January 12th, 2023 edition

SThet. LouiS AmericAn

Business saluTe enTrepreneur of The Year

A community communicator

Laurna Godwin’s firm gives back to STL family

By Ashley Winters

Laurna

the communities of St. Louis. Through her company, Vector Communications, Godwin has helped companies and individuals navigate challenges they face.

“We give people a voice in issues that impact how they live, work and play,” said Godwin. For over 40 years, Godwin has used her communication skills to inform and educate underserved communities about issues that impact their everyday lives. A former reporter and a three-time Emmy award

Laurna Godwin, working in her Union Station office near downtown St. Louis Monday, Jan. 9, is the Salute to Excellence in Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

Judge Mason still mulling Johnson case

Decision to be announced publicly

By Rebecca Rivas

St. Louis Judge David Mason is still reviewing Lamar Johnson’s wrongful conviction case and working toward a decision on whether or not to set aside his 1995 murder conviction, a court spokesman told The Missouri Independent.

“There’s no date set yet to issue his ruling, but he is planning to set a hearing to provide and summarize his decision,” said Joel Currier, chief communications officer for the 22nd Circuit Court. Mason will do his best to provide the public with a week’s advance notice of the hearing, Currier said. Johnson’s case marks the first time a St. Louis judge has heard an innocence claim filed by the city’s prosecuting attorney.

During a weeklong hearing in December, St.

Carol Daniel, KMOX media personality and mistress of ceremonies for Statewide MLK Commemoration, joined the Rev. Earl Nance Jr., in reminding the audience at Harris-Stowe State University,

“We don’t just celebrate Dr. King because he did great things. We celebrate him because we can now do great things.” The 37th commemoration returned to the auditorium of the Dr. Henry Givens Main Building for the first time in two years.

For more Dr Martin Luther King Jr., Weekend coverage please see the MLK Special Section in today’s St. Louis American and online at stlamerican.com.

St. Louis American staff

The University of Missouri – Columbia will not punish a student who recently posted a racist rant on social media.

In a Snapchat post in December, student Meg Miller said, “If they would have killed 4 more n----- we would have had the whole

week off.” In 1986, when the first federal holiday marking the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was celebrated, Washington D.C. disc jockey Doug Tracht said on the air, “Why don’t we shoot four more and get the whole week off?” followed by, “Come on, now, you know I don’t mean nothin’!”

WWDC suspended him five days, he publicly apologized, and donated money to create

a scholarship at Howard University in honor of Dr. King

According to a Jan. 9, 2023, University of Missouri release on Jan., the school determined it cannot discipline the student due to First Amendment protections.

“First Amendment law does not allow a public university to punish speech only because it is racist or hateful — even when that speech is diametrically opposed to our values,” Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri System, said in a statement.

See MASON, A6

Sybrina Fulton continues fight for justice

Trayvon Martin’s mom honored at MLK event

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Sybrina Fulton describes herself as an “average mom” when her life was changed.

“I worked 24 years for the Miami Housing Authority, I had two young boys. We fussed about about average things like hair cuts and homework,” she said Wednesday in St. Louis.

It has been more than a decade since George Zimmerman, then 28, followed, confronted, shot, and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, one of Fulton’s sons.

“I don’t think anything could prepare me for the journey I would be on,” said during the 2023 Martin

See FULTON, A7

Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin, brought her inspirational story of hope and pursuit of justice to the St. Louis University/Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis MLK Memorial Tribute on Wednesday.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American MLK Kickoff celebration

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Marlene Terry

Gordy Harmon of The Whispers passes away in LA

Gordy Harmon, a founding member of The Whispers, died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home last Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023), according to his family. He was 79.

The Whispers was established in the early 1960s in Los Angeles, and their prominence grew in the 1980s with their hits “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady.” Both reaching No. 1 on the R&B charts. Harmon disbanded from the group in 1993 after suffering an injury to his larynx.

The group originated in Watts, where several members lived in the Jordan Downs housing project. Twins Wallace and Walter Scott connected with Harmon, Marcus Hutson, and Nicholas Caldwell to launch the band.

The band coined their name from Lou Bedell, owner of Dore Records, who recommended they call themselves The Whispers because of their signature soft singing style.

During Harmon’s time with the group, The Whispers released multiple albums that topped the R&B charts including “The Whispers’ Love Story” and “Life and Breath.” Their early records were “The Time Will Come”

released in 1969 and “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong” in 1970. Harmon’s family thinks he passed from natural causes, however, he didn’t have any chronic illnesses.

Shemar Moore, 52, expecting his first child next month

Children are not just for your younger years, they’re welcome later in life also. At 52, Shemar Moore is expecting his first child with girlfriend Jesiree Dizon

“Mama’s smiling from Heaven [dove emoji]… Miracles happen,” Moore cap tioned his Instagram video announcing the news on Monday, January 9. “Here comes the BEST part of my life [red heart emoji] [heart emoji].”

Moore lost his mother in February 2020. He and Dizon, 39, a model are expecting their baby girl, Frankie to ar rive Feb.8, almost three years after Moore’s mother’s death. Dizon shares a daughter with her ex Stephen Bishop and a son from another previous rela tionship.

Moore also shared news of his baby on the way on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

“I was worried for a while that maybe that ship had sailed kind of thing, and, you know, God had my back and things lined up,” he said. “My life is pretty grand but I know once God does call my name, once I get this experience, I’ll be able to go to heaven whole.”

Chilli is dating “Boy Meets World” actor Matthew Lawrence

Chilli finally knows what type of man she wants! She’s dating Boy Meets World actor Matthew Lawrence TMZ, that she and Lawrence are in a monogamous relationship, and have transitioned out of the friend phase just before Thanksgiving.

The two allegedly spent Thanksgiving and Christmas together in Atlanta and Lawrence met Chilli’’s family.

The happy couple went Instagram official recently and wore matching pajamas while dancing to “Take On Me.’

The two lovers were spotted together on a Waikiki beach in August. At the time the two weren’t dating.

“Dr. Love” about to do some more time

A Florida man who was arrested and convicted as a teen for impersonating a doctor, has recently been sentenced to 28 months in prison for stealing thousands of dollars from his job in an isolated incident.

Malachi Love-Robinson, 25, pleaded guilty to grand theft and organized scheme to defraud. While working as a salesman connecting shippers with trucking companies, he required customers to pay him instead of his company. This is Love-Robinson’s second time in prison. He pleaded guilty to fraud, grand theft, and practicing medicine without a license in 2016.

In 2016, he went by the title “Dr. Love” and opened The New Birth New Life Medical Center, stealing $30,000 from an elderly patient and $20,000 from a doctor. He was arrested in that case after prescribing medicine to an undercover cop who was investigating his fake business. In addition to being out on bail for pretending to be a doctor, he was also arrested for attempting to purchase a car with a stolen credit card.

Source: Fox News, TMZ, ABC 7, Los Angeles Sentinel,

“I can’t help but feel disappointed and disturbed.”

Robert J. Tracy sworn in as St. louis police chief

Says there is ‘palpable sense of hope’

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

Louis Metropolitan Police Chief

St.

Robert J. Tracy is now on the beat. Tracy, who comes to St. Louis after serving as police chief in Wilmington, Delaware, was sworn in on Monday, Jan. 9 in City Hall after sharing a message with all of the department’s police officers and staff.

“The time I have spent in St. Louis already has shown me just how much this city has to offer and just how invested members of the community are in its success,” he wrote.

“There is a palpable sense of hope and potential that has been common in each of the conversations and meetings I have had, and it has quickly become clear just how many stakeholders are rooting for the success of our department.”

Tracy has met some members of the department and said he “looks forward to the opportunity to meet and work with and learn from each of you.”

The Ethical Society of Police said in a statement that its board “had a brief meeting with Chief Tracy after he was appointed.”

“We have not had in-depth discussions about his approach or plans for changes to the SLMPD. We believe in affording Chief Tracy appropriate time

to develop and implement his plans for the department.

“Many community leaders that ESOP has both professional and personal relationships with also are patiently affording him the same opportunity.”

Throughout the interview process and in his introduction remarks after being hired, Tracy said his experience in the New York City, Chicago, and Wilmington police forces is invaluable.

“I have seen the true transformations that can occur when police departments implement proven, evidence-based crime strategies. These approaches enhance public safety, strengthen police-community relationships, and improve morale owing to the ability of each member of a police agency to make a difference,” he said.

Tracy begins his challenging work in St. Louis, reinforced by a recent report citing a drop in crime in Wilmington.

In one of his last official duties in Wilmington, Tracy joined Mayor Mike Purzycki for the release of the department’s 2022 Year-End Crime Report. It includes crime statistics for the past year and statistics on police operations and community initiatives. It detailed “significant reductions in crime at a time when many cities con-

tinue to struggle with violent crime,”

Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office said in a release.

According to the report, 2022 “saw the lowest number of murders in 15 years, and the second lowest number of shooting incidents in 17 years.”

“Major property crime indicators like burglary, robbery, and auto theft trended downwards.”

Several political and community leaders also shared their positive view of Tracy’s work in Wilmington.

“I had some initial concerns about hiring externally for our next police chief,” said Delaware state Sen. Darius Brown.

“I don’t admit to being wrong often, but I was glad I was wrong in regard to Chief Tracy. He was always present

working with our faith-based leaders and grassroots organizations to address crime.”

Tracy will be the first external hire as St. Louis chief of police in the history of the department.

“Chief Tracy understood that violence will continue to persist if we see law enforcement as the end-all-be-all,” said John P. Cook of the Delaware Group Violence Intervention organization

“What he wanted to do was implement the social work component to our communities, meaning that it was not enough to lock people up without realizing the circumstances of their lives.”

Tracy said in his message he would soon “roll out a number of new strategies and initiatives.”

“[I] will call upon each of you to take a leadership role - regardless of rank or assignment - as we work together to address the plague of violent crime that has affected St. Louis and so many cities like ours,” he said.

“And while there is hard work ahead of us, I am confident you will find fulfillment and reward as we achieve our objectives and make St. Louis safer for everyone in our city.

“It is a true honor to be appointed to this position, and I am eager for the days, weeks, and months ahead as we embark upon the next chapter of this organization and its service to St. Louis.”

Photo courtesy of Mayor Jones office

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and SLMPD Chief Robert J. Tracy began the quest to reduce crime after Tracy was sworn in Monday at City Hall.

Editorial/Commentary

Upon Further Reflection Guest Editorial

“We need more elected officials who understand what financial insecurity is like.”

Get ready, Congress: Here comes Gen Z

By Svante Myrick

When 25-year-old Maxwell Frost of Florida takes his seat in the U.S House this month, he will be the nation’s first Gen Z member of Congress.

That -- in and of itself -- is a major milestone and accomplishment. And what makes it even better is that Frost is a young Black man who won on a great platform focused on ending gun violence, addressing climate change, and providing universal health care.

I can’t wait to see what Frost accomplishes in Congress. And I’m equally excited about what other folks in his generational cohort will bring to Congress when they arrive. There’s just no question that young people who have formed their entire identities in the 21st century will transform government.

These are young people who have spent their whole lives being connected, via the internet, to people and events around the globe. Studies show this gives them greater acceptance of diverse cultures and contributes to a higher level of empathy and sensitivity toward others.

Past generations grew up acutely aware of the struggles of folks in their own neighborhood; to Gen Z, the challenges people face in Asia or Central America are as real as the ones they face in Florida. This is a deeply valuable perspective to bring to a prominent position in government. This is also a generation deeply motivated from their firsthand experiences to address the horror of gun violence and school shootings, which gives me hope that as more of them enter Congress, sensible gun safety legislation will finally win out. It’s a generation that grew up with Obamacare, creating a minimum expectation for what the government can and should do to ensure health care for people. It’s a generation that cannot afford to buy homes and will demand changes in housing policy. And it’s a generation

faced with harsh economic realities created by corporate greed and economic injustice across the board, which could play out in the push not only for a higher minimum wage but for a full range of other economic policy changes as well.

On a personal level, harsh economic realities have already hit home for Maxwell Frost. A lot has been written about his inability to rent an apartment in Washington because he was forced to finance much of his campaign with credit cards, affecting his credit rating. I can relate. When I was 24, I left a job, cashed in my savings and my (tiny) 401K to run for mayor of Ithaca. It was a huge gamble that I’m glad to say paid off –but like Frost, I came into office without financial security.

And I want to say two things about that. The first is that yes, we need more elected officials who understand what financial insecurity is like. But second, we need to make it possible for more young people without family wealth to consider running for office in the first place.

That means raising the pay for the local offices where most young public servants get their start, so they can afford to consider public service as a career. And it means finally changing campaign finance laws, so candidates don’t have to produce a small fortune just to be competitive in an election. This is all possible, and I’d like to say probable, as more young people enter the political sphere. I love the creativity of young, elected officials who are not wedded to the status quo or traditional ways of doing things. Maxwell Frost is the first Gen Z member of Congress, but he won’t be the last. Celebrating that is a great way to start the new year.

Svante Myrick is People For the American Way president, following the departure of Ben Jealous

One nation, indivisible

By Ben Jealous

It strikes me that the days we’re living through represent a metaphor for our national dilemma. January 6th and the weight of history that date carries are in the rearview mirror, at least on the calendar. Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream still is on the horizon.

America’s existential challenge is to put the former behind us permanently so we can finally achieve the latter and be what we pledge allegiance to -one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. After the attack on the Capitol, I sat down to figure out how we might finally do that, and my answers have filled a book. As my mother’s family has for four centuries, I live south of the Mason-Dixon Line close to the Chesapeake Bay, which was a literal superhighway for slavery. Casual conversations about the likelihood of another Civil War are frequent at my favorite waterside bar. Combine that with the political fault lines running through many families and friendships (including my own) and we feel more divided than indivisible. It’s clear why so many fear for our republic’s survival. I have always been an optimist about America. Even for me, witnessing a failed

coup shook my usually hopeful outlook.

Like many whose Southern roots run deep, I often turn to the past for answers. What I discovered in questioning our current differences revived my faith that the United States always will overcome our troubles and emerge even stronger on the other side. In the 1880s, formerly enslaved men and former Confederate soldiers in Virginia – home to the Confederacy’s capital – banded together to fight for the future of their children. They built a political party called the Readjusters. Their demand was simple: readjust the terms of Civil War debt so that we can maintain free public schools for all.

Not only did they win that victory, they also won control of the state’s government and achieved several more: they abolished the poll tax, they abolished the public whipping post, they created the first public black college in the South, and they expanded Virginia

Letter to the editor

We want to hear from you

As the region’s leading media source for the African-American community, at The St. Louis American we want to hear from you.

To send a Letter to the Editor, please send to: editor@stlamerican.com. To submit a free People on the Move listing in our Business section, please send photo and write up to: kjones@ stlamerican.com. To submit a Business Brief or Community

You get what you vote for, America

By Mike Jones

Tech to make it the working person’s rival to the University of Virginia.

The Readjusters’ short-lived multiracial populist movement eventually was attacked violently by white supremacists and defeated politically by wealthy special interests spreading vile disinformation; their party is all but erased from history books. Still, they defined the future of Virginia and our nation by planting early seeds for FDR’s New Deal coalition and by creating a bold legacy in public education that endures to this day. Moreover their example reminds us that the spirit that moved Dr. King to dream hopefully about black and white children has always run deep in our nation, and always will. When we lose faith in our neighbors, that hope reminds us that the path to a stronger nation is to remember we still have more in common than we don’t, and to act on the beliefs we share.

If men who had been enslaved could find common cause with men who fought to keep them enslaved to build a better future for all their children, we should never lose faith that we can unite for the sake of ours.

Ben Jealous is incoming executive director of the Sierra Club, America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization

All letters are edited for length and style

please send to: editor@stlamerican.com. For information on obituaries and in memoriams, please send to: ahouston@stlamerican.com. For advertising information, please send to: advertising@stlamerican.com. To receive our weekly E-newsletter, visit stlamerican.com. If you are interested in purchasing a print

You may be familiar with the Winston Churchill quote about democracy being the worst form of government except for all the others. But there’s another, often-overlooked, quote by Churchill about democracy, “The best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” In a class on governance or political practice I think you could easily win the argument that in theory, given all the possibilities, you’re better off living in a democracy, though you would have to address what two profoundly serious Greek gentlemen who were there at the inception, Plato and Aristotle had to say about democracy. However, in the real world in which we live, that theory of democracy, put into practice, can leave a whole lot to be desired.

Both quotes and the notion of the divergence of theory from practice came to mind as I checked in on the four-day fiasco that was the election for Speaker of the House and saw the replay of President Biden’s remarks at the January 6 Presidential Citizens Medal Ceremony commemorating the assault on the US Capital. Though I must admit my first thought, when I was looking at the Republicans, was how did they get that many clowns in one car.

I’ll start with President Biden’s remarks at the medal ceremony. Like all Establishment American politicians he talks about democracy like it’s a thing, something that has a concrete physical existence, along with an effusive homage to the character, courage and steadfastness of the American people.

The rhetorical references about democracy rest on a fallacious assumption. Democracy is not a concrete thing, it’s a process, an amoral process at that. And like market capitalism, it has no inherent ability or predisposition to produce moral outcomes or a just society. His praise of the American character is sophistry.

How would or should the Indigenous People, enslaved Black Americans or their descendants, Asian or Eastern

European immigrants, Japanese American citizens, opine on the moral character of the American people. In a democratic society the moral standards of the government are a direct reflection of the moral character, or lack thereof, of most people who voted for it. Case in point.

If you posed the question, what was the evilest government of the 20th century, the consensus winner would be Nazi Germany. Nazi Germany was a creature of democracy, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of the German Weimar Republic by Parliament in 1932, he became the most powerful man in Germany because the democratically elected parliament passed the Enabling Act in 1933, granting him the power to act without parliamentary consent and without constitutional limitations.

Nazi totalitarianism was a function of German democracy. That democratic will of the German people led to the genocide of 6 million of their fellow citizens and at least 27 million casualties, civilian and military, in the European Theater during World War II.

Let’s talk about Democracy in the United States. The United States of America was formed in 1789 as a federal constitutional republic with a democratically elected government, albeit without universal suffrage (a lot like Ancient Athens). The Constitution called

n In a democratic society the moral standards of the government are a direct reflection of the moral character, or lack thereof, of most people who voted for it.

for an elected President, with a bicameral legislature, the House of Representatives elected directly by the people, the Senate appointed by the directly elected state legislatures.

The powers of the newly formed government were defined by the Constitution that made We the People sovereign, not a king, not God, but the people. All US governments for the last 234 years are an extension of the people of the United States, and they act in their name and with their consent.

So, what has the democratic will of the American people historically meant if you happen to be Black within the jurisdiction

of the United States. First it made the enslavement of Black people legal and constitutional. It made the escape from slavery a violation of the law and created a legal obligation for all white citizens to participate in your recapture, the Fugitive Slave Act. The Supreme Court of this democratic republic ruled that your existence was not recognized by its constitution, and you had no rights that its government or citizens were required to honor. This was the democratic will of the people of the United States in the first half of the 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century slavery was abolished, but from 1877 to1965 the United States democratically elected state and federal governments created a new racial order to replace slavery, Jim Crow- American apartheid. The thing to remember is Jim Crow wasn’t about custom, culture, or habit. Jim Crow, with its Black Codes, was a function of law and public policy that reflected the consensus will of the American people, exercised through their elected representatives at the state and federal level. And keep in mind that the American people continued to legitimize these governments and their policies every 2-4 years. That was then, where are now?

On January 6, 2021, 147 Republicans, including eight senators, voted against certifying the election of Joe Biden. All eight of those senators remain in office. Of the 139 Republican House members that voted against certifying Biden’s victory, 124 ran for re-election, and of those, 118 won. What that means is over half of the 222 members of the Republican Caucus of the 117th Congress voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The American Democracy (We the People) that Joe Biden is so effusive about not only re-elected the election-denying insurrectionist enablers but voted to give them control of the House of Representatives. What you witnessed over the four-day travail that was Kevin McCarthy’s election to Speaker of House is what it looks like when the inmates take control of the asylum. The question you should be concerned with is not who are these people that got elected, but who are the people that elected them. You will always know when American political leaders are historically obtuse or just plain lying, whenever they say, “this is not who we are.”

Columnist Mike Jones

Columnist Ben Jealous

Story Stitchers artists work alongside 16–24-year-old underrepresented youth living in underserved areas of St. Louis. Work from the Story Stitchers’ ‘I GOTCHU’ vaccination campaign is on display at an Atlanta museum.

Story Stitchers exhibit at Atlanta’s Senser Museum

St. Louis American staff

An exhibit at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta entitled Trusted Messengers: Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Through Art is now displaying original pieces from six organizations, including Saint Louis Story Stitchers.

Story Stitchers is one of 30 arts and culture organizations that received support from the CDC Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop works of art to educate the public and inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

“Story Stitchers artists were honored to be selected for this exhibition and pleased to see the work continue to be useful to public audiences,” said Susan Colangelo, executive director of Saint Louis Story Stitchers.

“Our project generated bus kings, bus shelter posters, billboards, social media, and radio ads, reaching 70 million people in the spring of 2022. The project was created by a collaborative group of youth and adult artists who generated work around the concept of worthiness and caring for one another in a campaign called, ‘I GOTCHU.’”

The exhibit will run through March 2023 and features work from Studio Two Three in Richmond, Virginia; West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Vermillion Cultural Association and Creative Care in Vermillion, South Dakota; Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership in Springfield, Massachusetts; and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

“Our talented partner organizations have created meaningful, innovative projects that engaged and informed community members,” said Catherine Zilber, vice president for infectious disease programs at the CDC Foundation.

“This new exhibit features impressive art and uplifting messaging that demonstrates the crucial role the arts can play in communicating about important public health issues.”

Story Stitchers artists work alongside 16–24-year-old underrepresented youth who are 98% Black and living in underserved areas of St. Louis

For more information on Saint Louis Story Stitchers’ project, visit storystitchers.org

By Julianne Malveaux

Four days after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the inveterate warrior, Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), introduced legislation to make his birthday a federal holiday. It took 15 years, hundreds of protests, a song, and a tour to make Dr. King’s birthday a holiday. Stevie Wonder’s lyrics, first debuted in his 1980 album “Hotter Than July,” encouraged activists to keep pushing for the holiday after being repeatedly rebuffed. The Conyers legislation passed the House of Representatives 338-90 with much opposition from conservative white Southerners (primarily Republicans) speciously claiming that the holiday cost too much money.

On the Senate side, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Ed Brooke (R-Mass.), passed 78-22. The process was far from smooth, though. ThenNorth Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican, passed out binders full of scurrilous lies about Dr. King, describing him as a communist and worse. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was so outraged that he described the information as “filth” and physically stomped on it. Still, then-President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation in 1983. It has been 40 years since the bill was passed, and we ought to celebrate. This legislation was only passed because of Black people’s resilience and persistence. These might be metaphoric for the struggle we must continue to wage. One of the ways we continue to struggle is to ensure that everyone who sings “the Black Birthday song” realizes that the song is a tribute to Dr. King and was part of the struggle that was waged to make his birthday a national holiday.

Many states refused to embrace the national King holiday. Indeed, it was not until 2000, 17 years after the federal legislation passed, that all 50 states had some form of a King holiday. Arizona was the last, and they paid for their resistance. The National Football League moved the 1995 Super Bowl from Phoenix to Los Angeles when Arizona refused to recognize the holiday. Several, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, boycotted the state and canceled events scheduled there.

Even today, several Southern states, including Alabama and Mississippi, attempt to weaken the meaning of the King holiday by naming it the KingLee holiday, forcing those who celebrate the King holiday to also recognize the Confederate traitor implicitly, Jefferson Davis. Utah described Jan. 15 as Human Rights Day rather than Dr. King’s birthday. It was not until 2000 that Utah became one of the last states to make Dr. King’s birthday a state holiday.

In addition to attempting to chip away at the King’s legacy with their resistance to racial justice, Virginia had the audacity to couple the King birthday with those of Jefferson Davis AND Stonewall Jackson, another Confederate traitor. And Mississippi officially celebrates Confederate Heritage Month in April. Other states recognize the month, but there is no official celebration, although four states celebrate Confederate Memorial Day at the end of April or early May.

Confederates and their descendants spend time and energy propagating lies. They persistently believe they won the Civil War, although an honest history says otherwise. They continue to chip away at the civil rights legacy, not just with words and Confederate holidays, but with the voter suppression that taints too many of our elections. The response to the fiction they continue to spin is our resilience and persistence in the face of their warped fantasies. We must continue to sing the “Black Birthday Song” joyously because joy is a form of resistance. But we must sign it in its historical context. Whether we are singing for Big Mama or a newborn baby, we must never sing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” without thinking about speaking about Dr. King. Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Story Stitchers

Julianne Malveaux

Mizzou

Continued from A1

“Our university community will not be defined by the actions of one individual, but instead by our deep and collective commitment to be welcoming to all.”

Choi explained that the student’s racial slur was in a direct message to a friend that was then viewed by other students, “and was not communicated in a way that harassed any individual. In that context,

Mason

Continued from A1

Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner argued the innocence of Johnson, who was convicted of murdering his friend Marcus Boyd in South St. Louis 28 years ago. In August, Gardner filed a 59-page motion saying the two masked gunmen who killed Boyd that night were Phillip Campbell and James Howard — not Johnson. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has

the speech is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair Marlene Terry, D-St. Louis, called Choi’s First Amendment rights explanation “compelling,” regardless of how hateful or divisive a student’s statement might be.

“This incident still illustrates just how far we still have to go to ensure students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome on Missouri’s flagship campus,” Terry wrote. “What this student said was wrong. It caused genuine dis-

argued Johnson’s conviction should be upheld. After listening to both arguments last month, Mason asked both Gardner and the attorney general’s office to prepare briefs with their fact analysis about “actual innocence evidence” in the case, as well as whether there were “constitutional deficiencies” that would have undermined the original verdict. Gardner’s team submitted a brief on Dec. 23, and the attorney general’s office submitted its brief on Tuesday — the last day the judge allowed to submit the

tress among the Black student body and left them feeling unprotected and unappreciated in a place where they are meant to learn and grow into valued members of society.

“[Miller’s Instagram post and lack of punishment] underscores the importance of education that’s conscious of difference and teaches the pain our words and deeds can cause when they are fueled by division, hate and ignorance.”

After the post became public, Miller did resign as president of the MU chap-

document.

“This is all new,” Mason said last month. “We want to look at this carefully. We want to get this right. This is not to be done cavalierly because there’s so much at stake. And then I’ll be able to make a ruling.”

Eric Schmitt has stepped down as attorney general on Tuesday after being sworn into office as a U.S. Senator. Missouri’s new attorney general is Andrew Bailey.

Throughout last month’s hearing, it became apparent that the only thing tying Johnson to the murder was

ter of Turning Point USA, described by the Kansas City Star as “a far-right student club.”

Immediately following the post, many students called for Miller to be expelled or punished in some fashion. The university issued a release saying, “this language is reprehensible, and we condemn any language and actions that are racist, discriminatory and hateful to our community.”

Upon announcing the university would take no action, Choi said in the release, “First Amendment law does not

eyewitness testimony from Greg Elking, Boyd’s former coworker. Elking recanted his 1995 testimony on the stand on the hearing’s first day Later in the week, both the former prosecutor and police detective leading Johnson’s case testified they had no evidence connecting Johnson to the murder. The conviction rested solely on Elking picking Johnson out of a lineup based upon Elking’s memory of seeing the masked gunman’s eyes for a few seconds — and it took Elking four times of

allow a public university to punish speech only because it is racist or hateful – even when that speech is diametrically opposed to our values,” Choi wrote.

“It is equally important, however, to emphasize that the First Amendment has limits, and we have and will take action when individuals are subjected to harassment that violates our rules prohibiting discrimination. For example, within the last year, we dismissed a student who directed a racial slur at a fellow student. We also will take action

viewing the same lineup to do it.

“You had a witness in this case who told you…at best he could recognize maybe something about the eyes,” Mason said to former detective Joseph Nickerson last month. “Are you sure this isn’t a situation where you guys were in a little bit of a rush to make a conviction?”

The key witness in Johnson’s wrongful conviction hearing was Howard, who confessed to the murder and said he and Campbell only meant to rob Boyd but things got out of hand.

under our rules and refer to law enforcement any serious threat of violence to our campus community. “Our university community will not be defined by the actions of one individual, but instead by our deep and collective commitment to be welcoming to all.”

Terry called upon the university to redouble its efforts against racism, antisemitism and other dangerous ideologies that dehumanize both the discriminated and the discriminator. Our caucus will watch for their next steps vigilantly.”

In the briefs, Mason requested the two offices address “how the prosecutors handled this case, particularly as it relates to information that would have undermined the credibility or weight of the evidence against Mr. Johnson at trial.” Mason said he’s also concerned about whether information was withheld from Johnson’s public defender, David Bruns, as well as if Bruns “failed to effectively cross-examine to the point ineffective representation may very well have occurred.”

Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute, hosted by St. Louis University and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

In an on-stage discussion in the Busch Student Center ballroom on the SLU campus, Fulton shared in discussion with Michael McMillan, Urban League president and CEO, called her son Trayvon “loveable.’

“He was always there with a smile. He was always there with a hug. He was just coming into his own.

Zimmerman faced a criminal trial, but an all-white jury acquitted him in Sanford, Fla.

A message that Fulton shared with an audience of more than 500 people was to not shirk jury duty or community service.

“I wish we had people of color on that jury. If some of you had been there [on the jury] the man who shot Trayvon would be in jail. Don’t try to get out of jury duty,” she said when asked what she had learned since her son was killed.

“The justice system was just not fair to us. It was called ‘the Trayvon Martin trial’ but Trayvon Martin was not on trial. This was not about a hoodie [that Martin was wearing when being pursued by Zimmerman,] it was only because of the color of his skin.”

Fulton said she wished people, including those on the jury, “would have looked at Trayvon like it was their child.”

Following her son’s shooting

Godwin

Continued from A1

winner for her work as a broadcast journalist, she spent nearly 20 years as a television news anchor, reporter and talk show host.. Vector’s website emphasizes that “We help our clients tell their stories so they can do great things.”

Because of the start up launch of her firm, community support and business success, Godwin is recipient of the 2023 St. Louis American Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Godwin will be among the honorees during the 21st Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking and Awards Luncheon at 11 a.m. Thursday Feb. 16 at the Ritz Carlton St. Louis.

The event’s theme is “Expanding Inclusive Growth,” and Godwin’s firm does that by “getting information out that is needed to make sound decisions that best fit community needs and wants.

She said her company focuses on public policy issues, including, transportation, healthcare, economic development, education, and parks and greenways.

“This is really an extension of when I was a journalist. I became a journalist to educate people about the issues, and this is a continuation of that,” said Godwin.

Godwin engages with the community by gathering folks to discuss the issues that their neighborhoods face that are often overlooked and unaddressed. Changes are often made without their input. Godwin says neighborhoods of color are being left out of the conversation, and many residents frequently learn about changes occurring in their respective community “at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

“A lot of things that go on for the improvement of the region can be detrimental for the Black community,” said Godwin. “At Vector, we want to make sure that people are aware of a project, to have a chance to voice their concerns.”

However, becoming an owner of one of the top consulting firms in our region didn’t happen overnight. It requires what Godwin says is a high level of performance, taking the road less traveled. In Godwin’s case that meant moving across the country in search of improving her resume as a reporter.

In 1987, when Godwin was a young reporter in Virginia, her dream was to become a television network reporter who traveled the world telling stories

death, Fulton said her efforts “were just about getting justice for Trayvon.”

“I learned that it wasn’t just about us, not just about Trayvon. It was about all those who find themselves in similar situations.”

Fulton has established the Trayvon Martin Foundation with her son, Jahvaris. Its mission “is to bring awareness to ending senseless gun violence.

that impacted the broad general community. A mentor suggested she expand her resume geographically by moving to the Midwest to report news in another region of the country.

The young reporter had spent her whole life on the East Coast. The New Jersey-native graduated from Princeton and attended Columbia University in New York where she earned her graduate degree in journalism.

She responded to a job opening in St. Louis at our local PBS station, now called Nine Network, KETC. Six interviews later, Godwin became a host and producer for the PBS affiliate. She has also worked for KPLR 11, St. Louis Women Magazine, and has appeared on CNN and NBC.

After a few years in St. Louis, Godwin met her future

n “I’d have to describe Godwin as ambitious, determined, humble, compassionate, and a woman of her word.

She’s an achiever, but she’s also among the most inspiring people that I know,” said Williams.

husband, Sam Hutchinson, and decided that she was going to establish roots here.

“Once I made the decision to stay in St. Louis, I knew I didn’t want to be a television reporter for another 20 years,” said the media mogul. She realized after the traumatic death of a close friend that life is too short to put her goals and aspirations on hold.

A friend had secured a communications opportunity with St. Louis Community College and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but was unable to fulfill the contract.

She thought Godwin would be a great fit for the position.

The project included examining environmental issues at the grassroots level and “I was using my communication skills to make a difference in the community,” said Godwin. According to Godwin, the project went well and it received funding for additional phases. She was soon being asked to help with community projects.

She said it happened organically, and before she knew it, she realized she had a business. Confident in her ability, and Vector Communications was born in 1998.

It supports a group called Circle of Mothers, scholarships, STEM education programs, a youth empowerment summit, a Thanksgiving celebration, and other community events.

She also encouraged Black people to vote “not just in presidential elections but in all elections” and to also support non-profit organizations like the United Way.

“You never know how much

Twenty-five years later, the firm is still going strong, Vector has worked on over 400 projects, and her clients include Forest Park Forever, Great Rivers Greenway, Amazon, Walmart, Webster University, Prepare STL, and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

“I want to work on projects that make a difference,” said Godwin. “The best thing some can say to us is you hear us, you listened, and you took that information and did something,”

Godwin says staying in business for 25 years takes hard work, she strives for excellence and has the same expectations from those she works with.

Kathy Osborn, Regional Business Council president and CEO, says Godwin is dedicated to the St. Louis community and has worked on several community projects with Vector.

“She has tremendous knowledge of the pulse of people living in some of our most low-income communities and often donated her time to assist them,” said Osborn.

Osborn describes Godwin as hardworking, knowledgeable, connected, brave, and one of the kindest people she knows.

James Williams, Jr. (Jimmie) founder, president, and CEO of Estel Foods Inc. has known Godwin for 25 years. He says his partnership with Vector has allowed him to learn much from her. He describes Godwin “as nothing short of amazing.”

“I’d have to describe Godwin as ambitious, determined, humble, compassionate, and a woman of her word. She’s an achiever, but she’s also among the most inspiring people that I know,” said Williams.

In 1996, Godwin made history as the first female, first African-American, and youngest member of the Board of Trustees of 159-year-old Blackburn College.

While serving on its board, Godwin conducted the institution’s first capital campaign in 30 years, and helped raise $20 million for a new student affairs building and other campus improvements. For her accomplishments, Godwin received the Gideon Award, which is the highest volunteer award for non-alumni.

Another proud moment for her is the annual Give STL Day. Godwin was the chair of the St. Louis Community Foundation and during a national conference, she learned about online giving events and thought to herself it is something St. Louis could do.

The foundation launched the 24-hour online giving event in 2014 and has since raised more than $26 million.

they can do until you need them. You never know how strong you are until you have to show your strength.”

McMillan said Fulton “took a tragedy and turned it into a triumph.”

“Imagine what she has been through,” he said.

The SLU/Urban League MLK Memorial Tribute was celebrated in person for the first time since 2020.

Currently, she serves as Strickland Women’s Executive Leadership Council chair at High Point University in North Carolina.

Fred P. Costello, SLU president, said during recalled King’s words when he spoke on the campus on Oct. 12, 1964.

“We have come a long, long way. But we have a long, long way to before we solve this problem,” he said.

“May [Dr. King] direct us forward on the path to justice.”

Fulton was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award

In both her business and volunteer work, she says that her company is about “really getting out there and getting to know people, listening to them, and taking it to the next level.”

during the celebration, and she thank those people in St. Louis, in America, and around the world that supported her after Trayvon Martin’s killing.

“I didn’t have to know you to feel your prayers. I knew I was speaking for my son who was not here. And I knew I was speaking for my son who was here. I want to thank all of you,” she said.

“It allows us to make a difference, I love that I can drive through the St. Louis region and say we worked on that, and that, and that. Our name may not be on it, but Vector worked on it,” said Godwin. Tickets to the St. Louis American Foundation’s 21st annual Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon are $125 each for general seating, with tables of 10 for $1,250, and $250 each for VIP seating, with VIP tables of 10 for $2,500. Please visit stlamerican.com to purchase tickets.

Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin, shared an inspirational conversation with Mike McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO, during the SLU/ Urban League 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

“Taking Care of You”

Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare’s new president & CEO

My

simple motto: ‘The patient always comes first.’

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Kendra Holmes wasn’t trying to be rude or dismissive.

The year was 2015. Holmes, who was 26 at the time and in her final months of pregnancy, worked as a staff pharmacist for Grace Hill Health Centers. Her superiors were making the rounds introducing the new CEO, Alan Freeman.

Holmes had and still has one simple motto: “The patient comes first.” So, on that extremely busy day with a room full of patients, Holmes remembers her abrupt response:

“I said ‘OK, that’s wonderful but I need to take care of my patients,’” she recalled with

a chuckle. “He probably thought, ‘who does this Black girl think she is?’” Apparently, Holmes intrigued Freeman. Shortly after their introduction, when Grace Hill Health Centers was renamed Affinia Healthcare, Freeman offered Holmes the opportunity to become the director of pharmacy and radiology. In roughly five years, Holmes has gone from Senior Vice President/Chief Operating

For your health

Zero alcohol likely the healthiest amount

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz

With New Year’s celebrations behind us and the promise of the new year ahead, it can be a great time to talk about the relationship between alcohol and our health.

While the dangers of regular heavy drinking and binge drinking (drinking a lot in a short period) are fairly well known, less understood by many are the health risks from regularly drinking more modest amounts of alcohol.

This may be in part because of the dominant message of the possible “heart health” benefits of moderate drinking, which have appeared for decades in media and in many health guidelines. We know now more than ever that when it comes to drinking there are many other conditions that need to be considered beyond just heart disease.

“Alcohol is associated with increased risks of developing cancer - specifically, cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colorectum, liver and breast,” said Yin Cao, ScD, an associate professor of surgery and medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “For the majority of these, risk increases with moderate alcohol intake, which also increases the risk of injury, suicide, liver disease, mental illness and infectious disease.”

n Globally, alcohol is a leading factor in deaths of people between the ages of 15 to 49 years old.

Globally, alcohol is a leading factor in deaths of people between the ages of 15 to 49 years old. Taken together, the science on alcohol points to a shift in how we should view drinking and health.

“The research is now quite clear that, overall, the healthiest choice is not to drink,” said Cao.

That message can feel like a major change from those we’ve been hearing for years, and it can take a little time to process. But, like recommendations to get more exercise, or eat more whole grains, or get better sleep, knowing that not drinking is likely the best choice allows us to make informed decisions about our health behaviors.

When working on limiting alcohol, unsweetened coffee, tea and carbonated water can be easy substitutes. Grocery store shelves and

Pregnant, nursing mothers gain employment rights protection

‘A win for gender and racial equity’

By Alexa Spencer Word In Black

It’s been a long time coming for working, breastfeeding moms. On top of limited maternity leave, when moms do return to work, many are faced with a lack of support from employers when pumping breast milk.

But things are looking up after the U.S. Senate passed the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act in December 2022.

The PUMP Act — passed as part of the $1.7 trillion 2023 omnibus spending bill signed by President Biden — requires employers to provide break time and a private, non-bathroom space for all breastfeeding employees. The act extends protections to salaried workers, who weren’t included in the 2010 Break

n The PUMP Act requires employers to provide break time and a private, non-bathroom space for all breastfeeding employees.

Time for Nursing Mothers law. The legislation provided only hourly employees with time and space to pump, leaving nearly one-in-four women of childbearing age unprotected, according to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee But now, any lactating professional, seasonal, or agriculture worker — hourly or salaried — is entitled to workplace support.

Tina Sherman, MomsRising senior campaign director for maternal justice, had her infant son with her as she rallied in support of the Affordable Care Act in 2018. Sherman says the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act “will especially help low-income women and women of color.”

Dr. Kendra Holmes is the new president and CEO of Affinia Healthcare.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of MomsRising.org

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

“Taking Care of You”

Holmes

Continued from A8

Officer to Vice President/Chief Operating Officer to her new role, as of January 2023, as president & CEO for Affinia Healthcare.

It’s been an amazing ascension based on a philosophy of service to patients, especially from underserved and marginalized communities. It’s an attitude that has served the St. Louis native, her colleagues, coworkers, and individuals throughout the region extremely well.

The youngest of four girls, Holmes says she was raised in a household with strict Catholic values. The family faithfully attended St. Matthew the Apostle Parish on Sarah Avenue in the city. Her childhood, she recalled, was atypical from the usual stories of poverty and trauma attached to life in North St. Louis. As the baby of the family, Holmes said she was “spoiled” by her parents and older sisters. She doesn’t remember ever not being nurtured and loved.

Her parents stressed education in the home and excellence at school. Holmes attended public elementary schools and the high-ranking Metro Academic and Classical High School. Holmes, who described herself as a “nerd” back then,

Mothers

Continued from A8

More breastfeeding support at work could mean more mothers and babies accessing the health benefits that nursing offers When breastfed, infants have a lower chance of developing asthma, obesity, and other illnesses. For moms, nursing lowers their risk for breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and postpartum depression.

Although research on the health benefits of breastfeeding is vast, and employers have been required to provide accommodations for more than a decade, some mothers still find themselves being forced to choose between nursing and losing their jobs.

According to the Center for WorkLife Law, lactation discrimination in the workplace can look like being denied pumping breaks when in pain or leaking milk, or being fired just for asking.

In some instances, lactating employees are denied a private place to express milk and receive inappropriate gestures from co-workers.

Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families said the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was a win for gender and racial equity.

She added, “For far too long, pregnant workers have gone without the critical protections many people need to maintain a healthy pregnancy: protections like the ability to take bathroom breaks during a shift, sit down while working a cash register, or pause to take a drink of water to stay hydrated.”

The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, was also endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Society for Human Resource Management and National

Colditz

Continued from A8

online shops also stock an increasing selection of alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits that can taste a lot like the originals that include alcohol. Ideally, try to choose healthy,

said she was into all things science related. Metro, she said, was a strenuous, competitive school that complemented her attitude.

As a kid, Holmes said she had one vice:

“My biggest worry was being number one,” Holmes said with a laugh.

“I definitely have a competitive spirit. I think it’s just that I didn’t want mediocrity. I didn’t want to settle for a basic or a boring life. Even at that age, I thought, ‘why not do something impactful.’”

Holmes’ secondary interest was history. She was fascinated with slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction period and African American history in general. Race-based history had a life-long impact on Holmes.

“It made me angry but not like an angry Black woman,” Holmes explained. “It was like an anger against injustice and not just against Black people. I have anger regarding the LGBTQ community and injustice to others. I just don’t like injustice or certain forms of privilege.”

Holmes considered becoming a history teacher but as a pragmatic youth, she felt a teacher’s salary wouldn’t support the lifestyle she envisioned for herself. So, she turned to a vocation that better suited her ambitions.

“I chose chemistry, the medicine route and pharmacy,”

Retail Federation.

The Center for WorkLife Law reviewed breastfeeding discrimination cases for a 2019 report and found that threefourths involved economic loss, with nearly two-thirds ending in job loss.

Additionally, lactating workers who are discriminated against become vulnerable to health issues like painful infections, diminished milk supply, or weaning their babies earlier than recommended by doctors. These acts could significantly impact Black women and other women of color.

“Lactation discrimination impacts women at all socio-economic levels but has particularly harsh effects for low-wage workers, who are more likely to be women of color,” the authors wrote in the report.

The PUMP Act comes at a time when Black mothers are less likely to initiate or sustain breastfeeding.

Data from 2015 published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that only 69% of Black moms initiated breastfeeding, compared to 86% of white moms. And when it comes to exclusive breastfeeding — where infants are fed breast milk only — 17% of Black mothers nursed their babies for up to six months, versus 29% of white mothers.

While the Break Time Law entitled breastfeeding workers to one year of workplace protection following the birth of their child or children, the PUMP Act extends those rights to two years.

The Senate also passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act — a law that requires employers to make accommodations for employees experiencing pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions.

Specifically, the bill considers it unlawful to:

• Fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation

alcohol-free drinks that aren’t high in sugar and calories. Experiment to find what works best for you when cutting back, or cutting out, alcohol. If you ever feel that you have an alcohol problem, reach out to a health professional for help or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800662-HELP (4357).

Holmes said, adding: “It was because I knew the starting salary for pharmacists would be in the six figures.”

Holmes also was in touch with her true desires.

“I am a people person: I love interacting with patients,” she said. “The chemistry part, the medicinal and organic chemistry parts…were all great fits for me.

With a full-ride scholarship, Holmes attended St. Louis College of Pharmacy where she earned a doctorate in pharmacy and later completed a Community Health Center Executive Fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

After graduation from college Holmes did a brief stint with the Medicine Shoppe downtown. It was near St. Patrick Center where she met a priest who was working to make sure the unhoused had access to medication.

The priest told Holmes that Grace Hill was having trouble finding a pharmacist who wanted to work at their city location. As a North St. Louis resident, Holmes applied for the job even though the salary was nowhere near what she could have made as a retail pharmacist in places like Walgreens or CVS pharmacies.

“I went to a community health center where the salary is probably like $30,000 less,” Holmes recalled. “It was because I wanted to be in my

community taking care of my community.”

Holmes’ greatest asset perhaps, is her ability to adapt to new challenges. For example, she had little to no expertise when Freeman asked her to head up radiology and mammography departments at Affinia. She explained how she rose to the challenge in The American in 2016:

“I just took some classes, did a lot of studying and networking with other professionals and, within a year, we had our mammography suite up and we had general radiology in two of our locations.”

It was the same approach when Holmes brought outside lab services in-house where Affinia started processing over 15,000 samples each month. The ability to collaborate with other health care professionals and organizations was paramount as Holmes revamped or redesigned radiology, laboratory, nursing services, security, patient services, managed care incentive programs, pharmacy services and much more at Affinia.

It was during the pandemic of 2020, when Holmes was challenged most. She detailed an eye-opening reality and a “turning point in her career” with this newspaper in 2021. It started with a number of panel discussions on the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities. She found the rise in deaths in the Black com-

munity disturbing. But the point for her again was the fact that testing wasn’t readily available in the Black communities she served.

“I always knew there was discrimination, I always saw the difference in the quality of care for poor people as opposed to more affluent people, I always saw the racial differences,” Holmes recalled, adding: “But it wasn’t until COVID that it was put right in my face. It was like they were saying ‘look, we’re not going to take care of you. We know you’re going to be disproportionately affected and we’re not going to make you a priority and we’re not going to put resources into your communities. It was just so blatant.

Holmes said she assumed, wrongfully, that larger organizations would step up to the plate and provide testing in underserved communities but, she added, “I only stay frustrated for about an hour, then I get to work.”

By April of 2020, Affinia made it a priority to provide COVID-19 testing to the City’s first responders, including EMS, police, and fire fighters. Two months later, Affinia had stepped up its game and was providing testing throughout St. Louis city and county, serving almost 30,000 people in 2020 alone.

Another issue of concern was keeping her staff employed during the crisis.

would impose an undue hardship on an entity’s business operation;

• Require a qualified employee affected by such a condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process;

• Reny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee;

• Require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or

• Take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations.

Tina Sherman, who serves

Try these additional tips for limiting alcohol:

--Meet up with friends at a coffee shop or park rather than a bar or brewery

--Bring your own alcohol-free options to parties

--Don’t center meals or other gatherings around alcohol

--Keep healthy, alcohol-free drinks on hand

as senior campaign director for maternal justice at MomsRising, says America’s “moms and families won a major, meaningful, long overdue victory” with the passing of the PUMP and Pregnant Workers Fairness Acts.

‘When lawmakers enact these two essential measures, breastfeeding moms will no longer be forced to pump breastmilk in bathrooms, cars, closets, and cafeterias; and fewer pregnant workers will be forced out of their jobs because employers deny them reasonable accommodations like carrying water bottles and taking more bathroom breaks,” she said in a statement

“Both these measures will especially help low-income women and women of color, and they will make America’s moms and families more eco-

With over half of people in the U.S. reporting drinking in the past month, it’s important that we have a clear view of how alcohol can impact our health - beyond the hearthealth messages that have been so dominant. Alcohol increases the risk of many different diseases, often at moderate or even low levels

“I knew the shutdown was going to affect jobs,” Holmes recalled. “So, on top of ensuring that our community had testing, I wanted to make sure our staff had employment. The last thing I wanted was a lot of single parents living from paycheck to paycheck to be out of work.”

Holmes is proud of the fact that there were no layoffs at Affinia Healthcare during the pandemic. She said with “raises, incentives and bonuses,” everything all worked out wonderfully not only for the community but her staff as well.” Holmes credits her ascension at Affinia and in the healthcare domain to her effective collaborations, talented staffers and a constant awareness of what patients need and how they want to be treated.

“I think that’s what’s helped me be successful,” Holmes said. “Because I’m from the ‘hood, I can communicate with individuals from impoverished areas. They are comfortable with me, and they trust me because I’ve earned that trust. And then I’m able to take that information and put it into action to provide the services in a manner that will benefit the patient and the community.” After all these years, Holmes’ motto is the same as it was that fateful day in 2015, when introduced to the new CEO:

“The patient always comes first.”

Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families called the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act long overdue, adding it will help families by keeping moms on the job.

nomically secure.”

Vania Leveille, senior legislative counsel at the ACLU also celebrated the passage of the PUMP Act for Nursing Mothers, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-OR, and Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, which was also included in the spending bill.

The Supreme Court’s standard for assessing pregnant workers’ rights and their needs for accommodations made the bill necessary, said Dina Bakst, co-founder of A Better Balance, a nonprofit focused on litigation, legislative advocacy and education on labor issues.

Bakst, in testimony to Congress in favor of the bill, said the court’s 2015 decision in Young v. UPS “laid out an overly complicated, burdensome standard

of drinking. Knowing that can help us each make the best decisions about our health.

“It’s well past time to change how we talk about alcohol’s impact on health,” concluded Cao.

requiring pregnant workers to jump through legal hoops and prove discrimination” to get accommodations. The court held that pregnant workers could only have the same accommodations as workers who were limited by injury or disability.

Bakst also testified that a 2019 report by her organization found that as a result of the court’s decision, pregnant workers lost 29 out of 43 pregnancy accommodation cases in lower courts.

As recently as August 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decided that Wal-Mart did not violate the law when it said pregnant workers were not included in a policy at a distribution center in Wisconsin that allowed workers injured on the job to be assigned work that would not aggravate their injuries, Bloomberg reported. The court said Wal-Mart did not need to provide any justification for why the policy was limited to only those workers, the argument made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which brought the suit on behalf of female workers. Businesses with 50 or more employees must provide the time and space for pumping immediately, but the ability to bring a complaint against an employer and take legal action doesn’t begin until April. Transportation workers are treated differently under the PUMP Act, with bus drivers for long-distance bus companies and some railroad workers having a three-year delay in the bill applying to them. There is also an exemption for air carriers and a difference in how the law affects some railroad workers. Employers do not have to provide breaks for railroad workers in train crews if it would be too expensive for the employer and if it created unsafe conditions for another rail worker who has the right of way, the amendment’s language explains.

Dr. Graham A. Colditz, associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool YourDiseaseRisk.com

Photo courtesy of NPWF

NEWSPAPER

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Dining Out.

What Is ASize?Serving

Ingredients

GRAINS Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

Staying Active (Naturally) DuringSummer!the Smart Summer Eating!

Exercise Game

Start Small!

First Day of Spring!

Smart Choices

Calculate BMI

Ice can be dangerous for several different reasons.

Tech-Neck

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

Nutrition Challenge:

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

Once you’re out of school, many of you may have a lot of extra time on your hands to be snacking. Resist the urge to eat sweet, salty, fried and high-calorie non-nutritious snacks this summer.

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

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

You get home from school and you’re hungry. You grab the closest snack you can find. But do you really know what’s in the food you’re about to eat? Take a look at the Ingredients Listing found on all food labels. Two key things to remember are:

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

Cola

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

Create a Smart Summer Eating plan with your parents. Ask their help in finding nutritious snacks and meals for the

Ingredients are listed by the amount of that item the food contains. In other words, if the first ingredient is sugar (or corn syrup, fructose, etc.) you know that food contains a lot of “empty” calories. This means that the food probably won’t provide many nutrients, just a lot of calories.

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to. Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

As the weather gets warmer, there are many ways that we can enjoy ourselves outdoors and stay healthy over the summer. Some naturally active things you can do include:

It is often said that the hardest part about exercising is getting started!

summer. Delicious juicy, ripe fruits are all around and are healthy for you too! Make it your goal to come back to school in the fall healthier and happier!

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

INGREDIENTS:

Healthcare Careers

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

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

Melissa Douglass, MSW

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.

> Walking to the store when possible.

> Wash your parent’s car.

INGREDIENTS: Whole Grain Corn, Sugar, Corn Meal, Corn Syrup, Canola and/or Rice Bran Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Color Added, Salt, Fructose, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Trisodium Phosphate, BHT Added to Preserve Freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc and Iron (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononi- trate), Vitamin A (palmitate), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3 MAY CONTAIN WHEAT INGREDIENTS.

Learning Standards:

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

Latoya

Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

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

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

Learning Standards:

> Help with yard work: planting, weeding, etc.

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

Review: What are some nutrition tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@stlamerican.com.

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

Keep it short! — You want the list to be short: not many ingredients. Generally the shorter the ingredient list the more natural the food, and healthier for you. Avoid foods that contain a lot of chemicals and preservatives in the ingredients list.

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

HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

Discussion: Why aren’t there ingredients lists on fresh fruits and vegetables?

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

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

Staying active, getting your heart rate up and opening your lungs will help you start off next school year happier and healthier!

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 2, NH 3, NH 5

When you can walk briskly for thirty minutes, slowly add in some running along the way.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

Where do you work? I am an EMT – B at Abbott EMS in Belleville, Illinois.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

Where do you work? I am a Doctor of Chiropractic at Proficient Chiropractic.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lindbergh High School. I then attended the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where I studied biology.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

> Play, play, play outside as much as you can!

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

So, start small. For example, if you want to be able to run 5 miles, you can’t just go out and run that far on your very first try. First, start by walking farther and faster each day.

Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate

Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior?

Monday, January 16, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Why not celebrate by not just enjoying a day off school, but deciding to use the day to make a difference for your community?

> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends. Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

Review: What are some exercise tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@ stlamerican.com.

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

Try walking 10 minutes and then run for three and walk for 10 again. When you can do that pretty easily, switch it to walking for five minutes and running for five. Finally, you’ll switch to walking for three,

Over the last 35 weeks we have discussed many smart choices that you can make to help you stay safe and healthy. Break into small groups and list as many Smart Choices that your group remembers. Now individually, choose one that you think is very important. Describe in your own words what that smart choice is, and how you can remember to make the right choice in the future. Name a new “smart choice“ that you will make this summer.

Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.

> How bullying hurts others.

> What to do if you are bullied.

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

Research online and in the newspaper for events taking place on Monday that reflect the ideals and causes that were so important to Dr. King. Are there any community/ neighborhood projects that would appreciate your contribution? Can you think of your own project?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH5, NH 7

> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

Learning Standards: HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

running for 10, and eventually you can run the entire 30 minutes! Remember that this could take a few months to accomplish, and always ask your doctor if it’s a good idea to do the kind of exercise you’re choosing.

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

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

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from New Madrid County Central High School. I then earned a BS in biology from Central Methodist University, a BS in human anatomy from Logan College of Chiropractic and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic.

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.

Fruit Pizzas

Easy Hummus Dip

Cracker-wiches

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

“BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans

1 cup blueberries

1/2 c non-fat plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbs natural peanut butter, creamy or crunchy, 1 tb honey, Rice cakes

> What other ice hazards are there?

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 7, NH 5, NH 7

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

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

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

1 Garlic clove, crushed

Toppings: any of your favorite fruits; granola Directions: In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, peanut butter, and honey until smooth. Spread over rice cakes. Top with sliced fruit, granola as desired.

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city.

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

What does a chiropractor do? Some things I do daily in my profession are evaluate people’s spine and nervous system. I help people find solutions to some of their health concerns and we discuss the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

Why did you choose this career? I chose to be a chiropractor because I suffered a back injury while playing basketball in college. Chiropractic care was the only thing that helped me continue to play sports in college.

Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

What does an EMT do? My day-to-day includes helping others when they aren’t feeling their best. I also assist getting them to the hospital when they can’t take themselves. Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy helping others problem solve. Also, I have twin stepsons, one who wants to be a police officer, and the other who wants to be a doctor. I thought that being an EMT helped me to meet them both in the middle. And, back in 2018, I had my own medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The paramedic that took care of me was so comforting and assuring that I realized that becoming an EMT is an honorable career. I now work with that same paramedic, at the same company.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

What is your favorite part of your career?

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting and learning about new people and cultures every day. I also like the adrenaline of driving fast with sirens going to get to an emergency quickly.

My favorite part of my job is witnessing people that have been suffering needlessly come into our office, leaving out educated, healthier and with a newfound hope with life.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

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

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

Dr. Xaivier Tipler, Chiropractor

Banana PB Smoothie

Marnay Howard, EMT - B

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

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

Fourth-grade students

Ra’Mya Hardy, Jachai Hamilton, and Jaronn Jones, in Ms. Rhonda Stovall’s class at Gateway Elementary School are investigating magnetic properties.

Photo by Rhonda Stovall

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS

African-American MD & Former US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin

SCIENCE CORNER

Your health has three main categories: physical (body), mental (mind), and spirit (social/emotional). It is important to have healthy habits in all three categories because all of the categories work together. For example, if your physical health is poor, it can affect your mental health or your social/emotional health. Strive to be healthy in all areas.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

To be physically healthy, it’s important to eat healthy foods for energy—fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and whole grains. It’s also important to drink plenty of water. Your heart and muscles need daily exercise. Strive to get a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Ideally, you should get 60 minutes. Your body also needs rest and relaxation and a good night’s sleep. Be sure you sleep for 8-10 hours per night.

Fatty Foods

Have you ever wondered how much fat is in the food you eat? In this experiment, you will get to see the fat first hand.

Materials Needed:

• Brown Paper Grocery Bags

(cut into small squares)

• Different Foods to Test (Ex: french fries, potato chips, a baked potato, peanuts, peanut butter, an apple, a banana, a hot dog, and butter)

• Scissors

Procedure:

q Make a prediction—which foods do you think will be the fattiest? Rank them from most fatty to least fatty.

w Rub each piece of food onto a separate paper bag square. Count to twenty while you rub so that you test each food for the same amount of time. Be sure to label the

MATH CONNECTION

Apply your critical thinking skills to solve these problems.

z At a birthday party, you were told you could have .6, 60%, 3/5, or 6% of the candy from the piñata. Which 3 will give you the same size portion? ________

x 4/7 of the birthday cake was eaten at your party. The next day, your brother ate 1/2 of the leftover cake. You get to have all the cake that remains. How much cake is left? ________

For your mental health, you need to have strategies to help you cope with stress. Some might include yoga, art, music, talking to friends, etc. Social/emotional health is important, too. You need to have positive friends who support you and encourage you. Positive self-talk is important, too. Can you think of three kind things to say to yourself?

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

squares so you remember which food you rubbed on each one.

e Now you have to leave them overnight. The next day you’ll see which foods have the most fat. The foods that leave the greasiest spots are the fattiest food.

r Which foods had the most fat? Which had the least? Were you surprised by the results?

Learning Standards: I can follow a sequential set of directions to complete an experiment. I can make predictions, and analyze results. I can make text-to-world connections.

Food Fractions

c You are making homemade ice cream for 8 people. The recipe calls for 2¼ cups of cream for every 2 people. How much cream will you need ________

v There is ½ of a quiche in the refrigerator. For breakfast, you eat 1/3 of it. How much quiche is remaining________

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

Regina Benjamin was born on October 26, 1956, in Alabama. She was raised by her mother and grandmother. In 1979, she graduated from Xavier University in Lousiana with a BS in Chemistry. She served as an intern with the CIA and attended Morehouse School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama in 1984, and her MBA from Tulane University. Benjamin is also the recipient of 22 honorary degrees.

Because Benjamin received help from the government to pay for her medical school, she had to work in a community that needed physicians. In 1990, she started the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic on the Golf Coast. She treated patients who had not been able to afford health care due to lack of insurance or money. She allowed patients to pay whatever they could afford, in whatever form they could. Sometimes, patients volunteered their services to pay for medical treatments. This clinic was rebuilt many times, due to Hurricane George, Hurricane Katrina, and a fire.

In 1995, Benjamin became the first African-American woman and the first physician under the age of 40 to be on the American Medical Association’s board of trustees. In 2002, she became the first African-American woman to become president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. In 2009, she became the US Surgeon General, nominated by President Barack Obama. As surgeon general, she stated that individuals should strive to be healthy, instead of simply waiting to treat a sickness. She promoted eating healthy foods, including MyPlate and exercising, as well. In May 2013, the Reader’s Digest ranked her as one of the “100 Most Trusted People in America.” She resigned in 2013. Benjamin was featured in many magazines, including Time, People, Reader’s Digest, and Clarity. She received many awards and honors, including: Time magazine’s “Nation’s 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under,” ABC World News Tonight’s “Person of the Week,” and CBS This Morning’s “Woman of the Year.” She was the United States recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights in 1998, and in 2000, she won the National Caring Award, inspired by Mother Teresa. She was awarded the MacArthur Genius Award Fellowship and was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award during the worldwide broadcast of the 42nd NAACP Image Awards.

Learning Standards: I can read about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. I can make textto-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections.

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One —

Functions of the Newspaper: Different parts of the body control different functions—your lungs control your breathing, your heart controls the blood flow, etc. The newspaper has various sections that also have unique functions. Look through the newspaper. What sections does it include? What type of information can you find in each section?

Activity Two —

Food for Thought: —Look through the newspaper to find examples of food choices. Divide them into three categories: Green light foods (these are foods you are encouraged to eat often), yellow light foods (they are ok in small quantities), and red light foods (only to be consumed in small quantities on rare occasions).

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can make textto-text and text-to-self connections.

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

St. Louis Board of Elections filing officially closed last Friday, and we now know the final roster of challengers in “Aldergeddon,” a term that has been used to describe, not only the election required in every ward seat in the city, but also includes the added chaos created by radical ward reduction that forces several incumbent aldermen to face each other in March.

Board of Aldermen + Armageddon = Aldergeddon.

In addition to some heightened dramatics and theatrics in the coming months, one of the most powerful elected positions - Board of Aldermen President – has no contest. Apparently no one was brave enough (or had sufficient financial and political support) to step into the arena to challenge incumbent Board President Megan Green Incumbent Alderman Shane Cohn will also enjoy a comfortable, non-competitive political spring. He was the only candidate to file for alderman of the new 3rd Ward. For the 1st Ward, current Alderwoman and grassroots organizing powerhouse Anne Schweitzer will have two challengers: Matthew Kotraba and Tony Kirchner. Kotraba is an insurance agent and the Republican Committeeman for the old 13th Ward, and Kirchner, currently a city sheriff’s deputy. Schweitzer overwhemingly walloped her first opponent, then-incumbent Beth Murphy, and is a lethal campaigner with a winning record at both the local and state levels. Little is known about her new opponents, and things are likely to stay that way in the new 1st as Schweitzer is strongly favored to win. In the 2nd Ward, which is primarily composed of the former 16th and 23rd wards, incumbent Alderman and Spy Plane enthusiast Tom Oldenburg faces Princeton Heights resident Katie Bellis and St. Louis Hillsian Phill Menendez. While Oldenburg has been spending campaign funds on building a Santa Claus out of

sand (the “Sandta” of Candy Cane Lane) and trying to throw money at ineffective police technologies, Bellis has served on the Capital Committee’s Citizen Advisory Committee and volunteers as a patient escort for the Hope Clinic in Granite City, Ill. Menendez, a former SLMPD officer, doesn’t have much of a presence outside of the city’s barely existent Republican Party, so his platform is relatively unknown. The 4th Ward is our first match-up of incumbents: current alders Joe “Car Wash Daddy” Vaccaro and Bret Narayan will duke it out with political newcomer Casey Otto, a freelance photographer from Clifton Heights. Vaccaro may have name recognition but we don’t know if that will be enough for him to overcome his own series of scandals, including a very transactional tax abatement for Mary Margaret Day Care and his cringe-worthy run in with an SLMPD officer last spring. Otto, the son of former state representative Bill Otto, doesn’t have a campaign website set up yet so we can’t say anything about his platform yet. Narayan - the first Asian-American alderman in St. Louis - has prioritized public transparency, St. Louis Public Schools, and criminal legal system reform. We’re surprised former alderman Tom Bauer didn’t jump in for old time’s sake, thankfully we’ve all been spared any likely second-hand embarrassment.

Vying to represent The Hill, North and Southampton, and Southwest Garden in the new 5th Ward are Alderman Joe Vollmer and small businessowner Helen Petty. Not too long ago, Vollmer served as interim board president following the federal indictment and subsequent resignation of former president Lewis Reed but The Hill-based “old school alderman” really prefers to be at the bocce ball garden and bar he owns. Petty runs a hair salon in the Grove neighborhood and her platform seems to politically aligned with Mayor Jones

and Board President Green.

In our first blast from the past, Jennifer Florida has decided that political retirement doesn’t suit her, so she has thrown her hat into the ring along with public relations professional Daniela Velazquez. The two women seek the aldermanic seat for the new 6th Ward, which includes the Shaw neighborhood, Tower Grove South, and a sliver of Dutchtown. Florida lost by 30+ points to then-Alderwoman Green, twice, while managing to find time to physically assault a family member along the way. Velazquez is a consultant currently working for FleishmanHillard, and she has the support of “Shaw Brawl” champion, incumbent Alderwoman Annie Rice, who decided to step down from elected office.

All three candidates in the new 7th Ward would be new to the Board of Aldermen. SLPS Board of Education member Alisha Sonnier will face Priory Catholic school staffer J.P. Mitchom and Lewis Reed’s own youth ambassador Cedric Redmon. Sonnier is the only candidate with political leadership experience, although Mitchom did serve as Tiffany Community Association president until 2019. However, Mitchom appears to have been voted out by community members upset by his support of the now-quashed QT project, for which he had declared neighborhood support, most likely without actually talking to the neighborhood first. Redmon’s ties to Reed are too close to consider his candidacy viable or anything other than an extension of the former board president. Sonnier’s résumé includes drafting the Saint Louis University Clock Tower Accords and helping to lead the SLPS school board to raise the district’s minimum wage and to expand gun violence prevention resources for families.

rent mostly absent Alderwoman Cara Spencer and former alderman Ken Ortmann for the new 8th Ward, which overlaps with Marine Villa, Peabody Darst Webbe, McKinley Heights, and LaSalle Park, as well as Soulard, Lafayette Square, and parts of Downtown. Spencer has been absent since her 2021 loss to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. But she has since taken sides against residents in favor of constructing a new charter school operated by Jack Krewson, son of former mayor Lyda Krewson. In a previous column, we detailed Spencer’s back room deal with Krewson and his charter school chain, Kairos Academy, that apparently was made without the knowledge or consent of Marine Villa residents. Since his ouster in 2017 by outgoing Alderman Dan Guenter, Ortmann has tried to take back his seat with no success. Regardless - both alderpersons will have an incredibly difficult time challenging Kelley, whose 122-vote loss to (also) outgoing Alderman Jack Coatar gives him an advantage for a significant portion of the new ward. Strongly connected to community, Kelley has already been knocking on doors for months and showing up for neighborhood meetings.

previous aldermanic candidate Emmett Coleman. In a previous aldermanic race, Coleman was accused of harassing a Black woman while canvassing and has ties to former alderman Steve Conway. ClarkHubbard, on the other hand, has introduced hugely important bills at the board, including the $500-per-month guaranteed basic income legislation that recently passed as well as sweeping Civilian Oversight Board reform. Clark-Hubbard’s leadership has been transformative on the Board since she was first elected in 2019.

Shedrick Kelley tees up cur-

The New 9th Ward, which includes a large portion of Forest Park Southeast, The Grove business district, and the Central West End, will see a match-up between two incumbents - Alderpersons Tina Pihl and Michael Gras - and Michael Browning, who comes from the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood Association and the city’s Young Democrats organization. Pihl was a “Flip the Board” candidate in 2021, defeating establishment candidate Michelle Sherod by a mere 19 votes. Gras is also a relatively recent addition to the Board, first appointed in 2022 when former alderwoman Heather Navarro resigned, and later winning his seat outright last April. All three candidates have identified equitable development and public safety as campaign priorities.

Incumbent Alderwoman and small businessowner Shameem Clark-Hubbard has only a single opponent for the 10th Ward seat - recent Shaw resident and

Incumbent Alderwoman Laura Keys - who became the 21st Ward representative after former alderman John Collins Muhammad resigned - faces recent candidate, Carla Coffee Wright, in her bid to keep her leadership role in the 11th Ward. Keys lost to Collins Muhammad by 29 votes in 2017, and again in 2021 by a much wider margin. When the seat was vacated by Collins Muhammad in early 2022, Keys won by slightly less than 300 votes, which translated to a 25% margin over her next opponent. Wright won 355 votes in the new 11th Ward during the crowded senate primary last August, so she may have a reasonable chance at leading the Midtown, Jeff-Vander-Lou, and Grand Center neighborhoods this time. The 12th Ward has the most crowded field by far, with five candidates. Incumbent Alderwoman Sharon Tyus - who was collecting signatures for a possible board president run but fell short, depending on who you talk to - will face previous opponent and committeewoman

Yolanda Brown, Darron Collins-Bey Walter Rush and the candidate we’re most excited to see: Tashara Earl, the small businessowner who currently serves as the Revitalization of Baden Association president and fights negligent propertyowners in her spare time. Not a lot is known about Collins-Bey or Rush, but if any of the four challengers is going to defeat Tyus, they will need to expand their name recognition and bolster their war chestsTyus’ last MEC report showed more than $21,000 cash on hand but her campaign has debt of nearly $25,000.

Moveover, former “Fightin’ 15th” - the new 13th Ward is the only Aldergeddon race where all three candidates are current

incumbents - Alderwomen Lisa Middlebrook (currently of Ward 2), Norma Walker (Ward 22), and Pamela Boyd (Ward 27). The favorite in this matchup is unclear and a fight is to be expected. Walker is relatively new to the Board of Aldermen, winning most recent election last August to fill the vacant seat left by the abrupt exit of the former alderman, Jeffrey Boyd Both Middlebrook and Boyd were members of the “Ladies for Lewis” caucus, the former group of Northside alderwomen who voted consistently with former president Reed. Finally, the EYE will be watching closely the race in the 14th Ward, which includes two incumbents (Aldermen James Page and Brandon Bosley) and current State Representative Rasheen Aldridge. Hubbard family member and real estate agent Ebony Washington also plans to run. Bosley is known most recentl for a possible hitand-run-and-false-report during the Christmas snowstorm in his own 3rd Ward, while Page, unfortunately, demonstrated in his first term that he wasn’t too different politically from the former 5th Ward alderwoman, Tammika Hubbard, who Page ousted in August 2019. Aldridge, frustrated by Jefferson City politics, wants to come home to North St. Louis to represent the New North Riverfront and Hyde Park neighborhoods, as well as Carr Square and most of Downtown West. Although he lives in St. Charles County, notorious property speculator Paul McKee owns a vast amount of property in the ward, including hundreds of LRA lots and the facility that McKee disgracefully re-named an urgent care facility Homer G. Phillips Hospital. Bosley co-sponsored a performative resolution that never made it to the full Board, Page was nowhere to be seen on the issue despite this affront to many in the Black community. Only Aldridge was willing to stand alongside Jeff-Vander-Lou residents, community activists and hospital alumni to oppose the developer’s disrespectful, arrogant appropriation of the long-time (1939-79) hallowed health care and training full service institution’s name. Both Page and Aldridge have already defeated members of the oncepowerful Hubbard family, who have long served McKee’s nefarious schemes in the past.

Empowerment to the people

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

History is taught at Sumner High School and Sumner High School is historic.

The school’s honored past shared a stage with a brighter future on Tuesday during the opening of the Northside Economic Empowerment Center [NEEC].

Located in the Sumner Annex building, NEEC will provide access to technical assistance, capital, back-office support services and training opportunities for residents and businesses. It will serve as an accessible hub for business empowerment, capacity building and workforce development, including Minority Business Enterprise [MBE] certification.

Matt Davis, SLPS board chair, said during the opening ceremony of the Northside Economic Empowerment Center “We can invest in the classrooms, but if we’re not investing in our families, communities, it’s not going to make a difference.” Joining him on stage before a ribbon cutting were St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Neal Richardson, St. Louis Development Corp. president and CEO. See

Mayor Tishaura Jones brought additional spirit to the celebration when she announced

she had signed the Economic Justice Act, which directs $93 million to disinvested communities.

“This investment directly into communities will end decades of intentional disinvestment,” Jones said.

“While it won’t happen overnight, we’re working to create change that St. Louisans can see and feel. St. Louis is investing in neighborhoods that need it most to make our communities stronger and our entire city a safer place.”

Sumner High School is in the historic Ville Neighborhood just west of the former Homer G. Phillips Hospital and Annie Malone Children and Family Services location.

PeoPle on the Move

Allen appointed to executive board chair

By Alvin A. Reid

Dr. Aramide Ayorinde

Dr. Ayorinde named new CEO at Family Care

Dr. Aramide Ayorinde will join Family Care Health Centers (FCHC) as CEO on January 17, 2023 succeeding Dr. Robert Massie who is retiring after serving 28 years as CEO. FCHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving over 20,000 patients in the St. Louis area. Dr. Ayorinde currently serves as the chief operating officer at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. As COO, she oversees the operations of a network of 11 FQHCs that service nearly 90,000 individuals in the Philadelphia area. She is excited to be joining FCHC and leading the organization through its next chapters of growth and continued success.

Dr. Cunningham new director of public health Maurice Allen, regional community development relationship manager for Midland States Bank, has been appointed to executive board chair for Rise Young Professionals (YP) Board of Directors. Started in 2013, the Rise YP Board is a volunteer-run, working board, which consists of 25 to 30 young professionals. The primary mission of the board is to raise awareness of Rise and its work in the community. Rise builds market rate and affordable housing, enhancing the quality of life in the St. Louis communities it serves. Allen earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and master of divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He served the U.S. as a Naval Officer in the United States Navy Reserves.

Dr. Kanika Cunningham has been appointed director of the department of public health for St. Louis County. Dr. Cunningham joined DPH in November 2022 as public health officer. As director, she will oversee the only health department in the state to offer clinical services. She has also served as a board-certified family medicine physician at Family Care Health Center since 2017.

Maurice Allen

Dr. Kanika Cunningham

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photos courtesy of Howard University

NEEC

Continued from B1

“The next Annie Malone could drop in at the Northside Economic Empowerment Center to receive the support and training she needs to open her first business; maybe the next World Wide Technology will get its start right here in the Ville,” Jones said.

World Wide Technology was founded by African American entrepreneur David Steward and is listed by Black Enterprise as America’s largest Black-owned business.

NEEC is funded through $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA], which directed $498 million to the city. All funds must be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2026.

The center will be fully staffed and serve the community 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Online resources are available through the BOSS Portal, which will help the NEEC partner St. Louis Development Corp., deliver services when and where business owners need them, according to SLDC President and CEO Neal Richardson.

“[NEEC] will break down systems that marginalized people and communities because they did not have opportunities,” Richardson said.

“It will lay foundations for small business growth in scale in their respective industries. We knew opening a strategic, centralized facility that offers the resources most needed by companies at various stages would be critical for success.”

Richardson said SLDC’s relationship with St. Louis Public Schools can create new opportunities, including use of unoccupied and underoccupied school buildings “that are ripe for redevelopment.”

Matt Davis, SLPS board chair, said NEEC is in “a great location and the building is in great shape.”

“There are historic and emotional reasons this partnership makes sense,” he said.

“We have lost so many families who have left the city and left these neighborhoods, because of all those historical reasons. This is an opportunity to put the past behind us. We can now ask, ‘how are we going to build [this neighborhood] back up?’

“We can invest in the classrooms, but if we’re not investing in our families, communities, it’s not going to make a difference.”

Aaron Williams, chair of the Sumner Advisory Board and a co-Founder and chair of the 4th Ville organization, said “this institution has always been worthy of investment.”

“There is no community, there is not a market, there is no real estate if we don’t protect

the education of future generations.”

Noting the Sumner High School location, Jones called the center “a powerful symbol for creating new opportunities.”

“[The Economic Justice Act] is a first step towards reversal of decades of intentional disinvestment. With tools to promote homeownership, development, workforce training and property stabilization, this Act will jumpstart the City’s work to support neighborhoods and the working families who live in them.”

Partners for the center include the Small Business Empowerment Center, Missouri Business Development Agency, Mastercard Digital Doors, Maryville University, St. Louis Lambert Airport Business Diversity Development, the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), and more.

NEEC will offer access to capital information, in-person and virtual trainings, technical assistance, and contract bidding opportunities

Richardson said training and workshops are “for those who want to start a business, but don’t know where to start; for new business owners and young startups and existing businesses looking to diversify, grow or expand.”

“This is not just bricks and sticks. This is hearts and minds,” he said.

Unemployment

Continued from B1

4.1%.

The unemployment rate for Asian workers fell from 3.8% a year ago to 2.4% in December 2022. The unemployment rate for white workers in December 2022 was 3.0% only slightly lower than the 3.2% rate a year before.

In December, the United States added 223,000 jobs, exceeding expectations by more than 21,000. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, its lowest level in 54 years. Overall, Black employment held steady at 5.7%, while the unemployment rate for Black men declined to 5.1% from 5.4% last month.

The Labor Dept. reported that Black women saw unemployment increase to 5.5% last month, up 0.3 percentage points from 5.2% in November.

Latino men saw unemployment rise to 4% in December, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from 3.6% the prior month. The overall unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1% from 4.0%. Unemployment among Latino women also ticked up to 3.7% from 3.6%.

Structural racism plays a role in the continuing gap in unemployment levels between Black and white workers, according to AFL-CIO chief economist William Spriggs, former chair of Howard University’s economics department.

“A lot of people find jobs,

but a bigger share of those who went out looking didn’t. So, the Black unemployment rate has been going up because employers are still passing over Black workers,” Spriggs told CNBC.

“When you see Black workers struggling but the labor market doing well, that’s a sign of employers showing their preference. When you look at those numbers, it’s clear employers are saying, ‘We want workers, but not exactly.’”

Last year, 4.5 million new jobs were created. President Joe Biden stated that his first two years in office saw the highest levels of job growth in history.

“We are witnessing the transition to steady and stable growth that I have been predicting for months,” Biden said.

“We still have work to bring down inflation and help American families feeling the cost-of-living squeeze. However, we are on the right track.”

According to the White House, the unemployment rate for Black and Hispanic Americans has dropped to “near-record lows,” even though there is an unemployment disparity.

The unemployment rate for disabled people hit a new low, while hourly wages for all workers rose slightly in December after five months of increases in real wages.

Manufacturing employment increased by 8,000 jobs last month, bringing the total number of manufacturing jobs created since Biden’s election to 750,000.

In addition, administration officials say that people in their prime working years have continued to join the workforce faster than in previous recoveries.

“These historic job and unemployment gains are giving workers more power and breathing room for American families,” Biden said.

“Real wages are up in recent months, gas prices are down, and we are seeing welcome signs that inflation is coming down as well. It’s a good time to be an American worker.”

“We have more work to do, and we may face setbacks along the way,” the president said, “but it is clear that my economic strategy of growing the economy from the bottom up and middle out is working.”

“We are just getting started,” he said.

“This month, we are capping the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 per month. We are lowering energy and utility bills for Americans,” Biden said.

“And shovels are hitting the ground all around the country to rebuild our infrastructure, supply chains, and manufacturing here at home.

“That is how we will build an America in which we can all be proud, where working families have good jobs and more breathing room, and the economy grows from the bottom up and middle out over time.”

Stacy M. Brown, NNPA senior correspondent contributed to this report

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

From left, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Nicole Dotson, Northside Economic Empowerment Center manager, SLPS board member Alisha Sonnier and Neal Richardson, St. Louis Development Corp. president and CEO, view an SLDC presentation on a smart board in the new Northside Economic Empowerment Center in the Sumner High School Annex.

n “I won’t tell players to lose on purpose.”

– Lovie Smith, fired Houston Texans coach, after Sunday’s win gave Chicago the first pick in NFL Draft

Sports

JANUARY 12 – 18, 2023

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

High school sports Year in Review

It was a terrific year for prep sports in the St. Louis area, so let’s look back at what happened during a great 2022.

Football

• The East St. Louis Flyers rolled to another Illinois Class 6A state championship with head coach Darren Sunkett picking up his 200th career victory. The Flyers defeated Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 57-7 to win a 10th state championship. The Flyers had speed, talent at every position and incredible size on the offensive line, which was led by 6’7” 350-pound Alabama recruit Miles McVay.

• The CBC Cadets won their fifth state championship and second in succession in dramatic style as they defeated Lee’s Summit North 35-28 in an overtime thriller for the Class 6 title. Senior Jeremiyah Love was the individual standout for the Cadets as he amassed 318 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime.

• The Francis Howell Vikings [14-0] won their first ever state championship by defeating Fort Osage 49-21 in the Class 5 Show-Me Bowl. Quarterback Adam Shipley rushed for 245 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also passed for 89 yards and two more scores. Running back Brady Hultman rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

• The St. Mary’s Dragons made it backto-back state championships as they defeated fellow Archdiocesan Athletic Association school St. Dominic 42-0 in the Class 4 ShowMe Bowl. Senior running back John Roberts rushed for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Chase Hendricks caught four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a punt return.

• Cardinal Ritter College Prep [14-0] made history by winning its first state championship with a convincing 46-7 victory over Reed’s Spring in the Class 3 Show-Me Bowl. Senior running back Marvin Burks Jr. rushed for 118 yards and scored four touchdowns while senior wide receiver Fredrick Moore caught eight passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

Boys Basketball

• The CBC Cadets won the Class 6 state championship in Springfield, led by the stellar trio of senior point guard Rob Martin, senior guard Larry Hughes Jr. and 7’2” sophomore center John Bol. Martin was the St.

Louis American Player of the Year in 2022 after averaging 20 points a game.

• Vashon High brought home another state championship as the Wolverines defeated

With Alvin A. Reid

guard Jayden Nicholson.

Girls Basketball

• The Incarnate Word Academy dynasty continued as the Red Knights rolled to another state championship. IWA capped off a perfect 29-0 season by defeating Springfield Kickapoo 67-50 in the Class 6 state championship game. The Red Knights were led by senior guard Saniah Tyler, who scored a game-high 24 points. The University of Kentucky recruit was the St. Louis American Player of the Year in 2022.

• The John Burroughs Bombers made history by winning their first ever state championship last March. The Bombers defeated St. Joe Benton 54-40 to win the Class 4 state championship and finished the season with a 25-4 record. Leading the way was 5’8” sophomore point guard Allie Turner, who scored 19 points in the championship game.

Boys Track and Field

• Principia won the Class 1 state championship in Jefferson City behind the exploits of star junior springer Issam Asinga. He won state championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes while setting new state records in the process.

• Westminster Christian won its first ever state championship in boys track by winning the Class 3 state title in Jefferson City. The Wildcats won the state title on the strength of their athletes in the field events as Joseph Anderson won the triple jump.

Girls Track and Field

• Cardinal Ritter College Prep rolled to its second consecutive Class 5 state championship by outscoring its nearest competitor by nearly 40 points. The Lions were led by sophomore sprinting sensation Aniyah Brown, who won the 100 and 200meter dashes as well as ran legs on the first place 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays.

• Parkway Central made history by winning its Class 4 state championship in Jefferson City. The Colts scored 78 points and rode a talented crew of sprinters to its first state championship led by seniors Kayelyn Tate, Nnenna Okpara and Skyye Lee. Lee was the state champion in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles while Tate was the state champion in the 200.

• Westminster Christian’s girls joined its boys as first-time state champions as the Wildcats won the Class 3 state title. WCA was led by senior standout Brooke Moore, who won individual state titles in the long jump, triple jump, and 100-meter-high hurdles. She also earned an All-State medal in the 100-meter dash. Junior Sydney Burdine also brought home three all-state medals.

Fisk University vaults into NCAA history, record book

Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee is one of the most historic Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs.]

Named after General Clinton B. Fisk of the Tennessee Freedman’s Bureau. The school held its first classes in 1866 in a Union army barracks and students ranged in age from 7 to 70. It opened its doors just two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1930, Fisk became the first HBCU to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It was also the first Black institution member of the Association of American Universities and the American Association of University Women. Its women have again made history. On February 11, 2022, during Black History Month, Fisk announced that it would field its first women’s gymnas-

tics team, making it the first HBCU to have a squad compete in gymnastics.

Last weekend, the team competed for the first time at the NCAA level in the Super 16 Invitational, the largest women’s collegiate event with over 300 athletes.

This was indeed a business trip. Fisk finished in fourth place and had an overall score of 186.700. Morgan Price thrilled the arena with a 9.9 score in the vault. Price, a five-star recruit, surprisingly left SEC gymnastics power Arkansas to compete with Fisk. She had placed seventh in the balance beam and eighth in the vault events at the Nastia Liukin Cup in 2022. The team’s head coach, Corrinne Tarver, is also a history maker. She was the first Black gymnast for the University of Georgia, and first to win the NCAA All-Around championship in 1989. Tarver was also a member on the U.S. National Team from 19851986. Before the meet began, Tarver told ESPN “I’m so proud to be able to bring the team to the floor that is a historically Black college and uni-

versity. It’s the first time ever so we’re ready to go.”

“We have a lot of eyes on us because we are the first and because we are making history, so it’s just so exciting to be a part of the first team ever.”

Fisk was also competing against several of the nation’s top teams.

Southern Utah University

won the competition with a score of 195.800. The University of Washington [195.800] and University of North Carolina [194.62] finished second and third, respectively.

Fisk cannot rest on its laurels following its historic accomplishments. The women face 2021 NCAA champion

University of Michigan on

Friday, Jan. 13.

The university said in the statement introducing its team that the program “was a reflection of the influx of student-athletes bringing their talents to HBCUs.”

“In recent years, the University has focused on increasing its athletic profile, considering the growing interest among student-athletes for an elite HBCU experience.

“With NBA legend Kenny Anderson and former soccer star Desmond Armstrong as well as an outstanding woman’s volleyball program under Coach Jessica Enderle, Fisk is poised to develop elite national programs.”

I’ll add this comment. “Who needs Deion Sanders anyway?”

The Reid Roundup

OK, NBA fans explain this to me. Halfway through the season, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is favored to win the Michael Jordan MVP Award. Yet, Tatum is trailing Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo in fan balloting for the NBA All-Star Game Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City. He

will certainly be named to the team, but currently he would not start. Thank goodness the fan ballots only count for 50% of the total. Players and coaches have a say, and hopefully enough votes will fall Tatum’s way to make him an Eastern Conference starter… Celtics guard Jaylen Brown should also be a starter in the NBA All-Star Game. He and Tatum are the best onetwo punch in the NBA… You can’t be human if you are not moved by the Damar Hamlin story. Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on national TV, and his continuing health comeback will not be topped as the sports story of the year; and the saga began on Jan. 2… ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt has a wonderful idea. The NFL should make jerseys of Buffalo Bills trainer Denny Kellington, who is credited with saving Hamlin’s life through CPR, available for fans to purchase. Proceeds could be donated either to the Damar Hamlin toy drive or those who contributed to helping Hamlin survive… Donations to Hamlin’s toy drive had topped $8 million as of Monday, Jan. 8.

Alvin A. Reid

Earl Austin Jr.

Jeremiyah Love, who is headed to Notre Dame, helped CBC ramble to another state football title in 2022.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Morgan Price of Fisk University

Photo courtesy of HBCU Gameday

Sandra Moore appointed chair of Missouri Historical Society board

Sandra M. Moore

will be the new chair of Missouri Historical Society (MHS) Board of Trustees. Moore currently serves as the vice chair of the MHS Board of Trustees and has been a member of the board since 2005. During her time as an MHS board member Moore has served on numerous committees including the Presidential Search Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Human Resources Committee, the Campaign Steering Committee and was the 2021 co-chair

First African-American board chair

of the Missouri Historical Society’s Thomas Jefferson Society.

“Sandy is the right leader at the right time for the Missouri Historical Society.” said Dr. Jody Sowell, President and CEO of MHS.

“In the years ahead, we will be rolling out a series of projects that bring St. Louis history to life in new ways and sharing more of our collection than we ever have before.

Sandy’s knowledge, skill, and passion make her the perfect person to lead the board during this time.”

Moore is managing director and chief impact officer at Advantage Capital, a growth

equity firm founded in 1992 with over $3.8 billion AUM. The firm focuses on high growth and high wage business investing in communities where access to investment capital has historically been hard to find.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Sandra was the president of Urban Strategies, a national nonprofit corporation that works exclusively with for-profit housing developers to rebuild distressed urban core communities using mix-finance, multi-family housing as the revitalization platform.

She is the former director of the Missouri Department of

Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR), where she served as a member of then-Governor Mel Carnahan’s cabinet, and a former administrative judge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sandra is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She received her J.D. from the School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Sandra Moore is the first African American board chair of the Missouri Historical Society.

COCA appoints Indigo K. Sams as president & CEO

COCA has officially announced Indigo K. Sams as its new President & CEO. She brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, youth development, facilities operations, resource development, and human resources to COCA. Sams becomes just the third person

to helm the organization following former Executive Director Kelly Pollock and Founding Executive Director Stephanie Riven. Sams will begin her new role on February 14.

Sams will join COCA following a17-year tenure in various executive roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Louis,

where she most recently has served as vice president of operations/programs and Club Services. In this position, she was responsible for leading programs and operational strategy for the organization and was highly sought as a leader among the national Boys & Girls Clubs network.

Notably, she began her

professional career in 1999 with COCA in various operational, support, and external roles, rising to the position of Director of Community Services before joining Boys & Girls Clubs.

As president & CEO, Sams will be responsible for shaping COCA’s vision and establishing and implementing

WWT to hold job fair January 21, hiring hundreds

World Wide Technology is looking for qualified candidates to fill hundreds of open positions in its Metro East supply chain and production facilities. These jobs come with competitive pay and profit sharing, industry leading benefits such as tuition reimbursement and parental leave, and an award-winning culture. Bring your resume and come to

WWT’s 1-million-square-foot

North American Integration Center (NAIC) to learn about and interview for the following roles: Warehouse Associates, Supervisors, Forklift Operators,

Production Technicians, and more!

Who should attend?

Job seekers with all levels of

the organization’s strategic goals. She will work to expand COCA’s cultural and educational impact within and beyond the greater St. Louis area and advance COCA’s existing leadership position in the arts and culture sector on a local, national, and international stage.

experience and professional backgrounds that are interested in growing their career at one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country.

Indigo K. Sams

Sandra M. Moore will be the new chair of Missouri Historical Society (MHS) Board of Trustees.

Living It

Something is brewing R&B still ‘whitewashed’

LD’s Coffee Shop’s Andre Foster preparing a meal at their MLK

Taking a Blackowned coffee shop tour

By Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

Coffee has been a staple in households across the world for centuries.

It’s the drink that many people have in the morning before they launch into their day. It’s the drink that often caps a meal with friends and family where they reminisce or create new memories to share.

Something is brewing in several local Blackowned coffee shops, and it’s more than coffee.

Art for All

Angad Arts Hotel exhibition features nine Black creatives

By Danielle Brown St. Louis American

It’s ideas, it’s where the next community movement could be created, and it’s where many begin giving back to the community.

LaJoy Coffee Shop, Latte Lounge, LD’s Coffee Shop, Love Bean Coffee, and Black Coffee all contribute in their own way to the communities they serve.

But before we go on this tour of Black-owned coffee shops in our city, let’s take a crash course in the history of coffee. For starters, it did not originate in South America and Europe. It originated in Africa, more specifically Ethiopia.

According to the National Coffee Association, the coffee bean can be traced back to the Ethiopian plateau. Research shows that Kaldi, an Arabian Ethiopian and goat herder noticed his goats were more energized after eating the berries off of the coffee tree.

After sharing his observations with the local monastery, he decided to turn the berries into a drink. Coffee drinks were here to stay. The good news spread fast and now anyone looking for a cup of coffee can go to their local coffee house to indulge in the century-old beverage.

LaJoy Coffee Shop 8909 Lackland Rd., Overland, MO Owner, LaJoy Dabney says that she has a passion for serving the community, but serving coffee wasn’t in her original plan. Dabney had plans of opening a snack shop for kids to have

See Coffee, C3

Left to Right: Vanessa Rudloff, Angad Arts Hotel’s Arts Relations Manager, Lael “Lacey” Clark, Martell Stepney, Kenya Mitchell Back row: Corry ‘Rotten Corr’ Rogers, Andrea Hughes, Lakayla Anderson. Not pictured: Taylor ‘Shmay’ Henderson, Collin Elliott, and Tyler Small. The nine artists’ works are featured in Angad Arts Hotel’s fall 12 x 12 Bi-Annual Exhibition on display through the end of April.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

After gaining global acclaim for playing Dorothy in “The Wiz,” and establishing a stellar recording career, Stephanie Mills inexplicably remains under the radar - especially for someone with one of the best voices in history. But Mills, 65, doesn’t care that the music industry still hasn’t given her those muchdeserved flowers.

During a spirited interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live morning show, Let It Be Known, she said, “If they don’t give me my flowers, I’m good with that.”

“Every time I walk up onto that stage, someone gives me flowers. Mills observed, “People come out, and they adore my show.”

In 2022, Mills performed in front of sold-out crowds across the United States as generations of fans have continued to devour the sonic treats she gives, especially when performing classics like “I Never Knew Love Like This Before,” “You’re Puttin’ A Rush on Me,” and “Home,” which, according to the majority of Black Twitter, no one besides Mills should sing.

n “With Michael Jackson (No. 86) so far down on the list, and neither Celine Dion nor myself on it, it’s meaningless.”

- Stephanie Mills

Even when discussing Kanye West, lack of respect for Black artists, or Rolling Stone magazine’s ranking of the “Greatest 200 Singers of All Time,” her genuineness shows. When asked about the magazine’s most egregious oversight, Mills said, “Leaving Celine Dion and me off the list, and putting Michael Jackson at No. 86.”

According to Mills, “Why should we care at all?”

“With Michael Jackson (No. 86) so far down on the list, and neither Celine Dion nor myself on it, it’s meaningless,” Mills stated.

“Willie Nelson is not a singer [yet he made Rolling Stone’s list at No. 54.” She scoffed at the selection of Adele at No. 22.

“Adele has never finished a performance,” Mills decried.

“No way do I believe anything on the list. This is just a [public relations] effort to get people talking. Rolling Stone is meaningless.” Mills, who earned a Black Press of America Lifetime Legacy Award in 2022, said the music industry has continued to whitewash R&B.

“We can’t make it in the industry, because it doesn’t want us to,” she declared.

“They’re looking for Adele, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and Billie Eilish. I can sing the same song as Adele, and it still won’t get played. The music business is still very divided between what we call pop radio and R&B

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Plaza shop.

Stephanie Mills

Photo By Wiley Price | St. Louis American

THE URBAN LEAGUE HOSTS 2022 HOLIDAY FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR OVER 2,500 FAMILIES

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis partnered with The City of St. Louis, The Affordable Housing Commission, Boeing, and Keeley Companies, to support 2,500 families this holiday season during our annual Holiday Food Distribution December 17, 2022. Participating families received food for a complete Christmas meal, COVID-19 testing kits, masks, toiletries, hand sanitizer, and other resources valued at $150,000. In addition, several families selected at random throughout the day received $50 gift cards from Schnuck Markets.

The holiday meal distribution was held at the Urban League’s Regional Headquarters at 1408 North Kingshighway and supported by nearly 100 volunteers including Senator Karla May and KMOX’s Tom Ackerman. This was the fourth large-scale food distribution held this year to help families who continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the devasting flooding this summer

radio.”

She argued that it should come as no surprise that whitewashing persists.

Mills said, “I had a tremendous hit with ‘Never Knew Love Like This’ and they don’t play it.

“They always want us to grovel and plead for a place in their world, but we already have our own. Why the need to squabble over Rolling Stone? Obviously, the author of this piece is not musically literate and has no ability to sing.”

Along with a phenomenal career, Mills also counts as an activist.

She’s quite vocal on social media about her support for Black people and her appreciation for Black culture.

Witnessing anti-Black sentiments from other African Americans bothers her, she said, noting that individuals

Coffee

Continued from C1

as a hangout to keep them out of trouble. However, through deliberation she realized that folks of all ages need a safe haven to call their own, so she decided to open LaJoy Coffee Shop, a coffee shop where visitors can come and relax, and spend time with those they love.

The family-oriented coffee shop owner says that her top-selling drink is LaJoy’s Dirty Chai which has caramel macchiato and the Amariyah Vanilla Caramel Latte Black-owned coffee shops in the St. Louis area seem to be far and in between, especially if they are women-led Blackowned coffee shops. Some may have experienced pushback but not Dabney’s establishment.

“I have a lot of support and most were happy we opened because they wanted a local coffee shop,” said Dabney. Her coffee shop has partnered with the Ritenour School District and has sponsored many events, her coffee shop also participates in Toys for Tots, and she donates turkeys during Thanksgiving. For Christmas, Dabney presents gifts to the elderly in her community, and right before each new school year she has a back-to-school- drive to make sure students are equipped with the materials they need to start a new school year.

Latte Lounge

2190 N. Waterford Dr., Florissant, MO

24-year-old Nyshaun Harvey is the youngest coffee shop owner on our list, located in the Florissant community in North County, Latte Lounge sits in a quaint little plaza next door to Harvey’s early childhood center. The young entrepreneur started drinking coffee at a very young age. At just 14 years old Harvey had battled really bad migraines and depression after the death of her father. After constant medical examinations and doctor visits, no one could find what was triggering Harvey’s migraines. Harvey says the only time when she didn’t have migraines was when she was drinking coffee. She found solace in Starbucks coffee, a place where she could get coffee to help with her migraines and find a place to relax.

And that’s what she wants Latte Lounge to be for her customers, a place where folks can chill and relax. Harvey’s spirituality plays a big role at her coffee shop, each cup gets a sticker with a Bible scripture. She says her customers thank her saying the encouraging word helped them get through their work day.

“It really makes my heart happy to hear about the customers’ positive experience,” said Harvey.

Her most popular drink is the Ice Pearl Coffee which has white mocha and cream, she says it is one of the sweetest drinks she has on the menu.

Another favorite is the Owner’s Favorite, the drink is a Vanilla Latte made with oat milk and topped with cinnamon dust,

like Kanye West have crossed the line. As Mills put it, “some of us don’t want to be Black, but simply a pet,” referring to those Black individuals whom she said despise the color of their skin.

“They are embarrassing. They personify the aspiration to belong to and be accepted by the white majority,” she declared.

Revealing what she’d say to West if given the opportunity, Mills said she’d ask the hiphop star, “Are you completely crazy? In other words, you have completely lost your way.”

Mills said she would add, “You came from a Black woman.”

“When we give in to the demands [white people] make of us, we bring destruction upon ourselves,” she remarked.

“Kanye has strayed so far from his core identity as a beautiful Black man that it has driven him insane.”

Mills said it’s paramount that artists stand on their own and not allow corporations and

Harvey says it smells like Christmas in a cup.

After taking barista classes and learning the origins of coffee beans, she feels so honored to be a part of something that came from the home of her ancestors. Before all she knew was that she liked coffee and that it came from Starbucks, but her newfound knowledge has given Harvey a different perspective on the coffee industry.

“To know what I know now, and to be a part of that history, and be the face behind my coffee shop is really rewarding,” said Harvey.

LD’s Coffee Shop 3636 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO

LD’s is the only Blackowned coffee shop north of Delmar on our list, located in north St. Louis city, at the corner of Grand Ave and Page Blvd the coffee shop has been open for almost two years, owner Leon Powell says his coffee shop offers a different type of vibe from your traditional coffee shop. His decor for starters when walking in doesn’t give you a traditional coffee shop vibe, his walls are aligned with largesized flat-screen TVs playing the latest hits in rap. It’s bright, not like a traditional coffee shop that uses neutral colors. He has a mural painted on his wall that is dedicated to his brother and business partner after both experienced untimely deaths.

The family-owned coffee shop was started with Powell, his brother, and his best friend. Powell, the only surviving owner, says the coffee shop is in his brother’s and his best friend’s memory.

The three would go to Starbucks almost every morning to grab some coffee and hang out, jokingly they said they should open their own coffee shop. One joke led to seeking out a building, signing a lease, renovating the space, and finally opening a coffee shop.

LD’s Coffee Shop is in the heart of the city, an area that some folks might call the hood, but Powell is proud of his roots and background. “This is where we are from, my coffee for my people. I’d rather serve coffee to my people,” said Powell. Folks come to LD’s for the Turtle Latte which has coffee and caramel sauce.

Love Bean Coffee

Love Bean Coffee doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar place yet, however, the owner, Alyssa Hawkins supplies the coffee beans to local coffee shops.

music labels to control them.

“That’s why Dave Chappelle went ghost when they wanted him to put on a dress and stuff,” Mills offered. “He went away and came back on his terms.”

“We worry so much about losing what we don’t have. You will not miss what is intended for you. You can’t be a slave, and that’s exactly what Prince meant. To them, you’re like a little pet. They could care less.”

Meanwhile, despite the hectic nature of 2022, Mills has a full agenda for 2023.

For an upcoming PBS television show celebrating Black Broadway, she recently went to Howard University for rehearsals and filming.

In addition to her busy touring schedule, she’s currently in Canada filming a movie for Lifetime that should debut early this year.

Mills also plans to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with engagements in Atlanta this month on behalf of the King Foundation.

Hawkins says she saw a need for Black people to be a part of the coffee industry, her experiences as an employee for mainstream coffee shops have stuck with her, she says she felt out of place, and she imagined how Black customers felt entering those spaces. She imagines they must have felt just as out of place as she did. She says she imagined them feeling unvalued but having no choice but to be there Black people didn’t have a place to call their own where they could spend their hard-earned money at an establishment that valued them.

“ Coffee is a crossroads, it’s where we meet,” said Hawkins. Hawkins is passionate about the popular coco-colored coffee bean, she says that it is a communal drink that brings people together. It’s a way to build community, especially in the Black community when so many of us were cut off from each other during the Covid-19 pandemic. She says in many ways Black people are like coffee beans, stolen from Africa and dispersed around the world.

Love Bean Coffee can be found at local coffee shops in the St. Louis area. To order visit Love Bean Coffee

Black Coffee 2701 Cherokee St., St. Louis, MO

Aloha Mischeaux, the owner of Black Coffee located in the Cherokee neighborhood, opened her doors to the community almost two years ago and says her coffee shop is a space for people of color, specifically Black folks, creative folks, and people seeking community.

Mischeaux was one of those people looking for a community, a place where she could write and create music and she came up with Black Coffee. Before Black Coffee was in the Luminary Gallery Mischeaux had a folding table, two canisters, sugar, and a Black Coffee sign. She participated in ‘popup shop’ events to get her coffee in the hands of the people.

Coffee drinkers can experience the art and the bookstore at the gallery while enjoying a cup of java. “People show me every day how much Black Coffee is needed,” said Mischeaux. “Customers are buying intentionally when they come and buy coffee.”

Black Coffee keeps its coffee simple, Mischeaux says society has gotten away from the integrity of the coffee bean.

She said, “It was harvested well, it was roasted well, and it was done by us.”

Black Coffee serves coffee by Black-owned coffee businesses, like Love Bean Coffee, Killah Koffee by rap legend Ghostface Killah, and Kiss Cafe by rap artist Jadakiss.

Black Coffee serves coffee made by Black/brown and POC. “ It’s a lot in that cup, so why not buy from your people,” said the Black Coffee owner.

Editor’s note: If you recently opened a coffee shop, restaurant or other type of eatery, we would like to hear from you at the St. Louis American. Please send an email to areid@ stlamerican.com

by her wanting to try something new in 2020.

“The piece is very tranquil,” she said. “In 2020 I was doing a lot of artwork and I said, ‘you know what, I wanna try something new’. I was just playing around.”

Martell Stepney has interests in breakdancing, stand-up poetry, hosting, event planning and podcasting, but for the last three years his focus has been photography.

His three photographic pieces are “Laugh About It” “Music Steps” and “Falling For It.”

“Falling For It” centers on his friend Nyara Williams, a freelance filmmaker and photographer, seated in the middle of Forest Park with a lens in hand.

“I wanted to showcase one of the best parks in the United States, and Nyara is one of my favorite creatives,” Stepney said.

“She is an amazing photographer, director, she does it all. She’s amazing, doing big things and about to do big things.”

Comedian Larry Greene is center stage during his birthday show at Helium Comedy Club in “Laugh About It.”

“He is one of the funniest comedians coming out of St. Louis,” Stepney said. “I caught him while he was laughing at one of his own jokes. It’s good to see a Black man laughing and being carefree.”

“Music Steps” is named after a local dancer named Music. Stepney said the shot is of Music winning his first battle at The Big Top in Grand Arts Center District.

Taylor ‘Shmay’ Henderson‘s “Her Rage Is Creative” is a woman’s anatomy painted in gray and black tones going from light to dark on the same background color scheme.

“It was my quarantine angst project, I did catch COVID at a certain point and I was very upset,” Shmay said. “I was really angry and I made a piece about how even when I’m angry I’m gonna make something out of it. I’m gonna create something out of it, her rage is creative.”

Shmay has been a graphic designer for five years specializing in visual storytelling and 2-D animation.

Corry ‘Rotten Corr’ Rogers, former police turned full-time artist’s “Do Not Disturb” work is his first time exhibiting his art.

“Do Not Disturb” displays whimsical abstract elements

including the body of a young Black boy with a retro TV in place of his face and a Black woman rocking in lavender with two different face structures—neon blue eyelashes and eyebrows, and a bubblegum pink mouth with cherry red polka dots.

“I left my career as a police officer in 2020 to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist, my wife was nine months pregnant at the time,” Rogers said.

“God has been making a way ever since. I’ve been doing art my whole life, I never took it seriously. Never thought I could make a living out of it.”

Lakayla Anderson’s “Happiness” shows a Black woman with an afro and a wide smile surrounded by the color orange with vibrant flower petals.

“I wanted to exude happiness in my piece,” Anderson said. “With everything being crazy now, I wanted to brighten up someone’s day.”

Anderson says he began his artistic career at 18 and has been doing it professionally for a couple years.

Lael ‘Lacey’ Clark’s “Microscopic Plot Twist: Geometric Petri Dish” is a combination of science and art.

“The big round disk represents a petri dish,” Lacey said.

n “I think meditation is something we [Black men] should practice more,” Tyler Small said. “And in that practice, learning meditation can look different for you. It can be a walk, it can be exercise. I mainly practice mindfulness meditation. It helps me grow as a father and a man.”

“If you’ve ever looked at a petri dish underneath a microscope you’ll see all particles moving around. If you look into the sky you need a telescope to see everything moving around. The petri dish has a universe inside of it, specifically one big huge diamond star. We can’t see small organisms with the naked eye but neither can we see things out in space.”

Clark gained an interest in art in high school, and she’s currently in graduate school for interior architecture and design.

Andrea Hughes has two

works in the exhibit “Us” and “Hearth” both were designed using the mehndi henna method, a traditional Indian practice of temporary dye being painted on the body typically on hands. “Hearth is inspired by old houses. I like old Victorianstyle houses,” Hughes said. “Us is a picture of my bestie and I.” Hughes specializes in portraits and mixed media art.

Collin Elliot’s “Destini (Double Exposure)” shows a cool portrait of his partner, who is currently pregnant with their first child.

“We are both artists, art is something that connects us both together,” Elliot said. “Having a piece in that space is really special. She had her work in the previous exhibit. It was a really cool experience to have back to back work as a couple.” Elliot has been creating for ten years and specializes in visual art, graphic design and photography.

Tyler Small’s “Meditate” is a photograph of Alonzo Nelson Jr., co-founder of the yoga studio, The Collective STL in meditation. Nelson was also the first Black male teacher Small had in 8th grade.

“I think meditation is something we [Black men] should practice more,” Small said. “And in that practice, learning meditation can look different for you. It can be a walk, it can be exercise. I mainly practice mindfulness meditation. It helps me grow as a father and a man.” Small has been making art since 2011 and specializes in photo manipulation.

Angad’s 12 x 12 Bi-Annual exhibit happens twice a year in November and May. The current exhibit is on display until the end of April. Submissions open for the exhibit in May starting in March. Those interested in displaying in either of the exhibits can email Rudloff at vanessa. rudloff@angadartshotel.com to be added to Angad’s mailing list and learn when submissions open. There is a three piece limit per artist.

“The Bi-annual is a beautiful community unifying moment,” Rudloff said. “I pride myself on getting this incredibly diverse crowd and giving an opportunity to people that aren’t always exhibiting. I don’t just have career artists or professionals or professors. I have artists that have never shown before in their lives. I have teachers, doctors, dentists, and all kinds of people in other professions. All the work including the nine artists’ pieces are on sale now at www.shop.angadartshotel.com.

Progressive Bishop William J. Barber II headed to Yale Divinity School

St. Louis American staff

Bishop William J. Barber II, coleader of the Poor People’s Campaign and renowned civil rights leader, will become the director of Yale Divinity School’s new Center for Public Theology and Public Policy.

Barber, a Disciples of Christ pastor and bishop with the Fellowship of Affirming Bishops, will start teaching next month.

Through the center, Barber said he wants to organize a “major gathering” every two years that will bring together scholars, activists and clergy to discuss pressing issues.

The goal of this center will be to prepare a new generation — what we call moral fusion leaders — that are going to be active in creating a just society both in the academy and in the streets,” Religion News Service reported he said.

witness that produced Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, Walter Rauschenbusch and Howard Thurman, Ida B. Wells and Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, and Abraham Joshua Heschel,” Sterling said in a news release.

n “Dr. Barber’s work and service are in the tradition of public witness that produced Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, Walter Rauschenbusch and Howard Thurman, Ida B. Wells and Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, and Abraham Joshua Heschel.”

- Greg Sterling, Dean of Yale Divinity school

“I want to share what I have learned. I believe one of the critical keys in this society is for pastors to understand how to be engaged in pastoral care, the priestly function of the pastorate, but also to be engaged in prophetic and public policy. All three of those things must go together.”

He has previously taught at Duke University and the Union Theological Seminary.

Greg Sterling, the divinity school’s dean, said he was “thrilled” to have Barber on the team.

“Dr. Barber’s work and service are in the tradition of public

“Establishment of the center at YDS is an opportunity to deepen our relationship to a historical moment that revives nearly two centuries of social justice tradition to meet the complex social realities of our time.”

The Center for Public Theology and Public Policy states that it is “a hub for the study, research, and practice of framing and implementing moral public theology in the 21st century.”

“Our work is rooted in the philosophy of moral movements that have strategically and successfully used theology as the basis for challenging social and economic injustice in society. We work at the intersection of faith, moral values, law, social movements, and social transformation.”

Its mission includes:

-Preparing a new generation of moral leaders to be active participants in creating a just society using the academic, practical, and research tools of past and present social justice movements.

-Examining and teaching the theory and practice of public theology and the principles and strategies of transformative social movements.

-Providing students with opportuni-

ties for practical experience in movement building work and public ministry.

-Cultivating research at the inter-

section of theology and public policy, critically framing public policy issues as moral issues and creating moral public policy solutions in collabora-

tion with scholars, faith leaders, economists, lawyers, and the community.

Co-leader of the Poor People’s Campaign and renowned civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber II.

CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). VICC supports racial diversity in public education by administering the voluntary student transfer program for St Louis City and County. The VICC CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the transfer program. The CEO position is a part-time position, requiring about 2 days a week. A more detailed job posting, description of duties and application instructions can be found at https://choicecorp.org/CEOopening.htm.

Application Deadline: January 30, 2023. Start Date: July 1, 2023

Questions - contact Bruce Ellerman at 314-880-5699 or bellerman@choicecorp.org

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Seed St. Louis is hiring a full time Director of Development For more information go to https://seedstl.org/workwith-us/

CITY OF JENNINGS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the following positions: Deputy City Clerk; Finance Director; Administrative Assistant I; Administrative Assistant II; Fleet Maintenance/Mechanic; Correctional Officers; Court Clerk, Public Works Laborer; P/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Assistant to the City Clerk; P/T Public Works Laborers; P/T Code Enforcement Officer; P/T Site Monitor. Please see the full job descriptions online at www. cityofjennings.org. Applications are available

To Advertise your Job Opportunity in the newspapeer ad online please email Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican.com

The City of Clayton is hiring for PT and FT positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY EOE

&

S.M. Wilson is growing and we’re hiring for an Accountant Coordinator, Project Accountant and a Construction Technology Manager. Please visit our website at www.smwilson.com to apply.

GREENWAY OPERATIONS MANAGER

Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Greenway Operations Manager. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids to apply.

VICC is an equal opportunity employer. CITY OF CLAYTON IS HIRING PT & FT

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications for Database Consulting. Go to www. greatriversgreenway.org/jobs-bids and submit by January 17, 2023.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications for Pre-Construction and Construction Management Services. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by January 25, 2023.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: THE CHEMICAL BLDG located at 777 Olive St PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the Demolition, Concrete, Concrete Restoration, Masonry, Masonry Restoration, Structural Steel, Casework Material, Roofing, Ceilings, Flooring, Painting, Specialties, Appliances, and Elevators ONLY for THE CHEMICAL BUILDING located on 777 Olive St. St Louis, MO. The project consists of the renovation of the historic building into 240 guestrooms (Residences Inn and SpringHill Suites) including amenity spaces, fitness room and community areas. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not received a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com

A PREBID meeting will be held on 1/17/23 at 9:00am at the project site on Olive Street

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm

Send all questions to Cory Hoke (choke@paric.com) or Terry Turnbeaugh (tlturnbeaugh@paric.com)

Job will have prevailing wage requirements

Goals for

The Locust Business District is requesting proposals to fill an Administrative Assistant position. Please visit our website: www.locustbusinessdistrict. com Or, email the office for more information. locustbusinessdistrict@ gmail.com

REQUEST

FOR PROPOSAL: SSD 104-23: LITZSINGER SCHOOL UPGRADES AT LITZSINGER SCHOOL.

Project Manual and drawings will be available through County Blue Reprographics beginning on January 24, 2023.

A $100.00 refundable deposit check made out to Special School District will be required for paper copies of plans, a $50.00 non-refundable fee will be required for electronic digital downloads. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 27 at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis, MO 63124 Bids are due at 2:00 pm on February 16, 2023, at Special School District Purchasing Department, 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.

Goals for Workforce (field) participation

All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ITB #57823363

INVITATION TO BID

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for the construction services required for the renovation at the AT&T Library and Technology Resource Center. Proposals must be received no later than 2:00 pm on Tuesday January 31, 2022, to Corey Freeman at freemanc@hssu.edu. Responses to the RFP will be opened and read at a virtual bid opening on Tuesday January 31, 2023, at 2:15 pm. The link to the virtual bid opening will be sent at the time of bid submission.

A pre-bid conference and walk-through will be held on Tuesday January 10, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Please meet at the front entrance of the AT&T Library and Technology Resource Center located at 3011 Laclede Ave St. Louis, MO 63103. If necessary, a subcontractor site walk will be held on Tuesday January 17, 2023 at 2:00pm for all interested subcontractors. General Contractors will be responsible for informing all potential sub-contractors of this date and time. Masks will be optional for entry into the facility and at the pre-bid conference and walk-through. Social Distancing recommended.

A copy of the Request for Proposals and Bidding Documents can be obtained by contacting Ms. Corey Freeman at email address: freemanc@hssu.edu, faxing: (314) 340-3322 or calling (314)-340-3325.

Should you need any further assistance, please email Ryan Wilson with Navigate Building Solutions at ryan@navigatebuildingsolutions.com

The University reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive all informalities in proposals.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

URBAN STRATEGIES, INC.

On behalf of the City of St. Louis, Urban Strategies Inc. (USI) invites local community-based organizations, educational institutions, and agencies to apply for a competitive grant opportunity to enhance educational outcomes of students that live in Preservation Square and/or on the Near Northside.

USI is seeking to collaborate with organization(s) to address key priority areas. The intention of this invitation is to fill a gap in service needs, not to supplant existing resources that are currently available in the community.

Indicators for serving youth in K-12 to ensure:

(1) children enter kindergarten ready to learn

(2) children are proficient in core academic studies

(3) youth graduate from high school and are college or career ready

Please visit https://www.nearnorthsidestl.com/edrfp23 to locate the 2023 Education RFP For Education & Youth Development Services. Applications Due: February 6, 2023, by 5:00 PM CST to:

• Please send grant application via PDF Format to Adrianne Blakemore, Education Specialist, at Adrianne.Blakemore@usi-inc.org. Do not mail a hard copy

This opportunity is funded in whole with Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grant Funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised

origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Confluence Academies is seeking bids for comprehensive Information Technology Services beginning March 1, 2023. Interested companies should visit our website, www.confluenceacademy.org for more information and proposal requirements.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

> Doing Business With Us

> View Bid Opportunities

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for O190301 Repair Parking Deck Joseph P. Teasdale State Office Building Raytown, MO, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 2, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Management services. The initial scope of work will include the review, inspection and reporting on approximately 40 residential development projects (single-family for-sale homes) under development by two not for profit organizations; funded through the SLDC Access to Housing and Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Services will include a review for reasonableness and feasibility of plans, specifications and costs; inspection for quality of completed work in accordance with local, state and federal housing quality standards, regulations and codes; reporting to SLDC and its partners the results of reviews and inspections. The scope of work may be expanded for additional residential development and commercial development projects.

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide the funding for the initial scope of work. The RFQ will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/SLDC on Friday, January 6, 2023. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Friday, January 20, 2023. SLDC is an equal

INVITATION TO BID

DBES HEAVY CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

Massman-Traylor, Chester Joint Venture is soliciting proposals from MoDOT and IDOT approved Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) for the Chester Bridge, design-build project (MoDOT Project J9P3857, J9P3857B, J9P3857C) in Chester, IL (Perry County, MO and Randolph County, IL). The Massman-Traylor team is a joint venture of Massman Construction Co. and Traylor Brothers, Inc. with HNTB as design partner. All proposals must be submitted to MassmanTraylor by January 16, 2023

Project includes bridges, roadway, earthwork and utilities. For the scope of work and any other inquiries on this project, please contact: Donald Nunez, Massman Construction Co., 4400 W 109th St, 3rd Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211 (913)291-2618; dnunez@massman.net. The DBE requirements established for this project are 6% Construction and 12% Professional Services. We actively encourage MoDOT and IDOT certified DBEs to submit proposals for a wide range of opportunities and welcome theirparticipation on the Chester Bridge project. Non-disclosure agreements are required prior to providing information to bidders.

De’Shawn Charles Winslow to discuss awardwinning novel “Decent

STL County Library MLK event Jan. 17

By Alvin Reid St. Louis American

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Of the countless events, activities and commemorations that were paused due to the pandemic, the annual statewide celebration that kicks off the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not one of them.

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, chairwoman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri and President of Harris-Stowe State University were met with rousing applause when she proclaimed that “COVID couldn’t stop us” at the 37th annual event held Saturday afternoon on HSSU’s campus. While the show went on for the past two years, it was modified from the regularly-scheduled program that typically included a standing room only audience piling into the auditorium of the Dr. Henry Givens Main Building.

Year 35 was virtual. Last year they presented a hybrid program –one that adhered to social distancing and crowd limitation guide-

lines with a small crowd of invited guests at the Magnolia Hotel downtown. Most of the audience watched via livestream.

For Saturday’s 37th commemoration, the event returned to its original venue for the first time in two years. Infused with energy that permeated through the full house – with a good portion of the audience opting to wear masks – the resounding takeaway was that it felt good to be back home.

The spirit of faith that was the foundation of Dr. King’s work filled the building thanks to Stellar Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson. He and his band performed a soul-stirring set that seemed tailored to this year’s theme, “Keeping The Dream – Sounds of Hope, Courage and Unity.”

The format usually includes a nationally or internationally renowned personality who pontificates on the life and legacy of Dr King and compels the audience to pick up the torch of fighting for

The St. Louis County Library Foundation will host awardwinning fiction author De’Shawn Winslow at the Natural Bridge branch at 7 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 17, 2023. The Black History Celebration event is presented in partnership with December Magazine Winslow will discuss his book and career with Ron A. Austin, a fellow fiction Writer and Saint Louis University Professor Winslow’s, latest work, “Decent People” is described as “a sweeping and unforgettable novel of a Black community reeling from a triple homicide, and the secrets the killings reveal.” In a still-segregated town of West Mills, North Carolina, in 1976, three enigmatic siblings—are found shot to death in their home. The people of West Mills— on both sides of the canal that serves as the town’s color line—are in a frenzy of finger-pointing, gossip, and wonder. The crime is the first reported murder in the area in decades, but the authorities don’t seem to have any interest in solving the case. Fortunately, one person is determined to do more than talk.

While fictional, this is not Winslow’s first foray into West Mills.

He is the 2019 winner of the First Novel Prize for In West Mills, which was published by Bloomsbury.

The novel “spans decades in a rural North Carolina town where a canal acts as the color line, In West Mills is a magnifi-

Louis American staff

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Stéphane Denève, and St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus Director Kevin McBeth invite the St. Louis community to join the SLSO for a concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at 7:30 p.m. Monday Jan. 16 at Powell Hall. Supported by Commerce Bank, there is no admission charge, and tickets can be acquired at slsa.org or by calling the SLSO Box Office at 314-534-1700. Reservations are required.

The concert will also be broadcast live on KWMU 90.7 St. Louis Public Radio.

The concert celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy through music. Members of both the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the IN UNISON Chorus will perform on the program.

“The SLSO is honored to join so many others in our community, across our nation, and around the world, who are committed to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said MarieHélène Bernard, president and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra,

“We are grateful to participate in the day of service by tapping into the power of music as a vehicle to reflect as a community. We invite our community to join us live at Powell Hall or on 90.7 KWMU St. Louis Public Radio, which is airing this special concert in a continuation of our 13-year partnership—for this special concert commemorating one of the most important civil rights activists.”

The concert will feature Denève and McBeth as conductors of

By Michigan Chronicle

Critical Race Theory has been under attack for several decades with traction mounting in the 21st

the St. Louis Symphony, IN UNISON Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus Performances will include an arrangement of Florence

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

At the 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide kick-off Sat. Jan. 7, 2023 at Harris-Stowe State University Cardel Johnson gave the audience his rendition of the civil rights leader ’s I Have A Dream speech.

See Decent, D6 See Kickoff, D5

Photo courtesy of SLSO Kevin McBeth will join Stéphane Denève as conductors during the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King at Powell Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2023.

Dr. King valued importance of volunteerism, community service

MLK Day of Service events

accepted during posted operating hours at each location.

MLK Day at UjimaSTL

If you like getting your hands dirty, this is the project for you. From 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, volunteers will be setting up raised beds in the outdoor classroom and demonstration garden, adding pathways in the outdoor classroom, setting up a small shed for outdoor education supplies, adding soil to raised beds, and adding mulch and decorations to the native garden.

Jr. was passionate about ending poverty by first eliminating hunger. Residents can support his legacy by helping feed the hungry by donating a canned or boxed food item at any St. Louis Public Library branch during the entire month of January. The donations will benefit the St. Louis community by providing food to families in need, elderly citizens having to choose between buying medicine and food, and meals to the underprivileged who depend on donations to eat every day.

The St. Louis Area Foodbank will have barrels located at each branch to accept donations. If you are interested in donating, or concerned as to what is needed, there will be a sign at each location with a list of accepted items.

The library requests that no food items be donated in glass containers.

Donations may only be

The Ujima office space will be cleaned, and volunteers can also pick up trash around the urban farm property.

Volunteers should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, and parking will be available at 3714 Penrose St. Louis MO, 63107. The event will take place regardless of inclement weather.

Ujima is a non-profit paywhat-you-can service provider that provides equitable access to food, education, and employment.

Groups of volunteers are invited, and children are welcome too.

For additional information, contact AJ Thompson, athompson@missioncontinues.org, or call (314) 402-0488.

SIU-E ESL Charter School event

The Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Charter School in East St.

Louis will celebrate its annual day of service commemorating the life and service of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday Jan. 21 at 601 James R Thompson Blvd. Volunteers will help install its community-sharing closet that

will benefit students who may be in need of toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other basic necessities.

Plan on wearing clothes that can get dirty, and there will be painting opportunities. Closedtoe shoes are also important for safety.

Parking will be available at the site, and the event will go on regardless of inclement weather. This event is indoors; however if road conditions are impassable, notification will be sent via email.

The school is wheelchair accessible, and special needs

Ujima St. Louis uses its George Washington Carver Farms to do more than feed area resident, which is invaluable. Volunteers also teach children how to grow and care for plants and gardens, and the importance of environmental protection.

Photo courtesy of UjimaSTL

parking available. Jobs will be available for persons with limited mobility

Groups of volunteers are welcome, and so are children. For additional information contact Jenniqual Johnson at jjohnson@missioncontinues. org, or call (314) 320-3214.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the “Beloved Community” was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.

Dr. King’s quest for economic justice continues

By Charlene Crowell

On January 16, the nation will mark its 37th national holiday honoring the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968). Across the country observances will chronicle how one man’s efforts pricked the moral conscience of the nation in a lifespan of only 39 years.

When he was just 26 and a new pastor at Montgomery’s Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr, community leaders chose King to lead the effort to desegregate the city’s buses following the arrest of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white man.

From December 1955 and continuing for 13 months, an estimated 50,000 Black residents of Montgomery chose to walk, carpool, or patronize Black cab drivers. In the end, the boycott brought economic devastation and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the city’s segregation policies violated the Constitution’s 14th Amendment that guaranteed equal protection under the law.

two vastly different experiences. In one, “millions of people have the milk of prosperity and the honey of equality flowing before them… In this America children grow up in the sunlight of opportunity,” noted Dr. King. “But there is another America,” continued Dr. King. “This other America has a daily ugliness about it that transforms the buoyancy of hope into the fatigue of despair…Probably the most critical problem in the other America is the economic problem. There are so many other people in the other America who can never make ends meet because their incomes are far too low if they have incomes, and their jobs are so devoid of quality.”

Today the unfortunate reality for much of Black America is that we continue to toil and suffer from that same economic “fatigue of despair.”

The 2023 observance is also a time to recall how it took 32years to create the first national holiday to honor a Black person. Although the federal holiday was enacted in 1983, its first observance came three years later in 1986, and at the time only 17 states observed its commemoration. It wasn’t until 2000 that all 50 states observed the King holiday.

Dr. King’s lifelong quest for economic justice is consistent throughout his sermons, speeches, and other writings.

On March 14, 1968, weeks before his assassination, Dr. King gave a speech entitled The Other America. In it, he describes how our nation reflected

As a people, we fervently believe in the value of higher education; but meager financial resources force our students to incur six and sometimes seven figures of debt. Despite laws that call for equal credit, our access to affordable credit is often limited and instead Black Americans are plagued by predatory lending that leaves us with high-cost debts.

In the aftermath of the foreclosure crisis that disproportionately harmed Black people and other people of color, Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to be a financial cop-on-the-beat.

Since opening its doors in 2011, the CFPB has received more than 3.3 million consumer complaints, and delivered over $14.9 billion in monetary compensation, principal reductions, cancelled debts, and other consumer relief through its enforcement and supervi-

sory work. Nearly three in four complaints filed – 73 percent – were about credit or consumer reporting. The remainder of the complaints reported issues with debt collection, credit cards and checking/savings accounts and mortgages.

Even so, the quest for financial justice continues. Laws and

regulations must be vigorously enforced. But just as with civil rights legislation, the naysayers remain aggressive.

Over the past year, CFPB’s research and surveys have documented how consumers remain at risk via emerging consumer issues such as the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

industry, elder financial exploitation, nursing home debt collection, college banking, student loans, and medical debt on credit reports and payments.

Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) on December 14, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra warned lawmakers of the grow-

ing dangers of BNPL.

“The CFPB’s recent study on Buy Now, Pay Later noted a significant increase in use of these products to fund essential goods and services,” said Chopra. “The CFPB is working to ensure that Buy Now, Pay Later lenders adhere to the same protocols and protections as other similar financial products to avoid regulatory arbitrage and to ensure a consistent level of consumer protection.”

Weeks earlier on November 2, the potential harms of BNPL were the topic on the HFSC’s Task Force Financial Technology. Marisabel Torres, speaking on behalf of the Center for Responsible Lending said, “When the borrower’s BNPL loan is linked to a bank account that lacks sufficient funds for payment, the BNPL lender’s payment attempts will typically trigger highly punitive non-sufficient funds (NSF) and/ or overdraft fees…These fees in turn are highly associated with closed bank accounts and exclusion from the financial system. Or the borrower may have sufficient funds for the BNPL payment but then be left without sufficient funds for other essential living expenses or debts. And many BNPL providers charge their own late or returned payment fees on top of the fees charged by banks.” For these economic and equality issues, Dr. King’s own words continue to challenge America to live up to its creed:

“Expediency asks the question is it politics? Vanity asks the question is it popular? The conscience asks the question is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politics nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.”

Amen, Dr. King.

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., often addressed economic justice in America, saying “it is criminal to have people working on a full-time basis and a full-time job getting part-time income.”

Columnist

Charlene Crowell

Ameren.com/Community

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a more just, equitable society. But for 2023, the primary focus was on individuals and institutions across the state working to actualize the beloved community he often spoke of.

“We don’t just celebrate Dr. King because he did great things,” said Carol Daniel, KMOX media personality and mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon’s festivities. “We celebrate him because we can now do great things.”

“And like Dr. King, let’s try to be the peace we want to see in the world,” she added. “And to exemplify the principles he encouraged us all to embody.”

and it was a state college. He left it a university,” Green said.

said Minister Freedom Allah, national representative for the People’s Action.

A third-grade teacher for DPSCD, Tyrell Slappey is familiar with leading his students through the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Black historical figures. But schools across the state may have race stripped from their lesson plans with the passing of new legislation.

“If we’re talking about Critical Race Theory and racism being taught in America, that’s our now, that’s our past, it’s not going anywhere in the future. It may be getting a little better, but it’s not going anywhere in the future,” said Slappey.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., through his life’s work, teachings and speeches, outlined his stance on race and its construct in America. At a time when Black and white were more than tense, Dr. King risked it all and gave his life to a cause that Black communities continue to fight today, in and out of the classroom.

“What’s happening, especially in our society today, I think a lot of these schools are wanting to take the path of least resistance. I think fewer teachers are willing to put themselves

in an uncomfortable position to study and become open minded to have that conversation,” said Minister Freedom. In his 1968 book “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” Dr. King called for structural changes in society for race and highlighted a “new phase of white resistance in the North and South.” That resistance is still apparent today. Though racism exists for ethnic groups outside of the states, it

n “If we’re talking about Critical Race Theory and racism being taught in America, that’s our now, that’s our past, it’s not going anywhere in the future.”

- Tyrell Slappey

is in America where the sting of slavery, Jim Crow, Civil Rights and the continued battle for racial equality are still palpable.

“Here, it’s [racism] deeply rooted in American history, so it should get taught. Everything else gets taught; 9/11 will get talked about forever, the attack on the Capitol, that’s going to get talked about forever now. COVID is going to get talked about forever,” said Slappey. The exclusion of CRT for

all students, despite race, is essential to the future of America. As race is discussed, the opportunity for healing can begin. Just as Dr. King outlined his dreams in his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial, symbolic in itself as President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he used his words to effect change. Now, similar to yesteryear, Critical Race Theory and MLK are being used to incite new passions, new discussions and the hope for a better tomorrow.

“When we begin to push the boundaries of Critical Race Theory, sometimes it has a tendency to be infuriating. It has the tendency to create passion. It has the tendency to create a will and a breath for change and some of those conversations aren’t always comfortable,” said Minister Freedom.

Though the future of critical race teachings in America is uncertain, race is sure to always be woven in the very DNA of the country. For true progress to be made, as King wanted, truth must be told, accepted, dissected and remembered.

“If our goal is to make society better, then we all have to learn from these mistakes of our past. It can’t be something that we want to sweep under the rug. And in reality, that’s what’s happening,” said Minister Freedom.

Ten awards were given in total – including recognition for each region that the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission represents with a Distinguished Community Service Award.

“Today we honor Dr. King’s legacy by honoring individuals and organizations who put into practice his high ideals and aspirations for equal rights, access to quality education and health care, economic empowerment, service to the community, freedom and justice,” Collins said. “They are the boots on the ground in our communities – who are making a difference throughout the state.”

Collins said that it is “now more important than ever” to ensure Dr. King’s ideals are never forgotten.

The honorees included Supt. Courtney and Cora Sanders and Faith Temple Complex COGIC for the southwest Missouri region; Dr. Lest Woods Jr. of Urban Empowerment Ministries for the Columbia region; The Honorable Rev. Dr. E.G. Shields, Sr. mayor of Pagedale and pastor of Mt. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church for the St. Louis region and Stephanie McGrew, assistant director of Diversity and Inclusion at A.T. Still University for the Kirksville region.

Other award recipients included St. Louis City Comptroller Darlene Green (Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Legacy Award), Lady Merdean Fielding-Gales (Distinguished Social Action Award), Carolyn Seward (Distinguished Drum Major Award) and Robert and Mary Taylor of the Taylor Center (Distinguished Community Organization Award).

“What you send into the lives of others will return to yours,” Fielding-Gales said. “Put on your marching shoes and be like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Green used her acceptance speech to pay homage to the namesake of the award she received.

“He came to this building

“I’m just so blessed to have known him – and to be standing on the Dr. Givens campus, as it is called now, and be blessed, like we all sitting here are, to have an HBCU right here in the city of St. Louis.”

The afternoon’s remarks included a video message from Missouri Governor Mike Parson and a proclamation from the office of Mayor Tishaura Jones presented by Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of St. Louis Vernon Mitchell, Jr.

“Let us not forget today that while we still face struggle rooted in centuries of systemic injustice… it is through our hope, through our courage and through our unity that Dr. King’s dream will be actualized,” said Mitchell.

Ahead of his hour-long performance that temporarily transformed the Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack Auditorium into a fellowship hall overflowing with praise and worship, Brian Courtney Wilson was presented with a Distinguished Community Service Award.

“We have been remembering Dr. King’s sacrifice for so long, that sometimes it’s easy to take it for granted,” Wilson said before moving from the podium to center stage. “I want to thank this commission for persisting for the last 37 years to make sure that we never forget – and remember it properly.”

cent, big-hearted small-town story about family, friendship, storytelling, and the redemptive power of love.”

A Boston Globe review starts, “Winslow’s quietly glorious novel is dedicated ‘To the reader,’ and it engages on a level that’s appropriately intimate.” Winslow was born and raised in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and in 2003 moved to Brooklyn, New York. He is a 2017 graduate of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and holds a BFA in creative writing and an MA in English literature from Brooklyn College. He has received scholarships from the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. Winslow lives in East Harlem, New York.

De’Shawn Charles Winslow

Austin is an assistant professor of English at SLU. He earned a B.A. in 2007 from that university and an MFA from the University o f Missouri-St. Louis in 2011. He authored “Avery Colt Is A Snake, A Thief, A Liar in 2019

A review on heavyfeather. com says Austin’s debut novel, “follows Avery Colt from nineyears-old through the beginning of manhood. Although he regards being “soft as pudding” as his downfall, it might actually be his saving grace.”

“At its heart, this is a book about family and community.”

The St. Louis County Library Foundation is a financial supporter of the St. Louis County Library District. It assists local libraries do more by:

• Securing financial support beyond public tax dollars.

• Funding and supporting programs and special projects that promote reading and literacy.

• Partnering with area groups and businesses to build a better community.

• Serving as an ambassador and advocate for our county libraries, their programs, and community impact.

For more information, visit www. foundation.slcl.org.

AMERICAN AFRICAN

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Price’s Adoration, Freedom’s Plow by St. Louis native Rollo Dilworth, and William Steffe’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The concert will end with “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J. Rosamond Johnson, recognized as the Black National Anthem. The program also includes “What We Need,” a selection from local composer Adam Maness’ Divides That Bind.

The SLSO commissioned an arrangement of Divides That Bind for full orchestra and chorus, then performed the world premiere at its annual Lift Every Voice concert in 2015. The piece includes a narration of Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech as part of the work.

Celebrated as a leading

American orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 143rd year with the 2022/2023 season and its fourth with Denève.

The SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations, honoring its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.

The SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally.

The St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus is an

auditioned ensemble of 100+ volunteer singers that performs a variety of musical styles, with a focus on the interpretation, performance, and preservation of African and Black American music in the diaspora.

Founded in 1994 by the late Dr. Robert Ray as an extension of the SLSO’s IN UNISON community outreach initiative, the IN UNISON Chorus performs several times each year with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and throughout the community.

Chorus members often come from IN UNISON Program partner churches. Many chorus members sing in other vocal ensembles or church choirs. All share a love of music and of singing.

Bayer Fund has supported the Chorus since its inception. The Chorus has been led by Kevin McBeth since 2011.

For more information, visit slso.org.

St. Louis Community College is committed to excellence in education and creating access for our diverse communities.

STLCC celebrates African American History Month with a large variety of events open to the community.

Photo courtesy of SLSO

The IN UNISON Chorus will join with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in a Dr. Martin Luther King Day concert at Powell Hall on Jan. 16, 2023.

History Museum celebrates with MLK-related activities throughout weekend

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the holiday weekend with a variety of experiences at Missouri History Museum. Families are invited to join us on Saturday and Monday for youth activism workshops, meaningful conversations on race and social justice, storytelling, movement, craft workshops, and day of service opportunities. On Sunday afternoon all are invited to a keynote address, a brief musical performance, and an all-levels yoga class set to live gospel music.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

10:00–11:00am | Youth Activism Workshop (recommended for ages 12–18) AT&T Multipurpose Room

Youth will explore and analyze primary sources to gain a greater understanding of the history of the civil rights movement. Then, using their own experiences and analyzing historical examples of justice and injustice, young people will question, explain, elaborate, and interpret their concepts of societal justice. Youth are also invited to join a special open dialogue facilitated by Tabari Coleman after the workshop, where they can talk freely with one another about their thoughts on race and activism.

10:15–11:00am | Step into the Story with the STL Black Authors of Children’s

Literature Lee Auditorium

The St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will present a storytelling performance along with original spoken-word affirmations and life-affirming music by DJ KP da Kid. Stick around until the end for a special children’s book giveaway generously provided by Ready Readers.

10:30am–2:00pm | Makeand-Takes and Black History Scavenger Hunt Grand Hall tables

Drop in anytime! Families can make advocacy-inspired crafts and go on a self-guided scavenger hunt through the galleries.

11:15am–12:15pm | Youth Activism Workshop (recommended for ages 6–12) AT&T Multipurpose Room

Kids will explore the broader context of the civil rights movement through a variety of primary sources and evaluate how activists communicate their messages through images and words. Then they will identify and explain issues they care about by creating a poster that advocates for their views. Caregivers are invited to join us after the workshop for an open dialogue on race and parenting facilitated by Tabari Coleman The conversation will address how we can process and talk about current events and race-

related issues with our children.

1:00–1:45pm and 2:30–3:15pm | MLK Movement Workshop with Mama Lisa AT&T Multipurpose Room

Learn about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and those who have fought for civil rights through a special workshop that incorporates music, movement, and storytelling. Celebrate the achievements of Dr. King on a story-dance journey with Mama Lisa. Children will learn about segregation and the effect it had on young Martin King.

reconciliation, and learn ways to break the generational cycles of injustices through our shared histories. Jackson is the president and founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation (DSHF) and is the great-greatgranddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott. Founded in 2006, the DSHF’s goal is to promote the commemoration, education, and reconciliation of our histories. Featured musical guests include Sumner High School students.

4:00–5:00pm | Gospel Yoga Grand Hall

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

2:00–3:30pm | Keynote Lecture Lee Auditorium

The King Center’s theme for 2023 King Holiday is It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems. Join Lynne M. Jackson to hear inspiring words about her family’s legacy and

Continue the MLK Community Celebration with gospel yoga in the Grand Hall led by The Collective STL and accompanied by a DJ playing gospel music of raised voices for inspiration. Bring your yoga mat, friends, and families. All ages and abilities are welcome.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

10:00–11:00am | Youth Activism Workshop (recommended for ages 12–18)

AT&T Multipurpose Room Youth will explore and analyze primary sources to gain a greater understanding of the history of the civil rights movement. Then, using their own experiences and analyzing historical examples of justice and injustice, young people will question, explain, elaborate, and interpret their concepts of societal justice. Youth are also invited to join a special open dialogue facilitated by Tabari Coleman after the workshop, where they can talk freely with one another about their thoughts on race and activism.

10:15–11:00am | Step into the Story with the STL Black Authors of Children’s Literature Lee Auditorium

The St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will present a storytelling performance along with original spoken-word affirmations and life-affirming music by DJ KP da Kid. Stick around until the end for a special children’s book giveaway generously provided by Ready Readers.

10:30am–2:00pm | Makeand-Takes and Black History Scavenger Hunt Grand Hall tables

Drop in anytime! Families

can make advocacy-inspired crafts and go on a self-guided scavenger hunt through the galleries.

11:15am–12:15pm | Youth Activism Workshop (recommended for ages 6–12)

AT&T Multipurpose Room

Kids will explore the broader context of the civil rights movement through a variety of primary sources and evaluate how activists communicate their messages through images and words. Then they will identify and explain issues they care about by creating a poster that advocates for their views. Caregivers are invited to join us after the workshop for an open dialogue on race and parenting facilitated by Tabari Coleman. The conversation will address how we can process and talk about current events and racerelated issues with our children.

1:00–1:45pm and 2:30–3:15pm | MLK Movement Workshop with Mama Lisa AT&T Multipurpose Room

Learn about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and those who have fought for civil rights through a special workshop that incorporates music, movement, and storytelling. Celebrate the achievements of Dr. King on a story-dance journey with Mama Lisa. Children will learn about segregation and the effect it had on young Martin King.

Lynn M. Jackson

Local Black Performing Artists Pay Tribute to Dr. King

Join us for the return of our annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 13, 2023, at 6 pm as an in-person event in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Farrell Auditorium. This celebration, titled Artistic Expression Uplifting the Movement, will feature local Black artists, Aloha Misho, Cameron Jamarr, and Alicia Sunshine, performing original music, dance, and theatrical presentations in response to Moneta Sleet Jr.’s photographs in the Museum’s collection. Sleet, a Black Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, is best known for his documentation of the Civil Rights Movement.

Aloha Misho will perform an original song in response to Sleet’s photograph showing Dr. and Mrs. King dancing in Stockholm, Sweden after Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Misho studied musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. In 2005, she was a finalist on American Idol and in 2017 she formed the band the Knuckles with fellow musician Rockwell Knuckles.

Cameron Jamarr will showcase an original theatrical performance inspired by one of Sleet’s many photographs of a Civil Rights rally in 1963. Jamarr is an actor, writer, filmmaker and founding producer of Soul Siren Playhouse, an arts organization inspired by social consciousness and responsibility. He was most recently seen onstage at the St. Louis Black Repertory Company as Jimmy Hewlett in “The African Company Presents Richard III.”

Dancer Alicia Sunshine will perform an original piece inspired by Sleet’s photograph of church ministers leading prayer during Selma March in 1965. She began her dance career at the Katherine Dunham dance center in East St. Louis, where she was born and raised. She later continued her training at Illinois State University, where she studied ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, West African, and Caribbean dance techniques. In 2007, she created Beyond Measure Dance Theater (a professional dance company), Afroetics (afro dance and fitness fusion), and the Afro Kuumba Dancers (youth and pre-profes-

sional training program).

This celebration will also include a presentation by Tabari A. Coleman, community engagement moderator and social justice advocate. Jacqueline Thompson, the creative director of Artistic Expression Uplifting the Movement and Marcus A. Creighton, from the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., will both provide remarks during the event. Free tickets for this program may be reserved in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com or 314534-1111. All tickets reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets reserved at the Museum. Although the event is free, advance tickets are recommended. To learn more, visit slam.org/ events.

Dr. King illustration

Christian Hospital Foundation MLK celebration luncheon

The Christian Hospital Foundation is hosting its sixth annual “Embracing the Dream ” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Detrick Building Atrium, 11133 Dunn Rd. The event will be a celebration of hope and healing for our beloved community.

During this celebration, we will recognize local unsung heroes and student scholars in our communities. Guests will enjoy great music by Denise Thimes and visit with Xernona Clayton, civil rights leader and broadcast executive, who worked closely with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major awards are bestowed upon unsung local heroes who have given their time, talents, treasure, and service in the name of justice, equity, and equality. The 2023 Drum Major Award recipients are:

Wesley Bell St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney

Cenia Bosman President and CEO Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. (CAASTLC)

Karl Guenther Assistant Vice Chancellor of Economic & Community Development University of Missouri-St. Louis

Eric C. Rhone

Executive Producer & Talent Manager Visions Management Group

James E. Williams, Jr.

President and CEO of Estel Foods operating McDonald’s franchises in Missouri and Illinois

Drum Major Scholarships will be awarded to student scholars from FergusonFlorissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Normandy, Ritenour and Riverview Gardens school districts; Incarnate Word Academy, Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory, Lutheran North, and Pattonville high schools and St. Louis Community College. Charitable contributions and proceeds at this event benefit the Building Health Community Fund. Individual reservations for the celebration are $75; and table reservations for eight (8) are $600. Sponsorships are also available. The celebration includes lunch and complimentary valet parking. For more information, please visit ChristianHospital. org/MLK-Celebration or contact the CH Foundation at (314) 653-5162 or chfoundation@ bjc.org

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.

− Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. April 3, 1968

Explore St. Louis is proud to honor the memory and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wesley Bell Cenia Bosman Karl Guenther

Eric C. Rhone

James E. Williams, Jr.

WGU Missouri Launches Scholarship in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In celebration of the life and legacy of late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., WGU Missouri has launched a new scholarship aimed at supporting St. Louisans who have faced struggles in their lives that have prevented them from achieving their educational goals and moving forward in their careers.

The “I Have a Dream” scholarships are open to students enrolling in any of WGU Missouri’s 80-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs in information technology, business, teacher education and health professions, including nursing.

The goal of the “I Have a Dream” scholarship is to provide a more affordable and accessible pathway to encourage individuals to dream beyond what they thought was once impossible and work toward earning their degrees. Each scholarship is valued at up to $4,000 and will be credited to students’ accounts at a rate of $1,000 per sixmonth term, renewable for up to four terms. The scholarship will be applied to WGU’s already low, flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 per six-month term.

“Six decades ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., laid out his vision for a future where people of all races and backgrounds were afforded the same rights, opportunities and privileges,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of WGU Missouri. “His activism opened minds and inspired people to strive for a more

The goal of the “I Have a Dream” scholarship is to provide a more affordable and accessible pathway to encourage individuals to dream beyond what they thought was once impossible and work toward earning their degrees.

Dr. Terrance Hopson Regional Vice President of WGU Missouri

equitable society, and his words and actions continue to challenge us today. In that spirit, we are proud to offer this scholarship in his honor in hopes that those who have consistently faced challenges that prevented them from moving forward with their education plans can be inspired to go back to school and complete their degrees.”

WGU Missouri is committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education for working adults who are interested in furthering their education. The

university offers an industryleading, competency-based structure that allows students to leverage previous education, training and work experience to graduate faster.

The university’s “I Have a Dream” scholarships will be awarded based on the students’ academic record, previous college experience, readiness for online study, current competency, as well as other considerations. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2023.

For more information about WGU Missouri and the “I Have a Dream” scholarship, visit missouri.wgu.edu/dream.

STL Art Museum to host artistic “Uplifting the Movement’

St. Louis American staff

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend will offer several annual events for the public to attend, some returning to in-person audiences for the first time since 2019.

Artistic Expression Uplifting the Movement

The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration returns in January as an in-person event in the St. Louis Art Museum’s Farrell Auditorium at 6 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2023.

Inspired by depictions of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement by Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer Moneta Sleet Jr., local Black artists will respond to Sleet’s photographs through their original performances.

The evening will also include a talk by Tabari Coleman, a community engagement moderator whose focus is on creating space for constructive dialogue across the St. Louis region.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Artistic Expression Uplifting the Movement.

Although the event is free, advance tickets are recommended.

Tickets for the program may be reserved in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com [www.metrotix. com] or 314.534.1111. All tickets reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets reserved at the Museum.

This program is supported by the Dana Brown Endowed Fund for Education and

Community Programs.

54th Annual MLK March

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Committee of St. Louis, MO. will be celebrating its 54th Observance in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Holiday, Monday, January 16, 2023.

The committee aims to deal with and drive out the three evils: Poverty, Racism and Violence, promote Voter Registration to help to create the beloved community for which Dr. Martin Luther King gave his life. If not now, When?

The march will begin at the Old Courthouse, 11 N 4th St St. Louis, 63102

Courtesy Ford Foundation, J. Paul Getty Trust, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

In this photo by the late Moneta Sleet Jr., Rosa Parks, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Abernathy, Dr. Ralph Bunche, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mrs. Coretta Scott lead marchers into Montgomery, 1965, printed c.1970. Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of the Johnson Publishing Company.

Historic photos of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

From

(Above) In this March 22, 1956, file photo, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is welcomed with a kiss by his wife, Coretta, after leaving court in Montgomery, Ala. Court records from the arrests of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and others at the dawn of the modern civil rights era are being preserved after being discovered in an Alabama courthouse.

Martin Luther King Jr.

7-year-old Eva Gracele-

and 10-year-old Aritha

to formerly allwhite schools in Grenada,

in 1966. Violence had erupted at the schools after they were integrated.

(Above Left) On March 26, 1964, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X came to Washington to observe the beginning of the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act.

(Left)

walks

mon, left,

Willis

Mississippi,

Photos courtesy of AP

(Right) In this March 17, 1963, file photo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, sit with three of their four children in their Atlanta, Ga., home.

left are: Martin Luther King III, 5, Dexter Scott, 2, and Yolanda Denise, 7. On April 4, 1968, a movement lost its patriarch when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed on a hotel balcony in Memphis. Yolanda, Martin, Dexter and Bernice King lost their father.

Photos courtesy of AP

(Above) In this Aug. 28, 1963 file photo, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, speaks to thousands during his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in Washington.

‘A monumental figure:’ Four times Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in St. Louis

St. Louis Public Radio

When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited St. Louis for a speech in early 1957, did he imagine Americans would still be grappling with the legacies of segregation and economic disparity more than 65 years later?

As Americans prepare to commemorate King’s birthday on Jan. 15, it is worth noting that the civil rights leader made St. Louis a regular stop for at least a decade.

King’s appearance at Kiel Auditorium on April 10, 1957, came at the invitation of the Citizens Committee of Greater St. Louis, a federation of several area ministerial groups.

“Then, my friends, we must face the fact that segregation is still a reality in America,” he said. “We still confront it in the South in its glaring and conspicuous forms. We still confront it in the North, in the border states in its hidden and subtle forms.”

“He spoke for National Baptist Women’s Auxiliary,” Moore said. “We get an early glimpse of what was to come later.”

April 10, 1957

When King took the stage at Kiel Auditorium, there were about 8,000 people in the audience. His appearance in St. Louis came on the heels of the successful year-long Montgomery bus boycott, which ended in December 1956.

n As Americans prepare to commemorate King’s birthday on Jan. 15, it is worth noting that the civil rights leader made St. Louis a regular stop for at least a decade.

It may have been his first major public speech in St. Louis, but Gwen Moore, of the Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center, said King visited the area as many as nine times between 1954 and 1964.

When he came to St. Louis in 1954, he was well-known among members of the black churches, but not yet recognized on the national stage.

“He was also here to promote what was going to be a gathering in Washington, D.C.,” Moore said. “That was a ‘March on Washington’ that they didn’t want to call a ‘March Washington.’ They didn’t want to give the impression that they were trying to put pressure on the executive branch.”

King would play a leading role at what became known as the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. On May 17, 1957, he gave his “Give Us The Ballot” speech, advocating voting rights for African-Americans. (President Lyndon B. Johnson would later sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965).

Dec. 4, 1957

King made a second visit to St. Louis, this time at the invitation of the National Council of Churches for their convention.

At Kiel Auditorium King urged the gathering of about 2,000 ministers to do more to desegregate churches, even chiding them for dragging their feet on progress.

“All too many ministers are still silent while evil rages,” King said. “It may well be that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition is the appalling silence of the socalled good people.”

King drew on the Montgomery Bus Boycott in his remarks, striking a note of optimism.

“I still have faith in the South. I still have faith in Montgomery, Alabama,” he told

his audience. “I do not speak as any superficial optimist at this point; I’m not sitting back in some ivory tower with a rosyeyed vision. I speak as one who has stood in the thick of this struggle. I speak as one who has subjected his family to dangerous living. I speak of one who has to live every day under the threat of death. But in the midst of that, I come to you not with a message of despair, but a message of hope.”

May 28, 1963

King also came to St. Louis in 1963 when he was invited by

former classmate Earl Nance Sr. of Greater Mount Carmel Church. On that occasion, King spoke at Washington Tabernacle Church.

“Of course it was standing room only, overflow crowd,” Moore said.

King’s visit was part of his nationwide tour leading up to March on Washington when he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28.

Oct. 12, 1964

By the time King made this visit to St. Louis, he was what Moore describes as a “monu-

Invited by SLU student gov-

as part of its Student Conclave Issues Series, King addressed nearly 3,900 students, faculty, staff and community members.

On the anniversary of King’s birth, Moore said people should remember the man as a fighter for racial equality and an advocate for the poor.

“He promoted not just racial justice, but economic justice,” she said.

(This

STILL DRIVEN BY HIS MESSAGE

While we take today to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership, we remember that his mission of racial equality and justice is something that should be strived for every day.

It’s one of the reasons Enterprise has launched our ROAD Forward Initiative. This five-year, $55 million commitment was created to help advance social and racial equity by supporting the key areas of early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation.

It’s through the ROAD Forward that we keep Dr. King’s progress part of our daily mission.

©2023 Enterprise

mental” figure in American life.

The March on Washington would have been fresh on the minds of the capacity crowd in West Pine Gym at Saint Louis University. It was two days before he would win the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.

ernment

piece was originally written by Holly Edgel).

The Rev. Martin Luther King spoke at St. Louis University on Oct. 12, 1964. He was invited by SLU student government.

Photo courtesy Saint Louis University