June 20th, 2024 e-Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Freedom Suits Memorial stands tall on Juneteenth

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

The Juneteenth Celebration on Wednesday commemorating the St. Louis Freedom Suits Memorial in the Civil Courts Building courtyard was held on a day that was similar to the one in Galveston, Texas exactly 159 years earlier on June 19, 1865.

No doubt it was also probably hot.

On that day, 2,000 calvary soldiers rode into Galveston to inform Black Americans that they were free. It was over two months after the Confederacy surrendered unconditionally, ending the Civil War.

It was necessary because the state of Texas chose not to share the news with former slaves and keep them in bondage.

From 1814-1860, 300 enslaved African Americans filed freedom suits aided by pro bono attorneys under the legal precedent “once free always free,” 22nd Judicial Court Judge David C. Mason said as the sun blazed down on

See JUNETEENTH, A6

Participants gathered for the Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Freedom Suits Memorial at the Civil Courts Building Wednesday, June 19th,

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) lifts his son Deuce as he celebrates with his team after the

a Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Monday,

‘What they gonna say now?’

Tatum captures elusive NBA title

“First of all, God is the greatest. Not ‘cause we won but he put me in a position to maximize my God-given abilities, to surround me with these guys, my family,” Taum said.

“This is an incredible feeling. It’s been a long journey. We have a resilient group. We’ve been through a lot over the last couple of years, over my seven years (in Boston).

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

St. Louis American

pertinent question to his detractors in the media and on social media.

“What they gonna say now?” he said to Lisa Salters of ESPN. He repeated that line during a postgame press conference as he beamed with the smile of a champion.

“What they gonna say now? What they gonna say now?!”

A native St. Louisan, Tatum starred at Chaminade High School before a one-year stint at Duke University with Coach

To say Maria Chappelle-Nadal is an underdog in the race for the 1st Congressional District would be an understatement. Nadal, a former state representative and senator, is one of four area candidates vying to represent a district that includes St. Louis and most of northern St. Louis County. She admits that her political war chest, compared to her two well-funded opponents Congresswoman Cori Bush and County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, is more like a piggy bank.

Maria

ChappelleNadal

Yet she may be better positioned than candidate Ron Harshaw, also a Black Democrat, but her chances of beating either Bush or Bell seem…well, unlikely. Still, Chappelle-Nadal feels her voice is needed in the competition. When she launched her campaign last year, she defined Bell as a “Republican plant” and Bush as “someone who has created more controversy than progress” since she was elected as the 1st congressional district congresswoman in 2021. Chappelle-Nadal insists that neither candidate has championed issues she nor her constituents are passionate about.

By Ashley Winters The St.

n “The festival’s formula is to provide the perfect blend of family, community, and support for local Black businesses.”

– b. Marcell Williams

2024. The keynote speaker was St. Louis City Branch NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of the AP

Celtics won the NBA basketball championship with

June 17, 2024, in Boston.

Are Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai expecting?

As Jayson Tatum cherished his first NBA Finals championship, could he also have been planning to celebrate the birth of another child?

Entertainment Tonight reports that his rumored romantic interest Ella Mai “was spotted at the NBA Finals appearing to look pregnant while wearing [a tatum] jersey.”

according to ET. Another video on social media has a more detailed view of Mai again wearing a Tatum jersey at a party and “in plain view, you can see Mai appears to be pregnant.”

Sorry Kanye, Kim Kardashian brings Kai Cenat to celebrate North West

Video circulating on social

media shows the GRAMMY winner walking a hallway in the TD Garden after the Boston Celtics dispatched of the Dallas Mavericks.

“It appears they’re about to hug before the video cuts off, but not before you can see the “Boo’d Up” songstress turn around to expose what looks to be her growing belly. In the video, Mai is also seen wearing Tatum’s No. 0 home Celtics jersey,”

After Kim Kardashian caught wind of Kai Cenat, her daughter North West’s favorite streamer, the ball started rolling despite Kanye West’s negative encounters with the popular streamer.

West deemed Kai Cenat an industry plant and said he did not appreciate Kai mentioning his daughter’s name on his stream.

To bring the point home, West, 47, messaged Cenat on

Instagram, saying, “Don’t make no jokes about my clothes. When you ain’t saying anything about what Adidas is doing. You ain’t play my verse when the ‘Vultures’ song came out. You controlled. Don’t play with me.”

“I hear you, bro, but no joke was said.” Cenat defended. “When I first opened that package, I showed love instantly. All I did was try on the sweats and it didn’t fit. No jokes were made. I immediately asked for a new pair.”

To end the conversation, Cenat said, “Keep it family-friendly, no cursing. The pants don’t fit, Ye. You think someone told something? I’ll prove you wrong.

a resolution to the immature dispute.

‘Real Housewives’ Kenya Moore’s ‘revenge porn’ allegations earn her indefinite suspension

Reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” network Bravo suspended personality Kenya Moore indefinitely as revenge porn accusations surfaced. Moore is also known as The 1993 Miss USA.

The network paused working with her following an altercation with new cast member Brittany “Brit” Eady. The footage Moore revealed allegedly showcased having intercourse during the recent grand opening of Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Atlanta.

AHHHHH F**K

ADIDAS AHHHHH.”

Kanye West’s manager, John Monopoly, then called Cenat to seek

“I would never engage in revenge porn, I have never distributed private images or footage of anyone, nor solicited images owned by others to use to threaten or blackmail,” Moore said. “I have always been vindicated. I can’t talk about STORY even with people planting fake news.”

Kenya Moore

Jayson Tatum

Kai Cenat

n “July 4 freed the land. But Juneteenth freed the people.”

– Opal Lee, the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’ during a Wednesday celebration

Eta Boulé Foundation gala honors

David Steward, father and son

David Steward, Sr., credits his wife for the family foundation

By Zaria Mac For The St. Louis American

Kelly Price was the entertainment star of the show at the Eta Boulé Foundation benefit concert on June 8th at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall. But her presence didn’t keep the spotlight from shining on the young scholarship recipients who were honored as participants in the Dr. Henry Givens Scholarship Program at Harris Stowe State and Lincoln University.

St. Louis’ own David Steward Sr., a philanthropist, investor, and owner of World Wide Technology, was honored at this premier event that celebrates fathers and mentors committed to the youth of St. Louis. Steward’s son, David Steward II, shared the stage with his father as he, too, was recognized by the foundation for the work he’s doing to create change in his own right as a mentor, film producer, and Academy Award winner.

Both men received the Eta Boulé Foundation 2024 Youth Empowerment Award, marking this eve-

ning the first time both as father and son were honored together. This elegant event was filled with distinguished guests and celebrity appearances including Jackie JoynerKersee and Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers. Mayor Tishaura Jones was on hand with a proclamation declaring June 8th the official David Steward Sr. and David Steward II Day.

Following the musical performance, the honorees were presented with their awards and given time to speak. David II spoke about how this award was a personal honor and how he is humbled and inspired by the transformation he sees in those he mentors. He said he is thankful for these moments of celebration and the renewing energy they bring to the vital work he does for the community. He said he is committed to shaping the futures of St. Louis’s African-American youth through his service at the Steward Family Foundation and he wants to create a legacy that will inspire future generations. He made a call to other mentors to support the holistic development

of our youth, particularly their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. He ended his speech declar-

ing that “Together we can create a future for every African-American that has the opportunity to thrive,

to dream without limits, and realize your full potential.”

David Sr. reflected on the awe he experienced as he ponders on his rural childhood back in Clinton, Missouri tending to farm animals and how it has translated to million-dollar contracts. He became emotional recalling his father and grandparents who struggled to find work in the segregated town, and how they were forced to create jobs for themselves. They were the first entrepreneurs he ever saw. He witnessed his father creating opportunities for himself and wanted to be just like him.

After high school David Sr. said he hitchhiked to St. Louis where he met

his wife. They are now celebrating 48 years of marriage. He founded World Wide Technology in 1990, starting with a handful of employees and a government contract. With dedication, and the entrepreneurial spirit of his father, he developed his small company into one that now has $20 billion in annual revenue. David Sr. believes his success is tied directly to his faith. He quotes Ephesians 3:20 as the most important lesson that he has learned in business; believing that all things are possible when you trust your own greatness and the God that works within you. Continuing to follow this higher calling he and his wife, Thelma Steward, created the Steward Family Foundation in 2013. For the last decade he has advocated for disenfranchised and underserved communities.

But the night wasn’t just for speech making. Indeed, when Price took the stage in a dazzling silver jumpsuit with heels to match, the party really got started. She opened with her 2014 hit It’s My Time then seamlessly transitioned into her classic You Should’ve Told Me Price’s performance was highlighted by the pristine vocals and stage presence her audiences have come to love and expect.

David Steward, Sr. (2nd from right) and son David Steward, II (2nd from left) were thrilled to receive Eta Boulé Foundation 2024 Youth Empowerment Awards on the same evening. Next to them at the Eta Boulé Foundation benefit concert, June 8, 2024 are Eta Boulé Foundation Director Johnny Furr (right) and Archon Vito Bracy (left).

Photo courtesy of RVC Group, LLC

David Steward, Sr., owner of World Wide Technology, and his wife Thelma Steward co-founded Steward Family Foundation in 2013.

Photo courtesy of RVC Group, LLC

Editorial / CommEntary

Guest Commentary

Not voting is courting with disaster

By Keith Boykin

If you’re thinking of not voting in the November presidential election, let me give you one important reason why you should vote — the courts.

Let’s say you’re a progressive who wants Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and reparations for Black people. Trump opposes all these things, but Biden is too much of an incrementalist for you. So you decide not to vote. What’s the worst that could happen, right?

Well, if Trump is elected, he could appoint up to three new right-wing Supreme Court justices and hundreds of lower court federal judges. Why is that important? Because federal judges have lifetime tenure. Many join the bench when they’re in their 40s or 50s and stay in position for decades until they die or retire.

American renters from being kicked out of their apartments. Once again, a 6-3 Republican decision.

Want to vote for a Black member of Congress? The Supreme Court ruled that Republicans can use a racially gerrymandered voting map that disenfranchised Black voters in South Carolina. But all six Republicanappointed justices allowed the map.

And it’s not just the Supreme Court. Looking to launch a Black business? A federal judge in Texas ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency, a 55-year-old agency, is now illegal because it discriminates against white people. Once again, the judge was appointed by Donald Trump.

Racial terrorism did not end with slavery Commentary

By Ben Jealous

When Terence Crutcher, a father of four who sang in his church choir, was shot and killed by the police in 2016 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, his twin sister Dr. Tiffany Crutcher saw history repeating itself.

That means that when the next president comes along in 2028, it will be virtually impossible to implement a progressive agenda. Any policies you support will be struck down by Trumpappointed Supreme Court Justices and federal judges for the next two to three decades.

We’re seeing it already. In just four years in office, Trump appointed one-third of the U.S. Supreme Court and 242 federal judges That’s why so many of Joe Biden’s policies have been struck down.

Trying to go to college?

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last year that colleges and universities can no longer use race in admissions to create a more diverse student body. All six justices who killed affirmative action were appointed by Republican presidents. The three Democratic-appointed justices dissented.

Need startup money for a new firm? A federal appeals court in Georgia ruled that a venture capital fund for Black women called the Fearless Fund can no longer focus on helping Black women. Both judges who voted against Black women in the 2-1 decision were appointed by Donald Trump.

Want to protest racism? A Missouri judge just expunged the records of the infamous St. Louis couple who previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Black Lives Matter protesters with guns. The judge was appointed by Missouri’s Republican governor.

n The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last year that colleges and universities can no longer use race in admissions to create a more diverse student body.

Struggling to pay your student loans?

The Supreme Court killed student loan debt relief that would have helped 40 million Americans. Once again, all six justices were Republican appointees.

Need to have an abortion? The Supreme Court ruled two years ago that women no longer have reproductive rights to control their own bodies. All six justices who overturned Roe v. Wade were Republican appointees.

Did you fall behind on your rent during the pandemic? The Supreme Court ended the nationwide eviction moratorium that protected millions of

EMERITUS LEADERSHIP

Nathan B. Young (1894-1993) Founder N.A. Sweets (1901-1988) Publisher Bennie G. Rodgers (1914-2000) Executive Editor

Melba Sweets (1909-2006) Editor

Donald M. Suggs

Publisher and Executive Editor ADMINISTRATION

Dina M. Suggs - Sr. Vice President

Robin R. Britt - Controller Raven Whitener - Director, The St. Louis American Foundation and Special Events

Mary Easter - Front Desk Administrator Cathy SewellNewspaper In Education Manager EDITORIAL

Elections have consequences. President Biden appointed the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court and appointed more Black judges in his first 1,000 days than any president in history. In fact, he appointed more Black judges than the last four Republican presidents combined. Trump, on the other hand, was the first president since Richard Nixon 50 years ago to appoint no Black judges to the U.S. Courts of Appeals

By not voting, you’re not helping Black people or promoting the progressive cause. You’re consigning your children to live under a legal regime governed by anti-Black Republican judges for years to come.

“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

Alvin A. Reid - City Editor Wiley Price - Photojournalist Sylvester Brown Jr.Deaconess COVID Fellow Ashley WintersReport for America Reporter Earl Austin Jr. - Sports Editor St. louiS amEriCan

Denise Hooks - Anderson, M.D. Medical Accuracy Editor Taylor McIntosh - Photo Intern

Devored Horton - Comcast Fellow CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Fred Sweets • Ellen Sweets • Kenya Vaughn PRODUCTION

Mike Terhaar - Art Director Melvin Moore - Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

Dawn Suggs - Digital Projects Director James LeBine - Multimedia Specialist

Isaiah Peters - Assistant Digital Editor

SALES

Pam SimmonsSenior Account Executive

Angelita F. Houston Classified Manager

Janice Brown - Account Executive The St. Louis American 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 314-533-8000 Fax: 314-533-2332 www.stlamerican.com

slavery. Over an 18-hour period, as many as 300 Black residents were murdered. More than 10,000 others were displaced as refugees in their own country.

Over 1,250 Black homes and hundreds of Black businesses and gathering places were burned.

Terence, who had his hands up, needed help but instead received a bullet. It was fired by the same police department that 95 years earlier had deputized members of the lynch mob that started the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. It reminded Dr. Crutcher of perhaps the most prominent victim of that Massacre, the renowned surgeon Dr. A.C. Jackson. Dr. Jackson was shot leaving his house, also with his hands in the air.

The Crutchers are direct descendants of a survivor of the 1921 Massacre, which destroyed Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District. Dr. Crutcher is also a leader of the movement to get official recognition of and restitution for that destruction. I was honored to stand with members of that movement in Tulsa this past week to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday.

The Tulsa Race Massacre was probably the single worst incident of racial violence in American history post-

Last week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking reparations for the last known living survivors of the Tulsa Massacre (ages 110 and 109). But another important fight continues. That is the fight to create a national monument where the Greenwood District once thrived. A bipartisan bill to do that has been introduced in Congress by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.).

President Biden could also establish the monument with executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act.

A similar movement is underway to establish a national monument to the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. That riot, in the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, shocked the nation and was a major catalyst for the creation of the NAACP six months later.

This month, as we celebrate Juneteenth, which marks the end of chattel slavery in the U.S., Dr. Crutcher reminds us that “we celebrate an idea that has yet to become a reality.”

Commentary

That is because when it comes to reckoning with and healing the wounds of our nation’s history with race, we still have a long way to go. For many decades following the Massacre, the history of that terrible event was buried in what Dr. Crutcher calls a “conspiracy of silence.” Dr. Crutcher grew up in Tulsa just a few blocks from historic Greenwood and even attended school in Greenwood. Yet she was never taught this history that so impacted her community – and her own family. She first heard mention of the Massacre and Black Wall Street when she went away to college and would tell people she was from Tulsa.

One reason a national monument is so important is the need to protect and learn from our history. As we commemorate Juneteenth, we must not just remember the history and end of slavery. We must remember the long shadow cast by the dehumanization of Black people in this country. And we must recognize that we still have not fully stepped out of that shadow and into the light. Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

The price of free speech can be steep

By Larry Smith

It is fair to say that Salman Rushdie, the widely celebrated author, is one of the world’s foremost champions of free speech. Rushdie, who is perhaps best known for his novel “The Satanic Verses,” has sacrificed and suffered more for his craft than most of his fellow scribes. First, he survived a fatwa (an Islamic legal judgment) from Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini called for Rushdie’s assassination after publication of “The Satanic Verses,” which many Muslims believed to be blasphemous. Consequently, Rushdie spent 10 years hiding in London. After convincing himself that “the world had moved on,” Rushdie moved to New York and returned to the public square.

the rapacious spread of misinformation and disinformation, both in America and around the world. While I have long been aware of the troubling popularity of “talk radio,” propagated most infamously by the late Rush Limbaugh, I initially believed that its influence would be relatively limited. I also believed that allowing people to “blow off steam” on the radio would obviate the likelihood of physical violence. I was wrong on both counts.

Unhinged ideas, unrepentant racism, unproven accusations, and untenable conspiracy theories that used to thrive on the fringes of society have painstakingly made their way into the conservative mainstream.

Gradually, Rushdie became more and more vocal about the dangers of extremism, especially as regards to freedom of speech. Then, in 2022, he was attacked on stage as he was preparing to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution. Rushdie was stabbed roughly a dozen times. Undaunted, Rushdie continues to be a stalwart defender of the human right of uncensored thought.

Despite my strong convictions regarding free speech, I am deeply concerned about it. Specifically, I have watched with great alarm

This isn’t happenstance; it is a concerted effort by a cadre of true believers who fear that a white-dominated America is “slipping away from them.” This became readily apparent during the rise of Donald Trump, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Replacement theory” and misinformation regarding COVID-19 are related, causing undue distress among vast segments of our population. As the inimitable Steve Wonder has admonished, “When you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer.”

Speaking of replacement theory, the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville should have been a wake-up call

to every conscientious person who loves America. Sadly, in many cases it wasn’t. The same can be said of Jan. 6. Then again, few motivators are stronger than fear, especially fear of change and fear of losing control — as illusory as the latter can be.

We are now living in the aftermath of the misinformation campaign that led to the failed coup on Jan. 6, 2021. Aided and abetted by the selfish and self-serving former president, Jan. 6 will always stand as a testimony regarding the frailty of democracy. While I believe that the best response to bad information is good information, the latter increasingly seems to be at a disadvantage. I can’t help but shudder at the thought of “InfoWars” being more influential in certain quarters than legitimate news outlets. I don’t want to ban extremists from our airwaves; I just want to figure out a more effective way to prevent the very real damage that they inevitably cause. In the end, I am fully aware of — and fully appreciate — the fact that I can express my ideas We all should look outside our favorite news services, while also abiding by proven tenets of fact-checking and critical thinking. The survival of our nation ultimately depends on our ability to do so.

Larry Smith is a political columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder

Columnist Ben Jealous

Columnist Larry Smith

Columnist Keith Boykin

U City Schools honors ALSTL as PACESetter

St. Louis American

The School District of University City has recognized the Assistance League of St. Louis as a district PACESsetter, which honors volunteers who are “Positively Affecting Community Education.

ALSTL has partnered with U City Schools since 2017, impacting students and families in so many ways.

Gary Spiller, director of student services, said its contributions include new clothing and shoes donations to the U City boutique. This offers the most vulnerable students an opportunity to select new, much-needed items.

“Because of [ALSTL], our students feel a greater sense of confidence and have proven to be more productive when they have access to new clothing. Simply put, when you look good,

you feel good, and in general, you do good,” he said.

ALSTL’s gifts of Zenimals guided meditation devices are tailored for specific age groups and designed to reduce anxiety and calm students.

“The guided meditation support has aided our children in reducing anxiety, increasing mindfulness, and developing new coping strategies. These practices and social emotional skill sets are necessary to develop for life,” said Spiller.

Assistance League of St. Louis President Denise McKibben said, “Our partnership with the University City Schools has grown over the past seven years and is an example of how ALSTL is focusing a variety of services in one community to deepen our impact.”

A day of celebration for Daisy Bates

By E. Faye Williams

There have not been many positive news stories we could cheer lately, but one occurred on May 8, 2024. A memorial to Daisy Bates was celebrated in the U.S. Capitol. It was a long time coming, but it finally happened!

It is ironic that people whose ancestors were opposed to Bates’ work as leader and key supporter of the nine students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957-58 were in attendance, including the current governor and a congressperson of Arkansas.

Sculptor Benjamin Victor did a masterful job on the full-body bronze statue of Bates. It is in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Bates and her husband, L.C., were publishers of the Arkansas State Press. They were leaders in their community. They had the courage to use their newspaper to focus on the African American community and their civil rights.

While her husband worked for the NAACP and she served on its Board, she took a public role in voter registration and anti-poverty programs.

Once Brown v. Board of Education became law in 1954, she took on the role of integrating Central High School — a dangerous undertaking, to say the least.

Recently I met three women who lived in Arkansas at the time and were part of the history.

Sarah Davidson, Bernice Bass Abner and Janice Kearney were affected by the work of Bates.

While in high school, I learned about the leadership of Bates in working to implement the school integration law.

Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus was determined to stand in the way of that happening – even if it meant standing in the schoolhouse door. I remember hearing about the Little Rock 9, and later met some of them.

These were the students chosen to go into Central High School and make it their high school, too.

Recently I learned that Bass Abner is the daughter of Rev. William Harry Bass, who was called on to accompany the Little Rock 9 children on the first day of school. Of course, the students were not welcomed and did not enter Central High that day.

I met Janice Kearney, who authored a book on the historic showdown, which included President Eisenhower utilizing the National Guard to ensure Central would be integrated.

She’s a former personal diarist to President Bill Clinton and a former publisher who revived the Arkansas Weekly Press. She also published a creative nonfiction book on the life of civil rights legend Bates, “A Rock and a Hard Place.” Davidson grew up in Arkansas and studied Bates’ work to integrate the schools. She was a civil rights advocate and social justice fighter at an early age and contributions became a catalyst that would change the course of history in her hometown.

Mentored by Bates, she established North Little Rock’s first NAACP Youth Council and served as its first president. She, like I, was moved seeing the four Black women with memorials in the U.S. Capitol and was honored to participate in the unveiling of the memorial.

E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society

The School District of University City has recognized the Assistance League of St. Louis as a district PACESsetter.

Photo courtesy of U. City Schools

E. Faye Williams

This family reunion on Compton Avenue was highlighted by kids playing and running around eating snow cones, jumping in bounce houses, and getting their faces painted.

The sounds of live music ruled the day, featuring performances by Dirty Muggs, Midwest DJs, a tribute to Kool & The Gang by Terry Colman, Smokin Lions with a tribute to Bob Marley, and Grammy-winning artist Murphy Lee. Sponsorships from St. Louis University, Believe Circle City High School, St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts, Momentum Academy, ACTIVATE STL, and Gamer’s Island, all helped make this event possible. Cornell Boone, CEO and founder of the festival, also partnered with Wells Fargo, Ameren UE, and Uncle Nearest Whiskey.

Boone said his inspiration came when he went to his wife’s family reunion. He remembers the joy they had celebrating their heritage and history, and this motivated him to organize a reunion for his own family. He began planning his family reunion and it dawned on him that he should extend beyond his circle. Boone recognized the need for St. Louis to have a platform for celebrating the city and Black culture.

“I look forward to seeing this festival become an annual tradition, where people can come together to embrace our culture and create lasting memories,” Boone said.

Coordinator of the event b. Marcell Williams said, “The festival’s formula is to provide the perfect blend of family, commu-

Tatum

Continued from A1

Mike Krzyzewski.

nity, and support for local Black businesses.”

This included adding vendors and a space for kid entrepreneurs to become vendors and gain realtime experience running their businesses while working at the festival.

Scheduling the event around Juneteenth was intentional.

Boone said he wants St. Louis to have a space that honors a moment in Black history while celebrating the strength and unity of the Black people and the amazing traditions that make up our community.

“Being surrounded by loved ones, Black-owned businesses, good food, music, and more, we aim to grow and constantly celebrate these traditions, ensuring that our heritage is cherished and our legacy is celebrated with pride,” he said.

The BLK Family Reunion Festival is poised to become a prominent cultural event in the Midwest, drawing residents from Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, and nearby cities.

“My goal is to make the BLK Family Reunion Festival a must-attend event that our neighboring cities want to attend,” Boone said. “We can be one of the top tourist cities, and events like this are just one of the ways people can experience our culture.”

Partnering with Harris-Stowe State University was important because Boone aims to support non-traditional students, often called stop-outs. The community’s support has attracted sponsors, enabling Boone to raise over $60,000 this year for our #HBCUProud scholarship foundation.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Drafted in the third round of the 2017 NBA Draft, Tatum’s career has been stellar. However, postseason series setbacks have followed Tatum. The Celtics were dispatched in the NBA Finals by the Golden State Warriors in 2022, then suffered an upset loss to the Miami Heat in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. In 2024, Tatum and the Celtics left no doubt that they were the league’s best team, and he is indeed an elite player.

Juneteenth

Continued from A1

guest and speakers, which were moved to a shady area. Mason was instrumental in the creation of the Freedom Suits Memorial, which was sculpted by Preston Jackson and unveiled on June 21,

Tatum tallied 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the Celtics 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

It’s a surreal feeling.

2022. He also founded the Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation.

“We come here today again to celebrate our history, the history of those that sought freedom; not

We did it,” Tatum said.

“We responded all year, and this was no different. We owed our crowd, our fans – it’s been a long journey.”

Tatum’s career could be rewarded soon with the NBA’s most lucrative contract.

The superstar St.

in a fight but in a courtroom,” Mason said.

“When you walk by this monument speak their names. Make sure they are no longer kept in the dust bin of our history.”

Ariyah Keys, 4, runs through a waterfall at the Black Family Reunion Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Harris-Stowe State University.

Louisan qualifies for a five-year, $315 million contract extension, which would be the largest in league history. He will enter the fourth year of the five-year, $163 million extension he signed with Boston in 2020, which has a player option for the final year. He is supermax eligible after being named to an All-NBA team this past season, earning First Team honors for the third straight year. His first title also strengthens his case for the ultimate deal in NBA dollars.

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a law declaring Juneteenth (June 19) the 11th federal holiday. Opal Lee, then 89, of Marshall, Texas and others marched from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. in 2016 to advance the quest to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

The 1,400-mile journey did not include Missouri, but Mason said the state and city of St. Louis played an integral role in freedom for Black Americans throughout the nation.

“It was right here that judges said, ‘these folks have the right to have their cases sent to a jury,’” Mason explained.

“They abided protections for them and declared ‘if you prevail, you will be free.’ That took strength from judge and lawyers.” Mason added that “freedom suits continue today.”

“Just as they went to court to prove they were free, we have cases [that are similar,] Mason said about his vacating the sentence of Lamar Johnson in 2023. Mason ruled that Johnson’s attorneys provided “reliable evidence of actual innocence – evidence so reliable that it actually passes the standard of clear and convincing.”

“The law says you’re free, so you have got to be free,” Mason said.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Nadal

Continued from A1

If elected, she promises to tackle environmental concerns; help people that have been exposed to radioactive waste; give aid to Black women who’ve been left behind in terms of “day-to-day” living; provide tax credits and tax exemptions to ease the transportation woes of marginalized communities and more.

Chappelle-Nadal simply contends that she’s the better choice. She stands by her legislative record from 2004 to 2016. Bell, she said, may have served as a city counselor but he has no legislative experience.

As for Bush, ChappelleNadal claims she’s a poor, divisive legislator who hasn’t served her district well.

Bell has received campaign funding from groups like AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee Political Action Committee), a bipartisan, pro-Israel political action committee determined to oust Cong. Bush from Office.

Chappelle-Nadal said she’s received no funding from AIPAC which is surprising considering her pro-Israel positions on the current conflict in the middle east.

Chappelle-Nadal spoke with the St. Louis American to expound on the differences between herself and her opponents and to define how an underdog just might pull off a seemingly impossible endeavor.

STL American: You ran against former U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in 2016, what did you learn from that defeat that will serve to your advantage now in the congressional race?

Maria ChappelleNadal: What I learned from that defeat, which was my only defeat, is that incumbency matters. It really weighs heavy, especially with 20 years (in office) or more. Even though we have an incumbent in this race (Bush) it’s a very weak incumbent who does not have a 20-year record. It’s a weak incumbent with a lot of flaws.

STL American: You were quite outspoken over the issues related to the death of Mike Brown in 2014. How did that tragedy impact you as a person and a politician?

Chappelle-Nadal: My number one goal was always community and constituency services. That terrible time, which was also a period of enlightenment, caused me to be a better public servant. I was literally protesting and standing beside gang members, underground rappers, members of the

Nation of Islam and clergy people…it was incumbent upon me to become a translator between the legislature and the people who had been traumatized and hurt by a failing system.

STL American: What have you learned from your experiences as a state representative and senator that has prepared you for Congress?

Chappelle-Nadal: Do your homework. Know how to negotiate. Articulate and metabolize complex ideas and policies. What the opposition will always do-especially to Black people-is test what they know. I’ve been most successful in arguing my points and getting legislation passed based on having full knowledge and comprehension… because of my ability to articulate those issues on the senate floor or in a room full of legislators trying to figure out what the legislation does. I was the one explaining it.

STL American: Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems your campaign isn’t as well-funded as your opponents.

Chappelle-Nadal: It’s not (laughs)!

STL American: So, how do you plan to win despite your funding deficit?

Chappelle-Nadal: I have a record of public service. People didn’t want me out of politics. You couldn’t tell me four years ago that I’d run for office but as I looked at the two important candidates in the race, I thought it was most important that my voice be heard in this race, especially with my 20 years of public service experience.

STL American: You’ve publicly said that you’re the better candidate because you have more legislative experience than Bell or Bush combined. Is that the biggest difference?

Chappelle-Nadal: No, that’s not the biggest difference. I actually respond to my constituents and follow up with them. I am visible in the community as a public servant…those are big issues. I always say that 50% of the job is to follow-up on constituency-work. As I’ve been out campaigning and talking to everyday citizens, they’ve given me examples-from both my opponents-saying they do not follow up with their constituents. That’s troublesome.

STL American: When you launched your campaign last year, you stated that Bell was a Republican “plant” in the race. Can you elaborate on that claim?

Chappelle-Nadal: Yes, it’s troublesome to see how much money

Republicans have been sourcing to his campaign. Part of it is AIPAC and part of it is seeing-within his infrastructure-people who are known Republicans supporting him. All you have to do is go through his campaign financing. I can name several Republicans in that report.

STL American: You also said Bush is “someone who has created more controversy than progress since going to Washington.” What did you mean by that?

Chappelle-Nadal: Yes, I understand what’s going on in the Middle East, but we have genocide here at home. There are people suffering from exposure to radioactive waste. I’ve always believed that you don’t vote against your district. And I thinkin some of her coalitions-she’s voted against her district time and time again. One example was the infrastructure bill… there are numerous pieces of legislation that she’s voted against. I’ve bitten my tongue over the last few years about her kind of leadership, but I’ve finally said, ‘enough is enough.’

STL American: You announced your candidacy after Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel and after Bush received serious backlash for criticizing Israel’s response and calling for a ceasefire. Did those actions play a part in your decision to run?

Chappelle-Nadal: In part, yes. I would say that both her and Wesley’s entrance into the race influenced the reason why I chose to enter. I thought it was really necessary that the public have another option. I want to highlight the fact that knowing the legislative institution and what is commanded in that position is necessary. It’s what I have that the other three (candidates) don’t. Wesley talks about serving on the city council… well, I’m glad that he’s voted on speed bumps and stop signs but that’s not legislating. I give voters a different voice, one of reason, experience and commitment.

STL American: You were censured in 2017 in the State Senate for negative comments you made about then-President Donald Trump. Can you relate to the extreme pushback Bush has received from her comments about Israel?

Chappelle-Nadal: That’s interesting. There were Republicans pushing back on me and are pushing back on her. I was traumatized by what was happening in Ferguson and Trump’s remarks about ‘good people on both sides.’ Having been

tear-gassed multiple times; watching grown men cry…that was a moment where I was moved. But when Congresswoman Bush made her comments about Israel or Hamas or whatever she was talking about…that’s not the community…it’s not the 1st Congressional District. I just believe you have to attend to the district’s needs first.

STL American: Your opponent, Bell, has admitted that he’s received funds from pro-Israel groups like AIPAC. Have you?

Chappelle-Nadal: No, I’ve gotten money from the Jewish community but not from AIPAC.

STL American: I guess any accusations-like some aimed at Bell-that you are another political opportunist taking advantage of a vulnerable incumbent are mute because you’re not supported by groups like AIPAC?

Chappelle-Nadal: That’s a complex question. I would say that Bell is definitely an opportunist because he leveraged a terrible incident for political gain. And I totally disagree with what Bush said during that time because we not only have a large Jewish community here, but we have people struggling every single day who want someone to address their needs.

So, no, this is not opportunism. I’m not getting anything from being the third person in line running for the seat with no money. No, they are just weak candidates. She (Bush) does not know her job and Wesley does not do his job. I’m running because I believe there should be a third voice. Nobody owns that seat.

STL American: Correct me if I’m wrong but when you keep saying the race needs another

voice. I don’t hear confidence that you’re going to win.

Chappelle-Nadal: You know what, I’m confident in the work I’ve accomplished. This is a hard race and I’m not going to pretend it’s easy but what I’m confident about is my demonstration of the commitment I’ve shown over the course of 20 years of service.

STL American: If you win Bush’s seat, what will be your contributions to resolving the Israeli/ Palestine conflict?

Chappelle-Nadal: First, free the hostages. That’s necessary. And after going to Israel in, I think 2009, I’ve always been a big believer in a

two-state solution. I was in Gaza and many of the cities that are bombarded with violence at this time. I can’t imagine all the people I’ve known or live in Israel who are under attack. So, I’d say free the hostages, negotiate a ceasefire then work toward a two-state solution.

STL American: That’s not very popular with AIPAC or Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Chappelle-Nadal: It’s not, but that’s the middle ground that’s been supported under Democratic and Republican presidents. What Hamas is doing is insane and a lot of people have been hurt by what happened last year.

Tova Issac plays in the sudds during a Juneteenth celebration in Soulard Market Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Forest Park.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Bubble play

‘Taking

Care of You’

Micheal Conners Jr.’s speech has blossomed over the last few years thanks to the therapy he’s received courtesy of the unique partnership between Maryville University’s Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and the HUB, a community resource center that provides greater access to much-needed services in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

Language of love

Free speech therapy available in JeffVanderLou

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Micheal Conners Jr.’s speech has improved over the last few years thanks to the therapy he’s received courtesy of the unique partnership between Maryville University’s Walker Scottish Rite Clinic and the Hub, a community resource center that provides greater access to much-needed services in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

The Hub provides free speech therapy to children ages two to six, along with early intervention from professionals to help achieve the best possible outcomes for the child. Therapy services are provided in person, and

n The HUB provides free speech therapy to children ages two to six, along with early intervention from professionals to help achieve the best possible outcomes for the child.

speech therapists give tips and techniques for parents and caregivers to use at home.

“Parents and caregivers are essential partners when it comes to communication,” said Jacob Gutshall, director of the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic at

Maryville University. “We teach longterm therapeutic techniques to help children succeed in everyday situations. Our resources can help children succeed in peer relationships, school, and life.”

The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic also provides free speech-language therapy for children ages two through six throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1988, the Walker Clinic became a program of Maryville University in 2015. It serves children year-round from its main location on the Maryville campus. The Walker Scottish Rite Clinic was presented a Quality of Life Award by St. Louis

See SPEECH, A9

African American ‘deaths of despair’ rate soars

Tripled over seven-year span

By Jennifer Porter Gore Word In Black

A little less than a decade ago, it was alarming news that shook the nation. Deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease were slashing the life expectancy among white Americans. The “deaths of despair” phenomenon centered mostly on non-college-educated whites whose declining socioeconomic conditions, researchers said, led to a spike in premature deaths between 1999 and 2013.

But researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles Medical School and other institutions have found that deaths of despair have skyrocketed during the last 7 years. The spike, researchers say, has been fueled by the exploding use of illegal drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, as well as an increase in alcohol-related deaths around the same time as the COVID19 pandemic began.

“From 2015 to 2022, the mortality rate from deaths of despair nearly tripled among Black people and it also has surpassed the rate among white people,” says the analysis, published in the JAMA Psychiatry. The rates among American Indian or Alaska Native midlife adults in

See DESPAIR, A9

Health issues affecting our Black men

By Denise Hooks-Anderson

I’m pretty sure most women with male partners or husbands will tell you that more than likely they have to actually schedule their partner’s doctor’s appointment or threaten bodily harm if it is not done. Some of these women also attend the visit and know more about their partner’s family history than the patient. In honor of men’s health month, let’s focus on information that may help prevent disease or prolong the life of those special men in our lives.

I recently had to send an email to a practice manager and ask her to schedule my husband for a physical because he had not seen a doctor for almost two years. I asked him to find a provider but he kept giving excuses as to why he did not have an appointment. So, I did what women do and – got it done!

n It is extremely important that men be seen by their primary care provider at least once per year.

Setting all jokes aside, it is extremely important that men be seen by their primary care provider at least once per year. Annual wellness visits are opportunities for the healthcare professional to evaluate, assess, and guide patients to appropriate screening tests that are considered evidence-based practices. In the United States, health disparities among different ethnic and racial groups pose different challenges, with black men experiencing higher rates of certain health conditions compared to other demographics.

Heart disease is one of the most pressing health issues plaguing black men. According to the American Heart

See ANDERSON, A9

From 2015 to 2022, the mortality rate from deaths of despair nearly tripled among Black people and it also has surpassed the rate among white people.

Courtesy photo

Photo courtesy of Sacramento Observer

Denise HooksAnderson

Despair

Continued from A8

2022 also were nearly 2.4 times higher than for whites.

“While the opioid crisis did raise drug overdose deaths among white Americans for a time, it was an anomaly,” says Joseph Friedman, the social medicine expert at UCLA who was the lead author on the analysis. But by 2022, he says, the rate of such deaths among whites had started to decline but had increased exponentially among Black people.

“What’s really important is that now, with these three causes of death, the gap has closed, and it’s moving in the other direction,” Friedman said. The deaths of despair theory reached the national agenda in 2015 when two Princeton University economists argued that poor mental health, stemming from a lack of economic opportunities, was behind rising premature mortality rates among less-educated whites.

The UCLA researchers added that flaws in the methodology of the

Speech

Continued from A8

Mayor Tishaura Jones in 2022.

Speech and language are challenging cognitive achievements for many children, some of whom struggle to overcome common speech disorders at an early age. Parents may notice their child having difficulty with speech sounds, language usage, or social communication. When that happens, therapy can help.

Micheal Jr. was just three years old when his parents, Micheal Sr. and Trish, signed him up for speech therapy at the HUB. Now, Micheal Jr. no longer stutters and can make complete sentences. His speech therapist Ruth Myatt, a former student of Maryville University, has helped Micheal Jr. enunciate his words and he no longer has a lisp. Micheal Sr. noticed his son’s frustration decreasing and speaking in more complete sentences. “He knows how to express himself,” he said. The family lives in the Fairground Park neighborhood close to the Hub.

“When children have these barriers at a young age and have early intervention it can put them on a different trajectory,” said Myatt. “Communication is fundamental to everything we do in life.”

When Micheal Jr. began his sessions, Myatt could only understand 40 percent of what he was saying. She is so proud to

Anderson

Continued from A8

Association, black men are more likely to develop heart disease at a younger age and have a higher risk of dying from heart-related complications compared to white men. Black men have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are all contributing factors to heart disease disparities.To combat heart disease, black men

2015 report didn’t give enough consideration to long-standing racial inequities in income, educational attainment, incarceration, and access to quality medical care. Those factors, they wrote, can contribute to drug use and poor mental health outcomes.

Because they did not consider those flaws, the Princeton study distorted conclusions about who was most at risk of death of despair, according to the UCLA research. Statistics for Native Americans weren’t included at all, which UCLA first pointed out in a January 2023 report.

“It was burned into the American psyche that it was white people in the rural U.S.” who were most at risk of dying prematurely, Friedman said. “It was just a very small piece of the truth that was very interesting but was widely sold as something it wasn’t.”

Without question, America’s mental health crisis writ large has gained more attention in the past two decades, and it became Topic A during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet multiple studies show overall well-being is still under-addressed and under-treated — especially

among Black Americans, who continue to face barriers to adequate mental health care.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness, including just over 21% of Black people. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 14, and the suicide rate among Black youth ages 10 to 19 surpassed that of white peers for the first time in 2022.

The rate has increased 54% since 2018, compared

to a 17% decrease for white youth. But almost 20% of all youth ages six to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, ranging from anxiety and depression to more severe illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Even though racism is recognized as a public health crisis, access to medical care for Black people — including mental health care — remains a significant challenge. More than half of all adults with mental illness do not receive treatment, according to

with shared background and experiences, lack of information, and stigma and embarrassment,” according to the KFF analysis.

Having culturally competent care — clinicians intimately familiar with the lived experiences of historically disadvantaged groups — is essential for effective mental health treatment. Yet according to the KFF survey, 41% of Black respondents said it was either “somewhat” or “very difficult” to find a mental health care provider who understood their issues, could schedule an appointment in a timely manner, and who were affordable.

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

An analysis from KFF, a health policy research firm, issued last week found that Black (39%) and Latino (36%) adults who report fair or poor mental health are less likely than white adults (50%) to say they received mental health services in the past three years. Barriers to access included “costs and difficulties finding providers, with people of color citing additional challenges such as difficulty finding providers

share that she can understand him perfectly now.

Pastor Andre Alexander of Tabernacle Church is the development director of the Hub and he said renovating the then-vacant building is an investment in the community.

must exercise on a regular basis, eat a healthy diet, and monitor their cholesterol and blood pressure. It is no secret that high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, disproportionately affects the black community. Studies have shown that black men have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to other racial and ethnic groups. People are often unaware that their blood pressure is high because symptoms may or may not be

Tabernacle Community Development Corp., invested $1.5 million in 2022 to turn the former Farragut Branch Elementary School building into The Hub, a community resource center for Jeff-Vander-Lou resi-

present. If blood pressure is uncontrolled, complications such as heart failure, blindness, kidney failure, and heart attacks can occur. Black men are encouraged to monitor their blood pressure regularly, eat a low sodium diet ( no more than 2300 mg per day), and exercise at least 150 minutes per week including 2 days of strength training which will lower the risk of complications. Black men are more likely to develop diabetes as compared to

dents – featuring resources such as Maryville University, one of the first tenants at this site.

Pastor Andre wants underserved families to have the opportunity to get quality speech therapy services they otherwise

white men per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and genetic factors contribute to the increased risk of diabetes among black men. Keeping blood sugars under control requires medication management, lifestyle modifications, and routine monitoring of blood sugar levels. It is imperative that black men have access to healthcare services and receive proper education in order to prevent and manage diabetes effectively.

wouldn’t be able to afford.

“For us, this is a no-brainer,” said the pastor, whose daughter has benefited from speech therapy at Maryville University. “So this is personal.” Easy access goes hand in hand with the pastor’s

Prostate cancer is another significant health issue that affects black men. Black men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer in the United States and are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage which leads to poorer outcomes. Screening with PSA tests and digital rectal exams can help detect the disease early when treatment is most effective.

The life expectancy for black men in the US is approximately 5 years less than white men.

At the same time, just 4% of psychologists and 2% of psychiatrists are Black, according to their respective medical professional organizations. Experts say that further exacerbates the challenge of finding culturally competent care.

If you need emotional support, are thinking about suicide, or are worried about someone else, call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24/7. TTY users can dial 711 then 988 to get help.

vision. He says 39 percent of the people in or near the JeffVanderLou community don’t have cars. According to Pastor Andre, 40 percent to 50 percent of the families come from neighborhoods within a five-mile radius. Having the Hub in the heart of North St. Louis City provides a much-needed resource in the community that is convenient to get to.

“When a speech and language disorder goes untreated, it can have a negative impact on reading and comprehension,” Pastor Andre said. “I’m so thankful Maryville University partnered with us.” The partnership serves close to 60 families, providing long-term therapy in the form of one-hour sessions. “ The intention is to serve the people in the immediate vicinity but also other areas,” said Gutshall. Adding to what Gutshall said, Pastor Andre specified, “This is about creating access families don’t have to add speech therapy to their list of bills.” Ongoing support through individual donations, grants, and special events is vital to ensuring that the Walker Clinic can continue providing free services for children, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. For more information about services please visit srclinic.org

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Disparities in health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are definitely part of the problems, however social determinants of health like income, lack of employment, and gun violence are also factors to consider. Addressing these issues in a multifaceted approach will help improve the health of black men.

Denise HooksAnderson, MD, FAAFP can be reached at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Micheal Jr., right, was just three years old when his parents, Micheal and Trish Conners, signed him up for speech therapy at the Hub.

Courtesy photo

sPonsored Content

Top 5 things to consider before buying a home

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase

Homeownership has long been a reliable and valuable investment for many Americans. The Black homeownership rate in the U.S., however, stands at just 44% - the lowest among all racial groups according to the National Association of Realtors

A lack of access to credit, a lack of understanding about the homebuying process, and coming up with the upfront cash needed for a down payment and closing costs are among the barriers many Black Americans face on their journey to homeownership. That’s why it’s important to consider your options and seek out resources to help navigate the homebuying pro-

n A lack of access to credit and a lack of understanding about the homebuying process are among the barriers many Black Americans face on their journey to homeownership.

cess. For National Homeownership Month, Greg Smith, Area Home Lending Manager for Chase in St. Louis, shared five important things to consider before purchasing a home.

1.Come prepared and don’t stress about rates.

The best time to buy a home is when you’re financially ready. Worry less about the current economic environment and more about your own preparedness for homeownership, including fully knowing and understanding your financial situation, debt level, credit score, savings and investment positions.

2.Save for a down payment.

A down payment is what you pay upfront toward the cost of your new home; it’s the difference between your mortgage amount and your purchase price. The more you can put down, the

Juneteenth is celebration of best decision America has made

By Kevin Cohee For Word in Black

Many Americans are confused about the significance of our country’s 11th national holiday, Juneteenth, perceiving it to be a holiday only for Black Americans. Juneteenth, which was made a federal holiday in 2021, actually celebrates the best decision America ever made, which was to free enslaved people on American soil. America, as we know it, would simply not exist without that decision. From a social perspective, the decision to end slavery ultimately had the profound impact of making America the strongest country in the world, socially and economically. Participating in an institution such as slavery, which is immoral, coldblooded, and brutal, destroys the humanity of both those who enslave and the enslaved. By shedding ourselves of this monstrosity, America paved the way for its core values to guide us to become the greatest country in the world.

the rest of the world. Emancipation has facilitated intergenerational progress, with descendants of freed individuals achieving significant milestones in various

PeoPle on the Move

STL Partnership adds Agnew, Davis to staff

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) has announced two additions to the organization.

Quen Agnew has been hired as community outreach liaison, and will serve as a connection between STL Partnership, public and private entities, municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, community groups and residents across St. Louis and St. Louis County with a focus on the St. Louis Promise Zone.

Cynthia Davis has joined STL Partnership as a grant writing specialist. She is responsible for preparing all federal and private grant applications. These applications will cover a variety of economic development interests, including equity and inclusion, workforce training, small business, international trade, plus additional interests.

Erica Williams, executive director and founder of the nonprofit A Red Circle, has been recognized nationally as an inaugural cohort for the Pava LaPere Award for Cultivating Ecosystems (PLACE) Builders fellows’ program.

This fellowship is a joint initiative by EcoMap, an ecosystem intelligence AI software company, and Forward Cities, a national nonprofit that works with partners to build equitable entrepreneurial communities.

Williams is one of eight national cohorts chosen for the honor. The PLACE Builders program aims to empower changemakers in catalyzing more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems in their respective communities. Fellows receive professional mentorship, access to a digital toolkit, funding support, and a platform to share the story of their communities with a broader audience.

Felice McClendon named executive director

Felice McClendon has joined Delmar Main Street as its first executive director, bringing her extensive experience in communication and community outreach to lead revitalization efforts along the Delmar Corridor.

McClendon, a University of MissouriColumbia School of Journalism graduate with a focus on NonProfit Management and Leadership, previously served as communication director for the St. Louis Treasurer’s Office. As a member of Washington University’s Community Advisory Board and Community Research Fellow, McClendon fosters inclusive engagement and building a network that opens doors for economic opportunities and continues the transformation of Delmar into a vibrant destination for both residents and tourists.

Quen Agnew

Kevin Cohee, chairman and CEO of OneUnited Bank, the largest Blackowned bank in the U.S., says financial literacy brings the full economic benefits of emancipation.

Erica Williams named PLACE cohort

Erica Williams

Buying a new home can be challenging, especially if it is your first. There are key steps

Photo courtesy of Chase See HOME, B2

Felice McClendon

Courtesy photo

Cynthia Davis

Juneteenth

Continued from B1

fields, including academia, business, politics, and the arts. From an economic perspective, the decision to move away from an economic model that had slavery as its backbone was a brilliant decision. The economic dividends continue to reverberate through our economy to this day and into the future.

Research suggests that the emancipation of enslaved people had a significant positive impact on the long-term economic growth of the United States. It is estimated that emancipation generated economic gains equivalent to up to 35% of the US gross domestic product (GDP), making it one of the most important economic events in American history.

The economic bene-

Home

Continued from B1 less you’ll be borrowing from a lender. However, it is a myth that you must put down 20% of the purchase price—low down payment loan options are available—in some cases, as low as 3%. Keep in mind that if you put less than 20% down, you may be required to pay private mortgage insurance. Make sure to speak to a Chase Home Lending Advisor to understand the options that may work for you.

3. Evaluate loan options and shop around.

There are many different types of home loans available, and having an experienced Chase Home

fits of emancipation and the benefits of reducing inequalities in today’s society are the same. The economic benefits of emancipation can be seen in several ways:

1. Increased Workforce Participation:

The freedom of formerly enslaved people contributed to a more dynamic and diverse labor force. This inclusion allowed for a variety of talents and skills to be utilized, fostering innovation and economic expansion.

2. Growth of Human Capital:

With freedom came the opportunity for education and skill development, leading to a more educated and skilled workforce, higher literacy rates, and an educated populace better equipped to contribute to society. This improvement in human capital has been crucial for the economic

Lending Advisor on your side can help you make the right decision for you. Here are the most common types of loans:

• A conventional loan typically calls for a higher credit score to qualify and can be accessed through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies.

• An FHA loan is backed by the federal government. These loans can help potential buyers with lower credit scores who wish to keep their down payment costs low. Buyers using an FHA loan are required to pay monthly mortgage insurance premiums, regardless of the down payment amount.

advancements seen over the decades. A recent study by McKinsey & Company supported the strong business case for ethnic diversity “with a 39 percent increased likelihood of outperformance for those (companies) in the top quartile of ethnic representation versus the bottom quartile.”

3. Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants have contributed significantly to the American economy through entrepreneurship and business development. The establishment of businesses within Black communities has not only created jobs but also spurred economic activity and growth in these areas.

4. Consumer Market Expansion: The liberation of a

• A VA loan is a mort-

gage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers to servicemembers, veterans and surviving spouses. VA loans can have favorable terms, including no down payment.

• Your financial institution may also offer additional loan options. An example is Chase’s DreaMaker mortgage, which has flexible credit guidelines and requires as little as 3% down.

Lastly, no matter the loan type you chose, it’s important to shop around for the best offer, both in terms of rate and other fees you may have to pay. All lenders and mortgages are not the same. For instance, did you know that, on average,

significant portion of the population expanded the consumer base, driving demand for goods and services, which in turn stimulated production and economic growth.

5. While moving from slavery to Jim Crow muted our economic and moral development as a country, we continue to overcome the vestiges of these impediments. We have reached a critical inflection point; If we can overcome the crippling economic disadvantages of the lack of financial literacy throughout our society, we will realize the full economic benefits of our country’s brilliant decision.

6. Juneteenth also symbolizes the power of information in achieving true freedom. Juneteenth resulted from the lack of information about emancipation in

homebuyers save more in mortgage fees with a bank like Chase, compared to a non-bank?

4. Use tools to help. It’s important to look into the financial resources available to help you purchase a home. Chase offers a homebuyer grant of up to $7,500 to buyers purchasing homes in eligible areas. These grants are offered in low- to moderate-income communities and neighborhoods that are designated by the U.S. Census as majority-Black, Hispanic and/or Latino. The grant can be used to lower the interest rate and/or reduce closing costs or down payment. You can check grant eligibility online with the Chase Homebuyer Assistance Finder and also

Texas, underscoring the importance of information as a building block for economic prosperity.

7. Today, technology, in particular artificial intelligence, can empower us to overcome a lack of information (financial illiteracy), thereby unlocking the full economic potential of emancipation and ensuring a more equitable future for all. Our institutions — banks, for example — can utilize artificial intelligence and data aggregation technology to provide personalized insights, enabling people to make better financial decisions and create generational wealth.

8. To be clear, Juneteenth’s history began as a Black American celebration when freedom finally came to Texas on June 19, 1865. For the first time, more than

discover other financial assistance that may be available.

For added confidence during the closing process, Chase also offers a Closing Guarantee, which promises an on-time closing for eligible customers in as soon as three weeks, or the customer will receive $20,000 (for a limited time through July 27, 2024) if they qualify. The closing guarantee helps buyers close quickly, which can be very helpful in a competitive market.

5. Get educated.

250,000 enslaved Black Americans learned from the Union Army that arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, that they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation had been signed two years earlier, on January 1, 1863.

9. Today, we understand the significance of emancipation, not only for Black Americans but for all Americans. Therefore, our country has declared and celebrates Juneteenth as a national holiday. Corporations, government institutions, individuals, and community leaders alike should promote massive Juneteenth celebrations, bringing us together as one people with shared dreams and hopes for a better America and a better world.

Kevin Cohee is the chairman & CEO of OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest Blackowned bank.

Buying a home can be the achievement of a lifetime, but being able to sustain homeownership over time is equally, if not even more, important. For the best chances of success, homebuyers should not only get educated about the buying process, but also understand the ins and outs of homeownership after the home is purchased. Chase’s Beginner to Buyer podcast and its Homebuyer Education Center offers tips and first-hand experiences on homebuying, selling, and ownership.

Homeownership offers many benefits beyond just a place to live—it’s a time-tested way to start building personal and generational wealth. That’s why it’s never too early to start working toward your dreams of homeownership. After all, it’s an investment in your future.

n “I hate that the Celtics have more championships than us now.”

– Magic Johnson on Boston passing L.A.’s 17 NBA titles with its 18th

BaSkEtBall

NotEBook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Tatum is top gun

STL native tallies 31 as Celtics win 18th NBA title

St. Louisan Jayson

Tatum is now officially stamped as a Boston Celtics legend.

In his seventh season with one of the most storied franchises in professional sports, Tatum led the Celtics to a 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks to clinch a NBA-record 18th world championship. The Celtics won the best of seven series four games to one at TD Gardens in Boston on Monday night.

In the most important game of his career, Tatum added to the list of his stellar playoff performances with another tremendous effort in the series clinching win with 31 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. He became the fifth player in the history of the NBA finals to have at least 30 points and 10 assists in a close out game.

Tatum was at his best in the first half as he turned in a dominant performance with 16 points, four rebounds, nine assists and no turnovers to stake the Celtics to a 67-46 lead. Tatum then closed out his big night with 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Monday night’s championship was the culmination of a brilliant seven-year run by Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown, who was named the MVP of the Finals. Together, they have made two trips

to the NBA Finals and six trips to the Eastern Conference finals.

In their first trip to the Finals in 2022, the Celtics were defeated by the veteran Golden State Warriors when Tatum and Brown were 24 and 25 years old, respectively. While many critics tried to split this dynamic duo apart, they stayed strong and stayed together through the tough times to come out on the other side as champions.

“To dream of this moment and what it would be like, it’s ten times better,” Tatum said. “I’ve

been on the other side and I know what it’s like to lose and it’s the worst feeling in the world. But I think going through that made this a lot better.

“The main goal for us was to win a championship. We didn’t care who got (NBA) Finals MVP. I know that I need him through this journey and he needs me. It was great to see him have that moment and share that moment with him.”

Tatum became the sixth player in NBA history to win the championship while leading his team

in points, rebounds and assists. He joins a legendary group that includes Larry Bird, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Nikola Jokic. Tatum, 26, also has the most playoff points scored before turning 27 in NBA history. He passed his idol, the late Kobe Bryant, with 2,695 points. He also has the fifth most career playoff points at the time of his first championship, trailing only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki and the late

With Alvin A. Reid

My late father awoke me on the morning of April 30, 1970 before he went to his job as a pressman at Regal Printing.

The night before, Jerry West had swished a halfcourt shot to send Game 3 of the NBA Finals into overtime. The New York Knicks would prevail and win the series in seven games but from that day on I was a Jerry West fan.

West passed away last week and I learned a few stories about him I had never heard.

to their

record 18th world title.

Jerry West. In the championship series, Tatum averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists to lead the team in all three categories. During the regular season, Tatum averaged a team-high 24.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists a game as the Celtics had a NBA best 64-18 record.

With each year, Tatum’s game has continued to evolve from being a big scorer to an outstanding all-around playmaker who makes his teammates better and who can impact winning in a variety of

Jerry West was what a true NBA star should be SportS EyE

view.

“It was a different education for me. It affected my reading. I looked for books about all the incredible minority leaders, about Civil Rights, so that’s what I did after games. After he got to know me, we became friends.”

Not knowing any Black people while growing up and then playing at West Virginia, West requested a Black roommate for road games during his rookie year with the Lakers. Folks, this was 1960.

The Lakers obliged and he was paired with Ray Felix, who was the NBA’s first Black Rookie of the Year.

“I learned more about race by being around him, about things he saw growing up,” West said during an nba.com inter-

West coached Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after he arrived in L.A. from Milwaukee and later became the general manager of the “Showtime” Lakers, which won five NBA titles.

During an interview on Abdul-Jabbar’s podcast, West confided to his fellow Basketball Hall of Fame member “the most important people in my life were five Black men. Five.”

West said the five, which included AbdulJabbar, were men he played with in college and the pros.

While a Laker, Shaquille O’Neal was under much unfair scrutiny. West was not reluctant to share what he felt

was the origin of some harsh criticism.

“I would hope that racism is something that just does not work in this day and age, but I know otherwise. I get horrible mail from people who, among other things, say I’m racist because we have no white players on the team. It’s absurd.”

West was known as “The Logo” because that’s his silhouette on the NBA shield. The league could not have selected a better representative on and off the hardwood.

The Reid Round up Author and sports journalist Rob Parker launched the first allBlack sports radio station in the country last week in Detroit. Former NBA player turned agent B.J. Armstrong, and former college athletes Dave Kenney and Maurice “Moe” Ways are co-owners. Black listeners tune into sports radio in St. Louis and throughout the nation in droves, yet a 2020 survey of sports radio stations showed that just 10 to 14% of the

Jerry West (right) said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the five most important men he ever met - and all were Black.

ways. Tatum also became the third player from St. Louis to win a championship as a member of the Boston Celtics in the past 50 years. Former Vashon/ McKinley High star JoJo White helped lead the Celtics to world championships in 1974 and 1976. White was the MVP of the 1976 NBA Finals. Former Soldan High star David Thirdkill was a member of the 1986 Celtics championship team that is considered one of the best teams of all time.

on-air talent on nearly 800 sports radio stations around the country were Hispanic or Black…While I’m not a Kyrie Irving fan, the Dallas Mavericks guard demonstrated that he can be a class act. With the clock winding down and the Boston Celtics cruising to a 10685 NBA Finals clinching victory, Irving congratulated Celtics players and coaches, sharing hugs with several of his opponents…Grambling State University football team will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio

State on Sept. 6, 2025. Grambling will receive a $1 million payout for the game for the likely beat down it will receive. It will also be the first time Grambling takes on a Big Ten Conference member…Marquette King, Arlington Renegades punter, was the musical guest for the league’s championship game last Sunday in St. Louis. The former HBCU punter describes himself as a “Pop, Hip-Hop and EDM artist.”…LeSean McCoy former NFL player and co-host of the FOX Sports program “Speak,” said the WNBA must protect its savior, Caitlin Clark “You have the Messiah there. No one was watching women’s basketball [before Clark.] You’ve got to monetize that and make sure she’s protected enough. It should be certain calls she should get…ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Monday that numerous coaches did not like JJ Redick and LeBron James’ podcast, especially after Laker head coach Darvin Ham was fired. Redick is now the leading candidate to replace him.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Jayson Tatum holds the championship trophy above his head after leading the Boston Celtics

NBA-

Photo courtesy of the AP

Photo courtesy of nba.com

Urban League Capital Readiness Program accepting applications

The National Urban League’s Center of Entrepreneurship in St. Louis is accepting applications for the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency’s Small Business Capital Readiness Program.

Selected as one of three affiliates nationally, St. Louis joins Cincinnati and Los Angeles in the initiative launched by the Biden-Harris Administration to increase underserved entrepreneurs’ access to capital.

The Commerce Department investment will assist businesses in securing funding, with financial support from the $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Highlights include:

Access to Capital: Technical assistance for applying to funding programs and facilitating investor connections.

Access to Networks: Linking entrepreneurs with mentors, coaches, and peers to navigate challenges.

Capacity Building: Offering technical support to develop scalable businesses, with a focus on disadvantaged individuals.

Program goals are to:

• Serve minority, women, and underserved populations in St. Louis.

• Help entrepreneurs enhance their business capacity.

• Provide access to capital opportunities and networks.

Michael McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president, said the program can help support local entrepreneurs and foster economic growth.

Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Center for Entrepreneurship director, emphasized that the program will play a role in empowering small business owners to expand and innovate.

To apply, visit the Urban League website www.ulstl.com or contact the Center for Entrepreneurship at entrepreneurship@urbanleague-stl.org. Applications are open to businesses established in Missouri for at least one year.

SSM Health St. Mary’s honored by Newsweek

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis has earned top ranks nationally for the high quality of its coordinated maternity care. The Newsweek ranking is based on a nationwide survey of medical professional’s recommendations, key performance measures on quality care, and patient

satisfaction results.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals,” says Steven M. Scott, president SSM

Health St. Mary’s – St. Louis.

“This recognition reflects St. Mary’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional

care and creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for expectant mothers and their newborns.”

This marks the third

year that

–

has received this accolade in Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals.

SSM Health St. Mary’s

St. Louis

From left, Michael Holmes, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis regional executive vice president of workforce development, Ciara Butler, CEO of Beaute Debonir, Aleta Grimes Mitchell, Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship director and Michael McMillan, Urban League president and CEO.

Photo courtesy of the Urban League

Living It

Pure joy with Jon Batiste

Grammy winner conducted an exchange of positive energy at Music Park

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

By the third song of his set at St. Louis Music Park on Wednesday, June 12,

Jon Batiste had already showcased his skills on three instruments – four if you count his voice. Five if you count his smile.

He proved himself a proficient one-man band over the course of the nearly two hours he spent on stage. He toyed with the drums, guitar, saxophone, but the piano and his beloved melodica received the most attention. There was also what is best described as a musical central processing unit where he created beats and modified sounds as the spirit of music moved him.

And yet of all the tools in his wheelhouse – including a stellar band and a stunning vocalist – the most effective, and infectious, was his captivating smile. It was so broad his wisdom teeth could almost be seen, and so unrelenting that he managed to hit all the right notes as he played a snippet of Coltrane’s interpretation of “My Favorite Things” with his huge grin fully intact.

The multi-instrumentalist and Julliard alum who is so musically gifted that he can use the piano to bend a Beethoven symphony and make it cry with the blues or sing hallelujahs of gospel. In a sweet twist of irony, his live show makes it clear that Batiste’s love for music is super-

See BATISTE, C8

On a high note with Key’mon Murrah

Marian Anderson Award-winning countertenor in OTSL’s ‘Julius Caesar’

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Although he is a brightly shining rising star in the Opera world, it was a gospel song that gave Key’mon W. Murrah the strength to stay the course towards his destiny.

In the middle of the winter in his native Kentucky, his car broke down. He had to rely on public transportation for his daily commute to a call center job.

“During that time, I was really low,” Murrah said. “I was listening to ‘Change Me’ by Tamela Mann. On that bus ride and while walking to work, I was singing that song over and over again. I prayed to God and said – I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to live like I know I should.”

From that moment to this one, Murrah says the blessings have been flowing in his life – particularly as one of the handful of Black countertenors within the world of opera.

n “Being a Black opera singer – especially a Black male opera singer – it is very important for me to set an example for those coming behind me.”

– Key’mon W. Murrah

“I asked God when I started that if I could do this, I wanted to be an encouraging force within the world of opera,” Murrah said. “And by me trying to stick to that to the best of my ability, I believe that I have had His grace this whole time.”

St. Louis audiences have the opportunity to be encouraged and inspired by his performance as Ptolemy in the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis production of “Julius Caesar,” which runs through June 28 at The Loretto-Hilton.

The role has a special place in his heart in that his portrayal of the villainous real-life historical figure was his first professional

See MURRAH, C8

Ron Himes and Bianca Laverne Jones were among the stars of The Black Rep’s 2006 production of August Wilson’s ‘King Hedley II,’ which featured Himes in the title role. Himes will direct the upcoming 2024 presentation.

to right: Key’mon

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

This is the time of year when The St. Louis Black Repertory Company typically closes the curtain on their series of shows for the year with a grand-scale musical. For 2024, Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes decided to go in a different direction. “We are closing out the season with August in July,” Himes said.

August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” will round out Season 47 from June 19 – July 14 at The Edison Theatre. The play is the ninth in the late playwright’s famed 20th century cycle of plays that depict Black life in each decade.

“It is very different for us to be ending our season in mid-July – which in St. Louis is Muny time and Stages time, a big musical time,” Himes said.

Courtesy photo

Left

Murrah as Ptolemy, and Sarah Mesko as Julius Caesar in George Frideric Handel’s “Julius Caesar.” The production continues through June 28 at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Photo by Eric Woolsey Courtesy of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Jon Batiste

Photo by American staff

August Wilson

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

A Celebration of Black Composers

6/20/2024 7:30 p.m.

The Gateway Festival Orchestra led by Guest Conductor Terrence Abernathy celebrates Juneteenth with a cultural and musical feast that pays homage to the enduring contributions of Black composers.

Florissant Valley Theater, Florissant Valley Community College

3400 Pershall Rd Ferguson, MO Free

Roy Wood Jr.: Happy To Be Here

The comedic genius of Roy Wood Jr. will take you home to church.

6/21/2024 7:00 p.m.

All ages allowed

The Pageant

6161 Delmar Blvd.

St. Louis, MO

$34.50 - $39.50

St. Louis SERA Black Rodeo

6/22/2024 1:00 p.m.

6/22/2024 7:30 p.m.

This venue has a CLEAR BAG policy and is CASHLESS for concessions. Please see chaifetzarena.com for more details.

Chaifetz Arena

1 South Compton Ave

St. Louis, MO

$28.00 - $49.00

After Hours Community Band Concert

6/25/2024 7:00 p.m.

The After Hours Community Symphonic Band will perform family favorites and classical standards. This event will be outdoors, so please bring your lawn chairs or

blankets. This concert is free, but a donation of any amount is always welcome to support our music ministry.

Green Trails UMC 14237 Lade Road Chesterfield, MO Free

Burning Spear

6/25/2024 7:45 p.m.

The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO

$49.50 - $69.50

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

Children’s Performance Series: The Lion & the Mouse Puppet and Percussion Show

6/21/2024 10:00 a.m.

Performances from storytellers, musicians, dancers, and more.

Series takes place Fridays at 10:00am, June 7 - July 26, 2024. 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO Free

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Poetry in the Garden: Nature

6/20/2024 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.

Field House Museum 634 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO

Interested in submitting a poem?

Visit info@fieldhousemuseum.org or 314-421-4689 for more details. Free

A Walk Through History Tour

6/21/2024 10:00 a.m.

Walk Through History Tour offers participants

a comprehensive understanding of the history of the central corridor of the Park.

Meet your docent at the Music Stand and join us for a 1-hour tour through the Central Corridor of the Park.

The tour route is a 1/2 mile loop on a paved, accessible surface. Th Accessibility services such as audio description and ASL interpretation are available upon request.

Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Boeing STEAM and Space Day - Powered by the Challenger Learning Center

6/22/2024 10:00 a.m.

Hands-on STEAM activities, provided by the Challenger Learning Center, Boeing, and community partners. Take on the jobs of an astronaut in a mini space mission in Challenger’s spacecraft.

Greene, lives forged in the mines and factories of Appalachia and centered around building formal and informal freedom schools for liberation.

Chase Park Plaza Cinemas 212 Kingshighway Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

COMMUNITY

Brownpreneurs

Entrepreneurship Academy (BEA)

6/22/2024 11:00 a.m.

Networking, and learning Interactive workshops, hear from successful entrepreneurs, and hands-on activities

Make and launch a compressed-air rocket – and compete for a prize for farthest launch

Design a spaceship re-entry capsule… and see if your water-balloon astronaut will survive the fall from space. Ride on a hovercraft to knock down the bowling pins Design lunar colonies, Mars rovers, and roller coasters. Making helicopters, designing lunar colonies, experiment with simple circuits, and more.

Free lunch!

STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High School 201 Brotherton Lane Ferguson, MO Free

Revolutionary Hearts: Documentary Film screening Hosted by STL Village 6/22/2024 11:00 a.m.

REVOLUTIONARY

HEARTS tells the story of the extraordinary lives of David and Janet

St. Louis Community College - Forest Park 5600 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO Free

World Refugee Day

Drive-Thru Lunch and Baklava 6/22/2024 11:30 a.m.

World Refugee Day is June 20!

Local refugee chefs will prepare meals, then volunteers will deliver it directly to your car. The lunch will be on June 22 from 11:30am - 1pm at STL Foodworks (N Sarah Street).

STL Foodworks 408 N Sarah St St. Louis, MO $12.00 - $40.00

CITY Block Party ft. Aida Ade, James Lion and Stazi 6/22/24 4:00 p.m.

a Juneteenth pop-up featuring local Black-owned small businesses Creators Corner, Author Michael Anderson, Ope Outdoors, STL Run Crew and Qavah Spaces; local food and

beverage vendors; fan giveaways; and games and activities for all ages. If you don’t have tickets to the match, stay to see CITY SC vs. Atlanta United on the big screen at the free Watch Party on the plaza (7:30 pm kickoff).

2100 Market St. St. Louis, MO Free

City Council Meeting

6/24/2024 6:30 p.m. City Hall 6801 Delmar Blvd University City, MO City Council Meeting

6/25/2024 7:00 p.m. Ferguson City Hall 110 Church Street Ferguson, MO

Coffee Talks at 21c: Exploring Queer Identity & Allyship

6/26/2024 8:00 a.m.

Join us for monthly community discussion over coffee event, an open dialogue focused on identifying and discussing solutions to improve the lives of those in the St. Louis region. In this interactive workshop. 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis 1528 Locust Street St. Louis, MO Free Food Truck Night 6/25/2024 5:00 p.m. Food trucks in attendance will be: Crooked Boot, One Dish Wonders, Speedway Eatery, Street Dogz and Dippin Dots. Entertainment provided by 4th Street Band. Howdershell Park 6800 Howdershell Road Hazelwood, MO

Burning Spear, one of the greatest roots reggae artists of all time, performs at The Pageant on Tuesday, June 25, 7:45 p.m.

Courtesy photo

Arthur Ashe

By Laura Shimel, Missouri Historical Society Intern

Arthur Ashe is remembered today for breaking color barriers in the tennis world and supporting civil rights, health, education, and humanitarian issues. What many may not remember about him is that he graduated from Sumner High School in 1961 and that his time in St. Louis played an important role in his career.

Born July 10, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia, Arthur Ashe and his younger brother were raised by their father after their mother died in 1950. The family lived in a home on the grounds of Brook Field Park, the city’s largest public park open to African Americans, where Arthur Ashe Sr. worked as caretaker and security guard. Even though Ashe was so slender as a boy that he was called “Skinny” and “Bones” by classmates, everyone noted his skill and athleticism on the park’s four tennis courts, where he played regularly starting at age seven.

Two of Virginia’s top Black tennis coaches, Ron Charity and Dr. Robert Walter Johnson, supported and encouraged the young man’s talent. Segregation in Virginia at the time barred Ashe from competing against white players and practicing on the “whites only” indoor courts, even though Ashe had gained national recognition. Fortunately, Johnson had a connection at Sumner High School in St. Louis. Sumner teacher and tennis coach Richard Hudlin—the namesake of the tennis courts and playground in Forest Park by Barnes-Jewish Hospital—sponsored Ashe during his senior year in St. Louis. The transfer to Sumner offered Ashe opportunities denied him in Virginia. Not only had St. Louis desegregated its public tennis facilities in 1945, thanks to legal action taken by Hudlin himself, but the city also boasted one of the best indoor courts available in the region, the National Guard Armory. A large athletic complex built in 1938, the Armory was noted for its slick wood floors, and many credit this playing surface for helping future champions like Ashe and others develop a distinctive style of fast-paced play.

Being uprooted from family and friends as a teen surely wasn’t easy for the young Ashe. In Arthur Ashe: A Life, author Raymond Arsenault records that

Hudlin kept Ashe too busy with a strict boot-camp-style regimen to engage in much of a personal life while at Sumner.

Speaking to the St. Louis PostDispatch in 1972 on a return visit to St. Louis, Ashe said, “When I got here in 1960, I was a kid who knew only how to cover the court and keep the ball in play, at which I was pretty consistent. When I left, I had a reasonable facsimile of a serve and a volley, and I knew I was on my way up.”

The move to St. Louis and the opportunity to play year-round against talented white and Black players helped Ashe attract the attention of many schools, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which offered him a tennis scholarship. While studying business at UCLA, Ashe was the first African American selected to play for the US Davis Cup national team, won the 1965 NCAA singles championship, and led the team to win the NCAA tournament that year.

The rest of Ashe’s story is nothing short of remarkable, both for his skill on the court and for his groundbreaking achievements as an activist. At the time he retired from tennis, Arthur Ashe had a total of 818 wins and 51 titles. He remains the only Black man to win singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Unfortunately, Ashe suffered a heart attack in 1976 when he was at the top of his game, bringing attention to the hereditary nature of cardiovascular disease, and was forced to quit playing competitively. The damage to his arteries proved severe and required open-heart surgery. He later learned, during a second surgery in 1983, that he had contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a tainted blood transfusion. In 1992 he revealed his diagnosis and worked to raise awareness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), creating the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and addressing the United Nations General Assembly on World AIDS Day.

Ashe died from AIDS-related pneumonia in February 1993 at age 49, leaving behind a wife and young daughter and a nation transformed by his activism and impressive conduct both on and off the court.

City forms council to address a taxing situation

By Rachel Lippmann

St. Louis Public Radio

A new task force established by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones will look at ways to make sure the city takes in enough revenue to meet its long-term needs.

“I’m grateful to the residents of St. Louis and our region who contribute to the earnings tax,” Jones said Monday at the signing of the executive order establishing the Long-Term Revenue Advisory Council. “Your contribution to the city of St. Louis, the cultural and business hub of our region, is something to be proud of. We want you to continue that contribution, and we want to protect that contribution, today and well into the future.”

A replacement for the earnings tax has been a topic of debate and discussion for years. It took on a new sense of urgency in 2010, when voters statewide approved a measure requiring that St. Louis decide every five years whether to retain the 1% tax, which makes up a third of the city’s general revenue. And just days ago, the city settled a lawsuit by agreeing to refund people who worked remotely from homes outside the city for companies based in the city during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax years.

Jones said the settlement had nothing to do with the creation of the task force. She said she had been thinking about the issue since she was treasurer.

“I know a little bit about the city’s sources and uses of funds, and this is something that we have to pay attention to,” she said.

The 12-member task force will meet monthly, issue a report within six months and then dissolve. Its members have been instructed to study how the city currently raises money, how sustainable those sources are and other potential revenue streams. They will represent the following categories:

• The community

• A financial institution in the city, either at a headquarters location or a branch

• The city’s municipal financial adviser

• A community development corporation located within the city

• Someone active in the city’s business community

Mayor Tishaura Jones signs an executive order creating a commission to look at diversifying the city’s revenue streams on Monday at City Hall.

• An employee of

• The offices of mayor, comptroller, collector of revenue, Board of Aldermen, treasurer and city budget division.

The fiscal 2025 budget that’s currently awaiting approval by the Board of Aldermen includes $26 million as a contingency for the result of the refund lawsuit or any potential attacks on the earnings tax. But the city isn’t going to know whether that’s enough until people start requesting the refunds, said Gregory F.X. Daly, the collector of revenue.

“The next 90 days are going to give us an indication of how things are going to be moving forward,” he said. “We will make sure that whoever applies for a refund will be getting a refund.”

Richard Hudlin (left) and Arthur Ashe (right), ca. 1960. Missouri Historical Society Collections.

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public radio

the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

By Dorothy S. Boulware Word In Black

Black churches can lead fight for digital equity Religion

It’s not unusual to see Black children using smartphones or tablets throughout the community, as well as in school or church.

But a good number of them return to homes with inadequate or non-existent internet service, where dependable computer access, such as laptops or desk computers, isn’t available.

Only 71% of Black households have broadband internet service, only 69% have home computers, and only 50% of Black workers say they have proficient or advanced digital skills. Statistics like these are why the late Congressman John Lewis called access to the internet the civil rights issue of the 21st century.

Now Black Churches 4 Digital Equity (BC4DE), an advocacy group that “organizes and empowers Black church leaders to use their trusted voices to advocate for digital equity, raise awareness of lowcost internet options, and encourage our community to sign up,” is doing something about it.

Refusing to accept the digital divide within their communities, BC4DE is hosting its inaugural Juneteenth National Digital Equity Bible Study on June 19.

The event which aims to foster digital equity and literacy among Black Americans. Stakeholders from faith, technology, education, and government

sectors will convene on Zoom and at Greater Grace Temple of David in Detroit at the invitation of Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, senior pastor As the group says about the Black church, “This is where digital equity starts.”

On the BC4DE website, Fallon Wilson, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council vice president for policy, pointed out “the critical role Black churches play in their communities and their mission to serve, Black Churches 4 Digital Equity Coalition believes they must be involved in significant initiatives such as the Juneteenth National Digital Equity Bible Study to bridge this digital

divide.”

The advocacy of Black churches in the digital equity space is needed because “In our increasingly digital society, the gap between those with access to technology and those without has become more apparent, influencing areas such as education, health, employment, and the ability to maintain connections with others,” Wilson said.

“We can’t let the world leave us behind and then decide we’re going to catch up,” Wilson tells Word In Black.

As Wilson explains, Black churches are “community anchors” that “occupy a valued role in guiding their congregations spiritually and navigating the complexities of

today’s world.

Key to addressing digital equity are fellows who will drive action in their communities. The fellows are volunteers from 17 states — from churches, nonprofits, and other community leaders who are lending their time and talent to help ensure equal access to the families they serve.

Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems delivered the keynote address at the Juneteenth National Digital Equity Bible Study. Weems, who is a world-renowned preacher, biblical scholar, and author, was in the first cohort of the fellows.

In the next five years, Wilson wants to see computers and other electronic devices in Black house-

holds and internet access for them. She envisions a future where Black folks are aware of today’s tech realities.

“I will hear the children in their room talk about, well, I’m not going to give my data freely to TikTok because my data is profitable for myself,” she said.

“I am not putting free content on the web. And then I will hear on the other side of the house, in the parlor, as my grandmother would say, I would hear her talking to her sister in Kansas, that it is so important that the elections are not stolen by these AI machines.

And there is great hope and excitement around the Juneteenth action meeting.

Ananda Leeke,

Only 71% of Black households have broadband internet service, only 69% have home computers, and only 50% of Black workers say they have proficient or advanced digital skills.

MMTC’s chief social media officer, says, “The church does have a voice, and it touches predominantly in our community.” She said she looked forward to the “intergenerational community impact this is going to have,” and how it “will bring together all ages.” Wilson is looking forward to being “in the presence of people worshiping and then talking about how they’re going to build and dream of digital futures for themselves and for their family members within a safe space or a community anchor of a church.”

“It makes me happy that we’ll all be on one accord, worshiping and thinking about the future for our community.”

GUARDIAN AD LITEM –FAMILY COURT - JUVENILE DIVISION

Family Court (Juvenile Division) of St. Louis County is seeking an attorney to serve as guardian ad litem (GAL) in the Family Court to handle juvenile matters/ parent attorney. A GAL who serves the Court must commit to serve on various Family Court (Juvenile) cases on an as needed basis for a monthly retainer to be paid by public funds. The current retainer is in the amount of $2,300.00 per month. Payments for time expended in adoption, guardianship of minor, and termination of parental rights matters may be made over and above the retainer fee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, up to three (3) years of trial experience preferred; preferably in juvenile or family law (additional years of trial experience and guardian ad litem experience are highly preferred), and completion of necessary guardian ad litem training as required by the Supreme Court of Missouri. Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding.

To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by July 12, 2024): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

CATERED MEAL DELIVERY DRIVER

South County, MO Senior Citizen Community Center. 8am – 2pm M-F

$14.30/hr. Full Benefits. Assist with packing & loading bulk food onto agency catering vehicle. Deliver to the Affton location & assist with steam table set up, meal service & clean up as needed. H.S. diploma or GED. Clean driving record. Prior route driving exp. a plus. Must be able to lift 40lbs.floor to waist & carry up to 30lbs. for up to 50ft. Must be willing to obtain Class E driver’s license and Hep A (food safety) vaccinations. Pre emp. drug test (we do not test for cannabis) & Pre Emp back-ground check. Contact Alice at SouthcountySCA@ agingahead.org Or call 314.631.8698 EOE

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT

CHIEF OF THE FIRE DISTRICT

AFFTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Affton Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, will be accepting applications/resumes for the position of Chief of the Fire Protection District and EMS. This is a full time regular, exempt position. The Applicant selected shall possess strong communication skills and team-building abilities. Applications/Resumes for the position of Fire Chief will be accepted June 10th, 2024, through July 10th, 2024. Applications/Resumes will be accepted between the hours of 9am and 4pm at the Law Office of Hammond & Shinners, P.C., located at 13205 Manchester Road, Ste. 210, Des Peres, MO 63131. Applications/ Resumes should be addressed to the attention of Daniel M. McLaughlin. In lieu of in-person delivery of applications/resumes can be emailed to Daniel McLaughlin at dmclaughlin@hammondshinners.com

Required and preferred certification, education, and experience qualifications include the following:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Firefighter I and II certification, by the St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission

• Fire Officer I and II certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Fire Service Instructor I certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Ten (10) years of broad and increasingly responsible fire service operations, EMS, rescue, and related experience

• Three (3) years administrative/supervisor experience as Chief, Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief, Division Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief or Captain.

• NIMS Compliant – IMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, or Public Administration, or related field, from an accredited college or university, or a combination of education and experience

• Current Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic License

• Valid Drivers’ License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fire Service Instructor II certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Master’s degree in public administration or business

• Current Paramedic License

• Demonstrated leadership skills

• Strong Background in EMS and ALS management and operations

• Executive Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer designation

For any additional questions relative to the application process, please contact Daniel M. McLaughlin at (314) 727-1015, or via email at dmclaughlin@hammondshinners.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has openings for multiple positions. To apply online and see a full job description go to https://www. developstlouis.org/ careers and click “Open Positions & Apply Online.”

SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

There are multiple 2-4-year limited term positions available, term of employment will vary for each position.

These positions will assist in the administration and implementation of various Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic.

All positions will be funded in whole or in part through an allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the US Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.

To apply online and see a full job description go to https://www.developstlouis.org/careers and then click “Open Positions & Apply Online.”

JR80209 Graduate Program Coordinator (Hybrid) - Biomedical Engineering

This position is responsible for developing an admission development strategy for attracting high quality Ph.D. candidates to a top-ranked department of biomedical engineering (BME), building the program’s brand and creating new paths to improve professional development opportunities for those students. The role will be responsible for organizing recruiting events and interviews, responsible for organizing department-specific orientation events, and contributing to 1st year experience of matriculating PhD student body. The ideal candidate will meet the following required qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent high school certification. Three years of relevant experience.

Career Fair – Medical School Operations and Facilities Management

Washington University in St. Louis will be hosting a career fair on June 29th from 9AM-12PM for our Medical School Operations and Facilities Management Department. Seeking candidates for roles in: Public Safety, Custodial Services, Mailroom, Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC Techs, General Maintenance, Engineers, Accountants, Data Analysts, Admin Assistants, Customer Service Reps and MORE!

Interview on the spot with hiring managers and speak with staff about your skills.

When: Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 9 AM – 12 PM

Where: Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC) – 320 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Parking: Metro Garage – 4560 Nash Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. Parking is free during the event.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/WashUCareer

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PARIC Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: DELMAR DIVINE PHASE II, located at 5535 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112.

This project is the historic rehabilitation and conversion of historic Buildings 3, 4, 5A, and 5B of the former St. Luke’s Hospital Complex to house 81 market rate apartment units, support amenities office suites, indoor parking, exterior parking. and rooftop amenities space, utilizing state and historic tax credits. The elevator, fire protection, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical scopes have been awarded as part of a separate bid effort. We are currently soliciting bids for the following scopes: DEMOLITION, CONCRETE, MASONRY RESTORATION, STRUCTURAL STEEL, ROUGH AND FINISH CARPENTRY, CASEWORK, MEMBRANE ROOFING, SHEET METAL FLASHING AND TRIM, FIRESTOPPING, JOINT SEALANTS, DOORS, FRAMES, AND HARDWARE, OVERHEAD DOORS, ENTRANCES AND STOREFRONTS, ALUMINUM WINDOWS, DRYWALL, INTERIOR FINISHES, SIGNAGE, TOILET ACCESSORIES, FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALTIES, POSTAL SPECIALTIES, WARDROBE AND CLOSET SPECIALTIES, APPLIANCES, WINDOW TREATMENTS, FACILITY CHUTES, EARTHWORK, ASPHALT PAVING, FENCES AND GATES, LANDSCAPING, AND SITE UTILITIES.

Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not receive a bid invitation, please send your company information to tlalexander@paric.com

A PREBID meeting will be held on Wednesday, 6/12 at 9:00am at the project site.

Questions / RFI’s are due to Paric by June 26th, 2024.

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON July 9th, 2024 @ 2:00pm.

Send all questions to Grant Whitson (gwhitson@ paric.com).

This project will have prevailing wage requirements.

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

• 21% African American

• 11% Women

• .5% Asian American

• .5% Native American

• 2% Hispanic American

Goals for Workforce (field) participation

• 25% Minority

• 7% Women

• 20% Apprentice

• 23% City of St Louis Resident

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Fire Alarm System, Infrastructure at Algoa Correctional Center, Project No. C2315-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 16, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace 29 Basic Sites with 25 New Premium Sites at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Project No. X2316-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 18, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

CITY OF BELLERIVE ACRES RFP – SEWER REPAIR PROJECT

City Of Bellerive Acres is seeking proposals for its sewer repair project. Details of the Request for Proposal are located on our website at under the “Latest News & Events section”: www.belleriveacresmo. gov. All proposals submitted for consideration must be received by the time specified above under the “PROPOSAL

SUBMISSION

DEADLINE” of the RFP. Send questions to clerk@belleriveacresmo. gov

PUBLIC NOTICE

MBE/WBE/SDVE/ DBE/VBE

K&S Associates, Inc. is soliciting MBE/WBE/SDVE/ DBE/VBE for the following project for the Month of April 2024 –UMSL Welcome and Alumni Center. Plans and specs can be viewed by visiting www.ksgcstl.com or please call us at 314-647-3535 for more details. Please submit your bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SLATE is excited to release three new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to enhance the St. Louis community. We invite entities with expertise and demonstrated experience in seeking out and applying for federal, state, and local funding opportunities to support our organization’s needs, goals, programs, and services.

1. Marketing and Branding Consulting Services Closes: 07/12/2024, 4:00 PM

2. Operation Brightside: Unhoused Edition Closes: 07/19/2024, 4:00 PM

3. Grant Writing Services Closes: 08/02/2024, 4:00 PM

How to Submit Your Proposal: • Follow the RFP requirements.

• Submit by the closing date to slaterfp@stlworks.com and 1520 Market St, 3rd Floor, St. Louis, MO 63103.

• For detailed RFP documents, visit our website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/slate/ about-us/rfp.cfm

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/ WBE/DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following: CP230831 Middlebush Farm - Nextgen Center for Influenza Research - Phase II

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com Phone: 573-682-5505

TRAFFIC

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Valley Park School District at the VPSD Administrative Office, One Main Street, Valley Park, MO 63088 until Monday, July 1, 2024, at 2:00PM CST, for the following projects: Bid Package #6 – Campus Security Door Hardware. No less than the prevailing hourly wage rates determined by the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, shall be paid to all workers employed on this project. The district reserves the right to waive technicalities, to select any contractor filing a proposal, and to reject any or all bids. Drawings & specifications can be accessed via Custom Blueprint & Supply’s Plan Room: https://customblueprint-supply. com/plan-room/ Username: Wachterbidder Password: VPSDbidder then complete the login with your contact information. Bidders may obtain printed copies at their own expense.

SEALED BID

OA-FMDC, State of MO will have the following ARPA funded construction projects across the state available for public bid throughout 2024, subject to available funding. Schedule and bid documents will be available at https://oa.mo.gov/facilities/ C2318-02 Farmington Corr. Ctr, Water/ Wastewater (WW) Improvs C2318-03 Licking South Central Corr. Ctr., W/W Improvs

F2302-01 MO St Fair Improvs to Storm W/W Collection H2314-01 Waverly Youth Ctr Replace HVAC & BAS

M2301-01 NW MO Psych Rehab Ctr ADA Upgrades M2301-02 SE MO Mental Health ADA Upgrades M2301-03 St Louis Forensic ADA Upgrades M2307-01 Bellefontaine Hab Ctr Replace Boiler & HVAC

M2329-01 Springfield Reg Office Bldg HVAC Renov. O2366-01 Supreme Court Bldg Install Emergency Generator

T2301-02 Camp Clark Training Site 1 Connect Sewer Sys to City of Nevada Sewer

X2301-01 Babler St Park Connect Utility to American Water & Rebuild Lagoon

X2303-01 Meramec St Park Convert Lagoon to Sprayfield

X2304-02 Echo Bluff St Park W/W Improvs

X2304-03 Montauk St Park W/W Improvs

X2305-02 Knob Noster St Park W/W Improvs

X2305-03 Bothwell Lodge St Historic Site, W/W Improvs

X2305-04 Confederate Memorial St Historic Site W/W

X2306-02 Onondaga Cave St Park W/W Improvs

X2306-03 Meramec St Park W/W

X2307-02 Lake Ozark St Park, W/W

X2310-01 St Francois St Park, Convert Lagoon to Sprayfield

X2321-01 Graham St Park Improvs to W/W Sys.

X2322-01 Weston Bend & Crowder St Park Improvs to W/W Systems

X2322-02 Crowder St Park Improvs to W/W Systems

X2322-03 Weston Bend St Park Improvs to W/W Sys

X2323-02 Stockton & Roaring River St Park W/W Sys

X2323-03 Roaring River St Parks Improvs to Wastewater Sys

X2332-01 Washington St Park Sewer Renovs

X2333-01 Mark Twain St Park Sewer Renovs

X2334-01 Finger Lakes St Park Sewer Renovs

X2335-01 Sam A Baker St Park W/W

X2336-01 Lake Wappapello St Park W/W Renovs

LETTING #8775

MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS, PHASE 4 FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CMAQ-9901(656)

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JULY 16, 2024, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using the “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/home. The bidder must pay $40 to submit a bid through the Bid Express service. Monthly subscriptions are available.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true and may be downloaded for free.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held June 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room #305, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

St. LouiS american Bids & Public

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at the NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.

Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051.

Northwest R-1 School District

Bid Package 01 - House Springs Elementary - 03D Precast Concrete

Bid Package 03 - Northwest High School Addition Work Package - 08H Glass & Glazing

A Pre-bid Meeting will not be held at this time. Contractors shall not visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.

The School District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, and to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid.

The bid documents will be available for viewing on BuildingConnected.com https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5913928fce945d0a00d28943

Plans will also be available for viewing or purchase at: Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 2713 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

Any offer exceeding $100,000 will be subject to a Bid Bond or Certified Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid Packages as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, may be asked to furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, he shall forfeit the deposit or amount of the Bid Bond as liquidated damages, and no mistakes or errors on the part of the Bidder shall excuse the Bidder or entitle him to a return of the deposit or Bid Bond.

The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. All bidders shall conform to the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, Annual Wage Order No. 31, Section 010, Jefferson County in accordance with Section 290.262 CUM. Supp. RSMo (1994). All Contractors and Subcontractors shall conform to the Excessive Unemployment Articles 290.550 through 290.580 of the Prevailing Wage Law.

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

The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson Contact info: Brian Nuehring, 314-306-7566 brian.nuehring@smwilson.com

Northwest R-1 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

S. M. Wilson. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. S. M. Wilson strives to make our industry a more inclusive community and to sustain this model for future generations. Bidders agree to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises have an opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Consideration of subcontract award may be based on diversity involvement.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Roof Replacement, Tuckpointing and Interior Repair at Sikeston Readiness Center, Project No. T2235-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 25, 2024, via MissouriBUYS.

Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct New Columbarium Wall at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery, Project No. U2406-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 23, 2024 via MissouriBUYS.

Bidders must be registered to bid.

Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Minor Renovations for Infection Control at Mexico Veterans Home, Project No. U2302-04, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 25, 2024 via MissouriBUYS.

Bidders must be registered to bid.

Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

METROPOLITAN ST.

LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

MISSISSIPPI FLOODWALL ORS PUMP STATIONS REHABILITATION

PHASE IV

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed Statements of Qualifications for DesignBuild Services for Mississippi Floodwall ORS Pump Stations Rehabilitation-Phase IV under Letting No. 12486-015.8, at its office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Please go to www.stlmsdplanroom.com for more details.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES DEMOLITIONPHASE 2

Project No.: RC000664

Bid Date and Time: 2:30 PM on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Plans/Specification is available via email/ dropbox or www.adsplanroom.com

Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail. com

Donald Maggi Inc.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT STRATEGIC PLAN

PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED

Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank intend to file an amendment to the Community Reinvestment Act Strategic Plan with the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank. The proposed amended strategic plan is available during regular business hours at Stifel Bank & Trust headquarters located at 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102. Upon verbal request, Stifel Bank & Trust will mail a copy of the proposed plan to any interested party. These requests should be directed to the CRA Officer at (314) 342-2992.

We welcome written comments from the public and will consider all comments received in the development of the final amendment. Written comments on the plan can be emailed to the CRA Officer at: cra@stifelbank.com, or mailed to the attention of Bank CRA Officer, 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102. Comments must be received by July 20, 2024.

NOTICE REGARDING TRAFFIC COURT COMMISSIONER VACANCY TO ALL ATTORNEYS

RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, announces that it is soliciting candidates for the position of Traffic Court Commissioner of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.

The Circuit Judges and Associate Judges will make the appointment for a term of (4) years, at an annual salary of (1/3) of an associate circuit judge and (1/3) the approximate time commitment, payable by the State of Missouri, pursuant to RSMo §479.500

Missouri law requires the Traffic Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as an associate circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, at least twenty-five years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See RSMo §479.500).

Questionnaires and Candidate Instructions may be obtained by sending a resume and cover letter to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov

Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@ courts.mo.gov on or before June 28, 2024

The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the Court en Banc on or about July 10, 2024 or at such time as announced by the Presiding Judge. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

seded by the people he creates it for.

He is best known for his seven-year run as bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Batiste left the show in 2022 in the name of full devotion to his pursuits as a solo musical artist – and on the heels of taking home five Grammy Awards for his 2021 album “We Are.”

His current tour is his first as a headliner, even though it felt like he was a seasoned large-venue artist from the moment he emerged on stage in his electric blue suit.

And in clunky headphones with antennas similar to what he wears on the cover of his “World Music Radio” album, Batiste began with his energy on overdrive while performing songs like “Freedom” and “Raindance.”

The show was heavily seasoned with Batiste’s New Orleans flavor from start to finish. And he seemed more focused on

Wilson

Continued from C1

“King Hedley II” is a hard hitting drama that revisits legacies and bloodlines from previous characters within Wilson’s cycle through the eyes of a man trying to make ends meet in 1980s Pittsburgh. Hidden in plain sight within the war on drugs was a war on Black people. Black men in particular are considered by many to be an enemy of the state and treated accordingly.

After serving a seven-

Murrah

Continued from C1

opportunity as an opera singer.

“It’s so fun to play him because he is totally opposite of who I am as a person,” Murrah said. “And to do it all over again seems

Jon Batiste and his infectious smile created an intersection of music and positive energy when he brought his ‘Uneasy Tour: Purifying the Airwaves for the People’ show to St. Louis Music Park on Wednesday, June 12.

that vibe than a setlist that heavily promoted his latest project.

Fans got a taste of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” with a full serving of Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and

year bid, King is set on rebuilding his life and breaking generational curses through business ownership. He doesn’t have access to the tools and resources one typically employs when building an American dream. So, he is forced to resort to means that might further jeopardize his future.

Himes portrayed the title role in the Black Rep’s 2006 production. This go round, he is in the director’s chair. For him, consistently showcasing the Pulitzer Prize-winner’s work aligns with The Black Rep’s mission.

“That is what we have

like a full circle moment – I’m just so excited to be here.”

When he enters the stage in “Julius Caesar” he brings all of the presence required for a delightfully evil genius who makes it fun to watch the protagonist rally against. And when he opens his mouth to sing, he stuns with his

fellow New Orleans native Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” along with originals “Be Who You Are,” “Butterfly,” “It’s Alright” and “Drink Water.”

And though the audience were fully engaged in a singalong for most of the

attempted to do throughout the years – to continue to tell important American stories by African American playwrights,” Himes said. “In this generation, no one has documented the AfricanAmerican experience the way that he has.”

With Wilson’s documentation has come unprecedented opportunity.

“Though his work has been produced in regional theaters all over the country and on Broadway, it has been in Black theatres all over the country where a new generation of young actors have cut their teeth

effortless high notes that ascend within pure soprano range.

“Being a Black opera singer – especially a Black male opera singer – it is very important for me to set an example for those coming behind me,” Murrah said. “That also comes with the responsibility of making sure what

night, the call and response between Batiste and his fans for “Drink Water” was especially moving.

“Take a deep breath, drink some water. You know these streets just loud, calm down,” they sang.

on Wilson’s work,” said Himes.

Among them is Viola Davis. Before she earned her elite EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards) status and became a household name through countless film and television performances, she originated the role of Tonya in “King Hedley II.” The performance earned her a Tony Award. Her second Tony Award came by way of Wilson as well when she and co-star Denzel Washington earned awards for their respective leading roles in the Broadway revival of “Fences.” The film adaptation of “Fences”

I do is at a high level –all the time.”

He does exactly that. So, it was no surprise that he was selected as the 2024 recipient of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award – well except for to him.

“I was in my apartment in Lexington, Kentucky and I thought it was a joke,” Murrah said. “I’ve only been singing professionally for about four years. Surely, they are not telling me that I have won this.”

Then he noticed the email was from Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera.

“I screamed for about 30 minutes straight,” Murrah said. “I was in such disbelief – and so happy and so excited. I called my parents, my brother, my music father,

Batiste asked them to hold up their cell phones.

“This represents your inner light,” Batiste said.

“Send your positive energy out to the world.”

Batiste performed with little respite, but was energized by the audi-

gave Davis her first Academy Award for her portrayal of Rose Maxon.

Davis and Washington are two examples of many – including the late Chadwick Boseman, Courtney B. Vance, Colman Domingo, Stephen McKinley Henderson to name a few –who have embodied characters written by Wilson on stage and screen.

And The Black Rep has become internationally renowned for their stagings of Wilson’s work. When “King Hedley II” opens this week, the company will be one production shy of completing the 20th

my teacher and everyone that was important to me.”

Presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington National Opera – whose current General Director is former Opera Theatre of Saint Louis General Director Timothy O’Leary – The Marian Anderson Vocal Award is reserved for the best and brightest among emerging opera stars.

Some of the past winners include Will Liverman and Denyce Graves – who have also graced the OTSL stage – and J’Nai Bridges.

As this year’s winner, Murrah will perform a special recital at the Washington National Opera this winter.

This year also marks Murrah’s debut at the Metropolitan Opera House.

“I came in not expecting to be singing at The

ence’s gratitude. After an encore with him on piano, Batiste and his band took the tradition of a second-line into the crowd and spent another 25 minutes getting up close and personal with fans. They made their way through the venue as Batiste hugged, shook hands and encouraged yet another sing-along.

Just as with the entire show, the moment demonstrated the joy, power and unifying force of music. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray,” they carried on with undeniable New Orleans swing. It was the perfect post-script for Batiste’s performance, because everyone left happier than when they came.

And as he shouted out the band individually, he collectively included the audience as essential contributors. “And all of you – with the high-frequency joy machines that you carry with you every day – for shining out brightness for me.”

century cycle twice.

“Audiences will really hopefully appreciate that there is an option to see an incredible play by one of America’s most profound playwrights,” Himes said. “We are counting on it being the alternative option to the standard summer fair.” The Black Rep’s presentation of August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” will run June 19-July 14 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd. For additional information, visit www. theblackrep.org or call (314) 534-3807.

Met,” Murrah said. “So having my Met debut within five years of me starting as a countertenor is a really a big deal.” He feels that the opera world is changing for the better at a fast pace.

“Inclusivity seems to be a really big deal to all of the major opera companies,” Murrah said. He is especially grateful to God for the opportunities that have been flowing in for him.

“It’s a whirlwind – and sometimes very stressful,” Murrah said. “But I have never been happier or more content.” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ production of “Julius Caesar” continues through June 28th at the Loretto-Hilton on the campus of Webster University. For tickets and/or additional information, visit https:// opera-stl.org/

Photo by American staff