May 10th, 2018 Edition

Balloon wings of freedom

Photo by Wiley Price

Black Dems endorse Mantovani

Democratic primary to unseat Stenger for county exec is August 7

By Jessica Karins For The St.

Louis American Democratic challenger for St. Louis County executive Mark Mantovani held an opening for his North County campaign office on Saturday, May 5 with an event celebrating his endorsement by a coalition of black elected Democrats. The Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County (FLH Coalition) joined Mantovani for an event at his North County campaign headquarters in Florissant to

See MANTOVANI, A8

‘We

found a

need

for

greater accountability’

Auditor report on Hazelwood Schools questions accounting practices, spending, attendance records

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway reported a host of questionable operating practices in how the Hazelwood School District spends and handles taxpayer dollars and resources after an audit initiated by a parent-led citizen petition.

“Taxpayers initiated this audit to get clear answers on the school district’s spending practices after the district proposed cuts to services for their children,” Galloway said.

“We found a need for greater accountability in spending and a

Shante Lyons is new Cardinal Ritter principal

Alum returns ‘home’ from leadership position at Ladue high school

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

When Michael Blackshear announced his retirement in November after serving as Cardinal Ritter College Prep’s principal for 10 years, many were wondering who would be able to “fill those big shoes.”

n “This is my home. I’m a graduate. I found myself here. I found my professional career in education here.”

– Shante Lyons

“He’d almost become synonymous with Cardinal Ritter College Prep,” said Tamiko Armstead, president of Cardinal Ritter and a former student under Blackshear.

Before Blackshear was principal, he had been the dean, athletic director and a coach for the girls’ and boys’ basketball, football and track teams from 1984 to 1992.

However at the school mass on May 2, Blackshear assured the school community that “these shoes can be filled, and the school can go to the next level,” Armstead said.

After the mass, Blackshear announced that Shante Lyons – a Cardinal Ritter College Prep alum from class of 2000 and former Ritter teacher and football coach – will become the school’s new principal effective July 1. Lyons is currently an assistant principal at Ladue Horton Watkins High School.

“Having Dr. Lyons return to Cardinal Ritter as principal is exactly what the school needs,” Blackshear said. “He and I have spent countless

Steve McNulty, 5, a student at Woodland Elementary School in the Jennings School District, took his balloon wings for a test run at the 16th annual Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Festival held Saturday, May 5 on the Mississippi Riverfront.

Hazelwood School District parent Monique Norfolk criticized the school board’s decision to make cuts to music programs and physical education at a board meeting on February 16, 2016.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Shante Lyons, the new principal at Cardinal Ritter College Prep, spoke to students after his hiring was announced at the school mass on May 2.

Photo by Teresa Martinez

Mark Mantovani

Lifetime to feature R. Kelly with doc series and dramatic film

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Lifetime Network has ordered a new documentary series as well as a feature-length movie aiming to tell the stories of women connected R&B singer R. Kelly, whose alleged abuse of underage women was detailed in a blockbuster exposé in BuzzFeed last year by music journalist Jim DeRogatis. The projects are part of Lifetime’s Stop Violence Against Women campaign, which consists of programs that bring awareness to abusive behaviors.

In both projects, women are emerging from the shadows and uniting their voices to share their stories. Dream Hampton, a cultural critic, filmmaker and activist, will executive produce the series.

The untitled doc series will investigate R. Kelly, celebrated as one of the greatest R&B singers of all time, until his genre-defining career and playboy lifestyle became riddled with rumors of abuse, predatory behavior and pedophilia.

Sanaa Lathan denies being the Beyonce biter

Earlier this year, comedian Tiffany Haddish started a rumor about Beyonce being bitten by an actress that many assumed was Sanaa Lathan.

In the new issue of Health Magazine, Lathan calls the rumors absurd and malicious. “I would never do anything malicious like that—to her, or to anyone,” Lathan told Health Magazine. “I think it’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever been involved with. Thank God I’ve been in this business for 20 years and have had so many rumors about me. In order to survive in this business, you just have to let it roll.”

2 Chainz proposes to Natasha Ward’s at Met Gala

Rapper 2 Chainz popped the question on the beige carpet of the Met Gala Monday night. The rapper got down on one knee for his longtime girlfriend, Natasha Ward, half way up the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s stairs as they walked the white carpet this evening. An emotional Ward accepted his proposal. He

was asked by Complex when he decided that he would ask for Ward’s hand in marriage at the Met Gala. The rapper responded, “About a minute ago.”

Gabrielle Union claims feud with Jada never existed

Gabrielle Union insists she and fellow actress Jada Pinkett Smith never “feuded.” Pinkett Smith and Union were previously said to have ended a long-standing feud after 17 years. Union said she wouldn’t have used that word to describe it and instead said they both had “too much pride and insecurities” to just ask each other if the “feud” had been

“Jada nor I ever used the word feud ... Back in the day, neither one of us knew originally what took place back then, but the people that we had around us were like, ‘Well, you know how she feels about you’,” Union said. “And then it was like, ‘Okay, girl, bye’ for 17 years. And even though we’re both very outspoken women, we’re both activists and our husbands are friends, we both felt we had too much pride and too much

insecurities to actually say, ‘Hey, did that ever happen or was that a creation of someone else who did not want to see two women rise together?’”

And the 45-year-old actress is excited about “coming together” with Pinkett Smith and her husband Will Smith to “use their huge platform” jointly to improve the world around them.”

Member of Kevin Hart’s inner circle charged with attempted extortion against him

Back in September, Kevin Hart confessed on social media that someone was trying to extort him with video proof of him cheating on his then-pregnant wife, Eniko Hart.

The woman caught on tape with Kevin vehemently denied that she was trying to extort the actor/comedian.

The LA District Attorney’s office issued a group of charges that accuse Hart’s close friend Jonathan Todd “Action” Jackson of being the actual perpetrator.

He was charged with one count each of attempted extortion and extortion by threatening letter. The case remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Buzzfeed, Complex, TMZ.com, Celebretainment

Sanaa Lathan

College Prep scholars graduate, head to college

Program for talented, lowincome students at WUSTL graduates its second cohort

By Diane Toroian Keaggy Of Washington University

Delton Utsey joined the College Prep Program at Washington University in St. Louis to meet other smart kids in high school, learn to write a killer college essay and study with top professors.

He accomplished those goals and one more: to gain admission to Washington University.

“After three years of learning things like African dances, ACT skills and tactics, and the creation and fall of Motown, I became very fond of WashU. As a result, I’m now a member of the Class of 2022 at Washington University in St. Louis,” Utsey told the audience at the College Prep graduation ceremony for Cohort 2.

“But no matter where we end up after high school, I’m absolutely certain we will all make positive changes in the world. We are all remarkable people. And game changers.”

The College Prep Program is an innovative initiative that prepares talented, low-income high school students from the St. Louis region to become the first in their families to go to college. For three summers, the 34 members of Cohort 2 lived and learned at Washington University, taking courses for college credit and learning about the college application process.

On April 22, they reunited in Emerson Auditorium on the Danforth Campus to share memories, receive their College Prep graduation cords from Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton,

himself a first-generation college student, and be inspired by keynote speaker Lori S. White, vice chancellor for student affairs.

“Your story — who you are and what you will give to the world through your leadership, your cultural framework, your activism, your passion for social justice, your lived experiences, your particular identity and so many aspects of what makes you special and unique — is so very important to moving this world forward,” White said. Wrighton added, “We are so proud of what you have achieved and are excited to watch you continue to grow as individuals and as scholars. We know that each of you has what it takes to be successful.”

John Sondag, president of AT&T

Missouri, also congratulated the students, remarking that their success will ripple beyond their homes and schools to improve the entire region. AT&T Aspire, the company’s education initiative, has contributed more than $670,000 to support the program and to provide graduates a technology stipend to purchase computers for college.

“When our local students succeed, the greater St. Louis community benefits, and we believe this holds true in every community throughout this country,” Sondag said. “Every student deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential and by working together to remove barriers, spark innovative solutions and to make connections, we can help every student achieve a bright and successful future.” Additional supporters of the College Prep Program this year included the Centene Charitable Foundation and the Mysun Charitable Foundation, as well as individual donors.

Tipton, a senior at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, that school is Fontbonne University, where she plans to study biology. Tipton has moved schools every year since fifth grade and started high school alone and lost.

Every member of Cohort 2 has been admitted to college, including 11 students who have been accepted to Washington University. All 11 will be attending Washington University through the College Prep Scholarship.

But College Prep founder Leah Merrifield, associate vice chancellor for community engagement and St. Louis college readiness, stressed that the program’s primary goal is not to boost university enrollment, but to help students find the school that best suits their personalities and priorities.

For student speaker Antoinette

“But there are two things I always had — determination and a dream,” said Tipton, who ultimately wants to study medicine and become an OB-GYN. “Before this program, I had no confidence whatsoever. But here I am giving this speech, so that speaks for itself. I am bold. I am strong. And though it took me four years to realize it, I am worthy.”

For more information on College Prep and how to nominate someone, visit https://collegeprep.wustl.edu.

Photo by Sid Hastings/Washington University

Cohort 2 of the College Prep Program gathered for a graduation ceremony April 22 at Emerson Auditorium.

Missouri must Raise the Age for adult prosecution

“We’re number 46!” is not a claim to be especially proud of, when you are ranked in a field of 50, but if we’re talking about the Republicandominated Missouri Legislature, any ranking other than dead last comes as a welcome surprise to us. Missouri is poised to become the 46th state in the nation to pass legislation that would reform state law so that criminal suspects who are 17 years old would be tried in juvenile court unless the suspected crime is serious enough to warrant prosecution as an adult. Currently, 17-year-old criminal suspects are automatically tried in adult court.

Earlier this year, the Missouri Senate voted to Raise the Age with SB 793, introduced by state Senator Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau), and on May 7 the state House passed this juvenile justice reform as HB 1255, sponsored by state Rep. Nicholas Schroer (R-O’Fallon). The bill is currently headed back to the Senate for more tightening and tweaking, but legislators in both houses sound upbeat that they will pass a reconciled bill before session ends May 18. A spokesman for embattled Gov. Eric Greitens did not respond to a question from The American whether Greitens would sign the bill, but then Greitens’ staff has never answered any questions from our newspaper.

diversion provided to juvenile offenders. “Teenagers are still developing cognitively,” said Sheretta Butler-Barnes, a developmental psychologist at the Brown School. “It makes sense to enact policies that ensure that incarcerated youth are developing in environments most conducive to preserving their safety and encouraging their rehabilitation.”

The damage inflicted on child offenders penalized in an adult system extends beyond their release. Criminal records can create substantial barriers to adult employment, education, housing, and military service. These barriers are confronted by people not yet old enough to vote, serve in the military, or graduate from high school, hampering prospects for their adult life before it begins. It’s not only their future, but ours as well, that is improved by this change, as employment prospects for youth processed through the juvenile system are significantly better than those penalized in the adult system, which yields higher lifetime earnings, increased tax revenue, and a greater benefit to society.

n The damage inflicted on child offenders penalized in an adult system extends beyond their release.

The need for this change is clear, to benefit both the wider society being protected from criminals and the offenders themselves. In a policy brief, the Clark-Fox Policy Institute at the Brown School at Washington University summarizes the research that spawned the national movement to Raise the Age. Research has demonstrated an average threefold increase in recidivism for youth penalized in the adult criminal justice system, compared to the juvenile system. The juvenile justice system has a track record of decreasing recidivism by 34 percent, on average. This is largely due to enhanced, developmentally appropriate resources for rehabilitation and

Given that abusers are often past victims of abuse, the increased safety for young offenders in the juvenile system also benefits more than just the offenders themselves. The Clark-Fox Policy Institute points out that children incarcerated in adult jails and prisons are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than their juvenile counterparts and 36 times more likely to commit suicide.

Due to increased safety risk, federal law requires juvenile offenders who are incarcerated with adults to be housed separately. This can result in long periods spent in solitary confinement, with potential for lasting emotional and psychological damage, as well as significantly increased housing costs for taxpayers.

The current legislative session ends May 18. We urge our readers in Missouri to contact your state representatives and senators immediately and demand that they support Raise the Age.

Dismantling the Divide

St. Louis County needs an Affordable Housing Trust Fund

By Chris Krehmeyer For The St. Louis American

What could be more important than investing in home?

The power of “home” can’t be overstated. The home in which we live, and the community where we grow up, drive the trajectory our lives. If we recognize this to be true for ourselves, how can we not recognize it to be true for all? How can this region, our collective home, succeed if we allow pockets of it to fail?

Sub-standard low-income housing and what it represents continues to be a part of the St. Louis County landscape — and when housing struggles, so do families, communities, and our region. Even though St. Louis County is the jobs base for our region, no significant investment has been made in affordable housing in years.

As the recent, exhaustive study “Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide” points out, this lack of investment has taken a significant toll on our region, particularly in North St. Louis County and parts of South County. The report was produced by ArchCity Defenders, Ascend STL, Empower Missouri, the Equal Housing and Opportunity Council of Metropolitan St. Louis (EHOC), For the Sake of All, Invest STL and Team TIF. They noted that over the course of decades, homes and apartment complexes have deteriorated. They require expensive upkeep that homeowners and landlords are hesitant or simply unable to make.

At Beyond Housing, we deal with these issues every day within the 24:1 footprint, which comprises the 24 municipalities in the Normandy school

district. We’ve seen the many challenges homeowners, tenants and landlords face in keeping the quality of the housing stock as strong and viable as possible, and the lack of available tools and resources to help. It’s why we strongly agree with the organizations that issued the report: An Affordable Housing Trust Fund is absolutely critical to the overall health and wellness of St. Louis County and our region.

The City of St. Louis has had its fund for a number of years. Considering more people live in poverty in St. Louis County, a similar fund is long overdue. It’s highly doable, too. An Affordable Housing Trust Fund can easily be paid for through the reallocation of existing resources, by a small sales tax, or by placing a modest fee on every real estate

n An Affordable Housing Trust Fund is absolutely critical to the overall health and wellness of St. Louis County and our region.

closing transaction, which is the method used by St. Louis city. It’s essential to make funds available to repair existing housing stock, as well as supporting families in need. Making funds available through an Affordable Housing Trust Fund for issues such as utilities and housing expenses helps stave off the upheaval and trauma caused by eviction and provides stability for children, schools and communities.

We also know that we can’t continue to keep the poor confined to a few small, often highly segregated areas. As the study shows, most affordable housing is located in lowemployment areas and isolated from public transportation,

My mother always had a plan for me Commentary

By Mike Jones Of The St. Louis American

In legislative bodies there is something called a privileged motion. A privileged motion is a motion that’s recognized over ordinary business because it concerns a matter of great importance or urgency. This week I want to put aside the regular business of this column for a point of personal privilege.

The reason for the request is a matter of urgency. This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and the subject I want to address would be important to me anytime, but it’s particularly germane because of the calendar.

The pace and superficiality of modern American life leave little time or space for introspection. One of the advantages of age is you escape that dynamic and acquire the luxury of time that affords you the opportunity to reflect on matters of importance that in the rush of youth you never gave sufficient consideration.

My mother transitioned 35 years ago and was at peace because her boys were grown, functioning adults. She had done all she could or was supposed to do; the rest was on us. There are life lessons you learn by some kind of formal instruction, and then there are lessons you learn by example that are more imprinted than taught. Or, as the old folks would say, I can show you better than I can tell you.

In my public life I’ve always known who I was, I’ve always been clear about what I believed and why I believed

it, and I’ve always acted with the confidence (some would say arrogance) that comes from that certainty. I could always explain the what and why of what I believed, but like fish take water for granted, I always took confidence for granted because it always there. How I’ve done what I’ve done has always been a function of confidence, and confidence was a function of my mother.

As the Jim Crow barriers fell in the late fifties and early sixties, public spaces previously closed became open to black Americans, but we were not really welcomed. My mother didn’t wait for an invitation or the approval of white people, she invaded these spaces, often with her boys and some of their friends in tow. She never really talked about it, she just did it. My mother was fearless, there was never any trepidation, never any instructions of how we needed to behave. She behaved like we not only had a right to be there, but we belonged there. Without being disrespectful, my mother treated white help like they were the help.

One of the crippling handicaps of the racism that’s infected our DNA is its robbed us of our confidence when we encounter white America. By regularly taking me into spaces that were outside of the usual comfort zone for us at the time, she taught me by

example that because you’re outnumbered does not mean you’re outgunned. Because of my mother, I’ve never doubted my right or my ability to impose my will on whatever environment I’m in, no matter how white. Without my awareness or understanding, she was preparing me for the life I would choose or that would choose me.

I’ve been blessed with lifelong friends, and like all old men we spend time talking about when we were boys. The conversation usually focuses on how the boys we were, fathered the men we became. In conversations over the last couple of years, some friends have talked about my mother’s influence, not just on me and my brother, but them as well. As one of my oldest friends will invariably say, “Miss Jones always had a plan for you.” I’ve often said that I’ve been successful in spite of America, but it’s finally clear to me it’s also very much because of my mother.

I’m dedicating this column to my grandchildren Alexandra, Damon, Adam, Autumn and Kennedy and to the great grandmother they didn’t get to meet. Though I didn’t always understand and we regularly disagreed, I’ve been blessed to be my mother’s son. Momma, didn’t really get to say it before you left, but thank you! Happy Mother’s Day!

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of

and The St.

where the vast majority of residents don’t own cars to easily commute to areas of greater employment.

Racial and economic segregation have long been part of the problem here. It’s important to allow people lower on the economic ladder to move to communities that give them access to the things they need to prosper. This region will never be as strong as we’d like it to be if we refuse to allow people who look different or make less money live next door to us. And study after study has debunked the myth that creating low-income housing in more affluent areas brings down property values.

At Beyond Housing, we believe that allowing people to move to communities of opportunity as well as investing in poverty areas is a successful two-pronged approach.

We’ve invested close to $80 million over the last eight years — repairing, renovating and building homes within the 24:1 communities, as well as continuing to offer affordable rental housing in places like Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Maplewood and Richmond Heights.

In recent conversations with St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, we’ve been discussing the idea of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. He shares my conviction that prioritizing funds for affordable housing is paramount in our community. Together, we are looking forward to working with interested parties to make it a reality.

If we’re going to thrive as a region, we need to recognize that this is the home we share, and that home matters — not just for some, but for all. Chris Krehmeyer is the president and CEO of Beyond Housing (beyondhousing.org). This is the second in a series of commentaries devoted to the new report Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide (forthesakeofall.org/ segregationinstlouis).

We must fund fight against TB

Though tuberculosis (TB) is often thought of a disease of the past in America, it is now the world’s leading global infectious disease killer, killing more people in four days than the entire 2014 Ebola crisis. With multi-drug resistant forms of TB spreading, it is more important than ever for the U.S. to lead the fight against TB. The most affected countries are stepping up their own resources, but it won’t be enough unless we contribute sufficient funds in our 2019 budget.

U.S. TB funding can help millions of people access treatment and get their lives back on track. U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, as well as U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner and Lacy Clay, must call for robust funding for fighting tuberculosis.

Yara Levin

Town and Country

Errors in ‘Central Committee toxicity’

The Political EYE column

of April 26 – May 2, 2018 mentioned me and another committee member in “Central Committee toxicity.” There were numerous errors and misrepresentations. Rob Stelzer and I are both members of the committee for revision of the Central Committee bylaws, which have not been updated since 1998, and I initially approached Central Committee Chair Bob Hilgemann about the need for revision. A male, although not a Democrat, registered as a Democrat and ran unopposed for committeeman in my ward. Subsequently, this male did not pay ward dues, did not attend ward meetings or participate in the work of committeeman. He did, however, attend Central Committee meetings when we were advised we would be voting. This male worked on election day against an incumbent alderwoman in another ward and for a Green party candidate. My complaints about this led to formation of a bylaws revision committee. The intent of revisions was not a reactionary move to former committeewoman Annie Rice holding onto her seat as a Democratic committee woman while running for alderwoman as an Independent.

Sarah Felts was questioned as to why she was videotaping the Central Committee meeting by members of the Executive Board and other committee members. Stelzer was summarizing the bylaw changes when Felts was challenged. When she gave her name, I remarked, “Yes, and you’ve trashed me on Facebook.” Her response was, “You called my best friend a whore.” I don’t know who her best friend is but I do not typically call anyone a whore. Yet before the meeting was over, the report that I had called this “best friend” and Felts herself both whores was posted in social media. That untrue statement has been widely circulated with no proof, no evidence.

And as for “illegally kicking citizens out of these meetings,” what we committee members were calling for was an Executive Session, which is private and a routine practice. The only potentially illegality in this episode is the continued misrepresentation of what occurred and slander against me without any proof, any evidence.

Teri Powers St. Louis

Columnist Mike Jones

SLPS honors scholar athletes

Paula Knight, deputy superintendent of academics for Saint Louis Public Schools, pinned a Scholar-Athlete pin on student Chaadah Hodges, as her table role model at SLPS’ seventhannual Scholar Athlete Luncheon on May 2. Hodges competes in basketball and track and has earned a 4.0 GPA at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy. The annual event, sponsored by the district with support from the St. Louis Surge and Saint Louis University, recognizes athletes who successfully complete the athletic season maintaining a 3.25 GPA or higher.

Annie Malone announces May Day Parade grand marshals

The grand marshals for the 2018 Annie Malone May Day Parade will be St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden; Judge Anne Marie Clark, St. Louis City Family Court commissioner; Jimmie Edwards, director of Public Safety for St. Louis; ProjectX; and

The Futrells. The 108th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade will be held Sunday, May 20. For parade registration and information, visit www.anniemalone. com/events or call 314-531-0120

Apply for media production training scholarship by May 30

Continuity, a non-profit whose mission is to expand diversity in media production, is taking applications for its second annual media production training program. This program focuses on helping underrepresented filmmakers gain the skills needed to secure employment in the media production industry.

The program will take place at St. Louis Artworks in the Delmar Loop from August 15

through May 2, broken down into three progressive phases, each of which lasts 12 weeks, one night a week. Classes will include access to a state of the art media lab and film equipment and a paid stipend for the entire program. Applications for its 36-week program are being accepted through May 30 at continuitystl.com. Contact Continuity at http://www.continuitystl.com/ call-to-action.

One year in Topeka

By Tiffany Anderson For The St. Louis American

As I prepare for the end of the school year, I am reflecting on the progress and opportunities ahead. A decade after the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, the frequency of school shootings has become frightening as politicians argue for arming teachers rather than implementing ways to reduce gun violence. Decades after legislation ended segregation, we face underfunded schools segregated by zip codes in impoverished predominately minority communities.

As I held our first high school graduation for one early graduate in a prison, I was left reflecting on how higher-poverty schools are feeding the school-to-prison pipeline and reinforcing generational poverty. This year has been a year of personal loss, reflection and a reminder of the urgency that there is a lot of work remaining to do and many are counting on us.

On April 10, 2016, I met Linda Brown Thompson – of Brown vs. Board of Education – at church as I visited churches before I began as the new superintendent of the Topeka Public School District. Watching her at St. Mark’s AME Church as the humble, quiet spirit who played the piano during service was a reminder of the importance of humbly serving the community. It was not until the end of service that I learned the woman at the piano was the Linda Brown. The next week when I visited St. John’s AME, imagine my surprise when I met her mother, Leola Brown, who was 95. Both talked with me with such hope in their voice, and my purpose to be in Topeka was clearer than ever.

A year and a half later, Topeka has made gains – we won the Equity Award from the National School Boards Association for removing barriers, the graduation rate at all five high schools improved in 2017 for the first time, we expanded college courses, and we opened clothing and food shelters. Our Topeka Clinic, modeled after the SPOT in Jennings, will open in August. However, it’s not enough. As the first African-American female superintendent in Topeka, I stand on the

shoulders of Linda Brown Thompson and her family, as we all do. As I reflect on how life is orchestrated to give us all the opportunity to live our purpose, to humbly serve and advocate for others, it’s my hope that the youth marches against gun violence resulting in some new legislation is just the beginning of the awakening of a generation that can change the world. I recently went to the first movie by myself since my husband, Dr. Stanley Ladelle Anderson, transitioned to everlasting life last August. The movie was “I Can Only Imagine.” Unlike others in line, I was alone, and there was one seat in the front row so I went to it. I didn’t realize until sitting in the movie that it was about the song we played at my husband’s memorial service. Listening to that left me tearfully thinking about the transformational work ahead that must be done so we make this world better. Many who have passed away are counting on it, including my dear husband, who touched more lives than I can ever imagine.

God speaks in so many ways. It’s my prayer we are all listening and that we all work collectively to do our part to transform the world.

Tiffany Anderson is superintendent of the Topeka Public School District.

Tiffany Anderson and Leola Brown, mother of Linda Brown Thompson

MANTOVANI

Continued from A1

support his efforts to unseat controversial incumbent Steve Stenger.

Stenger, also a Democrat, took office in 2015 after running a campaign accusing the incumbent Charlie Dooley – the first black county executive – of corruption.

Though Dooley also was accused of corruption by Stenger ally Bob McCulloch, the St. Louis County prosecutor empowered to file charges, Dooley was never charged with corruption.

The St. Louis County Council is now investigating Stenger for possible corruption in his personal negotiation with a campaign donor on the lease for the former Northwest Plaza.

Hazel Erby, a member of the St. Louis County Council and the FLH Coalition, said the county needs a new leader who can address systemic issues in the St. Louis area.

“The last four years on the County Council have been some of the most divisive and challenging that I can remember,” said Erby, who has been a council member representing from Ferguson through parts of University City for 14 years. “We have had a divisive administration

led by a county executive who has shown little interest in St. Louis County as a whole and who uses bullying tactics on everyone: council members, citizens, county elected officials and stakeholders whose opinions may differ

from his.”

Erby has been a longtime political opponent of Stenger. In 2017, she and several other members of the County Council filed a lawsuit against Stenger seeking an end to a hiring freeze in the county auditor’s office, which is still ongoing.

Erby said Mantovani’s candidacy is in line with the values of the FLH Coalition, which was formed in 2014 to support candidates who actively advocate for the concerns of African-American voters in the St. Louis area. The organization’s priorities include addressing disparities in education, housing, economic status and criminal justice enforcement. Members include 45 elected black elected officials from throughout the county.

“Mark understands that when we all have equal access to opportunity, the entire region prospers and grows,” Erby said.

Mantovani’s career has included founding both a law firm and a financial consulting company, as well as a stint as CEO of marketing agency Ansira. He has served on the boards of St. Louis organizations including St. Louis University High School, Boys Hope/Girls Hope International and the St. Louis Zoo.

Mantovani also made news in 2017 for his collection of 44 presidential signatures, one from each chief executive except for Donald Trump.

At the event, Mantovani said he was honored to receive the endorsement both because of the values of the group’s members and because of the legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer. Hamer, an activist for voting rights and black women’s issues in civil rightsera Mississippi, achieved significant political progress despite meeting with often violent resistance.

“She was tougher than

tough,” Mantovani said. “She was determined and resolute in her commitment to improve the lives of those in her community, as are all of us here this afternoon.”

Mantovani said the lessons of Hamer’s determination in the face of adversity are just as relevant to today’s political struggles.

“She was known for the quote ‘I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,’” Mantovani said. “But my favorite thought from Fannie Lou Hamer is a different one. She said, ‘You can pray until you faint. But unless you get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.’

That’s why we’re here today.”

Mantovani said he is running for county executive to combat what he called the “decline” of St. Louis County, including population decline, economic stagnation and a rising homicide rate. Mantovani said what is often pointed to as investment in St. Louis County is in reality just the movement of money from one part of the county to another.

of $821,000 at the time.

“The St. Louis County government is simply bogged down,” Mantovani said. “It is bogged down by corruption charges; it is bogged down by a county executive who can’t maintain a professional working relationship with peers.”

Stenger’s big-dollar donors include real estate developers Robert and P. David Glarner, with whom Stenger negotiated the lease deal for the former Northwest Plaza. In 2016, the County Council approved the deal, but an investigation by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in February 2018 found it was costing taxpayers millions, not saving them money as the Stenger administration had promised. This type of behavior, Mantovani said, makes Stenger “a pawn of the region’s concrete cartel.”

n “We have had a divisive administration led by a county executive who has shown little interest in St. Louis County as a whole and who uses bullying tactics on everyone.”

– Hazel Erby

Mantovani placed the blame for what he sees as county government dysfunction squarely on Stenger, his primary opponent. Stenger’s reelection bid includes an attack ad against his challenger, with other campaign ads focusing on his opposition to national Republicans and commitment to combating opioid drug abuse.

Financial disclosures released in April showed Stenger as a top fundraiser among Missouri politicos, sporting a $2.4 million warchest that dwarfs the bankroll of every politician in the state except U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. Mantovani, who donated $1 million to his own campaign, had a balance

“The county executive frequently acts like a petulant child, motivated by his own financial interests and not the public good,” Mantovani said. “He confuses public service with self-service, and he deserves to be fired.” Mantovani said repairing relationships with the County Council and county government employees would be one of his top priorities upon taking office. Mantovani said he also supports the policy priorities of the Forward Through Ferguson commission and reunifying St. Louis’ city and county governments.

More information about Mantovani’s campaign can be found on his campaign website, markforstl.com. The county executive primary election will take place alongside primary elections on Tuesday, August 7.

The Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County endorsed Mark Mantovanti for county executive at his North County campaign headquarters in Florissant on Saturday, May 5. Mantovani opposes incumbent Steve Stenger in the August 7 Democratic primary election.

Photo by Wiley Price

LYONS

hours talking about teaching, learning, and instructional leadership. Dr. Lyons’ skill set and disposition on these topics will propel the school to a new level of achievement for Cardinal Ritter students and faculty. In addition, Dr. Lyons understands kids and knows how to motivate them to maximize their potential.”

Lyons previously served as leadership teacher and football coach at Cardinal Ritter from 2010 to 2014. He spent the past four years with the Ladue School District as a U.S. History and AfricanAmerican Studies teacher and in his current role as assistant principal.

HAZELWOOD

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 lack of checks and balances that must be addressed to ensure student needs are the top priority.”

In the audit report, released on Wednesday, May 2, Galloway ranks the district’s performance next to the bottom as “Fair.” The overall ranking of “Fair” indicates the district needs to improve operations in several areas, with some requiring immediate attention.

The report details missing money, lack of accountability in cash handling and accounting, major purchases without proper bidding, missing school property without proper documentation, improper calculation of attendance, and violations of the state Sunshine Law for some board meetings.

The scope of Galloway’s audit ended June 30, 2017. The report found the school district collected more than $1.3 million in cash for the 20162017 school year. Galloway said in a release that the lack of cash controls means there is a greater risk of loss, theft or misuse of funds. She called on the district to scrutinize spending decisions and address poor cash handling.

Questionable expenses and accounting

In over $487,000 in disbursements by the Board of Education and the superintendent’s office for the two school years reviewed, the audit pointed to spending of money that did not seem reasonable or providing a benefit to the school district. For example, purchasing tickets to a charity dinner at a parochial high school; use of a district credit card for a retirement party at a casino restaurant; travel reimbursements without supervisor approval; and paying state sales taxes for hotel rooms and car rentals.

“We noted disbursements for sympathy flowers, sympathy cards, meals, gifts, additional airline fees, T-shirts, sales taxes, excessive tipping, valet parking, bellhop and room tips, and various travel expenditures that, while possibly appropriate, should be reviewed to ensure they are the best use of district resources,”

After hearing the news, faculty members hugged their former colleague and told Lyons that they were “praying it would be him,” Armstead said. Students were also excited because Lyons had spoken on a panel earlier this semester.

“He was here for 30 minutes, and the kids were still talking about him months later,” Armstead said. “He just makes that kind of connection with kids.”

Lyons said it’s hard to put into words how he felt hearing Blackshear announce him as principal.

“It felt like being born again,” Lyons said. “This is my home. I’m a graduate. I found myself here. I found my professional career in education here. My daughter is a student here currently, so there’s a lot of love and history in the

the audit stated. “Public funds should be spent only on items necessary and beneficial to the district and enhance the education process.”

The district responded, in part, that the audit report did not indicate that the board expenditures were inappropriate, but “rather the audit report outlined recommendations to review and evaluate expenditures, which the district already does and will continue to do.”

In 2015 and in 2016, the district went into two lease purchase agreements to provide Chromebooks (16,000 total) for middle and high school students. The two purchase agreements cost the district $4.75 million, a project the audit found was entered into without a comprehensive cost study, nor did it solicit bids for the purchase. Additionally, the audit found “a significant number of Chromebook computers are not used as intended.” It stated a review of all high and middle schools determined approximately 1,150 students opted out of receiving the Chromebook computer.

“As a result, the district has spent approximately $340,000 ... for Chromebook computers that are not in use as intended,” the audit stated. In response, the district stated that “the Chromebooks are being used for their intended purpose, which is student learning and instruction.”

The audit also noted HSD did not solicit bids or proposals for several purchases of goods and services in the 20162017 school year, including more than $1 million for legal services during the 20162017 school year. The district responded by stating it will initiate a proposal for legal services for the next fiscal year.

Discrepancies were highlighted in how the district, collects, stores and deposits money collected from student activity fees, athletic fees, event admissions and concession sales. At Hazelwood Central, the report discusses the use of cash boxes that do not lock to store monies collected during concession sales, and no sales records maintained to track receipts. The amount of money turned in for popcorn and summer snack sales for 20162017 came up short compared to inventory purchased, and the report said school personnel

building.”

Lyons grew up in a family where both of his parents are career-long educators.

“Our dinner table conversations were not rooted in the normal types of topics,” he said. “We talked about educational structures and what were the best ways to impact kids.”

However, during elementary and middle school, his education did not cultivate the idea of leadership, he said.

when he first walked into the hallway at the old Cardinal Ritter location in Walnut Park, he saw reflections of himself everywhere in the images of Jesus and other powerful people.

n “This is my home. I’m a graduate. I found myself here. I found my professional career in education here.”

– Shante Lyons

“I found little reflection of myself in positions of power and the highly intellectual,” Lyons said. As a freshman, he said

responsible could not account for the discrepancies. In response, HSD stated it will purchase locking cash boxes and require their use, as well as sales records and cash receipts to reconcile sales and inventory that will be tracked.

Funds also went missing between August 2015 and October 2016 at Hazelwood Central, and the report states a principal admitted to taking an unspecified amount of money and repaid $3,080 to the district. However, an additional $5,095 is missing and the district did not seek repayment for the additional amount and did not involve law enforcement (as per district policy), allowing the principal to resign without penalty and remain potentially eligible for retirement. It its response, the district stated it followed board policy, consulted with legal counsel, and pursued and received restitution for the amounts it could confirm.

In the Transportation Department, the audit shows the district does not reconcile its fuel logs to fuel billing. The district purchased over a million dollars in fuel for its buses and vehicles during the two school years examined (2015-2016 and 2016-2017).

The district, in its response said it “will review and update procedures to ensure that fuel logs are completed for all fuel use, that there is a documented periodic reconciliation of fuel purchased to fuel used, and that any significant differences are investigated by an administrator.”

The audit said “significant weaknesses exist in receipting, transmitting, and depositing of monies received at some schools.” It said receipts were not issued at Garrett Elementary, receipts were not always issued at West and Northwest Middle, and some of the receipt slips from Northwest Middle were not accurate or complete. At

“History was unlike what I learned in my history class,” he said.

He learned about the positive contributions African Americans had made to the world, which blessed him with “confidence of self and knowledge of self,” he said.

Lyons went on to earn a doctorate in educational leadership and policy

Central High School, the audit stated school personnel do not issue receipt slips for transcript fees received.

“As a result, deposits could not be reconciled to supporting documentation,” the audit reads.

The audit found that receipts at the Finance Department, as well as at the three high schools and Garrett Elementary, were sometimes handled by several employees before deposit “and there is not always adequate documentation provided (receipt slips or receipt log) to support the transmittal of monies from one employee to another.”

Cash drawers and change funds were not counted daily at Hazelwood West high and middle schools, Garrett Elementary and the Central Early Childhood Center, the audit stated. In the Finance office, the audit said personnel do not provide adequate physical security over monies on hand. Also the district does not maintain a listing of employees at district facilities with access to locked areas where safes are located and who also know safe combinations.

The district, in response, said it plans to “restructure the Finance Department and specifically assign duties to an employee who is involved in the daily review of operations and activities including accounting guidelines, procedures and safeguards to reduce the risk of loss or theft.”

The audit said the district lacks an internal audit function that could help uncover and resolve some of its weaknesses. HSD responded that “it is the responsibility of management and administration to provide an internal audit function as resolve any accounting and procedural control weaknesses as well as policy and compliance issues.”

studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a master’s degree in educational administration from Missouri Baptist University, a master’s in human resource management from Webster University, and a bachelor’s in English with a minor in Black American studies and political science from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where he attended on a full football scholarship.

Armstead said the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis led an “extensive” search process that included input from a committee comprised of parents, students, alums, faculty, staff, and administration.

Lyons will be responsible for strategic planning and execution as it relates to

Property not properly accounted for

District property is not always properly accounted for, the audit found. In one case, the report said a tabletop-sized, DIY electronic cutting machine and accessories purchased for Northwest Middle School had been taken home by the school principal. “The school principal stated she had the machine at her residence due to the library floors being cleaned and waxed, but no approval to remove the item was produced,” the audit said. “The device has since been returned to the school.”

During visits to various schools, the audit said assets were not tagged as district property or could not be located. Of the six metal detectors purchased in 2008 for $44,000 for the three high schools, the pair of metal detectors at Central and West were not tagged as district property. They had not been installed or used, and there are no records to indicate what happened to them.

In its response, the district stated it “will review and update policies and procedures to ensure that complete and detailed asset records are maintained, that appropriate assets are properly tagged for identification, and that annual physical inventories are performed and compared to detailed records.”

Improper attendance reporting

After reviewing 2016-2017 school attendance records for Hazelwood West, Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood East high schools and Northwest

curriculum and student learning, instructional leadership, teacher recruitment and retention, daily operations of the school, and overall academic productivity, she said.

“Cardinal Ritter is a very special place,” Lyons said.

“There is so much that exists already, but I want to bring a strong instructional focus which has always been part of the mission. I have an expertise in instructional performance, and I also want to bring a strong focus on cultural leadership as well.”

What he wants the community to know about him is that he’s passionate about education. He said, “I’m passionate about providing opportunities for students to find themselves and be the best version of themselves.”

Middle school, the audit estimated that improper recording student attendance resulted in HSD receiving an overpayment of about $95,000 in state funding. Hazelwood West High School was the biggest offender, according to the audit, with 8,420 hours counted when students were not in attendance, according to the audit, followed by Central (4,669 hours), Hazelwood East High School (1,512 hours) and Northwest Middle (386 hours). The $95,000 discrepancy in state funding will get adjusted in future monthly payments, a DESE spokesperson told The American Additionally, the audit said the district’s attendance system is not programmed to deduct time when appropriate, resulting in attendance reporting that conflicts with DESE guidelines. In its response, the district stated it will review and update policies and procedures, correct issues and review further options with its software vendor for timely and accurate student attendance reports.

The audit also found Sunshine Law violations for some of its closed and retreat meetings. “The district did not always comply with the Sunshine Law and was not always consistent or transparent when notifying the public of board meetings,” the audit stated.

Hazelwood is the fourth largest school district in the St. Louis area. A link to State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s audit of the Hazelwood School District and response from the district can be found at https:// tinyurl.com/HSD-Audit.

Stop, shop and see the doc

People’s clinic by Home State Health inside Ferguson Schnucks shows rapid growth

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

utilization of the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers satellite clinic by Home State Health located in the Ferguson Schnucks’ Market is marking exceptional first-quarter growth. Data from People’s Health Centers reflect a 78 percent growth in patient encounters from January to March 2018.

“We have had tremendous success in our first quarter of operations,” said Dwayne Butler, president and CEO of People’s Family of Corporations. “Our partnership with Schnucks and Centene is providing access to care for our most vulnerable patients in Ferguson.”

The full-service health clinic is a collaboration between Centene Corporation/ Home State Health, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers and Schnucks Markets.

Centene Charitable Foundation put forth the initial $1.3 million investment for the clinic, and it will provide multi-year support for its operations. Schnucks donated space for the clinic at the front of the store (which used to be a Shop-N-Save), and People’s provides staffing and medical services.

A spokesman for Schnucks said the clinic is an example of its pledge to “nourish

Blacks using home health care most likely to be rehospitalized

University of Missouri

Approximately 12 million people in the U.S. make use of home health care, most of them older adults. Home health care allows people to be treated and monitored for a variety of health conditions from the comfort of their homes, often following major surgeries or hospitalizations. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that, for older adults receiving home health care after a hospitalization, racial and ethnic minority groups may be at greater risk of rehospitalization and emergency room (ER) use compared to non-Hispanic whites.

n “We found that elders from racial and ethnic minority groups, especially African Americans, had much higher rates of re-hospitalization and ER visits.”

– Jo-Ana Chase

“Home health care is generally very beneficial for older adults,” said Jo-Ana Chase, an assistant professor in MU’s Sinclair School of Nursing. “We have seen that it leads to lower rates of both rehospitalization and ER use. But no one had really looked at whether there are racial or ethnic disparities

in those benefits. We found that elders from racial and ethnic minority groups, especially African Americans, had much higher rates of re-hospitalization and ER visits.”

Chase and her colleagues analyzed data from a racially and ethnically diverse sample of home health care recipients in New York, all of whom were Medicare recipients age 65 or older who had been hospitalized prior to their home health care episode. They found that African Americans were by far the most at-risk group, as they were 45 percent more likely to visit the ER and 34 percent more likely to be rehospitalized compared to nonHispanic whites. Additionally, Hispanic older adults had a 26 percent higher likelihood of an ER visit compared to non-Hispanic

National effort to enroll underrepresented communities in research

American staff

The National Institutes of Health has opened national enrollment for the All of Us Research Program in collaboration with the National Minority Quality Forum and other partners. All of Us is a unique effort to advance individualized prevention, treatment and care for people of all backgrounds.

The overall aim of All of Us is to enroll 1 million or more volunteers and oversample communities that have been underrepresented in research to make the program the largest, most diverse resource of its kind. Individuals ages 18 and older are able to enroll, regardless of health status.

“The time is now to transform how we conduct research – with participants as partners – to shed new light on how to stay healthy and manage disease in more personalized ways,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Precision medicine is an emerging approach to disease treatment and prevention that considers differences in people’s lifestyles, environments and biological makeup, including genes. By partnering with 1 million diverse people who share information about themselves over many years, the All of Us Research Program will enable research to more precisely prevent and treat a variety of health conditions.

All of Us seeks to transform the relationship between researchers and participants, bringing them together as partners to inform the program’s directions, goals and responsible return of research information. In service of this objective, NIH has funded more than 100 organizations throughout the U.S. to be partners in the program, including the National Minority Quality Forum.

“Success will require greater inclusion of diverse researchers in the program, willingness and ability of the participants to make a long-term commitment to this unique initiative, and resource support for the community-based physicians who will be de facto primary points of contact for participants,” said Gary A. Puckrein, president and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum.

Participants who enroll in All of Us will be able to access their own health information, summary data about the entire participant community and information about studies and findings that come from All of Us. Participants are asked to share different types of health and lifestyle information, including through online surveys and electronic health records (EHRs), which will continue to be collected over the course of the program.

At different times, some participants will be asked to visit a local partner site to provide blood and urine samples and to have basic physical measurements taken, such as height and weight. In the future, participants may be invited to share data through wearable devices and to join follow-up research studies, including clinical trials. In future phases of the program, children will be able to enroll, and the program will add more data types, such as genetic data.

To learn more about the All of Us Research Program and how to join, visit https://www.JoinAllofUs.org.

Eboni Carter, a medical assistant at the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers’ location at the Ferguson Schnuck’s, examined Ebony Crenshaw on May 8. The new clinic location is thriving.

Gary A. Puckrein

Photo by Wiley Price

Oasis offers healthy living classes for older adults

St. Louis Oasis now offers classes and volunteer opportunities for older adults in the Maryland Heights community. To celebrate the new relationship, St. Louis Oasis and the Maryland Height Parks and Recreation Department recently hosted an open house at the Maryland Heights Community Center.

Oasis St. Louis Oasis is a chapter of The Oasis Institute, a national non-profit organization that promotes healthy aging through a three-fold approach: lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement.

This summer, St. Louis Oasis is offering older adults in Maryland Heights volunteer and learning opportunities including healthy living classes, including Eating Healthy on a Budget, Shaking the Salt Habit and Heart Happy Cooking with Spices and Herbs.

To register for classes, call 314.862.4859 ext. 24 or visit www.oasisnet.org/St-Louis-MO.

90 percent of nurses experienced violence on the job

University of Illinois

A new report from a University of Illinois labor expert found that 90 percent of nurses surveyed in Illinois experienced violence on the job at least once during the past 12 months, with 50 percent experiencing it six times or more during that period.

According to research from Emily E. LB. Twarog, a professor of labor and employment relations at Illinois, the expectation of violence is “a fundamental part of the job” when you’re a front-line health care worker in Illinois.

“Nursing is a really difficult job, and violence in the workplace is a major issue,” she said. “It’s a physically demanding job with a lot of repetitive stress injuries, and it’s also a mentally and emotionally draining job. Now add the potential for physical or sexual assaults while at work, and it paints a fairly grim picture of the profession.”

The study surveyed 275 nurses who worked in a variety of health care settings,

PEOPLE’S

Continued from A10

people’s lives by focusing on health and wellness programs in the communities” it serves.

“We take pride in donating the space in our Ferguson store and remain committed to the residents of North St. Louis County – an area we have served for decades,” said Paul Simon of Schnucks Markets.

HEALTH

Continued from A10

New report from U of I School of Labor and Employment Relations

including hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. The vast majority of nurses who answered the survey – 88 percent – were women, and respondents had a broad cross-section of racial diversity and educational attainment.

Twarog found that 90 percent of surveyed nurses experienced violence ranging from verbal abuse such as name-calling and threats; to physical assaults such as pinching, punching and thrown objects; and to sexual assault and threats such as stalking, groping and sexual harassment.

Despite experiencing an incidence of workplace violence, 98 percent of nurses surveyed reported that they continued working immediately after being a target.

“That’s amazing to me,” said Twarog, who is also the director of the Regina V. Polk Women’s Labor Leadership Conference. “It speaks to the commitment that nurses have to their job and their profession, and their desire to follow through on the care they’re providing.”

Last month, People’s clinic inside the Schnucks grocery began the pilot use of pagers, when necessary, to notify persons waiting to see the physician to return to the Center.

“In most instances, our patients can walk in, and register and begin their medical visit almost immediately,” Butler said. “As patient volume at the site continues to grow, and the community hears about the ability to shop

whites. Researchers found that individual factors – largely clinical concerns, such as the severity of a patient’s illness, their ability to perform daily activities, and the presence of conditions such as incontinence – only accounted for 4 percent of this disparity. In other words, about 96 percent of the racial and ethnic differences we observed could not be explained by individual differences in health. On the heels of previous research suggesting minorities are receiving fewer types of home

But it’s also because many nurses don’t have “an out” after they experience workplace violence, Twarog said. According to the research, 48 percent of nurses reported that they were not offered the option to leave work after a workplace incident. More than 50 percent of nurses reported that management was ineffective in addressing workplace violence issues.

“They feel like they can’t take a break or step away for a few hours because those types of procedures are not in place,” Twarog said. “It was clear that the nurses didn’t know what the policies on workplace violence were, and that’s a problem. They might know what to do with biohazards or needle sticks in the workplace, but they don’t know what their rights are when it comes to

n Despite experiencing an incidence of workplace violence, 98 percent of nurses surveyed reported that they continued working immediately after being a target.

violence against them. It was also clear that management does not have their back, and the workplace culture and staffing levels dictate that it’s just part of the job. It’s a chronic problem that needs to be addressed.”

All that workplace violence has a cumulative effect on health care workers, which could possibly have a negative impact on other patients, Twarog said.

“And when nurses are off the clock, they also have lots of physical and emotional health problems,” she said. “It certainly takes its toll on their professional and personal lives.”

The paper makes several policy recommendations, chief among them improving nurseto-patient ratios.

“That would be the most important change

n “Our partnership with Schnucks and Centene is providing access to care for our most vulnerable patients in Ferguson.”

– Dwayne Butler, president and CEO of People’s Family of Corporations

in the Schnuck’s grocery store or go grab a bite to eat as they wait to be called into their visit, it will quickly grow in popularity.”

health care services despite greater need, Chase said the next stage of research should investigate the quality of home health care and the types of services diverse elders may receive.

“Caregivers and the agencies that provide this care are an important piece of the equation,” Chase said. “Now that we know the specifics of

administrators or legislators could make,” Twarog said. “Nurses are, by and large, overworked, and if there were more nursing staff on the floor, not only would their experiences of violence diminish, but also the intensity of the violence would, too.”

Whether it’s a unionized nursing staff or not, Twarog said there needs to be more collaboration between the front-line workforce and management on developing, implementing and educating nurses on a workplace violence policy.

“In the nursing profession, violence will never be eradicated, but it can be lessened,” she said. “And it’s also how management responds to it. Nurses ought to feel like they could go to their immediate supervisor and say, ‘This has happened. I need a break.’ And that there are enough nurses on staff to pick up the slack. That alone would create a much healthier work environment.”

With the projected demand on the health care system only projected to grow, the findings

don’t augur well for the future of the nursing profession, Twarog said.

“The survey we conducted had a mix of age ranges, so there were some respondents who had 30 years of service – nurses who were coming in when they didn’t feel that they had as many professional options,” she said. “But now, society has changed, and there are more career paths open to women. Well, women may not feel like nursing is a viable career path for them because of this type of workplace environment.”

Twarog’s paper is part of the Project for Middle Class Renewal, a researchbased initiative tasked with investigating the labor market institutions and policies in today’s economy while elevating public discourse on issues affecting workers. The project is directed by U. of I. labor and employment relations professor Robert Bruno. The study “Nursing under pressure: Workplace violence in the Illinois healthcare industry” is available online at https://tinyurl.com/ybhfhbbh

The clinic is projected to serve approximately 8,000 patients each year.

“Centene/Home State Health and Schnucks have been extraordinary partners in getting this clinic ‘off the ground,’” Butler added, “and I want to thank them for their continued support of the

The clinic also offers supportive services like bus vouchers for patients who need them to remove transportation barriers for scheduled clinic appointments. Since its opening, People’s has added a full-time family doctor at the facility who can treat both children and adults.

an individual’s health explain a small proportion of what we observed, it’s important to research other factors that may be involved, such as how these patients’ care needs are being met by home care agencies, clinicians and caregivers.” For now, the results of the study can be used to form risk-assessment tools to help clinicians and caregivers better

People’s Healthcare Services By Home State Health clinic site, and their interest and continued support of the Ferguson community.”

The People’s clinic in the Ferguson Schnucks, 49 N. Florissant Rd., is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 314-5248633.

understand the needs and risk factors of their patients, Chase said.

The study, “Relationships between race/ethnicity and health care utilization among older post-acute home health care patients,” was published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology. Funding was provided in part by the National Institutes of Health (T32NR009356). Other researchers involved in the study were Liming Huang, Alexandra Hanlon and Kathryn H. Bowles of the University of Pennsylvania; David Russell of Appalachian State University; and Melissa O’Connor of Villanova University.

Healthy Kids Kids

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Spend some time this week looking through the grocery ads in The St. Louis American and watching TV commercials on TV. Make a list of 10 different food ads that you feel were specifically targeting children.

Playground Fitness

food choice?

Answer the following questions about each of the ads:

> What was the item being advertised?

> How did I know it was meant to appeal to kids?

> Did the ad include a healthy

One of the best places to have fun while exercising is the park or playground!

Now write a persuasive essay with the topic, “Should companies be allowed to target kids with advertisements about unhealthy food choices?” (Or hold a classroom discussion/ debate.)

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 6, NH 1, NH 2

Damon E. Broadus, Regional Director

Swinging, climbing, jumping and running around the playground equipment is a great way to increase your heart rate, strengthen your muscles and burn calories.

By far, one of the easiest ways that we can have an impact on the environment is to take advantage of recycling programs. For one day, keep a list of all of the opportunities you see for recycling. Does your school recycle lunch

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

Where do you work? I am the regional director for multicultural initiatives for the American Heart Association. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts & Sciences in Kansas City, Kansas. I then earned a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science in Social Science from Pittsburg State University.

Break into small groups and create a 30 minute schedule of exercises you could at the park. Your fun workout could include swinging, climbing, sliding, pull-ups and more.

waste? Do you have a recycle bin at your home? Maybe the grocery store by your house recycles plastic grocery bags. As a class, discuss new ways that recycling could become a part of your day, every day.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, SC 4, NH 1, NH 7

Directions: Preheat oven to 175 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment. Thinly slice the banana and place the slices on the baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, turn over the slices and bake for about another hour – until crisp. Place in a Ziplock bag and sprinkle with either salt/pepper or cinnamon sugar to taste.

What does a regional director do? I enjoy finding creative ways to teach adults and youth how to improve their health, whether teaching parents how to cook healthy options at home or meeting with elected officials about the importance of creating healthier environments. Why did you choose this career? I chose public health because it allows me to give back to the community! Reaching our community with important health issues that results in saving lives daily, serving as a role model and educator has always been important to me. Currently, I’m working with local volunteers to host our annual Most Powerful Voices health fair and gospel concert. The health fair provides access to health care thru screenings and educates community members on how to respond to heart attacks & strokes.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy developing creative programs that reach youth and adults with community health partners and help them to overcome barriers to food access and finding ways to be physically active. Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Our summer programs offer something for every budget, schedule and interest. From our ever-popular summer camps to programs tailored for little ones, adults and the whole family, we have the adventure for you. Mail-in and online registration options are open now!

Visit stlzoo.org/education for the complete list of summer programs and detailed registration information.

Questions? Please contact the Zoo’s Education Department at (314) 646-4544, option #6.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Mrs. Cureton’s 4th Grade Class

Annette Officer Elementary School

At Annette Officer

SCIENCE CORNER

SCIENCE STARS

BOEING ENGINEER AND PROGRAM MANAGER— Kevin Mixon

Kevin Mixon is the program manager for the India Technology Transfer Project for The Boeing Company. He has always had a fascination for how things worked. As a kid, he destroyed countless electronics while trying to understand how things worked. He says, “I was fortunate to have an older brother that majored in engineering. After his first year of college, he came home and explained what engineers do and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Who Wants To Be A Rocket Scientist?

The following definitions will help you understand the basics of rocket science.

Aerodynamics—This is the study of the motion of air and other gases and how they affect the motion of objects moving through them.

Drag—This is a force that acts against an object in motion, slowing it down.

Lift—This is the force that acts on a rocket’s fins to push it upward.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Propulsion System—This is the engine used to power a rocket.

Thrust—This is the force that causes rockets to move forward.

Velocity—This is the speed of an object.

Learning Standards: I can develop and use new vocabulary terms.

Mixon graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas-Mercy High School in Florissant, Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in computers from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He then earned a master’s in business administration from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri, a Certificate in Applied Project Management (Online) from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and a Certificate in Leadership and Management (Online) from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.

In this experiment, you will create a rocket. Your goal is to get your rocket to travel a long distance. You will modify (change) the rocket to determine which style works the best while applying your background information of rocket science and cause and effect.

Materials Needed:

Plastic Drinking Straw Scissors Paper Scotch

Tape Ruler Knife Tape Measure Glue

Procedure:

q Measure a paper rectangle that is two inches tall and eight inches long. Cut it out, curl it around your pencil to create your rocket body. Use scotch tape to hold the shape.

w Cut 4 small triangles of the same size and shape. Glue these to the base of your rocket body to create “fins.” Your fins should create a + shape that allows your rocket to stand on its own.

e Remove the pencil and insert the plastic drinking straw, lining it up with your rocket body.

r Blow into the straw to launch your rocket.

MATH CONNECTION

Build A Straw ROcket!

Questions: How far does it travel when you shoot it straight up? How far does it travel when you shoot it straight out? Launch your rocket three times and measure the distance with the tape measure. Record your results.

5 Next, you will experiment with the size and shape of your rocket fins. What happens when you change the size and shape of the triangles used to support the base of your rocket?

y Finally, you will give your rocket a “nose” by twisting the end of the paper. Launch this final rocket three times and record the length the rocket travels.

Questions: What did you observe? Did the size and shape of the fins affect the distance the rocket traveled? Did the length of the nose affect the distance? Which angle for launch gave the most distance—launching straight up, straight out, or somewhere in between?

Learning Target:

I can follow sequential (step by step) instructions to create an experiment. I can record observations and make changes based on my observations.

Mixon works with Boeing employees and suppliers from all across the United States and India, to work together and deliver their products on time and at cost to his customer. He is responsible for solving complex problems of all sizes (for both his Wind Tunnel and Engine Test Facility projects) that meet his customer and employer’s expectations. He is a High School Robotics mentor and the professional development chair and advisor to the Aerospace Professional National Society of Black Engineers Chapter.

Mixon was selected as president of the local National Society of Black Engineers (2012-2017) to develop and promote culturally responsible minority engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. He was also the 2016 Modern Day Technology Leader Awardee at the Back Engineer of the Year Awards STEM Conference.

Learning Target: I can read a biography to learn about African-American contributions in math, science, and technology.

Cause and Effect.

Questions:

Let’s talk about length. You know that 12 inches = 1 foot, and 3 feet = 1 yard, and 5280 feet = 1 mile. Using these measurements, answer following questions.

e How many yards are in a football field? _______________ Convert that number of yards into

q If you walked one and a half miles, how many “feet” did you walk? __________ How many yards did you walk? ____________

w If you threw a football 30 yards, how many feet did the football travel? _______________

Did you know that 1 mile = 1.609 kilometers? If you traveled 5 miles to school, how many kilometers would that be? __________________ If you traveled 25 kilometers, how many miles would that be?

Learning Target: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve math problems. I can use units of distance to solve math problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

read and it will help you understand events in social studies and science. Let’s practice! Use the newspaper to find three examples of cause and effect. Compare your results with your classmates.

Cause and effect is all around you. Understanding this concept will help you in language arts, social studies, and science, in particular. A cause is something that makes something else happen. An effect is what happens as a result of the cause. Ex: Sean overslept and missed the bus. The cause is the fact that Sean overslept; the effect is that he missed the bus. Cause and effect is not always negative. Consider this example: Natasha created flash cards and studied for her science test; she made an A. Here, the cause is that Natasha studied and the effect is that she earned an A. Understanding cause and effect will help you understand what you

Learning Standards: I can identify cause and effect.

rocket to put humans on the moon.

Mixon gives a STEM workshop in Washington D.C.

McCulloch will try to keep his job as county prosecutor on August 7

St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch is seeking re-election, and the August 7 Democratic primary election (when he faces Wesley Bell, currently a Ferguson councilman) will decide his fate, given that no Republican filed for the office before closing. Having held office since 1991, McCulloch was a controversial figure long before he gave Officer Darren Wilson his stamp of approval –then made the announcement that Wilson would not be charged for killing Michael Brown at night, in riot prime time. A card-carrying member of the Blue Line establishment, McCulloch’s tenure has been noteworthy in the black community for little but letting police officers off the hook for shooting unarmed black men. An egregious example: In 2001, two officers shot two unarmed black men 21 times, killing them in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box in North St. Louis County. McCulloch refused to indict the officers, explaining that the shooting was justified because “These guys were bums.” In 2014, while supposedly investigating Wilson’s killing of Brown, McCulloch found time to accuse Charlie Dooley, first black to serve as St. Louis County executive, of corruption. Despite having the full power of the law and the considerable resources of his office behind him, McCulloch never found anything on Dooley, demonstrated by his failure to bring any charges against Dooley. Yet he (and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) continued

to stir up rumors of corruption about Dooley in the absence of evidence. McCulloch overtly backed Dooley’s challenger Steve Stenger, who went on to narrowly win the race. Since McCulloch’s support helped to elect Stenger, the two blue dogs have been politically inseparable. McCulloch’s legislative priorities seem to be as self-centered as McCulloch’s public persona. In 2006, Stenger pushed through a pension windfall for McCulloch. The PostDispatch (which has exhibited a great deal of buyer’s remorse later for pushing Stenger onto voters throughout his first campaign) found that the result of Stenger’s favor to McCulloch would be that McCulloch would collect a pension that was $10,000 more than his current salary. Stenger called it “an act of fairness and appreciation,” but the County Council found it offensive and later voted to roll back McCulloch’s bloated pension.

One of McCulloch’s other priorities – increasing his own salary, as well as the salaries of his top staff – is now creating waves around county government. As a result of Proposition P, a sales tax increase to generate revenue for public safety, Stenger allocated millions to McCulloch’s budget. According to sources familiar with the County budget, McCulloch then allocated part of the Proposition P money to increases for his staff, including his personal secretary. An increase for his secretary may seem only a tad self-serving, but it strikes workers in the county’s criminal justice system, a

municipal courts. Certainly, Bell’s public statements on municipal courts are, to date, progressive. ArchCity Defender’s Executive Director Blake Strode wrote rightly in these pages – black elected officials that “perpetuate the functioning of systems that are devastating for poor people and people of color, they will face a level of resistance reminding them that an empty sense of diversity in leadership was never the ultimate goal.”

Race, money and Northwest Plaza

largely African-American workforce, as unfair, because those who work with prisoners directly did not see a pay raise out of Stenger’s allocation of Proposition P money.

Between McCulloch’s cozy, protective relationship with police officers who shoot unarmed black men and his cozy relationship with the scandal-plagued Stenger, his re-election campaign should not be the shoo-in it has been for him in recent elections. The EYE was told that McCulloch had lost interest in the job, but ran for reelection only at the quiet urging of his longtime ally, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who believes she needs his name on the ballot to energize white voters in the county. Nevertheless, McCaskill knows that she must

avoid any public embrace of McCulloch, a toxic name in post-Ferguson black St. Louis County.

Regrettably, his only opponent, Bell, has a history of practicing law in predatory municipalities like Velda City. An African American, Bell should expect widespread black support. Since McCulloch does have a progressive record of decrying municipal court abusers, another likely source of support for Bell will be from municipalities that want to be left alone to run their taxationby-ticket schemes that are only now beginning to be busted up. Non-black progressives –assuming such a voter group exists in the county – should be pressuring Bell to stay to the progressive side of McCulloch on every issue, including

Stenger has touted his efforts to renew a failed shopping center in St Ann, the former Northwest Plaza. He is right about the fact that this former shopping mecca had failed to the point of becoming a dilapidated eyesore. But when he justifies his shameless overpayment – more than $75 million – by saying his investment of our money was worth it, we should say: Worth it to whom?

Stenger says the revitalized center is home to 2,500 new jobs. Many of these are county government jobs that occupy the $75 million facility. These jobs are not new – just moved, from Northwoods and North County. Stenger relocated the Workforce Development Center from the old North Oaks shopping center in Northwoods. Why not share some of that $75 million with a poor, underserved community that also has a failing shopping center? Why not leave those government workers in Northwoods so they could help the unemployed folks from North County find real new jobs? Stenger’s staff

said that the Northwoods location was not safe for county workers. This is just a dog whistle excuse for racism in government service. The services should be brought to the people who need the service. If Northwoods is not safe, then make it safe. That is the government’s job. Stenger moved the North County government center to St. Ann. This government center is the location of the County Municipal Court. So now, North County residents from Spanish Lake, Castle Point, and the Old Jamestown area must go to St. Ann to pay their traffic tickets. St. Ann is the notorious traffic ticketing capital of the world. This relocation of county services not only makes the unincorporated citizens of North County travel out of their community, they may get another ticket on their trip. The county owns the failed Jamestown Mall. Why not invest some of our tax money in Jamestown? Stenger said there has been a $280 million investment in Northwest Crossings, as

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / UPI

Steve Stenger kissed the ring – or, rather, shook the hand – of St. Louis Prosecutor Bob McCulloch in 2013 when announcing his successful bid for county executive. Stenger and McCulloch both have opponents in the August 7 Democratic primary.

Raising North St. Louis

Good Life Growing wants to bring back North City, one micro-farm at a time

By Tiffany Shawn For The St.

Louis

American

According to the USDA, food deserts are parts of the country void of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers. The local business Good Life Growing is combatting urban decay and food insecurity by way of urban farming. Located northwest of Saint Louis University in the city of St. Louis, it is working to bring healthy food to local food deserts. Sitting on almost two acres, Good Life Growing is focused on methods of organic farming, like aquaponics, hydroponics, and

n “Food injustice, to me, is one of the greatest tragedies that exist in the developed world, and I believe St. Louis is a microcosm.”

– James Forbes

aeroponics.

“We convert vacant, neglected urban spaces into thriving, productive micro-farms,” said co-founder and CEO James Forbes.

Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less

growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment rather than soil.

“I got my start in sustainable agriculture accidentally after graduating from Mizzou’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in ‘08, but I never planned to use the degree,” Forbes said.

He was inspired to learn more haphazardly while watching an episode of “Doomsday Prepper” about surviving the apocalypse by using a solar panel and junk to make an aquaponics system. After his college days, Forbes and friends would practice building

See GROWING, B6

City leaders must heed this wake-up call

We must stop giving tax dollars to special interests

By Comptroller Darlene Green

For The St. Louis American Moody’s Investors Service downgraded St. Louis’s General Obligation (GO) rating from A3 to Baa1 onMay 2, with a stable outlook Moody’s also downgraded St. Louis Municipal Finance Corporation’s (MO) outstanding lease revenue debt from Baa1 to Baa2 for more essential purposes and from Baa2 to Baa3 for less essential services. The revised outlook to stable reflects recent revenue enhancements and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment policy change dedicating 1.5 percent of annual payroll expenditures to rebuilding revenues. However, Moody’s noted the city’s reserves will remain challenged over the near term and competition for city resources

Darlene Green

will remain outsized for the medium term, as resources have been redirected to less essential purposes. This downgrade should be unacceptable to all St. Louisans. And what is most disappointing is that it did not have to happen. Moody’s warned us in March 2017 that we cannot continue increasing the city’s general fund debt for nonessentials. Then, I warned city leaders that we could not fund nonessential projects like the renovation of Scottrade Center without a negative consequence. Yet other city leaders did not collaborate on an alternate financing structure.

This Moody’s downgrade should serve as a wake-up call to all city leaders. We cannot continue to prioritize incentive packages to special interests that rely on the city’s credit and general fund. My office will continue to advance strong fiscal management, and we will continue to advocate and push for the responsible use of tax dollars. But strong fiscal management needs to be a team effort; the City of St. Louis cannot climb back out of this hole if the legislative and administrative functions choose to dig the hole deeper. Comptroller Darlene Green is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city’s credit rating and with protecting taxpayer dollars. Visit www. stlouis-mo.gov/comptroller.

Michael Peoples accepted the position of principal at University City High School. Most recently he was associate principal at Hazelwood East High School, where he oversaw the summer school program, served as a math instructional coach and department leader in the Professional Learning Community, and trained math teachers and instructional coaches.

Katrina Wade, M.D., received the 2018 Missouri College of Emergency Physicians’ (MOCEP) R.R. Hannas Physician of the Year Award. She is professor of Surgery and associate professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Division. She is also director of Medical Student Education and faculty advisor for the Emergency Medicine Interest Group.

Pierre Gilles, M.D., joined Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville, Illinois. He is a general and laparoscopic surgeon with more 40-years of experience that includes but is not limited to breast disease care, endocrine management, as well as all facets of general surgery including advanced minimally invasive surgery and complex hernia care.

Karen D. Anderson is a 2018 Women of Achievement honoree in the category of Civic Responsibility. She is pastor of Ward Chapel AME Church, with leadership positions in the AME church and within the community, including board president for Gamaliel’s Metropolitan Congregations United, board member for Magdalene St. Louis, and cabinet member for Interfaith Partnership and Flourish St. Louis.

Derek T. Billups II graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas as U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is a 2009 graduate of Lindbergh High School.

Brandi Pikes will receive the Leader of Tomorrow Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly. This honor is extended to a law student who demonstrate leadership, professionalism and a passion for making a difference in the justice system or legal profession. A native of

Michael Peoples

Pierre Gilles, M.D.

Brandi Pikes

Derek T. Billups II

Katrina Wade M.D.

Karen D. Anderson

James Forbes, Micah Pfotenhauer, James Hillis and Jack Redden work in one of the hoop houses of Goodlife Growing at the corner of Sarah and Evans avenues in the city’s historic Ville neighborhood.

Photo by Wiley Price

Racial mortgage disparities persist as federal housing enforcement lags

By Charlene Crowell

For The St. Louis American

New research by the Center for Responsible Lending finds that today’s racial wealth gaps were supported and sustained by the federal government’s Fair Housing Administration (FHA). From the program’s inception during the 1930s, FHA perpetuated racial discrimination by making mortgage credit broadly available to white borrowers and at the same time, excluding blacks and other people of color.

More importantly, FHA has an important role to play in leveling today’s mortgage finance field and its two-tiered system.

“These homeownership rate disparities did not occur by chance,” argue Peter Smith and Melissa Stegman, authors of Repairing a two-tiered system: The critical but complex role of FHA. “The homeownership rate gap between whites and people of color is in large part due to historic federal housing policy choices that created decades-long impacts.”

CRL, however, credits FHA mortgage lending as an

important aid to the nation’s economic recovery following the Great Recession. As much of private mortgage lending retreated during the housing crisis, FHA increased its purchase market share to 42 percent in 2009. Prior to that economic crisis, FHA’s market share was only 8.8 percent of the market.

FHA also sustained the mortgage market and provided broad liquidity for wealthier borrowers in addition to lowto-moderate income families.

FHA’s refinancing of toxic subprime loans saved many family homes from foreclosure and became a sustainable alternative.

Today, with much of the mortgage market recovered, unnecessarily tight and expensive credit in the conventional mortgage market often makes FHA the only option to finance homeownership for low- to moderate-income borrowers, lower-wealth borrowers, and borrowers of color. This single-option also means that borrowers broadly denied the lower-cost, most-affordable private loans available, have a slower rate of home

appreciation due to fees and insurance that accompany government-backed loans.

CRL’s analysis of mortgage data from 2004 to 2016 found that:

• The FHA market share for black and Latino borrowers now approaches half of all purchase mortgage lending to these borrowers;

• FHA is the major source of mortgage credit for higherincome black and Latino borrows as compared to conventional lending;

• Tight and expensive credit in the conventional market has led to FHA becoming the only mortgage option for many borrowers of color, low-tomoderate income families, and lower-wealth families.

Of the top 10 FHA home purchase lenders in 2004, five were banks and five were nondepositories; by 2016, eight of the top 10 FHA lenders were non-depositories.

Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship workshop

The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host a workshop on Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 at The First Bank, 4387 N. Illinois St. in Swansea. The workshop is open to all entrepreneurs in the community and will focus on a variety of topics designed to instruct new business startups as well as individuals who have an interest in entrepreneurship. The topics will include business planning, business entity formation, business enterprises program certification, importance of credit and how to gain access to capital.

Representatives from the State of Illinois and the Metro East SBDC will be available to offer advice and answer any questions participants may have. Those interested in the free event may call (618) 650-2929. Online registration is open at https://conta.cc/2uswL1j

It is important to note that the withdrawal of banks leaving the FHA insured program comes at a time of record profits, made possible in large by taxpayer dollars that provided a financial bailout of failing financial institutions, during the housing collapse. These lenders exit the program at a time when it is inadequately funded and lacks up-to-date technology that could enhance its administrative functions. Further, the exit of large banks additionally became a gateway for non-depository institutions to fill the market’s gap. Nonbanks, subject to fair lending protections, are not however included in the Community Reinvestment Act. Many of the financial abuses that led to the housing crisis began with unregulated and nonbank lenders.

Many lenders will argue that the retreat from FHA was caused by actions taken by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice under the False Claims Act.

This federal law allows the government to hold companies accountable for making “false claims” to the government about their products or services. Beyond being assessed damages for infractions, enforcement of the law can additionally include a company or representative being banned from future federal funds or contracts.

State attorneys general would counter this lender claim by pointing to the $25 billion national mortgage settlement reached with five of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers as evidence that lenders engaged in egregious conduct in clear violation of the law.

The significance of major banks withdrawing from the mortgage market is further underscored by other findings shared in a related report by the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA):

• Since 1988, close to $1 billion in victim compensation has resulted from lawsuits alleging redlining and discrimination by mortgage lenders;

• Housing discrimination complaints grew from 2016 to 2017’s 28,843 cases;

• Of 2017’s discriminatory housing complaints, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) processed less than five percent, or 1,311; and

• Among the 6,896 complaints processed by state and local Fair Housing Assistance Program Agencies, the Department of Justice brought only 41 cases.

“As the 2018 Trends Report shows, we must put an end to the many institutionalized barriers that prevent too many families in this country from fair access to housing,” said Lisa Rice, NFHA president and CEO. “We cannot build a thriving society as long as our nation is plagued by discrimination, segregation, and severe economic inequality.”

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

Signatures turned in for ballot initiative to raise minimum wage

Raise Up Missouri said that on May 2 it turned in enough signatures to put a ballot issue before Missouri voters this November that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 by 2023. The group said it turned in more than 120,000 signatures and that signature thresholds were exceeded in six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts, as required by state law. The initiative will receive a formal ballot name pending approval of the signatures by the Missouri Secretary of State. The initiative will increase Missouri’s minimum wage from its current rate of $7.85

an hour to $8.60 next year, and then increase it gradually each year until it reaches $12 an hour in 2023. State and local governments estimate no direct costs or savings from the proposal.

“The increase to $12 phases in gradually, giving low-paying businesses time to adjust and experience the benefits of a rising minimum wage such as increased consumer spending, cost savings from lower employee turnover, increased productivity, and happier customers,” said Pam Hausner, owner of Big Vision Design in Kansas City and business

campaign manager for Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. Advocated said that raising wages for lowincome workers would cut government spending and save taxpayers money. A recent study by the Labor Center at the University of California Berkeley showed that poverty wages for working families in Missouri alone are costing federal taxpayers more than $2.4 billion annually, and Missouri state taxpayers more than $335 million each year. For more information, visit www.raiseupmo.org.

Chris Motley to keynote Capital Innovators’ Demo Day 2018

Chris Motley will be the keynote speaker at Capital Innovators’ Demo Day 2018 on Tuesday, May 15 at The Pageant. He is founder and CEO of Better Weekdays, a venture-backed startup that helps university recruiters access diverse student talent and is a portfolio company of Capital Innovators.

Capital Innovators, founded in 2010 by Judy Sindecuse, is a St. Louis-based venture fund that runs a 12-week accelerator program.

At Demo Day 2018, Capital Innovators will showcase 12 of its latest investments, with startups from up-and-coming international startup cities like Mexico City, Singapore and

Chris Motley

Denver, as well as already developed hubs like San Francisco and New York City. Their products range from IoT, AI, SaaS, Marketplaces, CPG, Machine Learning, and Blockchain.

Of the 12 companies, five have a female founder on the executive team.

Capital Innovators selected these 12 companies out of over 860 applications from 56

countries and 35 states. During the three-month program in Saint Louis, the companies validate their business models, test new strategies for growth, and hone their pitch for follow-on investment, amongst other business development activities.

Demo Day in St. Louis provides an opportunity for each startup founder to tell their story, share their traction to date, and illustrate the ultimate visions for their company. For more information on Demo Day and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/y8fb2tdl. For more information on Capital Innovators, visit www. capitalinnovators.com.

LaunchCode accepting applications for free coding classes

LaunchCode is now accepting applications for two free computer coding programs this summer.

LC101 is a free, 20-week coding course starting July 16. This course covers core concepts of code, web development, and job-oriented skill tracks. Students become trained developers, learning skills in C#, Python, and Java Classes are 5:30 -8:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Due to space restrictions, those not initially admitted to in-person sections will have the option to take the 6-week Unit 1 curriculum online with the option of joining the in-person sessions for the remaining

units. LC101 is held at the LaunchCode Mentor Center, 4811 Delmar Blvd., and Center for Workforce Innovation, 3344 Pershall Rd. Applications are open until June 18. Apply for LC101 online at https://tinyurl.com/ yasskxzr. CoderGirl is a course designed to engage and educate women in the technology community in St. Louis. The program begins with a 6-month learning cycle with class weekly from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, after which students begin work in the project cycle. CoderGirl provides a space for women of

all skill levels to learn to code in a supportive community. Applications are open until June 18 and classes begin July 11 at the LaunchCode Mentor Center, 4811 Delmar Blvd. Apply for CoderGirl at https:// tinyurl.com/y9vqnj2l. A laptop with administrator privileges running Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.13.2 or newer is required for participation.

LaunchCode is hosting a series of 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday information sessions about these courses at the Mentor Center, 4811 Delmar Blvd. on May 19, June 2, and June 9. For more information, visit www.launchcode.org.

Charlene Crowell

n “Ever since I was young, I always envisioned myself in these type of moments in the playoffs, at the highest level.”

— St. Louisan Jayson Tatum

Sports

t

& FIeld notebook

Sectionals on Saturday

Cleveland, Maplewood look strong heading into state

The boys’ teams from Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC and Maplewood have set themselves up for a strong postseason run with strong showings at last weekend’s Class 2, District 2 meet at Monroe City. Both teams qualified a strong contingent of athletes to Saturday’s sectional meet at Hillsboro. The top four finishers at the sectionals will advance to the Class 2 State Championships in Jefferson City on May 18-19. Cleveland had seven district champions and advanced athletes in 10 individual events and three relays. Maplewood had five district champions while qualifying athletes in nine individual events and all four relays. The Commanders were led by its stellar trio of James Allen, Antonio Norman and Kelsey Cole. Allen won the 400-meter dash in 51.08 seconds and the 800-meter run in 2 minutes and 01.41 seconds. Norman won the 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter intermediate hurdles and the high jump. Cole swept the long jump and triple jump, posting winning marks of 21 feet in the long jump and 46-0 in the triple jump. He also won the 200-meter dash in 22.5. The Commanders also finished first in the 4x400-meter relay. Other qualifiers of Cleveland included Daunte Farrell (fourth in the 100), Mark Hutchinson (third in 800, fourth in 1,600) and the 4x100- and 4x800-meter relays.

Maplewood’s individual

Three’s company

As the Western Conference Finals approach, roundball fans around the globe are salivating at the glorious matchup the basketball gods have bestowed upon us. Even though, the matchup was seemingly inevitable, there was always a chance that some freak injury or bizarre occurrence could derail what many consider to be the real NBA Finals. Steph Curry Kevin Durant and the defending champion Golden State Warriors will face off against James Harden, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets, who finished with the best regular season record in the league. Whenever playoffs arrive in any sport, there is always much media banter about “bulletin board material.” After all, a good coach or team leader will latch on to any perceived sleight and use it to motivate the team.

material after the Rockets defeated the Warriors 116-108 on Jan. 20.

“We’re confident because we know if we’re doing what we’re supposed to do, we’re going to beat them,” he told ESPN.

“We are better than them,” he later added.

Those are big words coming from a player who was just 13-months-old the last time the Rockets advanced to the NBA Finals. But to paraphrase a famous saying, “Well-behaved centers seldom make history.”

As far as the Rockets are concerned, the team doesn’t need a sinister quote or ear-opening soundbite for motivation. All Mike D’Antoni’s team needs to fixate its collective eye upon are the two NBA championship trophies Golden State has earned over the past three seasons and its three consecutive Western Conference championships.

Morey admitted on ESPN Radio’s

Rockets’ center Clint Capela provided the Warriors with some A-1 bulletin board

“It’s the only thing we think about,” Rockets GM Daryl

Mike and the Rockets have been cooking up ways to out-Warrior the Warriors. When Curry and Klay Thompson began assaulting the three-point record books, D’Antoni’s strategy was to

Earl Austin Jr.

TRACK, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

(4)

(5) was

The Houston Rockets’ Chris Paul and James Harden will attempt to stop Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors from advancing to the team’s fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Confessions of a closet White Sox fan; Tatum taking over postseason

While the St. Louis Cardinals were sweeping the Chicago Cubs last weekend, the Chicago White Sox played host to the Minnesota Twins.

My daughter, Bryson, had just completed her freshman year at Dominican University in the northwest suburb of River Forest, Illinois and sang at the baccalaureate service on Saturday. I drove up Sunday and before heading home on Monday with a SUV full of her belongings, we decided to take in Sunday’s White Sox game. My late father had cousins that resided in Chicago and his dad was a graduate of the University of Chicago. They were southsiders and they were White Sox fans. They wanted nothing to do with the Cubs.

I attended a game at old, raggedy Comiskey Park long before I ever set foot in Wrigley Field and I still count myself as a White Sox fan. The Sox moved into a new stadium in 1991 and it now carries the name Guaranteed Rate Field.

I purchased two tickets on StubHub in the club level section for $24 each – less than half of their true value. I had no idea it was a swank area of the stadium with a carpeted concourse and a host or hostess who could take your order from your seat.

White Sox starter James Shields had pitched a solid game against the Cardinals last week, only to see his work be wasted when St. Louis rallied for a win late in the game. He took the mound again on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon

against the Twins and he gave the fans something special. Shields carried a perfect

game into the sixth inning, retiring the first 16 batters he faced. He surrendered a walk to

end the perfect outing but survived the inning without giving up a hit.

His no-hitter stayed intact until he gave up a single with one out in the seventh inning. The White Sox bullpen would ultimately give up three runs in the inning and, after rallying in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, the White Sox would lose 5-3.

But the fans in attendance, about 18,000, certainly enjoyed the game and their team of young players. The White Sox are in rebuild mode. They aren’t very good and are on track to win just 48 games this season. After Shields lost his no hitter and the lead, my daughter and I decided to go down to the lower concourse and check out the scene. More great food and many Latino dishes, including “elote,” or Mexican corn on the cob. The corn is shaved from the cob into a bowl and cheese, mayonnaise, lime and chili powder are mixed in. Yummy!

Another highlight was when White Sox player Tim Anderson, who is black, walked up to the batter’s box and “All I Know is Trap” blared through the stadium speakers. Fans of all colors and ages seemed to spring to life. Walking into the stadium reminded me of St. Louis games when I was in my teens. There were many empty seats, but the people there were base-

ball fans. They were there not to worship the franchise, be part of a “nation” or join the see-and-be-seen crowd. They were there to see baseball. It’s a good feeling. One that sometimes gets lost in Busch Stadium.

A White Sox game also offers something you don’t get a lot of at Busch or Wrigley –diversity.

There were many black and Latino families at the game. Parents and kids were decked out in White Sox gear. Young people of various ethnicities sat together in all parts of the stadium. Yes, there are minority families at Cardinals games, but it seems like we are exceptions rather than part of the rule.

Another fun part of the White Sox experience was its parking lot adjacent to the stadium. It cost $10, was well-guarded and you could bring in your grill, coolers, chairs and get your tailgate on before the game.

Scores of fans were partaking in the pre-game party before heading into the game. People were playing all kinds of music, playing bean-bag toss, eating, drinking and having a grand time. There was still a Mexican flair to the gathering, being the day after Cinco de Mayo. Yes, the White Sox are bad, but their fans sure seemed to have a good time. We’ll prob-

ably go back when she returns to college in late summer. By then the White Sox will be hopelessly far from first place or a postseason berth. But I’ll bet the great vibe that was in the air last Sunday will still be around. Go Sox, and good guys do wear black.

Tatum’s time to shine

First, the Boston Celtics lost superstar free-agent forward Gordon Hayward on the first night of the NBA season to a grisly leg injury. It happened against the rival Cleveland Cavaliers.

Guard Kyrie Irving, who came to the Celtics in a trade with the Cavaliers after he made it clear he wanted out of LeBron James’ shadow, was playing at an all-star level before he was lost for the season after knee surgery. The Celtics’ season seemed doom, even though rookie Jayson Tatum was having a solid first season. The Chaminade and Duke product was thrust into a starting role, more minutes than anyone thought he should play and the spotlight. He is flourishing and is headed for a showdown with the Cavaliers in the NBA East Conference final. The Celtics held a commanding 3-1 series lead after a 101-98 overtime win on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday and then a 103-92 loss on Monday.

Tatum led Boston with 24 points in the overtime victory and added 20 in the Game Four loss. He has scored 20 or more in six consecutive playoff games for the Celtics and is the only player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in six postseason games at 20-years old or younger. He broke his own record of five straight games.

Tatum is also adding his name to the Celtics’ record book. He has scored 201 points in the playoffs, and the only Celtic to score more as a rookie in the postseason is Tommy Heinsohn (229 points). He surpassed Celtics’ immortal Larry Bird, who scored 192 postseason points his rookie year. Game Five of the series was scheduled for Wednesday night in Boston. Tatum could pass Heinsohn in that contest and should certainly overtake him of the Celtics advance to take on the Cavaliers.

Last week, 76ers legend Julius “Dr. J.” Irving fired up Philly fans and first-round draftee Markelle Fultz when he told ESPN “Tatum probably should have been the first pick in the draft.”

“He was there. I guess there was just, it was all about the fit. And we took Fultz, Philly took Fultz… Tatum has been awesome, it just seems as though when you get a player who can raise the level of their game at playoff time, you’ve got somebody special.

“I like Tatum. I like what he brings to the table.”

Following the Game Three victory, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said, “No moment is too big (for Tatum).”

“He’s got guts. He’s a competitive guy. Sometimes I think we misconstrue some of these slight guys when they come out of college for not being tough, but he’s tough and very competitive.”

The Celtics would be underdogs against James and the Cavaliers. The stage is set for Tatum to show the world just how tough he is.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, is a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and can also be heard on Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Jayson Tatum has scored 20 or more in six consecutive playoff games for the Celtics and is the only player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in six postseason games at 20-years old or younger.

Signing Day at Hazelwood Central

CLUTCH

per game (1st) while the Warriors shot just 31.5 (5th). This season, the Rockets moved up to 42.1 attempts per game (1st) while the Warriors dropped down to 29.0 attempts (16th).

The Warriors have leveled off for efficiency’s sake while nearly every Rockets player besides Capela treats the threepoint line like crime scene tape: do not cross. It’s hard to argue with the results. With Paul on board, the Rockets surged to a league-leading 65 victories. That’s seven more wins than the Warriors. Furthermore, in the regular season head-to-head matchups, Houston emerged victorious 2-to-1. That’s what gave Capela the confidence to boldly proclaim that the Rockets are the top dogs. Now they have to go out and prove it. Harden, who is expected to be the runaway favorite for regular-season MVP, will do what Harden does. The 6-foot-6 guard is possibly the most-unguardable player in the entire league. His ridiculous

TRACK

Continued from C5 champions were Zach Barton in the 100 and Malik Stewart in the 1,600. The Blue Devils also got district championship performances from its 4x100- and 4x800-meter relay teams. Also advancing to the sectionals from Maplewood include; Barton (fourth in 200), Tyree King (fourth in 400), Stewart (second in the 800), Joshua Helle (third in 3,200), Logan McDonald (third in high jump), Chris Skaggs (second in discus, fourth in shot put) and the 4x200- and 4x400-meter relay teams. On the girls’ side, there were five district champions and five runners-up at Monroe City. Sophomore McKinlee Morris of Crossroads won the shot put and discus with efforts of 38 feet 4 inches in the shot put and 120-6 in the discus. Jayda Buchannon of Maplewood was also a double-winner in the 400 and 800. Heaven Payne of McKinley Classical won the long jump with an effort of 16-5. The girls’ second-place finishers were Jada Hubbard of Medical and Bio Science in the 100, Jasmine Cody of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC in the 200, Yaszmin Ayers of Medical and Bio Science in the 400, Brentwood’s 4x100 and Medical and Bio Science’s 4x200.

blend of handles, strength and shooting ability makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Though this will be Paul’s first-ever appearance in the Western Conference Finals, anybody expecting him to be overmatched or out of his element is plain nuts. CP3 has been waiting for this opportunity his entire career. You can bet your last dollar he’ll be ready to go. With Harden and Paul, the Rockets have a future Hall of Fame guard on the court at all times. Those guys will continue to get the ball to Ryan Anderson Trevor Ariza Eric Gordon and the green light gunners. However, it could be Capela’s play that determines whether then Rockets ultimately have enough firepower to shoot down the Warriors. Against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Warriors debuted it’s “death lineup” aka the “Hamptons 5.” Coach Steve Kerr opted to start Curry, Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Durant and Draymond Green Should he trot out that lineup again versus the Rockets, that could leave the 6-foot-11 Capela matched up against the 6-foot-7 Green (Before you start, I realize that I’m using

Class 3,4, and 5 District meets this weekend

The Class 3,4 and 5 District meets will be held on Saturday around the St. Louis metro area. Class 3 District meets involving area teams will be held at Park Hills Central, Principia and Lutheran North.

P

the NBA’s bogus height numbers.). Putting Capela on Green could prove either wildly successful or disastrous. Green often helps facilitate the Warriors offense from the top of the key. Drawing Capela outside the paint, will open up middle, where the Rockets could get gashed for the entire series. That’s dependent on Green being a reliable threat from the three-point line. Otherwise, Capela could sag back to help clog the middle. Against the Pelicans, Green shot 40 percent from behind the arc. That’s nearly 10 percent higher than his 30.1 percent mark during the regular season. On the flip side, Capela averaged an impressive 13.0 points, 10.2 assists and 3.6 blocks against the Utah Jazz. However, he matched up against more traditional post men such as Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors. Against the Warriors latest lineup, Capela could prove to be a liability. That means the guy who provides rim protection and rebounds the bazillion three-pointers that the Rockets launch per game, could be relegated to the bench until JaVale McGee or David West enter the game.

Obviously, the Warriors future also largely depends on Curry’s health. The two-time MVP missed 37-games (regular-season and playoffs) with ankle and knee injuries. Still, in four games, Curry averaged 24.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and, most importantly, shot 44.1 percent from long range. Against the Rockets, expect those numbers to rise as his conditioning improves and due to the Rockets’ style of play. The Warriors team has been to the mountaintop (twice) and is unlikely to be caught up in the gravitas of this series. Like Harden, Durant is going to do what Durant does. Not much else needs to be said about his expected contributions.

he ST. LouiS AmericAn AreA coLLege AThLeTeS of The Week

Demontez McCray

Continued from C5 seconds and the 200 in a seasonal best time of 21.08. He also ran a leg on McKendree’s 4x400-meter relay team that finished in second place. As a sophomore, McCray was selected the GLVC Male Track Athlete of the Year. He finished second in the 200 at the NCAA Outdoor Nationals meet in 2017.

I expect the Rockets to give the champs a run for the money, but in the end, a healthy Warriors team in nearly unbeatable. Four current AllStars and the 2015 Finals MVP in the starting lineup will be too much for The Beard and his merry band of sharpshooters.

Prediction: Golden State Warriors win in 6 Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

The top four finishers in each event will qualify for the sectional championships at Rockwood Summit and Lutheran North on May 19. Athletes in Class 4 will be competing in district meets at Hillsboro, Pacific and MICDS. The top four finishers in each event will advance to the sec-

Jameson Williams

Cardinal Ritter – Boys Track & Field

The standout junior had a stellar week of performances at two different meets. At the Archdiocesan Athletic Association meet, Williams was dominant in three events. He won the 100-meter dash in 10.62 seconds, the 200 in a blistering time of 21.23 and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 38.03. He also finished third in the high jump.

Williams also won three events at the Lutheran

South Invitational. He won the 200 in 21.46, the 400 in 47.23 and he anchored the 4x200-meter relay to a firstplace finish in the 4x200-meter relay. He also finished second in the 100 in 10.79. Williams is also a standout on the Lions’ football team, where he is one of the top prospects in the state of Missouri. He has received scholarship offers from many of the top college football programs in the country.

tionals at Rockwood Summit and MICDS on May 19.

The Class 5 District meets with area schools will be held at Oakville, CBC and Pattonville. The top four finishers will advance to sectional competition at Kirkwood and MICDS on May 19.

The junior sprinter from O’Fallon High dominated the sprints at last weekend’s Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships in Romeoville, Illinois. McCray was the conference champion in the 100and 200-meter dashes for the third consecutive year. He won the 100 in 10.47

Randal Walker

Washington University – Women’s Track & Field

The freshman thrower from Carrollton, Texas was named the Women’s Rookie of the Year in the University Athletic Association. Walker was a double-winner at last weekend’s UAA Outdoor Championships in St. Louis. She won the shot put with a throw of 41

McKendree University – Men’s Track & Field feet 9 inches and the discus with an effort of 134 feet 11 inches. Walker’s two winning throws helped the Bears win the UAA team championship. As a senior in high school, she was an All-State performer in both the shot put and the discus.

Several athletes from Hazelwood Central signed their letters of intent. They include: Xavier Ball (Midland College), Damon Cobb (Ellsworth Community), Jhaylen CovingtonBerry (William Penn), Larrion Heard (Ellsworth Community), Kourtney White (Fontbonne), Cameron Williams (SIUE), Vashaun Anderson (Fontbonne), Jacob Busch(MidAmerica Nazarene), Kelly Grant (Gallaudet University),Devin Matteoni (St. Charles Community), Logan Pratte (Lindenwood-Belleville), and Austin Richards (Missouri Baptist).

GROWING

continued from page B1

systems in one another’s backyards, and it was mind blowing.

“You can catch rainwater and raise fish and plants in any setting – rural or urban, indoors and outdoors, hot or cold,” Forbes said.

City dwellers often have to live by way of convenience, lacking access or education to obtain healthy food.

“People load up on unhealthy food, which is why I think North St. Louis has such a higher rate of diabetes, liver failure, heart disease, obesity, asthma, etc.,” Forbes said. “It’s a compounding problem. Convenient food is not actually cheap. It adds up over the long run, and adds insane medical bills and prescriptions.”

Poor health can lead people to self-medicate, which may lead to addiction, then fueling crime and narcotics trafficking.

“Because people living in food deserts lack access to food and dignifying work, it leads, from my observations, to the many social issues plaguing society today,” Forbes said.

Good Life Growing aims to inspire, train, educate and incubate aspiring social enterprises to take up empty, blighted land that developers and investors ignore and turn them into thriving foodproduction organizations.

“I hope that people copy our urban farming model and spread it in every economically and resource-depressed part

of the planet,” Forbes said. “Food injustice, to me, is one of the greatest tragedies that exist in the developed world, and I believe St. Louis is a microcosm.”

Forbes realizes it takes a village to improve the village.

His mentor, Ellis Bell, a 5th generation sharecropper from Mississippi, supported Forbes’ vision while he worked for him.

“He hired me on to his insurance brokerage and had me focused on agricultural insurance. I attended St. Louis Agriculture Club meetings with him,” Forbes said.

“From those meetings I got hooked up with the developers working on Farmworks, met a ton of great people and ultimately got access to our property in The Ville. I thought blending his concept of connecting youth to agriculture in an urban setting would be a good way to repurpose property and provide a skilled trade component. Lastly, he had me pursue expanding his non-profit organization that aimed at getting rural African-American youth exposed to agricultural studies so they can get access to the growing agriculture business sector.

He also relies on his aunt Ruth Smith, former president and CEO of Human Development Corporation of Metropolitan St. Louis, for daily guidance, community engagement and empowerment, and Alderman Sam Moore helped navigate city politics. His partners Matt Stoyanov, Bobby Forbes, and James Hillis, constantly help him to

‘Safeguarding

improve operations, and Roy Roberson, Jack McGee, and Janette Kohl are North St. Louis residents who keep him informed.

“On one acre of land, a family can generate over $40,000 a year. One acre equals three vacant lots in the city,” Forbes said. “They just have to learn how to grow, wash, package, and sell. With urban agriculture, we can introduce a new system of selfsustainability, healthier food options, occupied land, rising property values, better housing and schools, legal enterprise –and more businesses will move in.”

Forbes noted that urban farmers with small plots face obstacles getting into the forprofit sector of the agriculture industry.

“It’s been historically geared to wealthy, predominantly white, rural people. I tell kids in The Ville all the time that there is a $5.2 trillion pie in food retail/production, and 99 percent of that is coming from the top 10 percent of the wealthiest food producers. The bottom 90 percent don’t even touch the industry because we all assume farmers are poor and work too hard,” he said.

“I hope to see 1,000 families get into micro-farming, unify under a local collaborative of brands, retake and then reinvest in their communities. I’d then hope that, with good health and money, North St. Louis and other blighted urban cores can begin the long journey of unraveling systemic oppression.”

Small Businesses from Crime’ forum

St. Louis License Collector Mavis T. Thompson will host the forum “Safeguarding Small Businesses from Crime” 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May

11 at the Café East Conference Room at St. Louis Community College Forest Park. St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden will speak alongside panelists from Better Business Bureau,

Financial Focus

By Andre K. Nelson

Talk to your spouse about your retirement vision

If you’re single, your retirement goals are your own – you don’t really have to consult with anybody, and you can change your plans whenever you like. However, if you’re married, you and your spouse should develop a joint “vision” encompassing all the key areas of your retirement lifestyle. These are a few questions you may want to address first: Where should we live?

Once you retire, you may need to consider two key aspects of your living situation: the size and location of your home. Regarding size, you may look around one day and realize you have more living space than you actually need. This is especially true, of course, if you have children who have set out on their own. So, if you have a large single-family house, you may want to consider whether you should move into a condominium or even an apartment, either of which might be more cost-effective for you. As for location, you may decide that retirement is the perfect time to move, either to seek a more favorable climate or to be near grown

Brightside St. Louis and the Urban League. To RSVP, email greenej@stlouis-mo. gov or call 314-622-4528.

children and grandchildren. In any case, moving to a different area is a major financial decision, so you and your spouse will certainly want to discuss all the aspects of relocation.

Will either of us work?

Retirement no longer means the cessation of all work. You or your spouse – or perhaps you and your spouse – may want to use your skills and experience to do some consulting or even open your own business. Adding

The power in speaking one’s truth

Author Jo Lena Johnson will discuss her latest book, “Broken Conditions” on Saturday, May 19 at Mark Anthony’s Collections in Chesterfield Mall.

Audra’s American songbook

Author Jo Lena Johnson to sign and discuss new book ‘Broken Conditions’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

In her latest book, “Broken Conditions,” the first installment of her “Clean Colored Girl Chronicles,” Jo Lena Johnson keeps it real, to say the least.

Dysfunctional personal relationships, challenging family dynamics, poor choices – all of it, every bit – is touched upon as she tells her story. It’s a completely different side of what one might see upon meeting the founder and CEO

of Absolute Good Training and Life Skills Management and publisher of Mission Possible Press. As a life coach, or resilience coach as she prefers, she exudes power, strength and confidence. But through the book, readers will see Johnson as a work in progress – a woman willing to face her painful truths as she continues her journey towards healing as well as helping others along the way.

“I feel like these things happened to me for See AUTHOR, C8

A young mother’s love

Despite obstacles, Shakita Johnson sees four children off to college

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

As Shakita Johnson prepares for her youngest daughter, Jazmyne Coleman, to graduate from Lift For Life Academy in the coming weeks, she found herself thinking about her own graduation. It’s been 20 years since she walked across the stage as part of the Parkway West Class of 1998. When she did, Johnson was pregnant with her third child.

At 16, She had given birth to twin daughters Ke-La and Ka-La Harris at 24 weeks. Johnson spent months in the NICU at Cardinal Glennon Hospital with her girls. How she managed to triumph over the everyday struggles that come with teen motherhood twofold, let alone twin preemies, and complete her secondary education along with her classmates is hard to fathom. But she did exactly that. A year after giving birth to her son Karlos Coleman, she found herself pregnant with Jazmyne. Before she turned 20, she was a mother of four.

“When I got pregnant with my fourth child, I couldn’t even get it into my system to tell anyone that I was pregnant because I didn’t want

Six-time Tony Award winner and three-time Grammy Award winner Audra McDonald blew St. Louis audiences away as she belted some of Broadway’s most beloved compositions along with lesser known selections during her concert presentation of “Songs From the American Musical Theater” Sunday night at The Touhill Performing Arts Center. For a full review of her performance, visit www.stlamerican.com.

and dedication

(center) with her children, Karlos Coleman, Ke-La

Ka-La

and Jazmyne Coleman in 2015. When Jazmyne Coleman graduates from Lift For Life Academy on May 23 and matriculates to Tennessee State University, all of Johnson’s children will be enrolled in four-year colleges and universities.

to keep hearing the same thing that I had heard previously,” Johnson said. “You know, the ‘What are you going to do now?’ ‘You messed your life up. You’re not going to be anything, and your kids won’t be anything.’” But Johnson had a different life in mind for herself and her children. And, when Jazmyne heads off to Tennessee State University this fall, the life Johnson envisioned and subsequently worked for on behalf of her children will be

manifested. Jazmyne will join the twins and her older brother as college students at four-year college and universities. Ke-La at Southeast Missouri State University, Ka-La at Illinois College and Karlos at University of MissouriSt. Louis. It was Johnson’s own college experience

See MOTHER, C4

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

R. Kelly has a major legal advantage over Bill Cosby, who is now a convicted felon, that has everything to do with the race and age of Kelly’s alleged victims. Black girls. Black girls who have been sexually objectified are deemed worthless in our society.

R. Kelly’s lust for young girls first surfaced in 1996 with his marriage to 15-year-old Aaliyah, an up-and-coming recording star. Her parents quickly had the marriage annulled. Aaliyah Haughton’s career was snuffed out at the age of 22 when her plane crashed in 2001. Kelly faced no charges until a sex tape allegedly involving an underage girl was sent to the Chicago Sun Times in 2002. The Sun Times’ investigation led to 21 counts of child pornography, but the recording artist managed to slip through the jaws of justice with a jury’s acquittal. Since 1996, the accusations of statutory rape, rape, drugging, child pornography and assault have been non-stop. There have even been allegations of a sex cult ran by Kelly where girls are trained as sex pets. Some alleged victims filed lawsuits, and public records show that some of those were settled, but the women were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements. The talented songwriter and producer had a lot going for him that keeps him shielded from the law. The two-time Grammy winner has sold 33 million albums worldwide, which means that RCA (his record company) has no moral interest in holding Kelly accountable. His loyal fans are tone-deaf to the years of allegations. Friends in the entertainment business looked the other way. One BET Award, 11 Soul Train Awards and four NAACP Image Awards were bestowed upon the musical genius while sexual perversion charges swirled around him.

The #MuteRKelly campaign was launched last year by Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye. Their goal is reflected by the hashtag: a “complete and total mute” of Kelly’s career – none of his music on the radio, no streaming, no concerts. These sisters stepped up to speak for the girls who have been silenced. Yet, he continues to go about his business.

Barnes and Odeleye received harassment and threats from angry Kelly supporters. The campaign has since converged with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements to form a powerful fist that is going to make R Kelly wish he was “Locked in a Closet,” the title of one of his hit

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Shakita Johnson

Harris,

Harris

Photo by Wiley Price

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Fri., May 11, 7 p.m., 95.5

The Lou presents the District Rhythm Series feat. MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. ticketfly.com.

Sun., May 13, 5 p.m., A Mother’s Day Celebration with Donnell Jones. Fox Sports Midwest Live, 601 Clark St., 63102. For more information, visit www.ticketf. ly.

Sun., May 13, 5:30 p.m., The Mildred Thimes Foundation presents the 22nd Annual Denise Thimes and Friends Mother’s Day Concert With musical guests Jermaine Smith and Matthew Whitaker. Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., 63121.

Sun., May 13, 7 p.m., Smooth presents R&B Legends Mother’s Day Edition feat. Evelyn “Champagne” King with Tony Terry and Kim Massie. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 13, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Monica 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Thur., May 17, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Big Boi: Daddy Fat Saxxx Tour – The Third Leg. 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. ticketf.ly.

Fri., May 18, 5 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Ezinma Ramsay Strings Attached Concert. With special guest Rhoda G. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 20, 7 p.m., Jazz

St. Louis welcomes Terence E. Blanchard feat. The E-Collective. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 20, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Sat., May 26, 8 p.m., Oren Major – Black Privilege Tour. Foam, 3359 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, call (314) 772-2100 or visit www. foamstlouis.com.

Fri., June 8, 5:30 p.m., Hot 104.1 Super Jam. Feat Post Malone, 21 Savage, Remy Ma, SOB X RBE, DJ Luke Nasty, & Derez De’Shon. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www. topeventpromoter.com.

local gigs

Sat., May 19, 10 p.m., Dark Room presents Mario y Jingo and Friends: Late Night Grooves. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63103. For more information, visit www. thedarkroomstl.com.

Sun., May 20, 3:30 p.m., Notes from Home. J. Samuel Davis, with special guests Wycliffe Gordon Harvey Lockhart, celebrates music legend Robert Edwards. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Sun., May 27, 2:30 p.m., The Grandel hosts the Willie Akins Jazz Festival Performances by Joe Mancuso, Erika Johnson, Sandra Akins, and more. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund at Webster University. 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

The Mildred Thimes Foundation presents the 22nd Annual Denise

and Friends Mother’s Day Concert. See CONCERTS for details.

special events

Thur., May 10, 6 p.m., Disney Junior Dance Party on Tour. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fri., May 11, 6 p.m., Mentors In Motion & SLPS Songwriting Competition Red Carpet Finale. Hosted by Carol Daniel with keynote speaker State Representative Bruce Franks Jr. The Thaxton, 1009 Olive St., 63101. For more information, visit www. mentorsnmotion.org/calendar.

Sun., May 13, 8:30 a.m., Mother’s Day 5K Run/ Walk. Timed and untimed events, and a kid’s race. Forest Park, Cricket Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.missouriruns.com/ stlouismothersday5k.

Sun., May 13, 4 p.m., Soulful Sundays Mother’s SoulDAY At the National Blues Museum. Performance by Gene Jackson. National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Tues., May 15, 6 p.m., 5 p.m., St. Louis County Parks presents Food Truck Fest 2018. Tilles Park, 9551 Litzsinger Rd, 63124. For more information, call (314) 615-4386 or visit www. stlouisco/parks.com.

Tues., May 15, 6 p.m., MSD Rate Commission Public Hearing. A public hearing for the community to give feedback on the 2018 MSD Stormwater Capital Rate Proposal. City of Bridgeton Recreation Center, 4201 Fee Fee Rd., 63044. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

Tues., May 15, 6:30 p.m., I Am Hip Hop. This event will bring the community together to highlight the positive contributions of women in hip hop. St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 396-9157.

Sat., May 19, 6 p.m., The Fontbonne Prom. A nonprofit gala in support of our new scholarship program for debtfree college education for lowincome students. The RitzCarlton, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu/ alumni.

Sat., May 19, 8 a.m., Purina

presents the 25th Annual Bark in the Park. 5K or 1-mile walk, silent auction, vendors, kid’s activities, and more. Cricket Field, Forest Park, 63112. For more information, visit www. member.hsmo.org.

Sun., May 20, 1 p.m. (preparade festivities begin at 11 a.m.) 108th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade, Route begins at 20th and Market. For parade registration and information, visit www. anniemalone.com/events or call 314-531-0120

Tues., May 22, 6 p.m., Community Action Agency of St. Louis County presents Taste of Missouri: Its Wines and Communities. Learn about wines and services to help people transition from poverty. 2709 Woodson Rd., 63114. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

May 23 – 26, Black Dance –USA National Conference. Learn from master instructors in the styles of: West Afrikan, Afrikan Carribean, hip-hop, percussion, samba, and more. Better Family Life Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. betterfamilylife.wufoo.com.

Thur., May 24, 10 a.m., Project Homeless Connect. A one stop shop for homeless individuals and families to access free services and assistance. JCPenney Building Conference Center, UMSL, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 615-0379.

May 25 – 27, U. City Class of 1978 40th Reunion. We will have dinner, dancing, a picnic, and more. For more information, visit www.ucity78.com or email ucityhs1978@gmail.com.

Sat., May 26, 6 p.m. (3 p.m. VIP reception), “The Distinguished Gents – Welcoming The Ladies of Excellence” featuring Leslie Johnson, Jeff Radford, Jermaine Smith, Chuck Flowers, John Leggette and Ladies of Excellence: Cheryl Brown, Stacy McClenahan, Mary Meriweather, Anita Jackson and Blanche Haley, the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108). For more information, call 314-629-7901 or visit www.davidpeastonfoundation. org.

Thur., May 10, 6:30 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., May 10, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents Suspense Night. 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.org.

Sat., May 12, 3 p.m., Justin Phillip Reed “Indecent Threat” Joint Launch with Aaron Coleman. Reed explores inequity and injustice, while Coleman examines identity for a black man in America. RKDE, 2720 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.slcl. org.

Mon., May 14, 7:30 p.m., The Audubon Center at Riverlands hosts author J. Drew Lanham, author of The Home Place: Memoir of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Tues., May 15, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Benjamin Hochman, author of The Big 50: St. Louis Cardinals. The ultimate history for the die-hard Cardinals fan. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. Mon., May 19, 2 p.m., The Broken Conditions Book Launch Soiree: Speak Your Truth. Jo Lena Johnson discusses her book on speaking your truth to change your circumstances. Mark Anthony’s Collections, Chesterfield Mall, 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Fri., May 25, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Jon Meachum, author The Soul of America: The Battle of Our Better Angels. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., May 30, 7 p.m., Kirkwood Public Library hosts author Robert Hansman, author of PruittIgoe (Images of America). 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org/ event.

Mon., June 4, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author

Thimes

Jared Brock, author of The Road to Dawn: Josiah Henson and the Story that Sparked the Civil War. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Wednesdays through June 27, Weekly Writers Workshop. Students in the 6th - 9th grade will work on improving their grammar and essay writing. Eyeseeme, 7827 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. eyeseeme.com.

comedy

Fri., May 11, 7:30 & 10 p.m., Peabody Opera House presents Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark Tour 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

May 18 – 19, Funny Bone St. Louis presents Roy Wood Jr 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone.com.

May 25 – 27. Helium Comedy Club presents Faizon Love. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, call (314) 727-1260 or visit www. heliumcomedyclub.com.

theatre

Fri., May 18, 9:15 p.m., The Muny Centennial Gala: An Evening with the Stars Co-hosted by Heather Headley and Matthew Morrison. 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 20, 1 p.m., The Muny 100th Birthday Bash Guests will enjoy a celebration of musical theatre, community and The Muny. 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.themuny.org.

May 29 – June 3, The Fabulous Fox presents The Book of Mormon. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

June 1 – June 24, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents “Romeo and Juliet,” Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. For information, visit www.sfstl.org.

art

Thur., May 10, 6:30 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum hosts Artist Talk: Amy Sherald. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more

information, call (314) 5350770 or visit www.camstl.org/ calendar/event.

Fri., May 11, 7 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum hosts the opening reception for 2018 Great Rivers Biennial Featuring artists Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley, Amy Sherald, and Claudia Comte. On view through August 19. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Thur., May 17, 6 p.m., Katrina Z’Chori Tripmix 18 Trunk Show. Hand-dyed art to wear fashion showcase. Soulard Art Gallery, 2028 S. 12th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

May 25 – 27, St. Louis African Arts Festival. Come out for pieces from local artists, vendors, jewelry, performances, food trucks, and more. World’s Fair Pavilion, Forest Park, 63112. For more information, visit www. stlafricanartsfest.com.

Through June 24, From Caricature to Celebration: A Brief History of AfricanAmerican Dolls. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.fieldhousemuseum. org.

lectures and workshops

Sat., May 12, 3 p.m. Lecture and Book Signing with Akbar Muhammad for “Doing Business in Ghana,” Better Family Life Cultural, Education and Business Center, 5415 Page, 63112. For more information, call (314) 764-5606.

Mon., May 14, 5:30 p.m., The Importance of a Business Plan. Anheuser-Busch Hall, Fontbonne University, 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www. stlouis.score.org.

Tues., May 15, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. Meet with an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to discuss business related questions. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thurs., May 17, 2 p.m., The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club will host Cornel West at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., For more

information about the free May 17 events, call 618 650-3991; email eredmon@siue.edu; or write the club at P.O. Box 6165, East St. Louis, IL 62201.

Wed., May 23, 12:30 p.m., Recap of the 2018 Missouri Legislative Session. Law Library Association of St. Louis, 10 N. Tucker Blvd., 63101. For more information, visit www.llastl.org/CLE-0518.

Sat., May 26, 12 p.m., National Blues Museum presents a Blues Improvisation Workshop Learn from Gerard Connors how to create meaningful jazz solos using the two basic Blues Scales. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sundays, Through Dec. 30, 2 p.m., Center for Divine Love Church presents Finally Understand Race in America. A portrayal of the African-American experience. Discussion will follow. 3617 Wyoming St., 63116. For

more information, visit www. facebook.com.

health

Sat., May 19, Community Women Against Hardship’s 14th Annual Walk For Life & Health Fair, Honorary Co-Chairs are Dr. Christy Richardson, Dr. Jacqueline turner, Dr. Tracy Reed, Myrtis Spencer and Dr. Will Ross. Grand Entrance – Son of Rest Shelter. Tower Grove Park. For more information call 314-289-7523 or website: www.cwah.org

Sat., May 19, 8:30 a.m., Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter presents the Walk to End Lupus Now. Chesterfield Central Park & Amphitheater, 16365 Lydia Hill Dr., 63017.

For more information, visit www.chapters.lupus.org.

Sat., May 19, 10 a.m., Urban League Guild Annual Health Fair. Free healthcare screenings, mammograms, dental care and more. YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 West Florissant Ave., 63115. For more information, email turner. kimberly6@gmail.com.

Sat., May 19, 10 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Chapter presents the 2018 Spring Fling Wellness Expo & Marketplace. 701 n. Spring Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 19, 10 a.m., Jump n Jam Fitness Expo. Fitness classes, live demonstrations, meal prep tips, and more.

Fitness with Anika, 612 North and South Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www. squareup.com.

May 30, 7:30 a.m., 2108

Christian Hospital Senior Fair: Healthy Aging, Living Longer and Growing Stronger!, Christian Hospital Detrick Building Atrium. Space is limited and registration is requested by calling 314747-WELL (9355) or online at ChristianHopsital.org/ SeniorFair.

Fri., June 1, 9 a.m., American Lung Association Lung Force Expo. For patients, caregivers, and professionals to learn the latest information and resources on lung diseases. Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.action.lung.org.

Wednesdays through June 6, Health & Wellness Series: Boot Camp. Led by Heath Norton, Owner of TITLE Boxing Club-Rock Hill. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., 63101. For more information, visit www.archpark.org.

Sat., May 19, 9 a.m., Breaking the Silence through Prayer and Praise Breakfast Bellefontaine United Methodist Church, 10600 Bellefontaine Rd., 63138. For more information, visit www. breaksilencewithsummers.com.

May 14 – 20, 109th Annual Holy Convocation. Nightly speakers and worship services. Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction, 4307 Kennerly Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 4828547.

Sun., May 20, 8 a.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church Pentecost Sunday with special guest Pastor Corey Scott of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 8171 Wesley Ave.

Fri., May 11, Breaking In starring Gabrielle Union opens in theatres nationwide.

Fri., May 25, Solo: A Star Wars Story starring Donald Glover opens in theatres nationwide.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis welcomes Amy Sherald as part of their

2018 Great Rivers Biennial For more information, see ART.

me to share them,” Johnson said. “I feel like people are ashamed to talk about their hurt and their pain and what people did to violate them. I don’t have violations, but I’ve had poor relationships that impacted my experiences.”

But again, her go-to word is resilience.

“I wrote this book and the other ones that followed because I wanted people to say, ‘I can relate to this woman and I see myself,” Johnson said.

“ I want them to say, ‘If she can do it, then I can do it.’ Not because I’m great, but because I have faith and I hung in there. People break others because they are broken themselves. It’s usually the ‘broken condition’ that causes us to stop, stumble or stay stuck. If they can acknowledge and address what happened, then they can move on.”

She will give readers an opportunity to do this by way of “The Broken Conditions Book Launch Soiree: Speak Your Truth,” next Saturday (May 19) at Mark Anthony’s Collections at Chesterfield Mall. She’ll share passages from the book, discuss it and open the floor up for guests to share their own stories.

“My purpose for writing is to help people lead better lives and to have a different perspective,” Johnson said. “I feel like I have been given the ability to speak up, even when it doesn’t necessarily make me look good. In being honest and transparent about my feelings, I hope to encourage others to do the same.”

It’s a process she does privately as a writing coach, publisher and ghost writer. She’s helped more than 50 people tell their own story and has seen the power, liberation and healing that comes as they peel back the layers of their lives.

“So many people want to go directly from trauma to triumph.,” Johnson said.

“ People don’t recognize the work that is required to be your

best self. And even then, most people don’t want to do the work. They just want to blame other people.”

In “Broken Conditions” she holds herself and others accountable.

“What do you do when you feel like the people you have loved and trusted the most in your life have betrayed you?” Johnson asked. “A lot of time, people do that and it’s not personal. It’s about them. People behave how they have learned to behave and you just happened to be affected by it. It’s about moving beyond the blame game.”

Johnson faces hard truths, and spills plenty of personal tea in the process of “Broken Conditions.” She had a marriage that started and ended in the same year. She found herself engaged in an emotional affair with an unhappily married man. She learned the hard way that her live-in boyfriend was a secret hoarder, among other things.

“I felt like it was my obligation – not so much because I felt like I needed to share my story – but I wanted people to say, ‘I can see myself and others in this brokenness and I have the power to do something about it,’” Johnson said. “And it’s kind of juicy, too.”

n “I feel like I have been given the ability to speak up, even when it doesn’t necessarily make me look good. In being honest and transparent about my feelings, I hope to encourage others to do the same.”

- Author Jo Lena Johnson

She felt blessed by the positive feedback – the personal notes and dozens of reviews, including praises from her eighth grade English teacher.

A note from a person who identified themselves only as “Kindle Reader,” nearly moved Johnson to visible emotion as she shared an excerpt from the review of her book on Kindle. She was commended for sharing her truth and her message of keeping the faith – and putting in the work – while on the path to purpose.

“I don’t even know this person’s name, but they knew my intention,” Johnson said.

“Every time I read this, it makes me want to cry. With this book, I want people to know that who you are matters. No matter what you did, how you felt and what decision you made in the moment, you have another choice and another chance. You do not have to be held back by your past. Period. This is who I am.”

The Broken Conditions Book Launch Soiree: Speak Your Truth with Jo Lena Johnson will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Mark Anthony’s Collections in Chesterfield Mall, 63107. For more information, visit www. jolenajohnson.com.

JAMALA

Continued from C1

songs. We must fight for justice for our black girls even if the courts refuse to charge Kelly. We can make financial justice just as painful.

A BBC Three documentary, R Kelly: Sex, Girls and Videotapes, was released this Spring, throwing fuel on the fires surrounding him. The Lifetime Network has announced that its plans to probe the lurid life of Kelly in two projects, a documentary series and a feature-length movie. Survivors of his alleged abuse may get to share their

MOTHER

Continued from C1

that planted the seed for the harvest she is now enjoying through her children’s academic and personal achievements. Sidetracked by parenting four young children, she was several years older than her classmates when she enrolled as a freshman at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park.

“I was sitting in that room with these kids – they were basically high school kids – and starting over. As I was sitting there, I was like, ‘This won’t be my kids,’” Johnson said. “But I’m going to get this degree and show everybody that I can do it – and that they [her children] can do it.”

She went on to earn her associates and pursued a career in early childhood education and currently works at the Normandy Early Childhood Center.

“Don’t let being a young parent stop you from doing what you want to do. It might not happen when you thought it was going to happen, but you can make it happen,” Johnson said. “Get yourself a goal list and stick to it. Check off those accomplishments [for yourself

stories.

#MuteRKelly is seeing some success. Recently, Kelly was booted off the line-up of the Love Jam Concert in Chi-Town amidst protests. The Detroit City Council endorsed the campaign. High profile people like Ava DuVernay and John Legend have thrown their support to the campaign, which demands a criminal investigation into the sexual allegations.

To date, Kelly’s tour consists of one concert. It looks like there’ll be a different kind of welcoming committee waiting for him this weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina.

R. Kelly’s lawyer, publicist, and personal assistant have all reportedly resigned with

and your children].”

She relied on “her village” of family and friends for help and dove into creating the special bond she still shares with her children.

“I was a strong advocate for my kids and whatever they wanted to try, I was all for it,” Johnson said. “I told them everything, so they wouldn’t have to go into the streets [and learn the hard way].”

Her journey was by no means easy, but Johnson relied on her faith as well as her determination.

“There were so many nights that I stayed up crying because I couldn’t afford to get them something that they wanted – or because I didn’t have the money for them to go on a trip,” Johnson said. “But God made a way for me to give them everything that they needed. My kids made me feel like I was the best mother no matter what. If you have your hope and you have your faith it will all come together.”

Her faith was most tested by the health challenges faced by her daughter Ke-La. Severe asthma, allergies and acid reflux meant that she was in the hospital every year of her life through adolescence. Each stay could range from one to three weeks.

“No matter how big they get, they are still your baby,” Johnson said. “And whenever the hospital staff and doctors would come in and say ‘well, we’re going to have to keep her,’ my heart would just sink–no matter how many times it would happen.” Ke-La missed schoolwork. She was separated from her siblings and Johnson had to divide her time between her household and the hospital. Because of her daughter’s health, Johnson could not work full-time. And she had to work jobs that would

the latest round of allegations. Hopefully, more people in his entourage are distancing themselves from this sexual pariah. One thing we must stop these negroes from doing every time they get busted for sex crimes is to cry public lynching. Kelly mimics men such as Bill Cosby and Clarence Thomas in exploiting the word to get sympathy. Lynching has a unique place in this country’s ugly, racist history. It is not an image to conjure up to save one’s sorry soul. It’s past time to put Kelly on mute. It’s time to look our black girls in the eye and tell them they’re worth fighting for.

understand that she had a sick child and she might have to miss a week at a time and pack up and head to the hospital at any given moment.

Add that with challenge of being strong for three other children at home as a single parent. They were all very supportive. If Ke-La was in the hospital, her brother and sisters wanted to be there with her. They would come home from school and head straight to the hospital. And would often talk to her during the night on the telephone.

As Ke-La enters adulthood, she still faces health challenges – though they are to the point where she can manage them on her own. Still, when she decided to transfer from Illinois College to SEMO without her sister, Johnson and Ka-La had concerns because she had always had a family member within an arm’s reach.

“Ke-La said, ‘Ma, I’ve got this,” Johnson said. “And we said, ‘okay.’”

When Jazmyne heads to Tennessee, Johnson will be an empty nester. She admitted she’s not sure she’ll know what to do with herself because her entire life since she was 16 has revolved around motherhood. One thing she’s sure of is that she will volunteer her time to Cardinal Glennon because of the excellent care they provided to her infant daughters and Ke-La during her youth.

She’s also planning a photo shoot featuring all five of them in cap and gowns. She hopes that through her story other young parents will see what’s possible.

“Don’t give up. Never say ‘I can’t.’ Never say ‘I won’t,” Johnson said. “Keep your head up. There is light at the end of the tunnel - and your hard work will pay off.”

Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon

The St. Louis American Foundation hosted its 18th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon on April 27 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. Centene Charitable Foundation and Home State Health served as the luncheon’s presenting sponsors. This year’s awardees included: Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Garey L.C. Watkins, MD, Stellar Performer in Health Care Angela Clabon, Excellence in Mental Health awardee Renee Cunningham-Williams, PhD, MPE, LCSW and the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year for Heatupstlouis.org. The 2018 Excellence in Health Care Awards were presented to: Paulette Luckett-Grant, RN, BSN, Eboni C. January, MD, Michael Johnson, MD, Shunta Johnson, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C , Moyosore K. Onifade, MD, Jeanetta Stomer, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Christina Furr Thurman, Tawannia Wilson, RN.

Bill Douthit, board member of St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, introduces the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award.

executive board members Spencer Koch, president/GM, Fox2/KPLRTV 11; Robert Wm. Fulstone; John Beck, VP Emmis Radio and Mike Murphy, President/ General Manager, KMOV-TV, Channel 4.

Standing: Karen Bradshaw, Jennifer Brinkman, Robert Fruend, Marquisha Johnson, Amanda Harris

Seated: Angela Brown, Rosetta Keeton, and Blessing Kuebee

St. Louis City Health Department outreach coordinator Candace DaSilva; Becky Domyan, SVP and Market Manager, Entercom; St. Louis City Health Department Director Melba Moore and Rene Whitecross, President and CEO, Vatterott Colleges.

and

Willie and Bessie Cunningham, Ben Williams, Jr. awardee Renee Cunningham Williams, Courtney Williams and Tiras Cunningham.

Karen Watkins, Karen Turley, Dr. Garey Watkins, Garey Watkins III, Dr. Lynn Watkins and Gary Watkins II.

Mary Ellen Anderson and Bill Douhit

Ben Turec, Tom Trotter, Kim Tucci and Derick Martin.

Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri, Dr. James Knight, vice chair, Heatupstlouis.org, Donna Knight, board assistant secretary and Connie Taylor of Ameren community outreach

Robert Fruend, Francis Slay

Dr. Will Ross.

Carol Daniel presents the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year Award to Pamela Walker and Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., who accepted on behalf of Heatupstlouis. org.

Heatupstlouis.org

Kel Ward, Greta Todd, Amy Trapp, Aminat Danmole, Ellie Glenn, Sha’Neco Fennoy, Crystal Fowler and Christopher McBride, all of St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Wade Rakes, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Centene Corp.

All photos by Wiley Price

The 2018 Excellence in Health Care awardees: Tawannia Wilson, Christina Furr Thurman, Jeanetta Stomer, Dr. Moyosore K. Onifade, Shunta Johnson, Paulette Luckett-Grant, Dr. Michael Johnson, Dr. Eboni January and emcee Carol Daniel

Stellar Performer in Health Care awardee Angela Clabon addresses the audience.

Emcee Carol Daniel of KMOX NewsRadio 1120 presents the Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Award to Dr. Garey Watkins.

Celebrations

Birthdays

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50 year Class Reunion June 22-24, 2018 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza. For more information, please contact Vanetta Cobbs, 314-869-5665 or email vanetta.cobbs@sbcglobal.net.

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at,

mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont Class of 1978 40th Reunion Extravaganza Save the Date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta Shegog Shelby at 314-799-5296 for further details.

Homer G. Phillips and St. Louis Municipal School of Nursing all class reunion will be held June 22-24, 2018. All major activities will be held at the St. Louis Airport Hilton, 10330 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis, MO 63134. Awarding of nursing scholarships will be Saturday, June 23, at the banquet. For information please e-mail asims4@charter. net or call (314)261-2800 or (314)868-0288.

McKinley High School Class

Happy Birthday to our eldest daughter, Rosalind Reese on May 9! Love ya! Mom (Barbara J. Buchanan and your late father, Russell Buchanan Sr.)

Happy 103rd Birthday to Luvenia Hall Williams, who marked this milestone on April 30. Ms. Williams is a longtime resident of University City and an active member of Compton Hill Baptist Church.

of 1978 40th Class Reunion will take place July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy SuitesAirport Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Classmates from all McKinley H.S. classes are invited. Registration is required. To register, contact Barbara Lindsey, Barbara_ Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com or (314) 647-0707.

Northwest High School Class of 1978 is planning its 40 year reunion for next year. PLEASE reach out to our classmates, tell them get ready for this. If you have any questions please contact Sly at (314) 397-0311 or email us at northwestbluedevils@78gmail. com. Check us out on Facebook Northwest High School-Class of 1978.

Northwest Class of 1979

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

O’Fallon Tech Class of 1983 will have its 35-year reunion. June 8: Ballroom Gala at Infinite Occasion Banquet. June 9: Picnic/BBQ Bash at McDonnell Park. Weekend Cost: $85 Alumni/$45 Non-Alumni. June 16–20: All-inclusive trip to Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico Cost: Double Occupancy starting at $944/$1888. For more information, contact April at 314-307-9114 or Sharon at 314-623-3435 or checkout OFT Class of ’83 Facebook page.

FREE OF CHARGE

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

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Sumner High School Class of 1973 will have its 45th year class reunion the weekend of June 22-24, 2018. More info to follow outlining the details. If you did not receive a newsletter in January, please contact Marsha Joseph-Williams (314606-8701) or Dorris SimmonsMcGhaw(314-541-2462). You can also inbox Sid S. Shurn or Dorris on Facebook.

Sumner Alumni Association will have its 10th Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show on June 9, 2018, Noon4 pm honoring Mr. Marvin Neals, Ph.D. Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Jr. our Master of Ceremony and KMJtheDJ. The cost is $50 to attend and includes a cash bar, free parking, attendance prizes and more. For more info, contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843 or email: sumneralumniassn@ yahoo.com.

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, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

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

E’Nya Leigh Johnson celebrated her 4th birthday on May 6! Happy Birthday beautiful baby girl! Mommy and Daddy love you!

SPRING HIRING FAIR

Graduating Soon? New Graduate? Seasoned Teaching Professional?

The YWCA

The State of Missouri is accepting applications for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the St. Louis area. Starting salary is $38,808 - $40,776. View job description, benefits and application instructions at https://dese.applicantpro.com/jobs/

OUTPATIENT THERAPIST

The St. Louis Center for Family Development is seeking licensed therapists to provide Evidence-Based Treatments in our Outpatient Program. Experience working with multi-problem, suicidal adolescents and adults is preferred. Full-Time and Part-Time positions are available. Candidates are required to have a current Missouri License in a mental health profession (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT). For additional information please visit www.STLCFD.com or to apply send a cover letter and resume to brianne.serdar@stlcfd.com

NOW HIRING

East St. Louis Housing Authority is seeking to hire (7) Maintenance Mechanics; (1) Property Manager; (1) Human Resource Manager; (1) Clerk positions. For complete job description and apply at www.eslha.org or within at 700 N. 20thSt. East St. Louis, Il. 62205. AA/EOE

NORTHWOODS PUBLIC WORKS LABORER

City of Northwoods has a position in public works to perform skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to maintenance of park grounds,

Oakridge Blvd. Northwoods, Mo. 63121. Or send resume to: cityadmin@cityofnorthwoods.com Call City Hall 314-385-8000 for details/directions.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

St. Joseph’s Academy is a college preparatory high school sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet located in St. Louis, Missouri. Our mission at the Academy is to provide quality Catholic education for young women in an environment that challenges them to grow in faith, knowledge and respect for self and others. Our community expects these young women to make a profound impact in the world.

The Administrative Assistant to the Counseling office has daily contact with students, parents, faculty and staff, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills. The candidate must have a genuine interest in working to assist and help people. The ideal candidate must also maintain high levels of confidentiality, exercise appropriate professional judgment, and have excellent computer skills. The Administrative Assistant will be proactive, energetic, and optimistic, as well as enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Bachelor’s degree and 4-5 years of experience preferred. Strong organizational and communication skills required.

The best candidate will:

• Uphold the mission of St. Joseph’s Academy.

• Demonstrate competence and experience with using the Microsoft Suite and Google Tools.

• Exhibit superior written and oral communication skills.

• Maintain strict confidentiality.

• Demonstrate patience and empathy, staying calm during stressful situations.

• Support counselors in each aspect of their programming (organizing and executing meeting plans, keeping calendars and scheduling student and parent appointments, etc.)

• Assist with organizing and filing records.

For consideration please submit a cover letter and resume to Jen Sudekum, Principal jsteinhart@sja1840.org

CHOUTEAU, COMPTON HILL, DESOTO PARKS DECORATIVE LIGHTING

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2018 CRS Mill and Overlay Program, Area A, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1763, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on May 16, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on April 30, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for Reconstruction of Runway 12L-30R Outer Panels from Taxiway Lima to Taxiway Juliet; Replace Runway 12L-30R Circuits; Rehabilitate Taxiway Kilo within Runway 12L-30R Safety Area, Letting No 8664 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Please phone 636-688-8794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@ millstoneweber.com or ryan.taylor@ millstoneweber.com, quotes to Bob Stubbs by 5:00 pm Monday, May 21st. Subcontract work includes, removals, concrete, bituminous pavement, PCC backfill, hauling, landscaping, striping, and electrical. Plans and Specifications are available for review on City of St Louis website http://www.stl-bps.org/ planroom.aspx or at Millstone Weber office. Mandatory Pre-Bid meeting May 1st 2018, in Room 4066, Ozark Conference Room, Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd, Bridgeton MO 63044

SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS

Notice to contractors, Special School District is accepting bids for Window Replacements at Southview School. For details, please visit the website at www.ssdmo.org/rfps.html

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

DISTRICT

SEWER

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol-

itan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 12th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Real Estate Brokerage Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9382 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

Saint Louis Zoo 2018 Bird House Renovation RFP

The project scope outlined within this project pertains to the renovation of two areas of Terra Cotta ornamentation and stucco finish at the “Main Entrance” to the Birdhouse on the St. Louis Zoo grounds. MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE

INSPECTION: On 5/22/2018 at 3:30PM at The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level in the Monsanto Lecture Theater. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before 5/31/2018 at 2:30 PM and opened immediately after in the Monsanto Lecture Theater. Documents can be found at: https://www.stlzoo.org/ about/contact/vendoropportunities/

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Clayton Road – ARS Infrastructure, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1674, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on May 30, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on May 7, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for Electrical One Line Update and Arc Flash Study Services (Phase II) at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, May 24, 2018 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org, under On Line Plan Room, or call Helen Bryant at 314-589-6214. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals

Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the

St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to

The District is proposing for this Equipment/ Service. KRH INC was used for this equipment/ service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Saint Louis Zoo 2018 Jungle of the Apes Sandblasting and Sealing RFP

Saint Louis Zoo seeks a contractor to remove all failed paint and coatings from designated wall areas in the cage enclosures and recoat with specified material according to bid documents. MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION:

SEALED BIDS

for Electrical Renovation and Battery Room, St. Louis Lambert Field Readiness Center, (Bridgeton, Missouri), Project No. T1736-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/24/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

FOR BIDS #: 57818114

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting bids for removal and replacement of existing flooring in Gillespie Residence Hall student bedrooms. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in room 201 of the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration (HGA) building, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. A copy of the IFB is available by calling (314) 340-5763 or (314) 340-3325, emailing: morrowb@hssu.edu or barskys@ hssu.edu or faxing a written request to: (314) 340-3322. Bids must be submitted to room 105 in the HGA building no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 and will be opened and the name(s) of the bidders as well as the price(s) read at 10:15 a.m. in room 201 in the HGA building.

INVITATION TO BID

& Pumps; HVAC;

A MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on Thursday, May 24th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. THE PREMISES WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDER’S INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE PRE BID CONFERENCE. Any questions related to the bid documents should be introduced at that time, or referred to the Architect (Chrissy Hill Rogers crogers@ arcturis.com ) and to T-REX (Gwyn Fry gwyn@downtowntrex.org) in writing. Answers to such questions will be given in the form of an Addendum which will be electronically distributed to all bidders.

The BID DOCUMENTS consisting of the Information for Bidders, the Bid Form, Form of Contract, Plans, Specifications, and Forms of Bid Bond, Performance and Payment Bond, and other contract documents are available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics (https://www.x-rhodesplanroom.com/jobs/public) located at 1712

Macklind Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. T-Rex is an equal opportunity employer.

T-REX reserves the right to waive any informalities or to reject any or all bids. Each bidder must deposit with his bid security in the amount,

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 31st, 2018 to contract with a company for: Landscape Design Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9362 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public

Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from I T Convergence in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Saint Louis Zoo Emergency Services RFP 2018

The Saint Louis Zoo is requesting proposals for Zoo Emergency Services in the following categories, Annual Fire Alarm Testing and Repairs Emergency Automatic Door Services Emergency Electric

and Annual

Advertised

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

and Repairs

will be available on 4/25/2018 at: https://www.stlzoo.org/ about/contact/vendoropportunities/ MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION: On 5/3/2018 at 2:00PM in The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level.

Paric

AND

A walk thru will be held on Wednesday May 09, 2018 at 1:30pm. We will meet at the 15th Street Entrance. Bid will be due on May 24, 2018 at 2:00pm

This project must adhere to the City of St. Louis Mayor’s Executive Order #47 requiring the following enterprise participation: 25% MBE business and 5% WBE business participation.

This project must adhere to the City of St. Louis Ordinance 69427 requiring the following Workforce participation: 25% Minority, 5% Women workforce, 15% Apprentice workforce, and 20% City Resident workforce participation.

For any questions or if you would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Ruben Guzman at 636-561-9500 or rmguzman@paric.com All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@ paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501). Plans, Renderings, and RFP’s will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146. MOKAN AND CROSSROADS PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

A stroll down Def Comedy Jam memory lane. Just about every single seat in Chaifetz Arena was occupied at the Lit [Partyline Edit] Tour hosted by Martin Lawrence and featuring Benji Brown, Rickey Smiley, Michael Blackson and DeRay Davis Thursday night. Let me tell you, the folks came through and I don’t have anything bad to say about the show. I got my life at hello when DJ Kut was being his usual straight no-chaser self as he roasted the people with enough nerve but not enough talent to compete in the Martin character impression contest. I thought the woman who we later learned ran a homeless center was going to be hurled off stage by security. She was working everybody’s nerves as she kept trying to get Kut’s attention over the course of the contest. I have to give a shout out to Frank L, who nailed it as “Jerome” and was the audience favorite. Okay, on with the comedy show. To me it felt like a live episode of “Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam.” The comedians mixed in some of their favorite bits with new material and went on about their business. My seat neighbors felt a kind of way that Martin didn’t do a full feature length set. But after his last two visits to the Chaifetz, I’m going to be messy and say an abbreviated Martin was a good thing. It was mostly rehashed, but nothing I couldn’t live with. Benji Brown and that voice when he was impersonating his lady friend was absolutely everything. Rickey Smiley did a bit of recycling, but when he started talking about “My 600 LB Life” I liked to have fell out. I thought I was the only one who gets my life from the savage that is Dr. Nowzarden! He is more of a straight no-chaser than Kut – which is saying a lot! Michael Blackson, who replaced JB Smoove on the bill, was more enjoyable than I’ve ever seen him. I don’t know if it was that suit that looked like he was breaking in for the ESSENCE Festival or what, but I cackled more than usual. And DeRay Davis was the highlight of my night. When he started talking about his mama and the stranger danger men she used to have in and out the house before she got saved, I was weak. The show was enjoyable –and a well-oiled machine as far as logistics. Even with all those folks on the bill, I was under the covers watching a “My 600 LB Life” rerun by 10:30. Movin’ on up with A Taste of Luxurie. Even though they have been at the new location near Union and Lindell for about a month or so, the lovely folks at A Taste of Luxurie Boutique celebrated their grand opening Saturday afternoon. It was the perfect weather for a grand opening. They moved from further in on the CWE and with the move came a serious upgrade – which includes a whole side dedicated to men’s fashion. While I was peeping their new digs, I ran into some of my faves – including Tendai “The Hair Whisperer” Morris, Lilian Tiner (whose daughter won the whole prom season with her feathered and bedazzled LAHA Clothing original) and Anne Jones. Shout out to the lovely team over at A Taste of Luxurie. Trust that I will be stopping through to re-up on my wardrobe. Cinco de Negro. Was I the only one who got the shock of my life at all of the black folks celebrating Cinco De Mayo on the tail end of Washington for a couple of blocks up onto 14th Street? Did they decide on Black Twitter for a meetup? Either way, it was deep down there with folks getting their party on in the name of May 5. If I hadn’t already been downtown, I would have missed it altogether. It was mostly young folks, but a few people of a certain age mixed in – particularly the people who decided to crash the spot after visiting the 2nd Annual Black Rodeo Open. The general population was looking confused as all get out when they saw black people in cowboy boots and matching hats kicking it for Cinco De Mayo. One man in a group, who appeared to be Eastern Indian or Middle Eastern said something barely under his breath about cultural appropriation. He got the right one. Somebody said, “Do you know what Cinco De Mayo is?” That person proceeded to follow them and school them – as they attempted to briskly walk away. He said Cinco De Mayo celebrates the battle where the Mexican forces staved off the French, who were secretly trying to aid the South during the Civil War. He ended with a “there might be some appropriation on this day, but it ain’t coming from us. We are celebrating the Mexicans for helping the Union – which emancipated our people.” You mean to tell me that all of these tacos, tequila and margaritas over all of these years were in fact me celebrating my freedom! I did some research and he was lowkey right. As I was reading up on it, I was thinking, “I’m ‘bout to be so extra for every Cinco De Mayo here on out, nobody will be ready.”

Cinco De Biko. After I kicked it with my folks on Washington for a minute, I made my way to the spot where the hardcore daytime Cinco De Mayo Celebrations took place, over on Cherokee. They were still cleaning up at 11 p.m. when I hit up 2720 to see what James Biko the artist formerly known as Nappy DJ Needles was bringing on the tables. He is yet to fail me. While there was no Tejano or Mariachi music being played, the folks were a sweating mess from breaking it down to Reggae and Island music. I ran into my boy Blvck Spvde while I was out there.

Cino de Ono. Now before I left downtown, I headed over to Dos Salas to check out what Ono and company would be serving up with the Cinco De Mayo edition of his legendary gatherings. It was about 10:45 p.m., but it was empty boots. I thought, “Is Ono going to have his first loss?” I should have known better. I doubled back by after leaving South. What a difference an hour makes. At 10:45, it was just me, Sampson, that tall security dude and the DJ. By 11:45, the line was all the way down to the barbecue spot. And it was party central on the inside with the folks in there with fashion that was a mix of African garb and grown folks’ prom

He’s

1000.

attire.

still batting

The Day Party warmed up as Naye, Manny and Aaliyah danced like nobody was watching @ The Marquee Sunday afternoon

Conner and Kayla caught up on the latest of everything as they hung out @ The Marquee

Vernon was equally excited as he and Kelsey celebrated her graduation Saturday @ The Marquee

Dos Salas was shoulder to shoulder as Mika and Angel prepared to turn up to the DJ Prince Labbri mix Saturday night

Taste of Luxurie enjoyed a wonderful grand opening at its new location on Union near Lindell Saturday Afternoon

Amber and Tashara were among the masses who came out to celebrate Cinco De Mayo Saturday night on Washington Avenue

Jerrime celebrated his birthday and Leon was the host with the most for the Best Life STL kickback Saturday at the new RDKE Thursday

Photo by Myrina Otey

Ono’s Coronation was taking place at Dos Salas and Tekiah and Josh were there to join in the celebration Saturday

Gabbi and Devin were among the first to sample the cotton candy during The JawBreaker Party Friday @ Playful Allure

Derek and Iesha Jackson enjoyed the post wedding reception turn up Saturday @ The Marquee

There was no time wasted between the STL stars when Bradd Young arrived at Aloha’s JawBreaker party with Mai Lee. The three began their turn up immediately Friday at Playful Allure Arts & Fashion Gallery.

Photos by V. Lang