February 9th, 2017 Edition

Young leaders to be honored

Jason Kander endorses Tishaura Jones for mayor

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Predicts turnout of 50K voters, narrow victory for Tishaura Jones on March 7

Council divided over blighting

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

It has only been about seven months since Rick Stevens took the helm at BJC HealthCare’s Christian Hospital, but he already can report progress for patients and the communities the North County hospital serves, including new hires, refurbished spaces and new community outreach programs designed to create future generations of health care professionals.

“We’ve already been able to recruit at least five new physicians coming here, two cardiologists, two hospitalists and a vascular surgeon,” Stevens said. “That means more care, better care for our patients.”

is located – “put a communication in to ask for [a blighting bill] to be written, but dropped it last night” before the council’s Tuesday, February 7 session, according to Patrick Mulcahy, Dolan’s executive assistant.

Tishaura O. Jones and Jared Boyd, her chief of staff in the St. Louis Treasurer’s Office, met with a team from the Common Cents Lab at Duke University on Tuesday, February 7 to begin a partnership with the College Kids Children’s Savings Account Program that Jones instituted. Common Cents will help the Treasurer’s Office determine ways to get College Kids participants to increase their savings. Back to camera: Mariel Beasley, co-director of the Common Cents Lab, and Erin Thiemann, College Kids Savings Account coordinator.

Photo by Wiley Price

See TISHAURA, A7

CHRISTIAN, A7

Photo by Wiley Price

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Christian Hospital President Rick Stevens

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

J. Anthony Brown joining ‘Steve Harvey Morning Show?’

Several outlets are reporting that Steve Harvey has hired longtime “Tom Joyner Morning Show” radio personality J. Anthony Brown for his own radio show.

Brown left Joyner’s show last year after more than 20 years as the program’s beloved sidekick.

According to the New York Daily News, the move comes not long after Joyner encouraged those upset with Harvey’s meeting with Donald Trump to tune in to his show instead of Harvey’s.

Brown famously walked off of Joyner’s show live on air last year, but returned to the program.

He officially left The Tom Joyner Morning Show this past December. There has been no official word of Brown’s start date with “The Steve Harvey Morning

Show,” though the New York Daily News says the comedian is planning to start “any day now.”

The Game gets no jail time over sucker punch

According to several reports, rapper The Game took a plea deal for punching an off-duty police officer during a pick-up basketball game last year and will serve no jail time.

YouTube personality Messy Mya, just filed suit against Beyoncé for allegedly sampling from his 2010 video “A 27 Piece Huh?” without permission for her hit song “Formation” –which has been certified gold.

“The estate goes on to claim they tried talking to Beyoncé about the sample, but says she blew them off,” TMZ said. “Now, the estate is asking for more than $20,000,000 in back royalties and other damages.

Barré was fatally shot in 2010 –at the height of his popularity

The rapper pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal threat charges and was sentenced to 120 days of community service, anger management, three years of probation and 180 days in jail, which were immediately suspended.

The Game could face up to six months in jail if he violates the conditions of his plea deal.

Messy Mya’s family files $20M suit against Beyoncé

According to TMZ.com, the estate of Anthony Barré, better known as late

Al Roker enraged with NBC over show cancellation

Last week, NBC news correspondent Tamron Hall walked away from a $2 million deal after her top-rated morning show with Al Roker was canceled to make room for former Fox News personality Megyn Kelly

According to The Daily Mail, Roker is furious with about their show getting chopped.

“The news of their cancellation was announced to Roker and Hall on same day it was confirmed that they had beaten Live with Kelly in the key demo for the month of January, according to an insider,” The Daily Mail said. “And they had won they key demo for eight straight weeks when ‘Today’ decided to inform them of the [Megyn] Kelly news. Al and Tamron were told Friday after Today ended

and just a few minutes before she was going on air to host MSNBC live. Hall walked away from the money on Tuesday.”

“Al’s upset because it’s his friend, but he’s also upset because he lost the show,” The Daily Mail continued. “And this is the second time the network has done this to him.”

NBC is said to have paid Kelly in the upwards of $12 million.

Mathew Knowles was the last to know about Beyoncé baby bump

Mathew Knowles admitted that he had no idea his daughter Beyoncé was pregnant until his students at Texas Southern University told him.

“I was shocked. Let me tell you what happened. I got a first text, and I was like, ‘Why is this person saying congratulations,” Knowles to The Insider. “Then I get a second text from one of my students at Texas Southern, and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He was like, ‘Go to the web.’ I didn’t know myself.’

Mathew later congratulated Beyoncé online with an Instagram video post.

“Thank you for your blessings and your well wishes,” Mathew said. “I’m the happiest grandfather in the world. Congratulations Beyoncé and Jay.”

Sources: New York Daily News, The Insider, Instagram, The Daily Mail, TMZ.com

Messy Mya

The Game

Pattonville senior is off to the U.S. Senate

Keturah Gadson selected for United States Senate Youth Program

By Chris

King

Of The St. Louis American

Keturah Gadson, a senior at Pattonville High School, was one of two Missouri students selected as delegates to the 55th annual United States Senate Youth Program, which will be held March 4-11 in Washington, D.C. Gadson and Andrew Stewart Pogue of Clinton were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 55th annual Washington Week.

The impetus for the program, as stated in U.S. Senate testimony, is “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”

I know I will be inspired immensely by the other delegates and all of their amazing accomplishments, and that I will have something to learn from everyone and their inputs and insight on American government,” Gadson told The American

“The delegates currently have a very large group message going and already the conversations have ranged from wondering about each other’s accents to discussing Israel and Palestine, the election, and other political topics that I have never had the opportunity to discuss in such an open forum with my peers.”

Politics is not new to Gadson. She is senior class vice president at Pattonville High School and serves as the student representative and board president of the Student Administrative Action Committee. She also is president and founder of Triple-A (African American Achievers). Her other activities include three

Education Activity – to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.

Originally proposed by U.S. Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the United States Senate Youth Program was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the U.S. Senate. It is fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception.

In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations.

Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s Missouri delegates and alternates were designated by Commissioner of Education Margaret M. Vandeven.

Investments in transit drive economic growth

By Kimberly Cella Guest columnist

As we examine Missouri’s economic future, it’s important to realize funds to develop infrastructure are key. Now is the time for our newly elected state leaders to commit to developing and implementing a total transportation package that includes investment in public transit.

Investments in transit drive economic growth – improving access to opportunity, attracting talent and creating thousands of jobs. Unfortunately, our state is currently spending just 17 cents per capita on transit, and that’s not enough to keep Missouri moving forward.

years of executive board service for her debate team and summer school tutoring in Normandy Middle School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Rho Kappa Honor Society. She also is a Girls State alumna, a Coca Cola Scholars semifinalist and an AllState Band clarinetist.

“My future plans are to attend a four-year university and to go to graduate school. Although I am undecided, I have strong interests in computer science, educational policy, and eventually law,” she told The American “My greatest aspiration has

always been to be able to do work that will impact an area of societal need and to inspire others. I am currently most passionate about helping to bring about education reform in a capacity where I can be most beneficial, whether this means I will eventually take up a position in government, be a researcher of new educational strategies, or start a nonprofit organization.

Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense

While in Washington, student delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, congressional staff, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

For general information about the United States Senate Youth Program, contact Program Director Rayne Guilford at (800) 425-3632 or rguilford@hearstfdn.org or visit www.ussenateyouth.org.

Growth and development patterns are greatly impacted by our decisions on how and where to invest in our transportation infrastructure. For example, public transit dollars invested in mature communities are playing a key role in urban revitalization and redevelopment. This can be seen in Kansas City, where more than $1.7 billion in development has occurred along the recently opened Streetcar alignment. Meanwhile, in rural communities, investment in transit is providing greater access to jobs, education and quality healthcare. At this time, Missouri transit purveyors provide more than 67 million trips annually. But, as these providers deal with the effects of chronic underinvestment in capital assets and infrastructure improvements, many are being forced to drastically cut back on services they offer, leaving residents without access to critical employment, educational and healthcare services.

Missouri residents need well-resourced, well-operated transit options, and our newly elected leaders have the opportunity to help secure the future of both the state’s public transit system and its bottom line.

Kimberly Cella is the executive director of the Missouri Public Transit Association representing more than 30 transit providers across the State of Missouri. Cella is also the executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit, the regional transit advocacy organization in St. Louis.

Keturah Gadson, a senior at Pattonville High School, was one of two Missouri students selected as delegates to the 55th annual United States Senate Youth Program.

Guest Columnist

Kimberly Cella

Editorial /CommEntary

Tale of two endorsements: Slay for Krewson, Kander for Jones

When Mayor Francis G. Slay endorsed Lyda Krewson to succeed him as mayor, he said Lyda is the right person to lead the city into the future. It’s what one says when making an endorsement – no one praises a candidate by saying she will lead us into the past or go nowhere – but it’s not very credible or persuasive. Krewson, first elected to the Board of Aldermen in 1997, is the only major candidate for mayor to have held elected office in St. Louis even longer than Slay, who will have been mayor for 16 years when he steps down (and he was aldermanic president and an alderman before that). We credit Krewson with making mostly forward-thinking statements throughout this campaign, and not openly resorting to the racially divisive politics we associate with the worst of the Slay administration, but in her many years as alderman of the 28th Ward, Krewson has not shown the appetite and vision for change that the city needs now. We also consider it telling that Jeff Rainford is one of the people in Krewson’s inner circle named by former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce when she argued to her neighbors in a Next Door post why she did not think Krewson is the right person to lead the city into the future. If Rainford were to have any voice in the next mayoral administration, that would be a step back into the past, since we associate Rainford with the early years of the Slay administration, when the administration’s tactics of dividing by race were most pronounced and its style the most confrontational and abrasive. Rainford left the mayor’s office in February 2015 – though he was allowed to keep a key to the actual office and convene meetings there for an undisclosed period afterwards. Rainford’s official absence from Room 200 leaves a more collaborative and less

obnoxious image of Slay’s final years in office, when Slay was advised by more progressive thinkers like Mary Ellen Ponder, Patrick Brown and Winston Calvert.

In the same news cycle that Slay endorsed Krewson, another high-profile endorsement in the mayor’s race was announced: Jason Kander for Tishaura O. Jones. Kander – the former Missouri secretary of state who nearly unseated incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Roy Blunt in November – votes in Kansas City, not St. Louis, but he is a rising national star in the Democratic Party and a new leader in fighting for voting rights. When he advances Tishaura Jones as a leader of the future, he speaks with as much credibility as any young Democrat in Missouri, perhaps in the nation. Interestingly, Kander did not praise Jones as an antidote to Slay, but rather as someone who can continue the “progress” the city made under Slay. We agree with Kander on this tactful nod to Slay only if we focus on the very tail end of Slay’s reign, the post-Rainford Slay, the Slay of relative compromise with adversaries and bold leadership on marriage equality, which Jones would certainly continue.

This city will need a comprehensive change of course if it is to reverse the damage done by the current administration. St. Louis will need fresh, aggressive leadership unencumbered by past failures in policy decisions and calculated racial divisiveness. The city needs a bold new leader able to forge consensus among the city’s varied interest groups to chart a new course – a new direction that enables a city faced with challenges to realize more of its considerable potential.

The Krewson campaign did not get a very lively response to its Facebook post of Slay’s endorsement. As we prepared this editorial on Wednesday, February 8, the post had been shared only 44 times and attracted only 17 comments in nearly a week. Here is one comment, by a man named Joel Sjerven in his Facebook profile: “Slay would love to see his legacy continued by you [Krewson]: no solution to the Delmar divide, continued wasted TIF in the most expensive neighborhoods in STL, and the forced closure of STL’s largest homeless shelter. STL needs to stand and intercept this handing down of the baton of ‘more of the same.’” We could not possibly agree more.

The base is itching for a fight

Senate Democrats should use any and all means, including the filibuster, to block confirmation of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. They will almost surely fail. But sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war. Republicans hold the presidency, majorities in the House and Senate, 33 governorships and total control of the legislatures in 32 states. If the Democratic Party is going to become relevant again outside of its coastal redoubts, it has to start winning some elections – and turning the other cheek on this court fight is not the way to begin.

Trump’s pick, Judge Neil Gorsuch, has the resume required of a Supreme Court justice. But so did Judge Merrick Garland, former President Obama’s last nominee, to whom Senate Republicans would not even extend the courtesy of a hearing, let alone a vote.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left the late Antonin Scalia’s seat open for nearly a year to keep Obama from filling it.

I’m advising Democrats to consider what course of action is most likely to improve their chances of making gains in 2018, at both the state and national levels. The party’s progressive base is angry and mobilized. Many Democrats are convinced that FBI Director James Comey and Russian President Vladimir Putin decided the election. The very idea of a Trump presidency sparked vast, unprecedented demonstrations in Washington and other cities.

Trump has only piled outrage upon outrage, as far

as progressives are concerned. He took the first steps toward building his ridiculous wall along the southern border, but with U.S. taxpayers’ dollars, not Mexico’s. He squelched government experts who work on climate change. He weakened the Affordable Care Act in the hope that it would begin to collapse, which would make it easier for Congress to kill it. He displayed comic ignorance of our history (somebody please tell him that Frederick Douglass has been dead since 1895). He signed executive orders banning entry to citizens of seven Muslimmajority countries and refugees from around the world. And Trump is just getting started. Democrats cannot even limit the damage, let alone reverse it, without more power than they have now.

That is the political context into which the Gorsuch nomination arrives. From my reading of the progressive crowds that have recently taken to the streets, the Democratic base is in no mood to hear about the clubby traditions and courtesies of the Senate. The base is itching for a fight. The way McConnell et al. treated the Garland nomination was indeed unforgivable. Senators who fail to remember that will get an earful from their constituents – and, potentially, a challenge in the next primary. More importantly, those senators will be passing up a

By Tishaura O. Jones Guest commentary

I am calling for a different way to do development. After 16 years of Mayor Francis G. Slay, we don’t have a citywide development plan. As a result, projects pretty much happen wherever a developer and an alderman think they should. And the public subsidies that support them – TIF, CID, tax abatement – end up mostly in the same places. More often than not, that’s downtown, the area just west of downtown and the Central West End.

Other neighborhoods, and even residents of affected neighborhoods, have little say in what gets built where. There is a better, moreeffective, fairer way to go about this. It’s called the Gravois-Jefferson Plan. As mayor, I would make it our citywide model.

Not everyone is going to agree with me. In fact, four of my opponents serve on the Board of Aldermen currently. They are going to hate this. In their combined service of several decades, you won’t find more than a dozen final votes against each other’s projects. They own where we are today just as much as Mayor Slay does.

Organizers describe the Gravois-Jefferson Plan as a “community-driven planning process.” It includes local elected officials, neighborhood organizations, and community

One major error

We appreciate The St. Louis American’s story in your February 2 edition about the local effects of President Trump’s recent ban on refugees and visa holders from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The article was well-done except for one major error.

members. The plan has a long-term focus, and every stakeholder has a seat at the table. The public participates in a variety of ways, including focus groups, roundtables, open houses and online. Residents of the area make up the steering committee. These people are not gatekeepers, but are responsible for ensuring that every raised voice is heard.

Here’s what I like about it. The process believes all voices have value, and people living in the same neighborhood may not share the same lived experience.

Every element of the plan reflects that reality. The planning document itself is public so nothing is lost in the fine print, and the project is humble enough to listen and learn from other community development projects.

The project looks to serve the needs of underrepresented groups – like youth, people of color, and people living below the poverty line – first.

After those voices are heard, the project will seek input on the needs of businesses, faith groups, government, and nonprofits. People, before projects.

The effort acts to hold all stakeholders accountable to each other. The website also

features a community map – an underutilized tool in neighborhood improvement projects. The map is an assessment of what an area is like before development. It highlights assets, like parks and libraries, and weaknesses, like vacant buildings. It also outlines opportunities such as making areas more pedestrian-friendly, practicing community-based policing, or slowing down gentrification. The “Contact Us” page has a tab to foster online participation so people who face barriers to physical participation can still be involved.

Members of my team attended the first public meeting, and we will be represented at the second – which is coming up this Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m. at the Five Star Senior Center, 2832 Arsenal St. A group of people with a desire to create positive change should wield a tremendous amount of power in our city. It is up to elected officials to empower them. And, I intend to do just that when I am mayor. Through inclusivity and participation, our city will become a place we can all be proud to live. This is what progress and change look like.

Tishaura O. Jones, currently St. Louis treasurer, is a candidate for mayor in the March 7 Democratic primary election

rare political opportunity.

With just 48 votes, all Senate Democrats can do is filibuster, denying McConnell the 60 votes he needs for a final vote on the nomination. In response, McConnell could employ the “nuclear option” – changing the Senate rules to eliminate the filibuster for Supreme Court confirmations. In the end, Gorsuch would be approved anyway.

But I believe Democrats should wage, and lose, this fight. The 60-vote standard looks more and more like an anachronistic holdover from the time when senators prided themselves on putting the nation ahead of ideology. These days, so many votes hew strictly to party lines that it is difficult to get anything done. The Senate is supposed to be deliberative, not paralyzed.

And I can’t help thinking back to 2009. Republicans made an all-out effort to stop the Affordable Care Act. Their motives were purely political; some GOP senators railed against policies they had favored in the past. Ultimately, they failed.

But this losing battle gave tremendous energy and passion to the tea party movement –which propelled Republicans to a sweeping victory in the 2010 midterm election. It is hard not to see an analogous situation on the Democratic side right now. Democrats can hearten and animate the party’s base by fighting this nomination tooth and nail. They can inspire grass-roots activists to fight just as hard to win back state legislatures and governorships. They can help make 2018 a Democratic year.

The reporter refers to my being asked if I had been contacted at the state level regarding the executive order. The discussion goes on to discuss any “guidance” we received from them and then comments on Eric Greitens as well as my description of the process being “absolute havoc.”

I at no time referenced the State of Missouri or the governor in such remarks. The response I gave referenced the Department of State (in Washington, D.C.). I had several times during the press conference stated that immigration law is a federal not a state process.

The reporter may not have heard or understood the reference, perhaps thinking I was referring to a department of the State of Missouri. So the entire paragraph is wrong and it undeservedly knocks the state of Missouri and the Governor, who quite frankly have nothing to do with this process.

Anna E. Crosslin president and CEO International Institute of

St. Louis

We will resist discrimination

President Trump’s Muslim travel ban and complete ban on admitting refugees is not only illegal, it’s un-American, meanspirited and will harm national security. We will defend and welcome refugees, we will resist discrimination based on religion and national origin, and we will demand equal treatment under the law for all.

Since the 9-11 attacks, there has not been a single instance where a refugee admitted to the United States committed a terrorist attack. Those are the facts, and the vetting process, which takes almost two years, is already very strict. It works.

Besides violating the U.S. Constitution, this executive order will weaken the United States across the world by

giving aid, comfort and increased motivation to jihadist extremists who wish to do us harm. We can’t have a president who acts without thinking about how his actions harm innocent people and violate who we are as Americans.

People of faith across this country are united in opposing this terrible, totally un-American action that violates the law and our core values. Our faith compels us to be kind to the stranger, and to comfort the oppressed.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Clay St. Louis

Outside the legal mainstream

Last year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans refused to perform their constitutional duty to advise and consent on President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Merrick Garland. President Trump had an opportunity to unite our nation around a consensus pick like Judge Garland. Instead, he has

nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch, whose record on the bench puts him outside the legal mainstream. Now more than ever, our nation needs an independent Supreme Court that will defend the Constitution – not protect the interest of corporations and the powerful.

Judge Gorsuch has consistently sided with corporate interests over working families, and he has spoken publicly and often about his contempt for “the Left” and “liberals.” I am not confident that if confirmed, Judge Gorsuch would defend marginalized communities’ right to equal protection. This gives me grave concerns. We cannot allow this to become the new normal. Before any vote is held on his confirmation, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to examine Judge Gorsuch’s record extremely carefully to ensure that he will defend the Constitution and working families. The American people deserve nothing less.

U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) Baltimore, Maryland

Francis SlayJason Kander

Picture perfect

North Side Community School gets science grant

North Side Community School, a public charter school serving Pre-K through 5th grade children in north St. Louis, received a $21,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund to support its science program. North Side’s science program has evolved over the last 5 years and now has a dedicated science lab for students to do hands-on, interactive science experiments and activities.

North Side Community School is a pre-k through 5th grade public charter school which opened in 2009 with only 50 students and has grown to an enrollment of 415 students for the 2016-2017 school year. The school, located on N. Euclid Ave. between Natural Bridge Avenue and St. Louis Avenue, North Side received top honors this year as 2016 Missouri Charter School of the Year.

Community forum on school fight felony laws Feb. 11

Greater St. Mark Family Church and several community organizations are hosting a community public forum to answer questions, dispel myths and provide clarity on new Missouri laws pertaining to felony assault charges from fighting in schools. Members of the Mound City Bar Association and the National Administrative Board of Educational Interventions will be available to answer questions and concerns regarding new laws. Attorneys will provide free initial consultations. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating. Voter registration representatives will be available to register citizens to vote and answer questions regarding new Missouri voting legislative changes.

The forum takes place Saturday, February 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Greater St. Mark Family Church, 9950 Glen Owen Drive, St. Louis, 63136.

From near paralysis to walking in heels

By Kimberly Clark Guest columnist

Last year, my mother Ethel Weldon was nearing total paralysis, experiencing excruciating pain and unable to even hold her grandson due to a degenerating disc in her spine. Today, she walks with minimal pain (in heels I might add), and at our family reunion this past summer, she was dancing the night away.

This “miracle,” as my mom calls it, is the result of a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery she had at Christian Hospital. The advanced surgical procedure uses a small, targeted incision to address only the problem area without exposing the bone and surrounding muscle area – ultimately enabling my mom to experience a shorter recovery time and less post-operative pain than a traditional, open procedure.

Due to the severity of my mother’s spinal condition, my encouragement to receive care at Christian Hospital (where I serve as Patient Care manager for the Orthopedics Department) was met with some surprise. Patients, just like my own mom, often are not aware of the advanced treatment options available right in our own neighborhood. As both a community resident and a Christian Hospital employee, I have a unique perspective and personal insight on our staff’s ability to address conditions and diseases that affect many North County residents, using advanced technology and innovation to best serve our patients.

My mother’s care and treatment by Dr. Ravindra V. Shitut, a board-certified orthopedic and spine surgeon practicing at Christian Hospital, was a prime example. Dr. Shitut used a robotic technology for minimally invasive joint procedures to perform a complex spine fusion that enabled my mother to leave the hospital within three days of surgery.

Christian Hospital physicians perform almost 150 knee replacement and spine surgeries per year using the minimally invasive technique – all to the benefit of many community members who otherwise might have lived with pain or faced lengthy recoveries.

Have every confidence in looking to a hospital that’s located right in your backyard – you may not be aware of the type of advanced care you can receive if you or a loved one is experiencing a significant health issue. My mother is now a firm believer in and advocate of the exceptional care that Christian Hospital can deliver in our community. With full motion and mobility in her spine, she has the dance moves to prove it to you!

Kimberly Clark is Patient Care manager, Neurology/ Orthopedics Team, at Christian Hospital, a member of BJC HealthCare.

Kimberly Clark

Students in the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program proudly donn their National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) shirts.

NASHEED

Continued from A1

The American: There’s one month left before the primary election. What are you seeing?

Jamilah Nasheed: I am seeing that voters in the city are really sophisticated in terms of what they will do on election day, especially AfricanAmerican voters. I truly believe they are going to get behind one candidate, and I believe that candidate will be Tishaura Jones.

The American: What do you see that makes you think that?

Nasheed: Tishaura has been canvassing all throughout the city, connecting with voters both North and South. People understand that we need a progressive leader, and Tishaura is that progressive candidate.

The American: Have you done any canvassing for her?

Nasheed: I haven’t been canvassing, but I did put up signs, made calls, spent $12,000 on black radio and I’m doing a lot of social media.

The American: What is her radio strategy?

Nasheed: You have to be able to hit all segments of the

MALL

Continued from A1

This came after the St. Louis County Council voted down a measure by 4th District Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray – who does represent the district where the mall is located – on January 31. Her bill would have given blighting authority to the council rather than the LCRA, the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County. The vote against her measure was 5 to 2. Council Vice Chair Hazel Irby

population with radio, mailers, door-knocking. You have to have connectability and constantly see Tishaura’s name out there.

Unfortunately, it’s really sad, but we have an individual in the race with only $200 and ego driving him to stay in. A lot of our constituents fear that will split the progressive vote, but I don’t want people to believe that with Antonio in the race we have to split the vote. We can support one vibrant, progressive candidate, and that’s Tishaura Jones.

of University City cast the only other vote in support.

“I’ve tried to meet with the county executive’s office, and when I tried to meet with them, they point-blank told me, ‘We are not going to discuss it – we’ve got the opinion from the attorney, and that’s that,’” Walton Gray told The American Walton Gray said she never had a problem with blighting the mall. She simply wanted an opportunity to be engaged in the redevelopment process. That’s why she filed a substitute bill. The original bill was introduced late last year by Mike O’Mara, a Stenger ally whom Walton

The American: You and Antonio French were once close. I understand your relationship has evolved over the years, but why did you take Tishaura over Antonio?

Nasheed: I think Tishaura is well-equipped to do the job. She has all skills and knowhow to run the city. She looks outside the city and state for best practices. We need a leader who understands we need to go outside the city to find best practices, then come back and implement them. She is an African-American female, and I would love to

Gray defeated in the August primary. She took office in January. The outside legal opinion she received came from attorney Elbert Walton, her father.

“The original bill provides that the LCRA shall both acquire the land and buildings, clear the land to ready it for development, and that it will then contract with a developer to redevelop the land, under whatever redevelopment plan the LCRA develops, on its own,” Walton’s opinion letter reads.

“Under Mr. Krane’s opinion, you are mandated by Chapter 99, RSMo, to grant such powers to the LCRA.

Photo by Wiley Price

On January 17, State Senator Jamilah Nasheed defended Tishaura O. Jones from negative news coverage in the local mainstream media. She has endorsed Jones for St. Louis mayor in the March 7 primary election.

have an African-American female mayor. She has the best platform. Look at her plan. If she is given the opportunity to implement her plan, this city will be very progressive.

The American: What aspects of her plan appeal to you?

Nasheed: Her emphasis on early childhood education, putting social-service providers inside the police department, having youth job opportunities year-round, putting abandoned buildings back on the tax rolls to get more revenue, this issue

Well if you have the power to grant powers to an entity, then certainly you have the power to set the limitations on those powers.” (Mr. Krane is attorney Peter Krane, County counsel.)

The LCRA has the authority by law to handle blighting and redevelopment, County Executive Steve Stenger said, and under Missouri law the council does not have the power or authority to appropriate monies in these matters. Additionally, he said, having a separate entity to handle blighting and redevelopment removes the County from liability.

of a tale of two cities with north of Delmar decaying while south of Delmar is thriving. She understands that as goes North St. Louis, so goes the state of Missouri, and she has a plan to get it done.

The American: How do you assess her campaign in terms of organization?

Nasheed: Their ground game is great. They could step up their phone-banking, and they have; I talked to them about that, and they pumped it up. They have a lot of volunteers. I’ve never had that type of volunteers, the crossover type. She has crossover appeal. She has a lot of white supporters, young and progressive, and that’s what will take her over the top.

The American: Why are they with her?

Nasheed: They say the same thing, that they like her platform. She has always been progressive, into women’s issues and the right to choose. Look at her endorsements: She has NARAL and the most progressive unions, the Service Employees International Union and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

The American: Have you attended the debates? How do you think she did?

“The County Council itself, just by structure of our charter, does not have the ability to initiate an appropriation process that would result in money, and it does not have the other powers that the LCRA has,” Stenger said.

“I think they should have voted for the bill,” Walton Gray said. “They just assumed that someone was going to sue.”

Stenger said the zoning process and final planning for Jamestown are opportunities for “great weight and opinion” from council members and from the public as well.

Nasheed: At the first debate at Harris-Stowe, her connectability was not there, she was off a little bit. The second at SLU, she kicked butt, she performed very well and connected with the crowd. The Channel 5 one I didn’t see, though I heard she got a little flustered. This is the first mayoral race where we’ve ever seen so many debates. People are engaged, the crowds are there, people are more active now than before Trump was elected. There is a paradigm shift. I think we will see heavy turnout. Last mayoral primary, we had 44,000 voters. This time I think we will have 50,000, and Tishaura will take it by a small margin.

The American: What advice do you have for her?

Nasheed: Stay focused, keep knocking those doors, keep the campaign on the ground level, hopefully get some TV going, keep making phone calls, doing mailers, stay connected with people and get people excited about going out to the polls. Now it’s going to be about who gets their people to the polls.

The primary election is March 7. Absentee voting is underway.

“There is lots of opportunity for the council’s input, and really, her authority to be exerted in the final outcome of what this property will be for her community, for our community, for everyone,” Stenger said of Walton Gray. Walton Gray also wants to make sure minority contractors have significant inclusion in Jamestown’s redevelopment. Stenger said minority inclusion will come, but later in the process. He said the blight study plan does contemplate minority inclusion. “And as we move further on down the line,” Stenger said, “that will be something we inject at every point in this process.”

TISHAURA

its Parking Division, started an Office of Financial Empowerment, and created college savings accounts for all kindergarten students in Saint Louis Public Schools with parking revenues. Jones told The St. Louis American that she felt honored to receive Kander’s endorsement because he is a “rising star” in the Democratic Party. Kander narrowly lost a challenge to Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Roy Blunt on November 8, doing

CHRISTIAN

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 preparatory programs. In January, Christian reached out to high school students for a new Medical Explorers Post, intended to introduce students to potential careers in health care.

“We have different departments they can rotate to and the director will tell them about the department,” Stevens said. The program for the first group of 10 students ends in May, followed by another group. (For more information on Medical Explorers Post, call 314-653-5032.)

“What we are trying to do is stimulate the interests of our young students in health care,” Stevens said. “If we can get them interested early enough, that would be great for us.”

Stevens hopes that student explorers are then filtered into one of the hospital’s pre-professional programs, such as its PCT (Patient Care Tech) Academy or its EMS Academy. The EMS Academy is a 12-week program that produces emergency medical technicians, or EMTs. It includes a Paramedic Academy, which was started in August 2016 and currently has 24 students enrolled.

“Our EMT and PCT

better than every other statewide Democrat on the ballot in Missouri. “She ended up being one of the very first people to come out and support me, when no one was giving me a shot last year,” Kander said of Jones. Since the election, Kander has been very active nationally, suggesting his political ambitions are far from over. On Monday, February 6, he filed a new group with the Federal Election Commission, Let America Vote, along with former members of President Barack Obama’s staff. Kander told the Kansas City Star that there has been a coordinated

academies are both gateways to entry-level positions,” Stevens said. “We see a lot of our PCTs that go on to become nurses. We want to introduce the next generation of health care leaders and health care professionals through the Medical Explorers Post.”

(To learn more about the PCT Academy, contact Jeremy Yates at jeremy.yates@bjc. org or 314-653-4329. To learn more about the EMS Academy, contact Josh Malson at joshua. malson@bjc.org or 314-6535778.)

Stevens also has successfully recruited some mid-level professionals, with several nurse practitioners coming on board recently. They will work in a refurbished hospital. Currently, construction and renovation are underway on the hospital’s third floor to offer private rooms for patients.

“That project will be complete later this year in the August-September time frame,” Stevens said. “What that means is family members can have privacy with their loved one. It’s also been shown in the data that it aids in healing if you have a loved one in the room. Just from a healing standpoint – to be there with your loved one, not to have another roommate, the noise goes down, as does the infection rate.”

effort to suppress voting in recent years, and “now that President Trump is in the White House that campaign is being run out of the White House.”

Kander, along with several others who have endorsed Jones, worked closely with her in Jefferson City, when she was a state representative and became the first African American elected by her Democratic colleagues to serve as assistant minority leader.

“Nobody worked harder than her,” Kander told The American. “No one was more passionate than Tishaura. She is a tough single mom who

After the third floor, they will move on to renovations on the hospital’s ninth and then tenth floors. “By 2020, we’ll have a whole new look here at Christian,” Stevens said.

The hospital also is in the design phase for lobby renovation to improve esthetics and flow that will start later this year or early next year.

“We want to make sure it’s brighter,” Stevens said. “We are going to open it up and make sure that the patient flow is appropriate. We’ll have better patient flow, a brighter lobby, one that’s a welcoming environment, a healing environment, better than what we have now.”

Christian will also have a retail clinic coming soon in Hazelwood.

“We have a convenient care site that will be opening up in July in the Elm Grove Shopping Center off Lindbergh,” Stevens said. The Hazelwood convenient care center will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week and will include a primary care office and a walk-in clinic.

Siteman comes to North County

There are big changes coming for the Northwest Healthcare campus on Graham Road in Florissant. BJC

was always there for every fight. She brings a perspective that is very important for any role, even mayor.”

Kander’s support comes after Mayor Francis G. Slay’s endorsement of Lyda Krewson on February 2. Slay said Krewson – who has served on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen since 1997, longer than any other mayoral candidate has held elected office – “is the right person to lead our city into the future.”

“There’s a stark difference between the endorsements that have been released in the last week,” Jones said. “Jason represents our future and he represents progressive change,

HealthCare is building a new Siteman Cancer Center location in North County.

“We are still finalizing plans, but it’s going to mean a lot to people here in North County and then also people on the Illinois side as well, because people don’t have to travel as far for their care should they develop cancer,” Stevens said.

Christian Hospital serves residents in North St. Louis County and patients from the Missouri cities of St. Louis, St. Charles, Rolla, as well as Alton, Illinois.

“When you have the Siteman name and the backing of Siteman, you have the best possible care that is coming to North County,” Stevens said, “and for it to be a part of Christian means a lot.”

Christian also can claim improvements in Joint Commission clinical quality measures and in patient satisfaction. The hospital earned 2016 Patient Perception Excellence in Healthcare Awards, a 5-Star Award for Cardiac Cath Lab and a 4-Star Award for Outpatient Services. Among its other national honors, in 2016 Christian ranked nationally in the top 10 percent for medical excellence for stroke care, and for patient safety related to major cardiac surgery, coronary bypass surgery, heart failure treatment

and a lot of people are looking toward my election through those same lenses. What is St. Louis going to look like in the future? Are we going to be progressive?”

With his endorsement, Kander joins about 25 elected officials who have endorsed Jones, including state Senator Jamilah Nasheed, St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts, Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green and St. Louis County Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray. Also on February 6, Jones received the endorsement from Service Employees International Union (SEIU). She already had the support of

and stroke care.

“I attribute that to a lot of teamwork. I attribute it to the organization taking a look at what we can be doing better and taking those things we may not be doing great in and putting an action plan together,” Stevens said.

NARAL, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Rev. Traci Blackmon. Krewson now has the support of Slay, Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly and the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association – three endorsements that most progressives associate with “establishment politics.” When asked about Slay’s endorsement of Krewson, Jones said, “I’m not running for a fifth term for Slay.”

The primary election, when the Democratic nominee for mayor will be chosen, is March 7. Absentee voting is underway.

“Every morning, we have a daily huddle about what went well the night before, what’s going to happen today and what we can do to fix the things that aren’t going well. What it’s created is a lot of communication with one another, as well as different departments talking to one another. We are also talking about the delivery of care.” The hospital is also working with its clergy community board, led by Bishop Courtney Jones of Pleasant Grove Church in North St. Louis. On Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m.1 p.m., North County clergy and their congregations are invited to Christian Hospital’s Atrium to learn about the different services it offers. Physicians will speak and there will be information booths on hospital services and programs.

“This is the community’s hospital,” Stevens said, “and we are putting our best medicine forward.”

The home that changed history

Shelley v. Kraemer and race-based realestate covenants

By Kristie Lein For The St. Louis American

J. D. and Ethel Lee Shelley’s hope was a common one: to own a home in a neighborhood that was safe for their kids. In 1945 the couple bought a house on Labadie Avenue in North St. Louis. Three years after that, they changed the course of U.S. history.

Author and filmmaker Jeffrey Copeland’s documentary short, The Story of Shelley v. Kraemer, spotlights the attorneys, neighbors, judges, and friends who took the fight to end racial covenants in real estate all the way to the nation’s highest court.

Prior to 1948, African Americans in St. Louis and across the United States were allowed to rent property, but could only own in certain areas. “The Ville was an island in a sea of segregation,” Copeland said. “But there was only a finite number of homes and a list a mile long of people who wanted to live there.” The Shelleys were among them.

J. D. Shelley hired James T. Bush, the most prominent African-American real estate agent in St. Louis, who enlisted the help of a white “straw buyer” – someone to complete the real estate paperwork and then transfer ownership to the Shelleys. Louis and Fern Kraemer, who owned a home a few blocks away, brought a suit to St. Louis Circuit Court demanding enforcement of the neighborhood’s restrictive covenant that did not allow homes to be sold to African Americans.

The Kraemers lost that suit on a technicality, so they appealed the case to the Missouri Supreme Court, where it was overturned. In 1948, the Shelleys went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled restrictive covenants unconstitutional. The significance was enormous.

“It was St. Louis that changed the face and color of America forever, and it led the way for Brown v. Board of Education,” Copeland said.

Tawana Beckham, the Shelleys’ great-granddaughter, remembers first hearing about the case in the late 1980s when she was 12 years old. “At that age I really did not realize the importance of what my greatgrandparents did. It actually did not sink in until years later,” she said.

And though Beckham and her family were proud of Ethel and J. D., the couple was humble. “They never boasted

Saturday, February 18, at 7 p.m.

the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium. The event is free, and members of the Shelley family and others involved with the case will be present for a discussion.

or bragged about their accomplishments. They were always grateful to God for allowing them to win the trial. Therefore, we did not talk much about their role in shaping real estate equality for all races.”

Copeland was already familiar with the Shelley v. Kraemer case – he had researched it extensively for his literary nonfiction book, Olivia’s Story. But making the documentary brought an even deeper understanding and appreciation for those who made its victory possible, such as George Vaughn, the African-American attorney and activist who argued the case in St. Louis Circuit Court. He tirelessly donated his expertise and money to advance civil rights, and his court briefs were used in law schools across the country. He died just two years after the Shelley v. Kraemer triumph.

“It took it out of him. He literally gave his life for this ruling,” Copeland said. “It was a very chancy enterprise for the people who got Shelley v. Kraemer off the ground. They saw something that was unjust, and they just had to fix it, no matter the cost.”

“My great-grandparents taught us to never give up on

our dreams, even when you are told no,” Beckham said. “They were and always will be my heroes. Racism existed in 1948, and unfortunately it still exists in 2017. We have come a long way, but we still have more work to do.” Copeland agrees: “It’s one thing to talk a good game, but until you put it into action, it’s not much other than words. I found out how determined people are to do the right thing. But if you just sit on the sidelines, you’re not doing the right thing.

“I hope the younger generation will get a better understanding of the sacrifices that people have made,” Copeland said. “They’re the ones who have to carry the torch.”

The story of Shelley v. Kraemer will screen on Saturday, February 18, at 7 p.m. in the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium. The event is free, and members of the Shelley family and others involved with the case will be present for a discussion afterward. The film will also play as part of the exhibition #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis. It opens March 11.

The Shelley house at the center of the landmark Shelley v. Kraemer case is located at 4600 Labadie Ave. in St. Louis. A movie about this case, which led to a ruling against race-based real-estate covenants, will screen on

in

2017 Young Leaders to be honored February 23

A diverse group of 20 accomplished AfricanAmerican professionals under age 40 has been selected as the 2017 class of Salute to Young Leader award recipients.

Nominated by colleagues, friends and family, they are chosen by their peers and will be profiled in the February 23 edition of The St. Louis American. These business and institutional leaders will be honored at the St. Louis American Foundation’s seventh annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception

5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. Wells Fargo Advisors is again serving as the title sponsor for the event.

This year’s cohort of Young Leaders includes a strategic planning consultant for one of the area’s largest construction companies, an owner of a local tax firm, a chief clinical officer at a children’s home, and a flight sim labs manager for one of the largest defense contractors in the world.

While their career paths are diverse, they have one thing in common. They are all high-performing, young African-American professionals who have received significant success in their professional field, but also work in service to the community.

“A critical element of sustainable progress and success in a community is able, committed leadership,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation. “These young people represent our fervent hope and aspirations for a better future for our community. We need leaders who can meet and respond to new challenges and build strategic partnerships to act and react to these challenges.”

Tickets for the event are $25 each and include hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer and wine, and cash bar.

The 2017 Class of Young Leaders, in alphabetical order, are:

Sonia Deal, RN, MSN, LHNA, CHCEF Fellow Director of Practice Transformation Affinia Healthcare

Dr. Courtney M. Graves Chief Clinical Officer St. Vincent Home for Children

Dorian Hall Assistant Director, Event Services, University of Missouri-St. Louis Pastor, Church of God Community Worship Center

Keith Harris Branch Marketing ManagerSt. Louis, Metro East, Kansas City The Home Depot

Kimberly Hunt Specialist-Business Manager, AT&T

Executive Director, Saving Black Minds

Andwele Jolly, DPT, MBA, MHA Business Director Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Robert D. Little II Strategic Planning Consultant, Financial Facilities Business Unit Clayco

Yashica McKinney Owner Desserts Out The Jar and More

Christopher R. Miller F-15 Flight Sim Labs Manager/ Boeing Defense Space & Security The Boeing Company

Marty Murray, Jr. Project Manager, Centene Chairman , 78th Legislative District Committee

Dione A Neal, MBA Professional Sales Representative, I Astellas Pharma, USA

Jajuana Patrick Senior Manager, Organizational Development Consultant Express Scripts

Chavelle Patterson Operations Department Manager Procter & Gamble

Phillip Adeniyi Sangokoya Asset Manager - New Markets & Historic Tax Credit Investments U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation

Malissa Shaw Client Operations Account Representative

Distribution Management, Inc.

Daphne Stallings VP Senior Branch Manager Simmons Bank

Jayson M. Thornton Tax Accountant Thornton Tax Firm

Kayla Thompson Site-Coordinator, Lee Hamilton Elementary School Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Founder/CEO, Finesse Center

Jason Watson Director of Beyond Jobs Mission: Saint Louis

Frank Wilson

CEO, BFW Contractors Adjunct Professor, Washington University School of Engineering

Mayoral candidates on soccer stadiums, immigrants and abortion rights

This week EYE asked the four major mayoral candidates the same three questions in the same group email. Here are those questions and their responses in the order received. Public subsidy for a soccer stadium in St. Louis? Yes or no? Why or why not? If yes, on what conditions?

Lyda Krewson: I love soccer. My kids played soccer. Many of yours probably did too. I hope we are able to get an MLS team but I would prefer that the city not own a soccer stadium. I want to thank my colleagues who worked with the ownership group to make the proposal better. City voters will get their say on April 4.

Tishaura O. Jones: This isn’t a theoretical question any more. City voters will find it on their ballots in April. That vote will be for the city to give up any real direct economic benefit from building a stadium and hosting a professional soccer team by diverting years of ticket tax revenue and using the new use tax to pay for tens of millions of dollars of bonds so that the millionaire owners of the team will see a faster return on their investment. I’ll vote no on that “deal,” and I suspect a majority of city voters will, too. If the sales tax passes and the soccer subsidy fails, the wouldbe soccer money could be better spent in North St. Louis

and in impoverished pockets of the South Side, and for things like affordable housing, grocery stores, infrastructure and recreation centers. We’ll still have plenty of “intangible sports pride” from subsidizing construction projects for the baseball and hockey teams.

Antonio French: I absolutely oppose raising people’s taxes to pay for a new soccer stadium. First, the City of St. Louis has many more urgent needs that need funding: public safety, vacant buildings, economic development and job creation in neighborhoods. Secondly, the city can’t afford to build and maintain such regional amenities all by ourselves. St. Louis County and the State of Missouri should also chip in. Not to mention that we still haven’t figured out how to pay for upgrades and maintenance on the Dome or the Scottrade Center, so why would we add another 30-year obligation on our books? It’s crazy! This city has to get its priorities straight. Lewis Reed: Only if voters in the City of St. Louis approve it.

As mayor, what support and defense, if any, would you offer to immigrants and refugees in St. Louis, in relation to the Trump administration’s efforts to limit or eliminate immigration and sanctuary for

refugees?

Lyda Krewson: I believe our diversity is our strength, and we are a welcoming city. Trump targeting immigrants and the deportation of good, decent people is despicable. I support St. Louis becoming a sanctuary city. We need to understand the impact of that policy on the federal funding we receive, which protects our most vulnerable citizens. We have to do it right.

Tishaura O. Jones: You have two different groups in your question: immigrants and refugees. The city must ensure St. Louis is a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of race, class, disability or sexual orientation. A vital part of that effort is attracting and retaining immigrants. I’ll

open a government office for New Americans that engages immigrants, welcomes them to their new neighborhoods, and shows them how to participate in our government and in our economy. I’ll implement a Municipal ID program that will be a basic document that allows any city resident, regardless of immigration or housing status, to identify themselves to gain access to city services and cultural institutions, and to have easier access to banking services. Lowering barriers will benefit everyone, and being able to prove who one is will also make it easier and safer to interact with law enforcement. Detroit already does this. We should, too. As for refugees: I will make St. Louis a sanctuary city, no matter who tells us not

to.

Antonio French: We are a nation of people who came from other places. Some of us came here as immigrants on ships. Some of us came here as property in the hulls of those ships. But we’re all in the same boat now. Immigrants help make America stronger. Immigrants fuel entire industries, from agriculture to technology. Immigrants have helped stabilize neighborhoods in St. Louis, most notably our large and vibrant Bosnian population. America and St. Louis must always be welcoming places to immigrants. Our future depends on it. That’s why I introduced a resolution calling on the city counselor to report back to us in 30 days to present our legal options regarding protecting all St. Louisans in the face of these unprecedented and unconstitutional attacks from Donald Trump. We must always stand up to bullies and protect the most vulnerable. That’s who we are and we won’t let terrorists or Trump change that.

Lewis Reed: In a city with teenagers being murdered and preteens being kidnapped, our police officers have better use of their time than to figure out the immigration status of some residents. I would instruct our police department to focus on the safety and security or all of the residents of the City of St. Louis.

As mayor, what support and defense, if any, would you offer to advocates for safe and legal abortion in Missouri, in relation to federal and state efforts to limit or eliminate abortion as a legal option?

Lyda Krewson: The right to a safe and legal abortion was recently reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States. I support that decision and as mayor I will support and protect the services provided by Planned Parenthood, the only legal provider in the state.

Tishaura O. Jones: Mothers manage the majority of their families’ health

care decisions. Their own reproductive health – and the rights surrounding it – can be a constant concern. Women need to feel confident that they will not be discriminated against (in civic life and/or in the workplace) for choices related to their own autonomous health decisions – both the decision to carry a pregnancy to term and the decision to have an abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri is one of the strongest voices in the state for women. They endorsed me. I strongly support Board Bill 203 which would strengthen the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance by making pregnancy and reproductive health protected classes ensuring that no woman in St. Louis could be legally fired, demoted or lose her pay based upon decisions about her health. Paired with greater protections for women seeking healthcare at Planned Parenthood, paid family leave for employees of the City of St. Louis, and a plan to have city government reach out to every child born here, it is my intention to make St. Louis a sanctuary for women and their families.

Antonio French: I’m a strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose. And I’m proud that the City of St. Louis remains a place where women can come to receive the medical care they need in a safe environment. As mayor, I will fight any state or federal attempt to end or otherwise limit those hard-fought rights of women.

Lewis Reed: Democracy only works if you are fighting for what you believe in. On issues outside of the control of local government such as this, It will take the movement of the masses, like those that showed up to the Women’s March, to battle federal and state legislation that runs counter to local beliefs, also including voters rights, minimum wage, and education. I have always encouraged people to stand up for their rights and fight for things that they believe in.

Antonio French

Lyda Krewson

Tishaura O. Jones

Lewis Reed

Boys & Girls Clubs turns 50

2017 marks a half-century of service to St. Louis youth

By Shuntae Shields Ryan For The St. Louis American

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is celebrating a pivotal and significant milestone this 2017 – its 50th year of service to countless boys and girls in the St. Louis region. When the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team moved to its new downtown stadium in 1966, Richard Amberg (then publisher of the GlobeDemocrat newspaper) persuaded August A. Busch Jr. and Anheuser-Busch to donate the property for use as a boys club. After receiving the green light, Amberg called on several key area business leaders to raise the capital needed to build a facility on the site of Sportsman’s Park. The Herbert Hoover Boys Club was born. The planning committee spared no expense to ensure that boys had all the amenities needed to be safe, have fun and stay out of trouble. The club offered swimming, boxing, baseball, basketball, football, woodshop, photography,

fishing derbies, billiards, field trips and holiday parties. There was even an on-site dental clinic. Vocational, recreational, educational and social development programming was evident in every corner of the building.

The club was named after Herbert Hoover, former U.S. President and Amberg’s friend. It also honored President Hoover for his more than 28 years of service as chairman of the board of Boys Clubs of America. Hoover, who was orphaned at the age of 10, spent most of

We need dual citizenship for Africans in the diaspora

New dual citizen of Ghana advocates for connecting with the home continent

By Akbar Muhammad For The St. Louis American

On January 6, a day before the West African nation of Ghana changed leadership (President John Dramani Mahama lost the election to Nana Akufo-Addo), I was blessed to receive my Ghana citizenship along with Bro. Earl 3X Reddix from Las Vegas. I received a call that if I was going to receive my citizenship I had to do it before January, 7 when the new president would be sworn in. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Ministry of the Interior. A number of new citizens were sworn in, and I was honored by being chosen to address the new citizens of Ghana. The first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, wanted to see this marriage from the time he attended college in America. One of the Africans from the diaspora, Dr. Robert Lee, told me a touching story of how he and his thengirlfriend – who later became his wife, Dr. Sarah Lee – saw a sign posted at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania announcing a speaker at the chapel with a funny name who would conduct

See AKBAR, A12

his post-presidential years helping youth from disadvantaged circumstances. Several local African-American pioneers, including St. Louis American Publisher Donald M. Suggs and civil rights attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, were founding board members of the Herbert Hoover Boys Club at the time it was established. Other noted St. Louisans who were involved with the club’s founding and operations

See BGCSTL, A12

From elementary school to the Air Force

Professional entertainer recounts his journey from St. Louis

By Roland Bob Harris For The St. Louis American

Continued from last week’s Black History Month section

A memorable moment came prior to graduation from Dunbar Elementary School, when I was asked to star in our class night program. I played a man named Fabulous Harris who owned a large building where a lot of my classmates, now adults, owned various businesses.

As per usual, there was a problem. I didn’t have decent clothes to wear to my graduation. This problem was brought to the attention of my aunt Mabel who lived in the same house as my mother and I. At this point, my mother was hospitalized with tuberculosis at Koch Hospital. Her fast living had caught up with her.

n At the time, we only had three high schools in St. Louis that AfricanAmerican children could attend.

So I was living under the care my two aunts, Mabel and Virginia. Aunt Mabel worked as a housekeeper for Mr. McDonnell, who owned McDonnell Aircraft Company. She must have shared my problem with Mr. McDonnell, so he gave my aunt Mabel one of his suits for me to wear – a beautiful, well-tailored suit, but rather old fashioned. But it fit me perfectly. I still did not have decent shoes. So I took my old, worn-out shoes to an old Jewish man who owned a shoe repair shop in the 2700 block of Cass Avenue. Sam took one look at my shoes and said, “What the hell am I going to do with this piece of s—t?” Sam was a nice guy, but cursed like a sailor.

I tearfully told Sam that I needed shoes to wear to my graduation. He went into the back of his shop and came back with a brand new pair of shoes and gave them to me. He then said, “You can pay me later,” even though he knew this would never happen. The shoes were covered with dust and rather old fashioned, but they were new shoes and they were mine.

My mother had signed herself out of the hospital so that she could attend my graduation. Unfortunately, I never saw her. Alcoholism is a controlling disease. I was very

Ponsors

Flint Fowler, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is celebrating its 50th year of service to countless boys and girls in the St. Louis region in 2017.

Akbar Muhammad addressed his fellow new Ghanaian citizens at the swearing in ceremony on January 6.

Roland Bob Harris grew up in St. Louis then went on to act in 38 motion pictures, 18 national commercials, perform at the Muny for 20 years and become a successful singer.

included Dr. Jerome Williams, Judge Theodore McMillian, Nannie Mitchell-Turner, Sgt. Clem Billingsley, Clifton Gates, Professor Jack Kirkland, Sam Miller, Capt. Thomas Brooks, Dr. Ben Davis, Mrs. Jesse Abbington, James Hurt, Jr., Rev Paul Smith, Dr. Alice Smart, Walter Ambrose and Roscoe McCrary.

Although officially a boys club, girls were always on the scene. They competed as members of the swim team, cheered for football and basketball teams, and took part in fieldtrips. Following the trend of other clubs across the country, the Herbert Hoover club started admitting girls for membership in 1993, and the name was changed to Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club. In 2012, following the expansion of services and the establishment of club operations in South City and North County, the agency changed its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. This decision was made to reflect the organization’s growing footprint, and more strongly align the St. Louis operation with the national brand, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

For the past 50 years, the club has been at the forefront of youth development, proudly working with young people from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

BGCSTL strives to ensure that our community’s youth have greater access to quality programs and services that will shape their lives and build their futures.

Boys & Girls Club through the years

2009

June 1967 Dedication ceremony for Herbert Hoover Boys Club –Founded on the site of Sportsman’s Park

1993 Added girls - became Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club

1995 Built the Des Lee Gymnasium and updated the

“We are excited to be celebrating 50 years of providing youth development services throughout the St. Louis region. Our success compels us to address the needs of more kids, more often and in more places during non-school hours,” Flint Fowler, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, said of the anniversary.

“It’s our hope that every kid who comes through our doors, leaves, having graduated from high school with a plan for their future. We are very thankful to community partners, leaders and funders, past and present, who help us continue our proud tradition of service to St. Louis’ youth.” In addition to afterschool, summer and sports programs, for as little as $25 a year, club members also receive free dental and vision care.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis now serves youth across St. Louis city and county at eight locations (Adams Park Club, Ferguson

2017

Middle School Club, Grannemann Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Lee Hamilton Elementary School Club, O’Fallon Park Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and Riverview Gardens Club), a dropout prevention program in two high schools (Normandy High School and Roosevelt High School) and through its Mentor St. Louis Program. It is also a proud member of the United Way.

Shuntae Shields Ryan is vice president, Marketing & Communications, for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

Continued from D1

a lecture on Africa. Sarah and Robert Lee decided to attend the lecture, and the speaker was Kwame Nkrumah. They were moved and touched by his knowledge of Africa and the struggle of the African people. When Robert and Sarah finished graduate school, they reached out for Nkrumah and made a decision to move to Africa. They became citizens of Ghana and, as dentists, used their knowledge to help Ghana. Their experience in working with Nkrumah can be found in the book titled “American Africans in Ghana” by Kevin K. Gaines. Dr. Sarah Lee also became the first African-American director of the W.E.B. DuBois Center in Accra, Ghana.

Nkrumah always thought that Africans in the diaspora would play a major role in the continent’s development. These were the people who were shipped out of the continent in the holds of slave ships and brought to the western hemisphere for their free labor to build a world for the Europeans. Michelle Obama at the 2016 Democratic National Convention touched on this in a profound way when she stated, “I wake up every morning in a house built by slaves.” She struck a blow for consciousness on both sides, black and white, a fact overlooked and in many cases never thought about by many.

Nkrumah saw this as his mission. The marriage between Africans in the diaspora and those on the continent is a difficult marriage, but a marriage of necessity. He saw the Africans in the diaspora using the knowledge they had gained as slaves building the white man’s world being brought back to the continent of Africa. We should all applaud this gallant effort by former President John D. Mahama.

My rally cry over the 12 years that I lived in Ghana was that it’s better to see Africa

once than to hear about it a thousand times. This was my push to engage Africans from the diaspora to travel, live, work and do business on the African continent. Mahama stood on the shoulders of Nkrumah and later the founder of his party, the National Democratic Congress, Jerry John Rawlings, for reaching out to Africans in the diaspora to visit.

It started on a day in early 1986 in Accra when Rawlings, then the chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council, asked Minister Louis Farrakhan. “Brother Farrakhan, do you have an office in Africa?” The answer from Minister Farrakhan was no.

Then Rawlings went on to say, “Why don’t you open one for Africa, here in Ghana?”

Thirty-one years later, we’re looking at Ghana, which I project will be the first of many countries opening their doors to dual citizenship for Africans in the diaspora.

America has elected a new president in Donald J. Trump who has said little or nothing

about a continent with now over a billion people and the role that America would play in Africa. Many forward-thinking African churches, mosques, business organizations and educational institutions see that there is hope in the relationship that W.E.B. DuBouis, Martin Delany, Marcus Garvey and many more said we must develop with our home continent. We must take advantage of the tremendous wealth and potential that this great continent has. For those of us blessed to get dual citizenship with Ghana, we have the responsibility to spread this word and help to open these doors in all 54 African countries. Those of us who have struggled over the years and are in our twilight must pass this baton on. We must encourage the black millennials as they are called to get involved.

Akbar Muhammad is international representative of the Nation of Islam. He may be reached at aakbar314@yahoo. com.

Black History MontH activities

Thur., Feb. 16, 7 p.m., National Blues Museum and HEC-TV host A Conversation with Reena Evers-Everette and David Dennis, Sr.: Inside the Civil Rights Movement. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 925-0016 or visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Fri., Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. Join the STL Symphony, guest Byron Stripling and the IN UNISON Chorus to commemorate culture and community. 718 N. Grand blvd., 63103. For more information call 314-534-1700 or visit www.stlsymphony.org.

Sun., Feb. 19, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. doors), Community Women Against Hardship Black History Month Benefit Concert with special guest Russell Gunn, Harold and

Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington. For more information, call (314) 571-6000.

Thur., Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m., The Lawyers’ Association Black History Month Dinner. Westin Hotel, 811 Spruce St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 454-6543.

Tues., Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m., The Loyola Cemetery in French Guiana: Memory of Slavery at a Sugar Plantation Réginald Auger discusses the 500 slaves labored on a sugar plantation to produce a number of cash crops under the close supervision of a handful of missionaries. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Wed., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., Mound City Bar Association’s

Historical Tribute to Celia Celia was a Missouri slave that was tried and executed for

given several awards. That was the first time anyone had ever come to see me do my thing.

disappointed, but as they say, “The show must go on.”

I wasn’t completely alone, as my Aunt Mabel was in attendance. She seemed to be very proud of me. I was also

Upon graduation, I decided to attend Washington Technical High School. At the time, we only had three high schools in St. Louis that AfricanAmerican children could attend. Shortly thereafter, the schools were integrated.

I opted to go a technical high school because I could learn a trade. I selected Commercial Cooking, always thinking about my stomach. Again, I was not a very good student. Two things kept me in high school as long as I stayed: football and music. I was given a chance to learn to play the trumpet. I had a great bandmaster named Lester Bowie. If the name sounds familiar, his son, Lester Bowie Jr. became a well-known trumpet player and bandleader. I didn’t have an instrument of my own that I could practice with at home, so I had no way of reinforcing what I learned in class.

As for football, I played offensive guard and defensive tackle. Sometimes we were asked to play offense and defense. As much as I enjoyed the game, I was only mediocre, but I felt playing football made

killing the master who raped her. 10th Street Gallery, 419 N. Tenth St., 63101.

me look more macho.

On December 25, 1956, I turned 16 years of age. I had not yet completed the 10th grade. I could not see school as being the answer to my immediate woes. Out of desperation, I decided to try enlisting in the military.

So I walked down to the old post office downtown, where all of the major military recruiting offices were located. I first went to the U.S. Army, where the recruiter told me I needed to be 17. The U.S. Navy recruiter told me the same. Not to be denied, I went into the U.S. Air Force recruiting office and told the recruiter I was 17. He scribbled on a blank piece of paper my name and my birth date as 12-25-1939 and told me to take this to City Hall to get verification. The clerk in City Hall wrote my true birth date below what was written by the

Sun., Feb. 19, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. doors), CWAH Black History Month Benefit Concert with special guest Russell Gunn, Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington.

Thur., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents St. Louis Freedom Struggle, 1821-1968. We will focus on St. Louis’ role during the periods before Brown v. Board of Education and the modern Civil Rights Movement. 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-2174 or visit www.maplewood.lib.mo.us.

Thur., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents The Black Experience: Specializing in

recruiter.

Disappointed, I walked back towards home. En route, I stopped by Tillie’s Confectionary, located at the corner of Garrison and Sheridan. (Tillie’s is now a St. Louis historic site) Ms. Tillie’s son Arthur and I were classmates. So I dropped in to say hello.

As I entered the store, the first thing that caught my eye was Arthur’s sister sitting typing on a typewriter. I asked her if she would type a letter for me. She said she would. I dictated these very words.

“The information you gave me corresponds with that we have. Roland Harris was born 12-25-1939.”

The very next morning, I took the letter to the Air Force recruiter. The recruiter gave me a letter to take home for my mother to sign. Even at

the Art of the Impossible Dr. Stefan Bradley and De Nichols discuss unlikely victories and impossible odds that face African Americans. Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., True Light Missionary Baptist Church Progressive League hosts its Annual Black History Program featuring The Dynamic Silver Wings, 2838 James “Cool Papa” Bell Ave., 63106 at Glasgow Ave. For more information, call (314) 531-1801.

Through Feb. 28, African American Inventors Exhibit St. Louis County Library, St. Louis County Library – Thornhill Branch, 12863 Willowyck Drive. For more information, visit www.slcl.org.

17 you need parental consent. My mother discussed my recruitment with her boyfriend, and he said it was a good idea. So she signed it, and off I went. The recruiter accepted it and gave me an entrance exam. Remember, I had yet to complete the 10th grade. I thoroughly believe the recruiter did some razzle-dazzle to help me pass the test. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1956, I was sworn into the U.S. Air Force. This was a monumental change to my life. I was now living with a large group of older individuals. They were from all over the country and all races. To be continued in next week’s Black History Month section. Contact Roland Bob Harris at rolandharris242@yahoo. com.

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Healthy Kids

Healthcare Careers

Why Am I Eating?

Nutrition Challenge:

A good healthy habit to start is to eat only when you’re hungry. While this might sound obvious, very few of us actually do it.

Counting Steps

EatingMyJournal

Walking is one of the best ways to stay active. Throughout the day you can look for ways to increase the amount of steps you take. You can walk around the living room while watching TV. You can take the

Animal Safety

While animals can be cute and furry, we should all be careful anytime we are around any kind of animal (especially if it isn’t your own pet). A dog you see while walking down the street might seem friendly, but if it doesn’t know you it could be afraid and jump up on you, or bite. When you see someone walking a dog,

Keep an Eating Journal for a week to see when and why you ate. Was it because you were bored? Did you eat when you were sad or upset? Or maybe you ate just because it’s what you always do.

stairs instead of an elevator, or maybe you can walk to a nearby store instead of riding in a car.

Some studies show that kids that take about 12,000 steps per day are healthier.

Consider purchasing a pedometer. This small,

(Perhaps you usually eat a snack when you sit down to watch a movie.)

Now try to make it a habit to wait until your stomach tells you that you’re hungry before you eat. You’ll eat a lot less junk food… and you’ll be healthier!

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

inexpensive device clips onto your waistband and measures how many steps you take a day. Challenge yourself to increase the amount of walking you do. Try adding in more and more walking each and every day.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 4, NH 1

it’s always a good idea to ask the dog’s owner if it’s ok to pet the dog.

And finally, if you see an unleashed dog (or any kind of wild animal) wandering around, do not approach the animal or attempt to pick it up. Wild animals are scared of you and may lash out at you in fear.

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

very thin, drizzle with oil and put in a single layer on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt/pepper. Bake 15-20 minutes, until crisp.

April Duncan, Owner

Where do you work? I am the owner of All About Play!

Where did you go to school? I graduated from O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Illinois. I then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia, a Master of Social Work from Saint Louis University, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

What does a play therapist do? I play! No, really! Kids come to me when dealing with issues like losing a loved one or struggling with managing their anger. We use different things like music, art and sand to help develop better ways to handle feelings and help get through difficult times at home and school. From basketball to painting, we work together to learn better ways to handle our emotions and deal with home and school, all while having fun!

Why did you choose this career? I love to help people and I love to have fun, so I chose a career where I can do both! I’m a big kid at heart, so helping kids while playing is something right up my alley!

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

Even though it’s fun and games, it’s also learning. My favorite part of my job is seeing a child gain a new skill, like walking away from an argument. I love it when a kid comes into a play session with a smile on their face and tells me something they’ve accomplished due to the work we’ve done. It’s the best part of the job.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

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

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Gateway MST Elementary 5th grade teacher, Todd Robinson, works on a lesson with students Ricki Young, Clifford Thurmond, and Tajion Allen using the STEM page from the newspaper.

Gateway MST Elementary School is part of the St.Louis Public Schools district.

SCIENCE CORNER

Do you enjoy math? Maybe you are curious about studying math in college, but you’re unsure what kind of jobs you could have with a degree in mathematics. Below is a list of just a few of the careers that are related to math, there are many more. Careers in math not only involve numbers and patterns, but they include logic and problem solving. Read on to see if any of these careers sound interesting to you.

Accountant—deals with money. They can help companies evaluate gains and losses. They also help people file their income taxes.

Actuary—calculates risk and the cost involved with those risks. They usually work for insurance companies. For example, they may study trends to see if more male or female drivers have auto accidents. What age is a driver more likely to have an accident?

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Civil Engineer plans roads, buildings, airports, bridges, etc. for the public. They need to test not only design safety, but they need to make sure the building can accommodate the flow of people.

Surveyor—measures land, air space, and water area. If you enjoy math and the outdoors, this could be a good career for you.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-world and text-to-self connections.

Consecutive

In this activity, you will use logic to form and test a hypothesis to solve the problem.

Materials Needed:

• Pencil • Paper • Calculator (optional) Process:

q Find five consecutive numbers that add up to 100.

w Form a hypothesis. Where will you start? What five numbers do you think it could be? Why?

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS MAP CORNER

e Test your hypothesis. Continue to revise until you have the correct answer.

q Put these decimals in order from least to greatest: 7.9, 8.1, 7.2, 8.4, 6.9 ____________________

w Write 1/100 as a decimal: _________

e Write ½ as a decimal: _________

Number Patterns

r Once you know which five consecutive numbers equal 100, try to figure out which five consecutive numbers equal 200. After you do that, you’ll probably see a pattern.

t Use the pattern to see which five consecutive numbers add up to 300.

Reflect: Did you find a pattern? For an added challenge, figure out what you would have to do to find six or seven consecutive numbers that add up to 100.

Learning Standards: I can form and test a hypothesis to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

Decimals

t Write .75 as a fraction in simplest form: _________

African American Computer Scientist and Educator Kyla McMullen

Kyla McMullen grew up in Washington, D.C. She had the nickname of Inspector Gadget because she loved computers and always had some type of electronic device with her.

A high school teacher, Mr. Randy Ware, encouraged his students to see themselves as scientists. Her parents were not able to attend college, and it was very important to them that McMullen have that opportunity for education. She graduated from Oxon Hill High School, where she participated in the science and technology program.

McMullen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 2005 from the University of Maryland. From there, she earned a master’s in computer science and engineering from the University of Michigan in 2007, and stayed there to earn her PhD five years later. She was the first AfricanAmerican woman to earn a doctorate in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. While in college, she was president of the Society of Minority Engineers and Scientists. She was vice president of the Movement of Underrepresented Sisters in Engineering and Science (MUSES).

McMullen’s research focuses on 3D audio signal processing to learn about the environment. In 2007, she began creating educational software that taught children to identify relationships of objects. She also worked in the Naval Submarine Research Lab where she constructed a virtual environment used for training simulations. She currently works in South Carolina at Clemson University School of Computing as an assistant professor.

She has received many honors and awards, such as the 2015 Emerging Scholar for Diverse Issues in Higher Education. She was awarded a travel grant from Google, Inc. and the National Black Data Processing Associates awarded her the Professional Achievement Award. MUSES awarded her the Trailblazer Award for Achievement.

She says if she could invent anything, she would invent a machine that washes, dries, separates, folds, and puts clothes on hangers. She has some advice for students: learn to work with others, even if they are very different from you. She says, “The only thing constant in life is change.” Get used to change; be flexible. McMullan says that any student interested in computer science can email her at: kyla. mcmullen@gmail.com.

Learning Standards: person who has made contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

y Place the following in order from least to greatest: 1/10, ¾, .43, .9, 1.6, 11/10 ______________________

Learning Standards: I can compare decimal and fraction amounts. I can convert a decimal to a fraction.

.75 .57 1.6 .9 .43

r Write .57 as a fraction: _________

DID YOU KNOW?

If you have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, you are 9 times more likely to get a job than someone without a

Activities — Automobiles for Sale:

Use a classified section to calculate the percentage of the following: the percentage of cars that are 4 door, the percentage of used cars with mileage over 60,000, the percentage of trucks, and the percentage of used cars listed in “excellent condition.”

Color Pictures: It costs more money to print newspaper pictures in color. Look through your newspaper to see which pictures and graphics have been printed in color, and which have been printed in black and white. Why do you think the specific pictures and images were chosen to print in color? If you were making the choice, which pictures would be printed in color? Why?

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can calculate percentage. I can evaluate graphics and use evidence to support decisions.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Social video entrepreneur selected for startup accelerator

Zuley Clarke, CEO of Humblee, which was selected to participate in the Spring 2017 Prosper Women Entrepreneurs Startup Accelerator in St. Louis.

Accepting applications now for fall cohort, with participants getting $50K in capital investment

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Zuley Clarke’s company Humblee is one of five women-led companies that have been selected to participate in the Spring 2017 Prosper Women Entrepreneurs (PWE) Startup Accelerator in St. Louis.

Each company will receive an initial $50,000 capital investment and will have the opportunity for up to $100,000 in follow-on funding. Participants gain access to mentors, exposure to a network of experts and investors, and receive a customized curriculum designed to advance business growth and raise follow-on capital. More than 80 percent of previous participants have received follow-on funding.

n In St. Louis, Clarke, who is based in New York, said she hopes to grow her client base and to meet new creative professionals to potentially work on video/design projects for Humblee.

The goal of Humblee, according to Clarke, is “to help every creative team in the world produce social video faster.” Humblee clients pick from video templates that are optimized for social channels and are then connected to a

video maker from a vetted global marketplace of videographers, editors and animators.

Prior to co-founding Humblee, she led the UX (user experience design) efforts at places like Shutterstock, The Economist and Showtime. She received a master’s degree in digital media from the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

PWE’s three-month program provides an intensive experience for women, solely focused on their business growth. Based in the heart of St. Louis’ innovation district, participants commit to being in St. Louis for 15 days during the three-month program.

See STARTUP, B6

Missouri Consumer Protection Law is under attack

By Cara Spencer Consumers Council of Missouri

Big business and the Missouri Legislature have teamed up to make major changes to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MPA), the law that has been protecting consumers from deceptive business practices in Missouri since 1967. Senate Bill 5 (SB5) proposes several changes designed to weaken the MPA.

SB5 exempts from MPA coverage practices “regulated” by a state or federal agency including title lenders, payday lenders, finance companies, banks, credit unions, you name it. This provision effectively gives businesses a license to cheat ordinary citizens like you, stripping from MPA all of the power provided to private individuals to take action against predatory businesses and embracing government regulation over citizen empowerment.

SB5 limits a consumer’s right to sue, including only certain types of deception. Currently the MPA allows for broader protection to fight deceptions before, during or after the

sale. Under SB5, anything that happened after the conclusion of the deal with an unscrupulous business would no longer be covered by MPA. Home foreclosures, vehicle repossessions, credit card abuses, bogus collection lawsuits, false credit reporting, and many more bad acts would be allowed, unchecked.

SB5 all but eliminates citizen power to band together in class action. This takes away one of the chief ways to stop unlawful business practices. After all, it is easier to steal a dollar from 1000 people than it is to steal $1,000 from one person.

If SB5 becomes law, unscrupulous businesses would have a huge advantage over honest ones. Businesses that resort to unfair or deceptive practices would have no fear of being held accountable. Honest businesses couldn’t compete. More and more scammers would

n SB5 all but eliminates citizen power to band together in class action. This takes away one of the chief ways to stop unlawful business practices.

migrate to Missouri while fewer and fewer honest businesses would stay.

Consumers Council of Missouri urges you to please call or email your legislator and tell them that you disagree with SB5’s objectives. You can find your legislators at this link: http://www. senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx.

Evil prevails when good people do nothing. SB5 is not written for the benefit people. The supporters of this bill want a license to cheat. We hope our voices in the legislature will preserve all consumers’ right to fair business practices.

Cara Spencer is executive director of Consumers Council of Missouri and 20th Ward alderwoman in St. Louis.

Kawanna Leggett was appointed Washington University in St. Louis’ first executive director of residential life, effective March 20. She will lead a team of 40 central staff, 70 housekeepers and more than 150 student employees; manage an annual budget of $50 million; and further strengthen Washington University’s unique learning-living communities. She is leaving her position as director of residential education at the University of California, Berkeley.

Greg Belger Jr. opened two new offices, one in the Kansas City and one in Columbia, for Safe Harbor Finance & Insurance, his financial consulting firm based in Clayton. He also serves on the Board of Directors of St. Louis Crisis Nursery and volunteers as a mentor and track coach to local teen athletes. He attended Arkansas State University as a track scholar after a track career at University City High School.

Valerie Hubbard joined Central Christian School, a private school for preschool through 6th grade, as school counselor. She brings 13 years of counseling and therapy experience with children and families in private practice and school settings, and much of her career has been spent serving children ages 3-12. She also serves as counselor in ministry at The Gate Church, training lay ministers to support and counsel church members and attenders.

Thomas Taylor joined the 20162017 Leadership 100 Cohort of the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network. He is Business Support manager at U.S. Trust. The goal of the network, which is open to ethnically diverse professionals under 40, is to attract and retain young talent to the region and to give future leaders unique opportunities for networking, professional development and community involvement.

Barbara J. Wilson was elected treasurer of the Saint Louis Zoo Association, which provides leadership for fundraising, conservation education, programming, facilities, government relations and special events. She is director of Financial Operations at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Joseph T. Ambrose, vice chairman First Bank, was elected president; and John R. Sondag, president of AT&T Missouri, was elected vice president. Christopher Terry joined the Board of Directors of FOCUS St. Louis. He is a custom residential real

Kawanna Leggett

Valerie Hubbard

Thomas Taylor

Barbara J. Wilson

Greg Belger Jr.

Christopher Terry

Cara Spencer

By Nathaniel Sillin

How to turn monetary gifts into teachable moments

Children and teenagers who received monetary gifts for the holidays are often excited to choose what to buy. While they should be allowed to spend some of the money or gift cards, as a parent, you could also use these windfall gains as an opportunity to teach and practice important personal finance lessons.

Here are a few ideas to start with, although you can alter the message or subject matter to match your child’s experience and ability to understand the topic.

Create money goals together. Planning how your child will save or spend monetary gifts is a valuable skill and practice no matter their age. (If you don’t have a personal plan, this is a great opportunity to set an example

by developing your financial path as well.)

You can start by drawing three columns – spending, saving and giving – and having them write a few goals for each. Explain the difference and importance of long- and short-term goals, and the value of having an emergency fund (for kids this could help pay for a car repair or bike tire).

Set priorities and discuss the big picture. Have them add up all they received and divide it into each column. Offer guidance to help them determine how much to put into saving and charity, taking the time to explain your reasoning.

They’ll likely find that there isn’t enough money to make a significant impact on all their goals and they’ll need to prioritize based on how

important each goal is to them. Share your own experiences and how sometimes it’s better to save for a bigger and better purchase later. You could also have them calculate how expected earnings from allowance, working or upcoming holidays or birthdays could help them achieve their unrealized goals.

Decide where to store the savings. If they don’t already have one, it might be a good time to open a bank account with your children. Go over the differences between a checking and savings account and how they can store the money they received and earn. Your kids can then decide how to split their funds between checking and savings based on their goals.

Gift cards can pose a challenge, particularly if they’re store-specific cards.

Children who receive them can’t deposit them at the bank, and they should take this into account as they determine which priorities they can meet and which may need to wait. However, there are online marketplaces where they can buy and sell gift cards. How much they’ll pay and receive depends on the marketplace and the store – an example of supply and demand in action.

Comparison shop before making a purchase. No doubt children are going to want to spend some of the money right away. It offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of comparison shopping.

Comparing prices at various retailers can help them find a good deal, and they should also consider several alternative but similar purchases. Being able to figure out what best fits

one’s needs, wants and budget is an important skill at any age.

Discuss the time value of money and importance of saving wisely. Older children might be ready to learn about the time value of money, the idea that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar in the future.

You could discuss how inflation can decrease the purchasing power of money over time. Older children might be able to think of examples, and you can reinforce the point with images of old advertisements for 5 cent soda or gum.

The next step might be to discuss the importance of saving and investing and how compound interest could potentially offset or supersede the effects of inflation.

Bottom line: You can’t force behaviors, but you can use teaching moments to explain and practice valuable money management skills. The holidays are a great opportunity as many children receive gift cards or money, and these lessons can continue throughout the year. Try to reflect the skills and practices you’re teaching in your day to day life as well. Children can pick up on the non-verbal lessons you demonstrate as much as the explicit lessons you sit down and teach.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Perhaps conclude by touching on opportunity costs, the tradeoffs that come from every decision.

Why are Trump and Congress attacking consumer protections?

By Charlene Crowell Guest columnist

As a new Congress and White House begin their respective governmental roles, a still-growing cadre of supporters and opponents are focusing on the future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Ironically, Capitol Hill’s ongoing regulatory tugof-war is really not a partisan issue for much of the nation. Early consumer polls documented that the strongest supporters for financial regulation were consumers of color. Considering that Black and Latino consumers are often targeted for financial abuse, strong support is understandable.

as well:

• By a margin of 55 to 28 percent, Trump voters oppose efforts to weaken or eliminate the CFPB;

n “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the cop on the beat, protecting Main Street from Wall Street misconduct.”

– Connecticut AG George Jepsen

Even a December 2016 online poll conducted by Glover Park Group/Morning Consult revealed strong support for CFPB among Trump voters

• 47 percent say the Dodd Frank financial reforms should be kept or expanded, as against 27 percent who want to see that law scaled back or repealed; and • 41 percent want the bureau to be left alone, and 14 percent say its power should be increased. So why are some Capitol Hill lawmakers and lobbyists still determined to attack the CFPB and Richard Cordray, its director? A number of recent actions appear out of sync with even President Trump’s base.

As early as January 11, a bill was filed to change CFPB’s governance from a single director to a fivemember commission. Nearly six years ago, CFPB opponents tried

unsuccessfully to create a less efficient commission rather than an accountable, single director structure. Sponsored by Nebraska’s Senator Deb Fisher, the measure was assigned to the Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and awaits further consideration.

On January 20, Reince Priebus announced to federal agency heads and executive departments that a regulatory freeze would take effect at noon that same day.

collection and auto finance.

In the meantime, a growing number of lawmakers, state officials and consumer advocates are raising their respective voices to alert consumers of all that is at stake and their commitment to financial fairness. A total of 16 state attorneys general agree.

As an independent law enforcement agency, many consumer advocates would argue that CFPB should be exempted from executive actions.

Charlene Crowell

Even though the Priebus memo made no specific mention of CFPB, the specter of its still pending regulation hangs in the balance. After public hearings and comments, many consumer advocates anxiously await rules that would govern small dollar loans such as payday and cartitle, and others affecting debt

On January 23, Connecticut AG George Jepsen and his colleagues filed a motion to intervene in a federal appeals case, defending the constitutionality of the CFPB.

Writing for the group, AG Jepsen said, “The CFPB is the cop on the beat, protecting Main Street from Wall Street misconduct. It was structured by Congress to be a powerful and independent agency that would protect consumers from the abuses of Wall Street, banks, and other large financial institutions…. That mission is still critical to consumers today.”

The following day, January 24, a letter to President Trump from 38 members of the Congressional Black Caucus called for Director Cordray to remain in his position through his confirmed 2018 term. According to the CBC members, with Director Cordray’s leadership

nearly $30 million in civil monetary penalties and over $400 million in restitution went to 1.4 million minority consumers.

“Communities of color and, indeed, all consumers in America will benefit from having Director Cordray remain in his position and continue to independently implement the mandates imposed upon him by Congress as the Director of the CFPB,” wrote the CBC.

The letter to President Trump also followed a January 18 guest column jointly authored by California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Congressman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, the newly-elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Their column declared that CFPB Director Richard Cordray had their “unyielding support” and added that the Bureau is “America’s most important consumer protection agency”.

“In 2007, the American economy was shaken to its core. Trillions of dollars in wealth disappeared,” wrote Waters and Richmond.

“Nationally, the wealth of African-American families dropped a staggering 53 percent. Without question, a large part of that decline was a direct consequence of predatory lending practices by the financial services industry, targeted at communities of color, and the absence of a strong, independent federal regulator with the ability to

stop it.”

A recent separate guest column by Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending, recapped CFPB’s notable financial strides.

“In its five years as an agency, the CFPB has recovered more than $11 billion for 27 million consumers harmed by illegal practices of financial institutions,” wrote Calhoun.

“The Bureau has secured relief in more than 100 cases, directly putting money back in the pockets of American consumers who have been victimized by companies that refuse to follow the law.” The CFPB was created after 5 million American families lost their homes to foreclosure. The resulting loss of family wealth will take years, if not decades to recover. Earlier regulation protected the private sector much more than it did the public. And with no federal agency dedicated to consumer financial services, those who tried to speak up about financial abuses found that agency personnel did not have consumer protection as a top priority. Instead, agencies juggled other multiple and competing responsibilities.

While CFPB opponents and supporters continue to air their differences, Director Cordray and his staff are continuing to serve the public according to the law.

A January 24 Wall Street Journal interview quoted Director Cordray saying, “My job is to take the law as it’s given to me and enforce it and implement it faithfully. I think this independent consumer watchdog as part of that framework is a very important principle and one that we should fight to preserve.”

Well said, Director Cordray. Our nation and all its people need you.

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

Southwest adding weekend service to Charleston

This summer Southwest Airlines will add new Saturday and Sunday service to a new destination, Charleston, South Carolina, four daily flights to current destinations, beginning June 4. The new stops to current destination are one daily additional non-stop flight to Boston, Cleveland , Nashville and San Diego. The additional flights to Cleveland and Nashville will continue beyond the summer schedule.

– Martellus Bennett, on the 2017 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots being invited to the Trump White House

Ramey commits to Louisville

Kirkwood visits Parkway N. for girls’ showdown

PreP BasketBall NoteBook

Webster Groves basketball standout Courtney Ramey has given a verbal commitment to the University of Louisville.

A five-star recruit, the 6’3” junior point guard chose Louisville over Florida, Creighton and Kansas State. Ramey had received scholarship offers from more than two dozen top Division I schools around the country.

One of the main factors in Ramey’s decision was his relationship with Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino of Louisville. Pitino made several trips to St. Louis to see Ramey in action, including two weeks ago when he brought his entire staff to Webster Groves’ victory at SLUH.

“I really like Coach Pitino and I feel he had the best relationship with me,” Ramey said. “I love how he develops his players. He trusts his players and makes them better. He gives his guards a lot of freedom.”

Ramey is currently averaging more than 20 points and eight rebounds and six assists in leading the Statesmen to a 15-2 record. The first day after he made his announcement, Ramey scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Statesmen to a 75-67 victory over Illinois powerhouse Chicago Morgan Park in the featured game of the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout.

Girls’ showdown on tap

Two of the top high school girls’ programs in the state will square off on Friday night when Kirkwood pays a visit to Parkway North. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Both teams are state-championship contenders in their respective classes with Kirkwood in Class 5 and Parkway North in Class 4. Kirkwood is currently 17-2 and coming off the championship of the Webster Winter Classic. The Pioneers are led by 6’2” senior UCLA recruit Lauryn Miller, who is averaging 18.4 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. Talented junior guard Jayla Everett is averaging 16.5 points while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Point guard Makayla Wallace is averaging 11.4 points a game while guard Lola Bracy averages 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a game.

Parkway North is currently 15-4 with one

Two tears for Julio Jones

Julio Jones deserves better.

The Atlanta Falcons had the football on the 50-yard-line with a little more than four and a half minutes remaining in the Super Bowl. After a blazing first-half, the Falcons offense was mired in an epic freefall, watching a 28-3 lead shrink to 28-20. The next few plays would determine the fate of Super Bowl LI. Jones made a play for the ages. With a blitz bearing down on him, regular-season MVP QB Matt Ryan escaped a collapsing pocket, raced towards the line of scrimmage and unleashed a high pass towards the sidelines. Somehow, the pass made it just over the reach of the cornerback and into the speedy 6-foot-4 wide receiver’s outstretched hands.

In a split second, Jones managed to secure the football, drag one foot and slam the

other one down – in bounds. He then turned to adjust his body before landing to ensure the ball did not touch the ground. It was a perfect pass and catch from Jonesto-Ryan, a combination that terrorized opposing defenses all season. The reception gave the Falcons a first-down at the 22 yard line. It meant the Falcons would be able to kill some valuable time off the clock and/or eat up the New England Patriots’ precious timeouts. As long as Pro Bowl kicker Matt Bryant, who was 34-of-37 during the regular season and 3-for-3 in the playoffs, could make a chip shot field goal, the Lombardi Trophy was going to Atlanta. Even with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, there’s simply no way the Patriots would be able to score 11 or more points in the time remaining. You don’t have to be a NFL analyst

Earl Austin Jr.

With Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

Courtney Ramey (#13) of Webster Groves has given a verbal commitment to the University of Louisville

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Mizzou recruiting shows St. Louis, K.C. aren’t in the picture

Howard Richards, University of Missouri assistant athletic director for community relations, has his work cut out for him as he tries to reestablish a relationship between St. Louis’ top recruits and his athletic department.

While Missouri’s 2017 recruiting class is ranked 47th in the nation by Rivals, not a single St. Louis area resident is among its ranks – and just one player from the Kansas City region is included.

be closed to the self-appointed Metro-Area Mizzou expert bashers. Lending these people a voice over the decades has back fired on Mizzou, and the consequences of propping them (up) has been disastrous.

Alvin A. Reid

Da’Ron Davis, a 6-1, 190-pound wide receiver, made it official last Wednesday, February 1 that he would be a Tiger. Despite a nagging ankle injury, Davis caught 56 passes for 703 yards in eight games.

While several other top committed players spurned Mizzou as signing day approached, Davis stayed with his pledge. He told the PostDispatch, “I stayed with them and I was the only one in the state. I just want to show them what I can do and make my family proud.”

“If the coaches don’t show up, then our staff can question the coaches’ interests when talking to the recruit(s) and his parents during the recruiting process. Odom can’t address perceived slights or out of control egos if they don’t take a seat at the table.”

OK, we’ve got “these people,” that’s quite flattering. If your grievance against Mizzou is the racial cloud that seems to hang over the campus, how do you defend that to people who believe there is no problem? If they do believe there is a problem and the fault is put on black students and weak administrators, what has been accomplished?

n Tigerboard. com is littered with comments trashing St. Louis, the black players who threatened to boycott in 2015 and anyone who dares suggest there is a race problem at Mizzou.

One of Richards’ tasks will be to quell Mizzou fans’ negativity toward this region.

Tigerboard.com is littered with comments trashing St. Louis, the black players who threatened to boycott in 2015 and anyone who dares suggest there is a race problem at Mizzou and its impact on recruiting.

Here’s a post directed to Richards from Tigerfish – of course, the writer doesn’t identify himself. This is also a tame comment compared to many others.

“Engaging now is urgent with the crop of D-1 talent on the table for 2018. Whether on campus, or in StL and KC. These (high school) coaches need to come and state their grievances. At the same time, they should be expected (if they’re men) to defend those grievances,” Tigerfish posted.

“These meetings have to

Other state universities in conservative states have no problem recruiting black athletes from metropolitan regions. Of course, there is the tried-and-true explanation that those schools have “good blacks” and we have “bad blacks” in this state. It is an acute problem for Missouri, one that Howard must address immediately. And we’ll save this same discussion on Mizzou basketball recruiting for another day – and the next coach.

Lovie lands STL recruits

If Mizzou’s lack of recruiting success in the St. Louis region isn’t painful enough, add that coach Lovie Smith landed several of the area’s best players for the University of Illinois.

St. Louis University High defensive back Tony Adams, Trinity offensive lineman Larry Boyd and safety James Knight of East St. Louis signed with the Fighting Illini on National Signing Day.

East St. Louis quarterback

Reyondous Estes spurned his unofficial commitment to Missouri and seemed headed to Illinois to join Smith. But P.J. Fleck was hired as head coach and convinced Estes to be a Gopher.

Marquis Hayes, a standout offensive lineman at Pattonville, penned with the Oklahoma Sooners.

A.J. Epenesa of Edwardsville, Ill., whose father played at Iowa, is taking his five-star defensive lineman talent to the Hawkeyes football program.

The Wiz easing down road

While the Washington Wizards had a 17-game home win streak snapped in a 140135 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal and his band of brothers have given notice to the NBA they are a forced to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

The Wizards were less than a second from recording an 18th consecutive home win and seventh victory in a row. Kevin Love threw a court-length pass to LeBron James who banked in an improbable, gametying three-point shot from a physics-defying angle to force overtime.

At 30-21 after Monday’s loss, the Wizards were fourth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, a half-game in front of Atlanta. The Toronto Raptors stood at 32-21. If Washington

wants to avoid the Cavs until the conference finals, it behooves them to catch the Raptors and place third.

Beal nailed six threepointers and tallied a gamehigh 41 points for the Wizards.

“This is more of a playoff game than anything,” Beal, a Chaminade and Florida product, told the Washington Post. “That was definitely a test and a battle for us. I think we did a tremendous job handling it.”

Otto Porter Jr., a St. Louis native who played his high school basketball in the Sikeston, Mo., area and then Georgetown, has been a key cog in the Wizards’ rejuvenation.

Averaging 14.4 points and 6.6 assists this season, Porter poured in 25 points in the loss.

While Beal has high praise for Wizards fans, he was not thrilled with the crowd that

Da’Ron Davis, a 6-1, 190-pound wide receiver, made it official last Wednesday, February 1 that he would be a Tiger.

attended last Thursday’s 116108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

While there were more than 16,000 fans at the Verizon Center, many (or most) were cheering for the pathetic Lakers.

“That’s terrible. I feel like we were on the road today,” Beal said after game. I must admit that during my four years living and working in the Washington D.C. area I attended three Lakers games while decked out in Lakers gear and cheered for the Lakers.

Alvin A. Reid is a panelist on the Nine Network program “Donnybrook” and appears on ABC’s “The Allman Report” and several sports radio shows, including Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box” on KFNS. His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

inSide SPorTS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Anthony Virdure is lighting up Lincoln

Former Lutheran North standout on pace to be Division II All-American

Getting buckets has been a way of life for Anthony Virdure throughout his entire basketball career.

The 6’0” Virdure has been a potent scorer at every level he has competed on the court. Whether at the high school, junior college and now the NCAA Division II collegiate level, Virdure continues to be near the top of the scoring charts.

A former standout at Lutheran North, Virdure is now a senior at Lincoln University, where he has been a big part in the Tigers’ basketball fortunes. In two seasons at Lincoln, Virdure has scored 1,154 points and is on track to be a Division II AllAmerican. Virdure was named the Midwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week after an explosive performance against Northwest Missouri State last week.

Virdure scored a career-high 50 points in Lincoln’s near upset of Northwest Missouri State, which is undefeated and

Continued from B3

mates decided to go to the White House, there would be something poetic about a team representing ‘Black Mecca’ being the first professional team to visit the new administration. However, just like the Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll and Darrel Bevel in Super Bowl XLIX, the Falcons coaches decided to get cute

Cardinal Ritter College Prep celebrated the career of former star Chris Carrawell by retiring his number before the Lions’ game against Kennedy. Carrawell was a Parade AllAmerican at Ritter who went on to be a fouryear starter at Duke.

ranked No. 1 in the country. He was 18 of 28 from the field, six of eight from 3-point range and made all eight of his free throws in what was an incredible performance. For the season, Virdure is averaging 22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and four assists while shooting 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line. Most important, Lincoln U. is currently 14-9 while competing in the rugged MIAA. He averaged 21.5 points a game last season.

Athletic Association Region 16 championship and a berth in the National Tournament in 2015. He was selected as a NJCAA All-American for his efforts.

Harris-Stowe is on a roll

A 2013 graduate of Lutheran North, Virdure graduated as the school’s career scoring leader after leading the Crusaders to Class 3 Final Four berths in 2012 and 2013. He began his college career at Mineral Area College, where the led the Cardinals to the National Junior College

and ruined everything. After a -1 yard run on first-and-10, OC Kyle Shanahan, who has since become the San Francisco 49ers head coach, dialed up a passing play. Instead of using his overriding the call, head coach Dan Quinn co-signed the call. Ryan was sacked and the Falcons lost some serious yardage.

Still, with the ball at the 35 yard line (a 52-yard attempt), the Falcons were still within Bryant’s field goal range. The smart call after the disastrous sack would’ve been to hand off the ball, hope to gain four

The men’s basketball team at Harris-Stowe State University has been on a successful run in recent weeks. The Hornets have been on a six-game winning streak and have been playing some excellent basketball along the way under first year coach Brion Dunlap. The biggest victory in that streak was an 88-83 upset over perennial power Columbia College, which was ranked No. 3 in the country in the NAIA rankings.

Harris Stowe has several standouts who have contributed to the team’s winning ways as

or five yards and put Bryant within 47-yards. It would not have been a chip shot, but considering that the 41-year-old kicker made six field goals of 50 yards or more, including a 59-yard kick, the odds were good for Atlanta. Instead, the Falcons opted to try another pass. This time a holding penalty pushed them back 10 more yards and out of field goal range. The rest is history. Brady and Belichick did what they do best. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman one-upped Jones’ catch with

PREP

Continued from B3 of those losses coming to Kirkwood in the semifinals of the Visitation Christmas Tournament in late December. The Vikings are led by 5’3” senior guard Jaydn Pimentel, who averages 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, four assists and four steals a game. Pimentel has signed with Lamar. Junior guard Amaya Stovall is averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Up front, the Vikings feature 6’0” senior Aliyah Belcher and 6’1” senior Jordan May. Belcher averages 12.7 points while May averages 10.1 points. Celebrating the past

There were a couple of special ceremonies last Friday night to celebrate past high school basketball glory. CBC High celebrated the 20-year anniversary of its 1997 team that won the Class 4A state championship. That Cadets team was led by All-American Larry Hughes and current CBC coach Justin Tatum. To add to the celebration, the host Cadets upset top-ranked Chaminade 83-75 to hand the Red Devils their first loss in Metro Catholic Conference play in four years.

Cardinal Ritter College Prep celebrated the career of former star Chris Carrawell by retiring his number before the Lions’ game against Kennedy. Carrawell was a Parade AllAmerican at Ritter who went on to be a four-year starter at Duke. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2000. Carrawell is now as assistant coach at Marquette University.

Gateway High will be celebrating the 20-year

anniversary of its statechampionship girls’ basketball team on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Jaguars’ last home game. Gateway Tech won the Class 4A state championship in 1997 and finished with a 28-0 record. Coach Sherman Curtis’ squad featured players such as Christian Shelton, Tara “Peaches” Harris, Brandie Archibald, Latosha Thompson, Tiana Ford and Diana Hill, who all went on to sign with Division I schools.

of late. Junior Jalen Fletcher (North Tech) had 26 points and 10 rebounds in a victory over Lindenwood-Belleville.

Trevor Roberts, a 6’1” senior guard from Carnahan High in St. Louis, has scored more than 1,200 points in his career.

Craig Davila, Jr. is a 5’11” senior guard who scored 31 points in a victory over Williams Baptist. Sophomore guard Julian Clarkson is a 3-point shooter who knocked down several key long distance jumpers in the upset over Columbia. The Hornets also received a boost at semester with the addition of former Cardinal Ritter standout Cameron Biedschied. The 6’7” Biedschied is finishing his career at Harris-Stowe after a few Division stops. He scored 17 points in a victory over Lindenwood-Belleville.

Dunlop came to HarrisStowe from Winston-Salem State, where he was an assistant coach last season. He also spent several years as a Division I assistant coach at Holy Cross.

a spectacular shoe-string grab. The Pats marched down the field for a touchdown, a twopoint conversion and then another TD in overtime to complete the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. When will coaches learn? You can’t outsmart Belichick. Atlanta fans (and Patriots haters) wept as the Patriots earned another improbable Super Bowl title. It’s hard to argue against Brady as the G.O.A.T. Though the conservative Brady skipped the White House visit during the Patriots last Super Bowl title (when

In two seasons at Lincoln University, Anthony Virdure, a former standout at Lutheran North, has scored 1,154 points.

Barack Obama was still in office), he will surely be all grins to meet his hero. Meanwhile, Jones, the Falcons’ #2 career receiver, despite being in the league for just six seasons, is left to limp off into the offseason. He’s contemplating foot surgery, after dealing with ankle, foot and toe injuries for most of the season. Yes, the same feet, ankles and toes that he so masterfully kept in bounds on his remarkable catch may go under the knife once again. The man who caught every thrown to him during the Super Bowl,

who commanded a double team on nearly every passing down and whose catch should have lifted his team to victory must now go home and wonder how his team coaches managed to flush his efforts down the drain. Jones deserved better. He put the Falcons on his shoulders when the team needed him most, only to have the coaches do their best to ‘Make

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTeS of The Week

Deandre Campbell

Parkway Central – Boys Basketball

The 6’0” junior point guard averaged 27 points a game last week to lead the Colts to three consecutive victories. Campbell had 33 points, three rebounds and two assists in the Colts’ 74-43 victory over Ladue. He followed that up with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in a 62-50 victory over Troy. Campbell finished the week with 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals in a 56-45 victory over Parkway West. For the season, Campbell is averaging 23.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 49 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line for the 13-7 Colts.

Lauryn Miller

Kirkwood – Girls Basketball

The 6’2” senior forward led the Pioneers to the championship of the Webster Winter Classic last week.

Miller averaged 25 points a game in Kirkwood’s three victories in the tournament. She scored a game-high 32 points in the Pioneers’ 76-69 victory over Incarnate Word in the championship game. She scored 28 points in the Pioneers’ 58-49 victory over Rock Bridge in the semifinals and 16 points in a victory over Cor Jesu in the first round.

For the season, Miller averaged 18.4 points and 9.5 rebounds a game in leading the Pioneers to a 17-2 record. A four-year starter, Miller will be headed to UCLA next season on a basketball scholarship.

Making a career of Congress

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation internship led to staff position for Rasheedah Hasan

American staff

From the beginning of her professional career, Rasheedah Hasan had one goal, to serve in the United States Congress. She launched her plan in the fall of 2011 at Northwest

Missouri State University, where she pursued her degree in psychology. Almost immediately, she secured several opportunities for professional development. This progress included a stint in the Missouri General Assembly.

Her initial internship position was under the purview of the Office of Missouri state Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence).

After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2015, Hasan moved to Washington, D.C. to fulfill her dream. In the beginning of

her D.C. experience, she served as a judicial fellow within the Office of Human Rights under Chief Administrative Law Judge David Simmons. Shortly thereafter, she applied and was accepted to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) Congressional Internship program.

n “There are so many opportunities in Congress.”

As an emerging leader in the fall 2016 CBCF Congressional Internship cohort, Hasan had direct access to Congress and daily opportunities to hone her skills as a staffer, future leader and

– Rasheedah Hasan

public advocate. With a push for greater diversity in Congress and a strong passion to tackle serious policy issues, she began the comprehensive networking process that ultimately helped her achieve a full-time position within the United States House of Representatives.

“Rasheedah had a plan and a vision from day one,” says Brent Sullivan, founder of Time On The Hill. “She is naturally poised and incredibly sharp. She had the powerful CBCF backing and an incredible plan for landing

a job. There was no doubt that she would be incredibly successful.”

Now, as Hasan turns the corner with an official congressional badge in hand, her hard work and relentless dedication will determine her success and career. “There are so many opportunities in Congress,” she said. “My focus is to deliver a strong work product each and every day and see what evolves. I’m grateful to be immersed in policy work and thankful to officially serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

If you are interested in working in the Congress, visit https://timeonthehill.com/ first-step/ for help from Time On The Hill.

Conservation Innovation Grants deadline is March 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for grants to fund projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

State Conservationist J.R. Flores said Missouri anticipates having $100,000 in state-component funds available for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). He said individual grants up to $50,000 can be used to fund

STARTUP

continued from page B1

In St. Louis, Clarke, who is based in New York, said she hopes to grow her client base and to meet new creative professionals to potentially work on video/design projects for Humblee.

The other companies selected to participate in the PWE Spring 2017 cohort are FetchFind, a career and education site dedicated exclusively to the pet industry; Makeena, a mobile app focused on making healthy products affordable; Per Diem Plus, an automated per diem and expense tracking mobile app designed exclusively for the transportation industry; and SOCIAL Sparkling Wine, an organic, gluten-free sparkling wine that is blended with

up to 50 percent of a project lasting one to three years.

State CIG Project Manager Karen Brinkman said projects should address one of four identified resource concerns: data analytics for natural resources conservation; payfor-success models to stimulate conservation adoption; precision conservation approaches; and water management technologies and approaches to maximize agricultural production efficiency and minimize offsite impacts.

super-food extracts and flower essences.

The Accelerator’s Spring 2017 program culminates on Demo Day (March 29) when the entrepreneurs pitch their plans to business leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors and potential clients.

The PWE Startup Accelerator is for womenled startup businesses with a focus in technology, healthcare/technology and consumer products. PWE defines a women-led business as a company with at least one woman in a position of leadership with significant and meaningful equity. PWE defines startups as companies that have a working product and preferably customers.

Information about CIG and the application process is available online at www. grants.gov. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. March 1. Submit applications via the United States Postal Service or by express mail or courier service to: USDA-NRCS, CIG Program, Attn: Jessica Phillips, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Suite 250, Columbia, Missouri 65203. Applications may also be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov or by e-mail to Jessica.phillips@ mo.usda.gov

Now accepting applications

Prosper Women Entrepreneurs is now accepting applications for the 2017 Fall Startup Accelerator class which runs from August-November 2017. Each company chosen will receive an initial $50,000 capital investment and will have the opportunity for up to $100,000 in follow-on funding. To nominate or apply, visit www.prosperstl.com/ accelerator.

“PWE continues to impact an environment that is still vastly underfunded,” said Mary Jo Gorman, lead managing partner of PWE Startup Accelerator. “Only 10 percent of venture funding goes to women-led companies. And, as St. Louis grows in recognition as a hotbed of startup activity, we believe our collective impact can change the course for women.” Prosper Women Entrepreneurs is now accepting applications for the 2017 Fall Startup Accelerator class which runs from August-November 2017. To nominate or apply, visit www.prosperstl.com/ accelerator.

Living It

Orchestrating hip-hop

Nelly and St. Louis Symphony present crowd pleasing performance of rapper’s hits

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“We’re gonna run through a little St. Louis [music] history Nelly-style and have a whole lot of [expletive] fun,” Nelly told the sold-out Powell Hall Friday night.

Was it an unorthodox way to kick off a night with the St. Louis Symphony? It absolutely was.

As the audience filled every single seat – and even lined the walls – to watch two St. Louis musical treasures in their own right join forces for “A Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop,” it was clear that they were down for the ride. “Hell yeah,” one audience member shouted out after Nelly made his proclamation of what to expect.

‘Whose Streets’ plays Sundance

Ferguson doc acquired by Magnolia Pictures

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Oh my God! It was big deal. I don’t know how else to put it,” Damon Davis said about his film, “Whose Streets,” playing the famed Sundance Film Festival.

He and co-director Sabaah Folayan had the opportunity to screen the film six times over the course of the two-week festival for the “who’s who” of the film industry.

“It was amazing. At some points it was overwhelming. It was a proud moment for me,” Davis said.

“I told the musicians today that the substitute teacher is in the building – so go ahead and get your clown on,” Nelly said.

He joked around over the course of his 90-minute set accompanied by the Symphony –with the help of his own band and St. Lunatics City Spud and Ali – but expressing the pride in his heart to have the opportunity to do so was a serious matter.

“We have one of the best symphonies in the world right here in St. Louis,” Nelly said. “And I may have sold a bunch of records, but these are real musicians.”

They had already proven him right before he got on stage. A powerful performance of “St. Louis Blues” to help usher in the evening with Nelly. And they continued to do so with orchestrations of nearly twenty of his hits.

The show kicked off with Nelly’s Grammy Award-winning hit “Shake Ya Tailfeather” and

jumped right into “Air Force Ones.”

He’s known for his melodic delivery, but his performance last night was almost fully in song form with Nelly showcasing tenor chops that could stand on their own in the R&B game. The show itself was less hype than a typical Nelly offering, which is understandable for a night at the symphony.

The music was masterfully arranged and the grandeur of the collaboration with the symphony gave a new appreciation for the musical elements of Nelly’s signature sound – which blurs the lines between rapping at singing. Rapper/singer hybrids are par for the course these days, but it was quite the hip-hop innovation (at least for male rappers) when Nelly came along nearly 20 years ago.

See NELLY, C4

took to the streets of Ferguson, first as an activist, then as an artist and finally, as a filmmaker.

“I was in the mix of it trying to protest and organize – you know, caught up in it,” Davis said. “Sabaah came down to study trauma and ending up starting to interview people and started to get footage.”

Hope in the ‘Hidden Figures’ phenomenon

Film’s commercial and critical success argues the power of positive black cinema

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis

American

For the first weekend box office reports of 2017, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” was at the top – and every assumption was that it would stay there for the foreseeable future. The mega-budget (more than $200M) film that is part of the box office record-shattering franchise that has been a cash cow since George Lucas brought the intergalactic sci-fi narrative to the big screen 40 years ago.

The film “Who’s Streets,” a documentary abou the unrest in ferguson, fared especially well at The Sundance Film Festival. They enjoyed packed theatres and engaging post-film discussions.

to her own personal community.

“I also wanted to be useful – I didn’t want to go and find out and not help,” Folayan said.

“I decided to do ground research to get public health funding and view it from a public health lens. What I realized when I got there is that you have to have a therapeutic environment to col-

n “Without them we would not know how to reach the stars.

- Taraji P. Henson

“Rogue One” had only been in theatres for three weeks when “Hidden Figures” made its theatrical nationwide release. Ted Melfi’s cute little film adaptation of Margot Lee Shetterly’s book about three black female NASA employees in the early 1960s starring Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer was expected to be collateral damage as it continued on its path to an expected billion-dollar payoff. Hollywood’s collective gasp when the big screen adaptation of a little known black history fact took the box office throne had to have been deafening. Even still, it was said to be a fluke – and plenty of the headlines read, “‘Hidden Figures’ edges out ‘Rogue One’…” The film’s initial lead over “Rogue One” was less than $1M – but the feat was a sign of what was to come. The gap between the two films widened when “Hidden Figures” held on to the top spot the following week. In the seven weeks since the release of “Hidden Figures,” it remained in the top five. This week, it sits comfortably at No.4. The latest receipts bring the film to more than $120M in sales and the $25M budgetedfilm is currently the highest-grossing film among all nine “Best Picture” nominees for the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

Why does it matter? Money talks in Hollywood. And, “Hidden Figures” provides the ultimate rebuttal to the longstanding excuse for not putting major dollars behind the type of films that uplift and empower people of color.

All of the elements that plenty assumed would equal an endearing film with a cult following – but little to no substantial mainstream impact (and even less profit) – have made way for a cultural phenomenon.

Folayan, a native of Los Angeles who lives in New York, came to Ferguson to learn what was going on from the ground level and bring it back

Seeing the film play before audiences was somewhat of a culmination of the a journey that began when Davis, a native of East St. Louis, See STREETS, C4

The story the film goes beyond inspirational. It uses cinema to promote the legacy of black excellence – and the ingenuity of these women in an era when they were treated as second-class citizens is life-affirming and potentially lifechanging.

Dr. Rose Howard, principal of Gateway MST Elementary School, fought back tears as she talked about how she knows the film will resonate with the nearly 100 students and parents who were gifted tickets to see the film by the St. Louis American Foundation.

“We knew nothing about these wonderful ladies and what geniuses they were,” Howard said. “I really wanted them to see that it’s okay to be smart – because sometimes our babies feel that it’s not okay to be smart, but it’s okay to be cool.”

The hope is by seeing the overall response to the film – not only the emotional connection, but the willingness for audiences show their support at the box office and suggest others to do so as

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

The sold-out crowd at Powell Hall was delighted by the “Night of Symphonic Hip Hop” featuring Nelly and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Friday night.

Black Arts Movement activist and poet Nikki Giovanni was welcomed by an auditorium filled with all ages and races when she came to deliver a

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black history activities

Sun., Feb. 12, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents actor, comedian, television writer and author Larry Wilmore to provide its Black History Month keynote. St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sun., Feb. 12, 1 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum invites you to the Black History Month Film Series: A Ballerina’s Tale. A documentary film revolving around the career of Misty Copeland, who serves as the narrator of the film as well as its subject. 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Sun., Feb. 12, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts Larry Wilmore. 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

Thur., Feb. 16, 7 p.m., National Blues Museum and HEC-TV host A Conversation with Reena Evers-Everette and David Dennis, Sr.: Inside the Civil Rights Movement. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 925-0016 or visit www.nationalbluesmuseum. org.

Fri., Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration. Join the STL Symphony, guest Byron Stripling and the IN UNISON Chorus to commemorate culture and community. 718 N. Grand blvd., 63103. For more information call 314-534-1700 or visit www.stlsymphony.org.

Sat, Feb. 18, 8 a.m., The Black History Month Health Fair & Luncheon. Free lunch

and a performance by J Moss. St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 692-5639 or visit www.heart. org/2017stlmlk.

Sun., Feb. 19, 6 p.m. (5 p.m. doors), Community Women Against Hardship Black History Month Benefit Concert with special guest Russell Gunn, Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington. For more information, call (314) 571-6000.

Tues., Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m., The Loyola Cemetery in French Guiana: Memory of Slavery at a Sugar Plantation. Réginald Auger discusses the 500 slaves labored on a sugar plantation to produce a number of cash crops under the close supervision of a handful of missionaries. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Wed., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., Mound City Bar Association’s Historical Tribute to Celia. Celia was a Missouri slave that was tried and executed for killing the master who raped her. 10th Street Gallery, 419 N. Tenth St., 63101.

concerts

Sat., Feb. 11, 6 p.m., The David Peaston Foundation in partnership with the Missouri Arts Council and the Regional Arts Commission will host the Ladies of Excellence Concert with a theme of “Surviving, Living & Loving” featuring Evan Adams, Cheryl Brown, Anita Jackson and Stacy McClenahan. Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108 For more information, call 314-629-7901 or visit www. davidpeastonfoundation.org

RockHouse Entertainment, LLC & Liquid Assets present Pre-Valentines Show: Lovers & Friends feat. K-Ci & JoJo. For more information, see CONCERTS.

Featured Event

Thur., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents The Black Experience: Specializing in the Art of the Impossible. Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Sun., Feb. 12, 4 p.m. Record release party for STL’s own Lynne Fiddmont’s “Power of Love,” Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For tickets or more information, visit www.thesheldon.org.

Sun., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., RockHouse Entertainment, LLC & Liquid Assets present Pre-Valentines Show: Lovers & Friends feat. K-Ci & JoJo The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 7266161 or visit www.thepageant. com.

Tues., Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., Valentine Love Affair feat. Will Downing and the Coleman Hughes Project. Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 496-7751.

Fri., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents Set the Night to Music feat. Rod Tate and Love Jones the Band. Lewis & Clark Branch, 9909 LewisClark Blvd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 9943300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Fri., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., The National Blues Museum presents Howlin’ Fridays Concert Series with Eugene Johnson Band. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseumorg.

Fri., Feb. 24, 8 p.m. Charlie Wilson’s In it to Win It Tour featuring special guests Fantasia and Johnny Gill, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com

special events

Fri., Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Mound City Bar Association presents The Trivia Night with special guests State Rep. Bruce Franks and Wesley Bell. St. Alphonsus Ligouri “The Rock”, 1118 N. Grand Blvd., 63106. For more information, call (314) 454-6543.

Fri., Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream. Join Mickey Minnie as they share the heroic stories of your favorite Disney

Louis County Library presents Gentlemen of Vision The dance troupe will take you on a journey with stepping. Jamestown Bluff Branch, 4153 N. Highway 67, 63034.

Sat., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Gitana Productions presents Faces of Love Concert and Dinner. Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 721-6556 or visit www.gitana-inc.org.

Sat., Feb. 18, 9 p.m., Phi Chapter of Alpha Psi Kappa Fraternity, Inc. will be hosting its 3rd Annual Bowties & Stilettos – a fundraiser , 14th Street Artist Gallery, 2701 North 14th Street.

Sun., Feb. 19, 11 a.m., I Do I Do Wedding Show. Bridgeton Machinist Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call (636) 492-1750.

Princesses: Rapunzel, Snow White, and Cinderella, and Tiana. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Feb. 11, 3 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents Pinx Dance Performance. A Katherine Dunham style youth performance steeped in the rich history of St. Louis performers. Natural Bridge Branch, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 9943300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Feb. 11, 8 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Eta Omega Chapter presents the 109th House Party. Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sun., Feb. 12, 12 p.m., The Onyx Bridal Affair. Hotel Lumiere, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.onyxbridalaffair. com.

Fri., Feb. 15, 9 a.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., St. Clair County Division Hiring Event. Over 20 employers will be present with hundreds of job opportunities including: Boeing, UPS, SSM, Fed Ex, and more. Village of Cahokia Fitness Center, 509 Camp Jackson Rd., 62206. For more information, call (618) 2741150 or visit www.ulstl.org.

Sat., Feb. 18, 1 p.m., St.

Tues., Feb. 21, 6 p.m., St. Louis Downtown Neighborhood Association hosts the 5th Ward Alderman Candidate Forum. Candidates will discuss their vision for the 5th Ward and the City of St. Louis. Confirmed candidates include Megan Betts, Robert Green, Reign Harris, Tammika Hubbard, and Bob Ray. St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Wed., Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Wake Up Judah, LLC presents Black Business & Pleasure Mixer. Join us as we celebrate and support Black Business with a night featuring local artists and entrepreneurs. Bar Code Sit & Sip, 10806 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m., The St. Louis American Foundation’s 7th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking & Awards Reception. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 533-8000 or visit www. stlamerican.com.

Sat., Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., True Light Missionary Baptist Church Progressive League hosts its Annual Black History Program, 2838 James “Cool Papa” Bell Ave., 63106 at Glasgow Ave. For more information, call (314) 5311801.

comedy

Sat., Feb. 18, 6 p.m.,

Christians Need To Laugh Too presents Post-Valentine “It’s All About Love” Gospel Music & Comedy Blowout Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1440 S. Compton Ave., 63104. For more information, call (314) 225-4338 or (314) 388-1718.

Sat., Mar. 4, 8 p.m., The Center Stage Comedy Tour

starring Sommore, Arnez J, Tommy Davidson and John Witherspoon, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

literary

Thur., Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Steven LaChance, author of Confrontation with Evil: An In-Depth Review of the 1949 Possession that Inspired the Exorcist. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731 or visit www.left-bank.com.

Sat., Feb. 25, 1 p.m., Sunni Hutton’s “The Art of Hurting” Book Release. Mesa Home, 2519 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Through February 28, St. Louis County Library’s Winter Reading Club. All ages are invited to participate. For more information please call 314 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org/winter-readingclub.

art

Sat., Feb. 11, 5 p.m., St. Louis Reconciliation Network presents HeARTS for Racial Reconciliation. St. Louis ArtWorks, 5959 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 4097123 or visit www.stlrn.org.

Fri., Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Artists

St. Louis Public Library presents actor, comedian, television writer and author Larry Wilmore to provide its Black History Month keynote. See BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES for additional details.

First presents Arts in Unity: An Art Show and Music Event Celebrating the Beauty of Diversity. Performers include Dave Stone, Brian Curran, Sole Loan, and many others. 7190 Manchester Rd., 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-4440 or visit www.artistsfirststl.org.

Sat., Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Golden Galleries & Art by Golden invite you to an Art Exhibit & Sale. Over 150 pieces will be on exhibit. Proceeds will benefit Christian Hospital Foundation. 11133 Dunn Rd., 63136. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 6534410.

Mon., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Citizen Artist St. Louis invites you to a Mayoral Town Hall on Arts and Culture. Topics

Through Mar. 31, National Blues Museum presents Women of the Blues: A Coast-to-Coast Collection 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, call (314) 925-0016 or visit www. womenoftheblues.com.

theatre

Through Feb. 12, New Jewish Theatre presents Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Drive. For more information, call (314) 442-3283.

Through Feb. 12, Upstream Theater presents the U.S. Premiere of The Year of the Bicycle, Kranzberg Arts Center. For more information, visit http://www. upstreamtheater.org.

Through Feb. 12, The Playhouse presents Menopause the Musical. The Playhouse at West Port Plaza, 635 West Port Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.MenopauseTheMusical. com.

Through Mar. 5, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents To Kill a Mockingbird. 130 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, visit www.repstl.org call (314) 968-4925.

Feb. 17 – Mar. 14, Max & Louie Productions’ presents “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” The Kranzberg Arts Center. For more information, visit http:// maxandlouie.com/

will focus on leadership and policy development for the arts. Confirmed candidates are Jeffrey Boyd, Antonio French, William Haas, Tishaura Jones, Lyda Krewson, Jonathan McFarland, and Lewis Reed. The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www. citizenartstl.com.

lectures and workshops

Thur., Feb. 9, 12:30 p.m., Ferguson’s Fault Lines: The Race Quake that Rocked a Nation. Kimberly Norwood, J.D., is the editor of Ferguson’s Fault Lines and exactly two and a half years after the shooting death

of Michael Brown, she will discuss the impact of that event and how “Ferguson” changed a community as well as a nation. Instructional Resource Building, STLCC- Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 513-4554.

Fri., Feb. 10, 10 a.m., STL Village and the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis present Protecting Yourself From Scams. St. Louis Public Library, Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 6310. For more information, call (314) 802-0275 or visit www. stlvillage.org.

Wed., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Mound City Bar Association presents The Political Panel Discussion. Panel featuring some members of elected office speaking on a variety of topics. 100 Black Men Auditorium, 4631 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 4546543.

Thur., Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents The Incredible Story of Reconciliation. The remarkable story of Harriet and Dred Scott clearly resonates on the eve of the 160th Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision. Hear their story from their great-great granddaughter, Lynne Jackson, President and Founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, call (314) 7812174 or visit www.maplewood. lib.mo.us.

Wed., Feb. 22, 3 p.m., Project AWARE invites you to a Family Resource Fair. Connect with local organizations and agencies supporting families in North County. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, call (314) 516-8445 or visit www.mhfamissouri.org/ resource-fair.

STREETS

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lect the kind of data in terms of trauma symptoms.”

Being in the thick of the movement, she found it impossible to collect data for her original intention. So she shifted her focus to collecting narratives which brought forth the idea to bring the Ferguson story to film.

She then sought out to partner with a St. Louis native and collaborate with to tell the story from a local perspective.

Davis was known on the frontlines of Ferguson first as a protester and then for offering a creative response to the unrest through visual arts. His name was on everyone’s lips as a perfect fit for Folayan. The two met and connected as he was presenting a show at The Kranzberg. They realized their common vision for what would ultimately become their critically acclaimed film.

They teamed up with producers Jennifer MacArthur of Borderline Media, Flannery Miller and Chris Renteria and made it happen.

The idea of “Whose Streets” became a way to spread the truth about the relentless unrest in Ferguson that began with the death of Michael Brown Jr. at the hands of former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014.

“I want everyone to see these people in everyday light,” Davis said. “It was really important after how the mainstream media portrayed this whole violent protestor, looter narrative.

I wanted to show the struggles that they have to go through, so you can see why they would come out and put their lives on the line for what they believe in – and why they believe in it so strongly.”

“Whose Streets” was intentionally a black thing. Davis said that he and Folayan were interested in “making a film from the inside looking out” as opposed to having a camera

According to Deadline. com, Magnolia is looking to release the film this summer, in conjunction with the third anniversary of Brown’s death.

held by a white person, being made for white people to view, instead of the community where the filmmaker is pointing the camera.

“I hoped that our folks –black folks, African Americans or whatever we choose to call ourselves – could see themselves reflected with dignity, and see that there is dignity in the struggle,” Folayan said.

“It’s an American story, because we are American people. By targeting our own community, it wasn’t leaving anyone out. It was core audience and they were the people who needed it the most.”

The film fared especially well at Sundance. They enjoyed packed theatres and engaging post-film discussions.

“The story is so universal –one of people standing up to adversity,” Davis said. “It’s like David standing up to Goliath. Most people that saw could get it. But for the people of color that actually live in neighborhoods like that and been in situations with the police, they were really receptive. They finally got to see ‘oh, I’m not crazy. It’s happening somewhere else too – this [expletive] is happening in my

neighborhood.”

Making it Sundance was an important strategic move for them.

It was important to make a story that has mainstream potential so that they could correct that narrative for the people who only saw what was going on via mainstream media.

Folayan said that the only way into those conversations is through influential institutions, like a Sundance.

“It’s not just about police brutality. It’s not just about Mike Brown. We tried to take a snapshot of a whole moment that spans about two years and say ‘how does this movement affect people and their lives?” Folayan said. “We tried to take a very nuanced perspective on the situation – which was ambitious – but it comes out being a very unique work of art. We always tried to keep the artistry in it. It’s meant to be consumed as a work of art and it’s meant to approach a truth that goes beyond just facts and figures.”

On Monday, February 6, it was announced that Magnolia Pictures secured the U.S. distribution rights for “Whose Streets.”

According to Deadline.com, Magnolia is looking to release the film this summer, in conjunction with the third anniversary of Brown’s death.

“I hope it gets seen far and wide and that it inspires people to continue to ask for justice and the rights that they are due by simply being a living, breathing human being – not civil rights, human rights,” Davis said.

In the meantime, “Whose Streets” will play the True False Film Festival in Columbia, Mo., which runs from March 2-5.

“I hope they see ‘Whose Streets’ and truly get activated to get in the game and stop waiting for somebody else to make the world a better place – to get out there and start getting active for the future of the human race.”

For more information about the True False Film Festival, visit www.truefalse.org.

NELLY

Continued from C1

He enjoyed a fully engaged audience for nearly his entire set – which featured a set list that felt more like his personal favorites than a greatest hits performance.

“I’m from the Lou and I’m proud,” the crowd shouted in unison, even before Nelly had a chance to chime in with the lyric as he performed his breakthrough hit “Country Grammar.”

The song helped give St. Louis its own space on hiphop’s map – and paved the way for Nelly to become one of the most commercially successful rappers in history.

But as he stood before the crowd, he seemed as in awe of performing at Powell Hall as any other milestone in his storied career.

He told the crowd that this performance was his fifth being backed by a symphony in concert, but to do so at home conjured memories and emotions.

“I remember seeing the Nutcracker here when I was a kid,” Nelly said.

He implied that of all the stages he’s been on, being in concert with the symphony was yet another item to cross off of his bucket list.

“This is truly an honor,” Nelly said. “It feels good to be

FIGURES

Continued from C1

well – that there will be a ripple effect flooding Hollywood with the rich narratives found within black history.

“The shoulders of the women that we stand on are three American heroes –Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson,” Taraji P. Henson said when the

“This

is truly an honor. It feels good to be home.”

-

home.” It clearly also felt good to have him home. The night that saw people dancing in the aisles and on their feet rapping along word for word nearly the entire duration of his 90-plus minute set that included “E.I.,” “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” “Body on Me,” “Over and Over” and plenty of others.

“You a cold piece, cuz,”

film shocked the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards by taking home the “Outstanding Performance By a Cast in a Motion Picture” honors.

“Without them we would not know how to reach the stars.

These brave women helped put men into space,” she continued.

“This story is about unity. It’s about what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together as a human race. We win. Love wins every time.”

Nelly said to St. Louis Symphony’s Music Director David Robertson. He was so impressed with the symphony’s arrangement and delivery of “Grillz” that he felt compelled to give props to Robertson –and extended the kudos to the musicians, which elicited a rousing ovation.

“They make me sound like I know what I’m doing up here.”

The same can be said about the success and impact of “Hidden Figures” in Hollywood, thanks to its commercial success and critical acclaim – and the banner year for the entertainment industry’s willingness to endorse the black experience on stage, screen and television.

“Thank you so much for appreciating these women,” Henson said. “They are hidden figures no more!”

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Nelly

Reunions

Beaumont Class of 1967, if you have not received a letter or e-mail, call 314-533-6087 or Beaumontclassof67@ sbcglobal.net with your contact information. Several activities are planned for the week of June 6-11, 2017. Meet & greet on 6-9-17, banquet on 6-1017, church services 6-11-17 at Greater Mt. Carmel and

Celebrations

Valentine Anniversaries

Mattie and James Hopkins (top, right) celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on February 14. They are members of San Francisco Temple Complex and have plans to celebrate their special day with family in Tucson, AZ.

Bishop V. Misty Jackson-Kennedy and Deacon Gene “Gino” Kennedy (bottom, right) will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony on February 14 at St. Louis Bible Way Church (6719 Page Blvd.) at 4:30 pm. All are welcome to join the celebration!

Happy Anniversary to Taneka and

Rubin Clayton (left) on February 14! Love y’all—Tracy Neal

a brunch after services. Our scheduled meetings are 2-1817, 3-18-17, 4-15-17 and 5-2017 at the Normandy library at 1:30 p.m.

Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 meetings in preparation for their 50th Class Reunion will be held at STL County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge, St. Louis MO, 63121 on Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 20 and June 24. For more information email bhsco1968@ att.net or call 314 869-8312.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296,

madeshe@sbcglobal.net.

Sumner Class of 1965 is planning a “70th” Birthday Cruise for October 2017. If you’re interested and want to receive more information, please contact Luther Maufas (314) 541-4556, Brenda Smith Randall (314)382-1528, or Laura Young (314) 328-3512 with name, address so the info can be mailed to you.

Sumner Class of 1967 is planning its 50-year reunion. Please contact Carlotte Algee Stancil at algee1999@ yahoo.com; DonnaYoung Rycraw at donnarycraw@ aol.com or Stella Smith Hunt at stellalhunt58@sbcglobal. net, 314-381-5104 with email, address and phone number.

Sumner Alumni Association hosts its 14th Annual Membership Round-Up Sunday, February 26, 2017, 1-4 pm at Sumner High School. Events: Reception 12:45-1:45 pm (gym) with displays, souvenirs and more; New/renewal alumni memberships (vestibule); Program 2 pm (auditorium) with a great line-up of entertainment. Canned goods accepted for Ville church food pantry. Contact: J. House at 314.420.3442. Vendors contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843 (fee $50 in advance) or email: sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com.

Vashon Class of 1957 is having its 60-year reunion on May 20, 2017 at the

Atrium at the rear of Christian N.E. Hospital on Dunn Road. Classes 1955-1959 are welcomed. For more information, please contact Lovely (Green) Deloch at 314867-1470, Marlene (Randall) Porter at 314-653-0107, Mae (Simmons) Mahone at 314653-0818 or Phyllis (Bolden) Washington at 314-531-9925. Vashon Class of 1967 is planning its 50-year reunion and is need of contact information for all interested alumni. Please contact JoAnn Alvoid at alvoidjoe8@gmail. com; Sarah (Taylor) Robinson at srobinson647@hotmail. com; or Sonya (Walker) Smith at 314.381.8221, with your address, email and phone number.

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

Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us!

However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

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

Swag Snap of the Week

Young Leaders reception coming right up. The St. Louis American Foundation’s 7th Annual Young Leaders Awards and Networking Reception is two weeks away and I cannot tell you how excited I am about giving a big ups to the next wave of young STL movers and shakers. As per usual, we have some of the brightest rising stars in the black community from a myriad of fields. I’m so excited that I might as

well give them a personal shout out, so a huge congrats to the following: Sonia Deal, Dr. Courtney M. Graves, Dorian Hall, Keith Harris, Kimberly Hunt, Andwele Jolly, Robert D. Little II, Yashica McKinney, Christopher R. Miller, Marty Murray, Jr., Dione A Neal, Jajuana Patrick, Chavelle Patterson, Phillip Adeniyi Sangokoya, Malissa Shaw, Daphne Stallings, Jayson M. Thornton, Kayla Thompson, Jason Watson and Frank Wilson.

We will get together on February 23rd at our usual spot (The Four Seasons) and toast to their achievements. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to squeeze into dust off my power suit once again to give props to the future of our region. Get your tickets today, because they will (as always) sell out. And For more information, call 314-533-8000 or visit www.STLamerican.com.

Getting down with the Dolbys. My weekend shenanigans – which started way too early, thanks to Boogie D and Jami Dolby – one of my favorite power couples. You know they have a special place in my heart to carve out some time out for them on deadline day to kick it at their his and hers b-day bash at HG. They had the club going up on a Wednesday. And Jami was serving thigh meat for days with boots and short shorts that gave me every single doggone bit of my life. I know I’m going to get in trouble for leaving out some names, so I will just say that the Radio One St. Louis team was up in there deep. I also saw Brendolyn Marie, Darius and Marquita Chapman, Corey Black and a whole gang of other folks. Even though it was his b-day party, Boogie D got it in on the tables. And when he did his STL mix, folks got it in with our signature moves – Nina Pop, Chicken Head, Mobb Out and more.

The karaoke cut up. Since I’m on St. Louis music, let me tell you how I made my way back to the Hip Hop karaoke at The Marquee Thursday night just to see Bradd Young’s Pretty Willie tribute. The gag is that when 11:30 came and went, so did I – and I never did get to see Bradd. But what I did catch were some people that were serious about their karaoke! Whether they could sing or not and it was mostly not, nothing could stop them from putting on the show of all shows. That girl Lexi (I think that was her name) went to the Royal of Academy of Doing the Most. Who was the Fearless young gentleman that squealed and howled his way through Tyrese? The singing was an utter mess, but I somehow managed to still be amused in a good way.

Classical Country Grammar. Friday night I got a chance to hear Nelly behind a full-fledged orchestra, thanks to “A Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop” featuring the St. Louis Symphony. The show sold out in a few hours six months ago, but I thought surely there would be a loose seat or two at Powell Hall. I was dead wrong. Folks were lined up against the walls trying to get a sip of his hits. Me, Nelly, City Spud, Ali and a few others were about the only non-general population people in the place, but that didn’t stop us from getting it in the groove of his long list of bangers. I had a ball going down memory lane … and he was giving full vocals for the girls. He was giving hardcore R&B vocals – especially on the country records. And the symphony was straight serving in the background. I think “Country Grammar” was my favorite selection from the night. I really hope that they do another show so more folks get a chance to see it. And I almost fell out when he told Symphony director David Robertson that he was “a cold piece, cuz” – and he responded with a polite little nod.

Kickin’ it at Koken. After Nelly, I slid down to South City to slay with the cool kids at Koken Art Factory of the First Friday gallery walk through. As per usual, Brooklyn, Jacqueline and the rest of the gang gave me a memorable time to say the least. Corey Black was giving me 24 Karat Magic with that Versace-esque silk blouse – and he was one of the more conservative folks. It was a people-watching paradise. The gentleman with the high-waist leather poodle skirt open blazer and no blouse almost took me to glory. The girl who was giving me Monie Love from “Ladies First” deserves a nod – as does the Dollar Tree Moses equipped with a staff to part The Red Seas. But people watching aside it was a great party with the progressive black folks hipping me to the new, now and next.

BBD fandemonium. The middle-aged folks turned into middle schoolers when BBD came to HG Friday night. You had to be there to truly get how serious it was. It was packed to the max, but that didn’t stop the folks from trying to get to that stage for a whiff of three-fifths of New Edition by any means necessary! I blame the movie, because y’all shole (yes, shole) didn’t act like that when they came to Boogie Nights this summer. Some hadn’t been out in ages – so long that they were pulling that “the flyer said 9 p.m. and I’ve been here since 8:30” rant because they were already done going out when “club time” was invented. BBD were cute and gracious – but quite overwhelmed by how y’all were throwing ‘bows to get to the front of the stage. I cackled to myself as I saw this one girl try to maneuver her way into another person’s VIP booth – and the occupant was not having it. Baby, it was about to go down if she hadn’t stepped out of that spot. The event was a good look for BBD. I wish I could say the same about the music. What? You know it’s true! I’ve been so nice this whole Partyline, and y’all know that new music can’t touch “Poison” with

a 10-foot pole.

Maria, Tiff, and Meghan were made their way to see Shy Glizzy Friday night @ The Marquee

Britt, Tommy, Keyana and AP stopped by to catch Shy Glizzy Friday night @ The Marquee

B-day girl Trina, Shaunti and Meanna celebrated Saturday @ The Lux

Cherly, Monica and Bre were in the building Saturday @ MOOD

Symone, Meeka and Brandi continued their weekend festivities Saturday night @ OBar

Monique and Kim stepped out to see some art @ .Zack recently

Syd and Dominique on the dance floor Friday night @ The Marquee

Mz. Rochelle and Monique kept it color coordinated @ The Marquee Friday night

Tracy and Ericka took time out of their weekend to catch some art and culture Friday @ .Zack

Ebony and Serena took time to unwind Friday @ The Marquee

BBD

Photos by John Scott

Christians have good reason to honor Syrian refugees

‘God is calling us to remember where we’ve come from’

By Rev. Traci D. Blackmon

For The St. Louis American

President Trump has announced plans to sign executive orders related to a border wall, sanctuary cities, and restricted travel to the U.S. for refugees and some visa holders from Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. At his preinaugural prayer service, Trump heard the Rev. Robert Jeffress preach from Nehemiah, declaring that building walls for security is a God-ordained task. But as any preacher knows, which text speaks to the moment is a matter of discernment.

As I read the signs of the times we face, I sense the Spirit leading us to hear the words of Deuteronomy 26, beginning with the fifth verse: “Then, standing there in front of the place of worship, you must pray: My ancestor was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt. There were only a few in his family then, but they became great and powerful, a nation of many people.”

Of all the descriptors God could have chosen for Abraham and his descendants, why did God choose this one? Abraham’s homeland – the place God commanded him to leave – is the region now identified as Syria. Why was it important for the Hebrews to remember that their story began with immigration?

Hungry for God

The descendants of Abraham, the father of faith for all Jews, Christians and Muslims, were once Syrian refugees in Egypt. Why did they flee to Egypt?

For many of the same reasons people from all over the world have fled to America. Facing dire consequences in their homeland, they sought a better life.

Throughout the history of this nation, millions of people have left their homelands and come to America. Over the past 400 years, people have come for many reasons. Some came because of economic forces so inhumane that their consequences still manifest in policies and practices today. The evil reality of slavery reminds us that not all came voluntarily. Many African people were brutally transported here against their will for the exploitation of their labor without pay. Others came to escape the ravages of war in their native lands. Still others have come in search of freedom from religious, ethnic, gender, and sexual persecution. And some came seeking opportunities to escape poverty and make a better life for themselves and their families.

Yet no matter why or how we came to America, any greatness realized within our borders is because we are all here.

The words of President Barack Obama ring resoundingly in my heart today, “We were strangers once, too,” he said. “And whether our forebears were strangers who crossed the Atlantic, or the Pacific, or the

Rio Grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in, and taught them that to be an American is about something more than what we look like, or what our last names are, or how we worship.”

Hebrew scripture reminds us that the Egyptians grew in their disdain for the refugees in their midst. They treated them poorly and subjected them to unfair labor laws. The Egyptian Empire unfairly targeted the Hebrew refugees with propaganda campaigns designed to turn the Egyptian people against them by portraying the Hebrews as evil and a threat. Such narratives are always necessary to move the masses to act inhumanely. It is difficult to consciously oppress people we do not first detest.

So God cautioned those preparing to come and offer the first fruits of their bounty to God in worship to always remember: though they became a powerful nation, their ancestor was a homeless Aramean who sought refuge in a foreign land.

God is calling us to remember where we’ve come from in order become what we’ve not yet been: a diverse nation committed in principle and policy to liberty and justice for all. My prayer today and always: “He who has ears, let him hear.”

Rev. Traci D. Blackmon is acting executive minister of Justice & Witness for The United Church of Christ.

There’s something to be said for being truly hungry for the Word of God. I’m reminded that in my “churchhopping” days there were a lot of anointed men and women capable of delivering a powerful message. Each is unique and has a loyal following. So on any given Sunday, one’s spiritual hunger can be satisfied. I used to believe that the pulpit was really a place for hypocrites to shine and generate false praise from members who were more interested in looking good than serving the Lord. My bad. In my before-saved life, this belief was probably the biggest reason I didn’t see the need to go to church. I had intellectualized myself out of the kingdom because I thought I could stay connected to God without being connected to the body of Christ.

Hindsight lets me know that Satan had won this battle and used my unsaved spirit to take me down. Once I got past the pulpit and into the Word, my life changed and continues to evolve. I am convinced that God has a unique sense of humor and shows up in all kinds of places and through all kinds of people and circumstances if there’s a welcome mat in your heart. The reality of the Word has taught me that there is no perfect person delivering a perfect message to a perfect people in a perfect congregation. Again, hindsight had be actually believe that maybe I was better than some, a cut above others and certainly smarter than most. I

think about that now and it can make me sick. No wonder the devil felt like his job had been done. The good news today is I’m saved in the knowledge that I am better than no one and more flawed than many. I am no more worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ than I am the love of Almighty God. I’m just thankful to be in the family. This knowledge has me looking at the world today and realizing the church does have a say in all of it. In my small part of God’s kingdom and yours the spiritual community is poised to do great things. If you take the top 10 churches in your area and look beyond these congregations, you’ll find program after program designed to feed the hungry, help the poor, deliver the downtrodden and teach children. When you actually investigate and seek out god’s Word, you find whole communities of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The key is you’ve got to look. At the moment you do so, God shows up. He did in my case by illuminating my sin-filled soul and letting me know, that in spite of it all, His blessing is my unconditional birthright. Here is power in this inherent truth. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for you brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For all men are like grass and all their glory is like flowers of the field; the grass wither and the flowers fall… but the Word of the Lord stands forever.” 1 Peter 22-25.

Columnist James Washington

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Rev. Traci D. Blackmon preaching at Canfield Green Apartments in Ferguson.