February 1st, 2024 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Michael Neidorff honored posthumously

By Chris King For The St. Louis American

When Michael F. Neidorff, the longtime chief executive officer of Centene Corporation, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at age 79, his passing was reported as national news by Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying body for the health insurance industry, told Forbes that Neidorff was among the first health insurance executives to address patients in “under-represented and underserved communities.”

Forbes reported that Neidorff, who joined Centene as CEO in 1996, grew the company from a $40 million regional business into “a national healthcare giant with revenues that

See NEIDORFF, A6

Michael Neidorff, who joined Centene as CEO in 1996, grew the company from a $40 million regional business into a national healthcare giant with revenues that eclipsed $126 billion in 2021.

‘Literacy for the Lou’ a new chapter in education

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

“Literacy for the Lou,” St. Louis Public Schools’ citywide, effort to increase and improve literacy among St. Louis’ children, turned its first pages with a pair of events last week. During a Jan. 25, 2024, press conference at Mullanphy Elementary School, SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett called ‘Literacy for the

Lou’ “an all hands-on-deck mobilization of our entire city,” in a release.

“We plan to get children reading, family and friends coaching, and the entire community asking the question: “What book are you reading right now?”

Scarlett says on the SLPS website that students should get used to being asked what they are reading or writing.

“If they know the question is coming, they will want to have an answer,”

she said. According to SLPS, students and families will be assisted in building their own home libraries with several books being sent home to keep each school year for younger readers. Coaching will also be provided to families on how to teach through the ‘science of reading’ and help young readers learn and improve.

Bush calls spending allegations ‘baseless’

By Jason Rosenbaum St. Louis Public Radio

Missouri congresswoman Cori Bush confirmed Tuesday that the Department of Justice is investigating her campaign spending on security.

Bush said she’s done nothing wrong and added that she’s cooperating fully with the investigation.

On Monday, while the U.S. House was in session, the clerk read a message that the sergeant of arms received a grand jury subpoena for documents from the U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, D.C.-based Punchbowl News reported on Monday the subpoena was related to a Democratic member possibly misusing congressional allowance funds for security

Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman reported on Tuesday that the Democratic lawmaker was Bush, who represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Bush said in a statement Tuesday that “the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign’s spending on security services.”

Bush pushed back against Punchbowl News’ report that the investigation was related to misuse of a congressional allowance.

“Since before I was sworn into the office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and my life,” Bush said. “As a rank-and-file member of Congress, I am not entitled to personal

See BUSH, A6

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Harris-Stowe State University’s Presidential Lecture Series has brought an array of talented leaders and entertainers to the HCBU campus, and the January 25, 2024 session lived up to its high standard. The movie, “Kemba,” a chronicle of the journey of Kemba Smith, a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, was screened. It was followed by a Q&A session moderated by Award-winning journalist and reporter, Carol Daniels.

Asked by Daniels how it felt to relive her experience on the widescreen, Smith answered honestly.

“It tugs at my heart strings…the script was difficult for me to go through,” she said.

“But I got to be a part of the whole (moviemaking) process. It’s been surreal

See SMITH, A7

The St. Mary’s Dragons entered the week with a 20-1 record. After a 15-13 campaign last season, the Dragons have responded with their first 20-victory season since 2018.

Photo courtesy of Michael Neidorff Family

Cori Bush

Zara Daugherty, 7, (left) author of Broken Promises and Ava Johnson, 8, author of “But What Can You Do?” got to showcase their books at the Literacy for the Lou education fair at the Central Library downtown Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.

Salute to Business

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion feud in full blast

The seemingly never-ending saga of the Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion feud went into full drive this weekend.

The feud began when Megan collaborated with Minaj rival Cardi B. Megan’s latest record released last Friday ‘Hiss’ where she raps the now infamous line, “These h*es don’t be mad at Megan, these ho*es mad at Megan’s Law.”

Megan’s Law requires law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders.

Referencing that law alone without mentioning a name the entire record, or to the press, nevertheless hit home for boisterous Minaj. Minaj is married to Kenneth Petty, who has a 1995 conviction for attempted rape and a

recent probation violation for failing to register as a sex offender in California in 2020.

Minaj then launched a four-day tirade in which she touched on Megan’s height, alleged promiscuity, lying about getting plastic surgery repeatedly. She labeled her a ‘gun fragment b*tch” and rapped about Megan’s deceased mother.

Chrisean Rock honors the problematic rapper with a large face tattoo of Blueface

There is a saying, “You can talk until you are blue in the face.” Chrisean Rock has taken it to a new level.

A few months after rapper Rock Blueface of being a pedophile, she honored him with a large tattoo of his face on her face.

After their split, he proposed to another woman. He was later arrested and still is incarcerated. So understandably, now was a time as good as any to post a video of the face tattoo process to her social media accounts saying, “#freeblueface free my Daddy I love you Papa.”

Garrett Morris to be honored for historic career

Garrett Morris, a member of the original Saturday Night Live cast that first performed on Oct. 11, 1975, will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday Feb. 1, 2024.

The comedy legend, who is also a talented singer and writer, recently starred in the CBS sitcom “Two Broke Girls.”

The celebration will include Tichina Arnold and the date also falls on Morris’ 87th birthday.

who is based in Shanghai, China, made an initial will leaving her money and property to her three children. However, since then, the woman fell ill and changed her mind. The outlet adds that her children did not visit her or care for her during her sickness. Additionally, they rarely contacted her.

The woman has reportedly explained that only “her pet cats and dogs are there for her.” Therefore, the woman has revised her will and insists that her $2.8 million fortune be used to care for her pets and their offspring after she passes.

The New Orleans-bred actor’s career began on stage singing with the Harry Belafonte Singers after he trained at the Julliard School of Music. A decade later, he pivoted into acting, where he appeared in both Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals , including “Porgy and Bess,” “Show Boat,” and “Finian’s Rainbow,” among others.

Woman leaves millions to her pets

A woman with the surname Liu,

The outlet reports that a local veterinary clinic has been appointed as the administrator of Liu’s fortune. Furthermore, the clinic will be responsible for caring for the woman’s pets.

The South China Morning Post reports that Liu has been informed of the risks of leaving her money to a clinic. At this time, it remains unclear whether the woman is keeping the alternative option in mind.

The Shade Room, Economic Times, BET

Nicki Minaj

“They know that they have thrown

- Fedrick Ingram of

the American Federation of Teachers on Florida’s Black history assault

Harris-Stowe swiftly acts on accreditation matters

It still creates ‘excellent, qualified teachers’

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

While Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has lost its national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), it has reapplied and “is diligently working with CAEP to develop a comprehensive schedule for a site review to ensure the University’s success in meeting CAEP standards,” according to a statement from the HBCU.

The statement said the university maintains accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the College of Education “continues to be recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).”

“Students currently enrolled in the College of Education at Harris-Stowe can rest assured that they will graduate from a program and institution with accredited status,” the statement reads.

Dr. Dimitri Horner, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and chief academic officer, told the St. Louis American on Wednesday “it’s important to focus on the fact that HarrisStowe is still accredited.”

“We are looking at this as an opportunity to ensure that we can continue to produce excellent, qualified teachers.’

She said she realizes that “people see a story and view it

through one lens.’

“Think of all the positive things we are doing at HarrisStowe. We realize that we have students who might not otherwise be able to attend college. We provide holistic support for all students.”

INROADS College Links announced last week at Harris-Stowe that its expanding its presence and impact to St. Louis. The program empowers high school students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students gain professional and soft skill tools, goal setting and planning skills, and access to career immersion activities.

Harris-Stowe has been recognized as leader in STEM education among Missouri universities and nationally among HBCUs.

HSSU responds rapidly

HSSU began its CAEP accreditation reapplication last fall. CAEP is specifically dedicated to accrediting teacher education programs at U.S. colleges and universities.

HSSU said its College of Education affiliation with CAEP is voluntary and carries a fee of $3,155 annually. Of 56 Missouri colleges and universities with teacher education programs, 11 hold CAEP accreditation.

Harris-Stowe is also awaiting a Missouri Board of Education

Harris-Stowe State University announced this week that it has reapplied for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), saying in a release “Students currently enrolled in the College of Education can rest assured that they will graduate from a program and institution with accredited status.”

decision as to whether the university meets state standards for training new teachers. In November 2023, HSSU became the state’s only program – out of 43 in Missouri - to receive a letter of noncompliance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In a release following the November notification, HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith said “The university swiftly devised a proactive plan, underscoring its unwavering commitment to promptly identify, address, and prevent future instances of non-compliance.”

“This strategic initiative reflects the institution’s dedication to upholding the highest standards in educator preparation. A series of strategic measures have been implemented since the last evaluation,” Collins Smith said.

“These encompass the establishment of robust policies and procedures, timely audit submissions, mandatory training and professional development, key administrative appointments, infrastructure enhancements, comprehensive program reviews, and dedicated resource allocation in alignment with the overarch-

ing strategic plan.”

The Higher Learning Commission completed its 2016 to 2021 review of the university last spring and informed Harris-Stowe that it was placing the university “on notice” because of a delayed 2021 financial audit and unclear metrics for student academic performance outcomes and graduation rates. Collins Smith said she is confident with new strategies in place that the university will be removed from the “on notice” status following its next review.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Guest Editorial

We must take learning seriously

By Aswad Walker

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, while a Republican presidential candidate, said some of the dumbest “stuff” in the history of this country – which is really saying something.

He pushed the poisonous position that the enslavement of African people, one of, if not the most brutal crimes against humanity ever, wasn’t so bad. His reasoning? Because slavery taught the enslaved much-needed skills that they later used to become successful Americans.

Another presidential hopeful, Nimarata Randhawa, or as she prefers to be called, Nikki Haley, has recently reiterated what she and other blissfully ignorant people (or purposefully dishonest thugs) have pushed over the years – that slavery had little or nothing to do with the Civil War.

When you add the potential damage these two asinine positions can have on the intellectual, civic, and humanitarian capacities of today’s adult citizenry and their children (i.e. tomorrow’s leaders) with the all-out attack on Black history, Black social commentary, Black research, Black authors, etc., there’s an all-out call for us to take action.

capture African human beings willy-nilly, and then transport them over to the islands and the US, and then teach them skills. That is the absolute ass-backward telling of history.

It has been highly documented, verified, and proven that those enslavers targeted specific African nations for their specific knowledge and skillsets – knowledge and skillsets that the colonizers sorely lacked. Certain African nations from what is modern-day Cameroon were experts at iron smelting. Several African communities were prodigious rice growers and were preferred by enslavers in South Carolina who ended up “producing” America’s first edible cash crop. Other African folk were experts at husbandry and thus possessed the ability to herd cattle, tame wild horses, raise hogs, etc.

We who care about our community can’t stand idly by. Way, way back in the day, “keepin’ it real’ or ‘keepin’ it Black’ meant keeping it educated, keeping it committed to the betterment of our people, keeping it respectful – not respectful as in acting in ways white society would see us as human and stop mistreating us as if we were animals, but rather honoring our family names, our ancestors, etc. by being the best version of Blackness we could possibly be. And foundational to that effort was taking education and learning seriously.

Our story and our storytellers throughout the centuries are being marginalized and discredited by folk who are either too stupid to know any better or too insidious to want to do anything different.

With just a little bit of reading/research, anyone who cares to know can learn that those folk who enslaved, human trafficked, kidnapped, raped, tortured, mutilated, and extracted forced and stolen labor from our ancestors, didn’t just

DeSantis’ claim that slavery was a job training program just furthers the lie that enslaved Africans were ignorant savages lifted up out of their intellectual darkness and into the light of European “civilization” by their enslavers. And you don’t even have to do 1/100th of the research done to debunk his lies to “discover” that Haley is really “on one” when she pushes that tired claim that the Civil War was really about states’ rights, not slavery. The late, great Ada Edwards was fond of saying “The world is run by those who show up.” In other words, you can have the best intentions, but if you’re not out there getting involved in attempting to make things better, your contributions to society add up to zero.

Those who show up at school board meetings, city council sessions, voting booths, civil club meetings, etc. are the ones who help guide policy, laws, and thus society.

We need to know what time it is now more than ever – about our history, about current and future tech, about everything. That means reading, researching, questioning, and investing in the process of lifelong learning. If we don’t, we’ll find ourselves agreeing with the madness that seeks to push us back into the 1700s.

Aswad Walker is associate editor of the Houston Defender

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Honor Rosa Parks by supporting transit bill

By Bakari Height

February 4 is Rosa Parks’ birthday. It is also Transit Equity Day. The days are linked because Parks, an iconic figure of the civil rights movement, refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on Dec. 1, 1955.

Transit advocates, like me, are reminded of Parks’ action when we highlight the rights of all people to high-quality public transportation powered by clean and renewable energy and organized labor.

Policymakers in Washington have prioritized highways and cars over public transit for decades. This has a devastating impact on the climate and budgets of local transit agencies and communities.

Congressman Hank Johnson (D-Atlanta) has introduced the “Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act,” which could help bring high-quality transit to communities across the country.

The COVID pandemic changed how many communities function, work, socialize, and commute. It demonstrated that public transit is essential to local economies, and the lives of millions of people across the country.

movement of goods and people. Operating high-quality transit is just as essential to get people to employment and to give businesses access to talent and customers. And it is time for Washington to treat it as such.

While Congress has taken vital steps in recent years to fund transit capital projects like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the fact of the matter is that the lack of congressional action on operations funding, which this latest bill would provide, has led to critical funding shortfalls at numerous transit agencies and has left many in fiscal trouble.

Workers, small businesses, and historically marginalized communities depend on transit. It is a key component of economic recovery and a road to equity for disconnected communities—rural, urban, and suburban.

Johnson’s bill would create a new formula grant program available to all transit agencies to increase service frequency and dependability. Additional hours of transit service could be added to schedules, as well.

For decades, the federal government has supported the cost of operating aviation through air traffic control and the cost of shipping through investment in ports and the management of locks and dams in the inland waterways.

These are essential services for the

This new legislation will help fix that. The truth of the matter is that in communities throughout the country transit is a driver of economic growth, jobs, and opportunity for many residents. Nationally, tens of millions of people in the U.S.—from small rural towns to major urban centers—rely on public transit to get to work every day, generating trillions of dollars in economic activity. Every dollar invested in transit offers a 5-to-1 return, and every $1 billion invested in public transit produces 50,000 jobs. Transit agencies are often among the largest employers in their cities. We also know the climate crisis is not coming; it is here now. It is impacting our economy and every aspect of our daily lives. An investment in transit by policymakers would be a win-win. A win economically and a win in our efforts to address the climate crisis. And it is far past time for Washington to ensure that public transit does not just recover from COVID but expands to create more sustainable and prosperous communities.

We need to honor Rosa Parks not just through words, but through action. And that is what this bill will do.

Bakari Height is transit planner for the Labor Network for Sustainability non-profit organization

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Protecting elected officials essential to Black community

By Marc Morial

Conventional wisdom may call such intimidating conditions the price of holding elected office. But its fallout harms everyone who relies on a free, fair, and functional democratic process. By deterring officeholders from seeking reelection or running for higher office, taking on important policy positions, or interacting with their constituents, unchecked extremist intimidation distorts government’s ability to represent the people it serves.”

– Brennan Center for Justice

After a drive-by shooting, orchestrated by a political adversary, sent three bullets through her 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom, Democratic state Sen. Linda Lopez of New Mexico said, “Is it worth me putting my family at risk because I vote a certain way, I espouse certain ideals?”

A healthy democracy depends not only upon unfettered access to the voting booth for all eligible citizens, but also upon the unfettered ability of those elected to exercise the will of the people.

An alarming report released this week by the Brennan Center for Justice found that threats, harassment, and physical violence against elected officials have spiked in recent years, threatening the free and fair functioning of representative democracy.

local levels were at least three times as likely as white officeholders to experience abuse related to their race. Women were three to four times as likely as men to experience abuse targeting their gender.

“I have been called everything, a c---, a n-----, a b----, you name it,” Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor said. An unnamed Black state legislator said, “My first session, it was just a lot about race. There was someone who made a lynching joke and a three-fifths comment. I think the ones that I remember the most are the ones where I was called the n-word.”

Pervasive intimidation threatens to exacerbate the under-representation of women and people of color in elected office. Just 28% of Congressional seats and 33% of state legislative seats are held by women. Though they represent nearly a quarter of the population, women of color hold only 9% of Congressional seats and 8% of state legislative seats.

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Most state legislators, 89%, reported experiencing some form of abuse in the last three years, with 40% experiencing actual violence or threats of violence.

Glynda Carr, president and CEO of Higher Heights, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on expanding pipelines for Black women at all levels of elected government, told the researchers, “It is a privilege and oftentimes a joy to be able to hold elected office and serve one’s community. But there is a long way to go, still. This study shows that those with power and resources must do more to foster the conditions for all talented people to be able to step up and lead.”

People of color at both the state and

Those who do brave the harassment to make their way into office are less likely to tackle critical issues once they arrive.

“I’ve had abolitionists — so, people who believe in the abolition of abortion — make death threats against my family, my children, myself,” said a Republican state lawmaker who failed to toe his party’s line on reproductive rights.

Among the measures the Brennan Center recommends to combat the threat are:

- State and local governments should provide officeholders training, conducted by experts, in resisting hate-based violence that includes techniques in bystander intervention.

- States should regulate open and concealed carry of guns in places where officeholders engage with the public.

Legislative bodies, officeholders, and social media companies should prioritize the freedom to safely engage in public discourse as they update policies to reduce serious harm online.

Marc Morial is National Urban League president and CEO

Guest Columnist Bakari Height

Guest Columnist Aswad Walker

Blues, Stifel team to update Carr Lane tech lab

The St. Louis Blues and Stifel are partnering to provide free educational opportunities to students throughout the greater St. Louis area.

The Blues and Stifel will select a school annually to receive upgraded technology for tech labs, and the first recipient is Carr Lane Visual Performing Arts Middle School.

The SLPS school will receive new computers, classroom furniture, access to the Blues Future Goals STEM curriculum and other classroom paint and décor.

“Finding ways to continue providing new and engaging learning opportunities that expand opportunity for youth in St. Louis is an important part of the Blues community strategy,” said Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues president and CEO of business operations.

“The addition of these tech labs, with brand-new, high-speed equipment, will allow students and teachers to maximize their classroom

time and have better access to these unique sports-centered math and science curriculum. We are grateful to have a partner like Stifel that shares in our vision of community outreach and who helped make this project a reality.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Jan. 29, 2024, and renovations were completed over the school’s holiday break by more than 40 St. Louis Blues and Stifel staff volunteers.

“We know that this investment will have a positive impact for many years to come for students and are so grateful that Carr Lane was selected as the first site of a Blues and Stifel Tech Lab,” said Dr. Keisha Scarlett, SLPS superintendent.

Each year the Blues, through their Street Blues Ball Hockey and Blues Future Goals programs, reach nearly 140,000 students throughout the St. Louis community.

It’s really about racism

By Julianne Malveaux

When Dr. Claudine Gay was named the first Black president of Harvard University, and only the second woman, I was pleased. Familiar with her record as dean of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and aware of the rigorous process that narrowed more than 600 applicants or nominees to Dr. Gay, I felt that Harvard could not have selected someone more qualified.

Still, I was aware of the pitfall possibilities that Dr. Gay faced. Even before she assumed the Harvard presidency, rabid racists questioned everything about her, from her research record to her attitude. Following her inauguration closely, I was buoyed by her wide smile. Despite the racist invective, she was enjoying her job!

That didn’t last long. The witch hunt that had three female college presidents squirming under the hostile questioning of Dr. Gay’s disastrous testimony to Congress attracted even more criticism. And as the criticism reached a crescendo, Dr. Gay succumbed to the inevitable and resigned.

Would she have been able to do anything else? Her detractors had trashed her reputation. How could she fundraise under those circumstances? Many talk of “presidential leadership” in the higher education context, but college presidents are also judged by their fundraising acumen. Many get a great boost in their first year when their support is greatest and enthusiasm for them is high. By year two, they will be judged for what they’ve done “lately.” She didn’t get a clear first year, not even a clear few months. The attacks on her started as soon as she was selected, and accusations of “antisemitism” were simply fodder in the culture wars.

The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could have managed congressional questions more deftly. Or could they have? With the rabidly hostile Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) bellowing “yes or no” at people accustomed to nuance, it seems that rising above the multisyllabic would have been too complex for Stefanik, chasing TV instead of answers, to comprehend.

Of course, Gay should have begun her testimony by condemning the Hamas action of Oct. 7. For the likes of Stefanik, it is irrelevant that more than 25,000 Palestinians have been murdered, including as many as 8,000 children. Israelis are celebrating the fact that a major Hamas leader is among the victims. Netanyahu and his cronies say they will eliminate Hamas by whatever means necessary, no matter how many civilians are killed, starved, or displaced. Their lack of humanity, with their random airstrikes, is astounding. Dr. Gay defended student free speech, even when it includes terms like “from the river to the sea,” which does not mean the elimination of Israel, but rather freedom for Palestine. It does not exclude the two-state solution, as Netanyahu has. Failing to condemn Palestinian free speech is not antisemitic. Criticizing Israel is not antisemitic.

Because she stood up for her students, her prior academic work was scrutinized and while Harvard found only “minor” errors in citations, the conservative press has chosen to blow them into academic malfeasance. Dr. Gay is guilty of nothing other than attempting to balance an uncomfortable tightrope that has less to do with so-called plagiarism than so-called antisemitism. It’s really about racism.

The campaign to topple Gay was led by Christopher Rufo, an anti-affirmative action, anti-critical race theory, anti-Black activist. Bill Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager, and Harvard graduate and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined him. Ackman described Claudine Gay as “a diversity hire,” a stigma that too many Black men and women face when they are selected from a large pool.

Ironically, Ackman’s wife, former MIT professor Neri Oxamn, is accused of plagiarism charges for more serious than Dr. Gay. Oxman lifted whole paragraphs from Wikipedia. Gay didn’t lift anyone’s work; she improperly cited some work.

This is not about Claudine Gay or about Harvard. It’s about the culture wars and about anti-Blackness. Malcolm X once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”

Malcolm made this statement in the 1960s. Fifty years later, little has changed.

Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist, author and commentator.

Photo by Scott Rovak / St. Louis Blues

Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues president and CEO of Business Operations, works with Carr Lane Visual Performing Arts Middle School students and staff members on Jan. 29, 2024 in the school’s new technology lab.

Julianne Malveaux

Neidorff

Continued from A1

eclipsed $126 billion in 2021.” Centene now has nearly 76,000 employees serving all 50 states and three international countries. Neidorff grew Centene, Forbes reported, “as more Americans signed up for Medicaid, the health insurance for low-income patients it manages via contracts with states and individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act.” Centene remains the biggest provider of subsidized coverage under the law that was President Obama’s crowning legislative achievement.

In the St. Louis region, where Centene is headquartered in Clayton, his loss as a leader in business and philanthropy continues to be felt nearly two years after his passing. The St. Louis American Charitable Foundation is recognizing Neidorff’s past leadership (and its current absence) with an unprecedented posthumous award at the 2024 Salute to Excellence in Business.

“Michael Neidorff was a tremendous leader when it came to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). He led by example in terms of having an extremely diverse senior leadership team at Centene, which is the largest publicly traded company in the state of Missouri. Michael was also just as generous with his time and resources personally and professionally to causes that embody DEI,” said Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, which enjoyed a close relationship with Neidorff and the Centene Foundation, the corporation’s philanthropic entity.

McMillan credited Neidorff, the Centene Foundation and the foundation’s president Keith Williamson with critical support for many Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis initiatives: the final funding necessary to complete the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center; the funding to purchase the former Auto Zone that was burned down during the events in Ferguson to build the Urban League’s Senior Center and Apartments; title sponsorship of the National Urban League Convention in St. Louis;

Bush

Continued from A1

funding for the renovation of the former HDC Headquarters to be transformed into an African American Business Hub and Public Safety Center; the initial funding to make a down payment on the purchase of the Urban League’s new regional headquarters and retail plaza behind it; and title sponsorship of the Urban League’s signature events.

Williamson worked with Neidorff before Centene had achieved a position to make that degree of philanthropic impact as the company’s general counsel, and he worked alongside Neidorff as he grew the corporation and its impact to scale.

“I remember talking with Michael shortly after I joined Centene in 2006. He was passionate in his belief that Centene and its executives should be actively involved in the community. Centene was small at that time but, even then, Michael dreamed big and acted boldly,” Williamson said.

“When he believed in a person or a project, he did not hesitate to generously commit his own funds and those of the

protection by the House, and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services. I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services. Any reporting that I have used federal funds for personal security is simply false.”

A Department of Justice spokeswoman declined to comment.

Bush’s campaign has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on

company’s foundation. To an extraordinary extent, he was willing to courageously step up and act swiftly, whether that be in building a job-generating call center in Ferguson after Michael Brown or making an early, lead gift to enable the success of an Urban League capital campaign.”

Neidorff’s expansion of Centene put him on the shortest of short lists of the region’s business and philanthropic leaders, where for years he collaborated and strategized with David L. Steward, founder and chairman of Worldwide Technology. Neidorff also tabbed Steward to help guide Centene and himself on the company’s board. Along the way, they became more than colleagues.

my partner, my treasured friend, and my very dear brother. I smile as I fondly recall some of Michael’s last words to me: ‘You are my brother from another mother.’

n Neidorff’s expansion of Centene put him on the shortest of short lists of the region’s business and philanthropic leaders.

“I was privileged, honored, and blessed to serve with Michael on the Centene board of directors for 18 years and even more so to call him

security services over the years, including to Cortney Merritts. He and Bush eventually married. Her campaign has continued to pay him, according to her most recent campaign finance disclosure report.

Several organizations filed ethics complaints against Bush

Proverbs 18:24 tells us, ‘A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ Michael was that friend to me,” Steward said.

“Everyone who knew him saw Michael as a pillar of strength and philanthropy in St. Louis and around the world.” Steward continued, “I will always remember his passion for serving ‘the least of these’ in our society. His servant leadership was a reflection of how God’s love conquers all! Thelma and I continue be inspired by all he accomplished in this world. We are grateful to continue in love and partnership with his wife, Noemi, and his son, Peter, as we perpetuate carrying out his inspirational vision

over the payments. The Office of Congressional Ethics recommended dismissing the complaints last year. She said in a statement at the time that the “political attacks on my campaign are a clear example of how right-wing extremist groups will stop at nothing to malign those of us unapologetically working in service of our communities.”

“In recent months, right-wing organizations have lodged baseless complaints against me, peddling notions that I have misused campaign funds to pay for personal security services,” Bush said. “That is simply not true. I have complied with all applicable laws and House rules.”

It is not illegal for congressional campaign committees to pay

of serving others.”

Neidorff did not let business commitments or community engagement crowd out his dedication to St. Louis’ many cultural treasures. He served on the board of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as a trustee for Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and (going national, here) as treasurer of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees in Washington, D.C.

“Michael Neidorff’s commitment to and leadership in philanthropy in St. Louis cannot be overstated. He was an incredible champion for St. Louis and for so many causes within our community, including our vibrant arts community. Michael was steadfast in his belief that the arts are a necessary component for the health and well-being of a city,” said Andrew Jorgensen, general director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

“Opera Theatre was incredibly fortunate to benefit not only from his generosity, but also his wisdom, insight, and encouragement as a board member, and I am personally fortunate to have

relatives, as long as they’re doing “bona fide” work and are being paid fair market value. For example, Bush’s predecessor, Lacy Clay, paid his sister Michelle Clay hundreds of thousands of dollars to help run his congressional campaigns over the years.

“I retained my husband as part of my security team to provide security services because he has had extensive experience in this area,” Bush said.

“These frivolous complaints have resulted in a number of investigations, some of which are still ongoing.

counted him a friend and mentor. He believed in the power of the arts to move, change, and empower individuals and communities, and he demonstrated that in both word and deed. When I think on the impact he made on OTSL and the greater St. Louis arts community, I am grateful and inspired. May we all aspire to care about our community as much as he did!”

As a result of Neidorff’s leadership, St. Louis-based Centene is ranked #24 in the Fortune 500, #57 in the Fortune 500 Global list, and #7 on the 2019 Fortune Change the World list. Fortune ranked Centene as the #2 company nationally for diversity and inclusion.

“His example proved that DEI could lead to an incredibly profitable business model,” McMillan said of Neidorff.

“Michael was an incredible role model and mentor to many, including me,” said Steward. “He is certainly missed but his legacy will continue to positively affect many future generations.

The Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics are currently reviewing the matter, as is the Department of Justice. We are fully cooperating in all of these pending investigations,” Bush said. “In September of last year, after conducting a monthslong investigation, the Office of Congressional Ethics found no wrongdoing and voted unanimously to dismiss the case. I look forward to this same outcome from all pending investigations.” Bush is facing a Democratic primary challenge this year from St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell.

“As a prosecutor, I understand that Rep. Bush is entitled to due process,” Bell said. “I entered this race because I believe the people of this district deserve a representative they can trust who will show up and get results for them. I feel more strongly about that now more than ever.”

The late Michael F. Neidorff served as chair of the National Urban League’s board, and was honored to announce in March 2017 that the organization’s national conference would be held in St. Louis that summer. Seated behind Neidorff are Michael McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO, David Steward, founder and chair of World Wide Technology and Marc Morial, National Urban League president and CEO.

Photo courtesy of Michael Neidorff Family

By James Ingram

As East St. Louis residents enter Black History Month, we must ponder some problems far more daunting than paying off credit card debt.

In mid-January, the city was facing $7 million in past-due payments to the East St. Louis police and firefighter pension funds.

This is the case, even although the city received (between 2021-2022) $36 million in American Recovery Act funds. In theory, this could have better positioned the city to manage and offset that debt.

However, according to rules for spending ARPA

Literacy

Continued from A1

“We plan to get books –thousands of books –into students’ hands. If they have their own library at home with books they want to read, they will learn [to love it.]”

The St. Louis Public Library is a partner in the initiative, and a launch party at the Central Library downtown branch on Olive was held on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Guest authors included Super Bowl champion and children’s book author Malcom Mitchell, Soman Chainani, author of the book series that inspired the hit Netflix movie “The School for Good and Evil,” Tami Charles, author of the New York

Smith

Continued from A1

to look at the screen and what I’m sharing over and over again but I think it’s going to help so many other people. I know how much of an impact it’s going to have.”

Smith was sentenced to 24 1/2 years in 1995 under federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws without parole. Even though prosecutors admitted Smith-a first-time offender-never touched or distributed drugs, she was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

Smith told the audience that Emerge magazine’s 1996 article, “Kemba’s Nightmare: A Model Child Becomes Prisoner in Drug Sentencing Frenzy” served as an anchor for the film. The award-winning director, Kelley Kali, Smith added, felt that-without the 21-page article-the movie wouldn’t have had “the whole story.”

Smith encouraged students wanting to pursue journalism degrees, to reflect on the power of the now defunct magazine, which was edited by the late George Curry, a former reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and a founder of the St. Louis Minority Journalism Workshop.

The article detailed how “a flamboyant young man from New York,” Smith’s then boyfriend, Peter Michael Hall, 31, beat her with “fists, belts and brushes” and reportedly threatened to harm her family if she refused to do what he said. According to federal authorities, Hall was the leader of a violent, multi-million-dollar drug ring that moved as much as $4 million in powder and crack cocaine between New York and Virginia from 1989 to 1993, the year Kemba Smith finished high school. Hall, who was placed on the “15 Most Wanted list” was found shot to death in a Seattle apartment in 1994. Wanted as a material witness, Smith turned herself in that year and was held without

ESL fiscal crisis could be on horizon

funds, they may not be used for pension payments specifically.

ARPA funds can be utilized for such things as lost public sector revenue, premium pay for essential workers (like police and firefighters), investment in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure and addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If we’re using logic and fiscal responsibility, the $36 million was used in all the allowable areas mentioned. Thus, there should have been enough resources to satisfy the pension board’s needs. I looked for answers at

Times bestselling children’s book “All Because You Matter.; Trey Baker, spoken word poet and children’s book author who is also a special advisor to the Obama Foundation.

“These authors bring good stories to everybody,” Scarlett said.

Kelly Casper, Mullanphy principal, told St. Louis Public Radio, “There’s nothing like those light bulb moments when you get to sit with a student and maybe it’s beginning to teach them their alphabet and they learn letters.”

“They’re like, ‘Wow, letters go together, they form words.’ Reading is a gift for students that can help transport them to the past and the future through books.

The city NAACP chapter has also recently

bond. As Emerge noted, Smith pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine, even though she had only ridden in a van carrying drugs; money laundering (she had sent money to Hall who was on the run) and lying to federal authorities about Hall’s whereabouts. In the end, Smith was held accountable for the entire 225 kilograms of crack cocaine distributed by Hall’s drug ring.

The movie also depicts how Elaine Jones, president of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund (LDF) read about the case in Emerge and decided the organization needed to get involved. The LDF challenged Ms. Smith’s sentence and, alongside her family, developed a public education campaign to expose the injustice of excessive sentences for individuals with abusive or deprived circumstances.

Smith’s 2013 book, Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story and “Kemba” the movie graphically chronicles Smith’s traumatic experience with domestic abuse, injustice, disenfranchisement, re-entry, and eventual release. In December 2000, during his final days in office, President Bill Clinton commuted Smith’s prison sentence to the 6 1/2 years she had already served.

The movie serves as a reminder of the harmful effects of America’s “War on Drugs” in the early 1990s and ongoing injustices in this country’s penal system.

Since her release, Smith-a mother of two-has earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, a law degree from the Howard University School of Law and she travels the country advocating for drug sentencing law reform.

During the Q&A portion of Thursday’s event, Daniels asked Smith: “At what point did you decide ‘this is not about me’ and you were going to become an activist and address the unfair prison laws in this country?”

“Once those prison doors opened and I learned of all it took to get them opened,” Smith responded.

ESL City Hall, first going to Mayor Charles Powell III’s office and leaving messages for him as well as the city spokesperson Kakeesha Branigan, to no avail.

City Manager Robert Betts assured me that he would email a statement regarding the city’s effort to address its fiscal crisis, which has the potential to cause layoffs, cuts in city services and missed paydays for city employees. I never received that statement.

James Ingram

The only elected official who responded to my

efforts was Councilman Ryan Cason. Cason informed me that during the summer of 2023 there was a “gentlemen’s agreement” to make an $875,000 payment toward the police and firefighter pension fund. According to him, the city reneged on that payment and that “Things don’t look good and could result in the city closing its doors.”

Meanwhile, the pension board has voted to ask the Illinois Comptroller to intercept state funds intended for East St. Louis

launched a literacy initiative called “Right to Read.”

Its goal is for students to meet or exceed the overall state average by 2030. The campaign will be led by Ian Buchanan, the chapter’s new education chair.

“Many suggest that

She elaborated, recalling bittersweet feelings of more than 20 years ago.

“The movie didn’t capture everything, but I remember when I got word of my release, they brought the whole prison yard down and all the women had gathered and were congratulating me. My heart was breaking over the simple fact that I knew there were other women like me who deserved to come home, too.”

Daniels, who had interviewed Smith after her book release, asked her about the “survivor skills,” they discussed and if Smith still grappled with them.

“Yes, that was when I came home and basically couldn’t stop crying,” Smith answered. “I was grateful for this act of mercy from the president that was given to me, but my spirit kept thinking about others who deserved it (clemency). There’s just so many people that need to be free now.”

Upon her release, Smith said she recognized that she needed “to keep being the human face” of the population of incarcerated black women. “I wanted to be vulnerable and expose this plight so that it could help free someone else.”

Smith’s sentiments are backed by brutal facts. According to a recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), women are the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population with women and girls of color significantly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. In addition, according to the report, many have entered the criminal justice system as adolescents who were victims of violence before incarceration.

Smith told the audience that the movie is “not just about me.” A social impact campaign, she added, focusing on clemency, 2nd chance legislation and other criminal justice reform issues will accompany the film’s official but unannounced release on the BET Network.

The almost-packed audience of Harris Stowe’s Emerson Performance

and direct them to the pension fund.

This would be catastrophic for East St. Louis residents and businesses in terms of a probable increase in already exorbitant home and business insurance rates, because of the potential loss of police and fire protection.

I recently drove through the State Street Center strip mall area near 25th and State Street and found numerous businesses with boarded-up windows or doors; namely Sav-A-Lot, O’Reilly Auto Parts, JWG Beauty Supply, DTLR Clothing Store, Gen X Clothing, Boost Mobile and even McDonald’s. Imagine a city with lit-

Arika Parr speaks with NINE/PBS of “Teaching In Room 9” producer Dr. Albert Sanders who is also a Pre-K tacher at Adams Elementary School during the “Literacy For The Lou” education fair at the Main Library downtown Sat. Jan. 27, 204. At left is her daughter Ava Johnson 8, signing her book “But What Can You Do?”

literacy is the civil rights issue of our era,” Ian Buchanan, city NAACP education chair, told the St. Louis American in December.

“If Black and brown students continue to underperform in literacy, we severely limit their life options even before they

Center/Bank of America Theatre not only had an early opportunity to see a dramatic story of poor choices and painful cir-

hit adolescence. This is a solvable problem.”

SLPS students have a reading proficiency score of 19% compared to a 45% statewide average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics annual report card.

The lagging literacy

cumstances, faith, perseverance, and good fortune; they were given a visual reason to join a seasoned warrior in an effort to

tle to no police or fire protection for homes or businesses. It would result in anarchy, even with outside assistance from the Illinois State Police. If you are a city employee, I’d advise you to prepare your resume and get an early start on your job search. Citizens must pack council meetings and city hall and demand answers and accountability from your mayor, city manager and council persons. You deserve better government. Act before the city slowly goes out of business.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com X@JamesTIngram

numbers are not limited to the city.

According to the NCES, only three in 10 Missouri students demonstrate reading proficiency at a fourth-grade level. Only one in 10 African American students reach the reading proficiency level.

George Sells, SLPS communications director, said reading “is not supposed to be a chore.”

“This is a really exciting time for the city and something that I think we’ll look back on in 20 years and say this was a starting step to really grow reading, grow the schools and grow the city of St. Louis, because literacy and success of our population and success of our city are all tied together,” he told KSDK.

“free others.” Sylvester

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

‘Taking Care of You’

The health power of play

Ranken Jordan adds ‘Patient Play Associates’

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Play has proven beneficial to children’s physical and mental health, and the same true for young people living with complex medical issues.

To create more activities devoted to having fun, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in St. Louis has creat-

By Lindiwe Vilakazi Washington Informer

ed a new role – patient play associates.

Occupational therapists, child life specialists and other therapy professionals often incorporate play into their patients’ schedules and Ranken Jordan’s PPAs are finding ways for their patients to simply have fun.

Ranken Jordan’s Chief Medical Officer, Nick Holekamp, MD, Ranken chief medical officer, said the hospital

team determined the PPAs could help improve on the hospital’s unique care model, Care Beyond the Bedside. It focuses on play as healing and getting kids out of their hospital beds as much as possible.

“Our youngest patients were getting restless at quieter times, particu-

Black men can age in good health –with effort

By Reginald Williams

For Black men aging is often a maligned occurrence.

As men age, many begin to experience a host of physical ailments that can interrupt day to day life.

Aching knees, shoulders, back and hips or a slower metabolism are just a few of the common complaints. It isn’t unusual to hear men claim they hurt in places they never knew existed; moving gingerly becomes a way of life.

According to the National Institute of Health, muscle mass begins to deteriorate by as much as three to eight percent per decade after age 30 and even more aggressively after 60. A lack of exercise heightens a body’s physical decay. It affirms the adage: “If you don’t use it, you will lose it.”

n Chronic illnesses and death have little to do with aging, and more about abstaining from healthy actions.

Chronic illnesses and death have little to do with aging, and more about abstaining from healthy actions. Eating nutrientdense diets, complemented with daily movement, is instrumental in living with less pain and fewer compromising chronic illnesses.

“We’re not getting any younger and we only have one body,” explained Frank Sheffield, a 60-year-old rollerskating enthusiast. “You have to treat your body right so that it can treat you right.”

Upon waking each morning, Sheffield performs his pushups before conducting any other task.

Lon Walls, 13 years Sheffield’s senior, has remained fit from his youth. At 73, the former Ohio University

A glaring difference

Glaucoma impacts Black community at higher rate

National Glaucoma Awareness Month ended on January 31, 2024, however ophthalmologists and eye health organizations continue spreading awareness about the ocular disease that affects African Americans at significantly greater rates than other groups of people.

The National Eye Institute defines glaucoma as a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve composed of over 1 million nerve fibers responsible for transmitting visual information.

According to the institute, Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. But half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it because it happens so slowly. At first, many people can’t tell that their vision is changing.

Damage to the optic nerve is largely precipitated by vascular changes, trauma, and elevated eye

n Half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it because it happens so slowly. At first, many people can’t tell that their vision is changing.

pressure being the number one risk factor of glaucoma. Elevated eye pressure ultimately becomes a dangerous ingredient for irreversible eye damage when left unaddressed.

Dr. Leslie Jones, glaucoma specialist and chair of Ophthalmology at Howard University’s College of Medicine, stressed the importance of seeking comprehensive dilated eye examinations to know the status of ocular health.

“Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve and a lot of things in the eye can happen that lead to end-stage damage of the nerve — that is

Ranken Jordan patient play associate Noor Ghanam enjoys some time with patient Germahud Williams Jr. Ranken created the PPA positions, and their job is to find ways for children to have fun.

Photo courtesy of Ranken Jordan

Dr. Leslie Jones, chair of Ophthalmology at Howard University’s College of Medicine, says African American have regular eye exams, in part because of glaucoma.

Photo courtesy of Howard University

Reginald Williams

Play

Continued from A8

larly nights and weekends, when they are more likely to be in bed because we have less planned programming,” Dr. Holekamp said.

“This would cause some kids to pull on their medical devices, such as tracheostomies, which added to patient safety concerns. We thought if we had designated team members focused on play, that role could keep our patients engaged and give them more opportunities to play to help with their healing process.”

New Ranken research, which has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Child: Care, Health & Development, also played in creating the positions. The study suggests a number of factors, including more face-to-face interactions and more variety of activities, could help mitigate the potential for developmental delay, for which children with complex medical conditions are more at risk.

Ranken Jordan has also implemented its Optimization Zone (OZ program) as a result of the research. OZ is an innovative in-hospital program, similar to a preschool, for medically complex kids age 5 and younger.

In the year since the Ranken Jordan team conceptualized the new role, 22 PPAs have been hired.

Depending on age and ability, PPAs share a variety of activities with patients, including reading books, playing cards or crafting friendship bracelets in the hospital’s art room. PPAs are also trained to take patients outside safely to take advantage of Ranken Jordan’s wheelchair-friendly swing or go on a nature walk.

Early results show the young patients who were

Glaucoma

Continued from A8 called glaucoma,” Jones explained.

“For example, you can be hit in the eye, your eye can fill with blood [causing] the pressure to go high and you can have glaucoma. You can have neovascular changes which come from uncontrolled diabetes, and that can cause a very serious kind of glaucoma.

“But what we talk most about is primary openangle glaucoma, which tends to be a slow, gradual loss of nerve tissue, but it goes undetected because it doesn’t have a lot of symptoms.”

getting antsy are pulling on their medical devices less and they’re happier when engaged in kid-friendly activities.

Kristin LaRose, Ranken Jordan’s chief nursing officer, said the PPAs impact the nursing team, because nurses can dele-

gate tasks to PPAs that do not require clinical training, such as brushing a patient’s hair.

“Our nurses and front-line staff are dedicated to practicing Care Beyond the Bedside, but when they are busy with nursing tasks, they

can’t always stop to offer one-on-one playtime that kids not only need but crave,” LaRose said. “Our new team of PPAs helps our nurses focus on their patient care tasks and know that kids are getting to be kids and play when they do not need specific clinical care.” LaRose added she hopes other hospitals are inspired to add a similar role to keep pediatric patients engaged.

“Focusing on play and minimizing boredom are key for children of all ages and especially when they are in the hospital for long periods,” LaRose said. “We want to foster positive growth, development, and emotional wellness for all of our kids, and we know that play is our ‘golden ticket’ to achieve this.”

disease.

Access to eye care also is a challenge for Black Americans.

“I have some people that come from [long distances]to see me. So, [one factor] can be the distance to the provider, but it can also be [if] the provider takes your insurance,” said Jones.

While the damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, regular checkups and proper treatment can help to slow or prevent vision loss, particularly if the disease is caught in its earlier stages.

“There is a laser called selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) we like to use as a first-line treatment, but then we use all these different medications to lower pressure. There are [also several] surgeries that can lower eye pressure.” Jones added that it is also important to [talk to] your family members.

Common signs of glaucoma that are often overlooked present themselves as hazy or blurred vision, accompanied by other symptoms including severe pain around the eyes or head. Red eyes are also caused by increasing eye pressure or seeing colored bright circles or halos forming around light sources.

Williams

Continued from A8 football player and bando instructor continues to excel in his fitness with the practice of the Burmese martial arts.

“I got into bando when I was playing spring football. It was 1970. Me and this other brother named Terry decided we were going to take a class. Spring football was over, and we were still geeked up and

While people of any age or race can develop the disease, statistics underscore an increased risk of diagnosis to

wanting to hit something. We went to a class, and it was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen,” explained the seven-time national kickboxing and free-fighting champion.

At 74, Dwight Williams begins his health regimen before getting out of bed, spending no less than five minutes practicing deep sleep meditation, a discipline learned when he visited Africa almost 50 years ago. In 1959, at 10 years of age, Williams was told he needed

genetic factors in African Americans.

Although the average age of increased risk for glaucoma generally falls around 60 years old, the risk increases at age 40 for Black people. African American patients are found six times more likely to have advanced vision loss following a glaucoma diagnosis than their white counterparts.

to have his left kidney removed. His health issue would eventually lead him to travel the world to find a solution.

Today, he practices an exercise routine that is performed at various times of the day. The West Baltimore resident plans to live to be at least 100 years of age, healthy and fit.

“I work hard. My job right now is staying alive and healthy for as long as I can,” shared Williams.

Remaining physically fit in those senior years does not eliminate

Epidemiological studies examining the risk factors of glaucoma disease have also found hereditary factors to play a role, as individuals who have a family member with glaucoma have a four to six times higher risk of developing the chronic

all aches and pains. Dedicating time daily to massage his joints is a part of Williams’ daily health regimen. Aging means body parts will experience some deterioration that produces throbbing body irritations.

Many older men are disinterested in exercising daily, believing that the intersection between the demand for their time to exercise and its benefit isn’t beneficial enough to commit. However, in speaking with committed

Dr. Jones emphasized the use of medications and in some cases surgery to help reduce eye pressure and ease symptoms of the disease.

“We have five different classes of medications we can use to lower eye pressure and those are the tools that we have. There are laser procedures that we like to do early. So we first diagnose you if you have open-angle glaucoma,” Jones said.

men, many say they work out to stay fit, not necessarily live longer, but instead to experience a quality life in their final years free of debilitating diseases.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Black men experience the presence of one or more chronic illness challenges, resulting in a steeper decline in health, which continues to grow wider.

Wall’s primary incentive for remaining physically fit is watching

“A lot of us do not know what our elders have gone through as far as their medical history because they are often kind of quiet about it. So, it means we have to ask them to find out about our own risk and we need to get regularly evaluated because the only way to know what your risk is to be seen by the doctor,” he said.

the health decline of his friends.

“I see people around me that are deteriorating, and that sort of motivates me,” explained Walls, the sixth-level black belt.

“I’ve seen brothers, a lot of my contemporaries who didn’t stop unhealthy habits or stopped too late, and they’re not here or in pretty bad shape healthwise. That’s my number one motivation. I don’t want to be like that.” Reginald Williams writes on Black men and holistic health.

Occupational therapists and other therapy professionals incorporate play into patients’ schedules. PPA Noor Ghanam and patient Alonzo McDonald recently enjoyed playing with a Tickle Me Elmo doll.

Photo courtesy of Ranken Jordan

Courtesy of the National Eye Institute

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

Students at The St. Louis American’s Summer Science Academy work together to create a poster representing the different features about a native bird that they chose to research.

Civil engineers design and create a variety of structures — not only buildings, but tunnels, dams, highways, water and sewer systems. They use computer programs and a variety of materials to create designs to meet the needs of a specific population. Civil engineers must be sure that their designs protect against environmental elements, like wind and sun, as well as storms. Examples of projects for civil engineers include managing a community’s water reservoir to be sure there is clean drinking water, designing skyscrapers, building shelters for victims of floods and hurricanes, building the Olympic stadium, and constructing roadways.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Civil engineers must obtain a college degree and specialize in structural, hydraulic, water resources, environmental, transportation, or management. A good civil engineer is strong in physics and math. They have visual strengths and understand the logistics of how a structure will affect the flow of daily activities, such as the layout of an airport. Civil engineers need to be good listeners to understand the needs of their clients.

Visit Engineer Girl’s Website Here: http://www.engineergirl.org/.

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

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will build a geodesic dome. You will then decide a variable to change—such as changing the number of sides in the base or the shape of walls— and predict what you think will happen. This prediction is your hypothesis. You will then test your hypothesis.

Materials Needed:

• 25 toothpicks • 11 gum drops

Process:

q Use gumdrops to connect five toothpicks as your base.

Build A GumDrop Dome!

rUse toothpicks to connect the gumdrops at the tops of the five triangles.

t Push 1 toothpick into each of the top gumdrops.

y Use the last gumdrop to connect these toothpicks at the top. You have created a geodesic dome.

u Create a variable to change—such as the number of sides in the base or the shape used in the walls. How will this change your structure? Write your hypothesis. Create your new structure to test your hypothesis.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL ENGINEER & EDUCATOR: Oliver McGee

Oliver G. McGee III grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, in 1981. McGee then went to the University of Arizona to earn his master’s degree in civil engineering and his doctorate degree in engineering mechanics and aerospace engineering. While at the University of Arizona, he worked as a graduate teaching associate in the civil engineering department. In 2004, he earned an MBA degree in business administration and finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

McGee worked in many different positions. He was an assistant professor at Ohio State University, teaching civil engineering, where he was the first African American to be promoted as a teacher with tenure. He taught at MIT and was a special assistant to the President at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also worked at Howard University as the school’s first vice principal for research and compliance. McGee served the Executive Office of U.S. President as a senior policy analyst and the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of transportation for technology policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

McGee earned more than 8 million dollars in grants for research. His research has been published in many academic journals, such as ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, International Journal of Solids and Structures, ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics, and Civil Engineering Systems. McGee is also the author of the book Bridging the Black Research Gap. He founded the consulting firm Partnership Possibilities for America, which focuses on education, economics, and politics. For his contributions to the field of civil engineering, McGee has received awards from many organizations, including American Council on Education, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, National Science Foundation, and National Aeronautics & Space Administration.

w Use two toothpicks and one gumdrop to create a triangle from one side of the base.

e Repeat step two until you have created five triangles around the base.

MATH CONNECTION

Engineers use a variety of math in their jobs. A common math formula that is used is area. Area is calculated by multiplying length times width. Try your hand at these area word problems.

z A square has an area of 36 inches. What is the length of each side?

x Your classroom has a length of 25 feet and a width of 38 feet. Your teacher decides that new tiles will look good in the class. If each tile has a length of 24 inches and a width of 36 inches, how many tiles are needed to fill the

DID YOU KNOW?

A civil engineer created the slippery part of the water slide. A civil engineer designed a pumping system to circulate just the right amount of water to support the weight of people, the water, and even the force of the wind blowing on it.

Analyze: Why are triangles used in building structures?

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete an experiment. I can create and test a hypothesis.

Calculating Area!

classroom?

c A room whose area is 24 feet squared has a length that is 2 feet longer than the width. What are the dimensions of the room?__________

v The area of a rectangular rug is 60 yards squared. If the width of the rug is 10 yards, what is the length of the rug?

b Terrence is making a display board

The Ferris Wheel, created by engineer George W. Ferris, is considered one of the greatest engineering wonders in the world.

Theme park engineers are involved in designing, building, lighting, and even controlling the crowd flow in theme parks around the world.

for the school play. The display board is a 9 feet by 9 feet square. If ribbon costs $1 per foot, how much will it cost to add a ribbon border around the entire display board? __________

n Patricia has a rectangular flower garden that is 10 feet long and 2 feet wide. One bag of soil can cover 10 feet squared. How many bags will she need to cover the entire garden? __________

Learning Standards: I can calculate area. I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness,’ which is appropriate because engineers solve problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge.

For More Information About Civil Engineers, Visit: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineeringcareers/engineering/civil-engineers and http://www.ice.org. uk/What-is-civil-engineering.

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One

Writing to Persuade: Newspapers are a great source for persuasive writing. There are advertisements persuading you to try a product or service. There are opinion columns challenging your beliefs on a topic. There are letters to the editors about a variety of issues. Find an example of persuasion in the newspaper. Who is the author? What are they trying to persuade you to do? What techniques do they use? Are they effective? Why or why not?

Activity Two — Area and Perimeter: Locate three pictures in the newspaper. What is the area of the pictures (length x width), what is the perimeter (the length of all sides added together)? Are the pictures on the front page the same size as the pictures found in other sections of the paper?

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify point of view. I can find the area and perimeter of a shape.

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible, and delivered to classrooms, through The St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class

Former incarcerated have

Small Business Launchpad ‘squashes the stigma’

Bobby Bostic is taking part in the St. Louis County Library Small Business Launchpad, a program designed to help formerly incarcerated people find resources needed to start a business. Bostic, who was sentenced at 16 years old to 241 years in prison, was granted parole in November 2022.

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

St. Louis County Library’s Small Business Launchpad program gives second chances to formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs like Matthew Palmer, founder and owner of Squeak Key Clean Mobile Detail and Oil Change.

PeoPle on the Move

Wuller new United Way of Greater St. Louis chair

Roman Wuller the new United Way of Greater St. Louis board chair, succeeding Keith Williamson.

“United Way is thrilled to have Roman serving in this capacity.” Thompson Coburn has been one of United Way’s biggest supporters for years, and we are excited to have one of their very best lead our Board of Directors,” said Michelle Tucker, United Way president and CEO. Wuller serves as chair of Thompson Coburn, which has been a United Way partner since 1972 and has raised over $10 million for the organization since the partnership began.

He was the founding chair of Thompson Coburn’s Diversity Committee and has mentored and coached associates for decades. Additionally, throughout his career, he has been recognized by organizations including Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and others as a top litigator.

“I am honored to serve as Board Chair for an organization like United Way that has been making a tremendous impact in the community,” said Wuller.

Kerrigan appointed as communications director

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced her appointment of Conner Kerrigan as her incoming Communications Director.

Kerrigan has worked for organizations including Empower Missouri and the Human Rights Campaign, as well as serving as Faleti for Missouri in 2020 communications director.

Palmer has been a part of the 6-month program since its inception in August 2023. The mobile car wash owner learned about the program after seeing the announcement on the St. Louis County Library website.

By Bria Overs Word In Black

“After reading about the Launchpad program and how it helped people who had past incidents with law enforcement and who are now trying to start their own business, I knew it was something I needed to be a part of for my self-improvement as an entrepreneur,” said Palmer.

Megan Phifer-Davis, manager of the

The program leader helps Palmer and the other participants through community partnerships find resources needed to start their business. She learned about the program at the Public Library Association Conference in 2022, Phifer-Davis immediately wanted to implement that program

See LAUNCHPAD, B2 reference department at St. Louis County Library, leads the program; she describes Palmer as “a great guy.”

“I’m honored to be a part of Mayor Jones’ team as we continue the work of transforming the city of St. Louis and our entire region into a shining example of civic success,” said Kerrigan.

Roman Wuller

Conner Kerrigan

Launchpad

Continued from B1

for the St. Louis County Library.

According to PhiferDavis 60% of inmates cannot find employment for up to four years after being released from prison.

“If they do find employment former incarcerated employees are paid significantly less because of their record,” she said.

With a sort of sadness in her tone she added, “I can help them get their resume and cover letter together, help with interview presence, but I can’t change the culture of some of these employers.”

She smiled and said, “But I can help them get their business started and work for themselves.”

Her department receives a lot of letters from the Missouri Department of Corrections inmates, and many inquire about starting a business, some even show interest in wanting to move to St. Louis once released from jail/prison to start their business.

To be considered for the program: one must be formerly incarcerated and write an essay on why they should be picked to join the program. The Small Business Launchpad program meets twice a month, Phifer-Davis proudly says the program offers a numerous number of resources to future entrepreneurs to get their businesses started.

“St. Louis is filled with all sorts of resources that can help small business owners,” she added.

“It has a very large eco system for small business development.” The program also received a grant from the Missouri State Library, which provided laptops for each participant.

“Being exposed to peo-

ple with ambitions and goals similar to myself, I have taken an endless amount of notes as well as gained a fair share of advice and knowledge,” said Palmer.

“A few things I really took heed to are the importance of having a proper strategy, using all the resources available to me and most importantly, having a never-dying faith that I am capable of starting and growing a successful business. Literally, nothing is impossible if you work hard and believe in yourself.”

The first day of class

for Palmer was beneficial; it set the standard for the following courses. He says Dan Lauer, UMSL Accelerate program executive director, provided a wealth of knowledge on developing the mindset of a successful entrepreneur. During those 6 months, participants learn how to write a business plan, market their product/service, find funding through SBA loans or grants, and the legal side of owning a

n “We are directly impacting the community by bringing in a program like this,” PhiferDavis proudly said.

business. The group started an accountability session, learning how to overcome a variety of challenges and barriers. Holding each other accountable makes sure each participant is staying on track with getting their business started.

Phifer-Davis also said, “Programs like the Small Business Launchpad help reduce the number of inmates returning to prison, 40% of inmates don’t

return to prison who have been a part of programs like this one.”

According to PhiferDavis the highest range nationally is between 92% to 100% of inmates not returning to prison when they have participated in programs like the one at the St. Louis County Library. However, in the state of Missouri 30% of inmates don’t return to prison.

However, for the next round she plans to condense the six-month program to two months having the participants meet weekly instead of monthly. The application

Investing

Continued from B1

Millennials are driving the change. Slightly over a quarter are between 35 and 54, and under a quarter are 55 and older.

Ritta McLaughlin, FINRA Director of Investor Education Community Outreach director, says seven factors drive participation in the capital and stock market: education, awareness, accessibility, incentives, consumer protections, reduced barriers to entry, and innovation.

“Based on the data we have now, and if the pattern holds, I think that it’s feasible to think more and more people of color, and more Black investors, are going to be participating in the market,” Olivia Valdes, a researcher at FINRA’s Investor Education Foundation, says.

“We’ve seen in past research that when you join the market, you rarely leave the market.”

With making money both short- and long-term as their reasons for participating, Black folks are in it for the long haul, regardless of the ups and downs, potential or unpredictability.

Today’s Black investors

The increase in investors is a good sign, indi-

cating a willingness to take risks to grow wealth. However, Black people still have less in their investment accounts than white or Asian investors. According to the report, nearly 60% have less than $50,000 in non-retirement investment accounts, and within that group, a third has less than $5,000. And it makes sense because almost half of those surveyed said they started investing less than two years ago. Around 58% of white investors have participated in the market for 10 years or more. New investors are also more likely to engage with meme stocks and cryptocurrencies, which are riskier investments. 44% were invested in cryptocurrencies, and over half were considering them. According to the survey, Black investors had shares in AMC or GameStop, both popular on Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum and the center of the GameStop short squeeze in 2021.

However, Valdes tells Word In Black many are only willing to take average risks, which does not align with the volatility of meme stocks or cryptocurrencies.

Keeping the momentum

Black focus group respondents pointed to differences in socio-economic backgrounds, lack of education, and experiencing

to join will be available in June 2024 on the St. Louis County website. In March participants will have a pitch competition and will receive professional feedback from public speakers at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley.

Phifer-Davis is very hopeful about the program, “The biggest takeaway for me is to squash the stigma about formerly incarcerated people”

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

Rita McLaughlin, who was honored with a 2019 Bond Buyer’s Deal of the Year award, says trends show that the number of Black American investors is growing, in part because of increased interest by young people.

discrimination and racism from financial institutions as reasons why they did not previously participate.

An increased appetite for investing means it is essential to have products that match, McLaughlin says. Technology has certainly helped, with companies like Robinhood and Betterment removing barriers to entry. In fact, according to the report, 65% of Black investors rely on suggestions from mobile trading apps.

They are also turning to YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok — more than other social media sites — for information on investing and trusting sources they deem relatable or transparent, according to the report.

“We have seen, including from our focus groups, that folks are very interested in user-friendly interfaces and information,” Valdes says. Because they’re starting young and have access to information, McLaughlin describes the future of Black investors as full of “possibility.”

“One of the great takeaways from this report is recognizing that trajectories for young people and communities can change,” she says. “Yes, there’s lots that can still be done and that needs to be done, but we are seeing strides being made to have the markets work for all people who want to participate.”

Photo courtesy of Bond Buyers

Steven Smith and Laquita Stovall collaborate with Megan Phifer-Davis, St. Louis County Library reference manager, during a recent session of the St. Louis County Library Small Business Launchpad. According to statistics, Phifer-Davis says, 60% of inmates cannot find employment for up to four years after being released from prison.

Photo courtesy of St. Louis County Public Library

n “There’s Patrick Mahomes, and then everybody else at quarterback” – Keyshawn Johnson

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

St. Mary’s Dragons fire up 20-win season as postseason nears

The St. Mary’s Dragons have enjoyed a tremendous season under the leadership of head coach Bryan Turner.

The Dragons entered the week with a 20-1 record. After a 15-13 campaign last season, the Dragons have responded with their first 20-victory season since 2018.

St. Mary’s also has a couple of tournament championships on their resume, with the big one being the Webster Winter Classic in early December.

St. Mary’s has been led by 6’0” junior guard Zyree Collins, who has been remarkable from the opening game of the season. The younger brother of former St. Mary’s and Saint Louis University standout point guard Yuri Collins, Zyree is currently averaging 31 points a game which leads the St. Louis metro area. Collins is also averaging five rebounds, four assists and three steals a game while shooting 49% from 3-point range. Collins has been dominant in several big St. Mary’s wins this season. He scored 46 points against a strong John Burroughs team, and 46 points against Hazelwood East in the championship game of the Giants Jingle Bell Holiday Tournament in Farmington.

The Dragons have had several other players who have been strong contribu-

tors this year at both ends of the court. Senior guard Demetrius Griffin is averaging 11 points and nearly seven assists a game. Junior guard Ethan Smith is averaging nine points a game. Also, in the mix are 6’0” freshman Xavier Clark, 6’3” sophomore Gary Johnson, 6’2” senior Marquan Haynes and 5’7” sophomore Marvin Neals. St. Mary’s will face one

of its biggest challenges of the season this weekend when it heads to the boot heel to face Class 3 power New Madrid Central at the 6th Man Shootout in Charleston. New Madrid is the defending Class 3 state champions, which are led by the dynamic duo of 6’5” senior Jadis Jones and 6’0” senior guard B.J. Williamson.

Carson Boyd commits to Illinois

Cardinal Ritter College Prep quarterback Carson Boyd has given a commitment to the University of Illinois. The 6’0” 170-pound junior made his announcement on his social media account over the weekend. He is one of the top prospects in the state of Missouri in the

SportS EyE

Reid

With Alvin A.

1-On-1

Burbank St. Laurence guard Josh Pickett (1) tries to block the shot of Charminade’s Collin Perry (1) during 4th quarter action during the Vashon Winter Classic at Vashon High School Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The Vikings of St. Laurence fell to the Red Devils of Charminade 51-50.

128 of 161 pass attempts for 2,224 yards and 29 touchdowns and only one interception. He also rushed for 576 yards and six touchdowns.

Keshon Gilbert stars at Iowa State

Former Vashon High standout guard Keshon Gilbert has been enjoying an excellent junior season for the Iowa State Cyclones. The 6’4” Gilbert is currently averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game while shooting 47 percent from the field for Iowa State, who is currently 16-4. Last Saturday, Gilbert had 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Cyclones victory over No. 7 Kansas. He hit the key 3-pointer in the closing seconds that sealed the victory for Iowa State. Gilbert was one of the top players for the Wolverines 2021 team that won the Class 4 state championship in convincing fashion.

Standout weekend games

Class of 2025. A three-star dual threat quarterback, Boyd chose Illinois over such schools as Missouri, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Purdue, Louisville, and many other programs. Boyd enjoyed a big junior season in helping lead Cardinal Ritter to a 14-0 record and the Class 5 state championship. As a junior, Boyd completed

Chiefs prevail after trading epic punches with Ravens

Boys Park Hills Central at MICDS, Thursday, 7 p.m. Cardinal Ritter at Father Tolton, Friday, 7:15 p.m.

Girls Webster Winter Challenge, Friday (Semifinals), Championship Day (Saturday)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said the AFC Championship game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs was going to be “a heavyweight fight.”

The title bout lived up to the billing with the defending champions scoring a unanimous 17-10 decision over the Ravens. The AFC belt returns to Kansas City and the Chiefs will take on the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. When the first-round bell rang in Baltimore, Mahomes came out with a flurry of punches that left the Ravens stunned. Travis Kelce would catch 11 passes for 116 yards and his first quarter 19-yard touchdown showed the raucous crowd that the defending champions would not go down easy. Jackson then used some fancy footwork to avoid a sack and landed a solid blow to the Kansas City defense with a 30-yard

touchdown pass to Zay Flowers. The heavyweight contenders traded punches for 15 minutes and the first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie. With more pinpoint passes to Kelce and the body shots of running back Isaiah Pacheco, the Chiefs drove 75 yards in 16 plays to regain the lead in the second quarter. The drive included a third-and-five, 10-yard connection to Kelce that only Mahomes could make happen. Pacheco punched it in from two yards out and the Chiefs held a 14-7 lead. Jackson made two tactical errors during the bout, both of which helped the Chiefs maintain control of the knock-down, drag-out tussle.

The Chiefs posted a strip-sack of Jackson and recovered the football at the Ravens’ 33-yard line. Battered and bruised by Mahomes and the Chiefs, the Ravens survived the round without being knocked out. The Chiefs were forced to settle for a

52-yeard field goal. The half ended with the Chiefs leading 17-7.

The Ravens refused to take many more punches from the Chiefs in the second half but let their proverbial guard down at critical times.

Baltimore had Kansas City on the ropes late in the third quarter, but Zay Flowers had the football punched from his grasp at

the Chiefs’ one-yard line. The Chiefs stole a round that the Ravens had dominated and clung to the 10-point advantage.

The crowd knew this heavyweight bout was getting late and it thundered as the Ravens went on the attack with an array of punches to the Chiefs’ midsection.

But Jackson threw an ill-advised haymaker, and

the Chiefs counterpunched.

The pass resulted in an end zone interception by Deon Bush with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Knowing the fight was now desperate, the Ravens mounted a late fourth-quarter drive but could not score a touchdown. A 43-yard field goal made the score 17-10 with 2:38 left in the game.

The Ravens needed a stop and a TD to send the game to overtime. Mahomes would have none of that.

On third and 7, he unleashed a deep pass to a stumbling Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who hauled in the 32-yard reception.

The Chiefs simply had to dance around the ring by downing the ball twice as the final seconds expired.

The seasoned champion prevailed. The spirited challenger was vanquished, in part because of their own tactical errors.

The next heavyweight title fight is a rematch from four years ago when the Chiefs topped the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

The 49ers, who also long for the NFL title belt, are favorites. I would not bet against the champion Chiefs and Mahomes.

The Reid Roundup Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ sons – Shedeur Shilo, and Deion Jr pitched in to buy their dad a multi-million-dollar mansion in the Colorado mountains outside of Boulder. Yes, you read that correctly…Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is dealing with his latest injury – a broken nasal cavity. He was injured last Friday but played on Sunday, albeit poorly in the Suns’ 113-98 loss to Orlando…Coco Gauff could not pull off backto-back Grand Slam titles, losing in the Australian Open semifinals to Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 6-4… The Atlanta Falcons hired L.A. Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach, passing on Bill Belichick. I think Belichick’s next head coaching gig will be in Dallas in 2025.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tosses a pass during the AFC Championship game.

Photo by Andrew Mather / Chiefs.com

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Business Briefs

Affinia Healthcare nationally recognized for quality and access

Affinia Healthcare has earned national recognition for providing high quality healthcare to the St. Louis community.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently awarded Affinia Healthcare with badges from the Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) in three categories: Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality, Addressing Social Risk Factors, and Patient Centered Medical Home.

Our teams have diligently worked to ensure that we incorporate quality standards in all areas of our operations and care. It is a requirement for great healthcare and our patients deserve it, said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President & CEO.

Affinia’s recognitions include:

Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality: Meets all criteria to optimize HIT services that advance telehealth, patient engagement, interoperability, and collection of social determinants of health data to increase access to care and advance quality of care.

Addressing Social Risk Factors: Recognizes health centers that are screening for social risk factors impacting patient health and are increasing access to enabling services.

Patient Centered Medical Home: Recognition received from an independent, national review body demonstrates a health center’s commitment to high quality health care services and improving patient experiences, health outcomes, and safety.

Kenneth J. Copper began his stellar professional newspaper career, which included winning a Pulitzer Prize with the Boston Globe, as a St. Louis American intern. Cooper graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and has been a journalist for nearly half a century, specializing in government, politics, and social policy, at the Washington Post Boston Globe, Knight Ridder, GBH News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The St. Louis American

In 1984, Cooper, then 28, shared a Pulitzer for special local reporting

for “The Race Factor,” a Boston Globe series that examined institutional racism in Boston.

The Washington University Libraries recently acquired the Kenneth J. Cooper Papers, an archival collec-

tion of materials related to his life and work. Cooper retired in 2022.

“I’m grateful and proud that my alma mater has agreed to archive my papers,” Cooper shared with Sonya Rooney, university archivist. It was at Washington

University that I decided to become a journalist, started my career as an intern at The St. Louis American and a news editor on Student Life, and took three journalism courses at the University College at night, the only ones I’ve ever taken.

“As I sorted through my professional papers, a long walk down memory lane,

A member of the Affinia Healthcare Chronic Disease team administers a health screening during a recent health fair. Affinia Healthcare has received national recognition for its work in the community.

I was struck by the depth of my research on such topics as race in American schools, the caste system in India, and the infamous murder by Charles Stuart of his wife in Boston.” The Kenneth J. Cooper Papers are currently being processed, and part of the collections in the university archives

Shepard McCaskill Foundation awards $300K to SoulFisher Ministries

The Shepard McCaskill Foundation is partnering with SoulFisher Ministries with a $300,000 investment. SoulFisher is a St. Louis non-profit that provides support to children with incarcerated parents as well as programming for women currently or formerly incarcerated. Shawntelle Fisher,

SoulFisher founder and CEO, said the gift “will allow us to continue refining what we are well known for while investing in our team through

employee wellness. This is the first employee wellness funding we’ve received and look forward to supporting our staff with it.”

The Shepard McCaskill

Foundation is a private family foundation led by Joseph Shepard and former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. The Foundation’s funding strengthens nonprofit organizations that impact sustainable, meaningful, and beneficial changes in the life trajectories of Missourians.

Kenneth J. Cooper Papers part of Washington University Archives

Kenneth J. Cooper

Photo courtesy of Affinia Healthcare

Living It

Keyon Harrold right at home in Jazz St. Louis

Dazzling set had hits from ‘Foreverland’

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

St. Louis’ own Keyon Harrold brought down the packed house last Saturday night.

The Ferguson-raised trumpeter and composer entertained the audience with a musical fusion of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, including hits from his newest album ‘Foreverland’ which dropped on January 19, 2024 through Concord Jazz.

Smiling from ear to ear, Harrold said, “It’s nothing like coming home to be with friends and family. It’s incredible to be here at Jazz St. Louis.

Performing at the jazz club where he serves as creative advisor led Harrold to enthuse, “It’s high vibrations at the house.”

He took the stage in a trench coat that he purchased from the St. Louis Art Museum paired with shimmery leopard print pants, a light-colored shirt, and sunglasses. His locs were pulled up in his signature messy-man bun. His style

screams modern jazz, and he began the set with random rhythms on his trumpet, skipping from one key to the next at a rapid pace.

He was setting a tone and preparing the audience for an epic show.

The first song he played from “Foreverland is entitled “Paranoid.” It is George Clinton meets Miles Davis, according to Harrold who labels the song “his conversation with God.”

A son of two pastors, Harrold said, “However you talk to God, whether it’s through cannabis or having a drink-talk to him; Just give me some tequila and pineapple juice.”

The rhythm of ‘Paranoid’ is a Basquiat’s painting for the eardrums.

“ I had fun making this in the studio,” said Harrold.

Harrold strives to take jazz to a new level, with a compilation of electric funk, Afro-beats, hip-hop, and R&B. His mastery of many types of music las led to him working with Robert Glasper, Common, Beyonce, Chaka Khan,

Maxwell, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Anthony Hamilton.

He introduced Stout, a jazz singer from Connecticut, before performing the single ‘Foreverland.’

They’ve been performing together since 2000, and Stout’s voice rang with hints of Jill Scott and Phyllis Hyman. During their performance, they added melodies of ‘My Funny Valentine.”

‘Foreverland’ brought the audience to their feet, as the band received a standing ovation.

His third studio album is like a personal diary for the artist, Harrold explained.

“Deep mantras and high vibrating ideas went into the record with some incredible people,” he said.

‘Don’t Lie’ has a very soulful gospel sound with a smooth transition that takes listeners back to 90s hiphop when Harrold slips in Outkast’s

Jonigan Booth helps make ‘The Underdoggs’ a winner

St. Louis native stars with

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

St. Louisan Joniagan Booth walked the red carpet during an event celebrating his first major role in the star-studded film The Underdoggs.

Family and friends came out to support the young actor at The Alamo Drafthouse on Thursday, January 25, and the movie theater was decked out with life-size photos of Booth and cast members including Grammy-winning rapper Snoop Dogg, and comedic show stoppers George Lopez and Mike Epps, and actress Tika Sumpter.

“This is incredible because I’m in half of the movie,” said Booth. He was excited to see family and friends come out and support him. The teenager is no stranger to the camera, he had a role in the hit NBC show, “This is Us.” where he played “young Marcus.” Before the screening,

Booth humorously apologized to his grandparents for the harsh language his character uses in the “The Underdoggs” is a combination of the Mighty Ducks and Hardball. Snoop Dogg plays the lead character “Two Js,” a hothead washed-up former athlete in need of a major attitude adjustment.

“I’ve been working on it quietly for a few years.”

- Colman Domingo on directing and starring in his Nat King Cole biopic

Black voices amplified at Sundance 2024

Among Black filmakers showcased at this years Sundance Film Festival were “Exhibiting Forgiveness” starring Andra Day, Andre Holland and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Dawn Porter’s acclaimed Luther Vandross Documentary “Never Too Much” that counts Jamie Foxx among its producers.

Famed film festival gives agency to experiences of the Diaspora

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

After experiencing a run-in with the law, Snoop’s character must complete some hours of community service coaching a youth football team. Lopez’s character is a heartwarming coach who helps the former athlete change his life.. Epps is a neighborhood friend who never left “hood” and makes

See DOGGS, C8

n Nearly 25 Black filmmakers had works that were showcased as part of the 40th Sundance Film Festival from January 18-28 in Park City, Utah.

Black stories told through cinema are no stranger to The Sundance Film Festival. Since emerging as one of the globe’s premiere showcases for cinematic voices, Sundance has become known for being intentional about featuring inclusive and diverse stories and giving a platform to filmmakers who reflect the people and ideas they’ve shared on screen. It was no different for 2024 – its 40th anniversary as the Sundance Film Festival. Of the 91 features and 53 short stories showcased through January 18-28 in Park City, Utah – and all over the world through online screening opportunities –nearly 25 were the creative expression of Black filmmakers. Among them were several of the most anticipated selections from the festival. They included “Never Too Much” the Dawn Porter directed and Jamie Foxx produced Luther Vandross documentary and the Sundance debut of former first daughter Malia Obama. She was credited as Malia Ann for her short film “The Heart,” which she wrote and directed. Several more selections highlighted the Black experience.

Bao Nguyen’s “The Greatest Night In Pop” highlights a handful of Black music icons –Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder – at the behest of another (Harry Belafonte) brought together the biggest artists to record “We Are the World” to raise millions in the fight against African famine. Johan Grimonprez’s “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” interweaves the liberation of Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach, Nina Simone, John Coltrane and other jazz artists who express the demand for liberation in their music with the timeline of the Congo’s national direct action to liberate from its colonizer.

The complicated relationship between Blacks and law enforcement were explored. J.M. Harper’s “As We Speak,” details the policing of the Black voice by way of hip-hop and how caveats regarding freedom of speech with rap lyrics can

See Sundance, C8

Snoop Dogg

See Harrold, C8

Photo courtesy of Raindog Films

Courtesy photo

Snoop Dogg’s character ‘Two Js’ turns his life around and guides a troubled youth football team to success in ‘The Underdoggs.” Wearing No. 8 to Snoop’s right is St. Louisan Jonigan Booth, who plays the character ‘Tre’ in the movie.

Photo courtesy by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

Keyon Harrold said, “It’s high vibrations in the house,” before the first notes of his dazzling show at Jazz St. Louis on January 19, 2024. The native of St. Louis had patrons on their feet throughout the evening as he shared songs from his new album “Foreverland.”

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Barber and Price

2/2/2024 10:30am

A call for unity. Pioneering composer Florence Price’s Third Symphony combines passion with great tunes, while Coleman’s Umoja seeks a union for family, community, nation, and race.

Augustin Hadelich joins for Samuel Barber’s lyrical Violin Concerto.

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center

St. Louis, MO

$15-$71.50

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

2/3/2024 8:00pm 300 Monsanto Ave Pop’s Concert Venue Sauget, IL

$40.00 - $99.99

Je’Caryous Johnson Presents

“New Jack City Live”

2/4/2024 3:00pm 1400 Market Street Stifel Theatre

St. Louis, MO $69.75

Billy Childs with Sean Jones & Alicia Olatuja

2/3/2024 9:30 pm Jazz St. Louis

St. Louis, MO

3536 Washington Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63101

Please contact the box office for ticket purchases

‘Mia Dreams Biggie’ Story Time and Dessert Tasting with Teen Author Chef Tamia

2/7/2024 6:30 pm

STL Sites & Sounds

St. Louis’ very own Kidpreneur Chef Tamia will read her children’s book entitled “Mia Dreams Bigger.” She will also host a tasting of the delightful treats and sweets that she has to offer. Books will be available to purchase.

Lewis & Clark Bank 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63136-5322

Joy-Ann Reid, “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America” 2/10/2023 7:00 p.m.

In conversation with Carol Daniel, Senior Producer and Host, Nine PBS.

Shalom Church (City of Peace) 5491 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO 63034

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

NIGHTLIFE

St. Louis Comedy Festival

2/3/2024 8:00pm 1400 Market Street Stifel Theatre

St. Louis, MO

$59.00 - $175.00

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

History of Black Fashion 2/1/2024 5pm-8pm Missouri HIstory Museum

5700 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO Free

Birthplace of Creativity

2/2/2024 10:30am

Joy-Ann Reid, cable’s first Black female primetime anchor, who currently hosts a show on MSNBC, will be in St. Louis to promote her new book “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America”on February 10 (see listing).

Birthplace of Creativity is a series of collaborative programs with the self-guided audio tour of Dominic Chambers: Birthplace, produced by CAM’s podcast-in-residence Speak Up St. Louis. 3750 Washington Blvd Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis St. Louis, MO

Broken Heartsa juried art exhibit

2/2/2024 12:00pm 2/3/2024 12:00pm 2/4/2024 12:00pm

2/5/2024 12:00pm

2/6/2024 12:00pm

2/7/2024 12:00pm

2/8/2024 12:00pm

With artwork by 13 resident artists, we offer a diverse collection of works, including painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and jewelry. Soulard Art Gallery St. Louis, MO

Family Sunday 2/4/2024 1:00pm Hands-on art activities and special interactive compo-

nents for kids within the galleries. One Fine Arts Drive Saint Louis Art Museum St. Louis, MO Free

Storytelling: February

2/2/2024 10:30am

February Storytelling themes include Groundhog Day, Going to the Doctor, Mardi Gras and Carnival, Black History MonthBlack Traditions, and Geology Rocks

Missouri History Museum 5700 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

“Pressed,” A Black Anthology Production

2/2/2024 7:00pm

2/3/2024 2:00pm

2/3/2024 7:00pm

Black Anthology is the oldest cultural production at Washington University and strives to shed light on issues that affect the global Black community. 6465 Forsyth Blvd Edison Theatre St. Louis, MO $12.00

The Tuskegee Airmen: HIstory of African American Pilots in World War II 2/6/2024 11:00am Join St. Louis County Library’s Paul Steensland and Robert “C. J.” Hall for a presentation about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Missouri History Museum 5700 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

COMMUNITY

Black Authors Scavenger Hunt

2/1/2024 12:00

See if you can spot all of the famous Black authors and illustrators in the children’s area and win a prize. In celebration of Black History Month. Ages 3-10. Mid-County Branch Library 7821 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, MO Free

Black History Month

Scavenger Hunt

2/1/2024 9:00 am

Each week we will celebrate different Black History heroes in the fields of literature, the arts, and STEM. Ages 3-10. Florissant Valley Branch Library 195 New Florissant Rd., S. Florissant, MO, 63031 Free

Changemaking Through Coalition: Advocacy and Community Resources

2/2/2024 12:00pm The second program centered on Advocacy and Community Resources will focus on the work from regional advocacy groups and discuss topics such as neighborhood inequity, sustainable communities, and resident-driven redevelopment. The Griot Museum of Black History 2505 Saint Louis Avenue St. Louis, MO Free

• Certified event planner recognized for seamless organizing and spotting even the smallest details

• Highly experienced consulting services cover countless details including: table arrangements, seating charts, budgeting, etiquette, logistics, crisis management, and so much more!

• Creates a “day of” master timeline to ensure the seamless flow of each special moment

• Presents premium preferred vendor list while coordinating and overseeing communication flow

• Day of coordination specializes in overseeing details others often miss

• Managing a productive rehearsal ceremony and timeline

Photo courtesy of The Daily Iowan

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

February events at the Missouri History Museum

By the Missouri Historical Society

On Thursday, February 1, join the Missouri History Museum for The History of Black Fashion, celebrating historical and contemporary Black fashion in St. Louis. At this Thursday Nights at the Museum program (5:00–8:00pm), you’ll hear the stories of designer Elizabeth Keckly, the annual Ebony Fashion Fair, the Louise Dunn Modeling and Charm School, and more. You’ll also hear from a panel of contemporary Black fashion insiders who will share their thoughts on what Black fashion means today. At 5:00pm, local designers will present a trunk show showcasing the talent of the St. Louis Black fashion scene, where you can place orders for pieces to take home.

The Tuskegee Airmen: The History of African American Pilots in World War II is the focus of another African American History Initiative program on Tuesday, February 6, at 11:00am. The Tuskegee Airmen are famous throughout the world for their successes during World War II. Learn how these pilots—some of whom were from the St. Louis area—exemplified their worth and importance in battle as African American fliers and paved the way for future Black pilots and military personnel. This story will take flight in a presentation by St. Louis County Library’s Paul Steensland and Robert “C. J.” Hall Babies and toddlers ages 2 and younger are invited to join us before Storytelling at the Museum on Tuesday mornings for Museum Babies at 10:10am. Enjoy songs, board books, and movements for caregivers and children during these 15-minute programs! Monthly board book themes will include colors, food, animals, travel, shapes, family, and more. The theme for February 6 and February 13 is “Love and Kindness.” The program on February 13 will include American Sign Language interpretation by DEAF Inc. For children ages 2 and up, stay for Storytelling in the Museum from 10:30am to 11:00am.

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year is one of the biggest celebrations of

the Vietnamese calendar. It marks the end of the winter season and is a time for gathering with family, honoring ancestors, and preparing for a peaceful and prosperous new year. On Thursday, February 8, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Celebrate Vietnamese New Year by welcoming in the Year of the Dragon at Thursday Nights at the Museum. You’ll learn about the history of this holiday and its associated traditions and enjoy a special celebratory Lion Dance performance. This program is presented in collaboration with the St. Louis Vietnamese Community.

One Friday and Saturday each month, the Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days (10:00am–2:00pm). This event is free and open to all families and educators who are teaching and learning at home or at school. The theme for Friday, February 9, and Saturday, February 10, is “The Doctor Is In: Health and Medicine.” Join us as we learn more about the world of medicine in St. Louis, the people and places that contributed to its health history, and how Black St. Louisans fought for adequate medical care and education for Black professionals during the 20th century. Timed activities include storytelling with ASL interpretation by DEAF Inc. on Friday and Spanish-language storytelling on Saturday, a “Dr. Du-Good’s Chem-

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta

desserts and a seated dinner, while helping us celebrate the achievements of three Changemaker Scholarship Awardees and honor the contributions of our 2024 Legacy Builders. Purchase tickets at girlscoutsem.org/dessertfirst

Count your blessings in 2024

By Robert Townsend

It’s truly a blessing to be able to breathe, embrace and see a new season of life. I hope you all learned many lessons, helped many people, traveled to many new adventures, and expanded your mind in 2023.

Now, let’s take a breath and prepare to soar for more in 2024.

I don’t think we have to make any resolutions but resolve in our spirits that we will be the best versions of ourselves. Let’s take more time to sit quietly at

you’re here.” Doesn’t that speak volumes? That profound statement should challenge us, push us, and catapult us the more! Let’s take our time and enjoy this winter season. Let’s see the seasonal blessings that really do last beyond the seasons. In 2024 and beyond, promise yourself to remember that “you are a Spiritual Being having a natural experience,” and you can conquer all that you can imagine!

Let’s taste and see that we all are “living proof” that the prayers of our parents and ancestors have

ical Laboratory” STEM workshop on the history of hygiene in the medical field (Friday only), and a workshop for middle and high school students and educators about identify ing and filling in gaps in historical data and stories (Friday only). Drop-in activities include a craft room, sensory play, Homer G. Phillips Hospital time travel room, a touch table and inquiry station, and a Black medical history–themed scavenger hunt throughout the Museum’s galleries. Visit mohistory. org/events for the complete schedule of timed and drop-in activities.

On Tuesday, February 13, join author Riley at 11:00am for a talk about his new book, Black Saint Louis the founder and executive director of the George B. Vashon Museum, will share how he established the institution and built a collection that reflects the stories of St. Louis Black culture over the past 250 years. Co-written with NiNi Harris, Louis explores the rich his tory of African Americans in St. Louis—from the city’s founding as a French fur-trading post to the Spanish colonial era to the new millennium—and tells the stories of extraordinary people who helped pave the way for the St. Louis we know today. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

African American History Initiative program ming is presented by Wells Fargo.

FEB 22, 2024 FEB 22, 2024

Religion

Rev. Donnie Robinson new Washington Tabernacle MBC pastor

St. Louis American Staff

Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church is pleased to announce Rev. Donnie Robinson Sr. as its new pastor, becoming the 10th in the church’s 121-year history.

Born on December 28, 1960, to the late Rell and Ora Lee Robinson in Macon, Miss., the pastor’s family relocated to East St. Louis. He accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized in 1974, under the Pastorate of Rev. Garfield Hubbard, Sr., at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis.

He accepted his call to the ministry and was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the authority of Morning Star.

Pastor Robinson joined Washington Tabernacle in 1984, under the Pastorate of Rev. James F. DeClue. He served as an associate minister and was ordained in 1985. From 1985 until October 29, 2023, he served as an associate minister. Robinson also served the congregation as interim pastor on three occasions.

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, based upon the vote of the congregation, Robinson was chosen to lead the church by an overwhelming majority.

Pastor Robinson has served in many capacities throughout his ministry. He served as assistant pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis under the Pastorate of Rev. DeClue and served as the stand-in pastor at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in St. Louis on several occasions.

In 1980, Robinson, was elected National Baptist Congress of Christian Education youth president, and he also served as the secretary of the Progressive

union three (3) children were born: Donnie, Jr., Margie, and Timothy. They are also blessed to have six (6) beautiful grandchildren.

Pastor Robinson’s aspirations “are to do and to be in the Will of God at all times, to seek and to save those who are lost, and to serve God’s congregation of Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.”

At 2 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2024, the community is in-

vited to a welcome reception for the new pastor followed by the installation service at 3:30 p.m. at Washington Tabernacle.

Guest preachers will be Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams, Jr., senior pastor of Convent Avenue Baptist Church in New York for morning worship service at 10:00 a.m., and Rev. Charles K. Burton, Jr., senior pastor of Unity Fellowship Church in Godfrey, Ill., will bring the message for the installation service.

Memorial service for Dexter King planned

The family of the late Dexter King Scott King, who died Monday, January 22, 2024, has announced that a memorial service honoring his life is being planned and will be announced later.

King died at his home in Malibu, California and was cremated the same day in keeping with his wishes.

Martin Luther King Jr., died after celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday one last time on January 15.

Bernice King said Dexter battled prostate cancer for three and a half years and died in his sleep at his home in California.

Ministers in Action of East St. Louis.

Pastor Robinson received his education in District 189 of East St. Louis and attended Harris-Stowe State University and Columbia College - St. Louis. He has also received a Certificate of Accreditation, Sectoral Training, from Howlett & Associates, Inc.

The Rev. Bernice King said at an emotional press conference at the King Nonviolent Center for Social Change in Atlanta on Jan. 23, “As you can imagine, this is perhaps the hardest thing for me to do.”

On June 1, 1985, Pastor Elect, Rev. Donnie Robinson, Sr. married the “love of his life,” Jacqueline R. Jones, and to this

“I love you, Dexter,” I appreciate your leadership, your love.”

Dexter King, the youngest son of slain civil rights leader Dr.

“He fought to the very last minute,” she said. “Dexter kept the faith. His might was strong until the end.” It was the second death for the King family in less than a year. Last year, Christine King Farris, Dr. Martin Luther King’s oldest sister, died at 95.

Dexter’s mother, Coretta Scott King, died in 2006. His oldest sister, Yolanda King died in 2007.

Courtesy photo

Donnie Robinson is new Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church pastor, the 10th in the church’s history.

Dexter King

FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT AIDE POSITION

Guardian Angel Settlement Association invites applicants to apply for our Food Pantry Support Aide position. This candidate will assist with the daily operations of GASA’s ClientChoice Food Pantry.

Valid driver’s license required and must be able to pass background check 25hrs/wk, Mon-Fri, 2-3 weekends per year $15 - $17/ hr

Interested applicants can apply on Indeed or email your resume to hr@gasastl.org

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

FRONT DESK MONITOR

Front Desk Monitor Needed.

Please Apply At: https:// horizonnorthhousing. org/apply

FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER

Provide case management services for children in foster care. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Minimum of one year of employment in child welfare field. Interested candidates forward letter of interest and resume to:vatkins@posimpacts. com, Attention: Valerie Atkins. Employee will be employed by Positive Impacts, Inc. and contracted to Epworth Children & Family Services.

VISIT

ACCOUNT SPECIALIST

The St. Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Account Specialist with a salary range of $43,497$62,875 and a highly competitive benefit package. For the full job posting visit www.stlmhb.com/ about-us/careers.

DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYST

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

SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

There are multiple 2-4-year limited term positions available, term of employment will vary for each position.

These positions will assist in the administration and implementation of various Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic.

All positions will be funded in whole or in part through an allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the US Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.

To see the full job description of positions available and to apply online go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.” SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F24 404, Playground Expansion at Forest Park Campus, until 2 pm local time on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Director of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314.

Electronic bid sets are available in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com/.

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed to Jeff Blankenship at jblankenship32@stlcc.edu

A pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 1 pm at the office of Engineering and Design 5464 Highland Park Dr. A walk-through of the project area will follow the meeting. You may schedule additional site visits by contacting Jeff Blankenship jblankenship32@stlcc. edu.

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

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

Advertisement Date: January 30, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

>Doing Business With Us

>View Bid Opportunities

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS FOR FUTURE BID OPPORTUNITY

PARIC Corporation will be seeking proposals for the following project: GATEWAY SOUTHCRUNDEN-MARTIN EAST & WEST – CORE & SHELL PARIC Corporation will be soliciting bids for the GATEWAY SOUTH - CRUNDEN-MARTIN EAST & WEST CORE & SHELL located on the 700 Block of South 2nd Street in St. Louis, MO. Project consists of the historic renovation of a 436,495 SF, 6-story multi-structure building and a 29,232 SF, 6-story building with a skywalk connecting the two buildings. The project site is approximately 3 acres. The use of the buildings is composed of commercial spaces and light-industrial spaces. Demolition/remediation work and sitework will start Late March/April of 2024. Invitations to bid will be sent out on 2/12/2024 for access to the bid documents. If you do not receive a bid invitation, please send your company information to tlalexander@paric.com. The last day for questions is 3/1/24.

A Pre-Bid Site Walk and Outreach meeting will be held on 2/27/2024 at 9:00am at the project site on 760 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON MARCH 14, 2024 @ 2:00pm Send all questions to Cory Hoke choke@paric. com. Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

•21% for African American-owned business enterprises,

•2% for Hispanic American-owned business enterprises,

•0.5% for Asian American-owned business enterprises,

•0.5% for Native American-owned business enterprises,

•11% for Women-owned business enterprises.

Goals for Construction Workforce

•25% for Minority

•20% for Apprentice

•7% for Women

•23% for City of St. Louis Residence

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Kingsland Avenue Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1717, Federal Project No. STP5526(648), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on February 7, 2024

Plans and specifications will be available on January 1, 2024 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo. gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63118 (314)678-0087.

www.stlamerican.com

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT Office– located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.

Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT Office located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051.

Northwest R-1 School District Phase 1 - Bid Package 01 - Cedar Springs Elementary, High Ridge Elementary, Woodridge Middle School

Bid Package No. 1

All work packages associated with the renovation and site work at Cedar Springs Elementary. Renovation, addition and site work at High Ridge Elementary.Renovation, addition and site work at Woodridge Middle School

A Pre-bid Meeting for Bid Package No. 1 will begin at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 6th 2024, at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051. The purpose of this meeting is to address technical questions concerning the project from prospective bidders. Contractors shall not visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.

The School District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, and to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid.

The bid documents will be available for viewing on BuildingConnected.com https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5913928fce945d0a00d28943

Plans will also be available for viewing or purchase at: Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 2713 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

Any offer exceeding $100,000 will be subject to a Bid Bond or Certified Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid Packages as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, may be asked to furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, he shall forfeit the deposit or amount of the Bid Bond as liquidated damages, and no mistakes or errors on the part of the Bidder shall excuse the Bidder or entitle him to a return of the deposit or Bid Bond.

The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. All bidders shall conform to the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, Annual Wage Order No. 30, Section 010, Jefferson County in accordance with Section 290.262 CUM. Supp. RSMo (1994). All Contractors and Subcontractors shall conform to the Excessive Unemployment Articles 290.550 through 290.580 of the Prevailing Wage Law. Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.

The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson Contact info: Brian Nuehring, 314-306-7566 brian.nuehring@smwilson.com Northwest R-1 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

S.M. Wilson. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. S. M. Wilson strives to make our industry a more inclusive community and to sustain this model for future generations. Bidders agree to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises have an opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Consideration of subcontract award may be based on diversity involvement.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Design & Construct Elevator & Assembly at Ike Skelton Training Site, Project No.T2211-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 22, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Project No. F2305-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 29, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PARIC Corporation is requesting proposals for the following work packages on Missouri University of Science and Technology’s new Protoplex Research Facility located in Rolla, Missouri. The scope of work we are seeking proposals for include General site services, concrete flatwork, polished concrete, masonry, rough and finished carpentry, casework, damp/waterproofing, thermal insulation, direct applied finish system, air barrier, fireproofing, joint sealants, doors, frames and hardware, overhead doors, interior glazing, smoke/fire curtain, drywall, tile, ACT, resilient flooring, epoxy/resinous flooring, terrazzo flooring, paint & wall coverings, signage, toilet partitions, toilet accessories, operable partitions, wall and door protection, fire protection specialties, laboratory casework, loading dock equipment, window treatments, elevators, fire protection system, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, asphalt paving, site concrete, equipment enclosure, irrigation, landscaping and bridge crane. You can find additional design guidelines on UM system website here: https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/fa/ facilities/guidelines/ (Click on Section 3 Design Guidelines and then click on Division Guidelines hyperlink). If you have questions or would like further information on this project, please contact Chris Lucas (clucas@paric.com) at 636-561-9794.

Construction is slated to start February 2024 and be substantially complete by October 2025. Bids are due 3-6-24 at 10:00am CST. PreBid meeting will be held on 2-14-24 at 10:00am CST at the General Services Building located at 1701 Spruce Drive, Rolla, MO 65401.

The project is tax exempt, and has MBE and WBE goals according to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 11.4% Minority participation and 6.9% Female participation in each trade. Structural Steel will be subject to the Build America, Buy America Act. The Project will be subject to prevailing wages per Missouri Division of Labor Standards Annual Wage Order for Phelps County. All bids should be delivered to Paric via

e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

INVITATION TO BID

PARIC Corporation - [the GC] - is requesting pricing feedback from the subcontractor community for all applicable trades, with the intent to award subcontracts for Design-Assist on the following trades.

• Elevators

• Plumbing

• Mechanical

• Electrical

The project consists of the Historic Renovation of an existing 9-story building in the heart of St. Louis to a new 161 Guestroom Tapestry Hotel by Hilton.

PARIC is requesting that pricing feedback be due on [February 15th] by end of day, by email to [Mskalski@ paric.com] or bids@paric.com.

A Pre-Bid Site Walk will be held on January 25th, at 10:00am at the project location. Contractors are advised to meet on the 9th street entrance. Please Note, building is currently occupied so please register w/ Mskalski@paric.com if you plan to attend so a head count can be taken. The project is not tax exempt, and taxes shall be included.

The anticipated construction start date is Fourth Quarter of 2024. Diversity requirements for this project will comply with business and workforce participation as mandated under the St. Louis City Ordinance No. 70767 and 71094.

All questions regarding this Invitation to Bid shall be directed to: Michael Skalski Senior Estimator

Direct: 636-561-9740 Main: 636-561-9500 Mobile: 314-956-6203

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 24 802, South County, SC eSports in Multipurpose Room, until 2:00 p.m. local time Thursday, February 8th, 2024 . Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Director of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Electronic bid sets are available in https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com/

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed by email only to Lori Everett at lorievrett@fgmarchitects. com.

VOLUNTARY PREBID MEETING: Thursday, February 1, 2024 10:00am, Multipurpose Room, South County Campus.

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

Individuals with special needs as addressed by the ADA may contact: 314984-7673

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Date: January 25, 2024

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park.

The project consists of subcontractor scopes of work related to:

1.Procurement of electrical equipment

2.Civil and fencing work in the safari pastures

3.Motorized vertical observa tion tower and platform.

To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Bids for the Irvington Place Apartments in Olivette, Missouri are being received by Brinkmann Constructors. Bids must be turned in by Tuesday, February 13 –5pM CST

Bids may be delivered to our office at 16650 Chesterfield Grove Rd Chesterfield, MO 63005

Attn Krista Stinson or emailed to bids@ BrinkmannConstructors. com

Plans may be viewed or downloaded at https://securecc. smartinsight.co/#/ PublicBidProject/713073

Contact Brinkmann Constructors for further details on the project at 636-537-9700

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The St. Louis County Port Authority (the “Port”) solicits bids from qualified firms to demolish certain Port-owned parcels in the Cities of Pagedale and Wellston. The qualified firm will prepare asbestos surveys, remediate any identified asbestos-containing materials, demolish certain structures, and remove all debris. An MBE-participation goal of twenty percent (20%) shall apply to the Project.

Port will accept sealed bids for the work until 10AM CT on Monday, February 26, 2024, at which time all bids will be opened and read publicly via Zoom. Bid documents and bid opening details are available at https:// stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/. Electronic proposals should be sent to Mdemarco@ stlpartnership.com.

The St. Louis County Port Authority Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTICE OF OFFICES FOR WHICH CANDIDATES ARE TO BE NOMINATED AT THE AUGUST 6, 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Primary Election will be held in the City of St. Louis on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, as certified to this office by the Honorable John R. Ashcroft, Secretary of State of the State of Missouri.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to RSMO Section 115.345, to persons wishing to file a Declaration of Candidacy to appear as a candidate for nomination at said Primary Election that filing will open on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 8:00 A.M. and will continue until Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 5:00 P.M.

Filing for the following offices will take place in the office of the Honorable John R. Ashcroft, Missouri Secretary of State, in the James C.Kirkpatrick State Information Center at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City, Missouri:

U.S. Senator

Governor Lieutenant Governor

Secretary of State

State Treasurer

Attorney General Representatives in Congress for each Congressional District (8)

State Senator for each odd-numbered District (17)

Members of the House of Representatives in each Legislative District (163)

Designated Circuit Court Judges (52)

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that filing for the following offices will take place in the office of the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis (the “Election Board”) at 300 North Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri:

Circuit Attorney Sheriff

Treasurer

Declarations of Candidacy may also be filed in the office of the Election Board for the offices of Ward Committeeman and Ward Committeewoman who are to be elected at the Primary Election on August 6, 2024.

In addition, such offices as become vacant by expiration of term, by death or resignation of the incumbent, or for any cause, and which, under the law, should be filled at the General Election to be held on November 5, 2024.

We, Leo G. (Gary) Stoff, Jr. and D. Benjamin Borgmeyer, Directors of Election for the Board of Election Commissioners within and for the City of St. Louis, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct list as certified to us by the Honorable John R. Ashcroft, Secretary of State of the State of Missouri, of the offices for which candidates are to be nominated or elected at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held on August 6, 2024.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seal at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners this 30th day of January, 2024.

BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS

(SEAL)

LEO G. (GARY) STOFF, JR. D.BENJAMIN BORGMEYER Republican Director Democratic

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the Downtown Salem Improvements for the City of Salem Project No.: 21072113 Bid Date and Time: 1:30 pm, Wednesday, February 14th 2024 Plans/Specification is available via Dropbox or google drive or www.questcdn.com Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail.com Donald Maggi Inc.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Call Tammy 314-397-1542

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email

ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

SERVICE DOOR REPLACEMENT RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Service Door Replacement RFP 2024. Bid documents are available as of 1/31/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

REQUEST FOR BIDS

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

POLICE PRECINCT #2 –SITEWORK PACKAGE

Interface Construction Corporation is seeking Subcontractor/Supplier bid proposals for St. Louis County Project Number 2024-01-1892-MH, Police Precinct #2 –Sitework Package. The project consists of exterior sitework – temporary fence, clearing, hauling, plantings, u/g storm system and layout.

Bids for this work are due to Interface Construction by 2:00 P.M. on February 12, 2024.

For further information or to receive an electronic version of the bidding documents please contact Mr. Doug Schneider of Interface at 314/522-1011 or email (preferred) at dougs@interfacestl.com.

There is a Supplier Diversity Participation goal of: ( 28.7% MBE) ; (11.3% WBE)

Doggs

Continued from C1

himself the unofficial assistant coach. Sumpter plays Booth’s mother, a single mom doing the best that she can to raise a young Black boy in the inner city.

When first arriving on set, Booth said he was a bit nervous, but the 13-year-old soon warmed up to his seasoned castmates and even battle-rapped Snoop Dogg.

“We’re like family now,” Booth said of his castmates.

and when he was being a showoff.”

Stardom runs in the Booth family. Jonigan’s sister Jonica Booth stars in Issa Rae’s comedy series Rap Sh!t on HBO Max. She helped her little brother during filming, giving him advice and coaching him on how to get into character.

Their mother Shay Williams says the two are very close.

“When he puts his heart into something he is passionate about no one can stop him,” she said, adding that she has to make him stop rehearsing his lines before bed or he’ll stay up all night practicing.

serious he was when it came to memorizing his lines.

“He’s always had an old soul, and Jonigan is just so humble and laid back,” said Williams. Williams says he’s been acting since he was five years old, making YouTube videos singing and rapping with his sister Jonica. Booth looks up to his sister, she is such an inspiration to him.

“I hope to star in a basketball movie, I won’t need a stunt double for that and I want to work with Adam Sandler, he’s hilarious,” said Booth. This young actor is going places and making St. Louis proud.

Continued from C1

have life altering ramifications. Yance Ford’s “Power,” is a deep dive into policing in Black communities and how systemic oppression and racial terror are at the root. St. Louis’ own Redditt Hudson is a featured subject matter expert in the film.

Black-centered stories were among the big winners at Sundance’s annual awards. The Sundance Institute | Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Nonfiction went to Toni Kamau for “The Battle for Laikipia.”

The film focuses on historical injustices and climate change that further fuels a generational conflict between natives and white landowners in Laikipia, Kenya. “Soundtrack

to a Coup d’Etat,” received a World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation. Stephen Maing and Brett Story’s film Union – chronicling a Black man’s journey leading current and former Amazon workers in New York City to organize for the sake of employee rights – received a U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for the Art of Change. Angela Patton and Natalie Rae’s “Daughters” won the Audience Award: U.S. Documentary. The film, which focused on a group of young girls preparing for a Daddy Daughter Dance with their fathers – who are incarcerated in Washington, D.C. and are participating in a fatherhood program that attempts to curb recidivism –also won the Festival Favorite Award. If the awards were up to me, I would have also included “Never Too

Much” and Titus Kaphar’s “Exhibiting Forgiveness” among the honorees.

Porter’s intimate portrait of Vandross was a wellrounded examination that handled the controversies and challenges surrounding his life with authenticity and grace – which is a rare ability when it comes to facing hard truths and maintaining respect to certain privacies.

Breathtaking performances from Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Andra Day and Andre Holland drive Kaphar’s captivating story of an artist’s unsuccessful attempt to contain his childhood trauma within the dimensions of his canvases. I would issue an honorable mention for “The Greatest Night in Pop” for capturing the moment in a manner that answered many questions for those of us who witnessed the pop culture phenomenon in real time.

The young actor became so immersed in his character ‘Tre,’ he says it didn’t feel like acting; he was just being himself.

Laughing he said, “Except for all the cursing

“It can be a lot of kids auditioning for the same role as me, I have to stand out,” said the child actor.

On set, he learned some acting tips from Snoop Dogg, and watched how

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

Keyon Harrold and jazz singer Stout performing the

They’ve been performing together since 2000, and

with hints of Jill Scott and Phyllis

Harrold

Continued from C1

‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious.’

The crowd went crazy as it went on a nostalgic trip. As everyone was coming down from that

high, Harrold lifted the audience again with a rendition of ‘Sweet Love’ by Anita Baker - again during ‘Don’t Lie.’

The trumpeter and composer ended his set with two respective songs, ‘Find Your Peace’ and ‘Beautiful Day,’ which were a perfect end to a great set from a very talented musician who hasn’t forgotten his roots in The Lou. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Photo courtesy by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

single ‘Foreverland.’

Stout’s voice rang

Hyman.

André Holland and Andra Day in a scene from “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (2024).

Photo courtesy of Homegrown Pictures

Celebrating Black History

D1 • FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2024 • THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Archer Alexander:

Civil War hero, symbol of American freedom

National Parks Service

On April 14, 1876, a 70-year-old African American named Archer Alexander, would be immortalized as the man that represented the former enslaved on the Freedom Memorial, also often referred to as the Emancipation Monument, in Washington, D.C. With him was President Abraham Lincoln, the very man who signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Alexander’s first biographer William Greenleaf Eliot stated “whose freedom came directly from the hand of President Lincoln… and his own hands had helped to break the chains that bound him.

The identity of the monument’s enslaved man would not be fully recognized until Alexander’s first biographer William Greenleaf Eliot’s The Story of Archer Alexander was published in 1885. However, recent research reveals that there is much more to this story and that Eliot’s book should be treated as historical fiction. Today, it is even more important that Archer’s actual life be known, and his story told.

dom known as the underground railroad.

Archer found refuge in St. Louis in the home of an abolitionist and Unitarian minister named William Greenleaf Eliot, the founder of Washington University.

Archer, born in 1806 in Rockbridge County, Va, was brought to Missouri in 1829 by his enslaver James H. Alexander. He and his wife Louisa would live the next 30 years in St. Charles County and raise at least 7 of their 10 children. By 1844, the family had been split between two owners with Louisa’s enslaver being a merchant named James Naylor and Archer being enslaved by his neighbor Richard H. Pitman.

In January 1863, Archer overheard the area men plotting to destroy a nearby railroad bridge where it crossed Peruque Creek, a vital link for the Union troops in Missouri. Archer informed them of the threat, thereby saving hundreds of lives and a nearby contraband camp. When the informant’s identity was discovered, Archer had to flee via the network to free-

Eliot was also a founding member of the Western Sanitary Commission, a non-profit commission established by Major General John C. Fremont at the beginning of the war, that would be in charge of establishing hospitals, nurses, and necessary aid for the Union Troops, both white and Black. They also assisted with the contraband camps, Freedmen’s Bureau, and the refugees fleeing the south. Their fateful connection did not end there. On April 14, 1865, at 10:15 in the evening at Ford’s Theater in Washington DC John Wilkes Booth entered the back of Lincoln’s theater box, crept up from behind, and fired at the back of Lincoln’s head, mortally wounding him. Upon hearing of President Lincoln’s murder “Charlotte Scott, an emancipated slave, brought five dollars to her former master, a Union refugee from Virginia, residing in Marietta, Ohio. It was her first earnings as a free woman, and she begged that it might be used “to make a monument to Massa Lincoln, the best friend the colored people ever had.””

The project fell into the commission’s lap because of its relief work for the many thousands of black refugees in the western theater during the war. The circular states “A Monument is proposed to be erected in the City of Washington, by contributions from the Colored Regiments of the National Army, and the. Freedmen of all the United States, in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, and in the testimony of the gratitude of four million American Citizens…”

Still lacking sufficient funds Eliot visited his friend and sculptor Thomas Ball, from Boston “In the summer of 1869, I was in Florence, Italy…I saw a group in

marble which he had … executed immediately after President Lincoln’s death. When I told him what we were trying to do, … he said at once, with enthusiasm, that the group was at our service … When told of the sum actually in hand, he said it was amply sufficient.” The Commission would accept this with one change…”the representative form of a negro should be…helping to break the chain that had bound him. Photographic pictures of ARCHER ALEXANDER, a fugitive slave, were sent to him…“. Ball would be asked to straighten Archer’s right arm and

Black music history at ‘Rhapsody in Blue

Works by Joplin, Williams featured at SLSO presentation of Gershwin masterpiece

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Every single seat in the Touhill Performing Arts Center on January 21 was filled as guests eagerly awaited St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Along with a true-to-form breathtaking performance that marked the 50th anniversary of its SLSO premiere, audiences were also given perspective as far as the musical lineage from which the famed work was inspired. The

presentation was the final of a series that highlighted classical works infused with jazz.

“The reason I chose in the course of the three concerts to end with ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is not because of its general popularity,” conductor Leonard Slatkin told the audience “But because it seems to have a place in history which makes us all believe that it was the very first work to incorporate jazz into the concert hall and that was not the case.”

By the time the audience rose to their feet to deliver an ovation that was almost as SLSO’s presentation of John Alden Carpenter’s “Krazy Kat: A Jazz Pantomime” – which predates “Rhapsody in Blue” by two years – they had a lesson on jazz origins as well as its continuum into the first half of the 20th century. And Slatkin and SLSO used the genius of Black artists to demonstrate the rich legacy of jazz and its critical role in the development of a canon of purely

James P. Beckwourth a true American pioneer

By Roger House Word In Black

James Pierson Beckwourth is a pioneer of the American West largely erased from history lessons. Recovering his story, however, can help us to better understand current debates over historical revision versus woke education — which is to say that, if he had been white, people likely would have learned about him in school. Beckwourth was an American original, at times a slave, miner, fur trapper, leader

of the Crow Indians, Army scout, and guide to the California gold mines in the 1800s. He opened a vital trading post and hotel in the Sierra Nevada mountains that became Beckwourth, California.

Historians have enshrined white “mountain men” like Kit Carson, Thomas Fitzpatrick, and William Sublette in American folklore, but not so Beckwourth. Because of racism, writers disparaged his feats and ridiculed his name. However, his keen observations of frontier life could spark discussions on co-

American music.

The concert began with Paul Turok’s “A Joplin Overture,” which featured orchestrations of Scott Joplin’s most popular works.

“It was important to play it – one, because he was a Missouri resident, but two, because this two-week exploration into looking at how we acquired a real American voice for the concert hall in a way starts with Scott Joplin and others who created ragtime,” Slatkin said.

While Joplin is a household name as a founding father to the precursor of jazz, the performance highlighted another pioneer whose name is shamefully unknown and underappreciated. Slatkin referred to Mary Lou Williams as among the first important women jazz instrumentalists.

“We had vocalists – of course – but most of the time the world of jazz and

make it culminate in a clenched fist.

On April 14, 1876, St. Louis newspapers would carry the story: “The unveiling of the Lincoln statue…was a feature of today’s holiday. The original cost of the monument was $17,000 and other incidental expenses have all been paid by subscriptions by colored people. The last congress appropriated $3,000 for a pedestal and the statue was allowed to pass the customs house free of duty. The statue

The work of pioneering jazz pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams was featured as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presented Gershwin’s iconic ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ on January 21st at The Touhill Performing Arts Center.

See Archer, D2 See Music, D2

lonial ideologies of ethnic displacement like Manifest Destiny, slavery and miscegenation, white settler violence against Indigenous people, and commercial exploitation of the land. His controversial exploits were investigated by historian Elinor Wilson in 1976 in “Jim Beckwourth: Mountain Man and War Chief of the Crows.” She argued that he “was a figure suited to the making of Western legend” had it not been for his race. She found that “racial prejudice inspired much of what early writers said about his life,” and that he was branded

a “gaudy liar” — even in a culture that valued the tall tale — an unfair indictment that has been recycled in contemporary times. His accomplishments were preserved in a memoir, as well as physical landmarks, on websites, and in documentary treatments. Central is his colorful autobiography, but unlike the frontiersman Davy Crockett, students don’t learn about the “Black King of the Wild Frontier.” Yet, his story would seem appropriate for educators today. For example, it fits with several of the topic sections in the revamped AP African American history framework issued by the College Board. The “Unit 2” sections on Black identity, freedom, autonomy, and living in Indige-

See Beckwourth, D3

Continued from D1

pop music was dominated by men,” Slatkin said. “And here was Mary Lou Williams, taking music in a very different direction than most people before her. She was an incredibly accomplished pianist, composer and arranger.” Because of her chord progressions, rhythmic ideas and bold risks with respect to harmonies –and the advice and wise counsel she willingly offered to the musicians who came to be at the forefront of the movement – Williams could be considered a founding mother of Bebop. She wrote “Trumpets No End” for The Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie hit “In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee.”

SLSO audiences were acclimated to her work by way of her “Zodiac Suite.” Inspired by Ellington’s “Black, Brown and Beige,” she responded in true Mary Lou Williams fashion, by going grander.

“Zodiac Suite” features twelve movements –a suite of tributes to some of her favorite composers separated by each of their zodiac signs.

She became the first Black woman composer to have a work played by an orchestra at Carnegie Hall when selections from

“Zodiac Suite” were performed as part of the 1946 season. The work was obliterated by critics more committed to ensuring that jazz influences (especially from Black composers) stay out of classical music than examining it for the groundbreaking art that it was.

A major criticism was that the works didn’t interrelate – which is essentially the definition of a suite.

SLSO audiences will be forever grateful that contemporary pianist and composer Aaron Diehl rediscovered the work and “Zodiac Suite” is finally getting its flowers as the masterpiece that it is.

His trio and SLSO left audiences stunned with the beauty, power and diversity within “Zodiac Suite.” Diehl’s impeccable left hand had the audience enamored as his bandmates helped demonstrate how Williams’ compositions highlighted the dexterity of each instrument for which she designated notes. The sound of David Wong’s bass felt more like a featured vocalist than an instrument solo – and Aaron Kimmel’s drumming approached rhythm with the exquisiteness and tenderness of a soft melody. The sources of the inspirations are clear in “Zodiac Suite.” The unorthodox transitions in key and rhythm make

it clear that Libra is about Thelonious Monk. But there are hints of tribute to other culture shifters within the genre such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane. And the spaces in between the notes to prepare the listener for a breathtaking virtuoso in “Taurus” is signature Ellington.

The musical experience of Williams being the point of transition between Joplin and Gershwin was chef’s kiss listening as far as an illustration of the trajectory of jazz infused orchestral compositions in the 20th century and beyond. Joplin was the originator. Gershwin bravely incorporated the genre created by Black musicians into a work that still stands as one of America’s great orchestral works one hundred years after it premiered. And through Williams one can see the potential in present – and future – in a suite of works that prophesied the trajectory of jazz, and still feels ahead of its time nearly 80 years later.

The St. Louis Symphony will present the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus with featured soloist BeBe Winans at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23 at The Stifel Theatre. For more information visit www.slso.org.

Continued from D1

is of bronze, twelve feet high, resting upon a pedestal ten feet high…..” Frederick Douglass was then introduced amid applause and delivered an eloquent oration “This occasion is in some respects remarkable. Wise and thoughtful men of our race, who shall come after us, and study the lesson of

our history in the United States; …who shall count the links in the great chain of events by which we have reached our present position, will make a note of this occasion.”

On December 8, 1880, Archer would be buried by his family in the former Deutsch Evangelical Church Cemetery, today’s St. Peters United Church of Christ in St Louis. In a common lot grave, several deep, and no markers.

Today, Archer Alexander represents all

those enslaved whose heavy chains have been broken, and by some is seen as rising – his freedom now within sight –still fixed on that moment in time of April 14th of 1865. This monument was totally paid for, and erected by those who were formerly enslaved and it belongs to our entire Nation. The site and the base for this monument were provided by the U.S. Congress.

Income Tax Preparation and Electronic Filing

Items to Bring With You

Identification

•Valid picture ID, driver’s license, or passport

•Social Security Cards of those on tax return, letter from Social Security office or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

•Income (Taxable)

•W-2s, W-2G, all 1099 series documents (A, B, C, DIV, G, INT, K, MISC, NEC, Q, R, SA, SSA)

Credits

•Dependent Care – document from daycare provider of amount paid

•Education Credit – Form 1098-T AND student financial account analysis

•Energy Credit – provide contracts, invoices and manufacturer certification in support of credit.

•Form 1095-A – Marketplace Health

Insurance verification (ObamaCare)

•Note: Do not bring Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C (no longer relevant for tax preparation)

Deductions

•Form 1098-E = Student Loan Interest

•MO-Residents – Health Insurance Premium or Long-Term Care Premiums you paid

•Note – for many, the Standard Deduction will be more beneficial for non-homeowners and many homeowners

MO Property Tax Credit

•MO Form 5674 (preferable) or letter from property owner (not landlord) showing the actual out-of-pocket rent paid by tenant.

•Non-taxable income verification – SSI letter from Social Security office; VA letter showing monthly benefits received; SSA-1099,

• Paid real estate receipt of principal residence if income (taxable & non-taxable) is less than $30,000.

Homeowners

•Paid real estate receipt of principal residence if income (taxable & non-taxable) is less than $30,000.

IL Real Estate Property Tax Credit

•County parcel ID # and verification of taxes paid.

Misc. Items

•Copy of 2022 return

•Identity Protection PIN – the IRS will mail the letter early 2024.

•Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of refunds or direct debit of balance due.

•If married filing joint, both spouses must be present to sign the returns.

•Returns with business features – not all locations prepare business returns. Returns with rental property – we do not prepare – these are out-of-scope.

Beckwourth

Continued from D1

nous territory would seem particularly relevant. And the Beckwourth story could be a vehicle for an action movie or television treatment. In fact, his name is used teasingly for a character in the 2021 Netflix Western, “The Harder They Fall.” And there is a documentary, “Jim Beckwourth: War Chief of the Crow,”in the 2022 Apple TV series, “Into the Wild Frontier.” Surely, his story could be relevant to controversies over racial representation in Hollywood.

Beckwourth’s

Wild Frontier

Born into slavery in about 1798 in Fredericks County, Virginia, Beckwourth was a product of rape and the legal property of a tobacco plantation owner. The violence

shaped his racial identity in conflicting and accommodating ways. His pioneer outlook was fueled by the opportunities of the Louisiana Purchase. About 1805, his master took him to work at a St. Louis fur trading post; he was later hired out for a lead-mining expedition to Illinois on the Mississippi River. With money earned from the mines, he returned to St. Louis to buy his freedom. His story from that point sheds light on the incorporation of the wild frontier into Western capitalism. His work as a trapper in the dangerous but lucrative fur trade is a window into the diverse people, places, and cultures of the Old West, and the systems of colonization and slavery that made America an economic power. For instance, he was hired by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company to supply animal pelts for fashionable wear. At the same time, as he trekked about the frontier, his freedom was subject to

challenge under the fugitive slave laws of 1793 and 1850. Like other free

James Beckwourth’s accomplishments were preserved in a memoir, as well as physical landmarks, on websites, and in documentary treatments.

Photo courtesy of wikimedia.com

master testified to his legal emancipation in courts several times.

Over the years, Beckwourth gained a reputation as a skilled hunter, fur trapper, and courageous mountaineer. His assignments took him to Iowa, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. He witnessed — and participated in — skirmishes among Indigenous nations and with white settlers. About 1828, he was captured by warriors of the Crow Nation in Montana.

Tribal leaders evidently saw value in his understanding of white culture, fluency in English, and bravery in combat. In the tribe, he rose to the position of a war chief. Today, his observations of their way of life before displacement by white settlers are valued as precious anthropology.

Witness to Continental Expansion

Beckwourth was a rare Black witness to the Seminole Nation and runaway slaves in Florida. He participated in the second of three wars from 1835 to 1842. During the conflicts, he served as a messenger

delivering instructions between army forts. He observed the deadly Battle of Okeechobee on Christmas Day 1837, involving about 800 troops under the command of Col. Zachary Taylor.

Though Taylor, who later became president, proclaimed the battle a victory, many historians tend to agree with Beckwourth’s assessment that the Seminoles got the better of the fight. He recounted: “I could not see that Ok-ke-cho-be was much of a victory; indeed, I shrewdly suspected that the enemy had the advantage; but it was called a victory by the soldier, and they were the best qualified to decide.”

Beckwourth also provided insights into the opening of California during the gold rush. In 1850, he located a passage through the Sierra Nevada mountains known as Beckwourth Pass. Then, he organized a team to prepare a road for wagon trains between Reno and northern California, known as the Beckwourth Trail, which enabled thousands of settlers to reach the fertile central valley in safety — and allowed Beckwourth to achieve a measure of commercial success.

This fascinating pioneer lived to see the end of slavery; he died around 1866, shortly after the Civil War. But he never had the legal right to become a citizen, even though he was an authentic product of the American experience. As such, the rediscovery of his story can provide an engaging springboard for re-envisioning the wild frontier.

Roger House is associate professor of American Studies at Emerson College

Black people, he lived at risk of kidnapping and enslavement; his former