June 15th, 2023 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

A celebration of Black fatherhood

Dear Fathers an outlet for African American dads

By Danielle Brown St. Louis American

Dear Fathers, an online media platform, is designed to promote stories, news, and information about Black fathers. Its goal is to allow them to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Leading to Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, the organization will host an event Saturday, June 17 to “honor 15 Black fathers, while also fostering networking, fellowship, and community at Anew Rooftop in St. Louis.

“There’s not a lot of spaces for Black men and Black fathers,” Jesse Alex, co-founder of Dear Fathers said.

“Doing something that’s in a positive light and making people feel seen and heard through this

See FATHERS, A6

Events throughout the region

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

A year ago, 22nd Circuit Court

Judge David Mason was joined by hundreds of St. Louisans as he unveiled the Freedom Suits Memorial, located at the Civil Courts Building on 10 N. Tucker Street in St. Louis, Missouri. His work to investigate files on many of the hundreds of “freedom suits” he found in the basement of

n Juneteenth will be celebrated throughout St. Louis and St. Louis County during the weekend of June 17-19.

where he worked led to the memorial – which was made its debut on Juneteenth of 2022.

“I thought about the all-white

male jurors who more than 100 times said to the slave owner, ‘Sorry, this slave is free. The evidence – the truth – says it,’” Mason said, receiving a roaring standing ovation.

Mason will deliver the keynote address during the third annual Juneteenth Caribbean Heritage Festival: Missouri Gateway to Freedom and Justice on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cricket Field in Forest Park.

Panel to discuss issues facing health care workers

St. Louis American Staff

A select panel of respected health care leaders will discuss some of the many important issues facing the critical challenges of our health care workers.

Rebeccah Bennett of Emerging Wisdom will moderate the panel, comprised of: Bethany JohnsonJavois, president and CEO, Deaconess Foundation; Ciearra Walker, president and CEO, St. Louis Community Health Worker Coalition; and Dr. LJ Punch, BRIC Director and trauma surgeon.

The group of panelists will have an engaging and informed discussion about the importance of self care, unlearning behaviors that have not been conducive to healthy growth, taking care of those who take care of us professionally and personally, and how we pass down these lessons to those coming up in the future.

The panel discussion will lead off the program at the Thursday, June 22nd Salute to Health Reception. Following the panel discussion, nine high-achieving, dedicated professionals will be honored.

Dr. Michael Ward will receive the 2023 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Award. He recently retired after 48 years of service most recently at the Barnes Jewish College, Goldfarb School of Nursing with BJC HealthCare. Angelleen Peters-Lewis, vice president and chief operating officer of BarnesJewish Hospital, is the 2023 Stellar Performer in Health Care.

Another five outstanding, dedicated

See SALUTE, A7

NAACP Town Hall addresses deadly police pursuits

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. The St. Louis American

A community gathering held Tuesday evening at the Omega Center on Goodfellow Blvd. was accentuated with sobs, condolences, accusations, explanations, outrage and frustration.

A St. Charles resident stood to give his testimonial. After four words, his tears flowed.

“My son was killed…” Composing himself, he began again. “He lost his life because St. Charles police were pursuing someone with a $500 fine. My son was killed over $500!”

The presidents of the St. Louis City and St. Louis County NAACP, Adolphus Pruitt and John Bowman respectively, hosted the town hall meeting on police pursuits. Some have turned deadly, alterSee POLICE, A6

Photo by Dawn Suggs / St. Louis American

The Dellwood Juneteenth celebration will return on Saturday, June 17, at the Delwood Recreation Center.

Rita (right) of Rita II Girlz Creations welcomes residents to her booth during the 2022 event. Her colorful booth caught the attention of A.J. Jones (right) and her son Ryan (center).

Left to Right: AJ Whitfield, Ricky Hughes, Jesse Alex, Lamar Johnson Jr., and Brad Edwards of Dear Fathers, a premiere media platform designed to promote stories, news, and information about Black fathers.

Photo courtesy of Dear Fathers

Bethany JohnsonJavois

Anita Baker feuds with Babyface over his online stans

Anita Baker is feuding with Babyface after accusing some of his supporters of internet bullying her.

The ruckus started on May 10 when Babyface was scheduled to appear as a surprise guest on tour with Baker, and issued an apology.

“I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at @PruCenter,” he tweeted. “I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety. My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.”

As expected his fans were upset about the debacle and attacked Baker online in return.

Baker sounded off on Twitter on Monday, June 12, asking Babyface to speak up and control his fans.

“Kenny’s Crazies are online Bullies,” she tweeted. “@Babyface Please call off, your fans. I have been Only Kind and Supportive, of You, as the Special Guest/Support, on My

Tour.”’ She followed up with another tweet confirming Babyface was in fact her supporting act in response to the people who criticized how she referred to his role with the tour.

“Yes, Babyface is Special Guest/Support Act, on My Tour,” she tweeted. “This False Narrative, of A Co-headliner is creating Unrealistic Expectations & Aggression, from his fans towards me,” she wrote. “He should tell you guys the Truth.”

LHHATL star Ariane Davis arrested for attempted assault and harassment

“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star Ariane Davis was apprehended for attempted assault and harassment after reportedly fighting another woman inside a Manhattan hotel early Monday morn ing.

Davis, 44, supposedly got into a physical alterca-

tion with a 33-year-old woman in the Moxy Times Square at 4:55 a.m. Her attorney says it was a “domestic” dispute. The unidentified woman had scratches on her neck, suffered injuries to her hands, but refused to seek medical attention.

Davis was arrested at the hotel and was arraigned at Manhattan criminal court on one count of attempted assault and one count of harassment. It was revealed during the court appearance that the two women live together and are in a relationship together.

“I’ve spoken to the victim and she did state that she did not want a full temporary order of protection, that she is not in fear of her safety,” prosecutor Stephan Millan said. “However, given the relationship with the party, the fact that the defendant already confessed to hitting the complaining victim, that she did hit the complaining victim, the people are requesting a full temporary order of protection,”

the prosecutor said. Judge Soma Syed issued the temporary order of protection and released Davis. Her next court date is July 26. Davis appeared as a supporting cast member on the first six seasons of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” due to her association with Mimi Faust, one of the series’ main cast members.

YFN Lucci offered plea deal, could spend 17 years in prison

Reports say rapper YFN Lucci has been given a plea deal by the DA. The deal would result in him being behind bars for 17 years if accepted.

He’s charged with multiple crimes including manslaughter, racketeering, and six counts of aggravated assault. He’s currently incarcerated for RICO charges stemming from a 2021 drive-by shooting. The situation led to the death of James Adams. While Lucci is said to have not killed Adams, per Georgia law he is held accountable as an accomplice. Lucci was one of several people charged in Atlanta for the crime.

Sources: HotNewHipHop.com, Today.com, Yahoo.com, NYPost.com, CNN.com

YFN Lucci

Ariane Davis

“Medgar Evers gave his life for his country.”

- Myrlie Evers on her husband’s assassination 60 years ago

Noted scholar Dwight A. McBride joining WashU faculty

Inaugural Gerald Early Distinguished Professor

St. Louis American staff

Dwight A. McBride, a leading scholar of race and literary studies, and president and University Professor at The New School in New York City, will join the faculty of Washington University in St. Louis, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. His appointment is effective Aug. 15. McBride will be the inaugural Gerald Early Distinguished Professor, with an appointment in the Department of African and African American Studies in Arts & Sciences. He also will serve as a senior advisor to the chancellor.

“I am thrilled to be joining the WashU academic community,” McBride said in a release.

“I look forward to supporting Chancellor Martin’s ambitious vision for the university in all the ways I can. And what a moment to be working with my colleagues in African and African American studies to continue to build on the strengths of that wonderful department.

Martin said McBride’s “reputation as both an intellectual and an academic leader is unsurpassed.”

“I could not be more pleased that he is bringing his immeasurable talents to St. Louis [and] look forward to working closely with Dwight in his role as senior advisor to the chancellor. I know our students and faculty will be deeply enriched by his presence in our academic community.

McBride, who has served as president of The New School since 2020, is known for his academic achievements and his innovative, interdisciplinary approach to university leadership. He has written numerous books and edited volumes exploring race, Black studies, sexuality, and identity politics. He is a two-time Lambda Literary Award winner and in 2003, was awarded the Monette/Horowitz Trust Achievement Award for research combating homophobia. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities have all supported McBride’s research.

Illinois at Chicago.

Prior to his presidency at The New School, McBride served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University. He has also held leadership roles at Northwestern University and the University of

Feng Sheng Hu, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor, said McBride “brings to WashU a truly impressive record of accomplishments as a leader and scholar of race and literary studies, and I know his collabo-

rative style and academic expertise will help elevate WashU’s work in this area.”

“[McBride] represents a modern-day renaissance scholar and is one of the foremost intellectuals and thought leaders in the country,” said Shanti Parikh, chair and professor

of African and African American studies and professor of anthropology, both in Arts & Sciences.

“Dwight is simply a delightful person whose warmth, wit and charisma fill the room. His expertise will be invaluable as we begin to build a graduate program in global Black studies, and his appointment is a tremendous opportunity for Washington University as well as our region’s intellectual community.”

WashU has the academic distinction, the resources, and the leadership to continue its rise from excellence to eminence, and I look forward to being a part of that important work. And on a personal level, I could not be more humbled to be the inaugural occupant of the Gerald Early Distinguished Professorship, named not only for one of the most prolific and important scholars in my discipline, but also one of WashU’s very own,” McBride said. A native of South Carolina, McBride earned a bachelor’s degree in English, with a concentration in African American studies, from Princeton University, and a master’s degree and PhD in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Help

(Courtesy photo)

Guest Commentary

White drivers are released from a stop with only a warning or no action 83.9% of the time. Black drivers just 66.1% of the time.

More worry for Black parents in Missouri

By Nimrod Chapel Jr.

The ability to obtain a drivers license has for a long time been a rite of passage and a doorway to freedom for young adults and parents alike.

As we get closer to this time where a visit to the DMV will leave our children driving to and from school, church and sporting events, Black parents are concerned about two things.

First, their safety while driving. Second, the safety of children when they are detained in a traffic stop.

Every year since 2000, the Missouri Attorney General issues a report on the make-up of traffic stops in Missouri. This includes the race and gender of the driver along with the outcome of the stop. Every year we watch as the disparity numbers do not improve.

Every year there are debates over whether there is an explanation other than bias for why Black drivers are arrested at a rate almost three times higher than we should expect based on population statistics. I’m not going to debate any of that today.

Instead, I want to point out an alarming fact that was brought to light in the most recent report.

other hand, are given a new legal problem to deal with and are detained longer.

Even a speeding ticket can be an expensive and time-consuming inconvenience, and, according to these numbers, Black drivers are significantly more likely to experience that inconvenience.

There is a push to increase safety on the roads through banning texting while driving. I want parents and children to be safe while driving. I don’t want folks out there texting and driving. I also don’t want to give officers any more tools to increase the burden on Black folks. If this trend continues and there are even more options for issuing tickets or finding probable cause to pull a driver over, it means a whole new crop of young and old Black drivers are facing a life where they are 20% more likely than white peers to have points on their drivers license, have to pay hundreds of dollars in traffic tickets, and face missing work or being late because the officer wants to search their car.

Before we start passing new traffic enforcement laws, we should address the issues with enforcement.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Why we need diverse books in schools

By Maya Pottiger l Word In Black

Ever since he was young, Marchánt Davis has always loved children’s media and the power it possesses. Though his favorites were “Sesame Street” and “Reading Rainbow” — especially seeing himself represented on screen through LeVar Burton — he says he was “strangely” inspired by “Snow White.”

“It was always playing on TV,” says Davis, an actor, director, writer, and now author of “A Boy and His Mirror.” And it was this story that he wanted to repurpose for his own children’s book geared toward the current generation.

Davis wrote the book hoping young Black boys would read it. Though he doesn’t believe any one thing will cure problems, he wants the book to be a step toward boys acknowledging their feelings and countering some of the toxic masculinity in the Black community.

Davis called back to what Sheryl Lee Ralph said in her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards: “When you look in the mirror, you gotta love what you see,” Davis quoted. “And so, I wrote a book in an effort to help kids look in the mirror and love what they see.”

seeing yourself represented in history, in a book, but also in the daily experiences that children face.

“We want our kids — and we want every kid — to be able to see the experiences of Black children in the books that they read because it makes every person more relatable,” says Derrick Ramsey, co-founder of the nonprofit Young, Black & Lit. “If you can see that person, a Black student, doing a science project through a book, then that’s exciting to any student who wants to get into science.”

Davis says there’s more power in variety than singularity because there is so much more to learn.

Banning these books sends a message — both to Black students and their non-Black peers.

“It sends a message to Black students that their history doesn’t matter, that it’s not important,” Lester says. “Then, for white students, that it’s not important for them to learn about it or that their history is more important — which are not good messages to be sent.”

White drivers are released from a stop with only a warning or no action 83.9% of the time.

Black drivers are released from a stop with a warning or no action only 66.1% of the time.

Think about that for a second.

Black drivers are almost 20% more likely to leave a traffic stop with a negative outcome. That can’t be accounted for by driving habits or any other neutral reasoning. It means that after a car has been pulled over, when the officer has interacted with the driver, they are significantly more likely to let white drivers go on about their day. Black drivers, on the

We know there is a problem. We should take into account how the laws will be used and how they will affect our Black and brown neighbors before we pass something that sounds good on the surface, but results in a harsher imposition of fees and other consequences on the basis of skin color. Ask your mayor and police chief what the solution is.

Ask your governor and attorney general to enforce equal protection under the law for all Missourians. Ask your kids and family members to remember that there is a NAACP Travel Advisory in Missouri and give them “the talk” as it applies to driving while Black in Missouri.

Nimrod Chapel Jr. is president of the Missouri State NAACP Conference

I have the right to not be shot

By Hiram Jackson

Faced with the mounting number of tragedies in the wake of the unprecedented and recurrent acts of violence in every sector of the nation, what is particularly disturbing about this social psychosis is that the wanton disregard for life continues to proliferate.

The Gun Violence Archive tracked more than 647 mass shootings in 2022 and 690 in 2021. Mass shootings are defined — which in and of itself is tragic that there is a national threshold — requires a minimum of four people shot to qualify.

And in 2023, we are already on par to beat our own staggering and despicable record, with 291 mass shootings as of June 14.

But the real frustration is that while we decry these senseless tragedies when they happen and stain the social conscience, they end up being a sound bite that invariably ends with “we have to do something.”

It is obvious that this latest wave of violence and terrorism is seeded in an enriched climate of cruelty and hatred for Black, Brown, Asian, Jewish, and LGBTQ persons. But these deranged killers don’t discriminate. They kill kids and students, parents, and parishioners, disabled people, and the disadvantaged.

matter of chronicling the incidents, studying the circumstances, and looking for explanations. The point is to get beyond the obligatory mourning period and mandate an end to the violence that is decimating communities and the country.

That well-meaning, but incredibly tired declaration that “something” must be done is ambiguous at best.

Certainly, some politicians and leaders are earnest in their grief. They just don’t feel bad enough to make assault rifles and handguns illegal and prohibit questionable persons from buying any guns at all.

And then the NRA flexes its muscle and money to influence legislation and block attempts to stop the indiscriminate licenses to purchase guns. That “right to bear arms” argument has become passe. The text of the Second Amendment that gun advocates hold onto so dearly, reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

“It’s a book that I want kids to read and feel empowered, feel like they have agency.”

The problem is that, around the country, books like Davis’ are being removed from the shelves of classrooms and school libraries. Books that feature Black protagonists or talk about Black history.

We can’t understand our current politics and culture without understanding the treatment of African Americans in the United States, as well as the integral role they’ve played in shaping the country, says Caroline Richmond, the executive director of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books.

“In order for us to be the nation that we claim to be — a land where all people are created and treated as equals — we have to teach our children how this has not been and still is not the case today,” Richmond says. “And so, if we’re not teaching Black history in our schools, then our students — of all races and backgrounds — are not receiving a holistic education.”

But it’s not just about history books. For Black and Brown kids, it’s about

Letter to the editor

Parson should not pardon former police officer

“In August 2021, Gov. Parson pardoned Mark and Patricia McCloskey who brandished firearms at peaceful protestors — most of whom were Black — who were marching against police violence against Black Americans. If the governor follows through with his plan to pardon a former Kansas City police officer

And their non-Black peers are also harmed because they end up learning a lopsided view of history that ignores huge swaths of the American narrative, Richmond says.

“They won’t have the opportunity to really grapple with our shared past,” Richmond says, “to read primary sources, to ask probing questions, and to engage in thoughtful discussion and build empathy. Acknowledging past harm and our current inequitable society is the first step in creating real, long-term, sustainable change.”

Of the banned books studied by PEN America, they were most likely to have LGBTQ+ content (41%) or characters of color (40%). Among the top reasons for book bans were titles having to do with race or racism (21%), and titles with themes of rights or activism (10%). For Ramsey, the message is clear: “Your history doesn’t matter. Your experiences don’t matter. Who you are doesn’t matter.” It’s a challenging space for a child who is already trying to find their path in the country and in the world.

Maya Pottiger is an editor and writer for Word in Black

All letters are edited for

convicted of wrongfully killing a Black Missourian, it would bolster the impression he left in 2021 that he believes different systems of justice should exist for white Missourians and Missourians of color.”

State Representative Marlene Terry D-St. Louis Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair

Taking a deeper dive into the issues and incidents in our communities and shining a spotlight on the factors that contribute to the problem is a start, not a solution. Mass shootings, police-involved killings, and random acts of violence from rebels without a cause or conscience, are rooted in a distorted and dangerous need for power.

What’s absurd is that while an individual can conduct an act of what amounts to mass destruction, legislators charged with a duty to protect the public are unable or unwilling to effectively address and resolve to end these attacks on gender, race, color, and creed.

Stopping the violence is more than a

That was written before organized law enforcement agencies were established and during a time when a militia was necessary to protect Americans against foreign adversaries. We live in an increasingly vitriolic climate with distorted notions of what is allowable under the law, whether it’s a police officer shooting an unarmed citizen, or vigilantes exercising some bloated sense of power.

But when those who have real power — the power to mandate a stop to violence — don’t respond to these horrific tragedies by enacting and enforcing stricter gun laws, they will have to bear much of the responsibility for the terrorism we are witnessing. And the anarchy we saw at the nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021, was just a preview of what’s to come.

Hiram Jackson is the CEO & Publisher of Real Times Media, which includes The Michigan Chronicle, a partner in the Word In Black collaborative

Guest Columnist Nimrod Chapel Jr.

Guest Columnist Maya Pottiger

Guest Columnist Hiram Jackson

Healthy food and farm style fun were in large supply at the St. Louis Chums’ “Barnyard Hoedown” fundraiser for literacy projects on June 4, 2023. The organization has also provided over $150,000 scholarships to area students.

Chums’ farm style fundraiser supports literacy initiatives

St. Louis American staff

The St. Louis Chapter of Chums, Inc., had down on the farm fun to support its literacy support programs on June 4, 2023.

The “Barnyard Hoedown” cultivated resources for literacy workshops for parents and children, renewable scholarships, and life enrichment. “Farmwear chic” was the attire style and the sold-out event was held at an area farm where boxed lunches were served along with entertainment.

Beverly Williams is Chums St. Louis president, and the “Hoedown” chair is Cynthia Young. The Chums is a non-profit organization that is part of the National organization of Chums. It has provided over $150,000 scholarships to area students and supports organizations including Gateway 180 Homeless Shelter, Eye See Me African American Bookstore (hosting literacy programs, workshops, and giving books to children), as well as donating clothing and gifts to families in

need, and more.

The St. Louis Chapter of Chums was incorporated in April 1980 and is one of more than 40 chapters across the nation. It provides opportunities for women to meet in friendship and fun. It encourages a spirit of helpfulness and to use their talents in service to the community.

The local chapter received proclamations from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, and Gov. Mike Parson designating March 4, 2023, St. Louis Chums Day. The Chums held a Mardi Gras fundraiser that evening at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles.

The first chapter was founded by three women at Virginia State University in 1946 and is observing its 77th anniversary this year. It has grown into a national organization that promotes civic, cultural, educational, and social improvements.

The organization’s national motto is “Listen to the children, enrich their lives.”

In the frightening image of Trump

By E. Faye Williams

I can distinctly remember telling myself and others in 2015 that the damage of a prospective Trump presidency would last longer than a fouryear term. I knew then I would be right, but, at the time, could not imagine just how right I would be.

Anyone who knew Trump, in fact or by reputation, should have known when he descended his golden escalator in 2015 that his presence was a fabrication of the highest order. Later, it was revealed that his adoring crowd had been lured from NY streets, by promising each a $500.00 payment for pretending to be members of an excited fan base. It was the first of what would become an anthology of over 20,000 lies.

Like a malignant Svengali, Trump was accompanied into office by a phalanx of acolytes with equally malignant mindsets and worldviews. Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, Stephen Miller, Michael Flynn, Bill Barr, Mike Pence, Kellyanne Conway and Sarah Huckabee Sanders all stood at the forefront of Trump’s administration.

Sadly, those he brought with him were not the only ones of his ilk. Trump opened the soul of America’s corruption to clear view. Those who had been attentive were not surprised. Millions came to a gradual realization. Millions of others didn’t care!

There are far too many Trump wannabes to call out by name, but several serve as exemplars of the dangers of a United States under the control of another Trump regime. Three stand out to foreshadow the worst of existence under a renewed Trump.

Interactively, if I asked readers who best mimicked the “Lying Lifestyle” of Trump, few would hesitate to say George Santos. To both, lying comes as easily as drawing breath. All but the most brainwashed have come to understand that their lying is primarily associated with them moving their lips. Their veracity is not the issue. The expectation for the acceptance of their lies and/or that their lies, and the resulting consequences, would be ignored is the problem. Both unreasonably expect a get-out-of-jail-free card or a functional “double standard” to mitigate their guilt.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, (MTG), is clearly representative of the intolerance and racism of Trump. Although both will “technically” deny the racism that motivates their actions, their actions belie any supposition of fairness or objectivity in their thought processes.

I should remind you that MTG represents an area where “Sundown Cities” were, and may still be, the rule rather than the exception. For a clear understanding, we only have to remember Trump’s “good people on both sides” and Greene’s “Jewish space lasers.” Both are masters of farright conspiracy theories and inflammatory, venomous rhetoric.

The most frightening of Trump’s comparators is the new guy, Vivek Ramaswamy, billionaire businessman and long-shot candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. The label of political “freshman” is appropriate for Ramaswamy because of his newness on the political scene. However, his stated platform harkens back to the policies of the pre-civil rights movement and would, arguably, result in similar outcomes.

Ramaswamy believes that Congress should pass a constitutional amendment barring 18-25-year-olds from voting, with some exceptions. Under his proposal, within that age range, people could only vote by serving as first responders or passing a civics test.

Those who remember the “soap bubble” or “beans-in-a-jar” voting tests will agree with the dangers and potential outcomes of such a policy. Because Gen Z is more racially diverse than any other generation in U.S. history, restricting the voting rights of people this age would disenfranchise millions of nonwhite voters. These voters are also more likely to support LGBTQ rights.

Take the time to learn about your potential adversaries and the futures they offer you. Make the correct choice.

E. Faye Williams is Dick Gregory Society president and of the National Congress of Black Women president emerita

Photo courtesy of The Chums

E. Faye Williams

Juneteenth

Continued from A1

A new event, Rolling Through Forest Park bike ride, will be introduced and there will be a 1K and 5K Walk for Freedom and Justice.

“The Juneteenth Caribbean Heritage Festival holds great significance for the St. Louis community. The event serves as a valuable opportunity for attendees to obtain a deeper understanding of the history and importance of Juneteenth as a national holiday,” said James Tucker, ART 2063 president and National Juneteenth Observance Foundation board member.

Juneteenth is a nationwide celebration of the end of legal slavery in the United States, the end of the Civil War, and the Ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ending slavery. Today the celebration also encompasses current civil rights issues.

Note: Registration to participate in the event is $18.65 (1865 was the year when slaves were free in the rebellious states only) and covers participation in the walk, snacks, a delicious cultural meal, and a fun day with lots of activities.

Juneteenth will be celebrated throughout St. Louis and St. Louis County during the weekend of June 17-19. Included are:

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

To commemorate Juneteenth the museum will present a storytelling and craft event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ll learn about past and present freedom jubilees. Possible books to be

read include Juneteenth for Mazie Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem, and The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

EYESEEME BOOKSTORE

Jeffrey and Pamela Blair opened the Eyeseeme African American Children’s Bookstore on Juneteenth, 2015. The store will celebrate Juneteenth and its eighth anniversary from noon-3 p.m. June 17 at 6951 Olive Boulevard University City, MO 63130.

“Juneteenth represents the resounding voice of freedom, echoing through generations. It is a celebration of resilience, a time to honor the legacy of our ancestors, and an opportunity to unite as a community and strive towards a future where everyone can thrive,” said Jeffrey Blair, EyeSeeMe

GRAND CENTER

Juneteenth celebrations will go on throughout the Grand Center Arts District on Saturday, June 17. Programs will be held at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Grand Center Inc., the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. Families are invited to enjoy food, art activities, live music, and interactive performances, open to the public free of charge. Juneteenth Family Day - Grand Center Arts District

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has partnered with BLK Family Reunion to host the BLK Family Reunion Festival during Juneteenth weekend on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. This event is opened to the public, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit HSSU and its students. To RSVP for the event, please visit https://www.blkfrfest. com

BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS

The Bellefontaine Neighbors Juneteenth Festival is from 10 a.m. –2 p.m. Saturday June 17 at the Rec Center, 9669 Bellefontaine Road. The celebration will include a trivia contest, talent shows, art contest display, petting zoo, and more. Visit cityofbn.com for additional information.

CONTEMPORARY

ART MUSEUM ST.

LOUIS

Join us as we celebrate Juneteenth Sat Jun 17, 2023, 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and the Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries. Enjoy food, fun art activities, and interactive performances in our shared outdoor spaces. Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (camstl.org)

FERGUSON

The Ferguson Juneteenth Celebration is from 1-6 p.m. Saturday at Plaza at 501 (501 S. Florissant Rd.) Events include the Trailblazer Awards, a new business ribbon cutting, and performances by Kaylan and The Coleman Hughes Project.

TANDY PARK, ST. LOUIS

The 2023 Juneteenth Community Ride will celebrate St. Louis’s Black artists, musicians and history with a bike ride featuring live music. The Ride leaves Tandy Recreation Center at 10, and registration begins at

9 a.m. Tandy Recreation Center 4206 Kennerly Ave., St. Louis, MO 63113

ALTON, ILLINOIS

Alton will celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at James Killion Park, 2400 Washington Avenue. A riot of anti-abolitionist elements in Alton resulted in the death of publisher Elijah P. Lovejoy

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

FLORISSANT

The City of Florissant is co-hosting a Juneteenth Music Festival on Sunday, June 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. in St. Ferdinand Park. Come join the City of Florissant and announcer/host Christian Thompson of the What Up Doe Radio Podcast for this fun celebration featuring music, activities for children, and a special Father’s Day gift for the first 100 fathers to arrive.

ST. LOUIS ART

MUSEUM

The Museum will recognize Juneteenth from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday by honoring the power and influence of Black music.

The Family Sunday will include multiple musical performances, an artmaking activity inspired by Kehinde Wiley’s artwork Charles I, live DJ, and an expert family enrichment panel. Saint Louis Art Museum (slam. org)

WELLSTON The Wellston Community Coalition and partners will host the Wellston Juneteenth Block Party from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Trojan Park. The event will commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans through music, dance, culture, and community.

MONDAY, JUNE 19

MIDTOWN

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will present its third annual free community Juneteenth concert at 2 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023, in collaboration with IN UNISON Chorus partner First Baptist Church of Chesterfield (FBCC). No tickets are required for this community celebration;

On June 10th Spire funded the first ever “Play Day in the Park.” The Magic House, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Forest Park Forever and dozens of community partners came together to create a free, family-fun event in Forest Park.

RSVPs are requested at slso.org. Doors open at 1 p.m. and seating is firstcome, first-served.

DELLWOOD Color Of Change and St. Louis County will celebrate Juneteenth from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 19 at the Dellwood Recreation Center, 10266 W Florissant Ave. St. Louis, MO 63136. Activities will include a community resource fair, parade, skating and vendor pop-up. The parade line-up will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club parking lot on W. Florrisant.

GATEWAY ARCH Gateway Arch National Park is hosting the Gateway to Inclusive History Conference on Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Conference attendees will hear from representatives from the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, and the African American Civil Rights Network, and learn how to nominate St. Louis area sites to these networks.

Photo courtesy of Spire

Continued from A1

ing the lives of innocent people, many of whom just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Hoping to set sensical parameters for warranted and unwarranted police chases, NAACP chapters called in a federal mediator last year to facilitate discussions between the organization and city and county police departments.

The contentious issue in both the city and county has motivated activists and others to condemn pursuits and call for policy change. Negotiations between the NAACP and police started last year.

At least 10 people have been killed during pursuits in the last year and a half. Between April and May of 2022, seven innocent bystanders died as a result of high-speed vehicle police pursuits in the region. Several were bystanders or people in other vehicles killed by suspects chased by police.

Police officials have insisted that not all the crashes were the result of pursuits or spiked strips placed in streets to stop speeding getaway cars. That may be but NAACP officials are still hoping to set a higher threshold for pursuits, especially when officers give chase for petty or small offenses.

Fathers

Continued from A1

event, which will bring great energy, rooftop vibes, and music is great. I think it’ll be a good time.”

Honorees include Michael Brown Sr., founder of the Michael Brown Chosen For Change Foundation and father of Michael Brown Jr., (a Black teenager who was killed by a white former Ferguson police officer on August 9, 2014); Justin Tatum, basketball coach and father of Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum; Terrell “Young Dip” Evans of the 314 Day Foundation; Cbabi Bayoc, visual artist and illustrator, and more.

“With the event we’re highlighting 15 Black fathers that are not only doing great things at home with their kids, but also excelling whether it’s owning their own business, providing entertainment, or being pillars of the community,” Brad Edwards, community organizer of Dear Fathers said.

“It’ll be great networking, great music being provided. It’s really gonna be a celebration. We have

Salute

Continued from A1

healthcare professionals will receive 2023 Excellence in Health Care Awards . The Excellence in Health Care recipients are: Dr. Anna Bailey, internal medicine at Mercy Clinic Primary Care; Roslyn Lockett Harvey, VP of health center operations at Affinia Health Care; Marcus Howard, Founder and CEO of GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness; Dr. Melvin Maclin, plastic and reconstructive surgery at SSM SLUCare Physicians Group; and Constance

“We don’t want the community put at risk with low-level crimes,” Bowman said.

Several in the audience came to give testimony that would later be used by the NAACP, the city and county police departments and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We are here to talk through, what we think, will be a better way of addressing some of the police pursuits that we encounter,” Pruitt said.

“We just want to do it in a way that decreases the threat on innocent life… that’s what we’re working toward today.”

Although the city has been active in those conversations, only St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory was present at the event.

so much going on in St. Louis that’s negative; highlighting these guys and showing the positive side of St. Louis is what we’re looking to do with this event.”

Alex formed Dear Fathers with his longtime friend Lamar Johnson Jr. Both grew up without a father in the household, and agree they missed out on learning certain things. Alex and his father recently reconnected after not seeing each other in 20 years.

“These spaces that we create are super important for me because I grew up without these types of conversations in my household and was never surrounded by that type of energy,” he said.

Alex’s uncle, who played a pivotal father figure role in his life, will be at their event.

“He coached me on a lot of my basketball teams and things of that nature,” Alex said.

Edwards’ father, and also a godfather, were always there for him, and they will also be at the event.

“My father has always been present,” Edwards said.

“He and I have a great relationship. I’m especially

Payne, clinical nurse consultant for Oracle Health.

This year’s recipients of the Dr. John Anderson St. Louis County Children’s Fund Mental Health Awards are Latosha Folks, president and CEO of the Core Collective at Saint Vincent and Lizette Smith, director of clinical programs at Our Little Haven.

Tickets for The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Reception, presented by BJC HealthCare, on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 5:308 p.m. are $75 each and may be purchased by visiting stlamerican.com.

Pruitt said he had no idea why the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department did not send a representative. The city received the same information about the meeting as the county.

n “We don’t want the community put at risk with low-level crimes.”

– John Bowman, President of St. Louis County NAACP

Still, he insisted, the city’s absence wasn’t a sign of lack of progress. Perhaps, Pruitt intimated, it was because Tuesday’s meeting was specifically arranged to garner victim testimonies.

Police pursuits are “a necessary evil,” Chief Gregory told the crowd, before outlining the county’s procedures.

looking forward to this [because] this will be my first event that my father will attend. Because of him I’m in this position, and I’m looking to do the same thing for my kids; being someone they can look up to is very important to me.”

The event isn’t exclusive to Black men or Black

“We have a restrictive policy. We don’t chase cars for traffic violations or expired plates. The only cars we chase are those that we have a reasonable belief have committed a felony.”

Police, however, do chase stolen vehicles.

In May 2022, thieves driving a stolen Jeep Cherokee, hotly pursued by police, crashed into a minivan at Delmar Boulevard and Pendleton Avenue. Seven members of a family were in the minivan. Four died on the scene and a fifth victim, an 11-year-old girl, died three

fathers. Everyone is welcome; however, they do not recommend small children attend. They encourage teenagers and young adults to come check out the happening.

A Dear Fathers’ partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals will be announced during the event, according to the

days later.

An audience member who said he’s lost several relatives to pursuits, including an infant nephew, took issue with the chief’s claim.

“It’s still a case of pursuing someone, so why continue to chase someone in a residential area where the public is put at risk?”

Another audience member also challenged Gregory with a statement about police intent.

“A lot of times it’s not because of felonies or suspected felonies,” the woman shouted. “It’s because of skin color and that’s got to stop.”

The crowd of about 30 was diverse. The St. Charles resident stressed that the issue of police pursuits is much broader than ‘Black and white.’

hosts. Tickets will be on sale for an event they’re having in September featuring a panel on fatherhood and mental health with the Cardinals.

“It’s affecting our whole society,” the man said.

Crystal Crump, a city resident, is one of those impacted lives with a heartbreaking story. She described her 25-year-old son’s delight when he purchased his first car.

He was particularly proud, she said, that he’d managed to get his car registered and licensed. Her son was driving around with a few friends, she said, perhaps recklessly, when police pursued his speeding car. Her son was ejected from the vehicle and run over by another car. He died at the scene. “It wasn’t a felony,” Crump declared through tears. “He was driving fast but his car was registered in his name. There really was no reason to pursue him in a manner where he had an accident and died.”

In 2022, Gregory said, there were 2,452 Failure to Yield (FTY) cases. Of that number, he added, 52 pursuits (about 2.1%), a small fraction, were the result of FTY’s which led to “legitimate, good pursuits.”

Also on the NAACP’s negotiation’s list are the matters of police training, updating pursuit policies, accountability when officers fail to follow policies and the implementation of new technologies like the GPS dart system used to track suspects in fleeing cars.

“We expect the event to be good, positive energy, it’s something different for the city because there aren’t many spaces celebrating Black men and Black fatherhood,” Alex said.

Dear Fathers hosts its Father’s Day weekend event this Saturday, 4 - 8 p.m. at Anew, located 519 North Grand Blvd. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/fthrs-day-stl-tickets-628679757077.

Adolphus Pruitt, St. Louis NAACP president, told the audience progress is being made in negotiations concerning police pursuits with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Joining Pruitt at the forum [from left] were St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory and County NAACP President John Bowman.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

The equity in your home can be a great source for financing whatever you need. Let’s talk about how to make it happen. You’ll have a dedicated specialist to walk you through the process to make it as easy as possible.

Tower Grove Park breaks ground on two community basketball courts

To be completed by October 2023

Tower Grove Park broke ground on the construction of two new community basketball courts at a ceremony attended by Mayor Tishaura Jones, Board of Alderman President Megan Green, District 80 Representative Peter Meridith, and more than forty invited guests. “Nothing beats Summer in Tower Grove Park. These new courts will make Tower Grove Park a better place for our youth for years to come,” said Mayor Tishaura Jones. Two post-tension concrete courts and related amenities have

been designed to complement and fit within the Park’s historic fabric as a National Historic Landmark. Basketball

courts will be the newest enhancement of the park made possible through the Park’s Common Ground Campaign. Projects already completed include restoration of the historic West Gatehouse as an education center, creation of Nee Kee Nee from the long-buried East Stream, refurbishment of two Victorian era pavilions, and restoration of the stable. With commitments now totaling over $14.5 million, the Campaign is allowing the Park to pursue important elements of its 2017 community-based master plan. Key funding for the basketball court construction project comes from a $250,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant managed by Missouri State Parks, and four local St. Louis foundation gifts of $100,000 each.

Science Center teams with Urban League to increase access

STL for All launched

St. Louis American staff

The Saint Louis Science Center has launched its STL (Science and Technology Learning) for All membership program and is collaborating with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to offer free memberships to approximately 700 local families served by its Head Start/Early Head Start program.

The STL for All membership program is designed to break down barriers for community members who may not have opportunities to engage in

science learning programs outside of the classroom and are traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers by providing access to the Science Center’s immersive, hands-on programming.

This is a tremendous opportunity not only for the children but for their families as well,” said Michael P. McMillan Urban League president and CEO.

“Our Head Start teachers will be able to make STEM lessons much more meaningful and exciting through this important partnership.”

Amy Martin, Science Center senior director of individual giving and membership, says the program “will engage even more people in STEM fun and learning.”

“Our partnership with the

Urban League will help us to reach the families most in need of access to STEM programming which helps to develop crucial 21st century skills like problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking and more.”

The membership will include one year of membership benefits at the Science Center, including free tickets to paid venues

like the OMNIMAX® Theater, McDonnell Planetarium, Discovery Room and more. It also includes invitations to members-only events and programming, as well as waived parking fees.

“STL for All supports [our] goal of school readiness for children,” said Gwendolyn Wilson Diggs, Head Start/Early Head Start vice president.

“Our early learners receive STEAM lessons in the classroom and during the Saturday STEAM Academy. The Science Center’s STL for All program provides additional opportunities for children and families to gain handson experiences in a STEMrich environment. We are excited about our partnership with the Saint Louis Science Center.” The Science Center hopes to

expand the STL for All program to reach more members of the St. Louis community.

Todd Bastean, president and CEO of the Science Center, added, “Missouri has been identified as an emerging hub for the tech sector, and among St. Louis’ top hard-to-fill jobs, many are reliant on STEM skills.

“As a community institution, it is important for the Science Center to help ensure everyone has access to programs that will spark an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are excited about the STL for All membership program and our partnership with the Urban League, as it is one way that we intend to deliver our mission ‘to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.’”

Boys and Girls Club induct six into Alumni Hall of Fame

‘The Club saved my life’

By Deneen Busby For the St.

American

Louis

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

(BGCSTL) recently celebrated its annual Recognition Ceremony at Edward Jones

Headquarters.

BGCSTL MathewsDickey Club Director Tom Sullivan was honored for his 50 years of service, and staff members received National Service to Youth recognition in five and tenyear increments.

“All of our honorees tonight are dedicated to youth development, and the Alumni Hall of Honor is the shining example of the work we do to prepare members for great futures,” said BGCSTL President Dr. Flint Fowler said, Six former BGCSTL Club members received accolades for their career achievements, community involvement, and accomplishments with an induction into BGCSTL’s

Alumni Hall of Honor.

State Sen. Brian Williams acknowledged his mother who was in the audience before sharing how much the Club influenced his life.

“Being raised by a single mother, it was comforting to know the Club was there as a support system. Growing up in North County, the club involvement kept me out of trouble. It reminded me of my purpose. My time at the Club led and shaped me to be who I am today,” he said.

Chloe R. Woods, an attorney, Air Force veteran, and training facilitator traveled from Arizona to be part of the evening.

“Bright futures start at the Boys & Girls Club of St. Louis,” she said.

“Being a product of a single mom with a father incarcerated while I was growing up, BGCSTL exposed me to things I would not have had access to. Instead of being home alone as a latchkey kid, I was learning teamwork,

sportsmanship, developing friendships, and working with others.”

CUTLINE State Sen. Brian Williams, a new member of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Alumni Hall of Fame, said the organization kept him out of trouble during his youth.

Photo by Deneen Busby for BGCSTL

hang out over the summer.”

“As I grew older, it became much more than that. It became a place where I learned how to prepare myself to be an adult through volunteering, mentorship, and conferences. It became a place that gave me opportunities to travel to many places and even do public speaking in front of my peers. It became an extended family of friends and mentors.”

Chelsey Selvey – Kiner, UPS Human ResourcesGEO services specialist, told the audience “I was an only child for seven years, so it allowed me to get to know other kids besides my cousins. My aunt Phillis Selvey worked as the game room director, and my uncle Ed Selvey worked as the gym director in the 90’s; it was an adopted family idea that we would all be Boys & Girls Club members.”

Ja-Mes “Jay” Watson III, a civil engineer, said after joining the Club at age 7 “I quickly joined the sports teams building a lifelong bond that continues today.”

“The Club was import-

ant for me in the intangible, soft skills category as well. We learned both informal and formal lessons in history, politics, communication, and acting.

“I cannot understate the importance baseball played in my life, and my exposure to the sport came through The Club’s rich connection to Sportsman Park, the St. Louis Browns, and St. Louis Cardinals. I went on to play college baseball at Morehouse College. I truly believe my upbringing in Club baseball was pivotal to instilling the drive and toughness needed to play at the collegiate level.”

“The Club saved my life,” said Fe’Dale Waters – BGC club director and a pathologist who works for the Medical Examiner’s office.

“There was a moment when I considered turning to the streets. I considered becoming a part of a gang to be cool. However, my mother had a different objective in mind. She asked me what I would like to do with my life. I said I would like to play baseball or basketball. We then walked to the Herbert Hoover Club to a Jr. Cardinals baseball practice, where I met Reggie Jones—that moment changed my life for the better. Now it’s time for some young people to stand on my shoulders.”

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and to support kids and teens around the country, please visit bgcstl.org.

Calvin Phillips II, an

Oracle software development manager, said “the Club started out as a fun and safe place for me to

Pondering the power of choice

By Robert Townsend

Lately, I’ve been meditating on the power of choice.

Why do we choose to do certain things on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis?

Why do we choose to contemplate countless “to do” lists such as: Should we be doing more for our children, our spouses, our families? Do I need to go there again? Why am I focusing on past mistakes, past failures, past disappointments, past criticisms, past quarrels and so much more that is not helping me live out my best self?

Instead, I think we should be still. Quiet ourselves. Do what makes you happy and make a conscious decision to choose to be better!

One second, one hour, one day at a time, choose to be a better son, a better daughter, a better servant to your family, your inner circles, your world.

I know this is not always easy and is much easier at other times depending on what else we are facing in our lives, right?

Scholars will tell us when we choose, we “pick out or select someone or something as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.”

Here’s another way to say it “decide on a course of action, typically after rejecting alternatives.” We all live busy, ever-changing, unpredictable lives and often we choose to make the right decisions and we see the best results usually prove fruitful.

make any plans and just sort of do what seems important or evaluate something as it presents itself. It’s nice to not feel like I have to “go, go, go” all the time. Sometimes though it’s easier said than done, especially when working in news,” said 5 On Your Side Senior Producer Jacob Kuerth.

“This year I chose to focus on being present for my children and not spend my time with them stressed out thinking about their futures,” said 5 On Your Side Reporter, Christine Byers.

I also reached out to Dr. Muthoni Musangali, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Professional Counseling at Webster University in St. Louis and asked her to share her thoughts on the “power of choice.”

However, if we are honest with ourselves, sometimes in life we choose alternatives that will yield outcomes that we regret, set us back and possibly even create negative, long-lasting repercussions.

I recently asked three co-workers at KSDK-TV “what’s one of the best decisions you have made in 2023 and why did you choose that?

“One of the best decisions is my boyfriend moving in. It was a big step for us. We are also happy we are saving money. We knew this would be the next step for our relationship. I think this has been a healthy move for our relationship,” said 5 On Your Side Reporter, Justina Coronel.

“It sounds cliché, but I think the best choice I made this year was, to the extent possible, make sure I take time to recharge on the weekend. I try not to

“Choice is a powerful thing. We determine our state of mind by the things we choose to focus on. We amplify which we choose. By focusing on the negative aspects or deficits in a situation, we lose out on the opportunity to see that which is good and positive. When we focus on the positive, that is what we give power to. A positive mindset has the effect of highlighting the good aspects even in the midst of challenges. We must therefore be mindful about the thoughts that inform the choices we make. Stop to think, ‘what is the outcome that I want?’ When you know that, then you can shape your thoughts accordingly. You can make choices that help ensure you will have the outcomes you aspire for,” said Dr. Musangali. So, whether it’s “elecion” in Spanish, “choix” in French or “khiar” in Arabic, the choice is yours!

Again, I’m certain if we all make more conscious decisions that no matter what the news headlines reveal, what people say or do, what hardships we face as a family, a neighborhood or a community----if we choose to be loving, joyous, grateful, humbled, kind, helpful, respectful, supportive, compassionate, choose to take chances, then we will see that we are going to be fine and we just might create a better world!

Finally, remember a writer once wrote: “the CHOICE to make good choices is the best CHOICE you can choose!”

Robert Townsend is an award-winning journalist with KSDK and KSDK.com

Guest Columnist Robert Townsend

Chaotic Cara attacks children’s

Readers, the only way we can describe this past week is MESSY - and we aren’t talking about anything that may have happened in Florida. St. Louis politics continues to set its own bar for confusion and chaos from last week’s show-boating disguised as the Budget and Public Employees Committee and ending with former alderman Brandon Bosley’s three-count federal indictment.

In the last few weeks, you’ve read our concerns about Board Bill 29, Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s (Ward 8) gun control bill, particularly regarding the legislation’s constitutionality, the dangers that “stop and frisk” policies create for communities of color, and whether it would actually work. Those concerns were also focused on by several of Spencer’s colleagues during the last Public Safety Committee hearing.

The public accountability and ongoing discussions questioning Spencer’s intentions seem to have struck a nerve. First aiming her ire at Mayor Tishaura Jones last week, Spencer attacked the Mayor’s successful College Kids Children’s Savings Account program in the Riverfront Times, erroneously asserting that the program has “no measurable goals.” The program, launched by

then-treasurer Jones and continued under current Treasurer Adam Layne, opens a college savings account for SLPS kindergartners, along with a $50 seed deposit paid by the city, with the goal to cover college-related expenses, such as books, test fees, and tuition. The savings program is designed to give public school students a head start on their college education. Granted, not every child’s family has chosen to participate in the College Kids program –nevertheless this drawback is far outweighed by the program’s benefits.

Spencer - whose “data-driven” mantra often has been characterized as racist - suggested that because only 12% of parents had completed the paperwork to “activate attendance deposits,” the College Kids program is deemed by her to be unsuccessful. Former alderwoman and soon-to-be-termedout State Representative Donna Baringer was also critical of the College Kids program, and made offensive remarks suggesting that the “treasurer’s office should not be a social service agency.”

Quite the contrary, initiatives through the Treasurer’s Office like College Kids and the Office of Financial Empowerment have made a huge impact on St. Louis’ financial

literacy, credit score repair, and other vital educational services to improve the lives of residents of all zip codes.

What the alderwoman fails to acknowledge is that because of this program, tens of thousands of St. Louis children have savings accounts that they otherwise wouldn’t have to help them with post-secondary expenses. Research shows that children with $500 or more saved for college are three times more likely to enroll in college - and four times more likely to graduatethan those without college savings accounts.

What’s so objectionable about that? If the seeds to grow Black wealth in St. Louis can be planted with relatively little effort, why not make those invest-

ments in our future now?

Both of these white women’s comments demonstrate their ignorance of having both race and class working against them. They fail to recognize how the College Kids program challenges a mindset created by the need to struggle for basic food, clothing and shelter. Spencer’s spiral didn’t end there. During last Wednesday’s Budget Committee meeting, Spencer aimed her misguided frustration at Board President Megan Green She brazenly implied that Green had intentionally refused to appear before the Budget Committee to present the Board’s budget for the upcoming year. “We’re in a very unfortunate position with regards to the Board of Aldermen’s budget because we haven’t heard the Board of Aldermen’s budget before us, which is extremely unusual,” Spencer theatrically lamented, expecting her younger colleagues to stay quiet and not challenge her.

But Alderman Rasheen Aldridge (Ward 14) was quick to correct the record. “I know last week, Madam President was sick, and…I did mention to you that the staff was ready to present that day,” Aldridge reminded Spencer. “You

rather waited until the President was here to actually present it.”

In other words, the opportunity to discuss the Board’s budget was offered but Spencer declined, which caused delays in the Budget Committee’s departmental interview process.

Spencer seemingly miffed by the public rebuke, unexpectedly called up the Board President’s Chief of Staff, Jay Nelson, to answer the questions that he had offered to answer the previous week. However Nelson was well prepared and he breezed through Spencer’s questions about the Board President’s goals to professionalize Board staff. Spencer was one of few voices on the Board calling to reduce the number of support staff, despite current staff asking for additional help,

Spencer is rumored to be strongly considering a run for citywide office in 2025 and is sitting on a war chest of more than $50,000 according to her most recent campaign finance disclosures.

Baringer’s own finance disclosures currently show her accounts at more than $64,000, since her January quarterly reports.

•

Finally, former alderman Brandon Bosley was indicted last week by a federal grand jury for wire and insurance fraud. The indictment was issued last Wednesday and unsealed on Monday, catapulting Bosley into the media spotlight, not unlike last year’s charges brought against former board president Lewis Reed and former aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins-Muhammad

According to federal prosecutors, Bosley purportedly purchased a 2010

Toyota Prius for $500 cash from an FBI informant for only one-sixth of the price that was reported to the state. Shortly after, the vehicle was parked outside of Bosley’s campaign office when it was struck by another car. That driver was insured, but Bosley’s car was not. The former alderman went back to the FBI informant for auto repairs and allegedly offered him a bribe in exchange for the informant creating an over-inflated repair estimate to submit to Bosley’s insurance company so the company would “total” the vehicle. After Bosley received an $8,000 check for the car, he authorized the informant to buy back the car at auction for $2,000 and make the repairs. The bribe, as it turns out, was Bosley’s Board Bill 149 from the 20212022 session, which repealed a liquor license moratorium in the city’s former Third Ward to the direct benefit of the FBI informant. That informant is believed to be Mohammad Almuttan, the same FBI witness who is directly connected to the indictments of Bosley’s former colleagues. Almuttan was sentenced to four years in federal prison last fall for charges unrelated to the now-four aldermanic convictions, but he is currently appealing that sentence under a completely sealed court file.

On Monday, Bosley appeared for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to three charges of wire fraud stemming from the insurance scam. Federal prosecutors announced to the court that they have audio and video recordings of Bosley’s meetings with Almuttan. If convicted, the third-generation politician could face up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Brandon Bosley

Donna Baringer

St. Louis singers making historic trip to Carnegie Hall

The Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis will join other local choruses during a performance of Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass” at 2 p.m. Sunday June 25 at

Will perform Robert Ray’s

American staff

St. Louis talents will take Carnegie Hall’s Perelman Stage at 2 p.m. Sunday June 25, 2023, with Maestra Maria A. Ellis leading The New England Symphonic Ensemble in Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass. Ellis will be joined by soloists Jennifer L. Kelley, soprano, and Jermaine Smith, tenor, and singers from around the country.

The combined choruses to perform from the St. Louis area are The Maria A. Ellis Festival Ensemble, Missouri Baptist University Chamber Singers, the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis, and The Sheldon City of Music All-Star Chorus.

Also performing will be the Blackburn College Choir (Carlinville, IL), Que the Music Academy (Browns Summit, NC), and Rossview High School Choir (Clarksville, TN),

The afternoon pro-

gram will also feature Johannes Brahms’ evocative “Schicksalslied, Op. 54,” conducted by Maestro Jeffrey Cobb and Jake Runestad’s “Into the Light” conducted by Erin Plisco. Each conductor will lead the Berrien Springs High School Concert Choir (Berrien Springs, MI), Hardin Valley Academy Chamber Choir (Knoxville, TN), Missouri State Choral Union (Springfield, MO), and Northwestern Michigan College Choirs (Traverse City, MI). Warren Cook will conduct Dan Forrest’s Requiem for The Living with Madison Marie Mcintosh, Mezzo-Soprano and Mogan Mastrangelo, Tenor as soloists, respectively. Cook will lead a combined choir comprised of singers from Artios of Greenville Chorale (Greenville, SC), Bangor Area High School Slater Chorale (Bangor, PA), Bob Jones Academy

“Gospel

Mass”

Concert Choir (Greenville, SC), Bob Jones University Choirs (Greenville, SC), Central Regional High School Choir (Bayville, NJ) and the Rivertree Singers (Greenville, SC).

Participating singers will spend five days and four nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. They will also spend 10 hours in rehearsal and touring New York City. Tickets for all MidAmerica Productions events are now available for purchase on Carnegie Hall’s website or by calling the box office at (212) 247-7800. Tickets can be purchased on site at 881 Seventh Avenue and 57th Street; Carnegie Charge: (212) 247-7800, or https:// www.carnegiehall.org.

Tickets range from $50$125. For Groups of 10 or more, contact groupsales@carnegiehall.org or call 212-903-9705

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

Photo by Bill Motchan / Courtesy Community Gospel Choir

Carnegie Hall in New York.

‘Taking Care of You’

Siteman Cancer Center addresses prostate cancer disparities

Free screenings are available

By JoAnn Weaver

Louis American

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer death.

However, African American men have a 60% higher incidence of prostate cancer and the highest mortality rate of prostate cancer worldwide, according to a representative from the Siteman Cancer Center.

Siteman Cancer Center has launched a cancer screening initiative

to address these racial disparities, and it includes an educational campaign and free prostate cancer screenings in St. Louis area

Dr. Lannis Hall, radiation oncologist and associate professor of clinical radiation oncology at Washington University School of Medicine, says the disparities with prostate cancer “has caused tremendous disproportionate pain and suffering in the Black community.”

“The survival rate is quite high regardless of ethnic or racial group if detected early, which is why this screening and educational campaign is so critical,” she said.

“The initial screening for prostate cancer is a simple test that requires only a teaspoon of blood, and a lab can easily take this blood test and report the results to your healthcare provider, and it gives excellent baseline information on the health of the prostate gland.”

Support for this initiative is provided by AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, which includes the penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testicles. The prostate is located

African Americans deserve to grow old gracefully

Lately I have been spending a lot of time thinking about my parents, their health, and anticipating what their health will look like in the future. As we get more birthdays, our health becomes increasingly important. This is the case for older African Americans who face unique challenges and health disparities that can impact their well-being in a variety of ways.

Older African Americans experience a higher prevalence of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans. African Americans are also more likely to die from heart disease and related conditions, making this one of the major contributors to disparities in overall health outcomes.

n Email and text may not be the preferred method of communication for many older African Americans which results in a healthcare barrier.

A new report from the American Heart Association said more than half of U.S. adults who are African American now have high blood pressure, according to the new report. It also tends to be more severe and develop earlier in life, compared to other populations. Access to healthcare is another key factor impacting health outcomes for older African Americans. Living in low-income neighborhoods or rural areas may limit access to healthcare facilities and providers, making it more challenging to get the care and resources needed to manage their health.

Loneliness becoming a public health concern

Isolation can hamper physical health

By Lindiwe Vilakazi

The unprecedented COVID19 pandemic created a completely new normal for life as we know it, exacerbating a host of mental health, behavioral and financial hardships that have changed our sense of normality from day to day.

But one of the most silent side-effects of an extended period of quarantining ourselves to abide by public health guidelines is the rapid uptick in loneliness experienced by Americans still struggling to rebuild a sense of social connectivity in their lives.

Recently, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy detailed concern behind a rare advisory to address loneliness and social

disconnect within the United States, suggesting the need for a framework to rebuild social connection and community in what is now becoming a “lonely nation.”

“Loneliness and isolation hurt whole communities. Social disconnection is associated with reduced productivity in the workplace, worse performance in school, and diminished civic engagement,” Murthy wrote in an opinion essay for the New York Times “As it has built for decades, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation has fueled other problems that are killing us and threaten to rip our country apart.”

According to the Office of the U.S.

See LONELINESS, A15

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office study “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” about half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness before the pandemic. The physical consequences include a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.

St.

African American men have a 60% higher incidence of prostate cancer and the highest mortality rate of prostate cancer worldwide. Siteman Cancer Center has launched a cancer screening initiative to address these racial disparities.

Photo courtesy of Siteman

See SITEMAN, A15

See ANDERSON, A15

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

‘Taking Care of You’

More than half-million Americans have lost Medicaid coverage

By Casey Quinlan Missouri Independent

Many Missourians on Medicaid could be facing bad news.

More than 500,000 people across 11 states have lost their Medicaid coverage since the unwinding of a policy that allowed people to stay in the program throughout the pandemic.

The data, reported by the states and tracked by health policy researcher KFF, shows that of the five states providing

Siteman

Continued from A14

just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder).

The educational campaign will aim to spread awareness among African American men in the St. Louis area about their higher risk for prostate cancer (one in six Black men) and why they need to start screening for prostate cancer at ages 40 to 45.

“We know that when prostate cancer is detected early before symptoms occur, the five-year survival is over 95% regardless of race; early treatment can occur sometimes in less than a week, and for many men, sometimes we detect prostate cancers that we can just monitor,” Hall said.

“Understanding your prostate cancer is key, particularly for Black men who have a 70% higher

Loneliness

Continued from A14

Surgeon General, social disconnection significantly increases the risk of anxiety and depression, including the increased risk of heart disease by 29%, stroke by 32%, and even dementia by an astounding 50% increase.

Dr. Reginald Robinson, a cardiologist with MedStar Health Cardiology Associates in Washington, D.C., and Eastern States of the American Heart Association board president, discussed the insidious domino effect that prolonged feelings of loneliness can cause on the body and mind.

“Stress and anxiety certainly can affect your sleep/wake cycle, [and] can affect your heart rate. People come in with triggers like palpitations

Anderson

Continued from A14

For instance, my parents must drive 40 minutes to seek certain specialty care or services. Cultural barriers may also disadvantage older African American patients since this population tends to prefer a more personalized relationship with their provider. Although electronic health records are the standard of care in most places, communicating

data on people who lost Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons rather than not meeting eligibility requirements, Indiana and Arkansas have the largest share. The rate of disenrollment is highest in Florida among the nine states that provided public data for the number of people renewed for Medicaid and the number of people who lost coverage.

In Missouri, it’s estimated 200,000 people could eventually lose

Medicaid coverage

But the state is getting a later start than most, as the earliest impacted group has until June 30 to return any required information to the state or lose coverage July 1.

State officials are utilizing a more-efficient method to process Medicaid renewal applications in the hopes of avoiding procedural issues leading to eligible Missourians losing coverage.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

in 2020, Congress passed legislation that boosted Medicaid funds to the states. In return, the legislation required state Medicaid programs to guarantee recipients continuous coverage and suspended a requirement for patients to prove annually that they qualified.

In April, KFF researchers estimated that between 8 million and 24 million people would lose their coverage by May 2024. They also pointed out that many people

incidence rate.”

In addition to providing education on prostate cancer risks, Siteman is providing access to free prostate cancer screenings with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. The PSA test is a simple blood test to measure the amount of PSA protein produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels may be an indicator of prostate problems such as prostate cancer.

Siteman is offering

or skipped [heart] beats, and stress and anxiety can cause that. So, you have a lot more people that were coming in for palpitations or chest pain, whether it was [the] heart versus acid reflux, it can increase your risk of acid build up in the stomach and cause “heartburn” [which] feels like you are having a heart attack. So it can precipitate those things; palpitations, blood pressure, and chest pain,” Robinson explained.

When observing the consequences of grief, this type of stress can produce what is called takotsubo’s cardiomyopathy or “broken-heart syndrome.”

Some women, particularly those in their 30s or 40s, after undergoing a stressful event, can experience a full heart attack but with the arteries physically

via email and text may not be the preferred method of communication for the majority of older African Americans which results in another healthcare barrier. Furthermore, social determinants of health including poor housing conditions, unsafe neighborhoods, food insecurity, and lack of physical activity opportunities, surround poor African American communities and are major contributors to health outcome discrepancies. Using my parents as an example again, my mother is afraid

several ways for men to get screened for prostate cancer through its website, www.getscreenednow.com/prostatetest

On the website, men can search by ZIP code to find a screening location near them, or men 40 or older can request a voucher for a free screening through Washington University’s Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD).

These vouchers can be used for free

appearing clean, differing from the usual state of one’s blocked arteries amid the typical heart attack.

Theories behind this suggest the fight or flight response, or the adrenaline surge that causes the arteries to spasm and create a heart attack without traditionally showing rupturing of the arteries.

PSA screenings at the lab in the Center for Advanced Medicine on the Washington University Medical Campus or at Christian Hospital in north St. Louis County. Walk-ins are available, but appointments are preferred by calling PECaD at 314286-2587.

“The screening rate for African American men is about 30% in our latest national survey, and African American men have the lowest screening

only maintain a level of exercise to encourage better health, but immerse themselves into social groups of people who are enjoying the same activities and building some sense of community within these spaces.

Patients who have suffered takotsubo’s cardiomyopathy tend to have a better recovery, but the stress that causes the “broken heart syndrome” still remains a very serious ordeal.

Dr. Robinson highly encourages physical activity, particularly among organized groups where people can not

to walk in certain areas due to the rising crime in her community.

At one point she joined a gym but then COVID happened which made her fearful of getting sick. As a result, she is now less flexible due to lack of exercise. Poor mobility can be the catalyst for injuries in the future. Her story is typical for many older African Americans living in similar environments.

“Just the ability to get out and walk can be difficult for some who are in some communities

eligible for Medicaid would lose coverage simply because of problems with paperwork or other procedural reasons.

That has proved true in several states. In Indiana and Arkansas, 88.5% of those who lost coverage did so because they did not complete the enrollment process. The numbers were also high in Florida, with the state unable to confirm eligibility for more than 82.2% of those dropped. Jennifer Tolbert,

rate of all ethnic and racial groups,” Hall said. “The goal of this screening initiative is to improve screening rates and ultimately save lives.”

A calendar of free prostate cancer screening events is also available on the website, which includes screening events hosted by community partners, including local churches and other organizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], common treatments for prostate cancer include:

• Expectant management. If your doctor thinks your prostate cancer is unlikely to grow quickly, he or she may recommend that you don’t treat the cancer right away. Instead, you can choose to wait and see if you get symptoms in one of two ways:

• Active surveillance. Closely monitoring the prostate cancer by performing prostate specific

Robinson.

“I noticed that they opened up a new pickleball court with roller skating in downtown D.C. So, get into something like that.

“I used to do Muay Thai, which is Taiwanese kickboxing, martial arts, and Brazilian jiu jitsu, and those are things you do with other people. You don’t have to get in there and compete, but they have a lot of young women and men in these classes. You have people that do kickboxing classes, or boxing classes [as well]. That’s a great way of not only getting physically fit but also learning a defense mechanism,” said

where there’s not always easy access to sidewalks,” said Dr. Estrelita Dixon, from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s internal medicine division.

Protecting older African Americans from the negative effects of poor health should be a priority long before they enter their “elderly” season. The tools needed include good preventive care such as yearly physical exams, appropriate medications for health conditions like diabetes,

director of state health reform and an associate director for the program on Medicaid and the uninsured at KFF, said there needs to be more data to understand how widespread the procedural problems are. But nearly two-thirds of Medicaid enrollees said they did not have a change in circumstances that would make them ineligible in a survey from KFF taken in February and March.

antigen (PSA) tests and prostate biopsies regularly, and treating the cancer only if it grows or causes symptoms.

• Watchful waiting. No tests are done. Your doctor treats any symptoms when they develop. This is usually recommended for men who are expected to live for 10 more years or less.

• Surgery. A prostatectomy is an operation where doctors remove the prostate. Radical prostatectomy removes the prostate as well as the surrounding tissue.

• Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer. There are two types of radiation therapy:

• External radiation therapy. A machine outside the body directs radiation at the cancer cells.

• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy). Radioactive seeds or pellets are surgically placed into or near the cancer to destroy the cancer cells.

Policies, which will establish cross-departmental leadership across all levels of government, while adopting a “Connection-inAll-Policies” approach.

While Robinson said pickleball is generally associated with seniors, he believes “they are trying to make it en vogue for younger people as well.”

“They have tournaments all over the place,” Robinson added.

The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General suggest, “The Six Pillars to Advance Social Connection” with the following directives to:

1. Strengthen Social Infrastructure in Local Communities, which would establish “community connection programs,” along with investing in local institutions that can help to bring people together.

2. Enact ProConnection Public

hypertension, and high cholesterol, as well as early discussion about end-of-life care. This effort in achieving health equity among older African Americans should be shared by family, providers, and community services.

For instance, many local charities and social service organizations provide resources such as senior centers, meal delivery programs, and transportation to provider appointments. With multifaceted collaboration,

3. Mobilize the Health Sector, which will train health care providers and expand public health surveillance and interventions.

4. Reform Digital Environments to establish and implement safety standards.

5. Deepen Our Knowledge by accelerating research funding and increasing public awareness.

6. Build a Culture of Connection by cultivating values of kindness, respect, service and commitment to one another, in conjunction with expanding the conversation on social connection across workplaces, schools and communities.

Lindiwe Vilakazi is a Washington Informer health reporter

early preparation and intentional effort, the health trajectory of older African Americans can improve. Regardless of background, religion, race, or age, everyone deserves to have access to affordable, high-quality care so that they can live a long, full life.

Denise HooksAnderson, MD, FAAFP Family Physician yourhealthmatters@ stlamerican.com

Dr. Reginald Robinson

We celebrate the success of our 2023 graduates as well as the success of more than 1.3 million graduates who have attended STLCC over the last 60 years.

Lincoln University receives 10-year HLC accreditation

American staff

Lincoln University of Missouri has achieved 10-year reaccreditation a by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the leading accrediting bodies in the United States,

According to its assessment, Lincoln met all criteria for accreditation, reaffirming its accredited status until 2032-2033. HLC accreditation signifies that an institution meets or exceeds rigorous standards of quality and integrity in its educational programs and services.

“We are grateful to the Higher Learning Commission and its Institutional Actions Council for their decision on the continued accreditation of Lincoln University,” said Lincoln University President Dr. John B. Moseley.

“HLC lists ‘education as a public purpose’ among its values, and this accreditation means Lincoln University is successfully fulfilling our purpose. Our entire University played a role in this reaffirmation, and we are proud of the work we have done together.”

A 12-month undertaking, the reaccreditation process involved extensive self-study, collaboration, and engagement with the university community. The Lincoln University HLC preparation team members included co-chairs Beth Nolte and Dr. Aimee Busalacki, along with Dr. Jennifer Benne, Blaine Bredeman, Dr. Zakiya Brown, Dr. Stephanie

photo

Clark, Olivia Hetzler, Dr. Jennifer McCord, Dr. Matthew McGraw, Jay Rozema, Dr. Homero Salinas-Gonzalez, Stacey Schulte, and Michelle Wilson.

The team sought input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders and gathered evidence of its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and fulfillment of its mission — to provide “a diverse population access to excellent educational opportunities through teaching, research, and extension services within a nurturing, student-centered environment.”

Lincoln then presented a comprehensive report and evaluation of its mission, governance, academic programs, faculty qualifications, student services, and institutional effectiveness to the HLC for review.

“We look forward to even greater success over the next 10 years,” Moseley said.

“Lincoln University remains committed to upholding the HLC’s standards of excellence and continuous improvement as we provide quality, affordable education and support student success.” Lincoln, which has been accredited by the HLC since 1926, was founded in 1866 by the men of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries and their white officers for the benefit of freed African Americans.

An HBCU, Lincoln offers undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, business administration, criminal justice, elementary education, nursing, business administration, guidance and counseling, and natural science.

During a site visit to the Jefferson City, Missouri, campus in February, the visiting HLC team met with faculty, staff, and students to determine if the university is meeting the five HLC criteria: mission; integrity (ethical and responsible conduct); teaching and learning regarding quality, resources and support; teaching and learning regarding evaluation and improvement; and institutional effectiveness, resources, and planning.

Courtesy

Socrates: What’s up y’all

The Barber: My Man! It’s good to see you as always, but today it’s especially good

Socrates: Well, it’s always good to be seen. What’s so special about today?

The Barber: Well since your last visit when we were discussing the race and caste column, and then we talked about the Othering of white women and children by white folks themselves, (which is a hell’va thing when you think about it, in America white folks ain’t safe from white folks)

Socrates: Yeah, he and I been talking about all that the last 4-6 weeks, So, we did what we’ve always done in those kinda moments, we went to spend some time communing with Uncle Nearest to help us get some perspective, bring some intellectual order to the chaos.

The Barber: Lol! That’s always a good brotha to commune with when you’re trying to solve life’s mysteries! Well after sitting with Uncle Nearest for a while, what insight did you two come up with?

Socrates: Based on Mike’s On Further Reflection column that he wrote after taking that year off, he’s not writing ad hoc political opinion pieces, but taking random political events to try and explain the historical arc of the Black political experience in America. The Brotha has never lacked ambition! LOL

The Barber: So, he’s like trying to tell a story? (that’s creating a narrative for you professional brothas)

Socrates: Yeah kinda, a story about us, at least about us from a political perspective.

The Barber: I agree up to a point. A story has a beginning, a middle and an end, not necessarily in that order. A story also requires something else, a protagonist-the dude that drives the action, makes the story happen- Mike ain’t got none of that for this!

Socrates: You’re right, and plus he’s not an academic doing research-based writing. He decided, after further consulting with Uncle Nearest, there’s plenty of brilliant

stories or narratives, by Black people about our experience in America, in addition to libraries full of legit academic- based research. So that couldn’t be the problem bugging him, had to be something else.

The Barber: So, what’s the something else?

Socrates: Mike had this epiphany; you get those when you’re in deep conversations and communing with Uncle. He hasn’t been trying to figure out how to tell the story of us, he’s been trying to figure out a political puzzle. The puzzle is what does it mean to politically be us, Black people in 21st century America? The columns have all been pieces of that puzzle, the question now is how the pieces fit together, to make an understandable picture.

The Barber: Actually, I get that. What’s his plan, how does he put the puzzle together?

Socrates: He doesn’t, we are! He said the key to putting the puzzle together isn’t academics or politicians writing columns or giving lectures, it’s here in the barbershop, the lived experience of these brothas. He wanted me to be sure to be here today to begin the conversation because he knew who was getting a haircut today.

judge also agrees.

#2 The judge is gonna define the legal parameters of the case, the lawyer can argue for a point of law, but doesn’t get to decide it.

#3The theory of the case is where you make your living, you get to explain to the jury the story about the facts and the law. The jury will only have two explanations to consider, yours and the other lawyer’s. The lawyer with the best story, the one the jury believes, will win at trial. I’d argue you can’t be a good trial lawyer unless you know how to be a great storyteller.

Socrates: I got a couple more questions if you wouldn’t mind indulging me?

Black Lawyer: My pleasure Socrates!

Socrates: Is a trial an adversarial process?

Socrates directs his attention to a customer

Socrates: Brotha, I know you’re a member of the bar, I got a question and you’re the most qualified person in the shop to answer it, if you wouldn’t mind?

Black Lawyer: Be happy too!

Socrates: What are the three things every lawyer takes into court, and of the three, which one is the most critical?

Black Lawyer (smiling): That’s easy! It’s the facts, the law, and his theory of the case. Of the three, the theory of the case is the most important.

Socrates: Enlightened us further my Brotha.

Black Lawyer: Well, the facts are the facts, you don’t get to make those up. Both sides must stipulate the same set of facts, and the judge approves. You can’t introduce new facts unless both lawyers agree that the new something is relevant to the case and the

the same thing to court, the hope that they retained the best lawyer! In court the client cannot advocate for themselves, so their story will never be better than their lawyer.

Socrates: Thank you my Brotha, got no more questions, for now!

The Barber: I think I

see where this going Socrates: Mike said you’d figure it out. The political dilemma confronting Black people in America is we know longer have a political theory of the case that represents our interest in terms of what it means to be Black in America.

The people that we send into the political arena, that by definition is adversar-

ial, don’t have a Black political theory of the case either, and it’s reasonable to even conclude that many of them also represent political interests that conflict with ours, if we better understood our interest.

The Barber: So, what’s next?

To be continued….

Black Lawyer: Hell yeah! It’s just a civilized version of trial by combat. There’s nobody trying to create a win-win situation, you’re in court because you couldn’t negotiate a satisfactory settlement to whatever’s the contested issue is. At that point, if you’re the lawyer, your objective is to prevail, period.

Socrates: Second question, how many clients can a lawyer represent in a trial?

Black Lawyer: You could have multiple clients, but those clients all must have the same interest, like class action lawsuits- whole lotta clients, only one interest. You can’t represent multiple clients who have different interests in the case.

Socrates: I see. Last question, does the client take anything to court?

Black Lawyer: LOL. Yeah, every client brings

Columnist Mike Jones

JUNE 15 – 21, 2023

A cool thing to do

Ameren donates 800 air conditioners, 100K to battle summer heat

Volunteers load up window air conditioners destined for the homes of heat vulnerable Ameren customers in St. Louis and eastern Missouri. In addition to the 800 A/C/ unit donation, Ameren is also backing Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org with a $100,000 grant.

St. Louis American staff

The first day of summer is June 21, 2023, and regardless of the pleasant days and cool nights the St. Louis region has been enjoying, sweltering heat is approaching.

On Monday, Ameren Missouri announced it is donating $100,000 to Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org to support heat vulnerable customers in St. Louis and eastern Missouri. In addition, the utility is providing 800 energy-efficient window air conditioners, which cost consumers less than a dollar a day to operate.

Volunteers including Michael McMillan, Urban League of Greater St. Louis president and CEO and Cooldownstlouis.org board member,

n “The Ameren Cool Down commitment to the region and state has become a lifesaver to the Urban League, Salvation Army, Community Action Agency of St. Louis County and many other partnering agencies.”

– Michael McMillan

prepped the air conditioners for which there is a waiting list of qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“Being without an A/C can be a

life-or-death decision for many throughout the St. Louis region,” he said.

“The Ameren Cool Down commitment to the region and state has become a lifesaver to the Urban League, Salvation Army, Community Action Agency of St. Louis County and many other partnering agencies.”

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, honorary chair, said the partnership protects the most vulnerable from the heat of summer.

“From the Save Our Seniors [SOS] program, to providing utility grants to make sure residents can keep their air on, this unique [Ameren and Cooldownstlouis] partnership helps St. Louisans beat the heat while saving lives.”

Cooldownstlouis.org works with more than 34 agencies to make sure utility bills

See AMEREN, B2

STL County Freedom Fund Dinner to offer diverse evening of honors

Benjamin Akande to keynote

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Benjamin Akande, Stifel Financial Corporation Global Human Resource Enterprise senior vice president, will deliver the 86th Annual St. Louis County NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner keynote address at 7 p.m. Monday June 19, 2023, at the St. Louis Marriott Gran Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue. Akande also serves as Stifel’s Diversity and Inclusion head and Environmental Sustainability and Governance leader.

“A results-oriented leader consistently demonstrates the ability to establish rapport and connect with diverse constituencies at all levels,” Akande shares on his website.

“Find meaning in every conversation – it’s not how long the conversation lasts; it’s how good it is.” The St. Louis County Freedom Fund Dinner will be held on the 2nd recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It also falls just as the state NAACP chapter emphasized that a travel advisory is still in effect in

Missouri.

Last week, statistics from the Attorney General’s office showed for the 23rd consecutive year Black motorists are stopped for traffic violations at

PeoPle on the Move

Concordance names Susan Stith to board

Concordance, a CARF-accredited re-entry non-profit headquartered in St. Louis, announced that Susan Stith, former VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cigna and president of the Cigna Foundation, has joined the organization’s board of directors. Stith has been honored by national publications and organizations such as Diversity Women Magazine’s Elite 100, Black Enterprise’s Top Executives in Corporate Diversity, Diversity Plus magazine’s Top 25 Women Impacting Diversity, and many more.

Greenfield named VP for inclusive excellence

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), recently appointed Dr. Derek Greenfield as VP for inclusive excellence, campus culture and academic engagement. Dr. Greenfield has more than 30 years of experience in higher education. He formerly served as vice president of student engagement and campus life in addition to chief diversity officer at Kentucky State University. Dr. Greenfield earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from Northwestern University as well as two doctoral degrees — a PhD from the University of Washington and an EdD from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa.

Evans named director of marketing at foodbank

Jasmine Evans has been named director of marketing and communications at St. Louis Area Foodbank. Evans has served as a mass media instructor at Southeast Missouri State University as well as an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University. She has done communications work for KAI Design & Build, the UP Companies, and Forest Park Forever. She holds a master of arts in communications – training and development from Lindenwood University. The St. Louis Area Foodbank’s mission is building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, empowering communities, and transforming systems.

Lawrence II has been named as provost and VP of academic affairs at Lincoln University of Missouri. Lawrence comes to Lincoln from the Southern Regional Education Board, where he serves as vice president for postsecondary education. In this role, he leads the board’s postsecondary programs and developed initiatives to support postsecondary state offices and institutions. Lawrence also was the founding dean of the University College at Fort Valley State University in Georgia.

Susan Stith

Dr. Derek Greenfield

Jasmine Evans

Dr. Stevie

Dr. Stevie Lawrence named provost

Dr. Stevie Lawrence II

Photo courtesy of Ameren St. Louis

Benjamin Akande is dedicated to increasing opportunities for people of all communities as Global Human Resource Enterprise senior vice president for Stifel Financial Corporation.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis AMerican

Continued from B1

prove they are less likely to have anything illegal in their vehicles than white drivers.

On Tuesday June 13, both the St. Louis and County NAACP chapters held a town hall meeting on police pursuits.

“Some crimes raise to a higher level of urgency, of course, but we still need to make sure that the training is being adhered to or the policies are being adhered to, and when a chase is called off, it’s called off,” Bowman told KMOV.

“Using technology, we believe we can do this in a more sensible, less harmful way,” said Bowman.

Bowman said an “amber alert” system could be used to help notify people when and where police are conducting a pursuit.

“We are excited to have the renowned Dr. Benjamin Akande as keynote speaker as we honor seven distinguished leaders who have made an amazing difference in our community,” Bowman said of the Freedom Fund Dinner.

The 2023 Honorees of the St. Louis County 86th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner are Dr. Dwayne Proctor, Missouri Foundation for Health president and CEO; Dr. Steven Player, BJC Healthcare vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Cheryl Adelstein, Jewish Community Relations Council deputy director; Deaun Flowers, Lou Fusz Automotive Network; Laraine Davis, Maryville University vice president, Community and Government Relations, Donor and Alumni

Relations; Jose Gomez; Laborers Union Local 110 vice president; and a posthumous award to the late-Demetrious Johnson, St. Louis philanthropist and humanitarian.

Akande served as the ninth president of Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont and during his tenure undergraduate applications doubled, institutional fundraising increased as did the college’s commitment and actions involving diversity and inclusion.

A Nigerian native, Akande also served as Washington University St. Louis International Programs-Africa assistant vice chancellor, was director of the African Initiative, and associate director of the Global Health Center. He also chaired Washington University’s International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC).

Akande served as the 21st president of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri from 2015-2017, being the first person of color to lead the

172-year-old institution. As tenured Professor of Economics and Dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis from 2000-2015, Dr. Akande is credited with enhancing the school’s reputation, and positioning it as a globally relevant business school.

Akande holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and completed post-doctoral studies at JFK School of Government at Harvard University and Saïd Business School at Oxford University.

All net proceeds raised during the Freedom Fund Leadership campaign and dinner support the local programs of the St. Louis County NAACP, including adult and financial literacy, voter and civic engagement, environmental justice, economic equity, diverse hiring and procurement, and education. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online at naacpstlouiscounty.org

Ameren

Continued from B1 are paid and the community’s most vulnerable citizens have access to the energy-efficient air conditioners they need to stay safe.

2023 marks the 23rd year of the SOS Cooling Summer Project and it is Ameren’s 18th year of participation. It has helped deliver nearly 10,000 window air conditioner units.

“Each summer, we make this annual giveaway a priority to help keep hundreds of our elderly and disabled neighbors safe and cool,” said Mark Birk, chair and president of Ameren Missouri.

“Our longtime partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org focuses on helping our most vulnerable customers stay safe during the heat of the summer.”

First responders including firefighters are often the first to arrive at a residence where someone is in a health crisis because of the heat, according to St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

“I can attest without exception that this charity, Cooldownstlouis.org has

saved lives; and does save lives,” he said.

“This Ameren and Cooldownstlouis.org joint effort is a phenomenal public service instrument.”

State Senator Karla May said the partnership ensures that “no one is left behind in the social safety net.”

“It is all about neighbors helping neighbors, and the public can be part of that support by making generous donations to the Cooldownstlouis.org.”

Ameren also offers other resources for seniors and people with medical concerns including its: Medical Equipment Registry – Register medical equipment for notification about planned maintenance outages. Residents should have a back-up plan in place for emergency outages.

The Caring Contact Program – Eligible customers may designate a person or agency for Ameren Missouri to contact prior to disconnection for nonpayment. Caring Contact helps protect the health and safety of older adults and people with disabilities who may need additional support in handling potential disconnection of service.

Keeping Cool Program – Helps make summer

energy bills more affordable for senior citizens, those with children under 5, or who have a documented chronic medical condition. It includes up to five monthly electric bill credits in the summer months to keep customers cool and safe.

Weatherization

Assistance – Qualifying income-eligible homeowners and renters within the area are eligible to receive assistance in the form of weatherization improvements to their homes through local agencies. Elderly and disabled persons are given preference. The improvements include caulking, water heater jackets, weather stripping, and insulation.

Ameren encourages older adults and people with disabilities as well as low- to moderate-income families to apply for energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri. org websites or by calling (314) 241-0001 or (314) 834-0034, which are their hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities only.

Customers and their families are encouraged to visit AmerenMissouri.com/ HealthAndSafety for additional information.

John Bowman, St. Louis County NAACP president, will host the organization’s 86th Freedom Fund Dinner on June 19, 2023, at the St. Louis Marriott Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue.

Photo courtesy of STL County NAACP

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

n “This is an opportunity for these guys to be out there on a big stage.”

– Ken Griffey Jr., on the HBCU Swingman Baseball Classic he created

An incredible year of high school sports in the St. Louis area has ended so let’s put a bow on it with our annual St. Louis American Prep Year in Review.

We had some incredible highlights this year, which included:

•The Vashon boys and girls basketball teams winning state championships on the same weekend.

• The husband-and-wife coaching team of Brennan and Tiffany Spain leading their respective teams at Cardinal Ritter to state championships. Brennan led the football team, while Tiffany led the girls track team. One of the top athletes on the track team was their daughter Kyndall Spain, a state champion hurdler.

• Incarnate Word’s girls basketball team winning another state title and running its winning streak to 100 games.

Seasons of the spectacular East St. Louis Football: The Flyers added another state championship to their vast trophy case after a dominating 57-7 victory over Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge in the IHSA Class 6A state championship. The Flyers had one of the biggest offensive lines in the country, led by Alabama recruit

Sports

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

A year of sports success throughout St. Louis

Miles McVay and a talented offense led by quarterback Robert “Pops” Battle

CBC Football: The Cadets repeated as Class 6 state champions in dramatic fashion as they defeated Lee’s Summit North 35-28 in an overtime thriller. Senior Jeremiyah Love scored all five touchdowns for the Cadets in what was a spectacular performance for the Cadets.

St. Mary’s Football: The Dragons won their second consecutive state championship with another dominant season, which ended with a 42-0 victory over fellow AAA foe St. Dominic in the Class 4 state title game. In their two state-championship game victories, the Dragons have outscored their opposition 98-0. They

were

Cardinal Ritter

Football: The Lions brought home their first state championship in football after defeating Reeds Spring 46-7 to win the Class 3 state championship, thus completing a perfect 14-0 season. The Lions had a tremendous team, led by Division I recruits Fredrick Moore (Michigan) and Marvin Burks Jr. (Missouri).

Francis Howell

Football: The Vikings made history by winning their first state championship in football. Howell powered past Fort Osage 49-21 to win the Class 5 state title and complete an undefeated season at 14-0.

Vashon Basketball:

The Wolverines brought home another Class 4 state championship with a 64-37 victory over Park Hills Central. Vashon was led by 6’6” senior forward Kennard Davis, Jr. who is headed to Southern Illinois University. The Wolverines have won three state titles in a row and four of the last five.

Cardinal Ritter

Basketball: The Lions won their third state championship in four years as they defeated Ladue to win the Class 5 state championship. The Lions staged a big fourth quarter rally to defeat Pembroke Hill in the semifinals, which set the stage for their championship performance.

Incarnate Word Basketball: The Red Knights continued their run as the dynasty in girls

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Cardinal Ritter College prep players and coaches celebrate winning the 2022 Missouri Class 3 State Football title at Faurot Stadium in Columbia, MO. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

sophomore sharpshooter Jordan Speiser, senior center Megan Aulbert, and talented freshmen Kyrii Franklin and Kennedy Stowers

Vashon Girls

Basketball: The Wolverines made history by winning its first ever state championship in girls basketball. Vashon defeated St. Joe Benton 79-77 in double overtime in the Class 4 state championship game. The Wolverines were led by the talented trio of senior Raychel Jones and juniors JaNyla Bush and Chantrel “Tutu” Clayton

basketball statewide as they defeated Columbia Rock Bridge for the Class 6 state title. In addition to another state title, Incarnate Word has now run its impressive winning streak to 100 games.

O’Fallon Girls

Basketball: The Panthers made history by winning their first state championship in girls basketball. They did it in dramatic style by defeating Lisle Benet in double-overtime to win the IHSA Class 4A state championship. The Panthers were led by outstanding senior guard Shannon Dowell.

Lutheran St. Charles Girls Basketball: The Cougars won the Class 5 state championship with a thrilling victory over Carl Junction. Lutheran fielded a talented team led by

MLB should support Negro Leagues Family Alliance

Cardinal Ritter Girls Track: The Cardinal Ritter girls track and field dynasty continued as it won its third consecutive state championship. The Lions scored 94 points as they outdistanced the field to win the Class 5 state championship.Coach Tiffany Spain has built a powerhouse program that is still rolling.

East St. Louis Track: The Flyers made it 13 state championships in boys track as they won the IHSA Class 2A state title in Charleston, IL. It was a great team effort by the Flyers, led by senior Demarlynn Taylor, a state champion hurdler.

Festus Boys Track: The Tigers brought home a championship trophy to Jefferson County as they won the Class 4 state championship. The Tigers were led by outstanding distance runner Ian Schram and field event standout Ahrmad Branch

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is in Kansas City as are living residents of former Negro League player Alphonse Smith, who was a Kirkwood, Missouri resident. After joining the Negro League Cleveland Buckeyes in 1946, Smith was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1949. He was a two-time All-Star (1955 with Cleveland and 1960 with Chicago) and was voted one of the Indians’ Top 100 players in 2013. Unfortunately, Smith’s descendants were unable to attend a plaque dedication in Smith’s honor on June 3, 2023, in Kirkwood Park, the site of Smith’s former home. Hopefully, they will become involved with the Negro Leagues Family Alliance (NLFA), which was established in February. The NLFA wants Major League Baseball (MLB) to establish May 2 as its annual “Negro

Leagues Day” in its 30 MLB parks. Depending on the day, up to 15 stadiums would host the toast to the Negro Leagues annually. According to records, the first official Negro Leagues game was played on May 2, 1920, between the Indianapolis ABCs and the Chicago American Giants. The ABCs prevailed in the contest played at Washington Park in Indianapolis. As reported by Ralph E. Moore in The Afro, the alliance “seeks to preserve the legacy of the Negro League(s) and help grow the game in America’s inner cities.”

Family members of Dennis Biddle, Bill Foster, Rube Foster, Josh Gibson, Pete Hill, Buck Leonard, Fran Matthews, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, Norman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes, and Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley, are founding members of the alliance. Teasley is among the oldest living former Negro Leagues players at the age of 96.

“Our distinct personal connections to the Negro Leagues allow us to offer a voice rooted in ancestry that will inspire others to strive to achieve and maximize their potential,” said Vanessa Rose, Stearnes’ granddaughter. She said the Alliance’s goal is “wrapping education, advocacy and inspiration in a long-ignored history lesson.” It plans to create a website stocked with historic information on the Negro Leagues and to also participate in the

While racism kept him out of Major League Baseball, Negro Leagues star James “Cool Papa” Bell is honored with a statue at Busch Stadium.

Reviving Baseball in the Inner City (RBI) program. The St, Louis Stars were one of the Negro Leagues most outstanding teams, and St. Louis hosted a Negro Leagues All-Star game in the 1930s that drew more than 30,000 fans. There certainly must be relatives of Hall of Famer James “Cool Papa” Bell and other Stars’ players residing in our region.

I implore them to get involved with the NLFA. Bell and many Negro

Leagues players would have become All Stars like Smith had they been allowed to play in the Majors. Racism denied them their respective chances.

It’s not too late to do right by these players, and MLB should not only declare May 2 Negro Leagues Day in all its stadiums, but it should also finance the NLFA’s endeavors.

The Reid Roundup

Alphonse Smith played in three All-Star Games. The first in 1956 as a Cleveland Indian. He was with the Chicago White Sox in 1960, when two All-Star Games were played…Any relative of a former St. Louis Negro Leagues players is invited to contact me, Alvin A. Reid at areid@stlamerican. com....St. Louis Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty walked the first three batters he faced on June 7 against the Texas Rangers then shut the opposition out for six innings. The Cardinals prevailed 1-0. Flaherty seems to have

found his groove, unlike the Cardinals. I would not be surprised if he is traded in the next month… That NBA Finals championship ring will look good on the finger of Michael Porter Jr. and his Denver Nuggets teammates. Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat were no match for the NBA’s best regular season and postseason team…If traded by Portland, superstar guard Damian Lillard says Miami is ‘obviously’ his first choice over Boston, New York, and Brooklyn in a hypothetical trade. “[Heat forward] Bam [Adebayo] is my dawg,” he told NBA Central… Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum responded on Twitter to Lillard, saying “Damn, just say you don’t like Boston.”… Respected NBA analyst Bill Simmons says the Philadelphia 76ers are the favorite to land Bradley Beal if he is traded by the Washington Wizards. He cited the pending departure of 76ers guard James Harden and Beal’s friendship with 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid.

Earl Austin Jr.

led by senior standouts Jamal Roberts and Chase Hendricks.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The University of Missouri–St. Louis was the presenting partner for Sunday’s St. Louis CITY SC match against the LA Galaxy as the team commemorated Juneteenth ahead of the national holiday later this month. The pregame festivities include a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” –often called the Black National Anthem – and the first 10,000 fans through the gates at CITYPARK received a souvenir miniature soccer ball commemorating

UMSL alum designed soccer ball for St. Louis CITY SC match

the holiday, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

Local designer

and illustrator Marco Cheatham, who received his BFA in studio art from UMSL in 2016, designed the ball, which features themed illustrations of

freedom, joy, love and hope alongside the logos of St. Louis CITY SC and UMSL.

Cheatham has done work for a variety of

Steward II named to most powerful people in kids entertainment list

David Steward II, founder and CEO of Lion Forge Animation, was recently named to The Hollywood Reporter list of The 75 Most Powerful People in Kids Entertainment Lion Forge Animation won an Oscar with its debut film, Matthew A. Cherry’s 2019 short Hair Love about a Black father’s struggles to do his daughter’s hair for the first time. According to The Hollywood Reporter “the rare Blackowned animation studio, Lion Forge has, under new president and CCO Sperber, stayed true to its mission to produce “diverse stories, authentically told,” including Disney Junior’s Rise Up, Sing Out featuring music by The Roots’ Questlove and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter.” Some of the

NBC’s long-standing political panel show, “Meet the Press,” will experience a historymaking change as Chuck Todd, the current moderator, announces his departure after nearly a decade.

Marco Cheatham designed St. Louis City SC’s Juneteenth Match Ball, which was handed out to fans at Sunday’s match against the LA Galaxy. UMSL served as the presenting partner for the match.

companies, including Google, YouTube and Amazon.

St. Louis CITY SC is also selling the “Support Black Dreams”

other animators that made The 75 Most Powerful People in Kids Entertainment list include: the long time producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, and animators for DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Television, Netflix, Disney, and Nintendo.

Steward II, who grew up in St. Louis and went to Mary Institute and Country Day School, currently serves on the board of Nine Network.

T-shirt Cheatham designed through its website with proceeds benefitting local nonprofit Gentlemen of Vision. The organization provides mentorship and guidance to young men from various school districts across the St. Louis area. UMSL has served as the official higher education partner of St. Louis CITY SC throughout its inaugural season, and the club and university have been working together to build the St. Louis CITY/ UMSL Sport Management Program. UMSL is also serving as the presenting partner for St. Louis CITY SC’s esports program.

Kristen Welker is first Black ‘Meet The Press’ moderator

Stepping into his shoes

Welker, a former chief White House correspondent, has been with NBC News in Washington since 2011.

Since 2020, she has served as Todd’s primary substitute.

will be Kristen Welker, the first Black host of the renowned program, some time in the coming months.

Also, her performance

as the moderator for Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s final debate during the 2020 presidential campaign garnered widespread praise.

In a memo announcing her promotion, Rebecca Blumenstein,

NBC News President of Editorial, praised Welker’s abilities. Welker, 46, will now assume the significant responsibility of leading the program during what promises to be another contentious

presidential election cycle.

Since 1947, when Martha Rountree hosted the program, “Meet the Press,” the longest running television show in America, has remained a mainstay on Sunday mornings.

With Welker’s ascension to the moderator position, she becomes

the first Black host in the show’s history and the first woman since Rountree’s departure in 1953. Industry officials said the milestone marks a significant step forward in diversifying “Meet the Press” and underscores the importance of representation in the media.

Photo by Derik Holtmann

Kristen Welker

David Steward II

Marco Cheatham

Living It

Dynamic duet

Father-son YouTube duet from decade ago leads

to album, concert

By Danielle Brown St. Louis American

Ten years ago, Brian Owens and his father Thomas Owens recorded a video of them singing “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.

The father-son duo uploaded the video to YouTube, not thinking anything would transpire.

They were wrong.

“We did the song because it’s a song that we both knew,” said Brian Owens, who sings professionally.

“Especially on my shows he would come up and do it with me. We had no expectations for the video to do anything. I did the video as a commercial for the audio version of the song we were trying to get people to download as a benefit and fundraiser for kids who had cancer.”

Since October 2017, the video has garnered a lot of engagement, and responses from celebrities. The video is currently at almost 100 million views on YouTube. It has attracted the attention of Tina Knowles-Lawson (entrepreneur, mother of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and

and R&B

Solange Knowles), DL Hughley, and retired CBS News anchor Dan Rather.

“I think it’s because it’s a father and son, and the way the video is shot. It’s an intimate moment people get a glimpse into,” Brian said.

“If you read comments on the video

n “One of the greatest things my dad ever did for me was give me the freedom to parent differently than he did.”

- Singer Brian Owens

- for so many people it’s hope. They watch that video to start their day, they watch that video if they’re going through a tough time. [Some] reference that video as a blessing.”

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Brian and his father have recorded a new album called “Duets with Dad,” featuring a new anniversary recording

of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Try A Little Tenderness,” “Stand by Me,” and “People Get Ready.” The album features performances by David Sanborn, Isaiah Sharkey and members of the Hi Rhythm Section (the house band for albums by Al Green, Ann Peebles, and more).

“Duets With Dad” album is supported by Regional Arts Commission, Dolber Family Foundation, and Beyond Housing. The project was recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, where Al Green recorded, and at Blackbird Studio in Nashville.

St. Louis natives Jahmal Nichols, Emmanuel Harrold, Shedrick Mitchell, and Brian’s cousin Charles Ransom, who is a member of Heatwave, also appear on the album. “Duets With Dad” will be released this fall.

The Owens men will perform a live production of the album this Father’s Day, June 18 featuring special guests Malena Smith, The Mighty Pines’ Neil Salsich (“The Voice”), Hi Rhythm Section, and Pop! Pop! Pop!, a 20-piece modern string orchestra led by Adam Maness at Touhill Performing Arts

See Duet, C8

Oliver, Julius, and Juneteenth

SLAM

centers holiday programming around newest Jackson acquisition

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

As the title of the collection suggests, Dear Friend by renowned artist Oliver Lee Jackson is an expression of a deep and lasting bond – one that is stronger than life itself.

The limited-edition folio features gravures of original drawings by Oliver Lee Jackson and music scores by Julius Hemphill, composer and a founder of World Saxophone Quartet. Jackson introduced the work in 2021, more than 25 years after Hemphill’s untimely death.

Dear Friend, which features 12 photogravures that reproduce original drawings by Jackson, a St. Louis native, paired with photogravures of original hand-written manuscripts of Hemphill’s compositions.

“It uses art and music to convey a story of deep and enduring connec-

after Oliver Lee Jackson, American, born 1935; after Julius Arthur Hemphill, American, 1938–1995; printed by Mulloweny Printing Company, Portland, Oregon, founded 2011; bookbinding by John DeMerritt Book Binding, Emeryville, California, founded 1995; Dear Friend (detail), 2021; 12 photogravures in linen-covered box; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Donald Suggs and his daughters Dawn Suggs and Dina Suggs in memory of Betty Suggs 178:2022.1-12.

tions,” said Shaka Myrick, Saint Louis Art Museum Romare Bearden Fellow for 2021-2023. “The illustrations that coexist alongside notes on a page make a visual response to the scores to honor his friend’s work – to point to Julius

Hemphill. It’s really about honoring him. That is what will ignite the viewer.”

St. Louis American’s list of events throughout the month

By Danielle Brown

St. Louis American

The remainder of June is jumping with entertainment energy. It’s Black Music Month, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, Juneteenth is Monday, June 19, and it’s also Pride Month. You will be anything but bored during the month. you’re sure to find something that appeals to you. Check out St. Louis American’s list below of various events and activities happening throughout the month.

15 Kalonda Kay, St. Louis singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer will be performing on City Winery St. Louis’ mainstage. Doors open at 6 pm, and the show starts at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit, https://citywinery.com

16 City Winery St. Louis presents The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. Live in concert. The New Orleans’ premier Mardi Gras Indian Funk ensemble presents the legacy and preservation of NOLA music and black masking culture. Doors open at 6 pm, show starts at 8 pm. Find more details, here: https://citywinery.com

17

City Winery presents Rahsaan Patterson live in concert at 7 pm, doors open at 5 pm; and at 10:30 pm, doors open at 9:30 pm. Patterson released his seventh studio album, “Heroes & Gods” in 2019. He’s been praised by Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and more. Find more details about the shows, here: https://citywinery.com

Arica’s Birthday Bash featuring Blvck Spvde: Unplugged, 8 p.m., The Dark Room at The Grandel, For tickets, visit https://www.metrotix.com

Blues on the Block with Cheri Evans, 4 pm-7pm, National Blues Museum Evans will perform on the corner at Washington Ave., and 6th Street. She will perform 1960s classics from The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Marvelettes. For tickets and more information, visit https://www. eventbrite.com

18 Jay Lewis, better known as “Lil JJ” or “Big JJ” comedian, actor, rapper, dancer, and singer, most known for starring in “Just Jordan,” “All That,” and “The Rickey Smiley Show,” will be joined

Courtesy photo

City Winery presents singer Rahsaan Patterson live in concert at on June 17th at 7 pm.

Photo courtesy of Brian Owens

Brian Owens and his father, Thomas Owens will perform covers of classic soul

hits at their Duets with Dad concert this Father’s Day at Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Photo by M. Lee Fatherree

A Sec d HUGE NASCAR Win f St. L is & S thwest Illin s

To everyone who made the second annual Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter a tremendous success – thank you. Our Midwest fan base and corporate support delivered a second consecutive sellout…proving what we already know: this region is home to the best sports fans in the country. This event entertains Midwest fans and attracts many more – in fact, ticket purchasers hailed from 40 states and 10 countries.

Year two delivered more of everything on every level! More food options, more driver appearances, more activities, more live music, and more racing as we once again finished in overtime. Even with a weather delay, the stands remained packed for an exciting finish and droves of fans stayed to enjoy the Dierks Bentley post-race concert. Even Dierks was impressed with the turnout; he praised the large enthusiastic crowd and acknowledged that this region knows how to “Sunday Funday!”

Special guests, including NASCAR drivers, Hollywood celebrities, stars from other sports leagues, elected officials, Olympic athletes, and global touring artists were spotted throughout the weekend –taking it all in as World Wide Technology Raceway hosted our second Cup Series race and celebrated NASCAR’s 75th anniversary.

None of this is possible without an incredible team of WWTR staff and partners who help create the weekend spectacle. The Steward Family and World Wide Technology are tops on that list – bringing innovation, enthusiasm and creativity to our collaboration at every turn. From delighting fans with RaceAR technology to envisioning the Confluence Music Festival that showcased local, regional and global musical talent on multiple stages throughout the raceway – their influence on this event is invaluable.

Sponsorship of the many events and activities within the NASCAR weekend is crucial to pulling this all together. These partners include the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, TicketSmarter, Purina Pro Plan, and ELCO, which is also a founding partner along with 1st Phorm, Anheuser-Busch, Ameren Illinois, Bommarito Automotive Group, Centene, Edward Jones, Enterprise, Grey Eagle Distributors, Luxco, Robert “Chick” Fritz Distributors, SSM Health, Stifel, and Verizon who have helped make incredible NASCAR memories happen here for two years and counting.

These businesses and major employers, led by Greater St. Louis, Regional Business Council and the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois understand the long-term potential this success will have on the Metro East and our urban core. Together we share a vision to plant the seeds of long-term prosperity for the people and communities around us.

As we like to say…see you at the track, and God Bless!

Curtis Francois Owner, World Wide Technology Raceway

In commemoration of Juneteenth holiday and Black Music Month, The Saint Louis Art Museum will celebrate the recent acquisition of one of these rare folios.

“The portfolio is unique because it seems like the works that he chose to print along with the musical scores almost aligns with the tone of the music – which is improvisational – if they were to be played,” Myrick said. “It’s like he looked at these scores and chose work based on how it could ignite the viewer, because everyone doesn’t read music. The merging is the pinnacle of this – the merging of this visual and musical art and the auditory elements.”

The festivities will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 16th at Saint Louis Art Museum’s Ferrell Auditorium and will also highlight the intersection of visual art and music through a lecture by Myrick and a musical performance from Kasimu Taylor and the AfroFuturists that comes courtesy of the National Blues Museum.

“Hemphill was a master composer and saxophonist – and his music is full of complex rhythms, melodies and harmonies,” Taylor said. “His compositions are also deeply rooted in Black culture – and they often explore themes of identity, community and spirituality. I hope audiences will come away from this performance with a new appreciation for Hemphill’s music and his unique contributions to Black culture and American culture as a whole.”

The band – which consists of Kendrick Smith on alto saxophone, Bernard Terry on bass, Demarius Hicks on drums and Taylor on trumpet – will play a selection of Hemphill’s important works that are featured in the portfolio, including “KC Line” and the title composition Dear Friend

“My initial reaction to seeing Oliver Jackson’s Dear

Friend works was one of awe and wonder,” Taylor said. “The intricate and colorful patterns, the bold and expressive lines and the overall sense of movement and energy were incredibly captivating. I was also struck by the personal and emotional connection that Jackson seemed to be trying to forge with the viewer. The collection seemed to be a way for him to express his love and appreciation for his friend Julius Hemphill – and to illuminate their shared experiences and memories.”

Myrick’s talk will highlight Dear Friend, the history of Oliver Lee Jackson’s work and the friendship between he and

n “The portfolio is unique because it seems like the works that he chose to print along with the musical scores almost aligns with the tone of the music – which is improvisational – if they were to be played.”

- Shaka Myrick, Saint Louis Art Museum Romare Bearden Fellow for 2021-2023

Julius Hemphill as well as highlight their respective legacies within St. Louis’ Black arts scene in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly through the Black Artists Group.

“It is a one-of-a-kind portfolio and a one-ofa-kind addition to the museum’s permanent collection,” Myrick said. “We have a black donor, a black artist, an African American musician and a Black fellow,” said Myrick, who participated in the acquisition process.

The work was the brainchild of a Black artist and St. Louis native with a body of work that spans more than six decades and has been featured in leading arts institutions around the world – and is still actively creating. It was inspired by a Black composer who left a lasting impression

on the cultural legacy of St. Louis. It was gifted to the museum by St. Louis American Publisher and Executive Editor Dr. Donald M. Suggs – a longtime champion of Black arts and culture in St. Louis – and his daughters Dawn and Dina Suggs in memory of Betty Suggs.

“I’m especially pleased to be able to recognize and share works from St. Louis born artists, enhancing our collection and further connecting the museum to the community it proudly calls home,” Min Jung Kim, The Barbara Taylor Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, said of the acquisition.

Myrick added that Dear Friend further illustrates the richness of Black culture and its “ability to inform, lead and direct and influence in all planes.”

“Visually, looking at drawings juxtaposed against the musical scores is a beautiful way to acknowledge the fact that all art is connected – and we influence all cultures,” Myrick said. “What is key to remember in my opinion is this country is primarily built off of our labor and I know that the richness of who we are as descendants from the continent [of Africa] could not be broken through enslavement – and that is all the way through to 2023.”

And as the community gathers to commemorate Black freedom and Black culture, Myrick is thrilled to be able to connect with guests by way of what she feels to be the most valuable within the canon of Black cultural influence.

“The musical element in my opinion is one of the richest things African Americans have brought to this country – on top of everything else,” Myrick said. “We influenced music in a way that many other cultures can’t touch. I want to honor and celebrate that.”

The Saint Louis Art Museum’s presentation of Celebrating Juneteenth: Black Music Month lecture and performance will take place on Friday, June 16th in their Farrell Auditorium. The event is free, but reservations are recommended. For additional information, visit www.slam.org

Heart to heart

By Andrea Y. Henderson St. Louis Public Radio

The Rev. Charles Norris of St. James AME Church in the Greater Ville neighborhood has prayed for a number of his church members who have suffered from heart attacks, strokes or other conditions. He has seen too many die and others struggle with heart problems.

Norris and 24 other church leaders are working with the American Heart Association St. Louis through its Empowered to Serve church initiative to help reduce the prevalence of heart disease in north St. Louis and north St. Louis County. Church leaders are encouraging their members to know their family medical history, recognize the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes and adopt healthy eating habits.

According to the region’s health departments, Black residents in north St. Louis are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease and those in north St. Louis County have high

mortality rates due to heart attacks.

Norris said many Black families in north St. Louis do not routinely visit the doctor because they do not trust medical staff, so Black churches must inspire members to start living a healthier lifestyle by taking care of their hearts.

“We have to have our minds fixed and changed to understand that God can work through medicine as well,” Norris said. “We need people to understand that you need to go to the doctor.”

The American Heart Association provides the churches with informational PowerPoint slides, worksheets and other relatable materials to relay messages about ways to keep the heart healthy. Church leaders can choose from 12 health lessons on how they can get more exercise, learn CPR training, understand high blood pressure and other topics.

According to the AHA, population-wide reductions in cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality have not been shared equally by African

Americans. The burden of cardiovascular disease in the African American community remains high and is a primary cause of disparities in life expectancy between African Americans and whites.

People look to church leaders for information and people trust them, which makes them champions for health messages, said Rachelle Bartnik, the heart association’s senior director of community impact.

St. James AME Church members Dana Giboney-

Wallace and Deborah Syas are spearheading the initiative at the predominantly Black church. They share the health information to help save people in their community from preventable heart conditions.

“It seemed like every time I turned on the radio or TV, they were talking about one of these health issues and how it affects our bodies, especially in the Black culture,” Syas said. “We had to really make them feel how important it is.”

Giboney-Wallace said it is important for Black people to know their family medical history and share it with doctors, as that could help them live a healthier life.

“A lot of times we don’t see family members until we have a funeral, that’s too late,” she said. “But we need to share that information.”

The Rev. Derrick Perkins of Centennial Christian Church Disciples of Christ in north St. Louis is using the heart associa-

tion’s program to enhance what his church’s health and wellness team already does for the community. Besides sharing information about heart health, he incorporated exercise programs to help his members limit health risks, which he believes is one of the roles of Black pastors.

“Black churches got to talk about health, especially knowing as a pastor, how often we’re funeralizing people who have died from preventable kinds of things,” Perkins said.

Photo courtesy of St. James AME Church

to members of St. James AME

BUILDING DEPARTMENT MANAGER

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for a Building Department Manager. Duties include administrative & professional work in planning, organizing, directing, facilitating, and supervising of the building department, including code enforcement; new construction of residential and commercial structures; building plan review; environmental, public health, and safety programs for all buildings. Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field or seven years equivalency in the field. ICC certified. Starting annual salary $61,340 (GS25). More detail description and applications available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave. or at www.cityofjennings. org. NO RESUMES ACCEPTED WITHOUT A COMPLETED APPLICATION. Completed applications may be mailed, emailed to jobs@cityofjennings. org or faxed to 314-388-3999. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

LIABILITY CLAIMS ACCOUNT MANAGER

Responsible for new, renewal and ongoing Large Casualty and Public Entity Liability account management services and the analysis, implementation and oversight of associated administrative issues. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

MUNICIPAL COURT MONITOR (CONTRACTED)

Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking to enter into a professional service agreement with an individual or agency, to provide municipal court monitoring services for St. Louis County Municipal Courts. Services are funded from a cooperative agreement with St. Louis County Circuit Court and the Office of State Court Administrator and is subject to the continued availability of these funds. Work involves monitoring and reviewing of operational activities with respect to compliance with the minimum operating standards for municipal division and municipal division judges. The contractual position reports directly to the Presiding Judge of St. Louis County. This agreement is funded up to $30.00 per hour, not to exceed $60,000 annually. Note: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume on or before July 21, 2023. Attention: Human Resources (Municipal Court Monitor), Circuit Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 or Email: SLCCourtjobs@courts.mo.gov EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314-615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accomodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format.

SENIOR CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER

In the role of Senior Client Service Manager, you will work closely with department leadership and team members internally, and with our clients and broker partners externally. Your contributions to compile user stories, facilitate client awareness and use of resources, while developing and organizing a K-12 school risk management advisory board, will be felt throughout Safety National.

To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

CITY OF JENNINGS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the following positions: City Services Director; Finance Director; Building Department Manager; Economic Development Planning Technician, Deputy Building Commissioner; Code Enforcement Inspector; Human Resource Coordinator; Human Resource Administrative Assistant; Building Department Administrative Assistant II; Fleet Maintenance/Mechanic; Correctional Officers; Court Clerk; Public Works Laborer; P/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Assistant to the City Clerk; P/T Public Works Laborers; P/T Site Monitor. Please see the full job descriptions online at www.cityofjennings.org or at Jennings City Hall (2120 Hord Avenue 63136). Applications are also available at the Jennings City Hall or on the website at www.cityofjennings.org

The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

LEGAL COORDINATOR

In the role of Legal Coordinator you will be responsible for handling the general administrative needs of the Legal Department, which includes updating and maintaining our legal filing system, document creation, copying, printing, scanning, arranging travel, satisfying check requests, and completing expense reports. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

SENIOR MANAGER OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

In the role of Senior Manager of Employee Relations, you will be an influential member of our Human Resources Operations team. You will work closely with people leaders and department heads in support of our employees across the country. Your work in employee relations will promote Safety National’s vision and Core Values and positively impact the employment experience for all throughout the company. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

PRICING ACTUARY –REMOTE

Responsible for providing Pricing Analyses and Technical Support for Treaty Reinsurance with a focus on casualty lines including Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Umbrella, and Professional Liability. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

Join us in advancing safer, healthier relationships for children and families. At FamilyForward we move vulnerable children in the direction of hope by delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families. We hire for a variety of positions including therapy, social work, early childhood education, administrative work, foster care, and adoption services. To see if you would be a good fit for any of the open positions at FamilyForward go to: https://familyforwardmo.org/careers/

JR74605 Clinical Operations Manager – Surgery:

This position is responsible for the operational management of clinical services in the Department of Surgery. This includes all operations necessary to deliver services such as electronic medical records systems, patient services / satisfaction, physician relationships, staff supervision (clinical and clerical), and quality / performance improvement; will include technical training and optimization processes aimed at supporting increased quality and efficiency This position will also interface with person(s) responsible for scheduling / registration. Participates in the strategic planning and overall development of clinical services.

JR74267 Manager FPP Practice Development -

Faculty Practice Plan:

Assists FPP Executive Director, Physician Practice Development, with implementation and management of various strategic initiatives to expand and enhance the clinical practice. Manages projects related to development of new WUSM off-campus expansion opportunities including coordination of space planning, review of real estate opportunities and lease terms, facilitation of capital approvals, etc. Serves as primary point of contact for all off-campus lease coordination for WUSM. Provides consultation to Departments for evaluations of new business opportunities such as new physician alignment strategies or practice acquisitions. Assists with start-up of new WUCA primary care practices and recruitment of new primary care physicians as needed.

Medical Assistant Apprentice- JR72269

Would you like to be a Medical Assistant, but don’t have time or the funds to go to school? We have a solution! Once you pass our entrance requirements and are hired through Washington University, you can complete our Apprenticeship program in just 12 weeks. Upon completing, and passing the credentialing exam, along with being a continued employee for 1 year, you will receive recognition as a Certified Medical Assistant. Class times will be during working hours (4 hours a week), and there will be no tuition costs to you.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive

separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 23 505, Humanities Renovation Phase 2 at Florissant Valley Campus for STLCC, until 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, June 30, 2023. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314. Drawings, Specifications and bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 2731 S. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63118 (https:// www.x-rhodesplanroom.com). Electronic bid sets are also available in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com and may be printed by the plan holders.

Questions regarding this project should be directed to John Reynolds, john.reynolds@ etegra.com. A pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 10am CST at the Florissant Valley Campus – Humanities Building A walk-through of the project area will follow the meeting. You may schedule additional site visits by contacting Nathan Gluesenkamp at ngluesenkamp@ stlcc.edu.

The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12%. Also proposed for Contractors to participate in a registered Apprenticeship Program approved through the United States Department of Labor. Individuals with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact: 314-984-7673

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Lincoln University is accepting sealed bids for:

LI23012.1 Obstacle Course Lincoln University is looking for qualified contractors to erect an obstacle course in the area outside of the softball field, located at 1112 Chestnut Street on Lincoln University campus. For full RFP visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/ about-lincoln/vice-president-ofadministration-and-finance/facilitiesand-planning.html. Questions may be submitted to: reedr@lincolnu.edu

The University will be accepting bids until 2:00 PM, June 28, 2023. Submit bids to: LU 23012.1 Obstacle Course, Lincoln University 820 Chestnut St. Facilities & Planning 309 Young Hall Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PARIC Corporation is requesting bids to make subcontract awards from for the new St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley Campus’ New Advanced Manufacturing Building, for all scopes of work required by the documents. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not receive a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com

SCOPES ARE REQUESTED BY FRIDAY JUNE 16th @ 10:00 AM

BIDS ARE REQUESTED MONDAY JUNE 19th before 2:00 PM, THIS IS 24 HOURS BEFORE WE ARE DUE TO THE OWNER.

This is for the construction of a new ~96,000 SF, three story, Type II-B Construction, steel framed building, including all associated site and civil work. Building will be built on an existing parking lot. Mechanical systems will tie-in to the campus Central Plant. Estimated construction value is +/- $40M.

Project is sales tax exempt and is subject to Missouri Division of Labor Standards Annual Wage Order No. 29.

The College has the proposed minority goals of MBE 15% and WBE 12%

The Owner is committed to providing minority business enterprises and women business enterprises (MBE/WBE) with an equal opportunity to do business with the Saint Louis Community College. The Owner has adopted the following to address equitable MBE/WBE involvement in the Project. The achievement by Bidders of the MBE/ WBE participation and/or the efforts to obtain MBE/WBE participation will be considered in the award of all contracts. A firm must be certified or be in the process of obtaining certification from one of the following, but not limited to: ---SLDA St. Louis Development Agency ---MDOT Missouri Department of Transportation ---IDOT Illinois Department of Transportation ---CDB Illinois Capital Development Board ---METRO ---St. Louis Airport

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Webster Groves School District at the District Service Center Building, 3232 South Brentwood Blvd., Webster Groves, MO 63119, until THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023, BY 2 P.M. CDT for the Moss Field Athletic Complex Renovations. Bids will be opened publicly at that time.

Drawings and specifications for this project are on file at the office of the Architect, Hoener Associates, Inc., 6707 Plainview Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109, (314) 781-9855.

Information as to bidding instructions and requirements for procuring bidding documents may be obtained from the Architect.

Not less than the prevailing hourly wage rates, as determined by the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, shall be paid all workers employed on this project.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive technicalities, to select any contractor filing a proposal, and to reject any or all bids.

A PRE-BID SUMMARY PRESENTATION MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023 FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:00 A.M. AND WILL BE HELD AT THE HIXSON MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCATED AT 630 SOUTH ELM AVENUE, WEBSTER GROVES MO. 63119.

PROJECT SITE VISIT WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS MEETING FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 11:00 A.M. WE WILL WALK TO THE EAST PARKING LOT NEXT TO MOSS FIELD FOR EACH CONTRACTOR TO VISIT THE SITE.

ATTENDANCE AT BOTH MEETINGS IS MANDATORY.

By: Mr. Rob Steuber Construction Project Manager

SEALED BIDS

B i d s f o r

A u d i t o r i u m Renovation, Ike Skelton Training Site, Jefferson City, MO, Project No.T2218-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 27, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Playground Replacements at Meramec State Park, Project No. X2108-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 13, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities The State of Missouri, OA-FMDC, 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. Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds are being used in this project, and all relevant federal, state and local requirements apply.

REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS

Hanley is requesting sealed bids from architects/ engineer/building contractors for renovations of City Hall and the Maintenance Garage. The bid deadline is: June 30, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Bid package is available at Hanley Hills City Hall, 7713 Utica Drive, Hanley Hills, MO 63133 and on Hanley Hills’ website. thevillageofhanleyhills.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

America’s Center is seeking RFP’s from qualified companies to provide Private Public Safety Services for America’s Center. Bid packages available Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, at 9am by visiting https:// www.explorestlouis.com/ publicsafetyrfp or at the Administrative Office at 701 Convention Plaza. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct Solar Arrays at Fort Leonard Wood Readiness Center, Project Nos. T2224-01, T2229-01, and T2231-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 29, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC & Boiler, Project No. H2305-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 29, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Renovate Restrooms, Center for Behavioral Medicine, Kansas City, MO, Project No. M2311-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/13/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities

or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

PLANNED GIVING MARKETING SERVICES RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Planned Giving Marketing Services RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 6/14/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Interface Construction Corp. is bidding the UMSL College of Nursing Ph III on June 16, 2023 We invite all certified MBE and WBE bidders to submit your quote to: Bob Adams, Interface Construction Corp. (314) 522-1011 8401 Wabash Ave. St. Louis, MO 63134-1837 email: boba@interfacestl.com

INVITATION TO BID:

Blackline Design and Construction is seeking qualified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE’s) & Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE’s) proposals for the interior and exterior alterations of the former Rock Spring School Building located at 3974 Sarpy Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110. Scope consists of, but are not limited to the following: Excavation/Grading, Concrete Foundations/Flatwork, Masonry, Aluminum Fence, Gates, & Operators, Metal Railing, Carpentry, Lumber, Casework, Millwork, Countertops, Materials, Mailbox, Building Signage, Doors/Frames/ Hardware, Windows/Film/Glazing, Appliances, Metal Stud Framing, Drywall, Insulation, Flooring, Tile, Roofing, Sheet Metal, Gutters, Downspouts, Painting, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Fire Protection, Fire Extinguishers & Cabinets, Fill, Finish Grading, Landscaping, Plantings, Asphalt Parking Lot, Steel Bollards

Site walks scheduled for 6/13, 9am-11am & 6/22, 1pm-3pm. Proposals are due via email by close of business Friday, 7/14/23. For details and more information: Bid Documents: https://www. dropbox.com/sh/1cq3wlg1fsjs22n/ AABxJrj7rLAZpuF0HZGV1Vdna ?dl=0 or contact Jenny McKie at: jmckie@blacklinestl.com or (314) 391-8900

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID 4747 PENROSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The City of St. Louis, Community Development Administration, is seeking sealed bids for the renovation of an Arts and Craft style house located at 4747 Penrose Street, St. Louis, Mo. 63115. The work includes demolition, rough carpentry, tuckpointing, doors/ windows, roof and misc. site improvements. A Mandatory Pre-bid meeting will be held at the site at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Sealed Bids will be received until 10:00 AM on Thursday July 20, 2023 in the CDA office, located at 1520 Market St. Suite 2000, Attention Todd Jacobs. E-mailed copies of bid form are acceptable to jacobst@stlouis-mo.gov

Interested contractors can find bid information and scope of work at www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ departments/community-development/ documents/4747-penrose.cfm CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of this project. CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency. Minority Participation is Encouraged.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Lincoln University is accepting sealed bids for: LU22014 - KJLU Relocation LINCOLN UNIVERSITY JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65101 Lincoln University is looking for a contractor to provide services for proposed technical, acoustical, and architectural upgrades to existing television studio to modernize and add functionality. The University will be accepting bids until 2:00 PM, June 29, 2023. Visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/about-lincoln/ vice-president-ofadministration-andfinance/facilities-and-planning.html for the full RFP, any questions can be emailed to: reedr@lincolnu.edu To be considered, bids must be received by that date and time at: Lincoln University 820 Chestnut St. Facilities and Planning 309 Young Hall Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 A pre-bid walkthrough for the project will be conducted at 3:00 PM, Thursday, June22, 2023. Contractors will meet at the northwest corner of Elliff Hall located at 709 E. Dunklin St. Attendance at the pre-bid conference and walkthrough is not mandatory but recommended of each bidder submitting a proposal.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Mid County Fire Protection District is seeking sealed bids for concrete removal and replacement. The RFP is available by email or at the office Monday through Friday 7:00am – 3:00pm beginning June 9th with sealed bids due back by 3:00pm Friday June 30th. Please reference RFP 202303 Concrete Removal and Replacement when requesting the RFP.

Mid County Fire Protection District 1875 Pennsylvania Avenue St. Louis, MO 63133 314-863-4018

SEALED BIDS

Bids for South Chaney Reclamation Project, Dade County, Project No. Y2304-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 20, 2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct Direct Current Fast Charging Stations, Montauk and Roaring River State Parks Salem & Cassville, MO Project No. X2222-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 18, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE

St Louis Assisted Living Solutions, LLC plans to build a new campus of four 16-bed assisted living homes at 740 Piene Rd in Wentzville, MO 63385 pending approval of Certificate of Need #6008 RS. Questions and comments may be submitted to Melanie Claborn at info@stlouissolutionsfirm. com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Heartland Regional Investment Fund, LLC issues this Request for Proposals to retain a firm or firms to assist with the preparation and filing of its 2023 New Market Tax Credit Application. A five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms. A copy of the RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/. Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, June 30, 2023.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

BSI Constructors Inc., 6767 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63143 (314-781-7820), is the General Contractor on Citygarden 9th Street Expansion and is interested in receiving subcontract bids and/or material quotations from qualified subcontractors, qualifying Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises on any or all portions of the contractual work scopes. Scopes of work include: Site Demolition, Cast-In-Place Concrete, Masonry, Metal Fabrication, Metal Edging, Custom Wood Seating, Joint Sealants, Site Furnishings, Electrical, Earth Moving, Concrete, Paving, Stone Paving, Crushed Stone Paving, Granite Curbing, Planting Soils, Landscape, and Site Utilities. It is the intent of BSI and the Owner to encourage qualified Minority Women owned firms to participate in the execution of the work. Please contact BSI Constructors for access to bidding documents.

Project Name

Citygarden 9th St. Expansion Requested Bid Date & Time 801 Market St. Thursday, June 22nd St. Louis, MO 63101 TIME: 2:00PM

Architect: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

BSI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Phone: 314-781-7820 Fax: 314-781-1354

Electronically Sealed Bids For The Hereinafter Mentioned Project Will Be Received Online By The Board Of Public Service Through Bid Express At Https:// Www.Bidexpress.Com/Businesses/20618/Home. Proposals Must Be Submitted Before 1:45 Pm, St. Louis Time, On Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The Proposals Will Then Be Publicly Opened And Read.

The Bidder must pay $40 to submit a bid through the Bid Express Service. Monthly subscriptions are available. Project Name: Concrete & Brick Removal/Replacement and Complete Sidewalk Installation (SP-117) Letting No.: 8760

Authorizing Ordinance: 71650 Contract Time: 280 Working Days.

Schedule Related Liquidated Damages Per Day: $250.00

Project Contact Person, Email: Helen Bryant, BryantH@stlouis-mo.gov

Estimated Cost: $900,000.00

Bid Deposit: $22,725.00

Bid Opening Location: Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/83445052494?pwd=eHZvQIRESxmxBREhJWjZFLzVBcitSUT09

The proposed Work includes: Replacement of curbs, sidewalks and other incidental construction in the public right of way related to the City’s 50/50 Sidewalk Program.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses20618/home and may be downloaded for free.

A MANDATORY pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held in Room 305 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 at 10:00 AM on June 6, 2023. All bidders who did not attend the pre-bid meeting for Contract SP-116 (Letting #8758) are required to attend the pre-bid meeting in order to be eligible to bid on the project.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws (including M/WBE policies).

The right of the Board of Public Service to reject any or all bids is expressly reserved.

MARSHA BROWN MISSOURI ASSOCIATE BROKER REED REALTORS 314-389-6000 314-413-4167

Call me with all your Real Estate Need Buying or Selling showmemarsha@gmail.com

June Events

Continued from C1

by Mope Williams

, fellow comedian and recurring cast member on Wild ‘N Out at 7 p.m. at Helium Comedy Club St. Louis.

22 Marlon Wayans, actor and comedian has starred in “The Wayans Bros.” “White Chicks,” “Scary Movie,” “Scary Movie 2,” and more. He will perform at Helium Comedy Club St. Louis for six shows beginning on Thursday, June 22. For tickets and more information, visit https://st-louis.heliumcomedy.com/events/74192

22-30

MUNY’s production of the classic Disney production “Beauty and the Beast.” The production will bring

all your favorite characters to life, with magical sets and extravagant costumes. Join Belle, the Beast, Mrs. Potss, Cogsworth, Lumiere and more on an adventure of wonder and mystics. Learn more information, here: https://muny.org/ show/beauty-and-thebeast/.

23 Sapphire Phoenix, 9 pm, The Dark Room at The Grandel Find more information, here: https://www. metrotix.com/events/detail/ sapphire-phoenix.

25 Pride St. Louis Fest, downtown St. Louis, 11 am-7pm. Find more information here https://www. pridestl.org/pridefest2023.

LouTribe Jigg, Live from The Dark Room at The Grandel, 10 pm. Find more information, here: https:// www.metrotix.com/events/

detail/loutribe-jigg-unplugged. Blues on the Block with the Robert Nelson Experience, Summer Madness: Soulful

Summer Jams with The Renaissance Horn Section, 4 to 7 pm at the National Blues Museum. For tickets and more information, visit https://nationalbluesmu-

Duet

Continued from C1

Center

In addition to the album, Brian said he and his dad are working on a “Duets with Dad” documentary which will document the project and their life stories.

While Brian said he and his father didn’t start singing together until he was well into his mid-20s, his older brothers joined his dad in song earlier and more often. Brian describes his and his father’s relationship as spiritual.

“Our primary relationship is rooted in our faith in Jesus,” he said.

“We’re brothers in Christ first and foremost and then it’s like he’s my dad. It’s a pretty cool relationship and I lean into it more now since my mom passed away.”

The relationship between him and his father has affected the father of eight immensely.

Marlon Wayans, actor and comedian, will perform at Helium Comedy Club St. Louis for six shows beginning on Thursday, June 22.

Photo courtesy of Marlonwayans.com

seum.org/event/blues-onthe-block-with-the-robertneslon-experience/.

St. Louis comedian Darius Bradford is one of the top comedians to come out of the city. He’s written for several big names in standup. He’s done national tours throughout the country. He will perform a routine at 4:30 pm at Helium Comedy Club St. Louis. Find more information, visit: https:// st-louis.heliumcomedy. com/shows/223519.

LaToya Sharen & Jeremy Taylor’s “The Light Experience” Live from The Dark Room at The Grandel, 5 pm. Find more information, here: https://www.metrotix.com.

28 Rising R&B and soul singer Golliday will be performing at City Winery St. Louis’ mainstage. He has opened for Jon B. and Tweet, and recently headlined Tower Grove Pride 2022, where he was named Entertainer of the Year by Black Pride St. Louis. He has had several sold-out shows at The Dark Room, The National Blues Museum, and Blue Strawberry. Doors open at 6 pm for his City Winery St. Louis concert and the show starts at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit https://citywinery.com/.

“One of the greatest things my dad ever did for me was give me the freedom to parent differently than he did,” he said.

“He would be honest with me and say here’s some areas that had I had to do it over again I would do differently in terms of how your mother and I parented you, which opened a whole ‘nother world for me.”

Brian and Thomas Owens will perform a duet at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 16th on NBC’s Today Show with Hoda and Jenna! Their Father’s Day concert is Sunday, June 18 at 6 p.m. at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale at https:// www.duetswithdad.com/.

Photo courtesy of Brian Owens

Thomas Owens, left pictured with his son Brian Owens (age 3.)