St. LouiS AmericAn
Finding missing people with special needs
New alert system is latest effort from St. Louis mom searching for her son
By Sylvester Brown Jr.
Louis American
For the past 20 years Theda Person has been dedicated to the same mission. On June 11, 2003, her 9-year-old son, Christian Taylor Ferguson went missing. Believed to be deceased, Christian’s body has never been found. Person (maiden name Theda Wilson) has been ever vigilante, working to bring her son’s murderer to justice, to keep her son’s memory alive and to aid other parents who might face similar abominations.
Former Missouri Rep. Charles Troupe passes
Served 12 terms before terms limits were enacted
Louis American staff
Former Missouri Representative Charles Troupe (District 62) and St. Louis Board of Alderman (Ward 1) died Thursday, June 29, 2023. Charles Quincy Troupe was a native St. Louisan, born May 12, 1936, into a large family that contributed to the
Black community. He was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1978 and served 12 terms before term limits were enacted. His committee assignments included: Budget, Administration and Accounts, Commerce and Economic Development. He served as chair of the Social Services, Appropriation Committee, and on the subcommittee on the tobacco settlement. Troupe was also a Clintonappointee to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). He served Ward 1 as Alderman from 20052013. “Rep. Troupe served the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri for
Donald M. Suggs elected to Missouri Press Hall of Fame
By K. Michael Jones
Louis American
St.
The
Five inductees will join the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame on Sept. 22, during the Missouri Press Association’s 157th Annual Convention and Trade Show in St. Louis. Established by MPA in 1991, the 2023 Hall of Fame class will be the 33rd group to be inducted.
M. Suggs, M.D.
This year’s inductees are the late Terez Paylor, a prolific sports reporter for The Kansas City Star and other outlets; the late Eugene Webster Sharp, a legendary journalism educator at the Missouri School of Journalism; the late Jane See White, a renowned writer, editor and journalism professor; Donald M. Suggs, longtime owner and publisher of The St. Louis American; and Dan Wehmer, publisher and owner of the
See SUGGS, A7
‘All hope is not lost.’
Celebrates 40 years at the helm of St. Louis American – Legal scholar, Michael Middleton
By Sylvester Brown Jr.
Louis American
The Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling that bans race-conscious admissions in higher education has stirred emotions across the nation. The 6-3 vote with its liberal members voting against the decision signaled signs of contention. One of those liberal justices, Ketanji Brown Jackson called the decision “a tragedy,” adding that the court has “detached itself from this country’s actual past and present experiences.” Justice Clarence Thomas, who has long opposed affirmative action policies, See RULING, A6
Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio
St.
LaTonya R., of St. Louis County, waves as floats go by on Tuesday during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.
Theda Person, mother of missing child Christian Ferguson, stands in front of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium where he loved gazing at the stars Tuesday, June 27, in Forest Park.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Donald
Michael Middleton
Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan marries longtime girlfriend
Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan is now a happily married man. On Friday, June 30, he married his longtime girlfriend Jasmine in Dallas, TX. The couple share two children together and exchanged vows in front of some of the biggest names in entertainment including fellow Clan bandmates RZA, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Nas, Fat Joe, and more.
Faith Evans sang at the wedding.
Issa Rae’s “Insecure” now streaming on Netflix
Issa Rae’s hit television series “Insecure” has a new home. The show is now available to stream on Netflix. The series is the first HBO original show to launch on Netflix under a new licensing deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Discussions about Warner Bros. Discovery licensing some of their original content to Netflix began on June 20.
Keyshia Cole’s ex Niko Khale recovering from near-fatal stabbing
Keyshia Cole’s ex-boyfriend Niko Khale is recovering after suffering from a near-fatal stabbing.
As he heals, fans wonder what led to the unfortunate turn of events and question if his current girlfriend was involved with the situation.
Days ago, Khale posted pictures of him in a hospital bed with Tobias, the son he and Cole share by his side.
In an Instagram post, Khale said he was thankful for being alive and recognized God protected him from danger.
“Lucky to be alive. God got us,” he wrote.
Khale provided an account of what happened also in his post.
“Got stabbed in my chest and my arm. My lung was punctured and collapsed. My diaphragm was also ruptured. They had to cut my stomach open and put a tube in my chest so I could breathe. By the grace of God today I’m back on my feet and I am breathing on my own.”
Stevie J and Faith Evans
finalize their divorce
Stevie J and Faith Evan’s marriage is officially over – and Stevie just got a bag out of Faith.
As Media Take Out reported, Stevie filed for divorce in November 2021 after 3 years of marriage to the former Bad Boy songstress. At the time of filing, Stevie pointed out that the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement and he demanded Faith pay him monthly spousal support.
Faith and her legal team initially objected to the support request.
But Faith Evans decided to pay the money. The couple has come to a settlement agreement, whereby Faith will pay Stevie a LOT of money. According to court documents, first published by RadarOnline. , Faith’s legal team told the court that the couple “entered into a written agreement regarding their property and their marriage or domestic support partnership rights, including support.”
While Faith didn’t say exactly HOW MUCH she’s paying Stevie, the Love & Hip Hop star is saying that he got a million dollars out of the relationship.
Stevie married Faith in
2018, and they were married for less than 3 years. During that time, however, Stevie worked to help resurrect Faith career – by including her in his reality tv projects, and writing new songs for her.
Naomi Campbell, 53, welcomes second child
Naomi Campbell just became a mom for the second time around.
The 53-year-old supermodel announced her baby’s arrival on Instagram with a photo of her holding the child and her 2-year-old reaching over to hold him.
“My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence. A True Gift from God, blessed! Welcome Babyboy. #mumoftwo,” she wrote, adding, “It’s never too late to become a mother.”
She welcomed her first child in May 2021. In her first announcement she wrote “a beautiful little blessing. Who has chosen me to be her mother.” “So honored to have this gentle soul in my life, there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you, my angel. There is no greater love.”
Sources: BET.com, Variety.com, TheYBF.com, People.com, mtonews.com
Issa Rae
“Justice Thomas ignites too many more straw men to list, or fully extinguish, here.”
- Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, referring to her disagreement with Clarence Thomas and his views on affirmative action.
Bus drivers remain in heavy demand throughout the area
Some school districts say hiring is easier this summer, but they’re still getting creative
By Kate Grumke
St. Louis Public Radio
School districts in the St. Louis region are implementing unique benefits and programs to try to attract teachers and other staff.
Some district hiring managers say it has been easier to find new employees this summer compared to recent years, but schools are still making changes to fill especially challenging openings.
The Hazelwood School District saw fewer retirements and resignations this school year, said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Keith Bausman.
“There was a level of fatigue that set in from those individuals that have been dealing with a lot with COVID,” Bausman said.
“So I think that that’s why we saw a little bit more last year than we’re seeing this year.”
Still, the district is implementing new programs to try to attract employees for hard-to-fill positions. Starting this upcoming school year, Southeast Middle School will have a four-day week for staff. Students will still go to school all five days, but Mondays will include activities focused on career development. Staff will work some Mondays and will be
paid extra to do so.
“That site had been hard to fill in the past, but they are on pace to be very close to being fully staffed,” Bausman said.
The four-day week has been an increasingly popular strategy to attract teachers to work, especially in rural districts. One in four Missouri districts have now adopted the schedule, but Hazelwood will be among the first in the St. Louis region implementing the change.
Hazelwood is also offering discounted pre-kindergarten for staff members’ children and giving employees full credit for experience at other districts when deciding where new hires will start on its salary schedule, in an effort to attract educators from other districts.
The Wentzville School District is also trying to attract experienced teachers from other districts. The district is also matching teaching experience for salary purposes for Wentzville residents and offering bonuses and retention incentives for Wentzville School District graduates.
Superintendent Danielle Tormala said the district is in a good place, but it still faces challenges when positions are open during
the school year. “It’s all hands on deck all the time, so wherever there is a vacancy, we look to be able to fill with whoever has the ability to do that at that moment,” said Danielle Tormala, Wentzville’s superintendent. Statewide, special education positions are among the most difficult to fill. Despite that trend, the Special School District said it is seeing reasons to be optimistic.
“We’re looking at a really a very positive trend that we’re experiencing in terms of our retention right now,” said Phillip Boyd, chief people and culture officer. “Our retention across the board is about several points higher than it’s been in almost a decade.”
The Special School District has been especially focused on hiring and keeping paraprofessionals. The district recently
increased pay for paras and also extended tuition reimbursements for them and other workers.
Across the board, districts say there is another position they are especially in need of: bus drivers. An ongoing nationwide shortage is still prompting local school districts to look for ways to consolidate routes and attract new drivers.
Courtesy photo
Editorial/Commentary
Guest Editorial On Further Review
Now that the Supreme Court has acted…
By John E. Warren
African Americans in particular and people of color in general have a history of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against their interest. When the Plessy vs Ferguson decision was handed down in 1896, the Court said “separate but equal ” was the rule. We endured the “Jim Crow’’ era that followed. When the Court said in the Dred Scott decision that “ A Black man has no rights that a White man is bound to respect, we survived the indignity of being called everything except “Mister”. But as Maya Angelo said: “And still we rise.”
We have experienced the works of racist white Justices before. Today, we are better educated and equipped than we have ever been with a better knowledge of our options and alternatives. The only question is: Do we have the collective will to fight back?
Consider that while the current Supreme Court has acted and has an embedded conservative majority for years to come, the Constitution does give us a way out of all the decisions handed down that are against our interest.
make the desired legislative changes. We must support Congressional candidates who will commit to and support our goals. We must finance them as well as assure that our people are registered to vote in such extreme numbers that we overcome the opposition.
We must remember that there are more people in America that share our views among young whites and people of color than the conservative element that is solidly committed to returning Donald Trump to the White House.
Years ago when the Court ruled against flag burning, the Congress passed a law which said while such activity was offensive to many, there existed a First Amendment right under Freedom of Speech to burn the flag if one decided to do so. Today, just as the President is proposing legislation to overcome Student Loan Forgiveness, and the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Congress can legislate the reversal of these Supreme Court decisions.
The problem is that we the people must vote out the right-leaning Conservative Members of Congress for people who support our points of view and will vote to
Most of the Republicans running against Trump appear to be afraid to speak out against him. Let us not forget that the very basis of much of the overwhelming support for Trump is racism. The racism is based in a fear that America is changing to whites becoming a minority rather than the majority they have always enjoyed. While yet if we and our allies register to vote and march to the polls, then we have a winning ticket in the American electoral lottery. We must then use that collective vote for people who support our cause, no matter their race.
We can not engage in reverse racism, but rather aligning ourselves who have a shared interest in the myriad challenges facing the nation. If the vote was important enough to use every tactic of voter suppression to deny our voice, then it’s important enough for us to fight for.
Let us remember that our fight is for the collective benefit of all in this diverse nation.
The struggle really does continue. Will you join and become a part of it?
John E. Warren is publisher of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues
SCOTUS decisions back discrimination
By Patrick Washington
We live in interesting times. Not necessarily good times, but definitely interesting ones.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in universities, and for my home state of Texas, that is not good at all. The court’s ruling will change admissions practices nationwide, and at Texas’ only large public university that considers race — the University of Texas at Austin.
What’s most interesting to me is how this came about and how the same old tactics of grievance over facts were used to great effect. It’s actually despicable how the court is now a political arm and plays the partisan politics game so shamelessly.
Especially seeing as how Clarence Thomas, the only Black male member — who is also seemingly on the payroll of Harlan Crow — owes his career to affirmative action.
It’s not surprising, however, that John Roberts, the conservative judge that won’t comment on the scandals within the court (all of which are right-leaning) — has in the past previewed this moment with his opinions on, let’s say, the Voting Rights Act. Roberts seems to have some unsubstantiated faith in the white majority to do the right thing. It’s laughable and sad at the same damn time.
social media account can claim discrimination and get national news coverage, and apparently support from the Supreme Court, this doesn’t bode well for the future of Black students.
I am not a betting man, but I would bet good money that next on the chopping block is the 10% rule. I’m sure some upper middle class white family will claim that, somehow, their average child is being discriminated against, and it will be out the window. With our corrupt political “leadership,” and I’m sure the backing of some Daughters of the Confederacy-esque group, they can and will push ending the 10% policy through the system as soon as possible — not to mention furthering the potential defunding of diverse campuses in the state.
Patrick Washington
So for my state, Texas — which is known for denying slavery happened, denying immigration to asylum seekers, not believing in climate change while we all burn up in the now Sahara Desert-level heat, stripping women of autonomy, supporting weapons of war, and honestly too much to name — this is just another failure and regression of progress for the state and its citizens.
Before the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, UT Austin had a 10% rule, which made it automatic that graduating high school seniors in the top 10% of their class could attend the school. Now, I have no hope that that rule will be in effect for too much longer.
This rule was the “safeguard” against historic exclusionary practices — practices that had been somewhat eroded due to the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Now, since any mini Karen with a
The glaring issue to me is how this will affect where, or even if, students apply to college and how those colleges will accept them. We are not far removed from the days of Jim Crow. Its subtle influence over modern behavior and attitudes is still very present in Texas. Don’t believe me? Ask Houston how that school district is doing right now. A crack in progress can bring back the deluge of discrimination that Texas has been so well known for. Not to mention the ripple effect this can potentially have on post-graduates’ ability to move into the workforce. Most, if not all, industries and fields of labor are just as in need of some regulation or standard to help maintain an equitable workplace and hiring practices.
As we know, the type of name you have can lead to your resume being dismissed without cause. Derailing the diversity at this level would probably mean justification for continuing the practice.
I only hope that there is a silver lining here somewhere. Maybe HBCUs will have the resurgence that we’ve been hoping for. Maybe… but with the brazen efforts of right-wing extremists and Jim Crow nostalgia, our already underfunded HBCUs are under enormous pressure, and support on any level is stripped, as well.
Patrick Washington is the second-generation CEO and publisher of The Dallas Weekly,
We should’ve expected the US Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative
We should have expected supreme court’s ruling against affirmative action
By Mike Jones
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress"
- Frederick Douglass
I was reminded of this quote by Fredrick Douglas when the United States Supreme Court issued its affirmative action opinion regarding college admissions. But what I was really struck by is how surprised and unprepared we were for this decision. And more to the point, how ill-prepared we are to deal with this moment in American history.
We have not evolved past our childlike naive belief that life without struggle is possible.
The existential reality of human existence has always been, and forever will be, about the struggle to survive. Whether we’ll admit it or not, in a lot of instances, life is a zero-sum game. When I move up to first, it means someone else has to drop to second, it’s not Little League, where everybody gets a trophy (a terrible disservice to children). Lions have never stopped hunting, gazelles haven’t stopped running. We’re still Black and this is still the United States of America. This struggle is our inheritance and we will bequeath it to our heirs.
Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion says for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. I think what is true for the physical universe is true in the political universe. Our forebears, after Emancipation, could not have seen the Jim Crow response to Reconstruction coming. 146 years later there is no justification for us to ever be surprised or unprepared for the worst of America when it comes to the well being and humanity of Black America.
inherently unfair, the real question is am I more disadvantaged than everybody else?
With that in mind I’d recommend a just published book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Wesley Lowery, “American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress.” It’s a contemporary look at America’s historical paradox, the symbiotic relationship between Black progress and White grievance.
Let’s look at who applies and who’s admitted to Harvard. The graduating class of 2027, this fall’s entering freshman class, had 56,937 applicants, 1942 were admitted, 3.4%. But here is a more revealing statistic, this year’s freshman class had 9,553 early applicants. Early applicants at all Ivy League and other elite universities are the crème de la crème, which is why they can apply early. Of those 9500 eligible early applicants, Harvard admitted 722, roughly 7%. Here’s the point, there is no empirically-based objective decision metric that can find the best 700 out of a qualified pool of 9000, let alone almost 57,000. In a system where every decision is arbitrary, capricious and
Speaking of advantages, there is a class of Harvard applicants that get an advantage others don’t, legacy students, children of faculty and staff, the dean’s interest list and recruited athletes. A 2019 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that 43% of the white students admitted to Harvard was from one of these four categories, the study labeled ALDCs. The study also found that 75% of the white students admitted from these categories wouldn’t have been admitted as white non-ALDCs. Harvard wasn’t sued about them. If you really want to know where this hostility to affirmative action comes from, I would offer that it’s rooted in mediocre white guys who are still mad about 1947. For the first half of the 20th century baseball was considered The American pastime, played by white men for the pleasure and enjoyment of white men. Black men, no matter how prodigious their skill, could not play Major League Baseball. That is until 1947, when the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Roosevelt Robinson, the next 30-40 years saw an explosion of the greatest players in the history of the game, Black, Hispanic and white. But that explosion of greatness wasn’t without consequences. There were 25 men on a major league roster, after 1947 there were still 25 men on a major league team. This means all those great Black and Hispanic ball players came at the expense of mediocre white players. Elite white players where not affected, other than they were now competing against the best baseball players in the world, which validated their greatest. Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, Carl Yastrzemski, Eddie Matthews, all Hall of Famersl. You get the picture, great white ball players were still great. What diversity and inclusion meant for baseball in 1947 is the game got better because mediocre white players were no longer guaranteed a roster spot. I don’t think mediocre white white guys thought the game was better without them. What we need to understand is that mediocre white men are not in favor of competition for anything. They like to talk about it so they can pretend to be something they’re not, talented.
I have always been a supporter of affirmative action, because I believe mediocre Black guys should have the same opportunities to screw things up as mediocre white guys. Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard College isn’t about keeping Black students out, it’s about getting mediocre white students in.
Columnist
Columnist Mike Jones
Guest Columnist John E. Warren
County Library, Operation Food Search providing fresh produce
St. Louis American staff
St. Louis County Library will provide fresh produce from Operation Food Search at three library branches starting on Thursday, July 6.
Produce boxes will be available at the Florissant Valley, Lewis & Clark and Weber Road branches on Thursdays starting at 8:30 a.m. Boxes are distributed curbside in branch parking lots.
Each branch will have 50 boxes of produce each Thursday. There is a limit of one box per family. Each box will contain approximately 10-12 pounds of produce, the equivalent of 10 meals worth per box. The program will run through August 3.
Participating branches:
Florissant Valley Branch, 195 N. Florissant Road S., Florissant, MO 63031 Lewis & Clark Branch, 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63136 Weber Road Branch, 4444 Weber Road St. Louis, MO 63123
The branches offering produce boxes also
provide free lunches to kids Monday-Friday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Nine branches offer a nutritious lunch along with activities for kids ages 18 and under. Additional details are available at www.slcl.org/summer-lunches.
The produce boxes are made possible by support from the St. Louis Community Foundation Regional Response Team.
Andrea Jackson-Jennings, managing director said, “Community partnerships are important and the Regional Response Team is glad to partner with the St. Louis County Library and Operation Food Search to make this happen.”
Operation Food Search also operates the St. Louis MetroMarket, a mobile grocery store that travels to areas with limited access to fresh, healthy food.
MetroMarket’s innovative approach uses a customer model to empower the community to shop at significantly lower prices than retail grocers. Fresh, affordable produce has been carefully selected from local farm partners and is brought directly to partner sites in the community.
A jury of your peers
By E. Faye Williams
To say that recent news has been compelling, fast-paced, and exciting would be an understatement.
Whether it was Kevin McCarthy organizing a censure action against Adam Schiff for his participation in the Trump impeachment trial, the search for and ultimate loss of life in the Titan/Titanic Tour submersible tragedy, or the House floor verbal argument between two crazies, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, the news has been “hot and heavy.”
The far-reaching consequences of these events will have to take a back seat to another.
Without argument, the most consequential news story of recent weeks has been the indictment of Trump for his mishandling of government documents at Mar-aLago. I usually give sufficient time for “the dust to settle” before I comment on events, but this indictment for Trump’s mishandling of classified documents is too important to leave to “settle.”
Although too many Americans have become desensitized to Trump’s antics and their seriousness, I find the potential for damage to national security related to this event to be a compelling reason for near-immediate comment. I have read the indictment and found it to be sobering and frightening. My political orientation may be progressive, but I am reasonable enough to understand the numerous international AND internal threats which exist to the security and sovereignty of the nation. I am sensible enough to realize that my aims and aspirations for the futures of myself, my race, and my nation cannot be achieved in the dystopian, anti-democratic autocracy that is philosophically embraced by one political party (Hint: Republican).
I encourage my readers to take the time and opportunity to read the full text of the indictment. At first, you may consider it a word salad of acronyms, but further reading will show the lengths to which Trump went to violate and obstruct the requirements of the law. A full reading will illuminate the expectations of an individual formerly entrusted with the nation’s most critical secrets and his alleged disregard of his obligations under the law.
The indictment reads in stark contrast to the myriad of excuses offered by Trump before and since his Miami indictment. Paragraph #17 of the indictment reads: Pursuant to Executive Order 13526, information classified at any level could be lawfully accessed only by persons determined by an appropriate United States government official to be eligible for access to classified information and who had signed an approved nondisclosure agreement, who received a security clearance, and who had a “need-to-know” the classified information. After his presidency, Trump was not authorized to possess or retain classified documents.
Few will ever know or be able to accurately speculate whether Trump was motivated by arrogance, avarice, or the potential to use the classified information to leverage an unknown outcome (all three have been suggested by media sources). Whatever his motivation, his possession and refusal to return classified documents as requested by the National Archives and Records Administration, his futile and misguided attempts to hide classified documents, and his attempts to involve his employees and attorneys in this effort were criminal.
If this document case does go to trial, the fate of the nation will rest in the character and judgment of 12 as-yet-unknown Americans. The trial will test Trump’s 2016 claim that he could shoot someone in Times Square and not lose any voters. It will test the premise that no one is above the law. And it will, invariably, define the path that this nation will take to the future. It will test whether 12 citizens, regardless of political affiliation or personal ideals, will have enough concern for the nation to objectively evaluate the evidence to reach a fair and appropriate verdict. I anxiously wait for their decision.
E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society and President Emerita of the National Congress of Black Women
E. Faye Williams
Continued from A1
wrote that the decision “sees the universities’ admissions policies for what they are: rudderless, race-based preferences designed to ensure a particular racial mix in their entering classes.”
Among the conservative, frustrated and elated, many wonder what’s next. Can the right-wing tide influencing Supreme Court decisions be reversed? Will this ruling extend outside the halls of academia and affect businesses and other institutions influenced by race-based policies?
Already Missouri
Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that the Supreme Court decision should extend beyond college admissions saying that “Institutions subject to the U.S. Constitution or Title VI must immediately cease their practice of using race-based standards to make decisions about things like admissions, scholarships, programs, and employment.”
To answer these questions and more, we turn to retired attorney, legal scholar, former administrator at the University of Missouri and this newspaper’s “2017 Lifetime Achiever in Education,” Michael Middleton. Middleton, 76, was part of the first generation of Black Americans who came of age during the affirmative action era.
“It made great sense to me,” Middleton explained.
“It (affirmative action) was a remedy and the need for it was apparent. It was a remedy that the courts could use after a finding of overtly racist and discriminatory practices.”
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order 11246, which prohibited employment discrimination “based on race, color, religion, and national origin by those organizations receiving federal contracts and subcontracts.” The order was amended in 1967, to include sex on the list. It wasn’t until 2003 with a Supreme Court case known as Grutter v. Bollinger, that a national precedent allowing schools to consider race when making admissions decisions was legally established.
Middleton worked for the Department of Justice in the early 1970s. He was part of the team that successfully sued Jackson Mississippi, his hometown, for violating affirmative action laws. He recalled with relish how he convinced his superiors that Jackson was a good target for a potential lawsuit because the city refused to hire black employees.
Armed with a law degree “a nice suit” and great articulation, Middleton walked into Jackson City’s HR department seeking a job. Middleton said the female worker, who had no idea she was being set up by a federal agent, told him, “‘Boy, that’s not how you get a job in Jackson… you go down there by the viaduct under Highway
49 on Saturday morning and you’ll see a truck with a sign that reads “work” …hop on that truck and they’ll take you to a job.’”
“Now, that was in the deep South but things like that were happening all over the country regarding employment,” Middleton said. “That’s why the judicial system and the courts developed affirmative action; to try to equalize opportunity in the country.”
In his opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that affirmative action “can undermine the self-esteem and self-respect of the people it’s supposedly helping.”
Middleton chuckled when hearing that opinion.
“Well, I know Clarence and he probably believes that, and I can sort of understand it. Clarence is a very angry and proud person of color. I can see him being insulted that somebody white had given him something he didn’t deserve because he was Black.”
It was during the Carter Administration that Middleton was appointed to work in the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights division. When President Ronald Reagan was elected, he appointed Thomas as the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the educational department. Thomas, Middleton said, asked him to stay on as his deputy assistant. Middleton quit during Reagan’s second term. He described Thomas as “a different kind of guy.”
Chief Justice John Roberts relied on a nar-
Summer fun
The family-friendly STLFest Block Party, featuring food, games, performances and vendors on Sat., July 1, 2023, did not disappoint for young St. Louisans intent on having some summer fun.
row interpretation of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education landmark opinion to justify his ruling against affirmative action.
Roberts wrote: “The conclusion reached by the Brown Court was thus unmistakably clear: the right to a public education ‘must be made available to all on equal terms.’”
Admitting that he hadn’t read all the opinions regarding the recent Supreme Court case, Middleton gave his best interpretation of Robert’s “equal terms” opinion.
“That’s fine if that had been the case for the past 400 years,” Middleton
said. “But it doesn’t take into account that white people have acquired absolute privilege by enslaving Black people; miseducating Black people and using religion to inculcate white supremacist ideology for the past 400 years.”
Midleton absolutely agrees with Justice Brown Jackson who wrote in her dissenting opinion that: “Although formal racelinked legal barriers are gone, race still matters to the lived experiences of all Americans in innumerable ways, and today’s ruling makes things worse, not better.”
“She’s absolutely right,” Middleton said, adding: “And we’re lucky she’s there to say it because Clarence (Thomas) doesn’t even understand it.”
Congresswoman Cori Bush echoed Brown Jackson’s thoughts in her recent statement, saying, “Affirmative action helped level the racist and uneven playing field.”
“In its dedication to moving backwards,” Bush continued, “the Supreme Court has once again rolled back protections for people in marginalized communities across this country.”
All hope is not lost, Middleton argued.
“I kind of hope the country isn’t as bad off as the Supreme Court suggests,” he said. “I think businesses will be a bit more progressive. I think they will recognize the benefits of having diversity in their workforce.”
The country, Middleton added, is experiencing a
Troupe
Continued from A1
decades,” said Michael McMillan, president & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and a former alderman.
“He was a master legislator and a consummate advocate for the best interests of African Americans and all oppressed groups,” said McMillan.
His politics in the Missouri legislature and as a St. Louis Board of Alderman were informed by his activism. St. Louis American political columnist and former Alderman
Mike Jones who knew Troupe back in the late 60s and early 70s said, “We were products of the Black power movement. He was older than me, but was not a part of the mainstream civil rights movement.”
Jones described Troupe as one of those pioneers who moved from activism to elective politics. “You’d always find Troupe on the cutting edge of political change, but he could also be a hard-headed serious politician at the same time,” he said.
“To me he had the right blend of activism and political acumen one
“severe overreaction” in terms of “advancing the conditions of Black and Brown folk in this country.” He added that politicians like Bailey are pushing a backwards agenda.
“Missouri is close to Florida in terms of these angry reactionary approaches to progress for people of color or LGBTIQA+ folk. Anybody who can be identified as part of the ‘woke generation,’ anybody considered ‘progressive’ is to be destroyed. This is the attitude of attorney generals and governors in many states around the country.”
The courts, which President Trump filled with right-leaning justices, are “extremely reactionary,” Middleton continued, adding: “Right-thinking people will limit the impact of this decision in the broader society; if we can get ourselves together that is. But, if we get another Trump or a Ron DeSantis or something, we’re really in trouble.” The remedy, the legal scholar stressed, is to have engaged and informed voters.
“The nonsense gets a lot of attention,” Middleton said, describing the current political climate. “We just have to get our senses back. We must become more involved; we must educate our young people; get our allies on board, work with Hispanics, women and other marginalized groups. We must build the kinds of coalitions we need.
“Then we just have to keep pushing, pushing and keep moving forward.”
needed to be successful and effective as a representative for Black people and Charles never deviated from that. He was the same guy, I met him over 50 years ago,” said Jones. Troupe is described as being a bridge between a Bill Clay Sr. brand of politics and one Jones saw as emerging from the Black power movement. In St. Louis of the 1980s, a few generations of Black political leadership came together. Jones offered the following observation, “Troupe comes from an era where politics was never personal, contentious, but not personal; people could disagree with people they liked, and work with people they didn’t like. Your ability to work with people was valued because that was the currency.”
As an elected official, Troup approached politics from an intellectual standpoint. Jones added, “He was a very literate, well-informed, thoughtful guy.” The St. Louis American does not presently have any details of services planned for Charles Quincy Troupe, but will update this story online with any information provided.
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
Continued from A1
Earlier this month, Person was in the news for her advocacy work surrounding a new medical alert system she’s dubbed “CTF” after her son’s initials. The public announcement was timed in memory of what Person described as Christian’s 20th “angelversary.”
The CTF system will be designed to send out notifications about individuals with special needs or disabilities when they go missing.
“The Amber Alert system is great,” Person explained, “but this is for people with severe life-threatening conditions.
It’s imperative that people respond in a timely manner, especially if someone could die within 24 or 48 hours without their medications. (CFT) will notify authorities and the public of individuals with disabilities, on dialysis, or with any other special need. It could be an adult, a senior or a baby.”
In Person’s case, it was her baby.
Christian was born with a rare medical disorder called Citrullinemia. The disorder prevents the body from processing protein and causes toxic substances to build up in the blood.
Person said that without Christian’s medication, L-arginine (which helps the body build protein), her son would have died within 24 to 72 hours.
Sixteen years after Christian went missing, the boy’s father, Dawan Ferguson, was arrested and charged by St. Louis County prosecutors with first-degree murder. He was convicted last year and sentenced to life without parole in September for Christian’s presumed death. The body was never found.
Person expressed mixed emotions about the arrest and conviction. “I don’t know how to be in this place,” she told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time. Asked about that comment, Person spoke with frustration.
“They finally did what
Suggs
Continued from A1
Webster County Citizen, Seymour.
Hall of Fame inductees or their families receive Pinnacle Awards in honor of the inductees’ service to the Missouri newspaper industry and their communities. Inductees’ plaques will join the permanent display of inductees in the MPA office in Columbia and in the student lounge in Lee Hills Hall at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Under Suggs’ leadership, The St. Louis American has been named the top Black newspaper in the country 14 times since 1995 by the National Newspaper Publishers’ Association, as well as earning more than 1,000 industry awards for excellence in journalism, advertising and community service. The newspaper has also received Missouri Press Association’s top award, the Gold Cup Award, six times.
Suggs has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Washington University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Community College and
they were supposed to do years ago…period,” she stated.
As far back as 2001, when Ferguson was awarded primary custody of Christian and his younger sister, Person said she tried to warn city officials that her son was in danger.
“I knew if he ever took my children, Christian would not make it,” Person recalled. “I knew my son was fragile and he’d die if I didn’t do everything I could on his behalf.”
Ferguson, Person said, was from a well-connected family. She was never legally married to the boy’s father and was on public assistance when they separated. Ferguson could afford legal representation, she couldn’t. These factors, she’s convinced came into play when Ferguson was awarded custody of Christian and his younger sister.
Person said Missouri protection agencies, social workers, Ferguson’s lawyers and judges involved in the case punished her and treated her like a nuisance for making excessive complaints about Ferguson’s inability to care for Christian.
She was horrified in 2001, when her son, who she said could walk and talk, be “a mischievous child” who called her “momma,” had a stroke and went into a coma. He survived but, Person said, “was never able to walk or talk and was back in diapers.”
Two years later, in 2003, Ferguson called 911 from a pay phone to report a carjacker had driven off with his maroon 1999 Ford Expedition with Christian inside. Officers searched the area with dogs and twice searched Ferguson’s rental home in Pine Lawn but found no sign of the boy.
Person said area hospitals had written Ferguson up multiple times for noncompliance in taking care of Christian’s medical needs. She had made calls asking authorities to intervene on her son’s behalf but got no relief. She still doesn’t understand why Ferguson was not charged
Saint Louis University and is the recipient of many prestigious civic awards.
The University of Missouri-Columbia, Southeast Missouri State University, Harris-Stowe State University, Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College, Maryville University, Fontbonne University, Webster University, the University of MissouriSt. Louis, Goldfarb School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, and Washington University all provide annual scholarships to high potential students with financial needs, in his name.
Suggs’ industry awards include:
St. Louis Print Media Hall of Fame (2007); Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame (2014), (initial awardee with Sen. Jack Danforth and President Harry S. Truman, posthumously); Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis Media Person of the Year (2015); National Newspaper Publishers’ Association Publisher of the Year (2016); Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists Trailblazer Award (2016); Gateway Journalism Review Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).
Heroes at work
A man was seriously hurt after being hit by a motorist at the intersections of Evans and Pendelton Avenues Wednesday, July 5, in the city’s Ville neighborhood.
years ago.
“The hospitals knew my baby was being deprived of his medications but didn’t do anything about it,” Person stressed. “I called attorneys but if you can’t afford them, they don’t even want to talk to you. Christian’s father knew how to work the system, I didn’t. I realized; I was caught in a net.”
Person wishes sympathetic attorneys were motivated to help her in legal fights she basically
waged on her own.
“I never had legal experts to guide me,” Person said. “I didn’t have a Ben Crump (George Floyd Family’s lawyer). Everything I know is what I learned from shows like Law & Order or what I learned to Google myself.”
At the time of Ferguson’s arrest, St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell said he was determined “to look at cases with a fresh set of eyes.” The evidence in Christian’s case,
Bell added, compelled “us to seek justice for Christian...” If he were alive today, Christian would soon celebrate his 30th birthday. Person has said publicly that her quest to find Christian and other missing children had consumed her life. Since her son’s disappearance, she has held annual walks to publicize missing children and created a nonprofit, “Looking For An Angel,” to report abuse and neglect. Advocating for the
new alert system is part of her ongoing passions.
Person has never confronted her son’s father. It’s a wish she still hopes to fulfill one day with a specific purpose in mind.
“They can give me this alert but I’m always going to come up with things in memory of my son,” she confessed. “But the best thing they can give me is him (Ferguson) telling me where he put my son’s body? “I need that closure.”
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Kairos Cara bill would lead to some defunding of St. Louis Public Schools
The summer heat has been taking its toll on the air conditioner-less Board of Aldermen, with Alderwoman Cara Spencer (Ward 8) introducing yet another bill intended to cause more harm than good – all in the name of scoring political points.
Last week, Spencer filed Board Bill 81, which would permit any person over age 65 to defer real property taxes every year through their death, accruing 4% interest along the way. Those deferred payments would then become the responsibility of the new homeowner who purchases or inherits the property — even before the new homeowner has moved in. This means that your children or your grandchildren would be required to pay your deferred real estate taxes, plus interest before they could take ownership of the home you leave to them. The toll this proposed legislation would take on Black families trying to build generational wealth would be crushing.
Spencer’s bill further uses a property’s assessed value, rather than the appraised value, which means that homes that would sell on the market for less than around $1 million would qualify for tax payment deferrals — assuming at least one resident inside is over 65. For reference of how ridiculous this bill is, the infamous McCloskey Mansion in the Central West End is assessed in value at $218,790, just over the threshold for what would be a “qualified” property under Spencer’s proposal. According to city property records, the McCloskey residence is appraised at $1.2 million.
An estimated two-thirds of St. Louis City’s senior population own their homes, versus one-third of seniors who rent. The city’s fiscal note is still pending, but St. Louis County estimated a loss in revenue exceeding $34 million across four years. Finally, what Spencer is proposing would also exempt Social Security payments from the 1% city earnings tax. While that seems commendable, the fiscal impact on the city would have devastating consequences on the city’s budget and our public schools’ budget. Of note, the bill relies on a state law that doesn’t yet exist,
still awaiting the signature of Governor Mike Parson, who has signaled his intent to veto the state legislation. Just because a hypothetical state law opened the door for this tax deferral scheme doesn’t mean that we, as a city, should walk through it. Perhaps Kairos Cara doesn’t care about funding for St. Louis and its other public schools, or maybe she doesn’t care about building strong, sustainable communities. Nevertheless, the real impact of allowing an estimated 30% of all St. Louis City property owners to defer their taxes would have an immeasurable, harmful effect on the children - and the future - of St. Louis.
Bewilderingly, Spencer’s bill’s attempts to destabilize city property tax revenue comes after she spent weeks in Budget Committee hearings, complaining about a lack of revenue brought in by the city. We remain confused about how her proposed legislation solves the same problem she identified, as all signs would point to Spencer herself contributing to a decline in city tax revenue. But compounding the misguided chaos is Spencer’s Board Bill 29 her stop and frisk legislation — which is before the Public Safety Committee this afternoon.
Allegedly the bill has been amended, but the EYE hasn’t seen a copy of the reported changes. We are still skeptical of any amendments that would make this stopand-frisk law any better for the Black and Brown St. Louisans who will be impacted disproportionately by this policy. Spencer’s bill is awfully reminiscent of then-Governor Ronald Reagan’s anti-Black stop and frisk law, the Mulford Act of 1967, which was drafted with the goal of disarming the members of the Black Panthers party who were providing security for Oakland and other Black California neighborhoods. Who would have expected this young St. Louis Democrat to suggest the same Republican law championed by Reagan?
While Spencer has been trying to essentially defund St. Louis Public Schools, some unlikely allies have come together under the common cause of unfair treatment of St. Louis tenants. Although 54% of all city residents rent
their homes, Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 3) and Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 12) presented a united front in opposition to Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard’s (Ward 10) tenants’ “right to counsel” bill. Starting in July 2024, St. Louis renters will be able to enter housing court on equal legal footing as landlords. Thankfully, the legislation passed, but not before a lengthy bitter temper tantrum and a bizarre monologue on aldermanic ethics.
Cohn’s complaints were straightforward enough – he was seemingly still upset by Fox 2 News’s reporting that called him out for owning an Airbnb property while continuing to preside over the legislative process for a bill that would add regulations to short-term rental properties. Cohn failed to notify the City Counselor’s Office of his conflict of interest and continued, business as usual, without making the disclosure. Had Cohn made the disclosure, as required under 2021’s Proposition R, there would not have been any issue. Even Tyus declared her potential conflict of interest as a landlord, noting that simply because she makes that conflict publicly known that absolves her ethically.
But it’s where Cohn claims that every other alderperson has conflicts of interest for merely existing that we get lost. If you’re an alderman who has rented before in your lifetime, Cohn’s read of Proposition R is that you have a conflict of inter-
est. To Alderman Bret Narayan (Ward 4), who represented a handful of tenants in housing court a few years ago, Cohn asserted that he has a conflict because those clients may have paid Narayan for his legal work. Drink tap water? You should have recused yourself from the water rate bill a few weeks ago. Use city streets? You best not vote on anyone’s speed hump bill. It’s this tenuous grasp on aldermanic ethics in general that helps erode the public’s trust in city government, and the irk-
some display of obtusity last Friday certainly didn’t help to alleviate that mindset. The regular Board session, which typically lasts between one to two hours, extended to over five hours, mostly because of Tyus’ long-winded charade.
We won’t repeat most of what Tyus stated in public from the floor of the Board of Aldermen chambers because, frankly, it was disrespectful, mean-spirited filth that insulted nearly every demographic in our city.
Calling St. Louis renters
lazy, scammers, squatters, and pretty much every other name in the book, the senior alderwoman recounted some of her own experiences in eviction court, dragging renters to court and boasting about kicking them out of their homes. Tyus’s own words as a landlord made the case for not only the tenants’ “right to counsel,” but a tenants’ bill of rights, a rental registry, and other tenant protection-focused legislation. According to publicly-available court records, several former tenants have filed lawsuits against Tyus for the return of their rental deposits – but the alderwoman was nowhere to be found when the tenants tried to serve her. With stiff landlords like Sharon Tyus, tenants need all the help they can get. Mind you, both Cohn and Tyus voted in support of the tenants’ “right to counsel” bill during the last aldermanic session when then-alderwoman Christine Ingrassia sponsored the exact same piece of legislation. But now that the program has been funded in the city budget, the two veteran alderpersons have decided that they have a problem with following through on that commitment to protect tenants’ rights.
Adams Elementary School in the SLPS district
21 Alumni to be inducted into U. City High Hall of Fame
By K. Michael Jones
The St. Louis American
The School District of University City recently announced 21 individuals have been selected to be inducted into the prestigious University City High School Hall of Fame this fall. These University City High School graduates have made a tremendous difference locally, nationally and internationally and join dozens of other notable honorees who have helped to shape the world.
The celebration and formal induction of University City High School’s finest graduates will take place the Friday evening of Homecoming Weekend, September 29, 2023, at University City High School. Some of the awardees are:
Jerryl Christmas, Class of 1981
Starting in 1994, Christmas worked for seven years in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office as an assistant prosecutor and then became the senior prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Unit. In 2001, Christmas established his own law practice and litigated criminal, civil and wrongful death casesHe has been honored for his work by the National Conference of Negro Women and Lane College.
Gary Boyd, Class of 1982
Boyd, aka “Mr. Gary,” is best known for hosting the popular local television program “Them Yo People.” With his distinctive crown and scepter, he takes to the streets to showcase the stories of St. Louis people and institutions in
an engaging and uplifting manner. The show’s mission is to educate, engage, excite and entertain diverse communities, highlighting the often overlooked families, organizations and small businesses that deserve recognition. His interviews have featured notable celebrities, national leaders and accomplished individuals from various fields.
Petra Jackson, Class of 1982
Petra Jackson accumulated 1,475 career points to put her fourth on the SIU-Carbondale alltime women’s basketball scoring list. In 1995, she became a star player for the St. Louis River Queens basketball team in the Women’s Basketball Association and was named the league’s MVP. Currently, Jackson serves as the head coach of the St. Louis Surge in the Global Women’s Basketball League. Her coaching career also includes head positions at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, Shoreline Community College and the Block Yeshiva High School for six seasons. Jackson held assistant coaching positions at Harris-Stowe University and Saint Louis University.
Dorthea B. Nevils, Class of 1984
Dorthea B. Nevils began teaching English at University City High School in August 1988 and remained with The School District of University City for 31 years. She is a past Salute to Excellence in Education awardee. She served as a class sponsor, club sponsor and choir sponsor and fostered numerous extracurricular activities.
She initiated Dress for Success days, revitalized Friday Black and Gold Days and organized events including the “Love Jones” Poetry Night. She served as a character education building representative, building representative for the University City Federation of Teachers and a building liaison for the University City School District Council.
George Eugene Harper Jr, Class of 1987
Retired Naval Petty Officer First Class George Eugene Harper Jr. was affectionately known as “Big George” by his peers and family. Upon graduation, he immediately enlisted in the Navy. Throughout his career, he earned dozens of prestigious accolades, including three Navy
Achievement Medals, four Sea Deployment Ribbons, two National Defense Service Medals, a Kuwait Liberation Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, a War on Terrorism Medal, five Navy Good Conduct Medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He served around the world in a career that spanned 20 years, participating in operations and historic events that included the fall of the Berlin Wall, the war in Afghanistan, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Roderick Smith, Class of 1987
For Roderick Smith, The Jazz Ensemble sparked an enduring career in music as a keyboardist, vocalist, teacher and promoter. He performed
with international acts that included Michael Bolton, Fontella Bass, Keith Sweat and Lisa Left-Eye Lopez, the founder of the sensational female hip-hop group, “TLC.” From Lopez, he gained the nickname “LS Bless,” which stayed with him for the rest of his life. He was a force behind the creation of “The Dirty Muggs,” a popular hip-hop, R&B and pop band in which he frequently performed. At one point in his career, he moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to be the lead keyboardist for “The Soul of Motown,” a popular headliner show at the famed Grand Majestic Theater.
Tanya Smith-Johnson, Class of 1994
Tanya Smith-Johnson is a prominent figure in the
field of maternal health and midwifery. Currently the president of the National College of Midwifery, she has made significant contributions to expanding access to quality midwifery care in disenfranchised communities and improving maternal health outcomes. Additionally, she serves as the Executive Director of the Birth Future Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides grants to support empowering birth experiences. Smith-Johnson is also the policy director for the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, where she is involved in developing and implementing programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
2022 University City High School Hall of Fame Inductees
United Way empowers entrepreneurship
Photo courtesy of David Williams
With a loan from Justine PETERSEN, who works with the United Way, David Williams was equipped with the resources he needed to launch his childcare center, Williams Academy
Williams Academy
STL is a perfect example
United
providing funding and support to organizations that give people the tools to be financially stable through strategic planning and creativity. We aim to make sure the people we serve have access to resources they need to live healthy, sustainable lives, and financial mobility is a huge part of that. Entrepreneurship is an important aspect of financial freedom and mobility, and that is why we are proud to provide funding to organizations like the Justine PETERSEN Housing and Reinvestment Corporation.
Justine PETERSEN helps low-to-moderate income individuals and families build assets and create enduring change. Their services include credit building and financial education, homeownership preparation and retention, and micro-enterprise lending and training.
Support from United Way gives them the capacity to help people like
David Williams, who had a dream of starting his own childcare center to help youth in underserved communities and communities of color. With a loan from Justine PETERSEN, David was equipped with the resources he needed to launch his childcare center, Williams Academy STL. David said he is proud to be able to give back to the community by giving young people the opportunity to pursue a brighter future.
“Organizations like United Way that support Justine PETERSEN helps people like me which, in turn, supports the community,” said David. “I’m providing jobs, I’m helping hundreds of people. So, for every dollar that United Way gave to Justine PETERSEN, I made it into 100 dollars.”
To find out how United Way helps Justine PETERSEN cultivate their strategy for helping people and how David came up with his small business idea, read the full story at Helpingpeople.org.
Urban Expo Back to School Festival set for Aug. 3-6
The Urban League (ULSTL) in conjunction with the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) hosts the Urban Expo Back to School & Community Empowerment Festival every summer that over 27,000 residents of the metropolitan area attend at America’s Center in Downtown St. Louis. This year the event is set for August 3-6. The Expo offers book bags, shoes and school supplies to youth and SLPS officials assist with transportation, enrollment, and other school related questions and concerns. The Festival is a multi-focused community fair comprised of over 350 partners. Nonprofit and civic organization provide information about topics such as housing, jobs, public safety and education; as well as social services including health screenings, utility assistance and financial literacy. All attendees are required to visit all of the resource booths before receiving free items. For more information or to volunteer, visit ulstl. com.
‘Taking Care of You’
Black men are shifting the mental health narrative
Black men experience daily feelings of anxiety or depression, but
tal health services.
By Anissa Durham Word In Black
Men are told to be tough. If they cry, they are labeled as crybabies. Black men are expected not to express their feelings. But what happens when this cycle of toxic masculinity prevents Black men from getting mental health help?
According to the American Psychological Association, only 26.4% of Black and Hispanic men between the ages of 18 to 44 who experienced
n A few factors contribute to the low rates of Black men getting mental health services. For example, when Black men seek help, they prefer a Black psychologist — but only 4% of psychologists are Black
daily feelings of depression or anxiety accessed
rates of Black men getting mental health services. For example, when Black men seek help, they prefer a Black psychologist — but only 4% of psychologists are Black. And due to the history of this country, mistrust toward the medical and mental health systems influences Black men’s reluctance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fernando Branch, 41, says he had a difficult time navigating the isolation. His family encouraged him to see a doctor, but he disagreed. Then, that’s when his 12-year-old daughter said,
Missourians at risk of losing Medicaid insurance
By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American
With the COVID-19 pandemic unwinding, a new health-related problem is unfolding.
n According to a report by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), most Medicaid enrollees don’t know that states can resume disenrolling people from Medicaid programs, like MO HealthNet.
According to a report by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), most Medicaid enrollees don’t know that states can resume disenrolling people from Medicaid programs, like MO HealthNet. MO HealthNet offers health care coverage for eligible Missourians. Continuous enrollment in Medicaid ended on March 31, 2023, and over the coming months, states will redetermine eligibility for people enrolled in Medicaid and will disenroll those who are either no longer eligible or who are unable to complete the renewal process, according to the KFF. According to a MO HealthNet report, the Department of Social Services identified 198,732 individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid through MO HealthNet or were responsible for a family member who was enrolled in MO HealthNet. 14.73% of the workforce of these companies received MO HealthNet benefits for themselves or their families. Roughly twothirds (65%) of all Medicaid enrollees say they are “not sure” if states are now allowed to remove people from Medicaid if they no longer meet the eligibility requirements or don’t complete the renewal process, with an additional 7% incorrectly saying states will not be allowed to do this, according to KFF.
Nedra Bramlett-Stevenson a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a Patient Navigator at Barnes Jewish Hospital
St. Louis City reports alarming opioid death numbers
Crisis plan includes opioid dashboard data
By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American
An estimated 61.2 million adults in the United States had a diagnosed behavioral health condition in 2019, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Louis City has reported
higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms and more substance use among
adults. The region also has the highest rates of emergency room visits due to
drug overdose and mental health concerns compared to the rest of the St. Louis region and the state, according to a statement on their website.
Due to these alarming numbers, the City of St. Louis Department of Health Behavioral Health Bureau launched the second phase of its plan to address this crisis following months of evaluations and meetings with more than 100 stakeholders.
“Mental health and substance abuse disorders in our city have been on the rise in recent years,” Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, Director of Health for the City of St. Louis said in a statement.
The process for the bureau started through a partnership between the City of St. Louis and the CDC Foundation,
stigma keeps them from seeking men-
Photo courtesy of Fernando Branch
‘Taking
Care of You’
Black men
Continued from A12
“Dad, you’re a little on edge. Maybe you should get checked out.” He took his daughter’s advice and went to see a Black doctor who diagnosed him with depression.
“I felt this level of vulnerability, in the sense that, wow, this can happen to me too,” he says. “I started thinking, how many men that look like me are navigating some form of depression.”
Shortly after, he connected with other Black men on social media to start conversations on mental health. In 2022, Branch founded the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative, a space for men to support social-emotional well-being, network, and mentoring. As the executive director, he says the collaborative exists to be a safe haven for Black male mental health.
“I was raised in the South, I wasn’t raised to go to the doctors,” he says. “You went to the doctor when you’re literally on deathbed. The whole idea of preventative care wasn’t part of my life structure, it also wasn’t part of my community.”
In 2018, Black adults aged 18 or older experienced higher rates of sadness and feelings that everything is an effort. This is why Black men like Branch are working to shift the narrative of mental health and wellness.
Branch, like many Black men, intrinsically struggled with stigma and bias about mental health spaces. His trauma told him that mental health spaces were not safe for him as a Black man. Now at 41, he’s helping to create those safe outlets.
Jeremy Eddie, 37, is the co-founder of the
Opioid
Continued from A12
beginning with utilizing seven CDC Foundation employees and now moves forward with the first five Department of Health staff in St. Louis with additional positions open.
“As a public health professional, the numbers are alarming because these two problems can snowball into other concerns. Bold action is the only solution, and we’re looking forward to delivering data-driven solutions in the years to come,” Davis said.
Medicaid
Continued from A12 Breast Health Center, works with patients who may have their coverage redetermined.
“Everybody does not know that they are enrolled in Medicaid, and that is sad,” Bramlett-Stevenson said. “They have the program now where they are trying to make sure that everyone, stays connected to Medicaid, which means making sure they update their address, update their phone number, but how can they do that and they don’t know that they’re on Medicaid if they’re not being notified through email letter, a phone call, a text message” Nearly half of Medicaid enrollees say they have not previously been through
Colorado Men of Color Collaborative. He says his own mental health journey has been challenging. In part because Black men don’t talk about mental health enough. Growing up, he dealt with a lot of traumas. Eddies’ mother passed away when he was seven. “I would come home, and she was not there.” Later, his stepmother passed away when he was 21. Both of those experiences became huge triggers for him. Forced to have tough conversations with his father and brother, this eventually prompted him to get mental health help himself. But Eddie says when Black men hear the words mental health, they
This phase also includes a preliminary opioid dashboard with information available about fatality rates by drug type, demographic data, and a STL behavioral health resources map.
The city reported 487 overdose-related deaths in 2022. According to the City’s opioid dashboard, 396 of the overdose-related deaths were caused by opioids.
In 2021, the number of overdose related deaths, including those that were caused by opioids, was 448, according to the dashboard.
The dashboard also lists a comprehensive list
the Medicaid renewal process, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
“They’re not being notified by the government,” Bramlett-Stevenson said. “I want to say the federal government is trying to make sure that everybody stays enrolled, but it’s kinda hard because again, nobody knows that they have been placed on Medicaid until they may go to get a screening like a mammogram, or they may go to their primary care physician or any type of specialty and they say, ‘well, I don’t have insurance.’”
One-third of Medicaid enrollees say they have not provided updated contact information to their state Medicaid agency in the past year,” according to KFF.
Medicaid began the process of making sure
often think, ‘Am I crazy?’ He encourages folks to shift the question to ‘Are you OK?’ “When I think of stigmas I faced, I didn’t want to be judged. If I’m crying, are they going to think less of me,” he says. “Because that is the stigma, men aren’t supposed to cry. But now I say forget that. If you have some emotions, get them out. It’s OK for other men to see you get emotional.”
Mental health care isn’t exclusive to therapy. The duo says at their collaborative, they’ve become more intentional about the support they offer. For Black men to heal, it could be healing circles, family support, financial literacy, and social norm and support — beyond the classic
of community resources including CareSTL Health, Affinia Healthcare and Preferred Family Health Inc.
forms of talk therapy clinicians offer.
Shifting The Narrative of Mental Health, Wellness
Keenan Hart, 32, is the president and chief innovation offer of Fransis, a text-based mental wellness solution that he started in 2021. As a biracial Black man, he says growing up he could see the different approaches to healthcare that the white and Black sides of his family took. “I saw the classic issues in my family of anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorder, and a lot of addiction in my family,” Hart says. “We never really knew what it was like to access traditional resources like a
n The city reported 487 overdose-related deaths in 2022.
According to the City’s opioid dashboard, 396 of the overdose-related deaths were caused by opioids.
The Department is prioritizing behavioral health as part of a comprehensive public health approach by working to include a sustainable focus to improve access to mental healthcare and treat substance abuse, specifically
that enrollees update their phone number and address to keep their insurance in April earlier this year. Stevenson wants to reiterate the importance of updating information to keep Medicaid coverage.
“We hear all this information about killing people breaking into cars and all this other negative stuff, but nobody is talking about the Medicaid expansion and how you can keep your Medicaid,” she said. “Nobody is talking about that, talk to me about the importance of maintaining continuous coverage, it’s important because since the pandemic, everybody has stopped getting their screenings, and now that everything is coming back up, everybody needs to know it is very important for you to go to your primary care physician.”
While about six in ten
mental health therapist or a counselor.”
Not everyone can afford to or has the resources to see a psychologist or licensed clinician.
In 2020, Black adults aged 18 or older received mental health services at lower rates than white adults.
“Being raised by an African American father who didn’t have the skill sets or the vocabulary to talk about things like anxiety, stress, or feeling like I was inferior or insecure,” Hart says. “I never was taught how to deal with these emotions that I experienced as a young child.”
Prior to starting Fransis, he started a telehealth company to help increase access to mental health services in Nevada.
opioid abuse, in St. Louis.
“Public health is public safety,”
Mayor Tishaura O.Jones said in a statement on the public health department’s website. “Through the coordinated efforts of the Department of Health and many community partners, the Behavioral Health Bureau’s forward-thinking strategy will make our city safer by addressing the root causes of crime
of those with Medicaid as their only source of coverage would look for coverage from other sources if they were told they were no longer eligible, over four in ten say they wouldn’t know where to look for other coverage or would be uninsured, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
“It’s important that we get back to regular screenings, like mammogram screenings, diabetes, prostate cancer; all the screenings are very important for, you know, that we’ve been getting before the pandemic,” BramlettStevenson said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, states kept people continuously enrolled in Medicaid in exchange for enhanced federal funding.
“They don’t know and because it’s not being
But he soon realized due to stigma in the Black community, folks were still having a hard time going to see a therapist or counselor. In his entrepreneurial journey, the ups and downs of being told no started to impact Hart’s personal confidence. So, he started posting one positive message on social media every day. Which is now the foundation of his wellness company. For folks looking for an alternative to mental health services, Fransis subscribers receive one positive text message a day.
“I realize that my job as an African American man is to try and push our family lineage and our culture forward by having conversations around positivity, encouragement, mental wellness, and what those things represent and how they impact our daily lives,” Hart says.
Black Men Deserve…
Talking about mental health can be difficult for anybody. But shifting the language to what Black men deserve can highlight the areas of support they need. Word In Black asked each of the men interviewed for this story what they think Black men deserve.
“Black men deserve better right now from the media — from our politicians, and from the workplace,” Eddie says. “We deserve better access to health care.”
“I think Black men deserve community support to say that they are loved. Not the touchyfeely type of love — the emotional, I see, I care for you, I want what is best for you type of love,” Branch says. “We’re human. We’re not superhuman. I don’t think our humanity is always treated in that way.”
and supporting the mental health and substance use needs of St. Louis residents.”
The City of St. Louis Department of Health will prioritize behavioral health as part of its comprehensive, equitable public health approach.
“Our city, like any city, faces many challenges,”
Behavioral Health Bureau
Chief Dr. Julie Gary said.
“One of those challenges is statistically high rates of mental health and substance abuse disorders. I’m looking forward to solving these problems with our new bureau team through increased resources dedicated to behavioral health and strong community partnerships.”
talked about,” the patient navigator said. “The only way it’s being talked about is because you have advocates that’s out here going to different FederallyQualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and going to St. Louis County clinics and going to mom-and-pop shops, and also going to the grocery stores to hand out flyers.”
A majority of Medicaid enrollees say having expert help with the renewal process would be useful, according to KFF. When asked what people can do if they lose their coverage, Bramlett-Stevenson suggested getting an expert or a patient navigator like herself can aid in getting the coverage back.
“They need an advocate, healthcare provider or a healthcare person to help them and push them to get back onto
The new Bureau’s objectives include creating equitable and culturally competent systems-level linkages to care for substance use and overdose prevention, increasing the availability, accessibility, and safe use of demographically inclusive qualitative and quantitative substance use data.
The next phase of the plan will also include further coalition building and funding to community partners, a mobile outreach van with a presence at community and healing events, and narcan distribution.
Medicaid,” she said. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer went on to passionately talk about getting health resources into the community so the uninsured can get the benefits outlined in the Medicaid Expansion.
“We are aware of what resources we have here in Missouri and nobody is aware of it, and again, it’s because you get the gunshots and the killings and everything else overrides that, and that’s a part of our community that is failing,” Bramlett-Stevenson said. “It is having healthcare because people lost their jobs in the pandemic and they have no way of getting back the coverage that they lost, so now that they have the Medicaid expansion that’s out there, and they need a patient navigator.”
JULY 6 – 12, 2023
A bit of soul in Ferguson
Owner of King of Soul restaurant Yolanda King, left, inside the restaurant’s Ferguson, Missouri location Tuesday, June 27.
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
King of Soul located in Ferguson’s downtown entertainment district is serving up some good old-fashioned soul food. After three years of serving collard greens, mac & cheese, and some fried chicken, the owner and head chef Yolanda King says having a servant’s heart is a part of God’s plan for her.
The Ferguson community is a dear place to the Jennings’ native. “I want to be a part of rebuilding Ferguson after everything that has happened here,” said King.
“I know we bring something special to this community”
The items on King of Soul’s menu bring back that nostalgia of Sunday
n
“It makes me happy to see all these people come here to eat my food,” said King.
dinner, a feeling the owner says is missing in today’s households. She said the tradition of sitting down at the dinner table is a thing of the past and there is a need for it.
Proudly saying as she talks about her childhood King said, “This is food for the soul”.
King of Soul is a place of royalty.
The purple and gold decor sets off the intimate space allowing folks to have close conversations with one another while enjoying a good meal. King
wanted to play into her last name by representing what she and her family stand for. However, she playfully said that a lot of Omega Psi Phi fraternity members visit her restaurant making King of Soul their ‘house’.
Folks from all over the region come in for her collard greens, fried catfish, and mac & cheese, King said she can’t keep enough of her family’s mac & cheese recipe in the restaurant. But my favorite item is the fried green tomatoes. Most restaurants fry them in cornmeal. However, King’s recipe offers something different. She fries hers in a seasoned flour batter and adds a creamy dipping sauce on the side.
For the folks who want to experience that deep south cooking, she has black-
Local leaders, unions welcome Building Trade Union leaders
By Sylvester Brown Jr.
St. Louis American
Sharing the importance of unions in the St. Louis area, the state of Missouri, and nationally was the first order of work recently during the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) event stop.
The tour stop was organized by the Missouri Works Initiative, Missouri AFL-CIO, and Saint Louis Building and Construction Trades Council. They hosted North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) event stop on its national multi-city road tour.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will increase federal spending on infrastructure by about $550 billion over the next decade. Likewise, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act will bolster U.S. competitiveness here and abroad.
NABTU represents more than 3 million skilled craft professionals in the United States and Canada. Monday’s event illustrated how union workers, business leaders, and government officials came together to ensure that union-trained workers are prepared to “meet the moment” as federal
infrastructure and works projects come online. The event included a tour of the Sheet Metal Workers SMART Local Union’s training center and brief speeches from labor leaders, govern-
See UNION, B2
PeoPle on the Move
Brown named board president
Martesha Brown, director of community cconomic development for Midland States Bank, has been appointed as president of the Rockford Park District board of commissioners. She was previously the first African-American woman to become a Rockford Park District commissioner and now is noted as the first African-American woman to serve as board president. Formed in 1909, the Rockford Park District believes recreation is vital to people’s health and well-being, and plays an important role in a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
King named president of Wilson School board
Taliya King has been named president of the board of trustees at Wilson School. King is an advocate for change and equity in the community. She is the office managing director at Accenture and has been recognized in the Business Journal as one of the top Diverse Business Leaders in St. Louis. Her many standout qualities include dedication to family and community as well as strategic leadership. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, United Way Leadership Society, Women’s Leadership Circle, and the board of Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis. King received an MBA from Webster University.
Walter Williams named to board
Walter Williams community development coordinator at Madison County, and president of the NAACP Edwardsville Branch, has been named to the board of Riverbend Head Start and Family Services. He holds a bachelor’s of science in economics and AfricanAmerican studies from Denison University and a master’s in business administration from the John Carroll University. He is certified by the National Development Council as an economic development finance professional and by Business Retention and Expansion International as a master consultant.
has been promoted to marketing manager at Brown-Forman, with a portfolio in several states (MI, OH, NC, NH, ME, VT). Thompson holds a BS in marketing from Maryville University, as well as an MBA in marketing from Maryville. He graduated from Mary Institute and Country Day School, where he was captain of the baseball team, co-president of the African American Mentoring Program, and participated in football and band.
See SOUL, B2
Martesha
Martesha Brown
ment officials, apprentices, journey-level workers and business leaders. Themes revolved around the importance of industries, communities, politicians, building
Taliya King
Walter Williams
Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson named marketing manager
Robin Thompson
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Traci Scott, vice president of Workforce Development at the National Urban League and Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Cross, St. Louis County Executive’s office
Union
Continued from B1
trades workers and others collaborating to take advantage of new opportunities birthed through sweeping federal legislation.
John Stiffler, executive secretary-treasurer, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council said regional stakeholders are prepared to meet the challenge as federal infrastructure investments come to St. Louis. Union groups in St. Louis are “focused on prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels throughout the workforce development pipeline,” according to Stiffler.
St. Louis Mayor, Tishaura O. Jones welcomed the audience and emphasized the importance of 21st Century strategic, diversity-based alliances.
“As mayor, I am working to build a city for everyone to thrive no matter their background, zip code, color of their skin or where they live, and organized labor is a key part of that vision. Goodpaying union jobs do more than benefit just a person or a household. They help support communities by lifting wages and standards for working people across the board.”
Jones also complimented St. Louis’ Building Union Diversity (BUD) that works to connect residents in the metro region with the growing opportunities in construction.
Jones credited the program for helping break down barriers for a more inclusive, equitable city and construction industry.
“With a 92% graduation rate, BUD participants go
on to do and build great things-from pipefitting to iron-working BUD primes our young people to enter the workforce with new opportunities and new skills.”
With billions of federal dollars through President Biden’s investment Acts, “there is no better time than now to enter the trades,” Jones stressed to thunderous applause.
State Senator Doug Beck (D-Affton), President, Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council, broke down the money slated for Missouri.
“The Biden Administration has announced $4.1 billion in public infrastructure investments specifically for Missouri including $3.1 Billion for transportation projects, $110.2 million to make our communities more resilient and energy independent and $334.1 million to provide clean water across Missouri and improve water infrastructure including $101 million dedicated for lead pipe replacement,” Beck highlighted, adding: That’s a lot of work coming our way!”
Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League, was supposed to be the keynote speaker of the event but was sidelined by weather problems and flight delays.
Traci Scott, vice president of Workforce Development at the National Urban League and Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, spoke in Morial’s stead.
Scott gave an overview of the national Urban League.
“We’ve been around since 1911 and workforce development has been the
baseline of what all of what the Urban League has done and does today.”
Scott said the Biden Administration, NABTU, the Urban League and others in the building and trade industries are sincere about addressing “all the deficiencies we’ve seen both 100 years ago and today. Because the country has seen “a bit of waning in support of unions,” it’s not of no consequence that we’ve seen a waning in the participation of African Americans in the middle class itself.”
With investments from the Department of Labor, Scott continued, the goal is to introduce at least 13,000 individuals to the trades in four states, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Ohio and Missouri. Of the 13,000, 7,000 participants, Scott said, will come from underrepresented and communities of color with 20% of those positions reserved for women. The Urban League recruiting, accessing and referring individuals to the trades program.
McMillan said the Urban League is proud to be a part of the generation that “finally fixes this issue (of exclusion).”
“We’ve been talking about this for many, many decades; we have made many efforts over the years to be about change and do something significant,” McMillan explained, adding: “But as you heard…with four trillion dollars that’s going to be available to this country, this is the historic moment and historic opportunity that we’ve all been waiting for and it’s going to be on our watch to make this happen.”
For more information, visit nabtu.org.
Soul
Continued from B1
eyed peas and great northern beans.
“I want to create an atmosphere that mimics how I grew up. My family would sit around playing cards and listening to music, while the kids were outside playing. But everything was centered around food,” said the owner.
King uses the recipes her family used growing up. However, soul food is not the only thing King of Soul brings to the Ferguson community. Tuesday evenings is karaoke night, and Wednesday through Thursday is designated for live music.
Things weren’t always on the up for King. The first two years her restaurant opened were during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was only allowed to have take-out or call-in orders, and she struggled to find employees. Yet, she said there was a blessing in it all. She says that her landlord understood the crisis she was in as a
new restaurant owner and decreased the rent. She also had a chance to work out new restaurant kinks without the stress of the restaurant being fully open.
“I had the chance to move at a pace that didn’t cause extra stress if the restaurant was fully opened,” said King.
Through the ups and downs of a restaurant owner, the long days
n “I know we bring something special to this community.”
starting at 7:00 am and ending at 11:00 pm, King wouldn’t trade it in for the world. On those days when she feels overwhelmed because she has sacrificed time with her family she looks out at her restaurant and feels nothing but gratitude.
“It makes me happy to see all these people come here to eat my food,” said King. She advises up-andcoming entrepreneurs to have a love and passion for the service they are providing because there are days when it is just you working and putting your all into keeping your business afloat. The mother of two and grandmother of four says King of Soul is there to help her family get a head start financially. The Kings own two other restaurants: the Hive Cafe just a few blocks down from King of Soul on S. Florissant Road, and DSquared Bistro in north city near Fairground Park.
‘We weren’t taught how to create or maintain generational wealth in my generation,” said King. King is thinking about expanding. She hopes to have a larger building, and says right now they are bursting at the seams, but that it’s a good thing. King of Soul reminds her of Cheers. It’s the place where everyday people can come and hang out in a chill and relaxed atmosphere. She has regulars that she knows by name and is looking forward to meeting and serving even more potential regulars to the King of Soul.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
King of Soul’s assistant cooks, Korri King and Terrence Boyce, keep orders flowing from the kitchen.
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
St. Louisan Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx was selected to the WNBA All-Star Game.
Collier, 26, will be making her third All-Star Game appearance in her fifth season in the league.
The WNBA All-Star Game will be held on Saturday, July 15 in Las Vegas.
A former All-American at Incarnate Word Academy, the 6’1” Collier has been having a stellar fifth season for the Lynx. Heading into Saturday night’s game against the Phoenix Mercury, Collier is averaging a career-high 22.4 points a game.
Collier is also averaging 7.7 rebounds a game while shooting 49 percent from the field. She is also averaging 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.
Collier put together a pair of tremendous performances in victories over the Seattle Storm during the week. In the first game, she had 33 points and 10 rebounds in a 104-93 home court victory over the Storm. In the return game at Seattle, Collier had 31 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and five steals in the Lynx’ 99-97 overtime victory.
Collier provided the game winning basket on a fadeaway jumper with 1.8 seconds left in overtime.
After the Lynx started the season with five con-
Jared Anderson, 23, is labeled as boxing’s “most promising young heavyweight.” He was scheduled to bring his 14-0 record into a title bout against Zhan Kossobutskiy on Saturday July 1 in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio.
Kossobutskiy lost an out-of-ring scuffle with the United States of America in June, which refused to grant him a visa to enter the country. Anderson was left without an opponent and ESPN suddenly didn’t have a title fight on its Main Event card which was set to be televised.
InSIdE SportS
By Earl Austin Jr.
Napheesa Collier selected to WNBA All-Star Game
secutive losses, Collier has been on quite a roll in the past 10 games in leading the Lynx to a 6-4 record during that stretch. In those 10 games, she is averaging 25.3 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
Jude James Commits to Missouri
Francis Howell High football standout Jude James has given a commitment to the University of Missouri.
The 6’4” 200-pound two-way athlete is one of the state’s top prospects in the Class of 2024 and a big get for Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz. He was one of the major players in the Vikings’ run to
the Class 5 state championship last fall. It was the first state title in football in the school’s history.
As a junior, James had 27 receptions for 584 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. He was also a force on the defensive side of the ball with 119 tackles and four interceptions. He earned All-State honors for his efforts last season.
Antwon McKay Commits to Western Illinois Standout quarterback Antwon McKay Jr. of Cardinal Ritter College Prep has given a commitment to Western Illinois University. The 6’3” 165-pound
senior was at the controls of the Lions’ offense that rolled to a 14-0 record and the Class 3 state championship last season. As a junior, McKay completed 99 of 170 passes for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He also scored two rushing touchdowns. He was also a standout in track and field as he finished fourth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles at the Class 3 state championships in Jefferson City in May.
Arhmad Branch Ends Three-Sport Career as a State Champion Festus High three-
SportS EyE
With Alvin A. Reid
sport standout Arhmad Branch concluded his stellar senior season as a state champion. He was a star athlete for the Tigers in football, basketball and track and field. Branch ended his senior year by helping lead the Tigers to the Class 4 state championship in track and field. He won the individual state title in the long jump with a school-record jump of 23 feet 4 inches. He also earned All-State honors with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump. Branch was a fouryear starter on the basketball team and one of the top players in Jefferson County. As a
St. Louis’ Charles Martin puts scare in young champion
Martin on his behind late in the third round with a stiff jab. It seemed as if it would not be long before the show in Toledo came to a close.
Martin had other thoughts. He caught the youthful Anderson with a right hook late in the fifth round and followed with a flurry of punches. Anderson was in genuine trouble when the round ended.
Twelve days before the fight, Anderson accepted a challenge from an aging, but seasoned fighter. The guy was certainly supposed to be pushover and Anderson was set to move to 15-0 before a national TV audience.
Charles Martin of St. Louis, 37 and a former titleholder, was a long shot at best. Yet, he turned into Rocky Balboa for a night and almost pulled off a stunning upset. Anderson promptly put
Martin wobbled Anderson again in the 10th round, but the fifth was the lone round the judges awarded the veteran challenger. Anderson prevailed with a unanimous decision, but it took a full 10 rounds to prevail. Martin entered the ring without much fanfare. He left to a tremendous ovation from the Toledo crowd.
I’ve seen Martin fight before but had no idea he had not retired. His record fell to 29-4-1 (26 knockouts) but he was tough and resourceful.
“I took the fight on 11 days’ notice,” Martin told ESPN following the fight.
“I did the best I could.
He’s a real champion.
He’ll be making his way to the top soon. I’m proud of him.” Martin won the vacant IBF heavyweight title in January 2016 when his opponent, Vyacheslav Glazkov injured his knee. He did not hold
the title long. In his first title defense, Martin was knocked out by Anthony Joshua.
Martin’s 85 days as champion is the second shortest in heavyweight boxing history. Tony Tucker held the same IBF championship belt for just 64 days in 1987.
“I think I took his best shots very well,” said Anderson.
“I don’t think there was a time in the fight where I looked unsteady or where I couldn’t hold my own. Did I feel like he got me with a good shot and stunned me? No. But do I feel like he got me with a good shot and made me aware? Yes, so I had to readjust and get back to the game plan.”
My advice to Anderson is to not lie to himself. An old guy with a short time to prepare took him the distance and stunned him at least twice. That’s not good. My advice to Martin is to take last September’s win and last Saturday’s gallant effort and call it a career. Paraphrasing a line from the character Marcellus Wallace in “Pulp Fiction,” there is no old-timer’s day in boxing.
All-Star Selections
As I mentioned last week, the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will feature few Black players.
L.A. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Wilson will start for the National League.
senior, he averaged 22 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals a game in leading the Tigers to a 20-9 record. The 6’1” point guard also entertained fans with his electrifying dunks throughout his career. On the football field, Branch was a standout wide receiver who caught 48 passes for 897 yards and 15 touchdowns. He started playing football as a junior and he played well enough to earn a scholarship to Purdue, which is where he will begin his collegiate career in the fall.
Pitchers Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers, Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs and Josiah Gray of the Washington Nationals were selected. In the American League, Texas Rangers shortstop Marcus Semien is a starter. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees outfielder, was named a starter, but will not participate in the game because of a toe injury. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker will pilot the American League.
The Reid Roundup
The Atlanta Braves starting infield of shortstop Orlando Arcia, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies, and third baseman Austin Riley are AllStars. Ron Washington, the former Texas Rangers manager who lost the heartbreaking 2011 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, is now a coach with the Braves, and works with infielders. Albies said on Twitter that Washington called the accomplishment “one of the most emotional days of my career.”
Earl Austin Jr.
St. Louisan Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx will be making her third AllStar Game appearance in just her fifth season in the league.
Alvin A. Reid
Charles Martin of St. Louis recently took a fight on late notice against a young, promising heavyweight and nearly pulled off a big upset.
Photo courtesy of Charles Martin
Regions Bank and Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) recently announced a community partnership supporting the Backpack to Briefcase program.
Launched in 2009 as an idea to bridge the gap between college and the workplace, Backpack to Briefcase now includes scholarship, mentorship and sponsorship opportunities serving nearly 450 Missouri students – and counting.
HSSU Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Jeffrey Shaw proposed the idea of the Backpack to Briefcase, Regions Bank and Harris-Stowe community collaboration as an innovative approach to invest in HSSU students.
“Backpack to Briefcase fosters the growth, development and confidence of young men and women as they transition from their academic pursuits to the business world,”
NASA has awarded Lincoln University of Missouri a grant to host summer camps each year for high school students from traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities.
Regions Bank, HSSU supporting Backpack to Briefcase program
Shaw said. “The team at Regions Bank embraced the opportunity to align with our team at HarrisStowe State University to offer this unique opportunity to HSSU students. We look forward to being able to help remove financial barriers for our scholars and positively impacting the lives of future young professionals through this community partnership.”
HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith noted the lasting and transformational impact the Backpack to Briefcase program creates for HSSU graduates as they embark upon their careers.
“This is a program I share when recruiting students because I’ve had the opportunity to witness the magic that happens behind the scenes,” Dr. Collins Smith said. “One of our recent Backpack to Briefcase graduates here at Harris-Stowe recently joined Deloitte, and anoth-
er, who earned a double major, also received his engineering degree from SLU and is now working as an engineer.”
Eric Madkins, community development manager with Regions, said this new collaboration is unique given it also engages a nonprofit community partner with Backpack to Briefcase.
“By supporting youth mentorship programs and advancing workforce development, we can be a catalyst in helping prepare tomorrow’s business, civic and community leaders,” Madkins said. “The Backpack to Briefcase program empowers students with soft skills that expand beyond what they learn in the classroom and provide a springboard to a rewarding career through internship opportunities.”
To learn more about Backpack to Briefcase, visit http://bpbcstlouis. com/.
Lincoln University lands NASA grant
Lincoln is one of seven historically Black colleges and universities to receive the grants, designed to help provide a path for students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM).
As part of NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project, Lincoln’s $424,403 grant will support two intensive camps each summer for five
years. Each nine-day residential camp will provide hands-on experience in digital agriculture, data science and robotics for 12 students, along with activities and interaction with college professors,
Launched in 2009 as an idea to bridge the gap between college and the workplace, Backpack to Briefcase now includes scholarship, mentorship and sponsorship opportunities serving nearly 450 Missouri students – and counting.
STEM professionals and entrepreneurs. Lincoln faculty members will provide instruction in agriculture, mathematics and computer science; Mizzou faculty will deliver content in statistics, engineering and natural resources. For more information on next year’s camps, contact Sougata Bardhan at BardhanS@LincolnU. edu.
Nerdy Diva owner wins two Women Who Empower Innovator awards
St. Louis native and owner of Nerdy Diva, Shanae Chapman, recently won two Women Who Empower Innovator awards from Northeastern University (her alma mater in Boston). According to its website, regarding “Powering Social Impact,” these innovators have shown leadership and excellence in innovative problem solving to further a diverse, inclusive, and connected society. Launched in 2021, the Women Who Empower Innovator Awards recognize bold, creative changemakers in Northeastern’s vast entrepreneurial ecosystem—and provide them with resources and recognition to elevate their ideas, products, businesses, and brands.
What truly sets the Innovator Awards apart is that the program recognizes and
celebrates the innovators themselves—not just their business idea or venture. Program applicants are first evaluated by a committee to determine semifinalists, and then reviewed by a team of experienced
judges on several rubrics including creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, authenticity, community and inclusion, track record, and the overall potential impact of their idea.
After years of witnessing inequities in the product development and startup workplace, Chapman
launched Nerdy Diva in 2018. As a boutique, Black woman-owned tech solutions company offering research, design, training, and content strategy, Nerdy Diva’s mission is to inspire creative problem solving in tech and society, with a focus on increasing access and opportunity for everyone.
Shanae Chapman
‘Unfollow me, you can’t go where I’m going’
Erykah Badu’s joint tour with yasiin bey was a spiritual awakening
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
What happens when Dallas TX, and Brooklyn, NY join forces? You get a bomb collaborative musical showcase between Erykah Badu and yasiin bey.
Badu’s The Unfollow Me Tour featuring bey (formerly known as Mos Def) as special guest stopped in St. Louis at the Enterprise Center, Wednesday night (June 28).
It was a busy night in the city as the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis City SC both played home games and TLC and Shaggy’s “Hot Summer Nights Tour” featuring Sean Kingston and En Vogue made its way to Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in the county.
While there was an abundance of events happening across the area, that didn’t stop loyal fans and supporters from seeing these twosoul and hip hop legends.
n Badu’s visuals for her set were well in alignment with who she is.
Fashion Reset
AK Brown’s Black in St. Louis Fashion rebrands into FWRDSociety
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American
Rebrands can be necessary. Often they entail revitalizing a former system and reimagining it into a new and improved configuration. Typically the revamp is more helpful than harmful, and usually turns out to be much better than before.
AK Brown, fashion expert and entrepreneur, recently reset her former editorial project and nonprofit Black in St. Louis Fashion into FWRDSociety.
Originally Black in St. Louis Fashion launched as a photo editorial spotlighting the city’s hottest and most promising Black and Brown fashion brands and creatives. The St. Louis American featured the project in 2021 and 2022. The editorial led ti an initiative for Brown and the other creatives to share resources, find funding opportunities, and build community.
With a new name and new mission, FWRDSociety now focuses on foundational support by providing pro bono media relation and branding services. Brown realized the rebrand was needed when she saw there were other fashion nonprofits, groups and entities in St. Louis ultimately with the same mission as Black in St. Louis Fashion. Rather than create unnecessary competition she felt it was imperative for all the organizations to coexist and collaborate. Her pivot to FWRDSociety led her and the board of directors to have a very open and candid conversation about what the organization needed.
“We’re partnering with companies in St. Louis giving our community services at little to no cost or we’re sharing our community with other fashion groups, it creates a healthier ecosystem,” Brown said. “We connect our community with organizations like Saint Louis Fashion Fund and get our community members funding from them. We select members that we feel could benefit from pro bono branding, media training, and public relations services.”
Through FWRDSociety, Brown and the rest of the board has unveiled FASHNNXT, a 6-month-long one-ofa-kind program including designers, stylists, photographers, sustainable brands, and more. The program “helps them develop a solid foundation that supports the growth of their small businesses and provides them with PR and
12 cohorts of FWRDSociety’s FASHNXT, 6-month-long one-of-a-kind program including designers, stylists, photographers, sustainable brands, and more. The program “helps them develop a solid foundation that supports the growth of their small businesses and provides them with the PR and branding services needed to help them reach the next level in their journey of expansion.”
branding services needed to help them reach the next level in their journey of expansion.”
This first inauguration includes 12 members that Brown and the board handpicked, but she said in the future they will enforce an application process for the next go round.
“We had a two-hour board meeting that turned into five hours, because we wanted to ensure that we picked the right candidates,” she said.
She said they extended the list from ten to 12 because there were two people they could not see being on the list. The list includes Dara Hamilton, owner and founder of Gem U Vintage, Melanie Pruitt, owner of The Style Vault Boutique and more.
Hamilton, runs an online consignment store specializing in vintage finds 20 years or older. Her pieces can also be found in Make Manifest BK in Brooklyn, NY, Procure by The Women’s Creative in City Foundry, Lou, Belle and Bing in Collinsville, IL, and Honeycomb in Tower Grove. Fashion has always been a part of Hamilton’s life. She remembers growing up seeing her grandmother’s interest in fashion and interior design, and seeing her great-grandmother “junkin” (another term for thrift shopping). Seeing the great taste and fashion interests of both women inspired Hamilton to go to
Images flashed of animated images of her that looked AI-generated.
The fashions that night were all the rave. Guests wore head wraps tied as turbans, crystal necklaces were seen, beads attached to dreadlocks and braids, sky-high platform heels, and more. All the fashions and hairstyles were definitely Badu certified, and we’re sure the free-spirited Godmother of Neo-Soul would’ve been proud if she were able to see some of the threads and hairdos around the arena.
Badu, known for her own wave of fashion, didn’t disappoint in that department. She appeared on stage wearing a top hat, long neatly streamlined braids, a white long duster with a white puffy coat attached to the back of it, and a gray graphic t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and tied in the front, accompanied by white rose Comme Des Garcon pants.
Badu’s visuals for her set were well in alignment with who she is.
Images flashed of animated images of her that looked AI-generated. She was represented as Cleopatra as well as Afrofuturistic figures, along with enlarged line art images of the sun, the moon, and African spirituality artifacts.
A Badu concert is an experiencecertainly a one of a kind of spiritual awakening. The sounds of birds humming heavenly were heard throughout her set, which also highlighted tribal chants and the soothing wavelengths of sound bowls, and the peaceful echoes of rainforests. Several concertgoers were first-
Essence Fest 2023 wrap up
Meg Thee Stallion left the hotties fulfilled and satisfied
By Itoro N. Umontuen The Atlanta Voice
Three-time GRAMMY award winner, Megan Thee Stallion, headlined the final night of the Essence Festival Of Culture™ concert series inside the Caesars Superdome. The final night also featured a set curated by esteemed host Angie Martinez and she brought out Salt N Pepa, Remy Ma, Trina, Eve and the first lady of the No Limit Soldiers, ‘The Biggest Mama,’ Mia X!
After the ladies performed and set the crowd on fire, Tems took the crowd on a deeply personal journey as she performed her hits, including her GRAMMY-award winning record, “Wait for U,” which features Drake and Future. Tems admitted on stage she was so humbled by the love she received during
her performance, the crowd showed her love right back!
After a lengthy intermission, New Orleans own Lil Wayne stepped on the ESSENCE Festival of Culture stage and ran through his hits! As a surprise, he told the crowd seated down in front, “You weren’t expecting a rapper to come out on stage!” Next, Wizkid brought the Afrobeats
vibes to the Superdome. He took the crowd on a cool and breezy journey through his discography and ended his set with “Essence,” a record he shares with Tems. It came full circle as “Essence” was performed at the ESSENCE Festival.
See Fashion, C8
Photo courtesy of AK Brown
Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice
Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage during Day Three of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo Credit: Unfollow Me Tour Instagram Account
Erykah Badu performing in Denver, CO for her Unfollow Me Tour with yasiin bey.
Still I Rise: A Tribute to Maya Angelou
Continued from C1
Lastly, Meg brought the whole weekend together in a final set which was equally joyful and empowering! The crowd hung on to her every word. Then, she brought up Janelle Monáe and fans alike to twerk on stage to the delight of the crowd and Thee Stallion alike.
By Cicely Hunter Missouri Historical Society
Maya Angelou’s words “Still I rise” remain etched into the hearts and the minds of all who have read her poetry. The daughter of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson, Marguerite Annie Johnson graced the world with her presence on April 4, 1928. Due to hardships within her parents’ marriage that led to their divorce, at age 3 she moved from St. Louis to Stamps, Arkansas, with her paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson. She and her brother, Bailey—who gave her the nickname “Maya”—moved back and forth among the homes of their grandmother and their parents several times during their adolescent years. In addition to the turmoil between her parents, Angelou experienced trauma due to sexual abuse by her mother’s boyfriend.
At age 14, she and her brother moved to Oakland, California, with their mother. Two years later Angelou became the first Black woman streetcar conductor in San Francisco. She gave birth to her son, Clyde Bailey (Guy) Johnson, a few weeks after graduating from high school. After training as a modern and African dancer with Alvin Ailey and Ruth Beckford, she became a professional dancer and singer and changed her name to Maya Angelou in 1954. That same year, she traveled to Europe to appear in a production of Porgy and Bess and learned to speak many languages, including French, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and more.
Upon returning to the US, Angelou joined New York City’s Harlem Writers Guild and produced songs, short stories, and poetry. She also became involved in the civil rights movement and worked within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. As she expanded her mind and diversified her experiences, she traveled abroad again, this time to Egypt and Ghana. Both trips shaped her skills as a writer and teacher while strengthening her connection to her African ancestry.
In 1969 Angelou published her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in which she discussed her childhood trauma and how she devel-
oped strength in the face of adversity.
Angelou’s book was an instant success and appeared on the New York Times nonfiction best-seller list, was nominated for the National Book Award, and has since been translated into many languages.
Angelou received additional awards such as the Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 poetry collection Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie, a Grammy for the best spoken-word album for On the Pulse of Morning, a Tony nomination for her performance in Look Away and many more. She recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, the first Black poet and woman poet to serve in this role. In 2011 President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, considered one of the highest honors for civilians.
Angelou was known for her ability to give stories life by painting an image from words, allowing the reader to envision the written text. She once stated, “I speak to the Black experience, but I am always talking about the human condition—about what we can endure, dream, fail at, and still survive.”
Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at age 86. Her brilliance and legacy live on through her work as a writer, civil rights activist, performer, and mother.
Among her many accolades, she was posthumously chosen to be part of the US Mint’s American Women Quarters Program, a four-year program that celebrates women’s accomplishments and contributions to the development and history of the US. One side of Angelou’s quarter, which was issued in 2022 as the first coin in the series, depicts Angelou with her arms uplifted, layered on a silhouette of a bird that has taken flight toward a rising sun. Symbolizing Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” the coin’s design invites viewers to reflect on Angelou’s life and how it embodied the words that she wrote:
“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
DJ Spinderella kept the party going on the wheels of steel and she even performed with Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pep” Denton. That’s right: SaltN-Pepa hit the stage too!
Other notes: Rapper, producer, and head of So So Def Records, Jermaine Dupri orchestrated a southern homage to Hip-Hop Saturday inside the Caesars Superdome during night two of the ESSENCE Festival of
Culture! Dupri had help from Gucci Mane, Lil Jon, Ludacris, T.I., and Dem Franchize Boyz as the capacity crowd sung and rapped along with them!
Ice Cube headlined a West Coast set which paid homage to hop-hop! He had help from Lady of Rage, JJ Fad, YoYo, Ice-T, DJ Quik and E-40! Lastly, Cube performed most of his hits including “It Was a Good Day.”
Monica opened her stage set with a preamble by New Orleans’s own Big Freedia. She also included a call from currently incarcerated rapper B.G. as she showed love to her favorite city besides Atlanta. After Jermaine Dupri led the dirty south portion of the program, Jill Scott blessed the stage with her soul and passion!
Lastly, Missy Elliott, the first female in HipHop to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had an elaborate
stage show, performed among the crowd and had everyone dancing and partying late into the night!
Ms. Lauryn Hill headlined Friday night with as she took her fans on a journey as she performed the hits from the 5x Grammy-winning “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” album’s 25th anniversary with surprise guest, Wyclef Jean inside the Caesars Superdome! Additionally, concert-goers enjoyed a curated performance by Hip-Hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh which included Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, KRS-One and Slick Rick. Plus, there were special performances by Juvenile and Janelle Monáe, Tobe Nwigwe, Jagged Edge, and Ari Lennox also took the stage as Deon Cole hosted the evening, and DJ Clark Kent provided the tunes on the wheels of steel late into the night!
Photo courtesy of The Missouri Historical Society Collections
Houses on Hickory Street, the street where Maya Angelou was born, unknown date.
Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice
Lauryn Hill performs onstage during Day One of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ at the Caesars Superdome on Friday, June 30, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Greater Rising Star’s Pastor Griffin to retire
By Ashley Winters
The St. Louis American
Pastor Nathaniel Griffin, Sr. lead Pastor of Greater Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in north city, is passing the torch after nearly 30 years of service in ministry.
The Pastor is looking forward to retirement but mostly passing down the title of lead pastor to the younger generation to give them a chance to bridge the gap and bring young people back to God.
The Tennessee native said after 30 years at Greater Rising Star he has developed a personal relationship with his members, they know he is dependable, provides exceptional advice, and is just a phone call away.
“I am blessed to have folks here who love me,” said Pastor Griffin Pastor Griffin moved to St. Louis as a young boy from Germantown, Tennessee with his family in 1959. The second to the youngest of nine recalls visiting his hometown in the South every summer, working the fields so that he could help his
mother pay household bills. The experience taught him a great deal about responsibility.
“My mama didn’t want state assistance so every summer me and my siblings went to Tennessee to work the field to help her,” said the pastor.
The retiring pastor’s childhood was good. His mom had rules like most parents did back then, and her main one was to go to church every Sunday. Growing up on the west end of St. Louis near Page and Taylor Griffin saw how families supported each other back then. His family moved to Wellston, at that time Wellston was a popular shopping district. A year later his family moved to Pine Lawn, where Griffin stayed until he graduated from Normandy High School.
In the late 70s early 80s, Griffin struggled with cocaine and heroin addiction. He also sold drugs. But he always went to church and stayed connected to God. He said during his addiction he did a line of cocaine every morning, and by the afternoon he smoked heroin. One day while at Bible Study
n “Besides it’s time for me to step down, my thoughts and ways are not those of the next generation, they need someone who speaks their language.” - Pastor Nathaniel
Griffin felt like the preacher was talking directly to him during the sermon. He felt a spiritual shift in his body and started walking towards the preacher. The congregation prayed over him and from that point, the retiring pastor was free from his drug addiction.
“That was the last time I
did cocaine or heroin. I had no desire for it,” said the ministry leader. With tears in his eyes, Pastor Griffin remembers telling his pastor he was called to preach.
Every Saturday for three years
Pastor Griffin was tutored by Reverend Curtis Folkner, because he couldn’t afford to go
to ministry school.
Once his education was completed, Griffin said God just started opening doors for him, and one of those doors was Greater Rising Star MB Church. However, the new pastor did not want that church. At the time it was located in Hillsdale and he describes the building as raggedy and rundown. Chuckling, Pastor Griffin said, “I had my eyes on another church in Tennessee.”
“I just didn’t want that church. If you cleaned the carpet, the vacuum sucked it right up”
But the Lord works in mysterious ways because God and the members had plans for Pastor Griffin. The members of the church voted him into the position, but Pastor Griffin still turned them down.
One particular morning while driving his wife to church the pastor said he was divinely led to Rising Star MB Church, the very church he was running from. His car conked out right in front of the building, and Pastor Griffin surrendered to God and has been leading that church ever since.
During his time as the lead pastor Griffin started a pantry program at his church. Every Saturday church members and volunteers feed those in the community.
Pastor Griffin has appointed Dr. Nicholas Grise as the new lead pastor at Greater Rising. “I can see the church continuing to flourish under his leadership,” said Griffin
“Besides, it’s time for me to step down. My thoughts and ways are not those of the next generation, they need someone who speaks their language”
Pastor Griffin will remain a member of his beloved church and will preach once a month. However, he will let his wife plan out his retirement.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
• Certified event planner recognized for seamless organizing and spotting even the smallest details
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• Creates a “day of” master timeline to ensure the seamless flow of each special moment
• Presents premium preferred vendor list while coordinating and overseeing communication flow
• Day of coordination specializes in overseeing details others often miss
• Managing a productive rehearsal ceremony and timeline
MUNICIPAL COURT MONITOR (CONTRACTED)
Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking to enter into a professional service agreement with an individual or agency, to provide municipal court monitoring services for St. Louis County Municipal Courts. Services are funded from a cooperative agreement with St. Louis County Circuit Court and the Office of State Court Administrator and is subject to the continued availability of these funds. Work involves monitoring and reviewing of operational activities with respect to compliance with the minimum operating standards for municipal division and municipal division judges. The contractual position reports directly to the Presiding Judge of St. Louis County. This agreement is funded up to $30.00 per hour, not to exceed $60,000 annually. Note: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume on or before July 21, 2023. Attention: Human Resources (Municipal Court Monitor), Circuit Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 or Email: SLCCourtjobs@courts.mo.gov EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314-615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accomodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format.
SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
There are multiple 2-4-year limited term positions available, term of employment will vary for each position.
These positions will assist in the administration and implementation of various Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic.
All positions will be funded in whole or in part through an allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the US Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.
To see the full job description of positions available and to apply online go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.” SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.
MANAGER OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING
This position will provide oversight for leadership annual giving as well as manage a portfolio of major gift prospects. This role is also responsible for securing philanthropic gifts and developing prospect strategies, cultivation, solicitation and follow-up activities with major gift prospects and donors. For full details and to apply online, please visit: https:// secure.entertimeonline.com/ ta/CBIZ20491.careers? ShowJob=335906304
FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER
Provide case management services for children in foster care. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Minimum of one year of employment in child welfare field. Interested candidates forward letter of interest and resume to:vatkins@posimpacts. com, Attention: Valerie Atkins. Employee will be employed by Positive Impacts, Inc. and contracted to Epworth Children & Family Services.
PROJECT OFFICER
Project Officer – St. Louis, MO. Must have experience with construction mgmt., incl., preparing contract documents, bid submittals, RFIs, MSAs and change orders. Review of land surveys, architectural & eng. drawings, utility & access easements. Support zoning efforts, master plans, project scope, vendor mgmt., pre-construction reviews, supervising construction, and infrastructure development. Req: Bachelor’s (or foreign equiv) in Architecture, Construction Mgmt, Mechanical Eng., or closely rltd deg., plus 2 years of experience. Must be proficient in AutoCAD, Timberline (Sage 100 & 300), Bluebeam, Primavera P6, Revit (BIM), MS Office Suite, Navisworks and Adobe Photoshop. **Submit resume via email to Telecom Technology Services, Inc., Attn: HR-Project Officer, tiffanyz@amdocs.com
SENIOR CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER
In the role of Senior Client Service Manager, you will work closely with department leadership and team members internally, and with our clients and broker partners externally. Your contributions to compile user stories, facilitate client awareness and use of resources, while developing and organizing a K-12 school risk management advisory board, will be felt throughout Safety National. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/
ARTS ASSISTANT
The ARPA for the Arts Assistant is a newly created part-time position that will support the ARPA for the Arts Lead with communications, application review, and artist/arts organization support for RAC’s ARPA for the Arts grant awards. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are federal funds that the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) has received to support the recovery of the St. Louis arts and culture sector. The ARPA Assistant is responsible for pre-reviewing grant applications related to the administration of ARPA funds and helping to maintain a pop-up location for artists and art organizations to engage with RAC staff and Commissioners. As a part-time employee of RAC, this position is funded through March 31, 2027, using ARPA dollars allocated by the City of St. Louis to RAC. For more information, please visit the job posting on the website, https://racstl. org/career-opportunities/ Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter online by July 16, 2023.
DAYCARE WORKERS NEEDED
Full & Part time positions. We will train you. Call 314- 478-0277
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Associate Director of Daily Operations.
In this role you’ll be a part of a team with strong peer support and emphasis on professional learning, growth, and development. You’ll be a part of an innovation driven agency culture as you supervise the people and processes for the administrative team, facilities, and vendors. At FamilyForward we move vulnerable children in the direction of hope by delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services.
To learn more and apply please visit: https:// familyforwardmo.org/careers/
SOFTWARE ENGINEER II
ASSOCIATE PROJECT MANAGER & SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Urban Strategies, Inc is seeking applicants for the Associate Project Manager and a Senior Project Manager. To view the full job description for the Associate Project Manager, visit https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ ViewJobDetails?job=105627&clientkey= B8689C441EB9B37FC4441ADD2BE61EE7
To view the full job description for the Senior Project Manager role, please visit https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ ViewJobDetails?job=105759&clientkey=DAE92608D5469EE5E807A7386F53C4B1
LEGAL COORDINATOR
Software Engineer – St. Louis, MO. Multiple Openings. Job duties include performing lifecycle application development using several operating platforms, including development of web-based and database applications customized for customer requirements. Req: Master’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Comp Science, Softw Eng., Elec Eng. or closely related degree and 6 mos. of exp. in job offered or software related occupation; or, academic coursework/school project experience. Must have knowledge of web technologies HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery; relational databases MySQL, Oracle, MS-Access; software tools Visual Studio, Bootstrap, AngularJS; and operating platforms Windows, MAC SOX and Linux. **Roving Employee(S) – will require travel and/or relocation to client locations throughout U.S. **Submit resume via email to Telecom Technology Services, Inc., Attn: HR-Software Engineer II, tiffanyz@amdocs.com
USI is an Equal Opportunity employer, and this position is funded in whole or in part with Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant funds from the US Department of HUD. SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR/ ADMIN. ASSISTANT
In the role of Legal Coordinator you will be responsible for handling the general administrative needs of the Legal Department, which includes updating and maintaining our legal filing system, document creation, copying, printing, scanning, arranging travel, satisfying check requests, and completing expense reports.
To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/
City Seniors, Inc., an equal opportunity employer, is accepting applications for Senior Center Coordinator/ Admin. Assistant. Strong activity and planning skills a must. Call 314.352.0141 to apply in person. www. stlouiscityseniors.com Position may be funded through CDBG ad CDA.
REBID: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, MARKETING AND BRANDING SUPPORT SERVICES # 57823184
Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Marketing and Branding Support Services which consists of Copywriting; Creative Development; Design; Helping to Develop a Strategic 5-year Communication Plan; and Production of Multiple Marketing-related pieces, to include university-wide design templates, an annual report, banners, billboards, brochures, digital and motion display ads, magazine, tablecloths and advertising buying.
If interested, a copy of the request can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@hssu.edu or Corey Freeman at freemanc@hssu.edu
Proposals must be emailed no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu and freemanc@hssu.edu
The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.
NOTICE OF
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OPEN ENROLLMENT
You may have what it takes to be successful in the construction industry if you are…
- Dependable
- Someone that enjoys hands-on work
- Someone that works well in a team environment
- Someone that is looking for a career with room for growth
- Someone that wants to help build their community
Associated Builders and Contractors Heart of America is accepting applications for its Pipefitting and Plumbing Apprenticeship programs. All programs take place at our Eastern Missouri Training Facility.
To apply you must be 18 years or older, attend a scheduled orientation, and submit an application including the following documents in person: Valid Driver’s License High School Diploma or Transcripts or a GED Certificate DD214 – Veteran Documentation (if applicable) Please visit www.abcksmo.org for more information and to complete an interest form in your trade of choice. Staff will contact you to schedule a time for you to attend an orientation.
All minorities, including women, are encouraged to apply. The recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices during their apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, creed, disability or sexual orientation. All contractor members are Equal Opportunity Employers.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS # 57823180, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE: MOWING AND LANDSCAPING, TREE MANAGEMENT AND SNOW REMOVAL/ICE CONTROL SERVICES
Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Grounds Maintenance: Mowing and Landscaping, Tree Management and Snow Removal/Ice Control Services. A mandatory pre-bid conference and walk-through of the buildings will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Emerson Performance Center building, 115 Theater, which is located at 3101 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103.
If interest ed, a copy of the request can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@hssu.edu
Proposals must be emailed no later than 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu and freemanc@hssu.edu
The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.
NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS
The St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works is requesting the services of a highly-qualified consulting engineering firm to perform both project management and professional engineering services for the following bundle of four (4) projects: Mehl Avenue Sidewalk Improvements, North and South Road Sidewalk Improvements, Hoffmeister Avenue Sidewalk Improvements, and Airport Road Multimodal Improvements (St. Louis County project numbers CR-1888, AR-1890, CR-1889, and AR-1887).
Full details for this project, including submittal requirements and deadline, will be available on July 12, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site https://stlouiscountymo.gov/
To Advertise your Job Opportunity in the newspaper ad online please email Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican. com
INVITATION TO BID
Sealed bids will be received by the Webster Groves School District at the District Service Center Building, 3232 South Brentwood Blvd., Webster Groves, MO 63119, until TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023, BY 2 P.M. CDT for the Kopplin Field Renovation at Webster Groves High School. Bids will be opened publicly at that time.
Drawings and specifications for this project are on file at the office of the Architect, Hoener Associates, Inc., 6707 Plainview Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109, (314) 781-9855.
Information as to bidding instructions and requirements for procuring bidding documents may be obtained from the Architect.
Not less than the prevailing hourly wage rates, as determined by the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, shall be paid all workers employed on this project.
The Board of Education reserves the right to waive technicalities, to select any contractor filing a proposal, and to reject any or all bids.
A PRE-BID SUMMARY PRESENTATION MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED ON TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023, FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:00 A.M. AND WILL BE HELD AT THE WEBSTER GROVES HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED AT 100 SELMA AVENUE, WEBSTER GROVES MO. 63119.
PROJECT SITE VISIT WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS MEETING FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 11:00 A.M. WE WILL WALK OVER TO KOPPLIN FIELD NEXT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR EACH CONTRACTOR TO VISIT THE SITE.
ATTENDANCE AT BOTH MEETINGS IS MANDATORY
By: Mr. Rob Steuber Construction Project Manager
SEALED BIDS
Bids for HVAC System Upgrade at Transition Center of Kansas City, Project No. C1904-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 27, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Pave
Gravel Lot at Troop B CDL, Project No. R2308-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 3, 2023 , via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: oa.mo.gov/ facilities
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org
> Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
Goodwin Brothers Construction is requesting subcontract bids and/ or material quotations from qualifying minority business enterprises for relevant portions of work for Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Valley View Pump Station, Contract Letting No. 12262-015.1. Interested parties should contact our office at (636) 931-6084. A pre-bid/outreach meeting for all interested MBEs will be held virtually (contact for meeting link) and at our office at 4885 Baumgartner Road, St. Louis, MO 63129 at 9:30 am on Friday, June 30th. Subcontractor/Supplier bids are due Friday, July 7th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Sealed bids for the Buckley Road Bridges No. 528 & 528-P project, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1772 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on July 26, 2023
Plans and specifications will be available on June 26, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.
DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY
SOLICITING BID
Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/ WBE/DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:
CP222321 Clark Hall – First Floor Renovation and South Entrance Creation
Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com
Phone: 573-682-5505
REQUEST FOR BIDS
Blackline Design & Construction would like to invite you to participate in the bidding process for the redevelopment of a 3-story (plus lower level) historic building in the Fox Park neighborhood of St. Louis. 2500 Ohio Ave. This project will convert a historic building into 65-residential units plus lower-level storage as well as community amenities and parking. The project is scheduled to start construction October 1, 2023.
Bidding will be done through our Construction Project Management Software, “Procore.” Procore helps to streamline the bidding process by allowing bid invitees to download relevant bid documents and submit their bids electronically. In this system, all electronic correspondence is tracked and archived, and bidders are provided with the most up to date information available for the project. We feel that this tool will simplify the bidding process for your project team by cutting down on the amount of filing and paperwork that typically accompanies bid management.
Please note that this project is subject to the City of St. Louis MWBE participation requirements. Non-MWBE certified bidders are encouraged to provide participation in their bids and will be taken into consideration when bids are reviewed. Residential wage rates should be utilized as applicable when bidding.
Walkthrough Dates: 7/5/23, 10:00AM & 7/11/23, 2:00PM (Enter building through door on Ohio Ave)
Pre-Bid RFI Deadline: 7/14/23, 12:00PM
Bid Deadline: 8/1/23, 12:00PM
Contact: Jenny McKie: jmckie@blacklinestl.com or 314-391-8900 ext. 1003
Plans:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ avlgv9cvx0qyjvf/2500%20Ohio%20-%20 PERMIT%20SET%20-%206-22-23.pdf?dl=0
BIDS REQUESTED
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Section 3 / MBE /WBE Encouraged 40 Units Multi Family – CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO For Bid Information: 636-931-4244 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc
Double Diamond Construction 1000 A Truman Blvd. Crystal City, MO 63019
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
PARIC Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: CRUNDEN-MARTIN EAST & WEST, 700 SOUTH 2 ND STREET
PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the CRUNDEN-MARTIN EAST & WEST located in St Louis, MO. The project consists of the historic renovation of a 510,000 SF, 6-story multi-structure building and a 43,000 SF, 6-story building with a skywalk connecting the two buildings. Located on the 700 th Block of South 2nd Street in St. Louis, MO, the project site is approximately 3 acres. The use of the buildings is composed of commercial spaces and light-industrial spaces. Demolition/remediation work and sitework will start late September/October of 2023. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link, invitations to bid will be sent out on 11/3/23. If you do not receive a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com
Bids are being requested for the following:
• WP 02.45 SELECTIVE DEMOLITION
• WP 03.34 SITE CONCRETE
• WP 04.01 MASONRY RESTORATION & CLEANING
• WP 08.54 HISTORIC WINDOWS
• WP 21.00 FIRE PROTECTION W/ DESIGN-BUILD
SERVICES
• WP 22.00 PLUMBING W/ DESIGN-BUILD
SERVICES
• WP 23.00 HVAC W/ DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES
• WP 26.00 ELECTRICAL W/ DESIGN-BUILD
SERVICES
• WP 31.00 EARTHWORK
• WP 33.00 SITE UTILITIES
The last day for questions is 7/18/23.
A PREBID meeting will be held on 7/11/23 at 9:00am at the project site on 700 th Block of 2nd Street.
BIDS WILL BE DUE ON JULY 27, 2023 @ 2:00pm Send all questions to Terry Turnbeaugh tlturnbeaugh@paric.com
Goals for Construction Business Enterprise
•
Goals for Workforce (field) participation • 25% Minority
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
St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
CITY OF ST. LOUIS - COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (CDA)
2024 CDBG FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Community Development Administration (CDA) will conduct an in-person/virtual public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023 to solicit public comments and answer questions pertaining to 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) priorities/ activities.
Public Comment Period/Written Comments
The public comment period will begin on July 21, 2023. The views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged. Written comments or suggestions should be addressed to Community Development Administration, 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63102 or via email at CDA@stlouis-mo.gov. Written comments will be accepted until August 5, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Documents Available for Review
2024 CDBG funding cycle documents are available for review as of June 30, 2023, at CDA, located at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000. Copies of documents may be downloaded at: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ departments/community-development/cdbg/2024cdbg-funding-cycle-non-housing-production.cfm
Meeting Information
The public is invited to attend the meeting in person or virtually.
1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 1520 Market Street, SLDC Boardroom, St. Louis, MO 63103 In-person and Zoom information will be available at: www.stlouis-mo.gov/events/eventdetails.cfm?Event_ ID=36523
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Lincoln University is accepting sealed bids for:
Lincoln University – LU23012.2 Obstacle Course Fence
Lincoln University is looking for qualified contractors to erect fencing around an obstacle course near the existing softball field, located on the Lincoln University Campus. A six (6) foot high chain link fence approximately five hundred and seventy feet (570’) long is to be installed sixty feet (60’) offset from the existing softball (outfield) fence and enclosing the ends. Work will also include the installation of two eight (8) foot wide gates (locations to be determined) for personnel and equipment access.
The University will be accepting bids until 2:00 PM, July 5, 2023. The bid drop-off location is listed below. Please identify the proposal as follows: LU 23012.2 Obstacle Course Fence. Bid Documents can be accessed at: www.lincoln.edu/about-lincoln/vicepresident-of-administration-and-finance/ facilities-and-planning.html Questions may be directed to reedr@lincolnu.edu
Lincoln University 820 Chestnut St. Facilities and Planning 309 Young
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Replace Sewer Screening System at Chillicothe Correctional Center, Project No. C2223-02, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 27, 2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities
INVITATION TO BID SPARTA, IL COMMUNITY AIRPORT
Sparta IL Community Airport is soliciting General Contractor proposals for new renovation project. Scope of work includes demo of existing lean-to building and construction of new public spaces and offices totaling 2,720 SF. Obtain project documents through Tracy Collins, tracy@formworkarchitecture.com or download at County Blue Reprographics online plan room. PreBid meeting at 9AM on June 28, 2023. Bids due at 5PM on July 17, 2023.
Badu
Continued from C1
time attendees of the Badu experience. Lots of screams were heard when she asked who was seeing her for the first time. She responded, “I love it!” When she did a roll call to see who were all the generations in the house the ‘90s babies outnumbered everyone with the most screams. Makes sense for them to outnumber everyone as her debut album is dedicated to that demographic.
“I wrote Baduizm for the ‘90s babies byway of the ‘70s babies, and the ‘80s babies they heard that [expletive] and they thought that [expletive] was cold blooded too,” she said. She wrote Baduizm while she was pregnant with her son Seven, whom she shares with Andre 3000. She said she communicated with him in primal wails and tribal moans.
“If you were a baby at that time, you may not understand the words, but you know what I was saying cause you could understand what I was feeling,” she told the ‘90s babies in the crowd. “I’ve been waiting for you to grow the [expletive] up so
Fashion
Continued from C1
school for fashion and see where it would take her.
Hamilton said she is honored to have been selected for the FASHNXT cohort.
“It was an honor to be seen, I’ve been back here [in St. Louis] for about three years, I was living in Brooklyn, NY,” she said.
“To come back and make an impact and continue making an impact means a lot to me. I am truly hon-
we can talk about it, glad you’re here.” Her only rule for The Unfollow Me Tour was for people to mind their own business.
“Welcome to the Unfollow Me Tour,” she said. “Unfollow me, you can’t go where I’m going. You ain’t been where I’ve been. You can’t read my mind. Unfollow me. Follow your own heart. Follow your own way. Find your own path because that is the right one for you. Each step is the way.”
She joked about her background singers wearing what she called “hostoppers” sunglasses.
“They stop h**s from every direction, especially yo peripheral,” she said. “Wanna block a red h** one push of a button blocked. Purple h** boom blocked cause it aint none of yo damn business anyway. Never again do you have to say h** stop, I’m doing it for you.”
Badu was in her producing bag using some sort of beatmaking machine creating unique sounds and vocals. She played the guitar as well and showed us just how ethereal she is by placing her hands forward in the air and sparks appeared from them.
She performed a lot of the songs many of us know and love but “Tyrone” was the one that
ored and blessed that AK chose me. I hope to connect with other creatives, share like minded opinions, network and make St. Louis more visible in the fashion world. I feel like we have a lot of potential here and it’s not seen. I believe this is going to get St. Louis back on the map.”
Hamilton can be found on Instagram at https:// www.instagram.com/dgotthegems/. Her business website is https://www. gemuvintage.com/. Pruitt has always been known as the friend to style her friends and has
stole everyone’s heart during the performance. You could hear the song sung verbatim across the arena and lots of passion evoked from all the ladies singing it. bey also joined Badu on stage for a joint performance of them curating and improvising their own music. bey opened the show and thought the
had many other people ask for her assistance in styling them. Like most people in 2020, she had more free time on her hands. She decided then to launch her online boutique and start styling people as a side hustle.
“I love what I do, not even just the styling and curating of collections,” Pruitt said. “I love when I get messages from women and they’re like, ‘Oh my God I bought this dress and I’ve gained weight. I wasn’t really feeling myself or feeling my body, but I bought this and it made me feel good about
crowd was being too cool for school at first, but eventually they warmed up and he concluded the night with a gracious prayer.
Closing the tour, Badu joined a group of more than 40+ fans for a no phones allowed meet and greet. While Badu sat on the floor Indian style all the fans surrounded her in a circle seated on the floor.
myself, it made me feel great.”
Pruitt said that as an online boutique she doesn’t get much interaction with people in person but the cohort will allow her the opportunity to connect and meet with people outside of her warehouse’s walls. Pruitt is available on social media platforms under her business name The Style Vault Boutique. Her website is https://thestylevaultboutique.com/. FASHNXT will help fashion creatives with their resumes, help pitch them to local outlets in St. Louis
It was an up close and personal session where fans were allowed to ask Badu any question they wanted. A phone provided by Badu’s camp was passed around and fans asked their questions into the phone while it was recorded from a memo app.
Some of the questions were about why Badu loves St. Louis, her music
and across the country, be featured on the cover of Brown’s Pink Muse magazine, and be featured on her TV show which airs in 101 countries and five continents. Learn more about Pink Muse, here: https://www.pinkmusestudio.com/issues
While Black people have always been integrated and centered around Brown’s organization, she has since opened up the organization to BIPOC creatives to increase more inclusivity among Black and Brown fashion creatives.
“We have two Latinx
spanning generations, and more. It wasn’t a typical say hello and smile meet and greet captured on camera. It was more of Badu allowing her fans into her world and them getting to know her as an artist, but also seeing a glimpse of who Erica Wright is, (Badu’s given birth name).
members currently in the cohort,” she said. “Our organization is always going to be Black first and foremost, because it’s how we identify. We wanted to open the community up to other minority groups in fashion in St. Louis because there aren’t any other groups doing that.” For sponsorship & media inquiries, email hello@hautepresspr.com. For donations and more information email info@ fwrdsociety.org.
Photo Credit: Unfollow Me Tour Instagram Account
Erykah Badu performing in Denver, CO for her Unfollow Me Tour with yasiin bey.