based on both aspects of their identity. This intersectionality perpetuates stereotypes and misconceptions that compound negative assumptions and biases. Limited representation in media and literature further reinforces stereotypes, while implicit biases influence decision-making processes in various aspects of life.”

“Moreover, socioeconomic disad-

Ayele stated that she hopes those attending the February 29 program will be inspired by the stories of Black disability rights leaders; be motivated by the experiences of the panelists and musical performers; and feel empowered to contribute to positive change within their communities and workplaces by advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, especially those at the intersection of race and disability. She added, “Understanding the unique challenges faced by Black individuals with disabilities is crucial for informed policymaking, so I hope participants continue working to break down stereotypes as well as misconceptions about both race and disability, consider the implications for policy, and contribute to the creation of more inclusive and equitable practices.”

“Lastly, I hope participants leave with a commitment to ongoing learning and engagement,” Ayele concluded.

The Museum can be accessed through the south (parkside) entrance. Accessible parking is available in the Museum’s west parking lot. Email access@mohistory.org or call (314) 454-3161 with other accessibility questions.

This program is organized by the Missouri Historical Society’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Division and is sponsored by the Starkloff Disability Institute.

Columnist

Barry Draper

The 2024 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament will take place March 7-10.

St. Louis American

Religion Gospel great Cory Henry coming to St. Louis May 3

Multi GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, and keyboard master Cory Henry will kick off his “Music For Yo Soul!

2024 World Tour” in St. Louis at 7 p.m. Friday May 3, 2024 at Delmar Hall, 6161 Delmar Boulevard.

The tour, which runs through July 18, includes stops in Canada, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, the UK, and throughout the United States – including a performance at Los Angeles’ historic Hollywood Bowl.

Henry has also just released two new singles “Burdens Down” (featuring Eric Gales) and “Go to God in Prayer” (featuring Janice McDonald, Cory’s Grandmother.)

The songs, which are available now with digital pre-order, are the first from his upcoming and first-ever Gospel album “CHURCH.”

Released on Sunday, February 25, 2024, Henry embodied his musical experiences growing up in Brooklyn, New York’s Unity Temple Church into a 23-track album.

The record, which features appearances from Raphael Saadiq, The Ton3, Robert Randolph, and gospel legends Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee, Kierra Sheard and Kim Burrell also features two very special posthumous appearances by the late Bishop Carlton Pearson and Cory’s mother, Marie Henry, who taught him how to play music starting at two years of age.

Henry is also showcased on the PBS special “GOSPEL” the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. which digs deep

into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song.

Formerly a member of the multi GRAMMY-winning acclaimed jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy, Henry has made an influential and award winning mark with his talents across multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, Latin, gospel and more. He has worked with a range of artists including Rosalía (co-producer – Motomami, 2022 Album of The Year Latin GRAMMY Award winner), Kanye West (co-producer – Donda, 2022 Album of The Year GRAMMY Award nominee), Frank Ocean, Imagine Dragons, Jazmine Sullivan, among others.

‘God Kept Me’ is Norris-Jackson’s testimony

Gospel artist Lisa NorrisJackson worked for 35 years recording features and background vocals for artists including The 3rd Ecclesiastical Jurisdictional COGIC Shekinah Choir, FAW Celebration Choir with Bishop Frank A. White, Arene Lomax and the Remnant, and Jeff Roberson and NuLifebegan.

Two years ago, she was inspired to begin writing her own music, and in 2023, she released her debut single, “I Am.”

Norris-Jackson is back in 2024 with a new single “God Kept Me.”

Jackson passionately declares that “God Kept Me” “is a song of testimony acknowledging every dark valley experience that God carried me through,” on a YouTube video.

“It’s about how grateful I am that His word spoke to me

to bring me through every hard time, pain, betrayal. We are still living and breathing because of Him I just want to say thank you.”

“I will never forget that it wasn’t by chance or luck, but it was God who kept me through it all.”

According to a Bellamy Group release, “God Kept Me” features Jackson’s robust vocals set to a backdrop of commanding horns provided by the famed Mo’Horns and a bouncy jazz piano by Matthias Patrick.

“Jackson delivers an uplifting surge of praise and thankfulness

that envelops you, inviting you to celebrate the divine providence and strength encapsulated throughout the song.”

She says she is “very humble” in her approach to music ministry, understanding that if God gives you a gift, you must use it for Him and not measure it to others.

“And, if God sends you, He is with You.”

She serves as assistant pastor and associate pastor of music & performing arts at the Realm of Agape Christian Church in Coren, New York, where her husband Anthony A. Jackson is senior pastor.

Photo courtesy Toronto Jazz Festival

Cory Henry is now releasing gospel music for your soul after being a member of the acclaimed jazz fusion group Snark Puppy, which won multiple GRAMMIES. He released a pair of gospel singles on February 25, and will be in St. Louis May 3 at Delmar Hall.

Lisa Norris-Jackson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The St. Louis Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is seeking a qualified person to fill the position of Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in HUD programs and demonstrated success in public housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Rental Assistance Demonstration programs. A Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Business, or Public Administration, Urban Studies, or a related field is required. A Master’s or Law degree is preferred. Minimum of ten (10) years of housing development experience, with at least five (5) years at an executive level. Additional valuable qualifications include experience in affordable housing finance and development, knowledge of public sector regulations and practices, and a background in the real estate industry.

Interested candidates must email their cover letter and resume to edsearch@slha. org no later than Friday, April 5, 2024. For detailed information and application steps, please view the position brochure at www.slha.org/careers/

DIRECTOR, GRANTS & PARTNERSHIP

Come work at Deaconess Foundation as a full-time Director, Grants & Partnership. With a competitive salary range of $116,000 to $122,000 per year, this opportunity offers an exciting platform for experienced professionals in non-profit management, philanthropy, or related fields. Your expertise in project management, civic engagement, and public health can contribute to aspiration of liberation for future generations. Are you a visionary individual who champions trust-based philanthropy, nurtures collaborations across various sectors, and wants to drive impactful change in our region? Apply now to be part of our dynamic team! Learn more at: https://deaconess. org/joinus

CUSTODIAL/ DISHWASHER LEMAY, MO SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER

9:00am – 3:00pm Mon-Fri $14.30/hr. Full Benefits. 13pd Holidays & 17 days PTO. Dishwashing & Custodial duties. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. floor to waist and stand for up to 4 hours. Must have H.S. Diploma or equivalent, basic math and computer skills. Must pass pre-employment drug test & background check. For more information call Laura at 636-207-4231 or email

LREICH@AGINGAHEAD.ORG EOE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AND FACILITIES & OFFICE SERVICES ASSISTANT

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is hiring for two full-time positions: Community Engagement Manager and Facilities & Office Services Assistant. To apply, visit www. girlscoutsem.org. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYST

The St. Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Data and Performance Analyst with a salary range of $65,187 - $94,520 and a highly competitive benefit package. For the full job posting visit www.stlmhb. com/about-us/careers.

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER (REF# HJ24)

Ascension Health-IS, Inc. d/b/a Ascension Technologies is seeking: Sr. Software Engineer (ref# HJ24) to contrib to creation of our suite of cloud-native ent apps in hlthcare software indust. Master’s/equiv in CS/rltd field + 3 yrs of exp as software engr/ in IT + demos exp (Bach’s/equiv + 5 yrs of exp accepted in the alt); Sr. Business System Analyst (ref# TB24) to work w/ cust to clarify & plan for their current & future tech needs. Bach’s/equiv in CS, CE, or rltd field + 5 yrs of exp as software engr/dev or in a comp position in IT + demos exp (Master’s/ equiv + 3 yrs of exp accepted in the alt); Sr. Software Engineer (ref #SA24); as a member of Agile scrum team, write new/enhance cust software that is complex, secure, cloudnative, scalable, performant, high user/data vol, & part of a highly avail distribtd syst w/ out introd regress. Master’s/equiv in CS, CE or rltd field + 3 yrs of exp as software engr/ dev or in a comp position in IT + demos exp (Bach’s/equiv + 5 yrs of exp accepted in the alt); Sr. Architect (ref# ECS24) to collab w/ engr teams to archit & design solut to deliver resilient, reliable, scalable, secure, compliant & avail prod on defined proj timelines while mitigatg syst risk. Master’s/equiv in CS or rltd field + 3 yrs of exp as software engr/ dev or any comp position in IT + demos exp (Bach’s/equiv + 5 yrs of exp accepted in the alt); Consult - Principal Architect (ref# SJ24) to oversee dev of data strat, data & solut archit, tech archit, gov std, reliable & repeatable proc & ideation, proto & valid of core prod, svcs & solut. Bach’s/equiv in CS, CE, or rltd field + 5 yrs of exp as IT consultant/analyst or in a comp position in IT + demos exp. 100% remote positions, reports to company HQ in St. Louis, MO. To learn/ apply, send resume to mostl-recruitment@ ascension.org, include ref code.

resume to hr@gasastl.org

The position is financed through CDBG funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration. GASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St. LouiS american

PUBLIC MEETING / OPEN HOUSE

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is seeking comment on its proposed Title VI Program. The public comment period runs from Wednesday, February 7, 2024 through Friday, March 8, 2024, during which time the document will be posted online at www.ewgateway.org/titlevi.

The public is invited to view the document at one of two, virtual, open house style meetings that will take place on February 27 and March 4, 2024. Times and locations can be found online at www.ewgateway.org/titlevi. Questions and requests for an accommodation for an open house should be submitted to EWG at titlevi@ewgateway.org or (314) 421-4220 or (618) 274-2750. A request for an accommodation should be submitted to EWG at least 48 business hours prior to an open house.

All comments on the document must be received or postmarked by midnight on March 8, 2024. Send comments to: titlevi@ewgateway.org or Attn.: Title VI Program Comments, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, 1 S. Memorial Dr., Suite 1600, St. Louis, MO 63102.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

# 57824053, CINEMATOGRAPHER/ PRODUCER COMPANIES FOR A DOCUMENTARY PROJECT

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals from Experienced Cinematographer/Producer Companies for a Documentary Project.

If interested, a copy of the request for proposals can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@hssu.edu

Proposals must be emailed no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu

The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.

SOLICITING BIDS

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/DBE/Veteran/ SDVE for the following:

CP231262 University of Missouri –Schweitzer Hall – Roof Replacement

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com

Phone: 573-682-5505

ROANOKE CONSTRUCTION

SEEKS BIDS FOR RENOVATION IN ST. LOUIS CITY

Roanoke Construction, selected as the General Contractor by LEDG Capital, is seeking bidders for the Ridgecrest Apartments renovation project, designed by Benton Design Group. Scope includes exterior work on three buildings, interior renovations for 84 units and a leasing office, conversion of 5 units to ADA compliance, and site improvements. Interested parties, please submit proposals to bids@roanoke-construction.com.

We are seeking 20% MBE and 15% WBE participation on this project. The project will adhere to Enterprise Green Communities standards and Section 3 requirements. This project is being funded utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Pre-Bid meeting: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 10 am for all interested subcontractors. We will meet at the job site located at 3648 Kosciusko St, St. Louis, MO 63118.

Bids Due: Friday, March 22, 2024, at 10 am.

Submit questions to Keith Jones at keith@roanoke-construction.com

SHORT WAITING LIST

WOODLAND TOWERS APARTMENTS

306 PINE LAKE ROAD

COLLINSVILLE, IL, 62234

Seniors 62 and older Apply now for an affordable 1-bedroom unit. Stop by the office or Call: (618) 345-7240 for an application

Monday-Friday 8-5 Managed by Related

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org

> Doing Business With Us

> View Bid Opportunities

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: SSD 102-24 SOUTH TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL – ELECTRICAL TRADES BUILDING

All vendors interested in participating in the proposal process are required to attend the mandatory pre-bid conference at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2024.

Project Manual and drawings will be available through County Blue Reprographics at the mandatory pre-proposal conference and walk thru as of March 4, 2024

The pre-proposal conference will commence at South Technical High School, 12721 West Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63127

ONLY attendees of this meeting will receive any correspondence or communication after that date.

Bids are due at 2:00 pm on April 2, 2024, with a Public Opening at Special School District Purchasing Department, 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Chieftain Drive

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Standby Generator, Troop B Headquarters Macon, MO Project No. R2310-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/21/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Emergency Generator, Sexual Offender Treatment Services Farmington, MO Project No. M201301 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/21/24 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR BIDS

KCI is seeking certified M/WBE vendors for the following scopes for MSD Lemay Pump Station 3 & Force Main Project at 201 Hoffmeister in St. Louis:

A. Odor control, Electrical Substation, demolition of the Martigney, JB, and Existing Lemay #3 Pump Stations. All associated demolition, civil, structural, and MEP work.

B. 2,750 LF of consolidation sewers, varying in size from 8 “ to 36 “. Sewer abandonment, and structure abandonment at six sites along Mississippi River in South St. Louis.

C. New electrical service, instrumentation and control equipment at the Notre Dame, Grant Road, Smith Road & Kearney Intakes, and the Koch Road Shaft sites. Quotes are due by March 13, 2024. Plans and specifications can be provided via electronic link. (https://msdprojectclear.org/ projects/new-construction/ lemay-no-3-pump-stationand-force-main/).

SEALED BIDS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Kwame Building Group is requesting bids for some select demolition.

Project is located at 1408 N Kingshighway, St. Louis MO 63113 which is owned and operated by the Urban League of greater STL.

Requesting pricing to demo a 3-stop escalator and some interior walls.

Contact Ricky L Nance at 314-323-0174 or Mike McClain at 314-850-8294 for walk through. Bids are due 3 weeks from the placement of this ad to Ricky at rnance@kwamebuildinggroup.com

INVITATION FOR BID

PARKVIEW APARTMENTS FIRST FLOOR RENOVATION

SOLICITATION NO.: RD24-07

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

The General Scope of Work for this project will consist of, but not be limited to, interior demolition, new partitions, new acoustic ceiling tile and gypsum board ceilings, new lighting and electrical devices, new security desk, relocation of existing doors and hardware, painting, and new floor finishes. Performance period to be 180 days.

Bid information available at https://www. slha.org/partner-with-slha/ on February 26, 2024

A pre-bid conference will be held on site at 10:30 AM (local time), Thursday, March 12, 2024 at the project site.

Sealed bids are due 2:30 PM (local time)

Thursday, April 4, 2024 via QuestCDN or delivered personally at SLHA Offices at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106.

Latasha Barnes

Acting Contracting Officer

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is partnering with MDOT and requesting qualifications for Construction Engineering for the Brickline Greenway. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids and submit by February 29, 2024.

March 26, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Upgrade HVAC Controls Staples Building, Project No M201101. will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, March 26, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

RED ROCKS LEAD ABATEMENT RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Red Rocks Lead Abatement RFP 2024. Bid documents are available as of 2/28/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

MEDICAL BROKER RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Medical Broker RFP 2024. Bid documents are available as of 2/28/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The

shall not obligate the Partnership to issue a contract. The Partnership will accept submissions throughout 2024. The RFQs may be obtained at https://stlpartnership.com/rfprfq/. St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

VISION, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, AND STRATEGIC PLAN PARTNER RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Vision, Organizational Structure, and Strategic Plan Partner RFP 2024. Bid documents are available as of 2/21/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TREE TRIM/AND OR REMOVAL

The St. Louis Development Corporation (“SLDC”) of the City of St. Louis is requesting proposal for tree trimming and/or removal.

The complete RFP can be viewed online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc

The funding of this project, is financed in part through a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Community Development Administration under the provision of Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Pub. L 93-383 42 USC 5301 et seq) and/or HOME Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended (Public Law 101-625).

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR NEW WEST DEICING PAD AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, MARCH 6, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/ home?agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from the BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/departments/public-service/ bps-online-plan-room.cfm under Online Plan RoomPlan Room, or call the Board of Public Service at 314-589-6214. 25.00% DBE participation goals.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MBE/WBE/SDVE/ DBE/VBE

K&S Associates is soliciting MBE/WBE/ SDVE/DBE/VBE for the following project for the Month of February 2024 – UMSL DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND ART + DESIGN CONSOLIDATION. Plans and specs can be viewed by visiting WWW.KSGCSTL.COM or please call us at 314-647-3535 for more details. Please submit bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR LOUGHBOROUGH AVENUE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION, PROJECT NO. STBG5602(627). Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, February 28, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https:// www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/ departments/publicservice/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or email Board of Public Service at bryanth@stlouis-mo.gov 12% DBE participation goals

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS, PHASE 6, DR. MLK DRIVE (HODIAMONT TO GRAND, CMAQ9901(699). Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, February 28, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https:// www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/departments/public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or email Board of Public Service at bryanth@stlouis-mo.gov 12% DBE participation goals.

INVITATION TO BID

Castle Contracting requests bids from MBE & WBE subs/suppliers for the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Site Package. The scope of work includes SWPPP, hauling, site utilities and grading. Bids are due by 2:00 PM CST on Wednesday February 28th, 2024. Interested parties can contact Ryan.Neff@ digcastle.com or by calling (314) 421-0042. Castle Contracting is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Special School District of St. Louis County will be seeking sealed bids for Request for Proposal #SSD 109-24: Food Service Management. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on March 19, 2024, at 1:30pm. Proposals are due by April 4, 2024, at 2:00pm.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

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

Ailey

Continued from C1

of that and be here in this moment is really powerful.”

That legacy continues as Dance St. Louis and PNC Arts Alive present Ailey II on March 1 and March 2 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Ailey II is the second company of the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Founded in 1974, Ailey II has evolved into a formidable dance troupe in its own right.

“One of the most beautiful things about Ailey II – which was started by Sylvia Waters – is that it is a platform for what’s new,” Harper said. “We have the beautiful ‘Revelations’ – our legacy work. But you will also see ‘John 4:20’ on the program, which is a piece by emerging choreographers. Our legacy is shaping the future – taking the heritage works and also finding what’s next.”

Audiences who attend this weekend’s performances will have an opportunity to witness the rich tradition of Ailey II in action thanks to “Luminous.” Harper choreographed the piece specifically to commemorate the troupe’s milestone.

“Someone said to me, ‘Francesca, if there is anyone who knows about the Ailey legacy, you do,’” Harper said. “I was so complimented by that that I thought, ‘I think it would be a good time to create something.’ I really just wanted to give it as a gift for the 50th anniversary.”

Featuring music and

vocals by the great Nona Hendryx, “Luminous” embarks on a captivating journey through time and pays homage to five decades of Ailey II – and the artists who paved the way for future generations.

“I made it in honor of the luminaries – the people and the artists that were a part of Ailey II,” Harper said. “It really weaves in the iconic moments and chronicles significant periods that the Ailey II company influenced the cultural landscape.”

The St. Louis region has been blessed to know the influence of Ailey II, most recently by way of alumnus (and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company member)

Kirven Douthit-Boyd. He serves as artistic director for The Big Muddy Dance Company.

“They are family, and I support them,” Harper said of Kirven Douthit-Boyd and his husband Antonio Douthit-Boyd, a native St. Louis and fellow Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater alumnus who is Artistic Director of Dance at COCA. “Their whole mission and the way in which they are bringing dance to St. Louis is really exciting.”

This weekend’s performances will also include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director emerita Judith Jamison’s “Divining.” Created in 1984, the piece was the dance legend’s first major work as choreographer for the company.

“It is a really wonderful piece set to a score of North African, Central African and Latin rhythms – and it really builds on African dance idioms, so it is wonderful that we were

talking about Katherine Dunham,” Harper said. “It is such a striking, pulsating modern dance work.”

The program will culminate with the organization’s masterpiece ballet “Revelations.” Created by Ailey nearly 65 years ago, the ballet still resonates with all who bear witness to the dance tribute to Black life – particularly Ailey’s experiences growing up in Rogers, Texas.

“Sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, always hopeful – it is very much connected to the Black experience and community,” Harper said. “Alvin Ailey was very clear what his mission was – and his mission was to empower Black people, and center our stories. His gift was that he saw the universal thread that connected human beings.”

Since their inception, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II have been intentional about bringing dance that is from the people and for the people to stages around the world. Harper said that the same can be expected when Ailey II comes to St. Louis this weekend.

“I hope that they feel that they are seen,” Harper said. “So that, like Mr. Ailey used to say, we hold up a mirror and show them how beautiful they are through the work.”

Dance St. Louis and PNC Arts Alive will present Ailey II on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 at The Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis. For more information, visit https://www.dancestlouis. org/ailey-ii

Continued from C1

was told I was supposed to do as a good mother and a good wife.”

A divorce after 14 years from “a controlling marriage,” Nikole said, became her accidental liberation and doorway into herself. Before her marriage dissolved, she was a stay-at-home mom and homeschooler. Most of her time was spent preparing lessons for her children and participating in their sports activities. Divorce, however, meant getting a full-time job and transitioning her kids from home to traditional schooling.

As a homeschooler, Nikole recognized that she had a gift for communication and psychology-techniques she used in her children’s lessons. She decided to enroll in college and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and a master’s in communications, with an emphasis in training and development.

While at times working two jobs, while attending classes, Nikole said she got the “inspiration to write” about her experiences. During breaks at work, she forced herself to write 15 minutes a day and, little by little, chapters of a book began to emerge.

In 2013, Nikole pub-

SLSO

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He then jumped into a familiar classic from another gospel music dynasty that made its way to the R&B and pop charts – “Oh Happy Day” by the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

The foot tapping and handclapping typical of a storefront church permeated through the Stifel Theatre.

“Bring it on down. Bring it on down – we don’t want to scare the people,” He said jokingly. “It was a nice day. It was a really, really nice day.”

But then he found himself getting happy.

“It was the kind of day that gets me excited,” BeBe said. “I’m not scared to talk about Jesus.”

The second half of the performance kicked off with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in its entire-

lished The Phoenix Awakens, a book of 50 or so poems with 30 color photographs that she described as “an escalation of one’s power.” One of the pieces, “Good Girl Blues,” could be narration from her actual experience:

“I know you trying to just be right…And you didn’t anticipate the fight…Naïve that everyone is just like you…Honest, hardworking, committed and true…Karma got your blessings and new walking shoes…Abundance if you learn how to overturn Good Girl Blues.”

“It’s about the parts of my life where there was an issue and l learned something from it,” Nikole explained. “Every poem presents an issue and how I resolved the situation. And, for the reader, it invites them to think about those issues and resolutions.”

Similarly, her coloring books invite readers to be introspective; to not just color pages but absorb words and phrases that focus on “excellence, entrepreneurship, stress reduction,” getting to “the better qualities” of being a young man and a young woman and more, she said.

Nikole, who had found enviable success in the corporate world of communication, was unexpectedly laid off last year. She said it was emotionally draining but after a couple of months she was able to “recalibrate herself” and focus on things that “make me high.” The coloring

ty. It continued with “Oh Freedom,” another Hailstork orchestration. Hearing the string section pay homage to the call and response characteristic often found in Negro spirituals gave a new perspective to the practice and shed light on the musical ingenuity found within the genre’s origins.

IN UNISON tapped into the Diaspora with “Tshotsholoza,” which is considered by some to be the South African equivalent to “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Tenor Johnny Gillings, Jr. gave the intensity and sense of optimism that the song requires during his solo.

“Hallelujah, You’re Worthy to Be Praised” had the audience on its feet. And Jennifer L. Kelley almost had them laid out in the aisles when she sang “It’s Working” with the type of anointing that compels a shout and an accompanying “ugly cry.” The mood was instantly lightened with IN

books are examples of finding her “best resonating self,” she said.

Nikole is currently working on a book based on the values she wishes for her four sons.

“The working thesis is about the things I want them to know so they can grow up to be men that women respect,” she explained.

She may return to the “corporate space,” Nikole said, but, for the moment, she’s enjoying producing material that uplifts; sharing motivational messages and experiences on her social media platforms; selling merchandize, motivational speaking and “empowering others to be their best version and using their talents to inspire,” she said.

The future may be unknown, but she will be in command of its direction. Purposeful or not, Nikole’s work carries the continuing theme of self-sufficiency.

“I believe things happen the way they’re supposed to happen, but you can change them,” she explained. “Your choice, your mindset really makes the difference. If you accept that you have power in all this, then you know and can say, ‘this is not happening to me, I am getting ready to happen to it!’”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

UNISON’s take on the Bill Withers soul classic “Lovely Day.”

BeBe Winans returned to the stage to close out the show with a trio of his solo hits, including “He’s A Mighty God” and “Teach Me.” On the latter selection he asked the crowd to participate – and they eagerly accepted.

He thanked McBeth for finally getting him to agree to be a featured soloist for the concert that is a highlight of the region’s Black History Month programming – and has featured some of the biggest names in music. By the time he closed the show with “Born For This,” he was asking to be invited back.

“I just love St. Louis,” BeBe said. “Me and my sister CeCe – and the Winans – St. Louis has always put your arms around us and we want to say thank you for that support all through the years.”

Celebrating Black History

D1 • FEB. 29 - MAR. 6, 2024 • THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Henry Armstrong made history by holding three belts

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

Henry Armstrong was known as “Homicide Hank” during his stellar professional boxing career in which he became the first fighter to hold three world titles at the same time.

He accomplished the feat when there were just eight weight classes, and boxers entered the ring much more frequently than they do today.

Armstrong had a 151-21-9 record during his 15-year professional career, with an astonishing 101 knockouts.

Two of his 21 losses came in his first two professional fights.

According to his St. Louis Walk of Fame biography, Armstrong was born Dec. 12, 1912.

His family moved to St. Louis as a young boy from Columbus, Ohio and he was an honor student at Vashon High School. At his graduation, he recited a valedictory poem he had written. Armstrong had a dream of attending medical school but lacked the financial resources. As an alternative, he decided to pursue boxing as a career, and he developed his boxing skills here.

top three boxers of all time.

According to an article penned by Larry Schwartz for ESPN.com, Armstrong secured the three world titles in just 10 months in 1937-38.

“He knocked out featherweight champion Petey Sarron in the sixth round on Oct. 29, 1937. He won 14 fights before bypassing the lightweight title and challenging welterweight champion Barney Ross for his crown on May 31, 1938. It was no contest, with Armstrong’s rapid-fire attack overwhelming Ross to gain the 15-round decision.”

“Taking away Lou Ambers’ lightweight crown on Aug. 17, 1938, in Madison Square Garden proved more difficult. Ambers had Armstrong spitting blood from a torn bottom lip, and he cut the challenger’s eyes as well. Despite almost blacking out in the 15th round, Armstrong won a split decision to make history.” He was managed by Wirt Ross, Eddie Mead, jazz singer Al Jolson and Hollywood actor George Raft.

A St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame biography states that while growing up in St. Louis, Armstrong shined shoes and worked as a railroad hand until his graduation from Vashon. He then rode freight trains to California, where he became a boxer and won 58 of 62 amateur fights.

“He dominated feather, welter and lightweight opponents with his “blackout” punch, relentless attack and incredible stamina.”

Armstrong retired in 1945 and was one of the first three inductees when the Boxing Hall of Fame opened in 1954. The other boxers inducted were Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. He is considered one of the

Armstrong, a relentless puncher, was considered by many to be, pound for pound, the greatest fighter in boxing history. He was among the first three men active in the ring after 1919 to be elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954. The

My 93 years of Black history are filled with gratitude

Daughter of champion boxer Henry Armstrong

By Edna Nashville

My 93rd birthday fell on December 14, 2023, and I find myself filled with gratitude. I am especially thankful for Missouri’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program which has made it possible for me to stay in the senior apartment that I’ve been in for the past seven years.

I never thought I’d live to be this old. Looking back, I’ve lived a pretty good life.

My mother moved to St. Louis when

Black history is America’s eternal history

By Robert Townsend

As you hold this edition of The St. Louis American in your hands or read it online, pause for a moment and test yourself. Do you know the names of Sarah Boone, Marie Van Brittan Brown, or Garrett Morgan?

Chances are you don’t and that’s fine. That’s the beautiful, awesomeness of learning and perpetually wanting to enlighten and educate yourself and others about the countless innovative African Americans who believed in themselves

and believed they could help advance their society, their America.

So, the next time you pull out your ironing board and begin to iron a shirt, a pair of pants or whatever, thank Sarah Boone. Born enslaved, she was one of the first Black women in the United States to receive a patent. Historians tell us the strong, intelligent genius “expanded upon the original ironing board, which was essentially a horizontal, wooden block initially patented in 1858.”

Moreover, Boone’s additions in 1892 featured a “narrower and curved design,

she was seven months old. She had been born in Alabama. Like many African Americans of that period, her family moved north, fleeing prejudice and race-based violence. My grandmother found a little house near Manchester and Hampton, and many of our family members lived there for decades.

My father was Henry Armstrong, the world boxing champion, and I and my four siblings were his greatest cheerleaders. We were starstruck by his prowess in the ring and his famous friends like Frank Sinatra and his boxing manager, Al Jolson.

I attended Sumner High School, and that’s where I met my husband. He was

Inventor Garrett Morgan

making it much easier to iron garments, particularly women’s clothing.” Researchers also say Boone’s design “would morph into the modern ironing board that we use today.”

Marie Van Brittan Brown was born in 1922 and died in 1999. Long before we switched on security systems in our homes, this African American nurse had a brilliant

in a band that came to play at Sumner, and we started to date. A year and seven months later, we married just before he went to Korea during Army service. We were blessed with three daughters.

I mainly was a homemaker and mother. My husband taught music in both public and Catholic schools, and he played many instruments, but trumpet and flute were his favorites. I worked in a jewelry store and a furniture store for a while, and I was with Job Corps for eight years after my children were grown.

I’ve had my share of sorrow, of course. My husband died in 2005. Our oldest

See Nashville, D2

idea. Brittan Brown devised her own “security unit for her home” in Queens, New York. On many nights, while her husband was away and she did not feel safe, research reveals police were not always quick to respond to her neighborhood. So, Brittan Brown “created a device that would help ease her mind.”

In 1966, she invented a system “that used a camera that could slide into and look through four peepholes in her front door.” The camera’s view “would then appear in a monitor in her home so she could see any potentially unwanted guests.”

Garrett Morgan only had an elementary school education, but he did not let what some surely perceived as a limited education stop him from making history. Morgan, a son of a formerly enslaved

See History, D3

Photo courtesy of Edna Nashville

Edna Nashville

See Armstrong, D2

Courtesy Photo

Henry Armstrong was about to win three world boxing titles when photographer Carl Van Vechten captured this image in 1937. Armstrong developed his boxing career in St. Louis after being an honor student at Vashon High School.

Armstrong

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others were Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis.

ANDY’S SEASONING PROUDLY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

Estimates show that Armstrong earned between $500,000 and $1 million, “but most of the money was gone when the Hall of Famer retired at age 32,” wrote Schwartz. “Armstrong won his most significant fight when he overcame alcoholism. He became an ordained Baptist minister in 1951.

Returning to St. Louis after years in Los Angeles, which he founded the Henry Armstrong Youth Foundation in the 1950s to combat juvenile delinquency. He would also become director of the Herbert Hoover Boys Club.

Armstrong was featured

Nashville

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daughter died of a heart attack in 2008. I miss them every day.

As I got older, it became apparent that I could not stay in my apartment by my children, “you’re going to have to put me in a home.” They said, “No, Mama, we’re going to take care of you.”

But it was really difficult for them to do that because everyone had their own obligations, of course.

Someone suggested that we ask for help at Paraquad, the independent living for St. Louis City and County. At first, I said no because I didn’t want to be bothered by an agency getting involved with my personal business. Then a

in three movies, “Keep Punching” (1939), “The Pittsburgh Kid” (1941) and “Joe Palooka, Champ” (1946). In 2007, Ring

friend told me she had a pleasant experience with Paraquad, so my daughters and I checked into what they could offer.

Fortunately, CDS was one of the programs that Paraquad could help me enroll in, and Missouri would even pay a family member to provide care for me. This made it possible for my baby daughter (who is now 63) to choose to be my caregiver. She comes every day. She cooks. She washes. She does everything I need. When I get sick, she does not leave. I must make her go home.

I appreciate the CDS program so much that I have told my apartment building neighbors about it. Some people don’t have family members who can or will help them. It can be confusing to know how to get qualified in a state

program, hire a personal care worker, and get them paid and the payroll taxes sent to the state on time. If it wasn’t for the help of Paraquad, a lot of people wouldn’t be able to live independently today. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought the life I have today would be possible. My daughter takes me to the movies, but I’m not one to go out in crowds like I once was. I am still an active member at Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church though, and I gather food for our food pantry. There are parties here in the building and different organizations invite us to special programs that I really enjoy. I have so much for which to say thanks. I hope you do too.

Magazine ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of the last 80 years.

Courtesy Photo Henry Armstrong

History

Continued from D1

parent, devised several trailblazing inventions that we still use today; including “an improved sewing machine and the gas mask.”

One of Morgan’s most popular inventions was the “improved traffic light.”

Morgan’s 1920 creation was one of the first threelight systems, which resulted in the widespread adoption of traffic lights so many of us take for granted or never really think about today.

These are just a few examples of wonderful pioneers who exercised their skills, talents, and dreams, transcended their plights, and helped shape American culture.

I’m sure each of them had many doubts, asking themselves questions such as ‘what are you thinking?’ ‘Why do you want to do this?’ ‘Do you think you, in that Black skin can really make a difference in America?’

Despite those soul-stirring questions, the historic trio, and many other African Americans, soared and made history in this

Courtesy

Charles Hamilton passes; architect of Black Power movement

‘Unapologetic, arrogant champion of civil rights’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

nation. They proved that no matter your race, gender, or the times in which you are born, YOU can do whatever you put your mind to. These American heroes and heroines showed us that with hard work, determination, perseverance, and faith, one can invent something, change the world, wake up one day and make history.

I hope everyone who reads this is inspired to want to learn more about the many African Americans whose lives and witty inventions are worth reading about and treasuring.

Sure, this will take time, but that’s okay. Do it at your own pace and you will see one month is not enough time to highlight, salute and celebrate these wonderful geniuses, many of whom have died.

Their outstanding inventions still live on, still scream out their names and are still making history in America.

Robert Townsend, a St. Louis native, is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist at KSDK-TV. He can be reached at rtownsend@ ksdk.com.

BRICKLINE GREENWAY CONNECTING CITYPARK STADIUM TO

Austin Cooper recalled the first time he met Professor Charles V. Hamilton, a philosophical luminary and key architect of the Black Power movement.

“He hired me to be one of three research assistants at The Ford Foundation, where he headed a threeyear project on ‘Social Welfare Policy and the American Future,’” said Cooper, the managing editor of the Our House DC newsletter and who, among other accomplishments, served as a state lobbyist (pension, education, and labor) to former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins and Vice President of Government Affairs for the Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Like many others, Cooper was saddened by the news that Hamilton had died at 94. Though his death occurred on Nov. 18, 2023, it was only confirmed and made public this week. Hamilton, a distinguished political scientist, and educator, played a transformative role in reshaping the discourse on racism in the United States through his groundbreaking work, “Black Power: The Politics of Liberation.”

He is noted for coining the phrase “institutional racism.”

Hamilton’s collaboration with Stokely Carmichael in 1967 produced a seminal piece that challenged traditional civil rights approaches. Unlike Carmichael, known for his impassioned speeches, observers noted that Hamilton brought a quiet and dignified intellectualism to

the movement. According to scholars and others who knew him, Hamilton conveyed his profound influence through the strength of his ideas.

He co-authored work that shifted the narrative on racism, introducing the concept of institutional racism to the forefront.

Prior discussions primarily focused on overt acts of prejudice, but “Black Power: The Politics of Liberation” redirected attention to the entrenched biases within American institutions. Hamilton’s belief in self-determination and self-reliance for the African American community permeated his work, laying the intellectual foundations for the Black Power movement.

A Wallace S. Sayre Professor Emeritus of Government at Columbia University, Hamilton made history as one of the first African Americans to hold an endowed chair at an Ivy League university. His extensive research delved into urban politics and the Civil Rights movement.

Another of his notable contributions was, “Adam Clayton Powell Jr.: The Political Biography of an American Dilemma (1991).”

Thomas J. Davis of the University of New York at Buffalo, who championed the book in a review for

the Library Journal, wrote, “Probing Powell’s rise and fall, Hamilton moves from the 1930s, when Powell became a New York City councilman, to his service starting in 1945 as a U.S. Representative, and then to his chairing of the House Education and Labor Committee, his expulsion from the House in 1967, and his defeat at the polls in 1970.”

Davis noted that Hamilton’s “able analysis of the unapologetic, openly arrogant champion of civil rights reflects the race issues of the day within a prism of political theory focused on the conflict of basic American values like majority rule and minority rights.” He concluded that the book was “essential for any serious collection on black biography, civil rights, or political analysis. Highly recommended.”

Hamilton’s legacy extended beyond academia and his writings; his ideas continue to influence discussions on racial equality and justice. “Doc loved not only teaching, but he inspired me and all of his students to become activists of history in our respective fields of profession,” Cooper remarked. “I considered him to be not only my lifelong teacher, but also a mentor and friend. I will miss him.”

Courtesy Photo Professor Charles V. Hamilton

Most Black teens want schools to teach slavery’s legacy

By Aziah Siid Word In Black

Banning books written by Black authors, issuing permission slips to hear a book by a Black author, blocking the AP African American Studies curriculum — those are just some of the ways anti-Blackness has showed up recently in the nation’s public schools.

Now, a new report from the Pew Research Center reveals what teens, parents, and educators think about how race is handled on K-12 campuses, as well as two other hot-button issues: sexual orientation and gender identity.

For the report, Pew’s researchers analyzed responses to three recent surveys. The first was an online survey taken last fall by 2,531 K-12 public school teachers. A second survey last fall collected responses from teens ages 13 to 17, and a third surveyed parents in 2022.

“One thing we found in this study is that, while race and LGBTQ issues are often lumped together in discussions about the so-called culture wars in K-12 education, teachers, teens, and the public see

these topics differently,” Luona Lin, a research associate at Pew tells Word In Black.

Pew found that 38% of students overall said they’re comfortable when “topics related to racism or racial inequality have come up in their classes,” and 21% aren’t.

What may surprise some is that 33% of Black students said they’re uncomfortable when race or racial inequality comes up in class, significantly more than the 19% of white and 17% of Hispanic teens.

When it comes to teaching accurate American history, more teens — 48% responded that when they’re learning about slavery, they’d also like to learn how “it still affects the position of Black people in American society today.”

However, 40% of teens say they’d like to learn “that slavery is part of American history but no longer affects the position of Black people in American society today.”

In addition, 11% of teens said the topic shouldn’t be taught in schools at all.

When the responses

of Black students were examined, Pew found the majority of Black teens — 79% — said they “would prefer to learn that the legacy of slavery still affects Black people today.” Only 41% of white and 45% of Hispanic teens agree.

The majority of K-12 teachers surveyed — 64%

— said students should learn the legacy of slavery still has an impact on the lives of Black Americans. Another 23% of teachers acknowledge slavery as a historical fact that students should learn about, but they argue it’s history that no longer affects Black Americans’ standing.

Then, there are the 8% of teachers who responded that this crucial part of history should be swept under the classroom rug and not taught in school at all.

The survey also asked teachers if culture war debates about how public schools should teach about race impact their ability to do their jobs.

41% of K-12 teachers said these debates have hurt their ability to do their job, while 53% said the impact has been neither positive nor negative — or that these debates have had no impact. Just 4% said these debates have a positive impact.

Thanks to Florida Gov-

ernor Ron DeSantis’ “Stop W.O.K.E.” campaign, parents have been empowered to get books and films stripped from classrooms and schools — putting them in the driver’s seat regarding what’s taught to students.

“We do not offer specific policy recommendations, but what we do see in the data is that most teachers say teachers themselves don’t have enough influence over what’s taught in public schools in their area,” Lin says. “A majority of teachers also say their state government has too much influence, and more say the federal government, the local school board, and parents have too much influence than say.”

According to the survey, 25% of teachers said parents should be able to opt their child out of discussions “related to racism or racial inequality.”

At the same time, “Teachers and Americans

overall are more likely to say parents should be able to opt their children out of learning about LGBTQ issues than to say the same about race,” Lin explains.

Nearly half of the educators out there, about 48%, are giving the thumbs up to parents being able to opt their children out of instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in their classrooms, “if the way they are taught conflicts with parents’ personal views or beliefs.”

How did students respond? “A larger share of teens say they feel comfortable when topics related to race come up in class than say the same about topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity,” Lin says.

The research didn’t dig deep into the intersectionality of race and LGBTQ issues, but Lin says it certainly remains an important topic.

Photo by Doug Engle, Courtesy Ocala Star-Banner University of Florida student Seyram Akahoho talks with friends on Feb. 23, 2024 during the “Stand for Freedom” protest at Turlington Hall. Hundreds of students throughout Florida protested against Gov. Ron DeSantis policies which include attacks on truthful teaching of Black history.