June 9th, 2022 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

Reed resigns in disgrace following indictment

Collins-Muhammad, Boyd charged, resign

By Alvin A. Reid

One of the most tumultuous weeks in St. Louis political history has closed following the resignations of Lewis Reed, former Board of Aldermen president, and former Aldermen John CollinsMuhammad and Jeffrey Boyd.

The three were indicted on May 25, 2022 on federal bribery charges, and the indictments were unsealed last Thursday.

Collins-Muhammad resigned abruptly last month, and Boyd followed on Friday, June 3.

In addition to the bribery charges, Boyd has been charged with two-counts of wire fraud related to an automobile insurance scheme. Reed was a member of the powerful three-person Board of Estimate and Apportionment with

After first refusing to resign, former Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed surrendered his office on Tuesday in the wake of his indictment on fraud charges. He exited the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse on Thursday, June 2, 2022 in downtown St. Louis proclaiming his innocence.

Anthony Weaver indicted in kickback scheme

By Kavahn Mansouri and Rachel Lippmann St. Louis Public Radio

A St. Louis County jail administrator and previous administrative assistant to a former St. Louis County Council member is facing federal wire fraud charges in what an indictment describes as a pandemic relief kickback scheme. Anthony “Tony” Weaver was indicted Tuesday, and pleaded not guilty and declined to comment as he left the federal courthouse in downtown St.

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace talks to children while visiting a McDonald’s owned by Jimmy Williams Jr. in East St. Louis, Illinois on Friday, June 3, 2022. Wallace finished 26th in the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Race on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

Enjoy Illinois 300 a thunderous success

Diversity helped drive the day

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

As St. Louis singer Kennedy Holmes’ inspiring rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner reached its final stanza, she and members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra were overwhelmed by the thunder of two B-1 Bombers from the 345th Bomb Squadron. The standing-room only crowd of 60,000 people let loose a roar that was as deafening. Minutes later, David Steward gave the command that race fans, and fans of the St. Louis region, have been waiting to hear since World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois was awarded the race in September.

“Drivers start your engines,” Steward said as 36 NASCAR drivers fired up their cars. The race was on. Steward, founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, savored the moment. It has been his dream to bring a NASCAR Cup race to the St. Louis area and assist a sport that could

benefit from more minority participation.

“There are a lot of Black people in front of this,” Steward said with a smile on Friday before the race. “We want to bring more diversity to NASCAR.”

In fact, several pit crews and race team members were Black, and Black fans were threaded among the sell out crowd on the hot Sunday afternoon.

Steward’s firm, the largest Black owned

received the requested funds proved that controls put in place for the program “prevented any theft of taxpayer funds, and the indictments are not related to work he was doing for the County Executive in Justice Services.” Weaver was paid more than $82,000 a year in the change management coordinator

2022 high school graduates share how COVID impacted personal, academic lives

of the coronavirus.

Brejaē Chapman, 18, who graduated from Belleville West High School, started 2020 convinced she had contracted the virus. In March, the

COVID, A7

Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

Anthony Weaver

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Suspect in murder-for-hire case of Sweetie Pies owner’s grandson pleads guilty

Travel Hill, the suspect who fatally shot Andre Montgomery Jr. in a four-person murderfor-hire case in March 2016, pleaded guilty in a federal court last Friday, June 3, 2022.

Hill admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and a count of murderfor-hire in Montgomery’s killing.

Montgomery, who was 21 at the time of his murder, is the grandson of Robbie Montgomery, founder of the restaurant Sweetie Pies.

The plea agreement states that Hill shot and killed Montgomery in exchange for thousands of dollars. He met with James Timothy Norman, Montgomery’s uncle and Robbie’s son, on the day of the murder and was told to kill Montgomery.

Norman and Terica Ellis, an exotic dancer from Memphis dating Norman, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire.

Waiel Rebhi Yaghnam, Norman’s former insurance agent and the fourth suspect, is charged with mail and wire fraud and several counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to his plea agreement, Hill will serve a mandatory sentence of life in person. He is set to be sentenced on Sept. 20. A jury trial is scheduled for the other defendants on Sept. 6, all of whom pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for Norman or Ellis.

Robbie, Montgomery, and Norman starred in the OWN reality show, “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s,” which ran for five seasons from October 201 to June 2018.

Dwayne Johnson will rock world in Black Adam

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is hurtling straight into the action in the first trailer for DC’s latest blockbuster movie, Black Adam, CNN reported Wednesday. Johnson said the role is unlike any other he has played.

DC released a two-minute clip, which stars the Hollywood titan and wrestling legend as an antihero, who is morally ambiguous with godlike abilities.

In the promo, the 5,000-year-old warrior is reborn in the mod ern world with superhuman strength and the ability to fly.

The trailer for the DC Extended Universe film shows Black Adam punching a plane and holding a rocket as it explodes. The moral dilemma that Black Adam will face is established in the

video as Pierce Brosnan’s Dr. Fate says in a voiceover: “You have two choices. You can be the destroyer of this world, or you can be its savior.”

The trailer gives fans a glimpse of Black Adam’s backstory, revealing he was once a slave and has broken out of the tomb in which he has been imprisoned for 5,000 years.

In addition to seeing Johnson as Black Adam, viewers also get a first look at other characters in the film, including Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman, Noah Centineo’s Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell’s Cyclone.

In addition to his starring role in Black Adam, Johnson is a co-owner and spokesperson for the rejuvenated XFL, which is scheduled to begin play in spring of 2023. St. Louis had one of its most successful franchises, the BattleHawks, during the league’s 2020 COVID-19 shortened season. There is no word yet if St. Louis will again have a team, but how could the XFL leave The Lou out?

Metro Boomin’s mother fatally shot in murder-suicide

Leslie Wayne, the mother of St. Louis native and producer Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne, died Friday, Jun. 3, 2022. TMZ reports Wayne was allegedly killed in a murder-suicide by her husband, who was not Metro’s biological father.

Metro Boomin’s repre-

sentative confirmed there would be an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. The family also requests for privacy as it grieves their devastating loss.

Metro hasn’t addressed the incident, but many of his peers and industry friends have paid their respects on social media, including Dej Loaf and Juicy J.

“Prayers up for Metro Boomin,” tweeted Juicy J, while DeJ Loaf commented, “Love + light to you @MetroBoomin.”

Metro told The FADER his mother is his biggest inspiration in a 2016 interview.

“My mom wanted to give me a name where I’d be able to do it no matter what I wanted to do. An astronaut. President. Whatever. Leland Wayne.”

With an absentee father, Metro’s mother was always instrumental in motivating him to chase after his music dreams. “I knew that he was hurting so much,” Leslie said in the same FADER interview, “which is part of what made me support him so much in the music.”

Metro has worked with several big names in music, including Future Drake 21 Savage Migos, and more. He has been vocal in numerous interviews about how his mother drove him back and forth from his hometown St. Louis to Atlanta during his high school years to pursue his music production career. Wayne leaves behind five children, Metro, Leah, Landon, Lauryn, and Logan.

Sources: Facebook, Rap-UP, BET, TMZ, The FADER, Essence, KSDK

Dwayne Johnson

Lincoln Law Enforcement Academy graduates fourth class

Lone HBCU with training program

St. Louis American staff

Every class that graduates from the Lincoln University Law Enforcement Training Academy on the school’s Jefferson City campus is historic because it remains the lone HBCU that offers the curriculum and training.

The Academy’s fourth class graduated on May 26, 2022, in Pawley Theater. The newly minted officers are Miguel Barton of Jefferson City; Marcellis Blackwell of Palos Hills, Ill.; Madison James of Jefferson City; Saleh Lajkem of St. Louis; Benjamin Ofori of Jefferson City; Bradley Richter of Jefferson City; Denisha Taylor of St. Louis; and Keon Woodall of Memphis, Tenn.

Gary L. Hill, Lincoln University Police chief, told graduates, “My hat is off to you.”

“We know that you have all signed up for among the noblest of professions,” he said.

Hill said he wants this year’s graduates, and those from the previous three classes, to bring more than law enforcement to the streets of the communities they might serve.

Addressing the graduates, Hill encouraged them to bring peace.

“You are all now peace officers,” he said.

“Your responsibility includes bringing lasting peace to your communities — to the communities that you serve, be the peace.

“It’s not just diversity of skin color. It’s diversity of thought,” Hill said. “When you wake up in the morning and put your badge and gun on, make sure the community is getting the best version of you every day.”

Since its founding in January 2021, the academy has averaged about nine students per semester, most of whom are African American.

The program is flourishing and attracting Black students, Hill explained, because of the academy’s location on an HBCU campus, and its diverse group of instructors.

According to the U.S. Justice Department in 2020, Black Americans comprised 12.1% of the nation’s 324,882 police officers.

The most common ethnicity is White (64.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (16.8%).

More than 83% of America’s police officers are men, and the average age of an employed police officer is 40 years old.

Hill, who is African American, has been in law enforcement for 26 years and chief of the university’s police department for five years.

“People tend to go where they are going to be comfortable or made to feel welcome, where they see others who look

like them,” says Hill.

“Our whole goal was to increase a minority footprint within law enforcement around the Missouri area. We had no idea that it was going to be as big as it turned out to be. We have graduated more minorities out of our academy than any of

tion, Criminal Evidence and Procedure, Police Community Relations, and Criminal Justice Practicum. Founded in 1866 by African American veterans of the Civil War, Lincoln University offers 50 undergraduate degree programs, as well as master’s degree programs in education, business,

the other 19 academies throughout the state.”

The academy’s 700-hour curriculum includes legal and technical studies, interpersonal perspectives, and skill development. Students also receive 15 college credit hours across four courses: Police Administra-

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The fourth Lincoln University Law Enforcement Academy graduated on May 26, 2022, on the HBCU campus. The new officers are (Left, from front) Madison James, Benjamin Ofori, Bradley Richter, and Saleh Lakjem. (Right, from front) Denisha Taylor, Keon Woodall, Miguel Barton, and Marcellis Blackwell.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln University

Guest Editorial

“Driving While Black, Shopping While Black, Worshipping While Black, Minding My Own Business While Being Black, and even Walking/Jogging and Sleeping While Black are common activities that can go wrong.”

Attacked because we are Black

By Chris B. Bennett

We are a few weeks removed from the horrific shooting in Buffalo, and yet we’ve already seen the sunsetting of the media coverage of this tragic event, as the news cycle has shifted to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and now Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As authorities and families in Texas look for answers as to why and what went wrong, there is no question about what happened in Buffalo — they were attacked because they were Black. Being Black in America is not easy. Although some make it look easy, they too leave their homes every day and hope, wish, and pray that they make it home to see their loved ones at the end of the day.

Driving While Black, Shopping While Black, Worshipping While Black, Minding My Own Business While Being Black, and even Walking/Jogging and Sleeping While Black are common activities that can go wrong, do go wrong, and add to the growing list of “those we serve” at local funeral homes across this country.

Unfortunately, when it comes to being attacked for being Black, we have seen the lack of justice so many times that we are relegated to shaking our heads, shedding a few tears, and understanding that these are things that happen to “Just Us.”

Congress put forth an anti-Black hate crimes bill in 2015 when a young man with ties to white supremacy shot and killed 9 Black people at a Black church — Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church — in South Carolina?

Where is the compassion needed to bring forth such a bill right now in the wake of 10 Black people being shot and killed at a supermarket in a Black neighborhood of Buffalo, New York?

The notion of “Just Us” is the main reason we collectively embrace the term and movement of Black Lives Matter, because it appears that America cares more about the lives of everyone except Black folks.

In 2021, the U.S. House and Senate swiftly passed an anti-Asian hate crimes bill that was signed just two months after a gunman killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women, during a shooting spree of three massage parlors in Atlanta. The culprit later told police that his motive for the shooting was not because he hated Asian people but because he had a sexual addiction that was at odds with his Christianity.

Now, this is not to diminish what took place in Atlanta or to say that Asian Americans do not face hatred or racism in the same fashion as African Americans. But my point is that the House and Senate can do whatever they want to do when they have the motivation and real compassion for the victims and the demographic group that they represent.

And so, we must ask the question: If Black lives really matter in America, why didn’t

Ultimately the debate taking place right now related to mass shootings centers around gun control — an issue that won’t be resolved anytime soon because of the political influence of gun lovers, gun manufacturers, and die-hard groups of “patriots.” For politicians, this is the easy way out of addressing some of the real problems in our society because they know that the likelihood of a compromise on gun control is something they can campaign on for years. It’s time for policymakers in America to focus on the genuine issues we need them to address. We need them to talk about race, racism, and hatred. We need them to send a message that all lives matter and increase mandatory jail times for people who commit crimes against anyone because of their race, especially those that are committed against Black people. We know there is a lengthy list of Black people who have received “Just Us’ and very few who have received justice.

George Floyd – Just US; Ahmaud Arbery– Just Us; Tamir Rice – Just Us; Rodney King – Just Us; Breonna Taylor – Just Us; Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church – Just US; Emmet Till – Just Us.

There is more than enough time on any newscast to talk about the shooting and the aftermath in both Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. We don’t have to choose one over the other. It’s time for us to turn the bright lights on Buffalo so that the people of that city can get the justice they deserve.

Tell your congressional delegation we need to send a message to America that hate crimes against Black folks will no longer get swept under the rug. Tell them to pass a hate crime bill that specifically protects the interests and lives of Black folks in the United States — just like they did for Asian Americans.

Chris B. Bennett is CEO and publisher of The Seattle Medium.

Commentary

Waiting in futility

By E. Faye Williams

I was infuriated by the callous attack on innocent Black people at the Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York on Saturday, May 14, 2022. I would not have guessed that soon I would be proclaiming the same outrage against gun violence – this time on Tuesday, May 24 in Uvalde, Texas. If it is possible, I am even angrier at the murder of 19 innocent fourth graders and two of their teachers by another gun-wielding degenerate. I am overwhelmed by the present and future loss attributable to this senseless act. The talents and potential of nineteen blossoming minds and bodies are lost forever. The light that these children brought to their families, friends and communities is extinguished forever. For good or bad, the tangibles and intangibles of their lives will never be realized for no good reason. Once again, the pleas for responsible gun safety legislation rings loudly from the ranks of Democratic political leaders. These same pleas are heard after each of the ever-increasing number of mass shootings we now experience. Once again, we are left waiting in futility for corrective action by our federal legislators. While necessary, the redundancy of these appeals and the resulting inaction are a stain upon the soul of our nation. Republicans, who profess a

“pro-life” commitment, have been absent in their demonstration of the same. In the days since this massacre, their response has been laughable. Their “thoughts and prayers” and “there’s insufficient information to discuss this event now” rings hollow against the pain of this loss of life. They attempt to deflect attention from the real cause of this travesty to more manageable talking points.

They attempt to explain this event with a focus on mental illness. I passionately believe that while hatred and disdain for other human life can be called an aberration of thought and judgment, labeling it as mental illness cannot and does not provide a clinical excuse or cover for these heinous acts. Rather, I see these self-same Republicans who sponsor intolerance and racial/ cultural/”tribal” divisiveness as sponsors of these tragedies. Their hypocrisy becomes more obvious as they try to explain away the reasons for gun violence. While they legislatively support a loosening of gun laws and promote increased general access to firearms, they

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Pride, prejudice, and power

By Ben Jealous

June is Pride month in the United States. In big cities and small communities, LGBTQ+ people and their friends, families, and allies will celebrate freedom and progress toward full equality. All fair-minded Americans can celebrate that progress. But there is a growing shadow over this year’s celebrations. The far-right political movement is aggressively trying to turn back the clock to a time when LGBTQ+ people were not treated equally under the law. Anti-equality legal groups and anti-equality politicians are pushing legal and political attacks on our most vulnerable young people. MAGA movement political operatives are trying to win elections by stirring up fear and hatred against LGBTQ+ people. They are proposing and passing laws that are stunning in their cruelty. Some make it a crime for librarians to let students read books with gay themes and characters—or for teachers to provide supportive information to LGBTQ+ students. Some make it a crime for doctors to provide appropriate health care to transgender youth. In Texas, parents who are simply trying to love and support their trans kids can now be charged with child abuse. That is beyond unacceptable. It is sadistic. Driving the passage of those laws is a false and inflammatory campaign to portray support for LGBTQ+ people as the equivalent of pedophilia. Right-wing elected activists and pundits smear gay people as threats to children, and equality advocates as “groomers.”

That kind of smear is dangerous. False and demonizing

shed crocodile tears and claim to lament the loss of life. In the wake of such tragedy, they show their support to grieving families by attending an NRA function 300 miles away from the slaughter.

The light at the end of the tunnel are students — the targets and victims of school violence. They cannot vote yet, but they are expressing their contempt for legislative inaction. They are out of the schools and on the streets demanding the change which is obviously needed. They proclaim that they will no longer accept their victimhood or allow their futures to be sacrificed on the altar of the status quo and inaction.

It is regrettable that we cannot believe or assure that those currently holding political office will do the right things for our children, our future. However, our children have made it clear that when they can, they will force the necessary change with their votes.

As I have stated about the many victims, “They were significant to all who knew and loved them, and they will be dearly missed. They are also significant to those of us who respect their lives and what they represent to our communities. Our fight to save our lives is never-ending and must be vigorous and successful.”

E. Faye Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women.

stereotypes have a long history that Black people know well. Lies about Black men were used by violent bigots to justify lynching as necessary to “protect” White women—and continue to drive police violence against Black people today. The more elected officials and far right-wing activists spread the “groomer” lie, the more likely it is that some bigots will try to justify discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people as necessary to “protect” children and youth. And then there’s the Supreme Court. Historically, it was in June that the Supreme Court overturned state laws that made gay people criminals. A dozen years later, in another June decision, the court ruled that states cannot refuse to marry same-sex couples. June has given us many reasons to celebrate the march toward full equality. But that could all change. Thanks to hardright justices named by former President Donald Trump, the same majority that considers states’ rights more important than voting rights is preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade—stripping Americans of a constitutional right that the court has recognized for half a century. The far-right court majority’s eagerness to eliminate a longrecognized right to privacy and abortion is deeply troubling to those of us who support legal equality. Anti-LGBTQ+ legal and political groups that urged the Court to overturn Roe v Wade are hoping the same justices will reverse more recent rulings that recognized the equality of LGBTQ+ people and same-sex couples. They don’t just want to overturn the court’s marriage equality ruling. They also want the court to let states criminalize same-sex activity, making it possible again for gay people to be fired, or have their children taken away from them, because of their sexual orientation. They want to make America discriminate again. It is time for all Americans who support equality and civil rights to reject anti-LGBTQ+ smears and the harm and the discrimination they cause. And it is time to remember that the earliest equality marches were not focused on pride, but on freedom and liberation—from police harassment, oppressive laws and culture, and institutional discrimination. Let’s celebrate pride this month. We could all use a good dance party right about now. But let’s also make sure that people understand how much progress is at risk. And let’s organize. We’re just six months away from local, state, and national elections. Those elections will either give more power to the raging anti-freedom forces that want to take the country back—and move us all backwards—or they will help us move toward the goal of freedom and justice for all.

Letter to the editor

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

All letters are edited for length and style

Transit funding could finally be back on track

The Missouri State Legislative Session adjourned with a historic move in support of public transportation. For the first time in two decades, Missouri is set to invest $8.7 million in transit – a sum that would be split amongst the 34 transit providers operating in the state.

This increase is critically needed – considering Missouri is ranked 45th in the nation for transit investment and had allocated only $1.7 million each of the last four consecutive years – but it will go so much further when considering federal matches.

This funding will help provide the non-federal or local match required to enable transit providers to draw down some of the $91 billion in federal funds earmarked for transit as part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Federal funding support requires a 50:50 match for transit operations and an 80:20 match for capital programming. Missouri transit providers have been working diligently to identify local funding sources through sales tax, private contracts and more, but the most significant missing link up to this point had been the lack of state funding. This would be the case no more. Missouri could finally be back on track. Funding would help expand transit accessibility and continue allowing transit providers to deliver millions of rides annually so Missourians can gain access to jobs, healthcare needs, education, goods and services.

Thank you to those who stood in support of transit. This will be a very big win if Governor Parson signs it into law.

St. Louis

Kimberly Cella,

or

Guest Columnist Chris B. Bennett

Columnist E. Faye Williams

Columnist Ben Jealous

Metro Transit partners with People’s Health Centers

Metro Transit and Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers are partnering again this year to bring free mobile health screening services to transit riders, visitors, and area residents.

The mobile health van will provide free blood pressure screenings, basic health assessments, and COVID-19 testing at four respective transit locations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. The health vans served the community last fall, as well.

“Our partnership with Metro Transit allows us to offer convenient free COVID-19 testing and information and other basic health care screenings to its daily riders, many of whom may otherwise not have access to such services and fact-based health information,” said Dwayne A. Butler, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers president and CEO.

Health insurance is not required, and appointments are not needed. Visitors 18 and older can also receive assistance in applying for health insurance and options for follow-up care at area community health centers.

“Metro Transit and Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers have a similar mission to serve and support the people in our community,” said Vickie C. Wade, People’s Health Centers Clinical Services executive vice president

The partnership between Metro Transit and the health center is to help transit riders and residents have easy access to health care resources.

Each Tuesday of the month, the mobile health screening van will be open at various sites between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will visit each of the four designated Metro Transit Centers on the Tuesdays listed below.

• First Tuesday: Grand MetroLink Station (3560 Scott Avenue)

• Second Tuesday: Riverview Transit Center (9000 Riverview Drive)

• Third Tuesday: Civic Center Transit Center (401 South 14th Street)

• Fourth Tuesday: North Hanley Transit Center (4300 Hanley Road)

Hire Smart seeks applicants

Youths and adults between 16 and 24 years old and live in St. Louis or Wellston can apply for the People’s Community Action Corporation HireSmart Job Readiness Program.

The program helps prepare job seekers acquire marketable skills and learn valuable information on what it takes to enter the region’s workforce. The training pays $15 an hour.

For more information contact Gwendolyn Moore at (314) 367-7848; extension 1462

Education should not go on summer vacation

By Julianne Malveaux

Students everywhere are anticipating, or already experiencing, their summer vacation. It means freedom from daily classes and the opportunity to break, “chill” and perhaps attend a summer program for many.

We know, however, that there is knowledge erosion over the summer, especially for students who don’t continue to read or learn. Race matters here.

Lower-income parents often can’t afford summer programs. In other cases, they count on older children to be caretakers for their younger siblings, which means they may have to forego opportunities for continued learning. There are year-round learning or staggered learning opportunities in a few school districts. However, students are off from late May or early June to August or September. Some parents aggressively seek summer programs to keep their children intellectually engaged.

The achievement gap

Some schools assign summer reading lists, but to the extent that learning is interactive, reading in a vacuum may not be optimal for enhancing education.

It’s better than nothing, but why such a low bar? Why aren’t school districts more forcefully providing summer opportunities?

The achievement gap is real, and it starts before children are enrolled in school and continues through higher education.

Upon preschool enrollment, data (sometimes disputed) suggest that young white children are exposed to 30 million more words than young Black students.

Other exposure gaps are cultural (who goes to museums, cultural performances, or libraries), physical (involvement in sports), and social. These gaps show up when students take standardized tests or are measured against prevailing cultural “norms.”

Learning must be both year-round and life-long. This isn’t just about students but also about the adults who guide them.

When was the last time you read a book, checked out a museum, or expanded your horizons? You can’t encourage your children to be lifelong learners unless you are one yourself.

Still, it is time for us to think about these summer vacations. The notion of having summer off comes from an agricultural model where young people had the summer off to help their parents harvest crops.

Rethinking education

With the number of family farms plummeting, children aren’t needed to work in agriculture. From my perspective, they are needed to be in classrooms, libraries, and museums.

Rethinking education means spending money, though, and as our national student body has become more diverse, there seems to be less interest in spending money on education.

Higher-income parents can pay for the supplemental education programs that their children need. Lower-income parents scramble for opportunities and have to balance their economic situation with their children’s learning needs.

There are lots of objections to reconsidering summer vacations. Parents with several students worry about coordinating schedules if calendars are changed, and different children are off at different times.

Teachers, who savor their summers off, wonder about the financial implications of a more extended school year. And culturally, we are all used to the model of “summer off,” and it will take some adjustment to change that.

Our K-12 education is often lacking, especially for students of color. Why aren’t more people speaking up more forcefully about educational access?

The hybrid education introduced by COVID could be a model for summer education. At the very minimum, it provides us with some of the alternatives we need to consider if our nation is educationally competitive.

The traditional model isn’t working, and it exacerbates the achievement gap. If we genuinely believe that “children are our future,” we must reconsider the concept of a two or threemonth summer vacation and implement year-round learning.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State

St. Louis American staff

Dr. Tifani Sanford, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers COVID-19 Response Team manager, and Rosalyn Fulton, outreach coordinator, are part of the team that will again partner with Metro Transit to provide free health services on People’s Mobile Health Van at rotating Transit Centers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

Photo courtesy of Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers

Julianne Malveaux

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Comptroller Darlene Green. Jones, who has recovered from her bout with COVID-19, said during a City Hall press conference on Wednesday morning, “This is a stain on our city, but it will not prevent us from becoming fairer, safer and stronger.”

While I wholeheartedly believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, I also recognize - and I think most of our city does too - that the disturbing federal corruption charges brought against Lewis Reed, Jeffrey Boyd, and John CollinsMuhammad prevented them from doing the job they were elected to do: to faithfully serve the residents of St. Louis. City residents will be better served by representatives who are not facing federal indictments, and all three did the right thing by resigning,” Jones said.

“Lewis Reed fought me from the first day I stepped foot in this office. He refused to meet with me or my staff time and time again around the American Rescue Plan or other key issues. Jeffrey Boyd fought me since I became Treasurer in 2012. According to the indictment, John Collins-Muhammad said that I’m on his “**** list” for trying to stop him from giving out an illicit tax abatement.

Weaver

Continued from A1

According to the indictment, in May 2020, Weaver approached a man identified as John Smith, who owns several local businesses, with a plot to fraudulently apply for grants worth $15,000 through the county’s Small Business Relief Program.

The Small Business Relief Program granted federal CARES Act funds to small businesses at the height of the

And that language communicates everything that needs to be said there.” Green said in a statement, “We are grateful that Mr. Reed has decided to do the right thing; and with his resignation, the city can now move forward.”

Reed released a statement following his resignation.

“I am heartbroken and saddened to have to make the difficult decision to step down and end my time as President of the Board of Aldermen,” Reed said.

“The President of the Board of Aldermen is a unique position with both legislative and executive duties. With this being such a pivotal time for our City, I wanted to ensure to have the necessary discussions over the past few days to add whatever insight and experience I could to make the transition of my office as smooth as possible.

“It is essential to assure the citizens have access and the best service available in such a pivotal role. I cannot fulfill these duties as I take the time to focus on my family and my current legal challenges.”

The government alleges that the men took “a stream of payments” and campaign donations and in return, supported tax abatement on several development projects.

Alderman Joe Vollmer, the ranking alderman by time of service, will serve as BOA

COVID-19 pandemic.

The indictment says Weaver told the business that his former boss on the council, identified only as Jane Doe, needed to know the names of Smith’s companies as she made decisions on the funding.

According to the indictment, John Smith owned a mechanic shop, a laundromat, a supermarket, a gas station and a construction company.

Weaver told Smith that Jane Doe’s office would “do what I tell them to do” regarding awarding the grants and told him to lie about the pandemic’s

president until an election in November. Vollmer said he would not seek the seat. The winner will then have to run again in spring 2023, when Reed’s term is set to expire.

After Collins-Muhammad resigned he wrote on Twitter, “The weeks ahead will be tough. I apologize to my family and to my constituents for my shortcomings and my mistakes.”

The indictment said CollinsMuhammad also received a vehicle in return for his political favor.

Reed is facing two counts for “being an agent of the City of St. Louis, who allegedly corruptly accepted a fee or reward for execution of an official act, vote or duty that is not due and facilitating this promotion by cell phone. Boyd is also facing

effects on his laundromat.

“Did you have any business interruption during the Corona for the laundromat?”

“I don’t think so,” Smith said.

”You don’t want to say that,” Weaver replied. “You want to let them think you was closed, you had to lay off one of your employees.”

Weaver then filled out applications for four loans on behalf of Smith’s business over the next several weeks, the indictment says. Federal officials say he falsely claimed the businesses were closed

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones makes her remarks following the resignation of St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed during a press conference in St. Louis on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

counts for allegedly receiving “a stream of cash payments, free automobile repairs, and other things of value” to influence and be rewarded in connection with business transactions of the City of St. Louis and for purportedly facilitating and promoting by cell phone such unlawful activities.

The name of the person who allegedly conspired with Reed, Boyd, and Collins-Muhammad was not released. The indictment repeatedly uses “John Doe” and “the individual.”

The court released the following information:

“The indictment lays out a years-long scheme in which Collins-Muhammad, and later Reed, sought to help the business owner, referred to in the indictment as ‘John Doe,’ obtain a significant

during the pandemic.

The pair agreed to split the money, the indictment says. Smith and Weaver also discussed ways to avoid getting caught. Weaver warned Smith on one occasion not to use political donations to pay kickbacks or use cellphones to submit grant applications, according to the indictment.

At one point, Weaver worried the government had bugged the pair’s conversations, noting that was how former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger got caught, the indictment says.

property tax abatement for a new gas station and convenience store development in Collins-Muhammad’s ward.

Doe estimated that the abatement could be worth $20,000 to $30,000 per year over at least 10 years, the indictment says. In all, Reed accepted $9,000 in cash from Doe, the indictment alleges. CollinsMuhammad accepted $7,000 cash, $3,000 in campaign contributions, a new iPhone 11 and a 2016 Volkswagen CC sedan in exchange for his help, the indictment alleges. CollinsMuhammad and Reed ultimately worked to pass Board Bills which provided the property tax abatement for Project A.

“During Reed’s 2021 run for mayor, Doe also gave Reed $6,000 total in cash and $3,500 in campaign contributions for Reed’s help in Doe’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to obtain Minority Business Enterprise certification for his trucking company, and for help in winning contracts for city construction projects, the indictment alleges.

“Collins-Muhammad is also accused of accepting $3,000 after setting up a meeting with a public official who could steer business to Doe’s trucking company. Collins-Muhammad later asked for $2,500 more on behalf of the official, but instead used it to buy a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer, the indictment alleges.

If convicted of the main

The applications for Smith’s businesses were not approved. Weaver told Smith he could try again during the next round of funding, the indictment says.

The indictment also accuses Weaver of approaching other businesses in a similar scheme, but only two other companies agreed to the kickback scheme.

Only one grant application Weaver helped with was successful. Weaver complained to Smith he was paid just $300 for his help, according to the indictment.

“Everything they’ve got over there (St. Louis County)

indictment, Reed’s and Boyd’s charges carry maximum penalties of 10 years and five years in prison, respectively, and a $250,000 fine. CollinsMuhammad’s ‘honest services’ bribery/wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. One of his bribery charges carries a 10-year maximum and the other has a five-year maximum. Boyd’s additional wire fraud charges related to the automobile insurance scheme carry maximum penalties of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Restitution is also mandatory.

The indictment includes conversations between John Doe and the indicted trio.

According to the indictment, while he was running for mayor in January 2021, Reed agreed to help John Doe obtain Minority Business Enterprise status for his trucking and hauling company and obtain city contracts for the firm.

In return John Doe gave Reed $2,000 cash.

Listed in the indictment is the following conversation.

JD: Do cash rather than checks?

Reed: Yeah, that’s fine, too. That’ll work, yeah. John Doe then withdrew $2,000 from an ATM bank machine and gave it to Reed.

JD: There you go my brother, that’s two grand.

Reed: Oh man, that’s perfect.

JD: Yes sir, yes sir.

we need to get some of … that’s my attitude,” Weaver said.

Weaver faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is prosecuting the case. Last week, a federal grand jury indicted St. Louis Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed and former Aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins-Muhammad in a years-long bribery scheme. Goldsmith is also handling that case.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Continued from A1

company in America, landed the naming rights for the racetrack in 2020 when it was named Gateway Raceway.

He sponsored NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace’s No. 43 car when he raced for Richard Petty Motorsports. Steward’s quest to bring a race to St. Louis was shifting into high gear.

He remains close with Wallace, who now drives for the 23XI team co-owned by Michael Jorden and Denny Hamlin.

“How’s your dad?” were the first words Steward said to Wallace after the two embraced in a hug on Friday.

Wallace said it was Steward who first told him five years ago that he was determined to make the Enjoy Illinois 300 happen at the raceway.

“He wanted a race here, and through all the hard work, he got a race here. It is so great to see his dream become a reality.” Wallace said.

Wallace, the NASCAR Cup series’ lone Black driver, was a fixture at the track and in the community throughout the weekend.

He and David Steward II, founder of The Lion Forge, a St. Louis-based, transmedia studio, helped present an $8,000 scholarship to 12-yearold kart driver Josiah Unaeze to start his career in the Raceway

COVID

Continued from A1

World Health Organization declared the existence of a global pandemic. News outlets were filled with details of a horrifying disease that was sending people to the hospital or the morgue because of this fast-spreading bug called the “coronavirus.”

Brejaē, who was already immune compromised, had trouble breathing. Turns out, she had pneumonia, not COVID-19. Still, it was a distressing start to her sophomore year.

Asia Brantley, 18, a recent Cardinal Ritter College Prep graduate, did contract the disease. In early 2020, her mother was diagnosed with the virus and was hospitalized. Asia, the youngest of her parent’s 13 children, wasn’t surprised she had COVID.

“We hang out a lot,” Brantley said, explaining her relationship with her mom.

It took her mother months to recuperate…if you can call it that. Asia said her mother is still dealing with “Long COVID.” She, on the other hand, bounced back after a couple of weeks. Her symptoms were akin to a sinus infection and stomach flu, she recalled.

Kali St. Julien, 18, who graduated from Christian Brothers College (CBC High School) this spring, realizes he has a unique last name.

“My dad’s family comes from New Orleans, so I guess it’s a French or Creole thing or something like that,” Kali said.

The last two years of his academic life wasn’t impacted by a COVID-19 diagnosis, but

Gives Ignite Series at WWT Raceway.

Wallace, and his car, then made an appearance at an East St. Louis McDonald’s owned by Black entrepreneur James Williams Jr., who operates 20 McDonald’s restaurants throughout the region. He is the region’s largest Owner/ Operator.

Wallace told youths to never give up their dreams, even when things are going against them. He also learned the proper technique of preparing a Big Mac. As for the race, Wallace was a victim of overaggressive driving by Ross Chastain. Chastain caused driver Chase Elliott’s car to spin, and Elliott bumped into Wallace, causing his car to spin.

Wallace would finish 26th in the race.

The NASCAR Cup series now heads to Sonoma, California. It heads west after a spectacular inaugural running of the Enjoy Illinois 300. It was announced on race day that the show would return in 2023.

“I am especially grateful for what our team is doing to make this day possible, especially those who are nearby in our Edwardsville operations,” Steward said in a release that shared Gov. JB Pritzker’s praise of the entire weekend.

“A lot of people are working very hard to make World Wide Technology Raceway the premier destination for NASCAR. The Race. The Music. The STEM events for students. These will be a model for Cup races everywhere.”

the disease put a serious cramp on his extracurricular activities, derailing his football and track ambitions.

“The problem for me was I couldn’t hang out with my friends,” Kali said.

Brejaē, Asia, Kali and other youth of this generation, will have quite the tale to share with young ones of the future. Unlike the youth of generations since the 1918 Spanish Flu, these kids will speak about surviving and coping during the coronavirus pandemic.

Brejaē is enrolled at Tennessee State University where she plans to major in business marketing and minor in fashion design. She already has a modeling portfolio and wants to capitalize on her talents by creating a business in the fashion industry. Although she kept her grades up during the periods of virtual and in-person learning, Brejaē described a “weird” period where teachers and students were challenged to teach and learn.

“A lot of the assignments were designed for in-person classes, not virtual learning. Teachers had to adjust, and I knew a lot of kids who dropped out or had to work extra hard to keep up,” Brejaē said. “It seemed to me, many sophomores and freshmen were cheated, and it took a lot of time for them to get in the groove again.”

Like Kali, the hit on Brejaē’s school activities was challenging. She’s involved with church activities, cheerleading and groups such as the Harambe Organization, Girls International and Jack and Jill of America, a leadership organization.

“I’m involved with a lot of stuff,” Brejaē explained, add-

ing, “Zoom meetings are boring. You couldn’t plan ahead, and, as a senior, I didn’t want to miss anything.”

Asia, who graduated valedictorian of her class, is a musician (trumpet player), was a member of North County Tech’s big band and is a vocalist with the Healing Center for the Arts. She will attend Washington University in the fall with plans to major in business administration with a concentration on finance.

“I plan to leverage my business degree in music and many other businesses,” Asia confidently explained.

Not only did she have to cope with her and her mother getting COVID, Asia had just transferred, by choice, from Riverview Gardens High School to Cardinal Ritter Prep.

“My experience was a little different from everyone else’s. I had to adjust to a

whole new environment and a hybrid schedule (online and in-person classes). We went on spring break in 2020 and never returned to school.”

Ironically, Asia saw the pandemic as a way to recuperate physically and mentally.

“I was able to take a step back and reevaluate life,” the valedictorian explained.

Asia said she also found motivation among her friends. Although they couldn’t “hang out,” meeting with them virtually and playing online games together became “a huge game-changer” for her during the pandemic.

But, as someone who contracted COVID, Asia said she found some of her peers’ cavalier attitudes about the virus and their refusal to wear masks, somewhat “annoying.”

Kali found respite in weightlifting and his only older brother, who came home from

college during the pandemic.

“It wasn’t too bad,” Kali said. “I was never depressed that I know of. There are lots of ways to get distracted with virtual learning. If you don’t pay attention, you can fall behind. But I did really good in school, all my grades are fine.”

Kali will attend Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

For now, he plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy but admits he might change his mind once he’s in college.

All three 2022 high school graduates pondered the question of how they will tell future generations about the Great Pandemic during their graduating years.

“I’ll tell them that we lived in a time that no one expected, but I’ll also tell them to expect the unexpected,” Asia said. “I’ll give them as much positivity as possible, telling them how to go about difficult situations while encouraging them to be open-minded and give them as much input and information as possible.”

Brejaē said she will start her dissertation to youth with the

word ‘hard.’

“I was in shock when the pandemic hit. I was like, ‘Is this really happening?’” Brejaē said, adding that she wants young people to be prepared for the unknowns of life.

“I would hope they won’t be taken by surprise like we were. I want them to be more prepared for anything in life.” Kali imagined a more philosophical explanation to future generations.

“I think I’ll tell them that they must be able to adapt to certain things; they must be prepared for the unexpected so that, if it happens again, they’ll be able to handle it,” Kali said, while further emphasizing the need to be independent and self-confident.

“I’ll also tell them it’s OK to be by yourself. You’re not going to always have someone around you to keep you happy or whatever.

“At some point you need to be OK being on your own.”

Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

Sylvester

Kali St. Julien Asia Brantley

Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American

Bubba Wallace shares some time with close friend and World Wide Technology Founder and Chair David Steward on Friday, June 3, 2022, at World Wide Technology Raceway. Steward and WWT are former lead sponsors for Wallace’s No. 43 car when he raced for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Passport to Music gets in tune at Transit Centers

St. Louis American staff

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), in partnership with Citizens for Modern Transit, Metro Transit and AARP in St. Louis, will be hosting Passport to Music on Metro from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, at both the Belleville and Emerson Park Transit Centers.

This music festival will feature four musical acts, two at each venue, and is designed to promote community, encourage ridership and showcase the new amenities offered as part of “Transit Stop Transformation” efforts. The music event is free and open to the public. Food trucks will be onsite for food and drink purchases.

MetroLink serves both transit centers and a $5 Metro Day Pass can be purchased for those interested in traveling backand-forth between the stations. SCCTD bus riders can get to the Emerson Park Transit

Passport to Music on Metro on June 25

Belleville Transit Center

718 Scheel Street in Belleville, IL 62220

1 p.m. Jazz Band First Call

3 p.m. Rhythm and blues artist Renee Smith Food available for purchase: The Sweet Side and Soulcial Smash Burger

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Black voters must not back down from going to polls

Democrats must have the votes

NNPA Newswire

The failure of Congress to pass legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act have frustrated African Americans.

With new voter suppression laws, the leaked Roe V. Wade opinion, and the assault on many other rights, some question whether the voting bloc that allowed Democrats to take the White House and control both houses of Congress will abandon the polls during the midterm election.

“Black voters are understandably frustrated with the lack of reform around voter rights, but the lack of success with this is due to actions by Republicans, not Democrats,” insisted Dr. Michal Strahilevitz, the director of the Elfenworks Center for Responsible Business and marketing professor at Saint Mary’s College of California.

“Black voters are far more pragmatic than most segments of the Democratic voter base. I expect them to show up not so much to reward Democrats for their lackluster success as to limit the power Republicans have to stop the necessary reforms,” Strahilevitz continued.

“In short, black voters are not just a loyal part of the Democratic base, and they are a very practical one too.”

The Black Lives Matter cofounder who now leads Black Futures Lab, Alicia Garza, observed the strict voter requirements that include restrictions

power Black girls. However, we must make sure that those on the margins are fully engaged,” Leaphart stated.

“Many young people are shocked at the amount of power that we collectively have,” Leaphart continued. “When we engage young Black girls, they are excited to vote, and the earlier we get to people and get them excited about the process and get them civically engaged, the better we will be.”

Leaphart noted that issues affecting adults also bother the young.

“They are dealing with many the same issues that are not restricted to adults,” Leaphart asserted.

“They are dealing with reproductive justice issues, Black girl pushout, and overcriminalization. But hearing that those issues can be dealt with at the polls and talking to elected officials have them excited.”

In a radio interview, Democratic Strategist Karen Finney implored all to understand what was at stake during the 2022 midterms.

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for returning mail-in ballots.

“The first solution and probably the only solution to turn the tide of the ongoing and multiple assaults on our rights is to build independent progressive Black political power,” Garza said.

“We must equip Black voters with the tools necessary to be powerful. Unfortunately, black voters are targeted by misinformation and disinformation every day.

“In 2020, Black voters were getting messages online telling them not to go to the polls, so we must make sure that our

people can get to the polls and challenge the laws and policies that keep us from making important decisions. Black voters are kept from being powerful on purpose, by policies and the conservative movement has designed.”

Krystal Leaphart of Black Girls Vote said her organization begins engaging young girls as early as middle school with the mantra that “our vote is our voice.”

“We target all age groups and communities of Black girls, and we seek to educate and em-

“It’s very clear in terms of the GOP candidates who emerged –one of the big things we saw is that people who were peddlers of The Big Lie, deniers of the 2020 election, seem to do pretty well, regardless of Donald Trump,” Finney told radio personality Charles Ellison on his Reality Check show.

“That tells you a lot about what their agenda would be if they win. Voters came out in record numbers in 2020, and we did something extraordinary,” Finney recounted.

“We’re going to have to do it again in 2022 if we want to keep America moving away from what I saw as a very divisive destruction of the Trump years.”

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Photo courtesy of Black Futures Lab

Alicia Garza, a Black Lives Matter co-founder who now leads Black Futures Lab, says Black voters need the tools to be successful.

Bishop Deon Johnson

“always wanted to help people”

1st Black Bishop of Missouri Episcopal Diocese

By Emily Woodbury St. Louis Public Radio

Growing up in an Anglican family in Barbados, Deon Johnson felt called to a religious life as a young child. On the date of his confirmation, he said, “I was the one who looked at the priest and said, ‘I want your job.’”

However, he added, “In many ways, I tried to run away from that call, because I was struggling with sexuality, I was struggling with a new culture, and the whole nine yards.”

Johnson’s family moved to the U.S. when he was 14. In college, he thought he might have a future as a doctor. Instead, he returned to that childhood calling and became a minister. He sees a common goal in those careers: “I’ve always wanted to be in a place to help people in their journey.”

Two years ago, Johnson became the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. He is the first Black bishop and the first openly gay leader of the diocese, which covers the eastern half of the state.

Johnson is passionate about pushing for inclusivity in the church. In sermons, he frequently apologizes to those who have been hurt by or excluded from Christian institutions in the past.

“To apologize, to say that we as a church can and should and probably need to do much better, I think is a very first step. The other part is for us to just simply show up,” he said.

n “I think that we as the church are being called to a time of really examining: ‘Why are we here? Why do we exist in these communities and towns and cities? What’s our purpose?”

- Bishop Deon Johnson

“For instance, [with] Pride coming up, I know a lot of our congregations have tables and booths to just be present. We’re not there to convert people. We’re not there to say, ‘Well, you need to come join our church because we’re inclusive.’ But we’re there to say that ‘God loves you. And so do we.’”

On Monday’s St. Louis on the Air, Johnson talked about how he plans to deal with the

Episcopalian Church’s aging population, how he approaches being the leader of a church in a state with stark political differences and how he sees the intersection of faith and political activism.

“We must stand with those who are oppressed and marginalized. And we do that best when we actually see and recognize the folks that are marginalized and pushed to the side.

“The big issues that are happening in our world, [like] the violence that’s being perpetrated against our trans siblings,” he added, “that, I think, is a church issue — to stand with those who have been pushed to the side.” He said he believes a focus on people in need will bring young people back to the church.

“I think that we as the church are being called to a time of really examining: ‘Why are we here? Why do we exist in these communities and towns and cities? What’s our purpose? And how are we able to be good news at a time when the news often seems to be such bad news?”

He added, “I’m convinced we need to go back to the basics: feeding the hungry, taking care of those who are lonely, clothing the naked, standing with those who’ve been oppressed and pushed to the side. … The church is called to stand in the margins with those who have been marginalized.”

In our city’s 258-year history, there likely has never been the political shake-up that we’ve seen in the last week. Political scandals, sure. From the relatively recent resignation of former alderman Larry Arnowitz in 2020, to Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner’s messy prosecution of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, St. Louis has seen elected official after elected official suffer consequences for misusing and abusing the powers of their office. Our former circuit attorney George Peach got caught in a 1992 sting operation when he tried to solicit an undercover police officer for sex - after years of prosecuting hundreds of sex crimes. We’re a city known for its dueling families, usually fighting to elect their own allegedly corrupt government officials. St. Louis is no stranger to political turmoil and sudden upheavals of power. But none of that history could have prepared our city for the federal grand jury’s May 25 indictment, unsealed and released into the public record on June 2. The Indictment found that there was enough evidence to criminally charge not just one but three - elected city officials, including now-former president of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed, and former aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins- Muhammad. Each man was indicted on at least two white collar felonies, with Boyd charged under a separate, additional case related to forgery of auto registration documents and attempting to defraud a North Carolina auto insurance company. Collins Muhammad resigned from the Board in early May, likely after receiving a notice from the federal grand jury. Boyd resigned last Friday afternoon, following his appearance at the weekly full Board meeting in a vain attempt to pass a tax abatement - less than 24 hours after pleading “not guilty” to taking bribes related to tax abatements. Reed remained the sole hold-out after last week’s initial appearance and arraignment, refusing to resign until Tuesday of this week. But after calls from his colleagues and other elected officials - and dozens of protesters in front of his houseReed finally announced that he would be stepping down from his position, effective immediately. The seven-count, 66-page document is made mostly of transcribed audio recordings of each alderman taking a bribe or discussing a previous bribe in relation to at least two tax abatements.

With all the media coverage over the last week, this week’s EYE is piecing The Indictment’s timeline together, connecting some dots, and some (informed) speculation of what’s to come.

How did we get here?

The timeline of the two-anda-half year federal investigation into the now-former aldermen Boyd, Collins-Muhammad, and Reed actually stretches back to May 2017, when 35 people were separately indicted by a grand jury in the federal court in downtown St. Louis. Although that seemingly unrelated case dealt with a drug ring and money laundering, it centered around “Abu Ali,” or Muhammed Almuttan, an area business owner with dozens of properties across North City and North County. In late April of this year, five of Almuttan’s six federal charges through the 2017 case were dismissed - just a few weeks before Collins Muhammad’s resignation on May 11. Two days later, on May 13, the St. Louis Development Corp. [SLDC] shared that it had received a federal subpoena requesting information related to two North City properties that had received tax abatements. One of those abatements was in Collins-Muhammad’s ward; the other was in Boyd’s ward. As it turns out, both properties were owned by Almuttan, and for two and a half years, he apparently wore a wire and allowed his phone to be recorded by federal investigators. It appears to be every conversation with Boyd, Collins-Muhammad, and Reed.

Dozens of those discussions, as it turns out, included the exchange of numerous cash payments for the aldermen’s support of tax abatement bills to save Almuttan hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes. In other words, a bribe. The indictment’s transcribed audio recordings include instance after instance where the aldermen not only accept cash bribes from Almuttan at that moment, but even discuss bribes exchanged - all captured on the federal informant’s wire.

On page 47, for instance, on July 30, 2020, “John Doe” (Almuttan) asks Collins Muhammad, “John do you remember when you told me to give [Boyd] 2,000, 25? 3,000? I gave him 25, but I forgot to put it in the envelope.” Collins-Muhammad responds that Boyd was okay with the previous cash payment that Almuttan had given him, related to a tax abatement deal.

On page 19, Almuttan allegedly gave Reed $2,000 in cash for Reed’s assistance in helping Almuttan’s business partner obtain Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”) certification. Businesses with MBE certifications can be prioritized in awarding of Cityand state-funded contracts, so there is a clear benefit to obtaining that certification. However, your elected official’s direct involvement (and paid, at that) is not necessary to apply for or receive that status. Reed comments on the sound made by the ATM, as noted in the transcribed recordings: “That’s nice. That...that’s nice,” he said, as he allegedly collected the bribe money from Almuttan.

made public statements advocating for Reed’s resignation include State Rep. Rasheen Alridge (D-78), 15 members of the St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee, and St. Louis City Treasurer Adam Layne. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones expressed her disappointment in the allegations against her former political rival, stating “[t]he troubling charges brought by the US Attorney pull back the curtain to highlight how those elected may exploit our city for their own benefit and profit.”

There have, of course, been other casualties in Almuttan’s wake. Also on Tuesday of this week, a now-fired employee of the St. Louis County Executive’s Office appeared for his own federal arraignment.

But pages nine and 10 include a detailed exchange between Almuttan and Collins Muhammad described by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Tony Messenger as “a scene out of Fargo,” where a $2,500 cash payment from Almuttan meant for a “Public Official One” was allegedly used by CollinsMuhammad to purchase a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer. Almuttan later gave Collins Muhammad a 2016 Volkswagen CC in exchange for the alderman’s assistance in completing a tax abatement project in the 21st Ward.

We at the EYE believe that every person accused of a crime is innocent until they have been proven guilty. However, when a public official’s role relies first and foremost upon public trust, as noted by Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia (Ward 6), “the broken trust within the community and the seriousness of the allegations against [Reed] make it impossible for [him] to continue in [his] role.”

Alderwoman Tina Pihl (Ward 17) said Reed’s “trust has been eroded and there is a cloud over the BOA and government.”

Alderman Bret Narayan (Ward 24), one of several attorneys on the Board, stated that “[w]hile the presumption of innocence is paramount, the distractions, disruptions, and lack of confidence that will certainly arise moving forward should President Reed refuse to resign is detrimental...”

Other aldermen who called for Reed’s resignation included Annie Rice (Ward 8), Dan Guenther (Ward 9), Bill Stephens (Ward 12), Anne Schweitzer (Ward 13), MeganEllyia Green (Ward 15), Cara Spencer (Ward 20), Shane Cohn (Ward 25), and Michael Gras (Ward 28). Notably, the aldermen who remained silent on calling for Reed to step down were Sharon Tyus (Ward 1), Lisa Middlebrook (Ward 2), Brandon Bosley (Ward 3), Dwinderlin Evans (Ward 4), James Page (Ward 5), Jack Coatar (Ward 7), Joseph Vollmer (Ward 10), Carol Howard (Ward 14), Tom Oldenburg (Ward 16), Jesse Todd (Ward 18), Marlene Davis (19), Joseph Vaccaro (Ward 23), Shameem Clark Hubbard (Ward 26), and Pamela Boyd (Ward 27). There presently are no aldermen representing Wards 11, 21, and 22, and there were no Northside aldermen who called for Reed’s resignation. Other elected officials who

in two separate payments. The PAC’s disclosures reported to the state campaign finance authority have not shown any itemized contributions, despite the PAC receiving more than $700,000 in contributions between announcing its dissolution and liquidation PAC assets.

Tony Weaver, who worked as a legislative aide for former county councilwoman, Rochelle Walton Gray, before his appointment by County Executive Sam Page, stood with his attorney and pleaded “not guilty” to his own set of white collar crimes. Weaver has been accused by a federal grand jury of fraudulently seeking to obtain COVID relief funds for a local businessman and to split the funds, landing a four-count indictment for wire fraud. According to the indictment, one of the four applications submitted with Weaver’s assistance received COVID relief funds, and Page’s office has cited the safeguards put in place after disgraced former county executive Steve Stenger’s departure. Stenger’s former campaign manager and advisor, police mouthpiece Jane Dueker, is challenging incumbent Page for the County Executive seat. Dueker had been noticeably quiet as she sees some of her political allies continue to fall and her campaign to flounder.

Who looked the other way?

The last week has been ... complicated ... for the PostDispatch. On Monday of this week, the editorial board predictably came to Reed’s defense, calling upon his “15 years of experience as the aldermanic president” in an effort to cleanse him of his white collar transgressions. The Post historically takes Reed’s side most of the timeeven when it’s the wrong side. Included are the failed airport privatization, the scandaltainted Better Together, and multiple, unsuccessful runs for mayor. After public outcry against the editorial board’s apparent position of “backroom deals are actually good for the city and there should be more,” its tone shifted somewhat on Tuesday, calling Reed a “badly wounded lame duck.” The editorial board even went so far as to say that it “was time for Reed to go,” but we remember in the city’s last major election cycle in spring 2021, when that same editorial board with largely the same members called Reed “a pragmatist who recognizes that real reform rarely happens overnight” and said he had “coalition-building patience.” Needless to say, times are going to continue to be dismal for the Post’s editorial board’s influence on City politics in the coming months.

Another factor to consider: Reed’s historic political ally, the St. Louis Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council, had its own foundation shaken back in March, when the MidAmerica Carpenters Regional Council filed a federal lawsuit against the St. Louis chapter, accusing its leadership of unauthorized salary raises and mismanaging organizational funds. A few weeks later, an attorney for former union chief Al Bond disclosed in a public court record that the Department of Justice was investigating the Carpenters Regional Council. Although the CRC allegedly was dissolved in September 2021, the organization managed

Since taking office as president of the Board of Aldermen in 2007, Reed has taken hundreds of thousands of campaign dollars from the Carpenters Regional Council’s political action committee, Carpenters Help in the Political Process (or “CHIPP”). Needless to say, the Carpenters Regional Council is faced with the task of cleaning up its own messy, allegedly corrupt house. Reed was no stranger to crafting deals which helped developers with pockets of all sizes. From Clayco developer Bob Clark to NorthSide Regeneration failed developer Paul McKee Reed has received tens of thousands of dollars from them, as well, as he helped to push through aldermanic legislation that divests tax revenue used to fund St. Louis Public Schools. Throughout the indictment, Almuttan references the hundreds of thousands of dollars that the abatement schemes would help him save - in other words, at direct cost to SLPS students and teachers.

Muhammad eventually filled. As an op-ed columnist for the Post, French has only penned three columns in 2022, all three trash talking Mayor Jones.

Where do we go from here?

While Alderman Joe Vollmer (Ward 10) has already claimed the role of interim Board President, the power struggle to control the Board of Aldermen for the next five months may not be over. Vollmer, to whom Reed relinquished his powers as “acting” board president, became the de facto vice president of the Board of Aldermen following Boyd’s resignation on Friday. He is expected to lead as board president until the November general election.

Insiders at the Board of Aldermen do not believe that the three now-resigned aldermen are the only elected officials who received letters from the federal grand jury.

At least two other aldermen are believed to be under their own federal investigations at this time, although it is unclear if those inquiries are related to the Reed/Boyd/Collins Muhammad indictment. Both City officials allegedly under inquiry have their own storied histories of tax abatements and making deals with deep-pocket developers.

Finally - has anyone checked on Antonio French yet? One of Reed’s loudest supporters, French launched his “Northsider” and “Southsider” publication project to mostly applaud Reed’s lackluster leadership. French joined the PostDispatch editorial board in 2020 and has viciously attacked Mayor Jones while simultaneously ignoring Reed’s antics. French previously held the aldermanic seat that Collins-

There’s also the issue of “Public Official One” - the unidentified elected official with ties to at least the 21st Ward tax abated property who was willing to accept $10,000 in cash payments from Almuttan. Not all of the funds were delivered to “Public Official One’s” campaign account (see 2008 Chevy Trailblazer, above), but the fact remains that the official was apparently willing to accept cash bribes in exchange for political favors. While the identity of “Public Official One” is likely to be publicly disclosed in the coming months, there has already

been plenty of speculation about the identity of “Public Official One” on social media and among political insiders, but no established facts have been offered to the public yet… but stay tuned. The two $5,000 checks were never cashed or deposited, but the exchange and the intent to accept the bribes nevertheless allegedly happened and St. Louisans have the right to know which elected officials chose to participate in alleged government corruption. In the meantime, other city departments are bringing the tax abatement application process to an immediate halt in light of the grand jury’s findings. On Tuesday, the St. Louis Development Corp. (SLDC) announced that it was “freezing” the new application process as the economic development agency reviews its property-purchasing process. The ban will extend through October, and while a consultant’s assessment of the current purchasing process recommended major changes a month before the indictment, the timing of the freeze is believed to be in direct response to the revelations about the indicted trio’s abuse of SLDC and the City’s Land Reutilization Act (LRA) properties. The grand jury’s indictment included multiple references to “L.C.,” who could be Laura Costello, the former real estate director at SLDC. Costello was fired from SLDC in early April, although the reasons for her termination remain unclear. Given the timing of both her termination and The Indictment, we cannot help but wonder if the two events are related. One thing is certain: the earthquake within St. Louis politics will result in a new, uncharted landscape after the dust has settled. How that landscape will be reshaped and its impact has yet to be determined. At a minimum, the EYE has hope and confidence that we will experience a more prosperous, healthy future for St. Louis and all of the people in this city.

Lewis Reed

John Collins Muhammad

Jeffrey Boyd

“Taking Care of You”

PAT on the back

Parents As Teachers’ program pairs doulas with expectant moms

St. Louis American staff

Among the educational outreach efforts that Parents as Teachers provide is its Show Me Strong Families [SMSF] program, which recently paired a pregnant woman with doula services.

Kaylin Carter, 21, was referred to PAT, a non-profit organization that specializes in early childhood development and parenting education through personal visits, after

spending some time in a homeless shelter.

She wanted to take an unconventional path toward prenatal care and delivery of her child. So, she enlisted the services of a doula.

She met doula Robin Lloyd, a lead PAT parent educator, during a counseling session and her life was changed.

“I learned about the program during a prenatal visit at the homeless shelter and that’s where I met Ms. Robin. She was the best thing that could’ve happened to me during my pregnancy,” said Carter, mother to now one-year-old daughter Harmony Wims.

“Although my daughter’s dad, Brenyn, was present during her birth, Ms. Robin made me feel peaceful and brought a lot of peace to my heart.

“In fact, she stayed with me the entire time I was in labor, for 14 hours, and I don’t recall her ever leaving to eat or anything. She didn’t

Enjoying the summer sun safely

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz

For the last few years, summertime has felt even more special to me than usual. With the long, warm days, we’re finally able to get outside more and enjoy walks, bike rides and time at the park – often with family and friends we may not have seen for a while.

In our excitement to enjoy everything summer has to offer, it’s important that we don’t forget to protect our skin when we’re out in the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet – or UV – rays can damage skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer, including the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma.

“There are increasing rates of skin cancer on the whole,” said Dr. Lynn Cornelius, chief of dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Some of this may be due to aging populations, and some due to people not photo-protecting as well as they should.”

Key steps we can take to protect our skin from the sun include using sunscreen (and reapplying), finding shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wearing sunglasses, hats and long sleeve shirts.

n Keep a small container of sunscreen with you, so you always have it when you need it.

For sunscreens, a 30 SPF (sun protection factor) or higher rating is good for shorter periods outside. For longer outings, a 50 SPF or higher is better. Choose either a chemical sunscreen, which absorbs UV rays, or a mineral sunscreen, such as zinc, which blocks UV rays. Despite some news reports that pop up occasionally, both types are safe for children and adults. So, pick whichever type you and your family prefer.

“Try different formulations; there are a lot of them out there,” Cornelius said. “The most important sunscreen is the one that you’ll use.”

For clothes, those made of fabrics that block the sun can be an especially desirable choice. Similar to the SPF ratings of sunscreens, sun protective clothes often come with a specific UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. The higher the number, the better the protection.

“There’s great clothing out there now,”

Vaccinations may have cut Missouri COVID-19 fatalities in half

Estimated 8,585 deaths were avoidable

By Tessa Weinberg Missouri Independent

Missouri’s COVID-19 deaths If all of Missouri’s adults were vaccinated against COVID-19, more than half of the over 14,000 deaths attributed to the virus since January 2021 may have been prevented, a new analysis concluded.

The analysis, performed by researchers at the Brown School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Microsoft AI for Health, aims to explore an alternate scenario if demand for the COVID-19 vaccine had continued at peak levels.

Using data from the New York Times and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that spanned January 2021 through April 2022, researchers found that nationwide, if every state had been able to vaccinate the entirety of their adult populations, an

n In Missouri, an estimated 8,585 deaths could have been avoided if 100% of adults were vaccinated.

estimated 318,981 deaths could have been averted.

In Missouri, an estimated 8,585 deaths could have been avoided if 100% of adults were vaccinated — ranking Missouri seventh-highest when calculating vaccine preventable deaths per 1 million. That number drops to 6,595 if 90% were vaccinated and 5,571 if 85% were vaccinated.

“It’s not surprising, but it’s still sad to see those numbers,” said Lynelle Phillips, president of the

Show Me Strong Families’ five Black doulas attended the 2021 Parents As Teachers International Conference in Baltimore in 2021. From left are doulas Erica Roberts, Tara Ervin, Donna Givens, Robin Lloyd, and Aminah Williams.

Photo courtesy of Parents As Teachers

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

leave until my baby was delivered and for that, I am most grateful.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Black women die from complications related to giving birth at three times the rate of white women. Black women over 30 are four to five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

These numbers prompted Lloyd, who is also African American and a mother, to become a certified doula in 2019. She has worked for PAT for 20 years and said her team is trying to combat “this statistical outrage” by getting involved in the initial stages of Black women’s pregnancy.

“Black women of all backgrounds are facing life or death challenges when pregnant,” said Lloyd.

“The lack of safety in birth affects every Black mother and making doula care readily available may help improve Black maternal health in pregnancy and delivery.”

St. Louis is home to PAT’s national headquarters, and it has 1,301 affiliate partners throughout America.

The St. Louis (SMSF) program has five certified doulas. All are Black and most of the clients they serve are African American. They are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and educational support to an expectant mother during pregnancy, labor, and in the weeks following the birth.

SMSF’s doulas help moms design a birth plan and advocate for themselves during pregnancy and the birthing process and have supported 26 families.

The doulas are cross trained as parent educators and can provide an extra level of education to families they already know and support during pregnancy.

They provide culturally competent, comprehensive doula care through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as social, physical, and emotional wellness support so families can thrive, according to PAT President and CEO Constance Gully.

“These trained professionals help new parents build their confidence in their role as the first and most important teacher in their child’s life. Parent educators serve as mentors

Vaccinations

Missouri Immunization Coalition and vice president of the Missouri Public Health Association.

There were 14,289 COVID19 deaths during the span of the analysis. Altogether amid the pandemic, there have been over 20,600 COVID-19 deaths in Missouri according to state data. More than 1 million died of the virus nationwide — although experts say thousands of COVID deaths across the country went unreported

“The state and the country have a choice to make about using a very effective tool we’ve been able to make available fairly quickly in this pandemic,” said Stefanie Friedhoff, a Brown University School of Public Health professor and one of the

Colditz

“Taking Care of You”

who offer friendly, reassuring support and expert guidance to new parents,” said Gully, who was a PAT mom during her

analysis’ authors. “If they choose not to, more people will die that don’t have to die. That’s just very clear.” Friedhoff said the dashboard displaying vaccine-preventable deaths will continue to be updated.

In Missouri, vaccination rates have remained largely stagnant since the start of the year. As of Wednesday, nearly 66% of adults in Missouri were fully vaccinated — putting the state at the 10th lowest vaccination rate nationwide by that measure, according to the CDC With COVID cases once again ticking upwards as more infectious variants of the coronavirus spread, the state’s leaders have yet to make a renewed push for vaccinations. In March, Gov. Mike Parson declared COVID-19 would begin to be treated as endemic, similar to the seasonal flu. With the change came less

son’s birth almost 30 years ago.

“They provide parents with information and resources to help them gain a deeper

frequent reporting of COVID statistics, decreased contact tracing and vaccination data is no longer available on the state’s dashboard.

Paula Nickelson, director of Missouri’s health department, said during a press conference in March that the state expects to see surges of cases and hospitalizations in the future, but that transitioning to an endemic phase will allow the state to ramp back up as needed.

“To be clear when we say, ‘ramp back up,’ we will still not advocate for masks or vaccine mandates,” Nickelson said at the time. “We will not advocate for lockdowns.”

Asked about the analysis’ findings, Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Senior Services, said the state remains committed to making vaccines widely available and is making additional plans to

understanding of the emotional, behavioral, and physical developmental stages of their young children. They also help

provide messaging regarding the benefits of staying up to date on vaccinations.

“It’s been an extraordinary effort to make as much progress as we have in Missouri with COVID-19 vaccinations,” Cox said, noting more than 9 million doses have been administered in just over 18 months.

Missouri’s vaccine rollout faced a rocky start, with confusion and chaos marring the first months of the vaccine’s availability Accusations swirled that rural areas were receiving more than their proportionate share as residents from the state’s metro areas drove hours to try to secure a shot. Meanwhile, disparities persisted with vaccine slow to reach Black residents and the state trailing the nation in terms of nursing home staff vaccinations

The delta variant quickly

promote parental resilience and connect families to resources if needed.” Statistics also show that

tore through southern Missouri over the summer as some communities with low vaccination rates largely resisted the vaccine. Roughly a dozen counties in rural areas of the state still have less than 40% of their adult populations fully vaccinated In Missouri, efforts to provide financial incentives to encourage vaccinations saw limited success, with local gift card incentives inspiring distrust from residents in some rural areas that viewed them as a form of governmentsponsored bribery. Friedhoff said states that were more successful in vaccinating more of their residents and therefore had fewer vaccine-preventable deaths were able to vaccinate their most vulnerable populations, like the elderly, immunocompromised and communities of color. They have also more widely used

maternal death disparity between Black and white women is not primarily an economic issue. According to the CDC, Black mothers with a college degree remain 5.2 times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts.

Black women are also 36% more likely to have a Cesarean section than women of any other race. Prenatal doula care gives women additional prenatal support, provides a delivery room advocate, and can reduce C-section rates.

SMSF partners with FLOURISH, a St. Louis-based group that works to lower the incidence of prematurity and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in the area, as hosts of an event to celebrate the first birthday of Black children enrolled in the PAT program.

Donna Givens, PAT manager of Community Partnerships and Groups, said too many babies die before their first birthday. Some St. Louis neighborhoods have rates three times the national average.

“Every year, we host a first birthday party for our families to celebrate them and to educate and encourage them to follow safe sleep recommendations for their infants,” Givens said.

“The kids play games, have their likeness created by a cartoonist, receive Sesame Street themed gifts bags with pajamas, enjoy refreshments, and have their pictures taken. Their parents also receive gifts and kudos for their successful parenting.”

Carter, who now works as a preschool teacher in University City, said PAT will remain a part of her family life.

“I love Parents as Teachers and I’m calling Ms. Robin the next time I get pregnant. She is so nurturing,” she said.

“I would definitely recommend the program to my family and friends and anyone thinking about having a baby. It’s the best.”

PAT serves about 220,000 families in the U.S., 115 tribal organizations, five other countries, and a U.S. territory. Services are free to families of all backgrounds and socioeconomic means. According to the organization, its program has proven to be particularly helpful for families identified as a higher risk for abuse or neglect.

To learn more about PAT, visit www.parentsasteachers. org

mitigation measures, “and have overall applied sort of a whole toolkit,” Friedhoff said.

Missouri has never had a statewide mask mandate, and the attorney general has frequently sued cities, counties and school districts who have imposed restrictions.

Phillips said the pandemic exposed holes in access to primary care, leaving residents with fewer trusted health care providers to turn to for counseling on their vaccination decisions. Friedhoff said funding and investing in trusted messengers and community organizations is especially important to make inroads on vaccination rates.

“Even though the public health system is discouraged, we should not give up,” Phillips said. “We need to keep pressing for these vaccines and need to make sure that especially people at highest risk are getting vaccinated.”

Cornelius said. “They’re not heavy. They’re not expensive, and you can get them just about anywhere. We tell a lot of folks to wear those – particularly at the beach – or for little kids.” Cornelius offered these additional tips for staying safe in the sun:

something people often forget to do.

• Protect your skin whatever your skin tone. People of color with darker skin have some natural protection, but darker skin can still burn, and it can still develop skin cancer.

• Reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, or after sweating or going in the water. Its important but

• Rub in spray-on sunscreens. Its easy to miss spots otherwise.

• Keep a small container of sunscreen with you, so you always have it when you need it. Sunscreen sticks fit great in pockets and work well when you’re hot and sweaty.

• Use sunscreen even if your makeup has UV pro-

tection. Most makeup has a lower SPF.

• Dont forget to protect your ears, including the tops. Its a common spot for skin cancers, particularly in men.

• Dont forget to protect your scalp if your hair is thinning. Spray-on sunscreens can be good for this.

If you work outside, try to take particular care to protect yourself from the sun. Options

may be limited, but whatever steps you take can help.

Enjoying the outdoors is one of the best parts of summertime. And with just a few relatively simple steps, we can help protect ourselves and our family from the sun’s rays. And that can make an already enjoyable time feel even better. If your health – and your family’s health. Take control.

Dr. Graham A. Colditz,

associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool YourDiseaseRisk.com.

Robin Lloyd, who has worked with Parents As Teachers for 20 years, became a certified doula in 2019 and works with her team to combat statistical disparity in childbirth outcomes by getting involved in the early stages of Black women’s pregnancy.

Photo courtesy of Parents As Teachers

Delving into ways to reduce digital divide in communities of color

Lack of broadband internet access addressed

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced its plan to address the digital divide in America. The lack of access to broadband internet service is especially acute in underserved neighborhoods and low-income households. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and its Media and Telecommunications Task Force has suggestions on how to reduce the gap.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and its Media and Telecommunications Task Force wants to help the Federal Communications Commission in its effort to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination.

FCC commissioners have started a process to “establish a shared understanding of the harms experienced by historically excluded and marginalized communities to make meaningful policy reforms and systems improvements,” and the

Task Force released a letter outing what it thinks should be done.

“The lack of access to broadband internet service among communities of color, low-income households, and rural communities means that many vulnerable households are disproportionately excluded from full participation in our society and, thus, raises a critical equity and civil rights concern,” members of the task force wrote.

“Congress agrees, and in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice have been tasked with

‘eliminating’ digital discrimination.”

The letter, addressed to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, highlights existing studies that document the disparate deployment and access to high-speed broadband internet for the Commission.

It also emphasized the need for detailed public data used to track and identify discrimination and urges the Commission to adopt interpretations that maximize the anti-discrimination protections of the statute.

Further, the letter asked the Commission to

See DIGITAL, B2

As mortgage relief ends, racial equity issues loom large

By Lowell Ricketts

PeoPle on the Move

Redwing to receive Woman’s Justice Award

Dana Tucker Redwing, associate general counsel at Metro Transit St. Louis, has been named to receive a 2022 Woman’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Media. Her award is the Litigation Practitioner Award, which is awarded to litigators who have made their careers in the courtroom — criminal or civil, representing plaintiff or defense. For 18 years, Redwing was with Fox Smith LLC and became the first African-American woman partner there. As chief counsel for the Missouri Attorney General’s Eastern Region for seven years, she managed a staff of more than 80 attorneys, investigators and support staff members.

Seward named to Symphony board

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced the election of Rachel Seward to its board of trustees for a first threeyear term. Seward joined MiTek in 2018 as vice president of enterprise communications and philanthropy and has served as senior vice president of corporate communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR) since April 2021. MiTek delivers software, services, engineered products, and automated solutions to improve efficiencies in the building process.

Officials with Challenge Unlimited (CU), a national nonprofit headquartered in Alton, IL announced that James Porter has been appointed executive vice

Watson named Sr. VP of engagement

n Failure to reach our distressed neighbors may mean loss of housing and wealth, in the form of home equity, as well as declining neighborhood property values.

craft while at home, yet they still had to pay their family’s bills. As a partial response to these challenges, private lenders and the government enacted myriad financial support policies as assistance. One tool was debt relief: Student loan, mortgage, credit card and auto payments were in some instances postponed. Taken together, these policies shielded many people from the financial devastation that was feared at the outset of the crisis. The worst of the pandemic is hopefully behind us, and the economy appears stronger in many ways. However, with many forms of debt See MORTGAGE, B2

relief expiring, the financial hardship that had been postponed may be coming due. We should be thankful that the St. Louis economy has or is almost back to pre-pandemic conditions, yet that was a time when nearly onethird of households in Missouri were asset-limited, income-constrained, employed people (or ALICE)—those families working hard yet living paycheck to paycheck and one emergency away from financial hardship. Rising prices further exacerbate this underlying fragility. A faltering relief and recovery could mean that some of your neighbors take a second job, lose their cars to repossession, or have to choose between providing nutritious meals for their children and paying their rent or mortgage.

This year marks a critical time of transition for the consumer debt of St. Louisans, as many support policies have already expired or will expire in 2022. Based on this timing, the first half of this year may see a spike in loan defaults unless efforts to help borrowers’ transition back to repayment are successful. According to data provided by the Atlanta Fed as of February 2022, at least 1,965 homes were in forbearance and at least 4,846 had a payment that was delinquent; this corresponds to 1.3% and 3.7% of the Atlanta Fed’s sample of mortgages in the St. Louis region, respectively. Zip codes with a majority of residents of color had both a higher rate of forbearance as well as loans delinquent. Some of the municipalities and neighborhoods with the highest rates of distress are all too familiar when it comes to inequities in our region: Ferguson, Dellwood, Calverton Park, Jennings, Castle Point, Moline Acres, Mark Twain, Penrose, Greater Ville, Fountain Park and JeffVander-Lou. In zip codes where 70% or more of homeowners were persons of color, at least 243 homes were in forbearance and at least 656

Mission: St. Louis announced the promotion of James Watson to senior vice president of engagement, adding him to the executive leadership team. Watson will be responsible for building, cultivating and maintaining relationships both internally and externally. He has helped grow the organization over the last seven years, including more than doubling the size of the workforce development program. As a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) Watson serves on the CHW Board of Leaders to help regionally advance the community health worker movement.

Photo courtesy of NNPA

Dana Tucker Redwing

Rachel Seward

James Porter

James Watson

Lowell Ricketts

Bush, CBC pressure Biden to forgive student loans

St. Louis American staff

Congresswoman Cori Bush and fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus are increasing their pressure on President Biden to cancel at least some student debt. They called on Bien to use executive authority and to act before the midterm elections in November.

Bloomberg news service reported on June 3, 2022, that CBC members met with Biden senior aides to press their case In a statement released in late May, the Black Caucus said, “The $1.7 trillion student loan debt crisis is a racial and economic justice issue disproportionately impacting Black communities across the nation.”

“We are calling on the Biden Administration to implement broad-based student loan debt cancellation by executive action. We are committed to working with the Administration to explore all options and we are requesting to meet with the President.”

Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty had requested a meeting with Biden.

Senior White House staff have reportedly been meeting with lawmakers, union leaders and civil rights groups Biden has contemplated

Digital

Continued from B1

increase its resources for analyzing and identifying digital discrimination, and specifically, to augment the capacity of the Enforcement Bureau, create an Office of Civil Rights, and suggest anti-discrimination legal schemes that may be valuable in interpreting the new law. FCC officials did not respond to a request for comment.

The task force includes the Communications Workers of America, National Action Network, National Consumer Law Center, National Hispanic Media Coalition, UnidosUS, and the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry.

Officials said the task force remains committed to “ensuring that all communities, especially the historically underserved, have access to affordable, reliable, high-quality advanced communications services.”

The letter determined that

Mortgage

Continued from B1 were delinquent; this equates to 3.4% and 9.1% of the sample of mortgages in these zip codes, respectively.

For borrowers who fell behind on payments during the pandemic, they can request to renegotiate the terms of their loans with lenders to help them get back on track with repayment. Many of the options available to borrowers are intended to reduce the burden of payments, a relief for strained household budgets.

Delivering loan modification support often requires overcoming a significant hurdle: Borrowers must reach

forgiving at least $10,000 per borrower but has declined to cancel individual debts of as much as $50,000. The White House also suggested forgiveness might be limited to individuals earning less than $125,000 a year.

Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, commented on Twitter that the plan does not address a meaningful amount of debt, especially for Black borrowers, who are typically burdened by more of it.

“Canceling $10,000 in student loan debt is like pouring a bucket of ice water on a forest fire,” he wrote, tagging Biden’s @POTUS Twitter account.

The CBC’s statement also addressed the plight of Black students and families.

Precious Berry, a junior at Riverview Gardens High, takes a picture with Rep. Cori Bush at Sumner High Monday, Mar. 14. Bush has joined other Congressional Black Caucus members in calling on President Biden to cancel all collegiate student debt.

“As representatives of more than 17 million Black Americans and 80 million Americans, the urgency of this moment requires we move with intention. In order to reduce the racial wealth gap and advance a just and equitable economic recovery for all, we must alleviate the burden of student debt.”

There is $1.76 trillion in student loan debt in the US, including $1.6 trillion in federal loans. The average federal student loan debt in the U.S. is currently $37,113 – an especially heavy load for Black students.

“This is a crisis created through policy decisions, and we have a responsibility to address it head-on. Canceling student loan debt is one of the most impactful ways to address ongoing economic and racial inequities plaguing our nation.”

“high-speed broadband has become an integral platform for education, employment, health care, economic development, civic participation, and communications with family and friends.”

“The lack of access to broadband internet service among communities of color, low-income households, and rural communities means that many vulnerable households are disproportionately excluded from full participation in our society and, thus, raises a critical equity and civil rights concern,” the group wrote.

Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act left the FCC tasked with several directives to combat digital discrimination and redlining.

Earlier this year, Rosenworcel announced the formation of a cross-agency task force focused on preventing digital discrimination.

Rosenworcel said the task force would oversee the development of model policies and best practices states and local

out to and work with their loan servicer to arrange new repayment plans. Whenever the onus is placed on the borrower, information asymmetry (for example, the borrower doesn’t know that the servicer can help them) can be a challenge. Additionally, discussing financial hardship and seeking assistance can be emotionally difficult.

governments can adopt that ensure ISPs do not engage in digital discrimination.

Further, the law dictated that those initiatives be completed by November 2023.

“The FCC should use the full panoply of its enforcement tools for the digital discrimination law,” Leadership Conference Task Force members wrote.

“The FCC may issue subpoenas, cease-and-desist letters, monetary forfeitures and enter into consent decrees.” The letter continued:

“The full Commission and the Enforcement Bureau may pursue these sanctions depending on existing authority.

“In considering and adopting its digital discrimination rules, the FCC should fully involve the Enforcement Bureau as a key player in the rule-creation process.

“The FCC should ensure that it lays out procedures and policies that will lead to maximum enforcement of the digital discrimination law.”

The same coalition of organizations that helped borrowers stay afloat during the worst of the pandemic (government, private sector, consumer advocacy groups and other organizations serving low- to moderate-income communities) can work together to reach consumers in need who are unaware of their options. In the longer term, addressing the housing affordability crisis could include increasing the supply of affordable housing in the region.

Failure to reach our distressed neighbors may mean loss of housing and wealth (in the form of home equity), as well as declining neighborhood property values. Locally, this means falling further behind on equity in measures of financial empowerment in the region. The greater likelihood of default among homeowners of color stands to echo the severe loss in housing wealth for Black and Hispanic homeowners during the collapse of the housing market and subsequent Great Recession (2007-09). Successfully navigating this critical time of transition, however, has the potential to restore the financial wholeness of St. Louisans and support equitable economic growth. Moving beyond stabilizing these borrowers, there’s an opportunity to reimagine how to build financial resilience more broadly among St. Louisans, perhaps through greater financial capacity to accumulate emergency savings Having such savings not only makes families more resilient in the face of future economic downturns, but also lets them invest in their futures: brighter, healthier futures worth striving for.

Lowell Ricketts is a data scientist at the Institute for Economic Equity at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The views

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Sports

JUNE 9 – 15, 2022

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

On the go!

Area boys track teams excel at state meet

St. Louis area girls’ teams lit up the track at the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Track and Field Championships May 28, 2022, in Jefferson City.

There were excellent performances from top St. Louis area boys as well. Here is a look at some highlights from the state meet.

Westminster wins first state title

Westminster Christian made history by winning the Class 3 state championship, the first for its boys’ program. The Wildcats joined the girls’ team in the state championship winner’s circle. Westminster scored 45 points to edge second-place Lutheran-St. Charles, which tallied 42. The Field event athletes led the way to the state title. Jacob Anderson won the triple jump and took home a fourth-place medal in the long jump. Anderson’s winning effort in the triple jump was 45 feet 4 1/2 inches.

The duo of Larry Minner and Sterling Webb were also big producers in throwing events. Minner finished third in the discus and fourth in the shot put, while Webb was second in the shot put and sixth in the discus.

On the track, sprinter Robert Hines finished second in the 100-meter dash.

Festus, MICDS bring home team trophies

MICDS finished fourth in the Class 4 state meet to bring home a team trophy for a second consecutive year. The Rams got first-place finishes from the 4x200- and 4x400-meter relay teams. The quartet of Winston Moore, Tony Nunn, Tristan Williams, and Novo Onovwerosuoke won the 4x200 in 1 minute 27.3 seconds and the 4x400 in 3:22.51. Onovwerosuoke also finished fourth in the 200-meter dash and third in the 400. Moore finished fifth in the 100 and Brandon MitchellDay finished third in the triple jump. Festus finished in third on the strength of distance runner Jacob Meyers, who swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. He won the 800 in 1 minute 54.46 seconds, the 1,600 in 4:16.09 and the 3,200 in 9:13.19. Meyers won a fourth state championship medal by joining

Nathan Wolk, Ian Schram, and Brycen Johnson to win the 4x800-meter relay in 7:57.39. Kalan Roberts-Day also took home a third-place medal in the shot put.

St. Mary’s sizzles

St. Mary’s took home two state-championship medals in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays. The team of Diamond Casseus, Farand Washington, Chase Hendricks and Jamal Roberts won the 4x100 in 42.55 seconds and the 4x200 in 1:28.76. Donovan McIntosh also finished third in the 400-meter dash. The Dragons also finished fifth in the 4x400.

• Braden Goellner of St. Charles West won the state title in the high jump with a clearance of 6 feet 11 inches.

• Jacob Miller of Maplewood won the state championship in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet 7 1/2 inches. Maplewood also finished second in the 4x400.

Class 5 Boys Highlights Standout sprinter Ryan Wingo of SLUH finished third in the 100 and 200. Wingo also anchored the Jr. Bills’ 4x200 to a second-place finish.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Inspiration and skill are the first gears for youths dreaming of a career in auto racing.

But the pair aren’t enough to make it. Money must play a role in a racer’s attempt to rise from kart racing to major tracks like World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill.

Bubba Wallace, who competes for the 23/XI racing team owned by driver Denny Hamlin and retired NBA superstar and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, knows that the course to big-time racing begins with the “very expensive” hobby of youth kart racing.

• Sprinter David Richard of Wentzville Liberty finished second in the 400 and fourth in the 200.

• Distance standout Chris Krasnoff of Ladue won the 3,200-meter run and finished third in the 1,600. His winning time in the 3,200 was 9:01.03.

• Hurdler Chase Vickery of Wentzville Liberty won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 39.1 seconds.

• Sullivan Gleason of Fort Zumwalt North won the pole vault for the second consecutive year after clearing 15 feet 6 1/2 inches.

• In the high jump, Amel Abdul-Mamin of Hazelwood West finished second. He also finished fourth in the long jump.

Edwardsville a worthy runner-up

The Edwardsville Tigers completed a tremendous spring season by finishing second at the IHSA Class 3 state meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. The Tigers finished with 30 points, topped only by state champion Batavia. Distance standout Ryan Watts won a pair of individual state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. The Tigers also got points in the long jump as Jordan Brooks finished fourth and Malik Allen finished in seventh place. Geordan Patrylak also finished in ninth place in the 1,600.

Summer hoops showcases

The summer team basketball shootout circuit got underway last weekend with the Hoops and Beyond Summer Showcase at Webster Groves. Hoops and Beyond features many of the top high school programs in the state. In addition to top quality basketball, young players learn life skills from experts on financial literacy, mental health, and career preparation.

Former Webster Groves standouts Rayshawn Simmons and Kendall Shell do a wonderful job with the Hoops and Beyond organization in putting on this prime-time event.

On the court, the basketball was of top quality. The field featured three state championship teams from the 2022 season in CBC (Class 6), Webster Groves (Class 5) and Charleston (Class 3). Father Tolton from Columbia was the Class 4 state runner-up and Staley from the Kansas City area was a Class 6 Final Four participant. Staley took home the tournament championship with a 72-61 victory over Charleston.

Bubba Wallace backs young, Black aspiring driver

Unaeze said Wallace is an inspiration for his wanting to race, adding that “I have to race.”

“It has been my dream since I was a little kid,” said the 12-year-old Unaeze. Wallace said he got his start at 9 years old on the kart racing level.

A. Reid

Karting is road racing in open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter karts.

Wallace joined David Steward II, founder of The Lion Forge, a St. Louis-based, transmedia studio, in announcing an $8,000 Raceway Gives Ignite Series scholarship for Josiah Unaeze to begin his karting career.

“You have to start young,” Wallace said.

“That’s why having a scholarship like this is great.”

“My kart did not look as cool as this one,” he said.

Steward II said he and his father, WWT Chair and Founder David Steward, were determined to bring a NASCAR Cup event to the St. Louis area.

“We want to see great racing, and we want to foster a new generation. We want to see more diversity in racing.”

Wallace said his climb to success involves “great sponsors,” including the Stewards and WWT, which was his lead sponsor during the years he drove with the Richard Petty Motorsports team.

“David Steward was the first person to tell me, “We are getting a cup race at Gateway.”

“To see his dream come full circle [with the Enjoy Illinois 300] is great.”

by Chase Elliott in an accident caused by Ross Chastain during the second of third race stages.

Wallace won the 2021 Talladega Superspeedway Fall race, becoming the second Black driver to win in a NASCAR Cup Series race.

“We’re getting there,” he said of the season before Sunday’s race.

“The car is really fast. We’re going to hopefully redeem ourselves.”

Wallace reminded Unaeze and a gathering of Black youths representing schools and organizations from throughout the region that in racing “you lose more than you win.”

“You have to learn how to deal with that.”

Wallace has won an event on the track he will compete on this weekend. He triumphed in the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

The Reid Roundup

The track’s name was changed in 2020 after World Wide Technology acquired naming rights for the track. Wallace, who finished second in the Daytona 500 in February, said he is not dis-

couraged that he has not captured his first checkered flag of the 2022 season. The streak now includes a 26th-place finish in the Enjoy Illinois 300. In fact, he was in decent shape until he was spun out

He said he didn’t have a favorite driver he followed as a youth, adding that he now “looks up to Lewis Hamilton, the champion Formula 1 racer.”

“His performance is very empowering,” Wallace said.

And he also said with a smile that he speaks with Jordan “about once a week.”

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics split the first two NBA Finals games with the Golden State Warriors, but now have home court advantage. Tatum scored just 12 points in his team’s opening game 120-108 come-frombehind victory. He bounced back in a big way with 28 points and three assists in the Celtics’ 107-88 blowout loss. Game three is set for tonight (June 9, 2022) in Boston… Dave Roberts, a Black ESPN executive in charge of its NBA Finals coverage and studio programming, told CNBC this week “The time for excuses on why you can’t diversify your workforce and put African Americans and other persons of color in decision-making roles must end. There can’t be any more excuses.”…Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane one of the NHL’s players of color, received a one game suspension for checking Colorado Rockies center Nazem Kadri into the boards and injuring him. Yes, this is the same Kadri whose questionable impact with Blues goalie Jordan Binnington ended the netminder’s season.

Alvin

Earl Austin Jr.

MICDS boys won the Class 4 4x200-meter relay at state with a winning time of 1:27.30 Saturday, May 28, at Jefferson City High School.

– Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty on five Tampa Bay pitchers’ objection to Pride Night patch

12-year-old kart driver Josiah Unaeze stands with David Steward II, NASCAR 23XI team driver Bubba Wallace and World Wide Technology Raceway owner Curtis Francois on June 3, 2022, at World Wide Technology Raceway after the unveiling of Unaeze’s new kart. The youth driver also received an $8,000 scholarship to help launch his driving career in the Raceway Gives Ignite Series.

Photo courtesy of WWT

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

LeBron James joins elite group of Black billionaires

As an 18-time NBA all-star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time NBA champion, LeBron James is the first active NBA player to be a billionaire. According to Forbes, the 37-year old NBA star has officially entered the billionaires list with a net worth estimated at $1.2 billion.

Off the court, James has earned more than $900 million from endorsements and business ventures, as well as through his ownership of several multimillion-dollar estates in Ohio and Los Angeles, according to Forbes. Part of his wealth can be attributed to his endorsements with companies like Haines, Nike, Gatorade, AT&T, Pepsi and WalMart. And his investment in the Charlotte Hornets team can be added. His production company SpringHill Co., which Forbes estimates to be worth around $300 million, produced the 2021 hit movie Space Jam: A New Legacy, which starred James and earned roughly $163 million at the box office. James is also a part owner of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, and Liverpool F.C., among others.

Other U.S. Black billionaires of note include St. Louis’ own David Steward, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Tyler Perry and Rihanna.

According to Forbes, the 37-year old LeBron James has officially entered the billionaires list with a net worth estimated at $1.2 billion.

St. Louis-based Enterprise expands to Virgin Islands, Morocco, Bahamas

three new markets will feature car rental options from the Enterprise RentA-Car National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. In the U.S. Virgin Islands,

the company plans to open locations and provide service on the three main islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, beginning with the buildout of a location at the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, the

largest international airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Expansion plans in the Bahamas include an initial location at the Lynden Pindling International Airport and one additional branch

in Nassau. Another location will be added at the Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport at a later date. In Morocco, plans include downtown locations in both Marrakech and Casablanca along with a presence at major airports. With a presence in more than 90 countries and territories, Enterprise Holdings employs 75,000-plus global team members.

County Library to be recipient of highest museum and library honor

Institute of Museum and Library Services announced that St. Louis County Library is one of six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and

exceptional contributions to their communities. Over the past 28 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for people and communities. Throughout the pandemic, St. Louis County Library (SLCL) has worked with a

variety of community partners to provide critical resources to the region. Efforts included using branch parking lots to distribute over 2 million drive-thru meals with Operation Food Search, providing emergency diapers and period supply kits from

the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, and issuing thousands of Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots to area students to assist with virtual learning, as well as providing GrandPad tablets to help older adults access technology and stay connected through the Digital

Equity Initiative. SLCL teamed up with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to offer free masks, COVID19 testing, and weekly vaccine clinics at multiple branches. Additionally, SLCL partnered with several justice-involved organizations to provide a Tap In Center at the Florissant Valley Branch for individuals to receive legal assistance and connect with local support services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award will be presented at a ceremony next month in Washington, DC.

The King is back!

Standing ovation, rejoicing applause roar out for Lion King

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

Actors costumed as wild animals wearing costumes and masks represented what could be found on the African savanna. The interactive ensemble marched down the aisles of The Fabulous Fox Theatre last on June 2, 2022, for “The Lion King,” a musical touring show.

Guests who arrived late missed the haunting and beautiful opening number of Rafiki’s (South African actress Gugwana Dlamini) unforgettable chant of “Circle of Life” with “Nants’ Ingonyama.” It is strongly recommended to arrive early.

Late comers are required to wait in the lobby for at least 15 minutes because the actors’ grand entrance requires movement up and down the aisles.

The classic Disney film premiered in 1994, and the musical stays true to the storyline. Adults have the same nostalgic feelings and emotions as they did as youths when the movie was released.

The obvious difference is that the film has been adapted into a musical, thanks to its Broadway debut in 1997. It is the third longest-running show in Broadway history.

The stage design by Richard Hudson was eyecatching the moment the curtains opened. The scenic oasis backdrops of the Motherland include mesmerizing hues of orange and bronze. You almost forget you’re inside one of St. Louis’ most visited venues and not on a grassy brown wetland of Africa.

Don’t assume the production is strictly for youths due to the animal puppetry designed by Michael Curry. Adults can still fall in love with the presentation. Zazu, the obnoxious but caring hornbill, played by Jürgen Hooper, was excellent at staying true to his character’s quirky and loud essence while doing puppetry.

Best friends Timon (Nick Cordileone) and Pumbaa (John E. Brady) were also brilliant puppet masters, starring as a witty meerkat and a greedy

Ledisi sings the Blues

Nina Simone tribute with SLSO receives stellar reviews

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Ledisi’s return to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Powell Hall for her “Ledisi Sings Nina,” tribute received rave reviews last Friday.

The New Orleans-born, Oakland-raised songstress, with vocal training in jazz and classical music, did the late singer, pianist, and activists’ music impressive justice. She incorporated elements of sound from her trained studies with R&B, and what she called “Oakland swag with a New Orleans beat.”

The orchestra, led by Conductor Kevin McBeth, blended perfectly with her band. Together with her robust vocal prowess, Ledisi created a moving performance of Simone’s hits during the Civil Rights era. She opened her highly-anticipated show with Simone’s hopeful emancipation anthem, “Feeling Good.”

Ledisi’s first appearance with SLSO was in 2019, and St. Louis was one of four cities to get a taste of her Simone tribute. Her Grammynominated album, “Ledisi Sings Nina,” was released last year. To her surprise, she found audiences weren’t too enthused with her Nina honors, they preferred hearing her songs.

warthog with unlimited jokes and always on board for an adventure.

Hyena trio Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, played by Martina Skyes, Forest Vandyke, and Robbie Swift, were the comic relief the audience needed in a layered storyline full of life lessons and lots to think about.

Jordan Pendleton shines as the production’s eager lion Simba, who’s on a self-discovering

journey of figuring out his place in the jungle. His interactions with his father, Mufasa (Gerald Ramsey), are heartwarming. He displayed his admiration for wanting to be just like his father and aspiring to be King of the Pride Lands.

Ramsey was amazing, showing his concern and love for his young son’s well-being while still being firm in his expectations.

Antagonist Scar, the envious and villainous

formance Friday, June 3 at Powell Symphony

blaring strings and horns arrangement.

She shared that her mother introduced her to Simone’s music. She said her mother woke the household by blasting “Mississippi Goddamn,” while banging a frying pan to alert everyone to wake up.

However, it wasn’t until Ledisi said she was in her 20s and paying bills that she grew to love Simone’s music. She recalled hearing a particular song stopped her from wanting to commit suicide.

“I remember sitting in a rocking chair on my porch, I was in my mid-20s going through a divorce,” she said.

“I heard one of her songs on the radio and it snapped me out of wanting to commit suicide that day.”

understandably transitioned to “Trouble In My Mind.”

Simone was known for her politically charged songs, but is also remembered for her femininity and sensuality.

Ledisi said it’s important for Black people to see the balance between standing up for what you believe and being in tune with your sensuality.

She showcased her range and versatility on the somber, partially French, “Ne Me Quitte Pas.”

She identified herself with what she said was Simone’s longing to want to be loved and accepted. Her husband, Ronald T. Young, received a shoutout as she professed her love to him in her song, “All The Way.”

“When I was last here [in 2019], there were maybe 200 people or less and they were fussing,” she said. “What is she doing?” ‘I wanna hear my song [“Pieces of Me,”], what’s wrong with her?’” Her transition of “My Baby Just Cares For Me,” smoothly flowed with the symphony’s See Ledisi, C8

After being transparent about the mental challenges she faced at that point in her life she

uncle of Simba and Mufasa’s brother (Spencer Plachy) was the star of the production we love to hate. He was everything we hope a villain can be; manipulative, quick-thinking, and suspicious. Spoiler alert: He especially stood out in his manipulation ploy to make Simba believe he was responsible for his late father’s demise,

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

“Some people say they won’t make it, so they’ll just do basic things because it’s comfortable,” Brandra Ringo, EVP of A&R, Quality Control Music, said. “I want to make sure I provide opportunities in St. Louis for

Ringo, a St. Louis native, and Hazelwood Central High School alum, has joined forces with Simone Mitchell, Quality Control Music president, to launch the Black Girls Behind Music (BGBM) program. BGBM is a free ninemonth program that will run concurrently with the 2022-2023 academic year. The program exposes and teaches Black girls and women from

See Lion King, C8

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat

Photo by Joan Marcus

Gugwana Dlamini as Rafiki ©Disney.

See Ringo, C8

Ledisi joins St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for her “Ledisi Sings Nina,” tribute per-

Hall.

Brandra Ringo

Grill to Glory Community Cookout

June 16, 2022 11AM to 3PM |Aubert Avenue & Page

Grill to Glory kicks off its 2022 season on June 18, 2022 with neighborhood cookouts every Saturday Join us for the official kickoff block party on the parking lot directly across from the Urban League's Regional Headquarters at 1408 North Kingshighway There will be food, music, and fun for the entire family! Free hot dogs while they last!

Through Grill to Glory, neighborhood churches host cookouts Saturday mornings from 11 A M to 1 P M Churches fellowship with neighborhood residents to build relationships and trust and assess family needs The Urban League provides strategic resources to help address identified needs Participating Grill to Glory churches can pick up their grills, yard signs and hot dogs during this event For information contact: Michelle Langston, MLangston@UrbanLeague-stl.org or call (314) 337-3683.

Are You Summer Ready? Wellness Campaign

Community Health Navigators in Your Neighborhood

Are you summer ready? COVID-19 is not done with us yet! Don't let illness ruin your summer Get educated, get vaccinated, and be sure to get your boosters if you are eligible Watch for our Community Health Navigators on your block and get the info you need to be safe No insurance? No worries! The Urban League has partnered with People's Health Centers and Visionary Vaccines to provide FREE vaccinations Our health navigators will hook you up and even help you get to your appointment It's your summer, enjoy it!

Stop by one of our pop up vaccination clinics sponsored by the City of St Louis Division of Recreation Pediatric vaccinations available, too!

Wednesday, une 22nd

Wohl Recreation Center 1515 N Kingshighway Blvd STL 63113

Wednesday, une 29th

Cherokee Recreation Center 3200 S Jefferson Blvd STL 63118

Wednesday, une 29th

Gamble Recreation Center 2907 Gamble Street STL 63106

Meet us Every Wednesday 11 A M to 3 P M on the block at Northwest High School! 5140 Riverview Drive, 63120

Music! Food! Games! Prizes ! Vaccines and more!

June’s Day of Justice

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Missouri Historical Society

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived at Galveston Island, Texas, to enforce Order 3, the immediate emancipation of all 250,000 enslaved people in the state. Texas enslavers had suppressed news of the Emancipation Proclamation for more than two years. But now enslavement was legally ended throughout all former slave states.

One year after Granger’s announcement, Galveston’s Black citizens gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of their freedom—a courageous act in a state where approximately 400 Black people were murdered between 1865 and 1868. Despite white violence and Jim Crow laws, Juneteenth—shorthand for “June nineteenth”—quickly became an annual Black holiday throughout Texas. Juneteenth celebrations typically featured reunions, barbecue, new clothes, and, eventually, strawberry soda pop. Heritage, education, and solidarity were the real focus, however, with lectures, tableaus, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Formerly enslaved people were often guests of honor.

Black people who left Texas during the Great Migration and the Great Depression took the holiday with them. But cities didn’t have enough space for large gatherings, and employers refused to grant a special holiday. The threats of lynching, white terrorism, and police harassment were omnipresent. From the 1920s through the 1960s, the focus was on integration and civil rights, and Juneteenth participation dwindled outside of Texas. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 led to renewed national interest in Juneteenth. King’s widow, along with fellow activist Dr. Ralph Abernathy, proceeded with his plans for the Poor People’s Campaign and encampment on the Mall in Washington, DC. Their goals were economic prosperity and human rights for workers of all races. But due to tension and demoralization among leaders and participants—particularly after the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy, a prominent supporter—the organizers ended the campaign

early with a rally on June 19, a traditional day of remembrance and recommitment to action for Black rights.

At the Solidarity Day Rally for Jobs, Peace, and Freedom on June 19, 1968, Coretta Scott King urged the crowd of 50,000 people—many wearing Juneteenth buttons—that “racism, poverty, and war” had worsened the quality of life for all Americans. It was an energizing rally and uplifting message. But over the next few days, police violently broke up the camp, leading to mass arrests, a citywide state of emergency, and overwhelmingly negative coverage of the Poor People’s Campaign. Undeterred, participants took the values of Solidarity Day home with them. After decades of advocacy, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Local Juneteenth events are a tribute to enslaved Missourians, who were emancipated on January 11, 1865, and an opportunity to celebrate freedom and advocate for change in St. Louis.

The Missouri History Museum will celebrate Juneteenth with a series of programs starting on Thursday evening, June 16. At 6:30pm, Bill Doggett will present a multimedia keynote address about the life of his father, Reverend Dr. John N. Doggett Jr., a beloved and critical leader who worked tirelessly for civil rights, human rights, and social justice, both locally and nationally. Before and after the address, the Community Gospel

Choir of St. Louis will perform live gospel music. For the complete schedule, visit mohistory.org/events. Support for this educational program was provided by Ameren Missouri, presenting sponsor. For families with children ages 10 and under, the Summer Family Fun Series on Friday, June 17, features a Juneteenththemed storytelling at 10:30am and craft workshop from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

On Saturday, June 18, join Trailnet, 4 The Ville, and the Missouri Historical Society for a group bicycle ride with live performances from area musicians, as well as stories of the city’s history. Visit mohistory. org/events/2022-juneteenthcommunity-ride for details.

On Wednesday, June 22, Just Breathe STL returns to the Museum. This four-week intergenerational summer wellness series is presented in collaboration with The Collective STL and takes place on the north lawn from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Come for an all-levels outdoor yoga class, followed by activity stations such as mindful art and journaling, healthy snacks, and a surprise lineup of live musicians and DJs who will close out each evening with high-energy music. Chairs will be provided for those participants who feel most comfortable doing yoga while seated. Guests are asked to bring their own yoga mats, towels, or blankets. Advance registration is recommended through The Collective STL’s free app.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Saint Louis Art Museum

Delyn Stephenson, 2021 –2022 Romare Bearden Graduate Fellow & Shaka Myrick, 2021-2023 Romare Bearden Graduate Fellow

The Saint Louis Art Museum will join the national celebration of Juneteenth with a scavenger hunt in the galleries and a free virtual event, Art Speaks: But You See Me, on June 16th at noon via Zoom. Please pre-register at slam. org. Information about the Scavenger Hunt is available at the welcome desk at both museum entrances.

Art Speaks: But You See Me is presented by Shaka Myrick, the museum’s 2021–2023 inaugural two-year Romare Bearden Graduate Fellow. The Romare Bearden Fellowship at the Saint Louis Art Museum is nationally renowned as one of the oldest and most robust museum programs in the country dedicated to increasing diversity among professional staff in the museum field. Established in 1991 with the goal of building a pool of outstanding and talented museum professionals.

In celebration of Juneteenth, Shaka will explore the history of visibility of Black Americans in art. The talk will feature Study for Frankenstein #1 (Study #1) by Glen Ligon, currently on view in Gallery 248. She will also discuss Sam Gilliam’s Half Circle Red, a part of the Thelma and Bert Ollie Memorial Collection, which was given to the museum in 2017 by the late Ronald and Monique Ollie. The painting is on view in Gallery 258.

This special Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt highlights the African American art collection at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Created by Delyn Stephenson, the 2021–2022 Romare Bearden Fellow, in collaboration with museum

Jungle Boogie

is back. It’s music to our ears.

educators, the hunt will take you on a journey through the galleries dedicated to contemporary art and American art while featuring works by artists like Kerry James Marshall and Jacob Lawrence, and a recent acquisition by artist Helen LaFrance. Taking visitors throughout the Museum, the scavenger hunt celebrates the richness of African American art in the Museum’s collection.

Columnist

Delyn Stephenson

Shaka Myrick

Juneteenth at the Missouri History

Urban League partnering with Bill Winston Ministries

St. Louis American staff

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. is co-hosting a pair of community food distribution and empowerment events on Saturday, June 11, 2022, in partnership with Greatness Unlocked: a Ten City Tour, founded by ministry leader Dr. Bill Winston, senior pastor of the Chicago-based Living Word Christian Center. The community events, featuring food and clothing distribution, will set the stage for an inspirational tour in St. Louis June 15-18, 2022. St. Louis is the first stop on the tour, which is themed “Greatness Unlocked: Your Journey Starts Now!” The tour will feature a job fair and business expo, a gathering at Wohl Recreation Center hosted by state Sen.

Karla May, inspirational speakers, a pitch competition, and youth programs.

“We are so proud to partner with Bill Winston Ministries and Living Word Church on this opportunity to enrich, inspire, and empower people in the greater St. Louis metro area,” said Michael P. McMillan, Urban League president and CEO.

“Their mission of inspiring people to lead fulfilling, purposeful, and focused lives aligns perfectly with our focus on empowerment and giving back to the community.”

Winston said the tour’s goal is to bring economic restoration and prosperity to the City of St. Louis and close the wealth gap in Black and brown communities.

Winston served for six years as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and earned The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal for per-

God provides our armor in dangerous times

With everything going on in our world today, my question to you is this: How does one put on the full armor of God during the ongoing pandemic, the continuation of overt racism, state-sanctioned discrimination, and mass murder?

The bible says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes,” Ephesians 6:11. This passage may not tell you how to put on the armor, but it certainly lets you know why you need it. That’s kind of why I pose the question.

I wish I could say most of this is original, but it’s not. I’m paraphrasing most of it, but I think it’s important to understand when people talk about warfare, Satan’s power in the physical world or just plain battling against sin, this is what they’re talking about. Spiritual warfare, as my bible says (for believers), is fought in the mind, in the emotions and in the will. It is in these areas that we do battle, and most times we think we’re struggling with ourselves and our own weaknesses – of flesh and blood, discipline and integrity, and pride

and envy. We’re really struggling against “the devil’s schemes.” Let’s not overlook or be complacent about where a lot of this is coming from. In these intense times, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that Satan and his forces have already been defeated and to a considerable extent disarmed. We give him power when we forget this simple little fact. Our emotions take over and, in a state of complete exasperation, judgement gets clouded, and actions happen in the spur of a moment.

I’ve said on many occasions that the fight is fixed in our favor, but we do have to go through the mental reality of this to maintain control and think ourselves into the solutions we

Visit one of our Ys on Thursdays to enjoy all the benefits of being a member for the day FOR FREE! Join a group fitness class, take a splash in the pool, shoot some hoops or check out the fitness center’s top-of-the-line equipment.

formance in combat, and the Squadron Top Gun Award. After completing his military service, Winston joined the IBM Corporation as a marketing representative. Before he resigned in 1985 to enter full-time ministry, he was a regional marketing manager in IBM’s Midwest Region.

Living Word Christian Center is a multi-cultural, non-denominational church with more than 20,000 members located in Forest Park, Illinois.

The church has a broad range of ministries and related entities.

Winston is also the founder of Bill Winston Ministries (BWM), a partnership-based outreach ministry. Through BWM, he hosts the Believer’s Walk of Faith television and radio broadcast which reaches more than 800 million households nationwide and overseas.

so desperately need to navigate what some believers term a temporary existence called “life.” ere is something that sums it up well straight out of my bible: How do we put on spiritual armor?

We do so by daily absorbing scripture as truth, living in obedience to God, sharing the gospel and trusting Christ. That’s how to put armor on, study the Word, live according to biblical principles, and believe that we live in a place infused with Jesus’ protection. That knowledge will protect us as we come under spiritual attack. It doesn’t protect us from spiritual attack, but it does it makes us less vulnerable, less susceptible to the ‘devil’s schemes,’ i.e., better able to handle what comes at us.

You see, in this world Satan is free to tempt, deceive and entice, but he has no authority over you. My bible says that when we overcome temptation in the spiritual sense, we play out the victory in the physical world.

The ministry owns and operates two shopping malls and Golden Eagle Aviation, a fixed-based operation located on historic Moton Field in Tuskegee,

We win emotionally. We win physically. Pure and simple, we win. The point here is you’ve got to recognize that a lot of what you’re going through is the direct result of coming under attack, and not because of some great flaw within you. Success, or better yet victory, necessitates controlling the mind game. When you put on the armor of which I speak you know this. It’s like knowing that it’s going to rain and taking an umbrella. But you must pay attention to the signs of severe weather to be prepared. You can’t be prepared for the devil properly unless you know Jesus Christ personally. He is your and my umbrella. And please don’t take my word for it. Just read the bible. The streets are dangerous. Please be safe and aware of who you are and who’s coming at you. Protect yourself. May God bless and keep you always.

Spiritually Speaking

Columnist James Washington

Dr. Bill Winston

SENIOR LIABILITY CLAIMS MANAGER

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the liability lines of business such as Automobile Liability, General Liability, Employers Liability, Public Entity (Professional Liability), Cyber, Excess, Umbrella, and Construction Liability. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Good Shepherd Children and Family Services is seeking a Family Development Specialist to recruit, train, license, and support foster parents. For more information, please visit: https://goodshepherdstl.org/ employment-opportunities.

ACCOUNTING CLERK

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Accounting Clerk Advanced $ $65,038 - 69,779 DOQ . To apply go to https:// richmondheights.applicantpro. com/jobs/ . Applications will be accepted from May 26, 2022 until June 10, 2022.

TEACHERS AND TEACHERS’ ASSISTANTS

St. Louis Catholic Academy is a faith-filled, K-8 school, located in the Penrose neighborhood of North Saint Louis. We’re a vibrant, urban community committed to partnering with families and ensuring each student’s success. Our school offers students a “family feel” and wrap-around support to help our students thrive through high school and beyond.

St. Louis Catholic Academy is currently looking to hire teachers and teachers’ assistants, interested in helping our students grow academically and walk more closely with Jesus. Our open positions include a STEM teacher, a fifth-grade teacher, a special education teacher, a math teacher, a English Language Arts teacher, a learning consultant, and teacher’s assistants. We seek Christian teachers interested in sharing the gospel message, but our staff does not need to be Catholic. We invite you to learn more about our school and consider being part of our team! Please email cover letter and resume to Kristi Mantych at kristimantych@archstlorg

AVP DATA ANALYTICS

Leads a team of data scientists and analysts to design, develop, implement, and evaluate standards, practices, tools, techniques, and capabilities to facilitate solutions for specific business analytics needs across the enterprise. This position reports to the, VP of Data Analytics & ERM/Chief Data Analytics Officer. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

COORDINATOR –ACCOUNT SERVICES – INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Mid-level non-exempt position responsible for providing client/customer support for the department’s Excess Workers’ Compensation operational functions. Performs a variety of routine and non-routine tasks for our business and in the issuance of our insurance policies. Work performed adheres to established process procedures, guidelines and customer standards set by the organization.

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

Experienced professional position that contributes to the accomplishment of I.S. practices and objectives that will achieve business goals and objectives. Responsible for building and maintaining a stable and secure infrastructure, providing Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support of end users using both Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and internally-developed applications and administering Windows servers. Primary application support focus will be Data Systems applications, including Power BI Service, Qlik Data Integration, and Erwin Data Modeler.

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

Mid-level non-exempt position responsible for providing client/customer support for the department’s Large Casualty operational functions. Performs a variety of routine and non-routine tasks for our business and in the issuance of our insurance policies. Work performed adheres to established process procedures, guidelines and customer standards set by the organization. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

SALESFORCE PRODUCT MANAGER

Manager level professional position, which manages to the accomplishment of I.S. practices, and objectives that will achieve business goals and objectives. Supervises and directs one or more teams of developers and QA analysts. Manages, leads, and serves as a mentor for others within Development. Demonstrates advanced working knowledge and concepts of software development.To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational. com/careers-page/

M2125-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 30, 2022. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Sealed Proposals for B22-1214

Facilities Management Services will be received at Lincoln University Purchasing Dept 1002 Chestnut St, RM 101 Shipping & Receiving Bldg, JCMO 65101 until 2PM CT on 23June2022. Download Proposal Request at http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/ purchasing/bids

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC, BAS, and Domestic Hot Water System, H

n Center, Project No. M1909-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 6/2/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR QUOTE – RD22-05 LASALLE PARK SITE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) seeks quotes to perform the following project:

The General Scope of Work for this project will consist of the procurement and installation of all required network infrastructure, recording systems, cameras, and applicable software for a contractor designed, fifteen (15) station, site security camera system to be provided for the use of the St. Louis Housing Authority and its designated agents. See RFQ for additional details.

Quotation information is available at https:// www.slha.org/partner-with-slha/ on June 6, 2022.

Pre-Quotation Meeting is June 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM (CST) at 1001 Hickory, Saint Louis, MO 63104.

Sealed quotations are due July 7, 2022 at 3:00 PM (CST) via QuestCDN or delivered to SLHA at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106.

Alana Green

Executive Director/Contracting Officer

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

AGING MASTERY PROGRAM® (AMP) –FREE PROGRAM

Wednesdays, June 15–August 17, 1–3 p.m. (10 sessions)

Location: Christ Our Redeemer, 13820 Old Jamestown Road, Black Jack, MO 63033

In this free 10-week program, you will build your own personal playbook for aging well. The Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) was developed by the National Council on Aging. AMP incorporates evidence-informed materials, expert speakers, group discussion, and peer support to support health and longevity. Guest speakers will discuss topics on healthy eating, falls prevention, physical activity, healthy relationships, advanced planning, financial fitness, online safety, sleep hygiene, medication management, community engagement and more. Meet new friends and provide encouragement to one another as you take the Aging Mastery journey together! Call 314-862-4859 ext. 24 for more information.

SOLICITING BIDS

Sisters of Lavender Rose is soliciting bids from food service vendors. Bids are for service in the Saint Louis Area (i.e., Hazelwood, Ferguson Florissant). We are looking for providers to serve CACFP compliant meals for suppers and snacks. The days of operation are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; with additional meals for Saturday and Sunday to be served on Fridays as well. The contract will be for one year with the possibility of renewal. All contracts are subject to review by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. To obtain a bid packet contact; Sisters of Lavender Rose; Telephone: (314)885-0805; sistersoflavenderrose@gmail.com Upon contact Sisters of Lavender Rose will provide a physical address to pick up the bid packet. The deadline for bid submission WIll be Tuesday, June 21 2022 at 11:59p. A public bid opening will take place at 10786 Indian Head Industrial Blvd on Friday , June 24, 2022 at 10:30a.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The Dome at America’s Center is seeking bids from qualified companies to install four VFDs; four (4) 60-HP motors; BAS interface and automation on existing cooling towers. Interested bidders must attend a pre-bid on-site walk-thru of project completed by Thursday, June 30th, 2022. Contact bsmith@ explorestlouis.com. Quotes due, July 11, 2022,. The facility reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. EOE.

NOTICE REGARDING TREATMENT

COURT

COMMISSIONER VACANCY TO ALL ATTORNEYS RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

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

The Circuit Judges will make the appointment for a term of (4) years, at an annual salary of an associate circuit judge, payable by the State of Missouri, pursuant to RSMo §478.003.

Missouri law requires the Treatment Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as an associate circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, at least twenty-five years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See RSMo Chapter 478).

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

Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov on or before June 30, 2022.

The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the Circuit Judges en banc on or about July 13, 2022. 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.

BID NOTICE

The Ryan Company is requesting Certified MBE, WBE, SDVE Diverse Suppliers to contact us to bid work for the Missouri University of Science and Technology Substation Relocation Project located in Rolla MO. This includes, Site Civil, Foundations, Boring and Paving You may contact Rick Welch at 508-742-2512 or

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Assessment Books or Records, containing the assessments of taxable property in the City of St. Louis for the year 2022, are open for inspection in the Assessor’s Office, Room 114, City Hall. The 2022 values can also be viewed at https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/data/address-search/.

The Board of Equalization will meet beginning on July 5, 2022, during regular business hours, and will remain in session pursuant to State Law. Any person may appeal the assessment of their property by emailing appeal@stlouis-mo.gov or writing to the Board of Equalization, 1200 Market St., Room 120, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Any appeal to the Board of Equalization is required to be filed in the Office of the Assessor on or before July 11, 2022.

Michael R. Dauphin City of St. Louis Assessor

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Financial Investment and Advisory Services City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office www.stltreasurer.org/ request-for-proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking bids for Mississippi Greenway: Arch Security Upgrades. Go to www.greatriversgreenwy.org/ jobs-bids to apply by July 1, 2022.

PUBLIC NOTICE

St. Louis Oasis Wellness Recovery Action Program (WRAP) –FREE program

Tuesdays, June 7–July 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (6 sessions)

Location: Christ Our Redeemer, 13820 Old Jamestown Road, Black Jack, MO 63033

WRAP® for Healthy Aging is a free program that anyone can use to feel less isolated and more in control of their life. Participants meet in a small group setting that problem-solves together and creates individualized action plans for improved well-being, physical health, and quality of life! Call 314-862-4859 ext. 24 for more information.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St. LouiS american

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: KING’S HILL located at 4914 Daggett Ave.

PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the Demolition, Roofing, Windows, and Elevators ONLY for KING’S HILL located on 4914 Daggett Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. The project consists of an existing building where we will be renovating the core/shell for tenant improvements. Access to documents is available from our SmartBid link. If you do not received a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com.

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON JULY 7th, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

Send all questions to Kory Kostecki (kKostecki@paric.com).

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise:

• 21% African American

•

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Altman-Charter Co., requests subcontractor/ supplier proposals on all scopes of work for The New Broadview. This is the Renovation of an existing building into 110 Affordable Senior Apartments and related common area spaces. This project is located at 5 Broadway, East St. Louis, IL 62201. Proposals are due at the office of Altman-Charter Co., 315 Consort Dr., St. Louis, MO 63011 on or before Thur., June 30, 2022, at 3:00 PM (CT). Qualified Minority, Section 3, and Women owned businesses are encouraged to submit proposals. Plans can be viewed at FW Dodge, Construct Connect, SIBA, MOKAN, Cross Rhodes Reprographics, and the Altman-Charter plan room in St. Louis. Bidders should contact Mr. Greg Mehrmann with any questions or to submit a proposal at gregm@altman-charter. com or bids@altman-charter.com . Our telephone # is (636) 207-8670, and our fax # is (636) 207-8671. There will be a Pre-Bid Meeting on June 15, 2022, from 9-11am at the SIUE East St. Louis Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd – Building D (Multi-Purpose Room), East St. Louis, IL 62201.

DOOR & GATE SERVICES II AND FENCING SERVICES II RFPS 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified trades to submit proposals for Door & Gate Services II RFP 2022 and Fencing Services II RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of June 8, 2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Lackland Road Culvert C-2-116 and Lackland Road

Resurfacing, St. Louis County Project Nos. AR-1714 & AR-1841, will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 p.m. on July 6, 2022.

Plans and specifications will be available on June 6, 2022 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

ASSURANCE SERVICES AND TAX CONSULTING RFP 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Assurance Services and Tax Consulting RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of 6/8/2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Altman-Charter Co., requests subcontractor proposals specifically on the Elevator, Masonry and Plumbing scopes of work for The New Broadview. This is the Renovation of an existing building into 110 Affordable Senior Apartments and related common area spaces. This project is located at 5 Broadway, East St. Louis, IL 62201. Proposals are due at the office of AltmanCharter Co., 315 Consort Dr., St. Louis, MO 63011 on or before Thur., June 30, 2022, at 3:00 PM (CT). Qualified Minority, Section 3, and Women owned businesses are encouraged to submit proposals. Plans can be viewed at FW Dodge, Construct Connect, SIBA, MOKAN, Cross Rhodes Reprographics, and the Altman-Charter plan room in St. Louis. Bidders should contact Mr. Greg Mehrmann with any questions or to submit a proposal at gregm@altman-charter. com or bids@altman-charter.com . Our telephone # is (636) 207-8670, and our fax # is (636) 207-8671. There will be a Pre-Bid Meeting on June 15, 2022, from 9-11am at the SIUE East St. Louis Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd – Building D (Multi-Purpose Room), East St. Louis, IL 62201.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 22 404, Forest Park Deferred Maintenance at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park Campus, until 2:00 p.m. local time Tuesday June 21, 2022. 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.

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JULY 12, 2022, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https:// www.bidexpress.com/businesses/20618/home. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www. stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

An optional pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held onsite, at Round Lake, 5202 Grand Dr. in Forest Park, St. louis, MO 63110, on June 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

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

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

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JULY 12, 2022, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/home. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held June 23, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in Room 305 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

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

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

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT

SCHOOL DISTRICT

BERKELEY INTERCOM SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

Sealed bids for the above project are being requested from the FFSD and will be received and publicly opened on Friday, June 17, 2022 @ 1:15 pm CST at the Operation and Maintenance Dept. located at 8855 Dunn Rd. (REAR) Hazelwood, MO 63042. Pre bid meeting Monday, June 13th @ 9am @ 8300 Frost ave. Ferguson, MO 63135. Bid specs must be obtained at http://new.fergflor.k12.mo.us/ facilities-rfq. Contact Matt Furfaro at mfurfaro@fergflor. org for further information/ questions.

Drawings, Specifications, bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained at ePlan. The documents will also be at The Buil ders Association and at the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council. Electronic bid sets are available and may be printed by the plan holders and in https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com/.

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed to Elaine Lewis elaine.lewis@l2eco.com

A voluntary pre-bid meeting will be held on 6/13/2022 11:00am E Tower Entrance, Patio Level Forest Park will be the meeting point. A walk-through of the project will follow the meeting. You may be scheduled visits by contacting Joe Marshall at jbmarshall@stlcc.edu

The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12% Individuals with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact 314-644-9039

Date: June 6, 2022

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JUNE 28, 2022, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held June 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in Room 305 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

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

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

ROOMS FOR RENT newly renovated quiet area. Contact info 3314-723-0543 or 314-500-3595

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

Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

Reminiscing about her youth she remembers that in elementary school there was a special song her class sang every week. She shared how she felt when she finally got her shining moment to sing it. She became teary-eyed at the end of Simone’s “Here Comes the Sun.”

She spoke of how 2020 shook the world with the influx of the coronavirus and mandated quarantines. She rejoiced

that we’re still here and pivoted to a medley of her songs, “Shut Down,” and Simone’s “Baltimore,” which allowed her to figuratively and literally let her luscious locs down while moving. She even managed to nail Simone’s notable dance moves which the crowd appreciated.

She recognized a time when only certain artists were called to perform with orchestras and she gleamed with gratitude for being among the stars who’ve created more diversity.

“Thank you for supporting me, this forum,” she said. “Thank you to the people who donated to this program

because I am a product of studying classical music with the help of public funding.”

She also introduced a new wave of fans to her work

“Thank you to those people who don’t know who I am,” she said. “It’s not Luh-dee-si its Led-uh-see.”

She belted out her most recent single, “Anything,” which gave her her first Grammy win on her independent record label.

Other songs performed included “I Put A Spell On You,” “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” “Work Song,” and “Wild Is The Wind.”

Lion King

Continued from C1

when he was the true culprit for Mufasa’s deadly fall in a stampede.

Nala, Simba’s childhood friend and innocent crush, is portrayed well during Farrah Wilson’s onstage interaction with Pendleton in it’s cute display of kids being kids, clueless about what the future truly holds for them romantically. Like the film, Mufasa’s death left us emotional and teary-eyed. It was heartbreak-

ing to see a great father die in a situation that could’ve been avoided. It leaves Simba sad and grieving, taking him as far as going into exile for believing he was the cause behind his father’s passing.

Act two gave us adult Simba (Darian Sanders) and Nala (Kayla Cyphers) returning after a brief intermission. It is exciting to see the pair reunite since many assumed Simba, too, died in the stampede. He hadn’t. He was alive and well, with many rejoicing to see him, including the memorable spiritual advisor Rafiki.

After much deliberation from his peers and lots of thinking,

Simba came to his senses and knew it was time to take over the reins as king like his father would have wanted. He defeats his evil uncle in a duel in a joyous celebration and claims the throne as king. The closing number, a mashup of “King of Pride Rock” and “Circle of Life,” left the crowd standing and unison screams of joy for Simba’s victory. The “Lion King” musical is family-friendly, funny, entertaining, and will leave you crying both tears of happiness and sorrow for everything the cast and crew left behind onstage.

“Lion King” runs at The Fox Theatre now until June 19.

underserved communities about behind-the-scenes work in the music industry.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to the people who aspire to be in my shoes,” Ringo said. “I don’t want them to think, ‘I’m from St. Louis.’ No one will know who I am because it boils down to work ethic.” Ringo said BGBM has three phases for girls and women: etiquette and development, mentorship, and a retreat. She also said the program offers an in-house life coach to administer mental health tools and resources.

“Etiquette and development will teach them how to navigate professional relationships and have skill sets to get through the music and business,” Ringo said. “The life coach will help with any conflicts and assist with coping mechanisms in various mental health illnesses.

The goal is to help the girls and women navigate and cope while they go through things because you can’t stop going just because you’re going through something.”

Ringo’s music business

career started over a decade ago when she interned with Nelly’s former management team, Tony “T Luv” Davis (co-owner of Prime 55 restaurants and lounges) and Dana Randolph. Having completed several internships during her undergrad years at Columbia College Chicago, she reached out to Nelly’s Derrty Entertainment company to inquire about internship opportunities. After college, she took her talents to New York to work at Def Jam and worked closely with the label.

Her wealth of knowledge and vast experience led her to Los Angeles, which directed her to work in publishing for Universal Music Publishing Group.

With her undeniable vigor, matched with drive and budding experience, she was under Ethiopia Habtemariam’s wing, working as her assistant when Habtemariam was senior vice president of A&R at UMPG. Habtemariam is now Motown Records’ CEO and chairman. The pair simultaneously worked at UMPG and Motown.

“It was a huge break for me getting my feet wet as an A&R [assistant] ,” Ringo said. Under Habtemariam’s tutelage, Ringo witnessed her sign many talents ranging from artists, producers, and songwriters. As Habetamariam moved

n “I want to make sure I provide opportunities in St. Louis for Black girls and women to work with mentors in the music business so that it feels tangible and becomes a reality for them.”

- Brandra Ringo, Exec at Quality Control Music

the label. She works closely with multi-platinum selling artists Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, Migos, City Girls, and East St. Louis native Layton Greene on the Atlanta-based Black-ownedand-founded label.

“It’s a bigger reward than my previous jobs because I’m directly connected to the artists, and we can talk about the vision for their project and move about it in that way,” Ringo said.

higher in the ranks with Motown, Ringo had the opportunity to oversee and A&R some of her talents.

“I assisted her for a while. By the time I stepped into the job as an A&R manager, I had so much experience,” Ringo said. “I had so many relationships from just working with her. I was able to use that as leverage and network from it.”

For three years, Ringo worked under Ryan Press (current Warner Chappell Music president) at Warner Chappell. She learned more about the publishing world and how to be an A&R and a dot connector, putting people in certain positions.

“I would find songwriters, producers, and artists, put them in sessions to make music for specific artists,” Ringo said.

“The biggest reward is when the artist cuts the song after I do that, and then the song is on the radio. The song is charting and doing well, and people love the song. That’s my biggest reward from coming up with an idea and then seeing it come to fruition.”

Her publishing resumes with Warner and Universal have afforded her many projects to service artists through pitching them songwriters and producers, which then blessed her to do the same thing with the label QC Music. Her proven track record in the industry led her to put together a writing camp with QC during the height of the pandemic.

In response, Ringo said QC was impressed with her creativity and influence. They hired her for her current position with

As an executive in the industry, how does Ringo feel about the current state of music? She said many of today’s rappers could use some room for improvement by expanding their lyrical content.

“I think a lot of what the rappers are speaking about nowadays in their music is very similar, and it’s hard to differentiate originality,” Ringo said.

Ringo gives a tip and words of advice for upcoming rappers from St. Louis in search of their big break – have a rigorous, dedicated work ethic because talent isn’t enough.

“Ultimately, I think hard work and work ethic are what keep people at the forefront, and it shows because a lot of times, the people who are getting the most attention may not be the most talented,” Ringo said. “They are not the most talented. They’re the ones who

are just working the hardest.” What was once an industry primarily controlled by wealthy white men has diversified with more representation of Black women power players like Ringo. However, challenges are still apparent for her despite her higher-level position. She shared that she gets overlooked in rooms, especially in studio sessions, with men assuming she’s the assistant or an artist’s girlfriend.

“It’s disrespectful to not acknowledge the woman in the room and assume she doesn’t have power,” Ringo said.

“Women are taking more positions of power than ever. It’s something to be mindful of and be more respectful about.” St. Louis Girls and women residents aged 16-22 enrolled in high school or college can apply to Black Girls Behind Music. Applicants must submit a 60-90 second video or a 350-500 word response explaining why they want to be in the program. Ringo said she and Mitchell hope to also bring the program to Dallas and Houston. Applications are open until June 15. For more information or to apply, visit: https://www. blackgirlsbehindmusic.org/. Ringo is bicoastal, splitting her time between Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Thursday, June 16 | Noon–1 pm

whose work is currently on view at the Museum, and explore conceptual techniques of using contemporary art as activism. For more information, visit slam.org/events

Sam Gilliam,

Gilliam / David Kordansky Gallery

Shaka Myrick, the inaugural two-year Romare Bearden Graduate Fellow, in celebrating Juneteenth by exploring the history of visibility of Black Americans. She will discuss artworks by Glenn Ligon and Sam Gilliam,

Ringo