January 26th, 2017 Edition

Krewson is no-show at forum organized for youth

French: she ‘is the TIF queen –that’s why she’s not here’

By Clark Randall

candidate who is white and who is leading by a wide margin in all polls released to date.

Krewson said she had already committed to be at four other events that evening and let the organizers know in advance that she could not make it.

“Krewson is the TIF queen – that’s why she’s not here,” said candidate Antonio D. French, currently alderman of the 21st Ward in North St. Louis.

TIF is an acronym for tax increment financing, a development incentive which has been disproportionately used in the Central Corridor, which includes the 28th Ward, where Krewson currently is alderman.

The forum was organized to highlight the questions and concerns of young people in St. Louis. The Alpha Omega City-Wide Chapter

of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and 78th District state Representative Bruce Franks Jr. facilitated the event.

Young people in the crowd were encouraged to come forward with questions for the candidates. Tishaura O. Jones, currently St. Louis treasurer, was asked to respond to the recent murder of a 15-year-old girl and to give her solutions to crime. There were 188 homicides in St. Louis in both of the last two years.

“Young men and young women picking up a paycheck every two

Mapping out environmental racism

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

day the nation honored the man who fought for civil rights for all Americans.

Texas Southern University professor and environmental sociologist Robert D. Bullard shared some of his work revealing

See MAPPING, A7

weeks won’t be picking up a gun,” Jones said. “For a long time, we’ve been tough on crime; we need to be smart on crime.” Jones went on to say she would place social workers within the police department and stop criminalizing the poor, substance abusers and mentally ill people. Several themes persisted in the questioning: the Delmar Divide, policing, homelessness and crime. On

‘Our voices will be heard’

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Thousands marched through downtown St. Louis on Saturday, January 20 to protest President Donald Trump’s administration, in tandem with the Women’s March on Washington and more than 600 “sister marches” throughout the world.

“We are here today because we want to communicate – not only to our state, not only to our city, but to this country and this world – that we are not invisible and our voices will be heard,” said State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal. “The reason why I march is because every young girl has the right to dream and get an education so she can thrive and challenge some of the people in Washington, D.C. who are taking her rights away.”

An ocean of women, men and children gathered at 9 a.m. by Union Station and marched down Market Street to the newly renovated Luther Ely Smith Square, across the street from the Old Courthouse. One of the march organizers, Valerie Brinkman, said that experts

Neighbors vow to patrol for children’s safety

Abduction of Kameill Taylor stirs North City to action

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Kameill Taylor, 12, was walking to the school bus stop around 6 a.m. on January 11 when she was abducted and abused by an unknown person. Two days later, police found her barely alive in an abandoned building at 5325 Terry Ave., near St. Louis Avenue and Kingshighway Boulevard. On Friday, January 20, a group of about 15 residents stood on the steps of that abandoned building and vowed to hold neighborhood patrols every morning to ensure children get safely to their bus stops and schools.

n “There is no better thing we can to do than to mobilize and ensure the safety of our children.”

– Azim Aziz

“There is no better thing we can to do than to mobilize and ensure the safety of our children,” said Azim Aziz, a resident who lives nearby. “If

we cannot protect our children, then we are worthless.”

While he does not know personally Taylor and her family, Aziz said he and other neighbors felt compelled to do something. The group calls themselves “Neighbors Against Violence to Children.” Their patrol will include the entire First Ward.

“This morning while we were doing our street patrol, we were further outraged to find numerous vacant buildings that were unsecured and open,” Aziz said. “We are making a

See SAFETY, A6

For The St. Louis American

On Thursday, January 19, eight candidates for mayor of St. Louis faced off at Harris-Stowe State University. This group did not include Lyda Krewson, the only major

Thousands marched through downtown St. Louis on Saturday, January 20 to protest President Donald Trump’s

Photo by Wiley Price

Dr. Robert Bullard

Singer Chrisette Michele paid a heavy price for what she said was “building bridges.” After learning of her decision to perform at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, Spike Lee chopped her from being featured on his upcoming Netflix series – and she was dragged for dear life on the internet. But the most severe punishment came from Trump himself.

“Originally I was supposed to perform directly after his first speech, and I had done that with Barack Obama before, so I was used to that kind of experience,” Michelle told Billboard.com when asked if she had an opportunity to meet the newlyelected president. “And the woman who organized the event came and told me, ‘Now you’re going to go first, and he’s going to go after you.’

discord right now, and he’s not going to shake my hand?’ So no, I didn’t get to meet him.”

WorldStarHipHop founder Lee O’Denat passes at 43

Lee “Q” O’Denat, the founder of the immensely popular site WorldStarHipHop. com, died Monday at 43, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to CNN. The cause of death has been listed as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The site, which O’Denat started in 2005, became a thriving aggregator. In a profile of its founder, the New York Times dubbed it “a YouTube filtered through the lens of hip-hop culture – a grab bag of rap videos, celebrity interviews, sports clips, super cuts and the latest viral sensation.”

It also became pop culture short hand.

The term “WorldStar” came to mean something that should be filmed for posterity’s sake.

Despite the site’s popularity, O’Denat faced criticism for the negative behavior showcased in the videos on WorldStar, which many people felt reflected poorly on the African -American community.

that their clip would make it on to the site. Aligning his brand so closely with hip hop led to success for his company and caught the eye of MTV2 which is set to air a new series, “World Star TV,” beginning next month.

Ciara and Future settle custody dispute

Last week, singer Ciara’s defamation of character lawsuit against Future was dismissed without prejudice. This week, another legal issue has reportedly been settled. Ciara and Future are said to have agreed to joint custody of their twoyear-old son, Future Zahire, with Ciara providing primary care.

Kanye beefing up KUWTK appearances to please Kim

Insiders claim Kanye West desperate to keep his marriage to Kim Kardashian West together that he’s agreed to a substantial increase in appearances on E!’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

I looked her in the eye and said, ‘My family has disowned me. If you decide to Google me, you’ll see that America is writing about me in their newspapers. I’m the black poster child for

Those who captured images of violence on their cell phones could often be heard yelling “WorldStar!” both in homage and in the hope

A “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” source told PEOPLE Magazine that the 39-year-old rapper is doing all he can to make his wife happy, including filming the

family’s show at her side.

“Kanye is really trying to please Kim. He realizes that his difficult behavior has been extremely draining for her,” the insider told PEOPLE. “He is trying to make it up to Kim by going along with things that are important to her. The show is still important to Kim, so Kanye will support her.”

The source adds that the two are “still working on their issues separately.”

Lamar Sally loses latest child support battle with Sherri Shepherd

Last month, actress Sherri ex-husband Lamar Sally filed for an increase in child support for the son born via surrogate with Sally’s sperm and a donor egg after Sally filed

According to TMZ.com, Sally’s request for an increase in child support and $75k in legal fees was tossed out after the California family court agreed that the state of New Jersey has ongoing jurisdiction over the case.

Shepherd currently pays Sally $6,400 a month in child support, which is more than New Jersey requires.

Sources: TMZ.com, Billboard. com, People.com, CNN.com

Donald Trump dusts Chrisette Michele

Lee “Q”

O’Denat

Ciara

Harvard class tackles segregation in St. Louis

Graduate School of Design studies neighborhoods to make more impactful designs

By Kelly Moffitt Of St. Louis Public Radio

Daniel D’Oca, a professor in the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, recently turned his Fall 2016 Urban Planning and Design Studio into a case study in making accessible solutions for fair housing and urban segregation – in St. Louis.

He and a group of students studied the history of housing policy in the metropolitan area and how segregation contributed to the protests in Ferguson.

Then, he and the students made a field trip to St. Louis to meet with community groups like Forward Through Ferguson, Voices of Women, Beyond Housing, the City of St. Louis’ Planning and Urban Design Agency, the Sweet Potato Project, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council.

Students involved with the class collaborated with Forward Through Ferguson’s fair housing initiatives and set to the task of “affirmatively furthering” fair housing in St. Louis through different design initiatives.

The results were varied and unusual for what you might consider urban planning fare. Instead of typical engineering schematics and zoning ordinances, the group of students proposed everything from curriculum on the history of segregation, to a graphic novel explaining racial zoning

ordinances, to proposals for residents of a gentrifying neighborhood to benefit from the gentrification.

“In design school, we go out of our way to make our work inaccessible,” D’Oca said. “In this studio, we try to deal with complex issues in sophisticated ways, but the work we do is going to be understandable to anyone.”

D’Oca, whose urban planning work deals with race, place and power, said it is the responsibility of educators to teach future architects, urban planners and landscape architects about pressing issues like race and segregation because they impact the build environment.

“Designers have good intentions but don’t understand problems on the ground,” said Astrid Cam Aguinago, a native of Peru and a student in D’Oca’s class. “So we spoke

Harvard professor Daniel D’Oca’s students used an innovative approach to understand fair housing in Ferguson and the St. Louis metropolitan area.

inform your design better.”

Aguinago’s design concept came to her after speaking with Forest Park Southeast community group Voices of Women. Gentrification around The Grove was a primary area

n “When you understand what’s going on in that neighborhood, you can inform your design better.”

– Astrid Cam Aguinago

to a lot of people. They told us first-hand about their problems: problems in the neighborhood and how that impacted families and grandchildren. We try to take those things into account when designing for them. When you understand what’s going on in that neighborhood, you can

of concern for the community group, who felt in danger of being displaced.

“The [residents] wanted to stay,” Aguinago said. “They liked the development but didn’t feel like they were part of it.” So, she designed a project

Taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids

By Alison Dreith, Guest columnist

The problems with poor families and hungry kids in Missouri are very real. According to a 2015 report from the Missouri Foundation for Health, “Food insecurity rates have been rising in Missouri for the last 10 years. Missouri ranked sixth for food insecurity and second behind Arkansas for hunger. Currently one in six Missourians do not have enough to eat.”

But even though Missouri suffers among the fastest growing rates of hunger, a recent report found that millions of dollars intended to help needy families are instead being diverted to antiabortion groups. Abortion and food assistance are two separate issues – and they should be kept apart. The priority should be helping poor families, period.

On December 15, state Rep. Deb Lavender introduced a bill to ensure that taxpayer funding intended to help with food assistance directly goes to families in need, instead of being sent to anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers.”

Lavender’s bill would stop these ideological groups from misusing food stamp funds that are intended to help at-risk families.

How are food assistance dollars ending up with “crisis pregnancy centers”? Because of recent changes to state law, more than $4.3 million intended for needy children was diverted to anti-abortion groups in Missouri in 2016. The funds comes from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which helps families experiencing poverty put food on the table and provides stability for small children.

that would fund “accessory dwelling units” on buildings so that old residents of the neighborhood could rent the spaces out to new residents, thus ensuring an income for old residents and allowing them to stay in their houses.

Ruben Segovia took on the history of racial zoning ordinances in St. Louis, and he chose to use a graphic novel to present the story. Another student crafted a K-12 textbook about segregation in St. Louis County.

Now, D’Oca and his students are continuing to work with Forward Through Ferguson to develop the design projects and distribute them in the St. Louis community. D’Oca hopes to return to St. Louis next year to continue the work his class started last year.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Missouri’s state Legislature recently voted to redirect some of this anti-poverty funding to anti-abortion groups. These groups deceive women about their health care options and operate fake clinics called “crisis pregnancy centers” that try to stop women from accessing the full range of reproductive health care options, including abortion and birth control.

Lavender’s plan would place protections on how these federal taxpayer dollars are used and ensure they only go to facilities that provide actual medical care and accurate medical information.

And by sending food assistance money to anti-abortion centers, some Missouri politicians are literally taking food out of the mouths of hungry children so they can fund their ideological agenda. That’s just wrong. As if taking funds away from hungry kids weren’t bad enough, these anti-choice groups are using taxpayer money to coerce and deceive Missouri women about their health care options. In Missouri, there are more 60 such fake clinics while there is only one operational abortion clinic.

No matter what our beliefs are about abortion, we can all agree that federal food assistance money should help feed hungry kids, not fund an ideological agenda. Missouri has a lot of hungry kids and the rate is growing faster than anywhere in the nation. Amidst this public health crisis, it’s wrong that some politicians are diverting money intended to help needy families in order to wage an ideological fight over abortion. Those aren’t the priorities of hard-working Missouri families.

Lavender’s commonsense proposal would ensure that we spend taxpayer money the way it was intended – to help at-risk kids. Alison Dreith is executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

Guest Columnist Alison Dreith

Photo by Daniel D’Oca

Who will

On March 7, St. Louis will choose its next mayor. Technically, voters will choose their respective party nominees in a primary election on March 7, with the mayor to be chosen from among these nominees in the April 4 general election, but no one doubts – even in this upsidedown political season – that the Democratic nominee will be the city’s next mayor. It is a crowded candidate field, which our editorial board has narrowed down to four major candidates, for the clarity of our readers, based on electability, leadership and the quality of their ideas. These four candidates, all Democrats – Antonio French, Tishaura O. Jones, Lyda Krewson and Lewis Reed – all were offered an op-ed on our editorial page, in strict rotation. If they all stay on schedule, before the March 7 primary election each will have had four commentaries printed in this paper since filing opened. Also, each week in our Political EYE column, we are asking all four candidates the same question at the same time, then printing their answers in the order received. We implore the public to read these candidate commentaries and these responses in the EYE, for they are very revealing of the candidates’ positions and the quality, depth and range of their thinking.

As anyone knows who is paying attention, only one of these major candidates, Krewson, is white. Given the historical pattern of voting in St. Louis – mostly along racial lines – the conventional political wisdom suggests that this primary election was hers to lose once the field had been cleared of other major white candidates. We simply don’t know what or whether arrangements or agreements were made with Gregg F.X. Daly, who has endorsed her, and Sam Dotson, who has not yet endorsed anyone, but anyone with practical experience of electoral politics suspects that arrangements or agreements were made. It has been reported that a similar secret meeting was convened, to clarify and narrow the field of black candidates in this race. In fact, we can confirm, there was such a meeting, though clearly it did not succeed in clarifying and narrowing the field.

With Donald Trump – unbelievably – installed as United States president, citizens are frequently hearing (Barack Obama, for one, keeps saying) that the future of our democracy is in our hands, more now than ever before, and if we don’t participate in our democracy as never before, we may lose it. That is also true here in St. Louis. The polls released to date show more voters are undecided than committed to voting for the consensus white candidate. Moreover, these same polls show that the aggregated votes of the three major black candidates dwarf her vote total. Though Krewson has adopted the call for “racial equity” that defined the Ferguson Commission, we can’t recall any time prior to this election that

Editorial /CommEntary

she appeared in our newspaper standing for racial equity. Her endorsement by the police union and call to put 300 more police officers on the streets – and 300 future police pensions on the city’s budget – was enough to make many doubt how thoroughgoing her pledge to greater “racial equity” as mayor would be. When she did not attend a candidate forum devoted to youth issues at Harris-Stowe State University, an icon in the city’s black community, we believe Krewson rendered dubious a claim to being a change candidate on the issue of racial equity. In any case, the next mayor needs to have credibility across the entire city.

St. Louis needs strong, fresh leadership committed to substantial change. There must be a shift from an old, unresponsive political order that has failed to capitalize more fully on the city’s unique strengths. Our next mayor should consider best practices in other cities, many of which have less competitive advantages than St. Louis, but have done a better job of addressing common problems than we have. That is why we thought that Jones’ travel at taxpayer expense for relevant meetings and conferences in other cities was worth defending (especially given that her major opponents for mayor all approved her travel budget and have their own taxpayerprovided expense funds, crucial facts that only we have reported). As we move close to March 7, it is essential that we all take a very close look at all of these candidates. Look at their record of innovation and performance in their current positions of leadership, as well as what they promise they will do as mayor in a rapidly changing, highly competitive environment. We need to know more about their plans for improved public safety, increased economic growth and job creation at all levels, as well as a prudent future use of public subsidies. It also is important for the voters to know who is supporting and funding their campaigns and what that support implies. We need to select the candidate who is most likely to help lead this city and region toward greater racial equity. This city needs a new generation of leadership, unbound by the remnants of the city’s deeply inbred, divisive politics. There will certainly not be an appropriate redressing of the grievances of our most marginalized population if the city remains trapped in a status quo that has never served the overall city very well. We cannot continue old politics and expect new, different results. Who is the candidate most likely to lead this city and region toward greater racial equity and –therefore, given the enormous waste of potential in our underdeveloped black community –greater prosperity? This is the question we must all ask and answer in the short time ahead, then vote accordingly.

Commentary

It matters that the crowd for the Women’s March on Washington was far bigger than that for President Trump’s inauguration. The new president often boasts of having started a great movement. Let it be the one that was born with Saturday’s massive protests.

If size is important, and apparently to Trump it is, there was no contest. The Metro transit system recorded 1,001,613 trips on the day of the protest, the second-heaviest ridership in history – surpassed only by former president Obama’s inauguration in 2009. By contrast, just 570,557 trips were taken Friday, when Trump took the oath of office.

Those are the true facts, not the “alternative” ones the administration wants you to believe. A president obsessed with winning began his term by losing.

I begin with crowd size because Saturday’s rallies and marches, in cities across the nation, were simply unprecedented. Perhaps half a million demonstrators, many wearing pink hats, filled the streets of Washington. Protests in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles also drew crowds measured in the hundreds of thousands, and there were big anti-Trump gatherings in Denver, Boston, Atlanta, Austin, San Antonio and other cities in the U.S. and around the world. The White House predictably tried to blame the messenger. “There is an obsession by the media to delegitimize this president, and we’re not going to sit around and let it happen,” Chief of Staff Reince Priebus complained to a skeptical

Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.”

If Trump believes journalists can be so easily cowed, he’s in for a long four years.

The president is skilled at diversionary tactics. He has been known to pitch a fit in order to draw attention away from news he finds inconvenient or embarrassing. Indeed, while his spokespeople have been spewing nonsense about television ratings and such, the administration has taken significant steps. Trump signed an executive order beginning the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act; withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact; imposed hiring and pay freezes for federal workers; and reimposed a ban (lifted by the Obama administration) on U.S. aid to family planning groups that provide or “promote” abortions overseas.

The fact that so many more people came to town to protest Trump’s presidency than to celebrate it is important. The new administration ignores the passion we saw on Saturday at its own peril. Remember that the tea party movement looked at first like nothing more than a rowdy, incoherent bunch of sore losers – until it swept Democrats out of power in the House in the 2010 midterm election. I covered some of those

Public safety requires a holistic approach

By Lyda Krewson Guest columnist

I have made it clear from day one of this campaign that my top priority as mayor will be neighborhood safety. In my last column I outlined several ways I intend to strengthen our police force by hiring more officers and providing updated equipment and training – training which will help heal the relationship between law enforcement and our communities.

But I also made clear that we will not police our way out of high crime rates and increasingly distressed neighborhoods. Making St. Louis safer will require a holistic approach with a renewed focus on preventative measures, making it easier for young people to stay engaged with their community.

I propose we double our investments in youth and recreation programs throughout the city. Providing additional revenue to community centers will allow us to expand access to sports, after school tutoring and other personal enrichment resources for young people. The widespread availability of such recreational opportunities will help kids connect with other kids in a healthy and productive way.

I believe we must also explore alternatives to prosecution and imprisonment to combat the growing problem of mass incarceration in St.

Louis. In my first budget, I will recommend that the City provide up to $2 million per year for a challenge grant to city prosecutors. The funds will be available for programs that create alternatives to felony convictions for youthful, nonviolent offenders. For example, expanding the use of drugcourts to provide opportunities for those individuals to avoid incarceration and find another path.

I will oppose legislation and public policy that makes it easier to criminalize students in school. “Zero tolerance” policies have done nothing to reduce the school-toprison pipeline – and in Missouri, they have led to some of the widest racial disparities for suspensions in the country.

We have seen time and time again that exposure to the criminal justice system at an impressionable age can have tragic consequences. That’s why I will seek reforms for outdated criminal justice models such as the cash bail system, which disproportionately punishes poor people and minorities. Targeted reforms will allow us to be more strategic with our limited law enforcement

Letters to the editor

Higher education takes a major blow

early tea party rallies, and I saw similar levels of energy and engagement – and, yes, anger – at the women’s march. The millions who participated nationwide now constitute the kind of broad-based network that can be harnessed into effective political action. The Trump administration can haughtily dismiss the dissenters by saying, as the Obama administration once did, that elections have consequences. But the next election is right around the corner.

If progressives are going to recreate the tea party’s success, Saturday’s multitudes will have to begin organizing at the local level. The movement will look to lions such as Vermont’s independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., for guidance, but ultimately must find younger leadership with fresh ideas. The Democratic establishment now faces the same existential dilemma that the Republican establishment had to confront: adapt or step aside. We are in the midst of a political realignment that is nowhere near complete, and it is more important than ever that progressive voices make themselves heard. We still need universal health care. We still need to reduce inequality. We still need to eliminate poverty. We still need to move toward a clean-energy economy. We still need immigration reform and criminal justice reform. And always remember: If Donald Trump can become president, nothing is impossible.

It seems that when millions of dollars need to be cut, education, health care, and social and family services are always the starting point – this time is no different. While the governor assured us that no cuts will be made to K-12, higher education will take a major blow. The spending restrictions include almost $56 million in core funding for four-year institutions and hundreds of thousands of dollars for teaching development and health care services like those related to obesity and women’s health. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support our colleges and universities so that they can have the necessary resources to provide a great education.

State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed St. Louis

Rising tide raises all ships

It is wonderful to see the options for quality education continue to expand for students in St. Louis. When it comes to ensuring the city’s youth get the best education possible, we are all in this work together.

Reaccreditation of Saint Louis Public Schools was a positive improvement for parents, whether their children attended city schools or any of the numerous charter schools, which have offered quality education choices for more than 15 years. A rising tide raises all ships. We look forward to working with the district and other charter schools to make sure that every child in the city of St. Louis has access to a great education.

Mike Malone, executive director St. Louis College Prep

Positive energy and determination

Lyda Krewson’s husband was shot and killed during a

resources and help strengthen the trust between law enforcement and the public. We also know that violence begets violence. I will collaborate with city and state agencies, nonprofits, schools and law enforcement to provide mental health services and other assistance for children who have experienced some trauma.

Finally, there are very few things a good job can’t cure; we all know the best crime deterrent is economic independence. My administration will connect people with jobs by expanding access to public transportation. And I will expand access to quality education by working with our K-12 schools and higher education community to make sure we have a skilled and educated workforce ready to take on the work that’s already here. If we stay focused on these priorities we will bring a virtuous cycle to St. Louis. A quality education, good paying jobs, stable housing and less crime are all closely linked. I believe all of these policies will make strides toward not only more racial equity in St. Louis, but safer, more stable and more integrated neighborhoods all across our city.

Lyda Krewson, alderman for the 28th Ward, is a Democratic candidate for mayor in the March 7 primary election

robbery outside of her home in the presence of her and her children. She could have succumbed to fear and anger and fled the city but she did none of that. She continued living in the same home, where she raised her children while going on to become a highly successful business woman and alderwoman of the highly dynamic and diverse Central West End’s 28th Ward. Lyda will carry her positive energy and determination to improve, grow and make the City of St. Louis that she loves flourish. She truly understands the number one priority for this city is safety and is determined to increase the number of police, while also attacking the root causes of crime including poverty, jobs and the need for better education.

Sharon Sahaida St. Louis

‘Ostrich’ can’t be Labor secretary

Andrew Puzder, the president’s nominee to lead the Department of Labor, has responded to criticism of his record as chief executive at CKE Restaurants with the digital equivalent of sticking one’s fingers in one’s ears. By blocking on Twitter key labor leaders like SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry and think-tanks like the National Employment Law Project, Mr. Puzder has doubled down on his antipathy towards the rights and dignity of tens of millions of working people. We need a Labor secretary who can take the pressure of public scrutiny, not an ostrich who sticks his head in the sand each time the wind changes direction. As working people continue to lose billions of dollars each year to wage theft and injuries on the job, it’s more important than ever to have a Labor Secretary who will stand up for working people against people like … Andrew Puzder. If Andrew Puzder is unable to participate in a healthy debate regarding his record, he is patently unqualified to serve as Labor secretary.

Laura Barrett, executive director Interfaith Worker Justice

Guest Columnist Lyda Krewson

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Leading the MLK Parade

January 16, a national holiday in Dr. King’s honor. Whittaker has led the parade for the past 23 years.

Normandy to host School Progress Celebration

Normandy Schools

Collaborative will host a School Progress Celebration 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 26 at Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex, 7837 Natural Bridge Rd. Principals from each school will give two brief presentations that will last approximately 20 minutes each. Parents and attendees are welcome to ask questions and provide feedback during these presentations. There will also be a 30-minute public comments session.

High School Poetry Contest offers cash prizes

The St. Louis Poetry Center is now accepting submissions for the 2017 Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest.

Eligible poets must be high school students living within 100 miles of St. Louis. They must submit up to three poems that have not won any awards and include the author’s name (no pen name required) and email address on each poem. Poems already published in a high school publication can be submitted.

Enclose a separate document with the author’s name, street address, phone number, email address, high school, grade, teacher’s name (if he or she encouraged or assigned the poems), and titles of submitted poems.

Mail entries to: St. Louis Poetry Center, Hopkins High School Poetry Contest, PO Box 300167, St. Louis, MO 63130. Contestants also can email entries to hopkins.contest@stlouispoetrycenter.org. Please attach poems and the author information sheet as separate Word documents. The email and postmark deadline is March 1. There is no entry fee.

Winners receive cash prizes — $200 for first place, $125 for second, and $75 for third — and have the opportunity to read their work at an awards ceremony on May 7. They and contestants cited for honorable mentions receive a complimentary chapbook featuring their poems.

The judge this year is Robert Stewart, the longtime editor of New Letters magazine and New Letters on the Air

For more information, contact contest coordinator Robert Lowes at 314413-4507 or hopkins.contest@stlouispoetrycenter.org.

Support from the people is crucial

St. Louis’ first black chief prosecutor reflects on criminal justice reform

By Kimberly Gardner Guest columnist

I was recently sworn-in as the first African-American circuit attorney in our city’s 253-year history. It was humbling for this to happen in front of an over-flow crowd in St. Louis’ historic Old Court House.

This is a place where the highest court in Missouri refused to grant a black married couple the rights of citizenship because of their African heritage. It is the same place where the Missouri Supreme Court denied a Missouri woman the right to vote.

So for an African-American woman to be elected as the city’s chief prosecutor is a significant moment in St. Louis’ history. As noteworthy as this accomplishment may be, it is the future safety and welfare of our city’s residents that are my focus.

My taking office represents the first transition of an incoming circuit attorney who was not a current member of the office in over a half a century. On the positive side, past transfers of power created a level of reliability and continuity. On the other hand, it has created an organizational mindset that requires change to meet the significant challenges that presently face our city.

After the events of Ferguson, the public has a new expectation for the prosecutor’s role. That expectation expands the prosecutor’s role beyond the important task of prosecuting criminals, but includes using its unique prosecutorial tools to help prevent and reduce crime

To bring about the necessary change will require a deliberate and well-thought-out approach that will upset the status quo and business as usual. It will involve organizational restructuring and personnel changes. This may concern some that have comfort in the status quo. Please be assured, I understand the risk of upsetting the delicate balance of stakeholder cooperation and organizational competence required to achieve and to keep my commitment to reform our criminal justice system.

To address this risk, I have appointed a diverse executive team that consists of some of the most experienced and well-respected attorneys in Missouri. They have extensive experience working in St. Louis and sizeable number of jurisdictions throughout our state. In addition, I have sought advice and counsel from many of the top prosecutor offices throughout our nation. Although advice is important, it is the people’s support that is the most crucial element to the success of my efforts to reform our justice system in St. Louis. The ability to forge working relationships with law enforcement, judges and other stakeholders is also important in this change effort. The success of my efforts is dependent on enhancing the trust of the people and in the ability of the circuit attorney’s office to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the many challenges of change.

Kimberly Gardner is the circuit attorney for the City of St. Louis.

Kimberly Gardner

Bill Whittaker led the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Parade in downtown St. Louis on Monday,

Photo by Wiley Price

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list of those now to give those to the city. They need to be secured right away.”

Rev. Clyde Crumpton, pastor of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, said one way the city can help is to provide churches and nonprofits access to these vacant buildings for development.

“There is a need for lowincome housing,” Crumpton said. “We are presenting ourselves to help in that development process to prepare houses for families who are in need.”

According to police, Taylor left her residence in the 5300 block of Labadie at approximately 6:10 a.m. to walk to the bus stop. Taylor typically walked south on Abner Place, to Terry Avenue where she would meet a friend to walk to the bus stop at Maffitt Avenue and Union Boulevard. She never showed up at her friend’s house or at Carr Lane Middle School. Kameill’s mother, Shonta Taylor, told police it is unusual behavior, and she has never disappeared before.

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the issue of policing, several candidates – Lewis Reed, currently president of the Board of Aldermen; Jones; and French – said they did not approve of Police Chief Sam Dotson. French was the most outspoken, declaring he would replace Dotson on his first day if elected.

Reed was asked to name the two most important issues facing St. Louis today.

“Public safety and economic empowerment,” he said.

“If we want people to do better, we have to give them opportunities, and that’s what

Police and the FBI were searching through all abandoned buildings when they found her alone in the building late that Friday, January 13. On January 21, police announced that they had arrested a suspect, Tyrone Butler, 20, of the 2800 block of Abner Place. The Circuit Attorney’s Office issued warrants for two counts of

cities do.”

Several candidates were asked what accomplishment they were most proud of as a public servant. French cited the creation of several after-school facilities which serve children in North City. Reed mentioned the recent accreditation of Saint Louis Public schools; he appointed one of the three members of the Special Administrative Board that steered the district back to accreditation.

Each candidate was given a two-minute opportunity to speak as the debate concluded. French focused on police accountability and bridging the North-South divide in the city. Jones said in closing, “We have to make sure the Ferguson

assault in the first degree, sodomy, kidnapping and armed criminal action. A judge ordered a $500,000 cash-only bond.

At the press conference, resident Benita Tops questioned why she didn’t receive an Amber Alert for Taylor.

“We have several missing girls,” Tops said. “I’ve never seen an Amber Alert for a child

Commission Report doesn’t just sit on a shelf and collect dust. We want to implement all of the calls to action in the Ferguson Commission report, and that happens with a strong mayor.”

Krewson told The American that she looks forward to participating in a number of debates over the next several weeks, including one co-sponsored by The American on Wednesday, February 22 at the Sheldon.

“I do think it is important to communicate with AfricanAmerican voters, which is why I have been campaigning all over the our city – North to South, East to West – and will continue to do so,” she said.

Azim Aziz and a group of about 15 residents stood on the steps of the abandoned building at 5325 Terry Ave in North St. Louis, where Kameill Taylor was found. They vowed to hold neighborhood patrols every morning to ensure children get safely to their bus stops and schools.

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

there is some concrete evidence – eyewitnesses or camera surveillance – that the child has been kidnapped, they will not issue an Amber Alert. If not, there would be 100 alerts every year for missing children, many who are runaways, he said.

of color.”

A police spokesperson said the case did not meet the criteria to issue an alert and provided an online link to the necessary criteria. It states that, “There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an ‘abduction’ has occurred.”

Commander of the Juvenile Division Perri Johnson explained further that unless

However, Gloria Muhammad, a candidate for Ward 3 alderman in the March 7 primary election, said those guidelines may need to be changed.

“There are several children who come to mind who were listed as ‘missing’ and it was later determined that they were abducted,” Muhammad said.

“[Taylor’s] time in peril may have been reduced or

eliminated if there had been an Amber Alert.”

On January 14, Kameill’s uncle, Andrew Black Jr., established an online fundraising page to help the family with her costs of her recovery.

“As a family, we’ve recently experienced heartbreaking turmoil and trauma,” Black wrote on the page. “With God Almighty being in control, wounds will heal and scars will fade away! Her mother, Shonta Taylor has been an outstanding warrior standing firm during this whole ordeal.”

Aziz said that they are all praying for the Taylors and Kameill’s recovery.

“I have a daughter,” Aziz said. “The best way that I can protect my daughter is to protect your daughter. We cannot just be concerned about ourselves. We have to be concerned about each other.”

The fundraising account for the Taylor family is at www. gofundme.com/kameill-taylorsrecovery. Those interested in learning more or participating in the neighborhood patrol are encouraged to call Azim Aziz at 314-499-4200 or emailing Azim.aziz@yahoo.com.

Andrew Jones, Jimmie Mathews, Jim Osher and Lewis Reed listened to fellow St. Louis mayoral candidate Tishaura O. Jones field a question at a candidate forum for youth at HarrisStowe State University on Thursday, January 19.

Photo by Wiley Price

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that landfills, garbage dumps, incinerators and oil refineries clustered around black poor and minority neighborhoods in Houston and other population centers in the U.S. at Washington University School of Medicine’s 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Lecture on January 16.

Bullard, former dean and now distinguished professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at TSU in Houston, delivered a talk titled “Environmental Justice: A Path to Ensuring Healthier Communities for All.”

“Black lives matter,” Bullard said. “Black communities matter. They have always mattered. It’s not a political statement; it doesn’t mean that other communities don’t matter… it doesn’t mean that other lives don’t matter. But it is something insidious about racism in this country that devalues communities and says that your community is compatible with garbage.”

He said the United Church of

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who looked at aerial shots said between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended.

A diverse line of women led the march, including ChappelleNadal, chanting, “Women’s rights are human rights.” The long line behind them carried signs like “Love Trumps Hate” and “Not my president.” One group marched topless with joined hands and statements printed on their bodies, including, “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice, No Peace.”

“Our strength has nothing to do with anyone but ourselves,” said Macy, a young black

Christ Commission for Racial Justice conducted the first national study documenting the racial dynamics of pollution and toxic waste siting.

“They found that race was the most important factor determining where these facilities are located – not income, not property values,” or how many are rented, Bullard said. “It was race that was the most potent variable.” His book, “Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality” (1990), was the first to document the injustice, and has been used as a textbook.

woman who spoke in support of Planned Parenthood. “We are here to represent women and any marginalized group who is affected by this presidency.”

Brinkman said that she put out a call on social media to plan a St. Louis march after learning about the main march in Washington, D.C. and immediately received support. Though the core planners didn’t know each other, they joined together to make it happen in only seven weeks. The march itself proves what women can do when they unite, Brinkman said.

“Today we march together,” Brinkman said. “Today we find allies. It is time to stop being complacent.”

The march’s website states

Bullard was one of the leaders who planned the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C. in 1991. It adopted 17 principles of Environmental Justice.

A 1999 Institute of Medicine study backed with science what environmental justice advocates had said was happening in poor communities all along.

“It found that people of color in low-income communities were exposed to higher levels of pollution than the rest of the nation,” Bullard said. Moreover, persons

David Perlmutter, the new dean and executive vice chancellor of medical affairs at Washington University School of Medicine, its Dean of Diversity Will Ross, and Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton visited with Robert D. Bullard when he delivered the medical school’s 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Lecture on January 16.

Photo by Lois Ingram

living in those communities contract certain diseases more than people in poor white communities. Bullard said, “And it goes parallel to people saying, ‘I’m sick, and I think I know what’s making me sick. I just can’t prove it.’” Bullard added that a study 20 years later showed that things are getting worse. “Fifty six percent of the residents who live in a twomile radius of a hazardous waste facility are people of color. When you add two or more facilities, that number jumps to 69 percent,” Bullard

n “Today we march together,” Brinkman said. “Today we find allies. It is time to stop being complacent.”

– Valerie Brinkman

said. “We make up only 37 percent of the population. We are getting more than our fair share of pollution.”

He said there is a correlation between exploitation of land and exploitation of people. He and other researchers went back and traced the slow response of government to disasters in poor and black communities for decades before Hurricane Katrina.

“We looked at all kinds of hazards and emergencies and found that some communities just happened to have the wrong complexion for protection,” Bullard said. Bullard pointed out there is inequality in the air you breathe.

“A study done at the University of Minnesota found that people of color breathe 38 percent more pollution than whites,” Bullard said. “Blacks are 79 percent more likely than whites to live where industrial pollution poses the greatest risks.”

He pointed out several locations in the U.S. where communities of color and schools serving their children are sandwiched near refineries.

“Studies are showing that pollution impacts learning and student IQ and achievement,”

Both women running for St. Louis mayor, Lyda Krewson and Tishaura O. Jones, marched.

Bullard said. “When you clean up the cities, there are benefits. And the cities who have done the best have five more months of lifespan.”

During a question and answer session, Bullard talked about how young people can become involved in the environmental justice movement.

“It’s important that we mentor young people and that they have opportunities in our universities, our nongovernmental organizations and in our faith-based organizations to work on these issues,” Bullard said. “It’s great to go to all the way to the rainforest in Brazil to work on these issues, but it’s also very important to understand there are probably issues in North St. Louis that we could work on in terms of environmental and health.” When asked about what he would like to see from the new administration, Bullard said maintaining a strong Environmental Protection Agency is critical to the nation’s health. “Turning back on protections is a fast track to the hospital and to the graveyard,” Bullard said. “We are going to be fighting to maintain regulations in terms of clean air, clean water, and protection in terms of land.”

that the organizing group is called DefendHERS and is

“a non-partisan organization aiming to engage the St. Louis community in the fight for social justice for women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, those with diverse religious convictions, those with disabilities, the

economically disadvantaged and survivors of sexual assault.” The march is their first step in this commitment, the website states.

At the rally, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill thanked the crowd for their passion. “We need you,” McCaskill said. “We need every one of you.”

“It was fun and inspiring to see so many friends, young women, older women, black women, white women, and even many men, all coming together out of concern for the direction of our world,” Krewson told The American “Look what happens when women organize.” Jones told The American that “a woman’s place is in the resistance” and she was proud to participate with her son, yet was disappointed that organizers did not reach out sooner to women of color or to more established female leaders.

“What was a good crowd could have been a much more diverse crowd twice that large,” Jones said. “It was a lesson among friends: Being ‘One St. Louis’ means including everyone from the beginning.” When Ferguson activist De Andrea Nichols stepped up to the podium, she called the crowd to action.

“We believe that it is our duty to fight for freedom,” Nichols said. “When we say these words, that it is our duty to fight for our freedom, we make a deep, collective commitment. We commit to looking beyond our individual selves and pushing for the needs and humanity for each and every person in this struggle with us.”

Dr. Louis A. Rice to keynote Delta Founders Day

Dr. Louise A. Rice, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 23rd National President, will give the keynote address at the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter’s 2017 Founders Day Luncheon on Saturday, February 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel. The weekend celebration will conclude with an Ecumenical Service on Sunday, February 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m., at the New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church. This year’s Theme: “St. Louis Alumnae: 90 Years of Empowerment, Service and Sisterhood”

The dynamic Dr. Rice’s commitment to Delta, over the past 30 years, has been constant. Prior to becoming National President she served as National First Vice President and Chair of the Scholarship and Standards Committee, Chair of the Leadership Academy, National Secretary and Director, Southern Region. Under her leadership, the Sorority established the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force to facilitate the needs of Gulf Coast residents affected by the national disaster. Additionally, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. made a major commitment to three historically black colleges and universities that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Collectively, $700,000 was awarded over a four year period to the universities with a total of more than $1.2 million dollars awarded to agencies, organizations, members and other residents of the affected Gulf areas.

Dr. Rice holds a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Reading Education from the University of Georgia in Athens. Her

professional success is extraordinary, and at the same time, she has maintained a keen sense of the necessity to remain committed to public service and community involvement. This is evidenced by her continued commitment to and support of a number of non-profit boards and agencies.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a non-profit public service organization based on Christian principles with a membership of more than 300,000 college educated women in the United States and abroad. The organization is dedicated to Social Welfare, Cultural Enrichment, and Academic Excellence. The ticket cost for nonfinancial members and guests is $60.00, $40 for collegiate members. For ticket information, contact Kim Banks-Taylor at ekbdst@gmail.com or (314) 637-6869.

Kim Banks-Taylor is Luncheon Chairperson, Rita Logan, and JoAnna Schooler are Co-Chairpersons, and Phyllis Russell-Smith is Chapter President.

Concerned with how new laws affect school fights?

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

A local non-profit has stepped forward to mediate between parents, police and school districts regarding enforcement of new changes in Missouri’s criminal code that could influence school discipline and law enforcement involvement in school fights.

The Education Exchange Corps (EEC) has an online form for families and school staff throughout the state to report any problems they are encountering with how school fights are treated in 2017. Families who believe their children are improperly charged with felonies for school fights can report their concerns to the EEC, which will act as mediator.

Already, Elad Gross, president of the EEC, has been meeting with school districts and contacting police departments to make sure the changes in law are properly understood.

“After looking closely at the new laws and speaking with officials throughout Missouri, we strongly believe that the new laws do not support increased prosecution

Non-profit wants to hear from parents who think new laws are applied unfairly

n “These laws do not allow kids to be treated differently in 2017 than they were treated in 2016 for school ights.”

– Elad Gross, president of the EEC

All reports should be made through the EEC website at www.edexco.org/report. The EEC will contact the reporter, and, potentially, area schools and law enforcement officers, to try to resolve any misunderstandings.

“We’re trying to get accurate information out to families and schools so kids will be protected,” Gross said. The Education Exchange Corps (www.EdExCo.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing underserved children with better educational opportunities.

of children for school fights,” Gross said. “We must make sure that families, school districts and law enforcement officers know that these laws do not allow kids to be treated differently in 2017 than they were treated in 2016 for school fights.” For families and others who believe a child is being prosecuted for a felony improperly, they can report the issue to the EEC, and staff members there will work to resolve the situation. School staff can also report issues they see during this process to the EEC.

Everett Webb passes at 75

Everett Webb, son of the late Normal “Tweed” Webb, a black baseball historian, passed away at the age of 75 on January 12, 2017. He graduated from Vashon High School in 1941. Everett was a five-time golden glove champion. He was very talented. He played

the piano and was in a singing group called the Ardells. He wrote, but sold the rights to, the popular song “Express Yourself” that is played on commercials today.

Everett will be missed by his devoted daughter Sherry, son Everett Marcus, two

sisters, two brothers, four grandchildren, and a host of relatives. Services will be held at Granberry Mortuary on Saturday, January 28. Visitation from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m.

Dr. Louise A. Rice

What does Local 73’s endorsement of Lewis Reed mean?

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 73 endorsed Lewis Reed for mayor. The EYE asked Reed and the other three major mayoral candidates – Antonio D. French, Tishaura O. Jones and Lyda Krewson– the following questions in the same group email.

What does it mean for Lewis and his candidacy that he got their endorsement?

What does it mean in terms of racial equity, given the black firefighters’ historic grievances against Local 73 and what F.I.R.E. has claimed is Local 73’s efforts to stymy diversity in the department? (You can argue against this premise if you think F.I.R.E. is wrong.)

What would you do as mayor to address the historic and continuing complaint by black firefighters that the fire department does not reflect the diversity of the city? Finally: Local 73 credits Lewis with fighting for their pensions. St. Louis like many cities is said to have a looming funding shortfall connected to pension commitments. As mayor, what would you do to address a possible crisis over funding pensions?

Lewis Reed

preserve firefighter pensions than me. I assume Local 73 leadership made the political calculation that even when Reed loses again for mayor, he will still be in an important role as president of the Board of Aldermen. Unlike Reed or any other candidate, I’m giving up my seat (as 21st Ward alderman) to run for mayor. But I’m also confident that firefighters and their families will remember on Election Day who was really there in those meetings fighting Slay’s attempt to cut their pensions and break the city’s promise to take care of those who put their lives on the line for our city every day,” French said.

Black Caucus elects new leaders

Lyda Krewson responded first.

“I strongly support our firefighters and first responders,” Krewson said.

“As mayor, I will work closely with Local 73 and leadership from F.I.R.E. wherever possible to make St. Louis safer. All public policy should be viewed through a racial equity lens. As mayor, diversity and inclusion in all departments will be a priority. As mayor I will push for racial equity in the department and across the public sector so as to reflect the diversity of our city. The current status of our firefighters’ pension system is well funded, and we must work collaboratively to maintain its stability.”

Antonio French responded next.

“No one fought harder to

“As for the racial divide among firefighters, the same divide exists in the police department and, frankly, in our entire city. If our city is going to move beyond our longstanding racial divisions, we need a mayor who truly represents the interests of the entire city. Lyda Krewson is not that person. She has no record at all of fighting for the interests of black people, poor white people, the homeless, the unemployed, or the underemployed. She and her ward have benefited from the gross disparities that exist in our city. She proudly represents ‘the haves’ in a city full of ‘have nots.’”

Tishaura O. Jones responded next.

“Local 73, a predominantly white union in a predominantly white fire department, is probably right to endorse Reed in this race. He has promised to roll back the reforms to a bloated pension system that the Board of Aldermen enacted several years ago. My consistent question has always been: Where will we find the money to do so?” Jones said.

“We also have a looming crisis for the city employees’ pension system that needs to be addressed in an era of giving away tax abatements and TIFs like Halloween candy. Reed and the old guard have historically agreed on

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus has elected its new leadership: chairman, state Rep. Alan Green, D-St. Louis; vice chair, state Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin; secretary, state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., D-St. Louis; and treasurer, state Rep. Steve Roberts, D-St. Louis. The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus represents 22 diverse districts and more than one out of every seven Missourians. The remaining caucus members are state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, state Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, state Rep. Gail McCann Beatty, state Rep. Karla May, state Rep. Brandon Ellington, state Rep. Joe Adams, state Rep. Courtney Allen Curtis, state Rep. Randy D. Dunn, state Rep. Alan Gray, state Rep. Clem Smith, state Rep. Jay Mosley, state Rep. Richard Brown, state Rep. Jerome Barnes, state Rep. Tommie Pierson Jr., state Rep. Michael Butler, state Rep. Cora Faith Walker and state Rep. DaRon McGee.

a variety of issues, including their opposition to changes that would ensure that younger firefighters, who are more likely to be African-American, could be better compensated than they are and deployed more efficiently. I have also never understood why the department has not made more of an effort to hire more physically capable women and more African-American men. When I talked to them, I told them that I admire the work that firefighters do, but these practices are shortsighted and unfair. Both are consistent with a fear of doing things differently. Using a racial equity lens means that everything city government does is going be examined for its impact on the community. Reed is never going to do anything differently. And the city’s $20 million budget shortfall will just get bigger.”

Lewis Reed responded last.

“I am proud to have the support of Local 73 and the members of the firefighters union as they will provide great support in my candidacy for mayor. My entire career

in public service has been about uniting groups and people to focus on positive solutions. Local 73 is one of the few unions in our area to have an African American (Demetris “Al” Alfred) serving as president. Four years ago I had the endorsement of both Local 73 and F.I.R.E. From what I have been told by officials at F.I.R.E, the organization will not make an endorsement in this campaign. I know that both groups take their profession very seriously and want to see this city get better and I will remain committed to unifying the City of St. Louis and bringing people together,” Reed said.

“A few years back, as a member of the Board of E&A, I voted in favor of a resolution that contained specific testing and reporting guidelines to make the firefighter exam testing and scoring process more transparent, objective and fair. That resolution had the support of both F.I.R.E. and Local 73 officials. The personnel director, who reports directly to the mayor, chose not to follow the guidelines. As

mayor, I would demand from the director of personnel a fair, transparent, and objective process – with all employee tests and promotions. It will take many years to make a dent in and turn around the damage that the current administration has done to the African-American community on numerous levels. It is up to the person in the mayor’s seat to bring about this change,” Reed continued.

“I fought for the pensions of all of the hardworking members of the fire department because I knew it was the right thing to do. You cannot make promises to employees and then pull the rug from under their feet. There were some changes that the firefighters were willing to agree with, but the administration chose an ‘all or nothing’ approach to the problem. You have to bring people to the table and negotiate. We can’t always look to employees to shoulder the burden when there are many other areas of spending in city government where we can be more efficient without cutting

city services.”

NARAL endorses Tishaura

NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri endorsed Tishaura O. Jones for mayor.

Tishaura O. Jones

“Tishaura Jones trusts Missouri’s women to make our own decisions about our health care and our families. She knows that women’s healthcare, including access to safe and legal abortion, are matters that are best left between a woman, her family, and her doctor, not politicians,” said Alison Dreith, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. “Ms. Jones has been a champion for women and families throughout her career, including in the state legislature and in the treasurer’s office. Time and time again, she has shared her own reproductive health story, as a patient at Planned Parenthood, and we trust her to protect and expand women’s rights, in St. Louis City, where the state’s last remaining abortion clinic stands.”

Fear of a black mayor

By Eric E. Vickers Guest columnist

The black community of St. Louis – i.e. the predominant and the predominantly poor populace of this city – should suffer no illusion that whites see racial harmony as a priority in this politically polarized town. They seek first and foremost to be in power. To be more specific, come this spring, the very last thing those in power – who, we must acknowledge, are almost exclusively white – want to see is a black person leading this city as its mayor. For them, the stakes are too high to trust power in the hands of someone who might think that serving the city’s underserved blacks has a higher calling than bending to and bankrolling the re-gentrification agenda of white developers. They are unyielding in their aim to preserve a lock on the mayor’s office. This grip can be traced back to when the white community coalesced in 1997 to oust the city’s first black mayor, Freeman Bosley Jr. Adding then to their discomfort in being for the first time under the rule of a black mayor was their disdain for the city’s finances being under the control of an outspoken black comptroller, Virvus Jones, who neither genuflected to them nor continued the practice of awarding city contracts solely to whites.

The peculiarity of St. Louis’ racism is that it operates under a veil, disguising itself with token blacks in visible positions, gestures of altruism to black organizations, whispers of maintaining white power, and denial that race is ever a factor.

To illustrate, when two decades ago the city’s white power structure decided the black incumbent mayor had to go, it was careful to not make it appear a racial issue. Cleverly, they recruited, funded, and created a white following for a black who had never held elective office, Clarence Harmon. He decisively toppled the black mayor by getting virtually all the white vote and

n The effect of this veiled political orchestration is that it has created cynicism among blacks about the chances of electing a black mayor.

a tiny fraction of the black vote. Yes, he could rightfully then claim to be the city’s second black mayor, though in reality he was, to put it in the black vernacular, the white folks’ mayor. And whites showed him such four years later when they turned completely against him to support a white candidate –the current mayor. The manner in which they turned against him left no doubt that he was just a tool they used to remove the first black mayor, as his re-election effort has to be in the Guinness Book of Records for the lowest percentage of votes ever received by an incumbent American mayor – 5 percent.

Fast-forward to the 2017 mayoral election and we see the same elements to perpetuate white power at play. First, the prominent whites who had announced their intent to seek the open seat mysteriously dropped out, leaving now only one white candidate with political stature in the race. Second, as the white candidates dropped out, strangely, more blacks hopped in. The effect of this veiled political orchestration is that

it has created cynicism among blacks about the chances of electing a black mayor because seemingly the black vote will be split and the white vote a monolith. This scenario, I would suggest, is deliberately designed to thwart the main weapon that blacks possess to elect a black mayor: numbers.

The little-discussed numerical fact is that in the city there are more blacks registered to vote who are Democrats than whites. And with the primary election being the decisive election for mayor, if blacks turn out to vote in the March 7 primary in high numbers – like, for instance, the 58 percent black turnout this past November – then a black person can once again occupy Room 200 at City Hall. What will convert this “if” from the hypothetical to the material is the black community uniting behind one black candidate. And what will cause that unity is a subject for future discussion.

Eric E. Vickers is an attorney, activist and former chief of staff for state Senator Jamilah Nasheed.

Teen production shows the realities of slavery in St. Louis

The Teens Make History Players rehearse a scene from “Nobody’s Boy.” They perform “Nobody’s Boy” on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. through April 15, though there will be no performance on April 8.

‘Nobody’s

Boy’ at History Museum on Saturdays through April 15

By Ellen Kuhn For The St. Louis American

Earlier this month, the Teens Make History Players opened the play “Nobody’s Boy” at the Missouri History Museum. It’s actually an old Teens Make History play, written nearly a decade ago by our first group of teen apprentices. Our current Teens Make History Players decided to produce “Nobody’s Boy” again because the story still strongly resonates with them.

Inspired by the book “Nobody’s Boy” by Jennifer Fleischner, the play tells the story of an enslaved boy named George and his mother, Elizabeth Keckly, who lived in St. Louis in the years leading up to the Civil War. At the time, St. Louis’s African-American community numbered in the thousands and was a mix of both enslaved and free people.

The 1850s was a turbulent decade in St. Louis’s history as tensions over slavery heightened. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 strengthened laws that required runaway slaves in the North to be returned to their owners. By the end of the decade, the Dred Scott case had made its way through the courts and ended in a ruling that said slaves were not citizens of the United States.

“Nobody’s Boy” follows George as he faces the realities of slavery in the 1850s, such as the sale of his good friend William and his mother’s attempt to buy their freedom. While William’s family decides that they must flee to obtain their freedom, George’s mother, Elizabeth, uses her skills and position as a dressmaker to earn enough money – $1,200, a large sum at the time – to buy their freedom. When he’s finally free, George decides to help others escape from slavery.

The play’s characters and different plotlines showcase the agency of enslaved persons as well as the range of responses that existed within the institution of slavery: Some escaped, some bought their freedom, and some stayed and risked their own lives to help others along the path to freedom.

Although the book and the play are fictional, “Nobody’s Boy” is based on real people and real events – most notably, the life of George’s mother, Elizabeth Keckly. Elizabeth is now best known for what she accomplished in the years after she bought her freedom: She was Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker. Elizabeth is among the most famous slaves who bought their freedom, but many of the teen apprentices were unfamiliar with that option until they prepared for their performance by researching primary and secondary sources.

“It surprised me that Elizabeth told her master she would rather buy her freedom than run away, considering that the money she made making dresses went to her master, Hugh Garland,” said Kendal, a junior at Lutheran High School North who plays Elizabeth in “Nobody’s Boy.” “This is important because it shows how hard slaves worked to get what they wanted.”

The Teens Make History Players also researched slavery in St. Louis in the 1850s to learn more about the play’s historical context. Because St. Louis was a bustling, growing city, slavery here was different from slavery in the Deep South’s agricultural areas – the type of slavery the teens were most familiar with prior to producing “Nobody’s Boy.” Despite regional differences, slavery had a profound and devastating impact on the lives of enslaved persons everywhere.

Davion, a senior at University City High School, feels that this emotional toll is critical to share with audiences. “It’s important that we produce this play now because it gives a more in-depth and personal look at how slaves felt emotionally,” he said. “For example, mothers had to witness their children being sold right before their eyes, and there was nothing they could do about it.” Ultimately, the museum theatre actors hope to inspire these types of personal connections to the past.

The Teens Make History Players perform “Nobody’s Boy” on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. The play will run through Saturday, April 15, though there will be no performance on April 8. Performances are held in the Seeking St. Louis: Currents gallery on the second level of the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. The production moves throughout the gallery, so be prepared to walk with the actors during this 15-minute play. We hope you will join us in the coming months!

Guest Columnist Eric E. Vickers

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of American

‘Our responsibility is the best educational decision for the children’

By Camille Phillips Of St. Louis Public Radio

Even though the St. Louis public school system is now fully accredited, the city school district continues to be run by a state-appointed board.

Conversations with state board of education members indicate that it could remain that way for a while.

By Missouri law, the state board was able to take control of the district in 2007 when it declared the district unaccredited. But the statute, which only applies to the City of St. Louis, also gives the state a great deal of leeway in deciding when the appointed Special Administrative Board has “accomplished its purpose.”

“For me, and I think the constitution and the statute dictate, our responsibility is the best educational decision for the children, not the governance preference of the adults,” said Mike Jones, a member of the State Board of Education from St. Louis.

In his opinion, Jones said the SAB would have fulfilled its purpose when there is “an elected board that can maintain the integrity and progress of the educational environment that has been established.”

Fellow state board member Vic Lenz of St. Louis County also said leadership stability was part of the criteria for returning power to the elected board.

Earlier this month, the state board gave a lot of credit to the SAB for creating the stability Saint Louis Public Schools needed to regain accreditation.

“Prior to the time that they hired (Superintendent) Kelvin (Adams) and the SAB was running the district, I think they had like six superintendents in a five-year period. And that doesn’t call for much stability within the district and the city,”

n

“Our responsibility is the best educational decision for the children, not the governance preference of the adults.”

– Mike Jones, State Board of Education

Lenz said. The state board renewed the SAB for three years last February, authorizing the appointed board to continue until 2019.

A few months later, the state board initiated meetings between representatives of the state, the SAB and the elected board to talk about transitioning power. Then in the fall, the state board put those talks

on hold after elected board member Bill Monroe tried to participate.

“After that breakdown because of that action by the one member of the elected board, it was pretty much determined by the state board that we would wait until after the election in the city, the April election, and see who the members of the board are, and at that point possibly try to re-institute that meeting,” said Lenz.

Monroe’s term on the elected school board ends in April. He is running for re-election.

Lenz and Jones both said the goal is to return power to the elected board. But they emphasized the need to make sure that transition occurs smoothly, and said the state board only has the authority to decide when the elected board can return to power.

“We do have the authority to make the decision,” Jones said. “We don’t have the authority to dictate the process of how that decision should be implemented. And for me, I don’t think you can disconnect the process from the decision.”

Lenz said April’s school board election will be important because the members voters choose could be on the board when it returns to power.

“Whoever is elected this April will be there for the next four years,” Lenz said, “and will most likely be involved in running the city schools someday in the future, in the near future.”

Follow Camille on Twitter: @cmpcamille.

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

Full disclosure: Mike Jones is a member of The St. Louis American’s editorial board.

By Kiara Bryant For the St. Louis American

In the month of February, we invite you to celebrate Black History Month through exploring different points of interest throughout St. Louis which honor the history and achievements of African Americans.

National Blues Museum, just under a year old, tells the story of the blues which many consider to be the foundation of American music. From the Deep South, African Americans brought the music north during the Great Migration and the blues spread becoming popular all over the world. Learn about the musicians, make music and experience the technological exhibits inside the museum.

Since its opening, the museum has garnered national acclaim from visitors and media outlets across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning, The New York Times and New York Daily News. If you’ve yet to venture inside of the museum, take a trip downtown, it’s located on Washington Avenue.

n At the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, you may step into the King of Ragtime’s home where he composed what would become legendary music.

Similarly, the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark. You may step into the King of Ragtime’s home where he composed what would become legendary music. The Griot Museum of Black History provides another opportunity for you and your family to learn about African American history. The museum features wax figures, artifacts and memorabilia with an emphasis on regional stories in relation to American history. “Griot” (pronounced “GREE-OH”) is a community historian who maintains cultural traditions through poetry, storytelling and music in some countries in West Africa.

Visit the Old Courthouse, and see the changes transforming the Gateway Arch grounds right before your eyes. Soon the Arch will be better connected to downtown. The Old Courthouse was the site of the notable Dred Scott v. Sanford court case. In 1846, Scott born a slave, unsuccessfully sued for his freedom. Afterwards, this case ultimately led to the Civil War and

would forever change America’s destiny. Inside the Old Courthouse you’ll find more history about this significant court case. The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration takes place every year in the spring. It is Missouri’s first nationally recognized Underground Railroad site located along the north St. Louis riverfront (4500 E. Prairie Ave.). Mary Meachum, a free woman of color and the widow of John Berry Meachum, spearheaded efforts in education. Mary took a stand against slavery and used her home as a depot for the Underground Railroad. In 1855, she was arrested for aiding in the attempted escape of nine slaves across the Mississippi River to freedom in Illinois. Hence the site is now named in her honor. We encourage you to visit the site and learn more information at www. marymeachum.org.

The legendary dancer, choreographer, author and social activist Katherine Dunham also has ties to the St. Louis area. She has been called the “matriarch or queen mother of black dance.” You can learn more about Dunham at The Katherine Dunham Museum, located at 1005 Pennsylvania Ave., in East St. Louis, Illinois. Inside the museum there are costumes, photographs, art collections, and other artifacts displayed from her successful career around the world. Museum hours are currently on an appointment basis. Learn more information about this museum at www.kdcah. org/museum.

February 14 is Valentine’s Day, but you can take your sweetheart out for date night any time of year at one of the many attractions and restaurants throughout the St. Louis area. Taking in a performance at The Black Rep and eating soul food at Sweetie Pie’s is always a good idea. The upcoming season at The Black Rep is an amazing one. “Lines in the Dust” is being performed now until Jan. 29, followed by Seven Guitars (Mar. 29-Apr. 23), and “Crossin’ Over” (May 24-June 18) will conclude the season. For more details about the shows at The Black Rep go to www.theblackrep.org.

The National Blues Museum in downtown St. Louis, which is just under a year old, tells the story of the blues which many consider to be the foundation

music.

File photo by Camille Phillips / St. Louis Public Radio

Darnetta Clinkscale, left, joined Rick Sullivan and Richard Gaines (right) on the Special Administrative Board governing Saint Louis Public Schools for her first meeting on September 26, 2016.

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Nutrition Challenge:

Visualizing Serving Sizes

One of the reasons that we might overeat is because we just don’t really recognize what a proper “portion” looks like. (Portion is the size of the serving that you put on your plate.)

Balance is an important part of physical fitness. Balance relates to how steady and straight you can hold your body while doing different activities. Practice your balance by doing the most basic balance test. Stand on one foot, hold your arms out to your side and see how long you can hold this pose. Is it harder if you close your eyes?

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

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

To help you visualize what those portion sizes should be, here are a few examples using items that you are very familiar with their size.

For Other Examples, Visit: http://www.webmd.com/diet/ healthtool-portion-size-plate. Try coming up with your own visual portion size ideas!

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

Now challenge yourself to increasingly difficult balancing actions. Try holding something heavy in one hand, leaving the other hand empty. Can you lean over (while still on one foot) and place the object on the floor? Can you stack a number of items on the floor while staying on just the one foot?

that they should not be taking.

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

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

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

Do you think balance can be improved with practice? Try some different balance activities for several days in a row and see if your balance gets better the more you do them.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 4, NH 1

Healthcare Careers

Melody McClellan, Certiied Holistic Health Practitioner (AADP)

Where do you work? CEO of Unwrap You with Coach Melody, LLC. Where did you go to school? I graduated from El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California. I earned a Bachelor in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing from SIU, Edwardsville. I then went back to further my education at Integrative Nutrition.

Directions: Combine ½ cup of the juice with the gelatin in a bowl. Bring the remaining juice to a boil and pour over the gelatin/juice mixture. Add honey and stir. Pour into a loaf pan and chill until firm enough to cut into squares.

What does a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner do? I implement wellness programs, create challenges, and present heath information at speaking engagements. I implement nutrition and exercise which help people understand how their food choices affect their body, energy, and appearance. My goal is to help people create sustainable lifestyle changes and make better choices. Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I’m passionate about helping reduce the obesity epidemic in our community. People need help understanding nutrition and experimenting with foods they are consuming. Once people understand how their food choices and exercise affect their health, they begin to make better choices. It’s nice when this information is passed down to the kids and it becomes a family affair. What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love helping people uncover myths regarding foods. We set goals; they work through behavioral modifications and ultimately create new habits. It is wonderful watching the transformation, seeing clients get wiser. Best part is when they go out and make a positive impact and influence friends and family with the information learned. My motto is “Always Invest In Your Health!”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Gateway MST Elementary 4th grade teacher, Sandra Davie, shows students Darrion Jenkins, Christoper Reed and Kaumosh Smith how to use the newspaper to work on a STEM project. Gateway MST Elementary School is part of the

SCIENCE CORNER

Tail Fin Regeneration

A fish’s tail fin has many purposes. It helps to determine speed, stamina, and agility.

Swordfish have a thin, crescent shaped tail fin to help them travel long distances at high speed. Sea bass and grouper have wide fins. An eel’s sleek tail fin allows it to quickly enter crevices. Marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales, have tail fins that move up and down, instead of side to side. This gives them the lift to get to the surface for air.

What happens when there is damage to the tail? Many fish can grow their tail fin back after they lose it due to injury or infection. This process is called regeneration. Scientists are

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

SCIENCE STARS

African American Biologist, Educator and Diplomat

Samuel Milton Nabrit

studying genes that can speed up or slow down this process. This information can be applied to people and can impact their ability to regrow and repair organs.

To witness a fish tail fin regenerating, visit this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp2a76xZLI.

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

Speedy Fish

In this experiment, you will witness how surface tension affects speed.

Materials Needed:

• Water • Bowl • Cardboard • Scissors • Liquid Soap Procedure:

q Cut fish shapes from the cardboard.

w Fill bowl with water.

e Float cardboard fish.

r Add a drop of soap behind the fish tails.

t Watch fish swim away.

Solve these fish-related word problems.

q Keith bought a fish tank for $34.99, an air pump for $12.50, rocks for $4.99, fish food for $5.75, and 6 angel fish that cost $2.50 each. How much did he spend? ______

w 5 of the 6 angel fish in the fish tank hatched babies. They each had 9 babies. How many angel fish are in the tank now, including the adults? ______

e The pet store manager said the best ratio is 2 fish per gallon. If you purchase a 15-gallon

DID YOU KNOW?

Check out these facts about ish:

Explanation: Soap breaks the water’s surface tension. Try experimenting by making the fish tails longer, shorter, wider, narrower, etc. How does it affect speed? Does more soap equal more speed? Try adding another liquid like hand sanitizer. How does it impact surface tension?

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

tank, what is the maximum number of fish that you can have? ______

r The blue shark can swim at a speed of 40 mph. At this speed, how far does it travel in 15 minutes?______ How long would it take to travel 100 miles?______

t Sharks frequently lose teeth, but they are quickly replaced. If they replace an average of 3 teeth per week, how many teeth are replaced in a year?______

Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve a problem.

A fish has many fins. The tail fin is called the caudal fin. It determines swimming speed and movement. Most fish are color blind.

Operculum (gill cover)

Scientists look at growth rings on a fish’s scales to determine age. Some fish can live more than 50 years.

Samuel Milton Nabrit was born on February 21, 1905, in Macon, Georgia. His dad was a minister and teacher, and his mother stayed home to care for Nabrit and his seven siblings. Education was very important to the family, and all eight children attended college.

Nabrit received his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, in 1925. He taught zoology there for the next six years. In 1928, he earned his master’s degree in biology from Brown University. He earned his PhD in biology four years later. He completed his doctoral research at the Marine Biological lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where he studied fish tail fin regeneration. This is the process of fish re-growing their tail fins after loss due to injury or infection.

In 1932, Nabrit became chairman of the biology department at Atlanta University. From 1947-1955, he was the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Atlanta University. In 1955, he became the second president of Texas Southern University.

Nabrit supported the education of minority students in many ways. He was active in the Upward Bound program, which encouraged scholarship winners to stay in school. He also was the director of the Southern Fellowship Fund to help support African-American students studying for their doctorate degrees.

Nabrit received a lot of recognition and honors. In 1948, he was the second black scientist to be in the Marine Biological Laboratory Corporation. From 1956-1962, he was a member of President Eisenhower’s National Science Board. He was selected by President John F. Kennedy to be a US Representative to Niger. In 1966, President Johnson chose him for the Atomic Energy Commission. Nabrit was the first African American in this position. In 1985, four years after his retirement, Brown University started the Nabrit Fellowship to help minority graduate students. In 1999, Brown University hung his portrait with the university’s most distinguished faculty.

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

MAP CORNER

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

Activities — For Sale: In the classified ads, find an item for sale. Pretend you are that item and write a speech telling why you should be purchased.

Word Search: Find and circle words related to the concept of size, location, time, quantity, value, and money.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write for a specific person and audience. I can identify the purpose of word choice.

St.Louis Public Schools district.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Dorsal Fin (balance, staying upright)

Caudal Fin (forward movement)

Pectoral Fin (steering)

Pelvic Fin (steering)

Ana Fin (balance)

Business

Student board service at Fed leads to interest in business

Applications for student board accepted through February 17

American staff

n “I’d like to be a CEO and own my own business.”

– Arlington Foster

Arlington Foster is a freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia with a perfect GPA who plans to become a CEO. This fresh-faced 18-year-old is also the voice of one of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ newest Economic Education videos: Building Bridges – Tools for Enhancing the Stock Market Game: Invest it Forward, Episode 3. When he was a junior at Lutheran High School of St. Charles County, Arlington’s business teacher, Amy Klein, told him about the student board of directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “She told me it’s a really cool experience and it would look good on my resume,” he said recently, as he returned over the holidays for his second stint as an intern in Economic Education at the Bank.

Little did he know his decision to apply would lead to some big opportunities. Klein and another teacher recommended him for the board. He illed out the application and wrote an essay. Despite having no economics class at his school of 300 students, he was excited when he found out he had been accepted.

“It was kind of a new experience to learn indepth about the Fed,” he said.

As a member of the board, Arlington attended regular meetings with students from all across the greater St. Louis area. “It was kind of scary at

See BOARD, B6

Patricia Maryland will become president and CEO of Ascension Healthcare, effective July 1. She will have responsibility for the strategic and operational aspects of Ascension Healthcare, with more than 141 hospitals and 2,500 sites of care in 24 states and Washington, D.C. She has served as president of healthcare operations and chief operating officer of Ascension Healthcare since 2013.

Damon Davis is one of 10 local artists who each received a $20,000 Artist Fellowship from the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) of St. Louis. They were selected from 212 applicants after being reviewed by RAC Commissioners, a community advisory committee, 26 expert readers, and staff. He was chosen in the field of Media Arts.

Sonette Magnus joined Lewis Rice LLC as an associate practicing in the firm’s Litigation Department. She focuses her practice on trademark, false advertising, deceptive trade practices and corporate disputes. Prior to joining Lewis Rice, she practiced at Lashly & Baer and was a law clerk to Chief Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Steven Holman joined the 20162017 Leadership 100 Cohort of the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network. He is an account executive at Lockton Companies The goal of the network, which is open to ethnically diverse professionals under 40, is to attract and retain young talent to the region and to give future leaders unique opportunities for networking, professional development and community involvement.

Thelma Steward was chosen as an honoree for the Young Women Christian Association’s 2016 Leader of Distinction Award. These women exemplify excellence in their chosen profession, are outstanding role models for other women, and have made significant contributions to their communities. She was recognized for philanthropy.

Mr. Hakeem, food truck pioneer and vendor of fresh fruit and nuts, celebrated Feb. 4

By LaKenya Roberson

and Grand avenues and, most recently, Hakeem & Daughters, established in 1990. A pioneer in the food truck industry in St. Louis, Mr. Hakeem brought his dream to life on the streets of St. Louis, operating up to five trucks at one point.

Mr. Hakeem

operated several successful food businesses: Big Boss Burger on the corner of Natural Bridge

He was often asked, “Why don’t you branch out and serve different areas?” His answer was simple: “My people, who look like me and who live in my area where no one else wants to come, deserve the best, and I will be the one who brings it to them!”

Not only did Hakeem & Daughters deliver on their promise of “Bringing you the Best on Wheels,” they also hired and trained hundreds of St. Louis youth to work, and many went on to have successful careers. This is one of the things

n “My people, who look like me and who live in my area where no one else wants to come, deserve the best, and I will be the one who brings it to them!”

– Mr. Hakeem

that made Mr. Hakeem the most proud. Fresh Arkansas pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts, local honey and pepper sauce are just a few of the many items you could purchase from Mr. Hakeem during the fall and winter on the corner of Newstead and Maffitt avenues. For many years, Mr. Hakeem traveled to the Church

Carlos A. Haley was appointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors, which oversees the successful implementation of well-planned and sound academic programs of higher learning at the school. An MSU graduate with degrees in business administration and computer information science, Haley is the vice president of compliance at Freeman Health System.

Patricia Maryland

Sonette Magnus

Steven Holman

Thelma Steward

Damon Davis

Carlos A. Haley

Arlington Foster is a freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia with a perfect GPA who developed an interest in inance and business after being accepted to serve on the student board of directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

Health and wealth in one –how to make money while working out

By Nathaniel Sillin

The end of the year is a perennial period of selfreflection, and I enjoy partaking in setting a few New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, I’ve (more than once) enthusiastically started a year with shiny optimism only to find myself falling short a few weeks later. I know I’m not alone, and I’m encouraged by people who challenge themselves time and time again.

Resolutions related to finances and health, two important components of everyone’s life, are especially common. Here are a few ways that you could tie physical activities to achieving your financial goals. Hopefully being able to tackle both resolutions at once can help keep you motivated for the entire year.

Compete with yourself, or others. If you’re up for a little friendly competition, consider creating or joining a challenge and putting money on the line. There’s an online app that you can use to place a wager on how often you’ll work out. At the end of the week, you have to pay your preselected amount for each workout you

continued from page B1

irst,” Arlington said. “I thought all the other students would be geniuses.”

But they were like him:

miss. But if you complete your workouts for the week, you collect a portion of the amount paid out by everyone else. Some people make an arrangement with a friend where you each agree to work out X times a week and to pay the other person $5 or $10 for each workout missed. Or, you could opt to make a donation to a charity of your friend’s choice rather than pay each other. The goal is to provide accountability, and the financial aspect can add a sense of urgency and be a great motivational tool.

Connect an activity tracker to rewards programs. Several services give you points each time you work out and let you redeem the points for cash, gift cards or other prizes. The real trick is to use multiple programs and maximize your rewards from every workout. Some employers also provide bonus points to employees that use these programs or have similar rewards programs of their own.

Make working out your work. If you’re looking to make a serious lifestyle change, and potentially some serious money, consider

smart kids who enjoyed learning about the Fed and the economy, as well as meeting other students and bank staff. At the end of his student board term in the spring of 2016, Arlington applied to be an intern at the bank. He spent the summer working on

becoming a personal trainer or fitness instructor. While the certification process can be expensive and timeconsuming, afterward you’ll be able to charge clients for classes or one-on-one training. Or, you could try to find flexible and active work that suits your interests and experience. Gardener, referee or dog walker could be good fits to supplement your

Q&As for podcasts, helping with teachers who attended conferences and voicing that new Building Bridges video. “That,” he said, “was really cool.”

The video is one in a series. It explains how cities and towns participate in capital

If you’re looking to make a serious lifestyle change, and potentially some serious money, consider becoming a personal trainer or fitness instructor.

income.

Keep exercise-related expenses down. It can be tempting to buy new workout equipment or sign up for a gym when you’re excited about a New Year’s resolution. However, there are many ways to get fit without expensive equipment or a large gym.

For example, you can find videos of free instructor-led

markets to inance infrastructure in their communities.

In the fall, Arlington started college life at Mizzou. He joined Theta Chi fraternity, earned a 4.0 and looks forward to joining even more organizations. Before joining the Student Board, Arlington had considered going to medical or law school. But he likes numbers, so now he plans on applying to the accountancy program. “I’d like to be a CEO and own my own business,” he said. He’s on track to do so: At school, he’s talking about starting a laundry business with friends. In the meantime, he also encourages other high school students to follow in his footsteps and apply to be on the student board of directors: “Write the best essay that you can,” he said. “It teaches

workouts or yoga sequences online or try an app that creates and leads you through workouts. If you want to take up an activity that requires facilities, look for inexpensive options at local community centers.

Raise money for a charity with every step. You may not have a strong desire to earn money but are still looking for

you about professionalism and about the Fed.”

The St. Louis Fed’s student board of directors program offers high school seniors a dynamic way to learn about our nation’s central bank.

Participants gain a thorough understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy and experience its unusual partnership with banks, businesses and the community. Area students are selected based on the quality of their essay and letters of recommendation.

Students can learn how to apply—and you can learn more about the program and how to nominate a student—on the bank’s student board of directors page (https://www.stlouisfed.org/student-board-of-directors) on stlouisfed.org. Applications will be accepted now through February 17.

a little extra motivation to work out. Similar to the programs that reward you with points, there are apps like Charity Miles that you can use to raise money for your favorite charities while exercising. You could also sign up for a charity walk, run or ride and know that when you cross the finish line you’ll be helping a good cause.

Bottom line: By keeping costs down and looking for ways to make money while staying active you can make your budget (and body) more flexible. This approach could help you stay motivated for longer, and you can use the extra money to pursue your other goals for the year. Perhaps you’re trying to save for a down payment or vacation, focused on building your retirement savings or looking to make a significant impact in your community by donating to non-profit organizations. Every extra dollar can bring you one step closer to achieving that goal.

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

Econ Lowdown

Econ Lowdown offers free lessons about economics, personal inance, and money and banking, as well as about the Federal Reserve itself. There are videos, online courses, and lessons for classrooms from pre-K through college. Similar free resources are available to the general public. For more information, visit stlouisfed.org/ education.

OXFORD

continued from page B1 of God in Christ convention in Memphis, Tennessee to supply his famous “paper shell” pecans. He gained many loyal customers and became one of the largest minority retailers of fresh nuts and produce. Mr. Hakeem not only brought the highest business standards and real estate and food service to St. Louis, he was equally known for his wisdom and being a straight shooter. He took great pride in training his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to be successful, self-sufficient business owners. Mr. Hakeem worked 365 days a year and even worked on January 9, 2017, the day he departed this life. His famous words to live by that he himself subscribed to were: “Every day, give something, get something and learn something.”

Hakeem & Daughters will continue to serve the St. Louis area with fresh pecans and nuts on the corner of Newstead and Maffitt avenues in the fall and winter, and continue to look for the Hakeem & Daughters food truck during the spring and summer. The public is invited to attend the Memorial Celebration Services for Francis J. Roberson II aka “Mr. Hakeem” 1-5 p.m. Saturday, February 4 in the Community

n “Some of those secret service people could play left tackle right now in the league.”

– Justin Forsett

Tremendous talent

Bank of O’Fallon Shootout Saturday, February 4

PreP BasketBall NoteBook

The Bank of O’Fallon Shootout is one of the top late-season basketball events of the year. This year’s seven-game Shootout will be held on Saturday, February 4 at the Panther Dome at O’Fallon High (IL). There will be teams from both sides of the river in the St. Louis area, Chicago and Central Illinois in the field. As usual, there will be some tremendous individual talent over at O’Fallon. Here is the schedule for the upcoming Bank of O’Fallon Shootout:

O’Fallon vs. Vianney, 10:30 a.m. – Host O’Fallon has been on a roll as of late, including winning the championship of the Denver Miller Tournament at Kirkwood. The Panthers are led by 6’1” junior guard Jalen Hodge. Vianney is led by 6’6” senior forward Eric Krus, who has committed to Benedictine College (KS).

Bloomington vs. Chicago Marian Catholic, noon – Bloomington features one of the top young players in Illinois in 6’6” sophomore Chris Payton. Marian Catholic is led by electric junior point guard Chase Adams and junior power forward Tee’Aaron Powell.

Whitfield vs. Peoria Manual, 1:30 p.m. –Whitfield features 6’4” junior guard Torrence Watson who is one of the leading scorers in the St. Louis area. He has several Division I offers. Manual has been struck by several injuries to key players his season, but they are annually one of the top teams in Central Illinois.

Champaign Central vs. Elgin Larkin, 4:15 p.m. – Champaign Central is led by 6’6” junior wing player Tim Finke, who has scholarship offers from several top Division I schools. Junior guard Bailey Dee is also a top 3-point shooter. Larkin is led by 6’8” forward Jalen Shaw, who is one of the top forwards in the state of Illinois’ Class of 2018 class.

Belleville East vs. Bolingbrook, 5:45 p.m. –Belleville East has one of the top players in the metro east in 6’4” senior guard Javon Pickett, who

Giannis got next

“You can’t teach height.” That well-known sports adage is attributed to former Boston Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach. Every basketball player and fan has heard that phrase muttered a million times. Every coach has allowed the famous phrase to escape out of his or her mouth at least once. They’re right. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ 6-foot-11 physical marvel, has proven that his game can grow as large as his enormous 7-foot4 wingspan.

Technicallyspeaking, nobody taught Antetokounmpo how to be tall. He was taught how to survive. Antetokounmpo was born in Greece to undocumented immigrants from Nigeria. Without Greek citizenship, his parents were forced to work odd jobs to make ends meet. He and his brothers hawked counterfeit merchandise on the streets to help the family stay afloat. Ball wasn’t life

for Antetokounmpo. Life was staying under the immigration radar and ensuring that food was on the table. In fact, Antetokounmpo didn’t pick up a basketball for the first time until 2009, at age 13. By 2012, he was playing basketball professionally in Greece. A year later, he was headed to the NBA. Talk about growth. Take a look at any ‘All-Time Busts’ list and you’ll find names such as Sam Bowie, Shawn Bradley Michael Olowokandi, Kwame Brown and other really tall guys that didn’t have the skill to match their high draft positions. Though the big busts are seemingly endless, owners and GMs still can’t seem to stay away. The reason is because truly versatile and dynamic players are worth their weight in gold. Wilt Chamberlain (7’1”) was an athletic wonder who dominated the post. Sure, he

scored 100 points in a game but he’s also the only center in NBA history to lead the league in assists. Magic Johnson (6’9”) towered over his fellow point guards in size and dime-dropping ability. Larry Bird (6’9”) defied his height and was one of the most pure and dangerous shooters in

league history. Eventually these legends paved the way for players like Chris Webber Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Kevin Durant as players who defied the common expectations from players their size. The 22-yearold known as the ‘Greek

Freak’ is the next step in NBA evolution. With his selection as a first-time NBA All-Star, a starter nonetheless, the league has been put on notice. Antetokounmpo is the next big thing. His height was a gift from his parents, one that kept giving even after he was drafted

–which faces Evanston in the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 4 –features 6’5” senior Jordan Goodwin (right), who is averaging 30 points a game.

n The 22-year-old known as the ‘Greek Freak’ is the next step in NBA evolution. With his selection as a firsttime NBA All-Star, a starter nonetheless, the league has been put on notice. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the next big thing.

into the NBA at the age of 18. According to Bucks GM John Hammond, Antetokounmpo was measured at 6-foot-8½ when he was drafted. By the end of his rookie season, the measuring tape read 6-foot-11. Unlike the aforementioned players, Antetokounmpo was not a surefire pick when he was drafted. Mired in mediocrity, the Bucks took a flyer on a raw-but-talented kid from Greece with the 15th pick of the draft. His rookie statistics were nothing to write home about. Though he was good for a few highlight plays each night,

Earl Austin Jr.

With Earl Austin Jr.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trajectory as a star player changed when Jason Kidd, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, took the reins as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach.

With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

Althoff

Goodwin has signed with Saint Louis University.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Wizards, Beal have wound back into NBA playoff picture

After a shaky start to the season, Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizard’s found themselves in second place in the NBA Southeast division with a 23-19 record and riding a 12-game home win streak last Saturday.

Beal is averaging 21.8 points per game, which would be a career high, while dishing out 3.7 assists.

Since the day after Christmas through last Thursday’s 113-110 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Wizards have posted a 10-3 record.

The come-from behind victory was Washington’s fourth in a row and left the Wizards just one game behind the Southeast Division leading Atlanta Hawks. Beal said his team’s resurgence has been sparked not by stellar offensive campaigns by All-Star guard John Wall and himself, but by defense.

that if we’re always taking the ball out.”

The playoffs don’t start on January 21, but if they had the Wizards would have been one of eight teams competing to advance in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards were the fifth seed behind, once again, the fourth-seed Hawks. They are one game away from hosting a first-round series.

Beal says the homecourt advantage would be tremendous, as proven by the 12-game win streak.

“I want to credit our fans because they are awesome,” Beal said. “We feed off their energy and their constant support. It’s just us protecting our house.”

“We want to be a great team at home; we want to have home court when playoff time comes around. These are all things that we’re preparing for down the line. It starts with us taking care of our house, and we’re doing that – it’s collectively and it’s together.”

“In terms of us, it’s just been our defense and just us getting after it and playing with energy,” Beal told the Washington Post after his team’s 12th home win in a row, a 104-101 win over Memphis on January 18.

“It makes everything easier on offense when we get out and run. That way we don’t necessarily have to call plays all the time, we just get out and flow, and it works. In order to do so, we have to play defense and defend, and we can’t do

As the battle for playoff berths intensifies in coming weeks, Beal added, “We have that extra urge here, that will to want to win.”

Crushed Cowboy fan

Yep, that 34-31 NFC Divisional Playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers hurt this Dallas Cowboys fan to the bone. The Super Bowl combatants have been determined, but a couple of

final thoughts on an amazing Cowboys’ season In bitter defeat, Dak Prescott proved the team’s future is bright at quarterback and St. Louis area product running back Ezekiel Elliot

displayed the talent that will make him a force for years to come.

I wanted to share this nugget from a USA TODAY two weeks ago which focused on Prescott’s rise to trusted leader of the Cowboys.

“During a pre-practice stretch period, when Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz” pulsed through the speakers, Prescott rapped every verse. Minutes later, when the guitar of George Strait’s “All My Exes Live in Texas” twanged through, Prescott swayed along and belted the chorus louder than anyone else on the field.

“Being bi-racial and being from the country, I can talk to guys like (offensive linemen) Travis Frederick from Wisconsin and Doug Free from Wisconsin,” Prescott said

“And then I can go over and talk to Dez Bryant. I mean, think about the two different standpoints you need to have a real conversation with both, to really understand what they’ve been through. I don’t think many can do it. For me, it’s not hard. I’m blessed because it’s natural.”

An unnamed white teammate contributed to the story, saying, “Not to crap on

Tony (Romo), because he has done so much for this team. But no matter how hard he’ll try, there are just some things that he can’t do, some ways that he can’t connect with some of the guys in here like Dak can.”

How far has this young man come since he was drafted in the fourth round by the Cowboys last May? It’s mindboggling.

KU sports, race symposium

The University of Kansas announced it will hold its inaugural Symposium on Race and Sports at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 2, featuring keynote speaker sports sociologist Harry Edwards

“The Power of Sport: A Conversation on Business, Race and Sports” is sponsored by the KU School of Business, the Langston Hughes Center and Kansas Athletics and will be held in the Kansas Union ballroom.

Edwards, an author and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, advocated a black athlete boycott of the 1968 Olympics and later consulted on diversity issues for the

Bradley Beal is averaging 21.8 points per game, which would be a career high, while dishing out 3.7 assists.

MLB, NBA and NFL. In 1988 Robert Lipsyte of the New York Times wrote that Edwards “has seen himself as one who provokes and incites others to action, a reformer, not a revolutionary. And indeed, no other single figure in sports has done as much to make the country aware that the problems of the larger culture are recapitulated in sports, that the arena is no sanctuary from drugs, racism and corruption.”

Former KU basketball and WNBA player Tamecka Dixon and KU track athlete and Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills will join moderator Shawn Alexander for a panel discussion. Alexander is an associate professor and graduate director of African and African-American studies and director of KU’s Langston Hughes Center. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at eventbrite.com.

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

Alvin A. Reid

inSide SPorTS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Earl’s yearly Spurs reminder

Mid-season, San Antonio is 32-9 – and still a model franchise

We are currently at the midway point of the National Basketball season and everyone is gearing up for Round 3 of the championship showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

Right?

Both teams are doing their part as they sit atop the East and West, respectively. But, as always at this time of year, it is time for me to give you that annual reminder about that one team that seems to fly under the radar in the NBA. I just want to keep you up to date about that one team that seems to collect victories and compete for championships without too much of the spotlight. For nearly two decades, I’ve been writing this same column. Yes, it’s time to remind you about one of the top franchises in NBA history. The team that is enjoying another stellar season.

Here is your yearly reminder about the San Antonio Spurs.

Much of the attention in The Association this season centers around the world champion Cavaliers, the newlook Warriors with the addition of superstar Kevin Durant and the triple-double madness of Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Even the sudden emergence of jovial rookie Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

Antetokounmpo averaged 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in his first season. However, as he was growing physically, his confidence and understanding of the game also grew. When the Bucks hired Jason Kidd following Antetokounmpo’s rookie season, his trajectory changed. Kidd doesn’t deserve all the credit for Antetokounmpo’s success. With his height and athleticism, he was bound to have some level of success. However, Kidd helped him to see the game from a point guard’s vantage point. Little by little, he exposed his star pupil to different aspects of being a floor general. Kidd and his staff worked with Antetokounmpo on dissecting passing angles, using screens, running the break, knowing when to distribute like a PG and when to dominate like a 6-foot-11 beast.

The strategy has paid off.

PREP

Continued from B3 is headed to the University of Illinois. Bolingbrook is led by 6’6” shooting guard Nana Akenten, who has signed with Nebraska.

Webster Groves vs. Chicago Morgan Park, 7:15 p.m. – Webster Groves features two of the nation’s top players in the Class of 2018 in 6’3” guard Courtney Ramey and 6’9” forward Carte’are Gordon, who has committed to Saint Louis University. Morgan Park is annually one of the top teams in the rugged Chicago Public League. They are led by junior standout Ayo Dosunmu, who has several high-level Division I offers on the table.

Althoff vs. Evanston, 8:30 p.m. – Althoff features 6’5” senior Jordan Goodwin, who is averaging 30 points a game. Goodwin has signed with Saint Louis University. Guards Marvin Bateman and C.J. Coldon are also top players for Althoff. Evanston is led by 6’6” senior guard Nojel Eastern, who has signed with Purdue. They are one of the top

76ers and the Giannis Anteokounmpo a.k.a. “The Greek Freak” of the Milwaukee Bucks have garnered many headlines.

While all of this is going on, the Spurs have continued to compile one of the league’s best records. Even with the retirement of all-time great Tim Duncan, the Spurs are still

n I just want to keep you up to date about that one team that seems to collect victories and compete for championships without too much of the spotlight.

one of the model franchises in professional sports. At the midway point, the Spurs have a 32-9 record while continuing its staggering success on the road.

The main reason for the Spurs continued excellence is the emergence of Kawhi Leonard as a bonafide star in the league. The 6’7” Leonard has gradually developed his offensive game to the point where he has become virtually unstoppable. Leonard is averaging 24.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the field and 41

His numbers have increased across the board every year he has been in the league. This season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.8 steals per game. He leads his team in each of those categories. If he continues the trend for the rest of the season, he’ll join James, Garnett, Scottie Pippen and Dave Cowens as the only players in history to lead their teams in five major statistical categories.

Antetokounmpo’s production is already making his new 4-year, $100 million contract look like a steal. He’s nearly unstoppable getting to the basket. He often needs just one dribble to get from half-court to the basket (no traveling required). His basketball I.Q. is growing exponentially. He is a lock down defender. The only semi-missing component is a reliable jump shot. Even with that, the position-less All-Star has increased his field goal percentage ever since he’s been in the NBA. The long-range aptitude is there. During his rookie sea-

Class 4A teams in the state of Illinois.

percent from 3-point range. Leonard also continues to be one of the premiere defensive players in the league.

The Spurs also prepared for Duncan’s retirement a year ahead of time when they signed free agent LaMarcus Aldridge from Portland. In his second year in San Antonio, Aldridge is averaging nearly 18 points and seven rebounds a game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Joining Aldridge up front is old vet Pau Gasol, who still plays at a high level in more limited minutes, averaging 11 points a game.

Veteran point guard Tony Parker has now become more of a facilitator at his advanced age. He averages 11 points a game, but he picks his spots when it’s time to get buckets. Parker shares the point guard duties with Australian Patty Mills, who also averages 10 points a game as an excellent 3-point shooter.

Future Hall of Fame coach has loaded up the bench with veterans and youngsters alike who can produce. One of them is St. Louisan David Lee, who has fit in nicely with his experience and professionalism. Danny Green can still knock down the open 3-pointers while 37-year old Manu Ginobili can still make plays. Youngsters Jonothan Simmons and Kyle Anderson have also enjoyed some big moments this season.

son, Antetokounmpo shot 34.7 percent on 118 attempts. Kidd reportedly banned him from shooting three pointers when he came to town and the star’s numbers dipped significantly. This season, he’s shooting 28.4 percent on 95 attempts halfway through the season. Once he masters the long ball, he will truly be an unstoppable force.

To really catapult into superstardom, Antetokounmpo will have to prove that he can win. The Bucks are expected to make the playoffs this season. However, they are currently teetering around the #8 spot. The team is missing one of its best players in Khris Middleton. The ultimate ‘3 and D’ player, Middleton should help the Bucks spread the court when he finally returns from a severe hamstring injury. He’ll undoubtedly provide a boost to a team that is ranked 25th in made three-pointers. With Middleton and Jabari Parker another long, versatile player, Milwaukee’s future is bright. Legends don’t make excuses, they make history. Antetokounmpo is

Get well soon, Jay We want to send out our best to Webster Groves boys’ coach Jay Blossom, who recently had surgery on his left eye and will out of action for an extended period of time while he recovers. The energetic Blossom is one of the most successful coaches in the state of Missouri. He led the Statesmen to the Missouri Class 5 state championship in 2008. He has one of the top teams in the state this season. We wish Jay the best in his recovery.

The main reason for the Spurs continued excellence is the emergence of

Leonard as a bonafide star in the league. The 6’7” Leonard has gradually developed his offensive game to the point where he has become virtually unstoppable. Leonard is averaging 24.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.

Milwaukee’s first All-Star starter since Sidney Moncrief in 1986. If he wants to be a legend, his next mountainous tasks will be to lead the Bucks franchise to its first championship since 1971 and/or its

first MVP since 1972 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). No, those things won’t happen this season, but make no mistake about it – they will happen eventually. Mark my words. At just 22-years-old, Antetokounmpo

is poised to reach heights he never would’ve imagined.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTeS of The

Jamel Warren

Hancock – Boys Basketball

Week

The 6’4” junior forward led Hancock to a 2-1 record last week with a pair of excellent performances.

Warren scored 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Tigers to a 77-68 victory over Valley Park last Friday night. Warren made 11 of his 16 shots from the field in a dominant performance. Warren also had 15 points and eight rebounds in a 55-52 loss to Brentwood. He also had 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six steals in a 61-37 victory over Bayless.

For the season, Warren is averaging 14.2 points and 10.9 rebounds a game while shooting 52 percent from the field in leading the Tigers to an 11-3 record.

Geena Stephens

Parkway Central – Girls Basketball

The 5’11” senior forward recently scored her 1,000th career point in a victory over Westminster Christian. Stephens also led the Colts to three victories last week. She had a game-high 19 points in a 60-28 victory over Parkway West. She also had 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 59-46 victory over University City. Stephens started the week with 13 points, five rebounds and six steals in a victory over Oakville.

For the season, Stephens is averaging 15.8 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range in leading the Colts to an 11-2 record.

Kawhi

Consumers to receive over $17M thanks to CFPB

Dodd-Frank Reform Act violations hold credit reporting agencies accountable

By Charlene Crowell Columnist

Millions of consumers who were duped into paying fees for their own credit scores will soon receive more than $17.6 million, thanks to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Affected consumers can expect to receive notification letters in the mail.

TransUnion and Equifax, two of the nation’s largest credit reporting agencies, sold credit scores, credit reports and credit monitoring services to consumers even though the “credit scores” sold were not typically used by lenders to make credit decisions. As a result, what consumers paid to these two firms was of questionable value.

“Credit scores are central to a consumer’s financial life and people deserve honest and accurate information about them.”

Both TransUnion and Equifax are charged with violations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Financial Protection Act from 2011 to 2014 and included:

• Deceiving consumers about the value of the credit scores they sold; and

• Deceiving consumers into enrolling in subscription programs.

As credit scores are often cited as the basis for many consumers of color to either be denied access to credit or be charged higher than average interest rates, it is likely that many will also be eligible for restitution. TransUnion must now provide restitution of $13.9 million to affected consumers, while Equifax’s cost of restitution is $3.8 million. Assessed fines on the violations will add additional costs of $3 million to TransUnion and $2.5 million for Equifax.

“TransUnion and Equifax deceived consumers about the usefulness of the credit scores they marketed, and lured consumers into expensive recurring payments with false promises,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

In its advertising, Equifax falsely claimed that credit scores and creditrelated products were free. In the case of TransUnion, the cost was promised to be only $1. What neither made clear to consumers was that unless the ‘service’ was cancelled during its 30-day trial period, consumers would be charged a recurring fee – usually $16 or more per month.

Additionally, Equifax violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act which requires a credit reporting agency to provide a free credit report once every 12 months and to operate a central source – AnnualCreditReport.com –where consumers can get their report. Until January 2014, consumers getting their report through Equifax first had to view Equifax advertisements – another illegal act. By law, such advertising is allowed after consumers receive their report.

Business Briefs

Beyond the costs of restitution and fines, CFPB will now hold Equifax and TransUnion accountable for changes in the way they operate. From clearly informing consumers about the nature of the scores they are selling to consumers; to providing simple, easy to understand information on how to cancel the purchase of any credit-related product, and ending billing and collection payments for any recurring charge once a consumer cancels the service.

The two final enforcement requirements are probably the most important of all:

1. Before enrolling a consumer in any credit-related product with a negative option feature, TransUnion and Equifax must obtain the consumer’s consent; and 2. Truthfully represent the value or usefulness of products sold.

“We applaud the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for taking strong and vigorous actions against TransUnion and Equifax to protect the interests of American consumers,” said National Consumer Law Center staff attorney Chi Wu. “In addition to obtaining tens of millions of dollars in relief for consumers, this consent order will protect consumers from being ripped off in the future over deceptive credit monitoring products and sales practices.”

For more information on credit scores, visit CFPB’s web at: http://www. consumerfinance.gov/about-us/ blog/what-you-need-knowunderstanding-why-offersyour-credit-score-are-not-allsame/.

Black Chamber of Commerce hosts summit January 26

A group of black businessmen and women has formed the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce to help spur local business growth and entrepreneurship in the African-American community.

It stemmed from the Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce, founded in 2004 and renamed the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce to expand its service area to include Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. As U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce members, these groups work collectively to improve opportunities for AfricanAmerican enterprises.

The Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce (HSBCC) is hosting a membership drive and professional business summit from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, January 26, in the Law Offices of Lewis Rice, 600 Washington Ave., to outline its goals and objectives.

Veta Jeffery, HSBCC’s president and manager of Community Economic Partnerships for the State of Missouri, said the chamber will announce its board of directors at the event, and its commitment to strengthening the economics of minorities, women and disadvantaged business owners in the region.

Creating a vibrant business environment requires that the HSBCC has active participation in the legislative process, said Jeffery. She said the chamber hopes to collaborate with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles and St. Clair counties and the State of Missouri and advocate for those issues that benefit black businesses.

All participants should bring their business cards and capability packets to the event. For more information on membership to the Chamber and/or attending the event, call 314-244-8841 or visit www. heartlandchamber.com.

Schnucks moving Cool Valley store to Ferguson

Schnuck Markets will move operations of its Cool Valley store, located at 1225 South Florissant Rd., to Ferguson once the building at 49 N. Florissant Road is vacated by Shop ‘n Save.

Shop ‘n Save currently rents the building from Schnucks but will exit the location when the current sublease expires on March 31. Schnucks plans to complete the move in early April. “We welcome the present

Shop ‘n Save customers and believe our Cool Valley customers will follow us one mile north on Florissant road,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck.

Schnucks has agreed to purchase the pharmacy files of the Ferguson Shop ‘n Save, effective January 27. Between then and the time Schnucks moves to the new location, pharmacy customers can get their prescriptions filled at the Cool Valley Schnucks

Pharmacy or any other nearby

Schnucks Pharmacy. Once the move is complete, all pharmacy files from the Cool Valley Schnucks will transfer to the new location.

Schnucks has served the Cool Valley community since 1964 and at its present location since 1991. In total, Schnucks operates eight stores in the North St. Louis County area, employing more than 900 workers.

Charlene Crowell

Living It

New Jewish Theatre stages Lynn Nottage

Award-winning ‘Intimate Apparel’ plays January 27-Febuary 11

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I adore her language and I’m excited to say her words,” said actor Chauncy Thomas. He is one of the co-stars of New Jewish Theatre’s presentation of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s ‘Intimate Apparel.’ “When I grasp them, they taste good in my mouth.”

The play, directed by Gary Wayne Barker, will play NJT from January 27 – February 12.

The play is an unlikely one for the NJT stage. It tells the tale of Esther, a single black female at the turn of the 20th century willing to risk it all in the name of love – even when she knows she is playing a losing hand.

“Yes we are magical – but we are not impervious to pain,” said Jacqueline Thompson, who portrays Esther, as she refers to black women. “And I don’t want us to always think that we have to wear that pain as an honor.”

Though she owns her business making undergarments for a host of colorful clients, Esther is lonely. With the help of her landlord, Mrs. Dickson, and client/friend Mamie, Ester believes she finds a kindred spirit in George after the couple meet and court through a series of letters. George, a native of the Bahamas, is compelled join Esther in America after more than a year of backbreaking work as a laborer helping to build the Panama Canal. But nothing is as it seems.

“When you get some sort of affection from a person and there is a part of you that knows it’s not real, completely truthful or healthy – but there’s that ache in you that wants it to be real,” Thomas said. “And so you choose that it is, and suffer the consequence of that action. That experience is an incredibly human thing. And this play tells it quite beautifully.”

“Intimate Apparel” also explores relationships between Esther’s circle, including her fabric supplier – who is an orthodox Jew.

“What I wanted to bring was the opportu-

See THEATRE, C4

Jacqueline Thompson and Chauncy Thomas star in the New Jewish Theatre’s production of Lynn Nottage’s ‘Intimate Apparel,’ which runs Jan. 26-Feb.12.

Duo Noire returns to town

Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society welcomes pioneering musicians

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

In the ten years since classical guitarists Thomas Flippin and Chris Mallett formed Duo Noire, they have become trailblazers.

“We want to show people that it’s okay to be black and be a classical musician,” Flippin said. “Even though it’s an interest that doesn’t fit the stereotype of what it is to be an African American.” Flippin and Mallett, who were paired together as an ensemble by their former Yale professor Ben Verdery while completing their studies, became the first African Americans to graduate with degrees in guitar from Yale School of Music.

“It’s pretty cool,” Flippin said of the distinction. “It feels like being part of a long tradition of African Americans breaking barriers and trying to lift up our community and show what we are capable of – and that we are just as good and just as talented and knowledgeable as anyone else.” Duo Noire will return to St. Louis for a performance on Saturday at The Ethical Society,

Duo Noire

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

“Bobo did it his way,” said childhood friend and longtime music collaborator George R. Sams. “He came out of this city, and he made it throughout the country – and the world.” Sams offered a lifetime of memories to honor his dear friend, avant-garde jazz drummer and Black Artists Group (BAG) co-founder Charles “Bobo” Shaw. He passed away in hospice care last Monday, January 16, after a series of health setbacks. He was 69.

“There comes a point where you’re considered too old to be a prodigy and too young to become a master, so you have to wait for people to rediscover you again,” Sams said. “Unfortunately, Bobo’s health caught up with him before he could resurge.”

n “I’ll miss performing with him. So will everybody else. They’ll miss hearing him play too.”

– Shirley LeFlore

Shaw’s musical career began like many notable musicians in the area, through the rich legacy of the drum and bugle corps offered to black youth through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). As members of the American Woodsman drum and bugle corps, Sams, Shaw and a handful of other teen musicians made a pact one night after practice that they would become successful jazz musicians. They all followed through.

“His name is well known over the planet,” Sams said. “I always knew that. But when the New York Times called me the other day, I said, ‘Well, damn.’” He was born Charles Wesley Shaw Jr. on September 15, 1947 in Pope, Mississippi. His mother gave him the nickname of Bobo. The Shaw family moved to St. Louis as part of the Great Migration when he was a child. They owned a restaurant in the historic Ville neighborhood.

thanks to the Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society as part of the organization’s Great Artist performance series. St. Louis holds a special place in the history of Duo Noire – and Flippin and Mallett are

Shaw was barely out of his teens when he helped form BAG in 1968. The multidisciplinary arts collective included St. Louis jazz players, actors, poets and dancers, including Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Floyd LeFlore, Shirley LeFlore and J. D. Parran. It was a creative response to the Black Power movement – using the arts to express a deep love of self and empower a generation during tumultuous times of the 1960s. Organizations like it were popping up wherever there were large concentrations of African Americans.

“Detroit had its equivalent to BAG, Chicago had the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), which is what ours was kind of modeled after,” said Sams. In the early days of the group, renowned trumpeter and BAG member Baikida Carroll shared an apartment with Shaw on Nina Street near DeBaliviere, which became a vibrant neighborhood of creatives. “Right next door

Photo by Eric Woolsey

Photo courtesy of Darrell Mixon

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

black history activities

Thurs., Jan. 26, 12 Noon, Maryville University Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Dr. For more information, call (314) 529-9434.

Fri., Jan. 27, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library’s Black History Celebration presents Bernice King, 2017 Frankie Freeman Inspirational Lecture. She will discuss and sign “My Life, My Love, My Legacy” a new autobiography of her mother Coretta Scott King Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Sat., Jan. 28, 3 p.m., Black History Gospel Celebration featuring gospel rapper Mike Dyson and Friends, Afro World, 7276 Natural Bridge Rd. For more information, call (314) 389-5194.

Mon., Jan. 30, 10 a.m., I Have a Dream Blood Donor Drive, the blood donor drive is for adults only, St. Louis Public Library – Kingshighway Branch, 2260 S. Vandeventer. For more information, call (314) 771-5450.

Feb. 1- Feb.28, African American Inventors Exhibit, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis County Library

– Thornhill Branch, 12863 Willowyck Drive. For more information, visit www.slcl. org.

Thurs., Feb. 2, 7 p.m., Saint Louis University Black Student Alliance presents the 2017 Black History Month keynote “An Evening with Nikki Giovanni, Busch Student Center’s St. Louis Room, Saint Louis University.

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

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

concerts

Fri., Jan. 27, 5 p.m., Howlin’ Fridays concert series presents Skeet Rogers. National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sat., Jan. 28, 8 p.m., Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society presents Guitar Duo

Featured Event

Jan. 28 & 29, 1 & 5 p.m., COCA presents Momentum A choreographic collaboration between Kirven DouthitBoyd and Anthony “Redd” Williams. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 561-4877 or visit www.cocastl.org.

Noire, The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, St. L 63117. For more information, (314) 229-8686 or online at www.guitarstlouis.net.

Sat., Jan. 28, 2 p.m., St. James AME Church hosts Synthesis of Sound 2 Jazz Concert feat. Willena “Mz. NV” Vaughn with Adrianne Felton King and Rhoda G 4301 St. Ferdinand Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 371-0687 or visit www.stjamesstl.org.

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

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

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

special events

Through Jan. 27, St. Louis

www.eventbrite.com.

Record release party for STL’s own Lynne Fiddmont’s ‘Power of Love.’ For more information, see CONCERTS.

Community College – Forest Park celebrates Social Justice Week: Commemorating the Past and Synergizing for the Future. Jan. 23, 7 p.m.: The highlight of the weeklong events is an observation of the 100-year mark of the devastation resulting from the East St. Louis riots. True Light Baptist Church will provide a musical tribute. For a complete list of events and locations, visit www.stlcc.edu/FP. For more information, call (314) 644-9745.

Jan. 27 – 29, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The St. Louis Food and Wine Experience. We will have more than 900 wines to taste and culinary delights around every corner. 212 Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.foodandwinestl.org.

Friday, January 27, 7 p.m. Opera Theatre Saint Louis presents Opera Tastings, Menu highlights by General Manager Eric Sohn: Beer and new American-style comfort food, Quintessential Dining & Nightlife 149 N. Main Street in Historic St. Charles. For more information, visit ExperienceOpera.org/ OperaTastings or call (314) 961-0644.

Sat., Jan. 28, 11 a.m., National Sales Network hosts the 10th Annual State of the Organization Jazz Brunch Windows on Washington, 1601 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, email nsnstlouis@gmail.com or visit

Jan. 28 & 29, 1 & 5 p.m., COCA presents Momentum A choreographic collaboration between Kirven Douthit-Boyd and Anthony “Redd” Williams featuring members of COCA dance and the COCA HipHop Crew. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 561-4877 or visit www.cocastl.org.

Sat., Feb. 4, 6 p.m., The Women’s Safe House presents the Walk This Way in Her Shoes Gala. Please join us for a cocktail reception, dinner, silent auction and dancing to celebrate our 40th year of service. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 7724535 or visit www.twsh.org.

Fri., Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream. Join Mickey Minnie as they share the heroic stories of your favorite Disney Princesses: Rapunzel, Snow White, and Cinderella, and Tiana. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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

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

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

comedy

Feb. 14, 8 p.m., St. Louis Laugh A Thon starring Earthquake, Don “DC” Curry, Michael Blackson, Damon Williams and Huggy Low Down, The Peabody Opera House, The Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market. For more information.

Sat., Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Christians Need To Laugh Too presents Post-Valentine “It’s All About Love” Gospel Music & Comedy Blowout There will be various dynamic musicians, singers, and comedians including the world’s funniest preacher, Rev. “Lil Nate” Brown. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1440 S. Compton Ave., 63104. For more information, call (314) 225-4338 or (314) 388-1718.

Fri., Jan. 27, 6 p.m., 100

Boots Poetry Series: Lyn Hejinian & Alison C. Rollins. Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 754-1850 or visit www. pulitzerarts.org.

Mon., Jan. 30, Left Bank Books hosts author Aaron Coleman, author of St. Trigger. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731 or visit www.left-bank.com.

Wed., Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Missouri History Museum hosts author Marie-Christine Williams, author of Triumph over Darkness. Williams was a 14-year-old girl living in Kigali, Rwanda, when the Rwandan genocide began. When the genocide was over, 80 percent of Rwanda’s Tutsi population had been slaughtered. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

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

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

Fri., Jan. 27, 6 p.m.

Framations Art Gallery presents the opening reception for their 11th annual photography exhibit, the exhibit will continue through March 9, 2017. 218 North Main Street

in St. Charles, MO. For more information visit the website at www.framations.com or call the gallery at 636-724-8313.

Through Jan. 28, The Thomas Dunn Learning Center presents the American Revolutions Art Exhibit. The 2016 election further exposed the great divide between many American citizens. Fortunately, there is healing in art - or at least an opportunity for self-expression. This exhibit features the works of artists who are unafraid to exercise that right. 3113 Gasconade St., 63118.

Sat., Jan. 28, 11 a.m., Contemporary Art Museum presents Artist Talk: Deana Lawson. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information or to register, visit www.camstl.org.

Sat., Jan. 28, 4 p.m., UMSL presents Taking it to the Streets. The exhibition features work by artists whose work addresses themes of identity, social-justice, place, environment and family. This program is free and open to the public. Gallery 210, UMSL, 44 East Dr., 63121. For more information, call (314) 5165952 or visit www.gallery210. umsl.edu.

Tues., Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum presents Artist Talk: Louis Cameron. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information or to register, visit www.camstl.org.

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

The Thomas Dunn Learning Center is seeking artists to display work during an upcoming Black History Month art exhibit A Change is Gonna Come. They are also seeking poets to perform spoken word compositions

at the opening reception on February 4 at 12 p.m. 3113 Gasconade St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 353-3050 or visit www.tdunn. org.

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

theatre

Jan. 26 – Feb. 12, New Jewish Theatre presents Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Drive. For more information, call (314) 442-3283.

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

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

lectures and workshops

Sat., Jan. 28, 11:30 a.m., Refresh, Refocus, Revive and Thrive! Women can come to learn how to negotiate for more money and better career advancement opportunities even if you don’t have a college degree. St. Stephens and The Vine, 33 N. Clay Ave., 63135. For more information, call (314) 2618700.

Jan. 27 – Feb. 12, Upstream Theater presents the U.S. Premiere of The Year of the Bicycle, Kranzberg Arts Center. For more information, visit http://www. upstreamtheater.org.

Through January 29, The Black Rep continues its 40th Anniversary Season with Nikkole Salters’ LINES IN THE DUST, Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth. Tickets for the production are available at The Black Rep Box Office by calling 314.534.3810 or online at theblackrep.org.

Though Jan. 29, The Fabulous Fox presents An American in Paris.. 527 N. Grand Blvd., St Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Thur., Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m., American Board in St. Louis invites you to a Missouri Teacher Certification Information Workshop Patrick Henry Downtown Academy, 1220 N. 10th St., 63106. For more information, call (877) 669-2228 or visit www.abcte.org/abcte-event/ st-louis-missouri-21/.

Thur., Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m., Freedom Arts and Education Center presents From Duke to Dilla. How are Duke Ellington and J Dilla connected? Join us for the history of jazz and hip-hop and how they are related. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-2174 or visit www. maplewood.lib.mo.us.

Thur., Feb. 9, 12:30 p.m., Ferguson’s Fault Lines: The Race Quake that Rocked a Nation. Kimberly Norwood, J.D., is the editor of Ferguson’s Fault Lines,

and exactly two and a half years after the shooting death of Michael Brown, she will discuss the impact of that event and how “Ferguson” changed a community as well as a nation. Instructional Resource Building, STLCCFlorissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 5134554.

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

Thur., Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents The Incredible Story of Reconciliation The remarkable story of Harriet and Dred Scott clearly resonates on the eve of the 160th Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision. 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-2174 or visit www. maplewood.lib.mo.us.

Fri., Jan 27, 9:15 a.m., Dr.

was Malinke Elliott, James Marshall and Vincent Terrell,” Carroll said. “Across the street was Richard Franklin. Down the Street was Julius Hemphill – and J. D. was around the corner.”

The original BAG building, where they held meetings, rehearsals and performances, was nearby. They spoke to the black experience in their art and helped uplift the community in the process.

Legacy of BAG and beyond

By 1972, BAG was over – but the impact of what was started, with the help of Shaw, never faded.

“Today, so many of the people they inspired are at the forefront of movements for social change – whether as artists or through activist and community work,” said Ben Looker, author of the book “’Point From Which Creation Begins’: The Black Artists’ Group of St. Louis. “Given the direness of our current political circumstances, the legacy of a group like BAG is especially crucial. So Shaw’s achievements with BAG and afterward are perhaps more relevant now than ever.”

Last year for the Whitaker Jazz Speaks Series, Jazz St. Louis presented “BAG – a Celebration of the Black Artists Group” with Oliver Lake. There was not an empty seat to be had in the Ferring Jazz Bistro or the overflow area.

“I didn’t expect it to be that many people,” said poet and BAG member Shirley LeFlore. “It was so great to see everybody there and to get together again.”

It was one of the last times the public would see Shaw.

“He was a great drummer,” LeFlore said. “He had a special kind of tempo that made it so he could play with just about anybody. I’ll miss performing with him. So will everybody else. They’ll miss hearing him play too.”

Shaw’s contributions were bigger than the music.

“Beyond his talent as a

drummer, one thing that stands out about Shaw’s career in St. Louis and New York is his sheer versatility as an arts worker,” Looker said. “He came into BAG as an actor as well as a musician. He cofounded a St. Louis record label, Universal Justice, that gave recording opportunities to so many local experimentalists of the early 1970s.”

He also created the Human Arts Ensemble as a collective that was inclusive of other races.

Soon after BAG disbanded, Shaw moved to Paris as part of a quartet led by Lake that also included Carroll and Joseph Bowie. They toured throughout Europe.

“Those were some of my favorite times with Bobo,” said Carroll. “Being on the road making music and memories –and sharing wonderful stories.”

By the mid-1970s, Shaw and other St. Louisans from BAG had moved to New York and become major figures in Manhattan’s loft-jazz scene, where musicians converted disused industrial spaces into alternative performance spots.

“As with BAG, the loft scene gave musicians a chance to innovate outside the constraints imposed by traditional music clubs,” Looker said. “It also broke down some of the typical boundaries between audience and performer. Shaw

was always central to BAG’s do-it-yourself ethos, and his New York years saw him using that St. Louis experience to help enliven a creative and pioneering arts scene in the lofts and elsewhere.”

Shaw returned home in the 1980s, but never stopped performing until his health made it impossible to do so. His last major national show was in 2015 when he performed with Bluiett’s Telepathic Orchestra during the Vision Festival in New York City.

Carroll’s wish is that artists of every sort honor Shaw’s memory by keeping his determination and commitment to creating in mind as they work.

“I hope they’ll see how to go forward and not let anything keep you from keeping your art going,” Carroll said. “That’s what BAG did and what Bobo did – it wasn’t about waiting for someone else to show you the way. It was about showing people to make your own way and stay strong as an artist.”

Shaw is survived by a sister, Marian Shaw Matthews; six daughters, Concere, Antasiah, Myah, Erica, Tracy and Lorene Sabbane Shaw; and a grandchild.

A memorial service for Charles “Bobo” Shaw will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, January 26 at Eddie Randle & Sons Funeral Home, 4600

Jacqueline Thompson and Jim Butz in a scene from the New Jewish Theatre’s production of Lynn Nottage’s ‘Intimate Apparel,’ which runs Jan. 26-Feb.12.

THEATRE

Continued from C1

nity to be the best storyteller

– especially in an environment that is not traditional African American theatre,” said Andrea Purnell, who plays Mamie.

“For them to take this opportunity to tell our story intermingled with Jewish Heritage was a beautiful story to be a part of. To have an opportunity to perform such a rich piece of theatre is an unbelievable experience.”

DUO

Continued from C1

“I’ll never forget the first time we came out to St. Louis. It was a huge deal for us,” Flippin said. “It was like our first concert that our manager had booked for us with a major guitar society. We were just out of school and we came here and the community opened its arms up to us.”

This will mark their fourth trip here, and they relish in every opportunity to return.

“Four years ago we played in the Scott Joplin house, which was a huge honor for us,” Mallett said. “I’ve been a Scott Joplin fan my entire life. My parents had a Scott Joplin record that they used to play for me every night – so to be able to go into his house and play music there was an incredible honor for both of us.”

Another reason why they love coming to the city, the Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society makes provisions for them to tour public schools in the region – where they acclimate young audiences to their style of music.

“We come across a lot of African American students in these schools,” Mallett said.

“And even now, there are a lot of them who aren’t aware that there are African American classical musicians, period – so I think that it’s really cool for us to be role models for them.”

An affinity for rock music compelled both Flippin and Mallett to pick up guitars as youngsters. They had fallen in love with classical guitar by college, and both completed

The cast also includes Jim Butz, Julie Layton and St. Louis stage veteran Linda Kennedy as Esther’s landlord, Mrs. Dickson. Kennedy played the role of Esther several years back on The Black Rep stage.

“It’s definitely a full circle moment,” Kennedy said. “I hope to portray Mrs. Dickson with dignity. Here’s a black woman at the turn of the century that owns property and has acquired wealth at a time when people are just coming up from the South looking for a new life.”

Thompson says Esther’s

undergraduate studies from Oberlin College’s Conservatory of Music (Mallett) and University of Chicago (Flippin) before heading to Yale to earn their historic Master’s degrees.

In 2009, Duo Noire was a recipient of the Yale Alumni Ventures grant, which allowed the pair to tour urban regions in New England and provide access to the arts for thousands of students through performances and lectures.

“I think when we leave each of these schools; the kids find a new appreciation for classical music, and music in general,” Mallett said.

They will facilitate a master class on Sunday at Washington University’s 560 Music Center.

Contemporary and classic

Flippin and Mallett are preparing to bring a bit of everything to the Ethical Society stage on Saturday. Tango, traditional classical compositions with folk and the blues sprinkled in among other things.

“We are coming to play some really fun music and have a good time,” Flippin said.

They shot off names that included contemporary composers Dr. Courtney Bryan and Clarice Assad, daughter of classical guitar legend Sergio Assad.

“There’s a lot of music out there, but we are trying to become pioneers of modern music,” Mallett said. “We’re trying to play music by living composers and be an ensemble that plays music that’s written for us.”

story is one of resilience. “This play shows how strong we’ve had to be – and how strong we continue to be,” Thompson said. “And how, throughout history, we’ve constantly had to rebuild back from nothing.” New Jewish Theatre’s production of Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel will run January 26 – February 12 in the JCC’s Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information, call (314) 442-3283 or visit www.newjewishtheatre.org.

Also in their set list is work by early 20th century black Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett, an intentional move for Duo Noire.

“Being in the field is so rare – and kind of lonely being the only African Americans – you feel an awful lot of responsibility,” Flippin said. “We’re trying to wield that responsibility in a good way by lifting up some composers [who look like us] and shine light on them by playing music that is more diverse and get people thinking about what they are putting on stage.”

And they promise a transformative experience.

“You go to a lot of concerts and people just want to impress the audience by dazzling people with technique and playing fast, but we are about moving people,” Flippin said. “It’s important to us for people to come, have fun in this communal setting and reflect on their lives and the profound beauty of music for a brief moment, before going back into the world recharged.

And people who don’t even know they love classical guitar music are going to find out on Saturday!”

The Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society’s presentation of Duo Noire will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 28 at The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, St. Louis, 63117. The Duo Noire Master Class will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Washington University’s 560 Music Center. For more information, call (314) 229-8686 or visit www. guitarstlouis.net.

Photo by Eric Woolsey

Celebrations

Reunions

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class of 1967 will have its 50-year reunion on June 10, 2017. The next meeting is January 21, 2017 at1:30 pm at Normandy Library.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate

its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296, madeshe@sbcglobal.net.

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

Sumner Class of 1967 is planning its 50-year reunion. Please contact Carlotte Algee Stancil at algee1999@yahoo.

com; DonnaYoung Rycraw at donnarycraw@aol.com or Stella Smith Hunt at stellalhunt58@sbcglobal.net, 314-381-5104 with email, address and phone number.

Vashon High School 90th

Anniversary Celebration will be held at Renaissance Hotel Airport St. Louis, October 6-7, 2017. On October 5, 2017, there will be an Alumni Day at Vashon High School. Please save the dates.

Vashon Class of 1957 is having its 60-year reunion on May 20, 2017 at the Atrium at the rear of Christian N.E. Hospital on Dunn Road. Classes 1955-1959

are welcomed. For more information, please contact Lovely (Green) Deloch at 314867-1470, Marlene (Randall) Porter at 314-653-0107, Mae (Simmons) Mahone at 314653-0818 or Phyllis (Bolden) Washington at 314-531-9925.

Vashon Class of 1967 is planning its 50-year reunion and is need of contact information for all interested alumni. Please contact JoAnn Alvoid at alvoidjoe8@gmail. com; Sarah (Taylor) Robinson at srobinson647@hotmail. com; or Sonya (Walker) Smith at 314.381.8221, with your address, email and phone number.

Angelia M. Word (age 15) has been nominated for the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence. She has also been invited to Congress of Future of Medical Leaders Conference in Boston, MA this summer to represent McKinley Classical Leadership Academy and the State of Missouri. Angelia is the only student from SLPS to receive this prestigious honor.

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

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO

Vashon High School 90th Anniversary Celebration will be held at Renaissance Hotel Airport St. Louis, October 6-7, 2017. On October 5, 2017, there will be an Alumni Day at Vashon High School. Please save the dates.

St. Louis Community College needs your help identifying STLCC alumni. Alumni are encouraged to visit the website: www.stlcc.edu/foundation/, to become members or update information. For more information, contact Ashley Budde, coordinator of alumni relations, at abudde6@stlcc. edu, or 314-539-5145.

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

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us.

Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

The Office of Black Catholic Ministries Archdiocese of New Orleans honored Bishop Dominic Carmon by establishing a scholarship in his name. The scholarship will recognize a deserving person and will provide an opportunity to study at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies. Celebrating with Bishop Carmen are: (left to right) Sisters Sylvia Thibodeaux, Greta Jupiter, Alicia Costa and Charlotte Rubit.

‘I will accompany our immigrant and refugee families’

Archbishop Carlson’s Pastoral Message on Immigration and Reconciliation

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Guest columnist

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy…”

It is with these opening words from the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi in my heart and mind that I wish to address the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the people of good will in this pastoral message on immigration and reconciliation.

As a people of God and citizens of this great nation, we have remained attentive to the immigrant history, culture and identity that binds us together as a striving, welcoming and flourishing society. We know that our former immigrant generations and relatives also faced hate and discrimination. Yet, our core values as Americans have reflected the best of who we are and who we desire to be.

Similarly, in our faith journey, our gospel values have never been far from our individual and institutional practices, even when we have fallen short. Through the gift of faith, we have come to experience God’s compassion and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-20). And, through this same gift, we have learned to live as one human family under God: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all

of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).

This promise of being one in Christ, while not perfected in our time, provides for us the right direction and cadence to follow. As a pilgrim Church, our walk in and with the Lord has always compelled us to a more visible compassion: “Come you that are blessed by my Father…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25: 34-35).

This compassion for those who are hungry, thirsty and perceived to be strangers among us is a priority for us as a people of faith and Church. In our archdiocesan and parish ministries, charitable organizations and initiatives we will continue to work hard to ensure that we are reaching out to those in need, especially our immigrant and refugee sisters and brothers. Together with our partners and collaborators, we will serve with dignity, ever mindful of our shared pilgrimage on the way to the Lord (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:19).

Our compassion in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and welcoming the stranger must also lead us to the deeper spiritual longing for reconciliation and solidarity found in our human heart. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, this longing for reconciliation and solidarity with others has included the work

Religion

death. And, here at home, we have seen how hateful speech and dehumanizing rhetoric can become a catalyst for attitudes and behaviors leading to greater discord, division and disappointment. Noticeably, this past national election revealed deepseeded resentments, anger and pain in many sectors of our society and church. In some instances, the voice of reason and truth has given way to unrestrained fear and retaliation. Individuals from our immigrant and refugee communities are among those who are targets of discrimination, harassment and hate crimes.

for racial justice and comprehensive immigration reform. Over the years, we have been attentive to the brokenness in our families, neighborhoods, city and region, and endeavored to respond with intentionality and hope. While the challenges that face us at any given time can be overwhelming, our trust in the Lord has always pointed us in the right direction. As a community of faith and Church, we have learned to be vigilant so as to better respond to the needs of our world. Today, many of our brothers and sisters are experiencing hardships due to unjust and callous structures of power that have little regard for the

dignity of persons and the common good. We are living in a time that has given rise to unprecedented number of human beings becoming strangers in their own lands. The migration and refugee crisis continues to intensify for many in our human community. More and more, we are witnesses to images of destruction, violence and religious persecution. Good and loving people are having to make difficult choices, uprooting themselves from their family and friends and placing their lives at the mercy of others. Unfortunately, the violent conditions that migrants face has led many to endure great sufferings and even tragic

As your bishop and pastor, I am concerned about the harmful impact this divisive and hate-driven cultural climate is having on our society and immigrant and refugee communities. I am particularly sensitive to the dilemmas and fears facing our Hispanic families because of the uncertainty of the unfolding political and social environment. For many of our Hispanic families, and especially for the children, the anti-immigrant sentiments and fear mongering is creating an atmosphere of deeper anxiety, withdrawal and isolation. While much in our new political and social reality remains to be seen and may be beyond our immediate reach, what is not far from us is how each one of us chooses to respond. Today, in the spirit of compassion and reconciliation, I wish to reaffirm my own pastoral commitment to accompany our immigrant and refugee families. I want to express my pastoral compassion for these families who are in need of welcoming and loving hands. I want to say to them directly: You are not alone, I am with you.

As I have done on previous occasions, I call upon the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the people of good will to join me in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee communities. I call upon each one of us to be instrument of compassion and reconciliation. Let us bring love where hatred is sown, pardon where injury seeks the upper hand, and hope where uncertainty sways. May our commitment to walk with the immigrant and refugee be a light in the darkness for others to see and follow. St. Francis of Assisi and St. Louis the King, pray for us.

Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, with the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Hispanic Commission. “I am particularly sensitive to the dilemmas and fears facing our Hispanic families because of the uncertainty of the unfolding political and social environment,” Carlson writes.

Hiring Fair

Saturday, February 4, 2017

9:00 am – 12:00 pm YWCA St. Louis Head Start Central Oice 1911 Beltway Dr. St. Louis, MO 63114

Looking for: Early Head Start Teachers with the following credentials: A.A. in ECE, current I/T CDA or 120 clock hours of experience in a licensed day care facility and willingness to obtain CDA within 180 days from hire.

Head Start Teachers Teacher Assistants

Part Time Teacher Aides For a complete listing of vacancies, additional information about the positions listed, and to apply, visit our website at www. ywcastlouis.org

CUSTOMER SERVICE

REPRESENTATIVE

CITY OF KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI

Accepts utility payments, sells sanitation bags, handles customer service inquiries regarding sanitation, electric and water services. Excellent customer service and ability to work with the public. HS Diploma/GED. Salary $35,960/yr. Beneits. Apply online by 1/30/17 to: kirkwoodmo. org or call 314-984-6975 for application. EOE

THE MUNY ANNOUNCES

Auditions for Principal Trumpet

he Muny will hold auditions for the principal trumpet position on Feb. 16, 2017. If you are hired by he Muny you must be/ or become a member in good standing of M.A.S.L. Local 2-197.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Professional experience in Musical heater

• Excellent Musical training/studies

• Solid technical and artistic skills in the musical ield

• Excellent level of musical interpretation

• Versatility, ability to interpret a large variety of musical styles

• Ability to work as part of a team

Audition repertoire will be furnished via e-mail ater receipt of your audition request. Sight reading excerpts will be provided at the audition.

To schedule an audition time or other questions, please contact James Priti via e-mail by February. 10, 2017. jpriti@ muny.org

he Muny Orchestra is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis Local 2-197, AFM.

he Muny is an equal opportunity employer.

HOUSING ATTORNEY POSITION

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-proit law irm that provides free legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, in 21 eastern Missouri counties, seeks an attorney to work in its Housing Program and the Youth and Family Advocacy Project. he position is located in LSEM’s St. Louis oice. For more information and application instructions please visit our website at www.lsem.org. his posting closes February 12, 2017.

POLICE OFFICER

he Manchester Police Department is seeking motivated individuals for the position of police oicer. Additional information and the application are available online at www.manchestermo.gov or by calling 636-227-1410 ext. 102.

MR.TCARWASH&DETAILING is looking for experienced car washers & detailers, Contact Mr. T’s Carwash @ 9845 Halls Ferry Road, Phone 314-868-7676 ask

info. (Heated Working Environment)

Looking for a Career?

Charter is hiring Damage Claims Reps!

On-site interviews will be conducted at our Career Fair.

When: Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Where: 941 Charter Commons Drive, Town & Country MO 63017 Time: 2:30pm-7:00pm

Professional dress and resume required.

Charter is a growing, dynamic Fortune 100 company with 90,000 employees and we are looking for energetic people to join our group of highly exceptional employees in the Damage Claims department. We are looking for individuals with strong customer service telephone skills, the ability to handle multiple projects and knowledge of telephone, internet and cable television services. If you enjoy helping your fellow employees ind solutions to problems and being a part of a great team, this position is for you.

Interested applicants should apply online at jobs.spectrum.com as qualiied applicants with resumes will be interviewed on site!!

Damage Claims Rep I– Job ID# 186378BR

“We’re building something great at Charter. Talented people are working together to establish valuable relationships with our customers, providing the products and service that keep our customers connected with the world. We’re moving aggressively to shape an exciting future for all of us.” –Tom Rutledge, President & CEO

EOE Race/Sex/Vet/Disability Charter is an equal opportunity employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following EEO Is the Law poster: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ pdf/eeopost.pdf

Charter is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are diferent.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE COORDINATOR

Explore St. Louis / America’s Center has an immediate opening for an Accounts Payable Coordinator. Duties include: assigning & processing purchase orders, invoices & checks, maintaining PO database and posting transactions to AP Ledger. Will prepare / maintain 1099’s & vendor iles and provide additional inancial support as necessary. Proiciency in MS Word and Excel, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required. Written & oral communication is critical. Associates Degree from 2-year college or technical school, 2-4 year’s experience and/or training in accounts payable is required. Experience with Sage 300 / ACCPAC accounting sotware is beneicial. Applicants, please email resume with cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis.com. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Explore St. Louis has an immediate opening for an Administrative Assistant within our Sales Department. Primary duties include; providing administrative and clerical support to the sales staf. Assisting with creating proposals, client presentations and the coordination of tradeshow functions. Must be highly proicient in Microsot oice, speciically, word, excel and power point. Looking for a very detail oriented individual with a knowledge and appreciation of St. Louis and knowledge within the hospitality industry, convention or tourism business. Associate Degree or one to three year’s experience; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Applicants please email resume with cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis. com. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Full-Time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Social Work position at the University of Central Missouri. Apply at www.ucmo.edu/ hr Direct questions about the position to: 660543-8227. For information about the on-line application process contact Human Resources at https://jobs.ucmo.edu or (660) 543-4255. AA/ EO/ADA

COORDINATOR –

PSA PREMIUM AUDIT

AT SAFETY NATIONAL

he Premium Audit Coordinator will work both collaboratively and independently to meet corporate objectives and goals related to the accurate and timely completion of primary premium audits.

To apply, please visit: www.safetynational. com and click on the Careers tab.

BUILDING & CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS

City of Florissant is seeking full-time and part-time Building and Code Enforcement Inspectors. 3 years of progressive experience in code enforcement as well as construction/building trades will be required. Advanced training in local building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and ire codes is highly desirable. Must obtain certiication as an ICC Residential Combination Inspector (not a part-time requirement).

Regional Underwriting Manager (New York) at Safety National Responsible for underwriting and servicing of Large Casualty accounts for assigned territory. Underwriting accountability includes new business production, renewal retention, account servicing and broker/insured relationships that lead to underwriting proitability and revenue growth within the assigned underwriting territory.

To apply, please visit: www.safetynational. com and click on the Careers tab.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

De Smet Jesuit High School seeks highly qualiied candidates for the position of Assistant Principal for Student Welfare and Discipline to begin full-time June 2017. Most competitive candidates will have a Master’s degree in counseling, education, school administration, or related ield and four years of successful experience in a high school setting. Candidates must demonstrate superior skills in interpersonal relationships, communication, and organization; visionary leadership in administration; and knowledge of restorative justice practices. More information is available at https://www.desmet.org/about/ careers. Send a resumé, cover letter, and a list of at least three references to Carrie Becher, Administrative Assistant to the Principal, at cbecher@desmet.org. Application materials will be accepted through February 10.

ASSISTANT

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices S

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Ringer Road Overlay, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1445, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on February 8, 2017

Plans and specifications will be available on January 16, 2017 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOROFPROCUREMENT ANDADMINISTRATIVESERVICES ST.LOUIS,COUNTY

BIDS/PROPOSALS WANTED

he City of St. Louis Workforce Development Board and the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment announce the availability of a Request for Proposal (RFP). he release date is January 26, 2017. he RFP is seeking bids for Public and Private Funding General Staing and One Stop Operator; Information Systems Support Manager; and Construction Liaison.

he RFP is available for pick-up, in person, at the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment oice, 1520 Market Street, Room 3050, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-589-8000, beginning January 26, 2017, 8:00 a.m. (local time) – 5:00 p.m. (local time), Monday – Friday, except holidays. he RFP can also be downloaded from our website: www.stlworks.com.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at SLATE at the above address on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at 10:00 AM. Questions regarding the RFP may be submitted to the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above), Attn: Deputy Director and must be received prior to 5:00 p.m. February 17, 2017. You may also submit questions to Kelley Bernardi at kbernardi@stlworks.com . A copy of the written inquiry and response will be posted on the website: www.stlworks. com. Applications must be received by the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above) no later than 5:00 p.m., (local time) on February 24, 2017. No fax or e-mail copies will be accepted. Applications received ater this date and time will not be considered. One original and ive copies in a sealed package must be submitted.

BID NOTICE E-bid for St. Louis Community College on Bid No. B0003617 for a contract for Various Types of Food Products will be received until 3:00 P.M. (local time) on February 10, 2017 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 300 So. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, and immediately thereater opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or call (314) 539-5225. EOE/AA Employer.

Webster Groves School District

Is seeking proposals for the sanding and reinishing of the Roberts Gymnasium wood loor at the Webster Groves High School. Request for Proposal submissions are due at the Webster Groves School District Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd. Attention Mr. Robert Steuber, WGSD CPM no later than 2:00 pm on February 9th 2017. he RFP will be available online @ www.webster.k12.mo.us, (under RFP heading) January 30th, 2016. he owner reserves the right to reject any and or all proposals

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Telegraph Road CRS

Collector Overlay, St. Louis County Project No. AR/CR-1446, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on February 8, 2017.

Plans and specifications will be available on January 16, 2017 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOROFPROCUREMENT ANDADMINISTRATIVESERVICES ST.LOUIS,COUNTY

ST. LOUIS

METROPOLITAN

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol- itan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on February 28th, 2017 to contract with a company for: Lemay Treatment Plant – Final Clariier #9 Equipment Replacement

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8794 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

SECTION 001116 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDDERS

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson & Co. for the Work Packages described herein at S. M. Wilson & Company Jobsite Trailer, 1201 Warson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124 until 2:00 p.m. on February 07, 2017 (Work Package #02 thru Work Package #06) and 2:00 p.m. on February 09, 2017 (Work Package #01 only). Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud at that time. Bids must be hand delivered to the above address by 2:00 p.m. on February 07, 2017 (WP#02 –WP#06) and 2:00 p.m. on February 09, 2017 (WP#01 only). If you elect to mail your bid, it must be mailed to S. M. Wilson & Company Jobsite Trailer, 1201 Warson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124.

Bid Package #06 – West Wing and Music Addition Building Skin

• Work Package #01 – Framing & Drywall

• Work Package #02 – Insulated Core Metal Wall Backup Panel

• Work Package #03 – Brick and Masonry

• Work Package #04 – Terracotta Clay Tile Rainscreen

• Work Package #05 – Fiber Cement Panel Rainscreen

• Work Package #06 – TPO & Asphalt Shingle Rooing

here will be a Pre-bid Site Walk-through Meeting at 9:00 a.m. on hursday, January 26, 2017. he meeting will be held at Ladue High School, 1201 Warson Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124 - We will meet in the South parking lot at the S.M. Wilson JOBSITE TRAILER. he purpose of this meeting is to observe current existing conditions and to address any technical questions concerning the project from prospective bidders. All Contractors are highly encouraged to attend this meeting. hose Contractors who do not attend the Pre-Bid Meeting but wish to schedule a site visit must contact Vernon Pfeil, Project Manager at S. M. Wilson & Co at 314/791-0870. Contractors are not allowed to visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.

he bid package will be available for viewing ater January 24, 2017 at the following locations: Smartbidnet

https://secure.smartbidnet.com/External/PublicPlanRoom.aspx ?Id=280724&i=1 PlanGrid

www.plangrid.com

he Bid Package may be reviewed at those locations or may be ordered from Hampton Printing Services (2185 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139) Contact Hampton Printing Services to order a set of documents. (Keith Tegeler, 314/633-9623 phone, keith.tegeler@ smwilson.com e-mail, or 314/644-0390 fax.)

he Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid, and to approve the Bond. he prevailing wage law is in efect on this project. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of Ninety (90) days subsequent to the speciied time for receipt of Bids.

A Bid Bond or Certiied Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, will furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work.

he Statutes of the State of Missouri require that not less than the prevailing rate per diem, legal holiday and overtime wages in the locality where the work is to be performed, be paid to all laborers, workmen and mechanics employed in the execution of the Contract. All other Statutes of the State of Missouri covering employment shall apply to any Contract awarded.

Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.

he Construction Manager for this project is S. M. Wilson & Co. and the Project Manager is Vernon Pfeil, 314/791-0870 phone, vernon.pfeil@smwilson.com email.

S. M. Wilson & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer he Ladue School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

METROPOLITAN

ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on February 22nd, 2017 to contract with a company for: Janitorial Services for the Grand Glaize Facility.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8788 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on February 27th, 2017 to contract with a company for: Roof Consulting & Inspection Services.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8790 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 1:00 pm. on February 21, 2017 to contract with a company for: Moving a chiller.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8789 RFQ – MOVE CHILLER. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6265 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 9:00 a.m. on February 28th, 2017 to contract with a company for: Rate Consulting Services.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8792 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: VOGELSANG GRINDER 10” FLANGE. INDUSTRIAL PROCESS

EQUIPMENT (IPEG) is the sole authorized manufacturer for the VOGELSANG GRINDER 10” FLANGE.

The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment/service because FORD HALL INC is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that he Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Earl Drive Storm Sewer under Letting No. 10383-015.1, at this oice, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualiied by the District’s Engineering Department for:

SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Speciications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Speciications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and speciications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. he Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that he Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Rolens and Telegraph Sanitary Storage under Letting No. 11919015.1, at this oice, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualiied by the District’s Engineering Department for:

SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required

Plans and Speciications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Speciications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and speciications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. he Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 2:00 pm. on February 21, 2017 to contract with a company for: #2 hickener Rebuild.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 6748-2 REBID RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6265 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Fab Tech Wastewaster Solutions request proposals for the #2 thickener at the Grand Glaze MSD plant, Proposals are due by February 10th at 10:00 am plans and speciications are available at the pre bid scheduled for february 3rd at 3:00 pm at our oices located at 865 Midpoint drive, O’Fallon Mo. 63366 Qualiied certiied MBE or WBE are encouraged.

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 1/26/17

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) Planning & Urban Design Agency (PDA) 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

hese notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of St. Louis (“he City.”)

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or ater 2/11/17, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG Program funds under Title 1 of the Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., as amended, to undertake the following projects:

Project Title: Adams Grove

Purpose: Demolition of 8 vacant residential buildings and construction of a total of 50 apartment units on 25 residential parcels in the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood, south of Manchester Avenue.

Location: 4400 blocks of Swan, Norfolk & Vista Avenues, and 1308-12 S. Tayor Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is will be up to an estimated $11,994,044.00, with $500,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2016 Federal CDBG Program funds.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

he City has determined that these projects will have no signiicant impact on the human environment. Certain conditions will apply to these projects. herefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information for each project is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on ile at the City PDA, at the above address, where the ERR is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mark Jeferies, Environmental Review Oicer, PDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 2/10/17 will be considered by the City of St. Louis prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

he City certiies to HUD that, Francis G. Slay, in his capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisied. HUD’s approval of the certiication satisies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use the City’s above-referenced HUD program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certiication for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certiication was not executed by the Certifying Oicer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or inding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of the release of funds by HUD; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written inding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ms. Dee Ann Ducote,

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: TWO NEW TV TRUCKS FOR STORMWATER.

submittals, or to advertise for new submittals if deemed necessary.

City! Budget 1 bedroom, redone hardwoods, central heat/air, pets, w/d hookups, deck, covered porch! $395 rs-stl.com AH13F 314-200-0014

RENT 1 Bedroom, 5780 W. Florissant, Stove, Fridge, A/C, Provided 314-504-6012

INVESTMENT PROPERTY 4 Family Apt Building,

‘Back and Forth’ with Needles at Blank Space. I kicked my weekend off paying tribute. Nappy DJ Needles served up a fire set in honor of the late great Aaliyah Friday night – on what would have been her 38th birthday. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 16 years since she was snatched from us at the height of her career … mainly because her music still gets in my bones and makes me bust a move as if it was brand new. I saw some of my favorite people perched up in the Blank Space getting their life through an audio and video medley of her catalogue. My most favorite of all wouldn’t dare want me to mention her name, but just know that HB is the only hint I’ll provide she brings the party to whatever spot she hits. Friday night was no different and she compelled others to get into the groove based on how she was getting it in. Tre’von “TreG” Griffith was in the building as was the P-D’s Kevin C. Johnson C. Jay Conrod and plenty of other folks I swore to myself I wouldn’t forget but obviously did. It was a great time – and watching Aaliyah on the screen has me more motivated than ever to get this body together. Her ab game was second only to those seen on Janet Jackson’s touring shape!

Hardly any rust on the R&B Legends. I knew it was going to be either hit or utter epic fail of a miss for the R&B Legends Concert Saturday night at the Ambassador. That’s no jab to the promoters – it’s just when you bring a throwback act out of their crypt, it’s like a box of chocolates … you never know what you’re gonna get. And usually, you get some dusty, old, dried up, cordial cherries. But that was not the case on Saturday. Surface was pretty regular. But even as the weakest link, they were tolerable enough. Now I got the delightful shock of my life when R&B three-hit wonder Tony Terry took to the stage, if I do say so myself. First of all, he looked great. Now he did have on a cat daddy blazer and some of those dad jeans with the “doing the most” bedazzled back pockets. But had it not been for the ensemble I would have assumed he stepped right out of 1993! And then he had the nerve to sound better than he did when he was in style singing to those tracks! The only way he could have impressed me more is if he would’ve sang, “Everlasting Love.” Then after his set was over, he went through the crowd mingling and posing for cell phone photo shoots with fans. He was absolutely everything. Miki Howard was in better shape in her 50s than she was in her 20s – except for her vocal cords. I was a nervous wreck that she was going to sound a struggle mess – and she quietly did for the first medley of her hits. But then, she came out of left field and wowed everyone with a dead on rendition of Billie Holliday’s “Good Morning Heartache.” I was like, “Girl, where were those notes when you were barely getting through ‘Ain’t Nobody Like You’ and ‘Come Share My Love (Come Share My Joy).’ She came through in the clutch, even though her grown and a bit too sexy interludes were a bit much. As expected, the girls got life from “Love Under New Management” even though she was low key all over the place vocally Lenny Williams whined the folks clean out the door and I must say his “oh, oh, oh, oh…oh, oh…oh, oh” game is in vintage form!

A toast to S.L.U.M. Fest. Because of Lenny Williams’ begging and pleading and howling I barely caught the tail end of the 5th Annual S.L.U.M. Fest Awards Saturday night at Delmar Hall. But I did ease on down there just in time to mingle with some of my favorites from the underground hip-hop scene before I was forced to hit it because the show was over. I do want to give a major shout out to all of the winners and to the S.L.U.M. Fest for giving the hip-hop heads a chance to get props for the work they are putting in to make sure STL stays relevant as far as its rap game.

STL on the silver screen. I don’t know if y’all have heard, but our people are making major moves in the movies – both on the festival circuit and the Hollywood machine. First off let me tip my messy bun to Kimberly Steward and her K Period Media for their role in the now Academy Award nominated film, “Manchester by the Sea.” As a producer for the film, Kim is only the second African American woman producer to have a film nominated for “Best Motion Picture.” Oprah Winfrey is the other one…hello! And U. City’s own Marlon West headed up animation effects for Disney’s “Moana,” and the film is up for an Oscar in the “Best Animated Feature Film” category. And if that wasn’t enough, STL is making big moves at the Sundance Film Festival as we speak. Ferguson documentary, “Whose Streets” is in the mix. So is “Roxanne Roxanne,” the Roxanne Shante biopic by St. Louis’ own Michael J. Larnell. And actor George Sample III was a featured player at Sundance when his film, “Person to Person” played last week. Don’t let nobody (that’s right I said nobody) tell you that our city isn’t making major moves all up and through the movies! Black fashion magic. I closed my weekend out with the fashionistas at the Noir II show Sunday night at Barnett’s on Washington. When I tell you I got every single doggone bit of my life from the clothes, trust that the talent of the designers and the slayage by the models on the runway was real. The only thing was that Barnett’s is just not conducive to a comfortable catwalk experience. But the team who pulled it together made the most of it. And the audience was giving almost as much life as the outfits on display, as they came through dressed in all black like The Omen. Did I mention how much life I got from the clothes? Well I’m saying it again. Can someone please find out if that disco-ball-inspired silver gown come in a 2X? I’m asking for a friend. Anyway, I can’t wait to see what is in store for Noire III. I know one thing for sure, they are gonna need a bigger space.

Erica and Jaymie stepped through Mood for some fun Saturday night

Simone Davis and Amanda Wicks let their hair down in honor of the late Aaliyah as Nappy DJ Needles paid tribute Friday night @ Blank Space

Amelia, Gary, and Michelle got a chance to groove to some classics Saturday night @ The R&B Classics Concert @ The Ambassador

Monica, Amber and Kandi kicked their weekend off @ The Marquee Saturday night

Diane Cadillac, Theresa Arnold, Donna Hudson, Nina Wave, Tina S. and Cathy were front and center for the R&B Classics Concert Saturday night @ The Ambassador

Ced the Photographer and Ladi Sarah were among the stylish crowd Sunday night @ Barnett’s on Washington

Taylor from Truth boutique and Bri kept with the all black dress code for the Noir II fashion show @ Barnett’s Sunday night

Fat-Fat was the host with the most and DJ Burn kept the energy on ten @ Barnett’s for Noir II Sunday night

Steve Lacy and funny Lady Ree hung out in VIP after Ree flexed her comedy chops as featured entertainment for the R&B Classics Concert Saturday night @ The Ambassador

Mariama and Lurk’s Patrick from Pink Mercy @ Barnett’s for Noir II Sunday night

Promoters DeMarco, JoJo and Ben had to be thrilled with how music veterans Miki Howard and Tony Terry tore the stage down for their R&B Classics Concert Saturday night at The Ambassador. The show also featured Surface and Lenny Williams.

Photos by John Scott