March 10th, 2022 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

“I share this award with outstanding people who give so much and keep me motivated.”

–

Sanders Thompson, Vice Chairperson of the Missouri Foundation for Health board of directors

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

When asked about the news that she’d been selected to receive The St. Louis American’s 2022

Lifetime Achiever in Healthcare award, Vetta L. Sanders Thompson said she was “definitely honored but overwhelmed.”

“I thought they could have picked someone more deserving,” Sanders Thompson explained, adding, “Hopefully, before I’m done, I’ll feel like I actually earned it.” Sanders Thompson’s resume does indeed underscore a lifetime of stellar achievement. Recently, she was re-elected to the board of the Missouri

Washington University’s Vetta L. Sanders Thompson is the 2022 Lifetime Achiever for the Salute to Excellence in Health Care.

Organizations boost flow of funds to Black businesses

Increased capital seen as key to bridging the wealth gap

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs

Near as he can recall, St. Louis area educator David Williams was turned down at least six times by banks as he sought loans for his would-be academy. Those denials came despite his collateral, good credit and the assistance of his aunt who is a long-time educator and stood ready to help guide his embryonic business – a center to teach STEAM curriculum to children from birth to age 13.

“It’s a struggle,” said Williams, as a soothing lullaby played in the background at his Williams Academy on Natural Bridge.

“It’s a challenge to get off the ground because we’re not funded properly.” For reasons that range from racism and redlining to more subtle factors like not knowing the right people, Black-owned businesses like Williams’ have continually been under capitalized compared with their white counterparts.

Emmett Till AntiLynching Act passed by Senate

After 200 attempts it finally will be law

By Isaiah Peters The St. Louis American

The Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which designates that those convicted of a hate crime may receive sentences of up to 30 years in prison, needs only President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.

“Lynching is a longstanding and uniquely American weapon of racial terror that has for decades been used to maintain the white hierarchy,” Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., a longtime sponsor of the legislation, told the Chicago Tribune.

“It’s a victory for Emmett Till, his legacy, his family and the over 6,000 people who were lynched in our nation, all the way up to this moment. This is really an intergenerational, historical victory.

“Who would have imagined that lynching was not a federal crime until our present day. We’re looking forward to a more perfect union.”

This bill and similar ones, which have been debated and turned down by Congress for decades, found renewed attention following the outcry surrounding the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Last week, the bill passed the House of Representatives with a 422-3 vote. The three Republicans opposing the bill condemning lynching were U.S. Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Chip Roy of Texas.

According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 4,743 lynchings occurred between 1882 to 1968, the most occurring

In the wake of the nation’s reckoning on race, local and national organizations are pumping more money into Black-owned businesses in the hope of bridging the stubbornly persistent wealth gap.

Williams eventually secured at least $10,000 in grants through the Greater St. Louis Inc.’s Diverse Business Accelerator and other sources.

Overcoming the biggest hurdle – finding at

See ARPA, A7 See FUNDS,

The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The St. Louis American

Williams Academy staffer Robera Noble plays with Anthony Smith, 3, at the agency’s Beverly Hills location in north county Wednesday, Mar. 9. Co-owner David Williams, like many Black entrepreneurs, had to overcome hurdles to gain funding.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

A Grand plan

STL County allocates $2M for popular GrandPad Tablets

The St. Louis County Library GrandPad tablet program, a popular initiative that has helped senior residents connect with loved ones and health care professionals throughout the pandemic, will continue.

GrandPad has received $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funding from St. Louis County and will continue to assist residents over the age of 75 to access technology and stay connected with the world.

“We are so grateful to the County Council for supporting older adults in the region and for expanding access to those that need it,” Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library director and CEO said of the initial $1 million grant to purchase 1,500 GrandPads and launch the program.

“Recently I received a handwritten note from a patron that said she equates her GrandPad with ‘winning the lottery.’ She wrote, ‘It has literally changed my life for the better!’”

The County Library will announce details on the application process soon, according to Sorth.

The newly allocated $2 million will see $1 million being used to pay for an additional year of the

1,500 GrandPads currently in use by County residents. The other $1 million will be used to purchase an additional 1,500 GrandPads.

“We heard from residents about how vital these GrandPad tablets were to help our older residents stay connected to family members during this pandemic,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said.

“I thank the Council for allocating these funds and to the St. Louis County Library for administering this popular program.”

Sorth said GrandPads checked out from the St. Louis County Library, “are easy to use and were designed for use by people with little or no technology experience.”

A data connection is included free with every GrandPad, giving users secure access to the internet. No home internet connection or data contracts are required, and there is no fee.

“I’m pleased to see the Council rally around our senior citizens and come together to support this important program,” said Councilwoman Lisa Clancy.

“During this pandemic, GrandPads have been a lifeline for not just the seniors that use them but also for their families. I’m grateful we can keep the program going and also reach more people in need.”

When Zora Neale Hurston calls

By Julianne Malveaux

Zora Neale Hurston has been calling out to Black women since she started writing, collecting our folklore, insisting on our presence.

She was a literary sensation during the Harlem Renaissance, worked closely with Langston Hughes until they fell out, studied anthropology, and was a groundbreaking folklorist.

She authored several books, but the universal favorite might be “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” a 1937 book so firmly established in the literary canon that Time Magazine (2005) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (2019) listed it as one of the top 100 novels of all time.

There is something about the protagonist of “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” the thrice-married Janie Crawford, whose quest for independence and an “ideal” love collides with the gender norms of the times.

She is married first to an old man, then to a blustering politician and entrepreneur, then to her “true love” who can be cruel, jealous, and a batterer.

Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most celebrated writers in the Harlem Renaissance. But the impact of her legacy was not appreciated until after her death in 1960.

Set in Hurston’s hometown of Eatonville, Florida, the book is riveting, classic, challenging, and soaring. The author, much like the book, quickly occupies our attention.

Or does she? It amazes me that Zora Neale Hurston is rarely mentioned with all our talk of the Harlem Renaissance. Is it because her peers, Black male writers whose own professional envy, combined with the politics of respectability, tepidly reviewed it when released?

Novelist Richard Wright trashed the book, as did other towering figures of the Harlem Renaissance.

In contrast, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of what would become 0Black History Month, offered a vital review.

In any case, Hurston was toppled from her literary perch when a baseless rumor was given traction and exposure. A vindictive neighbor accused Hurston of having sexual relations with her mentally unstable 10-year-old son.

Never well-paid for her work, she entered a welfare home toward the end of her life. She died of heart disease in 1960 and was buried in an unmarked grave.

Author Alice Walker bristled at the ways the men of the Harlem Renaissance treated Zora Neale Hurston, attempting to fit her round peg of independence, wit, and creativity into their square hole of patriarchy.

She tracked down Zora Neale’s burial site and placed a marker on her grave.

Zora’s spirit called Alice Walker to find her and acknowledge her resting place. Since then, she’s drawn others into her spunky, irreverent, and brilliant circle. The author and professor, Valerie Boyd, just made her transition on Feb. 12.

Boyd was a journalist and insightful writer whose book, “Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston,’’ is the definitive biography of Zora Neale Hurston.

It traces her from birth to death, from the highs of the Harlem Renaissance social scene to the lows of the depression Hurston experienced resulting from the untrue allegations. The book feels like a rainbow, like its title. It’s pure Zora.

Valerie Boyd will go down in history for her writing, especially her Zora Neale Hurston work. She will be known for more than Zora. She had edited Alice Walker’s journals in a book that will be out soon.

Titled “Gathering Blossoms Under Fire,’’ the collected journals will be a unique view into the mind of one of our nation’s most influential writers.

Did Zora Neale Hurston introduce these women? Did she nudge them toward working with each other? Did she encourage the intimacy that must have come when two Black women joined by Sister Zora must have emerged?

When Zora calls, you better answer. We can’t afford to throw away our geniuses, especially not Zora Neale Hurston.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author. She is dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

St. Louis American staff

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Northview Elementary School fourth grade student Mylon Stayton, 9, plays a cigar box guitar he crafted in art class on Tuesday Mar. 1, 2022. Northview is in the Jennings School District, and it will celebrate its Fine Arts Festival at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10.

Guitar solo

Juliane Malveaux

Funds

Continued from A1

least $300,000 to purchase and renovate the 18,000 squarefoot building that houses the academy – came via Justine Petersen, a nonprofit financial services organization that works with low- and moderate-income individuals. Williams said the help began in 2020 with money for a downpayment and accelerated last year after he faced potential foreclosure when the COVID-19 pandemic blocked his ability to keep up with the mortgage.

Justine Petersen stepped in to purchase the building, he said. A spokeswoman confirmed Justine Petersen is a “financing partner” of Williams Academy but declined to give specifics.

As both director of the Accelerator and co-owner of a small business, Lakesha Mathis sees the direct link between the anemic flow of funds to Black-owned businesses and the subsequent dearth of wealth that can be handed down generationally in Black families.

A report in American Progress, using information from the Federal Reserve Bank, showed that in 2019 the average amount of “liquid assets,” those that can easily be converted into cash, were four times greater in white households – $50,301 – than in Black households – $12,592.

Nearly 21% of white households included a business owner, compared to 5.5% for Black households. That’s significant because Black entrepreneurs who have employees tend to hire Black people.

“How we impact the wealth gap is to increase our capacities as individuals and business owners to earn more resources,” said Mathis, co-owner with her husband of List Towing. “When we don’t have the funds to put the proper systems in place, to hire and pay people, our companies are limited in their ability to earn revenue. Therefore, the wealth

gap stays. So the goal … for the businesses that we work with, is to become employers, because that’s where the real revenue, the real money in most businesses exists.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, which pummeled market segments with high concentrations of Black-owned businesses such as retailing and hospitality, made a bad situation worse.

At least 40% of receipts from Black-owned businesses are concentrated in just 30 U.S. counties, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That’s about 1% of all counties in the nation. Roughly two-thirds of those counties –19 of 30 – are areas with the

highest numbers of COVID-19 cases, according to the Fed.

Following the videotaped murder of George Floyd in 2020, as protestors took to the streets, some of the nation’s largest companies issued pronouncements committing millions to bolster Black businesses, some of which already is in the hands of entrepreneurs.

In June 2020 the company then known as Facebook [now Meta] committed $200 million to support Black-owned businesses and organizations. That included $75 million in cash grants and ad credits to support Black-owned businesses and nonprofits that serve the Black community.

All grants from the Blackowned business program have been distributed to more than 10,000 small businesses across the country and the program is now closed, said a Meta spokeswoman who did not have a breakdown of the grants by state.

Since its inception about 10 years ago, Arch Grants has provided grants to at least 30 Black-owned or Black-led companies – money that did not require the founders to hand over an ownership stake.

Last year, grants went to at least eight Black-owned companies including Bask & Bloom Essentials, a beauty brand focused on multi-tex-

“The challenge is if you’re a $10 million or $15 million revenue company, with the opportunity to grow to a $30 million revenue company, but you need $5 million, there are very few if any grantors out there standing around, writing $5 million grant checks,” said Sandra M. Moore, chief impact officer and managing director at the St. Louis-based investment advisory firm Advantage Capital.

“You’re expected to grow, but you started behind the eight ball,” she added. “So you hit a wall. You get to a point where there aren’t any grants.”

Last month, Advantage Capital, in partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s Business Consortium Fund, announced the launch of a fund dedicated to providing access to growth capital to minority-owned businesses through methods including loans.

Moore said the program, which includes backing from major lenders including U.S. Bank and Midwest BankCentre, is designed to avoid some of the common pitfalls Black entrepreneurs find when approaching the local banker, including thin reasons for rejection and onerous terms if the loan is granted.

“All the data says that minority businesses are … evaluated differently,” Moore said. “When they do get the loan, they generally get a lesser percentage than their white counterparts, which means they still remain undercapitalized.”

tured curly hair; Equalizer Games, a sports and education AI software platform that uses virtual coaching and interactive training to help athletes improve player IQ and PlaBook, a technology company that uses artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and speech recognition to help children learn to read more effectively. The companies are either based locally or commit to grow in the St. Louis area.

Last month, in honor of his civic leadership and community involvement, St. Louis couple John and Alison Ferring announced plans to commit to five years’ worth of funding to continue Arch Grant’s Donald M. Suggs Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Suggs is publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American.

The Ferrings pledged an additional $500,000 over the next 5 years to continue the “Donald M. Suggs Excellence in Entrepreneurship” award, with the request that the grants are all awarded to Black-led companies that are determined through our process to be bestin-class.

The application process for 2022’s Arch Grants begins March 18 and closes April 15. Funds from organizations such as Arch Grants pump money into businesses without the pay-back and interest requirements of a loan and without the equity stake required by most venture capitalists.

But the grant model, which usually involves assistance in the thousands of dollars, may not be an option for growing Black-owned businesses seeking a larger infusion of cash.

Till Act

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in Mississippi. Many regard the killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida in 2012 by George Zimmerman, which helped spark the Black Lives Matter movement, and murders of African Americans by other vigilantes including Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, as modern day lynchings.

Arbery’s murderers, who tracked and attacked him before he was shot in Georgia, were found guilty of federal hate crimes, and attempted kidnapping last month after they were convicted of murder on November 24, 2022.

The Emmett Till AntiLynching Act is in tribute to the 14-year-old boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam, were tried on murder charges about a month after Till was killed, but an all-white Mississippi jury acquitted them.

Months later, the men confessed to the killing in a paid interview with Look magazine. Bryant and Milam were not

With the new fund – which Moore said did not yet have a name and fund size that can be publicized – underwriters will look at businesses “through the lens of what they’re going to do in the future as opposed to what they are, what they’ve done in the past as opposed to where they are right at the moment.

“You can apply the investment criteria in a way that takes into consideration things that we would not ordinarily take into consideration so that you can structure an investment in a way that’s going to help them grow.”

Fund organizers expect to start deploying capital to minority-owned businesses in the next few months.

No one interviewed by The American expects the problem to be solved in short order. Mathis said she’s seen more conversation about solutions than actual solutions.

Some entrepreneurs have turned to revenue-based financing like that offered by Toronto-based Clearco, which uses application-evaluating AI that doesn’t discriminate based on face recognition, industry or product, a spokeswoman said. Meanwhile, Williams said he and his team have been “applying for grants like crazy.”

“It took us so long, from 2019 to January 2022, to get operational,” said Williams, fresh from his successful effort to get a toddler to nap. “We just were not funded correctly.” Karen Robinson-Jacobs is The St. Louis American / Type Investigations business reporter and a Report for America corps member.

brought to trial again, and they are now both dead. In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era.

“It took so long, it is a stain, a bitter stain on America,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“After more than 200 failed attempts to outlaw lynching, Congress is finally succeeding in taking the long-overdue action by passing the Act. Hallelujah. It’s long overdue.” Despite Sen. Rand Paul’s, (R-Kentucky) objection to a similar bill that passed the House in 2020 for being what he considered ‘too broad,’ in a rare case of bipartisanship, he co-sponsored the Senate bill alongside Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey).

“Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Rep. Booker said.

Williams Academy staffer Kenisha Tawkoyty and Williams Academy owner David Williams straighten up toys at the agency’s Beverly Hills location in north county Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2022.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Continued from A1

Foundation for Health and was also named vice chairperson. Sanders Thompson is the E. Desmond Lee Professor and Associate Dean of Racial and Ethnic Studies at the Brown School at Washington University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and noted researcher in the areas of racial identity, experiences of discrimination and is an associate member of the Siteman Cancer Center where she is working to eliminate cancer disparities. Sanders Thompson’s research focuses on the health and well-being of diverse communities, particularly the local African American population. Her stated personal goal is to “empower members of the community to improve their health and well-being through education and opportunities for action.”

The coronavirus pandemic has given Sanders Thompson the opportunities to use her skills, passions, and abilities to engage with and inspire those in her profession as well as address racial inequities and health disparities.

“COVID has magnified the issues I’ve been talking about for a very long time,” Sanders Thompson said. “It exposed the inequities in every aspect of our lives that are important to our well-being and ability to live a good life and enjoy our families.”

Some of those inequities are

ARPA

Continued from A1

homes. I encourage donors to consider this important fund moving forward to keep support running past 2026.” Jones and Daly were joined by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Park Central, Prosperity Connection, and St. Louis Community Credit Union representatives.

Over the last three years, almost $4.5 million in real estate taxes have gone unpaid in the city, according to the revenue office.

In response, the RETAF, a public-private partnership, was launched in 2021 to raise funds to assist owner-occupant homeowners in paying off delinquent taxes on homes scheduled for tax sale.

related to poverty and wealth, she said. “Let’s start with who was able to stay home and who had to go to the workplace and be potentially exposed to the virus,” she added. “The wealthiest were able to work from home, to be socially distant in a comfortable way. Whereas people who work hourly and were paid some of the lowest wages had to come in and were exposed over and over again. Then they had to go back home to their families where they might not be able to be socially distant and protect themselves from the virus. So, you’re talking about people from the most vulnerable areas of our communities. It’s the workers and their families.”

The pandemic also exposed the lack of infrastructure in the medical system, Sanders Thompson stressed. “It took a while to develop the communication strategies to help people understand the virus, its emergence and how to protect themselves and their families. And then it took a while to get the resources into the communities.”

All in all, though, Sanders Thompson, a Birmingham Alabama native, said the health professionals in St. Louis laudably rose to the challenge of serving marginalized communities, be it the African American or immigrant communities in the region.

She also serves as the co-director of the Institute for Public Health Center for Community Health, Partnership and Research which provides information and resources to health

that Mayor Jones has joined the RETAF effort.

In St. Louis, the Collector of Revenue normally obtains a money judgment against a parcel when its real estate taxes remain delinquent for two to four years. After the judgment and before the tax sale, a homeowner can redeem their property by paying the required balance due before the sale date.

The $500,000 infusion “shatters the group’s initial fundraising goal of $300,000, helping get relief to families in the short-term while providing a strong foundation for further private donations down the road,” according to the mayor.

“A region is really only as strong as its urban core. The great people of this city expect their government leaders to work together with public and private groups to solve the most pressing problems we face,” said Daly.

“Good work happens when leaders put community first and join to make things happen for the good of our neighbors. That’s exactly what we are doing today. We are so pleased

RETAF can remit up to $3,500 of the judgment amount directly to the Collector of Revenue on behalf of the homeowner in need Park Central Development, which manages the fund, evaluates applications to determine eligibility, the amount of financial assistance needed, and the need for additional wraparound supportive services.

“Committing to equitable development in our city means ensuring that residents who want to stay in their neighborhoods can stay,” said Park Central Executive Director Abdul-Kaba Abdullah.

“The mayor’s commitment of $500,000 in ARPA funds, along with the Collector of Revenue’s support from day one, will help our neighbors stay housed and keep communities together.” Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative offers legal aid free of charge to qualifying homeowners whose properties have title issues.

“Tax foreclosures have a long-term destabilizing

care providers, elected officials, and the public in general.

“I was fortunate enough to work with an institution that worked with governments to help them better understand the infection and positivity rates and to understand the social factors that influenced those statistics. I have to say that they [public health officials] did a good job getting resources, testing sites and vaccination campaigns into the community which included North County. It was slow but, as we all know, when you’re doing everything from scratch, it’s going to be slow.”

As someone who’s dedicated to empowering people so they can address and improve their own health and well-being, combatting COVID misinformation proved challenging for Sanders Thompson. She

effect on neighborhoods and contribute to vacancy and displacement in vulnerable communities,” explained Peter Hoffman, Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative managing attorney.

“With the support of the City’s ARPA commitment and the philanthropic community, the Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund will fill a critical gap in

took a deep breath before broaching the topic.

“It’s complicated and it angers me but that’s only going to take you so far,” she said.

“I understand how misinformation is easily transmitted. I understand how members of the community can be easily swayed by it…it fits narratives that are out there anyway. The challenge is countering those narratives.

“Fortunately, I work with a lot of different people, and we used outlets where people have a voice and can be heard. We hosted Zoom meetings and webinars and had researchers explain the virus, masking, social distancing and worked with people to help them understand what they can do to protect their physical and mental health. We rewrote complex material that was

support for both homeowners and neighborhoods.”

The RETAF Coalition collaborates with Daly’s office to identify vulnerable households at imminent risk of tax sale, and contact owners to offer assistance.

An applicant must be a St. Louis homeowner whose home is listed for tax sale this year. The home receiving

Vetta L. Sanders Thompson is the E. Desmond Lee Professor and Associate Dean of Racial and Ethnic Studies at the Brown School at Washington University.

online and put it in more plain language and shared all that with churches and social and community organizations that people trust.”

Sanders Thompson believes the pandemic has opened the eyes of people in the medical profession regarding long-held biases and racial inequities. Lately, she said, she and her colleagues are receiving numerous requests to share their knowledge and expertise with medical school students.

“I’ve had more requests than ever to do training for medical students, residents, and fellows in this area,” she said. “They’re starting to build this into the curriculum, but it takes time to get enough people trained and out there to make a difference so I’m hoping to sustain that.”

She warns that doctors

funds must be the applicant’s primary residence and there cannot be an outstanding mortgage debt on the property. The applicant’s household income must not exceed 100% of Area Median Income (AMI) for St. Louis.

shouldn’t be singled out for enhanced diversity or sensitivity training. Everyone, including nurses, EMT and emergency room workers and hospital administrators needs to rethink America’s “health structure,” she said.

The health care system is “incentivized by high incomes, high levels of insurance…that’s where you pull in patients who have the money that allows them to operate and engage the types of clinical services and research that people need. We do not incentivize care and services to the poor and underserved. At some point, we must think about changing the structure of what we incentivize.” Sanders Thompson didn’t speak of her accomplishments in singular vernacular. She constantly used words like “we” or “us,” to emphasize that her achievements are the results of others in her field. The 2022 Lifetime Achiever stressed that she shares her award with colleagues who, like her, work tirelessly to address the needs of the underserved.

“I don’t want to take credit for anything because it’s definitely been a group effort.”

Tickets for the 22nd Annual Salute to Excellence in Healthcare Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 14 at the Frontenac Hilton are $800 per table of 8 for VIP/Corporate seating or $100 each, and $75 each or $600 per table of 8 for general seating. To order tickets, call 314-533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.

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

“The loss of a home due to foreclosure or tax sale is traumatic to the people and neighborhoods that are impacted,” said Paul Woodruff, St. Louis Community Credit Union vice president of Community Development.

“We support the efforts of the RETAF Coalition because it is a clear-cut way to keep low-income families from being displaced, as well as to preserve the generational wealth that exists within their homes.

Abdul-Kaba Abdullah

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

“Taking Care of You”

Walensky returns to STL, mask requirements removed

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] director, is familiar with St. Louis and returned as the city and St. Louis County experienced significant declines in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and loosened mask requirements

The CDC in late February announced that people in places with low numbers of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations can go without masks, no longer recommended a mask order for the region.

Walensky toured the CareSTL Health center on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis on Thursday, March 3 with Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, St. Louis health director.

n “Things are better in the country, through the metrics we can give people some relief from mask wearing.”

– Dr. Rochelle Walensky

She also spoke at Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry in 1991. She received her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University.

“Things are better in the country, through the metrics we can give people some relief from mask wearing,” Walensky told KSDK.

Director says ‘things are better’ HJR 117 could ‘stamp out economic growth’

“Our guidance says you can remove your mask. Put them aside, but not too far away. If we need them again, we’ll pick them up again.

She spoke with CareSTL staff and addressed the toll of battling the pandemic has taken on health care workers, and the ongoing effort to help underserved communities.

“I’ve heard of worker burnout here, about challenges to reach the populations that have fallen out of care and trying to re-engage with them,” she said. Davis said the city, “needs days like this. We need hope.”

“Today is a day St. Louis should be proud. We have been as instrumental in fighting

Health leaders assail GOP’s latest attack on Medicaid expansion

St. Louis American staff

A Republican driven bill that passed in the state House of Representatives designed to deny Missourian’s access to Medicaid and disregard expansion approved by voters in August 2020 has drawn scathing criticism from health officials throughout the state. Bethany Johnson-Javois, Deaconess Foundation president and CEO, said in a statement her organization “is disappointed (GOP House members) voted to strip healthcare access from their own constituents.”

“Deaconess Foundation stands in support of expanded health care access for the People of Missouri,” she said. “The people of Missouri voted for Medicaid expan-

sion and prevailed in the following litigation brought before the Missouri Supreme Court. To strip funding for implementing this legislation now is to undermine democracy and send a reverberating message to the People that their voices and dignity to thrive do not matter.

“Every Missourian has the right to quality, accessible health care and health care coverage. We urge the Missouri Senate to stop the House’s Resolution in its tracks and demonstrate their commitment to moving forward and ensuring their constituents have access to the health care they need.” HJR 117 would give the state legislature discretion

See MEDICAID, A11

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz

Macular degeneration is a disease many of us have heard of but may not know much about. So, it may be surprising to hear that the disorder significantly impacts the vision of millions of people in the U.S. – and that there are steps to help prevent it.

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that damages the central part of the retina, called the macula, which is the tissue at the back of the eye that is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. At first, macular degeneration may go unnoticed, but as it advances, vision loss can get increasingly worse and have a real effect on people’s daily routines and quality of life.

n The disease is more common as people age. Rare in those under age 40, the risk of macular degeneration begins to increase in people in their 50s and 60s.

“It impacts independence and the ability to read, write, drive a car and watch TV,” said Dr. Johanna Seddon, director of the Macular Degeneration Center of Excellence at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. “And most important to many patients, they’re not able to recognize family members and other people they love.” The disease is more common as people age. Rare in those under age 40, the risk of macular degeneration begins to increase in people in their 50s and 60s, and most cases are diagnosed in those 70 and older. Family history also plays a significant role in the disease. If your mother or father has had macular degeneration, for example, you are at increased risk.

But research shows there are important steps most of us can take that can help lower the risk of the disease, whether we have a family history or not.

“Not smoking is probably most important,” Seddon said. “Other steps include exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating more

Bethany Johnson-Javois, Deaconess Foundation president and CEO, said a GOP-led effort to gut voter approved Medicaid expansion funding would “undermine democracy.”

From left, Dr. Hari Nallapaneni, CARE STL Health chief medical officer, speaks with St. Louis Health Department Director Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at CARE STL Health.

See COLDITZ, A11

Photo courtesy of Deaconess Foundation

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

By Tessa Weinberg Missouri Independent

“Taking

Care

Prison nurseries now closer to reality in Missouri Programs are growing but still rare

The House gave initial approval on March 2, 2022, to a bill that would allow newborns to remain with their incarcerated mothers for the first year-and-a-half of the baby’s life.

The bill would permit the Missouri Department of Corrections to establish nurseries within the state’s correctional facilities, allowing children born to incarcerated women to stay with their mothers behind bars for up to 18 months.

The legislation has garnered bipartisan support and it requires another vote in the House before it can be sent to the Senate for consideration.

“It is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Bruce DeGroot, R-Ellisville, and the bill’s sponsor, later adding: “This bill makes Missouri a better place for our kids.”

The issue is deeply personal to some lawmakers.

Walensky

Continued from A10

through the pandemic as any of the other big cities,” she said.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said in a statement that policies including masking, vaccines, and testing requirement for city workers, while unpopular with some, “helped save lives in our city.”

“St. Louisans worked together to move key metrics, like hospitalization rates and new case counts, in the right direction, but we have to keep protecting each other; testing, handwashing, staying home when sick, as well as vaccination and boosting remain critical tools to help to protect our families and communities.”

Davis warned the pandemic and COVID-19 cases are not over.

“I understand that transitions are challenging, especially in a pandemic where they are often sudden. The priority must still be a community harm reduction approach because we are still not out of the woods,” she said.

According to the Health Department, as of March 3, 2022, the seven-day average

Medicaid

Continued from A10

whether to fund expanded Medicaid and to place work reporting requirements on residents eligible for Medicaid under the expansion. If the Senate approves the legislation, the issue would be on the statewide ballot in November 2022.

The Biden administration has declared repeatedly it will not approve any work require-

Colditz

Continued from A10

green, leafy vegetables, like spinach, collard greens and kale.” Getting eye exams is also key for eye health, especially as you age, or if you have a family history of eye disease. This can help find macular degeneration earlier so it can

Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat who has advocated for criminal justice reform, shared on the House floor Wednesday that she was born within a prison.

“The lady that I call my mother is actually my cousin. And my biological mother, who I have not met yet, she conceived me in prison,” Collins said through tears Wednesday. “That’s something that I’ve never told anybody. And that is how we ended up in foster care, that’s where that love came from for foster care.

“My biological mother did not have that ability to spend that time with me,” Collins said. “I support this bill 1,000%.”

Under the bill, the Department of Corrections would determine which women can participate in the program, but those selected must agree to comply with any educational or counseling requirements, like earning their high school degree or participating in parenting classes.

Rep.

just before her first visit to a state prison invoking a law giving legislators access at any time.

The bill would also establish a fund that would include appropriations by state lawmakers, and could accept donations and grants to help pay for the program.

Prison nursery programs have begun to grow but are still rare. Similar programs exist in less than a dozen states including neighboring Illinois.

At a January House

Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill, Maggie Burke, a retired Illinois Department of Corrections warden who supervised the women and family services division, touted its impact.

“What we saw in Illinois was a reduction in violations of the women in the program, but also the women at the facility,” Burke said, “because they all

knew it was a privilege to be at the facility where the babies were kept.”

The program helped contribute to a decrease in anxiety and depression and an improved facility culture, Burke said, and it instilled a sense of pride in the women who were the caretakers of the unit.

“This was not punishment for children,” Burke said, stressing the newborns were in a loving, supportive environment.

It was a point echoed by Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, who spoke in support of the bill on the House floor and noted it will not just impact the mother, but the children as well.

“They’re not going to see it as themselves being a child in prison,” Proudie said. “They’re going to receive nurture and care from a support system. It is not punitive. We are trying to rehabilitate.”

Supporters of the programs have also pointed to the impact

of new confirmed COVID-19 cases was 18 per day, with a goal of 35. This was down from a peak of 517.

ment attached to the federally funded Medicaid program.

“House Joint Resolution 117 would not only undermine the will of Missouri voters, but it would stamp out the economic growth that expansion will deliver when fully implemented,” Amy Blouin, Missouri Budget Project president and CEO said.

“Medicaid expansion will bring health and economic gains to Missouri that go far beyond the individuals who gain access to critical health

be better managed over time. In people who’ve already been diagnosed with later stages of macular degeneration, taking specific supplements have been found to slow down vision loss from the disease. “These formulations are often labeled ‘eye vitamins,’ and contain antioxidants, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E and zinc,” Seddon continued. Talk to an eye doctor or

insurance. State after state has shown that expansion spurs economic activity, creating stable, quality jobs, as well as additional tax revenue that funds the state’s share of expansion, as well as other services like education.”

Blouin added other states are saving money on health services they already provide, and Missouri could too. She said the “ill-advised proposed change to the Constitution would jeopardize health care for all Missourians covered

Davis said her department is collaborating with schools

of keeping newborns with their mothers has on reducing recidivism rates

One study of Nebraska’s prison nursery program that analyzed data from 1994 to 2014, found that women who participated in the program saw a 28% reduction in recidivism, a 39% reduction in returning to prison and savings of more than $6 million.

“This program is going to pay for itself time and time and time again,” DeGroot said. A fiscal analysis of the bill notes its cost will depend greatly on the size of the program. In 2020, 26 women gave birth in the Department of Corrections’ custody and in 2021 that number fell to 25. To outfit a seven-bed nursery wing, the department estimated there would be $247,700 in one-time costs, like toys and furnishings and a vehicle for appointments, and an additional $900,000 in ongoing costs, like pediatrician and reentry services and staff.

of masks in certain situations. City Hall and city offices still require employees and visitor locations to wear masks in indoor public areas and spaces.

The CDC will also work with local health departments and agencies to:

• Implement screening testing or other testing strategies for people who are exposed to COVID-19 in workplaces, schools, or other community settings as appropriate

• Implement enhanced prevention measures in high-risk congregate settings, including senior residences, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters.

• Distributing and administering vaccines to achieve high community vaccination coverage and ensure health equity

• Ensuring access to testing, including through point-of-care and at-home tests for all people.

“I encourage St. Louisans to respect the personal choice of those who continue wearing masks in public spaces, and if you have not yet been vaccinated or boosted, make sure you do so as soon as you can,” Jones said.

“Further, the wording of HJR 117 is confusing and misleading. Such language will result in voters accidentally approving added work requirements and removal of funding for expansion.” She warned home and community-based care could be cut, “meaning more Missourians may be forced to leave their homes and enter nursing homes to receive their necessary health care.” New

other health-care provider for more information about such supplements.

Other treatments can help improve vision in those with advanced macular degeneration but are now available for only one of the two main types of the disease, called “wet type.” While there are no treatments for the other type of macular degeneration, “dry type,” promising studies are underway. For those with significant

through Medicaid.”

“Critical coverage like prescription drugs and home and community-based services would be subject to political debate – putting Missouri kids, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and older Missourians who rely on them at the whim of political winds year after year,” she said.

Angela F. Brown, St. Louis Regional Health Commission CEO, wrote in a St. Louis American commentary published March 3, 2022, The

vision loss due to either type of the disease, there are practical steps that can help with maintaining daily routines and overall well-being.

“We recommend what we call ‘visual rehab,’ where people are evaluated for magnifiers and other visual aids, like high-contrast knobs on ovens, and they can also get instruction on how to prevent falls, which is a real danger when someone loses depth percep-

people of Missouri deserve access to the health care they approved.”

“Missouri will take a huge step backwards in ensuring equitable access to care, effectively revoking the expansion of Medicaid,” she wrote.

“These busy work requirements create extra bureaucratic barriers and may cause Medicaid recipients to lose their health care despite being eligible both through prior eligibility requirements and through the constitutionally guaranteed requirements approved under expansion.

tion,” Seddon said. As the population grows and gets older overall, macular degeneration is expected to become an increasingly important condition, with wide-reaching impact on individuals and their families and caregivers. But research continues to work to find more and better treatment options. Also, several healthy behaviors can help lower the risk of developing the disease in the first place.

And that’s clearly some good news. It’s your health. Take control.

Dr. Graham A.

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.

Colditz,

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MARCH 10 – 16, 2022

Photo courtesy of Kimberly-Ann Collins

State

Kimberly Ann Collins took this selfie in July,

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

St. Louis Health Care directors take a group shot with the CDC Director. Fromt left to right: Dwayne Butler, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers executive director; Dr. Kanika Turner, Family Care Health Centers; Dr. Robert Massie, CEO of Family Health Centers; Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director; St. Louis Health Department Director Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis; Angela Clabon, chief executive officer of CareSTL Health and Dr. Alan Freeman, CEO of Affinia Health Care at CARE STL Health Center in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood Thursday, Mar. 2, 2022.

‘Networking is your superpower’

Kesha Kent is ascending in human resources career

Kesha Kent says she was introduced to a future career in human resources when she was 12 and worked with an aunt who is a master sergeant in the U.S. Army. She is now a diversity and inclusion leader for Ascension, a faith-based health care company.

By Danielle Brown The St Louis American

Kesha Kent says she was a student the teacher disciplined for talking too much in class.

She now uses interpersonal skills to her advantage as a diversity and inclusion leader for Ascension, a faith-based health care company.

Kent said she was 12 when she fell in love with her future professions through an aunt, a master sergeant in the U.S. Army who works in human resources.

During summers, Kent worked with her and fulfilled office duties, including researching payroll issues, administering direct deposits.

“Seeing her be her authentic self gave me the want and drive to work in [human resources],” Kent said.

n “[It’s] looking at what you’re doing that drives people to you. How are you closing the deals? It was the same thing for people, but it was my love for the people coupled with recruiting that made me fall in love with it because I get to help people all over the world.”

– Kesha Kent

The profession may have intrigued her as a young girl, but she did not begin a career there.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in management and leadership from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, she chose a job in sales. A few years later, she discovered business recruiting, what she calls “sales to the 10th power.”

“They had the same goals set up like sales, almost identical when it comes to the key indicators,” Kent said.

“[It’s] looking at what you’re doing that drives people to you. How are you closing the deals? It

As U.S. celebrates solid job growth,

African American women left behind

The U.S. economy created 678,000 jobs in February, the Labor Department reported March 4, 2022, and Black male workers saw the greatest percentage-point decrease in the unemployment rate out of the demographic cohorts, from 7.1% in January to 6.4% last month. But all was not well. The unemployment rate for Black women jumped to 6.1% in February from 5.8% in the previous month. Black women were the only race and gender group to see an unemployment rate increase.

“With men rejoining the labor force in pretty significant numbers over the last month, that means that all of the net labor force participation losses over the pandemic are women’s losses,” Emily Martin, National Women’s Law Center vice president for education and workplace justice told Business Insider.

“I don’t think that that can be a status quo that we are satisfied with.”

The Law Center reviewed the February report and concluded “while many other groups were joining the labor force last month, 31,000 Black women left, bringing their labor force participation rate down from 61.9% in January to 61.7%

Williams joins First Mid Bank mortgage team

First Mid Bank & Trust welcomed Tony Williams as their new mortgage loan officer in the St. Louis market. He has been in the mortgage business for twenty years and has expertise in helping borrowers secure home financing. Williams specializes in offering low down payment lending products, including FHA financing and Down Payment Assistance programs. He will also be focused on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) lending, which helps meet the credit needs of the community, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations.

Brooke A. Smith, Esq. was promoted to deputy city manager/dir. of economic development for the City of University City. She has over 10 years of experience serving in local government, previously serving as city manager for the City of East St. Louis and city clerk/assistant to the city administrator for the City of Dellwood. Smith holds a juris doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law and a master in public affairs from University of MissouriColumbia. Smith also serves as provisional judge for the St. Ann Consolidated Municipal Courts.

FOCUS names Bryant to board

FOCUS named Edward L. Bryant to its board of directors. Bryant currently serves as VP public affairs and communications for Heartland CocaCola. Bryant’s previous positions include serving as president of the St. Louis Minority Business Council, leading the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s Economic Development Collaborative, and serving as VP of stakeholder engagement at the United Way of Greater St. Louis, where he led the Ready by 21 St. Louis and East Side Aligned collective impact teams.

Tatiana Gillum

President Kamala Harris says the unemployment rate for Black women can be improved if affordable child care is more accessible. February’s impressive job growth included gains in all sectors except for African American women.

Photo courtesy of NNPA

Edward L. Bryant

St. Louis County to hold job fair March 15 at The Crossings

St. Louis American staff

St. Louis County will host its “Spring into a New Career” Hiring Fair from 1-7 p.m. Tuesday March 15 at The Crossings at Northwest Plaza.

Job seekers will meet with hiring managers from County departments including the St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis County Circuit Court.

“This is a great opportunity to meet with current employees and learn about career opportunities in departments across our government, have your resume reviewed, and apply for opportunities in a variety of fields,” said County Executive Dr. Sam Page.

“I invite you to hear directly from our employees about why St. Louis County is a great place to work.”

Candidates can view job openings and apply for jobs

Kent

Continued from B1

was the same thing for people, but it was my love for the people coupled with recruiting that made me fall in love with it because I get to help people all over the world.”

Being a representative for people of color, particularly Black women, motivated her route to HR.

“I would see sometimes there were no women of color in recruiting. That’s what kept me there, and I was good at it,” Kent said.

“I can compete with my white male counterparts. My numbers were just as good as theirs. Sometimes people only [want to] work with people who look like them, and that’s a downfall in getting to know other cultures.”

Kent, a product of St. Louis Public Schools, didn’t see much diversity in her school or neighborhood. Everyone, except a few teachers, looked like her. Her surroundings changed instantly when she, her mom, and stepdad relocated to

Jobs

Continued from B1

in February.

Other findings include:

-Black women’s pre pandemic labor force participation rate was 63.9% in February two years ago. Women gained 347,000 jobs last month but are still short over 1.4 million jobs since February 2020. The unemployment rate for women ages 20 and over stayed the same at 3.6% last month, but for men 20 and older, the unemployment rate decreased from 3.8% in January to 3.5% in February.

-Nearly 1 in 16 Black women older than 20 (6.1%) were unemployed last month, up from 5.8% in January. Over 1 in 16 Black men ages 20 and over (6.4%) were unemployed

n “This is a great opportunity to meet with current employees and learn about career opportunities in departments across our government, have your resume reviewed, and apply for opportunities in a variety of fields.”

– County Executive Dr. Sam Page

ahead of the hiring fair. Fulltime, part-time, on-call, and seasonal positions are available.

On-site interviews will be available for those who apply ahead of time for the following positions: corrections officers, office service representatives

Chicago during her 7th-grade year. The environment differed from St. Louis.

She experienced diversity on a grand scale when introduced to different cultures. The exposure benefits her when she works with people from various backgrounds.

“When I interview people, I’m not stiff because that makes people not want to work with you,” Kent said.

“If you love what you do, you should act like it. Imagine if you were inviting this person into your home, you would make them feel welcomed.”

A self-described extrovert, Kent said she understands everyone’s character isn’t like hers. While she’s a natural talker and very outgoing, some people are quiet and reserved. How does that affect them in a professional setting?

She said the main thing for introverts is to understand their strengths.

“You set goals on what it is you want to do, coupled with what you want and ask yourself what do you want,” Kent said.

“First, you have to understand your strengths and stay in that lane. Confidence allows you to connect with anybody

during the same time. That is down from 7.1% in January.

-For women older than 20, nearly 1 in 20 Latinas (4.8%) were unemployed in February. That was a decrease from 4.9% in January. For Asian women, around 1 in 35 (2.7%) were unemployed in February 2022, which declined from 3.2% in January. By comparison, the unemployment rate for white men ages 20 and over was 3.0% in February, down from 3.2% the prior month.

Michelle Holder, an economist at John Jay College and president of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, told CNBC nearly a third of all Black women who work in the U.S. are in the healthcare and social-services sector, which has had a slower rebound in labor recovery during the pandemic.

“Black men in the U.S. are

and specialists, and secretaries. St. Louis County offers benefits including four weeks of paid time off, federal student loan forgiveness, discounted Metro passes, free membership at County parks and recreation facilities, career advancement, and much more.

Candidates are asked to pre-register for the event by calling (314) 615-6055. Preregistration is not mandatory, and no one will be excluded from the event should they not pre-register.

For individuals who may need an accommodation to participate in the hiring fair, please contact Carol Flood, County ADA Coordinator at (314) 6150148 (voice) or call RelayMO 711 or 1- 800-735-2966 (TTY). She can also be reached by email at cflood@stlouiscountymo.gov. To provide accommodation, please make your request by March 11, 2022.

when you’re true to yourself.” Kent said Ascension “rolled out the red carpet with the training, development, and leadership opportunities.

“They have cultivated what I came to the table with, more than 15 years of experience. I see myself retiring there in the future.”

In addition to being a wife and mother of three, Kent is author of “Networking, It’s Your Superpower!.” She also co-authored the book “Stuck. Strained. Stressed.: Real Stories About Shifting Your Mindset to Overcome Challenges.” She has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Judson University. Both books are available on Amazon.

“I love people, and I believe that’s what makes it my superpower,” Kent said. “I get to teach people how it can be their superpowers too, when they’re intentional. That’s the big thing; we have to be intentional about the people we meet. Every person you meet can be part of a new network.”

overrepresented in transportation and warehouse industries, which have expanded during the pandemic as e-commerce boomed, she said.

Vice President Kamala Harris said recently on Twitter “nearly 2 million women have been forced out of the workforce since the pandemic began, and the lack of accessible, affordable childcare is often the reason why.”

The unemployment rate for Black Americans was 6.6% in February, double that of white Americans.

According to Labor Department figures, the 3.3.% unemployment rate for white Americans is lower than the Black unemployment rate has ever been since unemployment data has been calculated.

President Biden celebrated the job growth report, saying, “my plan to build an economy from the bottom up and the middle out is working to get America back to work.”

“Since I took office, the economy has created 7.4 million jobs. That’s 7.4 million jobs providing families with dignity and a little more breathing room. We are building a better America.” He said the February reports follows “the greatest year of job growth in American history and the fasted economic growth in almost 40 years.”

Gas prices have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine, and inflation continues taking a toll on consumers.

“While we must tackle head on the challenge families are facing with rising costs, [the February] report underscores that the United States is uniquely well positioned to deal with the challenge that inflation has posed across the world as we recover from the pandemic.”

Sports

MARCH 10 – 16, 2022

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Cardinal Ritter claws way back to state quarterfinal round

Lions look for 3rd straight title

The quest for a third consecutive state basketball championship continues for the Cardinal Ritter College Prep boys’ team.

The Lions topped talented Westminster Christian 50-48 to win the Class 5, District 3 championship on the Wildcats’ home court on March 5. With the victory, the Lions advance to a state quarterfinal against St. Dominic at 7:35 p.m. Saturday March 12 at St. Louis Community College at Meramec.

Head coach Ryan Johnson used the formula for his Lions’ team that has worked the past two seasons, and netted state titles. He schedules the toughest competition, whether it’s in the city, state or around the country. Ritter takes its share of losses, but becomes battle tested.

The Lions entered district play with a 16-9 record and a No. 3 seed behind No. 1 Westminster and No. 2 DeSmet. Cardinal Ritter took down DeSmet in the semifinals 52-45 before pulling off its biggest win of the season against the top seed.

Senior guard Braxton Stacker led the Lions with 16 points and nine rebounds, while fellow senior Jordan Nichols added 16 points. Stacker, a Murray State recruit, is averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Cardinal Ritter’s other major weapon is 6’8” senior forward Robert Lewis, who has been one of the top players in the area this season. Lewis is averaging 21.5 points and eight rebounds a game while providing skilled shot blocking on the defensive end. Rounding out the starting five are senior guard Khristian Davis and sophomore Clayton Jackson, the son of former University City High star and SIU-Carbondale Hall of Fame women’s player Petra Jackson. State quarterfinals this weekend

The Missouri state quarterfinals for Classes 4, 5, and 6 will be held on Saturday.

Here is a look at the Class 5 and 6 games involving area teams. The winners of Wednesday night’s Class 4 sectional games will be playing on Saturday at Francis Howell Central and Jefferson College in Hillsboro,

respectively.

Class 6 Boys CBC vs. SLUH, 2:45 p.m. (at Lindenwood University)

Chaminade vs. Fort Zumwalt South, 7:45 p.m. (Lindenwood University)

Class 5 Boys

Webster Groves vs. Cape Girardeau Central, 2:45 p.m. (STLCC at Meramec)

Cardinal Ritter vs. St. Dominic, 7:45 p.m. (STLCC at Meramec)

Class 6 Girls

St. Joseph’s Academy vs. Jackson, 1 p.m. (at Lindenwood University)

Incarnate Word Academy vs. Troy, 1 p.m. (at Maryville University)

Class 5 Girls

Webster Groves vs. Cape Notre Dame, 1 p.m. (STLCC at Meramec)

Jayson Tatum

Few people can remember what happened to them on June 15, 2021, but Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will never forget.

On that Tuesday, the 202021 All-NBA Teams were announced, and Tatum narrowly missed earning his second consecutive All-NBA third team honor. He finished with the most points (69) among players who did not receive All-NBA honors.

What’s the big deal, right?

Had Tatum garnered third-team honors, his rookie contract extension with the Celtics would have increased $32 million, taking the five-year deal from $163 million to $195.6 million. Tatum’s salary this season remained at $28.1 million instead of jumping up to $33.7 million. The NBA’s “Derrick Rose Rule” allows teams to pay a player 30% of the salary cap instead of 25 percent in a rookie extension when the player is either named to All-NBA team in most recent season or in two

of past three seasons, is named Defensive Player of the Year in most recent season or in two of past three seasons or is named NBA Most Valuable Player in any of the past three seasons. Tatum posted better analytical statistics than Miami’s Jimmy Butler and Paul George, but they received the final two All-NBA forward slots.

Following the snub, Tatum told former NBA and fellow Duke star J.J. Redick during a podcast interview “strange biases come into play,” when it comes to All-NBA selections, including reporters leaving him off ballots because of his shot selection.

One of many famed lines from the movie “Animal House” is ‘Don’t get mad; get even.’ This is exactly what Tatum is doing this season.

East Side wins Sectional East St. Louis Senior High defeated Chatham-Glenwood last Friday night 56-47 to win the Class 3A Sectional championship in Highland. Senior guard Christian Jones had 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals to lead the Flyers while 6’6” junior Macaleab Rich added 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. The Flyers met Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin on Monday night in the Supersectionals for a berth in this weekend’s Final Four in Normal, IL.

District Championship highlights

-Junior guard Marcus Coleman of MICDS scored a career-high 25 points in the Rams’ 60-36 victory over John Burroughs in the Class

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Cardinal Ritter’s Derrick Rivers (15) hands Westminster senior guard EJ Williams (2) a face full on a foul with Robert Lewis (22) holding down defensive support during the Class 5 District 3 championship on Saturday night, March 5, 2022, at Westminster. Cardinal Ritter advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 50-48 victory.

4, District 6 championship game at University City.

-Sophomore guard Monet Witherspoon of John Burroughs had 18 points, six rebounds and two steals in the Bombers’ 49-39 victory over Westminster in the girls’ Class 4, District 6 championship game.

-Junior forward Cameron Stovall scored 22 points in the Wolverines’ 62-44 victory over Soldan in the Class 4, District 5 championship game at Soldan.

-Senior forward Eliza Maupin of Webster Groves had 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 53-46 victory over Lift for Life in the Class 5, District 2 championship game at Webster Groves.

-Senior guard Anthony Caldwell of Lift for Life scored 21 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the Hawks’ 79-77 victory over Confluence Academy in the Class 4, District 3 championship game at Cardinal Ritter.

He blasted the Brooklyn Nets with a 54-point performance in a nationally televised 126-120 victory on March 6. Tatum tied Celtics legend Larry Bird with his fourth 50-plus point game, and he is 24. Bird was 33 when he posted his fourth 50-point game.

He is averaging 26.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists a game, and grades out as one of the NBA’s top defensive players.

Tatum’s performances have also ignited his teammates. The Celtics are the NBA’s hottest team and just four games behind the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat.

“As a competitor night in, night out, but especially games like this, those matchups when you’re on one of the better teams in the league with two of the best guys (Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving), just as a

competitor, these are the kinds of moments that as a kid, you dreamed about and looked forward to,” Tatum told nba. com after his 54-point effort. Tatum came through when it counted too. He scored 34 points in the second half, on 16-for-30 shooting overall, 8-for-15 from 3-point range and 14-for-17 from the foul line. At this rate, Tatum is destined to make up the lost $32 million and a lot more The Reid Roundup

Congratulations go to Loyola-Chicago first-year head coach Drew Valentine after

Chapel Hill… The University of Missouri–St. Louis men’s and women’s basketball teams earned bids in their respective NCAA Division II Tournaments, marking the first time both reached the tournament the same season. The Tritons men’s team (24-6) won its first

Alvin A. Reid

Whitfield vs. Warrenton, 6 p.m. (STLCC at Meramec)

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of nba.com/Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum scored 54 points and led the Boston Celtics to a 126-120 win over the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday.

Operation Food Search receives major grant from city CDA

Partners with Urban League, SLPS

St. Louis American staff

Operation Food Search (OFS) has received a $305,000 grant from the St. Louis City Community Development Administration (CDA) to expand its Operation Backpack program, provide food for partner pantries, and acquire food to be distributed through Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis events. The grant is an allocation of coronavirus state and local funds from the Department of the Treasury and CDA. The grant represents more than 30% of the $1 million the CDA received for food assistance.

“Economic upheaval and soaring food prices have hit many people in our community,” said Kristen Wild,

Operation Food Search president and CEO.

“These funds will allow us to serve more children through our successful Operation Backpack program and provide nutritious meals to those who are facing food insecurity.”

A portion of the grant – $101,667 – will help Operation Backpack expand to serve 500 additional children in five St. Louis City schools: Ames Elementary, Confluence Academy, Oak

Northwest Coffee to open café at Schnucks store

Black-owned business’ coffee to be available at several locations

St. Louisan Jason Wilson’s Northwest Coffee Roasting Company will now operate a café in the Webster Groves Schnucks location, and will offer espresso shots, lattes, drip coffee, egg wraps, smoothies and more. The 788-square foot retail shop is now open daily serving cus-

EmpowerMe Wellness, a St. Louis-based provider of senior health services is opening a new state-of-the-art lab facility in the St. Louis metro.

EmpowerMe Wellness’ advanced technology and

tomers 7am-7pm. Later this spring, customers can expect to find five varieties of Northwest Coffee Roasting Company’s artisanal gourmet coffee on shelves of select St. Louis area Schnucks stores.

“We’re thrilled to be opening our doors at Schnucks’

Webster Groves location,” said Wilson, who owns the coffee roasting company. “We’re excited to introduce our artisan coffee to the area and continue to inspire people to ‘control the narrative,’ a phrase customers will notice on our product packaging.”

Hill Elementary, Washington Montessori School, and Woerner Elementary.

The program distributes thousands of weekly sacks of kid-friendly, shelf-stable food to get students through the weekend when school meals are not available. Additionally, 22 of OFS’s partner food pantries in St. Louis City will receive thousands of meals for the people they serve.

The remaining $203,333 in grant funding will be spent

to procure 800,000 meals for Urban League food distribution events. The meals, which will include items including ground beef, eggs, and fresh produce, will be available to the public at a March 26, 2022, Urban League distribution at 1408 North Kingshighway.

“Working with organizations like the Urban League, St. Louis Public Schools and our food pantry partners is crucial during these unique moments in history,” said Wild.

“We are thankful for the grant funding and the confidence the CDA has placed in us to meet the needs of the community.”

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search provides food and services to 200,000 individuals monthly through a network of 330 community partners in 27 Missouri and Illinois counties. A third of those served are children.

EmpowerMe Wellness announces 500+ jobs for

With $100M in fresh financing, St. Louis-based EmpowerMe Expands

unique integrated approach to health helped it raise more than $100 million in financing, prompting the company to provide new services, expand its footprint, and add at least 500 employees in the

St. Louis metro over the next three years.

Greater St. Louis, Inc. founding investors, Hermann Companies, represented by Robert R. Hermann, Jr. and Rick Holton, Jr., and Jim

McKelvey, made significant investments in EmpowerMe Wellness, helping bolster the metro’s expanding technology sector.

“This new lab represents a significant capital expenditure

and a major investment in the future of the St. Louis market and demonstrates the importance of investing in advanced technologies,” said Jason Hall, Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO. “It also exempli-

fies the type of advancement and job growth called for in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan and highlights the extraordinary economic momentum unfolding the metro.”

NBA star Dikembe Mutombo (left), at Northwest Coffee Roasting Company, with owner Jason Wilson (center) and former St. Louis NBA star and Cardinal Ritter grad Jahidi White in the Central West End last summer.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Johnny Brown, known as Nathan Bookman on ‘Good Times,’ died at age 84

Actor Johnny Brown, known largely for his character Nathan Bookman on the TV series “Good Times” has died at 84. A cause of death hasn’t been identified by his family, who announced his death to Instagram on March 2.

“Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe.” Brown’s daughter, actress Sharon Catherine Brown said in the post.

In addition to his successful acting career, Brown was a musician in a band. He starred on Broadway and acted in the ensemble cast of “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” for three seasons.

He originally was cast to play Redd Foxx’s son Lamont in “Sanford and Son,” but his contract with Rowan interfered with it.

burg, Florida, and was raised in Harlem.

He leaves behind his daughter, his wife June of 61 years, and a son John Jr.

Offset and his ex Oriel Jamie host birthday party for son King Kody in STL

Yesterday, Offset, one-third of the Atlanta rap trio Migos and his ex Oriel Jamie, owner of Jamie’s Studio and an eyebrow artist, hosted a birthday party in St. Louis for their 7-year-old son King Kody

The public event hosted at famous entertainment promoter Black Ceasar’s downtown CBA Event Center was decorated with the theme “King Kody Hits 7 MPH.” Pictures of the young lad’s adorable face were plastered throughout the venue, along with decals of the Lamborghini logo and racetrack flags.

Adorned in Christian Dior and dripping in diamond chains stuntin’ like his famous father, Kody partied hard, kids’ style, with his peers.

His role on “Good Times” began in 1975 on its second season.

Brown was born June 11, 1937, in St. Peters-

Elliot, the Entertainer of Circus Kaput, entertained the young crowd with his impressive juggling skills. Everyone

booth. The highlight of the event was Kody’s debut performance with his celebrity kid friends, YouTubers and Rappers KD Da Kid, and Super Saiah

He wowed the room, following in his father’s footsteps.

Guests ate a delicious-looking threetier cake topped with a crown and the number seven.

Jamie wished her son a Happy Birthday again in a message she shared Tuesday on Instagram.

“Happy 7th Birthday again son!!

Im super blessed to turn your visions to reality!! We had so much fun!! I am so proud of you. You’re such a smart, kind, and thoughtful kid. I love you more then anything. Your performance was everything. Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy this moment with us.”

with his wife Cardi B and two from previous relationships.

Morris Day accuses Prince’s estate of banning him from using stage name

History allegedly is being erased by Prince’s estate according to Morris Day, who said the estate is banning him from using the stage name Morris Day and The Time Day posted on Instagram about the flap last Thursday.

“I’ve given 40 years of my life [to] building up a name and legacy that Prince and I came up with. A name that while he was alive, he had no problem with me using. I literally put my blood, sweat, and tears into bringing value to that name,” he wrote.

Prince “not once ever” said Day wasn’t allowed to use the stage name, according to Day. In a statement, Prince’s estate disputed Day’s assertions.

On March 3rd, Kody’s father recognized him in a birthday shoutout in an Instagram post.

“Happy Bday KING KODY BIG 7 you are my TWIN I love you so much you getting so big on me but I’m proud of you son u make good grades and responsible at 7 love you 4L son,” Offset said.

Offset, born Kiari Cephus, four other children, two

“Given Prince’s longstanding history with Morris Day and what the Estate thought were amicable discussions, the Prince Estate was surprised and disappointed to see his recent post. The Estate is open to working proactively with Morris to resolve this matter. However, the information that he shared is not entirely accurate.”

Sources: Instagram, Deadline, Vibe

Howard University students spring into action at Sumner

Part of Alternative Spring Break Program

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

A dedicated group of Howard University students is spending spring break helping a school district distant from the Washington, D.C. campus.

The students are part of Howard’s Alternative Spring Break program, which sends hundreds of students across the nation and abroad during spring break. A team of 12 is assigned to Sumner High School through Friday, March 11.

“We are shadowing Sumner students wherever the school day takes them,” said Sydelle Davis, a Howard chemical engineering graduate student.

ols said the school’s Student Government Council advocated for bringing the program to the historic high school in The Ville neighborhood. Opened in 1875, it was the first high school for African Americans west of the Mississippi, according to a website on St. Louis historical structures

n Opened in 1875, it was the first high school for African Americans west of the Mississippi.

“The success of the HU Alternative Spring Break in St. Louis lies in our ability to connect one-on-one [with] young people and build relationships that will lead to honest and open discussion. Given their own unique Howard University experiences, our students are prepared to field a wide range of questions from pandemic pressures to social justice initiatives.”

Each Howard student has been paired with a small group of Sumner freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.

Sumner Principal Sean Nich-

“Sumner is excited and ready to welcome our guests to our school, to our lunch tables, and our school family,” he said. “We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the exchange of information as both sets of students share projects and school experiences. It’s an amazing chance to discuss higher education and plans for the future.”

Sumner recently established its “Advocacy, Arts and Action” platform, and Nichols said the Howard Students are part of lively discussions with his students.

“Because they are close in age, the Howard students will almost certainly inspire and energize our students; many of whom continue to be challenged by the effects of the pandemic on educational programs and traditions,” Nichols said.

The Howard students aren’t limited to serving only Sumner. In the afternoon, some are working with children at the

Annie Malone Children’s Home, which is adjacent to Sumner.

Howard students are also working with other agencies and schools in metro St. Louis, and discussing subjects including gun violence, community outreach, youth empowerment, and social justice.

They also visited the Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, a college preparatory school with a focus on STEM (science technology, engineering, and math) and helping clean-out and replant the school’s community garden.

“We believe in the impor-

tance of our girls seeing grown folks that look like them feeding themselves healthy food from their own hands,” said Alisa Bennett-Hart, Hawthorn project coordinator.

The theme for this year’s ASB program is “The Comeback.” In 2020, all travel and programming were suspended due to the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

“In 2021, the students established a plan for virtual civic engagement, a first in the program’s nearly threedecade history,” said Bernard L. Richardson, Howard University executive officer for religious

affairs and an ASB supervisor.

“ASB is a learning lab that challenges students’ growth as leaders and requires that they recommit to finding their purpose in the service of others,” he said. “I often share that our students were destined for such a time as this. I am constantly inspired by their perseverance.”

Established in 1994, Howard’s ASB program was instrumental in the HBCU being named to President Barack Obama’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction in 2014.

The honor is the highest federal award an institution can receive

Howard University students Truth Berney and Davon Collins, both juniors, learn marching drills from Sumner students Renihya Snow, Data Love, Renasjia Murphy and Stephon Riggins.

for service learning and civic engagement. According to Richardson, the program “gained momentum” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It continued to expand when students traveled to Haiti in 2010 to help earthquake victims. They spent spring break working with orphans and helped rebuild a school in Haiti, launching ASB’s international outreach.

For more information on Alternative Spring Break and how to support the program, visit https://giving.howard.edu/ alternative-spring-break.

Photo y Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Guest Editorial

“Unfortunately, all hell has broken loose since the Voting Rights Act was gutted.”

Attacking right to vote has long history

By Nse Ufot

Across the country, we are witnessing the continued trend of Republican leaders passing measures that make it harder for Black and poor people to vote.

In Georgia’s Spaulding County, two Republican officials pushed for a new law that only applies to the county to elect a fifth member of the Board of Elections.

Upon the law’s passage, the legislators privately interviewed candidates, selected a Republican to fill the new vacancy and then the newly constituted group ended Sunday voting, which Black voters disproportionately use.

In today’s environment, too many thought leaders are making conversations about voting rights academic, but the motivation for restricting voting is simple. Republicans want to hold onto power. They want control at every level of government, from school boards to prosecutor and district attorney races to state legislatures to statewide offices to Congress and the White House. That creates conflict, because in the marketplace of ideas, fewer and fewer Americans are subscribing to the GOP vision for the nation. Given the juxtaposition between what Americans want and what the GOP is offering, the only way for Republicans to maintain power and control is to cheat. But the levers that allow Republicans to manipulate voting rules for partisan gain were laid years ago. In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court eliminated Sections 4 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That allowed Republicans a means of restricting the right to

vote without having to get their plans precleared by the Department of Justice.

Many of the voting rights laws that we see today would have had to be precleared prior to going into effect. That extra step protected voters and the franchise. Unfortunately, all hell has broken loose since the Voting Rights Act was gutted.

Making matters worse, in Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Commission, the Supreme Court allowed corporations and outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections. That reversed a centuryold precedent around campaign finance laws and allowed entities all over the country to interfere with elections, tipping the outcome in races without transparency or accountability. It also minimized average voters’ ability to determine candidates of choice. The truth is that dark money has influenced American politics. But the nail in the proverbial coffin is redistricting – the drawing of state and congressional lines. It occurs once a decade, following the census and determines the number of seats allotted to each region. It also impacts who can win those seats in the first place. When redistricting is done unfairly, it gives certain politicians, namely Republicans, a chance at picking up more seats per state, even when the demographics of the population would naturally make it easier for a Democrat to

win. When done with ill intent, elected officials pick their voters, and voters have little chance – regardless of how large their voting bloc may be –of determining candidates who will represent their interests.

In this moment, there are three things I’d like ordinary people to remember. First, we should follow the examples of the luminaries, including martyrs who have died for the cause of freedom. They’ve given us the playbook. We must be mindful and remember that one failed vote doesn’t mean we’ve failed. There will be additional opportunities to protect the franchise, even if we must create those avenues.

Next, I want us all to remember that elected officials are not visionaries. They cannot lead our movements. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other elected officials are not leaders of the movement. They can be champions, but they are not our North Star. The North Star is love for self, love for family and love for the community. When elected leaders are no longer humble enough to do the people’s work, they must be replaced.

Third, voting is a tool to hire people to go to Washington or the state capitol to do work on behalf of our communities. Voting is a tool to build the kind of country in which we want to live. Certainly, we do not want to relinquish our right to vote, but it is important to remember that voting is a means to an end – not the end.

Nse Ufot is executive director of the New Georgia Project and a Harvard Institute of Politics fellow.

St. Louis’ homicide numbers don’t lie

STL is on national stage

By Dr. Dwayne Proctor Solutions

to firearm violence seem elusive even under the best of circumstances, and yet, in 2021, we witnessed something quite promising –a 26% drop in homicides in the city of St. Louis. Though there are many factors that go into a trend like this, I think it’s important to highlight the work that so many organizations and partners are doing to contribute to the decrease in violence, while recognizing the leadership of those standing at the forefront of addressing this issue in St. Louis.

Coming into the city with fresh eyes and an optimistic perspective, I’d like to encourage us to band together even more to continue to see this progress through and maintain safe neighborhoods and communities for years to come.

First, let’s be clear, when we talk about violence in America, what we’re really talking about is the harm caused by guns. I serve as the leader of Missouri Foundation for Health, an organization that recognizes firearm violence as a public health issue, acknowledging the longterm negative impacts it has on everyone it touches. The issues that drive community violence are complex and intertwining and include poverty, residential racial segregation, and patterns of divestment in communities of color, to name only a few. There’s more we still need to know.

Realizing there was a lack of

consistent, reliable information on the impacts of firearm violence on Missouri communities and that those already working on the issue needed more development and coordination, we set out to evaluate different approaches to address the epidemic.

After cultivating a few promising projects with our community partners, we launched our strategic initiative on firearm violence in 2017.

Lowering the rates of gun violence is going to take us doing exactly what we’ve seen city officials do as they’ve taken on this issue – collaborate with multiple systems to drive real change. Collectively, our work with organizations like Better Family Life, Life Outside of Violence, Saint Louis Story Stitchers, and the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission is an acknowledgment that we cannot use policing and publicsafety strategies as the only tools to make our city safer. Our work to align, convene, and connect efforts in the region and invest in fundamental infrastructure is one way we’re helping St. Louis build a coalition around this issue.

Our work with groups like Better Family Life and their De-escalation Centers is one example of this commitment. The notable early results from the Cure Violence program,

supported in part by the city’s health department, are a testament to the value of grassroots efforts aimed at digging into the root causes of community violence.

Firearm violence is a complicated issue, and no single approach will solve it. St. Louis City’s strategy of deterrence, intervention, and prevention gives everyone in the community, a part to play in building a more equitable future for St. Louis residents.

Other tactics being piloted by the city include the deployment of mental health professionals with police officers as part of the Cops and Clinicians program, and the Youth Development Collaborative.

We all want to see a healthier St. Louis; the sheer loss of human potential alone should be enough to spur us to action. But even if that is not a compelling enough reason, the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic gives us another – we are all connected. A healthier St. Louis means a healthier region. A healthier region means a healthier state.

I am proud to be a St. Louis city resident and witness firsthand the significant steps forward on an issue that has long kept us divided. With all of us working together, I look forward to a time when St. Louis’ reputation around gun violence has flipped. Instead of being known for firearm violence, we will be viewed on the national stage as a working model for firearm violence solutions. Let us all lead the way.

Dr. Dwayne Proctor is president and CEO of Missouri Foundation for Health

Commentary

Ketanji Brown Jackson will bring needed perspective to Supreme Court

Her nomination is historic

By Marc Morial

Her name means “lovely one.” Her parents chose it from a list sent by an aunt serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa in 1970.

Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated by President Biden to serve as the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court, was born into a unique moment of hope for Black Americans.

“The hard work of the previous decade — the marches, the boycotts, the sit-ins, the arrests — had finally borne fruit,” she said.

A Black man, Thurgood Marshall, had been serving on the Court for three years.

The first Black woman federal judge, Constance Baker Motley – who shares Judge Jackson’s birthday – had been confirmed four years prior. It was hard to imagine that it would take more than 50 years for a Black woman to be nominated to the nation’s highest court.

Judge Jackson’s nomination is historic not only because she will be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice if confirmed, but her service will mark the first time two Black justices have served together and will bring the Court near to gender parity with four women justices.

But it is more than just her gender and her race that make her nomination historic. She will be the first justice to have served as a public defender, giving her a range of experience and perspective that currently is lacking on the Court.

“Most of my clients didn’t really understand what had happened to them,” she said

during her confirmation hearing last year for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

“They had just been through the most consequential proceeding in their lives, and no one really explained to them what they were supposed to expect so they didn’t know where things might have gone wrong.”

That’s why as a trial judge, she took extra care to communicate with the defendants who came before her in the courtroom.

“When I have to sentence someone, I always explain to them, this is why your behavior is so harmful to society that Congress thought it had to be made a crime,” she said. “This is why I as the judge believe that you have to serve these consequences for your decision to engage in criminal behavior. I think that’s important for our entire justice system because it’s only if people understand what they’ve done, why it’s wrong, and what will happen to them if they do it again, that they can really start to rehabilitate.”

While we at the National Urban League are reviewing her record, Judge Jackson has already proven she is eminently qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Judge Jackson clerked for judges at every level of the federal judiciary, including retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, and served as a federal public defender. With her experience

Letters to the editor

in both civil and criminal law, Judge Jackson is more than prepared for exemplary service on the nation’s highest court. Judge Jackson has remained dedicated to fighting for the most vulnerable members of our society and fought for the constitutional rights of all -- qualities that have been overlooked in recent nominations to the Court. This country deserves a Supreme Court that reflects the rich diversity of the American people, and this nomination brings us one step closer to realizing that goal. Judge Jackson’s credentials, experience and expertise have been extolled widely by some of the nation’s most formidable legal minds. But the most meaningful endorsement came in a handwritten letter to President Obama in 2016, when he was looking for a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Dear Mr. President,

While you are considering judges to fill Justice Scalia’s seat, I would like to add my mother, Ketanji Brown Jackson of the District Court. I, her daughter of 11 years old, believe she would be an excellent fit for the position. She is determined, honest, and never breaks a promise to anyone, even if there are other things she’d rather do. She can demonstrate commitment and is loyal, and never brags. I think she would make a great Supreme Court Justice, even if the workload will be larger on the Court, or if you have other nominees. Please consider her aspects for the job.

Thank you for listening, Leila Jackson

Marc Morial is National Urban League president and CEO

Demand that Senator Blunt support nomination of Brown Jackson to Supreme Court

I wholeheartedly agree with the recent letter from the CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that “The appointment of a Black woman to the United States Supreme Court is a long time coming.” Not only will the seating of Ketanji Brown Jackson bring much-needed diversity to the court, her prior service as a public defender and a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission gives her insights into the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. She will, however, only

To send a Letter to the Editor to The St. Louis American, visit stlamerican.com or send your letter to editor@stlamerican.com

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Columnist Nse Ufot

Guest Columnist

Dr. Dwayne Proctor

City, plaintiffs’ attorneys dispute basis for appeal in Stockley lawsuit

On the surface, it’s easy to understand the outrage toward the City’s appeal in the civil rights case stemming from the 2017 Stockley protests. After all, retired Air Force National Guard member Brian Baude walked directly into a kettling and was arrested by SLMPD without probable cause and, in a historically cop-friendly judicial circuit, Baude prevailed in the first hurdle to his suit.

This seemingly-innocent narrative has been integral to a public smear campaign against Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and City Counselor Sheena Hamilton, through a coordinated attack in the notoriously misogynoiristic St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Public Radio, and other local media outlets. The story also seems to forget that no protesters or community activists are even mentioned in this lawsuit, which focuses only on Baude, his arrest, and subsequent 14-hour detention. To be clear, Baude was not a protester or member of the activist community when he left his Downtown loft to ask police how “he could be helpful” in their actions against protesters.

But, after decades of blindly supporting the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Post suddenly sprouted a backbone and called the City’s appeal “indefensible,” but perhaps the larger issue is their role in misleading the public about a complicated legal action that stands to have an impact beyond a single plaintiff. Compare Baude’s case, for example, to that of former SLMPD officer Luther Hall, who was undercover during the same protests and was brutally beaten by white officers. Hall settled his case with the City for $5 millionnot too far from the offer that was extended to and rejected by Baude. That a white man, who was inconvenienced by a 14-hour detention, feels entitled to receive a greater settlement amount than a Black police officer who was physically assaulted by his colleagues merely underscores the “white exceptionalism” the City has been championing for decades.

If left unchallenged, the legal decision could set a dangerous precedent where any plaintiff could force a defendant to pay - even without actually proving that the two parties ever interacted.

Activists and City leaders who previously have considered themselves “allies” to the Mayor protested outside of City Hall on Monday, focused on the generic issue of qualified immunity and their concerns that the Mayor’s administration is attempting to “expand” the legal doctrine. But their position is simply unwarranted.

This decision could impact not just City employees across all departments, but eventual-

ly it could be applied to protesters and civilians. Establishing this never-before-seen precedent - that everyone at the scene of an incident could be responsible, without any proof of interaction - opens a legal pathway to, for example, hold everyone who was at the scene of an arson criminally liable, regardless of their actual involvement in the commission of the crime. The City’s first and third points on appealmissing from the Post’s coverage - examine this very issue.

The City’s fourth point raised in the appeal questions Baude’s claim that the police used excessive force during his arrest, but further notes Baude didn’t actually show evidence of a physical injury to support that allegation. The fifth reason for the City’s so-called “indefensible” appeal challenges the procedure of the case, citing the judge’s use of the wrong legal standard, which typically serves as a checklist of facts that have to be proven in order for a plaintiff to win in court.

“The City of St. Louis is not and will not make any argument to expand qualified immunity,” said Nick Dunne, spokesperson for the Mayor, adding that the City Counselor has asked the court to apply already-existing legal precedents - not create new ones.

Alderwoman says homeless cause “increase in crime,” decreases her property value

Last week, Alderwoman Sharon Tyus (Ward 1) introduced Resolution 201, which included a number of ugly statements about the City’s unhoused population. In her proposed legislation, Tyus wrote that “the homeless or unhoused should not have rights that are superior to the housed or property owners,” and that emergency pop-up shelters are “the source of criminal behavior which increases the crime in their neighborhood.” Neither of these claims has been supported by evidence presented by Tyus or anyone else at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen

Tyus’ self-serving driven ire toward the homeless living in her ward seemingly stems from her own house’s proximity to a youth shelter. Given that this shelter serves unhoused teenagers and young adults, the need to preserve a sense of normalcy for this vulnerable population by placing the shelter in a residential neighborhood should be

apparent to anyone. This shelter has been in its current location for nearly 15 years, opening in the Kingshighway West neighborhood and across the street from Tyus’ house during her decade-long hiatus away from the Board.

Most neighbors who live near the youth shelter don’t seem to even know that the facility is there, and public crime reports from the previous three months show that while there was no crime reported on the block where the shelter sits, at least two thefts happened within a block of Tyus’ home. According to the website CrimeReports.com, which collects data disclosed by SLMPD, there were only two crimes reported on the youth shelter’s block from December through February, when winter weather typically pushes the City’s unhoused residents into shelters. Neighborhood crime statistics, however, don’t support Tyus’ attack against the City’s most vulnerable residents, which raises the logical question: what is the real reason for filing this bill?

In Resolution 201, Tyus wrote that “there are often external problems that plague the communities where the homeless shelters and housing are placed that require extra security and policing” and questioned the “legality” of the intentional encampments, directly targeting St. Patrick Center and other providers of homeless services. But rather than join the ongoing dialogue started by some of her colleagues (namely Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, Ward 6) and community organizers to alleviate the systemic abuses suffered by the City’s most vulnerable, Tyus seemingly has instead rooted her crusade against the homeless in protecting her own property values and profit.

Considering Tyus’ other recent legislative attacks - like attempting to repeal the City’s recently-implemented “approval voting” system and, just last week, tanking a common-sense rule that would have prevented aldermen from legislating while driving - she seems committed to undermine as much progress as possible on her way out.

Police unions call for alderman’s resignation after lying about encounter

Alderman Joe Vaccaro (Ward 23) has put himself into political hot water with both of the City’s police unions calling for his resignation as both an alderman and as chair for

the Public Safety Committee Vaccaro was caught red-handed, publicly decrying a recent encounter with a Black SLMPD officer in February and claiming to a TV reporter that the officer was an “a--hole” toward him, used foul language, and coughed on him. The officer’s body camera footage - released publicly last week under a Sunshine request - revealed a much different picture from Vaccaro’s version of the story.

After pulling over to the side of I-44, Vaccaro can be seen in the video exiting his truck next to heavy traffic and walking toward the police officer. The officer politely but firmly instructed Vaccaro to get back

into his vehicle, and while Vaccaro did not seem to take that directive personally at the time, his demeanor toward the officer gradually decayed into abusive, threat-laden mumbles. Throughout the encounter, Vaccaro is heard saying that he was going to call the officer’s supervisor and informing the officer of his political office in an apparent attempt to wiggle out of two tickets.

In an interview with KSDK last week, Vaccaro claimed that he called Chief of Police John Hayden to complain about the officer’s conduct. He then falsely stated that Chief Hayden offered to “fix” the tickets for

him, an allegation that Hayden has repeatedly and publicly denied. Online Public Records Archives show that Vaccaro pleaded guilty to an amended charge and paid his fines less than a week after the tickets were issued.

Vaccaro’s ward includes the Hampton Avenue union hall for St. Louis Police Officers Association, and he historically has been one of the aldermen most aligned with SLMPD and its agenda at the Board. But as the energy shifts in St. Louiswhere crime has decreased as the police budget gets redistributed to crime prevention programs like Cure Violence and Cops & Clinicians -- Vaccaro’s doubling-down on his attacks against the officer could not be more confusing. St. Louis Police Officers Association’s public condemnation of Vaccaro may signal a splinter in important political alliances as the “Aldergeddon” election approaches in 2013. SLPOA President Jay Schroeder told the Post in a statement on Tuesday that “No matter the outcome of the [internal affairs investigation] this allegation will permanently stain the officers employment history.”

He asked that the department absolve the officer and clear his file, adding that the alderman should resign.

Sharon Tyus Joe Vaccaro

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Nutrition Challenge:

Nutrition Challenge:

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food

Dining Out.

What Is ASize?Serving

Calcium!

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

calcium include:

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

> Milk – 8 oz. (300 mg)

INGREDIENTS:

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

GRAINS

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

Daylight Savings Time

First Day of Spring!

Exercise Game

Diversity

Tech-Neck

for several different reasons.

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

Cola

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

Your body uses calcium to build strong bones. By the time you hit the age of 20, your bones have usually completed their growing. So it is during your school years that you need to give your body the most calcium. Drinking soda not only reduces the amount of calcium you consume, it also affects how your body absorbs the calcium you do get.

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Daylight Savings starts 3/13/22

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

> American Cheese – 2 oz. (300 mg)

> Cottage Cheese – 4 oz. (70 mg)

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

Look for “calcium-fortified” foods and beverages to boost your calcium intake.

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Melissa Douglass, MSW

The Institute of Medicine recommends that kids between the ages of 9 and 18 years should eat and drink at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day. Some great sources of

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

FYI— If you choose lowerfat skim milk, it has the same calcium as whole milk!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 2, NH 3, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

Here’s a fun way to do just that. Pay attention to what time the street lights come on tonight. Now each night after that see how much later they come on. Make it a goal to add that much time to your outdoor active play.

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

This weekend we’ll all turn our clocks forward an hour, resulting in more daylight in the evenings. Use that extra hour to increase your outdoor playtime. As it stays lighter later and later, you can take advantage of this extra time to get plenty of exercise.

With the warmer weather and increased daylight, there’s no excuse to not

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice. Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.

What is diversity? As a class, discuss what you think it means. Is it the differences in how we look or act? Is it the differences in where we live, work or go to school?

Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior? Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

get in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Why not try for a goal of 60 minutes at least 4 days per week? You’ll look and feel better!

Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards:

HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city.

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

University, St. Louis campus. What does a licensed professional counselor do? I interview adults and children about mental health problems they may be experiencing. These interviews may happen by phone, in person, or video call. I also provide psychological assessments that helps clients understand how they are functioning. There are times when we provide education to our clients on a variety of topics such as stress, depression, ADHD or anxiety. Education sessions may take place in a group or oneon-one.

Break into small groups and create two lists: what everyone in the group has in common and what are the differences.

> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

> How bullying hurts others.

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your

> What to do if you are bullied.

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5 Calculate

> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.

Cracker-wiches

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

Is it bad to be different? What are some advantages to being around people that are different than you?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 2, NH 4

doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

Easy Hummus Dip

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

Why did you choose this career? It can be difficult for African Americans to find good quality mental health services. I chose this career to work in areas where African Americans may not have access to quality mental healthcare.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?

1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries

> What other ice hazards are there?

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

1 Garlic clove, crushed

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551 Ham & Jicama

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 7, NH 5, NH 7

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? My favorite part of the job is talking to clients. I learn something from each client I talk to, and that makes me a better professional overall.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Banana PB Smoothie

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Anita Santiago, LPC

Cottage Che e

The

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

at no charge.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Gateway MST Elementary teacher Ms. Rhonda Stovall uses interesting, hands-on lessons for her 3rd grade students. Jackie White, Rayeon Simmons, Ronya Payton and Dashaun Davis are learning to identify animal traits and characteristics. Gateway MST Elementary is in the Saint Louis Public Schools District.

Photo by Rhonda Stovall.

The atmosphere is a thick layer of air that protects us from the sun’s radiation, falling meteors, and toxic gas. The atmosphere consists of five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere and exosphere. The layer closest to the earth is the troposphere. It is 11 miles thick and it controls our weather. The next layer is the stratosphere, which is 30 miles high, contains the ozone layer, which protects us from the sun. Next, is the mesosphere (about 50 miles from Earth), which is -180 degrees Fahrenheit. 430 miles above the earth is the ionosphere,

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will see how moisture, temperature, and condensation affect cloud formation.

Materials Needed:

• Gallon Jar • Hot and Cold Water

• Lamp • Rubber Glove

• Food Coloring • Matches

• Rubber Band Process:

q Pour ½ cup cold water into the jar. Add a few drops of food coloring and stir for one minute to allow some water to evaporate.

w Place the plastic glove over the jar—with the fingers down in the jar and the open end of the glove over the mouth. Use the rubber band to secure the glove.

e Adjust the lamp so that it shines on the jar and turn on the light.

MATH CONNECTION

Solve these weather word problems. Remember to look for clue words and check your answer.

The Atmosphere?

which is considered outer space. Ions in the ionosphere create an electrical layer used to transmit radio waves. Extending more than 6,000 miles is the final layer, the exosphere. The atmosphere is approximately 75% nitrogen and 25% oxygen.

For More Information, Visit: http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-forkids/0040-introduction-to-our-atmosphere.php.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

r Place your hand in the glove and quickly pull it outward without disturbing the seal. Record your observations.

t Now quickly push your hand back into the glove and record your observations.

y Carefully remove the glove from the lid, drop a lit match into the jar, and seal it with the glove placed in the previous position.

u Put your hand into the glove, pull it out quickly, and record the observations.

i Repeat the entire process using hot tap water. What differences do you notice?

Analyze: How does temperature affect cloud formation?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results.

The Problem with Weather

c The temperature in New York City is 43 degrees. In San Francisco it is 70 degrees. What is the difference in temperature between New York and San Francisco?

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN METEOROLOGIST: Samuel Williamson

Samuel Williamson was born in Tennessee on March 5, 1949. After graduating from W.P. Ware High School in 1967, he attended Tennessee State where he received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Nine years later, he earned his master’s degree in management from Webster University.

In 1971, he began his career with the U.S. Air Force’s Air Weather Service as an atmospheric scientist. Six years later, he joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he worked to help create the Doppler Weather Radar System. This is the system that uses radars to detect precipitation and calculate its motion and intensity. This system is important because it allows meteorologists to warn citizens about upcoming storms so that they can prepare and be safe.

Williamson later served as the Senior Staff Associate for the National Science Foundation, where he worked to develop science education. He also served on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Science. In 1998, he became the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. He used this opportunity to make positive changes in the use of aviation weather, space weather, wildland fire weather, weather for surface transportation, and tropical cyclone research.

Williamson is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the Montgomery College Foundation Board, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Guard Association, Committee for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability (CENRS), and the National Science and Technology Council. He was elected as a Fellow of the African Scientific Institute. In 2010, he received the Presidential Rank Award, and the NOAA Distinguished Career Award.

Discuss: An atmospheric scientist has a very important career. Explain why. If you are interested in this career, what could you do now to start learning about it?

Learning Standards: I can read about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

z A hurricane has wind speeds as low as 75 miles per hour (mph). If the wind is blowing 87 mph, how many fewer mph until it is no longer considered a hurricane?

x Sixteen inches of rainfall fell last year. Twelve inches fell this year. What is the total number of inches of rainfall over the past two years? ____________ What is the average of the two numbers? ____________

DID YOU KNOW?

v If a cloud is 18 feet long, how many inches long is it?

b If snow is falling at a rate of ¾ inch per hour, how much snow would you have in 5 hours? _____________________ Learning Standards: I can read word problems to determine clue words. I can add, subtract multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

The Earth’s molten iron core creates a magnetic field—extending from the surface of the Earth out several kilometers. This is known as the magnetosphere. The Earth’s atmosphere extends out to 10,000 km. For more facts about the atmosphere, visit https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-the-atmosphere/ Earth doesn’t take 24 hours to rotate on its axis; it actually takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds.

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Conflict: Locate a news story that has a conflict. What is the conflict? Is it an internal conflict or an external conflict? Is there an effort to resolve the conflict?

Activity Two — Weather Watch: Are there any cause/ effect news stories about weather? Can you find an article that has timely information related to weather—for example: weatherizing your house, the importance of sunscreen, gardening tips for the spring, etc.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify conflict and cause/effect relationships.

St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year,

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate

Understanding the Russian invasion of Ukraine

A pawn of two Superpowers

duke it out.

I have been intrigued at the interest and concern that Black people around me are expressing towards Ukraine. Not movement folks, the usual suspects. I’m talking about people waiting in the grocery line, at the gas pump, on class alumni calls. Intrigued, not because I think we don’t care about foreign affairs, but because working-class Black folks are shouldering so much right now. In addition to showing compassion for those victims of Russian military aggression, Black folks seem to be clear that Ukraine is between a rock and a hard place. Russian is the rock and the United States is the hard place. Two superpowers going at each other in ways you can’t see unless you have special anti-imperialist glasses.

President Biden and his hawkish colleagues are coolly playing their role. Out of one side of the mouth are flowery declarations about democracy and the support for Ukraine to be a sovereign country. On the other side of his mouth, Biden talks tough about punishing Putin. Not by fighting Russia directly but by using Ukraine to

What price will Vladimir Putin pay? Nothing Biden said stopped the largest conventional military invasion in Europe since World War II. Russian troops have bombed everything from civilian neighborhoods to water supply stations to churches. Cities are being bombarded, religious and cultural treasures destroyed. Biden’s threats have been lost in the thunder of Russian shellings.

The president knows the ma-

n What price will Vladimir Putin pay? Nothing Biden said stopped the largest conventional military invasion in Europe since World War II.

jority of this country does not have an appetite for war. While Biden has not sent American troops to Ukraine yet, he has continued funneling military aid and equipment. Over $650 million to be exact—the most ever given to Ukraine in one year, according to the U.S. State Department. And more is coming. Congress is being asked

to allocate another $10 million of our tax dollars in security, humanitarian and economic support to the country.

More than 1.5 million Ukrainians have become refugees, fleeing their homeland as cities come under siege. It’s generally women and children who are burdened with the toll of dislocation. The scenes of crying children being separated from parents to be sent to foreign countries is gut-wrenching.

Meanwhile in the West, particularly in the U.S., people are rebelling against safety measures that would put a deadly pandemic in check. When I heard that 500+ semi-trucks and other vehicles were going across the country headed to Washington D.C., it provoked an ominous image of comparison. That of the 40-mile Russian military convoy of tanks, armored vehicles and other weapons of mass destruction poised to assault Ukraine. Angry truckers demanding freedom from mask mandates while the Ukrainian people prepared to defend their country from a bullying superpower seemed, well—seemed trivial. Petty.

The citizens of Ukraine are putting up a good fight; they have a lot to lose. The ending to this story is not clear but a military solution imposed by a Russian dictator doesn’t bode well for the self-determination of the Ukrainian people.

Normandy Schools Collaborative superintendent to resign

Marcus Robinson stepping down

St. Louis American staff

Marcus C. Robinson, Normandy Schools Collaborative superintendent, announced Wednesday he is resigning and will leave the district at the end of the school year.

“After much prayer and reflection, I have informed the Joint Executive Governing Board of my decision to vacate the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Normandy Schools Collaborative at the end of this school year,” he wrote in a letter to Normandy students, parents, and staff.

“As a Normandy native who received his educational foundation in this district, I did not reach this decision easily. However, given the State Board of Education’s recent decision to move toward a different governing board, I think it is prudent that the new board select a superintendent who is in alignment with its new values, goals, and ambitions for our school community.”

The Normandy Joint Executive Governing Board released a statement that it “thanked Mr. Robinson for his service to our students, staff. and community over the last two years. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

“The district is beginning the process of finding the next Normandy superintendent by securing a search firm. The successful firm will conduct the search process with the goal of having a new superintendent on board for the first day of the 2022-2023 school year.

“We will provide updates as we move forward with this process. We look forward to working with our families, staff, and community as we begin a new chapter for Normandy.”

In 2014, a school board of state-appointed members was put in charge of the district after it lost accreditation due to poor test scores and financial issues.

The district now holds partial accreditation and two of its board seats will be held by locally elected school board members. Elections for new school board members will be held on April 5.

Some community leaders and parents have sought Robinson’s resignation over the past year because he wasn’t certified as a superintendent in the state. The district could not return to full accreditation, as a result. Robinson, who was hired in April 2020, said in his statement, “I look forward to continuing to be Normandy’s top cheerleader and advocate until my last day as superintendent which will be June 30, 2022.”

“Normandy has been my launchpad from Kindergarten to four college degrees (two from the Ivy League), and a career filled with great academic accomplishments, and I am forever indebted to our magnificent community for the opportunity to serve it.”

The Normandy Schools Collaborative includes six schools and has more than 3,100 students enrolled, according to the district.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Photo courtesy of Youtube.com

Marcus Robinson

Living It

‘She Is Her, I Am She’ Continues

Afrofuturism works, merch, and an NFT collection

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Quite a bit has changed since the St. Louis American last interviewed artist Shevare’ Perry about her “She Is Her, I Am She I & II” collection in May.

The conglomerate of art, including poetry, digital portraits, and mixed media collages exploring Black fashion, beauty, and womanhood, has expanded to ‘She Is Her, I Am She III,’ which includes works of Afrofuturism (combining of elements African culture and heritage with technology, science and philosophy), HeLa cells, and an NFT collection.

Perry premiered a pop-up continuation last Friday at Sophie’s Artist Lounge, which includes a street art gallery.

She extended the series because there’s still a lot to explore and unpack.

“The poem continues as we talk about ‘she and her,’” she said. “We talk about trying to

Artist Shevare Perry had a pop-up exhibit last weekend titled “She Is Her, I Am She III.” It’s a continuation of a collection she premiered last year at Saks Fifth Avenue Gallery. “She Is Her, I Am She III” featured a mixed media collage, digital portraits, and poetry that explores womanhood, beauty, and fashion. She’s also added afrofuturism pieces.

find balance and who’s dominating who. What does that look like? I wanted to explore more and connect that aspect of this work with [her earlier] ‘My Adventures of Wynk’ work, thinking about where the intersection is. I wanted to

n “I wanted to put the planet and galaxy within her hoop earrings and think about being in the future and the present simultaneously.”

- Artist Shevare Perry

expand my thought process and wondered how I could work on both at the same time instead of both individually.”

Serenity No. 1 and Joy No. 1, the newest portrait series, come from analyzing the struggles evoked from emotions.

“Joy comes from the line in my poem ‘she is her joy and grief, she laughs, she cries,’” Perry said. “There’s power in Serenity. Power in taking a stance, being still, and being poised.”

Joy displays a Black woman in a black and white print with orange planets inside her hoop earrings and a dove resting on her shoulder.

“I wanted to put the planet and galaxy within her hoop earrings and think about being in the future and the present simultaneously,” Perry said. “How do we live in this space, and what’s to come of this space? The emotions within the space stem from color, contrast, being multidimensional, and not putting limits on a physical space. This all exists, but it’s about thinking outside the physical area into a spiritual space. It’s about mindset and [the] abstract.”

She said the dove represents liberation, freedom, purity, and life.

Serenity accents a Black woman with voluminous braided afro puffs in black and white centered in a purple and pink universe, with doves on her shoulder like Joy.

See ART, C8

A medical miracle in its own right

By Kenya Vaughn The St.

Louis American

There is a common denominator among those elders who share first-hand professional connections with Homer G. Phillips Hospital. They exude a passion and reverence for the historically Black medical institution that extend beyond what words can express.

Author Candace O’Connor details cherished memories and weaves them around the hospital’s storied legacy in her recently released book, “Climbing the Ladder, Chasing The Dream: A History of Homer G. Phillips Hospital.”

The book began with a referral. Ethel Long – a Homer G. Phillips Nursing School graduate – received O’Connor’s name from the Missouri Historical Society when she inquired about authors with experience in historical and medical writing. “She called me and said, ‘would you consider this?” O’Connor said. “She said, ‘we have nurses and doctors who are eager to tell their stories.’ I thought, ‘this is amazing. I can’t say no to this. Right there in that conversation, I said yes.” O’Connor, who has written 14 books, was no stranger to the Black hospital and world-class medical training institute that was an anchor in St. Louis’ historic Ville neighborhood from 19371979. She had been hearing about Homer G. Phillips for years – particularly during her tenure as an editor for the Missouri Historical Society Press. She edited “Discovering African American St. Louis” by Dr. John A. Wright Sr., which made several mentions of the hospital.

By Chris King For The

Patrick Summers, leader of the Houston Grand Opera, guest conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, joined by the masked St. Louis Symphony Chorus, performing for the first time in two years, led the orchestra, chorus and audience in one minute of silence Friday in memory of those in Ukraine who have already lost their lives “and our artistic brothers and sisters in Ukraine.” They then performed “Mozart’s Requiem.” It was the stillest moment I have ever heard at Powell Hall. Not one cough. Not one whisper of cough drop wrapper. Then the orchestra and chorus performed the Requiem like their lives depended upon it, like they were musicians in Ukraine playing far underground in subway tunnels while Russian

President Putin’s bombs explode overhead. Putin’s bombs had kept Dmitry Sinkovsky –who had been scheduled to conduct the orchestra, perform on violin, and sing in his SLSO debut -- behind in Moscow. The official word was that he was unable to find anything smoking out of Moscow, as so many aircraft were preoccupied with the assault on Ukraine. Summers – an Indiana native trained at the stellar music school at Indiana University –instead got to enjoy his SLSO debut. In place of the first half of works by J.C. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and G.F. Handel that had been programmed to feature Sinkovsky, Summers conducted three light, bright Mozart compositions: the Overture and “Non più di Fiori” from the opera “La Clemenza di Tito” and “Horn Concerto No. 2.”

The fact that this conductor was booked, program assembled and orchestra rehearsed

overnight was unbelievable. Not only did Summers command that minute of silence before the “Requiem,” he spoke between songs about the orchestra with a plural “we” as if he owned it, and he directed it that way. For all the commercial and gimmicky reasons that orchestra companies select guest conductors, Summers re-

minded us the one and only thing that needs to be true of the person with the baton: they must know the music more intimately than anyone else on the stage. As he directed the musicians, all 10 of his

Candace O’Connor book details rich history of Homer G. Phillips Hospital

St. Louis American

See SLSO, C8

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Patrick Summers, leader of the Houston Grand Opera.

Photo courtesy of SLSO

Our healthcare workers faced unexpected challenges in the last two years – and they faced their tasks with grace and courage. We’re proud to share their contributions with the community. Moreover, we are pleased to be able to gather again in person to honor them for their service.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 • Hilton St. Louis Frontenac

Reception: 11 am - 12 pm • Program: 12 pm - 1:30 pm

LIFETIME ACHIEVER IN HEALTH CARE

Vetta Sanders Thompson, Ph.D.

E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity and Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Co-Director, Center for Community Health Partnership & Research Institute for Public Health at Washington University Associate Member, Siteman Cancer Center

STELLAR PERFORMER IN HEALTH CARE

Tifani Sandord, M.D.

Director of Clinical Services

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION OF

Ketra Collins RN, Gateway Regional Hospital Marilyn Peaston Case Worker, City of St. Louis Health Resource Center

Angela Klocke BSN, Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Christian

Wilma Schmitz, MA Regional Liaison & Trainer, Missouri Connections

CLAIM

Dr. Michelle Grimes Chief Nursing Officer, CareSTL Health

Ursula Wright, FNP Vice President, Clinical Care Redesign, Mercy

Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS Dean, Faulty Teacher, A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Join Art Museum today for virtual artist discussion: Hair sculpting a culture

By Shaka Myrick, Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow (2021-2023)

Celebrating the achievements of women of color in the arts, the Saint Louis Art Museum will host its annual If It Wasn’t for the Women panel discussion today, March 10, at 7 pm. This year’s virtual program explores the history of African American and Afro-Latinx hair in contemporary art and Black culture.

Artists Joann Quiñones, Jada Patterson, and Summer Brooks each offer a unique perspective of hair’s impact on culture in America and within the Black diaspora.

Quiñones is currently an assistant professor of sculpture at Alfred University, N.Y., after earning an master of fine arts degree in studio art from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a doctorate in English from the University of Iowa. Quiñones is inherently drawn to objects associated with womanhood and the internal contradictions of Afro-Latinx identity.

Quiñones’ ceramic figurative work embraces their hybrid Puerto Rican and African American ancestry.

Patterson is studying fine arts in ceramics and art history with a social practice certificate at the Kansas City Art Institute. She explores the natural decay of African American identity and culture by tracing intersections of race, gender, history, and the environment. Her sculptural work is deeply rooted in uncovering traditions surrounding African rituals, especially those related to hair which is often overlooked because of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Brooks grew up in O’Fallon, Ill., and recently completed her senior exhibition, Black Magic, at the McKendree University Gallery of Art. Her work has also been included in exhibitions at the Albrecht Kemper

Unidentified Igbo artist, Mask (agbogho mmwo), 20th century, Wood, pigment, metal Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Dr. Donald M. Suggs 223:1977

Museum of Art and, most recently, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Her mixedmedia sculptures celebrate the magic of Black hair while considering the political implications of the afro.

Romare Bearden Fellow, Shaka Myrick, will serve as moderator, providing insights into several African Art sculptures in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s collection. Within this historical context, she will highlight a 20th century intricately carved mask by an Igbo

artist.

We invite you to join us Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 7 pm for the Art Museum’s If It Wasn’t for the Women program. To reserve your space, visit slam.org/events. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a unique zoom link to join the program. Capacity for this event is limited, and registration is required. This program is supported by the Mary Strauss Women in the Arts Endowment.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Honor the Women from St. Louis

By Jennifer Poindexter

Explore St. Louis

From the more recent history-making Congresswoman Cori Bush and Mayor Tishaura Jones to the women who came before them, such as Frankie Muse Freeman, Jenifer Lewis, and Annie Malone — with hundreds in between, women have left their indelible mark on the city’s vibrant history. Here are just a few of the amazing women who helped shape St. Louis and the world, and where you can learn more about them here in St. Louis.

Maya Angelou, noted author, poet and actress, was born in St. Louis but won critical acclaim with her best-selling account of her upbringing in segregated rural Arkansas. Her screenplay, Georgia, Georgia, was the first by a black woman to be filmed. Check out her star in the Delmar Loop’s St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Josephine Baker performed in Paris with Revue Nègre, starred in the FoliesBergère, and became one of France’s beloved entertainers. She also was a civil rights activist in the United States. You can view her performance costumes at the St. Louis Sound Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum.

charts winning eight Grammy Awards along the way. Tina is also featured in the St. Louis Sound Exhibit.

Katherine Dunham was a dancer, choreographer, author, educator, anthropologist, and innovator in African American modern dance. Dunham was also a social activist. In 1967 she established the Performing Arts Training Center in East St. Louis, Ill., to train new generations of dancers. With tapestries, paintings, sculptures and more, visit The Katherine Dunham Museum to view her collection of symbolic and functional art.

This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of local women who have and — continue — to inspire and cultivate pride for our city. Those tasked with championing St. Louis within the hospitality industry are just as plentiful. Below are a few stories of the many women Hospitality Superheroes that you can applaud and support that are working today in the St. Louis region.

Susan Blow opened the first successful public kindergarten at St. Louis’ Des Peres School in 1873. She was later instrumental in establishing kindergartens in schools throughout the country. Visit the Carondelet History Museum where Susan Blow’s Des Peres School was founded.

Harriet Scott was an enslaved person who, with her husband Dred, made history in 1846 by suing for their freedom. The case has been cited as one of the causes of the Civil War. Honor Harriet by learning more about the U.S. Supreme Court case at the Field House Museum or by visiting the Dred and Harriet Scott Statue, located in the front of the Old Courthouse in the Gateway Arch National Park.

Rock legend Tina Turner began her career with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm while still a student at Sumner High School in the 1960s. She would later launch a solo career that propelled her to the top of the pop, rock and R & B

Pearletta Evans from Hudson & Associates helped a customer’s mother-in-law get safely to a nearby hotel after her ride home (a three-hour drive) fell through. As the woman waited, Pearletta kept her company and even stayed beyond her shift time to help monitor the customer’s mother-in-law on a shuttle.

Keishonna Easter, an employee of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, helped a daughter and her mother enjoy a soothing evening event when eventually the sound became too much for the daughter. Keishonna arranged chairs in a private location in their lobby, turning a monitor to live stream of the performance in a space that was more comfortable for them. Vanessa Adams, of the Marriott St. Louis Grand, had been working doubles in Zenia Bar and Grille to accommodate a large group. Towards the end of the group’s stay, it began to snow. As the snow fell, flights were canceled, and many guests were stuck in the hotel. Vanessa volunteered to stay and remained positive as she served over 200 guests that night. Stop and appreciate all women in the St. Louis Region and learn more by checking out Explore St. Louis’ most recent Blog Post, Celebrating Women’s History Month in St. Louis.

On view through May 15

Columnist

Jennifer Poindexter

By David Chasanov OzarkFirst

A Springfield, Missouri church formed by slaves in the 1800s is getting some repairs.

The Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church, one of Springfield’s last remaining historically African American churches, is undergoing a much-needed remodeling project

The chapel was built in

By Lyndia Grant

No matter who you are, there will be some dark days in your life. Our Heavenly Father set things up that way. The problem is, too many misunderstand the darkness. They assume it will never leave. Not true — nothing is permanent. Everything changes. During the darkest night, you will see the stars, but in a few hours, daylight will show up again. Stars in this column represent hope — hope for the college education you want for

1911, and a fundraising campaign to save the deteriorating church began in 2020.

Lead pastor Tracy Wolff said, “nobody expected little Pitts Chapel to be able to raise close to $250,000 but we almost have.”

“Pitts Chapel staying alive tells Springfield that the Black community is still alive. We’re still here, and as several of my members like to say, ‘We aren’t going anywhere.’ We’re

Religion

going to be an important part and we are an important part, always have been an important part of Springfield and that will continue.”

Wolff is the former lead pastor at North Hills United Methodist Church in St. Louis and associate pastor at St. Andrew UMC.

She served as the Food & Fitness director at Mercy Ministries and the Connections pastor at Grace UMC and

was a board member with DOORWAYS, which provides emergency and permanent housing to the impoverished

Father to order your steps as you make progress all along the way. Begin to create those dreams you have been holding onto.

and homeless population affected by HIV/AIDS in Missouri and Illinois.

While serving as Pitts Chapel lead pastor for less than a year, Wolff is familiar with the Springfield area. She walked onto the Missouri State’s women’s basketball team in the mid-1980s as a sophomore before becoming a full scholarship student.

Following graduation, she spent two years as a graduate coaching assistant for the Lady Bears before leaving for Milwaukee in 1991 to serve as Marquette University’s assistant women’s basketball coach, a post she held for 10 years.

After Marquette, she worked as Director of Women’s Basketball with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Cru Ministries, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ. Wolff became Pitts Chapel

pastor last summer when Rev. Russell Ewell was assigned to lead a congregation in Kansas City. She also had been working at the church through the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church NextGen Ministries, a ministry for college students. To support the renovation effort visit www.givelify.com/ Pitts Chapel or mail a check to the church at 600 N. Benton Ave, Springfield, MO 65806. Services at the church have continued, they are just being held in the basement.

“What it will mean to the congregation to be back in the sanctuary, you can only imagine what it’s like to be in your church but not be in your sanctuary for a year,” Wolff said. For the full version of this article, visit Historic black church in Springfield being remodeled (ozarksfirst.com).

yourself or your children, hope to sustain your marriage, hope for a new and better job after getting let go through no fault of your own. Stop crying and look up to the stars — they are always there. Even when there are clouds, those stars continue to shine! When you’re flying, and the airplane reaches its highest altitude, if it’s nighttime, you will see the stars, even if there is a tremendously bad storm going on below. Each star represents hope for your future. Know that the Lord

God created you for a purpose. He sent you to this earth to get a specific job done. Stop shedding tears and look inward to hear God’s voice. Allow Him to order your steps. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs, authors, inventors, and others have come along during a time when all hope was lost, and there was darkness all around them. Get a new reality, and just know that this change will not happen overnight. It will take months, even years, but simply believe and allow the Heavenly

Les Brown once said it this way: “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, determined to carry out their dream.”

About 20 or so years ago, I was attending weekend classes at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. I can remember so vividly the pain I felt about my life, a failed mar-

riage, a husband who chose not to pay child support, changed his name at work, changed his birthday to my birthday, and got a new Social Security number — all to avoid paying child support for three lovely children we had together during the 17 years of an abusive marriage of choking and physical abuse. I forgave him years ago, because he had PTSD from being a U.S. Marine, and earned a Purple Heart for his fighting in Vietnam. Though I was an honor student in high school and for many years, I felt I could make it without a college education, since I had gotten A’s in English and was an excellent writer with great command of the English language. Let me assure you how wrong I was. Having a college education

has truly made a difference. We should keep learning if we are able to do so. Those were extremely dark days. During this time, though, I finished my education at Trinity University, earning my B.A. degree in communications and my master’s degree a few years later — two extremely exciting days for a graduation. This determination gave me the opportunity to experience taking the telescope of life to get a

Count them all

Lyndia Grant is a

writer, and host of “Think on These Things,” on 1340 AM (WYCB). Her commentaries are published in the Washington Informer.

Black Health & Wellness

Rev. Tracy Wolff

Columnist Lyndia Grant

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

per month. Payments for time expended in adoption, guardianship of minor, and termination of parental rights matters may be made over and above the retainer fee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri,

position is subject to continued availability of funding. To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by March 25, 2022): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

DEACONESS FOUNDATION IS SEEKING A RELATIONSHIP COORDINATOR

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of this full-time position is providing Deaconess Center relationship management support to the Director, Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being. The Relationship Coordinator will be responsible for greeting all building entrants in a joyful manner and assisting them with deliveries, meetings, and appointments in the Deaconess Center, including navigating people to their appointments and/or desired locations. Duties include communicating effectively with volunteers, visitors, co-locators, Deaconess Center and Deaconess Foundation team members, and all other persons who enter Deaconess Center, and notify all co-locators of visitors. The duties also include utilizing good telephone etiquette with all who call Deaconess Center, convening space scheduling, calendar management, prioritizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously, and exercising independent judgment.

For More information or to Apply: Please upload cover letter, and salary requirements as one document to the Deaconess career website: https://deaconess.isolvedhire. com/jobs/ and include references.

CITY OF CLAYTON HIRING FOR FULLTIME POSITIONS

The City of Clayton is hiring for full-time positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY EOE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SouthSide Early Childhood Center is seeking a new Executive Director. To apply, submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Kittleman & Associates, LLC at https://bit.ly/3gZby4o (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page).

St. LouiS american Career Center

(COO) CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

People’s Health Family of Corporations is looking for a (COO) Chief Operating Officer to join our family of companies.

Overview:

The Chief Operating Officer or COO will oversee our organization’s ongoing operations and procedures. You will be the company’s second-in-command and responsible for the efficiency of business. This role is a key member of the senior management team, reporting only to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The goal of the COO position is to secure the functionality of business to drive extensive and sustainable growth.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities we are looking for:

• Design and implement business strategies, plans and procedures

• Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth

• Establish policies that promote company culture and vision

• Oversee daily operations of the company and the work of (IT, Marketing, Compliance, etc.)

• Lead employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication

• Evaluate performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics

• Write and submit reports to the CEO in all matters of importance

• Participate in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, corporate alliances etc.)

• Manage relationships with partners/vendors.

Required Education and Experience:

• MS/MBA or 7 years of related experience

• (FQHC) Federally Qualified Health Center experience preferred

• Proven experience as Chief Operating Office or relevant role

• Understanding of business functions such as HR, Finance, marketing etc.

• Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development

• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics

• Working knowledge of IT/Business infrastructure and MS Office

• Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills

• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving

To Apply:

Please apply @ https://peoplesfamilystl.org/careers/

Deadline: Friday March 18, 2022

For more information please email Human Resources @ humanresources@phcenters.com

DEACONESS FOUNDATION IS SEEKING A PROGRAM MANAGER

Position Summary

The responsibility of this full-time position is coordinating routine processes for grant making within the foundation’s program portfolio and relationship management and constituency support services to the Foundation’s volunteers and prospective/funded partners. The position assures effectiveness of grant making program operations by enhancing communication with partners and devising and implementing efficiencies of workflow. The Program Manager will support the management of Deaconess resources while remaining partner oriented and allowing funded partners to hold true to their mission and organizational goals. The Program Manager is able to think outside the box of traditional grant making organizations and will help to drive day-to-day grant making functions, keeping close ties with Deaconess Foundation’s core values and principals of trust-based philanthropy.

For More information or to apply: Please upload cover letter, and salary requirements as one document to the Deaconess career website: https://deaconess.isolvedhire. com/jobs/ and include references.

INSTRUCTOR –CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

URL - https://agency. governmentjobs.com//semoedu/ default.cfm?promotionaljobs=1 Phone number – 573-651-2206

PART-TIME WORKERS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC WORKS

City of Pagedale is looking for qualified workers to fill PT positions for seasonal work from March through October 2021. This work includes mowing properties that the City owns, parks and City Hall properties. There will also be other duties as assigned.

You will be under the direct supervision of the Public Works Director.

If interested, please click on this link for the Employment application.

You may either print this application out or come in to City Hall to fill one out. If you choose to print this one and fill it out, you may email it in with a copy of your driver’s license to cityclerk@cityofpagedale.org

CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER PERSON

Cleancrafts Cleaners. Trustworthy, customer service counter person needed. 30-36 hrs weekly. $10-$11. Must know fabrics and Computer literate. Apply at 5311 Pershing, 63112 between 8:30am-1pm or send inquiry to cleancraftscleaner@att.net

MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UTILITY REGULATORY AUDITOR

The Auditing Department of the Financial and Business Analysis Division of the Missouri Public Service Commission is seeking to fill Utility Regulatory Auditor positions in their Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis Units. These positions will perform analysis related to issues that affect Missouri’s investor-owned utilities and their customers. Annual salary will be approximately $49,684 plus benefits. For complete details and to apply, please visit https://mocareers.mo.gov or https://psc.mo.gov/General/ Career_Opportunities “An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V”

CITY CLERK POSITION OPEN

The City of Pagedale is currently seeking to Hire a Full time City

Clerk See Below for requirements

We are looking to hire a motivated and experienced city clerk to plan, manage and coordinate clerical duties within the city council. You will be responsible for recording minutes of council meetings, recording and maintaining all municipal documents, preparing meeting agendas, storing financial records and issuing public correspondence.

To excel in this role, you will need to have proven experience in collating and maintaining records and legal documents, working knowledge of relevant computer systems, and an understanding of federal, state and local laws. A minimum of 5 years experience as a city clerk with clerical and supervisory experience is required and a minimum of an MRCC (Missouri Registered City Clerk).

City Clerk Responsibilities:

Record, edit and distribute minutes of council meetings. Communicate effectively with management, government officials and staff.

Act as a liaison between the City Council and the public. Draft meeting agendas and bylaws.

Record data and ensure that documents are stored, filed and maintained correctly. Utilize computer databases and software.

Prepare and maintain official reports, legal documents, financial records, and reference material. Coordinate municipal elections. Transcribe, type and proofread documents.

Distribute public correspondence and ensure that municipal records are accessible to the public.

City Clerk Requirements:

Computer skills and knowledge of software applications. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Time management and organizational skills. Compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

You will be under the direct supervision of the Board of Alderpersons.

If interested, please click on this link for the Employment application.

You may either print this application out or come in to City Hall to fill one out. If you choose to print this one and fill it out, you may email it in with a copy of your driver’s license to cityclerk@cityofpagedale.org

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Trailnet is seeking a qualified candidate to join our team as the Membership Coordinator. The Membership Coordinator will lead by example promoting membership, providing excellent customer service, and stewarding members into longtime donors. If you find joy in meeting and working with people from diverse backgrounds with a shared vision of a safer region for walking, biking and using public transit, apply today! Click here for more information and to apply.

https://trailnet.org/2022/02/04/ join-our-team-membership-coordinator/

Where Medicine Meets Community

IFM Community Medicine www.ifm-stl.org, a partner in the NEW Delmar Divine community, is looking for two full-time team members:

NURSE PRACTITIONER

IFM Community Medicine is seeking a mission-oriented family nurse practitioner to improve the health of our St Louis community, by addressing health inequities, and racial disparities. The position includes providing primary and acute care to uninsured, and under-resourced individuals/families through on-site clinics within schools, shelters, and social service agencies.

MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGER

IFM is seeking a Clinic Office Manager with medical assistant and community resource navigation skills. The position will involve supporting our nurse practitioner/clinic provider, as well as connecting patients with needed community resources. Community Health Worker training will be provided.

Reliable transportation required for both positions. For more information or to apply www.ifm-stl.org.

NOW HIRING FOR ALL TEACHING POSITIONS AT ALL THREE SITES!

Full-time to Part-time positions available! Visit https://www.southside-ecc.org/ employment for more information!

SERVANT LEADER INTERN

Deaconess Foundation will sponsor a network of Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs this summer. The seven-week program provides summer enrichment for children and families. College-age young adults and recent college graduates play a key role as facilitators in the CDF Freedom Schools program in the position of Servant Leader Intern (SLI).

The Servant Leader Intern’s primary responsibility is to supervise and maintain the safety of children. The Servant Leader Intern will facilitate daily literacy activities; manage classroom spaces; establish and maintain a supportive, structured environment; serve as Harambe leader, afternoon activities facilitator, and field trip chaperone. Starting salary range is $15.00 to $18.00 per hour.

To apply for this position, submit cover letter, resume and references, all as one document, at: https://deaconess.org/joinus

JOB OPENINGS

East-West Gateway has two job openings: one for a Corridor & Long-Range Planning Coordinator and one for a Long-Range/Corridor Transportation Planner. Applications are due by 3/23/2022. More information can be found at https://www. ewgateway.org/careers EOE

BUILDING INSPECTOR

The Village of Hanley Hills is seeking a Building Inspector to inspect residential properties, new structures, existing structures and commercial structures and other duties as assigned. Salary/hours are negotiable. Job description and application can be obtained either by emailing clerkhanhills@gmail.com or coming to the City Hall of Hanley Hills at 7713 Utica Drive, Hanley Hills, MO 63133.

Hanley Hills is an equal opportunity employer and ADA compliant.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Consumers Council of Missouri is seeking an Executive Director to provide leadership, and build agency capacity. For details go to moconsumers. org. To apply, send a resume to moconsumersjob@gmail.com

Apply by March 18, 2022. An Equal Opportunity Employer

Washington University in St. Louis offers rewarding opportunities in various fields at all levels, with positions in engineering, nursing and health care, research, administration, technology, security and more.

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking Grants and Research Administration professionals for all levels including: Grants Assistant, Grants Specialist I, Grants Specialist II, Senior Grants Specialist, Research Administrator, Senior Research Administrator. To be considered, please apply through the Washington University career site at https://jobs.wustl.edu/. There are several positions available in various departments. Please apply to each individual position in which you are interested and qualified. Hiring managers have immediate access to your application for which you apply.

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- JR64741

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

LPN – Specialty Outpatient Clinics

Our clinics offer unique and exciting opportunities to work among the top health care professionals. Our pay is competitive and we offer exceptional employee benefits. While most LPN positions are both clinical and administrative, our GI office is seeking an LPN who prefers all administrative tasks. (Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Office, Pediatrics Allergy & Pulmonary Office, Gastroenterology Office) M-F days only, Typical hours are M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm. No weekends. Preferred Qualifications: Current hospital or clinic LPN experience, Epic User Nurse Practitioner – Student Health & Wellness Student Health and Wellness Center is looking to fill a Nurse Practitioner role on a time-limited basis to cover an employee’s leave. Although our preference would be full-time coverage, we welcome applicants that are available on a part-time basis as well. We are looking for someone with urgent care experience such as suturing, mono, strep, and orthopedic injuries along with other internal medicine knowledge/skills. Current or recent family medicine or urgent care experience is preferred. Experience in working with college age students is a plus.

Patient Safety & Quality Coordinator RN Washington University in St. Louis RN jobs offer a competitive salary and exceptional employee benefits. Enjoy 20 vacation days & 10 paid holidays a year, a 7-10% matching 403(b), dependent tuition and so much more! This Patient Safety & Quality RN provides oversight, responsibility and sustainment for patient safety, quality, regulatory compliance, patient satisfaction and related performance improvement activities to promote a culture of safety and enhance quality outcomes. Preferred

Qualifications: Current Patient Safety & Quality experience in a hospital setting, Epic experience

Peer Health Coach – Pediatrics Infectious Diseases

Health Coach will support clients in achieving optimum health outcomes through the identification and removal of barriers, conduct orientation to medical services, provide education, and offer support services to the HIV population. Services include individual, group and/or community level education/training focusing on HIV/STD prevention education and skills building development. The position will also assist in submission of grants and IRB submissions required for sustaining the project. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and community outreach/education leadership experience

For a full description of these positions and other career opportunities, please visit https://jobs.wustl.edu/ to apply. Click search jobs and enter the job ID number.

We seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us in a supportive environment that encourages boldness, inclusion and creativity. EO/AA/VET/Disability Employer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: BUTLER BROTHERS, 1717 OLIVE

PARIC Corporation is soliciting bids for the FINISHES ONLY for THE BUTLER BROTHERS BUILDING located on 1717 Olive St. St Louis, MO. The project consists of the renovation of the historic building into 384 units including amenity spaces, fitness room and community areas. The project also includes an enclosed parking garage and retail spaces. Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link, invitations to bid will be sent out on 3/8/22. If you do not received a bid invitation please send your company information to tlalexaner@paric.com.

The last day for questions is 3/29/22. A PREBID meeting will be held on 3/15/22 at 10:00am at the project site on Olive Street

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON APRIL 5, 2022 @ 2:00pm Send all questions to Terry Turnbeaugh tlturnbeaugh@paric.com

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

• 21% African American

• 11% Women

• 1.5% Other – Veteran, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American Goals for Workforce (field) participation

• 25% Minority

• 7% Women

• 10% Apprentice

• 23% City of St Louis Resident

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) solicits proposals from qualified staffing agencies to provide staffing services for various projects, which may include, but is not limited to, project-by-project temporary employee placement, a contingency model for employee placement, recruitment process outsourcing, project-by-project temp-to-perm model, a retainer model with the selected firm, executive search, and organizational business consulting. The services would be provided on an as needed basis for the one-year period through March 31, 2023. A five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms. A copy of the RFQ is available at https://stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/. Submissions must be received no later than 3 PM CST on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR MBE/ WBE SECURITY BIDS

ACTS-Aviation Security, Inc. is requesting proposals from Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MBE/ WBE) who are certified in Security Guards and Patrol Services with the City of St. Louis to participate as a subcontractor in the contract for Airport Landside Traffic Control Services at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).

Interested parties should contact ACTS to schedule an introductory conversation at security@acts-sec.com or 773-234-5931.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) solicits proposals from qualified firms to provide, deliver, and install a back-up generator and automatic transfer switch for the Helix Center facility, a 51,000 square foot twostory commercial office building that offers office and laboratory space and is located at 1100 Corporate Square Drive, Creve Coeur, Missouri 63132. A five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms. A copy of the RFQ is available at https://stlpartnership.com/rfp-rfq/ Submissions must be received no later than 3 PM CST on Monday, April 4, 2022.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids) Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SOLICITING BID

Helix Realty is seeking proposals for bids for 28,000 sf of loft conversions. Scope of work includes Demolition. Carpentry, Drywall, Painting, Fire Protection, Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical and has diversity participation goal. Contact Stephen Levin 314 496-9150 slhelix@gmail.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Aging Ahead will release Request for Proposal (RFP) documents on March 11, 2022, for procurement of audit services under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F. The proposal also contains additional agreed upon procedures and supplemental statements. The audit period will be July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Qualified firms may obtain the Request for Proposal on our website at www.AgingAhead.org Proposals are due in our office no later than 2:00 p.m. on April 11, 2022.

Visit our website at www.AgingAhead.org for more details.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Alberici Constructors and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified construction firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of the construction of a 1,400 sqft utility building and approximately 2,000 lnft of associated site utilities. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 22 502, Replace Roof on Childcare Building, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bids will be Publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained by emailing Angie James at ajames84@stlcc.edu or call (314)644-9770.

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

VOLUNTARY PRE-BID MEETING: Date: March 15, 2022, Time: 11:00 a.m.

Place: Front of Childcare Building at Florissant Valley

Cahills Construction, Inc. seeks subcontract proposals from Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and or Veteran Supplier Diversity, with Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVE) for:

Project: #RC000425

Medium Voltage Research Lab Project 500 W. 16th St. Rolla, MO 66401

• To view plans and specifications electronically at no charge from: http://www.adsplanroom.net

• To request an invite for a Link to the plans and specifications please email or call: bids@cahillsconstruction.com or 573-426-5305

Subcontractor bids are due by 1:00 p.m. on March 16, 2022

Bids can be emailed to bids@cahillsconstruction.com or faxed to 573-362-3562

If you have any questions: 573-426-5305

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

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

Wright grew up in The Ville and his mother worked at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. It was fitting that he was included as a source in “Climbing the Ladder, Chasing The Dream.” He is joined by men and women who went on to become giants in the medical field thanks to the one-of-a-kind opportunity that the hospital afforded to them.

The process of writing the book offered powerful lessons for O’Connor.

“I learned with this book that you have to catch history while you can,” O’Connor said. “When people die, their memories are lost. And I was so fortunate to be able to talk with some of these folks and do long interviews with them while they were still alive.”

Dr. James Whittico and Alice Okrafo-Smart were centenarians when they sat down with O’Connor to share their Homer G. Phillips Hospital history. They spoke with the type of color and vivid detail that reinforce the hospital’s magnificence. Whittico was so overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the building when he arrived as a young intern in 1940 that he pulled his car over to take in the sight of it.

“He said, ‘I had to turn off the engine and just look at this beautiful hospital,’” O’Connor said. “At that moment, I said, ‘that’s the beginning of the book!’”

Another major takeaway for O’Connor over the four years she spent conducting inter-

views, research, and writing “Climbing the Ladder, Chasing the Dream” – and through conversations with book contributor Dr. Will Ross – was that Homer G. Phillips was so much more than just a Black hospital.

“It was not just a place where patients could get better and medical professionals could get trained and go out into the world,” O’Connor said. “It was an engine for social change. It was a place where people pulled themselves up.”

The book also offers context for why those precious few remaining elders who walked the halls of Homer G. Phillips – and those who have been entrusted to keep their memories alive – view developer Paul McKee’s recent naming of a three-bed clinic not as tribute, but blasphemy of the tallest order.

Homer G. Phillips was not a medical care convenience mart, as McKee’s building implies. And O’Connor’s thoughtfully curated interviews and research allow the original hospital to be rightfully remembered as a grand, glorious space that was as much a medical miracle as the groundbreaking, pioneering treatment given to patients while simultaneously training future leaders in the field.

Pulsing through the heart of The Ville in St. Louis city was a Black medical Mecca –where unapologetic standards of Black excellence were upheld, and with a legacy that still impacts the medical field and Black community more than 40 years after its doors were forced to close.

Though he didn’t live to see for himself, it was clear in his relentless fight that the hospital’s namesake Homer G.

Phillips understood the potential impact of having such a place available to the Black community. One can’t help but wonder if he imagined the hospital would have such a legacy.

Homer G. Phillips Hospital was a sacred space – and one of the few institutions in the entire world where Black people had the freedom to fully live and operate at their highest professional potential.

“Several nurses came from rural, impoverished backgrounds and went on to get jobs all across the country,” O’Connor said. “Because all you had to do was say, ‘I’m from Homer Phillips,’ and they would say ‘you’re hired.’ It didn’t just change the nurse. It created opportunities for whole families.”

O’Connor pointed to 1955 Homer G. Phillips Nursing School graduate Georgia Anderson as a prime example. Born in Arkansas, the hospital reshaped not only Anderson’s destiny, but also that of her son – who became a doctor.

It was Anderson who provided the inspiration for the book’s title.

“You can’t climb up if there is not a ladder or some way to move yourself up,” Anderson said, according to O’Connor. “In the areas where we came from, there were no opportunities. So Homer G. was the ladder for me – and I’m not sorry that I started climbing.”

“Climbing the Ladder, Chasing The Dream: The History of Homer G. Phillips Hospital” is available for purchase on amazon.com, google. com, locally at Left Bank Books (399 N. Euclid) and other outlets.

“The goal of Serenity was for her to look like an African goddess and queen with her afro puffs and gold bands,” Perry said.

HeLa No. 1 and HeLa No. 2 was a curation Perry did in collaboration with The St. Louis Fashion Fund for lab coat designs.

“I created a logo design similar to how Fendi has theirs and thought about the double helix since there are HeLa cells in DNA,” Perry said. “It was screen

SLSO

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fingers appeared to move at different tempos and in different directions, cueing and coaching different sections and soloists with an effortless mastery.

I have exactly one critical note to make about a concert that I hope to see and hear in my dreams and daydreams until I am laid to rest. The horn concerto was sequenced after “Non più di Fiori,” making

Lacks,

“It talks about where she’s from, what happened to her, why, and why her cells are important,” she said. Her NFT (non-fungible token) line began after people encouraged her to place her work in that digital space.

“People were like ‘Your work looks like it should be an NFT,’” Perry said. “It took a lot for me to process, do research and

Principal Horn Roger Kaza take the symphony’s solo voice immediately after mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano. Both accepted these solo assignments on incredibly short notice and rose to the occasion, but the horn’s range -- in any player’s hands and mouth -- just does not have the emotional range to sustain the energy established by a human voice singing a Mozart song leading into the vocal thunder and weeping of the “Requiem.” Watching the overhead translation as the chorus and guests sang together, I was reminded

that “requiem” is Latin for “rest.” Transported by song and orchestra and human connectedness, I am left thinking of Ukraine and wondering when its beautiful people will once again and truly rest. Summers leads SLSO and the chorus in the same program at Powell Hall 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Visit slso. org

Former managing editor Chris King is now The American’s classical music

reporter.

Shevare Perry held a pop-up exhibit last weekend at Sophie’s Artist Lounge titled She Is Her, I Am She III.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American