March 14th, 2024 Edition

GOP could pay in November

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

President Joe Biden wasn’t as poetic as the late 17th Century author William Congreve who wrote “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” but his words during his State of the Union speech were equally perceptive.

n “These attacks will stir women who are the most resilient beings on this planet. They will make themselves heard in November.”

– Rev. Dr. Love Holt, community engagement specialist with Abortion Action Missouri

Speaking directly to U.S. Supreme Court Justices seated before him, the president issued an ominous warning: “With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power and you’re about to realize just how much.”

Biden voiced the outrage of many women after Supreme Court justices, in 2022, overturned

See ELECTION, A6

The Rev. Love Holt kicked off a rally to gather signatures for a Missouri constitutional amendment that would legalize abortion up until fetal viability on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at The Pageant in St. Louis’ West End neighborhood. Holt says Republicans will face voter outrage in November for their assault on reproductive rights.

314 Day celebrations spotlight STL’s unique charm

n “It’s home, ain’t nothing like it, it’s our roots. No matter where I go I’m taking St. Louis with me.”

– Ray Mobely

in partnership with Greater St. Louis, Inc., STLMade, and the 314 Day Foundation. It will feature a live viewing of the Living St. Louis episode, music from DJ Darian Wigfall, and discussions with local leaders including 314 Day Founders, Tatum Polk and Terrell “Young Dip” Evans.

While the Literacy for the Lou event is just for students, teachers and administrators, SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett says its

Black women file landmark lawsuit in Kansas City

Could end state control of police force

By Peggy Love KCUR / NPR

Three Black women filed a federal lawsuit this week against the state of Missouri, alleging that the state’s control of the Kansas City Police Department singles out people by race and creates an unequal system.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Missouri, says the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners’ governance of the department is simply “an effort to keep slavery legal and Black people in chains.”

Kansas City is the only U.S. city that doesn’t have jurisdiction of its police force, a vestige of the Civil War when the Confederacy wanted to control St. Louis and Kansas City and their weapons stockpiles. Of the seats on the fivemember board, four are appointed by the governor and the fifth slot is always held by the mayor.

The Republican-dominated state legislature is again trying to wrestle local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Force from St. Louis residents

See LAWSUIT, A7

‘An incredible legacy’

The Harris-Stowe State University College of Education remains accredited by the Missouri State Board of Education, based on a recommendation of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The College of Education is authorized to continue recommending candidates for educator certification.

“We have an incredible legacy of preparing our scholars to be outstanding teachers in the St. Louis City and County school systems,” said Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, HSSU president.

“We take this responsibility seriously, knowing that our graduates are essential to addressing the current crisis and teacher shortage in education. There is no greater mission than educating the next

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

Event organizer Ohun Ashe photographs the crowd at a collaborative “314 Day” photo shoot that took place at The Arch in downtown St. Louis on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Sparks may fly: Kim Kardashian leaves Oscars afterparty with Odell Beckham Jr.

Media star Kim Kardashian and NFL star Odell Beckham attracted attention while holding hands at the Oscars after-party. The two sparked conversation on their status in September without any confirmation under the simple guise of “hanging out.”

“There was a lot of touching, and they were right near each other the entire time,” according to People magazine. “They were careful about not being too all over each other, but there was lots of chemistry, and they left together.”

her divorce from Kanye West, with whom she shares four children: Psalm, Chicago, North and Saint Beckham Jr.’s last relationship was with model Lauren Wood. They share a son named Zydn born in early 2022. A few outlets reported that Beckham Jr. was linked to Kim’s sister, Khloe Kardashian in 2016, though Khloe denied it.

If Kardashian confirms the relationship, it would be her second since

Kanye’s daughter North West to release her long-awaited debut album

“I’ve been working on an album,” she begins as the crowd roars. “It’s called Elementary School Dropout.”

After North West, 10, made her official musical debut on her father Kanye West’s album Vultures 1 track “TALKING,” she is now preparing her first album release.

The young West joined her father’s listening party on Sunday night, revealing the LP titled Elementary School Dropout to his supporters. The name references her father’s debut

album, the College Dropout. The Wests have not revealed further details.

New news or no news on Ashanti, Nelly pregnancy?

Last week, Ashanti’s mother and manager Tina Douglas partic ipated in a panel discussion with “Selling Tampa’s” Sharelle Rosado the 17th Annual Women’s Impact Luncheon at Jazz in the Gardens in Miami Gardens, Florida. Panel host Supa Cindy of 99Jamz congratulated Ashanti on having a baby, and the conversation took an odd turn.

“Congratulations, Ashanti’s having a baby. So congratulations, grandma,” said Cindy

in a video that was reposted by The Shade Room. “There’s been no announcement. It hasn’t come out yet until I hear it from Ashanti and Nelly,” Douglas said. Awkward… “Oh, I thought it was public. My bad, sorry,” said Supa Cindy. “No, it is public. Don’t get it twisted, but it hasn’t been officially announced,” said Douglas. Nelly nor Ashanti have responded to pregnancy rumors that began after their appearance in St. Louis at Nelly’s White Ball in December 2023. However, Douglas’ statement sounds like a non-denial denial if there has ever been one.

Sources: Hype Beast, People

“I

314 Day Small Business &

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

The enormous indoor JumboTron inside Armory STL, flashed the words “#STLMADE” and “314 Day.”

The almost 6-acre midtown entertainment complex was jampacked Saturday with people who enjoyed family-friendly games, food courts and a variety of small business vendors who displayed an eclectic array of products.

The day was dubbed “314 Day Small Business & Wellness Expo.” It was one of the first of a long list of events this weeks designed to “bring St. Louis together to celebrate the positive things happening in the city,” according to its creators.

In 2006, Terrell “Young Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk created “314 Day,” to celebrate all things St. Louis. In 18 years, the celebration has evolved to become an official region-wide holiday shared by all local cultures, as well as organizations and businesses large and small throughout the unique communities and neighborhoods that make up the St. Louis metro region.

from Chicago, has lived in St. Louis for about six years. Her new adopted town, she said, is “a homegrown business city” that she eagerly promotes.

“The bigger message is that we’re showcasing the real St. Louis,” Collins said. “We all hear about the crime and the gentrification but we don’t talk about how St. Louis is in a renaissance. I love the fact that we are part of a rebuild here and can’t wait for all the changes that are going to come.”

n “Bringing resources and the community together in different ways. I Just like that.”

One of the expo’s vendors, Dara Hamilton, echoed Collins’ renaissance theme. She owns GemU Vintage and sells resale clothing items. The native St. Louisan left the city in 2016 and was working in New York’s fashion industry until she returned home in 2021 to care for a grandparent sidelined by COVID-19.

– Sharell Collins, Event coordinator

Hamilton’s display racks has all sorts of back-inthe-day gems like varsity jackets, be-bop skirts, bejeweled hats, and even old-fashioned lingerie-type garments. She chuckled, pointing to a silk slip: “Girls wear those now with sneakers and boots,” Hamilton said, adding: “Styles change a little bit, so…”

and just throw them away,” Hamilton stressed. “I wanted to create something sustainable in the fashion industry.”

Even though St. Louis isn’t in the same league as the “Big Apple” fashion-wise, Hamilton said she sees potential in Da Lou. Her wish is that native St. Louisans who’ve found success elsewhere, bring their talents back to “represent our city.”

The “314 Day,” she said, is an admirable attempt to do just that.

“It’s a chance to show off St. Louis’ flavor,” Hamilton said. “We eat our go-to Imos, White Castles and our fried rice and St. Paul sandwiches, and we drink our Vess sodas. Today is a day to celebrate us as St. Louisans.”

other unique items. Stockett said she works with one of the 314 Day founders, Polk, in another venture and considers he and his partner’s vision, and especially the small business expo, a “welcoming” endeavor for the region.

For Sharell Collins, one of the “314 Day” business expo coordinators, the event provided the region with a chance to “celebrate what’s really happening in the region.” Collins, who hails

She got the idea while working in New York’s fashion scene which she described as “polluting because of the waste.”

“People wear things once

Rashiyon Stockett believes she offers one-of-kind products-at least in the region. Stockett’s company, Golden Heart Candle Co, offers candles in the shape of cakes and cupcakes, Nike tennis shoes and

“To have something like the Armory getting thousands of people to come in-even if it’s just a walk-through; to get our name out there and see what we offer…it’s a great thing for the city,” Stockett said. Sherrell Hall is the co-owner of 13th and Canna, a luxury candle company. Hall has been in business for about three years. She offers designer candles and car sprays specially formulated to “neutralize all types of odors including cooking, burnt popcorn, fish, cannabis, pet odors” and more.

Although Hall and her business partner, Tameca Burnett, have a brick-and-mortar establishment at the intersection of

Cherokee and Iowa streets in south St. Louis, she jumped at the idea of participating in an event that introduces the entire region to new and small business entrepreneurs in St. Louis.

“For us, it’s about giving back to our hometown,” Hall said, adding, “paying homage and showing everyone that this is what we do.”

Perhaps Collins, the expo coordinator, gave the best personal rationale for making 314 Day a regional priority and local success.

“I love doing something for the city, bringing resources and the community together in different ways outside of just entertainment…I just like that.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

Photo by T aylor Marrie St. Louis

Guest Editorial

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Building a bridge to racial healing Has Biden backed his promises to Black America?

By Marc H. Morial

“We’re building an America where we recognize the inherent dignity of every single person, and where every American has the chance to live a life of purpose and meaning. This is my vision for the future.” — President Joe Biden, 2024 State of Black America

Before he was elected president of the United States, Joe Biden made history by becoming the first major-party general election candidate to develop an agenda for Black America, titled “Lift Every Voice.”

On his first day in office, he made history again by signing Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities, which declared, “Equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, and our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths.”

Acknowledging “the unbearable human costs of systemic racism,” the order made an unprecedented commitment to tackle inequality: “Affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our government.”

In contrast, President Biden placed racial equity at the center of his administration, committing that it would shape the legislation, regulations, federal investments, and agency actions his administration championed.

As our report makes clear, that commitment has resulted in meaningful policy changes for Black Americans across economic opportunity, education, healthcare, criminal justice, housing, the environment, and civil rights protections.

Candidate Biden promised to invest in Black America and improve the economy. When President Biden took office, the unemployment rate was 6.3%. Today, it’s 3.7%. The Black unemployment rate was 9.2%. Today, it’s 5.3%.

More than three years into his presidency, as he asks voters to elect him to another term, the National Urban League developed a special section of the 2024 State of Black America, “Evaluation for Progress: Report on the Biden Harris Administration.”

In doing so, we honor the legacy of the man who originated The State of Black America, Vernon Jordan, who passed away three years ago this week. The 1976 report was a scathing response to President Gerald Ford’s State of The Union address, which failed to make a single mention of the plight of African Americans.

“The slow but steady decline in racial cooperation and in the Black condition became, in 1975, a headlong rush into the deep pit of depression and hardship,” Jordan wrote. “The condition of Black Americans, once the benchmark of America’s commitment to equality in justice, is now the object of malign neglect and hostile disregard.”

Candidate Biden promised a Cabinet and senior staff that reflects the soul of America. The Biden White House is the most diverse in American history, with nearly 50% of current appointees identifying as people of color. Most notably, his vice president is the first Black woman in history to hold the office, and he appointed — as promised — the first Black female Supreme Court justice.

Candidate Biden promised to expand healthcare access. Under the Biden administration, the Affordable Care Act has flourished. In the most recent enrollment period, more than 20 million Americans have signed up for plans, a record-breaking eight million more enrollments than previously recorded.

Parts of President Biden’s equity agenda, unfortunately, have been blocked by Congress and an ultra-conservative Supreme Court.

This includes the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act which would have restored anti-discrimination protections in the Voting Rights Act that were gutted by the Supreme Court, and the Freedom to Vote Act that would have expanded opportunities to register to vote and cast a ballot.

It would have also prevented voter suppression through partisan gerrymandering and unlawful voter purges.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

By Ashanti Bryant

From growing white extremism and backsliding on democracy to the demolition of affirmative action and destruction of Black history in schools, the Black community stands at a crossroads in our collective journey toward the American dream in 2024.

Without a doubt, this year presents a number of opportunities to reflect on the state of our kids and families — including the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling and 10 years passing since a white police officer shot and killed unarmed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014.

The impacts of systemic and individual racism on the Black community are devastating. Yet while we work to disrupt the status quo, we cannot minimize nor neglect creating spaces that foster listening, healing and new narratives for how we relate in our communities.

Since 2017, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has sponsored the annual National Day of Racial Healing, a time to contemplate our shared values as Americans and create a blueprint on how Black people can heal from the effects of racism.

even reparations

If American society is a landscape interconnected by bridges, the one representing the historical journey of Black Americans is near collapse. Anchored in slavery, systemic racism and economic disparity, the supports are weak and in constant disrepair.

Racial healing, then, must be a collective, determined effort to repair and upgrade this bridge by engaging individual hearts and minds, breaking down systemic racism — one person at a time. It means demanding justice, restitution and acknowledgment of harm, and calling for the allocation of resources to ensure safety and equality for all.

The support, nurture, protection, and affirmation of Black children is fundamental for a strong, healthy sustainable Black community. To ensure this, we must not only address historical injustices but make investments for future generations.

This year, we shared new tools and platforms where participants can share stories with new allies, take advantage of new initiatives and work with institutions, corporations and legislators renewing their commitment to advance racial equity.

Despite setback after setback, Black Americans maintain an enduring vision of possibility for racial healing in this country, yet they also yet carry lingering skepticism that meaningful, lasting social change will ever occur. Therefore, authentic racial healing must be rooted in justice, restitution and

As such, this repaired bridge to Black America must become a symbol of unity and equal access. It must be a pathway where the weight of the past no longer hinders progress, and where Black children — in every community across this country — has an unhindered path toward “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

To power this work, we must leverage philanthropic, corporate, and individual investments and harness the brilliance and creative power of Black communities. We must imagine a new level of Black joy, excellence, health, possibility, and holistic prosperity. And we must remember that achieving this goal will be a source of pride — and a tribute to our ancestors who, through pain, labored to build this country and believed in its promise.

Ashanti Bryant is a senior program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

By Janice Ellis

There is an urgent need for more civic education in schools to help protect and strengthen our republic and its democratic form of government.

Civic learning and participation should be a priority in Missouri and nationwide.

This week, Civic Learning Week, has been set aside to emphasize the importance of every citizen having the necessary understanding and tools to engage and participate in our democratic form of government. Given the state of our current discordant political environment and the destructive discourse that has commandeered our public dialogue, civic learning is needed more than ever.

Events and forums covering an array of civic learning topics are being held in communities across the country.

The topics include how civic education can be effectively taught in high school, engaging and exposing students to how our government works, providing forums to better understand the Constitution, and the important role each branch of government plays in protecting and promoting a democratic republic.

Are you aware of what civic learning activities are occurring in your state, your community?

The coalition also strongly believes in the importance of public engagement, and works to apply its resources to educate all stakeholders, including families and caretakers, on the importance of prioritizing civic education in Missouri schools.

Recently, the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee held a hearing on HB Bill 1513, the ‘Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act.” Members of the coalition appeared before the committee as well as provided written testimony in support of passage of the bill. There is also a companion bill in the Senate, SB1311, that has been introduced in the Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children Committee.

Fewer than half of adults in the U.S. can name the three branches of government and can explain how they provide checks and balances in determining public policy and the enforcement of laws.

The number of Americans who understands the facts and rights contained in the U.S. Constitution is just as dismal. There is a bill moving through the Missouri Legislature right now, if passed, will change how the Missouri Constitution can be amended.

The Missouri Civic Learning Coalition is one of many coalitions across the country that have been formed specifically to advance and support high quality civic learning opportunities. The coalition is bipartisan. Members include educators, research institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, libraries and museums, youth, schools and citizen advocates (In full disclosure, I am a member of the coalition).

In addition to helping fellow Missourians understand the meaning and importance of civics, the coalition provides support and resources for schools and teachers. We work with local and state policymakers to ensure that they understand the benefits of civic education for students and educators.

Are you familiar with and understand what the Missouri Constitution says?

Currently, our principles, laws, branches of government and institutions are vulnerable to being ignored and undermined because of civic illiteracy, which is feeding an epidemic of mistrust.

Trust in our government and institutions is at an all-time low. But, how can we expect to build trust in our laws and institutions without an understanding of them?

It is up to us to stop the threat of civic ignorance and the danger it puts our democracy in. Are you ready for a civic education revival?

Missouri Independent columnist Janice Ellis analyzes educational, political, social and economic issues across race, ethnicity, age and socio-economic status.

Columnist

2024 pronouncements: May this be your fruit-bearing season

By Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois Deaconess Foundation

The calendar has turned, and the new year is off and running. We have the first months of 2024 to assess if new year intentions we made are on pace or need a bit more giddyap. However broad or specific our goals, desires, or ambitions may be, they will all require the fuel that only joy can bring. May 2024 be your fruit-bearing season rooted in joy.

Black Knights Chess Tournament crowns three champs

St. Louis American

The Legacy Institute Black Knight Chess Tournament crowned three champions during the Black History Month competition that ended Feb. 17.

Held at Confluence Academy High School, nearly 40 students participated in the tournament and organizations which took part included: Legacy Institute, the National Society of Black Engineers, St. Louis Public Schools, HEC TRIO, St. Louis Parks and Recreation, Cardinal Ritter College

Dream Builders, and Upward Bound.

The age brackets were Little League ages 7-10; junior varsity 11-13, and varsity 14-18.

Legacy Institute representative Darian Day Jr. won the Little League title. The junior varsity winner was Niko Walton representing the National Society of Black Engineers. The varsity winner was Moses Modestin, representing SLPS.

“The tournament serves as yet another

testament to the remarkable talent and potential of our youth when provided with the right opportunities in life,” said Terran Rome, Legacy executive director.

“There were no losers in this endeavor. We emphasized that everyone is a winner simply by virtue of their participation, as they contributed to shaping their own brighter future.

Studies show that chess can serve as a tool for teaching valuable life lessons, including financial planning, and fostering effective leadership skills through strategic thinking.

“By empowering our youth with this knowledge, we equip them to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purpose,” said Rome.

If you have an organization or youth that would like to be involved in the next Black Knights Chess Tournament please visit www.legacyinstitutestl.org, send an email to legacyinstitute2021@gmail.com or call (314) 337-1230.

Joy is a potent force, capable of nourishing us beyond mere happiness which is wonderful and necessary. However, unlike many people, achieving happiness is not my pursuit. Happiness is fleeting and is all too often based on emotions and the satisfaction I feel dictated by my present circumstances.

Joy is a fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in us that is not based on outward happenings or inward musings. Joy is a state of being. Joy is an inner contentment and a wellspring meant to bubble up and overflow in and through us. Joy is the armor we must wear given the anticipated challenges that this year poses from elections to climate conditions to workplace struggles and unexpected upheavals of all kinds. Joy is not to be underestimated. Joy is essential. Joy is eternal. The elders remind us that, “This joy I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.”

Particularly in the face of this hope-stealing environment that barks at us who we cannot be and the impossibility of trying something radically new, joy fuels faith, destroys doubt, calms anxiety, and roots us in endless possibility. Joy is a magnet that attracts power, inspiration, and peace.

The elders sang well to us: “When peace like a river attendeth my way...whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say it is well with my soul.”

n “Joy is the armor we must wear given the anticipated challenges that this year poses from elections to climate conditions to workplace struggles.”

Faith is another fruit that the just live by. We grassroots organizers, faith leaders, healers, visionaries, disruptors, artists, executives, entrepreneurs, and caregivers are among the just. It takes faith and power beyond eyesight and mortal might to envision it, but this spiritual fruit generates a thriving region and world that moves us from possible to probable to inevitable.

Faith serves as eyes to see what is beyond brick and mortar or beyond an election cycle. Faith turns “what is” to “what if.” It carries us through our rage, lamentation, and our losses. Faith is the confident expectation that the well-being of our people and the justice that we fight for is just within reach. Faith is the conqueror of doubt and unbelief. Our bi-state region suffers from a lingering bout of having an inferiority complex rooted in doubt and unbelief. Doubt is questioning what you believe. Unbelief is a determined refusal to believe.

And what if some don’t believe? Faith doesn’t require the permission of the masses. Movement begins with the agreement of two or three or the faithful few. To all the architects of a just future, may this be the year that the hard work pays off. May this be your season of mountain-moving faith that allows you to realize the miraculous in the presence of the naysayers. The elders were unwavering and right when they hummed, “We’ve come this far by faith...”

Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, MSW is president & CEO of Deaconess Foundation and pastor of Monument of Faith Church.

Prep,

Photo courtesy of Legacy Institute Black Knight Chess Tournament The Legacy Institute Black Knights Chess competition drew nearly 40 players from throughout the St. Louis area on successive Saturdays in February, Black History Month. From left, front are Darian Day, Little League champion; Sonny Monge, junior varsity runner-up; and Niko Walton, junior varsity champion. From left, top are Joseph LeChance, varsity runner up; and Moses Modestin, varsity champion.

Bethany JohnsonJavois

By Jamala Rogers

The madness is not just about Trump

To date, Trump has crushed his opponents in all the Republican primaries including the one in Missouri and is now the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party.

Nikki Haley won only the Washington, DC and Vermont primaries. That wouldn’t ordinarily be surprising for a former president. What is shocking is that Trump is facing 91 criminal charges, 600 possible years of prison, a half billion dollars in legal penalties and millions more in legal fees. What is frightening is that he’s destined to become the GOP’s presidential nominee, paving the way to the U.S.

Election

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Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that declared the right to an abortion as a fundamental liberty. The reversal, which demolished federal protections for abortion, has resulted in political backlash mostly from women voters.

In February, Missouri Republicans successfully thwarted an effort to add rape and incest exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban. Even before Roe was overturned, for decades, state Republicans relied on so-called “TRAP” (targeted regulation of abortion providers) laws to whittle down abortion access and shutter abortion clinics.

Pamela Merritt, a “reproductive justice activist” and executive director of Medical Students for Choice, a nonprofit with a network of over 10,000

presidency once again.

This man is dangerous for sure. He has boldly and loudly laid out his plan to turn this wanna-be democracy into an oligarchy or worse, an autocracy. A Trump dictatorship would look like an American version of Russian’s Vladmir Putin.

It is the wave of supporters that trump and the extremist wing of the GOP have methodically amassed and indoctrinated over the last decade who are far more dangerous. They give the orange man his power and more importantly, they influence the party’s politics. They reward those who hold the party line and carry out their anti-Black, anti-wom-

medical students, said the effort to exclude rape and incest from anti-abortion legislation will have a damning impact on women-African American women especially.

“For Black women, rape is incredibly common. I think one out of every three women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Black women have the complication of being highly surveilled; of not being believed; of often being in situations where we’re particularly vulnerable and we’re also reluctant to go to the police for a lot of reasons,” she said.

Meritt added that extreme anti-abortion measures and the overturning of Roe has forced many voters to “confront the reality of restrictive abortion bans and policies.”

“We’re no longer debating the hypothetical consequences; voters are seeing them in everyday life. Republicans must

en, anti-gay, anti-Muslim agenda. They severely punish those who don’t. Those who want to make America white dominated again, aka MAGA, have waged a successful coup of the Republican Party.

Conservatives are playing the long game that centers white supremacy, a pathological ideology that employs fear and hate, as the prevailing unifier.

Jamala Rogers

The Democratic Party and our righteous social movements are supposedly rooted in pluralism, equity and justice—all the good stuff, right? But we are playing to tactics, not a

now own destroying a 49-year-history of constitutional protection for bodily autonomy,” Merritt, said.

By many accounts, the GOP is already paying a political cost. The fizzle of the widely anticipated “red wave” of Republican victories in the 2022 midterms and repeated loses on anti-abortion referendums, even in traditionally red states such as Kansas, Ohio and Kentucky, are strong signs of voter discontent.

Statewide initiatives in California, Michigan, Montana, and Vermont have either affirmed abortion access or turned back attempts to undermine the right.

In Missouri, SB 699the “Abolition of Abortion in Missouri Act,” which would have repealed provisions related to the performance and regulation of abortions in the state, also died in committee during the 2022 legislative session.

bodacious strategy. This has proven to be insufficient and ineffective as we continually fight to maintain our past gains. These folks must be confronted not only by protests but by a highly organized, consolidated force of conscious people who are committed to the idea of democracy and who are willing to fight for their beliefs by any means necessary.

Our side is stuck on mobilizing people, mainly to get to the polls and vote for the lesser of two evils. Our base of supporters must be continuously

educated and politically engaged around the lofty goals of participatory democracy. We must continue to deepen and expand this empowered base.

There are some who have wished for Trump’s demise in order to slow down the march to fascism in this country. Such a thing would only embolden and agitate this base who are loyal to the goal of making America white again, not to any specific single leader.

Our side is prone to reacting to every issue and injustice thrown at us. Then we waste valuable time and concede precious ground having pity parties when we lose.

Our base must be clear on what must be done, how it must be done and why it must be done.

The tensions around 2024 elections are real. We hear chatter about states succeeding from the union, about people preparing for civil war in this country. We who believe in freedom must hit the reset button. Ours is the task of strategically building people power and moving as if we truly understand this current threat against our democracy and the undermining of our racial justice efforts. Let’s be serious about accepting the imperative of building a civil and just society for generations to come.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Mr. Monopoly prepare to throw dice at the Pieces Board Game Bar and Restaurant in St. Louis on Thursday, March 7. Jones was on hand as Hasbro announced that Monopoly will debut with a St. Louis edition in October, 2024.

Extreme measures like the Alabama Supreme Court’s recent decision declaring that frozen embryos have the same rights as a child in the womb-which has led to the shutdown of nearly half of the state’s vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics-has some Republicans worried about winning or keeping offices in upcoming elections.

Missouri Republican

Sen. Josh Hawley, rushed to the media claiming it’s possible to be “100% against abortion” except in cases of rape, incest, and life-threatening medical emergencies and “100% for IVF,” adding that he thinks “IVF ought to be protected in law as it is in my state.”

The problem for Hawley and other Republicans pushing extreme anti-abortion initiatives is that many voters

Accredited

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generation.”

The HSSU College of Education is a priority for the University, and the HBCU member has identified candidates to serve as College of Education dean and expects to have the position filled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“Remaining accredited by DESE underscores Harris-Stowe State University’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch academics to our students pursuing degrees in education,” said Dr. Dimitri Horner, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and chief academic officer, “We look forward to further enhancing the College of Education and fostering the sustained success of our institution.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education noted that “Annual accreditation is a noteworthy achievement and a testament to your institution’s commitment to ensuring that children across Missouri have access to

don’t see or understand the nuances in their positions. Some simply attribute anything related to dismantling reproductive rights as a “GOP thing.” Will Missouri follow Alabama’s lead? Rev. Dr. Love Holt, community engagement and storytelling specialist with Abortion Action Missouri, believes it will.

“St. Louis may be a melting pot, but the state is majority white,” she stressed. “Missouri has a habit of following suit of other egregious activities around the country, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they thought this is a good idea and adopted it 100 percent.”

Tori Schafer, spokesperson for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, expressed similar sentiments in a recent press release: “The overreach of

high-quality teachers, counselors, and schoolteachers. Congratulations to you.”

The College’s new assistant dean, Dr. Derrick Mitchell, joined HSSU in January 2024. He is an alum of the College of Education and most recently served as a network superintendent with St. Louis Public Schools.

A College of Education Advisory Council was established in February. It is composed of six education leaders, according to HSSU, who are currently working in metropolitan area school districts. Council members will assist with interviews for the new dean and the development of the College of Education’s future strategic plan, among other duties.

In February, the College of Education also held its first Town Hall meeting for alumni and the public to keep both apprised of the College’s progress and to answer any questions.

Do the ‘HuSTLe’

HSSU will celebrate 314 Day from 3-5 p.m. Thursday March 14 with

extremist politicians in Alabama is exactly what we are fighting to end here in Missouri. Whether it is the cruel abortion ban already on the books in Missouri or the effort to limit access to IVF; what is clear is that anti-abortion extremists want to take away reproductive freedom from Missourians.”

Love Holt predicts that extreme Republican efforts to take away reproductive rights will backfire on the party. “These attacks will stir women who are the most resilient beings on this planet. They will make themselves heard in November.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

PART II: African American’s changing attitudes on Reproductive Rights

the HuSTLe Expo, organized and promoted by Harris-Stowe State University AnheuserBusch School of Business Thrivent Student Ambassadors!

Young Dip, a co-founder of 314Day Foundation is the keynote speaker for the event, and he will share how he is inspired to make a difference in the community and empower others to do the same.

The HuSTLe Expo will also include:

• A conversation with the Side Hustlers of Harris-Stowe State University AnheuserBusch School of Business. Students will have exhibitor booths available for their side hustle businesses.

• Exciting giveaways and prizes throughout the event, including exclusive merchandise and experiences.

• Engagement with fellow attendees and Thrivent Student Ambassadors in interactive activities that celebrate the unique spirit of St. Louis.

• Financial wellness tips from Thrivent Student Ambassadors

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American Monopoly

Public rejects ‘Adult District’ resolution

By James Ingram

East St. Louis residents, clergy and NAACP should be commended for the recent unanimous rejection of a proposed adult entertainment district at the February City Council Meeting.

Mayor Charles Powell III and council members were left scrambling to explain the logic behind such proposed legislation.

It appeared that the massive turnout and pushback derailed the resolution, which several audience members, including myself, obtained in advance of the meeting.

314

Continued from A1

impact will be felt throughout the region.

“We want to get the new Literacy for the Lou Reading Passport into the hands of every student in SLPS and all city students who want to participate,” she said in a release.

“We are partnering with the St. Louis Public Library, and the passports will be used to log reading and give students access to rewards and prizes as they reach their goals.”

A monumental day at the Arch

Ohun Ashe, founder of ForTheCultureSTL , local activist and photographer showed her love for her city through her 314 Day community photo shoot at the St. Louis Arch.

“We wanted to commemorate 314 Day 2024 in a special way, one that would last forever,” said Ashe. When asked how to keep that 314 Day spirit throughout the year she said, “We keep it going by continuing to support and uplift each other.”

Ashe believes that the local holiday brings St. Louisans together, “We choose pride, we choose joy, we choose love, and we choose ourselves.”

All are welcome at the grand photo shoot and the only accessory the photographer is expecting is ‘Big St. Louis Energy’, that ‘Big St. Louis Energy’ included adding some St. Louis staples to the photo shoot. You can’t celebrate 314 Day without 314.

Literally there were lifesize 314 props, a part of the photo shoot—created

Lawsuit

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after failing in its attempt in 2023.

The proposed legislation is vehemently opposed by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Police Chief Robert Tracy.

This is the second lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the state’s control of KCPD.

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, filed suit in 2021 alleging taxation without representation.

The women who filed the recent lawsuit against Gov. Mike Parson and other state officials are: Narene Crosby, the mother of Ryan Stokes, a 24-year-old man killed by a KCPD officer in 2013; Dr. Barbara Johnson, a retired educator whose son was jailed after a traffic stop; and Dr. Nicole Price, a chemist turned DEIB consultant, who was 15 when police mistakenly raided her

East St. Louis outrage

(Did he and the other audience members get pushback?)

The unsigned resolution, dated January 15, 2024, and originating from the City of East St. Louis Legal Department, was entitled “A Resolution to Establish an Adult Entertainment License”.

In part, the audacious resolution states that, in East St. Louis “there is a need and demand for an Adult Entertainment License” and that “it is the best interest of the City” and, further, that the City wishes to issue “the license holder the privilege of a workspace providing full nudity at the employer’s discretion.” It goes on to state that the city “intends to modify its liquor ordinance…

including 24-hour alcohol pour license” and “intends to establish an Adult Entertainment District”.

Finally, the resolution proposes to establish “an Adult Entertainment License available for Five (5) year licensing increments… The price per five (5) year license is…$10,000.”

And to further roll out the red carpet the resolution states the “The City commits to assisting this new business with TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money”!

When confronted by some audience members, Mayor Powell claimed that “We know nothing about this,” despite it being listed on the meeting agenda under Public Safety.

After the meeting adjourned, council members Ryan Cason, Jo Anne Parks and Courtney Hoffman II told me that they were opposed to the resolution.

Mayor Powell and Councilman

LaVondo Pulley made a beeline for the exits. If whomever drafted the resolution had done their homework, they should have known that Adult Entertainment Districts don’t revitalize poor communities.

The first American city to establish a specific zone for adult entertainment was Boston and their infamous “Combat Zone.” During my days as a Boston University student, it had a notorious

reputation for its strip clubs, peep shows, adult bookstores and seedy characters.

Its demise came when it devolved into a haven for prostitution, drug abuse, violence, the spread of sexually transmitted disease (including AIDS) and widespread police corruption.

East Boogie is not Las Vegas, where adult entertainment works in conjunction with gambling, upscale dining, hotels as well as high-end shopping and world class entertainment.

It would tax an already depleted police department and a city teetering on the verge of bankruptcy due to $7 million in unpaid police and fire pensions.

In the early 1900’s. East St. Louis was a

by local artist Akia Kemp owner of Signature Design And of course,Vess soda cans and bottles were lined up side by side with boxes of fried rice next to Imos pizza, and Dad’s Original Scotch Oatmeal Cookies adorned the props. Everyone was draped out in STL gear, from Cardinals t-shirts and jackets to Blues hockey team jerseys and the newest St. Louis fashion trend the popular St. Louis -VSErrbody shirts and hoodies. To keep the energy up the crowd danced to local greats like Huey’s ‘Pop

family’s Manheim Park home because of a wrong address.

“My family has gotten no apology, no accountability, and no justice. They took my only son and then called it a ‘tragic mistake,’” Crosby said.

KCPD officials had no comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit cites the original law, first passed in 1861, that was used “to keep Black people captive, and to deny Black people basic human rights and dignities.”

“The legislature passed the police bill with the direct knowledge and awareness that the law would be used to further discriminate against Black people by keeping them enslaved and considered property,” the lawsuit says.

The law also takes the democratic will away from voters, the suit says, noting that people get to vote for the Jackson County sheriff.

“KCPD are effectively unaccountable to those whom they police,” the suit says.

Drop It’ and STL Classic KOKO C’vere’s ‘Mobb Out’

Terrell “Young Dip”

Evans and Tatum Polk created 314 Day in 2006 with the vision of bringing St. Louis together to celebrate the positive things happening in the city. Since that time, it has evolved to become an official regionwide holiday shared by all local neighborhood cul-

tures, as well as organizations and businesses large and small throughout the unique communities and neighborhoods that make up the St. Louis metro region.

“Everything about me is St. Louis, my pride and my spirit,” said Evans.

“We are 314, we are St. Louis,” he added. According to Evans, 314 Day is going national—St.

Louisans who have moved to other cities celebrate 314 Day with other St. Louisans who live in that same city. Evans said Atlanta, Dallas, and Kansas City are just a few areas that have their own 314 Day for the St. Louisans who moved.

Polk added they have been shipping Imos Pizza and Red Hot Riplets outside of St. Louis so that

haven of prostitution and debauchery with its red light district known as “The Valley”. It ended in much the same fashion as the Combat Zone due to police corruption and a reputation for spreading venereal diseases.

It seems like a desperate move by a desperate administration, which seems to not know or care about its own history or legacy.

It didn’t work then, and it won’t work in 2024. I’m glad that it got the attention of citizens, activists and clergy. I just hope they continue to be vigilant watchdogs of the “poli-tricks” at East St. Louis City Hall.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com X@JamesTIngram

those who can’t make it home can celebrate by having the things that remind them of their home. “People are waiting. People can’t wait for 314 Day. People wake up early like it’s the New Year”, he said.

Marilyn Aleem believes 314 Day should also be a day where more residents support local businesses of color. Donovann Sanders followed Aleem’s sentiments adding “You get to show off your pride for St. Louis on 314 Day.” He says the St. Louis holiday brings more people together in a positive way. The local photographer said he is so St. Louis because no one is going to support him or other St. Louisans like we do. “I just have this love for my city,” Sanders said. Skateboarder and Penrose neighborhood native Ray Mobely known in the skating world as KRW was showing off his skills during the photo shoot covered in Cardinals apparel. “ My attitude makes me so St. Louis, we work hard for what we want. You can’t spell hustle without STL,” he said. “ St. Louis is the city that impacts the culture, we are in the middle, we influence the east coast, west coast, up north and down south,” he added.

“It’s home ain’t nothing like it, it’s our roots. No matter where I go, I’m taking St. Louis with me.”

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

James Ingram

A little St. Louisan smiles in front of 314 photo props holding a St. Louis staple, Dad’s Original Scotch Oatmeal Cookies.“314 Day” photo shoot organized by Ohun Ashe took place at the Arch in downtown St. Louis on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

Lock

‘Taking Care of You’

Affinia, Gateway to Hope partner to provide needed screenings

Black women face higher breast cancer mortality rate

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Affinia Healthcare is joining forces with Gateway to Hope, an organization that provides early prevention and free education on breast care and cancer by working to heal families and communities, with equitable, life-saving treatments, and compassionate breast health care.

“Breast cancer has a 90+ percent cure rate, when caught soon enough and treated,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare president & CEO.

“The care exists, but access to it is inequitable; African American women have a 40% higher death rate than white women. This partnership allows

n “The care

exists, but access to it is inequitable; African American women have a 40% higher death rate than white women.”

– Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare president & CEO

us to address this inequity and provide high-quality breast health care to women in our community when they need it. This partnership will help save lives.”

According to the National Cancer

Institute, compared with white women, Black women in America “are younger at diagnosis, on average, and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive or advanced forms of breast cancer.”

These disparities, or inequalities, are thought to reflect the interplay of many factors, from tumor biology to matters like income, diet, access to quality health care, and other factors related to systemic and structural racism.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation data concludes that:

-Black women under 50 are more than 50% likely to be diagnosed with

A billion reasons to create more Black doctors

By Khalid Rudo Smith

Albert Einstein famously said, “If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and five minutes finding the solution.”

In late February, Dr. Ruth Gottesman, chairman of the board of trustees and professor emeritus in pediatrics, gifted $1 billion to make the Albert Einstein College of Medicine tuitionfree. But the question is, “What problem does this solve?”

NPR quotes a source from the school saying that this gift “radically revolutionizes our ability to continue attracting students who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.”

Is it naive to think a billion dollars might still be enough to “radically revolutionize” medical education in a way that creates new, better, and different possibilities?

n ‘Despite comprising 14% of the population, Black physicians make up only 5.5% of doctors.’

As co-founder of a startup I certainly believe I could change the world with “just” a billion. Our organization MedReimagined Inc., exists to save Black and brown lives by creating paths for scholars from communities with the greatest need to become physicians.

For us, radical and revolutionary is teaching four to eight years of summer, afterschool, and elective medical school beginning in middle school and sticking with our scholars until they get their white coats. I’m honored to work with many brilliant and committed Black doctors and educators. I turned to a few of them to understand what a billion might do to “radically revolutionize” doctor preparation.

Saving babies from congenital syphilis

Cases are soaring in Missouri

By Anna Spoerre

The Missouri Independent

Suzanne Alexander remembers vividly the reports of the St. Louis babies born with congenital syphilis, blindness, deafness, developmental delays and some were underweight. Others had problems with their bones.

That’s if they survived.

Alexander, the bureau chief for communicable diseases with the City of St. Louis Department of Health and a member of a task force studying the causes of Missouri’s climbing congenital syphilis numbers, said in more than half the cases she has reviewed, an alarming trend stood out.

The mothers of babies born with this infection hardly had prenatal care.

From 2017 to 2021, congenital syphilis cases rose 219% across the

country; in Missouri, they rose 593%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 2012 and 2015, one stillbirth from a congenital syphilis case was reported in Missouri. Since then, there’s been at least one infant death every year, with 18 deaths reported between 2016 and 2022, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

In St. Louis, the greatest increase has been in Black women. Stigma plays a role, Alexander said, as does lack of adequate sex education in schools so that partners would be more likely to use condoms.

“There is a genuine fear among women in general of being labeled ‘disease-ridden,’” she said.

See BABIES, A9

An Affinia Healthcare provider assists a patient with a mammogram. An X-ray image can be used either for breast cancer screening or diagnostic purposes, such as investigating unusual findings on another imaging test. Affinia is partnering with Gateway to Hope to increase access to breast health care for underserved communities.

Photo courtesy of Affinia

Khalid Rudo Smith

Image by Sally Deng / Special to NPR

In the majority of Missouri’s rising cases of congenital syphilis, mothers had little to no prenatal care, highlighting a larger issue of maternal health care access.

FDA approves landmark melanoma treatment

NNPA Newswire

The pharmaceutical product Amtagvi, developed by Iovance Biotherapeutics, has received fast-track approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

It is the first cellular therapy for solid tumors, explicitly targeting metastatic melanoma, a particularly deadly form of

Babies

Continued from A8

If detected early enough, the disease is reversible in the womb.

Two bills filed by Republicans in the House and Senate would put a system in place to catch more of these cases. The legislation comes as the state health department published another alert last week reporting that in 2022, Missouri recorded 81 congenital syphilis cases — the most in 30 years.

“This is an eightfold increase in a preventable disease,” the advisory warned.

Right now, only two syphilis tests are required in pregnancy: one in the first trimester and one at birth. The legislation

Screenings

Continued from A8

aggressive breast cancers than white women.

-American Indians and Native Alaskans are 8% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to white women.

-Native American women and women of African, Hispanic and Latin American descent are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive breast cancers at earlier ages.

The disparities continue despite the fact that recent analysis published in the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) Network shows that from 1957 to 2019, breast cancer death rates plummeted by 58%. This is comparative to 27 deaths per 100,000 women, instead of 64 per 100,000.

The analysis found percentages of reduction were associated with:

-Treating metastatic breast cancer, causing 29% reduction: Cancer spreading from breasts to other areas of the body,

Smith

Continued from A8

Dr. Antonio Graham is a Black geriatrician, educator, and part of the startup team behind what is anticipated to be only the nation’s fifth historically Black medical college. He recently relocated to Baltimore to be the inaugural chair of clinical medicine at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Morgan State University, set to open in 2025. It will operate as a for-profit public-private partnership without burdening students with excessive debt. It also aims to produce physicians who will practice in

skin cancer. While melanoma is more prevalent among individuals with lighter skin tones, it poses distinctive challenges for people of color. Although melanoma is less common for African Americans and darkerskinned individuals, diagnoses often occur at more advanced stages, resulting in higher mortality rates. Amtagvi,

would add a third test at 28 weeks, when there is still time to treat the mother and baby. The bill would also require a third trimester test for HIV and hepatitis C and hepatitis B, which can cause liver damage in infants.

“We are sending the signal to providers that this is an incredibly important service,” Alexander said. “And they have the support of the legislature.”

What is congenital syphilis?

A mother can pass along congenital syphilis in utero at any point in pregnancy. For adults, the symptoms, if there are any, can include a rash on the palms of a person’s hands or on the soles of

known as TIL therapy, offers hope for patients who have exhausted other treatment options.

TIL therapy amplifies the number of immune cells within tumors, harnessing their natural power to combat cancer effectively. Medical experts said the groundbreaking approach has shown promising results in a phase two clinical trial, prompting

their feet, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes or sores. Often these symptoms go away on their own, though the disease remains.

If a mother is infected within four weeks of delivering their baby and doesn’t get treatment, the infant has a 40% chance of dying at birth or shortly after, according to the CDC.

State Rep. Melanie Stinnett, a Springfield Republican who also helped pass postpartum Medicaid expansion last year, said the bills allow for testing to be done at a normal appointment and wouldn’t require an additional visit to the doctor. The cost would be covered by Medicaid.

Syphilis trends in Missouri

Dustin Hampton,

the FDA’s fast-track approval. The therapy is pricey, at $515,000 per patient, subject to insurance coverage and potential discounts. The ongoing phase three trial seeks to confirm its benefits and explore applications for other solid tumors, which constitute 90% of all cancers.

According to the FDA, common side effects associated with Amtagvi

bureau chief of HIV, STD and Hepatitis at the state health department, said in the past two years, he’s seen a shift in the populations most affected by syphilis.

Most cases used to be in men who have sex with men in urban areas, Hampton said; thus, much of the health department’s education and messaging targeted this group for the past 15 years. But in recent years, the cases have shifted more to white, heterosexual people in rural areas.

In most of the congenital cases they’ve seen, the woman either went to only one prenatal appointment, or none at all.

“Many times the only care they received was when they arrived at the hospital for delivery,” he

include an abnormally fast heart rate, fluid buildup, rash, hair loss, and shortness of breath. While the approval is currently limited to melanoma, medical experts anticipate broader applications for TIL therapy, particularly in cancers responsive to checkpoint inhibitors that unleash the immune system.

According to the Skin of Color Society, which

said.

A crisis beyond STI testing

As lawmakers work on a legislative fix, local Missouri governments are confronting issues that run deeper than just lack of testing. As Alexander reviewed cases in St. Louis, where there was an 11-fold increase in congenital syphilis cases between 2017 and 2021, she noticed how few women had prenatal care and how many had a history of substance abuse issues.

“One of the difficulties in this tragedy is that not everyone screens for social determinants of health,” she said. “So we don’t know what supports a

according to the Cleveland Clinic -Screening, causing 25% reduction: Typically done with a mammogram, breast MRI or clinical breast exam, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

-Treating stage I to III breast cancer, causing 47%

much-needed primary care specialties and areas of greatest need. Dr. Graham explained how the new medical school was exploring ways to maintain reasonable tuition rates while serving the most debt-sensitive population of aspiring physicians. We thought, who better than him to help us better understand the mathematics of medical school? You know, for the next time, a billionaire has a billion to fix medical education.

Despite comprising 14% of the population, Black physicians make up only 5.5% of doctors. Anyone who has struggled to find a primary care doctor or felt uneasy about the choices of OBGYNs, or perhaps they’ve faced

reduction: Stage I involves cancer spreading in small areas. Stage II is where the tumor is between 20 to 50 millimeters. Stage III involves a tumor larger than 50 millimeters, spread to skin or chest wall and lymph node growth, per Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

the frustration of trying to get an urgent appointment for a sick child to see their pediatrician knows the struggle.

All these situations are much harder for Black patients who would like a doctor who shares their background and life experiences. The lack of Black doctors has a serious impact on every measure of health outcomes for the Black community. In America, the healthcare system has a cold, but communities of color have the flu.

The conversation about doctor shortages in certain specialties often revolves around the high cost of medical school and the staggering debt burden faced by aspiring physicians. The hope is

How the partnership works

When Affinia Healthcare’s care team identifies a patient in need of breast health care, Gateway to Hope will help by navigating patients to -and through -- the process of screening, diagnostics

that without this financial strain, more doctors would choose to practice in underserved areas. However, the reality is more complex. Medical schools rely heavily on federal research grants. Over 80% of the National Institute of Health’s $48 billion budget in medical research is awarded through almost 50,000 competitive grants to more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and research institutions.

This fact sparked ideas about how these large funding allocations might be repurposed to create not only tuitionfree schools, but also programs that could further the mission of an HBCU medical school — healthier

promotes awareness of and excellence within skin-of-color dermatology, melanomas in individuals with lighter skin tones are predominantly found in sun-exposed areas. In contrast, in people of color, nearly 75% of melanomas manifest on less-exposed regions such as palms, soles, mucosal sites (mouth, genitals), and under fingernails.

mother might need to have the capacity to pursue treatment.”

The St. Louis Health Department is currently meeting with community-based organizations and those who’ve been diagnosed with syphilis to learn more about common barriers to prevention education and treatment.

“There are very few success stories from ignoring the problem,” Alexander said. “We’re seeing the impact of lack of access, and we’re seeing the impact of not knowing what the disease looks like when you’ve been sick all your life, because we’ve never had good medical care.”

Anna Spoerre covers reproductive health care for The Missouri Independent.

to Hope will ensure more women can access community resources, financial and emotional assistance, and essential programs like Show Me Healthy Women – our state’s program that pays for the cost of breast screening for eligible women,” said Katie Manga, CEO for Gateway to Hope.

“In turn, more women will be screened and diagnosed early enough to receive the affordable, effective treatment they need and deserve.”

and treatments needed. By providing critical information, emotional and logistical support, and financial assistance, the partnership aims to remove barriers that exist all too often for patients and families.

“This new partnership between Affinia Healthcare and Gateway

communities without discrimination. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been champions of equity in education, despite facing resource disparities themselves.

HBCU institutions with a mission to uplift communities underserved by the current healthcare system, might redirect a fraction of research funding to create a tuitionfree system. Dr. Graham explained how Morgan State’s proposed medical college would have centers of excellence that could support additional innovative approaches to medical equity.

These include: Federal and state health-policy advocacy to improve

This program and partnership is a response to an “urgent situation,” according to Holmes. Gateway to Hope can serve Affinia Healthcare’s patients who need breast healthcare, including routine screening mammograms, diagnostic care, and breast cancer treatment if needed.

Affinia is accepting appointments for mammograms through its partnership with BJC Healthcare. To schedule an appointment, please call (314) 814-8552, or email nmurtic@affiniahealthcare.org

compensation and incentives to enter highneed fields; fellowships to encourage more Black physicians to become medical school faculty, improving the experience of Black medical students around the country; a network of leading Black physicians that would help aspiring physicians become more skilled at the business and practice of medicine.

Khalid Rudo Smith is cofounder of MedReimagined, a maker of biomedical kits, summer and afterschool camps and curriculum that help scholars from communities with the greatest health disparities become the medical doctors.

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 618-910-9551

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Students Dallas Harris, Jackie White, and Sakorey Williams, in Ms. Stovall's fifth-grade class at Gateway MST Elementary School, are using the engineering design process

SCIENCE CORNER

Diabetes is a condition where a person’s body does not use glucose (also known as sugar) properly. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetic factors. It is not caused by eating too much sugar. Type 2 diabetes is usually linked to being overweight, along with poor diet choices (sugar, fats, fast foods, etc.)

What is Diabetes?

high blood pressure and strokes. Diabetes also effects a person’s skin and the ability for wounds to heal.

Diabetes is not contagious. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and lead an active lifestyle.

SCIENCE STARS

African -American Biochemist, MD, and Diabetes Expert James R. Gavin, III

James R. Gavin, III, was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1945. Growing up, Gavin was very close to his grandmother whom he called “Mama Rennie,” and he looked forward to visiting her for fun adventures and story time. One particular visit, Gavin was surprised to find his energetic grandma in bed. Mama Rennie explained to Gavin that she had diabetes and had to have her leg amputated (removed) due to complications from the disease. The following summer, Mama Rennie lost her other leg and became very ill and died. Gavin was very determined to learn more about diabetes and work to find solutions.

In 1966, Gavin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Livingstone College. He graduated magna cum laude. Magna cum laude is a Latin phrase meaning with high honors. College students who maintain very high grades will earn this honor. In 1970, Gavin earned a PhD in biochemistry from Emory University. Next, he focused on his diabetes studies with the National Institutes of Health and earned a medical degree from Duke University in 1975.

When a person has diabetes, their pancreas is affected. A diabetic has to maintain a very careful and balanced diet to keep their body working effectively. They are in danger of high or low blood sugar effects. Diabetics are more likely to develop heart disease and kidney disease. They are more likely to have

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

For more information, visit: http://kidshealth.org/ kid/centers/diabetes_center. html#cat20491.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text to world connections.

How to Sink a Marshmallow!

Will a marshmallow sink or float? What do you think? Do you believe it is possible to sink a marshmallow? In this activity, you will use trial and error to choose your course of action when you attempt to sink a marshmallow.

Materials Needed:

• Marshmallow • Container of Water (glass, bottle, pitcher)

Process:

q Place the marshmallow in the container of water. Does it sink or float?

MATH CONNECTION

Diabetics need to watch their carbohydrate intake. In this activity, you will focus on carbs. The American Diabetes Association suggests eating 45-60 grams of carbohydrate per meal, for a total range of approximately 150 grams of carbohydrates per day.

z If your meal consists of the following, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat?

Baked chicken: 4 oz serving, 0 carb grams

Mashed potatoes: 4 oz serving, 25 carb grams Caesar salad with dressing: 3 oz serving, 5 carb grams

Mixed vegetables: 3 oz serving, 8 carb grams

A medium-sized roll: 2 oz serving, 22 carb grams

Total grams of carbohydrates ______

x If 1/3 cups of rice has 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many carbohydrates are in a 1 cup serving? ______

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the American Diabetes Association:

w What can you do to make it sink? Work with a partner to create a list of 5 ideas.

e Try your five ideas from step 2. Which idea was most effective? Why?

r Compare your results with your classmates. Was anybody successful?

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete a prompt. I can make predictions and analyze results.

c If you eat 1/2 bagel with 30 grams of carbohydrates and 1 tablespoon of jelly with 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat? ______ How many grams of carbohydrates do you have left for the day? ______

v A 16 ounce bottle of soda has an average of 48 grams of carbohydrates. If you drink two bottles of soda per day, how many grams of carbohydrates did you consume? ______ If you drink one bottle of soda per day, how many carbohydrates do you consume in a week? ______

Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems. I can make text to world and text to self connections.

Gavin has worked as Senior Scientific Officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland and Director of the National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. He has served as president and professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. He has also been a Professor and Chief of the Diabetes Section, Acting Chief of the Section on Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, and the William K. Warren Professor for Diabetes Studies at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Gavin was a medical expert in the court case Kapche vs. Holder. Jeff Kapche applied to work as a special agent for the FBI, but was denied due to the fact that he treated his diabetes with an insulin injection, instead of a pump. Gavin stated that Kapche’s diabetes was considered a disability under federal law. Therefore, the FBI could not use his medical condition as a reason not to hire him. Dr. Gavin is considered a national authority on diabetes.

Gavin has written more than 180 manuscripts, book chapters and scientific abstracts and has received the following awards and honors: Banting Medal for Distinguished Service, Association's Clinician of the Year award, Association's Public Policy Leadership Award.

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

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One — Exercise

Graph: Look through the newspaper ads for sports and fitness equipment

Judging from the ads, what are the most popular forms of exercise? Create a bar graph to display the results. What are the benefits of each type of exercise? Create a newspaper advertisement for the form of exercise you enjoy most. Include the benefits of that exercise in your ad (muscle tone, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, etc.)

Activity Two — Sports Expressions: Locate final scores of various games in the newspaper. Write an expression representing the difference of two final scores. Have a friend find the difference to form a number sentence. Check your friend’s answer.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can create a bar graph to display information. I can write to persuade. I can write for a specific person and audience. I can make text to self connections.

Photo by Ms. Stovall

From TV viewer to doer

Jacquelene Dent goes from watching HGTV to interior designer

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

As a young girl, Jacquelene Dent loved to watch HGTV and she credits the popular home decor and remodeling interior design network with igniting her passion for design.

Dent, an artist in architecture design, brought her gift and passion to St. Louis by Tennessee to work at The Lawrence Group in summer 2023.

She describes the firm as “A great place to work.”

n “Before I start designing I look at any space and consider what it is now and what it could be.”

– Jacquelene Dent

zations.

One of those projects was designing the suites at The Women’s Safe House The Women’s Safe House is a women’s shelter that aids women facing domestic violence by providing emergency services.

PeoPle on the Move

Charles Burton to join Webster U.

Charles Burton, the former chief human resources officer (CHRO) for St. Louis Public Schools, has been named the new CHRO for Webster University. He will work with current Webster CHRO Cheryl Fritz and transition into the job on June 1. Fritz is retiring from Webster on June 3.

“Charles brings extensive experience working in employee relations and human resources for large educational institutions, and also has a legal background that can help guide Webster through the changing landscape of Title IX and DEI law,” said Webster University President Julian Schuster. Burton worked for St. Louis Public Schools since 2003 and served in numerous roles, including director of the Board of Operations, director of Contract Compliance, unit director of Human Resources, and director of Employee Relations. Burton served as the CHRO for the district from 2017 through December 2023. He has a bachelor’s degree in government from Monmouth College and a Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law.

Dr. Aaron Omotola named chief of surgery

Dr. Aaron Omotola, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certificate in sports medicine, was recently named Alton Memorial Hospital chief of surgery.

Dr. Aaron Omotola

He has been with BJC Medical Group since 2010 and on the staff of Alton Memorial Hospital and OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton for the past 14 years.

Dent. She is also proud to work for such a philanthropic firm. The Lawrence Group projects help create social and economic change in the neighborhoods they serve. They are developing an impact on environmental change, donating time, money, and services to charitable and mission-based organi-

When the opportunity presented itself the designer quickly jumped on board and helped lead the project. “The design community here is very giving,” said Dent. Her team helped raise $5,000 for the suite they were assigned.

“Before I start designing I look at any space and consider what it is now and what it could be.” Dent says the suite feels like healing, a place of rest, where someone can refresh and feel

Dent says she is supported and the projects the firm takes on are very creative and exciting. “The company plays a vital role in shaping the landscape of St. Louis architecture and design. Each project is very invested in being a part of the community,” said See DENT, B2

Hyde Park neighborhood hopes for economic turnaround

Be Well Café to open in summer

By Chad Davis St.

“The

Omotola, who serves as the team physician for Alton High School, Civic Memorial High School, Edwardsville High School, Lewis and Clark Community College, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and his Medical Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Tony Glover Sr. joins the CLAYCO team

Tony Glover Sr.

Clayco has welcomed Tony Glover Sr. as manager of field culture and inclusion. He has a proven history of promoting professional growth and career development, especially with underrecognized groups. He will utilize his skills in workforce development, gained from his time at Jobs for America’s Graduates, to implement Clayco’s innovative initiatives, creating psychological safety while supporting training, retention, and promotion of minorities, women, veterans, and apprentices.

Glover earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.

Jacquelene Dent credits the popular home decor and remodeling interior design network HGTV with igniting her passion for design.

Charles Burton

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

founder Fatimah Muhammad said she wants

community that they can create a new

Photo by Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio

Cafe

Continued from B1

and Market Executive Director Fatimah Muhammad.

The pavilion will open early next year.

Muhammad purchased the property from the Land Reutilization Authority, the city’s land bank, before turning it over to the Be Well Café nonprofit several years ago.

“This area specifically has been disinvested, disenfranchised and neglected for at least four to five decades,” Muhammad said. “We wanted the community to see it can be done, and this is how you do it.”

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and Resource Environmental Solutions helped develop and renovate the building and land. Part of the development will include green infrastructure such

Dent

Continued from B1 whole again.”

Mary Sue Sutton, Senior Interior Designer at the Lawrence Group said, “The fact that Jacquelene stepped up to co-lead this renovation project as a brand new employee really impressed me.”

Sutton noticed Dent’s role as a leader when she kept their team on task with regular team checkins and assigning, and taking on various responsibilities during the design and implementation process.

“She organized the weekend volunteers and kept things light and fun while we worked. We all loved the playlist on her phone,” Sutton said.

as a rain garden to prevent flooding.

The project received $354,500 in grant funding from the St. Louis Development Corporation as part of its Economic Justice Accelerator

The senior interior designer describes Dent as someone who is smart and efficient with their time.

The interior designer’s vision called for hues of blues and greens to create a feeling of peace. Her color palette reflects warmth and calmness. She added, “Trying to understand how someone would feel in that situation, how I would feel coming home even if the home was temporary was a motivating factor for the look and feel I was aiming for.”

Being a newcomer to the firm openly says Dent’s wrap sheet isn’t that long however, she did design a research ophthalmology lab for Wash U, and said, “It was a great learning experience.”

The architecture design firm is redeveloping aban-

program. The initiative is aimed at eliminating blight and creating jobs in neglected communities. St. Louis officials have allocated about $246 million in federal coronavirus funds to

doned spaces and The City Foundry’s entire campus is designed and developed by The Lawrence Group.

Feeling proud of the organization’s accomplishments the designer said, “Being able to pinpoint and see the fruit of what the firm has been part of around St. Louis gives me a sense of pride.”

Dent says designing isn’t just picking out pretty things you see on TV, it’s considering how things flow and bundling codes.

The young interior designer went to college at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga; she has a bachelor of science in interior design degree. Dent moved to St. Louis two years ago.

The proclaimed army brat grew up all over the South and thought St. Louis was

invest in neighborhood developments. About $37 million of federal coronavirus aid has been allocated to the development corporation’s small business north St. Louis grant program.

a great place to establish her roots. St. Louis has a lot of diversity compared to Tennessee. “So far I am loving it, being able to experience St. Louis is fantastic.”

The field of architectural design isn’t a very diverse field and her experience in college was a glance at what the real world in design looks like. The 30-year-old designer started her career eight years ago in 2016. The research she has found on her career is disheartening.

According to Dent, only 3% of architects are Black. She adds, “The interior design side is even lower. Trying to find someone to look up to who looks like you was and is still difficult.”

However, hope is not all lost, She finds the

Be Well Café and Market will open this summer at 2030 Salisbury St. in north St. Louis. The development received $354,500 in federal coronavirus funds from the St Louis Development Corporation’s Economic Justice Accelerator.

said. “We’re excited to get in the weeds with many of those businesses, understand their business plan and find ways to give them assistance –whether it’s capital or technical – to be able to achieve their full goals.”

Richardson said the agency is reviewing about 700 applications for the north city grant program.

The development will hopefully be a model for other potential business owners and community members to apply for resources in their communities, Mayor Tishaura Jones said.

“There are hundreds of projects right now similar to what Be Well Café is moving forward here in Hyde Park across north St. Louis City,” St. Louis Development Corporation CEO Neil Richardson

version of herself she aspires to be, Kimberley Dowdell, a Black woman architect. When Dent was working at HOK architecture firm in Tennessee She remembers Dowdell reaching out to her, giving her advice and reassurance of her place at the firm. “That moment made designing worth it for me, pushing the profession for the Black community.”

Before her big move to the little big city called the Lou, Dent worked for Divine Innovation where she helped redevelop in Knoxville. She worked on a lot of historic buildings preserving and revitalizing them. Her projects included bars, restaurants, boutiques, and hotels. Dent talks about the

“This is the revitalization and a renaissance of north St. Louis that needs to happen, that has needed to happen for decades,” Jones said. “All of our city can’t succeed if over half of it is left to fail.”

Eric Schmid contributed to this report.

project she worked on, revitalizing a neglected HUD housing apartment complex. “Revitalizing them was very near and dear to my heart.” She was impressed that after the renovation the rent didn’t increase.

“Everyone deserves to have the same living level regardless of their income.”

The designer enjoys dabbling in all types of design, she likes to visit the projects she helped create to see people enjoy those spaces and being excited to be in them. “It’s a rewarding feeling.”

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

Photo by Eric Lee / St. Louis Public Radio

n “I just want to apologize to the basketball community.”

– South Carolina coach Dawn Staley following her team’s skirmish with LSU in the SEC Tournament final

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Six in the mix for state tournament titles in Columbia

The St. Louis metro area will be well represented at this weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities Association state basketball tournament in Columbia. The top Class 4, 5 and 6 programs in the state will convene at the Mizzou Arena to compete for state championships; and familiar programs from St. Louis are in the mix. The “old reliables” include the Incarnate Word Academy girls and the Vashon, Cardinal Ritter and Chaminade boys. There are also two other St. Louis area teams in each bracket, which means it’s possible for six area squads to play in title games. It’s a long shot, but is still impressive.

Vashon goes for four-peat

on Saturday at 4 p.m., with the third place game to be held on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Incarnate Word seeks to continue streak

Incarnate Word Academy is hoping to continue two winning streaks at this week’s Class 6 state tournament.

The Red Knights have posted six consecutive state championships, dating back to 2016. The other streak is the incredible run of 129 victories in a row. The Red Knights will face Rock Bridge on Friday at 4 p.m. in the semifinals. It is a rematch of last year’s state championship game. The other semifinal game will feature Cor Jesu Academy vs. Springfield Kickapoo. The state championship game will be on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the third-place game set for Saturday at noon.

Vashon is seeking its fourth consecutive Class 4 state championship, when it takes on Kansas City Central in a semifinal Friday at noon. The other semifinal game features John Burroughs vs. Logan-Rogersville.

John Burroughs is making its first Final Four appearance since 1953. The Bombers are coached by former St. Louis Central star and Saint Louis University Billiken Daryl “Pee Wee” Lenard. Tip off for that game is at 10 a.m.

The winners will play for the state championship

Cardinal Ritter and Chaminade

The boys Class 6 Final Four field is talented and it includes St. Louis area teams Cardinal Ritter College Prep and Chaminade. Cardinal Ritter has moved up to Class 6 for the first time after winning three state championships in the past five years at the Class 3 and 5 levels. Chaminade is back in the Final Four after finishing in fourth place in 2022.

Cardinal Ritter will meet Springfield Central in the semifinals on Friday at 6 p.m. Chaminade will take on No. 1 Oak Park in the other semifinal game at

8 p.m. The state championship game is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. with the third-place game scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Lutheran St. Charles and John Burroughs lead Class 5 field

The Lutheran St. Charles girls return to the

Final Four after winning the Class 5 state championship last year. The Cougars will be joined by John Burroughs, who comes to Columbia seeking its second state title in three years. The state semifinals were held on Wednesday with the championship game set for today at 4 p.m. Marshfield and Smithville are the other two teams in the Final Four.

Lift for Life seeks a Class 4 title

The girls of Lift for Life Academy are in Columbia seeking its second state championship in the school’s history. The Hawks joined Chillichothe, Park Hills Central and Owensville in the Class 4 Final Four. The two semifinal games were held on Wednesday night. The state championship game will be held on Thursday night at 8 p.m. with the third-place game set for 2 p.m.

DeSmet and Vianney compete in Class 5 Metro Catholic Conference rivals DeSmet and Vianney are in the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament. They both were in the Final Four together back in 2013. The Vianney-Jefferson City and DeSmet-Winnetonka semifinals games were held on Wednesday afternoon. The winner of those two games are meeting for the state championship on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with the third-place game set for noon.

Let’s give a shout out to college cheerleaders

As each vanquished team left the court after a loss in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament last week, scenes played out just off the court where teams and teammates shook hands and departed for locker rooms.

Dedicated students that cheered their respective teams on throughout football and basketball seasons suddenly realize the cheering now falls silent. For some, the break is a few months. For others, this is the last time they will don cheer uniforms and perform before a crowd.

Most colleges and universities still use the term ‘cheerleaders’ in case you wondered.

I’m a K Club board member, the letter winner’s organization of the University of Kansas, and I learned several facts about cheerleading during a recent meeting.

First, I thought incorrectly that the cheerleading squads were an official entity of the KU Athletic Department. At many colleges – especially those that aren’t members of a Power 5 Conference – the cheerleading squad is much like a “club sport.” Cheer squads have their own financial resources and base of support.

While California and other states including Alaska, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Virginia, classify cheerleading as a sport, the NCAA does not. Cheerleading is also not covered by Title IX statutes. I lettered as a member of the KU football equipment staff. Included in the benefits that student athletes, trainers and managers receive today is access to mental health care. Cheerleaders do not receive this benefit.

As I learned, while many former student athletes come together for reunions over the years, the same is not true for cheerleaders. Many of them feel isolated immediately after college, and it can lead to mental health concerns.

Yes, many student athletes report having similar feelings, they had the benefit of addressing the situation while still in college under the wing of respec-

tive athletic departments.

Athletic Director Travis Goff is considering changing KU policy in a way that would benefit the cheerleading and dance squads at my former school. They would be

included in some of the benefits received by student athletes. Our group could also now help plan and organize reunions. I hope AD Goff pushes for the change needed to support the many men and

women that practice hard, attend all games, and give their all for their teams and schools.

The Reid Roundup

Late game antics tainted an exciting SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament

Final between undefeated South Carolina and defending national champion LSU. South Carolina prevailed 79-72 but not before LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley had words after an attempted steal. South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, who made an incredible threepoint shot to lift her team over Tennessee in a semifinal game, then pushed Johnson to the ground. Multiple players left benches to join the scuffle and were ejected from the game. Cardoso, who immediately apologized for her role in the fracas, will miss the first round of the NCAA tournament for fighting…After all that, I can’t wait to see a possible game rematch between the teams in the NCAA Women’s Tournament… Quarterback Russell Wilson will reportedly sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers following his release from the Denver

Broncos. Coach Mike Tomlin considers Wilson an upgrade over what he’s working with at QB and will get Wilson’s pompous rear end back in gear. The Broncos, thanks to coach Sean Payton, are responsible for all but $1.6 million of Wilson’s $38 million contract…Most NFL mock drafts have former Missouri Tigers cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and defensive lineman Darius Robinson being selected in the late first round…The Kansas City Chiefs wisely re-signed defensive lineman Chris Jones to a five-year deal with a reported $98 million in guaranteed money. Hey, Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, this is what you call “all in.”… Speaking of the Cowboys, former Cowboy Dalton Schultz, who now plays for Houston, called the atmosphere surrounding the Dallas practice facility “a zoo.”…Former heavyweight champion and current joke Mike Tyson will ‘box’ against internet personality Jake Paul on July 20 in (You guessed it) Dallas Cowboys Stadium. He will air live on Netflix and be yet another waste of viewers’ time and money – which is their own choice.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Drake freshman cheerleader Sonya Dolo from Fargo, North Dakota cheers during the championship game of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament against Indiana State on March 10.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Vashon junior guard Dehrio McCaskill (5) takes a jumper for two of his 13 points in the Class 4 quarterfinal game against Mexico High School at Vashon High Saturday, March 9. Vashon defeated the Bulldogs 87-51.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

STL Community Foundation to focus on two ‘priority areas’

Under the leadership of President and CEO Kelvin Adams, the St. Louis Community Foundation has announced it will concentrate a portion of its discretionary grantmaking and resources in two priority areas — Economic Mobility and Youth Connections. The move is part of the organization’s new five-year strategic plan entitled, “A Foundation for the Future.”

The Economic Mobility priority area is defined as organizations and initiatives that address housing, financial empowerment, and job creation issues. The Youth Connections priority area encompasses early childhood development, educational innovation, and scholarship efforts.

“We intend to be an active and visible part of the problem-solving process in St. Louis by renewing our emphasis on ‘community’ in all of our activities,” said Adams.

Adams emphasized the priority areas will not affect community-based initiatives or the current portfolio of donor-centric advisory services the foundation provides to charitable St. Louisans.

“Our donors will continue to support the organizations important to them and work with our staff to

St. Louis Community College has received a 2024 Bellwether Award for its multi-year strategic plan designed to assist in meeting the ongoing healthcare workforce needs in the St. Louis region.

“Show-Me Synergy:

Growing the Healthcare Workforce in St. Louis,” led by STLCC’s health sciences division, received the Bellwether

prepare giving plans that meet their needs. We will invite them to join us and lend their support to these initiatives, but there is not a requirement they do so,” Adams said.

“Our region is one of the nation’s most generous, yet our philanthropic resources and energies are often pulled in multiple directions. Our intention is to drive meaningful progress in these focus areas by building on our donors’ existing generosity and interests and leveraging the foundation’s community reach and discretionary dollars.”

The Community Foundation will build the organizational framework for the initiative by forging collaborative partnerships with other funders and expanding funding streams. Formal grantmaking in support of regional nonprofits and initiatives is anticipated to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.

William Schmidt, foundation board chair and Cultivation Capital managing partner, said the collaborative giving approach “will enable the foundation to leverage its immense experience and tremendous local knowledge to foster truly meaningful improvements for our community.”

STLCC honored for healthcare workforce development

Award in the Workforce Development category. It recognizes public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.

“This award represents the collaborative efforts of many people and organizations over the past six years to address the critical shortages of healthcare professionals in the region,” said Jeff

L. Pittman, PhD., STLCC chancellor. William Hubble, district division dean of academic affairs – health sciences, was joined by Jordan Cooper, district dean of nursing, and Kim Kraft, nursing placement coordinator, at the Community College Futures Assembly where they shared experiences.

“It is our hope that other communities will be

able to replicate our efforts to address the workforce issues they are facing in their communities,” Hubble said.

In 2017, STLCC expanded the nursing associate degree program capacity and eliminated a two-year wait to get into the program. The college also addressed personal barriers such as tuition assistance, testing accommodations, etc., to ensure

that it was adequately preparing students and promoting their success in the nursing program.

During this project, hospital and clinical partners have expanded clinical sites, engaged in hiring events with the college, and helped them cover college expenses in exchange for a commitment to work with the healthcare organization upon graduation.

“Our partnership and

this project with STLCC help us to continue to live our values of teamwork with the community by hiring STLCC graduates who help us partner with our patients to live our mission of ‘Improving the lives of the Communities we serve,’” said Rick Stevens, president, Christian Hospital at BJC HealthCare.

Kelvin Adams, St. Louis Community Foundation president and CEO, has announced the organization will concentrate a portion of its discretionary grantmaking and resources in two priority areas — Economic Mobility and Youth Connections.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Living It

A sobering love story

The Black Rep continues season 47 with ‘Wedding Band’

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

In 1962, Alice Childress wrote “Wedding Band – A Love/Hate Story in Black and White.” The play is centered around an interracial relationship taking place in South Carolina in 1918. The laws that made it impossible for the couple at the heart of her story to marry and live happily ever after in the first decades of the 20th century were still in place more than forty years later when Childress created her drama. She was unapologetically willful about maintaining the integrity of the words that reflect the ugly truths about America – and bravely presented them early on in the fight for civil rights. It was a time when exposing racism– even through art – could put one’s career, and life, at risk. She paid a price for it. To say that “Wedding Band” is underproduced is an understatement.

Starting this week, the Black Rep will stage “Wedding Band” for the first time as part of their 47th season at the Berges Theatre at COCA. The production continues through March 31.

“‘Wedding Band’ is one of the seminal pieces of not only the black theatrical canon, but the American canon,” said Geovonday Jones, who directs the Black Rep’s production. “It reflects America then in 1918 – it reflects America in the 1960s, when she wrote the play about 1918. It also reflects America today.”

Jones was stunned with the parallels of the play and present-day America –and Childress’ ability to weave together so many issues in a way that addressing them doesn’t come at the expense of bogging down her brilliant story.

“There is a mismanaged world pandemic in this play,” Jones said. “There are systems still in place that make interracial relationships difficult. We have The Supreme Court reversing decisions to let women govern their own bodies. We have politicians who play with the lives of Black and brown folks – almost like they are playing chess with each other about our lives.”

In addition to racism, Childress tackles women’s rights, the irony of Black soldiers going to war to fight for a country that denies them liberty – and how microaggressions and biases can exist even within romances.

“What I’m still working through is that Alice Childress calls this a love story in black and white, but we know that Herman, played by Jeff Cummings, has

“Da’Vine celebrates divine night at Oscars

Cord Jefferson, ‘Last Repair Shop’ also win

By Magrira The Los Angeles Sentinel

There’s

Randolph

Wedding Band, which features Jacqueline Thompson as Julia and Jeff Cummings as Herman, depicts a tragedy involving an interracial affair. The action takes place over a period of three days near the end of World War I. The interracial couple would like to escape the South where they would be free to marry, but Herman must first repay money borrowed from his mother when he purchased his bakery.

blind spots,” Jones said. “We know that he is not actively anti racist. And yet Julia takes him with all of his flaws.”

n “I had to throw my hands up in faith. Knowing I was doing it at the right institution, The Black Rep, that brought me comfort.

- Director Geovonday Jones

Jones admitted that “Wedding Band” is the hardest play he’s ever worked on. “I had to throw my hands up in faith,”

Jones said. “Knowing I was doing it at the right institution, The Black Rep, that brought me comfort. And then there was the wonderful cast – starting with our leading lady Jacqueline Thompson as Julia.”

The large ensemble also features Velma Austin, Christina Yancy, Christian Kitchens, Ellie Schwetye, Isaiah DiLorenzo, Jeff Cummings, Vivian Himes, Lucy Miller, Kari Ely and Tamara Crawford-Thomas.

“This is a woman who – even though she is naïve about certain things and she is isolated –when she speaks her mind, she speaks her mind boldly and unapologetically, and she stands on it,”

See Black Rep, C3

“There’s a loneliness that I have.”

- Actor Michael B. Jordan opening up about his personal life

Wash. U’s African Film Festival is all grown up

Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s ‘Banel and Adama’ will be one of six features to screen as part of Washington University’s 18th Annual African Film Festival taking place March 22-24.

Next weekend will mark 18th year for African cinema showcase

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

It seems like yesterday that Wilmetta Tolliver-Diallo took the leap of providing insight into the African experience through the lens of cinema by organizing the Washington University African Film Festival in 2006.

“When we launched the festival last year, we had no idea what to expect, but the reception was overwhelming,” Tolliver-Diallo told The American in 2007. “I was thrilled that St. Louis recognized the significance of supporting African films and African filmmakers as they shed light on their reality.”

The initial response was so overwhelming in fact that 17 years later the festival is still going strong. It returns next weekend to its home in Brown Hall on Washington University’s campus.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the best supporting actress statuette Sunday for her role as Mary Lamb in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” portraying a New England boarding school cafeteria manager dealing with grief and loss.

courtesy of ABC

n This year’s festival features films that represent the cultures of a dozen countries and two continents.

“I do not believe it has been 18 years,” said Tolliver-Diallo, who also serves as Senior Assistant Dean of Advising, College of Arts & Sciences and Lecturer in African and AfricanAmerican Studies at Washington University. The six-feature film lineup will commence March 22-March 24. An animation matinee will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. The matinee features four animated films from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe – Annie Award winner Ng’endo Mukki and Annie nominee Shofela Coker will attend the screening that takes place at 3 p.m. All of the festival programming is free and open to the public.

This year’s festival features films that represent the cultures of a dozen countries and two continents. Films like RamataToulaye Sy’s “Banel and Adama” and Bajoli’s “Omen” illustrate the stark contrasts of lived experiences between Africa and descendants in other regions of the world. “Omen” tells the story of a man who left his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Belgium. He spent his youth being victimized by traditions and superstitions that are common practice and at the core of his family’s belief systems. In “Banel and Adama,” a young Senegalese couple are at odds because the dream they feel that will lead them to happiness is forced to the back burner

“I always wanted to be different. Now I realize I just need to be myself,” said Randolph. She added a heartfelt shoutout to the women who had helped her through her career, and to her publicist, and to God.

Photo courtesy of Black Rep

Photo

MO $18.00 - $22.00

The Whitney Houston Experience 3/16/2024 6:00pm

The Music of Whitney Houston Backstreet Jazz & Blues Club 614 Westport Plaza Drive St. Louis, MO $25.00 - $45.00

Romeo and Juliet 3/16/2024 7:30pm

A new score by Adam Schoenberg, whose music mixes Radiohead and Copland, is danced by the Big Muddy Dance Company Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO $34.00 - $137.50

Katt Williams: The Dark Matter Tour 3/16/2024 8:00pm

Chaifetz Arena 1 S Compton Ave St. Louis, MO 63103 $65.00 - $255.00

Too Many Zooz: Retail Therapy Tour with Pell Self-described “Brass House” trio Too Many Zooz make manically kinetic instrumental music that combines avant-garde jazz, EDM, punk rock to make high-energy dance music.

3/19/2024 8:00pm Delmar Hall 6133 Delmar St. Louis, MO $23

ART

ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Kahlil Robert Irving: Ar-

St. Louis–based artist

Kahlil Robert Irving creates assemblages made of layered images and sculptures composed of replicas of everyday objects. Mainly working in ceramics, Irving critically engages with the history of the medium and challenges constructs around identity and culture in the Western world.

Kemper Art Museum

1 Brookings Dr St. Louis, MO Free

See STL: Cherokee Street 3/15/2024 2:00pm

St. Louis is a city steeped in soul and grit, and no place proves it more than

Cherokee Street. Missouri

History Museum 5700 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO $20

Inspiring

Rock Painting 3/16/2024 1:00pm

Choose from a selection of smooth stones to draw, paint or design inspirational images or messages on.

Laumeier Sculpture Park 12580 Rott Road St. Louis, MO $35

See STL: Gay Liberation in the Gateway City 3/16/2024 10:00am

St. Louis’s Central West End was a hub of LGBTQIA+ community life and political activism.

Missouri History Museum 5700 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO $20

Family Sunday 3/17/2024 1:00pm

Hands-on art activities and special interactive components for kids within the galleries.

Saint Louis Art Museum One Fine Arts Drive St. Louis, MO Free

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

ThurtenE Carnival 3/15/2024 11:00am 3/16/2024 11:00am

Organized by ThurtenE Honorary, ThurtenE Car-

nival is the nation’s oldest and largest student-run carnival.

Performances, treats, and thrilling rides Washington University in St. Louis 1 Brookings Dr St. Louis, MO Free

COMMUNITY

314 Day Block Party

3/14/2024 12:00pm-6pm Includes a lineup of DJs, and a 3:14pm community run Profield Reserve 2309 Cherokee Street St. Louis, MO

African Chamber of Commerce: Connecting International Trade Between St. Louis and Africa (Virtual) 3/14/2024 6pm-7pm

Learn from experts and network with like-minded professionals, learn how to expand your trade business. African Chamber is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: International Trade Education Series Info@africanchambersstl. com

SheCan Connect Women’s History & 314 Day Celebration Featuring a women’s legacy leader panel 314 Day themed fun and snacks and refreshments 20 S Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108

RSVP Website: https://www.eventbrite.

A crowning event of 314 Day will be ‘City on Fire,’ hosted by co-founder Terrell “Dip” Evans (@justdip314), a celebration with food, drink and music at The Pepper Lounge on Locust. Doors open March 14, at 9pm. Photo Michael Thomas | Greater St. Louis, Inc.

The future is bright at the Missouri Historical Society

By Sandra M. Moore, Chair of the Board of Trustees

When I first joined the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Historical Society (MHS) in 2005, just three of the three dozen individuals on the board were people of color, including myself. Despite that low representation, which had long been the case, I liked how MHS always reached into the broader community to fulfill its mission of collecting, preserving, publishing, exhibiting, and making materials available to showcase all aspects and periods of the region’s history. Over the last nearly two decades, I’ve seen how MHS engages myriad voices through its work.

Fast-forward to 2022, upon being presented the opportunity to assume the role of chair of the board, my decision to accept was immediately influenced by the fact that this type of opportunity does not come around very often for a person of color. In fact, there had never before been an African American board chair at MHS. Though I was exceedingly busy in my professional and personal life, I also knew that I had what it would take to lead the organization into the future and that it was a pivotal moment to put the interests of historically underrepresented St. Louisans front and center. With all that on the line, I couldn’t say no.

While I stepped into this role during one of the most difficult and challenging times this country has seen—coming out of the pandemic and amid a deep political and social divide—I have found that MHS is well positioned to help shape our region’s future. Situated in the middle of the country, where we have a 360-degree look around the nation, St. Louis is very much the heart of America.

In the year-plus since I accepted the role as chair, I have been so impressed by the board and staff’s deep commitment to preserving our region’s full history while still pushing forward into the future. Our ongoing work is centered around making certain the stories we tell are broad, rich, and complete and can serve as a predictor of MHS’s future.

To that end, we are always striving to achieve a more diverse future. MHS’s leadership had been white for a very long time. But after serving nearly 20 years on this board, I can tell you that we are more diverse than ever, and that is critical to helping us make decisions on how to create a better future for everyone.

Our team leans on the strengths of our differences to make those decisions, and I am very encouraged about the fruit that the diversification of the board will bear in the coming years for participants; the acquisition, preservation, and treatment of artifacts; and the ways we attract and use donations. I feel equally optimistic about our focus on training the next generation of MHS leaders.

As we look ahead, my vision for the

officer and managing director at St. Louis–based Advantage Capital.

greater St. Louis community is to fully understand and get to know the living room that MHS provides for this region. It is a place for folks from everywhere to come and enjoy. The Missouri History Museum, already a best-in-class museum, is a place all St. Louisans have helped create and can continue to help care for.

I am particularly proud to be working on the growth of the African American History Initiative (learn more at mohistory.org/aahi) and the customization of the north plaza, revitalizing the community gathering grounds that serve as the front door to the Museum. I am also very proud of our real celebration of St. Louis as showcased through exhibits like Coloring STL, The 1904 World’s Fair (opening April 30), Gateway to Pride (opening June 8), and Mill Creek Valley (opening September 2025).

Working on the board has been a true personal joy. While it’s massive and all-encompassing work, it has been very rewarding to team up with so many tal ented people who help craft the exhibits that tell the stories of St. Louis’s past. I invite people to get involved in our com mittees and projects that preserve and teach our region’s history. There’s a say ing in certain circles that the best predic tor of your future is your past, and what I want people to know is that our board and the staff not only understand that adage— they also believe it and live it every day.

Black Rep

Continued from C1

Thompson said of her character. “For me that is a very radical place for this woman to embody. I don’t know that there is any character that I can compare that has this level of boldness for plays set in that era.”

It’s a period piece, but Thompson feels the dialogue is written for contemporary audiences.

“It’s so present and rich,” Thompson said. “It’s something you might see at somebody’s family reunion when things go left.”

Jones wanted to ensure he honored Childress’ story by not glossing over the hard or uncomfortable moments within the play.

“Sitting and living in those moments – and having them resonate throughout the audience – was important to me,” Jones said.

Thompson offered a

trigger alert.

“Audiences have to be ready to engage with this work in a very gritty way,” Thompson said “This is intense. The characters are beautifully nuanced, so you find some hope and light in those characters. But you see the darkness too. As far as how the story is told, if they can buckle in and go on the ride, they will see the truth in it – but it is not an easy watch. It shouldn’t be an easy watch.”

The goal is to expose uncomfortable truths to inspire change.

“My hope is that people can lean into thinking about what has changed and what about this story still rings true,” Thompson said. “What areas of this story do we collectively still need to grow and learn from?”

“Wedding Band” will have Jones pondering for the foreseeable future.

“This play has boggled my mind,” she said. “I have more questions about this play than when I started. And that is a beautiful

thing. I will have questions after it closes – that’s what living art does.”

Thompson agrees with Jones that The Black Rep is the ideal company to present the play – and that staging works like “Wedding Band” aligns with The Black Rep’s mission.

“That is the legacy of the Black Rep – that is the call for the Black Rep – to illuminate these plays and these voices that have been hidden,” Thompson said. “I think it is the responsibility of The Black Rep – and I think that is something that Ron [Himes] must be celebrated for… for boldly telling these stories.”

The Black Rep’s presentation of “Wedding Band” by Alice Childress will run through March 31 at COCA’s Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington Avenue. For tickets, showtimes and additional information, visit www.theblackrep. org or call 314.534.3807.

Sandra M. Moore is chair of the Board of Trustees at MHS and chief impact

Photo courtesy of Black Rep Jacqueline Thompson portrays the character Julia in The Black Rep production of “Wedding Band. The large ensemble also features Velma Austin, Christina Yancy, Christian Kitchens, Ellie Schwetye, Isaiah DiLorenzo, Jeff Cummings, Vivian Himes, Lucy Miller, Kari Ely and Tamara Crawford-Thomas.

This Friday Art Museum presents annual ‘If It Wasn’t For The Women’ event

The Saint Louis Art Museum is celebrating its 14th annual women’s history month program, If It Wasn’t for the Women, on Friday, March 15, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in The Farrell Auditorium.

We invite you to join this year’s conversation, which focuses on the theme of Navigating Memory. Three contemporary artists will explore how individual and collective memory plays an active role in their practice. With their unique styles, materials, and techniques, artists Alayna N. Pernell, Marina Peng, and Allena Marie Brazier will discuss how memories can be vehicles for self-introspection, healing, and advocacy.

Oscars

Continued from C1

For her win, Randolph beat Emily Blunt in “Oppenheimer,” Danielle Brooks from “The Color Purple,” America Ferrera in “Barbie,” and Jodie Foster from “Nyad.”

“I knew this would be a difficult role to take on. It was going to require a lot of vulnerability from me,” she said.

“I knew (my grandmother) was someone in my life that would allow me to get back to my center. But it was many other women. I did a lot of research and included a few subliminal messages with hairdos, details, and accessories.

Striking the right Cord

works.

Alayna N. Pernell is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She uses self-portraiture, physical interventions, and institutional images of Black women to address histories of violence, misrepresentation, and erasure in visual art. She advocates for greater care for archived images and uses her photographic practice to demonstrate the meaningful work of returning these images to their families.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Allena Marie Brazier is an artist, curator, and writer from East St. Louis. Her work expands the potential of a material, communicates historically Black experiences, and engages sites and objects that are imbued with memory. By using sculpture, installation, sound, and documentation, her practice is centered on her faith and builds on familiar environments and experiences to create opportunities for discovery.

If It Wasn’t for the Women: Navigating Memory 6 pm –7:30 pm

Saint Louis Art Museum

Farrell Auditorium Free, Advance Registration is Recommended

St. Louis-based Marina Peng is a multimedia artist. Her work address themes of labor, anxieties, and growth. She investigates how her parents’ experiences during China’s Cultural Revolution and their immigration to America have informed and shaped her identity. Her connection with her parents and the impact of generational knowledge manifests itself in her fiber, sculpture, installation, and photographic

Join these three artists in their engaging presentations exploring the topic of memory on Friday, March 15, at 6 pm to 7:30 pm in The Farrell Auditorium. If It Wasn’t for the Women: Navigating Memory will be moderated by Justice Henderson, 2023–2025 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow. This free public program will also be livestreamed and include automated closed captions. Learn more and register for the in-person event or livestream recording at slam.org/events. This program is generously supported by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Cord Jefferson won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film “American Fiction,” which is based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. The story lives between those slender lines of drama and hard-biting and truthful satire as it hits it right on the proverbial head when dealing with the microaggression and pigeonholing of African American creatives in the publishing and film industry. This screenplay is the perfect example of having the movie and characters live on the page. To tell this story, “American Fiction” focuses on Thelonious “Monk”

Film

Continued from C1

due to famine and drought. But what has been most striking about the festival – this year and in years past – are the common threads that the films present for sons and daughters of the Diaspora.

Black women around the world will be able to relate to Aude N’Guessan Forget’s “Anasi.” Set in France, the film opens in a beauty shop with women engaged in the type of fellowship that is familiar to anyone who has ever stepped foot in a Black salon. As they carry on, the health plight of Eden –one of the salon’s stylists –is discussed. “Anasi” ultimately chronicles the pain and frustration of a woman who feels invisible and

Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a bright and jaded author who’s at his wit’s end by the high-profit margins on African American entertainment that relies on discriminatory behaviors and tropes. To prove his point about the bias for African American narratives that make white audiences comfortable he creates an alias and writes a stereotypical, page-turning book that accidentally gains him critical acclaim and notoriety.

Jefferson, a first-time director and now Academy Award winner talked about the importance of what his Oscar meant to him considering telling a story that poked fun of and had valid criticisms about the narrow depictions of African American lives.

“Hopefully, the lesson here is there is an audience for things that are different. There is an appetite for things that are different and a story with African American characters that’s going to appeal to a lot of people,” he said.

[African American films don’t] need to take place on a plantation, they don’t need to take place in the projects. It doesn’t need to have drug dealers in it and doesn’t need to have gang members in it. There’s an audience and market for depictions of African American life that are as broad and as deep as any other depictions of people’s lives.”

“Last Repair Shop” hits perfect note

I fell in love, hard and fast, with the short docu-

unheard in her attempts to get answers for an undiagnosed medical crisis.

Complicated family dynamics are front and center for Tumelo Lukena’s “Father’s Day.” A young South African boy is tasked with a school assignment that forces a discussion with his family matriarchs about the circumstances surrounding his father’s absence.

Ottis Ba Mamadou’s “Dent Pour Dent” features the head of a middle-class family in the throes of unemployment in Senegal. He struggles to maintain his pride – and resorts to desperate measures in an effort to maintain his reputation as a functioning contributor to his household.

Washington University’s 18th Annual African Film Festival event is sponsored by African & African

mentary “The Last Repair Shop” long before I knew the important people and company behind it. It’s a simple story, simply beautiful.

Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers and co-distributed by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight, the charming “The Last Repair Shop” took home the prize in the documentary short category at the Oscars.

This doc is so many things, but it was a sincere love letter to Los Angeles itself, as “The Last Repair Shop” focuses on four unsung master craftspeople who fix musical instruments for Los Angeles Unified School District students.

“I attended Juilliard, and my roommate shared a poignant story with me. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, and his mom couldn’t afford therapy, so she bought him a $99 guitar,” said Bowers.

“That guitar became his therapy throughout much of his childhood. Many of the kids in our films share similar experiences. They talk about how their instruments help them with depression, anxiety, and self-confidence. We believe that these instruments can have a profound impact on children, especially those in underserved communities. Ensuring they have access to music can potentially change their lives, and that’s incredibly important.”

Magrira is a contributing writer for the L.A. Sentinel who covers entertainment

American Studies, Film & Media Studies, the African Students Association, with funding by the Women›s Society of Washington University. Funding has also been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Saturday›s films are co-presented with the Saint Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Washington University’s 18th Annual African Film Festival will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22, through Sunday, March 24 in Brown Hall on the campus of Washington University. The animation matinee will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. For more information, visit https://artsci.wustl. edu/events/2024- stl-african-film-festival or email afas@wustl.edu

Alayna N. Pernell Allena Marie Brazier

Marina Peng

Religion Ramadan: A catalyst for growth and change

By Dorothy S. Boulware

Learning more about how

I met Sister Mothyna James Brightful when she interned at the Baltimore AFRO during her senior year at Morgan State University, and it was evident she had a calling: ministering to women.

Raised in a Christian family, her spirit responded to Islam in a profound and transformative way. For her it answered deep-seated questions and it fit her journey like tailored cloth.

We asked Sister Mothyna to share with Word in Black how she practices her faith through the season of Ramadan.

Word In Black: Many Christians fast during Lent, is Ramadan different?

to the instruction in the Holy Quran in our desire to get closer to God.

WIB: What else should we know?

SM: During Ramadan we aim to read what’s called a 30th of the Quran every day. You can pick up a Quran and many of them are now separated into 30 parts. So, you have a section that you read, called the Juz, every single day and that should become the dominant part of your discussion throughout the course of your day. By the end of Ramadan, you would have read the entire Quran.

WIB: Do people eat before sunrise?

Sister Mothyna: Our fast is distinct in that we aim to find greater peace, not only for ourselves but also to share it with everyone we encounter, including family, friends, and co-workers. Sometimes people have habits they want to break, so this is a great time to do that — and not just with food. It could mean spending less time watching TV or cutting back on sweets. Some are working to spend more time with loved ones. It’s really about becoming the best version of ourselves. Ramadan isn’t a health fast. There are health benefits, but it’s a spiritual fast. Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims although there are provisions for those who are unable. We submit

SM: Some people do that meal which is called suhoor. Most make sure they have water before the fast begins each morning. People who are diabetic can’t go as long without food. People who have to take their meds, it is permissible. Some people want to have their coffee.

WIB: Ramadan is affected by the calendar as well as the season.

SM: Yes. It began on the evening of March 10 and ends on April 10. The times will be exact according to the new moon, as the Islamic calendar is Lunar.

WIB: So tell us about that evening meal.

SM: Culturally a lot of Muslims will break their fast with a date because they’re highly nutritious. It’s a good way to reactivate the body. I also like to drink something warm, like tea

or room temperature water. You break your fast, then you go pray because just like you break your fast at the prayer time, you start your fast, in theory, at prayer time. You break your fast as a family — as friends, and you pray the same way as a group.

WIB: How does observing Ramadan affect your work day?

SM: I get up and work out

www.stlamerican.com

in the morning before the sun comes up. I also kickbox two days a week, and that’s like 5:00 a.m. I know a sister who says the first three days are always the most difficult for her, so she reduces her work day.

WIB: And this is something everyone can do?

SM: There are provisions for women who still receive their menses. You don’t fast

Sister Mothyna James Brightful, MeRise Inc. CEO, recently shared some knowledge about Ramadan, the Muslim season of prayer, fasting and fellowship, with Word In Black.

during that period. Breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t fast. If you’re sick, you shouldn’t fast. You can make up those days another time or you can do an act of kindness like feeding someone. And that will absolve you of that particular day.

The Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware is Word In Black religion writer

Courtesy photo

CONTRACT ATTORNEY

Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking to enter into a professional service agreement with an attorney to provide assistance to Family Court judges who handle domestic cases filed by unrepresented individuals. These services are funded by special monies received from the Family Services and Justice Fund and are subject to continued availability of these monies. Primary responsibility will be to assist with management of the pro se docket including legal analysis, notifying litigants of requirements to revise legal documents and providing notices of court hearings and other correspondence. The professional service agreement is funded at $26.31/hour working up to 28 hours/week. A one year commitment to the position is highly preferred. Qualification: Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri. Requirement: Maintenance of professional liability insurance.

NOTE: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. To apply (position open until filled), please send a resume, along with a cover letter to the following address on or before April 5, 2024: Contract

Attorney, Attn: Human Resources Department, Family Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central., Clayton, MO 63105. OR Email same to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800 735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format.

FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT AIDE POSITION

Guardian Angel Settlement Association invites applicants to apply for our Food Pantry Support Aide position. This candidate will assist with the daily operations of GASA’s ClientChoice Food Pantry.

Valid driver’s license required and must be able to pass background check 25hrs/wk, Mon-Fri, 2-3 weekends per year $15 - $17/ hr Interested applicants can apply on Indeed or email your resume to hr@gasastl.org

The position is financed through CDBG funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration.

GASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

our Website at www.stlamerican.com

JR79902 Director of Medical News (Hybrid)Executive Director Medical News and Media Relations:

The Director of Medical News is responsible for developing and implementing Washington University School of Medicine’s research and medical news strategy, which reflects the school’s tripartite mission of research, patient care, and education. The director is a member of the communications leadership team in Washington University Medicine Marketing & Communications and manages a team of medical science writers. The director also serves as the primary editor for science and medical press releases and as the medical editor for the university-wide Record email newsletter, planning the Record’s medical coverage and coordinating with the University’s Record editor. The director collaborates closely with faculty and leadership to proactively identify and produce medical science news stories that enhance the reputation of Washington University School of Medicine.

JR79347 Associate Director Global Health CenterInfectious Diseases:

The Associate Director, Global Health Center provides visionary leadership, overseeing research, innovation projects, talent management, and training programs, and managing the administrative and operational aspects of the Center. Responsibilities encompass the planning, execution, and supervision of research projects across diverse geographic regions, including Africa, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the United States, and the potential expansion into new countries and regions. Presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of health initiatives and profoundly impact healthcare practices worldwide.

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

LRA/SLDC LAWN MAINTENANCE SERVICES RFP

Date of Issuance:

March 8, 2024

Proposal Due:

March 29, 2024, at 5:00 pm

The Land Reutilization

Authority of the City of St. Louis issued an RFP for Lawn Maintenance Services (Debris Removal and Mowing) to target approximately 2,000 LRA Vacant Properties and lots in the City of St. Louis. For more details see this RFP on the City’s page (https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/sldc/ procurement/lra-sldc-lawnmaintenance-services-rfp. cfm), or by emailing andersonsh@stlouis-mo.gov cc: durhamva@stlouis-mo. gov MBE/WBE/DBE firms encouraged to apply.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

St. Louis Language Immersion School is accepting proposals for contracting out the Food Service Program with a Fixed Price contract for the 2024-2025 school year. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 9:00 am.

Proposals are due by April 15, 2024.

For questions and bid specifications, please contact St. Louis Language Immersion School at 1881 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-533-0975.

St. Louis Language Immersion School reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

INVITATION TO BID:

PARIC Corporation (General Contractor) is seeking subcontractor bids for the Baden School Renovation located in North St. Louis Scope of work involves renovation of a three story building, and attached two story building into a new apartment building. Renovation includes, but is not limited to, selective demolition, site work, new concrete, masonry restoration, roofing, windows, painting, flooring, specialties, and appliances. Subcontractors may bid on all or part(s) of the project. Minority and Women Business Enterprises and Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to bid.

All workers must be OSHA 10 certified. PARIC Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Project plans and specifications are available for viewing online through an invitation to bid. All bids due to PARIC office by 5 pm, Thursday, April 4th, 2024. Project contact: Michael Skalski Mskalski@paric.com or phone at (636) 561-9740

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Standby Generator, Troop B Headquarters Macon, MO Project No. R2310-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/21/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID

SHORT WAITING LIST

WOODLAND TOWERS APARTMENTS

306 PINE LAKE ROAD

COLLINSVILLE, IL, 62234

Seniors 62 and older Apply now for an affordable 1-bedroom unit. Stop by the office or Call: (618) 345-7240 for an application Monday-Friday 8-5 Managed by Related Management Company

ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOUSING URBAN DEVELOPMENT - EMERGENCY SOLUTION GRANT FY2023 FUNDING BID ID 1918 FOR RFP #2024-14-TC

The St. Louis County Department of Human ServicesHomeless Services Program is seeking proposals from suitably qualified entities to provide projects and programs that address the need for Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Management Information System for St. Louis County individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk homelessness. The total Housing Urban Development funding available for the Emergency Solution Grant FY2023 is $495,731.00.

Proposals are due April 8th, 2024 by 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ VBids/BidNotificationLandingPage. aspx?BidId=2671.

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at S.M. Wilson’s Main Office– located at 2185 Hampton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.

The Bid Opening will be conducted virtually. Bidders may view this at the Google Meet code below:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/rxd-qhrd-ozq

Phone Number +1 224-245-5983

PIN: 350 602 263#

Northwest R-1 School District Bid Package 01 - Northwest High School Addition

Bid Package No. 1

All work packages associated with the addition and site work at existing Northwest High School.

A Pre-bid Meeting will not be held at this time.

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

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

Plans

No

Any

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/DBE/ Veteran/SDVE for the following:

CP241191 South Farm –Creed Barn Remodel

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc. com

Phone: 573-682-5505

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The job bids on 03/26/2034 at 11:00 AM The Contractor shall have as a goal, subcontracting with African American owned at 21%, Hispanic American owned at 2%, Asian American owned at .50%, Native American owned at .50%, and Woman owned at 11% of awarded contract price for work to be performed. Please send all proposals to bids@hankinsmidwest.com if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 314-426-7030

Advertise Your Public Notices, Bids, Audits, Summaries With Us ahouston@stlamerican. com

INVITATION TO BID

Midas Construction is inviting contractors to bid on the Kimpton/Staybridge hotel project located at 2601 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. The project consists of 2 new hotels, a Kimpton and a Staybridge Suites built over a shared 1st floor and parking garage. Bid packages are broken up in various building scopes and sizes. Construction onsite of these new buildings will begin in the second quarter of 2024. To access the project in our virtual Planroom go to, https://tinyurl.com/a9rv8y35

Midas will be hosting an inperson meet and greet for any potential subcontractors or vendors. The plans will be available for review and the pre-construction team will be available to answer any questions. Meeting info:

March 21st, 2024 from 3-6pm

Midas Construction 1400 S. Highway Dr. Fenton, MO 63026

If you have any questions or issues accessing the project, please contact our Pre-Construction team at bids@midas.build or 314-282-8666.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications for Pre-Construction and Construction Management Services for multiply Greenway projects. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids for more information and submit by April 5, 2024.

The

Northwest R-1 School District is

S. M. Wilson. is an Equal

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NAME CHANGE

Jeff Lamont Taylor has changed his name to Jeff Shumpert III.

PUBLIC NOTICE NAME CHANGE

Keyshon Hosea Morgan has changed his name to Keyshon Jeff Shumpert.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT

FOR BIDS (SFB)

Service:

Pre-Bid

MBE

A five percent (5%) Bid discount shall be applied to construction, goods, and other services prime contracts on contracts $300,000 or less to prime African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Bidders.

Point of Contact: Gigi Glasper – gxglasper@flystl. com

Bid documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert

International Airport, Airport Properties Division

Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 890-1802. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/business/contract-opportunites

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR GRAND DRIVE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, PROJECT NO. BROR096(001). Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, March 27, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https:// www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home? agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/ departments/publicservice/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or email Board of Public Service at bryanth@stlouis-mo.gov. 10% DBE participation goal.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Steam, Water and Sewer Lines, Building 3, Maryville Treatment Center, Project No. C1921-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 2, 2024 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Site Security Upgrade, Site Wide Phase II at Missouri School for the Deaf, Project No. E1617-02, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 18, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid.

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC System, Troop G, Willow Springs, MO Project No. R2313-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 4, 2024 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Retrofit Anti-Ligature Devices at St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center South, Project No. M2207-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 4, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities