February 14th, 2013 edition

McMillan receives Trumpet Award

Tiffany Anderson returns to head Jennings schools

‘Good schools are the center of any community’

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Of The St.Louis American

Her signature tennis shoes allow her to pop down easily, even in her professional dark gray

skirt suit. They’re playing a question game with high stakes – a treat if they get the right answer.

“Math, science, social studies or spelling?”

Letty Wright-Hardin, kindergarten teacher, asks

MYAUTISTICSON

one of the squirming children. Anderson’s eyes brighten even more than the students’.

“Every morning I wake up, and I can’t wait to get here and get started,” Anderson said. “I wear tennis shoes every day so that I can be the crossing guard when I need to. I can visit a different school every week. I bring the energy to

Amother’s journey to understand, cope and give care

By Judge Angela Quigless

For The St.Louis American

Charlie was always a happy baby. He crawled when he was supposed to, he looked when you called his name and he was hitting all of his milestones. There were a few developmental delays, but there was no cause for immediate alarm.

We enrolled Charlie in swimming lessons when he was eight months old. He loved to swim, and today he swims like a fish. He began to develop ear infections, two or three a year. At first, we didn’t think anything of it because we thought it was from the pool. My husband, a doctor, suggested I take Charlie to Children’s Hospital for testing, just to be safe. I thought, worst case scenario, they might have to put tubes in his ears. I never thought the doctors

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but don’t do a disservice to your child by neglecting early intervention.

would diagnose Charlie with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. When the doctor told me that Charlie had autism and would never be “normal,” I zoned out. I didn’t absorb it. I had never even heard of autism until my son received this diagnosis.

I remember sitting there thinking that this doctor was trying to label my child. After all, Charlie was just

French rips Post on Slay, Reed coverage

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of the St.Louis American

“Both Clay and Nasheed serve one purpose in the Slay campaign, and that is to suppress and confuse the vote for an AfricanAmerican candidate.”

– Alderman Antonio French

See FRENCH, A6

Urban schools excel in science contest

KIPP, Gateway go against suburban students at Olympiad

By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St.Louis

American

KIPPInspire Academy students excelled in the regional Missouri Science Olympiad Tournament held earlier this month at Ladue Middle School. The KIPPInspire Science Olympiad team was one of only two innercity schools competing in the middle school division. The nonprofit Missouri Science Olympiad and its national affiliate strive to improve the quality of K-12 science education and

See KIPP, A6

Jennings School District Superintendent Brittany Anderson,a St.Louis native,gets a student’s eye view in Letty Wright-Hardin’s classroom at Woodland Elementary School.

Photo by Wiley Price See ANDERSON, A7

Angela Quigless Charlie Quigless

Mary J. says Whitney’s death helped her beat the bottle

Mary J. Blige says Whitney Houston’s death in February 2012 hit her hard, and made her realize it was time to seek spiritual help in an effort to cut out her binge drinking.

“I didn’t want to go to rehab,” she told Los Angeles Confidential magazine.

“I believe that anything man himself can do for me, God can do in a greater way. I decided to pray and to seek God on my own. I just stayed in the Word. And it worked.”

Blige admits she struggled with alcohol addiction after trying to cut back and just drink socially.

“I chose to learn how to drink socially and it didn’t work,” she said.

reason I stopped. I really do think I’m done. I looked at how that woman could not perform anymore.”

O.J.’s jailhouse

Super Bowl jamboree

“The test comes when you have to decide whether you’re drinking to be social or drinking to cover up something again. To cover up depression, to cover up guilt. Shame. Abandonment… Once I realized, ‘There you go again,’ I had to stop. Whitney Houston’s death really affected me. Her death is another

O.J. Simpson held a Super Bowl party in his cell at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada, where he’s serving time for kidnapping and armed robbery. Simpson is one of the few inmates who has his own TV, reports The New York Post’s Richard Johnson, so his friends crammed into his 80-square-foot cell to watch. “If you have the money, you can buy a TV at the inmate store and put it in your cell,” Simpson’s producer friend Norman Pardo said. There was no shortage of potential guests because he’s so popular. “He’s like the Godfather of the prison now,” Pardo said.

Police chief in Chris Brown community service scandal steps down

The police chief who signed off on Chris Brown’s allegedly fake community service hours resigned. According to reports Richmond, Virginia Police Chief Bryan Norwood turned in his

resignation and will be replaced by assistant

Chief Ray Tarasovic.

Chief Norwood has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed he personally signed off on Chris Brown’s community service hours even though some of the hours coincided with times Chris Brown was out of the country or on tour.

Bryan Norwood had been Chief of Police in Richmond since 2008

Phaedra wants no parts of being RHOA spinoff star

After reportedly being offered a spin-off reality show from Bravo, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-star Phaedra Parks turned the network down.

The lawyer and funeral planner told Perez Hilton she sees no sense in exploiting the little privacy her family has left to have her own show.

“I don’t want my mama suing me. I don’t want my parents disowning me because of a TV show,” Parks told Hilton. “I don’t want to have to fight with my husband or my mama,” she added. “First of all, everyone sees enough of our life already and it’s very

invasive. You don’t have a lot of privacy just on being on the ‘Housewives’ in general. There always has to be some drama.”

Toni Braxton takes issue with reality TV star status

Reality TV may be paying Toni Braxton’s bills but it doesn’t mean she has to like it.

“I hate to have reality star behind my name,” Braxton told The Grio. “That’s just not what I wanted to be when I grew up. Braxton, who recently announced her retirement from music, admits to The Grio that she’s not comfortable with being in the spotlight thanks to reality television. “For me it’s challenging because the artists that I grew up to be; me, the late great Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, we were taught to be aloof,” Braxton said. “No one needs to know about your life. But now in the

Mary J. Blige

Lies and Lizz Brown

By Sen. Jamilah Nasheed

For The St. Louis American

I have made no secret of my support for Francis Slay to be retained as mayor, and I have made it plain that the fact that he supported both me and Congressman Lacy Clay in our recent campaigns – which pitted us against formidable white opponents – was a factor in my decision to support him. While I certainly think my support for Slay is open to debate and even criticism, I think it is a great disservice to our community when public figures like radio personality Lizz Brown contaminate

Nasheed, Slay and us

By Lizz Brown

For The St. Louis American

Her political trajectory began with an act of kindness and community – Jamilah Nasheed holding up a sheet to shield her godmother, Alderwoman Irene J. Smith, from prying eyes and Francis G. Slay’s political wickedness. In 2013, however, there is neither kindness nor community to be found in the direction that Ms. Nasheed has decided to take her political career. In 2002 Slay engaged in an epic and divisive strategy designed to weaken the political strength of North St. Louis for generations to come.

Commentary

the discussion with lies, distortions and outright hypocrisy.

Ms. Brown, who after almost a decade of silence and non-involvement in our community following being removed from radio, has now suddenly reappeared. In truth, she has reappeared not because of her commitment to our community, but because she is getting paid. For the fact of the matter is that the sponsor of her new radio program is none other than Slay’s opponent, Lewis Reed. Yes, this is the same Lewis Reed that Ms. Brown, just a few years back, called a sell-out for being silent and complicit in the takeover of the school district and the snatching of the 20th Ward

from the black community in the 2000 redistricting process. And, yes, this is the same Lewis Reed that Ms. Brown used to pound relentlessly on her radio program for “carrying the water” of Mayor Slay while being a member of the City’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment.

I respect Ms. Brown’s right to change her mind about Mr. Reed – her sponsor – and I would hope that she and the community would respect my change of attitude toward Mayor Slay, who most know I vigorously opposed in previous elections. In supporting me and Congressman Clay, Mayor Slay stood not simply for us, but for a Missouri Senate seat and a Congressional seat

The plan was to eliminate the 20th Ward. Slay’s official explanation was there had been population reduction in North St. Louis and as a result the 20th Ward had to go. The true reason for Slay’s decision, however, could be found in his political philosophy and thuggish style. Slay won that battle, and the highest Democratic voting ward was moved south along with millions of dollars attached to it. It was on the ashes left by the destruction of this African-American ward that Nasheed began to sketch out her political persona: community activist, minority advocate and foe of Slay. It helped that Slay stayed thuggishly consistent. In his first term, fresh from annihilating the 20th Ward, he turned his attention

to personnel by firing, eliminating or undermining an astonishing number of highly placed African Americans: Sheila Banks, Ocie Johnson, Dimitri Gay, Rita Kirkland, Diane Castor, Percy Green and Kenny Jones. Along with the departures and/ or removal of Ron Smith, Ruby Bonner, Jack Thomas, came the demotion (that is, constructive termination) of the city’s first AfricanAmerican Fire Chief Sherman George. When Nasheed combined the undermining and demotion of Chief George with a recall Slay petition, it was a “seal the deal” moment in the hearts of her constituents.

To win a state Senate seat, you need an enthusiastic base of voters, money and support from other elected officials.

remaining in the hands of the African-American community. When he recently enacted an Executive Order mandating that all city projects receiving TIF financing have 25 percent minority and 5 percent female workers, he demonstrated that he has come around to the imperative of economic inclusion.

I know there are some who believe a person can never change. I am not of that faith. Consequently, Ms. Brown can continue to engage in the political drama and rhetoric for which she is known and gets paid. I will continue to spend my time fighting for more resources and rights for the community – working with whomever can make this happen for us.

Financial series for women

Nasheed had the base but little money or political support. So she decided to cash a Slay check and then use all us to pay for it.

Slay paid $5,000 to help get her back on the ballot and right-wing billionaire Rex Sinquefield paid tens of thousands to trash her senatorial opposition, then African-American constituents – who were never mailed the literature with Slay’s picture plastered all over it – voted her into office.

And here we are stuck with a payment on a political bill we never knew about and are not responsible for as Nasheed demands that African Americans vote for the worst mayor the modern AfricanAmerican community has known. A career that began with promise, honor and commitment to the community ends like many bad deals do.

A Women’s Financial Education Series to be offered starting February 21 is designed to help individuals, especially women, increase their current level of financial knowledge, develop confidence in their decision-making ability, and gain control of their lives through informed money management.

This five-session series will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Thursdays, February 21 through March 21. The location is St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville. The sessions will focus on financial management, credit, insurance, planning for retirement, investing and estate planning. The cost of the program is $49; partial scholarships are available. Each participant will receive a financial workbook and many other resources. This program is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension, St. Charles Community College and other local coalition members. PNC Bank provided funding to help support this community program. For information contact Suzanne Gellman, (636) 9703000 or email gellmans@ missouri.edu. To register, call 636-922-8233. Register online at http://stchas.edu/learnforlife Visit http://extension. missouri.edu/wfes for a brochure and information. University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all.

www.stlamerican.com

www.stlamerican.com

www.stlamerican.com www.stlamerican.com

www.stlamerican.com

Guest Columnist

State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed

Guest Columnist Lizz Brown

Editorial /CommEntary

Slay and Reed need to offer solutions

St. Louis, in our view, is an emergent region with vast unrealized potential that has been held back by a lack of leadership, a fragmented political structure, racism and segregation, a growing black underclass that is costly in human and economic terms – we all know the litany of reasons why we are lagging as a region, and unfortunately many of us are more practiced at reciting this dreary list than focusing on our substantial but under-utilized resources.

The city at the center of this bi-state, multicounty region, the city of St. Louis, is about to elect its chief executive for the next four years. As there is no Republican opponent, the March 5 Democratic primary will determine the next mayor. A city with a declining population and tax base, but a central location in the U.S. and many compelling attributes, deserves a mayoral campaign where the candidates provide their visions for leading the city and region. We are not getting it.

The incumbent, Mayor Francis G. Slay, is relying on African-American surrogates to dilute the black vote from the base of his strongest challenger, aldermanic President Lewis Reed. This is pure politics, devoid of policy. Reed is singling Slay out for his lack of leadership on crime, when he knows that under the current form of police governance Slay has limited ability to direct the police department and that our problems with crime are multi-faceted, longstanding and deeply rooted.

Last year, the St. Louis Regional Chamber selected its new leader, Joe Reagan, who took over from long-time president and CEO Dick Fleming. In an interview on this week’s Business page, Reagan strikes the notes we think should be heard from Slay and/or Reed, connected to an

action plan.

“Those who have greater educational attainment take greater part in the economic benefits of this country and place themselves in positions to drive better policy,” Reagan tells us. Exactly. What should the next mayor of St. Louis do to achieve greater educational attainment of our citizens?

“To the extent that we are able to welcome and include people from all over the world and every neighborhood in our region – if we do that, we will be a success,” Reagan tells us. Exactly. What should the next mayor of St. Louis do to achieve greater inclusion of minorities and immigrants?

“We need to embrace new startups and corporate innovators – that’s how we will be able to replace the major employers today who are going through cycles of change as businesses are sold,” Reagan tells us. Exactly. What should the next mayor of St. Louis do to achieve greater innovation and entrepreneurship?

“We compete as a metropolitan region in a global economy,” Reagan tells us. Exactly. What should the next mayor of St. Louis do to help foster greater, more effective cooperation between the city and its neighboring counties on both sides of the river?

We challenge Slay and Reed to set aside their emphases on largely trivial political posturing and slick, divisive maneuvering and tell us what they propose to do with the Mayor’s Office to improve the city’s performance in educational attainment, economic inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship, and bi-state regionalism. We are waiting for a serious discussion about better addressing the many issues facing the city. March 5 is less than three weeks away.

Commentary

Assassination by remote control

If George W. Bush had told us that the “war on terror” gave him the right to execute an American citizen overseas with a missile fired from a drone aircraft, without due process or judicial review, I’d have gone ballistic. It makes no difference that the president making this chilling claim is Barack Obama. The moral and ethical questions posed by the advent of drone warfare – which amounts to assassination by remote control – are painfully complex. We had better start working out some answers because, as an administration spokesman told me recently, drone attacks are “the new normal” in the ongoing struggle against terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda.

But one of the few bright lines we can and should recognize is that in the exceedingly rare instances when a U.S. citizen may be targeted, our government bears a special burden.

The Obama administration acknowledged as much in a secret Justice Department “white paper” obtained last week by NBC News. The document laid out a legal argument that the president, without oversight, may order a “lethal operation” against a citizen who is known to be a “senior operational leader” of al-Qaeda or an affiliated group.

This is not an academic question. In 2011, a CIA drone attack in Yemen killed Anwar

al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born cleric who had become a leading figure in the terrorist franchise known as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Two weeks later, another drone attack killed Awlaki’s 16-year-old son.

Awlaki was believed to have been directly involved in the near-miss “Underwear Bomber” plot to down a civilian airliner on Christmas Day 2009, as well as the planting of two bombs – fortunately, discovered before they could explode – on Chicago-bound cargo planes in 2010. Perpetrators of several other attacks cited Awlaki’s fiery sermons and, in some cases, his personal messages as their inspiration. I shed no tears for him. But as the Justice Department document admits, U.S. citizens have constitutional rights. I am deeply troubled by the notion that the president can unilaterally decide those rights no longer apply.

The white paper specifies the conditions that must be met before a citizen is targeted for obliteration. Among them is that he or she must be planning an “imminent” terrorist attack. The document then argues for a remarkably elastic definition of imminence.

What I don’t accept is that the president or a “high-level official” gets to make the call without judicial oversight. When the government wants to violate a citizen’s right to privacy with wiretaps and other forms of electronic surveillance, a judge from a special panel – the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court – has to give approval. Surely there should be at least as much judicial review when the

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Voting: just a means to an end

Since the start of a new year, we’ve witnessed the passing of national and state elections and await the outcome of various local races. In the last cycle millions were spent and millions of words spoken exposing efforts to reduce voter turnout. Despite the poorly disguised voter suppression tactics, AfricanAmerican voters diligently went to the polls and delivered heavily for Democrats, who usually fielded better candidates.

Unfortunately, the agenda of neither of the major parties really addressed issues that, while not necessarily unique to blacks, impact our community and youth disproportionately. While there were plenty of passionate electiontime appeals about how we shouldn’t forget those who died for the right to vote, there was little real discussion about the lingering institutional and structural injustices around race, class and poverty that they were actually fighting against. We have to remember politics are more than elections. Voting is just a means to an end. Political art is active engagement and building

partnerships with those who support your goals; its science is getting what is necessary to measurably improve the lives of others.

With America becoming increasingly diverse, I wonder if the two major parties alone have the vocabulary or the imagination to turn the rhetoric and goals of the Civil Rights Movement into a political and economic program that deals with 21st Century socioeconomic realities. The Democratic Party is best positioned to do it, but any coalitions between progressives and African Americans in particular will be superficial and short if they don’t begin with honest dialogue about if and how resources will be allocated to help reverse negative trends in education, criminal justice and employment.

If we continue to vote but stay silent and satisfied with second-class education, health care, housing and employment opportunities, then the only legacy we leave our children is a 21st Century apartheid behind prison walls. No child’s future should be sacrificed because the dynamics of race are too uncomfortable to confront and the politics of poverty and inclusion are too difficult to wrestle with.

The short-sightedness of many of our own politicians

Letters to the editor

Forever transformed

On December 1, 1955, our nation was forever transformed when an African-American seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. Just wanting to get home after a long day at work, Rosa Parks may not have been planning to make history, but her defiance spurred a movement that advanced our journey toward justice and equality for all.

The Council accomplished this by redefining what a “responsible bidder” is for these projects, adding provisions that were purpose-built to ensure that union contractors received special treatment. The purpose of “responsible bidder” laws is to get the best deals for taxpayers; the County’s revision does precisely the opposite, benefitting a narrow private interest.

has been one obstacle to progress. Too many so-called leaders are more interested in self-promotion than being serious about the business of political engagement for socioeconomic improvement. We have not effectively presented a concise set of demands for our continued loyalty, nor specified credible political consequences for not getting enough of the grown-up chairs at the political table. With a new America on the horizon, our politics must engage, mentor, prepare and serve as a hands-on laboratory for action and ideas, especially for our young people. They can fulfill their potential and join their peers as global leaders, but we have no time to waste on politics that lacks vision and doesn’t give young people a chance to learn how to use the tools of civic engagement. If the voices of all voters aren’t heard, the groups who collectively set agendas and determine policy don’t have much incentive to broker any deals addressing the daily life challenges of a significant part of their base. Developing an agenda for social and economic advancement instead of settling for individual and temporary electoral victories will not guarantee that we will get what everything we need, but not having a plan guarantees we will continue to get very little.

If any of us went into one of these facilities and was told that having an abortion would make us infertile and cause breast cancer, we wouldn’t get one either. But it’s a lie. Some CPCs also tell women that they’ll suffer these problems simply by taking birth control. If this measure passes the MO Senate, they’ll have an easier time peddling lies.

government wants to violate a citizen’s right not to be blown to smithereens.

This oversight would occur when the decision was made to place a citizen on the “kill list” of targets – meaning there could be no “hot pursuit” scenario in which a drone had a target in its sights but the aircraft’s controllers had to get a judge’s approval before firing. Keep in mind that the question of targeting a citizen would come up only rarely. Also keep in mind that the “drone court,” like the surveillance court, would surely grant almost every government request.

The practical impact of providing for judicial review in targeting citizens would be practically nil. But doing so would help us establish a conceptual and legal framework for this new, unsettling form of warfare.

No president could become aware that specific enemies are planning attacks against the United States and not take action. This would be an unconscionable dereliction of duty. If the plot is being developed in a place like Yemen or Somalia, what are the options? Order a Special Forces commando raid, risking American lives? Mount a fullscale invasion? Or send up a flying robot, armed with a missile?

As drones become more sophisticated, the range of missions for which they are used will grow. And as the United States demonstrates the military potential of drones, other nations will build their own robot fleets. We need to realize that the future is now.

Her courageous act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott – 381 days of peaceful protest when ordinary men, women, and children sent the extraordinary message that second-class citizenship was unacceptable. Rather than ride in the back of buses, families and friends walked. Neighborhoods and churches formed carpools. Their actions stirred the conscience of Americans of every background, and their resilience in the face of fierce violence and intimidation ultimately led to the desegregation of public transportation systems.

Rosa Parks’s story did not end with the boycott she inspired. A lifelong champion of civil rights, she continued to give voice to the poor and the marginalized among us until her passing on October 24, 2005.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’s birth, we celebrate the life of a genuine American hero and remind ourselves that although the principle of equality has always been self-evident, it has never been self-executing. It has taken acts of courage from generations of fearless and hopeful Americans to make our country more just. As heirs to the progress won by those who came before us, let us pledge not only to honor their legacy, but also to take up their cause of perfecting our union.

Barack

Obama President of

the United States

In the lurch for contracts

Late last year, the Saint Louis County Council wrote new regulations that would prevent most non-union contractors from bidding on county construction projects.

How narrow of an interest? The Bureau of Labor and Statistics recently released new data showing that of all construction labor, only 13.2 percent are unionized nationwide, a drop from 14 percent last year. Put another way, Saint Louis County rewrote its “responsible bidder” definitions to protect approximately one-eighth of the national construction industry, leaving the vast super-majority of labor – which is non-union –basically in the lurch for county contracts.

Saint Louis County is trying to direct more taxpayer money to fewer people. The County should reconsider its decision so that taxpayers are protected instead of special interests.

Patrick Ishmael Show-Me Institute

St. Louis

Benevolence, tax credits and lies

In the wake of General Assembly hearings on “Benevolent” Tax Credits, I was astounded that tax credits for positive programs were tied to the same piece of legislation as assistance to Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Tax credits to promote health and to provide aid to the most vulnerable Missourians undoubtedly work towards creating a more equitable society for those who need it most. CPC’s, however, give women false medical information while impersonating legitimate medical facilities.

My frustration is that, nestled among the wonderful charitable organizations that will soon be receiving much-needed tax credits to continue their good work, are intimidating and manipulative “clinics” that provide manufactured “facts” to young, scared, women to coerce them into having children that they don’t want or can’t afford.

Stephanie Budrus Washington University in St. Louis

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Guest Columnist Damion Trasada

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed listens to Mayor Francis G. Slay at a recent mayoral debate. Jimmie Mathews, center, is also on the March 5 ballot. Photo by Wiley Price

MFH hosts Medicaid town hall

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) health policy experts will host a public Medicaid town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd .

Check-in/light refreshments available at 6:30 p.m., forum begins at 7 p.m.

Experts will discuss and provide non-partisan insight on key issues around Medicaid expansion in Missouri; including its business and economic impact, and what expansion means for the overall health of Missourians.

If interested in attending, please register at http://bit.ly/MoMedicaid

History Museum breaks record forschool groups

The Missouri History Museum is celebrating a record-breaking year for school groups. The Museum welcomed 41,989 K–12 students in 2012, nearly double the number of students who visited in 2011. Of those students, 2,771 were homeschoolers, a demographic that the museum has been working to expand through its programming. The museum provided an estimated $350,000 worth of field trip programs to local students completely free of charge. The museum is able to offer programs to local schools thanks to support from the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District, museum members and sponsors.

U. City in D.C.

Koster: mortgage relief may be non-taxable

Attorney General Chris Koster reminds Missourians who received mortgage relief, including principal reduction and short sales, that their primary residence may be able to consider the value of the relief received as non-taxable income.

The National Mortgage Settlement announced last February required the settling banks to provide more than $16 billion to consumers nationwide in the form of principal reductions, short sales and other relief over three years.Koster and Attorneys General sent a letter to Congress in November asking them to extend a measure set to expire at the end of 2012 to protect that relief from being treated as taxable income, and Congress passed the extension.

Although banks may send IRS 1099 forms to Missourians indicating the amount of relief provided under the National Mortgage Settlement being reported to the IRS, the relief for a primary residence will likely not have to be counted as taxable income.The same exclusion will probably not apply to second homes or investment rental property.

Missourians with questions about the National Mortgage Settlement can contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Mortgage Hotline at 855-870-7676.

Affirmative action underattack

By U.S.Rep.Yvette D.Clarke Lawyers’Committee for Civil Rights

On October 10, 2012, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, a lawsuit about the constitutionality of the affirmative action programs in which colleges and universities consider the race of applicants in an effort to maintain diversity.

For several decades, the debate about affirmative action has been dominated by conservatives who have divided this nation by claiming that some people are “winners” and other people are “losers” under any such program. Generations of Republican politicians and their campaign managers have used the issue to develop resentment toward racial minorities.

We need to have other voices in the conversation – voices that explain the importance of affirmative action for every student and for our society as a whole. The leaders of our corporations, our institutions of higher education, and our military know from their experience the importance of diversity in our classrooms.

In 2003, the Supreme Court held in Grutter v. Bollinger that public colleges and universities could consider the race of applicants in selecting a class of students with the diversity to succeed in the modern world. Abrief submitted to the Supreme Court by several large corporations explained that students could develop “the skills needed in today’s increasingly global marketplace” only through interactions inside and outside the classroom with “widely diverse people, cultures, ideas, and viewpoints.”

Leaders of our military, such as General Wesley Clark and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, submitted a brief in Grutter which stated that the recruitment of a diverse class of officers at our nation’s military academies, such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, was necessary to fulfill the military’s “principle mission to provide national security”.

For our leaders in business and the military, the benefits of affirmative action are obvious. To compete with students from around the world, our students must have the opportunity to interact with people whose experiences are different from their own. Students educated in classrooms that are diverse will have the resources – social and intellectual – to become full participants in our civil society and its economy.

But in Fisher, the Supreme Court has been asked to reexamine the determination that colleges and universities have the ability to consider the race of applicants, with several other factors, in admissions. This determination has been the law in the United States for more than 30 years.

Areversal of the Supreme Court’s precedents on affirmative action would undermine the efforts of college administrators to select a class of students that has the ability – as a result of diversity – to excel in the world beyond the classroom. We must continue forward, not backward. As Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote, “Unless our children begin to learn together, there is little hope that our people will ever learn to live together.”

This article is written in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. See www.lawyerscommittee.org.

Yvette D. Clarke

Photo by Shenelle Dubose

University City High School students visited the U.S.Capitol during their visit to Washington,D.C.for President Obama’s Inauguration.

KIPP

Continued from A1

increase minority interest in science.

As a second year returning school, KIPP’s overall performance drastically improved, according to Nisha Wadhwani, KIPPInspire Science Olympiad head coach and assistant principal at KIPP Inspire Academy in St. Louis.

“Of our 30 KIPPsters, 16 were recognized on stage for 5th place or higher in their events and 12 of those students received medals,” Wadhwani said. Last year, only four students received medals. “We even won our first gold medal!” she said.

That gold medal was won by Ruby McDaniel and Robert Ford in the boomilever event.

“Aboomilever is basically a horizontal tower made of balsa or bass wood,” Wadhwani said. “The students had to meet certain specifications and the boomilever that held the most weights won.”

SLPS middle school competes

The other inner-city school competing in the Science Olympiad was Gateway Middle School from St. Louis Public Schools. Michael Cowen Nissen, an eight grade science instructor at Gateway Middle School, responded to why he thought more inner-

FRENCH

Continued from A1

membership fees, they again kept dragging the mayoral contest into that and pointed out again what they felt were reasons that Slay deserves another term and Reed isn’t qualified.

The American: Do you see this as a trend in the Post’s coverage?

city schools don’t compete.

“One of the problems is that we’re so focused on our math and communication arts scores that science more often gets pushed to the wayside,” Cowen Nissen said, referring to the standardized testing so critical to public schools’ accreditation.

He mentioned other contributing factors like a lack of resources for science education and the disadvantaged back-

Alderman French: Yes, it continues their trend of not being supportive of AfricanAmerican candidates. In August, they had a slate of candidates that did not include a single African-American candidate. Not for Congress, not for state representative, not for treasurer. And probably most offensive was in the Sheriff’s race, when they voiced that there was no real challenger to Sheriff James Murphy. Yet Murphy was almost unseated

grounds of some urban youths.

“Science is a very difficult subject to teach. So, students come in a science class and are asked to think critically and do hands-on things, stuff they may not have been asked to do before,” he said. “And, it honestly wipes out the science teachers so there isn’t any energy left for extra-curricular activities.”

It’s one reason why Wadhwani sought outside help

by Vernon Betts, an AfricanAmerican candidate.

The American: We’ve noticed in the Post’s coverage that you are a walk-on character in the Reed campaign.

Alderman French: Yes, it’s a reoccurring theme. Sometimes when it’s about an issue I’m fighting for, they feel the need to bring up President Reed. Twice now, in the issue of the O’Fallon recreational

from college students and professors at Washington University, KIPPInspire Academy’s sponsor, who have expertise in engineering, premed, environmental studies and music theory. They served as tutor coaches for the students.

“I’ve been trying to level the playing field by getting them this outside help,” Wadhwani said. She has championed for KIPP’s participation

center, they inferred that I was fighting for the rights of my constituents because of President Reed’s race. What the Post has tried to do is put in question my motives when I hold Slay’s administration accountable when it comes to public safety and providing people access to facilities.

The American: In one article they had you titled as “Reed’s unofficial campaign manager.”

KIPP Inspire Academy students Naijah Triplett, Exyrius HadleyLockett and Sean Price make sure there project is operating correctly during the regional Missouri Science Olympiad Tournament held earlier this month at Ladue Middle School.

Dasani Williams and Exyrius Hadley-Lockett and Naijah Triplett each won third and second place medals, respectively. McMonigle strongly encouraged participating students, four of whom were from KIPP, to pursue careers in engineering.

In the Olympiad, teams accumulated points in events that were a combination of written tests on subjects such as heredity, meteorology and anatomy, and scientific demonstrations like the Rotor Egg Drop.

in the Science Olympiad because she wanted students to have the extra-curricular opportunities that are more accessible to more affluent students.

The Mission Possible event was perhaps the most impressive display of engineering ingenuity, according to Missouri Science Olympiad Region 6 Director Hugh McMonigle. In the Mission Possible event, Sean Price and

Alderman French: Yes, the next day they printed a correction. I called the political editor and he said he was apologetic and he didn’t know how that got in the story. It is telling about the slant of the paper. The effect is that African-American politicians don’t feel like we can get a fair shake if we go against the establishment. When I read their platform, it speaks of supporting the disenfranchised and the poor. Clearly, this was about a fight to provide services to people in an impoverished, disenfranchised area. Why we had to count the Post-Dispatch as an adversary in that fight, I don’t know.

The American: So what is your involvement in the Reed campaign?

Alderman French: I have no official involvement other than I am a friend and a supporter. I worked on his first campaign for President of the Board of Aldermen back in 2006. I have been a vocal opponent of a lot of the policies of the Slay administration for over 10 years. Now we have a viable candidate who has won citywide twice before and has a long list of credentials and accomplishments. The idea of working with a new mayor who values my neighborhood and public safety for my folks – that’s like night and day for me. So

In this event, Shallen Briggs and Johnathon Stacker, of KIPP, used common household items to construct a device that could hold an egg while airborne. Once dropped from above, the device was expected to fly in such a way that when the egg hit the ground it wouldn’t crack; Shallen and Johnathon won 4th place. Wadhwani proudly stated that this time around KIPPfinished ranking 7th, up from last year’s 14th spot. Despite KIPP’s gains in several events, the team did not qualify to move on to the next level of competition reserved for the top four ranking schools.

Parkway West Middle School, Nipher, Sperreng and Ladue, in first place, advanced to the Missouri Science Olympiad State Tournament to be held April 6 at the University of MissouriColumbia.

I am going to do everything I can to get the vote out for President Reed.

The American: State Senator Jamilah Nasheed: what is her role in the Slay campaign and why is she pushing so hard?

Alderman French: That’s a good question, and it’s one that she’ll have to answer. But I think with both U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and Nasheed, both of them have expressed that they are endorsing Slay because Slay endorsed them. That doesn’t explain why Nasheed would so frequently attack Reed in his campaign. I worked on behalf of both Clay and Nasheed in the election. The 21st Ward delivered more votes to each of them than any other ward. But I have an election going on right now, and neither one of them has lifted a finger to help me in my election. Clearly, it’s not always about supporting those who help you. And just as we saw with Slay’s endorsement of Clay and Nasheed, endorsements don’t always deliver votes. Slay was not able to get any votes in his base for Clay or Nasheed. Likewise, Clay and Nasheed won’t be able to deliver any significant votes for Slay.

Both Clay and Nasheed serve one purpose in the Slay campaign, and that is to suppress and confuse the vote for an African-American candidate for mayor. And that is really shameful that they would allow themselves to be used in that matter. Don’t work against your community after they just saved your butts.

The American: And what about Jimmie Matthews, what threat does he pose in splitting the vote?

Alderman French: Matthews is an interesting character. He just ran for alderman a few months ago and got handedly defeated by Alderman Chris Carter. Then he decides to run for mayor. Did anyone put him up to that? I don’t know. I see Fred Wessels bringing him up to the Board of Aldermen as his special guest, though Alderman Fred Wessels is a vocal supporter of Slay. It is enough to put conspiracy theories in your head. It would be a shame if Matthews would take a small but decisive percentage of the vote that would cost President Reed the election. He comes to these debates and plays comic relief, but I don’t see anything funny about his candidacy.

Photo by Wiley Price

ANDERSON

Continued from A1

this district that we will really take it to the next level. The heart of that is building relationships.”

The school district in North St. Louis County has more than 3,000 students, eight schools and one alternative program. It is currently provisionally accredited, unlike the unaccredited Riverview Gardens and Normandy school districts on either side of its borders.

On Anderson’s first day as Jennings School District’s new superintendent, July 1, 2012, she started writing grant applications. Her tenacity landed a $90,000 federal grant to assist homeless students and their families. This allows the district to employ a homeless coordinator who tends to the 200-plus students who are homeless in the district. It also pays for students’college prep exams, college visits and other support.

The second grant she secured was a $1.6 million grant to expand after-school programs. With that money,

AUTISTIC

Continued from A1

a little over two years old when he was diagnosed. What were we going to do?

That appointment was on a Thursday. On Monday, my husband and I hit the ground running. I knew I had a limited window of opportunity to get Charlie the help he needed. Most children reach major developmental milestones between birth and 7 years old, so there was no time to delay. The pediatrician recommended a few programs. TouchPoint Autism Services, who just recently merged with Life Skills, offered an

the district has been able to open the senior-highswimmingpool, which was closed forthe last three years. Now the district offers swim lessons, dance and tutoring after school. Most of the schools provide some sort of child care or activity up until 6 or 7 p.m.

“We also provide full meals to our young people after school,” she said. “It’s really the idea that ‘you just send the kids and we’ll take care of it from there.’”

In her time here, the district has opened a food pantry to assist over 100 families monthly. It has also implemented the district’s first gifted program at one of the elementary schools and the first college-prep middle school program. On top of that, the district has already eliminated its financial deficit.

She has been through such challenges before. After serving as an assistant superintendent in the Rockwood School District in St. Louis County, Anderson accepted a superintendent position in Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia in 2005. During her tenure, the Montgomery district moved from having seven schools fully accredited to having all

Autism 101 class, which is where I received the bulk of my understanding and resources. Autism 101 talked about what autism was, the behaviors associated with autism and things we could do to help Charlie. We enrolled Charlie in speech therapy and physical therapy; we had a home therapist train us and help us understand how to help Charlie. I couldn’t have gone through this process without the guidance and support of other parents who were, or had been, in my shoes. I would be lost without TouchPoint Autism Services. As a mom, you carry the child throughout pregnancy, you do everything you can to make sure you have a healthy

23 schools in the district accredited.

“Every district that I’ve been in, we’ve had our challenges when I’ve entered,” Anderson said, “but through the collective energy of many, we have moved those districts to the highest possible performance with kids performing at the 90th percentile and above. And I anticipate Jennings will be in the same place.”

Glad to be back home

ASt. Louis native, Anderson said she’s glad to be back home and closer to her parents, both former Jennings residents who still reside in North County.

“They are proud to see me leading the school district,” she said. “I have a tremendous dedication to making sure that in St. Louis County and city we thrive as a community. Good schools are the center of any community, and when you have good schools you have good neighborhoods.”

Anderson first moved back to Missouri when she accepted a superintendent position at University Academy, a college prep charter school in Kansas

kid. No one wants to hear that their child may not be normal. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but don’t do a disservice to your child by neglecting early intervention.

One of our biggest hurdles was to try to educate people outside of our immediate family. People look at autism and they say, “Oh, he doesn’t look like he has autism.” It’s a struggle sometimes because there aren’t always physical attributes associated with autism, so people may downplay it and not give Charlie

City. She led it to become one of the highest-performing urban academies. In 2012 University Academy was recognized with Distinction in Performance for exceeding the 14 Missouri state standards for accreditation.

In Jennings’Woodland Elementary School, the halls are painted with scenes from “Sleeping Beauty” and other

AfricanAmerican children with autism typically receive a diagnosis one to two years later than white children.

what he needs to succeed. Now that I’m in a position to offer support and guidance to others, I tell people to not give into the “autism” label. We can be our own worst enemy. We set limitations. Stop doing that. We let Charlie experience everything that other kids his age would. We talk to our son as if we were talking to our nieces and nephews who don’t have autism. We know he has some sensory issues, but we put him in limited situations to see how he copes,

classic tales. Some hallways are painted as magical forests from the ceiling to the floor.

The art teacher, Jeff Arnold, spent over five years painting the walls himself, with the help of students.

“Entering Woodland is like walking into a story book,” Anderson said, “and it reminds all who enter that you can make your dreams come true

then we back off. Today, at age 11, Charlie ice skates and roller skates. He’s very musically inclined, so we expose him to hip-hop and polka music. He played soccer and did karate for awhile. He goes to the library regularly to get books and DVDs. He has a caregiver to help him with personal care, his school work and other tasks. We walk a fine line between overwhelming Charlie and fostering his growth and development.

Early intervention is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of children with developmental delays and autism spectrum disorders. Don’t delay. Look for the signs and get your child the help he or she needs right away.

Judge Quigless serves on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. For more information, visit www.lifeskills-stl.org or call 314-567-7705.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorders have had the most rapid increase when compared with other developmental disabilities; about 1 in 88 children have been identified with an autism spectrum disorder. Studies show that AfricanAmerican children with autism typically receive a diagnosis one to two years later than white children. We were lucky that Charlie was diagnosed relatively early.

with the right vision and hard workto make it happen.”

Kathleen Kurz, Woodland’s principal, said Anderson is just what the district needs right now.

“Dr. Anderson is the right person to get each of our students up to that level of excellence that we have been striving for,” Kurz said. “I look forward to where we are headed.”

Parade goers reach for beads being thrown from floats during the St.Louis Mardi Gras parade in St.Louis on February 9.

Photo:UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Bead on it

Slippery Slay debates a lackluster Lewis

It’s all about what the mayoral candidates didn’t say at the February 11 forum on St. Louis Public Radio and Nine Network – and who is better (or worse) at not telling the complete or direct truth. This was disappointing, because this city needs a robust, frank conversation about its challenges and opportunities. There were a few choice moments. One was Mayor Francis G. Slay’s response to a tax-incentive question from long-time public education advocate Susan Turk. She asked Slay a very specific question and got a non-answer that was so elementary, it was almost insulting. This is undoubtedly the umpteenth time she’s asked Slay or his administration this question, as Turk has been scorching Slay via her advocacy reporting for years. Her question: When developers receive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the city, did Slay have any intention of allotting 50 percent of property taxes incremented from the newly developed area back to the school districts –rather than 100 percent of it going to developer?

Here’s what she means with TIFs, and what the mayor well knows. TIFs capture a certain amount of revenue from taxes when property value and sales goes up. Say a person owns a $20,000 house, and about 60 percent of the owner’s property taxes go toward the school district. If a redeveloper comes in and rehabs the neighborhood and that property value goes up to $100,000, then schools will still only receive the amount of taxes on a $20,000 house. The other taxes go towards paying the development debt. For up to 23 years, school districts won’t get any additional funding from property taxes. But Turk understands that it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s all in the way the TIF deal is drawn. Rather than letting all of the new taxes go to the developer, the mayor and the staff that he appoints could strike a harder bargain for the schools and say that 50 percent of the new taxes would go the school district. Turk targets Slay with such questions, in part, because of the enormous campaign contributions made to Slay by billionaire political investor Rex Sinquefield, who has privatizing public schools on his lengthy political wish

list. Slay’s support of charter schools, in activist circles, is seen as a camel nose under the tent for policies that could bring down the St. Louis Public Schools.

When the mayor gave his non-answer on Monday, he did not say whether or not he would push for the 50 percent on behalf of the school district. He gave a long-winded explanation to say that TIFs and other tax incentives help develop blighted areas. Then he simply said, “We have to do it carefully and professionally.”

His confidence was convincing for anyone who didn’t understand what the question really meant. Disinformation is always targeted at the clueless, who are unfortunately always in the majority. However, if you knew what she was asking, Slay said nothing. Reed didn’t answer the question directly either, but he took a lot less time to ignore it before switching his response to a Slay attack that Turk and her ilk would appreciate: charter schools diverting funds from St. Louis Public Schools. Reed is demonstrably less slick than Slay, which has its own populist appeal. You feel like you would know when Lewis was telling you less than the truth, while a more practiced Slay might snow you.

Aldermen act on mortgages, inclusion, crime

Meanwhile, back on Reed’s day job, the Board of Alderman got some of the people’s business done last Friday. They passed a bill, 16 to 8, that would give homeowners facing foreclosure more opportunity to remain in their homes. The bill, sponsored by Reed, awaits the mayor’s signature. “The main focus of the bill is to give residents opportunities to negotiate and to sit down with mortgage companies,” said Tom Shepard, Reed’s chief of staff. The bill authorizes Mayor Slay and Comptroller Darlene Green to contract with a mediation coordinator. It also requires mortgage lenders to provide homeowners with a “Notice of Right to Request Mediation,” which informs homeowners of their rights to participate in a mediation

Clay sworn in

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, who is beginning his 7th term in the U.S. House, was sworn-in recently by Chief U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry. Clay is now the senior Member of Congress for the entire St. Louis region and the dean of Missouri’s U.S. House Delegation.

conference with the city’s mediation coordinator and the lender. Homeowners must reply within 20 days of receiving the letter.

The board also passed a bill (BB 297) that forces development projects that receive tax incentives in the City of St. Louis to follow the city’s minority workforce goals. Sponsored by Alderman Terry Kennedy, the bill requires Tax Increment Financed projects and city-bonded projects valued at $1 million or more to follow the same workforce goals, outlined in the 2009 ordinance 68412, of 25 percent minority, five percent women, 20 percent local workforce and 15 percent apprentices.

The bill comes after Slay’s executive order, which was announced on Dec. 12 just moments before CORTEX, a $2.2 billion research-park project, presented a TIF proposal for $168 million in tax incentives to the TIF Commission. Prior to that, minority leaders called foul on the CORTEX project for not having established diversity goals.

The aldermen also voted to send the marijuana bill one

step closer to becoming law.

The bill (BB 275), sponsored by Alderman Shane Cohn, would make possession of small amounts of marijuana a

municipal offense rather than a state offense, and the fines up to $500 would go towards the city rather than the courts. Cohn said he met with the

Circuit Attorney’s Office, prosecuting attorneys and police, who all said that such cases are a strain on their resources. They worked with Cohn to come up with ordinance in order to improve efficiency in crime prevention. “They said, ‘Help us help you, so we can spend more time fighting other types of crime,’” said Alderwoman Marlene Davis

The bill received a majority votes to be perfected. The board will vote on the bill at the next board meeting on April 15.

Missing papers

The American prides itself in making this newspaper conveniently available for our readers, but we have heard reports that – depending on our lead news story in a hot electoral season – our newspapers tend to disappear overnight from racks in wellinformed, high-voting sectors of the city where our coverage might make a difference. This appeared to happen last week when our front page boldly proclaimed poorly accounted for spending of residual Prop E campaign monies being managed by a longtime Slay operative who previously had used putatuive do-gooder funds to pay for Slay-positive coverage in The Whirl and The Argus

No love for Bubba

House Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith, R-Salem, has proposed a constitutional amendment (HJR 7) to the Missouri Constitution that would enshrine “the traditional rights of Missourians to hunt, fish and farm,” Smith said in a release. This is a grave failure of public policy. Smith forgot to include the traditional Missouri rights to go barefoot in the summer time, play Lynyrd Skynyrd at peak volumes and call your male associates “Bubba.”

Obituaries

In Remembrance of Beloved Husband and Father Donald Craig Mitchell

May 30, 1957 –February 6, 2011

It is hard to believe you have been gone for two years. Seems like yesterday you were coming through the door, Sitting on the front porch or watering the grass. The best things in life are The people we love, The places we’ve been, And the memories we’ve shared along the way. (Author Unknown) Donald, we miss your presence; we miss you.

Love Always, Barbara, Cortney, Kelsey, Craig, Elizabeth

St. Louis Educator passes at 66 Dr. Arlene Ackerman, (nee Randle) the former superintendent of Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia public schools, passed away February 2 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born in St. Louis and having graduated in the Ritenour High School Class of 1964, Dr. Ackerman received her doctorate in Administration, Planning, & Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Urban Superintendents Program. She earned a Master of Arts

in Education from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Policy from Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Harris-Stowe Teacher’s College.

Dr. Ackerman’s professional life also included experience as classroom teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels; principal at the middle school level; Director, Upward Bound Program for first generation collegebound students; Director, Basic Skills Academy for at-risk high school youth; Assistant Superintendent, Special Services; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Academic Achievement; and Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer.

Dr. Ackerman received numerous honors and awards including Apple for the Teacher Award-Iota Lambda Sorority, Distinguished Alumni Award-Harris Stowe Teachers College, and recognition from Harvard University’s Urban Superintendents Program. Ackerman served on The President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities which advises the President and the Secretary of Education on strengthening these institutions. In 2004 she was named Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of Black School Educators. In 2010, she received the Richard R. Green Award for Urban Superintendent of the Year from the Council of Great City Schools in recognition of her contributions to urban schools and students.

Dr. Ackerman and her team earned praise from President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan for an intervention approach aimed at turning around the District’s struggling schools under the Empowerment, Renaissance and Promise Academy initiatives.

Dr. Ackerman is survived by two sons, Anthony and Matthew Antognoli; a daughter-

in-law, Mickie; and four granddaughters, Sarah, Soleil, Marley and Violet, all residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She also leaves a sister, Cheryl Randle of Kansas City, Missouri; and three brothers: Ronald Lee Randle of San Clemente, CA; Gary Neil Randle of Washington, D.C.; and physician Dr. Gregory Clayton Randle of St. Louis. The family requests that all donations please be made to the following organizations where funds have been set up in her name:

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital - Donors may give by phone-1-800873-6983, online at stjude. org/tribute or mail a check to: St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, Fund Name: Arlene Ackerman Code: 32733066.

American Cancer SocietyDonors may give by phone 800-227-2345, online at cancer.org, or send a check to American Cancer Society: PO box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718.

David Nelson Jr.

David Nelson Jr. was born on April 13, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri to Nina (Carroll) Nelson and David Nelson Sr. He was the oldest son of six children. David attended St. Nicholas Elementary School and then Vashon High School where he was a 4-year letterman in track, football, baseball, and basketball and competed as a Golden Gloves boxer.

Upon graduating from Vashon High School, David enlisted in the U.S. Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton, California where he served both active and reserve duty for six years. After a brief return to St. Louis, David left again for California to pursue a new life and better education.

While working two jobs, David graduated from Long Beach City College and later finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at California State University Long Beach. There, he became a Founding Member of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and, after graduation,

he went into teaching at the elementary school level. David, again, returned briefly to St. Louis to reunite with his longtime sweetheart, Dorothy Clay, who he had met in elementary school. They enjoyed almost 50 years in loving matrimony. They both enjoyed careers in education. They had two children: Byron Nelson and Andrea Nelson Meigs. After working for few years as a Vice Principal, he went on to become a Principal at various schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He retired in 1999, serving as a strong, fearless, role model and premiere educator for almost 35 years.

In Loving Memory of my son Lewis Singleton

Sunrise: February 13, 1956 Sunset: April 19, 2012

We love and miss you so very much. You will be forever in our hearts.

Love always, Your mother (Louise Singleton) & family

Remembering

Frank M. Jones

Remembering Frank M. Jones on his 71st Valentine Birthday. We miss him very much.

From: Ann Jones and all his family

MO Bar suggests changes in criminal justice

American staff

On Friday the Missouri Bar Criminal Justice Task Force shared its recommendations for how the state can assure an effective criminal justice system for the people of Missouri.

“Their recommendations incorporate the experiences and expertise of judges, prosecutors, public defenders and defense attorneys and represent a balanced proposal for the legislature to consider,” said Missouri Bar President Pat Starke, who formed the task force in an effort “to implement a long-term solution to provide adequate resources for indigent criminal defense.”

The panel has been considering ideas since late last year and issued the following recommendations, which were approved by The Missouri Bar’s executive committee:

• Abrogate unilateral certification of offices by the Missouri State Public Defender, while allowing District (or Circuit) Public Defender to seek judicial relief of caseload through presiding judge

• Limit Public Defender representation in probation and parole violation/revocation cases to those cases where representation is constitutionally required

• Limit Public Defender involvement in 1stand 2nd-level conflict cases through contract counsel

• Enact statutory change to State Legal Expense Fund to include coverage for contract and appointed counsel in criminal matters, or otherwise provide malpractice protection for appointed counsel

• Utilize a central collection agency for

all criminal justice debt, including restitution, court fees, jail fees, public defender liens, and all other debt defendants owe due to their involvement in the criminal justice system

• Allow courts to take monthly payments on cash or 10 percent deposit bonds for payment of private counsel and funding of the Public Defender System

• Explore efficiency of representation of indigent defendants by contract counsel consistent with the requirements of the 6th Amendment of the US Constitution and Article I, Section 18(a) of the Missouri Constitution

•

Extend the existence of the Missouri Bar Criminal Justice Task Force to continue drafting statutory language for these matters, and also to consider and review other criminal justice issues, including needs of part-time prosecutors. The Criminal Justice Task Force is chaired by recently retired Judge Charles Atwell and comprised of Cat Kelly, director of the Missouri State Public Defender System; Eric Zahnd, president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Jeff Eastman, president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and Ray Williams, private counsel and member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors. Most of the recommendations require statutory changes. Legislation addressing the state’s criminal justice system has already been introduced this session. Starke said he’s glad this important issue has the attention of the state’s policy leaders and believes the task force’s recommendations can help lead to a promising legislative solution.

Saint Louis University Hosts Its Second Annual Martin Luther King Memorial Program

Saint Louis University honored the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a memorial tribute that included authentic African Drummers, a recitation of his iconic “I Have A Dream Speech” and words from a civil rights leader who worked as a key member of King’s own staff. Nearly 400 people from the University and members of the St. Louis community attended the luncheon to honor the late civil rights leader. The program kicked off with Sylvester “Sunshine” Lee performing African Drum rhythms as guests arrived; a recitation of King’s famous speech, “I Have A Dream” by area voiceover talent D.C. Cooper and later a moving performance by the St. Alphonsus “Rock” Choir.

Michael Patrick McMillan, License Collector for the City of St. Louis, served as the master of ceremonies. Other speakers included Rabbi Susan Talve, of Central Reform Congregation; Rev. Dr. E.G. Shields, pastor of Mt. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church; Ken Fleischmann, J.D., Vice President of Human Resources, Saint Louis University; and Don Highberger, S.J., Special Assistant for University Ministry.

The featured speaker of the event was Xernona Clayton, a civil rights leader, author and media personality who worked with Rev. King and organized events with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Clayton

also has worked with CNN founder Ted Turner to establish the Trumpet Awards Foundation, which honors exceptional diverse Americans. She also founded the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

Ms. Clayton was honored with the Civil Rights Award for her work organizing marches, uncovering discriminatory employment practices and addressing the desegregation of hospitals. Each Honoree received her book: “I’ve Been Marching All the Time.“

Along with Ms. Clayton, SLU honored University and community leaders who have worked to promote equality in the St. Louis community. Those recognized were Karla Scott, Ph.D., an associate professor of communication and SLU alumnus, who received the Donald Brennan Humanitarian Award; Judge Jimmie Edwards, another SLU alumnus, received the Education Award; James Buford, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, received the Community Service Award; Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of the Regional Business Council, received the Civic Leadership Award; Thomas Voss, CEO of Ameren, received the Corporate Leadership Award; Keith Williamson, senior vice president and general counsel of Centene Corporation, also received a Corporate Leadership Award.

In addition to their awards, each Honoree

of

introducing

received gifts and recognitions presented by Kenneth Fleischmann, J.D., Vice President of Human Resources and event host; Dawn Fuller formerly of Congressman Lacy Clay’s Ofice; Darlene Green, Comptroller; and Tishaura Jones, Treasurer. Among the Oficial awards were Resolutions from Congress, Aldermanic Council, Ofice of the License Collector and a framed letter from Saint Louis University President, Fr. Lawrence Biondi.

Dr. Arlene Ackerman

Donald C. Mitchell

Lewis Singleton

Frank M. Jones

David Nelson Jr.

Sitting l-r: Rabbi Susan Talve; The Honorable Tishaura Jones; Dr. Karla Scott; Xernona Clayton; Dawn Fuller; The Honorable Darlene Green. Standing l-r: Kenneth Fleischmann, J.D.; D.C. Cooper; Keith Williamson; Judge Jimmie Edwards; Michael P. McMillan; Tom Voss; Rev. Dr. E.G. Shields; James Buford. Michael P. McMillan, Master

Ceremonies,

Dr. Karla Scott.

Award Presentations

Tom Voss, CEO of Ameren, gives remarks for his Corporate Leadership Award. Each year, Ameren donates millions of dollars to educational programs, senior citizen initiatives, and cultural and social programs.

l-r: Kenneth Fleischmann, J.D.; Dawn Fuller; Xernona Clayton; The Honorable Tishaura Jones; and The Honorable Darlene Green.

SCIENCE CORNER

Have you ever watched a weather forecast and wondered what the meteorologist was really saying? read on to learn about some of the terms used in a weather forecast.

Front: A front is a line of separation between a warm and cold air mass. it usually results in stormy weather and temperature changes.

Just Exactly What Is Meterology?

High Pressure System: A high pressure system is a whirling mass of dry, light air that usually brings mild weather and light winds.

Low Pressure System: A low pressure system is a whirling mass of warm, moist air that usually brings stormy weather and strong winds.

METEroLogiST AND EDuCATor June Bacon-Bercey

June Bacon-Bercey is famous for her work in meteorology. She was born oct. 23, 1932, in Wichita, Kansas. As a child, she was very interested in science. in 1954, she graduated with honors from university of California, Los Angeles (uCLA), with degrees in math and meteorology.

Bacon-Bercey worked for the National Weather Service in Washington, D.C. Her weather forecasting charts were put into use worldwide. She also worked as a consultant with the Sperry rand Corporation, the National oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NoAA) and the National Broadcast Company (NBC), and worked as a TV weathercaster in New York. Her expertise put her in high demand. She was the first African American woman to be given the National Weather Association’s “seal of approval” for excellence in television weathercasting.

When there is a cold front, the cold air replaces the warmer air, and the temperature drops. When there is a warm front, the warmer air replaces the cooler air and the temperature rises.

Doppler radar: The Doppler radar can detect precipitation, wind direction and speed. Weather forecasters use the Doppler radar to detect severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Humidity: Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

A rain gauge measures the amount of rainfall. Although you can purchase a rain gauge, you can also make your own.

Materials Needed:

1 Clear Jar (at least one quart) Clear Waterproof Tape

A Ruler

Process:

q Place the ruler inside the jar. Be sure the ruler is even with the bottom of the jar and the inch markings are visible from the outside.

w Tape the ruler securely inside the jar.

e Place the rain gauge outside in an open area.

MATH CONNECTION

Meteorologists must have a strong grasp of patterns. For this activity, you will collect data about the weather for one week. You will use this data to answer some questions.

Barometer: A barometer is used to measure pressure in the atmosphere. Want to learn more weather terminology and symbols? Check out: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/ weather-forecasting.htm

Learning Standards: i can read a nonfiction article to learn new vocabulary.

r Check the rain gauge every day at the same time and record the amount of rainfall. t Empty the rain gauge daily. record your observations in your notebook. Compare your results with the class.

Note: it is fun to have a rain gauge at home and at school. You can compare the amount of rainfall at each location. Try placing the rain gauge in different locations and see how it impacts the amount of rain collected.

Learning Standards: i can follow directions to complete a project. i can compare and analyze results.

Weekly Weather Data

Which day had the highest temperature?

_______________ Which day had the lowest temperature? ________________

Which day had the biggest span in the temperature range?________________ What was the average high temperature of the week? _________________ What was the average low temperature of the week?_________________

Learning Standards: i can add, subtract, multiply and divide to solve a problem. i can collect data and analyze patterns.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 1990, Bacon-Bercey has been focusing on education. She has developed science lessons for textbook companies. it is her goal to attract women and minorities to study science, and she has developed a scholarship to make their education possible.

Learn more about June Bacon-Bercey and her Accomplishments: http://www.sfgate.com/ bayarea/article/Substitute-Science-Teacher-is-aMeteorology-3240651.php

Learning Standards: i can read a biography to learn about accomplishments in math, science, and technology.

good writers must be able to see situations from many different perspectives. This is called a point of view. in this activity, you will consider a situation from three different perspectives.

in the winter, outside recess time is sometimes shortened (or eliminated) at school due to the temperature. Consider this decision from the point of view of the parent, the teacher, and yourself (the student).

Dear Ms. Matthews, I am the parent of Akesha in your 4th grade class. I know it is winter and hard for children to be outside to exercise, but Akesha does better with some physical activity during the day.

I am hoping you will consider adding some exercise to the schedule ifThanks,possible.Rhonda Wright

Now, pretend you are the parent and write a letter to your teacher explaining why your child should have a full or shortened outside recess. Next, pretend you are the teacher. Write a paragraph explaining why you would or would not give your students a full-length outdoor recess. Finally, write a paragraph from your perspective. Should your outdoor recess time last the full amount? Should it be shortened or eliminated? Why?

In the News: Select an article in the newspaper. Discuss the perspective of the author. Would the article change if it was written from another person’s point of view?

Learning Standards: i can use point of view in a writing sample. i can write for a specific purpose and audience.

One of the science textbooks BaconBercey has published.

Photo by Wiley Price

On February 7, 2008 the unthinkable happened. The Kirkwood City Hall became the scene of one of the most horrific shootings the St. Louis metropolitan area had ever witnessed. Yet only five years later, such a rampage is sadly becoming commonplace.

The anniversary of the Kirkwood tragedy comes in the midst of a national heated debate about gun control. Charles Thornton, known as Cookie, did not have a semiautomatic weapon or the carnage would have been far greater. He came to the scene with one revolver and also took the revolver of the police officer he killed outside city hall. Before the bullets stopped flying, six people lay dead

Five years after Cookie Thornton

and two injured. Thornton had killed two police officers, the public works director, two council members and wounded the mayor and a reporter. The mayor died several months later of complications due to his injuries. Thornton was stopped by the lethal shots of police.

I have never seen the kind of vitriol aimed at white shooters as I did with Thornton. Some hateful remarks were aimed at me because of my stance. Most of the fingers behind mass killings, in fact, are those of troubled white men. I have written about Kirkwood and its black stepchild, Meacham Park, over the 20 years I’ve been involved in that community, mainly because of police violence. There is a chapter in my book

entitled “What’s the Price of Selling Out Meacham Park?”

So far, the price has been great. Recently Chris Kyle was shot and killed. The name is unfamiliar to most but Kyle was a former Navy Seal and once called America’s deadliest sniper. He could shoot a target with accuracy from 21 football fields away. Since he left the military, Kyle had been working with troubled vets, sometimes taking them to the shooting range for therapy. While at the range, Eddie Ray Routh allegedly turned his semiautomatic on Kyle and another man, killing them instantly.

Wayne LaPierre of the National Rife Association claims the “only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.”

Even the world’s greatest marksman didn’t see the end coming.

Like America, the City of Kirkwood has had a rough time facing up to the systemic reasons for citizen anger, despair and alienation, especially among its black citizens. These are the consequences of deep economic disparities and a basic disrespect for life. For people of color and poor folks, add police harassment and violence to that equation and you have a nearly perpetual state of combustion.

I always include the troubled shooter and his family as victims when these mass killings occur. No parent I know intentionally raises a mass murderer. Unless they too faced the wrath of their beloved, as in the Newtown tragedy, those families are forever haunted by the actions of their loved one.

Annie Mae Thornton, Cookie’s mother, was 85 years old when the city evicted her from the house a couple of years after the shooting. Could a community intervention have been a place for healing?

Each one of us is responsible for the kind of neighborhood, city and country we live in. It is not solely the obligation of government, police and policymakers. It’s certainly

can’t be left up to lobbyists. Cookie Thornton was once a star high school athlete, a college graduate, a man with dreams for himself and his family. He was a happy-golucky person with an infectious smile. If Kirkwood and the rest of the nation would take a look at how that Cookie Thornton became the Cookie Thornton on February 7, 2008, we may get closer to the root of the problem and see where interventions could have taken place. While we figure it out, more Cookie Thorntons, Adam Lanzas and Jared Loughners are being created and our society remains less safe and less humane.

Jamala Rogers

BUSINESS

As of November 30,2012,minority workers have performed more than 23 percent of the 1.1 million construction

on projects associated

a

the

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Rasheen Coleman

Rasheen Coleman is the new Director of Development for Almost Home. Previously, he worked at Better Family Life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies at Morehouse College, and he received his master’s degree in Public Administration at Texas A&M University as a George H.W. Bush Fellow. He will be responsible for fundraising, public relations and marketing.

Jade D. James, M.D., MPH was recently hired as Director of Research and Medical Services for St. Louis County Department of Health. She is a graduate of Meharry Medical College and Saint Louis University School of Public Health, president of the Mound City Medical Forum, president of the board of the Riverview West Florissant Development Corp. and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

U.S.Department

Kwame monitoring inclusion on bridge

Will provide DBE/Diversity/EEO compliance on Mississippi River Bridge

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

Kwame Building Group is overseeing the Missouri Department of Transportation’s diversity and workforce inclusion program for the new $700 million Mississippi River Bridge at St. Louis, a four-lane 1,500-foot main span cable-stayed bridge connecting Missouri and Illinois.

“This is a carryover from our work on the I-64 project.We’ve done well there and met our goals without a lot of fanfare.” – Tony Thompson,Kwame

KWAME is overseeing and monitoring the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Equal Employment Opportunity and workforce development aspects of all MoDOTcontracts on the bridge portion of the project.

“This is a carryover from our work on the I-64 project,” said Tony Thompson, president of Kwame. “We’ve done well there and met our goals without a lot of fanfare, doing all the due diligence reporting, so the client asked us to continue on.” MoDOT’s efforts to expand job access and diversity in transportation projects, first implemented on the New I-64 expansion project in St. Louis, has been named the Missouri Model by the Washington, D.C.-

See KWAME, B6

‘Ametropolitan region in a global economy’

Joe Reagan of St. Louis Regional Chamber on the way forward

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

At its recent 176th Annual Meeting, the St. Louis Regional Chamber – formerly, the RCGA– shared its strategy for collaborating throughout the bi-state region to create a prosperous future for St. Louis. Joe Reagan, president and CEO of St. Louis Regional Chamber, said, “Our One Plan will help us achieve this by promoting educational attainment, economic inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the bi-state region.”

The American asked Reagan to elaborate upon this strategy, asking in turn about educational attainment, economic inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship, and bistate regionalism. Educational attainment

“Our strategy, very succinctly, is we are an organization united to promote economic

Joe Reagan,president and CEO of the St.Louis Regional Chamber, speaking at the 2012 Salute to Excellence in Business,co-sponsored by the St.Louis American Foundation, the St.Louis Regional Chamber and the Urban League of Metropolitan St.Louis.

Jeffrey A. St. Omer has joined the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. He is an attorney at Lewis, Rice and Fingers with specialties in education law and commercial litigation. The organization is a not-forprofit, ecumenical housing ministry working in partnership with individuals of all faiths to improve living conditions and provide safe, decent and affordable housing.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Arch Grants receives 707 applications from 39 states, 15 countries

Arch Grants, the global startup competition that provides $50,000 grants to early stage ventures with no equity inreturn, received 707 application for the 2nd Annual Global Startup Competition – a 67 percent increase in entries from 2012. The number of applicants from outside the U.S. jumped 245 percent from last year.

“The huge increase in international applications speaks to the appeal of the global competition as well as to the attractive entrepreneurial climate in St. Louis and to the passionate support of the community,” said Arch Grants President and Co-founder Jerry Schlichter.

Entrepreneurs from Missouri and 39 other states, including California, New York, Florida and Texas, applied for one of the 20 Arch Grants. International entries came from 15 countries across the globe including India, Australia, Bolivia, Poland and Israel. Judges will narrow applicants to 100startups to the semi-final stage, from which 20 startups will be awarded $50,000 each. For more information, go to www.archgrants.org.

Lawyer’s Committee forCivil Rights applauds HUD FairHousing standard

The Lawyers’Committee for Civil Rights Under Law applauded the final Department of Housing and Urban Development regulation entitled “Implementation of the Fair Housing Act’s Discriminatory Effects Standard.”

The proposed regulation formalizes the long and consistent interpretation of the Fair Housing Act by HUD, which has repeatedly determined that housing policies and practices can be determined to be discriminatory not simply through their intent, but also by their effect.

“The importance of the discriminatory effect standard to effective and vigorous fair housing enforcement cannot be overstated,” said Joseph Rich, director of the Lawyers’Committee’s Fair Housing and Fair Lending Project.

Seeking EntrepreneurOf The Year nominations forErnst & Young

Ernst & Young LLPis calling for nominations for the 27th Annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. Nominations are due March 8 and award winners will be announced at a black-tie gala on June 20 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel in Kansas.

Each year, Ernst & Young showcases successful entrepreneurs from more than 140 cities in 50 countries. In 2012, 10 leading entrepreneurs from the Central Midwest were selected as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners. Past award winners in the Central Midwest include: David Steward, Worldwide Technology; Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.; and The Schnuck Family, Schnucks Market. Contact Ann Scharkey at ann.scharkey@ey.com or 314-290-1172 for program information and nomination forms. Online nominations can be found at ey.com/us/eoy/cm.

Jade D. James

Jeffrey A. St.Omer

Photo:MoDOT

work hours

with

new Mississippi River Bridge.The

of Labor set goals to encourage at least

14.7 percent minority workforce on such projects.

Photo by Wiley Price

By Jason Alderman

Many people adopt a “penny wise, pound foolish” mentality when it comes to buying insurance. When trying to lower expenses, some will drop or reduce needed coverage, gambling that they won’t become seriously ill, suffer a car accident or fall victim to a fire or other catastrophe. But all it takes is one serious uncovered (or under-covered) incident to potentially wipe you out financially. Here are insurance policies no household should be without: Medical. This is the most critical – and unfortunately, the most expensive – coverage you need. When comparing plans, consider:

REAGAN

Continued from B1

prosperity for the entire region, and we have a strategy with two objectives, one for today and one for tomorrow. How do we recreate St. Louis for tomorrow? One way is to become one of most educated metropolitan areas in country,” Reagan said.

“Education is the surest path to economic prosperity. We know this – we can track

Must-have insurance plans

ï Are your doctors in their provider networks? If not, can you afford out-of-network charges – or are you willing to find new doctors?

ï Are your medications covered under the plan’s drug formularies?

ï Do they restrict specialized services you might need like maternity, mental health or weight reduction treatments?

ï If you choose catastrophic coverage to lower premiums, can you afford the high deductible in case of an accident or major illness?

Homeowner/renter. Faulty plumbing, theft and homeaccident lawsuits are only a few catastrophes that could leave you without possessions or homeless. Afew tips:

directly from education level to per capita income. In the recent recession and historically for the past 30 years, the population least effected by down cycles are those with a BAor higher. In the last recession, unemployment for those with a BAor higher hovered around 4 percent. That’s virtually full employment. Those who have greater educational attainment take greater part in the economic benefits of this country and place themselves in positions to drive better policy.”

ï “Actual cash value” coverage repairs or replaces belongings, minus the deductible and depreciation, whereas “replacement cost” coverage replaces items in today’s dollars. Depreciation can significantly lower values, so replacement coverage is probably worth the extra expense.

ï Jewelry, art, computers and luxury items usually require additional coverage.

ï Review coverage periodically to adjust for inflation, home improvements, new possessions, change in marital/family status, etc.

Economic inclusion

“We operate in a talentdriven economy. To the extent that we are able to welcome and include people from all over the world and every neighborhood in our region –if we do that, we will be a success. If we don’t, we are chasing off the resources that are the keys to our economic success,” Reagan said.

“I get excited about this, because it marries the social imperative and moral imperative with the economic impera-

Vehicle. You probably can’t even get a driver’s license without demonstrating proof of insurance. Consider these coverage options:

ï “Liability” pays if you cause an accident that injures others or damages their car or property.

ï “Uninsured motorist” pays for damage caused to you or your car by an uninsured motorist.

ï “Collision” pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision and “comprehensive” pays for damage caused by things like theft, vandalism and fire. However, they only pay up to the actual cash value

tive. We literally can’t afford to leave anyone out. We literally can’t afford to exclude anyone.”

Innovation and entrepreneurship

“We need to celebrate risktakers and people on the edge of the arts and business,” Reagan said. “We need to embrace new startups and corporate innovators – that’s how we will be able to replace the major employers today who are going through cycles of change as businesses are sold, which is how wealth is created. We’ve got to embrace the new.”

Bi-state regionalism

“We look at it as a global economy, because that’s how we compete – we compete as a metropolitan region in a global economy – and the brand of our region is St. Louis. It’s like Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Paris, Singapore, Dublin. This is who we are: St. Louis, a metropolitan region in a global

(ACV) minus deductibles. Because the ACVfor older cars is low, repairs often cost more than the car is worth.

ï Common ways to lower premiums include: Raising deductibles; discounts for good drivers, exceeding age 55 or installing security systems; comparison shopping; and buying homeowner and car insurance from the same carrier.

Life insurance. If you’re single with no dependents, you may get by with minimal or no life insurance. But if your family depends on your income, experts recommend buying coverage worth at least five to 10 times annual pay. Other considerations: ï Many employers offer life

economy,” Reagan said.

“We happen to have two states in our metropolitan area. That presents challenges, and it presents opportunities. Different states have different strengths. But people look at St. Louis as a whole community and we need that whole community; we need every neighborhood and every part of the region to be the best we can be in order to be competitive. The reality is political jurisdictions are not economic jurisdictions. While political jurisdictions are important, they are not always relevant to how people make decisions.”

Drilling down on inclusion

The American asked Reagan to elaborate further on what the Chamber is doing to promote minority inclusion in the region.

“We are building a team to make sure we have the leadership capacity to move forward with people who walk the talk on inclusion. We brought in Valerie Patton as a VPwho reports to me directly and who

insurance, but if you’re young and healthy you may be able to get a better deal on your own.

ï After your kids are grown you may be able to lower your coverage; although carefully consider your spouse’s retirement needs.

ï If your divorce settlement includes alimony and/or child support, buy life insurance on the person paying it, naming the receiving ex-spouse as beneficiary.

Don’t gamble your future financial stability by passing on vital insurance coverage –the odds aren’t in your favor.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.

will guide our team as part of the top management team,” Reagan said.

“It’s not enough to have a diversity program. We need to take inclusion and diversity into everything we do. So Valerie came on and set inclusion measures and targets to reflect how our businesses spend our money, who our customers are, who serves on boards, how do we make positive change and reach positive growth in these areas.”

Valerie Patton leads the successful St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative.

“We are trying to build upon the very successful St. Louis Diversity Fellows Program to make sure those leaders we have invested in so they have leadership training and access actually get seats at the table so we can benefit from their leadership,” Reagan said.

“Inclusion first starts in our heads, attitudes, approaches. It’s not a soft issue. It has to be real.”

– Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, when asked about teammate Kobe Bryant’s comments about him playing through his shoulder injury

Senior guard Martavian Payne will lead topseeded Madison Prep into next week’s Class 3, District 3 Tournament at Herculaneum. The Bears are ranked No.1 in the state of Missouri in Class 3.

Road to Columbia

District tournaments this weekend

The road to Columbia begins next week as small schools on the Missouri side of the river begin district tournament play around the area. The Class 3 district tournaments involving area teams will be held at Herculaneum, Vashon and Lutheran (St. Peters).

The Class 3, District 3 field at Herculaneum will be highlighted by Madison Prep, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the state among Class 3 schools. Madison Prep is currently 21-2, with their only losses coming to top large schools Belleville East and Columbia

PREP BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK

With Earl Austin,Jr.

Hickman. Madison Prep is led by its stellar senior backcourt of Martavian Payne and Kevin Baker, plus 6’4” all-purpose player Miles Nettles. The Bears are coached by Altonio Irons. Madison Prep is trying to win a state title in their first year of existence.

Earl Austin,Jr.

Or it could be a sign of the ever-swinging pendulum taking the Celtics back to the side of mediocrity and bad basketball.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

With the all-star point guard running the ship, the guys in green were

consistently inconsistent. The team managed to string together a fourgame losing streak immediately followed by a six-game winning streak and then a six-game losing streak. After Rondo went down, experts and fans expected the ownership to blow up the non-contending team to prepare for the future. Old grizzled vets Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had different thoughts as they led the team on a seven-game winning streak without him. Astreak that ended with a woeful loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, a team would

Carnahan (13-9) checks in as the No. 2 seed at Herculaneum. The District 3 tournament gets underway on Monday, Feb. 18 with the semifinals set for Thursday, Feb. 21. The championship game will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.

N THE CLUTCH With Ishmael H.Sistrunk

Crossroads College Prep is the No.1 seed at the Class 2, District 4 tournament at Crystal City.

The Class 3, District 4 tournament at Lutheran (St. Peters) features No. 1 seed Maplewood and No. 2 seed John Burroughs. Both teams have been among the top small-schools in the area through-

Keenan Allen and Tavon Austin look good

The NFLseason normally ends after the crowing of a new Super Bowl champion, but that’s changed thanks to constant coverage by media outlets like the NFLNetwork and ESPN.

Palmer L.

Hey, I like it. It does make the NFLoff-season go by a lot faster than it used to. The scouting combine will be in two weeks. It will be followed up by several pro day workouts leading up to the much anticipated draft in April. It will be three whole days of excitement and action for us NFLfans who just can’t get enough. In St. Louis, there is a lot of excitement concerning football.

One is who’s going to be the St. Louis Rams’defensive coordinator? This is the second straight year we’ve wondered about this.

The Rams have three of the top 50 picks in the draft.

Last year, it was Gregg Williams before he was suspended for the bounty-gate scandal. His son Blake stepped into his father’s role and was adequate in calling plays, but didn’t get along with staff so his contract wasn’t renewed. Then, the Rams appeared to have hired Rob Ryan on two different occasions and that never came to pass. Ryan had his own vision, and so his five minutes being unemployed went about a week longer than he planned.

Next, the Rams interviewed Dick Jauron and recently Mike Singletary for the defensive coordinator position.

After Rajon Rondo went down with a torn ACL,Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett led the Celtics on a seven-game winning streak without him.

Alexander

CLAIB’S CALL

With Mike Claiborne

Spring training has sprung

Don’t look now, but for baseball fans spring training is here and that means if you are a Cardinal fan the question is, what next?

Next, because there is never a dull moment when it comes to the Cardinals and spring training. Be it an injury, loss of a player to free agency or what have you, it is always a good time for Redbird fans to set their hair on fire and panic that the season is in jeopardy when there has not been one run scored that counts for anything.

This season the festivities started earlier with the announcement that the Cardinals will be without veteran pitcher Chris Carpenter for the season due to a lingering nerve issue that saw him sidelined most of last season. While he has been put on the disabled list, there is little optimism that the 37-year-old hurler will pitch in a Cardinal uniform ever again.

Carpenter being on the disabled list could even prove to be a positive as he will still be able to mentor the younger talent in their first full season of being on the front line.

Carpenter: done with knife

For Chris Carpenter it has been one problem after another. He battled to get back and contribute last season after having his eighth surgery. This off-season he thought the worst was behind him, until he started to throw off a mound.

There is a silver lining here. If there is one thing the Cardinals have it is pitching –a ton of it, to be honest with you. While they may be young and some got some big-time experience last season, most will tell you this is the organization’s strong suit as we have learned that good pitching is always in demand. Even with the unpredictable, predictable injury that is sure to strike, St. Louis is in better shape than most teams.

It is always a good time for Redbird fans to set their hair on fire and panic that the season is in jeopardy when there has not been one run scored.

“I started to have a tingling sensation like I did last season,” Carpenter said. “What made matters worse the fact that I had swelling in my hand and it started to turn blue and red, At that point I knew there was a problem.” That was an understatement. At that point Carpenter notified General Manager John Mozaliek that he was not going to spring training until he figured out just what was going on. “I will wait for all the physicals to take place in spring training and when the doctors get back we will sit down and see what we have here,” said Carpenter. When the question was posed what if it requires another surgery, Carpenter abruptly responded that he was not going to have any further surgeries. That’s certainly understandable, con-

sidering the number of times he has gone under the knife and at age 37. One would have to wonder what truly left

would be left after another surgery. One thing Carpenter wanted to make perfectly clear is that he is not retiring. At least not for now. “I will never use that word,” Carpenter said of retiring. He intends to stay in shape and spend time with his family until there is a resolution to the problem. In the meantime, life and the Cardinals will go on as there is a season to be played.

Who’s on second?

The other question: who will be the second baseman? There are at least four players competing for the spot.

The talk of the camp will be of young outfield sensation in Oscar Tavares. Tavares has torn it up at every level in the minors. He has been on every championship team he has played on in the minors. To say he has the title of “can’t

miss” would be a reasonable statement. At age 20 he may be ready, but Cardinal manager Mike Matheny will certainly make him earn it as he is oldschool when it comes to a player earning the right to be a big leaguer. In all, the National League will be stronger. Washington loaded up as did Cincinnati. Need I mention the stockpile of talent that Magic Johnson and company have amassed with the Dodgers? Throw in the fact that the Giants are the World Champions and the team to really watch is the Atlanta Braves. The Braves will run out three African Americans in their outfield for the first time in recent memory. You may have to go back to the early ‘80s when the Montreal Expos played Warren Cromartie, Ellis Valentine and Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. In any event the Upton Brothers (Justin and BJ) along with Jason Heyward will be more than formidable. As for other teams to pay attention to, Arizona may be interesting, the Pirates will be fun, and there are some other teams that are on the cusp of making a statement. In all this baseball season will not be boring by any means. Yes, spring has sprung and it will be worth our attention.

Mike Claiborne

The future of Chris Carpenter’s career is in question.

Continued from B3

out the season. Both are senior dominated teams that have done a lot of winning on the football field and the basketball court. Maplewood is led by its senior group of guards Khalid Hagens, Corey Frazier, Jr. and forwards Wes Williams and Aaron Spudich. John Burroughs is lead by senior guard Foye Oluokon and forwards Ezekiel Elliott and Jimmy Carney. The District 4 tournament gets underway next Monday with first round games with the semifinals set for Wednesday, Feb. 20. The championship game will be held on Friday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

would probably finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Confused? So am I. Aside from the loss to Charlotte, the Celtics recent win streak sans Rondo has been the most interesting. How can a team lose its best player and play its best basketball? Though Rondo is a point guard and therefore dominates the ball, he’s a distributor and leads the league in assists. He’s also a good defender and rebounder. His attributes make it almost mind-boggling that the Celtics have not gone into an all-out freefall since his diagnosis. Teams are sometimes better off without lazy, greedy or selfish scorers not all-star, all-around, awe-inspiring point guards. Yet somehow the team has come together in the loss of its

In my opinion, whoever Jeff Fisher hires will pretty much fall in line to what has already been established. His staff is already intact, and he’s not going to hire someone that’s going to make changes to his staff. Whoever gets that job is coming into a good situation with the Rams.

And while most people are concerned about who’s in and who’s out on the staff, the rest of us are anxiously awaiting the draft in April. That’s where the Rams will have the best chance to improve the team since they’ve already signed Chris Long and James Laurinitas to multi-year deals.

The Rams have three of the top 50 picks in the draft and I’ve checked out a couple of mock drafts and looked at a couple players that could help the Rams

The girls District 4 tournament will feature five teams with winning records, led by No. 1 seed Principia. Host Lutheran, Whitfield, John Burroughs and Brentwood are also winning outfits. The championship game is set for Friday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

Vashon High will be the host of the Class 3, District 5 tournament, which should be quite competitive. North Tech received the No. 1 seed. Coach Donnie Boyce has done an excellent job with the Eagles this season. North Tech is followed by Cardinal Ritter, Lutheran North and Northwest Transportation and Law. Lutheran North finished third in the state tournament last season behind the play of guard Anthony Virdure. The action at Vashon begins on Saturday with first-round

star player. The wins didn’t come by way of a soft schedule as it included victories against the Heat, Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers. It seems as if somehow Garnett and Pierce remembered they had boss-game capabilities. They were also able to ‘rally the troops’and get guys like Jeff Green, Jason Terry and Avery Bradley to step up their game and levels of contribution in Rondo’s absence.

Also, as strange as it seems, the injury has forced the Celtics to work harder to create opportunities for each other instead of waiting for Rondo to create opportunities for them.

Much like in Michael Jordan’s heyday when teammates would sometimes sit back and wait for him to make a great shot, the Celtics may have fallen into the trap of moving around and waiting for Rondo to give them a great pass to put them in a solid scoring position. Now the players are forced to work together to create shot opportunities and so far it’s

out. At wide receiver, the two that stood out were Keenan Allen (Cal) and Tavon Austin (WV). Both are big playmakers that can help you in return game. Keenan Allen looks like former Rams wideout Danario Alexander without 5 plus knee surgeries.

Tavon Austin is electric. Some compare him to Percy Harvin of the Minnesota Vikings, but he looks more like a mix of Eric Metcalf and Dante Hall. Sam Bradford is going to need all the weapons he can find.

The Rams signed recently-cut Titus Young from the Detroit Lions, and hopefully he can take advantage of the opportunity he’ll get here and become a dependable player for the Rams.

Wide receiver is only one of many places the Rams are in need of help. Offensive line is a very close second, followed by outside linebacker, secondary, and a return specialist. Next time I will discuss some of the top lineman that could help the Rams in the draft.

action. The semifinals will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 20 with the championship game set for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The girls championship game will precede the boys game at 5:30 p.m. Cardinal Ritter, North Tech and Metro are the top three seeds.

Crossroads College Prep is the No. 1 seed at the Class 2, District 4 tournament at Crystal City, which begins on Feb. 18. Crossroads is followed by Elsberry, New Haven, St. Vincent and Crystal City. The championship game will be on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Illinois side

On the Illinois side, the girls have entered postseason play and the Edwardsville

worked. Or has it?

The team has already proven itself to be very streaky. Dropping one to the Bobcats could simply be the result of tired legs after winning an overtime game at home the night before then high-tailing it to Charlotte still half asleep. Or it could be a sign of the ever-swinging pendulum taking the Celtics back to the side of mediocrity and bad basketball.

Should management keep the team together and the players hold on to the current playoff position, they’re certainly not a title contender. Yet they have potentially enough experience and star power left to serve up an upset special to one of the top Eastern Conference foes. Of course, that’s a big if

The uncertainty around the Celtics makes them one of the more interesting teams to watch heading into the All-Star break and the trade deadline. Will they be buyers or sellers? Contenders or pretenders?

Prep Athletes of the Week

Robin Thompson

MICDS – Boys Basketball

Tigers have aspirations of returning to the Class 4 statechampionship game for the second successive year. The Tigers are the top seed at this week’s Alton Regional. The regional championship game will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. It should be a showdown between Edwardsville and Springfield High, a perennial class 3Astate power that has moved up to Class 4Athis season. Edwardsville enters the regional with a 27-0 record while Springfield High is currently 25-3.

The Alton Regional winner will play the winner of the Collinsville Regional in the sectional semifinals next Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. The top three seeds at Collinsville are Belleville West, Belleville West and Granite City.

Studs or scrubs? Honestly, just like the enigmatic St. Louis weather, it’s likely they will be all of the above, depending on which day or week you’re watching. Follow In The Clutch on Twitter @intheclutchstl and Ishmael Sistrunk on Google+.

Evan Booker

The

Kirkwood – Boys Basketball The 6’5” junior forward has been on a roll in leading the Pioneers to a fivegame winning streak. He averaged 22 points a game last week in victories over Seckman and Mehlville. Booker had a game-high 22 points in a 77-48 victory over Seckman last Friday night. He also had 22 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in a 67-49 victory over Mehlville last Tuesday night. Booker also had a highlight-reel slam dunk in the victory over Mehlville. For the season, Booker is averaging 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks while shooting 58 percent from the field. During Kirkwood’s five-game winning streak, Booker has averaged nearly 19 points a game.

Keenan Allen

By Alma M Scarborough

For The St.Louis American

Millions of dollars in erroneous refundable tax credits may never be recovered by the Internal Revenue Service, but the IRS plans to clamp down on claims for such tax breaks and the Earned Income Tax Credit heads the list.

Areport released in late October 2012 by the Treasury

Come correct to the tax man IRS tightens control on Earned Income Credit

Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA, aka the CIAand FBI of tax administration) on refundable tax credits – such as the EITC, the Additional Child Tax Credit, and the First-Time Homebuyer Credit – found that they are highly vulnerable to fraud. TIGTA, the big boys, initiated the audit to determine the effectiveness of efforts by the IRS to recover refundable

So what does that say to the taxpaying public who are entitled to these refunds and credits? You had better come correct.

credits disallowed during post-refund examinations and to consider options for the IRS to implement to decrease the issuance of erroneous refundable credits.

So what does that say to the taxpaying

public who are entitled to these refunds and credits? You had better come correct.

TIGTAsummarily states to the IRS: as far as refundable credits are concerned, no more Mr. Nice Guy. Do not pay and then have to pay to get the erroneous refund back, advises TIGTA; simply do not pay.

Alma M Scarborough: www.taxhitlady.com; taxhitlady@sbcglobal.net.

TIGTAadvises the IRS, and is not subject to their guidelines. TIGTArecommended that the IRS identify and stop erroneous claims for refundable credits before refunds are issued, including implementing an account indicator to identify taxpayers who claim erroneous refundable credits to prevent them from erroneously receiving those claims for a specific period in the future.

Urban League Annual Dinnerto honorBuford

March 11 at Millennium Hotel

American staff

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will host its 95th Annual Dinner 7 p.m. Monday, March 11 in the Millennium Hotel Ballroom. The League’s dinner will serve as a tribute to its guest of honor, retiring President and CEO James H. Buford. Buford began his service to the Urban League in 1985. During his tenure, the Urban

KWAME

Continued from B1

based nonprofit Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

League of Metropolitan St. Louis’budget increased from $2.4 million toover $20 million in programs to underserved populations of St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Clair County. Before coming to the Urban League, Buford was State Director of Jobs for Missouri Graduates under Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond. As an advocate for social and economic parity, Buford is

often a vocal spokesperson on behalf of Urban League constituents.

In this role he speaks to the diverse audiences, which embody the whole community, from grass roots to corporate.

Buford serves on more than 20 local boards which include the Executive Board of the St. Louis Council of the Boy Scouts of America,vice chairman of the Metropolitan Sewer District, chairman of the

St. Louis Community College Building Corporation, chairman of St. Louis Connectcare Board, Fair St. Louis, St. Louis Zoo Commission, Chancellor’s Council of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, chair-emeritus of the Harris Stowe State University Board, vice-chair of Heat Up St. Louis and Cool Down St. Louis Board, US Bank; St. Louis Muny Opera Board,

“I have been privileged to be in the thick of the action for a long time.” – James H.Buford

Workforce Investment Board; Jobs for America’s Graduates Board and the Missouri State University Foundation Board.

“Serving the Urban League for close to three decades has been a great honor,” said Buford. “I am proud of the great progress we’ve made in the St. Louis region, and I have been privileged to be in the thick of the action for a long time.” For ticket information to the 95th Annual Dinner, please call (314) 615-3668 or email specialevents@urbanleaguestl.org .

As of November 30, 2012, minority workers have performed more than 23 percent of the 1.1 million construction work hours on projects associated with the new Mississippi River Bridge. Women workers have performed 5.3 percent of the construction work hours.

The U.S. Department of Labor set goals to encourage at least a 14.7 percent minority workforce and at least a 6.9 percent female workforce on any federally funded project in the region.

In addition to the labor workforce, 113 certified

To date, 113 minority- and women-owned companies have been awarded 229 contracts on the Mississippi River Bridge project totaling more than $108M, more than 15 percent of the project’s $700M cost.

minority- and women-owned companies have been awarded 229 contracts totaling more

than $108 million, more than 15 percent of the project’s cost of roughly $700 million.

Kwame also is providing construction schedule management services to MoDOT, including analysis of the main span contractor’s baseline and monthly update schedules –which is more along the company’s usual practice.

“DBE compliance is a meaningful role, but it’s not our core business,” Thompson said. “We’re a construction management firm.”

The bridge project includes 38 separate projects, such as approaches on both the Illinois and Missouri sides to move traffic to the bridge. The bridge, which will carry Interstate 70 traffic across the river, will open with two lanes in each direction and will be wide enough for future restriping to three lanes in each direction.

Alma M Scarborough

James H. Buford

J.R. brings home Grammy

Local producer celebrates with Lacrae for ‘Best Gospel Album’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Even today – and ever since we won – I wake up in the morning and pick up my newborn daughter and do everyday things,” J.R. said. “And then I’m like, ‘Man, I’m a freakin’ Grammy Award-winning producer.’”

Four days ago, the St. Louis native helped make history as an integral member of the production team responsible for the first hip-hop album to win “Best Gospel Album” at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

“I brought my oldest son with

Pink goes red

Plus, Jason Wilson opens Chronicle Coffee

Members of Alpha Kappa Sorority always boast their popular pink and green. However, on Friday, February 1 the sorority sisters sported red from the east to west coasts in support of the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day. St. Louis members of the sorority’s Gamma Omega chapter came out to support and posed for this lovely photo at Macy’s Galleria. Many thanks to Patricia Perryman for the lovely photo of all the traditional pretty pink ladies in red.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign is committed to educating women, especially African American, whose risk factors for heart disease are higher than most. For additional information, visit GoRedForWomen.org.

The St. Louis and East St. Louis Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hosted a Centennial Founders Day Celebration Saturday, January 26 in the grandiose Ritz Carlton Ballroom. The posh event was attended by 800-plus. Chapters hosting included the Alpha Omega Citywide Chapter, St. Louis Alumni Chapter, St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter and the East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter The Centennial affair paid tribute to the 22 Howard University students

me,” J.R. said. “I just wanted him to experience what the industry life was like – I didn’t anticipate winning.”

Perhaps his son was his lucky charm. Gospel hip-hop artist Lacrae beat out inspirational music

household names like Marvin Sapp and Israel and New Breed to win “Best Gospel Album” with Gravity J.R. co-produced four songs from Gravity as a member of The Watchmen production squad and produced another song on his own.

“Like in the song ‘Gravity,’ the album talks about how life is pulling us all down and we need a way up –

and it gives that remedy which is Jesus,” J.R. said.

“But at the same time, it’s in a way that whether you are from the ‘hood or the suburbs you can understand it.”

As Lauryn Hill kicked the

going on at home or school or how much money they may not have.”

– Nikole Shurn Perkins

Page C12

n “It’s almost a moment in history, because it shows that Christian hip-hop is not just a fad.”

– J.R., on Lacrae winning “Best Gospel Album”

door in for hip-hop with her “Album of the Year” win in 1999, Lacrae’s victory stands to solidify a subgenre that hasn’t been taken seriously by the industry.

Troupe performs two sets 3-6 p.m. this Saturday, February 15 at the Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust St., with musicians Darrel Mixon and Stan Coleman.

Poet performs with musicians Darrel Mixon, Stan Coleman

By Chris King Of

The most successful St. Louis writer of his generation – Quincy Troupe – is coming home this weekend for two sets of performance poetry at the Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust St., as part of its Nu-Art Series, 3-6 p.m. this Saturday, February 15.

n “Everything I do touches on St. Louis in some way.”

– Quincy Troupe

Troupe will perform the first set with bassist Darrel Mixon and the second set with reedsman Stan Coleman. In a brief intermission between the two 40-minute sets, Troupe will take questions and his many friends and family will love on him.

“I’ve never worked with these two guys,” Troupe said of Mixon and Coleman. “It will be interesting to deal with new musical people.”

Last time home, Troupe performed with another St. Louis native, guitarist Kelvyn Bell. He has performed his poetry with, approximately, everybody.

Troupe’s newest book of poetry, Errancities (Coffee House Press), is new enough to count as a recent title on this visit. “It’s done really well, gotten a lot of nice reviews,” Troupe said. “I can’t complain.”

In a sense, his publisher, Allan Kornblum, could complain. Though Troupe is very much in-demand as a performance poet, he did very few engagements to promote Errancities because he has been holed up writing another as-told-to autobiography. Read upcoming Black History Month sections in The American for news on that exciting project.

ex-wife needs to keep my name!

By Kenya Vaughn Of

Dana G. Randolph

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

black history activities

Thurs., Feb. 14, 4 p.m., Thursday Film Series “Eyes on the Prize: The Bridge to Freedom,” St. Louis Public Library – Divoll Branch, 4234 N. Grand. For more information, call (314) 539-0315.

Fri., Feb. 15, 11 a.m., ATime to be Remembered: A Juneteenth Story, St. Louis Public Library – Machecek Branch, 6424 Scanlan Ave. For more information, call (314) 539-0343.

Fri., Feb. 15, 2 p.m., The Griot Museum of Black History, bus departs from Lindenwood University, 209 S. Kingshighway, St. Charles. For more information, e-mail amburvictoria@yahoo.com.

Feb. 16, 10 a.m., St .Louis ConnectCare Celebrity Seniors celebrates Black History: Market Place Vendors and public welcome, St. Louis ConnectCare Gymnasium, 5535 Delmar (Clara Annex). Food, music and entertainment. For more information, call (314) 8796494.

Sat., Feb. 16, 6 p.m., Hazelwood Southeast Middle School staff will host a Step Show Exhibition, The Step Show Exhibition will contain performances by the “Divine 9” fraternities and sororities, Platinum~Elite Step Team, Hazelwood East High School dance team and the Arrowpoint Elementary School Divas dance team, Hazelwood Southeast Middle gymnasium, 918 Prigge Road, St. Louis, MO 63138.

Sun., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Dance Plus presents Experience the African American Soundtrack of a Revolution Join us foran evening of African American History set to the soundtrack of our story. Dance, Song, Drama and

Tribute. James J. Eagan Center, 1 Civic Center Dr., 63033. For more information, call (636) 578-4788.

Feb. 17 – 18, Missouri History Museum presents “Blind” Boone. Presentation on the accomplishments of itinerant musician John William “Blind” Boone, who was born in Missouri in 1864 to a former slave and lost his sight as a baby. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Sat., Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m., Julia Davis Library Branch hosts author Robert Moore, author of The President’s Men: Black United States Marshall in America. 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 63115. For more information, call (314) 383-3021.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. The STL Symphony and vocalist Wintley Phipps come together for this soulful celebration full of spirit and song commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech, “I Have a Dream.” 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., The Singles Ministry of Central Baptist Church is sponsoring theirSecond Annual Black History Trivia Night William Claiborne Educational Center, 2843 Washington Blvd. Bonita Cornute, of KTVI News, will serve as host for the event.

Sat., Feb. 23, 2 p.m., The New African Paradigm presents a “Black History Extravaganza” with Dr. Llaila Africa and Michael Imhotep , Pajoma Academy, 3935 Enright Ave., 63108. Please contact James Steward at (618) 977-8191 or Greg Harris at (314) 977-8191 for more information.

Thur., Feb. 28, 3 p.m., St.

CALENDAR

Louis County Library Rock Road Branch presents Travel to New Orleans. Join us for an afternoon of discussing the music, food and spirituality in New Orleansas it relates to Black History. Registration required. 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074. For more information, call (314) 9943300.

Through Feb. 28, “Black Men Black History Month Essay Contest.” The essay contest is open to High School Seniors in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area focusing on the topic of “How would Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas orDred Scott use today’s technology (smartphones, tablets, social media, etc.) to furthertheircause?” Essays are due to the 100 Black Men office by February 28. Voting will take place March 4-8. Winners will be announced on March 11 at www.100BlackMenSTL.com and at a winners’reception on March 16 at the 100 Black Men headquarters on Delmar Blvd. The top three winners will receive money towards a scholarship on behalf of 100 Black Men (1st place: $1,500; 2nd place: $1,000; 3rd place: $500) and be awarded a 4G LTE Tablet from Verizon Wireless.

For more information and official rules, please visit http://100blackmenstl.com/blac k-history-month-essay-contestsponsored-by-verizon-wirelessapplication/

concerts

Fri., Feb. 15, The Sheldon Welcomes DENISE THIMES with BUCKYPIZZARELLI, The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For more information, call (314) 5341111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Feb. 15, 8 p.m., New Jack Swing Valentine Jam featuring Dru Hill, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Guy, SWV, and Al B Sure, Chaifetz Arena. Tickets available at MetroTix.com, by phone at 314-534-1111 and at the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.

Through Feb. 16, Jazz St. Louis presents vocalist/composer/arranger Sachal Vasandani, Jazz at The Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, call (314) 5341111 or visit www.metrotix.com

Fri., Feb. 22, 9 p.m., Trinidad James, The Old Rock House. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com

Sat., Feb. 23, 6 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents St. Louis Blues Festival. Performers include Mel Waiters, TK Soul, Bobby Womack, Denise LaSalle, Shirley Brown, Bobby Bland and Charles Wilson. One S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000.

both live and recorded music in which to discover new ways of experiencing the Pulitzer’s current exhibition, The Progress of Love.The program will bring together visual art, music, poetry, and food. CAM will present activities that complement their exhibition, Jeremy Deller: Joy in People. The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 754-1589.

Fri., Feb. 15, 3 p.m., The VA St. Louis Health Care System presents The 2013 Valentines forVeterans Concert. This concert is a great way for veterans and their families to share time together and allows the St. Louis community to express appreciation and support for the sacrifices of America’s veterans. Tickets are complimentary for veterans and their families. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 5164949.

Sun., Feb. 24, 7 p.m., The St. Louis Black Repertory presents Whitney Houston Tribute Concert. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 534-3807.

local gigs

Fri., Feb. 15, 7 p.m., St. Louis Count Library presents House of Jazz. The sounds of jazz will ring through the air as local jazz band Soul Café Jazz Group performs a diverse and rich collection of music. Florissant Valley Branch, 195 New Florissant Rd., 63031. For more information, call (314) 994-3300.

Fri., Feb. 15, 8 p.m., The Paragon Theaterwelcomes Tim Cunningham, Sun., Feb. 17, 5 p.m., Tish Haynes Keys presents “Love UnderNew Management” a Valentine Day concert featuring Justin Hoskins and Anita Jackson. Quintessential Dining and NightLife, 149 North Main Street, 63301. For more information, call (314) 308-8020 or visit www.metrotix.com

special events

Thurs., Feb. 14, 6 p.m., Mound City Medical Forum presents Affairs of the Heart Valentine’s Day Dinnerand Auction, Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel. For more information, call (636) 8870210 or (314) 265-8556.

Thurs., Feb. 14, 6 p.m., The Pulitzerand the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis present Sound Waves + Poetry: Valentine’s Day Event. The Pulitzer will feature Sound Waves, a collaboration with 88.1 KDHX, which creates a soundtrack of

Sat., Feb. 16, 8:30 a.m., The “New” Church hosts Job Readiness Fair. The event will feature presentations from professionals at Ameren, Monsanto and Purina-Nestle, along with free resume reviews and on-site mock interviews. The event is free, but space is limited. Individuals must register no later than Feb. 8. 2817 Utah, 63118. For more information and to register, visit www.thenewchurchstsl.org.

Sat., Feb. 16, Lincoln University Founders’ Scholarship Luncheon, Renaissance Airport Hotel. For more information, contact Barbara Thomas at 314-229303.

Sun., Feb. 17, 4 p.m., TNMIMAGES, TNM Media Corp & Prevail Institute for Flourishing Communities presents, Chocolate & Roses Fashion Extravaganza. To benefit the Priscilla Baltimore Community Center in Brooklyn, IL. Location: MahlerBallroom, 4915 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108. Tickets are available on line at: http://tnmimages.eventbrite.com/#, or for more information go to http://tnmimages.eventbrite.co m/#

Thurs., Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m. Emerson presents The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception, Starlight Room, Chase Park Plaza. For more information, call (314) 5338000 or visit www.stlamerican.com

Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, Alonzo King LINES Ballet returns to the Edison Ovations Series, Edison Theatre, Washington University, Tickets are available at the Edison Box Office and through all MetroTix outlets. Edison Theatre is located in the Mallinckrodt Center, 6445 Forsyth Blvd. For more information, call (314) 935-6543, email edison@wustl.edu or visit edison.wustl.edu.

Chaifetz Arena presents St.Louis Blues Festival.Performers include Mel

Waiters,TK Soul,Bobby Womack,Denise LaSalle,Shirley Brown,Bobby Bland and Charles Wilson.See CONCERTS for more information.

Feb., 23, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents Willie Akins/Montez Coleman CD Release Party, Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, call (314) 534-1111.

comedy

Feb. 14 – Feb. 15, 7 p.m., The Peabody Opera House welcomes Katt Williams, Tickets may be purchased at the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 800-7453000 or online at ticketmaster.com

Mar. 9, 9 p.m., Mike Epps Live with special guest Doug E. Fresh, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sat., May 11, 8 p.m., Queen of Comedy Sommore, alongside veteran comedians Bruce Bruce, D.L. Hughley, Tony Rock and Arnez J. star in “The Royal Comedy Tour,” Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

literary

Sat., Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m., Julia Davis Library Branch hosts author Robert Moore, author of The President’s Men: Black United States Marshall in America. In 1994, Moore was the second African-American from Illinois to be appointed a U.S. marshal. His book captures the 132 years of history of African American Presidential appointed U.S. Marshals, who served or serve in the oldest law enforcement agency in the nation, and the nine President’s who appointed them (five Republicans and four Democrats). 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 63115. For more information, call (314) 3833021.

Sun., Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH), Inc.’s annual Jazz Celebration featuring Johnny O’Neal from New York, Jeffrey Andersonbass, Marty Morrison - drums, Freddie Washington - saxophone with vocalist Anita Jackson. The Bistro at Grand Center, 3536 Washington. For more information, call CWAH at (314) 289-7523 or visit www.cwah.org.

Wed., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Carol Daniel, author of

All I Ever Wanted: Relationships, Marriage, Family. Carol is co-host of the award-winning lifestyle television show on KMOV-TV, “Great Day St. Louis”. St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 2412288 or visit www.slpl.org

Mar. 19 – Mar. 21, Books Are Fun, New books are discounted 40 to 70 percent for readers of all ages. Choose from hardcovers and paperbacks including many popular titles from the New York Times Best Seller Lists, cookbooks, children’s books, musical selections, photo albums, games and puzzles. All proceeds go toward improving patient care. Christian Hospital Lobby, 11133 Dunn Rd.

theatre

Thurs., Feb. 14, 7 p.m., Dr. A. Michael Shaw presents the gospel stage play It Must Be Love Just Cause Hate Done Hurt This Bad, The Lamp Lighter Banquet Cente, 3800 Pershall Rd. For more information, call (314) 3984587.

Feb. 14-Feb. 17, Washington University presents Oedipus at Colonus, the U.S. premeire of David Slavitt translation As a young man, Oedipus outwitted the deadly Sphinx but also committed terrible sins, slaying his natural father, and marrying his widowed mother. Now the former king of Thebes wanders Greece a beggar, blinded by his own hand. But in Oedipus at Colonus, Sophocles melancholy meditation on age and loss, this oncegreat hero finally concludes his tortured, penitent journey. For more information, visit https://news.wustl.edu/news/Pa ges/24897.aspx or call 314935-5000.

Sat., Feb. 16 (12 noon) and Mon., Feb. 18 (6 p.m.), Auditions for“Joan of Arc: The musical” Singers wanted for a concert a new musical “Joan of Arc” by Mario Farwell and Aaron Latina. The audition will take place on the University of Missouri at St. Louis Campus, Benton Hall 119, One University Blvd, St. Louis MO 63121. In search to cast 3 tenors, 3 baritones/bass, 3 altos and 3 sopranos.Please bring one prepared theater song that highlights vocal ability. For questions, contact farwemar@aol.com

Sat., Feb. 16, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m., SOLO THE PLAY: THINGS AIN’TWHATTHEY USED TO BE, Harris-Stowe

State University, For more information, call (314) 5341111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Feb. 22 – 23, 8 p.m., Edison Theatre Ovations! presents Alonzo King Lines Ballet. This celebrated contemporary ballet company has been guided by the vision of director Alonzo King, a vision deeply rooted in cultural traditions that infuses classical ballet with new expressive potential. Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-1500

Through Mar. 9, The Black Repertory Company presents The Mountaintop. August 3, 1968, Memphis, The Lorraine Motel, Room 306. Where Martin Luther King Jr. spends his last day on earth. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 534-3807.

lectures

Sun., Feb. 17, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents Anita Hill. Hill was under a harsh media spotlight when she testified in 1991 about being sexually harassed by Clarence Thomas, who was then a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. 1301 Olive Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 241-2288 or visit www.slpl.org

Sun., Feb. 17, 3 p.m. The Afrikan Village and Cultural CenterAsk a Leadersession, Guest leaders include: Aldophus Pruitt-NAACP, Montague Simmons - OBS, Zaki Baruti – UAPO $10 Dinner starts at 1:30 pm. The Afrikan Village and Cultural Center, 3520 N. Newstead Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115.

St.Louis Public Library hosts author and award winning journalist Carol Daniel,author of ‘All I Ever Wanted: Relationships, Marriage, Family’.See LITERARY for details.

Call (314) 535-0389.

Fri., Feb. 22, 6 p.m., From Newtown to OurTown: Gun Violence and the Youth, A Community Forum and Call to Action! Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 3200 Washington Blvd., St. Louis 63103. Call (314) 533-8763 or visit www.washtabmbc.org

Fri., Feb. 22, 4:30 p.m., The New African Paradigm presents a Meet and Greet with Michael Imhotep and Dr. Llaila Africa at AfroWorld, 7276 Natural Bridge Road, 63121.

Sat., Feb. 23, 9 a.m., ADay of Empowerment in which leaders in business, health, and spirituality will share their testimonies and words of encouragement with the community. Normandy United Methodist Church, 8000 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121.

Wed., Feb. 27, 6 p.m. The GreaterSt. Louis Association of Black Journalist will present the City of St. Louis Mayoral Candidate Town Hall Meeting, Mildred Basitian Theatre located on the campus of St. Louis Community College at Forest

Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. Thurs., Feb. 28, 6 p.m.,Life Skills Presents Discussion forAfrican-American Parents and Educators, experts will offer Autism information and provide useful tools and resources, St. Louis Public Radio, Grand Center, 3651 Olive St. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit www.lifeskills-mo.org

Mar. 1 – Mar. 3, The Black Pages presents2013 Empowerment Conference, This dynamic three day event will host 20 Empowering Seminars that will provide a wealth of information regarding issues immediately affecting our community. Cardinal Ritter College Prep, 701 N. Spring Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information please call Nikki Smith at 314-531-7300 ext. 201. Or visit the Transformational Agenda Magazine website at www.thetransformationalagenda.org or the St. Louis Black Pages at www.stlouisblackpagesblog.wordpress. com

health

Fri., Feb. 15, 8 a.m., SSM Heart Institute presents Women’s Heart Event Presentations will address how a woman’s heart health is different than a man’s, what women need to know about heart surgery, and how to prevent & manage congestive heart failure, Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, 1410 S. Fifth St., 63302. For more information and to register, call (866) 776-3627.

Through Feb. 15, The Give Kids ASmile (GKAS) program is working to address this critical issue by hosting a free, omprehensive dental clinic at the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education on March 1 and 2. Any child who is Medicaid-eligible, qualifies for a school lunch

program or needs assistance due to other circumstances are welcome. All children must be pre-registered to receive services at the clinic. To register, call 636-397-6453 by February15. Appointments will fill quickly.

Sun., Feb. 24, 11 a.m., Central Baprtist Church ‘s Health Ministry will sponsor a spring Charles Drew Blood Drive, Donors must be at least 17years of age , bring a form of ID, drink plenty of water day of donation, wear comfortable clothing , eat breakfast, include iron in diet, bring a list of RX medications & over the counter meds you take. Walk-in- Registrations accepted. Central Baptist Church, 2843 Washington Blvd. 63103. Dr. Robert C. Scott, Senior Pastor. 314-5330747.

Tues., Mar. 26, 7 a.m., Diabetes Alert Day Christian Hospital Diabetes Institute 11155 Dunn Rd. 63136, Physicians Office Bldg 1, #101 N. For more information, call 314-747-WELL(9355) or 1877-747-WELL(9355) to register

Sun., Feb. 17, 5 p.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church (SMBC)presents Voices Crying in the Wilderness with guest speakers Deacon Larry Sneed, Sister Chyrel Sneed & Sister Joy, 8171 Wesley Ave., Kinloch, MO.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., The Worship CenterChristian Church hosts 2nd Annual Sweetheart Dinner. Come celebrate an elegant evening with dinner and entertainment of all things lovely and divine. Featuring comedian DeAndre Whitner and Live entertainment from Striving Five. RSVPonly. 11339 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 2618700 or visit www.worshipcenterstl.com.

entering the pool for selection by way of an application process.

The second prong allows the general public to come in and browse through hundreds of dresses for prices that start at $10 - $30 (“$30 gets you brand new tags still attached,” Perkins said).

And finally she wants to use the Fairy Glam Project’s big day of dress shopping to impart lifelong lessons to the ladies who stop through.

“Giving them dresses is all fine and dandy, but so much goes on – so much peer pressure where girls are pressured into compromising positions, and I wanted to give them something more,” Perkins said.

“I wanted to also use the opportunity to let them know that they are special and it’s okay to wait and offer them encouragement.”

Speakers, tutorials and fashion shows go on simultaneously as mothers shop and those selected recipients get their prom wishes granted. At last year’s expo, guests spoke on everything from abstinence to confidence.

What started out as Perkins donating dresses to a handful of girls has become a vision that has enhanced the prom experience for more than 500 young ladies. Through her partnership with Girls Inc., her program’s impact grew tenfold and she is grateful for the partnership.

“They helped with flyers and speakers and we have formed a true partnership,” Perkins said, “and they really been just as excited about fairy glam as I am.” Energizer also teamed up with Perkins last year to donate staff time as volunteers and to present Perkins with more than 200 dresses.

“I want them to come in and feel beautiful, regardless of what’s going on at home or school or how much money they may not have,” Perkins said. “I want them to go to prom and feel that way. Nobody has to know you got your dress for free or only $10.”

The next Fairy Glam Project Prom Expo will take place late next month. As the head “Fairy Glam mother,”

she is looking for women to be a part of her mission.

“To know that you have something in your possession that could possibly make this girl’s high school experience – why wouldn’t you?” Perkins said. Donations can be made at the The Lash Loft, Epiphany Boutique and Girls Inc.

Looking forward, she hopes to grow Fairy Glam into an official non-profit organization. In the meantime, she is serious about giving young women – especially those in foster care and extreme financial hardship – an unforgettable prom experience.

“If it weren’t for your dress, she probably couldn’t go to prom,” Perkins said. “Because of the economy, some of the

kids in foster care don’t even have the funds to get a decent dress. So your one dress that has been sitting in your closet for years or months can really make a difference.”

Dress donations can be dropped off at the following locations: Epiphany Boutique (3431 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103), Girls Inc.(3801 Nelson Drive, St. Louis, MO 63121) or The Lash Loft (1624 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 63103).

Epiphany Boutique and The Lash Loft are offering a 10 percent off coupon with every dress donation.

For more information about the Fairy Glam Project, visit: www.fairyglamproject2013. myevent.com.

GRAMMY

Continued from C1

“It’s almost a moment in history, because it shows that Christian hip-hop is not just a fad,” J.R. said. “This is good music, and people are listening to it, and for them to choose him over all the other artists … man, it’s just a blessing. “It’s a paradigm shift.”

Third time a charm

In the 10 years that he’s been working professionally as a producer he has worked with just about every elite member of the holy hip-hop community. This was not his first Grammy nomination.

Back in 2009 he came with Flame – another St. Louis native – who was nominated for Best Christian Rock Album.

“They’ve never really had a category for Christian hip-hop, so they grouped us wherever they thought we would fit,” J.R. said laughing.

Flame didn’t win. Neither did his nomination with The Cross Movement in 2006 turn up a winner. So this year he was prepared for his Grammy road to end with the honor of being nominated.

TROUPE

Continued from C1

“I turned down a lot of readings to finish this book,” Troupe said. “I’ve been locked to my desk.” His publisher clearly harbors no hard feelings, as together they are projecting two Troupe books of non-fiction followed by another volume of poetry, with a novel and a memoir also in the works.

Other than getting his act together with two new players, Troupe’s main challenge for his gig this weekend is to differentiate the two different sets.

“The first set will be more Missouri-oriented – I’ll do ‘Skulls Along the River,’ some new and some old, then move on to thematic kind of stuff to get the closure I want,” Troupe said.

“In the second half, I’ll do more avant garde kind of stuff. Not that it won’t touch on St. Louis, because everything I do touches on St. Louis in some way, but it will be more national and international and hopefully close with a new piece I am writing called ‘Ghost Voices.’” Troupe has been hearing a lot of “Ghost Voices” lately.

“When you’re surrounded by names and a big category and you’re always the underdog, you don’t anticipate winning,” J.R. said. “It was crazy. It was unreal. I had tears in my eyes. I texted my wife and a few other people and before I knew it I had 50 or 60 text messages. Twitter was flooded, Facebook was flooded.”

He is thrilled and makes no secret of it.

“I can say, ‘Here I am’ and I didn’t have to go to L.A. I didn’t have to go to Atlanta. St. Louis is my home,” J.R. said. “And to be recognized where it all started is a blessing.” He started out in St. Louis performing and producing music at 16, working with the likes of Nelly and The St. Lunatics, The Trackstars, Chocolate Tai, Bradd Young and Aloha Mi’Sho. At 19 he became born again. On the faith side he’s worked with singer Jai, local gospel rappers J’Son, This’l, Flame and just about every faith-based hip-hop artist that’s hot. The hard work paid off big time with a Grammy.

“It was so life-giving because of how hard we work at artists – like winning the Super Bowl,” J.R. said. “I’m just happy to bring it home to St. Louis.”

He recently spoke in New York City at the memorial service for the poet Jayne Cortez. There, he presented his poem “Avalanche,” which for the second time he rewrote in memory of a departed friend.

“When Jayne died, looking back, I knew I had written a poem for Jayne but I didn’t like it, so I changed ‘Avalanche’ to add her to it,” Troupe said. “Jayne really liked that poem, and the poem ends with crossing over, crossing over into death with love.”

Previously, he had recast “Avalanche” to take into account the death of jazz violinist Billy Bang. Troupe originally dedicated “Avalanche” to the poet-friend who titled it for him when he first heard the poem, K. Curtis Lyle, who is thankfully still very much alive, living in St. Louis and expecting to host Troupe during his visit.

“I have to tell Curtis, because he is going to be there, that I now have three distinctly different ‘Avalanche’ poems,” Troupe said, “though in St. Louis I’ll read the original one for Curtis.” Quincy Troupe performs two sets 3-6 p.m. this Saturday, February 15 at the Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust St., as part of its Nu-Art Series. Admission is $20. Visit www.thenu-artseries.org.

From “Avalanche”

where fleet rounds of cadences whirlpool as in rivers, where memory spins down foaming into dances like storms swallowed here in a burst of suns up in the yeasting blue voodoo, holding the secret clues mum inside the mystery, unfolding up in the caking dishrag of daybreak, miracles shaking out earthquakes of light

– Quincy Troupe

Reed Ida Goodwin Woolfolk

Judy Lynum, Jillian Lynum and Rise Black

who founded the sorority in 1913. The guest of honor and keynote speaker was the Honorable Marcia L. Fudge former Delta National President and 3rd term Congresswoman representing the 11th district of Ohio. Congresswoman Fudge was introduced by St. Louis’ own celebrity Delta, the Honorable Frankie Muse Freeman. The event’s mission was to celebrate 100 years of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service.

Greetings from host chapter presidents included Daphne N. Washington (Alpha Omega), Adriann Adams-Gulley (East St. Louis Alumnae), E. Kim Banks (St. Louis Alumnae) and Louise T. Wilkerson (St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae). Karen Hylton and Mildred Hylton provided entertainment after Rev. Karen Anderson gave the luncheon blessing.

D.S. Delta Force of the St. Louis Metropolitan alumnae chapter was well represented by Lutricia Lawal Carla Allen Esq., Yvette Parrish, Sheree Dubose Mykeisha Jordan and Sonja Davis

Other Deltas seen mingling and enjoying the afternoon included Congressman Clay staffer Edwilla Massey, Bettye

Congratulations to Wayne C. Harvey, Esq. (Wayne C. Harvey and Associates) who has been named General Counsel for Alpha Phi Alpha Fratenity, Inc. An active member of St. Louis’ graduate chapter, Epsilon Lambda, Mr. Harvey serves on the prestigious national Alpha Board of Directors. Alpha Phi Alpha was the first Greek letter fraternity founded in 1906 for African Americans. Fraternity brother Renaud Lucas says the St. Louis Alpha contingent is very proud. In addition to his successful law practice, other board commitments and his work with the Alphas, Mr. Harvey is committed to mentoring younger members of the organization on a regular basis. Chronicle Coffee has been a buzz word in St. Louis the past couple of weeks. Jason Wilson’s soft opening of his latest coffee shop offering is cozy, popular and well situated just north of Grand at Page at 1235 Blumeyer St. Much more than a coffee shop, the Renaissance neighborhood hot spot offers quaint but comfy spaces for meet and greets, historic neighborhood art that Jason and wife Shanti hope will promote discussions worthy of the Paris Left Bank, aromatic coffees, teas and an eclectic

menu including non-traditional soups and sandwiches. There is even sweet potato pie. Chef Michael Belton is on deck and meals are prepared by interns from Beaumont High School. Chronicle Coffee is open 7 days a week. Call 314.534.0524 to schedule your next committee meeting now.

Break a leg to Christopher “Clark” Moore who landed a dream performance on the hit Fox series Glee on January 24 He performed “Baby Got Back” from Sadie Hawkins with regular Glee cast members. You might remember Clark as the standout talent in the 2011season of NBC’s The Sing Off. A member of the Dartmouth Aires ensemble, his group earned the 3rd place slot. A member of Dartmouth’s class of 2013, Clark was granted his graduation audition early. Keep your ears and eyes open for this talented tenor, performer, and dancer who will also be an Ivy League grad in May. Clark is the son of native St. Louisan Alisa Owens Moore, DDS. and Christopher Moore of Atlanta. He is the first grandson of St. Louisan Odessa Clark Owens. If you missed this impressive performance, access this link. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TMmBPF0vljM. Autograph please! Blessings! Dana Grace dgrandolph@live.com

The Mississippi Delta and St. Louis: Past, Present and Future

The Saint Louis Art Museum in collaboration with 14th Street Community Gallery will kick off a two-day celebration of the Mississippi Delta this Friday, February 15 at 7:00 pm. Join us at 2701 N. 14th Street for our opening reception of visual art, southern cuisine, and Delta Blues performed by John Cooper & The All Stars. Southern history and culture is the theme of the exhibition, A Song from the Fields, featuring St. Louis artists William Burton, Jr., C’Babi Bayoc, Robert Ketchens, John Rozelle, and Solomon Thurman.

Freida L. Wheaton, J.D., will moderate a conversation on Saturday, February 16, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Saint Louis Art Museum with cultural advocate Sadé Turnipseed, author Tullia Brown Hamilton Ph.D., and visual artist John Rozelle. Sadé Turnipseed, founder of Khafre, Inc, and cultural arts advocate, is leading a national effort to erect a monument in honor of cotton pickers of America.

Freida L. Wheaton, a daughter of the South, was born and reared in Jackson, Mississippi. She received a political science degree from Tougaloo College (Mississippi) and her Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Wheaton serves on many arts and cultural boards including commissioner at the Art Museum, where she has served on the Board since 2001 and was recently elected Secretary of the Board.

Dr. Tullia Brown Hamilton will discuss her highly successful book, Up from Canaan: The African American Journey from Mound Bayou to St. Louis. Founded in 1887 by two former slaves, Mound Bayou,

Mississippi, was a self-contained, all-black community that lourished despite being located in the heart of the segregated, post-Civil War South. In its heyday the town was a proud symbol of racial pride.

A native of St. Louis now living in Chicago, John Rozelle holds a B.F.A. with major emphasis in painting and minor concentration in sculpture from Washington University and a M.F.A. in the same media from Fontbonne College. He taught in the art department at Fontbonne College before joining the faculty of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago as a tenured professor. Rozelle, is a proliic painter and collagist and is represented in the Saint Louis Art Museum collection among many other museums and private collections.

Roots & Migration: Celebrating Art and History of the Mississippi Delta, will conclude Saturday evening with a reception at Salon 53, a private residential gallery. Freida L. Wheaton, J. D. established Salon 53 in 2006 in a space built as an addition to her residence. As a gallery owner, Wheaton offers opportunities for artists to show their work in intimate settings and for collectors and new audiences to view the art while developing personal relationships with the artists. On view will be a photography exhibition, Delta Experience Enlightenment Tour: A Photographic Journey. We hope that you will join for this historic journey down memory lane. All programs are free but reservations are required for each event. Please email bearden@slam.org or call 314-655-5444. For more information and a full listing of community programs and collaborations at the Saint Louis Art Museum, please email renee.franklin@slam.org; call 314-6555437 or visit www.slam.org.

For more information and a complete listing of programs at the Saint Louis Art Museum, please visit www.slam.org.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Omega chapter sported red in support of the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day.

William Burton Jr.; Deal in the Delta; pyrographics, acrylic, and cotton on panel; 24 x 24 inches; © William Burton Jr. (on view at 14th Street Community Gallery)

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Join the Northwest High Alumni class of 1971, August 2-5, 2013 on the largest Caribbean Parade in North America. Single Room, $614; Double Room, $465; Triple

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Valentine tributes to lasting love

Ollie and James Littleton celebrated 63 years of marriage on February 12. James loves Ollie as he did when he first saw her and knew he wanted to marry her. They have six sons and four daughters, 52 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren and 30 great-greatgrandchildren. There has never been a love like this.

Happy 74th Birthday to Jerry Graham on February 11! Rev. Dr. Doris and Mr. Jerry Graham also recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on January 31. Jerry met Doris at Soldan High School,they were married in 1965 during her sophomore year at Harris-Stowe State University, were she currently teaches. The Grahams are the parents of daughters Doretha Sandridge and Deanna Graham.

Room, $402. Departure: 12:30 am Friday 8/2/13, Return: Monday.8/5/13. Trip includes 4 days/3 nights hotel accommodations, round trip motor coach travel, Caribana Parade, shopping, night life, festivities, day tour of Niagara Falls (Canadian side). Balance due in full byJune 20, 2013. For more information contact: Diane at 314-498-6886, Vernida at 314-369-8489or woodsvernida@yahho.com, or Jeanette 314-398-0383.

Northwest High School Class of 1973, planning is underway for the 40th reunion of the Class of 1973! The reunion is

Carol Burkhead-Fox and Davanon Fox celebrate 17 years of marriage on February 14. We are blessed with two beautiful sons: Dalton, 14, and Dylan, 11. I love you, Davanon!

planned for July 19-21, 2013. Send your contact information including email address, phone and mailing address to northwesths1973@gmail.comto ensure you receive all reunion updates. Information has also been posted on Classmates.com and Facebook Group: Northwest High School 1973.If you have questions feel free to call Cornelia Clark Stephens at 314-580-1114.

O’Fallon Tech Class of 1968 45-year reunion planned for June 7-8, 2013. 1969 grads are invited too! If interested send contact info via email to ofallontech68@gmail.com

Birthdays

Tirzah Russell celebrated her Sweet 16 Birthday with her mom Jackie at the Randall gallery, where at least 100 of her friends came out to support her. The teal themed winter wonderland party had performances by teen group Tag Team and her brother Pee-Wee. The night ended with the best surprise a 16 year old would want… a new car!

Chyna M. Powell (2) — February 9

Beulah Knowles — February 10

Ethel L. Hall (90) — February 13

Yvonne Pernell — February 14

Tariq Moore (3) — February 18

Dione Culberso — February 18

Riverview Gardens High School Class of 1993 20-year class reunion, Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Joe Buck’s downtown. Please go to http://rghs93.classquest.com to add your contact info.

St. Nicholas Grade School Reunion May 3-5, 2013. Alumni/Associates Contact 314-353-2027 or vwharp@yahoo.com.

SumnerAlumni Association celebrates African American History with emphasis on some “First” in distinctive positions atits 10th Annual Round-Up Sunday, February

24, 2013, 1-4 p.m. at Sumner High School.Also, we will honor alumni that have served as Civil Servants of all levels of government, as well as first responders.AReception will be held in the gym from 1-1:45 p.m. with displays, souvenir items, photographer, and more. New and renewal of alumni memberships acceptedin the foyer.Program starts at2 p.m. in the auditorium.For more info, contactP. Mason at 314.556.3944, J. Vanderford at 314.454.0029 or email:sumnersince1875@yahoo.com. Vendors are welcome($50 in advance); contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843.

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

Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 4242 Lindell Ave St. Louis, MO 63108

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Ollie and James Littleton

Mr.Jerry Graham and Rev.Dr.Doris Graham

Religion

National Black Catholic Seminarians install president

Lorenzo Herman: ‘God is working through me in all these things’

American staff

Cleveland native Lorenzo Herman, 39, currently studying to become a Jesuit priest, recently was installed as president of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association (NBCSA).

For the former Air Force in-flight refueling specialist, community activist and actor, it was just the latest in a series of diverse accomplishments. And a surprising twist for someone raised Baptist.

Herman first encountered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the largest community of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, at Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School, the school chosen by his parents for its outstanding academic reputation. There, Herman encountered the Jesuits for the first time, a meeting which would ultimately pave the way for his conversion to Catholicism and his decision to enter the Society of Jesus in 2007.

Prior to entering the Jesuit novitiate, Herman spent years traveling the globe as an in-flight refueling specialist aboard a KC135 Stratotanker, a flying gas station, based in Spokane, Wash., at Fairchild Air Force Base.

After his time in the service, Herman immersed himself in nonprofit work, spending the better part of a decade helping African-American and Latino HIV and AIDS patients navigate the healthcare system. He collaborated with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to pass HIV/AIDS legislation through the California State Legislature.

As incoming president of the NBCSA, Herman takes the reins from outgoing president Rev. Mr. Dwayne Davis, who said, “It’s no surprise to me that Lorenzo Herman was chosen as our new president.

I believe that Lorenzo is the next stepping stone to make our group a success.”

The NBCSA, founded in 1968, is committed to building brotherly fraternity and spiritual bonds among black Catholic seminarians across the United States.

“To be able to be a part of an organization where you know that you have brothers all over the country, and to be able to know that they’re praying for you on a daily basis – that is a miracle within itself,” Davis said.

“What a great gift and grace to know that your brothers are there to support you and are there for you.”

In addition to his upcoming tenure as president of the NBCSA, Herman is currently studying transformational leadership at Seattle University, one of 28

colleges and universities founded by the Society of Jesus. The formation process to become a Jesuit priest involves upwards of 10 years of study; Herman expects to be ordained in 2017.

“As a Jesuit, I’ve been able to revisit all the things that I’ve done,” Herman said. “I continue to do the HIV/AIDS work; I continue to do theater. The thing that makes it different for me is now God is working through me in all these things.”

Founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is the largest order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Society of Jesus in the United States, visit www.jesuit. org.

Faith is a tricky thing to deal with. It is constantly under attack and if you’re not careful, you’ll lose faith, if but for nothing more than weariness due to constant grief. Life has a way of making you believe some things are just not worth the trouble. At some point each and every one of us just wants to quit. Quit your job. End a relationship. Just stay away from those situations and people that remind you of negativity and tough times. But in the case of faith, you’re always supposed to have a way through. That way through is work. By work I mean work in the name of the Lord. Use your God-given gifts. It helps. How often have you been able to get yourself out of the doldrums because you decided to help someone else with their issues? How often have you been very thankful for what you have because you’ve seen firsthand what others don’t have? When it does kick in that now is the time, now is the test, then comes the temptation that challenges your faith. There are no signs on life’s highway that flash “faith test ahead.” More often than not, we recognize faith’s stop sign after we’ve already

run through it. I know I’ve botched many an opportunity to practice what I profess to preach. Talk the talk and then walk the walk. This is tricky stuff. At the end of any given day, a spiritual critique will show dozens of blown chances to witness, lead by example, help and serve. At the end of any given day, I have run faith’s stop sign again and again. Thankfully, you’ll get another crack at it because you’re still alive and your opportunities to serve are multiplied on a daily basis. If you missed it this morning, another opportunity will come around this afternoon. Real faith mandates a change in you. You just can’t do the same thing the same way with the same people once you’ve accepted Christ. Even though you might make the same mistakes, you will realize and accept them as just that, mistakes. Now what?

Our duty is to continue to work. Forgive and serve. Pretty soon our experiences teach us to recognize the faith signs. The more you do the more you see. The more you see the more you stop, pause, look both ways and proceed with caution. I

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 400 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican. com and attach a photo of yourself as a jpeg ile. Please be patient; we will run columns in the order received.

James A. Washington

Lorenzo Herman, 39, currently studying to become a Jesuit priest, recently was installed as president of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association.

Mike McMillan receives Trumpet Award

Honored alongside Chaka Khan, Alonzo Mourning, Mayor Kasim Reed

American staff

Michael McMillan – St. Louis License Collector and board chairman of the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation – recently received an International Trumpet Award for Community Service in Atlanta, GA. Other honorees included Debra Martin, Chase, Entertainment Award;

Chaka Khan, Legend Award; Alonzo and Tracy Mourning, Humanitarian Award; Michael P. McMillan, Community Service Award; Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed, Public Service Award; General Motor’s Edward T. Welburn Jr., Corporate Business Award; and Charlie Wilson, Lifetime Achievement Award. The Trumpet Awards were created by

See AWARD, D3

NAACP to honor Belafonte

Activist/

actor will be 97th Spingarn Medalist

American staff

Legendary singer, songwriter, actor and activist Harry Belafonte will be honored with the 97th Spingarn Medal at the NAACP Spingarn Dinner, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place during the NAACP Annual Board Meeting at the New York Marriot Marquis Hotel.

The Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest honor, is awarded for outstanding and noble achievement by an American of African descent. The award will recognize Mr. Belafonte’s history serving the Civil Rights Movement, from the 1950’s to the present day.

“Thank you to the NAACP and to Ben Jealous for the work you do and for the path you are forging for us in these troubled times,” said Belafonte after his honor was announced at the 44th NAACP Image Awards on Friday, February 1.

“Harry Belafonte has pursued a career of extraordinary accomplishment in the performing arts, during which he has unremittingly worked to fulfill his deep commitment to the American principle of equal opportunity and justice for all,” stated NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “He is an

Harry Belafonte will be honored with the 97th Spingarn Medal at the NAACP Annual Board Meeting Feb. 15 at the New York Marriot Marquis Hotel.

ultimate exemplar that race need be no insurmountable barrier to achievement.”

“Mr. Belafonte has never been afraid to speak his mind, even when it might have put his career in danger,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “His combination of charisma and courage, artistic talent and intellectual prowess has made him icon for the ages and a powerful ally for civil

and human rights advocates across the globe.” Harry Belafonte has a long history in the Civil Rights Movement. During the 1960’s he served as a confidant to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and raised money for civil rights protests. He also bankrolled and drew attention

See NAACP, D3

Still on mission after all these years

Annie Malone Children’s Organization celebrates 125 years of service

By Virginia Gilbert and Barry Gilbert

For The Beacon

One hundred and twenty five years ago, Sarah Newton Cohron and other African-American teachers in the local segregated schools started a campaign to establish the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home.

“We should by all means look into conditions of the Colored orphans of the city,” said Julia Casey, according to the

Presenting sPonsors

Feb. 23, 1887, minutes of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

“Do, ladies, take some action. We have left it to others long enough.”

The WCTU acted and helped to create an institution that is approaching its 125th anniversary of its opening.

The Orphans Home is now known as the Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center.

The Orphans Home, which began on property bought by African-American Civil War veterans, moved to the Ville

Stepping up for Black History

Hazelwood Southeast Middle School hosts Step Show Exhibition

American staff

Hazelwood Southeast Middle School staff will host a Step Show Exhibition on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 6-9 p.m., in honor of Black History Month. The event will take place at the Hazelwood Southeast Middle gymnasium, located at 918 Prigge Road, St. Louis, MO 63138. The cost is $2 for students and $5 for adults.

The exhibition will contain performances by the “Divine 9” fraternities and sororities, Platinum~Elite Step Team, Hazelwood East High School dance team and the Arrowpoint Elementary School Divas dance team.

“One of Hazelwood Southeast Middle’s improvement goals is to build community engagement,” said Christina Sneed, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School communication arts eighth grade teacher and event organizer.

In keeping with this goal, the middle school has reached out to feeder Hazelwood elementary schools and neighboring district schools to encourage rapport building and collaboration.

“Since we serve the same population of students and families, it is our intent to host family-friendly activities that will promote increased parental involvement in school affairs, and to build the sense of community across all neighboring District schools,” Sneed said.

Sneed shared that the Step Show Exhibition was an excellent opportunity for the school to celebrate an interesting aspect of Black History, while encouraging students to look toward higher education.

“We eagerly look for opportunities to highlight the various aspects of higher education; the step exhibition presents extra-curricular groups in which they can participate,” she said. “In addition to demonstrating the fun and social side of Greek life, the participating Greeks will share key points from their history in relation to Black History, and highlight the importance of community service.”

This event is open to the community.

neighborhood in 1922, using funds contributed by its richest and mostfamous resident at the time, Annie Malone. The home was renamed Annie Malone Children’s Home in 1946.

Changes in federal funding and state programs in the past 10 years caused Annie Malone to discontinue the traditional long-term residential home and open a short-term residential facility in a new campus of buildings it bought

See MALONE, D4

Hazelwood Southeast Middle School will host a Step Show Exhibition on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 6-9 p.m., in honor of Black History Month in the gymnasium.

Emerson Academy science and technology teacher Jonathan Haynes shows off his students’ combination beautification and gardening project behind the school on Page Boulevard.

Photo by Barry Gilbert

Michael McMillan

Spielberg, Lincoln and Frederick Douglass

Abolitionist drama leaves out African-American leadership against slavery

By Marc Morial National Urban League

“If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning.”

– Frederick Douglass

No doubt many of you took the opportunity during the holiday break to see the movie Lincoln, Steven Spielberg’s much-acclaimed dramatization of Abraham Lincoln’s determined and ultimately successful 1865 fight for the passage of the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.

I came away from the movie impressed with its gripping depiction of the legislative maneuvering and horse-trading that Lincoln employed to win passage of the Amendment. But, I am concerned that the movie leaves the false impression that the fight to end slavery was waged solely by white men in Washington and white (as well as a few black) soldiers on the battlefield.

What about the brave abolitionists of that time? Where are Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and William Lloyd

Garrison? And most puzzling of all, where is the great African-American antislavery champion, Frederick Douglass?

In a recent New York Times letter, Pulitzer Prizewinning historian Eric Foner noted this omission in the film by making the point that “Emancipation – like all far-reaching political change – resulted from events at all levels of society, including the efforts … of slaves themselves to acquire freedom.” But aside from the presence of some black Civil War soldiers, the few African Americans in Spielberg’s film were cast as

admiring and grateful maids and butlers.

In criticizing the fact that the movie overlooked the important role that free and enslaved blacks played in the abolitionist movement, Civil War historian, Kate Masur wrote, “Mr. Spielberg’s Lincoln gives us only faithful servants, patiently waiting for the day of Jubilee.” That is not only factually incorrect, it does a disservice to the historic efforts of numerous black and white abolitionists of that time, none more courageous and effective than Frederick Douglas.

Born in Talbot County,

Youth wins MLK poster contest

Maryland in 1818, Frederick Douglass spent the first 21 years of his life as a slave, working variously as a household servant and unskilled laborer. In 1838, he escaped bondage and quickly became one of the most eloquent and forceful abolitionist voices of his day. Self-taught, in 1845 he published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, and in 1847 he launched his anti-slavery newspaper, The North Star, in Rochester, New York.

At great risk to himself, Douglass recruited black soldiers for the Union Army during the Civil War, influenced Lincoln’s thinking, and even challenged the President’s slow, legalistic walk towards emancipation. Douglass saw the end of slavery as only the beginning of the fight for full economic and political equality, beginning with extending the right to vote to freed slaves.

He argued, “What I ask for the Negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice.” Frederick Douglass’ efforts subsequently led to the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1869, guaranteeing African Americans the right to vote.

Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln affirms the fact that President Abraham Lincoln played a pivotal role in ending slavery in America, but it egregiously omits the fact that Frederick Douglass and a courageous group of grassroots abolitionists led Lincoln and the nation to this victory.

Marc Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.

Jermell Rainer Jr. won first place Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Contest responding to the theme “Let Us Not Wallow In The Valley Of Despair.” He was selected by the judging committee at the Unity Lutheran Church, after competing against many area Lutheran school middle grade students.

Rainer was honored at the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast hosted by Pastor Willie Stallworth. He was supported at this event in large numbers by his proud parents (Yolonda Yancie and Jermell Rainer

and

second place in the poster contest. His winning poster focused on “who we are in the AfricanAmerican community” because of people like Dr. King and the youth’s greatgrandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Carothers Sr. His elders tell the story of how they left a little town named Dermott, Arkansas to move to St. Louis to provide a better life for their family.

Sr.), his school (St. Matthews Lutheran School), his Pastor Johnathon Lewis, his teacher Christopher Tomlin

his classmate Nandi, who won

Steven Spielberg’s film Lincoln stars Daniel Day Lewis in the title role – and, amazingly, no one as Frederick Douglass, America’s leading abolitionist.

Proclaiming AfricanAmerican History Month

By Barack Obama U.S. President

In America, we share a dream that lies at the heart of our founding: that no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter how modest your beginnings or the circumstances of your birth, you can make it if you try. Yet, for many and for much of our nation’s history, that dream has gone unfilled. For African Americans, it was a dream denied until 150 years ago, when a great emancipator called for the end of slavery. It was a dream deferred less than 50 years ago, when a preacher spoke of justice and brotherhood from Lincoln’s memorial.

This dream of equality and fairness has never come easily -- but it has always been sustained by the belief that in America, change is possible. Today, because of that hope, coupled with the hard and painstaking labor of Americans sung and unsung, we live in a moment when the dream of equal opportunity is within reach for people of every color and creed. National African-American History Month is a time to tell those stories of freedom won and honor the individuals who wrote them. We look back to the men and women who helped raise the pillars of democracy, even when the halls they built were not theirs to occupy. We trace generations of African Americans, free and slave, who risked everything to realize their God-given rights. We listen to the echoes of speeches and struggle that made our nation stronger, and we hear again the thousands who sat in, stood up, and called out for equal treatment under the law.

And we see yesterday’s visionaries in tomorrow’s leaders, reminding us that while we have yet to reach the mountaintop, we cannot stop climbing.

Today, Dr. King, President Lincoln, and other shapers of our American story proudly watch over our National Mall. But as we memorialize their extraordinary acts in statues and stone, let us not lose sight of the enduring truth that they were citizens first. They spoke and marched and toiled and bled shoulder-to-shoulder with ordinary people who burned with the same hope for a brighter day. That legacy is shared; that spirit is American. And just as it guided us forward 150 years ago and 50 years ago, it guides us forward today. So let us honor those

who came before by striving toward their example, and let us follow in their footsteps toward the better future that is ours to claim.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2013 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Edited from a proclamation signed by President Obama regarding National African American History Month, 2013.

AWARD

Continued from D1

Xernona Clayton when she worked for Ted Turner at Turner Broadcasting as Vice President of Community Affairs.

“When I first met Michael I knew there was something special about him. The more I learned about him the more I wanted to know,” Clayton said.

“He is sincere and passionate about helping others. I waited

NAACP

Continued from D1

to the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. In 1987, he accepted an appointment as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, thus making him the second American to hold this title. Belafonte has continued to devote himself globally to civil and human rights issues,

and observed that he never changed in demeanor. His tireless energy to help others raised the bar for giving back and rivaled what I had seen in others. As we reviewed candidates for this award throughout the nation, Michael was clearly our choice for his outstanding work in the community.”

McMillan volunteers his time with helping over 3,000 senior citizens for Town Hall forums; six St. Louis Public Schools for Academic Achievement Programs; hundreds of college

focusing in particular on the United States and Africa.

Mr. Belafonte has been honored many times by such diverse groups as the American Jewish Congress, the NAACP, the City of Hope, Fight for Sight, The Urban League, The National Conference of Black Mayors, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, the ACLU, the State Department, the Boy Scouts of America, Hadassah International and the Peace Corps.

The Spingarn Medal was

including an

students with internships and scholarships; and recognitions of community

to

in

won the

instituted in 1914 by then-

To date, 96

Medals have been

recognizing achievements in a range of fields. Medalists include

NAACP Chairman Joel E. Spingarn.

Spingarn

awarded,

former U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, NAACP Chairman Emeriti Julian Bond and Myrlie EversWilliams, Rosa Parks, and Dr. King.

leaders

annual Salute

Women

Leadership, which recently

MO State Dr. MLK, Jr. Celebration Commission’s Award. The testimonials in his award introduction included Dr. Henry Givens, President Emeritus, Harris Stowe State University, and Kalifa Gray, former intern, now manager in the Finance Department, Office of the License Collector.

Trumpet awardees Tracy & Alonzo Manning, Edward T. Welburn Jr., Debra Martin Chase, Xernona Clayton, Chaka Khan, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Charlie Wilson and Michael P. McMillan. Photo by Richard K. Davis

President Barack Obama

in 2008 at 5355 Page Blvd.

“Our demographics have expanded,” said Delsie Boyd, a city councilman in Black Jack, member of the Annie Malone board and former board chairman. “Although, we’re still in the Ville, we service the St. Louis metropolitan area and the state of Missouri as a whole.”

Individualized education

Marquita Farland’s son Leondis Clark, 14, attends Emerson Academy Therapeutic School, one of the programs on Annie Malone’s program campus on Page.

“He’s been going here about

three years,” she said. “He couldn’t make it in a regular school setting, but he’s been doing pretty good here. The teachers know him. They’re patient with him.”

Students are placed at Emerson by St. Louis Public Schools for various specialeducation needs. A school advocate advised Farland that the suspensions were inappropriate. The advocate and Leondis’ teachers developed an IEP – individual education plan – for him and placed him at Emerson.

“Now he reads novels and does his homework,” his mother said. “His self-esteem has lifted. He’s proud of how far he came.”

Emerson’s goal is to move children back into regular schools, and Leondis expects to enter high school next year as a freshman. “He’s extremely excited about going to high school,” Farland said.

Many Emerson students come into the school from middle school and high school, said Jonathan Haynes, the school’s science teacher. “For an alternative school, we move the students kind of fast,” he said. Most students stay about a year.

Emerson Academy science and technology teacher

Jonathan Haynes conducts a beautification and gardening project with the students behind the school on Page Boulevard. The raised garden plots and soil-filled tires are used to grow vegetables for the school’s kitchen. The tires are scavenged from lots in the neighborhood.

The garden project helps Haynes teach planning, plant selection and the effect of weather, climate and light conditions on plants. At harvest time, all the students got to take pumpkins home from the garden.

Respite care

“It’s all about creating positive vibes,” said Adrianne Martin, the center’s director of social services.

She stood in a room with four beds provided for girls 13 to 17, with bedspreads covered

placed there by a juvenile court judge.

“We are not a lockdown facility,” said Jahara Davis, coordinator of public relations and volunteers. “The children come here voluntarily.”

If the child is brought by a parent, he or she may stay 21 to 30 days. Children under court referrals may stay only five days before going back home or into foster care.

‘A bigger family’

Leorna Lee, director of information technology and operations at the center, grew up in the Annie Malone Children’s Home in the building in the Ville, which is still the organization’s headquarters.

with big pink and purple polka dots. “All the bright, girly things make them feel more at home,” Martin said.

Besides the bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms, the crisis/respite facility has a kitchenette, space for private conferences, and space for

At one time, the Children’s Home housed up to 100 children who lived there for several months, several years or even most of their childhoods. Lee lived in the Children’s Home for 15 years until she went to college. For much of her childhood, her twin brother and their two older brothers

n “Although, we’re still in the Ville, we service the St. Louis metropolitan area and the state of Missouri as a whole.”

– Delsie Boyd, member of the Annie Malone board

kids to spread out and do their homework.

The center has space for up to 26 children age 17 and under, including up to five babies in a crib room. Children come in to the center in two ways. They may be brought by their parents or other guardians, perhaps because they are homeless or because the parent or guardian is ill or undergoing a crisis or there’s been a death in the family. Or they may be

also lived there.

“Our grandmother’s health had deteriorated, and the juvenile court placed us with the agency,” Lee said. “I just felt like I had a bigger family. We had grandparents to teach us to crochet, and to read to us. We had house parents, like you’d have at home. There were a lot of kids. I don’t remember feeling lonely.”

Lee graduated from Kirkwood High School in the

court-ordered desegregation transfer program and was named Magnet Journalism Student of the Year in 1989. She graduated from Lincoln University in 1994. Lee also took advantage of the Annie Malone Center’s Transitional Housing Program, which gives homeless young adults 18 and older a place to stay to get on their feet and move into their own apartments. The shift to shorter stays for children in distressed families has its drawbacks, Lee said. “You get the kids in, give them a bath, a meal, a bed,” she said. “You may have

A proud history

The Annie Malone Home at 2612 Annie Malone Drive in the Ville is on the National Register of Historic Places. Standing in the vestibule and looking at a full-length portrait of its benefactress, one can almost hear the sound of children’s voices and feel the spirit of people who saw children in need and responded.

Sarah Newton Cohron took in the first orphan girl and gathered women from the WCTU and nearby African Methodist Episcopal churches to do something for the orphans.

Annie Turnbo Malone gave $10,000 in the 1920s to build a magnificent building designed by the famous architect William B. Ittner.

Teachers like Jonathan Haynes nurture the spark of learning in their students. Alumni like Leorna Lee remember their years at Annie Malone and return as adults to give back. As retiring CEO Angela Starks says, “Everything we do, we help children move from where they were to be better. Our legacy is to tell children, no matter what their background, they are valuable and they can accomplish their goals.”

Edited for length and reprinted with permission from stlbeacon.org.

Adrianne Martin (left), director of social services, and Jahara Davis, coordinator of public relations and volunteers. Photo by Barry Gilbert

BLAck HiStory montH ActivitieS

Thurs., Feb. 14, 12:30 p.m., America’s Awakening: 1963 and the March on Washington, STLCC – Forest Park Campus Cafeteria. For more information, call (314) 644-9284.

Thurs., Feb. 14, 4 p.m., Thursday Film Series “Eyes on the Prize: The Bridge to Freedom,” St. Louis Public Library – Divoll Branch, 4234 N. Grand. For more information, call (314) 5390315.

Through Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Freedom Quilt Exhibit, St. Louis Public Library – Barr Branch, 1701 S. Jefferson Ave. For more information, call (314) 539-0343.

Fri., Feb. 15, 11 a.m., A Time to be Remembered: A Juneteenth Story, St. Louis Public Library – Machecek Branch, 6424 Scanlan Ave. For more information, call (314) 539-0343.

Fri., Feb. 15, 2 p.m., The Griot Museum of Black History, bus departs from Lindenwood University, 209 S. Kingshighway, St. Charles. For more information, e-mail amburvictoria@yahoo.com.

Sat., Feb. 16, 11 a.m., Mother Africa’s Kitchen, Showing the movie “Soul Food” with student-centered presentation and healthy soul food. STLCC Forest Park Campus Cafeteria. For more information, call (314) 644-9284.

Sun., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Dance Plus presents Experience

the African American Soundtrack of a Revolution Join us for an evening of African American History set to the soundtrack of our story. Dance, Song, Drama and Tribute. James J. Eagan Center, 1 Civic Center Dr., 63033. For more information, call (636) 578-4788.

Feb. 17 – 18, Missouri History Museum presents “Blind” Boone. Presentation on the accomplishments of itinerant musician John William “Blind” Boone, who was born in Missouri in 1864 to a former slave and lost his sight as a baby. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Wed., Feb. 20, 11 a.m., Lunch and Learn: At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and The March on Washington, STLCC Florissant Valley Campus Student Center. For more information, call (314) 5134117.

Wed., Feb. 20, 11 a.m., The March on Washington: A St. Louisan’s perspective, STLCC Forest Park Campus Cafeteria. For more information (314) 644-9284.

Thurs., Feb. 21, 10 a.m., Panel Discussion- Race: The Power of an Illusion, STLCC Forest Park Campus Cafeteria, Multipurpose Room. For more information (314) 644-9284.

Thurs., Feb. 21, 11 a.m.,

Black in the Day: STL’s Place in History, STLCC Florissant Valley Campus Student Center Multipurpose Room. For more information, call (314) 5134639.

Thurs., Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m., Examining Health and Nutrition Perparedness with Quantarrius Wilson, STLCC Meramec Campus. For more information, call (314) 9847593.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. The STL Symphony and vocalist Wintley Phipps come together for this soulful celebration full of spirit and song commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic

speech, “I Have a Dream.” 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., The Singles Ministry of Central Baptist Church is sponsoring their Second Annual Black History Trivia Night, William Claiborne Educational Center, 2843 Washington Blvd. Bonita Cornute, of KTVI News, will serve as host for the event.

Sat., Feb. 23, 2 p.m., The New African Paradigm presents a “Black History Extravaganza” with Dr. Llaila Africa and Michael Imhotep , Pajoma Academy, 3935 Enright Ave., 63108. Please contact James Steward at (618) 977-8191 or Greg Harris at (314) 977-8191 for

more information.

Sat., Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m., Julia Davis Library Branch hosts author Robert Moore, author of The President’s Men: Black United States Marshall in America. 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 63115. For more information, call (314) 3833021.

Tues., Feb. 26, 11 a.m., Slavery in America: An interdisciplinary Journey, STLCC Florissant Valley Campus Student Center. For more information call (314) 513-4132.

Tues., Feb. 26, 11:30, Captivity Narratives, STLCC Wildwood Campus Multipurpose Room. For more information, call (636) 422-

2244.

Wed., Feb. 27, 12 noon, Open Mic, STLCC Florissant Valley Campus Student Center. For more information, call (314) 513-4763.

Wed., Feb. 27, 12 noon, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents “The Day the Waters Came,” STLCC Meramec Campus. For more information, call (314) 9847593.

Thurs., Feb. 28, 11 a.m., A Tribute To Whitney Houston starring Cheryl Brown and Friends, STLCC Florissant Valley’s Terry M. Fischer Theatre. For more information, call (314) 513-4294.

Thurs., Feb. 28, 9:45 a.m., Kreative Pandemonium, William J. Harrison Education Center Multipurpose Room 100. For more information, call (314) 763-6017.

Thurs., Feb. 28, 11 a.m., Bro2Bro, STLCC Forest Park Campus Cafeteria East. For more information, call (314) 644-9284

Thurs., Feb. 28, 12 noon, King Omowale and the Majestic Lions Presented by Mahkeedah Arts, STLCC Meramec Campus, Student Center Cafeteria. For more information, call (314) 9847593.

Thur., Feb. 28, 3 p.m., St. Louis County Library Rock Road Branch presents Travel to New Orleans. Join us for an afternoon of discussing the music, food and spirituality in New Orleans as it relates to Black History. Registration required. 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074. For more information, call (314) 994-

St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration with vocalist Wintley Phipps.

New airmen from St. Louis

Air National Guard Airman Myka J. Boyd is the daughter of Lucille Gibbs of East St. Louis. She is a 2012 graduate of Cardinal Ritter

Air Force Airman

Markum M. Jensen is the son of Lisa Gilliam of Spring, Texas, and grandson of Mary Jensen of St. Louis, Mo. He is a 2012 graduate of Spring High School, Texas.

Air Force Airman Phillip M. Purtty is the son of Diane Purtty of Maryland Heights. He is a 2011 graduate of Francis Howell Central High School, St. Charles.

Air Force Airman Tyesha L. Mack is the daughter of Korletta Mack of St. Louis. She is a 2011 graduate of McCluer Senior High School

Air Force Airman Gary D. Smith is the son of Angelia Smith of University City. He is a 2009 graduate of Gateway High School, St. Louis.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class David R. Green III is the son of David Green Jr. of O’Fallon, and Yolanda Green of Florissant. He is a 2007 graduate of Fort Zumwalt High School

Air National Guard Airman Rodney J. Montgomery II is the son of Toni Montgomery of Mascoutah, Ill., and Rodney Montgomery of St. Louis, Mo. He is a 2011 graduate of Mascoutah Community High School, Ill

Air Force Airman Stephanie C. Webster is the daughter of Beatrice Webster of St. Louis. She is a 2004 graduate of Eureka High School.

Students win MLK oratory contest

Duvonta Morrow and Briana Reid recognized by NCCU

American staff

The Ferguson-Florissant School District’s McCluer North High School students Duvonta Morrow and Briana Reid were named winners of the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest sponsored by North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU). Morrow and Reid were

n “The time students spent writing about Dr. King benefits them, us and the world around them.”

– Barbara Thompson, NCCU

“We believe that the time that students have spent thinking and writing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, leadership and service benefits them, us and the world around them,” said NCCU vice president and contest chairperson Barbara Thompson.

“It was uplifting and reassuring to hear the students speak about continuing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of healing divisions after the horrifying event in Newtown, Connecticut. We are proud of all the contest participants and finalists for their efforts.”

among 12 finalists who presented their oratories before a panel of judges on Sat., Dec. 15. They were selected as two of five students in grades 1-12 who presented oratories. in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley on Jan. 20. In addition, each of the winners received a $100 prize.

Rev. Rance Thomas (NCCU Founder and President), Anissa Harris (McCluer North High School Assistant Principal), student winners Briana Reid and Duvonta Morrow, Gwendolyn Diggs (Chief Learning Officer, FFSD) and Kemba Metropoulos (McCluer North High School language arts teacher).