“I’m
Ross has served as Director of Washington University’s Hemodialysis unit and then Vice President of Medical Affairs at the former St. Louis Regional Medical Center. He has helped open free medical clinics for uninsured patients and is a founding member of the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience.
‘Doing
By Sylvester Brown Jr.
Ross, MD, MPH is an Alumni Endowed Professor of Medicine, Nephrology, and Associate Dean for Diversity at Washington University School of Medicine. His reputation as a kidney specialist, a developer of long-term health equity programs locally, nationally, and globally is legendary. Ross has served as Director of Washington University’s Hemodialysis unit and then Vice President of Medical Affairs at the former St. Louis Regional Medical Center. He has helped open free medical clinics for uninsured patients and is the founding member of the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, a magnet health professions high school in St. Louis.
trying my best to heal and not just one individual; but heal people on a local, national and global level. That’s my calling.” See
This is just a snapshot of Ross’ considerable accomplishments, but, when listed in total Dr. Ross says he’s still not satisfied.
“No, I am not satisfied when tens of thousands or millions of people go to bed hungry,” Ross explained. “I cannot be satisfied when people are dying from preventable diseases, when whole communities in Ethiopia or in
To be honored during Salute to Excellence in Business
Hundreds attend memorial service
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
The late Demetrious Johnson had treasured words he often shared with the world, and not just about athletes.
“Big-time players, make big-time plays, in bigtime games,” he would say. Johnson, who died from a rare heart condition on Christmas Eve, received a big-time send off during his memorial service at Chaifetz Arena on the St. Johnson remembered for his love of
Louis University campus on Jan. 2, 2022.
The new year came in without Johnson, and hundreds of friends, former teammates, and members of all sectors of the St. Louis community shared touching remembrances of the gentle soul that devoted his post-football career to helping others.
For every tear, there were many more smiles. Johnson would have wanted it that way, and those in attendance knew it.
From a moving poem by Alvin Miller to recollection of late-night phone calls, the afternoon was a true tribute.
Many speakers touched on Johnson’s ability to
Queen of Memphis Rap ‘Gangsta Boo’ dead at 43
Queen of Memphis Rap, and Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo died on New Year’s Day (Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023). She was 43.
Gangsta Boo, born Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, was found dead at approximately 4 p.m. Fellow Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul posted a picture of her in memory without a caption on his official Instagram page.
The new generation of Memphis women rappers, GloRilla and Gloss Up expressed their gratitude to Gangsta Boo for always embracing them and the other up-and-coming Memphis emcees.
“normally don’t post screenshots but the fact that she reached out to me before anybody else had a clue who I was [crying emoji],” GloRilla wrote. “she always supported me & the girls way back before we blew up [100 symbol emoji] A REAL LEGEND there will never be another Gangsta Boo [prayer hands emoji]”
“Maneee @missyeahoe I Just Wanna Say Thank You For Always Speaking Life Into Me [crying emoji],” Gloss Up wrote. “Always Being Super Supportive & Positive To Me &
My Frens ! I Told You I Wanted To Remix Your Song & I Executed It ! You Will Be Missed Lola [sad face emoji] [broken heart emoji].”
Gangsta Boo was known for being one of Three 6 Mafia’s leading ladies. Outside of her affiliation with Three 6 she has also had a successful solo career. One of her biggest hits is “Where Dem Dollas At.”
She was most recently featured on Latto’s “FTCU” alongside GloRilla, which was released last month.
A cause of death hasn’t been revealed.
Yo Gotti, Angela Simmons go Instagram official on New Year’s Eve
Yo Gotti is showing us that mani festation is real, even if you don’t get what you want until eight years later.
He went viral in 2015 for rapping about a crush he had on Simmons in his song “Down in the DM.”
“I just followed Angela [Simmons],” Gotti raps. “Boy, I got a crush on Angela [Simmons].
They like Gotti, you bold. I’m gon let the world know.”
It appears Gotti finally has the
woman of his dreams. On New Year’s Eve, he deleted all the posts on his page, posting only two of him and his new boo.
He posted a two-photo carousel of glamor shots of them: the first is Gotti holding up an umbrella over Simmons’ head while she steps out the car, the other is them standing against the car hugged up.
Simmons commented under the post “Favorite [googly eye emoji] [red heart emoji] [googly eye emoji].”
Simmons followed Gotti’s lead, deleting all her photos and videos, only posting two photo posts of them. She captioned one of the posts, “You are all I need and more [heart emoji].”
The two lovers brought in the New Year togetherby watching fireworks on a boat, as both shared the footage on their Instagram
Woman alleges actor LaKeith Stanfield is an absentee father
24-year-old Tylor Hurd alleges LaKeith Stanfield is an absentee father to her daughter, Apollo.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, Hurd posted a now-deleted Instagram reel of Apollo and Stanfield having fun together in various
clips.
“decided to leave being someone’s secret family in 2022 to meet Apollo Stanfield,” Hurd wrote.
“Thanks for respecting my not wanting to blast my child out to the internet,” he wrote. “Very considerate of you.”
“value your privacy is why you lied to people saying she wasn’t your baby or that I was just a random? you value your privacy but your gf post (sic) everything y’all do lol okay,” Hurd replied.
Hurd accused Stanfield of “actively ignoring” their daughter.
Stanfield denied Hurd’s allegations, and concluded, he “never said Apollo wasn’t his baby,’’ adding he hopes her post “does whatever it was supposed to do” for her.
Hurd’s post arrived hours after Stanfield announced his engagement to his girlfriend Kasmerre Trice. He proposed on Friday. Hurd refutes posting about their daughter because she was jealous of his engagement announcement.
From her perspective, she said she tried to meet Trice, but she was ignored. She said her issue was the fact that Stanfield was spending more time with Trice than being active in their daughter’s life.
Stanfield has another child with his ex Xosha Roquemore. They welcomed the child in 2017.
Sources: fox13memphis.com, instagram.com, pagesix.com, npr.org
“I
ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JANUARY 5 - 11, 2023
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
Living In Victory Recovery
Sober
Living [LIV] is helping those plagued by substance use fight against drug and alcohol addiction at its new rehabilitation facility in the Old North neighborhood.
Owners Derrick and Cameo Jones opened the center in August and say they come from families impacted by addiction. Based on their experiences, they realize many Black families don’t have the resources to help loved one’s fight addiction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, overdose deaths increased by 44% for Black people. Also, the overdose death rate among Black men 65 years and older was nearly seven times that of White males 65 years and older. Black people ages 15 to 24 years old experienced the largest rate increase of 86% compared with changes seen in other age or race groups during 2019–2020.
The report also pointed out that in counties with a higher income wage gap there were greater disparities in overdose deaths, especially among Black people. The rate is more than two times as high in areas with greater income inequality versus those with less income inequality.
“Our Black men are literally an endangered species,” said Cameo Jones. Derrick follows up saying their facility in Old North is needed to help more young men, especially young Black men.
The Jones’ first facility opened in St. Charles in 2018. They learned that many Black people didn’t have atransportation to reach them, and many people did not want to be served in a predominantly white area.
“Our goal became to work our way back down to the city to provide the same resources as they receive at our St. Charles location,” said Derrick.
According to Cameo, when it comes to people of color who face substance use, there are so many hurdles to receiving proper treatment. Cultural hurdles, mental health hurdles, awareness, and transportation. She said, “Our people didn’t even know we [LIV] existed.”
The 35-bed, three-story rehab center offers room and board, food, a 12-step program, on site therapy, and a new approach to treating substance use. It is currently full to capacity.
They change the way people discuss addiction, using the term substance abuse in conversation.
Instead of using the more common term substance abuse, the Joneses use substance use. The goal is taking prolonged shame out of being an addict.
“It is so unfortunate that addicts are treated like criminals instead of sick patients. Especially in the Black community compared to how Black addicts are treated in the judicial system compared to white addicts,” Cameo said.
The Drug Policy Alliance report shows Black people use drugs at similar rates to people of other races. But Black people comprise 30% of those arrested for drug law violations and
nearly 40% of those incarcerated in state or federal prison for drug law violations. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws contributed greatly to the disproportionate number of people of color behind bars.
LIV has a pilot program called Respite, which is designed for addicts known as ‘tweeners.’ They have gone through recovery programs, are ready to re-enter society, but still need some type of support like a rehab center. During the 90-day program, they must find employment, get a sponsor. They also have a support group onsite at LIV. Monthly community service is mandatory, and LIV supports their room and board and aids them with
their meals.
“They are doing the work to re-integrate themselves in the community, with our support and guidance,” said Cameo.
“Respite is the bridge to everything, be it the treatment, recovery housing, outpatient services, or permanent housing,” said Cameo.
“LIV doesn’t just talk about the addiction, but we cover the mind, the trauma where the addiction came from. We have to get to the exact nature of what’s going on.”
Jack Douglas, a returning patient of LIV, he doesn’t know where he would be without it.
“They saved my life,” said Douglas
Elizabeth Kowalik, LIV’s onsite therapist, says many clients suffer from “not truly knowing who they are as an individual.”
“I feel Black men are plighted by that more so than other populations because they are prone to systemic stuck points,” she said.
LIV provides room and board, meals, 24-hour services, treatment, transportation, therapy, and medication treatment. The owners hope to start a Respite program for women at their new location too.
To learn more visit https://livsoberliving.com/.
By Crystal Quade
Missouri’s state motto is salus populi suprema lex esto – the welfare of the people is the supreme law.
To live up to that standard, Missouri House Democrats will prioritize legislation during the 2023 legislative session to directly help Missourians at a time when so many are struggling.
House Democrats will fight to protect Missourians’ freedoms and defend our democracy. We’ll support laws that save lives. And we’ll make sure that when it comes to the taxpayers’ money, we’re using it to invest in Missourians and the schools, infrastructure, and social services we all rely on.
Republicans have forgotten the very first section of the Missouri Constitution, which says “all political power is vested in and derived from the people.” Not the legislature. Not the Republican Party. The people. This principle is integral to a free and democratic society, and House Democrats will defend it against Republican efforts to shift political power from the people to politicians.
right-to-work law.
Because Missourians frequently and effectively use the initiative and referendum petition processes to thwart the Republicancontrolled legislature, GOP lawmakers have launched an all-out assault on Missourians’ constitutional right to directly enact new laws they support and block bad laws they don’t.
We can come together as a state and use our record $6 billion surplus to make drastic changes that will benefit every Missourian. Increasing access to safe, quality, affordable childcare not only benefits children, but it also creates jobs and helps parents return to the workforce, helping our local economies and small businesses.
Investing in infrastructure – like broad band access or expanding Interstate 70 –saves Missourians’ money and makes all areas of our state more accessible and attractive for businesses.
When politicians focus on “culture war” issues, they seek to escape responsibility for objectively bad policy. In the rush to ban abortion, Republican legislators passed vague language forcing doctors to question treatment for ectopic pregnancies, which are always fatal to the child and usually fatal to the mother if not treated, because they fear arrest or losing their ability to practice medicine. The ban left pharmacists confused about how to fill prescriptions used to treat things like arthritis because that same medication can be used for an abortion. This makes no one safer.
For well over a century, Missourians have possessed the constitutional authority to bypass the lawmakers to enact legislation their elected representatives refuse to pass, such as Medicaid expansion and legislative ethics reform, as well as medical and recreational marijuana legalization. Missourians also are empowered to block bad laws approved by the legislature and signed into law by the governor, as was the case a few years ago with Republicans’ anti-union
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Finally, despite law enforcement officers and county prosecutors pleading with them not to, Republicans have passed laws that allow dangerously unstable people to access firearms. St. Louis police cited this law as a reason they couldn’t legally seize the weapon of the recent Central Visual and Performing Arts High School shooter, despite repeated warnings this person posed a threat. We can close loopholes that allow dangerous people to buy or keep firearms. We can prioritize Missourians’ safety with practical, common sense gun reform while not violating Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.
Policy should be for the good of the people, not attacking the rights of others or putting them in harm’s way. It has been the honor of my life to work for the people of Missouri, and in my last two years as a state representative leading a growing Democratic caucus, I know our vision of a safer, more fiscally intelligent, and democratically secure Missouri is resonating. We can achieve greatness so long as we maintain our focus on the welfare of the people.
This guest commentary is by State Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, minority lead-
All letters are edited for length and style
What are you prepared to do?
By Mike Jones
There is an early scene in the 1987 movie, “The Untouchables” when a tough streettested Chicago cop, Jim Malone (Sean Connery) is explaining in church to FBI agent Elliot Ness (Kevin Costner) about how to take down Al Capone The existential question that Malone puts to Ness about Capone is, “what are you prepared to do?”
A couple of days before Christmas, and after an 18-month investigation, the Select House Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol released its report. The report documents Donald Trump’s failed attempt to organize a coup against the US Government while President of the United States.
The report not only dealt with what everyone witnessed on January 6, but also the planning and scheming that gave rise to the attack, which was not a random act of mob violence, but an organized insurrection. An insurrection is an attempt to overthrow a government, attempting to stop the Congressional certification of the legally elected 46th POTUS qualifies as insurrection.
How should one think about the events and the report? There is an inclination to believe that the first time you experience something, that’s the first time it happened. That inclination is understandable but wrong, particularly in this case. This is not the first time Americans, White Americans, have taken up arms against the government of the United States, or the first time privileged White men have conspired to overthrow said
government(sedition).
Contrary to the myth America tells about itself, there’s a strong strain of authoritarianism and lawlessness in the American cultural and political DNA.
The preamble of Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are at best aspirational statements, not the operational predicates the Republic was actually organized around.
After the all verbiage about slavery, states rights and whatever side orders you want to include, what we call the Civil War was really an attempt to overthrow the elected United States government and seize territory that was legally part of the US.The most remarkable consequence of the Civil War, after four years and 620,000 casualties, there were no consequences. No Confederate leaders, civilian or military, ever had to answer for their role in attempting to overthrow the United States government.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow podcast tells a story of a more recent history of sedition and treason by wealthy American business and financial leadership conspiring with the Nazi government to undermine and possibly overthrow the United States government. The cabal included over 20 members of the US Senate and House of Representatives. The attempt to
bring the conspirators to justice collapsed and the final report wasn’t released by order of Attorney General Tom Clark and President Harry Truman. Maddow, as always, is a through and excellent storyteller, and her summation in episode 8 is masterful.
What is interesting about both Maddow’s Ultra story and the January 6 House report is how, in both cases, the system can’t protect itself and but for heroic individuals acting in the moment, we’d be talking about different outcomes in both cases.
Donald Trump’s sedition and MAGA insurrection is neither an anomaly nor an aberration, but a periodic phenomenon that regularly appears in the American political ecosystem. It’s a feature not a bug. Their seditionist and insurrectionist activities didn’t happen in the shadows or the dark of night, but in the daytime on television. If you’re outside you don’t need the weatherman to tell you it’s raining. We now have documented evidence of what Trump, his treasonous co-conspirators and his mindless minions did, and the only legitimate question ought to be the severity of the punishment. Once again Black America is cast as Jim Malone in a conversation with White America as Eliot Ness talking about ultra-right wing fascist America, and we pose the same existential question, what are White Americans. that know better, prepared to do about White Americans who won’t do better.
“Good will toward men” As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues
So much for
indeed.
By Marc Morial
As the region’s leading media source for the African-American community, at The St. Louis American we want to hear from you. To send a Letter to the Editor, please send to: editor@stlamerican.com. To submit a free People on the Move listing in our Business section, please send photo and write up to: kjones@ stlamerican.com. To submit a Business Brief or Community Brief, please send to: editor@stlamerican.com. For information on obituaries and in memoriams, please send to: ahouston@stlamerican.com. For advertising information, please send to: advertising@stlamerican.com. To receive our weekly E-newsletter, visit stlamerican.com.
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“Governor Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve without coordinating with any Federal or local authorities. This was a cruel, dangerous, and shameful stunt. As we have repeatedly said, we are willing to work with anyone — Republican or Democrat alike — on real solutions, like the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures President Biden sent to Congress on his first day in office. But these political games accomplish nothing and only put lives in danger.” -- White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan Seeking asylum in the United States is legal. People who have applied for asylum and await adjudication of their applications are present in the United States legally. But even if they weren’t, nothing could justify Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s inhumane Christmas Eve stunt. Buses carrying about 130 migrants bound for New York City, where volunteers and family members were waiting to meet them, were rerouted to Washington, D.C., so they could be dumped unexpectedly at Vice President Kamala Harris’ home.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management apparently made no effort to coordinate with local authorities or rescue groups either before or after discharging the migrants into the 18-degree cold.
As many have noted, Abbott’s malice was all the more shocking for falling on Christmas Eve, when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ – immediately after which the Holy Family themselves became refugees. Good will toward men,
Abbott’s latest act of cruelty is part of an ongoing and failing effort by politicallyambitious right-wing governors to portray “sanctuary cities” – those that have limited the extent to which they will carry out the responsibilities of federal immigration enforcement agencies – as hypocritical.
The effort is wholly illogical – asylum seekers are not breaking federal law – and has thoroughly backfired, as the migrants have been welcomed with warmth and generosity in the cities and towns the governors hoped to embarrass.
In fact, volunteers and local officials in sanctuary cities have expressed that they are more than willing to accept responsibility for more migrants, particularly as a surge of migrants await the lifting of the Trump-era Title 42 policy that allows the quick expulsion asylum-seekers at the border.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the policy to remain in place.
“If things like this are done in a coordinated and humane manner, it could really be a good option for those border towns that are struggling,” Tatiana Laborde, managing director of SAMU First Response, told CNN. The nonprofit that has been assisting migrants since the buses began coming to Washington earlier this year.
But a coordinated and humane response appears to be the last thing Abbott and his fellow tormentors of migrants,
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, desire. Nor can DeSantis, at least, credibly claim to be motivated by a desire to ease the burden on border towns. DeSantis, who was responsible for luring a group of unsuspecting Venezuelan migrants Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, admitted he had to go searching for victims in Texas because mass migration is not a problem in Florida.
“The problem is, is we’re not seeing mass movements of them into Florida,” he said. “It’s just coming in onesietwosies.”
It’s clear these governors simply are using desperate and vulnerable refugees as pawns in a sick and twisted political game. And they won’t stop until they suffer political consequences for their cruelty. While term limits prevented Ducey from seeking a third consecutive term as governor, both Abbott and DeSantis overwhelmingly won reelection. DeSantis is a likely candidate for the GOP nomination for President in 2024. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the infliction of “cruel and unusual punishment” – and the migrants who have been subjected to the governors’ cruel and unusual treatment have done nothing that warrants punishment. Regardless of one’s position on asylum, compassionate people can unite against sadistic games. It’s up to the American people to demonstrate they share the values of those communities that have “made room at the inn” for the migrants endangered and exploited by Abbott, Ducey, and DeSantis.
Black families from throughout the region gathered with others recently for the “My First Rodeo” celebration of a child’s first birthday at The Heights recreational center in Richmond Heights, Missouri.
St. Louis American staff
A child turning one year old is important for any parent, but it is especially gratifying for parents of African American children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Black babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than White babies, prompting many Black parents to view their baby’s inaugural anniversary year as a milestone.
Recently, about 30 mothers and their one-yearold children gathered at The Heights recreational center in Richmond Heights, Missouri to celebrate the first birthdays and fellowship.
Dubbed as The First Birthday group connection and themed “This IS my first rodeo,” the gathering was sponsored by Show Me Strong Families (SMSF) a St. Louis-based program administered through the Parents as Teachers National Center.
The National Center is headquartered in St. Louis and administers the nation’s most replicated home visiting, early childhood development, and
parent education program through more than 1,000 affiliate partners around the U.S. and abroad.
“This First Birthday group connection is not only one of the cutest, but also one of the most meaningful groups we have,” said Ann Young, director of Partnership and Community Engagement at Parents as Teachers.
“It allows us to congratulate the families on their children turning one, and to demonstrate the importance of home visiting as a strategy to help them strengthen their bonds with their children.”
As part of its comprehensive package of services, SMSF works to lower the incidence of prematurity and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality by getting involved in the initial stages of Black women’s pregnancy.
“Our doulas are cross trained as parent educators who provide emotional, physical, and educational support to an expectant mother during pregnancy, labor, and in the weeks following the birth,” said Young.
By Kerry Mitchell Brown
The unpaid work of Black women is the foundation of this country’s economic and political structures. Despite the significance of our contributions, our work must be more consistently valued and equitably paid. It is a tradition that we must be intentional about how Black women are honored, celebrated, supported, and protected.
During Trevor Noah’s sign-off from the Daily Show, on Dec. 8, 2022, after a 7-year stint, he gave a special shout-out to Black women, stating that “If you truly want to learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to [mess] around and find out.”
What had been lost over the last several years in these viral moments of #ThankBlackWomen and #MeToo is the in-depth analysis and discussion around the inaccurate generalization about Black women’s homogeneity with respect to our needs and experience(s).
Not all Black women have the same reality. In fact, there is significant variation in our experience based on our choices–rational or circumstantial–regarding the issues that are important to us, to our families, and to our community.
Black women are capable of leading in all spaces well into the future. Our power is in our unique lived experiences, the diversity of perspectives, and our tradition of leading successful fights for justice.
It is the challenge of the workplaces, political institutions, and communities at large to stop underutilizing us as leaders. It is our challenge to refrain from growing silent in the face of opposition or becoming complacent with personal success.
We must continue to speak up about the ways that racism and sexism impact the lives of all working people and remain vigilant in holding movements, organizations, politicians, feet to the fire to eradicate these issues.
To that end, many organizations, institutions, and political spaces have been taking on new projects and conducting experiments for the development of an evidence-based framework to build Black women’s power.
Through shaping a racial and economic justice analysis and agenda, organizations have aimed to ensure that Black women are no longer left behind in organizations, our communities, or the nation.
Here are some of the major highlights from 2022:
• Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson is a Black woman and American jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Jackson was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Joe Biden on February 25, 2022. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 7, 2022 and sworn into office on June 30, 2022.
• Claudine Gay, a Black woman elected President of Harvard University, on December 15, 2022, will take office on July 1, 2023.
• Black women were amongst the most effective, whether they won or lost, in standing up against Trumpism and extremism, and were, more than other candidates, targeted with an onslaught of dark money attacks during the 2022 Midterms:
• Summer Lee became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania.
• Emilia Sykes becomes the third Black woman to represent Ohio’s House delegation. Sykes’ win in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District now means that three Black women will be serving in the state’s U.S. House delegation (along with U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty and Shontel Brown).
• Andrea Campbell was elected as the state of Massachusetts’ first Black female attorney general, and the first Black woman ever elected to statewide office.
• California’s Malia Cohen was elected as the new state’s controller. A position that oversees the world’s fourth-largest economy.
When we fight to raise the economic conditions and strengthen the workplace protections afforded to Black women, we improve outcomes for Black families, Black communities, and everyone else too. As a result, we improve our chances of having fully realized the American dream. If Black women don’t get justice, then it will remain elusive for all.
Kerry Mitchell Brown is an equity strategist and senior vice president of finance and operations for Race Forward, a non-profit organization that brings systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues.
Haiti are jeopardized, when we have epidemics of hunger and violence on a global level. There will always be a need and I hope to do more.”
Ross is an inspiration to all the people he works for and all those he works with.
“Will has long been a moral compass for us here at Washington University,” Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine David H. Perlmutter said. “We are an institution driven by science: he has found his voice as our clear-eyed conscience when it comes to the human element of public health.”
That need to do more, to give back was seeded in Ross as a child growing up in one of the roughest, most violent parts of Memphis Tennessee. Ross and his siblings were raised in a climate that often crushes young lives and dreams. He never knew his father and his mother suffered from a debilitating bipolar affective disorder. The children survived entirely on government assistance and had to fend for themselves throughout their young lives.
Ross remembers accompanying his older sister to John Gaskin Hospital’s emergency room to get treatment for another sister who suffered from severe asthma. At the age of six he wondered why it took doctors so long to comfort his sister.
“She’s sitting there wheezing and coughing and it seemed like forever for someone to take care of her,” Ross recalled. For Ross, it was obvious the doctors had the skills to treat his sister but in his young mind, he reasoned that they lacked compassion to help a child who didn’t share their hue. Sitting frantically in that emergency room, young Ross made a career decision.
“I said to myself, ‘you know what, I’m going to be a doctor to do a better job,” Ross recalled. “I just felt that I was going to be that physician who really cared.” The seed was planted but
Above: Dr. Will Ross speaks with one of hos patients in his office.
Right: As part of an orientation program he designed, Dr. Will Ross exposes firstyear Washington University medical students to blighted St. Louis neighborhoods — not unlike ones of his own childhood.
the odds were against him. The Ross Family had to navigate poverty and violence, including gang violence. At the age of 12, while playing with a friend, the boys saw a teenager chased by another group of teens. When they caught him, they shot the teen, point blank in the head.
Ross and his friend stood there, stunned as the culprits ran off. Ross, however, went to the wounded teenager.
“The guy was still moaning; he was still alive. What was I going to do?” Ross remembered. “No one should have to die alone,” Ross said sadly.
Memphis.
“We lived in a tough and gritty part of town where weakness was not tolerated,” Ross said, recanting the atmosphere of his youth.
“You had to stand up for yourself,” Ross said, elaborating on the creed of the streets.
“Growing up, rule number one was: ‘You never run from a fight.’ You take your licks, throw whatever punch you can and hope for a quick fight. But you never, ever run.”
“So, I just laid my hand on him; it was the only thing I knew to do as a child; I just couldn’t leave him.”
Ross held onto his desire to become a doctor. He managed to excel in school while trying to avoid the pitfalls of poverty, gangs, and violence in South
Fortunately, a counselor at his school was paying attention to the burgeoning 14-year-old student’s life. She knew of his mother’s illness and the family’s struggles. She also knew Ross was a brilliant student. After scoring high on a PSAT test, the counselor introduced Ross to a visiting volunteer counselor. That person just happened to be Francine Hooks, the wife of the late prominent lawyer and NAACP icon, Reverend Benjamin L. Hooks.
The Hooks introduced Ross to a local, prominent, and wealthy Jewish couple, Albert and Shirley Wexner. The couple sent young Ross to a summer program at a boarding school in New Hampshire. That experience impacted Ross profoundly.
“It was the first time I had gotten away from Memphis and the first time I could sit in non-segregated classrooms and compete with students of high influence,” Ross said. “That’s where I learned I could compete on their level. It gave me tremendous confidence that I was not inferior.”
The Wexners were active in the civil rights movement and insisted Ross share their passions.
“They didn’t just expose me, they basically indoctrinated me,” Ross said, recalling the Wexner’s influence. “I would go to these meetings, and they would hand me all these books-heavy on philosophy and literature-and I was expected to come back and talk about what I read, what I learned and what was happening in civil rights.”
Ross said the Wexler’s contributions to his cultural and social education came at a cost.
“I was told that they weren’t doing it out of the goodness of their hearts,” Ross explained.
“They said they were making an investment in me and told me explicitly that I was expected to pay it back through my contributions to society.”
Upon graduation from high school, Ross wanted to attend an Ivy League college like the kids he met in New Hampshire. When he informed the Wexners, they, again obliged. Ross was awarded a full scholarship to Yale University.
The Wexner’s supplied funds for clothes, books, and other essentials. He majored in biology. After graduating from Yale, Ross, who thought he’d attend Berkley or Stanford, responded to an invitation to interview at Washington University in St. Louis. He was offered another full scholarship at the university’s medical school and Ross completed his medical residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to Washington
University under a fellowship to specialize in kidney and organ transplant work.
A colleague convinced Ross to consider a career in public health, which he said, “Changed the trajectory of my life.” After serving six years as Director of Washington University School of Medicine’s Hemodialysis unit he became Vice President of Medical Affairs at the former St. Louis Regional Hospital on Delmar Blvd. Ross became a vocal advocate of public health in 1996 as city leaders worked to close the hospital.
“I just spoke out on the need to have that type of hospital in the community with people who knew, worked and cared for the community,” Ross explained. “I felt you couldn’t just shift all that to another facility and maintain that culture.”
The hospital was, however, shuttered. Ross made another significant career move based on the advice of a mentor, William Peck, MD a Professor of Medicine at Washington University, who asked Ross to head up a minority student recruitment effort at the university.
Ross’ life and career philosophies were shaped by the civil rights era and Martin Luther King’s philosophy and activism.
“I learned that I should always look to build coalitions. I didn’t see an enemy in white people. I saw an effective, destructive policy of white supremacy. If I could convince enough white people to understand that we could build this coalition then, hopefully, that would undermine any system of oppression.”
Ross has indeed fulfilled his pledge to the Wexners. He’s received innumerable awards and acknowledgments for his work. His dedication to changing organ donation systems to benefit Black recipients is invaluable. He’s worked with health, civic and political leaders to develop a 25-year plan to address the health needs of the less fortunate. Ross has been instrumental in creating community engagement policies and programs, including the St. Louis American’s weekly, “Your Health Matters” public information section.
It’s tempting to draw a divine parallel from Ross’ childhood experiences; seeking treatment for his sister, aiding a dying teenager, being nurtured by a wealthy couple who insisted he learn about civil rights and giving back, to his amazing trajectory in the medical and civic fields. But Ross will have none of that. He simply defines himself as a “secular humanist.”
“I believe all of us are placed on this earth to do the greatest good,” Ross explained. “When I go to bed at night, I ask myself ‘Have I done the greatest good?’ If I can’t answer that question affirmatively then I need to step up my game a little bit.
“I’m trying my best to heal and not just one individual, but heal people on a local, national and global level. That’s my calling.”
Continued from A1 in 1994 with probationary acceptance to the University of Missouri-Columbia. He went on to earn bachelor and master’s degrees in social work from Mizzou, an MBA from the University of MissouriSt. Louis, and a Master of Theology degree from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. He serves on the board of the Missouri Bankers Association, Core & Main, UMSL's Chancellor Council, the American Bankers Association's Community Bankers Council, and on the board of United Way Worldwide.
Kimbrough will be hon-ored as the 2023 Corporate Executive of the Year during the St. Louis American Foundation’s special 21st Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards and Networking Luncheon at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis.
The event’s 2023 theme is “Expanding Inclusive Growth.” The American spoke to with Kimbrough about what’s next for himself and the banks he leads, his experiences with banks, growing up poor, his efforts to build relationship between more Black households and banks, and things he thought he would be able to do as a bank president that, in fact, he can’t do.
The St. Louis American: What’s new and what’s next at Midwest BankCentre?
Orvin Kimbrough: What’s renewed is our commitment to our region and the communities we serve. We continue to double-down on our commitment to helping more people access reasonably priced capital. We want more people to own homes. We want more people to start and scale businesses. We want more people to live thriving, self-determined lives.
In 2023, we are planning to open an innovation center in Dellwood that will serve as the center of gravity for us to test ways to better serve low- to moderate-income, small business, mortgage, and consumer finance needs throughout St. Louis and beyond.
This is tied to our recent commitment of $200 million
Continued from A1 inspire people to do more, give more, and help more.
Of the dozens of remarks, none captured Johnson’s talent for getting the best out of people more than those that came from Earl Austin, St. Louis American sports editor.
For more than a decade, Austin teamed with Johnson to present a high school basketball all-star game that benefited the Demetrious Johnson Foundation, featuring local players against a national team.
“DJ would bring in future pros. He would tell me, ‘You better have your team together because I’m bringing in some talent.’ I would tell him, ‘DJ, what are you doing? We’re going to get killed.’”
“But about 15 minutes before games, DJ would go into the locker room and talk to the local kids. He shared his pride in the city, his pride in young people. In just a few minutes they were so inspired.”
In fact, the local stars defeated the favored national team several times and Austin said, “It was amazing how he was able to reach those kids.” Johnson had the ability to reach adults, as well.
Kim Gardner, St. Louis circuit attorney and one of Johnson’s many friends, said he would often call her to ask how she was doing or ask me “What is that BS about? And he always had my back.”
“He held me accountable, and he called me out on my BS sometimes too. DJ could bring people together in a room that actually hated each other. He never let his status get in his way of helping others.”
More than 20 of his former teammates from high school, the University of Missouri and the NFL attended the service.
Former Tigers All Big 8
incremental investment in loans. Although our goal is $200 million in dedicated lending, it is not the primary driver for us. Creating the condition for transformation of neighborhoods is the primary driver. To level set and make sure we are all speaking the same language -what do we mean by “transformation”?
Our working definition of “transformation” is historically disinvested-in neighborhoods –thriving, historically marginalized individuals – supported, historically forgotten communities and the people living in those communities – remembered and empowered. We acknowledge that we cannot unilaterally create the kind of transformation we are speaking about, but what we can do is be a sound community partner and invest our capital and time wisely to create a ripple effect. What’s renewed is the confidence that I have in our board and executive leadership. We are philosophically alignedwe understand the conditions for improved performance is optimized risk-taking and execution. I bet on our colleagues and board to continue navigating the unprecedented uncertainty that we have experienced since 2019. The bank has grown from $1.8 billion to $2.4 billion in assets in the span of four years. The team has doubled profitability and improved all key performance metrics. What’s next for Midwest BankCentre is continued profitable growth.
One last thing: I am excited that we will operationalize the
defensive back Kevin Potter spoke on behalf of the players, saying “DJ really had passion. He really had a big heart.”
“He is going to be hard to replace. It’s going to be a real, real challenge.”
Wesley Bell, St. Louis County prosecutor, said Johnson’s actions were “labors of love.”
“He labored for the most vulnerable. He labored for anyone in need. He was helping people until his final days.”
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced that Jan. 2, 2023, was being officially recognized as Demetrious Johnson Memorial Day, and a proclamation was presented to his family.
“We all know what DJ did for this community. We lost a giant on the field and in our neighborhoods,” Jones said. Frank Cusumano, KSDK sports director and a co-host of the memorial with 101 ESPN’s Randy Karraker, said Johnson was greeted at heaven’s gates by St. Peter.
“St. Peter said ‘job well done, welcome.’ But Demetrious said, ‘I can’t come in yet. I want to know who is going to feed thousands at Thanksgiving? I give out hundreds of Christmas presents to kids, who is going to take care of that? I give scholarships to hundreds of kids for HBCU schools, I put on fashion shows, basketball games, golf tournaments. Who is going to take care of it all?”
“We must all make a promise today to continue what he has been doing for the last 30 years. The four words I will treasure most, and we have all heard them from DJ were ‘Need ya big fella.’” The St. Louis community needed Demetrious Johnson. It will miss him. But Johnson created a game plan that can be followed, and his memory will never be forgotten.
Midwest BankCentre charitable foundation, doing business as Rising Together. This is one more quiver to help the bank to efficiently test new ways of providing access to capital through small-dollar business and consumer loans and mortgage assistance, all while inviting the broader community to play an active role.
The St. Louis American: What’s new and what’s next with you personally?
Orvin Kimbrough: I joined the board of the bank in 2015 and was named CEO in 2018. I officially took the helm in January of 2019, so I am entering my fifth year as chair and
CEO. I look at the bank as a flexible platform on which to do many things. My goal is to continue having fun, learning, and creating value. My goal is to help the bank achieve its next level of growth. I’d love to see more Black ownership of banks and businesses which have mainstream appeal, no different than current majority-owned institutions like Midwest BankCentre enjoy. I’d love to spur more direct mentorship and risk-taking from among America’s leaders who have made it - one measurement of success is how many jobs you’ve created, another measure of success is how many business owners you’ve created, another measure of success is how many people have you helped get on a corporate board or in a C-suite of a major company. A measure of success is how many diverse businesses you helped get into the supply line so they can build their business. I have had a couple of mentors who have provided more than words of encouragement. While words of encouragement are important, alone they are insufficient. I had a mentor who told me years ago that my dream needed to be bigger,
so I enlarged it and ended up leading an organization that I revered as a young foster kid. I now serve on the global board of that organization. He didn’t just tell me to dream bigger - he was always downfield blocking, mentoring, and leveraging his influence. I had a mentor who told me I was ready to take a next big career step, one that was bigger than I ever thought possible. He didn’t just say that he made himself a casualty of my ascent by vacating a key role when he was on top. He taught me to know when your time is up and make way for others. I had a mentor who believed that I could lead a bank and like a party whip aligned the right interests to give me a shot. I had a mentor who believed I could sit on a major corporate board -these were not just words, he followed up his words with action.
So, you ask what is next for me? I want to inspire more people to take these risksboth in words and actions. Encourage someone and do something specific to help position themselves. And for the person being positioned, I want you to enlarge your confidence and perspective on what is possible for your life.
Dealing with gun, gang violence
By Cara Anthony Kaiser Health News
When April Roby-Bell joined the Gangster Disciples in middle school, the street gang treated her like family when she felt abandoned by her own. She was looking for
love, acceptance, and stability.
“They trained us as little kids. How to own your ’hood, own your street: ‘This is my territory,’” Roby-Bell said.
The experience also taught her tough lessons about life and death at an early age. At least half of the friends she grew up with are now dead. “At times, it became hard because you just get tired of fighting,” she said. “I probably should have been dead a long time ago.”
At 42, Roby-Bell isn’t defending territory for a gang anymore. Instead, she is
standing up for the families in the southern Illinois communities of East St. Louis and neighboring Washington Park who want their children to be able to go outside to play without fearing for their lives. As a survivor of the violence, Roby-Bell serves as a source of strength for others. Those traumatized by gun violence call her for counseling. She has planned funerals for victims. And, for years, she has presided over burials of both strangers and friends. She sleeps with her phone by her
By Denise Hooks-Anderson
January is Mental Health Month, and at the beginning of the year most people spend a lot of time making resolutions regarding their physical health.
“I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to eat less sugar. I’m going to eat more fruits and veggies.” All these goals are important and needed for most people. However, I want to encourage everyone to also prioritize their mental health.
The recent death of the former Ellen Show Co-Host, Twitch, impressed upon me the hidden terrors of mental illness. Twitch brought so much joy and laughter to thousands of people, yet he was hurting on the inside. How many of us are also wearing masks that hide our true pain?
n Not only is the amount of sleep obtained important but also the quality of the sleep.
Let’s be honest. These last two years have been extremely challenging. Our way of life has changed. At times, it just seemed like we transitioned from one catastrophe to the next. The pandemic. Social unrest. The economy. The attack on the US Capital. The war in Ukraine. The election. These were just a sampling of the issues. We have not even touched upon the personal struggles which stress most American households such as finances, interpersonal relationships, and the lack of a worklife balance. Unless you are a robot, you are not immune from these situations. As we enter 2023, I want to share a few tips to help us be mindful of mental wellness and share tips on how to recognize when we or our loved ones need help.
Tip #1
Go to bed. Not only is the amount of sleep obtained important but also the quality of the sleep. For instance, if you slept for 9 hours but still felt sluggish the next morning, the quality of your sleep was suboptimal. Lack of sleep increases your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and poor mental health. Just one night of poor sleep can cause you to experience a bad mood the next day, have less focus, and increase your likelihood to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. The
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
President Joe Biden said he promised to lower costs for families and ensure that all Americans have access to quality affordable health care. As 2022 closed, President Biden hailed the fact that a record number of people – nearly 11.5 million – signed up for insurance on HealthCare.gov – about 1.8 million more and an 18% increase over last year. With enrollment remaining open through Jan. 15, and not counting those who signed up for coverage through their state marketplaces, Biden said gains like those have helped to drive down the uninsured rate to 8%, the lowest level in U.S. history.
“In recent days, we received further proof
n As 2022 closed, President Biden hailed the fact that a record number of people – nearly 11.5 million – signed up for insurance on HealthCare.gov.
that
A record number of people – nearly 11.5 million – signed up for insurance on HealthCare.gov – about 1.8 million more and an 18% increase over last year. Researchers have found that Barack Obama’s landmark Affordable Care Act is helping increase the survival rate of younger cancer patients.
“Taking Care of You”
Continued from A8
side, so she doesn’t miss a cry for help.
Nearby, Larita Rice-Barnes, 47, also carries a phone that doubles as a lifeline for grieving families. And Terra Jenkins, 50, receives similar calls. She typically checks her phone throughout the day, replying to messages from locals and nearby funeral homes.
As young women, all three ran with street gangs around East St. Louis and its surrounding communities.
Today, Roby-Bell works for a school district mentoring high school students. Jenkins is an outreach leader for a local clinic, and Rice-Barnes is a published author who spends countless hours volunteering and running two nonprofits.
Still, their battle scars and faded tattoos recall their past. Because of those experiences on the front lines, some people trust them more than they do the police. The women fill in the gaps for a community fighting economic inequality, homelessness, health disparities, and gun violence.
“In East St. Louis, you’re into it with death,” Jenkins said. “Nine times out of 10, the position that I’m in, I just be involved with a whole lot of death because I’m at the morgue.”
Jenkins, who goes by
“T-baby Ooh-Wee,” said she stumbled into the work of helping people. In the late 1980s as a teenager, she joined the Gangster Disciples, commonly referred to as “GD.” As time went on, she became a leader in the organization, a queen who called the shots.
She turned her grandmother’s basement in neighboring Washington Park into a barbershop. Her business became a therapeutic space for clients who confided in Jenkins while she trimmed their hair.
“Just like the beauty shop, the guys want to talk,” Jenkins said. “They couldn’t talk to their homeboys, so when they sat in my chair they started talking to T-baby. They started talking about their problems. I mean the big gangsters, they’re crying. They’re just spilling their guts to me.”
As time went on, she became a trusted friend and activist whom many in the city could call on in their times of need. While she still is considered an “OG,” or original gangster, she said, somewhere along the way the gang life she knew changed. Rival gangs started to talk less and shoot more.
“These kids act like their hands don’t work,” Jenkins said. “And they never had a fistfight in their life.”
Continued from A8
Care Act can find health care coverage for $10 a month or less. These lower rates were set to expire at the end of this year, but thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we were able to extend them and save millions of Americans on Obamacare an average of $800 a year.”
The Biden administration noted that, on Jan. 1, Americans will see the benefits of additional cost-saving measures because of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Continued from A8
American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep per night.
Tip #2
Try yoga. Per the National Institute of Health, yoga
They use guns instead, she added. “Then you ask them: What y’all mad for? And they don’t even know what they arguing each other for. It couldn’t be money because lately here, lately here, the killing, ain’t nobody getting robbed. A lot of these kids still got the money in their pocket, their jewelry on them,” she said. “It’s, like, over Facebook.”
Jenkins blames herself and her generation. “We dropped the ball,” she said. Now, she is trying to pick up the pieces.
Every case is different, Jenkins said, but most grieving families need empathy, money for the funeral, and practical help, such as a haircut for their deceased loved one or a space to hold a memorial service. Jenkins said she is an introvert but rises to the occasion when alerted to a need in the community. She gathers clothing, food, and basic essentials. She sits with families after the funeral is over — when the
That includes seniors realizing a month’s supply of insulin capped at $35, Medicare beneficiaries paying $0 out of pocket for recommended adult vaccines covered by their Part D plan, and prescription drug companies needing to pay Medicare a rebate if they try to raise their prices faster than inflation for drugs administered at a doctor’s office.
“We’re not finished working to make health care a right, not a privilege,” Biden said. The administration continues to encourage individuals to visit HealthCare.gov by Jan. 15 to take advantage of lower
supports mindfulness, stress management, mental health, and quality sleep. Yoga may improve your energy level and boost your mood. Yoga may also lessen negative feelings over time. If you are like me, yoga was not a form of exercise that I associated with people of color. Truthfully, I thought yoga was just for skinny white women. Nevertheless, I have expanded my repertoire of exercises and have incor-
families are left alone to deal with the grief.
In Roby-Bell’s case, her life changed in 2009. That’s when her cousin Keyatia Gibson was gunned down in front of a liquor store in the city.
“It took a while for them to come cover her up,” RobyBell said. She added that her cousin’s two young children stood over her body. “And they saw that. And I watched the pain.”
A mother of three herself, Roby-Bell decided to change her life. She started going to church and turned her focus toward helping those in need. Two years ago, Roby-Bell opened Restoration Outreach Center, a church in Washington Park, where she often shares her story.
As a member of a gang “I hustled,” Roby-Bell said. “But I survived the worst season of my life. And I didn’t just survive for me. I survived for my three daughters.”
At her church, she often
rates and sign up for health care for the coming year.
ACA helps young cancer patients
Recent research has found that people with cancer have appeared to have better survival rates since Obamacare was signed, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Researchers investigated how Obamacare has influenced the survival rates of cancer patients in a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. They
porated yoga into my routine which has resulted in improved flexibility and more restful sleep.
Tip #3
Just walk. I cannot say enough about walking, particularly walking outside. Walking allows our brains to take a break from the clutter inside our heads. Walking lessens anxiety and improves
prays for the youngest members of her congregation. “We always cover them in prayer. We pray for their safety, for their life span,” Roby-Bell said. “I work in the schools, so I’m always praying for their future.”
But religion cannot always be their salve. When a child is caught in the crossfire, RiceBarnes said, she chooses her words carefully when meeting with the grieving family. She doesn’t tell parents that their deceased child turned into an angel. That kind of rhetoric isn’t in her playbook.
“People need the ministry of presence,” Rice-Barnes said. “In most cases, they don’t need you to say anything. They just need to know that you’re there.” Earlier this year, Rice-Barnes wrapped her arms around the family of 3-year-old Joseph Michael Lowe, who was killed by gunfire while in a car with his older brother. But as she deals with each family’s pain, she must grapple with her
found that under Obamacare, the expansion of Medicaid was associated with better cancer survival rates for young adults between 18 and 39.
The association was especially pronounced among underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, particularly those who identified as Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black. The researchers believe that the results of this study can be interpreted as being supportive of expanding Medicaid.
“The current study adds to accumulating evidence
depression. It is a scientific fact that sunlight can improve our moods. For instance, some people suffer from a condition called seasonal affective disorder which is characterized by depression around the same time each year. The treatment for this disorder is phototherapy. Prioritizing mental health takes intentionality. It also takes a collective effort from families, communities, houses
painful past, too.
During Rice-Barnes’ adolescent years, she had friends who were Gangster Disciples, but she spent most of her time with a rival gang, the Vice Lords. She lost two close friends to gun violence and had her own close calls. She feared for her life when a man held a gun to her head. And a few years later, she ended up flat on the ground in a field after someone in a nearby car started shooting.
“In the midst of running, I fell,” Rice-Barnes said. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if someone was standing over me.”
She walked away that day but carries the memory as she helps those who experience loss. “I’m still dealing with the devastation of what happened,” Rice-Barnes said. “In more recent years, I find myself telling those stories, but they were just packed down and suppressed.”
Rice-Barnes hosts
of the multiple health benefits of Medicaid expansion, reinforcing the importance of expanding Medicaid in all states,” said author Xeusong Han, one of the study’s authors (per Community Healthcare System).
Multiple factors may be responsible for the increased survival rates among young cancer patients. For example, an earlier diagnosis may be made possible by access to Obamacare. An early cancer diagnosis is associated with better survival rates (per Nuffield Trust)
The American Cancer
of worship, and local governments. We cannot continue to sit passively while our loved ones are suffering. Let’s not wait until another high-profile celebrity dies of suicide to have this discussion again.
rallies in East St. Louis to remember victims of gun violence, survivors, and their families. Her nonprofit Metro East Organizing Coalition brings residents together for conversations about solutions. Dozens of people showed up to a June event where RiceBarnes reminded city leaders of the need for policy changes and programs that could potentially save lives.
Rice-Barnes’ nonprofit teams up with other crime reduction organizations to analyze data, so she believes her efforts have helped reduce crime in the past 18 months. Still, she knows the city has a long way to go. Yet the idea of giving up on this city isn’t an option for Rice-Barnes — or for Jenkins and Roby-Bell. The trio believe their community will thrive again, so they focus on the future.
“It doesn’t matter how you start, but it matters how you finish,” Roby-Bell said.
Society explains how Obamacare has provided better coverage for lowincome individuals and has made preventative services, such as mammograms, more accessible. In addition, many people between the ages of 18 and 24 didn’t have health insurance before Obamacare, and 9.7 million didn’t have health insurance in 2009. Obamacare allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. This could give young adults with cancer a longer period to receive affordable treatment.
Don’t wait until your friend or spouse has a crisis. Let’s develop a habit of routinely checking in with one another. Getting rest, doing yoga, and walking are wonderful ways to maintain and improve mental health but sometimes that alone is not enough. Let’s also normalize seeking professional help when needed. If you are thinking about suicide or worried about a friend or loved one harming themselves, please dial 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Denise Hooks-Anderson, MD, FAAFP can be reached at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
dangerous for several different reasons.
Nutrition Challenge:
When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food
Nutrition Challenge:
We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?
See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.
Once you’re out of school, many of you may have a lot of extra time on your hands to be snacking. Resist the urge to eat sweet, salty, fried and high-calorie non-nutritious snacks this summer.
This time of year many people make New Year’s resolutions. A resolution is simply a promise you make to yourself of ways that you would like to improve your life in the new year. So for 2023, why not make a resolution to eat healthier?
Try adding a healthy new habit every few weeks or so. Here
As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy
In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle
Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole
those leftovers for lunch the next day!
are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.
> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and
are a few ideas (from past Healthy Kids features) to get you started. What are some other tips you’ve learned?
Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.
lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.
New Year’s Resolutions
Create a Smart Summer Eating plan with your parents. Ask their help in finding nutritious snacks and meals for the
Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.
Another healthy change you can make for yourself with the new year is to be more active.
Let’s make a game out of exercise!
> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.
summer. Delicious juicy, ripe fruits are all around and are healthy for you too! Make it your goal to come back to school in the fall healthier and happier!
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
As the weather gets warmer, there are many ways that we can enjoy ourselves outdoors and stay healthy over the summer. Some naturally active things you can do include:
First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.
As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.
Staying active not only helps keep your heart healthy, but it burns calories, improves your brain functioning and helps you feel better — the more you do!
> Wash your parent’s car.
> Walking to the store when possible.
Some reminders:
> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.
> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.
1. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Melissa Douglass, MSW
Krystal B. Stanley, Medical Assistant
Deborah Edwards, School Nurse
Review: What are some nutrition tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@stlamerican.com.
of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.
> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.
> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1,
2. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less fried foods and sweet snacks. 3. Eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full.
> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.
Learning Standards:
> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?
When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!
even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.
Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC.
Where do you work? I am a medical assistant in behavioral health for Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation.
Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.
Where do you work? I am an EMT – B at Abbott EMS in Belleville, Illinois.
Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.
> Help with yard work: planting, weeding, etc.
minutes of physical activity each day that increases your heart rate (60 minutes is even better).
March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.
Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and
Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.
It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.
> Try to have at least 30
> Play, play, play outside as much as you can!
> Start off slowly and increase time, distance, and speed as you feel stronger.
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
Staying active, getting your heart rate up and opening your lungs will help you start off next school year happier and healthier!
> Check with your doctor before starting a brand new exercise program.
Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lindbergh High School. I then attended the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where I studied biology.
Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.
legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.
> Drink lots of water when you’re working out.
> Warm up, stretch and cool down before and after exercising.
Review: What are some exercise tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@ stlamerican.com.
and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.
Discuss some of the ways you can keep active during the cold winter months.
Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.
Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index
Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate
Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.
The new year brings a fresh start. Plan on making 2023 your best year yet! Try letting go of the problems you may have faced last year and look forward to a new year with excitement and hope. Here are a few ways to stay positive.
card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,
Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.
Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5
This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.
Learning Standards:
Over the last 35 weeks we have discussed many smart choices that you can make to help you stay safe and healthy. Break into small groups and list as many Smart Choices that your group remembers. Now individually, choose one that you think is very important. Describe in your own words what that smart choice is, and how you can remember to make the right choice in the future. Name a new “smart choice“ that you will make this summer.
queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1
Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.
Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.
Where did you go to school? I graduated from East St. Louis Sr. High School. I then earned an Associate in Medical Assisting degree, with office management, from Vatterott College. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Maryville University.
Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior? Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:
How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?
> What to do if you see someone else bullied.
> Select one or two of those goals and make a list of specific steps you can take to accomplish your new year goals.
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1
> What to do if YOU are the bully.
> Make a list of all of the good things that happened for you in 2022.
What does an EMT do? My day-to-day includes helping others when they aren’t feeling their best. I also assist getting them to the hospital when they can’t take themselves.
Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.
What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do?
What does a medical assistant do? Some of my job duties are taking vital signs, authorizing prescriptions, intake and triaging. Most of my work includes assisting the providers and being a listening ear to the patients.
What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.
What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.
What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city.
I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable
> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH5, NH 7
> What are some goals you’d like to achieve in 2023?
Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.
doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?
> Always remember — you can’t change others, you can only change yourself and how you react. So focus on yourself and how you can have a happy 2023!
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5 Calculate
> How bullying hurts others.
A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your
> What to do if you are bullied.
> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.
1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!
Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.
Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy helping others problem solve. Also, I have twin stepsons, one who wants to be a police officer, and the other who wants to be a doctor. I thought that being an EMT helped me to meet them both in the middle. And, back in 2018, I had my own medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The paramedic that took care of me was so comforting and assuring that I realized that becoming an EMT is an honorable career. I now work with that same paramedic, at the same company.
Why did you choose this career? I was going to school to become a home caregiver for my grandmother who was very ill. I became very interested in medicine. And I come from a long line of caregivers, CNAs and nurses as well. I love helping people and being there for them, that’s why I am continuing my education in the medical field. What is your favorite part of your career? The best part of my job is knowing that I helped a patient overcome challenges that they didn’t think they could overcome.
Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.
Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.
Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
What is your favorite part of the job you have?
Ingredients:
1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans
> What other ice hazards are there?
Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3
Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?
2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.
1 Garlic clove, crushed
1 cup blueberries 1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt
Directions: Smash the avocados and combine with the salsa, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Use as a dip for baked tortilla chips.
2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4
Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 7, NH 5, NH 7
“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422
> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.
Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5
Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes
Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.
Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.
Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.
What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.
What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting and learning about new people and cultures every day. I also like the adrenaline of driving fast with sirens going to get to an emergency quickly.
What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”
What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.
“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3
Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3
“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422
“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422
“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422
Saint
resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.
Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551
Fourth-grade students
Jachai Hamilton, Xavier Hazzard, Rashad Williams, and Alivia Hogan, in Ms. Rhonda Stovall’s class at Gateway Elementary School are using Knex building kits to create structures that include simple machines.
Photo by Rhonda Stovall
Video games are a very big business. In 2018, consumers spent over $43 billionin video games, hardware, and accessories. You can play video games on game consoles, computers, handheld devices, and mobile phones. Different types of video games include action adventure, strategy, role playing, sports, racing, simulation and puzzle. Many people enjoy video games for the mental challenge, critical
thinking, and problem solving.
Video games also increase hand eye coordination. Recent video game designs have even begun to include physical activity for the user.
Some video games are meant to be played individually, some are played as a group, and some video games allow you to play with other people online. However, limits are important. First, be sure you are safe. Only play games that have an appropriate rating for your age. Your parents need to approve
of your video game choices. Be careful if you visit the chat rooms that some games include. Never share personal information. Second, be sure you have a balance. Limit the amount of time you spend online so you will have time to focus on school work, reading, exercise, and family and friends.
Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-world connections.
In this experiment you will draw the same character at two different resolutions: 32-by-32 pixels, and 8-by-8 pixels.
Materials Needed:
• Computer With Internet Access and A Printer
• 6 Sheets Custom Graph Paper
Note: you can print graph paper for your project from Incompetech.com’s free graph paper website
• Pen or pencil • Ruler • Color pencils, crayons, or markers • Notebook
To Prepare: Print out two sheets of graph paper for your project from Incompetech.com’s free graph paper website. For the first piece of graph paper, set the “Grid Spacing” to 2 lines per cm. This paper will be for your high-resolution (32-by-32 pixels) drawing. You can leave all the other settings as they are. For the second piece of graph paper, set the “Grid Spacing” to 0.5 lines per cm. This paper has larger squares (pixels) and will be for your low-resolution (8-by-8 pixels) drawing. You can leave all the other settings as they are.
Procedure:
q Using a ruler and a pen or pencil, draw a box on the first piece of graph paper that is 32 pixels wide and 32 pixels high. Each small square on the graph paper will represent a single pixel. There will be a total of 1024 pixels within the box you drew. This will be the space where you draw your high-resolution character.
w With color pencils, crayons, or markers, draw a character inside the 32-by-32 pixels box. It can be any
Apply your critical thinking skills to solve these problems.
z In a classroom of 30 students, 16 had a handheld gaming system, 12 had a gaming console. How many students do not have a gaming system? ________ What percent of students have a handheld gaming system ________ What percent of students have a gaming console? ________
x Alicia spends 2.5 hours per day playing video games, Rene spends 1.75 hours per day playing video games,
DID YOU KNOW?
character you want. You can draw something from your own imagination, or try to copy an existing character. Add as much detail as possible to your character. Each pixel can only contain a single color. The character does not have to take up all 1024 pixels; you can leave pixels blank if you want. If you are going to color in a pixel, you must color the entire pixel. Remember, because pixels are the smallest measurable unit in an image, you cannot use only part of a pixel.
e On the second piece of graph paper (the one with fewer squares) use a ruler and pen to draw a box that is 8 pixels wide and 8 pixels high. There will be a total of 64 pixels in the box you drew. This will be the space where you draw your low-resolution character. Using the colored pencils, or other drawing tools, draw your character in the 8-by-8 pixels box. Draw the same character as in step 2. Try to keep as many of the details the same between the two resolutions.
r Compare the high-resolution (32-by-32 pixels) drawing of the character with the low-resolution (8-by-8 pixels) drawing of the same character. Which drawing has more detail? Which drawing looks better?
Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can draw conclusions and analyze results.
Nathan spends 1.25 hours per day playing video games, and Conner spends 3 hours per day playing video games. What is the average amount of time spent playing video games? ________ Arrange the hours per day in order from least to greatest. ________ . How many hours per week does each person play? Alicia ________ Rene ________ Nathan ________ Conner ________
Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.
2 out of 5 gamers are female. 46% of gamers report they prefer to play on their smartphone. An average gamer spends at least 7 hours a week playing games.
Lisette Titre-Montgomery is a video game designer. When she was a young child and saw “Toy Story,” she realized she could include logic and creativity to create computer animation. Her passion and interest became her career when she earned her B.F.A. in Computer Animation from Miami International University of Art and Design. Titre-Montgomery’s specialties include special effects, character modeling, and texture painting. She has contributed her talents to many games, such as Tiger Woods Golf, The Simpsons, Dante’s Inferno, Dance Central 3, SIMS 4, and Transformers Age of Extinction.
Titre-Montgomery advocates for diversity and STEAM education. In an interview with the New York Times, she says, “Trigonometry is used to calculate a player’s movement around the game world. Those angry birds you fling are using physics to drive the velocity and the impact on those pigs and bricks. Geometry is used to draw the characters that your children idolize. Millions of lines of code are written by computer scientists to drive the game engines used for blockbuster video games.”
With her career, she has traveled to Japan, China, Australia, India, and the Philippines. She has been a keynote speaker at N.A.S.A., Intel, Black Girls Code, Girls Who Code, and Soledad O’Brien’s Starfish Foundation. She has also appeared on National Public Radio’s show Tell Me More and was named One of the Most Powerful Women in Tech by Business Insider. She was the cover of Black Enterprise Women in STEM in March 2011. In an interview with National Public Radio, she says, “You have to be OK with failing and failing several times until you get it right. It’s a lot of problem-solving and self-motivation.”
To See Lisette Titre-Montgomery’s National STEM Challenge Video, Visit: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=0PnDiYkoKFI.
Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.
Activity One — Editorials: Editorials are written to persuade the reader. The writer may use facts, personal stories, and opinions in this style of writing. Choose an editorial in your newspaper. Who is the author? What is the topic? What are they trying to persuade the reader to think or do? In the article, underline all the facts and circle all of the opinions. Was the editorial effective? Why or why not? What would you change?
Activity Two —
Classified Calculation: Locate the classified section of the newspaper. What type of information is included in this section? Find the job listings for science and math careers. Calculate the average salary.
Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify author’s purpose. I can calculate the average salary. I can make text-to-world connections.
Undoubtedly the year 2022 ended on one of the strangest notes in the city’s political history. A few days before Christmas, Alderman Brandon Bosley (Ward 3) recorded a video and posted it to his Facebook account. The video, still up at the time of our publishing, showed Bosley yelling at a woman lying in the snow, seemingly unable to get up.
In the video, Bosley is heard referencing an alleged armed robbery by a woman, who he later claimed to police tried to steal his car keys and that she had a gun.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department not only worked incredibly quickly to prepare a report and probable cause statement, but armed robbery and armed criminal action (ACA) felonies were filed against the woman in record time. Less than two days. Remind us - how many unsolved Kia and Hyundai thefts were unsolved in 2022? Eight officers were named as responding and/or assisting in the initial incident report. Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s office proceeded to file criminal charges and prosecute the woman on the basis of Bosley’s allegations. Apparently, our local law enforcement in District 4 had a slow night on December 22. But then, some cracks started to appear.
First, local politicos noticed that Bosley’s story to police did not match what he was shouting at the woman in the video he posted, just minutes after the alleged robbery, according to Bosley’s timeline. When you add the complication of unplowed streets shortly after the pre-Christmas snowfall, you find that Bosley’s time calculus comes up short. At one point in the video, Bosley claims that the woman approached his car at a stoplight, but he later claims to police that he was walking to
his car when she approached him. Some have suggested that the alderman may have hit the woman with his car. Considering Bosley’s proZooming-while-driving stance from March 2022, this would not be surprising. The alderman doesn’t personally have the best history of being a safe driver or even a supporter of safe driving. The woman was initially held on a no-bond order because Bosley appeared in court and told Judge Craig Higgins, under oath, that he was “afraid” for his safety. More than a week passed, and the woman was forced to spend the Christmas holiday in jail, away from her family. After the woman found a new lawyer and a new bond hearing was held, she was finally released on her own personal recognizance with no cash bail ordered. Evidence was requested by the woman’s attorney, with the charges against the woman ultimately being withdrawn by an assistant circuit attorney last Friday.
Second, Bosley made a series of bizarre statements to local TV stations, claiming that he would “be the richest man in the entire Northern Hemisphere” and that he’s “taking your job. [He’s] taking everything you ever worked for,” and threatening to take city employees’ kids’ college tuition, if charges were filed against him.
He initially told KSDK one thing, and he shared a different story with KMOV. And then Bosley said something very curious in another interview with KSDK: “This woman tried to insinuate I hit her with my car.” Then, Bosley pivoted hard and began to bizarrely claim that he was being “railroaded” because he opposed city/county merger efforts from 2019. The EYE has learned that SLMPD may now be consider-
ing additional charges - this time, against Bosley. Bosley’s Trumpian response to local media coverage, in addition to the now-dismissed criminal charges, seems to support that possibility.
We will keep an EYE on this story as more facts are revealed.
• • •
In the meantime, perhaps the rest of the Board of Alderman would be willing to reconsider the existence and purpose of the city’s Chapter 353 “urban redevelopment corporations.”
As recently raised with the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation’s plans to approve construction of a new QuikTrip, these “353s” are able to evade public accountability by awarding up to a 25-year, 100% tax abatement to a developer without aldermanic approval, as is typical in St. Louis.
we had a sneaking suspicion that Tyus - based on her side activities - was considering a run for president of the Board of Aldermen. The alderwoman picked a fight with every citywide elected official before the end of the year, and she repeated SLMPD talking points on unhoused persons, violent crime, and preserving the status quo regarding social equity issues. She took misogynist digs at both Board President Megan Green and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones
Considering the city’s recent tax incentives-related scandal and subsequent associated federal felony convictions, we’re a little surprised that no alderman has filed legislation to address this clear pathway to abatement abuse.
On a similar note -- the EYE foresees another political campaign. EYE-colytes may reference in our December 10 column, when we shared our observations of Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 1) and her newfound affinity for fire and police pensions. At that timeand at the time of submission - Tyus had not filed to run for her new ward seat, but we suggested that she was probably strongly considering a run.
While we recognize that Tyus typically waits until the last possible minute to file her Board of Elections paperwork,
Someone is going to court the St. Louis Police Officers Association endorsement and we know that President Green certainly will not! Tyus all but confirmed her plans to run for Board President to KSDK earlier this week, telling KSDK “I’m way more qualified than [Board of Aldermen President] Megan Green. I might be running for the President of the Board.”
We were really hoping to see Tyus retire and step aside so that a new leader could have an opportunity. But St. Louisans seemingly will not get some respite, at least not before “Aldergeddon” in March.
• • •
He may not live or work in St. Louis, but the PostDispatch’s editorial editor Tod Robberson has been making efforts to secure his legacy elsewhere since this city is increasingly not interested in his mean spirited shenanigans. When he’s not belittling Black women and actively helping run a beleaguered newspaper into the ground, Robberson apparently has been supporting opposition efforts to a Virginia university’s efforts to address its reform of structural racism. Last summer,
the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) “student newspaper,” The Cadet, announced that Robberson had joined its foundation as a “director-at-large.” The term “student newspaper” is used loosely here, as the paper is not directly affiliated with or published by the university, but rather is funded by an alumni non-profit entity that “restarted” the paper in May 2021 after a 27-year absence. Robberson has directed The Cadet Foundation since August 2021.
As The Cadet is only tangentially affiliated with the university, it’s safe to say that the paper reflects the views of the VMI student body and alumni, within the perspectives offered by The Cadet Foundation. So, you can imagine how the EYE regarded Robberson’s role in The Cadet’s loud participation in calling for the reversal of VMI’s diversity initiatives led by the school’s first Black superintendent, retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins. A network of angry white men, mostly VMI alumni, launched a petition drive and lawsuit in response to diversity, equity, and inclusion intitiatives at the country’s oldest military university. Not surprisingly, all of this is taking place right in the heart of the Confederacy, less than a mile from the grave of the treasonous Robert E. Lee
The source of the alumni and The Cadet’s anger? The puzzlingly-incorrect position that the consulting firm leading VMI’s DEI reforms was “caused” by critical race theory. And because there is an inkling of CRT involved, the proposals to expand diversity on campus have been deemed as “killing” the school - and of course, there is the St. Louis connection with the Post-Dispatch’s own Robberson, amongst the charge.
Instead of acknowledging and celebrating VMI officials’ recognizition of the intersections of its history and racism,
especially in the context of the university’s Confederate history, Robberson - through his involvement with The Cadet - has become the mouthpiece for opposition to diversity and equity in a publicly-funded university. While VMI tries to change, Robberson has lent his name, and admittedly impressive journalism resume to the cause of continued racism.
• • • Finally, we want to acknowledge the execution of Amber McLaughlin, the first openly transgender woman to be executed in the United States and the first person to be executed in the U.S. in 2023. McLaughlin was convicted in 2006 by a St. Louis County jury, and prosecuted by the notorious “Shadow of Death” former prosecutor Bob McCulloch. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on McLaughlin’s death sentence, so former judge Steven Goldman took the highly unusual step to override the jury’s deadlock and imposed capital punishment at his own discretion. This practice, called “judicial override,” is outlawed in most states; only Missouri and Indiana allow for a judge to impose a death sentence when a jury is deadlocked on the issue. All other states require a jury’s unanimous decision to sentence a defendant to death. We agree with Cong. Cori Bush’s position that,
Fattened Caf Owners Darren Young, and Charlene LopezYoung with their two kids Malaya Young, 3, and Akai Young, 11 months.
By Isaiah Peters
The St. Louis American
Californian couple Darren Young, 32, and Charlene Lopez-Young, 34, nurtured the seedling that was once their Milque Toast pop-up in 2017 and transformed it into a blossoming business, winning a UMSL DEI grant and Arch Grants funding for The Fattened Caf.
“We’re trying to build a Filipino barbecue brand,” Young said. “We were affirmed that St. Louis wanted that. It was different. People were exposed to the barbecue scene for so long.”
After moving from the golden state in the early 2010s for nonprofit work opportunities, the Youngs’ business idea emerged spontaneously.
Beginning as four meals the Youngs cooked during get-togethers, they landed a Milque Toast pop-up. They gradually expanded their menus for the Cherokee Street Market in 2018. The pair now have a monthly residency at Earthbound Beer.
“Filipino barbecue is cooked over hot char-
By Alvin A. Reid
coal and marinated in garlic-tasting spices,” Lopez-Young said.
The couple continues to explore the kitchen scape, offering traditional Filipino dishes such as pig ears, char-grilled pork belly and colorful items like banana ketchup. Young said recipes may typically take six months to finalize.
“The barbecue is cooked low and slow over wood and smoked for 12 to 20 hours,” Young said. “Customers were mostly curious people, risk-takers, and a small yet growing Filipino population.”
Arch Grants awarded the team, now a staff of six, the 75K equity-free grant in November 2022.
See FATTENED CAF, B2
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis promoted Jackie Martin to group vice president in the treasury division. The St. Louis Bank serves most of eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Martin has been with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for more than 15 years. She holds a BS degree in accounting from Alabama State University, as well as an MBA from Webster University.
was named to the St.
board of directors. She is the owner of Robust Bistro & Wine
in Webster
Jackie Martin promoted at Federal Reserve Hammond named to Christian Hospital board
Charlotte Martin Hammond has been elected to the Christian Hospital Northeast-Northwest Board of Directors, Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare. She is president and CEO at Challenge Unlimited, Inc. Challenge Unlimited, a $30+ million agency headquartered in Alton, Illinois, serves more than 600 significantly disabled clients in five states in finding work as a path to independence. She is a graduate from Normandy High School and holds a BA in accounting from Webster University, and a BA in business administration from the University of Mississippi, where she was president of her sorority Delta Sigma Theta. She also serves on the board of commission of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Continued from B1
With the funds, they are working on getting the cuisine into Dierbergs Markets and Fresh Thyme Markets. “Recipes were in the family for generations,” said Lopez-Young. “I knew I wanted to share my culture.”
When the pair launched the pop-up, they spoke with the only other Filipino cuisine vendor they knew in St. Louis which has since closed shop. Young said they were nervous when they got an RSVP from Guerilla Street Food’s owners. But the owners squashed those worries when they shouted them out in support on social media.
“A lot of franchises are not owned by people of color or immigrants, but by people that went to Mexico and paid $10 for a recipe,” Lopez-Young said. “Anytime a Black person sees me with my grill and smoker, they come in because there’s something special and trusting when you see a Black man behind the grill.”
Filipino restaurants are not common, and Lopez-Young shared her reasoning.
“Many Filipino Americans wanted to get into the foods of their culture,” Young said. “But families don’t encourage going into the food industry. Parents pushed us into fields guaranteeing strong financial success.”
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1, 2022, with 3% raises following the next two years,” Adams said.
SLPS now has the second-highest starting pay for new teachers in the metropolitan area. The agreement also includes a “Pilot Equity Placement and Pay Fund,” which provides extra pay to new teachers who work in district schools.
The contract also includes retention bonuses adding up to $10,000.
The deal will help increase Missouri’s overall teacher pay average – which is one of the lowest in the nation.
The Missouri State Board of Education is taking action to address the woeful statistic that this state’s teachers make almost 20% less than their peers with the same level of education, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Missouri is ranked 50th in the nation with the lowest average starting salary and 45th for teachers with experience.
The board will try to convince legislators during the current session in Jefferson City to raise the minimum teacher salary from $25,000 to $35,000 by the 2024-25 school year. It also recently announced it will invest $50 million over the next three years for the recruitment and retention program.
Anything that helps recruit people into the profession is certainly a good thing,” said Mark Jones, Missouri National Teachers Association communications director.
“Obviously, raising the salary from the bottom of the nation to something more in line with our neighbors around us is a good step. Our hope is that we would see not only an increase for folks who are coming into the profession, but that would also help raise the pay scale across the board.”
The Missouri Stated Teachers Association estimates
Though Young did not have any prior food industry experience, and Lopez-Young only recalls a high school job at a restaurant, that did not discourage their pursuit.
“We had our first semester of culinary school in 2019, right before our first baby was born, and it felt serious,” Young said.
Lopez-Young is a first-generation Filipino immigrant who spent seven years in the Philippines as a child then moved to Los Angeles, California. She moved to St. Louis in 2013 to work as a data analyst. Though Lopez-Young said she initially felt like she was the only Filipina person in St. Louis, she found a sizable, close-knit Filipino community.
“I wanted to live here the moment I arrived, [due to] the city amenities with a community feel,” Lopez-Young said. “I have more Filipino community here. My relationships now are more intentional and meaningful.”
The couple ventured to the Philippines four times together and fine-tuned their palette.
“There’s this moment of celebration with this great big unique feast over a fattened calf,” Young said. They tried to adapt during the 2020 pandemic peak by hosting drive-ups, selling to-go plates; still, March to August was a trying time. A Schnucks representative lifted the dry spell when a buyer reached out and expressed interest in selling
that more than half of the state’s current teachers are considering leaving the profession.
Earlier this year, Education Week estimated that more than 36,500 teacher vacancies exist in the United States, adding that uncredentialed teachers filled more than 163,500 positions.
Teacher Salary Project research shows that 74% of teachers don’t believe they receive fair pay.
“Nobody goes into teaching thinking they’re going to have a corner office and drive a luxury vehicle. You do it because you love working with students and helping them achieve their best,” said Jones.
“Often you have what we call a teacher pay gap. They’re just not earning nearly as much as their peers are, who have the same level of education. But also, it’s respect. I think anyone who works a job knows that well. Pay is important, how you’re treated in the workplace, how you’re valued if you’re viewed as a professional, and how your skills are respected. Educators also want to be respected for the professionals.”
A national effort
With Republicans moving into the House majority on Jan. 1, 2023, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s (D-Fla.) American Teacher Act to incentivize states to increase the minimum K-12 teacher salary to $60,000 faces an uphill climb.
However, if red states such as Missouri are at least considering teacher pay raises, it has a fighting chance.
“Teachers deserve a raise. Unfortunately, our nation’s teachers have been underpaid, overworked, and deprived of resources for too long,” Wilson, former chair of the Higher
their food.
“My faith drives me,” Young said. “My faith is what led me to stay in St. Louis. Even though it wasn’t comfortable.”
After winning a few small grants, USML brought the pair a milestone moment. Against 300 applicants, USML awarded them a $50K DEI Accelerator equity-free grant in October 2020, propelling their successful Schnucks launch and USDA approval. Young said the success is in part due to the popularity of barbecue in St. Louis.
“If you’re talking about barbecue, and it’s not about St. Louis,” Young said. “Don’t trust anything they say.” Three months after that Schnucks email, the Fattened Caf’s packaged BBQ meals and sausages made a splash in Arsenal, Richmond Heights and Baldwin.
“People were nothing but welcoming and inspiring,” Young said. “It’s what makes St. Louis great; it’s a city but also a small community, and people care about each other.” After this success, Schnucks quickly put their products in 67 locations. They sold around 2,500 product units between 2020-2021 and 12,000 plus units in 2022.
“We’ve made it this far because we are not afraid of asking for help,” Young said. “I’ve released myself of that fear, and that’s freed me.”
Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, said. Wilson called teachers the backbone of America’s education system and economy. She noted that they play a foundational role in the development of children.
“For seven hours a day, they help shape and inspire young minds as well as nurture students academically and socially,” Wilson said.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, teachers continued to play a critical role in our recovery, underscoring their indispensability.”
The Teacher Salary Project helped Wilson draft the bill, which they said responds to a national teacher shortage and low professional morale. The bill creates a four-year federal grant program to increase teachers’ annual salaries to a minimum of $60,000 nationwide.
Additionally, it would create a four-year federal grant available to states and local educational agencies to guarantee the $60,000 minimum wage.
Wilson said teacher shortages count among the most pressing threats to education access today, with districts across the country forced to radically adjust school offerings to respond to turnover and prolonged vacancies.
“While teachers have never received the wages and respect commensurate with the work they do to help all children reach their promise and potential, the culture wars and stagnant wages of the last few years have made this worse,” stated Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.
“Wilson’s bill directly addresses these challenges by providing states with federal funding to incentivize school districts to create a minimum salary of $60,000 for teachers.
“It also funds a national campaign highlighting the value of the teaching profession and encouraging young people to become teachers.”
n “What a great feeling. The opportunity to finish as a champion, there is no greater feeling.
– Coach Marcus Freeman after Notre Dame’s thrilling 45-38 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl
JANUARY 5 – 11, 2023
By Earl Austin Jr.
The Highland Optimist Shootout is annually one of the top high basketball events in the Midwest region. It is always a fantastic way to kick off the new year.
This year’s event is Saturday, January 7 at Highland High (IL). The Shootout features nine games with top teams from Missouri, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Here is a look at the lineup from the 2023 Highland Shootout:
Highland (IL) vs. Waterloo (IL), girls, 8 a.m.
– A girls’ game will open the event featuring host Highland, which is currently 15-4 and led by senior Grace Wilke. Waterloo is led by 6’0” senior Norah Gum, who averages nearly 20 points a game.
Highland (IL) vs. Quincy Notre Dame (IL), 9:30 a.m.
The host Highland Bulldogs are led by junior guard Jake Ottensmeier, who averages 16 points a game. Quincy Notre Dame is a veteran team paced by seniors Jackson Stratton, Alex Connoyer and Josh Bocke.
Belleville East vs. Hillcrest (IL), 11 a.m.
– Belleville East fields one of the top teams in the metro east area. The Lancers are led by 6’4” senior Jordan Pickett, 6’4” senior Antwine Wilson and 5’10” senior Mason Mosley. Hillcrest features an excellent senior duo in 6’8’ forward Darrion Baker and 6’3” guard Quentin Heady.
Bloomington Central Catholic (IL) vs. New Madrid Central (MO), 12:30 p.m.
– New Madrid Central is an excellent team out of Southeast Missouri. The Eagles are led by the dynamic duo of 6’5” junior Jadis Jones and 6’0” junior guard B.J. Williamson. Central Catholic is led by talented 6’4” junior Cole Certa and 6’6” junior forward Colin Hayes.
East St. Louis (IL) vs. Staley (MO), 2 p.m. – This is a heavyweight matchup featuring one of the best teams in Missouri against one of the best in the state of Illinois. East St. Louis is led by 6’6” senior forward Macalaeb Rich, who is headed to Kansas State, 6’5” Cal-State Fullerton recruit Antwan Robinson and 6’8” senior Demarion Brown. Staley is a Class 6 powerhouse from the Kansas City area that features Division I recruits Kayden Fish (Iowa State), Kyan Evans (Colorado State) and Cameron Manyawu (Indiana State).
CBC (MO) vs. Sacred Heart Griffin (IL), 3:30 p.m. – This is a battle of teams
coming off state championship seasons. CBC is a talented young team coming off a Class 6 state championship. The Cadets are led by 6’4” junior Nassir Binion, 6’2” junior Anthony Gause and 6’5” sophomore Terron Garrett. Sacred Heart Griffin won the Illinois Class 3A state title a year ago. They feature 6’3” senior Jake Hamilton, 6’4” senior Zack Hawkins and 6’3” senior Will Hamilton.
Chicago St. Rita (IL) vs. Chaminade (MO), 5:15 p.m. – A battle between two talented teams representing St. Louis and Chicago. Chaminade features a talented backcourt of 6’0” senior B.J. Ward and 6’3” senior Nilivan Daniels along with 6’10” sophomore
Ben Winker. St. Rita is loaded with size and talent with 6’9” juniors James Brown and Morez Johnson along with 6’2” senior Kaden Space, 6’2” senior Nashawn Holmes and 6’4” junior Nojus Indrusaitis.
Imhotep (PA) vs. Chicago Simeon (IL), 7 p.m. – This is another heavyweight battle featuring the best of Illinois against the best of Pennsylvania. Nationally ranked Imhotep Charter is coming off the championship of the City of Palms Classic in Florida. They are led by 6’7” senior Justin Edwards, who has signed with Kentucky. Senior guard Rahmir Barno has signed with Florida Gulf Coast. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the City of Palms.
SportS EyE
With Alvin A. Reid
Simeon features 6’8” senior twins Miles and Wesley Rubin, who are both headed to Loyola of Chicago, along with 6’5” senior Sam Lewis and 5’10” senior Jalen Lewis.
Vashon (MO) vs. Moline (IL), 8:30 p.m. –Vashon fields another talented team that is seeking its third consecutive Class 4 state championship. The Wolverines are led by 6’6” senior forward Kennard Davis Jr., 6’5” senior guard Jayden Nicholson, 6’5” senior Cameron Stovall and a talented cast of underclassmen. Moline is paced by 6’0” senior point guard Brock Harding and 6’10” senior Owen Freeman, who are two of the best prospects in the state of Illinois.
Alvin A. Reid
The first time I saw Demetrious Johnson we were not on good terms. We had never met, but it didn’t matter. I wanted his day to be ruined. Johnson and I were on different sidelines on the Saturday following Thanksgiving in 1981. He was a defensive back for the Missouri Tigers. I was an equipment manager for the Kansas Jayhawks. Johnson’s team was the lone thing standing between us and a bowl bid. The Jayhawks prevailed 19-11 and I was jubilant. We went to the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. The Tigers were headed to the Tangerine Bowl. Because of the bitterness of the rivalry, I’m sure DJ was crushed. I knew he was from St. Louis. I didn’t care. He got his revenge a year later when he crushed KU quarterback Frank Seurer on a
blitz, sealing Missouri’s victory over Kansas. Johnson would be drafted the following spring by the Detroit Lions. I was headed off to Danville, Illinois to begin my career in journalism.
More than a decade passed before I returned to St. Louis. A friend and fraternity brother named James Young told me he volunteered with the Demetrious Johnson Foundation and relayed all the marvelous work that it was accomplishing. It would not be long before Johnson and I met. I was often a guest on one of his radio programs.
DJ was special because few of us are as true to a cause as he was. People he didn’t know reached out to him and his family when he was a child. He wanted to do the same for others after five-year NFL career had ended. Maybe he saw himself in the thousands of children he provided toys and volunteer opportunities to. Maybe he saw his family as he made sure up to 3,000 turkeys and other food
the foundation never charged a family to take part. I wonder how many children and families DJ helped that we never knew of?
I’ve been told he kept people’s lights and gas on out of his own pocket. He helped children find a way as family violence, drugs, and other evils surrounded them. He wasn’t a large man, but he had a presence that good people were drawn to, and bad people feared.
On Dec. 23, I was in a local restaurant, and I was approached by someone I never met. He first said, “I know you know Demetrious Johnson.”
“Sure, he is a great guy,” I responded, wondering what was going to be said next.
The gentleman informed me of DJ’s heart attack, adding that he was hospitalized, and it did not look good.
items were handed out before Thanksgiving. DJ never let others carry the load. He was front and center. He wasn’t drawing attention to himself. He genuinely cared about the people he and his foundation assisted. He found
true happiness in helping others be happy – even if for just a few hours during the holidays. While he toiled to secure the needed resources so the foundation could function, he never really asked for anything in return. If there was an event,
The shock had barely receded when I learned that DJ had passed on Christmas Eve.
I was honored to be at DJ’s memorial service at Chaifetz Arena on the St. Louis University campus on Monday.
Hundreds of people attended to say goodbye to one hell of a guy. St. Louis has so many people doing the right thing for the right reasons. But DJ cannot be replaced. He loved his hometown, and never forgot there were people here that needed his help. This inspiration was with him while he was playing collegiate football and then for the Lions and Miami Dolphins. His family will continue the Demetrious Johnson Foundation’s work. DJ is gone, but he will never be forgotten. While it seems a way off, the 2023 holiday season will be here before we know it. DJ won’t be demanding we help. He’ll quietly ask as he looks down upon us. Starting today, let’s make sure every child or family that needs assistance through the foundation receives it. Football created an opportunity for Demetrious Johnson. This is our opportunity to show all those he helped in the past, and those he would have helped in the future, that his mission continues.
She is the first woman, and the first Black person, to be selected as the organization’s president and CEO in its 117-year history.
By Sharifah SimsWilliams
Dr. Kendra Holmes stepped into her new role as president & CEO for Affinia Healthcare January 1, 2023. The Affinia Healthcare Board of Directors first announced Dr. Holmes’ promotion in March 2022. The new role is also a historic one: Dr. Holmes is the first woman, and the first Black person, to be selected as the organization’s president and CEO in its 117-year history. Dr. Holmes joined Affinia Healthcare in 2003 as a pharmacist and worked her way to the organization’s executive vice president and COO. In that role, she oversaw health center operations including: radiology, laboratory, nursing services, security, WIC, maternal child, and services for unhoused citizens. She also spearheaded the health center’s most recent Joint Commission review which resulted in a Gold Award for its ambulatory care. Actively involved in the
community, Dr. Holmes has received numerous honors and accolades throughout her career. She serves on the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Board of Trustees and was a member of the 2015 St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class. She is the recipient of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Distinguished
African-American Alumni Award, the St. Louis American Foundation’s Excellence in Healthcare Award, St. Louis County NAACP Outstanding Healthcare Service Award, and 2022 Quality of Life Award from the St. Louis Mayor’s Office, among others.
Takisha Lovelace, new VP and COO
In other administrative developments, Affinia Healthcare has selected Takisha Lovelace as its new Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Since 2020, Lovelace has served as executive director of community health operations for a large health system in the St. Louis region. In her prior management/ executive roles, she served as director of operations in a community health
center organization and a university school of medicine.
Lovelace has also served as an administrative officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Lovelace earned her master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University in St. Louis, and her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Columbia College in St. Louis.
Sonia Deal becomes VP of Community Health
Sonia Deal is being promoted to Vice President of Community Health and Engagement. Deal has worked for Affinia Healthcare since 2013 and since 2020, she has served as its assistant vice president of clinical integration. She has been a registered nurse since 1999, and a nurse manager/ executive for more than 20 years.
Deal earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Nursing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She is a Community Health Center Executive Fellow (CHCEF), and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Additionally, Deal has served in the United States Army Reserves since 1995, rising to rank of captain.
Webster University was awarded $1.25 million in federal funds to increase the accessibility to its nationally ranked master’s programs in nursing and counseling, its Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia practice, and its bachelor’s programs in chemistry, biology,
nursing and psychology. The funding was part of the $1.7 trillion funding bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on Friday. Webster will use the funds to upgrade technology used by students who currently work in nursing or other STEM fields
and are pursuing advanced degrees or are students in STEM programs who live in rural areas of Missouri. The government is helping fund the technological upgrades in order to address a critical shortage of nurses and employees with science backgrounds in the
region.
The Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC) forecasts that demand for those with training in health, physical and social science occupations in Missouri will increase by 6.3%. Healthcare practitioner and med-tech
occupations are expected to increase by 13% overall, with the demand for registered nurses increasing by 16.2%, and nurse Anesthetist growing by 17.4%. MERIC also forecasts that the demand for those with healthcare and social assistance
training will grow by 16%, with psychiatric and substance abuse counseling expanding by 12.8%, and residential mental health facilities growing by 19.2%. Currently, the growth in employees with training in those subjects is far below the expected demand.
By Danielle Brown
St. Louis American
Coming off the heels of their recent West Coast tour, comedy greats Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are bringing the 2023 U.S. Arena Tour to St. Louis on Jan. 22 at the Enterprise Center. Other cities include Oklahoma City, Memphis, Birmingham, and Charleston.
The pair just concluded their most recent show
A tale of two Willys
Ron Himes and acclaimed actor Wendell Pierce bond over iconic stage role
By Kenya Vaughn
St. Louis American
The
The Black Rep’s presentation of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Death of a Salesman will open the same week that the most recently acclaimed Broadway revival closes.
Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes will lead as Willy Loman – which is currently embodied on Broadway by film and television star Wendell Pierce.
“I enjoyed him immensely. I believed him totally,” Himes said of Pierce when he caught the performance last month in New York. “He could have been on an empty stage, and you still would have felt the full effect of the story. He is certainly going to get a Tony nomination. If not, then they need to end the Tonys.”
on Dec. 12, 2022 in Sacramento, California.
“Arguably the two greatest stand-up comedians of their generation, Rock and Chappelle are not just comics, they’re good friends who express ranging views while celebrating their mutual respect for each other,” according to a pre-concert release from Pilot Boy Productions.
The longtime friends recently shared the stage on a sold-out European arena tour.
They addressed the situations in which both were attacked during their joint London show in September 2022, Chappelle was tackled by an unknown man on stage during his “Netflix is a Joke: The Festival,” last May, while Rock was slapped in the face by Will Smith at last year’s Oscars.
The two had been in talks for years about touring together. In a 2014 interview with Hot 97’s
“Ebro In the Morning,” Rock addressed the possibility.
“I’m thinking about it, me and Dave have been talking about maybe doing something. We gotta sit down and have that meeting,” Rock told the New York City morning radio show hosts.
Rock also joked that he would let Chappelle close and have three hours, while he does a 45 minute set, because Chappelle’s sets are always long.
Rock talked briefly about he and Chappelle’s friendship on The Howard Stern Show in 2020. He said he and Chappelle’s friendship grew closer while taping Chappelle’s socially-distanced comedy and music series “Chappelle’s Summer
See Joke, C3
Himes was a special guest of Pierce when he caught the spellbinding portrayal– which is a departure from his acclaimed roles on television shows and films that include HBO’s The Wire, Tremé, Chicago PD and Jack Ryan to name a few. The fellow actors connected when Himes was in preparation to step into the shoes of Willy Loman for the first time at the request of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. When Pierce heard
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
2023 has just begun and a pair of noted Black entertainers, Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters, and Earth, Wind and Fire drummer Fred White, have passed.
Anita Pointer passes on NYE Pointer died before the clock struck midnight to bring in the new year. She died from cancer on Dec. 31, 2022 at the age of 74.
“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace,” according to the Pointer Family’s statement.
“She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving, beautiful place with Anita there.”
Actor Wendell Pierce and Ron Himes in Broadway’s Hudson Theatre following Pierce’s performance as Willy Loman in ‘Death of a Salesman.’
The Black Rep’s production of the play, which stars Himes, opens at the Edison Theatre on January 11.
n “While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace,”
- The Pointer Family
Pointer was an active member of the group from its founding in 1969 until her illness forced her to step down in 2015. She and her three sisters Bonnie, Ruth, and June achieved great success as a sister quartet. The group released their self-titled debut album “The Pointer Sisters” in 1973. It reached No. 13 on the US chart, and their first single “Yes We Can Can” went to No. 11. They followed with other chart-topping singles including “Automatic” and more. They were also the first Black group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Anita Marie Pointer was born Jan. 23, 1948, to Rev. Elton and Sarah Pointer. Anita was the second oldest. Ruth born in 1946 was the oldest and the youngest were Bonnie and June born in 1950 and 1953. The sisters also had two older brothers Aaron, a retired baseball player, born in 1942 and Fritz, an English professor born in 1943.
She graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1965. Only 17, she married David Harper that same year. Their daughter Jada was born in 1966 and she inspired the sisters’ song “Jada” on their debut album.
that Himes would be bringing the show to The Black Rep, he reached out to suggest actors for the role of Loman’s wife. Mutually busy schedules meant that by the time they were in touch, Himes’ run as Willy at the Nebraska Rep had ended – and the role for the Black Rep production had been cast with the ever-delightful Velma Austin.
The Pointer Sister grew up singing gospel music in their father’s church, the West Oakland Church of God. Bonnie and June formed the duo, The Pointer Sisters - A Pair in 1969. Then Anita quit her secretarial job and they became The Pointer Sisters. They later became a quarter when Ruth joined in 1972.
Anita divorced twice. Her only daughter died in 2003. June died in 2006 and Bonnie in 2020. Anita leaves behind a granddaughter
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis partnered with The City of St. Louis, The Affordable Housing Commission, Boeing, and Keeley Companies, to support 2,500 families this holiday season during our annual Holiday Food Distribution December 17, 2022. Participating families received food for a complete Christmas meal, COVID-19 testing kits, masks, toiletries, hand sanitizer, and other resources valued at $150,000. In addition, several families selected at random throughout the day received $50 gift cards from Schnuck Markets.
The holiday meal distribution was held at the Urban League’s Regional Headquarters at 1408 North Kingshighway and supported by nearly 100 volunteers including Senator Karla May and KMOX’s Tom Ackerman. This was the fourth large-scale food distribution held this year to help families who continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the devasting flooding this summer
By the Missouri Historical Society
The Missouri Historical Society will kick off 2023 with a series of Black history and community programs in early January.
On January 5, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, join the Missouri History Museum and House of Miles East St. Louis (HOME) for Cool Deconstructed: Miles Davis in Reverse, a narrated presentation that will take you on a musical journey through the many moods of Miles Davis. This Thursday Nights at the Museum program will feature live music led by Jason Brown, a music educator and trumpeter who played alongside Davis. With accompanying narration by Lauren Parks, president and co-founder of HOME, and Ya’Asantewa Tafari, one of HOME’s teen program participants, travel backwards through Davis’s life, from his international jazz superstar days to his East St. Louis boyhood. A young musician from HOME will also join the presentation, which begins at 6:30pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Sugarfire. Be sure to visit the resource tables and tour the St. Louis Sound exhibit—where you can see Davis’s jacket and trumpet—before it closes on January 22.
The following week, the Museum will honor the events of January 11, 1865, when the delegates of the Missouri state convention, led by Radical Republican Charles Drake, passed the immediate emancipation of all enslaved persons. There is a long history of celebrations like Juneteenth, Negro Election Day, and the colonial-era festival Pinkster that have been used as recognition of Black life and advancement. These events have allowed Black people to gather in acknowledgment of their history while reflecting on their contemporary moment and future. Though celebratory in nature, the Emancipation
Day celebrations became prominent gathering spaces that transformed Black culture and politics publicly.
At the Thursday Nights at the Museum program on January 12 (5:30–8:00pm), Missouri Emancipation and the St. Louis African American Community, join Etta Daniels and Shelley Morris from Greenwood Cemetery for a look at St. Louis’s Black community in 1865. From churches to civic and social organizations, this presentation will explore how institutions supported the Black community both before and after emancipation, as well as how emancipation affected individual lives. This program is presented in collaboration with Greenwood Cemetery. The presentation will begin at 6:30pm. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Sugarfire from 5:00 to 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits will be open until 8:00pm.
The MLK Community Celebration returns to the Museum on January 14–16, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Families are invited to join us on Saturday and Monday (10:00am–4:00pm) for youth activism workshops, followed by meaningful conversations on race and social justice facilitated by Tabari Coleman. The
10:00am workshop is recommended for ages 12–18, and an 11:15am workshop is available for ages 6–12. At 10:15am, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will present a storytelling performance along with original spokenword affirmations and lifeaffirming music by DJ KP da Kid. Stick around until the end for a special children’s book giveaway generously provided by Ready Readers. Families can also learn about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who have fought for civil rights through a 45-minute movement workshop with Mama Lisa. Throughout the day, stop by the Grand Hall for advocacy-inspired crafts and a self-guided scavenger hunt.
The highlight of the weekend will be the keynote address on Sunday, January 15, at 2:00pm. In keeping with the King Center’s theme for 2023, “It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Break the Cycle of Injustice,” Lynne M. Jackson will discuss her family’s legacy, reconciliation, and ways to break the generational cycles of injustices through our shared histories. Jackson is the president and founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation (DSHF) and is the great-greatgranddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott. Founded in 2006, the DSHF’s goal is to promote the commemoration, education, and reconciliation of our histories. Featured musical guests include students from Sumner High School.
Afterward, gather in the Grand Hall for Gospel Yoga (4:00–5:00pm), led by The Collective STL with a gospel ensemble of raised voices for inspiration. Bring your yoga mat, friends, and families. All ages and abilities are welcome.
For the complete MLK Community Celebration schedule, visit mohistory.org/events. Support for this educational program is provided by the Paz Family Foundation and Ameren Missouri, presenting sponsor.
“We both had a crazy year, we’ve gotten closer,” Rock told Stern. “I love Dave and I like being around comedians. I made a conscious effort that me and [Dave Chappelle] are gonna get along.”
Chappelle is a 2019 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He has earned more than 30 nominations and awards in televisions and film for his work including “Chappelle’s Show,” comedy specials, and guest appearances on “Saturday Night Live.”
He has five Emmy Awards including three for his Netflix comedy specials “Sticks & Stones,” “Equanimity & The Bird Revelation” and for hosting “Saturday Night Live.”
He won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album three years in a row, 2018-2020. In May 2021, he partnered with Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey to host “The Midnight Miracle,” podcast.
Rock returned to live comedy in March with his “Ego Death World Tour 2022.” He was most recently in the Sally Potter short film, “Look at Me” and David O’Russell’s, “Amsterdam.”
His next project is a biopic titled “Rustin.” He is also scheduled to direct an Untitled Chris Rock project this year. His animation series “Everybody Still Hates Chris” will soon stream on Paramount + and Comedy Central. Rock is executive producer and narrator.
He is known for acting in various films including “Boomerang” “New Jack City” “I Think I Love My Wife” and more. His television work includes being a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” 1989-1993 and serving as executive producer, writer, and narrator of the series “Everybody Hates Chris.”
He has won several awards including four Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards and is a New York Times Best-Selling Author.
Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle come to the Enterprise Center on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $76.50-$296.50. General tick-
For those who go No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the show. Once entering all phones and smart watches will be stowed in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if necessary, can access their phones at
nated Yondr unlocking stations in the
with their cellphone in the venue will be removed.
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By Nicole D. Batey Special to the AFRO
After 20 years of faithful service as pastor, Rev. Frances Murphy Draper, known by the nickname “Toni,” has retired from her role as pastor of Freedom Temple A.M.E. Zion Church. Draper preached her last sermon as pastor of the South Baltimore church on Dec. 11.
“It has been an honor to pastor the loving people of Freedom Temple AMEZ for 20 wonderful years,” she said. “Although I am retiring from pastoring, I’m not retiring from the ministry or membership at Freedom Temple! A special thanks to the members of Freedom Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.”
Draper acknowledged the late Bishop Milton Alexander Williams, who initially appointed her in 2002, and gave thanks to Bishops Warren Brown, Richard Thompson and W. Darin Moore for each subsequent appointment.
the trustee board and Holy Orders Committee, and conference studies instructor.
“I have had the pleasure of serving under Pastor Frances Toni Draper for 20 years. She is a wonderful mentor, pastor, and servant of Christ,” said Kaia Stevens, chair of the Freedom Temple Trustee Board. “I will truly miss her leadership, but I am excited about what God would have her do next!”
n “I have had the pleasure of serving under Pastor Frances Toni Draper for 20 years. She is a wonderful mentor, pastor, and servant of Christ,” said Kaia Stevens, chair of the Freedom Temple Trustee Board.
“I will truly miss her leadership, but I am excited about what God would have her do next!”
Under Draper’s leadership, the congregation has been active in outreach and service to communities throughout Baltimore City. She has baptized over 75 infants, youth, and adults, performed over 20 wedding ceremonies and made hundreds of pastoral visits. Within the Philadelphia Baltimore Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Draper has served in various leadership positions that include chair of the finance committee, member of
Draper has been an influential community leader in her native home of Baltimore for decades. With leadership positions in journalism, the faith community and education, the Renaissance woman has been the definition of grace.
Draper is the greatgranddaughter of John H. Murphy, founder of the AFRO American Newspapers. She was a graduate of Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Baltimore all before completing an M.S. in pastoral counseling at Loyola University, Maryland. Draper then went on to earn a doctorate in ministry in preaching and leadership from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Her dissertation title was: “Relationship Theology: A Model for Producing Healthy Marriages in the African American Context.”
Draper accepted her call to ministry in 1991, and preached her trial discourse a year later at the Lord’s Church (Baltimore, MD). In 1996, she returned to the Pennsylvania Avenue
A.M.E. Zion Church, and in 1999 was ordained an elder by the late Bishop Williams and appointed pastor of the then John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in East Baltimore in 2002. After prayerful consideration, the congregation changed its name to Freedom Temple A.M.E. Zion Church
and relocated to South Baltimore. Draper’s mother, Frances L. Murphy II, helped inspire her to be a community leader. She encouraged her to honor God, treat people the way you want to be treated and surround yourself with younger people who can keep you up to date on the latest
trends and technologies.
Just as Draper was inspired by her mother, she is now inspiring the younger generation. She often tells her grandchildren that it’s important to give back to the community because many people need a genuine hand up or a simple word of encouragement in order to survive and thrive.
“Pastor Toni has been more than just a pastor to my family and I. She has been a friend, teacher, and confidant,” Peggy Gullette, a member of Freedom Temple.
The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the following positions: Deputy City Clerk; Finance Director; Administrative Assistant I; Administrative Assistant II; Fleet Maintenance/Mechanic; Correctional Officers; Court Clerk, Public Works Laborer; P/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Assistant to the City Clerk; P/T Public Works Laborers; P/T Code Enforcement Officer; P/T Site Monitor. Please see the full job descriptions online at www. cityofjennings.org. Applications are available at the Jennings City Hall or on the website at www.cityofjennings.org
The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Greenway Operations Manager. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids to apply.
Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Greenway Operations Manager. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids to apply.
The Riverview Gardens School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, including employment and admissions, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). All forms of sex-based discrimination are prohibited in the district, but this policy focuses exclusively on sexual harassment as defined in Title IX that occurs within the education programs and activities of the district. However, the district will respond promptly to investigate and address any report or complaint of sexual harassment.
Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Civic Engagement Manager. Go to www. greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids to apply.
The City of Clayton is hiring for PT and FT positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY EOE
The St. Louis City Family Court is seeking proposals from medical providers to provide psychiatric services to detained youth in the Detention Center. Proposals will start to be considered at 9:00 a.m. on January 3, 2023, but position is open until filled. Interested providers may obtain the Proposal Specifications by accessing www. stlcitycircuitcourt.com then check for RFPs under General Information and follow the Psychiatric Services Proposal Specifications.
The Locust Business District is requesting proposals to fill an Administrative Assistant position. Please visit our website: www.locustbusinessdistrict. com Or, email the office for more information. locustbusinessdistrict@ gmail.com
City Garden Montessori School SCHEDULE OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES - CASH BASIS - GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS For the Year Ended June 30, 2022
Bids for O190301 Repair Parking Deck Joseph P. Teasdale State Office Building Raytown, MO, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 2, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Great Rivers Greenway soliciting electronic bids for Centennial Greenway: Olive Blvd within I-170 Interchange Improvements. Go to www. greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by January 26, 2023
Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications for Database Consulting. Go to www. greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by January 17, 2023.
Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: THE CHEMICAL BLDG located at 777 Olive St
PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the Demolition, Concrete, Concrete Restoration, Masonry, Masonry Restoration, Structural Steel, Casework Material, Roofing, Ceilings, Flooring, Painting, Specialties, Appliances, and Elevators ONLY for THE CHEMICAL BUILDING located on 777 Olive St. St Louis, MO. The project consists of the renovation of the historic building into 240 guestrooms (Residences Inn and SpringHill Suites) including amenity spaces, fitness room and community areas. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not received a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com
A PREBID meeting will be held on 1/17/23 at 9:00am at the project site on Olive Street
BIDS WILL BE DUE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm
Send all questions to Cory Hoke (choke@paric.com) or Terry Turnbeaugh (tlturnbeaugh@paric.com)
Job will have prevailing wage requirements
Goals for Construction Business Enterprise
Goals for Workforce (field) participation
20% Apprentice
23% City of St Louis Resident
All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).
PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Project: District Wide Drinking Fountain Installation
Bid Date: January 19th, 2023 @ 10:00 AM
Estimator: Erik Hankins PLEASE SEND ALL BIDS TO BIDS@HANKINSMIDWEST.COM
and
applicable Government Auditing Standards has issued the School
financial statements. The audit report is available for inspection and examination at the St. Louis City Garden Montessori School Administrative Office, 4202 Folsom Ave, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
The City of St. Louis Department of Health seeks proposals from organizations that can demonstrate expertise and capacity to provide psychological and/or psychiatric services to persons living with HIV (PLWH). These funds are available through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, Part A.
Request for Proposals may be obtained beginning Friday, December 09, 2022, by downloading from the City of St. Louis website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/health/documents/fiscaldocuments/mental-health-careservices-part-a-rfp.cfm. Contact: Sylvia JacksonBell for questions @ DOHGA @stlouis-mo.gov, or (314) 657-1581 (email preferred). The deadline for submitting proposals is Monday, January 23, 2023, by 4:00 pm via email at DOHGA @stlouis-mo.gov. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any and all responses with or without cause.
RFQ/
The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Sculpture of Dr. Jeffrey Bonner RFQ/ RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 1/4/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.
Project: Nottingham Culinary Kitchen Renovation
Estimator: Stephen Hankins
Owner: SLPS PLEASE SEND ALL BIDS TO OFFICE@HANKINSMIDWEST. COM
If you need help accessing the specifications for this project, please call 314-426-7030.
The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Management services. The initial scope of work will include the review, inspection and reporting on approximately 40 residential development projects (single-family for-sale homes) under development by two not for profit organizations; funded through the SLDC Access to Housing and Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Services will include a review for reasonableness and feasibility of plans, specifications and costs; inspection for quality of completed work in accordance with local, state and federal housing quality standards, regulations and codes; reporting to SLDC and its partners the results of reviews and inspections. The scope of work may be expanded for additional residential development and commercial development projects.
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide the funding for the initial scope of work. The RFQ will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/SLDC on Friday, January 6, 2023. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Friday, January 20, 2023. SLDC is an equal
Massman-Traylor, Chester Joint Venture is soliciting proposals from MoDOT and IDOT approved Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) for the Chester Bridge, design-build project (MoDOT Project J9P3857, J9P3857B, J9P3857C) in Chester, IL (Perry County, MO and Randolph County, IL). The MassmanTraylor team is a joint venture of Massman Construction Co. and Traylor Brothers, Inc. with HNTB as design partner. All proposals must be submitted to Massman-Traylor by January 16, 2023
Project includes bridges, roadway, earthwork and utilities. For the scope of work and any other inquiries on this project, please contact: Donald Nunez, Massman Construction Co., 4400 W 109th St, 3rd Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211 (913)291-2618; dnunez@massman.net. The DBE requirements established for this project are 6% Construction and 12% Professional Services. We actively encourage MoDOT and IDOT certified DBEs to submit proposals for a wide range of opportunities and welcome theirparticipation on the Chester Bridge project. Non-disclosure agreements are required prior to providing information to bidders.
The City of University City is seeking sealed proposals for a consultant to develop housing and revitalization strategies for the city’s third ward.
Proposals are due by January 17, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. For more information and to view a copy of the RFP, please visit our website at http://www. ucitymo.org/bids.aspx? bidID=399
He told Pierce that he would be in New York to catch a few shows. Pierce invited Himes to attend the show and meet afterwards for a chat between “the Willys.” Pierce and Himes had an thoughtful and insightful discussion about the duty of portraying such a monumental role within the canon of classic American theater.
“Wendell said, ‘those of us who are fortunate enough to play Willy, they become part of a fraternity,’” said Himes. “Then he welcomed me to the fraternity. That gives me an added mantle to carry, but it’s a noble challenge – and I am really excited about bringing it here because we have a wonderful, wonderful company.”
Himes, Austin, Chauncy Thomas, Christian Kitchens and Kevin Brown are the Loman family. Set in late 1940s Massachusetts, Willy Loman confronts the reality of his unrealized potential. As he struggles to reconcile with the sum of choices that he feels have resulted in a life that amounts to less than his wife and children deserve, he falls apart.
“We have not changed any of the text and Arthur Miller probably never would have thought that a Black company would do it,” Himes said. “But the play speaks so genuinely to the search and the reach for the American dream that we all have.”
As Himes worked to personalize his portrayal of Willy, he thought of the Black soldiers returning home from World War II. They should have been welcomed home as heroes. Instead, they were forced to battle for basic human rights and equality.
“We know what that challenge must have been like for these African American men – with the same dreams of better opportunities, to own a home, provide for their family and to leave a legacy for their children,” Himes said. “African Americans have had these same dreams as long as we have been here, and I think that looking at it through the lens of Arthur Miller’s play I think heightens it in a way.”
Continued from C1
Roxie, and her siblings Ruth, Aaron, and Fritz.
Fred White, perfect percussionist
Fred White, drummer of the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 67. Fred’s brother and bandmate, Verdine White confirmed his death in an Instagram post on Jan 1. At time of publication a cause of death hadn’t been released.
“Dearest Family Friends and Fans.....Our family is saddened today With the loss of an amazing and talented family member, Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene “Freddie” White. He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!,” Verdine wrote.
“Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age
of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup. But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted! He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!!” Frederick Eugene Adams was born Jan. 13, 1955 in
Chicago to Edna and Verdine White Sr. He was raised in a family full of musicians including older brothers Verdine Jr. and the late Maurice White. As a young drum maestro, Fred toured with Donny Hathaway before graduating high school. Maurice moved to Los Angeles in 1970, launching Earth, Wind & Fire, Verdine joined a few months later. Fred joined EWF before his 20th birthday in 1974 and stayed with the group through the mid-1980s, performing on all six of the group’s albums. His talents really stand out on “Shining Star” “Let’s Groove” and “September.” Fred eventually left the group in the mid-1980s but he was present for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2000. He continued singing with artists including Diana Ross and Bonnie Raitt. He most recently appeared on Ross’ 2021 comeback album. For news on the sudden passing of Gansta Boo, see Hotsheet on Page A2
Sources: The Guardian, NPR, Variety, Instagram, Variety
Director Jacqueline Thompson is praised by Himes for setting the emotional tone and for “mining wonderful performances from the company.” He also gives her credit for perfectly executing the vision she had for the show – which was to make sure the production stayed true to Miller’s masterful storytelling.
“It is really a love story between a father and a son,” Himes said. “This play opened on Broadway in 1949 and a there has not been a year since where there haven’t been multiple productions of it all over the country – better yet all over the world.
In fact, Pierce played Willy in a 2019 production at The Piccadilly Theatre on The West End – which is London’s Broadway equivalent. And Dunsi Dai, scenic designer for the Black Rep’s upcoming production, saw a staging of the
play that Arthur Miller himself directed when Dai was a high school student in his native China.
The Black Rep stays true to the text of the play, but commissioned St. Louis native and Grammy winner Keyon Harrold to compose original music for the production.
“We are pulling out the stops to do this production and put our stamp on it,” Himes said.
“It’s going to be a very strong evening of theater. Our stage manager Tracy Holliway-Wiggins said that we should pass out tissues with the programs.”
The St. Louis Black Repertory Company’s production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman runs from January 11 – 29 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd. For tickets and additional information, call (314) 5343807 or visit www.theblackrep. org.
