February 27th, 2014 Edition

In the footsteps of Ervin and McLeod

Robyn S. Hadley becomes second director of Ervin Scholars Program at WUSTL

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Robyn S. Hadley has gone from being a corporate CEO to the founder of a grassroots education program that has earned White House recognition for getting more high school students into colleges and careers. On Feb. 24, she stepped into her new role as associate vice chancellor and director of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program at Washington University.

The late James E. McLeod served as director of the program from its

Robyn S. Hadley

inception in 1986 until his death on Sept. 6, 2011. Hadley will be the program’s second director.

“Robyn is passionate about education, young people and creating opportunities for success for students,” said Sharon Stahl, vice chancellor for students. “She understands the difference that a community of scholarship, leadership and service, like the Ervin Scholars

n Hadley founded the “What’s After High School?” program in the AlamanceBurlington School System, a low-income district in North Carolina.

Program, can provide for a student coming into a university community like Washington University.”

See HADLEY, A6

Brown sisters speak at SLU Law

By Dale Singer Of St. Louis Public Radio

n “It takes a keen eye and ear to detect subtle areas of discrimination, because it has become a matter of economic segregation.”

– Linda Brown Thompson

said that the true goal was giving everyone an equal chance at achievement.

“I think the challenges that districts are having are with wanting to make sure they can close the achievement gap and looking at alternate ways to make that happen, and the transfer program here in Missouri seems to be one of those ways,” she said in an interview.

“The challenge, however, is making certain you don’t bankrupt the district that the students are coming from, so that it can rebuild. Because even though it may have lost accreditation, it should be given

Photo by Wiley Price

Cheryl Brown Henderson speaks with students from De

Rev. Herman L. Watson

Do Pebbles and El DeBarge share a secret baby?

For years there have been rumors that Pebbles Reid had a secret son she doesn’t claim. The rumors resurfaced after the TLC Movie dropped. And according to a post on Diary of a Hollywood Street, El DeBarge’s mother claims the child is her grandson.

After Diary of a Hollywood Street King published an interview with Sebastian ‘Tian’ McKissack admitting he was the son of Pebbles Reid and an unnamed Oakland pediatrician, El DeBarge’s mother Etterline reportedly reached out to set the record straight.

well taken care of. My son never neglected him and I made sure of that! Sebastian lived with me from 2007-2009 due to his behavioral problems so if he is saying he was completely neglected by my side of the family it’s a LIE! I’m sorry it came to this.”

Brandy pumps the brakes on engagement to her manager

Several sources are reporting that singer Brandy’s engagement to her manager Ryan Press has been put on hold.

“I’m informing you that the story you put out about Sebastian McKissack is not completely true,” Etterline wrote to HSK. “Yes, Perri is his mother but he is telling a bold faced lie about his dad. He is my son. Yes, Eldra DeBarge. I don’t understand why he would sit up and tell that complete lie about his father, because he was

A source close to the couple confirmed to the YBF.com that Brandy and Ryan’s wedding is off for now.

Sister 2 Sister Magazine reports that the status of the engagement shifted after the couple moved in together.

As a result, they have supposedly decided to take some time apart in order to reportedly re-evaluate their relationship and determine whether they actually should get married.

While the possibility of getting back together hasn’t been completely thrown out, it could be a moot point in light of rumblings of Press being set up on a date recently.

The two are said to be moving forward with their professional relationship though and sources say there are no signs that Press will stop managing the singer/ actress’s career.

Robin Thicke working to woo Paula back

TMZ is reporting that Robin Thicke is refusing to give on his marriage to Paula Patton despite their announced separation earlier this week.

Janet Jackson

Sources connected with the singer told TMZ he’s resuming his tour on Thursday in Washington D.C., but he will NOT go out on the town. “We’re told he wants to convince Paula he can change and be a good husband,” TMZ said. “Robin is really concerned about their son. He does not want him raised in two separate homes.”

The website reported that Paula, in Vancouver shooting a film, called Robin on Friday to tell him she wanted a divorce … and Robin jumped on a plane to Canada and tried in vain to convince her to change her mind.

The couple released a statement saying they have separated, but TMZ says their sources made it clear that Patton wants a divorce.

Is Janet ready to ‘Runaway’ from Wissam?

Singer Janet Jackson is reportedly ready to throw in the towel after less than two years of marriage to Middle Eastern billionaire Wissam Al Mana

An insider told The National Enquirer that while Jackson closed the door on her career and converted to Islam, Al Mana,39 (who comes for the State of Qatar), hasn’t made any sacrifices for his 47-year-old wife.

“She’s confided to a few close friends and (her mother) Katherine that she’s preparing to leave him,” The source told the magazine. “And she’s been calling friends at all hours, crying and saying how miserable she is.”

Al Mana reportedly demanded Janet sign a pre-nup. She wanted a guaranteed $500 million if the marriage failed before two years, but he held out and said he wouldn’t pay her a dime unless it lasted at least five years. Now sources say Jackson is getting set to challenge the pre-nup and demand a fat lump sum payout from his fortune.

“Her argument is that she gave up millions in earnings for her husband,” explained a Jackson family insider.

Sources: Miami Herald, TMZ.com, YBF. com, Diary of a Hollywood Street King, E! Online, The National Enquirer.

Brandy

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING

Robin Thicke

Editorial /CommEntary

Missouri education is in

crisis I’m black, don’t shoot me

Both citizens and public education leaders spoke some good sense at a forum held Tuesday night at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Though intended as a discussion of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s proposed multi-tier system for supporting school districts that face loss of accreditation, the main topic of conversation was one currently unaccredited school district: the Normandy School District. DESE recently took over financial administration of the district, which faces bankruptcy if the state does not provide $5 million in emergency operation funds. The district has been drained of resources in the wake of a new state law that obligates unaccredited districts to pay tuition and (in select cases) transportation costs for students who choose to transfer to an accredited district.

“We should be on buses heading to Jefferson City,” Charles Coburn said, according to a St. Louis Public Radio report. “We should be mobilizing ourselves.” We agree that we need a more mobilized community engaged with the issue of public education, but we need to spend our energies wisely. When we get off the bus in the state capital, what should we do? The answer is not protesting the state school board for empowering DESE to step in on Normandy’s finances. Simply put, there was

no chance of the state passing emergency funding to keep this failing district alive until the end of the term if those funds were to be administered locally.

“Those children who left, they didn’t have to leave,” said Melda Collins, who transferred her child out of Normandy.

“They made their choice.”

That, too, is a fact. Some version of a school transfer law is here to stay, as long as there are public school districts that are consistently failing by state standards. The demands of parents like Collins are now an essential part of this conversation. So, if we wish to preserve a functional public education system in Missouri – and not everyone active on this issue wishes to preserve the public system – then we must pressure our legislators to fix the school transfer law. The Legislature currently is debating one such bill. We need a transfer law that caps tuition paid by the sending district and mandates the receiving district to spend the transfer funds on educating transfer students.

“We are meeting the needs of the whole child, not just the academic ones,” said Pam Sloan, superintendent of the Francis Howell School District, a district receiving transfer students. “The work is very complex.”

Whether or not Francis Howell is doing as well as Sloan claims, she is exactly right about what is required

of a district receiving transfer students – in the vast majority of cases, African-American youth (which explains the strong racial overtones of the public discussion of this issue). This crisis presents an opportunity for area school districts to embrace diversity and devise programs for nurturing newcomers who face unique challenges.

“We have to come together,” Collins said. That should be clear now more than ever. The crisis in Normandy is likely to spread, if the Legislature does not act more swiftly and much more strategically than it has in recent years. If St. Louis Public Schools were to go down the same path as Normandy, then St. Louis and St. Charles county school districts would have a transfer student problem on a much larger scale. The western side of the state faces the same situation.

This is truly a statewide crisis in the making. There is a desperate and immediate need for firm leadership on this complex issue. Which makes us wonder: Where is Gov. Jay Nixon? The governor has appeared in the national media this week, claiming education is his priority as a way to dodge questions about raising the minimum wage. If education is Nixon’s priority, then where is he right now on this acute school transfer crisis?

And if not now, governor, then when?

What lights your fire?

By Desiree Coleman Guest Columnist

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a facilitated discussion with United Way of Greater St. Louis. Orv Kimbrough convened a group of young professionals to discuss areas of importance in the region. Young professionals from every walk of life – including clergy, university scholars, nonprofit professionals and business leaders –engaged in a powerful conversation, highlighting the ways we could advance the St. Louis region. The human capital in the room was amazing. Sitting in the company of such gifted and talented individuals made me wonder if we were on the cusp of something big. I asked myself if there was a quiet movement beginning as the young leaders in that room readied themselves to be change-makers.

That day, my peers presented their ideas on creating a shared youth vision for youth in both Missouri and the Metro East. They shared their research on health

disparities across the region and the subsequent social problems that result. They outlined ways to strengthen the educational system. And they provided the rationale for the importance of diversity and inclusion. Reflecting on the spirited discussion, one thing was crystal clear: the young professionals of this region are thought leaders who care deeply about our community. When I consider the monumental moments that defined our history – women’s suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam –one element that was present throughout them all was the involvement and engagement of students and young people. Young adults and young professionals led the way in making social change. I see this as an integral part to bettering our communities in St. Louis and beyond.

Presently, many of my peers serve on boards, volunteer, donate their resources and do what they can to strengthen our region. So, this is not a call to action to get involved. Rather, it’s a call to do even more.

To my fellow young leaders in the region, I would pose the following questions: What drives you? What do you go to sleep thinking about at night? What ignites your passion?

Consider these questions carefully and, then, I would respectfully ask that you identify at least one way to

Sometimes, when I’m in my car, I crank up the music pretty loud. All you Michael Dunns out there, please don’t shoot me. Please don’t shoot my sons, either, or my brothers-inlaw, nephews, nephews-inlaw or other male relatives. I have quite a few friends and acquaintances who also happen to be black men, and I’d appreciate your not shooting them as well. I know I shouldn’t have to ask, but nothing else has worked. The criminal justice system has a mixed record –Dunn was at least partly held accountable for the burst of mayhem in which he fatally shot Jordan Davis, while George Zimmerman got off scot-free for killing Trayvon Martin. But whatever the final outcome, prosecutors and juries never get involved until after the fact. When mothers have already cried over the caskets of their dead sons.

Davis’ killing was just as senseless as Martin’s. On Nov. 23, 2012, Dunn and his fiancee stopped at a gas station in Jacksonville, Fla., and parked next to a red Dodge Durango with four African-American teenagers inside. The young men made the mistake –ultimately fatal to Davis – of having the Durango’s music system turned up too loud.

“I hate that thug music,” Dunn muttered, according to

the fiancee’s trial testimony. The woman went inside to buy wine and potato chips –the couple had already been drinking, she testified – while Dunn, a software engineer who was 45 at the time, waited in the car.

Dunn complained to the teenagers about the music. They turned it down, then turned it back up again. I’m not aware of any law that says young black men have to follow orders from every random white man who comes along.

Dunn told them again to turn down the music. He testified that Davis, who was 17, threatened him with what looked like a shotgun. No weapon was found in the teenagers’ car, however, and no witnesses saw anything that looked like a weapon –except the 9 mm handgun that Dunn took out of his glove compartment.

Dunn fired 10 shots, three of which struck Davis. He continued firing even as the teenagers’ car squealed away. Davis probably died within minutes, according to testimony at the trial. Rather than wait for police to arrive, Dunn and his fiancee drove to their hotel – Dunn was in Jacksonville to attend his son’s wedding –where they spent the evening eating pizza and drinking rum and Cokes. He was arrested the following day at his home not far from Cape Canaveral.

A Jacksonville jury found Dunn guilty on three counts of attempted second-degree murder for shooting at the surviving teens, plus one count of shooting a deadly missile at an occupied vehicle. But the

Letters to the editor

Void in leadership

When Ameren Illinois executive Richard Mark was chairman of the oversight panel for ESL School District 189, fiscal integrity was the order of the day. He was a champion for education in ESL, minimizing wasteful spending, nepotism and cronyism and, as a result, causing some career politicians to call for his ouster.

This was prior to 2004, before state Sen. James Clayborne and ESL School Board President Lonzo Greenwood lobbied Illinois education leaders to dismantle the oversight panel.

take action on it. Whether it’s convening friends to join your cause or reading a book on a topic that’s important to you, we must continue to create energy for sustained positive change. There is an opportunity to tap into the human resource that exists in the young professionals of this region to advance the policies and programs that will make our community even better.

Undoubtedly, I was moved by the conversation that day. However, I left wondering how we can continue to galvanize the energy and enthusiasm of Gen X and millennials in growing our region. I am comforted in knowing that The St. Louis American, the Regional Business Council, United Way and others will continue to convene conversations for young professionals on moving the region forward. However, I would love to learn what ignites of the passions of other young professionals and hear how my peers are activating positive change in their neighborhoods. So, perhaps this is a call to action – or rather an invitation to share your ideas on how our region can continue to thrive. After all, we have and always will be change-makers

Desiree Coleman is a wife, mother and Mizzou alum working in philanthropy and community engagement at Wells Fargo Advisors.

As an executive of St. Mary’s Hospital, Mark was also very instrumental in resurrecting that facility and placing it on firm fiscal footing and drastically improving the healthcare services offered to the citizens of ESL, including the enhancement of its trauma unit.

The true test of Marks’ success is in what happened in the wake of his departure.

Upon Marks’ leaving ESL schools, District 189 (once again) became a cesspool of excessive spending, which eventually lead to a return to state oversight of the district’s finances and programs. And the hospital has since been shuttered in the aftermath of the void in leadership of a Richard Mark.

James T. Ingram East St. Louis

Embrace the future

There’s been some recent debate over the proposed construction of a new library in North St. Louis County. Right now, the area is home to the Lewis and Clark Library, which was created more than 50 years ago. For decades, it’s served the people of our region well. The stained glass is an incredible sight. The building is certainly unique. It’s also cramped, falling apart, poses significant safety risks and can no longer meet the demands of the public it serves. Instead of attempting major

jury failed to reach a verdict on the most serious charge of first-degree murder for killing Davis.

Prosecutors have announced they will retry Dunn on the murder charge. Regardless of the outcome, he faces 20 years in prison for each of the attempted murder charges, and the judge could make those sentences consecutive. He might well spend the rest of his life behind bars.

So the system delivered a measure of justice, at least. We can and should examine the racial biases of juries, such as those that sat in judgment of Zimmerman and Dunn. We can and should work to repeal statutes such as Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which in both cases – notably through the instructions that the judges read to the jurors – encouraged giving defendants who claimed self-defense the benefit of the doubt.

But I’m so very tired of funerals and trials. I want to know what we can do to keep the next Trayvon Martin and the next Jordan Davis alive. While Michael Dunn was in jail awaiting trial – and authorities were recording his phone calls – he said this to his fiancee: “When the police said that these guys didn’t have a record I was like, you know, I wonder if they’re just flying under the radar. Because they were bad.” What he meant by “bad,” evidently, was “young, black and male.” It was this assumption that killed Martin and Davis – and that surely will kill again. We don’t just have to change laws. We have to change hearts and minds.

and expensive renovations to the old building, the library board has chosen to build a new facility, a plan they’ve discussed with the community through focus groups since 2008. The new structure would comfortably accommodate the public meetings regularly held there, provide expanded access to computers for students, and offer quiet study areas.

I appreciate the beauty of historical structures as much as anyone. But public libraries were built to serve a function, not a lifelong testament to a publically contracted architect’s vision. The current Lewis and Clark Library is limited in its ability to offer many of those services. It can no longer serve the function it was created to offer in the first place.

I’m not saying we should demolish our history, which is why I was pleased to know that the new structure will incorporate the iconic stained glass. We will pay our respects to the past, but we will also embrace the future and all of its possibilities.

State Senator Gina Walsh, Jefferson City

Arrogant and hypocritical

The Missouri Legislature is back in session, and the hypocrites among them are coming out of the woodwork. Topping the list is Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin, who is apoplectic over a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union which seeks to nullify the state’s ban on gay marriage. Martin was quoted as saying about the lawsuit, “To seek to have judges overrule the will of the people of our great state is not only arrogant but a waste of resources to our courts.”

Arrogant! Overruling the will of the people! Wasting state assets! Gadzooks, Ed, let’s leave that overruling the will of the people thing to Missouri legislators! The frequency with which they’ve overruled the will of the people and frittered state assets makes them …

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Guest Columnist Desiree Coleman

well, arrogant and wasteful! Oh, and hypocrites.

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Joyce McRath, treasurer for the Normandy School District and former Parent of the Year, spoke up for the district and its students at a public forum convened by the state on Tuesday at UMSL. Photo by Wiley Price

Sugar coated

coat from firefighters at the Kingdom House in St. Louis on February 12. The Fire Department gave away 102 coats to all of the children at the day care center.

Gala for Haitian health project

Meds & Food for Kids – an organization dedicated to ending malnutrition and igniting economic development in Haiti – will host its third annual gala and auction 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the Saint Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave. The gala will feature Haitian entertainment, food and art.

Founded in 2003 by Dr. Patricia Wolff, Meds & Food for Kids has saved the lives of 100,000 Haitian children by helping to develop and distribute highly nutritious foods, including the Ready-toUse Therapeutic Food. Also known as “Medika Mamba,” it is produced in MFK’s recently constructed 18,000-square-foot factory in Haiti. MFK employs local Haitians and utilizes Haitian raw materials, whenever possible. Tickets for the gala are $175 each or $350 for patron level tickets, and are available online at www. mfkhaiti.org. For more information, call MFK at 314420-1634.

Pulitzer accepting grant proposals

The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts has issued an open call for grant-funded proposals for programs as part of the PXSTL project. The Pulitzer will award grants of up to $1,500 each to individuals, community groups and organizations for proposals that respond to a temporary structure that will be built on a vacant lot across the street from the Pulitzer building. The structure, designed by Freecell Architecture and open from May 9 to October 5, will be activated by a number of curated events, including grant-funded community programs.

PXSTL was launched in March 2013 as a design-build competition collaboratively organized by the Pulitzer and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University. The winning design, Lots by Freecell Architecture, will be composed of a metal grid superstructure and adjustable fabric funnels.

The Pulitzer is asking the community to envision programs that activate Lots. Program proposals need to demonstrate ways of engaging community interactivity through goods, services or other means. Examples include dance performances, discussions, trading of goods or services, etc.

Submit your proposal detailing program description, organizers, goals, intended audience, dates and times, and budget to pxstl@pulitzerarts.org by March 31. Visit pulitzerarts.org for full submission guidelines. For questions regarding the application process, contact Kristin Fleischmann Brewer at kfleischmann@pulitzerarts.org or 314-754-1847.

Shifting our nation’s consciousness

By U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters For The St. Louis American

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important that we take this time to honor the significant contributions African Americans have made as a part of our nation’s diverse tapestry. The theme for this year’s Black History Month is “Civil Rights in America,” focusing on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, national leaders like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Dr. Joseph Lowery, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young and my colleague Congressman John Lewis worked diligently to ensure civil rights for all Americans. Armed with the power of nonviolence, civil rights leaders and advocates alike succeeded in organizing and uniting our nation on matters of racial equality.

During this year’s Black History month, it is important that we celebrate those responsible for shifting our nation’s consciousness towards racial equality allowing us to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities available today.

The Civil Rights Act was passed during a time when African Americans faced unfair conditions and treatment in almost every aspect of their daily lives. Even though we recognize how far we have come as a nation, there is still tremendous progress to be made. Significant disparities still persist in the health, education and incarceration rates of African-Americans across the country. An inexcusable wage gap still persists between hardworking female and male workers. And now, as our nation encourages democracy abroad, our own voting rights at home are under siege. Now is the time for us recommit to fortifying the progress that has been made and address the significant issues that affect us all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Investing in good jobs and effective job training, raising the minimum wage and protecting the right to vote remain important concerns for us all today. Let’s commit to ensuring the ladders of opportunity are available to all Americans and make these things a national priority.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D), a native of Kinloch, represents California’s 43rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Maxine Waters

St. Louis Fire Department Captain James Morgan helps Terrell McFee, age 2, with the sleeves of his new jacket after receiving the

Photo by UPI/Bill Greenblatt

FATHERS

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Turner said. “I believe in following it all the way through.”

Halbert Sullivan, president and CEO of Fathers’ Support Center (FSC), said the graduating class of 22 started with more than 60 men.

“Men sharpen men,” Sullivan said. “We have 22 who stood the test, and I’d like to give them my own applause.”

Cheri D. Tillis, executive vice president of operations at FSC, and Chester A. Deanes Jr., vice president of community outreach at FSC, served as mistress and master of ceremony. Each graduate had received a letter of congratulation from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.

Turner, his brother Marcus Johnson and 20 other men graduated from Family Formation. This six-week, full-immersion, boot campstyle program teaches skills necessary “for parenting, for personal, spiritual and

HADLEY

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Hadley founded the “What’s After High School?” program in the Alamance-Burlington School System, a low-income district in North Carolina where Hadley grew up and her mother worked as a school secretary for 40 years.

In the program, teachers begin talking to children in elementary school about college and options after high school. It also teaches parents how to help their children through the college admissions process and through college.

In 2012, the White House recognized Hadley as a “Champion of Change” for her work, which has increased scholarship dollars and college

emotional development and for the prevention of both child and substance abuse,” according to the center.

“Fatherhood is one of the greatest callings that we ever receive in our lifetime,” said Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, who gave the keynote address.

“The ability to be responsible for the nurturing, molding and shaping of another individual, in the right way, is priceless.”

McMillan said being a father is difficult, especially when men are confronted with obstacles like a lack of resources and economic opportunities. He encouraged the men to find comfort in knowing that there are organizations like FSC and the Urban League that will help them stay on the right track.

Byron Hatchett, a member of FSC’s first graduating class, was one of those men who had veered off course.

Hatchett spoke at the graduation ceremony about his first time meeting Sullivan. Hatchett was in a drug treatment program when he

enrollment in the mostly rural Alamance-Burlington district. Wash. U.’s search committee knew finding someone to fill McLeod’s role would not be easy.

The committee members were looking for a candidate who could mentor current scholars, collaborate across multiple departments, foster strong engagement with the Ervin alumni base and establish a clear vision for the future, said Matt Holton, Ervin Class of ’95, who served as a committee co-chair.

Hadley fit that bill, said Holton, a senior business leader at MasterCard Inc. Holton said that Hadley is “someone who has numerous good ideas but is as interested in ideas coming from others, and someone who has tremendous drive and

was recruited by Sullivan to join FSC’s first Family Formation program in 1998.

Hatchett said he did not have a good track record at staying clean and knew he

enthusiasm for the work that she does.”

The Ervin Scholars Program awards scholarships to incoming Washington University freshmen who have demonstrated exceptional intellectual and leadership achievements and have shown a strong commitment to community service and bringing diverse people together.

The full scholarship is renewable for all four years of undergraduate study and includes a stipend to cover living expenses.

The program is named for John B. Ervin, who was the dean of the School of Continuing Education (now University College in Arts & Sciences) from 1968-1977 and was the first African-American dean at Wash. U. Originally

needed something constructive to do with his time upon his release from treatment.

At the time, he was a divorced father dealing with child support issues and

the scholarship program was developed specifically for African-American students; in 2004 the program was opened to any student willing to foster a more diverse environment.

McLeod explained that a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it “no longer possible for Washington University to lawfully operate this scholarship program on a raceexclusive basis.”

As an undergraduate herself, Hadley was a member of the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholars, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) – a program with similarities to the Ervin Scholars Program. It was then she started volunteering to guide students through the college application process.

Like many Ervin Scholars, Hadley was a first-generation college student. By the time she graduated from high school, she had full-scholarship offers to Harvard and Duke universities, as well as to UNC. She decided to stay close to the rural community she grew up in and benefit from UNC’s Morehead-Cain Scholars program, she said. She believes the program’s support and networking opportunities prepared her to be a competitive Rhodes Scholar candidate. Landing the Rhodes fellowship meant that she would live overseas for

battling his ex-wife in court for visitation rights. His daughter, Erica, now 21, was only five at the time. He said he had been stripped of parental rights and firmly believes that family

the first time to attend Oxford University.

“When I got to Oxford, it was huge transition,” she said. “I was homesick at first.”

That quickly faded as she became close with her fellow basketball team members and colleagues. U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice was the team’s point guard and remains a good friend.

When she left Oxford in 1988, Hadley joined JAMNC Export Import Group in Hampton, Va., a company owned by the family of a fellow Oxford student. Years later, she became president and chief operating officer.

Throughout her corporate life, she continued her volunteer work at UNC, critiquing college essays and advising families about colleges.

Then in 2004, Hadley returned to North Carolina to take care of her mother, who was sick (but since has recovered). While she was home, the owner of JAMNC died and Hadley had to make a decision. She could have continued on in the business, but she saw some needs in the school system and in church.

Hadley said, “I asked myself if there was a way to transition from a volunteer and advocate to working more in the nonprofit arena or in public or private education.”

law is one-sided in favor of mothers.

“We need justice for fathers,” Hatchett said. “We need to work together to effect the change in the laws so that the rights of all Americans can be protected.”

Today, Hatchett said he has a wonderful relationship with his daughter and has become an electrician.

“When people hear my story, they know that there is a God,” Hatchett said. “They know that there is hope.”

McMillan told the men that they are now examples of what is needed in the community –hard-working and dedicated young African Americans.

A man does not have to be a biological father to play a fatherhood role, he said. He encouraged the men to give back by serving as volunteers at FSC and by mentoring young men.

“What you do for yourself dies with you,” McMillan said. “What you do for others lives forever. And what you do for your children is your legacy.”

For more information, visit www.fatherssupportcenter.org.

That year, she and a group of friends founded “YES I CAN,” a one-time, faithbased college access program at Children’s Chapel United Church of Christ in Graham, N.C. It won the Howard N. Lee Institute for Equity and Opportunity in Education’s “Champion in Equity and Opportunity in Education” award. The program has continued to grow and will celebrate its 10th anniversary this summer. That program led her to talks with her former school district about what became the “What’s After High School?” initiative. Hadley launched the program in 2005 with the superintendent’s support and started looking for funding from private donors, foundations and the U.S. Department of Education. Over time, the program received enough funding to hire an operations staff of four. Now Hadley is looking forward to working with the Ervin Scholars Program.

“What excites and inspires me is the opportunity to nurture students, and in words that I’ve read continually about Wash. U., to get to know them ‘by name and by story,’” Hadley said. “The Ervin Scholars Program and the university can help students to become what they never dreamed they could be.”

Halbert Sullivan, president and CEO of Fathers’ Support Center, congratulated Michael Spinx on Feb. 19, when Spinx and 21 other men graduated from the center’s Family Formation program.

Photo by Wiley Price

WATSON

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entire community through a back-to-school Neighborhood Awareness Day (also known as the Sinai Fest) and an annual coat giveaway. In addition to the center, Rev. Watson also helped to establish the Mt. Sinai Development Corporation.

“The church has put forth the effort to start the Mt. Sinai Development Corporation with the intent of recreating our community,” Rev. Watson said.

The corporation’s mission is to support the development of housing and related commercial facilities that promote the social welfare of residents in the Winstanley neighborhood and East St. Louis generally.

Phase I of its first development is an $8 million project with 30 single-family homes concentrated in the 1200-1300 blocks of Cleveland Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. The homes are leased to families that make 60 percent of the median income and feature energysaving amenities, landscaped yards and paved alleyways with dusk-to-dawn lighting. Thirty additional singlefamily units are underway in the $10-million Phase II. Construction on these homes begins on April 1, and the groundbreaking ceremony will

SISTERS

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the opportunity to go through whatever steps are necessary to regain that, so that the next generation of students can go there with confidence.”

Thompson added that the problem, too often, can be traced to a lack of funding.

“It all boils down to where our legislatures are these days,” she said. “So many of the school districts are having trouble getting money, period.” In their talk to the SLU civil

be held at 11 a.m. on April 28 at the corner of 1200 Cleveland Ave. Rev. Watson also chairs the Board of Directors for the New Salem Place Senior Apartments, a $3.7 million senior housing facility. Watson knew very early in life that he was going to do God’s work.

“I did not have a dad in my home, so my pastor actually became my father –not legally, but I used to hang out with him,” Rev. Watson said.

“My mom was a pastor’s daughter, so I’ve always been in church. I knew that I was going to be involved with the church in some capacity probably by the age of 12.”

On the day he was making the transition from elementary school to junior high, he held a scripture in his fist to protect him: Psalms 27 (“The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?”). His friends were beaten up that day, but he was not.

“So I knew then that I was going to be a preacher, or something, because of the power of the word,” Rev. Watson said.

At the age of 19, Rev. Watson was called to the ministry and licensed to preach at Macedonia Baptist Church in East St. Louis under the tutelage of the pastor Rev. Norman E. Owens, after graduating from

East St. Louis Senior High School in 1974.

He was later ordained in June 1985 after matriculating through the United Theological Seminary, Midwest College and Seminary, Midwestern Theological Seminary and completing his clinical pastoral education through Deaconess Hospital.

He was the youngest of six children raised by their mother, Lorraine Watson. “My mother used to say, ‘It doesn’t matter if you have one pair of pants

rights symposium, the sisters reviewed the history that led up to their case, how it affected them personally and how it has played out over the past 60 years. They recounted the circumstances that led up to their father and other families filing suit to challenge the longstanding policy of “separate but equal” that had been in place since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1896. Rather than attend the whites-only school just a few blocks from their home, where their playmates were enrolled, they had to take a long walk, sometimes through heavy traffic, to a bus stop to catch transportation to a school two miles away.

and a shirt – keep them cleaned and pressed,’” Rev. Watson said. Though he was raised right, he fell in with a rough crowd for a time.

“When I was younger, I broke the windows out of the very church that I pastor today,” said Rev. Watson.

He vandalized the church’s previous location at 1239 Gaty Ave., where it had moved in 1957 after initially being founded as the East St. Louis Mission in November 1920. Fittingly, Rev. Watson became

n “People talk about resegregation, and I contend we never did integrate in any huge way.”

– Cheryl Brown Henderson

By the time the court ruled, Thompson said, the change did not affect her because Topeka already had integrated its junior and senior high schools. But, she added, that only meant that children of different races could sit in the same classrooms. When it came to extracurricular activities, she said, segregation remained. There were two sports teams, black and white. There were two proms, black and white. Today, she said, the distinctions are less obvious, but they remain nevertheless. “It takes a keen eye and

McCoy delivers Rosa Parks keynote

Art McCoy Jr., who was suspended by the FergusonFlorissant school board as superintendent late last year, gave the keynote speech for the St. Louis County Branch of the NAACP’s 10th Annual Rosa Parks Observance Day celebration on Sunday at the Old Court House in Downtown St. Louis. KMOV news anchors Sharon Reed and Andre Hepkins observed McCoy.

the church’s youth minister for seven years before being unanimously elected as Mt. Sinai’s new pastor on Nov. 29, 1985.

As a youth minister, Watson was entrusted with the duties of scheduling sermons, delegating preachers to pray and sing, as well as reading scriptures.

Rev. Watson led his congregation on a march from Gaty Avenue to its current location on October 22, 1995.

Rev. Watson said it is the church’s responsibility to lead

ear to detect subtle areas of discrimination,” Thompson said, “because it has become a matter of economic segregation.”

When the unanimous court ruling came down, outlawing such separation of the races –at 12:52 p.m. on May 17, 1954, both sisters noted – it was the end of a long legal battle in one sense, but the start of a struggle that continues today, including unintended consequences such as white flight and the continued separation of the races in schools due to housing patterns.

“People talk about

the community in improving itself. “Many people still have the same mentality of trying to get something for nothing or ‘what can I get out of you?’” he said, “instead of ‘how can I give of myself to make my community better?’”

Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church is located 1200 St. Louis Ave. in East St. Louis, IL. Call 618-874-2002 or visit http://mountsinaichurch.net/. Devese Ursery is a former St. Louis American intern.

resegregation,” Henderson said in the interview, “and I contend we never did integrate in any huge way.”

She told the crowd gathered on the top floor of the law school’s new home downtown: “We know that Brown did not end anything. But it dismantled the legal framework that segregation was resting on, paving the way for the civil rights act, paving the way for the voting rights act, paving the way for civil rights marches.”

Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Photo by Wiley Price

Obituaries

Del Gratia DossHemsley

Mrs. Del Gratia (nee Smith)

Doss-Hemsley, a native of East St. Louis, IL and resident of Florissant, Missouri, passed on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jonathon and Clarabelle Smith; and brother, Jonathon Smith, Jr. She is survived by: her beloved husband, John D. Hemsley of Florissant, MO; nephew, Jonathon Smith, III of Cleveland, OH; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Lane

Tabernacle CME Church, 910 N. Newstead, St. Louis, Missouri. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory. Send condolences and view this obituary on-line at www.officerfh.com.

Lucinda Baker Dixon

Lucinda Baker Hatcher, born to Nelson Paterson (NP)

Hatcher and Anna Mae (Baker) Hatcher, on November 17, 1924, in Chicago Illinois, died on Thursday, February 7, 2014, in Pasadena Hills, MO. Lucinda graduated from St. Elizabeth Catholic High School, in Chicago IL. She attended the University of Chicago as a pre-med student. She received her B.S. degree at age 19. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Lucinda was a fierce advocate of the Civil Rights movement, and editor of her university newspaper. She continued her education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she met and married her husband of 47 years, the late Franklyn McDonald Dixon. She developed her career as a bacteriologist with Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland CA, and then in London England, where she, Frank, and their two children relocated in 1959. While her husband was pursuing his continued education in Biochemistry, and teaching at the University of London, Lucinda continued her work in the medical field, studied Chinese languages, discovered I Ching and had their third

Attention St. Louis American Readers

As a service to the community, we list obituaries in the St. Louis American Newspaper, on a space-available basis and online at stlamerican.com. AT NO CHARGE. Please send all obituary notices to kdaniel @stlamerican.com.

child, Lorraine.

When her husband was offered a position at the Institute of Animal Science in Havana, Cuba, Lucinda quickly moved the family. There, she was recruited to teach English as a second language at the British Embassy. Later she and her husband then relocated to his native land, Jamaica, West Indies. There they adopted their fourth child Anthony.

After retirement, daughter Carol invited them to join her in St. Louis, MO. She worked as a librarian at the Normandy Library where she ran the Great Decisions World Affairs workshops.

Lucinda was a woman of Faith. She had a great appreciation for the Catholic religion. She later evolved into Christian Science.

Lucinda is survived by three of her four children: Carol, Alan (Dorothy), of Pasadena Hills, Missouri, and Lorraine Dixon-Jones (Craig) of Denver CO, 8 grandchildren; Janice (Ogbonna), Mariam (Russ), Andrew, Marktina, Colleen, Janet, Myia and Milan; and three great-grandchildren, Corey, Aidan and Leila. She was also blessed with loving nephews and nieces, Paul C. Miles, David, Venita, Chris and Angie Dixon, and their families; Alma and Del Forbes, Dr. Ian and Vela Joy Balfour, Ray and Debbie Granberry and family, and Inez and Jacques Hughes and family.

Delores Troupe-Mays

Mommie, Mama, Grandmother, Sis, Auntie, Aunt Delores, Mama Delores, Delores, Delo, Mrs. Mays, Our Lady.

Mommie was adamant that she wanted no obituary. She lived a full and vibrant life and felt there would be few strangers at her funeral Mass.

She did not feel a piece of paper with dates and names was her legacy. She knew her legacy was invested in those she loved and who loved her. Delores’ legacy includes the thousands she loved and nurtured beyond her blood line. She was authentically the epitome of a mother. She took such pride in her role as a caregiver and nurturer. She gained great joy as our matriarch. Although stern and direct, she loved with an overflowing heart. Her capacity to show compassion was beyond anyone we have ever known. She anticipated good from everyone. Any and everyone was always welcome at her home. She never turned anyone away. She had a forgiving spirit; she gave second, third, twenty-fifth chances and expected us to get it right. Her goal was to bring joy to people around her.

So many have eaten from her pots, danced to her stereo, benefitted from her wisdom, received words of encouragement, St. Jude prayer cards and love from Delores Troupe Mays.

We are better because of Mommie. She planted the seeds, pruned, fertilized, and harvested goodwill. She nurtured and celebrated all that was good in us. She cultivated and protected family while simultaneously opening her doors and heart to everyone as family. She made life-altering connections with so many of us. We are better because of Mommie. She led her family with faith. We ask for prayer as to how we are to figure out how to live with the loss of the love, continuity and wisdom she provided us daily. We ask that you cherish how special she was to you individually and our community. We ask

that you draw from her faith and compassion and pass it on. We ask that you celebrate her spirit! We are all so blessed to have experienced her grace.

Alice P. Pollard

Mrs. Alice P. Pollard entered into eternal rest Thursday, February 20, 2014. Mrs. Pollard was a retired caseworker for the state of Missouri. She is survived by: daughters, Alice F. Buckingham and Pamela T. Pollard; son, Tyrone A. Pollard; siblings, Ora Douglas, Lessie Branson and Wade Parrott; other relatives and friends. Her husband, Rev. Joseph Pollard and son, Joseph B. Pollard, preceded her in death. The Visitation is Wednesday, February 26, 2014 from 9:30-10:45 am. at New Cote Brilliante Church of God, 6195 Washington Blvd. at Skinker, St. Louis, MO. Funeral Service at 11 am followed by burial at 1:45 pm. in National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, MO. Send condolences and view this obituary on-line at www. officerfh.com.

Donald Tyrone Troupe

Donald Tyrone Troupe, the son of James Troupe and Gertrude Thompson Troupe was born on September 1, 1939. Both parents preceded him in death. Donald was the fifth of twelve children. Also preceding him in death are nine of his ten brothers, Dunie, James Jr., Theopolis, Leonard, Adolphus, Otis, Marvin, Vernon and Newton. Donald passed away one day before his loving sister, Dolores Troupe Mays expired. He always had a special and close relationship with his brothers and sisters, as well as a close relationship with

his “cousin brothers”. The educational path that Donald followed began at St. Nicholas and Holy Ghost Catholic Elementary Schools. He received his high school diploma from McBride High School. Donald continued formal training in barber school. His daily reading of multiple newspapers was to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Donald was active in local political campaigns and initiatives. Even though Donald had a long-standing career with the City of St. Louis, he also maintained an entrepreneurial spirit that was given root by his parents. He owned and operated various businesses including a grocery store, barber shop and lawn care throughout his life. Donald was a “dapper dresser” with a quiet demeanor and a man of few words. Donald relished being a positive influence in his daughter and nieces lives. He took great pride and was a committed supporter of his grandson, great nieces and great nephew’s sports endeavors.

Donald was gifted in playing baseball from an early age. He was an avid fan of jazz music and the arts. Donald truly loved and enjoyed his family, sports and travel.

Donald will be eternally missed by his son,

daughter

and his companion of 30 plus years,

He played an active father role in the lives of his step-children, Phillip, Renee and Michelle; grandchildren, Kevyn Jr. and Dominique. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Kyla,

and Kobe; sister, Ernestine; brother,

a host of nieces,

nieces,

cousins and many friends who were more like family.

Kevyn Troupe;

Doniele Troupe;

Jacqueline Nixon.

Khalen

Alvin;

nephews, great-

great-nephews,

Lucinda Baker Dixon

Delores TroupeMays

Donald Troupe

Del Gratia DossHemsley

Alice P. Pollard

Pink goes red Researchers seek feedback

By Robert Joiner For St. Louis Public Radio

Scholars involved in a five-part study that examines the well-being of African Americans in the St. Louis region will seek public feedback on their research during a forum 2-5 p.m. Monday, March 3 at the Forest Park Visitor Center.

The lead researcher, Jason Q. Purnell, said the site of the forum as well as the title of the research project – “For the Sake of All” – were deliberately chosen as ways to engage the entire community in addressing social problems affecting black residents.

“We are trying to come up with a central location, quite honestly, because we do believe that in order to move forward with the recommendations, it’s going to take the engagement of the entire community,” said Purnell, assistant professor at the Brown School

at Washington University. He said the feedback session marks an important part of the project.

“We’re very serious about wanting input from the community in terms of ‘is this the right set of policy recommendations? Is the way we’ve presented the recommendations making sense to people? And are we targeting the right areas?’” he said.

While the project is based on the scientific research, the team also wanted to make sure its research reflects the priorities of the community, Purnell said.

The researchers will discuss their findings with local and state elected officials at later dates. The project culminates with a community conference on May 30, when the group issues its final report and policy recommendations. That conference occur nears the 60th anniversary of the

Supreme Court’s landmark Brows v. Board of Education decision, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“There was a great deal of hope attached to those historical events,” Purnell said. “There are people who have said we would have been farther along than we are 50 and 60 years after these landmark events.”

He added that there also are stories to tell about the progress made in increasing educational attainment and narrowing the gap in income between blacks and whites in St. Louis. The March 3 session is free, but participants must sign up at http:// www.eventbrite.com/e/ for-the-sake-of-allcommunity-feedback-forumregistration-10316814871. Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. showed support for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women effort. The Gamma Omega Chapter and Omicron Theta Omega Chapter participated in the AKA national awareness campaign “Pink Goes Red For A Day” on Friday, February 7.

Filing day makes it official

Tuesday was the first official day of candidate filing for this year’s August and November elections, which means in the claustrophobic world of Missouri politics that a number of anticipated rivalries were made official.

St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger has been campaigning against incumbent County Executive Charlie A. Dooley for many months, and their rivalry for the Democratic nomination is now official.

Stenger announced his campaign in the newsroom of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and was endorsed by the paper’s editorial board on the spot. That’s a joke, though it’s not far from the truth.

Stenger/Dooley is a crosscounty, interracial rivalry. For some closer in-fighting, look to the 76th District of the Missouri House of Representative, where everyone has expected for incumbent state Rep. Josh Peters to be challenged by Chris Carter Sr., the father of St. Louis Alderman Chris Carter who previously held the seat. Peters is a protégé of a senior staffer of U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, so it remains to be seen whether Clay does anything to help Peters – and what good, if any, that does him.

As for citywide offices, Alderman Jeffrey L. Boyd’s challenge to incumbent St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson (an appointee of Gov. Jay Nixon) is now official, despite the efforts of many black politicians to persuade Boyd to run instead against incumbent Recorder of Deeds (for life) Sharon Carpenter. Boyd would have broad support in his home base of North St. Louis to run against a white incumbent

with negligible voter support in North St. Louis. Instead, he has challenged the only black citywide incumbent on the ballot. Instead of Boyd, who would have posed a viable challenge to Carpenter, she faces only a nominal opponent, former alderman and perennial candidate Jimmie Matthews. For the record, Carpenter previously endorsed Boyd in his failed bid for treasurer. Far in advance of filing, Boyd was endorsed by Mayor Francis G. Slay – endorsed for license collector, that is, the only contested citywide seat held by a black official. This could be understood as Slay turning Boyd, one of his few supporters among black elected officials in the city, away from Carpenter’s seat. This is another example of Boyd listening to and aligning himself with the likes of Slay, rather than his own community.

Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly – who has more campaign funds on hand than God or Mayor Slay – is unchallenged at this point.

Another perennial candidate, Bill Haas, filed against a capable AfricanAmerican incumbent, state Rep. Kimberly Gardner, in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 77th House district. In congressional primaries, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver D-Kansas City, has three Democratic rivals, and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio has three Republican challengers.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, faces two Republicans rivals, while the wife of one of his primary rivals filed in the same primary as a Democrat. Yet another twisted branch has sprouted on the tangled family tree of Missouri politics.

What if they were black?

County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch – who broke ranks among Democrat incumbents running on the same ticket to endorse Stenger over Dooley –filed for reelection against the backdrop of a smut story in his office.

The Post reported that “John Quarenghi, 48, one of three ‘team leaders’ in Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch’s office, left in December after learning that federal investigators were examining his electronic communications with the paralegal, Jillian Nichols.” Nichols, 26, was indicted on Feb. 19, accused of promising a sexual assault defendant that she could get him favoritism from an unnamed prosecutor for $10,000. The Post reported that Quarenghi’s text, voicemail and picture exchanges with Nichols were “intimate,” but does not insinuate that he was the prosecutor with whom Nichols allegedly claimed she could solicit favors.

U.S. Attorney Richard Callahan – far more willing to speak on the record about

ongoing case work than his tight-lipped predecessors in that office – said that the assistant prosecutor tangled in these allegations, whoever that was, “did not solicit any bribe and was completely innocent with regard to the bribery issue.”

An update to the Post’s original report noted that Quarenghi has already bounced into another gig and is now “working as a prosecutor in Warren County.”

The EYE must play the usual game of “what if they were black?” on this story. What if this happened in Dooley’s office, and not McCulloch’s? Would Dooley be left out of the mess as completely as McCulloch is in the Post’s report? Would Dooley have been let off the hook with a “declined comment” tag, as McCullough was? Or would some of those infamous “swirling rumors” have swirled “all the way to the top,” as they do in Post reporting on county government offices that report to Dooley?

And would a black assistant prosecutor caught (apparently) with his knickers down on a the cell phone of a defendant’s paralegal have bounced a couple of counties over to

another prosecutor position already?

Artis rejects colleagues

Normandy School District board member Terry Artis told St. Louis Public Radio that voters should reject three of his incumbent colleagues –William Humphrey, Jeanette Pulliam and Henry Watts – in the April 8 elections.

“I need the community to be clear to not give your vote to any of the top three,” Artis said, noting the position of the incumbents on the ballot. “If they take any of the four on the lower end of the ballot, they’re doing themselves a great service for the future.”

The other four candidates are Dryver Henderson, John Phillips, Gwendolyn Buggs or Sharon Owens-Hare. Artis did not endorse any one of them over the others.

“I haven’t been able to get the others to go along in the best interest of the community,” Artis said, “so I too am a failure as far as I’m concerned. I need to be accountable to the community, and so does everyone else.”

Red, Black and Green

The Board of Alderman passed a resolution this week for the city to prominently display the Pan-African Red, Black and Green flag “at, in and outside of City Hall and other permissible facilities each year during the month of February (AfricanAmerican History Month) to recognize and celebrate the many contributions that Black Americans have made and are still making to make America the great country that it is today.”

County Council calls for Medicaid expansion

At Tuesday night’s County Council meeting, the St. Louis County Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for full Medicaid Expansion to cover over 260,000 workers with low wages who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $26,000 for a family of three.

The County Council Resolution states that full Medicaid expansion “will ensure more individuals will have access to appropriate levels of healthcare services in the most cost effective settings, to not only improve the quality of life for their families, but also reduce costs to the healthcare system.”

The Resolution further states that “expanding Medicaid will also save and create thousands of jobs throughout the state and help protect our hospitals and healthcare providers from devastating cuts, layoffs or closings.”

“Expanding Medicaid will create thousands of jobs and keep Missouri hospitals from financial distress,” said councilmember Pat Dolan, who sponsored the resolution. “Organizations diverse as the Missouri AFL-CIO and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce support Medicaid expansion. It is obvious that this is something that just makes sense for St. Louis County and the state of Missouri.”

Jacomo Bairos, conductor Peter Seymour, narrator

Be part of this interactive funilled journey through the history of classical music where YOU pick the program! Featuring the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and more. With these amazing composers, you can’t take a wrong turn!

Recommended for ages 5-12.

Alderman Jeffrey L. Boyd gets his drink on with his supporter Mayor Francis G. Slay (right) and Slay’s consultant Louis Hamilton. Slay endorsed Boyd’s bid against incumbent License Collector Mavis Thompson before filing, which started on Tuesday.

Is there a deal or not?

Part 4 of ‘The Swap,’ a political memoir by Virvus Jones

By Virvus Jones

For The St. Louis American

The success or failure of Mayor Vince Schoemehl’s grand scheme to use me as bait to get Congressman Bill Clay’s endorsement was the cooperation of Comptroller Paul Berra.

Berra was elected comptroller in 1981. He began his political career as a state representative representing the predominately Italian Hill area of St. Louis. He was the cousin and protégé of the late Midge Berra, who was the political patriarch of the Italian political community from 1940 to the early sixties. Midge was also the collector of revenue and Democratic committeeman of the 24th Ward. When Midge died, Paul succeeded him as the 24th Ward committeeman. He subsequently succeeded Jack Dwyer as city treasurer when he died. When Paul was elected comptroller, he was the chairman of the Democratic Central

Committee. In the spring of 1988, Paul was completing his second term as comptroller. Up until 1987, it looked like Paul would be comptroller as long as he wanted to. He enjoyed a broad base of support in both the predominately black North Side and the predominately white South Side. In 1987 two events put dents in Paul’s armor. The first came as the result of surgery that disabled him for several months. Then federal prosecutors began an investigation into alleged corruption in the city’s pension fund. An attorney named Don Anton, who chaired Paul’s campaign fundraising committee, and Jack Swanger, an assistant to Paul, were indicted and charged with bribery and corruption.

Paul skated through this scandal without being indicted, but very few people believed that he was unaware of what was going on. It was speculated that these two events would influence Paul’s thinking about

seeking reelection and cause him to resign.

It was with this backdrop that Schoemehl had me calling Paul to talk to him about my candidacy. I called Paul that Friday afternoon, and his secretary scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m. Monday morning.

I spent the weekend trying to figure

out a way to avoid being a pawn in Schoemehl’s political chess game. All of the scenarios I painted still left me behind the eight ball. I also told my wife Laura about the plan Schoemehl had presented,

From East St. Louis, with love

Michael Castro reviews Eugene B. Redmond’s ‘Arkansippi Memwars’

By Michael Castro For The St. Louis

American

Eugene B. Redmond’s Arkansippi Memwars, a selection reflecting 50 years of the East St. Louis poet laureate’s ongoing career, is a rich stew of poetic writings that explore, commemorate and often celebrate the ideas, experiences and people that have been shaping forces in his life. Redmond and East St. Louis have been inextricably bound.

It was there that, returning after a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps in Southeast Asia, he met Katherine Dunham, who became an inspiration and mentor. He worked closely with Dunham for two years (1967-1969), serving her as bodyguard, chauffeur, confidant and translator of East St. Louis’s idiosyncratic language and culture.

He helped Dunham form her Performing Arts Training Center, which attracted many from East St. Louis and beyond to the arts, and worked with her at Southern Illinois University’s Experiment in Higher Education in East St. Louis. Dunham told the young poet, “We have to have a cultural, literary consciousness-raising” in East St. Louis, as a key to improving the life and spirit of the depressed city. Redmond has lived by this commandment ever since.

The Experiment in Higher Education in East St. Louis’ exploration of Afrocentric and other new educational approaches attracted many original minds. Here Redmond encountered Buckminster Fuller, Joyce Ladner and other brilliant thinkers, among them the painter and theorist Oliver Jackson, the Pan African pedagogue

Baraka and Eugene B.

visited at an exhibit of EBR photographs during the 2004 Furious Flowering of African American Poetry Conference, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Edward Crosby and the writer Henry Dumas, with whom he became close friends.

Following Dumas’ tragic death by gunshot in a New York subway under murky circumstances in 1968, Redmond became his literary executor. One of many crowning achievements in Redmond’s long career is his midwifing of Dumas’s writings into print, salvaging, with the aid of Amiri Baraka and Toni Morrison, the work of an important and unique African-American voice. While working with the radical educators and activists on the East Side, Redmond was also in touch with the poets and musicians of the

Black Artists Group (BAG) in St. Louis – among them Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Shirley Bradley LeFlore, Vincent Terrell, Robert Malinke Elliot and Ajule Rutlin. During this period he met poet Quincy Troupe, who was to become a lifelong friend.

ArkansippiMemwars includes an essay responding to Benjamin Looker’s highly praised book on

From modernist

Many of Redmond’s early poems reflect his formal training as a poet studying with Washington University’s Poet In Residence Donald Finkel. They are

written in what might be called a standard American modernist style. The best of these, like “Consider Loneliness as These Things,” or “The Eye in the Ceiling,” demonstrate a mastery of this approach.

But Redmond’s mature life and poetics were shaped by the struggles of the sixties (the “wars” of his Memwars). Returning to the turbulence of sixties, roiled by assassinations, civil rights, Black Power and anti-war demonstrations, Redmond became a voice in the struggle, embracing the aesthetic of the Black Arts Movement whose driving force was Amiri Baraka. Redmond’s poems become more Afrocentric. Their language goes beyond the standard educated English of his early poems, to become more daring, adopting black street vernacular peppered with jazz lingo, Africanisms and made up words like “symfunkonies.” The writings range widely in theme

See REDMOND, A12

November 24, 1923 –February 20, 2014

Pioneer surgeon passes

and

Frank O. Richards, M.D., was ‘tip of the spear’ for blacks in surgery

By Gloria S. Ross

For St. Louis Public Radio

Dr. Frank O. Richards, who built a reputation as one of the most proficient surgeons ever to don a mask because of his ability to operate with one hand while holding instruments in the other, died Thursday, February 20, 2014. He was 90. “No one could do that but Frank,” said Will Ross, M.D., associate dean for diversity and associate professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. “When he was assistant director of Homer G. Phillips Hospital, he really had to move patients in and out; it was a high-volume operation.”

“He was the Jackie Robinson of the surgical profession,” Dr. Ross added. “He was the best in his field.”

Dr. Richards had lived in St. Louis since arriving here for his medical internship in 1947, until moving to Boston three years ago to be near family. He died at a care facility in Boston, following a long illness. His surgical skills were matched only by his modesty. He insisted that no services be held. “I don’t want a big deal,” his family said he firmly asserted. But those who knew him recall his life as a very big deal. Dr. Richards became a renowned surgeon at a time when most African Americans did not finish high school, and he quietly accumulated a significant number of “firsts.”

Tip of the spear

Dr. Richards was the first African American to become a member of the St. Louis Surgical Society; he eventually became the group’s first AfricanAmerican president. He was the first black surgeon at DePaul and St. Luke’s hospitals, and

See RICHARDS, A12

See VIRVUS, A12

Then Comptroller Virvus Jones and Mayor Vince Schoemehl review a poster design in City Hall, ca. 1989.

Virvus Jones

Amiri

Redmond

Frank O. Richards, M.D. –the first African American to become a member of the St. Louis Surgical Society

its first AfricanAmerican president – died Thursday, February 20, 2014. He was 90.

Photo by Wiley Price

VIRVUS

Continued from A11

and she was not pleased at all. I had promised her after I lost the aldermanic seat in 1985 that I would not run for office again. She reacted by accusing me of making up this story as a ruse for getting back into politics. Needless to say, this was a long weekend.

This was only the second time I had met with Berra since he was reelected in 1985. Although we had never discussed it, I had always felt that one of the reasons I lost my aldermanic reelection to Jimmie Matthews was because of my endorsement of Schoemehl and Berra.

In 1985, both Freeman Bosley Sr. and Alphonso Jackson had filed to run for mayor against Schoemehl. This meant that two black candidates were running for mayor against a wellfunded and well-organized Schoemehl machine. The late state Representative Fred Williams, a close ally of Schoemehl, was also running as what most people believed to be a stalking horse candidate.

Right before the close of filing, Bosley and Jackson made a deal whereby Jackson would redraw from the mayor’s race and run for comptroller.

At about the same time, I was in the midst of my campaign for reelection. I had two opponents, Jimmie Matthews and the former Democratic committeewoman who I had helped to defeat.

I was running for reelection in the aftermath of one of the most exciting and confusing years of my political career.

I had started the year by filing for sheriff against the incumbent Gordon Schweitzer. This was also the year of Jesse Jackson’s first campaign for president. This was an ideal chance for me to steal a citywide office. I joined the Jackson campaign and became the St. Louis city/county coordinator for

the Jackson for President Committee. I theorized that my campaign for sheriff could piggyback on the enthusiasm created by Jackson’s campaign. I even used the local Jackson headquarters as my headquarters. Unfortunately, I discovered the hard way what almost every senior politician, including Congressman Bill Clay, told me: very few people really knew or cared who the sheriff was. I lost the Democratic primary election to Schweitzer by more than 15,000 votes.

It took me several years to really understand just how traumatized I was from losing. I had invested a lot of time and my own personal money into the campaign. I took out a second mortgage on my house and used credit cards to finance purchases. I had convinced myself that I was going to win and did not consider the alternative of losing.

I took out my frustration at losing by joining with a colleague, 20th Ward Alderman Steven Roberts, to cross party lines and endorse then Attorney General John Ashcroft (a Republican) for governor. I reasoned that the Democrats had taken the black vote for granted and the only way to change that

was to try and replicate what black voters did in 1932 when they changed an almost 50-year history of supporting Republicans. Unfortunately, the Republicans of the 1980s were not interested in embracing black interests. They saw our endorsements as symbolic and not an opportunity for changing the way black Democrats viewed them. The Democrats saw this as betrayal and proceeded to make an example out of my insolence. They retaliated by supporting Jimmie Matthews against me for alderman and by blocking Ashcroft’s appointment of me to the election board.

I walked into the comptroller’s office at exactly 9 a.m. Berra was sitting at his conference table in the rear of his office. After exchanging pleasantries, I told him why I wanted to meet with him.

I told him that I had heard rumors that he might not be running again and that, if the rumors were true, I was interested in being a candidate for comptroller.

Paul thanked me for telling him of my interests, but he planned to stand for reelection. My initial reaction was surprise, because I had assumed that Schoemehl had already cut a deal with Berra. Berra did leave the door open by saying again that he was appreciative of my coming to him and telling him of my interests to his face, as opposed to some other people who had been talking behind his back. He extended his hand and told me that if he did decide not to run, I would be one of the first to know.

As I exited Paul’s office, I was even more confused. Does Schoemehl have a deal with Paul or is he just using me to put pressure on Paul to get him to decide against running?

This article is excerpted from Virvus Jones’ forthcoming memoir, “The Swap.” This version of events reflects the author’s personal memories of events in which he was a direct participant.

RICHARDS

Continued from A11

was among the first on staff at Washington University School of Medicine.

“He was sort of the tip of the spear for the civil rights era and equality in medicine,” said his son, Frank O. Richards Jr., M.D., of Atlanta. “He had to show he had the right stuff.”

After completing his residency in 1952, Dr. Richards received a commission as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. As the base surgeon with the 36th Tactical Reconnaissance Base Hospital in Bitburg, Germany, he treated white patients.

His family recalled the story he told about the base commander’s wife, a southerner, who was reluctant to have him perform surgery on her. The commander reportedly said his wife had no choice. “I operated on her and she turned out to be the most grateful person,” his family recalled Dr. Richards saying.

And so it was throughout his life.

“He did not belabor the hostility he encountered,” Dr. Ross said.

He proudly honed his skills at the segregated Homer G. Phillips Hospital, which became the premiere training ground for black doctors from across the world.

“Medicine is a very gratifying profession (and) if you’re in it because you want to be a doctor, because you want to help people, I don’t think there is any field that is more gratifying,” Dr. Richards said in the 1999 book, Lift Every Voice and Sing: St. Louis African Americans in the Twentieth Century

In one of the chapters he penned for the book A Century of Black Surgeons: The USA Experience, published in 1987, he chronicled the conditions that ushered in Homer G. Phillips as a replacement for City Hospital No. 2. The public hospital for blacks had become an over-crowded fire hazard.

“(A black attorney named David M.) Grant secretly

photographed the conditions, and pictures also were taken at the St. Louis Zoo to show that conditions at the hospital were no better,” Richards told the St. Louis Beacon in 2009.

The turning point came when a black physician, Dr. Bernice A. Yancey, was electrocuted by a defective X-ray machine. It was clear, he wrote, that City Hospital No. 2 “could no longer accommodate (patients) in a manner befitting the dignity of human beings, nor could it provide for the safety of those who were there to work and to learn.”

Dr. Richards worked to ensure that the pioneers of better health care and medical training for African Americans would not be lost to history.

Ten years after his book contributions, he worked with Dr. Ross to create the Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series at Washington University.

“‘I’m an old geezer and won’t be around long,’” Dr. Ross said he declared, “‘and we need a way for people to access these stories.’” Later, his became the most prominent voice in A Jewel in History: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital for Coloreds, a documentary produced by Mukulla Godwin, a former psychiatric nurse at San Francisco General Hospital. He sought to preserve the past, while relishing the future. He was acknowledged as a master teacher who delighted in helping prepare coming generations of surgeons, particularly African Americans.

“He would beam when he had a student at his side in the OR,” Dr. Ross said.

Milk the cow

Frank Oliver Richards was born in Asheville, N.C. on November 24, 1923, the younger of George Richards and the former Altona Maywood (Mae) Mitchell’s two children. His mother was a kindergarten teacher; his father owned a grocery store and was a barber in an Asheville hotel. His parents died shortly after he graduated from Stephens-Lee High School.

With the help of his aunt and uncle, Mae and Dr. Fred Richards, he entered Talladega College in Ala., where he earned an A.B. 1944. He received his medical degree from Howard University

REDMOND

Continued from A11

and style as Redmond evolves over the decades. Arkansippi Memwars frames the poet’s spirit in a multitude of forms: lyrics, chants, performance pieces, haiku, kwansabas, essays, reviews.

Early works published in the late sixties and seventies deal with experiences in Vietnam, sexuality and relationships. Redmond’s brilliance as a love poet has been acknowledged by Maya Angelou. His lines “Black women have ‘thighs that agonize eyes’” were quoted to him appreciatively by Baraka upon their first meeting, a profoundly validating experience for the young poet.

Ancestry and the “African continuum” becomes a prominent theme. The Sunshine drum ensemble’s sound is described as “energy waves of / gele & djembe, shakere & kente, boom-/ barrel & plie goomboppin hey-hey / spiced with calabash, buba, agboda & sashay.”

School of Medicine. In 1948, he married Ruth Allen Gordon, a future social worker whom he’d met at Talladega. They moved to St. Louis for Dr. Richards’ internship and surgical residency at Homer G. Phillips. After completing military service in 1954, Dr. Richards and his family, which now included a daughter and a son, returned to St. Louis, where he entered private practice in general surgery. He shared an office with the late John Gladney, M.D., a friend he had once worked with in the Talladega shipyards when both were teenagers. He was affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine and BarnesJewish, DePaul, St. Luke’s, St. Louis Children’s and Deaconess hospitals. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and published four peer-reviewed research articles that focused on wound healing and abdominal surgery. Dr. Richards was a member of Sigma Pi Phi (Eta Boulé) and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternities, and All Saints Episcopal Church in St. Louis. He golfed, played tennis and liked scuba diving and camping. His son joked that his legacy includes two phrases that will live on to annoy his grandchildren: “This is really wonderful, but next time, do better,” he’d say to any accomplishment, and “you must milk the cow each and every day,” his way of saying strive daily for success. Dr. Richards was preceded in death by his parents and two half-siblings, Fred Richards, M.D., and Mae Richards. In addition to his wife of 65 years, his son, Frank Jr. (Sherri), Dr. Richards’ survivors include a daughter, Susan Corliss Richards (Gordon Bannister), of Boston; his sister, Miriam Moriniere, of Philadelphia, and two granddaughters, Alexandra and Lauren Richards. Remembrances would be appreciated to the Dr. Frank O. Richards Medical Student Scholarship Prize. Checks should be made payable to “Washington University Frank O. Richards Sr. Prize” and sent to Washington University, Attention: Pamela Morris, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Campus Box 1247, St. Louis, Mo. 63105. Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Corps pioneer Reginald Petty and his wife, the internationally renowned quilt artist, Edna Petty; music and cultural educator Sylvester “Sunshine” Lee; political activist Wyvetter Younge; and actress Barbara Ann Teer.

Much of the book, in keeping with Redmond’s life, can be seen as a love song to East St. Louis, aka “East Saint,” “East Boogie,” “East St. Earth” and “East St. Love.” Arkansippi Memwars reveals a poet of great verbal dexterity and a bright, generous spirit. His generosity is evident in the roles he has filled as a poet beyond the page – educator, editor, scholar, cultural activist and photographer. He authored Drumvoices (1976), the first major critical discussion of modern African-American poetry that included poets of the Black Arts Movement, establishing him as a major literary critic. He has founded and edited the respected magazine Drumvoices Revue and served as the inspiration for the Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club, for which he remains a guiding light.

For this year’s 365Black® Award recipients, each day is exceptional. They stand for greatness and bow with selessness. Through their dedication and service, they inspire a world of change. We’re proud to honor them all for staying Deeply Rooted in the Community,® 365 days a year. To learn more about this year’s honorees, go to 365Black.com.

Redmond, in the African griot tradition, is also a master of the praise poem, with appreciations of people important in his own development like Dunham, Dumas, Baraka and Angelou, who upon meeting him in 1970 said, “Eugene, be my brother forever.” He also pays poetic tribute to Nelson Mandela; poets Alvin Aubert and Raymond Patterson; fiction writers Toni Morrison and Toni Cade Bambara; former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington; and Duke Ellington. Major figures who emerged from East St. Louis like Miles Davis and Leon Thomas are celebrated along with many other East St. Louisans. These include scholar-critic Clyde Taylor, another mentor; “piano genius” Eugene Haynes; Peace

Redmond’s contributions to the art of poetry and the city of East St. Louis are incalculable. Despite his focus on the local, he has become a poet of national and international standing – as his second American Book Award, this one for lifetime achievement, attests.

In an early poem, “Parapoetics,” Redmond writes, “Poetry is an applied science: / Rewrapped corner rap; / Rootly eloquented cellular, soulular sermons.” Arkansippi Memwars bears witness in unique and memorable language to the life and times of a poet original in every sense of the word.

Michael Castro is a poet and translator, co-founder of the literary organization and magazine, River Styx.

From left: Leanna Archer, Beverly Johnson, Roland Parrish, Gladys Knight, Dr. Steve Perry, Kenny Williams, and Charles Orgbon III.

Virvus Jones

Thur., Feb. 27, 11 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Major Black Writers: Harlem, USA. Florissant Valley’s spring 2014 Major Black Writers class will make presentations about Harlem Renaissance authors. From James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston to Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, the Harlem Renaissance was undeniably one of American literature’s most influential movements. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Parshall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 513-4132.

Thur., Feb. 27, 6 p.m., The Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists will host an Open Mic Night. Evening will include an opportunity to relax with professional journalists while enjoying live music from headliners, SHE, an all-female funk/neo-soul band from Chicago, various performances from other others brave enough to approach the microphone, as well as a silent auction. Proceeds will fund the association’s Minority Journalism Workshop. BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups, 700 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, email gslabj@ gmail.com

Through Feb. 28, 9 a.m., St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley presents Road to Freedom: Dred Scott Exhibit. This exhibit contains images of documents, photographs and objects from the collection of the Missouri Historical Society tracing the pursuit of freedom in 19th century St. Louis. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 5134200.

Tuesdays in February, 6:30 p.m., Black History Month Film Series, St. Louis County Library – Mid County Branch, 7821 Maryland Ave. For more information, call (314) 9943300.

Fri., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Black History Celebration 2014 presents Set the Night to Music with Wendy Gordon & Friends. Florissant Valley Branch, 195 S. New Florissant Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.slcl.org/ black-history-celebration.

Fri., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Black History Celebration 2014 presents Set the Night to Music with Wendy Gordon & Friends. Florissant Valley Branch, 195 S. New Florissant Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.slcl.org/ black-history-celebration.

Through Feb. 28, Black History Month: African American Inventors, St. Louis County Library – Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd. For more information, call (314) 9943300.

Through Feb. 28, African Chairs Exhibit, St. Louis County Library – Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd. For more information, call (314) 9943300.

Through Feb. 28, Urban Landscape Art: The Birth of the Movement in the Inner Cities featuring Yemane Hughes, St. Louis Public Library – Divoll Branch, 4234 N. Grand. For more information, call (314) 5390315.

Through Feb. 28, Collaborate Black History Art Display featuring Zuka Arts Guild, St. Louis Public Library – Cabanne Branch, 1106 N. Union. For more information, call (314) 5390315.

Through Feb. 28, Afrika Identity Lost and Found Art Exhibit featuring Kiarra Lynn Smith, St. Louis Public Library – Schlafly Branch,

225 N. Euclid. For more information, call (314) 5390315.

Through February 28, Portfolio Gallery, in collaboration with the Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, IL presents Ebony Creations. This show will feature the work of 28 artists represented by the Portfolio Gallery and will include paintings, photos, textiles, and sculpture for sale. This exhibit will give patrons of the Arts Center an opportunity to view a collection of work from professional artists from the St. Louis area and beyond. The Edwardsville Arts Center is located at 6165 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025. 618-655-0337 Map directions to EAC at WWW. Portfoliogallerystl.org

Thursdays in February, AARP presents 2nd Annual Classic Black Film Festival: A Tribute to Sidney Poitier. Two different films starring film legend Sidney Poitier. Show your AARP card and attend free of charge. St. Louis Cinemas Galleria-6.

Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, COCA presents Continuing the Legacy. Written and directed by COCA alumnus Christopher Page, Continuing the Legacy uses dance as a vehicle to take audience members through black history – from slavery to the jazz era, through the civil rights movement, to modern times. Continuing the Legacy includes imagery that may be disturbing to young children. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www. cocastl.org.

Through March 2, The Black Rep presents For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit metrotix.com.

150 YEARS OF EDUCATING FUTURE PHARMACY INNOVATORS

BLACK HISTORY

How Their Life Changed Yours

Adah Belle Thoms

Adah Belle Thoms grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Early in her career Thoms became a teacher and eventually moved to New York to study Communications at Cooper Union. Continuing her education, she became interested in medicine. In 1900 Thoms graduated with a nursing degree from the Women’s Inirmary and School of Therapeutic Massage where she was the only black woman to graduate in her class. Afterwards she continued to stay active in the nursing community and furthered her education at Lincoln Hospital and Home School of Nursing. Because of racist policies she was never declared the oficial director at this school despite being the acting director for nearly twenty years. During this time Thoms advanced the profession of nursing and, with her cofounder Mary Mahoney, created the National Association of Colored Nurses in 1908, focusing on integration and equal opportunity within the nursing community.

Thoms career and her role as president of the National Association of Colored Nurses led to many advances for the African American community. Her persistence on equality in the ield of nursing rippled throughout other professions as well. Because of her lobbying efforts with President Warren G Harding she is partially credited for the creation of the US Army Nurse Corps.

America’s health care needs are evolving, and so is the role of the pharmacist. Our graduates are playing increasingly critical roles on health care teams to achieve better patient outcomes while driving down costs.

Lincoln Hospital Nurse Training School

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Planting the Seeds for Success!

Healthy Kids is a weekly series that focuses on nutrition, exercise, safety and more.

SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER

We specialize in making science fun!

Take advantage of the many teacher programs we offer at the Zoo to supplement your students’ classroom experience. The Zoo Outreach Program offers instructors who can bring live animals to YOUR classroom. We offer a variety of teacher kits you can check out, and we offer other resources (videos, books, etc.) FREE for you from our library. We even designed a cool poster you can hang in the classroom!

Harry’s Big Adventure:

Harry’s Big Adventure:

Harry’s Big Adventure:

Investigate and explore over 700 interactive exhibits and take in a film on one of the world’s largest domed screens in our OMNIMAX® Theater. Come, play and exercise your brain! General admission is always free. slsc.org/nie3

Nutrition Challenge:

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food choices.

My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of bugs. Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way!

My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of bugs. Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way!

My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of bugs. Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way!

slsc.org/hbanie1

slsc.org/hbanie2

slsc.org/hbanie4

We’re here to help you succeed, and there are even scholarships available. Just visit stlzoo.org/teachers or call us at (314) 646-4544 to learn more.

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Healthy Kids

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

Shuntay Daniels, Supervisor, Admitting

Where do you work? I work at Mercy Hospital.

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

> As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go

If you injure yourself while exercising (or even just walking around), an ice pack is usually one of the best ways to treat the initial pain and swelling. Talk to a nurse or doctor about your injury if the pain

ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy those leftovers for lunch the next day!

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories with a sugar-filled drink.

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

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

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Parkway North Sr. High School. I received a Bachelor of Science/ Business Administration from Anheuser-Busch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University and am currently completing my MBA at Webster University.

is severe, or if you don’t feel better within a day or two. Let him or her know what you were doing when you first felt the pain.

Only take pills (medicine) that have been given to you by your parent (or a doctor/ nurse). Never take anything that is being offered by a friend just because they say it’ll make you “feel good.” Many schoolaged kids die every year because their body has a

If you’re told to “take it easy” for a while, follow the doctor’s orders. Sometimes you just need to let your body heal. Pushing yourself before you’re ready could actually cause your body to take even longer to mend itself and feel better.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 7, NH 7

bad reaction to pills that they should not be taking.

If someone offers you a pill, be sure to tell your parent or teacher. By helping to keep these pills away from others, you could be saving a life!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4, NH 5

What does an admitting supervisor do? I travel between two cities: Washington and St. Louis, MO. I assign work duties and tasks to employees, overseeing the day-to-day operations for my department.

Why did you choose this career? This is a service industry. It allows me the chance to give back to my community by helping others.

Fitness Challenge:

Go to http://www.stlamerican. com/newspaper_in_education/ and download our Weekly Fitness Challenge Journal page. Keep track of your positive daily health choices and earn rewards!

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy flexibility and working and interacting with a diverse group of people.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Gateway Elementary School 3rd grade teacher

school is in the St. Louis Public School district.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MICROBIOLOGIST: Dale Emeagwali

SCIENCE CORNER Can You Hear Me Now ?

Did you know hearing loss affects one in five teens? A new study published in the August 18, 2010, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that one in five U.S. teens has some level of hearing loss, which is most likely due to the loud music they listen to on their iPods or other personal music players. This study is also supported by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who analyzed the hearing screenings of 1,800 12- to 19-year-olds from across the country and found that 19.5 percent had slight hearing loss. This type of hearing loss means they probably can’t hear sounds like a whisper, rustling leaves, or a dripping faucet. Therefore, an estimated 6.5 million teens in the U.S. have some hearing loss, which could affect their

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Background Information:

Your nose and mouth are connected through the same airway which means that you taste and smell foods at the same time. Your sense of taste can recognize salty, sweet, bitter and sour. When you combine this with your sense of smell, you can recognize many other individual ‘tastes.’ Take away your smell (and sight) and you limit your brain’s ability to tell the difference between certain foods.

Materials Needed:

Small Piece of Peeled Potato • Small Piece of Peeled Apple (same size and shape as potato) • Partner • Blindfold

Exercise is important to keep your body healthy. A group of students were surveyed and asked to state their favorite form of exercise. Here are the results:

12 preferred bicycling

10 preferred soccer

5 preferred basketball

8 preferred in-line skating

7 preferred swimming

Your

learning and socialization in school and lead to a need for hearing aids early in life. Hearing loss has increased by 30 percent compared to the 1980s and ‘90s, according to studies. Experts suspect that improved battery life of music players and increased volume capacity have contributed to this rise. Hearing loss can affect children academically, if they are not able to hear information in the classroom. It can also affect them socially, if they are not able to easily communicate with their peers.

For More Information About Hearing Loss, Visit: http://www. hearingloss.org/content/basic-facts-abouthearing-loss.

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

Procedure:

q Blindfold your partner so they cannot see which type of food you have.

w Ask your partner to hold their nose tightly closed.

e Offer your partner the apple or the potato and ask them to identify the food.

Analyze: Did losing sense of sight and smell affect the ability to taste?

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

q Create a bar graph to display the results.

w Order the numbers from least to greatest.

e How many students were surveyed?

r Create a fraction for the number of kids surveyed that preferred swimming.

t Survey your class to determine their favorite forms of exercise. Create a pie chart to display the results.

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can create visual representations of numbers.

Every day an adult body produces 300 billion new cells.

Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.

Dale Brown Emeagwali was born on December 24, 1954, in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father worked as a production manager for a magazine and her mother was a school teacher. They nurtured her dreams of becoming a scientist by encouraging her in school and helping her at home with science experiments. Emeagwali attended Northwestern High School and graduated in 1972. From there, she attended Coppin State College and graduated in 1976 with a biology major and a chemistry minor. Next, she enrolled in Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology, in 1981. Emeagwali also attended summer internships at Meharry Medical School. After she earned her Ph.D. in microbiology from Georgetown, Emeagwali earned postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Health and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. Dr. Emeagwali’s research led to the discovery that helps medical professionals understand what causes cancers of the blood, like leukemia.

In 1987, she and her husband moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she worked as a senior research fellow, then as an assistant research associate, while he worked as a researcher. They both then worked for the University of Minnesota. While there, they organized the annual African American Science Day to provide hands-on activities and lessons to encourage kids to study science. She feels learning should be broadly focused and include math, literature, and engineering. She also stated, “Parents must stress the importance of education and achievement to their children. When kids know there are low expectations, they won’t rise.”

Emeagwali has received numerous awards and recognition, such as listings in Who’s Who in the World, The World’s Who’s Who of Women, Who’s Who in American Education, International Who’s Who in Medicine. In 1996, she received the “Scientist of the Year” award from the National Technical Association for her contributions in the field of microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. She is regarded as a role model and inspiration whose discoveries have benefitted mankind.

Discuss: What is the most interesting thing you learned about Emeagwali? How have her contributions helped others? How has she given back to the community?

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made a contribution in the field of science, technology, or math.

MAP CORNER

Use your newspaper to complete these activities to sharpen your skills for the MAP test.

Activity One — Miracle Ads: Every week, look for any ads that may claim “cures” or “amazing breakthroughs” for diseases or other medical or cosmetic problems. Discuss these ads in class and the persuasion techniques used to hook people into purchasing the product or service offered.

Activity Two — Health Care Ad: Design a newspaper ad for a health care agency to run in your local newspaper, such as the Heart Association, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society or the American Red Cross.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify persuasive techniques used in advertising. I can create an advertisement to inform.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

Leah Grant works with students Mariam Jabbar, Cody Smith,and Kevin Lee Jones to practice sentence structure using the newspaper for their STEM lesson. The

Health clinic integrates into school culture

Mercy adds behavioral health therapist to staff at Roosevelt High

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

The Mercy Clinic at Roosevelt High School has adapted its services to meet the health needs of students, staff and children at the onsite daycare. The school-based clinic opened a year and a half ago to offer onsite sports physicals, flu shots, immunizations and other direct care.

A partnership between Mercy, St. Louis Public Schools, and half of a $1 million grant from The Boeing Company made the schoolbased clinic possible.

“A lot of kids will come down during their lunch break when they have the sniffles, when have a headache or when they have something minor,” said Kathy Woods, NP, the onsite nurse practitioner.

Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford St., has 520 students enrolled. Woods said the clinic has seen 800 to 900 visits thus far.

Roosevelt Principal Crystal Gale said the average daily attendance for students receiving services from the clinic is 92.25 percent, which is approximately 2 percent higher than students who don’t receive services.

To address the needs of what leadership described as “a highly transient population,” Mercy hired a full-time behavioral health therapist behavioral for the clinic last October.

“Mercy and Roosevelt share a belief system that Roosevelt

Adrienne Davis has been named the president of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Board of Trustees. She is the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law and vice provost at Washington University, as well as an art collector. She is past chair of the Law and Humanities Section of the Association of American Law Schools and served on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals. She also serves on the Laumeier Sculpture Park board.

John Gaskin III was sworn in as a voting member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. Gaskin, 21, is the youngest person from St. Louis ever elected to the national board in its 105-year history. Gaskin was also appointed by Chairman Roslyn M. Brock to serve with 15 others on the board’s Executive Committee. He also chairs the St. Louis County NAACP freedom fund dinner. Gaskin is a political science student at Benedictine College.

Trina Petty-Rice was selected as the 2014 Exemplary New Principal by the St. Louis Suburban District of Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. She was hired as principal of Mark Twain Elementary in the Brentwood School District in 2012. Previously, she served in Ladue School District as an elementary teacher, gifted specialist and technology coordinator. The award recognizes new principals who made contributions to their schools, districts and profession.

Montize Aaron was one of 12 elementary principals in Missouri elected as a Distinguished Principal by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. He is principal of Willow Brook Elementary School in the Pattonville School District. The program honors outstanding elementary and middlelevel administrators and promotes excellent leadership, quality education and professional growth.

Carlita D. Vasser was one of six nurses across the country selected as a panel of judges member for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination. Headquartered in Chicago, the council is responsible for developing and administering the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN licensing exams. Vasser, RN, BSN, CCN, is president/CEO of At Home Care St. Louis and At Home Care St. Louis CDS. All nurses in the U.S. must take the NCLEX.

Flint Fowler received an Inspiration Award from unite4:good in the Youth Development/ Education category. Fowler is president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. He will be recognized along with Alicia Keys (Music Visionary), Julia LouisDreyfus (Creative Commitment in Television) and Selena Gomez (Young Humanitarian), as well as other “everyday heroes,” and receive a $25,000 grant.

Adrienne Davis

Photo by Wiley Price

John Gaskin III

Trina Petty-Rice

Montize Aaron

Carlita D. Vasser

Flint Fowler

Kathy Woods, NP, the onsite nurse practitioner for the Mercy Clinic at Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford St., examines Shamira Rice, a senior at the school.

Photo by Bill Zurheide

By Jason Alderman

If you’re among the millions of U.S. residents who each year send tens of billions of dollars to family, friends or foreign businesses overseas, here’s good news:

Foreign money transfers just got safer

rates, processing fees and taxes often vary widely and can be hard to decipher. Here’s an overview of the new remittance transfer rules:

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently instituted new rules governing international electronic money transfers to better protect consumers against hidden fees and improve dispute resolution policies.

CFPB was given oversight over international money transfers as part of the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Up until then, federal consumer protection rules did not apply to most “remittance transfers,” whose exchange

LANGUAGE

Continued from B1

required for managing a rapidly growing organization, and explore options for teacher and leader pipelines, and core academic programs,” organizers said.

“Within this cohort, we all are clear that we educators make the difference for our students,” said Broussard.

“This is a study in how we can improve our adult methods to support our students to reach their potential.”

The other participants are Algiers Charter School Association (New Orleans, La.), Charles A. Tindley Accelerated Schools (Indianapolis, Ind.), Collegiate Academies (New Orleans, La.), First Line Schools (New Orleans, La.), Harvest Preparatory School (Minneapolis, Minn.), FUSE

In general, most foreign money transfers for more than $15 sent by money transmitters (like Western Union and MoneyGram), banks, credit unions and other financial services companies that consistently send more than 100 international money transfers annually are covered. These institutions now must fully disclose their fees, taxes and foreign currency exchange rates so consumers will have a clearer picture of the true cost of transactions and be able to more easily comparison shop. Also, once a transaction concludes, the

(Hartford and Bridgeport, Conn.), LEAD Public Schools (Nashville, Tenn.), New Urban Learning (Detroit, Mich.), Public Prep (New York, N.Y.), ROADS Charter High Schools (New York, N.Y.) and Scholar Academies (Philadelphia, Penn.; Washington, D.C.; Trenton, N.J.).

The Accelerator is being offered by Achievement First, a network of 25 non-profit, college-preparatory, public charter schools in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island, in partnership with YES Prep and Aspire Public Schools.

“Through the Accelerator, a diverse group of public charter school networks will share promising practices for closing the achievement gap at scale,” said Achievement First Co-CEO and President Dacia Toll.

“Together, we will provide far more students with an excellent education than we could ever reach as individual networks.”

company now must provide a receipt that repeats this same information, as well as shows the date when the money will arrive and directions for reporting any problems with the transfer.

The new regulations include several additional protections:

• Consumers are allowed 30 minutes (and sometimes longer) to cancel a transfer after they’ve paid – in which case, they’re entitled to a full refund. (However, if the recipient has already picked up the funds or had them deposited into their account before 30 minutes have passed, the refund guarantee is voided.)

• If the wire was scheduled in advance, you can cancel

it up to three business days before the transmission and receive a full refund.

• Senders have 180 days to report any errors they later uncover. By law, the company must investigate such reports within 90 days. For certain errors (e.g., if the money never arrived), you can ask for a full refund or have the money resent.

While the new regulations are certainly welcome, they don’t go far enough when it comes to helping customers compare the net costs of making money transfers at different vendors. You’ll still need to carefully weigh each company’s exchange rate (which fluctuates frequently) and fees (which

vary depending on how much you’re sending, how quickly you want the money to arrive and the funding method) to determine which one provides the best value – the so-called “effective exchange rate.”

One company may have a more favorable exchange rate than another but charge higher fees. Depending on how much money you’re trying to transfer and by what method, however, the balance could shift over which transaction is more cost-effective.

To calculate various effective exchange rates, add the amount you’re sending (in U.S. dollars) plus all fees; then divide that into the amount of foreign currency to be delivered. The company with the highest result

Charity donates $40K to aid at-risk youth

For Pete’s Sake Vice Chair Dennis Cope presents Dr. Katrice Noble, director of Academic and Student Programs at Lift for Life Academy, with a grant. The St. Louis-based charity For Pete’s Sake has donated $10,000 grants to four St. Louis-based non-profit organizations and schools with programs dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

provides the best value. If you don’t trust your math skills, Viamericas has a handy comparison tool that lets you plug in fees and exchange rates for up to three additional vendors and it will calculate their effective exchange rates (visit www.viamericas. com). Use the tool’s manual comparison option to allow for more choices. For more information on the new remittance transfer rule, visit www.cfpb.gov.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To participate in a free, online Financial Literacy and Education Summit on April 2, 2014, go to www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ summit2014.

Andy’s Seasoning debuts fish and shrimp batter products

Last week, local blackowned business Andy’s Seasoning announced the debut of two new products: Golden Fish Batter and Shrimp Tempura Batter. Andy’s Seasoning is also unveiling new packaging graphics for all of its existing products. “This is simply a new look for the same great products,” said Larry W. Lee, Andy’s Seasoning president and CEO. “No changes are being made to the products themselves.” Founded in 1981, the Andy’s Seasoning portfolio of products includes Andy’s Red Fish Breading, Yellow Fish Breading, Cajun Fish Breading, Mild Chicken Breading and Hot N Spicy Chicken breading.

Frontier adds non-stop flights

Last week Frontier Airlines announced that in June it will expand service from LambertSt. Louis International Airport with the addition of new nonstop flights to San Francisco, CA, Portland, OR and Trenton, New Jersey, NJ. Both Portland and Trenton are new nonstop markets from Lambert while the San Francisco service adds additional frequency and seat availability.

More than 54K in Missouri have signed up for ACA insurance The federal government recently released new comprehensive statewide and national data on how many Americans have enrolled in new, more affordable health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces. The data show that nearly 3.3 million people have chosen health plans through state-run exchanges as well as the federal exchange (healthcare.gov) by February 1 – a 53 percent increase over the number enrolled a month earlier.

Individual personal property declarations available online

Beginning February 1st, St. Louis County residents were

n “That’s one of my goals here, to go No. 1. I came out of high school as the No. 1 player, so I want to come out of here as the No. 1 guy.”

– Jadeveon Clowney, at the NFL Combine

PreP BasketBall NoteBook

With Earl Austin Jr.

Big schools take center stage

Missouri

district playoffs preview

The big schools take center stage in Missouri and Illinois as district play begins on both sides of the river. Teams in Missouri Classes 4 and 5 and Illinois Classes 3A and 4A will begin their postseason next week. Here is a brief summary of the upcoming Missouri district playoffs.

Class 5

District 1 (at Seckman): Jackson is the No. 1 seed followed by No. 2 Oakville. Both are favored to meet in the championship game.

District 2 (at Lafayette): Always a wide-open district featuring the Rockwood and Parkway schools. Lafayette is the top seed, followed by Parkway South.

District 3 (Parkway North): CBC is the top seed and favored to move on with a solid Parkway Central in at No. 2.

n On the girls’ side, nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy is the top seed in District 5 at Vashon.

District 4 (at Kirkwood): A very competitive district with top seed Webster Groves, followed by No. 2 Kirkwood and No. 3 Vianney.

District 5 (at Troy): Wide open district without a clear-cut favorite. Fort Zumwalt West is the No. 1 seed, but Francis Howell, Holt and Timberland could challenge.

District 6 (at Fort Zumwalt East): An excellent district with Fort Zumwalt South as the top seed, but No. 2 Fort Zumwalt North is very good as well. Howell Central is not bad either at No. 3.

District 7 (at Hazelwood West): The Suburban North district is always competitive. Hazelwood Central is the No. 1 seed, but No. 2 McCluer North and No. 3 Hazelwood East are

also major threats.

District 8 (at SLUH): Loaded Chaminade is the No. 1 seed, but No. 2 Ladue and No. 3 SLUH both can provide some strong competition. Another very strong district.

Class 4

District 3 (at Hillsboro): No. 1 seed Affton is having a very strong year, but No. 2 Festus

See INSIDE, B5

Locals help Columbia College win

Griffin, Dilworth, Stanciel, Crowder, Clark and Ray contribute to Cougars

The Cougars have won a total of 61 games in the past two seasons, and athletes from the St. Louis area have been leading the way. This season, Columbia is currently 26-2 and ranked No. 4 in the country in the latest NAIA poll. They are also 17-1 and in first place in the American Midwest Conference.

n The top scorer is 6’0” senior guard Devin Griffin (Belleville Althoff), who is averaging 17.3 points a game.

There are six players from the St. Louis area on the team and all are big contributors.

The top scorer is 6’0” senior guard Devin Griffin (Belleville Althoff), who is averaging 17.3 points a game. Griffin was named the AMC Player of the Week after leading the Cougars to two victories last week. He has been the team’s leading scorer for the past two seasons.

Former Webster Groves standout Derrick Dilworth is averaging 13.4 points a game.

Chantiel Stanciel, a sophomore point guard from McCluer High, averages 7.5 points while leading the team in assists and steals.

Wendell Crowder, a 6’1” senior at Cardinal Ritter, averages 5.4 points and provides energy off the bench, as does his former Ritter teammate Eric Clark, a 6’4” junior.

New to the team this year is 6’6 freshman forward Malik Ray, an explosive athlete from McCluer High. He is averaging 4.3 points.

All of the area players come from winning programs. Dilworth helped Webster Groves to a state championship in 2008, while Clark and Crowder were teammates on Cardinal Ritter’s Class 3 state championship team in 2010. The Cougars enjoyed a dream season in 2013 when they finished 35-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament. Columbia was undefeated throughout the regular season and was ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the year.

n Still, this is boxing, where promises are as useless as a screen door on a submarine.

Maidana on May 3. I fault myself for believing anything out of the mouth of a fighter or promoter without seeing a signed contract. Even then, there’s always reason to be skeptical when it comes to prizefighting, which is likely the last remaining entity in the world that’s more corrupt that politics. Sadly, I have an affinity for both. Speaking of politics, they may have played a role in Mayweather’s decision.

While the pound-for-pound king certainly wanted to add some British pounds to his duffle bag of cash, the general lack of interest in his poll probably opened the eyes of his advisors. Most fans gave the proverbial shrug to both potential opponents. The official Khan vs Maidana poll garnered only 35k votes on the Mayweather Promotions website. That’s despite more than four million fans following the fighter on both Facebook and Twitter and more than two million on Instagram. That didn’t stop the Golden Boy Promotions spin cycle now that the fight with Maidana has been made. In a press release,

Earl Austin Jr.

Bernard Hopkins is now 49 years old and instead of sitting on the porch and yelling at kids to stay off his lawn, he’s punching them in the mouth and telling him to stay away from his title.

Webster Groves Statesman Cameron Hilton (11) drives to the basket past a Jackson High defender during their 76-67 win over the Indians at Webster.

Photo by Wiley Price

As the NFL puts on its annual meat market called the Combine, a display of players who aspire to someday be part of the club, league officials have floated out the idea of taking a step toward curbing some of its troubling off-field issues. Yes, the NFL has decided to tackle the “N” word. Henceforth, any player heard using said word would receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that would result in his team receiving a 15-yard penalty. The second offense would result in an ejection.

Claib’s Call

With Mike Claiborne

NFL tackles the ‘N’ word

darnedest things on and off the field. It sometimes makes you wonder, as the late Vince Lombardi once said in an NFL Films piece to his player, “What the Hell is going on out there?”

What an ingenious idea. The league now wants the officials who cannot see most penalties that need to be called to now listen for infractions. After this brilliant idea of being at the forefront of such a troubling issue in society, I began to wonder just who were they targeting: white players who have been found to use such language outside of the locker room and off the field at will (see Riley Cooper) or black players who have chosen to use it as their everyday vernacular, as if they were being paid by the amount of times they can say it in a sentence? It is no secret that the NFL struggles socially, as their players can say and do the

While not all players should be blamed for the actions of some, the blanket is a big one and covers a variety of misdeeds that make you wonder. With attempted murder, drug dealing, wife beating and, yes, bullying, this league has it all. And yet the TV ratings have gone through the roof, and to some that makes it right, as everyone is making money.

As for the league attempting to take a stand on the “N” word, I have to wonder why now and do they really think it is going to curb the direction of the league? There are plenty of places where use of the word should be curbed, but the fields of the NFL was not on page one of my list. If the players cannot say it, what does the league do about their drunken fans who use it in the stands? What penalty do they get? The league is once again off-sides and should be penalized for such a token move to put a Band-Aid on something that requires major medical attention. How this attempt solves anything is a

mystery, if not insult, to those who play the game, let alone its sane fans.

The NFL has some major problems and is way off course in how to solve them. While they have one of the greatest PR machines known to mankind and a legion of broadcasters who will carry their water on almost anything, that does not solve their problems. The leadership of this league is in trouble, and yet no one at the top seems to see it. Perhaps they will be better at listening for the problem like

they will have their referees listening for certain words on the field of play.

Big man, big news OK, now it is behind us. When it was reported that Jason Collins, who announced last year that he is gay, is going to sign a contract to return to the NBA, you would have thought that man had landed on Mars. Talk about breaking news ... While I was happy that the

day had come, I was equally happy that the day had gone.

Jason Collins signing with the Brooklyn Nets should not have been that big of a story. We are talking about a guy who is 7 feet tall and has a career scoring average of 3 points a game. So, why the big news?

Yes, he is gay. During his before and after press conference because of career that was far from stellar, you had to wonder what reporter was going to go there and get personal. Fortunately that did not happen and the

world is better off for it. The bigger story here is that Collins was signed for his size, but also the fact that he was a good teammate and good in the locker room from a leadership standpoint. That is what the story should have been about. Now that this story has hopefully hit a dead end in how classy both Collins and Michael Sam have handled their personal matters, can we get back to the games? After all, that is the only reason why we care about these athletes, as they have a skill that we have come to appreciate and now follow.

Quickies

Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino are out at CBS and will be replaced by Tony Gonzalez and Bart Scott You can fill in the blanks on this one. Remember one thing: James Brown is still the best NFL pre-game show host in the business. Shannon and Dan are on their own on this one. No more Tonya Harding/ Nancy Kerrigan stories for at least 20 years, please. No more boring Winter Olympics for at least four years. That way Team USA will be able to figure out they are not the world hockey power they think they are. What happens to Mizzou basketball if they fail to make the NCAA tournament? NIT, anyone? Please, no home games as they would play in front of a lot of yellow seats. The Tigers have to now win out. The Cardinals are selling tickets at a record pace. They have already sold over 2.5 million tickets, and they have yet to play a game. Single game tickets go on sale Friday, and they may not last long. Cardinals.com After the combine, the Rams will have multiple choices on who to take with the second pick in the draft. It will really be hard to mess this one up. St. Louis University Basketball is so much fun to listen to with Earl Austin Jr. and Bob Ramsey

Mike Claiborne

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Riley Cooper was taped using the “N” word multiple times during an off-field tirade.

INSIDE

Continued from B3 and No. 3 Lutheran South are also quite capable teams.

District 4 (at DuBourg): Bayless drew the No. 1 seed, but No. 2 Gateway Tech, No. 3 St. Mary’s and No. 4 DuBourg will also challenge.

District 5 (at Vashon): A very good Jennings team is the No. 1 seed. They will be challenged by No. 2 Miller Career Academy or No. 3 Soldan.

District 6 (at MICDS): Host MICDS is the No. 1 seed with Priory, Normandy, Westminster, University City and Clayton all having a shot to win it.

District 7 (at St. Charles):

CLUTCH

Continued from B3 GBP stated, “Through the accumulation of more than 100,000 votes on the various online polls, more than 100,000 comments on Mayweather’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as non-stop fan tweets, Mayweather saw an overwhelming majority favor Maidana.” Once again, the fix is in. The bout versus Maidana is at least sellable to an American audience. Though Maidana has historically struggled with bigger, faster fighters, he is on a four-fight winning streak, including a solid victory over the man some consider to be a poor man’s Mayweather, Adrien Broner. Additionally, it keeps Mayweather’s tried and true formula of fighting a Latin American fighter around the time of Cinco De Mayo. Maidana is Argentinian, not Mexican, but you can still expect the Latinos to pack the house to root against Mayweather. Though there

A loaded district with No. 1 Duchesne being a state contender, but No. 2 St. Charles and No. 3 St. Charles West also having excellent teams.

On the girls’ side, much of the action in Class 4 will be concentrated in the District 5 and 6 tournaments. Nationally ranked Incarnate Word Academy is the top seed in District 5 at Vashon. Coming in at No. 2 is a talented and very dangerous Miller Career Academy team. In District 6, host MICDS is the top seed. These are probably the top three teams on the Missouri side of the river.

On the Illinois Side, there are two Class 4A regional tournaments involving metro east teams. The Quincy Regional features No. 1 seed and No. 2 Alton, which have split their two regular season

are better fights to be made, Maidana was certainly the right choice of the two. It remains to be seen what will happen with Broner now that his “big brother” has snatched away his opponent. Broner had previously exercised a clause for an immediate rematch with Maidana but will certainly step aside for the ‘Money’ train. Rumors suggest Broner will drop down to 140 pounds for his next bout. There’s no shortage of attractive opponents, including Khan, Danny Garcia, Ruslan Provodnikov (Top Rank beef), Lucas Matthysse, Lamont Peterson and others. Meanwhile, Khan whined expressed his disappointment with the entire process of the fight selection. As noted before, Khan was supposed to fight STL’s own Devon Alexander for his welterweight crown but bailed out when he found out he was entered into the Mayweather sweepstakes. I’d still love to see that fight happen, but without a title at stake, there’s a slim chance of that fight coming to fruition.

meetings this season. The Belleville West Regional features Southwestern Conference teams O’Fallon, Belleville East, East St. Louis, Collinsville and Belleville West. No need to list the seeds. It will be a free for all. Class 3A regionals tournaments involving metro east teams will be at Althoff and Triad. The Althoff Regional will be hot as it features South Seven Conference rivals Althoff and Cahokia. The Triad Regional features No. 1 seed Alton Marquette.

(If you want to see complete bra ckets of the postseason tournaments for boys and girls, you can go to mshsaa. org to see the Missouri brackets and IHSA.org to see the Illinois state brackets. You can also follow Earl Austin Jr’s basketball reports on earlaustinjr.com.)

Bernard Hopkins back at it

Forty-nine year old IBF light-heavyweight titlist

Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KO) will get back into the ring April 19 in a unification bout against WBA beltholder Beibut Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs). You read that right. Old man Hopkins is now 49 years old and instead of sitting on the porch and yelling at kids to stay off his lawn, he’s punching them in the mouth and telling him to stay away from his title.

Hopkins could have his hands full against the power punching Kazakhstani, but Shumenov’s style seems almost tailor-made for the ageless defensive wizard. Should Hopkins win, he could set himself up for one last light heavyweight mega bout with either WBC champion Adonis Stevenson or WBO titlist Sergey Kovalev, both considered amongst the most exciting fighters in boxing.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk and on Google+

Saint Louis University has risen to No. 8 in the nation in the latest USA Today Coaches poll. The Billikens remain at No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. SLU is currently ranked 25-2 and 12-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They are currently on a 19-game winning streak. Senior guard Jordair Jett was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. SLU will host Duquesne tonight at the Chaifetz Arena and visit VCU on Saturday in Richmond.

Khial Jamison

Hazelwood Central – Wrestling

The senior standout won the Class 4 state title at 170 pounds at last weekend’s Missouri State Wrestling Championships in Columbia.

Jamison defeated Dustin Gray of Timberland 4-2 in the championship match. He avenged a loss to Gray from the district tournament a week ago. In the semifinals, Jamison pinned Rourke Penn of Fort Zumwalt West. He also defeated Juan Castenenda of Lee’s Summit 12-4 in the quarterfinals.

Jamison finished his senior year with a 39-2 record and became Central’s first individual state champion in 12 years.

Josh Robinson

St. Mary’s – Basketball

The 6’3 senior guard went on a scoring rampage last week as he scored 151 points in three games.

Robinson scored 56 points in the Dragons’ 85-76 loss to Christian-O’Fallon. He was 18 of 28 from the field and 17 of 24 from the free throw line. Robinson followed up with a 55-point performance against St. Pius. He finished with week by scoring 48 points in a 68-65 victory over rival Bishop DuBourg. For the season, Robinson is averaging 35.9 points to lead the St. Louis metro area in scoring. He is shooting 48 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line. Robinson has signed with Austin Peay. St. Mary’s will play in the Class 4, District 4 Tournament, beginning on March 4.

Prep Athletes of the Week

Members of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction

‘Women in Construction’ to network with students

The National Association of Women in Construction will host its annual Networking Ice Cream Social 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at the AGC Construction Careers Center High School, 1224 Grattan St. The event connects students and construction professionals so that students can gain firsthand knowledge about construction in a personal environment, while opening the door for mentorship opportunities.

CLINIC

Continued from B1

“AYA is a West African word for ‘fern,’ which is a plant that thrives in pretty tough living situations,” Gale explained.

The clinic team also reaches out into classrooms by collaborating with Roosevelt’s health teacher on lesson plans and bringing in guest speakers to discuss the importance of health and wellness. Mercy staff also participate in professional development sessions for educators.

“The behavioral health therapist works with our social worker to host professional development sessions with teachers on properly assessing the root cause of misbehaviors in students and learning how to address them,” Gale said. “The

team assists staff with knowing how and when to refer the students for services and how to reinforce and undergird what goes on in therapy sessions.”

The school and the clinic are now ready to examine data to determine how much of a difference the clinic is making.

“Roosevelt and Mercy are collaborating with Washington University to further assess the impact of having a schoolbased health clinic,” Gale said.

Jason Purnell, a professor at Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work, is helping them to start measuring their outcomes.

Purnell played a lead role in the team of African-American researchers from Washington University and Saint Louis University that has been studying African-American health in St. Louis.

“We are going to integrate into what their challenges are,”

Woods said. “We try to get involved in everything that the students are involved in so they don’t just see us as a clinic, they see us as part of Roosevelt.”

Woods said the clinic regroups and changes constantly to meet the needs of students and the Roosevelt community. Asthma and young men’s health are some of the needs the clinic is working collaboratively to meet. Through the partnership, the school also works with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries for food and energy assistance to support families in need.

“At Roosevelt, we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that all children are academically healthy, socially healthy, emotionally healthy and physically healthy,” Gale said. “The Mercy Clinic at Roosevelt helps us make that happen.”

Barbaric silhouettes

Saint Louis Art Museum opens new Kara Walker show

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

A major new show for an AfricanAmerican woman artist at the Saint Louis Art Museum is something to celebrate, though Kara Walker’s work itself does not tend to leave one in a celebrating mood. Walker’s work is among the most recognizable in contemporary art. Her basic forms are large cut-out silhouettes of stereotypical images, typically drawn from American slavery. She tends to embellish these images for grotesque comic effect and then place them in a disturbing historical context.

An instructive example of her work – and how it offends some people – can be seen in a drawing of hers that was displayed, and then obscured, in the Newark Public Library in 2012. The drawing’s title says a lot: “The moral arc of history ideally bends towards justice but just as soon as not curves back around toward barbarism, sadism, and unrestrained chaos.” One of its most barbaric images – of coerced plantation sex – was so offensive to some library workers that they demanded the image be hid from view.

See WALKER, C4

“Confederate Prisoners Being Conducted from Jonesborough to Atlanta,” by Kara Walker from the portfolio “Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated),” 2005; offset lithograph and screenprint; 39 x 53 inches.

Shirley LeFlore publishes first collection

‘Poems that breathe with words that burn,” says Amina Baraka

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Thumbing through Brassbones & Rainbows, the first collection of poetry from Shirley Bradley LeFlore, one might consider her some sort of prophetic joint professor of women’s and African-American studies and divinity, as much as a poet.

Interestingly enough, LeFlore spent her days versing college students in English, literature and psychology, while moonlighting as a sought after poet and performer.

Brassbones & Rainbows is a multifaceted glimpse into a woman who has acquired words, wisdom and observations over five decades of being in the mix during America’s most tumultuous times.

Shirley LeFlore expresses her love for her people, her ancestors, her fellow women, her God, her men and her fellow contributors – and a hatred for war and terrorism – through a body of work that is as free-spirited and fun as it is heavy and heartwrenching.

In “Poets Muse,” she gives a fitting and eloquent tribute that could have easily served as the eulogy for Amiri Baraka:

he comes w / Afrosonic feet / wordwalking like a baritone saxamony sonnet movin underskin / be-boppin / boogiebluzinin the free-word order / giant-talkin tongue jammin / stirring the souls of black folk busting the kneecaps of the american nightmare / undressing the people of the lie

A grand time for a Grand Dame! A surprise 90th Birthday Celebration honoring – Mrs. Gladys Elretta Coates Blaine was a fun-filled afternoon for the birthday girl. The well attended affair was hosted by her sorors Linda Oliver and Denise Thomas Mrs. Blaine’s Godson, Wade Mayham, successfully brought his Auntie to the O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex without giving away the surprise. She thought she was receiving a community service award.

was ultimately selected in 2014.

w / the naked truth

She adds a feminine touch to the seductive, “mannish” tales that are often set to music in blues classics. Shamelessly overt and sexual in one stanza, reserved and modest in the next, LeFlore captures the internal contrast experienced by the children of the Great Migration with Brassbones & Rainbows.

She asks a man to “put your haints on me…” but also speaks to unwavering faith, proclaiming that “God gave me a song and six wings.”

The poems verbally illustrate the bridge between Southern hospitality and fast city living. LeFlore speaks on behalf of a generation that stood on the shoulders of those who changed the landscape of Black America. And while they kept their roots, sensibilities and heritage intact, she was among the generation who built upon those who traveled North for a better life by changing the mindset of America through the Civil Rights Movement.

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

The celebration of blackness LeFlore learned as a youth member of the NAACP, who participated in sit-ins and marches – and built upon as an anchor member of the Black Artists Group (BAG) – are laced throughout Brassbones & Rainbows

“As an artist I always wanted to do something that people can get

See LEFLORE, C4

Friends and family from all walks of Mrs. Blaine’s life came to share and extend birthday wishes. Many church members from Memorial Baptist and St. James A.M.E. Churches, along with attendees of Bible Study Fellowship, sang her praises. The children of Mrs. Blaine’s deceased college roommate, Mrs. Ruth Pippins, presented the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority with $1,000 in honor of Gladys Elretta’s birthday and Ruth Pippins. Colleagues and former students from Beaumont High School surrounded the birthday girl with memories and much affection. The sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha were united in sisterly love. Felicitations to St. Louis’ prominent civil rights pioneer attorney Frankie Muse Freeman She was honored while attending the American Bar Association’s Mid-year Meeting in Chicago. Frankie was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The meeting was held February 5- 11at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. She received a 2014 Spirit of Excellence Award from the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession during an award ceremony luncheon on February 8. Longtime friend Annetta Booth accompanied Frankie; she thought the presentation ceremony was very impressive. Many kudos and

actor Jimonn Cole speaks on the connection with his character, the power of the stage

the Tony Award winning production of “Peter

the Starcatcher” comes to St. Louis’ Peabody Opera House March 7 – March 9.

Latasha Fox, 36, applied for “Survivor” three times before she

Attorney Frankie Muse Freeman received a 2014 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association

Dana G. Randolph

Above: Shirley LeFlore performing with Oliver Lake in St. Louis, ca. 1970.

Right: Eugene Redmond, Michael Castro, K. Curtis Lyle and LeFlore in St. Louis, ca. 1999

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

black history month

Thur., Feb. 27, 11 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Major Black Writers: Harlem, USA. Florissant Valley’s spring 2014 Major Black Writers class will make presentations about Harlem Renaissance authors. From James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston to Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, the Harlem Renaissance was undeniably one of American literature’s most influential movements. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Parshall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 513-4132.

Fri., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Black History Celebration 2014 presents Set the Night to Music with Wendy Gordon & Friends. Florissant Valley Branch, 195 S. New Florissant Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.slcl. org/black-history-celebration.

Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, COCA presents Continuing the Legacy. Written and directed by COCA alumnus Christopher Page, Continuing the Legacy uses dance as a vehicle to take audience members through black history – from slavery to the jazz era, through the civil rights movement, to modern times. Continuing the Legacy includes imagery that may be disturbing to young children. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www. cocastl.org.

Sat., Mar. 1, 2 p.m., Celebration of Elders: Reflection of African Americans in St. Louis. This event is a celebration of African American Seniors in St. Louis. Better Family Life Multicultural Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 8020275.

concerts

Thur., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Team Morris presents An Evening with St. Louis’ own Jazz Vocalist – Denise Thimes. Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 533-0534 or visit www. lanetabernaclestl.com/492634. html.

Fri., Feb. 28, 8 p.m., The Sheldon presents Habib Koite and Raul Midon. This inspired cross-genre pairing unites Malian superstar Habib Koité with American singer/ songwriter Raul Midón. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Feb. 28, 8 p.m., The Chaifetz Arena presents 2 Chainz & Pusha T. One S. Compton Ave., 63103.

Sunday, Mar. 2, 6p.m., Club Sevens @ The Casino Queen presents “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” featuring Grammy Nominees Russell Gunn & Dionne Farris. For moreinformation, visit www. russellgunn.eventbrite.com

Mar., 5 – 8, Jazz St. Louis presents Sean Jones Quartet. 3536 Washington Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 8, 8 p.m., The Fox Theater presents Robin Thicke. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Sat., Mar. 8, 7:30 & 9 p.m., Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels presents Chrisette Michele. 999 N. Second St., 63103.

Sun., Mar. 9, 6 p.m., The Bistro at Grand Center presents Andre Delano. Andre Delano has demonstrated his amazing ability to woo a crowd with his saxophone time and time again. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For

more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Thur., Mar. 13, 8 p.m., The Fox Theater presents Experience Hendrix. Celebrate the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels presents Kevin Eubanks. 999 N. Second St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 881-7777.

Sat., Mar. 15, 8:15 p.m., The Sheldon presents Renée Fleming - Sheldon Gala 2014. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.sheldonconcerthall. org.

local gigs

Sun. Mar. 16, 3 p.m., Hatheway Cultural Center presents Masters of MotownMasters of Motown’s dynamic vocalists are backed by a band of seasoned musicians who have been performing together for decades. 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey IL, 62035. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Wed., Mar. 19, 8 p.m., The Sheldon presents A Celebration of Art and Sound. Celebrate and support the return of classical music to the St. Louis airwaves by attending this inaugural evening of outstanding performances. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For

more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fred Walker and his Saxy Jazz Music Show returns to Ms. Piggie’s Smokehouse on Sundays with the best in live and recorded Jazz and Gospel. 12noon - 4pm 10612 Page Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63132 call (314) 428-7776 for information.

Saturdays, 3 p.m., The Kendrick Smith Quartet, Premier Lounge, 5969 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. For more information, call (314)385-5281 or e-mail crusadersforjazz@hotmail. com.

special events

Thur., Feb. 27, 6 p.m., The Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists will host an Open Mic Night. Evening will include an opportunity to relax with professional journalists while enjoying live music from headliners, SHE, an all-female funk/neo-soul band from Chicago, various performances from other others brave enough to approach the microphone, as well as a silent auction. Proceeds will fund the association’s Minority Journalism Workshop. BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups, 700 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, email gslabj@ gmail.com

Feb. 27 – Mar. 2, Scottrade Center presents Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For

Club Sevens @ The Casino Queen presents ‘Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler’ featuring Grammy Nominees Russell Gunn & Dionne Farris. See CONCERTS for details.

more information, visit www. stubhub.com.

Through Feb. 28, 9 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Road to Freedom: Dred Scott Exhibit. This exhibit contains images of documents, photographs and objects from the collection of the Missouri Historical Society tracing the pursuit of freedom in 19th century St. Louis. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 513-4200.

Fri., Feb. 28, 9 p.m., Lola presents Masq & Beads Mardi Gras Bash. Featuring Band Dirty Muggs and DJ Charlie Chan. Free beads will be available and enjoy New Orleans style Mardi Gras drink specials. 500 N. 14th St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 403-2208.

Sat., Mar. 1, 10 p.m., Bel Airs presents Mardi Gras. 700 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. belairs.com.

Thurs., Mar. 6, 10 a.m., America’s Center hosts St. Louis 37th Annual Builders Home and Garden Show. The Builders Home & Garden Show is the place to see, learn about and buy the latest home products and services from approximately 500 companies covering more than 9 acres of exhibit space. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101.

Mar. 7 – 8, St. Louis Brewery and Taproom presents Stout and Oyster Festival 2014. 2100 Locust St., 63103. For more

information, visit schlafly.com.

Sat., Mar. 8, 9 a.m., Teacher Hiring Fair to Promote Diversity. Designed to advance increased representation of individuals of color within St. Louis independent schools. BA/ BS degree minimum –certification or previous teaching experience preferred. Emerson Performance Center, Harris-Stowe State University, 3101 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information & to register, visit www.independentschools. org/hiringfair.

Sat., Mar. 8, 10 a.m., IL Monastero - Saint Louis University hosts Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. 17th Annual Youth Symposium. The ladies of the Eta Mu Sigma and Zeta Sigma Chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will present their annual Youth Symposium – “Partners for Progress, Working Together to Build Bridges for Youth.” 3050 Olive St., 63103.

Sat., Mar. 8, 6 p.m., Hilton at the Ballpark hosts Jamdown Rockas. Caribbean Island Fundraising Auction Gala benefiting 3 Little Birds 4 Life to raise crucial funds needed to grant wishes to young adult cancer patients, ages 18-40, with any type of cancer and any stage. One S. Broadway, 63102.

Mon., Mar. 10, 7 p.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. presents 96th Annual Dinner Meeting. Keynote Speaker, Ambassador Andrew Young, will be speaking on a Roadmap to Opportunity. Renaissance Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., For more information, call (314) 615-3668.

Thurs., Mar. 13, 7 p.m., Chaifetz Arena hosts Loosecannon Celebrity Basketball Game. One S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. thechaifetzarena.com.

Sat., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., America’s Center hosts Girls Night Out Gala. A benefit to support A Hero’s Impact Foundation a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to mentor children and families from all walks of life; with special emphasis on families facing illness. We will be honoring 20 special ladies that have overcome tremendous obstacles. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101.

Sat., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., America’s Center hosts Girls Night Out Gala. A benefit to support A Hero’s Impact Foundation a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to mentor children and families from all walks of life; with special emphasis on families facing illness. We will be honoring 20 special ladies that have overcome tremendous obstacles. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101.

comedy

Sat., Mar. 1, 9 p.m., The Ambassador presents Michael Blackson. The African King of Comedy. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 15, 7:30 p.m., Peabody Opera House presents Gabriel IglesiasUnity through Laughter. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit fluffyguy.com.

Sat., Mar. 15, 8 p.m., The Fox Theater presents Ricky Smiley’s House Party. Featuring Rickey Smiley, Salt-N-Pepa, Big Daddy Kane & Sugarhill Gang 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit metrotix.com.

theatre

Through March 2, The Black Rep presents For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit metrotix.com.

Through March 2, The Fox Theater presents Jersey Boys, The musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103.

For more information, visit metrotix.com.

literary

Thurs., Mar. 6, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Ishmael Beah, author of Radiance of Tomorrow Ishmael Beah, author of A Long Way Gone, discusses his first novel, Radiance of Tomorrow, an affecting, tender parable about postwar life in Sierra Leone. 650 Maryville University Dr., 63141. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

Sat., Mar. 9, 2:30 p.m., The Daughters of the Dust Book Club will host the renowned poet, Mary Lott and readings from her new release, “I Continue To Scream,” University City Library, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 6701 Delmar. For more information, call 314 409-7469.

Tues., Mar. 11, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie signs and discusses “Americanah.” The Nigerian writer presents a dazzling story of love and race centered around a young couple from Nigeria who face difficult choices in the countries they come to call home. 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

arts

Fri., Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m., Regional Arts Commission presents Gallery Opening: Latinicidad. RAC brings the tradition and vibrant culture of Latin American Carnaval to Saint Louis with its Latinicidad exhibition. Exhibit will run through Mar. 29. 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 863-5811.

Feb. 28 – Mar. 28, May Gallery presents Broken Roots: Illegal Immigration into the U.S. The dramatic

reality of men, women and children making their way to the Mexico-US border in search of a better life is the theme of a photographic essay by José HernándezClaire. Sverdrup Building, Webster University, 8300 Big Bend Blvd., 63119. For more information, call (314) 2467673.

Through February 28, Portfolio Gallery, in collaboration with the Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, IL presents Ebony Creations. This show will feature the work of 28 artists represented by the Portfolio Gallery and will include paintings, photos, textiles, and sculpture for sale. The Edwardsville Arts Center is located at 6165 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025. 618-655-0337 Map directions to EAC at WWW. Portfoliogallerystl.org

Fri., Mar. 7, 6 p.m., Opening Reception for Art of Africa. Featuring over 100 pieces of

The Scottish Rite Cathedral presents Sounds of Praise featuring Tamela Mann. For more information, see SPIRITUAL.

beautifully crafted art and artifacts from the African continent, many made using wood indigenous to the areas of Africa in which they were created. The DeToye Student Gallery will feature the work of Liberty Middle School students. The Exhibit will run through Apr. 11. Edwardsville Art Center, 6165 Center Grove Rd., Edwardsville, IL. 62025. For more information, call (618) 655-0037.

Mar. 8, 2 p.m., Opening reception for 10th Street Gallery’s presentation of “Women in Textiles,” featuring 4 multi-talented women artists. Exhibit runs through April 12. 419 N. 10th Street. For more information, visit www.10thstreetgallery. com

lectures

Mar. 1 – Mar. 2, St. Louis Real Estate Investors’ Expo a two-day event for education, training, networking and

business development geared towards real estate investment professionals. St. Charles Convention Center. For more information or to reserve tickets for the St. Louis Real Estate Investors’ Expo, call 314-301-9594. Registration is also available online at www. stlrealestateexpo.com.

Mon., Mar. 3, 11 a.m., Groping Toward Democracy: African-American Social Welfare Reform in St. Louis, 1910-1949. Educator Priscilla Dowden-White will discuss the racial and gender dimensions of her book. Café West, St. Louis Community College Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 644-9100.

Mon., Mar. 3, 11 a.m., Women Navigating the Politics of Rights and Justice from Local to Global Terrain: A Global Critical Race Feminist Perspective. Sociocultural anthropologist Faye V. Harrison examines three cases of Africandescended women in the United States, Brazil and Cuba who have taken their respective forms of gendered antiracist activism. St. Louis Community College Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 984-7500.

health

Fri., Feb. 28, 9 a.m., UMSL College of Nursing presents 7th Annual AfricanAmerican Nurses’ History Conference. This year‘s conference is entitled Health Disparities: Initiatives That Are Bridging The GAP, and will focus on health disparities involved with diseases such as: Cancer (Breast, Colon, and Prostate), HIV/AIDS, Obesity, Mental Health, and increase awareness on the initiatives in the St. Louis Metropolitan area that are being implemented and found to have a positive impact on the community. J.C. Penney Conference Center,

One University Blvd., 53121. For more information, call (314) 516-5655.

Sat., Mar. 1, 10 a.m., New Northside Conference Center presents Girls Holla Back! Spring 2014 FREE Workshop Sessions. In an effort to reduce new cases of HIV/AIDS and drug use among African American females in St. Louis, the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) developed a FREE series of prevention workshops complemented with fun-filled communications activities for girls ages 12-17 and one of their adult female family members. 5939 Goodfellow Blvd., 63147. For more information, visit www. girlshollaback.org.

spiritual

Sat., Mar. 22, 9 a.m., St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel hosts Independent Christian Author Book Fair. This event is designed to showcase the work of self-published Christian Authors who have labored tirelessly to write, bring to print and sell their works. This is a one day event that will include workshops and author spotlights. This fair has hopes to draw every Christian writer of every denomination and faith in the areas of fiction, non-fiction, self-help and children’s books. 10700 Pear Tree Ln., 63134.

Fri., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., The Scottish Rite Cathedral presents Sounds of Praise featuring Tamela Mann. 3633 Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

film

Thursdays in February, AARP presents 2nd Annual Classic Black Film Festival: A Tribute to Sidney Poitier. Two different films starring film legend Sidney Poitier. Show an AARP card and attend free of charge. St. Louis Cinemas Galleria-6.

SURVIVOR

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prophetic.”

This season, the show switched things up a bit. Teams were divided into Beauty, Brawn and Brains tribes. A corporate exec, she suited up as part of the St. Louis Rams Cheerleading Squad for a few seasons. She also cheered and ran track during her days at Illinois State University. So while her work and life experience make her a fit for all three, she’s part of the Brains tribe.

Most sign on in a quest for the huge cash prize, bragging rights and instant reality television celebrity status as the last Survivor standing. For Fox, the perks and prizes are an afterthought.

“To watch the strategies and see things unfold and plans get foiled, that’s why I’ve loved it,” Fox said. “And seeing how these different personalities would react to various situations and see what happens to the games.”

Her 13 years of viewing experience has taught her that Charles Darwin’s natural selection theories apply to reality television species as well.

“One of the keys to ‘Survivor’ is making sure you can adapt to whatever the situation is at the moment,” Fox said. “And knowing that tomorrow, it’s going to be a different situation.”

Audiences will have to tune in to see how Fox fares on

LEFLORE

Continued from C1

something from,” LeFlore told The American. “Maybe just to take a message from them and give it back to them – I always hoped my art would do that.” Works she produced as part of this collective, which consisted of musicians, writers and artists such as Oliver Lake, Hamiet Bluiett, J.D. Parran

n “To watch the strategies and see things unfold and plans get foiled, that’s why I’ve loved it.”

– Latasha Fox

Survivor 28.

“Hopefully I can dispel the myth that black people can’t swim,” Fox said. She promises that – in true

“Survivor” fashion – there will be lots of twists and turns that will get those who view the

many others during the 1960s and 1970s, made their way into the book.

“Shirley Bradley LeFlore uses language like Aretha Franklin sings notes,” Amiri Baraka’s widow Amina Baraka writes in her foreword of Brassbones & Rainbows. “She writes things you can feel whether you read it or sing it out loud.” LeFlore indeed offers impressively blended rhythms, compelling verses and

show hooked as she and the rest of the tribes attempt to thrive while working with the bare minimum.

“When you see people making shelter and building fire, it’s real,” Fox said. “We don’t get a cheeseburger at the end of the day, and you don’t get to go to a hotel at the end of filming.”

For her participation in “Survivor,” Fox spent 39 days on a remote island in the northern Philippines with nothing but a pot, rice and a machete.

“My experience on ‘Survivor’ confirmed for me how strong mentally and physically that I am,” Fox said. “It also showed me that even in a cut-throat game my true self was still present and I could play the game in a way that would still make my family and my friends and co-workers proud.”

In her nearly 40 days in the wilderness, she learned more than just how to make a bed and shelter out of bamboo and palm trees.

“It has taught me to appreciate everything that I have – my family, my friends, my home, my phone and my Wi-Fi,” Fox said.

“Even when things aren’t going well at work or with situations in my life, I’m still blessed because of what I do have. And after I played ‘Survivor,’ I felt that I could literally do anything that I wanted to do in life.”

Season 28 of CBS’ Survivor airs on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.cbs.com/survivor.

lingering audience connection often found in a well-rounded greatest hits album.

“Rainbows offers poems that breathe with words that burn,” Amina Baraka said. “I urge you to read every single one.”

Brassbones & Rainbows is available for purchase on amazon.com. For more information on Shirley Leflore, visit http:// shirleybradleyleflore.com/

WALKER

Continued from C1

“I really don’t like to see my people like this,” library employee Sandra West told the Newark Star-Ledger “We need to see something uplifting and not demeaning.” If, like this Newark librarian, you look to African-American art for uplifting images of African Americans, then you should be prepared to quarrel with the work in Walker’s new show “Anything but Civil: Kara Walker’s Vision of the Old South,” which opened yesterday in Galleries 234 and 235.

“Anything but Civil” is really a show with a sidebar. The main show is Walker’s 2005 print portfolio “Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated),” which consists of her familiar stereotyped silhouettes superimposed over 15 enlarged reproductions of

POTPOURRI

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blessings to our 97-year-old St. Louis treasure. Kingdom House has once again partnered with the St. Louis Housing Authority to host their Second Annual Cotillion. The girls presented at the Cotillion are residents of St. Louis Housing Authority Communities and participants in Kingdom House programs. Committee members were pleased with the success of their Day of the Word Praise program held at Kingdom House Saturday, February 22. Volunteer performers included Elder Walls, the Girl Time Praise Dancers the Church Boyz, the Kingdom House Choir the True Fellowship Worship Center Choir and Misha Brown. Praise offerings were accepted as contributions to the Cotillion project.

prints of Civil War scenes first published in 1866, the year after the war ended.

The sidebar is a group of 23 drawings that deal mainly with the same themes as the prints: race, sex, slavery, violence.

One drawing depicts two disembodied heads of black men. One head, encircled by a spiked slave collar, is being told by the other head, “You just tryin’ to act white!”

That’s the sort of grotesque, disturbing humor one encounters at a Kara Walker show.

The large-scale prints in this show are more subtle, less directly confrontational.

There is an odd power to seeing these historic prints of Civil War scenes “annotated” (as Walker says) by what appear to be giant silhouettes of images drawn from slave life.

Though Walker often seems intent on provoking, rather than informing, the viewer, there is an implied commentary in this portfolio.

Everyone was thrilled with the level of support received. The 2nd Annual Cotillion will be held May 18th at the Christy Banquet Center in St. Louis. For information on future fundraising projects and the Cotillion, please call Lutricia Lawal at 314-2418319. The snow on the ground on February 9 couldn’t keep members of the St. Louis Chapter of Carrousels, Inc. from enjoying a Valentine Brunch honoring their Carrafellas at Triumph Grill. Co-Chairs Stacey GivensWoolfolk and Staci GarrettClayborne truly outdid themselves in making sure that everyone had a great time. Chapter President, Andrea Johnson-Lee brought greetings and the invocation was given by Frances “Cookie” Whitield. After the delicious brunch, a hilarious “Carracouple” game was conducted by Stacey Woolfolk and Dianne Williams Powell. Ruth and Floyd Lewis

In Walker’s prints, the dignified depictions of Civil War scenes – for the most part, white men killing white men – are literally overshadowed and in part blotted out by big, crude images of nameless, faceless black men and women. As the title of her print in the Newark library reminds us, history “curves back around toward barbarism, sadism, and unrestrained chaos.” History, for Kara Walker, is a nightmare from which we have not yet awakened.

Love or hate these images, they are in St. Louis to stay, as Alison and John Ferring have promised them to the museum as a gift. Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free, and “Anything but Civil: Kara Walker’s Vision of the Old South,” exhibited in Galleries 234 and 235, is a free show. For more information, call 314-7210072 or visit slam.org.

were named the Carrousel Couple of the Year Vocalist Will Robinson received a standing ovation after surprising the couple with two special songs. As the afternoon came to an end, Staci Clayborne read a special tribute to the Carrafellas and presented each male with a gift and a toast. There were many memorable moments which were captured by videographer and Potpourri correspondent Gwen Key. Enjoying the brunch were Stacey G. Woolfolk, Staci G. Clayborne, James Oliver, Angela Rhone, Dianne W. Powell, Belma and Henry Givens, Diane and John Nathan, Barbara and John Noble, Gwen and Michael Key, Sandra and Nathaniel Murdock, Karen and Gary Watkins, Ruth and Floyd Lewis, Andrea and Gregory Lee and Frances and Harold Whitield. Happy Black History Month! Dana Grace: dgrandolph@live.com

Photos by Sharpe Photography

ESL ranked ‘most dangerous’

Congratulations are in order to East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. According to the crime data website Neighborhood Scout, East St. Louis has been ranked (for the third consecutive year) as “the most dangerous city” in America.

And it wasn’t an easy feat. East Boogie had stiff competition like Detroit, MI, Flint MI, Camden, NJ and West Memphis, AR. The rankings were based upon the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Statistics show that you have a 1 in 20 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in ESL.

Now I don’t believe that for a second. And the customers who pack the parking lot of the Casino Queen definitely don’t believe it either. You might get assaulted if you try to prevent them from gambling there, but that’s the only violence that you should worry about at the “home of the loosest slots.”

Bridge as they head to work.

But if you want to get a real glimpse of how fearless visitors to ESL are, just cruise down Missouri Avenue or near Lincoln Park during rush hour. East Boogie resembles a drag strip as an inordinate number of white commuters race (from Belleville, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, etc.) through ESL’s streets in an effort to take a shortcut to the Poplar Street

James Ingram

Forget that new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. These folks either have a death wish or are all liberal integrationists who derive some sense of accomplishment in reintegrating East St. Louis. That’s all that I can conclude, because between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. East Boogie is probably the most integrated spot in the Metro East.

Why take the new, timesaving, aesthetically appealing “Stan Span” when you can simply cruise through ESL , get caught by slow-moving trains and stoplights, and have the opportunity to drive bumper-to-bumper, black and white commuters together in

the name of racial unity and harmony as panhandlers hustle those stuck in traffic?

I can’t think of a better way to waste my time.

Or, perhaps, these commuters have never read the Neighborhood Scout website or watched local news and are unaware that they are traveling the “most dangerous” streets in America.

However, I choose to think that ESL is no more dangerous than any other poor, underdeveloped city, island or country that I have visited and that the non-black commuters who buzz through ESL are unfazed by crime data, media hype and fear-mongering.

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

Our Second Act provides scholarships

Our Second Act is a nonprofit community-based organization that aims to improve the quality of life for women 55 and over by providing opportunities for wholesome development of the mature woman through educational, spiritual, social, cultural and economic programs.

“We provide programs to help women improve, revitalize and enrich their lives through workshops, seminars, sessions, activities and scholarships to increase their participation in the ‘second act’ of their lives,” said Jacquelyn C. Harris, president of Our Second Act.

During the month of January, Our Second Act presented a program for seniors at the Southside Senior Center where participants were encouraged to use their cognitive skills to reflect on history during a video presentation, then given various items for the cold weather.

At its annual meeting on January 30, scholarships were presented to women in the community by Harris and founder Lois Laster. Lisa Hollingsworth received a $500 scholarship to Washington University to continue studies toward project management certification, and Diane Perry received a $500 scholarship to help complete studies toward her degree from Webster University.

“Our scholarship program encourages women to attend college classes to keep them

mentally active and also increase their knowledge base,” Harris said.

Additionally, a check for $2,000 was presented to the Alzheimer’s Association, earmarked for its Respite Care Program. “We realize that the role of a caregiver is demanding and they often need a great deal of support,” Harris said. For more information, visit www.oursecondact.com.

Jacquelyn C. Harris, president of Our Second Act; scholarship recipient Diane Perry; and Lois Laster, founder of Our Second Act

Stand Your Ground on trial

Michael Dunn went on trial for one count of first degree murder, three counts of attempted second degree murder and one count of shooting into a vehicle. Dunn was so angry about the loud “thug music” coming from the vehicle next to his that he fired 10 shots into the vehicle. His volley of bullets killed 17-year-old Jordan Davis and terrorized three of his friends.

The trial ended in convictions on the attempted murder charges but a hung jury on the first degree murder. This is truly problematic and definitely unacceptable. There are probably some who feel like the four convictions should satisfy the justice seekers; each count carries a potential 20 years. The judge has the discretion to order Dunn to serve the sentences consecutively, which means he would die in prison. But wait, there’s the inevitable appeal process.

not while words were being exchanged between him and the youth or after the shooting. The shooter later chilled with a rum and coke before going to bed. He was arrested the following day at his home after the police tracked down his license plate.

Prosecutor Angela Corey has announced that she plans to re-try Dunn on the first degree murder charge. Corey has a somewhat inconsistent record on who gets prosecuted. She is despised by black and brown communities whose incessant convictions keep them on an assembly line to Florida prisons. They are demanding her resignation.

Saint Louis Art Museum Celebrate Women of Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment

The hung jury on the first degree murder charge only perpetuated the right of white people to kill people of color – even kids – with full protection of the law. This goes to the heart of the Stand Your Ground laws that rise out of racist traditions in the South that are difficult to let go. It appears that regardless of the situation, as long as white people feel reasonably scared of black males, the killings will always be justified. Thanks to the racist media that criminalizes black males, white people can always use that defense. Those backward-thinking white people end up on juries. The jury selected to decide Dunn’s fate was composed of eight whites and four jurors of color.

Speaking of scared, Dunn testified that he saw Jordan with a gun – or maybe it was a stick or a pipe. Yet his fiancée testified that Dunn never told her the teens had a gun or any other weapon. No witness saw a gun, and the police found no weapons in the teens’ SUV. Dunn was so fearful for his life that he and his fiancée went back to their hotel after the murder, walked the puppy and ordered pizza. At no time did Dunn or his special friend call the police –

When a black woman claimed a Stand Your Ground defense for firing a warning shot to scare her abusive husband, Marissa Alexander was given 20 years. It was only because of mass outrage that she is out on bond and looking at a new trial. That also was a Corey prosecution, as was the case of U.S. Airman Michael Giles, who shot his attacker in the leg and got 25 years. There are more examples where these came from that make it clear: Stand Your Ground is a law for whites only.

So, it was a genuine surprise when Dunn heard the verdicts. In one of his letters written in prison while awaiting trial, Dunn wrote, “The good news is that the surrounding counties are predominantly white and Republican and supporters of gun rights!”

As a white male, he believed that he would soon be walking the streets like fellow Floridian George Zimmerman. Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin because he feared the kid in a hoodie.

The conviction of Michael Dunn cannot be a fluke. Equal protection under the law must be upheld for all citizens, regardless of their color, gender, sexual orientation and place of birth. Stand Your Ground laws are in obvious contradiction to this constitutional right. Responsible adults must end this racist law before another beloved son is gunned down.

Women support Crisis Nursery

Melanie Powell-Robinson, Daffney Moore, and Deanna Carroll participated in Saint Louis Crisis Nursery’s “Eat. Shop. Love.” community celebration at Plaza Frontenac. More than 400 guests donated approximately 300 purses filled with women’s toiletry and beauty essentials and basic needs items, including grocery story gift cards and bus passes. The purses will be donated to mothers enrolled in Crisis Nursery’s Family Empowerment Program and to those whose children are in Crisis Nursery care. Saint Louis Crisis Nursery offers emergency, crisis care for children, birth through age 12, who are at-risk of abuse and neglect. Services are voluntary, confidential and available 24 hours a day. Parents in crisis may call Crisis Nursery at 314-798-1131.

By, Kimberly Jacobs, Romare Bearden Graduate Minority Fellow, 2013 - 2014

National Women’s History month celebrates women who play an integral role in in our country’s history. How we pay homage to the creativity of the many women who come before us is a question that cultural organizations try to address through their missions to collect, present, and preserve history and art. This year, “Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment” is the theme of national women’s history month. The Saint Louis Art Museum is proud to welcome two women with character, courage and commitment to present at our annual If It Wasn’t for the Women program. We invite you to join us on Saturday, March 8th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, located at 6182 Delmar Boulevard, to celebrate women of color in the arts of storytelling, visual art, and dance. Refreshments will follow

the program. This program is free and open to the public. Space is limited and we encourage you to reserve your space by emailing Kimberly.Jacobs@slam.org or call 314.655.5373.

Diane Williams and Aparna Kalyanaraman share a common passion for using their talents to carry on traditional variations of storytelling. Aparna Kalyanaraman uniquely incorporates Indian, West African, and Colombian dance in her method of teaching and choreography. Mississippi artist, Diane Williams is an accomplished author, storyteller, and iber artist.

Following the Saint Louis Art Museum’s If it wasn’t for the Women program on Saturday, March 8 at 10 am, we encourage you to also attend the opening reception at 10th Street Gallery featuring the art of Diane Williams along with three St. Louis artists – Edna Patterson Petty, IsMima Neb’Kata, and Gundia Lock Clay. This exhibition is in partnership with The Alliance of Black Art Galleries and celebrates St. Louis’ 250th anniversary. The opening reception at 10th Street Gallery, located at 419 N 10th St, will held from 2:00 –4:00 pm.

A Moment in Herstory

The Black Pride movement of the 1960s generated a new interest amongst the African American community for the revival of our history. Dr. Margaret T. G. Burroughs created Face of Africa after her irst trip to Africa in 1965 to study African culture. Burroughs worked in many forms of media, but found the linoleum cuts to be the perfect media in which to communicate and disseminate positive images of African Americans, our history, and culture. Dr. Burroughs, one of our most distinguished African American artists, founded the DuSable Museum of African- American History in Chicago, the South Side Community Center, and the National Conference of Artists. The Saint Louis Art Museum acquired Face of Africa in 1998. The work is not currently on view but can be found at our website and can be viewed in our Print Study Room by appointment. Visit www.slam.org to see more works of art by African American artists in the Museum’s collection.

Face of Africa, c. 1965, Margaret T. G. Burroughs

Jamala Rogers

~ Celebrations ~

Just married

Sarrita Harris and Wesley Lloyd were married on February 15, 2014 at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church. The bride received her undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Masters in Elementary Education from The University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is currently a teacher for the St. Louis Special School District. Wesley is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Accounting. He currently works as an accounts receivable agent in St. Charles, MO. A wedding trip to New Orleans is planned in March. The couple will make their home in Hazelwood, MO.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High Class of 1964 has started planning for its 50-year class reunion. We are currently looking for participants to help with the planning. Please provide your contact information to: beaumont64alumni@gmail. com.Send your ideas as well as

the best time for meetings.

Beaumont High Class of 1968 46th Reunion Family Picnic will be Saturday, June 7, 2014. Meetings to plan the picnic will be the 4th Saturday of February 22, March 22 and April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. at STL County Library 7606 Natural Bridge. For more information email bhsco1968@att.net or call 314 869-8312.

Beaumont High Class of 1984 is looking for participants to begin planning its 30-year class reunion. Please provide your contact information to: beaumont_1984@yahoo.com.

Soldan High Class of

1965 presents Washington, DC: Our Nation’s Capital, June 19-24, 2014. For more information contact: Corinne Parker-Stukes 636-294-4373, Brenda Wallace-Yancey 314-830-1334, Isaiah Hair, Jr. 314-387-7592 or email: soldanclassof65@gmail.com.

Sumner High Classes of 1954 will celebrate its 60-year class reunion August 15-16, 2014 at the Sheraton Westport, Plaza Tower, 900 Westport Plaza. Contact Audrey Poindexter (314) 383-7174; ajpoin@att. net or Marlene May (314) 5679629; onelene1@att.net.

Sumner 1964 Class Reunion Committee is looking for classmates we have lost contact

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Felicia Hunter! Felicia is hosting a prebirthday bash on March 7 at Big Daddy’s in Soulard, leading up to the biggest event coming soon in 2015. Let the fun begin!

Happy 18th Birthday to CayCee Diane McKinney on March 3! CayCee is a senior at Incarnate Word Academy and will be attending the Univ. of Central Missouri in the fall. You are a blessing to our family! We love you, Dad & Mom

Wishing my best friend of over 20 years, Lakeisha Phiffer, a very Happy 36th Birthday on February 28. Also Happy Birthday to her son, JaKobi, who turns two February 27. Love You Guys! Nikki

with. Please call or email any changes to your name, address, telephone number, and/or email to Patricia Wells Sheltonat (314) 839-2214 or patricia.shelton@att.net or Carol Strawbridge at (314) 524-8504 or strawu@AOL. com.

Sumner High Class of 1969 has started planning its 45th class reunion. Please email shsclassof69@yahoo.com for more information or call Leonard at 314-413-3104 or Meredith at 314-306-2349.

Sumner High Class of 1974 has started planning its 40th class reunion. Meetings are held the third Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church, located at 4055 Edmundson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63134. For more information please contact Denise (Washington) Nicks at Sumnerclassof74@yahoo.com, 314-642-3366 or Joyce (Bush) Cruesoe at cruesoe2195@att. net, 314-484-1552.

Sumner High Class of 1975 has started planning its 40th reunion. Please provide contact information to sumnerclassof75@gmail.com or C. Jackson 314-477-6785

for more information.

Sumner High Class of 1979 is looking for classmates to participate in activities leading up to its 35th Class Reunion, June 20-22, 2014 in Lake Ozarks, MO. Please forward contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call Sara at 314-482-1558. Various activities are planned.

Sumner High Class of 1984 is planning a 30 year reunion for August 22-24, 2014. For more information please contact Priscilla (Ms. Prissy) at 314556-3944, or Robin Allen at 314-369-9549.

Vashon High Class of 1974 has started planning its 40th class reunion. Meetings will be held the second Sunday of each month, 3 p.m. at the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, St. Louis, MO 63106. Classmates can provide contact information by joining the group page at Yahoo Groups - vashon74 or by email to ljbady@yahoo.com. For more information please call 314-382-0890 or 314-6405842.

St. Louis Community College has created a districtwide

FREE OF CHARGE

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

Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

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

Alumni Association, and needs your help identifying the 1.5 million STLCC alumni. An alum is anyone who has completed at least one course at STLCC. Alumni are encouraged to visit the website: www. stlcc.edu/foundation/, to become members or update information. For more information, contact Ashley Budde, coordinator of alumni relations, at abudde6@stlcc. edu, or 314-539-5145.

Pastoral anniversary at True Fellowship

True Fellowship Church, 1639 3rd St. in Madison, IL, will be celebrating the 6th anniversary of its pastor, CeCe McCall-McCoo, during the month of March.

On March 9, Pastor Carl Jackson of RODD Kingdom Ministries and Pastor Shadrach Martin of LIVE Kingdom Ministries will be guests for the 10:45 a.m. service.

Anthony Trice of Covenant for Life Ministries and Pastor LaJuana McFadden of Keeping the Faith Ministries will be guests for the 4 p.m. service.

On Sunday, March 16, Bishop Hilliard Fitzpatrick of Faith United Assembly and Pastor Amber Cole of Breath of Life Church will be guests for the 10:45 a.m. service.

The celebration ends with Archbishop Arthur Kelley of Greater Faith M.B. Church and Apostle Ariette Williams of Oil of God Ministries as guests for the inal service of the celebration.

“This is an open door invitation to all the community,” organizers said, “and we look forward to worshiping with you!” For more information or directions, visit www. truefellowship.org or call 618877-8783.

Pastoral course on domestic violence

“Domestic Violence Counseling,” a one-credit graduate-level course in pastoral studies, will be offered at Aquinas Institute of

Singing with the symphony

Theology, a Roman Catholic graduate school, on Wednesday evenings from March 19 - May 7, 2014, taking place from 6:30-8:10 p.m.

The topic of domestic violence is a specialty of Rev. Jose M. Santiago, an assistant professor of pastoral theology. The course may be taken for graduate credit or for audit. Tuition for credit is $660, and tuition for audit is $330. For more information, or to enroll, please contact the Aquinas Institute Admissions Office at 314-256-8800 or admissions@ ai.edu

Church protests Dunn verdict

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based

coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million AfricanAmerican churchgoers, calls on Christians everywhere to pray for the soul of America in the wake of the Michael Dunn verdict, said Rev. Anthony Evans, president of NBCI. Dunn was convicted of three counts of attempted second degree murder and one count of shooting into a vehicle but the jury was hung on the charge of first degree murder. Dunn was so angry about the loud “thug music” coming from the vehicle next to his that he fired 10 shots into the vehicle. His volley of bullets killed 17-yearold Jordan Davis and terrorized three of his friends. They were unarmed.

Evans said the church is saddened and angered that

I heard someone say recently that mistakes are the price you pay for wisdom.

Stated another way, wisdom is the result of the lessons learned from the mistakes we make every day. It kind of gives new meaning to that knowledge is power thing. Power, wisdom and experience are interconnected and should be explored from a spiritual point of view.

So mistakes give you experience. The experienced person, who has learned from his or her mistakes, becomes wise, and wisdom, being the prerequisite for knowledge, provides the framework for what I believe is a fact: Knowledge is power.

juries across the U.S. refuse to convict privileged majorities at the expense of unarmed and defenseless young black men.

“Black mothers and fathers must know that their black boys will be protected by the law and not be victims of the law. How much pain must a race of people continue to take?”

Evans said.

“A favorable verdict for Mr. Dunn undoubtedly ignites deeper racial divides and instigates conflict. The church cannot continue to tell black mothers and fathers that they must sacrifice their boys to the racist fears of white males and to a law deeply rooted in evil.”

He said his group “will continue to fight for justice when it comes down to stand your ground. Legal homicide must stop in the name of God.”

The question, then, is what kind of power does one get from their knowledge of God? Isn’t knowing God the absolute pinnacle of human understanding? That’s got to be power of an unbelievable nature. The fact that we’re talking about God should not diminish our premise.

Awareness of the Lord, the acknowledgement of who He is, an understanding of our purpose and subsequent submission to His Living Word, gives one a kind of power most folk don’t want to or cannot comprehend. Remember knowledge, which is power, doesn’t come without a price.

I’m taking testimony from

anyone who wants to tell us what price he or she paid to know the Lord. Anyone want to share the pain and anguish of repeated mistakes, false optimism, idol worship, addictions? Does anyone want to proclaim how the knowledge of God has made these once seemingly insurmountable obstacles but mere memories of past lives?

Take it from one who knows, that’s power!

Mistake after mistake just may have been a part of the course you were required to take so you might gain the wisdom necessary for you to allow God to mold you into a vessel where He can reside. Power, real power, allows you to be vulnerable, forgiving, and able to honor God and love your fellow man. Unfortunately, it can also make you feel stupid, because once you get this, it’s hard to come to grips with how easily it could have been acquired all these long years. Read Psalm 23 again and again, please.

Someone who I respect a lot once told me God will not compete for your attention. But if you seek Him, first, last and always … well, you get my meaning. It’s all about power. I pray for you to know the power of knowing God.

American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community.

James A. Washington

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s IN UNISON Chorus performed its annual Lift Every Voice concert on Friday, February 14 at Powell Hall. Photo by Wiley Price

Pastor CeCe McCallMcCoo

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

They’re consider stable mates because both are managed by Al Hayman, but last week rising boxing greats Devon Alexander ad Adrien Broner were simply kicking it buddies when they stopped through The City on Wednesday night.

Tara’s 70’s U. City soul b-day. I ventured outside my regular stomping grounds this past weekend mainly because it was pretty much slow motion around my usual haunts and I was quite thrilled with what I encountered. I hadn’t been since it was Janae’s West (yep, I completely missed Level II), but I made my way to U City Nights to help my girl Tara (of Tara’s Tasty Treats) say hello to the big 4-0. It’s the least I can do for all of the delicious Chicken Phillys she’s served up for me at her snack shop. But back to the party… It was 70s night and I wasn’t sure how it would be received. But I found out when I pulled up in the parking lot and there was not a spot to be had. I thought I was going to have to park at the U. City Salvation Army and walk down. I really didn’t think the folks would get their life from throwback attire element either, but I knew I was dead wrong about that, too, when I got up in there and the first thing I saw was my beloved Skylar (The Styler) serving up the most fabulously fierce Huggy Bear tribute costume I’ve seen to date! Then I peeped Lillian Jones of LaHa Clothing who was blessing the folks with Wilona Woods and my girl Shaki was giving all kinds of curves to Diana Ross as Mahogany! The birthday girl was only a terribly performed scene away from pulling off a full-fledged Foxy Cleopatra herself. What? I love Bey as much as everybody else, but y’all know she was terrible in “Goldmember!” But what was the exact opposite of all-bad was the party. Folks were groovin’ and getting funky down on it (sorry… my Blaxploitation slang has fallen all the way off) all night long.

North County kickin’ it. My adventure in alternative kicking-it spots continued on Saturday. I mixed my days up and thought that Mo Spoon’s Back Spin was last week instead of day after tomorrow and I made my way to The Sound Bar a week early. It wasn’t my scene (more for the spry trap hip-hop heads) but it was packed. I decided that since I was already romping around North County I might as well explore and see how the folks who opt out of heading all the way to Midtown get down. I was again pleasantly surprised. Since I had to fight so hard to park, I figured I would get the most out maneuvering through that mini-shopping strip. I walked up to Cuetopia II and the folks were deep up in there. But I knew the crowd would be on swole when I saw everywhere from the DMV to the bank drive-thru looking like regular business hours. After I left Halls Ferry, I said “might as well get one more in” and made my way to Club 270 as I headed back towards the city. And it was pretty packed too. Now I must warn the Young, Black and Fabulous and snooty crews that the crowd is more soulful than what some of the folks might be used to as far as the after-hours spots, but if you’re willing to loosen up and go with the flow, you have some cute options in NoCo. Eye Candy Year 8. Speaking of soulful, the 8th Anniversary of the Eye Candy Party was on extra Saturday night at The Coliseum. It was like club Society came back from beyond the grave. It was packed, though, and when I showed up there was a line all the way to the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage House. And there were Miss Eye Candy OGs and wannabes all around. I ran into my girl Brittanie Skye who was serving up a dried off “Drunk in Love” Beyoncé with her wavy bob and black cat suit. And my girl Michelle kept it super cute! I love the fact that while she quietly (okay, maybe not so quietly) looks prissy, she is as cool and down to earth as she wants to be. While I was expecting to see a few more of the vintage Eye Candy beauties (was Sheena J up in there? Because I missed her if she was…), there wouldn’t have been room for all of them anyway. It was so packed in there that I had to take four fresh air breaks. Good to see that Mo Spoon and the crew are still going strong after nearly a decade and only a short-term fall off!

2 Chainz skips to the Lou. That’s right, in two days the least clever – yet most popular – trap rap prince will return to the city that embraces him like he’s from the Northside. 2 Chainz will be headlining the Chaifetz Arena thanks to LooseCannon S.L.I.M. I’m hoping that he gets on stage and does that song they have together on S.L.I.M.’s mixtape. It probably won’t happen, but I thought I would throw it out there, because you never know. He’ll be joined by Pusha T and his prison yard plaits and August Alsina This is 2 Chainz’ first headlining arena tour and I’m eager to see if he will offer up something worth seeing for a change as far as his live performance goes. While I could really care less about Pusha, I’m also intrigued at the idea of seeing what Auggy can do on the stage. I know his little songs are R&B ratchetry at its worst, but he has a voice on him (well at least on the tracks) and I want to see if his live show skills are up to par enough for him to grow out of that and give us some good quality jams sooner than later. I heard the show is selling like hotcakes, but you can visit www.ticketmaster. com to see what they have left.

Chrisette is coming. I’m also thrilled that next week the scatful sounds of Chrisette Michele will return to St. Louis thanks to an intimate performance at the Lumiere Theater. I’m hoping with all of my soul that she brings a band with her next Saturday (March 8), because every time she comes to town she sings along to a track for a concert snippet. Getting a taste of that voice in Memorex makes me know that all she needs is a trio of musicians to bring the house all the way down! We shall see. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and saying a prayer. For those who don’t know, she’ll be doing two shows (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) and you can reserve your seat at www.ticketmaster.com.

Shellena and Brandon took a stroll down Dirty South hip-hop memory lane thanks to the OutKast tribute Saturday night @ EXO

Shaunessi and Shar couldn’t help but enjoy the

Diane Tyse and Darisha Taylor posed with former G-Unit rapper Young Buck when he came to the STL to headline $2 Tuesdays @ The Sound Bar

Photo by Christopher Hawkins

Dino’s Ent. brought together singers Flirt and Will Robinson for an Usher/R. Kelly Tribute Saturday night

Mick Woods was his typical dapper self as he presented the comedy antics of Darius Bradford and the soulful sounds of Nikko Smith during his birthday celebration Friday night @ The Forest Park Golf House

Best friends Kiersten Johnson and STL’s own “Sunday Best” Amber Bullock enjoying the live performances and delicious dinner options Saturday night @ The Rustic Goat

The party was packed with pretty girls like Erica, Whitney and Bradi for the Eye Candy 8th Anniversary Party Saturday night @ The Coliseum

Tara, Tori and Monetta took it back to the 70s as they celebrated their birthdays Friday night @ U City Nights

Soulition DJs Needles, Kase One, Reminisce and JMo went beyond the call of duty of doing justice to J Dilla for the 3rd Annual tribute Friday night @ The Gramophone

Photo by Christopher Hawkins

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

American staff

SLPS names Math Teacher of the Year

March 3 deadline for Innovative Technology Education grants

St. Louis Public Schools has presented the Middle/High School Mathematics Teacher of the Year

Award to a creative, approachable educator who has the rare ability to spark a reluctant student’s interest in math.

To earn the Middle/High School Mathematics Teacher of the Year award, nominees must explain their teaching philosophy and approach to teaching; provide examples of classroom lesson plans; and be recommended by an administrator and a professional colleague.

Gregory L. Taylor, a math teacher at Carnahan High School of the Future, has been recognized as the St. Louis Public School District’s Middle/High School Math Teacher of the Year for inspiring his students to want to excel and helping them to reach their fullest potential in his classes.

“It is very evident that the students respect Dr. Taylor,” said Carnahan High School of the Future Principal LaTasha Jones.

“It is not uncommon for students to request to be in his class, even knowing the subject matter may be difficult, because they also know they will learn in his class and be prepared for the next level. He is able to break down the intricacies of the math he teaches so that the students relate to it. Former students have attested to not liking math before being taught by him. Students who were hesitant about taking his class have come to enjoy their learning experience. His teaching style is professional, respectful, compassionate and thorough.” Taylor received his doctorate in education last year. He taught at Evangel Christian School and the Fox C-6 School District before joining the staff at Carnahan HSOF in 2008.

The 2013 Math Teacher of the Year was honored with an awards reception, a $1,000 award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for related education materials through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

Opportunities to win $50K in grants

Looking to reel in some grant money to help your school or school district complete critical student learning projects?

Innovative Technology Education Fund (ITEF) can help.

Accredited K-12 schools/ school districts and their classroom educators should apply for ITEF grants worth $50,000 to $150,000. The next grant cycle is open now and applications will be accepted on or before March 3. Winners will be announced later in the spring.

ITEF supports cutting edge ideas and models that positively impact student learning and help classroom educators by focusing on student achievement, mobile/ extended learning, technology skill development

ITEF grants may be multi-year and it is important that educators submit applications with the knowledge and support of their superintendent/head of school/

president, principal and information technology services.

Project proposals may help single classrooms, grade level(s), a school site and/or a collaboration with a 501c (3) non-profit partner serving students and/or classroom educators from an accredited school. ITEF uses an online application process, which starts with an eligibility quiz. Acceptable applications will go through a multi-step review and selection process. Eligible schools include accredited K-12 public, private and parochial institutions.

Special consideration will be given to projects bringing innovation to the classroom using wireless technology, especially applications incorporating CLEAR’s 4G mobile service; kindergarten through middle school applications; non-traditional students or student learning environments; and projects benefiting students in economically disadvantaged areas. For more information, visit

Mia Carpenter, Curriculum Specialist/ Math; Dr. Gregory L. Taylor, Middle/High School Math Teacher of the Year; Carnahan High School of the Future Principal LaTasha Jones; Kathleen Taggart, Curriculum Specialist/ Math

applying for federal financial aid and many state programs. Families will be able to complete the 2014-15 FAFSA on site and obtain valuable information.

Next school year, the U.S. Department of Education will make more than $150 billion in postsecondary financial aid available to students throughout the nation. As part of a College Goal Sunday program, FAFSA Frenzy makes applying for financial aid easier by providing students with free help. The Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel and the Missouri Department of Higher Education are partnering to bring FAFSA Frenzy to Missouri this year. Scholarships will be drawn for students attending the events in Missouri. Winners will receive their scholarships upon receipt of enrollment verification for the 2014 fall semester at a Missouri postsecondary institution.

http://www.innovteched.com/index. html, or contact Brenda Watt, Executive Director of ITEF, at (314) 725-4833 or send an email to bwatt@innovteched.com.

STLCC to host financial aid events

St. Louis Community College will host FAFSA Frenzy at its William J. Harrison Education Center on Thursday, March 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The center, located at 3140 Cass Ave. in St. Louis, will have financial aid professionals on hand to assist students and parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

STLCC-Forest Park will host two FAFSA Fun Days on Tuesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Café East (Student Center Cafeteria). Staff will be available to help students and parents go through the FAFSA steps.

FAFSA is the first step in

For dates, times and locations for numerous FAFSA Frenzy events, visit www.dhe.mo.gov or www. masfap.org/showmetocollege. For more information about the event at the Harrison Education Center, contact Lisa Lee at 314-7636000.

STLCC-Forest Park sponsors job fair

Local companies will have representatives on hand at the annual Spring Job Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Student Center Cafeteria, Café East and Café West at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave.

Students, alumni and the community are invited to attend; admission is free. Professional attire is recommended. Various employers will be on campus to recruit for full-time, part-time and internship positions. This event, sponsored by Forest Park’s Career and Employment Services, Campus Life and Public Information and Marketing department, usually attracts 500 attendees.

Job seekers are encouraged to come prepared for the event. The following are some tips for job fair success:

• Review the packet given to you at the Job Fair registration table. The information will help you target organizations that interest you.

• Refresh your resume and bring copies. However, some employers may refer you to their online application.

• Come prepared to speak and discuss skill sets with employers.

• Wear professional business attire.

• Conduct yourself professionally at all times.

• Respect the privacy of others while waiting to see an employer.

• Shake hands firmly, smile, and remember to get the recruiter’s business card. For more information call 314644-9225, or stop by the Career and Employment Services office located in Rooms F330 and F342.

REQUESTFOR BIDS

for The Special School District of St. Louis County will be seeking bids for the following projects:

SSD-119-13: Fire Main Upgrades:

Bid/prints available 3/6 from FSG (636-537-0203).

Mandatory prebidmeeting on 3/11 at 9am at South Technical High, 12721 West Watson Road, 63127. Bids are due 3/27 at 2pm.

SSD-122-13: Fire Suppression System

Installation: Bid/prints available 2/26 from FSG (636-537-0203).

Mandatory prebid meeting on 3/4 at 3pm at Neuwoehner School, 12112 Clayton Road, 63131.

Bids are due 3/12 at 2:30pm.

NOTICE TO MINORITY/ WOMEN/SERVICE DISABLED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES:

MBE/WBE/SDVE Subcontractors and Supplier who are interested in bidding on “Women’s & Children’s Hospital –Mechanical / Plumbing Remodel Room 1317 for New MRI, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Project No. CP140532” should contact the Estimating Department of United HRB General Contractors, Inc., PO Box 104444, Jefferson City, MO 651104444; Telephone: (573) 635-9155; Fax: (573) 636-6748. United HRB is an EEOE. Bids arerequired by: March 5, 2014 priorto 1:00 p.m.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on

REQUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

Cortex Innovation Community is soliciting proposals from qualified developers to plan, construct, own and operate the Silo Lofts Project, a mixed-use residential/retail mid-rise project at the southeast corner of Forest Park Avenue and South Sarah Street, St. Louis, MO. The 3.59 acre parcel is controlled by Cortex and adjacent to the recently announced IKEAproject. Full RFP available at cortexstl.com/development. Proposals are due no later than 5 pm Monday, March 24, 2014. Cortex reserves the right to negotiate, accept or reject any and all proposals. For more information, contact cortex.silolofts@cortexstl.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2014 CRS Mill and Overlay Program, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1540, will

NOTICE TO MINORITY & WOMEN'S BUSINESSES

TARLTON CORPORATION, 5500 West Park Ave., St. Louis MO 63110, is seeking qualified Minority, Women's & Disadvantaged Businesses for the Curators of the University of Missouri, Hospital Garage – Structural Repairs project located at the University of Missouri, Columbia MO, for subcontracting opportunities in all work areas as defined by the contract drawings and specifications. Work includes but is not limited to the following: Structural repairs to post tensioned slabs and beams; misc. concrete soffits, columns, walls & slabs, caulking, misc. masonry repairs, vehicular &pedestrian traffic membranes, restriping of garage, misc. repainting of existing stairways, standpipes, and bollards and new light fixtures. All interested and qualified Minority and Women's Businesses should contact Larry Little at 314-633-3300 to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to 12:00 p.m. on March 19, 2014. AMBE/WBE participation goal of 5% MBE / 5% WBE has been established for this project.

REQUESTFOR PROPOSAL

QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONALENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF NORTH BROADWAYIMPROVEMENTS, THRUSH AVENUE TO WALTER AVENUE, FEDERALPROJECTSTP-9900(665), ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT MARCH 6, 2014 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org under On Line Plan Room, or call Bette Behan at 314-589-6214. 18% DBE participation goal.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2014 CRS Concrete Replacement, Area “A", St. Louis County Project No.CR-1529, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105 ,until 2:00 p.m. on March 5, 2014. Plans and specifications will be available onFebruary 17, 2014 from the St. Louis County Web Site ( www.stlouisco.com ), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENTAND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on Wise and Mabel SewerSeparation Contract Letting No. 10029-015.1

This meeting

NOTICE TO

The St. Louis Philanthropic Org. Inc. invites 501 (c) (3) organizations to submit a proposal for human needs programs and activities. These programs can ONLYbe used for the residents of the City of St. Louis and can not exceed $10,000. Only one proposal per agency. If you received grants in 2012 and 2013, you are not eligible to apply forfunding this year. All grant requests must be submitted on our application form. The application form, along with instructions for completion and criteria requirements may be found on our web site at www.stlphilanthropic.org or you may call the office at 314-534-4452 and request the above information be mailed to you. The proposal application, along with all criteria must be received before 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in our office at 4144 Lindell Blvd., Suite 210, St. Louis, MO 63108. We will not accept proposals by email or fax. Proposals may be delivered to our office by U.S. mail or hand delivered. A normal business size envelope will fit under our door should you deliver your proposal outside normal business hours. If you use a delivery method that requires a signature/pick up, your proposal may miss the submission deadline.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on Grant Drive #1212 Sanitary Sewer Contract Letting No. 11844-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractormember: Bates Utility Co. 841 Westwood Industrial Drive Weldon Spring, MO 63304 636/939-5628

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. March 6, 2014 SITE Improvement Association, 2705 Dougherty Ferry Road, Suite 203, St. Louis, MO 63122

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

Section 3, Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are strongly encouraged to bid. Project plans & specifications are available for viewing at: MOKAN Planroom – 4666 Natural Bridge, 63115 – 314-565-9675 Minority Contractor Initiative (MCI) Planroom - 3030 Locust St. 63103 – 314-678-0087 EMH Planroom – 2600 Delmar, 63103 – 314-436-4426

All bids are due to EMH office by Friday, March 14, 2014 at 5PM; (314) 296-5237 or (314) 436 – 6691.

PREVAILING WAGES (as set by US Department of Labor and Missouri Housing Development Commission immediately prior to start of construction) MUSTBE PAID TO ALLWORKERS; CERTIFIED PAYROLLREPORTS REQUIRED. For questions or additional information, please contact Vic Hoffmeister at: vic@emharris.com EMH is an Equal Opportunity Employer