March 12th, 2020 Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

“We’ve got to get Trump out, and Joe Biden is the best candidate to do that. We have to win in November and stop the chaos.”

– Anthony Jones, 27

Biden wins MO big

Comptroller Green,

President

Reed continue with his surging campaign

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Joe Biden was winning the Democratic presidential preference primary in Missouri on Tuesday, March 10 from the first St. Louis city and county absentee vote totals — that is, the city and the suburbs — as well as the tiniest precincts outstate that were first to report to the Secretary of State.

Alderwoman Shameem ClarkHubbard (26th Ward) expressed her respect and admiration for fallen 4th Ward Alderman Sam Moore during his homegoing service on Saturday, March 8 at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ.

In the end, Biden won decisively with 396,826 votes (60 percent), according to unofficial results. Bernie Sanders, the candidate with the most active rival campaign, received 228,244 votes (35 percent).

In a bigger blow to Sanders’ prospects, Biden also won Michigan, the biggest delegate prize of the night, on March 10.

The enthusiasm gap between Biden and Sanders at St. Louis rallies leading up to

the election, on the other hand, was far in Sanders’ favor. Sanders packed the Stifel Theatre on Monday with support from an all-star list of local progressives. Biden spoke for only seven minutes to a smaller and more sedate crowd at Kiener Plaza on Saturday, though he was introduced by the city’s two most powerful black citywide

Sanders loses 2:1 in MO

‘He wasn’t expecting such a blowout, but it’s not over’

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

While Bernie Sanders narrowly lost the Missouri presidential Democratic primary in 2016, he lost nearly two-to-one to Joe Biden in the Tuesday, March 10 Presidential Preference Primary in Missouri.

“He’s licking his wounds, and supporters like myself are too,” said state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge (D-St. Louis), who stumped for Sanders at the packed March 9 rally at Stifel Theatre. “He wasn’t expecting such a blowout, but it’s not over yet. His supporters in the other states must continue to get up and talk to as many people as possible.”

According to unofficial election results, Biden won decisively with 396,826 votes (60 percent). Sanders had 228,244 votes (35 percent). On Tuesday, Sanders also lost to Biden in the crucial Michigan primary, as well as in Idaho and Mississippi, but won in North Dakota. Washington state was too close to call at press time, but Sanders was leading.

On Wednesday, March 11, Sanders said his primary focus is defeating President Trump, who he called a “pathological liar” and “racist.” In exit polls, voters overwhelmingly agree with Sanders’ policies for addressing wealth, education and healthcare inequities, he said.

“But we are losing the debate over electability,” he said.

Sanders said he looks forward to the Sunday Democratic debate, where he’ll ask Biden what he is going to do about the 500,000 people who have gone bankrupt

Alderman Sam Moore mourned

Civic and COGIC church leaders celebrated a life well lived at Williams Temple

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

On Sunday, March 8, as St. Louis bid farewell to 4th Ward Alderman Samuel L. Moore Jr., there were no empty seats inside the sanctuary of Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, no remaining obituaries to hand out and no room on the program for additional speakers. It was the second day of services for Moore, who

passed away on February 25 after being ill for several months. The weekend brought citizens from every walk of life together to honor his memory and legacy.

“You know, Nelly was here yesterday,” one of his Sumner high classmates whispered just before the homegoing began. “Everybody knew Sam – and everybody loved him.”

This was the sentiment echoed over five hours in the Sunday homegoing service that Moore planned himself.

“This is what Elder Moore wanted – he wanted a homegoing service,” said Jurisdictional First Lady Shirley Wooten, wife of Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten (Williams Temple senior pastor and COGIC

Joe Biden spoke briefly at a rally in Kiener Plaza on Saturday, March 7, saying he would unify the Democratic Party, beat Donald Trump, then unify the country.

Photo by Wiley Price

Bernie Sanders

Photo by Wiley Price

new charges in the coming weeks against R. Kelly. During a hearing –which added another accuser in the case – prosecutor Angell Krull said agents recently seized more than 100 electronic devices, including hard drives. Agents wielding a search warrant were said to have hauled the items away from a storage facility outside Chicago where Kelly keeps some of his equipment, defense attorney Steve Greenberg told reporters after the hearing.

custody in Manhattan on Monday after failing to prove he made a $20,000 court ordered child support payment on his $125,000 balance.

According to PageSix.com, Michel insisted he made the payment and provided a tracking number claiming a friend mailed the check for him, but the tracking number didn’t work. He was taken into custody and is being held on $5,000 bond until his hearing next week.

More than 100 electronic devices seized in R. Kelly case The government plans to

Mother of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s children found dead at 40

Josie Harris, the mother of three Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s children, was found dead in her car outside her house. She was 40 years old.

According to TMZ.com, Harris was found unresponsive inside her car outside her house in Valencia, CA around 9pm last night. She was pronounced dead at the scene. No foul play is suspected, and the investigation is not being treated as a homicide.

Mayweather was convicted of domestic violence against Josie ten years ago served two months in prison.

Harris was currently suing Mayweather for $20 million, accusing him of defamation

after he denied the assault to Katie Couric and claimed Harris was under the influence of a controlled substance during the incident.

Pleasure P. pinched for alleged assault

According to The Miami Herald, former Pretty Ricky lead singer Pleasure P. was arrested on battery charges in Miami after attacking a cashier at Checkers.

The report claims Pleasure P. placed a $60 order at a Miami area Checkers at 5 a.m. and began yelling at the cashier through the speaker.

After pulling up, Pleasure P was said to have paid for his food and after receiving it, the alleged victim claims he exited the vehicle, pushed the cashier and threw the food at her.

The employee called the cops and Pleasure P. was arrested on battery charges. Pleasure P. vehemently denies the accusations.

Tavis Smiley must pay mega bucks to PBS

Two years ago, media personality Tavis Smiley sued PBS after they canceled his contract over accusations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

Now Smiley has been ordered to pay up after losing his case. On Wednesday, a jury found that Smiley was in violation of the morals clause in his contract after having multiple

affairs with subordinates.

According to reports, Smiley has been ordered to pay PBS at least $1.5 million in damages, with the full amount to be determined. One of the six women who testified against Smiley received a $325,000 settlement after leaving the show.

PBS accused Smiley of breach of contract and plans to recoup his pay from 2015 and 2016.

Nicki Minaj husband arrested for not registering as sex offender

Nicki Minaj’s new husband Kenneth “Zoo” Petty was reportedly arrested by the LAPD for not registering as a sex offender. Petty’s status stems from being convicted of an assault when he was a teen. He was charged with the firstdegree attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl in April 1995. Petty, who was also 16 at the time, served four years behind bars over the crime. According to TMZ.com, Petty was detained by LAPD during a traffic stop last November and charged with failing to register as a sex offender. He was arrested by Federal Marshals and indicted on the same charge.

He registered as a Level 2 sex offender on the New York State Sex Offender Registry but neglected to do so upon moving to California in July 2019.

Petty, who has already surrendered his passport, is due back in court March 23.

Sources: Variety.com, TMZ.com, PageSix.com, Twitter.com

Pras Michel

Josie Harris

Popular Magic House Summer Camp extends to MADE for Kids

in St. Louis City

Registration is underway for Camp Magic House, an educational summer camp hosted at The Magic House from June through August.

Boulevard just two blocks west of Kingshighway. Created for children ages 4 to 14, the facility features 7,000-square-feet of interactive space including four areas: a Makers Workshop, an Artists’ Studio, a Designers Lab and an Entrepreneurs Marketplace. Just like The Magic House, the facility is open to the public seven days a week during the summer, but offers a private summer camp experience. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in real-world, hands-on STEAM experiences, from designing for

Mixed messages in punishment of ESL students and officials

Should student leaders receive harsher punishment over acts of youthful indiscretion, while officials and politicians receive mere slaps on the wrists or awards for their alleged actions or actual convictions? That question arose from what has become a local high school altercation gone wrong and captured on video.

In that video, cheerleading squads from East St. Louis Senior High and Trinity Catholic High of Spanish Lake are shown participating in a brawl resulting from a February

1 cheer-off in which each cheerleading team, alternately, performed dueling routines replete with taunts and putdowns of the opposing squad. At one point, a Trinity cheerleader violated the space of the East St. Louis cheerleaders, leading to shoving, which devolved quickly into punches being thrown. The video was captured by City of Champions TV videographer Larry Duncan Allen and soon went viral, with over 350,000 hits at press time. Both cheerleading teams have since been suspended

according to Dan Grumich, president of Trinity Catholic High School, and East St. Louis Superintendent Arthur R. Culver, over mission and safety issues.

And while the extent of the punishment may be arguably extreme for one incident, one can’t argue that the incident was wrong; but that blame could also be passed along to the cheer coaches who put these young people into a scenario that they perhaps were too emotionally immature to handle.

Recall that Superintendent Culver also cancelled the ESL Senior High boy’s track season following a brawl during the Southwestern Conference Championship boy’s track meet back in 2018. But what of politicians and leaders, some being felons, who are convicted/ accused of actual crimes yet receive what amounts to a mockery of justice when it comes to their actions?

June Hamilton Dean, a

former ESL official, was recently sentenced to a mere 30 months’ probation, a 10-year ban from public office, a $3,100 fine and 120 hours of community service after being found guilty of forgery and public contractor misconduct. Despite the outcry from the ESL community, consisting of a letter writing campaign of over 100 citizens to Judge John O’Gara, asking for the maximum sentence, Dean was given what amounts to a slap on the wrist and a stiffarm to an outraged public.

Joann Reed, the current mayor of Alorton, received a similar break after being removed from office back in 2013 following a guilty plea to a felony charge of smuggling a cell phone and food to her niece in the village jail. Reed was allowed to be reelected to the position because of a loophole in Illinois law that allows a felony to be erased if an “independent evaluator”

determines the crime to be the result of substance abuse and provided that the official completes drug treatment and probation.

Superintendent Culver was sued in 2019 (along with the ESL Board of Education) in a five-count federal lawsuit by fired employee Yvette L. Jackson, who alleged that Culver made sexually explicit remarks about Jackson and other school staff and made “repeated unwelcome advances.” Culver and the board members denied the allegation ESL NAACP president Stanley Franklin presented Culver with the “Education and Commitment” award during their 65th Annual Freedom Fund Awards banquet amid the scandal. Why are our youth can be crushed because of their youthful indiscretions and bad decision making, while convicted felons and other officials, who are suspected of being involved in areas of potential felonious activities, can thumb their nose at the system and maintain their good standing or capacity to move

Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs. That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters. It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities. That could mean more resources in your area for special needs. It’s

a 3D printer to learning simple robotics. Weeklong, full-day camps are available at the St. Louis City location, Camp MADE for Kids, for kids ages 6 to 13.

The Magic House, MADE for Kids satellite location offers a limited number of scholarships to cover 2020 summer camp registration fees. Scholarships will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for children currently participating in the free and reduced lunch program at their school. Individuals interested in applying may contact MADEinfo@magichouse.org for details. Registration is now open online at www.magichouse. org/camp. All campers must be registered in advance. For questions about camp, please contact 314-822-8900.

on to their next political hookup?

Whatever happened to teachable moments, in which students are suspended and allowed to unpack their mistakes with the help of counselors, community and church leaders so that they may be restored to their leadership roles within the school? In communities like East St. Louis, cheerleading and athletics are often the very activities that keep students engaged and away from pitfalls such as teen pregnancy, drugs, gangs and other counterproductive lifestyles. Likewise, these same teens see the mixed messages when felons, administrators and elected officials are acquitted, exonerated or given leniency despite their criminality and because of their political connections. It makes them become bitter, cynical and ultimately believers in the culture of entitlement that is the order of the day in ESL politricks.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

Columnist James Ingram

Editorial /CommEntary

It’s time to start negotiating with Biden

Taking our cue from Barack Obama, who has withheld endorsing in the Democratic presidential primary, we endorsed nothing other than Democratic unity before Missouri voters went to the polls on March 10. We believe the news reports that Obama is trying to preserve his potential value as a party unifier, and we aim to do the same. While we recognize that in an age of social media every person is an editorial board unto himself or herself, we persist in the faith that our guidance has some value for our community. We believe the most important outcome for our community in 2020 is the defeat of President Donald J. Trump in November. Further, Democrats need to beat Trump at the polls resoundingly. It’s an axiom of politics that you can only steal – or contest – a close election, and Trump has shown authoritarian tendencies that compel us to fear and expect the worst if he loses the general election. Missouri voters made it clear by a dramatic 2:1 margin that they want Joe Biden to represent the Democratic Party against Trump in November. As on Super Tuesday, according to CNN exit polls, black voters were critical to Biden’s resounding victory in Missouri. St. Louis aldermanic President Lewis Reed, who campaigned for Biden in Missouri and will again in Illinois, said the only thing like it that he has ever seen were the Obama campaigns. This is critical and welcome news. Biden knows his lagging campaign (two weeks ago, he was expected to lose) was revived by black voters – and he will expect a reckoning with our community if and when he wins the White House.

St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, who served as vice chair of the Missouri Democratic Party from 20112016, already is making our needs and concerns known to Biden. She campaigned for Biden in Missouri and will continue to help the campaign in many ways. “He has the right kind of support to win,” Green said – meaning strong black support – “and I am going to work hard to make

Supporters of Bernie Sanders, like those who attended his rally in St. Louis on Monday, March 9, are in a position to influence the Joe Biden campaign – and administration if Biden receives the Democratic nomination and is elected in November.

sure my voice is heard inside the campaign.” That is, she will work hard to make sure our voices are heard inside the campaign – and, if we organize and vote like our lives depend upon it, heard within the Biden administration. We are seeing important signs from Bernie Sanders that he realizes Democratic voters are stating a clear preference for Biden. “We are losing the debate over electability,” Sanders told supporters the morning after the March 10 primaries (which included a more devastating loss to Biden in Michigan). This is a true and valuable lesson for Sanders and his supporters to take home. Voters choosing Biden over Sanders should not be mistaken as more conservative Democrats, just Democrats making a strategic choice for the candidate who they think can win in November. “I agree with Bernie on a lot of issues, but at the end of the day it’s about winning,” Anthony Jones, 27, a sales associate, said at the Biden rally in St. Louis on Saturday. “Biden reaches out to more moderate voters. We’ve got to get Trump out, and Joe Biden is the best candidate to do that. We have to win in November and stop the chaos.”

The essential point for progressives to hear from both Sanders and this insightful young black St. Louis voter is: choosing a candidate with more centrist appeal does not consign the Democratic Party to a more centrist platform and policy. Our advice to progressive Democrats is to concede that the majority of primary voters are deciding that Biden is more electable. Moreover, it is almost certain that, barring some unforeseen changes, Biden will be the Democratic nominee for the presidency. So, rather than continuing to pressure Biden supporters to vote for Sanders, it is time to start pressuring the Biden campaign to listen to Sanders voters. Biden needs Sanders voters – he needs everyone casting votes in the Democratic primaries and caucuses. That means that the Biden campaign must listen to the concerns of those Sanders voters. Biden needs to reach out respectfully to the voters (many of them young) who have supported Sanders and his call for change. Biden needs to make it clear that he badly needs and wants their support – and will reward it with a more progressive policy agenda.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Our children suffer –and that’s unacceptable

By Jonathan Pulphus For The St. Louis American

Who cares for our babies?

This question comes in the midst of conversations around school closures. Education in Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) can be so backwards. We are looking to close more schools while keeping jails open. We hire less social workers and more safety officers. We spend millions on administrator salaries and pennies on teachers alongside staff. We blame children for their academic challenges and praise adults who oversee a failing district. We shame bluecollar parents for their everyday struggles while celebrating white-collar mediocrity. At the end of the day, our children suffer – and that’s unacceptable. The discussion to close schools is truly a class- and race-based problem. A majority of the schools that may close are likely to be located in majority-black, disinvested communities. Some may argue it’s a resource and attendance issue, yet it’s really a social one. When is years of failing schools that young people and families depend on tolerable? Only if and when it involves low-income black youth and families. Those who come to these disinvested communities

are often neglected and mistreated. They are regarded as a burden. Until we address poverty, power, and racism, decision makers will continue to treat our youth as secondclass citizens. There must be real discussion between community and decision makers about transparency and accountability. Honesty is the best policy, and leaders lead from the front. Telling the public the truth around why SLPS has been behind is a start. Why aren’t neighborhoods sending their youth to neighborhood schools? The head of the struggling district for 12 years is still collecting a lucrative salary. Where is the return on the investment for the community?

We need integrity. We need responsibility. We need change. After attending the March 3 “Community Visioning Workshop,” a series hosted by SLPS, I left just as angry as I came. The goal of the event was to help inform Superintendent Kelvin Adams’ recommendation to the Board of Education on next steps

As

Census begins on March 12 – and Black America must be counted

By Marc H. Morial Of The National Urban League

“If our people are not counted, they literally do not receive the resources necessary,” said Stacy Abrams, founder of Fair Count and former Georgia gubernatorial nominee. “And as a consequence, we have weaker infrastructure, we have terrible hospitals, we have doctor shortages, we have overcrowded schools. All of those things happen because of the Census.”

Beginning on Thursday, March 12, households across America will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.

This marks the first phase in the most urgent imperative of the decade. More than just a head count, the decennial census determines how legislative districts are drawn, how voting power is distributed among communities, and how $675 billion in federal dollars will be allocated and invested.

If black people are undercounted by 1.7 million, as many forecasts predict, it will cost states $3.4 billion a year.

As soon as households receive this invitation in the mail, they can respond online, by phone, or by mail. This is the first time in history

Americans can respond to the Census online. The information arriving in mailboxes next week will list a website listed and a Census ID, which can be used starting March 12.

All responses, whether given online, by mail or in person, are confidential under federal law.

I can’t overstate how important it is for black Americans to participate in the Census. This will be the 24th Census undertaken in the history of the nation, and for the first eight, most African Americans counted as only three-fifths of a person.

Historically, African Americans have been undercounted. In 1970, my predecessor Whitney M. Young testified to Congress that there had been a 15 percent undercount of black families, though official Census statistics place the figure near 8 percent.

“The extent to which the 1960 undercount has shortchanged inner-city residents of the political representation and economic assistance to which they are entitled is incalculable,” Young testified. “Two million blacks missed in 1960 could symbolize

Letters to the editor

Commonsense labor approach

Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) issued a final rule on the standard for determining joint-employer status, which reinforces what the McDonald’s USA has always maintained –that the Service Employees International Union’s version of a broadened joint employer standard is wrong.

AmeriCorps St. Louis. The nonprofit runs an AmeriCorps program called the Emergency Response Team that engages 42 members every year to carry out projects related to environmental stewardship, wild land firefighting, and natural disaster response.

the loss of five congressmen and scores of state legislators to the black community.”

In response to the failures of the Census to accurately count African Americans, Young launched the first Make Black Count campaign with a coalition of other civil rights organizations. To prevent another historic undercount, we have revived this historic campaign.

April 1 is Census Day. Every household in America will have received an invitation to participate by this date . Wherever you’re living on April 1, is what you will report as your address. Whoever is living at that dwelling on that date – every single person, whether related or not – should be count as a member of that household.

During April, census-takers will begin visiting places where large groups of people live, such as college campuses and senior-citizen centers. Throughout the summer, census-takers will visit homes who have not responded online or by mail. The Census Bureau will deliver the count to Congress in December.

The next few months are critical if we want our communities fairly represented.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

around excellency in schools. However, it was clear that this was more procedural than sincere. Adams laid out his vision before a packed house. Under the guise of community engagement, attendees were divided into teams for smallgroup breakout sessions proposed to extract community opinion.

He stated that, after the workshops, he would make a recommendation to the board. Yet the timeline for this recommendation is short, and the inclusion of community voice was tardy. Adams’ proposal seems to already be made up.

Our young people can tell when you are not genuine. Working for the American Friends Service Committee, I’ve learned their challenges, dreams, and solutions to issues they face. I am in SLPS schools every week and, when my team does not live up to our word, youth let it be known. When a person lies by making promises they do not intend to keep, youth call that “cappin’.” Leaders of SLPS that claim to care about youth, stop cappin’. They know when you care and do not care.

Jonathan Pulphus serves as the St. Louis Peace Program associate with the American Friends Service Committee and Youth Undoing Institutional Racism St. Louis.

As a McDonald’s franchisee and small business owner of 14 restaurants in the St. Louis area, I provide a flexible, supportive workplace for my 850 employees and the ability to serve 18,000 customers every day. I take my role seriously, and it’s important to me, as an owner, employer and community member, to shape best practices for the people who work for me and for the community I serve. No one else defines this role for me. I value myself and my restaurants as drivers of economic mobility and growth in this community. My employees and customers –they are all part of my local McFamily, and I’m invested in being a positive part of their lives.

I am pleased that there is now a commonsense approach from both the Department of Labor and NLRB that allows me to continue to focus on my business, employees and customers without added distraction.

Chris Giarla, president McDonald’s of Metro St. Louis Co-Op

Celebrating AmeriCorps

Every March, the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal government agency, celebrates AmeriCorps Week to honor all AmeriCorps, SeniorCorps, and VISTA Members. AmeriCorps engages people of all ages and backgrounds in volunteer service across the United States.

Communities in St. Louis are served by many amazing AmeriCorps programs, but one I’d like to highlight is

From building new trails in O’Fallon Park, to removing invasive bush honeysuckle along Great Rivers Greenway trails, performing prescribed burns with the Missouri Department of Conservation, and fighting floods along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, AmeriCorps St. Louis members are a valuable asset to the St. Louis region.

AmeriCorps St. Louis is also a member of the St. Louis Winter Outreach Network that provides emergency shelter to unhoused individuals every winter. This season, we provided 207 men, women, and children experiencing homelessness with shelter on some of the coldest nights of the year.

AmeriCorps programs strengthen our communities,

provide personal and professional development to individuals who serve, and help create the next generation of leaders who will help make our world a better place. For more information on AmeriCorps, visit www. nationalservice.gov. To learn more about AmeriCorps St. Louis, visit www.acstl.org. Jane Kersch St. Louis

Piggybank for a president

I thought that the Founding Fathers of our country meant for taxes to pay for good things, like free public education so that we could have an informed citizenry, etc. I am sure that they certainly did not mean for taxes to be a piggybank for a president to withhold unless a country supported his or her re-election.

Linda Caravelli Florissant

Guest Columnist Jonathan Pulphus

Photo by Wiley Price

Columnist Marc Morial

at Sumner

Moore passed away Tuesday, February 25 at the age of 71.

Zoo is training frog watchers

The Saint Louis Zoo is offering training sessions for FrogWatch USA volunteers. Local citizen scientists are needed to monitor frogs and toads from their backyards, parks, fields, creeks or just about anywhere. The information gathered can ultimately lead to practical and workable ways to stop amphibian decline.

The training sessions will be held 6:308:30 p.m. Friday, March 13 at the Visitor Center at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance; 1-3 p.m. Thursday, March 19 in the Carriage House at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, and 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 3 in the Visitor Center at Forest Park in St. Louis Check stlzoo.org/frogwatch for more information and additional dates.

Scholarships offered for journalism students

Applications for scholarships awarded through the St. Louis Press Club and Journalism Foundation are now available for the 2020-2021 academic year and can be downloaded from www. stlpressclub.org.

The scholarships are open to Missouri and Illinois media students whose home residence is in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including St. Louis and the Missouri counties of St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe and St. Claire.

Applications must plan to enroll as full-time students for the 2020 fall term with courses in journalism, mass communications, public relations, advertising, photography, writing or other media-related subjects and have completed their freshman year of college by that time. Graduate students carrying at least six hours in the above curricula are also eligible. Last year, scholarships totaling $24,000 were awarded to 16 students. For more information, contact the St. Louis Press Club office at 314-449-8029 or info@stlpressclub.org.

Coronavirus in black and green

The situation with COVID-19 is worth watching for several reasons. The coronavirus has infected nearly 110,000 people and killed 3,800 people in 100 countries. Just recently, a case popped up in St. Louis County, so now our region is part of the growing global statistics.

It appears that the outbreak finally got the attention it deserved once the U.S. stock market plunged. When rich folks cough, poor folks have convulsions. When white folks catch a cold, black folks get pneumonia. It is always about race and class.

Recently, I joined Spring Schmidt of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and Dr. Fredrick Echols of the St. Louis Department of Health to discuss the region’s preparedness for the virus. The KDHX podcast Tangazo, hosted by Hank Thompson, confirmed that there is regional coordination of agencies and partners. It was not as comforting to know that there is no aggressive, multifaceted campaign to get vital information to vulnerable communities. Currently, there is no such campaign to penetrate at-risk populations as a critical piece of preparedness.

For a variety of reasons, COVID-19 is not at the top of most poor and working-class people’s priority list. Many of them are struggling for day-to-day survival. They are trapped in poverty, unemployment, homelessness, unsafe housing and/or mental health issues. They contend with social factors that affect health like food deserts, lack of insurance and limited recreational opportunities. All this is compounded by a legitimate mistrust of government and the medical/industrial complex.

I’ve witnessed a couple of these situations in my lifetime. I checked out how my community and other communities of color are affected, how they are served—or not.

I think about the AIDS epidemic and how it ravaged African-American communities. Accurate information was slow to be disseminated to black communities. Misinformation like AIDS being a white, gay disease allowed risky behaviors to run amuck in black spaces. Similar rumors have emerged about the coronavirus – that black people can’t catch it, the virus doesn’t stay on us – on social media.

Race and class are contributing factors for which communities receive information and services and when. The initial AIDS funding poured into LGBTQA communities. Black and brown communities had to fight to get their share. Communities of color were unnecessarily pitted against the gay community.

It was deja vu when the crack cocaine epidemic was unleashed on our communities with a vengeance in the 1980s. The devastation on black families and black futures is still untold and immeasurable. For its pain and suffering, the community was punished with long and harsh sentences, whether they were users or dealers. Racist guidelines for crack sentencing fueled the explosion of the prison-industrial complex.

Fast forward to the opioid crisis that also affects white people. Now laws and policies decriminalize its use, and programs abound to help abusers. The drug Narcan that reverses opioid overdoses is widely available.

Given modern history, I don’t have high hopes that communities like mine will get the preventive attention they need in the face of COVID-19. The budgets of most public health departments have been decimated, and their capacity to sound the alarm is limited. There is no cavalry coming for us.

President Trump proclaimed the coronavirus a Democratic hoax at a rally. Then in his infinite ignorance, he assured the country that the virus would “miraculously go away” by summer. It’s not going away soon. It will be up to people like you and me to get the word out about how to prevent the spread of the virus in our homes, workplaces churches, schools and neighborhoods. Listen to the KDHX podcast Tangazo at http://tangazo.kdhxtra.org/.

Sam Moore remembered

Balloons were launched in memory of longtime 4th Ward Alderman Samuel L. Moore III at Sumner High School on Saturday, February 29.

Jamala Rogers

Photo by Wiley Price

Continued from A1

elected officials, Comptroller Darlene Green and aldermanic President Lewis Reed.

Reed told The American on election night he is excited about the race because the African-American vote has been decisive to Biden – the only thing like it that he has seen were the campaigns of Barack Obama. Reed plans to stay active with the campaign, helping Biden in Illinois.

Reed has a message from Biden. “He says if you’ve ever been knocked down or left out like he was in this race, that this is your campaign,” Reed said. “That speaks to a lot of people across this nation.”

On election night, Green told The American that she also expects to continue to serve the Biden campaign “in many ways.”

“I think he is the guy for the White House,” said Green, who served as vice chair of the Missouri Democratic Party from 2011-2016. “He has the right kind of support to win,

Moore

Continued from A1

General Board member), who eulogized Moore. “He did not want a funeral. He wanted a homegoing service.”

There was plenty of music – fitting for the man who called himself “the singing alderman.” There was crying. There was shouting. But most of all there was celebration of a life lived on purpose and committed to serving the region through civic leadership and the faith of his beloved COGIC.

“I know that the City of St. Louis is going to feel the loss of Alderman Sam Moore. The Church of God in Christ is going to feel the loss of Elder Sam Moore,” said Mother Rosetta Watts. “But what we feel as a loss, God feels as a

and I am going to work hard to make sure my voice is heard inside the campaign.”

Though Sanders had the buzz in the city going into the primary and anyone would have expected his rally to be more dynamic, the black Biden supporters who rallied for him on Saturday spoke from the perspective of seasoned, strategic voters.

For Anthony Jones, 27, a sales associate, Biden was the pragmatic primary choice.

“I agree with Bernie on a lot of issues, but at the end of the day it’s about winning,” Jones said. “Biden reaches out to more moderate voters. We’ve got to get Trump out, and Joe Biden is the best candidate to do that. We have to win in November and stop the chaos.”

Sabrina Tyuse, 64, a social work professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), sounded a similar theme.

“Joe Biden exudes stability,” Tyuse said. “He can bring the country together. He is the unity candidate. He is our last, best hope to undo some of the damage Trump has done all around the world, including in the U.S.”

gain.”

He was ushered into heaven in the same sanctuary he grew up in.

“Today is a surreal moment for all of us,” said Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “To be in this building without Sam Moore is something I thought would never happen.”

McMillan told the family that the Urban League would establish a scholarship in Moore’s honor for a male and a female student who reside in Moore’s beloved 4th Ward.

Mayor Lyda Krewson thanked Moore’s wife Linda Moore, his children Tracey and Kyle, and the rest of his family for “sharing him” with the region.

“This man has touched many lives. Sam Moore was a friend of mine,” Krewson said. “I am so thankful to have

Myron Bumpus, 60, a freelance photographer, noted that Biden had served as vice president to President Barack Obama and also stressed his electability.

“Somebody’s got to get that doggone Trump out of the office, and he’s the best candidate to do it,” Bumpus said.

Melanie Galvin, 65, who works in information technology, also cited the Obama connection while

known Sam.”

Krewson came back for a second day after speaking at Saturday’s civic ceremony held in Moore’s honor. Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and several others – including St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner and former state Rep. Betty Thompson – spoke about his commitment to the region.

“Sam and I had the opportunity to work with people all over this city,” Reed said. “Sam always strived to get the best out of everyone. His impact on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen cannot be measured.”

Reed recalled one of the final meetings Moore attended, just as his health was declining.

“He looked around and told everybody, ‘I will not be with you long. But I want you to

St. Louis aldermanic President Lewis Reed introduced Joe Biden at a rally in Kiener Plaza on Saturday, March 7 and will continue to work with the Biden campaign in Illinois.

speaking in more detail about policy.

“Trump pulled out of the Paris climate change accord — that is a disaster,” Galvin said.

“We don’t live in this world alone.”

Indeed, when Biden finally spoke on Saturday — an hour and a half later than scheduled — he said the U.S. would rejoin the Paris Agreement on his first day in office.

Galvin cited other issues — protecting national parks,

know today that I want you all to come together as one board. I don’t want you to be divided. Put away all these differences and do the work of the people,’” Reed said. Reed credited Moore for playing a critical role in the establishment of the Civilian Oversight Board and the first minority inclusion ordinance in the city’s history.

Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., presiding bishop of the Church of God In Christ, addressed the homegoing in a letter read by COGIC Chief Operating Officer Bishop Edwin Bass.

“I pause today to acknowledge the successful conclusion of a productive earthly life that God himself takes note of,” Bishop Blake wrote.

Bishop Blake came to know Moore personally because of Moore’s service to COGIC during the decade

extending access to health care — that Sanders also would support. But she is more confident that Biden would be effective. “Bernie is promising all these things he can’t deliver,” Galvin said.

Juliet Ezepue, 37, a professor of global health at SLU, cited Biden’s “breadth and experience” in accomplishing things. Her own experience as a global health researcher and world traveler made her especially determined to vote Trump out of office.

“When I travel now and say I am from America, the first thing that comes to mind is the president and they shake their head,” Ezepue said. “They say he acts like a dictator. Totalitarianism is what is happening in this country, when we’re supposed to be the beacon of hope and freedom.

Biden can get us back there.”

Sanders clearly has the edge among all younger voters, including younger black voters. But James Turner, 18, a student at the University of Missouri St. Louis studying political science, cast the first vote of his life (absentee) for Biden the day before the

the church held its annual Holy Convocation in St. Louis and brought tens of thousands of saints (and tens of millions of dollars) to the city. Moore also had a hand in securing St. Louis as the host city.

“Alderman Moore was a giant of a man,” Blake wrote. “He used his gifts to motivate people and to foster projects for the betterment of the St. Louis community and the Church of God in Christ.”

Bishop Wooten, who knew Moore for decades, was charged with delivering the eulogy. Several men of faith who spoke asked that the audience keep Bishop in their prayers as he prepared to speak about his friend.

“Anybody that says that men don’t cry, they are lying,” Bishop Wooten said as he prepared to begin the

tally. He said he believes that Biden can accomplish things because, he said, his family has experienced him do so already in the Obama administration.

“He had a big role in passing the stimulus package and the revival of the auto industry,” Turner said. “Obama relied on him a lot when my family saw a lot of growth. Those results excite me. It’s not just people talking.” When Biden finally spoke at the rally on Saturday, he hit just about every one of these themes his supporters came to hear. He said he would unify the Democratic Party, beat Donald Trump, then unify the country. As president, he said, he would reinvest in public education, extend access to health care and repair our global alliances. Green said that is the message she has been pushing inside the campaign.

“As a person on the inside, I am encouraging unity,” Green told The American. “It’s time to unite. We need all the blue we can get as we go into November. We’ve got to fight to win our country back. We’re fighting for our democracy.”

eulogy. “Sam was my friend. When I got the news that he had transitioned to glory, I was at a General Board meeting. I sat there and just cried.” But Bishop Wooten seemed joyful as he talked about Moore “heading to his new home in glory” and being a “soldier in the army of the Lord.”

Bishop Wooten told them that in order to be a good soldier one must be a follower, be faithful, be familiar, be a fighter and be a finisher.

“And I’ll add friend, because he was a friend to us all,” Bishop Wooten said.

“The Lord said, ‘Well done, my faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. Now I’ll make you ruler over many,’” Bishop Wooten said. “He had a nice house on Garfield and Newstead. But now he’s hanging in a mansion.”

Photo by Wiley Price

Sanders

Continued from A1 from medical-related debt and about the fact that the United States is the only major country where healthcare is not a human right.

Aldridge said it’s important that the Democratic nominee selection not come down to a “brokered convention,” at the Democratic National Convention in July. The race isn’t over, Aldridge said, and Sanders still has a good chance. But if Sanders concedes, then Aldridge said he will rally behind Biden.

“We need to be as unified as can be to beat Trump,” Aldridge said. “If the superdelegates all go one way, it continues to divide us more. Then one side thinks it’s rigged.”

St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, who was originally a strong supporter of Elizabeth Warren and then stumped for Sanders on Monday, said Democrats need to keep their eyes on the prize.

“It’s unfortunate that the election is swinging away from Sen. Sanders, but we have to stay focused on beating Trump in November,” Jones said, “and we have to do that by any means necessary.”

exhausted all other cheaper treatments. The time it takes to try other options could be a detriment to the child’s health. For hospital stays, the insurance companies want the children to go home soon after procedures. And as Medicaid gets less and less funding, the children get less and less care, she said.

“It’s not something people think about because they might not have experienced it,” she said. “It’s basically every day of our work.”

Dante Foster is a 27-yearold postal worker. Medicine is a big financial burden for her mother, who is a diabetic.

“His main thing with Medicare For All,” Foster said. “I believe healthcare is a human right, and us being the only [industrialized] country not having it, it’s like saying we don’t have the right to live.”

n “He wasn’t expecting such a blowout, but it’s not over yet.”

– state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge

Sanders’ black supporters in St. Louis cited a number of reasons they voted for him.

The state of healthcare — especially for children — is heartbreaking, said an AfricanAmerican female pediatrician who wants to be identified as L.A. for this article. For this reason, she voted for Sanders.

“It’s high time we’ve had healthcare for everyone,” said L.A. “I’m tired of seeing children not getting treatments or having to jump through hoops to get treatment that they need.”

L.A. attended the Conversation of Color event held by the Sanders campaign on Sunday, March 8. While other Democratic candidates have talked about a “public health option,” she said that doesn’t go far enough.

“A public option was where we should have been over a decade ago, and now we’re at the point of crisis from a healthcare standpoint,” she said.

L.A. explained that if she has really sick children who need a specific kind of medicine or treatment, the insurance companies won’t approve them until she has

At the March 9 rally in St. Louis, Sanders came out quoting Nelson Mandela, saying, “‘Everything seems impossible until it is done.’ And what happens is human beings end accepting the status quo unnecessarily. We are told by Congress what our options are. We are told by the media what our options are. And sometimes we forget to take a hard look at what goes on around us and where we want to go as a nation and as a people.”

Sanders spoke about his policy proposals: the Green New Deal to address climate change; Medicare for All; College for All; Housing For All; expanding Social Security; expanding background checks for gun owners and other programs.

Art Johnson is a 21-yearold education major at University of Missouri— St. Louis, who voted in a presidential primary for the first time.

“We have an opportunity for a progressive to move forward,” Johnson said. “With the results of Super Tuesday, there’s more of a sense of urgency and also with all the chaos that Trump has caused.”

Sanders’ national surrogate Cori Bush got the crowd roaring before Sanders came out on stage at the Stifel Theatre.

“In 2015, he was saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ when other people were calling us ‘terrorists’ and other candidates were saying ‘All Lives Matter,” said Bush, who is a nurse and Ferguson

activist challenging U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay in August.

At the Conversation of Color, Bush said that she’s felt “invisible” as a dark-skinned black woman throughout her life, no matter what she did.

“I think about the work that we did in Ferguson, as much as we tried to do to get our voices, not much happened until other people joined,” Bush said.

It wasn’t until the Latinx, white, Palestinian and other communities stepped in that Ferguson became a powerful movement, she said, and that unity and strength in building community is exactly what she sees in the Sanders campaign.

“We only have today and tomorrow to make history,” Bush said, urging people to volunteer. “This is our moment, and we’ve got to take it. I know you may be tired, but let me tell you how tired you’ll be when you have the wrong person in office for another four years.”

St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones stumped for Bernie Sanders on Monday at the Stifel Theatre. “It’s unfortunate that the election is swinging away from Sen. Sanders,” she said after the March 10 primaries, “but we have to stay focused on beating Trump in November.”

Photo by Wiley Price

“TakingCareofYou”

COVID-19 comes to St. Louis County

World Health Organization declares pandemic

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

On Wednesday, March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the new coronavirus was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock, and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news conference

in Geneva, as reported by ABC News.

“We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.”

COVID-19 made its first Missouri appearance late last week in St. Louis County as health officials here and around the country are taking measures to control its rapid spread in the U.S.

The state’s positive findings were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday. The patient is a St. Louis County woman in

By Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Of The St. Louis American

Every day it seems as if we are getting more and more anxious about COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. This virus is believed to have started in a large, seafood and animal outdoor market in Wuhan, China and has spread across the world.

Coronaviruses are common in various species of animals, including bats, camels, cats, and cattle. Occasionally these viruses can affect humans and then spread between people. China has had the largest number of cases of coronavirus but the rate of new cases is starting to trend down. The virus has currently spread to every continent but Antarctica. There are over 100,000 cases worldwide. As of March 9, there are over 150 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the U.S.

So far, the death rate in China from the coronavirus has been about 2 percent. Italy has the second-highest number of deaths, a little over 350 people. As of March 9, there have been 22 deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S., most of whom are in the state of Washington. However, to keep this in perspective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were approximately 34,000 deaths in the U.S. from influenza in the 2018-2019 flu season.

n Frequently wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

her 20s, who recently traveled to Italy. Her “presumed positive” case was announced during a Saturday evening press conference with included Governor Mike Parson, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and an emergency physician from Mercy Hospital St. Louis. “Presumed positive” means the specimen tested positive for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 at a state or local laboratory, which is sent to the CDC for definitive confirmation.

Neuroscience building will inspire discovery, and faculty recruitment at School of Medicine

By Tamara Bhandari and Elizabethe Holland Durando Of Washington University

Washington University in St. Louis will begin construction this month on what will be one of the largest neuroscience research buildings in the country. Located on the School of Medicine campus, the 11-story, state-ofthe-art research facility will merge, cultivate and advance some of the world’s leading neuroscience research.

Spring Schmidt, co-director of the St. Louis County Health Department, discussed Missouri’s first case of COVID-19 as St. Louis County Executive Sam Page looked on during a press conference in Ballwin on Sunday, March 8. departments.

The CDC has placed travel advisories to China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran. Non-essential travel to those countries should be avoided.

It is important to keep in mind that, although the coronavirus and COVID-19 are a serious health concern, most infected individuals do not become seriously ill. The people most at-risk are the elderly and those persons with a weakened immune system.

The key to avoiding infections, in

Wash U to break ground on research hub

n “We believe that a deeper understanding of cognition and emotional regulation can help us address major public health problems such as obesity, substance abuse, depression and suicide.”

– David H. Perlmutter, MD

The 609,000-square-foot facility and interconnected projects initially will bring together over 100 research teams focused on solving the many mysteries of the brain and the body’s nervous system. Those teams, comprising some 875 researchers, will come from a wide array of disciplines, including the medical school’s neurology, neuroscience, neurosurgery, psychiatry and anesthesiology

“Washington University is one of the premier institutions in the world in neuroscience research, with faculty known for their contributions to the understanding

See WASH U, A11

Washington University in St. Louis will begin construction this month on an 11-story, 609,000-squarefoot neuroscience research building on the School of Medicine campus. The project initially will bring together more than 100 research teams focused on solving the many mysteries of the brain and the body’s nervous system.

Photo: Healthcare for Missouri

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

Photo By Bill Greenblatt/UPI

“TakingCareofYou”

Wash U

Continued from A10

of normal brain development, how nerve cells communicate, neuroimaging, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and surgical treatments for cerebral palsy, among other contributions,” said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

“With this new building, we are able to offer the neuroscience community a central home and a laboratory environment that can inspire entirely new concepts that allow us to grasp a much deeper understanding of the brain and have a global impact on health and science.”

The School of Medicine has a long history as one of the world’s foremost centers for neuroscience research, including as a leading institution in the study of Alzheimer’s disease. Its scientists have identified key molecules involved in sculpting nervous system development and triggers of neurodegenerative diseases, mapped connections from brain region to brain region, and developed pioneering surgical treatments for nerve injuries, among other groundbreaking discoveries.

David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor, said the new facility will open the door to bold new research initiatives and partnerships.

“Understanding the brain is key to addressing some of the most devastating afflictions that affect mankind,” Perlmutter said.

“So many of us have been touched by the inexorable decline of our loved ones due to diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, brain trauma, glioblastoma and severe mental illness, and we have learned that the development of effective therapies has proven

Coronavirus

Continued from A10

Page said the woman took all the right steps – calling the county’s Coronavirus Hotline number at 314-6152660, receiving instructions and subsequently going to Mercy Hospital St. Louis with her symptoms: fever and respiratory symptoms.

Dr. Alok K. Sengupta, chairman of Mercy Hospital St. Louis’ Emergency Department, said the patient went straight to a negative pressure room away from the rest of the hospital population, where she was tested. Negative pressure rooms are used in hospitals to contain airborne contaminants.

“Our staff, physicians, nurses, everyone who has encountered the patient used personal protective equipment from start to finish,” Sengupta said. “The patient did not meet any of our admission criteria. At that point, we talked to our infection control teams, who then talked to the health department and we discharged the patient home.”

Page said she went home and was told to self-quarantine for 14 days after her symptoms disappear, along with her parents. Controversy ensued, however, when it became

Anderson

Continued from A10 general, is good hand hygiene. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face with your hands until your hands are clean. Avoid

As a

formidable. As scientists, we believe that a deeper understanding of cognition and emotional regulation can help us address major public health problems such as obesity, substance abuse, depression and suicide.”

The initiative will increase synergy and facilitate greater collaboration between scientists in the medical school’s neuroscience-focused departments and researchers in related disciplines, especially those whose work requires close collaboration with neuroscientists.

“Collaboration across disciplines will be key to advancing our understanding of this new frontier in medicine,” Perlmutter said.

known that father left the home with another daughter, visited at least one other home and attended a father-daughter dance at the Ritz Carlton, according to an advisory sent out by a different school whose students came into contact with the father and other daughter.

Through the family’s attorney, the father claims they did not know they were supposed to be quarantined as well.

County health department officials were identifying the woman’s close contacts to monitor for symptoms and in an attempt to contain any potential spread.

Public response to the novel coronavirus in the U.S. is rapidly changing. Some schools and businesses have closed for deep cleaning. Colleges and universities have extended spring breaks and added criteria for students to be admitted back on campus after traveling out of the area. Some nursing homes are limiting or prohibiting visitors. Entertainers have postponed concerts, politicians have cancelled rallies, conventions have been cancelled, large gatherings are discouraged. Hand sanitizer and staples are disappearing from store shelves. During this outbreak, older and elderly people –particularly with chronic health

going to work, traveling, or congregating in large crowds if you are sick.

So, as I prepare for my upcoming girl’s trip to Costa Rica, I am taking my usual precautions, plus a few additional steps. First of all, I registered with the U.S. Embassy there. This is important in case there is any unrest or an outbreak.

“For example, new studies have recognized the importance of the microbiome and its interaction with our immune system in shaping the development and function of the brain. Work on synaptic connections in the nervous system is also critical to the development of machine intelligence and socially interactive robots that could solve many of the most important challenges of modern society. This building will be dedicated to advancing our global leadership position in solving these very big problems with imagination and rigor.”

The new research center — to be located at 4370 Duncan Ave. — also is expected

conditions, such as heart or lung disease and diabetes –have been advised to forgo cruises and long flights and nonessential travel because of their potential risk for serious complications and death due to COVID-19.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the risk from the new coronavirus can be looked at in two ways. “There is risk of being exposed and getting sick from this virus, and there is risk of getting very sick or dying from illness with this virus.

to inspire health-minded entrepreneurial pursuits and synergy with visionary business developers situated within a stone’s throw of the new research center. The building and related construction, which will be built at an expected cost of $616 million, will sit at the eastern edge of the Medical Campus, in the 200-acre Cortex Innovation Community, one of the fastest-growing business, innovation and technology hubs in the United States, and home to numerous biotech startups founded by Washington University faculty, staff and students.

“We are constructing the building at the intersection of Cortex and the Medical Campus to encourage efforts

many will become sick. But again, based on what we know about this virus, we do not expect most people to develop serious illness.”

n “This coronavirus may be new, but the ways to prevent it are tried and true and wellestablished.”

– St. Louis County Executive Sam Page

“This virus is capable of spreading easily and sustainably from person to person based on the available data,” Messonnier told reporters this week. “And there’s essentially no immunity against this virus in the population because it’s a new virus. Based on this, it’s fair to say that as the trajectory of the outbreak continues, many people in the United States will at some point in time either this year or next be exposed to this virus and there’s a good chance

I also have been routinely checking the CDC website for updates, recommendations, and the latest countries that have reported coronavirus or COVID-19 cases. I have purchased hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Just to let you in on a little secret, I have always been a germophobe (one who fears germs). Therefore, many of

Globally, by March 11, there have been more than 115,000 cases of COVID-19, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,200 people worldwide. In the U.S., 38 states and the District of Columbia report over a thousand COVID-19 cases and counting, with 30 deaths from the new coronavirus. At press time, there is only one positive case (in St. Louis County) out of 46 patients in Missouri who have been tested for COVID-19.

In St. Louis, classes resumed on Wednesday at New City School in the Central West End after it was closed for a day and thoroughly cleaned when a parent was tested for COVID-19.

“I am grateful the COVID19 test results received this afternoon were negative, and the parent of a New City School student is no longer under quarantine,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of the Department of Health for

these tactics I have been doing for years. I always wipe down my tray and seat on the plane. I cough or sneeze into my elbow. I quickly offer someone a tissue and a squirt of hand sanitizer, if necessary. And I try to avoid touching my face, eyes or nose if I am not certain my hands are clean. Therefore, instead of

and identified numerous other properties of sensory and motor nerves. And in 1986, Stanley Cohen and Rita LeviMontalcini won the Nobel for discovering chemical growth factors essential for cell growth and development in the body. In the 1950s, they discovered nerve growth factor, a protein crucial for building networks of nerves.

“A key goal for the neuroscience center is to take what we discover in our laboratories and get it out into the public sector so patients, and society as a whole, can benefit,” said David Holtzman, MD, the Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and head of the Department of Neurology. “This building and the collaborations it will grow will position us to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in science and medicine.”

by Washington University neuroscientists to transform their research into innovations that can move rapidly to improve medical care and quality of life for people with neurological conditions,” said Jennifer K. Lodge, the university’s vice chancellor for research.

Among Washington University’s achievements in the field of neuroscience, two Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been won by scientists at the university. In 1944, Joseph Erlanger and Herbert Gasser won the Nobel for their work studying nerve fibers. They showed that the conduction velocity of nerve impulses is faster in thick nerve fibers than in thin fibers,

the City of St. Louis. “At this time, there are no positive or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City of St. Louis.”

In the event of a positive test result in the city, Echols assured that St. Louis will take a number of steps to protect the public’s health, including activating a city emergency operations center, contacting appropriate individuals and agencies to respond, monitor and collaborate during the outbreak.

On Monday, March 9, Bayer announced that one of its employees at its Creve Coeur campus may have been exposed to the virus and closed its Bayer campus in Creve Coeur “until further notice to implement additional cleaning measures in common areas, and, as a proactive measure out of an abundance of caution.”

The same precautions are being taken at the campus of its subsidiary, The Climate Corporation, located at City Place 4, which is also in Creve Coeur, as well as its Whippany and Morristown, New Jersey sites.

The county opened a coronavirus Emergency Command Center located in Ballwin last week.

To help prevent coming in contact with the new coronavirus or getting sick with COVID-19, use precautions

hysteria, I recommend that each of us use good, common sense for the next several weeks:

• Don’t go to work or school if ill (fever, chills, vomiting or diarrhea)

• Wash your hands frequently – particularly after using the bathroom

An internationally renowned expert on the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, Holtzman and his team helped develop antibodies aimed at preventing dementia by reducing deposits of the Alzheimer’s proteins amyloid beta and tau in the brain, and have advanced the understanding of how sleep and apolipoprotein E — the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s — contribute to brain injury. Holtzman also is involved in a project led by Randall J. Bateman, MD, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology, to develop a blood test that can measure levels of amyloid beta and other proteins in the blood with the goal of diagnosing Alzheimer’s before symptoms develop.

“Neuroscience research is a synergetic enterprise that depends on the expertise of people in many fields,” Holtzman said. “By bringing together so much knowledge, talent and passion, this new facility will make it considerably more likely that people will have the kinds of water-cooler discussions that lead to interdisciplinary gamechanging ideas and projects.”

you should take to avoid influenza, cold viruses and other germs.

“This coronavirus may be new, but the ways to prevent it are tried and true and well-established,” Page said. “Wash your hands with soap and water; use hand sanitizer when they’re not available; if you’re sick, avoid other people; avoid people who are sick; and use the same precautions you use for anyone who had flu symptoms.”

Currently, COVID-19 testing is limited to persons displaying symptoms.

“The reality is, there are constraints around testing for this virus,” Page said. “The United States is not at a point where we can provide testing for the general public, and it’s not useful on people who are not symptomatic.”

For information about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov or visit the St. Louis County website, stlcorona.com. The County’s Coronavirus Hotline number is 314-615-2660. It is monitored 24/7. The state recently activated a statewide 24/7 coronavirus COVID19 hotline, 877-435-8411. It also has information on its website, www.health.mo.gov/ coronavirus.

• Clean common surface areas with appropriate antibacterial solutions

• Go to reputable websites for health information, such as CDC.gov. Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., FAAFP, is associate professor at SLUCare Family Medicine and the medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American. Email: yourhealthmatters@ stlamerican.com.

Washington University in St. Louis will begin construction this month on what will be one of the largest neuroscience research buildings in the country.

Healthy Kids Healthy Kids

calcium include:

Calcium!

Daylight Savings Time

Nutrition Challenge:

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.

Daylight Savings Time Is Here!

This past weekend, we all turned our clocks forward an hour, resulting in more daylight in the evenings. As it stays lighter later and later, you can take advantage of this extra time to get plenty of exercise.

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

> Milk – 8 oz. (300 mg)

> American Cheese – 2 oz. (300 mg)

> Cottage Cheese – 4 oz. (70 mg)

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

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

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

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

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

Diversity

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 create two lists: what everyone in the group has in common and what are the differences.

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

Ham & Jicama Wraps

Ingredients:

1 Large Jicama

3 Slices Ham Whole grain mustard (optional)

Directions: Slice jicama into thin “sticks” and cut ham in half. Wrap ham around jicama sticks and dip in mustard.

Dr. Domonique Stewart, Chiropractor

Where do you work? I work at Proficient Chiropractic. Where did you go to school? I graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Biology from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University, St. Louis.

What does a chiropractor do? We treat the health of the nervous system. We also look at the physical and nutritional health. We do that to make sure that their body is functioning at its most optimum.

Why did you choose this career? I always wanted to help people, because of where I’m from, there were always a lot of people that needed help. I wanted to be a part of the change to give them the care that they need. Chiropractic was the best way to provide that care without the use of medicine.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

The best part of my job is that I see everyone, no matter of what age group. I really appreciate the opportunity to treat children, seeing their progression as they are getting better is my favorite part of the job.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

Visit

Whether you want to learn more about turtles, penguins, apes, or big cats, the Zoo has a class for you! Our programs are designed to help individuals of all ages and abilities learn through experience, involvement and discovery. Programs include live animals, guided tours, and exciting activities and experiences for the whole family. Programs available for homeschoolers and scouts too!

For program listings and registration information, visit www.stlzoo.org/education or call (314) 646-4544, option #6.

Cottage Che e

The 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, at no charge.

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

CLASSROOM

SPOTLIGHT

Mullanphy ILC Elementary School

2nd grade teacher

Angela

SCIENCE CORNER

Infinite Possibilities

Infinite Possibilities is a math conference that is held to encourage women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. The conference was created by a trio of minority women with a doctorate degree and a career in math: Leona Harris, Tanya Moore, and Nagambal Shah. The first conference was held in April of 2005 at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and had over 150 attendees. The conference was funded by Toyota Motor Corporation, National Security Agency, National Science Foundation and the US Army.

The committee felt strongly about encouraging women from minority races to pursue degrees in STEM. In 2002,

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

In this experiment, you will see how to make a bone bend.

Materials Needed:

• A Large Jar with a Lid • A Cooked Chicken Bone (save a drumstick after a family meal)

• Vinegar

Procedure:

q Rinse off the chicken bone to remove any excess meat or grease. (Note how strong the chicken bone is, just like our bones. This is due to calcium.)

Try this math game at school, and then introduce it to your family at home. It’s a great way to have fun together while you sharpen your math facts.

Materials Needed:

less than 1% of the doctoral degrees in the mathematical sciences were awarded to African-American, Hispanic/Latina, and American Indian women. According to the Infinite Possibilities website, “Highlights of conference activities include: Professional development workshop series; Panel discussion on graduate studies in mathematics; Research talks given by professionals; Student poster sessions, Special activities for high school students; Roundtable discussions on experiences with mathematics.”

To learn more, visit: http://ipcmath.org/.

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

w Place the bone in the jar and cover it with vinegar. Place the lid on the jar.

e Observe the bone for 3 days. What changes do you notice?

r After 3 days, remove the chicken from the jar and rinse it off. Are you able to bend it? How is this possible?

Learning Standards: I can complete an experiment, draw conclusions, and analyze results.

Family Math Night (Close Call)

the cards 4, 6, 8, and 1, creating the problem 16 + 84 = 100.)

SCIENCE STARS

African American Biostatician Tanya Moore

Tanya Moore grew up in Berkeley, California, and had a rough childhood. Her father was an alcoholic and died of lung cancer. Her mother raised three daughters alone. The family had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence. Moore says that many teachers were surprised by her abilities and often discouraged her from taking challenging courses. She graduated from Berkeley High School in 1991. Next, Moore went to Spelman College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1995. From there, she went to Johns Hopkins University where she earned a master’s degree in mathematical science. While at Johns Hopkins, Moore stated that she was often judged unfairly due to her race. “People told me I would only pass qualifying exams because I was an African-American woman and the school wanted to make their quota. I’d walk into a room and people would tell me I was in the wrong classroom. Sometimes a professor would say, ‘Wow, you did better than we expected.’” In 2002, she earned a Ph.D. in biostatistics from UC Berkeley.

Moore works for the City of Berkeley Public Health Department where she is in charge of the Chronic Disease Prevention Program. She focuses on reducing the rates of high-blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the African-American community. In 2010, she began the 2020 Vision Projects to close the achievement gap between white, black, and Latino students in Berkeley, California, by the year 2020. In 2008, she appeared in Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine as one of 80 women who are considered trailblazers. As part of this honor, Moore attended a threeday conference called “Women Rule in New York.”

Learning Standards: I can read about a person who has made contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. I can make text-to-text and text-toself connections.

• Deck of Cards • Paper and Pencil (optional: calculator to check answers)

How the game is played:

z You can play as individuals or as teams.

x Remove 10s and face cards from the deck. Shuffle the deck and deal each player six cards.

c Each player/team selects four of their cards and creates two 2-digit numbers from them. The goal is to create two numbers that have a sum as close to 100 as possible, without going over. (For example, a player may choose to use

DID YOU KNOW?

Facts About Stem Jobs:

v After players/teams have made their selections, they place their cards face-up in front of them, arranging them so other players can see which two numbers they have created.

b The player/team with the numbers closest to 100, without going over, wins a point. In the case of a tie, a point is awarded to each team.

n Shuffle the cards before dealing another round.

m Play continues for 10 rounds. The player with the most points after the last round wins the game.

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve a problem.

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activities —

Analyzing the Classifieds:

After you have analyzed how the classified section is organized, see how quickly you can find each of these items: a house with a yard, a job that requires no experience, an invitation to bid.

Write about a Scientist: When you think of scientists, do you think of men and women? Do you envision people of different races? Technological advances have been made by a diverse group of people. Use the newspaper to study how a news article is written. Next, write a news article about a scientist you have studied who has made contributions with his or her work in the STEM fields.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write for a specific purpose and audience.

Griffin shows students Hawa Salim, Zakaria Hussein, Jalen Valentine and Ahmed Ahmed how to use the newspaper’s NIE page for STEM ideas.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Federal court takes away police ‘terror’ tool in St. Louis

A federal judge ruled on Thursday, March 5 that the City of St. Louis’ ordinance on “impeding” traffic was unconstitutional — throwing out a law that city police have used to justify arresting, macing and tasing citizens at Ferguson and Stockley verdict protests.

The court ruling came as part of a federal lawsuit brought against the City of St. Louis by Jessica Langford, a teacher who participated in the January 2017 Women’s March in downtown St. Louis. At the end of the rally, Langford was walking in a group to their cars when police on bicycles told them to get on the sidewalk, according to the court ruling.

Some of those in Langford’s group wore Black Lives Matter shirts, and the police allegedly were “harassing” them, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri, who represented the case.

Langford was standing near the curb on the street, trying to talk to a police officer when she was handcuffed and arrested. Police then drove her to an alley where nine to 12 officers took pictures with her, telling her to smile though she was crying, the judge’s opinion states. She was charged with violating the ordinance and disobeying an officer.

“This is a law that has long been used to arbitrarily arrest people who are protesting,” said Tony Rothert, attorney with the ACLU Missouri. “It has a chilling effect on those who want to protest. It really instills terror, especially for people of color and people who are protesting police activity. This is a case about the future and taking away this tool that police officers have used to terrorize.”

A city spokesman said the city is aware of the decision and is reviewing it.

U.S. District Court Judge Henry Edward Autrey found that municipal ordinance entitled “Impeding and interfering with pedestrian and vehicular traffic” was unconstitutional because it was too vague and doesn’t exclude a person’s constitutional right to free speech. In his opinion, Autrey wrote that the way the ordinance is written could apply to “two neighbors who stand and converse in a residential street, or to persons gathering for a neighborhood block party. It applies to a single person or group of persons standing on a sidewalk waiting for an Uber to arrive.”

He further said that the ordinance “restricts more speech than is essential to further the City’s interests in public health and safety and traffic regulation.”

The ordinance also authorizes any police officer to put an end to “expressive conduct” on a street or sidewalk at any time for any reason, he said.

“Under the ordinance, persons may exercise their First Amendment rights in the city’s streets, sidewalks, and other public places only at the ‘whim of any police officer,’” Autrey wrote.

This is the second time that the ACLU Missouri has successfully challenged this ordinance in court and had it thrown out. In 2012, the city revised the ordinance, but still didn’t get it right, Rothert said.

“There is a way to have a constitutional law that prevents people from interfering with traffic and that also protects their First and Fourteenth

U.S. District Court Judge Henry Edward Autrey found that a St. Louis municipal ordinance entitled “Impeding and interfering with pedestrian and vehicular traffic” is unconstitutional in a ruling in a suit filed

for their conduct following a Women’s March on January 21. 2017.

Amendment rights,” Rothert said. “Almost every other city in the country has managed to carry this out, and St. Louis could too if it wanted to.”

He hopes the Board of Aldermen will heed the court’s decision when drafting a new ordinance. Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green (D-Ward 15) said that she tried to pass an ordinance that would put the city in compliance with federal rulings several years ago, but was met with resistance.

“The city has long known that these ordinances intended to quell protest are unconstitutional,” Green said. “It’s time that city leadership have political courage and update these ordinances to be constitutional.”

The decision in the Langford case could impact another class-action lawsuit against more than 343 police officers, regarding the police’s response to protests following the acquittal of then-St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley

of murder charges.

The ordinance was at the heart of the police’s call to conduct a mass “kettling” arrest in September 2017, where more than 100 were maced, arrested and beaten during a protest following the Stockley verdict.

“This is one more finding that the St. Louis police department has a pattern

participated in the kettling arrests.

Khazaeli pointed to the class-action lawsuit that the ACLU Missouri filed in October 2017 against the city itself — not the individual police officers like Khazaeli’s clients — regarding the kettling arrests. On November 15, 2017, a federal judge issued

n “This is a case about the future and taking away this tool that police officers have used to terrorize.”

– Tony Rothert, ACLU Missouri

and practice of preventing citizens from assembling and protesting peacefully,” said attorney Javad Khazaeli who is representing the classaction lawsuit against the 300plus officers who potentially

a preliminary injunction in the ACLU’s suit, ordering the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to immediately stop using chemical weapons and adopt other protocols to protect the constitutional rights

of those observing, recording or participating in protest activity.

U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry stated that evidence showed that “officers have exercised their discretion in an arbitrary and retaliatory fashion to punish protesters for voicing criticism of police or recording police conduct.” She found that the ACLU Missouri is likely to succeed with its claim that the city’s police have “a custom or policy” of deploying pepper spray against citizens who record police or exercise their rights of free speech to criticize officers.

“This is now at least the third time since the Michael Brown verdict that the St. Louis police department has been specifically found to have violated the Constitution in its reaction to protests,” Khazaeli said. “It is disappointing that the city and the police department have yet to acknowledge and remedy these rampant abuses.”

Photo by Wiley Price

against St. Louis police

supervisor

Earning while you learn at Ritenour High School

Abbott EMS, district open first-ever Missouri high school EMT certification program

By Sophie Hurwitz

This year, some seniors at Ritenour High School were offered an unusual opportunity: to take daily emergency medical technician (EMT) classes and graduate high school with an EMT certification and a job offer from Abbott Ambulance Services. There are 12 students on track to graduate with their EMT certification, having passed several tests to get into the program. Abbott EMS is donating the materials and

textbooks required for the class. The only thing the students themselves will have to pay for is their final certification test, after a six-week “earn as you learn” apprenticeship period at the end of the school year. In previous programs through Abbott and Abbott’s parent company, American Medical Response, 97 percent of graduates passed the practical exam and 90 percent passed the written exam on the first attempt.

Graduates of both EMT programs can anticipate starting salaries greater than $12/hour with benefits and advancement opportunities,

according to a press release from Ritenour.

“Providing students with pathways to success should start while they are still in high school,” said St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, who announced the program. “For some, this may mean college prep and ACT classes, but many others plan to start working full time after graduation instead.”

While there are already schools in the St. Louis area that gear students towards medical careers, such as high schools that graduate

Marijuana dispensary coming to Fairview Heights

By Eric Schmid Of St. Louis Public Radio

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights City Council on March 3 voted 8-3 to approve zoning regulations for marijuana businesses that want to come to the community.

This is the third, and final, piece of legislation the city had to pass before a dispensary would be able to open in the city. The council previously passed ordinances that allowed marijuana sales and restricted the number to just one single dispensary

“It was not our intent to open the whole city up so we can have a bunch of locations all over,” said Fairview Heights Mayor Mark Kupsky.

This legislation limits where the lone dispensary can open to industrial areas and some of the city’s general and planned business districts. On

The Fairview Heights City Council on March 3 voted 8-3 to approve zoning regulations for marijuana businesses that want to come to the community.

Kabrina Forrest was appointed vice president of Clinical & Residential Services at Epworth Children & Family Services, a nonprofit that helps children, youth, and families move toward selfsufficiency by focusing on health, housing, education, and employment. She will oversee the nonprofit’s residential services treatment program, as well as its in-home community based counseling program. Forrest previously worked in various positions including clinical supervisor and program director at local mental health care facilities.

Jessica Denham was promoted to the position of Regional Manager, Communications and Outreach at Western Governors University Missouri. She will be responsible for overseeing strategic communication efforts for nine states, including Missouri, and leading WGU’s regional PR and marketing team in developing, coordinating and participating in promotional ideas, events, campaigns and activities. Previously she served four years as Public Relations manager with WGU Missouri.

Mellve Shahid Sr. is president and founder of The Empowerment Network, received a 2020 Drum Major Award from Christian Hospital. Drum Major Awards are bestowed upon unsung individuals who have given time, talents, and treasure in service of justice and equality. The Empowerment Network is a prostate cancer advocacy organization and a resource center for patients and families affected by prostate cancer.

Takisha Lovelace was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Veterans Business Resource Center, the first such center in the nation. The board oversees the center’s work counseling and training former military men and women on entrepreneurship. Its services include entrepreneurial training, loan application assistance and individual business counseling. She is a veteran and director of operations for CareSTL Health.

Vikas Patel received a diversity scholarship from the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. He will receive $10,000

For The St. Louis American

Ritenour High School seniors Wayone Rhodes and Leah Lee observe a demonstration from Christine League, senior operation

for Abbott EMS/AMR, along with Justin Turnbough, operations manager of the Belleville/St. Louis Region for Abbott EMS/AMR.

Photo by Wiley Price

Credit denials limit wealth-building for black consumers and businesses

By Charlene Crowell

The St. Louis American

For

For much of Black America, access to fair and responsible credit has been an elusive promise. Whether as consumers seeking the pride of homeownership or businesses seeking to begin or expand, securing credit remains an age-old, arduous and often frustrating pursuit – despite a slew of federal and state laws enacted to overcome these long-standing racial disparities.

But on February 26, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) settled a federal lawsuit brought by small business owners and advocates who together challenged CFPB’s lack of enforcement of antidiscrimination laws that protect minority-owned and womenowned businesses from unequal access to financial products and services. The lawsuit charged the CFPB with failure to issue required regulations that mandate financial institutions to collect and maintain important data for these two types of businesses.

minority, and small business owners from discrimination,” said Anne Harkavy, executive director of Democracy Forward that represented the plaintiffs. Based in the District of Columbia, this nonprofit organization has a two-pronged purpose: publicly speaking about unlawful government acts and empowering those who have been harmed to fight back.

Plaintiffs in the case include the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), and small businesses located in Waterloo, Iowa and in Portland, Oregon.

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, executive director of the California Reinvestment Coalition, also reacted.

“For nearly a decade since Dodd-Frank became law, our members throughout California have been on the frontlines pushing for this rule to move forward,” noted Gonzalez-Brito. “This settlement is a victory for impacted communities and small business owners of color striving to build wealth and a better life.”

The settlement sets out specific, time-lined goals as well as an ongoing review process. Although its terms require federal court approval before it can take effect, plaintiffs were jubilant in their ability to force CFPB into collecting and disclosing data.

“It’s safe to say that without this lawsuit, the Trump administration would be content to continue its unlawful refusal to protect women,

Dispensary

continued from page B1

property east of the Fairview Heights MetroLink station.

There are limitations placed on a dispensary operator that won’t allow it to open a dispensary on just any parcel in an approved zoning district, said Fairview Heights Director of Land Use and Development Andrea Riganti. In Fairview Heights, dispensaries must be at least 500 feet away from existing residential lots and 1,500 feet from school property lines. That includes nursery, primary and secondary schools and day care centers or homes. A dispensary would also need to be in a free-standing building and not be part of a strip mall or co-tenant building. These requirements knock

Key actions that CFPB has agreed to include:

• By September 2020, publicly release a draft proposal for collecting small business data;

• By October 2020, establish a Small Business Advocacy Review panel that will offer direct input on behalf of the small business plaintiff groups;

• In negotiation with plaintiffs establish deadlines

out many of the properties along Highway 50 and IL-159, Riganti said. She added that potential dispensaries will also have to go through a specialuse permit process with the city.

“There are uses that are considered potentially harmful for a community because of noise, traffic, odor,” she said. “We’ve determined that an adult-use dispensary is a use that could be harmful.”

The entire special use process takes between three and four months. During that time city staff, the planning commission and city council review an individual application, Riganit said. The city council ultimately decides the fate of where a dispensary will set up shop.

“There’s no way it would go next to Red Robin. There’s no way it would go next to Barnes and Noble,” said Ward II

for each stage of rulemaking –including a final data collection rule;

• Every 90 days, submit status reports detailing CFPB’s progress toward the data collection rule; and

• Accept court-ordered deadlines if parties fail to agree.

Strong and credible data collection can and often does make the difference between anecdotal critiques and eventual court actions. Particularly for black businesses, the vigilant and long-term struggle for access to credit has often translated into home equity loans for financing new businesses or expansion. But without access to affordable credit and an absence of home equity, the likelihood of black businesses being undercapitalized runs high.

At the same time, ample data paints a picture of drastic disparities when it comes to blacks buying a home.

On February 25, a day before the CFPB settlement,

the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which represents over 1.4 million members in every aspect of residential and commercial real estate, released new research on the difficulties consumers of color continue to confront when buying a home. Analyzing data from 2008 to 2018 that was gathered by the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey, and its 2019 Profiling of Home Buyers and Sellers, findings are once again stark.

From 2016 to 2019, according to NAR, homeownership rates among Whites has consistently exceeded 71%.

Homeownership rates for this demographic were highest in the Midwest and Deep South, ranging from a statewide high of 78% in Mississippi, followed by 77% in Michigan and South Carolina, and 76% in both Minnesota and Alabama.

But black homeownership rates in these same years and states reveal eye-opening comparisons. While black

n “I’ve had as many as 14 people call me about whether we would allow dispensaries and where we’re allowing them.”

– Fairview Heights Mayor Mark Kupsky

Alderman Ryan Vickers during the meeting. “There’s no way that anybody on this council would let it go next to the New Balance outlet at The Shoppes at St. Clair.”

Fairview Heights has received significant interest from operators who want to open a dispensary in the retailheavy city.

“I’ve had as many as 14 people call me about whether we would allow dispensaries and where we’re allowing them,” Kupsky said. “They have varied from people who

currently operate to people who think they can make a quick dollar.”

Ascend Wellness, which owns Illinois Supply and Provisions in Collinsville, has repeatedly identified Fairview Heights as the site of its next recreational dispensary. The company purchased 455 Salem Pl., which is zoned for planned business, in the city one day after the City Council voted to allow recreational marijuana sales.

Riganti confirmed the company is renovating it to be

From 2016 to 2019, according to NAR, homeownership rates among Whites has consistently exceeded 71%. While black homeownership is 41% nationwide, it is 50% or more in only three states: Mississippi (54%), South Carolina (51%), and Alabama (50%).

homeownership is 41%

nationwide, it is 50% or more in only three states: Mississippi (54%), South Carolina (51%), and Alabama (50%).

Further, in 17 states, the black homeownership rate is less than 40%, with some of the lowest rates occurring in Wisconsin (23%), Minnesota (24%), and Nevada (28%).

Low levels of homeownership in states with sizeable black populations were found in California (34%), District of Columbia (36%), Illinois (39%), Missouri (37%), and Texas (39%).

Rates of rejections on mortgage applications continue these racial disparities.

While white applicants were rejected at a rate of 5%, black applicants were rejected nearly triple that of whites at 13%.

First-time homebuyers, an important indicator of market performance, are frequently black at 51%. By contrast, 87% of white homebuyers

a dispensary.

A spokesperson for Illinois Supply and Provisions said the company will make an announcement about its planned secondary location in the Metro East later this year.

The state will also grant 75 dispensary licenses for applicants that don’t have an existing medical dispensary, but those won’t be awarded until May 1. The Metro East will see up to four of those new licenses.

One resident raised concerns at the March 3 City Council meeting that the one dispensary location in Fairview Heights would go to Ascend Wellness, a large multi-state company, instead of an operator with local ties to the community.

Parking availability will be a major factor for the elected leaders as they consider potential dispensary locations, something Riganti identified

previously owned homes. Additionally, among black homebuyers, less than half –49% - were married couples and the number of single black women purchasing homes (34%) was double that of single white females (17%). The reasons for purchasing homes also diverged: 46% of blacks cited a desire to own, while only 26% of whites shared that same sentiment. So, what do these and other data points reveal?

Despite lower incomes, black consumers have a pronounced desire to own their own piece of America. As many black females delay marriage, they are becoming homeowners at a rate more than three times that of black males (9%). It’s also a clear indication of a growing trend among black females who are asserting financial independence. Homeownership for many of these women no longer is tied to marriage as it once was for generations past. But more importantly, whether as a business owner or a consumer, access to credit remains difficult and daunting for Black America. Our quest for financial justice remains a journey.

“When the CFPB complies with this court order and collects data on small business lending, the marketplace will be more efficient and fairer,” said NALCAB’s Executive Director Noel Andrés Poyo. “Transparency is the ultimate antidote to discriminatory and predatory lending.”

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org.

as a concern about the building Ascend Wellness bought. The city will complete a traffic impact analysis and investigate how a dispensary would impact the surrounding businesses, Riganti said.

“We are looking closely at the impacts of what’s happening in Collinsville with traffic and congestion,” Kupsky said. “Whether you’re opening a restaurant or professional office, you have to have enough parking to adequately support the needs of that business.”

Eric Schmid covers the Metro East for St. Louis Public Radio as part of the journalism grant program Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Follow Eric on Twitter: @ EricDSchmid

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Charlene Crowell

n “If I show up to an arena and there ain’t no fans in there, I ain’t playing.”

— LeBron James, on the prospect of playing in empty arenas due to the coronavirus

Sports

Championship weekend at MSHSA Class 3

Ritter boys and Whitfield girls to play for state titles

The boys at Cardinal Ritter College Prep and girls at Whitfield School will be playing for state titles this weekend at the Missouri State High School Activities Class 3 Basketball Championships in Springfield.

Cardinal Ritter will be trying to win its sixth state championship while Whitfield is attempting to win its first this weekend at the JQH Arena, on the campus of Missouri State University.

Cardinal Ritter (23-6) will take on Mid-Missouri power Blair Oaks (28-2) in the state semifinals on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. The winner of that game will face the Charleston-Monroe City winner for the state championship at 8:10 p.m. The losing teams will play for third place on Friday at 11 a.m.

more Luther Burden, an outstanding football prospect who is averaging nearly 11 points a game. Senior guard Glenn Valentine averages seven points a game while junior Ilyaas Harris brings added depth and talent to the backcourt.

The Lions have a big and athletic team will excellent balance, led by 6’3’ junior guard Mario Fleming, who is averaging 19 points a game. Up front, the Lions feature 6’7” senior Garry Clark, 6’6” Brandon Ellington and 6’8” junior Josh Robinson. Clark is averaging 14 points and eight rebounds a game while Ellington is averaging eight points, six rebounds and two blocks. Ellington blocked 11 shots in the Lions’ victory over Christian-O’Fallon in the state quarterfinals last Saturday.

Ritter’s backcourt is led by 6’1” sopho-

Earl Austin Jr.

In Blair Oaks, the Lions will be facing the No. 1 team in the state in the semifinals. The Falcons are led by the brother duo of 6’9” senior Eric Northweather and 6’9” sophomore Luke Northweather. The other semifinal game features a Charleston program that has been a state power for decades. The Southeast Missouri school has won 11 state championships in its history.

Whitfield’s quest for a first ever state championship will have a big roadblock in its path in the form of four-time defending state champion Strafford. Although the Southwest Missouri school has a new coach and several new players, they are back in the mix for another state championship run.

Whitfield is bringing a young and talented team to Springfield for its third Final Four trip in the last four years. The Warriors are led by 5’9” junior point guard Kelsey

Finally, a push to get Curt Flood into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Finally, there is a real push to get Curt Flood enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A Congress that is more about battling against each other than working for the people, has found common ground in the late Cardinals star. With U.S. Rep. William “Lacy” Clay (D-Mo.) a part of the effort that launched in the final week of Black History Month, hopefully Flood will win the needed votes in December when the Hall’s Golden Era Committee selects its new members.

“Curt Flood’s courage, both on and off the field, qualifies him for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” Clay said during a press conference introducing the effort with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo), U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-M.) in attendance.

“When he stood up to the (Major League Baseball) Reserve Clause and demanded to be treated like a man, instead of a piece of property; he was a symbol of determination and uncompromising dignity who stood up against injustice and changed the game forever.” Flood was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969, but refused to report because his contract with the St. Louis Cardinals had expired. MLB players at that time could not opt to become free agents and sign with the team of their choice.

With the backing of Marvin Miller, Players Association executive director, Flood’s legal challenge would reach the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 He would lose by a 5-3 vote, but within three years, free agency had become a part of the baseball business. By the way, Miller was posthumously elected into the Hall of Fame in January. The multi-million-dollar contracts that players sign in free agency today can be traced back to Flood’s refusal to accept baseball “slavery,” a term he used in his famous Christmas Eve 1969 letter to then Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Clay said Flood “struck a giant blow for freedom,” during the press conference. Trone recently told William C. Rhoden, the respected sports columnist for the ESPN website “The Undefeated,” that he polled both Democrats and Republicans about Flood’s absence from the Hall of Fame.

The responses were favorable.

“We ought to try where we can actually do something together to honor somebody who

Ladue’s Jaylen Boyd (1) catches a pass while Vashon’s Nathaniel Norman (10) defends during the Class 4 sectional game on Tuesday, March 10 at Parkway West High. Vashon went on to roll past Ladue 72-40.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price

With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Coronavirus fever heats up sporting fears

The novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, is traveling across the globe at light speed. From China to Italy to South Korea to the U.S., is no respecter of borders or boundaries. The global pandemic is spreading like wildfire. Fear of the coronavirus has affected the stock market and the economy. It has also led to the cancellation of everything from concerts to conferences to political rallies.

Sports fans should have known that it was only a matter of time before the effects of the new coronavirus would be felt in the sports world. According to a comprehensive list put together by USA Today, hundreds of athletic events around the world have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.

Until recently, those cancellations mainly occurred in sports such as marathons, badminton, cycling and rugby.

As people continue to get ill, bigger sports teams, leagues and organizations are taking precautions to protect their players and fans.

Wednesday afternoon, the coronavirus ball bounced in the biggest way. The NCAA announced that the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments would be held without fans in the arenas.

Wow! This is the same NCAA that for years has put profits over players (in the name of amateurism). However, the organization should be lauded for taking a safety-first approach to protect its student-athletes, coaches, families and fans.

“The NCAA continues to

Leagues seek to offset impact of COVID-19

to miss action for flu-like

with the very

assess the impact of COVID19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. “Based on their advice and my

discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.”

Fans can still tune into March Madness on TV. However, expect it to be an eerie experience to watch spectacular plays and buzzer beaters without a packed arena going crazy in the background. My guess is that we’ll get overwhelmed with close-up shots of players’ parents after amazing highlights. Maybe the NCAA can find a way to get Dick Vitale at every game. He is usually turnt enough that an additional crowd is not required.

All jokes aside, the decision shows that the NCAA is capable of doing the right thing. After all, the NCAA Tournament features 68 teams, 67 games, 14 cities, more than 1,000 players and nearly 700K attendees. It is essential that the organization think past the dollars and consider the public

health risks.

The NCAA’s decision follows the postponement of a Premier League (England) soccer game between Arsenal FC and Manchester City. The Arsenal players decided to self-quarantine after coming in contact with another team’s owner who tested positive for COVID-19.

The match was the Premier League’s first cancellation over coronavirus concerns but it probably will not be the last. League officials have discussed playing in empty stadiums, postponements and other numerous other options to protect everyone against the pandemic.

That same conversation is happening in other U.S. sports leagues. With the NBA Playoffs, NCAA Tournament and MLB Opening Day just around the corner, leagues commissioners are finding themselves in a precarious predicament.

Should they proceed normally and potentially expose their players, fans and executives to COVID-19? Should they postpone games, not knowing when it will be “safe” to play, and potentially losing millions or billions? Or should the teams play in empty stadiums? The teams would lose millions in ticket costs but would still be able to earn revenue from televising the games.

The NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS announced an agreement to bar media from locker rooms for the foreseeable future.

Instead of allowing reporters to hold personal interviews with reporters before and after games, players will answer questions from a podium in designated media rooms. Executives at the major sports leagues hope that will limit the possibility of exposure to their players.

Golden State Warriors fans became nervous when Steph Curry came down with flulike symptoms shortly after his return from a broken hand. In order to prevent hysteria, the Warriors quickly released a statement to quell rumors about its star player’s illness.

“This morning Stephen Curry was diagnosed with influenza A by a positive viral testing,” the statement read. “…He has no specific risk factors for COVID-19. He has the seasonal flu. We have begun treatment for Stephen and instituted our team protocol for influenza exposure.”

When LeBron James was asked about the idea of playing basketball games in empty stadiums, he scoffed at the idea.

“We play games without the fans? Nah, that’s impossible,” James told reporters. “I ain’t playing! If I ain’t got the fans in the crowd, that’s who I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about.”

James later backtracked on the statement. He explained that he was unaware that league executives were actually considering playing in empty stadiums to lessen the public

health risk. James stated that while he would be “disappointed” to play without fans, it was important to listen to the health experts in relation to COVID19.

Though James was being asked hypothetical questions, it appears that the NBA has run out of time to decide what to do. According to NBC Sports, on Wednesday morning, Santa Clara County issued a ban on mass gathering over 1,000 people for the next two weeks. San Francisco is in Santa Clara County. The Golden State Warriors play in downtown San Francisco.

Santa Clara County’s decision forced the Warriors and the NBA to put a rush on their decision. The Warriors are scheduled to host Brooklyn on Thursday night and will do so without fans present in the Chase Center. Whether future games are postponed, played in empty arenas, neutral venues or moved to the home of the away team remains to be seen.

Decisions for all major sports league are evolving hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute. One thing if for sure – you’re wrong if you thought you could escape the COVID-19 hysteria by tuning into your favorite sporting event. The coronavirus is going to impact sports just like it has the ability to find a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch online at stlamerican. com and on Twitter @ishcreates.

Golden State Warriors fans got a scare when Steph Curry, who had just returned from a broken hand, was forced

symptoms. It turns out, Curry contracted the flu from one of his children. However, the NBA and its fans are forced to deal

real fears of COVID-19 exposure.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Sports Eye

Continued from B3 turbulence in the late 1960s, Trone said, “Flood just stepped up and said, ‘Hey, this isn’t right. I’m not a piece of property.’”

“We ought to honor him for that. Maybe I can lend my voice, the bully pulpit of Congress in a bipartisan way.” Flood’s contribution to the game of baseball is not the lone reason he should be inducted. He was truly an outstanding baseball player whose centerfield excellence helped the Cardinals win three National League Pennants and two World Series. He also won seven consecutive Gold Gloves, the last of which was not presented to him until 1992. I was there in New York. He signed a Gold Glove baseball for me. It is my prized sports memorabilia possession.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is a member of the Hall of Fame and the Golden Era Committee. I suggest the Clay meet with him personally because La Russa voting yes for Flood’s induction is very far from a sure thing.

Bonds’ death sentence

Another player deserving of Hall of Fame status is Barry Bonds, who starred with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. While his single-season (73) and alltime home run record (762) are tainted by alleged PED use (it was never proven), Bonds’ career stats before his late-career home run binge are deserving of the Hall of Fame.

“I feel like a ghost,” Bonds told The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly.

“A ghost in a big empty house, just rattling around. A death sentence. That’s what they’ve given me. My heart, it’s broken. Really broken.”

Rather than facing an annual rejection by Hall of Fame voters, Bonds said he wants them to tell him and the world how they feel.

“(I)f they don’t want me; just say you don’t want me and be done with it ... Just be done with it.”

Bonds said he does not feel welcome throughout MLB and also would like to do more for the Giants than just being a goodwill ambassador that meets with major advertisers and season ticket holders.

Bonds received 60.7 percent of a needed 75 percent of ballots in Hall of Fame voting announced in January. He has just two more chances, and the odds are long that he makes the

Hoops

Continued from B3

jump needed to reach the Hall.

Cuonzo’s contract

Missouri enters the SEC Tournament at 15-16 and must win at least two games to secure a season finish above .500. While many fans are ready to move on from coach Cuonzo Martin, the contract he signed when he left Cal for Columbia means he’ll be there for, probably, at least three more seasons.

The original contract, which pays $21 million over seven years, includes a clause that Martin could not be fired without cause for four seasons.

It also states that if the Tigers won 20 games or reach the NCAA Tournament, that date would be pushed back a year. Missouri earned a tournament bid in 2018.

The date that Martin could be terminated without cause is now May 1, 2021. Because of the late date, Martin would

probably be back for the 202122 season. In addition, the $6 million buyout clause now also runs to the May 1, 2021 date. My guess is that Martin gets Missouri back together – but he isn’t going anywhere for a while, regardless.

The Reid Roundup

After battling through back surgery during his season at Missouri and beginning his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets long after the season starter, Michael Porter Jr., is averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 47 games. The playoff-bound Nuggets were 47-21 as of Tuesday, first in the Northwest Division and third in the Western Conference … Jontay Porter, Michael’s brother, has reportedly signed a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies as he continues to recover from two knee surgeries. He is expected to be ready when training

guard Treazure Jackson.

The Whitfield-Strafford semifinal game will tip off on Friday at 12:50 p.m. The winner of that game will face either Licking or Macon for the state championship on Saturday at 2:40 p.m. The two losing teams will meet in the third-place game on Saturday at 12:50 p.m.

begins in September …

Two seasons ago, Hampton University joined the Big South Conference, leaving the MEAC behind. It looked as though NBA prospect Jermaine Marrow and the Pirates were on the way to the NCAA Tournament, but after leading Winthrop throughout the conference tournament title game, Blakemore, who is averaging 14.5 points a game. Senior guard Jade Moore is averaging 11.9 points while knocking down 3-pointers from long distance. Senior Zaria Daniels is a 5’10” forward who averages 6.6 points a game. A big part of Whitfield’s success has been the presence of a trio of talented freshmen in the fold. Forward Brooklyn Rhodes is a talented 6-footer who averages 10 points and 10 rebounds a game while 5’9” guard Tkiyah Nelson averages 7.4 points while providing ball handling and passing. The third freshman in the mix is 5’9”

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTeS of The Week

The standout senior guard led the Rams to the Class 4, District 5 championship at Clayton last week. The 5’6” Peete scored 26 points and handed out seven assists in the Rams’ 65-47 victory over John Burroughs in the championship game. Peete also had 19 points,

seven assists and four steals in a 78-31 victory over Clayton in the semifinals. For the season, Peete is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 assists and 3.3 steals in leading Ladue to a 22-4 record.

Kennedi Watkins Marquette – Girls Basketball

The standout junior guard led the Mustangs to the Class 5, District 3 championship at Parkway South. The 5’11” Watkins had 23 points, eight rebounds and five steals in a 62-49 victory over Lafayette in the championship game. In the semifinals, she had 23

Jordan Peete Ladue – Girls Basketball points and seven assists in a 73-55 victory over Parkway South. For the season, Watkins is averaging 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals in leading the Mustangs to a 17-9 record heading into Wednesday night’s sectional playoff game against Kirkwood.

they folded against Winthrop … If you’re hosting a fundraising trivia contest, even if its for a great cause, DO NOT auction off all the answers for a round. It takes away from the spirit of the competition. Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s

Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

camp

Curt Flood with St. Louis Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst before a game at Busch Stadium during the 1968 season.

continued from page B1 students with nursing assistant certifications, this is the first to offer an in-building EMT certification process. Page said he hopes to see similar programs in other schools.

“We need to ensure all our students feel prepared for their adult lives and professional careers, whichever path they take,” Page said.

One of the 12 students currently on track to graduate with their EMT licenses is senior Leah Lee, who hopes to use this as a jumping-off point to become a nurse and then an anesthesiologist (which was Page’s profession before he became county executive).

“I will be attending Maryville University getting my bachelor’s in nursing while working as an EMT, hopefully,” she said. “The end goal is to be an anesthesiologist, so I’m just doing the steps I need to take to get where I want to go.”

But the work hasn’t been easy. Lee said the students had to memorize 104 medical terms just to get into the class.

“And then, once passing that, there’s the actual workload,” Lee said. “But it’s been cool, because it’s weird how I like to actually do the work, so that makes it easier. I like going back and forth between lecture and actually doing it, giving us the real experience of how it’s going to be.”

Since February, everyone in the class has been taking three people’s vital signs every single day, along with practicing tasks such as CPR.

Joe May, program manager at partner school IHM Academy of EMS, said that teaching high schoolers presents him with a new and exciting challenge.

“It is definitely different. It keeps us on our toes. They ask very different questions about complex things. They need things broken down a little bit more than the regular adult learner,” he said.

“But the enthusiasm is the thing that keeps you going. They are very enthusiastic. There’s never that bored face. There’s never leaning on a hand or anything like that.”

That lack of boredom is remarkable, given that this is a lasting around three hours every school day, beginning at 8:30 a.m. For Ritenour senior Wayone Rhodes, though, that time commitment is worth it.

n “We need to ensure all our students feel prepared for their adult lives and professional careers, whichever path they take.”

– St. Louis County Executive Sam Page

“My long-term goal is to become a physician – an emergency physician, at the moment,” Rhodes said. “And I felt like if I took this EMT

course, entering at an entry level in the medical field, it would give me practice and insight on if this was what I really wanted to do in the future.”

The EMT field is chronically understaffed across the country, May said. That means, as Sam Page said, these teens “will never have to worry about getting a job.”

But the job they’re signing up for has a high turnover rate and often takes a psychological toll on emergency medical workers.

“In order to go into EMS you have to care for people and

you have to be civic-minded,” May said. “It is a thankless job. People are happy to see you afterwards, but they aren’t always happy to see you when you show up and they’re screaming at you. You have to be able to deal with that, and that’s part of the reason for the shortage.”

Unlike most high school seniors, however, these students will be graduating with a career with full insurance and benefits ready and waiting for them. And students are thrilled about that. Lee described her excitement when she found out she could take EMT classes without having to pay for them.

“I was glad I got the opportunity, I was like, ‘Sign me up!’” Lee said. “My mom always says, ‘We never had that kind of stuff when I was in school!’”

Chris League, Operations supervisor for Abbott EMS (and therefore these students’ future boss, if they pass their examinations) said that nothing can totally prepare a young person for the more strenuous aspects of the job, but the students’ enthusiasm will make it easier.

“That psychological aspect, you really can’t prepare for it,” League said. “So if you can prepare them as much as possible for their responsibility of treating a patient, that takes a little more weight off of them. It helps their focus be a little more centered instead of unsure.”

And their excitement about the work helps. “People will overcome a lot more when it’s something that they really want,” she said.

In upcoming years, Abbott EMS hopes to expand this program to more schools in the area and train more EMTs to deal with physical and mental health crises in our region. Page agreed.

“I hope some of the other high schools in the region take notice and adopt this program or a program like this,” Page said. “You kids are graduating, and you’ve got a job, you’re ready to go. And that’s what we’re looking for.”

Justin Turnbough, operations manager of the Belleville/St. Louis Region for Abbott EMS/AMR, and Christine League, senior operation supervisor for Abbott EMS/AMR, explain a demonstration to Ritenour High School seniors Wayone Rhodes and Leah Lee.

Photo by Wiley Price

Black hair in full bloom

Floral designer and artist Maurice Harris showcases blossoming texture at SLAM

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I think our hair is one of the most special beautiful things that we have – that we are shamed by and often told that it isn’t enough,” artist and floral designer Maurice Harris said Saturday morning in the auditorium of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

With his own mane of short locs unapologetically sprouting towards the sky, he presented “Don’t Touch My Hair: A Talk and Demonstration” as part of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s 16th Annual Art in Bloom programming. The enormously popular annual weekend incorporates floral designs inspired by the museum’s collection. Harris’ contribution would be live action.

“I think it’s our crown,” Harris said. “I think it’s our royalty and I think that it’s one aspect of what makes us beautiful.”

As a culmination of his talk, he invited St. Louis based artist Yvonne Osei on stage, where he designed a floral hair arrangement that perfectly complimented her chocolate skin and neon pink dress.

“Oh, this is going to be so good,” Harris said as he started strategically placing the flowers in Osei’s afro.

He began his talk with a candid introduction to who he is as a person and as an artist and what led him down the path of being a creative. Harris isn’t quite a household name yet, but he’s on the way. His clientele includes some of the biggest names in entertainment. He was featured in a visually stunning Microsoft Surface commercial and has two television shows in production.

“Can you believe someone gave me a show?” Harris said, knowing full well his natural charm and self-proclaimed fabulousness make

creative outlet.

him ready for prime time. He talked about being a black gay creative with roots in a family church and a grandmother who fascinated and inspired him with her larger than life personality and attention to detail as she used fashion and millinery as a

“I used to sit at her bedside watching her create her outfits and watching her create her

Hyers Sisters’ legacy unearthed

Film by STL’s

Susheel Bibbs about musical pioneers to play History Museum

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

It’s a shame that two brilliant classical voices that used their talent to uplift their race and pioneer in the art form of the American musical are so largely unsung. But that is the case with Anna and Emma Hyers, known professionally as the Hyers Sisters. Classical voice prodigies who were destined to break color barriers in opera houses around the world in 1870s, they instead used their platform to promote the humanity of their people.

Soprano, actress, musical scholar, filmmaker and St. Louis native Susheel Bibbs sheds light on their contributions to their people and as early architects of what evolved into the American musical with her short film “Voices For Freedom – The Hyers Sisters Legacy.” Bibbs, a graduate of Sumner High School, will return to St. Louis for a special screening of the film and post-screening discussion next Friday (March 20) at the Missouri History Museum. The film originally aired on PBS in 2017, was met with acclaim at several film festivals, including the famed Cannes Film Festival. The film won the 2017 Grand Festival Award at the Berkeley Video Film Festival. At a time when minstrel shows intentionally

The

Freedom – The Hyers Sisters Legacy,” will screen at the Missouri History Museum on Friday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will feature a performance and discussion with filmmaker Susheel Bibbs, who is a St. Louis native.

dehumanized African Americans through entertainment – operating as the entertainment counterpart to the racial terror that was imposed on black people – the Hyers sisters mounted shows and musical experiences that exclaimed our humanity. “They fought the minstrels’ ridicule. And what were their weapons? Charming musical stories of black life that asserted black dignity without black face,” soprano Denyce Graves

said in the opening scene of the film. “Anna and Emma Hyers stood up to become voices for freedom.”

Part documentary, part reenactment with performance snippets sprinkled throughout, the film details the Hyers Sisters’ remarkable story. The reenactment portion begins with Bibbs

See Hyers, C4

The Rep announces 2020- 2021 Season

Works by Lynn Nottage and STL native Kelvin Roston Jr. among lineup of plays

By St. Louis American staff

“We definitely have something for everyone,” Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis told the crowd that packed into Delmar Hall two weeks ago as she prepared to announce the 2020-21 season. In total there will be 14 shows between the mainstage, the Steven Woof Studio Series, The Rep’s Imaginary Theatre Company and special presentations.

“This year, we want to share the magic of The Rep with both our longtime supporters and new audiences across the region,” Sharif said about what will be her second season.

Describing the season as “dynamic and diverse,” The shows include a special presentation of “Twisted Melodies” based on the life of Donny Hathaway by St. Louis’ own Kelvin Roston Jr.; Regina Taylor’s musical “Oo-Bla-Dee,” which chronicles a 1940s Black female jazz band as they journey from St. Louis to Chicago seeking fame and freedom in a climate of racism, sexism and an unforgiving industry; and “Mlima’s Tale” by Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright Lynn Nottage.

n Next year, two of The Rep’s productions for the upcoming season will be presented in partnership with COCA in the soon-to-be-opened, state-of-the-art Berges Theatre in University City.

“Our new season will feature classics, contemporary thought-provoking shows and robust family programming to make theatre accessible to more people than ever before,” Sharif said. Longtime Managing Director Mark Bernstein praised Sharif’s accomplishments in her debut season, including a box-office record for her directorial debut of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” which outsold the previous top-selling production by nearly 25 percent.

“I am thrilled to be partnering in leading this organization with new artistic director Hana Sharif,” said Bernstein. “The accomplishments we have achieved in this first year under Hana’s leadership are just the beginning. There is so much more to come this next season and beyond.” Next year, two of The Rep’s productions for the upcoming season will be presented in partnership with COCA in the soon-to-be-opened, state-of-theart Berges Theatre in University City.

“Welcoming partners such as The Rep into our space is just the type of new programming we envisioned as we launched COCA’s expansion plans,” said Kelly Pollock, executive director of COCA. “Hosting part of The Rep’s season in the new Berges Theatre creates an opportunity to support professional theatre in St. Louis, while providing opportunities for young people and brings us all closer to creating a St. Louis that is connected and inclusive.”

The evening kicked off with a proclamation presented by State Senator Jamilah Nasheed from the 100th General Assembly

“We are honored to have Hana here in the city of St. Louis,” Nasheed said. “I don’t know how many of you know this, but the arts are truly an economic

See Rep, C4

Maurice Harris designed a stunning floral arrangement woven between the coils of visual artist and curator Yvonne Osei’s afro Saturday for “Don’t Touch My Hair: A Talk and Demonstration” at Saint Louis Art Museum.

film “Voices For

How to place a calendar listing

1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR

2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

Fri., Mar. 13, 8 p.m., Pops Concert Venue presents Young Dolph – No Rules Tour. Feat. Key Glock. 401 Monsanto Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 14, 7 p.m., The Sheldon presents San Francisco Jazz Collective 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mar. 18 – 21, Jazz at the Bistro presents Kandace Springs. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 21, 8 p.m., Pops Concert Venue presents Moneybagg Yo: Time Served Tour. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., Mar. 25, 8:30 p.m., World Class Ent. Group presents Tanya Stephens with The Yellow Wall Dub Squad. Club Viva, 408 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 28, 7 p.m., 2020

Sheldon Gala: An Evening with Renee Elise Goldsberry. Goldsberry is the winner of the Tony, Grammy and Drama Desk Awards for her performance in the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Apr. 3, 6 p.m., The Veterans Memorial presents An Evening Honoring Military Veterans with Jackie and Friends. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Apr. 5, 7 p.m., Old Rock House presents Stephen Marley Acoustic Soul. 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sun., Mar. 15, 6 p.m., Coleman Hughes Project 7th Anniversary Celebration. Hollylou, 155 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 4967751.

Tues., Mar. 17, 6 p.m., Gordon’s Entertainment presents Honoring Our

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Own: Miz Renee Smith Performances by Denise Thimes, Joe Mancuso, Eugene Johnson, Laura Green, and more. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Mar. 20, 7 p.m., Kim Massie’s Tribute to Aretha Franklin. National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sat., Mar. 21, 3 p.m., Show Me Kids Concert Series feat. That Girl Lay Lay & Tha Slay Gang. With guest ZaZa Live. Hosted by Nelly Da Celeb. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 22, 8 p.m., Smooth Sounds & Poetry Vol. 2: Jill Scott & Boney James Tribute. Hosted by Danie Skye. 2005 Walton Rd., 63114. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., Mar. 25, 8:30 p.m., World Class Ent. Group presents Tanya Stephens with The Yellow Wall Dub Squad. Club Viva, 408 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

special events

Fri., Mar. 13, 6:30 p.m., Shalom Church City of Peace invites you to Generation Next Basketball Tournament. Proceeds will be donated to the St. Children’s Research Hospital. North County Recreational Complex, 2577 Redman Ave., 63136. For more information, visit www.shalomccop.org.

Sat., Mar. 14, 9 a.m., Phenomenal I Am Women’s Conference: Still I Rise. Bridgeton Conference Center, 12259 Natural Bridge Rd., 63044. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 14, 12 p.m., 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 120 units, including marching bands, floats, huge

cartoon-character balloons, 5000+ marchers, and lots of clowns. 20th St. & Market, 63102. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Mar. 14, 8:30 p.m., GRC Records presents 1st Annual 314 Day Festival. Performances by Da Banggaz, Tripp Heaven, Big Homie Meech, Beretta, and more. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 15, 12 noon to 4 p.m., Bridal Dreams Wedding Expo, 1624 Delmar. For more information, call (636) 587-0005 or email bridaldreamsweddingexpo@ gmail.com.

Wed., Mar. 18, 7 p.m., The Great Taste. Spend an evening enjoying live music, items from local vendors, complimentary tastings from restaurants, and more. St. Louis Science Center 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. tixtoparty.com.

Sat., Mar. 21, 10 a.m., Minority Vendor Fair. Jewelry, art, treats, crafts, clothing, and more. North County Christian School, 845 Dunn Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., St. Louis Beer Festival. The event will feature dozens of local and domestic breweries, sampling their spring seasonal beers. St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mar. 21 – 26, Shalom Church City of Peace HBCU Experience Tour 2020. Schools include Florida A&M University, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, and Alabama A&M University. For more information, visit www. shalomccop.org.

Sun., Mar. 22, 1 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter and St. Louis Delta Foundation invite you to Gospel, Jazz, and Blues Brunch. Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington

Ave., 63101. For more information, www.dst-sla.org.

Mon., Mar. 23, 5 p.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ 102nd Annual Dinner. Marriott Grand, 800 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. ulstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 28, 7p.m., Pangs Play Events invites you to Masquerade Ball 2020 Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury, 63119. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 28, 7p.m., Fading Royalty presents Black Stars: A Black Music, Art, and Fashion Experience. Feat. Tay Altair, E2K, Ricky Wolfe, AJ Cooke, and more. High Low, 3301 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mar. 28 – 29, 20th Annual GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend

The largest competitive fitness event includes a full marathon, marathon relay, 10K, children’s fun runs, and more. Downtown St. Louis, 63103. For more information, visit www.gostlouis.org/events.

Sun., Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Kode Redd Company Show: Vibrations. With Works From Anthony Redd Williams, Jasmine Spencer & Special Performances From STLs Own Mai Lee & Kennedy Holmes. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Thur., Apr. 2, 11:15 a.m., 2020 Women’s Leadership Circle Annual Luncheon. Ritz Carlton St. Louis Hotel, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, visit www.ppslr.org/wlc.

comedy

Mar. 13 – 15, Stifel Theatre presents Gabriel Iglesias: Beyond the Fluffy World Tour. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Mar. 20, 8 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents Festival of Laughs starring Sommore, Lavell Crawford,

Michael Blackson, and Don DC Curry. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Apr. 10, 7 p.m., T.D. Jakes presents A Time to Laugh Comedy Show feat. Tony Roberts, Carmen Barton, David Arnold, and Arnez J. Hosted by Nephew Tommy. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

literary

Thur., Mar. 12, 2 p.m., STL Village Women’s History Month Celebration with speaker Malaika B. Horne PhD, author of Mother Wit: Exalting Motherhood while Honoring a Great Mother. Second Presbyterian Church, 4501Westminster Pl., 63108. For more information, visit www.stlvillage.org.

Thur., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Lisa M. Corrigan, author of Black Feelings: Race and Affect in the Long Sixties. Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

Fri., Mar. 13, 6 p.m., Turn the Page STL Early Literacy Forum. A community forum about educating our children to become proficient readers. New NorthSide Baptist Church, 8645 Goodfellow, 63147. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mon., Mar. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Malaika B. Horne PhD, author of Mother Wit: Exalting Motherhood while Honoring a Great Mother. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Sat., Mar. 21, 1 p.m., EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore hosts author Andrea Scott, author of The Bigger the Fro, The More I Know. 6951 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 14, 1 p.m., Curatorial Tour: Terry Adkins. Join Associate Curator Stephanie Weissberg on a guided tour of Terry Adkins: Resounding opening weekend. Exhibit runs through Aug. 2. Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. pulitzerarts.org/program.

Thur., Mar. 19, 6:30 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum presents RE: Soul Liz Johnson Artur creates photographic representations of people of African descent around the world. James Biko traces the history of soul in an interactive spinning session. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.camstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 21, 11 a.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents If It Wasn’t for the Women: An Exploration of Materiality. Hear from three female interdisciplinary artists using materials in their work to reflect and represent various ideas. 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Through Apr. 19, Derek Fordjour: Shelter. A

2020 Sheldon Gala: An Evening with Renee Elise Goldsberry. For more information, see CONCERTS.

New York-based artist of Ghanaian heritage, Fordjour works primarily in the realm of portrait painting to create vibrant, multi-textured images. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. camstl.org.

theatre

Sat., Mar. 14, 12 p.m., Harriet Tubman. Onewoman show by Glynis Brooks. Calvary M.B. Church, 2822 Dr. M. L. King Dr., 63106. For more information, call (314) 4223720.

Sat., Mar. 14, 7 p.m., Change to Passage. A new original musical that tells of the lives of the many historical black figures that made changes in America. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Through Mar. 16, The Alpha Players present Clybourne Park. The play tells the story of the first Black family to move into a neighborhood, and then jumps ahead 50 years to the same neighborhood being gentrified. Florissant Civic Center Theatre, 1 James J Eagan D., 63033. For more information, visit www. florissantmo.com/theatre.

Sat., Mar. 28, 7 p.m., Tre Floyd presents Before Black Lives Matter. This drama chronicles Daniel’s journey to the realization that he is a black male and there are certain things he cannot do. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Mar. 27 – 29, Stifel Theatre presents Sesame Street Live! 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

lectures and workshops

Sat., Mar. 14, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents Navigating the Gender Pay Gap. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. Visit www.slpl.org for information.

Mon., Mar. 16, 6 p.m., Global 1000 presents Money Talk Monday: A Black Tech & Wealth Building Event. Bring your ideas and learn how to grow your business and get assistance. NexCore, 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Mar. 17, 4 p.m., African American Studies and the Women’s and Gender Studies Department

presents 2020 SLU Annual Bridge Lecture. “Rebel Archives: The Life and Legacy of Queen Mother Moore” featuring: Dr. Ashley Farmer, UT Austin. Busch Student Center, SLU, 220 N. Grand Blvd., 63108. Call (314) 977-2242 for info.

Sat., Mar. 14, 1 p.m., Sts. Teresa and Bridget Church, will host a Domestic Violence conference, Hear the dynamic testimony of Evangelist Lizzie Harrison, and others. 2401 North Grand Blvd.

Sat., Apr. 4, 10 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Theta Omega Chapter and West Side Missionary Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry present the 4th Annual Financial Empowerment Workshop. 2677 Dunn

Chaifetz Arena presents Festival of Laughs starring Sommore, Lavell Crawford (left), Michael Blackson, and Don DC Curry. See COMEDY for details.

Sat., Apr. 11, 10 a.m., Hunt for a Cure Egg Hunt. 80,000 plastic eggs spread throughout five age-appropriate bunny trails, pony rides, a petting zoo, activities, and more. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www. events.lls.org.

Sat., Mar. 28, 8 a.m., The Advancing Church presents the 2nd Annual Be Confident Women’s Conference with national recording artist Angela Winbush. 4152 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. theadvancingchurch.org. Sat., Mar. 28, 9 a.m., Christ Alive Through Mary, a Women’s Witness Ministry prayer breakfast, Cardinal Ritter Prep, 701 North Spring Ave. Register at catholicrenewalcenter@ archstl.org, or call 314-7316100, by March 24.

Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.akaomicronthetaomega.org.

health

Sat., Mar. 14, 6 p.m., Sing for Siteman. Feat. Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ finest performers singing Broadway, opera, jazz, and more. Also feat. the Sheldon All-Star Chorus and performers from The Bach Society of Saint Louis. Haertter Hall, John Burroughs, 755 S. Price Rd., 63124. For more information, visit www.singforsiteman.org

Sat., Mar. 21, 9 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter & Ivy Alliance Foundation present Health Fair 2020 Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, 12200 New Halls Ferry Rd., 63033. For more information or to pre-register visit, www.signupgenius.com.

Sat., Apr. 4, 6 p.m., St. Louis Crisis Nursery Razzle Dazzle Ball. Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet, 191 West Port Plaza Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www. crisisnurserykids.com.

Sat., Mar. 28, 2 p.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church Saturday Worship Service (there will be no Sunday service for March 29), 8171 Wesley Ave., Kinloch, MO.

Fri., Mar. 20, 6 p.m., Better Family Life Membership Association presents Hoodie Film Screening. This short film highlights the stigmas of wearing a hoodie. This is event is a book signing, film screening and panel discussion. 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

hats and watching her create floral arrangements – she mostly worked in silks,” Harris said. “Her life became a sacrifice for her family and her creative practice took a backseat. Because I have been afforded these opportunities, I wanted to take a minute to just honor one of the key people that informed my practice.”

He exuded joy as he talked about the love for his art and his blackness and the people and things that have inspired him in addition to his grandmother – including Grace Jones, Kirk Franklin, Kerry James Marshall, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Eddie Murphy movie “Boomerang.”

“Alvin Ailey was first time from a dance standpoint that I saw a black vocabulary that is so specifically black but also pure excellence,” Harris said. “There’s a level of grace, there’s a level of strength and there is a level of drama that can only be executed by a black body. It’s something that I strive for every day. These black hands make beautiful things that only these black hands can make.” As he transitioned into the specifics of his work as a floral designer, he shared how he finds and celebrate his blackness in the flowers he chooses.

“Bird of paradise is the flower that kind of represents blackness for me,” Harris said. “It unassuming – and at first sight it looks like there is not much going on, but it always rises to the top. It is always resilient – and it always has multiple blooms. It has a peacock element to it, but it’s also subtle. You can’t stop it. It keeps going. You will often find bird of paradise in my work a lot because I feel like they are beautiful in all of their elegance.”

n “ It’s so unfortunate that in this country, we have not done a good job of reconciling our slave history. We are still living out those narratives in a very unfortunate way.”

- Maurice Harris

Hyers

as Delilah Leontium Beasley, a reporter for the Oakland Tribune, who becomes the first African American woman to be published regularly in a major metropolitan newspaper.

Beasley meets with Anna, the surviving Hyers sister. She is living in obscurity by the early 20th century. Beasley meets to discuss the sister’s careers for an upcoming book. They start from the very beginning.

The Hyers sisters are still children (Anna is 12 and Emma is 10) when they make their debut on the classical voice concert circuit. Initially met with fierce racism, their natural gifts made them all the rage in just a few short years.

St. Louis

He was going about his business as one of the most in-demand floral designers, when he couldn’t help but be affected by the deaths of young black men at the hands of police –including Michael Brown in Ferguson.

“I saw this happening and then I am simultaneously doing these glamorous weddings and these crazy big projects where I’m servicing the one percent and I am the token black person in these places,” Harris said. “I am this weird exception to the rule, and I don’t like how that feels. It’s so unfortunate that in this country, we have not done a good job of reconciling our slave history. We are still living out those narratives in a very unfortunate way.”

He couldn’t find the words to express how he felt, so he

decided to create. Bloom and Plume: Shades of Blackness Volume 1 was his artistic response.

Nude black male bodies juxtaposed against a floral background – or foreground.

“I think that black male bodies are not really respected,” Harris said. “We get killed for being black. And we have to cover our bodies up with our hypermasculinity. We have to cover it up with by being hypersexualized. So, I was trying to figure out, is there a way for me to show up in my body with no clothes on – nothing to protect me – and just be?”

After two volumes, he still isn’t sure.

“Every image that you see when there is nothing but your black skin, it’s like ‘ooh, he is so hot.’ Or he is strong. Or that’s my kind of man,” And that’s literally what’s also murdering us and making it where we can’t just be. That was my goal – for us to just be – and I haven’t figured out if we can.”

His goal for volume three was to highlight the beauty black hair, which the Saint Louis Art Museum audience delighted in seeing a sample of what “Shades of Blackness Volume 3: Don’t Touch My Hair” calendar and poster looked like as he designed in Osei’s mane while taking questions from the audience.

“How are you fastening them in?” one woman asked.

“Luckily, with our black hair and our tight curl pattern, the hair is able to take the stems that I pre-wired and we just put it in,” Harris said. “That’s the luxury of black hair.”

“My question is, ‘Can you do it in my thin, flat, white hair?” a second woman asked when handed the microphone.

“Probably not,” Harris said without a care.

“I want to feel beautiful too,” the woman shot back.

“You are,” Harris said. “And society has told you that for a long time. So, this is us getting a little time to shine.”

“Newspapers all across the country heralded them as great operatic artists,” Bibbs said as she discussed the sisters during an interview portion of the film – which also includes snippet reenactments of pieces performed by the sisters as a duet and later as the main attraction of the Hyers Sisters Opera Company, which was managed by their father, Sam Hyers.

The San Francisco Chronicle referred to them as “rare natural gifts” when the paper wrote about the sisters in 1869.

And in 1871, St. Joseph, Missouri’s Daily Herald called the Hyers sisters “a rare musical treat.” Their company was the first repertory company to receive national acclaim and the sisters were moving towards realizing their dream of breaking racial barriers in the biggest opera houses around the world. Instead, they changed course to use their art

Rep

Continued from C1

engine for the state of Missouri. It outpaces the blues, the cardinals and many other sports and let me tell you why – it’s because this is all year-round, it’s not seasonal.”

The Rep’s 2020-2021 season is as follows:

MAINSTAGE

Little Shop of Horrors, (book by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman)

Top of the World, by Catherine Butterfield (performed at COCA’s Berges Theatre, 524 Trinity Ave.)

The Great Leap by Lauren Yee

Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias

Oo-Bla-Dee, by Regina Taylor (performed at COCA’s Berges Theatre)

Moby Dick (adapted by David Catlin from the book by

Bibbs will return home to discuss her film ‘‘Voices For Freedom – The Hyers Sisters Legacy” next Friday at The Missouri History Museum.

to combat a larger issue – the dismantling of Reconstruction and the explosion of negative stereotypes to justify the racial terror imposed on the newly liberated African Americans.

“When there was a secret deal to put Rutherford B. Hayes into the presidency and they pulled the troops from the south and the protection of African Americans, all hell broke loose,” Bibbs said. “The only images that they had were the images put forth by Zip Coon and Jim Crow.”

The Hyers sisters responded by shifting from classical opera to producing shows to counter the narratives of the minstrel shows – and became pioneers in the American musical art form while doing so.

“They left their dream and

they came forward and for 20 years they were the sole providers of a new image of African Americans as humans,” Bibbs said. “As having a story and as claiming the American dream, the Hyers fought the mockery with music.”

Their company brought the first African American lead performers and the first integrated casts on stage. And they created stories – which fused classical voice and popular spiritual music with rich narratives of the African American experience – that put the minstrel stereotypes to shame. Their company served as the anti-minstrel show. And through their productions, they boldly displayed resilience, talents, resourcefulness as well as their commitment to their race.

“What’s really significant and inspiring is that these responses that African Americans made to this time of terror has left us with wonderful gifts that we can still witness and still utilize,” historian Susan Anderson said in the film. “The culture of African Americans is predicated on a fierce faith – faith in a higher power and a kind of militant optimism that their efforts could rescue American democracy from white supremacy.”

“Voices For Freedom – The Hyers Sisters Legacy,” will screen at the Missouri History Museum as part of its Women’s Day programming at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The event will feature a performance and discussion by filmmaker Susheel Bibbs. For more information, visit www.mohistory. org or call (314) 746-4579. The film will also air locally on The Nine Network at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 and at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.

Herman Melville)

STEVE WOOLF STUDIO SERIES

Hir, by Taylor Mac

The Gradient, by Steph Del Rosso

Mlima’s Tale, by Lynn Nottage

SPECIAL SHOWS

Twisted Melodies, written by and starring Kelvin Roston Jr.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens (Adapted by Michael Wilson)

IMAGINARY THEATRE COMPANY

A Gnome for Christmas, by Sarah Brandt (music and lyrics by Stephen James Neale)

Puss in Boots, by Nathan and Jennifer Roberts

Tomás and the Library Lady, adapted by José Cruz Gonzalez (From the book by Pat

For more information about the upcoming season, including show descriptions, dates and ticket sales, visit www.repstl. org

Photo by Jim Dennis Photography

native Susheel

Mora)

The Rep’s Augustin Family Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif, as she announced the upcoming lineup for 2020-2021 season on February 27 at Delmar Hall.

RESEARCH PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITY

We are recruiting adults for a study examining stress and cognition at Saint Louis University. Compensation is provided upon study completion.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Ages 45 and older

• No history of heart attack or stroke

• Not diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or Cushing’s Disease

• Not a current tobacco user

• No current psychiatric condition

• Not currently taking corticosteroids, psychiatric, or neurological medications

WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO?

• Participate in one 2-hour research session

• Complete speach and math tasks

• Complete decision making tasks

• Provide saliva samples and heart rate measures

Museum Celebrates Women in Arts

By Asmaa Walton, 20192020 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow

In celebration of the achievements of women in the arts, the Saint Louis Art Museum will present If It Wasn’t for the Women, an annual program dedicated to honoring women of color making significant impacts in the arts. Please join us Saturday, March 21 at 11 am for this free presentation in the Museum’s Farrell Auditorium. Three female interdisciplinary artists will reflect and represent their various ideas for using materials in their work. New York-based artist Pamela Council along with St. Louis based artists Mee Jey and Jessie Donovan will discuss the relevance of material use in their work while exploring their own interpretations of materiality. Council creates fountains for Black joy. Guided by material, cultural, and metaphysical quests, Council’s practice embodies a darkly humorous and inventive AfroAmericana camp aesthetic, BLAXIDERMY. Through this lens, Council uses sculpture, architecture, writing and performance to shed light on

If It Wasn’t for the Women: An Exploration of Materiality in Art

Saint Louis Art Museum Farrell Auditorium Saturday, March 21, 2020, 11 am-12:30 pm

under-examined and undervalued narratives. Jey has carved her interdisciplinary art career working with various communities in India and America. Her forms are derived from pre-historical and historical art forms. Jey uses her research background in history to contrast the archetypal forms she creates with contemporary subject matters by bridging the two ends of time and spaces. Donovan is a multidisciplinary creative, working primarily in printmaking, drawing and video. Her practice explores topics of racial classification, language and truth. Donovan

was selected as a DELUX Magazine 30 Under 30 recipient and was awarded the Sister Exchange Artist in Residence Award in Stuttgart, Germany.

During the panel discussion each artist will be able to share some of their own work with the audience while elaborating on the importance of material use in their practices. Artists also will discuss a work within the Museum’s collection that resonates with them. This will allow the artists to connect their practices within materiality to the Museum’s collection.

The Saint Louis Art Museum hopes that you will join us for If It Wasn’t for the Women: An Exploration of Materiality in Art on Saturday, March 21 at 11 am in The Farrell Auditorium. The program is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be reserved in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com or 314.534.1111. All tickets reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets picked up at the Museum. Same day tickets can be obtained on-site.

Mee Jey

Jessie Donovan

Pamela Council

Celebrations

Nuptials

Reunions

Beaumont High Class of 1965 has scheduled its 55-year reunion celebration for the weekend of Sept 25-26, 2020. The Meet and Greet (9/25) and Dinner/Dance (9/26) will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport, 4450 Evans Place, St. Louis, MO 63134. Cost is $100 per

person. For additional info contact Geraldine Reid (314) 868-8284.

Beaumont High Class of 1970 has scheduled its 50th class reunion celebration for the weekend of 10/16/2010/18/20. The banquet will be held at The Embassy Suites (downtown), 610 N. 7th St. We are currently working on finalizing plans to make this our best reunion yet! Please forward your current contact info to: beaumontclassof1970@gmail. com, so that we can keep you informed.

Beaumont High Class of 1975 is planning its 45th Class Reunion for August 14-16, 2020. For information contact Gale Bailey at 314-838-8493, Brady Colvin at 314-954-7537 or Cynthia Parham at 314-8694049.

Central High Class of 1970 is in the process of planning its 50 year reunion in 2020. We are trying to locate former classmates. If you would like to receive additional information as we plan this momentous occasion, please provide your contact information to either Lillian

Military Retirement

SFC Kevin Wright entered the service on April 27, 1996. He served overseas in Germany, a combat tour in Iraq, and numerous stateside assignments. SFC Wright retires after more than 20 years of active federal service. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal: Army Commendation Medal: and the Army Achievement Medal. 4 OLC. SFC Wright is presented the Meritorious Service Medal, a United States Flag, Certificate of Appreciation from the Commander in Chief, Certificate of Retirement from the Chief of Staff of the Army, Fort Knox Coin, and a Soldier for Life Pin for Meritorious Service from February 28, 2000 to March 1, 2020. After his retirement, SFC Wright, his wife Patricia and their children will make their home in Wellington, Florida.

McKinney at mamajoyce314@ icloud.com or (314) 335-9760, Eric Armstrong at elarmstr@ yahoo.com or (918) 6503385, Sabra Morris-Pernod at Saboots@centurytel.net or (314) 703-0812.

Calling All L’Ouverture School Graduates of June 1962. Our class is hosting an event celebrating our historic L’Ouverture Elementary School. Please join us at our next meeting: March 21, 2020 (Saturday), 2:00pm at 3245 Geyer Ave, 63104. For information, contact: Evelyn at (314) 773-8702 or Valerie

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our

at (314) 664-6270, email: valeriemiller06179@att.net.

Also: Help us make contact with any person who served as staff member at L’O, any time period, up through 2013.

Northwest High Class of 1975 is planning its 45th reunion and requests all 1975 classmates to update their contact information at nwhs75@gmail.com to get additional details. Please save the dates of Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2020 in St. Louis, MO. We will see you in October.

Lorie Jackson and Andre Fuller will be married on March 28, 2020 at One Family Church by Pastor Brent Roam. Best wishes to the bride and groom!

Happy Birthday to Arielle Kerney on March 10, from your best friend!

Chris Tucker hit, then absolutely missed. I got the biggest pleasant surprise so far in 2020 for the first half of Chris Tucker’s show at the Stifel Theater. I was expecting a wreck when he didn’t approve any photographers to shoot the show. But he proved me wrong the minute he bopped all across that stage in a rose gold sequined tuxedo jacket to the Bruno Mars jam “24K Magic.” He came out clowning about coronavirus. Yes, the jokes were racist toward the Chinese, but I was like, “new material, who dis?” The last two times he came to town, he gave the exact verbatim performance – and the jokes were about a decade old. It was to the point where I thought, “Maybe we were just hyping Chris Tucker up and he wasn’t as funny as we all thought during his Def Jam days?” I was like “This is the Chris Tucker I remember.” He was back cussin’ and everything. I all but fell out when he was talking about that little boy that fell into the gorilla pit with the late great Harambe and how he’s certain the boy’s mama pulled a “black mama move” and told the zoo folks to leave him in their a little while to teach him a lesson. Yes, Harambe’s tragic demise was a few years ago, but it was new to Chris Tucker’s act and it was funny. And then when he claimed that R. Kelly low key tried to kidnap him and that he should have let those girls go when their daddies started looking for them because you don’t mess with a black daddy. I was laid out. The show was great, until it wasn’t. It seems like just when I said to myself, “Chris Tucker is out here pulling an Eddie Murphy, but with standup,” he went flipped a switch and smuggled in those moldy old struggle jokes from the last time. I felt the shift happening too. Every time somebody in the audience would say “I love you,” Chris would say it back with a real soft and wispy voice. I knew he was fighting the urge to jump into his Michael Jackson bits with all his might. Then he surrendered and leaned into it. He could have just thrown the whole last 25 minutes away. We miss Michael too, but “Rock My World” video was 20 years ago. Opening act Sherman Golden was funny enough – even though he hadn’t said hardly anything I hadn’t heard before … possibly from other comics.

No love from the Nu Chi Ques. Let me tell you, I was all set to tell you about how the third time was the charm for the Mardi Gras Party held by the Nu Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. I parked and made my way to the Airport’s club Aero, only to receive the “Harpo, who be dis woman?” treatment by the Omegas working the door. I explained who I was and what I was there to do – and figured it would be easily resolved, because our photographer made it in without a hitch. Then a gentleman offered to escort me into the party. I was like, “Oh, how polite… but you don’t need to do that.” He insisted. Once I got in, I thought it was going to be all good. But he kept hanging back. Then I was like, “I’m fine, I don’t need you to escort me anymore.” He responds, “I can either escort you through the party, or escort you back out the door.” I was shocked, because this has NEVER been my experience with the Nu Chi, or any Ques in the region for that matter. I told him that I usually get in make my rounds and let the folks know how y’all like to kick it. But this gentleman, who was serving tall Garrett Morris realness, told me that nobody should have let me in last year. All I could do at this point was make a dramatic exit and go on about my business. Can somebody please explain to me what is gained by treating somebody who came to cover an event with such shade? I mean, I just don’t understand it. Now, not only will nobody hear about your party, but they will get all types of tea about your lack of hospitality. I guess I will have to keep my kicking with the Ques limited to the MO side chapters until further notice – because they always show me nothing but kindness.

A Skee-Phi Fashion Phirst. But let me move on and give props to some black Greeks that rolled out the red carpet for a sista. On Sunday, I hit up the Caramel Room in Bissinger’s building on Broadway for the Phirst Experience Fashion Show presented by the Gamma Omega Chapter of AKA and the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. They started a bit past fashionably late, but the event was such life that it was worth the extra time I spent mingling and launching a preemptive strike on that dessert display. The clothes were life, y’all! Especially that half green/ half pink ensemble worn by Chi Anderson. I know I will get myself in trouble if I try to name names of all the fabulous slayage that folks came through with that was as pleasant as that marvelous weather. Just know that it was life.

B-day big ups at Blue Dine and Lounge. The folks showed up and showed out in droves at Blue Dine and Lounge for owner Arthur’s birthday weekend of events at Blue Dine and Lounge. Understand that I wanted to kick it from my car because there was no more room – especially on Saturday night. If that lone parking spot hadn’t opened up in front of the Kingdom Hall, Arthur would have most certainly had to settle for a drive through birthday dap. I thought they were going to have to set up booths in the Family Dollar and have folks parking down towards the Pageant. Yes, it was that serious.

Just a couple of months until Three 6 Mafia. Yep. The Academy Award-winning artists that brought us some of the best ratchetry rap music had to offer will be reuniting on stage at the Chaifetz Arena on May 23 and I haven’t been able to stop myself from randomly singing “you know it’s hard out here for a pimp” whenever the urge hits me – I’ve even caught myself humming the melody out loud during church. What? I go to the live stream service, so nobody heard me. Anyway, Juicy J, DJ Paul and ‘nem are bringing Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, Project Pat and more to get lit like only Memphis rappers can. Is it too much for me to request that they hire Terrence Howard to show up in full character as DJay from “Hustle and Flow” with a full roller set and that tattered mini keyboard to host the concert? Probably so. Oh well, it’s going to be epic either way. So be sure to get your tickets.

The Grays, Joyce, Latasha and Nick had the time of their lives @ Aero Saturday with the men of the Nu Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi

Josh and Lawrence supported Nate Mitchell as he showcased his works during First Friday @ UrbArts in the ‘To STL with Love,’ a group visual art exhibition

Models Glenn, Chi, Jason, and Bridget just before e they hit the runway for the Phirst Experience Fashion Show Sunday @ Bissinger’s Caramel Room

First Friday @ CAMSTL was in full effect when Thania, Quentin and Mia dropped in to check out the ‘Liz Johnson Artur: Dusha’ exhibit

The city pulled up and packed out Blue Dine + Lounge from front to back to celebrate Sir King Arthur’s birthday Saturday night

Gina and Shannon decided on The House of Soul for their Friday hang suite, which featured a performance by saxophonist Rhoda G

Traci and Aamir started their weekend chilling with the grown folks Friday @ House of Soul

Crystal, Arica and Segio capturing memories of the 2020 Art In Bloom experience @ SLAM Saturday

Hannah’s birthday weekend kicked off @ Blue Dine + Lounge with AJ and @PARIS. WEST Friday

Costume contest winners Idaria Goodwin and Charles Bruce Saturday @Aero during the Nu Chi Ques’ Annual Mardi Gras After Mardi Gras party

World renowned artist and floral designer Maurice Harris made a masterpiece in the afro of visual artist Yvonne Osei during his “Don’t Touch My Hair: A Talk and Demonstration” as part of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s 16th Annual Art in Bloom programming Saturday morning.

Photos by V. Lang

FLOOR TECHNICIAN

Fontbonne University has an immediate opening for a Floor Technician in Environmental Services as follows:

Full-time position - must have general housekeeping and floor tech experience and the ability to work with little supervision. The incumbent will serve as the primary floor tech across campus. This is a nighttime position – 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. with rotating weekends. High school education preferred along with recent experience. Excellent benefits package offered beginning first day of employment with liberal holiday and vacation benefits. To apply, please visit our website at www.Fontbonne.edu/employment.

ARCHS EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR

ARCHS has a position for a Director in the Early Childhood Department. Applicant must have experience with family child care and/or faith-based child care environments, goal setting, early childhood best practices, and be familiar with strength-based coaching techniques. Applicant will be required to complete monthly on-site visits with family and/ or faith-based child care providers, model best practices, and complete assessments in order to work with owner/directors and teachers to individualize quality improvement.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, Social Work or a related field with at least 24 credit hours in Early Childhood Education is required. Competence in Microsoft software including: Word, Excel, Power Point and Web Based Data Systems a plus. Applicants will be expected to conduct early childhood and leadership trainings. Full benefits package, including 401(k) match. Email letter of application, resume and salary history to careers@stlarchs.org or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ ARCHSJob?Position=Early%20Childhood%20Director by March 30, 2020. No phone calls please.

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.

Facilities Control Technician III - Building Services - Job# 47232: Position acts as the onsite maintenance technician for assigned areas, prioritizing and accomplishing or securing assistance for accomplishing a variety of maintenance conditions and problems. Performs preventive maintenance and repair. The ideal candidate will have the following required qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent GED/HiSET with vocational training preferred. Equivalent of two-four years related experience in skill trade functions with demonstrated ability to perform varied maintenance tasks.

Case Manager - Institute for Public Health – Job #46237: This case manager position will be responsible for providing therapeutic behavioral health interventions to patients and their families, who have been seen in the emergency or trauma unit due to interpersonal violence. The case manager will serve as a mentor and is anticipated to carry a case load of 20 active clients at any given point. They will be responsible for interfacing with external institutions relevant to the patient’s lives such as the school system, justice and health systems, and other community agencies. This position is part of a collaboration between four emergency centers in the St. Louis region that provide the majority of violent injury related care and three universities working to promote positive alternatives among individuals injured by violence.

Human Resources & Payroll Manager - Brown School – Job #47192: The Manager of Human Resources & Payroll will support the achievement of the vision, mission and strategic goals of the Brown School by helping to attract, retain and manage our most valued assets—our employees. The Manager will play a vital role in the operations of the Brown School, providing guidance on human resources policies and processes to the School administration, managers, as well as to employees.

Executive Assistant II – Office of the Vice Chancellor for Operations and Technology Transfer - Job #47119: The executive assistant will provide a wide range of trusted executive support to the Vice Chancellor for Operations and Technology Transfer. Responsibilities will include organizational and administrative support functions and require a high level of attention to detail, constituent service engagement, and critical thinking. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted assistant to key functions in the office.

LPN Gastroenterology Job ID 47176: Seeking an LPN to work a back office position Nurse will answer patient calls, coordinate referrals and pre-authorizations, call patients with lab or test result and many other like duties. Qualified LPN must have experience with electronic medical record and truly interested in a behind the patient scene nursing commitment.

LPN Otolaryngology Job ID 47062: This LPN position will manage patient care as well as back office responsibilities. Qualified LPN must have experience with electronic medical record.

RN Research Nurse Coordinator I Job ID 46813: If you are data driven, enjoy multitasking and can work very independently, this M-F nursing role may be for you. This person manages reviewing patient records to determine if they may meet the qualification for the studies they oversee. If so, this nurse educates the patient about the study, recruits if possible and follows up with all clinical care associated with that particular study. Qualified RNs will have strong technical abilities to track patients, clinically independent and able to manage and organize data.

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

CASE MANAGER

The Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis (BHN) is seeking a Case Manager for our Bridges to Care and Recovery program. The Case Manager is responsible for acting as a liaison between the faithbased community and community mental health services to provide linkage/referral services. The Case Manager will serve as the point of contact for congregations, families, and providers regarding services to include outreach activity, referrals to service providers, and coordination with providers regarding capacity for referrals. More information can be found here: http://www.bhnstl.org/ career-opportunities/

SECURITY OFFICERS

POLICE CHIEF AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

The

now accepting applications for the positions of Police Chief and Director of Public Works. To apply, visit www.claytonmo.gov/jobs.

HIRING

5 yrs experience or executive level assistance (preferred). Full comprehension of office management systems and procedures. Excellent knowledge of MS Office. Exemplary planning and time management skills. Up-to-date with advancements in office equipment and applications. Ability to multitask and prioritize daily workload. High level verbal and written communications skills. Ability to be discrete and confidential. Submit a letter of application, resume and salary history to careers@stlarchs.org or visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ ARCHSJob?Position=Executive%20 Assistant by March 30, 2020. NO phone calls please.

& COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) seeks a qualified professional for the part time position of Economic & Community Development Specialist. Be a part of supporting business in St. Louis - provide assistance to businesses in coaching, market research, community development, loan referrals, and loan recipient assistance M.A./M.S. in business, finance, urban development, or related field required. 5+ years’ experience in business development, urban planning/ programs, finance or loan processing with proficiency in SBA regulations and processing.

SLDC is an equal opportunity employer. Successful candidate must be a St. Louis city resident or must relocate to the City within 180 days of hire. Send resume and salary history in confidence to: SLDChumanresources@stlouiscity.com or Human Resources Department, St. Louis Development Corporation, 1015 Locust, Suite 1200, St. Louis, MO 63101 or FAX: 314/259-3496. Deadline for submission: April 16.

CASE MANAGER & CLINICAL COUNSELOR

Better Family Life, Inc. a non-profit organization is currently looking to hire several jobs to the community outreach department to collaborate with program partners in areas of outreach, research, issues with addictions and substance, interventions, etc. while evaluating targeted neighborhoods.

To apply send resume to hr@betterfamilylife.org NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE

Better Family Life, Inc. EOE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Looking for Executive Director, St. Louis ArtWorks: 2020 Full Time Position The Executive Director will bring vision, leadership and continuity to St. Louis ArtWorks, a nonprofit arts organization that works with teens from the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives in program development and administration. For more information about St. Louis ArtWorks visit: http:// stlartworks.org/ Send cover letter, resume, and three references to jobs@stlartworks.org

processing bills, and supporting the Payroll Specialist. preferred. Bachelor’s degree in HR or HR experience is beneficial. Excellent organizational skills + attention to detail required. Effective written & oral communication is critical. Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights/weekends & holidays is necessary. Experience with HRIS & payroll systems including UltiPro & ADP is beneficial. Must possess a valid drivers license. To apply, go to https:// explorestlouis.com/job-opportunitiesinternships/ . NO PHONE CALLS!

LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

The LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS (LCRA) will receive sealed bids at SLDC, 2nd Floor Boardroom, 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, until 1:45 p.m. prevailing time on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 for:

Laclede’s Landing Improvements

600-900 blocks of North 1st Street, 800-900 blocks of North 2nd Street, Laclede’s Landing Boulevard from 3rd Street to the west side of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, and Lucas Avenue and Morgan Street from 3rd Street to the west side of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard St. Louis, MO PROJECT NO. (2008-DI-114) at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read.

Bids must be submitted in accordance with the Contract Documents. Bid shall be accompanied by the proper bid security.

The project, in general, consists of a qualified general contractor licensed by the City of St. Louis providing all construction services for the work contemplated herein to include furnishing all materials, equipment, tools and labor and executing all work necessary for the Laclede’s Landing Improvements, in strict accordance with all requirements of these specifications and the drawings made a part thereof. Project work includes, but is not limited to, removal of improvements, grading, resetting cobblestones, concrete paving, curbs and drive entrances, fire hydrant relocations, removal and replacement of ornamental street lighting, installation of street lighting and landscaping, traffic control, storm drainage, concrete sidewalks coordinating utility relocations, and the securing or working within temporary construction easements and associated maintenance agreements.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020 at SLDC, 2nd Floor Boardroom. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

Plans and specifications can be obtained from the following online plan rooms: http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and Cross Rhodes: https://www.sldcplanroom.com/. These documents are available for download and/or purchase directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping if required. Hard copies may also be purchased directly from Cross Rhodes.

This project is funded through Community Development Block Grant funds under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (PL110-329).

All labor used in the construction of this project shall be paid a wage no less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages of work of a similar character in this locality as established by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Federal Wage Rates), or State Wage Rates, whichever is higher.

Under the Mayor’s Executive Order 28, as amended by Ordinance 70767, the City of St. Louis has established the goals of at least 21% African American, 2% Hispanic, 0.5% Native American and 0.5% Asian American Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) participation and at least 11% Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) participation. Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/ WBE policies).

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

Be advised, the LCRA reserves the right to accept any bid or any part or parts or combinations thereof, to waive any informalities, and to reject any or all bids.

For more information, please contact: Lori Goerlich, Major Project Manager II, GoerlichL@stlouis-mo.gov

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ON DESIGN OF THE JEFFERSON AVENUE/22ND STREET CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that an open house public hearing will be held at the St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 on Monday, March 16, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. Handicap access is available. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning their views on the design of the Jefferson Avenue/ 22nd Street Corridor Improvements with reference to the economic and social effects of such design, its impact of the environment and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. The presently contemplated improvement is as follows:

In conjunction with the Jefferson I-64 intersection improvement being undertaken by MoDOT, this project will improve vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic of 8 streets in downtown west St. Louis. Some of the street improvements included in the project are: new pedestrian and bike facilities, the reconnection of the City grid on Clark Avenue and 22nd Street, pavement rehabilitation to Market Street and Jefferson Avenue, new traffic signals and integrated signal timing, new street lighting, landscaping, and other aesthetic enhancements.

Maps, plats, environmental documentation, and other detail information prepared by the City of St. Louis and their consultant will be available for public inspection and copying at the office of the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service, Room 301 City Hall. Written statements and exhibits as well as oral statements will be received at the hearing. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing transcript if received within ten days after the date of the hearing. Tentative schedules for right of way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the hearing.

If you are disabled and require special services at the public hearing, please notify the City of St. Louis Office of the Disabled by March 13, 2020 at (314) 622-3686 so that arrangements for those services can be made.

For information prior to the hearing, please contact (314) 589-6637.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

BY Brenna Brown

Manager

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace RoofSystems, Multiple Assets atFarmington Correctional Center, Project No. C1922- 01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/31/20 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Roofs, Multiple Buildings a t Montgomery City Youth Center, Project No. H1908- 01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/31/20 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

LETTING #8718

MOANG Hangar Building 1A Roof Replacement

at St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 1:30 PM, in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

Availability of 2019 Draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

PUBLIC HEARING

Wednesday, March 13, 2020 5:30 p.m.

St. Louis County Administration Building 41 S. Central, 5th Floor Conference Room

To All Interested Agencies, Groups and Persons:

St. Louis County is the “Lead Agency” for the St. Louis HOME Consortium. The St. Louis HOME Consortium is a group of contiguous units of local government that have joined together for the purpose of receiving HOME funds and administering a HOME Program as a single grantee. The members of the St. Louis HOME Consortium include St. Louis County, the City of Florissant, the City of O’Fallon, Jefferson County and St. Charles County. As required by federal regulations, St. Louis County has prepared a draft of its Fiscal Year 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the St. Louis HOME Consortium. This report provides information on how funding received through the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program was spent in St. Louis County. This report also provides information on how funding was spent for activities funded under the Home Investment Partnership Program in St. Louis County and in the jurisdictions which are members of the St. Louis HOME Consortium.

A draft copy of St. Louis County’s Fiscal Year 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) will be available for public review and comment beginning on Friday, March 13, 2020 at the locations specified in this notice during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday. Also, interested persons, groups and agencies are invited to attend a public hearing regarding St. Louis County’s expenditure of these federal grant funds reported in the “draft” 2019 CAPER. The draft CAPER document discusses the County’s performance in meeting its goals, which are to fund programs and activities that provide decent housing, create suitable living environments and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate-income residents of St. Louis County.

If you wish to attend this Public Hearing and require accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of Community Development 48 hours in advance. The address and phone number are at the bottom of this notice.

St. Louis County Government Centers

• West-74 Clarkson-Wilson Centre Chesterfield, MO 63017 (314-615-0900)

• Northwest Crossing-715 Northwest Plaza Drive Saint Ann, MO 63074 (314-615-5000)

• South-4546 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, MO 63129 (314-615-4000)

St. Louis County Department of Human Services

• Office of Community Development-41 S. Central Avenue 5th floor, Clayton, MO 63105 (314-615-4457)

City of Florissant

• Government Building - 1055 rue St. Francois, Florissant, MO 63031 (314-839-7680)

County of St. Charles

• Administrative Building, 201 N. Second St., St. Charles, MO 63301 (636-949-7900)

Jefferson County

• Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, 5217 Highway B, Hillsboro, MO 63050 (636-797-5336)

City of O’Fallon

• City Hall, 100 N. Main Street, O’Fallon, MO 63366 (636-240-2000)

St. Louis County Library System

• St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131

Also located on our website at stlouisco.com/Property-and-Roads/Community-Development/Consolidated-Plan-CAPER

Comments regarding the “draft” of the St. Louis County Fiscal Year 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report may be submitted in writing and directed to: Mr. Jim Holtzman, Director Office of Community Development 41 S. Central, 5th Floor Clayton, MO 63105 Phone: (314) 615-4414 (VOICE) (314) 615-5467 (TTY)

E-Mail: JHoltzman2@stlouisco.com

1-800-735-2966 (Relay Missouri TTY Callers)

1-800-735-2466 (Relay Missouri Voice Callers)

Comments will be received until 2:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020 or made at the public hearing March 13, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

INVITATION TO BID NOTICE.

The City of Richmond Heights, MO, seeks qualified bidders for the 2020 Street Improvement Program. Interested bidders can obtain bid packages from the city’s Department of Public Works or from the city’s website at www.richmondheights. org. Sealed bids are due Thursday at 10:00 AM, March 26th, 2020 at the Public Works Department located at 7997 Elinor Avenue. Call the Public Works Department at (314)645-2277 if you need assistance

INVITATION TO BID NOTICE.

The City of Richmond Heights, MO, seeks qualified bidders for the 2020 The Heights Parking Lot Resurfacing Project. Interested bidders can obtain bid packages from the city’s Department of Public Works or from the city’s website at www. richmondheights.org. Sealed bids are due Thursday at 11:00 AM, March 26th, 2020 at the Public Works Department located at 7997 Elinor Avenue. Call the Public Works Department at (314)645-2277 if you need assistance.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Wellston, Mo., will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 26, 2020 6:00 PM

Wellston City Hall 1414 Evergreen Ave., 63133

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Regarding the proposed development of residential single family dwellings located at 1200 Sutter Avenue

BIDS

K&S Associates, Inc. is soliciting MBE/WBE/SDVE/DBE/VBE for the following project for March –St. Louis County Library Eureka Hills Branch (REBID)-Plans and Specs can be viewed at www.ksgcstl.com-submit bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com or Fax 314-647-5302 Contact Dennis Dyes @ 314-647-3535 with questions

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure Staffing Services for a Consultant with Oracle E-Business Suite Application experience. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service with Techwise Consulting because Techwise staffing is currently performing this support. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from Adaptive Solutions Group in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because MSD does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BIDS

Bids will be received by the Hazelwood School District for Concrete and Asphalt Repair and Replacement. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. on March 18, 2020 at the Hazelwood School District Business Office, 15955 New Halls Ferry Rd. Bids are due in the Business Office no later than 10:00 a.m. on April 2, 2020.

Bid Specifications are available at the Hazelwood School District Business Office at 15955 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63031, (314) 953-5019 or visit our website www.hazelwoodschools.org.

Catering Linen Rental Service RFP 2020

The Saint Louis Zoo is seeking quotes from qualified linen rental companies to service and supply the linen needs for catering and special event functions.

Bid documents are available as of 3/11/2020 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking sealed bids for one (1) 2 Passenger Cargo Van. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by April 03, 2020.

BIDS

KCI Construction requests subcontract proposals from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) businesses for the MRO Hangar Development Project, The City of Springfield, Missouri.

Project #2020-SGF-01 IFB 2020-SGF-01

Plans and specifications are available

• To view electronically at no charge from: SmartBid Invite

• To view at our Camdenton office: 5505 Old South 5, Camdenton, MO 65020

• By a request for a Dropbox Link from: jmorrow@kciconstruction.com

Subcontractor bids are due by 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2020. You may email bids to jmorrow@kciconstruction.com or send a fax to 573-346-9739. Please call if you have any questions: 314-200-6496.

Promotional Products RFP 2020

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified contractors to supplying branded and promotional products. Bid documents are available as of 3/12/2020 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003945 for a Janitorial Automatic Dilution System, Chemicals & Floor Care Contract will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www. stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

SEALED PROPOSALS

Sealed Proposals for B20-1190 Banking Services will be received at Lincoln University Purchasing Dept 1002 Chestnut St, RM 101 Shipping & Receiving Bldg, JCMO 65101 until 2PM CT on 23March2020. Download Proposal Request at http:// www.lincolnu.edu/web/ purchasing/bids

INVITATION TO BID

Contact: Mike Bax at mbax@mccarthy.com or 314-9192215

Prequalification is required and can also be accessed through the McCarthy website above.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

STL Archdiocese tries to prevent coronavirus spread

Archbishop suggests not sharing communion cup or shaking hands

By Shahla Farzan Of St. Louis Public Radio

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is encouraging clergy members and congregants to consider changing certain religious practices to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus.

Archbishop Robert Carlson sent a letter to church leaders on March 2, urging them to avoid using shared cups to distribute the sacramental wine — and to thoroughly disinfect all sacred vessels before and after Mass. The new precautions are part of an effort to keep worshippers healthy, as more cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, are diagnosed in the U.S. Maria Lemakis, multimedia manager for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said clergy members are not required to follow these recommendations.

“It’s really up to the pastors whether or not they want to suspend temporarily the chalice from being offered at Masses,” Lemakis said. “Parishioners certainly have the option to only receive the Holy Eucharist in the bread.”

The archdiocese has also suggested that parishioners avoid shaking hands during the passing of peace and try to stay at least three feet from their fellow congregants.

“In the Catholic community, we have a natural desire to be close with each other and to relate to each other on that level,”

n “There’s a lot of contagious illnesses at this time, so we have to remember some basic guidelines when we’re in community settings.”

– Maria Lemakis, Archdiocese of St. Louis

Lemakis said. “There’s a lot of contagious illnesses at this time, so we have to

remember some basic guidelines when we’re in community settings.”

Many of these recommendations were also shared informally with parishes at the start of flu season, she said.

According to a statement released Monday, the archdiocese is working with partners in health care to monitor coronavirus developments and may close churches and Catholic schools, if necessary.

Follow Shahla on Twitter: @ shahlafarzan.

Reprinted with permission from news. stlpublicradio.org.

The Message

The road to spiritual salvation is sometimes so obvious, so apparent that we just miss it. Like most of Jesus’ message, it doesn’t seem possible that by simply changing ones’ outlook, the kingdom is yours.

It is not always through guile and deceit that the devil works his evil. He can accomplish his goals if he can convince you that what is very important is of little matter and no consequence.

The single most important thing I can do to abide in God’s will is to possess love in my heart for God and my fellow man. That’s it? Yeah. That’s it!

If that’s as close to a guarantee as we can get, why are many of us hell-bent on doing the things that will insure our place at the table in hell’s kitchen? I personally think the concept of loving God is pretty easy to comprehend. It’s the loving your neighbor as yourself that’s causing the problem. The devil is having a field day on this one.

love our neighbor. In actuality, we hate ourselves. The devil has tricked us into hating the mirror image of us. Deep down inside we hate in others that which we might become, because we really don’t like what we have become. The devil knows man is not perfect, so he entices us into hating the imperfection of others, their flaws and faults, their weaknesses and shortcomings, all the while, being imperfect ourselves.

Isn’t it interesting that most people who claim being saved tell you they first had to realize that God through Jesus’ sacrifice loved them warts and all? The stories come from former drug addicts, adulterers, petty gossips, murderers and greedy self-absorbed takers in life, who wished they knew how to have a healthy, respectful, loving relationship with another human being.

Count how many people you can’t stand at this very moment. Take your shoes off and add to your list those people, who if they died tomorrow, you would be among those who would say “good riddance.”

The devil has us so confused and dumbfounded on this issue that we can’t see that the hatred we harbor for others, the contempt we feel for people we don’t even know, masks an underlying reality that won’t allow us to

One by one they, we, line up and confess that once we accepted that God indeed loves us, then and only then are we able to love ourselves and subsequently love others just like they are: all imperfect, all flawed children of God, all welcomed at His eternal table.

Once you accept that God resides in your own sinful soul, you can see God in others. God’s point is so simple: If He’s got it for you, the least you can do is have it for others. I love me and I ain’t got nothing but love for you too.

Archbishop Robert Carlson sent a letter to church leaders on March 2, urging them to avoid using shared cups to distribute the sacramental wine — and to thoroughly disinfect all sacred vessels before and after Mass.

Columnist James Washington