March 16th, 2023 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

FOCUS St. Louis lifts up women during Women’s History Month

By JoAnn Weaver The St. Louis American

Black women make up 59% of the labor force compared to other women, but make 63 cents for every dollar earned by a White man, according to the U.S. Department of Labor

Being a woman of color in the corporate world can be a challenge, but women continue to change the business landscape through leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.

This is the sentiment that the four-woman panel spoke to throughout the 2023 Women’s History Month Breakfast produced by FOCUS St. Louis, which took place on Wednesday morning at Edward Jones.

The panelists for the grounded, inspirational discussion included Bernie Frazier, SPHR, President, CAREERCompass LLC, and author of “Your Success is in YOU!: Empowering and Equipping You

Bernie Frazier speaking at the Women’s Forum Mar. 15, stated

“You are worthy of your dream. I challenge us to get out of our own way. Bring out your greatness and do it unapologetically.”

Nelly launching 314 Day project

Mayor Jones advances economic justice agenda

By Danielle Brown and Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

Let

Nelly

“Where did you go to high school?”

“That question embodies anybody that you ever meet from St. Louis,” the University City High School alum said.

n “314 day is a proud day to be a St. Louisan and today we have much to celebrate about the momentum of our Economic Justice Action Plan,” said Jones.

“Why? Because generally that tells people a lot of things. It tells where you live, where you’re from, how you grew up and just different scenarios.” He wants the competition to “galvanize the city; to come together to do something we all

can take pride in while celebrating education.”

314 Day founders Terrell “Young Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk created the celebration of the St. Louis area code in 2006 to highlight unity and positivity.

314 Day now includes a week of community, entertainment, and philanthropy events that stretch beyond the city’s borders.

“There’s not just one thing that makes 314 Day special,” Nelly said.

“It’s not just one event, it’s not what Nelly does, it’s not what the Cardinals do. It’s coming together with the 314 Day founders to make the day possible.”

A ‘thriver,’ not a survivor

STLCC Trustee candidate Nicole Robinson

seeks to serve

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

St. Louis American

There is absolutely no upside to cancer, but oddly, Nicole Robinson credits her 2014 diagnosis of Stage 2 breast cancer as her genesis in truly finding purpose in life.

“What motivates me…is knowing that God is keeping me and that I have purpose,” Robinson said. “Knowing that he strategically guides me and embraces me and yet has work for me to do. So, while I’m here, well, I’m gonna go with that.”

Robinson is a breast cancer “thriver.” The term, she said, was coined by women who haven’t beaten breast cancer but are “still in the fight.” Robinson finds herself “still in the fight,” after she was re-diagnosed in 2018, this time with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This after whirlwind challenges four years prior with aggressive chemo, radiation treatments and lumpectomy surgery to eradicate the cancer cells which had already traveled to her lymph nodes. Robinson is still trying to discover new ways to positively uplift and impact others who face the challenges she did growing up in poverty or trying to achieve higher education to improve their lives. The “thriver” is currently running in the St. Louis Community College Trustee race next month. Her opponent is incumbent Pam Ross, who was elected to the STLCC board in 2017. “I’ve always had a passion for education but

See ROBINSON, A7

Gardner seeks dismissal of ouster petition

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. The St. Louis American

Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Tuesday night filed a motion requesting that the state Supreme Court dismiss state Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s petition to have her removed from office. Her mandatory response came about three hours before a midnight Wednesday March 15 deadline. To fulfill Missouri statute requirements for her removal, Gardner’s attorneys contend Bailey “must allege a willful and intentional failure, not negligence.”

“[The statute] has only been applied to oust a prosecutor (or any other official) when they have engaged in intentional corrupt acts in derogation of their official duties, and ouster of prosecutors under this statute has been uniformly denied for anything less. (Infra at 9-19.)

“Taking Mr. Bailey’s allegations in his Petition as true and giving them their broadest reading, his See GARDNER, A6

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

See WOMEN, A7

Marvin Teer curiously moves on

Nicole Robinson

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

314 Day creators Terrell “Young Dip” Evans, left, and Tatum Polk, right, acknowledge cheering students and staff during a celebration at Harris-Stowe State University on Tuesday. The inaugural 314 Day in 2006 was held “to spread positivity on everything St. Louis has to provide. It has grown into a movement not just for Black St. Louis. but for people of all races and cultures,” according to Evans.

Wyclef Jean hospitalized

On Monday (March 13), Fugees member and producer Wyclef Jean posted a video on his Instagram account showing him being wheeled into a hospital, causing concern among his fans.

While the 53-year-old didn’t specify exactly why he needed medical attention, he did caption the post “Be Back Soon” and noted in the video through text, “Sometimes we forget our body is our temple.”

was unveiled on March 5 as part of The Amelia Concours D’Elegance automotive event in Amelia Island, Florida.

Byron Allen, Diddy, Tyler Perry in running to buy BET

The hospital visit comes just days after the Fugees member announced a luxury electric vehicle he’s involved with creating that he claims will hit the market in 2024. He and his partner Elo have joined forces with Apex Motors to produce the Attucks Apex AP0, according to Newsweek.

The two-passenger sports car

May the best man win.

Diddy Tyler Perry and Byron Allen are vying to acquire Black Entertainment Television, which includes BET, VH1, BET Studios, and the BET+ streaming service from Paramount Global.

BET was purchased by Paramount Global, formerly Viacom, in October 2000 for $2.34 billion. BET founder Robert Johnson became the first Black billionaire in the United States following the sale. Bob Bakish, BET chief executive, told the New York Times that the company will not publicly talk about “sensitive dealmaking

details,” but will “explore a sale of ownership in BET and VH1 during a renewed push to support Blackowned and controlled media companies.”

Blac Chyna removes silicone enhancements

Blac Chyna is undergoing a life changing decision. She joins a slew of other stars removing silicone enhance ments. She recently revealed in an Instagram post she is going to embark on breast and butt reduction surgery.

“As y’all know, I’ve been changing my life and changing my ways,” she said. “So, one of the things I feel like is going to take me to the next level is obviously

taking some of these [expletive] shots out.”

“Because you can get sick, you can die, have complications and all this other crazy stuff,” she continued. “I haven’t had any crazy complications since I got it. I got it when I was 19 years old. But now I’m moving here in life, so I want this [expletive] out of my [expletive] so I can grow.”

Critics call

Angela Bassett

“sore loser” for Oscars act

Angela Bassett visibly looked disappointed that her name wasn’t called for Best Supporting Actress at the 95th Academy

Awards on Sunday (March 12).

Her performance as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” lost to Jamie Lee Curtis’ portrayal of Deirdre Beaubeirdre in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Bassett was shown not clapping or smiling when Curtis was announced the winner

“Angela Bassett is an amazing actress, but the sore loser vibe… It would be great to see women supporting each other, even in the face of disappointment (esp. during women’s history month.),” a Twitter user said.

After Bassett’s loss, her Wakanda Forever co-star Michael B. Jordan and Ant Man star

Jonathan Majors gave her her flowers while they presented the next award for best cinematography.

“Hey Auntie,” Jordan said to Bassett. “We love you,” Majors added.

Sources: Vibe, The New York Times, E News!, Fox News, BET

Angela Bassett

Wyclef Jean

“The 13th Amendment abolished slavery ‘except as punishment for crime.’ This has expanded exploitation of incarcerated people.”

- Sen. Cory Booker (D, NJ) on bills to end cruel labor practices in prisons

ST. LOUIS

AMERICAN • MARCH 16 - 22, 2023

St. Louis Reparations Commission becomes a reality

By Alvin Ad. Reid St. Louis American

St. Louis moved to the forefront of American cities when Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed an executive order establishing a Reparations Commission in December 2022.

On March 9, the Commission’s historic first members were sworn in at Jones’ office.

“St. Louis has always been a leader on civil rights, and we have the unique opportunity to address the damage that decades of racism and disinvestment have done to Black neighborhoods across our city,” Jones said

“The Commission’s work is essential as we acknowledge the history of racial injustice in our city, work to rectify them, and build a better, fairer St. Louis for every family.”

The volunteer commission will analyze the history of race-based harms in the city and reveal the modern manifestations of injustice. It will offer recommendations for methods to develop and implement reparations for Black St. Louisans and the descendants of enslaved peoples.

The Commission consists of nine members, and all reside in the city of St. Louis. The members represent different backgrounds, including civil rights advocates, clergy members, attorneys, academics, public health professionals, and youth.

The Commission’s members are:

Will Ross, associate dean for Diversity at Washington University School of Medicine and professor of medicine in the Nephrology Division

Delesha N. George, program manager at Deaconess Foundation

Kayla Reed, co-founder and executive

director of Action St. Louis

William Foster, city resident and external audit generalist at PriceWaterHouseCoopers

Gwen Moore, historian and curator of Urban Landscape and Community Identity

Kevin Anthony, bridge pastor at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ

David Cunningham, professor and chair of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis

Jada Brooks, a Communications stu-

dent at Harris-Stowe University

Kimberly Hicks Franks, attorney, activist, and board member of Dutchtown South Community Corporation

“I am honored to be appointed by Mayor Tishaura Jones to the City’s Reparations Commission,” said Commissioner Delesha N. George.

“I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to promote restorative justice and identify opportunities to bring reparations to the people of St. Louis.”

A myriad of health and social justice studies show that residents are subjected to racial disparities in their neighborhoods. Black residents in the City

of St. Louis are more likely than white residents to live in low-opportunity environments, in concentrated areas of poverty, and in areas with low access to healthy food.

In addition, residents of majority Black neighborhoods are more likely to live in neighborhoods suffering from disinvestment.

St. Louis is one of many cities nationwide, including Mayor Jones joined the Mayors Organizing for Reparations and Equity (MORE) Coalition in 2021, an organization dedicated to analyzing best practices and approaches toward pursuing reparations initiatives.

San Francisco could become the first major US city to fund repara-

Mayor Tishaura Jones appointed members of the City of St. Louis’ first Reparations Commission established by Executive Order in December 2022. The volunteer commission will analyze the history of race-based harms in the city and reveal the modern manifestations of injustice.

tions, under a plan that would award a suggested guaranteed annual income of $97,000 for eligible recipients and homes in San Francisco for $1 a family.

The city’s Board of Supervisors has begun considering the recommendations.

The committee’s draft proposal, first released in December, outlines more than 100 suggestions and is widely viewed as the most detailed policy effort yet on the controversial issue of reparations.

Supporters of the plan say it is needed to redress the legacy of America’s history of slavery and racist policies, which they say have disproportionately harmed Black Americans in terms of poverty, poor health, incarceration and lower economic status.

Jones called the commission her administration’s “latest effort for advancing racial justice and addressing the toll racism has taken on Black neighborhoods by exploring opportunities to provide St. Louisans reparations at the local level.”

The commission will hold its first meeting within 45 days.

Photo by Wiley Price St. Louis American

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial

Is truth becoming an endangered species?

By Janice Ellis

The recent revelation that multiple hosts on Fox News deliberately misled their audience — reporting and promoting the lie that there was rampant voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election when they knew there was none — may not be surprising but is definitely damning.

Every American who cares about the role of the press in our daily lives should be alarmed and outraged.

According to sworn statements in depositions for a lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems, Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch admitted he and other executives were aware of the deceptive practices and blatant lies. Yet they allowed them to be continually broadcast.

We are all aware of the divisiveness such misrepresentations and lies have caused, from the physical threats and financial costs many secretary of state offices and local election officials incurred to the greatest tragedy of all — the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The nation is still dealing with and reeling from the negative effects of those election lies.

There is a school of thought that would like to make a distinction between pure reportage of news events and the interpretation or discussion of those events, which Fox News has alluded to in its defense.

But bottom line: No matter what, shouldn’t all of it be based on facts and truth?

political person, political party, interest group or downright greed.

With the recent revelations about Fox News, it appears that all of the above forces and motives were in play.

What a miscarriage and disregard of the awesome role and responsibility of the press.

What a danger to a healthy democratic republic as the United States.

Perhaps the greatest harm is the growing mistrust of all media. The good is often lumped with the bad. Can you trust your news sources?

How many issues — consuming Congress and state governments, political organizations, parents and other concerned citizens — are being fueled knowingly by distortions and lies.

Many come to mind: The false claim that any measure to ban military style AR-15 automatic weapons is an attempt to take away 2nd Amendment gun rights; that immigrants are bringing drugs and crime into the country; that books should be banned, and high school curricula restricted because they are promoting false Black history. It must also be asked: Are we becoming a society where truth is becoming an expendable commodity, a fluid medium of exchange?

On Further Review

Race, caste and 2024 elections

We can divide history into decisive events and defining moments.

The decisive event is a rarity that resolves an issue. In fact, it’s hard to decipher whether humans ever “finally resolve” anything.

A defining moment happens more often. With the benefit of hindsight, it can predict the decisive events.

While there are currently no Union or Confederate Armies forming battle lines, this doesn’t mean that America isn’t preparing for some sort of 21st Century equivalent of the Civil War. There is a significant cohort of current Americans, who like their 19th Century Confederate forebearers, are preparing for civil war.

It does not take a lot of imagination to see the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol as the metaphorical Confederate troops firing on Fort Sumter. That carnage filled day is not a decisive event, or a defining moment.

The Confederacy unconditionally surrendering to the Union army in Appomattox, Virginia, was decisive because it ended the Civil War.

The defining moment of the Civil War was probably the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Lee’s objective at Gettysburg was to invade a northern state, win a major battle, and force a negotiated peace acceptable to the Confederacy.

a lot of white Americans don’t do well with the truth. But don’t take my word for it, ask Rupert Murdock.

Among the realities of American society that Americans never confront is class and caste. Class is a socio/economic categorization that separates people primarily by economic status. These economic classifications, while a permanent feature of capitalism, are elastic in modern post- industrial societies. Classes never go away, but they are malleable.

It’s possible for people to move from one class to another. Caste, however, is something different.

A caste system is a rigid system of social stratification characterized by hereditary status that’s sanctioned by a society’s culture, laws, and religion. This means you are born into it. While you can financially or educationally change your class status, there’s nothing you can do about your caste status, unless you change the culture, laws and religion of the society.

Since this nation was founded, the press has always consisted of three main dimensions: Reporting the facts and events; the interpretations of what those facts and events mean; and thoughts or opinions regarding them.

Saying only reportage should be based on facts and truths — but interpretation, analysis, and opinion/commentary are not — is a false and misleading distinction.

With the advent of cable news and 24/7 coverage, many platforms for reporting, analyzing, and discussing the news and events of the day have emerged. One would think that is a good thing. There is more time to gain a complete and better understanding of what can be complex and complicated issues.

But too often, those valuable platforms have been used to distort, create and promote rumors, inuendo, conspiracy theories and downright lies.

When public trust in the press is at an all-time low, what is the public to do when some of the news media outlets deliberately and knowingly become a propaganda machine whether for a

What are we to think when politicians and other public persons lie, distort and push false narratives and conspiracy theories with reckless abandon? Even worse, we the public not only allow them to get away with it, but we often reward them by allowing them to keep their positions and be continually financially rewarded.

Is it any different when we continue to tune in day after day, night after night, and be gullible and dependable viewers that boost ratings of socalled news programs even if we suspect, maybe even know that they are scarce on facts and truth, but generous on lies and propaganda?

If facts and truths are expendable in our public discourse, and the press cannot be relied upon to hold government, politicians, elected officials, and businesses accountable in all areas that define the quality of life for American citizens, what possibly can be the country’s future?

America is at critical crossroads in many areas. Freedom of the press carries with it the awesome responsibility of reporting facts and truths about issues and events, including any comment and analysis of those same issues and events.

Janice Ellis has lived and worked in Missouri for more than three decades, analyzing educational, political, social and economic issues across race, ethnicity, age and socio-economic status.

Commentary

State takeover schemes threaten public safety

By Svante Myrick

Blue cities in red states, beware: conservatives in state government may be coming for your police department.

It’s happening in Jackson, Mississippi, where state officials have a plan to stand up a new city police force that they would manage.

And it’s happening in St. Louis, where an outstanding young Black mayor — Tishaura Jones — is facing police unions and state legislators who want to wrest control of the police department from her. A state bill in the works would remove the city police force from city control and — you guessed it — put it under the control of a whiter, more conservative state government. Full disclosure: I know Mayor Jones well, and I know she has been a reformer and a dedicated public servant her entire life. I know she is committed to improving policing and public safety in her city. Last year, her administration led a study that recommended numerous improvements including ending pretextual traffic stops and increasing unarmed responses. It doesn’t feel like a coincidence that the police unions and right-wing politicians are rebelling now. But what they are suggesting is not just an affront to Mayor Jones; life in politics is full of affronts. It is in fact deeply undemocratic, and indicative of profound problems.

cial disparities are a telltale sign of the mismatch.

In St. Louis, as in many other large cities, the police force is far whiter than the city neighborhoods themselves.

And now the unions want out from under city control, and the bill that would accomplish that, Senate Bill 78, includes other things the unions want, too: substantial pay raises and additional positions. I get that. A lot of working families depend on police officer salaries; and in fact, a union representing Black officers in the city has come out in support of SB 78.

Police forces are supposed to work for the people in the communities they serve. In this instance, those people elected Mayor Jones. To reject her leadership is to reject the judgment of the voters who chose it. Those voters chose a leader who ran on a progressive, reform platform: one that included decarceration, emphasizing unarmed responses to 911 calls, and working to better integrate police into the community — including incentives for them to actually live there.

This last item is critical, because when officers do not live in the communities they serve, they become more like an occupying army. Often, ra-

But returning to a Civil War-era system of state control over the city police — which is what this bill would do — is not the answer. That antiquated system was already rejected by voters statewide in 2012. The bigger question is whether this type of reactionary effort will spread. As a former elected official and as head of the nonprofit organization I now lead, I have studied and worked on this issue for many years — and I can tell you that local officials and residents know what they want and need. Community buy-in is essential to any successful effort to improve public safety, whether we want to fight crime or reduce the risk of violent encounters between residents and police. It makes no sense to move control of police to a higher level of government. It’s antithetical to what we know about the best way to manage public safety, which is to make it as local as possible.

But now the threat exists, and can be dangled over the heads of local officials who want to enact progressive change.

That would be tragic, because there is so much we can do to improve public safety at the local level and to improve and save lives. The people who voted for Tishaura Jones know that; they deserve to reap the benefits of the reform they voted for.

Svante Myrick is president of People For the American Way.

Lee’s loss at Gettysburg forced him to retreat back to Virginia; he never came North again. The Union Army didn’t win the Civil War at Gettysburg, but you can argue that’s where the Confederate loss became inevitable.

The American Civil War was a fight among members of the same tribe, an existential argument between white Americans about the future direction of the country. What was the United States and who was going to be an American? It pitted brother against brother, everyone had to pick a side, there was no middle ground. You can’t reconcile the differences between a feudal agrarian caste-based slave economy and an emerging industrial capitalist economy.

Something had to give, somebody had to go.

Keep this in mind as I attempt to contextualize the current American moment we are living in. I believe it is obvious that America is at war with itself. I’m going to focus on Black Americans and white Americans.

There are clearly more people in America than those identified as Black or White, but this is a column, not a sociology course. I’m focusing on Black and White America because this is the road we traveled to get to this moment. The America of 2023 is in the same place as the America of 1860. There is an existential argument among white people about what to do with Black people.

The reason Americans substitute creation myth for history is simple: Americans have difficulty with reality. Reality requires you to deal with fact-based truths. To paraphrase Col. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) in “A Few Good Men,”

Letter to the editor

Take the challenge

When the United States ratified the Constitution in 1789 it did two things. It created a democratic republic with limited suffrage that expanded over time, and a racially-based caste system that hasn’t changed materially in 240 years. Modern capitalism is a 19th Century phenomenon that’s particularly a function of the Second Industrial Revolution. There is no way Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton could have imagined the America of the future when they were designing the governing structure for the country in the late 18th century.

In order to sire a governing structure that was secular, eliminate the hereditary monarchy, and enshrine the political principles of The Enlightenment, as political necessity often requires, they did the deal with the devil. They codified slave labor predicated on a race-based hereditary caste system. As they felt, the slave economy wouldn’t last, but the race-based caste system has turned out to be a permanent feature of American life.

You cannot successfully understand contemporary or historical America unless you spend some time at the intersection of class and caste. Today’s brewing civil conflagration is an extension of the unresolved issues of America’s 19th Century Civil War.

The Civil War brought closure to the question of legalized slavery, but despite the attempt during Reconstruction, left totally unresolved the issues of caste. 160 years later, shifting demographics and the creative destruction of capitalism is calling the question.

The Congressional and Presidential elections of November 2024 won’t resolve this question, it will not be a decisive event.

But like the Battle of Gettysburg, it will represent a defining moment. There’s a question we should be actively considering though: How is this defining moment shaping up?

To be continued…

Guest Columnist Janice Ellis

A diverse CBC STEM team won a $10,000 first place prize for the school during the World Wide Technology eighth annual STEM Student Forum on Saturday, March 4.

WWT stands tall for STEM during 8th Annual Student Forum

World Wide Technology [WWT] hosted its eighth annual STEM Student Forum on Saturday March 4, with the theme of “Making a New World Happen”. The forum’s focus was on how schools can use education and technology to create a more sustainable future.

WWT employs thousands of professionals in the STEM field and provides resources to ensure the increase of future tech leaders. The student forum educates high school students on the importance of STEM disciplines and the opportunities they present.

The 2023 program included 21 local high schools with 177 participating students. About 70 volunteers contributed more than 700 hours, including 33 WWT mentors, both in-person and virtually, who supported each school’s team.

Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) received the $10,000 first place prize for its project which tackled environmental and social sustainability by using plastic bottles to create a recycled 3D printer filament. The filament could then be used to create items for the unhoused, such as combs, toothbrushes, razors, tiny house bricks and more.

“The STEM Student Forum has been an eye-opening experience into the strength of critical thought processes and problem-solving skills of the next gen-

eration,” said Jessie Ripper, WWT program management director.

“These brilliant future leaders are passionate about technological advancement and its impact on the betterment of society.”

Fulton School was recognized with a $5,000 second place prize and Parkway Spark! received $2,500 for placing third. Pattonville High School came in fourth place. Nerinx Hall in fifth place, receiving $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

WWT would like to congratulate and thank all the schools that participated in the 2023 STEM Student Forum including:

Althoff Catholic High School; Christian Brothers College High School; Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience; The Fulton School; Hazelwood West High School; John Burroughs School; Lindbergh High School; Metro Academic and Classical High School; Nerinx Hall High School; and Oakville High School.

Parkway SPARK! Incubator; Parkway West High School; Pattonville High School; Rockwood Summit High School; SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School; South Technical High School; St. John Vianney High School; STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High School; Sumner High School; Troy Buchanan High School; and Whitfield School.

Volunteerism an overlooked American mainstay

By Julianne Malveaux

The recent disgraceful derailment of the Norfolk Southern train in Palestine, Ohio, resulted from predatory capitalism.

Railroads, given free land, have exploited the communities that journalist Robert Hennelly describes as “corridor communities” and endangered them with their unsafe practices. An unexamined aspect of Palestine is how much that small (population of 4,700) community relies on volunteer firefighters. Bob Hennelly says that of 29,000 fire departments in the United States, the majority – 18,000 – are volunteer fire departments. Many do not have the proper equipment to protect their lungs in case of toxic spills like this one. Still, because they care about their communities, they continue to volunteer.

In many ways, volunteers are the backbone of civic life. One organization, SCLC Women (founded by civil rights icon Dr. Evelyn Lowery), is fully staffed by volunteers. The week of Bloody Sunday, the organization sponsors a civil rights bus tour (with four buses of youth) and exposes young people to the civil rights history that isn’t taught in school. The board president, Patricia Ann Ford, notes that from their annual Drum Major Award to their programs for domestic violence victims, all services are provided by volunteers.

They aren’t the only organization that depends on volunteers, but I lift them because, in honor of Women’s History Month, the contribution that SCLC WOMEN (which stands for Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now) makes is critical.

Whether in civil rights organizations, our libraries and schools, volunteer fire departments and environmental cleanup, or service to the homeless, and seniors, volunteers provide much-needed service that many organizations could not afford to pay for.

Women are the majority of volunteers, and as more women have entered the labor force, with many juggling more than one job, the need for volunteers is acute. Yet it seems that volunteers are more taken for granted than recognized. What would we do if they all disappeared?

Bahai ancestor Abdu’l-Baha’ said in his Divine Philosophy, “Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship.” His quote suggests reasons a national service corps, designed as a year or two of mandatory service for young people, might allow us to see each other’s humanity and needs despite the sharp political divide.

While I have always appreciated volunteers, I had no idea that so many firefighters are volunteers and that 62% of fire departments are staffed by volunteers. Exploring the role of volunteers in fire departments and organizations like SCLC Women gave me a new appreciation for how people choose to serve their communities.

It also reminds me of the many organizations that might not exist were it not for volunteers. Statistics suggest that 25% to 33% of all Americans volunteer, with their collective work valued at more than $147 billion annually! But as more Americans have less free time, there is always a need for more people to step up.

We celebrate women during Women’s History Month, many of whose contributions have not been fully amplified. People know about Rev. Joseph Lowery and SCLC but less about Dr. Evelyn Lowery and SCLC Women. We know about programs that serve the homeless but little about the nameless people who are dishing up meals, gathering clothing, and doing other forms of service. As we interact with some of these organizations, we might ask people about their volunteer service and what motivates them. We should volunteer ourselves.

Volunteers deserve our praise, gratitude and recognition, although many are less interested in recognition than in service. What would we do without volunteers? I, for one, do not want to find out.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of WWT

St. Louis American staff

Julianne Malveaux

Continued from A1

The main requirement for alumni to participate in the games is to be ten years removed from high school. Meaning alums who graduated in 2014 and under are eligible to play.

All St. Louis alumni from public and private schools are invited to participate. They can express their interest to their alma mater’s alumni association to get involved.

Nelly said he and the 314 Day founders expect the tournaments to take place all over the city and anticipate a 314 Day banquet to take place where winners can be honored and money can be invested into the winning schools.

Prior to Nelly’s announcement, the foundation donated a $31,400.00 check to Harris-

Gardner

Continued from A1

Petition fails to state facts that show Kimberly Gardner has engaged in intentional corrupt acts in derogation of her official duties.

Instead, the Petition alleges mere negligence or mistakes in the administration of her office without any allegation of corrupt intent or bad faith.

The motion states, “Mr. Bailey’s Petition fails to meet the extremely high bar to state a lawful claim for ouster. Instead, his Petition is a gross power grab, an affront to the liberties of all Missourians. The Court should dismiss it.”

Also this week, Gardner was granted permission by Judge John Torbitzky to have Ronald Sullivan Jr. join her legal team.

The high-profile Harvard law professor assisted Gardner in her failed attempt to prosecute former Gov. Eric Greitens in an invasion of privacy case. He also represented the late Harvey Weinstein, the late former New England Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez, who faced multiple murder charges, and

Stowe State University.

“One of the things that we always talk about with 314 Day is our youth and giving back,”

Jami Ballentine Dolby, 314 Day director of partnerships said.

“We know that you all are our future. We know that we made St. Louis cool, and St. Louis will continue to be a highlight in our region, a highlight in our culture, and a highlight for what’s next to come.”

Getting down to business

Mayor Tishaura Jones, in partnership with St. Louis Development Corporation used 314 Day to announce phase two of her administration’s Economic Action Justice Plan - the Economic Justice Accelerator Fund.

The Mastercard Impact Fund will serve historic communities like Walnut Park, St. Louis Place, and The Ville through

the family of Michael Brown who reached a $1.5 million settlement with the City of Ferguson in 2017.

According to Harvard’s website, Sullivan is a “leading theorist in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, trial practice and techniques, legal ethics and race theory.”

Since he is not licensed to practice law in Missouri, Judge Torbitzky agreed to let Gardner sponsor Sullivan in the case to remove her from office. Michael Downey of the Webster Groves-based Downey Law Firm is also a part of Gardner’s legal team. Gardner’s office is under scrutiny after the handling of a high-profile case. A 17-yearold volleyball player was critically injured in a crash caused by a suspect who was supposed to be on house arrest. Court records show the suspect in that crash violated house arrest on a previous armed robbery case, but prosecutors never filed a motion to revoke his bond and dismissed and refiled the charges against him in July 2022 because they weren’t ready to go to trial. Gardner’s motion also contends that she was not person-

support of minority or women-owned small businesses neighborhood stabilization.

“We can truly make a long-lasting difference for generations to come,” Jones said Tuesday at the 4th Generation Adult Daycare in the Lower Point neighborhood.

“Reversing historic wrongs in our communities is not just a moral imperative; it’s essential to make sure our city can thrive equally across neighborhoods and racial lines.”

The Mastercard Impact Fund, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, is the first private donor to commit to the Accelerator Fund with a $ 1 million grant.

It will support small business programming at the Northside Economic Empowerment Center.

Programming will include technical assistance, mentorship, access to capital for

ally involved in the suspect’s case, thus she cannot be held accountable.

“These cases were not litigated by Ms. Gardner herself, but by others, and Mr. Bailey has provided no factual allegation of Ms. Gardner’s personal involvement or knowledge of what happened in those cases,” according to the motion. “This is an action against Ms. Gardner; it must allege that Ms. Gardner, herself, acted intentionally or corruptly.”

minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as workforce development services.

Deanne Donohue, Mastercard Investment vice president and St. Louis native said, “ We are thrilled to play a role in the launch of the economic justice accelerator program.”

“Fostering inclusive economic growth does not happen overnight. It arises from meaningful long-term and close-knit partnerships.”

According to Neal Richardson, St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) president and CEO, St. Louis has received over $490 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“We have partnered with nationally and locally recognized experts to create the Accelerator, identify, prioritize, vet, fund, and build capacity for the projects, programs, and

inal cases may be in limbo as the CAO struggles to keep up with a huge caseload.

While Gardner has added lawyers to her defense team, Marvin Teer, the city’s chief trial prosecutor and a former city court judge, suddenly decided to leave the Circuit Attorney’s Office [CAO] last Friday.

A recent “quo warranto petition” [a form of legal action used to test a person’s legal right to hold office] alleges 163 homicide cases are assigned to just five attorneys at the CAO. With Teer’s departure, that number is reduced to four.

Reportedly, dozens of crim-

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as of last month, Teer’s docket showed he was handling 84 cases, including 55 murder or manslaughter cases. The circuit attorney’s office did not respond to this newspaper’s questions about Teer’s resignation or how the office plans to redistribute his workload. It’s not clear when Teer will depart. The St. Louis American has made repeated attempts to speak with Gardner over the past three weeks. The newspaper also requested an interview with Teer. No responses had been received as of presstime on Wednesday.

A statement from the office simply read: “Judge Marvin Teer has been an invaluable leader at the CAO and has led his team with integrity. Judge Teer will continue to be an asset to the office and as the office transitions his role, he will continue to provide support. We wish him the best as

products,” said Richardson.

Congresswoman Cori Bush said, “This funding will have a massive impact on St. Louis City communities.” She says that the local government has partnered with strong leaders that have the right vision for St. Louis that will help our city soar. Partners that will plan carefully and make sure that those plans are implemented equitably, ensuring the people who need the help get it first.

“314 Day is a time where we all can come together as a community, and share the love we have for our special city.”

The Neighborhoods Transformation section of the plan will receive 20 million dollars, Nahuel Fefer, Executive Director of the Community Development Administration said the grant will be used for neighborhood beautification, home repair, housing production, proactive

he transitions from our office to spend more time with his family.”

Teer said he joined the circuit attorney’s office in 2021 to help lead an “amazing, young team of lawyers” and because he loved trying cases. Before joining the CEO, Teer was a city prosecutor and later worked in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office under Jay Nixon. In addition, he served as a traffic court judge, an administrative law judge, a commission counsel for the Missouri Supreme Court, a special prosecutor and an assistant city counselor.

After joining Gardner’s team, Teer quickly took on some of the office’s biggest cases. The most prominent was the July 2022 trial of Stephan Cannon, who was convicted last year and sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn.

Teer’s abrupt resignation ignited further outcries from Gardner’s critics and some local and state leaders who claim the prosecutor’s office is falling further into disarray and dysfunction.

Former Assistant Circuit

development, and capacity building.

“We know that every neighborhood’s needs are different, so this is a unique flexible funding source,” said Fefer. In 2022, SLDC identified several key city-owned priority projects within the Economic Justice demonstration areas that will catalyze equitable economic growth.

“We are allocating human and financial resources to seven of these projects to accelerate development and ensure the community surrounding the target sites can help direct and select the right project for their neighborhood,” said SLDC’s SVP of Neighborhood & Community Transformation and Director of Real Estate, Lance Knuckles.

“In celebrating 314 Day, we must pause and say ‘what is the potential future of this great city,’” said Knuckles.

Attorney Patrick Hamacher, who lost to Gardner in the 2016 circuit attorney’s race, has also been critical of her office since Teer’s resignation.

“From an institutional perspective,” Hamacher tweeted recently, “this office appears to be on the brink of collapse. The sheer lack of employees to handle the high number of important cases is concerning,” Hamacher wrote in another tweet.

According to a recent KSDK report, some “progressive” Democrats have asked Hamacher to run for circuit attorney again next year. The TV news station also cited comments from a poll conducted over the weekend. Reportedly, several people familiar with the survey questions said pollsters were gauging support for a potential match-up between Gardner and state Sen. Steve Roberts. Roberts, who is also a private attorney, challenged Congresswoman Cori Bush in 2022 but lost. He has not responded to media inquiries about the poll or challenging Gardner in the next circuit attorney’ race.

Marvin Teer

Continued from A1

to Create Your Best Career Ever!”; Cabanne Howard, CEO, Kaleidoscope Management Group; Melissa “Missy” Kelley, Director of Client Experience, Shapiro Metals, and co-author of “FULL: Overcoming Our Eating Disorders to Fully Live”; and Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano, Executive Director, Center for Emerging Technologies; Director of Entrepreneurship, Cortex Innovation Community; and creator of Auténtico and We Live Here Auténtico podcasts.

Topics for the panelists included exploring how these leaders got to where they are in their careers, their tips for navigating power structures and achieving change, and how they lead in community and civic spaces.

Frazier talked about her corporate experiences and how she made two distinct shifts in her career: the first time

Robinson

Continued from A1

my whole personal success story says, ‘if I can do it, any young person in life can also,’” Robinson said, emphasizing her impressive academic, professional and nonprofit career.

“I’m about service and serving, so I’m always looking to give something back.”

Robinson recalled a life of constant movement. She has trouble remembering how many grade schools she attended because “every time the rent went up,” she said her single mom moved to a new location.

Robinson and her four siblings lived at different city locations including the notorious Cabanne Courts to other “impoverished” areas in the county like Jennings, Pagedale and Pine Lawn. Even though she lived in the county, she was allowed, through a “lottery” to be bussed to Central Visual and Performing Arts Magnet High School in the city.

was when she took a risk and quit her job in the middle of a recession; her second time was in her last corporate job where everything was fine, she made great money, worked well with her colleagues, but had a boss change.

“It was all fine, but I just did not want it anymore and I had been coaching for years, so I decided at that moment I said, ‘you know what, you need to do something with this,’ and I made a change,” she said. “I didn’t leave, but I started my business formally and I started the process, and when I finally left, I fulfilled the quote that we all see on LinkedIn [about how] a lot people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses, because I had a boss change and the one that came in was my catalyst to leave and I left and I have not looked back and don’t regret it.”

Cabanne Howard, CEO of Kaleidoscope Management Group, talked about how she earned her MBA at Washington University in St. Louis and worked at a corporate office for

Robinson didn’t go to college after graduating high school. She was pregnant with her daughter at the time and after giving birth she was more concerned with getting a job than a college degree. She enrolled at Hickey College which was specifically designed to offer career-focused courses and learning opportunities so graduates could start work immediately.

With a secretarial certificate from Hickey, Robinson went to work in the banking industry. It didn’t take her long to notice younger people with bachelor’s degrees getting hired at much better salaries with greater advancement potential. Thus, her higher education journey began.

Robinson enrolled in the St. Louis Community College system and earned an associate’s degree. She then received a BS in Management from National Louis University, an MBA from Fontbonne University then graduated from Pepperdine University in California with an EdD in Education &

five years before she realized she could pursue her professional goals a different way.

“Translating your skills and your interests into what job you want to go for, I think that’s definitely worth pursuing, if you can get the job that you know you want versus the one that maybe your resume says you’re built for,” Howard said. “The pandemic has done so much for us in the way that we don’t necessarily have to drag ourselves five days a week to the workplace and sit in a white sterile cubicle. Thank God because that was not the life for me, but I did it for five years because I thought that that was what work and career and making money looked like.”

When burnout is setting in and a person finds themselves unmotivated with their current work situation, Howard’s advice is to use your experiences and network to your advantage to achieve your goals in life.

“Figure out how much of your dues you’re willing to

Psychology in Organizational Leadership.

It was at Pepperdine where she received her first cancer diagnosis. She remembers the day like it was yesterday.

“It was Valentine’s Day and time for my annual mammogram,” Robison recollected, adding” “I was called back the next day for a biopsy and after those results came back, my life just shifted.”

Robinson managed to continue and complete classes at Pepperdine even while raising her two children, undergoing what she defined as an “aggressive treatment ritual of “chemo, radiation, lumpectomy surgery… the whole nine yards.”

One particular challenge, Robinson recalled, was the loss of her hair from radiation treatments.

“Having this whole shift in appearance, as a woman… when you look at yourself in the mirror then contending with losing my hair…man, that was traumatic! I wasn’t ready to commit.”

She said that she will never

pay in working in a corporate position so you can then leap out there and use those skills,” she said. “Maybe use your skills and sell your service into a large corporation like that because you sat in that cube for a while, so figuring out what experiences you need to get that may not be your last stop, and using those to your highest advantage would be my best advice.”

“Selling into a corporation” can include consulting services in the healthcare, education, and IT industries.

Melissa Kelley, Director of Client Experience at Shapiro Metals, expounded about her professional journey as a working single mom who encouraged other women that they can have both a successful career and family.

“I had a blog and it was really helpful to me to talk about these things because I knew I wasn’t the only one, but it really did appear like everyone else was doing it way better. I wrote about that and I did get a lot of feedback

forget the outpouring of support from family and friends, some who traveled to California to be with her during her medical appointments and other female supporters who shaved their heads in solidarity.

Reinforcing the theme of cancer changing her life, after her first treatments in 2014, Robinson founded the “Hatz 4 Hearts” foundation. The non-profit is dedicated to providing supportive services to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. She was inspired by the patients gathered at a cancer clinic she frequented in California.

“It was an open room with people in different phases of their treatment, everyone was losing or had lost their hair,” Robinson recalled. “To me, it was a dark, heavy place and I wanted to make it uplifting. So, the next time I went back, I went back with hats.”

At first Robinson said she was “just trying to give hats” to people but the agency has morphed over the years. Today it presents annual galas and

and that it was helpful to people, then I had the big public job and I did not feel like I could put myself out there in that way,” she said.

From this job, Kelley took a seven-year stint from working in corporate, but after that time, she co-authored “FULL: Overcoming Our Eating Disorders to Fully Live,” which was recently published.

“The reason I think that this [book] helps women in the workplace is because when I was in that public job, I would get comments from women that often said or implied that I was super confident and must have [it] together if I have that job, and the truth was for women who work and have children or have a home, or a husband or a wife, it is messy but we can still move forward or move up in whichever direction you’re going and have the mess, but it’s usually easier to do when you are supported and talking to others about it and helping one another through it,” she said.

Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano,

fashion shows featuring models who are cancer survivors and “thrivers.” The galas also recognize medical practitioners and organizations doing outstanding work in the battle against cancer.

Even when her cancer came back in 2018, Robinson said she still found inspiration.

“In some ways, I realized I’m blessed,” she said. “So many of my friends who have been diagnosed with the same thing aren’t here anymore.”

Professionally, Robinson has transitioned from state to federal housing work, spending more than 15 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

While still in California, she met Congresswoman Maxine Waters at a political event. After introducing herself, she became a volunteer before eventually being invited to join Waters’ staff.

In 2022, Robinson was appointed President of the St. Louis Chapter-National Women’s Political Caucus Training Institute. She now

Executive Director, Center for Emerging Technologies, shared advice with women in the audience who may focus on climbing the corporate ladder and need help obtaining their goals.

“A lot of times, we’re tied to [a] title, but we are so much more than that,” RamírezArellano said. “We don’t give ourselves, as women especially, enough credit to do what we could do, so I don’t have like amazing advice on how to make that jump or you know, or find that sweet spot, but I will say take risks and ask for help. We don’t ask for help enough. How can we help each other through the journey of looking at a new opportunity or looking at a career change?”

One resounding message across the board from the distinguished panelists was encouragement for women in the workplace to follow their passions and to bring their dreams to life.

“You are worthy of your dream,” Bernie Frazier said. “If you don’t bring your dream forward, who will.”

works in the housing industry. That field, she said, fulfills her desire to ensure marginalized people have good, solid comfortable homes.

She’s running as a community college trustee because her life experience has shown her that education impacts “all spectrums” of life, including housing, unemployment, needed medicines and other factors related to poverty.

“Sometimes people in disinvested communities are not looking at education,” Robinson continued, adding: “They’re worried about having a job… where the next meal is coming from, health challenges and more. I had to contend with those things and I’m here to say, ‘If I can do it, you can do.’” Upbeat, Robinson, the ultimate “thriver” said she feels like time is not a promise to anyone.

“I’ve always been a positive person but it’s like I’m racing against a clock. I feel like this intent, this mandate, this purpose is to make some sort of change while I’m still here.”

President Carter and Mayor Officer’s 1980 East Boogie tour

By James Ingram

As close relatives circle the Plains, Georgia home of 98-year-old former US President Jimmy Carter who is receiving hospice care following years of health challenges, I’d like to reflect on his forgotten and brief connection to East St. Louis through former Mayor Carl E. Officer. Thanks to YouTube and archived KSDK news footage, and captured for posterity, is a beaming, suave, youthful 28-year-old Mayor Officer, emerging from the presidential limo with the 39th president, at the corner of Collinsville and Missouri Avenue at 1:21p.m. on Monday, November 3, 1980, one day before Carter lost the presidency to Ronald Reagan. On that November 3rd day, Officer accompanied Carter from Granite City to an electric crowd waiting in downtown East St. Louis, then on to Airforce One at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Carter, plagued by record high inflation, soaring gas prices at the pump and an Iranian hostage crisis that weakened his credibility with voters, was making his final campaign swing and stopped in East Boogie, a democratic stronghold, as a last-ditch effort to salvage his job. But crowds in East St. Louis

were excited to see the Georgia peanut farmer turned president and their newly elected rockstar mayor, side-by-side, which was something brought into fruition through Officer’s friendship with Carter.

“I was introduced to Jimmy in 1975 by former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson and Georgia state Rep. Julian Bond during my run for St. Clair County Coroner. That friendship led to an eventual meeting with President Carter on November 7, 1979, at the White House, then the subsequent visit to East St. Louis in 1980”, said Officer during our recent interview on the life of his friend.

Today, Officer proudly displays the White House photo of he and the former president in his Officer Funeral Home office remarking that “I found him to be such a kind, gracious and genuine man”. Then Officer went on to recall, with a chuckle that, during the roughly 30 minutes he spent riding in the presidential limousine, he precociously attempted to offer Carter advice

on resolving the Iranian hostage crisis.

“He didn’t follow my advice, but he listened”, the former mayor said while laughing at his own youthful naivete and bravado at the time.

But aside from Carter’s short-comings during his single-term as president Officer agreed that President Carter’s successes in brokering peace between Egypt and Israel during the Camp David Accords, his resulting Nobel Peace Prize, and his work as a humanitarian, particularly through Habitat for Humanity, will be his enduring legacy.

Officer seemed to wonder aloud what might have been (for East St. Louis) had Carter been elected to a second term or if he had accepted an offer to join Vice President Walter Mondale’s staff, which he says he declined in order to pursue the job at East St. Louis City Hall.

Hindsight is always 20/20 vision, however as Canadian writer Robin Sharma said “The real trick is to turn hindsight into foresight. That reveals insight.”

So, Godspeed to President Jimmy Carter on a life welllived with decency, humanity, civility and spirituality.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com Twitter@ JamesTIngram

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The brave women behind St. Louis Freedom Suits

By Ruthie Neisen Missouri Historical Society

In the early 19th century, St. Louis was a booming economic center valued for its location on the Mississippi River and its successful business relationships with local Indigenous peoples. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers from the east flooded the city, hoping to share in its growing wealth. Many of these settlers and military personnel brought with them Black people whom they had enslaved. Though Missouri entered the Union as a slave state in 1821, an 1824 statute declaring that an enslaved person brought into any free state or territory would be freed gave many enslaved people a solid legal stance to fight for their freedom in court.

Over the course of 60 years, more than 300 civil court cases were filed in St. Louis in pursuit of freedom. Since enslavement status was passed through maternal lineage, many cases were filed by women to free not only themselves but also their children. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few of their stories.

In 1805, the brave women of the Scypion family—Marie and her daughters, Celeste, Catiche, and Marguerite—stood up against some of the most powerful white men in St. Louis. Marie was a Black and Natchez woman who had been enslaved when St. Louis was under French control. When St. Louis was transferred from French to Spanish control, the breaking up of enslaved families and the enslavement of Indigenous people were outlawed. Upon these grounds, Marie was able to keep her family together when her enslaver, Joseph Tayon, tried to sell her daughters.

After Marie’s death, Tayon tried again to break up the family. By now St. Louis was part of the US, with different laws, and Celeste and Catiche filed a joint freedom suit with the help of Tayon’s own daughters. Marguerite filed her own freedom suit soon afterward.

All three sisters won their suits, but their legal struggles were just beginning. For nearly 30 years, the sisters battled court case after court case to maintain their status as free women. At long last, a jury voted unanimously in 1834 that the Scypion sisters were free women in the eyes of the law.

Another woman, Harriet Robinson Scott, fought to free herself and her children along-

side her husband, Dred Scott, in the famous US Supreme Court case Scott v. Sanford. Harriet and Dred fell in love and married in 1836 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. After being relocated to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, Harriet made friends within the free Black community and was soon introduced to her future lawyer, Francis Murdoch.

The Scotts’ legal battle began in 1846 after the death of their enslaver, Dr. John Emerson. Even though Emerson’s will did not mention Harriet or Dred, the couple’s ownership was claimed by his widow, Irene Emerson. Harriet filed her freedom suit on the grounds that she had lived in the free state of Minnesota for nearly six years. The case ended up in the hands of the Supreme Court after Irene transferred the Scotts’ ownership to her brother, John F. A. Sanford. The court’s 1857 decision against the Scotts widely shocked the public and is often considered one of the catalysts for the Civil War.

Though they lost their court battle, Harriet and her family were legally emancipated three months later. Sadly, Dred died

of tuberculosis in 1858, but Harriet lived out her days as a free woman in her own home with her loved ones around her.

Polly Wash was a devoted mother whose life and fight for freedom were recorded by her daughter, Lucy Ann Delaney, in her 1891 memoir From the Darkness Cometh the Light Even though Polly loved her daughters wholeheartedly, she wanted them to be free women and told them to escape if they ever had the chance. When she got word that her daughter Nancy had escaped to Canada, Polly danced and sang throughout the night. She attempted to make her own escape to Canada, making it as far as Chicago, but returned out of concern for the safety of her other daughter, Lucy. Polly resolved to win her freedom through court and filed a freedom suit in 1839 on the grounds that she had lived in the free state of Illinois for several months, making her a free woman in the eyes of the law. Lucy filed her own freedom suit and by 1844, both mother and daughter won their lawful freedom. They lived together until Polly’s death.

Lucy Delaney, ca. 1888. Missouri Historical Society Collections.

Columnist James T. Ingram

During the last week, rumors have swirled that now-ousted alderman Brandon Bosley may file a lawsuit to challenge his election loss. But for now, we’re going to learn more about the woman who defeated Bosley and the fellow aldermanic incumbent James Page — real estate agent Ebony

Washington Washington is the granddaughter of former state representative Penny Hubbard and she is the niece of former alderwoman Tammika Hubbard Most folks didn’t seem to know that she was a Hubbard, or had dismissed that very important relationship as mere political gossip, but if we may quote Lizzo here -- “all the rumors are true.”

While Washington doesn’t carry the Hubbard last name, the apple apparently has not fallen far from the tree.

For example, the classic Hubbard political family’s practice of collecting absentee ballots for elderly and disabled voters continues, although likely in violation of state election laws. Not too long ago, former state representative Bruce Franks successfully demonstrated in court that the Hubbard family had engaged in enough “voting irregularity” to overturn Penny Hubbard’s election win. To quote an article from this paper nearly seven years ago, “the Hubbards have a track record of winning hugely lopsided absentee-voter-majority victories. Ruth Ehresman lost to Hubbard in the 2012 primary for the same seat and raised the same issues brought in Franks’ suit. Among many irregularities, a polling place in the district is in Carr Square Village, where Rodney Hubbard Sr., Penny’s husband, is executive director of the Carr Square Tenant Corp.” Washington - a candidate, who without her family’s powerful last name, challenging three incumbents - nevertheless managed to collect 40% of the absentee ballots in her four-way race. Voters with family members residing at senior centers have already reported members of Hubbard’s team inside of buildings, collecting signed absentee ballots. The “Fifth Ward Democratic Organization” has Washington’s aunt, former alderwoman Hubbard, listed as an officer and committeewoman for the “ward organization.” Even though the organization has printed and mailed out literature supporting Washington, none of those expenditures

Calling the GOP’s bluff on revoking local control

have been disclosed to the state and public. How Washington came to get on the ballot on behalf of her family seems to be an even bigger mystery. Less than a year ago, the Carr Square Tenant Association - owned & operated by her grandfather Rodney Hubbard, Sr. - filed a lawsuit to evict Washington for non-payment of rent for five months. This address is the same one where Washington was served two restraining orders by the father of her child and his wife. Public court records reveal that Washington agreed to the orders of protection - in place until the end of this month - after allegations of stalking and domestic violence. This is also the same address used by Washington for a $20,832 Paycheck Protection loan that was later forgiven. But, we’ve also heard that Washington may not even live at this address and that she may not meet residency requirements to be an alderperson.

Voter registration records show that until a few weeks ago, Washington used a Kirkwood address.

With the details that are starting to surface about Washington and her campaign, Bosley may actually have a shot at a redo. But at an absolute minimum, Washington owes voters some answers and accountability.

• • •

The Republican state legislature’s assault on St. Louis has very likely met a legal demise, after the Missouri Supreme Court issued a decision last week on an oft-forgotten clause in the state constitution: Article VI, Section 22 which says, “No law shall be enacted creating or fixing the powers, duties or compensation of any municipal office or employment, for any city framing or adopting its own charter under this or any previous constitution, and all such offices or employments heretofore created shall cease at the end of the terms of any present incumbents.”

Put in simpler terms, the state legislature can’t pass a law that directs or otherwise controls any municipal office or employee. And last week, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld that provision in a lawsuit originally filed by former alderman Jeffrey Boyd. Perhaps ironically, Boyd’s litigation resulted in one of the most favorable legal outcomes for St. Louis

City yet, and the timing of this legal decision couldn’t be more important in terms of local policing.

Readers may remember a few weeks ago, where the St. Louis Police Officers Association announced that it had reached an agreement on the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the City of St. Louis. Per the terms of the new “CBA,” the police union agreed (among other things) to categorize SLMPD officers as “civil service” employees, legally designating police officers as municipal employees. Nearly every city employee is considered to be a “civil service” employee, with a few exceptions in the offices of “county” offices like the Recorder of Deeds and Circuit Attorney.

Under this court-affirmed provision of the Missouri Constitution, the state legislature cannot create or fix powers, duties, or compensation for SLMPD. In other words, the St. Louis police union has agreed, through this CBA, to effectively end the state legislature’s power grab to regain control of the department. After all, the state can’t pass a law that dictates what municipal employees can or cannot do.

violation of the Hancock Amendment, which prohibits the state legislature from passing laws that force municipal governments to take on new duties or programs without the state providing funding to do so. GOP members in the Missouri House have even tried to push a salary increase for officers in the event of local control, but must have forgotten to add a line or two about how the state would pay for those raises.

In short, Missouri is legally required to put its literal money - state tax dollars - where Republicans’ mouths are, and if Missouri does want control of SLMPD to score political points, this political stunt will cost taxpayers dearly and will still fail.

Without a doubt, this attempt to usurp power is part of a larger, racist push in retaliation against St. Louis’ Black elected officials who have overseen an overall decrease in crime while demanding greater accountability for police officers. How dare we show the world that a demilitarized, community-centered police department can be both responsible and impactful. Making matters worse for the short-sighted Republicans fighting to return to the Civil War-era law is the glaring

• • •

Our biggest hope is, now that there is a CBA negotiated and state efforts to take over SLMPD are legally quashed, the police will return to doing their jobs and responding to the needs of the public.

We’ve had the sneaking suspicion that SLMPD officers have been engaged in a low-key “wildcat strike” since former mayor Lyda Krewson allowed the previous CBA to lapse and Mayor Jones assumed office. Some public employees, like police officers, are prohibited by law from striking, so from time-to-time, officers have been known to silently slow down work without being officially sanctioned by the police union. The “blue flu.” Since the Minneapolis police caused the suffocating death of George Floyd, cities across the country have been navigating police “pullbacks,” which include actions as small as covering up names and numbers on badges to more aggressive

behaviors like over-policing crimes of poverty and simply not responding to calls for emergencies.

St. Louis is far from being the only city in the U.S. where our police department - though mostly staffed and paid better than most other city employees - has decided to punish the people over petty politics. Serving and protecting whom?

This suspicion has been supported by several victims in recent years, like the driver of an SUV that recently was struck by a Chevy Impala, pushed through the guard rail, and off of the Grand Avenue bridge onto Forest Park Parkway below. Courtney McKinley, a 19-year-old who lost his brother and three of their friends in the accident, had specifically asked to speak to a reporter from his hospital bed because, as he described, the police and first responders took too long to arrive and remove other victims trapped in the car. When police did arrive, McKinley’s mother, Shanta Lucius, said that the officers were more concerned with the legally registered guns in the vehicle than helping the victims.

There was also the case of SLMPD officers straight-up failing to call a judge about three teenagers arrested for their alleged involvement in a shooting at City Foundry, breaking longstanding procedure. SLMPD made national headlines last month, when Ring doorbell footage went viral on TikTok and showed a white woman terrorizing and harassing a Mexican-American family in South City. Despite multiple calls to police, SLMPD had dropped the ball in protecting this family until the racist spectacle became a national embarrassment. Let us also not forget the “carjacking” reported by two SLMPD

officers a year ago, after they claimed a North City resident pointed a gun at them and tried to steal their vehicle. Security footage didn’t support those allegations, and police refused to produce video footage from dashcams and body cameras. We still don’t know the truth of what happened. Whatever SLMPD has been doing, they have made a strong case for an improved, centralized first responder system overhaul, as championed by Mayor Jones. Having a unified 911 center, like the new Public Safety Answering Point, that sends the appropriate first responder means a lower burden on law enforcement and less waste of public funds, whether that responder is a mental health professional, a firefighter, emergency medical services, or police. Dispatching a professional who is trained to encounter and de-escalate a person in crisis means that there will be fewer incidents of police misconduct. The Cops and Clinicians program saved the city $2.6 million in its first eight months. Being able to prioritize emergency over non-emergency calls means that resources will be allocated to the places that need policing and public safety practices that reduce crime without victimizing Black neighborhoods and residents in the process. In any case, a central 911 center also further complicates the state’s ability to regain control over SLMPD, as dispatchers would be municipal, “civil service”, employees who cannot be directed or burdened by state law.

We’ve certainly thrown enough money at the status quo of policing in St. Louis, and we look forward to seeing improved public safety that results from working smarter, not harder.

“Taking Care of You”

St. Louis Children’s Hospital honors health care champions

Smith, Williams receive Advocacy Awards

Muriel Smith, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank executive director, spends as much time in the organization’s warehouse as she does in board rooms. Smith has been honored by St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a 2023 Advocacy Award for directing the organization that focuses on ending diaper need and lack of access to period supplies, called period poverty.

St. Louis American staff

Two staunch allies of regional healthcare and access to resources has been honored with 2023 St. Louis Children’s Hospital Advocacy Awards. Muriel Smith, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank executive director, and Missouri state Sen, Brian Williams, were recently recognized for “dedicating their personal and professional

lives to uplifting the children of our region and instilling a sense of possibility for the future through education, health care, and legislative progress,” according to Children’s Hospital.

Smith’s organization focuses on ending diaper need and lack of access to period supplies, called period poverty. She has seen inequitable distribution of resources, including education, food, housing, and green

spaces, affect the lives of those in under-resourced neighborhoods in the St. Louis community. Smith helps ensure that individuals and families in the St. Louis region have basic items to help care for themselves and has been instrumental in creating awareness of the causes and consequences of diaper needs

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center

Prostate cancer isn’t a pleasant topic to think about. But at the same time, it’s a cancer that many of us are, unfortunately, familiar with. It’s likely impacted people in our lives, whether it’s family members, friends or those we know through school or work. So, whether it’s for ourselves or those we care about, it is important to better understand the disease and steps that may help protect against it.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the U.S., just behind breast cancer, but it is the most common cancer in men, with close to 290,000 cases diagnosed each year. And like many other health issues, prostate cancer doesn’t impact everyone equally – with African American men much more likely to develop and die from the disease than other groups. So, what is the prostate, exactly? It’s a gland about the size of a ping pong ball that’s part of the male reproductive system. It sits just below the bladder, circling the tube that empties urine from the body.

Problems with prostate health become more common as men age, and prostate cancer is found most often between ages 65-74. Being African American and having a family history of the disease can also increase risk significantly.

n Problems with prostate health become more common as men age, and prostate cancer is found most often between ages 65-74.

Screening for prostate cancer has been shown to lower the risk of dying of the disease. When found in early stages, prostate cancer has a 100 percent five-year survival rate. But unlike other types of cancer screenings, there can be a more subtle balance between the potential harms and benefits of screening when it comes to prostate cancer. This is largely because some prostate cancers are slow-growing and may never cause any serious health issues. However, others are very aggressive and men will benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

Because of this, the American Cancer Society recommends that men have an in-depth conversation with their doctors about the possible benefits and harms of prostate cancer

Missouri is making period products free in schools

By Kate Grumke St. Louis Public Radio

Issues are not just urban n “It’s not just in the urban core areas, but despite differences in district characteristics, nurses in pretty much all of the districts that responded were reporting some of these same issues.”

Missouri school districts are now offering free menstrual hygiene products to students through a new source of state funding.

The program is beginning as school nurses across the state report a serious need for products to help their students manage their periods. In a new survey, most nurses say they have students who have missed school because of their periods and have students who struggle to afford products such as tampons and pads.

That’s according to preliminary research presented by St. Louis University associate professor Anne Sebert Kuhlmann at the Missouri Public Health Association conference.

This research shows difficulty managing menstruation is affecting students’ education across the state, regardless of location or demographic differences in districts. Nurses from almost all Missouri counties responded to the survey, representing two out of three public

– Anne Sebert Kuhlmann

school districts in the state.

“It’s not just in the urban core areas, but despite differences in district characteristics, nurses in pretty much all of the districts that responded were reporting some of these same issues,” Sebert Kuhlmann said.

Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has $1 million to reimburse schools for menstrual hygiene products. Bart Washer, Interim Assistant

See PRODUCTS, A11

Nearly two-thirds of female students surveyed at Jennings Senior High School in 2020 said they didn’t have enough money to buy tampons or pads during the school year. Missouri is now offering free period products to schools.

Photo courtesy of Diaper Bank See AWARDS, A11

See COLDITZ, A11

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

A new study has shown a huge racial difference in infant deaths.

Researchers found that babies born to African Americans had the highest rate of sudden unexpected deaths in 2020.

The authors concluded that Black infants die nearly three times the rate of white babies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released research on Monday, March 13, that found a 15% increase in sudden infant deaths among babies of all races from 2019 to 2020.

In the United States, SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death after congenital abnormalities and premature birth.

SIDS is also the most common cause of infant death in the United States.

“Taking Care of You”

Black babies suffer higher rate of unexplained deaths

Researchers found that babies born to African Americans had the highest rate of sudden unexpected deaths in 2020. The authors concluded that Black infants die nearly three times the rate of white babies.

Reasons for the jump are unknown, NBC reported. The authors said that the increase could be a statistical anomaly. They said they would check the data for several more years to see if the increase was real or not. It could also reflect adjustments the National Association of Medical Examiners made in 2019 to how sudden infant deaths are classified on death certificates.

They said the rise in deaths among Black infants happened at the same time the coronavirus pandemic started in late 2019.

The virus disproportionately affected Black communities.

“Evidence does not support direct or indirect effects of the pandemic on increased rates

The authors attributed the rise in SIDS cases to diagnostic shifting, where causes of death are reclassified.

Awards

Continued from A10

and period.

Under her leadership, the Diaper Bank has increased the number of partner agencies and organizations, distributed over three million diapers annually, expanded its period supply program, and helped create the Missouri Coalition of Diaper Banks.

National Diaper Need Awareness Week is celebrated in October and she is thrilled with the many donations and financial support. But the need is year-round.

“It costs an average of $100 each month to diaper a single baby, and one in three U.S. families struggle with this expense,” Smith said.

“[Our organization] diligently works throughout the year to ensure families have access to clean diapers and other necessities because it is crucial in helping children thrive.”

Smith also is involved with several nonprofit organizations in St. Louis, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Family Resource Center, and North Side Community School. She serves on the Missouri Momnibus Committee, a collaboration of several dozen Black advocates across the state who have joined in their dedication to Black Maternal Health, and is also

Products

Continued from A10

Commissioner with the Office of College and Career Readiness, said schools have some flexibility in what they can provide for their students, from tampons and pads to reusable menstrual cups and underwear.

of sudden unexpected infant death, except for non-Hispanic Black infants,” the study authors stated.

They have called for more research, but also noted the many ways in which the pandemic wreaked havoc on African Americans.

The study found that SIDS death increased from 33.3 deaths per 100,000 babies born in 2019 to 38.2 per 100,000

babies born in 2020. In data collection, both SIDS and incidents of accidental suffocation or strangulation fall under the umbrella term SUID, or sudden unexplained infant death.

Unlike SIDS, the rates of SUIDs are categorized by race and ethnicity, and researchers found an increase in unexplained deaths in Black infants.

They didn’t find an increase among any other group. The study’s author, Sharyn Parks Brown, told NBC News that the finding was absolutely a surprise. She is a senior epidemiologist for the CDC’s Perinatal and Infant Health Team.

“The racial and ethnic breakdowns of such deaths had been consistent for decades,” she said.

a member of the Mujeres and Menstruators United Coalition. Williams grew up in Ferguson, Missouri, and is the first Black male to serve in the Missouri Senate in two decades.

Williams advocates addressing economic disparities by strengthening public schools,

“We have heard stories about students not being able to fund these products for themselves,” Washer said. “The fact that they can stay in school because they now have access to products that they need, we can focus on that level of care to help them continue learning.”

Colditz

Continued from A10

screenings before deciding if it’s right for them. Men at normal risk of prostate cancer should have this conversation starting at age 50. African American men – who are diagnosed with aggressive

addressing the

Sebert Kulhmann’s latest research built on previous work that examined menstrual hygiene needs in the Jennings School District in St. Louis. St. Louis University researchers anonymously surveyed more than 100 female students at Jennings Senior High School in February 2020 about their menstrual needs, including whether they had trouble accessing tampons and other products.

Nearly two-thirds said they

prostate cancer more often than men from other races – should have this discussion starting at ages 45. Men with a strong family history of the disease should have this discussion starting at ages 40-45. It’s never too early, though, to take steps that can help prevent serious prostate cancer. Behaviors that we know can lower risk include:

increasing access to quality health care, and focusing social and racial equity, and public safety.

He also believes that gun violence in Black communities is among many health inequities in the region. He wants to reinstate the requirements needed to obtain

didn’t have enough money to purchase period products during the school year.

About 1 in 3 of the survey’s respondents said they missed school because they didn’t have access to tampons or pads, often at least one day per month. Almost 70% of students said they relied on school employees for period products, including nurses and teachers.

a permit to conceal and carry a firearm. Missouri repealed the permit requirement during the 2016 legislative session.

“I’m tired of asking how many more tragedies it will take before the Legislature takes action to thwart our state’s high murder rates and enact common sense gun

published, her district received an influx of donations that helped meet students’ needs. Now, the school tries to talk openly about menstruation to make sure students are supported and educated.

“When we have ninth grade students coming in, they’re not used to speaking so openly about it,” Billingsley said.

Jennings Senior High School

Principal Cryslynn Billingsley said since the research was

• Not smoking. If you smoke, try to quit as soon as possible. Visit smokefree.gov for help. If you don’t smoke, be sure to stay smoke-free.

“They’re still kind of shrouded in the stigma about discussing a period.”

Billingsley’s school makes

• Keeping weight in check Being physically active can help control weight gain, even if it’s a few minutes here and there added up throughout the day. Other tips include: cutting back on sugary soda and fast food.

laws,” said Sen. Williams.

“While conceal and carry permit requirements won’t eradicate the violent crime that is plaguing our state, at the very least, those who carry firearms will be appropriately trained and on the radar of law enforcement. I cannot and will not look another child in the

sure all teachers have kits with period products in their classrooms. Students can also go to the nurse or front office.

“We’re socialized to kind of overlook some of the issues that impact girls,” Billingsley said. “So here’s another opportunity for us to address some of that socialization, and that you don’t have to be ashamed about having a period.”

Every district in Missouri can receive at least $500 through the program, but schools can request reimbursement for more if they have more students or higher-

• Eating tomatoes and tomato-based foods. Try to add salsa, red pasta sauce, and other tomato dishes to weekly meals. Among other nutrients, tomatoes are high in lycopene, which may help lower the risk of some cancers, including prostate cancer.

Whether it’s through making healthy lifestyle choices or talking to a doctor about screening, there are important steps men can take to look after their prostate health. That can mean a lot to family, friends and others in their lives. It’s your health. Take control.

According to NBC News, the guidance said finding babies on or near soft bedding was not enough to say the deaths were caused by suffocation, because there was no evidence the airways had been blocked.

Those cases, according to the recommendations, should be classified as SIDS.

“If the new guidance was followed, this could have led to increased reporting of SIDS,” the study authors wrote.

face without knowing I am doing everything I can to protect them.”

Williams has created legislation giving those with sickle cell anemia access to needed pain medication prescriptions, protected individuals’ MO ABLE funds for disability costs, and leads the Capitol’s annual human trafficking awareness day. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Williams regularly speaks about health care issues and how funds are distributed in the state. Williams serves as a board director for People’s Health Center, where he helped develop a behavioral health care center for under-resourced children and is a member of the advisory boards for St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Nurses for Newborns and the University City Children’s Center.

“Both Muriel and Sen. Williams have significantly contributed to child advocacy, and we are grateful for their leadership and passion for making our communities better for kids and their families,” said Trish Lollo, president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Established in 1994 by St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Advocacy Award recognizes local and state leaders who leverage their positions, resources, and influence to do what’s right for kids.

need students.

“It is a very real situation for schools that they need those products, [students] need to be able to have consistent access and supply of those products,” Sebert Kuhlmann added. For now, the program is only available for sixth through 12th grades, which Sebert Kuhlmann says could miss students who start their periods early. The grant is only for this year. Washer said both his department and the governor have requested the legislature fund the program again.

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

State Sen. Brian Williams is recipient of a 2023 St. Louis Children’s Hospital Advocacy Award for his work to increase access to quality healthcare. Williams has created legislation giving those with sickle cell anemia access to needed pain medication prescriptions, protected individuals’ MO ABLE funds for disability costs.

Cryslynn Billingsley

Photo courtesy of Sen. Brian Williams

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Dining Out.

What Is ASize?Serving

GRAINS

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Staying

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

First Day of Spring!

First Day of Spring!

Exercise Game

Smart Choices

Calculate BMI

Tech-Neck

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

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

Nutrition Challenge:

Once you’re out of school, many of you may have a lot of extra time on your hands to be snacking. Resist the urge to eat sweet, salty, fried and high-calorie non-nutritious snacks this summer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

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

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

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

Create a Smart Summer Eating plan with your parents. Ask their help in finding nutritious snacks and meals for the

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

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

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

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

As the weather gets warmer, there are many ways that we can enjoy ourselves outdoors and stay healthy over the summer. Some naturally active things you can do include:

summer. Delicious juicy, ripe fruits are all around and are healthy for you too! Make it your goal to come back to school in the fall healthier and happier!

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

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

> Wash your parent’s car.

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

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

Melissa Douglass, MSW

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Review: What are some nutrition tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@stlamerican.com.

INGREDIENTS: Whole Grain Corn, Sugar, Corn Meal, Corn Syrup, Canola and/or Rice Bran Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Color Added, Salt, Fructose, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Trisodium Phosphate, BHT Added to Preserve Freshness. Vitamins and Minerals: Tricalcium

Aaron Bell, EMT

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Where do you work?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE

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

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

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

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

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

even simmered can all mean, in Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

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

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

B1 (thiamin mononi- trate), Vitamin A (palmitate), A B Vitamin (folic acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3 MAY CONTAIN WHEAT INGREDIENTS.

Staying active, getting your heart rate up and opening your lungs will help you start off next school year happier and healthier!

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

I am an EMT – B at Abbott EMS in Belleville, Illinois.

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

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

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

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

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lindbergh High School. I then attended the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where I studied biology.

> Walking to the store when possible.

March 20, 2023, 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.

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

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools. Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

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

> Help with yard work: planting, weeding, etc.

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

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

> Play, play, play outside as much as you can!

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

Review: What are some exercise tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@ stlamerican.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Learning Standards: HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Over the last 35 weeks we have discussed many smart choices that you can make to help you stay safe and healthy. Break into small groups and list as many Smart Choices that your group remembers. Now individually, choose one that you think is very important. Describe in your own words what that smart choice is, and how you can remember to make the right choice in the future. Name a new “smart choice“ that you will make this summer.

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

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

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

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

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

Where do you work? I am an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) for Abbott EMS in Belleville, Illinois. Where did you go to school? I graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administration from Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, and I then received an EMT certification from Abbott EMS.

What does an EMT do? My day-to-day includes helping others when they aren’t feeling their best. I also assist getting them to the hospital when they can’t take themselves.

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

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

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

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

What does an EMT do? On a daily basis I help people in critical situations, to and from hospitals or other facilities. I also use lights and sirens to navigate through traffic.

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

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

> How bullying hurts others.

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, HPE 5, NH 1, NH5, NH 7

> What to do if you are bullied.

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

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 fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

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

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

Cracker-wiches

Ingredients:

8 Saltine crackers

Easy Hummus Dip

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

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

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I love helping people and making a change in my community and field. I have family members in the medical field and I always wanted that as well.

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

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy helping others problem solve. Also, I have twin stepsons, one who wants to be a police officer, and the other who wants to be a doctor. I thought that being an EMT helped me to meet them both in the middle. And, back in 2018, I had my own medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The paramedic that took care of me was so comforting and assuring that I realized that becoming an EMT is an honorable career. I now work with that same paramedic, at the same company.

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

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

4 Tbsp Peanut butter

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

> What other ice hazards are there?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

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

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 7, NH 5, NH 7 Ice can be dangerous for several different reasons.

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

2 Large Strawberries

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

1 cup blueberries 1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

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

1 Tbsp Honey (optional)

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt

What is your favorite part of the job you have? My favorite part of my job is putting a smile on a patient’s face during a tough time, while also comforting anxious family members.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

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

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

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

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting and learning about new people and cultures every day. I also like the adrenaline of driving fast with sirens going to get to an emergency quickly.

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

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

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

Banana PB Smoothie

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Banana PB Smoothie

Marnay Howard, EMT - B

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

Ninth-grade students

Demetrius Hampton and Dereon Howard, in Ms. Cheryl M. Christian’s class at Jennings Senior High School, are working on the Density of Water Lab. They are using graduated cylinder and triple beam scale to gather and analyze data.

by Ms. Cheryl M. Christian

SCIENCE CORNER

Fish & Wildlife Biology

Scientists in this field study the conservation and management of wildlife and fish. They evaluate the environment and habits of these animals, allowing the scientists to understand disease, habitat, and behavior. For example, studying the eating habits of a type of fish will help the scientists determine if the area has enough food supply to support their population. These biologists help control population when it is overgrown and help to replenish endangered species. They help keep water clean and safe. Studying how fish respond to diseases not only helps that species of fish, but that information is also helpful to learning how humans could possibly respond to treatments for diseases.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

To have a career in this field, you will need a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. This field offers many types of job choices. You can work on boats to collect information for research. You can work in fields or streams. You can work in a lab, and you can be a teacher or professor for this field. Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-totext and text-to-world connections.

Ice Fishing Anyone?

In this experiment, you will create a setting for ice fishing.

Materials Needed:

• Small Paper Cups or an Ice Cube Tray

• Glass or Bowl of Water • String (yarn or kite string works great) • Small Stick (this will be your fishing pole) • Salt Procedure:

q Fill the cups or tray with water and place in the freezer.

w When the water is frozen, remove the ice from the cup or tray.

e Put the ice in the glass or bowl filled with water. The cube will bob up and down in the water before it floats to the top.

r Place one end of the string from the fishing pole on top of the ice cube and

Solve these fish-related word problems.

q There are 26 aquariums at the pet store. Each aquarium holds an average of 20 fish. Approximately, how many fish are there in all? ______

w A class of 24 students took a fishing field trip. There was a three fish maximum catch limit. ½ of the students caught the maximum, ¼ caught two fish, and ¼ caught one fish. How many fish did they catch in all? ______

e Tyra bought a can of fish food. It said it would feed one fish for about one month. Tyra

DID YOU KNOW?

Check out these facts about fish:

sprinkle salt on the ice where the string is touching. The water will melt and refreeze.

t After about 10 seconds, carefully lift the ice cube out of the water with the fishing pole. You caught a fish (ice)!

y Analyze—water freezes at 32° F. Salt lowers the water’s freezing temperature. The more salt you add, the more it affects the refreezing temperature. How did this process affect this experiment?

Extension:

Try sugar, pepper, sand, flour, or other items. See what works, and what doesn’t, and try to figure out why!

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

has four fish. Approximately how long will this can of fish food last?

r Fish tanks need gravel or sand in the bottom. A rule of thumb is to include one pound per gallon of tank to create a 1 inch base, and two pounds per gallon to create a 2 inch base. Alexander has a 33 gallon tank. He wants to create a 1 ½ inch base. How much gravel should he add? ______

Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve a problem.

African-American Fish and Wildlife Ecologist Mamie Parker

Mamie Parker was born in Arkansas, the youngest of 11 children. Her mother named her Mamie after First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, as a tribute to all of the work Ike Eisenhower did for the Civil Rights movement. Parker loved the outdoors and all types of animals. Having a large family, they depended on the success of their fishing efforts in order to have enough protein to feed the family. Parker enjoyed this time with her mother, who always encouraged her to learn all that she could. Mrs. Parker said, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!”

Parker was one of the first to attend the integrated high school in Wilmot, Arkansas. She was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s song, “Mercy Me,” which spoke of pollution and the need for change. Parker enrolled in the University of Arkansas to major in biology. While there, she was recruited to move to Wisconsin as an intern. She earned a degree in biology from the University of Arkansas and an ecology degree from the University of Wisconsin. Later, she would attend Harvard to study leadership training.

Her career took her from Wisconsin to Minnesota, to Columbia, Missouri. While in Columbia, she helped local farmers learn how to maximize the use of their land to help wildlife and fish thrive. Parker is also known for helping the Atlantic salmon population which was endangered. After many years in the business, Parker was offered a job in Washington D.C. as the first African-American woman to be the Assistant Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). She remembers a fellow employee telling her that the only African-American women who had been in the building were the janitors who cleaned it. Parker felt pride in her position and wanted to inspire other women to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

Parker has authored the book, “The Future of Fisheries.”

She has received many awards, such as The Presidential Rank Award and the Ira Gabrielson Award. Parker also has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and is a motivational speaker.

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

Anableps is a type of fish with four eyes. It can see above and below water at the same time.

MAP CORNER

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

Activities — Pick a Plot: Use the newspaper to cut out words that are places, people, and actions. Place each word in a bag labeled place, people, or action. After everyone has added their words, draw a word from each bag. Use your words to create a story.

Figures of speech: Authors use figures of speech to be creative and descriptive. Can you find examples of similes, metaphors, alliteration, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, or idioms in the newspaper? Create a poster with your examples.

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

Photo

MARCH 16 – 22, 2023

Parish the thought Restaurateur brings Creole cuisine

downtown

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Mozay Restaurant mixes a bit of Creole and southern cuisine on every plate.

The glazed bourbon fried chicken wings and french toast paired with its signature ‘DT Ice Tea’ is served near the Gateway Arch, yet tastes of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Founder and chef Amorio Parish opened Mozay last fall at the intersection of 13th and Olive, and says business has been great.

“I took a leap of faith, I was ready to do something different,” said Parish.

The retired veteran began a catering business in 2021 after serving 13 years in the military. His family and friends would ask him to cook for any get-together and the recipe for success was in the mix.

n “I’m passionate about cooking and gardening, cooking gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment,” said the chef.

“I’m passionate about cooking and gardening, cooking gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment,” said the chef.

“My food brings people together”

The nearly 6,000 square feet restaurant can certainly bring people together. Parish calls himself a die-hard St. Louis Blues and Cardinals fan, which he expresses through banners throughout the restaurant.

Regardless of the sports interest, diners enjoy

Parish’s fried salmon and grits or the newest, lamb chops and grits. If you’re looking for something more traditional, the chef recommends his seafood pasta.

“It’s almost like Disneyland when you come in here, you have a lot to choose from,” he said.

“But the prices are much cheaper than Disneyland.”

Parish focused on his catering business during the pandemic. His menu created such a buzz that he found himself catering up to five events a day. News was spreading on social media about Mozay and, with the help from his family and friends, he was able to keep up.

When Parish realized his catering success was becoming overwhelming, it was time to take Mozay to the next level and look for a restaurant.

See RESTAURANT, B2

Creating paths for Black drivers – and fans

A conversation with Curtis Francois of World Wide Technology Raceway

By Chris King For The St. Louis American

PeoPle on the Move

Kristol Simms named VP at Ameren Illinois

Kristol Simms has been promoted to the newly created position of vice president of Clean Energy Transition, Economic, Community and Business Development for Ameren Illinois. In this newly created position, the functions responsible for energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and economic development, and are being re-organized under Simms to optimize the company’s grid transformation efforts to support the clean energy transition in Illinois. Simms began her career in the Ameren legal department in 2014 before being promoted to lead energy efficiency in 2018. She holds a juris doctorate degree from the University of Missouri School of Law.

racing fans. Entertainment thrives in a Metro East space that might have been laid to waste and reinvests in the local community - now with the support of World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation.

“Dave II and I continue to be impressed with the energy and commitment Curtis brings to the raceway and his dedication to improving the quality of life for all of us in the St. Louis and southwest Illinois region,” David L. Steward said of his business partner.

“My family and I are honored to partner with Curtis, who made bringing a NASCAR Cup race to World Wide Technology Raceway possible

with his vision and strong execution. The Enjoy Illinois 300, coupled with the Confluence Music festival highlights the Gateway region on the world stage for an entire weekend. Our community is enriched by all that Curtis, his family, and his team are doing, and we are having a lot of fun together along the way.”

Thinking that a business partner of Dave

Curtis Francois, owner and CEO of World Wide Technology Raceway, joined with Jackie Joyner Kersee at the JJK Community Center to help set the pace during NASCAR simulator racing with students. As part of its STEM program, WWTR donated sim-racing computers and rigs to the Center.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis President Flint Fowler has been recognized as a 2023 St. Louis Titan. The Titan 100 program recognizes St. Louis’s Top 100 CEOs & C-level executives who are the area’s most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that includes demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Fowler has served as President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (formerly Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club) since 1996.

Lacy named to Places for People board

Places for People has welcomed Rodney B. Lacy to the board of directors. He is a strategic human resources business leader at Green Street Real Estate Ventures with expertise in engagement, development, performance, recruitment, and satisfaction. As a proactive catalyst for change, he excels in diverse, fast-paced environments. Places for People is ecstatic to have Rodney on board for what’s next for mental health and healing in the St. Louis region.

Isaac-Savage receives UMSL award

Flint Fowler named a 2023 Titan 100 E. Paulette Isaac-Savage, professor of adult education, recently received UMSL’s E. Paulette Isaac-Savage Black Excellence in Service and Leadership award (which was named after her) that will be given each year to a BFSA member. Isaac-Savage is the inaugural recipient of the award, given by The Black Faculty and Staff Association at the University of Missouri–St. Louis She was named to the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

MOZAY staff: Chef Mozy, Sharelle Ballard, Evelyn Jackson and Manger Almonzo Jackson. Standing in back is Daryl Jones in their downtown restaurant.

Kristol Simms

E. Paulette IsaacSavage

Flint Fowler

Rodney

Rodney Lacy

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of World Wide Technology Raceway

Black drivers

Continued from B1

and next for World Wide Technology Raceway?

Curtis Francois: WWTR is continuing work on an aggressive investment plan that will ultimately represent a $100 million investment by 2025, including land acquisition and fan enhancements.

When I purchased the raceway in 2011, it consisted of 150 acres. Today, after many purchases, including Gateway National Golf Course, the property spans more than 700 acres. This ensures the track continues to offer many styles of racing as well as accommodate the crowds and camping enthusiasts who flock to these major events. In fact, it is the only venue in the country to host NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA events.

The fan experience continues to evolve with new multi-million-dollar investment for the infield fan zone with up-close garage access in time for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race on June 4, 2023.

Global touring artists will headline the Confluence Music Festival, to be announced soon. It will feature multiple stages and multiple genres over the weekend.

Driver Appearances are an important part of our community commitment. In 2022, we hosted Daniel Suarez in Fairmont City with Hispanic youth who loved their time with him; and driver Bubba Wallace presented a Raceway Gives racing scholarship to a deserving metro east student.

Jackie Joyner Kersee will be the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race and will host the first-ever 5K run named in her honor. The JJK 5K will be held on Saturday June 3 – on the same 1.25-mile oval track that the NASCAR drivers race around.

The St. Louis American: Do you see evidence of increasing interest/ participation in NASCAR and other racing activities by African Americans? What are you doing to reach that audience?

Curtis Francois: Absolutely. Drivers like Bubba Wallace and Rajah Caruth are making tremendous strides in engaging fans of color. Hosting these drivers in the community when they are in town is an important step in raising awareness and inviting new fans to enjoy racing.

Further, Raceway Gives is the philanthropic arm of World Wide Technology Raceway to foster transformational change in the Metro-East communities surrounding the raceway. Through grassroots partnerships, Raceway Gives leverages the resources of the raceway and technology associated with motorsports to excite area youth about STEM education.

Raceway Gives touches on essential community issues by consciously partnering with

Restaurant

Continued from B1

“I want people to experience more than just my food, I want them to experience the atmosphere of Mozay, which is coming together as a family,” said the chef.

Parish said “family and friend time” was what he missed most during his time in the service, adding that he feels renewed and refreshed marching to his own beat.

Creation of some menu items includes “mentally traveling to the different cities and countries I was stationed in the military.”

Remembering those cultures, the food he ate, and seasonings he tasted help him develop signature dishes.

His fondest memories of his food always go back to Louisiana.

“That kind of food just gives that feeling of good down-home cooking, that feels good to the soul,” Parish said.

“I want Mozay to look and feel like love.”

Parish wants Mozay to be a restaurant on any list of travelers to try when visiting.

“Tell a friend to tell a friend about Mozay,” said Parish.

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

schools and youth organizations serving underserved Black and brown students from economically challenged communities.

Raceway Gives has a long-standing partnership with the Jackie Joyner Kersee Center in East St. Louis to deliver STEM experiences through motorsports to the youth served through Jackie’s organization.

The raceway and Jackie’s center are just minutes apart and both organizations share a dedication to improving the lives of Metro East kids. The collaboration has won national attention, earning the 2021 Comcast Community Champion award, which recognizes the most compelling motorsports-related community contributions across the nation.

Raceway Gives has installed racing simulators at the center, hosts special guests to talk with the kids, and offers many opportunities for them to visit and interact at the track. The JJK Center is one of 16 regional youth organizations to take part in the Raceway Gives STEM outreach initiative, coined the Junior 500, which teaches teamwork and technology through the exhilarating experience of competitive kart racing.

In 2022, Raceway Gives in partnership with Dave Steward II and the Steward Family Foundation awarded MetroEast student Josiah Unaeze an advanced karting scholarship from Raceway Gives in 2022. He earned the need-based scholarship based on his interest and enthusiasm for motorsports, and the award was presented to him personally by NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. This was an inspiring moment for a bright young man.

Lastly, WWTR and Raceway Gives used the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series race as the launch for Raceway Gives Community Champions. This new initiative creates and supports hyper-local programs that boost community pride through physical improvements to public spaces and special event opportunities.

In June 2022, a large section of highway retaining wall and two buildings were selected by regional leaders for mural artwork created by local artists Cbabi Bayoc, Mykael Ash and

Korbin King. Collaborating organizations include: Illinois Department of Transportation; Bi-State Development; Lorenzo Savage, CEO and co-founder of I Am EStL the Foundation; and building owner Keith Mocabee. The St. Louis American: What has it been like working with David Steward? What has he brought to the business?

Curtis Francois: From the moment I met Dave, I knew I had met a new friend. We share a common viewpoint of working to make the world a better place. Dave is an inspirational person and has shown me the depth of the word “generosity.” I’ve learned so much working with him, not only from a business standpoint but also what it means to be someone that lives their life as an example for others.

One of the first things he said to me as we discussed our naming rights partnership was: to think big. Think about the things that can make transformational change. From that point forward we redoubled our efforts together to make a difference in the St. Louis region.

I’ll never forget standing with Dave at the start-finish line in front of packed stands at the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race last year. Two B-1 bombers were flying overhead as Kennedy Holmes sang the National Anthem with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. After working so hard to make this happen, standing there with him and watching it all come together was an amazing feeling of joy and a moment I will never forget.

He has leveraged the power of World Wide Technology and his personal commitments to helps us strengthen our relationship with NASCAR and help drive significant change within motorsports. His work has directly helped create a path for Black and brown drivers to race at the highest level. It’s hard to describe the amount of respect I have for Dave Steward. Suffice to say: he has been an inspiration and mentor to me, and I am eternally grateful to him. For more information, visit https://wwtraceway.com.

David Steward, World Wide Technology founder and chair, David Steward II, Lion Forge Animation founder, and Curtis Francois, owner and CEO of World Wide Technology Raceway, with the 2022 Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series trophy.

A happy young diner enjoys a Mozay Restaurant kids’ meal of chicken wings and mashed potatoes. Mozay opened last fall downtown and serves Creole and southern cuisine.

Photo courtesy of Mozay

Photo courtesy of World Wide Technology Raceway

n “My worst day is somebody’s greatest dream because I can coach.”

– Providence Friars coach Ed Cooley upon being named 2023 Naismith Coach of the

Sports

MARCH 16 – 22, 2023

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Vashon squads hit Springfield as title favorites

Vashon High will be trying to double its pleasure as it will be taking both its boys and girls basketball teams to this weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities State Championships in Springfield.

The boys’ team is seeking a third consecutive state championship while the girls are looking for their first state title in the school’s history.

Vashon’s boys (22-7) will be in action on Thursday afternoon when it takes on Father Tolton in the state semifinals at the Great Southern Bank Arena. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. The two teams met for the Class 4 state championship a year ago with Vashon taking a 57-49 victory for the state title. The winner of the Vashon-Tolton game will meet the Park Hills Central-St. Joe’s Lafayette winner for the state championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. The third-place game will be on Saturday at 10 a.m. Senior forward Kennard Davis Jr. has been Coach Tony Irons leader for the past two seasons. The 6’6” Southern Illinois recruit is averaging a team-high 15.5 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Fellow seniors Jayden Nicholson, Cameron Stovall and Jordan Logan are also big contributors in the front court, along with 6’8” sophomore Nicholas Randall.

The Wolverines also feature a talented group of young guards who have stepped into major roles. Sophomores Trey Williams, Dierre Hill and Christian Williams form an excellent young trio while junior Andre Aaron Jr. provides even more depth and talent in the backcourt.

Coach John Albert’s girls’ team has been equally impressive in the postseason as the Wolverines have posted one lopsided victory after another on its way to the Final Four. Vashon (25-5) will meet Southern Boone in the state semifinals on Thursday at 6 p.m. The winner of that game will meet the Park Hills Central-Benton winner for the state championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Vashon is led by its talented trio of guards Raychel Jones, JaNyla Bush and Chantrel “TuTu” Clayton. The 5’10” Jones is a UMKC recruit who has been starting since her freshman year. She is averaging 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Bush is a junior point guard who has already committed to Missouri State. She is averaging 15 points and four assists a game while Clayton is a 5’7” combo guard who averages a team-high 16 points a game while making 66 3-pointers. Seniors Bri Collins and Rayvin Jones round out the lineup with both being valuable contributors throughout the season.

Cardinal Ritter Returns to State

Cardinal Ritter College Prep will be making its fourth consecutive appearance in the Final Four this weekend. The Lions will be seeking their 10th state championship in the Class 5 tournament. Ritter will face Pembroke Hill in the semifinals on Friday at 2 p.m. Ladue will face Jefferson City in the second semifinal at 4 p.m. The winner of both games will meet for the state championship on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Cardinal Ritter won back-to-back state championships in 2020 and 2021 and finished third last season in Class 5. They are a juniordominated team that is talented and wellbalanced. They feature guards Clayton Jackson, Derrick Rivers, Ryan Atkins and forwards Nashawn Davis, Quentin Parker and Mehki Barringer.

IWA looking for 100 Incarnate Word Academy is looking to keep its dynasty going as they seek their third consecutive Class 6 state championship. The Red Knights also enter the Final Four with a 98-game winning streak, which means if they can win two games and the state title, they will leave Springfield with the streak at 100 games. Incarnate Word will meet Raytown in the semifinals on Friday at 8 p.m. Eureka will face Columbia Rock Bridge in the other semifinal game at 6 p.m. The winners will meet for the state championship on Saturday at 4 p.m. Incarnate Word is led by its senior dynamic duo of 6’2” Natalie Potts and 6›1» Brooke Coffey.

Potts is a Nebraska recruit who is averaging 19.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Coffey is an Illinois State recruit who averages 13.6

Dennis Gates got the job done during his first season at Missouri by getting the Tigers into the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament with a 24-9 record.

Mizzou, a No. 7 seed, takes on 10-seed Utah State on March 16 in Sacramento. The winner will most likely play No. 2 seed Arizona, who takes on Princeton.

“I’m very excited about our program, our players, our administration, everyone affiliated with the city of Columbia. It takes a village for these days to happen, and it is a lot of people behind the scenes who may not get the credit, and I want to thank them as well,” Missouri head coach, Dennis Gates, said following the Tigers’ selection last Sunday.

Alvin A. Reid

While some Tigers’ fans think one season’s success is not enough to earn a pay jump from $2.5 million to $4 million next season, followed by annual increases of $100,000, Gates had been linked to vacancies at Georgetown and his alma mater California. His buyout figure also increased to $25.5 million.

“The city of Columbia is my home, my family loves it here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Gates said in a release after the extension was announced.

“My staff has done a tremendous job of supporting my dream building on the great tradition of Mizzou. I’m proud to be a Tiger and to coach at this wonderful institution.”

Mizzou has a winner in Gates. Give him what he needs and get out of his way.

The administration also rewarded Gates with a contract extension which could keep him at Missouri through the 2028-29 season.

Tournament, Kennesaw State University’s Amir AbdurRahim is a standout.

A former Georgia assistant coach, Abdur-Rahim took over the perennial loser in 2019-20 and his Owls finished 1-28 and 0-15 in the Atlantic Sun Conference that season.

Abdur-Rahim gives a hoot

Of the Black coaches featured during the NCAA

The respective win totals went to three then five the next two seasons, and AbdurRahim’s team has now hit stride. KSU improved to 26-8 by beating Liberty 67-66 in Sunday’s conference tournament championship game. Abdur-Rahim is the younger

Missouri men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates has the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament, and he also received a contract extension and nice pay raise.

brother of former NBA star and current NBA G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He grew up in Cobb County, Georgia, where Kennesaw is located, and played high school basketball there.

“To be able to say you did something for your community, it’s special,” Abdur-Rahim said of his roots, and the fact his team is the only one from Georgia in the NCAA Tournament.

“I don’t want to have to have people in the area drive an hour or two to have to see high-quality basketball,” he said.

guard Raychel

moves around a Cardinal Ritter defender during the Lady Wolverines’ 62-50 victory in the Class 4 District 5 championship at Ritter. Vashion will meet Southern Boone in a state semifinal on Thursday, Mar. 16.

points and 5.2 rebounds a game. Sophomores Nevaeh Caffey and Peyton Hill have also stepped into major roles this season.

ESL takes home third place

The East St. Louis Flyers brought home a thirdplace trophy from last weekend›s IHSA Class 3A state championships in Champaign. The Flyers were defeated by eventual state champion Metamora 50-43 in the semifinals, but they rebounded to defeat St. Ignatius 50-48 in the third-place game. Senior forward Macaleab Rich led the Flyers in both games. The Kansas State recruit had 19 points and seven rebounds in the semifinals and followed up with 24 points and 11 rebounds in the third-place game. The Flyers advanced to the Final Four with a thrilling double-overtime victory over defending state champion Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin.

The tale of Texas Southern

It’s rare for a team to reach the NCAA Tournament with a losing record, but Texas Southern accomplished the feat by downing Grambling State University in the SWAC Tournament title game 61-58 last Saturday.

Texas Southern, which now stands at 14-20, finished the regular season with three straight losses. The Tigers stunned top-seeded Alcorn State in a tournament quarterfinal, then beat No. 5-seed Alabama A&M in the semis. Grambling, the No. 2 seed, had set a record with 24 wins this season and was riding an 11-game win streak before Texas Southern shocked the SWAC.

The tigers were scheduled to play Farleigh Dickinson on Tuesday in a play-in contest. The winner takes on Purdue. Howard, 22-12, will take on West Region top seed Kansas in Des Moines, Iowa after winning the MEAC Tournament with a 65-64 win over Norfolk

State. It is the Bisons first conference tournament title since 1992.

The Reid Roundup Fred Perpall, who didn’t begin playing golf until a decade ago, has been elected president of the United States Golf Association on Saturday. He becomes the first Black man to lead the organization in its 129-year history. Perpall, 48, is CEO of The Beck Group in Dallas, a commercial architecture and construction business…Tiger Woods sometimes tawdry social life took another strange turn this week. Former girlfriend Erica Herman wants a Non-Disclosure Agreement voided, claiming that a federal law that nullifies NDAs in sexual assault or harassment disputes applies. Woods’ attorneys say there has been no assault or harassment and called Herman “a jilted ex-girlfriend.” Herman sued last October after she and Woods broke up and he kicked her out of his house.

Earl Austin Jr.

Year

Vashon

Jones (5)

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Columbia Missourian

CEO Pat Coleman to leave BHR after 26 years

Move is effective May 5

For over 26 years, Pat Coleman has made an indelible leadership imprint on behavioral health in our community and beyond. She rose through the ranks, beginning her Behavioral Health Career (BHR) career in human resources, yet her passion, vision, and leadership commanded a higher calling as the president and CEO. Effective May 5, 2023, Coleman will embark upon the next chapter in her leadership journey.

“Although I’m excited for my transition, I am saddened to leave BHR, my co-workers, and the behavioral health community, all of whom I’ve grown to love through the course

According to Forbes, there will be a record number of Black CEOs running Fortune 500 companies.

Black Enterprise reported that Chris Womack has been named the next CEO of utility giant Southern Company, the first Black person to sit in that seat. Southern Company supports nine million customers and businesses nationwide with electric utilities in three states

of 26 years,” said Pat.

“I have had the honor of working alongside Pat as a board member for over ten years and have watched, with such admiration, how her leadership, vision, and dedication to the communities we serve have transformed BHR, our region, and the behavioral health landscape. Her departure from BHR is bittersweet, but she leaves the organization in the capable hands of a highly committed leadership team, and I have no doubt she will continue to make a big impact in our community wherever her journey takes her,” said BHR Board Chair Lara Pennington.

Record number of Blacks running Fortune 500 companies

and natural gas distribution utilities in four, and provides wholesale energy, customized distributed energy solutions and fiber optics and wireless communications across the country. Days prior to the announcement, Calvin Butler got the job for CEO of Exelon Corporation,

largest electric parent company in the United States. Exelon is the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers through six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities

Black Enterprise also noted that several other Blacks became CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in the last few years: Lloyd Yates became CEO of utility NiSource last year. NiSource Inc. is one of the

largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across six states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands

Rosalind (Roz) Brewer joined Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. as CEO in March 2021. She also is a Director on WBA’s Board. Ms. Brewer most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Group President at Starbucks from October 2017 to January 2021. Prior to Starbucks, she

n “Although I’m excited for my transition, I am saddened to leave BHR, my co-workers, and the behavioral health community, all of whom I’ve grown to love through the course of 26 years.”

– Pat Colemen

served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sam’s Club, Marvin Ellison became chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lowe’s Companies Inc., a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company with more than 2,200 stores and approximately 300,000 associates in the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Lowe’s, Marvin served as chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co. René F. Jones became chairman and chief executive officer of M&T Bank, a

First Mid Bank helps replace floor at downtown gym

diversified, community-focused banking franchise with $200 billion in assets and a network of 1,000+ branches across the eastern U.S. Craig Arnold is chairman and chief executive officer of Eaton, a power management company doing business in more than 175 countries. Frank Clyburn has served as CEO of International Flavors and Fragrances since 2022. Previously he held the role of executive vice president and president of human health for Merck & Co.

First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) has pledged a $25,000 donation to the Youth & Family Center (YFC) in downtown St. Louis to replace the organization’s aging gymnasium floor.

Dr. LaChrisa Crenshaw, YFC Executive Director, stated the $25,000 donation will help YFC provide a safe, welcoming space where kids of all ages can enjoy more opportunities to

achieve their full potential and see a brighter future in the community. The current gymnasium is a multi-functional and recreational space. However, the concrete and urethane-coated

floor is failing and unsafe, lim-

iting the organization’s ability to offer quality programs in a safe environment.

“Our kids want a place to go that they can be proud of,” said

Dr. Crenshaw. “A place that offers the opportunity to make good choices. Right now, there aren’t a lot of places for our kids, teens, and young adults to be active and have fun. We

want to provide that space for them at the Center. Having a renovated and functioning gym floor with secure and usable exterior doors would help us in so many ways.”

Chris Womack

Calvin Butler

Fabric of Forever

St.

Louis native

Brea Holmes part of Ruth Carter’s Best Costume Design Oscar win

By Danielle Brown St. Louis American

Angela Bassett’s powerful performance in her recurring role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever lost to Jamie Lee Curtis’ role in Everything Everywhere All at Once at The 95th Academy Awards Sunday (March 12). It has left many movie-goers enraged; the belief that Bassett “was robbed” of the Best Supporting Actress award and the debate continues sweeping social media. There was some good news on Oscar night, though.

n “Keep being persistent, keep striving for what you love and what you wanna do. Hard work pays off.”

- Brea Holmes

Costume designer Ruth Carter became the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars. She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 2018 for Black Panther [she was the first African American to win that category] and has won the same award for Wakanda Forever in 2023.

Brea Holmes, a costume designer and native St. Louisan is part of the winning team that stitched life into the clothing of Wakanda Forever The St. Louis American spoke with Holmes on Monday [March 13], hours after her team’s triumph.

“Thank you so much, it’s a long time coming,” she said.

“It was a great project, and I definitely got

Rock rolls live

Chris Rock’s “Selective Outrage” nets Netflix big numbers

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire and Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

A year has passed since Will Smith stunned a live audience and millions watching the Oscars on television when he slapped Chris Rock. The comedian on the receiving end of the attack has finally addressed the incident.

Netflix is now streaming, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” a live comedy special from Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theater. It first aired on March 4, 2023.

A pre-show and after-show exclusive to the premiere were hosted at Los Angeles’ Comedy Store, with Ronny Chieng presenting the pre-show and David Spade and Dana Carvey presenting the after-show.

Amy Schumer, Cedric the Entertainer, George Lopez, Ice-T, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Hart, Matthew McConaughey, Paul McCartney, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Wanda Sykes, Woody Harrelson, JB Smoove, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made guest appearances.

Things happen on live TV that are sometimes unforeseen, and Rock’s special had a glitch.

According to IndieWire’s Wilson Chapman, the “Selective Outrage” replay “has since been edited to cover up a punchline flub.

“Yes, it was one about Will Smith and the infamous Oscars slap. In the joke, Rock initially referenced the wrong Smith movie,” Wilson wrote.

“Don’t worry, plenty of punchlines about Will and wife Jada Pinkett Smith — including pretty much the entire closing section of Rock’s set — remain.”

members of Guy (Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Damion Hall) with special guest Tank.

The original 1978 New Edition, with Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant — began

as a boy band modeled after the Jackson 5. In 1982, “Candy Girl,” hit the charts and a string of hits including “Mr. Telephone Man”

A day after its live release, Rock’s special vaulted to No. 7 on Netflix’s U.S. TV Chart. On days 2-9, “Selective Outrage” made its debut on Netflix’s Global Top 10 English TV list,

with Keith Sweat and the original members of Guy (Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Damion Hall) with special guest Tank.

Brea Holmes (inset left) and Holmes far right in gray locs and other costume designers prep on “The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” set.

See New Edition, C8

See Rock, C3

Photos courtesy of Brea Holmes

Photos courtesy of Netflix

Religion

By Jim Graves Catholic News Agency

Catholics would do well to recall that there are currently six African American Catholics who are on the path to sainthood. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has advanced beatification and canonization causes of six inspirational African American men and women: Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Servant of God Mother Mary Lange, Venerable Henriette DeLille, Venerable Augustus Tolton, Servant of God Julia Greeley, and Sister Thea Bowman.”

Among the best known of these six is Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897), the first recognized American Black priest. He was born a slave in Missouri and escaped to Quincy, Illinois, through the Underground Railroad. Some Irish priests recognized he had a vocation to the priesthood, so he studied in Rome and was ordained a priest. He returned to Illinois, serving much of the time in Chicago before his death at age 43.

Despite having endured prejudice and obstacles to ordination, he remained committed to Christ. I believe Tolton says something about how we handle disappointment in our lives — protracted disappointment and how we struggle with that, companioned with the inspiration that comes from our Christian faith,” Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago, postulator for Tolton’s cause for canonization, told the Register via email. Among the best-known women American Black candidates for sainthood is Venerable

Henriette DeLille (1813-1862), founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans. She was born in New Orleans; her father was from France, and her mother was a free woman of African descent. She applied to both the Ursuline and Carmelite communities but was rejected, so she used her family money to found her own community, which cared for the sick and poor as well as opened schools. She is the first native-born American of African descent whose cause for canonization was opened.

Father Josh Johnson, a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who formerly taught

theology of the body catechesis at the Sisters of the Holy Family’s St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, explained to the Register that both Tolton and DeLille were inspirations for him “in my walk toward eternity.”

“Both of these holy witnesses were devoted to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and the poorest of the poor,” he said. “Even though they were persecuted by many of the leaders in the Catholic Church during their lifetime for no other reason than the color of their skin, they both continued to glorify God by pouring themselves out in ministry for

and help take care of them.”

In describing Greeley, Burkey cited the words of Fellowship of Catholic University Students founder Curtis Martin: “Born a slave, half-blind, poor, the object of racism, and alone, Julia simply lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ and loved. Even though she had very little of the world’s material blessings to share, she gathered what she could and shared all that she had from a heart completely transformed by Christ.”

Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990) is a Catholic convert from Mississippi. She was a teacher, public speaker, musician, and religious woman who founded the National Black Sisters’ Conference. The Diocese of Jackson opened the cause for her canonization in 2018.

Mary Woodward, chancellor of the Diocese of Jackson, told the Register that Bowman was “a tower of strength and powerful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

the salvation of souls.”

In 2016, Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila opened the cause for canonization of Servant of God Julia Greeley, a freed slave from Missouri who died in 1918. She moved to Denver, converted to the Catholic faith, and was known for pulling around a red wagon filled with items — such as food, clothing, and firewood — which she would give to the poor. Father Blaine Burkey, Greeley’s biographer, told the Register: “She loved others, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and providing fuel for their homes. If someone was sick, she’d come to the house

variety of charitable works. New York’s Cardinal John O’Connor initiated his cause for canonization in 1991, and Toussaint was declared “Venerable” by Pope John Paul II in 1996.

Toussaint’s remains are interred in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the cathedral crypt alongside of New York’s most prominent Catholic leaders, the only layman afforded this privilege. O’Connor said: “He is now buried beneath this high altar with all of the bishops, archbishops, and cardinals of New York. It will be a great privilege for me to be buried in a vault in the same section with Pierre Toussaint.” Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange (17891882) was born in Cuba and emigrated to Baltimore. With a friend, she opened a school for Black children. She became the founder and superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first congregation of women religious for

“She continually labored to bring people to the table to learn more about the dynamic role of African American spirituality in the Church, especially liturgical spirituality. She was tireless in her efforts to raise an awareness among African American Catholics of their inherent worth in the Church and their unique gifts to the Church,” she continued.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) was born in Haiti and came to New York City as a slave. He became a hairdresser. He prospered and was able to secure his freedom. He was a daily communicant, and with his wife, Marie Rose Juliette, engaged in a

Venerable Pierre Toussaint Servant of God Julia Greeley

Venerable Henriette DeLille

Venerable Augustus Tolton Sister Thea Bowman Servant of God Mother Mary Lange

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO

Better Family Life, Inc. is seeking an Executive Assistant to also serves as a liaison to the board of directors and senior management teams; organizes and coordinates executive outreach and external relations efforts; and oversees special projects. The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working within a small, entrepreneurial environment that is mission-driven, results-driven and community oriented.

To apply, send resume to: hr@betterfamilylife.org

NO PHONE CALL, PLEASE!

The Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis (PSRSSTL) seeks an experienced Insurance Benefits Specialist to administer the insurance plans offered by the System. PSRSSTL serves over 13,000 Active and Retired Members. The System offers competitive pay and excellent benefits, including paid health insurance, defined benefit retirement plan, and generous vacation and sick leave benefits. For more information visit the job posting on the website, www.psrsstl.org. Please send resume, cover letter, and salary history to administration@psrsstl.org. First applicant review will begin on March 20, 2023.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR

The City Administrator shall be the Chief Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and as such shall be the administrative officer of the City Government excluding the Police Department. A Bachelor’s degree in Public and/or Business Administration or a related field; or 3-5 years of experience in local governmental operations, public administration, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience in a high level of fiscal and financial operations and managerial leadership. Must maintain compliance with all local and State laws, ordinances, guidelines, regulations, and policies and procedures that govern the City of Northwoods, Mo.

PUBLIC WORKS LABORER

The City of Northwoods, Missouri has a position open in the Public Works Dept. for a skilled laborer to perform tasks related to lawn maintenance, upkeep of city grounds and greenspaces, the setup/breakdown for city events and meetings, code enforcement for vacant and delinquent properties, snow removal and plowing, and equipment repair and maintenance. Individuals must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass physical and substance abuse examinations, and a background check. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply at: The City of Northwoods 4600 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods, Mo. 63121.

Or send resume to: cdixon@cityofnorthwoods.com space@cityofnorthwoods.com aowens@cityofnorthwoods.com Call City Hall at 314-385-8000 for details/directions.

INSURANCE UNDERWRITING SPECIALIST

Will actively participate in various tasks, initiatives, and projects in the Insurance Underwriting department while engaging across multiple internal departments. Responsible for handling various duties to assist and support Insurance Underwriting primary liaison and management. Act as a supporting liaison between Insurance Underwriting and other departments. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Kirkwood School District is hiring an Elementary Assistant Principal for the 23/24 School Year! We are looking for a dynamic leader to join the team at Westchester Elementary. Please apply by visiting our website: www. kirkwoodschools.org/jobs

Full & Part time positions. We will train you. Call 314- 478-0277

TEST AUTOMATION ARCHITECT

Come join our Application Development organization and put your expertise to work on the design and creation of new frameworks, tool selection, DevOps collaboration, and a wide array of technical advancement opportunities in the QA space.

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

K&S Associates is soliciting bids for the

submit bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com Contact Dennis Dyes at 314-647-3535

Sealed bids for the CRS Rehabilitation - Assumption Valley project, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1886, will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on April 12, 2023

Plans and specifications will be available on March 13, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

The Coordinator will conduct audit processes for applicable large casualty and primary accounts, substantiating the accuracy of policy classifications, exposure base, exposure information, inclusions / exclusions, status of subcontractors, etc. The Coordinator will also facilitate the order process for applicable excess accounts. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational. com/careers-page/

TEACHERS AND TEACHERS’ ASSISTANTS

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

St. Louis Catholic Academy is currently looking to hire teachers and teachers’ assistants, interested in helping our students grow academically and walk more closely with Jesus. Our open positions include a STEM coordinator, a middle school English teacher, a science teacher, a second grade selfcontained teacher, a special education teacher, a math teacher, a learning consultant, and teacher’s assistants. We seek Christian teachers interested in sharing the gospel message, but our staff does not need to be Catholic. Teachers of color are especially invited to apply. We welcome candidates interested in either full or part-time work, for many of these open positions. Please email cover letter and resume to toben@slca-stl. org

GREENWAY OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT MANAGER,

& PROJECT

MANAGER

Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Greenway Operations Supervisor, a Civic Engagement Manager, and a Project Manager. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/jobs-bids to apply.

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Janitorial Services. A mandatory pre-bid conference and walk-through of the buildings will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in room 107 Physical Science Lab in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration building, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103.

If interested, a copy of the request can be obtained by emailing Barbara A. Morrow at email address: morrowb@hssu.edu

Proposals must be emailed no later than 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (there will not be a public opening), and must be emailed to: morrowb@hssu.edu

The University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, or to cancel this request in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the University to do so.

Lincoln University-Missouri will be accepting bids for the replacement of the sewer stack located in Perry Hall. If interested request a copy of the construction documents at lufacilitiesplanning@lincolnu. edu. A pre-bid walk-through will be held at Perry Hall located at 920 Taylor Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101 on March 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., all parties wishing to submit a bid must be

CITY OF ST. LOUIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS— DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES

Date of Issuance: Monday, February 27, 2023 Proposal Due: Friday, March 24, 2023 at 4:00 pm CST

On February 27, 2023, the City of St. Louis issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICE PROVIDER This RFP may be found on the City’s procurement page https://www.stlouis-mo.gov /government/departments/slate/documents/ digital-media-services-rfp.cfm, and by emailing Fredrecka McGlown, SLATE Executive Director at slaterfp@stlworks.com. The deadline for questions regarding the RFP is March 17. 2023. The deadline for submitting sealed proposals is March 24, 2023. Sealed proposals must be submitted in strict compliance with the instructions in the RFP. The City reserves the right to reject all proposals. Minority and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to apply.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS— WIOA ONE STOP OPERATOR SERVICES

Date of Issuance: Monday, February 27, 2023

Proposal Due: Friday, March 24, 2023 at 4:00 pm CST

On February 24, 2023, the City of St. Louis issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACTONE STOP OPERATOR SERVICES. This RFP may be found on the City’s procurement page https:// www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/slate/ documents/wioa-oso-rfp.cfm, and by emailing Fredrecka McGlown, SLATE Executive Director at slaterfp@stlworks.com. The deadline for questions regarding the RFP is March 17. 2023. The deadline for submitting sealed proposals is March 24, 2023. Sealed proposals must be submitted in strict compliance with the instructions in the RFP. The City reserves the right to reject all proposals. Minority and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to apply.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The bids being requested are for insulation and concrete for 10 barns. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Cooling Towers at St. Louis Forensic Treatment Center - North, Project No. M2015-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 6, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Modify HVAC System

a t M i s s o u r i Supreme Court Building, Project No. O2010-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 20, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. B i d d e r s m u s t b e r e g

s t e r e d to bid. Project i

: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

ARTIST OF RECORD RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo is seeking proposals for an Artist of Record for the creation of renderings of attractions, experiences, and new structures for the Saint Louis Zoo Master Plan. Bid documents are available as of 3/15/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

ECONOMIC IMPACT

ANALYSIS FOR SAINT LOUIS ZOO WILDCARE PARK RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Economic Impact Analysis for Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 3/15/2023 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

Goodwin Brothers Construction Co. is requesting subcontract bids and/or material quotations from qualifying minority and women-owned business enterprises for relevant phases of work for Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Bissell Point WWTF Fine Screen, Concrete and Gate Improvements, Contract No. 12548015.1. Interested parties should contact our office at (636) 931-6084. A pre-bid meeting for all interested MBE/WBEs will be held virtually (contact for meeting link) and at our office at 4885 Baumgartner Road, St. Louis, MO 63129 at 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. Subcontractor/Supplier bids are due Wednesday, April 12th by 3:00 p.m. An Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FUND MANAGER CONTRACTOR REVOLVING LOAN FUND

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from for profit not for profit financial institutions with loan underwriting and loan servicing experience to manage its Contractor Revolving Loan Fund Program that will provide short term loans to small construction contractors to build capacity by providing a bridge loan for cash flow while contractors mitigate the construction pay process and/or other approved funding delays.

$2.5M of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide funding for this program and service providers. The RFP will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/SLDC on Friday, March 17, 2023. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Monday, April 10, 2023. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. values diversity.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FUND MANAGER SMALL BUSINESS AND NON PROFIT REVOLVING LOAN FUND

Public Notice

City of St. Louis Community Development Administration

Substantial Amendment for COVID -19 Funding 2019 Annual Action Plan

For this Substantial Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan for CDBG-CV, the public will have a 5-day public comment period to review and respond to the proposed Substantial Amendment and CDA will hold a public hearing regarding the Substantial Amendment with a minimum of 5 days advance public notice of the hearing.

The document is available online at: www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/community-development/ documents/2023-substantial-amendment.cfm

The review period will begin on March 15, 2023 and end on March 21, 2023.

The Community Development Administration (CDA) will conduct a virtual public hearing on March 21, 2023 at 10 AM. via Zoom. The purpose of this hearing is to solicit public comments and answer questions pertaining to the proposed Substantial Amendment.

Zoom Meeting information will be posted here: https://www. stlouis-mo.gov/events/eventdetails.cfm?Event_ID=35476

Written Comments: The views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged. Written comments or suggestions may be addressed to Community Development Administration

Executive Director Nahuel Fefer, 1520 Market, Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103, or via email at fefern@stlouis-mo.gov

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Uniform and Laundry Services

City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office www.stltreasurer.org/ request-for-proposals

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION AND MATERIAL TESTING FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXILANE CHARLIE FROM TAXIWAY SIERRA TO TAXIWAY GOLF AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, April 11, 2023 through the Bid Express online portal at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home? agency=true. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https://www. stlouis-mo.gov/government/ departments/public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3439. 25% DBE participation goal.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the Campground Loop 4 Upgrades Montauk State Park Salem, Missouri Project No.: X2203-01 Bid Date and Time: 1:30 pm Thursday, April 6, 2023 Plans/Specification is available via dropbox or www.adsplanroom.net

Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail.com Donald Maggi Inc.

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from not for profit financial institutions with loan underwriting and loan servicing experience to manage its Small Business and Nonprofit Revolving Loan Fund Program that will provide short term loans to small businesses and not for profits to meet immediate capability building and cash flow needs and intermediate growth and expansion capital needs.

$2.5M of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide funding for this program and service providers. The RFP will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/SLDC on Friday, March 17, 2023. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Monday, April 10, 2023. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from financial institutions for the design and implementation of a mortgage and down payment assistance product; establishing all necessary operational procedures to ensure effective execution of the products and lead initial and on-going selection of community, lending and loan servicing partners utilizing standard form agreements. All marketing and promotions of the products will be the sole responsibility of the Program Administrator.

$4M of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, will provide funding for this program and service providers. The RFQ will be available for download on SLDC’s website at https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ SLDC on Friday, March 17, 2023. Responses are due by 4:00 pm, Monday, April 10, 2023. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

Triple H Real Estate, LLC, 3201 HWY P, Wentzville, MO 63385 is seeking subcontractor bids for one (1) new construction home at 2112 Chippewa and three (3) substantial renovations at 3643 S. Compton, 3517 Minnesota and 3716 Illinois, St. Louis, MO 63118.

Scopes of work include, but are not limited to: New Construction of one (1) single family home and substantial renovation of three (3) single family homes. Section 3, Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are encouraged to bid.

Project plans and specifications are available by request. Please contact Triple H Real Estate at (314)339 -7618, Bizdocs1339@gmail.com

All bids are due to Triple H Real Estates’ office by 4/14/23, 12 p.m.

Triple H Real Estate, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Repairs to Structure at E m p l o y m

Security Central Office, Project No. O1914-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 13, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project i

n available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Services - Telecom & Data Wiring, P

N o s . IDIQMCA-3003, IDIQMCA-3004, IDIQMCA-3005, a n d IDIQMCA-3006, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 11, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. B

to bid. Project

http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The Webster Groves School District is seeking bids for “Clark Elementary Courtyard Improvement Project”. Work shall include demo, privacy screens, concrete, ADA ramping/railing and drainage. For more information please visit: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/site/Default.aspx?Page-

TO ADVERTISE REAL ESTATE , RENTALS & FOR SALES CALL ANGELITA AT 314-289-5430 OR EMAIL

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

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

reunited to form Bell Biv DeVoe, and New Edition reunion tours began late in the decade.

to “Can You Stand the Rain” followed.

Bell recently said in a bossip.com video with all New Edition members the exhilaration he felt upon hearing “Candy Girl” on college a station WRBB while still living with his family in a Boston housing project.

“I was running through the whole house,” Bell recalled.

“We thought it was only being played in Boston, we didn’t know it was playing all over the country and even all over the world, so when they told us it was number one we didn’t know what that meant.

“We never heard of Billboard or R&R or all these magazines that track your plays and your sales so we didn’t really understand the impact until we got on tour, traveling to different cities and seeing the audience react to the songs. We didn’t have the imagination to plot 40 years ahead. To be here 40 years later we have to give it to the grace of God.”

Brown began his solo career in 1985 and he was replaced by Johnny Gill.

By the 1990s, 3 members

The addition of Keith Sweat and the original lineup of Guy makes this 40th Anniversary even more sweet, Devoe explained.

Taking it back to an age when things were meaningful, 1983, the fact that we’re in our 50’s now, a lot of us have seen people come and go in these last 40 years,” Devoe said.

“It’s a grateful situation and to be on tour with cats like Keith Sweat. We’ve been on tour with Keith two or three times over. Johnny was even in a group with the man. On tour with Guy and the different iterations of what Teddy has done over the years with Blackstreet and all of that.

“And even Tank, with ‘R&B Money’ putting that stamp back in the game, leads to the generation below us. Looking at the history and the fact we had a movie The New Edition Story that allowed us to go from a generation of like 45-60 all the way down to [ages] 5 and 6 and 7.

The concert tour made its CharIotte, N.C. stop last Friday and The Charlotte Observer concert reviewer shared this glimpse of the evening.

“It was after 10 o’clock

by the time New Edition rose from under the stage ring long yellow jackets and fedoras.

The group performed the first songs — including Johnny Gill’s solo smash “Rub You the Right Way” — without Brown, who would eventually emerge to chants of his name for “My Prerogative” before exiting briefly again while the group sang post-Brown hit “If It Isn’t Love,” she wrote.

“That’s one thing about a New Edition show. You aren’t just getting a medley of ’80s teen pop like “Candy Girl,” “Cool It Now” and “Popcorn Love.” Ralph Tresvant — who carries himself on stage like Prince, shirt flowing open in sparkly black pants — performs a sultry “Sensitivity” backed by scantily-clad dancers. Brown breaks out his biggest hits. Gill performs “My My My” solo as Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens and Ronnie DeVoe prep backstage for Bell Biv DeVoe hits “Poison” and “Do Me” late in the show.”

The New Edition Legacy Tour ’23 is at 8 p.m. Saturday April 15, 2023 at The Enterprise Center. Tickets range from $69.50 to $129.50 and cam be purchased through ticketmaster.com.

Rock

Continued from C1

So, what did Rock say?

“The thing people wanna know … did it hurt? Hell, yeah it hurt,” Rock says during his routine.

“[Smith] played Muhammad Ali! I played Pookie (in ‘New Jack City’). Even in animated movies I’m a zebra, he’s a [bleeping] shark. I got hit so hard, I heard ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears.”

In another line, Rock talked about how much bigger Smith is than him.

“Will Smith is a big dude. I am not,” Rock said.

“Will Smith is shirtless in his movies. If you see me in a movie getting open heart surgery, I’m gonna have a sweater on.”

The Academy Awards banned Smith for 10 years following the incident, and while Rock has mostly maintained his silence, Smith has publicly apologized.

“The Fresh Prince of BelAir” legend said he “fogged out” during the infamous March 27 Oscars.

“It’s all fuzzy,” Smith said in an Instagram video posted last summer.

“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk. And when he is, he will reach out.”

Holmes

to work with the best in the industry.”

Holmes earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design with an emphasis in Costume Design from Woodbury University in 2016. At Woodbury, she was mentored by the late May Routh who worked with the late rock star David Bowie and other entertainers.

After graduation, Holmes immediately got to work and gained experience with companies including Tidal, Universal Music Mexico, and Amazon Prime. She says her “big break” came during the pandemic when she and other members of I.A.T.S.E. (entertainment union) had more spare time.

Holmes introduced herself to Carter, Stacy Caballero and other costume designers from I.A.T.S.E. Local 892 & Local 768 unions and discussed future opportunities.

Her emails paid off a few months later. Caballero told Holmes that she works with Carter a lot and that they were working on Wakanda Forever. Following an interview, Holmes landed a position with the movie’s costume crew.

In addition to the Black Panther franchise films, Carter’s resume includes credits for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and Ava DuVernay’s Selma

While Rock presented the Oscar for best documentary at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, Smith took exception to the comedian’s comments about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

Pinkett Smith had revealed she has alopecia. After some uncomfortable laughter, Smith emerged from his seat, approached Rock during the live telecast, and slapped the star.

“Keep my wife’s name out of your [bleeping] mouth,” Smith yelled out at Rock.

The only time Rock had addressed the incident was during a standup performance, in which he only briefly mentioned the Oscars.

“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” Rock said during a standup a day before Smith’s Instagram video surfaced.

“I’m not a victim. Yeah, that s— hurt,” Rock remarked. “But I shook that s— off and went to work the next day. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut.”

In Smith’s new video, he also apologized to Rock’s mother and brother Tony Rock. “That was one of the things about the moment. I just didn’t realize,” Smith recounted.

“I was thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. I want to apologize to Chris’ mother,” he continued.

“I want to apologize to Chris’ family, specifically Tony Rock. We had a great relationship. You know, Tony Rock was my man, and this is probably irreparable.”

Smith also refused to lay any

Holmes said Carter taught her the importance of research and color theory.

“The fact she researches from books, movies, TV shows and other mediums to find everything to influence her design and her work, that’s something I definitely take [in] because research is a big part of what we do,” Holmes said.

“The way I design now is definitely not the same way I designed before. I worked with her in terms of how I mix

n “[This] is what we do for costume design,” she said. “We build a character and there’s reasoning behind every piece that we put on somebody.”

- Brea Holmes

patterns and how I mix colors. Now I can use what I learned from her in my own projects.”

Carter also shared that knowledge should be shared with young people.

“When I first started there wasn’t anybody that was like, ‘Hey, I’m a costume designer, This is what we do,’” Holmes said.

The Academy Award recognition is important, according to Holmes, because representation is important and “why we need more Black women costume designers.”

blame on his wife. “I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences from my history with Chris,” Smith stated. “Jada had nothing to do [with it].”

He also noted how his actions detracted from his best actor win and other nominees and winners.

“It really breaks my heart to have stolen and tarnished your moment,” Smith asserted. “Sorry isn’t really sufficient. But I promise you, I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world.”

John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal said Rock, by saving his ammunition for Netflix, has set up a rare thing: a stand-up special with a timely hook. How it lands is being determined as to whether he can reframe the incident that, in an instant, revised the story of his four-decade career.

Preparing for the special may have also served another purpose for Rock himself, Jurgenson said in quoting fellow stand-up George Wallace.

“You ain’t never going to forget that somebody slapped the [mess] out of you. But laughter is healing for the soul, and that’s what he’s getting up there…and in the long run, he’s also getting paid for it,” said Wallace, who has a bit about how the slap turned him against all Smiths (Granny Smiths, locksmiths, blacksmiths, Smith Brothers Cough Drops and whatnot).

“Seeing women who look like you, who explored different avenues, is important because it says ‘Hey, can you do this too. This is an option for you,” Holmes said. Holmes was born and raised in St. Louis. She grew up in Florissant and spent some time in Saint Charles. She began dance classes at three years old and performed with studios including the Best Dance and Talent Center. Dance sparked an interest in costume design. She wondered about her dance outfits and “what’s the reasoning behind it?”

“[This] is what we do for costume design,” she said. “We build a character and there’s reasoning behind every piece that we put on somebody.” Her love of costumes in Broadway and Hollywood classic musicals including The King and I, The Sound of Music, and The Wiz further fueled her interest in design. Holmes was enrolled at Francis Howell North her first three years of high school then she and her family relocated to Phoenix because her mother got a new job there. She continued dance and costume design in Phoenix before settling in Los Angeles. Holmes acknowledges her success is rooted in St, Louis and offers advice to those who would like a career in fashion design.

“Keep being persistent, keep striving for what you love and what you wanna do. Hard work pays off,” she said.

The original 1978 New Edition, with Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant — began as a boy band modeled after the Jackson 5.