June 22nd, 2023 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

City acts after downtown mass shooting

Continue anti-gun efforts

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis Juneteenth weekend, which included Father’s Day, was rocked early Sunday by a mass shooting that left 17-year-old Makao Moore dead and at least nine others wounded.

Mayor Tishaura Jones, the chief of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and other city leaders took immediate action by extending Friday and Saturday hours of two St. Louis recreation centers, Wohl and Marquette.

The goal is giving teens safe alternatives to gatherings like the one in an office building in the 1400 block of Washington.

Jones said other programs are available to help youths avoid trouble during the summer.

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment is offering summer and year-round

See SHOOTING, A6

Juneteenth joy

Jayla Redman, 4, plays with bubbles at the BKM For Life Boot Camp Juneteenth Family Fun Day Saturday, June 17, 2023 in north St. Louis County.

St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy addresses the media alongside Mayor Tishaura Jones on Sunday after one person was killed and 11 were injured in a mass shooting during a downtown teen party.

Museum debuts exhibit honoring Julius Hunter

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Julius Hunter. The “Julius Hunter Media Room” was dedicated on Saturday, June 3, 2023 The exhibit features a cardboard cutout of Hunter, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling artifacts, awards, framed photos, videos and other memorabilia highlighting Hunter’s remarkable broadcast, print and

public service career that spanned four decades.

“We are so pleased and proud to honor Julius Hunter. He is St. Louis through and through” said Calvin Riley, founder of the museum. “His groundbreaking work on local television set the path for countless

Author inspires future Black female doctors

Dr. Oruwari penned ‘Black Girls In White Coats’

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

Less than 6% of physicians in the U.S. identify as African American, according to statistics from SSM Health. A new book called “Black Girls In White Coats” is helping to inspire Black girls to become doctors, and could help increase that low percentage.

Written by Dr. Jovita Ugochi N. Oruwari, a breast surgeon at SSM Health DePaul Hospital, the collection of narratives draws on personal and professional challenges and milestones that Black female doctors experience.

“This book actually means quite a lot to me as a Black woman,” Dr. Oruwari said. “I’ve always just had an affinity for wanting more and the best for my fellow Black women and Black girls. I also strongly believe that it’s so hard to try to be or try to aspire to something that you have never seen.” The book features powerful testimonies from African-American female doctors in multiple disciplines who share their experiences navigating the medical field.

“This book seeks to empower young Black girls who need to see people that do what we do,” says Dr. Oruwari, who was an Excellence in Healthcare

See ORUWARI, A7

“Judge me based on how I perform this job...”

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

American: You knew there were many challenges in taking over the circuit attorney’s office, yet you said: ‘Saying something is going to be hard makes it kind of See GORE, A6

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

St. Louis American

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

Dr. Jovita Ugochi N. Oruwari

Gabe Gore

Kimora Lee Simmons, daughters accuse Russell Simmons of toxic behavior

Russell Simmons didn’t receive any love from his kids on Father’s Day. Instead, he’s embroiled at the center of family drama involving his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons, and their daughters Ming Lee, 23, and Aoki Lee, 20.

Russell, 65, shared an Instagram story targeting Kimora, which reads “Stop telling fathers they should have fought harder to see their children & start asking mothers why he had to fight at all.”

Kimora, 48, shared her own version of what the family is going through to Instagram Story. She made some serious allegations against Russell.

“I’m so sorry to have to do this,” Kimora wrote. “But this man has been threatening my kids’ lives. I’m hearing so much more now. We won’t be bullied, threatened or afraid.”

“Leave my kids alone,” she continued. “This narrative of attacking the only caregiver, the only parent in the home with the kids, the mom, AND the kids for one’s own shortcomings and

embarrassments is dead. Dead. Dead.”

Aoki, supported her mom and backed her statements by pulling out receipts of Russell including a screen recording of him yelling at her on FaceTime, text messages of the two going back and forth in a war of words, and him allegedly harassing her boyfriend and her friends.

“This is not someone who will accept help,” she wrote in the post’s caption. “This is just one screen recording sorry I don’t always remember to press ‘record’ when he calls my friends, my boyfriend, anyone, to get a chance to threaten and curse and go crazy.”

Ray Lewis III, NFL legend Ray Lewis Jr.’s son dead at 28

Ray Lewis III, NFL legend Ray Lewis Jr. ‘s son has died at the age of 28.

Lewis III’s brother and Lewis Jr.’s son, Rahsaan, posted the devastating news of his pass ing to Instagram Thursday. Baltimore’s WBAL-TV also confirmed the news.

“Really can’t believe I’m even typing this but RIP big brother,” Rahsaan wrote.

Lewis III was a

running back in high school and decided to play cornerback for Miami in 2012, which is also the same program his father became a first-round draft before launching his Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Ravens.

He never played for the Hurricanes and transferred to Coastal Carolina in 2015 after two years at Miami.

He played 12 games at Coastal Carolina as a kick return specialist and defensive back. He played for Virginia Union in the 2017 season.

J. Cole now minority owner of

Charlotte Hornets

J. Cole can now add NBA team ownership to his long resume of accomplishments.

The Charlotte Hornets announced on Friday (June 16) that after owning the franchise for 13 Michael Jordan sold it.

The new ownership group is spearheaded by current Hornets minority owner Gabe and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall, who will obtain a majority stake in the team. Jordan will have a minority stake in the team, Forbes

estimated last year its worth $1.7 billion.

Big Pokey, Houston rap legend has died

Southern rapper Big Pokey from Houston, TX, known for performing chopped and screwed music has died. He was 45.

Pokey born Milton Powell was featured on the hit song “Sittin’ Sideways.” He collapsed on stage during a recent performance in Beaumont, Texas. Details are unknown on his cause of death.

Pokey’s publicist confirmed his death in a statement, but told FOX 26 the cause of death is pending while family and loved ones wait for autopsy results. “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell,” the statement read. “Big Pokey passed away on June 18, 2023. He was wellloved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans. In the coming days, we will release information about his celebration of life and how the public can pay their respects. We ask that you respect his family and their privacy during this difficult time. Big Pokey will forever be ‘The Hardest Pit in the Litter.’”

Sources: Sports.Yahoo.com, CharlotteObserver.com, Fox26Houston, HotNewHipHop.com, People.com

Big Pokey

“There’s a long history of African American…candidates within the Republican party who will validate America and say, ‘Everything’s great, and we can make it.’” - Former President Barack Obama on GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott

St. Louis Development Corporation Awards $4.5 million to 900 city businesses

Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Last week, the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) announced it had awarded 900 businesses across the city with $5,000 grants, representing a $4.5 million total allocation from the city. The fund was allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“The Small Business Grant Program directly infused much-needed capital into businesses, and we are proud that 76% of funds were deployed into HUD Qualified Tracks (QCTs) in North and South City,” said Neal Richardson, President & CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation.

“When our small businesses succeed, our neighborhoods succeed,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in an SLDC press release. “This successful program is yet another way St. Louis is deploying our resources to strengthen communities across our city and support the local small businesses that residents know and love.”

The program was funded in whole or in part with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration. The grants, Richardson further explained, reached parts

of the city “that have long been neglected and traditionally face challenges accessing capital.” Small businesses disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, operating within city limits, qualified to apply for the grant. If they were not located in a QCT, applicants had to document how they had been adversely impacted by COVID.

The program, announced last year, was designed to help small businesses still on the road to recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic. The $5,000 grants can be used to cover costs such as payroll, rent, utilities and securing inventory.

To be eligible, applicants had to have a business located in the City of St. Louis, have 25 or fewer employees, be current on all city taxes, demonstrate COVID-19 hardship, and must have and maintain an active City of St. Louis Business License.

DeNay Reynolds, owner of Devi’s Extended Care, a home health care enterprise on Delmar at Union Blvd., was grateful to be one of the businesses awarded a grant. An avid reader, Reynolds said she read about the grant, went to the SLDC site and applied. The application process, she added, “went smoothly if you had all your paperwork in order.”

She’s ecstatic to be an awardee.

“It’s a blessing because it gives me an opportunity to grow my new business,” Reynolds said. She named her business in honor of her daughter, Devorah, who passed away in 2016. Devorah, she said, was passionate about “caring for others.”

Reynolds, who wears many hats including fit-

ness instructor and nutritionist, said she plans to do much more than home health care. The grant, she said, will go a long way in helping staff the enterprise, including someone to oversee operations.

Theodore Higginbotham said he was hit hard by the pandemic. He saw a drop in his business, Higgs Taping and Painting in North St. Louis, mostly,

he said, “because people didn’t want anyone in their houses.” Higginbotham added that it was hard getting materials due to people losing their jobs and the closure of some of his suppliers.

A friend told Higginbotham about SLDC’s grant program for small businesses and he applied. The paperwork was extensive, he

said, but, for the most part, the application process was manageable. Higginbotham has two full-time employees. Because he wears many operational hats, the grant, he said, will be a tremendous help.

“Oh, man, payroll, material…there’s no question it will help out,” Higginbotham said, adding: “The thing with small businesses is that we don’t have access to banks like other companies. The fact that we were awarded will absolutely help.”

As a former business owner, Mayor Jones said she was pleased to creatively use ARPA funds to help small, struggling businesses.

“I know how challenging running a business can be, and the pandemic has made the chances for success even more difficult,” Jones said. “St. Louis cannot move forward from the pandemic if we leave our entrepreneurs and small business owners behind.” Richardson agrees.

“Small businesses are at the center of building a more resilient and vibrant economy in response to COVID-19. These grant dollars will provide business owners with the ability to support their employees, better serve their customers and contribute to the economic growth of the neighborhoods in which they operate.”

Photo courtesy of DeNay Reynolds

DeNay Reynolds, owner of the home health care business Devi’s Extended Care, is also a fitness instructor. Her business got a kick out of a $5,000 SLDC grant, part of a $4.5 million allocated to small businesses in the city.

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial

In defense of the honest telling of history

By Michelle Coles

I recently learned the heart-breaking news about a challenge brought against my book “Black Was the Ink” — a young adult historical fiction novel about the Reconstruction Era. A parent felt the book violated the state’s so-called “anti-critical race theory” law. As a result, all copies of it were subsequently removed from classrooms.

While this is my first time navigating such a challenge, it will likely not be the last.

“Black Was the Ink” excavates the memories of overlooked white Americans who worked with African Americans during the Reconstruction Era to protect quintessential American values, like equality under the law and freedom and justice for all, which is something all Americans can all feel proud about.

“Black Was the Ink” is told through the eyes of a modern African American teen named Malcolm who embarks on a miraculous journey to Reconstruction-era America with the help of a ghostly ancestor. While in the past, Malcolm witnesses the historic contributions of Black legislators, who worked alongside white allies to bring justice, education, and land ownership to America’s newest citizens, the 4.4 million African Americans emancipated from slavery at the end of the Civil War.

government to address the epidemic of racial violence led by white supremacist domestic terrorist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, among other great accomplishments.

Sadly, the progress made during the Reconstruction Era did not last. It was quickly followed by the Jim Crow Era, when numerous states passed laws that stripped African Americans of their newfound rights and forced many into conditions resembling slavery. Further, the achievements of the Reconstruction Era were largely erased from public memory.

Guest Columnist Michelle Coles

“Black Was the Ink” was inspired by the horrific Mother Emanuel Massacre, committed by an avowed teenage white supremacist in Charleston, South Carolina, on July 17, 2015, in a harrowing echo of the racial violence that represents the worst of America’s past. But it was fueled by my hope for a brighter American future where racial harmony finally triumphs over racial division.

The Reconstruction Era is the period in American history that immediately followed the Civil War when the U.S. Constitution was amended through the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to outlaw slavery and grant African Americans, and others born or naturalized in the United States, full citizenship rights for the first time — an important step toward America becoming a more perfect union.

During the Reconstruction Era, a multiracial coalition of elected representatives passed laws that prohibited racial discrimination in most public places a full century before the modern civil rights movement, expanded educational opportunities for all Americans by establishing public schools in the South, and empowered the federal

In addition to the sixteen Black men who served in the U.S. Congress between 1870 and 1877, including two U.S. Senators, “Black Was the Ink” highlights several white American patriots, including: U.S. Senator Charles Sumner (R-Mass. 1851-74), who fought for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1875, a precursor to the modern Civil Rights Act of 1964; President Ulysses S. Grant, who signed into law numerous pieces of legislation that protected the civil rights of the millions of African Americans emancipated from slavery; and Attorney General Amos Akerman, the first Attorney General to lead the U.S. Department of Justice as well as a former Confederate soldier, who nevertheless marshalled the full weight of the federal government to fight the wave of white supremacist domestic terrorism that swept the South during the Reconstruction Era.

The present-day portion of the book, which takes place during the summer of 2015, centers around the plight of Malcolm, a fictional African American teen who experiences personal growth from what he learns about the Reconstruction Era, while also dealing with problems that are common to many Black and brown youth. His journey is informed by my family’s personal experiences as African Americans who have resided in Louisiana for more than 200 years.

While Malcolm’s perspective may be different from the parent who objected to my book, that is the beauty of books — they expose you to perspectives and experiences that are different from your own, thereby helping broaden one’s worldview.

For those considering whether to ban “Black Was the Ink” from your schools, I respectfully request that you read it with an open mind instead of harping on a sentence or word from a fictional character devoid of context and without knowing if the objected-to statement is part of the character’s arc.

Michelle Coles is a novelist, experienced civil rights attorney, and mother.

Hidden in plain sight

By Bernie Hayes

Whether it is a lost portion of the civil rights movement, a reason to celebrate Juneteenth, or just another part of African American history, what you’re looking for is almost always the last place you might search. For instance, are you aware of Edward Hall? Do you travel Hall Street in St. Louis? Or do you journey on Halls Ferry Road, or New Halls Ferry Road or Old Halls Ferry Road?

They are named after Edward Hall, a Missouri River ferry operator. He was born on May 25, 1803 and died January 7, 1866. I learned from Kariem Haqq, a historian and founder of the 13th Amendment Freedom Week Movement, that Hall was a friend of Presbyterian minister, abolitionist, and publisher Elijah Parish Lovejoy. On November 7, 1837, Lovejoy was killed by a pro-slavery mob while defending the office of his anti-slavery newspaper, The Saint Louis Observer His death deeply affected many Northerners and greatly strengthened the abolitionist (anti-slavery) cause. Hall was a riverboat captain and a ferry conductor on the Missouri River. He was wounded the same night Lovejoy was killed.

Ferry Road is connected to where his ferry operated on the Missouri River. In addition to assisting runaways, the Underground Railroad movement brought attention to the horror of slavery and demonstrated that African Americans could take care of themselves. It also discouraged assumptions and encouraged people of all races to work together toward a humanitarian goal.

Guest Columnist Bernie Hayes

This region’s Underground Railroad area forms an irregular, four-sided shape, bounded on the north by Lindbergh Boulevard (U.S. Highway 67), on the east by Lewis and Clark Boulevard (Missouri Highway 367), on the south by Interstate 270, and on the west by New Halls Ferry Road. This area is part of a larger tract that includes the entire northeast corner of St. Louis County north of I-270 and east of New Halls Ferry Road. Lovejoy, Illinois, was established as a settlement of African Americans escaping slavery, and later became the first Black town in America to be incorporated.

The growing town was named Lovejoy in honor of the slain abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy. When you travel these streets, or anywhere in the area, remember Black ancestors journeyed here before us, and they deserve to be recognized.

On Further Review

What’s a theory, why a theory?

The Barber: Besides providing the place for it, I think I know what my role is in this conversation. Our esteemed counsel explained to us to why lawyers need a theory of the case when they to go court, so here’s my rhetorical question: Socrates, why do Black people need a political “theory of the case”?

Socrates: Let’s start with defining what a theory is, and we’ll do that explaining what a theory isn’t. Most of our discussions and debate here are based on whether we think a certain hypothesis is true. A hypothesis is a supposition or proposed explanation of something made based on limited evidence. You could think of it as an informed opinion or an educated guess.

A Customer: So, when Mike is explaining something in the American, what he’s explaining is his hypothesis about why the thing is the way it is. Is a hypothesis always true?

Socrates: A hypothesis can be true, but there’s no irrefutable proof that it’s true. If you think the person is knowledgeable about the subject, their argument is rational and logical, and you trust them, you can choose to agree with it.

HBCU Student: Before you move on Socrates, I got a question?

Socrates: Ask away my young Brotha!

HBCU Student: As long as we’ve been in America trying to figure this out, how come we’ve never had a political theory of the case for Black America?

Socrates: Well, you see….

Old School: Socrates don’t, I got this!

Socrates: Go head on then playa. And my young Brotha get out that notebook you’re always carrying around, cause whatever he says, you need to write.

Customer: What’s a theory then, cause I kinda thought what you just described as a hypothesis, was what I thought a theory was.

Socrates: That’s a common assumption most people make all the time, and, in everyday life, it doesn’t matter. For what we’re trying to do here though, the difference matters. For scientists, a theory is a well substantiated explanation of some aspects of the natural world. The Oxford dictionary would say it’s a supposition or set of ideas intended to explain something or a set of principles on which an activity is based. A theory is an explanation based on verifiable or validated facts, it can be presumed to be true, until it’s proven untrue. It becomes untrue if there’s a material change in the facts. Einstein said if the facts don’t fit the theory, you gotta change the theory.

Socrates: So, my young Brotha, how would you define or explain a theory?

HBCU Student: Well Socrates, I’d say it’s a set of ideas that explains reality or some part of reality. Also, people use their understanding of that reality that the theory gives them to direct or guide their actions or activity. The more people that accept a theory the greater the likelihood of coordination or cooperation because they have a mutual understanding of the reality they share.

Socrates: What say you Counselor?

The Lawyer: I’ll stipulate that definition, in fact it’s an excellent working definition for this conversation. Well done!

Old School: Here’s what you couldn’t know because your generation has never seen it, and my generation is gonna have to answer to the Ancestors for our negligence in your preparation. Would I be correct in assuming you know and have read W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, MLK and Malcolm, Carmichael and Hamilton, Derrick Bell, among others

HBCU Student: Yes sir.

Old School: All of them are Black intellectuals, who were also activists, developing and articulating a political theory that explains the condition of Black people in America. For 100 years after the Civil War, we had robust and vibrant community wide multilevel intellectual dialogues about this question.

HBCU Student: Then respectfully sir, what the hell has happened to us?

Old School: Well Mike has a hypothesis (our word of the day) about that very question. I’m certain Socrates will address it at some point, after he finishes laying the foundation for this conversation.

Socrates: Thank you for the assistance my old friend. I ask for your patience, my young Brotha, we’ll get there, but right now we gotta go slow, so we can go fast later. To bring closure to this, Barber, have we satisfactorily answered your question?

The Barber: In general terms yeah, it advances the conversation, but I was wanting something more cogent on why it’s a mandatory prerequisite that Black political leadership have a political theory of the case.

Socrates: I know you’re a student of the Italian Renaissance, and I got the perfect answer that summarizes the why of that question. I’m gonna let your main man, Leonardo de Vince, take us home. “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”

To be continued…

His ferry across the Missouri River near Florissant, Missouri was a stop on the Underground Railroad. He smuggled slaves across at night. The New Halls

Bernie Hayes is a journalist, historian, and executive director emeritus of the National Blues Museum.

Columnist Mike Jones

& Food for Kids, during the organization’s 20th anniversary celebration on June 8, 2023.

Meds and Food for Kids fights on against hunger

St. Louis based Meds and Food for Kids celebrated its 20th anniversary of fighting food insecurity around the globe on June 8, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.

Meds and Food produces ready-to-use therapeutic food [RUTF], which is portable, has a lengthy shelf life, and doesn’t require refrigeration or clean water.

Its effort supports the United Nations’ goal to eliminate hunger worldwide by 2030.

“A malnourished, stunted child anywhere is a stunted, malnourished child that we should collectively care about,” said keynote speaker Roger Thurow, a Senior Fellow for the global agriculture and food policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs

“A lost chance of greatness for any one child becomes a lost chance of greatness for all.”

Dr. Will Ross, MD, MPH, and Alumni Endowed Professor of Medicine,

Nephrology, and Associate Dean for Diversity at Washington University School of Medicine said during the event “we already have a solution that saves starving children.”

Ross serves on the Meds and Foods Board of Directors.

Thurow, a foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal for 30 years and author of three books on international hunger, discussed the plight of Haiti during his remarks.

“Many have said Haiti is on the brink of a civil war,” he said.

“But against all odds, Meds and Food for Kids has gone from street grinders to [having] a state-of-the-art factory operating on solar [power] and with an international certification for food safety. This has resulted in saving the lives of more than 7000,000 children.

“None of this was easy, but with the commitment of donors, volunteers, and partners, they have saved lives.”

Making America ‘Do the Right Thing’

By Wendy Gladney

Most of us remember Spike Lee’s movie, “Do the Right Thing.” Spike directed the movie and played the lead role of Mookie, a young African American man working as a delivery driver for Sal’s pizzeria.

John Turturro portrayed Pino, Sal’s openly racist son, who had a hostile relationship with the predominantly African American community around the pizzeria. The movie came out in 1989 and at the time served as a powerful social commentary that prompted viewers to examine their own biases, challenge the status quo, and take action to address racial inequalities.

The movie examined the systemic racism, prejudice, and cultural clashes that existed within the community. While the film does not explicitly use the phrase, “wake up,” it presents a compelling narrative that encourages both Black and White viewers to confront and engage with the realities of racism and discrimination.

Thirty-four years after this iconic film, we are still experiencing the realization of social injustices and racial disparities that persist in society today. Black America, we must wake up to the fact that we still have opposition from certain people, political agendas, and government institutions who are trying to cancel our cultural history, ignore critical race theory, and make America the place where “woke” comes to die.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who is also a Republican presidential candidate, has brought much attention to the “woke” movement because of his desire to render it null and void. Why would a person who wants to become the leader of the free world try to kill a movement that wants to dismantle systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and others?

Woke ideology acknowledges that people can face multiple layers of discrimination and that these various aspects of identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, are interconnected. You would think that any presidential candidate regardless of political affiliation would want to support a movement that encompasses various social and political issues, including but not limited to racial and social injustice, gender inequality, environmental justice, and economic disparities.

Communities of color must wake up to the fact that if one White parent in a Miami-Dade Florida County elementary school can complain that a book based on a poem written by a young Black National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, is not educational, and has indirect hate messages, causes confusion, indoctrinates students, and now is restricted from students reading lists, it is disheartening. It marginalizes and conveniently minimalizes African Americans contributions to our country.

There are certain elements in this country that do not want to recognize and realize that racism is deeply ingrained in our legal systems, policies, and societal structures, perpetuating systemic inequalities. History has shown us that racism is not only the result of individual prejudices or overt acts of discrimination, but rather it operates within various aspects of society, including law, education, housing, employment, and criminal justice.

Currently, seven states have banned critical race theory, while another 16 states are in the process of banning it. That constitutes almost all states with a Republican governor. These governors and states are saying that there is no structural or systemic racism and they want no public discourse on anything concerning race, power, diversity, equity and inclusion.

We must wake up and examine the systemic racism, prejudice, and cultural clashes that exist within our community. We must make America, “Do the Right Thing.”

Wendy Gladney is a columnist for the Los Angeles Sentinel

Dr. Will Ross of Washington University and Meds and Food for Kids [MFK] board member [right] greets Maggie Probert, MFK chief advancement/strategic communications officer, and Dr. Pat Wolff, MFK founder and executive director of Meds

Photo by Lois Ingrum / St. Louis American

St. Louis American staff

Wendy Gladney

Shooting

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youth jobs, including its YouthBuild program that connects at-risk youth ages 16-24 with training and education opportunities

The St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention is using federal resources to hold pop up activities, like movie nights and music events to give kids opportunities to safely gather, the mayor said.

During a Sunday press conference at Wohl Community Center, Jones said, “This Father’s Day, families across the St. Louis region woke to the news of yet another mass shooting.”

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, tenfold. My heart goes out to all the families in pain today. All those attending will carry with them the scars, physical and mental, from the gun violence that tore into their lives.”

She then chastised state politicians for allowing easy access to guns, including for youths.

Gore

Continued from A1

interesting to me.’ Do you still feel that way?

Gabe Gore: Yes, I still feel that way. I like to be challenged and this job has certainly been that in the first two weeks. This is something that is challenging but that’s just a reflec-

“Our state’s lax gun laws make our challenge even more difficult,” Jones said.

“The Missouri legislature failed to restrict minors from carrying guns, a commonsense solution to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of children.”

Jones and Congresswoman Cori Bush, who made appearances throughout the 1st Congressional District during Juneteenth weekend, vowed to push on with local and national efforts to take more guns off American streets.

Bush spoke on the shootings, saying state and federal legislators that could address gun violence “are within the pockets of the [National Rifle Association.]

“They are choosing guns over our children,” Bush said.

“They are choosing violence over safety. They are choosing death over life. We need to save lives.”

The event that led to the shootings was publicized on several social media

tion of the importance to the community that we restore this office.

American: Are you seeing a pathway forward on clearing the backlog of cases left by your predecessor?

GG: I see a path forward to the extent that we’ve been able to add good people to the office. In any law office, the most

platforms and attracted people from throughout the area.

According to Chief Robert Tracy, police had not been called to the building in the past, adding that investigators are determining how people gained entrance.

Police have one juvenile suspect in custody, and on Tuesday released photos of two other people who could be involved.

Shell casings from multiple weapons were found at the scene, including those from a handgun and an AR-style weapon.

St. Louis was not the lone city that experienced gun violence on a frightening level during the past weekend.

-At least 23 people were shot, one fatally, during a gathering in a parking lot that drew hundreds of people in a suburban town southwest of Chicago early Sunday, authorities said.

-In Washington State, two people were killed and three injured in a shooting near a campground where many people were staying for a two-day music

critical element is the quality of the attorneys. The path forward is through the great attorneys we’ve added.

American: You lured Atty. Marvin Teer back to the office. Why was that hire important to you?

GG: Yes, he was my first hire, and it was an important hire. He is going to be key in leading us

A Major bike ride

festival.

-A state trooper was killed and a second critically wounded just hours apart Saturday in central Pennsylvania after a shooter attacked a state police barracks. The suspect drove his truck into the parking lot of

through this process of rebuilding the office and working our way through the backlog. I’ve known Marvin for many years. He was a prosecutor in this office when I was a prosecutor in the US Attorney’s office, and we interacted then. I’ve known Marvin as a great public servant throughout his career.

American: Much of

the Lewistown barracks about 11 a.m. Saturday and opened fire with a large-caliber rifle on marked patrol cars before fleeing, authorities said Sunday. Police later killed him.

-A shooting at a pool party in Carson, California,

your predecessor’s popularity was based on her promises to tackle racial injustice issues, investigate police shootings, and enact policies to address racial disparities within the criminal justice system. Where are you on those issues?

GG: I am coming in facing a situation where we have an office that’s not performing at an acceptable level. So, my initial focus must be on restoring this office to performing at a level where we’re doing the very basic work that the community relies on us to do.

The issues of combating racial injustices and addressing institutional racism and that kind of thing; that’s important, obviously, but I do believe the first step in doing that is to do your work well.

American: Have you given any thought to Gardner’s exclusionary list of more than 75 police officers she accused of lying, abuse or corruption? What’s your stand on the continued use of that list?

GG: Where I am is this; I am not adopting it; I’m not in any way applying that list; I don’t know the thought process or approach that was taken in developing it so it’s not something I have any basis to rely on.

I’m going to proceed on a case-by-case basis; we’re going to look at it and determine what the facts are and what the law is; if there are any issues with respect to witness credibility-whether it be police or any other witnesses-we’re going to look at that very seriously and determine whether or not we can proceed to prove up our case and rely on some of the witness testimony.

American:. Did you play a role in Greitens’ defense team?

GG: I played no role in the Greitens’ case. He was represented by my law firm and members of our law firm, but I personally was not involved in that case.

American: Earlier this month, you filed a motion to withdraw your predecessor’s request to vacate Christopher Dunn’s murder conviction. At the time you said you planned to conduct a full review of the case.

a city about 17 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, left eight people wounded, authorities said Saturday. There have been more than 310 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive

GG: As I reviewed the motion to vacate the conviction, it became very clear to me that that was a motion by the prosecuting attorney to set aside a conviction because that prosecuting attorney had concluded there’s clear and convincing evidence of actual innocence. Ms. Gardner filed that motion a few days before she resigned and when she filed it, she was essentially representing to the court and certifying that ‘I (she) had reached these conclusions.’

For something like that to go forward, it would require me to basically make the same representations to the court. That’s something I could not do without conducting a full review. So it was procedurally necessary that I withdraw the motion and I am now duty-bound to review it, make a conclusion and determine whether refiling the motion is the proper thing to do.

American: I know it’s way too early to ask, but you said you’re not focusing on running for the CAO position in 2024. Has that decision changed since then?

GG: No. I really have not had time to do that. It takes a lot of time to hire 10 attorneys in 15 days (laughs)..that was really time-consuming as well as all the other things so, no, I really haven’t had a chance to think about it.

American: Last question: There are still a lot of people who really liked Kim Gardner and her reform policies. What’s your message to those people who may look at you with trepidation?

GG: My message would be ‘judge me based on how I perform this job and how I conduct myself.’ My focus is on getting this office back to where it’s well-functioning, fulfilling its necessary role in the criminal justice system here in St. Louis and doing so in a way that is fair and supportive of a balanced approach to reducing violent crime in St. Louis, meaning intervention where that works, prevention where that works and enforcement where that’s necessary. I would ask them to be patient, watch us do our work and judge us based on that.

St. Louisans Wes Falker and his wife, Ann, (on their tandem bike) joined more than 400 bicyclists from across the country over the Juneteenth weekend to honor Major Taylor at the Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance convention in Indianopolis. The Falkers rode a century (100 miles) on Saturday and 38 miles on Sunday.

Photo by Fred Sweets / St. Louis American

other Black journalists in town and across the country.”

Starting as a reporter at KSDK, Hunter made broadcasting history in 1970, when he became the first African American full-time primetime TV news anchorman in St. Louis. After moving to KMOV (then KMOX), Hunter covered local, regional, national and international news.

He interviewed six incumbent U.S. Presidents and countless local and nationally known politicians. In the late 1970s, Hunter broadcast live reports from Rome on the deaths of Paul VI and John Paul I respectively. He even traveled on three occasions with Pope John Paul II.

The list of Hunter’s exclusive interviews reads like a “who’s who” of politics and entertainment-including luminary sitdowns with Pearl Bailey, Ted Kennedy, Julia Child, Jimmy Hoffa, Angie Dickinson, Oprah Winfrey, Cab Calloway, Sophia Loren, Chuck Berry and many more. Hunter’s contributions to St. Louis have reached well beyond television. He wrote a weekly column for the St. Louis PostDispatch and occasionally writes commentaries for this newspaper. He is the author of a dozen published books. Hunter has also served on the Boards of the History Museum, The BackStoppers, Campbell House Museum, St. Louis Police

Oruwari

Continued from A1 awardee during the 2016 St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon.

“We need more Black physicians. ‘Black Girls In White Coats’ provides encouragement for Black girls dreaming of becoming doctors. From my work at SSM Health DePaul Hospital, I felt this collection of memories can be a guiding light for Black girls as well as help alleviate the stigma associated within the Black community around health care.”

“Black Girls In White Coats” demonstrates Dr. Oruwari’s commitment to delivering exceptional health care services to underserved communities.

“Many of us grew up in families where there’s no one in healthcare, no doctors, [and] no nurses. I hope this book gives kids that don’t have those role models the ability to see people that look like them in healthcare and hopefully encourage them to inspire them,” Dr. Oruwari said.

Dr. Oruwari received her Doctor of Medicine and completed her residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey.

A native Nigerian, Dr. Oruwari was recruited to St. Louis after finishing her fellowship at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She has been a practicing physician for 20 years and has been with SSM Health DePaul Hospital since 2020.

“I’m a breast cancer surgeon and I primarily take care of women who have breast cancer. We know that breast cancer

Department, and most recently the Landmarks Association.

Hunter said he’s been a long-time supporter of Riley and the museum. His contributions include efforts to get press coverage for the gallery. He’s also working to help install an elevator to the two-sto-

is a disease that affects everyone equally, but Black women disproportionately die from it,” Dr. Oruwari said.

“What I’m trying to do in the community is to spread the word, bring the word out to women of color, letting them know that they should go for screening, they should have breast self-exams.

“Prevention is a lot of what we’re doing here at SSM, that’s what we’re trying to bring to the community.”

When asked what the inspiration for her book came from, Dr. Oruwari talked about her experience of treating patients during the pandemic.

“It was just something that I started thinking about since the pandemic from taking care of breast cancer patients in West County to taking care of breast cancer patients in mid to North County,” she

To secure funds and support Hunter has hosted fundraisers and introduced Riley to prospective donors, philanthropists and a noted architect who, he said, successfully constructed an elevator that runs between floors outside a building.

Hunter said there was no vanity involved when he allowed Riley to dedicate a permanent exhibit in his name.

“I agreed to have the room named after me only because I hope it will draw visitors to look at the massive, mammoth collection on the first floor,” Hunter said, adding: “And that seems to be working.”

This has been the George B. Vashon Museum’s “busiest year,” Riley noted, adding that about 60 Cahokia School District students would be visiting in a couple days.

Riley and his wife, Calra, started the museum about 10 years ago but the curator said he’s been collecting artifacts for more than 40 years.

ry mansion which Hunter described as a Yeoman’s effort.

“The original elevator was installed in the 1890’s and we learned, a short time ago, that it is too ancient to be safe. It must be gutted and totally rebuilt,” the newsman explained.

said.

“During the pandemic there was this whole debate about the vaccine, and so many people of color were dying from the virus and so many people of color were distrustful of the vaccine.”

Dr. Oruwari said she explained to patients why they should get the vaccine, which helped them decide to receive one.

“I knew that it was a

The mansion, which was once a funeral parlor, still has colorful mosaic stained glass windows on the first floor. It holds thousands of artifacts representing 250 years of local and national African American history.

A space dedicated to civil rights contains KKK memorabilia and an origi-

big difference in having people hear me tell them than someone of a different race saying the same thing,” she said.

“Looking into racial disparities, we know that health outcomes tend to be better for people that are taken care of by people that look like them. That’s what inspired me to write this.”

The doctor believes that her book will encour-

nal sign from the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. There is also a room containing original documents from the Dred Scott case and other spaces dedicated to local high-profile dignitaries such as Senator J.B. Jet Banks, scientist and chemist, Dr. Lincoln Diuguid, commercial artist, Spencer Thornton Banks and, of course, pioneering attorney, scholar, lawyer and abolitionist, George Boyer Vashon.

The museum is located at 2223 St Louis Ave, in the heart of what was once the thriving St. Louis Place neighborhood. In 2014, St. Louis Magazine described the area as one of “stunning Italianate, Second Empire and Romanesque Revival mansions…” that “easily challenged the more famous South Side neighborhood for sheer beauty and preservation of its stately mansions.”

Even though the museum receives hundreds of tours, out-of-town guests and local visitors, it is still an unknown gem to many St. Louisans.

Hopefully, the installation of the new “Julius Hunter Media Room” will draw more visitors interested in the rich and diverse history of St. Louis and its many native personalities.

age future generations to become the doctors of tomorrow.

“We really want this book to go out and inspire young African American girls and get them into the healthcare profession so that they can become our replacements because we are not going to practice forever, so we need more women of color in the field,” she said.

Calvin Riley, owner of the George B Vashon Museum, poses in the Julius Hunter Media Room.

Photo by Sylvester Brown, Jr. / St. Louis American

Gentle James Longley passes on Father’s Day at age 100

James Valentino Longley, Jr. was born February 14, 1923 in Little Rock Arkansas. He was one of two children born to James Longley, Sr. and Alice Mitchell Longley. The family moved to East St. Louis, Illinois when James was an infant and then to St. Louis, Missouri where his sister Earnestine was born.

James was a product of the St. Louis Public Schools. He graduated from Vashon High School and attended Lincoln

University until his induction into the United States Navy, where he served from 1943 to 1945. James worked for the United States Post Office before forming J. Longley Painting Company. He had many faithful customers and served generations of families. In his retirement, James continued to keep clients happy by managing his team of employees.

James married his high school sweetheart Delores Hutt in March 31, 1945. Delores,

a teacher, who earned a Ph.D. in Education from St. Louis University, described her husband before her own passing as “a loyal, loving husband on whom I relied completely through the years.” To their union two children were born — Ronald Eric Longley and Karen Denise Longley (Gordy).

James was raised in Centennial Christian Church and

served on the Deacon Board. In 1955, James became a charter founding member of the Oaks Social Club and is the last surviving charter member. He was also a member of the Royal Vagabond Club.

During his retirement, James taught himself the art of stock trading and became quite successful in his new found passion. He also enjoyed maintaining and managing several properties he acquired throughout the years.

James and his wife Delores shared a passion for interior design and travel. They traveled frequently to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, throughout Europe and went on several Caribbean cruises.

James was graced with an abundance of love from family and friends. They remember him as a gentle generous spirit, full of integrity and possessing many skills and professional talents. Delores regarded him as a perfect role model as a father and a man. He will be deeply missed and forever treasured by everyone who got to know him. James was blessed to live a

vibrant, vigorous and healthy life for 100 years. The family thanks deeply his caregiving team for extraordinary care, considering him family and showering him with love. After a brief bout with pneumonia, James passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023, (Father’s Day) surrounded by family.

Family was his greatest love to whom he was deeply committed. He leaves to cherish his memory: children Ronald (daughter-in-law Carla) and Karen (son-in-law Kerry); sister-in-law, Jean; grandchildren, Rahny, Ronson and Juliet; dearest friend for over 88 years, Joe Kendall; nephew, Charles Davidson; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life will be held: Friday, June 23, 2023; Visitation: 11AM; Service: 12PM at Austin A. Layne Mortuary Renaissance Chapel, 7302 West Florissant, St. Louis, MO.

TICKETSFEWREMAIN

James Valentino Longley, Jr.

Spire holds Play Day in the Park

On June 10th Spire funded and volunteered at the first ever “Play Day in the Park.”

The Magic House, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Forest Park Forever and dozens of community partners came together to make this free, family-fun event take place.

What brought about the idea for this event? The need for children to take a break from screen time and get outside to take part in good old-fashioned play. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports the average child in our country spends seven hours daily in front of a screen.

Kids had the chance to do the following activities: roller skating at Steinberg; learning how to fish in a stocked pond with the Missouri Dept. of Conservation; taking part in outdoor geocaching with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri; creating their own playground with The Magic House; sitting inside of and checking out a large Spire work truck; participating in adaptive sports with the Disabled Athlete Sports Association and much more.

Photos provided by Spire

Shameem Clark-Hubbard slaps muzzle on Cohn

It’s been one year since former Board of Aldermen president Lewis Reed and former aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John CollinsMuhammad were indicted, and while there has been a recognizable shift in the energy at the Board, there are still some old, lingering habits that die hard.

During last week’s Housing, Urban Development, and Zoning Committee hearing at the Board of Aldermen, Alderwoman Shameem Clark-Hubbard (Ward 10) presented Board Bill 37, which revised an existing ordinance directing $37 million in federal COVID funds to North St. Louis. The amount of funds was not in dispute. The purpose of the federal relief funds wasn’t changing. But Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 3) nevertheless took this as an opportunity to challenge the allocations to North City specifically and demanded an explanation for southside exclusion. “Venting” to the Post-Dispatch, Cohn pushed this demonstrably false narrative that “the city hasn’t allocated a dime of federal pandemic aid specifically for the southeast side of the city.”

Except, Cohn himself had locked down a $200,000 allocation for Marquette Park, and that’s in addition to the $5.5 million allocated to community violence intervention programs, the largest (Dutchtown’s Cure Violence office) being located in Cohn’s

own ward. Those amounts are certainly more than “a dime.”

Southside residents also will be able to apply to access support from a $500,000 allocation for real and personal property tax forgiveness; a $2.5 million mortgage assistance fund; a $5 million guaranteed basic income program; a $5 million Small Business Fund; a $20 million Citywide Housing Development Fund; a $1 million food assistance program; and so much more. Cohn’s protestations - rooted in a false notion - led him to an attempt to amend ClarkHubbard’s bill to funnel money already earmarked for North City to a handful of southside neighborhoods.

But perhaps the most appalling moment of the HUDZ meeting was Cohn’s assertion that the industrialization of the white Kosciusko neighborhood was equivalent to the systemic, racist annihilation of the historic black neighborhood, Mill Creek Valley. Ignoring the fact that Kosciusko still exists, Cohn’s assertion that north and south neighborhoods experienced the same type of divestment is just flat-out incorrect and further reinforces white resentment of North City by many on the Southside. Of note, Cohn supported the original ordinance that unanimously passed in 2021, and public records his full support of North City receiving $37 million for revitalization. Cohn did not have the

votes he needed to change the North City-focused bill, but he nevertheless introduced his amendment and forced his colleagues to deal with his racially-naive contention.

“Some of the things that you’re referencing, we all understand,” ClarkHubbard challenged. “To move the needle on [the small business owners of North St. Louis], I think it’s very disingenuous and very unfair to them and to the Northside.”

“To me, it seems like the intent of the original bill is to undo historical wrongs, but specifically racially-motivated historical wrongs,” Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier (Ward 7) noted. “We all have different histories in our areas and I’m just curious…have you thought of some of those differences as far as the historical reasons for disinvestment?”

Cohn’s cringeworthy grandstanding is reminiscent of white South City alderpersons’ age-old

habit of recognizing the racist divestment of North City while refusing to do anything about it. Even though he voted in support of the original $37 million allocation to Northside businesses and commercial districts, his performance last week reflected the Schoemehl-era shenanigans that caused further divestment from North City in the 1980s. But the histrionics didn’t end there, with the oft-mundane city water service issue becoming a hot topic during last week’s full Board meeting. By now, you may have heard about the Board of Aldermen voting to raise citywide water service rates by up to 40% over the next few years. The cause of the increase is simple: the city’s population has declined and the Water Department doesn’t generate enough revenue to continue operations at the current rates. Bonds are not an option; the Water Department is already over-leveraged. Some have suggested dipping into the Rams settlement funds, but the Water Department’s capital needs exceed the city’s share of

Kroenke cash. There have been more than 60 water main breaks since October 2022. Just two weeks ago, in one weekend, there were 16 water main breaks throughout South St. Louis neighborhoods, shutting down several major roadways while City employees worked quickly through the heat to restore service. A December report by the State Auditor’s Office predicted the chaos and criticized the Board for failing to increase water rates.

Clearly, the Board has simply ignored the issue for more than a decade, and those water main breaks in the eight months prove what happens when a city neglects vital infrastructure needs.

The bill’s sponsor, Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, was unfairly harangued by the press and some of her colleagues, but as the saying goes, a hit dog will holler.

The bill’s loudest critics, Alderwomen Cara Spencer (Ward 8) and Sharon Tyus (Ward 12), are also two of the longest-serving alderpersons –each with her own storied history of serving in roles that touch on public infrastructure.

Tyus, formerly the chair of the Streets, Traffic, and Refuse Committee, previously blocked necessary legislation for the STL Works fund, rather relying on utilities and motor vehicle taxes to repair sidewalks, fill potholes, purchase new trash trucks, and supplements of City employee pay. Tyus is also a North City landlord, with a well-documented record of failing to pay her fair share of water and sewer bills.

Spencer is the former executive director of the Missouri Consumers Council, a nonprofit organization that opposes all rate increases for both public and private utilities. She also sat on the Public Utilities Committee in November 2016, when the Board made its last unsuccessful attempt to raise rates. In other words, the two people on the Board who should best know and understand the dire need of the City Water Department were the two harming residents’ interests the most. Both alderwomen feigned ignorance of the Water Department’s urgent requirements and made odd suggestions that Schweitzer’s rate increase legislation was “rushed” – despite the Board’s attempts to raise rates for more than a decade. Because of that cowardice and expanded costs of materials, water rates will increase by 40%, instead of the 22% as originally pitched in 2016 If you’re upset by that increase, just remember that the next concern is the City Water Department becoming insolvent and being forcibly privatized. In observing how some of the alderpersons behaved in the last week, our readers would think that some of them would prefer the unthinkable: privatizing city water. The old habit that some veteran alderpersons can’t seem to quit? Refusing to take responsibility for problems that they caused – long-standing problems that they now scold younger alderpersons about when the new generation moves to address them.

Plan your visit at stlzoo.org

Shameem ClarkHubbard Shane Cohn

“An Evening with Bernie Hayes” at the Missouri History Museum on June 29

By Cicely Hunter Missouri Historical Society

Black radio listeners who tuned in to St. Louis radio station KATZ in 1965 would hear the smooth, captivating voice of Bernie Hayes, a new disc jockey who had just arrived from the West Coast. Born to John and Alberta Missouri Burns in Florida in 1935 and raised in Chicago, Hayes graduated from the University of Illinois and served in the US Air Force in Korea and Alaska. It was during his time in the military that he developed an interest in radio and began announcing with the Armed Forces Radio Services. Before landing in St. Louis, he was a radio broadcaster in Louisiana, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Honing his skill to meet the needs of the Black community, Hayes crafted his segments to stimulate the minds of his viewers with music and knowledge. His style was so dynamic that listeners believed there were two Bernie Hayeses because of the two completely different sounds that graced the airwaves, with R&B and rock ’n’ roll in the afternoon and jazz during the midnight segment. Fans sent complimentary letters to Hayes, with one person writing, “You have a perfect blend of music, vocal, and instrumental combined together. You also have original taste in playing music back-to-back which seems to go together . . . . all following telling a story.”

In his book The Death of Black Radio: A

Personal Perspective— The Story of America’s Black Radio Personalities, Hayes explores the power of Black music and culture, which led to a rapid change that has since dominated the market and made significant gains for non-Black radio professionals. As different Black radio personalities emerged and dedicated themselves to entertaining, educating, and enlightening their audience, there was direct resistance. Black radio personalities received lower pay and were sometimes pulled from radio stations and replaced with white announcers in order to dampen and censor their voices.

In 1972 and 1977, Hayes and a few of his colleagues led protests that paved the way for many local Black-owned radio stations and their Black employees. With these actions, Hayes declares, “We changed the culture of radio for African American disc jockeys and announcers at KKSS, KWK, KATZ, and Magic 108.”

Among his many business ventures, he opened Music World Records

in Alton, Illinois, thanks to the influence of Alton native Luther Ingram, the artist best known for “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right.” Ingram noted there wasn’t a record store in Alton for Black people, so Hayes found a location on Belle Street where he began to sell soul music. At this time, Hayes also became involved in record distribution. In addition, he has twice had a regular column in the St. Louis American, with the second column running about 25 years. He is also curator of the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and founder of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, both of which are on the Harris-Stowe State University campus. Immersed in current events and his community, Hayes has focused on vital topics to transform Black life. His career as a radio broadcaster, announcer, disc jockey, and columnist has brought him into homes and made him a key figure in the community.

When asked his thoughts about radio today, Hayes said, “The announcer and their responsibility to their community is

completely divorced today. We were personalities that were connected to the community and concerned about the community, but now the current disc jockeys are nothing but entertainment and they are not concerned about providing good information to their listeners.”

On June 29, Bernie Hayes will be the featured speaker at the Missouri History Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum program (5:30–8:00pm), leading an evening of storytelling and story-gathering in the style of a live radio show beginning at 6:30pm in the Lee Auditorium. Special guests will include radio and jazz greats of the past 50 years. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Sugarfire. Arrive early for a special happy-hour performance by soul singer Uvee Hayes in the Grand Hall (5:50–6:10pm) and to explore St. Louis music history resources, including a music technology touch table. Bernie and Uvee will sign copies of their books and CDs in the Museum Shop. Enjoy 10 percent off Bernie’s book, The Death of Black Radio

Thursday Nights at the Museum is presented by Wells Fargo

‘Taking Care of You’

LIV Recovery Center breaks bread, mental health stigmas

and hosted its first

By Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

Holds its inaugural brunch

On Friday, June 16, Living In Victory Recovery Sober Living, [LIV] held its inaugural Men’s Mental Health Brunch at its facility in the Old North neighborhood of St. Louis.

Owners Derrick and Cameo Jones opened the rehab center in August 2022, and called planning the event “emotionally taxing but rewarding,” because it led to open, and honest discussion about men’s mental health.

“We wanted to focus on a variety of individuals in the room who are decision-makers, but also have real-life

n “We are encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma around seeking help for mental illnesses. Men should not feel weak for needing support.”

– Derrick and Cameo Jones

experiences,” said Cameo Jones. “We wanted to make sure we touched different perspectives, espe-

cially the experience for a Black man. I thought it was equally as important to have women of all ethnicities as a part of the conversation as well; to have a place to listen and absorb what was being shared in such an intimate setting.”

The couple wanted to highlight Black men’s mental health, especially with it being the weekend of Father’s Day and Juneteenth. They created a safe space for men to be honest about their experiences and what can be done about them.

Derrick Jones said the men’s men-

How to supplement your health safely

By Dr. Candace McMillon-Dantley

With so many supplements and pills to choose from in the aisle of your local pharmacy, grocery, and vitamin stores, “How can you possibly decide on which is best for you?”

An even better question to ask yourself is, “Will the supplements and pills that I choose do more harm than good?”

Well, you’re asking all the right questions. Here’s what you absolutely must know and look for to select a vitamin that’s the right fit for your health.

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

The Missouri Family Health Council, Inc. (MFHC) announced the launch of Free EC, a new contraceptive access project offering free emergency contraception (EC) to Missourians.

“Emergency contraception, or ‘EC,’ is a type of birth control that’s taken after sex, instead of before,” said Raissa Ameh, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC, Clinical Director for MFHC. “EC is a great option for preventing pregnancy after unprotected or under-protected sex.”

MFHC begins Free EC program

“The escalating attacks on sexual and reproductive healthcare were meant to diminish Missourians’ power and autonomy, but it only served to galvanize our resolve and commitment to the movement,” said Michelle Trupiano, MFHC Executive Director. “Free EC is one tool folks have to shape futures they envision.”

MFHC has joined with nonprofit organizations, health centers, and other community partners to distribute kits throughout Missouri.

Anyone of any age can take a kit while supplies last.

All vitamins are not equal

We’ve all seen the supplement bottles with an image of lush green pastures and smiling faces that just reek of health.

We check the price, throw it in the shopping cart and strut to the checkout counter knowing that we’re on the road to health and prosperity. But, hold it right there!

Dr. Candace McMillonDantley n Just because a supplement is on the shelf doesn’t mean that it’s safe or even does what the label promises.

Just because a supplement is on the shelf doesn’t mean that it’s safe or even does what the label promises.

In fact, before a supplement is marketed to the public, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to verify if it’s safe or effective.

The FDA can only remove a supplement from the market if it has been found to be unsafe (by the manufacturer or consumers) or makes false or misleading claims.

To put your mind at ease, manufacturers can elect to have their supplements verified by the USP Supplement Verification Program. Supplements that pass the standards of the USP receive a USP Verified Mark on their labels. Seeing the USP Verified Mark on

Free Plan B now offered in area health centers

turned Roe v. Wade and that abortion is now illegal in the state of Missouri,” Trupiano said.

“We really launched this project partly because of the Dobbs decision that over-

“We’re trying to do two things with this initiative: one is really to combat the misinformation around specifically emergency contraception and how it works, and that some folks still think that emergency contraception is illegal and then two, we want to get it into the hands of anyone who needs it so that they have it in their medicine cabinets in case of an emergency because this is a great backup method.”

According to the CDC, the use of emergency contraception among women

aged 15-44 has not only increased over time, but nearly one in four sexually active women has used it. While white women are more likely to use this form of contraception than Black women, this initiative aims to make the drug more accessible in St. Louis County.

“We knew that, people face roadblocks with access to healthcare, especially for people of color, they face even more roadblocks in accessing ongoing healthcare, and then also that folks can ask for it to be mailed to them confidential confidentially, so that regardless of maybe where somebody lives or any other barriers that they may face, hopefully that they can access it in one of

The

Derrick and Cameo Jones opened the Living In Victory Recovery Sober Living homes in August of 2022,

Men’s Mental Health Brunch on June 16, 2023.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

See LIV, A13

See DANTLEY, A13

Raissa Ameh

LIV

Continued from A12

tal health brunch is part of an action plan “to further push out the work they are accomplishing through their rehab center and community partners.”

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis director of health said during a panel discussion, “This is the type of leadership, and the type of message of how funding needs to be addressed, how policy needs to center around Black health equity.”

In 2020, 29.3% or 73.8 million Americans had a mental illness suffered from substance use disorder according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

The data also showed 21.0% or 52.9 million people 18 or older had a mental illness, among those with a mental illness 1 in 4 26.9% or 14.2 million had a serious mental illness.

To help decrease these alarming numbers, the Joneses suggest increasing access to mental health services, providing education and awareness about mental health, reducing stigma around mental illness, and promoting early interventions.

Policies should address the root causes of mental illness, including poverty and social inequality. Hiring more Black and brown therapists and social workers would give more individuals someone to identify with when discussing mental health.

Joe Salvador Palm, Region 7 director for the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, wants to help elevate the rehab center in any way that he can to the work LIV Recovery Center.

“I want [LIV Recovery Center] to get the funding it deserves to help the people that need the health outcomes,” said Palm.

“There is a sense of urgency we have to start helping our men”

Jaime Hudson, a staff therapist at LIV Recovery Center, said the disparity among men suffering from mental illness is “a uni-

Free Plan B

Continued from A12

those two ways, either via the mail or from a distribution partner,” said Trupiano.

Emergency contraception can work up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.

“The Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia is proud to offer Missouri Family Health Council’s Free EC kits to anyone who needs back-up birth control on-hand,” said Rev. Molly Housh Gordon.

“As Unitarian Universalists we believe in the sacredness of

Dantley

Continued from A12

a supplement label means that the product has been tested to ensure that what’s on the label is in the bottle. USP tests a supplement’s ability to be absorbed by the body, the level of harmful contaminants, and that the supplement has the quality ingredients promised on the label.

‘Taking

Care of You’

versal crisis” and that LIV is working diligently to be a part of the solution by having policymakers in the room, in the conversation so they are more aware of what’s going on in the community.

Hudson, a former educator from St. Louis Public School District, said there is not enough informa-

every body and the inherent moral agency of every person. In this time of attacks on bodily autonomy, providing safe, free access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a clear expression of our faith.”

“OACAC is excited to add Free EC to the suite of family planning services offered at our Springfield health center,” said Jamie Raab, Family Planning director for Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC).

“Increasing affordable healthcare access is one tool to alleviate the impact of poverty on people and communities in southwest Missouri.”

Check your current meds

We all know that oil and water don’t mix, but what about supplements and medications? Most people who take multiple medications, prescribed or over-the-counter, are aware of the possibility of adverse drug interactions.

When taking supplements and pills, however, many don’t think about something “natural” having an adverse reaction to

tion surrounding mental health.

“When young minds go untreated, they then become adult minds that have gone through life suffering in silence, masking hurt, and trauma that can lead to substance use or mental breakdowns,” she said.

“We need to normal-

“Although Missouri banned abortion in 2022, all methods of birth control, including EC, are still legal and available in the state,” said Trupiano.

“The goal of the Free EC project is to remove as many geographic and financial barriers to birth control as possible.”

Free EC kits can be picked up at over 40 locations throughout the state, or requested via mail on the MFHC website.

“We’re really trying to increase the availability, especially for communities of color, who face additional barriers when it comes to health equity,” Trupiano said.

their current medication.

Some supplements may contain vitamins or minerals that may counteract the effectiveness of prescribed medications.

In other words, a supplement can stop your current medication from doing its job or exaggerate how your body responds to your current medication.

I salute you for wanting to be healthier and considering supplements to help you achieve your goals. However, you may

ize men having access to mental health services.”

She noticed a transformation from the men that she counsels at the center. Many begin with an ‘I attitude,’ only concerned about themselves. They develop into a person who has compassion for others.

“We are encouraging

open and honest conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma around seeking help for mental illnesses. Men should not feel weak for needing support,” said Derrick Jones. Through LIV Recovery Center Derrick and Cameo Jones provide access to mental health resources and men’s support groups. The staff is educating men and families on the signs of mental illness or just needing extra support so there can be early intervention.

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

Plan B

Step is an emergency contraceptives being made available by the Missouri Family Health Council. It is taken to prevent pregnancy after unprotected or under-protected sex.

not need the supplement that you are considering adding to your pillbox.

A great place to start in helping you determine which supplements you will benefit from are your lab results.

Your lab results may reveal a vitamin deficiency or that your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals through the foods you eat.

Supplementing a deficient vitamin or mineral may be more

beneficial than consuming supplements that you have no problem getting in your diet.

Your healthcare provider can give insight into which supplements may benefit your health the most and guide you to purchasing the supplements your body needs.

Knowledge is key to selecting the right supplement for your health.

The next time you are standing in front of the

neatly stacked, healthinspiring supplement bottles, you will know that some of them don’t belong in your shopping cart. When quality supplements are properly implemented, your health is enhanced, not harmed.

Dr. Candace McMillonDantley, creator of The Doc Knows website, holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.

One

Photo courtesy of Missouri Independent

State Sen. Brian Williams discussed the positive impact of Living In Recovery Sober Living during the Black-owned business’ first Men’s Mental Health Brunch.

Photo by Ashley Winters / St. Louis American

Contractor’s MBE ruse will cost him 18 months in prison

‘Pass through’ scheme was scuttled

U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey speaks about the significance of the Constitution in his own life during the Saint Louis University School of Law Constitution Day in 2017. Autry sentenced Brian Kowert Sr. to 18 months in federal prison for committing fraud regarding eligibility for MBE contracts.

St. Louis American staff

Brian Kowert Sr., a white contractor from Clayton, will have 18 months in federal prison to think about his crime of subverting minority business enterprises regulations.

A former co-owner and chief operating officer of HBD Construction Inc. in Clayton, Kowert was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autry for committing fraud to qualify for tax abatements designed to encourage minority-owned businesses in St. Louis. He was also fined $100,000.

Brian Kowert Sr. “engaged in an elaborate ‘pass through’ fraud scheme where he used an elderly Black contractor solely to pass company checks through to the non-minority subcontractors who Kowert hired to do

n “We’re not going to tolerate it. This program is to right the wrong, if you will, of years and years of racism in the construction trades.”

–Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith

the actual work and supply the actual materials on the project,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Kowert also knew what he was doing was wrong, as he committed a similar Minority Business Enterprise

fraud 17 years ago, Goldsmith wrote.

The fraud involved Charles Kirkwood, the 83-year-old Black owner of Midwestern Construction. Kirkwood told FOX2 “I was used.”

“I don’t know what all he was doing really, to be honest with you; I’m not sure,” he said.

The St. Louis U.S. Attorney’s Office said Kowert pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in January.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Kowert functioned as the project manager for the renovation and redevelopment of a property for Greater Goods LLC in St. Louis, officials said.

Kowert agreed to falsely list Kirkwood’s company as providing materials and performing work on

See RUSE, B2

Survey says DEI efforts up since 2020 – but gaps still exist

Black leaders’ group first poll

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), an organization designed to increase the number of successful Black executives, recently partnered with CNBC to produce its first Black Business Leadership Survey.

74% of Black executives polled said there is positive change in hiring, retention, and promotion of Black employees since George Floyd was killed by a former Minneapolis police officer in May 2020.

However, “significant gaps” still exist in diversity and equal pay at the senior leadership level.

The

“The findings of CNBC’s survey suggest that in the post-Floyd era, businesses are demonstrating an increased awareness of the significant opportunity gap faced by Black professionals,” Shundrawn Thomas, founder of investment firm The Copia Group, told CNBC.

80% of respondents said their respective company has provided more support and attention to employee resource groups. Many Black executives said Black employees’ treatment has remained the same (43%) or worsened (9%) since 2020. 48% said it has improved, and 50% contend there are still less opportunities for Black employees than other employees at their organizations. See SURVEY, B2 into progress demands a greater and sustained effort going forward.” Judy Smith, founder of the crisis management firm Smith & Company, said the survey results “are an accurate reflection of the current state of diversity in corporate America and reinforces the fact that there is still so much work to be done.” Smith and Thomas are among the pan-

“While pockets of improvement are noted, the results reflect the sobering reality that translating pronouncements

PeoPle on the Move

Housing Authority names McDowell a director

Vontriece McDowell is the new director of resident and community engagement for St. Louis Housing Authority. In this role, she is responsible for the overall leadership management and direction of the Resident Initiatives Department, which curates personal, social, and financial development programs for SLHA residents. McDowell holds a master of social work with a focus on social and economic development from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Robert Hughes named director of development

Robert Hughes is the new director of development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. He is a passionate development professional who thrives on communicating the compelling stories of an organization with a mission in youth and community development. As a St. Louis native, Hughes brings years of experience and leadership to the agency. He has a passion for community and positively impacting lives. With the betterment of community in mind he pursued a career in nonprofit missions at BBBSEMO and became involved in the recruitment department as an executive manager of recruitment and community outreach.

Leesa Ross to serve as regional director

Leesa Ross, MMC, city clerk of Frontenac, Missouri, was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), a nonprofit organization with more than 15,000 members worldwide. Ross’s Region represents Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. Ross has been employed by Frontenac for 32 years, having served as a police dispatcher for five years, court clerk for four years, prior to city clerk. She served her state association as president. She is currently a member of the executive board, serving as a director for the Eastern Division, and will continue to serve until retirement as ex-officio.

Dr. Williams named executive director

Caritas Family Solutions recently welcomed Dr. Teresa Williams into the newly created position of executive director of community services. Williams will provide direct oversight of several Caritas’ programs including Community Integrated Living Arrangements, Fox River Apartments, Senior Community Service Employment Program and Fontebella Maternity Home. Williams was formerly the director of grants and federal programs for the East St. Louis School District 189.

Promotion, board appointment, new

Vontriece McDowell

Robert Hughes

Leesa Ross

Dr. Teresa Williams

Photo by Adam Westrich

Keith Williamson to serve as interim community outreach director

By Christine Byers KSDK

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore has hired Centene executive Keith Williamson as the Interim Director of Community Engagement, a position Williamson has agreed to serve on a pro bono basis while searching for a permanent hire.

second to none,” Gore wrote in a statement.

“When I asked if he would do this, he didn’t hesitate for a moment.

Williamson is the chief charitable giving officer of Centene Corporation and president of the Centene Foundation.

That’s a position he was appointed to in 2020 after serving for 13 years as the healthcare company’s general counsel.

“Keith’s ability to listen and build trust are

Survey

Continued from B1

elists at CNBC’s upcom-

ing inaugural Equity & Opportunity: Exec Connect event on June 28 in New Orleans focused on Black leadership, where they will be joined by Rashida Jones, president of MSNBC, and Priscilla Sims Brown, CEO of Amalgamated Bank.

Other survey findings include:

-Most Black leaders who said they left organizations since 2020 (almost one-third of survey respondents), said the level of commitment by their employers to DEI was a factor.

-More Black executives said that prior to 2020 their firms were “checking the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion [DEI] box” rather than taking a comprehensive approach.

“This is not the time to rest on our laurels nor lose our pace,” said Melonie Parker, chief diversity officer of Google.

“The survey findings show there is much work to be done to ensure African Americans at all levels are experiencing the workplace at parity. We must double down on our DEI commitments and stay the course to further the transformative work needed to build a more representative and inclusive

Ruse

Continued from B1

the project, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Court documents show Kowert “recruited an elderly Black business owner as a pass-through, paying him $2,000 in order to pass through hundreds of thousands of dollars to non-minority owned and operated business.”

Because of the scheme, the business lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax incentives after the plot was revealed. Goldsmith wrote “Kowert’s shady behavior set back years of work to fix discrimination in the construction field.”

While he says he had no knowledge of the criminal activity, Kirkwood’s role allowed the project to satisfy St. Louis requirements for 25% participation by MBEs to qualify for a 10-year tax abatement.

The MBE participation requirements seek to address historical social and economic disadvantages experienced by minority group members and to reduce minority-based barriers to and foster participation by minority-owned businesses in city contract opportunities.

That speaks volumes to what people like Keith are willing to do to help their community.”

Williamson also issued a statement about his appointment.

“There are times in your life when you put community above all else,” he wrote.

“This is one of those times, and it’s a real credit to Gabe that so many experienced people are stepping up to help.

“There are many relationships and bridges that must be rebuilt in St. Louis: clergy, community members, crime victims, safety advocates and the

workplace.

The survey was conducted June 1-June 14, including members of the ELC, with the majority from organizations of 10,000 employees or larger.

The future could be brighter as 88% of those surveyed said their companies made a commitment to DEI since 2020, adding that it is beginning to be reflected at the executive level.

Many companies (41%) increased representation of Black executives on the senior leadership team since 2020; 40% of respondents say performance on diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) goals are part of the compensation structure for members of the senior leadership team.

However, 23% say they do not feel that they are

“We’re not going to tolerate it,” Goldsmith said.

“This program is to right the wrong, if you will, of years and years of racism in the construction trades.”

Kowert’s attorney, Joel Schwartz, said his client has a history of trying to make positive differences for MBEs or minority businesses and that the program “couldn’t possibly be more flawed.”

He claims Kowert wants “to educate and teach so that there are more qualified MBEs to complete projects for the city.”

Kowert issued duplicate subcontracts to Kirkwood’s company for work that was performed and materials that were supplied by two other nonMBE companies. Kowert also issued a duplicate HBD purchase order to Kirkwood’s company for materials provided by a third non-MBE company.

Kowert submitted a false chart of projected costs for the redevelopment project to the St. Louis Development Corporation, the city agency charged with reviewing, approving, and recommending tax abatements. The chart falsely listed Kirkwood’s MBE company as

police. I am more than ready to get to work.” Gore has so far hired 11 prosecutors since he was sworn in on May 30.

“Everyone who has joined our team has done so knowing the road ahead is challenging. I want to thank them for doing this work that is essential to the criminal justice system and the safety of the citizens of St. Louis,” Gore wrote.

The United Way of St. Louis also named Williamson the 20222024 chair of the board of directors. He previously served as the board chair for the Urban League of Metro St. Louis and The Opportunity Trust. He’s also served on the boards of the St. Louis Art Museum and the MathewDickeys Boys & Girls Club

equitably compensated relative to peers. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said Black employees were underrepresented in upper management at their organization, with only about one-quarter describing equal representation, and about 10% indicating Black representation is higher.

More than 20% of respondents said there was no Black representation in leadership.

This is not the first survey to address the DEI/hiring situation in corporate America.

A report from Fishbowl in 2021 found that 89% of HR workers expected their organization to respond with public solidarity for BLM.

In 2022, a report from Blueprint revealed that 55% of men and over 60% of women believe they’re more likely to speak out [two years after Floyd’s death] about gender and racial equity, as well as call out sexual harassment and sexist comments.

Smith and Thomas will be panelists at CNBC’s inaugural Equity & Opportunity: Exec Connect event on June 28 in New Orleans. It will focus on Black leadership and include Rashida Jones president of MSNBC, and Priscilla Sims Brown CEO of Amalgamated Bank.

providing labor and materials valued at approximately $198,000 on the Greater Goods redevelopment project and concealed the involvement of the three non-MBE companies.

Beginning on August 4, 2020, Kowert caused 14 HBD checks worth a total of about $220,000 to be issued to Kirkwood’s company for the work performed and materials provided by the three non-MBE companies. Kirkwood deposited those checks into his company bank account and then issued checks to the three non-MBE companies, at Kowert’s direction.

Kirkwood was paid approximately $2,000 by Kowert for his role in the criminal scheme.

Kowert and HBD then caused a false application for tax abatement on behalf of the Greater Goods redevelopment project to be submitted to the St. Louis Development Corporation.

The application falsely represented that Kirkwood’s MBE company had performed about $224,361 in project costs, comprising about 6 ½ % of the required 25% MBE participation in the project.

KSDK.com and FOX2 contributed to this report.

Keith Williamson

Rashida Jones, MSNBC president

Photo courtesy of MSNBC

n “Nobody believes you, bro. Nobody believes you.”

– ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Ja Morant’s pledge to do better

InSIdE

SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Bradley Beal bound for Phoenix in NBA mega-deal

St. Louisan Bradley Beal is leaving the nation’s capital and is headed to the Valley of the Sun.

The three-time AllStar NBA guard was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in what was the first blockbuster deal of the off-season.

The former Chaminade College Prep star is headed to Phoenix in exchange for guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet, plus a number of second round picks and pick swaps. He will join a Suns team that already has star players Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to form a very potent Big 3 combination.

Goodwin averaged 6.6 points in 62 games with the Wizards last season while providing them with a big spark of energy and defensive intensity on a nightly basis.

St. Louis American All-Area Track and Field Team

The Suns were eliminated by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in the second-round of the Western Conference playoffs in six games.

Beal, 29, has spent his entire 11-year career with the Wizards after being their first-round pick in 2013. He concludes his career in Washington with 15,391 points, which is second in franchise history to the great Elvin Hayes.

It is also looking like Beal may not be the only St. Louis metro area player that will be headed to Phoenix. There are reports that former Belleville Althoff and Saint Louis University standout Jordan Goodwin will also join the Suns, which will give them some solid backcourt depth on their star-studded team.

The tradition of St. Louis area and Metro East athletes bringing home individual and team state championships continued in 2023. The girls from Cardinal Ritter and Lutheran St. Charles, and the boys from Festus and East St. Louis brought home state titles, and as the season closes, we present the 2023 St. Louis American All-Area Track and Field Team.

Girls First Team

100-meter dash: Skyye Lee (Jr.) Parkway Central

200-meter dash: A’laji Bradley (Jr.) Pattonville

400-meter dash: A’laji Bradley (Jr.) Pattonville

800-meter run: Josie Baker (Jr.) Kirkwood

1,600-meter run: Josie Baker (Jr.) Kirkwood

3,200-meter run: Natalie Bernard (Jr.) Lafayette

100-meter high hurdles: Skyye Lee (Jr.) Parkway Central

300-meter low hurdles: Kyndall Spain (Soph.) Cardinal Ritter

4x100-meter relay: Cardinal Ritter

4x200-meter relay: Cardinal Ritter

4x400-meter relay: Cardinal Ritter

Bradley Beal waived his no-trade clause and was dealt to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns’ Chris Paul is part of the trade package.

4x800-meter relay: Lafayette High Jump: Mason Meinershagen (Sr.)

Oakville Pole Vault: Mason Meinershagen (Sr.)

Oakville

Long Jump: Alexis Taylor (Sr.) Cardinal Ritter

Triple Jump: Maya Anderson (Sr.) MICDS

Shot Put: Charnay Davis (Sr.) Hazelwood

West Discus: Emilia Labruyere (Sr.) Timberland

Second Team

100: Aniya Brown (Jr.)

Cardinal Ritter

200: Skyye Lee (Jr.)

Parkway Central

400: Sydney Burdine (Sr.) Westminster

Christian 800: Addie Draper (Sr.) Westminster Christian

1,600: Grace Tyson (Sr.) Lafayette

3,200: Grace Tyson (Sr.) Lafayette 100-meter high hurdles: Maya Anderson (Sr.) MICDS

300-meter low hurdles: Skyye Lee (Jr.) Parkway Central

4x100: Timberland

4x200: Ladue

4x400: Pattonville

4x800: Summit High Jump: Abigail Peterson (Sr.) Sullivan

Pole Vault: Kylie Scott (Jr.) Lindbergh

Long jump: Aaliyah Elliott (Jr.) John Burroughs

Triple jump: Nazariah Jones (Sr.) Cardinal Ritter

Shot Put: Ashley Rusthoven (Sr.) Fort Zumwalt East Discus: Jilynn Humphrey (Sr.) Troy Boys First Team

100-meter dash:

SportS EyE With Alvin A. Reid

Many Major League Baseball pundits, including Harold Reynolds of the MLB Network, chastised the St. Louis Cardinals for sending rookie outfielder Jordan Walker back to Triple-A Memphis earlier this season while he was hitting .275. Following his opening day start, Walker ripped into the season with a 13-game hitting streak, which achieved a new record for a player under 21 years old. Then, in late April, he was told to report to Memphis.

Winston Moore (Sr.) MICDS

200-meter dash: Melvin Sledge (Soph) Hazelwood East

400-meter dash: Melvin Sledge (Soph) Hazelwood East

800-meter run: Ian Schram (Sr.) Festus

1,600-meter run: Ian Schram (Sr.) Festus

3,200-meter run: Ethan Hogan (Jr.) Columbia

110-meter high hurdles: Keshawn Lyons (Sr.) Cahokia

300-meter intermediate hurdles: Demarlynn Taylor (Sr.) East St. Louis

4x100-meter relay: Edwardsville

4x200-meter relay: MICDS

4x400-meter relay: SLUH

4x800-meter relay: Fort Zumwalt West High jump: Brandon Johnson (Jr.) McCluer

Jordan Walker helps wake slumbering Cardinals

Nationals, Walker was on a 12-game hitting streak, which included four home runs, eight RBI, and runs scored.

“What are [the Cardinals] thinking? It’s one thing if he was hitting .120. He was hitting .275,” Reynolds said shortly after Walker’s demotion.

Because of an injury to Lars Nootbar, Walker returned to the Cardinals two weeks ago and has been on a tear.

Following Monday’s 8-5 Juneteenth Day victory over the Washington

He was batting .404 (17-for-42) during the streak, and respective home runs over the New York Mets on June 17-18 were crucial in Cardinals wins. Rather than sulk, Jordan went to Memphis and vowed to make his way back to the Majors.

“It did hit me hard a little bit, but I still was joking around with my teammates and having a good time. Baseball wasn’t as fun, obviously, but it’s still a joy to be on the field,” he told mlb.com writer John Denton. For the season, Walker is hitting .304 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and three stolen bases.

The Cardinals had won three-of-four games following Monday’s victory, and Walker had two hits in the game. Hopefully,

the team will not be as short-sighted and send him down when goes into a slump.

Morant cost himself millions

To put Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension handed down by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on June 16 in perspective, consider that is 30% of the 82-game schedule.

It is also a financial disaster. When his eightgame suspension from last March is combined with his upcoming 25-game punishment, Morant will forfeit an estimated $50 million in salary, bonuses, and potential sponsorships. He would also be disqualified from All-NBA honors next season due to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement that mandates a 65-game minimum rule to make the

All-NBA Team.

The Grizzlies suspended the former Murray State star from team activities on May 14 after a video spread on social media showing Morant brandishing a firearm.

In March, a video of Morant was posted on Instagram with him holding up a handgun while intoxicated at a Denverarea club.

“We believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated,” Silver told media members.

Morant apologized but did not say if he will appeal the suspension.

“To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model.

I promise I’m going to be better. I’m going to make it up to you, I promise,” he said in a statement.

The National Basketball Players Association said in a statement, “we believe [the

Pole vault: Andy Thomason (Sr.) Timberland

Long jump: Arhmad Branch (Sr.) Festus

Triple jump: Malik Allen (Jr.) Edwardsville

Shot put: Michael Phillips (Jr.) DeSmet

Discus: Noa Isaia (Sr.) Seckman

Javelin: Brigg Ernstrom (Sr.) Marquette

Second Team

100: Jackson Carter (Jr.) Fort Zumwalt East

200: Noah Holland (Sr.) Hillsboro

400: Devion Montgomery (Sr.) East St. Louis

800: Josh Allison (Sr.) Hillsboro

1,600: Josh Allison (Sr.) Hillsboro

3,200: Cole Tatro (Sr.) Parkway South 110-meter high hurdles: Demarlynn Taylor (Sr.) East St. Louis

300-meter IM hurdles: Jacobi Oliphant (Jr.) SLUH

4x100: MICDS

4x200: Edwardsville

4x400: Hazelwood East

4x800: Hillsboro

High jump: Keylan LaGrant (Soph) LutheranSt. Charles Pole vault: Austin Johnson (Sr.) Festus Long jump: Jason Williams (Jr.) Orchard Farm

Triple jump: Joseph Anderson (Sr.)

Westminster Christian Shot put: Cameron Clayborn (Sr.) Cardinal Ritter

Discus: Mark Goldman (Soph) Parkway North Javelin: Payton Brown (Jr.) Hillsboro

25-game suspension] is excessive and inappropriate.”

The Reid Roundup

Chris Paul was stunned that he is part of a pending trade to the Washington Wizards that includes sending St. Louisan Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. He told the New York Times he thinks Hall of Famer and failed NBA executive Isaiah Thomas played a role in his being dealt. Thomas and Suns owner Mat Ishbia are friends, and it is rumored Thomas will be hired by the team. “I realize that Mat and Isiah, just wanted to go in a different direction.” … After winning last weekend’s Stuttgart Open in Germany, Frances Tiafoe reached the top 10 of the men’s ATP world rankings. He became the first African American man to achieve the feat in over 14 years. The last Black ranked in the top 10 was James Blake in January 2009…

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo courtesy of Washington Wizards

Jordan Walker’s clutch home run on June 17 lifted St. Louis to a 4-3 win over New York.

MLB.com photo

KAI’s CEO Michael B. Kennedy named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year finalist

KAI Enterprises CEO

Michael B. Kennedy has been named an Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Heartland Award finalist. Now in its 37th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all.

Kennedy was one of only 30 finalists out of a pool of more than 300 submissions. He was selected by an independent panel of judges made up of previous award winners, leading

CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. Entrepreneurs were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth

Michael B. Kennedy

and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from Missouri, the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska.

“I am honored to have been recognized as a finalist by this distinguished panel of judges,” said Kennedy. “When my father founded KAI in 1980 as one of the first African American architects licensed in Missouri, I witnessed his entrepreneurial spirit and determination first-hand.

As the second-generation leader of this firm, that entrepreneurial spirit lives on in me as I strive to honor the foundation of family values that pioneered KAI: leadership, creativity, honesty, accountability, excellence, integrity and teamwork.”

McDonnell family commits $1 Million to Gateway Global

Members of The McDonnell Family and The McDonnell Family Foundation have made a monumental philanthropic contribution of $1 million towards a new training facility for Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies (Gateway Global) in North St. Louis City. The McDonnell Family Foundation’s visionary gift will be instrumental in ensuring that youth and young adults gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the world of Geospatial Intelligence and Information Technology. Gateway Global, a tech-based workforce development, training, and apprenticeship manage-

ment organization “helps youth and young adults get the skills and credentials they need for career pathways related to Defense, Intelligence, and U.S. Critical Infrastructure,” says, Zekita Armstrong Asuquo, CEO of Gateway Global. “It is the only organization in the United States accredited by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF, the world standard for GEOINT) to train and credential in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) at the high school level which includes recent high school graduates.”

This generous donation will serve as a catalyst for “Gateway to the Globe,” a capital campaign that is raising $8 million to build

out the organization’s Geospatial & IT Workforce and Apprenticeship Campus (GIWAC). Spanning across two Project Connect neighborhoods –

Foodbank receives $150,000

The St. Louis Area Foodbank announced a $150,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Foundation, to continue the ‘Food as Medicine’ program. This initiative will support St. Louis Area Foodbank as it collaborates with local healthcare partners to screen patients for food insecurity during health care visits. The healthcare partner will then connect patients who screen positive for food insecurity to food assistance resources onsite at health care facilities and at community-based food pantries and meal programs.

“We know that healthy and nutritious food paired with nutrition information is critical to helping people thrive. The ‘Food as Medicine’ program prioritizes this combined focus and is transformative in creating a pathway to positive outcomes for our neighbors

Hyde Park and Old North – the GIWAC will offer a training center, computer labs, equipment and research labs, and geospatial simulation theater.

“Gateway Global’s work demonstrates a strong commitment and long-term vision to developing a tech workforce that is fully inclusive”, said St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones. “These efforts coincide with a broader vision to develop North St. Louis neighborhoods and bring investment to a historically distressed and neglected part of the city while also providing young people with the resources and skills they need to fully participate and succeed in our city’s rapidly growing tech sectors.”

grant from Anthem Foundation

in the communities we serve. We are grateful for the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation and our local healthcare partners in bringing this to reality,” said Meredith Knopp, President and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. The ‘Food as Medi-

cine’ program, a Feeding America® initiative funded by the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, will help connect people facing hunger in the St. Louis region to food distribution programs that provide access to healthy food options. The program aims to screen patients over the next three years with the goal of improving food security and health outcomes. This phase of the program will help St. Louis Area Foodbank and these local healthcare partners implement enhanced data collection, sharing and analysis to better understand the needs of people facing hunger and deliver effective solutions.

A new training facility for Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies (Gateway Global) in North St. Louis City.

More fun than fear

Horror flick

‘The Blackening’ leans heavily on humor, target audience sensibility

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Unlike the normally tried and true “you get what you give” adage, the fewer expectations imposed on Tim Story’s hugely anticipated Black horror flick The Blackening the more likely audiences will find the film an enjoyable experience.

The ambitious title has the potential to mislead prospective audiences. The Blackening could coax them into assuming that they will be scared out of their socks and shoes by way of a social critique that exposes systemic racism and implicit bias as the ultimate lethal monster with antics to put Freddie Kruger and Michael Myers to shame. This ain’t that.

The previews suggest the slapstick and satire of the Wayans’ Scary Movie franchise. Not so much. Without the thinking man’s horror of Jordan Peele, the downright silliness of the Wayans or at least the outlandish antics of a beloved character like Madea in Boo – or any major household names for that matter – some might assume “The Blackening” is not worth the bother. Not so fast.

The downright ingenious “we can’t all die first” tagline nails the “for us, by

us” nature of the film that sees a group of college friends coming together to fend off evil when things go left soon after they arrive at a remote cabin for their ten-year reunion. Anyone without at least a conversational understanding of Black culture will get lost watching The Blackening – which brilliantly selected Juneteenth weekend for its

n While at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much star power, within the cast are some pretty impressive resume credits – including “Empire,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Insecure.”

theatrical release.

Story, who also serves as a producer for the film, took a page from Tyler Perry’s playbook of drilling down on what will resonate with the viewer motivated to attend the movies to see a big screen full of people that look like them for a change – and that they can relate or connect with. Actually, Story has his own resume of such films (and their successful sequels) that include Barbershop, Ride Along and Think Like A Man. But where The Blackening is more “Perry-esque” in that it prioritizes

the anticipated desires of the viewer over every other cinematic element.

He pays a price for the decision in the film’s predictable storyline, cadence and the caricatures that some of the ensemble devolve into in the name of good, scary fun. But the intended audience will appreciate the antics.

The film stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Wells, Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji. While at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much star power, within the cast are some pretty impressive resume credits – including “Empire,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Insecure.” Comedian and “The Blackening” co-writer Dewayne Perkins was a standout amongst the cast of solid performers as was Melvin Gregg, whose talent allowed him to transition from internet sensation to mainstream actor. Fowler – best known to many for his role as Eddie Murphy’s on-screen son Lavelle Junson-Joffer in Coming 2 America –and his overdone portrayal of Clifton was a liability among the otherwise well meshed chemistry of the cast.

With respect to the writing, The Blackening could have used a stronger hand in providing a hard stop from one punchline and seamless transition into the next joke as well as a more cleverly

A rumbling, tumbling new leader

Circus Harmony names former flying child Tiffarnish Lewis board president

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Tiffarnish Lewis, a former flying child is the new board president of Circus Harmony, “a non-profit social circus organization based in St. Louis that uses circus arts to motivate social change”. Lewis has been a board member since 2016.

As the new board leader, Lewis’ goals are to have more diversity on the board (which currently has only two people of color) and have more diversity in St. Louis Arches (Circus Harmony’s youth circus performance troupe) during her two-year term.

Lewis said she’s excited about the next two years.

“I pray that I’m successful in this new position and as a former flying child I hope the next generations of flying children understand that I love the program just as much as they do,” she said.

Jessica Hentoff, artistic/executive director and founder of Circus Harmony, thinks Lewis is a great fit for board president because of her enthusiasm and love for the organization.

“There’s no one who cares more than someone whose life has changed,”

Badu comes to Enterprise Center

An adoptive second home for neo-soul pioneer, music legend

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

Erykah Badu calls Dallas,TX her hometown as it’s where she was born and raised, and it’s also the city and state that launched her path to become a neo-soul music movement pioneer, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, style extraordinaire, businesswoman, and an international icon.

St. Louis, however, is a place near and dear to her heart that’s like a second home for her. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, she enrolled in Grambling State University in Grambling LA, where she majored in theater. Grambling is where she met her former college roommate and lifelong friend who is from St. Louis. Badu often visited St. Louis with her roommate. She ended up dropping out, deciding to pursue a full-time music career and gained critical acclaim for her 1997 debut album “Baduizm,” which also won a Grammy for best R&B album.

n “The Unfollow Me Tour is about not depending on someone else’s opinion or the image of their journey to get to where they need to be.”

- Erykah Badu

“The first thing I realized in St. Louis is that we all have the same dialect,” Badu said while mimicking St. Louis’ signature ‘ur’ pronunciations on words with a hard “r” including care and there. In a group zoom interview with The St. Louis American and other media outlets she shared when she thinks of St. Louis, she thinks of family and thinks of home.

Badu is currently on a 25-city joint tour with yasiin bey, FKA (formerly known as Mos Def). The Unfollow Me Tour stops in St. Louis Wednesday, June 28 at Enterprise Center.

“It [St. Louis] creates a comfort and easiness inside of me,” she said. “I want the people to see themselves in the reflection of that. I hope that the tour or that particular show in each city can encourage them to have an inner dialogue that may spark the next evolution they have.”

With the tour called The Unfollow Me Tour, it immediately grabs your attention. Badu named the tour this for good reason.

Hentoff said. “We wanted someone who loved the organization and who is willing to take on the responsibility of being a board president to help move the organization forward and get it even higher than it is.”

Lewis said when Hentoff asked her to join the board there was nothing to think about. She immediately said yes. When Hentoff asked her to serve as the board

president she had the same feelings.

“When she asked me to be the board president there was nothing to think about,” Lewis said. “I immediately said yes because this was a program that helped me when I was a kid and now I’m helping them as an adult.”

“The Unfollow Me Tour is about not depending on someone else’s opinion or the image of their journey to get to where they need to be,” she said. “We all lost so unfollowing me would be a waste of your time. Follow your own paths, your own hearts. You’re quite capable of creating and that’s the message. Also, if we’re on social media if you don’t like what I’m saying unfollow me. It’s so easy, it’s two steps un and follow.”

Badu has grown exponentially both personally and professionally since her musical debut. What does the evolution

Erykah Badu

Image courtesy of Lionsgate Films

After months of buzz, horror film ‘The Blackening’ opens in theaters nationwide on June 16.

Submitted photo

Tiffarnish Lewis (far right) performing with St. Louis Arches youth circus performance troupe as a young girl.

Photo

Juneteenth block party pulls together neighborhood

Hosted by St. John’s United Church of Christ

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

St. John’s United Church of Christ made its Juneteenth celebration a block party.

The north city church blocked off a few side streets complete with bounce houses, carnival jugglers, Scoops Premium Water Ice, which is a Black-owned business, and free BBQ.

The DJ was spinning hits from Frankie Beverly and Maze, Musiq Soulchild, Lauryn Hill, and many more. Folks of all ages and ethnicities were dancing, doing the electric slide.

Community organizations including Action STL, and Arch City Defenders respectively registered residents to vote and informed them of accessible legal services.

It was an all-out old-fashioned family reunion cookout.

Reverend Michelle Higgins said the 107-yearold church has “a very powerful spiritual reckoning to deal with racism directly.”

She said the community she serves “has been impoverished for decades because of systemic practices of racism, and gave

a reminder of her congregation’s involvement in the Ferguson Uprising in 2014.

“Our future is tied to the north side and it’s a place of mass disinvestment. You can look around and see that systemic reparations need to start in 99% Black neighborhoods,” said Rev. Higgins

“Juneteenth is a day of celebration to talk and uplift the conversation of reparations.”

Higgins plans to attend the next city Reparations Commission meeting at noon Saturday, June 24 at New Northside Baptist Church.

The holiday’s roots trace back to Texas, where two years after the emancipation proclamation, former slaves celebrated on June 19, 1865. The date became a regional holiday, then spread to other parts of the country. President Biden signed an executive order making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.

Charlie Woods, 9, said celebrating Juneteenth “is cool because it brings all of the community together, especially Black people.”

“I love it, I’m very happy about [ Juneteenth.] At the same time, it seems a little too good to be true. I can’t believe we are

getting recognition, said 17-year-old Sophia Ali.

Widespread recognition of the holiday took decades. It was celebrated

n “It’s

organization does throughout the year. This includes building Black political power, and making sure communities have the

important to combine the church with the movement.”

mainly in Texas, and in the South.

In 2021, only 37% of American adults said they knew “at least something about the Black celebration,” according to polling by Gallup. However, a year later, that number jumped to nearly 60%.

Kayla Reed, Action St. Louis executive director, said Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the work her

resources they need.

Reed is a member of the Reparations Commission and hopes it acknowledges how communities north of Delmar became neglected, and finds new strategies to restore and rebuild those neighborhoods.

Reed grew up just a few blocks from St. John’s Church UCC and is aware of how her former neighborhood has declined eco-

nomically.

“This neighborhood is really special to me, the Action St. Louis office is over here. It is about making sure the community knows we are here, we plan to be here. And we are going to fight for everything we are owed,” said Reed.

Matthew McGowan, a volunteer and member of the church, said it’s important to celebrate culture “and have a day where we can support the community, especially in areas that need it the most. Places that need love, services, and the presence of the people.”

Kristin Blackmon, a local ‘artivist’ believes that the church should be involved in the community the way it was during the

civil rights movement.

“It’s important to combine the church with the movement,” said Blackmon.

Blackmon, like Reed, says Black people should receive reparations.

“We gotta make sure we are educating folks on what reparations are, and what it can look like,” she said.

Blackmon says the Black community should be compensated financially, and in education, and housing.

“It’s what we rightfully deserve, it’s beyond time,” she said.

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

Photo by Ashley Winters

A youth group of African drummers perform during out door services at St. John’s during their Juneteenth celebration Monday June 19, 2023.

MUNICIPAL COURT MONITOR (CONTRACTED)

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

EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314-615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accomodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format.

ASSOCIATE PROJECT MANAGER & SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Urban Strategies, Inc is seeking applicants for the Associate Project Manager and a Senior Project Manager. To view the full job description for the Associate Project Manager, visit https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ ViewJobDetails?job=105627&clientkey= B8689C441EB9B37FC4441ADD2BE61EE7

To view the full job description for the Senior Project Manager role, please visit https://www. paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ ViewJobDetails?job=105759&clientkey=DAE92608D5469EE5E807A7386F53C4B1

USI is an Equal Opportunity employer, and this position is funded in whole or in part with Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant funds from the US Department of HUD.

SENIOR CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER

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

HOME REPAIR PROJECT COORDINATOR

Mission: St. Louis is looking for a Home Repair Project Coordinator, to coordinate and perform minor home repairs for the Energy Efficiency, Accessibility, and Weatherization Program, which serves senior citizens in the city of St. Louis. Applicants should possess at least 3 years home repair or construction experience. If interested, submit cover letter & resume to todd.martin@missionstl.org

Interviews will begin immediately.

Mission: St. Louis is an EOE. This position(s) may be financed (in part) or (wholly) through an allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration.

LEGAL COORDINATOR

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

SENIOR MANAGER OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

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

PRICING ACTUARY –REMOTE

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

SPECIALIST - CLAIMSREINSURANCE AND CLAIMS MAINTENANCE

In the role of Specialist –Reinsurance and Claims Maintenance, you will be part of a team who provides claim notifications and updates to our reinsurers. You will work closely with all claims’ lines of business as well as our Ceded Reinsurance department. Your contributions of satisfying our reporting requirements with our reinsurance carriers safeguards our reputation and benefits all throughout Safety National. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

SLDC

IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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

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

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

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

To see the full job description of positions available and to apply online go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.” SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

FAMILYFORWARD NOW HIRING FOR SEVERAL POSITIONS

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

Visit our

at www.stlamerican.com

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV) COURT SPECIALLY APPOINTED CONTEMPT ATTORNEY

City Seniors, Inc., an equal opportunity employer, is accepting applications for Senior Center Coordinator/ Admin. Assistant. Strong activity and planning skills a must. Call 314.352.0141 to apply in person. www. stlouiscityseniors.com Position may be funded through CDBG ad CDA.

The Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking a DV Court Specially Appointed Contempt Attorney. This position requires attendance at two Friday afternoon DV Court Order of Protection (OP) contempt dockets per month, and attendance at contempt trial special settings as needed; participation in OP violation contempt trials; and collaboration with court-appointed DV Court Defense Counsel or private counsel representing Respondents. The position additionally includes conducting independent research and other necessary court/trial preparation; reviewing documents and evidence submitted by Petitioners and Respondents or their attorneys; preparing memos, pleadings and other court documents as needed; and assisting with the on-boarding of new volunteer Specially Appointed Contempt Attorneys. This position also works closely and collaborates with DV Court program staff and other court personnel. This position can reimburse for up to 15 hours of work per month, at the rate of $75.00/hour.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, at least three (3) years of trial experience, preferably in juvenile, family, or criminal law, and experience working with survivors of domestic or sexual violence (Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding).

To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by June 9, 2023: Attn: Human Resources Department, Family Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. OR Email same to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov. 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.

St. LouiS american Bids &

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS)

Interior Renovation & Reroof, Ike Skelton

Training Site Jefferson City, MO Project No. T2225-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 13, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

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

SEALED BIDS

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Lincoln University is accepting sealed bids for:

LI23012.1 Obstacle Course

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

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

BIDS REQUESTED

NEW

CONSTRUCTION

Section 3 / MBE /WBE Encouraged

42 Units Multi Family –CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO

For Bid Information: 636-931-4244 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

Double Diamond Construction

1000 A Truman Blvd. Crystal City, MO 63019

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.

REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS

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

SEALED BIDS

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

INVITATION TO BID

SEALED BIDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ATTENDANCE AT BOTH MEETINGS IS MANDATORY.

By: Mr. Rob Steuber Construction Project Manager

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Playground Replacements at Meramec State Park, Project No. X2108-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 13, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities The State of Missouri, OA-FMDC, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin in consideration for an award. Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds are being used in this project, and all relevant federal, state and local requirements apply.

BID OPPORTUNITY

The MO National Guard will have the following projects across the state that will be open for public bid through September 2023, subject to available funding. Bids will be received online through MissouriBUYS. T2122-01 Ike Skelton Training Site-Repairs and Wash Rack CSMS Annex; T2223-01 Ike Skelton Training Site Replace Courtyard Steps & add ADA Ramp, USPFO Bldg; T2226-01 Ike Skelton Training Site Renov. USPFO Vault, Deployment Storage Warehouse; T2228-01 Fort Leonard Wood Readiness Ctr Construct Solar Array, Army Aviation Support Facility; T223001 Fort Leonard Wood Readiness Ctr Repair Range 18A Erosion, MK19 Machine Gun Range; T2303-01 Kansas City Readiness Ctr Renov Parking Lot and Sidewalk; T2312-01 Jefferson Barracks Construct New Unheated Storage Building To view the bidding schedule and/ or the plans & specifications, go to https://oa.mo. gov/facilities/

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Sewer Screening System at Chillicothe Correctional Center, Project No. C2223-02, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 27, 2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

INVITATION TO BID

E.M. Harris Construction Company (EMH) seeks subcontractor bids for Crossroads Senior at Bevo Mill located at 4910 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116. Scope of work involves new construction of a four-story apartment building, including, but not limited to, site work, concrete foundations, metal fabrications, carpentry, thermal/moisture protection, roofing, siding, masonry, windows, MEPS, elevator, finishes, specialties, paving, concrete, and landscaping. Minority and Women Business Enterprises and Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to bid. All workers must be OSHA 10 certified. EMH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Project plans & specifications are available for viewing online through an invitation to bid. All bids due to EMH office by 5 pm, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Project contact: Vic Hoffmeister vic@emharris.com or fax 314-436–6691.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Lincoln University is accepting sealed bids for: LU22014 - KJLU Relocation LINCOLN UNIVERSITY JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65101 Lincoln University is looking for a contractor to provide services for proposed technical, acoustical, and architectural upgrades to existing television studio to modernize and add functionality. The University will be accepting bids until 2:00 PM, June 29, 2023. Visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/aboutlincoln/vice-presidentofadministration-andfinance/facilities-and-planning. html for the full RFP, any questions can be emailed to: reedr@ lincolnu.edu To be considered, bids must be received by that date and time at: Lincoln University 820 Chestnut St. Facilities and Planning 309 Young Hall Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 A pre-bid walkthrough for the project will be conducted at 3:00 PM, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Contractors will meet at the northwest corner of Elliff Hall located at 709 E. Dunklin St. Attendance at the pre-bid conference and walkthrough is not mandatory but recommended of each bidder submitting a proposal.

INVITATION TO BID:

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

Site walks scheduled for 6/13, 9am-11am & 6/22, 1pm-3pm. Proposals are due via email by close of business Friday, 7/14/23.

For details and more information: Bid Documents: https://www. dropbox.com/sh/1cq3wlg1fsjs22n/ AABxJrj7rLAZpuF0HZGV1Vdna ?dl=0 or contact Jenny McKie at: jmckie@blacklinestl.com or (314) 391-8900

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID 4747 PENROSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

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

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

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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

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

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

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

SEALED BIDS FOR: SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM - DISUVERO SCULPTURE INSTALLATION

May be dropped off for Mark Macinski at the West Service Dock of the Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110, or emailed to mmacinski@slam.org, by 5pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Any bids received after 5pm will not be accepted. The bids will be privately opened and read. Bids from certified M/WBE contractors are encouraged. Electronic copies of the drawings, specifications and related contract information will be available beginning May 30, 2023 and may be downloaded at no cost from: https://swtdesign.sharefile.com/d-s5b1225e91469441fbdc0c3bc40ac88f5

A mandatory pre-bid meeting to be held on-site with sign in at the West Service Dock at 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110 at 2pm on Monday, June 12th.

All questions are to be directed, in writing, to Paul Toenjes, SWT Design: pault@swtdesign.com

The Owner reserves the right to waive informalities in bids or to reject any and all bids.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

The City of St. Louis Department of Health seeks proposals from organizations that can demonstrate expertise and capacity to provide and/or facilitate access to Oral Health Services Care. These funds are available through the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, Part A.

Request for Proposals may be obtained beginning Monday, May 8, 2023, by downloading from the City of St. Louis website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement/index.cfm Contact: Sylvia JacksonBell for questions @ DOHGA @stlouis-mo.gov, or (314) 657-1581 (email preferred).

The deadline for submitting proposals is June 23, 2023, by 4:00 pm via email at DOHGA @stlouis-mo.gov. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any and all responses with or without cause.

INVITATION TO BID SPARTA, IL COMMUNITY AIRPORT

Sparta IL Community Airport is soliciting General Contractor proposals for new renovation project. Scope of work includes demo of existing lean-to building and construction of new public spaces and offices totaling 2,720 SF. Obtain project documents through Tracy Collins, tracy@formworkarchitecture. com or download at County Blue Reprographics online plan room. PreBid meeting at 9AM on June 28, 2023. Bids due at 5PM on July 17, 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

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

Project Name

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

Architect: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects BSI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

SECTION 001113

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS-SHORT

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

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

Authorizing Ordinance: 71650 Contract Time: 280 Working Days.

Schedule Related Liquidated Damages Per Day: $250.00

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

Estimated Cost: $900,000.00

Bid Deposit: $22,725.00

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

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

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

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

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

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

of 2023 Badu look like in concert?

“They gone get a 2023 Badu,” she said. “It’s the culmination of experiences. It’s a smaller me. There are less things attached. I take up less space and it allows people to feel themselves even more.”

Fans and supporters might wonder how Badu always stays so serene and level-headed especially on tour. She maintains the same practices she does in her everyday life, featuring what she calls five doctors: the sun, vitamin D, nutrients, exercise, and breathwork.

“I don’t have to make my issues anybody else’s responsibility because I know where to go to get the energy,” she said.

Badu also maintains a healthy lifestyle from a plant-based diet.

“I think I’m a plantbased electric foodist, I eat food that is electric and plant-based and that also happens to be vegan food,” she said.

Badu’s decision to tour with bey comes from them being longtime comrades in music.

“We use music in the

While Lewis was a student at Jefferson Elementary School in 1988, Hentoff was her gymnastics teacher and offered circus classes to the school. She was one of the children selected to participate in the classes.

“She picked the top gymnasts in our group of kids and I was one of the final ones that she picked,” Lewis said.

Lewis thought the circus classes were for fun. She

same way, as a platform to tell our stories and to document our history,” she said. I think we have that in common with our whole tribe, Soulquarians (a music collective made up of Badu, bey, and other respected emcees and creatives). Hip-hop is 50 this year and there’s no other emcee that I would come out with that can anoint the stage in the way that I feel necessary this year than yasiin. I convinced him to come outside. He outside.”

Outside of being a beloved visionary and musical legend, Badu has positioned herself in being a serial entrepreneur with interests tailored to fashion, cannabis, and free of charge doula services/ advocacy.

She unveiled her fashion capsule collection with the Italian luxury brand Marni this year. Marni is also one of her favorite brands because it’s eclectic, and full of knits and layers.

The opportunity presented itself after Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue asked her to walk for Vogue in New York Fashion Week. She took the opportunity and saw it as a sign to let her light shine.

Marni’s creative director, Francesco Risso asked

didn’t know taking them would go as far as traveling and performing with the circus.

She learned new routines, performed in St. Louis and across the United States with the St. Louis Arches and Circus Flora, “a theater company, specializing in one-ring circus production, based on the focused energy of modern and traditional circus arts”.

Jessica Hentoff founded the St. Louis Arches in 1988 and Lewis was one of her students. She created Circus Harmony in 2001 to expand circus arts contributions to more

composed horror story that captivates audiences from beginning to end. There are plenty of hiccups within the film that keep it from realizing its potential.

Badu at the MET Gala if she’d be open to collaborate on her own fashion capsule and from there it was created.

“All of those things aligned like that were a result of the integral private moments that I am working behind the scenes to make things happen,” she said. “I believe the universe inspires with you to make those things happen.”

No stranger to cannabis, day-one fans are familiar with and know that Badu is a frequent cannabis user and connoisseur. Oftentimes the stench of

youth in St. Louis.

“[Tiffarnish] was an amazing tumbler,” Hentoff said. “The first trip she took with us working for Circus Flora was the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC. I remember her first time swimming in the ocean. It changes your life because it opens your eyes and broadens your horizons.”

St. Louis Arches and Circus Flora also gave Lewis the opportunity to travel to Detroit, MI and visit the Henry Ford Museum, go to her first Kentucky Derby, and meet August Busch III of the Anheuser-Busch family.

However, even if the viewer doesn’t get what they desire from the film itself, the general audience reaction will leave hardly anything to be desired

cannabis is heavily strong at her concerts.

She joined forces with Berner, San Franciscobased rapper and cannabis entrepreneur to release the strain collaboration “The Badu,” a Limoncello cross-bred and grown by Mad Cow Genetics.

“I decided to join the conversation where many cannabis connoisseurs, growers, dispensary owners and educators who are women across the world use plant medicine in our work,” she said. “It was important for me to bring into this market because it’s a market. I didn’t

Lewis was involved with St. Louis Arches from childhood until her teenage years. She left the program once her and Hentoff started to have differences. Then she started having children and was unable to return. Although she left, she remained in contact with everyone from The Arches and Circus Harmony.

“I focused on my education and my kids,” Lewis said. “As an adult there hasn’t been one time I haven’t seen Circus Flora and The Arches perform in St. Louis. I was always there. We had a 20th reunion and a 30th

wanna forget it’s also a plant medicine, I had to bring those elements in as well. I did some researching and found where there was an absence of ovaries. I inserted myself and Berner supported me completely.”

Badu served as Teyana Taylor’s doula for her second child, Rue Rose Shumpert, and recently was the doula for Summer Walker’s twins (the names of the babies haven’t been revealed). Badu said she enjoys doing doula services because it’s one of the only times where she doesn’t have to feel her own [expletive].

“Cause we’re always in our minds throughout the day,” she said. “When I’m doing service work I don’t have the urges to journey into those places. I feel good. I’m breathing well. I’m quiet because when you’re in the service industry there’s not a lot of talking, it’s a lot of intuition, listening, feeling and breathing together. It’s rewarding for me. I don’t charge for it. I do it because I have a contract with those babies who are now here. I’m the welcoming committee. I want to make their first introduction to this school called Earth as peaceful as possible, at least they have an advantage.”

reunion. I was at both.”

Three of Lewis’ kids were part of The Arches when they were younger. Now she’s trying to get her 4-year-old grandson to join.

In addition to serving as Circus Harmony’s board president, Lewis works for the City of St. Louis as an audit coordinator for the community development administration. Her job is to notify her department of grants they should apply for.

Hentoff said joining the circus isn’t about what you look like or your background.

“The organization is

with respect to overall entertainment. It is far from a perfect film, but there is something to The Blackening Perhaps – true to Story’s form – the film could be a set up for an even stronger sequel. The Blackening opened in theaters nationwide on

Badu also has a Funko doll, which is a bobblehead made in her likeness mimicking her image and pregnancy in the “Tyrone” music video.

“I love my Funko doll, that’s my child,” she said. “I approached Funko doll last year because it was one of the fun, popular things I saw. I wrote down a list of things that I wanted to be a part of and the Funko world was one of them because its a very affordable collectible toy everybody can have and enjoy. ” Integrity is a word Badu wants her fans to hang onto that they can carry with them.

“We are awarded for integrity and just that,” she said. “Sometimes it’s not how talented, how clever, how strategic or how technical you are. Sometimes it’s integrity, things that people don’t see…the work that is not announced or broadcast or promoted. When it’s time to get up and you get up, you don’t feel nothing, you still get up, that’s integrity. When you’re able to self govern yourself and self manage yourself with nothing in return.”

For tickets and more information about the tour, visit www.unfollowmetour. com.

about teaching children from different neighborhoods to stand on each other’s shoulders,” Hentoff said. “As everyone keeps standing on each other’s shoulders the pyramid gets bigger and stronger.”

Children as young as three can enroll in Circus Harmony classes. The organization also offers classes to adults. Learn more about Circus Harmony and everything it has to offer, by visiting its website https://circusharmony.org/.

Photo courtesy of yasiin bey’s Instagram page

The Unfollow Me Tour featuring Erykah Badu and yasiin bey (formerly known as Mos Def) stops in St. Louis Wednesday, June 28 at the Enterprise Center.

Grateful to honor these health care professionals

The St. Louis American Foundation shares the goal of all who seek to ensure adequate, affordable health care for all –underserved communities, in particular. As an integral part of its mission, the St. Louis American Foundation has hosted the Salute to Excellence in Health Care event for 23 years honoring outstanding individual performance in health care for the African-American community in St. Louis.

While this community event is a longstanding tradition for the Foundation, we believe this year’s celebration of our health care heroes and the work they do is more important than ever. They are a perfect example of why we seek to encourage more young people to pursue growing opportunities in the health care field.

We want to return to a detailed report

released by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission that highlighted the failure of our health care safety net to provide for the region’s medically underserved. In the midst of irrefutable data documenting the system’s operational inefficiencies, perennial underfunding and missed opportunities for collaboration of safety net organizations, the report also identified an oasis of community health organizations and devoted health care providers who are striving to dismantle the systemic and nearly insurmountable barriers to health care for the indigent and often underserved. These tremendously committed and passionate health care leaders have demonstrated an unwavering devotion to the community and share the moral conviction that they cannot afford to stand idle while so many suffer from many preventable illnesses.

Our 2023 Salute to Excellence in Health Care awardees exemplify these values. Their productive careers demonstrate what’s right with health care in St. Louis. They understand that every patient should be treated with dignity and respect and deserves the highest quality of health care possible. Also common among them is a shared belief that community-based programs can have a profound impact on eliminating racial health disparities. They help inspire our youth to want to pursue careers in science and health care and offer a compelling view on how a dysfunctional health care system can be reformed.

Since the inaugural Salute to Excellence in Health Care in 2001, we at the St. Louis American Foundation are proud to have honored nearly 250 outstanding African-American health care

providers at this annual event. We’ve recognized and celebrated the longstanding careers of lifetime achievers, while lauding and highlighting the current work being done by our Excellence in Health Care awardees.

We’re also looking toward the future and the likelihood that there will continue to be a shortage of nurses in particular into the next decade, in St. Louis and throughout the nation. We are extremely proud of a collaboration we started 11 years ago with the Deaconess Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, that provides $125,000 worth of scholarships, every year, for local nursing students. As future caregivers, their work is vital to our community, and we look forward to recognizing some of them for their important work at future Salute to Excellence in Health Care events.

The St. Louis American Foundation’s 23rd annual

Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Reception

HONOREES:

Lifetime Achiever in Health Care

Michael Ward, Ph.D.

Stellar Performer in Health Care

Angelleen Peters-Lewis, Ph.D.

Community Mental Health Provider Award

Latosha Fawlkes

Field of Mental Health Award

Lizette Smith, Ph.D.

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardees

Anna Bailey, M.D.

Roslyn Harvey

Marcus Howard

Melvin Maclin II, M.D.

Constance Jackson Payne

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Gold Sponsor BJC Health Care

Deaconess Foundation

Silver Sponsor Missouri Foundation for Health

Bronze Sponsors

A.T. Still University

Clark-Fox Family Foundation

SSM Health Care

Urban League of Metroplitan St. Louis

Media Sponsor

WSIE The Sound

Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award Sponsored by St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

What are your responsibilities in this position?

I am a doctor at Mercy and my specialty is in internal medicine. My responsibilities are seeing patients, whether new or established patients. I make sure they meet their healthcare maintenance goals, different treatment goals that they may have, and preventative medicine.

How do you feel you are able to make a difference in this position?

I try to set an atmosphere where we have open and honest communication. I tell patients there are two people you can’t lie to: you can’t lie to God and you shouldn’t lie to yourself. Then, the next person you should be honest with is your doctor because, at least in my environment, we’re non-judgmental. I just care about your health. I focus on what we can improve on your health. If someone tells me, “Oh doc, everything’s good, I don’t smoke,” but then their health is declining, we see the difference. Let’s say their [lab tests] may be off. We give them lifestyle modifications. Sometimes, they need medication and then they come back for follow-up and things have improved, they’re like “this works.”

People really do care about their health, whether they have issues in their personal life or they see a family member dealing with things. I help people to see the light and then walk in it. Even today, I was able to see it because people came back, they felt better. They liked where they’re headed in terms of their health, and that’s even more encouraging for people so that they continue to improve upon their health standard.

Tell us about your team and how they help you succeed.

We would be with one patient for an hour or two if we didn’t have a team. From when they first walk in the door, we have our receptionist that checks peo-

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardee

Dr. Anna Bailey of Mercy Healthcare

ple in.

My medical assistants (MA) and nurse take the vitals and do a health history to make sure the medications and everything are still up to date. We have one MA that helps with some of the prior authorizations, which involves fighting with insurance. We wouldn’t be able to see about, on average, 20 patients a day. We get messages from patients every day that we have to respond to, including refilling medications and all these other communication between a specialist. It definitely takes coordination of care for things to be streamlined.

Tell us about a mentor and how that person guided you.

All along the way I had several dif-

Anna Bailey,

M.D.,

tries to create an atmosphere in which her patients feel comfortable to have open and honest communication.

patient care tech on labor and delivery. I mostly worked in the nursery, but also helped some of the mindful lactation consulting. I did that for about six months and then I transitioned to phlebotomy. I went around the hospital drawing blood and actually was pretty good at it. I did all that for about a year or so before even going to medical school. This was the job I got out of medical school. I’m just strictly outpatient now, but before I used to do a combination of outpatient and inpatient.

What are your thoughts on the Medicaid expansion in Missouri?

It is good because you have more people who now have access to quality healthcare. I have a ton of new patients and a lot of them have Medicaid but there’s not a lot of physicians out that are taking Medicaid and Medicare patients because with the extension reimbursement on certain things went away.

ferent mentors; even as far back as as an undergraduate in college. It was mostly my chemistry professor. I think I took maybe one class with him, and he became one of the assistant deans at Truman State University. I would go and talk to him like, “Hey, I’m trying to get into medical school, what do I need to do?” Even when he came to his course, they’re like, ‘Hey, here’s how you read, or here’s how you read this information. Here’s the questions to ask of any subject.’ I learned a lot from him.

Do you have a previous position that helped prepare you for this work?

I work with Mercy now, but even before medical school I worked at Missouri Baptist Medical Center as a

Sometimes they fight you on so much stuff that some physicians like, you know what, it’s too much of a hassle, so they stopped taking Medicare and Medicaid patients. But I’ve seen a lot of people and I’m like let’s help them get blood pressure together, get whatever together because they’ve gone years without treatment because they weren’t able to see anybody or they go to urgent care once a year or something like that because they didn’t have insurance. The expansion is good because, again, we’re giving people access to healthcare and to get their different health standards under control.

The downside of it is some physicians have stopped taking it because of reimbursement and some of the households that come with imaging getting approved or certain medication approved. They just don’t have a wide list of options or alternatives that we can choose from with Medicaid and Medicare.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardee

Roslyn Harvey – Affinia Healthcare Assistant Vice President of Health Center Operations

By JoAnn Weaver

The St. Louis American

What are your responsibilities in this position?

I manage approximately 28 staff persons that include nurses, medical assistants, and health center support clerks. I oversee three different locations for Affinia.

How do you feel you make a difference in this position?

One of the things I do is to make sure that I follow the mission of Affinia, and that I’m a strong advocate for the patient as well as for the staff; pulling that combination together.

We’re serving the community with excellence, to the best of our ability. We make sure that we’re addressing the needs that clients have identified, as well as needs that we help identify.

Tell us about your team and how they help you succeed.

Let’s go back to the last three years, basically with COVID, so we’ll say two and a half years. If I had not had a strong team that supported the efforts and the initiatives of the organization to provide COVID screening, COVID testing, COVID vaccination, then we would not have been able to do it. We could not have had three to five locations operating at the same time; vaccinating people, testing people. The nurses needed to be there. The health center clerks supported us by getting the documents and the paperwork together. It was all a team effort. Communication was essential, and the staff showed up and did what we needed to have done - inclement weather and all. I was supporting them, and they were supporting me.

Tell us about a mentor and how that person guided you.

One of my mentors was Betty Jefferson. She worked in the St. Louis City Health Department as well as Rochelle Clark, who also worked there. They mentored me in understanding that no matter what, you have to follow the rules. As long as the rules don’t violate your ethical codes, or anything pertaining to your license, you have to follow the rules and the guidelines.

Do you have a previous position that helped prepare you for this work?

Working in various positions at St. Louis City Jail, working at the city health department, working in New Jersey in a methadone mobile unit. It helps you to see the various people in the community. You’re serving with an array of customers through our patients, clients as we call them, in different venues.

Those roles helped me. I worked as far as in doing pediatrics for a period of

time in my nursing career, but the things that I’ve done with the city jail as far as a methadone mobile unit in Camden, New Jersey, and just being out in the community helped me to understand it’s a health department where the needs were, who you were serving, and how you can make a difference.

What are your thoughts on the Medicaid expansion here in Missouri?

I absolutely think it should be expanded. It gives everybody an opportunity to get the services that they need and the quality of services that they need. We have to be committed to making sure that if [a person] is at BJC or [another hospital], they are getting served as a human being, a person of dignity, with respect.

What are your thoughts about receiving this “Excellence in Healthcare” award?

I am ecstatic. It is such an honor, such a privilege, and as I prepare to go to the next phase of my life and my career and what I’m going to do and start traveling more and things like that, it’s such an honor and I’m excited about it. Yes, ma’am. Uh, is there anything else that you would like to add, a question I didn’t ask you that you would like to just add to this story?

No, I, I, no questions. I just think when you talk about mentoring, I think my mother was a strong mentor for me as well, um, because she taught us ethics. She taught me how to treat people fairly. She taught me how to make, to help assess people in life and know that there’s some people that will do anything they can to help someone else, and you need to always remember that that could be you at some point in time.

Roslyn Harvey is a strong advocate for her patients as well as for the staff at Affinia Healthcare.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardee

Marcus Howard –GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness founder and CEO

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

What are your responsibilities in this position?

My responsibilities include ensuring that the organization runs. That starts with business development. I have to make sure the business is financially sustainable. I am responsible for raising money, managing our budget, and finances. Everything except being a pharmacist.

How do you feel you are able to make a difference in this position?

GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness is making a huge impact right now. We are changing the way people view pharmacy in our community, and that’s important because a pharmacy is one of the last touchpoints in a residence or patient’s healthcare experience. After they leave the doctor, their next experience is with a pharmacist. People in our community need “high touch,” which means they need somebody to talk to, they need to talk to people, and they must be able to come in. They need to be able to ask questions, and so as long as we are providing that type of service, it is really changing health and their health outcomes.

One of our patients was actually featured by a local media outlet, because she felt like we saved her life. She was a patient and over the age of 80. She was on almost 20 medications, and she talked about this on the news. Some of our services that we provide, one is called medication therapy management. It’s also called medication counseling. We sat down with her to make sure that she was taking the right medications with the right dosages and made sure that she was eating the right things. Her health steadily improved after switching her prescrip-

manager, Dr. Kenneth Powell. He really fits the mold of what a GreaterHealth pharmacist should be, which reflects in the care that he provides. He goes the extra mile.

The other core part of our team is our pharmacy intern slash pharmacy technician. Her name is Mary Ndung’u. She is originally from Kenya. She was a practicing pharmacist in Kenya and she wanted to move to the United States to be a practicing pharmacist here, and so she’s earning her intern hours to be a fulltime pharmacist here. She’s our full-time delivery driver as well. And so those two team members are the core of our team on a daily basis.

Tell us about a mentor and how that person guided you.

One of my earliest mentors was Maxine Clark, the founder of Build-ABear and the Delmar Divine Building, which we are located in. She was the person who reached out to me, took me under her wing, and passed down a lot of the business knowledge that she had.

Do you have a previous position that helped prepare you for this work?

tions over to us.

Just that one anecdote is what we have been seeing consistently across the community about just us improving. Our customer service makes people trust us. We’re building trust in relationships with people in the community, one that they’ve never had with a pharmacist.

We also provide free delivery, so people who necessarily wouldn’t be able to take their medicine on time, or if they run

out, are not able to get it on time because they don’t have transportation. We’re able to deliver it for free right to their door.

Tell us about your team and how they help you succeed.

[The team] is the most important part of this journey. As a CEO, I have to do everything outside the pharmacy. The people who actually offer the care are the team. The team is run by our pharmacy

I was the Chief Innovation Officer for an organization called Teach for America. It gave me the tools and the ability to lead my own organization. I was tasked with being “an entrepreneur” in that organization, creating new ideas and then spinning them off into small companies. I got that practice and confidence.

It was focused on people furthest away from opportunity, where there were students from low-income backgrounds who were Black and brown. That role also gave me the lens of always looking at solutions and always trying to create solutions for those residents.

Marcus Howard says GreaterHealth Pharmacy builds trust with the community through strong customer service. People are able to build relationships with a pharmacist like they never had before.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardee

Dr. Melvin Maclin II – St. Louis University Department of Plastic Surgery assistant professor of surgery

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

What is your current health care position? What are your responsibilities in this position?

In addition to being assistant professor of surgery at St. Louis University Department of Plastic Surgery, I am the chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at DePaul Hospital.

How do you feel you are able to make a difference in this position?

I just do the best job that I can right now. I’m not concerned about being the best or the most well-known. I’m just trying to take care of the patient to my absolute best. That’s been my mantra for a long time. My mom told me a long time ago “find something about every patient that you like.” My mom was a pediatrician.

Tell us about your team and how they help you succeed.

I have an amazing team. I have a wonderful coordinator. Her name is Erica. If you were to think of an aircraft carrier, she’s like the flight boss. She just tells everybody where they need to go and what they need to do, and she’s the glue that holds a practice together.

I have an amazing nurse who has been with me for over 18 years. Jenny’s amazing. When we first started out, everybody really wanted Jenny [as an employee.] She stuck with me because she could tell that I’m not doing this [job] just do it.

I have a very good [physician’s assistant] who came out of practice as a student; we do a pretty good job taking care of people. I mean, if you look at our reviews, you know, the reviews don’t just have my name in it. They have my entire team.

your life.

Do you have a previous position that helped prepare you for this work?

I don’t know if I really had any previous positions because I went from high school directly into college, completed college in four years, and then became director of College Honor Medical School and graduated second in class in medical school. Then, right from medical school into residency. This was all at Howard University in Washington, D.C. I completed my fellowship in plastics. And then I was with Park Rests plastic surgery in West County for about 15 years. It’s been very linear, but I think if you were to ask me what position I’ve held that has helped me the most in my career, I want to say my [martial arts] black belt experience has helped. I just finished writing a book, so that’s the way I can answer this on the many parallels between martial arts and surgery. Hard work, discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and challenges through adversity are things that you would think of that would help you, your black belt. They’re also the exact same skills required to be a successful surgeon.

What are your thoughts on the Medicaid expansion in Missouri?

Tell us about a mentor and how that person guided you.

First off, is my mom. Second is Dr. Clive O. Callender, and third is

Dr. LaSalle De Leffall Jr. Throughout my career, I used to do a series called ‘Mentor Mondays’ where I’d feature like, you know, someone who was influential in steering you in the right direction in

Healthcare is a right. Every individual is entitled to the health and wellbeing and maintenance of their body. It is not a commodity to be bartered or profited on. Medicaid expansion is just an extension of that, right? How do we implement it? The answer is, I don’t know. You know, the problem right now is that for-profit medicine is terrible and individuals suffer.

Melvin Maclin II, M.D., is chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at DePaul Hospital as well as assistant professor of surgery at St. Louis University Department of Plastic Surgery.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

2023 Excellence in Health Care Awardee

Constance ‘Connie’ Jackson Payne, Oracle Health senior clinical consultant

By JoAnn Weaver

The

St. Louis American

What are your responsibilities in your position?

I am currently working on the Veterans Administration project, in which we work with veterans’ hospitals, clinics. The department works to [help] veterans get their medical records as well as supporting what the physicians and nurses do.

I’m taking what I know from my nursing knowledge, and combining it with my computer knowledge to get the particular software that is needed for efficient healthcare.

How are you making a difference in this position?

I’m able to make a difference in my position because, with my years of charting experience, I decrease our time in charting. It is still clear and precise, but it doesn’t take hours and hours to get everything charted. I know things that are irrelevant to what nurses need, and I help cut down the steps so that nurses spend more time with our patients.

Tell us about your team and how they help you succeed.

I have a couple of teams. I have a team that’s actually on the job, and I have a team that’s outside of my job.

My team on the job is very, very eye opening. Anytime someone learns something new, trhy spread the joy in a sense. If anybody has a hiccup about something, we [discuss] different processes, and have advice meetings with individuals.

If you don’t understand something, just simply ask for help. [There is] always someone there to help you.

My outside team is my Black Nurse Association family. It’s just a wealth of resources because we have every walk of nursing.

and make sure that you are as successful as possible.”

She was hard on me because I wasn’t living to my potential, but as the years went on, she continued to help and guide me. Once I graduated nursing school, I had two jobs. My second job was with a home health company. She was the director over the nurses. We kind of came around full circle.

Do you have a previous position that helped prepare you for this work?

I had 21 years of experience as a nurse. I started off at Barnes Jewish Hospital. I spent about about 12 years there and then I left to do area contracting and serve as a travel nursing in the St. Louis area. I have worked at a multitude of places, in special care, home health, you name it, I have done everything except pediatrics.

I worked with United Healthcare for 10 years as a case manager as well as a medical reviewer. And then, I ended up with Oracle Health. I went back to school and received my master’s in business administration and healthcare management. I have the ability to use business aspects mixed with my nursing knowledge as well as being able to do healthcare management projects.

What are your thoughts on the Medicaid expansion here in Missouri?

We have the entrepreneur nurses, we have our doctoral prepared nurses. So if it’s anything that’s needed, it’s always someone there who can either direct you to the answer or help you find one. Oh, that’s beautiful.

Tell us about a mentor and how that person guided you.

My first mentor was while I was in

nursing school, when there were times where I wanted to give up. I was a non-traditional nursing student because I had already graduated with one degree and I went back to school. It was rough. I just remember her being a little harder on me than I felt like she should have been. She pulled me to the side and said, “I see your potential that you don’t see in yourself, so therefore I’m going to guide you

Yes, it should be expanded. Our elders really need additional care sometimes, and it totally breaks my heart to see how they sometimes must choose between medical treatment and medications and paying a bill.

It never should come down to choosing between taking care of yourself with a medication or an appointment or keeping your lights on.

Constance ‘Connie’ Jackson Payne’s charting experience takes paperwork time from nurses allowing them to spend more time with their patients.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Community Mental Health Provider Awardee

‘Mental health field chose me’

Fowlkes is president and CEO of The Core Collective at Saint Vincent

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

The St. Louis American

Latosha Fowlkes says her goal of helping people is at the core of her service as a mental health provider.

As president and CEO of The Core Collective at Saint Vincent in North County her focus is on increasing access to services and working to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the African American community.

Reflecting on her career in mental health services, Fowlkes, who did volunteer work with youth while in high school, said she didn’t purposely choose the field.

“The mental health field chose me,” said, adding: “I was born to do this work.”

Since 1850, the Core Collective has been a source of support for youth in crisis. The agency is open 24/7, with therapists and counselors trained to help youth face mental and health challenges, work through their emotions, support their families and offer collaborative community support.

Empathetic to the needs of people, Fowlkes said she knew after high school graduation that she wanted to enter social work. She enrolled at Illinois State University with a goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

Fowlkes interned at a residential treatment facility for young children with severe mental and behavioral health needs. She described the experience as a “merging of what I wanted to do in my heart, and what I wanted to do professionally.”

Still, she said her ambitions weren’t singularly about mental health; “it was just about helping people.”

After graduating from Illinois State in 2004 with a master’s degree in social work, Fowlkes said she continued working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - but with specific goals.

She wanted to “reduce stigma around mental health in Black communities,

ensure that Black and brown children are not misdiagnosed and over-medicated, encourage more Black and brown people to pursue careers in mental health and health care, address trauma associated with poverty that is often villainized or mislabeled, and advocate for systematic change around individual, family, and community well-being.”

After moving to the St. Louis area, she was hired by Doorways in 2020. The organization provides housing and related supportive services for people affected by HIV/AIDS. She described her time at the agency as a “life and career changing moment.”

“I really got to see how social work impacted all these different areas of people’s lives,” Fowlkes explained.

“Not only did it use housing and supportive services to improve the lives and health outcomes for people who had HIV and AIDs, it also served a majority Black

population, people who looked like me.”

At Doorways, Fowlkes, who is also a certified HUD housing compliance manager, managed more than 100 apartments throughout the city and county. In that role, Fowlkes said she was honored to build relationships with clients and their families and see up close “how transformation starts and how housing is a foundation for it.”

“If people don’t have access to housing and basic needs, they’ll never be able to focus on their overall health needs,” she said.

After serving as the executive director of The Good Samaritan House, a 30-day emergency shelter program for women with children, Fowlkes came to The Core Collective at Saint Vincent. This was in late 2020, months before the coronavirus pandemic struck the world.

According to a 2021 study by

Latosha Fowlkes is president and CEO of The Core Collective at Saint Vincent in North County. Her focus is on increasing access to services and working to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the African American community.

National Institutes of Health, both SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the mental health of adults and children. Nearly half of Americans surveyed reported symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder, and 10% of respondents felt their mental health needs were not being met.

COVID, Fowlkes said, exposed the impact of mental and physical health on all communities but particularly on Black communities.

“[COVID] opened the door for “awareness that all people struggle with mental health,” Fowlkes said, adding that she’s grateful mental health care is now getting the voice it needs.

For a high schooler who didn’t necessarily envision a life committed to mental health care, Fowlkes is content.

“I am very happy in doing what I do. I love doing what I do.”

Field of Mental Health Awardee Haven of mental health

Dr. Lizette Smith helps bring mental health access to all communities

Dr. Lizette Smith says she is driven by the desire to bring mental health care to every community in the St. Louis area.

“It doesn’t matter where you live or what your zip code is,” she said.

“It is my passion, my mission to make sure there is access to mental health resources in underserved areas.”

Smith, Our Little Haven clinical programs director, will receive her Excellence in the Field of Mental Health award on behalf of the St. Louis County Children’s Fund in honor of the late great Dr. John Anderson.

Upon her arrival at Our Little Haven, she established its Keystone Outpatient Mental Health Services, which she calls her “first and major accomplishment.”

She directs oversight of other clinical programs; provides clinical supervision and is responsible for coordinating accreditation and legal/ethical practice and grant funding management and administration.

“I immediately created Keystone. I did everything. I did the scheduling, answered the phones, worked with the clients,” she said without boasting.

“We have grown into a staff of more than 20 people now, serving many more people.”

Keystone’s mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of clients, many who have limited access to mental health care, by decreasing symptoms and increasing functioning through early intervention.

It also specializes in treatment of the very young child, comprehensive psychological evaluations, play therapy, and treating complex conditions. Its staff treats difficulties faced by children, parents, and families, including depression, trauma reaction, anxiety, school problems, attention problems, disruptive behaviors, family and relationship problems, loss and grief, and parenting needs.

“We assess, screen, and evaluate adults, teens, children, and toddlers as young as 18 months old. We treat adults and we treat families with children 12

years and under. On request, we offer community education and professional training for agencies and practitioners who have similar treatment clients and missions to ours.”

No one is denied access to Keystone Mental Health Services due to inability to pay. It offers several resources to cover the costs of services, including a discount and sliding fee schedule available.

Almost two decades have passed since Smith joined Our Little Haven, but her zeal for the not-for-profit organization’s mission has not been diminished. The need to access mental health care in the Black community is also increasing, according to a recent Gallup Poll.

Black adults are reporting depression diagnoses at twice the rate of white adults, according to a recent Gallup study. Historically, white adults have surpassed Black adults in this area.

Poll results showed that 29% of people have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives — up 10% since 2015. 17% of adults currently have or are being treated for depression, a 7% increase since 2015. It is affecting women, young adults, and Black people at the highest rates.

Scott and Kathleen Hummel began the journey of creating Our Little Haven in 1989.

at the beginning of 1989. After collaborating with hundreds of social services and medical providers and creating a board, it opened in 1993 with a capacity of 24 children.

The need was quickly apparent and soon 40 children were being served.

In addition to Keystone, Our Little Haven operates:

The Our Little Academy Day-Treatment Pre-School, a full day program

Lizette Smith, Ph.D., is the clinical programs director at Our Little Haven. Dr. Smith, (center), with her daughters

that provides therapeutic treatment in a preschool setting for children ages 3-5 who cannot participate in a traditional preschool/daycare due to behavioral or emotional problems.

The Taylor Family Care Center, which provides services for children and families involved in the foster care system due to abuse and/or neglect. It assesses the needs of children and families, arranges, and provides appropriate services and moves children into permanency within a specified period.

“Our Little Haven is relentlessly committed to providing early intervention services for children and families,” Smith said.

Smith received her B.A. and her M.A. in Minority Mental Health from Washington University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois, Champaign.

Stellar Performer in Health Care

The power of health equity

Angelleen Peters-Lewis is 2023 Stellar Performer in Health Care

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

When Angelleen Peters-Lewis was growing up in her hometown of Boston, she initially had dreams of becoming an attorney.

In her junior year of high school, she found herself pregnant. Instead of derailing her professional goals, the compassionate healthcare she received from a nurse as she dealt with the side-effects of her pregnancy put her on the path to purpose.

“I used to be ashamed of my story, but one person came up to me and said, ‘because of you, I realized I could go to school,’” said Peters-Lewis. “The opportunity to provide hope is not something I take lightly. And I really believe out of that moment – which seemed like the darkest time of my life –fueled my passion to serve and my purpose in terms of eliminating racial health disparities and serving along with other like-minded individuals to do that work.”

Thirty-five years ago, she was encouraged that she could complete her education and succeed at whatever she set her mind to by a nurse who made sure support systems were in place for her to thrive. Today, Angelleen Peters-Lewis, PhD, RN, FAAN is among the leadership of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she serves as vice president and chief operating officer. For her unwavering commitment to her field, Peters-Lewis has been named the 2023 Stellar Performer in Health Care by the St. Louis American Foundation. She will be among those recognized at the 23rd Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Reception at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac.

“I am shocked and in awe,” PetersLewis said of the honor. “All I hope to do is play some small part in making it better to serve the patients and families who entrust us with their care. I don’t think of that as stellar. I just think of that as being a part of an amazing team.”

She originally joined Barnes-Jewish

Hospital in 2017 as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing executive.

Peters-Lewis fell in love with the organization’s mission during her first 100 days. Her commitment to “caring for the underserved and academic preeminence” has only grown stronger over the past six years.

“I’m inspired every single day by the innovation and discovery that happens here and our ability to translate that to the care patients receive,” Peters-Lewis said. “When you are in love with an institution and you are inspired by what it does, it makes it easy. I just feel privileged to be a part of it – and that keeps me going. I don’t find the work hard because I’m so passionate about it.”

She was promoted to her current position during the pandemic.

“Although it was without a doubt one of the most challenging times, it has also been one of the highlights of my career,”

Peters-Lewis said. “Every day – when our team showed up committed to caring for these patients no matter what – That was truly a highlight.”

She rightfully likened the work of her team during the pandemic to being on the frontlines of a battlefield. They had two goals – to keep their team safe, and to save as many lives as possible.

“We didn’t lose anyone on our team,” she said. “And we saved a lot of lives.”

Peters-Lewis also says that as people talk about the tragic losses of life, they should also be mindful of how many lives were saved because of the selflessness and sacrifice of health care warriors.

“I may have post-traumatic stress, but I feel that it was a privilege to serve,” Peters-Lewis said. “And that when the history books are written, and they talk about how many lives were saved that along with this team will go in the history books as serving when people needed us most.”

Angelleen Peters-Lewis, Ph.D., vice president and chief operating officer of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, is the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2023 Stellar Performer in Health Care. She will be among those celebrated at the 23rd Annual St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Reception on Thursday, June 22.

Peters became forever etched in her industry’s permanent records when she was recently inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). The distinction is the highest recognition within the nursing profession. PetersLewis was also recognized in 2020 as one of Modern Healthcare’s Minority Leaders to Watch.

A dream redefined

During her high-school pregnancy, Peters-Lewis suffered from nausea so extreme that she had to be hospitalized. Her teenage mind couldn’t articulate it at the time, but as she received different levels of care during encounters with those charged with her care, she began to grasp the concept that emotional well-being and how you are treated is linked to how she felt physically.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Peters-Lewis

Continued from D17

“The days when I had a poor nurse, I actually felt worse,” Peters-Lewis said. “I realized that compassionate care in itself is a dose of medicine.”

Then she met a nurse who – in addition to providing excellent care – set Peters-Lewis up to succeed. She arranged for her to have a tutor when she was home sick. She made sure when PetersLewis returned to school that she had the right support to thrive academically as a young mother.

“She said, ‘if you still want to go to school, you can do that’,” Peters-Lewis said. “She told me, ‘You had a little bump in the road, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your dreams.”

In that moment, the seed was planted. She knew she wanted to serve people in the same way – and made up her mind that she would pursue a healthcare career.

“I thought, ‘I’m not going to be that nurse or that health care provider that makes people feel less than,” PetersLewis said.

Not getting an education was not an option for Peters-Lewis, the daughter of Caribbean parents who immigrated to the United States from Montserrat and Trinidad.

“One of the positive things that I get from my parents is a spirit of resiliency –you don’t migrate from another country without some strength,” Peters-Lewis said. “To them, America was the pathway for education. And what that meant for us is that you were going to get educated whether you liked it or not.”

Peters-Lewis received her doctorate in nursing from Boston College, where she graduated with distinction and received the Dorothy A. Jones Award for Scholarship, Service and Development. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from Northeastern University and earned her bachelor’s in nursing from Simmons College in Boston. Her postdoctoral work included an executive nurse fellowship with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the executive leadership development program at Harvard Business School.

“Sometimes I don’t even know I did it,” Peters-Lewis said. “The fact that I am very goal driven was a huge part of my success. So many people said, ‘you will never finish school. You will never go to college.’ That always served as a source of motivation for me.”

She is also constantly motivated – and encouraged – by her family. In addition to the son, Riis, she had in high school, she went on to have two more children. Her son is a pastor.

“I think about all of the lives he touched and if he hadn’t been here, what would have happened to all of the people connected to his destiny and purpose,” Peters-Lewis said. “I also have a daughter, Taylor, who is at University of Michigan finishing her PhD. My youngest, Treasure, is at Miami University of Ohio getting her degree in economics.”

Together she and her husband Keith

have a beautiful, blended family that includes a total of four children.

She sees her life and the generational blessings she and her family have experienced as a testament to the power of equitable health care – by way of the nurse who touched her life and all the people that Peters-Lewis gets to touch because that nurse did the right thing.

“My story, I hope, is one of hope, resilience – and that anything is possible with hard work and determination,” Peters-Lewis said. “My story is about what can happen when you commit to a population and remove barriers. It is not

about ability, it is about opportunity and the importance of creating opportunity for everyone, regardless of background. Her story is also about paying it forward.

“The same barriers that were removed from me, I want to remove them for others,” Peters-Lewis said. “Not just for people to have leadership roles in this industry, but for patients to have access to the very best healthcare.

I am a woman of faith and I often say, ‘I have a favor that I didn’t ask for – and I certainly don’t deserve – but I can share it with everyone else.”

Angelleen Peters-Lewis on her college graduation day from Simmons College.

Photo courtesy of Angelleen Peters-Lewis

By Chris King

Lifetime Achiever in Health Care

Dr. Michael Ward dedicated to serving healthcare diversity

For The St. Louis American

Dr. Michael Ward’s remarkable career merits not one but two awards for Lifetime Achievement in Health Care: for his work in radiology and nursing education. He recently retired after 48 years of service with BJC HealthCare. Twenty-three of those years were devoted to the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and the last 25 years were dedicated to Barnes-Jewish College in various leadership roles - most notably, as the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity & Professor for Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.

Though a lifer at BJC, which is affiliated with Washington University, he was educated at two other local universities. He received his bachelor’s degree in radiologic science from St. Louis University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University.

The St. Louis American spoke with Dr. Ward about his illustrious careers, his voluminous board commitments, his educational arc, his home city’s treasures, and troubles, and what he plans to do with his well-earned retirement.

The St. Louis American: As Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity & Professor at Goldfarb School of Nursing, what programs or systems did you put in place to diversify faculty and students?

Dr. Michael Ward: The Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity placed me on the Executive Cabinet of the college. In this position, it was important to concentrate on the needs of the students as the focal point. Most of them have entered nursing pursuing a dream to help others and to serve the community. A significant percentage of those students are first generation and have put their family lives and income on hold while going to college to

complete their nursing degree.

The Student Affairs departments and team members worked to support the needs of students by creating scholarship programs that were aimed at supporting diverse students (based on financial need, minority status, males, since nursing is predominantly female) and merit based with clear and unbiased criteria. We created a Mentor program that paired entering undergraduate and graduate students with seasoned staff nurses or nurse leaders who could guide them through the early stages of their program of study. These relationships provided a means of connecting with someone who was working in the field and could share common experiences that reinforced their common passion for nursing.

I worked very closely with the creation and promotion of the Emergency Compassion Fund, in collaboration with the BJH Foundation, to financially support students who had financial emergencies (loss of job - especially during the 2.5 years of COVID) and family emergencies

(house flooding, fires, illness, etc.) that would impact the student’s ability to either attend school or could have sidetracked their progression. These emergency funds were there to see the student over that hurdle and continue attending school. While at the college, I was pleased that we provided over $400,000 worth of financial support for students in need and beamed with pride when seeing them cross the stage at graduation, knowing the struggles that they were able to overcome.

The college also implemented a Strategic Plan called the “Path to Distinction” where I strongly pushed and supported the needs of students and the focus on diversity, equity and inclusion as a foundation and thread across the entire strategic plan.

The St. Louis American: What progress can you show?

Dr. Michael Ward: New positions were created within the Student Affairs division that were designed to support student advisement, career opportunities,

Michael Ward, Ph.D., at the Goldfarb School of Nursing on the campus of Barnes - Jewish Hospital. Dr. Ward recently retired after 48 years of service with BJC HealthCare.

student engagement, financial aid literacy and mentoring programs. We partnered with external partners (high school counselors, science teachers, Girls Inc., Boys Hope/Girls Hope and other agencies) to expose more individuals to the vast opportunities available in the nursing field. This aided the college to expand the numbers of minority students (including males) entering the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Once students applied, they were paired with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Counselor who became their central point of contact and guided them through the admission and financial aid application processes. Once enrolled, every student was assigned an Academic & Student Support Advisor who supported them through their academic progression. There was additional progress demonstrated through student-focused policies, student support organizations that provided ways to engage with other students and

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

SALUTE TO HEALTH

Ward

Continued from D21

the community, along with opportunities to serve on college faculty and staff committees, serve as members of the Strategic Plan Committee, participate in updates to the Board of Trustees of the college and the Alumni Advisory Council.

The St. Louis American: Your education was from SLU and UMSL, but your professional affiliations were with WashU/BJC. Why is that?

Dr. Michael Ward: Straight out of high school, I entered the Radiologic Technology program offered by Washington University through Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. After completing this two-year, hospital-based program, I successfully passed my board exam and continued working for the Department of Radiology for 23 years (serving in various teaching and leadership positions), while completing my higher education on a part-time basis.

I achieved my BS degree from Saint Louis University in Radiologic Sciences (with a minor in education), completed a Master in Education degree program majoring in Educational Administration and finally went back to SLU to complete a PhD in Higher Education Administration. Once I completed my PhD, I made a career shift into a higher-education administration role at what eventually became Barnes-Jewish College, where I had worked for the next 25 years of my career prior to retiring at the end of 2022.

The St. Louis American: You have had extensive board commitments with professional organizations. Why is so much effort put into that work? What did you get out of it? What contributions did you make?

Dr. Michael Ward: I have always had a desire to get involved with leadership positions in my work life, church life and professional life. I was very fortunate to have people in my life who saw something in me that demonstrated an ability to contribute in a leadership capacity. So, with my desire and their encouragement, I pursued committee work and later put my name forward for elected positions. Once I found out how much satisfaction and joy came with serving in these roles could bring, I was hooked!

I obtained the opportunity to influence policies, elevate practice standards, improve educational standards, represent the radiologic sciences at the local, state,

national and international level and meet so many colleagues and professionals that I now consider friends. I was able to build bridges across the radiologic sciences that took me across the world, work with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization, and national associations that represented Asia, Australasia, Europe, North and South America and Africa.

At the time of becoming the 96th Fellow of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) in 1988, I was one of youngest in my profession to achieve this professional honor. In 1999, I was the second African American elected to become the 97th President of the ASRT. In the over 100-year history of the ASRT only 40 individuals have been honored with Life Membership. In 2011, I was

recognized as the 23rd member of ASRT to achieve their highest honor.

The International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists represents the interest of radiology professionals across the entire globe. I served on the 90-member council representing the United States for over 10 years before eventually being elected as the first American to serve as President (a four-year elected position).

The St. Louis American: They say you are “retired.” What does retirement look like for someone as active as you? What work are you still doing? What new projects have you been able to pursue?

Dr. Michael Ward: I have only recently retired and still believe that I am new at

not feeling like I have to be rushing from one thing to the next. It only took me a few weeks to get used to a slower pace, and I have enjoyed the gift of having time to do things that are not constrained by schedules and limited time.

I am still very active in church. I attend St. James AME Church and serve as Pro-Tem of the Board of Stewards. I am on the Advisory Board for the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, where I serve on the Executive Committee and chair the Committee on Nominations and Governance. I’m active with the St. Louis Community College where I am the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Radiologic Technology Program.

I am spending more time going to the movies, the symphony, the gym and meeting friends for lunch or dinner.

Dr. Michael Ward on a vacation trip to Africa.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Ward

What does it mean to be a nurse?

People often think of someone standing at a hospital bedside delivering pain medication, helping patients into wheelchairs and providing comfort and encouraging words.

But there’s much more to this time-honored profession than meets the eye. Nurses are found throughout hundreds of specialties requiring a wide variety of skills.

As BJC HealthCare celebrates its 30th anniversary as a health care system, we acknowledge all the ways in which nursing has evolved and changed. But one constant has remained—providing extraordinary care to patients and their families.

An Evolving Profession

Nurses have been around for centuries, but today nursing is one of the largest health care professions with more than three million registered nurses in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nurses work in every aspect of health care, bringing equal levels of compassion and expertise to health systems locally and nationally. They work in wound care, patient advocacy, and teaching and training, spotting hidden problems or irregularities, documenting medical history and symptoms, and information technology.

Dr. Tommye Austin, the senior vice president for patient care systems and BJC’s chief nurse executive, celebrated her 34th year as a nurse this year. She spoke about the positive changes she’s seen in nursing, including an expansion and flexibility in what a nurse can do.

“We were required to start as medical-surgical nurses even if you wanted to be, say, an ICU nurse,” Austin said. “If I tried to do that today, I would have people who would not come into our organization. So, things have really, really changed.”

Counteracting the Nursing Shortage

It’s no secret that the nation’s health care systems are experiencing a nursing shortage in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. But this is not a new problem.

Salute to Nurses

“There was a nursing shortage when I started as a nurse in 1989,” Austin said.

“Hospitals were fighting and offering all kinds of things for us to join their organizations.”

Health care organizations have been working for decades to attract, recruit and retain extraordinary nurses.

The Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing brings nurses into Barnes Jewish Hospital early in their educational experience, with the goal of easing the transition to clinical practice and encouraging the students to stay with BJC HealthCare.

“We want nurses who make sure that they create a welcoming environment for new graduates consistently, so those students want to come to their units,” she said. “During this time, after the pandemic, individuals who are very welcoming have really helped our organization to retain staff.”

Looking to the future

After a few uncertain years, nursing teams and the administration at BJC HealthCare are steadily building and rolling out new programs designed to make nurses’ dayto-day easier and recruit and retain a diverse and extraordinary workforce.

In February of this year, BJC fully rolled out an app allowing nurses at Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Christian Hospital to pick up additional shifts. BJC’s human resources also recently implemented a program where nurses and other clinical and non-clinical staff can get paid daily to prevent issues with delays in income.

“We are knocking it out of the park,” Austin said. “I see a lot of technology, and a lot of processes that will be improved. These are tough times but these are also

exciting times because we get to design that.”

Austin also noted that her team has opened the nursing delivery care system at BJC to more associate’s degree nurses and licensed practical nurses to diversify and enlarge the nursing pool. She estimates that opening these positions allows for at least 1,000 more potential candidates.

“We all learn together,” Austin said. “It enriches the environment and it does impact the patient experience. It comes down to having different lived experiences, and having curiosity.”

What Austin really wants people to know is how seriously nurses take their roles, and how dedicated they are to their patients.

“It’s not just a job, it is our ministry,” she said. “And it is an honor and a privilege because people are so vulnerable when they’re sick. When nurses show up and really hone their craft and provide good care to patients and families, you can see it. It’s palpable.”

Dr. Tommye Austin