March 29th, 2012 edition

“If anyone should have been protected by ‘Stand Your Ground,’it was Trayvon.”

– Benjamin Crump,the family lawyer

The Rev.Starsky

Justice for Trayvon Marches and rallies in STLand ESL

By Chris King

“That could have been any of us.” – Al Sharpton

The St. Louis region responded to the killing of Trayvon Martin both officially and from the grassroots, both city and county, and on both sides of the river. On Friday morning, some 400 people marched in downtown St. Louis led by Lewis Reed, president of the Board of Aldermen, and featuring a number of young black male speakers. That evening, some 300 people gathered in Tower Grove Park in a public vigil organized by community member Rachel Lee. At both events, many people wore hoodies, as Martin did on Feb. 26 when the 17-year-old youth was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla. by George Zimmerman, 28. Many brandished cans of iced tea and bags of Skittles, which the youth had purchased at a convenience store before being pursued by Zimmerman, who decided the

See TRAYVON, A7

Rok from Bp Entertainment,Raymond Webber,Yung Ro,Mookie Page and Budda Page marched in support of slain Sanford,Fla.teenager Trayvon Martin in downtown St.Louis on Friday.Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed organized the march down Market Street to the Soldiers Memorial.

Sister Ebo: Lifetime Achiever

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

to do was to become a sweet little old nun that was passing out holy cards.”

– Sister Mary Antona Ebo

Sister Mary Antona Ebo is a legendary trailblazer. If you need evidence, simply flip through her white three-ring binder packed with newspaper clipping and letters of recognition. One of the pages is titled, “African-American Heritage Celebration 2010: local African Americans who marched toward freedom.” On that page, Sr. Ebo’s photo is sandwiched between Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker and Jackie Joyner Kersee.

Complementing her lifetime career in health care, Sr. Ebo gained national recognition for her pioneering efforts in civil rights as a black Catholic nun. The image of Sr. Ebo marching in 1965 in Selma, Alabama became an icon during the struggle for voting rights.

“The one thing that I didn’t want to do was to become a sweet little old nun that was passing out holy cards and telling people ,‘I’ll pray for you,’and not really

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.Louis American

“It’s peculiar how a saint goes home,” said the Rev. Ronald Bobo Sr., pastor of Westside Missionary Baptist Church. “You are saddened on one end and rejoicing on the other – because you know where they’re going.”

As St. Louis mourned the loss of Bishop Willie J. Ellis Jr. at New Northside Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, a simultaneous epic celebration was underway that served as a

Photo by Wiley Price

Of The St.Louis American

Wilson of St.John’s United Church of Christ gave a prayer before supporters started their march to Soldier’s Memorial in support of slain Sanford,Fla.teenagerTrayvon Martin.Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed organized the Friday morning march.

Photo by Wiley Price

Tami Roman suffers mild heart attack

“Basketball Wives” star Tami Roman told fans and followers that she suffered a mild heart attack Monday night via twitter.

“Thx 2every1 for the get well wishes. Never thought I’d have a mild heart attack at 41.” Roman tweeted.

“I’m off twitter 4 awhile, no stress recovery, but I appreciate ALL the positive energy & the negative 1’s-get a life-I sure appreciate mine.”

Club owner wants Drake to pay for strange clouds in VIP

According to the owner, Drake showed up with his massive entourage -- and when the party was in full swing, several Dollhouse employees noticed the smell of marijuana coming from Drake’s VIP section.

The owner claims the party was shut down immediately – and soon after, the Oklahoma City Police showed up to restore order and usher people out of the club.

TMZ is reporting that the owner of Dollhouse Lounge in Oklahoma City just sent Drake and his manager a letter claiming the rapper asked him to open the nightclub just for him on Thursday March 1st to host a private party and the smoke from Drake’s section forced police to shut the party down – and the turn of events cost the club a pretty penny.

While the cops were there, the owner claims they discovered a half-burnt marijuana cigarette in Drake’s section – and then arrested the club manager after issuing her a ticket.

But the owner thinks his club is taking the blame – because he’d never be in this mess if Drake never asked him to host a party.

Whitney’s story conflicts continue

“Celebrity insider” Raffles van Exel has reportedly come forward, claiming that he wiped Whitney Houston’s Beverly Hilton Hotel room clean of any evidence that would lead to suspicion of illegal activity, Celebuzz reports.

According to a translation of Dutch newspaper The Telegraph, a man named Raffles van Exel came forward four days

after Houston’s death, admitting that he cleaned Houston’s hotel room -- although he has not revealed what exactly he removed from the scene.

“The room had to be emptied,” Van Exel, who calls himself a “highly respected entertainment consultant,” told The Telegraph.

Several other outlets are and authorities’ reports are said to not add up with the family’s description of the moments surrounding Houston’s death.

The LA County coroner says Houston died from accidental drowning. They also found cocaine in her system and five other drugs. One source who was on the scene tells me that by the time 911 was called and security became involved, CPR wasn’t possible. “They tried it, but it seemed like she’d been dead for a while, longer than they say.”

Kardashian dropped out of supporting PETA on March 26, even though PETA is denying having anything to do with this.

Kim was planning to shrug the incident off, but now the reality TV star is seriously reconsidering pressing charges.

Kim K. may want flour bomber cuffed

The woman who attacked Kim Kardashian on a March 22 red carpet has finally been revealed. TMZ says Kim’s flour bomber attacker is a woman named Christina Cho, a militant and influential PETA activist who is known for staging “dramatic anti-fur” rallies! After discovering who the woman was, Khloe

“I said earlier no I wasn’t (going to lodge a complaint),” she told EOnline. com. I am just going to think about it, because I don’t want someone to think they can really get away with that. “

Ashton said to be Rihanna’s ‘something new’

Rihanna is reportedly trying to convince Ashton Kutcher to spend the summer with her in the UK. She was said to have asked Kutcher to come with her to the UK for her London shows at Wireless in Hyde Park and at Radio 1’s Hackney weekend in June and July. Rihanna has reportedly been dating Demi Moore’s ex for eight weeks and last week introduced him to her younger brother Rorrey while the three of them were in New York.

“Rihanna and Rorrey, who releases music under the name GQ, are close so him meeting Ashton is a big deal,” A source told the Sun.

With the general elections approaching in November, the race for the presidency will be most volatile, in part because of the number of so-called Black Conservatives in the mix in an attempt to defeat President Obama.

The infiltration has already begun with right-wing voices coming from some of the most unforeseen and unanticipated places, including some traditional and long-established black organizations, unions and societies.

The reason some of the most vocal African-American Republicans give is “we are the party of Lincoln.” But they make me wonder if they mean Abraham Lincoln or George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi party. George Lincoln Rockwell was one of the most significant extremist strategists and ideologists of the postwar period, and his strategy is unmistakable a guidebook for some members of the Tea Party, the Republican party, a number of black newspaper columnists and some black radio talk show hosts.

Black Republicans lately have reminded us that Frederick Douglas and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were Republicans, as well as Booker T. Washington and Zora Neale Hurston, but they fail to mention that Dr. King campaigned and demonstrated with others to get the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights legislation signed by a Democratic administration.

I understand everyone has a right to belong to and support any political party they choose, but I was astonished at the almost hate dialogue and in some occasions downright blatant deceptions, falsehoods and dishonesty they publish on the National Black Republican Association website. And let us not overlook the explosive and fiery rhetoric espoused by Lloyd Marcus of the Tea Party, and elected officials like Florida Rep. Allen West, former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, Herman Cain and Florida’s Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll.

A few of the stories from the National Black Republican Association home page are: “The True Unemployment Rate: 36 %” by John Hayward; “$5 Trillion and Change – Obama’s four years have seen the highest deficits since 1946”; “The Fairness Fraud” by Thomas Sowell, and “Obama’s Racial Politics” by Walter E. Williams. There are really too many to print here, but please check them out yourself. Some you will find disgusting.

Also on the site you will find: “The GOP-The Key to American Prosperity” and an article by Chidike Okeem titled “Barack Obama and the Betrayal of Black America.” The website stresses, “To defeat Barack Obama and the Democrat Party, we Republicans must accomplish this one very important goal – win just 25 percent of the black vote. That’s it. Win 25 percent of the black vote and we’ll beat the Democrats and put an end to Obama’s job killing agenda FOREVER.” Deborah Toler in 1993 wrote in The Public

Eye: “The majority of African Americans, Black conservatives generally oppose affirmative action and government minority business set-aside programs, oppose minimum wage laws and rent control laws, oppose any increase in social welfare spending, and oppose vigorous enforcement of voting rights and desegregation regulations. Black conservatives favor the death penalty, privatization of government services, deregulation of business, and voucher systems for public housing and for education.”

Little has changed in 18 years, and it is important that you keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t let your enemies infiltrate the A.

Black conservatives attack Obama

Phillip Randolph Institute, National Black United Front, Blacks In Government, National alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, The Black Women’s Forum, The Black Women’s Network, Africare, Inc., National Black United Fund, One Hundred Black Men, Associated Black

Charities, Association of Black Psychologists, Association of Black Sociologists and others who are working for our survival.

We must support organizations like the Organization for Black Struggle, United African People’s Organization, Better

Family Life, Inc., PATOY (Paying Attention To Our Youth) , Nation of Islam, Congressional Black Caucus, 100 Black Men, 100 Black Women, Ladies of Distinction, the Urban League, the NAACP, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, African American Historical and Genealogical

Society and others that have shown their love and concern for our community. It is not a joke anymore. The suppression of voting rights is already on the battlefield. It is later than you think. Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www. wgnu920am.com. And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24. I can be reached by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.

Bernie Hayes

E

Vigilantism and the killing of Trayvon Martin

While we should not rush to judgment, certain matters seem clear in the Trayvon Martin killing. Either it is murder to pursue an unarmed youth on foot with a gun in your car and kill him, in which case George Zimmerman should be arrested and tried for murder, or it should be murder to do what Zimmerman did on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., in which case the enormous energy put into action by this young man’s senseless death should go toward repealing “Stand Your Ground” laws. What is at stake here is a modern vigilantism and whether we should permit it – or imitate the spirit of the anti-lynching movement of the previous century and fight to undo it. As Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post writes, “we don’t know exactly what happened” between Zimmerman and the youth once Zimmerman’s armed pursuit provoked an encounter, but we do know “that Zimmerman initiated the contact by stalking a young man who had done nothing more sinister than walk down the street wearing a hooded sweatshirt.” By Florida law, the relevant fact is whether Martin first struck his stalker, as Zimmerman claimed. Trayvon, tragically, is not here to share his version of events, but Sanford police say they believed Zimmerman when he claimed that he was physically assaulted. If so, the “Stand Your Ground” law states he had “the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force.”

Howard, a friend of

(and East St. Louis

Photo by Wiley Price

We still think the state has a case against Zimmerman, since the “Stand Your Ground” law only protects those who are doing nothing illegal before the assault and those who “reasonably believe it is necessary” to use force in order “to prevent death or great bodily harm.” Zimmerman’s pursuit of the youth may have broken a law, and it should be possible to prove that it was unreasonable for Zimmerman to believe that a youth carrying iced tea and Skittles was a deadly threat to an armed man. Indeed, if the police had viewed the murder scene from Martin’s perspective – that is, from the real victim’s perspective – then Trayvon had every reason to feel under attack and was only standing his ground if he did in fact confront his pursuer. It is clear from news reports in the Orlando Sentinel that local authorities intend to stand their ground and use the media to make Trayvon Martin look a lot scarier and more criminal than a 17-year-old kid in a hoodie carrying Skittles on a rainy night. However, we trust that a thorough federal investigation, which has been initiated, will show that Sanford police were wrong to extend the law’s self-defense immunity to

Zimmerman and that, given what audio records reveal about Zimmerman’s pursuit of Martin, the law does not apply. Whether or not Zimmerman is tried for murder, “Stand Your Ground” laws should be undone. As Robinson argues, “State laws already allowed the use of deadly force in selfdefense. By making explicit that the person who feels threatened has no obligation to retreat, all the state Legislature accomplished was to lessen the odds that a hot-tempered confrontation would be allowed to cool down without violence.” In the five years after Florida passed this law, Robinson notes, reports of justifiable homicide across the state tripled. The law is being used to excuse violence committed during fights at house parties, disputes between neighbors and disagreements in public parks. Taking Florida’s lead, about 20 states have enacted similar legislation, goaded by the NRA. It’s nothing but legalizing vigilantism, and it belongs in a previous century.

Vote YES on Prop S

Prop S on the April 3 ballot in St. Louis County would allow St. Louis County to issue $100 million in general obligation bonds to construct new court buildings that would make these critical public spaces safer and more accessible. The bonds would replace existing bonds scheduled to expire and there would be no tax increase. We endorse a vote of YES ON PROP S.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

The everyday cost of suspicion

A few weeks ago, while walking to my car after teaching a class on Lindell Boulevard, I saw a white woman who was approaching me on the sidewalk clutch her purse on her hip, cross the street and head past me continuing in the same direction. Out of curiosity, I looked backwards, and I saw her cross back to my side of the street after I had passed.

A few days later, as I shopped for some incidentals at a local convenience store, I looked up and suddenly realized that the AsianAmerican store owner had “coincidentally” decided to start reshelving items on my aisle, shifting to the next aisle every few minutes to coincide with where I was. These types of incidents happen every single day to black professionals in St. Louis and across the country. Instead of taking these incidents personally, I have shrugged off the irrational fear that people of all ethnicities display towards black men and boys as simple ignorance not worth my concern. However, this reaction might have been a mistake. In a tragic way, Trayvon Martin’s case has illustrated how costly these fears, assumptions and suspicions can be. As a student in law school, I found an entry point into jurisprudence through exposure to a school of legal thought called critical race theory. This theory was founded by one-

time Harvard Law Professor Derrick Bell – the same Derrick Bell that President Obama has recently been criticized for hugging during his days as a student. Critical race theory takes an honest account of the role racism plays in American law and attempts to confront that sad legacy.

One of my professors, Charles Lawrence, was a major figure in the field. Lawrence argued that anti-discrimination laws should not require that racism be intentional, because racism works most often though unconscious assumptions, like those made by the store owner or the woman on the street – or George Zimmerman. Lawrence’s point applies to current federal laws in this case. Even if we all know that Zimmerman would not have accosted a young white girl who was wearing a hoodie and walking down the street, he cannot be prosecuted for hate crime or for racial discrimination in this case unless intent can be proven –unless he uttered a racial slur in the moments before his approach. But whether Zimmerman uttered the slur or not, the law should recognize that his suspicion, if based on Trayvon’s race, was wrong. Trayvon was one of many young, defenseless black children who must cope with the daily “micro-aggressions” that society imposes on them due to unconscious racism. The incredible psychological strain these incidents put upon the black community is a real harm, and both the community and the law must recognize that. Zimmerman and the

Sanford, Florida police have now amplified this strain considerably. AfricanAmerican parents and families must now confront the very real possibility that not only could these micro-aggressions damage their children’s self concept or thrust them unfairly into the criminal justice system, but it also appears that a vigilante can murder their children in cold blood without legal penalty as a result of a micro-aggression gone haywire. None of this would be possible in the absence of lawmakers and law enforcement, which gave Zimmerman easy access to firearms, the immunity to shoot without the duty to retreat and the flexibility find a young black man “suspicious” at a whim.

Moreover, it is a mistake to believe that because the Missouri Legislature has not passed a “stand your ground” law, the case does not reach St. Louis. I believe that we would have an even greater level of concern if we knew precisely how many people in greater St. Louis –shopkeepers, law enforcement, and neighborhood watchmen – share Zimmerman’s feelings on what constitutes something suspicious. This is not equal justice under law. This incident has had a dramatic impact on the lives of African-American parents and families, and it will be unmitigated tragedy if it does not spark a larger conversation on our community’s attitudes towards black children.

Hansford is an assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Law.

COMMENTARY

Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till

For every black man in America, from the millionaire in the corner office to the mechanic in the local garage, the Trayvon Martin tragedy is personal. It could have been me or one of my sons. It could have been any of us. How many George Zimmermans are out there cruising the streets? How many guys with chips on their shoulders and itchy fingers on the triggers of loaded handguns? How many selfimagined guardians of the peace who say the words “black male” with a sneer?

We don’t yet know every detail of the incident between Martin and Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla., that ended with an unarmed 17-year-old highschool student being shot dead. But we know enough to conclude that this is an old, familiar story.

We know from tapes of Zimmerman’s 911 call that he initiated the encounter, having decided that Martin’s presence in the neighborhood was suspicious. We know that when Zimmerman told the 911 operator that he was following Martin, the operator responded, “OK, we don’t need you to do that.” We know that Zimmerman kept following Martin anyway.

“This guy looks like he is up to no good,” Zimmerman said

on the 911 tape. Please tell me, what would be the innocent way to walk down the street with an iced tea and some Skittles? Hint: For black men, that’s a trick question.

Some commentators have sought to liken Martin’s killing to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, an unspeakable crime that helped galvanize the civil rights movement. To make a facile comparison is a disservice to history – and to the memory of both young men. It is ridiculous to imply that nothing has changed.

When Till was killed in Mississippi at 14 – accused of flirting with a white woman – this was a different country. State-sanctioned terrorism and assassination were official policy throughout the South. Today, the laws and institutions that enforced Jim Crow repression have long since been dismantled. Mississippi, of all places, has more black elected officials than any other state.

An African-American family lives in the White House.

If you stood on a street corner and chose five black men at random, you might meet a doctor who lives in the high-priced suburbs, an immigrant from Ethiopia who drives a cab, a young aspiring filmmaker with flowing dreadlocks, an unemployed dropout trying to hustle his next meal, and a midlevel government worker struggling to put his kids through college.

Those men would have nothing in common, really, except one thing: For each of

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pediatrics and Trayvon Martin

I was recently asked to write a letter to the editor as an exercise in advocacy for one of my rotations as an intern training to be a pediatrician. As I sat, trying to think of a good medical topic about which I was passionate, I had trouble focusing amidst the thoughts of the recent story of Trayvon Martin.

As I looked back over my original article pick – a discussion on tooth decay in young children (rich and poor) receiving poor dental care at home and increasing numbers of them requiring significant anesthesia for dental procedures – somehow the importance of the pediatrician’s role in dental care did not seem so salient.

Here I was planning a discussion on the pediatrician’s role in educating families about dental care, when I work in a West Philadelphia neighborhood where half of my patients look like Trayvon Martin and in a city where already 75 homicides have taken place this year.

I am being taught how to prevent an asthma flare, how to help parents discipline their children and prepare them for school and take care of them when they have a cold – but what words do I now give to the mother of the black boy sitting in my office when the maintenance of his health is dependent on the color of his skin and someone else’s perception that he is dangerous?

Kids are dying, and not from a disease I’ve been trained to treat. When I finish my training, I will likely care for a Trayvon, from the time he is born until he reaches 24 years of age – my only hope is that I’ll have done something to advocate for his life, not just his health, in a society that still sees him as a threat.

Jessica Fowler, MD MPH Philadelphia, Pa.

F.I.R.E. on pension crisis Friday, March 16, the Public Safety Committee voted to “locally control” the Firemen’s Retirement System (FRS) claiming that it would help the city sustain the system. With the city appointing four of eight

them, walking down the wrong street at the wrong time could be a fatal mistake. Does it matter than Zimmerman is himself a member of a minority group – he is Hispanic – or that his family says he has black friends? Not in the least. The issue isn’t Zimmerman’s race or ethnicity; it’s the hair-trigger assumption he made that “black male” equals “up to no good.” This is one thing that hasn’t changed in all the eventful years since Emmett Till’s mutilated body was laid to rest. Till grew up in Chicago and just happened to be in Mississippi visiting relatives. Young black men who were born and raised in the South understood the unwritten code of behavior that made the difference between survival and mortal danger. Till didn’t. Today, young black men grow up in a society where racism is no longer deemed acceptable. Many live in integrated neighborhoods, attend integrated schools, have interracial relationships. They wonder why their parents prattle on so tediously about race. Whether Zimmerman can or should be prosecuted, given Florida’s “stand your ground” law providing broad latitude to claim self-defense, is an important question. But the tragic and essential thing, for me, is the bull’s-eye that black men wear throughout their lives – and the vital imperative to never, ever, be caught on the wrong street at the wrong time.

voting members of our pension board, I would say they have local control already. The plan the firefighters support would save $180 million over 30 years.

F.I.R.E. believes the city wants to take over the FRS so they could merge it with the public employee’s pension system. Once that is done the city could lower the monthly contributions of current retired members if they say there is not enough money to fund the system. We believe it has always been about raiding our pension.

The St. Louis American editorial suggested that black and white firefighters have come together because of green, which is partially true. For any change to happen there has to be a catalyst. The civil war wasn’t about freeing slaves, it was about money, but we were free at last. I’m sure even back then there were people saying our freedom wouldn’t last.

After 45 years of struggle we have the opportunity to form a Joint Committee comprised of equal members of F.I.R.E. and 73 to assist in meeting the goals of F.I.R.E. which are fair and equitable hiring, retention, upward mobility and other areas.

Abram

L. Pruitt Jr., president Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality, St. Louis

A lot of losers

There are a lot of losers when it comes to a recent decision by a Missouri state panel who hands out managed care servicing contracts under the state’s Medicaid program. Among them will be 80,000 minority, under and unemployed folks living in our inner cities, small towns and poor rural areas. Single moms with kids; these are the people who lose because of an arbitrary, capricious and highly questionable decision to deny the renewal of a long-standing and successful contract with Molina Healthcare, a physicianowned managed care company with a stellar reputation.

Since 1995, Molina Healthcare or its predecessor companies have provided managed care services to thousands of low-income

Missourians and their health care providers. They’ve paid claims on time and at a fair price. They’ve received top ratings from an independent quality accreditation agency as recently as 2011. They created hundreds of jobs and have been deeply involved in their local communities.

Rev. E.G. Shields Sr., St. Louis

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Guest Columnist Justin Hansford

Undre

Trayvon Martin’s father

native) Tracy Martin, spoke to supporters at Tower Grove Park on Friday night.

leaders, and hundreds of family, friends and church servants stood in the pulpit to offer life reflections, condolences and comfort. It was as if the entire region came together to say “farewell,” “thank you” and “amen” for nearly 50 years of service as pastor at New Northside.

“It was a peaceful transition,” the Rev. Andrew Latchinson said before ministering through song. “When the spirit came, I could hear him say – like he always did –‘Let the church say amen.’” Ellis passed away On Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the age of 74 after a long illness. The homegoing service featured more than 30 presentations, several songs and at least two praise breaks. Each in its own way soothed the souls that cried out – the widow First Lady Beverly Ellis, in particular – and provided a reminder of the tireless service Ellis rendered to the church and community.

Long before the service began, Ellis’impact was apparent within the walls where he used his calling to the ministry as a catalyst for change.

The service was set to begin at 5 p.m. But by 3:30, there were no seats to be had. The main level of the sanctuary, the

EBO

Continued from A1 having mastered or developed an expertise in being a caregiver from a good theological base,” she said.

Today, Sr. Ebo is far from lacking expertise, especially with a Master’s degree in hospital executive development from Saint Louis University and a second Master’s degree in theology of health care ministry from Aquinas Institute of

ice held Sunday at New Northside Missionary Baptist Church.

balcony and a basement overflow area sat packed with people waiting patiently to pay their respects.

His homegoing started with a unique personal touch – a processional by the New Northside Drumline, a group Ellis founded more than 15 years ago.

Hours later, as the clock crept towards 11 p.m., guests and members of New Northside remained faithfully at capacity until the last “amen” was delivered.

‘Powerful force forpositive change’

“Bishop Ellis was a power-

St. Louis. She has also held numerous executive hospital positions and received five honorary doctorates. On Saturday, May 5, Sr. Ebo will receive the 2012 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care at St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon at the Frontenac Hilton.

Paving herown path Sr. Ebo, who was born Elizabeth Louise, started

ful force for positive change in this community,” said U.S. Rep Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO).

“And as the shepherd of this historic congregation, his inspired leadership raised the faith family to heights that no one could have imagined when he assumed this pulpit in 1964. Back then New Northside was a struggling small church. But he was a guiding light to this congregation and this community.”

The congressman got personal.

“For my family, his passing was a very personal loss. You see Bishop Ellis was at my father’s side at the very beginning of his political career,”

paving her own path at a young age. When she was 4, her mother died, and her father lost his job as a library custodian soon after. When he couldn’t afford to keep their house in Bloomington, Ill., he placed his three children in a home – where many black children across the country landed during the Depression.

As a girl she was infected with tuberculosis in a bone in her thumb, and she spent an extensive time in the hospital. There she learned about Catholicism and committed to

Clay said of his father, retired Congressman Bill Clay, who was unable to attend the service himself.

“When others told my father there was no way he could win, Bishop Ellis told him, ‘Keep on keeping on.’ His impact on the city, the state and the region will live forever.”

(Clay’s eulogy will be printed in full in next week’s Religion column.)

Congressman Clay was one of many who displayed the strikingly intimate relationships that were forged between Ellis and those who were in his presence. Each of them were touched in a special way. In his

following that religious path. Her choice had consequences.

“I was no longer welcome back at the home,” she said. “As a result of that, I went to live with a couple of older African-American women and stayed with them until I finished my last two years in high school.”

She was the first African American to graduate from her high school, Holy Trinity in Bloomington. Sr. Ebo had aspirations of becoming a nurse, but was rejected from numerous nursing schools

work and ministry, Ellis took the time to get to know and feed their spirits in a way that was specific and individually sacred.

“He lifted us up and gave us inspiration,” said former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan. “He gave us inspirational leadership. When my husband (Mel Carnahan) was governor, he loved to talk with the bishop because they both loved to think impossible thoughts.”

Senator Carnahan remembered the acts of kindness and prayers offered by Ellis and several other AfricanAmerican pastors from the St. Louis area when her family received word that then Gov. Mel Carnahan and their son Randy lost their lives in a plane crash in 2000.

“They lifted me up, and I believe to this day that’s what got me through,” Carnahan said. “Brother Ellis’work on earth is done, but his life has just begun.”

Many of those same ministers were among the dozens of faith leaders who came to mourn with Ellis’wife, family, friends and parishioners.

The Rev. B.T. Rice officiated. At one point, he offered a roll call of a veritable “who’s who” among faith and community to share words: Rev. Donald Hunter (New Sunny Mount Baptist Church), Rev. F. James Clark (Shalom Church, City of Peace), Rev. Michal Jones (Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church),

because of her race.

In 1942, she found her place in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps at St. Mary’s Infirmary in St. Louis. It was a three-year program designed to train replacements for the volunteer nurses who were serving in the war.

“They were hectic days and nights,” she said. “Maybe you’d get a nap in, and the rest of the time you were either on duty or in a classroom.”

Soon after, in 1946, she became one of the first three African-American women to join the Sisters of Mary (now the Franciscan Sisters of Mary). Upon arriving to St. Louis, her dreams of becoming a nurse took a different direction. In 1962, she earned a degree in medical records administration, and two years later she earned her Masters from SLU.

While serving as the assistant administrator of St. Mary Infirmary in the 1960s, Sr. Ebo became the director of the medical records department at St. Mary’s Hospital in 1965. She was the first black supervisor in charge of any department at St. Mary’s.

Sisterin Selma

Sr. Ebo made a point to listen to her employees.

On the Monday morning of March 8, 1965, Sr. Ebo’s employees – who were primarily African-American – came on duty and explained to her what happened at “Bloody

Bishop R.J. Ward (Kennerly Temple COGIC), Bishop Wooten (Williams Temple COGIC), Bishop Alphonso Scott (Lively Stone Church of God).

“He definitely left his mark on St. Louis,” Bishop Ward said. “But the best thing I read about him in the program is that he accepted Jesus.”

The admiration for Ellis was shared by all.

“I’ve been a pastor for 39 years at eight churches and three regions of the country,” said eulogist Rev. Dr. Donald McNeal, pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church. “And I’m just amazed at a black man with a black church for that long.” Ellis had a special connection with Hopewell because of his service to the church as Minister of Music under the pastoral guidance of Rev. W.S. Jones. His connection with the church spanned more than 50 years – even as he led his own flock at New Northside.

“You are going to endure grief, you can’t intellectualize it – you are going to have to stand it,” McNeal said.

“When you endure it, you begin to forget about what you lost and think about what was gained. Bishop had been sick for two years – with all of the surgeries and hospital visits. To leave him here so you could be happy is selfish. And though we suffer, it’s time to say thank you.”

Sunday” in Selma. Her first thought was, “If I didn’t have this habit on, I would be down there with those people,” she said. God called her bluff, she said. Two days later, she became the first black sister to march in Selma. She and the other five sisters who traveled to Selma received permission from the reverend mother and Cardinal Archbishop Joseph Ritter.

“It turned out that the habit was what got everyone’s attention very quickly, because nuns had not been seen doing anything like that before,” she said. “It didn’t ring a bell with me that we were getting involved with something that was hysterical and historical.”

Trailblazing administrator

Soon after Selma, Sr. Ebo became the first AfricanAmerican woman religious leader to be in charge of a Catholic hospital in this country. In 1967, she was appointed as the executive director of the St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Years later Sr. Ebo experienced health problems, and she decided she was ready to stop paper-pushing, she said. With her Masters in theology of health care ministry, she began “sending in the clowns” for patients as a hospital chaplain.

In a 1978 article in the Catholic Herald Citizen, Sr. Ebo compared her job as a hospital chaplain to that of a clown:

“Clowns don’t do a lot of talking. They’re quiet. They bring happiness by smiling in a way that’s both happy and sad. It’s a wry smile that says, ‘I’ve experienced life – both the gladness and the sadness. I’m human just like you.’” Sr. Ebo has earned many awards for being a trailblazer and living legend, and has given speeches all over the country. In 1989, the National Black Sisters’Conference presented her with the Harriet Tubman Award, honoring her as someone “called to be a Moses to the people.”

Five universities have awarded her honorary doctorates, including the College of New Rochelle of New York (2008), Aquinas Institute (2009), SLU (2010), and the University of Missouri – St. Louis (2010).

Yet, throughout her

Twenty-plus faith leaders,a handful of civic leaders,and hundreds of friends and parishioners mourned with the family of Bishop Willie J.Ellis Jr.at his homegoing serv-

Photo by Wiley Price

We are Trayvon

On Friday, St. Louis marched and demonstrated downtown and in Tower Grove Park in sympathy and outrage over the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, in Sanford, Fla.

Photos by Wiley Price

Edward Williams

Pres. Lewis Reed, Rev. Starsky Wilson, Ald. Sam Moore

Eric Evans

Starsky Wilson, Rachel Lee, Cleo Willis

Anne Jones

Rachel Lee

Jasmine Jackson

Mayor Slay plays race card – differently

Even those who disagree with him most would have to admit that Mayor Francis G. Slay has moved deftly into a new era of racial symbolism. It’s a little like the notorious commercial of your brain vs. “your brain on drugs.” We have seen Francis Slay; this is Francis Slay with a credible black opponent lurking on the horizon.

It started with his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay over Russ Carnahan in a lengthy statement released on the day filing opened and Carnahan filed to run in Clay’s district. It continued with his endorsement of Jamilah Nasheed over incumbent state Sen. Robin Wright-Jones in Missouri’s 5th Senatorial District. The latest move was Slay standing in the rain Friday night at the public rally in support of justice for Trayvon Martin, the black teen killed recently in Sanford, Fla. in what appeared to be a terribly misguided and racist act of vigilantism. Let’s break that down a little. Before just about anybody else picked sides in Claynahan 2012 – the long anticipated Clay/Carnahan primary, in the wake of Carnahan’s 3rd Congressional District being drawn out of existence – Slay picked sides, and he picked the black guy. He picked North City Clay over South City Carnahan. By any calculus, it was a shrewd political move. Whether or not it helps Clay (and it can hardly hurt him, given how solid his black base is), it certainly helps Slay’s perception in the public eye. His administration has played racially divisive politics on a routine basis, as you have been able to read in the EYE (and almost nowhere else). But here was Slay picking sides on day one of a primary that everyone expects to be racially divisive, and Slay picked the black side.

Clever!

As for the Nasheed endorsement, again Slay endorsed early in a primary where most people expected a non-black progressive to file eventually (as one later did). He endorsed Nasheed – the more grassroots North City candidate – over Wright-Jones, the South City incumbent. Both candidates in the race at that time were black, but in terms of political symbolism, Slay certainly chose the candidate with the most support in North City. A white candidate, termlimited state Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford, subsequently got in the race, but Slay already had picked his candidate, and she is black.

As for the Trayvon Martin case, the EYE would rather not put that moral outrage through the meat grinder of city politics, so we will keep it short. Slay’s public advocacy on racially sensitive civil rights issues typically is limited to his soft public remarks on MLK Day.

Since that fateful MLK Day in 2008 when Slay was chanted

down at the Old Courthouse by a community outraged by Slay’s handling of Fire Chief Sherman George, Slay is seldom seen at majority-black events where spirits are likely to run high. But at the Trayvon Martin rally, Slay stood up and made a public appearance at a civil rights event where emotions were likely to run sky high. This is all very new.

Reed on the horizon

It would be difficult to understand if we didn’t know that a credible black challenger is on the horizon: Lewis Reed, president of the Board of Aldermen, a racially integrated African American based in the diverse 6th Ward who already has won a difficult citywide election against a white incumbent (Jim Shrewsbury). Reed has at least temporarily won the support of the whitedominated firefighters union (with their new buddies, the black firefighters), and there are a number of white voters who for a host of reasons might vote for an alternative to four more years of Francis Slay if provided with a credible alternative. So Slay is going to need some black voters to vote for him, or at least not vote for Reed, if and when Reed challenges him, and he has made a jump start. For one thing, Lewis Reed knows politics well enough to know he shouldn’t be surprised if Clay and Nasheed now both endorse Slay for reelection outright, or at least deny or mute their support of Reed, who has no established base in North City. Early endorsement in a contested primary is political capital in the bank, and Slay put some valuable capital in the bank this primary season.

Cherries on top

Slay accumulated this capital almost painlessly. Clay is the incumbent, always a relatively safe endorsement in a primary. Clay has seniority over Carnahan in the Congress and would be in a better position to help the city of St. Louis than the junior South Sider. The smart money also is on Clay to successfully defend the district his father, the legendary Congressman Bill Clay represented before him. So picking the black candidate in the 1st CD was also picking the incumbent, the better candidate and the likely winner. The racial symbolism is the cherry on top. As for Nasheed vs. WrightJones, Nasheed is the grinder with a proven willingness to work with Republicans in Jefferson City, as a Democrat must do to get legislation and amendments considered by the super-majority. The EYE also might agree with Slay if he handicapped Nasheed as the more likely winner in a headto-head race against Wright-

Jones. Mott Oxford complicates Nasheed’s chances, but she has qualities as a candidate that would make the racial symbolism of endorsing Nasheed more attractive for Slay. Mott Oxford’s far more progressive public stance and voting record render her less effective in getting bills and amendments considered by the Republicans who dominate the Senate. Indeed, she is far to the left of Slay on everything but gay rights. Mott Oxford is lesbian and a strong supporter of equal civil rights for gays; Slay also is a vocal supporter of this issue with a rock solid base in the city’s gay community. So again, endorsing the black North City challenger over the black South City incumbent and the white South City challenger in this race can be defended on good political grounds, regardless of race. As for Trayvon Martin, those were not city of St. Louis cops being called out for institutional racism. As mayor, Slay opposes civilian review of the St. Louis police, and as mayor and police commissioner he has done less than nothing to challenge institutional racism in our local police department. But there’s no skin off his nose simply to stand with activists who want to see the Sanford, Fla. police clean up their act. Slay’s newly solidified allies in the police union surely know he is never going to rock their boat in public like that.

EYE drops

The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill will co-host a fundraiser for the McCaskill campaign 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 at the home of Ann Sheehan Lipton and Randy Lipton, 40 Brentmoor Park in Clayton. RSVP at 314-918-8100, ebrees@ clairemccaskill.com or http:// finance.clairemccaskill.com/ april3.

Fred N. Sauer, leader and founder of Missouri Roundtable for Life, an anti-stem cell research group, has filed for Governor as a Republican. A rally against President Obama’s health care reform, to coincide with the U.S. Supreme Court taking up a challenge to it, drew Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, state Senator Shane Schoeller (Speaker Pro Tem) and state Representative Steve Tilley (Speaker of the House); Dave Spence, Republican candidate for governor; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate John Brunner; and Ed Martin, serial Republican candidate currently in the race for Attorney General.

Speaking of Ed Martin, maybe he should coordinate with serial Democratic candidate Bill Haas, who also has entered the 5th Senatorial District Race. These guys belong on the same ticket.

A past St. Louis American political cartoon parodying Mayor Slay’s racial blunders and the inane quizzes posted on his campaign website.

WE’RE HARD AT WORK ON WHAT MATTERS MOST IN

At Bank of America, we’re working every day to help support small businesses, homeowners and nonpro t organizations in Missouri. We’re lending, investing and giving to fuel the local economy and create stronger communities.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING:

14,666 Worked with Missouri homeowners facing nancial difficulty since 2008, to modify their mortgages. $3.45 MILLION Committed to Missouri nonpro ts since 2011, to help continue their good work. $86.8 MILLION Loaned to

To learn more about how Bank of America is hard at work in Missouri, please visit bankofamerica.com/facts

What cash management tools are available?

There are a number of short-term cash management instruments available to the individual establishing a sound cash management program. These alternatives include money market mutual funds, Treasury bills, and certificates of deposit.

Money market mutual funds simply pool investors’ dollars and purchase large denomination money market instruments. Individuals invest in the mutual fund for as little as $500 and receive the advantageous short-term rates.

These money market funds are totally liquid and may be accessed by check, debit card, telephone, or wire transfer.

Money market funds are neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Although money market funds seek to preserve the value of

GREEN

Continued from B1

important strategy to that end. We also think that we need to partner that effort in building the capacity with communitybased organizations.” The region already has a local neighborhood agenda called BUILD St. Louis, which encourages people to buy and produce locally.

“That is an important message that the African-American community across the country

GRANTS

your investment at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in money market funds.

Mutual funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the investment company, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

Treasury bills are simply IOUs issued by the U.S. government to meet its short- term need for cash. They generally have maturities ranging from 90 days to one year. The minimum face value of Treasury bills is $10,000, which makes them one of the least costly items in the money market. However, they are sold

has either been living or trying to get back to,” he said. “This is how to get our local neighborhoods to be safer, cleaner and more sustainable.”

“Can you imagine us walking down the street to our local stores and merchants – the barber, the baker, and the candlestick maker? That is about sustainable neighborhoods. That’s a movement that I think our community can appreciate.”

The St. Louis Green Economy Profile, a study commissioned by the RCGAin 2010, estimated that the St. Louis region had about 9,000

Continued from B1 Black Colleges and Universities in the country to spread the word about the competition, she said. Among the applicants, 83 percent were male and 17 percent women.

By Charles Ross PERSONAL FINANCE

at a discount to face value with the full face amount being paid upon maturity. The difference between the discounted price you pay for the Treasury bill and the face value you receive at maturity is the interest, or yield.

Treasury bills are generally regarded as one of the safest investments available because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest.

Charles Ross

There is an active secondary market in Treasury bills, so if you need access to your

money instantly, you should have little difficulty in selling them. As with any investment traded in a secondary market prior to maturity, there is the opportunity for capital loss or capital gain, depending on the direction of interest rates.

An added advantage of Treasury bills is that they are free from local and state taxes.

Another relatively safe investment instrument is the traditional certificate of deposit (CD) that you may purchase from your local bank.

Federally insured for up to $250,000 per depositor, per

“We know there are new business opportunities that are growing in this area.”

– Andre Pettigrew

jobs in the core green economy. In fact, the study found that green jobs are growing at a faster rate than regular job growth. Between 1995 and 2009, employment in the regional core green economy grew by 54 percent while total regional job growth in that same period was only four

Sixty-seven percent were white and 19 percent African American, with 14 percent of applicants representing multiple races. The numbers are based off a survey that Arch Grants sent to the applicants, and 36 percent of them responded.

Spear said the number of total applicants exceeded their expectations.

“That sets us up to have a really strong program,” she said. “We demonstrated that we can attract a diverse audi-

institution in interest and principal, CDs offer you a fixed interest rate for depositing your money for a specific period of time. If you withdraw your money before that period is up, you may be subject to interest rate penalties. CDs may also be purchased through most brokerage firms. The brokerage firm will shop the market and find the most attractive rate for you, even if it is out of state. This is something you might find difficult to do on your own. CDs purchased this way are called Brokered CDs. CDs are most suitable for purchasing and holding to maturity. However, you may find it necessary to dispose of CDs prior to maturity. An important distinction between Brokered CDs and Bank CDs is the different means for early redemption. With a Bank CD, should you redeem your CD

The Greenprint’s intent is to leverage these existing jobs and assets to build more.

percent.

The study also found that St. Louis has a strong base of green jobs and business assets, with about 79 percent of its core green economy jobs concentrated in four sectors: recycling and waste, air and environment, water and wastewater, and energy efficiency.

ence to apply. All of these things help us to get to the end goal of building a strong economy and building on what St. Louis has already begun.”

The applicants represent a range of industries, including:

• 21 percent business and financial services

•17 percent IT

• 15 percent from technology

• 11 percent entertainment and leisure

• 8 percent energy and biotech.

• a group of professional judges on April 28. The group will select 12 to 15 grant winners, who will be announced on May 7.

RBC

Continued from B1

• Bi-racial: 5 percent

• Middle Eastern: .5 percent

• American Indian: .5 percent.

Of the respondents, 47 percent are born and raised in St. Louis.

Many believe “St. Louis is a livable community with a manageable scale filled with great cultural opportunities and excellent architecture.”

However, they said the priority that St. Louis should work to improve is public schools (63 percent); this tops job opportunities (47 percent), crime (32 percent) and public transportation (28 percent).

Regarding their education

In 2011, nearly 70 companies and institutions completed the RCGA’s St. Louis Green Business Challenge. Organizations ranged from sports teams to non-profit groups to some of the region’s largest companies. Of the companies and institutions that completed the Challenge, more than 75 percent completed a written set of sustainability guidelines and distributed it to all employees.

“This has been a horizontal

“Entrepreneurs never are – and never were –one skin color or representing one economic background.”

– Sarah Spear,executive director of Arch Grants

This week, Advantage Capital Partners, a leading venture capital and small business finance firm, committed $300,000 over the next three years to Arch Grants.

early, you will typically be assessed an early withdrawal penalty. Brokered CDs trade in the secondary market which provides you with the opportunity to sell your CD at prevailing market prices, which may be worth more or less than the original amount you invested. Brokered CDs are more complex and carry more risks than CDs offered directly by banks. Brokered CDs may not be suitable for all investors. Before you purchase a Brokered CD, make sure you fully understand all of its terms and carefully read its disclosure materials provided by your financial professional.

Charles Ross is host of the syndicated radio program “Your Personal Finance.” Contact him at P.O. Box 870928; Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087; or email to charles@ charlesross.com.

conversation,” he said. “Yes this is about wind, solar, biomass – but really more importantly it’s how health care, IT, manufacturing and retail change their business practices in order to be more competitive and sustainable.”

For more information on the Green Business Challenge, go to www.stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To become involved in the Greenprint, contact Eric Schneider, senior director of energy and environment at 444-1148 or email eschneider@stlrcga.org.

“We can’t think of a more meaningful way to honor our firm’s 20th anniversary than by fostering entrepreneurs, helping to create a more robust startup culture and infrastructure, and participating in the regional effort to increase jobs and business growth,” said Advantage Capital senior managing director Scott Zajac. Advantage Capital joins a number of other local funders, including Peabody Energy, Emerson Electric and other corporate and individual donors, who are supporting this effort with donations of time, money and strategic assistance. For more information, visit www.archgrants.org.

The priority St.Louis should work to improve is public schools (63 percent);this tops job opportunities, crime and public transportation.

and employment, 39 percent have graduate degrees and 52 percent are encouraged to remain in St. Louis because of job opportunities.

They have found that the best way to meet people is through clubs and associations (59 percent), volunteering (43 percent), events (41 percent) and through their work (32 percent).

Many state that St. Louis is

“the right community for those of us who like to give back.”

“We now have a wealth of information about what young, diverse leaders in our community think,” said Kathy Osborn, Executive Director of the Regional Business Council.

“This data should help guide us in making decisions about allocation of resources. For example, the survey tells us that 25 percent of young diverse leaders believe the most underrated aspect of life in St. Louis is its ‘affordability.’It’s a good indicator as to what to emphasize as we work to attract and retain talent.”

To read all of the survey questions and answers, visit www.stlrbc.org/youngprofessional.htm or call the RBC at 314-2252105.

“We’re not going down to New Orleans for a vacation. It’s a business trip.”

– Ohio State All-American basketball player Jared Sullinger,on his Buckeyes upcoming trip to the Final Four

Myrle Mensey wins three gold medals

St.Louisan Myrle Mensey won three gold medals at the recent USATF National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships in Bloomington,Indiana. Competing in the Women’s 60-64 age group,Mensey won gold medals in the shot put,12-pound weight throw and the 20-pound weight throw.She set a new American record in the 20-lb.weight throw.Mensey was also selected as the USATF Masters Track and Field Age Group Athlete of the Year for Women 60-74.

Fab Five Boys All-Star Team

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St.Louis American

If there is one word to describe the members of the St. Louis American “Fab Five” Boys All-Star Team, it would be smooth.

From 5’11” guard Anthony Virdure to 6’5” swingmen Malcolm Hill and Garrett Covington to 6’8” shooter Cameron Biedscheid to 6’8” forward Jordan Granger; they have one thing in common. They are all smooth operators who can put the ball in the basket with great regularity. Here is a capsule look at the members of the 2012 St. Louis American “Fab Five” First Team.

Cameron Biedscheid (Cardinal Ritter): The 2012 St. Louis American Player of the Year, the 6’8” Biedscheid enjoyed a spectacular senior year for the Lions. The 6’8” guard averaged 31.7 points to lead the St. Louis metro area in scoring. He also averaged 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals to lead the Lions to a 24-6 record and a Class 3 District title. One of the most potent offensive players of the decade, Biedscheid has signed with Notre Dame.

Garrett Covington (Edwardsville): The 6’5” junior swingman was one of the top shooters in the St. Louis metro area. Covington shot 41 percent from 3-point range and hit 86 treys. He averaged a team-high 17.8 points and 7.6

rebounds to lead the Tigers to a 24-6 record and a Southwestern Conference co-championship and a berth in the IHSAClass 4A Supersectionals.

Malcolm Hill (Belleville East): The smooth 6’5” junior guard was one of the prime-time performers in the state of Illinois this season. Hill averaged averaged 23.8 points a game to lead all metro east scorers. He scored more

than 40 points on three occasions this

Kansas clinches Final Four in St. Louis

Entering the 2012 NCAATournament, Mizzou fans and alumni (such as myself) had ample reasons to be excited. The feisty Tigers capped off a school-best 27-4 regular season record by winning by Big 12 Tournament. Equipped with a No. 3 ranking and a sprinkling of first-place votes, the squad entered the Big Dance with big dreams. Fans rejoiced when several prognosticators predicted deep runs for the team. Even President Barack Obama saw something special in Frank Haith’s crew and predicted the first Final Four birth in school history. We gladly forked over $4 to the stream the tourney on our phones, iPads and laptops to ensure we wouldn’t miss a minute of the glorious run. We filled out our brackets gleefully and waited for history

Even President Barack Obama saw something special in Frank Haith’s crew and predicted the first Final Four birth in school history.

The losses not only massacred our brackets, but nearly shattered our interest in the remaining tournament. Of course SLU’s defeat over Memphis was a cheerful moment and, weeping aside, the team’s valiant effort vs. No. 1 seed Michigan State made us proud. But the

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Travis Releford #24 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after Kansas defeated North Carolina last Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St.Louis to earn a berth in the Final Four in New Orleans.

Malcolm Hill Belleville East

Jordon Granger McCluer North

Garrett Covington Edwardsville

Cameron Biedscheid Cardinal Ritter

Anthony Virdure Lutheran North

Sunday’s Regional Final at the Edward Jones Dome introducedSt. Louis college basketball fans to big-time college basketball.

Both North Carolina fans and Kansas fans I spoke with were pleased with St. Louis as their host.The cheerleaders, the mascots, the celebrity alumni from the respective universities were all present and accounted for. The bands, oh the bands, were they great. Especially the Kansas band with the rendition of the CBS College Basketball theme song. It was nice too see former Missouri Statehead coach Barry Hinson back home of sorts, in St. Louis. Agreat

FROM THE EAST SIDE

With Maurice Scott

Homecoming at the Dome

Midwest Regional Finals was feel-good affair

coach, but better person. Hinson is an assistant coach on Bill Self’sstaff at KU. Speaking of good people coming back, it was good to seeJamall Walker, the former SLUBillikens guard and Southwestern Conference coach, as an assistant to my friend coach Mike Brey, now a principal at Alton.Walker is an assistant coach at Ohio U., which nearly shocked the world with a near-upset of North Carolina in the regional semifinals last Friday night. And while I’m saying good things,I want to give big UPS tothe SaintLouis University athletic department and Athletic Director Chris May. Chris and his staff did an out-

standing job hosting the Midwest Regional Finals this weekend.In addition, I saw some young new faces volunteering with the Billikens Athletic Department assisting with this year’s event. Young people of all races participating, and getting this valuable experience.

Great job by SLU, the law enforcement and medical personnel, Edward Jones Dome staff and area businesses. I was proud of you this weekend!

Scott’s Notes

Four this weekwasShaka Smart turning down the Illinois job. Agreat move by the young coach. First, he has a great situation at VCU. And as his team this year demonstrated by their late NCAArun, he’s a good coachwho proved that last year’s FinalFour run was no fluke.

Maurice Scott

He will always have good offers.But timing is everything as a young coach, and getting in that Chicago recruiting fire ain’t easy, asothers have found out when coaching at Illinois. Including my man Bill Self, and recently Bruce Webber.Not since Lou

The buzz around the Final

McGinnis is the man

As the dust settles from the megaton bomb dropped by NFLCommissioner Roger Goodell last week due to “Bountygate,” the St. Louis Rams are proceeding with business. Sure, the Rams are affected by the indefinite suspension of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. However, the Rams were more cushioned for the blow than the New Orleans Saints. All you have to do is look at two other members on the defensive staff that were hired after Gregg Williams. Former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil and former Titans linebacker/assistant coach Dave McGinnis are also on board. And while most Rams fans are irate about the punishment levied against Gregg Williams, let me assure you something right now. This defense will still be just as aggressive and menacing as we’ve imagined. Why do I feel so confident about

Continued from B3

RAMS ROUNDUP

With Palmer L.Alexander III

this? Dave McGinnis. Yes. Dave McGinnis was probably one of Jeff Fisher’s best hires when he started putting his coaching staff together. For those who haven’t heard of Dave McGinnis, he is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL. While with the Chicago Bears from 1986 to 1995, McGinnis coached Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary as well as NFLgreats Wilber Marshall and Otis Smith. The Bears’defense ranked in the top 10 on six different occasions, including a first place ranking. Then McGinnis went to the Arizona Cardinals from 1996-2003. He spent four years as the defensive coordi-

Palmer L. Alexander

nator and three years as the head coach. In 1998, the Cardinals defense was led by (former St. Louis Ram) Aeneas Williams, Eric Swann and Simeon Rice, they went on to make the playoffs and were ranked third in the NFL in takeaways with 39. Then, McGinnis spent the following seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2004-2011 as a linebacker/assistant coach. And now he’s a part of the Rams’football coaching staff. I like that McGinnis has not bounced all over the place. In his 25 years in the professional ranks, this is his fourth stop. So he adds that stability to the Rams.

You can count on Dave McGinnis to hold the spot

down for Williams or just keep the position all together. As of now Jeff Fisher isn’t saying who the defensive coordinator is.

Speaking of that side of the ball, the Rams were unable to keep linebacker Chris Chamberlain who recently signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Chamberlain joins former Rams coaches Steve Spagnuolo, Ken Flajole and Joe Vitt who was Rams interim head coach in 2005 and was suspended for six games by Roger Goodell.

For more Rams talk tune into Moses Keeping it 100 on Iwatchradio.com or Talk Sports Kontrolled Khaos on facebook.

Henson and Jimmy Collins, it hasn’t been the same. Ask Lon Kruger ...

Speaking of the Fighting Illini, the annual Orange and Blue gameis onApril 14. I’m hearing former East St. Louis Senior High All-American Terry “Black Kat” Harwthorne ishaving a great camp.

Also, former East St. Louis Sr. All- American Kraig Appleton is now playing at Lincoln University for former St. Louis Rams star Mike Jones. Finally, congrats to my friend CuonzoMartin and his Tennessee Volshoops team. Picked to finish near the bottom on the SEC, Martin team finished among the leaders in the conferenceand earned a berth in the National Invitational Tournament.

As honorable haters, let’s not wish them harm –only failure.

Edney moments meant our final collective hope was for an embarrassing loss by the hated Kansas Jayhawks. Now those pesky blue birds are destined to taunt us to the very end. With each resounding victory, Bill Self and his squad continue to rub salt in our nasty wounds. To make matters worse, the team earned its gazillionth Final Four birth right here in St. Louis. Talk about disrespect. Talk about dejection. But alas, Tiger nation, all hope is not lost. Saturday, Missouri will become Buckeye Nation for a day. Together we will shoot rays of ill-will at every Jayhawk shot. We will root for players we know nothing about as if they were our own. Should KU prevail, we’ll hang our last hope on a devastating loss in the championship. Watching our enemies get close enough to sample the savory taste of victory only to have it ripped away and replaced by bitter defeat would serve as a saving grace for our lost season.

Despite the disappointment, Mizzou will move forward with a bright future in the SEC. But I must admit, with KU seemingly intent on ending the rivalry due to our departure, I’ll miss rooting vigorously against the Jayhawks whenever their run is over.

We Tigers fans have no shame in our sour grapes. The rivalry will remain bitter until the end. Thomas Robinson and company have two chances to

salvage our season. As honorable haters, let’s not wish them harm – only failure. Rope. Choke. Jayhoax!

Follow In the Clutch on Twitter @intheclutchstl and online at www.stlamerican.com.

Connecting small businesses with corporate supply chains

SBAannounces new private-public partnership, Supplier Connection

American staff

Anew private-public collaboration will help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America’s largest corporations, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced last week.

Supplier Connection, created by the IBM Foundation, is part of the Obama Administration’s American Supplier Initiative and is designed to help bridge the gap between small, nimble businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains.

“The American Supplier Initiative is part of a comprehensive solution to grow small businesses, create jobs and to ensure that America has a strong, deep and diverse supply chain,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.

“While it is clear that becoming a corporate supplier can lead to business growth, breaking in can be a challenge for small businesses. The Supplier Connection will be one tool to help small businesses connect with corporate buyers. Tools like this help to ensure that more small businesses are part of commercial supply chains, which adds additional revenue streams. This is a proven formula for job creation.”

Mills sent letters about Supplier Connection, a new tool to help small businesses access private sector supply chains, to more than 50,000 small businesses that currently participate in small business federal procurement programs.

Studies have shown that small businesses that are part of large corporations’supply chains experience increased revenues and employment.

SBAis committed to helping small businesses identify new tools and resources to become part of these supply chains.

Supplier Connection is a free, online portal created by the IBM Foundation that allows small businesses to send information about their products and services to 15

“The Supplier Connection will be one tool to help small businesses connect with corporate buyers.”

– SBA Administrator Karen Mills

large private sector companies.

The 15 companies participating in Supplier Connection are: AMD, AT&T, Bank of America, Caterpillar, Citi Group, Dell, Facebook, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, John Deere, Kellogg’s, Office Depot, Pfizer, UPS and Wells Fargo. Together, these 15 companies have a combined purchasing power of $300 billion and now they will have full access to the profiles of small businesses that have registered for Supplier Connection.

• SBA’s International Trade Loan expansion – This program provides small businesses with capital to finance their fixed assets, including real estate, and working capital needs. This program offers private lenders a 90 percent guarantee on loans up to $5 million as an incentive to encourage lending to growing small businesses. Small businesses may use the ITLprogram to onshore and help bring jobs back to the U.S.

• Export-Import Bank’s Global Credit Express Product – This product is specially designed to deliver short-term working capital loans directly to creditworthy small business exporters. Through this new program, exporters may be eligible for a 6- or 12-month revolving line of credit of up to $500,000.

• CAPLines – SBA’s CAPLines program was recently revamped to help small businesses meet their short-term and cyclical working capital needs.

Identifying ways to strengthen small and mediumsized manufacturers is a priority for the administration and additional announcements under the American Supplier Initiative are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months. For more information on Supplier Connection, please visit: https://www.supplierconnection.net.

The American Supplier Initiative is a call-to-action to the private sector to invest in their supply chains through small businesses. The initiative aims to address four key areas in which small business need help in order to become successful suppliers in the private sector: access to mentorship and counseling services, increased market and revenue opportunities, ready sources of capital to fund their growth, and a highly skilled workforce. To date, several American Supplier Initiative announcements have already been made:

When ‘Smokey Joe’ got his groove back

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Girl, ‘Smokey Joe’ is taking some woman to Jamaica,” a friend of mine called and said – sounding uncharacteristically frantic.

“So. You hate him,” I replied. “Wait; please don’t tell me that you are jealous ... that a man you are repulsed by is taking a woman you don’t know on a trip you can’t possibly have the time to take. Do you even have a passport?”

Well, at least she does have her passport.

I’m sure the back story is a prerequisite for the rest of the story, so I’ll get on with it.

Winfrey kicks off

‘Lifeclass:

The Tour’ in Sweetie Pie’s city

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“St. Louis has been good to me,” Oprah Winfrey said.

She exhaled a sigh full of down-home soul after saying goodbyes for the second presentation of her Oprah Lifeclass: The Tour at the Peabody Opera House on Monday night.

Her journey here had ended, and the cameras had been turned off. But the footprints of the intention that brought her here in the first place will remain on the hearts of thousands forever.

It was a rainbow audience of mostly women who came to what one audience member jokingly referred to as the Peabody Oprah House. They were living the bucket-list dream of being a member of Oprah’s audience – something they thought impossible after Oprah bowed out of the Oprah Winfrey Show last year to launch the Oprah Winfrey Network.

The tickets were priceless – earned only through an online lottery and a few giveaways – and guests didn’t take that lightly. Strangers danced and high-fived in the pre-show period because they were in one of only three cities in the nation to partake of the Lifeclass Live experience. Some shared stories of traveling from places like Toronto, Los Angeles and Mississippi to connect with Oprah on the most personal level possible for them.

By the time the building was cleared for both the afternoon and evening experiences, Oprah herself was an afterthought to the seed she had planted to explore living a more fulfilled and intentional life.

“It’s the journey of my life to be here,” Winfrey said.

While in St. Louis, Oprah Winfrey dined with the stars of Sweetie Pie’s, including Robbie Montgomery and Tim Montgomery, at the restaurant. She also did live tapings of Oprah Winfrey Network shows with Bishop T.D. Jakes and Iyanla Vanzant.

“Smokey Joe” is my friend’s guy friend – “friend” being the operative word. He has been in love with her for the past four years, and while she is physically repulsed by the idea of any kind of romantic dealings with him they have great conversations. She tried to hush the instinctive gag reflex that rears its head whenever the slightest thought of “liking him like that” came into her head because by all intents and purposes he is a good man.

He’s a fun person to be around and they can hang on the phone all day, but that’s about the size of their relationship in her eyes. She is not attracted to him at all, and he is pretty selfish and unromantic. To make matters worse, he has some, well, let’s just say extra-curricular activities that she doesn’t at all agree with (the hint is in his name).

She really tried for AN ENTIRE YEAR to cultivate the idea of them as a couple, but about four months ago she had to break the news to “Smokey” that it isn’t working out. He called her “low class” and whined to her family about how she dumped him. They stopped hanging for awhile, but drifted back into the friend zone and the relationship angle never came back up.

Okay, now everybody is up to speed so I can move forward with how she found out and the Lifetime movie moment that came out of it. They went to an event as friends. Afterwards, they played catch up and he told her that he was going to Jamaica with his new boo. And in response to that she reacted in a way that I can’t imagine I’d ever recover from. She had an emotional

C4

Day 86 with Dad

By Nancy Fowler Of The Beacon

One day and one canvas at a time, St. Louis painter Cbabi Bayoc is promoting black fatherhood and making money to help raise his own three children with his “365 Days with Dad” year-long project. Monday, March 26 marked Day 86 of the plan that Bayoc and his bakery/cafeowner wife Reine came up with to salvage their family finances. Since January 1, Bayoc has painted one father-child piece every day. The plan is a roaring success: Every one has been sold. The paintings go for $215, far less

than the typical $1,400 sales price for his 18-by-24-inch works. Bayoc also raised $9,000 in a Kickstarter campaign to make $20 prints of his dad-themed works and posters to hand out for free to children. Every day, after a full day of painting, there is shopping, homework, bedtimestories and the thousands of other activities that make up the low-but-constant rhythm of child-rearing. With no day of rest figured into the format and despite the Feb. 29 leap day, Bayoc struggles to stay on schedule.

“I’m a day behind; I had a child with

See CBABI, C4

Cbabi Bayoc

Photo by Cindy Betz Bayoc

Photos by Wiley Price

1.Email

2.Visit

concerts

Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Foxy 95.5 birthday celebration featuring New Edition & SWV, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 31, 8:30 p.m., Shades of Jade Live Show. Saint Louis Native born Trumpet Player Joshua Williams returns from Kansas City’s Conservatory at UMKC bringing his new and upcoming Jazz/Neosoul Group: Shades of Jade. Robbie’s House of Jazz, 20 Allen Ave. #150, 63119.

Sat., Mar. 31, 6:30 p.m., Harris Stowe State University presents Spring Into Jazz. Main Auditorium, Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 3405773.

Sat., Apr. 7, 6 p.m., The Ambassador presents 8Ball, MJG, and Bun-B Live in Concert. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136.For more information, call (314) 680-2775.

Apr. 7 – 8, Jazz St. Louis and Wells Fargo Advisors present Joshua Redman – Brad Mehldau Duo. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314-289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

Apr. 11 – 14, Jazz St. Louis

and Wells Fargo Advisors present Russell Malone & The Cyrus Chestnut Trio Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sun., May 13, 3 p.m., The Mildred Thimes Foundation forPancreatic Cancer presents The 16th Annual Denise Thimes & Friends Special Mother’s Day Concert: Honoring OurMothers –“The Givers of Life.” Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 773-0337.

local gigs

Grown Folks 2 for1 Happy Hourwith Ms. Silky Sol, Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Avenue, 1901 St. Louis Ave.

Sundays, 7 p.m., StarCity recording artist FRED WALKER performs his SAXYJAZZ music show every Sunday at: “JAZZ ON BROADWAY” 554 East Broadway, Alton, Il. 62002. Call 618-465-5299 for more information and directions.

Funkin Right, Every 2nd Saturday, Nappy DJ Needles invites you downtown for a monthly dose of good vibes delivered in the form of raw soul, afro beat, house, hip hop and deep funk. Lola, 500 N. 14th St.

CALENDAR

special events

Mar. 29 – Apr. 1, Moolah

Shrine Circus. The Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles, MO. 63303. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Fri., Mar. 30, 5 p.m., Stress Free Fridays, Renee’s Bar and Grill, 6621 Vernon Avenue in University City.

Sat., March 31, 8:45am-1pm, Open Space Council, St. Louis County Parks, & the Gateway Off Road rebuild the trails of Cliff Cave Park! Volunteers must be 12 years old to participate & those 1215 must have an adult accompany them. All volunteers must sign a waiver & will be provided w/ training, tools, gloves, lunch, & water. Scouts will receive patches. Wear boots/closed-toed shoes, long pants, & dress in layers. To register, visit http://2012springowls.eventbrit e.com/

Sat., Mar. 31, 1 p.m., The 13 Black Katz, Shop ‘n Save, Majic 104.9 & Regal Sports

will present a Ham Giveaway, Shop ‘n Save Central City, 10805 Old Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis MO 63135. Email donations via PayPal to 13blackatz@gmail.com

Sat., March 31, 4pm. Power of Women! An African Dance Class Celebrating the Creative Brilliance of Women, Produced by Malena Amusa and AddLife! Studio, this class explores the voluptuous dances of West Africa dedicated to women. Featuring the dazzling instructor Audra Morrow and special guests, at The Legacy (5249 Delmar Blvd). For more info, call (314) 458 - 4282.

Sat., Mar. 31, 6 p.m., Alton High School A-Town Steppers 5th Step Out Violence Step Show, Alton High School, Alton, IL. For more information, call (618) 474-2245.

Sat., Mar. 31, 8 p.m., Noble’s 29th Annual Oldie But Goodie Dance. Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow, 63120. For more information, call (314) 615-2551.

Sun., Apr. 1, Fourth Annual

Sun., Apr. 15, 6 p.m., S.L.I.M. presents the Loosecannon Celebrity Basketball Game. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Apr. 20 – 22, STL– ATL Hoops Getaway. Check out the Atlanta Hawks as they face the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Also shop, party and hit the clubs. For more information, call (314) 7797655 or (314) 229-5267.

Sat., Apr. 21, 11 a.m., 3rd Annual Drumline Showdown. Seven nationally renowned HBCU marching percussion ensembles will battle it out for $10,000 for their school’s percussion program. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103.

Sat., Apr. 21, 6 p.m., 2nd Annual Trivia Night for Neighborhood Houses! St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, 63106 For more information, visit http://www.neighborhoodhouses.org.

Notice Me Awards. Event to recognize models, photographers, clothing designers, make up artists, hair stylists, and more from the St. Louis area. Plush, 3204 Locust Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 680-2775.

Through April 1, 2012 DREAMS Orgs. Inc. presents The Miss Monarch Butterfly Ball. The MMBB is a formal Pageant/Cotillion that recognizes young ladies ages 5-18 for their excellence at school, home, church and in the community. REGISTER NOWMONDAYS/THURSDAYS 6-8PM @ Hazelwood East Middle1865 Dunn Rd. 63138. For more information visit www.dreamsorg.com or call 314-323-3290.

Fri., Apr. 6, 5 p.m., East St. Louis Sr. High Class of 1981 Happy Hour, Club Illusion, 526 East Broadway, East St. Louis, IL.

Sat., Apr. 7, 8 p.m., 13 Black Katz presents “Love after War”, attendance prizes include a fur jacket ($2500.00), diamond earrings & necklace set ($1500.00) 2 tickets to Kevin Hart Concert, dinner & limo ride and event features Jo Lena Johnson author of Love and War: A Strategic Planning on Relationships, Ritz Carlton in Clayton. For more information, visit www.13Blackkatz.com

Sun., Apr. 8, 10 a.m., Easter Sunday Brunch. Coronado Ballroom, 3701 Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-4848.

Thur., Apr. 12, Voices For Children presents Be the Difference: ABenefit forthe Voices forChildren, special guest Judge Glenda Hatchett Windows Off Washington, 701 N. 15th St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 5522454.

Sat., Apr. 14, 6 p.m., Saint Louis University School of Law Black Law Student’s Association presents Derby Stakes Casino Night. Food, Open Bar, Prizes, Derby and Casino Games. Tickets $45. SLU Allied Health Multipurpose Room, Doisy Hall, 3437 Caroline Mall, 63104.

Sat., Apr. 21, 6 p.m., The Alpha Zeta Chapterof Iota Phi Lambda Sorority is hosting the 2nd Annual Business Month Awards Dinner. Norwood Hills Country Club, One Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www.iotastlouis.org.

MO 63108

10th Street Gallery presents the opening reception for Lance Omar Thurman’s upcoming photography exhibit “Nostalgia,” 10th Street Gallery, 419 N. 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Visit www.10thstreetgallery.com

THE GALLERYof the University City Public Library is seeking applicants forjuried one-month shows forthe 31st season. Ashort resume of artistic background, 12 images of recent work on a CD, and a list with dimensions and medium of each piece are required. Send or bring entries to: THE GALLERY, University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130 by Monday, April 30. For further information, call Lexine Pranschke at 314.727.3150 or email lexine@ucpl.lib.mo.us.

comedy

Sun., Apr. 1, 7 p.m., An April Fools Comedy Show, Club Illusion, 526 East Broadway, East St. Louis, IL62205. For more information, call (314) 922-2104.

Apr. 13, 8 p.m., Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Sat., May 12, 8 p.m., Royal Comedy Tour feat. Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Mark Curry and more. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

theatre

Through Apr. 1, The Black Rep presents No Child. This “remarkable, delightfully entertaining” show features one actress playing 16 roles — the kids, teachers, parents, principals, janitors and security guards of New York City’s Public schools. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq.,

63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., Apr. 1, 7:30 p.m., The Black Rep presents Le Freak Le Chic. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Through Apr. 8, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Comedy of Errors. Mistaken identities, outlandish disguises and musical merriment take two sets of twins on a raucous journey through the streets of New Orleans in a one of Shakespeare’s cleverest comedies. 130 Edgar Rd., 63119. Fore more information, call (314) 968-4925 or visit www.repstl.org.

Through Apr. 8, Bring It On: The Musical. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something - or someone - you really care about. Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Apr. 11 – May 13, The Black Rep presents Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In a 1927 recording studio, legendary blues singer, Ma Rainey, finally shows up to record her new album, despite battling musicians and tight-fisted producers. Hilarious and heartbreaking. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Through April 14, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Shake 38 Performer Registration. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, 5715 Elizabeth Ave., 63110. For more information, call 314/531-9800, ext. 113.

lectures

Thur., Mar. 29, 4:30 p.m., Fontbonne University Graduate Program

Information Session. 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 889-1400 or visit www.fontbonne.edu/gradopen.

Sat., Mar. 31, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m., St. Louis American presents “Money Wise” Workshops. Afroworld, 7276 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 389-5194.

Sat., Mar. 31, 10 a.m., Universal African Peoples Organization presents “Women Of Movement-They Make Things Happen” Community Forum, Legacy Bookstore and Café 5249 Delmar St. Louis. MO. For more information, call (314) 454-9005.

Apr. 3, Michael McMillan, License Collectorof the City of St. Louis, is joined by the U.S. Department of Commerce-Commercial Services-International Trade to host the second “Manufacturing Industry Briefing” on Tuesday, April 3rd at City Hall in the Kennedy Hearing Room 208.

Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain live at the Scottrade Concert Club.See COMEDY for more information.

crazy boxers or your favorite shorts to raise awareness. Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.undy5000.org.

Through Mar. 31, 1 p.m., Hip Hop Cardio Class, Saturdays, Cardio fitness class that is guaranteed to help you burn at least 300 calories every class. InPower Institute, 5400 Nottingham Ave., 63109. For more information, visit www.inpowerinstitute.com.

Apr. 7, Coleman Wright Health Ministry sponsors: SeniorDay orNot So Senior Day, presentations include 10 signs of Alzheimer’s, Congestive Heart Failure, Healthy Eating and Seated Exercises, Coleman Wright CME Church, 9777 Halls Ferry Road, Jennings, MO 63136.

Though exporting will be the primary focus, over 20 exhibitors will be on site to assist manufacturers with information and services unique to their industry.

Sat., Apr. 21, 9 a.m., AARP presents On the Road to Retirement. Tower Grove Manor, 2710 S. Grand Blvd., 63118. For more information, call (877) 877-1995 ext. 1018. Missouri History Museum presents The Civil Warin Missouri. Border state, slave state or Southern state, we may not agree on the label, but we can agree on the problem. It is too late to change the past, but it is the right time to learn from it and make a better future. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

health

Sat., Mar. 31, 7:30 a.m., Siteman CancerCenterand Colon CancerAlliance present Undy 5000. Not your typical 5K, run/walk to fight colon cancer and be sure to wear

Thur., Apr. 12, 7 p.m., Heart & Vascular: Caring forYour Arteries and Veins. Holiday Inn South County Center, 6921 S. Lindbergh, 63125. For more information, call (314) 8673627 or visit www.barnesjewish.org.

Sat., Apr. 14, 10 a.m., St. Louis Diabetes Coalition presents Touring the Grocery Store as Person with Diabetes. Richmond Heights Schnucks, 6600 Clayton Rd., 63117.

Through April 14, 7 p.m., Couples Massage, Saturdays, InPower Institute, 5400 Nottingham Ave., 63109. For more information, visit www.inpowerinstitute.com.

Wed., Apr. 11, 4 p.m., The Future of Healthcare feat. Louis W. Sullivan, MD, Former Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Washington University School of Medicine, 320 S. Euclid Ave., 63110.

Sat., Apr. 14, 10 a.m., St. Louis Diabetes Coalition presents Touring the Grocery Store as Person with Diabetes. Richmond Heights

Schnucks, 6600 Clayton Rd., 63117.

Sat., Apr. 21, 11 a.m., Health and Dental Care forKids Open House. Open House to educate our community about the health services available at our facility. Other community partners will also be on hand to talk about their agencies and programs. 4055 Lindell Blvd., 63108.

Fri., Mar. 30, 6:30 p.m., Conversations with Women in the Bible. Afun evening of fellowship, fun, and relaxation to witness 21 Biblical characters come to life! Trinity Free Will Baptist Church, 12143 Old St. Charles Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 452-2088.

Sat., Mar. 31, 9:30 a.m., The Agape Circle Women’s Ministry invites you to the ‘Choosing To Give God Our Best’PrayerBreakfast. An uplifting and nourishing morning of prayer, food, fellowship as we come together supporting the body of Christ.Christ the king United Church of Christ, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Rd., 63033. For more information, call (314) 741-6808.

Apr. 6, 7 p.m., The Resurrection Musical Production of “Jesus..No Weapons Formed Against Him Shall Prosper,” Written and directed by La’Matra Johnson, Washington Tabernacle M.B. Church, 3200 Washington Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, call (314) 533-5374.

Fri., Apr. 6, 7 p.m., The Bethesda Temple Voices presents the 21st Pre-Easter Concert: Celebrating Jesus! Rejoicing in Survival with special guest stars The Nevels Sisters. Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., 5401 Bishop J. A. Johnson Ln., 63121. For more information, call (314) 3825401

meltdown and broke down crying – which had to make for the longest ride home in the world. She said that she tried to fight back the tears which made for an awkwardly silent moment.

But then “Smokey Joe” said, “Well, say something.”

She replied, “There’s really nothing to say.” And tears and shivers instantly ensued.

“I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” he said. But it wasn’t about him.

She said that in that moment she relived all of the breakups from all of the men who mattered, and the fact that “Smokey Joe” was getting his groove back was the aftershock that caused her emotional house of cards to crumble.

Now he’s calling to check up on her like she really cares – which is awkward, because she wants to tell him it had nothing to do with him at all.

I’m not mad at him for doing so – actually it’s pretty sweet – just not what she wants.

We get into this whole debate about her being superficial and that she has to have feelings for him. I mean for real, if he didn’t matter why did she group him in

crowd. “Pain simply means ‘Pay Attention Inward Now.’ How you treat yourself is how you treat God – you are the representation of God in your life.”

“All of my life I have known that the calling for me is to use my life in such a way that other people could see and feel and know that God was working through me. And so I know part of my purpose in life is to help you find yours.”

The first of the two shows taped in St. Louis tackled the topic of purpose, featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes discussing the power in finding your path.

“Who is T.D. Jakes?” a woman from Minnesota leaned over and asked politely – as clueless as she was excited.

The Potter’s House Senior Pastor was much more subdued than when he is preaching from the pulpit, but his flavor was still there and his words resonated with everyone.

“If you can’t figure out your purpose,” Jakes said, “think about your passion, for your passion leads you to your purpose.” By the session’s end, the woman from Minnesota was writing on the back pages of her calendar like it was a church program and waving her hands to the cadence of his voice in the same rhythm as a faithful Baptist.

“So many people are following provisions instead of purpose,” Jakes said. “If you follow your passion – and your purpose – the provisions will chase you.”

She wrote that one down, word for word.

St. Louis-style hallelujahs and amens ensued, inciting those unfamiliar with the practice to join in.

“All of my life I have known that this moment would arrive,” Winfrey said.

“I used the Oprah show to get here, but I want to be able to present programs that say to people no matter where you are in your life, you can do better and be better – and you can start right now. Everybody who watches us can open up their heart space and live the life they were born to live – that’s what I’m here for.”

Oprah Lifeclass: The Tour – Live with purpose will air on Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. CST on the OWN Network. Check local listings for details.

Moving beyond the pain

For the live show later that evening, the unpredictable yet ever-inspiring Iyanla Vanzant offered life lessons on stopping the pain, which will help clear the path towards purpose.

“Until you heal the wounds of your past, you will continue to bleed,” Vanzant told the

with the other men who tossed her heart out of the window, right?

I’m torn between thinking that she’s bothered by the fact that he was able to move on so quickly or by what her notions of what love should look like have cost her. I am not judging, because everybody has that person that you just don’t feel that way about no matter what they do – or what you do.

“I’m just tired of people leaving me,” she said.

“But you left him,” I replied.

“You know what I mean,” she snapped back.

“Actually, I don’t.”

surprise stop she made the day before at the home of her OWN network hit show, Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s

Both shows had the feel of the most inspiring of Oprah Winfrey Show segments with “aha!” moments at every turn, especially when she addressed the female population’s generational curse of putting themselves last on their list.

“In your life, you have to be as good to you as you want to be to God in order to be of service to others,” Vanzant said.

“When you give to others to a point where you sacrifice from yourself, you make the other person a thief – because they are stealing from you what you need and they don’t

n “Everybody who watches us can open up their heart space and live the life they were born to live.”

– Oprah Winfrey

even know it.”

But the most compelling Lifeclass live moment featured a man named Steve – whose life is a day-to-day fight to maintain the sobriety he’s managed to hold onto for more than 10 years.

“Can you believe, or are you willing to consider that right where you are God is?” Vanzant said. “But where is God when you go back to telling your story about how good you are not? You’re addicted to your story. That’s your new drug.”

He didn’t seem to connect with what she was saying. But Vanzant helped him to write a new story by enlisting the audience (and inviting Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s co-star Tim Montgomery and another young man on stage) to “stand for Steve.”

The experience moved the entire audience – including Winfrey – to tears as Vanzant and Montgomery stood as the embodiment of his family.

“Standing for Steve” became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter as fans watching the show chimed in on social networking.

“Where would you be without that story?” Vanzant asked. “You feed on that story because it distracts you from your greatness – it’s that greatness that scares you.”

Sold on Sweetie Pie’s

“I ate like a fool,” Winfrey said.

She was talking about the

“That chicken is as good as it looks – and the banana pudding is even better than it looks. I’ve been many places in the world and I’ve got a mama who can cook and I never had any pear cobbler.”

She is beyond excited about the show’s return to the OWN network with all new episodes starting this Saturday night, but her excitement goes beyond the banana pudding that her best friend Gayle King made the trip from New York just to taste.

“It’s one of our most successful shows, and it has resonated really strongly with African-American women,” Winfrey said.

Winfrey talked about Robbie Montgomery, owner of Sweetie Pie’s, and her family as prototypically American.

“I felt like the audience would see themselves in her and their own children in her children and grandchildren,” Winfrey said.

“Everybody has a Charles in their family, and we reflect that in a way that is authentic but also hopeful and inspiring. I am sometimes really embarrassed in some of the ways that we are portrayed on television. I am always looking for images – and have been since I was a young reporter – to find images that portray African Americans in a way that we know we are and we should be seen.”

Winfrey also praised the cast for keeping reality TV real.

“They have an authenticity that is lacking in reality television,” Winfrey said. “I felt like no matter where the camera was with them, they would still remain true to themselves and that’s exactly what they’ve done.”

Winfrey says she plans to return to Sweetie Pie’s to see the Upper Crust location up and running and hopes that people take advantage of the gem that is found within the show’s entertaining authenticity.

“People want to feel good about their lives,” Winfrey said.

“Aspiration and inspiration can be intertwined in such a way that if you work hard and you are willing to put in the hours with discipline and commitment, good things can happen and I think that Sweetie Pie’s reflects that. You see an African-American family – attractive and wellspoken, as we are – good images portrayed in such a way that says, ‘Oh, that’s my family.’ Being able to present a show such as this is one of the reasons I started this network.”

“Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” will air Saturday night (March 31) at 8 p.m. CST on the OWN Network. Check local listings for channels.

Jamala’s alleged sabbatical

WASHOE VALLEY, NV.

– Although most were happy for me, there were a few people who thought I couldn’t do it. One even referred to it as an “alleged sabbatical.” But here I am – a week into my sabbatical at the rustic Orchard House specifically geared for relaxation and rejuvenation.

As much as I love the work that I do every day, I also know the toll it can take on you if you don’t have a protracted view of societal change along with having mechanisms in place to maintain your sanity. I’ve seen activists become cynical or get burned out.

Last year I was one of six recipients of the AlstonBannerman Sabbatical for Organizers of Color. Since 1988, the A-B Sabbatical has honored and supported longtime organizers of color by giving them the resources to take time out for reflection and renewal.

Selection is no token act. It is a highly competitive and coveted fellowship, and so I am deeply honored to have been chosen. I’m especially honored to be in the growing league of respected organizers whom I’ve worked with over the last 40 years of my organizing work.

It appears that I am the last one to start my four month leave of absence from the daily grind of social justice work; my other fellows are either finished or enjoying the last leg of their journey. All, except me, are paid staff who head up their agency or organization. I am curious to see what our personal transformations will be and how we will look at our

work with a fresh perspective.

Another A-B Fellow and I are using Orchard House as a writing retreat. It’s hard not to get inspired when you can look out any window of the house and get a spectacular view of Mother Nature’s majesty. I’ve been working on some political pieces and poems that have been rolling around in my head for awhile but hadn’t a chance to put them to paper.

I also brought along several books that I bought or that were given to me but haven’t had a chance to read. I’m taking long walks and doing a lot of thinking. It has been a memorable way to kick off my sabbatical of reflection and renewal.

This is a stressful society that we live in. Who you are and where you stand in relationship to power adds other layers of stress. If you’re African-American, that’s a huge stressor regardless of your socioeconomic background. Add being a woman to that. Now add being a warrior for human rights with a vision for

a more just and peaceful world. Now you got a heap of stress on you! What you have to learn early is before you can take care of others you must take care of yourself. This isn’t do easy to do in a world chock full of problems and a system that throws you a new challenge every waking minute. You learn how to pick your battles and to be more effective in your struggle. You must also learn ways to take small retreats regularly that allow you to step back and get recharged. Sometimes, these are mental and spiritual break-aways; other times they are actual get-aways. Maybe I won’t get used to unlocked doors, keys being left in vehicles or Bobcats on the porch here in Washoe Valley, but I want to find ways of replicating my quiet time here and helping others to do likewise. It is essential to our general health and wellbeing and to restoring our commitment to the important work of social justice.

chicken pox, and other just stuff keeps happening,” Bayoc said. But Bayoc vows to catch up. He even maintains his painting pace while traveling, recently working on two pieces in a Dallas hotel room. After having to throw away

paint at the airport, he learned that leftovers often exceed the three-ounce carry-on limit. Though tired, Bayoc has been surprised by his own endurance and looks forward to the daily grind. “I don’t know what to expect; I just try to concentrate and do one piece at a time and let chips fall where they may,” Bayoc said. After the 365 days are up, Bayoc looks forward to publishing a book about

the project, painting and exhibiting larger works around fathers and spending more time talking to schoolchildren about art. In the meantime, he’s savoring a feeling of relief.

“It definitely feels great that we can pay the mortgage on time and get the kids what they need for school and not worry about it,” Bayoc said. Reprinted with permission from stlbeacon.org.

Safety Tips

Jamala Rogers

Washoe Valley, Nevada

March 30

March 29

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Reunions

Beaumont of class of 1967 will have its 45th class reunion on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the Sheraton Westport Hotel. Cost is $100 per person. On Friday, June 8th, there will be a meet and greet and on Sunday, June 10 worship service and a brunch, locations to be determined. For

March 31

questions/info on these events our e-mail address is beaumontclassof67@sbcglobal.net.

Beaumont High School Class of 1977 is looking for all classmates interested in celebrating our 35th year reunion. We are calling upon all classmates to come celebrate this occasion. Your contact information is needed as soon as possible. Please contact Doris J. HarrisBarge (djbarge1@gmail.com) 314-868-7182 or Lawrence Fingers (lawrencefingers@sbcglobal.net) or you can contact us on Facebook as the Beaumont Class of 77 Alumni. Berkeley Class of 1982 is celebrating its 30 year class reunion August 17-19, 2012 and is seeking classmates to

attend the reunion and reunion planning meetings. For more information about the reunion please call Anthony Wilder 314-479-0110, Portland (Matthews) Whitlock 314-7669108, or Tammy Davis 314302-1339.

FormerForest Park Community College Men’s and Women’s Basketball Players coached by Bob Nelson, will host the Bob “ Mad Dog” Nelson Men’s Basketball Player’s Reunion on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 1-4 pm. For more information contact Glenn Marshall 314-422-4090, Randy Reed 314-355-3670, Mark Beeks 314-406-2239 or Brian “Mo” Moore 314-591-0230.

March 27

March 30

Hadley Tech Classes of 19621963 are preparing for our 50th reunion in October of 2012. If you are interested in participating, your contact information is needed as soon as possible. Please call Virdell Stennis at 314-773-8177, Hellon Jefferson at 314-3073681 (jeffersonhellon@yahoo.com), or Wilhelmina Baker at 314588-0779/314-630-9647.

McCluerNorth Class of 1992 is looking to celebrate its 20year reunion. We are in the process of planning a dinner/dance. Your contact information is needed ASAP. Go to the web-site at mccluernorth1992.com O’Fallon Technical High

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Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos

School Class of 1963 is planning its 50th reunion for the fall of 2013.If you are interested in participating, your contact information is needed as soon as possible.Please contactJustine Crow at (314) 838-2010 or jcrowsnest@aol.com.

Soldan class of 1964 planning committee is looking for members of our January & June class.We are planning our 48th reunion the weekend of August 10,2012. If you know someone from our class please ask them to call John Bennett at (314) 503-3541, email lamplitr45@aol.com or DeOnne Hudson 1-763-374-3287 or e-mail deonne1024@comcast.net.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

and

Putting the ‘O’ in St. Louis ! Does anybody know if they lit that Lumiere building up to pay tribute to Lady O’s arrival in the STL? If not, they should have. I must say that I had a blast the whole time –especially when I randomly rolled up – okay, maybe not so randomly – to Sweetie Pie’s to get my meatloaf and mac and cheese fix. Oprah and Gayle King were in the building and were as real as all get out with Miss Robbie, Tim, Janae, Charles and little TJ. I was so glad that Oprah didn’t have a purse, because I would have been a nervous wreck that she would have smuggled that baby home in one of her $25K Hermes bags! She was kissing and loving all over that little adorable child – and rightfully so. Don’t be surprised if Oprah is on the front pew at T.J.’s wedding in circa 2039 right alongside Miss Robbie ‘nem crying tears of joy. Her visit was a frenzy to say the least, and I saw so many posts on Facebook and Twitter with pictures and autographs and what not, talking about how great it was to be graced with her presence. There was a real fear in my heart that somebody was going to dig in the trash and auction off “as eaten by Oprah” chicken bones on Ebay. Don’t tell me if y’all did. Anyway, I’m among the thousands who basked in the Oprah STL takeover and the feeling it brought to our city, from her visit to Sweetie Pie’s to the once in a lifetime live show experience at the Peabody. She said she was coming back when the Upper Crust opens up. Let’s hold her to it by – holding on to Sweetie Pie’s through watching the show “Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s” starting THIS Saturday night on The Oprah Winfrey Network! I must give a special thanks to someone (who shall remain nameless so y’all can’t hit them the up for the hookup until they run away) and the folks behind the scenes over at OWN for always keeping the St. Louis American in the loop! APP this! It’s almost here. The St. Louis American APP will be available in just a few weeks. It’s comin’ AND it’s FREE! Stay tuned.

New Edition is HERE. Tonight is the night!!!! I am so overwhelmed with the possibility of sneaking up on stage to perform the “If it Isn’t Love” choreography that I’m doing a last minute brush up on my moves as I pull this Partyline together. So you can charge any errors to the game of me trying to type and kick/turn/spin with my hands up and my head towards the sky. I know I’m not the only one that’s ready to get.it.in.org as two of my favorite R&B throwbacks dust it off for us TONIGHT at The Scottrade because of the conversations that I’ve had. I’ve got more non-anonymous notes begging for backstage access contacts that I care to mention. I must offer this tip, though, to the borderline baby boomers who have been hot and bothered for a chance to get all up in the New Edition’s face. If you were grown enough to capitalize on the “big butt and a smile” lyric in its original BBD glory, chances are it won’t have the same effect as it did 20 years (and two babies) ago. Just thought I’d let you know. A few other folks have been demanding my thoughts on what Bobby Brown will be serving on stage and they kick it off with a “Girl, ‘cause you know the last time he busted out on stage like he was gonna do something and by the third song he was flung across the stage side steps smoking a cigarette in some corduroy house shoes.” I don’t care about what happened in 2007 or so, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt and I’m claiming a fantastic time to be had both on the stage and from the seats. And while I’m disappointed that their first single back on the block as middle aged women is about some kind of co-signing, I’m eager to see what SWV brings to the Foxy b-day bash! See y’all tonight at the Scottrade…and don’t be late!

Tipping my hood to STL. Even though this is not necessarily appropriate for my beat, I must say how overwhelming it was to see the thousands of folks show up Friday morning and Friday evening in support of the Trayvon Martin tragedy. Young, old, black, white, holy and hip-hop all stood together and it made me proud. And plenty of the ladies (and a few gentlemen) risked their Keratin treatments by standing out in that baby Tsunami that was Tower Grove Park, because an umbrella didn’t stand a chance! Okay, back to the business as usual.

Another swish for Nothing but Net. Once again I pressed my power suit and punched towards the Nothing But NETworking mingle opportunity collaborated by a handful of the mover and shaker black professional organizations around town Thursday night at Lumen. While the vibe was more grown than usual, I still relished in the opportunity to be among a crowd who gets together with aspirations in mind. And to the singles, if you are looking for that “good black man/woman with a job, goals and minimal baby-mama drama” THIS IS THE PLACE TO SCOUT. Tell the truth, and shame the devil! I promise they must have some sort of 401K detector tracking device that repels at the door because I’m almost certain every brother and sister up in there had it goin’ on!

A round for the Soundz. I’m going to be as consistent with this as space will allow, but I’m going to make it my business to make “round of applause” at least a regular thing – if not weekly. I haphazardly stumbled on this week’s winner as I was doin’ some running around town early Saturday evening. I turned on the Foxy 95.5 and heard this fantastic voice on the air I had never heard before. I kept listening just to find out who it was, because I was certain it was a stranger danger. Come to find out it was Devine Soundz – one of my favorite people from the behind the scenes side of the radio game. He was just right – young enough to give a new flavor, but grown enough that he didn’t scare the elderlies down the dial. I’m telling you, I was wowed. I would like to get another dose of that sometime soon.

Paying homage to Pete Rock. Tomorrow night, please be in the building for the latest edition of Speakerboxx at Lola! Hip-hop OG royalty will be in the house thanks to Pete Rock. And when I tell you that the folks gets down (yes I said gets), understand it with all of your

Staci Static with ATL Rapper Future Thursday night @ The Flamingo Bowl

DJ Quinn and the lovely Mousie joined the who’s who of the Lou for Close To Famous’ ‘The Professional’ hosted by NFL star Robert Quinn Friday night @ The City

Beauties Bryanca and Rayniesha stepped out to support the Silk Magazine Casting Call event Friday night @ The Loft

Antwan and Cornell were among the eager guests to see what Joni Marie Ross was serving with her Spring/Summer Fashions Sunday night @ Plush

RC, Ralph of the Umbrella Group and Mark enjoy the atmosphere of Ladies Night Friday @ Lola

Tameka Tate and Camille Scott of Belle Via Events with Designer Joni Ross (middle) as Ross displayed the latest her warm weather diva designs Sunday night @ Plush

The Starpower team presented Def Jam’s newest artist Fresco Kane to the areas hottest DJ’s Friday night as he gears up for hip-hop domination

DJ Boogie Corleone and DJ Knine came through to get a sample of Fresco Kane’s Def Jam swag Friday night

With the one

only Oprah Winfrey in town for her special Oprah Lifeclass: The Tour event, how could she not be in the top spot with respect to celebrity photos. She surprised the Sweetie Pie’s family with a special visit on the eve of her event at the Peabody Opera House. Miss Robbie Montgomery had Winfrey full of energy (and pear cobbler) when they greeted hundreds of patrons and passersby on Sunday afternoon at Sweetie Pie’s Mangrove location. The restaurant serves as the setting for the hit OWN Network show “Welcome to Sweetie Pies.” Photo by Wiley Price

Rap star Juelez Santana with Alecia Marie getting it in Thursday night @ Amnesia Photo by Christopher Hawkins

Triky of CTF and St. Louis Rams player Robert Quinn keep it professional with the grown and sexy crowd that came through Friday night @ The City

Kita and Sean partake in Ladies Night Friday @ Lola

Chris and Desiree peep the pretty faces hoping for a chance to grace the pages of Silk Magazine Friday night @ The Loft

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

ACEO’s

HBCU experience

Special to The American

Audrey McKay, an accomplished author, CEO of Two Shoes Publishing House, formerscientist, and graduate of Spelman College, took a few moments from hersuccessful life to share her “HBCU Experience.”

Where are you from?

How did you first hearabout HBCUs?

I grew up in the D.C. Metro area, and I had always known about HBCU’s but I hadn’t really planned to attend one over any other type of school in the beginning.

What made you choose an HBCU?

When I visited the school, (Spelman), it just touched something in me and I felt like it was the only place I wanted to spend my college years in.

How did you decide to become a student at Spelman College?

Agirlfriend of mine, that had gone to the same high school, convinced me to apply. At first I was dead set against it because I attended an allgirls high school and thought there was no way I would be doing the same for college, but my friend came back from her

Audrey McKay is an author,CEO of Two Shoes Publishing House, former scientist, and graduate of Spelman College.

first semester and laid my fears to rest.

What professors at Spelman College left the most impression upon you as a student and/orperson? What did they do that continues to mean so much to you to this day?

There were several professors that made a positive impression on me while I was there, but I think the person that left the most impact was Johnnetta B. Cole. She was elected as the first ever black woman president of my predominantly black woman’s college. I was so impressed with how she came in and took us to higher levels with her leadership. She is a phenomenal woman that really changed the way I looked at myself.

What is the story of your “experience” at Spelman College given its heralded status as a stellarand prestigious institution?

I love my school and I’m so glad we chose each other. The network of alumna is amazing and extremely helpful. In the past couple of years I’ve been able to go back and talk to

some of the incoming freshmen and it was a very rewarding experience.

What was yourmajor? and Why did you choose it?

My major was biology and I chose it because I like to cut things up (In the lab). At one point, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. It was between that and something to do with writing, but I chose science because I listened to people who kept saying that writers didn’t make money.

What was yourproudest moment at Spelman College?

It would have to be graduating. Accomplishing something that took several years of time and effort made me feel good.

How many “firsts” did you have at Spelman College? What were they? (e.g. first road trip, first job interview, first love, first “F orA”, etc.)

I think most of my “firsts” occurred at college. It’s a time where you get to stretch your wings and step out from under your parents oversight to see who you really are, or who you want to be. I think those years at college really helped me form my sense of myself. I’m very grateful for those years.

If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming afteryou what would you say?

Believe in yourself. Never give up. So many things will come against you when you try to move on to the next level. You just have to persevere and push through it. Don’t let anything from your past or what anyone says about you deter you. You can make it to your next level if you keep pushing.

Job and Career FairApril 25

The fair will be held on April 25, 2012 at the Taylor Science Center, located at 4900 Manchester, from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m.

Saint Louis area residents, interested in employment, are invited to attend a Job & Career Fair hosted by Northside Community Center, Inc. Numerous companies from the St. Louis Metropolitan area are already confirmed to attend and will be seeking qualified candidates for open positions. The fair will be held on April 25, 2012 at the Taylor Science Center, located at 4900 Manchester, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Job seekers are encouraged to bring several copies of their resumes, to dress professionally and to be prepared for on-the-spot interviews by prospective employers. According to the Executive Director, Sandra Norman, “We are finding that a number of area employers are ready to resume hiring. Our purpose is to use our resources to connect qualified St. Louis job seekers with prospective employers.”

In addition, to learning and applying for open positions, participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions that address topics related to job seeking, interviewing and retention. The sessions will include a special presentation, “Gearing Up Adult Learners: The New Professional Workforce and the Role of Higher Education,” by Dr. Robyn CriswellBloom, President of Kaplan Univesity-St. Louis.

The following is a list of registered companies and agencies:

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Washington University (Danforth Campus)

Louis University School of Social Work

Company Employers and job seekers requiring more information, may contact Northside Community Center Inc. at (314) 531-4161 or visit www.northsidecommunitycenter.net.

Audrey McKay remembers her days at Spelman College