February 7th, 2019 Edition

Prosecutor accuses police of obstructing investigation

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The shooting death of 24-year-old

St. Louis Police Officer Katlyn Alix by another cop on January 24 has raised several concerns about the culture of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Among them is allegation that the police department has been creating roadblocks for the St. Louis circuit attorney to conduct parallel investigations into officer-involved shootings.

“It’s frustrating,” said someone who has prosecuted such cases in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office but asked to remain anonymous. “Citizens who are

We, robot

Jacques Robinson, 11, a student at L’Ouverture Middle School, and Mark Russell 10, a student at Shaw VPA Elementary School, looked over their LEGO robot during the FIRST LEGO League Eastern Championships at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley on Saturday, February 2.

n “It is no longer acceptable for the police to investigate themselves.”

– St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner

involved in officer-involved shootings, they don’t get a level playing field in terms of an investigation. These cases are not handled like any of the other homicides, and it’s unfair.”

In September 2014, then-Police Chief Sam Dotson established the Force

Investigative Unit (FIU) to handle criminal investigations for all officerinvolved shootings. At the same time, then-Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce pledged that her office would conduct an independent review of the FIU’s findings, but later began conducting independent investigations.

The investigation into Alix’s death – where on-duty Officer Nathaniel Hendren allegedly killed Alix in a Russian roulette-style shooting – has revealed the challenges that the prosecutor’s office has faced in conducting parallel investigations, inside sources said.

Surveillance and secrets

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

Part three of a series based on a six-month joint-investigation by The St. Louis American and Type Investigations. According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, its Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) assisted in making 716 arrests, resulting in 1,912 charges from June 2015 to July 2,

2018. The American wanted to know more about what those charges entailed and if the number of arrests has increased over the years. In our public records request, we also asked for the log or database that the police used to track this information. The police replied, “No responsive records.”

‘He fulfilled his purpose on earth,’ says wife of minister killed as innocent bystander

By Sandra Jordan Of

97 percent of Missouri public schools scored in the fully accredited range

Missouri education officials released longawaited school report cards on February 1, and the good news is most schools are meeting expectations. In fact, 97 percent of public schools scored in the fully accredited range, including Kansas City, Hickman Mills and Riverview Gardens — all districts trying to regain accreditation.

Photo by Wiley Price

See STEWART, A7

At a January 31 press conference, Police Chief John Hayden responded angrily to Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s claim that police obstructed her team’s investigation into an incident where Officer Nathaniel Hendren killed Officer Katlyn Alix.

Photo by Wiley Price

By Ryan Delaney and Elle Moxley Of St. Louis Public Radio

Demetrius L. Stewart

Kristoff St. John passes at 52

Kristoff St. John, best known for his role as Neil on the long-running soap opera “Young and the Restless,” was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Monday. He was 52.

Celebrity news and gossip site TMZ.com broke the news, citing a social media post of St. John’s fiancée Kseniya Mikhaleva

“How did it happen??? How??? Why did you leave so early???? and left me all alone …” the model posted.

Police told People.com that his death was “a pos sible alcohol overdose” but an official cause of death has been deferred as the coroner awaits toxicology reports.

A source told TMZ that he had checked himself into UCLA Medical Center last month to be treated for depression.

The depression was reportedly linked to the death of his son Julian St. John – who took his life four years ago.

The actor’s lawyer Mark Geragos addressed his death on Twitter, writing: “Few men had the unique strength, courage & sensitivity that @kristoffstjohn1 lived every single minute of every day. He impacted everyone he met and millions who he inspired and in turn

The 26-year-old was born in the London borough of Newham to British parents, according to a birth certificate obtained by CNN. The document lists his parents’ home as East Ham, a district within Newham.

revealed the news via Twitter.

“Today our resolution honoring the #MuteRKelly movement passed in @ PHLCouncil,” Gym wrote. “Philly stands with survivors.”

She also posted an image with a graphic that read, “The accompanying graphic reads: “We reject a system that silences black women and accepts black pain. We believe survivors. R. Kelly is not welcome in Philadelphia.”

ICE says he came to the States at age 12 but remains a UK citizen. He entered the United States legally when he was a minor in July 2005 but subsequently failed to depart under the terms of his nonimmigrant visa, ICE spokesman Bryan Cox said. His visa expired in 2006.

TheStJohnFamily thank you

Georgia lawmaker asks ICE to release 21 Savage

According to CNN, a Georgia lawmaker is urging federal officials to release Britishborn rapper 21 Savage after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained him in Atlanta this week.

The rapper, born She’yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, is being held without bail based on “incorrect information about prior criminal charges,” his lawyer said, further claiming that ICE seeks only to “intimidate” his client into leaving the country as he awaits the fate of a special visa application.

In letter to ICE, Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Georgia, described the rapper as a “remarkable young man ... (who) spends his time giving back to the community.”

“I believe that it would be a serious hardship to She’yaa’s family and a loss for our community if he is not allowed bail so that he can be released from prison,” Johnson said.

Philly bans R. Kelly

The Philadelphia City Council unanimously voted to permanently ban R. Kelly from their city last week. Councilwoman Helen Gym

Have Cardi B and Offset reconciled?

For months there have been rumors that rappers Cardi B and Offset were working on their marriage after he was caught cheating with multiple groupies . Cardi has admitted to People.com that the rumors are true.

“... [We] just taking things slow. We have a baby right now. That’s like our real big focus.,” Cardi told People.com. “I hang out with him, I talk to him every day and we do our thing. It’s just like — to make things perfect … it takes time. You know, [expletive] and hanging out doesn’t mean that you guys are on like a perfect note, it takes time. It takes time. And it’s a marriage and there’s a child involved, and family involved.”

Sources: CNN.com, TMZ.com, People.com, Twitter.com, Instagram.com

SPECIAL SECTION upcoming

Look for our Black History coverage every week in February. Black History Feb. 7th28th

Kristoff St. John

21 Savage

Missouri’s Urban Fishing Program celebrates 50th anniversary

State Department of Conservation stocking urban lakes with twice as much trout this winter

American staff

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Urban Fishing Program in 2019 by stocking approximately twice the number of lunker rainbow trout in the 17 lakes the program stock in St. Louis city and county during the winter trout seasons, with some fish weighing up to 10 pounds . Urban anglers are invited to share photos of their catches throughout the year on the “brag board” by posting to their favorite social media account and tagging with #MoUrbanFishing.

Competition among metro area high school angling teams will continue in the Fish St. Louis Cup (#FISHSTLCup), as the series of fishing challenges culminates in tournament finals this spring.

And a new urban fishing website with tools to help metro area anglers catch more fish has been created at https://bit. ly/2Fru9p6.

The program was initiated in 1969 by the federal government when civil unrest was causing tensions in many cities across the country. The goal was to bring closeto-home fishing to people and infuse a positive influence into urban communities.

The program launched in six cities, including St. Louis with the cooperation of MDC and the St. Louis Parks and Recreation Department. It was a resounding success in the Gateway City. MDC took over the program in 1972 and eventually expanded it into St. Louis County and Kansas City.

What started out mainly as a warm weather fishing program got a cold weather boost in the early 1990s when winter trout stocking and fishing were added. The program also eventually led to funds for lake and habitat improvements being made available in the form of cost-

The fight to vote continues

By Adolphus M. Pruitt II

The St. Louis American

For

There have been any number of marches in the St. Louis region since the untimely death of Michael Brown, some in response to police use of force, some in response to the judicial system and some in response to the violence plaguing our neighborhoods. But on November 6, 2018 a few hundred black students at HarrisStowe State University held a different kind of march. It was election day. It was a march to the polls.

When Toni Daelyn Funderburk, a freshman at Harris-Stowe State University, woke up in her dorm on Election Day her eyes gleaned and her mind raced. She was about to satisfy a desire that was triggered with her wanting to vote for Barack Obama. It started on February 10, 2007, when Obama announced his candidacy for president of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield Illinois and began a campaign that elected the first African American to the White House.

Obama’s campaign inspired many, including then 8-year-old Toni Daelyn Funderburk of Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of an African-American engineer. Toni’s burning desire to vote for Obama triggered a commitment that Toni kept for 10 years: that once she became of age, she would register to vote and cast her vote.

Toni’s commitment was tested from the time she approached the polling place on Election Day. She experienced standing outdoors in a long line waiting to get inside. Once inside, she waited in line to reach the registration table, only to be told that her name was not showing up in the system. She was given a number to call the election board. If not for the encouragement of the poll workers, the presence of her fellow students and the university’s president, her resolve may truly have been tested. After calling the election board and explaining her problem, the person on the phone told her they couldn’t help but someone would call her back.

By now her faith was really being tested. After 10 years of waiting to cast her first vote she was told she had more waiting to do, not knowing if she would eventually be allowed to vote at all.

Student after student passed her by, casting their ballots, and just as many more were finding themselves in the same predicament: told they were not showing up in the system and to call the election board.

Toni eventually got a call back and was told she had to sign an affidavit attesting to who she was and where she lived. When she was subsequently given a ballot, she walked over to the booth and cast her vote. I was looking for confetti and balloons to drop from the ceiling, celebrating Toni fulfilling her promise, but not this day.

share arrangements with city and county partners. These Community Assistance Program agreements created both better accessibility for anglers and habitat for fish, in many cases developing selfsustaining populations of sportfish such as bass, bluegill and crappie.

Missouri’s Urban Fishing Program remains the oldest and one of the largest urban fishing programs in the nation. For more information on St. Louis’ urban fishing lakes, go to https://bit. ly/2FzGlnc.

I was numbed looking into the eyes of Peytin Rokiya Waldon, another hopeful first-time voter. When Peytin did not get to cast a ballot that day because her name did not appear in the system, the disappointment was evident. Peytin and many others were denied the right that their ancestors fought so hard for – the right to vote. Thus, in many ways, we were defeated on Election Day. Adolphus M. Pruitt II is president of the St. Louis City NAACP.

MDC archive photo

A young angler enjoys a day of fishing at one of the lakes in the Missouri Department of Conservation ‘s Urban Fishing Program, assisted by a conservation staff member.

Guest Columnist

Adolphus M. Pruitt II

Editorial /CommEntary

Federal judge has opportunity to issue landmark ruling

Landmark cases seldom come advertised as such; it just happens that way and then seems inevitable afterwards. ArchCity Defenders is part of a coalition — both legal advocates and community activists — working to reform the cash bail system in the St. Louis region. Its federal suit on behalf of four named plaintiffs, which also aspires to class action status, offers a federal district judge an opportunity to issue a landmark ruling. The judge could look at the evidence and decide that routine procedures in the St. Louis circuit court, even though technically compliant with state standards, routinely violate federal constitutional guarantees and must be overhauled.

The judge could order the circuit judges to stop handling cash bail the way they do at present and order them to proceed differently in a way that protects constitutional Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection and due process for all defendants. The suit that ArchCity filed with co-counsel even drafted a reform to bail procedures included in the filing that the federal judge could impose upon the circuit court. That move or one like it proceeding from this suit could bust open the cash bail system in St. Louis and force the reforms that local officials have been sluggish to implement on their own. We urge the judge to rule on the side of the U.S. Constitution and not our compromised local status quo and start the dawning of a new, better day in our courts.

of possessing a handgun as a felon, has never been convicted of any previous crime involving a gun. The court accepted that Dixon’s most recent offense of any kind dates back to 2003 and was merely possession of a controlled substance, which would not even draw criminal charges today. The judge heard Dixon’s compelling testimony that, based on his two low-income jobs, the most he could afford to post as bail was $500. Yet Clark still imposed cash bail of $30,000.

The judge did order the circuit court to hear the four named plaintiffs’ arguments asserting that they pose no threat to public safety or flight risk, the two reasons defendants are confined before trial, and arguing their inability to post the high bonds typically imposed in Missouri’s 22nd Circuit. We observed the hearing that Judge Thomas C. Clark II gave to David Dixon, one of the named plaintiffs. It was a very typical case of the cash bail blues –the cash bail tragedy – in St. Louis. The court accepted as fact that Dixon, who is accused

Dixon’s ArchCity counsel reminded the judge that imposing cash bail of $30,000 on a defendant who just argued convincingly that he would be unable to pay that sum was “de facto detention.” Clark appeared to be comfortable with imposing “de facto detention” on a defendant despite his constitutional guarantee of innocence before guilt is proven. That comfort with routine unconstitutional practice in the 22nd Circuit is what the federal court could – should – must – disrupt with a landmark ruling in this case. The crux of the injustice, of course, is that ability to pay a hefty bond is an independent variable from threat to public safety or flight risk, the only reasons to detain a defendant before trial. Anyone with the same evidence of public menace or flight risk that the judge discerned in Dixon with the means to post $30,000 would be back at work and sleeping in his own bed while he awaited his trial date. Dixon was marched to jail in shackles, his working and family life totally disrupted simply because he lacks financial means. How this situation is consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee to equal protection and due process is something the federal judge would have to explain in the shameful event that this potentially landmark case brings no change.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

America and St. Louis on fire in 2019

By Mike Jones

Of The St. Louis American

This moment of inflection in America is not about political ideology or political competence, it’s about the lack of moral competence, whether you’re talking about the national political scene or the political condition of St. Louis. What does the political face of moral incompetence look like? Consider for a moment the stark character difference in two privileged rich white men who have been POTUS in the last 30 years: the late George H.W. Bush (198892) and Donald J. Trump. No matter what your opinions of his politics or policies, you couldn’t question Bush’s competence or fitness. Trump, on the other hand, shouldn’t be left alone with his small grandchildren. There are not now, nor have there ever been, large complex societies that are direct democracies. Some societies are more antidemocratic than others, but none are democratic in the way Americans misunderstand democracy. The best you’ll ever do is for the elites to have democratic values. Power is always unevenly distributed throughout any society, which means influence about how a society is governed is unevenly distributed. It’s from this power disparity that elites in a society are formed. All power elites have two imperatives: to maintain their privileged status and to protect the society that makes their privilege possible. Enlightened and competent elites understand and accept that protecting the society is more important.

The French have a phrase that captures this notion, “noblesse oblige,” which means with your privilege comes

corresponding responsibilities to the larger society that has granted that privilege. In wellordered societies, economic and political elites will govern in ways that produce a benefit for those who have less power; when the benefit is great enough, the less-powerful citizens will legitimize the status of the more-powerful elites. What creates this symbiotic relationship between privilege and responsibility? In a word, it’s culture.

It is the culture that shapes the character and values of any society. How elites understand and manage the society’s economy and politics is a function of a value system that’s transmitted via the culture. The most important value a culture has to successfully transmit to each generation of its elites is this sense of noblesse oblige. Once elites internalize a value system that separates their privilege from a larger social responsibility, you have society in decline. This is what’s at the core of this moment of inflection in America.

In January we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and in February we commemorate Black History Month. In both instances, we freeze Dr. King in August 1963, and in both instances we do Dr. King a great disservice. We freeze Dr. King in August 1963 because it makes white people comfortable. It makes them comfortable because the improvised closing of his speech gives white America

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Incomplete police investigations delay justice

By Jamala Rogers and John Chasnoff

The St. Louis American

For

Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was able to achieve swift justice in the latest police incident involving lethal force. Within just 48 hours she called for an independent investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol and charged Officer Nathaniel Hendren for the shooting death of Officer Katlyn Alix.

But two area mothers whose sons were both killed by police ask, “When will our sons get justice?”

Toni Taylor and Gina Torres have waited as patiently as possible, in the face of law enforcement delay and obfuscation, for action in their cases. They have every reason to believe that investigations into their sons’ deaths are not being handled professionally.

For that reason, the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) wrote a letter on January 29 to the U.S. attorney for Eastern Missouri asking him to investigate the inability of local authorities to conduct proper investigations and reach timely conclusions.

Taylor is the mother of Cary Ball Jr., who was killed by two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officers on April 24, 2013. The police chief at the time, Sam Dotson, asked the FBI to conduct an investigation. In June 2014, the U.S. attorney released a statement declaring the shooting justified on the basis of inconsistencies in witness statements.

The FBI has been unable to support those conclusions with any documented evidence. All the witness statements, excluding those of the two officers, are remarkably consistent in stating that Cary dropped his weapon and raised his hands before the officers began firing.

Attempts to gain documentation of an FBI investigation have been unsuccessful. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed on October 15,

forgiveness without confession, redemption without atonement. It’s the same reason the American establishment loves the Nelson Mandela who was released from prison and will completely ignore the Mandela who was imprisoned.

Dr. King was a man of extraordinary intelligence and moral awareness, and because of that he was always evolving. Put another way, he was always woke. Let’s consider what Dr. King has to say to us about America’s moral condition at the end of his too-short life. In his last conversation with Harry Belafonte, shortly before his assassination, he said, “I have come upon something that disturbs me deeply. I’ve come to believe we’re integrating into a burning house. I’m afraid America may be losing what moral vision she had. Until we assure the underclass has justice and opportunity, we will continue to perpetuate the anger and violence that tears at the soul of this nation.”

As we consider our options in 2019 and beyond, we need to be ever mindful that the house called America – or St. Louis – is very much on fire, and the people you’re dealing with are the arsonist who started the fire.

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board. In 2016 and 2017, he was awarded Best Serious Columnist for all of the state’s large weeklies by the Missouri Press Association, and in 2018 he was awarded Best Serious Columnist in the nation by the National Newspapers Association.

2015 asked for documents showing that FBI interviewed the officers, interviewed or polygraphed witnesses, conducted a ballistics analysis or examined the shooting scene. The report resulted in no documents being turned over, according to a report by William Harmening.

In addition to the manifest inadequacy of the FBI investigation, the SLMPD failed to conduct an adequate inquiry into the shooting. The police investigators failed to record the location of Cary’s gun, chart the location of shell casings, or do a shell ejection pattern analysis to determine the locations where police shots were fired. The medical examiner failed to turn over the autopsy results in response to an FOIA request.

CAPCR’s letter to the U.S. attorney requested an investigation to determine if the FBI did in fact conduct an investigation into the Cary Ball Jr. case and whether it was adequate. If it was not, CAPCR asked the office to rescind the earlier finding and determine if an adequate investigation can now be conducted by the FBI.

Torres is the mother of Isaiah Hammett, who was killed in a SLMPD SWAT raid on June 7, 2017. The police department’s Force Investigative Unit (FIU), established in 2014 to conduct more professional investigations of police shootings, gathered evidence at the scene that same day. However, more than 19 months later Isaiah’s mother has no indication that the FIU has

Letters to the editor

Disappointed in The American

I was disappointed The American endorsed Jamilah Nasheed for BOA president. The rationale for dismissing Megan Green is illogical.

The American’s mission is “to strengthen STL by empowering its black community,” which automatically disqualified Megan because of her whiteness and did not the other candidates because of their blackness. There are many white people in St Louis who empower the black community, Megan Green being one.

You also mentioned how Megan “has not demonstrated the necessary skill set to successfully maneuver in a complex political role like the aldermanic presidency.” This statement negates her fourplus years as Alderwoman of the 15th Ward and the skill set she has acquired in that role, as well as her building relationships within the Board of Alderman.

You mentioned her politics are “to the left of most city residents.” Some of her agenda includes civilian oversight of the police board, victims of domestic violence protections, marijuana legalization, higher minimum wage. Is that far left of what most city residents feel?

I have read The American every week since 1983. For the most part, I agree with your politics. However, I feel I need to call you out for your endorsement rationale of BOA president. It seemed to be based on skin color, being too progressive, and not being successful in a political role.

completed its investigation into the matter.

The SLMPD claims to have sent the investigative report to the St. Louis circuit attorney. That office has stated the materials they have received are incomplete.

On November 12, 2018, the Riverfront Times published materials that the SLMPD claimed to be the FIU results. However, those documents consisted primarily of police reports and interviews. They did not include any forensic ballistics analysis, any analysis of other evidence collected, or the autopsy report. Clearly, this is not a complete professional report.

CAPCR’s letter asked the U.S. attorney to begin an investigation to determine the extent of Hammett’s FIU investigation and, if it is incomplete, whether there has been a deliberate attempt to cover up or whether the FIU unit is incapable of fulfilling its mandate.

A lack of local leadership in St. Louis makes it necessary to ask for intervention from the U.S. attorney.

In 2017, Mayor Lyda Krewson stood by then-interim police chief Lawrence O’Toole when he encouraged police rioting. When asked about alleged evidence of police obstruction, Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards’ recent defense of the FIU was an amateurish attempt to change the subject and provide false equivalencies. Rather than supporting Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s attempts to provide transparent and swift justice in the Hendren case, Police Chief John Hayden went on blast condemning her actions.

How can we trust these leaders to be responsive to citizens asking legitimate questions about their family members’ deaths and the professionalism of investigations?

Jamala Rogers and John Chasnoff are co-chairs of the Coalition Against Police Crimes & Repression.

All illogical.

Jay Diamond, St. Louis

Editor’s note: You misread part of the editorial. Her whiteness did not rule her out. Rather, we pointed that she is running on “an appealing progressive policy platform, much of which, if enacted into law, would help empower the black community and strengthen a racially divided St. Louis.” Regardless of her race, that is, she could well empower the black community if she could get her legislation passed. The problem is getting them enacted. We stand by our judgment that she “has not yet demonstrated the necessary skill set to successfully maneuver in a complex political role like the aldermanic presidency,” which is not a function of race.

Columnist Mike Jones

Guest Columnist John Chasnoff

Guest Columnist Jamala Rogers

Help to keep warm

U. City Schools staff recruiting event

The School District of University City’s Human Resources Department will host a speed-dating event for all interested teachers and administrators from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, at Blueberry Hill Restaurant, 6504 Delmar Blvd. in University City. All educators interested in joining the district are eligible to participate. Register online at www.ucityschools.org/Hire19. Candidates may provide advance information including submitting a resume while reserving their spot for the event.

To see the current job list, visit www. ucityschools.org/Employment. For more information, call (314) 290-4022 or email tslater@ucityschools.org.

Missouri WIC operations

and services still funded

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, remains in operation in Missouri. Missouri WIC local agencies will continue to hold appointments with participants and will provide the same level of services and benefits. Missouri WIC has received funding to support normal program operations through at least March 31.

The partial government shutdown, and lack of an approved federal budget for the USDA, has interrupted the normal flow of funding and information from USDA to WIC state agencies. The WIC state agency is participating in regular calls with USDA to remain apprised of developments at the federal level. The state agency plans to issue another programmatic update by February 28.

Pregnant women, new mothers, and families with children from birth through their fifth birthday can learn more about qualifying and enrolling in the Missouri WIC program by visiting wic.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-835-5465.

My

By Jorian Reeves For The St. Louis American

I had my first taste of global cultural learning in 2015 when I traveled to Qatar at the age of 14 for a week-long Arabic debate competition. Two years earlier, in seventh grade, I had started taking Arabic classes at Lindbolm Math and Science Academy, a selective high school serving gifted and marginalized students in Chicago.

Until I became a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow and studied in South Africa last summer, the Qatar trip had been my most extensive abroad experience. But what transpired during the summer of 2018 in South Africa made me realize that was only the beginning of my personal development.

When I started at Lindbolm Academy as a seventh grader, I experienced a challenging environment, something more dynamic than anything I had experienced before. I relished in the opportunity to engage with a new culture through my Arabic language and dance courses because it provided an outlet for some of my feelings of displacement. I felt lost and uncomfortable in my new environment. I was forced to push the boundaries to which I had grown accustomed, and at times, I struggled with the changes.

I often wondered: How did I get here? How did I become so privileged to be in a space with people so brilliant? I was surrounded by individuals who were intelligent and inquisitive, and I never thought of myself on that level. This began my quest to understand my worth.

My quest continued when I applied to be a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow as a college student at Xavier University. I was in complete disbelief when I was accepted for a study abroad to South Africa. I knew the program was prestigious and competitive, and I had a lot of selfdoubt about my own abilities and sense of belonging.

Throughout my time in South Africa, however, I came face-toface with the power of my excellence – and the power of what I could achieve. I never imagined myself hiking, never even gave it any thought. The 12-year-old girl who felt out of place in a new school wouldn’t have ever pictured herself living in South Africa for four weeks.

The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship program was also transformative for me because I had so many new experiences and was able to process them in liberating ways.

It was an emotional experience for me to see the vast range of socioeconomic lifestyles in Cape Town and compare them to my own transitions in Chicago from low-income neighborhoods to high-income neighborhoods. I was able to recognize my own privilege, gain a global consciousness about poverty, and ponder what steps I can take to help alleviate socioeconomic divide.

During these moments of deep reflection, I had a revelation: “Honey, you have to come to grips with your power.”

Jorian Reeves is a student in Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy.

Online applications to study abroad as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow next summer are due by February 14. Apply online at https:// tinyurl.com/Global-Fellowship. Students from more than 600 minorityserving institutions (including Harris-Stowe State University and Lincoln University) are eligible. For requirements, visit https://tinyurl.com/ Global-Fellowship-Requirements.

Barbara Cox stopped by CareSTL Health to pick up warming blankets and hot coffee from Bridget Curtis on January 30 with below-zero temperatures forecast for overnight.

Jorian Reeves

SECRETS

Continued from A1

Similarly, we asked for the log or database they used to track how many stolen guns, cars or other property were retrieved as a result of the crime center. They replied, “No responsive records.”

The American also requested to view all of the center’s expenditures. We were given the crime center’s budget for fiscal year 2018 of about $524,400 and for FY2019 of about $535,300, which included mainly salaries and a small amount for supplies. Yet this was far from the only funds going into the center.

We obtained copies of the police department’s capital requests for fiscal year 2018, which city Budget Director Paul Payne explained are requests to buy things like equipment vehicles.

In fiscal year 2018, the police department asked for $150,000 for two cameras in the 3rd and 4th police districts, $200,000 for a mobile surveillance trailer and $750,000 for a “RTCC video wall.”

However, Payne said the police department, like other city departments, does not document each piece of equipment it purchased in any budget reports. And equipment purchased for the RTCC would be lumped in with other capital purchases for the police department. We would have to ask the police department about RTCC equipment purchases directly, he said.

The American asked the police department if these three items were obtained and how they were purchased. The police department initially responded in an email, “Relative to your capital budget requests from the RTCC, those projects were NOT obtained.”

We followed up and asked again if this equipment was purchased by any means at all, including grants, ward funds or donations. The police responded that two mobile trailers were donated by the St.

Louis Police Foundation in 2018, adding to the trailer that they received from grant funding in 2017. About 109 surveillance cameras were added through the City of St. Louis during 2018, a department spokeswoman said, through ward capital funds and donations. The RTCC has not had a video wall expansion since 2017, the spokeswoman said. When asked how much has been spent on equipment since the center opened, the spokeswoman said, “All costs for the RTCC that were paid for by the police department or the City of St. Louis would be in our budgets.”

New surveillance bill

“Any time the government is collecting data on its citizens, there really should be clear policies about what the government does with that data,” said Alderwoman Cara Spencer of the 20th Ward. “When we are doing surveillance, we are collecting meaningful information about people – their license plates; where they travel; there is a lot of facial recognition software these days. These cameras can pick up all kinds of information.”

This past spring, The American learned that two African-American aldermen were drafting an ordinance that addresses community leaders’

long-held concerns. Aldermen Terry Kennedy (D-Ward 18) and John Collins-Muhammad (D-Ward 21) had attempted to do this once before in 2017, but that bill never made it to a committee hearing. Privacy advocates believed the Surveillance Technology Bill that Kennedy and CollinsMuhammad introduced on January 11 could have helped address these concerns. The bill would have required any city entity that operates a surveillance program –including using street cameras, body cameras, automatic license plate readers, and facial and voice recognition programs – to present an in-depth plan to the Board of Aldermen, as well as annual accountability reports. However, the bill was not brought to a vote. Instead on February 1, Kennedy introduced a resolution to have the city’s chief technology officer compile a report on the use of surveillance technology citywide, and the resolution passed. The report will assess currents policies, who has access to data collected, how the city responds to Sunshine requests that pertain to the data and where the technology is

SCORES

Continued from A1

At the same time, fewer than half of public school students in Missouri passed the new, more rigorous math and English tests they took last spring.

So which is it? Are the vast majority of Missouri schools doing great, or are they falling short of state expectations?

“We don’t know,” said Susan Pendergrass, a former senior policy advisor for the U.S. Education Department who now works for the libertarian Show-Me Institute.

“There’s no way for a parent to know if their school is not performing well, because basically parents are being told, ‘Don’t worry, every school is fine.’”

Compared to the way other states report how their schools are doing, Pendergrass thinks Missouri’s system is “pretty confusing, even as an education researcher.”

She said the number 70 resonates with people, but she doubts most parents get that schools need 70 percent of available points on their Annual Performance Report, not 70 points out of 100.

The Annual Performance Report, or APR, is a school report card the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes. It’s the largest factor in how the state Board of Education determined accreditation for school districts. (Charter schools receive an APR but are not given an accreditation label by the state school board.)

Matt Goodman, an administrator with the Pattonville School District,

targeting certain communities. Then every year they have reported any “discriminatory, disparate, and other adverse impacts” the technologies have had on people’s civil rights.

“When you know that you have a city that has racial disparities in policing – and that is absolutely the case in St. Louis – and when you know the use of surveillance technologies in general when they have been used throughout the country are deployed in ways that are racially biased, you certainly don’t want to marry those two things,” Marlow said.

Marlow pointed to several cities that appear to have targeted communities of color with surveillance technologies.

In Baltimore, advocacy groups filed a legal complaint alleging the Baltimore Police Department is violating federal laws by using cell site simulators, also known as Stingrays, that disrupt cellphone calls and interfere with the cellular network—and is doing so almost exclusively in black neighborhoods.

In Oakland, California, drivers are less likely to be picked up by automatic license plate readers if they are driving through or parking their cars in a neighborhood with a higher density of white families, according to data analysis by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

being used, among other things. The resolution does not state that aldermen would hold public hearings to hear feedback from the community about any proposed surveillance technology, as the bill did. Currently the public doesn’t have a voice in the matter. In St. Louis, the police have the power to decide “unilaterally and in secret if and how they are going to use these technologies,” said Chad Marlow, senior advocacy and policy counsel for the national ACLU.

If the St. Louis Board of Aldermen would have passed the bill, St. Louis would have become the tenth city – as well as a county and a large urban transportation district – to pass similar bills throughout the country, Marlow said. The ACLU has been leading these efforts and providing a legislative template.

“My biggest concern when I look at St. Louis is racial disparities in policing,” Marlow said.

As part of the bill, those wanting to implement surveillance equipment would have had to explain how they will avoid being biased and

tells parents to think of APR as a pie with five slices. But not five equal slices.

“The first two are studentperformance areas, and they equate for half of the pie,” Goodman said. “It’s a substantial part.”

Graduation rates, college and career readiness and attendance are smaller slivers.

It’s not a great analogy, but it’s what Missouri school administrators have to explain how they’re doing to parents.

It doesn’t help that the state has cycled through four different tests in five years.

“All of that is behind us now,” newly reinstated Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven said last month. “I’m very hopeful that now that we have our Missouri standards in place with Missouri tests, that there will be a level of stability.”

About 48 percent of third through eighth graders scored proficient or advanced on the English exam. Just over 40 percent of those students did as well on the math portion.

“We are all incredibly focused on making sure that we continue to develop our math and literacy skills from our earliest years,” Vandeven told reporters.

Yet last year’s test results are not comparable with those from previous years, the department has warned.

Vandeven has said that stability is coming. The math and English tests Missouri students will take this spring will be the same as last year. Still, schools waited months longer than they usually do for those scores.

Karol Howard, an elementary school principal in Kansas City, said her teachers have had to move on. “My

In Lansing, Michigan, African Americans were twice as likely to be under camera surveillance as white residents, according to a study by an Oakland University researcher. Black Lansing residents were subject to disproportionate scrutiny of their personal houseguests and yard activities and undue exposure to roundthe-clock surveillance.

This is why the ACLU believes that residents need to be part of the discussion around surveillance.

“It means that there is going to be an honest and open debate about whether they’re going to be used, how they will be used, and what safety restrictions will be put in place around their use so that civil rights and civil liberties are not violated in the process,” Marlow said. “And that’s what the effort in St. Louis is designed to do. I don’t know who in good conscience can be against that.”

This article is part three in a series reported in partnership with Type Investigations. Another series resulting from our investigation will appear later this year.

teachers don’t care a bit about a delay,” she said. “They’ve got different kids.” A lot of school superintendents are frustrated and think there’s a better way. They’ve formed the Missouri Assessment Partnership to advocate for better tests

Missouri’s current scoring system gives more credit to schools where students pass the test each year versus schools where students have made substantial gains over previous years but still came up short on the test. That can hurt low-income schools where kids bounce from school to school because of unstable housing and often enter those schools years below grade level.

Charter school advocates also cry foul over the rubric because they are not able to receive all available points as they phase in grade levels, sometimes resulting in significantly low scores.

State education officials are working on the first major overhaul of its schoolaccountability program since 2012, a process that was delayed by then-Gov. Eric Greitens’ meddling with the state school board and firing Vandeven.

Until those changes are made, schools that are reaching the maximum number of points on their report cards should be looking to improve in other areas, according to Assistant Education Commissioner Chris Neale.

“I hope this is not the entire scope of what a school bases its goals and its direction of improvement on,” he said.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

“Any time the government is collecting data on its citizens, there really should be clear policies about what the government does with that data,” Alderwoman Cara Spencer said of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.

Photo by Wiley Price

STEWART

Continued from A1

at Hyde Park in St. Louis to honor Stewart and to remember what he meant to countless others. That outpouring of love and support for his family continues as they prepare for his final services, which will be held Friday, February 8, at West Side Baptist Church at 4675 Page Blvd.

“It was a privilege to love him and to be loved by him. He fulfilled his purpose on earth. He was totally selfless. He was the love of my life, and he saved my life. He is my hero. It is amazing to see how our marriage blessed others,” his wife, Shantana Stewart, told The American “He saw his love for me as strength and not a weakness. We served each other. He looked for ways to bless and spoil me. He looked for ways to make us smile. He adored his children and would move heaven and earth to provide them enriching activities. He was an all-around dad, supporting both of his children in various ways, from being a baseball coach to Girl Scout Green Knight. He enabled his kids to fulfill their dreams.”

She said he mentored, served, minister to and loved many youth and people in the community.

Creighton said, “Demetrius showed up to just about everything, whether we were mentoring kids, whether we had a community service project, whether it was something involved with the church event – you pretty much name it.”

Creighton established a GoFundMe account as a memorial fund and for his teenage children’s education. The Demetrius Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund on GoFundMe thus far has raised more than $25,000.

“Expenses come up, whether it’s final expenses or making sure that the kids need nothing,” Creighton said. “We set up the GoFundMe account because there were so many people asking: how can we give? What can we do? Then I went ahead and set up a Demetrius Stewart Memorial Fund at U.S. Bank just to give people an alternative to the GoFundMe account. Multiple ways they can contribute.” Stewart is survived by his wife, Shantana; son, Samuel; daughter, Sydney; mother, Joanne Shiner; father, Douglas Shiner; brother, Darrell Shiner; and a host of relatives, church family, fraternity and a community of friends from throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

“Hopefully something good will come out of this,” she said. “My hope is that it will make people love each other more and hold each other closer. Maybe more people will slow down and appreciate every day. I hope that people will embrace children like my husband did, and that they will love them and catch them before they fall in to a life full of anger and rage.”

POLICE

Continued from A1

Hendren has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.

On January 28, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner sent a letter to Police Chief John Hayden expressing concerns about her team’s attempt to gather evidence at the crime scene in South St. Louis on the morning of January 24. A prosecutor and two investigators from her office spoke with three police officials about their desire to have blood drawn for testing from both of the on-duty officers involved, Hendren and Officer Patrick Riordan, Gardner stated in the letter.

The police told Gardner’s staff that they would see about getting the officers tested and would let them know if they needed to prepare a search warrant, she stated.

“Shortly thereafter,” Green stated, a lieutenant told one of her team members that “Saint Louis University Hospital would not honor a search warrant to draw blood,” Gardner stated.

Gardner stated, “I’m sure you are aware that we have a protocol with area hospitals that they will honor our search warrants for blood draws. This procedure is common in criminal investigations.”

The next day, Hayden’s staff told Gardner’s team that the “Internal Affairs Division had collected the urine sample and the breathalyzer under Garrity,” she stated. Garrity rights, which originate from a 1967 United States Supreme Court decision in Garrity v. New Jersey protect public employees from being compelled to incriminate themselves during

Stewart’s brother, Darrell Shiner, said, “This has been an angry time for us, for the way things happened, but he would want us to forgive, because as a Christian and a pastor, he was always saying, ‘Things are not always right, and we don’t

investigatory interviews conducted by their employers.

In this case, the officers were told that if they did not agree to do the drug tests they would be fired. Because the two officers were coerced to agree to the tests under threat of losing their jobs, that information cannot be used to prosecute them for any crimes, per Garrity

If Gardner’s team would have obtained a search warrant for the tests, the officers would have been compelled by the courts, not their employer, and Gardner’s office could have used that evidence to build their criminal case against Hendren.

“Taking these tests under the cover of Garrity appears as an obstructionist tactic to prevent us from understanding the state of the officers during the commission of this alleged crime.”

Sources from the prosecutor’s office said that this was not an isolated incident when it comes to investigating officer-involved shootings.

At a January 31 press conference held at police department headquarters, Hayden responded angrily to Gardner’s letter.

“The accusation lodged by the circuit attorney to say the least was both offensive and insulting to the Force Investigative Unit and myself,” Hayden said, punctuating his statement by pounding his fist on the podium.

One reporter asked, “You used the words ‘offensive’ and ‘insulting,’ but you did not say she was wrong. Was she wrong in making the allegation that there was some obstructionist behavior that night?”

Hayden responded,

“We followed department procedures to the letter. If there is ever a question with obtaining certain evidence,

know why God has let these things happen, but we have to pretty much understand that it’s His will and all things happen for a reason, and as Christians, we have to forgive.’”

Shiner described Stewart as a man one would have a hard time finding fault in,

certainly that could be obtained through a subpoena.”

However, Gardner’s concern was not whether she will eventually be able to see the drug test results but rather about her ability to use the evidence to prosecute Hendren.

“If you shot someone in the chest and your level of intoxication was something that we need to know in investigating the case, we would have got a search warrant, and we would have gotten your blood and it would have been at the lab right now,” said someone who has prosecuted cases in St. Louis. “No questions asked. Everyone remembers how to do it when it’s a regular defendant. But when it’s a police defendant?”

Legislation for an independent unit

When the Force Investigative Unit was first created, the prosecutor’s office would wait until the police

who loved everyone and was always busy helping others.

“When he wasn’t with his family, then he’s with the Alphas, and he was doing things in the community –whether it was benefits, helping out with charities and different events,” Shiner said. “And when he wasn’t doing that, he

completed their final report before investigating officerinvolved cases. However, after handling a couple cases like this, prosecutors realized that it could take the police up to a year to provide their report.

Kajieme Powell, who was shot and killed by police on August 19, 2014, was one example of this, inside sources said.

Mansur Ball-Bey, who police killed in the Fountain Park neighborhood on August 19, 2015, was the first case where the prosecutor’s office conducted an investigation simultaneously with the police, sources said.

Police officers were not being screened for drug use at officer-involved shootings until former officer Jason Flanery smashed his police vehicle while intoxicated and high on cocaine on December 19, 2015.

A year before on October 8, 2014, Flanery shot and killed 18-year-old VonDerrit Myers Jr. in the Shaw neighborhood while working in private

was with his wife, doing date nights.”

Stewart also served as chaplain for his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, reaching out to members who had lost loved ones or were sick or infirm.

His fraternity brother and longtime good friend Marcus

security. In a 2016 interview, Joyce told The American that Flanery’s toxicology results from 2015 had no legal bearing on his actions in Myers’ shooting death in 2014. However, she said, it did point to the need to test officers for drugs and alcohol after an officer-involved shooting. On January 29, 2016, Dotson issued a policy that ordered toxicology screenings in officer-involved shootings, even though the police union opposed him, he told The American in 2016. Recently, Gardner said many of these “complex issues” – including obtaining toxicology screenings for officers – could be solved by finally implementing what city

Visitation with the family is 9 a.m. to noon Friday, February 8 at Westside Missionary Baptist Church, 4675 Page Blvd., St. Louis, 63113. An Alpha Phi Alpha Omega chapter ceremony will take place at the beginning of the visitation. The funeral service immediately follows at noon, with interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 2101 Lucas and Hunt Rd. in St. Louis.

residents voted for in 2017. For two years, Gardner said she has been trying to get legislation passed to establish an Independent Investigative Unit within her office, using funds from a sales-tax increase that voters approved for this purpose in April 2017. However, the bill that would have established that unit died again in committee this session. It is expected to be re-introduced in April. During a hearing for the bill in March 2018, Gardner testified that St. Louis is close to being number one in officerinvolved cases nationwide and community trust is at the heart of the issue. “It is no longer acceptable,” Gardner said, “for the police to investigate themselves.”

Darrell Shiner, the brother of Demetrius L. Stewart, addressed more than 200 people gathered in Hyde Park on Monday, February 4. A vigil and rally to end gun violence was held in honor of Stewart, who was at a Richmond Heights bowling alley on February 1 when he was shot and killed as an innocent bystander. Shriner was flanked by his parents and wife Tia Shriner on the right.

Photo by Wiley Price

Bigger

is not always better when it comes to police departments

Charles Jaco – journalist, author, and activist (on Twitter at @charlesjaco1) – who took down U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Republican challenger Todd Akin six years ago in a bruising broadcast interview, came out of retirement to write for The American before the November 6 general election and has stuck with it. He penned this guest Political EYE.

One of the big selling points of the city-county merger plan from the Better Together group is that it would eliminate dozens of often-tiny police departments in the county, along with the county and city police departments, and replace them with one, unified metrocity cop shop.

There are 55 separate police departments in St. Louis County, and 75 percent of them are unaccredited. By any measure of good governance, that’s insane. Having several dozen small police departments unaccredited by any professional agency means bad cops can get fired from one jurisdiction, and then just go down the road and get another job. It makes economic sense for the tiny town police departments to do that. Paying for training and police certification for officers is expensive. Why bother, when you can simply hire a cop dismissed by another local department. Sure, their record may be spotty, but at least the small suburbs won’t have to pay for their training. As everything from Ferguson to municipal court abuses

stemming from traffic arrests have shown us, it’s a lousy model for law enforcement. Instead, Better Together recommends, as part of creating a new metro city, that the entire city and county now be protected by one big police force with around 3,700 employees. The executive summary to their report notes: “One department can be held accountable, with oversight, by all of the metro city’s citizens, while also providing the bestpractice level of neighborhood community policing that residents and police crave.”

To Better Together, a bigger police department is a better police department, and a large, accredited department will be a competent, professional law enforcement organization. Unfortunately, exhibit A against that argument is the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is big, with around 1,330 cops and 1,800 total employees. It’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. And it’s a mess. The dysfunction of the city police doesn’t necessarily mean that Better Together’s idea is a bad one. It does mean that even a large, accredited department can become a mess given the right circumstances. The city police department has everything the “best practices” people might want – funding, personnel, civilian oversight, and a chief who talks a good game about community involvement.

It also patrols a city with one of the world’s highest murder rates and per capita shoots suspects at a higher rate than any other big city department. It has a major racism problem. It doesn’t make arrests in half of its murders. But mainly, it seems to have hired some sketchy people who would be more at home prowling the halls of the Trump White House than patrolling the streets of St. Louis. Consider officers William Olsten and Joseph Schmitt When they shot a 22-yearold patron outside of a South Side bar frequented by cops in April 2018, city police said they expected the 22-yearold to be charged because he shot at them first. It turns out the patron allegedly grabbed his own gun only after being aggressively approached by the plainclothes off-duty officers outside the bar. Both Schmitt and Olsten were charged with

assault and armed criminal action.

It also turns out Olsten is subject of a federal lawsuit, charging that he peppersprayed four protestors without provocation during 2017 protests against the acquittal of city cop Jason Stockley on charges of killing a suspect and then planting a gun on him. One of the people Olsten pepper-sprayed was livestreamer Heather DeMian, who was shooting video from her wheelchair when she was hit.

Then there’s the “Russian Roulette” case of Officer Nathaniel Hendren, who’s been charged with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Officer Katlyn Alix at Hendren’s home. Hendren and his partner were on duty, left their district, and drove to Hendren’s apartment, where Alix, who was off duty, met

them at 1 a.m. Statements claim Hendren and Alix were playing a version of Russian Roulette by aiming a revolver with one bullet in it at each other and repeatedly pulling the trigger.

Now, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner claims the police department has tried to interfere with charges in the case, trying to stop investigators from taking tests for drugs and alcohol from Hendren and his partner. The tests were finally taken, but were grabbed by the police Internal Affairs Division, which may mean the samples can’t be used in court, even though Gardner’s office said there was “probable cause at the scene that drugs or alcohol may be a contributing factor.”

Gardner says city police are trying to obstruct her office’s investigation.

Then, there’s the case of Officers Dustin Boone, Randy Hays, Christopher Myers, and Bailey Colletta. All four have been indicted by a federal grand jury – Boone, Hays, and Myers for beating a black undercover police officer during the 2017 Jason Stockley protests, and Colletta for helping cover it up by lying to a federal grand jury. Part of the evidence consists of text messages among the cops about how much fun it is to

beat demonstrators under cover of darkness. The undercover cop who was beaten, Luther Hall, still hasn’t been able to return to work.

Finally, there’s the case of 28 city cops whose names we don’t know, officers suspected of lying previously in various circumstances ranging from initial statements to Internal Affairs reports. Because of that, all 28 have been put on an “exclusion list” (also known in law enforcement as a Brady List) preventing them from bringing any cases for prosecution to the circuit attorney. The idea, stemming from the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case of Brady v Maryland, is that officers who’ve lied before poison any case they touch. So far, the circuit attorney’s office has had to dismiss over 90 cases the 28 city cops have been involved with. All of those cases show what the problem is. No matter the department’s size or its accreditation status, it’s going to fail if it’s filled with violent yahoos rather than law enforcement professionals. Charles Jaco is a journalist, author, and activist. Follow him on Twitter at @ charlesjaco1.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Then-Major John Hayden, who is now St. Louis police chief, commanded this protest scene at Busch Stadium in 2017, when Police Officer William Olsten unleashed pepper spray on Amir Brandy and others. Brandy is one of six plaintiffs in lawsuits alleging police brutality filed against the city, and Olsten has been charged with assault and armed criminal action for a separate incident while off-duty in April 2018.

Taking holistic approach to opioids

successfully created a model for non-narcotic management of chronic pain for uninsured and underinsured patients, and Kanika Turner, M.D., who has received statewide recognition for her work in the care of patients with opioid addiction.

Family Health Care Center tries a team approach to a national crisis

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

“The people I’m seeing are people who’ve had a long history of probably inappropriately or misdiagnosed chronic pain, who probably started using prescription pain medicines but when on to heroin or fentanyl use,” said Kanika Turner, M.D., a family medicine, obstetrics and addiction medicine specialist at Family Health Care Center. Turner, who has earned statewide recognition for her medication-assisted treatment, was speaking to a group of visitors

n “The people I’m seeing are people who’ve had a long history of probably inappropriately or misdiagnosed chronic pain.”

– Kanika Turner, M.D.

to Family Health Care Center’s Holly Hills facility on Friday, February 1.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis),

Doug Clemens (D-St. Ann) and Thomas McAuliffe, director of Health Policy for the Missouri Foundation for Health, toured the facility to see how it is helping patients overcome heroin and opioid addiction.

Turner works with Patricia Pye, a clinical psychologist and a behavioral health consultant, to treat patients who have chronic pain or are at risk for addiction.

Pye said she delves into “the pain experience” – the underlying issues that were the source of the pain in the first place.

See OPIOIDS, A13

ACLU seeks interviews about deaths in custody

The ACLU of Missouri is interested in speaking with family members, loved ones and friends of those who have died while incarcerated in Missouri jails or prisons. By undertaking this research, the civil rights organization hopes to understand people are dying in custody and whether it is a systemic issue. The research will help to determine policy recommendations, as well as legal intervention strategies.

Ninety-seven people died in state and federal prison facilities in Missouri in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, a 58 percent increase from deaths in 2001.

The ACLU of Missouri receives about 2,200 complaints a year from Missourians regarding their constitutional rights and civil rights violations. A significant number of these

n Ninety-seven people died in state and federal prison facilities in Missouri in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

complaints involve the reporting of deaths in custody.

“When people come in contact with the criminal justice system, there is an intake process to determine a person’s medical and mental health concerns while incarcerated,” said Elaine Sutton, ACLU of Missouri legal support coordinator.

“There may be things that could’ve been addressed during that process that may have been minimized or overlooked, resulting in unnecessary and untimely deaths.”

The organization is working with two students from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis on this “Death-In-Custody and Maternal Health Project” research. A report of findings and recommendations will be developed at the end of the project.

The ACLU of Missouri’s Intake Complaint Unit is open for calls at 314-6523114, ext. 305, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. People can make requests for in-person interviews. In-person interviews will be held on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. beginning February 26.

No zip code is safe from gun violence

By Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Of The St. Louis American

We live. We eventually die. This living/ dying process does not discriminate; one day, we all must participate in it. However, dying by gun violence was never intended to be the precipitator of death. But for some reason, here in the United States of America and particularly in St. Louis, losing your life from senseless acts of violence is common. The sun rises, the sun sets, someone is murdered. Apparently, this has become our local rhythm. Yet, I’m fed up and exhausted. How many times must I call one of my patients and offer a word of condolence? What can I say? “I’m so sorry for your loss. Would you like something to help you sleep?”

I’ve done this routine with grieving mothers, wives and daughters. And recently this vigilante gun epidemic has even crept into my sacred congregation, leaving a young mother to raise three children by herself. When will it end? Maybe this issue isn’t upsetting to you because of where you live and work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 40,000 people were fatally shot in the U.S. in 2017. This is roughly 10,000 more people since 1999, a record high. With that in mind, I would discourage anyone from placing false security in your zip code.

n How many times must I call one of my patients and offer a word of condolence? What can I say? “I’m so sorry for your loss”?

Remember the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre when Adam Lanza killed 27 people and himself? The average income of this community was over $86,000, one of the highest in the country, and the high school graduation rate was around 95 percent.

After that horrific killing of innocent children in 2012, I was hopeful that better gun control legislation would be passed. Everyone wants to keep our kids safe, right? Obviously, I was wrong.

Since Sandy Hook, there have been 1,954 mass

A12 ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • FEBRUARY 7 – 13, 2019

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

The Family Care Center in South St. Louis was visited by U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) on Friday, February 1. Clay spoke with psychologist Patrice Pye (center), who has

Photo by Wiley Price

Fresh Food Rx secures food for healthy moms and babies

‘I didn’t know a lot of stuff that they helped me with’

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

A collaboration between SSM Health DePaul Hospital and Operation Food Search connects obstetrics patients in the St. Louis area with nutritious food and other necessities to promote healthy pregnancies and improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies.

Research shows that food insecurity during pregnancy is associated with the development of gestational diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and higher levels of stress and depression. Babies born to food-insecure mothers are more likely to exhibit low birth weight, birth defects, and developmental delays.

Carolyn Pryor, M.D., is director of maternal services for SSM Health St. Louis and medical director of the OB Care Center. She said food insecurity is a common problem for many of her prenatal patients, and her goal is to give all mothers and babies the best possible start.

“Many of my patients do not have enough food to eat,” Pryor said. “They may lack transportation to and from appointments, lack support from family and friends, and have high levels of stress in their lives. These social issues can lead to negative outcomes like preterm birth and depression.”

Operation Food Search seized an opportunity that aligns with its mission.

“Pregnancy and the postpartum period are critical

OPIOIDS

Continued from A12

“The discomfort or what the patient is experiencing is more than what’s happening at the tissue level, causing their pain,” Pye said. “There is the emotional pain involved as well, so I take the approach of looking at sort of the big picture.” That includes looking at variables that are within the patient’s control, where they can make some changes and improve their overall wellbeing.

Pye said many other factors contribute to patient experience and their pain.

“For instance, with patients who are unable to work, there’s a whole shift now in their role as providers, their roles as head of the household,” Pye said. “Many times, people are more socially isolated due to their chronic pain, whether they are working or not. Many times, patients will turn down invitations to go out socially because they feel bad about asking people to slow down, and those sorts of things.” Sleep quality, caffeine consumption, stress and lack of exercise or physical activity all factor into a patient’s pain experience as well.

“Oftentimes, it sounds counterintuitive to talk about exercise to people who have chronic pain, but a big portion

times for women to receive the best nutrition available for both themselves and their babies,” said Lucinda Perry, director of Strategic Initiatives at Operation Food Search. “Fresh Rx is the perfect opportunity for our agency to make a difference in their lives by ensuring the healthiest start for everyone involved.”

During prenatal appointments, women at OB Care Center are screened for food insecurity. Those who qualify are enrolled into Fresh Rx: Nourishing Healthy Starts to receive weekly portions of local protein, dairy, grain and produce for the entire household, which comes from Fair Shares CCSA and its network of 80 local farmers. This continues throughout the pregnancy and a couple of months after the baby is born.

time when I was cooking, they were like, ‘Uuhn, what’s that?’ But when they actually tried it out, they were like, ‘Oh, this is good – we never had that before.’”

Lack of access to healthy food is a serious issue in St. Louis and Missouri as a whole. The rate of food insecurity in Missouri is higher than the national average, with almost 350,000 Missourians experiencing food insecurity in 2016.

Mothers receive one-on-one nutrition consultations with a dietitian; in-home and online nutrition and cooking tutorials from a chef; and culinary skills and nutrition classes, including an interactive grocery store tour where participants learn how to be savvy shoppers. Russ said cooking class is “bonding more with my family. It’s like a lot of stuff I can teach to my girls and just be like oneon-one with them in the kitchen, just learning nutritional, healthy facts.”

– Missourians to End Poverty, 2018

The Fresh Rx program introduced Manausha Russ and her children (ages 4, 5 and 6) to foods they would not have tried otherwise.

“They’ll have a jar of tomatoes, black beans, beets, Asian pears, spaghetti squash, different types of bread, like pita bread – normally stuff I probably wouldn’t buy on a regular basis,” Russ said. “One

She admitted, “It’s a lot,” but said she felt much healthier during this pregnancy than the previous two. “I didn’t know a lot of stuff that they helped me with,” she said.

A licensed clinical social worker meets with patients on site at the OB Care Center to assess family needs and identify additional resources available in the community.

“Getting the kids’ Christmas stuff was really good, and also they helped me get them coats and things like that,” Russ said.

The program has helped patients gain housing, employment, financial counseling, mental health counseling, diaper assistance, baby necessities, winter coats – even a refrigerator. It is all the result of exploring creative and innovative approaches to best serve families that are struggling with food hardship.

“It is just really convenient for the simple fact that they come to your door – you don’t have to do so much and it’s not much of a hassle,” Russ said.

“Also, they’ll put recipes in the bag. They help you meal-plan and the prep – they’ll have it all in the bag written up for you.”

That is by design.

“Our goal is to help reduce the stress in our families lives and take food insecurity off the table,” Jennie Oberkrom, manager of clinical integration for Operation Food Search, said. “We believe this will lead to better birth outcomes.”

Operation Food Search officially launched Fresh Rx: Nourishing Healthy Starts on January 31. Primary partners include Fair Shares Combined Community Supported Agriculture and the OB Care Center at SSM Health DePaul Hospital St. Louis. It is funded in party by a four-year grant from Bayer’s Monsanto Fund. Other project funders include Anthem Foundation, Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust, and Wallace Center at Winrock International.

For more information, call 314-726-5355 or browse www. ofsfreshrx.org.

of managing chronic pain is exercising as well and doing things in a way to pace themselves,” Pye said. “Many times, people will talk about having a ‘good day’ and overexerting themselves, usually followed by several ‘down days.’ Then, by the time they feel pretty good again and have another good day – which means less pain –then they go and overdo it as well. So there’s this continual pattern of overexertion and underactivity.”

Pye said they take a team approach in working with patients to find that balance.

“Everyone on the team is giving the patient the same message,” Pye said. “If they can manage their stress, if they can sleep better, if they are eating healthier and foods that are not flaring up their pain –those things can contribute to an overall better outlook on life and a better management of those stressors. It’s a matter of retraining on how we approach things.”

Project Step Forward, funded by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, brings a multidisciplinary team together to manage pain. “It also involves bringing in chiropractic service, physical therapy and acupuncture as well as yoga for our patients to broaden the scope of how we can treat and manage chronic pain,” Pye said.

Pye works with patients to prevent addiction while Turner helps patients who

Thomas McAuliffe, director of Health Policy for the Missouri Foundation for Health, state Rep. Doug Clemens (D-St. Ann) and U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) conversed during a visit to the Holly Hills location of Family Care Center. The group visited the center to learn about the innovative ways patients with opioid and substance addiction are treated.

are experiencing addiction.

Workers in behavioral health, nutrition services, community health and peer support are all part of wraparound services to help patients with chronic pain or who have addiction.

Turner also does advocacy work in the community regarding prevention, treatment and resources for medication-assisted treatment and changing the culture behind drug use in the black community. She offers training and speaks in churches and at professional organizations about treatment.

Turner also offers medicine services for pregnant women who are addicted and in need of treatment.

“In addition to a great obstetrical program, we can also treat some of the women who are struggling with various substances as well,” Turner said. “Anyone who is not pregnant, I use Suboxone or Vivitrol,” Turner said. “For pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, we use Subutex.” Their team approach meets patients where they are in their pain or addiction experience.

“We recognize that some of our patients may still take opioids and we’re going to help to monitor those, but I think education is a big piece that we are stressing to our patients and all of our providers – the whole team who touches the patient,” Pye said.

“We want everyone to have that same amount of information. So, we want patients to know that they might need this medication, and if they indeed warrant it, they will get the medication –the opioids for their pain – but we want them to be informed consumers and we also want them to take advantage of all of these services.”

For more information, visit https://familycarehealthcenters. org.

shootings in which 2,229 people died and 8,158 people were wounded. Whether it is Las Vegas or Florida, the shootings continue. Not to mention all of the fatalities that

Continued from A12 occur on a daily basis in some of our urban areas as well. Per the National Rifle Association(NRA), gun control laws are not the answer. Then what is it, members of the NRA? No other nation in the world has as many guns as the U.S. In the U.S., there are more guns than people. This obsession with our 2nd

Amendment rights has taken such a strange and deadly turn. I cannot imagine the authors of this amendment agreeing to allow someone with severe mental illness to own a gun, as in the case with the Sandy Hook killer. Every time these catastrophic events occur, we all express our outrage with

our coworkers, families, and social media. But where is the action? How are we holding our politicians accountable? Have we pushed them to produce any worthwhile legislation that would take guns out of inappropriate hands? Are we doing our part to keep our personal guns locked away so they cannot be used in a crime?

Bottom line: we have too many guns on the street, and our elected officials lack the courage to stand up to the powerful gun lobbyists. Yet, we continue to re-elect them, leaving us without a return on our investment. So, as for me, I don’t want to hear about another march; I don’t want to see your campaign flyer. I simply want justice for those grieving families and a safe place to live, work, and play. Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., is an assistant professor at SLUCare Family Medicine and the medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American. Email her at yourhealthmatters@ stlamerican.com.

Food and recipes delivered to Manausha Russ during and after her pregnancy with her youngest daughter Aliza Lewis provided healthier food choices for the mother and her family.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Healthy Kids Kids

Savvy Shopping!

Nutrition Challenge:

When shopping, it takes a pretty good “Food Detective” to know what is really good for you; don’t just read the front of food product packaging. Food

Stretching

Stranger Danger

GRANOLA Cereal

companies are quite clever when thinking of creative ways to make you believe that something is healthy. Just because a product says, “Healthy, Organic, Natural” or even “Good For You!” doesn’t mean

INGREDIENTS: Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Corn Bran, Wheat Bran, Inulin, Gylcerin, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Crispy Rice-Oat Bits (Rice & Oat Flour, Sugar, Malt Extract, Salt, BHT), Corn Syrup, Brown Sugar, Barley Malt Extract, Salt, Toasted Oats (Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose, Soybean Oil, Honey, Molasses), Golden Syrup, Wheat Bits (Whole Wheat Flour, Corn Starch, Corn Flour, Sugar, Salt, TrisodiumPhosphate, Baking Soda, Annatto and Caramel Color), Malt Syrup, Honey, Calcium

Stretching is an important part of any healthy exercise plan. Slowly extend your fingers, hands, and arms until you feel the muscles stretching. Do the same for your toes, feet and legs. Then slowly bend over to stretch the muscles in your back. Do each stretch for 10-30 seconds, and don’t stretch to the point of pain.

If an adult (or much older child) offers you a ride, or asks you to help him/ her locate a lost puppy (or kitten, or a lost child), do not get close to the

that it is a healthy choice. As we’ve discussed in previous weeks, always read the labels to see if the food product really is a smart food for you to eat.

As a class, discuss some of the ways to read a label. What are some of the things to look for in an ingredient list? How can you know if a food really is healthy? Hint: Refer to previous Healthy Kids pages for ideas.

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

Stretching helps your muscles warm up and increases your flexibility, range of motion and blood flow to the muscles. Stretching can prepare your body for exercise and prevent injuries to your muscles.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

stranger or his/her car. This is one of the most common ways that children are kidnapped every single day. And if an adult offers you a ride or asks for your help, immediately run to a trusted adult and tell him or her what just happened!

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

Turkey Rollups

Directions: Spread each slice of turkey with 1 tsp mustard or mayo and season with a little pepper. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 1 pickle and enjoy!

Where do you work? I am a hepatology and transplant hepatology physician assistant at Saint Louis University. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Paul Harding High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Norfolk State University and a Master of Medical Science degree from Saint Louis University. And right now I am in the process of earning a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Lynchburg University; I will complete this degree in June of 2019.

What does a hepatology physician assistant do?

Hepatology is the study of the liver. Each day I treat people for different types of liver disease. I also help patients who have a liver transplant keep their new liver healthy. (A transplant is when a surgeon takes out someone’s bad organ and puts a new organ in its place to save that person’s life.)

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because as a Hepatology Physician Assistant, I get to use information given to me through blood tests and interviewing the patient to figure out what is wrong and how to make them better.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? My favorite part of my job is when I have the opportunity to teach patients and their families about their liver and their health in general, giving them the power to make changes that can change their lives. I also love to see the changes in a patient who was very sick after they receive a new liver.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact

The Saint Louis Science Center’s YES Program turns 20!

YES (Youth Exploring Science) encourages students to explore, create and share their ideas using an informal learning environment and a project-based education model to facilitate STEAM learning.

The program prioritizes college and career readiness training and prolonged mentoring to help high school students who never considered college a possibility.

For more information, visit slsc.org/yes

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

For more information, visit stlzoo.org/education.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

At Aspire Academy, 5th grade teacher

a

Apple

Cell phones are constantly changing and evolving, offering many new features and designs. These advances also bring about responsibility and expectation. Remember the following rules and guidelines when using your cell phone.

z Silence is Golden—When you are in public, your phone should ALWAYS be on silent.

x To Talk or Not to Talk—If you receive a phone call, it is not polite to answer your phone in a public place or in the company of others. You need to excuse yourself to a private location.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will explore the properties of static electricity.

Materials Needed: • Balloon • Unflavored Gelatin Powder • Paper Plate • Wool Scarf or Sweater

Process:

q Pour unflavored gelatin powder on a paper plate.

w Blow up a balloon, and tie it shut.

e Rub something made of wool against the balloon for 10 seconds. The balloon is now charged.

MATH CONNECTION

Plan B = $40/month. The first 1,000 texts are free. Each additional text is 10 cents.

Plan C = $65/month. The first 2,500 texts are free. Each additional text is 10 cents.

Analyze: Based on the results and your family’s use of texting, which plan would be best for you? Why?

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

DID YOU KNOW?

c Tasteful Texting—Be sure your texts are respectful. Do not text anything you would be embarrassed or ashamed to share with everyone face-toface.

v Say Cheese when taking pictures, you must ask the person their

permission before taking his or her picture. It is not acceptable to take a picture of a person without their consent or permission. Do not share or post photos that may embarrass someone. If in doubt, ask first.

b App Allure—When downloading apps, be sure you are mindful of the cost and the amount of data that it consumes. Also, be sure you have your parents’ permission before you download anything to your phone.

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

r Hold the area that is charged (the part that you rubbed) above the plate of gelatin. What happens? Slowly raise the balloon. What happens?

t Next, alter the experiment. Try using flavored gelatin that is sweetened and gelatin with artificial sweetener. Try replacing gelatin with salt. Try rubbing the balloon with a different material, like polyester or silk. Change one item in the experiment, create a hypothesis for how it will change the results, and repeat the experiment.

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

AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, INVENTOR, AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: Jesse Russell

Jesse E. Russell was born in Nolensville, Tennessee, on April 26, 1948. He grew up in inner-city Nashville with his parents and ten siblings. Russell was an honor student and earned his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University in electrical engineering in 1972. He was the first African American to be hired by AT&T Bell Laboratories directly from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). In 1973, he earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

While at Bell Laboratories, Russell worked in the cellular and wireless communication field, introducing digital cellular technology in the US. He holds three patents for cell phone technology systems. He served as vice president of Advanced Communications Technologies for AT&T from 1996 to 2000. Then, he became the president and CEO of incNETWORKS, Inc. — a company which develops wireless voice, video, and data communications equipment.

Russell is considered to be an inventor, engineer, and business executive. He has worked in numerous professional organizations, presented at conferences, and received many awards. Eta Kappa Nuand named him the Outstanding Young Electrical and Computer Engineer Award. In 1992, he was named U.S. Black Engineer of the Year. He is a member of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc, Eta Kappa Nu, and the National Academy of Engineering.

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

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One

Figurative

Language: The sports section is a great place to find examples of figurative language. Use the sports section to find examples of idioms, similes,

of

without your cellphone or losing your signal.

Activity Two —

Fractions to Decimals: Use the newspaper to find examples of numbers that can be written as fractions, for example ½ dozen eggs, ¾ cup of sugar. Change these fractions to a decimal, ex: ½ = .5, ¾ = .75.

to decimals.

VaNetta Clark,

Golden

recipient, with students Areya Green, Mya Northcross, Patience Cunningham, Ty’Vaa Petty and William Bryson under the class I Pledge to a life-long commitment of excellence banner in the school’s hall way. Photo by Wiley Price/ St.

HealtHy Smile

WITH ATSU-MOSDOH

DEAN DWIGHT E. MCLEOD, DDS, MS

ATSU-MOSDOH Dean Dwight E. McLeod DDS, MS

This recognition underscores the importance of oral healthcare for children.

Healthy attitudes and habits are best to form at an early age, and the St. Louis Dental Center’s dentists, dental students, and staff provide positive patient experiences, which can serve as a foundation for lifelong oral healthcare habits.

Families with young children are welcome at the St. Louis Dental Center, which is located in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.

Parents and children will discover a friendly patient care setting with vibrant, hand-painted wall murals to delight all.

Cavities

314.833.2700 stldentalcenter.org/stla Facebook: stldental center

Support local patients in need by contacting Robert Behnen, ATSU University Advancement. 660.626.2395 rbehnen@atsu.edu

As soon as a child gets a first tooth, it is the appropriate time for a first visit to the dentist. New parents will receive education about

maintaining dental health through good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

Parents can model good habits by brushing their teeth and encouraging toddlers to brush along.

Throughout February, the St. Louis Dental Center is giving away a special Tooth Fairy Care Package. Celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28. An endearing tradition, the “Tooth Fairy” helps kids cope with losing a tooth and makes oral healthcare fun.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive oral healthcare and promote overall health for all patients.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

By Xavier Blackwell For The St. Louis American

Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

As a St. Louis native, I wasn’t surrounded by individuals as an adolescent who shared my current mindset that anything is possible. Growing up in North St. Louis on Natural Bridge and Newstead, I wasn’t surrounded by individuals who looked like me and were accomplishing positive goals. Instead, I was surrounded by unfortunate distractions that at any time could have changed the course of my life if I had chosen to participate.

As a young man, I can remember this burning desire to accomplish something great. I wanted to be the person who took my family to a higher level of thinking, believing and achieving. I wanted to experience a level of success that would make my family name be remembered for generations to come.

So I worked hard as a young black man to stay focused and

make good decisions. I tried hard to stay away from things that were going to keep me away from my vision for my life. I wanted more, and I knew that there was more out there.

I chose education as my path. It has served as an outlet for me throughout my life. However, most importantly, education has served as a personal guide and source to access the world. Although education is not the path for everyone, it can still be

n With discomfort comes new experiences, new challenges and new opportunities.

an option for your future.

Education has allowed me to be taught by some of the best and brightest minds in the world. It has also placed me in environments that have shaped me as a person and forced me to grow, even when the growth was uncomfortable.

As the Leadership Education coordinator for the University of Missouri-St. Louis, I challenge my students and those around me by simply asking: what or who is your why? And who will it impact? Success isn’t built overnight or without humility. There is something deep inside of us that wants to answer those questions, but fear

and discomfort prevent us. I challenge you to push pass the doubts, negative thoughts and grab ahold the endless possibilities with passion and pride.

The moment change happens is when we decide to lean into discomfort. But it’s all a choice. Are you uncomfortable yet? Are you ready for the discomfort? With discomfort comes new experiences, new challenges and new opportunities. We must not remain in the mindset of others’ insecurities and fears. Simply take the first step in realizing you are more than just a black man in today’s society, but a king with vision, purpose and possibilities.

Xavier Blackwell serves as the Leadership Education coordinator for the Office of Student Involvement at the University of Missouri- St. Louis and is the founder of Newstead Global, which creates trainings and workshops for international students who are transitioning into the American educational system.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

Columnist Xavier Blackwell

Business

Walgreens awards U. City 10th graders for video

Walgreens executives John Gremer, Linda DeFronzo and Scott Hoselton recognized Areanna Whittington and Taiyanna Clark, 10th graders at University City High School, for their video “The Me You Never Knew” in the Media Arts category of the St. Louis Walgreens Expressions Challenge at the Busch Stadium Cardinals Club on Friday, January 25. They won $1,250 plus $500 for their school as 2nd Place winners in their category. Walgreens awarded over $15,000 to St. Louis-area high school students, teachers and schools in the competition. See their video at https://tinyurl.com/Me-You-Never-Knew.

Michelle Tucker picked to lead United Way of Greater St. Louis

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Michelle Tucker was selected as the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ next president and CEO through a unanimous decision by its Board of Directors. Originally from East St. Louis, Tucker currently serves as president and CEO of Epworth Children and Family Services, where she was the first African-American and first female CEO in the agency’s 154-year history.

– Michelle Tucker President and CEO of Epworth to succeed Orvin Kimbrough, now CEO of Midwest BankCentre

n “It’s a rare occasion when passion, purpose and profession come together in this way.”

Michelle Tucker

“It’s a rare occasion when passion, purpose and profession come together in this way, and I am incredibly excited to step forward to continue driving increased impacts and outcomes for those in need,” Tucker said in a statement; she declined an interview until she comes aboard on April 2. “I believe transformational times require transformational actions, and when United Way calls, you answer.” She previously served nearly 20 years at Bank of America, where she was one of the

establishing chairs of the Black Professional Affinity Group in St. Louis and a member of the bank’s national Diversity Action Council. She retired as senior vice president.

At Bank of America, Tucker told The American in 2014, she worked closely with “non-profits and community partners to better understand community needs and challenges and ways we might help develop and execute improvement strategies through thought leadership, volunteerism and grant-making.”

Tucker has been actively engaged with United Way over 20 years as a member of its community investment committee and Women’s Leadership Giving Society. She also previously held voluntary leadership positions as a cabinet member of United Way’s Charmaine Chapman

– African American Leadership Giving Society, campaign chair of the Chapman de Tocqueville Society and co-chair of the 20th anniversary Charmaine Chapman Society Gala.

“Michelle’s strong understanding of the issues facing our communities, experience as a funder and CEO, commitment to the region she grew up in and her familiarity with United Way as a key volunteer were important factors in the search committee’s final decision in naming her CEO,” Rich McClure, chair of the board of directors for United Way of Greater St. Louis, said in a statement.

McClure said there was “a tremendous amount of interest in this position, from both local and national candidates.”

At Epworth, she oversees a staff of nearly 200 employees and programming that serves more than 10,000 youth and families annually. “I have a tremendous passion for the well-being of youth and families across our community,” she told The American when she took charge there in 2017.

“During her tenure, Michelle and the leadership team she assembled quickly improved impacts on our clients by elevating Epworth’s focus on quality programs, process efficiencies,

See TUCKER, B6

St. Louis Regional Economic Development Alliance is launched

The St. Louis Regional Chamber, Civic Progress and the Regional Business Council have launched the St. Louis Regional Economic Development Alliance, a subsidiary of the Regional Chamber with its own board and CEO. Suzanne Sitherwood, president and CEO of Spire, is board chair. Sitherwood also serves on the boards of Civic Progress and the Regional Chamber. The CEO is Steve Johnson, who currently serves as the CEO of Missouri Partnership, a public-private economic

The

of

business recruitment and expansion services for the 15-county bi-state St. Louis metropolitan region. To support this effort, regional business leaders have committed multi-year investments to provide the alliance with a $4 million budget. The St. Louis Regional Chamber’s economic development staff will transfer to the alliance,

which will share administrative and operational space with the chamber. Its 15-member Board of Directors includes Warner Baxter (Ameren), Ken Cella (Edward Jones), David Farr (Emerson), Bruce Holland (Holland Construction), David Kemper (Commerce Bank), Orvin Kimbrough (Midwest Bank), Rich Liekweg (BJC), Kathy Mazzarella (Graybar), Tom Minogue (Thompson Coburn), Michael Neidorff (Centene), Randy Schilling (Board Paq/OPO), David Steward (World Wide Technology), Andy Taylor (Enterprise Holdings) and Greg Twardowski (Whelan Security).

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) was appointed chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance for the 116th Congress by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee. The subcommittee handles matters related to rental housing, community and economic development, homeownership, rural housing issues, and government-sponsored insurance programs.

Chrissy Teske was elected the 2019 president of the Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter. She is senior attorney at Commerce Bancshares, Inc. The St. Louis chapter of the Association for Corporate Counsel, the pre-eminent professional development organization serving in-house counsel, was founded in 1987 and has more than 550 members who represent more than 100 organizations.

Terrell Carter has been hired as vice president and chief diversity officer for Greenville University in Greenville, Illinois. He will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive diversity plan for the institution, as well as work with faculty, staff and students to champion the importance of diversity and inclusion. Previously he was an assistant professor at Central Baptist Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas. Chonda Nwamu was elected to fulfill the remaining two years on the St. Louis Zoological Park Subdistrict Commission of the term held by F. Holmes Lamoreux. She is senior vice president and deputy general counsel for Ameren. The commission is the governing authority for the Saint Louis Zoo. It has the fiduciary responsibility for the zoo, as well as the responsibility for fulfilling its mission.

James E. Armstrong Jr. was appointed chief executive officer of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. In his most recent role as executive director at the American Diabetes Association, he oversaw fundraising, operations, program development, board governance and strategic direction for the states of Alabama and Georgia. He also spent 17 years with the YMCA, working at local associations and the national headquarters.

Rachel R. Jackson of Belleville joined the Board of Directors of Protestant Memorial Medical Center, Inc., dba Memorial Hospital Belleville. She is the founder and executive director of Project Compassion. She also serves on the boards of the Belleville YMCA, Racial Harmony and United Way of Greater St. Louis. Memorial Regional Health Services, the parent organization of Memorial Hospital Belleville, is a non-profit organization that is part of BJC HealthCare. On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican. com

James E. Armstrong Jr.

Chrissy Teske

Rachel R. Jackson

Chonda Nwamu

Wm. Lacy Clay

Terrell Carter

St. Louis to sell more than 500 properties for $1 each

‘Dollar House’ pilot program was introduced by Alderman John Collins-Muhammad

By Shahla Farzan

Of St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis homebuyers will soon be able to purchase some city-owned properties at a deep discount.

The going rate? One dollar. Beginning this month, the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) will sell certain residential properties in the city’s land bank through the “Dollar House” pilot program. It’s part of an effort to reduce the number of vacant, cityowned properties and revitalize fading neighborhoods.

St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, D-21st Ward, sponsored a resolution to create the pilot program, which passed last September. He said it will give people “an incentive to reinvest in St. Louis” and streamline the process of purchasing a cityowned home.

n “The one thing I hear from people all the time is that the LRA is difficult to deal with, and it is: it’s difficult and tedious to navigate the LRA process.”

of vacant properties in the city. The city-run land bank takes control of tax-delinquent properties and parcels that do not sell in public taxforeclosure sales for at least one year. Only a portion of the thousands of LRAowned properties are eligible for the Dollar House program. Buildings must be single-family residences less than 1,500-square-feet that have been in the LRA inventory for more than five years. Based on an inventory released by the city of St. Louis this month, there are 551 eligible properties.

– Alderman John CollinsMuhammad

“The one thing I hear from people all the time is that the LRA is difficult to deal with,” said Collins-Muhammad, “and it is: it’s difficult and tedious to navigate the LRA process for numerous reasons.”

The LRA owns about 12,000 buildings and lots — nearly half the total number

CollinsMuhammad said he has been working closely with St. Louis Development Corporation Director Otis Williams and LRA Division Director Laura Costello to determine the best strategies for implementing the program. One component of the planning process, he said, has been examining dollar housing programs in other U.S. cities, including Kansas City, Missouri, and Baltimore. The goal, according to Collins-Muhammad, is to “lay a foundation” to keep more people in the city of St. Louis. “We want them to know that

Vacant buildings owned by the city’s Land Reutilization Authority in the 4000 block of Evans Avenue. The City of St. Louis has listed 551 single-family residences with less than 1,500-square-feet that have been in the LRA inventory for more than five years that will be available for sale for $1 each with some conditions.

as a city and as civic leaders, we’re on their side,” CollinsMuhammad said. “If there’s anything we can do to keep you in the city of St. Louis, then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

Prospective buyers must submit an application along with a $25 non-refundable fee. If the Board of Commissioners approves the application, buyers must attend a

homeowners counseling class and use licensed contractors to make improvements to the property. Contact the Land Reutilization Authority at (314) 657-3755 or visit https:// tinyurl.com/LRA-Dollar-House. Follow Shahla on Twitter: @shahlafarzan. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Reform of Argyle TIF will return millions to schools, public services

On Friday, February 1, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen suspended the rules to pass Board Bill 226 to reform the Argyle TIF district.

The new law frees money from the TIF to be used for public services over the next four fiscal years, including $8 million for Saint Louis Public Schools and more than $17 million overall, according to estimates from Comptroller Darlene Green’s office.

“The redevelopment in the Central West End, especially at the Chase, has resulted in increased revenue for the city and this bill channels it

back into the schools and the entities who need it,” said 28th Ward Alderwoman Heather Navarro, who supported the bill. The Argyle TIF was created in 1998, when then28th Ward Alderwoman Lyda Krewson sponsored legislation creating a tax increment financing (TIF) district covering the Chase Park Plaza and the commercial area surrounding Maryland Plaza. The money was intended to bolster a new city parking garage, overseen by thenTreasurer Larry Williams. Law prohibits the Argyle

TIF district from being terminated until 2021, when the debt associated with the garage can be retired. Law does not allow the debt to be paid off early. But this legislation will make excess TIF funds available for public services.

“We desperately need to reform the Tax Increment Financing system to ensure public dollars support public services,” said St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, who supported the bill. “With over 150 TIF districts, how many others are taking away funds that could be going to our schools?”

Feb. 14 deadline for new ACLU fellowship at Harris-Stowe

Applications are due February 14 a new undergraduate fellowship program centered on social justice reform launched by the ACLU of Missouri and HarrisStowe State University. There are two Social Justice Fellowship tracks. Track I is dedicated to the Legal Department, and Track II is dedicated to Nonprofit Management and Operations. Projects may range from nonprofit management operations, legal support to public education to coalition-building to grassroots mobilization to policy-driven research.

Social Justice Fellowships are 12 months in duration and

begin May 2019 through April 2020. Fellows will receive Harris-Stowe housing, federal work-study compensation, an ACLU-MO end-of-semester stipend and other incentives, as well as course credit.

“This newly created fellowship, partnered with the academic education of HarrisStowe State University, will provide our students with experiential learning and space to develop professionally marketable skills,” said Terry Daily-Davis, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Harris-Stowe.

Since 2017, Harris-Stowe students majoring in political science, sociology and urban affairs have had internship

placements with the ACLU of Missouri.

“This Social Justice Fellowship will provide students from underrepresented groups, who are not well-resourced and wellnetworked, with an opportunity for direct, on-the-ground engagement involving issues they are all too familiar with,” said Elaine Sutton, legal support coordinator of the ACLU of Missouri. Applications are due on February 14 and must be submitted via email to fellowapplications@aclu-mo. org. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ACLUHSSU.

Photo by Marie Schwarz / St. Louis Public Radio

n “We cannot have players and agents colluding to stack super teams.”

— NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley

Sports

Mizzou, KU are unlikely allies in battle against out-of-control NCAA

~ See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Class 3 powers to clash

Vashon and Trinity will battle Saturday in Winter Classic

The Vashon Wolverines and Trinity Titans are two of the top contenders in Class 3 when the postseason rolls around in about a month.

The two teams will meet each other on Saturday evening in what should be a postseason-like atmosphere at the Vashon Winter Classic at 6 p.m. The event is a double-header that will feature Hazelwood Central vs. Bloomington (Illinois) in the first game at 4 p.m.

Vashon enters the week with a 14-5 record against a very competitive national schedule that has taken them to Florida twice, Massachusetts, Illinois and Texas. The Wolverines are led by 6’2” University of Missouri recruit Mario McKinney and 6’7” junior top 50 prospect Cam’Ron Fletcher. McKinney is averaging 15 points a game while Fletcher averages a team-high 18 points a game.

Earl Austin Jr.

The deep and talented Wolverines also count on 6’2” senior guard Donyae McCaskill, 6’0” junior Phillip Russell and 6’6” junior Kobe Clark. Trinity enters the game with a 17-2 record, which includes championships of the Vianney and MICDS Tournaments. The Titans feature an impressive young big post player in 7’0” junior Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is averaging 15 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.2 blocks a game. The Titans are also expected to get back 6’5” senior Jaron Thames, who also averages 15 points a game. Thames has missed the past three weeks with an injury.

Standout football players Marcus Washington and Isaiah Williams have also been four-year starters on the basketball court. Washington is averaging 10 points and five rebounds while Williams averages 8.8 points as the team’s point guard. Junior guard Rashad Weekly is a talented guard who averages nearly 9 points a game.

Confluence is on the move

Confluence Prep Academy is gearing up for a big

Last week, Anthony Davis set the tone for what is proving to be another frantic and frenzied NBA trade deadline. At press time, Davis is still a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. However, a reasonable chance exists that the six-time All-Star will have a new zip code by the time 2 p.m. (CST) Thursday.

LeBron James Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time making a move to go all-in on acquiring Davis. According to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, “the Lakers agreed to send their entire young core of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac to the Pelicans, as well as veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.” The Lakers also included two future first-round draft picks in its offer. In return, the Lakers would receive Davis, Solomon Hill (who has one year and $12.7M remaining on his contract after this season) and whatever players the Pelicans needed to move to make the cap numbers work. Many sportswriters dubbed the package as “The Godfather” offer, insinuating that it is one that the Pelicans cannot refuse. So far, that characterization has not proven to be inaccurate. The Pelicans have done just that – refused. Turner reported that the Pelicans demanded a whopping six-to-eight draft picks to move Davis to Los Angeles. That type of demand could signal that the Pelicans are not serious about moving “AD” before the deadline. The team could intend to hold onto Davis until the offseason when the Boston Celtics can jump into the conversation and offer guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

On the other hand, the team has

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

St. Dominic’s Ryan Foley (24) tries to block Cardinal Ritter’s Gary Clark (33) during their game at Ritter Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. The Lions of Cardinal Ritter went on to defeat the Crusaders 71-47 to run their season record to 15-7.

Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. was dealt to the Knicks for injured forward/ center Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks passed on Smith to draft Frank Ntilikina in 2017.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Mizzou, KU are unlikely allies in battles against an out-of-control NCAA

Politics can make strange bedfellows, but the NCAA has managed to team a pair of the nation’s fiercest rivals. The tandem could lead a challenge against the NCAA that permanently alters its future. Missouri and Kansas v. the NCAA. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

After a two-year investigation into academic fraud involving a tutor completing work for at least 12 players in three sports, Missouri was slapped with major penalties that include the baseball, softball and football teams being barred from postseason appearances. Unless an appeal is successful, the 2019 Tigers football team will be ineligible for a bowl game.

The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions wasn’t through with Missouri, either.

staff members,” as Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk said last Thursday in a written statement.

Yolanda Kumar alleged in November 2016 that she was steered by superiors to commit “academic dishonesty.” This included taking online courses and final exams for Missouri men’s basketball and football players.

Missouri cooperated with the NCAA throughout the investigation and the NCAA did not find evidence that the tutor was instructed or pressured by athletic department officials or coaches to do what she confessed.

A lot of good that did for Mizzou.

The three programs will have a 5 percent reduction in scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year, a seven-week ban on unofficial visits, a 12.5 percent reduction in official visits and evaluation days and a seven-week ban on recruiting communications and offcampus recruiting evaluation days.

Want more? Missouri was fined Missouri $5,000, plus 1 percent of each of its budgets in football, baseball and softball.

I’m not sure whether to believe that the tutor’s actions were “the action of one individual, who acted unilaterally and outside of the expectations that we have established for our

“It is hard to fathom that the University could be cited for exemplary cooperation throughout this case, and yet end up with these unprecedented penalties that could unfairly and adversely impact innocent current and future Mizzou student-athletes,” Sterk wrote.

The NCAA shocked Missouri on Thursday. It was Kansas’ turn on Friday. In a decision that rocked KU, the NCAA’s StudentAthlete Reinstatement Committee declared sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa ineligible for the remainder of this season and all of 2019-20.

During the October trial of Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola, he testified that he paid KU sophomore forward De Sousa’s guardian, Fenny Falmagne, $2,500. Falmange expected to receive another $20,000, but Gassnola testified he didn’t make that payment. That payment was to help Falmagne escape a deal where a Maryland booster had paid him $60,000 to steer De Sousa to that university.

he said in a written statement.

“To take away his opportunity to play college basketball is shameful and a failure of the NCAA.”

The committee said it felt De Sousa had no knowledge of his guardian’s shenanigans but hammered him and KU anyway.

“When a prospective student-athlete allows a third party to involve himself in the recruitment process, the prospective student-athlete is then responsible for the actions of that person, regardless of whether the prospective student-athlete had knowledge or if benefits were received,” the NCAA said in its announcement.

KU coach Bill Self ripped the NCAA calling the decision “mean spirited.”

“In my 30-plus years of coaching college basketball, I have never witnessed such a mean-spirited and vindictive punishment against a young man who did nothing wrong,”

Barring a successful appeal, DeSousa is probably done at KU and headed to a professional league.

KU, like Missouri, fully cooperated with the investigation. The NCAA said before it would review De Sousa’s eligibility, the school had to declare him ineligible and list Gasnolla as a “booster.”

KU athletic director Jeff Long said his school took that step “only as a hypothetical for the purposes of reinstatement.”

He said his faith in the NCAA “has been shaken.”

KU’s nose is not clean, by the way.

There is an alleged taped phone conversation in which Gassnola tells someone, “I have been going around dropping bags [of money] to that idiot Fenny in order to get Kansas to re-sign with Adidas.”

There are also text messages involving Coach Bill Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend that seem damning. One has Self saying, “I’m happy with Adidas. Just got to get a couple real guys.”

A transcript of a wiretapped conversation between Townsend and Adidas consultant Merl Code was read

in court during the Gassnola trial.

Code tells Townsend that Duke star Zion Williamson’s family is requesting cash, housing and a job in exchange for the player coming to Kansas. The conversation was not allowed as evidence.

“I’ve got to just try to work and figure out a way because if that’s what it takes to get him here for 10 months, we’re going to have to do it some way,” was Townsend’s reply. Williamson continues to play for Duke without a peep out of the NCAA. Of course, it is Duke. For once, Missouri and Kansas are teammates. The battle is against NCAA tyranny and the duo that will never be best buddies could do together something that has never been done.

Dolphins make splash

Brian Flores still had the loud cheers ringing in his ears after winning the Super Bowl last Sunday when he was introduced as Miami Dolphins coach on Monday.

Flores, who calls the New England Patriots’ defensive plays and serves as linebackers coach, saw his defense dominate the Los Angeles Rams in a 13-3 Super Bowl victory. He now will take on his mentor Bill Belichick twice

a season as a member of the AFC East.

“It has been a whirlwind 24 hours,” Flores said during a Monday press conference.

“I wasn’t in a rush to become a head coach. I had a good job in New England.” He joins Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and San Diego’s Anthony Lynn as the NFL’s only black coaches. Flores, 37, is the son of Honduran immigrants and he grew up in Brooklyn.

The Dolphins will probably be in a re-build mode for a couple of seasons. Flores said he’s up to the challenge.

“That’s part of leadership — dealing with adversity,” he said. “There’s going to be some pain. There’s pain for every team.”

As for missing the Patriots Super Bowl parade and the ongoing celebration, Flores said he is where he wants and needs to be this week.

“No, this is not getting cheated at all,” Flores said. “That was a great experience, but I guess I’ve always been this way — I look forward.”

The Reid roundup

The area sports media’s whining and Rams hate reached a crescendo after L.A. lost and looked bad in the Super Bowl. It was annoying and embarrassing … I was surprised retired Rams receiver Isaac Bruce was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. There were too many first-ballot inductees, and that hurt his chances…A bigger oversight is that former St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers head coach Don Coryell was turned down again … Congratulations to Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law and seniors finalist Johnny Robinson, all defensive backs, for their selection. Also, to be enshrined are tight end Tony Gonzalez, center Kevin Mawae, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 9. The Lakers are offering most of their team for Pelicans center Anthony Davis Washington Wizards owner says his team has no plans to break up its three-player core of John Wall Bradley Beal and Otto Porter. We’ll see … Beal was selected as an NBA East Conference All-Star this week and will make his second consecutive appearance at this year’s game in Charlotte … Charlotte, by the way, has more municipalities and counties surrounding it than the city of St. Louis and its booming without any talk of a merger.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is #aareid1

Alvin A. Reid

Brian Flores, who called the New England Patriots’ defensive plays and served as linebackers coach, was introduced as Miami Dolphins coach on Monday.

CLUTCH

Continued from C7 Knicks trade The Unicorn New York Knicks send Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke and Courtney Lee to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Smith Jr. DeAndre Jordan Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks. The New York Knicks front office has long been the laughingstock of the NBA. After the deal was announced, the franchise was widely clowned on social media.

On paper, the deal is not terrible. While Porzingis is potentially a “franchise player,” the 7-foot-3 forward/ center has suffered numerous injuries in his short career, including a torn ACL that has kept him out since last Feb. It is unlikely he will play at all this season.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, basketball isn’t played on paper. Even if it were, when it comes to New York, you must read the fine print. Jordan and Matthews equate to cap space as they will both be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. If the Knicks coveted Smith so much, the team should have drafted him in 2017 when it had the chance. Smith was passed over for Ntilikina. It should have been clear to anybody with working eyes that Smith’s talent was leaps and bounds above Ntilikina’s. Now it has been proven. After a year and a half in the league, Smith has averaged 14.5 points, and 4.9 assists versus

PREP

postseason run with a strong late-season charge. After a 2-10 start, the Titans received a big boost at the semester with the addition of some key players and the results have been smashing.

The Titans have won six of their last eight games, including a five-game winning streak to close the month of January.

The main man at the center of the surge is 6’5” senior forward Tavon Graham, who is averaging 18.4 points a game while providing strength and athleticism in the post.

Senior guard Tarrel Morris is

Ntilikina’s averages of 5.9 points and 3.1 assists. Now the Knicks essentially have dealt a franchise player for a draft mulligan. The move is a blessing for Smith Jr. Outside the shadow of Doncic, the high-flying PG should get an opportunity to cook in NY. For the trade to be a success for the Knicks though, several things must happen. First, the Knicks must land the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft so the franchise can select Zion Williamson. Secondly, the organization must sign two superstar players in free agency (or sign-and-trade) from the following pool: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson That seems highly unlikely considering the Knicks strike out more than Giancarlo Stanton For the Mavs, the deal was a no-brainer. The team was not going to re-sign Jordan or Matthews. Smith did not gel well on the court with the future Euro-GOAT Luka Doncic. Assuming that Porzingis is not damaged goods, pairing “The Unicorn” with Doncic could give the Mavs formidable cornerstones for years to come.

Sixers add Harris

The Los Angeles Clippers send Tobias Harris Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott to the Philadelphia 76ers for Landry Shamet Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks. Philadelphia is clearly not happy sitting behind Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston and Indiana in the Eastern

averaging 16.8 points while 6’4” junior Lyndell Hunt is averaging 15.6 points. Junior point guard Devin Phillips is a speedy performer who scored a team-high 17 points in the Titans victory over Lift for Life last Friday in a big showdown.

Alton standout commits to Valpo

Alton High standout Donovan Clay gave a verbal commitment to Valparaiso University (IN) last week. The 6’7” Clay is one of the top players in the metro east area. A versatile wing player, Clay is currently averaging 20 points a game in leading the Redbirds to a 17-8 record. He was the Most Valuable Player of the Chick-

Conference standings as we approach the All-Star Break. So the team made a splashy move to acquire Harris from the Clippers.

Harris received plenty of buzz as a potential All-Star this season, though he ultimately fell short of making the cut. Still, the 76ers added a player averaging 20.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game without giving away any immediately impactful players.

Harris will join a talented starting lineup alongside: AllStars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons; former All-Star Jimmy Butler; and three-point shooting dynamo J.J. Redick. Speaking of three-point shooting, the 26-year-old Harris is knocking down the deep ball at a career high 43.4 percent this season.

Similar to the front office in NY, the Clippers brass decided to cross their fingers and hope for the best when it comes to free agency and the draft. Leonard reportedly has strong interest in signing with the Clippers in the offseason, but it’s far from a sure thing.

However, even with Harris, the Clippers best outlook for this season was a #8 playoff seed and a spanking by way of the Golden State Warriors.

Considering that Harris will become a free agent at the end of the season, the move made sense for Los Angeles.

Other completed deals

The Milwaukee Bucks send Thon Maker to the Detroit Pistons for Stanley Johnson

The Pistons send Reggie Bullock to the Los Angeles Lakers for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a sec-

Fil-A Classic at Belleville East after leading the Redbirds to the championship of the tournament.

Continued from C7 points, five assists and nine steals in a victory over Belleville West. For the season, Love is averaging 11.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 steals for the 25-2 Tigers, who are on course for another Southwestern Conference championship.

Ladue Girls making waves

The Ladue Rams girls have been on an excellent roll during the past two seasons. The Rams advanced to a Class 5 district championship game last season and have followed that up with another strong season in 2019. The Rams are currently 13-6 this season with two championship game appearances in tournaments to their credit. Ladue won the MICDS Holiday Tournament in December and finished as the runner-up at last weekend’s Webster Classic against perennial powerhouse

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTeS of The Week

Quierra Love

Edwardsville – Girls Basketball

The junior guard led the Tigers to three impressive victories last week.

The 5’4” Love had 23 points and five assists in the Tigers’ 71-68 double overtime victory at Lutheran North. She also had 14 points and four assists in a 54-41 win over East St. Louis and 18

Wilson Cardinal Ritter – Girls Basketball

The 6’2” senior forward averaged 23 points a game last week in three Ritter victories. Wilson had 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 62-47 victory over Jefferson City Hellas. She added 23 points, 7 rebounds and four

blocks in a victory over Tolton and 26 points and six rebounds in a win over Gateway STEM. For the season, Wilson is averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the 13-3 Lions.

McCluer South-Berkeley girls win Affton Tournament

The McCluer South-Berkeley girls basketball team won the championship of the Affton Tournament. The Bulldogs defeated Bayless, Lift for Life and Principia to win the tournament. The Bulldogs are currently 14-6 on the season. The team members are (in alphabetical order) Taylor Brown, Myah Coleman, Latavia Davis, Taylor Jackson, Kyra Jones, Elyse Marshall, Kearra Moody, Anniece Norman, Marneisha Pordos, TiKara Ross and Nateonia Russell.

ond-round pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers send Rodney Hood to the Portland Trail Blazers for Nik Stauskas, Wade Balwin IV and two second-round picks.

Incarnate Word Academy. The Rams are dominated by a talented group of juniors, led by guard Jordan Peete and forward Mia Collins. The 5’6” Peete is averaging 16.4 points a game while the 5’11” Collins is averaging 15 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. Junior guard

To keep up with the latest deadline deals in the NBA, be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates.

Subscribe to The St. Louis

Kate Minkler is averaging 13.2 points a game. Senior guard Kourtney Hay averages nearly five assists and three steals a game.

On Tap this Weekend Friday, February 8

American’s YouTube page to see weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube.com/stlamericanvideo.

East Louis at Belleville West, 7 p.m. Alton at Collinsville, 7 p.m. Timberland at Fort Zumwalt South, 7 p.m. Priory at Lutheran South, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s at Cardinal Ritter, 7 p.m.

DeAnna

TUCKER

continued from page B1 organizational culture, talent recruitment and strategic collaborations,” said Bryan LeMoine, board chair of Epworth Children and Family Services.

Tucker currently serves as a member of the board of directors for Christian Hospital, Downtown STL, Inc., Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies and Nine Network Community Advisory, and she previously served on the boards of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis and FOCUS St. Louis, where she also was past vice president. She credits her extensive work with these organizations over the past decade as the catalyst for her move into nonprofit leadership.

Tucker holds a bachelor’s

n “We are confident in Michelle’s ability to lead United Way in serving our region.”

– Rich McClure, United Way of Greater St. Louis board chair

degree in English from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a master’s degree in business from Webster University. Her award distinctions include the St. Louis America Foundation’s Excellence in Business Award, St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Diverse Business Leader, YWCA Leader of Distinction (corporate), Professional Organization of Women’s Leader of Distinction, Webster University’s George Walker

School of Technology Alumnus of the Year and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Women in Leadership Award.

“Michelle’s experience as a senior corporate executive, her deep knowledge of the needs of our region as a corporate funder, and her experience as CEO of a large United Way agency make her exactly the right choice to be our CEO,” said McClure. “We are confident in Michelle’s ability to lead United Way in serving our region as the organization leans into new strategic and transformative initiatives on the cusp of our centennial anniversary.”

She succeeds Orvin Kimbrough, who recently left to become CEO of Midwest BankCentre after 12 years of service to United Way with nearly six years as president and CEO.

Financial Focus

By Veronica Coleman

Orvin Kimbrough was bid farewell by the United Way of Greater St. Louis and its board chair Rich McClure on Monday, January 28. He is now CEO of Midwest BankCentre, and Michelle Tucker will succeed him as president and CEO of the United Way.

Photo courtesy of United Way

‘Yeah man…’

Tony Scott returns to St. Louis radio thanks to 95.5

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

There

After three years in the Dallas market, beloved radio personality Tony Scott will be back on St. Louis airwaves as weekend afternoon personality for 95.5 FM R&B for The Lou.

The

Those St. Louisans who continued to keep up with Scott through social media gasped again –but in a good way – on Monday thanks to a post on Scott’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. “Okay, I hear you…I’m back,” were sprawled

Shakespeare in Reconstruction

NJT’s ‘District Merchants’ explores bias and identity in postCivil War America

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

There is a moment in New Jewish Theatre’s production of Aaron Posner’s “District Merchants: An Uneasy Comedy” where the show becomes interactive.

The Shylock character goes up to an audience member. He asks his name. The man replies “Michael.”

Shylock goes on to demean the man, replacing slurs with his name.

“You’re such a Michael. You know Michaels

can’t be trusted,” Shylock continued. With each insult, the smile that beamed from Michael’s face when he saw that he would be selected to engage with the actor diminished. By the time Shylock had spewed out the tirade of insults the scene

Through “District Merchants” an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Merchants of Venice” the audience gets a taste of the implicit and explicit biases that African Americans and Jewish people faced as the nation worked to rebuild itself following the Civil War.

This is the final weekend to catch

‘Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis’ at Saint Louis Art Museum. The exhibition closes on February 10.

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

As The Saint Louis Art Museum readies for the end of the “Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis” exhibition, Renee Franklin, director of audience development for the Saint Louis Art Museum admitted that she had never seen anything like the response it has received over the past three months.

“The museum really hit a home run here,” Franklin said of the exhibition, which ends on Sunday, February 10. “From working with Kehinde and thinking it through as to how we could connect with St. Louisans.”

According to Franklin, every single day since it opened in October, the exhibition has received daily traffic from all walks of life. Young people and old people alike. Black people. White people. City people. County people. There were people who saw the exhibition as a good reason to come to the museum for the first time in their lives standing next to people who consider themselves

Alicia Keys to headline

Dinner with the Stars

art connoisseurs.

“I’ve been doing this work for the museum for 20 years – and I think we’ve had a lot of successes creating points of entry for diverse communities to embrace the museum, and to think creatively and come to programming,” Franklin said. “But Kehinde, in my opinion, has been transformative.”

Franklin feels it was transformative for the visitor, the subjects of the exhibition and the institution itself by offering the black experience as we see ourselves within a mainstream institution.

“It is all about us, but it is also juxtaposing us in the art world,” Franklin said. It’s showing the absence so that you understand – and you see it big and right before your eyes.”

Curated by Simon Kelly, curator of modern and contemporary art, and Hannah Klemm, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art with research assistance provided by Molly Moog, “Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis” was Wiley’s first

Alicia Keys,

required, Michael’s smile was completely gone. The expression that remained was a look that was a cross between confusion and rage.

Photos by Eric Woolsey

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

black history activities

Thur., Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m., Hidden Figures in St. Louis’s African-American History. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Thur., Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Unfinished Business: From the Great Migration to Black Lives Matter. This musical documentary documents oral histories of African American elders. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Sat., Feb. 9, 10 a.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter presents the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. 10 a.m.: Peace Walk (Fountain Park); 11:30 a.m.: Panel. Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 367-1818.

Sun., Feb. 10, 1 p.m., Neighbors Impacting Communities invites you to a Black History Extravaganza. Storytelling, performances, and more. The Omega Center, 3900 Godfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information, visit www. blackhistoryextravaganza.com.

Sun., Feb. 10, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library welcomes Black History Month 2019 Feature Speaker: Ozzie Smith. Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

Sun., Feb. 10, 3 p.m., Blacks in America: 400 Years Plus. The topic will be Black Struggle, Resiliency, and Hope for the Future. Graham Chapel,

Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Feb. 16, 1 p.m., Fair Housing 50 Years Later Film Screening. Marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court decision and the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Ave., 63112. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents The History of Negro Leagues Baseball. Learn how men of color organized a league of their own. 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Thur., Feb. 21, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents Times’s Getting Harder: Stories of the Great Migration. Part of the 2019 Black history series: Black Migrations. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso. org.

Sun., Feb.24, 2:30 p.m., West Central Church of Christ presents A Black Heritage Month Musical Production Conversations at the Kitchen Table: A Look at Black Music & Song. 4662 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-0060.

Thur., Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., The Remarkable Story of Missouri Slave Archer Alexander. Members of Archer Alexander’s family will be present for the event. Maplewood City Hall, 7601 Manchester Ave., 63143. For

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

concerts

Sat., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Diane Reeves. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sun., Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m., Breakaway Productions & Witherspoon Entertainment present a Valentine’s Weekend Kick-Off with Will Downing. Special guest Lamont Hadley. Givens Auditorium, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Feb. 15, 8 p.m., St. Louis Music Festival starring Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Joe and Charlie Wilson. Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., The Sophisticated Soul Tour starring Lalah Hathaway, Lyfe Jennings and Raheem

DeVaughn, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., The Ready Room presents Bryce Vine. With special guest Kid Quill. 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.thereadyroom.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents The 2009 Tour feat. Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Mon., Feb. 18, 8 p.m., Travis Scott: Astroworld - Wish You Were Here Tour 2, Enterprise Center. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com

Wed., Feb. 20, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents Zhu. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112.

Sun., Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Ladysmith Black Mambazo. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sat., Mar. 2, 7 p.m.,

Breakaway Productions & Witherspoon Entertainment present a Valentine’s Weekend Kick-Off with Will Downing For more information, see CONCERTS.

Ambassador presents Ginuwine, Jon B., and Adina Howard. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 3, 8 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Aaron Neville. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 3, 8 p.m., The Pageant welcomes Sammie 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112.

local gigs

Sat., Feb. 9, 6 p.m., J&A Music invites you to The Love Affect CD Release Concert. Various styles of gospel music from contemporary to traditional. Medici, 2065 Walton Rd., 63114. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Distinguished Entertainment Group and 7 Entertainment & Productions, LLC present Luther Vandross & Maze Benefit Concert ft. Justin Hoskin And The Movie Proceeds benefit Looking For An Angel, Inc. The Jewel Event Center, 407 Dunn Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sun., Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Shades of Love. Feat. Nevi, Deveaon, Cheron, and J. Fitzgerald. Special Times Banquet Hall, 5950 Natural Bridge Ave., 63120. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Feb. 11 – 12, Sheldon Concert Hall presents Endless Lovefest. celebrate Valentine’s Day with Beethoven, Schumann, Poulenc and CMSSL. 3648 Washington Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. chambermusicstl.org.

Sun., Feb. 24, 5:30p.m., The Drew Project presents Urban Jazz: Celebrating the

Musical Mastery of Miles Davis. Feat. Dawn Weber and others. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136.For more information, call (314) 869-9090.

Sat., Mar. 2, 8 p.m., The Ready Room presents LA4SS. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. thereadyroom.com.

Sun., Mar. 3, 8 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Aaron Neville. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

special events

Feb. 8 – 10, St. Louis Golf Expo. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plz., 63303. For more information, visit www. strangertickets.com.

Sat., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., Blaq Pearls presents Wine, Dine & Valentine. Love and Laughter mixed with the smooth sounds of jazz is on the menu. 10832 Bellefontaine Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 1 p.m., Beauties & Bruhs Brunch 2019. Hosted by Miss Tiffany. Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, visitwww. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 2 p.m., St. Louis Area Voting Initiative invites you to a Candidates Forum: Board of Alderman President City of St. Louis New Northside Conference Center, 5939 Goodfellow Blvd., 63147. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., Feb. 17, 3 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., East St. Louis Alumnae

Chapter presents A Red Hot Affair Day Party Founders’ Day Celebration. Grand Marais Golf Club, 5802 Lake Dr., Centreville, IL. 62203. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Feb. 23, 3 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter presents the 2019 Jabberwock: Standing on the Promises Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Feb. 23, 6 p.m., The Women’s Safe House presents the In Her Shoes Gala: Roaring in the 20s. Bid on a silent auction, hear from survivors, and raise funds to support our families. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 772-4535.

Sun., Feb. 24, 1 p.m., The Sumner High School Alumni Association hosts its 16th Annual Membership RoundUp, Sumner’s Journey: Past and Present. Lifetime Members will be honored and as well as “Showcase Your Talent II”. Sumner High School. Individuals or groups that would like to showcase, please respond by February 5th at 314.345.2676 or e-mailing sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com.

Sat., Mar. 2, 12 p.m., 2019 Diversity Teacher Job Fair. Designed to advance individuals of color within St. Louis Independent Schools. City Academy, 4175 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63115. For more information, visit www.independentschools.org.

comedy

Feb. 7 – 9, Helium Comedy Club presents Tommy Davidson. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117.

Feb. 8 – 10, The Laugh Lounge presents Larry Lacaster. 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. thelaughloungestl.com.

Sat., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., Focus on the Funny: Humorous Vibes Only. With Jason Nelson and Marquise Moore. Key West Elks Lodge, 8745 Jennings Station Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

literary

Tues., Feb. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Emily Bernard, author of Black is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine. Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131.

Tues., Feb. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Chris Wilson, author of The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose. Special guest Jeff Smith. Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more

Kenya Vaughn recommends

information, visit www.slpl. org.

Sat., Feb. 16, 8 p.m., Saint Louis University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts and the Nu Art Series presents Jazz n’ Tongues: The Art of Music and Poetry. Xavier Hall Theatre, 3733 West Pine Mall, 63108. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Wed., Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m., Webster University hosts authors Lynn Rubright and Ted Green, authors of Oh Freedom After While: The Missouri Sharecropper Protest of 1939. A screening of the documentary by the same name and Q&A with the authors. University Library, 470 E. Lockwood, 63119. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

theatre

Feb. 8 – 9, Washington University’s Lunar New Year Festival. The show includes many colorful performances woven together by a play that will tell a story of this year’s theme, “The Strength Within”. Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.lnyf.wustl.edu.

Sat., Feb. 9, 6 p.m., Marriage Works, If You Work It Stage Play. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

art

Through February 10, Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit http:// www.slam.org/exhibitions/ kehinde-wiley.php

Fri., Feb. 15, 5 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries’ Winter/ Spring Gallery Open. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sat., Feb. 23, 2 p.m., Field House Museum hosts Speaker: Harry Weber Weber is an internationally known sculptor with statues of Dred and Harriet Scott, Daniel Boone, and more. 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. fieldhousemuseum.org/event.

Tues., Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m., Beyond Museums: Career Paths in Arts and Culture. The Kemper Art Museum’s third annual career exploration event features brief panel discussions with arts and culture professionals. DUC Formal Lounge, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, www.kemperartmuseum.wustl. edu.

Through Feb. 28, National Blues Museum presents Our Living Past: A Platinum Portrait of Music Maker Photographer Timothy Duffy provides a look at the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of American roots music. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For

more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.com.

lectures and workshops

Sat., Feb. 9, 1 p.m., Conversation on Arts Education: Innovation in Public Schools. Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. pulitzerarts.org.

Tues., Feb. 19, 5 p.m., Grace

Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Critical Steps to Take for a Job or Career Change. Learn steps to get promoted, interview techniques, and writing an effective resume. Limelight Events, 1378 S 5th St., 63301. For more information, visit www. masteritseminars.com.

Wed., Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m., The Scholarship Foundation

presents Decision-Making: Using Award Letters to Assess Affordability Understand college award letters, compare financial aid packages, and more. 6825 Clayton Ave., 63139. For more information, visit www. sfstl.org.

Through Apr 16, numerous Volunteer Income Tax Assistance & AARP TaxAide sites will open to prepare income tax returns free of charge. For more information, visit these sites: https://mctcfreetax.org/, https://stlouistap.org/, http:// naba-stl.org/vita/location/, http://gatewayeitc.org/index. html

Thur., Feb. 7, 5 p.m., Saint Louis Crisis Nursery presents Eat. Shop. Love. Bring gently used (or new) purses filled with toiletries, gas cards, and accessories to donate. Plaza Frontenac - North Court, 1701 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. crisisnurserykids.org.

Fri., Feb. 22, 5 p.m., SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital invites you to Glennon Style. Enjoy a cocktail party, fashion show, and concert featuring Erin Bode. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. glennon.org/style.

spiritual

Fri., Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Crosspoint Church presents Jackie Hill-Perry Live. 5001 Little Rock Rd., 63128. For more information, visit www.itickets.com.

Sun., Feb. 10, 10 a.m., St. Paul AME 178th Church Anniversary with guest speaker Dr. John Green, St. Paul, 1260 Hamilton Ave.

St. Louis Music Festival starring Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Joe and Charlie Wilson. See CONCERTS for details.

exhibition since painting the official presidential portrait of Barack Obama. He became the first black artist to have a presidential portrait (of the first black president) to hang in the National Portrait Gallery.

The timing of the exhibition was intentional, so that the buzz from painting Obama would spill into his portraits that gave the presidential treatment to residents of North City, Ferguson and other areas in North County by way of grand-scale portraits that were inspired by works in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s permanent collection. It didn’t seem to need it.

“From an organizational standpoint, I think it surprised some people that it has been as powerful and popular as it has been,” Franklin said. “Some people did not expect the exhibit to just explode.”

That’s exactly what happened.

In addition to the exhibition traffic, nearly all of the programming surrounding it were sold-out events.

Capturing and changing a community

“You have these eight-feettall black men and women occupying the walls where there are normally white powerful men,” Franklin said. “So [with this exhibit] we expanded the narrative to include everyone’s story.”

And as the exhibit title

across the top of an image of Scott with his hands held up. At the bottom of the picture were days and times – and call letters familiar to the faithful listeners of St. Louis radio.

“Sat. 3-6, Sun. 3-7, 95.5 R&B for The Lou.” Scott will return to St. Louis airwaves this weekend, thanks to Radio One St. Louis.

“I’m really excited to be back! Thanks for all the ! #min dblown#stl #stlouis #radio #stl radio,” Scott’s caption read the image read.

states, this story is a St. Louis story.

“Kehinde said that he was most impacted when he walked into a museum and saw himself,” Franklin said. “And I think that is happening to every visitor who is coming into the exhibition. We’ve never had a project like this. It really speaks to St. Louis – it’s really a celebration of St. Louis.”

Nearly a dozen paintings of black men and women, but people of all races have come and connected with “Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis.” People have been completely engaged

n

with the exhibit – so much so that they have had to reprint the brochure.

“I really believe that art can build bridges and challenge institutional inequities,” Franklin said. “I think that this is an example of a step in the right direction. Now I think the people who make the decisions, they are seeing the impact of including everyone’s story –not just here in St. Louis but across the country. This exhibition, we could take some lessons from it. It hit upon all those things in society that we have to work on.

The story of the artist, the story of the art and the subjects that inspired the work –Franklin saw first-hand in her work with the models that were featured in

He’ll return to STL airwaves this Saturday (Feb. 9) as the weekend afternoon personality.

The comments poured in.

“95.5 is getting ready to jam,” Sherri Robbins proclaimed.

Dee Levison agreed. “Can’t wait for 3 p.m. Saturday to hear you. Welcome back Tony Scott!”

It’s a sentiment shared by the powers that be.

“We are thrilled to have the legend Tony Scott back on the Lou airwaves,” said Nathan Dixon, Radio One St. Louis station manager.

He’ll join the likes of DJ Kut, as an elder statesman of St. Louis radio holding it down on 95.5 FM. Their full roster

“Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis.”

Brincel Kapéli Wiggins Jr., who is seen in Wiley’s “Jacob de Graeff” painting wearing a “Ferguson” ballcap, now wants to travel the country visiting art museums.

“That was never on his radar before,” Franklin said. This experience has changed his life.”

It had a similar effect on Lynette Foote, who was featured with her daughter in Wiley’s “Three Girls In A Wood,” the largest painting in the exhibition.

“I’m grateful that he chose me because there were several people and he only picked a few. And he had such an open spirit,” Foote told The American on the eve of the exhibition’s opening. Being a part of the experience not only fostered a new interest in art, but it compelled her to be more open with people in her everyday life and take more initiative when it comes to meeting people and trying new and different things.

“If it has changed their lives, it’s going to change their kids’ lives,” Franklin said. “This experience doesn’t stop with them.”

There are still a few days to catch the exhibit before it comes down on Sunday.

“It is community from the beginning to the end,” Franklin said. You can’t walk into that exhibition as an AfricanAmerican and not feel pride and glory and happy all of that.

“Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis” is currently on display at the Saint Louis Art Museum through February 10, 2019. For more information, visit www. slam.org.

includes the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Raynah Rey in the midday, Kut in the afternoons and John Monds in the evenings.

“His experience, knowledge of the market, and proven winning track record will continue the growth of our radio station,” said Derrick “Lil D” Greene, Radio One St. Louis operations manager.

Scott can’t wait to once again deliver his famous “Yeah man…” catch phrase specifically to the audience that listened to him for two generations.

“It’s a dream come true to be back on the air in St. Louis,” said Scott. “I really feel the love from the listeners and I’m excited to start this weekend.”

Tony Scott can be heard on 95.5 The Lou Saturdays and Sundays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. beginning February 9.

Blackness is not a monolith –and through “District Merchants” audiences will see that this has been the case since the origins of the AfricanAmerican.

“How does that feel, Michael?” Shylock asked.

“Not good,” Michael responded in a tone that might imply the moment was anything but what he signed up for when he was inserted into the play.

“That was about 20 seconds,” Shylock said. “Imagine a lifetime.”

As a Jewish man, Shylock’s own identity is hurled before him as grounds for unwarranted insult and discrimination. That moment is a microcosm for the entire takeaway of the production – and not just for the Jewish community.

Through “District Merchants” an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Merchants of Venice” the audience gets a taste of the implicit and explicit biases that African Americans and Jewish people faced as the nation worked to rebuild itself following the Civil War.

In Shakespeare’s version, a merchant is forced to default on a loan that he all but guaranteed to Shylock. Shylock’s unconventional collateral request – and his attempt to collect it –leave room for the audience to feed into the stereotypes about Jewish people.

In Posner’s version, that merchant is a free black man who must deal with stereotypes imposed upon him – both as he attempts to do his business, and in his inability to repay Shylock within the designated time.

Director Jacqueline Thompson, a black woman, managed to nuance the varying black experiences of the time by way of the characters within

New Jewish Theatre’s “District Merchants,” which continues through February 10. Blackness is not a monolith – and through “District Merchants” audiences will see that this has been the case since the origins of the African-American.

Antoine, played by J. Samuel Davis, was born free and wears his birthright as a badge of honor to distinguish himself from the newly freed. Benjamin (Rob White) has also enjoyed a freedom that was not enjoyed by the majority of the enslaved – and the ethnic ambiguity to mingle amongst the masses and

n In Posner’s version, that merchant is a free black man who must deal with stereotypes imposed upon him –both as he attempts to do his business, and in his inability to repay Shylock within the designated time.

experience a life where he is treated as a human being. Nessa (Rae Davis) must suffer treatment of a second class citizen; she has enjoyed comforts of living and working in the house. Lancelot (Karl Hawkins), a newly freed field slave, is treated by his employer Shylock as if he is still enslaved – but manages to display mercy, care and a love for the man who acts as if he owns him that is not reciprocated.

One bias after another is confronted over the course of the play – including those that make for complicated romances. As the African -Americans

and Jews attempt to co-exist and achieve the American dream, the audience is given insight on how bigotry impedes their ability to do so.

“District Merchants” is smartly directed – and brilliantly acted by its two leading characters that constantly blur the lines between protagonist and antagonist. J. Samuel Davis is masterful as usual. His Antoine is astute and savvy – and willing to risk his very life to maintain his status and reputation. He and Gary Wayne Baker’s exchanges are like a thrilling Wimbledon match – and Baker’s raw emotional monologues that take him from vulnerability and pain to willful defiance are captivating. As is the performance of Rae Davis’ Nessa. A fresh face to the local theater scene, the depth and range she offered through Nessa makes one excited to see what else she will bring to the table as an artist. The production value of “District Merchants” is on par with the acting and direction of the show. David Blake makes perfect use of the small space with his two-story, wood set that has a backdrop of the street grids of 19th Century Washington, D.C. Felia Davenport’s costuming perfectly blends with the tones and hues of the set.

New Jewish Theatre’s presentation of “District Merchants” continues through Sunday, February 10 at Wool Studio Theater in the Arts & Education Building of J’s Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur, Mo. 63146. For full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit https://jccstl.com/ arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/ or call (314) 432-5700.

Photo by Eric Woolsey

Kehinde Wiley: St. Louis Exhibition closes on Sunday, February 10

Community and art come together in Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis, an exhibition that is deeply connected to this city and informed by visits Wiley made to St. Louis in 2017. When you walk into Galleries 249 and 250 at the Saint Louis Art Museum, you are immediately moved by the beauty and enormous size of the portraits.

During the summer of 2017, Wiley selected eight artworks from the museum’s collection dating from the 1540s to 1920s. Then through a process he calls “street casting,” Wiley met people in public spaces such as restaurants, barber shops, beauty shops, nail salons and shopping in north St. Louis and Ferguson and invited them to pose for paintings at the museum. The 11 original portraits on view in the exhibition replace the white figures with the African Americans he met from the community. The individuals dressed in their own clothing assumed poses adapted from European paintings and sculpture. A signature element of Wiley’s portraits often features ornate and decorative backgrounds, which surround and sometimes weave around his subjects.

Former President Barack Obama selected Kehinde Wiley to paint his official portrait,

which will forever hang alongside other presidential portraits in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. This honor makes Wiley the first African American artist to paint an official portrait of a U.S. president. Wiley has held solo exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum, the Jewish Museum in New York, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. His works are included in numerous public and private collections. For more than two decades, Wiley work has addressed the politics of race and power in art, drawing attention to the absences and erasures of black subjects in Western portraiture. He has used the same process of casting African American, Africans, and people of the African diaspora in historical works in locations around the world, including Harlem and Columbus in the United States, as well as Jamaica, Israel, Haiti, China, Senegal, and Nigeria.

The exhibition has welcomed large crowds since it opened in October and we invite you to visit the Saint Art Museum for the closing weekend of the exhibition Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis to these large portraits of St. Louisans.

History Museum inspires by example

Program focuses on local leaders Tracie Berry-McGhee and Chauncey E. Granger

By Shakia Gullette For The St. Louis American

Historically, Black History Month has encouraged reflection, recognition, and commemoration. The world is forever grateful to Carter G. Woodson, who in 1915 realized that African Americans received little to no credit in history books. To rectify this oversight he and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH).

More than 100 years later people throughout the world recognize Black History Month, and ASALH continues to be a vital part of these celebrations. This year the Missouri Historical Society is pleased to present Inspiration by Example, a two-part program that shines a light on the lives of local African-American trailblazers.

Inspiration by Example is a collaboration between MHS and St. Louis native Samuel Word, whose focus has long been improving the lives of children. While working with St. Louis’ Caring Communities Program, Word discovered the importance of teaching his students about lesser-known moments in black history. In a similar way, Inspiration by Example seeks to recognize outstanding leaders in our community by reminding our audience that history is constantly in flux, and there are people in this region who are changing lives for the better every day.

On February 12, the first Inspiration by Example program follows the life of Tracie Berry-McGhee, founder of SistaKeeper Empowerment Center. Established in 2002, SistaKeeper helps young women find their purpose in life while growing their minds, bodies, and spirits. Besides serving local schools, this nonprofit organization’s outreach extends throughout the nation and even has an international presence in Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand, and Germany. McGhee delivers keynote speeches for girls and women in schools, churches, and youth organizations, and she has written several books of poetry and educational materials. Her vision has touched thousands.

On February 12, the first Inspiration by Example program follows the life of Tracie Berry-McGhee, founder of SistaKeeper Empowerment Center.

Inspiration by Example is a two-part program that shines a light on the lives of local AfricanAmerican trailblazers.

Tammie Holland, the founder of Tammie Holland Public Relations, will interview McGhee and get to the heart of what motivates her to be a national agent for change. Holland herself is no stranger to in-depth conversations. As an on-air personality for 100.3 the Beat’s Tammie Holland Show, she has interviewed prominent figures in the worlds of politics, fashion, and entertainment, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Will Smith, André Leon Talley, John Legend, and many others.

Continuing the theme of uplifting young people, on Tuesday, February 19, Chauncey E. Granger, principal of Hazelwood East High School and an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University, will inspire the audience through his passion for education. When Granger was promoted to principal of Hazelwood East High School last year, his first goal was to build and strengthen relationships with students and families.

Granger has worked in special education for Chicago Public Schools; as a teacher’s assistant; and as a truancy officer with the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education in Belleville, Illinois. Granger has also served as an assistant principal at Beaumont High School and as the principal of Hazelwood Southeast Middle School. He earned a master’s degree in special education at Saint Xavier University and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Missouri. Last year he was among a group of 20 young leaders who were honored by the St. Louis American Foundation, which recognizes individuals’ outstanding work in the field of education.

Granger’s program will be moderated by Travis Brown Sr. Before retiring as principal of Beaumont High School, Brown served as an athletic director, teacher, and coach for the St. Louis Public School District. Today Brown is an adjunct instructor of social and behavioral sciences at Missouri Baptist University. He is also the visionary behind the St. Louis Public Schools’ Scholar-Athlete Recognition Luncheon Program, which has honored more than 3,120 students to date.

The Missouri Historical Society is proud to offer thought-provoking and insightful programs that celebrate and explore African American heritage. We invite you to join us as we salute this region’s influencers.

The first installment of Inspiration by Example featuring Tracie Berry-McGhee takes place on Tuesday, February 12, at 7 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum. The second, with Chauncey E. Granger, takes place at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, February 19, at 7 p.m. Both lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Celebrations

to

from

Grace

The Walgreens Expressions Challenge is a peer-to-peer based “healthy choice” awareness initiative for high school teens age 14-18. The Challenge motivates participants to voice their opinion on critical life issues through creative writing, visual arts, and media arts. Walgreens awarded over $15,000 to

and schools at the Busch Stadium Cardinals Club as part of the Challenge.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less)

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School Class Of 1969 will celebrate i’s 50 year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles.. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@ yahoo.com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

Beaumont High School Class of 1979 is planning its 40 year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us!

Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Sumner Alumni Association hosts its 16th Annual Membership Round-Up Sunday, February 24, 2019, 1-4 pm at Sumner High School. Theme: Sumner’s Journey: Past and Present and “Showcase Your Talent II”. Activities: Reception 12:301:45 pm catered by Murray’s Catering, Angelo “Sax” Shaw, displays, souvenir items, vendors, and more. New, renewal or upgrade Alumni Assn Membership; program 2 pm. Bring canned goods for a Ville’s church food pantry. Vendors ($50 Fee). For flyer or more info, email: sumneralumniassn@ yahoo.com or call J. House, Chairperson (314) 420-3442.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High. Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

Congratulations

the St. Louis Walgreens Expressions Challenge Winners (front row, L-R): Alex Stevenson, Shillah Shah, Taiyanna

Clark, Areanna Whittington, Madison Blanton, Melissa Murphy. Back row, 3rd

right:

Becker.

St. Louis area high school students, teachers

New Northside Baptist Church and St. Louis Oasis host Open House

New partnership expands programs to support healthy aging

American staff

St. Louis Oasis and New Northside Baptist Church will host a free Open House at the New Northside Family Life Center located at 5939 Goodfellow Blvd. in North St. Louis from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, February 15. Participants will be encouraged to engage in class demonstrations and health screenings, as well as enjoy refreshments and entertainment.

Reverend Rodrick Burton is pastor of New Northside Baptist Church. The church and non-profit organization share the goal of enriching the lives of older adults.

Founded in 1982, St. Louis Oasis is active in 40 cities and reaches more than 50,000 individuals each year. Its mission is to promote healthy aging through a threefold approach: lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement. Its vision is to see that adults age 50 and older across the country have opportunities to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives.

“We look forward to working closely with New Northside to bring Oasis programs to the community,” stated Paul Weiss, president of Oasis.

“Pastor Burton and the New Northside family focus on providing services that promote healthy living. This aligns well with the Oasis mission of lifelong learning, active lifestyles, and volunteer engagement. Together, we will expand upon these rich offerings in the area. It is our goal to deliver exciting educational, health and wellness, and social connection opportunities for older adults.”

Whether a retired baby boomer or someone simply interested in maintaining an active lifestyle, adults now have greater access to high-quality programming on art, entertainment, health and wellness, history, technology and more.

To register for this free Open House or to learn more, contact St. Louis Oasis at 314-862-4859 ext. 24 or visit https://www. oasisnet.org/St-Louis-MO.

SoulFisher Ministries celebrates grand opening

The SoulFisher Ministries will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for its newly purchased office building at 7267 Natural Bridge Rd. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, February 18.

SoulFisher Ministries is dedicated to serving the St. Louis community by educating underprivileged youth and providing valuable reentry programs and resources to woman involved in the criminal justice system.

It provides quality educational support and enrichment opportunities for students in Riverview School District who have an incarcerated parent or are performing below grade-level expectations. Its AGAPE ReentryProgram promotes restor-

ative justice for incarcerated women by providing pre- and post-release reentry services, including supportive housing.

SoulFisher Ministries is building a network of partners to provide a holistic approach to student achievement and successful transition from incarceration back to the community for women.

The recent purchase of a new office building has already increased the organization’s capacity to serve more clients through expanded office space and increased staff, according to Shawntelle L. Fisher, founder and CEO. Likewise, it allows the organization to host meetings and trainings that bring the community together for further collaboration on greater community and economic empowerment.

The public is invited to join Fisher and staff in cutting the ribbon, touring the building, and enjoying food and drinks. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP to Fisher at thesoulfisherministries@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.thesoulfisherministries.com.

The Message

No discipline seems pleasant

There is a perception (right or wrong) in our faith that our suffering is an integral part of God’s plan to ready us for the struggle of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Many believe that suffering in some ways is a prerequisite for strengthening one’s spiritual muscle. I think it is more akin to gaining testimony than anything else. We all know how hard it is to respect the opinion of someone who has led the so-called charmed life. It’s hard, if not impossible, to listen to someone talk with authority about things they’ve never seen or places they’ve never been.

God teaches in a manner few of us will ever truly understand. I honestly believe that when He chooses you, when it’s your time, He has a unique way of communicating who’s really in charge. And it ain’t you.

When God is actually talking to you, I believe you know it. It may not be something you or I want to hear. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11. We are all in training to fight in God’s war. Whether being forged in a fiery furnace or stuck in a tailspin of perceived despair and hopelessness, each one of us is being battle-tested in anticipation that one day we will be called to arms. This struggle, these experiences, bring about a spiritual wisdom that from a spiritual perspective must be shared. It must be.

Columnist James Washington

When you finally realize the one trying to tell you something is God, then a wondrous thing begins to happen. You listen more intently and learn more eagerly. The possibilities seem endless. The mind says, “Tell me more.” The spirit says, “Thank you, Jesus.” At that very moment, God lets us know we’re able to withstand, overcome, rise above and win the battle of carrying the message of salvation. At that moment, we move from being in the classroom to being on the battlefield where Satan is playing for keeps.

You remember those days back in school when you actually studied and were prepared for the big test?

Confidence oozed from you. When God has been the lesson planner, the study partner and the instructor, it doesn’t matter what Satan wants.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12. Our job then is to recognize and represent, to recognize that the hell we’re going through is not without purpose.

St. Louis Oasis and New Northside Baptist Church share the goal of enriching the lives of older adults and are hosting a free Open House at the New Northside Family Life Center, 5939 Goodfellow Blvd., on Friday, February 15.

BABYSITTER

Family seeking a babysitter who has flexible availability from Mon-Fri. Applicant must have at least a year experience in the field,willing to complete a background check and have references. apply with your resume or cover letter to (azontogau@gmail.com).

Employment Opportunity

O’Fallon Fire Protection District

The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is currently seeking qualified applicants to establish a hiring list for the position of Firefighter/EMT-P. Application packets can be picked up at the O’Fallon Fire Protection District Administration Office located at 111 Laura K Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63366 beginning January 28, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. CST, and must be returned to the Administration Office by February 8, 2019, 4:00 p.m. CST (Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.). Packets may also be obtained electronically by visiting the District’s website: ofallonfire.org and downloading the application packet. Packets may be returned via US Mail. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is not responsible for any correspondence or mail that is lost or misdirected, or received after February 8, 2019, 4:00p.m. CST. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Small Missionary Baptist Church in the City is seeking a Pastor. Send Resume to:

ASSISTANT LEGAL

To handle the necessary administrative and organizational needs of the Legal Department under the direction of the Manager of Legal Operations. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ BABYSITTER

Full time job opportunity for a responsible babysitter. We need someone mature whether you are young or older, loves children, reliable and punctual. We need someone that is ready to work. Please contact us via email at victor@theharvey-usa.com

BUILDING MAINTENANCE/ FLEET MECHANIC

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the position of Public Works Building Maintenance/Fleet Mechanic. Must have experience in the providing a variety of skilled and unskilled tasks in the custodian care and maintenance of all city buildings and the maintenance and repair of vehicles. Must also have working knowledge of equipment, materials, and supplies used in building and grounds maintenance and minor vehicle repairs. A valid driver’s license is required. Starting salary $33,804 (W8). Applications available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave. from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00

SUBSTAINABILITY PLANNER II

East-West Gateway Council of Governments has an opening for a Substainabillity Planner II position. Starting salary is $46,476 annually. Please follow the link to view post at http://www.ewgateway.org/careers/

LEAD SALESFORCE DEVELOPER/ ADMINISTRATOR

Lead level professional position responsible for designing and implementing solutions that support business goals and objectives within the Salesforce platform. Serves as a mentor for others within the Salesforce Development team. Demonstrates advanced working knowledge and concepts of software development. Collaborates with SolutionArchitects and other product teams on Salesforce integrations. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

Are you a people person? Do you have Sales, Cash Handling, & Client Service Experience?

RBOM is seeking Candidates like you! No Banking Experience Required.Part-Time, Benefits, Competitive Wage, Student Loan Repayment. Job Description & Application at www.royalbanksofmo.com

FULLTIME CDL CLASS B DRIVER

City Seniors has a position open for a full time CDL class B driver. Knowledge of South St. Louis city streets, interacting well with the elderly, and physical endurance are basic requirements of this job. Must be dependable and reliable. Will work alone and in a team environment. This is an entry level position with starting pay of $11/ hr. The position is a full time (40 hour/ week) job, 7:30 am - 3:30pm Monday through Friday, occasional overtime on evenings and weekends. No insurance available.Candidates must pass extensive background screenings. Email resume, cover letter and three recent employment references to Jennifer at jbessdirector@yahoo. com, or call 314-352–0141.

LEAD TEACHERS

Lead Teachers with minimum of nine (9) college credit hours in early childhood, child development, child/family related courses leading to a CDA; or Current CDA credential. Please reply to Center Manager Linda Davis at (314) 679-5440.

TEACHERS

Belleville Township High School District 201 is looking for teachers in Math, Automotive, PE/Health/ Driver Ed, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry and Special Education as well as school nurse, social worker and counselor. To apply, please visit http://bths201.org/careers/

NETWORK

ADMINISTRATOR II

Responsible for designing and implementing a stable and secure infrastructure, providing Tier 3 technical support of end users, and administering Windows, Cisco infrastructure, and SAN. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the County of St. Louis (“LCRA”) is solicits bids from qualified firms for the demolition of certain residential structures in Wellston, Missouri. The work generally consists of asbestos surveys of all structures, abatement of asbestos containing material, demolition of the structures, removal of demolition debris, site clearing and grading. The project will be funded in whole or in part by a Community Development Block Grant under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect. A MBE-participation goal of 20% will apply to this project. LCRA will accept sealed bids for the work at 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, MO 63105, Attn: Howl Bean II until Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 3:00 PM, at which time and place bids will be opened and read aloud publicly. Bid documents and a complete listing of potential demolition sites are available at www.stlpartnership.com. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

INVITATION TO BID

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids for Structural Steel, Concrete Flatwork and Doors/ Frames/Hardware Supply scopes from qualified and certified MBE/DBE/WBE subcontractors for the following project:

Saint Louis University

SLUCare Administration Offices

Imagine Building and Drummond Hall

Bid Date: February 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm CST

Contact: Mary Peterein at mpeterein@mccarthy.com or 314-919-2171 for more information

Prequalification is required and can be accessed at https://www.mccarthy.com/subcontractors

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

LETTING #8689

2019 CAPTITAL MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT/CMRP –SIX (6) INCH MAIN IN MORGAN ST.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on _March 5, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

LETTING #8687

2019 CAPITAL MAIN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM –EIGHT (8) INCH MAIN IN BANCROFT AVENUE, CITY OF ST. LOUIS WATER DIVISION

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on March 5, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The City of Bellefontaine Neighbors hereby gives notice that sealed bid proposals for the SALT STORAGE BUILDING PROJECT will be received by the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri, at the City Hall, 9641 Bellefontaine Road, until 11:00 AM on Monday, February 18, 2019. All bids will be opened and publicly read aloud at that time. Bids received after said time will be returned unopened.

All bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope and shall be clearly marked, “SALT STORAGE BUILDING PROJECT”

The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities in bidding, and to accept the bid most advantageous to the City.

Plans and specifications may be obtained from Drexel Technologies, 135A Weldon Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 / www. drexeltech.com / 314-872-0900. A nonrefundable fee will be charged.

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

to be received by Forest Park Forever located at 5595 Grand Dr in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63112 until Feb. 21, 2019, at 1 PM for a Natural Playscape Project in Forest Park. RFP docs are available in PDF format at www.forestparkforever.org/bids or for copy at FPF during office hours. Equal opportunity bidding event. Women and Minority in Business are encouraged to participate.

BIDS REQUESTED

Rehab

Section 3 / MBE /WBE

Encouraged

48 Units Multi Family Marble Hill, MO For Bid Information: 636-931-4244 or leegreg70@gmail.com / nleoni@sbcglobal.net

Double Diamond Construction

1000 A Truman Blvd. Crystal City, MO 63019

BIDS REQUESTED

New Construction

Section 3 / MBE /WBE

Encouraged

40 Units Multi Family Cape Girardeau, MO For Bid Information: 636-931-4244 or leegreg70@gmail.com / nleoni@sbcglobal.net

Double Diamond Construction

1000 A Truman Blvd. Crystal City, MO 63019

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Adjust-to-Grade Manhole Rings. The District is proposing a1-year single source procurement to American Highway Products Ltd. Any inquiries should be sent to acooper@stlmsd.com.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on March 13th, 2019 to contract with a company for: Hydro Excavating Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9801 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on March 11th, 2019 to contract with a company for: HVAC Services for the Market Street Building. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9760 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Roof, Peery Apartments, Kansas City, Missouri, Project No. M1805-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 2/28/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for

Replace HVAC & E

n t , Petroleum Octane L

r y , Jefferson City, MO, Project No. O1812-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 2/28/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

Webster Groves School District

Is soliciting “Request for Qualifications” for Architectural and Engineering (A/E) Services. A single or multiple A/E firm/s will be selected to prepare the contract documents for the following projects:

DESIGN PACKAGE #1

Hixson Middle School Addition.

DESIGN PACKAGE #2

District Safety, Security and Accessibility improvements.

The Request for Qualifications will be available on the District Website on February 11th 2019 @ www.webster. k12.mo.us and can be accessed under “Need to Know” – RFP/RFQ Responses to the RFQ will be received by the WGSD Construction Project Manager on February 25th, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the WG Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. The owner reserves the right to reject all proposals

BID NOTICE

URBAN LEAGUE HEAD START/ EARLY HEAD START CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Head Start/Early Head Start Program is accepting sealed bid packages for contract food services for the 2019-2020 School Year. Bid packets can be picked up February 11, 2019 9:00 a.m. through February 15, 2019 4:00 p.m. and returned February 18, 2019 through March 1, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. to 8964 Jennings Station Road, Jennings, MO 63136, phone number (314) 867-9100 ext. 211. All bids will be publicly opened at the same office location on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. The Urban League Head Start/Early Head Start Program reserves the right to waive any informality and accept the lowest and/ or best bid for the agency.

BID PROPOSAL

Sprint proposes to perform equipment upgrades to wireless communications antennas at a top height of 87 feet on the water tower at the approx. vicinity of 710 Spring Street, Cahokia, Illinois 62206. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Jessica Cilento, j.cilento@trileaf.com 1051 Winderley Place, Suite 201, Maitland, Florida 32751.

BIDS REQUESTED

New Construction

MBE /WBE Encouraged 30 Units Multi Family St. Louis, MO For Bid Information: 636-931-4244 or leegreg70@gmail.com / nleoni@sbcglobal.net Double Diamond Construction 1000 A Truman Blvd. Crystal City, MO 63019

Notice is

forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

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

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 March 14, 2019 to contract with a company for: ROOF REPLACEMENT. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9797 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

The Habitat Company as a private property management firm for the St. Louis Housing Authority seeks proposals from qualified firms to provide Unarmed Security Services at seven (7) sites. For additional information or a copy of the bid documents (#2019-100), please contact kdoherty@habitat.com. Proposals are due no later than March 1, 2019 by 2PM CST.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice

Metropolitan

KELLER CONSTRUCTION INC.

Requests subcontractor and or

ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS, TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, BID NOTICES, SERVICES, HOMES FOR SALE & RENTALS

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

LETTING #8686

2019 CAPITAL MAIN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM – SIX (6) INCH MAIN IN KOSSUTH AVE. AND SIX (6) INCH MAIN IN PALM ST. CITY OF ST. LOUIS – WATER DIVISION

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on March 12, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice

R.I.P. Rev. Demetrius Stewart. My heart aches that I have start off on such a sad note, but it wouldn’t be well with my soul if I didn’t send prayers and condolences to the family, friends, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers, church members and all the lives touched by Rev. Demetrius Stewart. You never want to see any life lost, but the senseless tragedy of losing someone so truly and completely innocent pierced me to my core. It’s hard to see such a wonderful family man snatched from his wife and children and a man of faith taken from his church community. I’m praying for Shantana and their family and all of Demetrius’ circle – including Westside Missionary Baptist Church. He was an upstanding man who touched the lives of everyone he encountered. And through his service-driven life, he made this region a better place. He will be missed –and never forgotten.

And the 2019 Young Leaders are…can we get a drumroll please, because I am about to announce our latest cohort of the 20 young movers and shakers that have made a name for themselves in our region. I know the suspense has been killing you, so I will go ahead and get to the big reveal of the class for the St. Louis American Foundation’s 9th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Awards and Networking Reception. Chiquita ‘Coach Chi’ Anderson Crystal M. Carter Cynthia Chapple, April T. Cole, Jami Ballentine Dolby, Evan W. Fowler, Jeremiah Giles, Shakia Gullette, Jennifer A. Haynes, Andrew Hubbard, Darryl T. Jones, Dan Lester, Diana Hill Mitchell, Cletra Peters, Ash Rohra Jr. Dominique Scott, Shar Smith, Ana Stringfellow, Felicia R. Williams and Nytilia Young. In my first draft of this item, I really tried to list everybody’s titles and positions – and quickly came to the realization that I would need a whole other Partyline to make that happen. They’ve done some amazing things to have not yet reached age 40. I’m sure plenty of y’all see a name you know, so show your support by toasting it up in their honor. Be sure to grace them with your presence on Thursday., Feb. 21 at The Four Seasons. The party gets started at 5:30 p.m. You’ve got two weeks to get your tickets, but I would suggest you make haste because it sells out every year. For more information, visit www.stlamerican.com or call (314) 5338000.

Cheers to Tasha Fox and her Chick-fil-A. For those of you wondering why it was stop and go on Lindbergh last week, it was because my girl Tasha Fox – the first African American Chick-fil-A franchisee in the region – opened the doors of her Florissant store. Yes, the lines were long. But that wasn’t due to bad service. Come on now, you know the Chick-fil-A model must have been created by a team of Navy Seals. You will have placed your order, paid and received your food so quickly that it feels like blur. Her store was so packed because the folks came out in droves to show their support – and rightfully so. I’m so happy for her – though I’m not surprised that she’s making major moves.The sky is the limit for somebody who has the fortitude to win on “Survivor.”

No Sheryl Underwood for me. For the first time that I can remember since the comedy club has opened, I was not treated with the utmost hospitality when I hit up Helium to check out comedy veteran and talk show co-host Sheryl Underwood. Good thing my girl Jill Lovings was working that night and worked to get me some answers as to why I wasn’t allowed in – when as recent as Earthquake touching down during Snowmagedden a few weeks back, I was treated like family. In all fairness, I didn’t call ahead. But in all fairness to myself, I never do. I finally found out that Sheryl didn’t want any media at her show, but if Jill hadn’t assisted me, I would still be standing at the box office area watching a couple of associates be unbothered by my presence. Because Helium has been so kind to me for the past few years, I’ll charge this one to the game as an exception to the rule. As for Sheryl, I feel like she didn’t want her “too much for TV” routine considering her gig on “The Talk.” I don’t know why – everybody and their mama saw her on “Def Comedy Jam.”

FemFest 5 was fire. Can I just tell y’all about the black girl magic that went down this weekend at Fubar for FemFest 5? Women rappers, singers and musicians graced not one, but two stages to showcase the talent that we are blessed to have in this city. I must tell you that I got my life – and mostly by ladies I had never heard of before FemFest. We have some amazing talent flying under the radar. Big ups to FemFest for giving them some time to shine.

A blue light blast with Phi Beta Sigma. Snowmagedden meant that the men of Phi Beta Sigma had to hold off on their Shades of Blue Founder’s Day party – but it proved to be worth the wait. The Sigmas and their Zeta sisters had a grown folks get down Friday night at Polish Heritage Center that felt like a blue light basement party. DJ Len was hitting the folks with all the jams! Y’all know by now how much I love hitting up a spot and seeing the folks break out into a slow dance. Well imagine that and add all the folks in the place singing along at the top of their lungs. By the time “Very Special” came on, it sounded like a Sigma/Zeta community choir.

The Kappas kickin’ it wins continue. So, are the Kappas going to make throwing sold-out parties a monthly thing? I had yet to get their New Year’s Eve party with MC Lyte out of my head before they had the Machinist Hall on lean with crimson and cream Saturday night for their tailgate party. Now, I’ve been to the Machinist Hall when it was packed – but when I tell you that there was no more room up in there, understand how much I mean it. Mocha Latte, the evening’s hostess with the most(ess), had the energy on 10 – and it looked like she repurposed Damion “Super Ego” Mitchell’s bedazzled tuxedo jacket and made the cutest blouse. The turnup was so real, I’m eager to see what the Nupes have up their sleeves next. Actually, not even just the Nupes (see previous item for receipts). These Greeks of all ages are out here partying like it’s 1999 in these streets.

The fellas of Family Affair, Tef Poe and Corey Black showed love to the ladies, who were holding it down @ FemFest Saturday @ Fubar

Zetas Jacqui, Leah and Michelle showed their Sigma brothers love @ Shades of Blue Friday night @ The Polish Heritage Center

Heather Beal with Tre’G, Lauron Renee and Golliday of TLT Productions after their closing night performance Saturday night @ The Marcelle Theatre

Samantha and Jenni celebrating the girl power of FemFest Saturday night @ Fubar

The Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha kicked it with Phi Beta Sigma Friday night for Shades of Blue @ The Polish Heritage Center

Phi Beta Sigma is truly a family thing for father and son fraternity brothers Jordan Jr. and Jordan Sr. @ Shades of Blue Friday @ The Polish Heritage Center

Ivory and Terrence looking fresh for Phi Beta Sigma’s Shades of Blue Friday @ The Polish Heritage Center

Bianca and Shawn enjoying the ambience @ “Soulful” Turn Friday

Lacey and Marty getting their life from the woman power on stage @ FemFest Saturday night @ Fubar

Will was on the tables and supporting his lovely wife Carolyn at the opening of her ‘Journeys of the African Spirit’ exhibition Friday night @ UrbArts

Majic 103.7 personality BJ The DJ surprised his lovely wife Gina with a wonderful party for her big 5-0 Sunday afternoon at The Corner.

maxine Waters to keynote Dr. King Kick-off

First black and first woman to chair the House Financial Services Committee

American staff

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)

will give the keynote speech at the Kick-Off Program for the 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 8 in the Main Auditorium of the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Administration Building at Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. This event is free and open to the public.

A native of Kinloch, Waters is the first black and the first woman to chair the powerful House Financial Services Committee. Having served on this committee since 1995 and as its Ranking Member in the previous Congress, Waters sets the committee’s agenda in key areas affecting the economy, banking, housing, insurance and securities.

n A native of Kinloch, Waters is the first black and the first woman to chair the powerful House Financial Services Committee.

“The fiery and bold black lawmaker who earned a reputation for challenging Wall Street and major lenders during the housing crisis will now set the direction for a range of financial players, regulators, and institutions,” Charlene Crowell of the Center for Responsible Lending wrote in The American

“From monetary policy to the production and distribution of currency, and expanding financial access to affordable housing options, a progressive and principled committee chair is running the show. She is also expected to set standards of performance that level the financial

Dyson dishes on Dr. King and America

Race, black history and ideals for a more perfect union discussed at Maryville U.

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis

playing field and hold lenders accountable when they take advantage of consumers or discriminate in their lending.”

Waters spoke at the St. Louis County NAACP’s Freedom Fund Leadership Dinner in 2017, when she also received a Margaret Bush Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award, along with former Missouri Governor Bob Holden.

“As a people and community, we cannot sit back and allow our country to be destroyed by Donald Trump,” Waters said then. “Our resolve must be to unite and fight so that we can ‘rise together.’ And, in the words of the millennials,

history museum inspires by example

Program focuses on local leaders Tracie Berry-McGhee and Chauncey E. Granger

By Shakia Gullette

For The St. Louis American

Historically, Black History Month has encouraged reflection, recognition, and commemoration. The world is forever grateful to Carter G. Woodson, who in 1915 realized that African Americans received little to no credit in history books. To rectify this oversight he and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH).

More than 100 years later people throughout the world recognize Black History Month, and ASALH continues to be a vital part of these celebrations. This year the Missouri Historical Society is pleased to present Inspiration by Example, a two-part program that shines a light on the lives of local African-American trailblazers. Inspiration by Example is a collaboration

Presenting sPonsors

between MHS and St. Louis native Samuel Word, whose focus has long been improving the lives of children. While working with St. Louis’ Caring Communities Program, Word discovered the importance of teaching his students about

American When scholar, cultural critic, professor and best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson visited Maryville University for its annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lecture on January 31, he made a shocking revelation. He had never heard of Dr. King until the news came across the family television in his Detroit childhood home that Dr. King had been shot.

n King’s death was his introduction to Dyson. This may be hard to imagine for the generations since, who have seen Dr. King essentially deified for the work that would ultimately cost him his life at the tender age of 39.

“When he died, I had never heard his name,” Dyson said. “I was in 5th grade. My father was in a big chair like this one. On the TV it said, ‘Today, Martin Luther King was shot.’ Then on the television, I heard: ‘I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the promised land.’” A nine-yearold Dyson was instantly enamored of the words and delivery of the booming voice in the background as the regularly scheduled program had been interrupted with the tragic news.

“I was like, ‘Who is this, with such majestic rhetoric, whose words were like containers of the black pathos, and beauty and hurt and grief all at once, rolled together and compressed?’”

lesser-known moments in black history. In a similar way, Inspiration by Example seeks to recognize outstanding leaders in our community

On February 12, the first Inspiration by Example program follows the life of Tracie BerryMcGhee, founder of SistaKeeper Empowerment Center. Inspiration by Example is a two-part program that shines a light on the lives of local AfricanAmerican trailblazers. See HISTORY, D4

Dyson’s admission gave perspective to just how much the civil rights leader’s popularity had waned by the time he was shot dead by an assassin’s bullet in 1968. It had been nearly 15 years since he rose to prominence by way of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It had been

See DYSON, D2

Photo by Wiley Price

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) gave the keynote speech at the St. Louis County NAACP’s Freedom Fund Leadership Dinner in 2017.

Michael Eric Dyson discussed the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the black experience in America and the nation itself during Maryville University’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration lecture on January 31.

Continued from D1

‘Stay Woke.’” Waters said she sees her role in this unprecedented time in history as “opposing the most unqualified, the most dishonorable man to ever serve in the office of the president –Donald Trump.”

“Donald Trump is a bully, he’s a demagogue and a disgusting and indecent man who has no genuine concern for the African-American community and all they have contributed to this country,”

Waters said. “As Donald Trump parades around this country, claiming that he, and he alone, will make American great again – what he really needs to understand is that African Americans have already done more to make this country great than he ever will.”

The honorees at this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Centene Corporation, World Wide Technology, Rev. Earl Nance Jr., Adolphus Pruitt of the NAACP, and Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American

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five years since he gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington. It had been four years since he won the Nobel Peace Prize. It had been one day since his “Mountaintop” speech that all but prophesized his demise.

King’s death was his introduction to Dyson. This may be hard to imagine for the generations since, who have seen Dr. King essentially deified for the work that would ultimately cost him his life at the tender age of 39.

“I was astonished,” said Dyson. “A few minutes later, the news was interrupted again to announce that Dr. King was dead. The next day, I sent out for his speeches. This is when they had record players. I know you don’t know what a record player is – it went with a big stereo.”

Dr. King’s philosophy shaped Dyson’s young mind. He could still recite the words more than 50 years later. “If you want us to put a moratorium on demonstrations, put a moratorium on injustice,” Dyson recited King. “I’m tired of marching for something that should have been mine at birth.” At 12 Dyson used his own words, influenced by Dr. King, and won an oratorical contest against high school students.

His visit to Maryville was an illustration of how Dr. King’s words and ideals shaped and molded Dyson – which was a thrilling conversation between two brilliant minds as opposed to a traditional lecture. Rebeccah Bennett of InPower Institute facilitated an exchange that left as much an impression on Dyson as it did the audience.

“I just want you to tell us why you care so deeply about racial and social justice,” Bennett said. “And tell us why we should care – especially when part of the ‘we’ doesn’t have the same constellation of life experiences.”

The Contributions and Legacies of Black Doughboys

Sun., FEBRUARY 10 • 2pm • FREE

Join a panel of African American veterans from WWII to the present to discuss how the sacrifices made by veterans of the First World War transcended race and influenced the lives of American veterans for generations to come. Tues., FEBRUARY 12 and 19 • 7pm • FREE

BY EXAMPLE

Inspiration by Example is a two-part program that follows the lives of local African American trailblazers.

On February 12 join Tracie Berry-McGhee, founder of SistaKeeper Empowerment Center, as she focuses on empowering women to find their purpose in life.

On February 19 Dr. Chauncey Granger, principal of Hazelwood East High School, will inspire participants through his passion for education.

He framed his argument around his own upbringing, telling the audience that he is a product of “the church, the academy and the street.”

A native of Detroit, Dyson pointed to the deadly “uprising” that took place in his hometown the year before Dr. King’s death as awakening his consciousness.

“The haunting history of hurt and harm that I have both endured and witnessed to be brought to bear upon the kind of work that I do,” Dyson said. “I am sympathetic to and empathetic with those peoples who are vulnerable, who are not deemed as worthy of support from the dominant mainstream culture.”

He made the incredible ascension from his GED, to earning a PhD from Princeton. Now he is an author of 19 books and a sought-after speaker known for infusing popular culture in his dissection of topics on race, politics and history.

“By the time I got to Princeton, I wasn’t there to impress other scholars,” Dyson said. “It was to use that degree as leverage against the forces that hurt people of color and other American citizens whose backs were against the wall.”

He said he also wanted to use his position in academia to levy attacks against the forces of ignorance.

“Those fundamental issues drove me to be concerned about and pay attention to the issues of race in America and how it shapes us as a people,”

Dyson said. “And why it makes a difference for us to fight for justice to make sure that those barriers are lowered and obstacles are eradicated so that people can exist in their own bodies freely in a country that claims to be committed to the ideals of freedom, justice and equality.”

‘United States of Amnesia’

The conversation included harsh truths about the nation.

Dyson quoted Gore Vidal saying, “We live in the United States of Amnesia.”

“I would add that the theme song is provided by Barbra Streisand,” Dyson said: “‘What’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget,’” a line from “The Way We Were.”

And then there is the myth of a post-racial America.

“We thought we were living in an era where this was done. We elected Barack Obama. We have a black president,” Dyson said.

Rebeccah Bennett of InPower Institute facilitated an exchange that left as much an impression on Dyson as it did the audience.

“We don’t have to deal with the prison-industrial complex. We don’t have to deal with the Fair Housing Acts that need to constantly be renewed. We don’t have to deal with Mike Brown and the radical injustice of a community in Ferguson – that was being taxed unfairly and unjustly through ticketing by police forces collecting money at the expense of the standard of living for those black and brown people. Or Tishaura Jones missing the mayorship by 900 votes –whatever it was – and black men being unable to see their way to support a sister.”

Dyson said America is essentially a dream – a collective imagination that is the projection of the hopes and ideals of its citizens –one that runs parallel to Dr. King’s vision for a beloved community.

“At 34 years old, King uttered 34 words that have set the baseline for some of the misinterpretations of Dr. King,” Dyson said. “He said, ‘I have a dream that one day my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.’”

His “dream” was assumed to be a lofty, aspired achievement, but Dyson said it was actually a goal.

“A just, fit, moral America is one that makes space and place for every region, possibility, identity and understanding of the world in which we live,” Dyson said. “If you’ve been a victim of white supremacy and then turn around and reproduce male supremacy or heterosexism, you have not learned well the lessons of your own people. Their labor and intellectual energy made this nation great.”

Dyson said that America at its best is about that teeming, bustling diversity – one that makes us all uncomfortable and yet embraces us and allows us to be here.

“My ideal version of a fit America, of a just America,” Dyson said, “is an America that embraces all and lives up to its creed: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.”

2019 Black History MontH celeBrations

Thur., Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m., Hidden Figures in St. Louis’ African-American History. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Thur., Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Unfinished Business: From the Great Migration to Black Lives Matter. This musical documentary documents oral histories of African American elders. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Fri., Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m., The 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration.

“Protect the Dream: The Fierce Urgency of Now” awards will be presented to Dr. Donald M. Suggs and The St. Louis American, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rev. Earl Nance Jr. and World Wide Technology. Keynote address will be given by Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Harris Stowe State University 3026 Laclede Ave., 63013. For more information, call (314) 446-0288.

Sat., Feb. 9, 10 a.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter presents the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. 10 a.m.: Peace Walk (Fountain Park); 11:30 a.m.: Panel. Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 367-1818.

Sat., Feb. 9, 1 p.m., Black History Month Movie Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities,” St. Louis Public Library-Central Branch, 1301 Olive. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Feb. 9, 3 p.m., Creative

Kids: Great Migration Mapping, Children will listen to a reading of the picture book “This is the Rope” by Jacqueline Woodson and map out the family’s journey on a large interactive map of the United States. St. Louis Public Library-Central Branch, 1301 Olive. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sun., Feb. 10, 1 p.m., The Simply Greater Zeta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated presents the 49th Annual African American Arts Festival “Black Migration as Sigma Gamma Rho Moves Toward 2022,” Il Monastero , 3050 Olive

Sun., Feb. 10, 1 p.m., Neighbors Impacting Communities Black History Extravaganza. Storytelling, performances, and more. The Omega Center, 3900 Godfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information, visit www.blackhistoryextravaganza.com.

Sun., Feb. 10, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library welcomes Black History Month 2019 Feature Speaker: Ozzie Smith. Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sun., Feb. 10, 3 p.m., Blacks in America: 400 Years Plus. The topic will be Black Struggle, Resiliency, and Hope for the Future. Graham Chapel, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Feb. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library welcomes Emily Bernard, author of “Black is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine” St. Louis County

The rescheduled presentation of The 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration entitled “Protect the Dream: The Fierce Urgency of Now” featuring St. Louis native Congresswoman Maxine Waters will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at Harris-Stowe State University.

Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh. For more information, visit www.slcl.org

Tues., Feb. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Chris Wilson, author of The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose. Special guest Jeff Smith. St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Feb. 16, 12 noon, Delta Sigma Theta Black History

Month Author Celebration, Meet authors from the Delta Sigma Theta St. Louis Alumnae Chapter as they discuss their books. Featured authors include Jo Lena Johnson, author of “Broken Conditions;” Candice Cox, author of children’s book “Please Oh Please Be Patient With Me;” Yvonne Yvette Thomas, author of “Matters of the Heart: Ten Episodes of Purpose;” Kim Burke, author of “It’s Growth Time!: 6 Intentional Personal Growth Strategies That Will Set You Up For Greatness;” and Dr.

Camesha Hill-Carter, author of “I Am Woman: Defining Womanhood and Identity (Volume 1).” Books will be available for purchase. St. Louis County Library – Lewis & Clark Branch, For more information, visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Feb. 16, 1 p.m., Fair Housing 50 Years Later Film Screening. Marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court decision and the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Missouri History Museum,

5700 Lindell Ave., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Feb. 16, 4 p.m. Opening reception for St. Louis artist Damon Davis’ exhibition ‘Negrophilia,’ Gallery 210 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “Negrophilia” will remain at Gallery 210 until May 11, Gallery 210 on UMSL’s North Campus. For more information, visit http:// gallery210.umsl.edu/

Tues., Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Picture Yourself in History, Teens will learn about the Harlem Renaissance and Photoshop themselves with notable artists and influential figures of the times. Teens will receive a framed copy. St. Louis Public Library-Central Branch, 1301 Olive. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Tues., Feb. 19, 5 p.m., In the Footsteps of the Great Migration, Explore the Great Migration in this interactive program that takes you along the three major streams of migration. St. Louis Public Library-Barr Branch, 1701 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Wed., Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m., Webster University hosts authors Lynn Rubright and Ted Green, authors of Oh Freedom After While: The Missouri Sharecropper Protest of 1939. A screening of the documentary by the same name and Q&A with the authors. University Library, 470 E. Lockwood, 63119. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Thurs., Feb. 21, 9 a.m., Hazelwood Central High School Black History Celebration, Guest speakers include KSDK Meteorologist Anthony Slaughter, St. Louis

St. Louis County Library welcomes Emily Bernard, author of “Black is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine” to St. Louis County Library Headquarters at 7 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 12.

County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, and St. Louis Surge Team Owner Khalia Collier. 15875 New Halls Ferry Road.

Tues., Feb. 21, 4 p.m., Creative Kids: Can You Paint Like Jacob Lawrence?

St. Louis Public Library –Carondelet Branch, 6800 Michigan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Tues., Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m., Creative Kids: Can You Paint Like Jacob Lawrence?

St. Louis Public Library –Carpenter Branch, 3309 S Grand Blvd. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Thur., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents The History of Negro Leagues Baseball. Learn how men of color organized a league of their own. 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Thur., Feb. 21, 7 p.m.,

St. Louis Public Library presents Times’s Getting Harder: Stories of the Great Migration. Part of the 2019 Black history series: Black Migrations. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. slpl.org.

Fri., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso.org.

Sat., Feb. 23, 1 p.m. Gift of Gospel featuring Singer/ songwriter, Stellar Award nominee and Billboard chart topping gospel artist Cheneta Jones and The Youth Gospel Music Conference Choir. Pastor Shaun Williams will emcee the program. St. Louis County Library – Florissant Valley Branch, 195 New Florissant Rd., S. For more information, visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., “John Lewis: Get in the Way.” The first major documentary biography of John Lewis, civil rights hero, congressional leader and champion of human rights whose unwavering fight for justice spans the past 50 years. The film showcases

never-before-seen footage shot over 20 years. St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., “The East St. Louis Race Riot of 1917: Look How Far We’ve Come,” in 2017, Centennial Commission and Cultural Initiative sponsored activities throughout the year that focused on the riot. Hear remarks by speakers, Dr. Andrew Theising and Edmond Brown St. Louis Public Library-Walnut Park Branch, 5760 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63120. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sun., Feb. 24, 2 p.m., St. Louis County NAACP 15th Annual Rosa Parks Celebration, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 13820 Old Jamestown Rd.

Wed., Feb. 27, 4 p.m., The Great Migration: You Choose, kids will create an

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by reminding our audience that history is constantly in flux, and there are people in this region who are changing lives for the better every day.

On February 12, the first Inspiration by Example program follows the life of Tracie Berry-McGhee, founder of SistaKeeper Empowerment Center. Established in 2002, SistaKeeper helps young women find their purpose in life while growing their minds, bodies, and spirits. Besides serving local schools, this nonprofit organization’s outreach extends throughout the nation and even has an international presence in Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand, and Germany. McGhee delivers keynote speeches for girls and women in schools, churches, and youth organizations, and she has written several books of poetry and educational materials. Her vision has touched thousands.

interactive story and find out where their choices will lead them. St. Louis Public Library – Kingshighway Branch, 2260 S Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Wed., Feb. 27, 6 p.m., Great Migration: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back, SLPL and Mack Williams of History To You, Inc., looks at the Great Migration. St. Louis Public Library-Julia Davis Branch, 4415 Natural Bridge Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115. For more information, visit www. slpl.org.

Through Feb. 28, National Blues Museum presents Our Living Past: A Platinum Portrait of Music Maker Photographer Timothy Duffy provides a look at the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of American roots music. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.com.

Tammie Holland, the founder of Tammie Holland Public Relations, will interview McGhee and get to the heart of what motivates her to be a national agent for change. Holland herself is no stranger to in-depth conversations. As an on-air personality for 100.3 the Beat’s Tammie Holland Show, she has interviewed prominent figures in the worlds of politics, fashion, and entertainment, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Will Smith, André Leon Talley, John Legend, and many others.

Continuing the theme of uplifting young people, on Tuesday, February 19, Chauncey E. Granger, principal of Hazelwood East High School and an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University, will inspire the audience through his passion for education. When Granger was promoted to principal of Hazelwood East High School last year, his first goal

was to build and strengthen relationships with students and families. Granger has worked in special education for Chicago Public Schools; as a teacher’s assistant; and as a truancy officer with the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education in Belleville, Illinois. Granger has also served as an assistant principal at Beaumont High School and as the principal of Hazelwood Southeast Middle School. He earned a master’s degree in special education at Saint Xavier University and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Missouri. Last year he was among a group of 20 young leaders who were honored by the St. Louis American Foundation, which recognizes individuals’ outstanding work in the field of education. Granger’s program will be moderated by Travis Brown Sr. Before retiring as principal of Beaumont High School, Brown served as an athletic director, teacher, and coach for the St. Louis Public School District. Today Brown is an adjunct instructor of social and behavioral sciences at Missouri Baptist University. He is also the visionary behind the St. Louis Public Schools’ ScholarAthlete Recognition Luncheon Program, which has honored more than 3,120 students to date.

The Missouri Historical Society is proud to offer thought-provoking and insightful programs that celebrate and explore African American heritage. We invite you to join us as we salute this region’s influencers.

The first installment of Inspiration by Example featuring Tracie Berry-McGhee takes place on Tuesday, February 12, at 7 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum. The second, with Chauncey E. Granger, takes place at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, February 19, at 7 p.m. Both lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.