March 14th, 2019 Edition

Under attack, Kim Gardner fights back

Cops, special prosecutor return circuit attorney’s server

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner said last week that a search warrant demanding thousands of records from her office would put countless people’s privacy at risk. On Tuesday, March 12, Circuit Court Judge Michael K. Mullen rejected Gardner’s motion to quash the search warrant, after claiming last week that Gardner’s office was “playing games.”

The warrant relates to a grand jury case reviewing whether Gardner’s investigator William Tisaby lied under oath last spring during then-Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ felonious invasion of privacy case. Gardner’s attorneys appealed within hours of Mullen’s decision. In the short amount of time it took for them to file the appeal, the police and special prosecutor overseeing the grand jury case on Tisaby

See GARDNER, A7

on Wednesday, March

By Ryan Delaney

Of St. Louis Public Radio

There

Due process, black men, dark money and David Steward

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

For The St. Louis

act, considering that Steward was once a curator of the University of Missouri System and is still a trustee with Washington University in St. Louis (both oppose the proposed legislation). According to Messenger, university

By

Kamryn Joyner and Johnathan Ingram, both 6, colored a leprechaun dancing under a rainbow as a St. Patrick’s Day exercise in their kindergarten class at Peabody Elementary School

13.

Photo by Wiley Price

See BROWN, A6

Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Sylvester Brown Jr.

Photo by Ryan Delaney

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner

Photo by Wiley Price

Pastor John Gray’s mistress messages leaked

In an appearance on daytime talk show “The Real” earlier this week, embattled megachurch pastor John Gray admits to an emotional affair but denied there was any physical activity.

Voicemail messages allegedly leaked by his mistress allude to a full contact rendezvous.

“Are you ignoring me now?

Let me get this straight, I’m be ignored by someone I’ve sowed some seeds into, given resources to,” the voicemail says. “ I’m in your city and I can’t get a call back? I just wanted to make sure I got my facts straight.”

In written text, the YouTube clip goes on to state that Gray secured a room in the hotel where he was staying with his wife for the mistress.

“When you get this message

delete it,” the voicemail said. “My wife saw the text messages from Friday. She knows that you were in the same hotel as me, but she does not know…”

The audio of the message is abruptly cut –and text on the video claims that it would be “too painful for his wife to hear” so it won’t be shared.

The clip closes with written text that reads, “hopefully this will encourage him to tell the truth to his wife and to those that matter and stop lying and saying he and the mistress were only having conversations and texting.”

R. Kelly drama continues to unfold was jailed after falling behind $161,000 in child support.

TMZ.com sources say Kelly stopped paying child support to punish his ex-wife for turning their children against him.

“Sources close to R. Kelly tell us the singer was absolutely lashing out at Drea Kelly when he quit writing child support checks ... a move that ultimately landed him in Cook County jail,” TMZ. com said. “We’re told Kelly feels like he tried to maintain a relationship with his three kids, but he blames Drea for ruining any chance of that. He’s said he thinks she brainwashed them.

Also last week there were reports that a new R. Kelly sexual assault accuser had come forward claiming she slept with the R&B singer in Detroit when she was 13-years-old and that he infected her with the herpes virus when she was 17.

According to several outlets, the new accuser is willing to testify under oath.

“Listening to R. Kelly’s denials about what he did to underage girls like me was very hurtful. He needs to tell the truth and he needs to stop playing the victim,” read a statement released through the accuser’s attorney Gloria Allred in response to Kelly’s interview with Gayle King. “He was the adult and I was the child. He had no right to take advantage of me when I was only a 13-year-old child.”

The new accuser’s name has not been released.

Jussie Smollett maintains his innocence, alleged paid attackers feel ‘betrayed’

On Friday, March 8, a Chicago grand jury returned a 16 felony-count indictment against actor Jussie Smollett after he was accused of faking a hate crime.

Smollett’s attorneys say that he is innocent until proven guilty.

“The fact of an indictment was not unexpected. We knew that there is no way they would expose their evidence to a public airing and subject their witnesses to cross-examination,” Smollett’s lawyer Mark Geragos told The Wrap.

“What is unexpected, however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie. This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie’s privacy in tampering with his medical records. Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption.” Meanwhile the attorneys for the men accused of being paid to attack Smollett say the men feel betrayed by the “Empire” star.

“This entire thing started because they put their trust in the wrong person,” attorney Gloria Schmidt said in an interview on CBSN.

“They feel tremendously regretful for their role in this, and their involvement in the situation,” Schmidt said. “The impact that this has had – not only on them, but on minority populations – that weighs very heavily on them.”

“They felt that their friend, someone who had helped them getting some connections, would not put them in a situation where they’re now being labeled as someone who would commit a hate crime,” she said. “I can tell you, with confidence, they did not commit a hate crime. They also did not know that their loyalty to him would be betrayed.”

Sources: TMZ.com, Twitter.com, The Wrap.com, YouTube.com

John Gray

White supremacists stepped up propaganda in 2018

1,187 distributions of white supremacist material was 182 percent increase over 2017

American staff

White supremacists dramatically stepped up their propaganda efforts in the United States in 2018, according to newly released data from ADL (the AntiDefamation League). ADL reports 1,187 distributions of white supremacist material across the U.S. in 2018, up from 421 incidents reported in 2017, an increase of 182 percent. The propaganda included everything from veiled white supremacist language to explicitly racist images and words, frequently targeted minority groups, including blacks, Jews, Muslims, immigrants and the LGBTQ

community. It often featured a recruitment element, ADL reports.

The number of racist rallies and demonstrations also rose last year, ADL reports, although on a more modest scale. At least 91 white supremacist rallies or other public events attended by white supremacists were held in 2018, up from 76 the previous year. Hate groups increasingly employed flash mob tactics to avoid advance publicity and scrutiny, ADL reports. Identity Evropa and Patriot Front held more than 30 flash demonstrations last year. These groups were also responsible for the two largest white supremacist flash demonstrations in 2018, held

Governor Pritzker rolls out big changes

What a difference an election makes, especially after four years of stagnant, tone-deaf, combative leadership at the hands of failed former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.

Newly elected Governor J.B. Pritzker is proving to be the antithesis of his predecessor, navigating a path aimed at making progressive and needed changes for Illinois residents.

He hit the ground running

The Texas-based Patriot Front led the way among white supremacists with 324 literature distributions in 2018, according to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League).

in Nashville and Washington, D.C. The number of non-campus community propaganda efforts skyrocketed to 868 in 2018,

strengthen workforce training in growing industries. This will charge the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to evaluate labor practices and report its findings within 90 days.

with reforms, initiatives and proposed legislation to position the state to be more competitive, while putting its past in the rearview mirror, in hopes of a horizon filled with opportunity and success.

Within days of being sworn in, Pritzker visited Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in Belleville to announce the signing of an executive order that will

“Our economy is changing, and it is critical that state resources are being used to meet the demands of the 21st century,” Pritzker said. The long-term goal will be to assist colleges, like SWIC, to better prepare students for jobs in growth industries with a high demand for workers.

up from 129 incidents in 2017, according to ADL. The Texasbased Patriot Front led the way with 324 literature distributions, while 312 incidents were linked

would gradually be increased from the current $8.25 per hour rate and phased in over the next six years. It has been passed by both legislative chambers and awaits his signature at press time. This is good news for low-income workers in the Land of Lincoln.

But it doesn’t stop there. Pritzker has established a new “Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative” or JEO and has named Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton to head his criminal justice reform initiative.

Here’s why.

And, in keeping with his campaign promise to increase the minimum wage, Pritzker is all set to sign into law a $15 hour minimum wage, which

to Identity Evropa ADL recorded 319 incidents of white supremacist propaganda appearing on 212 college and university campuses in 37 states and in Washington, D.C. in 2018. This was up from 292 campus incidents in 2017. Identity Evropa and Patriot Front were responsible for the bulk of campus incidents. Heartland campuses with incidents included Washington University, Fontbonne University, Webster University, the University of Missouri, Missouri Southern State University and Truman State University.

Klan groups noticeably increased their propaganda efforts last year, ADL reports. In 2018, there were 97 incidents in which Klan fliers were left on doorsteps or driveways in neighborhoods, a 20 percent increase from the preceding four-year average of 77 annual incidents. At least 11 different Klan groups took part in leafleting efforts across

accommodate only 32,000. So fundamental reform is needed, Stratton said, “because our justice system is not working.”

the U.S. The 2018 propaganda incidents were predominantly concentrated in large metropolitan areas, with the highest activity levels in California, Texas, Colorado, New York, Illinois, Florida and Virginia. But many smaller communities were targeted, too. White supremacists continued to use banners to promote their message as well. In 2018, ADL counted 32 instances where white supremacist banners were hung in high-visibility locations such as highway overpasses. Patriot Front used banners the most in 2018, deploying them 21 times, ADL reports. ADL’s Center on Extremism has gathered the 2018 data on ADL’s H.E.A.T. Map, an interactive online tool that allows users to geographically chart white supremacist incidents and events nationally and regionally. Visit https:// tinyurl.com/ADL-racist-map.

The state of Illinois spends approximately $1.3 billion a year for the Illinois Department of Corrections to house about 43,000 in a system designed to

Some justice reform initiatives will include “biasfree assessment tools” for judges to utilize in determining sentences, enhanced training within the Department of Corrections, as well as better educational programs within the state’s juvenile correctional system. Beyond prison and juvenile corrections, there will be a thrust toward offering more economic development, while providing more access to professional licenses, state contracting opportunities, education and housing for poorer communities.

It will also call for initiatives to improve relations between law enforcement

and communities served by reducing the use of excessive force, civil asset forfeiture and vehicle impoundments, in addition to a push toward the legalization of marijuana.

Pritzker even made up to $100 million in low-interest loans available for federal workers during the recent government shutdown by the Trump administration. Something that Trump didn’t even have the foresight or the empathy to implement. All of these initiatives require the type of vision, problem-solving skills and leadership that Illinois and the nation have been lacking in recent years. And it’s about time.

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

Maryville University, we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, and we’re committed to providing access to affordable higher education. Participation in Maryville’s Multicultural Scholars program has increased by 54% over last year, and the career placement rate for Maryville graduates is 97%.

Learn more at maryville.edu/inclusive.

“To be a scholarship recipient at Maryville is a blessing. It has reduced a financial burden and allowed

Columnist

James Ingram

Editorial /CommEntary

Krewson, Edwards need to join emerging reform coalition

Though status quo candidates won a disconcerting number of citywide and countywide elections in the St. Louis region in recent years, let us not forget that both city and county voters elected prosecutors running on a change platform the last time they went to the ballot box. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell – both the first African American to hold their respective positions – were elected by voters who responded to a cry for change in how criminal justice is administered.

Against relentless scrutiny (which should be expected by any public official) and steady resistance and attack, both are pursuing progressive reforms in matters like prosecuting non-violent drug offenses and requests for pretrial detention. Bell, who had Gardner’s example to study, hit the ground running in the new year but, just two and a half months later, is understandably still getting started. Gardner, elected in 2016, has passed her midterm in office and is starting to find a rhythm.

No less impressive an ally than St. Louis District Public Defender Mary Fox – who is literally Gardner’s adversary every day in court – told the audience at a public forum on March 7 that Gardner’s evolving approach to pretrial detention is having a positive impact. Thanks to Gardner and community advocates, Fox said, the number of people awaiting trial behind bars has dwindled to the point where the City of St. Louis could shutter its notorious Medium Security Institution, commonly known as the Workhouse, and house all detainees in the City Justice Center.

Tishaura O. Jones lost her race for St. Louis mayor by 888 votes (in a crowded field of contenders), running on the vow to close the Workhouse. Mayor Lyda Krewson now has the opportunity to belatedly steal a plank from her closest opponent’s platform and join this new, evolving reform coalition. She should do it now. Mayor Krewson should immediately order Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards to begin moving detainees out of the Workhouse and to put out the lights in this inhumane monstrosity before the sweltering days of summer.

Commentary Democrats’ identity crisis and Ranked Choice Voting

By DeMarco Davidson For The St. Louis American

So here we are again, attempting to heal from another brutal and divisive election which was fought amongst Democrats. The March 5 Democratic primary in St. Louis was another example how the two-party system with winner-takes-all voting is not only hurting our city but destroying democracy. St. Louis needs Ranked Choice Voting now.

voting power of people. The Democratic Party continues to invite all of those who disagree with Republicans. However, new invitees will have limited voice or have to fight vigorously through established, conservative Democrats who continue to fail their constituents and lose elections. Third parties and independents still don’t have a fighting chance.

By Rod Chapel For The St. Louis American

A school board holds great power when it comes to decisions with great local impact. Where the school goes, the community goes. Look no further than the FergusonFlorissant School District.

The district has decided to close several schools in Berkeley, a municipality that, according to the 2010 census, was 81 percent black. At its peak, Berkeley had eight schools. It will now start the 2019–2020 year with two local schools. Students who once attended McCluer SouthBerkeley will be bused to school farther away from their homes, as their neighborhood high school will become STEAM Academy.

Decisions like these are what make school board races so important. It’s why we must vote. On April 2, the residents of Ferguson-Florissant will finally have an opportunity at the ballot box to demand the school board respond to the community it serves.

For years, the FergusonFlorissant School District’s voting system diluted the voice of black residents. That’s why a federal court ordered a new, fairer voting system to make sure the school board represented the community. For more than a generation, a mostly white FergusonFlorissant School Board has made big decisions that determined the fate and future of black people. When schools close down, students are directly affected, not only by changes in their education, but the loss of close

However, according to one committed community advocate, Michael Milton of the Bail Project, Edwards himself is posing an obstacle to reform. Milton said that he made a presentation to Edwards, the Corrections commissioner, and representatives from the mayor’s office about alternatives to the cash bail system. Milton said that Edwards – a former circuit judge – did not appear receptive to the model. Edwards did not return The St. Louis American’s request for comment on this claim. It’s remarkable that Edwards no longer feels that he owes a response to concerns of the readers of The St. Louis American.

“I think all he’s looking at is violent offenses,” Milton said of Edwards. “He is shaping policy and rules around the horror stories. He needs to re-envision what public safety could be, and I think we could help him do that.” We agree. We think that Edwards should open his door and ears to these committed reformers and become a force for change, not fear.

community. Like Kinloch. This once-thriving neighborhood, just steps away from Berkeley, was one of St. Louis’ most bustling and affluent black neighborhoods.

When a federal court ordered the independent school districts of Kinloch and Berkeley to integrate and merge with Ferguson-Florissant in 1975, African-American residents quickly became the minority. And white residents voted mostly for white school board candidates. That’s why the NAACP and several FergusonFlorissant residents, with the help of the ACLU, sued the FergusonFlorissant School District in 2014. At the time of the lawsuit, there was one black member on the seven-member school board, despite African Americans representing more than 80 percent of the student population in the district.

The court found that Ferguson-Florissant’s voting system violated the Voting Rights Act. In its initial ruling, the court found that “given the extent to which African Americans in FFSD continue to experience the effect of discrimination, their ability to participate in the political process is impacted.” When the school district appealed, the higher court found the “evidence amply supports” the lower court’s conclusion. The Voting Rights Act, the

opinion said, also considers “the history of discrimination and disenfranchisement in the district, and the way that those historical problems may still affect the district’s landscape.”

The only way to remedy the generations of racism — and decades of decisions made without regard for the black community — was to implement a new, fairer voting system to make sure the school board represented the community.

In April, voters can cast two votes for Ferguson-Florissant School Board candidates. Voters may cast both votes for one candidate or split them between two candidates.

In this system, if members of a minority group come together and put all their votes behind a single candidate, they have a greater chance at electing that candidate. That’s why your vote matters so much this election.

We must not let history repeat itself. We can begin to build a new, brighter future with this election. We can move toward justice for our community and our children. We cannot be silenced any longer.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with The St. Louis American iHeartMedia St. Louis and the ACLU of Missouri. We want you to School the Vote with us. Get informed on the new voting system and meet the school board candidates from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Greater Grace Family Church, 3690 Pershall Rd., Ferguson, MO 63135.

Rod Chapel is president of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP.

There was no spoiler candidate in the Board of Alderman president election. With three experienced politicians, St. Louis was a microcosm of what is happening on a national level. The DNC is having an identity crisis. This was seen in the BOA president candidates during the Action STL debate. Reed described himself as a conservative Democrat, Nasheed described herself as a pragmatic Democrat, and Green is a Democratic Socialist. The differences between these descriptions are pivotal into understanding how they govern. Because of these differences, the chances of them unifying are slim.

St. Louis is a city of Democrats. We have not had a Republican mayor since 1949. Our last Republican BOA president was in 1975. The Board of Aldermen has had majority of Democrats since 1951. And, as of 2015, all 28 wards are represented by Democrats.

The Republican Party continues to be the party of big business, deregulation, and trickle-down economics that lead on every initiative to suppress the political and

St. Louis Democrats are experiencing an identity crisis. In August 2018, we chose between Bob McCulloch and Wesley Bell, both Democrats, for St. Louis County prosecutor attorney. In November 2018 during her campaign for re-election, Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill described herself as a “champion in the middle.”

This is what some would call Democrat-Lite. The problem is that if Republicans want a Republican, they will just elect a Republican and not a Democrat by name only.

“When used as an ‘instant runoff’ to elect a single candidate like a mayor or a governor, RCV helps elect a candidate that better reflects the support of a majority of voters. When used as a form of fairrepresentation voting to elect more than one candidate like a city council, state legislature or even Congress, RCV helps to more fairly represent the full spectrum of voters.”

President John Adams, wrote in Oct 1780, “There is nothing I dread so much, as a division of the Republic into two great Parties, each arranged under its Leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension is to be dreaded as the greatest political Evil, under our Constitution.” St. Louis and the DNC can find their identities and defeat a great political evil with Ranked Choice Voting.

DeMarco K. Davidson is an organizer for Metropolitan Congregations United and works with participating churches to strategize in addressing social issues, including breaking the schoolto-prison pipeline.

The national political realm is already set ablaze with a crowded field of Democratic candidates for U.S. president with Bernie Sanders reclaiming his spot as a contender. Bernie has yet to say if he will put on the temporary badge of a Democrat just for the election. But the truth is Bernie does not need the DNC; the DNC needs him, along with his millions of supporters and the record-breaking $10 million his organization raised. With no change in the electoral process, cities like St. Louis will continue to sabotage progressive and pragmatic candidates. It is time to implement Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). “With RCV, voters can rank candidates as in order of choice. Candidates do best when they attract a strong core of first-choice support while also reaching out for second and third choices,” according to FairVote.org.

Letters to the editor

Better same ol’ Together

Will all St. Louisans really be Better Together, or will we just be Bigger Together? Will the clandestine, dark-money cabals of the ultra-wealthy and well-connected who are pushing Better Together really construct a city government, a police department, a court system and a variety of other government services that dispense those services on a fair and equitable basis? Or will Rex Sinquefield’s megacity be simply a bigger version of the ol’ St. Louis “Who do you know?” government? Where’d you go to high school?

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Global Fund increases security

A friend alerted me to a recent letter you ran (“U.S. must fund the Global Fund”). I saw The St. Louis American web site on Facebook and am impressed by your journalist awards and your positive proactive stance.

One-fourth of 1 percent of our U.S. fiscal budget goes to global health. For this relative financial pittance, we can help stabilize fragile countries and increase their economic growth. Did you know that about 50 percent of our exports

All letters are edited for

are purchased by developing countries? When they grow, we grow.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria generates billions of dollars in health care savings, increased economic activity, and helps establish an efficient local health care treatment structure. This actually makes us safer, because infectious diseases like TB knows no boundaries, and extremely resistant tuberculosis is on the rise in several countries.

As I See ItBremerton, Washington

Welcome strangers and animals

Regarding President Trump’s desire for a wall separating Mexico from the United States, I have two comments.

As a Catholic, I am wondering how other Catholics can support President Trump’s demand for a wall.

The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) states that Catholics are in support of immigrants; the website for “Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration” states, “The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to

immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move. Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to ‘welcome the stranger among us,’ for in this encounter with the immigrant, the migrant, and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ.”

And how is it that I haven’t heard any environmental complaints about a wall separating Mexico from the United States, affecting animals’ ability to travel back and forth on their annual migration routes?

Linda Caravelli, Florissant

One step closer

The 116th Congress is the most diverse in history, and EMILY’s List is proud to have been a part of the fight to bring new voices to the table and elect a Congress that is one step closer to being truly representative of the people it serves. With an administration that continues to embrace white nationalism and undermine the civil rights of people of color, it’s more important now than ever before that we have leaders in office like Lauren Underwood, Ayanna Pressley, and Lucy McBath, among others, to stand up and fight back against injustice.

Stephanie Schriock, president EMILY’s List Washington, D.C.

Guest Columnist DeMarco Davidson

Photo by Wiley Price

Mayor Lyda Krewson and Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards joined progressive activists and officials at the People’s Arch ceremony last July 6.

Normandy Schools recruiting ‘Viking Volunteers’

Normandy Schools Collaborative recently re-launched its Viking Volunteers program. Volunteers are needed to help provide additional support to enrich the student experience with the ultimate goal of helping students succeed academically. For more information or to become a volunteer, visit www.normandysc.org.

Maxine Waters leads charge to return consumer protections

By Charlene Crowell For The St. Louis American

On March 7, the House Financial Services Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California), marked the first time that the new director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) appeared for a hearing in this capacity. Entitled “Putting Consumers First? A Semi-Annual Review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” the session is the first of two mandated by the DoddFrank Wall Street Financial Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Twice a year, CFPB’s director must report to each chamber of Congress. But before the hearing, other actions signaled that Director Kathy Kraninger would likely be forced to defend both the bureau’s actions and inactions that occurred at the hands of Trump political appointees. Under Mick Mulvaney, CFPB’s former acting director, a series of actions turned the agency’s focus away from consumers, regulation and enforcement to make its policies and structure more favorable to deregulation

One day before the hearing, Waters and other majority members of the Financial Services Committee held a news conference to announce the reintroduction of the Consumers First Act. Initially filed in 2018 by Waters, the 2019 version has the same intent: to block and reverse the Trump Administration’s anti-consumer agenda. This year, Waters has the support of co-sponsoring lawmakers representing 19 states as diverse as California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia. The bill is also supported by 51 consumer, civil rights, and labor advocates.

“The bill reverses the harmful structural changes Mulvaney and his deputies made to damage the agency one-by-one,” Waters said at the news conference. “We will be asking all of the questions that our members deem necessary to find out whether or not she is on the road to restoring much of the damage that was done by Mr. Mulvaney.”

aim at the bureau’s changed perspective on payday lending.

“Under Trump’s CFPB director Mulvaney, the CFPB has reduced transparency and accountability, weakened enforcement … and became more interested in helping payday lenders who allegedly misled consumers and charged exorbitantly high interest rates, rather than protecting the American consumers they were sworn to serve,” Beatty said.

Charlene Crowell

During Black History Month, Kraninger announced the bureau’s intent to suspend the August 2019 effective date of the long-awaited payday rule. After more than five years of public forums, rulemaking, research and thousands of public comments, Kraninger still intends to begin the rulemaking process anew.

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, took direct

Texas can rightfully claim one other distinction: its 661 percent APR is the nation’s highest. That claim becomes even more curious when that figure is compared to the actions of more than 40 cities and business.

In response, consumer, clergy, and civil rights advocates received updated information from the Center for Responsible Lending that pinpoints state by state how

current triple-digit interest rates (APRs) continue to harm consumers across the country. Regardless of a state’s population size or average incomes, the cost of borrowing payday loans remains a debt trap. Further, in states where these loans remain legal, lenders continue to squeeze billions of dollars of fees from borrowers whose annual average earnings are $22,500.

Prepared by Charla Rios, a researcher with the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), the updated payday map reveals that in 2019, 31 states charged 200 percent APRs or higher on payday loans. Of these, 18 states have APRs of 400 percent or more, three more – Idaho, Nevada, and Texas – charge in excess of 600 percent.

that have adopted some kind of regulation on these predatory loans. In 2011, the City of Dallas led the municipal curbs with an ensuing unsuccessful legal challenge. Fortunately, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the city’s restriction.

Despite these disappointing numbers, there have been recent and notable consumer victories on payday lending. Colorado and South Dakota successfully approved by voter referenda 36 percent payday rate caps. In each of these referenda, voters supported rate caps by 75 percent majorities.

“When no rate caps exist, payday lenders become more predatory as they charge even higher triple-digit interest rates that financially bury people in debt,” said Rios. “The 2019 map shows just how much real reform is needed at the state and federal levels.”

Although Kraninger announced a plan to suspend the payday rule, changes in how the bureau operated with regard to these lenders began under Mulvaney. While at CFPB, he urged Congress to repeal the rule and joined a lawsuit brought

by a payday lender that sought to indefinitely suspend the rule. Earlier as a member of Congress representing South Carolina, Mulvaney opposed the idea of creating the CFPB and counted payday lenders among his top donors. The 2017 payday rule was promulgated after five years of hearings from a variety of stakeholders and everyday citizens. There was also extensive research, and a public comment period where literally thousands of statements documented this financial exploitation wrought by payday loans.

“Eliminating this protection is plain and simple a huge gift to predatory lenders,” said Diane Standaert, a CRL executive vice president and director of State Policy, “so they can keep borrowers trapped in unaffordable debt with interest rates exceeding 300 percent.”

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications deputy director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.

Continued from A1

heads “should be downright embarrassed” that somebody affiliated with them is “secretly pushing legislation that will make women on campus less safe.” These are damning allegations. However, they ignore another important factor in sexual misconduct allegations on campuses. In overwhelming numbers, young men of color throughout the country are most often suspended, expelled, or have their promising sports careers derailed due to unsubstantiated allegations and a haphazard, prejudicial adjudication system that suspends the due process rights of the accused. It’s a sign of lazy journalism or misplaced loyalty to educational institutions when the media ignore the other victims in these sexual assault cases – especially when there are dozens of news stories detailing the “Uncomfortable Truth About Campus Rape Policy.” That was the title of the first of three articles published in 2017 by The Atlantic detailing how students, particularly students of color, are losing their due-process rights due to Title IX policies. This series by Emily

FORUM

Continued from A1

Yoffe examines how the rules governing sexual-assault adjudication on campuses have drastically changed in recent years and how they are biased. Consider Colgate University. With a black student population of just above 4 percent, during the 2013-2014 academic year reportedly 50 percent of campus sexual violations were alleged against black males. In a three-year academic period from 2012 through 2015, black men represented onequarter of all sexual-misconduct reports. These statistics are replicated on college campuses throughout the country. As for the allegation of “dark money” against Steward, Kingdom Principles has publicly acknowledged his contributions. And the organization publicly states its mission to ensure that “each and every student on Missouri college campuses feels safe from both violent attacks and false accusations.” The Missouri Campus Due Process Coalition, which Kingdom Principles funds, explicitly details the desired outcomes of House Bill 573 and Senate Bill

259 that would alter Title IX proceedings.

n The disproportionate rates of sexualmisconduct complaints against nonwhite college men should be included in discussions about Title IX reform.

The proposals mandate that all testimonies be made under oath, guarantee due process for all parties per the Constitution, and require that law enforcement reports and sworn affidavits be credible. Additionally, the proposed bills seek to ensure that students have rights to legal representation, to review evidence against them, and to present their own evidence. Students would also have the right to challenge or cross-examine the testimony of witnesses and to reject any decisionmakers who have exhibited bias or a conflict of interest.

Victims’ rights organizations and other critics claim that these changes would infringe on victims’ rights, sacrifice their confidentiality, and dissuade them from reporting assaults. Their silence, however, is stunning regarding the mounting evidence that the current Title IX process infringes on the rights and well-being of black, male students. These are powerless victims, not the

“powerful men of privilege” whom Messenger singled out to condemn Steward.

The disproportionate rates of sexual-misconduct complaints against nonwhite college men should be included in discussions about Title IX reform. With almost 400 lawsuits pending nationwide against kangaroo court-like college rulings, it is in the best interest of higher-learning institutions to safeguard the rights of all students.

Steward and the organizations he is funding should be commended for courageously addressing the dark side of judicial college proceedings that are cruelly and disproportionately punishing students of color without due process.

Sylvester Brown Jr. is a former columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the founder of the Sweet Potato Project, an entrepreneurial program for urban youth (which has received funding from Steward and his foundations), and the author of “When We Listen: Recognizing the Potential of Urban Youth.”

Koreyon Harris earns Eagle Scout at 14

Koreyon

American For years, the FergusonFlorissant School District’s voting system diluted the voice of black residents. In 2014, ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of several residents and the NAACP against the district. A federal court found the district in violation of the Voting Rights Act and ordered the district to implement a fairer voting system. This system, called

cumulative voting, gives minority groups an equal opportunity to gain representation in government, according to the ACLU and NAACP. Voters will use this system on April 2 to elect two members to the school board. On Election Day, voters can cast two votes for Ferguson-

Florissant School Board candidates. Voters may cast both votes for one candidate or split them by giving one vote each to two different candidates.

The three candidates on the April 2 ballot include two incumbents – Leslie Suzanne Hogshead, the board’s assistant

secretary, and Constance “Connie” Harge, the board’s secretary – and Sheila PowellWalker, a member of the Lee-Hamilton PTO. All have children who have attended schools in the district.

Hogshead, 68, has served on the board for more than 25 years, since 1992. She is

employed as a nursing home administrator with Health Systems, Inc. Harge, 64, has lived in the district for 40 years but was first elected to the board very recently, in 2016. She works at Washington University as a Pain Management PreCertification coordinator. Powell-Walker, 48, has lived in the district for over two years. She works for the School District of Clayton as a district social worker and is an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University and Missouri Baptist University. At the time of ACLU of Missouri’s 2014 lawsuit, there was one black member on the sevenmember school board, despite African Americans representing more than 80 percent of the district’s student population. Now there are three black board members, including Harge.

According to the ACLU and NAACP, with cumulative voting FergusonFlorissant’s minority groups will have meaningful opportunities to elect candidates of their choice.

“Now, the focus can be where it needed to be all along: a Ferguson-Florissant School Board that is responsive to the needs of the community,” said Tony Rothert, legal director, ACLU of Missouri. “With a new electoral system in place that is in line with the Voting Rights Act, the voices of all residents will be heard.”

The ACLU will also canvass in the school district to let voters about the changes they’ll see on their ballots.

“We’re glad the court stepped in to remedy this moral injustice in the FergusonFlorissant School District,” said Nimrod Chapel, president of the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP. “African Americans must come out and vote to make sure that the district adequately responds to the needs of our community.”

For more information about the voter education event on March 26 and cumulative voting, visit www.fergflovotes. com.

Connie Harge

Leslie Hogshead

Sheila Powell Walker

Harris, a member of Boy Scout Troop 766 in Bridgeton, earned his Eagle Scout at age 14. He is also a member of Kappa League-St. Louis, serves as its 2nd vice president and sits on the National Kappa League Council. Kappa League is a mentoring program for young men in grades 6-12, sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., St. Louis Alumni Chapter. Samuel Boyd III, polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., played an integral part in Koreyon’s completing his final requirements for Eagle Scout and donned his Scout Master uniform to preside over the youth’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

Continued from A1

seized the circuit attorney’s email server – knowing an appeal was underway, according to Gardner. The Court of Appeals ordered a halt to the search warrant that evening.

“In my decades of work in the criminal justice system, I have never seen a chief prosecutor treated this way by a court or a police department,” said Roy L. Austin Jr., Gardner’s attorney. He said he believes Special Prosecutor Gerard Carmody, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and even Mullen are trying to “intimidate and humiliate” Gardner and “strip her of the powers granted to her by the people of the City of St. Louis.”

This is the second search warrant that Carmody has issued in the grand jury case. Gardner’s office complied with the first search warrant in January. But the second search warrant, issued on February 21, is so broad that it would require the circuit attorney to hand over “every file in the office,” attorneys representing Gardner told a judge at a hearing on March 5. The warrant asks for all files stored on the office’s server that contain 31 common terms, including “notes,” “tape,” and “recording.”

A spokesman for Carmody’s office said he could

JUSTICE

Continued from A1 fights and distractions.

“When you’re just able to talk about it, it doesn’t get to the point where it’s harmful to you,” said University City senior Kaya Blount.

Circles in Latin class focus on topics such as affirmation, values or mindfulness. They are guided by their teacher, who also takes part.

“It’s just a time to calm down,” said Leah Zukosky, also a senior. “You can express how you feel, and nobody’s going to judge you.”

In addition to regular circles, schools are using restorative practices to mediate arguments among a smaller group of students or between students and staff.

There was a time that a student acting out in class was usually met with a suspension. Research in recent years

not comment because of a gag order that Mullen issued on March 5. However, the appellate court also concluded on March 12 that the Gardner is not party to the Tisaby investigation and therefore not bound by Mullen’s gag order, according to Gardner.

The police and Carmody’s actions on March 12 temporarily interrupted the prosecutor’s entire email system “that is central to its efforts to keep the citizens of our city safe,” Gardner said. Gardner said no information was retrieved from the server before it was returned.

“They were unsuccessful,” her attorney said.

Carmody connections

The grand jury case came out of the contentious legal battle to prosecute Greitens for allegedly taking a semi-nude photo of a woman with whom he had an affair in 2015 and then allegedly transmitting it so it could be viewed on a computer. Greitens’ felony charge was ultimately dropped.

There are still a lot of “personal feelings” and “water under the bridge” left over from that case, according to comments made between Gardner’s attorneys and Carmody’s team at the March 5 hearing addressing Gardner’s motion.

Gardner hired Tisaby, a former FBI agent, in January 2018 to investigate Greitens because she claimed the police department refused her requests to investigate the governor. The

showed those suspensions disproportionately targeted students of color and simply kept them out of class without improving what was at the root of those outbursts. If students feel a sense of community and ownership of their actions and consequences, advocates say, behavior and school climate will improve over time.

But restorative-justice mediations don’t mean students will not be punished for misbehavior. While minor offenses may no longer result in an automatic suspension, students will still be disciplined.

“It’s how you discipline,” said Gary L. Spiller II, University City School District’s executice director of Student Services. “We do it with dignity. You really focus on the deed, not the doer. You focus on the impact of what that student is doing and also the responsibility of that students to make things right.”

World Wide Technology hosts STEM Student Forum

World Wide Technology recently hosted its fourth annual STEM Student Forum and Student Hackathon at its headquarters in Maryland Heights. Nearly 200 students from 19 local high schools were tasked with using technology to solve a community or school problem. Each team was paired with a WWT employee. Final projects included initiatives to use facial recognition to detect unhappy students and sensors to help visually impaired students navigate hallways to ride-sharing services for students looking to carpool and rewarding students with points redeemable at local businesses for staying off their phones during school hours. A group of Pattonville High School students that overhauled a supply closet for students in need won the $10,000 first prize. Each participating school walked away with $1,000 to support its STEM program.

department denied that they were asked.

In April, attorneys accused Tisaby of lying about whether he had taken notes during an interview with Greitens’ alleged victim. The police department investigated this claim, which spurred the grand jury proceedings. In June, Mullen appointed Carmody, of Carmody MacDonald law firm, to oversee the grand jury investigation into Tisaby’s perjury charge.

However, Gardner alleges that there is more to this

The roots of restorative justice go back to 2005 in the Oakland public-school system. It has gained popularity in schools across the country, and many districts in the St. Louis area have adopted it. East St. Louis, Maplewood Richmond Heights and Kirkwood school districts have codified the model in the past few years.

investigation than this perjury charge. It’s the latest attack on her office by the police department, according to her motion to quash the search warrant.

Mullen’s appointment of Carmody was questionable, given that Carmody has worked on cases with one of Greitens’ attorneys, Ed Dowd. In spring of 2018, Gardner filed a police report alleging that Greitens’ legal team threatened to ruin her professionally and personally if she continued to prosecute the former governor.

academic outcomes and test scores did not improve significantly.

Spiller often reminds people it’s called restorative practices, not restorative perfection.

n “It’s how you discipline. We do it with dignity.”

– Gary L. Spiller II, University City School District

Restorative practices led to a reduction in student suspensions in Pittsburgh Public Schools, according to a large study by the RAND Corporation. Yet that same study also noted

“Sometimes it’s going to be great and awesome, and other times it’s going to be kind of icky,” he said. “And that’s OK. We have to continue to work through it.”

Teacher buyin is not always universal. Some educators express frustration with the move toward restorative justice if schools don’t provide enough training

The attorneys denied these allegations, according to the Associated Press.

The American asked the circuit court if any hearings were held regarding Carmody’s potential conflicts of interest as special prosecutor, and Mullen responded that there was at least one hearing on the appointment. However, no transcript exists. There are no letters or reports explaining Mullen’s decision, and Carmody was not required to fill out any forms regarding potential conflicts of interest, a

or additional resources, such as additional social workers.

“Making a change like this isn’t about flipping a switch,” said Emily Luft, a program director with Alive and Well, a nonprofit helping University City schools implement trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices.

“There’s a lot that goes into what has created the current state of the culture of a school. And so one training, one introduction of a tool, is not going to undo the years or decades that’s created a particular culture.”

School cultures can run deep. The KIPP charter network long used the saying “no excuses” – which was perceived to mean its schools were strict. KIPP teachers are

court spokesman said. Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP, said that the police, judge and Carmody will have to answer to the community for their actions this week.

“It is exactly those actions that make African Americans feel that they don’t have a justice system that is fair and equitable,” Pruitt said.

“Because if they use those tactics when it comes to the circuit attorney, you can imagine what they would do to the average citizen.”

now going through a yearlong training on implementing restorative justice, and KIPP has dropped “no excuses” from its branding. That doesn’t mean the high expectations are gone, according to Ellen Weber, a social worker at Kipp Triumph Academy middle school.

“Having this type of interpersonal, conflictresolution skill-building is what will get our kids to be able to put those conflicts aside in the classroom and really focus on academics,” Weber said, “but also be able to have these skills for the rest of their lives.”

Reprinted with permission from https://news. stlpublicradio.org.

Female Artists Reframe Portraiture though Contemporary Art

By Alexis Assam, 2018-2019 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow

If It Wasn’t for the Women is a free program presented by the Saint Louis Art Museum each year to highlight women of color working in the arts. This year’s program celebrates how three artists reframe portraiture and depict the agency of the female subject within their artistic practice. Elizabeth De La Piedra, Lola Ayisha Ogbara, and Shevaré Perry will discuss the theme in relation to their work and highlight different attributes of womanhood.

De La Piedra is a photographer born in Peru, raised in Australia and now based in Chicago. She attended the College of Fine Arts in Sydney before completing an undergraduate degree at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Both intimate and directive, her photography speaks to the modern woman as she celebrates the form and personal narratives without coming from a place of artifice.

Ogbara is an interdisciplinary artist working in painting, design, mixed media, clay, photography and illustration. She holds an undergraduate degree in arts entertainment and media management from Columbia College Chicago. She is based in St. Louis and she is a master of fine arts candidate at Washington University. Her artistic practice explores the multifaceted implications and ramifications of sexuality in relation to the human form.

Shevaré Perry explores creative expression through the intersections of

project is The Adventures of Wynk, a mixed-media collage series accompanied by poetry recently exhibited at the Charles Wright Museum in Detroit.

Background checks curb the illegal gun market

By Marc H. Morial For The St. Louis American

“Defenders of the status quo – advocates of the gun industry and the politicians paid to defend it – will tell you that events like these are virtual acts of nature, products of mental illness or bad parenting, beyond our ability to control,” said former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, responding to the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth. Every day we fail to take action, we chose this fate. We tolerate politicians who fail to acknowledge this crisis and vote against our safety. We let our gun violence epidemic continue day after deadly day.”

visual and theatrical art, fashion and beauty. She received her undergraduate degree in fashion design at Philadelphia University and a MBA from American InterContinental University. She is based in St. Louis where she teaches fashion design at Lindenwood University. Her latest

De La Piedra, Ogbara and Perry will discuss how their artwork relates to works in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s permanent collection. Following their presentation there will be a panel discussion moderated by Alexis Assam, the Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow. We invite you all to be a part of this event that is open and free to the public. Tickets may be reserved in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com or 314.534.1111. All tickets reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets picked up at the Museum. Same-day tickets can be obtained on-site.

A policy supported by 92 percent of American voters has just come before the United States Senate. It’s supported by 89 percent of Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats. But, because it’s opposed by 100 percent of gun industry lobbyists, it will be a fight to pass it.

H.R. 8, The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, is the most significant gun safety bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in more than two decades. The legislation requires background checks on all firearm sales in the country. Currently, only licensed dealers are required to conduct background checks on firearm purchasers. Timing of the bill was especially significant for freshman U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia. This month would have marked the 24th birthday of her son, Jordan Davis. He was 17 when he was fatally shot by a man who opened fire on a car of unarmed teenage boys at a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2012.

Columnist Marc Morial

“H.R. 8 will ensure mothers they walk into a school. Most importantly, it will make our communities and our nation a safer place to live.”

More than 2,400 Americans have died in gun-related violence so far in 2019, an average of about 37 people per day, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Almost 480 children and teenagers have been killed or injured by guns this year. Background checks have stopped more than 3 million illegal gun sales since 1994, according to the Department of Justice. But anyone who is not legally permitted to purchase a gun easily can acquire one at gun show, though an online seller or via a personto-person “private” sale. An investigation by the firearm safety organization Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that people who bought guns from the online seller Armslist. com were nearly four times as likely to have a criminal record that would prevent them from passing a background check. Approximately one in five guns is sold in an unregulated transaction, and 80 percent of all firearms acquired for criminal purposes are bought through unlicensed sellers, according to the Center for Gun Policy and Research at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. No one argues that universal background checks alone can end the epidemic of gun violence. But it can restrict the illegal gun market. In states where private sales are regulated, there is less flow of guns from legal owners to criminals. If the Senate fails to pass H.R. 8, it will be placing the financial interests of the gun industry above the interests of everyday Americans, including gun owners, who simply want to keep their families safe. Please call your

Elizabeth De La Piedra

Lola Ayisha Ogbara

Shevaré Perry

Circuit attorney, public defender

work together against pretrial detention

If you are talking about “debtor jails” in the City of St. Louis, then you are talking about the Medium Security Institution, commonly known as the Workhouse, community organizers said at a panel discussion on Thursday, March 7.

“Just a few days in jail can make someone homeless for years,” said Kayla Reed, an organizer with Action STL. “They can lose everything just because they can’t afford to pay bail.”

At the Close the Workhouse panel, St. Louis city’s public defender, circuit attorney and organization leaders formed a united front, saying that they are working together to keep nonviolent offenders out of jail while awaiting their trials. And if their efforts continue to lower the jail population, then the city can finally close the Workhouse, which has been long criticized for poor, inhumane conditions.

person will commit a crime if they are allowed to go back to their families and jobs while awaiting trial.

Fox and community organization leaders said they are opposed to risk assessment tools because they would simply replace the very same system and biases they are trying to dismantle.

“One of the goals of the mayor’s office and FUSE fellows is to create and implement a system of risk assessment in St. Louis,” said Blake Strode, executive director of the ArchCity Defenders. “I don’t think that arrived with a lot of input from the community, and I think it would be a real mistake to implement something without it.”

St. Louis District Public Defender Mary Fox said that when she took her position in 2007, there were 2,000 people incarcerated at the City Justice Center and the Workhouse. And now there are about 800. She gave much credit to St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner who “gets a lot of grief” for the progressive reforms she has implemented, Fox said, including recommending that judges issue summons instead of warrants for most misdemeanor cases (this takes posting bail out of the equation). And judges haven’t given her credit for her work, Fox said.

“This is a monumental thing that the public defender and the prosecutor are saying positive things about each other,” Gardner said at the panel.

Michael Milton of the Bail Project said Ohio’s system is seen as a model for other states who want to use risk assessment tools. In Ohio, judges are assessing people’s finances, education level, the neighborhood they live in, the people they consider friends and their criminal records, among other things.

“Who is going to turn out in these?” Milton asked at the panel discussion. “Black people. Black people are going to be locked up.”

Milton said the assessments rely on statistical data that inevitably reflects racial biases in the criminal justice system, from arrest to plea bargaining to sentencing. Milton instead is pushing for a needs-based assessment tool, which would look at what kind of services can be provided to the people to keep them on a straight path. And the money for these services can come from the

Kayla Reed of Action STL, Blake Strode of ArchCity Defenders, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, Michael Milton of the

Defender Mary Fox at the Close the

for Child Well-Being on Thursday, March 7.

Workhouse’s $16 million annual budget if the Workhouse is closed.

However, these ideas are not being included in the plans proposed by the mayor’s office, Public Safety director and FUSE fellows, said Fox and the community group leaders.

FUSE Fellow Wilford Pinkney said they have already heard these concerns but do not believe the plans for risk assessments counter the community’s work.

“There is evidence that, where it has been used

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

properly, it has reduced jail populations and it has resulted in fairer bond decisions being made,” Pinkney said. “Maybe they need to know a little more about it. We are welcome to have those conversations.”

Pinkney said Kentucky is one success story where these tools are being used. However, Milton pointed to a law study that showed Kentucky’s risk assessment tool has not increased the number of people released pretrial and, in fact, Kentucky’s jail population has increased.

“It would be insulting to people that are doing this work to say they simply don’t know enough,” Strode said.

Strode said he has expressed his concerns about these plans, but that there wasn’t “an appetite to rethink risk assessment as a solution.”

Milton said the Bail Project, which is now working in 11 cities, is implementing a needsbased model that relies on adequate court notifications, community support, and voluntary referrals to social services. Milton recently made

Sarah Louise Carnes

Sarah Louise Carnes, 90, transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. She was born in Starkville, Mississippi and later moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Sarah married O. C. Carnes in 1952 and to this union eight children were born. She treasured the time raising her family and especially enjoyed preparing homecooked meals and baking those Parker House rolls and chocolate chip cookies. Sarah was a devoted member of West Side Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Deaconess, Mother of the Church, and Health Unit Nurse. Sarah is survived by siblings Ann Taylor and Jordan Hollinshed; children Deborah, Rose (Carldeceased) Bruce, Christopher, Pamela (Wayne) Sanders, Patrick, Stephanie (Al) Keeler, Elaine (Troy) James, Maria (Keith) Burton. Sarah was a second Mother to Monroe Carnes, Freddie Carnes (deceased), Rozell McClellan, Carolyn Hayes, Jackie Rhymes, Sandra Harden.

Donations can be made to West Side MB Church Scholarship Fund on behalf of Sarah L. Carnes.

a presentation to the mayor’s office, along with Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards and the Corrections commissioner. An overwhelming majority of their clients show up for court and don’t reoffend, Milton said.

“Our early success in St. Louis shows this is a viable alternative to the current cash bail system,” Milton said.

However, Milton said that Edwards did not appear receptive to the model. Edwards did not return The St. Louis American’s request for comment.

“I think all he’s looking at is violent offenses,” Milton said.

“He is shaping policy and rules around the horror stories. And I think what we represent is the majority of people who are locked up in the Workhouse every day. He needs to re-envision what public safety could be, and I think we could help him do that.”

In December, the Missouri Supreme Court established a committee of judges to research and establish a risk assessment tool that could potentially be used around the state. Pinkney said the city’s plan will be informed by this work.

Nathan Graves, court administrator of the city’s circuit court, said the judges would ultimately vote on implementing risk assessments in the courtroom and those discussions have just begun.

“Now is the time for people to express their concerns,” Graves said. “And racial bias is an important concern.”

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is a great place for people share their thoughts, Graves said. Its next meeting is from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday April 2 at the Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker Blvd. En Banc Courtroom on the 12th floor.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Bail Project and St. Louis Public

Workhouse panel spoke at the Deaconess Center

A survivor’s story

Rachel Sledge-Ford survived open-heart surgery, sexual assault, and robbery at knife-point

Rachel Sledge-Ford and her husband Duane Edward Ford, a minister at Barack Christian Church in Hazelwood. She said that her husband also is her minister, “especially now with the way things have gone.”

By Joe Gnatek For The St. Louis American

“I look at the me before the surgery,” Rachel Sledge-Ford said. “The me now is a much stronger person because of that.”

Sledge-Ford was admitted to DePaul Hospital five years ago with chest pains and shortness of breath. She was referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon, who said that her thymus gland was enlarged and needed to be removed.

During the surgery – which required cracking open her rib cage to remove the gland – the surgeon discovered a tumor the size of a navel orange located between the third and fourth chambers of her heart. While the surgery to remove the gland and

n “It hurt to even take deep breaths. I lost weight. I couldn’t walk distances, even short distances, without being out of breath.”

– Rachel Sledge-Ford

tumor was successful, her heart stopped beating while she was recuperating afterward in intensive care. On the way back to the operating room, the medical staff began CPR and brought her back to

life. The period of time when her heart had stopped deprived her brain of necessary oxygen and caused a complicated and extensive recovery that affected her body and mind.

“It hurt to cough or laugh without a pillow over my chest for the first six months or so. It hurt to even take deep breaths,” she said. “I lost weight. I couldn’t walk distances, even short distances, without being out of breath. I had to have a sponge bath for about a month and then regular baths for the first six months because of the incision being so sensitive. If the water from the shower even touched it, it would hurt.”

See SURVIVOR, A11

Decrease in deadly staph infections starting to slow

American staff

More than 119,000 people suffered from bloodstream Staphylococcus aureus (staph) infections in the United States in 2017 – and nearly 20,000 died, according to a new Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings show that hospital infection control efforts successfully reduced rates of serious staph infections in the U.S. Recent data, however, show that this success is slowing and staph still threatens patients. The new data reflect rates for all Staphylococcus

aureus infections: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). While MRSA is often better known, the report underscores that all staph can be deadly and that healthcare providers and administrators can take prevention steps to protect their patients.

According to electronic health record data from more than 400 acute care hospitals and populationbased surveillance data from CDC’s Emerging

See STAPH, A11

By Linda Stalters and Raymond Y. Cho For The St. Louis American

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a troubling regulation that would weaken Medicare Part D, the federal program that helps 45 million American seniors and people with disabilities afford prescription drugs. Part D is unique among government programs. The federal government allows people to purchase coverage from private insurers. The government subsidizes these plans but otherwise lets Medicare beneficiaries choose the coverage that’s best for them.

Congress did put some guardrails on insurers when it created Part D. It required Part D plans to cover all medications in six “protected classes” of drugs, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. These medicines help treat people with schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses.

The proposed regulation would amend the six protected classes rule and allow insurers to exclude many drugs from Part D plans. Millions of Americans who rely on these crucial medications would be left to fend for themselves. Congress must halt this regulation now.

Our nation is struggling to provide care for people with schizophrenia and other psychosis-based illnesses. These patients die 10 to 28 years sooner than other Americans, and hundreds of thousands of people with serious psychiatric illnesses have been “re-institutionalized” in state prisons and county jails.

CMS is advancing this rule as a costsaving measure. But any short-term savings would be canceled out by increased spending on emergency rooms and the penal system, since more people with serious brain disorders will end up in jail.

In addition to antipsychotics and anticonvulsants, the six protected classes include immune-suppressants for treatment of transplant rejection, HIV/AIDs drugs, and cancer medications.

The regulation also authorizes insurers to use “fail first” policies on drugs in the six classes. These policies require patients to take cheaper, less effective medications first. Only when these drugs fail will the insurer allow

A10

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MARCH 14 – 20, 2019

Linda Stalters

Raymond Y. Cho

Interested in an Rx for medical marijuana?

Then wait until June to seek physician certification, state advises

By Chris Haxel Of KCUR

As Missouri moves toward implementing the voter-approved medical marijuana program, state officials on March 6 warned potential patients to hold off on paying for a physician certification until June.

At a public listening session on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, Kansas City physician Daniel Towle said there has been confusion surrounding state guidance on physician certifications – even after the state posted a clarification on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.

People who have one of several qualifying medical conditions must be certified by a physician. But that certification cannot be more than 30 days old by the time the state starts accepting patient applications in July.

“I think you may have a lot of doctors and clinics already jumping in prematurely,” said Lyndall Fraker, who heads the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ medical marijuana unit.

More than 100 people attended the event, where much of the discussion centered on precisely how many regulations are needed. Some argued

SURVIVOR

Continued from A10

Five years later, that incision is a surgical line running vertically upward to her neck, barely noticeable above her breast line. Surviving trauma was not new to her. Shortly after she entered Beaumont High School, when she was just 14, she had to contend with the sudden loss of her father, who had always been there for her, due to cancer. Shortly after his death, she was sexually assaulted by a boy in school

for more regulations to protect children and young people from purchasing or being tempted to seek out medical marijuana. Others said too much regulation could lead to lawsuits or a larger black market.

Numerous participants also asked officials to allow licensed growers to share space. They argued that such an arrangement, similar to a traditional farming co-op, would help growers share the burden of creating a secure facility.

State officials plan to unveil the final rules for marijuana dispensaries, grow operations and edible manufacturers in June, with licenses expected to be issued by the end of the year.

Already, more than 400 entities have pre-filed applications, along with fees totaling more than $3 million. DHSS is declining to make public the names of the people or companies filing the early applications.

Chris Haxel is a reporter for KCUR 89.3. Email him at chaxel@ kcur.org, and follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

bathroom. She still experiences symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from that assault.

She also contends with more recent trauma. Last October she was robbed at knife point – she thought it was at gun-point – at the front desk of the airport hotel where she worked.

“I was sitting at the desk and a ‘guest’ came in on a Sunday morning. Under the guise of spilled coffee, he asked me for a towel. As soon as I turned my back he grabbed what he said was a gun, but I later found out was a knife. He told me to do exactly what

he said and he wouldn’t hurt me,” she said.

“He led me into the conference room and laid me on my stomach and then tied me up with a cellphone charger. I was still thinking it was a gun and thought he was going to shoot me, so I just started crying. He left, and I heard him tussling around outside while still yelling to me to count backwards from 100. Finally I heard the chime of the door and realized he had left.”

Still too scared to move, she remained bound on the floor crying. Finally she got up and managed to dial 911

with a pencil while her hands were still bound.

Five months later, trauma from that incident remains unbearable, and she recently gave notice at the hotel and will move to a different job.

“It’s not the same since the robbery,” she said. She has studied investigative journalism at Saint Louis University – inspired by her aunt Jeanette Noble, one of the first African-American anchorwomen in the South –but has never found work in that field.

“I would like to work behind the scenes, researching and digging for information,”

STAPH

she said. She is a proud parent of two children from relationships in her youth. Her son Chase, 17, is a student at Saint Louis Public School’s Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, where he maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

Her daughter Aryn, 23, is the mother of two children, including a newborn.

Sledge-Ford, who lives in Hanley Hills, is very happily married to Duane Edward Ford, a minister at Barack Christian Church in Hazelwood. She is working at continuing her education at Saint Louis University and rebuilding

her faith. She said that her husband also is her minister, “especially now with the way things have gone.” She is in the process of preparing a resume and seeking a job or internship in broadcast journalism. And she hopes that telling her story as a survivor will help someone else going through tough times.

“Because of what happened in high school, losing my dad, the surgery, and the robbery, I don’t want or need anyone’s pity,” she said. “Save that. I’m stronger than that.”

CDC calls for increased prevention to protect patients from staph infections

Preventing staph infection

Infections Program, MRSA bloodstream infections in healthcare settings decreased nationally by approximately 17 percent each year between 2005 and 2012. These reductions have recently started to stall, causing concern. The report also showed an almost 4 percent increase in MSSA infections that started outside of a healthcare setting each year from 2012 to 2017. The rise in staph infections in the community may be linked to the opioid crisis. As reported by CDC last year, 9 percent of all serious staph infections in 2016 happened in people who inject drugs — up from 4 percent in 2011. Patients presenting with

Staph is a type of germ often found on human skin and on surfaces and objects that touch the skin. While the germ does not always harm people, it can get into the bloodstream

and cause serious infections, which can lead to sepsis or death.

Continued from A10 recurring staph infections should prompt healthcare providers to consider whether injection drug use could be the cause. To decrease staph infections in people who inject drugs, healthcare providers should link patients to drugaddiction treatment services and provide information on safe injection practices, wound care, and how to recognize early signs of infection. Staph is a type of germ often found on human skin and on surfaces and objects that touch the skin. While the germ does not always harm people, it can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections, which can lead to sepsis or death.

MEDICARE

Continued from A10

doctors to prescribe newer, more effective drugs. If patients must endure successive failures on the least costly medications first and bear the associated increases in cost, what message does that send? In particular, for patients with serious psychiatric illnesses, “failure” means a harrowing descent into a psychotic crisis often ending in an emergency room admission or worse. Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia-related brain illnesses are clinically complex

As

The risk for serious staph infection is greatest when people stay in healthcare facilities or have surgery, when

medical devices are placed in their body, when they inject drugs, or when they come into close contact with someone who has staph.

To reduce the spread of staph in the community,

The risk for serious staph infection is greatest when people stay in healthcare facilities or have surgery, when medical devices are placed in their body, when they inject drugs, or when they come into close contact with someone who has staph. To reduce the spread of staph in the community, everyone should

n The proposed regulation would amend the six protected classes rule and allow insurers to exclude many drugs from Part D plans.

patients, in part, because their treatment regimen includes multiple medications. Due to genetic differences across

individuals, each antipsychotic and antidepressant medicine produces varied outcomes and side effects.

everyone should keep their hands clean, cover wounds, and avoid sharing items that contact skin, like towels to prevent the spread of staph.

Source: CDC.

keep their hands clean, cover wounds, and avoid sharing items that contact skin, like towels, razors, and needles to prevent the spread of staph.

Healthcare providers and administrators can protect people by making staph prevention a priority. This includes implementing CDC recommendations,

It takes time to find the correct medication regimen. If insurers limit which medicines are available, patients will suffer.

including the use of contact precautions (gloves and gowns), continually reviewing their facility infection data available from CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, and considering other interventions if they are not meeting infection reduction goals.

Based on the facility, additional prevention measures could include screening patients at high risk, or decolonization (special bathing or medication that reduces germs people may carry and spread) at high risk periods or for certain types of procedures. Several healthcare systems in the United States have reported success after tailoring their approach to staph. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns.

The CMS proposed rule affecting the six protected classes in Part D would not save money – rather, it would cost lives. We implore Congress to ensure the six protected classes remain protected. Linda Stalters, M.S.N. is the founder and CEO of the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA). Raymond Y. Cho, M.D., SARDAA’s board chairman, is a professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine.

Healthy Kids Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

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

Dining Out.

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

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

Tracie Berry-McGhee, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

The Smart Way!

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

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

First Day of Spring!

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

March 20, 2019, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

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

layer of the spinach leaves and sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave on high until the cheese melts (about 30-45 seconds). Carefully roll the tortilla and slice into bite-size pieces.

Where do you work? I am a licensed professional counselor at Imani Therapy.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Central Visual & Performing Arts High School. I then earned a BA in psychology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and a master of education in counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

What does a licensed professional counselor do? I have my own office and a cool, safe space for women and girls to talk about their feelings. I go to schools and we have girl circles, retreats and summits talking about self-esteem, positive social media and girl drama. We do poetry, girls get cool t-shirts, journals and they learn an “I Define ME” pledge. I travel the world speaking about bullying, depression, self-awareness and finding your purpose.

Why did you choose this career? I wanted my community to know it is OK to talk about your feelings, how to cope with trauma, sadness, and things that may bother you at school or home. Also, when I was growing up I wanted someone to help me express my feelings.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love traveling the world speaking to women and girls, giving out journals, mentoring and speaking at schools, making sure we know it is always okay to talk about your feelings, release anger and define your voice in safe spaces.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

cabin fever?

or email daycamps@slsc.org for more information.

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

STEM lessons.

by Wiley Price/ St. Louis American.

Many inventors showed a passion for learning and exploring at an early age. Biographies often include stories of inventors taking apart appliances in the house and rebuilding them. Have you ever taken something apart to see how it works? Have you ever built an item from scratch? Do you enjoy looking for creative solutions to a problem? If so, you may be an inventor.

Calling All Inventors!

If you are interested in becoming an inventor, there are a few things you can do at home and at school to develop this skill. First, think of new uses for a common object. Look at a paper clip. Can you think of any other uses for it besides holding paper together? See how many items you can list. Compare lists with a friend and classmate. Can you

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information: In this experiment, you will investigate internet privacy.

Materials Needed:

• Computer • InternetAccess

Procedure:

q Go to google.com. Search for your name. Use your full name and your nickname.

w What links do you find? Do your results also give you information about others with the same name? If so, in what link position is your information (example: fourth link given)?

MATH CONNECTION

think of a way to reuse items around the house? For example, you can use many old items around the house as a planter. Look online for some ideas to get your creativity started. Can you build a car from recycled items? Get a group of friends together and see who can build the fastest car. Who can build the car that runs the farthest? Finally, start a list of problems you would like to solve. For example, microwaves were developed to make cooking time shorter. What improvements would you like to make at home, school, or in your community?

To Learn About the Young Inventors Program, Visit: http://www.aas-world.org/YIP/about-YIP.html.

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

e Record the origin of the information—school websites, newspapers, Instagram, etc.

r Can you find photos of yourself? If so, can you find where the photos originated?

t Are you able to make the information and photos of yourself private so that others cannot see them when they search?

Analyze: Based on your findings, what can you conclude about privacy and the internet? Is your personal information safe?

Learning Standards: I can follow a procedure to complete an experiment. I can analyze the results.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTOR: Mark Dean

Mark Dean was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, on March 2, 1957. At a young age, he showed a strong interest in inventing. He built a tractor from scratch with the help of his father. Dean was a straight A student in high school, as well as a skilled athlete. In 1979, he graduated top of his class at the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Dean accepted a job at IBM as an engineer while he continued his education, earning a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, in 1982, from Florida Atlantic University.

Dean found success at IBM, serving as part of the team that developed the IBM PC, the first home/office computer. He also developed a component that allowed many devices, such as printers, to be connected to a PC. Dean owns 3 of the 9 patents that all PCs use. He helped to develop the first color monitor and the first gigahertz chip—which can do a billion calculations a second. Dean personally holds more than 20 patents. Additionally, he has more than 40 patents pending approval.

Even though he was successful, Dean still knew there was a lot to learn. So he went back to school to earn his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, in 1992. Dr. Dean was named an IBM fellow, the highest honor awarded by the company. He was the first African American to earn this title. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the Black Engineer of the Year President’s Award in 1997, and became a member of the National Academy of Engineers.

Dean is quoted as saying, “A lot of kids growing up today aren’t told that you can be whatever you want to be. There may be obstacles, but there are no limits.” He faced racism in school and the workplace. He faced the obstacle of many hours of hard work and research. In the end, Dean achieved his dream and used his intelligence to create devices that would enrich the lives of many people at home and at work.

Visit: the National Society of Black Engineers here — http://www.nsbe.org/Home.aspx.

Discuss: Mark Dean says children should be encouraged and told they can be whatever they want to be. What would you like to be? What obstacles do you think you will face? How can you work to overcome these obstacles?

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

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Setting: Setting is the time and place that a story occurs. Read three news articles and state the setting.

Activity Two — Place

Value: Find five numbers within the newspaper. Underline one of the digits in each number and identify the place value — ones, tens, hundreds, etc.

DID YOU KNOW?

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify setting and place value.

Lyon Academy at Blow 6th grade teacher Keiler Swartz shows students Juan Hamm, Michael Hye and Aanarian Kirksey how to use the newspaper’s NIE page to discover useful

Photo

March is Women’s History Month

Chicago will elect its first black, female mayor

By Esther Cepeda Washington Post

CHICAGO – Finally, a spot of good news for a beleaguered city that has long been known as a hotbed of racism and government-sanctioned segregation: the promise of Chicago’s first black, female mayor.

In a dogpile of a mayoral race, 14 candidates fought it out to connect to voters who had long ago given into a nasty case of learned helplessness. The two top winners – both black women –beat out a rich scion of a Chicago political dynasty, a Latina state official, the city’s former top cop and a bevy of other local luminaries.

The two finalists are former assistant U.S. attorney Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. And no matter which one of them wins the April 2 runoff, Chicago’s inauguration of a female African-American mayor will make a kind of history that none of the other top cities in America can claim.

It’s a stunning turn of events in a town known for never wanting “nobody nobody sent.”

And it’s a relief, indicating that there are still strides people of color can hope for after a long, miserable Black History Month, which featured allegations that top government officials in Virginia wore blackface in college.

Closer to home, there was collective fear and then outrage (of many different kinds) when it appeared that “Empire” star Jussie Smollett had staged a hate crime in which he claimed he was attacked by assailants who yelled racist and homophobic slurs.

Oh, and then there’s the cop-on-minority-resident issue. This inspired a federal consent

decree requiring the Chicago Police Department to undergo reforms to ensure people of color are treated humanely by the law enforcement officers who are sworn to protect them.

And I’m also sick of the perceptions that Chicago’s murder rate is the highest in the nation – it’s not, and by some measures doesn’t even crack the top 20.

So, yeah, the city could use good news in the form of a historic change of leadership from Rahm Emanuel, a biginterests-focused political operator. Either one of these two women could, in theory, address the neglect of the African-American community, which has caused what some experts consider to be a mass migration of black people out of the city and into the suburbs.

So what’s left to watch?

How these two women –both very strong candidates who are in a struggle to differentiate themselves as more progressive than the other – will demonstrate executive competence and leadership without falling off the tightrope of being “likable” vs. “shrill”

or “bossy.”

These are exemplars that the female Democrats who have declared their candidacy for president would do well to keep an eye on. At least it won’t be a boring race. As evidenced by her campaign thus far, Lightfoot –a self-proclaimed out and proud black lesbian – has seemingly never even heard of the “be nice” political playbook that’s expected of women politicians – perhaps a winning formula for other, future female highoffice candidates?

Preckwinkle, a consummate Chicago machine-politics player, will certainly land her own well-funded punches in the weeks leading up to the run-off. That glass ceiling that Hillary Clinton said was left with a million cracks in it after her loss in 2016? The 2020 presidential candidates who want to finally break through it will do well to follow this race closely.

Esther Cepeda’s email address is estherjcepeda@ washpost.com, or follow her on Twitter: @estherjcepeda.

Toni Preckwinkle

Lori Lightfoot

Business

Expanding Medicaid would not cost Missouri money

Gap in coverage for adults in states that do not expand medicaid under the ACA

Increasing federal match on some expenditures from 65 to 90 percent would offset costs

By Abigail R. Barker

For The St. Louis American

A group of researchers at the Center for Health Economics and Policy at Washington University, including myself, recently analyzed the fiscal impact of a potential Medicaid expansion in Missouri from a state budgetary perspective. The report represents a non-partisan estimate of the direct impact of expansion on the Medicaid budget. The estimate is based upon a set of assumptions documented and discussed in the report, which also acknowledges various uncertainties and the role those uncertainties play in producing the estimate. Overall, the findings are in keeping with other reports conducted at the national level, which have demonstrated significant savings across multiple states that have previously

n Other reports conducted at the national level have demonstrated significant savings across multiple states that have previously expanded Medicaid.

expanded Medicaid.

We find that a Medicaid expansion in Missouri is likely to be approximately revenue neutral, with the potential for cost savings in 2020 and with increased cost savings likely over the 2020-2024 time horizon. This is largely due to the opportunity to receive a 90 percent federal match on certain expenditures already being incurred by relatively high-cost populations which are currently receiving a 65 percent match. These savings are likely to be on the same order as the increased costs to cover the new “expansion population” of relatively

healthy, low-income adults.

More specifically, we made assumptions that mirror the evidence in other states about how certain populations who currently qualify for coverage as “disabled” will move into the new “expansion” coverage category. Many lowincome disabled individuals currently qualify for coverage through what is known as the “spend down” program; i.e., they must document that their monthly medical expenditures are high enough to deplete their incomes down to the level at which they would actually be eligible. Missouri receives a 65 percent federal match on these high-cost individuals, but under a Medicaid expansion, they would be covered automatically and Missouri would receive a 90 percent federal match on those dollars.

Similarly, there is another group of disabled individuals who have federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determination and, upon applying for Missouri Medicaid, are rejected and must appeal, a process that takes about

People On The Move

Sharonica HardinBartley received the New Superintendent Award for the St. Louis District from the Missouri Association of School Administrators. She is superintendent of the School District of University City. The award recognizes outstanding educational leadership in new school superintendents in their second or third year of employment as a superintendent of schools in Missouri who have never served as superintendent in another state.

Kwabena OwusuDekyi, MD joined BJC Medical Group as a primary care physician in the same suite as BJC Medical Group Convenient Care at Hazelwood. He completed his residency in family practice at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio after receiving his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. His practice is located at 7451-A N. Lindbergh Boulevard in Hazelwood and can be reached at 314-921-2950.

Gloria Patterson received a 2019 Inspiring Teachers award from The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis. She is a teacher at Jennings Middle School. The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis – a partnership of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, the Saint Louis Science Center and EducationPlus – provides simulated space missions and other science education programs. The award honors the Challenger astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, who would have been the first teacher in space.

Darryl Cherry was elected as FirstYear Students chair for NACADA: the Global Community for Academic Advising. He is coordinator of Student Retention Student Opportunities for Academic Results at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville. NACADA, with more than 14,000 members, promotes quality academic advising and professional development of its membership to ensure the educational development of students.

Scott

Applications for a free, 14-week, full-time course on writing computer code are being accepted through March 15.

CodeCamp, launched by St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and LaunchCode, begins April 1. Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at STLCCWilliam J. Harrison Education Center. In three months, graduates will have the tools and skills needed to enter LaunchCode’s apprenticeship program and a new career in technology. The college will offer loaner laptops to students who do not own a computer that meets specifications required for the course as well as individualized career coaching and support services.

CodeCamp teaches universal programming concepts and best practices with Python, foundational elements and tools for web development, Java development, how to build a portfolio project, and job-readiness such as preparing for interviews, resume reviews, workshops and soft skills training. In 2018, 35 percent of St. Louis LaunchCode students identified as people of color and 49 percent identified as female.

“The data we gather through our State of the St. Louis Workforce Report consistently shows

Roshelle Scott joined the Gateway Center for Giving Board of Directors for a three-year term. She is senior director of Brand & Reputation at Maritz. The center strengthens philanthropy and promotes community impact by providing programming, research, and networking opportunities to grantmaking organizations throughout Missouri.

Peter Mutharika received an honorary doctor of humane letters from Washington University in St. Louis. He is president of the Republic of Malawi and the Charles Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law Emeritus at WUSTL School of Law. Mutharika has been associated with Washington University for more than 46 years, having joined the School of Law faculty in 1972.

On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican. com

Roshelle

Kwabena OwusuDekyi, MD

Peter Mutharika

Darryl Cherry

Sharonica HardinBartley

Gloria Patterson

Abigail R. Barker

By Jennifer Leach Of the FTC

Getting calls from the Social Security Administration (SSA)?

Probably not. At least, not from the real SSA. But how many of you have gotten calls from someone who said they were the Social Security Administration? And maybe showed the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID?

We’ve seen a spike in the number of people reporting those fake SSA calls to us. Since January 2018, we’ve gotten more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Three percent of those people reported a loss – and they lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

You can hear what the

MEDICAID

continued from page B1

12 months and is not certain to be successful. Under an expansion, these individuals would be eligible automatically and their spending would be matched at a 90 percent rate. Currently, those who eventually gain access to Medicaid coverage have their spending matched at the standard 65 percent rate.

Taken together, savings on these two disabled groups in 2020 is estimated to be at least $73 million.

Other savings are available for other adults in special programs, such as Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment, also currently receiving a 65 percent federal match. Again, these individuals would be eligible under an expansion and

Getting calls from the Social Security Administration?

scam sounds like at https:// tinyurl.com/scam-sound. The caller usually says your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he says your bank account is about to be seized – but if you go put your money on gift cards and then give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

To report this scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you’re worried about identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov/ssa. And

their spending would receive a 90 percent federal match. This would save about $32 million.

Lower-income women who currently qualify for Medicaid only because of a pregnancy would already be eligible as part of the expansion, and their spending would therefore receive a 90 percent federal match. This would save the state about $28 million.

Finally, there are other savings due to changes in funding for uncompensated care which would save several million dollars.

Costs of covering the new expansion population are estimated by using Census data to estimate the number of Missourians currently earning incomes below 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which would be the cutoff for Medicaid expansion eligibility. We then estimated the costs per person based upon other states’

if you get one of these calls, remember a few things.

Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. Your bank account is not about to be seized.

The real SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.

You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself –just not on your caller ID.

Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you. Ever.

Jennifer Leach is acting associate director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC.

experiences as well as medical cost data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We estimate the total cost at $1.3 billion, with 90 percent paid by the federal government and Missouri’s share equal to about $130 million, for about 231,000 adults to gain coverage.

Combining these findings, our best estimate is that Medicaid expansion would

save $39 million in 2020 from the state share of the Medicaid budget (of about $4 billion) alone. Other savings are likely in the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections.

Furthermore, Medicaid expansion has the obvious benefit of increasing access to healthcare – and in particular preventive healthcare services

– which has the potential to save money by keeping low-income Missourians healthier and more able to be productive as taxpaying members of the workforce. None of these benefits was included in our analysis, which focused just on the net impact to the Medicaid budget.

To complete this analysis, we conducted reviews of all existing documentation of other states’ experiences, including reports at the national level by the Urban Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We relied upon published Missouri Medicaid enrollment and cost data as well as a prior fiscal analysis of Medicaid expansion conducted by the Department of Social Services

in 2014. We also carried out independent analyses of American Community Survey data and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Parts of the analysis were informed by a discussion with analysts at The Urban Institute. The key assumptions were vetted by health policy staff at the Missouri Foundation for Health, the Missouri Hospital Association, the Missouri Primary Care Association, and others. The research was funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Read the report at http:// tinyurl.com/WUSTL-Medicaid.

Abigail R. Barker is a research assistant professor at the Brown School, the Center for Health Economics and Policy and the Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jamala Rogers of Sistahs Talkin’ Back / Organization for Black Struggle at an October 2016 protest.

n “I don’t think (Kevin) Durant or Kyrie (Irving) are tough enough to play in New York.”

— Charles Barkley

Sports

commissioner boldly tells St. Louis it needs to do more

Seven from St. Louis

The St. Louis area will be well represented at this weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities Association state championships, which will be held at Missouri State University in Springfield.

There will be seven schools from St. Louis taking the court this weekend at the JQH Arena as four boys’ teams and three girls teams vie for state championships in the Class 4-5 state tournament.

CBC (23-7) and Francis Howell (28-2) will square off in the boys Class 5 state semifinals on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The winner of that game will face either Columbia Rock Bridge (23-3) or Lee’s Summit West (28-3) for the state championship on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

The Cadets are making their first appearance in the Final Four since 2014 when they won the state championship. They are led by 6’3” junior guard Caleb Love, who scored 30 points in the Cadets’ victory over Mehlville in the state semifinals. Francis Howell is making its first ever appearance in the Final Four. The Vikings are a well-balanced unit that has had a different leading scorer in every game of the postseason.

In the Class 4 boys Final Four, Ladue (208) will take on St. Mary’s (17-13) on Friday at noon. The winner will face either defending champion Grandview (27-2) or Logan Rogersville (20-8) for the state championship on Saturday at 1:40 p.m.

Both Ladue and St. Mary’s are making its first ever Final Four appearances. St. Mary’s is led by senior guard Yuri Collins, a Saint Louis University recruit who has been averaging more than 30 points a game in the state playoffs.

Beckham, Brown on the move

It is not uncommon for NBA superstars to flex their influence so they can land a one way ticket to a new destination. In recent seasons we’ve seen Anthony Davis pull a power move on the New Orleans Pelicans, Kawhi Leonard spur his way out of San Antonio, Kyrie Irving force a cross over from Cleveland to Boston and Chris Paul catch a rocket to Houston. Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt that NBA superstars have enormous punching power when it comes to fighting for their futures. The NFL is a different story. With 53-man rosters and mostly non-guaranteed contracts and colluding owners, players (quarterbacks being the exception) are generally forced to “play their position.” Sure, NFL players can move wherever they want in free agency, but when under contract they seemingly have had much less clout than their basketball counterparts. That may all be changing.

Over the past week, two of the best wide receivers in the league found themselves moving to new destinations. First, Antonio Brown was dealt from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick and fifthround pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite being one of the most productive receivers in the league, Brown’s relationship with QB Ben Roethlisberger and Coach Mike Tomlin soured leading Brown to request a trade at the end of the season. After Brown nixed a deal that would have sent him to the Buffalo Bills, he accepted one that will send him to Oakland/Las Vegas to play with Derek Carr The Steelers team was likely happy to waive good riddance to Brown. The Steelers front office was fatigued from dealing with running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after being unhappy with his contract situation. The team ultimately allowed Bell to become a free agent.

the New York Giants. In an interview with ESPN, Beckham criticized

Giants coaches for not getting him the ball enough. He also opined that the team was getting “out-schemed” by opposing coaches. Additionally, his extra antics such as animated on-field celebrations,

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael

Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

MLS commissioner boldly tells St. Louis it needs to do more

Don Garber, Major League Soccer commissioner, visited St. Louis Monday to meet with prospective expansion team owners Jim Kavanaugh, World Wide Technology CEO and Carolyn Kindle Betz and members of Enterprise Holdings’ Taylor family.

Corporate St. Louis showed up in grand style to dine with Garber at the Four Seasons and he labeled the gathering “fantastic and remarkable.”

Then, he put the touch on the hopeful future owners and members of the business community.

“It would really help their bid if they had stadium naming rights and a jersey sponsor in place,” Garber reportedly said.

“So there is a specific level of financial corporate support.”

team and the prospective owners certainly deserve a team. They don’t deserve to be taken advantage of by a commissioner and a league that has never proven that the majority of its teams clear a profit. As for the stadium name, how about “Better Together Stadium?”

Hmmmm. The Taylors and Kavanaugh are willing to pay whatever the exorbitant expansion fee will be and build a stadium on pretty much their own dime. Yet, that isn’t enough.

It seems like St. Louis is doing all it can to land a MLS team and here comes another financial request; another MLS money hurdle. Garber also said the naming rights issues need to be fixed “quickly.”

I’m sorry, but it sounds like Kavanaugh and the Taylors are in the midst of a shakedown.

My guess is the 27 MLS owners are more interested in the expansion fee than they are the naming rights money. This is not the NFL where stadium naming rights are valued at tens of millions of dollars. A stadium name or jersey sponsor will not prove St. Louis’ zeal for soccer.

Many St. Louisans want a

It could be bought and paid for by billionaire busy-body Rex Sinquefield. His Chess Club of St. Louis could be the jersey rights holder, as well. If Sinquefield’s Better Together effort is successful, maybe Kavanaugh and the Taylors will wish the new stadium was in St. Charles County. A hefty percentage of St. Louis County residents will be moving west across the county line if a merger is crammed down their throats based on votes from out-state Missourians.

MLS’ neo-Nazi problem

Just as the MLS regular season opened on March 2, the Huffington Post reported on what it calls “a dirty little secret familiar only to MLS fans.”

It has been discovered that a vocal number of New York City Football Club fans are, as the Huff Post described, “farright extremists, skinheads and outright white nationalists.”

Among those who have frequented games are Irvin “Irv” Antillon, a member of Batallón 49, a majority-Latino skinhead gang with connections to white nationalist and other far-right organizations.

Antillon was in Charlottesville, Va., for the Unite the Right rally in 2017, and he reportedly was a mem-

To bring a MLS team to St. Louis, the Taylors and Kavanaugh are willing to pay whatever the exorbitant expansion fee will be and build a stadium on pretty much their own dime. Yet, that isn’t enough for Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber.

ber of a militant wing of the Proud Boys, “a chauvinist and violence-prone men’s club founded by Gavin McInnes.”

The Huff Post wrote, “From the beginning, leftist and activist NYCFC fans have contacted members of the pro soccer team’s front office, offering evidence of Antillon and others’ white nationalist ties, asking management to purge the fan base of its small but noisy white nationalist contingent and crack down on supporter groups harboring and enabling them.”

The online publication obtained emails that the team has been aware of the problem since 2015.

As the MLS season opened, Commissioner Garber, the same guy who was bold enough to seemingly extort more money from St. Louis’ deserving ownership group on Monday, gave this tepid response to the NYCFC racist fan problem.

“Our job is not to judge and profile any fan,” Garber told reporters.

“It is to manage how our fans are both interacting with each other, and how they’re behaving in our stadiums.

“The last thing this league is going to do is start getting into

profiling who people are and what their backgrounds are. That is a slippery slope. That’s not something we’re going to engage in.”

Obviously, a sports league cannot screen individuals who purchase tickets and attend games. But MLB, the NFL and NBA would take stronger – and quicker – action if neo-Nazis in the stands become a problem.

Two fists equal one knee

In determining if a receiver has made a catch in the end zone or before going out of bounds, one rule is “one knee down equals two feet down.” Shorter version. One knee equals two feet.

Fifty years after John Carlos and Tommie Smith stood on the medal podium in Mexico City and raised black glove covered fists, they both stand with Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel during the national anthem.

“Mr. Kaepernick is one of those individuals who step out from the norm and make their presence known because no one else is doing it,” the 73-year-old Carlos told the New York Daily News last week.

“It was a very courageous thing he did and I support him.”

Carlos, who now resides in Atlanta, first met Kaepernick in 2016 when both were in New York. Soon afterwards, Kaepernick was seeking his advice.

“He wanted to know what it was like for me and Tommie 50 years ago,” Carlos said.

“I told him it was pretty much the same scenario he’s in

now, that only the dates have changed. I told him I’m sure it was the same for Jack Johnson, and for Paul Robeson, and Jackie Robinson and anyone else who came before us. The players change but the game stays the same.”

Unlike Carlos and Williams, who suffered unemployment and were ostracized by most American sports fans, Kaepernick had earned $14 million before he was chased out of the NFL for his peaceful and legal protests. He also won a settlement from the NFL, which ended a civil case against the league for collusion.

Carlos is convinced Kaepernick is not in it for the money.

“I think he did it for the same reason Tommie and I did it. For his children and for individuals who come after him. Maybe someday people will realize that,” Carlos said.

“All those years that he sat out no one was concerned about the millions of dollars he was losing. Nobody was worried about the sacrifice he was making. So now it’s not right to criticize him for settling the lawsuit.”

Spoken like a true champion.

The Metcalf Mystery

Receiver D.K. Metcalf’s blazing 4.33 40-yard dash time and 1.9 percent body fat ratio at the NFL Combine sent him viral. Last year, USA TODAY reported that he was the grandson of former St. Louis Cardinals great Terry Metcalf. Apparently, this was incorrect. Following the Combine, a report from the same news-

paper said he is the son of former Chicago Bears lineman Terrence Metcalf and a cousin to Terry and his son, Eric Metcalf.

During my appearance on the Charlie Tuna Show on KFNS 590 om Monday, a caller brought this up and Tuna’s phone darn near exploded. Apparently, Terry Metcalf himself, and other people close to the situation, said that the men are not related.

It was an odd segment of sports radio, to say the least. I also could not locate a correction by USA TODAY from the story that ran last fall.

Metcalf’s Combine performance certainly boosted his stock in the draft and the former Mississippi receiver says he can become one of the NFL’s best.

“I see myself as the best receiver in this draft, because I’m a competitor and I’m going to compete every day,” he said.

“The 1 percent (of passes) that I’m not coming down with - it may be a bad ball by the quarterback.” He compares himself to Atlanta receiver Julio Jones and retired Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson – and he certainly doesn’t lack confidence.

The Reid Roundup Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler collected two hits against Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer in a 3-2 win on Monday. One of the hits was a bunt single. Fowler had five hits in his last 18 at bats after the game. “He’s back to who he is, what kind of player he is,” said manager Mike Shildt. Fowler is hitting just .200 overall this spring… Fan and sports media darling, muscle guy Tyler O’Neill, hit three home runs against the New York Yankees last week and leads the team with four in spring training. O’Neill is hitting .250 and my guess is that he will start the season opener in Milwaukee, not Fowler… Speaking of Scherzer, a major Missouri booster I know confided that many a Tigers fan wishes Scherzer was more financially supportive of his former baseball team at Mizzou… Congratulations to the Vashon Wolverines for winning the Class 3 state championship with a 69-59 win over Springfield Catholic – in Springfield… NBA website writer Brandon Robinson at heavy.com penned last week that “a source who is in direct contact with the New Orleans Pelicans front office told me via text message, the Celtics have to include Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart,” in any trade offer for Anthony Davis Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Vashon wins third title in four years

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

On February 9, the Vashon Wolverines edged the Trinity Titans 59-58 in the showcase game of the Vashon Winter Classic in a showdown of two of the area’s top high school basketball teams.

The Wolverines won the game on two last-second free throws by junior guard Phillip Hunt, which touched off a wild celebration by the Wolverines’ fans and players. Everyone in blue was happy, with the exception of one man. That would be Vashon head coach Tony Irons. In the victorious Vashon locker room, Irons delivered a long lecture to his team,

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

Just one year after signing a five-year, $90 million contract extension, Beckham was dealt to the Cleveland Browns for safety Jabrill Peppers, a firstround draft pick and a thirdround draft pick. Clevelanders are probably celebrating in the streets. A year after LeBron James shook the spot, the Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian show is no longer the biggest ongoing sports story in Cleveland.

Much like James led the Cavs to the promised land, Beckham’s arrival could help the Browns end a 16-year playoff drought. Unfortunately for NFL owners and fans, the successful flexes could encourage other NFL superstars to force themselves out of unhappy situations.

Westbrook fined $25K for clapback against racist Jazz fan

Russell Westbrook was fined $25K after threatening to beat down a couple of Utah

PREP

Continued from C7

Ladue is one of the best defensive teams in the state. They are led by 6’1” junior point guard Jaylen Boyd, who leads a balanced scoring attack. Parkway Central’s girls will be making its first appearance in the Final Four of the Class 5 state tournament this weekend. The Colts (23-6) will face Jefferson City (28-1) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the state semifinals. The winner will face either Republic (22-8) or North Kansas City (27-2) for the state championship on Saturday at 8:10 p.m.

Parkway Central is making

expressing his dissatisfaction with its performance, despite the win. The post-game lecture went viral on social media.

One month later, the Vashon Wolverines were completing a dominant run to the Class 3 state championship, which concluded last Saturday in Springfield. Irons’ message to his players was apparently taken to heart as the Wolverines played with great energy on both ends of the court and cut a wide swath of destruction in its path on their way to their third state title in four years.

Vashon’s two biggest obstacles on their way to the state championship were Cardinal Ritter in the district tournament and a rematch with Trinity in

the state quarterfinals. Both teams were viable state championship contenders as well but Vashon vanquished Ritter 85-62 and Trinity 70-51 on their way to the Final Four. In between was a 37-point victory over Hancock in the sectional playoffs.

In the state semifinals, the Wolverines defeated fellow perennial state power Charleston 70-47 in the state semifinals. Senior guard Mario McKinney had 26 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wolverines while Russell scored 20 points and made a team-high five 3-pointers.

Vashon completed its cham-

pionship run last Saturday by defeating a very game Springfield Catholic team 69-59, giving the Wolverines three state championships in four seasons. McKinney completed his stellar career at Vashon with 23 points and seven rebounds. Junior forward Cam’Ron Fletcher had 19 points and five rebounds on eight of 11 shooting from the field. Russell added 17 points, five rebounds and knocked down three 3-pointers. Lutheran North’s girls were about five minutes away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in state tournament

Jazz fans on Monday night. After video of the tail end of the verbal altercation circled the web, Westbrook defended his comments (which are not suitable for this family-friendly

its first appearance in the Final Four. The Colts feature one of the area’s top post players in 6’3” junior Jayla Kelly, who is averaging 13 points and 12 rebounds a game. Senior guard Olivia Stephens scored 17 points in the Colts’ victory over Jackson in the state quarterfinals.

In the Class 4 girls’ Final Four, Incarnate Word Academy (28-2) and Miller Career Academy (19-7) will be making return trips to Springfield. The two teams will face each other in the state semifinals on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The winners will face either Logan Rogersville (23-7) or Lincoln College Prep (21-4) for the state championship on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

newspaper) by insisting that a Jazz fan, identified as Shane Keisel, made “completely disrespectful” and “racial” remarks during the game. Keisel did a TV interview

Incarnate Word will try to add to its dynasty by achieving the three-peat after winning state titles in 2017 and 2018.

The Red Knights are led by the stellar senior trio of guard Marissa Warren, forward Kiki Britzmann, center Rickie Woltman and junior Kate Rolfes, who are all averaging in double figures.

Miller Career Academy is back in the Final Four after finishing in third place last season. The Phoenix are led by senior Daisha Seltzer, who is averaging 13 points a game, and juniors Ajanae Garrett and Antuanae Garrett, who combined to average 18 points a game.

McKinney

Vashon – Boys Basketball

The outstanding senior guard finished his stellar career by leading the Wolverines to the Class 3 state championship last weekend in Springfield.

The 6’2” McKinney scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 70-47 victory over Charleston in the state semifinals. He fol-

lowed up with 23 points and six rebounds in a 69-59 victory over Springfield Catholic in the state championship game. A University of Missouri recruit, McKinney has been a big part of three state championship teams during his four year varsity career at Vashon.

Jazz players

Donovan Mitchell (pictured) and Rudy Gobert defended Russell Westbrook after he had a verbal altercation with a racist Utah

in Utah where he completely denied using profanity or disparaging remarks in his

history, but the Crusaders were outlasted by a powerhouse Strafford team 61-53 in the Class 3 state championship game last Saturday in Springfield. The victory completes a four-year championship run and a record winning streak of 115 games for Strafford.

With just under five minutes left in the game, the Crusaders trailed Stafford by one point, but senior star Hayley Frank took over the game and led her team to victory with 34 points and 11 rebounds. Lutheran North was led by senior guard Maddie Buford led the Crusaders with 14 points while senior Kaylynn Hayden and sophomore Taleah Dilworth scored nine points apiece.

conversation with Westbrook.

The Jazz’s investigation, which included video and interviews with nearby fans, determined that was a lie. The former Utah Highway Patrolman was permanently banned from all Utah Jazz games and Vivint Smart Home Arena events.

Never to be outdone by official investigations, Twitter sleuths uncovered Keisel’s Twitter account where the proud MAGA American dropped the N-word and had tweeted negative, racist and disparaging tweets about Westbrook throughout the season.

“Westbrook needs to go back where he came from. #MAGA,” one tweet read.

Another suggested Westbrook should be beaten up and directed profanities towards the Thunder guard.

Though Keisel tried deleting old tweets and making his page private, nothing is ever deleted from the internet. Luckily for Westbrook and other NBA players, there’s now one less jerk they’ll have to listen to during games.

Jazz stars Donovan

Buford was sensational in the Crusaders’ 56-46 victory over Licking in the state semifinals last Friday night.

The 5’9” standout scored 29 points, including 23 points in the second half when she literally took over the game for the Crusaders to will them into the state finals. She also had 11 rebounds and three assists. The state runner-up finish completes a strong run for the Crusaders’ very talented senior class that won 92 games, three district championships and made two Final Four runs during their careers. Buford, Hayden and Jordyn White all finished their careers with more than 1,000 points and were instrumental in Lutheran North’s high level of success.

Mitchell and Rudy Gobert came out in support of Westbrook.

“Sometimes it almost feels like a zoo,” Gobert told ESPN “People pay money to watch us and feel like they can touch us or do whatever they want. Because we make millions, we’re just expected to shut up and take it. But they can’t do whatever they want.

“I want to thank my team and the NBA for quickly responding to this hateful incident, and for helping to make our arena a place where all fans and players are welcome,” Mitchell said in a statement.

“I join other players in calling for all teams to take a stand. We should not be subject to hate speech or racist acts at any time, and definitely not in our arenas.”

Be sure to check In the Clutch online and follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates. Subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page to see weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube.com/stlamericanvideo.

Earl Austin Jr.

Solar panel installer is fastest-growing job In Missouri

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports

By Andy Field Of St. Louis Public Radio

Although Jasper Swindle was working in a coal mine by Wyoming’s border with Montana three years ago, the Missouri native said he was curious about what it would be like to work “on the other side, for once.” He was particularly interested in installing solar panels.

“Even when I was a coal miner, I always thought it was cool how you can harness the power of the sun,” he said. After being laid off among hundreds of others coal miners in 2016, he returned to Springfield to become a solar panel installer with Sun Solar, a local energy-service company.

Swindle is one of many who have decided to install local panels for a living. According to 2017-19 projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, installing solar panels is the fastest-growing job in Missouri, along with eight other states. Experts say the growth coincides with increased demand in Missouri’s solar-power industry.

“I think the fact is that utility companies, independent contractors are seeing a demand for this,” said James Owen, executive director of pro-renewable-energy nonprofit Renew Missouri. “And therefore, they are trying to build more and more facilities, wind farms, more solar arrays. And that is fueling this increase in jobs.”

In 2015, Sun Solar increased its staff from around 15 to 100 people, said its CEO, Caleb

Arthur. Now, he said Sun Solar now has 110 employers with around 35 installing solar panels. StraightUp Solar, a St. Louis-based solar installation company, has 65 employees, said Erin Noble, its director of business operations. That’s double the number the company employed last year, she said.

According to a 2018 Solar Foundation jobs report, Missouri had 2,819 solar jobs available in 2018 — an 8 percent growth from the previous year. The report’s data showed 17 other states had experienced even larger growth

n “In the solar industry, you are working daylight hours, and you’re not beating your body up to death.”

– Jasper Swindle

between 2017-18. Owen said that a boost in hiring has stemmed from improved solar technology, which has driven down costs. According to a 2018 report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, the price of solar power has

According to 2017-19 projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, installing solar panels is the fastest-growing job in Missouri.

“and so, when you can do it on that level, you can also do it down on the homeowner, where the homeowner can go solar and have a lower solar payment from day one.”

declined 43 percent in Missouri over the past five years. And lower prices has fueled demand, said Arthur, the Sun Solar founder.

“You can now build solar and wind farms cheaper than you can build fossil-fuelgeneration plants for,” he said,

The report also said that 2018 had the second largest number of solar panels installed in Missouri in the past decade, with 188.3 megawatts installed, compared to 16.5 the previous year.

However, unlike 2014 — when there was the most number of solar installations — most were utility-scale solar systems, commonly

referred to as “solar farms,” instead of residential and commercial use.

In October, Ameren Missouri began giving customers the choice to have their home or business powered for an additional $13.95 per kilowatt-hour block. If enough people subscribed to use a onemegawatt solar facility, the state’s largest utility company said it would build one near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The company reached enough subscribers in less than two months, according to its report released earlier this month. As a result, Ameren will begin building the facility in March. Renew Missouri’s Owen said the results are a positive sign for the future of solar energy in the state.

“When customers show that (solar power) can be a leader for the state, I think it can be a leader for the Midwest, show that this is something that it important,” he said.

“And that it will encourage utility companies to offer more programs like this that are bigger, better and stronger.”

For Swindle, the coal minerturned solar panel installer, Missourians’ demand for solar energy landed him a job that is less physically strenuous.

“In a coal mine, you are in a big haul truck, bouncing around, working crazy hours,” said Swindle, “and in the solar industry, you are working daylight hours, and you’re not beating your body up to death.”

Follow Andy on Twitter: @ AndyTsubasaF. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

This woman’s work

New release by St. Louis native Alicia Olatuja celebrates feminine creative power

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

By finally leaning on a lesson learned as a little girl growing up in Berean Seven Day Adventist Church on Union Boulevard, Alicia Olatuja has blossomed into one of the rising star vocalists on the jazz scene.

“They would always say, ‘follow your calling,’” Olatuja said. “When you feel that pull to do what’s inside of you, you don’t want to turn away from it. When you feel that calling pulling on you – you have to answer the call.”

n Music in St. Louis it hasn’t been about a particular genre – it’s about what was happening in the moment and what’s fresh.

Three weeks after the release of her sophomore album “Intuition: From the Minds of Women,” Olatuja is still euphoric over the rave reviews of her project – which features a collection of songs composed by women from all walks of life. She was praised by the New York Times for her cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work,” (made famous by Maxwell) for “honoring” Bush’s original intention of the song while making it her own.

“I screamed when I saw that,” Olatuja said. “That’s the whole purpose of ‘Intuition’ – to show what can be done with these incredible works by women with the voice of a new generation, a voice of my generation.” Olatuja has a voice that is worthy of representing her generation. Anyone who hears her

See ALICIA, C4

Positive direction

Jacqueline Thompson among 2019 Saint Louis Visionary Award honorees

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis

American

Three weeks after the release of her sophomore album “Intuition: From the Minds of Women,” Alicia Olatuja is still euphoric over the rave reviews of her project – which features a collection of songs composed by women from all walks of life.

A lens focused on diversity

Continuity seeking applicants for 3rd Annual Media

Training Program

By Chad Davis

Of St. Louis Public Radio

(St. Louis Public Radio)

– A local nonprofit aims to attract diverse voices to participate in the local film and media-production scene. Continuity, a nonprofit media company, is recruiting applicants for its third-annual film-training program. It prepares people of color, women, and members of other underrepresented groups for jobs in the industry. Continuity will accept applicants through the end of April.

A total of 10 participants will be selected for the one-year program, which beings in August. The free training, which takes place at Continuity’s Cortex location, will teach participants a wide variety of skills, from the basics of editing to how to create non-narrative projects. The participants will also receive a paid stipend. “Minorities are dramatically underrepresented in media today, especially behind the camera,” said Dan Parris, the executive director and co-founder of Continuity. “Our free, 36-week hands-on intensive filmmaking course

Instructor Mike Pagano works with participants of Continuity’s film-training program on interview techniques. Continuity will be accepting applications for its 3rd Annual Media Training Program through April 30.

provides skills-based training, mentorship and opportunities for untapped talent in our city.” Parris founded the organization with Kyle Montgomery, the nonprofit’s current board president. They started by teaching students

in St. Louis Public Schools. The two worked with students who created short films that were eventually shown at the Tivoli Theatre.

“It’s no easy thing – and the work can be thankless at times – but it’s worth it,” Jacqueline Thompson said of a director’s life after the actors took their final bow during the run of New Jewish Theatre’s “District Merchants” last month.

“You have all of these moving parts that have to come together – and it has to be seamless,” Thompson added. “There has to be a clear vision for what you want to achieve – and it’s on you as the director to get everybody on board as far as where you are trying to go.”

Neurotic stereotypes often imposed on directors don’t apply to her. Actually, she is the antithesis of them. When she speaks of what her work entails, she sounds like an inspirational coach that focuses on positive reinforcement. Thompson has made a huge impact on the St. Louis theater scene from several vantage points. She will be honored for her contributions to the St. Louis drama community as the Emerging Artist recipient at the 2019 St. Louis Visionary Awards on April 22 at The Sun Theater. “Grateful,” Thompson said of the recognition via Facebook. “I’m very grateful.”

n In the past six years, Jacqueline Thompson has become of staple of the St. Louis theater community as an actor, teacher and director –usually more than one at a time.

Also honored among this year’s class of Visionaries – which celebrate the contribution of women to the St. Louis arts scene –include; Susan Barrett (Arts Innovator), Carmen Dence (Outstanding Teaching Artist), Karen Ely (Outstanding Working Artist), Brea McAnally (Outstanding Arts Professional) and Kathie Winter (Major Contributor to the Arts).

“There are so many women in the region doing transformational work in the arts. We couldn’t be more impressed with the 2019 honorees” said Sara Burke, co-chair of the Saint Louis Visionary Awards. “They truly deserve this recognition.”

Thompson is indeed deserving. In the past six years, she has become of staple of the St. Louis theater community as an actor, teacher and director – usually more than one at a time. Her pace has been relentless. She has bounced from stage to stage and behind the stage and back again. The Black Rep, NJT, Shakespeare Festival St.

See VISIONARY, C4

Jacqueline Thompson

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Thur., Mar. 14, 8 p.m., Rockhouse Entertainment, LLC presents 314 Day Celebration feat. Plies. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 6:30 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents Keith Washington & Tony Terry Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 8 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Mariah Carey – Caution World Tour. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Mar. 22, 8 p.m., The 13th Annual Gateway Blues Festival. Feat. Sir Charles Jones, Shirley Brown, Pokey Bear, Calvin Richardson, TK Soul, Theodis Ealey and Terry Wright. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave.,

63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 5:30 p.m. (doors), Breakaway Productions & Witherspoon Entertainment present Will Downing. Special guest Lamont Hadley. Givens Auditorium, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, Legends of Hip Hop. Feat. Juvenile, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, Too Short, DJ Quik, and Bun B. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., Mar. 27, 8 p.m., The Millennium Tour 2019 feat. B2K, Mario, Pretty Ricky, Lloyd, Bobby V, Ying Yang Twins, and Chingy. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. enterprisecenter.com.

Thur., Mar. 28, 7:30 p.m., Live Nation presents Justin Timberlake – The Man of the Woods Tour. Enterprise

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter. com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 7:30 p.m., 2019 Sheldon Gala feat. Ahmad Jamal. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 8 p.m., Rockhouse Entertainment, LLC presents Jacquees. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 8 p.m., Pop’s Concert Venue presents T-Pain: 1UP Tour. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www.ticketweb.com.

Sun., Apr. 7, 7 p.m., Ambassador presents J. Holiday. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sat., Mar. 16, 7 p.m.,

Aretha Franklin. Performance by Fran Taylor and Band. Voce, 212 South Tucker Blvd., 63102. For more information, visit www.purplepass.com.

Sun., Mar. 17, 3 p.m. (2:15 talk with Maestro Burke) University City Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert, 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. For more information, visit www.usco.org.

Wed., Mar. 20, 7 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents Nat King Cole Tribute. Feat. Reggie Thomas, the Jazz St. Louis Big Band, Mardra Thomas, and more. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.tickets.jazzstl.org.

special events

Thur., Mar. 14, 6 p.m., St. Louis’ Best Bridal hosts Boutique Wedding Show. Meet with DJs, photographers, gown shops, salons, and more. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plz., 63303. For more information,

a St. Louis City Public School student. 320 N. Vandeventer, 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mon., Mar. 18, 11 a.m., St. Louis Job Fair. Live interviews with employers looking to fill over 400 positions. DoubleTree, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www. eventbrit4e.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 7:30 a.m., 2019 United Negro College Fund St. Louis 5K Walk/Run for Education. Tower Grove Park Sons of Rest Pavilion, 63116. For more information, visit www.give.uncf.org.

Sat., Mar. 23, 1 p.m., Ales for Tails Homebrew Festival Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall, 4465 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 2 p.m., Talk With Tam’s Townhall: Empowering North St. Louis by Empowering North St. Louisans. YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 W. Florissant, 63115. For more information visit www. topministriesstl.org

visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 10 a.m., UMSL’s 2019 Women’s Leadership Institute. 366 Millennium Student Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 12 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter invites you to their Founders’ Day Luncheon: Social Justice and Advocacy – Tell the Story Open to the public. Guest speaker, Cori Busch. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 6 p.m., A.O.H. Clothing presents Family Fun Skate Party. Raffles, face painting, and more. St. Nicks Skating Rink, 701 N. 18th St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 681-9678.

Sun., Mar. 17, 3 p.m., Toni Stevenson Scholarship Foundation invites you to the 18th Dream Scholarship Award Ceremony. A scholarship will be awarded to

Sun., Mar. 24, 12 p.m., Bridal Show. Fashion show, special promotions, tastings, over 50 of the top wedding pros and so much more. The Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center, 63301. For more information, visit www. bridestlouis.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 10 a.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Job Fair. We are hiring for maintenance, ushers, security, stagehands, and more. 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 7 p.m., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Chi Chapter presents Mardi Gras Soul Plane II. Feat. Dirty Muggs and Murphy Lee. 70s attire. St. Louis Lambert International Airport, 10701 Lambert International Blvd., 63145. For more information, visit www.nx-ques.com.

Fri., Apr. 5, 5 p.m., The Friends of Jennings School’s 6th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala. Proceeds benefit Jennings School District, local homeless shelters, and college scholarships. 1 Norwood Hills Country Club, 63121. For more information, visit www.

Breakaway Productions and Witherspoon Entertainment present Will Downing. For more information, see CONCERTS.

jennigsk12.org.

Sat., Apr. 6, 6 p.m., St. Louis Crisis Nursery Razzle Ball 2019: Wish Upon A Star Enjoy music, live and silent auctions, and raise funds to end child abuse and neglect. Sheraton Westport-Lakeside Chalet, 191 W. Port Plaza Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www.crisisnurserykids. org.

comedy

Fri., Mar. 15 – Sun., Mar. 17, Helium Comedy Club presents Corey Holcomb 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www.st-louis. heliumcomedy.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 7 p.m., The Funny Woman. Feat. Precious J, featuring Molly Amburgey, Elle the Comedienne, Kate Barton, & Ellie Bonilla. Artist Art, 2643 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mar. 21 – 23, Helium Comedy Club presents Adele Givens. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www. st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

Sun., Mar. 31, 7:30 p.m., Helium Comedy Club presents B. Simone. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117.

Fri., Apr. 5, 7 p.m., Cracking Up Comedy Tour feat. DeRay Davis, Michael Blackson, Red Grant, and Bruce Bruce. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

literary

Fri., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Not So Late Night: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Chaya Bhuvaneswar, Ron Austin, and Katarra. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St., 63118. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Myisha Cherry, author of UnMuted: Conversations on Prejudice, Oppression, and Social Justice. With St. Louis activist Tef Poe. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., Subterranean Books hosts author Rafia Zafar, author of Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning 6275 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. store.subbooks.com.

Fri., Mar. 29, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Damon Young, author of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker. A celebration of the idiosyncrasies and distinctions of Blackness and a critique of white supremacy and how we define masculinity. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Mon., Apr. 1, 7 p.m., The Novel Neighbor and We Stories hosts author Dr. Margaret Hagerman, author of White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege In a Racially Divided America. St. Louis Community College Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Tues., Apr. 2, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Jennifer Eberhardt, author of Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do. St. Louis Public Radio Community Room, 3651 Olive St., 63108. For more information, www.left-bank. com.

Sun., Mar. 17, 12:30 p.m.,

Ain’t I American? A Pictoral Question Opening Reception. The show takes a look at a diverse cross-section of race, religion, and gender within St Louis. Exhibit runs Mar. 15 – Apr. 20. Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Mar. 21, 6:30 p.m., Creative Reaction Lab invites you to Artwork for Equity: An Exhibit + Auction. Artists have been selected to produce original art promoting inclusion, equity, liberation, and justice. TechArtista, 4818 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. creativereationlab.com.

Mar. 29 – 31, The Greater St. Louis Art Association

presents Spring Art Fair. 130 artists from over 20 states will display original works ranging from ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and more. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www.artfairatqueenypark. com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 4 p.m., Come to the Table: Art Show and Sale Opening Reception. Celebrate food and community, support local artists, and enjoy amazing artwork. Sale runs through Apr. 27. Good Shepherd Arts Center, 52 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www.goodshepherdarts. org.

lectures and workshops

Thur., Mar. 14, 6 p.m., National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter presents Know Your Worth: How to Negotiate the Salary You Deserve. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.knowyourworth2019. eventbrite.com.

Mon., Mar. 18, 7 p.m., Representation & Responsibility: Equity in the Music Industry. This event is part of a community tour with Terence Blanchard, composer of Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. opera-stl.org.

Sat., Mar. 23, 9 a.m., Not Easily Broken Women’s Empowerment Workshop

Dr. Relda Owens-Mathews, Rev. Rhonda Aldridge, and Sinita Wells will encourage you, while comedienne Mama Dee entertains you. UMSL School of Social Work, 3036 Bellerive Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 10 a.m., Moore 4 More presents Skills, Drills, & Dollar Bills: College Preparation 101. Workshop will cover budgeting, financial aid, self-care, and more. Cardinal Ritter College Prep, 701 N. Spring Ave., 63108. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite. com.

Sun., Mar. 24, 2 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents The History of Blackface Part 1. An exploration of its origins to its continual presence followed by a Q&A session. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Wed., Mar. 27, 6:30 p.m.,

Tues., Mar. 19, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. Meet with an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to discuss business related questions. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Mar. 19, 5:30 p.m., National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse invites you to Facing Addition Together: Supporting Our Families and Communities. Community organizations with resources and a panel on addiction impact. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Decision-Making: Using Award Letters to Assess Affordability. Understand award letters, compare financial aid packages, and more. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, 6825 Clayton Ave., 63139. For more information, visit www.sfstl. org.

Mar. 28 – 29, The Collaboration on Race, Inequality, and Social Mobility in America invites you to Race at the Forefront: Sharpening a Focus on Race in Applied Research. Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Mar. 31, 3 p.m., Bridging the Delmar Housing Divide: Partnering with Fountain Park-Lewis Place Neighbors to Sustain Their Homes. Second Presbyterian

Church, 4501 Westminster Pl., 63108. For more information, visit www.stlvillage.org.

Through Apr 16, numerous Volunteer Income Tax Assistance & AARP Tax-Aide sites will open to prepare income tax returns free of charge. For more information, visit these sites: https://mctcfreetax.org/, https://stlouistap.org/, http:// naba-stl.org/vita/location/, http://gatewayeitc.org/index. html

Sat., Mar. 23, 6 p.m., Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter presents The Purple Ball. Support Lupus research, education, support and advocacy. The Four Seasons, S. 1st St., 63102. For more information, visit www.lupusheartland. ejoinme.org.

Fri., Mar. 29, 6:30 p.m., Sing for Siteman. World-class vocalists come together to support raise funds to support Siteman Cancer Center. John Burroughs School, 755 Price Rd., 63124. For more information, visit www. singforsiteman.org.

Sun., Mar. 31, 1 p.m., Pros and Cons of Medicare for All. Four panelists will discuss this important issue in healthcare. Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. pnhpmo.org.

spiritual

Fri., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Then Sings My Soul Gospel Concert. Featuring The Ambassadors of Harmony, The New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir and The Community Gospel Choir. Greater Grace Church, 3690 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. thensingsmysoulstl.com.

Subterranean Books hosts author Rafia Zafar, author of Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning. See LITERARY for details.

“We went in thinking we were going to work with students again, and then as we met other filmmakers in the community, we started to discuss really what the needs were in St. Louis,” Parris said. “We decided we wanted to work with adults, and we wanted to focus on diversity.”

About 200 applicants have applied for the program over the last two years, Parris said. Among them is Alana Woodson, who’s gaining recognition for her documentary on the historically black neighborhood of Kinloch.

“Media production is very much the same heavily whitemale-saturated industry,” Woodson said. “That leaves a huge void in creativity from other voices that would make the industry a whole lot better.” Woodson said she’s inspired by the growing numbers of women and minorities in the film business, especially in Hollywood. Recent data from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative showed that 28 of the 100 top-grossing films featured leads or co-leads from underrepresented groups. That number is up from 21 films in 2017.

The St. Louis mediaproduction industry also has work to do to increase the diversity of its ranks, Montgomery said. He cites the company’s independent study, which found that AfricanAmericans comprised about two percent of the local media workforce.

“Most people in the industry look like myself – I’m a white male.” Parris said. “It’d be really important to get other viewpoints, other life experiences, backgrounds, cultures telling stories about our region.”

Woodson’s film has attracted widespread local attention and received an invitation to screen footage at the St. Louis International Film Festival. The film will play at the Benton Park Film Festival at the end of this month.

“When you give us the opportunity, a little time and a little practice, and our space to use our voices in this industry, we can create great work,” she said.

Continuity will be accepting applications for its 3rd Annual Media Training Program through April 30, 2019. For more information, those interested can contact Continuity at http://www. continuitystl.com/call-to-action.

Published with permission of St. Louis Public Radio from news.stlouispublicradio.org

VISIONARY

Continued from C1

Louis, Mustard Seed and the list goes on. She was directing Mariah Richardson’s “Chasing The White Rabbit” while rehearsing as a member acting ensemble of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ “Into The Breeches.” The multitasking is nothing new for her – and her artistic integrity seems unfazed by the workload.

On top of that, until this year, she served as assistant professor of acting and directing at University of Missouri St. Louis. At the moment, she is in St. Petersburg, Florida helming a production of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” for Freefall Theatre Company.

It was at “District Merchants” were she and I last connected – catching up during intermission and a few more minutes just before a post-show discussion.

Poised and kind, there seems to be an intention of positivity and encouragement with every word that comes out of her mouth. The pride in her work was clear as she watched the production – probably for the umpteenth time.

She reacted to her cast delivering on what they set out to do as a team like a proud mama watching her babies come through with the performance of their lives. It was the second week of the show’s run, but she hung on to every line as if it were opening night – laughing (louder than the rest of the audience) during the funny parts, gasping with emotion and adding an “mmm” for a dramatic sound that complimented the play whenever she felt moved to do so. Watching her watch the play was as entertaining as watching the play itself. And the play, though serious, was very entertaining. Her positivity is infectious.

“They did that!” Thompson exclaimed as if she were any of the emotionally moved audience members that were compelled to rise from their seat for a rousing ovation.

We then chopped it up about filmmaker Kasi Lemmons’ visit to St. Louis ahead of her debut as a librettist for Terence Blanchard’s upcoming opera, “Fire Shut Up In My Bones, which will be presented by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Jazz St. Louis this summer.

Lemmons spoke of the dire need of black women film directors. Thompson and I pointed out that the need also stretches to the stage. I used Lemmons’ words and her triumphant direction of “District

The 2019 Saint Louis Visionary Awards Honorees are (left to right), Standing: Carmen Dence; Susan Barrett; Kathie Winter; and Kari Ely. Seated: Brea McAnally; Jacqueline Thompson. This year’s ceremony will take place on April 22 at the Sun Theater.

Merchants” to compel her to be vigilant about focusing on the directing side of her many talents – even if it comes at the expense of acting or teaching.

“That’s real,” Thompson said. “I’m just happy that I can be in this space and do my part.”

The 2019 Saint Louis Visionary Awards will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at The Sun Theater in Grand Center. Rhonda Carter Adams and Sharon Price John will co-host the awards, which are chaired by Sara Burke and Kim Eberlein. For more information, visit https://www.vizawards.org.

sultry tone and perfect pitch as it melts over Sade’s “No Ordinary Love” on “Intuition” will most certainly agree. She had the audacity to take on some classic tunes by master singers and songwriters that run the gamut of genre and stretches generations – Angela Bofill, Joni Mitchell and Imogean Heap are among them.

Ironically, Olatuja attempted to quell her call at first.

“The competitive nature of the music industry can be very discouraging for a young person,” Olatuja said. “even for somebody who is pursuing music as an adult.”

Olatuja was constantly encouraged to pursue a career in music from her family, her church and the musical community – and probably anyone who heard her sing – however, she decided to settle on becoming a veterinarian. While studying Veterinary Medicine Veterinary medicine at University of Missouri Columbia, Olatuja overheard a young woman singing in one of the performance halls and decided to live Berean’s recurring message.

“As she was singing, I said to myself, ‘You know what, I’m just going to give it a shot,” Olatuja said. “If it doesn’t work out, I can always go back to becoming a veterinarian.”

It worked out.

While pursuing her master’s degree in Classical Voice/

Opera at the Manhattan School of Music, Olatuja was the featured soloist during the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” performance at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013. She became an overnight sensation.

“Brooklyn Gives Birth to New Musical Star,” The New York Daily News said of her performance with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Olatuja called the experience “surreal.”

The next year, her debut album “Timeless” was released.

n “I want people to be inspired and to also celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and the impact that women have made in society.”

- Alicia Olatuja

She toured jazz festivals and venues around the world –including The Ferring Jazz Bistro, thanks to Jazz St. Louis. Olatuja has been categorized as a jazz artist, but that’s not how she sees herself. And she is working to be a part of the continuum of the rich musical legacy of her hometown.

“There are jazz elements, but there’s also a bluesy sound as well as gospel and soul,” Olatuja said. “Music in St. Louis it hasn’t been about a particular genre – it’s about what was happening in the moment and what’s fresh. That’s something that I’ve always wanted to continue with my music, and I feel like the

only way to do that is to not be boxed in to a particular genre.”

She blew the corners off of any possible box with “Intuition,” which also features selections composed by Tracy Chapman, Brenda Russell, Linda Creed and former Prince protégé Natalya Phillips.

“There’s the romantic element – which you’ll hear through Sade’s ‘No Ordinary Love,’” Olatuja said. “But you also hear about the abuse and racism through the Joni Mitchell tune, ‘Cherokee Louise.’”

Olatuja also pointed out one of the compositions tells the story of a little black girl who doesn’t feel pretty because she doesn’t have blonde hair or blue eyes.

“All of these different topics highlight the complexity of a woman’s experience,” Olatuja said. “You kind of get this beautiful rainbow of experiences that women have – and what we have to offer through our artistry.”

Soultracks.com designated “Intuition” as its album of the month. The fact that the album is hitting its stride during Women’s History Month is not

lost on Olatuja.

“I want people to be inspired and to also celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and the impact that women have made in society,” Olatuja said. “Musically, artistically, politically or whatever avenue they feel they can connect to the most.” She said the intention of “Intuition” is to illustrate the power of women in the world and to be inspired by their resilience, creativity and innovation in overcoming obstacles. She hopes her record will inspire people to find women to celebrate -and inspire women creatively.

“I have been inspired by so many women and I want to inspire people through this project,” Olatuja said. “In highlighting and celebrating women composers, I wanted to bring attention to the incredible wealth of creativity that we provide the music industry –and the arts in general.”

“Intuition: From the Minds of Women” is available for download and purchase on all platforms and outlets. For more information on Alicia Olatuja, visit www.aliciaolatuja.com.

ALICIA

Photo by Diane Anderson

Celebrations

Birthdays

Reunions

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class Of 1969 will celebrate it’s 50-year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@yahoo.

com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

Beaumont Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50-year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314239-5202 or Ophelia at 314-

Double digit blessings to Skye Jewel Cleveland, who is turning the Big 10 on March 17! Your family sends you all the love on your special day. Hope your birthday brings you all that you wish for!

280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40-year reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.

Soldan Class of 1979 is

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Linda Farrar on March 10, with all my love! Your niece, Donna

planning its 40-year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79. Vashon Class of 1974 is planning for its 45-year reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St.

Reunion notices are free of charge and

on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to:

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com

Central Baptist Church welcomes new senior pastor

Reverend Anthony L. Riley joins historic Midtown church

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Blvd., will welcome its new senior pastor, Reverend Anthony L. Riley, to begin his pastoral leadership on Sunday, March 17.

He is leaving a position as executive pastor at The Luke Church in the Greater Houston, Texas area with responsibilities for leadership to staff, associate ministers and diaconate. He also led strategic initiatives and managed a multi-million dollar budget.

“I am NOT going to say goodbye because me and my wife will be coming to visit you,” one congregant posted on The Luke Church’s Facebook page. “We are going to miss you a lot but God said it’s time to move.”

“Thank you very much for the love and spiritual support you gave to me and my family during one of our most difficult times,” another congregant posted. “Your prayers and words of encouragement were very much appreciated and will not be forgotten

“You have been such a blessing to us!” another congregant posted. “You will be missed. Thank you for speaking into our marriage, and we shall never forget what

powerful words you spoke over us.” Riley will be Central’s 14th senior pastor in its 173year history. He fills the role most closely associated with Rev. Robert C. Scott, who led Central Baptist from 1999-2016 and is now the senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rev.

Traci D. Blackmon said of Scott that he “helped establish that church as a prophetic manifestation of the Gospel in a neighborhood where the radical love of Jesus was desperately needed, not only on Sundays, but through the week.” When he left Central Baptist, it had some 1,500 congregants on the roll, with 750-900 people attending church on Sundays between the two services.

“Reverend Riley is a gifted leader and teacher who has a deep love of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit is evident in his life,” Central Baptist said of its new senior pastor in a statement. In 2017, Riley published his first book, “In the Shadow of Grief: 21 Days of Discovering God’s Presence in Life’s Valley’s.” This devotional journal brings together relevant Scripture readings, brief Bible studies, hopeful affirmations, and leadership principles to create a transformative daily

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: RAS PUMP #1/ FAIRBANKS NIJHUIS. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because HYDROKINETICS CORPORATION is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 19 202. Corporate Office Renovations at St. Louis Community College at Corporate College, until 2:00 p.m. local time March 26, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design. 5464 Highland Park. St. Louis. MO 63110-1314. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office. at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770. Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: March 15. 2019. 10:00 am Meet in Lobby at the Corporate College

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Infrastructure Repairs (Rehabilitation) Stormwater (2019) under Letting No. 13043-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look

The Message To promise is divine

God made a covenant with His people. He made us a promise. If you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ve had many people make promises to you that they have no intention of keeping or they failed miserably while trying to keep it. I know I’ve broken a promise or two in my day.

If anybody keeps His word, it’s got to be God. Therefore we should take to our graves the covenant promise God made to Abraham, to us. It’s the one Jesus came to fulfill. Jesus’ new covenant, as a matter of fact, replaces the old one.

It appears the foundation of spiritual belief is wrapped up in a simple promise.

To Noah: “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you green plants, I now give you everything.” Genesis 9:3.

To Abraham: “You will be the father of nations….I will make nations of you and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for generations to come, to be your God and the God of the descendants after you.” Genesis 17:2-8.

encounter with the Word of God.

His formal education includes a Doctor of Ministry from Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College.

Riley is the proud Father of one son, seven-year old, Joshua Anthony.

“His proclamation is he loves God, believes the Bible, has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and loves all of God’s people,” Central Baptist stated.

“The Central Baptist Church Congregation is eager to welcome their new senior pastor and his son as they

embrace the future God has planned.”

Central Baptist Church is a purpose-driven church creating purpose-living disciples engaging in five-star ministry for building the kingdom of God. The ministry of Central Baptist Church is grounded in the life, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus Christ. As a historic urban AfricanAmerican Baptist Church, Central’s approach to kingdom building is biblically based and holistic. Central faithfully serves humanity and develops disciples spiritually, physically, emotionally, culturally, socially, and financially Its motto is “Making Disciples…Transforming Lives.”

BIDS & NOTICES (CONTINUED)

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F 19 403. Abatement for Science Lab Relocation at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park Campus. until 2:00 p.m. local time April 2, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design. 5464 Highland Park. St. Louis. MO 63110-1314. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office. at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting:

March 21. 2019. 10:00 am Meet at 4th floor D TowerForest Park Campus

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 406V and F 18 406W, BID RELEASE #4 - Center for Nursing and Health Science Building, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until March 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. local time CDT, which includes the following packages: BP-01A Final Cleaning and 10A Signage, Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive. A Pre-bid meeting will be held on March 19, 2019 at 1:30pm at the Tarlton Corporation, 5500 W. Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Drawings, specifications and bid information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or at Tarlton Corporation’s website at www.tarltoncorp.com. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting bids for the construction of the Katherine Ward Burg Garden - GRG Bid #2019-002-402 Mississippi Greenway: Katherine Ward Burg Garden (402). Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by April 16, 2019.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Meaux Mart - Gray Storm Channel under Letting No. 11171-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: NATURAL CHANNEL STABILIZATION

Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Pinnacle Contracting Lyon School Apartments 7417 Vermont Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63111

Due date: 3/28 at 2:00pm

Pre-bid walkthroughs: 3/15 at 10:30-11:30 am and 3/21 at 9:00-10:00 am

Description: Pinnacle Contracting is accepting bids for the renovation of 51,911 SF of an old city school into 32 apartments. The following trades have already been awarded: Historic Aluminum Windows, Fire Protection, Plumbing, HVAC, & Electrical. MBE/WBE is required. Project is Sales Tax EXEMPT. Email bids to bids@pinnaclecontracting.com. Call or email Keana Flanders for the link to the plans and specs at 314-783-8000 ext. 2 or keana@pinnaclecontracting.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE REVISION OF PHA AGENCY PLAN

A draft copy of the revised Housing Authority of St. Louis County’s Public Housing Agency Plan will be available for review March 15, 2019 through April 30, 2019. Interested parties may view the draft at the following locations Monday through Friday, from 8:30am-4:30pm.

• 8865 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri, 63121

• 133 Plum, Maryland Heights, Missouri, 63043

• 2876 West Pasture, St. Louis, Missouri, 63114

• 6203 Cote Brillante Avenue, Wellston, MO 63133

• Housing Authority of St. Louis County website (www.haslc.com)

A public hearing will be held April 30, 2019 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at 8865 Natural Bridge to review the plans and answer any questions.

To Moses: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant then out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…..” Exodus 19:5. From Jesus to the disciples: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood…for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:25-26.

This is God talking about His promise to us. Have you made any promises to Him lately? What about to yourself about Him? Or to someone who loves you or to someone whom you love? Have you kept them? Are you a covenant breaker or a covenant keeper?

A promise is downright godly. It has to be. The first one came from God to us through Adam and Eve. My obligation then is to emulate God almighty in a manner befitting His divine order. “So shall my word be that goes forth out of your mouth.” Isaiah 55:11.

God keeps His word. The more we understand this, the more scripture opens up and reveals the true nature of God. If I am made in His image, honesty should be the stuff of which my promises are made. Truth is the essence of life, and faith in God’s word and is unshakeable.

Hopefully, others can demonstrate their faith through their words. You can accomplish a lot with the right words at the right time. It’s all about that truth thing. It does set you free. It has the added value that as long as you speak the truth you don’t have to remember it. A lie, on the other hand, well …

SEALED BIDS for Repair Parking Lots and Driveways, Troop C Headquarters, Weldon Springs, St. Charles County, Missouri, Project No. R1905-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/18/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for Park Hills Residential Yard Cleanup Phase III, Park Hills, MO, Project No. X1906-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/28/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for High Voltage Electrical Services, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, Missouri, P r o j e c t N o . ZASIDIQ-9015, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, Thursday, March 28, 2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities

Columnist James Washington

Photo from The Luke Church

Reverend Anthony L. Riley received prayers during his farewell service at The Luke Church in the Greater Houston, Texas on March 5. He is the new senior pastor at historic Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Blvd.

EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES

Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition has open employment opportunities. For more information go to: www.foster-adopt.org/employment

CUSTODIANS

Custodians needed for full and part-time positions. Please reply to info@hopehousestl.com or Vicki Hinton at (314) 679-5402

JANITORIAL - HIRING

CASEWORK ASSOCIATE

AAS degree or higher in Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies, or a related field. Minimum of nine (9) college credit hours in early childhood related courses; or current CDA credential a plus. Please reply to Center Manager Linda Davis at (314) 679-5440.

SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR

City Seniors, Inc. has a position open for a Senior Center Coordinator. We are looking for a person with excellent interpersonal communication skills, a self starter with a positive personality, who has compassion and patience. The ability to plan and coordinate activities, multitask, work within time constraints and interact well with senior citizens is a must. This position is responsible for the development and growth of the senior activities program. 8:00-4:00 M-F. Interested applicants should email a resume and three recent employment references to Jennifer at jbess@stlouiscityseniors.com. 314 352–0141.

LEAD TEACHERS

Lead Teachers with minimum of nine (9) college credit hours in early childhood, child development, child/family related courses leading to a CDA; or Current CDA credential. Please reply to Center Manager Linda Davis at (314) 679-5440.

IT SECURITY SPECIALIST

The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as an IT Security Specialist and lead IT security efforts. This position is involved in all facets of IT security, including policy development/maintenance, network support, system administration, application development guidance, & troubleshooting. This position assists the Chief Technology Officer with various tasks & special projects to maintain & improve the overall security of MOSERS’ operating environment. Minimum requirements include graduation from a 4-year college/ university with at least 15 semester hours in computer science plus 5 years of professional & technical computer information technology systems experience such as information security, network administration, systems analysis and design, or closely related areas OR graduation from an accredited 2-year program and seven years of professional experience previously listed. CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+ certifications are a plus. Must be able to perform risk analyses; handle sensitive matters with discretion and maintain confidentiality; & develop &review technical documentation and narrative reports. Working knowledge of Windows system admin, .NET and MSAR required. Must have ability to plan & lead complex & mission-critical IT security projects for a small to medium-size organization. Highly competitive starting salary, dependent on experience. To ensure consideration apply by 4/1/19 but position will remain open until filled. Apply at www.mosers.org, click “Careers” EOE:M/F/V/D.

technician or

•

drywall,

proficiency in

and

• A personal vehicle, auto insurance and a

driver’s license. • Must have outstanding interpersonal skills and be dependable and reliable. Application Process: To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to pamdharris@outlook.com or mail to 4601 Pope Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115 Attn: Pamela D. Harris, Executive Director. Resumes and cover letters must be received by March 22, 2019. North Newstead is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

LOCAL UNION #562 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Plumbers & Pipefitter’s Local Union #562 will be accepting applications for our 2019 Plumbers Apprenticeship Program. You may fill out your application and read our standards between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday starting March 1, 2019 through March 14, 2019. This process will take about one hour. Applications will be available at our Training Center, 1084 Kenran Industrial Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63137. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or a G.E.D to complete an application. A drug-screening test will be required for employment. Random drug and alcohol testing are required thereafter. Please No Phone Calls

and a new initiative, the Academy seeks creative, flexible, strategic and strong communicators for the following three positions:

Associate Director, Learning, Skill and Capacity Building - 43275

This position is responsible for developing a diversity, equity, and inclusion learning infrastructure for the Academy.

Associate Director, Community and Events - 43273

This position is the Academy point person for developing infrastructure for and supporting signature diversity, equity, and inclusion related events that fall under the umbrella of the Academy as well as internal and external community projects/initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant – 43147

This position interfaces daily with academic departments, schools and units identifying and working toward their goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This work will include partnership to address diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges.

Team Lead, Coordinator Medical Coding/Claims, Cardiology – 43118

This position is focused on coding with related billing and charge capture functions for selected providers at West County Office, BJ West County Hospital, BJC Premier, South County, and all entities of the Heart Care Institute. The position ensures that coding policies, procedures, and compliance standards are communicated and implemented. Remains knowledgeable on all aspects of Cardiology coding. Provides education to physicians and fellows and residents on billing documentation as needed. Works closely with the immediate Supervisor, Insurance/ Billing/Collection/Coding-Cardiology and the Cardiology Billing Manager and other Cardiology and Department of Medicine leadership in performance of job

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for Facility Maintenance and Management Services for the following locations: Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63101; Carnahan Courthouse, 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101; and Family Court Juvenile Division, 920 N. Vandeventer, St. Louis, MO 63108, which includes the Family Court Annex, 3827 Enright Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108.

The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com, click on General Information, then Request for Proposals.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on March 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., beginning in the Carnahan Courthouse, Room 306, located at 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Potential bidders must be in attendance for the duration of the meeting. Bids are due on April 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. In order to receive any addenda and necessary information on this project, proposers must submit their contact information to the Facility Coordinator at terri.bodi@courts.mo.gov. This should include company name, address, phone number and email. EOE

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Roofs & Fascia, Albany Regional Office / Main Building, Gentry County, Missouri,, Project No.M1806-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, March 28, 2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, goto: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Katy Trail - MP227.1 to MP236.09, Colinear Trail, Boonville to Clinton, Sedalia, Missouri, Project No. X1814-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/11/2019 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Tesson Creek I/I Reduction (Tesson Ferry Rd and Tiffany Square Pky) under Letting No. 12228-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 03:00 PM on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Harvest Hill Ct. Bank Stabilization under Letting No. 11569015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: NATURAL CHANNEL STABILIZATION Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003778 for Nursing Beds and Equipment will be

2:00 P.M. (local time) on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5227. EOE/AA Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2019 CRS Pavement Rehabilitation, Area B, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1788, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on April 3, 2019.

Plans and specifications will be available on March 4, 2019 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Riverside and Yarnell Sanitary Relief Replacement under Letting No. 12840015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 03:00 PM on Friday, April 12, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

PROMOTIONAL T-SHIRTS

The Missouri Lottery is accepting bids for the purpose of establishing a contract for promotional t-shirts. The bid document with the specifications can be obtained by going to http:// www.molottery.com/learnaboutus/ bid_opportunities.shtm or by contacting Melissa Blankenship at melissa.blankenship@molottery.com or 573-751-4050.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on April 9, 2019 to contract with a company for: BENTON PUMP STATION ROOF REPLACEMENT. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9852 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN

ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 11:00 a.m. on April 17, 2019 to contract with a company for: LAB CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9790 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice

Letting No. 11426-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, April 09, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids for Doors/Frames/Hardware Supply and Partitions and Ceilings scopes from qualified and certified MBE/ DBE/WBE subcontractors for the following project:

Saint Louis University SLUCare Administration Offices Imagine Building and Drummond Hall

Tentative Bid Date: March 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm CST

Contact: Mary Peterein at mpeterein@mccarthy.com or 314-919-2171 for documents and for more information

Prequalification is required and can be accessed at https://www.mccarthy.com/subcontractors

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

LETTING #8690

JUVENILE DETENTION DOOR AND SECURITY CONTROL UPGRADE

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on _April 16, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on March 26, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 305, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

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

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

RIP Rod Pratt. I hate to get Partyline started on a somber note, but I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t offer my condolences to the family, friends, creative community and all those connected to Rod Pratt An entertainment industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in cities like Miami, and currently Los Angeles, Pratt decided to return home in 2015 to help train up the next group of creatives – particularly in film and television. He will be missed and the talented he poured into are busy proving themselves so they can carry the torch.

Hangin’ with the MastHERs. Let me tell y’all that Keisha Mabry and her team had all the young black women entrepreneurs on lock for International Women’s Day Friday at The Westin for her MastHERclass workshop. For it to be the first one, it shows the makings of a full-fledged movement as local experts gave insight on everything from branding, networking, product design, public speaking and blogging. Now I typically reserve events like this for the business page and whatnot, but the energy was so ______________ (insert new slang for “off the chain”) that I feel like the influencers who helped make the first MastHERclass a full-on Friday phenomenon deserve some shine in more places than one. There were 250 women who are either already business owners or aspiring business owners in the same space for a whole day. Do y’all even know the type of power that is to be harnessed into something purely magical? Now since I already said that there were hundreds of lady bosses in the building, you should know I won’t bother naming names, or I will need another day – and a whole other page – to do it. Shout out to Keisha for the vision and all the other ladies who helped make it happen – from assistance to support by attendance. Oh, and did I mention that the happy hour after set at Start Bar STL was lit too?

Kickin’ it with the Ques. I thought I was going to have to park at the Job Corps and walk down when I made my way to the Omega Center to kick it with the “Que Dawgs” Saturday night. Yes, it was that packed. It was so packed that they had an outdoor VIP area and had to extend the tables almost all the way to the front door. There was all kind of stompin’ going on and gold boots everywhere. It was a “School Daze: 20 Year Reunion” good time. DJ Nune had a band/turntable hybrid situation that was giving life to the folks on the dancefloor and all the fraternity and sorority folks came through. And the Omegas even brought out the Iotas – who I only see every blue moon. I saw all types of Omega paraphernalia. There was even a bruh in a bucket purple and gold hat with frayed ends that looked like Que bangs.

Energy in the wind. After the Omega party, I scooted on to Energy. I thought I was headed to Kansas in the middle of somebody’s twister when I made my way down Goodfellow, trust me … I was more scared than a little bit as that wind whipped my SUV from side-to-side like it was a GEO Storm in these streets. Now, I did end up getting caught up in a tornado. It just wasn’t the kind I had expected – that doesn’t mean it wasn’t any less scary. As y’all already know by now, Energy stays at capacity. Saturday night at Blue was no different. And because it was elbow-to-elbow in there, I ended up twisted up in a twerkin’ tornado because of the DJ’s decision to play “Back That Thang Up” as I was making my way in the door. I ended up back by the patio by the time Lil Wayne’s verse was finished. I feel like there should be some sort of unwritten rule that makes Juvie’s drop it like it’s hot classic ineligible on the DJ playlist if he or she notices that there is no room to even make the tiniest of pivots. After last night, I’m lowkey convinced that twerking on somebody can be assault with a deadly weapon. As per usual, it was all the way live for Energy. I swear, the storm warnings didn’t deter a single soul! Shout out to Teddy BFree for keeping it crackin’ and to Blue for being a good host spot.

Hope Flood’s funny was a bit below sea level. I had high expectations when I heard that OG comedy diva Hope Flood would be in the building for the weekend at The Laugh Lounge. But the best thing about the weekend was the debut of the Daiquiri Bar in the front of the club Saturday night. There were some funny parts to what she said, I just was expecting more. In all fairness to her, she said she was under the influence. I honestly think that Jessie Taylor should try bringing his “b-game.” I feel like I wouldn’t have expected to laugh more if I hadn’t hollered a Jessie the whole time I was waiting for Hope to do her thing. What I experienced Sunday night was like somebody offering you a gourmet meal only to follow up your filet mignon with flamin’ hot Cheetos. Hope’s bits about being a woman of a certain age gave me a chuckle or two – though I was mainly laughing because I could relate. But Jessie had me screaming when he started talking about those “tax bae” pimps. When he said “these brothas’ be out here doing some freaky stuff when they know you got that tax check … like listening” you could have laid me out to be eulogized and had the folks pour out a little daiquiri in my memory. I got there just as Brother Dre was wrapping up his set. Now I love Brother Dre to death – trust me I do. But a couple of his jokes have aged out of the funny system. The bit about folks taking the battery out of their smoke detector and putting it in their pager (he said beeper) is of no use to the smart phone generation. When one girl leaned over to the other and asked “Girl, what’s a beeper?” And the young lady who responded thought he was referring to a sex toy. That settles it.

Deltas Jo Lena and Jody with Timon as the Ques kicked it at the Omega Center Saturday night

Rhonda, Kevin and Larry of the iLLPHONICS @ Anthony Lucius with DJ Nune Friday night @ The Sheldon Ballroom

Treniece, 100.3 The Beat’s Jess Live and Angelia came through to kick it with the Ques for Mardi Gras Saturday night

April, Ashley and Mari were just a few of the beauties in the building for Energy Saturday night @ Blue

The men of Omega Psi Phi were the hosts with the most as they partied in the name of Mardi Gras Saturday night

TreG and Steve Lacy kept it cute @ the Sounds of St. Louis – Jazz Compilation Vol. 1 Listening Party Monday night @ The Dark Room

Filepa and Tanka catching the vibe of the Sounds of St. Louis – Jazz Compilation Vol. 1 Listening Party Monday night @ The Dark Room

Dawn and Ebony were among the MastHERclass attendees who fellowshipped at the official happy hour Friday @ Start Bar STL

James represented for the Ques while Tamika showed love to her Zeta sisters Saturday night @ The Omega Center

Brittany and Mena came to unwind after a full day of MastHERclass Friday night @ Start Bar STL

Comedy veteran Hope Flood, who was a regular on BET’s “Comic View” with The Laugh Lounge’s Jessie Taylor just before she took the stage for the final performance of her weekend engagement.