June 15th, 2017 Edition

Sewage storage tank plan stinks for U. City

Project Clear puts tanks in Hafner Place area

By Sandra Jordan

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters

By Sophie Hurwitz

“words

“hootenan-

Photo by Sandra Jordan

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Two-year-old Jayde is exhausted from all the

head on her father Jeff Miliken. Happy Father’s Day

Mary J. forced to shell out $30K in monthly spousal support

A court has ordered nine-time Grammy Award-winner Mary J. Blige to pay her estranged husband and former manager, Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, $30,000 monthly in temporary spousal support.

E! News, citing court documents, said Thursday that the R&B singer, 46, additionally must pay support retroactively to September and reimburse Isaacs his legal fees, altogether totaling $235,000. Isaacs had asked for $129,319 a month.

The multiplatinum recording star, who married Isaacs in December 2003 at her home in Bergen County, New Jersey, has said in court filings that he had misappropriated money for two years, including $420,000 in travel charges

unrelated to their business and not including her. Blige filed for divorce last summer.

Nick Gordon arrested on domestic violence charges

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s former partner, Nick Gordon, was arrested in Florida for alleged domestic violence against his current girlfriend, authorities said.

Gordon’s girlfriend went to the Sanford Police station Saturday and reported that she was hit by her live-in boyfriend, police said in a statement.

after she was found unresponsive in the bathtub of an Atlanta home the couple shared on January 31, 2015. She remained in a coma until she died six months later.

An autopsy declared that drug intoxication and immersion in water were the cause of the pneumonia and brain damage that ultimately led to her death.

Bey-Z spending big bucks for home birth?

According to The Mail on Sunday newspaper, Beyoncé and Jay Z are reportedly installing a $1 million maternity unit in their Hollywood home.

He was arrested on domestic battery and false imprisonment charges, according to Sanford Police. He has since been released on bail.

Last year, Gordon was ordered to pay $36 million to the estate of his late girlfriend Bobbi Kristina Brown, the only child of the late Whitney and singer Bobby

Though he did not face criminal charges, he was found legally responsible for Brown’s death

The couple is due to welcome twins into the world in the coming weeks and, as the pair felt a home birth was best for their “privacy and safety.” Medical equipment including incubators and “an entire professional neonatal wing” has reportedly been delivered to their rental property over the last few days.

“It’s not usual for someone expecting twins to have them at home, but Beyoncé has discussed it with her doctors,” a source told the paper.

“She’s in prime physical condition – and there will also be an ambulance on standby to take her to Cedars-Sinai Hospital should she or

the babies need hospital care.”

The couple hopes giving birth in private will avoid any of the controversy that surrounded the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy, five years ago.

It was reported the couple had spent $1 million renting out an entire floor of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, and other patients complained about their “heavy-handed” entourage, who had obstructed their visitors, though the hospital.

Tiger Woods said to be in treatment for painkiller addiction

Tiger Woods has reportedly checked into Jupiter Medical Center for a 28-day program to treat “pain killer addiction.”

According to the Daily Mail, Woods is trying to allay ex-wife Elin Nordegren’s concerns about his fitness to parent after last month’s 3 a.m. DUI arrest. He told officers that he’d taken a number of drugs including Xanax and Vicodin — a potentially deadly combination.

According to reports, Woods’ divorce includes a clause that he me must avoid public scandals or risk share of custody cut.

Sources: E! News, CNN.com, Page Six, The Daily Mail, Gossip Extra

Nick Gordon

Mary J. Blige

Community Women Against Hardship

Co-founder/CEO

By Sophie Hurwitz

For The St. Louis American

Gloria Taylor is a welcoming presence in the offices of the organization she cofounded, Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH). She greets everyone who comes in with a hug – even those she has never met before.

“I say, go and touch them, and make them feel like you’re glad to see them,” she said. That human touch, for everyone who enters their doors, helps make CWAH successful in its mission: bringing individualized support to families struggling with poverty. CWAH offers transitional housing for families in need, parent support programs, such as financial literacy and credit repair classes, and student enrichment programs – art classes, health and nutrition classes, jazz lessons, and even summer travel opportunities. Families involved in the program also have access to the CWAH Boutique – a free clothing store, a food pantry and a computer lab.

This year, the organization is also planning to increase its partnerships to include Washington University Brown School of Social Work and Harris-Stowe State University. These partnerships and the extra assistance they will offer CWAH, come at a time when Taylor is beginning the process of stepping down from her role as CEO, while continuing to be involved.

When Taylor co-founded CWAH in 1988, she was working for the then Chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Marguerite Ross Barnett, when Betty Jordan Lee, who was a wellknown journalist, educator, and activist in the civil rights movement, introduced her to Donald Suggs.

“We created the People against Poverty campaign,” she said. “Betty and I thought that would be a good way for the public to be at least, number one, aware of the amount of poverty that existed in St. Louis. At that time, one of three kids were either below poverty, at the poverty line, or the working poor.”

That first campaign subsequently grew into the fullfledged community support organization CWAH is today.

Taylor and Lee bought their current headquarters on West Belle Place for $1 from the City of St. Louis, and they were up-and-running. For 28 years, Taylor has has worked to restore the sense of community and support she remembers from her childhood.

“Our advantage was we didn’t know we were poor,” she said. “I grew up not far from here, and I used to play at this playground, which is why I returned here. But the idea of taking care of each other was part of the African American culture and that’s how we came up.

“If someone baked biscuits, it was, ‘Go on and take that down there to her mother, you know her mother had a headache this morning.’” Taylor described.

Much of the day-to-day operations of CWAH will be taken over by Chief Operating Officer Karla Frye. Taylor

effort.

“They say, ‘Nothing changes for us. We don’t care who’s in.’ In other words, we’re still poor,” Taylor explained. “They feel like nothing changes. So that’s our job, to go in and teach history so they know what these people went through to allow them to work toward

will stay involved in shaping the organization’s path into the future, and wants to use CWAH’s educational programs to increase voter turnout among people who may have grown to think voting isn’t worth the

the best.”

She believes that education, for both adults and their children, is key to improving quality of life.

“You want to awaken people,” Taylor said. “And how do

we do that? In this organization, it has been more about community engagement.”

She hopes the affiliation with Harris-Stowe students will help with youth literacy programs.

“To have professors come in their nice suits and get down on the floor, and make people feel comfortable, and create a comfortable level,” she said. “The parent is there, too, because oftentimes parents’ level of reading with their child hasn’t occurred, so they get introduced to that.”

College students benefit by receiving credit for working at CWAH. Nursing students from University of MissouriSt. Louis and social work students from Washington University currently work to “Bring together the community and academe ... they act as a bridge.”

Despite those college students’ best intentions, however, when they first arrive at CWAH, many need Taylor to explain the problems affecting the lives of the families they’ll be working with.

“Because you live a totally different life than these people who are struggling with poverty,” she tells them, “You have to have a good feeling for what some of the needs are of these people.”

As Taylor changes roles within CWAH, she still remains focused on the future.

“I see that there has to be more affiliation. St. Louis is not typical, like some other more progressive cities are. Charlotte is one, Atlanta is one. Because there – people want to work together,” Taylor said. “But the big guys over here think like, ‘Those people are trench workers. Who wants to deal with them?’ Nobody wants to deal with them. And we lose out, because no one works together. Why don’t we want to talk about our strengths?”

Working together makes St. Louis stronger. “We could have greater impact if we affiliate,” she said. “I can learn something from you, you can learn something from me. It’s that exchange.”

From CWAH People Against Poverty 2016.

Editorial /CommEntary

Voter ID law an act of voter suppression

When the Advancement Project’s National Office and the American Civil Liberties union sued Missouri this week over our restrictive new voter ID law, they took a necessary and commendable action to make sure that the constitutional right to vote is not taken away.

The law which prompted the suit required all voters to have state-issued photo identification. This would affect our elections as early as July 11, the date of the 28th Ward Aldermanic election. The law purports to create a system to provide state-issued photo ID to all voters who don’t yet have one, but fails to explain exactly how these theoretical free IDs could possibly be distributed in time for the elections this summer.

In the meantime, while the state fails to make getting an ID more accessible, yet makes that same ID a prerequisite for voting, this law simply becomes “A gimmick that – as we’ve seen in other states – inevitably leads to blocking people from the bal lot, especially people of color, young voters, seniors, women, and people with disabilities,” as Denise Lieberman of the Advancement Project said.

The Advancement Project and the ACLU, on behalf of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Missouri, are requesting an emergency stay on the law’s implementation because it is both biased and unfunded. Even Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has admitted the state cannot implement the requirements of restrictive photo ID law in time for the July 11 election, and that Missouri has yet to allocate funds to the Secretary for voter education, free voter IDs and birth certificates, and training of poll workers--all things that are required in the text of the law, and are not being carried out.

another story.” If this law is not about disenfranchising minority voters, it is unclear what motive Governor Greitens and the Missouri legislature might have for putting it into effect. Missouri State Senator Will Kraus, who sponsored the photo-ID bill, rationalized it by saying “There’s over 16 people in the state of Missouri who have been convicted of some type of voter fraud.” However, the source he cited-- a report from the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation-- said all of those cases (17 in total since 2005, only a few of which actually resulted in false votes being counted in an election) were cases of false voter registration, instead of voter impersonation.

As for voter registration under someone else’s name, that can be done by mail, and does not require a photo ID, so this photo ID law would do nothing to stop it-- they would only stop someone who was at the polls with someone else’s ID. There are no documented cases of that in the state of Missouri.

And even those 16 cases of false voter registration--Kraus’ paltry rationale for the new law--are a miniscule compared to the number of left without access to the

I

- A Forum for Community Issues

CBA must reflect the needs of St. Louis

By Ald. Pres. Lewis Reed Guest columnist

This seeming unwillingness to fulfill the provisions of the law that would make it less confusing, and make it seem less like a modern-day equivalent of the racist “poll taxes” and “literacy tests” used to block African Americans from the vote in the Jim Crow South, is what makes this lawsuit necessary.

“Voters were promised that this law was not about disenfranchising the most vulnerable in our state,” said Tony Rothbert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri. “The state’s lack of funding and implementation of this law tells

There are currently approximately 220,000 voters in Missouri lacking photo ID, according to a report by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. A law ostensibly designed to combat 16 false votes, that would erase 220,000 votes from our elections is simply not worth it. It is, indeed, “a solution in search of a problem,” as Treasurer Tishaura Jones put it. This law clumsily attempts to solve one tiny problem, and fails even at that, while simultaneously creating another, much more serious issue: massive voter suppression.

This is another deliberate, cleverly crafted punitive action by Missouri Republicans. It is another move that joins a rash of voter suppression laws across many states that seek to disenfranchise a certain segment of the population.

To make sure these 220,000 people – predominantly people of color, women, and disabled people--keep their right to vote, we must fight unethical laws like this one, and we support the Advancement Project and the ACLU’s efforts to do so.

Stakeholder involvement is essential to developing policies that reflect the broad and diverse needs of our neighborhoods and the people. That’s why I brought the NextDoor platform to our city, now the largest neighborhood based social media platform in the region, which connects over 40,000 residents to city government. I pushed the Board to hold budget hearings in the evening within the community to gain citizen input prior to passing the city’s budget, fought for open government and much more throughout my years. Neighborhoods face many challenges, including crime, vacancy, illegal guns and lack of jobs. The only way we are going to make life better for the citizens of St. Louis City is by working together to bring improvements that will result in safer streets, better education, more job opportunities, and development to disinvested communities.

A comprehensive framework for Community Benefits Agreements (CBA) can bridge the widening gap between our wealthiest neighborhoods and neighborhoods who have suffered lack of investment.

What do you do if you’ve just been fired as director of the FBI, the administration has chosen to “defame” you with “lies plain and simple,” and you believe the president of the United States may be trying to obstruct justice? You leak bombshell information to the media in hopes of forcing the appointment of a special counsel. It might work.

Actually, it did work.

In stunning public testimony Thursday, James Comey acknowledged arranging for a friend to leak details of a conversation Comey had with President Trump – the Feb. 14 Oval Office encounter in which Trump said he hoped the FBI director could “drop” the bureau’s investigation of fired national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to Comey’s contemporaneous notes. “I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel,” Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee about his orchestrated leak.

“I don’t think it’s for me to say” whether Trump committed obstruction, Comey demurred, “but that’s a conclusion I’m sure the special counsel will work toward, to try and understand what the intention was there and whether that’s an offense.” Comey said he took Trump’s words not as just a “hope” but as a “direction” from the highest official in the land -- an order he was not about to obey.

Three months later, with no warning, Comey was summarily dismissed. “It’s my judgment that I was fired because of the Russia investigation,” Comey testified. “That is a very big deal.” Comey was unabashed about accusing Trump and his administration of telling “lies,” and said he began the practice of immediately making notes after talking with the president because “I was honestly con-

cerned that he might lie” about the conversations. He said he had no such concern about the veracity of the other two presidents he served, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

On one subject, Comey confirmed that the president is being truthful: Comey did tell him three times that he was not personally under investigation. Comey explained that this was “technically” the case during his FBI tenure. He said he does not know, however, whether special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Trump now – and left little doubt that he hopes Mueller is doing just that.

Comey’s best line of the day was a belated response to a May 12 tweet from the president, which warned that “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”

Said Comey: “Lordy, I hope there are tapes.” I hope so, too, but I would be surprised if such recordings exist.

Trump’s inner circle is such a sieve that full transcripts surely would have leaked by now. Investigators and the public will have to decide whether they believe Trump, who lies all the time, or Comey, who has a flair for the dramatic but also the bearing of an oversized Boy Scout. That’s a pretty easy choice. And now for some rare kind words about members of Congress: Overall, the senators questioning Comey behaved in a manner that could be described by such last-century terms as “bipartisan” and “patriotic.” The Democrats’

questions tended to be somewhat more accusatory toward the president, the Republicans’ questions somewhat more exculpatory, but there was a welcome air of sobriety about the whole thing. At this point, any examples of grown-up behavior should be recognized and praised.

The one exception was the weird line of questioning pursued by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who wanted to know why Comey wouldn’t publicly clear Trump of wrongdoing even though he had done so for Hillary Clinton. Comey tried to explain that the investigation of Clinton’s emails was finished whereas the investigation of Trump’s campaign is ongoing. “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games,” McCain later said.

As perhaps should have been expected, the most important takeaway from Comey’s testimony may be what he didn’t say. Topics he scrupulously avoided may give a hint of where the investigation is headed.

He declined, for example, to answer a question about Vnesheconombank (VEB), a Russian government-owned development bank linked to President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s adviser and son-inlaw, Jared Kushner, met last year with VEB executives.

Comey was also reticent about his interactions with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was his boss -- and who had to recuse himself from Russia-related investigations.

Comey’s memos about his meetings with Trump are now in Mueller’s hands. Trump desperately wanted the Russia investigation to end. Firing Comey ensured that it is only beginning.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

My plan for (CBA) will be specific to the needs of the City of St. Louis. The wrong approach will further cutout neighborhoods who haven’t seen investment and pass even more power and prosperity to already stable neighborhoods. The wrong approach will be a hindrance to development of North St. Louis and not only continue but memorialize the policies the drove St Louis to be two cities “One North of Delmar” and “One South of Delmar.”

Guest Columnist Lewis Reed

A properly formed (CBA) must include policies that will help spur investment in under invested neighborhoods, provide resources, and jobs all across this city and North St. Louis in particular. Citizens in North St. Louis and other disinvested areas deserve a voice in what happens in their community along with the opportunity to use the same tools of economic growth that have been used in the central west end and other parts of town. We don’t need a policy that further discourages

Letters to the editor

Comey’s testimony emphasizes Trump’s ongoing misconduct

“James Comey was able to shed light on the president’s deception while highlighting the absence of credibility from this White House. However, his testimony — albeit candid and informative — leaves my constituents with a host of unanswered questions regarding both President Trump’s campaign and the Trump administration’s ties to Russia.

“As dark clouds continue to cast shadows on the Trump Administration, I find myself taken aback by the GOP’s outright refusal to hold the president accountable for his misconduct. Such an abdication of leadership by Speaker Paul Ryan and his Republican colleagues only serves to compound the damage President Trump has inflicted on our democracy and further erodes our standing in the global community.

“The demands of constituents across America for transparency and accountability have been ignored by this White House. Now, more than ever, our country needs an outside independent commission to determine the full extent of Russia’s interference in our democratic process. Make no mistake: Our national security hangs in the balance.”

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Wisconsin (4th District)

Injustice of park land for commercial use

St. Louis County is giving away 40 acres of Creve Coeur Park to a professional hockey team, university in St. Charles County and White hockey players. This massive ice hockey center is wrong for Creve Coeur Park. Other locations in the St. Louis area can accommodate this facility without significant negative impacts. The 40 acres was originally purchased with Land and Water Conservation Fund money which restricts the land to outdoor recreation uses; and the negative environment impact; we are still left with a racial and ethnic injustice. On any given day, Creve Coeur Park is well-attended by people fishing, biking, walk-

investment in North St. Louis. We are seeking input from citizens in all corners of the city, elected officials, urban development strategists, our universities, neighborhood organizations, Greek organizations, non-profits, business associations, our youth, educators and school administrators. This will be a long and thoughtful process culminating with a comprehensive (CBA) that reflects St Louis and begins to spur investment and opportunities to disinvested neighborhoods and provides another tool to drive down crime, grow jobs and stabilize neighborhoods.

I am inviting anyone interested in this process to please join me in these efforts. Our crime rate is too high, job growth is too low, our health disparities are too broad, and our drop out rate is too high for us to waste valuable time infighting. As public servants it’s important to understand those things that divide us, and most importantly be able to see beyond them to something better. It’s time for us to work together for the common good of all who live in, work in, and visit St. Louis. Our children, families, institutions, businesses, and visitors deserve nothing less.

ing and enjoying other outdoor activities. The users are Asian, Indian, African American, Hispanic and Caucasian. Those fishing and walking/biking/ roller blading for free, tend to be a diverse mix of people. The Legacy Ice facility will require users to pay for ice time. As I looked at the audiences attending a hearing and a presentation on the facility, I was struck that the hockey attendees were all White (except for one African American couple).

So, in effect, enjoyment of the park free of charge is being taken away from the current racially and ethnically diverse users, and being given to White hockey players who can afford ice time. This is an unacceptable injustice.

Deni Dickler, Creve Couer

Senate Republicans unpatriotically put aside the truth

Anyone who witnessed the testimony of Sally Yates and James Clapper before the

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on May 8, surely realizes that Russia interfered with America’s presidential election in November 2016, and that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was somehow involved. They must realize that the essence of the investigation is a matter of national security. And when it comes to national security, our elected officials should put political partisanship aside and dwell on getting to the truth. However, the Republican members of the subcommittee seemed more interested in identifying the person who leaked classified investigative information to the news media than getting to the bottom of what happened in the election; an act that resulted in Flynn’s Russian connections being made public. Also, a bevy of other Republicans publicly decried these allegations as “fake news,” or nothing more than an attempt to damage the presidency of Donald Trump. Michael K. Broughton, Green Park

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Men’s health retreat June 17 at Better Family Life

The Empowerment Network and Better Family Life are presenting their first healthy men’s retreat on Saturday, June 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Better Family Life, 5415 Page Blvd.

Prostate cancer survivors Mellve Shahid, Sr., TEN president, and Djuan Robinson, BFL director, partnered to make it the first of its kind project for prostate cancer survivors, their sons and the men in the community.

Saturday morning, the men’s health retreat will present four one-hour workshops led by local physicians and fitness professionals. The first session is about prostate health and prostate cancer, by Dr. Arnold Bullock of the Siteman Center for Advanced Medicine. Certified Personal Trainer Coach Lee of Coach Lee Fitness follows with a fitness workshop. Dr. Christopher Ogbuokiri of Concierge Care (Mercy) Hospital will discuss blood pressure, diabetes, STDs and their effects

on total body health and mental sharpness. Chef Gary Lewis and the Beaumont High School Culinary Team will present a well-balanced continental breakfast and a mid-day lunch. He will have a fresh fruit and vegetable display table and will give a short lecture on nutrition from his Healthy Eating Series. In the afternoon, there is a session led by psychotherapist Dr. Ajuma Muhammad that will focus on men’s mental health and stress management. Free PSA testing, blood pressure readings and stress management counseling will be available for all men who attend. The first 50 pre-registrants will be entered into a drawing for a weekend hotel stay. The event will also have door prizes. The event is free to attend and is for men only. To register, call 314-385-0998 or send an email to rjones@tenstl.org.

Why I teach yoga to public school students

By Melinda Oliver Guest columnist

As a St. Louis native, there is one question that I am always prepared to answer upon meeting anyone new in the city: “Where did you go to high school?”

Growing up, I always wondered what the obsession with secondary schooling was all about in St. Louis. Out of all the things you could ask someone, where they went to high school seemed trivial. However, as I got older, I realized that simple inquiry was much more loaded than I knew. Since it would be rude to ask someone: “What’s your socioeconomic status?” or “Are you religious?” or even “What kind of person are you?” St. Louis residents ask: “Where did you go to high school?” By posing that simple question, we can get the answers to all of the questions above in one go.

This is because St. Louis – smack dab in the middle of the United States – is an extremely segregated city. We are split by class and race and draw lines that are so stringent even our school districts and children feel it. The quality of education a child receives in St. Louis is almost entirely dependent on their zip code. The unequal distribution of academic resources between more or less affluent areas is painfully obvious and has historically disenfranchised students of color.

When I realized the disparities taking place in the Saint Louis Public Schools system, I was spurred into action. It astounded me that people were blaming the children – citing fights, class disturbances, and poor attendance as the problem. Few people mentioned the poor retention rates of faculty/staff in inner-city schools, the lack of resources and extracurricular programs or the militarized hallways and entryways. Students in the city were leaving their often highpoverty, high-crime neighborhoods and going into schools that were just as torn.

It seemed apparent to me that St. Louis was not dealing with “bad kids” or “unmotivated kids.” They were dealing with children who were frustrated and children who did not trust the institutions in which they were being educated. School, for a lot of students, is chaotic, uninspiring and not providing the proper training to ensure upward mobility.

As a college student, I did not possess the financial resources to change the system. I did have tools that I use personally to combat stress, conflicts and difficult circumstances: yoga and meditation. I decided that if I couldn’t take students out of their personal situations or schools, I would give them a place inside themselves where they could retreat to in order to feel better and focus, so they could achieve more in school.

I approached Vashon High School’s ninth grade principal, Brenda Smith, and dean of Students,

Samantha Lurie, about the idea in July 2016. In August 2016, Young Yogi Youth Project began. Young Yogi Youth Project seeks to teach teens kindness, healthy coping mechanisms, selfdiscipline, and respect for themselves and others. Through the practice of yoga, meditation and mindful activities, we encourage young people to commit themselves to their own self-betterment and to be kind to others. Yoga has been proven to help with stress relief, decision-making abilities, physical fitness, anxiety and much more. In my classes, we do activities and group work that focuses on building community and self-confidence.

This past school year, the program served 30-45 students one or two times a week during the school day. All the supplies – yoga mats, straps and blocks – were fund-raised and donated by my family and friends and Lurie. Getting the project started did not cost the school or the district any money.

Besides a few male students, Young Yogi Youth Project focused primarily on the female student body at Vashon High School. The program was so well-received that students requested to turn it into an afterschool club where they could stay after school and go deeper into their yoga practice. Currently, I’m working on expanding the program to other grades at Vashon and to other schools. I am actively seeking funding to finance my 200-hour yoga teacher training certification so I can continue to safely and ethically work with students. I am also seeking certified yoga teachers who would be able to assist and work with students in my absence.

If you’d like more information or to contribute to Young Yogi Youth Project, contact Samantha Lurie at Samantha.lurie@gmail.com or Melinda Oliver at maokf9@mail.missouri.edu.

Melinda Oliver is a St. Louis American editorial intern from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Melinda Oliver

Kekaria Steele, 3, sipped on a snow cone to cool off at the recent African Arts Festival.

Keeping cool

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

BAPTISTS

Continued from A1 through Our Commitment to Christian Stewardship.”

Cokley said that members from all 50 states and the Bahamas will travel to worship together, and organizers expect about 30,000 people to participate. The event will be held at the America’s Center and will be feature more than 350 classes, including topics such as ministry to single parents and hip-hop culture and Christianity. There will also be numerous “evangelistic opportunities,” such as volunteering at homeless shelters, he said.

“Bringing Christian disciples to the point of preparation to become committed to strong, faithful Christian service is both the mysterious workings and callings of the Holy Spirit who uses the intentional and obedient actions of the Church through Christian education,” said Rev. Elliott Cuff, dean of National Baptist Congress of Christian Education.

With eight departments and hundreds of classes, Cuff said, “there is something here for everyone.”

The Congress 2017 offers a theoretical and practical study track of the theme by establishing a Discipleship Development Institute. The Institute will consist of five classes to be taken over a five-year period. At the end of the fiveyear period, the students will receive Recognition Award in Discipleship Development.

This year’s Congress also revisits the Marriage and Family Institute offering courses to equip persons to help stabilize families that are in trouble. Students participating in the Family Institute will have the opportunity to receive a Special Recognition Award.

Cokley said that he is also excited to have Samuel Tobert, president of the National Baptist Convention of America International, as a guest speaker. Rev. Sammie E.

Jones, chair of the 2017 Local Entertainment Committee, is looking forward to several events that the convention will bring.

“Our commitment extends to his vision of seeing us transition from a convention to a denomination, in the name of Jesus,” Jones said.

The convention’s kickoff service is Sunday, June 18 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom. On Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. will be the Invitation to Worship Pre-Congress Musical.

The Ministers Wives and Widows Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 1 p.m., at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom. It’s open to all women. The women are adopting four local women’s shelters, where they will donate shoes.

The laymen will also be hosting evangelistic events throughout the week, including providing food for homeless shelters.

iROCK is the Young Adult Explosion worship service, designed for ages 19 to 35. It takes place on June 22 at 7 p.m. at the America’s Center. From the integration of music, dance, drama, and mime to the integration of thematic preaching, to the integration of a live Twitter feed and screen graphics, the worship theme is both moving and inspiring.

There will also be an Oratorical Contest for young people, where the contestants are judged based on their demonstration of intellectual thinking and positive expression. College scholarships are awarded to the contestants with the highest scores. This event will take place on Wednesday, June 21 at 1 p.m.

These are just among some of the many events scheduled throughout the week. For more information, visit http://www. nationalbaptist.com.

“We must learn to love one another and live in peace as much as possible,” Cokley said, “while demonstrating goodness and faithfulness to our lord Jesus Christ.”

A fair police chief

RUZICKA

Continued from A1

Johnny Cash, according to the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center report. Ruzicka could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

According to an internal investigation by Missouri Department of Corrections Inspector General Amy Roderick, the two would insert the “words of the day” into their questions in hearings, confusing inmates. For example, on one day when the “word of the day” was “platypus,” Ruzicka and the analyst were questioning

an inmate about items stolen from a garage. Ruzicka told the offender, “That’s a pretty rare item, like a platypus. How did you know those items were there?”

According to the investigation, when Roderick asked Ruzicka how the use of these words aided in the interview process, he responded that a word like ‘hootenanny’ was something that “assisted with the full body of the complete interview.”

On June 8, the MacArthur Justice Center sent a letter to Governor Eric Greitens requesting Ruzicka’s removal from the parole board. The letter was based on Roderick’s November investigation, which had confirmed that Ruzicka and the parole analyst’s behavior had violated both Department of Corrections policies and gubernatorial executive orders by “failing to conduct the business of state government in a manner that inspires confidence and trust.” Roderick, however, had only issued those findings to the parole board chairman and chief state supervisor for the board, meaning they were not available to the public until the MacArthur Justice Center investigated the issue seven months later.

Aside from the word games and joking around during hearings, Ruzicka and several members of the hearing staff coordinated their outfits, to heighten the comedic nature of the proceedings. “On some days, they wore all black; on

others, they might coordinate ridiculous ties with characters from South Park, a dark and irreverent adult-cartoon show, or animal figures,” the center’s letter to Greitens read.

“The reports of Mr. Ruzicka’s actions were disturbing. Playing games at parole board hearings is unacceptable behavior,” said Governor Greitens in a prepared statement.

It is unknown whether Greitens was involved in Ruzicka’s resignation, and according to the center’s director Mae Quinn, the unnamed parole analyst implicated in the report may still be working for the parole board. “Contempt for fair processes was not only demonstrated by Ruzicka’s outrageous conduct,” Quinn said. “Disturbingly, other parole board members and staff, who were long-aware of these antics, did nothing. Such actions are part of a larger culture of cover-up and disregard for meaningful process within our prison system.”

Quinn said Ruzicka’s actions further support the widespread critiques that Missouri’s prison system and parole board are “one of the least transparent and most problematic in the nation.”

Ruzicka’s resignation was not all that the MacArthur Justice Center letter called for. They also requested that the Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway “audit and report on all of the Parole Board’s activities over the last several

years, including to discern how many board members and staff knew about the ‘Parole Bingo’ games.” About 45,000 parole hearings were conducted during Ruzicka’s time on the board and could have been impacted by his behavior. At press time, the auditor’s office was “not engaged in an active investigation” of this matter, according to spokesperson Gena Terlizzi.

Quinn has contacted the auditor’s office and is hopeful that they will heed their request for an audit of the parole board and that others might join in making that request, she said.

The law firm has sued the parole board four times in the last six months and has filed a federal class action suit on behalf of about 80 young offenders who, they argue, have not been given the meaningful chance at parole they are legally required to have.

The board, Quinn said is “a body that operates in utter secrecy to not just the outside world, but even the individuals who are coming before the board.”

Even after Ruzicka’s resignation, the center’s letter to the governor concluded, an audit of the parole board to investigate other incidents of dysfunction within the board will be a “first step in a much-needed comprehensive reform plan, if Missouri’s criminal justice system wants to stop being seen as a national joke.”

Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police, explains that the St. Louis city community and police department deserve a “fair” police chief to replace Chief Sam Dotson, during a June 8 public forum to discuss the search for a new chief.

Photo by Wiley Price

Continued from A1

and south of Canton Avenue.

MSD is looking at two possible locations in that same area to put the tanks.

Residents don’t like that they had no input, what it may do to property values, or how it may affect U. City’s revitalization efforts along Olive Blvd. And, they don’t like the fact that MSD told them there was nothing they could do about it – the sewer tanks were going to happen.

“The current mayor may not have known about the above ground tanks, but she knew about Project Clear and didn’t say anything to the council about it,” said Ward 3 Councilman Bwayne Smotherson.

Project Clear is a plan to resolve the sewage overflow into its water system that is backing into basements, the River Des Peres and the Mississippi River.

Lance LeComb, spokesperson for MSD, told The American that it is a sewer project, not a flood control project, but it could solve both issues.

“If we do this work, we can take some folks who have had problems with flooding out of the danger zone,” LeComb said.

A $4.7 billion agreement with Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment calls for 23 years of spending projects to improve the wastewater system, he said, due to sewer overflows.

“In terms of this project

WATERS

Continued from A1 Black Caucus.

“It’s an incredible honor to be able to bring Congresswoman Waters back to her hometown of St. Louis for the Freedom Fund dinner,” said John Gaskin, 2017 event chair and NAACP national board member.

“Congresswoman Waters had dedicated nearly four decades of her life to public service and advancing the cause of social justice and economic inclusion for all people across the nation. We need her

in particular, we have three very large sewer lines that run through that area and University City is certainly one of our older communities,”

LeComb said. “It’s a community that has a lot of infrastructure.”

Collectively, LeComb said the two tanks could store more than 9 million gallons of raw sewage.

LeComb said, “The tanks will not be full all of the time. It will only be used during moderate to heavy rainfall.”

MSD considered putting the tanks underground, LeComb said, but it was deemed unsafe from an engineering perspective.

MSD said it has been in discussions with University City officials for two years. However, word about this sewage storage plan never got to Ward 3 and Smotherson, whose constituents would be affected, or to other elected leaders and community residents.

“It was the current mayor and the former city manager,” Smotherson alleged. “The former city manager instructed the staff, based on what MSD asked, to not inform the council, or not inform anybody.”

MSD denied that they told U. City leaders to keep quiet. “It was not a secret,” LeComb said, adding although it wasn’t announced publicly, they didn’t want “unscrupulous buyers coming in” and purchasing affected properties to jack the price up.

University City Mayor Shelley Welsch told the American, “I had no prior knowledge of MSD’s proposal to build above-ground wastewater tanks in University City. My colleagues are saying that

voice more than ever.”

“I’m so pleased to honor Congresswoman Waters with this well-deserved award,”

St. Louis County NAACP President Esther Haywood said.

“She has worked to advance civil rights through substantive legislation that increases opportunities all across this nation and has become widely known as a fierce advocate who won’t back down.”

Jimmy Loomis, honorary general chair and Clayton township committeeman, said Waters has committed herself to the public service of others in the name of equal opportunity.

“Congresswoman Waters’

without any basis in fact. I found out about this plan at the same time all members of council did – which was when we received the information packet for our study session on

life work speaks directly to this year’s theme of Rise Together.”

The St. Louis County NAACP will also honor state and community leaders for their dedication to increasing diversity and inclusion at the annual dinner, which draws more than 700 attendees annually. Award winners and honorees for 2017 include: Hon. Bob Holden, 53rd governor of Missouri, Margaret Bush Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award; Steven and Holly Cousins, Frankie Muse Freeman/Norman R. Seay Commitment to St. Louis Award; Lodging Hospitality Management, 2017 Corporate

University City Councilman Bwayne Smotherson of Ward 3 says MSD’s current plan to put two above-ground sewage storage tanks in a residential neighborhood is not going to work for U. City residents. The tanks could hold more than 9 million gallons of raw sewage.

dozens of U. City residents and elected leaders during its board meeting on June 8. The proposal was not an agenda item.

“Why are you treating University City differently?” asked Ward 2 Councilwoman Paulette Carr. “The St. Ann tank is set back from homes 500-feet, rather than the 100 feet proposed in University City. Hazelwood and Crestwood tanks are in industrial areas and not in residential areas.”

“You have disrespected me, you have disrespected my family and you have disrespected my community and I think it was deliberate,” said Mary E. Weston, a 42-year resident. “I think you saw us as vulnerable and quiet and easy to manage. Wrong answer.”

Resident Aaron Ginsburg said, “We understand that MSD has to use those tanks, but it can be done without disrupting residential neighborhoods.”

MSD reps also met with the residents in a separate conference room to air additional concerns.

“Instead of looking at two, big, massive, above-ground tanks, consider smaller tanks underground in other areas other than University City,” one resident suggested.

“This is where the project needs to take place from an engineering perspective,” LeComb said. LeComb said MSD will have more information and answers for U. City residents on June 20.

May 22.”

Welsch does not want the tanks either.

“I do not support the idea,” Welsch said. “I know of no one in University City who likes

Partner for Diversity Inclusion; Ronald Norwood, partner at Lewis Rice, Medgar Wiley Evers Legal Advocacy Award; The LINKS, Inc., Daisy Bates Commitment to Education Award; and James “Jimmy” Williams, president, Estel Foods, Minority Entrepreneur of the Year. Additionally, the St. Louis

the idea. However, I have heard from a number of residents who have said they understand the need for the tanks.”

For nearly an hour, MSD board members heard from

A public meeting on “Project Clear” by MSD takes place on Tuesday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Mandarin House Banquet Hall, 8008 Olive Blvd., University City.

County NAACP will recognize five Legacy Honorees: Ken Franklin, vice president, Advocacy and Governmental Relations, Bi State Development Agency; Laurna Godwin, president, Vector Communications Corporation; Jason Hall, managing director, Arch to Park Collaborative; Dr. Tina Clark Scott, associate superintendent Normandy Schools Collaborative; and State Sen. Gina Walsh, (D-13), democratic floor leader. General admission tickets are $100 each and VIP tickets are $150 each. For more information, visit http://naacpstlcounty.org/freedom2017.

Photo by Sandra Jordan

Roberts’ North city purchases

‘supremely destructive’

Three key contenders and a nominal Green Party candidate will vie for Mayor Lyda Krewson’s vacated 28th Ward seat on the Board of Aldermen in the July 11 special election.

There’s one black candidate in this race – wealthy businessman and former alderman Steve Roberts Sr. – but his track record for philanthropy to advance the local black community is negligible. In fact, his past decisions have further devastated North St. Louis city, many say.

It’s arguable that the other two major candidates have done more for the black community than the black candidate. The Democratic Party chose Heather Brouillet Navarro, executive director for the Missouri Coalition the Environment, as their nominee in the race. Not only is Navarro a former civil rights lawyer, but she has also been fighting on the front lines to improve environmental conditions for the hundreds of black families who are suffering from the aftermath of the illegallydumped radioactive waste in North St. Louis County. Independent candidate Celeste Vossmeyer was previously the general counsel and secretary to the Board of Commissions for the Bi-State Development Agency (now Metro St. Louis). There, she repeatedly fought to improve conditions for minority bus drivers and workers.

But what about Roberts? Roberts, who is running as an Independent candidate, is currently the chief deputy to St. Louis City Sheriff Vernon Betts. In an interview with the American, Roberts said he was among an “investment group of individuals” who bought up 240 properties in North City under the company Urban Assets LLC around 2008. (Not even his brother and business partner knew he was doing it, Roberts said, and he wouldn’t disclose the names of the other investors.) The properties are almost all within a roughly five-square-mile area between Delmar Boulevard and Natural Bridge Avenue, Grand Boulevard and the city line. Then, nothing. Those properties have sat in decline since 2008. By 2015, Urban Assets had racked up about $300,000 for building code violations, and the company paid about $12,000, according to a 2015 St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. The forestry department sent hundreds of bills to Urban Assets for cutting grass, trimming trees and removing debris on its properties, the report stated. Urban Assets paid $5,000 of the $283,000 in charges.

The city also demolished some of the company’s more dilapidated structures at a cost of $129,000. Owners are supposed to pay demolition costs, but Urban Assets did not, according to the Post report. Roberts said that at some point – a date that he doesn’t recall – he and his partners gave the properties and ownership of Urban Assets away to nonprofit groups. These nonprofits are now responsible for paying all the city’s fines, he said. (How generous.)

In 2015, the Post Dispatch tried to track down the Atlantabased nonprofit that Roberts said supposedly held “all ownership interest” in Urban Assets, and that group vehemently said that they had no

idea what the reporter was talking about. Urban Assets was dissolved in 2015. Most of the lots became LRA properties and are now the city’s burden to maintain.

Regardless of the ownership debate, Roberts was still part of a bad deal that left North city in worse shape than it was in before. How does he think the deal impacted North city?

“I don’t think it had any impact on North St. Louis,” Roberts said.

It was just a case of a group of investors who couldn’t make anything happen given the market conditions at the time, he said, and then “the inability of nonprofits” to follow up behind that failure.

“The great idea was not the right opportunity, but it is now,” Roberts said.

Roberts said that if he was on Board of Aldermen, he would implement a “sevenpoint plan.” The plan includes taking city-owned properties and having non-profits and forprofits renovate them, using unemployed individuals who would be trained on the job. He said this was what he attempted to do before but failed. However, he feels like he could make it happen this time.

State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed said that Roberts may have learned from his mistakes and perhaps would do things differently. But she has a different take on the impact his “bad business venture” had.

“I think at the end of the day it impacted North St. Louis in a major way,” Nasheed said, “and it devastated neighborhoods in that we have vacant buildings on the blocks that are not being developed.”

Michael Allen, founder of the Preservation Research a frequent lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis, argues that Urban Assets’ purchases were “far more destructive” than developer Paul McKee Jr.’s Northside Regeneration.

Roberts’ company targeted a wider geography and purchased primarily on populated blocks, Allen said.

“The damage will take a while to unravel – and leaves buildings worse off and more likely to be wrecked than before,” Allen said. “Property values dropped. Neighbors lived in fear. The Roberts purchases were supremely destructive, but also strategically unfocused. The lack of plan makes this one of the most cynical acts of speculation in North city’s recent history.”

Roberts said that the North city properties shouldn’t be the focus of his career.

“Over the last 25 years, I’ve created 85 companies,” Roberts said. “We have hired more than 10,000 people and trained them and was able to provide the opportunity to do something different.”

However, Roberts’ employees may argue about the opportunity for a better life that he provided. Roberts had ownership in six hotels throughout the country, and they all went bankrupt. The hotel employees were constantly complaining about not getting paid, making them fall behind on bills and their ability to get ahead.

St. Louis city police chief search

On June 8, the Ethical Society of Police, a union mainly made up of black city police officers, held its first public meeting to discuss the search for a new St. Louis city police chief – the vacancy left by Police Chief Sam Dotson’s resignation in April. The challenge of hiring a new police chief is one of many facing St Louis city’s newly-elected Mayor Lyda Krewson. Krewson attended the meeting but remained silent before leaving early.

Heather Taylor, president

of the Ethical Society, said emphatically that the new chief must be fair. She pointed out disparities in promotions for African-American officers as a source of frustration for the union.

Richard Frank, the city’s director of personnel, spent much of his time outlining the process of finding and hiring a new police chief, promising that the process will be different than previous efforts thanks to the mayor’s creation of the Citizen Advisory Board – an ask that came from grassroots organizations – to assist in the decision-making process. That board, appointed by the mayor in late May, is comprised of professionals from organizations such Rise Community Development, Forward Through Ferguson, Civic Progress and Better Together. One gentleman recited the 2015 data gathered by Mapping Police Violence, which points out that the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has killed at a rate of seven times more than the city of Philadelphia in the year 2015. He then asked that the next chief not be chosen from another traumatized city. Repeatedly, concerns were expressed about how open the process will be to the public. Frank said the Citizen Advisory Board meetings are open to the public.

Reddit Hudson, NAACP Regional Field Organizer and chairman of the Ethics Project, chaired the meeting. Hudson’s presentation energized the room, his voice carrying to the rear of the room where the mayor sat for most of the meeting, her face in her notes.

“You have got to find someone who has enough in himself or herself to push back on the rank and file, against the organizational culture,” a culture that looks the other way when bad officers do bad things, Hudson said.

Photo by Wiley Price

Reddit Hudson, NAACP Regional Field Organizer and chairman of the Ethics Project (left), and Richard Frank, the city’s director of personnel, listen to community concerns at a June 8 public forum to discuss the search for a

new St. Louis city police chief. .

Remember Juneteenth

By Jesse Gant, Missouri History Museum Researcher

Juneteenth has a proud history that stretches back to June 19, 1865. On that day General Gordon Granger, the Union commander of the Department of Texas, sailed into Galveston, where he read aloud a copy of General Orders No. 3, which declared slavery’s end. A host of stirring developments were playing out across the country around the same time: The body of Abraham Lincoln had just been transported back to Springfield, Illinois; Confederate president Jefferson Davis and other government officials had recently been captured; and in Texas itself, the state’s final major Confederate force had begun the process of formal surrender.

All these events seemed to unfold relatively quickly, so it is easy to forget how slow and agonizing the days must have played out for those who lived them. Two full days had passed before the Galveston Daily News announced all slaves were free. Even then, hardships for the formerly enslaved continued. The ex-Confederate mayor of Galveston remained in power, and he imprisoned blacks who attempted to flee their masters as Union troops approached. When the troops arrived, they pressed blacks into military service. A moment of jubilee, in other words, this was not.

Still, June 19, 1865, had a profound impact on the generations that followed. Exactly one year later in 1866, Galveston blacks organized the first Juneteenth celebration. The Emancipation Proclamation and the Constitution’s 14th and 15th Amendments were read out loud. Parades featuring bands, militia companies, black Union veterans in uniform, schoolteachers, and sports teams marched through the streets.

But resentments often seethed in the face of such displays. White southerners, mobilized through organizations such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy, led efforts both subtle and overt to displace the holiday as its popularity grew. Some whites referred to Juneteenth by derisive names, and others resorted to more dramatic, violent extremes.

As the holiday continued to spread, so too did recrimination against southern blacks. Juneteenth itself became a target of crackdowns, as mayors and other leaders from Texas to North Carolina worked to end it. Some undermined community efforts in small ways, such as threatening to revoke the food licenses of vendors who sold to festival-goers or denying permits to event planners. Others issued citywide bans on Juneteenth celebrations. In the worst instances, white supremacists resorted to violence.

Within the space of 20 years, black southerners—black Texans in particular—played a leading role in securing Juneteenth’s legacy for the future, even when resentments were particularly high in the late 1800s. Some purchased their own land to host Juneteenth festivities: In 1872 black residents of Houston had secured a fouracre parcel they named Emancipation Park. By 1883 thousands of Juneteenth-goers marched in front of the Alamo, creating a poignant backdrop to the slaveholding motivations behind the

Pattonville students create app for school district

A group of Pattonville High School students have launched an app they created for use by parents, students, staff and community members in the Pattonville School District.

Texas Independence, and later, this country’s Mexican–American War efforts. Photographs of parades in the late 19th century in cities like Richmond, Virginia, also show long lines of marchers.

By the time of Jim Crow, Juneteenth had become commonplace in cities throughout the Deep South, but it received a considerable boost elsewhere during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s when thousands of black activists came together nationwide. Reformers returned to their communities eager to implement new lessons and traditions inspired by the movement. Juneteenth gained steam in the 1970s and 1980s, and Texas made it an official state holiday in 1980.

The tradition of Juneteenth in St. Louis has evolved as well, starting with local media coverage throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, and then huge city- and statewide celebrations in the 1980s and 1990s. Spurred by the efforts of organizations like the National Association of Juneteenth Lineage and the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, the U.S. Congress at last recognized Juneteenth Independence Day in 1997.

Even today Juneteenth is not without controversy, both inside and outside the black community. But few avenues of modern civic life offer an opportunity to connect the past to the present better than Juneteenth. As debates over Confederate monuments and the legacies of Lost Cause history continue to swirl here in St. Louis and elsewhere, Juneteenth brings a chance to confront emancipation’s neglected history anew—and recommit to achieving the founding ideals not fully yet realized in the United States.

Students in Jeremiah Simmons’ Computer Science Capstone class at Pattonville High School have been working since last summer to develop the app. Under Simmons’ direction, the students worked with district officials as clients to develop an app that works on iOS and Android smartphones.

Students in the class who helped create the app are Mustapha Barrie, Kevin Bowers, Keturah Gadson, Ethan Holtgrieve, Mitchell Skaggs, Nathan Skelton, Micah Thompkins and Josh Zahner.

The students used survey data collected by the Pattonville community relations department, along

with their own primary research, to develop an app with features that would appeal to a variety of users.

The students created a communication tool for the district that other school districts have developed using industry providers, usually costing thousands of dollars.

The app features news that can be customized for the user, district and school calendars that can be customized for the user, the ability for a user to add dates from the app to their device calendars or “pin” a favorite event on their app calendar, push notifications, school menus, school flyers, PowerSchool access, Moodle (online learning tool) access, a staff directory, and school and district websites

As of June 1, the app is available for download from the App Store for iPhones or

Google Play store for Android phones.

Computer science courses have grown at Pattonville High School due to student interest – from one class in 2013-2014 to seven sections this year. The high school offers two courses in Project Lead the Way’s (PLTW) nationally recognized computer science program, Computer Science Principles and Computer Science A. This year, the school added Computer Science Capstone class to its offerings, and students can also take an AP (advanced placement) computer science course. Computer science classes were also added to the middle school curriculum and for a districtwide fifth-grade, project-based learning classroom that was piloted at Holman Middle School.

General Gordon Granger, courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Safe Sleep

What parents need to know

I am the mother of five beautiful children and as a parent, I try my hardest to make sure they are safe, happy, and healthy. My husband and I have also lost two children to miscarriage, which was a very traumatic experience for us. I can only imagine the heartbreaking pain a family feels when they lose an infant.

That pain is too much of a reality in our community. There are zip codes in both St. Louis city and county where the infant mortality rate is three-times higher than the national average – and black babies are three-times more likely to die than white babies. We can’t sit by and watch this happen.

Recently, I joined an action team with FLOURISH St. Louis, an initiative working to reduce infant mortality in our region. At our first meeting, I learned that black babies in St. Louis are four times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than white babies. Parents can take preventative measures against SIDS and other sleep-related deaths by putting babies to sleep alone, on their backs, and in their own sleep space. Unfortunately, this does not happen for many families. Too many parents sleep in the same bed with their infants. For some families, it’s tradition. That’s what their mothers and grandmothers did. They may do this to bond with their baby, keep the baby warm, or protect the baby from an unsafe surrounding. In some of our zip codes, parents sleep with their babies to protect them from the violence happening in the neighborhood.

But in reality, sleeping with your baby is extremely dangerous and could lead to death. Often, babies who died in their sleep in St. Louis were sharing

a bed with a family member. Imagine the devastation these parents felt when they awoke to discover their child had died. Maybe if that baby was sleeping in a crib in the same room, they would have survived.

Parents also may share a bed with their baby because they can’t afford a crib. I get this – we were fortunate in that my husband and I had great support from our extended family, and they helped us buy a crib. Through FLOURISH, I recently found out that there are many programs in St. Louis that provide portable cribs and safe-sleep education for families in need. SIDS Resources, SSM Cardinal Glennon, Nurses for Newborns, St. Louis County Department of Public Health, St. Louis City Department of Health, and other local organizations provide these portable cribs for free so babies have a safe space

to sleep until age two.

I got involved in FLOURISH because I want to save babies’ lives. I want our community to know about the resources available to keep our babies safe. We need to create a support system for each other so that families of all races and income levels get to celebrate their baby’s first birthday.

If you are able, consider donating to one of these organizations to help provide babies with a safe place to sleep. If you or someone you know needs a crib, contact SIDS Resources at (314) 2417437 to learn how you can get one for free. You can also read about other important safe sleep practices, like putting babies to sleep on their backs, in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines. No tradition is worth the risk of losing your precious baby.

Rosetta Jackson is a mother and a member of the FLOURISH St. Louis infant health action team. She shared her perspective on a recent webinar about safe sleep, available online at http://www. flourishstlouis.org/baby-boxesinformational-webinar/

‘Being black in America is tough’

By Guest columnists Justin Milner and Steven Brown

LeBron James says “being black in America is tough.”

He’s correct.

We can debate where LeBron James sits in the pantheon of great basketballers. There should be no debate, however, about his role as one of sports’ most insightful figures.

In response to an abhorrent act of vandalism involving a spray-painted racial slur on his house, James offered a thoughtful reflection on the intersection of race and class in America.

“No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being black in America is tough. We got a long way to go for us as a society and for us as African Americans until we feel equal in America.”

Although there are several important points embedded in James” statement, his comment on wealth has attracted the most scrutiny. Is it true that even wealthy black Americans have a tougher time?

The answer is yes.

Just look at a few key indicators in housing, health, justice, and labor.

Wealthy black families are significantly more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods than their white counterparts. In some of America’s largest cities, black families making $100,000 or more a year are more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods than white families making less than $25,000 a year.

Black people are more likely to experience discrimination in mortgage lending. On average, wealthy blacks have higher mortgage rates than their white counterparts who earn the same amount of money. Fictitious mortgage applicants with a black-sounding name are also less likely to receive follow-up contacts by mortgage lenders, roughly the equivalent to a having a credit score reduced 71 points.

High-income black Americans face worse health outcomes. A new analysis of black people making over $175,000 a year found health disparities in 10 of 16 health-related outcomes examined. Collegeeducated black women also have higher rates of preterm

birth than white mothers without high school degrees.

Increased wealth does not insulate black Americans from negative outcomes in the criminal justice system. Children from wealthy black families were shown to be more likely to go to prison than white children from poor families.

Additionally, many famous and wealthy black men have discussed being stopped repeatedly for “driving while black.”

Evidence reveals discrimination in the labor market. Graduates of elite colleges with black-sounding names are less likely to get job callbacks, and black people in the high-end service sector struggle to get ahead because of issues both real and assumed with attracting high-end clients.

Success

can be fragile. Compared with other ethnic backgrounds, black middle-class families experience more downward mobility than white middleclass families. Why is wealth a weaker protector for black Americans?

In general, higher socioeconomic status is associated with better outcomes across

many domains. But for black Americans, it appears income and wealth are a weaker protective factor than for other groups. Why? No single explanatory factor exists, and the reasons are particular to the outcome considered. For instance, redlining has contributed to housing inequalities, and “weathering” has perpetuated health inequalities.

Although LeBron James will continue to be a super-rich basketball deity and he and his family are safe, the symbolism of this act of vandalism is unmistakable. Black families have been subject to the threat of violence through these kinds of warnings for decades—from rocks thrown through windows for moving into white neighborhoods to cross burnings on the lawn. That LeBron James was the target of this crime represents ethnic intimidation intentionally magnified by the moment and his central role in the spotlight of the NBA Finals.

And although we should be dismayed that the act took place, we should appreciate the perspective LeBron brought to the event. He closed his statement with a reflection: “If this incident that happened to me and my family today can keep the conversation going and can shed light on us trying to figure out a way to keep progressing and not regressing, then I’m not against it happening to us again.”

James’ comments are a timely reminder that the legacy of racism in the United States ripples across all levels of socioeconomic security and success.

Guest Columnist Rosetta Jackson

Guest Columnist Steven Brown

Guest Columnist Justin Milner

LeBron James

Scenes from Who’s

Who Diversity in Color, 3rd Edition Book Release and Reception

REVITALIZATION

COMMUNITY

CARE

PEOPLE

Photos by Maurice Meredith

We are facing an epidemic

IN THE ST. LOUIS REGION

Since 2007, the number of people dying from opioid (heroin, prescription painkillers & fentanyl) overdose has skyrocketed. We all know someone who’s been affected.

Overdoses don’t have to happen

Know the risk factors: a period of sobriety, an illness, injecting, mixing with alcohol or other drugs, or any amount of fentanyl.

Overdoses don’t have to be fatal

Naloxone (Narcan®) can reverse an overdose, and is available without prescription at many pharmacies –or for free through the MO-HOPE Project.

Together we can save lives

For more information on overdose risk factors, treatment options, or to get resources to reverse an overdose, visit mohopeproject.org or call NCADA at 314.962.3456.

Cultural imperialism and cosmetic surgery

By Akbar Muhammad Guest columnist

This article is personal for me. I received a call from my daughter informing me that my 27-year-old niece died in the Dominican Republic having surgery to change her physical appearance. She lost her life trying to achieve the appearance of a smaller woman in what is now known and marketed as the “Brazilian Butt.” Unfortunately, she agreed to have three surgeries, including breast implants and a nice little thing they call a “tummy-tuck” (liposuction).

Many people get these procedures done because of low self-esteem and poor bodyimage? However, for black and brown people there is a driving factor that I call cultural imperialism, where a foreign culture imposes its standards on another people and culture.

A new report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveals that Americans spent $16 billion – more than ever before – on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive procedures in 2016.

The truth is some of it, like the liposuction, can be achieved with more disciplined dietary habits and exercise.

Many of our young men and women want a quick fix by going under the scalpel (knife) to surgically alter features inherited from their parents. They gamble with their life.

Much of this is rooted in the lack of self-knowledge, self-

love and accepting how God has made and validated them.

The late Barry White sang it in the Billy Joel song “Just the Way You Are,” where he sang, “Don’t go changing, trying to please me … Don’t go trying some new fashion … I love you just the way you are.” The lyrics appropriately fit what is going on now.

People from all walks of life suffer with this problem.

n It’s a search for validation in a world that has redefined, corrupted and then marketed standards of beauty and cultural expression.

Celebrities like professional Baseball player Sammy Sosa, who is from the Dominican Republic, was not happy with his dark skin complexion and medically lightened his skin tone.

It’s a search for validation in a world that has redefined, corrupted and then marketed standards of beauty and cultural expression. But physical alteration in hope for love, acceptance and validation is shallow and temporary.

Skin-whitening products are widely sold in Africa and the Caribbean. A recent Washington Times reported statistics from the World Health Organization that “roughly 75 percent of Nigerian women, 27 percent of Senegalese women and 33 percent of South African women regularly use skinlightening products.” The article said over half of all cosmetic products sold in India are skin-lightening products. This is what I call cultural Imperialism.

I say to young women and some men, don’t gamble with your life thinking that the change will make you more than what you are.

Some will reject what I am writing. My niece was a beautiful young lady with a 9-year-old son. If my writing on this will save one life, then it is worth it.

I was asked to speak at her funeral service and, Allah (God) willing, I will read this article and hope it will discourage another young lady from going abroad to change her appearance thinking it will make life better.

It is better that you love yourself and live to love and raise your children in self-love, and not try remaking your body to attract a man or a woman or love outside of you.

Akbar Muhammad, the international representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan, may be reached at aakbar314@ yahoo.com.

Guest Columnist Akbar Muhammad

Business

JUNE 15 – 21, 2017

Normandy freshmen reach entrepreneurship competition finals

Two students pitch their product

the Double Backer Packer

American staff

Normandy High freshmen Raheem Larry and Deimon McKinney won second place in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) St. Louis Metro Regional Youth Challenge held May 3 at Saint Louis University and have advanced to the national competition.

Larry and McKinney pitched their idea, the Double Backer Packer. The Double Backer Packer is a two-sided backpack that allows students to carry and separate their athletic gear from their classroom materials.

n “They’re learning how to do research, analysis, public speaking and critical thinking, skills critical to any career path they eventually take.”

– Angela Lewis, director for NFTE St. Louis

Larry said the idea is a solution to a reallife issue he and other student-athletes deal with.

“I came up with the idea after I had to bring two backpacks to school,” he explained during his presentation.

“It was basketball season, and I had to carry practice [gear] in one backpack and my books in another.”

Angela Lewis, director for NFTE St. Louis, could see the progress made from the first Normandy presentation earlier this year to the one given during the regional finals.

“I’m so proud of how far they’ve come,” she said. “They’re learning how to do research, analysis, public speaking and critical thinking, skills critical to any career path they eventually take.”

For the NFTE regional finals, the freshmen had to present a full business plan, complete with marketing data, profit/loss margins, prototype of their product, and long-term business projections to a panel of judges from various corporations including MasterCard, Citibank and Clayco. After the teams presented their plans, the judges asked the students pointed questions about a variety of topics such as their target markets, supply/demand challenges and production costs. McKinney said there were some initial nerves

regional competition at Saint Louis University. Larry and McKinney placed second in the contest and are advancing to the national competition in New York City.

he had to contend with, but once he started talking, he said he just rolled with it.

“This will be my third time presenting this so I’m fine,” he confidently said prior to the competition.

NFTE is fairly new to St. Louis, bringing their unique offering to the region just four years

ago. Its mission is to equip students “with the tools and mindset necessary to prepare them for successful futures in school, college and the workforce.” More than 1,000 students have participated in the program since 2013. NFTE

See NORMANDY, B2

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Alpha Zeta Chapter recently hosted its 7th annual Business Month Awards Dinner honoring outstanding business owners and professionals in the St. Louis community.

Seated: Carita Douglas, program administrator, Thomas Business Enterprises, Inc.; Peggy Lewis LeCompte, national honorary soror; Vanetta Cobbs, chapter president; Katie Wright, national honorary soror; and Tracy Beavers, owner, Le’Fit.

Standing: William Munson, school resource officer, Hazelwood Central High School; Yashica McKinney, owner, Desserts Out The Jar and More; Vetta Sanders Thompson, professor, Washington University; Shonta Smith-Love, owner, Dr. Shonta Smith International LLC; Earlyn Jackson-Reynolds, founder, Thoughtful Living Through Forgiveness; Brenda

Lerone Martin was named one of the 2017 Nancy Weiss Malkiel Scholars by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. He is assistant professor of religion and politics at Washington University. The award is given to 10 leading junior scholars across the nation working in the humanities and social sciences for their research and record of working to eradicate disparities, deep campus service and mentoring commitments.

Rosalind Reese was promoted to program director for the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative at the St. Louis Regional Chamber. She will oversee the administration and coordination of all aspects of the Initiative Fellows Program. The Initiative Fellows Program is designed to address the interest and challenges of professionals of color, and establishes a framework to enhance leadership capacity.

Dr. Robert Lawrence Salter was elected president of Pharmacist Preventing Suicides (PPS). He is a faculty member of Washington University. PPS is a nonprofit organization whose focus is on educating, researching, training, and lobbying health care professionals in saving and improving the quality of life for persons-risk for taking their own lives.

Crystal Martin was selected for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation’s inaugural class of legislative research fellows. She is a counselor at the Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago, and a PhD student of Community Psychology at National Louis University. She holds a BA from Columbia College Chicago, an MA in Counseling and an MEd in Educational Leadership from Lewis University, and a Post Graduate Certification from Harvard University.

Otis Williams received the 2017 Missouri Growth Association Lifetime Achievement Award at the association’s Annual Awards and Appreciation event. He is executive director of St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). Since joining SLDC in 1998, Williams has held leadership roles in several multi-million-dollar developments that have resulted in new jobs, investment, and revitalization in the City.

Carol E. Saucedo was appointed as a business developer for Oculus Inc., in Dallas. She has over 20 years of marketing and business experience. She will be collaborating with the Corporate Marketing team in St. Louis to create and implement new marketing and sales strategies. Oculus Inc. is an architecture and consulting firm with offices in St. Louis and Dallas.

and

Lerone Martin

Otis Williams

Rosalind Reese

Carol E. Saucedo

Dr. Robert Lawrence Salter

Crystal Martin

Obinno Coley (center), entrepreneurship teacher at Normandy High, with his students Raheem Larry (left) and Deimon McKinney at the recent NFTE

Gardner, owner/manager, Another Chance Resale Shop; Shawni Jackson-Triggs, founder/executive director, The Asthma Assistants; Charlotte Owens, franchise owner, HR Block; and Gregory Warren, Buildings and Grounds supervisor, San Francisco Temple.

Not pictured: Keith Clinton Sr., CEO/producer of KC Productions; Wanda Metcalfe-Haynes, event planner and consultant; Paula Smith-Hearn, executive coach, Smearn Consultants; Angelita Jackson, classified manager, St. Louis American newspaper; Tiana Jones, owner/proprietor, A Taste of Luxurie Boutique; Roosevelt Mitchell III, founder/CEO, RMIII Foundation; and Patrice Munden, owner, Patrice Munden Interior Design.

The mission of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., founded in 1929 in Chicago by Lola Mercedes Parker and six of her closest friends, is to unite in a sisterhood qualified business and professional women who will encourage, inspire, nurture, and assist persons engaged in business vocations.

Iota Phi Lambda chapter recognizes local businesses

Give your millennial this all-in-one financial guide

By Michelle Singletary Washington Post

Perhaps you’re a good money manager and you taught your children well. Or maybe you struggle royally with your finances and haven’t passed on good habits. Either way, we parents of young adults tend to think that when our children turn 18 our job is nearly done. They hit 21 and we’re like, “It’s party time.” After that point, you might think that if they make a money mistake, it’s on them, right? Wrong. They will enter a complicated world and face financial challenges that are harder to solve than a Rubik’s Cube. There are just so many ways to get this money thing wrong. So be prepared to stay on parenting duty. You’ll still be needed. With this in mind -- and with graduating season upon us -- many parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles often ask me for a recommendation on a financial book for their newly minted young adult.

This year, I have a new suggestion, which will double as this month’s Color of Money Book Club pick. It’s “Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties” (Touchtone, $16.99) by Beth Kobliner. The author is a financial journalist who first published this book 20 years ago. She has just released an updated version that is an all-in-one guide for millennials.

Don’t rush to buy a home. “The decision about whether to switch from renter to owner involves more than simply comparing your monthly rent to the mortgage payment.”

In 2016, there were an estimated 79.8 million people in the millennial cohort, according to the Pew Research Center. I wonder how many are truly prepared to tackle today’s financial issues. If we go by the many surveys about this generation’s money habits, a lot aren’t ready.

Millennials want what most Americans want -- a home, debt-free living and, eventually, a comfortable

retirement. Yet, when asked, only 49 percent said they have a plan to live out that dream, according to Bank of the West. The survey also found that, in practice, millennials prioritize saving for travel over putting away money for retirement or a home. This makes sense. They aren’t being irresponsible. They’re acting their age. They want new experiences and, in their minds, they have plenty of time to save.

Kobliner knows her audience. She starts with a crib-note chapter for readers who may be intimidated by a whole book about financial stuff.

If you do give this as a graduation gift, tuck a card and some cash in the first chapter. In it, your millennial will find eight financial strategies that Kobliner says will put him or her on a solid path. They are:

• Get health insurance.

“It’ll help protect you if you

have an accident or illness, and guarantee that you don’t bankrupt yourself,” she writes.

• Pay off debt sooner rather than later. “You can usually ‘earn’ more by paying off a loan than you can by saving and investing.”

• Ignore the feeling that you’re too young to start saving for retirement.

“Saving money in a retirement plan is one of the smartest (and easiest) things you can do when you’re young.”

• Maintain an emergency fund. “Have money automatically withdrawn from each paycheck and funneled into an old-school savings account.”

• Invest in low-cost stock and bond index funds outside a workplace retirement plan. Don’t know what these are? Chapter 5 explains investing fundamentals.

• Manage your credit score. “Think of your credit score as the GPA of your financial abilities, a numerical representation of how appealing you are to lenders. Unlike your GPA, however, your credit score is being recalculated all the time.”

• Don’t rush to buy a home. “The decision about whether to switch from renter to owner involves more than simply comparing your monthly rent to the mortgage payment.”

• Pay attention to your taxes. There are things you can do during the year to optimize your tax situation. Also encourage your child to read the chapter on taking financial stock of their life. As we know, many young adults are starting off with record amounts of student loan debt.

“The good news is that if you start paying attention to your finances today, you can set in motion habits that will pay off for the rest of your life,” Kobliner coaches. This is the kind of book that needs an advocate. It’s got all the right information and tools, but without some encouragement, it might just be set aside.

“Get a Financial Life” helps take the burden off you. Kobliner provides the need-to-know stuff. And if your millennial follows even some of the advice, you can worry less about their financial success.

Ameren No. 1 in diversity for third straight year

American staff

For the third consecutive year, DiversityInc has ranked Ameren Corporation first in the United States on its 2017 listing of the nation’s Top 5 Utilities. Since 2010, Ameren has been recognized among DiversityInc’s top utilities for creating an inclusive workplace, supporting the diverse communities it serves and developing strong partnerships with diverse suppliers.

“A culture that strongly embraces diversity and inclusion enables us to better understand and meet the needs of our diverse customer populations, enhances engagement among

NORMANDY

continued from page B1

St. Louis has also recruited a distinguished advisory board which includes executives from a variety of businesses and organizations like Express Scripts, St. Louis University, and Wells Fargo. Larry and McKinney will go on to the national competition in New York City in October. There they will put their business plan for the Double Backer Packer up against teams from across the country. This is the first time Normandy students competed at the regional level.

our co-workers that drives innovative solutions to meet our customer’s energy needs and expectations, as well as recruit and retain the best talent,” said Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation.

“We also believe that providing diverse-owned businesses with an opportunity to partner with Ameren in providing quality goods and services to our customers enhances our service and helps drive the growth of the communities we serve.” Ameren’s employee resource groups reflect the diverse population the company serves and employs, and they provide insight and support of all of Ameren’s

n “We came in 2nd place in St. Louis. We’re going for first in New York.”

– Deimon McKinney

“They’re good kids, I’m so proud of them. They’ve come a long way,” said Obinno Coley, Entrepreneurship teacher at Normandy High School.

“Larry at the beginning of the year, he wasn’t a bad kid, just a little all over the place. Since he started on this project, I haven’t had any problems out of him. He’s been extremely focused.”

diversity and inclusion efforts. These groups, comprising more than 1,000 employees, commit to a mission and annual strategic business plan that supports Ameren’s business goals and objectives, community outreach, and the education and engagement of co-workers. These groups include Ameren Network of Minority Employees; Powering Connections for All Abilities; Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender Employees and Allies Network; MultiGenerational Resource Group; Women Influencing Success in Energy; Ameren MilitaryVeteran Employees; and AGILE (Ameren Group of Integrated Latino Employees), which formed in 2016.

They are months away from the competition in New York City, but Larry and McKinney have already started to brainstorm ways to improve their presentation and their product.

“We’ve got to come up with a better prototype, a website, and more surveys,” said McKinney.

“We’re going to work our butts off,” Larry added.

“We came in 2nd place in St. Louis,” McKinney said.

“We’re going for first in New York.” The first place winner, Nathanael Wheadon, is a senior at McCluer North High School, and will also compete in NYC.

Michelle Singletary

n “To be a part of this, to be a champion and Finals MVP is what you dream about as a kid.”

– Kevin Durant

McCaw earns NBA ring

Former CBC standout helped Warriors win title

Congratulations to St. Louisan Patrick McCaw on becoming the latest player from our metro area to become a National Basketball Association champion. The former CBC standout earned his championship ring on Monday night and helped the Golden State Warriors defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 to win the NBA world title in five games.

Earl Austin Jr.

The 6’6” McCaw played several key minutes and made some big plays in helping the Warriors clinch their second title in three years. The rookie from UNLV looked like a seasoned veteran as Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr went to him early in the game when star players Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson picked up two early fouls and had to sit down.

McCaw responded with a very poised performance on the biggest stage in basketball as he finished with six points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 11 big minutes of action. He scored on a put back and an offensive drive in the fourth quarter, then fed series MVP Kevin Durant for a 3-pointer off a beautiful drive and kick. His savvy and decision-making were remarkable for such a young player who was thrown into the heat of a championship clinching game.

Steve Kerr and the Golden State scouting department knew exactly what they were doing when they engineered a draft-day trade to acquire the 6’6” McCaw after he was taken in the early second round by the Milwaukee Bucks. They loved his shooting, length and intensity on the defensive end.

Courtney Ramey heads to Italy

Webster Groves standout guard Courtney Ramey was recently selected to play with a USA squad at the Adidas Uprising Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy. The 6’4” Ramey enjoyed a good week of competition as he led the camp in assists. Ramey is currently ranked No. 19 in the latest Scout.com rankings for the Class of 2018. Ramey has already committed to the University of Louisville. He will also lead his grassroots team, the Ramey-Jets United 17U, to a spot in the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in Spartanburg, South Carolina in July. Ramey is joined on his Ramey-Jets United team by several other top area players, such as Torrence Watson (Whitfield), Deandre Campbell (Parkway Central), Yahuza Rasas (St. Mary’s), Joseph Reece (Vashon).

“Loyalty is everything.”

How many times have we heard that phrase? It’s been uttered from the block to the board room and from the White House to the housing projects. Loyalty is bandied about in sports, films, songs, books, barbershops and beyond.

Loyalty is almost universally expected demanded…from others. In our own lives though, loyalty is often optional. We’re loyal when it benefits us, strengthens our reputations or makes us feel good inside.

I always get a good chuckle when salty sports fans angrily call players disloyal. Such was the case when Kevin Durant departed the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors. Fans and media personalities used words like “weak,” “soft,” “traitor” and plenty of others that can’t be published in this family publication. People pointed to players such as Magic Johnson Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird as examples of players who spent their entire careers with one team and earned numerous championships along the way. They conveniently forget that in 1981, unhappy with his coach Paul Westhead, Johnson demanded a trade. They also forget that Bryant demanded a trade to the Chicago Bulls in 2007. Neither trade happened because the Lakers balked at trading away its franchise players in both situations. However it wasn’t due to the players’ lack of trying. As far as Bird is concerned, there’s no other name as synonymous with the Boston Celtics, with the possible exception of Bill Russell. Oh wait, didn’t ‘Larry Legend’ coach the Indiana Pacers for three seasons and serve as president of basketball operations for another four years? Does he get a loyalty exemption because Indiana is his

state? Can someone show me

teams in the NBA. However, his legacy is more important than

St. Louis native Patrick McCaw

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Big week for black players – present and future – in Major League Baseball

The biggest story by far in Major League Baseball this season is being authored by a young black man that wears the New York Yankees pinstripes, blasts tape-measure home runs and has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Folks, here come da judge –outfielder Aaron Judge Judge, 25, was hitting an AL-leading .347 with 22 home runs and 49 RBIs after Monday’s 5-3 road win over the Los Angeles Angels. Judge homered late in that game to the delight of his parents, Wayne and Patty Judge, who were in the stands. The Judges adopted him a day after his birth. He has not spoken publicly regarding his race, but he apparently identifies himself as AfricanAmerican for the annual Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) compilation of black players. ESPN’s “The Undefeated” website also lists Judge as one of MLB’s black players.

Post last week, “I’d trade my past for his future.”

That says a whole lot in very few words.

Judge the All-Star teams

Judge’s rookie exploits have also made him the leading vote-getter in All-Star Game balloting – by more than 300,000 votes.

When Tuesday’s tabulation was released, Judge had almost 1.9 million votes, topping Mike Trout at about 1.6 million.

Trout suffered a torn finger ligament and will still be on the disabled list when the game is played on July 11 in Miami. As a result, the AL has a chance to have an African-American starting outfield with Judge being joined by George Springer of the Houston Astros and Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians.

He was in elementary school when he asked his white parents about his heritage.

“I think it was like, ‘I don’t look like you, mom. I don’t look like you, dad. Like, what’s going on here?’” Judge told mlb.com.

“They just kind of told me I was adopted. I was like, ‘OK, that’s fine with me. You’re still my mom, the only mom I know. You’re still my dad, the only dad I know.’

“Nothing really changed. I honestly can’t even remember too much, because it wasn’t that big of a deal. They just told me I was adopted, and I said, ‘OK, can I go outside and play?’”

Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox, another black outfielder, is fifth in votes and could be a starter or named to the squad, as well.

The National League would have one black starter if voting closed this week.

Backed by votes online and fans at perennially sold-out Wrigley Field, Jason Heyward is third in outfielder voting behind vote leader Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies.

n He [Aaron judge] has not spoken publicly regarding his race, but he apparently identifies himself as AfricanAmerican.

To the delight of fans of all colors last Sunday, Judge blasted a 495-foot home run against the Baltimore Orioles in a 14-3 win in Yankees Stadium. “The Judge’s Chambers,” a section of seats where fans don robes and wave gavels, was delirious.

That homer led to Judge being named AL Player of the Week after batting .500 (12for-24) with three homers and six RBIs in six games. He is the first rookie to be the first player to reach 20 homers in a season, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Retired superstar Reggie Jackson told the New York

Heyward has a decent batting average at .258, with five home runs and 27 RBI – and the slimmest lead among players currently holding starting spots. He was just 58,000 votes ahead of teammate Ben Zobrist, and Heyward might not make the team if he isn’t voted in by fans. Matt Kemp of the Atlanta Braves is fifth in outfielder balloting, and he likely will be his team’s representative on the NL squad. In a remarkable comeback season, Kemp is batting .327 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI.

Only 7.7 percent of MLB players are black, and that is reflected in the absence of African-American All-Stars. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, black players easily comprised more than half of the respective All-Star teams.

Speaking of Kemp, he is doing his part in creating young black fans - and possibly future Major Leaguers.

Kemp was host of a Junior Braves RBI camp at Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta last week, and he told the Marietta (Ga.) Journal the lack of blacks in baseball begins with low participation. He was inspired by working with about 150 black children from ages 9-12 at the camp.

“Some of these kids’ dream is to play baseball,” Kemp said.

“A lot of them play football and basketball, but baseball gives you the same opportunities to go to school and provide for your family.”

Campers worked on hitting, base running, throwing and fielding while Kemp gave instructions.

“It was really cool to see

him interact with the kids and actually be in the drills taking ground balls and showing some hitting and throwing skills he had,” said Aaron Quinney, Boys & Girls Club regional youth development specialist.

“It’s really good, because we are really pushing for our inner-city kids to be involved in baseball, and I know that is a passion of Matt’s as well.”

Blacks at top of draft

Last week I wrote I hoped that prospect Hunter Greene would be drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and that wish came true.

What surprised many baseball followers was the Minnesota Twins selecting Royce Lewis, a California shortstop whose father is black, with the first overall pick.

Jo Adell went 10th to the Los Angeles Angels Jeren Kendall (Los Angeles

Dodgers) and Bubba Thompson (Texas Rangers), were also first-round draft picks. MLB statistics show that two-thirds of first-round picks reach the Majors.

Jeff Passan of YAHOO Sports wrote this week that more than 20 percent of firstround picks have been black over the past five years. However, it is rare for the top two picks to be African American. It has happened just four times. Lewis and Greene join Darryl Strawberry and Garry Harris (1980), Brien Taylor and Mike Kelly (1991) and 2003 Delmon Young and Rickie Weeks (2003).

Passan said this year’s draft “reminds anyone skeptical of baseball’s ability to enthrall young blacks that despite its average demographic of Social Security-aged white male, the sport can be every bit as absorbing as its rivals that steal away young talent.

“This is why it’s fair to classify it as a problem. Anyone who believes it isn’t must believe similarly that decades of waning interest from any race, ethnicity or faith wouldn’t qualify as one, either. The standard line of thinking from such troglodytes — You don’t see me complaining about the lack of white players in the NBA — entirely misses the point. It’s not fundamentally about the lack of black players in baseball. It’s that so many aren’t interested in playing in the first place.”

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

Alvin A. Reid

The biggest story by far in Major League Baseball this season is being authored by a young black man that blasts tape-measure home runs and has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. His name is Aaron Judge.

Track and Field noTebook

With Earl Austin Jr.

Local track stars shine at collegiate level

Many big performances last week at NCAA Outdoor Championships

This week’s track notebook will be a collegiate edition as the St. Louis metro area had several athletes who competed at last week’s NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The area was represented well as a number of athletes earned All-American recognition.

• Former Hazelwood Central standout Ashley Henderson of San Diego State earned AllAmerican honors in two events for the third consecutive year. Henderson finished sixth in the 100-meter dash and anchored San Diego State’s 4x100-meter relay team to a fourth-place finish. Henderson also advanced to the semifinals in the 200meter dash. Henderson has been the dominant women’s sprinter in the Mountain West Conference throughout her career. She won the 100, 200 and anchored the 4x100 relay team to first-place finishes at the MWC meet in Logan, UtAH. She was named the Outstanding Women’s Performer of the Mountain West Meet, thus becoming the first athlete to earn that award for three consecutive years. Henderson’s efforts led San Diego State to the Mountain West Conference outdoor championship.

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

MVP awards in Phoenix.

When the G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan decided to un-retire for the second time at age 38, the Bulls took a pass, even though Jordan is Chicago Bulls basketball history and his statue sits outside the United Center. Jordan linked up with the then-lowly Washington Wizards to get on the court. Countless examples exist of NBA front offices trading, releasing or benching players because they feel it is deemed best for the franchise. Beloved players vanish in the twinkling of an eye. Franchises relocate for more lucrative stadium deals and tax exemptions. There’s no loyalty to the fans. (Let’s not even talk about other leagues such as the NFL.)

Throughout NBA history, star NBA players such as Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley Vince Carter Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul have each used their influence to force trades.

Because former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood sued the MLB over an unwanted trade, players in all sports have free agency rights. NBA legends such as O’Neal, LeBron James, Moses Malone Dikembe Mutombo have used free agency to move on from the teams that drafted them.

Durant exercised his right to go to the Warriors. He was present when the SuperSonics left Seattle for Oklahoma City. He was present when the Thunder dealt James Harden over a $6 million dispute. He was present when the Thunder sent Serge Ibaka to Orlando. If he hadn’t left the Thunder, Russell Westbrook wouldn’t be the odds-on favorite to be named league MVP.

TRACK

Continued from B3

Brad Beal Elite is headed to the Peach Jam

The Brad Beal Elite 17U team qualified for the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, which will be held in Augusta, Georgia in July. It’s the most prestigious summer grassroots tournament in the country. Brad Beal Elite flourished in the Nike EYBL regular season with a 13-3 record. They are coached by current John Burroughs head coach Corey Frazier. They feature several top players from the St. Louis area, including Jericole Hellems and Karrington Davis (Chaminade), Kale Catchings (CBC), Shaun Williams (Hazelwood Central), E.J. Liddell (Belleville West), Fred Thatch (Sikeston, Mo.), Jadis White (Chaminade), plus national level players Darius Garland (Nashville, Tenn.) and Francis Okoro (Bloomington, Ill.).

• Former Edwardsville High standout Emmonie Henderson closed out her career at the

It’s unlikely the Thunder would’ve made it out of the West. Even if they did, the Thunder would’ve had a difficult time defeating the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers. He wouldn’t have been Finals MVP. We wouldn’t have had that awesome Nike commercial after the Finals.

Durant made a wise move by not paying attention to us fickle fans. One moment we are ride or die supporters. The moment a player does or says something we don’t like, we turn on them. We make mean memes, write nasty tweets and boo at the top of our lungs.

Durant was loyal to his dreams of being an NBA champion. He was loyal to his competitive spirit by joining one of the best teams in the league and then pushing himself to become the best player on the court. He was loyal to his mother, Wanda, by praising and celebrating with her in front of millions of fans.

He was loyal to his legacy. When it’s all said and done, critics will forget the manufactured reasons for the hate. Durant will be remembered as a champion. If he re-signs in Golden State, as expected, this won’t be the only time.

Ward vs Kovalev II

Speaking of legacies, this week’s rematch between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev will determine a lot about where each fighter goes down in history. Ward (31-00, 15 KO) earned a unanimous decision victory in the first fight back in Nov. He picked himself off the canvas in the second round and went on to narrowly outbox Kovalev. Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KO) and many observers felt that the power puncher did enough to earn a victory in the first fight. Now Kovalev will get an opportunity to prove he is

Area Players Invited to Nike Elite 100

Area Class of 2019 standouts Mario McKinney of Vashon and E.J. Liddell of Belleville West have both been

University of Louisville in style by finishing second in the women’s shot put, which was the best finish in the school’s history in the event. Henderson finished second with an effort of 58 feet 9 ½ inches. Henderson earned Second Team All-American honors in the discus with a 14th place finish. She finished third in the discus as a sophomore in 2015. Henderson has been one of the dominant throwers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She was the ACC champion in the shot put and fourthplace finisher in the discus this spring. As a junior, Henderson won the shot put and both the ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. She was the

ACC Outdoor champion in the shot put and discus as a sophomore in 2015.

• Former McCluer North standout Aaron Mallett of the University of Iowa finished fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles. Mallett finished his career at Iowa as a five-time All-American in the hurdles. Mallett was also the Big Ten Conference champion in the 110-meter high hurdles, an event he won for three consecutive years. He was also part of the Hawkeyes’ 4x100-meter relay team that finished second in the Big Ten.

• Former Cardinal Ritter College Prep standout Charles

Jones of Texas Tech ran a leg on the Red Raiders’ 4x400-meter relay team that finished in fifth place. Jones was also a semifinalist in the 800-meter run. In 2016, Jones was the Big XII Conference outdoor champion in the 800.

• Former Festus High standout Breanne Borman of Wichita State earned Second Team All-American honors by finishing 12th in the women’s heptathlon. Borman was the Missouri Valley Conference champion in the heptathlon and the league’s Women’s Field Event Co-Athlete of the Year.

• Former Cahokia High standout Ja’Mari Ward of Missouri capped off an excellent freshman season by winning the Southeastern Conference title in the long jump. He won the event with a leap of 26 feet 8 ¼ inches on the final jump of the competition. In winning the event, Ward upset Florida’s KeAndre Bates, who won the NCAA title in the long jump last week. Ward was named the SEC’s Field Event Freshman of the Year for his efforts.

• Former Wentzville Holt standout Nataliyah Friar of LSU was a NCAA qualifier in both the long jump and triple jump. During her career with the Tigers, Friar was a twotime All-American.

St. Louis

Trotters

win IBA Championship

Congratulations to the St. Louis Trotters on winning the IBA championship last week. The Trotters defeated the two-time defending champion Kenosha Ballers in the semifinals, and defeated the Windy City Blazers 123-116 in overtime to win the championship. The team members are Milan Pepper, Nico Reed,

Davis, Jerry

Richard

Cameron

the better man. Each man’s strategy is simple. Ward will once again have to rely on his superior speed and boxing skills if he wants to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles and retain his spots as the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world.

invited to the Nike Elite 100 Camp, which will be held next week at Saint Louis University. The camp features many of the top young high school players from around the country.

In order for Kovalev to win, he must maintain effective pressure on Ward for the duration of the fight. It’s very unlikely that Kovalev will win a boxing match. He must seek and destroy Ward. If he hurts him again, he cannot let the champion off the hook. In another matchup between

New coaches around the area

The sidelines of several high school basketball programs will look different during the 2017-18 season with the hiring

two of the best fighters in the world, I believe Andre Ward will emerge victorious once again via decision victory. In the first bout, Ward showed he had the heart and the skill to take whatever Kovalev threw his way. Once he got comfortable in the ring, Ward showed why his record is unblemished. The second time around, I expect Ward to nullify Kovalev’s power for most of the fight and retain his titles once again.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

of new coaches. Corey Frazier is the new coach at John Burroughs after a successful run at Maplewood. Kelvin Lee is now the new head coach at University City after leaving St. Mary’s. Replacing Lee at

St. Mary’s is assistant coach Bryan Turner, who was promoted to the top spot. James Washington is the new head coach at Soldan.

Lonnell Johnson, Willie

Ellis, Jr.,

Hicks, Mike Chandler, Cordell Hadnot, Darrell Adams, Brandon Romey, Kendall Boyd-Hill and

Brown. The coaches are Harold Webster and Marlon Pepper.

Money Smart Student

Congratulations to Josiah Olden, an eighth grader from Pontiac Junior High, who was awarded third place in the Vantage Credit Union Money Smart Kid Essay Contest. Josiah was awarded $500 from Vantage Credit Union, COUNTRY Financial and the Metropolitan St. Louis CRA Association for his outstanding essay response.

Reunions

397-5570. You may also use Facebook , BHS72 Reunion Committee.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-7995296, madeshe@sbcglobal. net.

Beaumont High School Class of 1972 is celebrating 45th class reunion August 11 -13, 2017. Activities have been planned for a fun filled weekend you don’t want to miss. Please direct all inquiries and registration request to Sharon Webb Steele at (314) 757-2799 or Linda Howard at (314)

Cleveland High School is hosting a reunion for all attending 1980-1984 on August 19, 2017 at Catering To You Banquet Center (12775 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033) For information, please contact Babette Perkins-Anderson at 314-345-0939.

Celebrations

Anniversasry

Elder James and Evangelist LaVerne Riney of Emmanuel Temple Church of God thank God for 25 years of marriage on June 20. Our faith, our prayers and love for each other have kept us together!

Hadley Tech Classes of 1962-1963 are having their 55th year reunion on October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. For more information, please contact Hellon (Merritt) Jefferson at 314-307-3681, Ora (Scott) Roberts at 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina (Gibson) Baker at 314-630-9647, Pearl (Tillman) Holden 314-6850466 or Virdell (Robinson) Stennis at 314-773-8177.

Mr. Eldridge Bryant, Sr. is hosting a reunion for his students at Lafayette and Monroe Elementary Schools in SLPS from 19992000. For more information, please contact him at: 314489-0532 or eldridgbrya@ sbcglobal.net.

Birthdays

Celebrating Bro. James Stowers who is 94 years young! He was born on June 23, 1923 in Macon Mississippi to Mr. and Mrs. John Stowers. Thank God for another year of celebration! Love you dad and Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Rosalyn McKissick who turns 69 years old on June 25!

McKinley Goldbugs Class of 1987 is planning their 30-year reunion, July 7-8. 2017. For details please contact Freddie Clemons at freddieclemons568@yahoo. com or go to McKinley Goldbugs Facebook site for more information.

O’Fallon Technical High School Class of 1967, will be celebrating its 50th reunion on September 15-17, 2017. If you have not received a letter or e-mail, please call 314630-8452 with your contact information, and a committee member will contact you. Save the date, there will not be another 50th.

Soldan High School Class of 1967 will be holding its 50th

class reunion September 29-30, 2017. For additional information, please contact Nona Binion Simpkins at 314-361-3799or Melvia Forniss at 314-725-8103.

Soldan is having its 12th All-Class Alumni Picnic August 12, 2017 at Tiemeyer Park, 3311 Ashby Rd., St. Ann, MO 63074 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The picnic is free. Bring your own basket or grill and grill out there. Food truck will be on site. T-Shirts will be sold for $15.00. You have until August 6, 2017, to get your grad. year put on the sleeve. For more information, call (314) 413-9088.

OF

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

James Stowers

Rosalyn McKissick

Religion

‘I can’t believe he is gone’

Rev. Carlton Lee, pastor of Michael Brown Sr., passes from heart attack at 34

By American Staff

“God is not going to judge you by your behavior in heaven. He’s going to judge you by what you did on earth,” Rev. Al Sharpton said as Michael Brown was laid to rest at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in August of 2014. “He will say, ‘when Michael Brown, an 18-year-old boy, laid out in the streets of Ferguson– what did you do? What did I require of you?” Rev. Carlton Lee, senior pastor of The Flood Christian Church, was among the first to take action.

On Tuesday, June 13, Lee, passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack. He was 34.

“Stunned to learn about the death of Rev. Carlton Lee,” Sharpton said via Twitter. “He worked with us as a NAN rep in Ferguson, MO for Mike Brown. I can’t believe he is gone.”

His death was confirmed first to The Root by sources close to the family and later via a post on The Flood Church Facebook page on June 13.

“The pain of dealing with the transition of our pastor is massive,” the post read.

Lee went from relatively unknown man of faith in the St. Louis region, to vocal faith leader in the months of nonstop unrest in response Brown’s death on August 9, 2014 at the hands of a former Ferguson

police officer. He represented the Ferguson chapter of Sharpton’s National Action Network.

He stood by the family of Michael Brown in Sharpton’s stead during press conferences in the weeks that followed.

“We want an arrest, indictment and charges brought against Darren Wilson,” Lee told reporters in front of the Ferguson Police Department in August of 2014. None came to pass, but he stayed committed to what he felt led to do as the Brown family pastor. Lee prayed over and baptized Michael Brown Sr. as the family prepared spiritually for whatever the outcome of the

looming decision as to whether or not St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch would issue an indictment against Wilson.

On the eve of the non-indictment, Lee urged protesters on the stretch of West Florissant near the Canfield Green Apartments where Brown was gunned down to remain calm and peaceful. At the same time he was doing so, his own church on the other side of West Florissant mysteriously burned to the ground.

“The police called me and told me the church was on fire,” Lee told NBC News. “I was in complete disbelief. I didn’t think anyone would set a church on fire.

I feel like one of my children has died. I put my blood, my sweat, and my tears into this church, getting this church built from the ground up.

To see that it was taken down in a few minutes is really heartbreaking.”

Lee was featured in The Washington Post for his work in Ferguson. They also covered the loss of his church’s sanctuary during the height of the unrest.

“This last couple days had just been crazy … Since August the ninth, it’s been real crazy.” Lee told The Washington Post just after the fire. “I’m thankful for life, and for my wife, my children, our parents. ... If I lose everything that I have, but I still have my joy, I have enough to build it all over again.”

The Flood was still in the process of rebuilding, and worshipping at a temporary location further down on West Florissant, at the time of Lee’s passing.

He seemed especially hopeful and optimistic about the future of his ministry in his final Facebook message on June 5 – which sang the praises of his members for “walking into their assignments” with respect to employment, education and spirituality.

“As their pastor, it’s humbling to see them grow,” Lee said of his parishioners. “I’m so appreciative for each and every one of them.”

Lee is survived by his wife Chanel and their five children.

The couple just welcomed their fifth child, daughter Cassiah Royalty Lee, on May 28.

Final arrangements are pending.

Tithing is about receiving

Spiritually Speaking….. I think I have written about tithing at least once or twice and also asked that you remember tithing comes in the form of time and talent as well as money. I can personally remember times in church when tithing was my least favorite part of the service. But as is my way, I have to read and understand things for myself as opposed to taking someone else’s word for things; that is unless that Word comes straight from the Lord. So I’m coming to you today with my interpretation of this tithing thing. And for my purposes let me simply say that my point is made by the phrase “putting God first.” I am convinced that God does not need my money, nor my time and certainly not my meager talents. But I believe He recognizes and appreciates how I use them all, as they are indeed gifts and blessings from Him. Without going into investing your talents and doing unto the least of these is doing unto Christ, the point is God is only seeking a tenth of what He has given to you so that we, you and me – the church, can invest back into His people for His purposes. Again, God don’t need your money. What He expects is for you to put Him first in all that you have, all that you do and especially with the unique gift(s) He’s blessed you with. See, tithing is really not about giving. It is about

receiving. I know that sounds backwards, however, the tithe represents a gift to be received by someone. That’s the point. I guess you could say God’s tithe is His grace to us. Our tithe is our gift given to Him. He just lets us know that the attitude of putting Him first is rewarded. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10. From God’s mouth to your ears. Test me He says. This is one place in the bible that God says I dare you to test me. The tithe is the test as in testimony. I cannot speak for you, but for years, I was unwilling to take this test. The world has a way of clouding the ultimate point of just attempting to tithe with time talent and money. But if you put God first, you will find the time, the money and the opportunity to share our gifts for His glory. It’s all about attitude and perspective. But remember the servant who took the one talent and buried it and simply returned to the master one talent? It was taken from him and given to the one who took His five talents invested them, earned five more and returned 10 to the master. What are you doing with yours?

Rev. Carlton Lee

Corporate counselors support Ferguson Twilight Run

The St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC-STL) was a sponsor for the 8th Annual Ferguson Twilight Run event on Saturday, May 20 with a team of in-house counsel. This year ACC-STL, which serves more than 500 in-house lawyer members in the St. Louis metropolitan and southern Illinois areas, expanded its participation to include a sponsorship and ACC-STL

Team registration. More than two dozen in-house counsel and their families registered to walk and run the Ferguson Twilight Run and then gathered together under the ACC St. Louis Team tent to celebrate with runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels in the vibrant Ferguson community. The ACC St. Louis Chapter partnered with Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., to offer food

and beverages to members and the community. Additionally, the Chapter welcomed this year to the race Veta Richardson, president and CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel. She came all the way from Washington D.C., after spending some time in Dubai working on a groundbreaking arrangement for the establishment of the ACC Middle East.

Financial Focus

By Ana Stringfellow

Phenomenal women

Urban League awards dinner pays homage to ladies making a difference

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Long before “Black Girl Magic” became a hashtag or the inception of Black Girls Rock, Michael McMillan was honoring women who make a difference in their respective walks with his annual Salute to Women in Leadership Awards.

And when he took helm of The Urban League as President and CEO, he brought the awards ceremony with him.

Living It

Creating the classic man

A love of fashion spawns style business for Justin Okosi

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Instead of the typical lazy Sunday morning loungewear, Justin Okosi sat on Washington Avenue decked out in a dapper crisp linen striped suit and loafers.

As the founder of Isoko Image Consulting and Bespoke Tailoring, his fashion choice could’ve been considered as a bit of brand promotion.

But for him, his preferred clothing – and the business it inspired – is about more than just style.

- Michael McMillan, Urban League President and CEO

“Mr. Michael, you are a shining example of what God does when you say yes,” said Grammy winning gospel singer and nationally syndicated radio personality Yolanda Adams as she accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Urban League and Urban League Guild of Metropolitan St. Louis Salute to Women in Leadership Gala.

The four-time Grammy Award winner has been on the world’s biggest stages accepting every award imaginable, but she had genuine sense of gratitude as she spoke to the 800 guests who came to be a part of the annual n “These are phenomenal woman. They work for this community and this country.”

“When a person puts on a suit, there is a certain feeling of empowerment that you get,” Okosi said. “No one can walk up to you and talk to you any kind of way. You demand a certain level of respect. I want all guys to have that – no matter what they do in life.”

His business was birthed out of helping his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother get fresh for his graduation festivities. Okosi became his personal shopper – and even took the friend to see a tailor for the first time.

“He asked me, ‘have you ever considered doing this for other people?’” said Okosi, who works full time as an ophthalmic technician.

He started out with personal shopping. But after connecting with and studying under tailors in Chicago, in two short years he has grown to full service suit design –include measuring, selecting the fabric and lining. Although he can build suits from start to finish, he says he mostly sends the suits to

Conversations in ‘Blue Black’

Chat with Thelma Golden and curator Glen Ligon opens latest Pulitzer exhibition

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

When internationally renowned conceptual artist Glen Ligon came to visit The Pulitzer Arts Foundation with the intention of a showing of his work, he was instantly haunted when his eyes met with Ellsworth Kelly’s “Blue Black.” The permanently installed 28-foot-tall painted wall sculpture spans nearly the height of the space.

“Whenever I walked by it, I kept hearing Louis Armstrong sing ‘what did I do to be so black and blue,’ Ligon said. “So much so that I thought someone was playing it somewhere.” It made him think of other artists that had

used those colors in their works.

“It was one of those off hand comments where I said to one of the Pulitzer staff ‘you can do a whole show around blue and black – with this artist and this artist and that artist – but somebody must have done that. She was like ‘no, nobody’s done that here.’ And I thought, ‘that’s more interesting than filling the space with my own work’.”

Out of what Ligon describes as an “oral hallucination” of Louis Armstrong and the connection of the colors – and what they represent – came “Blue Black.” The exhibition opened at

his tailor connection to be sewn.

And he does it all for an offer no one could refuse.

“No one will ever pay more than $300 for a suit from me,” Okosi promises. “The core value behind the business is that I want the average Joe to be able to wear a quality suit without spending a lot of money. It is a passion project.”

Suiting up is something he’s known all his life.

“When I was younger, my dad always wore suits and he would take my twin brother and me to the tailor with him and we would get measured for suits,” Okosi said.

“I think that’s where it started for me.”

n “When a person puts on a suit, there is a certain feeling of empowerment that you get.”

-Justin Okosi

Originally from Nigeria, Okosi and his family came to the United States as a youngster and settled in Chicago in the late 1990s.

“In Nigeria, people love fashion,” Okosi said. “Every Nigerian thinks they are the best dressed and they are going to be sharp for an event. When there’s a wedding or something, they go get dresses made – they don’t just buy it off of the rack. It’s an unwritten competition – a friendly competition – but everyone is trying to outdo everyone else.”

Artist and curator Glenn Ligon talks with Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, about his curation process for ‘Blue Black,’ which opened this weekend at The Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The exhibition continues through October 7.

Grammy winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams is honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis President and CEO Michael McMillan at the Urban League’s Salute to Women in Leadership Gala Friday night at The Grand Marriott.

Photo by Vincent Lang

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Thur., June 15, 6:30 p.m., The Fox Theatre presents John Legend. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., June 16, 6 p.m., Eta Boule Foundation, Inc. presents a Salute to Fathers/Mentors feat. Gerald Albright. Special guest appearance by Tim Cunningham, comedian James Stephens III, and Denise Thimes. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., June 16, 7:30 p.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre presents Bell Biv DeVoe. 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., June 16, 10 p.m., Back to the 90’s: Twista, Do or Die, & Crucial Conflict Live in Concert. Marquee Restaurant, 1911 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 17, 7 p.m., FUBAR presents Afroman 3108 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketfly.com.

Sat., June 24, 8:30 p.m., Pyso Entertainment presents G-Herbo Live. Lux, 2619 Washington Ave., 63014. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., June 25, 3 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents Its All About The Kidz Concert Come out for King Imprint, Team Rocket, The Lit Kidz, Sponge Bob, and vendors. Mandarin Banquet Hall, 8004 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 6903660.

local gigs

Sun., June 18, 7 p.m., TLT Productions LLC presents #blackboyjoy. Some of STL’s hottest young artists hit the stage to promote men of color in music, entertainment and visionary aspects. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., June 25, 3 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents Its All About The Kidz Concert Come out for King Imprint, Team Rocket, The Lit Kidz, Sponge Bob, and vendors. Mandarin Banquet Hall, 8004 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 6903660.

special events

Sat., June 17, 11 a.m., Sabayet, Inc. presents Juneteenth. Come out for live music, African dancers, pony rides, vendors, and much more. 4000 Maffitt, 63113. For more information, call (618) 977-8191.

Sat., June 17, 11 a.m., Taste of Downtown STL. Allday outdoor festival with neighborhood restaurants, live music, artists, and unique retailers. Kiener Plaza, 601 Market St., 63101. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 17, 12 p.m., Frizz Fest 2017. Natural Beauty Festival To Encourage SelfLove. There will be vendors, food trucks, activities, giveaways, and more. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., June 18, 10 a.m., Juneteenth Holiday Parade & Celebration. Join us in

ART for details.

Featured Event

Back to the 90’s: Twista, Do or Die, & Crucial Conflict Live in Concert. Marquee Restaurant, 1911 Locust St., 63103. See CONCERTS for more info.

saluting father, homelessness awareness, and world Sickle Cell day. Enjoy music, poetry, and a parade. Beckett Park, 4400 Page Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 769-6067 or visit www.sliccce. com.

Sun., June 18, 1 p.m., Secure Entertainment presents Soul Fool Sunday Poetry & Open Mic. Gourmetsoul Restaurant and Catering, 1620 Delmar Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Wed., June 21, 6 p.m., United Career Fairs invites you to St. Louis Career Fair. Meet with the hiring mangers from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Double Tree Hotel Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information,

visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., June 22, St. Louis County NAACP 81st Freedom Fund Leadership Dinner: Rise Together. St. Louis Ritz Carlton Hotel, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, visit www.naacpstlcounty.org/ freedom2017.

Fri., June 23, 9:30 p.m., Sofrito: The Afro Latin Dance Experience. Lucha, 522 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., June 24, 9 a.m., Operation Food Search’s Shop Out Hunger Day. Volunteers will be staffed outside of more than 120 grocery stores collecting nonperishable food items and

(217) 369-5936.

Wed., June 28, 1 p.m., Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. presents the 2017 SYNLOD College Fair. St. Louis Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, email ncaldwell@maryville. edu.

July 5 – 7, “This Is Hunger” Free National Exhibit. Come on a compelling journey into the lives of everyday Americans, and gain awareness about who struggles with hunger and why. United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Rd., 63141. For more information, visit www. thisishunger.org.

comedy

June 22 – 24, Funny Bone St. Louis presents Kountry Wayne. 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone. com.

June 22 – 24, Helium Comedy Club presents John Witherspoon. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, call (314) 727-1260.

donations that will stay in each area’s community. For more information, visit www. operationfoodsearch.org.

Sat., June 24, 9 a.m., Women Walk to Empower. Be a hero and help a deserving woman achieve her goals by joining us for a 1.5 mile walk. Those who register for the walk can nominate a woman to receive this cash award. Spanish Lake Park, 12500 Spanish Pond Rd., 63138. For more information, visit www.eventsabovetherest. com.

Sat., June 24, 10 a.m., CREF presents A Listening Session. To address abuse, neglect and juvenile offenses for juvenile justice change. Greater St. Mark Church, 9950 Glen Owen Dr., 63136.

Sat., June 24, 11 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., Omicron Theta Omega Chapter presents Pink Pizzazz Jazz Brunch: Pearls in Paris. Featuring Donald Gill & Smooth Jazz. Norwood Hills Country Club, 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, call

Mon., June 19, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Victoria Bruce with Jim Kennedy to discuss Sellout: How Washington Gave Away America’s Technological Soul, and One Man’s Fight to Bring It Home. 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. Mon., June 26, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Cleve Jones, author of When We Rise: My Life in the Movement. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

Thur., July 6, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Don Winslow, author of The Force. Based on years of research inside the NYPD, Winslow presents a story of greed and violence that reveals the tensions between the police and the diverse citizens they serve. 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.org.

Sat., July 8, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Roxane Gay, author of Hunger. Explore what it

St. Louis Art Museum presents A Conversation with Andre Leon Talley. See

means to be overweight in a time when the bigger you are, the less you are seen. 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131.

Wed., July 12, 7 p.m., Left

Bank Books hosts author Joanna Dee Das, author of Katherine Dunham: Dance and the African Diaspora Das examines how Dunham struggled to balance artistic dreams, personal desires, economic needs, and political commitments in the face of racism and sexism. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., July 13, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Edward Moore, author of The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues A paradoxical marriage brings together the people of Plainview with Blues guitarist Eli Walker, who once vowed to never set foot in the town again.

Wed., July 19, 7 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents The Making of an All-American City: East St. Louis at 150. Hear from the book’s contributors about this collection of insightful essays that cover East St. Louis’s turbulent history. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thur., June 15, Rwandan Artist Ishimwe Bertrand Ishimwe Bertrand is an amazing young man from Kigali, Rwanda. His story is tragic, yet triumphant. Knox Gallery, 2214 Big Bend Blvd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 669-9977 or visit www.knoxgalleryfineart.com.

Fri., June 23, 5:30 p.m., Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad Opening Reception. Join Photojournalist Jeanine Michna-Bales as she discusses her historical journey along the underground railroad The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, call (314) 241-7057.

Sat., June 24, 2 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents A Conversation with Andre Leon Talley. The former editor-at-large for Vogue magazine will bring his legendary style savvy to discuss his insights on the intersections of contemporary menswear and fashion history. 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. slam.org

Sat., June 24, 9 a.m., Loop Arts Fest 2017 – Chalk the Loop. Accomplished artists and novices of all ages are invited to create their own chalk masterpieces on the sidewalks of the Delmar Loop. For more information, visit www.visittheloop.com.

Thur., July 16, 6 p.m., Good Journey Development Foundation cordially invites you to Art in Our World Beauty Ngxongo is an exceptional artist from South Africa and will demonstrate the wonders of Zulu Basket Weaving. Exodus Art Gallery, 5075 Delmar Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. goodjourney.org.

lectures and workshops

Sat., June 17, 1 p.m., Are You & Your Child Kindergarten Ready? Join Dr. Carletta Washington for tips on making sure your child is ready to succeed in their first year of school. Gateway Wellness Associates, LLC, 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 555, 63117. For more information, call (314) 3978757.

Sat., June 17, 3 p.m., H.S. Seniors: 5 Tips for Parents. Join Dr. Carletta Washington for tips on making sure your student’s last year is less stressful for them and you.

Sat., June 24, 10 a.m., The Free Lance Economy and Starting a Home Based Business. An informative session with experts who will give you insight into building your own home business. Diner’s Delight, 1504 S. Compton Ave., 63104. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Mon., June 26, 2:30 p.m., Bilingual International Assistant Services presents Resilience and Strength: What We Can Learn from Refugees. A panel program to illuminate refugee stories. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Tues., June 27, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center Legal Clinic. Join us to discuss contracts, operating agreements, types of legal entity, etc., that will be beneficial to the growth of your business. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., June 28, 5 p.m., The Professional Organization of Women invites you to The Modern Woman’s Balancing Act: Health, Career & Relationships. Panelists will provide insight on ways to implement a balancing act. Edward Jones, 12555 Manchester Rd., 63131. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., June 28, 6 p.m., Left Bank Books and St. Louis Public Library present Reflections on Race & Justice. A Conversation with Carol Ruth Silver, Harper Barnes, and Aaron Layton. Moderated by Dr. Sandra Weissinger. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

theatre

June 17 – 23, Opera Theatre

St. Louis presents The Trial. It’s strange enough that Josef K finds himself arrested on his 30th birthday — stranger still that no one seems able to explain why. Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd, 63119. For more information, visit www.opera-stl.org.

Sat., June 17, 10 a.m., St. Louis Hamilton Workshop with Andrew Chappelle.

Director Ron Himes. The Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris Stowe State University, Tickets are available at www.theblackrep. com, 314-534-3807, or pick them up at our box office located at 6662 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130.

June 23 – 24, COCA presents Disney’s The Lion King Jr The African Savanna comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters on their journey from Pride Rock. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www. cocastl.org.

Through July 2, Stages St. Louis presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Follow the ragsto-riches story of Joseph, his eleven brothers, and the miraculous coat of many colors. 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, visit www.stagesstlouis.org.

Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www.sites.stlmag.com/events.

Sat., June 17, 11 a.m., Brittany Hill presents Sweat. An energizing 60 minute heated flow fueled by hip-hop beats. Yoga & Chill turned up a few notches. Modern Healer Studio, 1908 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 24, 6:30 a.m., The Epilepsy Foundation invites you to Seize the Day 5K. Join us as we raise funds to continue the fight against seizures. Kirkwood Park, 111 S Geyer, 63122. For more information, call (314) 781-4949 or visit www.SeizetheDaySTL.kintera. org/2017.

Andrew will teach participants a song and dance combo from the show and host a question and answer session. JCC Creve Coeur, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

June 17 – 23, Opera Theatre St. Louis presents The Trial. It’s strange enough that Josef K finds himself arrested on his 30th birthday — stranger still that no one seems able to explain why. Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd, 63119. For more information, visit www.opera-stl.org.

Through June 18, The Black Rep closes its 40th Anniversary Season with a revival of the hit musical Crossin’ Over. Conceived and directed by Black Rep Founder and Producing

July 7 – 16, First Run Theatre presents Dreaming in Black and White. In 1963 Virginia, dreams and fears collide when Pearlene, a black caretaker, is hired to help care for Sonny, a white man with heart disease. 726 LeLand Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www. firstruntheatre.com.

health

Sat., June 17, 7:30 a.m., The Empowerment Network and Better Family Life present the Healthy Men’s Retreat A day of health, nutrition and mental health information and counseling. 5415 Page Ave., 63112. For more information or to register, call (314) 385-0998 or visit www. theempowermentnetwork.net.

Sat., June 17, 8 a.m., St. Louis Magazine presents the 2nd Annual Be Well STL Boot Camp. We will motivate women to continue or adopt healthy lifestyles with workout classes, speakers, and a marketplace. Westminster

Through July 9, Small Business Majority’s Missouri Healthy Business Healthy Community Workplace Wellness Challenge, FREE communitybased competition where small businesses in southwest Missouri l compete against St. Louis area businesses to win special prizes, which will be awarded at the end of the competition and provided by local sponsors. Visit http:// smallbusinessportal.org/ benefits/wellness or call 314718-0377 to register.

July 5– July 7, 7 p.m. nightly, Southern Mission Baptist Church presents a Three Church Revival, Wednesday, July 5, Southern Mission Baptist Church with Bishop Arthur Jones, 8171 Wesley Ave., Kinloch, MO 63140; Thursday, July 6, Liberty Community Worship Center with Pastor Jason Durham, 11221 Larimore Rd., Spanish Lake, MO 63138; Friday, July 7 First Missionary Baptist Church of Kinloch with Bishop John Mitchell, Jr., 4400 Parker Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. For more information, call (314) 521-3951.

Left Bank Books hosts author Joanna Dee Das, author of ‘Katherine Dunham: Dance and the African Diaspora.’ For more information, see LITERARY.

STYLE

Continued from C1

Once he was able to pick his own clothes, for the most part Okosi dressed like the average child and teen. He let off a bit of shiver as he spoke of arriving in the United States for the first time during a bonechilling Chicago winter capped off by a blizzard wearing a t-shirt, denim jacket and shorts. But he rediscovered suits while a sophomore at Southern Illinois University –Edwardsville.

“That’s when I realized fashion is important to me and the way I present myself really matters,” Okosi said.

Finding the right fit

He has since made it his mission to help men navigate through the process of building the perfect suit and accessorizing accordingly.

“The biggest mistake men make is buying a suit off the rack,” Okosi said. “A lot of men go thinking, ‘I’m a 38R I’ll go pick out a 38R suit and I will be good.’ Not the case. It wasn’t made for him. It was made for a broad range of guys in a certain size category and a certain length.”

He says even if a storebought suit is taken to the tailor for alterations, there’s only so much that can be done as far as achieving the perfect fit.

“There’s a great feeling that comes with putting on a suit you know only you can wear,” Okosi said. He looks to the pristine manner of dress that was the norm during the days of the Harlem Renaissance for inspiration.

“They were fresh every time they left the house – no matter where they were going or what they were doing,” Okosi said. Okosi believes that regardless of profession or personal style, a gentleman should have at least a couple of suits in the closet.

Navy is the best bet for beginners.

“To me, a navy blue suit is the most powerful suit you could ever wear,” Okosi said.

“You can wear in the summer, spring, fall and winter. Navy blue is number one, then gray and then black. If you can only pick one, make it the navy. You can dress it up; you can dress it down by taking off the tie and unbuttoning the top button of your shirt.”

He says that black, brown and cognac dress shoes are also suit wardrobe essentials. He keeps it simple with his shirt selection.

“Me personally, I wear a lot of white, because I want the suit to speak for itself,” Okosi said. “I want my shirt to be the least busy as possible – and white is my go to. And as far as ties, you have an endless range of combinations based on the look you are trying to achieve.”

As he offered tips, he made it clear that he’s not interested in making carbon copies that reflect his fashion sense for clients. He tries to get to know the individual so that he can help them develop a style all their own.

“Style is something personal. You make your style what it is,” Okosi said. “It doesn’t matter if someone else likes it. If you like it and you look good in it wear it.”

For more information on Isoko Image Consulting and Bespoke Tailoring, visit www. isokoic.com.

WOMEN

Continued from C1

gala. And her remarks were of encouragement for the women she shared the evening with – and of gratitude to those who made the night possible – Friday night at the Grand Marriott.

“You all are here – giving up your time, money and talent,” Adams said. “And all of the beautiful women whose work was honored before Ms. Freda and I, man, the work that you all do on a daily basis – you change the world…one child, one invention, one smile at a time.”

Fellow Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, singer Freda Payne (best known for her R&B and Pop hit “Band of Gold”), were joined by fourteen other women from St. Louis and around the nation to be celebrated for their professional and community endeavors.

“I am humbled to be on the same stage as these ladies,” Payne said. “You are the brick and mortar of the country right now.”

Among the annual event’s 2017 honorees included Urban League Guild Member Michele Brown; SLATE (St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment) Young Adult Workforce Division

each honoree has her own station of keepsakes that are later personally delivered to her home.

“All I can say is, ‘Wow, what did I do to deserve all of this,’” Payne said as she accepted her awards.

The bliss was palpable among the honorees, who sat at a first table that nearly ran the length of the ballroom.

“This is all so amazing,” Prince said just before each of them was individually called on stage. “I still can’t believe it.”

Three generations of her family were there to cheer her on.

“And today’s my birthday too!” Prince said with a smile as big as the room.

When it was time for them to be recognized for their contributions, each woman was personally escorted to the stage as a brief biography was read by nationally renowned actor and voice-over talent Richard Gant.

Manager Dr. Alice Prince; retired educator and media personality Peggy Lewis LeCompte; Cathy “Mama Kat” Daniels, who fed more than 5,000 activists during the Ferguson unrest; Broward County (South Florida) Urban League President and CEO Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh and Senator Jamilah Nasheed.

“We are born to serve,” Adams said. “Those of us in the room who understand ser-

the Pulitzer this weekend and continues through October 7.

“It’s a work that has been a part of all of our exhibitions, but has never before has it been a feature,” Pulitzer Arts Foundation Director Cara Starke said.

“It’s a work of symmetry and formal precision, but it’s composed of two colors that have incredible symbolic resonance outside of our gallery as well.”

More than 50 pieces by 40-plus artists explore the color scheme literally, figuratively and abstractly throughout the exhibition.

Race, identity, power, music and so much more framed within black and blue are explored through the artwork of artists such as Carrie Mae Weems, Lynette YiadomBoakye, Kerry James Marshall, Lyle Ashton Harris, Andy Warhol, Joan Mitchell, Kara Walker, David Hammons and Ligon himself.

Curation as composition

As part of the opening festivities, a capacity-crowd listened intently as Ligon and

Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, engaged in a fascinating conversation on the process of building “Blue Black,” this past Saturday morning.

“Thank you to the entire team at The Pulitzer for inviting Glenn and I to do something that we basically do every day – which is to talk to each other,” Golden said.

“It’s also a great pleasure for me, because having watched the process of Glenn having this idea – coming here and imaging what it might mean to make an exhibition that responded to, reacted to and was inspired by this magnificent piece behind us has been a great joy.”

It was billed as a conversation, but Golden told the audience that the talk would comprise of her asking questions about the journey from the ghost of Louis Armstrong’s voice in response to Kelly’s massive piece, to the compelling exhibition that came out of it.

A highly, well-spoken and eloquent conversation starter, Golden left no stone unturned. Their 30-year friendship made the transitions and ebb-andflow of the talk all the more mesmerizing.

“He’s enjoyed this incred-

vice, we are the richest ones.

Once you give, God is obligated to give back to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and runneth over.”

As always, The Salute to Women in Leadership is a glamorous, elegant affair. A red carpet is literally rolled out for each woman and they are showered with personalized gifts – which are displayed for guests walking in to see. In addition to a custom plaque,

ible career of these amazing set of objects that have just opened up so much space when we talk about painting, conceptual work and when we talk about the way in which artwork can live as fully identifying itself around profound issues and profound ideas,” Golden said.

“Glenn is one of the best curators I know. Now he won’t own that. I can see him giving me a bit of a side-eye with that comment.”

“I just know how to steal,” Ligon shot back. As a subject matter expert, Golden rightfully heaped more praises on Ligon with respect to his knack for curation.

“He has a curatorial practice that is an artistic practice – and this exhibition is a deep manifestation of that,” Golden said.

Ligon said after being challenged to create the exhibition, he went about creating a “fantasy football team” list of artists keeping three sets of ideas in mind based on the words blue and black.

“The first one was ‘blue black,’ the title of the Ellsworth Kelly, and thinking about work that mostly keeps those colors separate but using them in combination,” Ligon said.

Then there is “blueblack” together as one word. These works blur the distinction between blue and black.

The final was “blue-black.”

“There was an interview where Obama talked about introducing his African father to his Midwestern grandpar-

The evening culminated with a mini concert serenade to the honorees R&B veteran Howard Hewett.

“These are phenomenal woman, McMillan said of the honorees. “They work for this community and this country. They give back, they help others and they make a difference in their personal and professional lives.”

ents. Obama is sort of laughing and saying ‘he was African, African … you know, blueblack’.”

For African Americans, it’s a way to describe people from the African continent. Those words describe a sort of ethnic identity.

Work that fits in that category are Kerry James Marshall’s “Policeman” it’s a black figure and it’s actually rendered in black paint.

You have the dark, dark, dark skin and the blue of the policemen’s uniform.” After he established the categories, he went about how he could break the rules he had made.

“I’m not a curator, but I play one occasionally,” Ligon said. “It’s sort of like writing an essay. You have to work out the right words to go in the right place – otherwise the sentence doesn’t make sense. I’d say to myself, ‘that’s an amazing work, so what’s the right place?”

We should be grateful that the Pulitzer has commissioned Ligon to guest curate this exhibition. He has given us a thoughtful, provoking, interesting project.

Blue Black Curated by Glenn Ligon will be on display through October 7 at The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd. For more information and programming related to the exhibition, visit www.pulitzerarts.org or call (314) 754-1850.

R&B and jazz veteran Freda Payne was nearly overcome with emotion upon being showered with gifts as she accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award at the Urban League’s Salute to Women in Leadership Gala Friday night at The Grand Marriott.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

St. LouiS american Career Center

POLICE OFFICER (TRAINEE)

This is a Police Officer (Trainee) position with the St. Louis Police Division. Incum-

bents perform duties to patrol a specific area to protect life and property and enforce laws and ordinances using tactful and courteous treatment of the public and conscientious and efficient performance of duties. The Police Division is a 24-hour per day, seven days a week service; therefore, work involves shift, weekend, holiday, and overtime assignments.

CLIENT ANALYST

HS Diploma. Conducts interviews, orientation sessions for applicants seeking assistance through Section 8. Process changes in client status to vacate, evictions, inspection action notifications, voucher issuance, program terminations, contracts, lease agreements, inspection requests, income changes, interim reviews, housing assistance payment adjustments and/or withholdings. Good communication skills and ability to deal with the public. Must type 30 wpm. Starting Salary $35,251 Annually. Apply or send resume to: St. Louis Housing Authority, HR Division, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106 by 5:00 p.m. June 16, 2017 via our website www.slha.org or email athomas@slha.org. A Drug Free Work Place/EOE.

ADVOCACY SPECIALIST FULL TIME

Advocacy Specialist needed immediately

to protect legal rights of persons with disabilities in accessing disability-related services. Experience with Vocational Rehabilitation or mental health services preferred. Requires Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related human services field. Typing 60 wpm.

Position located in Overland, MO. Usual starting hourly wage, $14.91-$16.83, based on experience.

Send resume, references, writing samples, and college transcripts to Mo P&A, 925 South Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Must complete application and take general competency and typing tests. Call 866-777-7199 for appointment.

Individuals with disabilities and minorities encouraged to apply. We value diversity of culture, personal experience with disabilities, and other life experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice.

Applicants must be twenty-one years of age at the time of filing the Employment Application. United States citizen. High school diploma or equivalent. No prior police or law enforcement experience is required. Applicants must possess and maintain a valid Missouri driver’s license while employed by the City of St. Louis. Applicants must meet eligibility standards for licensing as a peace officer, as determined by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Peace Office Standards & Training (POST) Program.

Bi-weekly rate of pay for a Police Officer (Trainee) is $1,539.00. For Police Probationary Officer, the annual rate is $41,815.28.

To apply, visit the City web site at http://stlouis-mo.gov/jobs. Additional information concerning the Police Officer (Trainee) process can be found on the St. Louis Police Division’s website at http://stmpd.org.careers.shtml Or contact:

City of St. Louis Department of Personnel 1114 Market Street, Room 700 St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 622-4308

Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number are received to fill the anticipated vacancies. Applications can be submitted on the Internet. Please submit Employment Application as soon as possible.

Position requires City residency within 120 days of completion of the initial working test period. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

PART-TIME

FLORAL DESIGNER:

Do you enjoy working in a fast paced environment and love working with people? If so we are looking for you! Wade Florist, St. Louis, Missouri is seeking an experienced Floral Designer. Needed 12-15 hours per week. For more information, please contact Ms. Barbara B. Harris and or Mrs. Toni Sanderson @ 314-385-4800

The Gatesworth is HIRING Full-time Housekeepers Full-time Houseman/ Floor Tech Days, Evenings, and Over-nights

Please send your resume to recruiting@thegatesworth.com.

SENIOR SCHEDULER

BS CS/Engg+exp. in Oracle apps. Project Controls Group, St. Louis, MO. Apply at www.projectcontrolsgroup.com

PART-TIME

FLORAL DESIGNER:

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

Cardinal Ritter College Prep has an opening for a School Bus Driver. If interested, visit our website at www.cardinalritterprep.net/employment-opportunities/.

ANALYST

St. Louis Development Corporation has an opening for an Economic Development Financial Analyst who

advertising, marketing, and promotional activities to enhance the image of the Art Museum, and to increase attendance, membership and donations. Project management and administrative skills are also essential. For a complete description of the position, visit http:// www.slam.org/AboutUs/employment. php.

NORTHWOODS PUBLIC WORKS LABORER

City of Northwoods has a position in public works to perform skilled and semiskilled tasks related to maintenance of park grounds, municipal facilities, special event implementation, code enforcement for vacant/delinquent properties, etc. Individual must have proven supervisory experience, a current drivers license, ability to read/ interpret equipment operations manuals. Applications due by 5 p.m., June 22, 2017 to 4600 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods, Mo. 63121. Call City Hall 314-385-8000 for details/directions.

JOB OPENING ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Do you enjoy working in a fast paced environment and love working with people? If so we are looking for you! Wade Florist, St. Louis, Missouri is seeking an experienced Floral Designer. Needed 12-15 hours per week. For more information, please contact Ms. Barbara B. Harris and or Mrs. Toni Sanderson @ 314-385-4800

WEB CONTENT

WRITER

The Missouri Historical Society seeks a Web Content Writer. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details. An Equal Opportunity Employer

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Firefighter/Paramedic. Apply at www.richmondheights.applicantpro.com/jobs/ by Wednesday, June 28th. EOE

NORTHWOODS POLICE

DEPARTMENT

is now accepting applications. Applications can be obtained at 4608 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods, MO 63121. Applicants must be P.O.S.T. Certified to apply for this position.

St. Louis Community College (STLCC) is a multi-campus district comprised of four campuses and six satellite locations. More than 3,000 full and part-time staff, faculty and administrators and 500 student employees are employed by the college. At St. Louis Community College, we expands minds and changes lives every day by offering high-quality educational experiences leading to degrees, certificates, employment, university transfer, and life-long learning. Additional information is available on the College’s website at www.stlcc.edu.

STLCC is currently seeking applications for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor – Human Resources. This position plans, organizes, directs and controls the development, administration and strategic direction of the Human Resources department and its programs for the district; promotes, directs, implements and coordinates equal employment opportunity and diversity and inclusion. This position also serves as a member of the College’s Leadership Team. The College offers a comprehensive benefits package and endless opportunities for enrichment, both professional and personal.

Application Process: All candidates must complete an online application at http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/5879.

EO/AA/VET/Disability Employer

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Application for the position of Adminisrative Assistant at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar Blvd. are being accepted. Please call the church for an application and further information (314.531.6390). Or email your request to: galileedelmar@aol.com

SPECIALIST

PSA Policy Reporting

Responsible for providing client / customer support for the department’s operational functions. Performs complex non-routine policy transactions for our Primary Worker’s Compensation, Commercial Auto, General Liability, Excess Liability and Specialty Line products in support of our corporate goals. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Feed 6,500 people this month! Food Pantry, located in Olivette, needs volunteers. Looking for adults (18 and older), Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To inquire, contact Chelsey at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST

The

Issue

AFTER DEADLINE

For more information, contact Cassandra Coulter at 618-646-7110, ccoulter@eslha.org or visit www.eslha.org. TDDY 1-800-545-1833 ext. 471.

ESLHA reserves the right to cancel the IFB reject any or all bids, and waive minor informalities for bidders as deemed necessary by ESLHA and the public’s best interest.

ESLHA is a fair housing and equal opportunity employer.

Submitted by: ESLHA

Mildred A. Motley Executive Director

Notice

Request for Proposals for Soil Remediation and Grading Next NGA West St. Louis, Missouri

LCRA Holdings Corporation

LCRA Holdings Corporation will receive sealed bids for Next NGA West Soil Remediation and Grading, located at the 97-acre future location of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in North St. Louis. The work required for this opportunity includes removal and proper disposal of contaminated soil, asbestos abatement, universal waste disposal, building demolition, clearing of trees and underbrush, the removal of abandoned utilities, underground storage tanks, streets, basements, foundations, and completing the final grading of the site.

There will be a mandatory Pre-Bid Conference held: Tuesday June 20th, 2017 at 2:00 PM Vashon High School - Auditorium 3035 Cass Ave, St. Louis, MO 63106

Proposals will be received at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (Attention Peter Phillips), until 3:00 PM on July 7th 2017, at which time all bids will be publicly opened. The full invitation, relevant dates, and all other documents related to this opportunity may be downloaded at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/project-connect/nga/soil-remediation-and-grading.cfm

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St Louis County Department of Human Services is seeking Homeless Services Program consulting proposals for the use of Continuum of Care (CoC) Planning Grants. Consulting services are to address improving the effectiveness of the CoC Coordinated Entry system, developing the capacity of the CoC to evaluate projects, engaging stakeholders in generating more successful applications for funding projects that meet the needs of homeless populations, and developing new strategic action plans..

This Request for Proposal seeks a vendor under CoC Planning Grants I and II to provide consultation services June 26, 2017 through October 30, 2018. Proposals are due June 21, 2017 at 2 PM CST. Please visit http://www.stlouisco.com for more details.

CITY OF WELLSTON INVITATION TO BID

The City of Wellston is accepting sealed bids from qualified firms for two separate projects: (1) an asphalt overlaying of four street segments and (2) the demolition of four derelict structures. Bid packets may be obtained from Wellston City Hall, 1414 Evergreen Ave., 63133, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, starting Wed., June 7, 2017. ALL completed bids MUST be received no later than 12 noon, on Tues., June 20, 2017. The public bid opening will be held on Wed., June 21, at 6::00 pm at city hall. Proof of business license, bonding and insurance are required in the bid. Minimum 10% Section lll compliance is mandatory to be selected the winning contractor for the street activity. These projects are funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to Title 1of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect. The City of Wellston reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If you have questions, please contact jann.trigg@gmail.com.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 402, New Flooring in Forest Park Library Entry Level, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time June 27, 2017. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5015.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals for the CITY OF DELLWOOD - STREET IMPROVEMENTS 2017 will be received by the CITY OF DELLWOOD, St. Louis County, Missouri at the office of the City Clerk, City of Dellwood, 1415 Chambers Road, Dellwood, MO 63135 until 11:00 am CST on July 5, 2017 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after said time will be returned unopened. All bids shall be submitted in TRIPLICATE in an envelope marked “CITY OF DELLWOOD - STREET IMPROVEMENTS 2017”.

The proposed work includes the furnishing of materials, tools, equipment and labor necessary for work on twenty-five streets consisting of asphalt overlay, wedge course, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk replacement, driveway apron replacement, selective full depth replacement of pavement, in accordance with the plans and specifications and other items identified in the contract documents. Contractors shall bid on all schedules. The contractor is responsible for all items of work necessary to complete the project.

Copies (Printed and/or Digital) of the plans and specifications may be obtained starting on Monday, June 12, 2017 from WEIS DESIGN GROUP upon completion of a Bid Document Request Form and a non-refundable fee of Sixty Dollars ($60.00) per set (payable to Weis Design Group). Contact Weis Design Group as follows: Weis Design Group Phone: 636-207-0832 16296 Westwoods Business Park Drive Email: wdg@weisdesigngroup.com Ellisville, MO 63021

Each bid must be accompanied by a cashier’s check or certified check, or a Bid Bond executed by the BIDDER and an approved surety company and payable to the CITY, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the sum total of the base bid.

Not less than the prevailing hourly rates of wages that the higher of State or Federal Wage Rates shall prevail, or determined by court on appeal, shall be paid to all workers performing work under this Contract. The DBE goal for this letting is a minimum 15% of the total contract amount.

All BIDDERS must meet the MoDOT requirements as a CONTRACTOR prior to bid opening in accordance with the Missouri Standard Specification Book for Highway Construction and Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) Standard Construction Specification Dated 2009.

A Performance Bond and Payment and Materials Bond are required. No trainee hours are required under this contract.

The City of Dellwood hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry, or national origin in consideration for an award.

In accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, and the Missouri Prevailing Wage Law, the Contractor will be required to comply with the wage and labor requirements and to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedule of wage rates established by the United States Department of Labor and the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, respectively. The highest rate between the two (Federal and State) for each job classification shall be considered the prevailing wage.

No bid may be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The City will only concur with awarding the contract to the “lowest, responsive, responsible bidder”. The bidder, having examined and being familiar with the local conditions affecting the work, and the contract, contract documents, including the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission’s “Missouri Standard Specification for Highway Construction, 2011” and most current supplement, and “Missouri Standard Plans for Highway Construction, 2009”, and “Standard Construction Specifications for Sewers and Drainage Facilities Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, 2009” for all storm water control, and their revisions, and the request for bid, including appendices, the special provisions and plans, hereby proposes to furnish all labor, materials, equipment, services, etc., required for the performance and completion of the work. All references are to the Missouri Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, as revised, unless otherwise noted.

Bidders are informed that pursuant to Section 285.530, RSMo, as a condition of the award of any contract in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), the successful bidder shall, by sworn affidavit and provision of documentation, affirm its enrollment and participation in a federal work authorization program with respect to the employees working in connection to the contracted services. Successful bidders shall also sign an affidavit affirming that it does not knowingly employ any person who is an unauthorized alien in connection to the contracted services (E-Verify).

Missouri law, 292.675 RSMo, requires the Contractor and its subcontractor(s) to provide a ten-hour occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) construction safety program (or a similar program approved by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a qualified substitute) for their on-site employees (laborers, workmen, drivers, equipment operators and craftsmen) who have not previously completed such a program and are

BID REQUEST

Most Holy Trinity Catholic School and Academy is requesting bids to operate its foodservice program for the 2017- 2018 school year. Most Holy Trinity Catholic School and Academy serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks to approximately 140 students. Meals are served Monday thru Friday, and follows the USDA Federal School Lunch guidelines set by DESE. Interested companies may visit the school on June 22, 2017 at 12:00p. In order to view the cafeteria and ask any questions. Proposals will be due Thursday, June 29th at 3:00pm. The school address is 1435 Mallinckrodt, St. Louis, Mo. 63107.You may contact the principal, Jessica Kilmade at (314) 231-9014 or principal114@archstl.org.

BID REQUEST

La Salle Middle School is requesting bids to operate its food service program for the 2017–2018 school year. La Salle serves breakfast, lunch and snacks to approximately 120 students, Monday through Friday, and follows the USDA Federal School Lunch guidelines set by DESE. Interested companies may visit the school between June 5 and 25 in order to view the cafeteria and ask any questions. Proposals will be due Friday, June 30th at 3:00pm. The school address is 1106 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 631036. You may contact Sherida Williams at 314-531-9820.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 401, Greenhouse Renovation, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time July 6, 2017. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5015.

MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING: June 16, 2017, 8:00 a.m. at “C” Tower 4th Floor (C-410)

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure Microsoft EA SharePoint Server Software. The District is proposing single source procurement for this software under an Enterprise Agreement already acquired through CDW-G. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on July 13th, 2017 to contract with a company for: Hauling Services - Yards.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9003 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol- itan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00am July 28, 2017 for: Roof Replacement at Grand Glaize Treatment Plant

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com - click on “MSD At Work”, then “Bidding on Proj- ects”. The bid document will be identified as 8999 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 768-6314 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

t o Renovate H3 Ward, Building F, Hearnes Forensic Center, Fulton State Hospital, Fulton, MO Project No. M1619-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, Until 1:30 PM, 6/29/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for Parking Structure Rehabilitation & I m p r o v e m e n t s , Fletcher Daniels S t a t e O f f i c e Building, Kansas City, Missouri, Project No. O1615-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/6/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE

SEALED BIDS to Replace 13th Floor Roof, Jefferson State Office Bldg, Jefferson City, MO, Project No. O162701 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/29/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

AVAILABLE FUNDING OF FOOD, SHELTER AND ENERGY PROGRAMS

United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc. has been notified by the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board that the U.S. Congress has awarded the funding of a national allocation to supplement existing emergency food, shelter and energy programs. These funds have been made available through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. St. Louis City, St. Louis County and Jefferson County in Missouri and Madison County, Monroe County and St. Clair County in Illinois have been selected to receive an award for Phase 34 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in these counties. Phase 34 funding applications will only be accessible to organizations via the United Way of Greater St. Louis website www.stl. unitedway.org beginning JUNE 12, 2017. Click on “AGENCY HQ” and scroll down and click on “Learn More About Funding Opportunities” to view eligibility requirements, deadlines, and additional information on the Emergency Food and Shelter program application process.

Only nonprofit organizations that currently provide emergency food, shelter and energy assistance programs are encouraged to apply.

BID REQUEST

KCI CONSTRUCTION REQUESTS

SUBCONTRACT PROPOSALS FOR THE MSD LOWER MERAMEC PUMP STATIONS FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT. PROPOSALS ARE DUE IN OUR OFFICE BY 10 A.M. ON JULY 18, 2017. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING IN OUR OFFICES AT: 10315 LAKE BLUFF DRIVE, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63123. 314-894-8888. A PRE-BID MEETING WILL BE HELD IN OUR OFFICE AT 3:00 PM ON JULY 6, 2017. KCI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Need a quote? E-mail your Ad to Angelita

and

of Three Second Floor Apartments, until Monday, June 19, 2017, at 5:00 pm CDT. Proposals will be accepted at FiCON, Inc.’s office at 10630 Midwest Industrial Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63132, (314-427-4099), by mail, fax (314-427-6646), email (seisenbeis@ficoninc.com), or hand delivery.

Plans and Specifications can be viewed at FiCON, Inc.’s office planroom, OR by contacting Cross Rhodes Reprographics at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 (314-678-0087), OR electronic drawings can be obtained by contacting FiCON, Inc. at (314-427-4099), or seisenbeis@ficoninc.com .

Visits to the site can be arranged by contacting FiCON, Inc. or by attending either of the Jobsite Open Houses, held on Tuesday, June 06, 2017 and Wednesday, June 14, 2017 between 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm CDT. All Are Invited.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws including MBE/WBE/DBE policies. All MBE/WBE/DBE entities are encouraged to submit proposals for the project. FiCON, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmation Action Employer.

INVITATION TO BID

Ferguson-Florissant School District District Wide Fire Alarm Inspections (Annual)

LETTING #8645

TERMINAL 1 BAGGAGE CLAIM DRIVE TO TICKETING DRIVE STAIRCASE at St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 27, 2017 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference,limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

Call Angelita at 314-289-5430 to place your rental/real estate ad today!

Fulton Treatment Center, Fulton, MO, Project No. H1603-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/13/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

A just alright J. Cole. I had been waiting for this show since winter – and so was everybody else who bought out the whole venue in a matter of minutes. We all were eager to see what J. Cole would do when he scaled back to an intimate setting. The last time he was in town, he sold out the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre with his “Forest Hills Drive” tour. He probably hasn’t played a venue the size of The Pageant since he came through The Loft wearing a dreadful Hunter Club by J.C. Penny long sleeve polo as part of Hot 104.1’s Next Up series back when nobody knew who he was. I almost didn’t know who he was when he took the stage Tuesday night because he came out looking like a low-key stray Bob Marley offspring. If I’m being honest, I was a bit underwhelmed with the show – mostly because he did the doggone thing when he was at The Fox and the venue formerly known as Riverport, but partly because he didn’t do “Crooked Smile.” And I don’t believe he did “Be Free” either, which hurt my soul. I know the “Dreamville” disciples are going to come for me something vicious for admitting that this was his most regular performance to date, but it must be said. Keep in mind that I hold him to a different standard than the run-of-the mill rapper. The energy from the crowd was on ten, though. And while most of the handful of acts from his Dreamville label that opened up the show were pretty regular, that Ari Lennox was the truth! And I got quite the cackle from the one rapper who shaded Lil Uzi Vert

Scream switches to SoSo Summer. Jermaine Dupri and his daddy Michael Mauldin have been giving incentives for the kids to keep their grades up and stay on top of their chores off-and-on for the better part of two decades by way of the Scream tours and their various revivals. The latest incarnation to skip through The Lou was the SoSo Summer 17 tour. The show had appearances by Da Brat, JD and Bow Wow, but the main attraction was the tween and teen standouts over the last few seasons of “The Rap Game” – which is essentially a hip-hop “American Idol” that caters to the kids and airs on Lifetime. I am old enough to be a grandmother to everybody up in there except Da Brat and J.D. – including the parents and adult chaperones – but I can’t say that I didn’t have a cute little time. I had never heard of a single soul of the ten or so rising rappers to hit the stage, but the little fifth- and sixth-grader fan base got their life and knew every single word. I was cool with Bow Wow’s bite-sized performance snippet, but really would have loved to have seen more of Da Brat on the mic. I know the show was for the kids … but still. I was expecting to have to be nice (because we are dealing with kids) in my rundown, but a couple of the mini-rappers have legit flow. That girl Deetranada was the best of them. Miss thing did a whole set with no backing track vocals and a freestyle that will make you give her props. In other words, she was serving more than quite a few of our favorite grown folks blazing the charts right now.

Sexy grandpa goes to The Gallery. I never got the hype about internet sensation Irving “Mr. Steal Your Grandma” Randle – maybe because I know plenty of men of a certain age drenched with swag. Either way, social media went nuts over him last year. Based on the size of the crowd for the “Reloaded” rebranding party for The Gallery by Troy (formerly known as Troy’s Jazz Gallery) they have long been over it. But he was really sweet (no pun intended) and personable. Stopping through also gave me the chance to chop it up with Larry and Becky Blue and show some birthday love to Gina Cheatham. And just when I was going to charge the evening to being a loss, Eric Rhone and his crew came through and quietly stole Irving’s shine as a prime example that age is nothin’ but a number when it comes to slaying the game. The Nupes really did their part as far as supporting the night and keeping it from being a complete bust.

Dust paid to the Dutchess. I stopped through The Marquee three times to try to have something nice to say about the latest Sunday day-to-night party, but from late afternoon, early evening to nighttime nobody was really checking for a chance to see Dutchess from VH1’s “Black Ink Crew” in the club. I heard the meet and greet she did on Monday at Black Pearl was quite nice though. I’ll bet the Marquee folks weren’t worried, because they are getting ready to clock some serious wins over the next few weekends thanks to a couple of batches of celebrity guests and performances.

Pink and green at Blue. The ladies of the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha were looking especially pretty for their day party extravaganza Sunday afternoon at Blue. I’m sure I looked hot, but they kept it super cute with their pink and green patio tents. It wasn’t packed to the gills as the typical AKA affair, but I still got my life from watching sorors from across the generations celebrate sisterhood together. I also peeped a few of the newly made AKAs stroll in – namely Angelia Bills of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Pink and green looks good on you girl!

Fair U. City full of fun. For the second year in a row I made it my business to get to Fair U. City at Heman Park – and once again, I’m so glad I did. My schedule was so tight that I couldn’t stop through until Sunday, but I got there just in time for the band The Dirty Muggs to do what they always do. That band is consistent – and has a following more faithful than national acts and their fans love them to death. I’m so glad I carved out some time for it. I’m especially grateful to Fair U. City for making me realize that I’ve officially come to a place where my nerves and my bladder are no longer reliable enough for me to take on the thrill seeking rides. But all of my people were glad to be back in the name of old fashioned carnival fun.

Derrick and Belicia moved date night up a few hours to arrive at the day party on time Sunday @ Blue

Erica, Kay and Meredith chatted it up during the AKA Day party Sunday @ Blue Dine + Lounge

Melanie, Robin and Lynn swapped stories about the good old days during their Beaumont High School 30-year class reunion

Ron and Cassoll came to party Saturday as Somethin’ Blue presented The Gallery by Troy with the best of 90’s Rand B and Hip Hop

Mark Anthnoy, Becky Blue, Irvin Randle and Larry Blue as they celebrated the rebranding of The Gallery Saturday night

Shaylah helped Kiesha kickoff her all weekend long birthday celebration on Friday @MOOD

Cory and Jackie came out to show their support for St. Louis performing artist at “Word Up” on Tuesday

John and Bianca chilled and enjoyed good conversation on Sunday afternoon @ Blue

Sunday’s midafternoon heat wave couldn’t keep Portland and Yolanda from Fair U City @ Heman Park

Vincent and Chanel enjoyed a “just because” night on town Saturday @ The Gallery

Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow and Da Brat were met with a standing ovation when they provided the opening performance for SoSo Def’s SoSo Summer 17 Tour last Wednesday at The Peabody Opera House.

Photos by V Lang and Teddy Blackett