March 8th, 2012 Edition

Bishop honored with Memorial Museum

Clay, Sharpton host voting rights forum

Launch campaign against GOPvoter photo ID initiative

By Chris King Of The St.Louis

American

Like any candidate, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay wants your vote. But more importantly, he first wants to protect your right to vote at all.

That’s why Clay has assembled an impressive lineup for his Voting Rights Symposium to be held 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 16 at Harris-Stowe State University’s Emerson Center, 3026 Laclede Ave. Clay will be joined by the Rev. Al

See FORUM, A6

won a 2012 NAACP Image Award.

STLnative and her co-author Shirley Strawberry win 2012 Image Award

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.Louis

American

“When I was nominated before, I wanted to win – but you don’t mind losing to Barack Obama,” said best-selling author and acclaimed producer Lyah Beth

See LeFLORE, A6

Lady

First Lady campaigns in St. Louis

Touts health reform, saving auto industry

By Jo Mannies Of The Beacon

At a campaign stop for her husband at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama was introduced by a physician who praised President Obama’s most contentious policy achievement, the Affordable Health Care Act.

Mrs. Obama was introduced by Dr. Naga Yalla, a physician who talked movingly about her family’s own medical issues that she said has helped make her strong supporter of

Dr.Nalla said that President Barack Obama’sleadership in pushing through health insurance changes was critical for her son’s future.

President Obama and his health care reform. Four years ago, Yalla and her husband, also a physician, gave birth to a son who suffered a fractured skull and brain damage duringdeliv-

See OBAMA, A7

Chief chimes in on local control initiative

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

For a police chief, having the ability to hire, discipline and fire employees is paramount, Police Chief Dan Isom said at a public forum last week. Yet none of that is defined in the “Safer Missouri” ballot initiative for local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. At the Board of Aldermen’s March 1 local control forum at Harris-Stowe State University, Isom expressed concern about who was going to determine the structure and controls of the department.

“And when we are talking about transparency, how is that going to be any different than what we are doing right now?”

– Chief Dan Isom

“In this ballot initiative, the Civil Service Commission determines that – not the chief, not anyone else,” Isom said. “So who are those people going to be? Those are the things that concern me but haven’t been talked about.” Only three groups were involved in deciding how to write up the ballot initiative for local control: Mayor Francis G. Slay’s office, the St. Louis Police Officers Association and ASafer Missouri – a group funded by Rex Sinquefield, the billionaire conservative policy activist. The language they created will appear on the November 2012 ballot if the signature-gathering effort funded by Sinquefield succeeds. Community organizations and the Board of Aldermen – who have been fighting for local control for years – were not at the deal table for the ballot language. Over the past 150 years, the police department has gone through ups and downs in terms of establishing rules that create order, Isom said. However the ballot initiative does not address which of those rules is going to transfer over.

“And when we are talking about transparency, how is that going to be any different than what we are doing right now?” Isom asked. “That’s where a civilian review board comes in. Civilian review is a good thing for the police department.” Civilian review, he said, builds public trust.

“This is an issue of building more trust in our police department – which is ultimately going to help us to do a better job,” he said. “If we don’t

Lyah Beth LeFlore,right,and Shirley Strawberry

First

Michelle Obama greeted supporters at Lambert-St.Louis International Airport in St.Louis on Monday.She later spoke at a campaign event for her husband,President Barack Obama,at Peabody Opera House.

Photo by UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Trust earns Oprah Bobbi Kris interview

Oprah Winfrey will be the first to speak with the Houston family – namely daughter Bobbi Kristina – since the tragic death Whitney Houston last month on her OWN Network show “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”

According to TMZ.com, Bobbi Kristina told friends, “Oprah was loyal to my mom, and never did my mother wrong, or made her look bad. She always looked out for my mom.”

Bobbi reportedly felt Oprah would show her the same respect – not bringing up issues that could potentially show Bobbi in a negative light, including substance abuse allegations. The special interview airs this Sunday.

Rihanna’s dad cool with Chris Brown reunion

rekindled her romance with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, despite him being convicted of assaulting her in 2009. ”Chris is a nice guy and everybody’s entitled to make mistakes in their life – God knows how many I’ve made. She’s her own woman now.”

While Rihanna’s father is said to be okay with her hooking back up with the R&B heartthrob, her musical mentor Jay-Z are fuming. And the two’s recent duet on the remix of Rihanna’s “Birthday Cake” was said to have further fueled the discontent.

LeBron’s mama gets community service for valet smack down

The case that resulted in the arrest of LeBron James’ mother Gloria in Florida during play-offs for trying to slap a hotel valet during a drunken rage has come to a close.

Gloria James has agreed to perform 20 hours of community service and stay away from her “victim” in exchange for dismissal of her public intoxication charge.

She must also donate $1,000 to charity.

tape during an event in Charlotte, NC calling R&B singer R. Kelly disrespectful for singing three lines from a song and leaving the stage.

Jermaine Dupri – who was also scheduled to perform that evening – came to Kelly’s defense saying that there was much more to the story.

In a video blog, Dupri says he didn’t show up because promoters called him at the last minute and said they weren’t sending a car for him and they didn’t have his money. Dupri said that R. Kelly’s dramatic exit was fueled by a similar experience.

Is Duane Martin coming between Will and Jada?

Star Magazine says Will Smith’s close friendship with actor Duane Martin is said to be putting a strain on his mar riage to Jada Pinkett.

“Will spends significantly more time with Duane than he does with Jada and the kids,” an insider told Star magazine.

“[She] can’t stand Will’s relationship with Duane. She feels like Will flaunts it in her face – taking him on exotic vacations while she’s sitting home alone.”

against a gay rumor,” said Martin, 46, who is married to actress Tisha Campbell.

Diddy comes clean about Oscar claim

On Oscar night Sean “Diddy” Combs declared himself an Oscar winner for the documentary “Defeated.”

But when he sat down during “The Today Show,” the entertainment mogul told a different story.

“T.J. and Daniel are technically the directors of the film. They are technically the winners. I’m like the Martin Scorsese Jr., the executive producer,” Diddy told co-host Matt Lauer.

Ronald Fenty, father of music industry “it girl” Rihanna, told a publication he’s totally fine with the fact that her daughter may have

Fantasia didn’t mention ‘funny money’ during onstage R. Kelly rant

Over the weekend Fantasia was caught on

The magazine also says that Martin refuses to dignify the buzz that there is more to the friendship than meets the eye.

“I’m not going to defend myself

“Everybody just ran with it. I’m like — I’m the Oscar winner, but these young talented entrepreneurial directors, shout out to them. They are the ones that — they are

Sources: TMZ.com,

Bobbi Kristina

Cultural Leadership inducts eighth class

Twenty-eight students from diverse backgrounds have been accepted into Cultural Leadership’s eighth year class.

SLPS honors early childhood educator

Diverse group of students pledged to ight discrimination

African-American and Jewish students and has since expanded to accept students of all ethnicities.

Twenty-eight students from diverse backgrounds are the new participants in a year-long leadership program that will teach them the skills to ight racism and discrimination. They come from 15 public and ive private schools – from Construction Careers Center and Clayton to MICDS and Sumner – and 19 houses of worship. They share a dedication to promoting understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect.

The students are the eighth class of Cultural Leadership, an award-winning program that inspires St. Louis area high school sophomores and juniors to become social justice activists. The program began in 2005 originally for

The students accepted into Cultural Leadership’s eighth year class are: Jonah Atchison, Governor French Academy; Brian Barrett, Lindbergh; Kelsey Burrus, Ladue; Aaron Bush, Soldan International Studies; Marlee Cox, Mehlville; Hannah Cropf, Ladue; Elizabeth Darrell, Whitield; Austin Dubinsky, Parkway Central; Emma Ehll-Welply, Clayton; Jazmyn Ferguson, MICDS; Jeniffer Garcia, Cleveland NJROTC Academy; Izzy Greenblatt, Clayton; Taylor Ingram, John Burroughs; Joyce Jackson, Vashon; Jevon Jones, Sumner; Tori Liggins, Villa Duchesne; Maddie Mills, Clayton; Christine Parham, Maplewood

Richmond Heights; Jamie Powell, Parkway North; Andrew Rudolph, Clayton; Erin Sanders, Clayton; Maalik Shakoor, Clayton; Emily Stobbe, Kirkwood; Dylan Walker, Seckman; Marquise White, Maplewood Richmond Heights; Kenneth Wilson, Construction Careers Center; Barri Wishne, Parkway West; and Erin Wright, MICDS. The students have begun the journey of learning about their own and each other’s race, history, culture and religion. They meet monthly and take a three week summer trip to New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and other southern cities where they meet with civil rights advocates, journalists, legislators, educators and community leaders who have brought about change in their communities.

“We teach our participants how to react when they see or hear of injustice and equip them with the skills to create change. They learn how to stand up, speak out, and take action,” says Holly Ingraham, executive director of Cultural Leadership. Cultural Leadership was founded by Karen Kalish, who modeled the program after Operation Understanding DC, a successful program in Washington, D.C. that she created 18 years ago. Both programs prepare students to become leaders in promoting interracial harmony and respect for diversity.

Information about Cultural Leadership can be found online at www.culturalleadership. com. The phone number is 314-725-3222.

of the Year. An educator with the district since 2005, Neupert stood out from her peers with her numerous education credentials, including a certiicate in early childhood, MAT in Communication Arts, K-12 reading specialist certiicate, and gifted certiication. She currently serves as a gifted preschool teacher in a self-contained gifted class at Mallinckrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction.

“My mission is to provide a rich, warm, supportive environment in which my students develop cognitively, emotionally, physically and affectively,” said Neupert. Neupert’s classroom not only nurtures students’ creativity while inspiring them to learn daily, she helps students discover how to work and play

with one another, to deal with conlicts peacefully, and to take responsibility for actions. Furthermore, Ms. Neupert believes that parental involvement is an “iatrical part of the classroom community” and engages parents in the learning process.

“Ms. Neupert places a high value on creating a learning environment that is engaging, challenging, and literacy and technology rich. She also has an open door policy with her parents and communicates with them regularly,” said Merry Denny, Principal at Mallinckrodt, who nominated Neupert for the award.

As the Adelaide M. Schlaly Preschool Teacher of the Year Neupert received a check from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation in the amount of $1,000. She also received two plaques and a $500 certiicate for professional development through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

You could get an extra $2,500 for college through the MOST 529 Matching Grant Program.

P OPEN TO MISSOURI RESIDENTS with a household Missouri adjusted gross income of $74,999 or less.

P EASY TO APPLY: Just open a MOST 529 Plan account (if you don’t have one already) and provide proof of residency and income.

P CONTRIBUTIONS MATCHED up to $500 per year, lifetime maximum of $2,500.*

P APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 30, 2012.

* The Missouri Higher Education Savings Program Board (the “Board”) reserves the right to change or vary the terms of the MOST Matching Grant Program, including the eligibility requirements and annual Matching Grant funds limit, without prior notice. The MOST Matching Grant Program may be discontinued by the Board at any time. For more information about MOST—Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan, call 800-890-8501 or visit www.most529match.com to obtain a Program Description, Privacy Policy, and Participation Agreement. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in this document; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor and Underwriter. If you are not a Missouri taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state

or

that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program.

American staff

Dawn Neupert, gifted preschool teacher at Mallinckrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction, is the Adelaide M. Schlaly Preschool Teacher of the Year in St. Louis Public School District.

EDITORIAL /COMMENTARY

Missouri needs campaign ethics reform

Over the weekend, the Post-Dispatch published a remarkable 910-word editorial about the absence of meaningful campaign ethics legislation in Missouri politics. The Post editorial, which we second in every particular, is an extended howl of rage based on a story that the Columbia Tribune broke the previous Sunday.

Rudi Keller of the Tribune reported that Missouri Speaker of the House Steve Tilley has been treating his political campaign treasury as an investment fund. Starting with the purchase of 12,000 shares of stock in a privately held bank in his hometown of Perryville for $900,000, Tilley has tied up all but $25,000 of his $1.3 million campaign fund in investments.

Much as he would later do when confronted with a controversy over erecting a commemorative bust to Rush Limbaugh (see Political EYE, page A8), Tilley shrugged off the matter when approached by a reporter. The decision to buy bank stock was purely a business decision, he said. “When you look at potentially running for future ofice, you want to have the best return on investment,” he told the Tribune Surprisingly, buying into a bank with campaign funds is perfectly legal under the laws set by Tilley and his colleagues in Jefferson City. As the Post editorial noted, “that’s precisely why Missouri lawmakers should be debating ethics laws. Virtually nothing short of bribery – and it better be caught on tape – is illegal in Missouri politics. There are no limits on campaign donations, no limits on lobbyists’ gifts and very few limitations on how a campaign can invest or spend its money.”

One thinks of Tilley’s friend, Jeff Smith, the former state senator and congressional candidate. Smith would be a state senator today running for Congress against U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan but for one small matter. He lied about which political entity paid for and coordinated a mailer targeting Carnahan (when Smith ran against him in Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District), and then lied to the FBI when caught in the original lie. Yes, you can do a year in prison for lying about who paid for a postcard if you are running for Congress, but a

candidate for state ofice in Missouri can buy a chunk of a bank with money raised for his campaign and not even sweat to see this fact printed in every major paper in the state.

The Post editorial does its best to make Tilley sweat by imagining corrupt scenarios, which read like pointers to federal investigators suggesting where they might start looking. The Post imagines Tilley quietly killing a bill to cap payday loan interest and then buying a little payday loan stock with his campaign coffers. The Post imagines Tilley suggesting to his major donors that they bank with The Missouri Bank, which his campaign partly owns. The deposits would lift the share price, and Tilley’s campaign account would cash in with increased asset value.

The Post points out that even some legislators within Tilley’s own party see the danger in the precedent he has set. State Sen. John Lamping said it was “crazy” that state law allows a campaign to invest in even a publicly traded company, let alone a privately held bank, as Tilley has done with his campaign cash. Lamping would like to outlaw the practice. “But Mr. Tilley already has made it clear an ethics bill is going nowhere this year,” the Post notes. “Is it any wonder why?”

We believe that Tilley – who has not iled for ofice in 2012 after abruptly withdrawing his plans to run for Lieutenant Governor – knows his political career as a candidate is over. We believe that in his twilight days in elected ofice he is allowing himself to be used as a dangerous experiment to see how far some limits may be pushed without strong pushback from his fellow legislators. Tilley is in the rare position for a politician of not having to fear any backlash from voters, since he is not asking for anyone’s vote in the foreseeable future.

We hope Lamping and what is left of a sane center in the Missouri Republican Party pulls their party back from the brink of this gamesmanship. If a political candidate being allowed to buy shares in a bank with money raised to campaign for ofice is not unethical, then “campaign ethics” truly is an oxymoron.

Welfare recipients mostly white, rural

Recently, the New York Times published an interactive map entitled “The Geography of Government Benefits” that totally debunks all welfare and social services stereotypes.

We’ve known for years that Caucasians, and not African Americans, make up the majority of welfare and social services recipients. What has now been discovered is that a higher percentage of social services recipients are rural Americans rather than not urban. Contrary to popular belief, a higher percentage of rural Americans take advantage of government programs than Americans in urban areas, especially in the state of Missouri.

Government payments to individuals in more than 50 benefit programs, from food stamps to Medicare accounted

for 25.6 percent of 2009 personal income in the city of St. Louis and 13.2 percent in St. Louis County. Rural areas exceeded these percentages by drastic amounts. Government payments to individuals residing in rural areas as a percentage of personal income are as follows:

• Hickory County, MO – 46.7 percent

• Wayne County, MO –45.1 percent

• Ripley County, MO –44.7 percent

• Reynolds County, MO – 42.4 percent

• Carter County, MO –

42.3 percent. Both the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County rank below the state average of personal income received from government payments to individuals by county. Residents in the St. Louis area need government programs like Medicare, Medicaid and free lunches.

Furthermore, it is appalling that the same Missourians who wish to demonize urban

So many Cadillacs, so little clue

Political consultants tell candidates to be authentic – to “be yourself.” In Mitt Romney’s case, that might not be such good advice.

Once again, for what seems like the umpteenth time, Romney is being crowned as the presumptive Republican nominee. His victories in Michigan and Arizona took much of the wind out of Rick Santorum’s sails; Newt Gingrich is lost at sea; and Ron Paul is, well, Ron Paul. As long as Romney keeps winning, talk of some kind of deus ex machina plot twist at the convention – someone just like Jeb Bush surfaces, but with a different last name – remains pure fantasy.

Given the Romney campaign’s huge advantages in money and organization, and given the has-been nature of his opposition, the only reason he hasn’t wrapped this thing up is the “authenticity” issue: Not just “is he a real conservative” but “is he even a real person,” in the sense of having some idea of how most Americans live.

The campaign has sought to answer that question with

stunts such as sending Romney to the Daytona 500. The optics were good until a reporter asked the candidate if he follows NASCAR. Romney’s response will live forever.

“Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans,” he said, “but I have some great friends that are NASCAR team owners.”

Well, who doesn’t? In Romney’s world, I mean.

There was a similarly clueless moment in Michigan.

Romney was trying to atone for his vocal opposition to President Obama’s bailout of the auto industry. He said he liked seeing so many Detroitmade cars on the streets – to be expected in Detroit – and noted that he drives a Ford Mustang and a Chevrolet pickup. As icing on the cake, he added that his wife Ann “drives a couple of Cadillacs, actually.”

Again, who doesn’t?

The explanation of why Ann Romney can’t get by with one did not advance the candidate’s quest for regularguy authenticity: The cars are garaged at different residences.

And who can forget the way Romney, whose wealth is estimated at $250 million, described one of his sources of income. “I get speakers’ fees from time to time, but not very much,” he said.

His tax returns showed earnings from speaking

Correction

A recent edition ran the Missouri History Museum column with Donn Johnson’s byline. The column should have been credited to Melanie Adams. We regret the error.

Who is most conservative?

The Republican candidates are struggling to demonstrate who is the most conservative candidate. Who is willing to go all the way and stand out from the pack? Here are some ideas: Require women to have to get their husband’s permission to get a driver’s license. Close all public schools and colleges. No taxes at all for the top one percent. Criminalize birth control, solar energy, teaching science and labor unions. If one of the Republicans took these positions, they could win the primary. But they might have a little trouble in the general elections.

Marc Perkel, Gilroy, CA

Collective action on public schools

citizens as taking advantage of government actually take more from government than we do.

In Hickory County, Mo., nearly half of all personal income comes from government checks. All the while, nationally, urban Americans who receive small amounts of government benefits are still stigmatized as “welfare queens.” This stereotype is undeserved and simply untrue. This new information is not meant to divide us. It must be used to unite both rural and urban Americans, out-state and inner-city Missourians, and all who are suffering. We must reframe our arguments on big and small government, and focus on the necessary and beneficial services for all people. Only then will we begin to spend our money wisely, progress our economy and improve race relations across the country.

Butler is a candidate for state representative in the city of St. Louis.

I can relate to the challenges that some city firefighters are facing in terms of school district. I too had to make some tough decisions with my children’s education. Do I try the Deseg program, the magnet system or go the parochial/ private school approach?

I was drawn back to my sophomore year in high school when I learned that I could no longer attend Vashon High and instead would be forced to attend Cleveland High. This was not my choice, but then again “school choice” and “neighborhood schools” were buzzwords often thrown around then, as now. Unfortunately, “neighborhood schools” then referred to unequal resources and inadequate access to quality education. The whole desegregation battle was over fair and equal educational opportunities, not perceived “greener pastures” in other districts. Unfortunately, our parents, political, civic and business leaders were either content or disillusioned into believing that destroying our beloved school district was the way to correct it. But that only created more disparity.

engagements of more than $370,000. Indeed, that’s “not very much” compared to Romney’s income from his investments. To most Americans, it’s a fortune. I could go on and on with examples of Romney’s Marie Antoinette rhetoric, but you get the point. It’s not just what he says that tends to distance him from voters, but the whole way he carries himself. The conventional advice, at this point, would be: Quit pretending. Don’t try to convince voters you’re a red-meat social conservative when your record on social issues screams “moderate.” And please, don’t pretend to be Average Joe if your proof of identity is that you keep American-made luxury cars at two of your mansions. Romney’s “gaffes” look unmistakably like glimpses of the real Romney – not a bad person, but a man with no ability to see beyond the small, cosseted world of private equity and great wealth that he inhabits. From the Romney campaign’s point of view, it may be that while fake authenticity is bad, real authenticity is much worse. If I were an adviser, I’d send out a memo to all hands: Whatever you do, don’t

Parents of white students who for the most part had taken the parochial path could not enroll their children in the county school districts because they were majoritywhite districts. They also had a difficult time getting them into the magnet program because a higher premium was given to whites from the county districts than the city.

Parents of black students were of the impression that they were giving their children access to better and safer schools in the county districts. No one stopped to think of the countless professionals that the St. Louis Public School District had produced over the years.

Unless we all – black or white, Democrat or Republican – take a collective approach to correct and restore the the public school system in St. Louis, this challenge will not go away.

Thomas Payton, St. Louis

We can overcome drugs

Following the death of Carroll O’Connors (actor and star of TV shows All in the Family and In the Heat of the Night), his son Hugh urged all who had family members with a drug problem to do whatever they could to help them overcome that addiction.

The recent death of legendary singer Whitney Houston has been the talk of America lately. There has been much said and even more speculated. When the impact of her death finally resonated with me, deep sorrow engulfed me. Another one bites the dust! I reflected hard again, thinking … Michael Jackson, dead at 51 ... Whitney Houston, dead at 48. Something has got to be done.

If you have a relative or friend with an addiction (especially to drugs), encourage them to seek treatment. They need to be totally detoxed from the drug, begin to get the proper rest, eat healthier, resume taking prescribed medications and most of all, receive professional counseling. Next, the family member or friend would be greatly assisted by developing an association with people in recovery from an addiction like the one they are attempting to overcome. If you seek to recover from addiction, a valuable group of people to have on your side would be a host of men and women enjoying a life of

freedom from addiction. Any professional counselor can tell you how to contact such a group. And the final and most important element in a lasting recovery from addiction is God. Let’s honor the memory of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and thousands of others who have fallen by helping our love ones and friends overcome!

Allif

H. Dove, St. Louis

Guest Columnist Michael Butler

Federal guidance fordiversity in education

The Departments of Justice and Education recently released two new guidance documents – one for school districts and one for colleges and universities – detailing the flexibility that the U.S. Supreme Court has provided to educational institutions to promote diversity and, in the case of elementary and secondary schools, reduce racial isolation among students within the confines of the law.

The guidance makes clear that educators may permissibly consider the race of students in carefully constructed plans to promote diversity or, in K-12 education, to reduce racial isolation.It recognizes the learning benefits to students when campuses and schools include students of diverse backgrounds.

“Diverse learning environments promote development of analytical skills, dismantle stereotypes, and prepare students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.“This guidance will aid educational institutions in their efforts to provide true equality of opportunity and fully realize the promise of Brown v. Board of Education.”

The guidance is primarily based on three Supreme Court decisions: Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, which specifically addressed the consideration of race by educational institutions.In addition, the guidance provides numerous examples of options that schools and postsecondary institutions can consider to further diversity or reduce racial isolation.

For K-12 schools, the guidance discusses school and program siting, drawing school attendance boundaries, grade realignment and restructuring feeder patterns, among other options.The guidance for postsecondary institutions describes how race can be taken into account in admissions, in pipeline programs, in recruitment, and in mentoring, tutoring, retention and support programs as efforts to achieve diversity.

The guidance lays out legal standards under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Titles IVand VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which are enforced by the Departments.

To review the guidance, please visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201111.html, http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/doc s/guidance-pse-201111.html and http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/doc s/guidance-ese-201111.html

‘Soul Train’ to Normandy

Normandy High School students celebrated at Viking Hall in the spirit ofthe late Don Cornelius,founder of “Soul Train,”recently during the fine arts department’s second annual Celebration of Black Song and Dance coordinated by Duane Foster,Normandy High School fine arts instructor.

Income tax assistance at Harris-Stowe

Harris-Stowe State University will offer its Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation service through April 11.

The tax service caters to international individuals and families, the elderly and low-tomoderate income households. To qualify for the service, the individual’s income level should not exceed $50,000 and persons should be wage earners, not self-employed.

Under the supervision of Dr. Owolabi Tiamiyu, CPAand assistant professor of Business Administration and Quintin Davis, CPA, Accounting instructor at HSSU, certified volunteers will also be assisting. Additional Certified Public Accountants will be on hand to provide additional expertise.

In addition to the tax preparation services being offered, the clinic has joined forces with the Internal Revenue Service to assist low-income tax payers with solving any tax-related issues an individual may experience, such as tax delinquency, non-filing of past taxes, etc.

To participate, bring a valid picture ID, Social Security cards for all family members, a copy of a check for direct deposit and statements of income, including W-2s, 1099s, unemployment, social security income, supplemental security income and veterans benefit information. Also bring information relating to deductions, such as rental receipts/property tax paid, receipts for circuit breakers and proof of daycare expenses.

The free tax service schedule is as follows:

Mondays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building, Room 006, located at 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103; (314) 340-3366

Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Anheuser-Busch School of Business, Room C09, located at 5707 Wilson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110; (314) 877-0050.

VoterID is really voter suppression

By Tishaura O.Jones State Representative

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to tell you a little bit about my grandmother, Daisy Nash Whitfield. She was born on Valentine’s Day in 1905. She was from a small town called Newellton, Louisiana. The population is 1,200 and it’s about 100 miles north of Baton Rouge.

If she were still alive, she’d be 107 this year. But of course she isn’t alive, she died back in 1959, a day before my mother’s 13th birthday. I’m telling you this story because, if she were still alive today, she might not be able to find her birth certificate. And under this bill, she wouldn’t be able to vote!

Aphoto voter ID requirement would disenfranchise many of the 250,000 legally registered Missouri voters –mostly racial minorities, the poor, the disabled and the elderly – who don’t currently have a government-issued photo ID. Republicans argue that a photo ID is required to do many things – rent a car, get on a plane and so on – that aren’t nearly as important as voting. This argument ignores an important point: None of those things is a constitutional right; voting is.

This bill is about only one thing: suppressing the vote of disadvantaged groups that tend to vote for Democrats.

As of this moment, House Bill 1104 is unconstitutional under the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling in Weinschenk v. Missouri (2006) . In that case, the court ruled the General Assembly lacks the authority to impose additional requirements on the right to vote other than those enumerated in the Missouri Constitution.

Last year the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant lawmakers the authority to impose a photo voter ID requirement, but that amendment won’t go on the ballot until November.

Until and unless voters ratify a constitutional change, it is premature for the General Assembly to pass legislation exercising authority that it doesn’t possess. Requiring voters to produce a photo ID at the polls as a condition of casting a ballot seeks to solve a nonexistent problem by disenfranchising thousands of Missouri voters.

State Rep. Tishaura O. Jones have this speech against House Bill 1104 on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives.

Tishaura O.Jones

Photo by Wiley Price

FORUM

Continued from A1

Sharpton and a long list of elected officials and voting rights advocates, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (a Kinloch native) and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.

“I view this as a first step in voter protection for Missouri,” Clay said.

“We are launching a campaign against the constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot in November that will put restrictions on qualified voters, requiring them to show up at the polls with a stateissued photo ID.”

The Missouri ballot initiative is part of a national movement, led by Republican activists and legislators. A photo ID law effectively excludes many voting blocs –the elderly, college students, the disabled – whose vote skews Democratic.

“We need a statewide campaign telling the affected parties what’s wrong with this amendment,” Clay said.

“On the face of it, it sounds innocent – and it’s not. It would disenfranchise up to 350,000 Missourians, including senior citizens who no longer need a driver’s license, students who have collegeissued photo IDs but not stateissued IDs, the disabled community, poor people.”

ADemocrat who represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District and is ranked (in a tie)

LeFLORE

Continued from A1

That

for first as the most liberal vote in Congress, Clay sees mostly Democrats when he looks at the constituent groups disenfranchised by voter photo ID laws.

“Its intent seems to be nonpartisan, but you can bet it’s really partisan,” Clay said.

“In Missouri in 2008, Barack Obama lost the state by only 3,600 votes. For those partisan types, that’s too close for comfort.”

‘What’s wrong,Russ?’

The voter ID initiative will be decided in November 2012, when President Obama stands for reelection, so it will not affect the outcome of that election. Nor will it affect what promises to be Clay’s most dramatic campaign, if the current congressional lines survive a legal challenge before the Missouri Supreme Court.

The redistricting that emerged from the Missouri Legislature following the 2010 Census eliminated the version of the 3rd District that U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan represents. At the opening of filing last week, Carnahan filed in the 1st District represented by Clay and his father, Congressman Bill Clay, before him.

“Last Tuesday when I was standing in line to file for office, Russ had already filed and was coming back towards me in line,” Clay said.

“I stopped him, because I had just seen on my Blackberry a news alert that he had filed in the 1st. I asked,

‘What’s wrong, Russ?

Five years after she lost to the future President of the United States, LeFlore picked up her first statue alongside Shirley Strawberry in the “Best Literary Work: Debut Author” category for The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy.

“I wanted to win this time, but I just kept saying to myself, ‘God, whatever you

Couldn’t wait for the court to decide the case before you filed in this district?’”

Clay found Carnahan’s response underwhelming.

“His response was he had to get started sometime. I found that disappointing. With all the history our families have had, and it comes down to this.”

Of course, Carnahan also is the son of a political dynasty. His father Mel Carnahan was Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, and his mother Jean Carnahan was U.S. Senator. Indeed, his sister Robin Carnahan is Missouri Secretary of State, the state’s top election official, and Clay and Carnahan were speaking in her office.

Clay said Carnahan’s 3rd District has been getting less and less winnable for a Democrat since Carnahan has held the seat in the wake of veteran Congressman Dick Gephardt’s retirement.

“Clay said, in 2001 when I negotiated the boundaries of the 3rd and 1st districts with Dick Gephardt, we were able to find enough Democrats to put in the 3rd District to give them an eight-point advantage. Russ managed to turn that eight-point advantage into two points, which is indicative of his under-performing.”

Congressman Clay’s Voting Rights Symposium is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Security procedures will be in place, so please arrive early. RSVPto steven.engelhardt@mail.house. gov or 314-383-5240. For further information, please visit www.lacyclay.house.gov.

have for me – I’m just truly grateful and thankful to be nominated,’” said LeFlore.

“But winning feels really, really, really, really great!”

Two weeks later, LeFlore can still offer an instant replay of the moment leading up to her win. She’ll probably be able to do so forever.

“It was a crazy afternoon. Traffic was typical for L.A. – a

parking lot – and our award was handed out during the preshow. The pre-show started at three, and I didn’t arrive until 2:45 p.m.,” LeFlore said.

“Shirley and I met up, and as we were walking to our seats they were already on our category – and announced our names. I dropped my clutch, Shirley threw her shawl and we ran towards the stage trying not to stumble. It was truly a Lucy and Ethel moment.”

in her career. The fact that her first nationally recognized award comes from “her people” is not something LeFlore takes lightly.

“It’s always about honoring my parents, and St.Louis has been really supportive of me as an artist who comes from an artist.”

– Lyah Beth LeFlore

It wasn’t until they both approached the podium and stood in front of thousands –including the best and brightest in Black America – that they realized that neither one had prepared a speech.

“I was thanking people, she was thanking people and we were just trying to make sure we didn’t leave anybody out,” LeFlore said. “I was like, ‘Oh no, did I thank God?’but she was thanking God. It was crazy, but it was all good.”

“The beauty of the NAACP is they have opened up the show and now the winners and nominees represent the show as image awards,” LeFlore said. “Even though it is all about us and how we are as African Americans, it is honoring all that speak to our spirits and connect to who we are as a people.”

Collabo with Ced

“I was like, ‘Oh no, did I thank God?’but she was thanking God.It was crazy, but it was all good.”

– Lyah Beth LeFlore

As she approaches the 10year anniversary of her literary debut via Cosmopolitan Girls, LeFlore has truly been blessed

Praising the spirit through positive reflection is next on LeFlore’s agenda. She is shopping a feature film script based on her second book, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life She also is working as coexecutive producer with another St. Louis native, Cedric The Entertainer, on a half-hour program for the Disney Channel.

“St. Louis is all over the place, and it’s awesome that

U.S.Rep.Wm. Lacy Clay presented Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the Olympian from East St. Louis,with a birthday wish from President Barack Obama on Saturday at the St.Louis Ballpark Hilton,where she celebrated her 50th birthday with friends.

STL-born and -bred creative folks can come together like this,” LeFlore said. “I said, ‘Ced, you want to do this?’ And he’s at a place where he’s interested in doing more things behind the camera.”

LeFlore describes the show as “The Cosby Show meets The Partridge Family” and said they will be turning in a script soon.

“It’s going to be an exciting cast of actors and actresses to make a great modern-day family that speaks to something that we desperately need to see – the value of family in the community again,” LeFlore said. “And the beauty of working at a place like the Disney Channel is that they have really made this show a priority.”

In the meantime, she is basking in her victory, for herself, her family and her city.

“It’s always about honoring my parents, and St. Louis has been really supportive of me as an artist who comes from an artist,” LeFlore said.

“My mother Shirley is an unsung hero here in Missouri, but me doing my thing allows her legacy as an artist and my father Floyd’s legacy as a musician to live. I feel like I’m doing them justice – and I’m just ready to win some more awards!”

Not Steve Harvey LeFlore admitted that Strawberry’s Letter has been lost in the shadows of her cohost Steve Harvey and his role as a radio personality and relationship resource.

“I hope with this award the antennas will go up,” LeFlore said. “And people will recognize the book when they see it – and pick it up. Maybe now the book can get some welldeserved light.”

Strawberry’s book couldn’t be more different than Harvey’s approach. Instead of rules and pointers on how to get a man, Strawberry offers a surprisingly candid and insightful glimpse at the wrong turns she has made in life and love.

“You may hear her on the radio or see her and think she’s got it all together,” LeFlore said. “And in all actuality she, like many of us, has made some mistakes and has been controlled by the same fears. She’s your regular, everyday lady and that’s why the book is so important to me.”

Photo by Maurice Meredith

LeFlore.

was her first NAACP Image Award nomination back in 2007 for the book she coauthored with Eddie Levert and his son, the late Gerald Levert.

OBAMA

Continued from A1

ery.As a result, he has required ongoing medical care and continues to suffer from seizures.

Their son’s first few weeks in intensive care cost

$150,000, Nalla said.But there also are longstanding challenges beyond the obvious medical ones.

“Would he be able to get health insurance? Or would this pre-existing condition preclude him from coverage?” she said. “Would he exceed some arbitrary lifetime limit on spending that our insurer had imposed him?”

Dr. Nalla said that President Barack Obama’s leadership in pushing through health insurance changes was critical for her son’s future –and other children like him.

“He made sure Janak could get health insurance and not be unfairly discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition that wasn’t his fault,” Nalla said.

The audience cheered enthusiastically as Nalla introduced Mrs. Obama, who first offered her condolences for the victims of the latest storms and tornadoes that struck southern Missouri and several neighboring states

She then spent about a half-hour laying out what she viewed as her husband’s

ISOM

Continued from A1

achieve that with local control, what have we really accomplished? If we lose control of our police department, what have we really accomplished?”

Civilian review under review

The American Civil

achievements and the voters’ “choices that will affect our lives for decades to come.”

During her travels, Mrs. Obama said she often hears about the “challenges and struggles’’facing many Americans that were exacerbated whenthe economic downturn hit in 2008, before the president took office.

“I hear how they are taking that extra shift, working that extra job,’” she said.

“People’s paychecks just have not kept up... So when this economic crisis hit, for far too many families the bottom just completely fell out.”

The crowd cheered as she emphasized how “your president has worked very hard to dig us out of this mess” and cited “23 straight months of private sector job growth.”

“Barack had the backs of American workers,” she said, citing the resurrection of the nation’s auto industry.

She also pointed tothe administration’s work to help veterans, young people “drowning in debt” from college, and Americans “tricked into loans they couldn’t afford, and probably didn’t understand.”

Now, she said,supporters need to help the president win re-election. Barack Obama, she said, “can’t do it alone.”

The campaign “never has been about one extraordinary man, although I will admit my husband is awesome,” Mrs. Obama saidr.

Throughout, she sprinkled

Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM) and the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) testified that they will fight the ballot initiative, though both groups have long pushed for local control.

This initiative, they claim, would make it more difficult for the public to access records on police who are under investigation for wrongdoing and to establish a civilian review board. John Chasnoff, an ACLU-

her campaign pitch with bits of humor aimed at humanizing the president and his family.

“Whenit comes to the peo-

EM staffer and longtime CAPCR activist, points to a clause in the ballot language that hinders this authority: “The civil service commission of the city may adopt rules and regulations appropriate for the unique operation of a police department. Such rules and regulations shall reserve exclusive authority over the disciplinary process and procedures affecting commissioned officers to the civil service commission.”

The ACLU-EM has filed a

lawsuit challenging the initiative because the ballot summary approved by the Missouri Secretary of State fails to inform voters of this provision, as well as another that creates an exemption to the Missouri Sunshine Law, which protects citizens’rights to public records.

In fine print not summarized for the voter, the initiative states that records prepared for disciplinary purposes shall be “confidential, closed

records available solely to the civil service commission.”

The Police Officers Association has adamantly opposed local control for more than 20 years. They helped write the Sinquefield-funded local control initiative and support it, yet continue to oppose civilian review.

“I want to be very clear, we oppose civilian review boards,” said Jeff Roorda, spokesman for the association.

Ward 18 Alderman Terry

Birdhouses for storm birds

Roy Nunn of the Missouri Department of Conservation and Scott Joplin House helps Loyola Academy students D’Marcus Jenkins, Jeremy Perry and Rashad Claybourne build birdhouses for tornado victims. Placing birdhouses in neighborhoods where trees have been knocked down by storms provides roosting areas for birds whose habitat has been destroyed

Kennedy asked Roorda if civilian review ever came up while they were drafting the initiative.

“Yes, I wondered aloud if we should put provisions in the legislation to outright outlaw them,” Roorda said. “And I talked myself out of it.” Alderman Craig Schmid told Roorda, “It seems [the initiative] circumscribes civilian review – just as how you hoped it might.”

Photo by Wiley Price

ple hemeets, Barack has a memory like a steel trap,” Mrs. Obama said, touching off chuckles when she added,

“Kind of gets on your nerves a bit. But it’s a good thing. He will never forget your story. It will be imprinted on his heart.” Edited from copy submitted as press pool reports.

Tilley, Limbaugh and the Party of Misogyny

law student a “slut” and a “prostitute” simply because she practiced birth control and supports insurance funding for it.

On Tuesday, Ellen Sweets did what a great many women (and the men who respect and love them) wanted to do. She sent a scathing comment about conservative broadcaster Rush Limbaugh to someone responsible for his ampliication or gloriication. Thousands of emails, letters and calls at Limbaugh’s expense have been sent to radio stations that broadcast Limbaugh, advertisers that support his show and, in this case, a Missouri legislator who had announced he would go forward with erecting a bust in Limbaugh’s honor in the state Capitol’s Hall of Famous Missourians This move came in the middle of the the same news cycle when Limbaugh set off a growing national controversy for calling a young law student a “slut” and a “prostitute” simply because she practiced birth control and supports insurance funding for it.

The Missouri state legislator in question is Speaker of the House Steve Tilley, a Republican from Perryville. Ellen Sweets let Steve Tilley have it: As a former St. Louisan who was a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch – and before that, a reporter for my father’s black weekly newspaper, The St. Louis American – I am no longer shocked at the bigotry that still permeates thinking in Missouri. That you would even contemplate, let alone seriously consider honoring a man of Rush Limbaugh’s venal character, boggles the mind; and to do so within days of of his scurrilous assault on a female university law student raises serious questions about your character. I am sending your idea to honor Limbaugh to CNN; Jon Stewart’s Daily Show; Steven Colbert; The New York Times and Rachel Maddow at MSNBC.

The EYE should explain some background on Tilley. He may be compromised by enemies within his own party and in a basically involuntary position of having to play guinea

pig and the guy who falls on the sword. Consider his brazen attempt to turn his campaign treasury into a pseudo-banking institution (see Editorial, A4), which looks like a stooge persuaded to loat a trial balloon to see if the other kids can get away with something as crazy as that. No public report has surfaced, and Tilley has said nothing that would suggest he has any personal issues. But before he withdrew his plans to run for Lieutenant Governor, the EYE was told (and printed, without naming names) that a personal matter had rendered Tilley toxic politically and he would not stand for LG. If that was true, then his own internal enemies know it and as long as Tilley remains in public life he is vulnerable to persuasion or even extortion. If so, there’s no telling what sword he’ll have to fall on next.

Rush’s people

In defense of Limbaugh, Tilley certainly played the good Republican in making it a partisan issue, rather than a woman’s issue or a human decency issue. “It’s almost laughable,” Tilley told The Beacon “The party that wants to preach tolerance to people is not tolerant of people with different viewpoints. It’s hypocritical of them.”

What is “laughable” is that it should count as “tolerance” to let a middle-aged man take to the national airwaves and call a law student a “prostitute” because of a policy disagreement about birth control.

As Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post made clear, Tilley is hardly the only or most visible Republican willing to give Limbaugh partisan cover:

“I’ll just say this, which is, it’s not the language I would have used,” said Mitt Romney I wonder what language Romney thinks Limbaugh should have used to call Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute.”

“He’s being absurd, but that’s, you know, an entertainer can be absurd,” said Rick Santorum. I doubt seriously that Fluke found it entertaining, in an absurdist kind of way, when Limbaugh creepily suggested she and other women post sex videos on the internet. I hope and trust that Santorum wasn’t entertained, either.

As for Newt Gingrich, the cat got his tongue, and apparently didn’t return it until Limbaugh had already apologized to Fluke for his “insulting word choices.” Gingrich went out on a limb Sunday and called Limbaugh’s apology “appropriate.”

Which it wasn’t, by the way. Limbaugh’s claim that “I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke” is an obvious lie; there’s no impersonal way to call a woman a slut. His abuse of Fluke – who advocated publicly last week that the health insurance she receives through Georgetown, a Catholic university, should be required to cover birth control – was no one-time gaffe. He poured it on, day after day.

Of the GOP candidates, Robinson noted, only Ron Paul seemed to notice the insincerity of Limbaugh’s regret. “I don’t think he’s very apologetic,” Paul said. “He’s doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off his program. It was his bottom line he’s concerned about.”

Claire scores on Rush

Needless to say, Democrats are trying to make partisan hay of the incident. The Beacon reported that U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill – the one Democrat in Missouri best poised to beneit from the incident – is conducting a petition drive to collect signatures of people who object to Tilley erecting Limbaugh’s bust. McCaskill also highlighted Limbaugh’s comments in a weekend fundraising email. Before attacking a law student on birth control

as a prostitute, Limbaugh called McCaskill – who is in fact a moderate Democrat – a “commie babe liberal.”

In November, McCaskill will face either Todd Akin or Sarah Steelman in the general election. Three other lesser-known men have iled in the Republican primary, and perennial candidate Ed Martin left that Senate race for what looked like a packaged deal of endorsements to run for Attorney General instead. That packaged deal looked like a move in favor of Akin, since it removed a male with name recognition from the Republican Senate ield, and at this point McCaskill would have to hope that Republican voters send her a male opponent. That would certainly help the progressive message – which suddenly looks more tenable in 2012 – that the farright Republicans’ stance on sex education and birth control has turned them into the Party of Misogyny.

As Eugene Robinson notes, thinking primarily of the presidential race, “if the GOP is perceived to endorse Limbaugh’s hateful rhetoric about ‘feminazis’ and his stance of male grievance, female voters could turn what looked like a winnable election for Republicans into a debacle.”

EYE drops

Alderman Antonio French has been ined $38,000 by the Missouri Ethics Commission because they say French used his personal PayPal account to raise campaign funds.

Kelvin L. Simmons left Missouri government to lobby for international law irm SNR Denton, and two of his irst clients are a payday loan group and a liquor distributor.

Cole McNary, Republican candidate for Missouri Treasurer, has snagged a high-proile endorsement in former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth.

Gateway Classic will not host 2012 football game

Focus on scholarships, 20th anniversary in 2013

American staff

The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation has decided to take a break from hosting its annual football game in 2012 to concentrate on its scholarship program and prepare for a 20-year anniversary Gateway Football Classic game in 2013.

“Our mission remains unchanged, to continue to support our community by way of scholarships and community development,” said Rich Gray, President and CEO of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.

“Our number one priority is our commitment to the education of our youth through educational scholarships.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, the foundation issued $116,000 in scholarship payments for eight existing college students’ tuition and will add three additional students in the fall of 2012.

In addition, the foundation is now accepting applications for two new scholarship recipients for the Earl Wilson, Jr. Mister & Miss Gateway Classic Scholarship program, awarding two additional $40,000 scholarships for 2013.

Since 1994, the foundation’s Scholarship Fund has provided $2.9 million to more than 100 students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Gray said the foundation will take the next 18 months to prepare for the its 20-year anniversary and the 2013 Gateway Football Classic Weekend.

Gray said, “The Gateway Football Classic has been a St. Louis tradition and we are also committed to continuing and strengthening that tradition by securing the right grid-iron matchups, developing the ‘tailgate experience,’ producing a game day production and fan experience that rivals the professional teams.”

For additional information, please contact Trina Claggett at 314-621-1994 x211 or visit www.gatewayclassic.org.

Missouri Speaker of the House Steve Tilley plans to go forward with plans to erect a bust of Rush Limbaugh in The Hall of Famous Missourians in the middle of the the same news cycle when Limbaugh set off a growing national controversy for calling a young

Black support for Sara Lampe

American staff

State Representative Sara Lampe filed for Lieutenant Governor last week with solid support from African-American colleagues in the Missouri House of Representatives.

African-American legislators who endorsed Lampe before filing include: Michael Brown (D-Kansas City), Chris Carter (D-St. Louis), Brandon Ellington (D-Kansas City), Karla May (D-St. Louis), Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City), Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), Sharon Pace (D-Northwoods), Tommie Pierson (D-St. Louis), Sylvester Taylor (D-Black Jack), and Steve Webb (D-Florissant).

“Sara Lampe is the ranking

The drama was starting to build. We got a glimpse of what to expect as the March 5 hearing for Reggie Clemons approached. Supporters of Reggie’s fanned out across that state to rally for the cause. Detractors were busy with mistruths and vitriol about the infamous Chain of Rocks Bridge incident.

Reggie Clemons, one of four co-defendants in that case, is on Missouri’s Death Row for his alleged role in the deaths of Julie and Robin Kerry. The 1991 tragedy has all the makings for a Hollywood movie, but this is real life. The 20-year-old case has directly and permanently changed the lives of the six families involved. Because Reggie is facing death in a case rife with contradictions, it is not surprising that his case is finally receiving international attention despite its long and arduous road.

Reggie’s hearing before the Special Master appointed to review a case that once had been slammed shut (with a death date stamped on it) is now set for September 17.

Mark Reardon, a talk show host on KMOX radio, said he was all for putting a needle in Reggie’s arm, referring to the process of lethal injection used in Missouri. This wretched view was interjected in his interview with Jeanine Cummins, sister of Thomas Cummins and cousin to the Kerry sisters. Thomas Cummins was first charged with the murder of his cousins because of his confession and failure to pass a lie detector test. A rumor was started that the Reggie Clemons Foundation has a lot of money. I can only surmise that this was done to discourage people from doing acts of service free of charge and to alert others that their donations aren’t needed. I know of no such “foundation” but, as coordinator of the Justice for Reggie Campaign, if some entity is perpetrating fraud, I need to know about it so I can act on it appropriately. The campaign is selling buttons for a buck, and we don’t have enough funds to re-order T-shirts that were also being sold to help defray expenses.

member on the House Budget committee, and a relentless fighter for the funding for the Office of Minority Health, Women’s Health, and Primary Care. I stand with Sara Lampe in her run for Lieutenant Governor,” said state Representative Chris Carter.

State Representative Steve Webb, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, also endorsed Lampe.

“After looking at the candidates in the Lieutenant Governor race, I have decided that I will give my support to Representative Sara Lampe,” said Webb. “Sara’s unwavering support of public education and her willingness to fight for the rights of the minority communi-

ty, among a host of other great qualities, make her the best choice for the office of Lieutenant Governor.”

Many other legislators endorsed Lampe as well, including: Susan Carlson (D-St. Louis), Ira Anders (DIndependence), Bert Atkins (D-Florissant), Ron Casey (D-Crystal City), Rory Ellinger (D-University City), Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie), Jacob Hummel (D-St. Louis), Jeanne Kirkton (D-Webster Groves), Tom McDonald (DIndependence), Kevin McManus (D-Kansas City), Margo McNeil (D-Florissant), Genise Monticello (D-St. Louis), Mary Nichols (D-Maryland Heights), John Rizzo (D-Kansas City), Ed

State Representative Sara Lampe with members of the Black Caucus.

Top: Steve Webb, Michael Brown, Karla May, Brandon Ellington, Tommie Pierson, Chris Carter.

Bottom: Sharon Pace, Gail McCann Beatty, Sara Lampe, Rochelle Walton Gray.

Innovators discuss health data

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

More than 200 practitioners, analysts, executives and IT professionals from across the state met in St. Louis to learn of current practical applications of health data, to share ideas for making such data useable for and health care consumers and providers, and to hear what’s ahead.

The Missouri Health Data Summit, cosponsored by Missouri Foundation for Health, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Midwest Health Initiative, was held at the Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur, Mo. on February 24.

Schieffer (D-Troy), Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur), Tom Shively (D-Shelbyville), Cherie Spreng (D-Florissant) and Jay Swearingen (D-Kansas City).

“To have the support of colleagues I respect is humbling,” said Lampe.

In announcing her filing, Lampe emphasized seniors and veterans issues.

“Missouri’s seniors and veterans deserve a stronger advocate,” Lampe said. “I am a serious candidate who is prepared to fight to ensure that our seniors and veterans receive the assistance and respect they have earned.”

Death penalty in spotlight

Reggie’s parents, the Thomases, have re-financed their modest home more than once and were forced to file for bankruptcy –sacrifices made to keep up with the fight for their son’s life. No one is getting rich on our side. In a response to law professor Richard Stack’s commentary published in the Post-Dispatch about troubling cases like Reggie’s and Troy Davis’, veteran Post columnist Bill McClellan attacked with a rebuttal that showed his butt. He did what most white people have done who are blinded by

the racial elements of the case: he just repeats what former prosecutor Nels Moss said back then about the guilt of Reggie and his associates. They don’t seem to understand that repeating mistruths is not equivalent to asserting facts.

The St. Louis American meticulously refuted McClellan’s claims in its editorial last week. Anyone can seek the truth if they’re looking for it, and the rest of us are obligated to speak truth to power.

Last week, the American Bar Association did just that. It released a report entitled “Evaluating Fairness and Accuracy in State Death Penalty Systems: The Missouri Death Penalty Assessment Report.” The panel of law professors, private-sector attorneys and federal judges

reviewed Missouri’s system as part of the organization’s assessment of laws, procedures and practices of states still utilizing the barbaric system. The report found several flaws in Missouri’s system, from not preserving forensic evidence (such as DNA) to not tracking racial statistics. Several recommendations were made for reform, including narrowing the law so that only the most serious capital murder cases are eligible for the death penalty. Yes, the spotlight is shining on Missouri’s death penalty system. Some will run like roaches into the cracks for cover. Some will distort the facts to confuse the public. And some will fight for the day that we can’t execute innocent people.

E.J. “Ned Holland, U.S. Health and Humans Services assistant secretary of administration, told the audience that HHS spends $6.6 billion annually on technology, and the nation is in an unprecedented period of transformation in health care.

Holland said, “Our goal at the Department of Health and Human Services is to improve access to the right services and products to improve the outcomes of healthcare and improve the efficiency and the performance of the system.”

As HHS chief technology officer, Todd Park said his mission as a technology entrepreneur-in-residence is to work with the best innovators to dream up and lead major new initiatives to help HHS harness the power of data technology.

One way HHS has done this is to make government community health data and provider directories downloadable and transferable for use in other applications and platforms.

“We’ve taken all these directories and made them downloadable in mass in machine-readable files, and you can import them into all types of tools to help people find the right care, the right service for them or help providers locate the right tools to refer somebody,” Park explained.

Previously, retrieving data had been an expensive undertaking, which hindered more business applications in the marketplace.

Park said HHS has benefited from the Affordable Care Act. Section 10332 of the act requires claims data under Medicare parts A, B, and D to be made available for performance evaluations of health care providers and suppliers.

“The provision actually

went live in January, and it authorizes Medicare for the first time to provide detailed claims data to qualified external entities in the private sector and public sector who can actually take that data, match them with other paired data and produce comprehensive quality reports,” Park said.

“It’s a big, big deal. Because it’s going to lead to massive transparency of performance in the health care provider marketplace. And that’s important not just for consumers and employers, but making the right decisions about choosing the right provider for your family.”

On the provider end

On the provider end, MedlinePlusConnect, launched in November 2010, mapped all the information in consumerfriendly Medline Plus to diagnosis codes, medication codes and lab results. Park said any application can send a query to MedlinePlusConnect and it will construct a customized customer information packet in electronic form and actually beam that back that to the electronic health record at the point of care for free.

Park described several examples of unique data applications for better care, including Asthmapolis, which uses GPS mapping to identify where and when patients have asthma episodes through a device attached to the emergency inhalers.

Eric Armbrecht of the Center for Outcomes Research at Saint Louis University said SLU is involved in four practical uses of data and quality improvement: How to drive improvements in the clinical setting in real time; academic outcomes research; informed planning to address community needs; and interventions to maximize benefits.

“We make use of public data sets looking at health disparity issues, which are a key priority for our university,” Armbrecht said.

“There is so many ways to inject data at key points in the health system to help policy makers, doctors, nurses, employers, journalists, consumers, etc. take action, make decisions, improve care and lower costs,” Park said.

“And that’s the kind of expanse of the universe we should be thinking about, not just about a fancy iPhone or iPad app.”

Jamala Rogers

Obituaries

Stacey Swan Taylor

Stacey Swan Taylor, a retired professional educator, passed away from this earth on February 25, 2012 after a courageous battle with lung disease. She spent the last 25 years living in Sierra Vista, AZ. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raleigh Taylor and her parents, Melvin and Carlotta Swan. She is survived by her daughter Ashia Carlotta Taylor and siblings Shelia Swan Morrell of Saint Louis, MO, Keith Swan of Los Angeles, CA, Kevin Swan of Saint Louis, MO, and Simone Candy Swan Logan of Atlanta, GA, along with friends that were like family to her, Sonia Rodriguez, Rosie Edmiston, and Jackie Barwick from Sierra Vista, AZ.

Stacey earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from Harris Teachers College at Saint Louis University in Missouri and a library endorsement from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She was recently working on a Master of Arts degree in guidance and counseling.

Stacey belonged to the National Association for Teachers and Phi Delta Kappa. She became the Chief Librarian at Bella Vista Elementary School in 1988 and served on various committees in the Sierra Vista School District. She transformed the library into the “Best Library Ever” and created an environment where children could become avid readers for the rest of their lives. She believed

education had to change and was passionate about exposing children to books in various ways; she achieved this by making learning exciting and electric. Stacey loved to laugh and was passionate about living life to the fullest. She will never be forgotten by the lives she touched and will be greatly missed and always loved.

Theresa Ann LuSain

October 8, 1954— February 21, 2012

Theresa Ann LuSain (nee Merrill) was born on October 8, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Elvira V. Harvey Merrill., and the late Jesse F. Merrill. Theresa was christened at Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church as a child. As an adult, she became a baptized member of Praise Tabernacle Christian Church where she served faithfully on the usher board. Theresa graduated from Jefferson Elementary and Northwest High Schools respectively, in addition to completing 2 years of education at Florissant Valley Community College. She was employed by the State of Missouri for over more than 20 years. Theresa loved spending time with the loves of her life a great-niece Bri’Yana and 2 great-nephews Brandyn and Anthony. She was also known for being punctual and her uncanny gift to easily befriend

people from all walks of life. Theresa touched many people with her infectious smile and generosity. She maintained that endearing trademark smile up until her last breath.

Theresa met her husband Johnny LuSain in the summer of 1976. This union spanned 36 years under the guidance of our Lord.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Theresa departed this life peacefully at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She was preceded in this journey by her beloved siblings James, Dorothy, William and Delores. She leaves to cherish her memories: husband Johnny LuSain, brothers Leroy J. (Doreatha) Merrill, Marvin (Wanda) Merrill; sisters-inlaw: Ernestine Merrill, Mary Coleman, Josie LuSain, Phyllis (Edward) Scott; brothers-in-law: Ricky LuSain, Joseph LuSain; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and greatnephews; countless devoted friends, church members, neighbors, and colleagues.

In Memory of Deacon

James Jacox

November 22, 1944— March 13, 2004

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. Although you are gone from us, your spirit will live deep within our hearts.

James Jacox

Your wife Carrie Lucille Jacox, son Patrick Lynn Jacox, daughter Tangie Roberts, family and friends

Remembering Robin

Robin Pharr

Ms. Julia

Robin Pharr

Nov 27, 1957— Feb 13, 2011

Gone but never forgotten. Sadly missed by all your friends at B.O.A. Lockbox Night Shift.

Annie Malone honors ‘Buck’ O’Neil

Six vie for community college trustees seats

Six candidates will vie for two seats on the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees in the April 3 election.

Candidates for the Subdistrict 1 seat on the board include Theodis Brown Sr., chief of the Castlepoint Fire Protection Association; Daryl Cothran, assistant director of the St. Louis County Department of Human 4Services’ Workforce Development division; and Doris A. Graham, Ph.D., retired assistant principal at Ames Visual and Performing Arts Public School in St. Louis; and Philip E. Smith, a retired professor and department chair of foreign languages at St. Louis Community College’s Forest Park and Meramec campuses.

The winner will serve a six-year term.

Incumbent Margo McNeil chose not to seek re-election. Subdistrict 1 includes the Hazelwood, Ferguson/Florissant, Riverview Gardens, Jennings, Pattonville, Ritenour, University City, Normandy, Clayton and Ladue school districts.

As a service to the community, we list obituaries in the St. Louis American Newspaper, on a space-available basis and online at stlamerican. com AT NO CHARGE. Please send all obituary notices to kdaniel@ stlamerican.com.

Candidates for the Subdistrict 3 seat include Bob Burns, who was appointed

by the board to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of JoAnn Ordinachev in December 2011; and Joan H. McGivney, former Southwestern Bell Corp. employee who owns a company that manufactures and distributes a children’s geography game.

The winner will serve for the one-year balance of Ordinachev’s term, which expires in 2013. An election to fill the seat for a full six-year term will take place in April 2013.

Subdistrict 3 includes southern and southwest portions of St. Louis city and the Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Kirkwood and Webster Groves school districts.

The STLCC Board of Trustees is a six-member board that

represents the four subdistricts of the college service area. Subdistricts 1 and 4 are the two large subdistricts, each represented by two trustees. Subdistricts 2 and 3 are smaller, each represented by one trustee. District voters elect board members periodically for six-year terms. The board is responsible for determining the policies of the college within the legal framework established by statutes of the state of Missouri. The board makes all final decisions concerning employment, termination of services, expenditure of funds, contracts, establishment of new programs, student fees, tax levies and construction of facilities. Regular board meetings are scheduled each month and are open to the public.

Domestic Violence and Mental Health forum

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. St. Louis Alumnae Chapter will present Delta National Impact Day 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 10 at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, 2711 Locust

St. The theme is “Domestic Violence and Mental Health in the African-American Community.” This event is free and open to the public. For information, call 314-315-1280.

Stacey Taylor

Theresa LuSain

Theodis Brown, Sr. Daryl Cothran

Doris A. Graham

Executive staff and board members from Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center recently supported the induction of John “Buck” O’Neil into the Hall of Famous Missourians at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Pictured left to right: state Representative Sharon Pace, Annie Malone Chief Operating Officer Darryl Wise and Annie Malone CEO Angela L. Starks.

St. Louis Metropolitan

Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. 2012 Founder’s Day Celebration

“Standing Firmly on the Foundation of Service”

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

BUSINESS

Tax credits help Better Family Life center

Developer, bank put together $13M deal to fund renovation

By Rebecca Rivas

$100K in prize money for entrepreneurs

St. Louis County announces 2012 Regional Business Plan Competition

American staff

There is $100,000 in prize money at stake as the St. Louis County Economic Council kicks off its 2012 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition.

“The Business Plan Competition was organized to promote entrepreneurship and the development of startup companies in the St.Louis region.”

– County Executive Charlie A.Dooley

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and others announced the competition Friday at Climb So Ill, Inc., a rock-climbing gym in the City Hospital Power Plant. Climb So Ill was a second place winner of the competition in 2010. Dooley said, “The St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition has been organized to promote entrepreneurship and the development of startup and early-stage companies in the St. Louis region by encouraging submission of plans of original business concepts that will lead to the development of new-growth businesses.” To participate, applicants must complete and

See MONEY, B6

a full city

block in the 26th Ward.

About 27 years ago, group founders dreamed of opening a cultural center to express the history, art, culture and dance of peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora, said Malik Ahmed, founder of Better Family Life. The Better Family Life Cultural, Educational See

United Way names 2012 campaign chair

Gregory H. Boyce, chairman and CEO of Peabody, to lead fundraising effort

American staff

Gregory H. Boyce, chairman and chief executive officer of Peabody Energy has been named 2012 fundraising campaign chair by United Way of Greater St. Louis.

The annual fundraising campaign, which supports more than 170 local health and human service organizations and annually helps one in three people in the region, officially begins in September.

“The St. Louis community is impressive in so many ways, especially in its efforts to support United Way,” said Boyce.

“Since the start, Greg’s enthusiasm to lead United Way’s campaign and his compassion to help people in need has been tremendous,” said Gary Dollar, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

“Peabody Energy has a half-century-plus history as a major employer and civic leader in St. Louis, and our employees have supported United Way for more than 40 years. I am pleased to be involved with this organization because it impacts so many people in such meaningful and life-changing ways. I look forward to chairing this year’s campaign.” Boyce has served on United Way’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2010 and the Campaign Cabinet since 2011.

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Franz Sanon

Franz Sanon has rejoined Kwame Building Group as Project Manager, working on Proposition Sfunded projects for the St. Louis Public School District. He has 19 years of experience in project management and project engineering, and previously worked for Kwame on Harris-Stowe University, Washington University, the St. Louis Public School District and Webster University.

Jessica Burns recently graduated from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Hospitality Management. Jessica was the first recipient of the Jamala Rogers Young Visionary Award, awarded by the Organization for Black Struggle. She is the daughter of Iris Burns and is currently working as a chef in Chicago, Illinois.

Beverly Burnley

Burns

Beverly Burnley has published a new book, Hands-On Computer Activities for Teaching Math, Grades 3-8, which is marketed internationally by John Wiley & Sons Publishers. This book allows the teacher to teach math standards using commonly available software (Microsoft Paint, Word, and Excel). She taught Title I math in the East St. Louis School District for 35 years.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

St. Louis Community College opens new Corporate College

St. Louis Community College is opening its new Corporate College 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 at the college, 3221 McKelvey Road in Bridgeton.

The Corporate College has nearly 30,000 square feet with 10 classrooms, including a 360-degree collaborative training space; four conference/break-out rooms, including two executive-level conference rooms; 175 seat multipurpose room; two computer training labs with a total of 36 stations; and testing/assessment center.

The Corporate College also is home to the Workforce Solutions Group, formerly known as Workforce and Community Development, the entrepreneurial workforce development arm of the college that provides corporate and community services, and continuing education.

At the new facility, the Workforce Solutions Group will offer meeting and event services; professional development opportunities, including industry-specific licensure, certification preparation and testing; performance improvement program, including leadership, lean practices, six sigma, customer service and project management; and an industry-specific seminar series.

“Greg knows the importance of helping people and that United Way provides necessary funding so more than one in three people in our community can get the help they need through our partner agencies. We are fortunate to live in such a caring region and to have a long tradition of corporate leadership.”

In 2011, United Way of Greater St. Louis’campaign was chaired by Danny Ludeman, CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors. The campaign raised the most ever, surpassing its $71 million goal to help people in the region. Under Boyce’s leadership, Peabody –the world’s largest private-sector coal company – has significantly expanded its global footprint and achieved its safest performance and strongest financial results on

Nothing But Networking March 22

The Minority Professional Associations Collaborative (MPAC) is hosting its annual “Nothing But Networking” event at Lumen, 2201 Locust St., from 5:30 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012. American Association of Blacks in Energy, Black Data Processors Associations, National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, National Association of Black Accountants, National Black MBA Association, National Sales Network, National Society of Black Engineers and St. Louis Association of Real Estate Professionals.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Contact: Tracy Blue, National Black MBAAssociation-St. Louis Chapterat chapterrelations@gmail.com or 314-495-6841.

Jessica

Photo by Wiley Price

Gregory H.Boyce

Malik Ahmed,founder of Better Family Life,and his wife DeBorah Ahmed,its senior vice president of cultural programs,have been working on a cultural center housed in the former Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary building for 27 years.

How can I bettermanage my short-term cash?

For the vast majority of people, it is essential to keep a portion of their assets in liquid form in order to meet monthly commitments.

For example, most families have to meet their mortgage or rent payments, grocery, utility, and transportation bills out of their monthly paychecks. There are a host of other expenses that arise from month to month, such as auto insurance, that help keep the pressure on the family cash flow. If people are fortunate enough to have anything left

over once all the expenses have been met, then they can worry about saving or investing for the future. The paychecks that you deposit in your checking account, which seem to swiftly disappear as you pay monthly expenses, constitute a portion of your short-term cash. The money is no sooner in your bank account than it flows out again as payment for goods and services.

However, because the money that we use to meet our monthly expenses is so liquid, there is a tendency to simply

three-decade career in the mining and energy industry. He joined Peabody Energy in 2003 as President and Chief Operating Officer, assumed responsibility for the company as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2006 and became Chairman the following year. Prior to joining Peabody,

By Charles Ross PERSONAL FINANCE

look at it as a method of payment. We often leave more than we need in our checking accounts, gaining little or no interest until we need it for a future expense. By actively managing the short-term cash that passes through your hands, you can provide a

Charles Ross

Boyce served as Chief Executive Officer – Energy for international mining company Rio Tinto in London, with responsibility for a worldwide coal and uranium portfolio. Other prior positions include President and Chief Executive Officer of Kennecott Energy Company, President of Kennecott Minerals Company and Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of Standard Oil of Ohio.

Boyce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Arizona and an Advanced Management Program degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business.

BFL

Continued from B1

and Business Center will also provide GED classes and skillbased job training, housing down payment assistance programs, business related seminars and motivational trainings.

“The center uniquely creates a holistic model of Better Family

means of saving for the future. You can use this money to increase your net worth with little or no additional risk to your principal.

Short-term investment instruments, such as Treasury bills, certificates of deposit, and money market mutual funds, can

Life by merging culture – the core of our values; education –the process through which we learn and grow; and business – the resources and services we need to be self-sufficient,” said Charlotte Ottley, board chairperson for Better Family Life. “I am so inspired that Malik and his team stayed the course and never wavered in their commitment and vision.”

In 2008, the group began environmental remediation on the building after receiving donations from individual donors and corporations, and government agencies. However until February, the group has been waiting to secure the full financing necessary to complete the project.

provide you with the liquidity needed to meet expected and unexpected expenses and to increase your short-term investment income.

There are numerous alternatives available to enable you to get your short-term cash working for you. The key to successfully managing your shortterm cash lies in understanding the alternatives and choosing the one most appropriate to your particular needs and circumstances.

Treasury bills are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government as to the

the country of such credits.

“We are fortunate to be chosen as a viable project,” Ahmed said.

Smith NMTC associates and Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale PC helped close the deal on the legal side for the tax credits. KAI Design & Build is the project’s architect.

The project’s developer, McCormack Baron Salazar, was able to obtain the necessary new market tax credits.

The project’s developer, McCormack Baron Salazar, was able to obtain the necessary new market tax credits, which are federal credits designed to spur investment into businesses and real estate in low-income communities. McCormack Baron Salazar is one of the largest recipients in

With four floors, the center will have multiple functions, said DeBorah Ahmed, senior vice president of cultural programs for Better Family Life. The Cultural Center will include an arts and crafts studio, technology center, learning center, dance studios, BFLstaff offices and office/business lease spaces. On the garden level, the center will have a café, as well as a 4,000 square feet multi-purpose hall for concerts, banquets, receptions, performances and lectures.

DeBorah said she saw that the Emerson Elementary school was on the market and told Malik, her husband, that she was clear it was the future home of the center.

“I told Malik, ‘That’s it.

Wow, this building is so beautiful,’” she said. “Because of its majesty, it hits you square in the face. It was put on the National Register of Historical Places in 1992 by the school district. We are pleased to have a historic building in our neighborhood that we are doing everything to revitalize.”

Beyond renovating the school, their goal is to connect with other projects in the area as well, Malik Ahmed said.

The group’s vision is to make Page Boulevard into the same kind of foot-traffic retail center as the Delmar Loop going down to Goodfellow Boulevard, as well as rebuild the resident area, he said. The center is less than a mile south of the 22nd Ward’s Arlington Grove project, a 112-unit development which renovated another abandoned, Ittnerdesigned school into townhouses and garden apartments.

“We have left no stone unturned to incorporate the needs and interests of the community we serve,” Ottley said. “However, an institution is only as good as the people who support it; take pride in it; protect it; and use it to spiral a better quality of life experience for all who enter the center’s doorways. This will be the community’s home.”

“We lost the game before we went on the court.Too much joking in the locker room, too much joking through warm-ups.”

– John Wall after Monday night’s 120-100 loss to the Golden State Warriors

Four local teams earn trip to Final Four

Soldan, Imagine Prep boys & Career Academy, Westminster girls advance

By Earl Austin Jr.

are in the Final Four for the third consecutive year. The Tigers are seeking that elusive state championship after two third-place finishes. Head coach Justin Tatum was a top player for CBC’s Class 4A state-championship team 15 years ago. The boys of Imagine Prep are making history with their first Final Four berth in the school’s brief six-year existence. They are led by head coach Altonio Irons, who is looking to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father Floyd Irons as a state champion. Altonio Irons was the point guard of Lutheran North’s Class 2Astatechampionship team 10 years ago.

Miller Career Academy’s girls are in the Final Four for the second time in four seasons. The Phoenix are hoping that their national schedule will pay off in the school’s first ever state title.

Westminster Christian Academy will also be making their first Final Four appearance. The Wildcats are led by head coach Steve Stipanovich, who led DeSmet to two state titles as an All-American in the late ‘70s. His top player happens to be his daughter, Sadie Stipanovich. The point guard is junior Brooke Cusumano, whose father Frank Cusumano, was the point guard on those great DeSmet teams led by Stipanovich.

As if that wasn’t enough, Springfield Hillcrest is in the Final Four, led by 6’6” senior Dorial Green-Beckham, the nation’s No. 1

See FOUR, B5

Incarnate Word girls go forthreepeat

McCluer North boys defend state title

By Earl Austin Jr.

Making its first ever trip to the Final Four is Marquette, which is riding an 11-game winning streak.

The shrinking superhero

By Ishmael H.Sistrunk

Of The St.Louis American

While Kobe Bryant and LeBron James sit firmly atop the NBA’s superstar pecking order, one is undoubtedly the “most-clutch” player of his generation, while the other’s self-doubt and refusal to step up in crunch time continues to cripple his game, and possibly his legacy.

Last Sunday, we all witnessed a familiar sight, albeit on a strange stage. James, undoubtedly the most physically gifted player in the league, looked downright dominant in the All-Star game versus the league’s best players. Sure, besides Heat costar Dwayne Wade’s rogue foul on Bryant during the third quarter, hard-nosed defense is not exactly a priority at the All-Star game. Nonetheless, for 47 minutes, James’game shined bright as he brought his team back from a big fourth quarter deficit.

“I don’t think I have an instinct like Kobe, where I just want to kill everybody.”

– LeBron James

But even in the meaningless exhibition game, where wins and losses are as insignificant as current slam dunk contest participants, “King” James had zero desire to take charge in the clutch. No, in the last minute, after posting a monster stat line of 36 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, James literally passed on three opportunities to take the potential game-winning or game-tying shot in the final 15 seconds. First he passed to Deron Williams for a threepoint attempt, next he

Soldan's Rashad Simmons (12) slams home a dunk Saturday afternoon at Francis Howell Central during the Tigers 61-43 win over the Duchesne Pioneers.The Class

state quarterfinal win sends the Tigers to Columbia next weekend to the state championship.

Photo by Wiley Price

Of The St.Louis American

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

LeBron James’refusal to step up in crunch time continues to cripple his game,and possibly his legacy.

Photo by Wiley Price

Members of the Cardinal Ritter Lions celebrate after defeating Metro 49-48 to win their district quarterfinals at Vashon on Thursday.

With Mike Claiborne

New Rams coach has bounty hunterpast

As Ronald Reagan once said to Jimmy Carter in a debate, “Now there you go again.” The same can be said for the Rams and the NFL.

The Rams hired Gregg Williams to coach the defense. Little did we know that Williams was one who thought paying a player to knock an opponent out of the game or seriously injure a player so he could no longer play was a good idea. For those who have heard the word “bounty” lately, it should not be confused with that hillbilly squad that has made it to reality TV, but to taking someone off the field. Highly illegal, immoral and just plain dumb. While bounties have been in play for pro sports for years, it was unspoken outside of a locker room. In this case, someone wanted to talk and talk they did. Dumb, but then again I am speaking about the NFLwhere many players, past and present, are just flatout clueless.

the owners. I am not confident that justice will be served here, so I will make some suggestions to help Mr. Goodell. First off, the New Orleans Saints will be fined a half-million dollars that will go to either the retired players fund or to head trauma research. The Saints will also forfeit a first-round pick this season and a third-round pick either next year or the year after.

As for their head coach Sean Peyton, he will be fined $1 million of the $4 million he makes annually.

As for the main culprit Gregg Williams, he will not be allowed to coach for at least one year, nor shall he have the opportunity to be employed by any companies that do business with the NFL, i.e. TVor radio networks as an analyst or consultant. Mr. Williams will also be required to do community service on behalf of the league in speaking to coaches and players on every level below the NFLat least twice a week.

As for the Rams, the question is who knew what and when did they know it?

This is a league where the players have the shortest shelf life and lowest average pay. A league where the players are too dumb to fight for more guarantees and health benefits after they are done playing. Instead, they thought they would fight to not have to play more games and reduce practice time. Aleague that until recently did nothing for former players.

As for the league, Commissioner Roger Goodell has been advocating more safety for players as he has extracted millions for players in fines for flagrant fouls. I wonder where he will line up on this one, as there is evidence that even the owner knew his coaches were breaking the rules. By the way, the commissioner is employed by

If you think the bounty issue just fell out of the sky, then you are as dumb as some of the players who think the whole issue is okay.

Someone somewhere was probably in big trouble about another matter and used this bounty issue as a bargaining chip to get out of whatever trouble they were in, and it must have been some trouble. Not to go conspiracy theorist here, but what could have been that big?

As for the Rams, they still cannot seem to get out of their own way. Obviously, hiring Williams was a mistake in the first place. The question is who knew what and when did they know it? I am sure Jeff Fisher and the powers that be were not made aware of this on the day the rest of us found out. Could that be the reason why

the Rams hired former head coach and former defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis? As a fallback plan in the event the Williams story was too hot for him to stay in the Rams

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

clock, James, who’d tied the All-Star game record with six 3-pointers, decided to inbound the ball to relieve himself of the burden. Bryant’s head nearly exploded watching James’disappearing act as he berated him for failing to shoot the basketball.

But nobody should be surprised by James’lack of lategame mettle. He warned us years ago. I remember being bewildered in 2006, when James, in his third NBAseason, commented on Bryant to ESPN The Magazine

“[Bryant’s] knowledge of the game and his killer instinct

kitchen?

As for you Rams fans who thought the New England Patriots should have been burned at the stake when they got caught cheating, will you

are what make him so tough,” James said. “I don’t think I have an instinct like Kobe, where I just want to kill everybody.”

His words proved prophetic. Many fans caught their first glimpse of the shrinking superhero during last year’s Finals, when James scored a meager 11 points total in fourth-quarter play, as the favored Heat fell to the Mavs. Bryant, on the other hand, lives for taking final shots. He craves pressure and performs best when the game is on the line. As much as his blatant theft of Michael Jordan’s personality rubbed many the wrong way, myself included, his Jordan-esque performance in crunch time must be respected by all.

still accept Williams because the Rams hired him? Just how does that shoe fit now?

For the football apologist, save it. It will not work no matter how you try and spin it.

Can you imagine “Black Mamba” inbounding the ball with the game on the line without going Tony Soprano on his teammates for not passing him the ball right back? Can you imagine Kobe deferring to Gasol or Bynum in the clutch without three defenders hanging on his shoulders?

After Wade broke Bryant’s nose at last week’s All-Star game, everyone knew Bryant would come for blood when the Heat visited Los Angeles Sunday. Bryant came out in attack mode, dropping 18 firstquarter points. He also drained several buckets down the stretch to lead the Lakers to victory and thoroughly outplay his attacker. Even though Bryant is slightly slowing down physically, his will to

The Rams new

is mired in allegations that he offered bounties to his players with the Saints if they knocked certain opposing players out of the game with an injury.

You see, we do not get paid by the NFLor worship the shield every night before bed or whatever you do when the lights go out.

win is unchanged and unmatched.

With other stars such as Dirk Nowtizki, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant becoming prime-time clutch performers, it’s easy to wonder if LeBron James will ever reach his full potential for greatness. The numbers are there and the God-given ability is almost unfair, but until he’s confident enough to put the game on his shoulders when the lights are brightest and breaths can be counted on one hand, he can never truly be considered the best player in the game.

You can follow In the Clutch on Twitter @intheclutchstl and online at stlamerican.com.

Mike Claiborne

defensive coach Gregg Williams

Missouri sports pioneerpasses

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St.Louis American

University of Missouri sports pioneer Norris Stevenson died last Saturday after a bout with colon cancer. He was 72.

Aformer standout prep athlete at Vashon High, Stevenson broke the color barrier in Columbia when he became Mizzou’s first AfricanAmerican scholarship football

football player who energized the Show-Me State when he signed with the University of Missouri.

It will all unfold this weekend at the Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri.

In the boys semifinals, Imagine (23-5) will face Springfield Hillcrest (25-5) at 6:40 p.m. Soldan (23-5) will face Liberty North (23-6) at 8:20 p.m. The winners will meet for the state championship on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The third-place game will be held on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. In the girls’semifinals, Career Academy (22-5) will face Republic (21-8) at 3:20 p.m. followed by Westminster (26-3) vs. Smithville (25-5) at 5 p.m. The winners will meet for the state title on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. The third-place game will be on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Soldan will bring one of the most experienced, senior-laden

HOOPS

Continued from B3

that game will take on either Rockwood Marquette (20-10) or No. 1-ranked Nixa (29-1) for the state championship on Saturday at 4:50 p.m. The third-place game will be played on Friday at 1:40 p.m. Incarnate Word (25-6) will take on a powerful Columbia Rock Bridge team (24-3) in the girls semifinals at 3:30 p.m. The winner will face either Fort Zumwalt West (26-5) or Blue Springs (26-4) for the state title on Saturday at 3 p.m. The third-place game will be held on Friday at noon. McCluer North will be taking its fourth trip to the Final Four in the past six years under head coach Randy Reed. The Stars have won two state championships and advanced to three state-championship games since 2007. After the graduation of All-American guard B.J. Young, the Stars have returned to Columbia with a veteran team with nine seniors. The leaders are 6’8” forward Jordon Granger and 6’3” guard Galen Young. Granger is averaging 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. Young is averaging 11.2 points a game. He was the Suburban North Conference Player of the Year. Seniors Byron Ray, Tremayne Garrett and sophomore Dorian Holland round out the starting lineup.

Making its first ever trip to the Final Four is Marquette, which is riding an 11-game winning streak. The Mustangs were a No. 5 seed in its district, but they have been on a roll during the past two weeks. Senior center Ryan Rosburg leads the way, averaging 20 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. The 6’9” 250-pound Rosburg is headed to the University of Missouri. Marquette will face Nixa, the state’s top-ranked team in the semifinals. Nixa is led by do-it-all 6’5” junior forward Jalen Norman and 6’2” junior sharpshooter Austin Ruder. Incarnate Word advanced to the Final Four with a 49-42 victory over rival St. Joseph’s Academy in the state quarterfinals. The Red Knights are led by Player-of-the-Year can-

player in 1958. Stevenson was also a Hall of Fame track and field coach. He spent 30 years as the head coach at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. Stevenson enjoyed an excellent football and track career at Missouri from 1958 to 1961. In his career, he rushed for 1,174 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He enjoyed his best season in 1960 when he rushed for 687

Norris Stevenson broke the color barrier at Mizzou yards and scored five touchdowns in helping the Tigers to the Big 8 Conference title and a berth in the Orange Bowl. Stevenson has received numerous honors for outstanding achievement as a player, a coach and for his contributions to the University of Missouri and athletic

teams to the state tournament. The Tigers are led by 6’4” senior Randy Holmes (15 points a game), 6’4” senior Paul McRoberts (14.4 points) and senior guard Partice Sanders (9.9 points). Imagine Prep advanced to Columbia with a thrilling 6564 victory over defending Class 4 state-champion Sikeston. The Bears are led by 6’1” junior Kevin Baker, who averages 16 points a game and 6’2” junior Martavian Payne,

didate Taylor Manuel. The 6’4” senior is averaging 15.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.9 blocks and 2.2 steals.

Manuel receives plenty of support from senior guards Cierra Young (10.4 points), Lateesha Deloach (5.5 points) and sophomore Nakiah Bell (8.6 points). Sophomore Gwen Adams provides inside presence with 6.4 points a game. Fort Zumwalt West is making its second trip to the Final Four in the school’s history. It is also the swan song for head

who averages 14.9 points. Junior forward Miles Nettles is an all-purpose performer. Career Academy’s girls have plenty of weapons, led by 6’0” senior Shanity James, who averages 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Sophomore guard Braennan Farrar averages 13.2 points while sophomore forward Zhanesha Dickerson averages 9.9 points. Junior Abrelyn Rackley averages 9.7 points. The Phoenix have played a national sched-

coach Monica Tritz, who has already announced that she is stepping down at the end of the season. Senior forward Marina Laramie has come up big for the Jaguars this season, averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds. Seniors Kelsey Kimbrough and Paige Westbrooks have also turned in excellent seasons. Blue Springs is making its third consecutive Final Four appearance. The Wildcats have finished second in the state tournament the past two years, losing to Incarnate Word in the state title game.

communities. In 1999, he was inducted into the Missouri Track and Field Association Hall of Fame. In 2001, the Stadium Plaza at Mizzou was renamed the Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions. He was inducted into the University of Missouri Football Hall of Fame in 2002. In September, Stevenson was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Norris Stevenson is survived by his wife, Delores, daughters Loren Stevenson (Kevin) Wilson and Jennifer M. Stevenson, grandchildren Erika Michelle Wilson and Jessica Camille Wilson and siblings Joyce S. Hicks, Yvonne Kincade, Ricky (Saletha) Stevenson, Gerald Stevenson and Anita Watkins Stevens. The visitation for Norris Stevenson was held on Wednesday at the Wade Funeral Home Twin Chapel (4800 Natural

Cardinal Ritter defeated Carnahan 78–58 at Vashon last week to win the boys Class 3 District championship.

ule, which includes a victory over nationally-ranked Memphis Central. They have also played Class 5 Final Four participants Incarnate Word and Fort Zumwalt West. Westminster Christian is led by the 6’2” Stipanovich, who averages 15.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Senior guard Courtney Powell averages 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and three steals per game while Cusumano is the team’s top 3point shooter.

Bridge Ave.). Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, March 8) at 10 a.m. at Lane Tabernacle CME Church (910 N. Newstead Ave) Norris Stevenson

Photo by Leon D, Algee

Financial Focus

By James Parshay, financial advisor

You can’t see into the future, so you’ll need to prepare for anything that comes your way.

the possible length of your retirement, you can’t ignore the need to invest for growth, so you may need to consider some growth-oriented vehicles in your portfolio to help your income keep pace with inflation.

• Transferring your wealth — When you’ve worked hard your whole life, you want to be able to leave a legacy — one that allows you to provide financial resources to the next generation and to those charitable organizations you may wish to support. So, when it’s time to think about transferring your wealth, you’ll want to consult with your financial and legal advisors to create an estate plan that’s appropriate for your needs. And because these plans can take significant time to create, you won’t want to wait too long to start. So, there you have them: five key financial areas on which to focus as you travel through life. By doing your homework, planning ahead and getting the help you need, you can make the journey a pleasant and productive one.

•

from your 401(k), IRAand other sources. At the same time, given

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Forfurtherinformation contact James Parshay at (636) 227-3417 or1-800EDJONES

MONEY

Continued from B1

submit an online application and an agreement and statement of certification by 5 p.m. on June 4. The necessary forms are available at www.slcec.com/business-plancompetition.html.

The top three winners receive cash awards totaling $100,000. Denny Coleman, President and CEO, St. Louis County Economic Council, said the competition is unique in that the cash prizes are accompanied by valuable inkind professional services (accounting, legal, marketing, mentoring).

Cash awards are provided by Edward Jones through St. Louis County Economic

Council (SLCEC). Legal, accounting and marketing services will be donated by Thompson Coburn LLP, Carmody MacDonald P.C., Armstrong Teasdale LLP, RubinBrown LLP, UHY Advisors MO, Inc., LarsonAllen LLP, FleishmanHillard, Inc., Brighton Agency, Inc., and Standing Partnership, Inc.

The competition encourages plans for new businesses and early stage companies. An early stage or seed-stage company typically is at the inventor stage where there is an idea, concept, or even product, but little or no revenue has been generated yet.

Applicant team members must be 21 years of age or older at the time of entry and legal residents of the United States. Team members who are directors, officers or employees of SLCEC, consultants, or freelancers who do business with SLCEC or immediate family members of any of these persons are not eligible.

Every for-profit industry sector is eligible, but the businesses have to be new or an early stage company with no more than $100,000 in annual revenue. Proposals for buy-out or expansion of an existing company, tax-shelter opportunities, subsidiaries, franchises, licensing agreements for distribution in a different geographical area and the creation of value through “better management” or a new strategy are not eligible.

Applicant entities must be located in the St. Louis region, which includes the Missouri counties of St. Charles, St.

Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, Warren, Lincoln, Washington, and St. Louis City, as well as the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Clinton, Jersey, Bond, Macoupin, and Calhoun. Winning companies are required to provide quarterly reporting information to SLCEC regarding project status, revenues, challenges and opportunities.

Judges will rely on the following criteria in judging the business plans: Innovative nature, creativity; feasibility and marketability; funding; quality of product or service; growth potential; adaptation to change; strength of management team; and internal organization.

Judges may obtain a credit report and background check on the principals of each applicant. Compliance with all provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC 1681 et seq.) will be followed. Judges will not disclose any part of the reports to anyone except those involved in the judging process. Selected semi-finalists will be asked to submit their business plans by July 30 to dmeise@slcec.com. Semifinalists will be invited to make a 10-minute presentation to the judges followed by a 10minute question and answer session on August 21-23. Six finalists will be selected and invited to make a 20-minute presentation to the judges on September 26-27. To learn more about the competition, visit www.slcec.com/business-plancompetition.html.

County Executive Charlie A.Dooley and David Chancellor of Climb So Ill,Inc.

From East Boogie to So So Def

Gena signs deal with Jermaine Dupri under new artist name Fresco Kane

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

American

Louis

“I know it’s real, but it’s hard for me to soak in,” said the rapper who up until two weeks ago called himself Gena. He was talking about inking a major label contract with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def records.

“I’m still in disbelief.”

He’s been a mainstay on the STL hip-hop scene for the past ive years, thanks to his two club bangers “Dip in

the Club” and “Dope Boy Fresh.” But on Wednesday afternoon, the stroke of a pen instantly catapulted his career to the next level.

“This is a real artist deal,” he said.

“It doesn’t happen every day – and I don’t even think they do deals like this anymore in the industry.”

The full extent of the deal is for them to know and us to ind out, but a single is already being prepared to drop as

See HIPHOP, C4

Rapper and East St. Louis native Gena was watched by Starpower Entertainment’s Tony “T-Luv” Davis when he signed a record deal with Epic Records/So So Def at Bosley and Associates last week. His new artist name is Fresco Kane.

Dr. Anthony Holmes and Dr. Kendra Holmes celebrated their son Anthony Holmes Jr.’s fifth birthday recently at the Stanley & Clayton Rice Family Center. The Mad Scientist party theme was designed to stimulate an interest in science at a young age. The children explored different areas of science, including erupting volcanoes, simple chemistry experiments and tornado formation. A periodic table of cupcakes was used to introduce the children to the elements. Dr. Anthony Holmes is a Pharmacy Manager at Shop N Save Pharmacy. Dr. Kendra Holmes is the Director of Pharmacy at Grace Hill Health Centers, Inc.

Married, but thirsty

The couple with everything – except conversation

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

I got a call from a college friend whom I was hoping to reach out to –but didn’t call because I didn’t want to feel like I was insincerely pimping for perspectives for the sake of this column.

I took it as a sign to insert my intentions of serving readers with hope and inspiration from a happily married woman of God with respect to staying the course and being purposefully single. The conversation that took place was something altogether different – yet equally valuable to those of us single females.

n “I come home and try to talk to him,” she said. “But I just end up on

the computer.”

First, I guess I should give as much of her background as this short column will permit. She was a “hot girl” on campus, but the summer before our senior year she recommitted her life to Christ. That fall – at a church service, of course – she met the man who would become her husband. They had no premarital sex, engaged in pre-marital counseling and would go on to get married and have two lovely daughters.

Fifteen years into it, she is the only person I can think of from my college days still married – well, at least to the same person. I wanted to share her secret. But she shared another secret: She wasn’t happy. I was stunned.

How could this be?

According to her, she actually let her desperately seeking demeanor seep into her thinking as she was in the process of her courtship.

“I had doubts and annoyances, but I just ignored them,” she admitted. “I thought that if he loved God and he loved me that I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I thought once

and they were all asked to

by a boy, but I had no offers. www.stlamerican.com

WITH DANA G. RANDOLPH

Old-school Greek bash

Thomas Kitchen (Omega Psi Phi), Mike Williams (Alpha Phi Alpha), Michael Bridges (Kappa Alpha Psi) and Jerryl Christmas (Phi Beta Sigma) say they all had an enjoyable time Saturday, February 25 at the Pan-Hellenic Old School All Greek Party. Old school music and attire was the theme of the evening and participants are looking forward to 2013. Terry Mulligan, a former teacher and resident of St. Louis, appeared at a book signing for her recently published book Sugar Hill: Where The Sun Rose Over Harlem Using Harlem’s cultural institutions and memorable characters as her backdrop, Mulligan writes joyously about weathering

adolescence while history unfolds around her. This feel-good story resonates with humor and warmth as she chronicles her life among evangelists, curlyhaired doo wop boys, snuff-dippers, Fidel Castro’s entourage, interracial marriage, chitlin’ parties and testy interactions between West Indians and Southern blacks. This book is a living document of mid-20thCentury Harlem with appeal for all America. (For more information go to www.terrybakermulligan.com.)

The private affair was hosted by a group of friends, including Judy and Larry Deutsch, Murf and Tim Dwyer, Bet-

See POTPOURRI, C4

See SINGLE, C4

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Dana G. Randolph

Thomas Kitchen (Omega Psi Phi), Mike Williams (Alpha Phi Alpha), Michael Bridges (Kappa Alpha Psi) and Jerryl Christmas (Phi Beta Sigma) at the Pan-Hellenic Old School All Greek Party.

Anthony Holmes Jr.

A periodic table of cupcakes

Dr. Anthony Holmes and Dr. Kendra Holmes

1.Email

2.Visit

concerts

Mar. 9-10, Jazz St. Louis and Wells Fargo Advisors present the Rick Haydon Trio. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 10, 6 p.m., T. I. Live in Concert, The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mar. 16 – 18, St. Louis Symphony presents AllBeethoven. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700 or visit www.stlsymphony.org.

Mar. 18, 7:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents an Evening with Herbie Hancock and his band, Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL. For more information, visit www.touhill.org

Mar. 28-31, Jazz St. Louis and Wells Fargo Advisors present Nicholas Payton. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call314-289-4030 or visit www.jazzstl.org.

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

local gigs

Sun., Mar. 11, 5 p.m., A Special Whitney Houston Tribute featuring Cheryl Brown and Friends, Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, call 314-534-3663.

Tue., Mar. 13, 7 p.m., Center Stage at the Signature Room. The Signature Room is looking for local talent to be featured LIVE on our center stage to entertain our guests.It’s a singing competition which contestants compete against each other.Signup deadline is March 10, 2012. Overland Plaza, 9006 Overland, 63114. For more information, visit www.thesignatureroomstl.com.

special events

Thur., Mar. 8, 5:30 p.m., Minority Contractor Initiative invites you to The New MCI Plan Room. MBE/WBE Contractors join us for an open house & tour. 1712 Macklind Ave, 63110. For more information, call (314) 371-1548 or (314) 289-9900.

Mar. 8 – Mar. 10, NBC’s America’s Got Talent Taping Live. Join host Nick Cannon and celebrity judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, and Sharon Osbourne in the live television audience! Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit

CALENDAR

www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Mar. 9, 5 p.m., Pisces Birthday Extravaganza. Lights on Broadway, 8344 N. Broadway, 63147.

Fri., Mar. 9, 6 p.m., Craft Alliance presents Hot Tea: 13th Biennial Teapot Exhibition. 6640 Delmar Blvd., 63103.

Sat., Mar. 10, 10 a.m., St. Louis Craft Mafia presents Third Annual Green With Indie Craft Show. Grant Gym, Webster University, 175 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, visit www.greenwithindiecraftshow.com.

Sat., Mar. 10, 10 a.m., Eta Mu Sigma Chapterof Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. presents Girls’Youth Symposium 2012. This ‘girls only’event is presented for ages 9-18 in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Eastern MO. Overland Baptist Church, 9309 Midland, 63114. For more information, email EtaMuSigma1922STL@gmail. com.

Sat., Mar. 10, 5 p.m.,

S.H.E.R.A.H. Re-Launch Event. GYACommunity Art Gallery, 2700 Locust St.,

Sat., Mar. 10, 7 p.m., Best Dance & Talent Center presents Raging Storm Dance Team’s Competition Showcase Fund Raiser. Gateway Institute of Technology High School,5101 McRee Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 7392378.

Mon., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis presents Ninety-Fourth Annual DinnerMeeting. Millennium Hotel St. Louis, 200 S. 4th St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 615-3688 or email specialevents@urbanleaguestl.org.

Thur., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Rescued Nation & Harris–Stowe State University present Kingdom Builders Extravaganza— Rescued Nation Week. Harris Stowe Auditorium, 3206 Laclede Ave., 63103.

Sat., Mar. 17, 11 p.m., Baddgirls presents Ole School Skate Jam. Skate King, 6100 Natural Bridge Ave., 63120. Sun., Mar. 18, 3 p.m. Xi Zeta Chapterof Zeta Phi Beta

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

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

Thurs.,, Mar. 8, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library Schlafly Branch will host author Dr. Jeannette Batz Cooperman, author of The St. Louis Women’s Exchange: 130 Years of the

Sorority, Inc. presents its Annual Unsung Hero Awards Program. University City Administration Building, 8136 Groby Rd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 4792423.

Sat., Mar. 24, Centerfor Survivors of Torture and WarTrauma – an organization dedicated to facilitating the healing and self-empowerment of torture and war trauma will be hosting their 10th Anniversary Gala and Auction with special guest acclaimed author Alice Walker, the Saint Frances Xavier Grand Ballroom, located on the campus of Saint Louis University. To reserve tickets for the 10th Anniversary Gala or for more information about the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma, please contact 314-541-4610 or visit the organization’s website at www.stlcenterforsurvivors.org.

Wed., Mar. 28 6:30 p.m., Hazelwood Kindergarten Information Night. McCurdy Elementary School, 975 Lindsey Ln., 63031. For more information, call 314-9534650.

Mar. 29 – Apr. 1, Moolah

Genius. 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 206-6779.

comedy

Thur., Mar. 8, 8 p.m., Peabody Opera House presents Wanda Sykes Live. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 4997600.

Sat., Mar. 10, 8 p.m., I’m

Still Standing Tour starring Mike Epps, Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.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

Mar. 14 – 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.

Thur., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Juice Box Diaries. The Juice Box Diaries are fun, provocative, and entertaining performances open to the public. Emerson Theatre, Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103.

Sun., Mar. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Black Rep presents Beyond Measures. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., Mar. 25, 7:30 p.m., The Black Repertory Theatre presents My Worship is For Real: Worship Him. Grandel

Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mar. 27 – Apr. 8, Bring It On: The Musical, Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

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

Apr. 11 – May 13, The Black Repertory Theatre 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 tightfisted 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

Sat., Mar. 10, 3 p.m., New YearNew You Style Workshop. If you want to look and feel your absolute best in the new year, come to our workshop and let us show you how to define your personal style, dress for success andraise yourlevel of confidence.Studio of Fitness with Anika, 3526 Washington, 63103.

Tue., Mar. 13, 7 p.m., Lisa Ling: Open Heart, Open Mind. Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., 63121.

Thur., Mar. 22, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis Community College invites you to FAFSAFrenzy.

Get FREE help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Wildwood Campus, 2645 Generations Dr., Wildwood, MO. 63040. For more information, call (636) 422-2000.

Sat., Mar. 24, 9 a.m., St. Louis Community College presents Parent Child Academy. This unique opportunity allows you to have fun with your child while experiencing learning activities that promote healthy eating. These lively sessions teach you interactive ways to enhance your family story and dinner times. St. Louis Community CollegeFlorissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 5134494.

health

Sat., Mar. 10, 6 p.m., 22nd Annual Orchid AAFair Coronado Ballroom, 3701 Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 6452422 or visit www.aafastl.org.

Jazz St.Louis presents an Evening with Herbie Hancock and his band.For additional details, see CONCERTS.

Mon., Mar. 12, 10 a.m., American CancerSociety presents Look Good Feel Better. Program to help women with physical side effects of cancer. Siteman Cancer Center West County, 10 Barnes West Dr. #100, 63141. For more information, call (314) 996-3362.

Mon., Mar. 12, 6 p.m., Partial Knee Replacement Seminar. May Center, SSM DePaul Health Center, 12303 DePaul Dr., 63044. For more information, call (866) 7763627.

Thur., Mar. 15, 8 a.m., Heart Screenings by SSM Heart Institute. SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, 6420 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www.ssmhealth.com/heart or call 1-866-776-3627 to register.

Thur., Mar. 15, 10 a.m., Health FairforOlderAdults. Services includes PSA, Vision screenings, Bone Density screenings, EKG readings, Head and Neck Cancer screen-

ings, medication review, BMI, blood pressure screenings and podiatrist. St. Alphonsus Rock Chruch, 118 N. Grand, 63106.

Thur., Mar. 15, 10 a.m., American Red Cross Blood Drive. Christian Hospital Detrick Building Atrium, 11155 Dunn Rd, 63136.

Thur., Mar. 15, 6 p.m., Taking Control of Your Asthma—Christian Hospital Asthma Management Program. Northwest Health Care, 125 Graham Rd., 63031. For more information, call (314) 747-9355.

Mon., Mar. 19, 10 a.m., American CancerSociety presents Look Good Feel Better. Program to help women with physical side effects of cancer. St. Louis University Cancer Center, 3635 Vista Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 268-7015.

Mon., Mar. 19, 1 p.m., American CancerSociety presents Look Good Feel Better. Program to help women with physical side effects of cancer. St. Luke’s Hospital, 232 S. Woods Mill Rd., 63017. For more information, call (314) 205-6901.

Wed., Mar. 21, 9 a.m., Diet & Lifestyle changes to prevent Colon Cancer. Jamestown Mall Food Court, 209 Jamestown Mall, 63034. For more information, call (314) 747-9355.

Wed., Mar. 21, Free mammograms at SSM Breast Care at St. Mary’s Health Center. 1031 Bellevue Ave., 63117. For more information, call (314) 768-8697 or visit www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.

Fri., Mar. 23, The 9 Energizing Breaths. Want more energy or mental clarity? Come learn the 9 Energizing Breaths from the book, The Power of Prana: “Breathe Your Way To Health and Vitality.” InPower

Institute, 5400 Nottingham Ave., 63109. For more information, visit www.inpowerinstitute.com.

Fri., Mar. 9 & Sun., Mar. 11, Central Baptist Church 166th Anniversary Celebration featuring Rev Dr. Marcus Cosby (Fri., Mar. 9, 7 p.m.) and Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Sun., Mar. 11,7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.) Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington. For more information, call (314) 533-0747.

Fridays During Lent, 4:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Serbian Church Fish Fry. 1910 Serbian Dr., 63104. For more information, call (314) 7763262 or visit www.serbianchurchstlouis.com.

Sat., Mar. 10, 1 p.m., Prince of Peace Church invites you to “OurGolden Day”. Come commemorate the eighty-nine year history during the “Farewell Service” followed by a parade to the “Dedication Service.” 2741 Dayton St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 531-1762 or visit www.princeofpeacembcstl.org.

Sat., Mar. 10, 7 p.m., MW Entertainment and Powerof Change music Ministry presents Benefit Campaign Concert feat. Kierra “KIKI” Sheard. Power of Change Christian Church, 2348 Jerome Ln., Cahokia, IL. 62206. For more information, visit www.poccc.org.

Jazz St. Louis presents an Evening with Herbie Hancock and his band.For additional details, see CONCERTS.

T. I. Live in Concert at The Ambassador. See CONCERTS formore information.

HIPHOP

Continued from C1

soon as next week.

“Let’s let the ink dry first,” he said with a smile when pressed for more details. “But I hope that through this opportunity people will check out the city and want to come here and work with our talent that much more.”

Continued from C1

sy and Paul Libera-

tore and Liz and Paul St. Cin, Saturday – February 25 at Cabanne House in Forest Park. Among the guests were Judi and Stevie Lynn Coleman, Harry and Carol Moppins Thank you Potpourri correspondent Judi Lynn for this info. Can’t wait to read Sugar Hill, my Dad grew up there. The Auxiliary to the Mound City Medical Forum celebrated their 30th Anniversary Kisses and Hugs Valentine’s Day Nursing Scholarships Dinner and Dance on February 14 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel. Chapter President Mary H. Thomas (Dr. Jean) and her committee planned a fabulous affair. Nursing scholarships were presented by Mary Thomas and Geraldine Scott (Dr. Hillard) to the following St. Louis students India Baker, Carrie Byrd, Eboni Harris, Shonnette Colbert and Ashley Cowins Illinois recipients included Courtney Butler – Lebanon, Sharon Granger – Belleville, Erika Hudson – Shiloh and Nicole Wilson –Madison. Additional presentations were

made by Dr. Jade James –President Mound City Medical Forum, Tina Gallagher – CEO – Molina Health Care and Sandra Murdock – Past President ANMA. Music for the evening was provided by St. Louis famed The Jazz Edge. The planning committee included; Esther Beeks (Dr. Earl), Victoria Buck (Dr. Stanley) Velma Favors (Dr. Adolphus), Audrey Jones (Dr. Larry), Arlene Moore Ross (Dr. Will) Sandra Murdock (Dr. Nat), Billie Randolph (Dr. Bernard) Geraldine Scott Mildred Shelton (Dr. Earl), Mary Thomas Karen Watkins (Dr. Gary), Marva Williams (Dr. Jerome Jr.) and Hillary and Wale Ogunrinde. A festive evening, everyone had a great time and the silent auction was a big success.

Top of the Morning to St. Louis Smart Set who celebrated St. Patty’s Day early this year with a yummy brunch at Scape on Maryland Plaza, Sunday – March 4.2012. A festive crowd, some decked in St. Patrick’s Day green to match the jolly green table décor ate and mingled while reveling in the prelude to spring affair. Marion “Snookie” Robinson served as the comedic MC as she led the group from prayer to fun and games.

A few on hand enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day trivia pursuit included Anita L. Bond, Alison and Clarence Dula, Ingrid and Damien Trasada

Michelle Reed (New York City), Roselyn and Levi Kirkland Albernice Fagen

Georgia Rusan, Carol and Jerome Williams Sr. Pam Jackson, Karen McMurray, Charles and Kay Shaw, Barry Smith Sugar Smith

Mike Roberts Sr., Wendell Allmon, Don McCullim, Angela Brown Mary A. Polk, Kathy Surratt, Tracy and Tom Shepard Billie

Jean and Bernard Randolph Sr., Homer Nash, Richard Banks Larissa Steele Bettye and Jonathan Reed, Joyce and Dave Price, Lynn and Michael Kennedy, Jeralyn

Williams James, Tammy Robinson, Lisl Watkins, Robin Smith Patel, Steve Roberts Sr., Delores and Victor Roberts and Homer

Nash

Our very own Super Star Celebs party like rock stars!

Happy Birthday to Marshall Faulk (February 26,2012) who celebrated his 39th in Vegas this weekend. Happy 50th to Jackie Joyner Kersee (March 3, 2012) who celebrated with friends and family in Downtown St. Louis this weekend!

Enjoy your weekend!

“Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.”

– Miles Davis

So So Def launched the careers of Da Brat, Bow Wow, XScape and Jagged Edge. Several acts – including soul star Anthony Hamilton – have called the label home at some point. The hit collaborations of the label’s founder/ producer Jermaine Dupri are essentially countless and include the likes of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson.

So to say that Dupri has an ear for what’s hot would be an understatement. And when he heard Gena’s verse on a track with Murphy Lee he heard that “it” factor.

SINGLE

Continued from C1

we grew together we would overcome any of the things leading to my apprehensions. I also thought, ‘If I don’t marry him, what if no one else comes along?’”

So she did. And by outward appearances they have the perfect relationship – no drama, two productive spouses and parents who are active members of ministry.

But on the inside, she is dying by his inability to stimulate her intellectually.

He’s not stupid, by any means – he’s just not big on conversation. And when she attempts to engage him in the healthy debates on everything from politics to the pulpit she loves so much, he literally shuts down.

“I come home and try to talk to him,” she said. “But I just

“We were in the studio and my verse came up and he walked over to me and said, ‘What you know about that boy?’” Gena recalled.

That evening after the song, Dupri said, “Let’s do something.”

Ten days after he reluctantly traveled (on the insistence of his brother Omar) with Murphy Lee to Atlanta to see Dupri, he was an official So So Def artist.

““I’ve had deals on the table and stuff that didn’t work out, but I think that having the right team behind me – like Starpower Entertainment – made a difference,” he said. “I think this game is all about timing too. You can’t give up.”

He gives credit to Standup Entertainment for keeping him motivated during the downtimes in his career. Through So So Def he’s in a unique position as the first rap star to rep East St. Louis.

“I was the first to be accepted as a St. Louis artist, and I take that with pride,” he said. “But I hold my city on my back. It’s kind of segregated between us,

end up on the computer. I don’t do anything disrespectful to my marriage, but I’m constantly on Facebook trying to make up for the missing communication.”

Her page is popping with questions that allow her to talk with – and others to talk among themselves – on a host of hot topics. And true to form her husband is always absent from the conversation.

Before they were married, she sensed that he wasn’t big on dialogue but says that she could tell that he was trying to meet her half-way. After they were married, he slacked off.

She says he’s kind, immersed in his ministry and is a loving and engaged father. But there is not necessarily much attention to detail when it comes to their relationship. It has been that way from essentially the start of her marriage.

The only time they truly communicate is when it comes to the children, yet she feels like – and has expressed to him – that the same rules for

and it shouldn’t be. We should all be in this together.”

Along with the new deal came a new name, Fresco Kane. It’s a tad bit cliché and, some might argue, marginalizing. But his new boss is said to love the name change.

Under a new name – and with a big name behind him –Fresco Kane says he’s gearing up to restart the area’s national presence with respect to the rap game. “It’s a lot of blood, sweat tears and pain in this business, but it’s a lot of fun too,” he said. “When you get on stage and the feeling that you get when you see people and know they know your music, love what you’re doing and support you –man, it’s nothing like it in this world.”

His goals in music now that he’s with So So Def are simple: “When I drop I want people to turn on the radio, hear my music and say, ‘I don’t know who this is, but I love it.’”

working together should apply to their relationship.

They’ve been parents for 11 years, and so far he hasn’t budged – mainly because he’s fine with things the way that they are. She doesn’t nag or attempt to rock the boat, but she’s deeply unfulfilled.

“I’m just taking it day by day,” she admitted. After all of these years, she could care less about being alone.

Her biggest fear is shaking up her family and the mess that would be stirred up because her husband’s father is the pastor of her church.

“I knew what I wanted and what I needed to be fed in a relationship, and I moved forward anyway,” she said. “I ignored what I would have considered a red flag for the sake of having a ‘good husband.’ At the end of the day it was unfair, and now I’m suffering the consequences.”

photo: Douglas Kirkland

Mike and Terry Mulligan, Judi and Stevie Lynn Coleman at Cabanne House.

By Melanie Adams

History Museum to screen hip-hop documentary

Filmmaker Byron Hurt will attend screening, take audience questions

Music is a reflection of the times in which it is written. Whether it is the soulful lyrics of Marvin Gaye asking a country “What’s Going On?” or the angry raps of NWA protesting police violence in Compton, California, music provides a soundtrack and sometimes a counter story to the national narrative. On Wednesday, March 21 at 7 p.m., the Missouri History Museum will welcome director Byron Hurt and his documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beat and Rhymes. This documentary takes an in-depth look at the hyper-macho nature of rap music and hip-hop culture that at times seems to celebrate misogyny, violence and homophobia.

If music provides a lens with which to view the past, what will future generations think of the rap and hip-hop music of today? What will they make of the explicit lyrics, the profane videos and the lack of respect for women? I wish I could provide a lot of concrete examples, but I must admit I don’t listen to most of rap and hiphop because I can’t stomach the language and the imagery. It is this type of imagery that Byron Hurt explores in his documentary. He speaks to young men about the music and whether it has any influence on how they feel about women or if they are offended by the repeated use of the “N” word as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, gerund, etc. The most common response is that they don’t listen to the words; they just listen for the beat. I think this response is a cop-out because I can sing along to songs I didn’t even realize I knew, which always surprises me.

The music and the beat may be infectious, but it is the words that really tell the story and that story is not always good. One such song is “Love the Way You Lie” by Rihanna and Eminem. In the song, the couple has a very volatile relationship that erupts in fits of violence followed by apologies and loving sentiments. In the end, the

March

male tells his female partner that if she ever tries to leave again, he would “tie her to the bed and set the house on fire.” Not really the message you want to send to young people about how to create positive and healthy relationships. It’s more than a little ironic, because Rihanna was a victim of domestic violence herself.

In addition to speaking with young people, Hurt also talks with the artists who are making the music. The musicians discuss how, in order to express their manhood, they are expected to talk about how much money they have, be surrounded by women and commit acts of violence, usually against their African American brothers. What does this say about our society if this is how manhood is defined, articulated and distributed by both the black and white media outlets?

Both Byron Hurt and I realize that we are talking about a very specific type of rap and hip-hop music which is tied to its predecessor in name only. True “hip-hop heads” (his words, not mine) like Byron Hurt can break down the history of rap and hip-hop and show their transition over the past three decades. As future generations listen to today’s hip-hop artists, I hope they will also see Byron Hurt’s documentary and realize that history told through music is as complex as the beats and rhymes found within the music.

Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 7 p.m. Lee Auditorium FREE

Documentary Screening followed by Q&A with director Byron Hurt.

On Wednesday,

21, the Missouri History Museum will screen Byron Hurt’s documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beat and Rhymes followed by a Q&A with the director.

Pastoral anniversary

Reunions

our e-mail address is beaumontclassof67@sbcglobal.net.

FormerForest Park

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Mother of 11 turns 89

More birthdays:

March 6

contactJustine Crow at (314) 838-2010 or jcrowsnest@aol.com.

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 questions/info on these events

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.

O’Fallon Technical High 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

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 contact us with their contact info ASAP. Please callJohn Bennett at (314) 503-3541, email lamplitr45@aol.com or DeOnne Hudson 1-763-374-3287 or e-mail deonne1024@comcast.net.

SumnerHigh School classes of 1946-1951 will be celebrating their “ninth,” four-year reunion August 24-26, 2012, at the Airport Marriott Hotel. We’re still in the process of

your Granny Dora! I love you forever!

rounding up all of our graduates and would like very much for you to contact us, ASAPif you would like to be included in this event. Call Barbara Campbell Hunt for additional information at 636-561-6796.

SumnerHigh Schoolclasses of 1962 are planning its 50year reunionfor August 17th19th, 2012 and are looking for the January and Juneclasses to participate in the planning. Please call Eldridge ”Bogie” Bryant, Sr. at 314-489-0532, email: eldridgbrya@sbcglobal .net and Lillian Foster Curlett at 314-269-6450.

SumnerHigh School Class of 1963 would like to reach all classmates to begin planning its 50th reunion for June 2013. Contact Jacqueline R.

N’yana Cole

Vanderford, 314-265-9541, jvanderford63@att.net; John Abram, 314-994-0119 or Terri Cobb, 314-868-0233.

SumnerClass of 1972 seeking is alumni to plan its 40 year reunion. Contact: Earlene Brown at 314-534-0467/314731-1276, Jazelle Brown at 314-954-1470 or Kathi Washington Scott at 314-4454715.

Vashon High School Class of 1965 will be celebrating “The Class of 65 at 65” at The Hilton St. Louis Airport, April 21, 2012, 7 pm— Midnight. The cost is $50 per person. For information, contact Cleo at 383-1934, Bernice at 5348282, or Yvonne at 618-2068101. Also email Vashon65Alumni@yahoo.com.

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 will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 4242

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

On March 11, 2012, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the 9th anniversary of its Pastor and First Lady, Dr. Donald Ray McNeal and Mrs. Deborah Denise McNeal.

Tondra Fletcher

Bryson Lee Jones

Cristin

Bishop McDaniels honored with Memorial Museum

San Francisco Temple celebrates life, legacy of beloved founder

By Angelita F. Jackson

Of The St. Louis American

On Friday, February 24, the San Francisco Temple Complex C.A., at 10191 Halls Ferry Road, held the Grand Opening of the Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels, Jr. Memorial Museum. The museum was established in honor of Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels Jr., the founder of San Francisco Temple Complex, C.A. Anyone who knew him would say that he was a man who feared God, a man of integrity, a man of wisdom, a man of faith, a spiritual father, a loving pastor, a true friend and a man of his word with a humble spirit.

“Bishop McDaniels stayed on his knees in prayer. He became a great leader because of his character. He was a man with humility and these things were all wrapped up in LOVE,” said Elder Devon Morris.

“Bishop McDaniels was a visionary. He was a man who loved people. He was a doer of the word, knowing that it is better to give than to receive. So, he gave his time to people.”

During Bishop McDaniels’ 40 years of ministry, he reached the hearts of many; souls were saved, minds delivered and bodies healed through television, radio and worship services. There is a saying, “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” I believe this is so true. We honor Dr. Marie McDaniels for sharing Bishop McDaniels and working along beside him as he did God’s work. Bishop McDaniels

always said, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1)

Bishop Luther J. Blackwell Jr. and First Lady Lois Blackwell accepted the torch from Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels Jr. to carry on God’s work and take the ministry to a higher level.

“As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been forever sealed in history for his contribution to the African-American community, Bishop McDaniels is being commemorated not only for what he did at San Francisco Temple C.A., but through San Francisco Temple C.A. to the St. Louis community at large,” said Bishop Blackwell.

“The museum provides a glimpse of a historical cornerstone of our community and displays various accolades, personal affects of Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels Jr., his teaching and preaching the unadulter-

ated Word of God,” said Elder Ronald E. Haynes, museum designer.

“One of the highlighted exhibitions includes his ofice setting where he did much of his consultation. When you walk through the photo gallery, you will see and feel his love for the people, the church and the community.”

Family, friends and colleagues showed up excited and anxious to honor, respect and observe the legacy of Bishop McDaniels. The museum’s overall look was very inspiring and heartwarming. The colors were bold and vibrant. I was impressed at the amount of thought and attention to detail, which was put into this exhibit. I enjoyed seeing the expressions on the people’s faces who were admiring the museum, laughing and talking about the happy memories they had and collecting souvenirs to take with them.

“Bishop McDaniels was an anointed man of God. When I

By Jerome Redding For The St. Louis American

backslid, I could hear his voice praying, preaching and speaking in tongues, so much that it made me homesick,” said Elder Darryl Battle.

“After three years, I returned to the Lord. I believe God used his voice to pull me back in, every since then, I have never left and have no other mind than to stay.”

Elder Melvin Harris said, “Bishop McDaniels was admired mostly for his devotion to his family, submission to the Holy Spirit, faith and perseverance under adverse circumstances, Bible knowledge, preaching skills and his outreach to others who had various needs. The Bishop Dwight H. McDaniels, Jr. Memorial Museum is a good reminder of how much he gave for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

People who visit the museum will remember “his life, his legacy,” said Bishop Blackwell.

As a child, I grew up idolizing cartoon igures such as Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, Captain America, Speedracer and the Fantastic Four. In addition, there were ictional characters I admired such as Batman and Robin, the Green Hornet and Kado, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Johnny Socko and his lying robot, and the Rileman. During my childhood, they were all considered my heroes. When I got interested in sports, I dropped them as heroes and replaced them with professional athletes. I then started idolizing athletes such as Terry Metcalf, Mel Gray, Jim Hart, Roger Wherli, Paul Warield, Mercury Morris, Gale Sayers, David Thompson, Marquis Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabar. It is needless to say that I had a long list. Over a period of time, I realized that athletes too could just not meet the need in my life for a hero. While I admired their athletic prowess, which I tried to emulate, they still could not ill the void I had for a hero. It was not until

February of 1981 that I found the hero I was always looking for in life. I found that hero in Jesus Christ.

Someone who is all knowing, all powerful and everywhere at once. Someone who is faster than a speeding bullet, who can leap tall buildings in a single bound, and stronger than Hercules. Someone who could open blinded eyes, open up deaf ears, raise the dead, forgive sin and,

Jerome Redding

San Francisco Temple Church Museum Ambassador Willie Mae Barber escorts Dr. Marie McDaniels, widow of church founder Bishop Dwight McDaniels through the new museum that opened last Friday night. Photo by Wiley Price

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Get ready for tickets, tickets, tickets! Delores is gonna let y’all in on a little secret. The American’s about to start pumpin’ up the free ticket wagon real soon…as in NEXT WEEK...for a variety of concerts and events. You gotta “Like” us on Facebook to be eligible….and that’s the ONLY way to be eligible!!! Don’t wait.

Real bewildered housewives. So I was beyond excited to see what “Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Phaedra and Kandi Burruss would have to say in the flesh when they stopped through the Lou to kick off Nelly’s exteme EI Institute speaker series last Thursday. I was geared up for a splendid mix of real talk, raw emotion and rousing comedy topped off with tips and tools to properly handle big business in the entertainment industry. What I got was a cross pollination of blank stares and fidgets as guests fought off dozing and death from boredom disorder. And as cute and bubbly as I think she is (and good at what she normally does) I’m going to have to blame my girl from Channel 5. I really love her on camera so I’m going to charge it with her being out of her element and in front of a live audience. But I must say that I haven’t been so underwhelmed and confused by a set of questions since I got caught in a speed trap in Velda Village and the apprehending officer asked me if my car changed colors when the sunlight hit it and how many sodas I drank a day. I wanted to give an example of what she hit the ladies with, but the experience was so unmemorable that I’ve completely forgotten them all. Kandi and Phaedra were cool and graceful about the whole thing, and did their best to keep the energy and flow going. But quite honestly I don’t think the audience truly got what they paid for because there was no streamline of RELEVANT questions that allowed for nuggets for them to take with them as they work towards a career in the industry. Nelly is next on the guest list and I will still be front and center to see how it goes. My main advice to my girl is “relax girl.” I know it’s easier said than done, but you have the look and energy down pat so just be yourself and prepare a set of questions even if you don’t follow them exactly. If you were being yourself and had prepared…well…that’s all I have to say about that.

Givin’ it up for Gena I’m not going to bother with what he’s calling himself these days, but I would be remised if I didn’t give a standing ovation to STL/ ESL rap star formerly known as Gena for becoming a member of So So Def Records. Starpower Ent. And attorney Daniel Brown also deserve a hi-five for their work on making the deal happen.

Got Lyrics...or not So y’all know that I’m a longtime supporter of this monthly open mic for wordsmiths, and last Thursday I saw something that I haven’t seen at ANY of the poetry or open performance events I’ve attended in all my years of working this beat. As one of the female poets wrapped up her angry black woman bit, this obviously inebriated brother yells out from the InSpot audience “I got something to say.” I’m thinking he has a poem of some sorts, but he tells her and all of the women in the crowd to “stop being so [expletive] angry” and he loves us all...especially Mocha Latte and proceeded with an on-stage mackdown. I caught such life that I broke out with a “Love Jones” poetry snap session as he stumbled off stage and out the door. I can’t promise that he will be back next month, but I’m certain somethin’ exciting will be goin’ down every month.

TMA time Tony J’s Traffic Music Awards were once again in full effect this weekend, celebrating five years of servin’ shine to the St. Louis entertainment community. And I want to toss my high ponytail in tribute for Tony’s relentlessness in doing so. For some of the nominees and winners the TMAs are the only recognition they get all year round. As far as the winners for 2012, Yung Ro could be considered the Adele of the TMAs by the way he swept the categories and took home six awards. Unlike Adele, he was not in the building – but Black Pearl Ent. kindly accepted on his behalf. Shout out to Hot 104.1’s DJ Cuddy for his DJ of the Year win, Trife Trizzle’s Producer of the Year trophy and a whole gang of folks that I’m not going to start with because I know I will leave someone out and get a hot reply for doing so. But that leads me to the note from a concerned nightlife reporter regarding the festivities. I wish there was a way that it could be streamlined. I’m not saying that they do like the Grammys did and distribute four awards and soak of the rest of the time with performances. But maybe consolidate the weekend to include a pre-show ceremony and main deal and be done with it. Not judgin’, just sayin’. I also want to give a shout out to the Fyreboy Records crew too for their unwavering support of the TMAs.

Fine 1st Fridays I caught the tail end of the March edition of 1st Fridays, but I could tell that there were some of the most beautiful people in town in the building. I’m gonna go ahead and give credit to stylist and man on the scene Mario Clay for being affiliated and bringing out the bad chicks that he’s consistently associated with. I could tell from the remnants that folks tore the club up.

The return of The King I know I’m not the only one determined to GET. IT.IN.when T.I. returns to the STL for his first show here in more than a minute Saturday night at The Ambassador. And the fact that he’s not beefing with anyone so I won’t have to endure countless manologues about his enemy like I had to suffer through at Super Jam 1.0 makes his visit even more exciting. I have been blasting a mix of “What’chu Know About That,” “Motivation” (and not that Kelly Rowland mess) and “I’m A King” as I gear up for it to go down. I don’t want to give y’all an exact time because the last thing I need is another stream of hate e-mail that starts out “You said the show started at 8 p.m…” from people who headed out to the Jeezy show upon my suggestion. I actually said the DOORS OPEN at 8 p.m.. And for the T.I. show DOORS OPEN at 6 p.m.

Arrive at your own discretion.

Still Standing at The Chaifetz. Speaking of hot messages, Mike Epps is comin’ to the Chaifetz on Saturday night too. Thanks to the release of that voicemail he sent to his daughter he could easily bill himself as the maddest man in comedy these days. But in all fairness to him, she had NO BUSINESS taking family matters to the streets like that! Anyway, he’ll be back with his Still Standing Tour. I must say that I’ve seen him four times in the past four years and he keeps it fresh and funny. I learned by the second show that I

Melphina and Damian @ the Who’s Next to Blow TV Show taping Saturday @ Mad Art Gallery

George and Danielle enjoyed the word power on deck at ‘Who’s Next to Blow’ poetry television show taping Saturday night @ Mad

Rapper Jim Jones and DELUX Magazine’s Keith Griffin before Jones’ show Friday night @ Posh

Afton, Domonique and Mario helping Mocha Latte celebrate her birthday @ 1st Friday @ EXO

Cousins Amber Berry and Kimberly Berry came to get an earful of entertainment business wisdom at the ex’Treme Institute speaker series Thursday @ Lumiere Theater

O Deezy and Lady Lioness showed love for the local music scene thanks to the 2012 TMAs Sunday night @ The Ambassador

Kandie and Danielle @ ex’Treme Institute’s speaker series kick off Thursday night @ Lumiere Theater

2012 Traffic Music Awards host Mz. Funy and Traffic Music Awards creator Tony J. Sunday night @ The Ambassador

Rappers Nato Caliph and Tef Poe rep at 2012 TMAs Sunday night @ The Ambassador

Autumn and Candice were living for ladies night thanks to the Umbrella Group Friday night @ Lola

Lavar Douglas and Dani Hughes get it in with 1st Friday @ EXO

artist FrescoKane along with Attorney Daniel R. Brown of Bosley

ExxonMobil issues $500K challenge grant to UNCF

For emergency education assistance to college juniors and seniors

American staff

UNCF, the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships to African Americans and other students of color, has received agrant from ExxonMobil worth up to $500,000. The grant will provide emergency education assistance to college juniors and seniors impacted by the struggling economy and facing bills for tuition, books, and room and board that must be paid before seniors can graduate and juniors can continue to their senior year.

The ExxonMobil contribution is in the form of a challenge grant.ExxonMobil has made an immediate contribution of $250,000, and will

match, dollar-for-dollar, each contribution, large or small, up to a total of $250,000.

“We were proud to be a leader helping UNCF establish its Campaign for Emergency Student Aid three years ago.”

– Andrew P.Swiger,UNCF board member and senior vice president, ExxonMobil

scholarship fund, enough to help 500 students stay in school.

The emergency scholarship fund was established in 2009 and by the end of 2011 raised $12 million to help more than 7,000 students stay in college so they could graduate. This is ExxonMobil’s second major challenge-grant contribution to the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid.The company kicked off the campaign in 2009 with a $1 million grant. The challenge portion of that grant was met and surpassed within weeks.

“ExxonMobil’s investment in UNCF students could not be more welcome and could not come at a better time,” said UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax.“These juniors and seniors have done their part.They have studied hard and kept their grades up. Seniors are within sight of graduation day in May. Juniors will be re-enrolling for their final year. They cannot afford to fall short now.We cannot afford to have them fall short.”

The up-front portion of

ExxonMobil’s grant has already made a difference. Travis Lindsey Jr., a Morehouse College senior in Business Development, faced a

financial shortfall after his parents lost their jobs of 25 years due to layoffs.But thanks to ExxonMobil’s contribution to the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid grant, he will graduate in May.

Another senior, Deaweh Benson of UNCF member institution Spelman College, was left with unpaid college expenses after her mother lost her job and got sick.An Emergency Student Aid scholarship, supported by the ExxonMobil grant, will also allow Deaweh to graduate on time.

“When I received the emergency funding from my angel, UNCF,” said Benson, “I was speechless.They believed in me enough to invest in me and help me graduate.Now I can stay in school and focus on being successful in school and after college in my career.”

“We were proud to be a leader helping UNCF establish its Campaign for Emergency Student Aid three years ago,” said Andrew P. Swiger, UNCF

“ExxonMobil’s investment in UNCF students could not be more welcome and could not come at a better time,”said UNCF President and CEO Michael L.Lomax

board member and senior vice president, Exxon Mobil Corporation.“The need today is as great as it was then and we are confident the response to our challenge will be met, enabling hundreds of committed students facing financial hardship to stay in school.” Those who want to help a UNCF student stay in school can go to UNCF.org and click on the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid box to charge a contribution to a credit card.Ten-dollar contributions can be made by texting “UNCF” to 50555 on cell phones to help students walk the last mile of their education. Donors can also send checks to UNCF, 8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.Thanks to the ExxonMobil challenge, every contribution up to $250,000 will be doubled; a $100 contribution, for example, means $200 to help a senior graduate in May. Learn more at www.UNCF.org.