May 11th, 2017 Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

HAppy motHer’S DAy

Mother of many

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

“Hey, baby, get on in here,” Shirley Harrold told photojournalist Lawrence Bryant. She couldn’t see his camera or make out his face from behind her screen door, so she had mistaken him for one of her sons.

“I’m so sorry,” Harrold said. “I thought you were one of my boys – there are just so

Dems fumble

28th Ward nomination

Party nominee doesn’t meet residency requirement, committee trying again

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The race to fill Mayor Lyda Krewson’s spot on the Board Aldermen took some interesting turns this week. On May 6, the Democratic Committee of the 28th Ward selected Elise Miller Hoffman, president of the St. Louis Young Democrats, as their nominee in the upcoming special election. But on May 9, Hoffman announced that she misinterpreted the city’s residency requirement to run for alderman and was “stepping down” as the Democratic candidate.

“As a private citizen, I will continue to be an advocate for St. Louisans who are underserved by their government due to the color of their skin, housing status, income level, sexual orientation, gender or country of origin,” Hoffman said in a letter to the Democratic Central Committee.

Art Perry, the 28th Ward Democratic committeeman, said that although Hoffman has lived in the city for seven of the last 10 years, she bounced around between St. Louis County and the city, “as young people do.” Most recently she

See 28TH WARD, A6

n “My greatest joy is getting them all together, seeing them and just knowing how God has blessed them.”

– Shirley Harrold, mother of 16 and grandmother of “about 62”

n The special election to replace Lyda Krewson on the Board of Aldermen will be held on Tuesday, July 11. $10 minimum wage takes effect in STL

through her home in Florissant on Saturday, May 6 awaiting the Harrold family’s big moment to honor their mother by talking about her for a Mother’s Day story. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14.

The children played while the adults and young adults held several side conversations as they waited for people to arrive for the group photo.

‘What does it mean to have this in Forest Park now?’

New City fifthgraders ponder the past and future of the Confederate Monument

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Children were beginning to climb up on the Confederate Monument in Forest Park to see what was carved on it. Their teacher and a guest lecturer encouraged them to take a closer look, and its dimensions are such that a fifth grader can climb on it.

“Should we not stand on it?” one boy asked. “It is a monument.”

n “This feels fresh, important and at the vanguard. It’s teaching the skills our kids need to know. This is why I came to St. Louis.”

– Alexis Wright, New City School

Stephanie Teachout, their fifth grade teacher at New City School, brought the class to the park to learn about exactly what kind of monument it is. They were taught by David Cunningham, a sociology professor at Washington University and New City parent, and Jeanette Freiberg, Cunningham’s research assistant, a sophomore at WUSTL studying sociology and Latin America. They also were guided to come up with ideas for what to do with this problematic monument, which glorifies those who died for the Confederacy – who died defending race-based chattel slavery in the United States.

The student’s ideas for the monument – which now stands, without context, in the city’s crown public jewel, Forest Park, on a public road called “Confederate Drive” – would include (among less radical notions) dumping it in the Mississippi River and destroying it to build a more positive work of art from its elements.

But the adults did call the children down from standing and crawling on the monument.

Once the children reported on what they found looking closely at the monument – including “lots of

fifth grade class at New City School visited the Confederate Monument in Forest Park on Friday, May 5 to learn about its past and imagine its future.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Shirley Harrold is the mother of 16 children.

Stephanie Teachout’s

Photo by Wiley Price

at inaugural St. Louis Black Rodeo.

Porsha speaks on unraveled friendship with Phaedra

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-star Porsha Williams has broken her silence about the feud that ripped apart her bond with Phaedra Parks.

“It’s difficult because I love Phaedra,” Williams said Tuesday during the Dish Nation radio show, where she is a member of the on-air team. “She was, like, my best friend, like someone I talked to on the phone every single day. For me to feel like she had betrayed me like that, that’s the part I just can’t get past and I don’t know if I ever will.”

happened.

During the post-season televised reunion, it was revealed that Parks was the one who originally told Williams the story.

When confronted about it, Parks said she had only repeated what she had heard.

However, Williams said her friend told her she heard it directly from Burruss.

Williams was left horrified and in tears (of course), saying she never would have talked about it publicly had Parks not presented it to her as a fact of which she had firsthand knowledge.

She accused Parks of using her as “a pawn” to hurt Burruss.

Parks apologized to both Williams and Burruss during the special, and Williams told her Dish Nation colleagues that Parks has reached out to her since.

“I can’t talk to her on the phone right now,” Williams said. “I don’t know what else to say. Of course, I have a soft spot for Phaedra. It’s where you don’t want to be manipulated anymore.”

“It snowballed and the editing was not kind to her,” The source said.

Reps from Bravo deny any claims that production staff was somehow involved.

Former chef claims she was forced to cater as Diddy got his freak on

Sean “Diddy” Combs is sued by his former personal chef who claims she was forced to serve the business mogul and his friends immediately after they engaged in sex acts...

TMZ reported that Cindy Rueda says she was “regularly summoned” to serve Diddy and his guests while they “engaged in or immediately following sexual activity.”

She also says on at least one such occasion, Combs was still naked when she entered the room, and asked if she liked what she saw.

Cast member Kandi Burruss was at odds with Williams this season over Williams’ assertion that Burruss and her husband discussed drugging her and taking her home with them.

Burruss vehemently denied that ever

According to the New York Post’s Page Six, Parks tried to blame producers for manipulating the scenario, and it was cut from the reunion show.

A source close to Parks told Page Six that a producer told her the drug and rape story, which she repeated to another cast member.

She says another time one of his buddies approached her in the kitchen -- while he was nude – and asked her to take a look at his private parts.

Rueda says she complained about sexual

harassment to one of Combs’ assistants, and as a result was set up by another staffer to make it look like she’d stolen one of his watches. According to the suit, she was fired with a string attached – if she signed an exit agreement waiving all rights to sue, she wouldn’t be prosecuted.

She is seeking unspecified damages.

Is Kanye on a mountain top making music?

Kanye West is reportedly making his new album up the top of a mountain. West, 39, is said to have spent the last two weeks at a recording studio on the mountain, having recently enjoyed two other creatively productive spells at the retreat.

He has been notably absent from a number of high-profile events over recent weeks, including the annual Met Gala in New York City at the start of May, but he has instead been busily working on his next album, according to TMZ.

Sources: TMZ.com, New York Post, CNN

Porsha Williams

Sean Combs

Coaching literacy in Normandy

Community volunteers step up to tutor students

By Sharifah Sims-Williams and Sharhonda Daniels Normandy Schools Collaborative

There’s a saying, “Reading is Fundamental.” It is the foundation for academic success. So when reading scores for many of the secondary students in the Normandy Schools Collaborative were below grade level, something had to be done.

Charles Pearson, superintendent of schools in Normandy, began to ponder how to ensure the district’s older students could improve this critical skill. Assessments were showing students in grades K-6 were making strides, yet some students at the middle and high schools were continuing to struggle.

“We had to approach it differently,” said Pearson.

“When you have 16-yearold students with a reading problem, it is more akin to finding a solution for an adult

learner vs. a child.”

Pearson began reaching out to colleagues, staff and experts in the field of literacy.

Included in some of these meetings were Normandy High School Principal Derrick Mitchell, ELA Coordinator Tyler Jones, University of Missouri Professor Mike Bahr, Wyman Center Senior Vice President Joe Miller and Senior Director Paula Pettibone. They met together and with other colleagues to brainstorm ways students in the secondary levels could improve their reading skills. The outcome is the Normandy Literacy Coaches program.

The Literacy Coaches program identifies students in grades 7-12, based on their assessment scores, who may need additional help with reading. The coaches are volunteers who undergo background screenings and additional training to help share reading strategies and work with students on critical concepts like comprehension

and story structure.

Pettibone, senior director of Wraparound Services in Normandy, and Big Brothers Big Sisters recruited volunteers from the community, seeking candidates from local mayors, churches, alumni, retirees and parents.

“We wanted volunteers who have a vested interest in Normandy,” said Pettibone. “The response was great!”

Over 30 volunteers responded to the call; 13 of those volunteers will go to

the Normandy 7th-8th Grade Center, with the remaining coaches going to the high school. Beginning in January, volunteers were trained on reading strategies: how to monitor comprehension, recognizing story structure, and summarizing a story. The district will measure student progress in real time, so a weekly, two-minute posttest will be administered by University of Missouri - St. Louis graduate students.

Another screening tool

Literacy coaches with the Normandy Schools Collaborative discuss tactics and strategies during a recent training session. Pictured here are Sheila Williams, literacy coach and member of the Normandy Joint Executive Governing Board, and Janice Jones, director of Wrap Around Services with Wyman.

Pettibone used was an interest questionnaire. The student and the volunteer coach were asked about their favorite movies, sports, and favorite subjects and other interests.

“Relationship-building is key to student learning,” said Pettibone, who is a former principal. “Matching students with volunteers of similar interest will increase learning because students are learning from people they relate to.”

Rev. Shyroun Ridgel, pastor at Higher Ground Church of Christ, is coaching a high school student she refers to as a “gem.”

“My student is so ridiculously talented, bright, confident and just a joy to be in

the company of,” she said. “My hope is that he will walk away with a revived focus and a greater determination to win.”

Doug Beaver, a 1965 graduate of Normandy High School, is also volunteering as a literacy coach with the program.

“I thought it be a good thing for me to give back to the school where I learned so much and made so many lifelong friends,” he said. “My student is a bright and polite young man who wants to learn, despite family troubles at home. I want him to know that there are people who want to see him succeed in life.” The literacy coaches started in January, and the program will continue until the end of the 2016-2017 school year with plans to continue in the summer and next school year. Individuals interested in becoming a literacy coach can contact Chris Hotard at chotard@normandysc.org.

Sharifah Sims-Williams is director of communications and Sharhonda Daniels is a communications specialist for Normandy Schools Collaborative.

Case.net adds text message notifications

Individuals using “Track

This Case,” a feature of Case. net, Missouri’s online access to information in the statewide case management system, now can choose to receive notifications for cases of interest via text message in addition to e-mail. Missouri is one of the first states in the country to offer this feature statewide.

The Missouri judiciary’s Track This Case service became a permanent Case. net feature late last year, providing anyone with a valid e-mail address with the ability to sign up to receive e-mail notifications when docket entries are made to designated cases and reminders of upcoming payments due or court appearances or hearings

scheduled. Today, users also can choose to receive an additional notification via text message.

Patrick Brooks, director of the information technology services division of the state courts administrator’s office, said that Track This Case traffic has seen a “significant increase” during the past four months.

“At the end of last year, 47,000 registered users had submitted approximately 62,000 case tracking requests,” he said. “Today, more than 65,000 registered users are receiving e-mail notifications derived from 80,000 case tracking requests – a 38-percent increase in registered users and a 29-percent increase in cases

being tracked.” Track This Case text message and e-mail notifications are distributed each evening and include case updates made before 5 p.m. that day. Individuals who sign up to receive notifications can expect the notices to include three key pieces of information: case number, filing date, and a description of what has been added or updated regarding the case. To learn more about Track This Case, visit www.courts. mo.gov/page.jsp?id=87154. For assistance in using the feature, contact the office of state courts administrator’s help desk toll-free at (888) 5414894 or by e-mail at OSCA. Help.Desk@courts.mo.gov.

Editorial /CommEntary

It’s past time to remove the Confederate Monument

There are times to start public conversations, and times to finish them and take action. We have had enough conversation about the fate of the Confederate Monument in Forest Park, and it is past time to take action.

It is time to remove this deeply offensive reminder of race-based chattel slavery in the United States from view in a public park. It is time to offer the monument to the Missouri Civil War Museum, the only institution that said it wanted it when then-Mayor Francis G. Slay formed a committee to “reappraise” the monument in 2015. Mark Trout, executive director of the museum, told The American that his offer to accept the monument from the city still stands two years later. Also, the public road through the park that passes by the monument should be renamed, from “Confederate Drive” to just about anything else. The Confederate Monument, dedicated in 1914, attempts to glorify those who died defending race-based chattel slavery in the United States. It even depicts the Angel of the Confederacy watching over a family as it sends a son off to fight for the right to own and exploit people of African descent. For African Americans, that is an angel of death and suffering. It has no place on public view in this plurality-black city. St. Louis – and black people in St. Louis – have more pressing concerns than the continued public display of this offensive monument and its revisionist history, yes, we know that. But New Orleans is not without its own more immediately pressing problems and yet managed to take action. “This is about showing the whole world that we as a city and as a people are able to acknowledge, understand, reconcile – and most importantly – choose a better future,” Mayor Landrieu said in a statement. That symbolism of a “better future” should be especially appealing to a new mayor in St. Louis who took power from a four-term incumbent who was resented and distrusted by most black residents.

It’s possible to understand why Slay and his committee did not accept the offer from the Missouri Civil War Museum, while still believing that – as on so many other things of deep concern to

Fifth graders from New City School visited the Confederate Monument in Forest Park on Friday, May 5 to learn about its history and discuss what the city should do with a public memorial to soldiers who defended slavery in the United States.

black people – Slay made a mistake in rejecting the offer. The museum director’s response to Slay’s committee is tinged with disgust that the mayor was bowing to public pressure in trying to remove the monument. Rather than formally respond to the city’s request for proposals, the museum offered to take the monument off the city’s hands with no strings attached and no intention to exhibit it (St. Louis County Parks, which hosts the museum, won’t permit that) or any future plans for its use. The museum offered, instead, its own stark terms: “The city is to relinquish full ownership and control of the Confederate Monument to the Missouri Civil War Museum and walk away from the issue forever.” We believe the mayor

Commentary

may have felt insulted by this response, but whatever the tone and refusal to play by the city’s rules of engagement, it was in fact an attractive remedy. Why would the city not want to “walk away forever” from a monument that glorifies the warriors who died trying to preserve the right to continue the enslavement of black people? As Mayor Landrieu stated, “We can remember these divisive chapters in our history in a museum or other facility where they can be put in context – and that’s where these statues belong.” We might add: even in a museum with no plans for when and how to display the monument. Let it sit in storage. That is far preferable to it littering our city’s crown jewel, Forest Park.

Congress and Supreme Court must stand up to Trump

Donald Trump’s firing of James Comey has to be the most thuggish, venal act committed by a U.S. president since Richard Nixon’s desperate Saturday Night Massacre. Trump is trying to shut down the investigation with the most potential to cripple – or perhaps even end – his presidency. He is attempting a power play straight from the playbook of some tinhorn dictator, and he believes he will get away with it. The claim that Comey’s mishandling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails is the reason for his dismissal insults the nation’s intelligence. During last year’s campaign, you will recall, Trump loudly cheered the damaging disclosures about his opponent that he now cites as cause for immediate termination. Just last week, the president tweeted that “FBI Director Comey was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton in that he gave her a free pass for many bad deeds!” Trump and his angry crowds brayed for Clinton to be locked up, not treated fairly.

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Comey’s real transgression was to launch a serious investigation into possible cooperation between Trump’s campaign and a clandestine attempt by the Russian government to swing the election in Trump’s favor. With both the House and the Senate in Republican hands, the president probably calculates that the various congressional probes can be neutered. Fox News and other friendly media can be counted on to push the line that the real issue is leaks, not possible collusion with a foreign power to subvert our democracy. But the FBI is not so easily put off the scent. Does Michael Flynn – fired as national security adviser for lying about his talks with the Russian ambassador – have a story to tell? What about Carter Page? If they are in legal jeopardy,

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

City counselor called warehouse for

By Amy Tannenbaum Guest columnist

Each year, millions of people read “Enter thou my paradise” as they walk through the majestic Taj Mahal, an earthly wonder reminiscent of a heavenly mansion in Paradise for emperor Shah Jahan’s late wife in the 17th century. Imagine my shock and surprise when I heard St. Louis City Counselor Michael Garvin compare the uninhabitable garage intended to warehouse 100 homeless men to the Taj Mahal.

As a third-year law student at Stanford Law School, I recently returned to my home state of Missouri to work with the nonprofit civil rights law firm ArchCity Defenders over our Spring Break. It happened to be the same week they filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) and lawsuit against the City of St. Louis for planning to warehouse approximately 100 homeless men in an uninhabitable garage operated by the city’s Forestry Division. The plan was to set up cots alongside chemicals and equipment for overnight stays, but with no access to bathrooms or showers in the facility. This was necessitated by the city’s forced closure of a homeless shelter at New Life Evangelistic Center (NLEC) in downtown St. Louis, a manufactured crisis. My peers and I interviewed

people living on the street about their need and desire for shelter options beyond those currently being offered by the city. Listening to the stories of men and women was the most meaningful time I spent in St. Louis. I was reminded that in many instances, the best we have to offer to those in need is our humanity, our proximity and a nonjudgmental listening ear.

ArchCity Defenders and their co-counsel, Saint Louis University School of Law Legal Clinics, won a major victory for homeless residents in St. Louis one week later with a settlement limiting the use of the warehouse to 60 days. City leaders clearly still have much to learn about their obligation to the homeless. Women displaced by the closing of NLEC are now being housed at a former community recreation center for children living in poverty. Government agencies at all levels should respond to community needs by increasing the resources directed towards their vulnerable constituents, than pitting these communities against each other to fight for crumbs.

Letters to the editor

Citizens must be willing to disrupt

Alderman John CollinsMuhammed suggests that his city needs better-trained cops who can “relate to people.” How about this novel idea: Why not hire people who can relate to people?

how will they react when the FBI squeezes them? Whom else might agents be talking to? Is the FBI asking about members of Trump’s family? About Trump himself?

Yelling “fake news” hasn’t put an end to the investigation. But firing Comey might – if he is replaced with someone less independent and more compliant.

At some point over the past year, almost everyone in Washington has wanted to fire Comey. But a president cannot suddenly, for no good reason, dismiss an FBI director who has the president’s campaign under investigation. That can only be seen for what it is: an attempted cover-up and an abuse of executive power. Anyone who thought the Russia story was all smoke and no fire now has to suspect there’s really something there. Congress and the Supreme Court stood up for the Constitution during Watergate. Now they must do so once again.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

Those serious about bringing change to a monolithic police agency will begin their quest at the police employment office. Meaningful change means the police department must divests itself of the “who do you know” hiring process and implement a combination of hiring criteria that attracts highly qualified candidates. That criteria isn’t secret. Older candidates (25 to 35 years of age) make better cops. Candidates with a liberal arts degree from accredited university should be preferred. An employment contract should be mandatory: No more who-you-know hiring and mandatory resignation in the event of contractual prohibited relationships. Job assignment and promotional criteria should be established, public and strictly adhered to, no whodo-you-know assignments and promotions.

But desired changes won’t come unless citizens impose their will on their political representatives and demand a police department devoid of who-you-know political influences. Such a department is possible, but citizens have to be willing to disrupt and ultimately dispose of the department’s archaic, wellentrenched business model.

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Break the Pipeline

On February 23, 2017, the seventh Annual Salute to Young Leaders, sponsored by St Louis American Foundation, honored 20 young professionals. These beautiful, black, successful young men and women from the St Louis area are committed to making a difference in their community. They are “strutting their intellectual stuff” and imparting excellence in

The attitude of St. Louis officials towards their homeless constituents is unconscionable, but unfortunately not shocking. My work in the Bay Area makes clear that homelessness and related housing concerns – like code enforcement, gentrification, displacement, and failure to provide paths from poverty to economic selfsufficiency and security – are far from unique to St. Louis. Governments, whether rich or poor, rural or urban, owe much more to their citizens than to leave them adrift to the forces of disinvestment, racial and economic segregation, criminalization, and erasure. The work of ArchCity Defenders gives me hope that lawyers can successfully work alongside communities to provide holistic responses to these complex, interconnected problems and to stand up to forces that would rather push the homeless out of sight than help them. I left the week with ArchCity feeling more inspired than ever to roll up my sleeves and put my future law degree to work in support of movements for racial and economic justice.

Amy Tannenbaum (@ grrrlrevolution) is a student at Stanford Law School who spent her alternative Spring Break with ArchCity Defenders.

performance and service in our society. However, on January 1, a statute went into effect that could put a permanent blight on our young people. The Break the Pipeline (BTP) campaign and the Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) are committed to serving the community in several areas of progress. One of our goals for the BTP campaign is to communicate to communities, political officials, schools, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and businesses the importance of a defining Memorandum of Understanding and adequate school resource officers in each school district. In order to continue honoring our young successful leadership, we must continue to support our young students through campaigns like BTP. This will halt the process of our young people from becoming victims under this new law statute. This challenge should be a rising, ongoing topic of discussion in the local news. Let us save our students!

Fran R. Collier, Communications Committee Metropolitan Congregations United

Voters support a higher minimum wage

Some 35,000 St. Louis workers received a long overdue raise – and St. Louis joined the roughly 40 other U.S. cities and counties that have adopted local minimum wages. Research in Chicago and other cities show that these policies are improving workers’ lives without costing jobs. The extra $1,800 a year the average St. Louis worker will earn will help tens of thousands of struggling families - and help the economy as workers spend their paychecks at local businesses.

But the Missouri legislature is not just refusing to raise the state’s paltry $7.70 minimum wage - it is considering overriding the will of local voters and elected leaders by stripping cities of the power to address wages, even though Missouri voters strongly

support a higher minimum wage.

Paul Sonn, general counsel National Employment Law Project, New York

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

O’Fallon Park group turns out for Mature Mile Walk

The Active Older Adults group at the YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex won first place for highest participation at the 2017 Mature Mile Walk in Forest Park on April 8 with 77 participants, the second year in a row the group had the most participation at the annual event. The St. Louis Area Agency for Aging co-sponsors this event in collaboration with the Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend. Many of the active older adults at O’Fallon Park have made walking a regular part of their fitness routine.

3-on-3 youth basketball tournament

The 9th annual Leonard Riggins 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will take place Saturday, June 10 at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. The registration fee is $200. Proceeds from the event will support S.A.I.L. (Save An Innocent Life) Foundation scholarships and to support BackStoppers. Team classifications include youth from grades 3 through 8. First and second place trophies will be awarded. The event begins with check-in starting at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Coach Drake at (314) 546-6762

Mama Earth Day at Marie Fowler Park

The inaugural Mama Earth Day will be celebrated 12-6 p.m. Saturday. May 13 at Marie W. Fowler Park, at the corner of Page and Union. It will be an eco-conscious event with community artists, health and wellness practitioners, agriculturalists, live music, food, vendors and children activities. The event is organized and sponsored by The Kazi Group, Harambee Institute, A.F.R.I.C.A (Association For Responsible Interdisciplinary Cultural Artists) and M.O.N. (Men of Ngao). For more information, contact thekazigroupstl@gmail.com.

Police accountability: it’s

up to us now

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

It’s the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles police beat-down of Rodney King. How far have we really come in 25 years in police-community relations? Not far. We’re still always a police bullet or bully club away from a black body being the point of contact. That means we’re only a nanosecond away from the next ragefilled human explosion.

The acquittal of four of LAPD cops who were involved in the brutal assault on King even provoked an outcry from the mayor of L.A. This was a black mayor whom communities of color felt was insensitive to their needs. He was infamously known as “Uncle Tom” Bradley because it was thought he was mainly a puppet for white, corporate interests. Even Bradley had to call out the mockery of justice.

Let’s look at the where we are today. First, let’s talk about federal consent decrees that communities look to for relief.

The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was a direct response to the savage 1991 beating of Rodney King by four LAPD officers and the devastating Los Angeles uprising after the acquittals. The law gave the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice an extraordinary tool to hold departments accountable. The DOJ has the authority to sue police agencies when a pattern and practice of excessive force is used or when citizens’ civil rights are violated.

According to the DOJ, there have been 60 investigations into police agencies rife with corruption and discriminatory practices since the law came into effect. Currently there are about 20 cities whose police departments are under consent decrees, including our own Ferguson. Most don’t come to the table as willing partners (if they don’t sign the dotted line, the DOJ will sue them into compliance) and many remain resistant to implementing any substantive changes. The Oakland Police Department stood down for almost a decade, forcing a federal judge to put the agency into temporary receivership.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has publicly criticized the use of consent decrees, citing the reduction of “morale of the police officers.” Translation: When cops can’t freely violate black and brown bodies without consequences, it makes cops sad. Sessions has sent a message to rogue departments that he doesn’t intend to take these decrees seriously. The weight of accountability will fall on communities. We’re on our own from here.

Since the Rodney King beat-down, there have several laws passed making any harm or perceived harm to law enforcement officers a felony. In some cases, the law applies to the police canines as well. (Is a dog’s life more important that the life taken by that dog’s cop handler?) In most states, killing a cop can get you an automatic death sentence. There’s the militarization of police, complete with military equipment like Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), used against U.S. civilian populations. Then there’s the unregulated use of surveillance; the laws are still catching up with the technology already being used. Our society has clearly move farther away from addressing one of the biggest problems this country faces.

Tax-paying citizens will be forced to be more pro-active and more engaged in holding police departments accountability. In St. Louis, an opportunity has emerged with the “retirement” of Police Chief Sam Dotson. Citizens have had enough of what doesn’t work and of who won’t make it work. But we’re not just looking for something new or different. Citizens are looking for real change in how the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department operates.

Neither time nor history is on our side. We must boldly fight for a new vision for public safety and who will champion that new vision. Otherwise, we’re cruising into the next uprising.

Jamala Rogers

STATUE

bird poop” – their teacher and guest instructors helped them put it all together.

“There is no mention of slavery,” Teachout said. That is true. The monument honors the soldiers of the Confederacy as defenders of states’ rights, not race-based slavery.

“We know the Civil War was about slavery,” Teachout said. “That means a lot, right? It’s all pretty positive word choices, but it doesn’t mention why the war was fought.”

Cunningham spelled it out a little more: “When you’re honoring only one side of a war and making it heroic, it’s easy to say this side was right and were fighting for the right reasons.”

The students had noticed the heroic language about Confederate soldiers and the sculpture of a family sending a son off to fight the Union. Their teacher directed their attention to another figure towering above the family.

“Everyone notice the angel?” Teachout said. “That’s the Angel of the Confederacy. What does it mean to have an angel of the Confederacy? What does it mean to have this in Forest Park now?”

Cunningham gave them a succinct history of the monument and the more recent controversy about its remaining on public view in St. Louis, a city and region that

28TH WARD

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 has only lived in the city for the last year and a half, which doesn’t meet the three-year residency requirement outlined in the City Charter. She also recently paid taxes in St. Louis County, and anyone running for alderman must have paid taxes within the city for one year prior to the election. Hoffman was selected from 11 candidates. At noon on May

became notorious globally for racial disparity and oppression following the Ferguson unrest in 2014. It was dedicated a century before Ferguson, in 1914, under the auspices of the Confederate Monument Association of St. Louis, with funding by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Following Ferguson, Cunningham explained, thenMayor Francis G. Slay called for a “reappraisal” of the monument and its prominent public display in April 2015. That June, a group of protestors offered their own “reappraisal,” protesting at the monument and placing “Black Lives Matter” signs on it. Then a group of vandals offered a further “reappraisal,” which Cunningham situated on the kind of timeline that fifth graders understand.

“When you were in third grade, as an act of protest, people threw paint on this monument, painted a big black X and painted ‘Black Lives Matter’ on it,” Cunningham said, after showing them traces of the vandalism that remained after power washing.

“People were not happy this was here,” Teachout said. Cunningham told them that then-Mayor Slay formed a committee that issued a report about what to do with the monument – and then nothing happened.

As Cunningham told the students, and as the committee report states, only one institution told the City of St. Louis that it would want the

10, The St. Louis American’s print deadline day, the 28th Democratic Committee was supposed to meet to select a new candidate, Perry said, but they were unable to get in touch with all the candidates. Perry said they want to talk with the candidates and make sure they are eligible. Perry said the committee –which consists of less than a dozen members – will make a decision by the evening of May 10, after this print edition goes to press. Regardless of the

monument. The Missouri Civil War Museum said it would accept the monument but would not immediately display it. St. Louis County Parks, whose space the museum occupies, would not permit it – or submit any proposal for future use. The city did not agree to those terms, and the monument remained on prominent display on Confederate Drive in Forest Park when Slay stepped down and Mayor Lyda Krewson was sworn in on April 18. In New Orleans, as these students also have learned in class, the mayor was more proactive. In December 2015, Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed an ordinance calling for the removal of four monuments

committee’s decision, two candidates – Celeste Vossmeyer and Steven C. Roberts – have said that they plan to run as Independents.

Celeste Vossmeyer is an attorney at Thompson Coburn law firm, who previously served as general counsel for the Bi-State Development Agency (now Metro Transit Agency). She said she has helped in many political campaigns and thinks her professional background and community involvement have helped to prepare her for an

related to the Confederacy and its aftermath. This April, workers (paid with private funds) took down The Battle of Liberty Place Monument, an obelisk in New Orleans honoring a violent uprising in 1874 by whites who rejected the election of black public officials Reconstruction. This sparked a backlash from white protestors waving Confederate flags, and the other three monuments, which would require a crane to move, remain standing. Landrieu told The Times-Picayune that every crane company in the area had received threats. But Landrieu has said the city plans to proceed with taking them down and moving them into storage until a museum accepts them.

aldermanic position. She said the most important role of an alderwoman is to make sure the ward’s residents are receiving quality public services. For the city overall, the three main issues she would like to focus on are public safety, responsible development and inclusiveness.

As far as development, she said that the city needs to grow, “but we need to be careful of what we give away.” She believes the entire process of city development could be improved with some small but

David Cunningham, a sociology professor at Washington University and (New City School parent) met Stephanie Teachout’s fifth grade class from New City at the Confederate Monument in Forest Park on Friday, May 5 to teach them about the monument and help them formulate proposals for removing it from the public park or contextualizing it.

“This is current,” Teachout told The St. Louis American in an interview. “They’re reading about statues coming down in New Orleans, and hearing about these debates in other cities, but we do have this debate in our own city, so what can we actually do? I love the idea of this design thinking. So, here’s a problem: What are you going to do about it? They’re 10 and 11 years old, but very often they want to be grappling with these topics, they want to be engaged. And they also love to run outside and play on the playground, like right after these conversations.”

The American was invited to observe this educational process by Alexis Wright, the relatively new head of

effective changes to zoning policies, at little to no cost to the city. She said that there are places in the city that have been “left out” of receiving adequate services.

“When we are ignoring vacant buildings and not providing the same level of services to everyone, it’s bad for the whole city,” Vossmeyer said. “As a lawyer, I don’t think you can get anything done if you are not inclusive. Things don’t work, and they fall apart eventually.”

Steven C. Roberts is currently the chief of staff to Sheriff Vernon Betts and president of the Roberts Companies, and he previously served as an alderman for more than a decade.

“As a businessman and

school at New City, the first African American to lead the powerhouse, high-priced private school.

“This is Stephanie’s curriculum, but we are working on a strategic plan for academic innovation, and this feels fresh, important and at the vanguard,” Wright said. “It’s teaching the skills our kids need to know. This is why I came to St. Louis, why I came to New City.” Wright, Teachout and Cunningham think these students’ ideas might strike a chord with the new mayor. Krewson is a former New City parent who lives in the neighborhood. She also ran on a racial equity platform, like several other candidates, and nearly lost the Democratic primary to a progressive coalition that backed Tishaura O. Jones.

“You live here,” Cunningham told the fifth graders after they were called down from the Confederate Monument. “Your views matter. People will listen to you. You’re not just sitting back watching.”

Teachout sunk the point home a little deeper: “We have a new mayor. You are the future. She should listen to you.”

A spokesman for Krewson told The American, “The mayor wants to remove the statue from the park. She is currently reviewing the different options to get that done.”

entrepreneur, I also know what it takes to promote economic revival, to help new business startups, to keep St. Louis in the innovation and tech hub forefront,” Roberts said. “I intend to put that experience to work championing youth employment opportunities as well.”

He also said he will make sure the ward is receiving adequate city services and addressing the challenges of crime and violence. He also intends to work to address the inequities between the various parts of the city.

“We must become a city united for progress,” he said. The special election to replace Krewson on the Board of Aldermen will be held on Tuesday, July 11.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

MOTHER

Continued from A1

A few sang along in perfect harmony with the gospel music that played in the background.

“That’s my son Robert singing,” Ms. Harrold said with pride. Several family members, including the mother, are collaborating on a CD. They have four songs left before it will be completed.

All of her children are musically inclined. The daughters sing, and the sons sing and play instruments. The family could form a band –or three bands. “I have three drummers, three keyboard players … or maybe it’s four keyboard players,” Harrold said. “And I have one son that plays the bass guitar.”

Two of her sons, Keyon Harrold and Emanuel Harrold, are Grammy-winning musicians. Keyon, a trumpeter, was part of the team that took home a “Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media” statue for their work on the “Miles Ahead” soundtrack. Emanuel is part of the musical team that backs jazz crooner Gregory Porter, who has won two “Best Jazz Vocal Album” Grammy Awards.

A couple of framed newspaper articles about her sons’ respective careers hung on the wall of her Florissant home, along with visual art that celebrated music. Where most would have an end table, there was a neatly positioned stack of drums. The home was buzzing with laughter, song and communication as children and young adults filled the home.

She only has two children left in the nest, but the house is as busy as it always was, thanks to dozens of grandchildren. “Let’s see, about 62 – and counting,” Harrold said when asked about an exact number.

Her oldest grandson, Fred Smith, 25, is four years older than her youngest daughter. “I always felt like one of the brothers growing up,” Smith said. Ms. Harrold had a quiet way

about her, never once raising her voice – not what one would expect from someone who has the unlikely experience of mothering enough children to fill a medium-sized classroom.

Everyone who came through the door took the time to individually hug and kiss her.

“There is so much love in my family,” Ms. Harrold said. “My greatest joy is getting them all together, seeing them and just knowing how God has blessed them – and how He blessed me by blessing them.”

Ministry and motherhood

“I always thought I couldn’t have any children,” Ms. Harrold said. But once she got married, the babies started and never stopped.

Her first husband was a pastor and they were building a ministry, so there was no time for maternity leave. A week after giving birth she would be back at church. This was her routine. They had 13 babies

that were a year apart – two were separated by a mere 11 months.

“Every time I thought I was free I would go to get my six week checkup, and they would tell me to make an appointment with prenatal care,” Ms. Harrold said laughing.

Ms. Harrold is now an ordained minister herself, providing counseling and a listening ear for those in need.

As it has always been, faith is at the forefront for them all. She says it was God’s grace that brought them through the many lean times that come with having such a huge family.

“They say a family that prays together, stays together,” Ms. Harrold said. “And that’s exactly what we did. Never give up on your children, no matter what. You’ve got to stay strong. You can make it. No matter what it seems like, or what you’re going through, you can make it with the help of The Lord.”

Safe haven

“Her house was the hub for the whole family,” said Damon Harrold. He is Ms. Harrold’s biological nephew, but like so many – blood-related or not – he considers her to be his mother. “The whole family would come to meet there,” Damon said. “It was like a safe haven for the whole family.”

The Harrold family lived at 844 Carson St. for 35 years before moving to a bigger home in Florissant.

“You’ll never believe that all of us were in that little bitty house. I still try to figure out how we fit,” Ms. Harrold said. “It was a three-bedroom – a small one with tiny rooms. And whenever you would pass my house, you would see my kids and everybody else’s kids too. I’d say, ‘Go home to your mama. I’ve got enough.’ But they would be like, ‘We want to be here.’”

Several neighborhood children often sought Ms. Harrold and her home for

refuge, and she welcomed them with open arms.

“My mother really mothered more than just us,” daughter Tracey Smith said, looking over at her mother with a big smile. “Some people would think, ‘Well, you have so many kids, how are you helping so many others?’ But God was our source.”

The open-arms policy of her mother is a tradition that Tracey, who has eight children of her own, is proud to carry on.

“If you are feeding three, you might as well feed four or five,” Tracey said. “If we have it, then you have it.”

When Tracey and her husband first married, she was not used to the peace and quiet of her own space. It made her so uncomfortable that she moved back to Carson Street with her husband until after her first son, Fred, was born.

Ms. Harrold welcomed anyone who needed space, but admits life was not easy.

“The most difficult part was

trying to feed them and clothe them and all of that,” Ms. Harrold said. “When you’ve got a lot of kids, you’ve got to hand-me-down and hand-medown – that’s what I mostly did.”

And things that smaller families take for granted – like basic transportation – were complicated, to say the least, for the Harrold family.

“We had one of those big, long, ugly white vans,” Ms. Harrold said. “It was a Ford, and it was the only thing that we could fit in.”

Meals were less complicated.

“These days parents ask the kids, ‘What do you want to eat?’” Ms. Harrold said. “I didn’t have the time or the money to do that. I would put on two big pots, and they ate what was provided for them. They couldn’t be choosy.”

She said their unique family dynamic taught them to be grateful for whatever they get and to share whatever they have.

“I see my mom in me,” Tracey said. “I don’t know anything other than kids and grandkids – and we don’t know how to cook small.” Damon, Fred, son Jermon Harrold and a few of the grandchildren spoke up about the sacrifices Ms. Harrold has made and the inspiration she has provided for the sake of their family.

“She made sure we all lived our dreams and made sure that all of our dreams came true,” Damon said. They laughed as they thought about driving her and the neighbors on Carson Street crazy with their nonstop music. For Ms. Harrold, the racket – that ultimately evolved into Grammy Awards – was a small price to pay. She also has children that are teachers, pastors (four in total) and a host of other professions.

“Even though there are a lot of them, they always stayed focused and never got into anything as far as trouble goes,” Ms. Harrold said. “I just thank God for that. We are truly blessed.”

Shirley Harrold posed with several of her 16 children and more than 60 grandchildren outside of the family home in Florissant on Saturday, May 6.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

North Tech wins cook-off

North Technical High School won Explore St. Louis’ 10th Annual Culinary Cook-Off on Friday, April 21 at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. It was the second consecutive year North Technical has won the top prize.

Held by Explore St. Louis in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 7-13, 2017) and based on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” competition, the Culinary Cook-Off requires each team to create a three-course meal over a two-hour period without knowing the ingredients beforehand. Julie Evers of South Technical High School received the Elijah Moore Culinary Leadership Award, presented to the student who demonstrates outstanding leadership. She also received a $1,500 scholarship from Explore St. Louis to the culinary institution of her choice.

Front Row: Natajua Williams, Daishia Ross, Douglas McCrady, Ta`Cherish Johnson, Kameron Wyms, Nick Freije (Weber Grill), Kitty Ratcliffe (Explore St. Louis). Back Row: Catherine Neville (Feast Magazine), Dan Neman (St. Louis Post-Dispatch), Matt Walbaum (Levy Restaurants) and Stephen Trouvere (Baileys’ Restaurants)

Judge does not fall for embezzling pol’s pity party

Apparently irked by the relatively light 30-month sentence recommended by federal prosecutors, as well as an email implying political and judicial bias, Judge Michael Reagan sentenced former East St. Louis Township Supervisor Oliver Hamilton to a five-year prison sentence recently after giving him a severe upbraiding in his courtroom.

Months ago, I detailed Hamilton’s trail of corruption. Her charged about $230,000 over a period of four years to the impoverished ESL Township, billing them for lavish trips to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, political gifts for friends, building supplies (he owns a construction company), up to $40,000 in gasoline and thousands of dollars on cleaning his pickup truck.

Hamilton’s defense attorney Clyde Kuehn appealed to Reagan to consider the culture of ESL as one which had become apathetic to corruption and that Hamilton was, in so many words, simply a product of his environment. He asked that Reagan “temper the punishment with mercy.”

Reagan was having none of Hamilton’s pity-party defense. Reagan publicly read Hamilton’s email to supporters in open court, which stated that Hamilton expected to get a heavier sentence for going against the “Belleville political party” and pointed to another case in which Reagan only gave a (white) Moro Township supervisor probation after he admitted to embezzling

$700,000.

Reagan then gave Hamilton a pre-sentencing tonguelashing: “Your sentence has nothing to do with your religion, your race or your politics…You take a dollar from a pauper, you take everything from that man. You

take a billion from Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder), he still has $75 billion… I can think of nothing worse than taking from the indigent… This community in some places looks like Dresden in World War II.” As a result, Hamilton received twice the recommended sentence and awaits, at this writing, his reporting date for federal prison. Isn’t it ironic that a bloodsucker of the poor, like Hamilton, would have the temerity and stupidity to attempt to call out a judge, who is in charge of his fate, and use a false equivalency as an argument to justify leniency, based upon the very political game that he has played throughout his entire adult life.

The only thing that’s unfair is that Hamilton got away with his staggering abuse of the public’s trust and resources for so long. Then, for Hamilton’s defense attorney to seemingly imply that the culture of ESL lends itself to an acceptance and replication of Hamilton’s misbehavior is an insult to the citizens of ESL, most of whom are appalled by such corruption and criminality. We can only hope that such sentencing would be a deterrent for any would-be political crooks, but I wouldn’t be foolish or optimistic enough to hold my breath. I only wish that the citizens of East Boogie could weigh in on Hamilton’s sentence. I’d recommend, since Oliver seems to have a love for traveling and shiny cars, that he’d spend his 5-year sentence washing and detailing prison vehicles from coast to coast. Now that would be real justice. Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

Columnist

James Ingram

A tale of two Community Benefits Agreements, Reed’s and Green’s

Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed introduced a bill on Friday, May 5 that would require developers to give back to the communities surrounding their real estate projects – if the developers are seeking tax incentives.

Adding Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) to development deals was a call that originally came from City Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones during her campaign for mayor and was particularly attractive to progressive voters.

Reed coming out with this legislation (Board Bill 11) on CBAs could mean that he was listening to these voters. Or it could be that he was trying to get ahead on his nemesis, Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green, who represents the 15th Ward, was a strong Jones supporter and has clashed with Reed before.

“It’s called a ‘Community Benefits Agreement,’ but there is no community involvement,” said Lauren Verseman, a soon-to-be graduate from Washington University School of Law, who works with the law school’s Urban Revitalization Clinic.

This spring, Verseman provided research on CBAs to the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and has been helping them to identify different options for CBAs that would best fit the city.

Verseman has read both Reed’s and Green’s bills, and said several things jumped out to her. First, in Reed’s bill, the agreement would be negotiated between the alderman and the developer.

Since January, Green has had a draft of a board bill regarding CBAs that she planned to introduce in the fall. However, she planned on involving the community in finalizing the bill, which was modeled after legislation that just passed in Detroit.

“We want it done right by getting all the stakeholders together – housing advocates, developers, labor unions, aldermen and community groups – to figure out what parts of the Detroit legislation works here,” Green said.

Reed and Green have had a troubled relationship since last fall, when discussions about the stadium deal went sour. Green said that recently Reed made a move to weaken her political power by taking her off several aldermanic committees and putting her on committees that rarely meet. She was not sure whether or not Reed knew about her bill and was trying to preempt her efforts with weaker CBA legislation. But she said that Reed introducing this kind of legislation without talking to anyone working on this issue shows a deep level of “disconnect.”

Reed failed to respond to The St. Louis American’s repeated requests for comment. His chief of staff Thomas Shepard asked if Reed may submit an op-ed about this CBA bill, which he was encouraged to do for next week’s paper.

Reed’s bill has caused advocates for communitydevelopment reform to cry foul because of what they describe as weak wording.

“Instead of giving community members a seat at the table to have input of what they would like to see, it puts everything in the hands of the alderpeople who are already doing this,” Verseman said. “It’s what we already have.”

In Green’s bill, SLDC would put out a written notice to the community about the development project and a scheduled “organization meeting,” where the neighborhood would organize its own negotiating team. The alderman would schedule and convene that first meeting but, after that, would not have any direct involvement in negotiating the CBA. Verseman said this process fits the best practices of a CBA.

The other difference that stood out to her was the language used in the two bills. In Reed’s bill, the agreement is made between the real estate developer and “the affected neighborhood(s).” In Green’s bill, it is made with the “host community.”

For Verseman, the phrase “affected neighborhood” draws to mind a neighborhood that is about to have something “happen at you,” but not participate in the process –while a “host community” sounds more like a welcomed, valued partner.

“And the host community has its own personality and sense of itself,” Verseman said. “That’s indicative of the differences in the approaches.”

Megan Betts ran for alderwoman in North City’s 5th Ward during the last primary, and a big part of her campaign platform was establishing a citywide policy for CBAs. She has been part of a group that has done

Black Caucus elects outreach leaders

extensive research on the best practices of CBAs. Betts was disappointed to see Reed’s bill, which she called “very backwards,” introduced on Friday.

“It erases all the hard work people have been putting into doing this the right way,” Betts said. “Unless he has no idea of what is happening, this feels backhanding.”

In Reed’s bill, Betts said that developer Paul McKee Jr. and Alderwoman Tammika Hubbard – both of whom have struggled with gaining the trust of the community –can sit down and decide on a CBA, with no input from that community.

“Isn’t that how it’s done already?” Betts said.

Reed’s bill

According to Reed’s bill, developers seeking Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or “sales tax rebates” for real estate development with an estimated contract value of $1 million or more “must present a Community Benefits Agreement for the development project” to the alderman. Basically, the agreement that the developer draws up would be negotiated with an alderman, and then the alderman would introduce a board bill on the development deal.

There is no mention that community members would have a part in that negotiation.

The bill defines three main community benefits that the CBAs would include. The agreement sets the goal that 25 percent of all labor hours are performed by minorities,

African-American Aldermen elected Aldermen John CollinsMuhammad from the 21st Ward and Brandon Bosley from the 3rd Ward to as the coordinators to lead the African-American Aldermanic Caucus. The African-American Aldermanic Caucus includes 10 members of the Board of Aldermen representing the needs and interest of the city’s black communities, chaired by Alderman Terry Kennedy (18th Ward). Both were first elected in April.

five percent by women and 20 percent by city residents – which is already a city requirement.

The developer must agree to include livable-wage provisions for job hires. And if the development is for housing, the developer shall set a goal of 20 percent of housing units become affordable housing.

Then it states that, “The benefits can be tailored to the needs of the community.”

Verseman said the affordable housing requirement is basically the only guideline that isn’t already a city policy.

“It’s a backdoor way to get to inclusionary zoning, but this isn’t the appropriate vehicle for that,” Verseman said.

Inclusionary zoning – or ordinances that require a certain share of new construction to be affordable by people with low and moderate incomes – are not usually drafted like this, she said.

The Board of Aldermen would be in charge of enforcing the agreement, and penalties include withholding the TIFs and sales tax rebates

for the project.

Green’s bill

As Green’s draft stands now, it looks more at the level of “public support for investment” rather than contract value.

And that support includes giving away land for free, tax abatements and grants – along with TIFs.

The bill defines three different “tiers” that start at projects that receive $3 million in public support. Many recent development deals would have met that mark, including Ballpark Village which received $56 million, along with several hotels and office buildings.

For each tier, the bill lists a variety of benefits that could be negotiated into the agreement – including affordable housing, environmental mitigations, neighborhood amenities, educational programs, job readiness training and many more options.

Verseman said that Green’s bill gives a “broader sense” of ways the community could

negotiate benefits – both in the language and the process.

“It’s always tailored to the project and the community,” Verseman said. “That’s part of the purpose. You are never going to know beforehand, which is another reason why it’s odd that Board Bill 11 reiterates things that already are requirements. They are not adding anything.”

In Green’s bill, the city would be a “third party beneficiary” that could enforce the agreement, as well as with the host community. And penalties include liquidated damages, clawbacks, or withdrawal of the tax abatements and public subsidies.

Retreat for stakeholders

Green said that she’s been meeting with SLDC every month for the last several months about CBAs and the bill. The last meeting also included people from Forward Through Ferguson, the St. Louis Economic Partnership and Promise Zone. However, she said they knew that there were various other people working on the issue, including community groups and Washington University researchers. They decided to hold a retreat in June so that all of the stakeholders could come together.

From there, they would take the draft and present it to the community before introducing it to the Board of Aldermen, Green said. Her goal is to introduce it in September. Reed has not been part of these conversations, she said. To her, his legislation came out of nowhere.

“Lewis’ bill puts the negotiating power on the aldermen, and this is exactly what you don’t want to do,” Green said. “The point is to engage the community.”

Why I hold town halls

By U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill Guest columnist

When my mom was alive, she would sometimes travel with me to public town halls I held across the state. She sometimes introduced me by saying, “I call this the dog and pony show – I’m the dog, and she’s the pony.”

My mom – never at a loss for something sharp and witty to say – raised me in rural Missouri. And one of the many things she passed on to me was the value of never forgetting where you came from, and the idea that when you’re in public service, to never be afraid to let folks chew on you and tell you what they think. After all, I represent all Missourians, whether they voted for me or not. And I’m in this for them.

veterans about ensuring they get the benefits they’ve earned, and I talked with kids and teachers about the importance of quality education and affordable college tuition.

I was asked about the Syria missile strike, and about my thoughts on the president’s proposed budget cuts, which would disproportionately punish rural Missouri by slashing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

The values my mom taught me have never left me during my time in the Senate. It’s those values that have led me to hold public town halls with Missourians – including eight public town halls across Missouri last week. When I announced these town halls, some colleagues in Washington questioned why I would choose to travel to the rural counties won by the other party in last year’s election, often by a large margin. For me, it was a no-brainer. I was humbled by the election, and think I owe folks in every corner of Missouri my time and respect, whether they agree with me or not.

I heard from Missourians concerned about the opioid epidemic and about losing their health care, or seeing their costs increase. I talked about my work to combat sex trafficking, and my investigation into the price of prescription drugs. I talked with military

Thousands of Missourians were able to share their thoughts directly, in-person. And more importantly, I was able to hear your thoughts, your concerns, and your ideas. After all, how can I be the best fighter for you in Washington if I don’t listen to what you want me fighting for?

I’m planning more town halls this year that’ll take me to other parts of the state to keep on listening.

Unlike when my mom served on the City Council in Columbia, Missouri, today there are lots of ways for politicians to avoid having public town halls. Facebook, telephone town halls, and other way to connect online have made it easy. And those tools are perfectly fine – the more ways to connect with folks the better.

But there’s no substitute for public, in-person town halls, where any Missourian can show up. There’s no substitute for meeting with Missourians face-to-face, no substitute for giving you the opportunity to tell me publicly how I’m doing, and what you’d like to see me doing differently.

That’s why I’ll keep at it. Because it’s the honor of a lifetime to hear from you and fight for you in the U.S. Senate. Claire McCaskill was raised in rural Missouri and is Missouri’s senior U.S. senator.

‘Tied to the Power of Greatness’ in Hazelwood

Fathers’ Support Center graduates 119th class

Eugene Johnson was overcome with emotion when Fathers’ Support Center graduated its 119th class on April 19 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Ferguson. The men and women in the various programs at the agency went through six weeks of parental training to better the lives of their children and families. Clients were taught parenting approaches, employment readiness and financial and nutritional literacy. The graduates receive Fathers’ Support Center’s services up to one year following graduation. The 120th Class will graduate from Fathers’ Support Center on Wednesday, June 14. For more information, call 314-333-4170 or visit http:// fatherssupportcenter.org.

A group of Hazelwood East Middle and Hazelwood Southeast Middle School students recently took part in the third annual “Tied to the Power of Greatness” program. “This program is not only about connecting to yourself,

connecting to others by helping

another tie a tie,” said Robert Payne, business teacher and Tied to the Power of Greatness facilitator at East High. “We had a goal to collect 400 neck ties for these young men. We surpassed that goal by collecting more than 700 neck ties.” Ambassadors for the program included: Karlton Thornton, Hazelwood school board member; Bruce Green, assistant superintendent for high school education; Jeff Haug, assistant superintendent for middle school education; Michael Peoples, associate principal at East High; Corey Johnson, activities director at East High; Christopher Erbs, communications specialist for the district; and several East High student ambassadors.

Guest Columnist

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Planting the Seeds for Success!

Nutrition Challenge:

When you graze, it means that you eat small snacks all day long without eating a regular meal.

DoYou Graze?

MAYNational Fitness Month!

“So, what’s wrong with that?” you ask. Grazing prevents your body from ever really feeling full, causing you to eat more throughout the day.

Five Areas of Fitness

Cardiovascular Endurance — Aerobic activities (increasing your heart rate and breathing for at least 20 minutes) help improve your heart health and endurance.

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

Instead, sit down; eat a nice, solid, balanced, nutritional meal. Your body will tell you when it’s full, and the benefits are that you won’t be hungry for a while, you’ll eat less, and you won’t be tempted by lessnutritious snacks.

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

of time (such as running, cycling, sit-ups, etc.) builds your muscle endurance.

Flexibility — Stretching and bending helps to increase your body’s flexibility.

Mario

(“Mo”) Jones, Assistant Nurse Manager (VAS,

DES, W/O)

Muscle Strength — We improve our muscle strength by making them work harder. This is accomplished by slowly increasing the amount of weight/ resistance you lift or press.

Muscle Endurance — Your ability to continue a physical activity for longer periods

As a class, discuss what you think are important areas of mental health. Today we’ll focus on stress management. This means that we’ll consider ways to relieve the stress in our lives.

Individually, make a list of four things that cause you stress. Again as a class, talk about different methods

for stress relief: Time management, coping, speaking with trusted adults, exercising, journaling, etc. Now looking at your stressors list, what of these relievers might help?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 1

Body Composition — The ratio of fat and muscle in your body makes up your body composition. Remembering to focus on the other four areas of physical fitness will improve your composition, and overall health!

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

Cashew Butter

Coconut Bon Bons

Ingredients: 1 cp Crisp Rice Cereal, ½ cp Cashew Butter 2 tbs Maple Syrup, ¼ tsp Fine Sea Salt or Table Salt, ¼ cp Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Directions: Mix together the cereal, cashew butter, maple syrup, and salt in a medium bowl. Form the mixture into 12 1½-inch balls. Roll the balls in the coconut. Refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Where do you work? I work at Barnes Jewish Hospital. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Riverview Gardens Senior High School. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UMSL and I’m currently working on a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden.

What does an assistant nurse manager do? My team and I help nurses provide vascular access to patients (IV/PICC lines). We also take care of various types of wounds. I assist the wound team by recommending treatments, and assisting nurses treating and managing complicated wounds on patients.

Why did you choose this career? Where I come from, people do not like and trust the healthcare system, doctors and nurses. I wanted to be a pillar of change and to help people, and grow and develop new nurses to change the face of healthcare.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

My favorite part of nursing is watching patients and nurses have what I call the “A-HA moment.” This comes when a nurse or patient learns something new or just understands something better. I also enjoy seeing change happen as well as watching nurses grow and develop.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Walbridge Elementary School

teacher Cassandra Walker works with students Alexus Pearson, Taeyoun Donaldson and Deyon Hamilton in the school garden using growth information obtained from the STEM page in the newspaper. Walbridge Elementary School is in the St. Louis Public School distict.

American

SCIENCE CORNER

Sound Waves

When something moves, it creates a vibration of energy, which is called sound. The vibration of sound creates movement in the air particles. If those vibrations are fast, you’ll hear a high-pitch sound. If the vibrations are slow, you’ll hear a low-pitch sound.

The speed of sound is the rate that these vibrations travel through matter. In dry air, speed travels at the rate of 343 meters per second, which is equivalent

In this experiment, you will observe how sound travels.

Materials Needed:

• Metal Coat Hanger

• String

• Metal Spoon

• Table

Procedure:

q Tie the ends of a piece of string to each corner of a metal coat hanger.

w Next, loop one end of the string around one index finger and the other end around the other index finger.

to one mile in five seconds. In water, sound travels four times faster.

The loudness of sound is measured in volume, also known as decibels. The louder a sound is, the more decibels it will have. A whisper has around 15-20 decibels, a jet engine has around 150 decibels.

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

Stereo Hanger

r The sound waves from the vibrating hanger travel through the string and into your ear.

t Do the same thing with a metal spoon.

Reflect: How does the sound compare? Which is louder? Which one has the lowest pitch? Try using different materials and see how it affects the experiment. Try using different types of string. Does it affect the vibrations of sound?

STARS

African American Inventor & Engineer Henry Sampson

Henry Sampson grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Lanier High School. When he was just a sophomore, he attended Senior Career Day. It was there that he spoke to a graduate from Purdue University. Sampson later traveled to visit Purdue that summer and was inspired to attend college there. He first attended Morehouse College for two years before transferring to Purdue. In 1956, he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Five years later, he earned his master’s degree in engineering from UCLA. In 1967, he became the first African American in the United States to earn his PhD in nuclear engineering. Sampson worked as a chemical engineer at U.S. Naval Weapons Center. Next, he was a project engineer with the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California. He was later promoted to the Director of Planning and Operations. On July 6, 1971, Sampson received a patent for the gamma electric cell with George Miley. Because of this, many sources mistakenly credit him for inventing the cell phone. Although he did not invent the cell phone, he helped to create and discover technology that is currently used in cell phones. Sampson also holds other patents for rocket fuels.

Sampson has written many reference books, including “Blacks in Black Face: A Source Book on Early Black Musical Shows.” In 1982, he received the Aerospace Corporation Black Image Award. In 2009, he was named Purdue University’s Outstanding Chemical Engineer. In 2012, he received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Friends of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, California State University-Los Angeles.

This is the patent drawing for a gamma-electrical cell that converts gamma radiation into electricity without going through a heat cycle. This invention was designed for nuclear reactors, but eventually made cell phones possible.

e Put your fingers in your ears and bang the hanger against a table.

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

Math Games and Apps

Read about the following math apps you can add to your family’s phone. These apps are a great way to reinforce all of the skills you are learning in school.

Math Academy allows you to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Having a quick memory of these facts gives you a strong, solid foundation for all other math functions.

Math Climber

Math Climber is available for Apple and Android devices. It covers 18 topics including addition, subtraction, multiplication and divisions facts with positive and negative numbers, place value, customary measurement, metric measurement, order of operations, fractions, percents, decimals, area, perimeter, and volume.

DID YOU KNOW?

Motion Math Cupcake app allows you to create your own cupcake creations. You must purchase supplies, set a price that allows for a profit, plan for long range success, and much more.

For more information on recommended math apps, visit: http://www.parents.com/kids/education/ math-and-science/best-math-apps-for-kids/.

Learning Standards: I can understand the importance of math fluency. I can make text-to-self connections and text-to-world connections.

or

being able to make or receive calls. The world’s first smartphone made its debut in 1993 at Florida’s Wireless World Conference.

Learning Standards: I can read about an African American who has made strides in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I can make text-to-text connections and text-toworld connections.

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

Activities —

Photo Finish: Find a sports story with a photo. Make a list of all the nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs in the story.

Professional vs. Amateur Look in the sports section and find 10 athletes (use either photos or names) and identify each as professional or amateur. Then list the characteristics of professional and amateur athletes.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify parts of speech and characteristics of professional and amateur.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your

Business

$10 minimum wage takes effect in St. Louis

By Maria Altman

Of St. Louis Public Radio

Businesses in St. Louis have to pay their employees at least $10 an hour as of Friday, May 5, rather than the state’s minimum of $7.70. A circuit court judge lifted an injunction against a city ordinance on May 4, a little over a week after the Missouri Supreme Court declined to reconsider its February ruling upholding the law. Mayor Lyda Krewson’s office quickly announced the wage increase would go into effect Friday. The city is mailing notices to employers.

The mayor’s spokesman, Koran Addo, said officials expect voluntary compliance, but employees who aren’t receiving the correct wage may contact the city. He said the city will take it from there.

“The first step would really just be to contact that employer and just make sure the employer understands the law and understands that they should be paying that wage,” he said.

n “It will allow for me to endeavor to go back to school and throw a bit of a budget back in my life.”

– Dennis Shaw

Any business that fails to comply could face prosecution in municipal court and could face revocation of their business license and occupancy permit.

About a dozen people came to the courthouse on May 4 for a hearing on the injunction.

Dennis Shaw works for Schnucks Culinaria in downtown St. Louis and said until now he made $8.60 an hour. He said another $1.40 an hour will make a difference.

“It will allow for me to endeavor to go back to school and throw a bit of a budget back in my life,” Shaw said.

Shaw, who has been working at Culinaria for more than a year, said the wage increase is a good start.

At the beginning of 2018, the city ordinance will require businesses to raise the wage again to $11 an hour.

At Zee Bee Market on South Grand Boulevard, owner Julio Zegarra-Barron said he already starts employees at $11 an hour and after a year raises their wage to $12. He said it’s just smart business to pay employees well.

“If my employees are paid well, their customer service, their loyalty, their commitment to the business has increased exponentially,” Zegarra-Barron said.

Other business owners have concerns.

John Murray Iovaldi co-owns Pietro’s Restaurant on Watson Road, not far from the St. Louis County line. He said the majority of the restaurant’s staff makes more than $9 an hour now. With the wage increase, he said, they’ll have to take a look at raising their menu

St. Louis celebrates Small Business Week

Maureen E. Brinkley now district director after nearly 50 years with the SBA

By Sophie Hurwitz

For the St. Louis American

Maureen E. Brinkley, the recently installed district-level director of the Small Business Administration in St. Louis, is extremely wellprepared for her job.

“As the new district director, I am not new to the agency,” Brinkley said. In September she will have been with the agency 50 years. “So,” she said, “I’ve been around for a while. When people ask me why, I say it’s because I strongly believe in our mission.”

That job, in fact, is a fairly immense one. The St. Louis District of the SBA, which is headquartered in downtown St. Louis, serves 54 counties in Eastern Missouri. It provides counseling, loans, business information, and various specialized assistance programs for small business owners and operators within the district. Brinkley is ready to take on those different roles. She has worked in many different

capacities within the administration. She started as a clerk-stenographer, then steadily worked her way up. “I had done literally every job within the agency,” she said, “and not only in St. Louis, but also I’ve travelled the entire country working.” In her current role, she intends to focus on the regeneration of the North Side, especially given that the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is moving its western headquarters there. “Just imagine what can happen,” she said. “You have a building with 3,000 employees,” she said. “People will be willing to move up there. I can see houses being built, businesses being built – it’s going to take us back to walking to the corner store, you know?”

This week, she and the SBA are busy with

Small Business Week, with about 20 local events to host and awards to bestow in eight categories. Michelle Sherod, the one local African-American winner this year, is the founder and CEO of ALL Solutions, Inc. and recipient of the 2017 Home-based Business Award in Eastern Missouri. She started her business in 2011 after wrapping up a successful career working for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.

“She is an excellent example of how to make good use of all the programs the SBA makes available to members of underserved communities,” Brinkley said of Sherod.

This fall, the SBA will observe Minority Enterprises Development Week. “We have not done as large a focus on that nationally as some district offices do, but I intend to bring that back this year,” Brinkley said. “We have so many African-American businesses, successful ones.

See BRINKLEY, B2

Jittaun A. Dill is joining Polsinelli this month to serve as its national coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion. She earned her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, and her master’s in Public Administration and bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University. She will work at Polsinelli to implement diversity programming.

Rollo Dilworth received the Faculty Award for Creative Achievement from Temple University. He is chair of Music Education and Music Therapy at Temple University. He holds a BS in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University, MEd in Secondary Education and Music from University of Missouri - St. Louis, and DM in Conducting Performance from Northwestern University.

Dainielle J Fox has accepted the position of pharmacy manager for Walgreen’s. She was the St. Louis College of Pharmacy 2014 Student of the Year. She received her doctorate of Pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She received her bachelors of science in Communication Disorders and Psychology from Truman State University.

Larry Johnson joined the Board of Directors of Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. He is provost of St. Louis Community College. He has led statewide initiatives focused on redesigning developmental education, forming student organizations and addressing achievement gaps with male minority students. The club nurtures physically active, well-educated and hopeful youth with families at the center of its efforts.

Johnetta Randolph Haley, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville emeritus professor and former administrator, received the University’s Distinguished Service Award. She joined the SIUE faculty in 1972, after working at East St. Louis Lincoln High School and Nipher Junior High School. SIUE presented the award to the musician, educator and leader at commencement on May 6.

Steven C. Roberts was appointed last month by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to the Board of Directors for the Congressional Award, Congress’ highest honor for youth. In January, he became chief of staff to St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts. He is founder of The Roberts Companies and a trustee of Clark University.

Jittaun A. Dill

Johnetta Randolph Haley Rollo Dilworth

Steven C. Roberts

Dainielle J Fox

Larry Johnson

Activists from the Show Me $15 campaign, fighting for a $15 minimum wage, shut down a McDonald’s drive-through in April 2016 to call attention to their cause. As of Friday, May 5, St. Louis city employers must pay a $10 minimum wage, rather than the state’s minimum of $7.70.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Maureen E. Brinkley

Can you coupon without the extreme?

By Nathaniel Sillin

Following the Great Recession, it seemed liked extreme couponing was a competitive sport. You could watch on TV as shoppers armed with binders full of clipped coupons and an in-depth knowledge of stores’ policies would get incredible discounts at the checkout counter.

Extreme couponing may not be as popular today, but the Recession gave many people an appreciation for living a frugal lifestyle. That’s a good thing. Living within one’s means is a core tenant of practicing good financial habits and couponing can help you achieve this goal. However, as with most things in life, you want to try and find a healthy balance and look for ways to coupon without the extreme.

Make the most out of your couponing. Whether you’re on your weekly grocery run or making a major purchase, a discount can always be helpful. However, be wary of buying products you don’t regularly need or use simply because you have a coupon or there’s a sale.

Some people might choose to avoid temptation by looking for coupons after the items are in their cart. With a smartphone in hand, you can use a savings app to look for savings while you’re waiting to check out.

Another option, that might require a bit more time and strategy, is to plan your meals for the week ahead of time. You can write down your shopping list and spend five or ten minutes looking for applicable coupons before heading to the store. You might also choose to look at the coupons available and plan your meals for the week based off of what’s on sale. No matter what tactics you use, the point is to save money on items that you will use, not to purchase merchandise simply because it’s discounted.

Invest your time proportionately to the

potential saving. The time investment that an attempt at extreme couponing can require doesn’t always match the potential savings. Spending hours couponing and winding up saving $1.50 probably isn’t worth the time commitment. A less extreme method is to consider the potential savings

and spend a proportional amount of time researching products and looking for savings opportunities. But many people don’t take this approach. A survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Zillow in 2016 found that on average, people spent eight hours researching mortgages or

WAGE

continued from page B1 prices, while their competitors in the county won’t have that pressure.

“We’re all for people making more money, but it’s got to be fair for everybody,” Iovaldi said. “It’s got to be a level playing field.”

He said he believes employees who make tips will also get a raise from the state’s minimum of $3.85 to $5.00. That is true. According to the ordinance, employees who receive more than $30

BRINKLEY

continued from page B1

I get so tired of turning on the news every morning, with all the bad news. I want to start focusing on the positives.”

She reminisced about some of the black-owned small businesses she has personally worked with through SBA to help achieve success.

“David Steward is one of my products,” she said. In his book “Doing Business by the Good Book,” the founder and chairman of World Wide

mortgage refinancing; 11 hours researching a new car or truck; and four hours researching a new phone, tablet or TV. Almost a fifth of those surveyed spent an hour or less shopping for their home mortgage. Learning about and comparing options before

n Any business that fails to comply could face prosecution in municipal court and could face revocation of their business license and occupancy permit.

per month in tips must be paid no less than 50 percent of the minimum wage, provided that their total compensation in tips and wages equals at least the minimum wage. The city is encouraging employers or employees with

n “I had done literally every job within the agency and not only in St. Louis, but also I’ve travelled the entire country working.”

– Maureen E. Brinkley director of the St. Louis District of the SBA

Technology writes about sitting in his kitchen watching his roof leak and seeing his car being repossessed, then two weeks

making major purchases, such as a home or car, makes sense. A small change in your mortgage’s interest rate could save or cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Comparing two new phones could save a few hundred dollars when it comes time to purchase.

Smaller recurring savings, such as the previously mentioned grocery runs, can certainly add up in the long run. If you’ve got a tried-andtrue method that’s working for you, go for it. Just make sure you get a good return on the time and effort you put in.

If you find joy in the hunt that’s okay too. There are always exception and there are times when putting the extreme in couponing makes perfect sense. For example, there are extreme couponers who view their interest and practice as a hobby and coupon because it can be enjoyable to hunt for deals. While most hobbies cost money – this is one that could actually lead to savings. There are also extreme couponers who figure out ways to get free products and then donate them to a local charity. It’s a win-win for the couponer and those in need.

Bottom line: While saving money is important, and can be fun, try not to become so enthralled by potential savings that you lose sight of the purpose – to spend less money on what you want or need. If you are going to invest your time in money-saving endeavors, make sure you can potentially get a good return on your investment.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

questions to go to stlouismo.gov/minimum-wage; email minimumwage@stlouismo.gov; or call (314) 5896735.

State legislation that would have prevented the city from raising the minimum appeared to be on the fast track earlier in the session, quickly passing in the state House. The bill would need state Senate approval before heading to Gov. Erick Greitens, but it remains unclear whether the legislation will move forward.

Follow Maria on Twitter: @ radioaltman. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

later meeting Brinkley “and everything changed,” she said.

“So I knew Dave when he was just Dave,” she said. “And he gives me way too much credit, but we did do a lot for World Wide Technology.” The company now does more than $9 billion in annual revenue and has more than 4,000 employees.

For more information on Small Business week, visit http://sbwem.org.

Sophie Hurwitz is an editorial intern for The St. Louis American from John Burroughs School.

Metro Job Expo in Ferguson on May 17

3-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 at the North County Transit Center, 3140 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson. Organizations participating in the Job Expo include Hollywood Casino,

LGC Hospitality, Metro, Bi-State Development, SCI Engineering, Shop N Save, SLATE, STL Workforce Centers and VOLT Workforce Solutions. All of the businesses and organizations represented at the Job Expo are accessible by Metro transit. For more information, visit Links2Life. org.

n “I thought teams would compete a little harder.

When you watch Cleveland play, you’re only watching one side of the good basketball. That’s kind of weak.”

– Draymond Green

By Kenya Vaughn

‘This rodeo is lit’

Urban cowboys prove to be crowd pleasers at inaugural St. Louis Black Rodeo

Of The St. Louis American

“When I heard that there would be black cowboys, I knew we had to be here,” Lisa Thompson said as she scurried towards the exit to beat the crowd out the door after the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s inaugural St. Louis Black Rodeo on Saturday, May 6 at Chaifetz Arena.

It was her and her young son MJ’s first rodeo, but you couldn’t tell by looking at them. She was decked out in a red sequined cowgirlinspired ensemble with a shiny hat as the outfit’s focal point. MJ, who looked to be five or six, had a miniature 10-gallon hat and belt buckle that coordinated with his blue jeans and tiny cowboy boots.

n “He loves cowboys, and I wanted to give him the experience of seeing positive images of cowboys who looked like him.”

– Lisa Thompson

“He loves cowboys, and I wanted to give him the experience of seeing positive images of cowboys who looked like him,” Lisa said.

The show was over, but MJ still had a smile as big as the hat that almost covered his eyes and stretched across his face.

“I loved when they did the bull riding,” MJ said before they hustled off and got lost in the crowd.

Everyone else loved it too.

When announcer Morris Frye made the announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s bull riding time,” signifying the final event of the evening’s festivities, the entire arena erupted. Yes, there was an arena full of black people who came to see the rodeo.

It would be easy to assume that the AfricanAmerican rodeo would be such a concentrated niche that it would be shared amongst a small but committed few who follow the culture. But thousands poured into the arena, dressed in their soulful interpretations of the standard cowboy attire, ready to get their rodeo on.

The black rodeo has its own flavor. A DJ spun classic and contemporary R&B as the rodeo’s soundtrack. The rodeo clown antics were overshadowed by a couple’s old-school dance contest that culminated with a battle of the generations, as a gentleman of a certain age danced circles around a young man who dared to challenge him.

And then there was the rodeo action itself. In addition to Texas and Oklahoma, the cowboys and

Fierce Biles not here for smiles

Unlike Steve Harvey, I don’t profess to be an expert on the needs of black women. I can, however, comfortably say that I’ve spent enough time around strong black women (wife, mother, sisters, cousins, aunts, friends, coworkers, etc.) to know what they don’t need people to tell them. Near the top of that list is to ‘smile.’ I can’t count the number of times I’ve witnessed, firsthand, women exasperated by people (usually men) telling them that they need to smile more. That request suggests there is something wrong with women if they are not making an effort to appear pleasing to the eye at all times.

H.

“Your skills are unquestionable,” Carrie Ann Inaba told her. “You hit every line with precision and perfection. But once again, I’m going to come back to performance and authenticity about who you are when you perform. ... You have this beautiful smile and you are a megastar with your energy, but once in a while, there’s beauty without a smile. There’s beauty in pain and all of the other emotions, and I’d like to see more of that.”

(Strike one)

So let’s just say I was not exactly surprised at the championship clapback by gymnastic superhero Simone Biles when the authenticity of her smile was criticized and questions by the judges on Dancing with the Stars.

If that wasn’t enough, Julianne Hough added, “I don’t know if the smile is authentic because you want to smile, or if it’s just because you rehearsed it that way. ... I really just want to see some rawness come out.” (Strike two) The last straw was when DWTS host Tom Bergeron wouldn’t let well-enough alone when he told Biles, “I was waiting for you to smile at

some of the compliments. You didn’t.” (Strike three) Biles immediately gave Bergeron

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Tracy Letting powered through a difficult turn during one of her laps as part of the Pony Express Relay during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s inaugural Black Rodeo Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

McGwire Cards’ HOF enshrinement an insult to deserving Lankford

It was just of matter of time, but that still does not make the enshrinement of Mark McGwire into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame any easier to digest.

The one-time, single-season home run champion hit 70 in 1998 for the Cardinals and 65 the following season. He drove in 147 runs both of those years, and was a three-time All-Star while with St. Louis (1998–2000).

He used steroids, and he admitted it in January 2010. Five years before his nationally televised apology and mea culpa, McGwire embarrassed the Cardinals, the franchise’s legion of fans and all St. Louis during testimony before Congress.

The St. Patrick’s Day Massacre of 2005. Remember it?

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay tried continuously to help the slugger maneuver the mine field he found himself him – and repeatedly McGwire mumbled, “I’m not here to talk about the past.”

top 10. He hit the most home runs at Busch Stadium II, 123, and closed his stellar career with a pinch-hit home run in his final Major League at bat on October 3, 2004. The enshrinement is Saturday, August 26 before a home game against the Tampa Bay Rays. McGwire is batting coach for the San Diego Padres, and they play that afternoon in Miami.

Funny how that worked out.

Adam Jones and the N-word

As alarming as it is that fans chose to vote for McGwire on the 2017 Cardinals Hall of Fame ballot, I can’t blame them. This questionable episode falls at the feet of the organization for allowing McGwire’s nomination.

The Red Ribbon Panel, which by secret ballot selects nominees and votes, plays a role that magnitude of which we don’t know. We also don’t know the Cards’ front office influence on the process. For example, if the panel came back with the name Garry Templeton for nomination, I doubt fans would ever know it.

It has been more than a week since Adam Jones had the n-word repeatedly hurled at him by Boston Red Sox fans at Fenway Park. It’s nothing unusual, according to New York Yankees hurler CC Sabathia, who said of Fenway Park, “You get called names, N-word, all kinds of stuff when you go to Boston.” We know. There’s 62 of us and we all know. When you go to Boston, expect it.”

MLB went into the selfrighteous mode it usually reserves for Jackie Robinson Day, and Boston fans gave Jones a lengthy standing ovation the night after the racist antics.

In “A League of Their Own,” Tom Hanks’ character said, “There’s no crying in baseball.” Last week, we repeatedly heard “there’s no racism in baseball.” Many of us know better.

n If the panel came back with the name Garry Templeton for nomination, I doubt fans would ever know it.

Joining McGwire in the Class of 2017 are Tim McCarver and the late Pepper Martin McGwire was on the ballot in 2016 but apparently did not receive enough votes.

The most deserving Cardinal who is not in the Hall of Fame is Ray Lankford. I detailed his accomplishments in January 2016, but they obviously need repeating. Lankford is the only Cardinal to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in more than one season – and he did it five times (1992, 1995 –1998).

His 228 home runs, 250 stolen bases, 928 runs scored, 829 RBI and 780 walks all rank in the Cardinals all-time

Former Red Sox ace and MLB Network commentator Pedro Martinez said Monday the man who rained the n-word down on Jones “is not a true Bostonian.”

“The true Bostonians support their people, regardless of who they are, and they are great people and I’m proud of my Bostonians,” Martinez said. “I’m extremely shocked that someone used Fenway Park to offend the feelings of all of us, including Adam Jones.” He must have never visited the “Southie” neighborhoods of Boston.

ESPN Radio’s Bomani Jones, host of “The Right Time,” said the troublesome part of the Jones saga is how Boston rallied to protect its precious image instead of feeling the least bit embarrassed.

Ray Lankford is the only Cardinal to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in more than one season – and he did it five times (1992, 1995 –1998). His 228 home runs, 250 stolen bases, 928 runs scored, 829 RBI and 780 walks all rank in the Cardinals all-time top 10.

“I kept hearing, ‘We’re no more racist than any other city.’ What is that?” he said. “‘Yeah, we’re racist, but not that racist.’”

While it has been many years since I heard a n-word shouted at a player at Busch Stadium – I heard it spewed on Dave Parker of the Pittsburgh Pirates – I would be naïve to think that it couldn’t happen in St. Louis in 2017.

Subban moves on

The St. Louis Blues’ season ended last Sunday at the hands of defenseman P.K. Subban and the Nashville Predators.

Nashville won 3-1 in Game Six to move on to the Western Conference Finals. Subban and his teammates await the winner of the Anaheim-Edmonton series.

“I think we took a big step today for this organization and this city, but that’s not our ultimate goal. Our ultimate

goal is to win the Stanley Cup,” Subban told The Tennessean

“We’ve worked really hard to put ourselves in a good position. There’s still a lot of hockey left to be played, but we should enjoy this today. It’s a hell of an accomplishment for this organization.”

While one black star is within a series win of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, another player of color, the Blues’ Ryan Reaves, will have to wait another year for his chance.

Demontez McCray

By the way, Reaves did not tweet, “PK SUBBAN IS A BIG BABY” last week. That came from a parody Twitter account called Big Ryan Reaves and not the Blues star.

Alvin A. Reid is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook and appears on ABC’s The Allman Report and several sports radio shows, including Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box” on KFNS. His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

McKendree – Men’s Track and Field

The sophomore sprinter from O’Fallon High led the Bearcats to the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship last week in Renssalear, Indiana. McCray finished first in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and ran legs on McKendree’s first-place 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays. For his efforts, McCray was named the GLVC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. McCray was seventh in the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships

Aliyah Reams

Missouri Baptist – Women’s Track and Field

The senior sprinter from Waukegan, Illinois helped the Spartans to a fourth-place finish at the American Midwest Conference Outdoor meet in Greenville, IL. Reams won the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.14 seconds. She also finished third in the 200 and ran a leg on the Spartans’ 4x100-meter relay team that finished in third place.

Alvin A. Reid

TrAck And fieLd

noTebook

With Earl Austin Jr.

Road to Jeff City begins

The road to Jefferson City begins this weekend for the Class 3,4 and 5 track and field programs as district competition gets underway in Missouri.

Area Class 3 programs will be competing in district meets at Principia and Lutheran North on Saturday.

The top four finishers in each event will qualify for next Saturday’s sectional meets in Hillsboro and Montgomery County.

The Class 4 area schools will be competing in district meets at Rockwood Summit, Parkway Central and Battle High in Columbia. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for sectional meets at Hillsboro and Mexico next Saturday.

Class 5 area schools will be competing in district meets at Park Hills Central, Parkway South, Parkway Central and Battle. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for sectional competition at Marquette and Montgomery County next Saturday.

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

response. Let Biles be fierce. Let her be focused. Let her be precise and perfect. Just don’t come for Simone’s smile. She’s not having it.

Two Mizzou recruits out, Sweet-shooting transfer in

Two of highly-coveted Mizzou basketball recruits have told the Tigers, ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ Edwardsville’s Mark Smith chose the University of Illinois over Missouri, Michigan State, Kentucky, Ohio State and Texas. The 6’4” point guard was seen as a stretch for the Tigers due to what appears to be a logjam at point guard position. However, Cuonzo Martin and the Tigers were hopeful that the reigning Illinois Mr. Basketball would join a deep back court.

All-American Kevin Knox II also passed on the Tigers. The five-star forward chose Kentucky

RODEO

Continued from B3 cowgirls came from places like Detroit, Chicago and even St. Louis.

Rodeo participant and St. Louis native Terry Hewitt was introduced to the sport when he responded to a newspaper advertisement, according to his wife Zina Hewitt.

“The man said he would teach him how to rope, and he did,” Zina said. “That was 22 years ago.” It was a lesson he passed on to his son T.J. – who was 10 years old at the time – from the very beginning.

Now a man with more than 20 years of rodeo experience , T.J. was one of the calf ropers at the rodeo.

“That’s my baby,” Zina said. “Both of them eat, drink and sleep rodeo.” The commitment to the craft was apparent from the men, women and children who mounted up as part of the rodeo. They roped calves and faced off in a “Pony Express Relay” race before going head to head with the bulls.

Even those young people who at first appeared to be dragged in took notice by evening’s end.

“This rodeo is lit,” one young man said as he watched cowboy after cowboy become a casualty of the bulls. When he and a couple of companions first took their seats – apparently forced to the rodeo by elder family members

Illinois girls sectionals

The girls programs in the Metro East will be participating in sectional competition on Friday in the state of Illinois. The top qualifiers will advance to the IHSA State Championships in Charleston from May 18-20.

The Cahokia Comanches will begin their quest for a third consecutive Class 2A state championship when they compete in the Springfield Southeast sectional on Friday, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Class 3A girls sectional meet will be held on Friday at Belleville West, beginning at 3:45 p.m. The top schools in the Southwestern Conference, including East St. Louis, Edwardsville, O’Fallon and Alton will be on hand at Belleville West.

Action hot at Lutheran South

Freshman phenom Brandon Miller of John Burroughs turned in another sparkling effort in winning at the 800-

over Missouri, Duke, North Carolina and Florida State. Knox was another longshot for the Tigers, but gained interest after the signing of consensus #1 Michael Porter Jr. It hasn’t been all bad news for the Tigers. The team announced that Kassius Robertson would be headed to Columbia as a graduate-student transfer from Canisius. Last season, Roberts let the Golden Griffins in scoring with 16.1 points per game.

The 6-foot-3 shooting guard also shot 41 percent from three-point range. His long-range accuracy is desperately needed in Columbia. The Tigers ranked #332 in three-point percentage last season. As a graduate-transfer, he will be eligible immediately.

The Tigers are still waiting on a decision from East St. Louis’ Jeremiah Tilmon, who has yet to select his college destination after de-committing from Illinois. Jontay Porter is still considering whether to reclassify and enter college early or finish out his high school career at Father Tolton in Columbia.

– they seemed determined to remain tuned out by way of their phones. By rodeo’s end, the crew was so engaged that all of their phones were put away as they leaned in waiting to see if anyone would win the battle of the bulls.

“Right now, it’s bulls 8 and cowboys 0,” Frye announced with one rider left to go.

The bulls were ultimately undefeated, but their victory over the cowboys didn’t make the experience any less memorable.

“A lot of people don’t know that there were – that there are – real black cowboys, and they need to come out and see it,”

meter run. His winning time was 1 minute 52.86 seconds. Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter won the 300meter intermediate hurdles in a time of 37.7 seconds while teammate Hasani Barr won the 400 in a time of 48.29. Joshua Sutton of MICDS won the 100 and 200 with impressive times of 10.76 and 21.9, respectively.

The top girls’ events at Lutheran South were the 100-meter high hurdles and long jump. In the hurdles, Laqwasia Stepney of Cahokia was first in 14.5 seconds. She was followed by Aisha Southern of Hazelwood Central in 14.65 and Valarie Whitted of Cardinal Ritter of 14.77. In the long jump, Mariya Hudson of Cahokia was first with a leap of 19 feet 0, followed by Zionn Pearson of MICDS with an 18-6 and Stepney of Cahokia with an 18-6. Lailah Elliott of John Burroughs won the high jump with a clearance of 5-5 and the triple jump with an effort of 37-0.

Cleveland Naval Jr. OTC boys dominate

The beginning of the state track and field postseason series got underway for Class 1 and 2 teams in the state of Missouri.

Most of the area’s Class 2 teams participated at the District 2 meet in Monroe City. The Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC boys enjoyed a dominant day as they won seven events, qualified athletes in eight individual events and all four relays to Saturday’s sectional meet at Hillsboro.

Antonio Norman won three individual events to lead the Commanders. Norman won the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.74 seconds, the 300-meter low hurdles in 40.2 seconds and the high jump with a clearance of 6-feet. The Commanders also got first place finishes from James Allen in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter run, plus the 4x200- and 4x800-meter relay teams. The Commanders also

finished second in the 4x200and 4x400-meter relays. Katron Franklin was second in the 400; Kelsey Cole finished second in the triple jump and third in the long jump, Byron Earls was third in the 200 and Anthony Craig was fourth in the 800. Sprinters Kevin Crump and James Ewing finished third and fourth in the 100, respectively.

Other boys’ district

champions from Monroe City included Zach Barton of Maplewood in the 100, Kaylon Jenkins of Brentwood in the 200 and Rasheed Ricketts of McKinley Classical in the triple jump with an effort of 45 feet 4 ¼ inches. Brentwood’s 4x100meter relay team won a district title in a time of 44.82 seconds.

On the girls’ side, Jayda Buchannon of Maplewood won the 400-meter dash and McKinlee Morris of Crossroads won the discus. College of Medical and Bio Science won the 4x100. The top four finishers in each event qualified for

Tigers fans will have to wait a little while longer for the 2017-18 roster to be complete.

Zina said.

Dwight Sparks, who was born and reared in Mississippi before migrating to St. Louis, said the rodeo offers an important lesson to the next generation.

“I grew up around horses in Mississippi, and these young people up here don’t really know much about that,” said Sparks, who is also a member of the Show Me Riders horse riding club. “I’m glad we had something like this to show them. This is a part of our history too, you know. A lot of people tend to forget, and plenty more just don’t know.”

LeBron vs Draymond would be must-see TV

The Celtics and Wizards are battling in the East while the

Saturday’s sectional meet at Hillsboro. Other boys’ sectional qualifiers include: Rasheed Ricketts (McKinley Classical), second in the 100 and second in the long jump; Homer Dula (Crossroads), third in the 110-meter high hurdles; Kafele Wimbley (Crossroads), second in the 200; Justice Harris (Brentwood), fourth in the 200, second in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and second in the high jump; Kaylon Jenkins (Brentwood), fourth in the 400; Kar’mel Brewer (Maplewood), second in the 800; Malik Stewart (Maplewood), third in the 800; Morenke Bettis (McKinley Classical), third in the high jump In the 4x200, Brentwood finished in second place while Maplewood finished in fourth.

Kassius Roberts is headed to Mizzou as a graduate-transfer from Canisius, where he led the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game.

Spurs and Rockets are jousting in the West. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers and Warriors are at home relaxing having swept their Conference Semifinals

opponents. So far, the two championship favorites are looking the part. Offensively, LeBron James is having one of the best playoff runs in history. King James is averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. He’s also shooting nearly 47 percent from three-point land. In his 13th-season in the league, James’ playoff performance is otherworldly. The fact that he’s only had to play eight games so far means that James should be fresh by the time the Cavs reach the Finals.

For the Warriors, Draymond Green’s defense has been as amazing as James’ offense. In addition to 14.9 points and 7.3 assists, the 6’7” power forward is contributing 9.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in the postseason. He almost single-handedly stopped both the Portland Trailblazers and the Utah Jazz from getting to the rim during the first two rounds. Should both teams advance to the Finals, expect this matchup to be nothing short of amazing.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk.

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTe of The Week

The senior standout enjoyed a huge performance at the Suburban XII Boys Meet at Rockwood Summit last weekend.

Allen won three individual events in sparkling fashion. He won the triple jump with an effort of 50 feet 10 ½ inches; the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 1 ¾ inches and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in a time of 39.45 seconds.

Allen is the defending Missouri Class 4 state champion in the triple jump. He won the event with an effort of 49-0 ½ at the state meet last spring. He also finished seventh in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. As a sophomore, Allen finished fifth in the triple jump. He will attend Wichita State University on a track and field scholarship next season.

Rayvon Allen

Rockwood Summit – Boys Track

Rep. Roberts: ‘We can’t balance our budget at the expense of the poor’

New Dem state rep from St. Louis outlines how budget cuts will impact vulnerable people

American staff

Following the passage of a $27.7 billion budget by the Missouri General Assembly, state Rep. Steven Roberts (D-St. Louis) said the spending plan falls short in critical areas including its commitment to help Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens. Roberts noted that the budget contains a funding reduction that will negatively impact several nonprofit organizations in the 77th House District that he represents, including Doorways, Mary

Ryder Home, and Paraquad. “These agencies have already received insufficient funding for years, and now to cut them further will mean even more of our vulnerable citizens fail to receive the help they need,” said Roberts. He said budget cuts also affect Consumer Directed Services (CDS), which is an option for individuals with disabilities who meet the nursing-home level of care as determined by the Department of Health and Senior Services but wish to remain in their homes.

New volunteer board leaders at

The Christian Hospital AVS is one of the largest service organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area, with more than 250 members. The AVS hosts numerous fundraisers to support its primary function – raising funds for hospital equipment, expansion projects and special services to enhance patient care.

Membership is $10 a year and includes invitations to special events. For more information, call 314-653-5634.

Roberts said he worked this session to help offset some of the cuts proposed by Governor Eric Greitens that would have eliminated nursinghome and in-home care services for more than 20,000 disabled Missourians. He filed House Bill 1202 to add language defining “medically frail” to the MO Health Net system. The final version of the budget approved by the General Assembly mitigates

Steven Roberts

part of the proposed cut but still will eliminate nursinghome and in-home care services for roughly 8,000 disabled Missourians. Roberts said the current funding level will still disproportionately affect a significant number of his constituents.

n “A constituent with cerebral palsy called to share with me that her son would have to drop out of high school without the help of MO Health Net,” Roberts said.

“Citizens have been calling my office sharing their stories about how vital consumerdirected services are. A constituent with cerebral palsy called to share with me that her son would have to drop out of high school without the help of MO Health Net,” Roberts said.

“Clients from Doorways and Paraquad have also shared how cuts would be devastating to them as well. We need to protect CDS, as it provides a little help to people who are at

risk of deteriorating or prone to injury. Medical conditions could deteriorate from not having access to assistance with medication, ostomy care, and medical care monitoring. We can’t afford to balance our budget at the expense of the poor.”

Republican health bill devastating for entrepreneurs

By John Arensmeyer Small Business Majority

We are frustrated and disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is an irresponsible and costly move that will do little more than create instability in the insurance market and greatly reduce the ability of small business owners, their employees and self-employed Americans to obtain health coverage. What’s more, we know small businesses strongly support the current healthcare law and oppose the replacement. Our scientific opinion

polling found small businesses favor the Affordable Care Act over the American Health Care Act by a 2:1 ratio. The survey also found small businesses oppose key components of the AHCA, and that nearly 6 in 10 small business owners say they support the Affordable Care Act.

We believe the ACA can and should be improved, but replacing it with the American Health Care Act will impede entrepreneurial activity and reduce job growth. The legislation will make health insurance less attainable and affordable for most entrepreneurs, particularly those with pre-existing

John Arensmeyer

conditions, by allowing states to opt out of many of the ACA’s protections and coverage requirements. What’s more, setting aside $8 billion for highrisk pools for those with pre-existing conditions doesn’t go nearly far enough and will make coverage unattainable for many self-employed entrepreneurs. The fact that lawmakers are moving ahead with this plan without a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office is especially concerning.

Additionally, the AHCA significantly rolls back Medicaid, which currently covers many small business workers. And it penalizes

small employers who hire older workers by charging those businesses up to 500 percent more for older employees than younger ones – a provision of the replacement plan that a majority of small business owners oppose. This vote shows many lawmakers are blind to the reality that the ACA is good for small business. Pushing forward with a sub-par replacement plan is the wrong move for our country, our small business community and the millions of entrepreneurs and employees who have gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

John Arensmeyer is founder & CEO of Small Business Majority, a national small business advocacy organization.

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary & Volunteer Services (AVS) Board of Directors has installed new officers for 2017. Seated, left to right: Sylvia Selvey, secretary; Millie Hancock, president; Mary Trice, president-elect; and Martie Buck, treasurer. Auxiliary board members standing, left to right: Linda Fritchey, Johnnie Greenlaw, Valerie White, Tom Byers, Luella Perry, Janet Rector, Sue Pilson, Linda Rieves and Sheryl McClary. Not pictured: Phyllis Selke.

Christian Hospital

It

Reimagining the city

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

“Urban Planning: Art and the City

1967–2017,” which opened Friday, May 5 at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, is a strikingly accessible and varied exhibition of contemporary art, with many black voices and visions represented among the 24 major international artists with work in the show, curated by Kelly Shindler.

Arguably the two most ambitious and adventurous pieces in a wildly ambitious and adventurous exhibition – “St. Louis Blues” by Abigail DeVille and “The Republic” by David Hartt – are by black artists who use the Contemporary’s roomy galleries in novel and dramatic ways.

“St. Louis Blues” is a site-specific installation created from materials scavenged in St. Louis while the artist was in residence here. At its

‘Chasing Trane’

Scheinfeld doc brings life of jazz icon to big screen

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic

(NNPA) – “My music is the spiritual expression of what I am…I want to be the force that is truly for good,” John Coltrane said. It was a while before the legendary jazz musician and saxophonist got to a place where he could articulate his mantra that clearly. But “Chasing Trane,” the new documentary from writer/director John Scheinfeld, affords Coltrane the opportunity to do so.

The legacy Coltrane left behind is a bit more cryptic than that of Miles Davis or Charlie Parker. More of his devotees are hard-core jazz aficionados than casual music listeners. Chiefly because his last bodies of work and musical style, “Free Jazz,” were so cacophonous, fast-paced and not that easy on a regular set of ears that might interpret his art form as screeching noises. Though, hardcore jazz fans knew his genius and appreciated the sounds he made in his later years. To understand how Coltrane got to that musically intense space, you have to see Coltrane and his music evolve, and that’s where this enlightening non-fiction film is very helpful.

Writer/director John Scheinfeld is most known for his investigative documentary “The U.S. vs. John Lennon.” Scheinfeld has

‘Urban Planning: Art and the City 1967–2017’ now at the Contemporary

center is a crib that looks like a cage. It’s enclosed in a skeletal dome-shaped wooden structure based on the architecture of the Old Courthouse, where slaves were once sold on the steps and law suits arguing for slaves’ freedom were decided in the court rooms. The dome is encircled by a picket fence draped with barbed wire and hung with dolls and other found objects. Train tracks exit the dome to form a loop on the main floor space of the gallery; the train cars bear the burden of bones. The space

Tremaine the R&B veteran

is lit by the flickering of a dense, strobing video by Kent Barrett, illustrated with a spectral soundtrack by the HawtPlates.

To be sure, that makes for a grim picture of St. Louis, but the installation is itself welcoming and (despite its painful imagery) strangely beautiful. The artist lined one wall along the the entrance to the gallery with spindly brush; in a crowded media preview, guests entering the space could hardly avoid grazing the twigs and interacting physically with the installation.

To cross the room, you have to step over and through the railroad tracks. A charred door to the domed structure is open, and there is enough space, barely, between barbed picket fence and courthouse skeleton to walk around inside. The installation also includes theater seats, where one is welcomed to sit on part of the art to look

Trey Songz gave his fans everything they could have hoped for with his epic performance during the St. Louis stop of Tremaine The Tour Friday night at The Pageant. His 12 years of on the R&B grind really showed as he delivered a polished, well rounded stage offering for diehard fans who attended the sold-out show. Visit stlamerican.com for full review and additional photos.

Creating a history of diversity and inclusion

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“The award belongs to everyone at the museum for their tireless efforts,” Missouri History Museum President Frances Levine said while walking through America’s Center Tuesday. She blended in among the thousands of museum professionals from around the world who converged upon St. Louis for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting Sunday through Wednesday of this week.

As part of the opening festivities for the AAM conference, The Missouri History Museum became the first institution in the country to receive the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) Award at the Ferrara Theater. According to AAM, The Missouri History Museum is the perfect reflection of realizing the “Gateways to Understanding: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion” theme of their 2017 conference.

A day after being presented with the award

Local institution earns pioneering honors from American Alliance of Museums

as part of the AAM Annual Meeting Opening Session in the Ferrara Theater America’s Center, Levine was making her way to the next session of robust programming framed around making museums accessible and welcoming for all communities.

In lieu of reflections on the historic recognition, Levine made it clear that it wasn’t about her. She instead directed praises to the staff, volunteers and community partners who make the work of the Missouri History Museum.

“Countless people and organizations work with us as part of our goal to make diversity and inclusion a daily reality,” Levine said.

The Missouri History Museum was honored as an organization for its body of work engaging the St. Louis community to advance DEAI, particularly for (but not exclusive to) their response to Ferguson.

“One of the most important things to know about the History Museum and its response to Ferguson is that it started before Ferguson,” Elizabeth Pickard, Missouri History Museum’s director of Education and Interpretation, said during a video that was included as part of the ceremony. “We spent a long time building connections and communications and relationships with the African American community and with the social justice community in St. Louis so that we became a natural home for those conversations.”

Photo by Chris King

of a Race Riot” by Theaster Gates

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

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 12, 8:30 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents George Benson. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. Sun., May 14, 5 p.m., The Ambassador presents Big George Brock & Big Mike Aguirre. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. thenewambassadorstl.com.

Sun., May 14, 5:30 p.m., Denise Thimes & Friends Special Mother’s Day Concert & Lavish Buffet Dinner. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

Sun., May 14, 5:30 p.m., DeJa Vu Café II presents Mother’s Day Blues Concert feat. Bobby Rush & Friends. 2805 Target Dr., 63136. For more information, call (314) 438-0586.

Sun., May 14, 7:30 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents the Mother’s Day Music Festival feat. Anthony Hamilton, Joe, Tamar Braxton and Raheem Devaughn. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sun., May 14, 8 p.m., Chance The Rapper, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Wed., May 17, 8 p.m., The Pageant welcomes Travi$ Scott, The Pageant. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Fri., May 19, 7 p.m., Tip “T.I.” Harris presents the Hustle Gang Tour. T.I. will introduce his new artists including Grand Hustle’s VP Trae Tha Truth, RaRA, Yung Brooke, Tokyo, Jetz and London Jae. Pop’s Concert Venue, 300 Monsanto Ave.,

Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www. ticketweb.com.

Sat., May 20, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. ticketf.ly

Thur., May 25, 7 p.m., Old Rock House presents The Soul Rebels. 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.oldrockhouse.com.

Fri., May 26, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Rakim 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110.

Fri., May 26, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents the Strictly Strange 17 Tour feat. Tech N9ne, Brotha Lynch Hung, Krizz Kaliko, Ces Cru, and more. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112.

Thur., June 1, 7 p.m., Hot 104.1 Super Jam presents Future: Nobody Safe Tour. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit wwww.ticketmaster.com.

local gigs

Sun., May 14, 6 p.m., Mother’s Day Luther Vandross Tribute feat. Daryl “Baby D” Michael Smith. The Ambassador 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For tickets and more information, call (314) 566-1268 or (314) 8699090.

Tues., May 16, 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Remembering the Legends. This show is dedicated to the entertainment legends who are no longer with us. Featured artists include Jeanne Trevor, Linda Kennedy and more. 3648 Washington Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 838-9198 or visit www. thesheldon.org.

Featured Event

special events

Thur., May 11, 5 p.m., The University City Chamber of Commerce presents Taste of U City 2017. Mandarin House Banquet Center, 8004 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 337-2489 or visit www. universitycitychamber.com.

Sat., May 13, 10 a.m., Community Action Agency of St. Louis County presents the Home, Health and Energy Resource Fair. Heman Park Community Center, 975 Pennsylvania Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 5854538 or visit www.caastlc.org.

Sat., May 13, 1 p.m. Parson’s Beauty Salon Reunion, Parson’s Beauty Salon Center,

6820 Olive, University City, MO 63130. For more information, call (314) 7219052.

Tues., May 16, 6 p.m., Ferguson Adopt.A.Block & KCFV – Ferguson invite you to Human Trafficking Awareness Prevention. Greater Grace Church, 3690 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 5134463 or (314) 413-6540.

Wed., May 17, 11 a.m., Diversity Job Fair. Meet face to face with employers in the fields of optical care, finance, HR, web design, and many more. Event is free. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, call (314) 2520306.

Thur., May 18, 5 p.m., South Grand 9th International Dine Around. Sample anything

The Chaifetz Arena welcomes The Mother’s Day Music Festival feat. Anthony Hamilton (left), Joe, Tamar Braxton and Raheem Devaughn.. See CONCERTS for additional details.

information or to RSVP, visit goo.gl/HNg34x.

Sat., May 20, 12 p.m., 9th Annual Taste of Maplewood Street Festival. Featuring SuperJam and the best flavors of Maplewood. 2700 Sutton Blvd., 63143. For more information, visit www. midcountychamber.org

Sat., May 20, 5 p.m., Ferguson Twilight Run 2017. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels can participate in a USATF certified course. Post-race festivities include a concert, vendors, and specials at local restaurants. For more information, visit www. fergtwilightrun.com.

Sat., May 20, 8 p.m., Afriky Lolo presents the 14th Annual African Dance Celebration: Dance & Drum Voyage. This year’s production features a performance by the Saint Louis Osuwa Taiko and artwork by Ibiyinka Alao. COCA, 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www.cocastl. org

Sun., May 21, 1 p.m., 107th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade & Festival. For more information, call (314) 531-0120 or visit www. anniemalone.com.

from Vietnamese appetizers to delicious homemade pastas to local frozen confections. 3115 S. Grand Blvd., 63118. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Thur., May 18, 6 p.m., 8th Annual Summer Kickoff Party. Come out for drinks, appetizers, and live entertainment. All proceeds benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Specialty Services. Quintessential Dining & Nightlife, 149 N. Main St., 63301. For more information, call (314) 4913257 or visit www.glennon. org/summerkickoff.

May 19 – 21, Cirque Italia. A production that combines acrobatics, dance, contortion, and even high-performance BMX and roller-skating. 1155 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www.cirqueitalia.com.

Fri., May 19, 7 p.m., St. Louis HBCU Alumni Association invites you to HBCU Sip & Paint. A portion of the proceeds will help us launch our first scholarship. Guests are encouraged to bring potluck dishes to enhance the fun. Almost Picasso, 18 Church St., 63135. For more

Sun., May 21, 4 p.m., Malcolm X Celebration and African Liberation Day. The theme is SANKOFA: Appreciating our Legacy to Make Black Lives Matter. The Rowan Community Center, 1401 Rowan Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 367-5959.

Thur., May 25, 7:30 p.m., The Art of African Fashion - A Celebration of Clothing, Cloth and Culture. The Bentil’s Jah’z Art Gallery, 5561 Enright Ave., 63109. For more information, call (314) 603-4690 or visit www.Urban. Africa.com.

May 26 – 29, 2017 U.S. Army St. Louis Ribfest. A BBQ celebration for Memorial Day weekend to honor our veterans with live music, vendors, food, and more. JanuaryWabash Memorial Park, 501 N Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. thestlouisribfest.com.

Sun., May 28, 5:30 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents Sundress and Linen Memorial Day Party. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Denise Thimes & Friends Special Mother’s Day Concert & Lavish Buffet Dinner. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL See CONCERTS for info.

literary

Tues., May 16, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts

author Leigh Montville, author of Sting Like a Bee: Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 1966-1971. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl. org.

Fri., May 19, 6:30 p.m., “Da-Dum-Dun,” the annual free family festival is a tribute to Miles Dewey Davis III, Henry Lee Dumas and Katherine Dunham, Multipurpose Room of Building “D” on the Higher Education Campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., East St. Louis (62201). For more information, call (618) 650-3991or email eredmon@siue.edu.

art

Fri., May 12, 5 p.m., Opening reception for Green Door art gallery’s exhibit “Florals and Botanicals” (runs May 5 – June 28 ). 21 N. Gore Ave, Webster Groves MO 63119, www.Greendoorartgallery.com 314-402-1959

Fri., May 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents Artist Talk: CYJO. CYJO will discuss her work KYOPO, a photographic and textual project about American immigration and identity through the lens of Korean ancestry.

Through May 15, 6 p.m., Painting textures in watercolor, Art Unleashed, 13379 Olive, Chesterfield. For more information, contact www.artunleashed.org or call (314) 628-1024.

Through May 14, COCA presents Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 7256555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

Through May 20, Gallery

210 and Kranzberg Art Center present Taking it to the Streets: Grand Center. 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.kranzbergartscenter.org.

May 27 – May 29, The 26th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival, a weekend full of arts and entertainment, ethnic food, and African crafts and jewelry, World’s Fair Pavilion at Forest Park, for more information, call (314) 325-2291 or visit wwwstlafricanartsfest.com To volunteer call (314) 329-8788 or email volunteer2STLAAF@gmail. com.

lectures and workshops

Thur., May 11, 6:30 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Women of St. Louis Civil Rights. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thur., May 18, 7:30 p.m.,

StarTalk Live with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Thur., May 25, 6:30 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Breaking Down Barriers and Empowering Women of Color. The panel will discuss how women of color are shifting the country’s dynamics in six critical areas. Reservations required. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63110. For more information or RSVP, call (314) 361-9017.

theatre

Apr. 21 – 30, UMSL Theatre and Cinema Arts presents My Country: A Devised Work. Delve into how we view our country as citizens of different races, creeds, religions, etc. 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.kranzbergartscenter.org.

Through May 7, The Fox presents The Lion King. The Fabulous Fox Theatre. For more information, visit www.

metrotix.com or call (314) 5341111.

May 12 – 19, Upstream Theater presents A Human Being Died That Night During the 1990s, psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela interviewed Eugene de Kock, commanding officer of the South African government’s death squad, as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that followed apartheid. Kranzberg Atrs Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

health

Fri., May 11, 8 a.m., Project AWARE Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. Behavioral Health Response, 12647 Olive Blvd., Ste. 200, 63141. For more information or to register, call (314) 6286229 or visit www.bhrstl.org.

Sat., May 13, 9 a.m., Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis invites you to Steps for Hope Walk/Fun

The Ready Room welcomes Rakim . For more information, see CONCERTS.

Run 2017. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, Maryland Heights, 63146. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

May 15 – July 9, Small Business Majority’s Missouri Healthy Business Healthy Community Workplace Wellness Challenge. Visit http:// smallbusinessportal.org/ benefits/wellness or call 314718-0377 to register.

Fri., May 19, 1 p.m., University City Public Library presents Managing Dementia in your Family. 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (3140) 277-0851.

Sat., May 20, 10 a.m. The Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church will host its annual Dr. Charles Drew Sickle Cell Blood Drive, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 13820 Old Jamestown Road in Black Jack, Mo. To donate blood, the donor must be at least 16 years old (with

parental consent) and all donors must bring valid identification. To make an appointment, call 314-368-8952.

Sat., May 20, 11 a.m., The Health Promoter presents Fit N Fun St. Louis. Come out and dance your pounds off. 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 20, 9 p.m., Sickle Cell Family Skate Night. 2700 Kienlen Ave., 63121. For more information or to register, call (314) 833-6751 or visit www. sicklecellassociation.org.

Sat., May 20, 1:00 p.m., Grand Opening and RibbonCutting Ceremony for Union Memorial United Methodist Church’s new ENRICHMENT & EMPOWERING CENTER. For more information, call 314-367-8314 or email: unionmemorialumc@sbcglobal. net.

Sat., May 20, 6 p.m., WBD Reload presents Lord, What Did I Do to Deserve This? Lindenwood University –Belleville, 2600 W. Main St., Belleville, IL. 62226. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 21, 10 a.m., The Cathedral at St. Paul AME Church’s 4th Annual Citywide Baccalaureate “A Day of Reflection” Worship Service, with guest Speaker Dr. Sarah Price, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, call (314) 3858900.

Sun., May 21, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Rev. Dr. Carlton Caldwell’s 25th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration with special guests Rev. Jimmy L Brown, Pastor, St. Luke Memorial Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO at 10:30 a.m. and Rev. E.G. Shields, Sr., Pastor, Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO at 3 p.m. Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar.

Continued from C1

experience digging out the facts and creating a body of work that exhibits his findings. Scheinfeld assembles a very impressive roster of family, friends and fellow musicians whose recollections pull together the chapters of Coltrane’s bio.

Jimmy Heath, a good friend and fellow saxophonist, remembers the night Dizzy Gillespie caught John and him in a basement doing heroin. Both got kicked out of the band, but John begged for his job back, and got it.

With all the interviews – from Coltrane’s children, intellectuals like Cornel West, musicians like Sonny Rollins and Carlos Santana and dignitaries like former President Bill Clinton – you almost don’t notice that there are no live interviews with Coltrane himself; just photos and glimpses of him playing with his band. That’s because he only did print interviews, and those precious words are voiced on screen by Denzel Washington. In a strong, illuminating manner, Washington’s voice and deliberate cadence take you within Coltrane’s soul and thought process.

Scheinfeld uses cutouts, collages and montages to liven up the screen. The reminiscing by the interviewees is provocative and vivid. Photographs from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s make you feel like you are leafing through someone’s family album. What’s on view looks like a fine PBS documentary or educational film. It misses the mark as a major theatrical jazz documentary like “I Called Him Morgan.” But, within its own specific genre, this film is illuminating.

Born in North Carolina in 1926, John Coltrane was lucky to be part of a tight, loving family with strong father figures. He was unlucky at age 12, when he lost his father, uncle and two grandfathers in the space of just two years. Needing an income, his mother moved him to Philadelphia, where she could find work. She made enough money to afford music lessons for her son who had learned to master the saxophone. Coltrane’s talent blossomed and seemed to reach another level when he met and was influenced by the doubletiming, rapid-fire playing of Charlie Parker (1945). It was a style that he would incorporate into his own.

Subsequent gigs with Dizzy Gillespie’s band (1949-51) and Miles Davis’ band (1955-57)

He bent music to his will, shaped it like a sculpture, relayed it like a scripture and shared it with the world.

brought Coltrane further along his own road. That progress was hindered by an addiction to heroin, which he managed to kick on his own. Freeing himself from that vice set him on a spiritual journey that meshed with his music. Meeting pianist Alice McCloud at the club Birdland in the early ‘60s was another milestone. They married and started a new family. Under the influence of this stability, in 1964, upstairs at his split-level home in Dix Hills, Long Island, Coltrane would create his opus jazz record, a four-part suite called “A Love Supreme,” which was released in 1965. It was a blend of forceful hymn-like melodies that were a triumph of music and spirituality and displayed a tenor saxophone dexterity. This is a Zen moment in jazz. This is the album that raised Coltrane to a status on the level of Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. He bent music to his will, shaped it like a sculpture, relayed it like a scripture and shared it with the world.

As the documentary winds down and a deadly disease takes Coltrane away from his fans and the world at age 40, what remains is his music and his desire to only spread good throughout the world. The loving thoughts, by all the interviewees, sustain his spirit – as does listening to his catalog of music during the film’s 99-minute length.

Indeed, Coltrane’s music was the spiritual expression of who he was. This film confirms it.

“Chasing Trane” opens in select cities on Friday, May 4. The film will play at the Marcus Wehrenberg Des Peres 14 Cine on Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

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at the rest of it.

The cumulative effect is that you have encountered someone else’s abandoned dream where you are welcome to enter, at your own risk and potential joy, and that works well as a portrait of St. Louis in 2017.

“The Republic” by the black Canadian artist David Hartt approaches Detroit, Michigan and Athens, Greece, rather than St. Louis, but offers a similarly original yet definitive portrait of a place – or, rather, of two places. Hartt achieves a multimedia convergence of two cities on separate continents more than 5,000 miles apart. Both cities share the quality of having seen more prosperous and impactful days (which St. Louis also knows something about). According to the Contemporary’s informative and eloquent exhibit notes, the two cities also are linked by Constantinos Doxiadis, a Greek architect who designed unrealized master plans for both cities in the 1950s and ‘60s, so “The Republic” also is like the resumption of someone else’s unfinished dream.

Like DeVille, Hartt mixes media and materials. In his

MUESUM

Continued from C1

The praise for Missouri History Museum didn’t stop when Levine accepted the award on behalf of her team Monday morning.

During Tuesday’s afternoon speaker series panel “Gateways to Understanding: Listening to and Engaging Diverse Audiences in a City of Confluence,” moderator Melissa Harris-Perry asked panelists to give her an example of cultural institutions who are getting it right as far as being diverse and inclusive in representing the entire community as it grips with the aftershock of Ferguson.

“If I were to walk down the street and say to someone, ‘name for me five organizations who have been critical to post-Ferguson St. Louis engagement,’ who would be on the list?” Perry asked the panelists.

She asked for five, but two panelists used their entire allotted time to answer with remarks directed at only one.

case, the video is central to the experience of the piece. To Sam Prekop’s musical score, Hartt chops and screws the two cities, American and Greek, creating an uncanny urban blend. Cast bronze classical Greek-themed sculptures and turned poplar stools create the feeling of a living room where the video is experienced as if on someone’s home television. A large photograph of a cat stares down from one

of the Contemporary’s high windows. Eddie Silva of the Contemporary, who penned the exhibit texts with guest curator Kelly Shindler, described this animal as a “surveillance cat,” but its effect in the gallery space is more homey than sinister. This is an art exhibit that comes with a cat.

Other black artists with work in “Urban Planning” include Edgar Arcenaux (a visionary painting of a speakeasy in

Felicia Shaw, executive director of the Regional Arts Commission, told the audience that she came back to her hometown of St. Louis on the heels of Ferguson after being away for 35 years.

“I get back to St. Louis and the first experience I have is the Missouri History Museum,” Shaw said. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful institution – and free to get in! They are constantly innovative as far as trying to figure out how can this be home?”

They’ve also taken it upon

themselves to provide a safe space for the uncomfortable conversations about race and social justice. One of them came by way of a town hall meeting that took place days after the initial eruption in Ferguson in response to the death of Michael Brown.

Audience members lined the walls – and ultimately resorted

the sky), Mark Bradford (manipulated urban merchant posters: “FATHERS DO YOU WANT CHILD CUSTODY?”), Kevin Jerome Everson, Theaster Gates (a coiled fire hose titled “In the Event of a Race Riot”), Glenn Ligon, Gary Simmons and Maya Stovall, the “radical ballerina.” A local African-American artist, Addoley Dzege, has three meditations on blackness in “Color Key,” the frontroom show that also opened at the Contemporary on May 5. “Color Key,” sponsored by Critical Mass for the Visual Artists, features the three winners of Critical Mass’ juried 2016 Creative Stimulus Award. The other artists displayed in the show are Ellie Balk, who made a site-specific mural that explores the number pi, and Amy Reidel, who has a colorful composition on the floor made from glitter and small sculptures drawn from materials such as “studio trash” and “fake hair.”

“Urban Planning” is on view through August 13 at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3570 Washington Blvd., and has much public programming connected to the exhibition. For more information, visit http://camstl. org/.

to leaning over to listen from the balcony – filling the museum to capacity for a much needed dialogue that included people of all races and backgrounds.

“Missouri History Museum has done a wonderful job as far as being a platform for organizations who are community voices, which I think is a really important role,” said panelist Danny Gonzales, a historian for St. Louis County. “I think it’s notable that they’ve done so despite the risk. These conversations and having these eyeballs are not without risks and it’s commendable what they’ve done – not a lot of organizations would put themselves out there in that way.”

Extending themselves beyond the comfort zone for history and community’s sake is something the History Museum was known for before Ferguson, and it is a part of their plan for the post-script.

“The responsibility of a museum – and the responsibility of history – is to tell everybody’s story,” said Gwen Moore, curator of Urban Landscape and Community Identity for the History Museum. “Otherwise, it’s not complete history. Ferguson is an important historical moment. We have to collect that history to tell that story; otherwise it’s going to be lost.”

Photo by Wiley Price

Douglas S. Jones, chair of the board of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) with Dr. Frances Levine, president of the Missouri History Museum and AAM president and CEO Laura Lott as The Missouri History Museum was presented with the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) award May 8, 2017 at America’s Center Ferrara Theater

“St. Louis Blues” by Abigail DeVille

Photo by Chris King

Engagement

Anniversary

Reunions

Beaumont Class of 1967, if you have not received a letter or e-mail, call 314-533-6087 or Beaumontclassof67@ sbcglobal.net with your contact information. Several activities are planned for the week of June 6-11, 2017. Meet & greet on 6-9-17, banquet on 6-10-17, church services 6-11-17 at Greater Mt. Carmel and a brunch after services. Our scheduled meetings are 4-15-17 and 5-20-17 at the Normandy Library at 1:30 p.m.

Beaumont Alumni Class of 1968 “Cowboys to Girls Western Dance” on Saturday, April 29, 2017, 8:00p.m.-1:00 a.m. at Machinists Hall, 12365 St Charles Rock Rd. Prizes for Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl. BYOB Advance $12.00, Door $15.00 Contact for info 314-869-8312.

Cornelius Lowe and Ashley Jones are pleased to announce their engagement with the wedding date set for October 13, 2018! #lowesinlove

Celebrations

Volunteer Honors

Happy Anniversary wishes to Carla & Samuel Hudson, who celebrate five wonderful years on May 11! Anniversaries are milestones where you pause and look back at your life to cherish all the beautiful memories and bind yourselves to all the wonderful promises that are yet to be fulfilled. It’s only the beginning!

Beaumont High School Class of 1972 is celebrating 45th class reunion August 11 -13 2017. Activities have been planned for a fun illed weekend you don’t want to miss. Please direct all inquiries and registration request to Sharon Webb Steele at (314) 757-2799 or Linda Howard at (314) 397-5570. You may also use Facebook , BHS72 Reunion Committee.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296, madeshe@sbcglobal.net.

Cleveland High School is hosting a reunion for all attending 1980-1984 on August 19, 2017 at Catering To You Banquet Center (12775 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033) For information, please contact Babette Perkins-Anderson at 314-345-0939.

East St. Louis Lincoln Sr. High Class of 1967 celebrates its 50th Class Reunion, June 23-25, 2017 at The Renaissance Hotel, 9601 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO. Activities include Friday night meet & greet,

Sweet 16

Congratulations to two St. Louis Public Schools volunteers who were recently recognized for their outstanding volunteer service. Tezell Jefferson (Walbridge Elementary School) and Angela Newsom (Soldan High School) each exceeded the 1,000 hour mark in volunteers hours this school year, providing an estimated $20,000 each in volunteer services to SLPS students.

Our dancing diva is growing up! Miss Nicaya Wiley turns 16 on May 17! Nicaya will celebrate her Sweet 16 in Costa Maya, Mexico! We love you Suga B! Love, Kaya & Free Staten

picnic cruise on the Becky Thatcher, banquet with live entertainment and Sunday morning worship. Please contact Deborah Davis Holmes at deehom50@aol.com or call 314-280-3711 for more information.

Hadley Tech Classes of 1962-1963 are having their 55th year reunion on October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. For more information, please contact Hellon (Merritt) Jefferson at 314-307-3681, Ora (Scott) Roberts at 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina (Gibson) Baker at 314-630-9647, Pearl (Tillman) Holden 314-685-0466 or Virdell (Robinson) Stennis at 314-773-8177.

Mr. Eldridge Bryant, Sr. is hosting a reunion for his students at Lafayette and Monroe Elementary Schools in SLPS from 1999-2000. For more information, please contact him at: 314-489-0532 or eldridgbrya@sbcglobal.net.

McKinley Goldbugs Class of 1987 is planning their 30-year reunion, July 7-8. 2017. For details please contact Freddie Clemons at freddieclemons568@yahoo. com or go to McKinley Goldbugs Facebook site for

more information.

O’Fallon Technical High School Class of 1967, will be celebrating its 50th reunion on September 15-17, 2017. If you have not received a letter or e-mail, please call 314630-8452 with your contact information, and a committee member will contact you. Save the date, there will not be another 50th.

Soldan High School Class of 1967 will be holding its 50th class reunion September 29-30, 2017. For additional information, please contact Nona Binion Simpkins at 314361-3799or Melvia Forniss at 314-725-8103.

Soldan High School Class of

1977 celebrating its 40-year reunion on Friday June 2-4, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Hotel located at 11228 Lone Eagle Dr. in Bridgeton, MO. For further information, please contact Debbie Marshall at 314-831-8831.

Soldan is having its 12th AllClass Alumni Picnic August 12, 2017 at Tiemeyer Park, 3311 Ashby Rd., St. Ann, MO 63074 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The picnic is free. Bring your own basket or grill and grill out there. Food truck will be on site. T-Shirts will be sold for $15.00. You have until August 6, 2017, to get your grad. year put on the sleeve. For more information, call (314) 4139088.

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:

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be

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

Swag Snap of the Week

Tremaine: The show that never ends. I’m reporting to you live on location from the Pageant this week because Trey Songz is still on stage from Friday night…just kidding, but not really. He seriously stayed on stage until almost midnight, so by the time I got out in these streets, I missed Cinco de Mayo altogether – including the artsy kids at Koken and the return of 1st Friday at Bar Italia. He sang every song he ever thought about making. He invited his opening act Mike Angel back out to do a BLOCK of songs. He brought St. Louis’ own JR on stage so he could do his club hits. A DJ spun. By the time it was all said and done, I was expecting him to resort to singing commercial jingles just to keep the show going. He sounded great – and looked good too, well except for his hair and his clothes. I get that he was taking it back to the early days with the denim. But can someone explain that rayon dress shirt? I was like “how can you be ‘Mr. Steal Your Girl’ when you’re dressed like one of The Whispers?” Anyway, back to the epic performance he gave the girls. He sang to his number one fan and her side ponytail. He invited a group of girls up and made us sing happy birthday. And speaking of the birthday girls, the one who straight up fainted on Trey had me on the edge of my seat. Can somebody else explain how that young lady’s outfit was draped around her frame to the point when she embraced Trey, her top and bottom nearly shifted clean off of her shape? I know Trey is known for his bad boy antics, but he deserves some sort of courage medal for how he saved the poor thing’s life by hoisting her pants up and yanking her top down as he walked her over to her seat. It would have been the most tragic of wardrobe malfunctions. Friday was the second best I’ve ever seen Trey, and if he had dusted off that James Bond tux he was rockin’ a few years back, it would have been the best. I enjoyed the show, without a doubt. But much like a trip to even the most delicious buffet, you have to know when to say “okay, that’s enough.”

Tremaine: The After Party. I had actually decided to skip the Marquee and their latest buxom vixen visit altogether, because I knew I was planning to be there Sunday for Mannie Fresh. Folks were pegging the night as the official after party for Trey Songz, but I don’t remember it being stated on the flyer that Trey Songz would actually be in the building. I figured he couldn’t possibly muster up the strength to roll through after he kept me at the Pageant all night long. Boy was I wrong. Something in my soul said “It’s already midnight, so you might as well see if anything is cracking.” I’m so glad I listened to my inner voice. I knew as soon as I turned onto Locust from way down on Jefferson that it was going to be one for the record books for the Marquee. I thought, “All of this for Kash Doll? Wait a minute…who is Kash Doll?” No shade, but I just couldn’t see that many people coming through for JR. Then I caught a glimpse of a hooded blue velour jogging suit surrounded by a bunch of security. My first thought was “Oh my God, LL Cool J is here? I didn’t think this crowd would go crazy for him?” But then they said he was in the building, I saw Trigga Trey’s baby face and it all made sense. I don’t know how he still had any show left in him after that deluxe box set of a set he served up at The Pageant. But he gave a nice little sip to the crowd that went absolutely nuts for him at The Marquee along with JR. I know it sounds lame to me when folks say “It was a movie,” but that’s about the best way for me to describe things.

Enraged by incident at Eat.Drink.Chill. Sunday afternoon I was in the most fabulous of moods, was already make the most of the absolutely stunning weather by way of BFree’s Eat.Drink.Chill Day Party at Ballpark Village. Too bad the security workers in their Bud Light uniforms absolutely killed my vibe. After making my way past Teddy’s folks – who were nice as can be as usual – I hear somebody say “I need to see your license, registration and all of that. “License and registration, what part of the game is this?” a young lady asked, taking the words right out of my mouth. After I gave him the look of utter death, and told him that was not cool, he made it like I can’t take a joke. I thought to myself, “sir, if there was any other crowd than an urban, would you have even ‘joked’ like that,” but just cut my eyes and kept it moving. –It put such a bad taste in my mouth, which is such a shame because Teddy brought out all the beautiful folks to kick it – and he was awesome as always. It was everything you could ever want in a day party. He even had a secondary neo-soul side that essentially became overflow area as all the movers and shakers made their way through. I would start naming names, but I wouldn’t be able to do anything else with all the folks who stopped through. It would have been among my all-time favorite day party experiences if the BPV door staff hadn’t made me feel downright uncomfortable.

Mannie Fresh the mix master. Who knew? I must admit that Mannie Fresh was the Cash Money Millionaire that I checked for the least during the height of their rap reign. After seeing him on the wheels of steel Sunday for the Marquee’s latest day party, I feel like I totally didn’t give him the credit he deserved. When I tell you Mannie Fresh was slaying the tables! I finally got my answer to the question “why does he go by DJ Mannie Fresh?” Baby, that throwback R&B mix had me ready to lock him in as the celebrity DJ for my 40th birthday bash coming to an upscale club near you circa 2022. He had the savages slow dancing, so yes…it was that serious. I also liked the solidarity that was happening there thanks to Teddy and the BFree crew, who asked the folks to come through for the Eat.Drink.Chill after party.

Nina and Sade stopped through HG for Cinco de Mayo

Morning and Dion had a ball in the name of Cinco de Mayo @ HG

Bianca and Claude came through to kick it for Cinco de Mayo @ HG Dance Club Friday night

These revelers were just a few of the pretty faces who packed out Eat.Drink.Chill Sunday @ Ballpark Village

DJ Climate and his crew celebrated his Birthday @Mood

Bruce and Rebecca soaked in the sun @ Eat.Drink.Chill Sunday @ Ballpark Village

Gaisha and Sharee got their party on for Saturday Night’s Reign @ Mystic

Beauties Tamar and Cherie @ B.Free’s Eat.Drink.Chill Day Party Sunday @ Ballpark Village

Skylar and Kesh kept it cute @ B. Free’s Eat.Drink.Chill Day Party Sunday @ Ballpark Village

Teddy of B. Free and Ono celebrating a successful kick off of the season’s first Eat.Drink.Chill Day Party

Marquee.

Photos by Mike Speelburg of Papara Z Media

GRANTS WRITER

Epworth Children & Family Services is a non-proit social services agency that has provided the highest quality of residential services to the St. Louis region for over 150 years. We have an immediate opening for a full-time Grants Writer.

he Grants Writer is responsible for writing grants, researching new funding opportunities and donor prospects, supporting program expansion opportunities, analyzing and forecasting grant performance, establishing/maintaining internal relationships, and establishing/maintaining external relationships with individuals and funding partners. he person in this position is responsible for meeting fundraising goals related to awarded grants. he successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school. he Grants Writer must possess three or more years of extensive grant writing experience or extensive experience in the delivery of children’s services with experience in both being preferred. Other strongly preferred experience includes: grant research and analysis, federal grant writing, experience in program expansion fundraising, and budgeting and proposal development.

To view a full job description and to apply for this position visit our employment site - https://epworth.aaimtrack.com/jobs/ Epworth Children and Family Services is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for all positions equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic condition, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (real or perceived), any disability as deined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, or for any other characteristic protected by applicable United States federal or state law.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Webster University invites applicants for the position of Accounting Assistant. Please apply online at http://webster.peopleadmin.com/postings/2362. No phone calls please. Webster University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

DIRECTOR

Webster University has an opening for a Community Director in Housing & Residential Life. Please apply online at http:// webster.peopleadmin.com/postings/2368. No phone calls please. Webster University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

EVENTS MANAGER

he Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter has an opening for a PT 24hr/ week Events Manager. he position is responsible for planning, implementation and overall inancial success of the Afair to Remember gala. he position is results driven with the necessity of making the annual fundraising goal as well as building strong relations with the community, high level donors and volunteers. he position will engage, recruit, train and lead the Steering Committee and assist in securing corporate sponsorships, as well as collaborating with other key departments to ensure cross promotion and support of organizational goals and/or messages. A Bachelor’s degree in business or related ield is required with a minimum of ive years experience is special events with a record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals. Excellent written and verbal communications, presentation and interpersonal skills are a must with strong organizational skills to plan, implement and administer fundraising events. Please submit your resume and cover letter, including salary requirements and a minimum of two professional references to Stl-hr@alz.org

LEGAL SERVICES FAMILY

LAW ATTORNEY POSITION

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-proit law irm that provides free legal assistance to persons living with low income/low opportunity, seeks an attorney to work in the LSEM St. Louis oice domestic violence prevention family program known as the Lasting Solutions Program, in all substantive aspects of family law in Missouri. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit www. lsem.org. Submission deadline is June 4, 2017.

POLICE OFFICER

he City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Police Oicer. Apply at www.richmondheights.applicantpro.com/jobs/ by hursday, May 25, 2017. EOE

RESERVATIONS ASSISTANT, PART-TIME

DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING

Do you have experience in quality improvement and performance management? If you are a strategic planner who is process oriented and driven to achieve strategic goals, we may have the right position for you! Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri is seeking a Director of Performance Management and Strategic Planning. For more information please go to http://www.lfcsmo. org/careers EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

BUS DRIVER

Part-time bus driver to drive 16 passenger bus, transporting senior citizens to local activities. Approximately 20-25 hours per week at $9.50 per hour. Must have valid CDL license with passenger endorsement.

Applications available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave., or at www. cityojennings.org. Applications must be returned to City Hall by 5:00 p.m. May 26th. No resumes accepted without our application, copy of driver’s license must be included with application.

ACCOUNTING CLERK I

Job Summary

Responsible for providing accounting support to the Finance Director and assist the Finance department with administrative and accounting functions.

Primary Responsibilities: Supports the Finance department by performing Administrative and Accounting duties

Maintains Purchase Order system by accurately matching them against invoices

Monitors all invoices for proper department account codes

Prepares A/P invoices for check processing

Responds to vendor inquiries and requests from Department Director’s

Maintains A/P ledger and records entries into the general ledger

Maintains A/P iling system for monthly and yearly external audit

Processes Payroll through an independent payroll company

Prepares various excel spreadsheets and records inancial data into the general ledger

Assists in monthly and yearly external independent audit

Maintains and prepares forms W-9’s and 1099’s

Researches and resolves accounting discrepancies

Ability to operate a cash register and prepare a daily deposit

Maintains customer conidence in collecting various inancial transactions

Contributes to the team efort of accomplishing the goals of the inance department

Municipal government experience, preferred

Qualiications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, preferred

(must provide transcripts upon request)

Proicient in general ledger accounting functions and a working knowledge of GAAP

Proicient in accurately analyzing general ledger entries to balance accounts

Proicient in Sage sotware or similar inancial sotware

Proicient in Microsot Oice Suite including PowerPoint presentations

Proicient in processing Accounts Payable

Proicient in processing Payroll

Knowledge of W-2 and 1099 preparation

Customer service experience

Eiciency in 10 key calculations

$34,515.00 (GS13), Salary is commensurate with experience. here must be a City of Jennings job application and a resume submitted to be considered. Please visit cityojennings.org or City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave., Jennings, MO 63136 for a copy of our job application. Please direct all inquires to the inancedept@cityojennings.org. Closing date May 26, 2017.

2017 PIPEFITTERS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Plumbers & Pipeitter’s Local Union #562 will be accepting applications for our 2017 Pipeitters Apprenticeship Program. You may ill out your application and read our standards between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday starting June 1, 2017 through June 14, 2017. his process will take about one hour. Applications will be available at our Training Center, 1084 Kenran Industrial Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63137. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or a G.E.D to complete an application. A drug-screening test will be required for employment. Random drug and alcohol testing are required thereater. Please No Phone Calls

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis

he Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis (HEC) seeks an Executive Director to provide leadership and management over the departments of the Consortium and oversee the mission and vision of the organization. Responsibility include for cultivating partnerships with educational, governmental, business and community agencies in the regional and statewide area to strengthen higher education; establishing mechanisms to increase external funding through grants and charitable gits to support the organization’s mission; assist the Board in developing a vision and strategic plan for the organization and implementation of the plan, and serve as spokesperson for the organization. he Executive Director should be a strategic leader with a keen understanding of higher education and will report to the HEC Board of Directors.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol- itan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 4th, 2017 to contract with a company for: POWER TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS.

Speciications and bid forms may be ob- tained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8881 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

DIRECTOR, ADVOCACY

Position Summary he Director of Advocacy stewards strategic communications to advance the foundation’s public policy agenda for child well-being. he Director will establish and maintain relationships with targeted constituents, policymakers, researchers and media through personal contact and media platforms. S/he will support the CEO in development and implementation of the organization’s thought leadership strategy and annual communications plans.

To learn more about this opportunity including responsibilities, qualiications, and how to apply, visit the Deaconess Foundation website: http://www.deaconess.org/deaconess-seeking-director-advocacy#

CAREER

OPPORTUNITIES

Home Services, Inc, an independent non-proit organization founded in 1977, helps senior and disabled homeowners in the City of St. Louis by providing minor home repairs and/or accessibility modiications. We are seeking candidates for the following positions: 1) a part-time Receptionist/Administrative Assistant (28 hours); and 2) a full-time Client Services Coordinator. he Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant is responsible for database, clerical, and administrative support to the minor home repair program. S/he is the irst person to greet stakeholders over the phone and in the ofice and sets the tone for their experience with the organization. he Client Services Coordinator is responsible for performing client intake, assessing client needs regarding home repairs and/or accessibility modiications, working with ield staf to ensure work is performed with attention to detail and quality, and networking with other community organizations. Full job descriptions are available by request by emailing CVizzier@srhomeservices.com. Applicants should email a cover letter and resume to kcassidy@srhomeservices. com by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Home Services, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its services and employment. No calls please.

ST. LOUIS

METROPOLITAN

DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 12th, 2017 to contract with a company for: Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrophotometer System

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8947 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid.

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

he Missouri History Museum seeks a part-time Reservations Assistant. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details. An Equal Opportunity Employer NOTICE TO

Requirements: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in the areas of either, education, non-proit management, organization development, business and at least ive years’ experience at the director’s level and beyond. Master’s Degree preferred. he Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis mission is to advance communication and cooperative activities; and to collaborate on projects designed to enhance student’s accessibility to as well as their achievement in higher education. Complete job description can be found on webpage: www.heccstl.com Start date of July 5, 2017. Competitive beneits include comprehensive health insurance, retirement, disability and vacation.

Go to www.heccstl.com to download application, complete and email application with cover letter and resume to: searchcommittee@heccstl.com

Incomplete applications will not be considered

Higher Education Consortium of Metropolitan St. Louis provides equal employment opportunities to all qualiied persons and to administer all aspects and conditions of employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class, in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local laws, as well as rules and regulations applicable to federally sponsored programs.

OF WORK: Contractor will be

and materials

ATTN: ALL DBE VENDORS & SUBCONTRACTORS

St. Louis Bridge Construction Company is requesting proposals for City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service BPS Project No. R2017-60-048, Municipal Garage Roof Replacement in the city of St. Louis. his project bids on May 25th, 2017. Please send quotes to estimating@stlbridge.com or fax to 636/296-7416. Please email all questions and send quotes by noon on May 24th. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Seeking proposals from subs, suppliers, Sect. 3 businesses & qualiied MBE & WBE irms for all constr. div. of Sinclair Estates, a new 3-story, 40 unit apt. dev. In Columbia, MO. his project has Section 3 opportunities under the HUD act of 1968 as well as minority participation goals. Interested irms should contact Fairway Constr. for a link to access plans and speciications. Proposal Due: May 19, 2017 @ 5 PM CDT Direct inquiries to: proposals@ fairwayconstruction.net. Fairway Constr., 206 Peach Way, Columbia, MO 65203, 573-303-3765. Fairway Constr. reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EOE employer.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College is requesting submittals of experience and qualiications from construction management irms to provide owner’s representative and construction management services for the construction of a new Allied Health building on its Forest Park campus. Submittals of the Consultant’s qualiications will be received by the St. Louis Community College until 2:00 p.m., May 19, 2017, at the Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center, 300 South Broadway, or by email at kkempf@stlcc.edu. he scope of services and consulting agreement procedures are available at the Physical Facilities Oice of the Manager of Engineering and Design, Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center, 300 South Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102-2810.

EOE/Airmative Action Employer

Local Notice as Part of the Environmental Notiication Process for the Registration of Antenna Structures

All interested persons are invited to review and request further environmental processing of an FCC application for the following telecommunications antenna structures at 8315 Deering Ct, St. Louis, MO, Trescott Ave Overland, MO, 4568 Telegraph Rd St. Louis, MO, 3100 Martin Luther King Dr St. Louis, MO, 2820 Goodfellow Blvd St. Louis, MO. FCC iling number A1074387 a 150’ plus 5’, A1074384 a 100’ plus 5’, A1074381 a 120’ plus 5’, A1074360 a 100’ plus 5’, A1074354 a 100’ plus 5’ monopole communications tower with no FAA lighting. hese applications may be reviewed by entering the ile number at this website: www.fcc.gov/asr/applications.

Interested persons may raise environmental concerns by iling a “Request for Environmental Review” with the FCC within 30 days of this posting. Instructions for iling requests are contained on the following website: www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest. he FCC strongly encourages requests to be iled online; however, written requests may also be sent by mail to the following address: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

he St. Louis Community College invites separate sealed bids for PEST CONTROL Service Agreement No. M-319-DW. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be at 2:00pm on May 18th at the Cosand Center, 300 South Broadway, Room 423. Bids will be received by the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Community College until 2:00pm, local time, May 24, 2017, and publicly opened at the oice of the Manager, Engineering and Design at the Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center, 300 South Broadway and read aloud. Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from the manager’s oice. An Equal Opportunity and Airmation Action Employer

SEALED BIDS

for Upgrade Wastewater Treatment System, Watkins Mill State Park & Historic Site, Lawson, Missouri, Project No. X1410-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/1/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Replacement of Boilers, Pumps, and Controls, Prince Hall Family Support Center, St. Louis, MO, Project No. O1607-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/8/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

LETTING #8643

Ceiling and Air Curtain at Door 27 T-1 Apron under “C” Concourse

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 6, 2017 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Speciications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017, at 10:00 AM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Oice Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION FOR BIDS – IFB 17-B003 AMP 3 Roosevelt Homes Underground Site Light Wiring Replacement

Underground Site Lighting Wiring Replacement.

Issue Date: Friday, May 5, 2017 ater 2:00 pm Pre-Bid: Wednesday, May 11, 2017, 10:00 am Bid Due Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 3:00 pm NO BIDS ACCEPTED AFTER DEADLINE

For more information, contact Cassandra Coulter at 618-6467110, ccoulter@eslha.org, or visit www.eslha.org. TDD 800-5451833 ext. 471.

ESLHA reserves the right to cancel the IFB, reject any or all bids, and waive minor informalities for bidders as deemed necessary by ESLHA and the public’s best interest.

ESLHA is a fair housing and equal opportunity employer.

Submitted by:

ESLHA Mildred A. Motley Executive Director

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

he St. Louis County Port Authority is soliciting proposals from qualiied developers to purchase and develop adjacent parcels of real estate located at 7100 and 7120 North Market Street in or near the City of Wellston in North St. Louis County, Missouri. he properties contain nearly 13 acres. hey are easily accessible by public transportation and are within 4 miles of Interstates 70 and 170.

he Port Authority will accept proposals, which must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2017. Proposals may be sent or delivered to 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2300, St. Louis, MO 63105, Attn: General Counsel, or by e-mail to dallison@ stlpartnership.com. DBE, MBE, and WBE irms are encouraged to bid.

he Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. he Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Dustin J. Allison, General Counsel, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership at (314) 615-7663 or dallison@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

TO PROVIDE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE ST. LOUIS HOUSING AUTHORITY

SOLICITATION NO. HM 17-04

he St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is seeking qualiied and experienced property management irms or organizations to provide property management services for 875 units. Management services will include, but not be limited to, tenant screening, apartment leasing, lease execution, rent collections, lease enforcement, full maintenance responsibilities, maintain full responsibilities of staf, unit turnaround, annual income reviews, capital repairs by owner, inancial management responsibilities, purchasing of supplies, services and security. he management irm must comply with all HUD rules and regulations.

Solicitation documents will be available at no charge beginning May 15, 2017 from SLHA, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106 or by email at clovell@slha.org.

A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held at the SLHA oices, 3520 Page Blvd., 1st Floor Board Room, St. Louis, MO 63106 on May 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (local time). SLHA will receive sealed proposals for these services until 3:00 p.m. (local time) June 20, 2017.

All Oferors must comply with MBE/WBE and Section 3 requirements. SLHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cheryl Lovell

Executive Director

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Chain and Board for Primary Tanks at the Bissell WWTP. The District is proposing single source procurement to EVOQUA for this equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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 has procured: BIG BAG BARRIER SYSTEMS. DISASTER RELIEF & PROTECTIONS SYSTEMS

LLC is the sole authorized manufacturer for the BIG BAG BARRIER SYSTEM.

DISASTER RELIEF & PROTECTIONS

SYSTEMS LLC is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: SCREEN REPAIR/ UPGRADE. ANDRITZ SEPARATION INC is the sole authorized manufacturer for the SCREEN REPAIR/ UPGRADE projects. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because ANDRITZ SEPARATION INC is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

June 14, 2017, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualiied by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Speciications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Speciications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and speciications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. he 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: Rockwell Automation PLC at the Bissell WWTP. The District is proposing single source procurement to French Gerleman Electric for this equipment because French Gerleman is the Authorized Distributor in the St Louis area. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@ stlmsd.com.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for Realignment and Reconstruction of Taxiway K and Reconstruction of Taxiway S from Taxiway E to Runway 12R-30L; Widening of Taxiway K Fillet from Runway 12R-30L to Taxiway D; Rehabilitation of Runway 12L-30R , Letting No 8644 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Please phone 636-688-8794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@millstoneweber.com quotes to Bob Stubbs by 5:00 pm Monday, June 5th. Subcontract work includes, removals, concrete, bituminous pavement, PCC backill, hauling, landscaping, striping, and electrical. Plans and Speciications are available for review on City of St Louis website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom. aspx or at Millstone Weber oice.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS LAMBERT - ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT®

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Emergency Medical & Ambulance Services Proposals Wanted Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8184. his RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.lystl.com/business/ contact-opportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Creve Coeur

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

he St. Louis Community College invites sealed bids for Housekeeping Maintenance Agreement No. M-317-Cosand Center. here will be a non-mandatory walkthrough scheduled on May 18 at 10am. Bids will be received by the Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Community College until 2:00pm, local time, May 25, 2017, and publicly opened at the oice of the Manager, Engineering and Design at the Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center, 300

click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8937 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for PROVIDING DEVELOPMENT, ON-GOING HOSTING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE WEBSITE. Proposals due by 5:00 PM CT, MAY 24, 2017 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFP may be obtained from BPS website www.stlbps.org On Line Plan Room – Plan Room or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3535.

Wait List Opening

Parkview Apts. will accept pre- applications online at www.slha.org for 1 bedroom units beginning May 16-17, 2017 at 8:00 A.M. - Midnight. Applicants needing assistance or who do not have internet access can be accommodated at 4451 Forest Park, 63108 or SLHA oice at 3520 Page 63106 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Telephone number 314-533-3350

Religion

Changing the message about mental health from the pulpit

Bridges to Care and Recovery seeks to reduce stigma through the church

By Pastor B.T. Rice For The St. Louis American

When Steve Stephens and Robert Godwin Sr.’s paths crossed, the tragic event that unfolded was uploaded, in real time, on social media.

On Facebook Live, on April 16, Stephens shot and killed 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr., citing that he was angry over a failed relationship. Although the shooter didn’t know the man he decided to kill, he did say in a live video on Facebook that earlier he went and spoke to his mother and said he was feeling suicidal and homicidal, but his mother did nothing.

This mother is not to be blamed for what happened to Mr. Godwin, nor for what her son did on his stated murder spree, but there are some things people can learn to do to help those who are feeling in despair that could prevent things like this from happening.

If a person states he is suicidal or homicidal, it is important to get help immediately. Let the person know you care and ask if you can get them help. Give them a 24-hour hotline number of a crisis center to call. You can also encourage the person to make the call and stay with them until they’ve made the call or help arrives. There are suicide hotlines with mobile units that will come to a particular location to help the person in need.

In African-American communities, people of color have unique experiences and challenges in accessing mental health services. This must change! According to a study conducted by Ward, Wiltshire, Detry, and Brown in 2013, many black people carry negative beliefs about discussing or acknowledging mental

Pastor

health issues and often will not seek help. Historically, African Americans keep their struggles within their immediate family, and if they decide to talk to anyone, it would be their pastor.

Bridges to Care and Recovery (BCR) seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The mission of BCR, an initiative of Behavioral Health Network, is to mobilize clusters of churches in North St. Louis and North St. Louis County to support the behavioral health treatment and recovery of congregants and other community members with behavioral

health disorders. For too long, African Americans have not sought treatment or counseling because of the shame felt in acknowledging a problem that might exist in their lives or in a loved one’s life. By discussing behavioral health and making people aware of resources and help that is available, we can change the message about mental health from the pulpit, which has been a safe haven for many people. We can change the perception of mental health in our communities by making people aware and helping to reduce the stigma in our churches and communities, one pastor at a time.

Bridges to Care and Recovery has partnered with Pathways to Promise to present “Sabbaths of Hope” during Mental Health Awareness Month to provide awareness on May 20-21. Pathways to Promise is an organization providing training, consultation and other resources for faith groups who want to become supportive, caring communities for people with mental illnesses and their families.

“Sabbaths of Hope” is a mental health literacy initiative that enables clergy and other faith leaders to recognize types and symptoms of depression, provide referral and linkage to treatment options, and offer more practical support to congregants suffering from depression and other mental health challenges.

“Sabbaths of Hope” participants will receive training and resources to enable them to conduct educational events for congregants and community members and learn how to integrate mental health awareness in sermons, sacred text, and other liturgy elements.

If you are a pastor and are interested in learning more about how you can participate in “Sabbaths of Hope,” please call us at 314-320-5356 and ask for Rose Jackson-Beavers or 314-524-1244 for Pastor B.T. Rice.

The Bridges to Care and Recovery Crisis Hotline number is 314-628-6272.

Pastor B.T. Rice is pastor of New Horizon Christian church and a faithbased consultant for Bridges to Care and Recovery.

Problems with spiritual denial

We would all like to let the world see us in our best light. As a matter of fact, it’s downright difficult for people to lead with their weaknesses as opposed to showing others their perceived strengths.

Many of us have legitimate reasons (we think) for wanting to keep our shortcomings hidden in the dark, hopefully never to see the light of day. Some of us can even trick ourselves into believing that our true self is the one we show to others and not the one we take to bed with us, by ourselves each and every night.

The longer we hide from ourselves, the more likely we are to have trouble understanding and then dealing with who we really are as people. Some call it false self-righteousness. I call it denial.

The problem with spiritual denial is it’s just about impossible to do. There is no rationalization for the exclusion of God in your life. Regardless of how much you want to show the world your high moral standards or perceived high spiritual standing, when it comes right down to you and God, that dog simply won’t hunt.

In order to get your life in balance you must first recognize the futility of trying to come off to others as if sin is not a part of who you truly are. It’s all about how you come off to the Lord. That’s the real issue isn’t it?

When the lights go out and it’s just you, are you really alone? Maybe that’s why some

people need to have anything but silence and solitude as companions. In relation to God, however, it’s not always a comfortable situation, because in God’s eyes, and subsequently yours, you’re never alone. You can’t run. You cannot hide. The nature of God demands that you lead with your weaknesses. Bring Him your sins. Confess, and then you and your God can begin to take some sort of positive action about your life. There is a process to what I’m talking about. Basically, it requires you to empty your closet. Acknowledge the dirt. Understand its nature, which is unique to you, and bring it into God’s house. He’s the only one who can really clean it up anyway. Can you say the real Mr. Clean? That’s one of the many beauties of Christ Jesus. His life and death and life paid for and took care of the need to hide your sinful nature.

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. Confession allows God to enter into the picture. You then become an example to the world that openly declares, “I’m a sinner who has been saved. God has accepted me for who I truly am. I am nothing without Him. With Him I am everything. Look at me and learn. Examine me and see Him. I am who I am, blessed beyond my own comprehension.”

B.T. Rice is pastor of New Horizon Christian church and a faith-based consultant for Bridges to Care and Recovery, which seeks to mobilize churches in North St. Louis and North St. Louis County to support the behavioral health treatment and recovery of congregants.