February 15th, 2018 Edition

Ellison, Clay stump for minimum wage raise

DNC deputy chair joins striking workers on picket line in Ferguson

By Jessica Karins For The St. Louis American

Flag sparks racist threat to alderman

John CollinsMuhammad receives threatening letter signed by KKK

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Alderman John Collins-Muhammad of the 21st Ward received a letter allegedly from the Ku Klux Klan at his aldermanic office on Thursday, February 8 threatening to “pay him a visit” if he doesn’t take down the Pan-African flag honoring Black History Month outside of City Hall.

“It’s truly disgusting and very disturbing,” Collins-Muhammad said.

On February 1, the African American Aldermanic Caucus held a ceremony downtown to raise the Pan-African flag, which is red, black and green. In 2014, the black caucus passed a resolution directing the city to display the flag throughout Black History Month. Muhammad co-leads outreach for the caucus along with 3rd Ward Alderman Brandon Bosley.

“This country is ours,” the letter stated. “Your actions in flying that damned flag is disgraceful. To have that shameful flag soaring under the Old Glory of the U.S.A. is wrong. It will not be tolerated.” The letter was signed by “The Sons of the Grand Knights, The Ku Klux Klan.”

Nationally prominent Democrats lent their voices to the cause of raising the minimum wage in Missouri on Saturday, February 10, when Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison and U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay came to Ferguson to speak up for racial and economic justice. Ellison, who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress, said raising the minimum wage is a moral issue.

“This Raise the Wage fight is not just about money, it’s about dignity,” Ellison said at Wellspring Church in Ferguson.

Both Ellison and Clay serve in both the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus, and both have supported federal legislation to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour.

Though raising the minimum wage has traditionally been a cause for progressive Democrats, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber called for everyone across the political spectrum to get on board.

“I pray that everybody, every one of our fellow Missourians, every person in the state, will recognize the importance of raising the minimum wage and the importance of taking care of our fellow citizens and fellow Missourians,” Webber said.

In fact, Missouri Republicans have stood

Rice wins 8th Ward special election

Independent soundly beats Democrat nominated by central committee to replace Conway

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

n “This showed that choice is important for participation, for democracy. People get involved when they have choice on the ballot.”

– Annie Rice

Annie Rice, an immigration and civil rights lawyer and Black Lives Matter activist, will become the first woman to represent St. Louis’ 8th Ward at the Board of Aldermen, after she handily beat Democratic candidate Paul Fehler with 59.65 percent of the vote in the February 13 special election. Rice received 1,279 votes and Fehler 853 votes. Both candidates were elected as Democratic committeemen in the August 2016 primary. Alderman Steve Conway, who held the position for 27 years, vacated his seat in November after the mayor appointed him as city assessor. Rice, who is 32, ran for alderman as an Independent candidate after the St. Louis City

Annie Rice (center) celebrated her decisive win in the 8th Ward aldermanic special election on February 13 at her campaign headquarters, 4448 Shaw Blvd., with 15th Ward Committeewoman Torrey Park and 5th Ward Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge.

The St. Louis American called the Ku Klux Klan L.L.C. that is based out of Arkansas but was not able to connect with the group. Collins-Muhammad turned the letter over to police. An investigation is ongoing.

“I don’t take it seriously,” Collins-Muhammad said. “Whenever your life is threatened, you should take it seriously. But I don’t see it as a

‘We simply did not know then what we know now about juveniles’

By American staff

Retired Judge Evelyn Baker sentenced Bobby Bostic, in effect, to die in prison for his role as an accomplice in robberies committed one night when he was 16 years old. Now she has seen the error of her sentencing and has added her name to the list of 26 former judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in his case. “At the time that I sentenced Bobby Bostic, the laws were different: It was constitutional to execute a juvenile,” Baker said. “When I sentenced Bobby there had been no studies on how the brain developed. We simply did not know then what we know now about juveniles.” Baker, who spent 25 years as a St. Louis

Photo by Wiley Price

See FLAG, A6

Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison and U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay joined striking workers at Christian Care Home, a Ferguson nursing home, on the picket line on Saturday, February 10.

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

Alderman John CollinsMuhammad

Bobby Bostic

Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

Rain Pryor denies Quincy Jones’ claim of Brando tryst with Richard Pryor

In a pair of Facebook posts, Richard Pryor’s daughter, Rain Pryor, denies allegations made by Quincy Jones that Richard Pryor was sexually linked to film and stage legend Marlon Brando. In the explosive interview with

especially Quaaludes,” Jennifer Pryor told TMZ. “If you did enough cocaine, you’d [expletive] a radiator and send it flowers in the morning.”

Rain Pryor took to Facebook to deny Jones’ allegations.

“Q was once a brilliant music producer who is losing his mind – and decided to garner publicity for himself with a sensationalized interview,” Pryor said. “Then on top of it all, my dad’s so-called widow validated it, because she needs to keep legitimizing herself and tarnish our dad even after he’s dead. She hated Q and Daddy.”

trying to navigate and process. It’s funny how during a time of huge inequality, it would have seemed to matter more, and, now it’s sensationalized news, but the characters are wrong, and it’s all done to elevate the egos of sad empty people whose money is proving it doesn’t buy happiness.

However, Daddy did NOT have relations with Brando. There were no trips to his South Pacific Oasis, no flowers or love notes between. Not even a film role.

In a follow up post, Rain Pryor vehemently denies that her father was sexually involved with Brando.

Why this sudden need to drag Daddy through the Hollywood mud? I find it tasteless and infuriating. At least get the details right, but of course we live in the age of faux news is real unless we disagree for our own

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

We

with sexual battery. He was taken to the Fulton County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond on the misdemeanor charge.

Atlanta police have not released any additional information about the alleged incident.

Broner told WSB-TV that he doesn’t know the woman who accused him of groping.

“I’m innocent,” Broner said. “I didn’t touch that girl. She wanted a picture and I didn’t want to take a picture.”

LaVar issues Lakers threat to Lithuanian media

Infamous basketball dad LaVar Ball told the Lithuanian press that his eldest son, Lonzo Ball, will only re-sign with the Lakers if they take his brothers. “I want all my three boys to play for the Lakers,” LaVar told Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas. “I’m telling you the story that’s gonna happen first. If they don’t take Gelo this year, I will bring Gelo here to play with Melo for two years. Lonzo will be on his third year and I want to let every NBA team know that Lonzo is not going to re-sign with the Lakers – but will go with any team that will take all my three boys. That’s my plan.”

Sources: WSB-TV, Facebook, TMZ.com, Bleacher Report.

Rain Pryor

Adrien Broner

Stop the killing: a message to black aldermen

Don’t let egos and backwards agendas betray common sense

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

For The St. Louis American

If there’s one indisputable fact about blacks in St. Louis, it’s that we know how to kill one another. And I’m not talking about the obvious, the factors that contribute to our moniker as one of the deadliest cities in America. I’m talking about black politicians, specifically black aldermen.

Last year, five black aldermen let their egos and backwards agendas betray common sense. Everyone who could count their fingers realized that the cadre of competing black candidates would cancel each other out in the race. And, as predicted, the lone, heavily-funded white candidate, Lyda Krewson, supported by the previous race-insensitive, white mayor, won the election.

Why wasn’t the election a wakeup call? One would think the black aldermen would have had a come-toJesus, soul-searching moment. After complacently signing off on millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars toward developments in predominantly white wards, why, oh why, aren’t black aldermen working toward unity and black empowerment?

Apparently, some are still stuck in “let’s kill each other” mode. Take for example 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd’s attempt to rein in the travel and professional development budget of Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones. Boyd, in his dual role as alderman and member of the city’s Parking Commission, was successful in getting the Board of Aldermen to pass the measure against Jones.

Let’s not focus on the fact that Jones received more votes than Boyd, who also ran in the 2017 mayoral race. Never mind that in 2012, then state Representative Jones beat Boyd in the contentious treasurer’s race, after he insinuated she was “a stalking horse”

legislation will help food policy experts, community gardeners, and urban farming entities like my Sweet Potato Project. It will lead to the creation of Agricultural Zones in urban areas. These areas will be applicable for federal, state, and local resources that’s exclusively enjoyed by rich and wealthy developers backed by political clout.

Collins-Muhammad told me he’s expecting a fight from some white progressives and one or two black aldermen on the bills. Maybe its self-serving, but I’d like to see some unification and solidarity behind these efforts. If white progressives are to be “progressive,” they need to back efforts that white conservatives may loath or ignore. Black politicians must move beyond age or seniority biases and embrace young, black leadership. Admittedly, I don’t know all the details of either bill but surely there’s a way to build consensus on a plan that would give ordinary, lowincome residents a chance to reclaim land and build sustainable futures for themselves.

candidate. Boyd says his actions toward the treasurer’s office are all about “good government policy, transparency and accountability.” Fine. Great. I’ll take his word.

But, as this newspaper noted in a recent editorial, Boyd and the Board of Aldermen did not seek to reduce any other city official’s budget at a time when the city is cutting services to the poorest wards in the city. In all honesty, Boyd’s actions lend to The American’s charge that he’s just a “disgruntled loser” making a petty attempt to punish Jones, a political rival.

Even if Boyd’s motivations are pure, his timing sucks. Jones lost the election to Krewson by a mere 888

votes. Jones, who came so close to upsetting the apple cart, is still a threat to the privileged and powerful. Now is the time to figure out a way to shift money and resources to long-ignored and underserved wards of color by any means necessary. It is the time for solidarity, unity, and the building a strong black political powerbase, not grandiose attempts to dilute black power. The black/white political dynamic in the city is changing. Jones has garnered the support of progressive, young, white South Side aldermen. Two newly-elected young, black aldermen, Alderman John CollinsMuhammad (21st Ward) and Brandon Bosley (3rd Ward), have

been chosen to lead the AfricanAmerican Aldermanic Caucus. Both have expressed a desire to pursue the interest of the city’s black communities.

Collins-Muhammad has introduced two powerful board bills recently that, in my opinion, could lead to sweeping changes in North St. Louis. Board Bill #187 requires the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) to sell properties to residents for one dollar, based upon the approval of the alderman of such wards. Board Bill #169 calls for a comprehensive urban agriculture plan. This one is based on best practices of other cities like Detroit, New York and Kansas. From my research, this type of

On the first day of Black History Month, the African-American Aldermanic Caucus raised the red, black, and green pan-African flag on the flagpole outside City Hall. The ceremony, now in its 5th year, is in recognition of what African Americans have contributed to the world. It was a heartfelt but symbolic gesture. The focus of our times should be on what black politicos can do to stimulate equitable growth in St. Louis. We must move beyond symbolism and toward substance. Politicians moan and cry about the black murder rate in North St. Louis. But figurative killing is just as damning as literal killing. They should lead by example. We can slow the literal killing by creating neighborhoods that inspire, sustain, and protect young people. Perhaps a sound start is black aldermen looking at their own casualties and incomprehensible desire to kill one another.

Sylvester Brown Jr. is a writer, community activist and executive director of the Sweet Potato Project, a program that seeks to empower lowincome youth and adults through landownership and urban agriculture.

Photo by Wiley Price

Then-Judge Jimmie Edwards swore in the members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen on April 18 of last year.

Editorial /CommEntary

Democrats must go grassroots – and progressive

It was savvy for U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay to take Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison to Ferguson when Ellison visited the region February 9-10. Ferguson still conjures an image in the national mind, and in addition, there is an ongoing strike at Christian Care Home in Ferguson, where both congressmen were able to join a picket line to create a vivid image of their advocacy for higher wages and better treatment for workers. They seized the so-called economic populism that Republicans, despite their opposition to increasing the minimum wage and organized labor, somehow claimed for themselves in the past presidential election cycle.

But the real local action for Democrats, at this moment, is in the City of St. Louis. Ellison, Clay and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber heard bellyaching from the city’s Democratic committeepeople on the eve of a special election where a Democrat nominated by a majority of committeepeople faced an Independent candidate who is herself a Democratic committeewoman. As Ellison told us during an editorial board meeting on Friday, Democrats did not just lose one election – for president – they have lost “1,000 elections” up and down the ballot in every state. After the special election for 8th Ward alderman in St. Louis on Tuesday, February 13, make that 1,001 elections that Democrats have lost. But in this election, a Democrat did not lose to a Republican. In this election, the establishment Democrat, Paul Fehler, lost – and lost badly, 40 percent to 60 percent – to a more progressive, grassroots Democrat in Annie Rice. As one of the party leaders charged with turning Democratic candidates into winners, Ellison should listen to Annie Rice, the Independent Democrat who whipped establishment Democrat Paul Fehler in the 8th Ward, not least of all because she shares his playbook.

“Ground game works, making connections with voters works,” Rice explained her victory. “That’s what we’ve been doing.” As Ellison explained to us, that’s what Democrats did in the Alabama special election when they elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate for the first time in this century. Ellison explained how Democrats mobilized local people in Alabama – rather than party operatives bussed in from D.C. – to canvas for Doug Jones. “What is the secret of Alabama?” Ellison said to us. “The DNC didn’t put any money into television. We spent it all on canvassing. Spent $600,000 on nothing but canvassing.” And they were local canvassers. The comparison to Annie Rice – who had support from a large majority of people in the 8th Ward, but not the Democratic Party – is telling.

To put the lesson of Alabama into practice, Ellison told us, the plan is to “make sure in every single state and every single zip code that the Democratic National Party is channeling

money to strengthen state parties. State parties will be expected to strengthen county and local units. They are expected to focus on candidacy and grassroots engagement and create a pipeline.” Without question, this is better than what Democrats have been doing: spending a fortune on consultants operating far from the ground and on television advertising. But Annie Rice’s victory – one of a series in St. Louis where establishment Democrats lost to more progressive Democrats running as Independents – should show Ellison and party leaders that going more local won’t be enough, not when local party leaders keep betting against more progressive Democrats and losing.

Clearly, if Ellison trusts state and city Democrats to deliver on “grassroots engagement,” yet the local leaders keep imposing candidates like Paul Fehler and trying to defeat – even punish – candidates like Annie Rice, then Democrats are going to keep losing. And, in 2018, more Democratic losses should be considered unthinkable. Speaking of an unthinkable – but, unfortunately, possible – loss, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill faces reelection on November 6. She simply must be mindful of the shifting politics in one of the strongholds of her base, the City of St. Louis. She and her team should pay attention to the strategy and tactics being espoused by Ellison if she expects to overcome the expected Republican onslaught against her in this upcoming highstakes senatorial campaign. As a clever and astute politician, she certainly understands that she must depend on more than an outreach to disaffected rural Trump voters and the anticipated missteps by an unschooled, mistakeprone rookie opponent.

We also ask McCaskill to heed something that Ellison told us. Why do Republicans beat Democrats? “I think it’s because they are more highly motivated,” Ellison said. “Why are they so highly motivated? Because they know they are in the distinct minority. They are advocating a program that’s only going to help the top one percent. If you’re not making $400,000 a year or more, then what they’re doing is not really going to help you. But how do they win? They deceive you. They divide you. They discourage you.”

The majority of people in Missouri and the U.S. would benefit personally from policy changes if they elected more Democrats than Republicans, but they are being successfully deceived by a highly motivated minority. McCaskill needs to counteract these forces with a major grassroots, progressive campaign – credible local boots on the ground – that connects with and encourages voters. And she needs to be aware that the energy she most needs behind her to win in November keeps getting discouraged – even punished – by the Democratic Party in the critical Democratic stronghold of St. Louis.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

No one prepares prisoners for coming home

By Johnny Perez For The St. Louis American

In my memories of prison, there are no colors. It was a dark, cold, and gray place. Incarceration, for me, was defined by deprivation – not just deprivation of freedom, opportunity, and safety, but deprivation of the senses.

On the day of my release, I stepped off a bus at Port Authority and walked out into the world for the first time in 13 years. I remember feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the oranges, blues, reds, and neon greens of New York City streets. After so many years in a concrete box, I was finally free. That excitement, however, soon gave way to anxiety. What I remember most clearly from that day is the feeling of fear that I wouldn’t be able to make it.

I spent 13 years in prison, but no one started talking to me about my release until 90 days before I finished my sentence. During those conversations, the burden of responsibility was placed on me. I was asked where I would be living, the clinics and reentry programs I would be taking part in, but at no time was I given tools to do research about my options. People serving time in prison were required to take part in certain rehabilitation and work programs, but the violent culture of prison completely undermined their effectiveness. If I was in a carpentry

Efficient development programs need funds

Dr. Patricia Wolff’s account of her experiences with Haitian communities highlights the remarkable progress that can be made with effective development assistance. For decades, the U.S. has been a leader in fighting extreme poverty. And by working in partnership with developing nations, including Haiti, global poverty has been cut in half since 1990. But we have more work to do, as more than 15,300 children under age five are still dying of preventable causes each day, and 263 million children and youth who should be in school are not. By investing in effective and efficient development programs through the appropriations process, we can continue to make progress on poverty, and bolster country self-reliance.

U.S. Reps. Lacy Clay (D-01) and Ann Wagner (R-02) have both supported strategic maternal/child health legislation in recent years. I hope that they – along with U.S. Senators Blunt and McCaskill – will support $900 million for maternal/child health funding and $925 million for basic global education in our country’s budget for fiscal year 2019.

Cynthia Changyit Levin Town and Country

Let’s build a lynching memorial

We have many memorials for the Confederacy, but none for the history of lynchings in America. I propose that we, the people of St. Louis, make a memorial that’s graphic

class and I had to worry about whether some guy was going to take the hammer and beat me over the head with it because I owed him two packs of cigarettes, I probably was not going to learn much. If an anger management class was being taught by someone who I knew had gotten into a fight the previous week, the teacher was not going to fill me with confidence.

Despite the difficulties inherent in prison life, I was able to pursue my education, earning 30 college credits before my release. In the outside world, though, I had a difficult time proving my worth. No one wanted to hire someone with a criminal background, no matter my accomplishments in prison or my resolve to make a meaningful life for myself. In

n I was asked where I would be living, the clinics and reentry programs I would be taking part in, but at no time was I given tools to do research about my options.

the six months that followed my release, I went to more than 50 job interviews. Every time, my criminal background acted as an automatic disqualifier. As a person with a record, I was constantly defined by the darkest chapter in my life. Anytime I tried to get ahead, I found myself having to answer for mistakes I made when I was teenager.

After months of job hunting, I finally landed at the Mental

Health Project of the Urban Justice Center. For every other job I applied to, I had tried to hide my criminal record – it was like I was in the closet about it. But the problem with doing 13 years is that you can’t easily hide that time or shake those experiences. When I applied to the Mental Health Project, I led with the fact that I had a criminal background. I got the job right away. Now that I work with people who are going through the reentry process, my experiences trying to get back on my feet after incarceration are invaluable. Without the firsthand experience of incarceration and reentry, there’s no way I could be as effective in my work now. Today I am an advocate to end mass incarceration and a voice for the formerly incarcerated. It is a backwards logic that has our society investing in locking young people up instead of creating opportunities for them or preparing them for life after prison. We need more investment in education and counseling for at-risk populations, including those who are currently or formerly incarcerated. I can never get back those 13 years, but I can make sure that young people in the future have better choices than I did.

Johnny Perez advocates against mass incarceration and to end solitary confinement as the director of U.S. Prison Program for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and as a member of the NY Advisory Committee to The US Civil Rights Commission and the NYC Bar Association’s Correction and Reentry Committee.

and unpleasing to the eye and gut-curdling. Why? Because people want to forget about the unlawful killings of black people who were denied due process under the law.

There’s little commemoration for the lives that were lost to lynchings. If I were to design a memorial, it would include the painful look on the victims face. A bronze statue would intensify the expression and give a visual representation for the victims of lynchings. I would want to show the image of a lynching from a branch in remembrance of someone who actually died in that area.

I would propose another statue to the side that is a crowd of people watching it happen, and specifically in that crowd I would love to see darker bronze representing the African Americans whom segregationist whites dragged in to watch, and even have kids in the crowd to represent how parents were teaching their kids racism back then. This will put a realistic view on how people normalized this crime.

The last thing I would add is a plaque of the name or names of people who were lynched in the area and what their alleged crimes were. I think it is time we face our past stains with a critical eye and give remembrance to those lost names.

Selena Lewis University City

Go to all paper ballots

Now that we know that the Russians interfered with our elections, what is the election board doing about it? The Russians did not interfere with the count this time, but what

about next time? This is the year (2018) of the midterm elections, people. I think we should call for an all-paper ballot, for one thing. What are you going to do, Missouri?

Rosalind Weathers St. Louis

Sessions: unfit to serve

The latest racially tinged comments by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions should give all people reason to worry. His decision to link the term “sheriff” to some part “of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement” is an unfortunate yet consistent aspect of the language coming out of the Department of Justice under his tenure and qualifies as the latest example of dog whistle politics. The NAACP opposed the nomination of AG Sessions and continues to stand by our decades-long assessment that he is the wrong person for the nation to place in charge of enforcing our laws. His stances at DOJ regarding their reversal of support for cases against voter suppression, his attempted withdrawal from consent decrees to rein in police misconduct, and the decision to return to polices (including mandatory minimums) that played a key role in the expansion of mass incarceration are powerful examples of why communities of color must pay attention to what he does and what he says. More importantly, these examples serve as evidence and highlight why he remains unqualified to serve as the attorney general.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO NAACP

Columnist

Johnny Perez

Photo by Wiley Price

Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber brought Democratic National Committee Deputy Chair Keith Ellison and party staff to The St. Louis American for an editorial board meeting on Friday, February 9.

Hazelwood Central students feed the hungry

Members of the Hazelwood Central High School, National Honor Society for Musicians (Tri-M), recently volunteered at a food bank in St. Louis. As part of their service project, Tri-M members prepared boxes of meals for senior citizens. Overall, the students helped provide 19,608 meals for the hungry. This event was the last of three Tri-M’s service projects. Tri-M’s other two events include volunteering at the Hot Chocolate Run in downtown St. Louis and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Left side: Aleah Miller, Garland Moore, Ron McDaniels, Ariel Tucker, Kaitlyn Franklin, Bri’Yana Merrill, Xavier Rainey. Right side: Ms. Jackson (parent), Allison Jackson, Kimberly Jackson, Hope Hamilton, Madeline Seyer, Elijah Williams, Helen French.

River’s Edge Trail reopened in Spanish Lake

After extensive work, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff has reopened the River’s Edge Trail at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake. MDC work crews completed restoration efforts on the trail, and it is now accessible for hiking again.

“The trail was completely covered with debris, sand, and litter after the Missouri River breached our levee during the flood last spring,” said MDC Wildlife biologist Jessi Tapp. The trail had been shut down since that time.

The River’s Edge is a linear trail approximately 2.5 miles in length. The trailhead is located near the boat ramp, just off of the Confluence Trail, and travels east along the Missouri River through bottomland forest on a natural surface path. The trail ends at the Confluence Viewing Platform. From there hikers can either backtrack or continue onto the paved Confluence Trail and double back to the boat ramp. The trail is predominantly flat and easy, with a number of excellent views of the Missouri River.

The 4,318-acre Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is open year-round for hiking from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. The area can be reached by taking the I-270 Riverview Exit and travelling approximately three miles north.

For more information about Columbia Bottom, including a downloadable map of the area and trails, go to https://goo.gl/ vGzvit.

Trump’s American nightmare

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

U.S. citizenship for a wall. Really? This is the current reality for those coming from Mexico to seek the American dream. Instead, they’re facing a nightmare.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, better known as DACA, was established by President Obama in 2012. He created the policy by executive order after it was painfully clear that Congress would fail to create legislation to protect children whose parents entered the U.S. without documentation. Last fall, Trump rescinded the policy throwing the lives of nearly 800,000 young people and their families into jeopardy. This action is scary. So is Trump. Since then, Dreamers all over the country, including the estimated 3,400 in Missouri, have been looking over their shoulders. For those cities with aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices, the fear and anxiety of the undocumented are on high alert. It would be understandable if those emotions give way to anger and outrage as Trump attempts to use their citizenship as bargaining chips for a divisive wall. For those who support the inclusion and humanity of all, we should be outraged at the political, cultural, environmental, and financial costs of the Trump wall. Estimates range from $20-70 billion to build and about $200 million to maintain annually. Prototypes of the wall have already been submitted, and contractors are chomping at the bit to get their grubby hands on those billions.

I know we can find a just and humane resolution to the immigration concerns and to better spend our hard-earned tax dollars. The Mexican government is not going to pay for this wall. nor will there be any private dollars coming. This Trump pet project is about to blow a hole in taxpayers’ pockets.

And let’s not forget that immigrants don’t all come from Mexico. Many come from the “sh**hole” countries of Africa and the African diaspora. Black and brown immigrants are unwanted under a Trump administration; people from countries like Norway are preferred. I believe Trump made these racist statements because they are consistent with his world view and documented over the last 30 years of his actions and comments.

Let’s slow this process down and focus on the important elements: the people, especially the children and youth. This is not just about the DACA young people. Most of them are directly connected to other undocumented people who are connected to documented family members who are connected to non-kin relationships and communities. This is the nature of the human family.

The border wall is wrong on so many levels. We who believe in freedom must keep our eyes on the prize. The prize? The actualization of a democratic society that values and protects all life, and that is invested in the well-being and full development of all people.

Jamala Rogers

RICE

Continued from A1

Democratic Central Committee picked Fehler, who is 40, as its nominee. Rice had presented more than 500 signatures from ward residents at the nomination meeting.

Rice points out that 28.29 percent of the ward’s registered voters came out to the polls for a special election, which is more than the 22.1 percent that voted in the ward’s aldermanic primary in 2015. She also received 430 votes more than Conway in his last election.

“This showed that choice is important for participation, for democracy,” Rice said. “People get involved when they have choice on the ballot. And if we need to look at a different way of doing special elections so people are more likely to participate, then that’s better for Democrats, that’s better for democracy.”

Fehler congratulated Rice in a Facebook post shortly after the results came in.

“I wish for a thriving 8th Ward under her leadership,” he stated. “Let us all now work together to ensure that we create a thriving 8th Ward.”

Rice’s win comes just after a weekend visit from U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, and state party chair Steve Webber, to energize their St. Louis base. In a private meeting with these party leaders on Saturday, several city committeemen and state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed decried Rice’s decision to run as an Independent, according to those who were present.

The central committee recently voted to pass a resolution asking Rice to resign and have proposed to change the committee’s bylaws to force the resignation of any committeeman who runs as an Independent. On February 24, the central committee will vote on bylaw changes that could also make committeemen who even support Independent candidates “subject to censure.” Several committee

members, including 5th Ward Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge and 15th Ward Committeewoman Torrey Park, supported and campaigned for Rice.

Robert Hilgemann, chair of the Democratic Central Committee and 17th Ward committeeman, was among those calling for Rice’s resignation, which he said is now moot. However, he did not say that the bylaw changes were dead now as well.

Hilgemann said the 8th Ward race showed him that “the Democratic Central Committee has got to go back to square one on this and look at what we can do to see that this process is changed so it works better.”

In the past four out of five times when the committee selected candidates in special elections, Hilgemann said it was contentious and “created ill feelings among Democrats.”

A subcommittee is going to look at holding a Democratic primary in these elections or getting ward organizations more involved in the selection, he said.

“It’s a message to us that it’s time to do something different,” he said.

Rice’s decisive victory demonstrates how the Democratic Party in St. Louis is out of touch with its voters, said 15th Ward Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green, who like Rice is a Democrat but ran as an Independent in a special aldermanic election and won.

“Voters are looking for issue-oriented campaigns and will overlook a party label – even in one of the city’s highest voting Democratic wards – in favor of the candidate that best represents their values,” Green said.

“As Democrats we should be wise to listen to those at the grassroots, not only because that is where the energy is at in our party, but also because they represent the future of St. Louis and our state. Quite frankly, we need the grassroots if we are going to be successful in November.”

On Tuesday, November 6, Republican control of Congress

will be tested in the midterm general election. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) will face reelection on that day.

Reverend Darryl Gray, a Ferguson activist who was on the front lines of the Stockley verdict protests and a Democrat, said, “Today the machine lost. It’s all over for the party bosses. The people ruled, and that’s what Annie’s campaign did. That’s what Bruce Frank’s campaign did.”

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., who supported Rice, won his 78th District seat against a Democratic incumbent, Penny Hubbard, in a September 2016 special election that was ordered by a judge who found improper use of absentee votes by the Hubbard campaign in the Democratic Primary.

‘More outward thinking’

Rice practices law at Khazaeli Wyrsch LLC, which is representing several of the people arrested during the “kettling” mass arrest during demonstrations following the non-guilty verdict in the Jason Stockley murder trial. She serves on the board of The MICA (Migrant and Immigrant Community Action) Project, the largest regional nonprofit that provides legal services to immigrants.

When asked how she differs from Conway, Rice previously told the St. Louis American that the 8th Ward has shown that it is “more outward thinking than necessarily has been represented by the previous alderman.”

“We are voting in a way that shows me that we know that the growth of this city needs the growth of all of us,” Rice said. “Things that affect the 8th Ward affect the 4th Ward and the 5th Ward.”

Rice said she would approach constituent services differently. She would try to make more use of the Citizen Service Bureau for minor issues facing the residents, which would help free up time she could spend on drafting legislation.

“If we don’t use the Citizen Service Bureau, then they

aren’t actively tracking the needs and can’t allocate resources to strengthen it,” Rice said. “There is something to be said for citizen empowerment. I don’t want to have to be a gatekeeper. I don’t want to be the one solely deciding whether someone’s dumpster gets picked up.”

However, she said she would always answer residents’ concerns about services.

In the fall, the ward’s two committeemen differed on passing the Prop P sales tax increase. Rice voted against the 8th Ward organization endorsing it, and Fehler voted in favor. The 8th Ward organization ultimately supported Prop P, though the ward’s voting majority opposed it.

Rice said police and firefighters deserve more pay, but she didn’t support the sales tax as a means to achieve this goal because it would hurt the city’s most vulnerable residents the most.

The Ethical Society of Police, an organization which represents largely black police officers, endorsed Rice. The St. Louis Police Officers Association endorsed Fehler. Rice said her experience as a lawyer with the “constantly changing laws and regulations” set her apart from Fehler, and her understanding about the city’s immigrant population is a perspective that is currently missing at the Board of Aldermen. She was also elected to represent the 5th Senate District as committeewoman to the state Democratic Party, and she sits on its Platform Committee.

“I’ve developed close relationships with our state representatives and senators,” Rice told the American, “and those relationships can help make sure that the Board of Aldermen and our Democratic colleagues in Jefferson City are on the same page with strategies to protect St. Louisans and help them advance policies that work well together.”

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viable threat.”

The letter makes several threats to Muhammad regarding the flag.

“Take that stupid obnoxious flag down or we will,” the letter states. “We know where you live. We know where you work. Take it down or we will pay you a visit. You will abide by our demand. Ni--er.”

Muhammad said it is likely just a prank, though it’s hard to say.

“It speaks to the reality that we have such a long way to go until we can talk about racial equity and racial inclusion,” Collins-Muhammad said. “Situations like these make you really understand where we are in terms of race and how far have we actually gone.”

The Pan-African Flag was created by Marcus Garvey in 1920, as Collins-Muhammad explained in a press advisory, and the colors are symbolic meaning.

“The red stands for the blood of all Africans and the blood shed by those who died in their fight for liberation and equality,” Collins-Muhammad wrote. “The black represents all people of African descent. The green represents growth, new ideas and the natural fertility and wealth of Africa.”

On February 1, the African American Aldermanic Caucus held a ceremony in downtown St. Louis to raise the Pan-African flag, sparking a threatening letter to Alderman John Collins-Muhammad signed by “The Sons of the Grand Knights, The Ku Klux Klan.”

Photo by Wiley Price

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in staunch opposition to minimum wage increases. A bill passed by the Republicandominated legislature and signed by Governor Eric Greitens in 2017 forbid local minimum wage increases and reverted St. Louis’ minimum from $10 to $7.70.

Activists have turned their attention to a statewide effort that would circumvent the legislature. They must collect tens of thousands of signatures from at least six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts to get the proposal onto the ballot in November.

While many minimumwage workers live with a spouse or family member who also works, often for a higher wage, a report from the Office of Government Accountability found that around 20 percent of those earning minimum wage live in poverty. A single income of minimum wage or slightly above leaves a family of two or more below the federal poverty line. And this impact is faced disproportionately by women and people of color.

“No one should work a fulltime job and still fall under the federal poverty line,” Clay said.

“It just shouldn’t be. And that’s what Raise Up Missouri is all about. And there’s another

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Circuit Court judge, signed Bostic’s petition that asks the federal court to reverse the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Bostic’s sentence.

The petition includes two former U.S. solicitors general, a former Missouri chief justice, and two state attorneys general.

“We are pleased that Judge Baker has decided to

reason why we have to get this on the ballot and get it approved.”

In addition to the congressmen, the audience also heard from activists working low-wage jobs and involved in the Raise the Wage campaign. Betty Douglas, a 60-year-old mother and 10-year employee of McDonald’s, said she took the job in an attempt to climb out of debt incurred by caring for elderly parents and a son with a brain tumor.

add her voice to the chorus of actors from all parts of the criminal justice system who recognize that the kind of sentence Mr. Bostic received has no legitimate role to play,” said Phillips Black Principal Attorney Jennifer Merrigan, who represents the petition. For Bostic’s non-homicide offenses, the judge imposed back-to-back sentences of 241 years. Bostic will not be eligible for parole until he is 112 years old. In issuing the sentence, the judge made it clear that Bostic would “die in the department of corrections”

Throughout her years at McDonald’s, Douglas said she never made more than $7.90 per hour until St. Louis raised its minimum wage.

“Anybody that works any type of job, they deserve to make a livable wage,” Douglas said.

Despite working, Douglas said, she cannot afford to pay for basic necessities like food and heat for herself and her teenage son. She called for a wage increase and a union to

n “No one should work a full-time job and still fall under the federal poverty line.”

– U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

protect fast food workers who speak up. She said, “It’s a whole lot of Betty Douglases out there, and we’re gonna fight.”

n “When I sentenced Bobby there had been no studies on how the brain developed. We simply did not know then what we know now about juveniles.”

– Retired Judge Evelyn Baker

because “nobody in this room is going to be alive” when he becomes eligible for parole. Baker joins the amici curiae in asking that the U.S. Supreme Court apply its decision in Graham v.

Florida to Bostic’s case. Graham held that sentences of life without possibility of parole for juvenile, nonhomicide offenders violate the Eighth Amendment. States must provide a “meaningful

Ellison, Clay join picket line

After the event, Ellison and Clay joined striking workers at Christian Care Home, a Ferguson nursing home, on the picket line. The workers are members of the SEIU Healthcare Missouri and Kansas union and have been on strike since December 1. They allege unfair labor practices and disrespect for the union’s bargaining rights.

opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation.”

The vast majority of states that have addressed the issue have held that Graham and Miller v. Alabama apply to back-to-back sentences that exceed a young offender’s lifespan. Missouri has recently joined the small minority of states that refuses to apply Graham or Miller to cases like these, reasoning that Graham prohibits sentences formally labeled “life without parole” imposed for a single offense, not a sentence imposed for

Ellison argued that the low minimum wage is tied to rising income inequality, including rates of corporate pay that have dramatically increased while wages for average workers remain relatively stagnant.

“This is a moral stain on our nation,” Ellison said. “Don’t you think for a moment that this is only a Missouri problem. It’s not. This is a problem of greed in high places all over the country.”

multiple offenses that adds up to life. Baker argues Missouri’s interpretation is unfair.

“We need to look at the totality of the sentence, not the title,” Baker said. “I told him when I sentenced him that he was going to spend his life in the Missouri Department of Corrections. So, it was a life sentence. In fact, it was life-plus.”

Read the letter and brief of amici curiae here: phillipsblack.org/bostic-vpash.

Photo by Wiley Price

Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison gave a high five to U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay on the picket line at Christian Care Home in Ferguson on Saturday, February 10.

County Council hears more complaints of pay disparity

Department of Justice Services case managers said Prop P pay raises were low

By Etefia Umana For the St. Louis American

A handful of case managers for the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services spoke about the disparity in pay raises that they received, when compared to the other public safety employees from the Proposition P fund, at the January 30 St. Louis County Council meeting. The fund is a result of a sales tax increase voters passed last April. “I am responsible for the movement of charged and convicted killers, thieves and rapists to the streets of St. Louis,” said Callie Reed, one of the case managers. “If that’s not public safety, I don’t know what is.”

The case managers are responsible for supervising housing units of inmates, supervising inmates on house arrest, and required to fill-in for officers during emergency situations. Reed spoke about how, despite the fact that case managers have higher rank than other corrections officers, they received only a 3 percent raise, while other officers of lower rank received a 16 percent raise, coupled with another 6 percent based on their experience in their respective positions.

“We were told that we would be lucky to get three percent,” Reed told the Council.

Betty Barnes, another of the case managers, told The St. Louis American that the case managers were not informed that they needed to send a union representative to bargain on their behalf. Barnes is a 23-year employee of Justice Services who survived breast cancer in order to get a degree to get promoted to case manager.

“They’re our peers. If they’re underpaid, we’re underpaid,”

n “I am responsible for the movement of charged and convicted killers, thieves and rapists to the streets of St. Louis. If that’s not public safety, I don’t know what is.”

– Callie Reed

Barnes told The American This comes on the heels of the statements made during the January 23 meeting, when the staff of the Corrections Medicine Department spoke about feeling slighted, as they were left entirely out of the raises given to public safety employees.

Councilman Sam Page said that there have been preliminary discussions between the County Executive

Steve Stenger’s staff and the County Council to discuss options. Page described the meetings as a “brainstorm.” The case managers were joined by a few people who spoke to the council about the condition of the St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center. “The news story left viewers with the impression that the animals are being kept comfortable there but there are simply not enough staff to do that,” said LeAnn Fritsch. Fritsch was referencing a Fox 2 story aired on January 24 that involved Stenger touring the shelter. Fritsch was one of three people to speak with the council about perceived shortcomings of the Animal Care and Control Board. The group talked about the staff shortage resulting from the departure of nearly 20 employees from the shelter and unclean conditions for the animals. They also said that Dr. Beth Vesco-Mock, director of Animal Care & Control, was unfit for her position. All three speakers spoke about VescoMock being unlicensed as a veterinarian (not a requirement for her position) and one speaker accused her of being racist.

Councilman Pat Dolan retorted that he made an unannounced visit to the shelter on January 26. “I have to be honest with you,” Dolan said. “That day, Friday afternoon around 1:30, it looked clean to me.” Page said that there will be a hearing scheduled to listen to the concerned parties about the shelter.

Photo by Wiley Price

St. Louis County Council Chair Sam Page, Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray and Councilwoman Hazel Erby at a January 3 council meeting.

‘Politics is about community, not just elections’

A conversation with DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison

When Democratic National Committee Deputy Chair Keith Ellison – who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District – came to St. Louis with U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) to co-host a town hall on raising the minimum wage and to join an SEIU picket line in Ferguson, he stopped by The St. Louis American for an editorial board meeting. He was delivered by Stephen Webber, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party. In the year and change that Webber, a former state rep from Columbia, has chaired the state party, he has visited The American’s newsroom several times and penned a few op-eds for the paper. No previous Democratic Party chairman visited The American under the paper’s current leadership, which dates back more than 30 years, or wrote for the paper. Roy Temple, we are talking about you, for the most part. The meeting started with a long conversation led by Mike Jones, a member of The American’s editorial board, as well as of the State Board of Education, and a former senior staffer for both a mayor of St. Louis and a St. Louis County executive. This interview joins that conversation in progress, just as Ellison begins to open up. Both Ellison, 54, and Webber, 34, attended the meeting with party staffers; they all appeared to be young, in their twenties, at most early thirties. This is what most impressed Jones, who saw their youth through the prism of jazz icon Miles Davis remaining relevant and continuing to grow as a musician as he aged.

“As Miles got older,” Jones said, impressed by the youth of the party’s staff, “his bands got younger. That’s the way it’s supposed to work.”

St. Louis American: At the end of the day, we are going to fight a decisive battle in November. That’s coming, and everyone’s sides are already picked. How is the Democratic Party planning on playing its hand?

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison: “Every Zip Code Counts” is what we’ve tried to do. It means showing up everywhere, right? It’s not my first time coming here. In rural areas, going to 84 counties last year and showing up and handing out water at protests and marches of Black Lives Matter in St. Louis, physically being there.

One challenge the Democratic Party has as a party, particularly reaching out to communities of color, is how do you balance the fact that you have to stay out of primaries and the fact that we have provide value to candidates? Right now we’re seeing a huge crop of really talented, energized young African-American candidates in the St. Louis region. Those folks are going to turn out their base and they are going to have volunteers knocking on doors. So what we can do is we can provide trainings. These trainings are open to anybody, but the folks who are most energized are the ones who are going to take most advantage of it. It’s a way that we as a party can help train this generation of leaders. It’s not just candidates. It’s having people like Rosetta [Okosohn-Reb] who we brought on to do fundraising. Developing leaders like Rasheen Aldridge; he’s going to be opening a Democratic Party office in St. Louis. Not just focusing on November, but a permanent presence for the Democratic Party. That is the vision. It’s not a short term thing. The Democratic Party has to get off this treadmill of every two years. It’s not just one day in November. How do we change the culture over the next 20 years?

St. Louis American: Over the next six months, what does that look like?

Keith Ellison: We make sure that in every single state and every single zip code that the Democratic National Party is channeling money to strengthen state parties. State parties will be expected to

do they beat us? I think it’s because they are more highly motivated. Why are they so highly motivated? Because they know they are in the distinct minority. They are advocating a program that’s only going to help the top one percent. If you’re not making $400,000 a year or more, then what they’re doing is not really going to help you. But how do they win? They deceive you. They divide you. They discourage you. The Democratic Party is changing. You would not catch me within Democratic politics even five years ago. When I ran for office the first time, my district is 75 percent white. And the 25 percent is not solid African-American. We talked about what everyone shares. I was able to get the party endorsement by emphasizing that we all drink water, we all want our kids to go to good schools.

strengthen county and local units. They are expected to focus on candidacy and grassroots engagement and create a pipeline.

And then there has to be a recognition that politics ultimately shouldn’t be about winning elections. It’s about building community. If you have strong community, then the election becomes a no brainer. People believe that through politics not only can they know their neighbors, their neighbors have their back, not just when the snow falls. The real answer is to say that we are going to have a Democratic Party that’s going to engage you at the door and address this chasm of economic inequality. We are going to use democracy to help you meet your material reality. And so that way the election is not the most important thing. Community is the most important thing. And then elections become a much easier to win.

What is the secret of Alabama? The DNC didn’t put any money into television. We spent it all on canvassing. Spent $600,000 on nothing but canvassing. We didn’t fill up the bus full of Georgetown students. Usually you got a campaign, you get kids from George Washington University

and maybe Howard.

St. Louis American: Add a little color to the bus.

Keith Ellison: And then we’d drive down and then they go canvas Alabamians. And they say, “You all aren’t from around here.” We hired exclusively Alabama people. If politics pays mortgages for rich consultants, then it pays rent for working class people. When we say that we are going to professionalize politics and use TV as our primary persuasion tool, we’ve taken the money from working people and put it in the hands of consultants.

St. Louis American: That’s

our criticism, right.

Keith Ellison: So that answer is to put the money back in the hands of people, but not just around election time. You’ve got to do it early. We’re acknowledging that we didn’t just lose one election the November before last. We lost 1,000 elections all over America, governorships all over America. So the thing is, if we just say that we just lost by 70,000 votes, then we miss the hell out of the point. We have not been competitive with Republicans for years. There should not be one single American who Democrats are not talking to about our vision. Why

I ran a poll. The pollster said if you don’t do something you just might lose. If you go get 10,000 people who have never voted in a primary, you just might win. We did it. There are so many people who just don’t vote at all. We can win an election if we go get them. That’s what we should be doing because it’s moral and it’s just and it’s right. I started Voter First. Last summer, I wasn’t on the ballot, but we still knocked on 50,000 doors. Ever since Trump has been in office we’ve been stealing seats where we aren’t supposed to get them. Red parts of Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio, all over the country, we’re getting them back. We need a cultural shift that says politics is about community, not just elections. We’ve changed the DNC mission. It used to be about electing a Democratic president. Now it’s about electing Democrats up and down the ballot.

Photo by Chris King

Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber brought Democratic National Committee Deputy Chair Keith Ellison to The St. Louis American for an editorial board meeting on Friday, February 9.

Through a network of community health providers,

Gateway to Better Health receives five-year extension

By Sandra Jordan Of The

St. Louis American

Funding for the St.

the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, sponsors the Gateway program. Through a network of community health providers, Gateway provides primary, specialty and urgent care coverage each year

n For the adults, it’s either this pot of money or it’s Gateway, and that really helps provide access to the community health centers.

– Robert Freund, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission

to approximately 24,000 uninsured adults, ages 19-64, who are poor and live in St. Louis and St. Louis County. For community health centers, this preserves up to $30 million in annual funding to help address the health needs for indigent care in St. Louis’

urban core.

Robert Freund, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, said Gateway funds only a portion of uninsured adults, and community health center funding approved by Congress in the wee hours of February 9 is both separate and essential to keeping health centers in operation.

“Between the two pots of funding … that’s roughly half of all the funding they get,” Freund said. “For the adults, it’s either this pot of money or it’s Gateway, and that really helps provide access to the community health centers – and there are not a lot of other physicians outside of the community health centers that are seeing Medicaid or the

President and CEO steps down after 19 years

By Phill Wilson For The St. Louis American

This year’s National Black HIVAIDS

Awareness day commemoration was bittersweet for me. I have been involved in efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic for more than 35 years. Now I am announcing that later this year I will be stepping down as president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, where I have had the privilege of serving for the last 19 years. In 1983, when I started doing this work, none of us could have imagined this mysterious new disease, first identified at UCLA Medical Center, would become the defining health issue of our generation.

Heart disease is a killer, causing one in four deaths annually, and is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Health professionals at Touchette Regional Hospital remind while heart disease is very serious, it can often be prevented by making healthy life choices and managing existing health conditions.

Switching to spices instead of salt. Americans consume more than the daily recommended amount of salt (1500 milligrams) per day. Salt makes the body retain water, which will increase blood pressure – causing strain on the heart. Some salt in the diet is necessary for good health; however, there are ways to season favorite meals without it. Try spices like cumin, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, oregano, sage, or even lemon peel. Ginger, cilantro, and garlic are also great salt replacements.

n Are we are going to build on the remarkable advances we have made over the last two decades, or are we going to go back to the dark days of despair and death?

For 19 years I have been saying, “AIDS in America is a black disease.” No matter how you look at it – through the lens of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, level of education, or region of the country where you live – black people bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country (and the world, for that matter). No path, no strategy, no tactic will end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America without ending the epidemic in Black America. We have made tremendous progress over the last two decades toward bringing about the end of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. Today, we have the tools to end the AIDS epidemic in the United States. The question is whether we have the political and moral will to use those tools effectively, humanely, and in an inclusive manner.

We are at yet another turning point in the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Efforts to end the epidemic, provide treatment for those already infected, or prevent new infections are under attack. Are we are going to build on the remarkable advances we have made over the last two decades, or are we going to go back to the dark days of despair and death?

Tips for a healthier heart

Maintain a healthy weight. Even a small amount of weight loss can boost your heart health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 66 percent of American adults are considered overweight, and 32 percent of them are obese. Try a healthy eating plan by taking smaller portions. Stick to poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, and focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free dairy products.

Go easy on the booze. Long-term excessive drinking increases the risk of developing heart problems. Moderate alcohol consumption is acceptable and is considered one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. “Drinking heavily can weaken and damage your heart muscle, meaning that the heart cannot pump

See HEART, A11

Instead of salt try spices like cumin, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, oregano, sage, or even lemon peel. Ginger, cilantro, and garlic are also great salt replacements.

Phill Wilson

‘If

I can do it, they can too’

Barnes-Jewish patient helps sickle cell teens cope with the challenges ahead

By Gail Appleson Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) when he was very young, Damien Nevels grew up receiving treatment at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and feared moving over to its big neighbor, Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH), when he turned 18.

“Children’s is like family,” he said. “It’s like growing up in your parents’ house and not wanting to leave.”

Although he resisted making the change, Nevels, now 23, is proud to be part of BJH, working as its first sickle cell transition intern. In this paid, part-time role, he assists younger patients and their families as they deal with challenges of the disease and the move to adult care.

The goal is to help patients transition to adult care, while managing their illness and obtaining regular medical treatment, thus reducing their reliance on emergency room care. The program also aims to educate medical staff about misperceptions they might have about SCD patients and help them overcome any unconscious biases. The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital funds this internship.

“The sickle cell community is tight-knit, and Damien is able to pass along his knowledge to patients and serve as a mentor,” said J. Evan Sadler, MD, PhD, who holds the foundation’s Ira M. Lang Endowed Chair, director and professor of medicine, Division of Hematology at Washington University School of Medicine. “Just the fear of the unknown is an important barrier, and Damien is able to help them overcome that barrier.”

As a sign of national concern about the challenges facing teen SCD patients, Nevels and Victoria Faulkner, RN, BSN, WUSM hematology

clinical nurse coordinator, were invited to speak about the internship at the 45th annual National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Convention in Atlanta this past October.

Also this year, WUSM received a six-year National Institutes of Health grant to research the best care for teens and adults with SCD.

In the United States, SCD is the most common hematological genetic disease in people of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent. SCD encompasses a group of red blood cell disorders resulting from

n “I am touched by the younger patients who want to hear my story and to know that they can be healthy.”

– Damien Nevels, Barnes-Jewish Hospital sickle cell transition intern

abnormal hemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen in the body. The condition causes typically round red blood cells to become crescentshaped, or sickled, and leads to chronic pain and fatigue, organ damage, and reduced lifespans.

Studies on children with SCD have shown that early diagnosis and continued medical treatment can reduce symptoms, contribute to enhanced well-being and, ultimately, prolong life.

However, some young patients, who are used to the child-centered environment at a pediatric hospital, avoid getting regular care as an adult. According to a WUSM study of 3,200 SCD patients, emergency room visits tripled from age 15 to age 24. Nevels was almost one of them.

“I waited as long as I could to transition to adult care. I was

thinking, ‘I’m healthy enough — maybe I can wing it,’” he said. “But my mother wouldn’t allow it.”

Those teens and young adults who do choose to “wing it” often end up seeking emergency room treatment when they suffer a pain crisis, Faulkner said. Although they’re experiencing excruciating pain, they may not appear to have a serious condition and end up waiting hours to be seen.

“One of the challenges is the misperception of these patients’ pain,” Faulkner said. “People have lived with it for so long they are able to function, masking their pain by using their cell phones or listening to music through headphones. But when they have to wait for a long period of time in the emergency room after suffering for so many hours, they often get angry and frustrated. This can affect their behavior toward medical staff, who may view them as difficult patients.”

Because Nevel’s internship includes shadowing and interacting directly with health care professionals, he acts as an educator, helping them to better understand what SCD patients are going through and paving the way for them to become more sympathetic to patients.

In his mentoring role, Nevels acts as a sounding board for young SCD patients, listening to concerns that they might not feel comfortable expressing to adults. He introduces them to the hematology clinic at BJH, and gives them tips on managing pain.

And a very big part of what he does is give patients and their families hope.

“I am touched by the younger patients who want to hear my story and to know that they can be healthy,” Nevels said. “If I can do it, they can too. They can learn from me and do it even better.”

Reprinted with permission of BJC Today

Grant renewal extends WUSTL Alzheimer’s study five years

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis received $10.3 million in renewed federal funding to continue studying who is likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and to establish a timeline of how quickly it may progress. It is already known that adults with a parent diagnosed

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uninsured.” Federal funding for states to operate the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, was renewed for two years following the first budget stalemate and government shutdown a few weeks ago.

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with Alzheimer’s has an increased risk of developing the disease that robs its patients of memories and brain function; however, less is known about being able to predict when symptoms may appear.

WUSTL began its study in 2005 with funding from the

CHIP provides low-cost health insurance for children in families who do not qualify for Medicaid. In Missouri’s CHIP program, MO HealthNet for Kids covers uninsured children of families with low income who do not have access to affordable health insurance. The state also has a MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women and Newborns program. “If we wouldn’t have gotten

National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Their work has helped identify some of the brain changes that occur decades before someone is diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease. The $10.3 million renewed grant from the National Institute on

CHIPS renewed, Gateway renewed, and the community health center funding, we would have seen a significant reduction in access,” Freund said. “We would have seen significant job loss, and we would have seen site closures.” Freund said the Gateway program received strong bipartisan support from elected leadership in Missouri and in Washington.

Aging extends the study an additional five years.

“Our participants want to know if and when they will experience symptoms such as memory loss,” John C. Morris, MD, the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Distinguished Professor of Neurology and director of

Under the terms of the extension, Gateway will continue coordinate, monitor and report on the Demonstration Project to cover individuals up to 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for primary, specialty and urgent care. The January 2018 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia are $12,140 for a family of one;

The Black AIDS Institute is committed to doing everything in its power to end this epidemic. Going back or simply resisting the current attacks is unacceptable. Moving forward is the only option. A commitment to new executive leadership is a part of a larger effort on the part of the institute to prepare for the next generation of HIV/AIDS response in Black communities. This commitment is more important now than ever before. I am very proud of the work we have done over the last 19 years and humbled to have had the privilege of working with so many amazing organizations and individuals. The time is right for this change. The institute has never been stronger. With a strong Board of Directors; smart, capable and committed staff; and a reinvigorated body of ambassadors, spokespeople, and supporters, the Black AIDS Institute has the infrastructure and capacity to carry out this change and deliver on a bold new vision of advocacy, mobilization, capacity-building, and delivery of direct service. But, as always, they cannot do it alone. They will need your help. We are all in this together. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University said. “We anticipate that in the next five years we can begin to tell them.” Morris is the principal investigator the Adult Children Study, which recruits and follows participants ages 45 to

$16,460 for a family of two; -$20,780 for a family of three; $25,100 for a family of four; $29,420 for a family of five; and $33,740 for a family of six. (For more information, see https://aspe.hhs.gov/povertyguidelines.)

74 who are without memory or thinking problems but are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Currently there is no cure for the disease. For more information, visit http://alzheimer.wustl.edu/ Volunteer/ACS.htm or call 314-286-2683.

Since July 2012, Gateway has annually paid for about 78,000 medical visits (primary care, urgent care, dental, specialty care, diagnostic services and outpatient hospital services), nearly 7,000 transportation rides to access medical services, and more than 268,000 prescriptions for the uninsured in St. Louis. Gateway also prevents an estimated 75,000 unnecessary emergency department visits each year. For more information about Gateway eligibility, please visit http://www.stlgbh.com/.

HEART

Continued from A10 blood as efficiently as it should,” said Dr. Charles DuMontier, vice president of Medical Affairs at Touchette Regional

Hospital. “Damage to the heart muscle can lead to heart failure which is when your heart can no longer pump blood around your body as it should do normally.”

For more information on cardiopulmonary services at Touchette Regional Hospital, call 618-332-3060.

Damien Nevels, Barnes-Jewish Hospital adult sickle cell program intern, with Victoria Faulkner, Washington University hematology program nurse coordinator.

Photo by Laura Brewer

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

Healthcare Careers

Liquid Candy?

Why do they call it “Liquid Candy?”

Sugared soft drinks are one of the highest contributors to childhood obesity. “An extra soft drink a day gives a child a 60% greater chance of becoming obese,” according to a recent study published in Lancet. The average sugared soft drink

Another fun way to increase your physical activity is to become part of a sports team.

Be A Team Player!

contains 10 teaspoons of sugar — and that’s just a small, 12-ounce can! How much sugar is in one of those huge, 64-ounce drink cups from the convenient store? It’s easy to cut back on the amount of sugar in your diet — replace those cans of soda with ice-cold water!

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

This teaches you sportsmanship, cooperation, commitment and discipline. Find a sport you

One very good character trait to have is Integrity. Someone who shows integrity is honest, trustworthy and moral. Look in today’s newspaper to locate a person, or group of people that show integrity. Explain in writing why you chose this person. What has s/he done to show integrity? As a class, discuss the importance of integrity.

Learning Standards: CA 2, 3, 1.5, 1.6, 3.5

enjoy and practice enough to try out for the team! What team sports are available in your area? Possible options are baseball, soccer, football and basketball. Being a part of a formal team keeps you regularly active. And as a bonus — you’ll make new friends along the way!

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

Cucumber

Sliced

Sliced Tomato or Lettuce (optional)

Directions: Slice the cucumber in half long-wise. Scoop out the seeds and a little of the inside of the cucumber. Layer turkey, ham, cheese, mayo and vegetables on one half of the cucumber and top with the remaining half.

Dr. Karen Sistrunk Cowan, M.D., M.P.E.

Where do you work?

I am a staff physician and consultant/liaison for the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs at the VA Hospital.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from William Beaumont High School. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from UMSL, a medical degree at UMC School of Medicine and residency training at Washington/Barnes Hospital. I continued with a post-doctoral fellowship leading to a master’s degree in psychiatric epidemiology.

What does a VA staff physician do? I see veterans in crisis with depression, addiction and violent tendencies related to having PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from combat. I also assess and treat veterans hospitalized for non-psychiatric reasons, but who are experiencing psychiatric conditions.

Why did you choose this career? I enjoy treating the whole person. As a physician in psychiatry, I understand that other medical problems must be assessed first. I also have to consider environmental contributors knowing that the brain controls all of the overall health.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? It is quite rewarding to witness our nation’s heroes resume pursuit of their life endeavors. Each day affords the opportunity to enhance the lives of others!

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

The Saint Louis Zoo is currently accepting applications for Zoo ALIVE, our teen volunteer program. High school students 15 and older may apply. As a Zoo ALIVE volunteer, you can share your love of animals with our diverse audiences by helping at classes, camps, overnights, birthday parties, and special events. Volunteers can also participate in group conservation activities, camping trips, and more. This is a year-round program for dedicated and responsible teens.

For more information, visit stlzoo.org/education. Join Zoo ALIVE: Active Leaders in Volunteer Education!

Healthy Snacks

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Teachers,

csewell@stlamerican.com

SCIENCE CORNER

Isiah Warner was fascinated by color. How is color created? Primary colors cannot be made from other colors. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. Secondary colors are made from mixing primary colors. You can mix primary colors to create the colors of the rainbow. For example, red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, and red + blue = purple. Did you know that all colors are caused by light and the way light affects the eyes?

Just What Is COLOR Anyway?

eye sees different wavelengths of light as different colors. The normal human eye usually recognizes six bands of colors in the spectrum—violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—the colors of the rainbow.

Check Out This Video: The video explains how chemistry causes fireworks to change colors: http://thekidshouldseethis.com/ post/15089187975

SCIENCE STARS

CHEMIST, INVENTOR, AND EDUCATOR — Isiah M. Warner

Isiah M. Warner was born on July 20, 1946, in DeQuincy, Louisiana. His interest in science was obvious at an early age. When Warner was only 2 years old, he drank kerosene to see why it created light in the lamp. After a trip to a hospital, his interest in science was temporarily put on hold.

While growing up, Warner had to work in the cotton fields to earn money for his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing with his chemistry set and conducting experiments in the backyard. In high school, an English teacher encouraged him to attend a summer chemistry program at Southern University in Baton Rouge. In 1964, Warner graduated high school as valedictorian, the top in his class.

Light is a form of radiant energy because it consists of waves. Sunlight contains virtually all wavelengths of light and therefore contains virtually all colors. The human

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction articles to gain background knowledge for a topic.

Does Color Affect temperature?

Have you ever had someone tell you to wear a light colored shirt on a hot day? Do you think the color of your clothing can affect temperature? In this experiment, you will find out.

Materials Needed:

2 identical drinking glasses or jars

Water

Thermometer

2 Rubber Bands or Scotch Tape

White Paper

Black Paper

Process:

q Wrap the white paper around one of the glasses using a rubber band or scotch tape to secure it.

w Do the same with the black paper and the other glass.

MATH CONNECTION

Electric companies use “watt-hour” meters to find out how much electricity is used by a household each month. Electric companies measure how much electricity you use in kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt is 1000 watts. A kilowatt-hour is the amount of electricity used by a 1000-watt appliance in one hour. For a 130watt appliance, it would take about 7.7 hours to use a kilowatt of energy.

Question: How many kilowatt-hours would a 200-watt electric light bulb use in 10 hours? (A kilowatt-hour = watts x hours / 1000.)

DID YOU KNOW?

e Fill the glasses with the exact same amount of water.

r Leave the glasses out in the sun for a couple of hours before returning to measure the temperature of the water in each.

t Analyze your results. Which temperature is higher? Why?

Think About It: What’s happening?

The dark surface of the black paper should be absorbing more heat, causing the water to be hotter than the glass with the white paper. Lighter surfaces reflect more light. That’s why people wear lighter colored clothes in the summer to stay cooler.

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

Extension: You can find out how many watts an appliance uses by looking at its product label which is generally located on the back, the bottom or inside the door of the appliance. Within the product label, there is usually a box that indicates how much energy the appliance uses. Look at the appliances in your house and classroom and see if you can find the amount of watts that are used.

Learning Standard: I can add, subtract, multiply and divide to solve a problem.

Warner earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southern University, the same place he enjoyed the summer programs. From 1977-1982, he worked as assistant professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. He was the first African American to be part of the Chemistry faculty. While there, he researched fluorescent spectroscopy, which is the study of the chemistry of light. In 1986, he was promoted to full professor at Emory University. Warner took a short break from teaching to work for the National Science Foundation, and joined the Louisiana State University staff in 1992.

During his career, Warner published more than 230 articles and earned five patents. He participated in hundreds of presentations and mentored students in the STEM program. Warner believes students need to broaden their experiences, so he takes students to Durban, South Africa, to research tuberculosis and HIV. Warner has earned many awards in his career, including the CASE Louisiana Teacher of the Year in 2000, the LSU Distinguished Faculty Award in 2000, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction biographies.

Many things around the home need electricity to work. Search through the newspaper and find as many things as you can that need electricity. How many did you find?

How many of them do you have in your home? Classify the items into categories: convenience, enjoyment, health/safety. If you could only have three appliances at home, which ones would you choose? Why? What are some ways to reduce the amount of electricity used by your household?

Learning Standards: I can locate information in the newspaper. I can classify information and defend statements.

Alecia Johnson 4th Grade Teacher Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary

At Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary in the East St. Louis School District, 4th grade teacher Alecia Johnson helps Vinay Pruitt put her hand in a gooey substance that was made from an experiment found in the newspaper’s STEM page. Photo by Wiley Price

Warner and a student conduct an experiment in the lab at Louisiana State University.

How Alexander Hamilton foresaw the likes of Trump

By David Cole For The St. Louis American

Legal scholars and progressives have long expressed doubt about the utility of courts in advancing social justice. They argue that judges are inherently conservative, that victories often prompt costly backlashes, and that focusing on courts diverts attention from the more important work that needs to be done in the political arena. The first year of the Trump administration suggests that this skepticism is overstated. Much to the president’s dismay, those he calls “so-called judges” have repeatedly ruled against his administration. Judges appointed by Republicans and Democrats alike have enforced constitutional guarantees against a president who has shown little regard for the Constitution.

In this respect, the courts have performed just as Alexander Hamilton hoped they would. In the Federalist Papers, Hamilton argued that a judiciary with life tenure and the power to declare the political branches’ actions unconstitutional was essential, so that judges could serve as “the bulwarks of a limited Constitution.” Rarely has that role been more essential. Consider the results. Multiple courts have invalidated all three versions of

President Trump’s travel ban, enacted to make good on his campaign promise to prohibit Muslims from entering the country. He abandoned the first two versions of the ban after courts ruled them illegal. The third version, also declared invalid by the courts, is now headed to the Supreme Court. Two federal courts have preliminarily struck down Trump’s prohibition on transgender people serving in the military, a policy he announced on Twitter.

Federal courts have twice ordered the Trump administration to stop obstructing access to abortion for teenagers in immigration custody. The head of the Office of Refugee Resettlement refused to allow four undocumented minors in federal custody to obtain abortions, even though they have a constitutionally

n This long line of legal victories against the Trump administration is a sign of how careless it has been when it comes to constitutional constraint - and of how critical judicial checks are.

protected right to do so.

In December, a federal court in San Francisco ordered the administration to allow “Dreamers,” the undocumented immigrants whose parents brought them here as children, to renew their applications for protection from deportation. On January 13, the administration announced that it would follow the order and allow these individuals to renew their status pending a final resolution of the lawsuit.

Also in December, a federal court ordered the administration to give the ACLU access to an unnamed U.S. citizen the military has been detaining in an undisclosed location in Iraq without charges. The government chose not to seek an immediate appeal, and allowed the ACLU to consult with the detainee, who confirmed that he wanted legal help.

In Pennsylvania, a federal court has preliminarily stopped Trump’s rollback of an

Obamacare requirement that employers cover the cost of contraception in the insurance plans they provide to their employees.

In California, a federal court barred the administration from denying federal funds to cities and counties that adopt “sanctuary” policies and decline to enforce federal immigration laws.

Earlier this month, Trump disbanded his controversial “voter integrity” commission, designed to support Republican voter suppression efforts. He explained that “rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, today I signed an executive order to dissolve the Commission.” The commission had been sued not only by numerous civil rights groups, but even by one of its own members. Not every constitutional challenge has been successful. A federal judge in New York recently dismissed a case charging Trump with violating the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which forbids the president from accepting any “emolument,” or payment, from a foreign or domestic state official. (The court did not rule on the merits, but merely concluded that the plaintiffs did not have sufficiently concrete injuries to raise the claim.) Two other Emoluments Clause lawsuits are pending. Other than this decision, the administration has been singularly unsuccessful defending its actions in court.

This long line of legal victories against the Trump administration is a sign of how careless it has been when it comes to constitutional constraint - and of how critical judicial checks are.

President Trump’s disregard for convention, including in constitutional matters, does not play well with courts, whose job is to maintain those very conventions.

The battle is by no means over. Most of these cases are ongoing. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the merits of any of them. It remains to be seen whether it will be as forceful a “bulwark of a limited Constitution” as the lower courts have been. But one year into President Trump’s tenure, the federal courts have been willing to do just what Hamilton hoped they would: Stand up to the president in defense of liberty.

David Cole is legal director of the ACLU.

Columnist

David Cole

Words of wisdom from a successful entrepreneur

Cheryl Watkins-Moore, BioSTL’s director of Bioscience and Entrepreneurship Inclusion, led a conversation with Eric Bailey, the CEO of EMED Medical Company, on February 2 as part of BioSTL’s “An Evening with…” series.

Eric Bailey is CEO of EMED Medical Company, a pharmaceutical wholesale business

By LaShana (Shan) Lewis For The St. Louis American

You may not have heard of Eric Bailey or know that St. Louis spawned a businessman who built and has run a multi-million-dollar corporation for nearly 20 years – all with no help from venture capitalists, learning business the hard way.

On February 2, BioSTL, a regional organization that champions St. Louis bioscience, kicked off its monthly “An Evening with…” series hosted by Cheryl WatkinsMoore, BioSTL’s director of Bioscience and Entrepreneurship Inclusion. First up was Bailey, the CEO of EMED Medical Company, a pharmaceutical wholesale distribution business headquartered in Maryland Heights. EMED works with healthcare facilities to provide

n Eric Bailey started his business on a shoestring budget and worked to design and engage himself in opportunities within his scope: pharmaceuticals.

them with medicine and medical products. The company, established in 1999, has now grown to an estimated annual revenue of $4 million, according to Owler.com.

Bailey took some time to answer questions from the audience after giving a brief overview of his company. He had some words of wisdom to share that aspiring business leaders should

take note of.

Always have a side hustle. Growing up, Bailey said that he always had another job that he did while building his business. In his early days, he did paperwork for people, right on the spot, who needed help with filing their taxes.

Surround yourself with people who’ve got your back. His sister is credited with getting him out of contract work and into what she said was a “real job,” being a pharmacist. He did generic pharmacy work for two and a half years while starting his business. His wife often gave him an extra push to keep him going. “She gave me the mission to go forward,” Bailey said.

See BAILEY, B6

Women entrepreneurs advance in

pitch competition

Will compete at ‘Be Seen’ on March 3

American staff

On Tuesday, February 6, 17 women entrepreneurs of color from the St. Louis area participated in an elevator pitch training and competition to win an opportunity to pitch at the Be Seen Brunch on March 3. The Be Seen event will empower and celebrate women entrepreneurs of color through connections, resources, inspiration and investment.

Winners included: Rachel Simon-Lee of Heartwork Videos, Ronke Faleti of Korédé, Brittany Hill of Back Trap Yoga, Felice McClendon of SoundScrip, Shayba Muhammad of Mahnal Jewelry, and Nadia Shakoor of Agrela Ecosystems.

“To have an opportunity to be with other women who are doing amazing things in entrepreneurship who are taking the leap of faith, and to be able to get training on how to hone in the message in a short, quick repeatable fashion,

See WOMEN, B2

Arthur Williams Jr. recently passed the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator Exam and was appointed the executive director at Delhaven Manor Skilled Nursing Facility, 5460 Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis. He has worked in longterm care for over 12 years in various positions and brings a vast array of experience to the facility.

Patricia Reese was promoted to Paramedic Crew chief in the St. Louis Fire Department. A 10-year veteran of the department, she took the lead role on her medic unit responding to any number of emergencies alongside an EMT-B (emergency medical technician with basic responsibilities) and recently completed the Paramedic Program at Sanford Brown Business College.

Virgil Lucas was elected commander, Chapter 53, Disabled American Veterans, Missouri. The chapter is responsible for providing information and service for disabled veterans in the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St Charles, St. Louis, and Warren. He is a retired captain in the U.S. Air Force and Vietnam veteran.

Michelle DiStaso joined St. Louis Development Corporation as contract compliance specialist, Minority/ Women Business Development and Compliance Department. She will monitor minority/ women business participation on development projects. Previously president of her own demolition firm, she holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Webster University and was a chemical operations specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Benjamin Akande was appointed to the Executive Committee of Forest Park Forever’s Board of Directors as secretary. The board is comprised of regional leaders who all believe in the importance of caring for Forest Park now and for generations to come. He is president of BOA Consulting and a global consultant to Fortune 500 corporations and higher education institutions.

Six winners who will compete on March 3: Felice McClendon of SoundScrip, Rachel Simon-Lee of Heartwork Videos, Brittany Hill of Back Trap Yoga, Shayba Muhammad of Mahnal Jewelry, Ronke Faleti of Korédé, and Nadia Shakoor of Agrela Ecosystems.

LaRette Reese was appointed city clerk for the City of University City. She has worked for University City since December of 2013 and was previously secretary to former city managers Lehman Walker and Charles Adams. She served as the interim city clerk since April 2017. Other previous professional titles include executive assistant, senior administrator, receptionist and office coordinator.

On the move? Congratulations!

Virgil Lucas

LaRette Reese

Benjamin Akande

Patricia Reese

Michelle DiStaso

Photo by Wiley Price

Civil rights advocates oppose returning secondary mortgage market to Wall Street

By Charlene Crowell

For The St. Louis American

In recent days, threats to the nation’s housing finance system have emerged. At the center of the controversy are two key issues: the obligation of mortgage lenders to ensure broad mortgage credit for all credit-worthy borrowers, and secondly, whether the nation will enforce its own laws banning unlawful discrimination.

On February 2, a leaked Senate proposal to overhaul the secondary mortgage market’s governmentsponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would drop important access and affordability provisions that now govern the system. For example, the GSEs now are required to always serve all markets, as well as have in place affordable housing goals.

The proposal from U.S. Senators Bob Corker (TN) and Mark Warner (VA) was quickly and unanimously rejected by a broad coalition of civil rights and housing advocates that included: the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Community Reinvestment

Coalition, National Urban League, and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL).

“Ten years after the 2008 Housing Crisis, it is disheartening to turn the secondary mortgage market back over to Wall Street,” wrote the coalition. “Who can forget the 7.8 million completed home foreclosures and trillions of dollars in lost family wealth?”

“Many American still face

immense housing challenges,” the leaders continued. “This ill-conceived approach places the risk on the backs of hardworking families who already rescued the big banks.”

The draft legislation also fell short for Massachusetts

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

“I appreciate the dedication

Senators Warner and Corker have shown to address this critical issue, but this draft isn’t even close to a solution that works for families who hope to buy homes, said Warren. “This bill would end up creating more problems than it solves.”

As early as 2008, Congress moved swiftly to enact the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation provided strong regulatory oversight of the housing finance system and brought forward important affordable housing goals to ensure that hard-working families would be able to access mortgage loans. But with the housing market’s lengthy path to recovery, many have renewed calls for legislative reform of Fannie and Freddie. And just as the GSEs are now pledged to serve the entire market, some want to take way to take away the system’s access and affordability requirements. That kind of change would harm Black families and communities, as well as other low-wealth families.

“The big-ticket items that we are looking for is the national duty-to-serve and affordable housing goals that have a regulator able to enforce those,” said Scott Astrada, CRL’s Director of Federal Advocacy.

Days later, on February 5, Mick Mulvaney, the White House hand-picked Acting Director for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced he would move the Bureau’s staff for its Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity (OFLEO) directly under his control.

The Dodd-Frank Act mandates that OFLEO

WOMEN

continued from page B1

was fantastic,” said Ronke Faleti of Korédé. “To be a finalist was even better.” Between 2007 and 2016, the number of women-owned firms increased by 45 percent – a rate 5 times the national average – and 78 percent of these new women-owned firms are owned by women of color. However, fewer than 15 percent of all ventures receiving equity capital in 2014 had women on their executive teams, and only 2.7 percent of the companies had a woman CEO. Even more discouraging, women of color received only 0.2 percent of all venture capital funding over the last five years.

The event – co-hosted by DK Solutions, The Hispanic Chamber, the BALSA

perform “oversight and enforcement of federal laws to ensure the fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory access to credit.”

By moving fair lending experts to the CFPB’s Director’s office, to focus instead on consumer education and coordination, there are real concerns that the OFLEO will be unable to perform its enforcement and oversight mission.

“This action could open up the floodgates on lending

n “This action could open up the floodgates on lending discrimination, which would damage the ability for people of color to build wealth.”

– Debbie Goldstein, Center for Responsible Lending

discrimination, which would damage the ability for people of color to build wealth,” noted Debbie Goldstein, CRL’s Executive Vice President.

“One of the reasons the CFPB was established was because lending discrimination targeted people of color with predatory, high-cost loans that led to foreclosures.”

Mulvaney’s personnel shift is yet another consistent sign that the nation’s financial copon-the-beat is walking a new patrol.

Since assuming unlawful leadership at CFPB, Mulvaney has also dropped a lawsuit against predatory payday lenders, supported repeal of the Bureau’s auto lending guidance that took direct aim at

Foundation and Brazen St. Louis, with support from JP Morgan Chase Foundation – featured an elevator pitch training, followed by a competition before a panel of guest judges including Bill Anderson of the Missouri

n “To be able to get training on how to hone in the message in a short, quick repeatable fashion, was fantastic.”

– Ronke Faleti of Korédé

Technology Corporation, Doug Mueller of Mueller Prost, Cheryl Foster of Brown Smith Wallace, Danette Greer of Asynchrony Labs, and Elise Miller Hoffman of Cultivation Capital.

pervasive and discriminatory practices. He has also made clear his plans to reopen rulemaking under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

HMDA is a federal law that requires most financial institutions to provide mortgage data to the public. It ensures that mortgage lenders are serving the credit needs of communities in which they are located. The annual HMDA report is the only comprehensive one that enables a comparison of private mortgage lending compared to that of government-backed mortgages like FHA, VA and USDA. This report is also unique for its tracking of mortgage lending and denials by race and ethnicity. This unique feature enables policymakers to discern discriminatory trends. As 2018 commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, we must remain vigilant in the fight for access to safe and affordable mortgage loans – for many consumers, the single, largest investment of their lifetimes. With hard-fought antidiscrimination laws now under assault, this generation has a duty to protect and defend all civil rights laws. Failure to do so would be to forget that the nation enacted the 1968 Fair Housing Act for this very purpose.

Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org.

The women entrepreneurs who competed were nominated by partner organizations including DK Solutions, Arch Grants, Grace Hill, Justine Petersen, Beyond Housing, Fontbonne University, Brazen St. Louis, and BioSTL. The Be Seen event at DK Annex on March 3 will feature keynote speaker Rica Elysee, founder and CEO of BeautyLynk, as well as breakout sessions and mentoring opportunities by subject matter experts and members of the St. Louis entrepreneurship sector. The event will culminate with the elevator pitch competition, reviewed by a panel of judges from the St. Louis investment community. Any entrepreneur who identifies as a woman is invited to attend. For more information, visit https:// tinyurl.com/ybaodgnm.

Charlene Crowell

“Who can forget the 7.8 million completed home foreclosures and trillions of dollars in lost family wealth?” civil rights advocates asked of proposed changes to the secondary mortgage market’s government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

n “I felt like I got my powers back.”

— Isaiah Thomas, after scoring 22 points in his debut with the Lakers

Sports

PreP BasketBall noteBook

Vashon, Webster go at it again

District playoffs next week

It was a year ago about this same time, that Webster Groves and Vashon staged an epic late-season game that served as a catalyst for two state championship runs.

Host Vashon raced out to a 17-point lead behind some torrid three-point shooting in the first half. However, the Statesmen staged a furious second-half rally to take a stunning 60-59 victory on Courtney Ramey’s game-winning free throw with five seconds left. The game served as great preparation for both teams as they went on to win state championships.

Webster Groves won the Class 5 state championship while Vashon won its second consecutive Class 4 state title. The rematch of this great game is upon us once again, and it will be held tonight at St. Louis Community College at Meramec at 7 p.m. Webster Groves was scheduled to host the game this year, but the venue was changed several weeks ago to accommodate what will be another sellout crowd for this showdown between two state powers, who are seeking another state championship.

Webster Groves enters the game with a 14-7 record while Vashon is currently 17-4. Both teams have really tested themselves by playing a national schedule against some of the top programs in the country.

Webster Groves has had its full lineup for only a handful of games this season as star guard Courtney Ramey missed the first month of the season with a broken wrist and standout big Carte’are Gordon missed two games recently for disciplinary reasons. He returned to the lineup last Friday night in the Statesmen’s victory over Rockwood Summit.

Cavs rejuvenated after frenzied trade deadline

As last Thursday’s NBA trading deadline approached, the Cleveland Cavaliers team found itself barreling down the tracks on a freight train to futility. Going into the deadline, the Cavs were just 7-13 since Christmas and appeared as dysfunctional as a team could get.

LeBron James reportedly lashed out and cursed at Cavs front office officials for its inaction in terms of acquiring better players. Isaiah Thomas’ long-awaited return to the court had been underwhelming. Off the court, Thomas repeatedly criticized his teammates as well as his coach, Tyronn Lue. The Cavaliers squad was old and couldn’t defend anyone. Once Kevin Love went down with a broken hand, it became evident, that that Cavs, as constructed, had zero chance at winning a championship. Heck, the route in which the team was headed, it might not have made it out of the first-

round in the East. Then came deadline day. Cavs GM Koby Altman summoned his inner-Harry Potter and magically crafted three deals that immediately changed the team’s trajectory. First, Cleveland sent Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and its own 2018 first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr Next, the Cavs acquired Rodney Hood and George Hill from the Utah Jazz in a three-way deal that also involved the Sacramento Kings. In return, the Cavaliers sent Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose to Utah. Cleveland also sent Iman Shumpert and a second-round pick in 2020 to Sacramento. The Kings also received Joe Johnson from the Jazz. Lastly, Altman realized that future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade’s best days were behind him and that he would likely be pushed to the end of the bench

much less wear and tear on his body than Thomas, who only recently returned from a severe hip injury or the

with the team’s new acquisitions. So, with Wade’s blessing, the Cavs shipped Wade back to the Miami Heat for a protected second-round pick. The trades brought a desperately-needed injection of youth into the Cavaliers lineup. Clarkson, Nance and Hood are all 25-years-old. While George Hill is 31-years-old, his has See CLUTCH, B5

Earl Austin Jr.

See PREP, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Webster Groves and Vashon are set to

in

big showdown tonight at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Webster Groves rallied from a 17 point deficit to defeat Vashon 60-59 last year on Courtney Ramey’s (#13) last second free throw.

Photo by Leon Algee

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are flying high after a very busy trade deadline day. The new-look Cavs are 3-0 since the acquisitions.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Clarkson’s move to Cavs has former Mizzou Tiger roaring in reserve role

Jordan Clarkson was respectfully toiling away for the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday when Magic Johnson informed him he had been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He probably thought it was an early April Fool’s Day prank. Instead of the daily soap opera that is the Lonzo/Lavar Ball show and the frequent losses, the former Missouri Tiger was part of a multiple deal day that left the Cavs a much-improved team.

Cleveland acquired Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. from the Los Angeles Lakers for Isaiah Thomas Channing Frye and Cleveland’s 2018 firstround pick. The team wasn’t finished either.

The Cavs later acquired Utah’s Rodney Hood and Sacramento’s George Hill in a three-team swap that sent Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose to the Jazz. The Kings got Iman Shumpert, Joe Johnson, Miami’s 2020 second-round pick from Cleveland and $3 million in cash. Dwyane Wade also ended up back in Miami.

still got a long way to go. We are just going to continue to work and focus on one thing, that’s winning,” he told reporters after the game. It was probably nice to talk basketball after a game, and not the exploits of the Ball family. When asked about his thoughts on whether he would miss Lavar Ball, he laughed and said “I’m out on that one, man.”

He continued chuckling as he walked away. Earlier this season, he did say that Lonzo Ball “is the exact opposite” of his loudmouth father and Big Baller CEO, Lavar.

After playing two seasons with Tulsa, Clarkson transferred to Missouri. After sitting out the 2012-13 season, Clarkson averaged 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.1 minutes per game for Mizzou.

LeBron James is no longer sulking and the Cavs are again favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals in June.

Clarkson showed the world on Tuesday night that he isn’t just you average off-the-bench player.

He tallied 14 points, had four assists and three rebounds in the Cavaliers’ 120-112 victory at Oklahoma City. He drained several key shots to stifle a Thunder rally in the fourth quarter. Since he arrived in Cleveland, the Cavs are 3-0.

“I’m just feeling good. We

He skipped his senior year to enter the NBA Draft. That move was not met with satisfaction by some Tigers fans, who predicted he would go undrafted and end up playing overseas or the NBA Development League. Clarkson was selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round with the 46th overall pick and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team – which is rare for a second-round draftee. While he isn’t a maximum-contract superstar in the waiting, Clarkson is averaging 14.6 points, 3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season. His career averages are almost identical, 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Depending on seeding, the former Missouri Tiger could be headed for a playoff matchup

with St. Louis product Bradley Beal of the Wizards.

Beal street blues

Bradley Beal isn’t the one singing the blues. It is his teammate John Wall, who is shelved for at least another two months after a knee surgery on Jan. 31.

Beal, who will compete in the NBA All-Star Game and three-point contest during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, has helped the Wizards not only survive; the team has thrived.

Washington is 5-2 in Wall’s absence and Beal has lifted his season statistics to 23.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

There is talk that the team is better off without Wall.

After a 122-119 win over the Toronto Raptors, Wizards center Marcin Gortat Tweeted “Unbelievable win tonight, Great ‘team’ victory.”

A shot at Wall? Who knows. But Wall took it that way and responded on ESPN Sportscenter.

“It was more just shock to hear it from him, understanding he gets the most assists from me and the most spoon-fed baskets ever,” Wall said.

The players have reportedly talked about their situation, and all is well.

Two seasons ago, I thought Beal would be the odd-man out in Washington. Now, I think it will ultimately be Wall.

Malcolm x’s the White House

As beautiful as Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory over New England in the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 was, what is even more perfect is that the win gives safety Malcolm Jenkins and other Eagles the chance to snub President Donald Trump Jenkins, one of the NFL’s most vocal players when it comes to social justice and racism in America, made his point

early and often that he will not accompany the Eagles when they travel to the White House.

“My message has been clear all year,” he told CNN.

“I’m about creating positive change in the communities that I come from, whether it be Philadelphia, New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana, or this entire country. I want to see changes in our criminal justice system. I want to see us push for economic and educational advancement in communities of color and low-income communities.”

Receiver Torrey Smith said before the Super Bowl that he would not go to the White House if his team won the game.

He Tweeted, “It goes beyond politics. I don’t think (Trump) is a good person.”

Smith is among players that feel Trump and supporters purposely misconstrue the meaning of national anthem protests.

“They call it the anthem protest. We’re not protesting the anthem. It’s a protest during the anthem. My father when he dies, is going to be buried with an American flag draped around his casket, being that he served in the army. Also, there are soldiers that have issues going on right now, and they are things that affect them. They’re things that affect my father. He understands both sides of the issue.”

Longtime St. Louis Ram Chris Long, now with the Eagles, is a University of Virginia-Charlottesville graduate and was highly critical of the president after he supported KKK members

and neo-Nazis last year after a violent march in that town.

“No, I’m not going to the White House. Are you kidding me?” he said on a podcast following the game. Running back LeGarrette Blount was quite blunt about the situation.

“I just don’t feel welcome into that house,” “I’m just gonna leave it at that.”

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie did not support Trump’s candidacy financially and was one of few owners to openly criticize the president after he called players that knelt during the nation anthem “SOBs.”

“Every day I see the genuine dedication and hard work of our players. And I support them as they take their courage, character and commitment into our communities to make them better or to call attention to injustice. Having spoken with our players, I can attest to the great respect they have for the national anthem and all it represents. We at the Philadelphia Eagles firmly believe that in this difficult time of division and conflict, it is more important than ever for football to be a great unifier.” Take that, Trump. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Michael Smerconish wrote on Monday that all the Eagles should attend.

“The Eagles are not members of Congress so I cannot similarly say they are obligated to go. But if invited, I hope they will attend.

“Certain moments call for rising above partisan politics and an Oval Office encounter is one such milestone. Respect the office if not the president, I say. And when you leave, feel free to walk outside and speak your mind, Messrs. Jenkins, Smith, Long and Blount.” Where was this guy at when conservatives and FOX News had open contempt for the office of the president for eight years when Barack Obama was in the White House? And the contempt was based on his skin color, not his crude language, divisive style or racist immigration policy.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, is a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and can also be heard on Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Hazelwood Student athletes sign letter of intent

Students in the Hazelwood School District took part in National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 7. Seniors from Hazelwood West High School, Hazelwood East

signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at colleges and Universities local

George, Taylor

Mizzou’s

PREP

Continued from B3

The 6’4” Ramey is currently averaging 21.5 points, seven rebounds and 6.5 assists a game. He recently surpassed the 1,500 point mark in his career while also becoming the school’s career leader in assists. The 6’8” Gordon is currently averaging 18.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. The dynamic duo receives plenty of offensive support from 6’1” senior guard R.J. Wright, 6’3” junior sharpshooter Ray Adams and 6’0” junior guard Amorey Womack.

The young and talented Wolverines are athletic and like to push the tempo and play high-scoring games whenever possible. They are led by dynamic 6’1” junior guard Mario McKinney, who is averaging close to 20 points a game. The Wolverines also feature 6’2” junior guard Donyae McCaskill, 6’4” junior forward Cyrus Alexander and the talented sophomore trio of 6’5” Cam’Ron Fletcher, 5’8” Phillip Russell and 6’4” Kobe Clark.

District playoffs begin for small schools

The postseason begins next week in the state of Missouri for schools in Classes 1, 2 and 3. Most of the St. Louis area teams will be participating in Class 3 District tournaments around the area. Here is a look at those upcoming district tournaments.

District 4 (at Whitfield)

Top Seed: Whitfield

Top Contenders: Hancock, Valley Park Championship Game: Friday, February 23, 5:30 p.m.

Outlook: No. 1 seed Whitfield is the big favorite in the district. The Warriors won the district last season en route to a runner-up finish in the state tournament. Whitfield is

led by University of Missouri recruit Torrence Watson.

Girls: Top seed Whitfield is loaded and primed for another run at the Final Four after finishing second in the state tournament a year ago. The championship game is set for Friday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

District 5 (at Roosevelt)

Top Seed: Cardinal Ritter

Top Contenders: Lift for Life, Maplewood, Carnahan Championship: Friday, Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m.

Outlook: Defending district champion Cardinal Ritter is a strong favorite here with its excellent backcourt of Malek Davis, Jared Phillips and strong freshman Mario Fleming. Maplewood has come close to upsetting some very good teams this season.

Girls: Top seed Cardinal Ritter and No. 2 seed Metro have had some great battles over the year for the district

CLUTCH

teams to 106 points per game.

The team is playing with energy and excitement that has rarely been seen this season.

“It’s changed our team, and we’re a lot faster,” Lue told reporters.

“These young guys we have, able to shoot, drive or pass it, adds a different element to our team,” he later added, according to ESPN.

Of course, the moves couldn’t and wouldn’t have been successful without the stamp of approval from Cleveland’s biggest star.

“I think Koby did a heck of a job of understanding what our team needed,” James said via SLAM Magazine. “It just wasn’t working out for us.”

Just like that, the Cavs have gone from finished to favorites (in the East) in the blink of an eye.

Five in a row for the Tigers

Two-and-a-half weeks ago the Mizzou men were considered on-the-bubble for the NCAA Tournament. After three consecutive losses, the Tigers’ tournament chances were hanging by a thread. Now, the Tigers team is on the bubble of a Top-25 ranking and could be a lock for the Big Dance for the first time since 2013.

Cuonzo Martin’s club has rattled off five-consecutive victories, including wins over the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies, both ranked #21 at the time of the wins.

The team has been driven by the stellar play of graduate senior Kassius Robertson. On Monday, Robertson was named the SEC’s Player of the Week for the second-consecutive week.

In the past five games, Robertson is averaging 20.6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. He’s also shooting 46

District 7 (at Winfield)

percent from behind the arc.

The Tigers have also seen improved play from freshman Jontay Porter. He has averaged 13 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game during the Tigers winning streak.

Meanwhile, Porter’s older brother, Michael Porter Jr is scheduled to meet with his back specialist Thursday, to

Continued from B3 who is ranked No. 2. As a junior in 2017, Wynn was 36-8 and the NCAA Division II national runner-up. He was a national champion as a sophomore in 2016 and a seventh-place finisher and All-American as a redshirt freshman in 2015.

championship. Barring any upsets, another one is at hand. The championship game is set for Friday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

District 6 (at Duchesne)

Top Seed: Trinity

Top Contenders: Northwest Academy, Duchesne, Orchard Farm, Lutheran North Championship: Saturday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m.

Outlook: Once again, one of the most loaded districts in the state. Trinity is young and very talented, but defending state champion Northwest Academy and host Duchesne also field powerful teams. Orchard Farm and Lutheran North also bear watching as well.

Girls: Top seed Lutheran North is loaded and seeking another run at the Final Four after finishing third last season. Orchard Farm also fields a solid team. The championship game is set for Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

PreP AThLeTe of The Week

Malik Johnson CBC

The outstanding senior began his quest for another state championship by winning a district championship last weekend. Johnson defeated Cameron Fusco of Seckman to win the championship at 126 pounds at the Class 4, District 1 meet at Lindbergh. The victory

– Wrestling

raises his record to 28-0 on the season. As a junior, Johnson was 33-1 and a Class 4 state champion at 120 pounds. He was the state champion at 113 pounds as a sophomore and the state champion at 106 pounds as a freshman. Johnson will be headed to the University of Missouri next year.

In

find out whether he will be cleared for full-contact activities. MPJ has publicly stated his desire to return to action this season. With his doctor’s blessing, the future first-round pick could return to the lineup within the next two weeks.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

The ST. LouiS AmericAn AreA coLLege

AThLeTeS of The Week

Darren Wynn

McKendree University – Wrestling

The senior AllAmerican performer was selected the Great Lakes Valley Conference Wrestler of the Week.

Top Seed: ChristianO’Fallon

Top Contenders: Montgomery County Championship Game, Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Outlook: Montgomery County and ChristianO’Fallon staged an excellent district final last season, won by Montgomery County. A rematch is a good possibility with Christian-O’Fallon as the top seed this time with his combination of senior leaders and talented freshmen.

Girls: Christian-O’Fallon gets the top seed in this balanced district with Bowling Green and Lutheran St. Charles looking to challenge. The championship game is set for Friday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Wynn currently has a 22-0 record and is ranked No. 1 in the country at 141 pounds. One of his big victories last week was a 5-2 win over Nick Crume of the University of Indianapolis,

Briya Wilborn

Missouri Baptist – Women’s Basketball

The senior guard from Countryside, Illinois led the Spartans to a couple of victories in American Midwest Conference play.

The 5’6” Wilborn had 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 72-36 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange.

Wilborn also had 20 points, six rebounds and seven steals in a 75-46 victory over Stephens College. For the season, Wilborn is averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, three assists and four steals a game while shooting 72 percent from the field.

High School, and Hazelwood Central High School

and across the nation.

all, 12 student from Hazelwood Central committed: Lauryn Ditto, Taylor Ramsey, Deja Ingram, Nathan

Sims, Carrah McDaniel, Robert Greco, Javon Kirk, Reggie Certain, Tariq Stewart, Dallas Craddieth, James Whitfield and Davion Marsaw.

Kassius Robertson has been named the SEC Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks. During the Tigers’ five-game winning streak, Robertson is averaging 20.6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Photo by Emily Nevils / Columbia Missourian

By Maurice Foxworth

AI and us A warning from MLK

For The St. Louis American

Maurice Foxworth

One of the most promising technologies that has the potential to change every aspect of our lives is that of Artificial Technology, known as AI. Today, AI determines what content appears on your Facebook feed. It governs the results that emerge when you make a Google search. AI controls what product recommendations you receive from Amazon and Netflix. As more businesses adopt AI over the next few years, every interaction we have with a company will be influenced by AI. As we move deeper into the 21st century, AI will continue to create business opportunities and wealth, and transform

continued from page B1

Listen to your mentors. Bailey says he believes in mentors, as they are closer to the situation within the industry, and he takes bits of advice from them. He never had a definitive mentor, but was always a self-studier –getting a feel for the industry from the “school of Google.”

Focus on being proactive. Being a minority CEO in the pharmaceutical industry presents a lot of challenges. Bailey said that he often strategizes on how he can circumvent the disadvantages. One method he uses is to try to focus on being proactive rather than reactive to circumstances.

our world in ways we can only imagine. But AI creates an opportunity for bias and exploitation of vulnerable communities of color. A new study published by Princeton University researchers shows that computers can be biased, especially when they learn from humans. This is why it is vital for communities of color to understand and be represented in the supply of technologists and entrepreneurs that create AI technologies. A recent study by the Joint Centers for Political and Economic Studies found that African Americans and Hispanics are over-represented in 30 of the occupations that have the highest chance of being eliminated due to advances in technology, particularly AI.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has something to teach us here, when he identified a “lag” in the application of technological innovations. King argued that humans have

Entrepreneurship = Affinity, Aptitude, and Attitude. Bailey started his business on a shoestring budget and worked to design and engage himself in opportunities within his scope: pharmaceuticals. He developed relationships with offices within his supply chain to help grow business. And then he used these opportunities to build a connection in the supply chain between makers of pharmaceuticals and the people who needed them. Bailey desires to leave a legacy of hard work and show what a person can do without having everything upfront. He wants to dispel myths about entrepreneurs and prove that “myths don’t matter.” He’s overcome regulatory hurdles, as well, and said that if he knew then what he knows now, he would have never started his business. But from these

two basic sides, the external and the internal. The internal is related to the side of us that produces art, literature, ethics, and morality. The other side is external and is rooted in science and technology that results in devices, machines, and instruments.

“Our problem today is that we have allowed the internal to become lost in the external,” King said. “We have allowed the means by which we live to outdistance the ends for which we live.”

As people of color seek to be a relevant part of promising future innovation like AI, it is critical that we combine King’s internal capacity of morality and ethics with our external talents of making technology-inspired devices.

Maurice Foxworth is a nationally recognized advisor on technological innovation from under-utilized communities of color.

challenges, he shared some lessons to future entrepreneurs: Understand what you’re signing up for, identify what you do not know (to build up your knowledge in it), and remember that your business plan is an ever-evolving document.

To minority entrepreneurs, he advised, “You will be overwhelmed and discouraged, but do what motivates and is passionate to you.”

To find out more information on EMED Medical Company, visit www.emedmedical.com

BioSTL’s next “An Evening with…” will feature Rachel Simon-Lee of Heartwork Video and Dr. Jennifer Silva with SentiAR at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 during Venture Café in CIC’s 4240 Duncan Ave. location within the Cortex District. For more information, visit www.biostl.org.

Financial Focus

By Veronica Coleman, financial advisor

appropriate strategy is to invest regularly and to diversify your holdings among stocks, bonds, government securities and other vehicles, based on your goals and risk tolerance. Diversification can help protect you against market downturns that primarily affect just one asset class. Keep in mind, though,

advice – or it would be, if were possible to consistently follow it. But how can you know when the market is “high enough” to sell or “low enough” to buy? You can’t – and neither can anyone else. Trying to time the market rarely works. A more

A king amongst superhero films

Marvel

Studios’

‘Black Panther’ reigns supreme as a celebration of black power

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

There’s a scene in “Black Panther” where T’Challa, the king of Wakanda who doubles as the superhero says, “Wise men build bridges while fools build barriers.”

Marvel Studios proved themselves wise by building a bridge to black movie goers with their latest film “Black Panther.”

Plenty was at stake for the first all-black super hero film with a major studio release. The film that officially opens on Friday, February 16 is already a blockbuster based on the recordbreaking pre-sales. But the success and buzz of the film is made sweeter by the fact that the film lives up to every single bit of the hype. “Black Panther” gets so much right with film that one hardly knows where to begin.

There is Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole’s storyline, Rachel Morrison’s visually stunning cinematography and Ruth Carter’s vibrant costumes – she had a hand from St. Louis native Kevin Mayes, who served as her head tailor. There is also the music, both Ludwig Göransson’s score and the Kendrick Lamar curated original soundtrack. There is the unapologetic blackness overload and homage to Africa.

A major studio release that showcases black people as undisputed heroes, leaders in culture and technology while providing a moral standard comes with a set of emotions that is nearly impossible to describe. “Black Panther” is a great look for black people – and good film, period.

Welcome to Wakanda

St. Louis audience blown away by first look at Marvel’s ‘Black

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I’m expecting Afrocentric perfection,” Brandon Gilliam said with certainty just before he got settled into his seat and waited for the first sneak preview screening of Marvel Studio’s “Black Panther” to begin. He came dressed for the occasion Monday night at The Esquire AMC theatre in Clayton. He stood out in his vibrantly colored hooded Dashiki, but he wasn’t the only one.

Model/actor siblings Jeremi and Justin Farrar, known to most as The Farrar Twins, made their way down the left aisle of the theater like it was a runway. The pair had a cameo in the film – and they appeared to have walked right straight out of Wakanda, the fictional African nation where Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is set. Their heads were wrapped

See VIEWING, C5

A star is mourned

Temptations singer Dennis Edwards eulogized at Faith Miracle Temple

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Stars are blessed and talented people that God uses to shine to help people navigate through the night or the darkness or the evil

of the world,” Bishop Larry J. Baylor said as he eulogized Grammy Award winning singer Dennis Edwards at Faith Miracle Temple Sunday evening.

“Dennis Edwards was a star,” Bishop Baylor continued. “With Dennis, the Temptations struck gold in 1968.”

Indeed, he was – and they certainly did. Often referred to as the sixth Temptation, Edwards replaced original lead singer David Ruffin. Though already a super group with international acclaim under the famed Motown label, it was during Edwards’ tenure with the group that they

Kevin Hart launching YouTube fitness series

earned their first Grammy Award with 1969’s “Cloud Nine.” Edwards passed away on Feb. 1 after a lengthy illness stemming from complications of meningitis two days shy of his 75th birthday. He was born in Alabama and raised in Detroit. But Edwards called the St. Louis area his home. He followed his mother to the region in the 1980s and only recently relocated to Chicago for the sake of medical care during his illness. He was a longtime resident of Florissant.

See EDWARDS, C5 See PANTHER, C5

The Farrar Twins, who made a cameo appearance in ‘Black Panther’ came dressed for the occasion at the film’s sneak preview screening Monday night at The AMC Esquire.

Panther’

Dennis Edwards

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.

concerts

Through Feb. 17, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents Alicia Olatuja. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave. For more information, visit jazzstl.org.

Fri., Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Music Festival

featuring 112, Guy with Teddy Riley, Next, Jagged Edge and Ginuwine, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Fri., Feb. 23, 8 p.m., Mvstermind with Jordan Ward, Brock Seals, Najii Person. Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. delmarhall.com.

Feb. 29 – Mar. 3, Jazz St. Louis presents the Sean Jones Quartet. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit jazzstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 3, 7 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sat., Mar. 3, 7 p.m., Ol’ School 95.5 & Smooth presents R&B Legends with Howard Hewitt, The Delfonics Revue and Glenn Jones. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Mar. 9, 10 p.m., Marquee Restaurant & Lounge presents Webbie 1911 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sat., Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents Jazz Memories of Michael

Jackson. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sat., Feb. 10, 2 p.m., A PreValentine’s Day Celebration feat. Tim Cunningham and Courtney Loveless Moore Proceeds benefit the Sumner High Science Department Enrichment Program and other programs. Henry Givens Administrative Building, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Feb. 11, 3 p.m., The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus presents Love Dances, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Concert 4. 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www. chamberchorus.org.

Feb. 13 – 14, The Sheldon Coffee Concert Series presents Brian Owens: Love Songs. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Thur., Feb. 15, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents a Gene Jackson Concert. Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

special events

Thur., Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m., The St. Louis American Foundation presents the 8th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking & Awards Reception. Four Season Hotel, 999 N. 2 nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.stlamerican.com.

Thur., Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Inaugural of FLOW... Open Mic/Open Forum. Poetry, singing, rap, karaoke and whatever one feels like

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

showcasing. Hershee’s Bar & Lounge, 102 Evans Ave., 63106. For more information, email maj_826@yahoo.com.

Fri., Feb. 16, 4 p.m., The Engineering Center of St. Louis presents Engineers Career Fair & Happy Hour. 4359 Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information or to register, visit www. engineeringcenter.org.

Sat., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Legal Services of Eastern Missouri invites you to the Justice for All Ball. Join us for dinner, entertainment, and both live and silent auctions. Hyatt Regency, 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, visit www.lsem. org.

Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m., Family Enrichment Support Center invites you to the I Am Because We Are Conference Speakers include Cheryl Walker, Curtis Williams, and more. William J. Harrison Education Center, 3140 Cass Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., Feb. 18, 1:15 p.m. &

3:10 p.m., The St. Louis Public Library will celebrate Black History Month with featured speaker Rev. Jesse Jackson, Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. Each engagement is free and open to the public, but reservations are required at https://www. brownpapertickets.com/ event/3201803. Tickets should be presented at the door in paper or electronic form.

Sun., Feb. 18, 4 p.m., Temple Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. invites you to their Black History Program. Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments and share tributes to our forefathers. 2741 Dayton St., 63106. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sun., Feb. 18, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. doors), Community Women Against Hardship’s Black History Month Celebration featuring legendary pianist Johnny O’Neal, Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. All proceeds benefit their Health and Wellness Programming. All tickets available via the Jazz St. Louis Box Office, 3536 Washington

Jazz St. Louis presents Alicia Olatuja. See CONCERTS for details.

eventbrite.com.

Sun., Feb. 25, 1 p.m., Sumner Alumni Association 15th Annual Alumni Round Up, Sumner High School Auditorium, 4245 St. Ferdinand.

Sat., Mar. 10, 2 p.m., Queen Scene Prom & Pageant Resale Fundraiser. Multiple vendors will be selling discounted designer gowns, shoes, accessories, and more. Karma Studio, 3006 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 63074. For more information, call (314) 330-8915 or visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Mar. 10, 6 p.m., The Show Up & Show Out Talent Show. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 625-6688 or visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Mar. 11, 1 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter presents the Ida Goodwin Woolfolk Memorial Gospel, Jazz and Blues Brunch. St. Louis Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.dst-sla.org.

or by calling (314) 571-6000.

Mon., Feb. 19, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m., Teachers of Color Recruitment Event. Tour the school, meet administrative leaders, and hear about our work at school and in the community. City Garden Montessori School, 1618 Tower Grove Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. docs.goole.com.

Thur., Feb. 22, 5 p.m., Grand Center Arts Academy presents Black History STEAM Museum. Join us as we recognize the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. 711 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Fri., Feb. 23, 3 p.m., The Engineering Center of St. Louis presents Student Discovery and College Fair High school students can explore the field of engineering with leading STEM companies and speak to college recruiters.

Sat., Feb. 24, 5 p.m., Take Action St. Louis 2nd Annual Black Tie Gala. The OC, 4436 Olive St., 63108. For more information, visit www.

Sat., Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Kirkwood Public Library hosts Jan Jacobi, author of Young Lincoln. A novel about the childhood and young adult years of Abraham Lincoln. 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. Tues., Feb. 20, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage. Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of the American Dream until Roy is sentenced to twelve years in prison.

Thur., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts Jeffrey Haas, author of The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther

Sat., Feb. 24, 3 p.m., The Honorable Betty Thompson Book Signing. 1204 Washington Ave., Ste. 100, 63103. For more information, call (314) 862-5344.

Mon., Feb. 24, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Gordon Whitman, author of Stand Up!: How to Get Involved, Speak Out, and Win

in a World on Fire. 399 N. Euclid. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Wed., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Not So Late Night: Eve L. Ewing, Hanif Abdurraqib, Katarra & the Sofolkz and Cheeraz Gormon. 2720 Cherokee Performing Arts Center, 2720 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

comedy

Feb. 15 – Feb. 18, The Laugh Lounge presents the Valentine’s Day Comedy explosion starring Ray Lipowski and Nema Williams, The Laugh Lounge, 11208 W. Florissant. For more information visit www. thelaughloungestl.com.

Thurs., Feb. 22 – Sat., Feb. 24, The Laugh Lounge presents The Wild Boyz Comedy Tour starring Chico Bean, DC Young Fly and Billy Sorrells, The Laugh Lounge, 11208 W. Florissant. For more information visit www.thelaughloungestl.com.

theatre

Sat., Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Slaying Dragons presents Look Away

The story of a friendship that develops between two women joined by mutual suffering. St. Louis County Library –Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074. For more information, visit www. slayingdragons.org.

Tues., Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Ferguson Municipal Public Library presents Conversations with a King A one-man show featuring Dr. King’s greatest speeches, personal interviews, and his relationship with Coretta. 35 N. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Feb. 23 – 24, The Lamar Harris presents Superheroes of Blackness. LJay explores the implications of our world’s future in the year 2609 by examining the problems we face in 2018. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Feb. 23 – 25, JPEK

CreativeWorks Theatre presents The Meeting Stage Play. A depiction of the supposed meeting of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they debate social problems. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Feb. 24 – 25, 2 p.m., “I, Dred Scott, A Musical. The story of Dred and Harriet Scott and their two daughters’ fight for freedom. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Through Feb. 25, Metro Theater Company and Jazz St. Louis present Bud, Not Buddy. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For

more information, visit www. metroplays.org.

Mar. 1 – 4, SLU Theatre presents Rhinoceros. The story of one man’s struggle to maintain his identity in a world of conformists, while shining a light on the absurdity of the human condition. Xavier Hall, 3733 W. Pine Mall, 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 4, 3 p.m., #MeToo. Her voice must be heard! Lewis Auditorium, 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Mar. 9 – 10, The Fox Theatre presents Guess Who Showed Up at Dinner? The tale of Sugarbread Robinson, a musician who journeys to his roots in the Deep South to find inspiration for his new music project. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

art

Fri., Feb. 16, 5 p.m., Dario Calmese’s ‘Amongst Friends’ Exhibition Opening. Using Lana Turner’s wardrobe, Calmese digs deeper into the idea of the black church as an activator. projects+gallery, 4733 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.projects-gallery.com.

Wed., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., World Chess Hall of Fame hosts Color and Form with Eugenia Alexander. Participants will create an ‘alphabet’ of shapes and colors for endless permutations and unique works of art. 4652 Maryland Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. worldchesshof.org.

Through February 28, Portfolio Gallery’s presentation of All Colors Visual Arts Invitational & Juried Exhibition, the exhibition features the work of invited African-American and juried artists from across the country. St. Louis Artists’ Guild, 12 North Jackson Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.stlouisartistsguild. org.

lectures and workshops

Thur., Feb. 15, 11 a.m., Influential African Americans with Disabilities. St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Thur., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., Breaking the Chain Of Human Trafficking Workshop. Trinity Church, 3515 Shackelford Rd., 63031. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite. com.

Mon., Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs at Webster University presents a lecture by Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” Campaign. Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, 130 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Tues., Feb. 20, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri present a Legal Clinic. Discuss any legal questions or concerns, relating to business. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information or to register, visit

www.eventbrite.com.

Tues., Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Confluence SSN presents Assessing the Ferguson Effect. Ferguson Brewing Company, 418 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., Dred Scott: The History You Never Knew. Hear the story of Dred and Harriet Scott, as told by their great-great granddaughter, Lynne Jackson. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Fri., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library invites you to Black History Celebration Keynote Speaker Event with Judge Jimmie Edwards. Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.org.

Tues., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Free Your Mind: The Psychological Dismantling of Oppression. Dr. Kira Hudson Banks discusses appropriated racial oppression and racial identity development. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For

more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thursdays in February, Missouri Humanities Council presents A View of African American History and Culture. Henry Givens Jr. Admin Building, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. mohumanities.org/educationprograms.

Thursdays in February, Missouri Humanities Council presents A View of African American History and Culture. Henry Givens Jr. Admin Building, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. mohumanities.org/educationprograms.

Tues., Mar. 6, 7:30 a.m., The New Normal: Reframing Diversity in Tech & Entrepreneurship. Kathryn Finney addresses the technological and historic barriers to diversity in these industries and how companies can address them. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.

Fri., Mar. 9, 7 p.m., Women in the Arts Lecture Series presents The Construction and Perpetuation of Female

Identity in Ancient Egypt St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.slam. org.

Sat., Mar. 10, 11 a.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents If It Wasn’t for the Women: Science, Shape, and Self A panel discussion featuring three local St. Louis artists as they discuss how science has shaped their work and how art has shaped them. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110.

health

Fri., Feb. 16, 4 p.m., Glennon Style. Children’s and adult fashion show to raise money for the Cardinal Glennon Therapy Department. The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, visit www. glennon.org/style.

Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group, Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church Campus, Friendly Village, 5545 Wells Ave., St. Louis, MO 63112. To register, call 1-800-272-3900.

Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m., Missouri Handmaid’s Tale: Full Frontal Assault on Repro Rights. With Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show. Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www.secure.actblue.com.

Mar. 18, 3:30 p.m. New Salem MB Church 90th Anniversary, 1905 Arlington, St. Louis MO 63112. Sat., Mar. 3, 11 a.m., Pastoral Installation of Pastor Jeane Smith & Church Dedication of Redeem COGIC. 5855 Dr. Martin L. King Dr., 63136. For more information, call (314) 265-3844.

Fri., Feb. 16, Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Sterling K. Brown and more opens in theatres nationwide.

Sat., Feb. 24, 2 p.m., The Black Power Mixtape 19671975 Film Screening. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Ol’ School 95.5 & Smooth presents R&B Legends with Howard Hewitt, The Delfonics Revue and Glenn Jones. For more information, see CONCERTS.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

On the heels of Rocky franchise film “Creed,” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler is three-for-three as far as his films go, but “Black Panther” exalts him into his own territory as a director with the pace, performances and transitions he brings to the screen. The film is not perfect, but it is as close as one could expect from a franchise that follows a predictable format where it is understood that good will triumph over evil. Still, the way the story unfolds is so fresh and compelling, that it makes up for knowing how the film will end from the beginning. Based on the character of the same name that Marvel founder Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created back in 1966, it took 50 years for Black Panther to make it to the big screen in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”

The “Black Panther” storyline essentially picks up where it left off in “Captain America: Civil War” – T’Challa inherits the kingdom of Wakanda with the sudden and untimely death of his father T’Chaka. But he

EDWARDS

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Bishop Baylor, who was also a spiritual advisor for Edwards and his wife Brenda, recalled his first encounter with Edwards.

“The first time I saw brother Dennis it was at a Sunday morning service at our other location on Lindbergh,” Baylor said. “There was this tall, striking man walked in with a fur coat on. I said, ‘that looks like Dennis Edwards.’ He came and sat and didn’t say much. A little while later, he came back in the same way.”

Bishop Baylor also admitted to a moment of fandom while

faces constant threats to the throne from the moment he is crowned. On the surface, the fictional African nation he now leads appears to be a poor nation that is just too proud to accept international aid. But they are

in the pulpit.

“I said, ‘I’ve got to do it this time. Mr. Edwards, would you mind singing a song for us?’”

Bishop Baylor continued. “He got up, gave his testimony and sang one of those old-fashioned church songs. He wrecked that place. I said to myself, ‘this man is something else.’” As he was remembered Sunday, family, friends and members of his Temptations Review shared similar sentiments.

“He had a stage presence that demanded your attention,” Marshall Thompson of The Chi Lites said in a note read by Temptations Review member Chris Arnold. “Not merely a singer, his talent and showmanship afforded him the rights of

intentionally hiding a thriving first-world nation with technology and possessions that would make them a world leader. They avoided colonization –and kept their riches in science and natural resources a secret to protect themselves.

an artist. We are heartbroken, but the memories will linger forever. He wrote his own story and left a great legacy.”

The group he performed with for 27 years sang “A Song For You,” in tribute to Edwards’ well-received remake of Leon Russell’s R&B standard made famous by St. Louis native Donny Hathaway.

“When he sang ‘I been so many places,’ Dennis really had been there,” William Edwards said when he spoke on behalf of the family. “I used to laugh at him when he used to tell me, ‘When I get to be a star, you’re going with me.’ And I would be like, ‘yeah, right.’ I didn’t know that star was going to soar so high.”

Before joining The

lains can sometimes be a product of their environment. As high as the bar is set in the production value and storyline, they pale in comparison to performances in “Black Panther.”

Chadwick Boseman solidified himself as the next black leading man as the anchor of “Black Panther.” His performance is stunning as he dives in and out of the range of emotions of a newly crowned king that must navigate his way through unforeseen turmoil before he has a chance to get settled into the throne.

Enough can’t be said about the supporting players. Each and of them – no matter how bit the part – make their presence known as an invaluable asset. Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o is well-paired as T’Challa’s love interest Nakia. As is Michael B. Jordan as Black Panther’s nemesis Killmonger.

Nemesis Killmonger, an American who is aware of the power that lies within the nation, is intent on coming for T’Challa’s crown. As the two square off, audiences see that good-versus-evil isn’t always black and white – and that vil-

Temptations, Dennis Edwards was a member of the legendary gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy.

“If there was anything that Dennis could do, Dennis could sing,” William Edwards said. “He could sing with the best of them.”

His gruff, powerful and distinctive tenor voice can be heard on some of the Temptations’ signature hits.

“Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion,” “Cloud Nine” were among them.

Otis Williams, The Temptations’ founding member and last surviving original group member was among those who came to pay their respects.

VIEWING

Continued from C1

with cloth to match their shirts

– which were accented with gold, black and silver print embellishments that paid homage to African royalty.

“Girl, I told you I should have worn my head wrap,” a woman commented as they walked by.

A few went full African garb, while other paid tribute in smaller ways with jewelry – including a woman wearing wooden earrings in the shape of the African continent – and “Black Panther” t-shirts. A new phrase will have to be created to express the “Black Panther” phenomenon. “Highly anticipated” just isn’t enough to do justice to what black people have already invested in this moment in in black cinema history since the trailer dropped. People who aren’t the least bit interested in superhero films under usual circumstances have geeked out over the Marvel Studios film since the first trailer dropped last year boasting an allblack star-studded cast led by Chadwick Boseman (and featuring St. Louis’ own Sterling K. Brown) and black director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Folks have been mapping their movie night months in advance to see the film, which is set in an African nation that staved off colonization and is secretly light years ahead of the rest of the world in technology and resources.

On Monday, guests were already lined up outside at 5:45 p.m. waiting to enter for the 7 p.m. screening. Though only

But the most valuable players in this film aside from Boseman are found within the smaller roles. Veterans Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker yield to the rising talent in the film. He doesn’t get much screen time, but St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown is

“I watched him put on his first suit to go audition for his first show and I can say that Dennis wouldn’t want everybody sad tonight, because Dennis has been everywhere. Dennis did everything,” William Edwards said.

He left the group in 1977 and returned in 1980. He ventured out with a solo career in 1984. The same year he scored a massive R&B hit with “Don’t Look Any Further,” a duet with Siedah Garrett.

According to his life reflections, Dennis Edwards earned 14 gold albums, six platinum records, seven Grammy Awards (including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Honor).

In 1989, Edwards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall

a limited number of preview passes were distributed, they showed up early just in case for the screening hosted by Hot 104.1 FM. Hot 104.1 FM Program Director and Operations Manager Boogie D, a selfproclaimed comic book nerd, chose to give a brief history of how Marvel the comic book character that inspired the movie was conceived before he kicked of the screening with a few giveaways.

n Guests lingered in the theater and lobby to talk amongst themselves about how “Black Panther” exceeded their already high expectations.

“It was the 1960s and Marvel decided that they needed a black superhero,” Boogie D said. “There were a lot of things going on with the civil rights movement and Stan Lee decided to create Black Panther.”

Boogie proudly boasted on what set this hero apart from the others.

“Black Panther is a king,” Boogie D said. “When you think about it, Stan Lee was breaking all kinds of stereotypes when he made this character back then. And he had the one singular black man defeat the most powerful crew – the

charged with setting the tone for the film – which he does with ease as N’Jobu, the revolutionary younger brother of T’Chaka. Danai Gurira is the epitome of strength and grace as the general of Black Panther’s all-woman army. Letitia Wright lights up the screen as T’Challa’s precocious yet brilliant sister Shuri, who heads up technology for Wakanda at the tender age of 16. But the most formidable performance among the featured players belongs to Winston Duke, who plays tribal leader M’Baku. “Black Panther” is the first feature film for the actor who, like his co-stars Nyong’o and Bassett, is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama. The power and presence he emits through the portrayal while still managing to charm and provide comic relief with the added pressure of the magnitude of the film means that he – much like the “Black Panther” franchise – is destined for greatness. Black Panther opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, February 16. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 134 minutes.

of Fame as a member of The Temptations. Edwards was also inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame with The Temptations in 2013. He toured and performed with The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards for 27 years. He was again inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame as part of the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards in 2015. “There ain’t too much happening out here – especially in the music world – that Dennis didn’t do,” William Edwards said. “If you want Dennis, just turn on a record player. Just put on a CD.”

Fantastic Four. And Wakanda (the fictional African nation ruled by T’Challa a.k.a. the Black Panther) leads the world in technology.” At this point, guests can barely contain themselves. But once the movie started, there was complete silence. They sat in awe as they watched the story unfold – and the film more than lived up to the hype, according to several guests.

“I loved it,” popular KMOX Radio Personality Carol Daniel said as she gave her thoughts on the film. “I loved the music. I loved the message – that we have to find a way to take care of each other as if we are one tribe. I loved the sisters with the bald heads. I loved the strength of the black women in and all of that.”

The screening was a family affair for Daniel, who brought her 18-year-old son Marcus Daniel along to see “Black Panther.”

“I felt it on an emotional and cultural level,” Marcus said. “I felt empowered. The filming was great. The scenes were amazing.” Guests lingered in the theater and lobby to talk amongst themselves about how “Black Panther” exceeded their already high expectations.

“I thought it was great because I’m all for showcasing black excellence,” said A. Keith Turner. “And that’s exactly what we saw on the screen tonight.”

“Black Panther” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, February 16. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 134 minutes.

Celebrations

Birthdays

Martrez Henderson celebrated his 11th birthday on Feb. 2. Martrez attends Northview Elementary in Jennings. He received a perfect attendance award and also plays football with the North County Mustangs. Happy Birthday from his mother, Yolonda; sister, Whitley; grandmothers, Liz and Granny Pat; and his favorite niece, Ka’Liyah.

Happy 98th Birthday to Pearl Shelton. She was born on February 22, 1920 in Forrest City, Arkansas and she serves as president of the Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church Mother Board.

Reunions

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Alabama State University Hornets, alumni, families and friends in the St. Louis area. The Alabama State University Alumni Chapter of St. Louis will have a meeting on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 1:30pm at the St. Louis

County Library - Rock Road Branch 10267 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074.

Beaumont Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50-year reunion June 8-10,2018. Yes, Class ‘68 will begin Milestone celebration 6th month on 8th day. Our 2018 meetings in preparation will be held at STL County library located 7606 Natural Bridge at 1:00 p.m..

Dates are (Saturdays) February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19 and June 2. For more information call (314) 8698312 or email bhsco1968@ att.net. Pass the word and lets celebrate!

Happy Birthday to our son, Paul Simpson, on February 24. We love you dearly. John and Portia Simpson

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will hold its 45th reunion Aug. 10-12, 2018! Any questions, please call Rita (314)241-5419.

Homer G. Phillips and St. Louis Municipal School of Nursing is planning an all class reunion in June 2018. Please send your name, address and telephone number to: Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni, Inc., P.O. Box 8033 St. Louis, Missouri 63156.

McKinley Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy Suites-Airport. For more information please contact Barbara Lindsey,

Returning Artist Honored

University City High School 1996 alumnae Raquel (Smith) Hunter, author of the popular children’s book series “Diary of Brave Rave,” was recently recognized as the 2018 University City Returning Artist. The Returning Artist Program, coordinated by the University City Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters, brings artistically renowned UCHS graduates to work with students and encourage them to investigate careers in the arts.

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

Barbara_Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com , (314) 647-0707.

Northwest High Class of 1978 is planning its 40-year reunion for next year. If you have any questions please contact Sly at (314) 397-0311 or email us at northwestbluedevils@78gmail. com. Check us out on Facebook Northwest High School-Class of 1978.

Soldan Class of 1978 is planning their 40th class reunion. The dates are June 1, 2 and 3. For more information: call (314) 413-9088.

Sumner Alumni Association hosts its 15th Annual Membership Round-Up Sunday, February 25, 2018, 1-4 pm at Sumner High School with Theme “Showcase Your Talent”. Contact B. Louis at (314) 385-9843 or email: sumneralumniassn@yahoo.com or to Showcase Your Talent on program (provide contact info and your talent). J. House, Chairperson (314) 420-3442.

University City Class of 1978 will hold its 40th reunion May 25-27, 2018. For more information please email ucityhs1978@gmail.com

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

The president, the porn star and the evangelicals

Franklin Graham: ‘He is not President Perfect’

By Eugene Robinson Of The Washington Post

Wait, back up a minute. We just zoomed past a story that would have been a five-alarm scandal for any other administration, with weeks of screaming front-page headlines: “The President and the Porn Star.”

The Wall Street Journal had the scoop on January 12: “A lawyer for President Donald Trump arranged a $130,000 payment to a former adult-film star a month before the 2016 election as part of an agreement that precluded her from publicly discussing an alleged sexual encounter with Mr. Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.”

The porn star in question is a woman named Stormy Daniels. The alleged affair took place in 2006, a year and a half after Trump married his third wife, Melania, and just months after their son Barron was born. Whoa. You’d think that Trump’s supporters in the evangelical movement would finally call him out for his loose – or nonexistent –morals.

“We kind of gave him, all right, you get a mulligan. You get a do-over here,” said Tony Perkins, president of the right-wing Family Research Council.

Evangelist Franklin Graham tarnished the legacy of his father Billy by also defending Trump, saying that while “he is not President Perfect,” he does “have a concern for Christian values.”

When there’s not a porn star around, apparently.

I can’t pretend to be shocked, shocked that conservative political activists who cloak themselves in gaudy religiosity turn out to be rank hypocrites. That’s nothing new. I do feel sorry, though, for the millions of Christians who look to figures such as Perkins and Graham for moral leadership.

After all, Perkins’ predecessor at the Family Research Council, Gary Bauer, said this when Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky was revealed in 1998: “Character counts – in a people, in the institutions of our society, and

in our national leadership.”

Apparently it only counts when a Democrat is in the White House, not a Republican. I’m still looking for the Bible verse that spells out this distinction, but it must be in there somewhere.

The story itself is of more than merely prurient interest. Trump and the lawyer, Michael Cohen, deny everything. But Daniels gave a 5,000-word interview to In Touch magazine in which she described her sexual encounter with Trump in very convincing detail. And the Journal, in a follow-up story, gave a step-by-step account of how Cohen allegedly made the hush-money payment.

According to the newspaper, Cohen formed a Delaware company – taking advantage of the state’s no-tell privacy laws – called Essential Consultants LLC on October 17, 2016. He then used a bank account linked to the company to pay the $130,000 into an account controlled by a lawyer representing Daniels.

Where did the cash come from? Trump is loath to spend his own money whenever he can spend somebody else’s instead. And from

Michael Wolff’s book “Fire and Fury” we learned that another Trump lawyer “took care” of “a hundred” women during the campaign, according to Steve Bannon, the campaign’s chief executive.

Let’s assume Bannon was exaggerating and “a hundred” really means “several.” If I were special counsel Robert Mueller, I’d want to know how much money was paid in total to the women and I’d want to make sure that no campaign funds were used, since that would be illegal.

Remember the context: On October 7, 2016, the Post reported on and published the “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump boasted of sexually harassing and assaulting women. Ten days later, according to the Journal, Trump’s lawyer created the shell company that was allegedly used as a conduit for money to buy Daniels’ silence.

Something tells me that Mueller’s all-star team of white-collar prosecutors will find out if any other phantom companies were formed, if any other paramours were paid to keep quiet, and where any such money came from.

The Message

Stop playing games with God

2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 says, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Some things in the Bible reverberate over and over again and for some unexplained reason, we still just don’t get it. We understand the words and the principles behind them, but we can’t seem to incorporate them into our daily lives. Paul lets us know in this scripture that there is indeed a reason to accept our shortcomings, our flaws, and our faults with the basic understanding that it is through them that God invariably shows up and shows out.

If you know and accept yourself, as Paul did, to be a child of God, then you must also be a man or woman of God, recognizing your limits in His presence and His limitlessness in yours. The only thing standing in your way is you. If the truth be told, you can’t make it by yourself. You and I need help and that help comes from only one source. Now it’s a perfect source so be prepared to have some difficulty accepting this and its accompanying consequences. The consequences are coming to grips with the fact that there is a divine purpose in your particular set of weaknesses.

Most of us would rather accept the notion that our sinful existence is just that, sinful. But the text says it’s our job to revel in the spiritual recognition that God is waiting to do His miracle thing when it comes to your frailties. When you get a hand from God to overcome your addictions, your pride and ego, your physical weaknesses and your vanity, you also get so much more than you bargained for. According to Paul, you also get Christ’s power to work with.

Isn’t that something? No wonder Paul continues by saying, “That is why, for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.” You could think Paul had lost his mind. But from your most impossible situations, when you do give your life to Him who loves you more than you love yourself, God’s perfect power rescues you. It’s all about God’s party and His destiny for you. The test becomes testimony, and the party just got started.

President Donald Trump and Evangelist Franklin Graham at Trump’s inauguration.

Columnist

James Washington

ASSEMBLY

EXPLORE ST. LOUIS

LEAD MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE

Explore St. Louis seeks a Lead Mechanical Maintenance Technician for the America’s Center complex (which includes the Cervantes Convention Center and the Dome Stadium).

Explore St. Louis is seeking a Senior Level SThe Lead Mechanical Maintenance will supervise and coordinate the daily activities of employee within the department who are engaged in maintaining and repairing HVAC and refrigeration systems, building plumbing, physical structures and snow removal of the complex. Will process payroll for the department using a time and attendance system. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with HVAC & refrigeration systems, plumbing, and repair and mainte-nance of various machinery. High school diploma/ GED and a Stationary Engineer Certification are required along with three to five years supervisory experience. This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by IUOE Local 148. Participation (membership/fair share) in said union is a requirement. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights/weekends/ holidays. To apply applicants will need to go online to www.explorestlouis.com click the “About Us” link at the top of the page and then click “Job Opportunities & Internships. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

ALGONQUIN NURSES

is looking for Nurses, C.N.A’s and Home Health Aides for full or part time positions to care for elderly and disabled individuals in their home. Applicants must have reliable transportation with a valid driver license and proof of insurance. Clear background screening, clean drug test need only apply. * Competitive wages /one on one client care /paid holidays medical/dental insurance /paid wkly /referral bonus & much more! Please call 314-822-8158 or go online to register www.algonquinnurses.com

WE’RE HIRING!

Webster Groves School District is looking to fill various teaching positions at the high school level.

We are seeking certified teachers in the following subjects: - English - Math - Science For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.webster.k12.mo.us (Employment Opportunities)

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Police Officer. Apply at www.richmondheights.org by Thursday, March 1, 2018. EOE

PART-TIME OASIS

EXERSTART FACILITATOR

Share your passion for health and set your own schedule as a parttime Oasis ExerStart Facilitator.

Lead older adults in low-intensity exercises. Classes are held twice weekly throughout the metro area. Training and class materials provided. Training from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 22-23 at Northwest HealthCare Community Room 1225 Graham Rd., Florissant. Call Sara Paige at 314-862-2933, Ext. 24.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

World Trade Center St. Louis is seeking applications for instructors to teach in the Chancellor’s Certificate in International Trade program. Instructors are needed for six International trade subjects. To learn about requirements, visit: www.worldtradecenter-stl.com. Interested applications should reply by 5 PM (CST) February 28 , 2017. Equal Opportunity Employer.

CLAIMS EXAMINER

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Excess WC LOB. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.should reply by 5 PM (CST) February 28 , 2017. Equal Opportunity Employer.

id#2 800-318-6058.

PHYSICS TEACHER

St. Joseph’s Academy, a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women in St. Louis, Missouri, is seeking a Physics teacher for the 2018-19 school year. Qualified applicants should have Missouri teacher certification. A focus in Physics, as well as a Master’s degree, are preferred. Interested candidates may email a cover letter and a resume to jsteinhart@sja1840.org

EXPLORE ST. LOUIS ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

Explore St. Louis is the official destina- tion marketing organization responsible for selling St. Louis City and St. Louis County as a convention and meeting site and as a leisure travel destination.

Explore St. Louis has an immediate opening for an Accounting Coordina- tor. Duties include: daily processing of payable and receivable transactions, assigning & processing purchase orders, invoices & checks, maintaining PO database and posting transactions to AP Ledger. Will prepare / maintain 1099’s & vendor files and provide additional financial support as necessary. Profi- ciency in MS Word and Excel, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required. Written & oral commu- nication is critical. Associates Degree from 2-year college or technical school, three year’s related experience and/or training in accounts payable/receivable is required. Experience with Sage 300 / ACCPAC accounting software is ben- eficial. Knowledge of Concur Expense Report system is a plus. To apply ap- plicants will need to go online to www. explorestlouis.com click the “About Us” link at the top of the page and then click “Job Opportunities & Internships. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

The City of The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the position of Finance Director. The position is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the operations of the Finance Department. Duties include supervising the Accounts Payables Accounting Clerks, which includes the supervision of accounts receivables, recording and monitoring revenue from all sources, maintaining bank accounts and investments, accounts payable and signing checks; administering the payroll process; preparing monthly reports, annual budget preparation and amendments when needed; issuing and overseeing business and liquor licenses; collecting taxes, fees and other receipts. This position works closely with the Mayor, City Council, City Auditors and other departments in a wide variety of city operations. Must be available to attend City Council and committee meetings.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s in accounting and/or finance and three years of experience in municipal finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Applicant must be bondable. Starting salary $51,675. Application available at Jennings City Hall or online at www.cityofjennings.org. NO RESUMES ACCEPTED WITHOUT COMPLETION OF OUR APPLICATION!

Completed applications may be delivered to City Hall, mailed, emailed to jobs@cityofjennings.org or faxed to 314-388-3999. Applications accepted until Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 5 p.m.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

A small, volunteer based not-for-profit is seeking application for the position of Chief Operating Officer to open February 1, 2018.

The candidate must possess a comprehensive understanding of not-for-profit organizational functions and systems that include planning, administration, resource development and marketing. The position assist the CEO in the effective management of the agency. Candidates who have a least three years of demonstrated effectiveness in a nonprofit setting will be considered. An undergraduate degree is required, with an advanced degree such as MBA or Masters in Nonprofit Management highly desirable. Recent retirees can also apply.

Send resume and salary requirement to Community Women Against Hardship, Inc.

P.O. Box 23247, St. Louis, Mo. 63156 NO TELEPHONE CALLS

OUTREACH SPECIALIST & CASE MANAGER

Better Family Life, Inc. a non-profit organization is currently looking to hire a Outreach Specialist & Case Manager to the community outreach program to will collaborate with program partners in areas of outreach, research, evaluation of targeted neighborhoods.

To apply send resume to hr@betterfamilylife.org

EOE - CDA Funded

CHEMISTRY TEACHER

St. Joseph’s Academy, a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women in St. Louis, Missouri, is seeking a Chemistry teacher for the 2018-19 school year. Qualified applicants should have Missouri teacher certification. A focus in Chemistry, as well as a Master’s degree, are preferred. Interested candidates may email a cover letter and a resume to jsteinhart@sja1840.org

DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

COORDINATOR

Saint Louis Art Museum. Development Events Coordinator. Full Time. Apply online at www.slam.org/careersby Wednesday, June 28th. EOE

REINSURANCE CLAIMS ANALYST

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Treaty Reinsurance LOB. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

SYSTEM SPECIALIST (FORENSIC EXAMINER)

System Specialist (Forensic Examiner) vacancy, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov Vacancy Announcement 2018-08. Equal Opportunity Employer.

ATTORNEY

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, seeks an attorney to work in its Community and Economic Development Program. For more information, see the full posting at www.lsem.org. Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter by February 18, 2018 to John Early, Director of Human Resources & Operations at jgearly@lsem.org.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Mt. Beulah Terrace, and RHF community, is seeking a qualified maintenance supervisor. Skills ad experience in general building maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.is expected. Position is also required to complete custodial duties as well. Benefit package includes competitive salary, paid holidays and vacation. EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL DRUG SCREENING AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. APPLY IN PERSON at Mt. Beulah Terrace, 7550 Page Ave. St. Louis, mo.63133 Or request a application be emailed to you at Melissa.sims@rhf.org

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

FULL-TIME PRINCIPAL

De Smet Jesuit High School seeks highly qualified candidates for the full-time position of Principal beginning with the 2018–2019 school year. Successful candidates will have a minimum master’s degree in education, administration, or a related area and a minimum of ten years’ combined experience in high school teaching and/or administration, preferably in directing the planning and development of curriculum and academic programs for a Catholic high school. More information is available at https://www.desmet.org/ about/careers. Interested candidates should complete the online employment application by March 16.

INVITATION TO BID

You are invited to submit a bid proposal on the STL International Airport Space Build-Up at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport/Terminal 1 and 2 located at 10701 Lambert International Blvd., St. Louis MO 63145. The Transportation and Safety Authority had expressed an interest in leasing additional space at the St. Louis International Airport (Lambert) in 2013. The lease agreement was reached between TSA and the Airport with an effective date of 9/1/2016. The new space would be old retail space that requires extensive renovation to bring the space to office space standards. TSA was relocated to this space due to the lease expiration before any renovation work was done. It would require using a swing space to move TSA temporary to another location in order to complete the construction work.

Tarlton is soliciting subbids on the following: Demolition; Doprs, Frames & Hardware; Rough Carpentry; Architectural Wood Casework; Flooring; Acoustical Ceilings; Countertops; Drywall & Framing; Painting; Fire Protection; HVAC; Plumbing; and Electrical Work. Tarlton encourages small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women owned, veteran owned, and service disabled veteran owned small business concerns to bid this project. Subbids are due at 1 p.m. on February 19, 2018. These may be emailed to bids@tarltoncorp.com. Any questions, please contact Cameron Beattie at 314.633.3317 or CDBeattie@tarltoncorp.com.

Tarlton is an equal opportunity employer.

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS & NOTICES WITH

Public Notice

Housing Program Announces Waiting List Open

Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation (JFCAC) is giving notice that from March 6, 2018 to March 19, 2018 new pre-applications for the Section 8 tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program will be accepted in Franklin and Jefferson Counties for all households.

JFCAC’s Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to help low income families obtain affordable housing which is safe, decent, and sanitary. All applicants will be placed on the waiting list by the date and time their completed pre-application is received in one of the JFCAC’s housing offices.

Pre-applications will be accepted beginning March 6, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. and will continue to be accepted until March 19, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Pre-applications will be taken at #2 Merchant Dr. in Hillsboro, Missouri and at 1020 Plaza Court Suite B in St. Clair, Missouri. These housing offices are open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-applications may also be printed from our website at www. jfcac.org or may be requested by phone or mail beginning March 6, 2018. Completed pre-applications must be mailed or hand delivered to one of our housing offices. Faxed or electronic submissions will not be accepted. There is an after-hours drop box at both office locations. All pre-applications must be received in one of our housing offices by 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2018.

Pre-applications will be made available in an accessible format upon request from a person with disabilities or with limited English proficiency.

Reasonable accommodations for the disabled may be arranged by calling (636) 789-2686 option 3. Relay Missouri Service users may call 711 or 800-735-2966 TT/TTY or 866-735-2460 VOICE.

JFCAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, ancestry, disability, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and operates in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law.

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. 3701 Grandel Square St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 615-3608

lmiller@urbanleague·stl.org

Join the Movement through our Weatherization Program

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. Weatherization Program (ULMSLWP) is soliciting sealed bids for the completion of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Work (HVAC) to be completed in the city of St. Louis, MO. Contracts to provide weatherization work for residential properties (approximately fifteen per month) from April 16, 2018 to April16, 2019 with a first year renewal option of up to two additional years.

PRE-BID CONFERENCES: FEBRUARY 28, 2018 AT 6:00PM MARCH 2, 2018 AT 10:00 AM

BID DUE DATE: MARCH 9 AT NOON

BID OPENING:MARCH 9 AT 2:00PM Funding on behalf of Missouri Department of Economic Development, LIHEAP, Ameren, and Spire Gas.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TOWER: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mobilitie, LLC is proposing to construct a new monopole style telecommunications pole at 582-594 James S. McDonnell Blvd, St Louis County, MO 63042 and N 38-46-20.5”; -090-22-57.4”. The height of the tower will be 55 feet above ground level (650 feet above mean sea level). The tower is anticipated to have no FAA lighting. Specific information regarding the project is available by calling Mobilitie LLC at 404-978-2457 during normal business hours. Interested persons may review the application for this project at www.fcc.gov/asr/applications by entering Antenna Structure Registration (Form 854) file no. A1097783 and may raise environmental concerns about the project under the National Environmental Policy Act rules of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 CFR §1.1307, by notifying the FCC of the specific reasons that the action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Requests for Environmental Review must be filed within 30 days of the date that notice of the project is published on the FCC’s website and may only raise environmental concerns. The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental Review online at www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest, but they may be filed with a paper copy by mailing the Request to FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. A copy of the Request should be provided to Mobilitie, LLC, Attn: Mikhail Raznobriadsev, 3475 Piedmont Road, NE Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30305.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Mehl Avenue – Patterson Road CRS Resurfacing, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1577, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on March 7, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on February 12, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

BID REQUEST

Responses for St. Louis Community College’s Request for Proposal No. B0003694 for supplemental IT services and support will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time) on March 9, 2018 at cgreen2@stlcc.edu, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or call (314) 539-5225. EOE/

BID REQUEST

E-bids for St. Louis Community College’s Request for Qualifications No. B0003688 for a legal consulting contract will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time) on March 8, 2018 at cgreen2@stlcc.edu, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5225. EOE/ AA Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Glencullen Neighborhood Improvement District Street Replacement,St. Louis County Project No. CR-1710, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on February 21, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on February 5, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

St. Louis Treatment Court

22nd Judicial Circuit, City of St. Louis, Missouri

Request for Proposals

The St. Louis Treatment Court is seeking proposals to provide service for the following:

1. RFP-FY18-02 Professional Services of a Treatment Director

2. RFP-FY18-03 Alcohol Monitoring Program for Participants

3. RFP-FY18-04 Treatment Court Project Manager

4. RFP-FY18-05 Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services for Participants of the Adult Treatment Court

A copy of the Requests for Proposals can be obtained by writing the Treatment Court Administrator, Room 526, 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63101 or calling 314-589-6702 for a mail out copy. Interested parties may obtain the proposal specifications by accessing www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com on that website click on Drug Court to find the RFPs. Proposals should be submitted no later than 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Room 526, 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63101

ATTN: ALL MBE (AFRICAN AMERICAN) VENDORS & SUBCONTRACTORS

St. Louis Bridge Construction Company is requesting proposals for MSD Contract Letting No. 12483-015.8, Mississippi Floodwall ORS Pump Station Rehabilitation in St. Louis City, MO. Scope of work includes: Concrete repair, material and equipment testing, water diversion, leak testing, flood gate replacement, photography, electrical, mechanical, painting and interstate hauling. This project bids on March 6th, 2018. We will have a pre-proposal meeting at 655 Landmark Dr., Arnold, MO 63010 on February 19th at 4:00 to 5:30 pm for all interested MBE’s (African American). Please respond to estimating@stlbridge.com or fax 636/296-7416. Please email all questions. Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for Professional Engineering Services for Airport Pavement Management Plan Update at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, March 1, 2018 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org, under the On Line Plan Room, or call the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service at 314-622-3535. DBE participation goal is 7.48%.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HOUSING WAIT LIST OPENING

Southside Scattered Sites will accept pre-applications online at www.slha. org for 1 bedroom units only beginning February 21, 2018 at 8:00 A.M. closing February 23, 2018 at 12:00 A.M.

Applicants with disabilities that need assistance in completing an online application or who do not have access to a computer can be accommodated at 3447 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104 or SLHA Corporate Office located at 3520 page from

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 403, Forest Park Garage Stair Towers, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time March 6, 2018. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5015.

VOLUNTARY PRE-BID MEETING: February 21, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Garage 1st Level

BID NOTICE

January 23, 2018

Solicitation for Bids (SFB) for: Large tenant improvement 4 story building 100,000 + Sq. Ft within the city of St. Louis

Bids Wanted

Bid documents can be obtained by emailing abright@dbsi-inc.com Any questions will be answered Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Construction documents can also be obtained by the link below. The bid walk will be 2/6/2018 at 8:00 AM. Bids are due 2/16/2018 at 12:00 PM CT. The anticipated start date of construction will be 2/26/18 and completion by 6/1/18. A majority of the work will be awarded to union preference, although all interested parties will be considered

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/70awtps7axlqpc2/AACVEGWAzonYBjYKxnpSd7rpa?dl=0 DBSI Inc

METROPOLITAN ST.

LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on March 21st, 2018 to contract with a company for: Third Party Claims Administration Services.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: Scottrade Center Capital ImprovementsDemolition.

The improvement plan includes at this time the following project: - Space for future Administrative Offices

A walk thru will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018 between 9am and 11am. We will meet at the 15th Street Entrance.

Bids will be due on February 22, 2018 at 2:00pm

This project must adhere to the City of St. Louis Mayor’s Executive Order #47 requiring the following enterprise participation: 25% MBE business and 5% WBE business participation.

This project must adhere to the City of St. Louis Ordinance 69427 requiring the following Workforce participation: 25% Minority, 5% Women workforce, 15% Apprentice workforce, and 20% City Resident workforce participation.

For any questions or if you would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Ruben Guzman at 636-561-9563 or rmguzman@paric.com. All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@ paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

Plans, Renderings, and RFP’s will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9303 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

3/15/2018 For

and

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on March 13th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Body Shop Repair Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9299 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: PACP Training. The District is proposing single source procurement to White Rock Consultants for this service because White Rock Consultants is the certified NASSCO trainer approved for the St Louis Metro area. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

The America’s Center is seeking seal bids for the construction of a new Coffee Shop. A pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 @ 10:00am. Contractor attendance is mandatory. The meeting location will be at the America’s Center, Washington Avenue main entrance, St. Louis, MO 63101, the bid documents and drawings will be available at that time. Please contact Chuck Bscherer at cbscherer@ explorestlouis.com with questions. The America’s Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking the following; Request for Proposals: Seasonal Conservation Project and Greenway Care, Due February 20, 2018. Job Posting: Applications for Community Engagement Manager, Due March 13, 2018. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/jobs-bids/ for full details.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SEALED BIDS for Spillway Repairs, South Dam, Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia, Missouri, Project No. X171001 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/8/2018 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 601, Replace Chiller Controls, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, until 2:00 p.m. local time Tuesday, March 6, 2018. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5015.

VOLUNTARY

WALKTHROUGH: February 23, 2018, 8:00 a.m. at Meramec Facilities Building

BID REQUEST

E-bids for St. Louis Community College, Invitation for Bid No. B0003691 for Sheet Metal Components will be received until 3:00 p.m. (local time) on March 12, 2018 at ktorrence6@ stlcc.edu, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www. stlcc.edu/purchasing or call (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

CAREER CENTER (CONTINUED)

LOCAL UNION #562 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Plumbers & Pipefitter’s Local Union #562 will be accepting applications for our 2018 Plumbers Apprenticeship Program. You may fill out your application and read our standards between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday starting March 1, 2018 through March 14, 2018. This process will take about one hour. Applications will be available at our Training Center, 1084 Kenran Industrial Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63137. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or a G.E.D to complete an application. A drug-screening test will be required for employment. Random drug and alcohol testing are required thereafter. Please No Phone Calls

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Massman-Alberici, a Joint Venture, is soliciting proposals for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis project for the Merchants Bridge Main Span Replacement, East and West Approach Retrofit, East Approach site work and turnout/ crossover construction as part of the Merchants Bridge Improvements project between St. Louis, MO and Venice, IL. The Letting date is 2/21/18 by 2:00 PM. Please email estimating@massman. net your intent, work scope and subsequent proposal by 2/19/18 by 5:00 PM. DBE Goal is 10%. DBE’s must be MoDOT or IDOT certified. Subcontract/ Supplier work scope includes Bearings, Concrete Demolition, Drilled Shaft Casings, Electrical/ Navigational Lighting, Embankment, Excavation, Hauling, Micropile, Misc. Metals, Precast Wall Panels, Reinforcing Steel/ Rebar, Sheetpile, Structural Steel, Tension Bars, Track & Ballast, and Waterproofing. For all technical questions respond to John Kelley, jkelley@ massman.net, 913-291-2600. Proposals / Quotations please send to the Estimating Department, estimating@massman.net.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on March 9th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Enterprise Content Management & Services Software System.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9296 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

www.stlamerican.com

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Flygt CP-3127 submersible pump. The District is proposing single source procurement to Vandevanter Engineering Co. for this equipment because they are exclusive representative for this area. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com.

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

SEALED BIDS

tation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or

to make any such preference,limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly

estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are

for HVAC Upgrades, Troop CService Center, Park Hills, Missouri, Project No. R1601-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/22/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

or

www.stlamerican.com

BID NOTICE

The Saint Louis Zoo intends to replace our existing poster board menus with digital menu boards in six-eight restaurants throughout Zoo grounds. All monitors must be commercial grade and have a minimum 3-year hardware warranty. Players must be BrightSign HD1023 players. Bid must include costs of monitors, players, mounts, enclosures, any software licensing, and any ancillary equipment needed for equipment to work and cover the needs of running the boards. See the Zoo Website for additional information and Bid Docs. https://www.stlzoo.org/ about/contact/vendoropportunities/

information not yet included on drawings.

A bid meeting will be held at Harris Stowe State University 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63103 on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 5:00pm-7:30pm in the AT&T Library-Telecommunity Rm 108. Bids will be due on March 6, at 12:00 PM.

This project must adhere to the City of St. Louis Ordinance 69427 requiring the following Workforce participation: 25% Minority, 5% Women workforce, 15% Apprentice workforce, and 20% City Resident workforce participation.

Questions should be directed to Terry Turnbeaugh at 636-5619890 or tlturnbeaugh@paric.com

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Swag Snap of the Week

What time is it? Young Leaders time! If it is not yet 5 p.m., then you still have time to get dressed with the intention of serving some corporate cuteness and scoot on down to the Four Seasons for the St. Louis American Foundation’s 8th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Reception and Awards program happening TONIGHT (Thurs., Feb. 15) at 5:30 p.m. Listen, every year I leave full of delicious hors d oeuvres and from the inspiration in the room as young movers and shakers in the region are lifted up for the work they’re doing in every single walk of life. I’ve never not been motivated and had the time of my life. It is a room full of connection opportunities like no other. I’d suggest that you cancel any other plans you might have and get into the glow up we give to the future – and now – of this region. Visit www.stlamerican.com or call (314) 533-8000 for more information.

Nothing but praise for ‘Black Panther.’ All I have to say is WAKANDA FOREVER in my best Nelson Mandela impersonation. I’ve seen the movie twice since the last time we talked – and I got every bit of my life from with each screening. Melanin magic is so overused right now, but that’s the best way to describe it – top to bottom! Was I the only one scouting for Salute to Excellence in Education looks throughout that whole doggone movie because the costuming was so on point? I’m going to go ahead and say no. I seriously have something in mind based on the recurring slayage Danai Gurira’s character was serving. She was giving me so much style envy that if it weren’t for this flat spot that can comfortably rest a whole coffee mug, I’d seriously consider a shadow fade to complete the look I’m thinking of going with. But back to the movie. I’m not doing any spoilers, except to say prepare to be so filled with pride that you might go on Ancestry.com to trace your roots. I might as well break it to you now that unfortunately, you will not have any Wakanda in your blood. Be sure to support “Black Panther” at the box office. This is black movie history in the making, so we want those numbers to be something we can brag about for generations to come. It will be worth whatever you pay, I promise – it is that good. I will be going back to see it again. If you see some rose petals scattered outside of a movie theatre, that was me and my royal entourage. It opens tomorrow (Friday, February 16) at plenty of theatres near you.

Keyon Harrold’s glorious homecoming. Grammy winner and Ferguson native Keyon Harrold’s magical horn made its way back to the Ferring Jazz Bistro Thursday night and I am still getting my life by reminiscing on that show. Listen, I know y’all don’t like jazz, but he is gifted. And you would have gotten life even if your musical tastes don’t stretch outside of Yo Gotti, 21 Savage or Cardi B. He had a trio of St. Louis’ finest musicians who have gone on to do super things. Robert Glasper Experiment drummer Mark Colenberg and Maxwell’s keyboard genius Shedrick Mitchell. They both are also straight outta Ferguson – and lent a hand on their respective instruments and tore the roof off that thang (yes, I said thang). And I also got a chance to chop it up with Keyon’s brother Emanuel Harrold, who took time to pass through STL on his way to Austria as part of Grammy winner Gregory Porter’s band just so he could show his brother some support. But let me get into the show. Keyon performed selections from his latest album “The Mugician.” He also performed “MB Lament,” the haunting ballad he wrote in memory of Michael Brown Folks had nothing but love for Keyon after his powerful set. Am I the only one who feels a shout coming on every time Shedrick gets to riffing with his left hand?

A Farrar Twins fashion show. I was quietly disappointed that the Farrar Twins didn’t rip the runway themselves, but I must say that I wasn’t mad at their first stab at producing a fashion show Friday night at The Marquee. Well maybe I was perturbed that it took so long to start even by urban fashion show standards. Except for one extended break, they kept the show moving. The clothes were cute and well-constructed and it wasn’t fashion overload with designers presenting every garment they’ve made since middle school sewing class. From what I heard, the whole Farrar family was in deep up in the Marquee to encourage them for their first production.

Kicking it with Keri Hilson. Friday night was a double feature for the Marquee thanks to Black Ceasar. After the Farrar fashion show, he brought former failed Beyoncé nemesis Keri Hilson to town for a sip of a concert for the after party. Miss Keri Baby is as gorgeous as ever, but she was serving 1970s streetwalker realness with a fake fur leopard print coat with matching boots, a black catsuit and a wig that looked like it was once owned by a woman named Trixie. The crowd was regular in size, but Keri was thrilled to see that she had some solid fans for her three-song set that sang every word to “Turnin’ Me Off,” “Knocks You Down,” and her “Pretty Girl Rock” finale. I was hoping she would do her verse from Soulja Boy’s “Turn My Swag On” remix, but she didn’t. She was so thrilled by their energy (pun intended) that she didn’t want to leave the stage. They started playing the regular club music and she was still standing up there smiling and waving and carrying on. They really had to snatch her off that stage. I’ll give her that she was really engaged and vibing with the crowd the whole time. She lowkey shaded the DJ for not picking up on her cue, but other than that, the performance excerpt went so well that she publicly asked Ceasar to bring her back for a full-fledged show while hinting she may have new music in the works soon.

Mizan and Cara took time out to make a statement on the dance floor Friday @ The Marquee

Valencia and Courtney were amongst the many that dropped in for the All Black Creatives exhibit “In Living Color” Friday night @ TechArtista for the In Living Color Art exhibit Friday

Sunday Ramon and Amber began their week relaxing with the Lyrical Therapy crew @UrbArts

JT, Brandon and Kevin paid tribute to Wakanda at the preview screening for ‘Black Panther’ Monday night @ AMC Esquire

Potential Poetry Spittas Candi and Cheryl found seats early for the lyrical Therapy set Sunday @UrbArts

Raneshia and Maurice chilled between the fashion show and the party Friday night @ The Marquee

KeeKee, Ashley and Clemesha ripped the Style.Wars runway and waited on Keri to kick off the afterparty Friday @ The Marquee

Kanitra and Samesha were in the mix for the opening reception of the All Black Creatives presentation of ‘In Living Color’ Friday night at TechArtista

Lauren and Malia stepped into the Marquee to see a few STL Fashion Designers showcased during Style.Wars Friday night

Soon after The Farrar Twins showcased some serious fashion with Style.Wars, Black Ceasar and Keri Hilson had the bottles popping in the VIP to kickoff the party at The Marquee Friday night just before she hit the stage.

Photos by V. Lang

Shonda and Shaun came for the fashion, but couldn’t help but stay for the party Friday @ The Marquee

Remembering Pruitt-Igoe

Life in ‘the concrete reservation’

By Rachel Sudduth For The St. Louis American

A site where many blacks from the rural South migrated during the Great Migration turned into what some would say a nightmare. Pruitt-Igoe was fully demolished in 1972. Yet, many wonder was it due for destruction the day it was built?

The former complex named after AfricanAmerican World War II pilot Wendell O. Pruitt and Washington University law school graduate and U.S. Rep. William Igoe began as a Beverly Hills-type apartment. Yet, the lavish building created for the disproportion of poor blacks in the inner cities quickly turned to a 33-room, 11-story housing project with poor heating and water systems and broken elevators.

Pruitt-Igoe came about a few years later in what used to be the Carr Square Village public housing for blacks. According to “Pruitt Igoe (Images of America),” St. Louis had two segregated low-rise public housing projects –Clinton-Peabody for whites and Carr Village Square for blacks.

n “I nicknamed Pruitt-Igoe the concrete reservation, because that’s basically what it was.”

– Ada Taylor

This new housing agenda was part of the New Deal under President Franklin Roosevelt. The initiative was established to create low-cost public housing with the help of the United States Housing Authority (USHA).

After the Great Depression, USHA was created within the Department of the Interior by the Housing Act of 1937 to lend money to individual states for less costly construction of housing.

After watching “The Pruitt-Igoe Myth” (2012), one could interpret that blacks came from the South and migrated to the Midwest with little to no money to be closer to jobs and with a hope of financial success. Slumlords took advantage of low-income families. These families were living in acres and acres of housing with inadequate plumbing, burned down buildings, and increasing crime. Many St. Louisans blamed lead architect Minoru Yamasaki for creating a high-rise

See REMEMBER, D3

The making of mathews-Dickey

Unlikely alliances created St. Louis’ iconic boys’ & girls’ club

By Richard H. Weiss For The St. Louis American

In the wake of so much civic dysfunction, the work of Martin Luther Mathews and Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine shines a light on how to build comity and community.

We are reminded repeatedly – especially in recent years – that we live in a polarized community. Blacks and whites. Police and protestors. Rich and poor. #stlverdict #Ferguson #DelmarDivide.

Many St. Louisans would like to tell the world: “That’s not us.” Except the evidence seems pretty overwhelming that yes, it is us.

But maybe not entirely us. Here’s the story of

missouri historical Society focuses on diversity and inclusion

‘Everyone in this community deserves to have their story preserved and shared’

By Jessica Karins For The St. Louis American

The Missouri Historical Society wants to prove it is more relevant than ever to St. Louis’ diverse population, and during Black History Month, African-American St. Louisans will have an opportunity to see more of the society’s new mission.

Leigh Walters is the assistant director of communications at the Missouri Historical Society (MHS). She said MHS began the rebranding process several years ago with a renewed focus on in-house, locally-focused

See MHS, D3

Photo by Rachel Sudduth

Ada Taylor, founder and owner of Deer Valley Home Health Services and Ol’Henry Restaurant in Berkeley, Missouri, grew up in the Pruitt-Igoe housing project.

a couple of gentlemen, who are also us. Their story, which is also our story, began in 1960 and continues to this day. The fruits of their labors were on display at the Fox Theatre just last August.

It was a benefit for the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. There you could find

See MATHEWS, D4

The American Alliance of Museums chose this image of students visiting the Missouri History Museum to announce it as the first museum to receive the alliance’s new Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion award.

Martin Luther Mathews (center) with Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed (left) and Reed’s aide Tom Shepard (right) at the MathewsDickey gala at the Fox Theatre.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Photo courtesy of Mathews-Dickey archives

In 1982, Ronald Reagan visited the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club and bestowed the Presidential Citizen’s Medal on Martin Mathews and Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine.

Rachel Sudduth

REMEMBER

Continued from A7

breeding ground for crime and isolation.

Pruitt-Igoe was fully funded under the Housing Act of 1949, but this act also insured that Caucasians were able to move to suburban areas with subdivisions, stating that African Americans would not be able to buy homes or even have homes resold to blacks. Even the towers of PruittIgoe were segregated for some time, with blacks living in Pruitt and whites living in Igoe. The effects of this Housing Act still show St. Louis as statistically racially segregated in specific neighborhoods and communities.

Delmar Boulevard is the line that divides a St. Louis by race and perspective, dividing North St. Louis and South St. Louis. In the blocks to the immediate south: Tudor homes, wine bars, a racquet club, a furniture store selling sofas for $6,000. The

neighborhood, according to U.S. Census data, is 70 percent white. In the blocks to the immediate north: knocked-over street signs, collapsing houses, fluttering trash, tree-bare streets with weeds blooming from the sidewalk. The neighborhood is 99 percent black. A question that researchers, engineers, and architects alike still wonder is: Could the same man who designed the original World Trade Center know the needs to turn around the slums of St. Louis for a better tomorrow?

Ada Taylor, founder and owner of Deer Valley Home Health Services and Ol’Henry Restaurant in Berkeley, Missouri, grew up in the PruittIgoe housing project. “I nicknamed Pruitt-Igoe the concrete reservation,” Taylor said, “because that’s basically what it was.” Broken elevators, non-heated apartments, and little leisure activities led to a crime-ridden housing facility. She recalled when a 13-year-old boy nicknamed “Bo-Diddley” was crushed in one of the sketchy

elevators.

“Someone pushed the button,” she said. “It was temporary – sometimes it

exhibits.

“We’ve been evolving over time, and more local-focused exhibits have led us to really change who we are over the past few years,” Walters said. “We are no longer the same institution.”

In addition, MHS signed an agreement with the city to take over operations of the Soldiers’ Memorial Military Museum, which is devoted to military history from World War I onward. Walters said it no longer made sense to do business with the public as the Missouri History Museum; they wanted to make sure each location had its own brand identity under the umbrella of the Missouri Historical Society.

The new branding of the MHS focused on the interconnectedness of its three branches: the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers’ Memorial and the Library and Research Center. Each has its own jeweltoned logo, and they share a new motto: “Find Yourself Here.”

Walters said the new tagline immediately clicked as a representation of MHS’ mission.

“It spoke to not only a call to action to ask people to come in and be here, but also that we strive to collect, preserve and share the stories of everyone who calls the St. Louis community home, and that includes underrepresented groups,” Walters said. For the majority of its long history, Walters said, MHS focused on “white, male, heterosexual history.” Beginning several decades ago,

they began making an effort to change that.

For example, Walters said, an exhibit on the Louisiana Purchase included the story of a woman of color who was a business owner in New Orleans when it was a territory of Spain. When the region became a territory of the United States instead, she could no longer legally own property.

In addition to including those stories in all their exhibits, the museum has created exhibits focusing on the unique histories of underrepresented groups. Its “#1 in Civil Rights” exhibit, currently on display, focuses on the long fight against racism in St. Louis.

Shakia Gullette, the manager of Local History Initiatives at the museum, focuses on creating programming about and for the African-American community. She said the museum is focused on creating

would work, sometimes it wouldn’t – but he was crushed.” Their home in Pruitt-Igoe

programming that will make everyone feel welcome.

“For me, coming in and doing community programming, it brings joy to me,” said Gullette. “I love our new tagline. I believe that through using ‘Find Yourself Here,’ every single person in the city will be able to come in and see themselves and identify.”

In May 2017, the Missouri History Museum became the first museum to receive the new Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) award from the American Alliance of Museums, the accrediting body for all museums. Walters also emphasized that the Library and Research Center is more accessible than it might sound. Anyone is welcome to use the center’s collections to research St. Louis history; many people use it to research the history of their

was burglarized. “That’s what made my mother really hate the projects, the fact that anything could happen to you there,” Taylor said.

In “The Pruitt Igoe Myth,” former occupants also described the stipulations that were enforced to live in these housing projects. Housing priority was given to singleparent families. The rule said no able-bodied man could be living in a house with a woman receiving welfare benefits for her children, and there were routine checks to ensure this rule was followed or these families on welfare would lose their benefits.

“There was even a night staff of men whose job was to go to the homes of the welfare recipients, and they searched to find if there was a man in the home,” sociologist Joyce Ladner said in “The Pruitt-Igoe Myth.”

Strict rules were established while living in subsidized housing, along with continuous rent increases. In February 1969, St. Louis public housing residents went on a rent strike

family or the house they live in. The center routinely hosts workshops on genealogical research, including some specifically for AfricanAmericans.

MHS is also trying to reach more young people, including through their ACTivist program. The theatre-based program sends actors to area schools to portray the roles of civil rights icons. Walkers said the ACTivist visits are a good alternative for schools that may not have the budget for field trips.

Gullette said MHS also wants to hear from members of the community about what they want to see from their programming, and she has so far seen a robust response.

“There is a hunger for the type of history that we have been producing recently,” Gullette said.

During the month of

and handed demands to thenSt. Louis Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes. The tenant strike helped spark the passage of The Brooke Amendment in 1969, which established the rent threshold of 25 percent of family income.

Taylor’s mother was not immune to rent increases pegged to income.

“Anytime she would get a raise, the rent would raise too,” Taylor said. So, how far has St. Louis come since Pruitt-Igoe was torn down almost half a century ago?

Many success stories came out of Pruitt-Igoe, including Ada Taylor and Jimmie Edwards, longtime judge and now director of Public Safety for St. Louis. Taylor hosts a weekly Bible study for her employees because she says she knows how stressful work can be.

“We have Bible study,” said Taylor, “so if you don’t get a chance to go to church, you should have had some Jesus this week.”

February, Black History Month, the museum is hosting several related events, from “Black Masculinity and the Black Speculative Arts Movement” on February 1 to “Free Your Mind: The Psychological Dismantling of Oppression” on February 27. Community members can also join discussion groups on the history of protest, join a women’s book club focused on race relations or see a musical about Dred Scott. For a full schedule of events, visit mohistory.org.

“If you only collect and share and preserve the history of one group, it’s not good history,” Walters said. “This community deserves to know everyone’s story, and everyone in this community deserves to have their story preserved and shared.”

Photo by Rachel Sudduth

Ada Taylor

MHS

people of every hue celebrating the achievements of Martin Luther Mathews and the late Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine.

In the audience were people who had marched in the streets in the wake of Ferguson and would be marching again weeks later when the Stockley verdict arrived. But there too were members of establishment, Republicans, and, most likely, Trump voters, too.

They were all dressed to the nines and most had forked over $100 and more to attend. But this gala was different from many soirees where folks show up to see and be seen. For many it was a celebration of the work they had done all that year to mentor children, sponsor an event, or promote Mathews-Dickey to others in their communities. It was a gathering also for M-D alumni, many who are now doctors, lawyers, engineers, public servants and, notably people in the helping professions, teachers, professors, social workers and coaches.

What started in 1960 with two baseball coaches – Mr. Mathews and Mr. Dickey (as the kids called them) –meeting under a shade tree in Handy Park continues today in the shadow of all our civic dysfunction. What did these two do that was so right in the midst of so much going on that was so wrong?

Two years ago, the Mathews-Dickey board asked me to write a history of the club and that was question that I tried to address. It culminated in publication of a book last month. The short answer is that Mr. Mathews and Mr. Dickey – to borrow a well-worn baseball cliché – kept their eyes on the ball. They built the club around baseball, then football, basketball, and swimming. Their teams were wildly successful and turned out

several athletes who would become All Americans in college and compete in the Olympics and in the professional ranks. But as Mr. Mathews would readily confess, he used sports as bait, a way of engaging young people in learning teamwork and discipline that they could carry over to the classroom and on to college and careers.

Mr. Dickey and Mr. Mathews came from very different places and had different sensibilities.

Mr. Mathews has voted for Ronald Reagan, but also Barack Obama. Though he grew up in a segregated community in southeast Missouri, he remembers kindnesses bestowed on his family by white people. You would never find Mr. Mathews at a protest. He respected protest, and most especially Martin Luther King Jr., but left that to others while he focused on his young men (and, later, girls).

Mr. Dickey was far more

(Above) Scene from an early Mathews-Dickey banquet in the mid-1960s.

(Left) Martin Mathews and Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine in 1963. By then they were fielding seventy-five teams.

How to buy the book

“I Trust You With My Life,” the story of Martin Luther Mathews and the many lives he transformed with co-founder Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine at the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, can be purchased at itrustyouwithmylife. com for $30. The book features a foreword by Tony La Russa and the website includes videos, photos and other biographical material.

and growing the club. Mr. Dickey wanted the club to remain rooted, operated and supported in the AfricanAmerican community through barbecues, bake sales, and banquets. Mr. Mathews sought support from everyone across the region, which started when he made a cold call to Al Fleishman, a founder of the FleishmanHillard public relations firm, after listening to him one day on KMOX radio.

outspoken and race-conscious. Mr. Dickey, 14 years older, also grew up in small town, Sardis, Mississippi, and moved to St. Louis with his family as a teenager. Mr. Dickey took great pride in his heritage. He became a Muslim and taught himself Arabic. He named his ball teams after African tribes.

The former St. Louis aldermen and current businessmen, Michael and Steve Roberts, remember playing on a team called the Watusis.

When Mr. Dickey and Mr. Mathews did not see eye to eye it had to do with fundraising

Fleishman and many other business and civic leaders helped raise the $3 million necessary to build a campus at Kingshighway, just south of Interstate 70, where the club could offer more programs and services for both boys and girls.

The club’s image and reputation grew in large part because Mr. Mathews and Mr. Dickey were known to be absolutely selfless and focused on the kids. Both men had taken out second mortgages on their homes to support the club.

In 1982, President Reagan would visit the club bringing national recognition and support to Mathews-Dickey.

For many, Reagan’s appearance at the club seemed incongruent.

To that point, Reagan’s relationship with African

Americans had been rocky. But in the context of helping kids, Mr. Mathews, Mr. Dickey and President Reagan could present a united front. Mr. Dickey died in 2000, but Mr. Mathews continued on in the same way, building coalitions with civic leaders of all kinds. And, as a result, he began to enjoy what people have come to call privilege, but it was kind that is earned, not simply inherited. He used that privilege to find scholarships and jobs for his kids. He used it to support Jackie Joyner-Kersee and to help her build a board as she set up her own foundation and established a boys’ and girls’ club in East St. Louis. And he extended his support to Donald Danforth III, scion of the Danforth family, who as improbable as it might seem, really needed Mr. Mathews’ help. The Mathews-Dickey club served as an incubator for City Academy in the late 1990s, providing Danforth with the educational tools and the time to raise money for a brick-andmortar state-of-the-art school building that opened in 2004 right next door to the club. The work of Mr. Mathews and Mr. Dickey doesn’t replace the need for social justice and reform. It is neither a parable about bootstrapping, nor a reproach to protesters. But their work does shine a light on what can be accomplished when people keep their eyes on the ball, bestowing their knowledge, their hard work, their generosity and their love on our children. This is us, when we are at our best.

Richard H. Weiss is a former Post-Dispatch reporter, editor and writing coach. This story is adapted from a book he wrote for the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls Club, “I Trust You With My Life,” the story of Martin Luther Mathews and the many lives he transformed with cofounder Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine at the MathewsDickey Boys’& Girls’ Club. Find more information about the book at itrustyouwithmylife. com.

Photo courtesy of Mathews-Dickey archives

Father knew best

By Jessica Karins For The

St. Louis American

Steven N. Cousins, a Financial and Real Estate Services partner at Armstrong Teasdale, was honored by The Missouri Bar Foundation with its 2017 Martin J. Purcell award. The award acknowledges outstanding professionalism in a Missouri lawyer who has consistently demonstrated an exceptional degree of competency, integrity and civility in both professional and civic activities. Purcell was president of The Missouri Bar in 1968-69.

Though Cousins counts many colleagues at Armstrong Teasdale – where he was the firm’s first African-American lawyer, its first AfricanAmerican partner, and its first African American to serve on the Executive Committee – as

mentors, his most formative teacher was not an attorney. He was an exterminator. His father, Frank Cousins, rose from poverty to become a successful businessman.

“My father went to college for a few years, went to Stowe College, and then dropped out and went to the service,” Steven Cousins said. “He was sort of the star of the family, and when he decided to go into the service and not complete his education, he was sort of frowned upon, because he wasn’t a high performer, but he always had confidence and knew exactly who he was.”

Though Frank Cousins had role models and family members who were successful in business, he chose to join the military instead of following that path. When he left the service, he took on three jobs to support his family.

He worked at a hospital, as a painter and, most notably, as a jazz musician who played the saxophone with Chuck Berry.

During this time, Frank Cousins and his wife had four children, and Frank found that working three jobs was not enough to lift his family out of poverty. He came up with a new plan: to found his own company.

“So imagine having four kids, quitting three jobs, and

saying, ‘I’ve got an idea,’ which is ‘I’m going to create a pest control company,’” Steven Cousins said. “Which drove my mother nuts. She said, ‘Are you crazy? We’ve got kids to support.’ But he had confidence in his ability. He was gonna read up on the area and focus, and that’s what he did.”

Frank’s company, Allied Exterminators, ultimately was successful. Its clients ranged, Steven Cousins said, from lowincome people and residential buildings to high-income customers and commercial buildings.

When Frank remarried after the death of his first wife, they were able to move to St. Louis County and send their four children, Steven Cousins’ younger half-siblings, to private schools. But Frank never forgot where he came from.

“For a lot of poor people who couldn’t afford to get rid

Black history in the South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 7, 2018)

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Tameka Seymore, from St. Louis, speaks to sailors during an African American/ Black History Month celebration on the mess decks of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled patrol and provides a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster.

of pests, insects, he’d work free,” Steven Cousins said. “Just to sort of make their world better, he did that all the time. So a lot of people who have become prosperous, sort of pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, they have in their background poverty. So a lot of them know my father and know his company, Allied Exterminators, because he did work for free. And didn’t brag about it, just did it.”

Steven Cousins credits his father as one of the biggest influences on his life and his best career advisor. It was his father who encouraged Steven to pursue the new field of bankruptcy law a few years after the bankruptcy code was released in 1978. At the time, Cousins thought he would take the traditional path to success for associates at the firm, working in tax law. His father asked him three questions when asked for guidance.

“Well, Steve, how many people are in the tax department?”

“Five.”

“Well, how many people will be in the bankruptcy department?”

“Me.”

“Who’s the president?”

“Reagan.”

“Well, there goes the inventory,” Frank Cousins said.

“By the time he gets through screwing up the economy, you’ll have a lot of work to do.”

“And it was true,” his son recalled many years later. “He screwed up the economy.”

This anecdote portrays Frank Cousins’ style of offering advice.

“He always had confidence in his ability, and he was a straight talker, straight shooter, a very smart man who would, in a very unvarnished way, tell you exactly what he thought about you – including his customers, sometimes, if he didn’t agree with them,” Steven Cousins said.

“When I usually walk into a place these days and tell them my father’s Frank Cousins, if it’s poor black folks, including some civil rights leaders who knew my father or whose fathers and mothers knew my father, I say ‘If I’m half the man that my father was, I’ll be a great man.’” They say, “No, no. If you were anything like your dad you’d be a great man.”

Legal pioneer Steven Cousins looked to his dad Frank Cousins, an exterminator, for guidance.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom)

2018 Black History MontH celeBrations

Thurs., Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m., Special Story Time: Move and Groove , stories, songs and other fun activities as we highlight African American authors and illustrators. Adult must accompany child. Ages 3-6. St. Louis County Library - Oak Bend Branch, 842 S. Holmes Ave. St. Louis, MO 63122. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Thurs., Feb. 15, 11 a.m. & Fri., Feb. 16, 6 p.m., Saint Louis Art Museum presents Nichole N. Bridges, associate curator of African art to discuss “Curator’s Choice: African Art on View,” Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. For more information, visit www. slam.org.

Thurs., Feb. 15, 2 p.m., Book Journeys: “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult, St. Louis County Library – Indian Trails Branch St. Louis Public Library 8400 Delport Dr. St. Louis, MO 63114. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., West African Drumming Presented by SpecDrum, Natural Bridge Branch St. Louis Public Library 7606 Natural Bridge Rd. St. Louis, MO 63121. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., Movie Night: “Loving” (2016), St. Louis County Library -Grant’s View Branch 9700 Musick Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., American Girl Book Club: “Meet Addy” by Connie Porter, All participants will receive a special voucher to the American Girl store. Ages 8-12. Registration required. St. Louis County Library –Bridgeton Trails Branch, 3455 McKelvey Rd. Bridgeton, MO 63044. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Sun., Feb. 18, 1:15 p.m. & 3:10 p.m., The St. Louis Public Library will celebrate Black History Month with featured speaker Rev. Jesse Jackson, Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. Each engagement is free and open to the public, but reservations are required at https:// www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/3201803. Tickets should be presented at the door in paper or electronic form.

Sun., Feb. 18, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. doors), Community Women Against Hardship’s Black History Month Celebration featuring legendary pianist Johnny O’Neal, Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. All proceeds benefit their Health and Wellness Programming. All tickets available via the Jazz St. Louis Box Office, 3536 Washington or by calling (314) 571-6000.

Tues., Feb. 20, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage. Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of the American Dream until Roy is sentenced to twelve years in prison. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 Lindbergh. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Wed., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., African Americans of the Bellefontaine Cemetery,Dan Fuller of the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery will present the ways that African Americans of St. Louis are connected with the cemetery. St. Louis County Library – Natural Bridge Branch, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

February 23, 10 a.m. Lap Time, Stories, songs and play time to help develop early literacy skills. Ordinary objects created by extraordinary

African American inventors will be featured each week. St. Louis County Library –Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd. St. Ann, MO 63074.

Sat., Feb. 24, 2 p.m., The Saint Louis Art Museum will screen “The Black Power Mixtape, 1967-1975” as part of its Black History Month programming, Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. Tickets available in person or at metrotix.com.

Arts Invitational & Juried Exhibition, the exhibition features the work of invited African-American and juried artists from across the country. St. Louis Artists’ Guild, 12 North Jackson Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www. stlouisartistsguild.org.

Thursdays in February, Missouri Humanities Council presents A View of African American History and Culture. Henry Givens Jr. Admin Building, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. mohumanities.org/educationprograms.

Through February 28, Exploration Center: African American Inventors, drop in to the children’s room each week to learn about a different inventor who changed history with their ideas and complete hands on activities. St. Louis County Library – Indian Trails Branch. 8400 Delport Dr. St. Louis, MO 63114. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Feb. 23 – 25, JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre presents The Meeting Stage Play. A depiction of the supposed meeting of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they debate social problems. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Feb. 24 – 25, 2 p.m., “I, Dred Scott, A Musical. The story of Dred and Harriet Scott and their two daughters’ fight for freedom. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Through February 25, Metro Theater Company and Jazz St. Louis present Bud, Not Buddy. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metroplays.org.

Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., The Saint Louis Art Museum will screen “I Am Not Your Negro” as part of its Black History Month programming, Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. Tickets available in person or at metrotix.com.

Through February 28, Portfolio Gallery’s presentation of All Colors Visual

Through February 28, Freedom Quilt, Celebrate Black History Month by adding your own square to the freedom quilt. St. Louis County Library – Jamestown Bluffs Branch, 4153 N. Highway 67 Florissant, MO 63034. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Through February 28, Black History Scavenger Hunt, stop by the teen area each week to complete various scavenger hunts and other activities. Turn in your completed scavenger hunt to the front desk to receive a prize. For ages 12-17. St. Louis County Library –Jamestown Bluffs Branch, 4153 N. Highway 67 Florissant, MO 63034 For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Through February 28, Freedom Quilt, St. Louis County Library – Oak Bend Branch, 842 S. Holmes Ave. St. Louis, MO 63122. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

Through February 28, African American Author & Illustrator Scavenger Hunt, Celebrate Black History Month with a scavenger hunt for famous black authors and illustrators. St. Louis County Library – Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011. For more information, visit www.slcl.org or call (314) 994-3300.

On Sunday, February 18, The St. Louis Public Library will celebrate Black History Month with featured speaker the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who will deliver two talks at Christ Church Cathedral.

Simeon Booker, trailblazing civil rights journalist, passes at 99

Covered Emmett Till, school integration, Freedom Riders for ‘Jet’

HazelTriceEdneyWire

Trailblazing civil rights

journalist Simeon Booker died December 10, 2017 at the age of 99. Booker’s more than halfcentury of civil rights reporting – most notably, the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi –helped propel the civil rights struggle onto the front pages of newspapers across the country that had long ignored the oppression of Black Americans. Previously, he had been the first full-time black reporter at the Washington Post Simeon Saunders Booker Jr. was born on August 27, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland to Roberta Waring and Simeon Saunders Booker Sr., a YMCA director and minister. After his family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, Booker became interested in journalism through a family friend, Carl Murphy, the owner and operator of Baltimore’s The Afro American Newspapers In 1942, after receiving his B.A. degree in English from Virginia Union University in Richmond, Booker took a job at The Afro American Newspapers as a young reporter. In 1945, he moved back to Ohio to work for the Call and Post Five years later, Booker was the recipient of the Nieman Fellowship from Harvard University to study journalism and develop his talent as a reporter. After leaving Harvard in 1951, Booker became the first full-time black reporter at

Trailblazing civil rights journalist Simeon Booker died December 10, 2017 at the age of 99.

The Washington Post In 1954, Booker was hired by the Johnson Publishing Company to report on current events in its weekly digest, Jet. In 1955, Booker helped to redefine the role of Jet and the entire Civil Rights Movement with his famous coverage of the Emmett Till murder and trial, turning an all-too-familiar event in the Deep South into a national tragedy that united the black community. Booker remained on the dangerous front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, reporting on the 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 1961, Booker rode with the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) Freedom Riders through the Deep South. When the buses were fire bombed in Anniston, Alabama, Booker arranged the Freedom Riders’ evacuation with U.S. Attorney General Robert F.

Kennedy. Continuing his work of in-depth reporting, Booker toured Vietnam and interviewed General Westmoreland for Jet in the mid-1960s.

In 1964, Booker outlined the importance of the ongoing Civil Rights Movement in his book, Black Man’s America. Booker covered every presidential election since the Eisenhower Administration in his 53 years with Johnson Publishing until he retired in 2007.

Among his journalistic holdings, Booker has also authored four books.

In 1982, Booker received one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award. Booker was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association, The Black Press of America, in 2007. The National Association of Black Journalists’ inducted Booker into its Hall of Fame in 2013. He also received a career George Polk Award for lifetime achievements in journalism and the top award among journalists upon the 70th Anniversary of the Capital Press Club, proclaiming him “Dean of Black Journalists, Iconic Trailblazer for Justice in America.”

He is survived by his wife, Carol, and four children, Theodore Booker, Simeon Booker III, James Booker, and Theresa Booker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Simeon Booker Scholarship at Youngstown State University. All gifts designated for this minority scholarship are matched by the Youngstown State U Foundation, to which checks should be payable, at 655 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502.

Source: TheHistoryMakers. org. August 27, 1918 – December 10, 2017

BLACK HISTORY

HOW THEIR LIFE CHANGED YOURS

Dr.Vivien Theodore Thomas

Dr. Vivien Theodore Thomas was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, on August 29th, 1910. Thomas, born the grandson of a slave, pursued a college education in his early life. His academic plans were put on hold due to The Great Depression and having a wife and two kids to support. In 1930,Thomas landed a job as a surgical research technician at Vanderbilt University working with Dr. Alfred Blalock. From his first day, it was apparent that Thomas was gifted. Within weeks, he was performing surgery on his own. His title and pay remained that of “janitor” even though Thomas was already doing postdoctoral research work by the mid 1930s. They continued their research on the heart together at Johns Hopkins after Blalock took the position of chief of surgery, insisting that Thomas join him. Thomas faced great adversity from racism at Johns Hopkins. The only black employee there that was not a janitor, he began to dress down from his lab coat to draw less attention to himself. Blalock was not innocent in benefitting from the segregated institution, gaining great acclaim off of Thomas’ hard work in the lab. By 1943, Thomas had practiced performing cardiac surgery replicating correcting the symptoms of bluebabysyndrome100s of times. Thomas convinced Blalock to perform the surgery on human infants to save lives. He even stood on a stool over Blalock’s shoulder, guiding him every step of the way in the operating room. Blalock never publicly acknowledged Thomas’ contributions. Thomas went on to train many successful surgeons at Johns Hopkins for years to come. It was not until 1976 that Johns Hopkins would acknowledge Dr. Vivien Theodore Thomas with an honorary doctorate degree.

The work of Dr. Vivien Theodore Thomas forever changed the face of medicine. Not only did he defy medical taboo in terms of race, it was considered taboo to perform surgery on the heart by the medical community before his work. His life saved lives despite little recognition during his own. Thomas’ courage and willingness to try life-saving procedures still saves countless children’s lives today.