May 16th, 2019 Edition

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‘Auntie Maxine’ visits girls at Vashon

Girls learn about leadership, success, and supporting one another from congresswoman

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Girls from Vashon High School, YeatmanLiddell College Preparatory Middle School and Kingdom Academy got a chance to visit with “Auntie Maxine” at Vashon on Monday, May 13, when U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) stopped in for an hour-long chat at her alma mater. She was in St. Louis

for a Mother’s Day celebration with family. Waters told the young ladies that she was pleased they were in school, pursing their education.

“I know that you’re all doing well and, if you’re not, you are working at doing better, because you understand that in order to really have a job, to be in the forefront of those who are going to be chosen for the jobs that you aspire to, or the kind of career that you want,

you have to have an education,” Waters said.

“And even now, the high school education does not get you what it used to get us when we graduated from high school. Now, the competition is keener.”

Waters, a Vashon graduate in the class of 1956 and a Vashon Hall of Famer, encouraged students to surround themselves

See WATERS, A6

St. Ann Police accused of abuse

Detective broke window, pulled cooperative passenger through broken glass

By

Louis American

St. Ann police came under fire after a viral video on May 7 showed a white officer breaking a car window with his elbow and then pulling a young AfricanAmerican man through broken glass shards – while the people filming the incident yelled, “That’s abuse.” The white couple who filmed and posted the video to Facebook wrote, “If that was my child, I would hope someone would take the time to care enough to try to protect them.”

n The arrest came at the end of a car pursuit that began in St. Peters and went through multiple jurisdictions before coming through St. Ann.

St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez immediately backed his officer, who The American has identified as Detective Brandon Means, saying that the passenger was refusing to get out of the car and could have had a gun.

“If the public was able to see before and after, they’d see [the passenger] reaching under the seat,” Jimenez told The American

St. Ann Police Detective Brandon Means was caught on video breaking a car window and pulling an apparently cooperative passenger through broken glass.

mArch 6, 1940 – mAy 12, 2019

‘She was one of the most beloved artists’

St. Louis Poet Laureate Emeritus Shirley Bradley LeFlore passes at 79

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

A month after Shirley Bradley LeFlore ended her term as the second-ever poet laureate for the City of St. Louis, the region is mourning her passing. LeFlore died on Mother’s Day morning (Sunday, May 12) surrounded by family and friends in her Frontenac home. She was 79 years old.

When she was installed as poet laureate at City Hall last November, LeFlore became the first black and first woman to be appointed.

“Tributes only scratch the surface as far as her iconic place in our community as a poet, teacher, mentor and inspiration to so many,” inaugural St. Louis Poet Laureate Michael Castro said of LeFlore during her installation ceremony. Also among those giving tribute that day were LeFlore’s daughters.

“Growing up we used to try to imitate you, but we could never duplicate you,” daughter Lyah Beth LeFlore-Ituen said. She also read one of LeFlore’s notable works, “I Am the Black Woman.”

“You made us who we are,” LeFlore-Ituen said. A gifted word warrior with an instinctive connection with the rhythm of language, LeFlore spent more than five decades using it as her instrument – often inspired by her blackness and her womanhood.

In “I Am the Black Woman,” LeFlore famously proclaims the black woman as “natural to the bone.”

By

Hazel Erby, who has been a champion for racial equity on the St. Louis County Council for 15 years, is resigning from her council position to become the director of diversity, equity and inclusion under interim County Executive Sam Page. She will take her newlycreated position on Monday, May 13. Erby’s salary will be $121,000.

Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Rebecca Rivas Of The St.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, a Vashon Hall of Famer from the Class of 1956, visited her alma mater to speak with students as part of the Sister Circle team leadership forum on Monday, May 13. Here she walks with Vashon staff Rebecca Carson and Hamonda Owens and Bennie Gilliam-Williams of Harris-Stowe State University, a Vashon grad.

Hazel Erby

Shirley Bradley LeFlore

Fox ends ‘Empire’ after six seasons

The Fox Network announced on Monday that the sixth season of “Empire” would be the show’s last. The news came days after announcing the cancelation of “Star,” which filled the time slot following the hit urban music drama for the past three years.

“We are turning the final season into a large TV event, we are trying to go out guns a blazing,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said during Fox’s Upfront conference call on Monday, according to Deadline.com. “You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”

racially motivated attack.

“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,’” the studio said in a statement that gave no reason for the decision.

Shortly after, a Smollett representative released a statement to several media outlets suggesting a hope that he may eventually return.

When pressed on whether Jussie Smollet would return to the show, Collier reportedly said while there’s an option for the embattled star to return, “we have no plans for that,” adding that Empire’s writers haven’t begun sketching out the show’s final season yet.

Last month, Fox Entertainment announced Smollett would not return to the series next season in the wake of allegations by Chicago officials the actor lied about a supposed

“We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on ‘Empire’ in the beginning of the season, but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open,” the statement read. “Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and ‘Empire’ leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”

Jesse Williams’ ex breaks her silence

In an interview with PEOPLE promoting her new podcast BBSARETRASH [Babies are Trash] Aryn Drake Lee opens up about the split from “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams.

An excerpt from the interview reads as follows:

“When the divorce process started, I had two nursing babies, and I am the one that ran

our household for the 14 and a half years that he and I were together in the same house. And for our children, and for the creation of the businesses that we built together when I left my career in New York for us to move to California to pursue his, and then as a result built it…I knew, as the one that was really holding it all together, that I didn’t have a lot of room to fall, even though I was falling.”

“I was in a place where I needed the support that was going to help to ground me. Most everybody I had spent the eight years here in LA with all went with him.”

“It was a blessing in disguise because it was a real slap in the face to see who was around us and why, and at that point it became very clear. And it cleared a pathway for me to make a shift and get back onto a path that was more in alignment with how I wanted to live my life.”

grown to include The Department of Family and Children’s Services.

“According to court records obtained by The Blast, DCFS officials in Los Angeles will be involved in Tuesday’s court hearing that will decide the emergency placement of Nipsey’s daughter, Emani,” The Blast said. “Officials are going to want to discuss the most beneficial placement for Emani, so that the girl can be around people she’s familiar with, and grow up in a stimulating environment.”

DCFS reportedly involved in custody battle over Nipsey Hussle’s daughter

Last month, the late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s sister filed for legal guardianship over his 11-year-old daughter, Emani.

According to The Blast, the case has now

R. Kelly’s daughter forced to drop out of art school over nonpayment

According to TMZ.com, R. Kelly’s daughter, Buku Abi, was forced to drop out of art school after he stopped paying her tuition. The celebrity news and gossip site said that Abi, born JoAnne Lee, went to register for classes and was refused because of her past due balance.

Buku also reportedly had to move out of her apartment after Kelly stopped paying her rent.

R. Kelly claims he stopped paying because he thought Buku had already dropped out of school. He reportedly alleges he never received any proof she had been attending classes.

Sources: TMZ.com, Deadline.com, People.com

Jussie Smollett

Aryn Drake Lee

Buku Abi

NBA’s Ben McLemore honors brother’s memory with scholarship

Normandy Schools celebrates teacher, staff and parent of the year at gala

Normandy Schools Collaborative NBA guard and former Wellston resident Ben McLemore returned to St. Louis recently to pay homage to his brother Kevin, who passed away last year.

McLemore, who is a guard with the Sacramento Kings, presented the inaugural Kevin McLemore Leadership Award to Mohammed Ahmad-Gol, a graduating senior at Normandy High School. Kevin McLemore, a standout basketball player at Normandy High School, graduated in 2013.

Ahmad-Gol was one of several students recognized at the annual Friends of Normandy School District Scholarship Gala April 26 at Norwood Hills Country Club. Students, parents, teachers, and support staff were recognized at the event which raises

funds for scholarships for graduating Normandy seniors.

This year’s theme for the Gala was Let the Good Times Roll.

“Students are graduating with both a high school diploma and with an associate degree. From the opening of the New Early Learning Center to the implementation of the EleMiddle model to the alignment of our course offerings at the high school with regional needs, we are on a roll!” said Normandy Superintendent of Schools Charles Pearson.

“Teachers are being connected to local universities to support their ongoing professional development through graduate work in literacy and STEM education. We are rolling!”

In addition to the honors and recognitions, patrons had an opportunity to purchase artwork from the Jefferson Art Academy. Student

National Urban League reports on the state of the black vote

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League

The National Urban League’s 2019 State of Black America report, “Getting 2 Equal, United Not Divided,” an unprecedented examination of the state of the black vote, was unveiled this week amidst a new push in Congress to protect voting rights and secure democracy. Just a day after we unveiled the report at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings announced he wants to “make sure we spend significant effort and time, perhaps even looking at even

more states and seeing what they’re doing and shining a light on what they may be doing illegally or improperly to stop or hinder people from voting and having those votes counted.” Specifically, the Committee is planning to examine voter suppression in North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Kansas.

In partnership with the Brennan Center for Justice and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the State of Black America revealed how a terrible trio of voter suppression – state legislatures, the Supreme Court, and hostile foreign actors – worked together to disrupt American democracy.

work featuring historic AfricanAmerican women were available for sale with proceeds going to the Jefferson Elementary student artists. Fashion design students

Beginning in 2010 – following the first year of the first African-American president’s term – state legislatures began passing restrictive laws intended to hinder black voters. The U.S. Supreme Court opened the floodgates for voter suppression in 2013 when it gutted the Voting Rights Act with its decision in Shelby v. Holder It was into this suppression-happy environment that hostile foreign actors – specifically the troll farm of Russia’s Internet Research Agency – unleashed a firestorm of manipulative, misleading and deceptive social media aimed at dissuading African-Americans from voting.

served as hostesses, wearing their award-winning designs. Musical entertainment was provided by Normandy High School sophomore Margaret Mischeaux and the high

Our report has landed at a crucial moment when some members of Congress are ramping up pressure to address foreign meddling and racially motivated voter suppression.

The same day we unveiled the report, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a proposal to bar foreign citizens who have interfered in the U.S. elections from entering the United States.

Last week, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey unveiled a bill that would fund states” implementation of paper ballots that could be audited and to enact new cybersecurity standards to protect against hacking - a recommendation that is included in State of Black America.

Other recommendations include H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which includes a wide range of voting reforms like enhanced cybersecurity protection of election systems,

NBA player Ben McLemore presents the Kevin McLemore Leadership Award to Mohammed Ahmad-Gol, graduating senior at Normandy High School. The award was presented at the recent Friends of Normandy School District Annual Scholarship Gala at Norwood Hills Country Club.

school’s Jazz Band Combo.

Parent of the Year was presented to Alfreda Jones, grandmother of a student at Barack Obama Elementary. Zuncherrie Doyle, secretary at Jefferson Elementary, received the Support Staff of the Year honor. Teacher of the Year was presented to veteran educator Deidre Sealey, Normandy Kindergarten Center. Normandy Scholars of Excellence Awards were presented to AhmadGol, Gabrielle Brown, Alex Cannaday, AunNesty Davis, Javion Dye, Tyrha Gales, Olivia Hughes, Akiya Kollore, Aniya Kollore, Ariel Piphus, and Brandon Rash. To support the Friends of Normandy or volunteer, contact Carol McCauley at 314-853-3349 or friends@normandysc.org.

removing barriers to voter registration and prohibiting the distribution of false information about elections to hinder or discourage voting.

We endorse H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which restores the full enforcement protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

We also make some bold suggestions like the elimination of the Electoral College.

Nothing is more important in the fight for economic and racial justice than protecting the right to vote. Make sure your congressional representatives know that combating voter suppression and foreign manipulation of our elections is a top priority. You can tell Congress to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act by texting “VRA4” to the number 52886.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Guest Columnist Marc Morial

Editorial /CommEntary

Unifying St. Louis will be better without Better Together

While we believe that the St. Louis region might indeed be better together – that is, less fragmented and more unified politically, less segregated and more integrated residentially – we are absolutely certain that any effort to forge a more unified, less segregated St. Louis region would be better-positioned without the organization known as Better Together.

According to its January task force report on city-county governance reform, Better Together started with a commendable mission. “In 2013, at the urging of local civic leaders, Better Together was formed to take a fresh, analytical look at our fragmented community,” Better Together stated in its unsigned executive summary. “Better Together set out to identify the governmental, economic, and racial barriers that are impeding our community’s growth and prosperity.”

In its several research reports, Better Together remained aligned to this commendable mission and provided an enormous amount of valuable data. Many of us knew that St. Louis had, for example, too many police departments and municipal courts for these essential government functions to be provided equitably and efficiently, but Better Together’s reports provided what was indeed a “fresh, analytical” and piercing view into just how inequitable and inefficient these and many other government services are provided in this region.

n “Better Together set out to identify the governmental, economic, and racial barriers that are impeding our community’s growth and prosperity.”

The problems – which we believe to be irrevocable and fatal – emerged when Better Together pivoted from research into what is wrong toward prescription for what would be better. That is when the organization fell fatally foul of its mission, as stated, again, in that unsigned task force report: “Better Together’s mission has been to promote unity, trust, efficiency, and accountability and act as a catalyst to remove those barriers that are impeding our community’s ability to truly thrive.” Whatever unity, trust, or accountability the organization intended to promote was shattered by the almost laughably terrible proposal for reform it presented in its ballot initiative and the method proposed for passing it: statewide, without any provision that it also had to pass locally to go into effect.

Before a flurry of rewrites of its ballot

initiative, which further destroyed any remaining public trust in Better Together or its motives, the organization was asking Missouri voters to reform how St. Louis city and county are governed, knowing that local voters were extremely unlikely to approve the measure. If successful, Missouri voters would have empowered an inexperienced, inept, unpopular and – it seemed then and has since been admitted before a federal judge – corrupt county executive to govern the current City of St. Louis, whose voters had never elected this unimpressive, fraudulent man for dog catcher, let alone mayor. This unelected fraud would have taken power after skipping one election. All African Americans currently elected to public office would have been disempowered. The proposal was so horrifically bad in racial equity terms that the Rev. Starsky Wilson – a man sufficiently invested in the status quo to have accepted a governor’s appointment to co-chair the Ferguson Commission – derided it as “apartheid.”

Better Together was rendered utterly without value as an institution that aims to lead a public effort for transformative regional change. Its research reports remain essential data to support a new effort to redraw the regional map to create a more equitable, effective and inclusive form of local governance. We believe this remapping must include education, which Better Together shied away from –for understandable reasons, but it was one clear, early sign that greater racial equity was not a driving motive for the organization, for our shameful inequity starts with how we educate our children. We understand why so many progressives – and nearly all African Americans with the slightest clue – are dancing on the grave of Better Together. It was a dangerous and misguided organization once it turned to prescribing change. However, when it was reporting our current dysfunction, it was indeed fresh and analytical, and for that reason we thank Better Together for its service – and beg it to get out of the way, now, so we can devise a much better way for us to all live and work together.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

St. Louis by the numbers

By Mike Jones Of The St. Louis American

What drew St. Louis’ civic leadership and professional class to Better Together like moths to a flame? It’s their belief that the single biggest impediment to St. Louis’ ability to grow and prosper is its fragmented local government structure. The way St. Louis city and county are politically organized is in serious need of rethinking, but it’s not our definitive problem.

Demographics may not be destiny, but it’s the single most important metric in understanding a community. Because sustained economic growth is only possible when you have sustained population growth, it’s one of the best ways to measure the overall economic health of a region. In 1870 there were 351,000 people in the City of St. Louis. By 1900 the population was 575,000. In 1920 the number was 722,000. And in 1950 it peaked at 856,000. So from the time the city separated from the county the population grew from 351,000 to 856,000, making St. Louis the 10th largest city in America. For most of that time, the city was operating under the exact same governmental structure as today. This was an increase of 281,000 people from 1900, but the country’s population had doubled to 150 million people within that time. Despite a population increase of almost 50 percent, St. Louis, at its apex, was at risk of being lapped by the country.

BlaCk malEs

Moving from under-served to well-deserved communities

By Andra Lang Jr. For The St. Louis American

Most of my experience in St. Louis has evolved around work and exposure to large network groups. I am originally from Illinois, so most of my education has been from that state. However, because of the short distance for transportation, I was able to commute to St. Louis for better opportunities like jobs, entertainment, and educational programs within the city.

At the age of 16, I got accepted into an apprenticeship for St. Louis Artworks. I worked with artist teachers creating unique artwork and helped put together an art sale that led to a passion for art in the community. Afterwards, I got a job working as a caricature artist for the St, Louis Zoo. This was an amazing opportunity as it developed my skills working with other artists and advertising on site.

My community work started when I became a community design apprentice for Creative Reaction Lab, which addresses dismantling racial, social, and oppressive systematic structures that prevent the success and growth of black and Latinx youth in local neighborhoods. I also worked as a project coordinator for a professional development leadership fellowship for small nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and local ethnic entrepreneurs.

In high school, I was selected to be a part of a group of individuals who were mentored by undergraduate students at Washington

University in St. Louis for two semesters. This experience had a huge impact on my growth as a youth. This gave me a sense of confidence that I needed to pursue higher education. They helped me plan out my workloads, toured the university, and allowed for me to speak on a panel discussion about coming from an underserved community. I am currently working as a mentor and teaching instructor for the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. My goal is for the students to be able to express personal trauma and relevant social topics through art. Through activities, exercises, and projects, we are working towards developing a curriculum to support our youth for implementation in more community centers. I work with youth of all ages ranging from k-12th grade. These students inspire and motivate me to stay committed and to keep them encouraged, while also lending advice on how to better understand the world from a young professional viewpoint.

Also, I am working with Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts on a project to offer free informational discussions on legal and business basics regarding copyrights and contractual agreements for

Letters to the editor

Shame of institutional racism

artworks of any genre. I find myself ingrained within the arts community because it gives me the chance to become more unconsciously open to life. Giving someone else a platform to express themselves is allowing for them to be more comfortable with you and not feel judged. Speaking out about certain topics can be challenging at times. But with a fun, creative way of visually unpacking that information, we can allow others to grow and see how different forms of coping can be beneficial. In the future I expect to open a community program that follows the same format as the one I’m currently working on. It should be more refined and have a structured organizational capacity to support core values and principles that help instill pride back into our neighborhoods. I would love to have a family with kids and two dogs. As for now, I have a dream to help reimagine a few well-deserved communities, and through the work that I am currently doing, I believe that I am well on my way. Andra Lang Jr. is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

for length and style.

decision to press charges against Police Officer Julia Crews. Crews’ story, as reported by her attorney in the press, is that she mistakenly fired her gun instead of her taser. Even if believed, such actions are outrageous and unacceptable; they violate any reasonable standards of police training and conduct. The officer must be held accountable.

For most of the last 60 years, people in the suburban part of the region considered themselves separate and apart from the city and, in fact, they were quite smug about what they called their growth. But a retrospective look at the larger region would tell a far different story.

In 1960 there were 750,000 people in the City of St. Louis and 704,000 in St. Louis County for a combined population of 1.4 million. By 1990 the city’s population had fallen to 397,000 and the county’s had increased to 994,000, but the combined total was still 1.4 million. By 2010 the city population had bottomed out at 319,000 and the county flatlined at 1 million people for a city/county total of 1.3 million. That was 50 years of economic activity but no real economic growth, but you wouldn’t have known that from talking to county leaders and residents for most of that time.

When you move to 2010 the city’s inverse relationship to the country’s overall growth is even more stark. By 2010 the city’s population had shrunk to 319,000, while the country had doubled in size again to 309 million. The United States got four times bigger in 110 years, while the City of St. Louis got 63 percent smaller. I won’t speculate why the city was on the wrong side of this population trend, but I believe the structure of the city’s government had little or nothing to do with it.

Let’s cast the net of this argument wider to include St. Charles County. In 1960 St. Charles County had a population of 53,000 people. When added to the 1960

population totals of St. Louis city and county, that gives you a total of 1.45 million people. In 2010 the combined population of St. Louis city and county was 1.3 million people and St. Charles County had grown to 360,000 for a regional total of 1.66 million, an increase of 200,000 or 12 percent in 50 years.

However, the country grew by 50 percent over this same time, from 200 million to 300 million. No matter how you run the numbers, you end up in the same place.

The St. Louis region’s decline started 100 years ago, and it has been flat-lining for the last 50 years. However, for most of the last 50 years St. Louis business and political leaders have ignored this reality, substituting propaganda and marketing for empiricalbased analysis. They allowed themselves and the public to believe the region was in great shape except for a corrupt and increasingly African-American central city.

Better Together is not the solution to the decline of a once great city. It’s the simpleminded answer to a complex and complicated question: how to sustain the viability of a metropolitan region over time.

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board. In 2016 and 2017, he was awarded Best Serious Columnist for all of the state’s large weeklies by the Missouri Press Association, and in 2018 he was awarded Best Serious Columnist in the nation by the National Newspapers Association.

The shame of institutional racism is there is no shame. No admitting of wrong and maltreatment of African Americans. No atonement. The most common response of a sizeable population has traditionally been resistance to progressive change and a strong determination to return to previous conditions when blacks were considered 3/5ths of a person; barred from attending tax-supported public schools; denied services in restaurants, hotels, and recreational facilities; refused treatment at public and private white hospitals even when a life-threatening emergency; policies of white-only at almost all colleges and universities.

During this phase of total inhumanity and in obvious contradiction of the teachings of Jesus Christ, the voice of the moral and religious community suffered a plague of tonguetied paralysis. Most prelates, pastors, priests, rabbis were quiet as the proverbial country church mice on Sunday. They saw no evil. Heard no evil. Therefore, did not speak of evil.

In the wake of this cyclone, established moral leaders, elected officials, publishers, and educators had the audacity to accuse the black populace of being angry and bitter as if either was unique to American culture. Those with short memories forgot that the Minute Men were an angry bunch; that the patriots at Bunker Hill were bitterly opposed to oppression; and that George Washington was not in a happy mood crossing the Delaware to engage the occupying British troops.

Bill Clay, Maryland

Community member should review police shootings

The St. Louis County Reform Coalition strongly supports St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s

We also strongly support Bell’s new framework for creating prosecutorial independence. According to Bell’s office, future cases of this type will be handled by an independent Conviction Incident Review Unit (CIRU), which will report to Bell directly. In addition, an External Review Committee, consisting of former prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges, will independently review the cases to recommend whether to file charges.

With regard to Officer Crews, Bell’s team and his External Review Committee

agreed that charges should be filed. In the future, the walloffed CIRU will handle all such cases. Bell has stated that the individual directing the CIRU program will be hired by his office. They will look at officer-involved shootings, as well as wrongful convictions. Nevertheless, the coalition holds the position that investigations into police shootings must be conducted by officials other than police. Given the Ladue Police Department’s reflexive defense of its use of force policies and the actions of this officer, the need for independent scrutiny is all the more compelling. We ask that a community member also possess the opportunity to join the External Review Committee of Bells’ advisors John Chasnoff, Coalition Against Police Crimes & Repression Rev. Cassandra Gould, MO Faith Voices Rod Chapel, Missouri State Conference of NAACP

Columnist Andra Lang Jr.

Guest Columnist Mike Jones

Immigrant slave migration

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

When I look at the immigrant child – a beautiful, young, seven-year-old girl – my heart breaks. They showed her picture over and over again on the news, and I looked at that little girl and thought of my biracial granddaughter of the same age. A child dead at the age of seven because of the color of her skin. You may spin the story any way you want, but it is a fact. No different than the blacks running away during slavery and using whatever means necessary to be free.

Many immigrants are no different. They are running away from a horrible existence that is so unbearable that they are willing to risk all for a better life. During the time of slavery, blacks endured tremendous hardships fighting for their freedom. Immigrant are fighting for their lives.

When you look at the men in uniforms on the news media emptying and kicking over water bottles that good people have left for the immigrants, you have to wonder who these people are.

n Immigrants can do hard labor, wash, cook and clean for you but they cannot live in the same county with you?

president but the people who surround him is mind-boggling. The ugliness and degradation of the current administration is so horrible you wonder if it can ever be fixed. It is a funny how evil can evade and corrupt and eventually destroy.

Immigrant slave migration, that is what is going on now, The immigrants can do hard labor, wash, cook and clean for you but they cannot live in the same county with you? Until we the people acknowledge the racism problem in America we will continue down this path. How do you fix what you do not wish to acknowledge?

All of these Christian evangelicals and Trump’s base must surely be praying to a different God then most Christian people know, because surely the God that most people know is not approving of the evangelicals right now. How can you say how sorry you are for a dead child and in the same breath remind the father how he had been warned not to come here? The sheer dishonesty of not only the

The privileged people of America can go to bed every night and every day wake up to food on their tables and a roof over their heads. The immigrants and people of color do not have the same luxury. We need to wake up and realize that this world belongs to all of us and we only rent space in it for a short period of time. When Judgment Day comes, some of us may wonder what all the fuss was about, because as a good pastor once said, “Heaven is not segregated, but it can be very discriminating.”

Trump dynasty, beware.

Normandy students help hurricane victims

Normandy students in the CASA program – Danielle Small, Soreil Hodges, Lavon Taylor, Shuron Hunter, Javion Johnson, and Antrell Thompson – are shipping personal care items and toys to residents affected by Hurricane Michael. Students in the CASA (Center for Academic and Social Advancement) program are catching up on credits to graduate or have fared better in a non-traditional classroom environment. Next year students will collect items and donate them to youth in homeless shelters.

Ferguson Public Transportation Town Hall Forum

A Ferguson Public Transportation Town Hall Forum will be held 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at the Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave. in Ferguson. Erica M. Brooks, a mother, concerned resident and bus rider, organized the forum to raise concerns about some route changes planned by Metro Reimagined. She is organizing the community to prevent the discontinuation of Bus Route #79 between Suburban and Dade avenues. For more information, please contact Brooks at 314-243-2805 or erimon2@yahoo.com.

Morehouse Men of Style Scholarship Luncheon

The St. Louis Morehouse College Parents Association, Inc. will present its 11th Annual Morehouse Men of Style Scholarship Luncheon & Fashion Show at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at Hilton Frontenac Hotel, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Tickets are $60, and all proceeds will be used for scholarships. Visit www.stlmorehousecollegeparents.eventbrite.com.

Nov. 8 deadline to apply for service academies

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt is accepting applications to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy. Applicants must be between 17 and 23 years of age, U.S. citizens, and legal residents of Missouri. A committee of Missouri residents will review applicants’ files and present their recommendations to Blunt for a formal nomination in January.

Interested applicants can apply via a secure website, which will allow them to continually check the status of their application. The link to the application can be found on the Academy Application Process page of www.blunt.senate.gov. All application materials must be received on or before November 8. The academy nomination process requires that students first open an application directly with the academies of their choice and then begin the nomination process with their congressional offices. For more information, contact academy_nominations@blunt.senate.gov.

Dorothy Dempsey

Continued from A1

with people who are positive and supportive, to achieve beyond predictions or expectations, and to work hard and stay focused on what they want to accomplish.

“I want you to have a good quality of life. I don’t care what your experiences are now. I don’t care whether or not you think you are in a tough situation, or people may not be happy, that the parents may not be doing what they think they should do – many are not happy where they live, and worried about the neighborhood. Yeah, that’s life,” Waters said.

POLICE

Continued from A1

“[Means] used selfrestraint, even though he would have been justified to shoot him even before that video started. The minute that [the passenger’s] hands go up, the video starts. He used the perfect amount of force to effect that arrest.”

The arrest came at the end of a car pursuit that began in St. Peters and went through multiple jurisdictions before coming through St. Ann, Jimenez said. The arrest of the three individuals took place at an underpass on Interstate 170 and Natural Bridge. Their names have not been released, pending their warrant applications, he said.

The female driver faces felony charges for resisting arrest by flight, as well as property damage and several other serious traffic offenses, Jimenez said. She allegedly sideswiped a tractor trailer, breaking off the passenger side mirror, as well as putting

“And sometimes it can get a little bit tough, but guess what? If you understand that you have a right to a good quality of life, that you have a right to be able to pursue your education and have a great career and have the good things that life will offer to you – if you believe that, then you work toward it. It will happen.”

Waters’ visit was part of the school’s Sister Circle team leadership forum, which introduces teenagers to successful female leaders.

Sherill A. Jones, who leads the Sister Circle at Vashon, said the support group is where girls can discuss all kinds of issues.

“That’s where they learn how to be a support for each other.” Jones said. Waters encouraged that as

numerous people in danger with her reckless driving, he said. The passenger who was dragged through the window faces charges of failure to comply, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jimenez said he was allegedly trying to hide a “crack pipe” under the seat. The driver immediately got out of the car and was handcuffed, the police chief said. The passenger could have gotten out of the car as well, Jimenez said. However, people who viewed the video said his door was too close to the guardrail to open, and his hands were up when the officer approached the window. To this, Jimenez said, “All he had to do was open his window.” The man in the backseat got out of the car and was handcuffed. He only faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The three individuals are not currently in jail. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell requires that the police report be completed before a warrant application can be processed, which is a

well. “Feel free to share with people who are willing to be supportive. Feel free to let them know you need a little help, if you need it. Feel free to know and recognize when people are trying to help you, and always respect your elders,” Waters said.

“I don’t care what you think. I don’t care what you feel. I don’t care how much you dislike a teacher or a parent – keep it to yourself. Do not disrespect those people who are your elders, your parents, your teachers, your others. There will come a time when you will have expectations of your children and your young people in your neighborhood.”

Waters said when she was at Vashon, public speaking

new policy Bell implemented, Jimenez said. After the warrant is issued, then notifications will be sent to their homes, and the individuals can either turn themselves in or be arrested, Jimenez said. Bell could process the warrants with a probable cause statement, Jimenez said, but he wants the entire police report “to make sure they are happy with what they are reading, which is fair.”

The American asked Bell’s office about the new policy and this case.

“Here, we want all the information before we make a decision on who or what to charge,” Sam Alton, Bell’s chief of staff, said in an email statement. “In certain cases, given the gravity of the facts or risk(s) and/or the nature of the charges we will rely on probable cause statements; however, given the facts of this case we are waiting on the full reports.” It further said that, under the circumstances, “there is nothing unusual about their release while we wait for and evaluate the evidence.”

was important, as was the connection and support of teachers.

“The teachers loved us, and they did things for us, and they supported us – and when they thought we were trying and we were doing, they not only complimented us, but they connected us in so many precious ways,” Waters said.

She was referring to when a teacher took her to meet St. Louis opera diva Grace Bumbry after Waters had written a composition about her.

When asked about what advice she would share with youth interested in government and politics, Waters made the case for why it is an important vocation to consider.

“We need young people to

‘We’re not cowboys’

The May 7 incident comes a month after the St. Louis PostDispatch released an analysis of police chases in the region. It found that in the last two years, there has been about one St. Ann police chase a week, and a related crash about once every two weeks, according to police records.

The Post-Dispatch reported that the St. Ann Police Department serves a population of about 14,000 residents and employs 54 officers (the website states 38 sworn officers and 13 civilians), but it had more chases last year than the St. Louis County Police Department’s 950 officers and nearly as many as 1,200 officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

“Since 2009, two people have died and least 42 have been injured in St. Ann pursuit crashes, according to an analysis of reporting in the Post-Dispatch and other media,” the article states. “Those injured include 11 drivers fleeing police and eight passengers in the fleeing vehicles, but also 17 innocent bystanders and six St. Ann police officers.”

Jimenez said that although he believes the article is fair, there was “one major thing left out.” The report did not take into account the number of guns and dangerous drugs taken from vehicles and off the streets, he told The American “We’re not hiding or denying the amount of pursuits,” he said. “We are not cowboys. There were many

be interested in politics. We need young people who are interested in running for office.

As you take a look at what’s happening today, most of the presidential candidates are over 70,” Waters said. “We need young people who are going to get started and who can be there for a period of time, to help change laws, to help create new laws.”

Waters asked the young people to pay attention to the news and use social media to keep up with news, politics and current events.

“It’s not something that just older people are involved in or people in certain fields are involved in,” Waters said.

“The democracy is everybody’s responsibility. It’s your responsibility to speak up, to

multiple pursuits that were terminated. We want to make sure that our visitors and our residents feel secure. They are not being carjacked, robbed or murdered.”

City Administrator Matt Conley did not feel the report was fair, in part because it stated that the St. Ann police will pursue for minor offenses such as expired plates or speeding. While that was true previously, Conley said that the police department changed the pursuit policy on January 1 to only allow its officers to engage in a chase for felonies, not for traffic offenses.

“The Post-Dispatch has a problem with the St. Ann Police Department because we actually enforce the law and hold people accountable,” Conley said. “We comply with state law. The State of Missouri allows police officers to pursue criminals, and that’s what we did.”

The Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) believes those pursuits come with a dangerous cost.

“St. Ann continues to conduct high-speed adrenalinefueled chases that endanger the public,” according to a CAPCR statement, “and result in unnecessarily violent conclusions.”

Chase you to Mexico

On April 9, Brandon Means, the detective who broke the car window, shared a post from an African-American woman on his personal Facebook page that stated, “St. Ann will chase yo a-- to Mexico they do not

call into a radio program, to write an editorial and send it to the newspaper and let them know how you feel. That’s what politics is all about.” Waters reminded the girls to pursue leadership opportunities.

“Sometimes it’s okay to be part of a team and not be the leader. But if you know that you feel deeply about something, if you know that you are capable of adding to the discussion, to providing that leadership, that’s what I want you to do,” Waters said.

“And it’s so important for African Americans, because for far too long we were relegated to being second class citizens. That day is over.”

care.”

His Facebook friends thought it was funny. Although it didn’t reference any specific event, the message was posted on the same day that another St. Ann police chase occurred. It ended at the bank parking lot at Natural Bridge and Kingshighway, which Ferguson activist Elizabeth Vega witnessed and described on Facebook as a white male being beaten until he was unconscious.

When The American asked Jimenez about the event, he said that it involved a drug dealer that had been long disturbing a neighborhood. The man fled when police tried to arrest him at a drug house, hit another car and injured a woman during the chase, Jimenez said. The department’s internal investigation department looked into the case and recently cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, Jimenez said.

The department received no complaints regarding the incident, he said, but he encouraged people to do so if they witnessed the arrest.

“If they are not comfortable coming in here, I would certainly hope that they would take to the FBI and give them that and let them start their own investigation,” Jimenez said.

Regarding Means’ Facebook post, Jimenez said he was upset about it because it was “exactly the behavior” that makes it hard for the department to address its public image – and not be labeled as “a bunch of cowboys.”

And, Jimenez said, “that isn’t funny.”

Jazz legend and longtime collaborator J.D. Parran remembered how LeFlore used to write poems for parents when children were born and for bereaved families when a person died.

“That always impressed me,” Parran said. “I mean, she did it for everybody. I always hoped that all those poems for all those people would be turned into a book one day.”

Her gesture moved him so much that he wrote a poem about LeFlore when he learned of her passing and submitted it to her daughters.

The poem, entitled “Drum Woman,” Parran refers to LeFlore as “Empress Laureate.” The piece is a tribute to her creative legacy and encapsulates his experiences of seeing her perform her words in sync with live music and the impact she had on her audience.

“Yeah Shirley...tell it girl,” Parran wrote in the poem. “Speak the truth Sista.”

“I’m not the poet that she is,” said Parran. “But I feel like I’m doing the same thing that I perceived her to be doing with those type of poems –which is communicate to the bereaved family, and others, what she meant to me.”

Birth of a poet

informed the movement and was a source of inspiration and empowerment.”

LeFlore was one of the last surviving charter members of the famed Black Artists Group (BAG), cofounded by her late husband, noted jazz musician Floyd LeFlore in the late 1960s.

“Her work ethic was an influence for me,” said fellow BAG artist Oliver Lake, a composer, saxophonist, painter and poet. “She was constantly working and improving her skills as a poet and a writer.”

He fondly recalled their days together in BAG.

“She was always so creative – which was very inspirational to whoever she worked with,” Lake said. “She wrote some great poems, was a great performer, and her presence was strong every time she appeared.”

world,” U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) said. “She has shared her talent with the rest of us, and we are better off because of it.”

‘She saved my life’ LeFlore also touched countless lives through her work as an educator. She was the first African-American assistant dean of Students at Webster College (now Webster University) and held adjunct professorships at numerous institutions of higher education, locally and nationally.

She was born Shirley Joyce Bradley on March 6, 1940 in St. Louis to Annetta and Monroe Bradley. She often spoke with pride about her days growing up in the city and could still remember the exact address of the home she lived in on Aldine Avenue as a small child.

ERBY

Continued from A1 the 1st District seat since 2004. She won re-election for the fourth time in November.

Her seat in the 1st District will remain vacant until a special election is held. The County Council has introduced legislation calling for it to take place on Tuesday, August 6. Once that bill is passed, the political party committees will have until 5 p.m. on the date midway between the date the election is called and August 6 to select a candidate, according to Eric Fey, Democratic director of the St. Louis County Election Board. In her new position, Erby will be in charge of overseeing some of the initiatives that she championed as a councilwoman, including

“I lived in the most prominent black neighborhoods,” she said last fall while discussing her appointment as poet laureate. LeFlore spent many of her formative years in Carr Square Village. She traced her love of words back to listening to women pour out their souls while getting their hair done at her mother’s beauty shop. She would listen to the language, soaking it all in before pouring it back out onto the pages of

minority participation and the creation of a North County recreation center.

“You know she’s not going to back down from the fight, and that’s what we’ve been needing for a long time,” said Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP. “When you look at her experience with the County Council for 15 years, she knows where the wrongs are buried and where the inequities have occurred most often. Also, the employees of St. Louis County have just gotten the strongest advocate that I can think of in the county’s history.”

She will be overseeing the Office of Community Empowerment, which was established after the Ferguson unrest to help facilitate access to resources for county residents. She will also oversee diversity efforts on publicly

her composition books.

“If a person struck my fancy, I would want to share what they said,” LeFlore said. “So, I would go to one of my little books and write it down.”

The life experiences of those women became the foundation for her art.

“I think black people have a special way with language – in every part of the world –but especially in St. Louis,” LeFlore said.

As LeFlore wrote in “Rivers of Women”: “I have known women to steal your money, your honey and unlaugh your funny.” That poem was the title of one of her books and later

funded construction projects, working with Jack Thomas Jr., who became the county’s first chief diversity officer in July 2018

On the council, Erby sponsored Board Bill 350 to establish goals for how many minority workers and businesses are employed on publicly funded projects and county contracts.

“We are all aware of some

adapted into a stage play by LeFlore-Ituen.

A graduate of Sumner High School, she attended Lincoln University and completed her undergraduate studies at what was then Webster College. She then received a master’s degree in Psychology from Washington University.

She was active in the Civil Rights Movement, participating in the 1963 March on Washington and the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign.

“She was a gifted artist and a committed activist,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American. “Her poetry

efforts to stymie the full extent and benefit that we were entitled under that bill,” Pruitt said. “She is going to be able to guide Jack Thomas, who is new to county government, and be able to bring the office of county executive directly involved in these areas of county government.”

“My new job will empower me to focus on issues that are

In addition to Lake and Parran, LeFlore performed and recorded with musical legends such as Hamiet Bluiett, Fontella Bass and Don Byron. She also worked with many noted local jazz musicians, including Ptah Williams, Darryl Mixon, Papa Wright, J. Dubbs and George Sams.

“You know, she was one of the most beloved artists – by everyone,” Parran said.

“Everyone who worked with her – or even just knew her –felt the same way.”

In 1981, she gave platform to a new era of artists when she founded the Creative Arts and Expressions Lab in St. Louis, a local arts consortium and incubator for poetry, dance, music, and visual arts.

“Shirley has been interwoven into the fabric of this city, of this nation and this

“She saved my life,” film and television star Jenifer Lewis said while discussing her memoir “The Mother of Black Hollywood,” which mentions LeFlore. She was Lewis’ advisor during the “Black-ish” star’s undergraduate years at Webster. “I used to come in her office and fall out crying over whatever I thought was the end of the world at the moment,” Lewis said. “She had a way of bringing me back – every single time.” LeFlore is survived by her daughters, Hope Lindsay, Jacie Price and Lyah Beth LeFlore-Ituen and her grandchildren Noelle LindsayStewart, Jullian Baez, Jordan Lindsay, and Bella Ituen. A wake for Shirley LeFlore will take place from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the McClendon Mortuary, 12140 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. The funeral will take place at noon (with an 11 a.m. visitation) on Friday, May 17 at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St.

vital to St. Louis County,” Erby said. “The fact that Sam and I worked so well together on the council during one of the county’s most challenging periods is bound to make this effort more effective.” Erby voted against Page becoming interim county executive last week because she said that she was the council’s senior Democrat in line for the position. However, she said that her recent disagreements with council members when they elected Page would not carry over to her new role.

She said, “My husband reminded me that Hillary Clinton put aside her disagreements to serve successfully with President Barack Obama. I intend to do the same for County Executive Page.”

A wake for Shirley LeFlore will take place 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the McClendon Mortuary, 12140 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. The funeral will take place at noon (with an 11 a.m. visitation) on Friday, May 17 at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. LeFlore performs with Oliver Lake in this file photo.

www.stlamerican.com

Food distribution boosts student attendance

BackPack food program helps keep foodinsecure students in school, U of I study finds

University of Illinois

Children living in foodinsecure households are more likely to attend school on Fridays if they’re participating in a food-distribution program that provides them with backpacks of meals for the weekend, researchers at the University of Illinois found in a new study.

Students participating in the BackPack food program missed one Friday on average during the school year, about the same rate as the 155 children in the comparison group, said Barbara H. Fiese, the first author of the study and the director of the U. of I.’s Family Resiliency Center.

The study included 444 students at 16 schools in east central Illinois. Of these students, 289 were participants in Feeding America’s BackPack Program, a national initiative that provides children in food-insecure households with backpacks containing nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals to eat over the weekend.

Children in the program, who received their backpacks of weekend meals at school on Fridays, had fewer absences on Fridays than other school days.

BackPack students’ rates of perfect attendance on Fridays were similar to those of students in the comparison group, at 26 percent and 27

percent, respectively.

“Given that children in the BackPack program were more likely to miss school than children in the comparison group, we consider this effect noteworthy for academic engagement. Even if these children attend just a few more days per school year, over time that may improve their academic progress,” Fiese said.

“Thus, the simple act of distributing food on a Friday may have educational benefits for a particularly vulnerable group of children.”

Improved attendance as a result of participating in the food program may have spillover benefits for these children’s classmates as well, since chronic absenteeism

n “The simple act of distributing food on a Friday may have educational benefits for a particularly vulnerable group of children.”

– Barbara H. Fiese

has been found to negatively affect classmates’ academic performance too, the researchers wrote.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank identified prospective schools to participate in the program based upon the rate of free and reduced lunches provided in the community and school administrators’ willingness to participate in the project.

The participating elementary schools signed partnership agreements with the local food

bank and appointed a staff member such as a principal, social worker or secretary to coordinate the BackPack program and select students from kindergarten to fifth grade to participate.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank provided a one-hour training session for the coordinators to teach them how to identify children from food-insecure households, based upon physical and behavioral indicators such as extreme thinness or students rushing the school lunch line.

Families of students at each school were mailed a six-item questionnaire that assessed whether they were food-insecure, based upon their using a food pantry or receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the prior 30 days. Of the parents who returned the survey, about 44 percent were employed and about 20 percent were unemployed but seeking work, according to the study.

Among households whose children were selected for the BackPack program, 72 percent were food insecure versus 50 percent of families on the wait list, the researchers found. The rates of food insecurity among these families were more than double and triple the national and county rates, which were both around 19 percent when the study was conducted during the 2011-12 school year, the researchers noted.

Published recently in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, the paper was co-written by agriculture and consumer economics professor Craig Gundersen; Brenda Koester, the center’s assistant director; and Elaine Waxman, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute

What’s in an indictment?

This is a story about names and initials in a federal indictment.

As the EYE pointed out last week, a full name in a federal indictment is bad news. That is the federal government distributing disparaging information about a named individual. The government does not do this unless it believes it can convict that individual on the basis of the information in the indictment. As stated last week, we should expect more indictments and plea deals for the individuals named in the indictment of Steve Stenger Sent for you yesterday, and here you come today. While the ink on that EYE was drying, two people named in the Stenger indictment, Sheila Sweeney and John Rallo, both were indicted on the basis of claims first made in the indictment of Stenger. Sweeney, the former head of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership that Stenger used to award contracts to “trustees” who fattened his campaign coffers, pleaded guilty to covering up Stenger’s corrupt schemes and not telling law enforcement about it. This was predictable from the Stenger indictment, which made it clear that a number of his accomplices on staff flipped and started cooperating with the feds, paving the way for future plea deals.

As stated last week, it was the naming in full of so many staff accomplices in Stenger’s indictment that would have led his experienced defense counsel Scott Rosenblum to steer his client toward a plea deal. When Stenger told Rallo to pay him via Sweeney or another staffer, he told Rallo, “That’s what they do,” meaning: their purpose on Earth was to collect money for him. Clearly, at some point, their purpose on the job became to help the government collect evidence on this brazen little fraud from Affton.

Rallo was charged with the same crimes that Stenger pleaded guilty to: bribery, mail fraud, and honest services fraud. (It takes two to tango.) Unlike Stenger and Sweeney, he pleaded not guilty. This could mean any of a number of things. Maybe he is not guilty; certainly, he remains innocent until the government proves its case or Rallo pleads to it. Maybe he is guilty but thinks the government overstated its case in the indictment and can be beat in court. Maybe he is stupid; certainly, there is evidence of that in the transcripts of him (allegedly) scheming with Stenger and his minions who turned on him. Maybe Rallo has some good information to trade up on to help the feds bring down someone bigger than Stenger and he needs time to talk to the

feds about that before making his plea.

What’s in initials?

That brings us to some of the initials in the Stenger indictment. When someone’s initials appear in a federal indictment, it could mean a number of things. Most importantly, an indictment is a persuasive document, and to persuade a judge and jury it has to be legible. Initials helps readers (judges and jurors) keep track of who is who when supporting evidence is presented to them. Having one’s initials appear in an indictment is not necessarily evidence or suggestion of guilt. For example, victims and witnesses often are referred to

by initials only in indictments to protect their privacy; who could forget K.S. and P.S. of Eric Greitens indictment fame.

However, people who are not a victim or a witness whose initials pop up in an indictment might want to call a good defense attorney. The feds do not have a case against them (yet), or their names would have been included in the indictment. But, clearly, the feds know who they are and have some evidence that they were messing around with criminals while those criminals were engaging in the criminal activity that got them indicted.

Several people whose initials are included in the Stenger indictment have been named fully by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other news

organizations. “J.C.” was identified as John Cross, a veteran Democratic operative in St. Louis. “D.P.” was identified as Darryl Piggee, former senior staffer for U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and current attorney for Stone, Leyton and Gershman. And “S.S.” was identified as Steve Stone, principal at Stone, Leyton and Gershman.

The EYE believes these identifications to be accurate and is not aware that Cross, Piggee or Stone have denied the claim. Surely, they would have denied the possibly incriminating and certainly embarrassing identification if it were not true; and, just as surely, they would keep their mouths shut if the identification was accurate, since the feds know who they heard on the

John Rallo

left federal court in

Louis with his attorney on Friday, May 10 after pleading not-guilty to the same three fraud-related charges to which Steve

pleaded guilty.

wiretap and would find these individuals’ denials of their identities to be, at the very least, interesting.

A number of political operatives and armchair pundits — including Glenn Burleigh and Damon Jones (son of The American’s own Mike Jones) — have taken to social media to cast aspersions on this paper for not following the PostDispatch in its identification of Clay, Piggee, Cross and Stone from the Stenger indictment. The implication is that this newspaper is covering up for Clay, whom Burleigh claimed (without evidence) must be the real target of the federal investigation that nabbed Stenger, Sweeney and counting.

Two responses.

One, these critics don’t read this newspaper very closely. Unlike the Post, which sources stories on “swirling rumors” of corruption (at least when the official is black), this newspaper does not heat up rumors or scraps of incidental information in indictments into allegations of corruption. It’s a dirty game, and those who play it are welcome to their cheap thrills.

Two, these critics don’t know how to read an indictment. If the feds had a case against Cross, his name, not initials, would appear in the indictment. And nothing in this indictment is even remotely incriminating of Clay. Clay does not appear in the wiretap or text messages the feds collected. He does not appear by name or even initial in the indictment. He is identified as a “public official” whose name Cross used with Stenger staff in an effort to get paid by Stenger. Cross may have been telling the truth when he said that Clay was interested to see that Cross got paid; he may simply have been using Clay’s name in an effort to get paid. The connection to Clay is hearsay. Clay told the Post that he knew nothing of this contract that went to Cross and had nothing to do with it. There is not enough evidence against Clay in the indictment of Stenger to reasonably doubt this denial.

Rallo’s not guilty plea may be all the indictment hawks have to go on in hoping for a bigger kill than Stenger coming from this investigation. For that, we may blame Sam Page for leaking a federal subpoena to the Post-Dispatch and the Post for reporting it. At that point, the lights were on and all the dirty deals were off, and the feds were forced to wrap up their case.

(left)

St.

Stenger

Photo by Caroline Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

Parsons Blewett Fund: “dedicated to the welfare of teachers”

Palladium Saint Louis May 8, 2019

Beyonce: Queen of the ‘fourth trimester’

Mothers need care after birth, not only during pregnancy

By Judith Nowlin

Of Babyscripts

There is a reason they call her the Queen. In an age where females are taking a stand for their own empowerment, Beyonce KnowlesCarter is the standard, a paragon of self-worth and confidence.

Yet in her tell-all for Vogue, the fierce and flawless Queen Bey revealed that she too is vulnerable, and her frankness about her childbirth experience speaks more to women than any number of Grammys. What particularly struck me about her interview is her honesty and reverence for the postpartum time, a period that is often overlooked or deemphasized by care providers.

“I was in survival mode and did not grasp it all until months later. Today I have a connection to any parent who has been through such an experience,” Knowles-Carter told Vogue

“After the C-section, my core felt different. It had been major surgery. Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. I am not sure everyone understands that. I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be.”

n “After the C-section, my core felt different. It had been major surgery. I needed time to heal, to recover.”

– Beyonce Knowles-Carter

As Beyonce brings to light, the postpartum period is a continuation of this transition that started with the pregnancy, and after nine months filled with baby planning, classes, checkups, and major body changes, it is often the most unsettling. Women must learn to care for a new child while simultaneously recovering from the physical toll of giving birth and emotionally adjusting to a huge life change. The “fourth trimester” (i.e., the first three months after baby arrives) is therefore the most crucial time to give support and aid. Yet though this period is full of critical moments for the mom and baby, obstetric care in the United States virtually stops after birth. After an average stay of two to three days of inpatient care, women who have just experienced childbirth are sent home to adjust to their new life, often with information about breastfeeding and other infant care but without instructions on how to monitor their own health.

For most new moms, the first time they see a healthcare professional will be in their follow-up appointment with their OB/GYN –six weeks after they give birth. Most maternal deaths in the United States occur from factors that arise during this gap in care, contributing to the shocking maternal health statistics in this country. Worse yet, the risk of pregnancyrelated deaths for black women is three to four times higher than those of white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country, and the rate is rising. Tragically, many of these deaths could be prevented were it not for the gap in postpartum care.

Some of the most common complications that can arise in postpartum include:

Preeclampsia: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia), the condition that put Beyonce on bedrest for over a month before delivering twins Rumi and Sir in an emergency C-section, is marked by high blood pressure, swelling due to fluid retention and protein in the urine and can appear anywhere after the 20-week mark of pregnancy. Left untreated, it can result in serious and sometimes fatal complications for both mother and baby. What many people do not know is that preeclampsia can come on for the first time during the postpartum period. There are often no visible

“During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be,” Beyonce KnowlesCarter told Vogue.

symptoms of preeclampsia, which makes close monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy and through the fourth trimester critical.

Hemorrhaging and heart conditions: Massive hemorrhaging, blood-clots, infections, cardiomyopathy, and other heart problems combine to represent the number one cause of maternal death. Similar to preeclampsia, many of these deaths can be prevented through simple interventions such as compression socks, anticoagulants, and monitoring and measuring blood loss.

Postpartum depression: Not all postpartum complications are directly obstetric. A staggering one in seven women suffer from postpartum depression, and

those are only the cases that are reported. Common symptoms include hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty bonding with the baby: symptoms that arise in the vulnerable time after childbirth when the health of the infant often takes priority over the health of the mother. If we are going to reduce these numbers, we need to change the mentality around pregnancy care to include the fourth trimester. Beyonce, as always, is at the forefront in an essential shift in the narrative: mothers are vulnerable before and after birth, and the focus of care needs to expand to provide for them at every stage of their pregnancy. Judith Nowlin, former Co-Founder/CEO of iBirth, is now the chief growth officer at Babyscripts.

DNA screening offer may be a scam

A promised health service may be a ploy to get personal information

Better Business Bureau

Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers to use extreme caution when being asked to undergo genetic DNA screening.

BBB offices from across the United States have received reports of consumers being asked to take part in free DNA testing. Consumers are told the test can detect cancer and other diseases. Consumers are asked to provide Medicare and Medicaid information so the company doing the testing can file insurance claims.

“By giving strangers your insurance information, you’re opening yourself up to possibly having your identity stolen,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “We encourage consumers to be as protective of their insurance information as they are with their Social Security number and other sensitive personal information.”

n “We encourage consumers to be as protective of their insurance information as they are with their Social Security number.”

– Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO

Several states, including Kentucky, Nebraska and South Carolina, have issued warnings about the screenings, which involve collecting DNA cells swabbed from inside a person’s cheek.

Officials in Nebraska and South Carolina report businesses are going to senior centers, residential communities and assisted living facilities and offering the tests.

A non-profit organization from St. Louis alerted BBB after a representative from a testing company offered to give a presentation to a group of senior citizens. The non-profit told BBB a man wanted to collect DNA samples after delivering a short presentation. The non-profit told the man that he could give a presentation but not take samples. The man did not show up to the scheduled presentation.

BBB spoke to the man who offered to give the presentation. He said he was an independent contractor for a Tampa, Floridabased business. He said the business collects DNA swabs from its clients and does genetic screening on the samples. The man said there is no cost to the consumer. He said the company collects the consumer’s Medicare or Medicaid information and files insurance claims on the client’s behalf. The man said

A12

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 16 – 22, 2019

St. Louis health centers included in contraception program

People’s, Planned Parenthood, Contraceptive Choice Center chosen for the Right Time

American staff

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, and Contraceptive Choice Center, all based in St. Louis, are among the seven health centers targeted for a project that aims to make it easier for Missouri women, including those who are uninsured, to receive quality contraceptive services.

The Right Time is led by the Missouri Family Health Council and is an initiative of Missouri Foundation for Health. The other centers selected for the program are the Fordland Clinic in Fordland and Kimberling City, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services in Columbia, the AIDS Project of the Ozarks in Springfield, and the Jefferson County Health Department. Two more sets of seven health centers will be added the next two years, leading to a peak of 21 centers in 2021. “When women get pregnant on their own terms, they face fewer challenges in

achieving their educational and career goals and are better prepared for the demands of parenthood,” the Missouri

Parson sleeps as Missourians lose Medicaid coverage

By Ambra Jackson For The St. Louis American

While Medicaid is meant to provide quality health care to those who cannot afford it, it has become clear that Governor Mike Parsons and the Republicans of the Missouri Legislature are much more interested in taking this crucial care away from those in need, even if they already qualify for Medicaid.

Since January 2018, approximately 85,000 Missourians – including 67,000 children – have been suddenly and erroneously dropped from their Medicaid coverage. Gov. Parson’s administration boasts that an improving economy is the source of this striking decline in Medicaid recipients; however, a closer examination of Missouri’s Medicaid system paints a more ominous picture. It has come to light that Missouri’s new Medicaid renewal system fails to effectively access recipient information – a blatant violation of federal law – and has directly forced eligible Medicaid recipients to be dropped from the rolls. Which begs the question: is this the way that the Parson Administration plans to save money for the state? By taking away care from those who most need it and are in fact eligible to receive it?

When children are losing their health insurance at a rate of more than 4,000 a month, it is clear that we are facing a major public health crisis. But the Parson Administration continues to act as if nothing is wrong. This is unacceptable. We must end this crisis now. It’s up to Governor Parson and his administration to stop dropping people off Medicaid and re-enroll them quickly.

Continued from A12

Family Health Council stated in a release. “This leads to healthier women and babies, substantial savings to

Missouri’s health system, and reduced health disparities.”

The Right Time is a sixyear initiative that will provide training, technical assistance, and funding to expand access to the full range of contraceptive methods. Its goal is to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy in Missouri by 10 percent by 2024.

Currently, more than half (51 percent) of all pregnancies to women of all ages in Missouri are described by women themselves as unintended, according to the Missouri Family Health Council. Although there have been broad declines in unintended pregnancy, both nationally and in Missouri, large disparities remain. Lowincome women are nearly six times more likely than women of greater economic means to experience an unintended pregnancy, and rates also remain disproportionately high among women of color and those in rural areas, according to the council.

The Right Time is focused

on addressing these disparities by improving information about contraception, removing barriers to quality contraceptive services, providing more women with access to the full range of contraceptive methods, and helping women find the method that works best for them.

The Missouri Family Health Council is a private nonprofit organization that champions access for every individual to culturally sensitive, quality, sexual and reproductive health education and services. It supports systems of care throughout the state, with particular emphasis on safety net providers, in delivering patient-centered reproductive health care to all those who seek services. Its programming is focused on removing cost barriers, specifically for the uninsured, and supporting health centers through quality training, analysis, and collaboration. For more information, email TheRightTime@mfhc.org or visit https://mfhc.org.

Walking the Maline Greenway

A North County couple got their outdoors fitness on walking the Maline Greenway in Bella Fontaine County Park, which is located at 9565 Bellefontaine Rd., when its opening was celebrated at a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 9. This project created 1.6 miles of the planned seven-mile Maline Greenway, an east-west link that will connect the Mississippi and St. Vincent Greenways. The first phase includes new and refurbished, ADA-accessible walking and biking paths and the replacement of three bridges. There is also a new underpass beneath Highway 367/Lewis & Clark Boulevard. When complete, the Maline Greenway will travel along Maline Creek through the cities of Berkeley, Kinloch, Ferguson, Jennings, Moline Acres, Bellefontaine neighbors and Riverview in St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. For more information, visit www.GreatRiversGreenway.org.

he did not have a medical degree. A BBB investigator was able to watch a training webinar presented by the man’s company. The presenter told viewers they could not entice anyone to take the test by giving them either money or a gift to participate. He said the company could not use the word “free” when promoting the screenings but rather refer to it as a “no cost” screening since insurance will be billed for the tests. Webinar attendees were told to “dress to impress” and to always “wear a badge.” BBB was able to obtain a copy of the requisition forms the business submits

with the DNA samples. While consumers are not required to share their Social Security number, the business does ask the consumer for their insurance information, and consumers are required to let the business take photos of their photo ID as well as their insurance card(s). BBB could not find the business registered with secretary of state’s offices in Illinois, Missouri or Florida.

Avoiding healthcare scams

BBB offers the following tips on avoiding healthcare scams: Research any business and its owners carefully. Check the company’s BBB Business Profile at bbb.org or by calling 888-996-3887. Don’t only trust a name or phone number. Con artists often use official-sounding

names or mask their area codes to make you trust them. Don’t fall for it, do more research. Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, by email, or on social media. This includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate, Social Security or Social Insurance number, and your health insurance number.

Just because someone is dressed like a healthcare professional, it doesn’t mean they are qualified to practice medicine. Make sure to verify their credentials before you allow them to assist you. Go to BBB’s ScamTracker (www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us) to learn about scams trending in your area or to report a scam.

Ambra Jackson

Photo courtesy Great Rivers Greenway

PRESENT:

Smart Summer Eating!

Staying Active (Naturally) DuringSummer!the

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

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

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

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

> Walking to the store when possible.

> Wash your parent’s car.

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

Smart Choices

Healthy Kids Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

Angela Wells-Peterson, Reflexologist

What does a reflexologist

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

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH5, NH 7

in

I

in

a natural

and

I chose a nursing career because of the many options available to serve and the flexibility to change or reinvent the work I do within the profession. What is your favorite part of the job you have? My absolute favorite part of my work is teaching and promoting self-care. I am passionate about helping people feel good about themselves, take better care of themselves and become the best version of themselves. Also, owning my own business gives me the flexibility to decide how much I earn and where, when, whom with and how often I want to work.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the

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

grade teacher Ms.

The American Optometric Association (eye doctors) researched this topic and here is what they discovered: 3D movies, TV shows, and games are safe for children age 3 and above.

Reusable 3D glasses can contain harmful bacteria.

Use anti-bacterial wipes as a precaution.

Time spent playing handheld games that are held close to the face should be limited, with frequent breaks, to rest the eyes.

Although there was concern that 3D movies can trigger a

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will surprise your eyes by creating an optical illusion to see which arrow is longer.

Materials Needed:

seizure, the AOA has discovered that there is only a risk for seizure if the person has photosensitive epilepsy or is taking certain medications.

3D glasses work by viewing a different image in each eye. Some people are unable to see 3D effects if they have a “stereo deficiency.” So, thanks to 3D technology, some people have been able to detect vision issues and get them corrected.

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

Create an optical illusion!

r Then wrap the end of the other long pipe cleaner around a short pipe cleaner, but this time, turn the arrows inward.

African -American Electrical Engineer & Entrepreneur

Marc Hannah

Marc Hannah was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 13, 1956. He always enjoyed math and science in school. In high school, he sparked an interest in computer technology. He attended the Illinois Institute of Technology with a scholarship where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Hannah then went to Stanford University to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering.

In 1982, Hannah and six other people founded Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI). SGI computers are used to design airplanes and automobiles, as well as engineering, research, and military applications. However, a very popular use is creating special effects in television and movies. Hannah helped created special effects in Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Aladdin, Forrest Gump, The Hunt for Red October, Beauty and the Beast, and Fields of Dreams. SGI computer graphics are also used in music videos, such as Michael Jackson’s video “Remember the Time.”

• Pipe Cleaners (2 different colors, same length)

• Scissors

Process:

q You will need two pipe cleaners that are the same length and color. These pipe cleaners will be the body of the arrows.

w Create the ends of your arrow by cutting in half two other pipe cleaners that are a different color.

e Wrap the end of one long pipe cleaner around the middle of one short pipe cleaner. Then bend the short one in half so it looks like an arrow. Do the same thing with the other end. The ends will point outward.

Answer these questions about movies.

z The cost of tickets for a play is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. 350 tickets were sold and $950 was collected. How many tickets of each type were sold? ______

x You are having a movie marathon. Each movie lasts an average of 110 minutes. You have rented 3 movies. How long will the movie marathon last?

DID YOU KNOW?

t Move your pipe cleaners apart... Now you have an optical illusion! Even though the two long pipe cleaners are the same length, one of them should look shorter than the other.

Check out these optical illusions online: http://www. kidsmathgamesonline.com/pictures/ illusions.html.

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

c A movie theater sells tickets for $9.00 each. Senior citizens receive a discount of $3.00. One evening the theater sold 636 tickets and took in $4974 in revenue. How many tickets were sold to senior citizens? How many were sold to “moviegoers” who were not senior citizens? ______

v Aaron’s family is going to see a movie at 5:50 p.m. It is 11:20 a.m. right now. How long do they have to wait to see the movie? hours ______ minutes

Columbia Pictures was the first big studio to make the 3D movie Man in the Dark (1953).

b A movie that began at 6:15 p.m. ends at 8:05 p.m. How long did it last? ______ hours ______ minutes

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can think critically. I can make text to world connections.

Hannah is currently chief technology officer for SongPro, which creates multimedia plug-ins for hand held video games and portable music devices. He is a director and co-founder of Strategic Urban Development Alliance (SUDA), which is an engineering, construction, real estate, and finance firm. Hannah also serves on the board of directors for Magic Edge, which creates technology used in amusement parks. In addition to his 15 patents, Hannah was given many awards, including the Kilby Young Innovator Award, Black Engineer of the Year Technical Contribution Award, IIT Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award, NTA Professional Achievement Award, San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce Front Runner Award, M.E.N.T.O.R. Network Technology Award, and M.O.B.E Influencers & Innovators Award. Hannah has also been featured in Ebony magazine, Electronics magazine, Forbes, and PC Magazine.

Hannah is quoted as saying, “My job is to look ahead two to three years and see what’s coming. To see what consumers want, what they will want, and then to figure out how we can deliver that—at what price.”

Learning Standards: I can read biographical information about a person who has made a contribution in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One

Technology in our Community: New technology continuously changes the way we do things. Use the newspaper to locate a picture of an invention that has affected or changed your life in some way. Write about how the invention has changed your life.

Activity Two — Mystery Story: Each student will cut out several pictures from the newspaper without reading the captions. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking, pick your mystery picture from the bag. That’s your stimulus for writing.

Create a graphic organizer for the 5Ws (who, what, where, when, why) and continue the writing process.

Learning Standards: I can locate information in a newspaper. I can write for a specific purpose and audience. I can make text to self and text to world connections.

The first 3D film for a paying audience was at Astor Theater, New York, on June 10, 1915.

Moline Acres 5th

CaSandra Johnson shows students Cader Williams, Shyanne Murphy, Krista Coleman and Kristan Carter how to use the newspaper's NIE page to find STEM lessons. Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American.

Photo by Matthew Hickey courtesy of The HistoryMakers

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides

school year, at no charge.

ComingtoMissouri WeekofMay20 g.co/GrowMissouri

‘Suits 2 Success’ at Sumner

Sumner High School’s Science Department and Saint Louis Public Schools stakeholders collaborated recently to give senior boys tailored suits in their second annual Suits 2 Success project.

“This project is preparing our boys to be men in the way of dress appropriateness for interviews, as well as attending events where suits are required for attendance,” said Rhea Willis, who teaches science and chairs the Science Department at Sumner.

“In addition, male volunteers came out and showed them how to tie ties and emphasized proper grooming and interview etiquette. Each senior male will be given a letter of guidance from black men from variety of professional careers to guide them along their journey from teenagers to manhood.”

To be a sponsor for Sumner’s 2019-2020 Suits 2 Success project, contact Willis at rhea.willis@slps.org.

HSSU gets $2.25 million grant for STEM education

National Science Foundation funds marked for developing entrepreneurship

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

n “This grant from the National Science Foundation will be a game changer for Harris-Stowe State University and the region.”

– Dwyane Smith, provost and principal investigator at Harris-Stowe

“This grant from the National Science Foundation will be a game changer for HarrisStowe State University and the region,” said Dwyane Smith, provost and principal investigator at Harris-Stowe. The focus will be on developing entrepreneurship in the STEM ecosystem and providing unique opportunities for Harris-Stowe students to get field experience, Smith said. Harris-Stowe is collaborating with BioSTL and Saint Louis University to provide STEM opportunities to students such as entrepreneurship, professional mentoring, expanded undergraduate research and an internship program.

The grant is part of the foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), and it’s the third HBCU-UP implementation grant the university has been awarded – receiving $2.5 and $1.8 million in 2008 and 2014 respectively. The foundation established HBCU-UP in 2000 to assist black colleges and universities in their

“This new initiative will allow us to continue to increase recruitment, retention and graduation rates of STEM students.”

been ranked number one in the state of Missouri and 47th in the nation in granting degrees in mathematics to African-American students,” said

Henry Randall MD was promoted to executive director and professor of Surgery at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. He was previously executive director and division chief of Abdominal Transplantation at the hospital. He specializes in liver, kidney, and pancreas surgery and transplantation. Research interests include 3-D and 4-D printing of transplantable tissue and organs, and the use of virtual reality in teaching and training.

Stacey Dixon was named deputy director of the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency (NGA). She arrived at NGA in 2010 as the chief of congressional affairs and later served as deputy director of the NGA Office of Corporate Communications, director of the NGA Information Integration Office and later the deputy director of NGA’s research and development directorate.

David Dwight IV was promoted to lead strategy catalyst at Forward Through Ferguson. He previously served as senior strategy and partnerships catalyst and communications and strategy catalyst for the organization. Forward Through Ferguson is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is charting a path toward racial equity. It works as a catalyst, connecting and challenging stakeholders across the region to implement the 189 calls to action outlined in the Ferguson Commission report.

Vikki Collier was selected as the new executive director of Infant Loss Resources. She will lead outreach and planning initiatives to build strategies that guides development and services throughout Missouri. Infant Loss Resources has offices in St Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri. Previously she served as director of Education with Beyond Housing and Homeless coordinator for the Normandy Schools Collaborative.

Roderick M. Gilliam II was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Veterans Business Resource Center overseeing the nonprofit’s counseling and training of former military men and women on entrepreneurship. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and continues to serve as a soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard. In his civilian profession he is a financial broker since 2013 for Guardian Life Insurance.

Ollie Tucker Ward is one of the 2019 Women of Achievement, which honors outstanding female volunteers and leaders in the St. Louis community. She will be recognized for Lifetime Service. She has logged thousands of hours of volunteer service to various community organizations. These organizations include the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Miriam Switching Post, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Coalition of 100 Black Women

Roderick M. Gilliam II

Stacey Dixon

Ollie Tucker Ward

Vikki Collier

Henry Randall

David Dwight IV

HSSU President Dwaun Warmack. “Within the last year, there has been a significant increase in undergraduate research projects implemented

– Harris-Stowe State University President Dwaun Warmack said on Monday, May 13 when announcing a $2.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation to boost the number of students graduating with degrees in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.

Photo by Wiley Price

Trump admin. proposes helping debt collectors instead of consumers

Unlimited text messages, email, and 7 phone calls per week per collector

By Charlene Crowell Center for Responsible Lending

In 2017, The Urban Institute found that 71 million consumers had a debt collection in their credit reports. By 2018, 620,800 debt collection complaints were filed. Of these, 475,000 were brought to the attention of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

So, when the CFPB proposed a new rule on debt collection on May 7, a swarm of interest emerged.

“Last year, the Consumer Bureau received about 81,500 consumer complaints regarding predatory debt collection practices, which disproportionately affect minority and low-income consumers,” said U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California), chair of the House Financial

At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), 80 percent of last year’s debt collection complaints focused on one of three concerns: collector calls persisting after “stop calling” notices (29 percent), repeated phone calls (27 percent), and false representation about debt (24 percent). Communities of color are disproportionately affected. By the CFPB’s own survey on debt collection experiences, 44 percent of consumers of color reported contact by a debt collector, compared to only 29 percent of whites. This finding of racial disparity was consistent with a report by the Urban Institute that analyzed location as a factor in debt collection. That report revealed that 45 percent of consumers in communities of color had a debt in collection, compared to 27 percent of consumers in predominantly white areas. Further, an investigative report by ProPublica found that in Chicago, Newark and St. Louis, the risk of collection lawsuits, judgments and wage garnishments were twice as high in black census tracts as it was in white ones.

Services Committee.

“This proposed rule does not come close to protecting consumers from predatory behavior. Instead, it allows debt collectors to needlessly harass and threaten consumers by sending unlimited emails and text messages and calling them seven times a week to collect debts. Hardworking Americans deserve better than this.”

As announced, the proposed rule would allow debt collectors to place up to seven unanswered calls each week to consumers. Once that limit is reached, the collector could not resume communications until the following week. However, if more than one debt collector was contacting a given consumer, the number

of authorized communications would be multiplied per collector.

Secondly, debt collectors are explicitly authorized to have unlimited text messages, emails, and social media communications.

Thirdly, debt collectors would now send consumers a new disclosure form identifying how debts could be paid or disputed.

“Seven calls per debt per week is simply too many, especially when combined with unlimited emails and texts,” said April Kuehnhoff, an attorney at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) who focuses on debt collection.

“A student with eight loans could receive 56 calls per week. The proposed rule would also allow for critical notice to consumers to be provided by

email or text message without a consumer’s consent as required by federal law. Other emails and text messages have no limits unless the consumer opts out.”

Further, she said, protections from time-barred “zombie” debts would be limited to prohibiting lawsuits and threats of suits on such debts, so consumer will face continued collection attempts out of court.

“And the proposed rule allows critical notices to be sent by email to consumers who may not have regular internet access,” said Margot Saunders, also an NCLC attorney. “They may not be able to use their phones to read emails, open attachments, and click on hyperlinks to see critical disclosures.”

Stegman said CFPB is wrong to expand the authorized ways debt collectors can communicate by adding text messages and email. “Consumers will now bear the burden of opting out of these new communications,” she said. “Real reform could call for consumers to opt in, not out.”

Lisa Stifler, CRL’s State Policy deputy director said that the best consumer protections utilize a combination of state and federal enforcement.

“But in the Trump Administration, federal agencies are frequently failing to regulate, or secure restitution for harmed consumers while hamstringing states that can and should act in defense of their consumers and residents,” Stifler said.

“Instead of protections, the proposal will harm people who are impacted by the most abusive and deceptive debt collection practices: communities of color, older Americans, and service members. Today’s proposed rule will widen the berth given to bad actors with a nodding approval by the one agency created to solely protect consumers: CFPB.”

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

Melissa Stegman, a senior policy counsel with the Center for Responsible Lending, said the watchdog agency had hoped for a rule that would effectively halt illegal and harassing industry practices. “Instead,” she said, “the agency is again catering to businesses instead of consumers.”

Ameren Missouri plans third wind power facility

Ameren Missouri plans to enter into an agreement to acquire, after construction, a third wind generation facility in Missouri. The facility, developed by Tradewind Energy, an Enel Green Power company, will be located in Atchison County. When operational in 2020, the new wind facility will power 90,000 homes.

Before construction of the third facility, Ameren Missouri must obtain the Missouri Public Service Commission’s review and approval. In the past eight months, Ameren Missouri has entered into commitments to acquire up to 857 megawatts of clean, renewable wind energy representing an investment of approximately $1.4 billion.

State awards $200K in tax credits to youth homelessness program

in Youth Opportunity Program (YOP) tax credits to Covenant House Missouri, a non-profit that serves homeless youth in the St. Louis metropolitan area. YOP helps non-profit organizations raise privatesector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved youth development projects.

Formally established in 2001, Covenant House Missouri provides holistic, individualized programs for youth ages 16-21 designed to guide them from homelessness to hope. The organization also provides shelter, food, clothing and medical attention, as well as support services including outreach, job training and placement, educational programs and mental health counseling.

The YOP funds will be directed toward the organization’s Supportive Living Program, which provides employment and life skills training to youth housed at Covenant House. An affiliate of Covenant House International, Covenant House Missouri has supported 3,371 youth through residential, employment, health and outreach programs and provided 9,530 nights of shelter to date. In 2018 alone, it provided a total of 542 mental health visits. To learn more about Covenant House Missouri, visit www.covenanthousemo. org.

Charlene Crowell

n “The mid-range jumper will never die as long as I play.”

— Portland Trailblazers guard CJ McCollom

Sports

State track begins this weekend

on Friday, championships on Saturday

The top small-school track athletes in the state are headed to Jefferson City this weekend to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1-2 Championships. The prelims will be held on Friday with the championship events set for Saturday. The field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the running events beginning at 11 a.m. on both days. Among the top girls’ competitors headed to state this weekend are senior Busiwa Asinga of Principia and junior McKinlee Morris of Crossroads. Asinga is one of the top qualifiers in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. She was a Class 3 state champion in the 300-meter hurdles last season. Asinga was a sectional champion in all three events last weekend at Park Hills Central.

Earl Austin Jr.

Morris is a state qualifier in the shot put and discus. She was the Class 2 state champion in the discus last season. She was the sectional champion in the shot put last weekend. On the boys’ side, Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC, Principia and Brentwood will be taking several qualifiers to the state meet. Principia, the sectional champion, will be taking athletes in six events to state. They include sectional champions Nathan Babcock in the 800-meter run, Branwell Havi in the 1,600-meter run and Howard Dean in the long jump. Cleveland will be led by field event standout Dealo McGee, who was a sectional champion in the high jump, triple jump and a runner-up in the long jump. Brentwood will be taking all three of their sprint relays to the state meet.

Class 4-5 district standouts

Here is a look at some of the top standout performers from last weekend’s Class 4-5 district meets from around the area.

• Justin Robinson (Hazelwood West) –Finished first in the 100, 200, 400 and ran a leg on the first-place 4x200 meter relay at the

Bulldogs tame the Lions

land first overall pick in 2019 NBA Draft

The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, aka the Zion Williamson sweepstakes, was the first since the NBA Board of Governors switched up the odds to discourage teams from tanking. Previously, the team with the worst record received a 25 percent chance at the top pick. The second-worst team received a 19.9 percent chance. The third-worst squad had a 15.5 percent chance at the top spot. After watching subpar teams flop and flail their way to the finish in hopes of landing the top spot, the NBA unstacked the deck a bit for the bottom three. Lowering the odds to 14 percent for the bottom three meant the remaining non-playoff teams saw an Adidas-like probability boost. Tuesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans (armed with a 6 percent chance) used that boost to bound over seven teams with higher odds to land the rights to the number one

draft pick. While all eyes were on the Big Apple, Lady Luck apparently prefers po’ boys and beignets.

The Pelicans landing the first overall pick is plot twist worthy of a George R. R. Martin manuscript. The New Orleans franchise was thrust into the spotlight when Anthony Davis requested a trade just a few weeks before the All-Star Break. Complete chaos followed. Rumored trade talks with the Lakers and Celtics were covered by sports media like Donald Trump tweets. Once the trade deadline passed, the drama played out between the NBA and the Pelicans as the team sought to bench the star for the remainder of the season. Knowing that ticket buyers and TV networks would be less than pleased, commissioner Adam Silver channeled his inner Randy Jackson and essentially told the Pels, “That’s gonna be a no from

coach Alvin Gentry had a rough season after Anthony Davis publicly requested a trade in January. However, Lady Luck rewarded Gentry for his suffering after the Pelicans won the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Pelicans get top pick; Zion ticked he won’t be a Knick

The world will have to wait until June 20 to see if the New Orleans Pelicans select Duke one-and-done star Zion Williamson with the first pick in the NBA Draft. For now, it seems like a no-brainer but this franchise has demonstrated a lack of mental capacity throughout its history, including the botched trade of Anthony Davis last season.

The Pelicans won the draft’s first pick on Tuesday night, which should mean Williamson will join Davis to form one of the NBA’s most formidable center-forward combos in the game. The odds gods smiled on New Orleans because it had just a 6 percent chance of landing the top pick.

the selection process ended that “Zion Williamson was QUICKLY whisked out of the room after Pelicans were announced the winner of the draft lottery. Source said the former Duke star was rooting to go to New York, but now is going to New Orleans.”

Most mock drafts have the Knicks selecting former Duke guard – and troubled threepoint shooter – RJ Barrett with the third pick.

Commissioner Adam Silver must have been overjoyed when the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers made it to the final four teams – along with Memphis.

The Lakers had just a 2 percent chance of nabbing No. 1, and a 9.4 percent shot of remaining in contention until just four picks were remaining. They got No. 4 – and are quite happy.

Williamson in New York would not have turned that woeful team around overnight, and it would not have caused dizzy and delusional owner James Dolan to sell the team. However, if Williamson had landed with the Knicks, it certainly would have increased the chance of free agents Kyrie Irving and/or Kevin Durant choosing Madison Square Garden as their home court.

ESPN’s Marc. J. Spears said on Twitter minutes after

As for Davis, he publicly demanded a trade at mid-season. He has a year left on his contract and – like it or not – the Pelicans will pair him with Williamson and he might like the result.

“If I’m Anthony Davis, I’m skeptical obviously,” said David Griffin, Pelicans president of basketball operations. “He’s wanted to win this whole time, and he felt compelled to try to win elsewhere. I think if you look at the totality of where this organization is and where we’re going, we feel very strongly that we’re going be the environment he wants to be part of.”

Memphis had the odds stacked in its favor, and while the Grizzlies didn’t land the top pick, the team is satisfied with No. 2. The Grizzlies will most likely target former Murray State superstar guard Ja Morant.

The New Orleans Pelicans won the draft’s first pick on Tuesday night, which should mean Zion Williamson will join Anthony Davis to form one of the NBA’s most formidable center-forward combos in the game.

The Reid Roundup

You’re not hearing much out of Memphis in regard to the pick because the team is still searching for a head coach. Certainly, there is a lot more interest in that job today than there was before Tuesday. Guess whose name popped up on several websites on Tuesday night in regard to the Lakers? Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. The Lakers could use the fourth pick as a piece in a trade to acquire an all-star talent to join LeBron James.

Here are the top 16 picks in the NBA Draft:

1. New Orleans Pelicans; 2. Memphis Grizzlies; 3. New York Knicks; 4. Los Angeles Lakers; 5. Cleveland Cavaliers; 6. Phoenix Suns; 7. Chicago Bulls; 8. Atlanta Hawks; 9. Washington Wizards; 10. Hawks (via Mavericks); 11. Minnesota Timberwolves; 12. Charlotte Hornets; 13. Miami Heat; 14. Boston Celtics (via Kings); 15. Detroit Pistons; 16. Orlando Magic

Talking about Tatum

Sean Devaney of the Sporting News surveyed several GMs and assistant coaches on the trade value of Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum following his subpar postseason and five-game loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs.

I don’t like anonymous sources, but a GM told Devaney, “Here’s the thing: You can build a team around Jayson Tatum.

“He can be your No. 1

option. I really believe that. He can create for himself. He can get to his spots. He has a beautiful shot. But I don’t know if you can win with Jayson Tatum as your No. 1 guy. So, if you’re rebuilding, you know, you have to think about that.”

Another GM called Tatum, “one of the top three or four guys in his age group. He just needs to get back on track. (Teammate and fellow trade candidate) Jaylen Brown is a very good role player. Tatum has star ability.”

Yet another GM said Tatum must attack the rim more and take fewer mid-range jump shots because “he is terrible at them.”

Patient Porter to return

Michael Porter Jr., whose lone season at Missouri was reduced to a handful of games because of a back injury and surgery, has been medically cleared to play with the Denver Nuggets team in the NBA Summer League. He had another back surgery last summer and did not play in 2018-19.

“Yea, I can’t wait to get back out there,” Porter said on the team’s website.

“Nothing will compare to being out there for the first time in a real game. This team has a lot of weapons already, but I think I can be a versatile guy that does a lot of different things on the court and be a shot maker.”

The Nuggets suffered a heartbreaking Game 7 loss at home to the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday night, but its 54-win season bodes well for the future.

Next season, Porter will be joining all-star center/forward

Nikola Jokic, who averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Injuries slowed starters Will Barton, Gary Harris and Paul Millsap during the season, but all contributed to the playoff run and a second-place finish in the NBA Western Conference.

In addition, Monte Morris and Malik Beasley became key contributors off the bench and will team with Porter Jr., on one of the NBA’s youngest rosters.

“He is special for sure,” Morris said of Porter Jr. “He can handle it, shoot it and he’s 6’11”. He’s a freak athlete.”

Porter said he used his year off to learn valuable lessons.

“It was amazing for me to be able to spend this year to learn the game and be around these guys,” he said.

“I learned a lot. Just being around the NBA lifestyle, getting used to the travel, seeing how hard these guys play and the recovery involved. It’s been really good and I think it will really benefit me in the long run.”

While the NBA salary cap is not the Nuggets’ friend, the value of principle Josh Kroenke’s team continues to soar. Kroenke is a former Missouri guard and son of St. Louis nemesis Stan Kroenke.

According to Forbes’ NBA Team Values report 2019, which is based on 2017-18 data, the Nuggets’ one-year value increase of 22 percent was the fifth-largest in the NBA. With the team’s run to Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals and boost in revenues, its value will continue to rise.

Former Mizzou quarterback Drew Lock will be getting the same treatment Brett Favre gave Aaron Rogers after he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Denver starting QB Joe Flacco said Monday “I’m not worried about developing guys or any of that. I don’t look at that as my job.”…It looks as though New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will beat the solicitation charge filed against him in Jupiter, Fla. A judge has suppressed the video of him allegedly getting it on with his massage therapist. The judge the police overstepped their bounds when stopping Kraft’s vehicle an obtaining his identity for a traffic violation…Also in Jupiter, Tiger Woods and restaurant manager Erica Herman Woods’ girlfriend, are facing a wrongful death lawsuit. The family of an employee alleges he drank there after a shift a work then killed himself in a car accident with a very high amount of alcohol in his system…Cleveland Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr., is participating in the team’s voluntary Organized Team Activities – which is shocking to many folks…I’ve been to the Kentucky Derby twice, The Preakness seven times and hundreds of other thoroughbred events. Trust me, Maximum Security deserved his disqualification in The Derby and jockey Luis Saez earned his 15-day suspension… Why former Michigan coach John Beilein is leaving college basketball to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers is a mystery to me. He is 66, so maybe he wants to give the NBA a shot before it’s too late in his career… Another week, another Bradley Beal trade rumor. The latest from Bleacher Report has the Washington Wizards all-star guard headed to Indiana for forward/center Domantas Sabonis, second-year point guard Aaron Holiday, backup small forward Doug McDermott and a 2020 firstround pick to the Wizards… Whether he is still a member of the Boston Celtics remains to be seen, but Jayson Tatum will hold his annual youth basketball camp July 11-12 at Chaminade College Prep. Campers will receive a t-shirt, a souvenir autograph and a team photo with Tatum. The camp is open to boys and girls at any skill level from first grade to 12th grade and registration and more information is available at JaysonTatumCamp.com.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Illinois girls track championships underway this weekend

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

The top girls track athletes in Illinois will convene in Charleston this weekend at the IHSA Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University. The preliminaries will be held on Thursday and Friday with the championship races set for Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. The East St. Louis Flyerettes have been a perennial power in the state for many years and they figure to be a factor in this weekend’s Class 2A meet with several athletes

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

making the trip to Charleston. The Flyerettes won the sectional championship at Triad last week and will be taking athletes in nine events plus all four relays to the state meet. One of the top individuals is hurdler Veronica Sherrod, who won sectional championships in the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles. Other sectional champions include Alaysha Hudson in the long jump, Jariah Turner in the 400-meter dash and Marika Lampley in the 200-meter dash. East Side’s other state qualifiers include Mya Glanton in the high jump (fourth), Ahmia

Dorsey and Hudson in the triple jump (second and third place), Kalia Poole in the discus (second), Lampley in the 100 (second), Shonjahnea Griggs in the 400 (third) and Maysha Vickers in the 300-meter low hurdles (second).

The Flyerettes will also be taking four strong relay teams to the state championships. They finished first in the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 41.64 seconds, 4x400 in 3:53.4 and the 4x800 in 9:40.61. East Side also finished second in

the 4x100 in 48.17 seconds. Several top athletes from the Southwestern Conference will also be headed to state to compete at the Class 3A championships. Belleville West won the O’Fallon sectional championship last weekend by scoring 101 points. Belleville West will be led by senior standout LaQwasia Stepney, who won the long jump and 100-meter high hurdles. She won the long jump with an effort of 19 feet, 7 inches. The Maroons

due to the Davis situation. When New Orleans landed the top pick, Gentry stood and raised his hands in celebration. He then yelled out words of joy and gratification that are a tad too strong for this family-friendly publication. It was as if the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders by a Duke-educated, 6-foot-7, 285-pound behemoth. There’s no doubt that the Pelicans will hold onto the pick and take Williamson. There has been some speculation that Davis might reconsider his trade request after learning that Williamson is headed to the French Quarter. It is highly unlikely that will happen. Davis demanded a trade because he wants to contend for championships right away. Even with Davis and Williamson forming a fear-inducing frontcourt, the Pelicans would not be title contenders, especially in the West. Instead, New Orleans will move Davis to the highest bigger and bring in a cache of young, talented players (and possibly a few draft picks). St. Louis native Jayson Tatum

has been rumored as an asset Boston would use to land Davis. Tatum and Williamson would be a strong foundation for post A.D. success.

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTe of The Week

Courtney Williams

Nerinx Hall – Girls Track and Field

The junior sprinter was one of the top individual performers at last weekend’s Class 5, Distict 3 meet at Eureka.

Williams swept all three of the sprints as she won district championships in the 100-, 200- and 400meter dashes. As a sophomore, Williams earned All-State honors

in three events at the 2018 Class 5 state championships. She won the state championship in the 400, finished second in the 100 and third in the 200.

Williams will be competing in the Class 4, Sectional 2 meet at Lafayette on Saturday.

also got sectional championship performances from Britney Mosby in the triple jump, Ndia Johnson in the discus and Jessica Coughlin in the 400. The Belleville East Lancers will be taking all four of their talented relays to the state meet as sectional champions. The Lancers finished first in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 at O’Fallon last weekend.

IHSA Boys Sectionals this Week

The Illinois boys sectionals will be held this week with

Former UCLA basketball star sued the NCAA in 2009 over the organization’s strict rules against college athletes earning money off their own images and likenesses. Ten years later the NCAA is finally opening the door for change.

ory. They might have to waive goodbye to ‘The Brow’ but will get to say hello to the future.

NCAA coming to its senses?

Despite raking in billions off college athletics, the NCAA has fought tooth and nail to keep college athletes from profiting directly from their own athletic abilities or images.

After a litany of antitrust lawsuits, it seems the organization is finally open to changing the rules on athlete compensation.

Wednesday, the NCAA announced it would form a committee “to examine issues highlighted in recently proposed federal and state legislation related to student-athlete name, image and likeness.”

In short, star players are about to get paid.

After a tumultuous year, Gentry and the New Orleans fans deserve the joy that comes with landing the move coveted college player in recent mem-

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Continued from C7

Class 5, District 4 meet at Pattonville.

• Kemeric Winston (Trinity) – Finished first in the 100, 200 and anchored the 4x100 and 4x200 relays to victories at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Christian-O’Fallon.

Currently, NCAA athletes are severely restricted on ways they can be compensated. Colleges and universities earn tons of money off tickets and television rights. They sell jerseys with players’ numbers emblazoned on the back.

Advertisers pay the NCAA for the right to use highlights to

• Courtney Williams (Nerinx Hall) – Finished first in the 100, 200 and 400 at the Class 5, District 3 meet at Eureka.

• Madison Fuller (John Burroughs) – Finished first in the 100, 200 and 400 at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Christian-O’Fallon.

metro east teams competing at Herrin and Bloomington. The Class 2A sectionals at Herrin were held on Wednesday with East St. Louis leading the group of contenders. The Class 3A sectionals will be held at Bloomington today with metro east teams from Alton, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Belleville East, Belleville West and O’Fallon in the field. The top qualifiers in each event will advance to the IHSA State Championships in Charleston on May 23-25 at Eastern Illinois University.

hawk products and services. Yes, it is true that players get a “free” education. However, they should also be free to use their names or images to make a buck just like anybody else.

As with anything related to the NCAA, changes will happen slowly. It will likely take years for any recommended changes to take effect. After all, former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon sued the NCAA over these issues way back in 2009. Ten years later, the organization is just finally cracking the door in the slightest way. The NCAA hasn’t suddenly become more progressive in its views of athletes’ rights. It knows the legal winds have changed. If it doesn’t end its draconian ways voluntarily, the courts will do it for them.

Be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates. Subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page to see weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube.com/stlamericanvideo

• Brooke Jenkins (Pattonville) – Won the long jump and triple jump at the Class 5, District 4 meet at Pattonville.

• Jhordin Galmore (MICDS) – Finished first in the 200, 400 and anchored the 4x400 to first place at the Class 4, District 5 meet at MICDS.

• Akilah Heffner (Trinity) – Finished first in the long jump, 100-meter high hurdles and ran a leg on the first place 4x100 at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Christian-O’Fallon.

Earl Austin Jr.

Region should follow treasurer in raising minimum wage

By Gary Johnson

we all want the opportunity to support our families with good union jobs and higher pay. While the cost of living keeps rising, too many working people are struggling just pay the bills. Whether it’s working as a graduate worker at Washington University in St. Louis or as a

by HSSU students.

This new initiative will allow us to continue to increase recruitment, retention and graduation rates of STEM students and continue to be a leader in STEM across the country.”

The initial foundation grant for $2.5 million launched an increase in STEM activity at Harris-Stowe allowing the university to offer Bachelor of Science degree programs in mathematics and biology in 2012. The university’s academic

janitor like me, it feels like our paychecks just don’t go as far as they used to. When working people make more money, we take home more to spend in our communities, making our economy stronger for everyone. If elected officials and

programs have grown to 59 majors, many of them in STEM disciplines, Smith said. The university also has partnerships with the Goldfarb School of Nursing, the Kansas City University School of Medicine and BioSciences, the Washington University Occupational Therapy Partnership, the Saint Louis University 3+2/3+3 program, and the Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.

“This speaks not only to the reputation of our programs, but also to the quality of our students,” Smith said. “This coming weekend, we will celebrate our largest graduating class in the

Gary Johnson with St. Louis

Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones

community leaders want to show that they’re dedicated to bringing our region together, they must take a stand for the $15 wage we need to raise our families and build stronger neighborhoods. That’s how we move St. Louis forward.

university’s history.”

This grant will enable the university to “double down” and will enable students to rise up, he said.

“Our retention rate climbs every year, because we have perfected our ‘secret sauce,’ which mandates connecting our students to their peers, our faculty and the community,” Smith said. “We know how to make a diverse student body feel engaged so that they can succeed, so that they can be their best self. These are not just students, these are members of our family in whom we invest everything we’ve got.”

Financial Focus

By Andre K. Nelson

Living It

A father’s love, a daughter’s hair

‘Hair Love’ illustrator Vashti

Harrison to visit

Eye See Me Bookstore

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Professional athlete-turned-filmmaker

Matthew A. Cherry is in the heart-melting business with his book “Hair Love.” Based on an idea for a short film to promote positive African-American family images in animation, “Hair Love” uses seven-year-old Zuri’s fluffy tresses to display the bond between a black father and his daughter.

Two years ago, a Kickstarter campaign to create the short made history as the most-funded short film to-date, with more than $300K raised to produce the film. Sony Pictures Animations picked up “Hair Love,” which will make its way to the big screen later this fall.

In the meantime, Penguin Random House has turned “Hair Love” into a book, with illustrations by New York Times Bestseller Vashti Harrison. Harrison will be at Eye See Me Books in University City on Monday (May 20) to discuss “Hair Love,” which landed on bookshelves May 14.

“I remember my dad doing my hair when I was little,” Harrison said. “It’s a thing I’m sure lots of people remember and as much as those memories are funny and silly, I look back on them with fondness. I wanted to do the same for Zuri and her Dad and make sure the love in Hair Love was front and center.” Love is front and center – both between Zuri and her father and Zuri and herself. She sees her willful hair as an endearing trait.

“My name is Zuri and I have hair that has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils and curls every which way,” she says as she introduces herself to readers. “ Daddy tells me it is beautiful. That

Unity through movement

MADCO free holds dance performances to foster community conversations

By Nancy Fowler

Of St. Louis Public Radio

(St. Louis Public Radio) – People living in the disparate municipalities of St. Louis often struggle to relate to each other. But members of a local dance troupe believe the first step toward having meaningful conversations can be taken without words.

On Saturday, MADCO will hold a free community performance at Central Studio, 5617 Pershing Ave., designed to get people with opposing views and politics to talk to each other.

MADCO’s “The Unity Movement” began with listening to people open up about their communities. The company worked with

makes me proud. I love that my hair lets me be me!”

Hearing Zuri embrace her big fluffy hair is not lost on this reporter – who grew up in the PCJ and Just For Me era of relaxers being marketed to little black girls. Most of the advertising for hair care was geared towards us – and black women – was focused on how to “manage” the kinks and coils Zuri can’t wait to show off.

“Anytime a young child can see themselves in any type of art – be that literature, film, movies or television,” Cherry said, “it just does a great job of normalizing that look, particularly

with African Americans.”

With the intention of creating curl patterns that little black boys and girls can relate to, Harrison said she took extra care with creating Zuri’s hair.

“The hair is almost a third character in the book,” Harrison said. “We worked really hard at finding Zuri’s hair texture. It was definitely not something I saw in books as a kid.”

But “Hair Love” is bigger than what grows from Zuri’s head – it’s also about a family that keeps love at its center, which lays the founda-

See HAIR, C4

Washington University researchers to go way beyond the stereotypical, “Where did you go to high school?” Managing Director Emilee Morton said.

“We’ve been asking people around the city, ‘What are you hopes, what are your dreams, what are you afraid of?’” Morton said. Members of the Modern American Dance Company hoped its inquiries would lead to

The beauty of its stars

Chemistry and aesthetics make predictable Yara Shahidi film worth watching

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Those who watch ‘black-ish’ and its spin-off ‘grown-ish’ already know that Yara Shahidi is breathtaking to see on television.

Well, her beauty translates to the tenth power on the big screen as she makes her romantic lead debut in Ry Russo-Young’s “The Sun is Also A Star.”

The film is a bit bland – and predictable as any serendipity-driven epic tale of fate stepping in so love can conquer all. However, there’s something about it that makes you want to stay the course, even in knowing every direction of the film from the very beginning. Mostly, it’s stunningly good looks of Shahidi and her co-star Christopher Melton as two teens on polar opposite paths of their life’s next chapter that just so happen to have their lives intersect at a subway station in New York City.

common ground.

MADCO dancers Darrell Hyche (in front), Belicia Beck (right) and Natalie Williams choreographed ‘miles (dia) logged.’

“Are there things within those questions that people do actually think similarly, as opposed to differently?” Morton said. “And do some of our differences that we have actually make us stronger?”

People in East St. Louis, Tower Grove

See UNITY, C4

n Melton and Shahidi are marvelously paired as Daniel and Natasha. Besides their exceptional good looks, the pair have a genuine chemistry that lends to the common connection of their characters.

Because of unforeseeable life logistics, they have less than a day to seal their fate. As with plenty of New Yorkers, Daniel Bae and Natasha Kingsley are the first in their family to grow up in the United States. She is a Jamaican native who came to the city she grew to love as a child. He’s a firstgeneration American born to Korean parents. He’s a poet, but the pressures of his immigrant family threaten to force him down a career path he has no interest in. She has a mind for science – and though practical –believes her knowledge can be the key to her success. He feels like she is his heart’s destiny. She doesn’t even believe in love. He has a brief window to convince her otherwise before they set on life journeys that will more than likely never intersect again. The dreamer and the pragmatic future scientist set off together as she allows him time to “disprove his hypothesis.”

Even with the knowing of what will happen over the course of their day, there is a level of enjoyment of exploring that the impending couple have more in common than one might assume by looking at them. The idea that the film, an adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s novel of the same, might be loosely based on real life adds another layer of enjoyment to “The Sun is

See FILM, C4

Photo by David Lancaster

Kenya Vaughn recommends

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

Sun., May 19, 2 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents James Carter with the Peter Martin Trio. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., May 19, 3 p.m., I’m

A Survivor Cancer Benefit Concert. Performance by AL. B. Sure. 7901 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 19, 7 p.m., Flexin Global presents Lil Boosie Live in Concert. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., May 24, 9 p.m., Kandi Koated Entertainment presents Welcome to the Dungeon feat. Kandi Burruss with special guests Tamar Braxton and Trina The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents the 2019 Spring Music Festival feat. Jaheim, Monica, Tank, Avant, and Donell Jones. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. thechaifetzarena.com.

Wed., June 5, 7 p.m., The

Whitaker Music Festival presents Terence Blanchard feat. The E-Collective Missouri Botanical Gardens, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Fri., June 7, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Fri., June 7, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony Orchestra hosts an Evening with Ledisi Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso. org.

Mon., June 10, 8 p.m., Old Rock House presents J.S. Ondara with Adam Melchor 1200 S. 7 th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., June 15, 6 p.m., The Eta Boule Foundation Salute Fathers & Mentors feat. Nick Colionne with Lynne Fiddmont. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., June 15, 6 p.m., Fox Theatre presents The O’Jays: The Last Word Tour with special guest Stephanie Mills 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

The Guide special events

The Whitaker Music Festival presents Terence Blanchard feat. The E-Collective. For more information, see CONCERTS.

local gigs

Sun., May 19, 3 p.m., The Sheldon presents James Carter with The Peter Martin Trio. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 26, 5:30 p.m., The Ambassador presents Marvin Gaye Celebration: A Musical Tribute. Feat. Andrew Bethany & The Drew Project, Justin Hoskin and The Movie, and more. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., May 21, 6 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Twilight Tuesdays:

Thur., May 16, 4 p.m., The Housing Resource Fair. Professionals from Enterprise Bank & Trust and other key organizations will be on site to assist families. Riverview Gardens High School, 1218 Shepley Dr., 63137. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Fri., May 17, 6 p.m., Young Friends of the Garden present the 12th Annual Fest-of-Ale. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Sat., May 18, 10 a.m., 6th Annual Armed Forces Day 5K/2 Mile. Event which benefits H.E.R.O.E.S. Care and the military and veteran families they serve. Gold Star Shelter, Jefferson Barracks, 546 Bagby St., 63125. For more information, visit www. raceentry.com.

R&B and Jazz Night with Love Jones the Band. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

May 22 – 26, Jazz St. Louis presents Billie & Blue Eyes Feat. The John Pizzarelli Trio and Catherine Russell. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl. org.

Sun., May 26, 5:30 p.m., The Ambassador presents Marvin Gaye Celebration: A Musical Tribute. Feat. Andrew Bethany & The Drew Project, Justin Hoskin and The Movie, and more. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 18, 12 p.m., 11th Annual Taste of Maplewood Street Festival. Sutton Blvd., 63143. For more information, visit www.midcountychamber. org.

Sat., May 18, 2 p.m., Gateway Music Outreach First Annual Spring Concert and Irijah Scott Johnson Scholarship Youth Expo Dr. Charles M. Roach Legacy Center, 11015 Old Halls Ferry Rd., 63033. For more information, visit www. gatewaymusicoutreach.com.

Sun., May 19, 2 p.m., 2019 Taste & Toast. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.tixtoparty.com.

Wed., May 22, 10 a.m., JobNewsUSA.com presents the St. Louis Job Fair Doubletree Hotel Westport,

1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

May 23 – 28, 40th Annual St. Louis Senior Olympics. Men and women 50 years of age and better will compete in over 90 events at over a dozen local venues. For more information, visit www. stlouisseniorolympics.org.

Thur., May 23, 5:30 p.m., Empower Missouri’s St. Louis Chapter Annual Dinner. Keynote address by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Il Monastero, 3050 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www. empowermissouri.org.

May 23 – 25, Dance St. Louis presents the Emerson Spring to Dance Festival 2019. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Sat., May 25, 11:30 a.m., 11th Annual Morehouse Men of Style: Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show. Hilton Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 25, 6 p.m., David Peaston Foundation presents Distinguished Gents: Rising Above the Stars. Leslie Johnson, Jeff Radford, Shamar Jordan, Herman Gordon, and Marquise Knox will present compositions in jazz, blues, R&B, and more. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter invites you to the 2019 Fashionetta Scholarship Cotillion. Marriott St. Louis Grand, 800 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www.akagostl.com.

Sun., May 26, 6 p.m., Kappa

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents the Sundress and Linen Memorial Day Party. 10701 Lambert International Blvd., 63145. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Omega Chapter and the Ivy Alliance Foundation hosts a 35th Year Fashionetta Reunion. Monroe’s Bar & Grill, 2299 N. Florissant Ave., 63106. For more information, email krgoodwin1991@gmail. com.

Fri., May 31, 5 p.m., The St. Louis Area Foodbank invites you to Rock Out Hunger Come for food trucks, music, and to raise money for local St. Louisans in need. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Pl Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www. stlfoodbank.org/roh.

literary

Wed., May 22, 7 p.m., University City Public Library hosts author Rafia Zafar, author of Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning. 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. ucpl.lib.mo.us/ucplevents.

Mon., June 3, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Sherry Jones, author of Josephine Baker’s Last Dance A look at Josephine’s early years in servitude, rise to fame, activism, and loves and losses. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., June 6, 6 p.m.,

Subterranean Books hosts author DuEwa Frazier, author of Alice’s Musical Debut. The story reimagines one day in the early childhood of notable jazz pianist, harpist, and organist Alice Coltrane. 6275 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www.store. subbooks.com.

May 25 – 27, The St. Louis African Arts Festival. World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, 1904 Concourse Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Through May 31, The Griot Museum of Black History presents Still We Thrive. 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. thegriotmuseum.com.

comedy

May 16 – 19, Funny Bone St. Louis presents Jordan Rock. 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www. stlouisfunnybone.com.

May 17 – 19, Helium Comedy Club presents Gary Owen. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

Sat., May 25, 6 p.m., Love and Laugh Hour St. Louis. Feat. Tahir Moore, Tony Baker, and KevOnStage City of Life Christian Church, 8333 Fullerton Ave., 63132. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 25, 7:30 p.m., Laugh At U Comedy Show. Feat. Shon Don, Jason Jenkins, and Gerald Houston. Proceeds go towards books and scholarships for college students. Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Mon., June 3, 7:30 p.m., 2019 Funny Bone Comedy Competition. Watch as the funniest comedians in St Louis compete. 614 West Port Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www. stlouisfunnybone.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Wed., June 5, 7 p.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre presents Adam Sandler. 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

theatre

Sat., May 25, 2 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents The Legend Singers. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Through June 2, The Black Rep presents Nina Simone: Four Women, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth (on the campus of Washington University). Tickets are available at theblackrep.org, or by phone at 314-534-3807.

profit, or for those who already have one. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 1, 10 a.m., Women of Success Conference. Clayton Community Center, 50 Gay Ave., 63105. For more information, call (314) 4899808.

Sun., June 2, 3 p.m., Washington University presents Blacks in America: A Trilogy Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Blacks in America Civil Rights – Past and Present Guest speaker Cornell W. Brooks. Graham Chapel, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., June 4, 6 p.m., Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Rate Commission Public Hearing. An opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed rate increase. Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Ave., 63117. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

lectures and workshops

Tues., Mar. 21, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Tues., May 28, 7 p.m., Medicare for All Update. Ed Weisbart MD, chair of PNHP-MO, will be giving an update on single payer Medicare for All. Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., June 1, 8:30 a.m., 2019 Elevate Conference. A conference for those looking to start a business or non-

Tues., June 4, 6:30 p.m., The Beautiful Challenge of Liberation: Juneteenth and the Politics of Hope. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

health

Fri., May 17, 6:30 p.m., Arthritis Foundation presents the Walk to Cure Arthritis. Logan University, 1851 Schoettler Rd., 63017. For more information, visit www. walktocurearthritis.org/stlouis.

Sat., May 18, 10 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter presents the 2nd Annual Spring Fling Health & Wellness Expo. 24:1 Coffee House, 6730 Page Ave., 63133. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 18, 8:30 a.m., Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter present the Walk to End Lupus Now. Raise awareness and money for research. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 16365 Lydia Hill Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www.chapters.lupus.org.

Sat., May 18, 10 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter presents the 2nd Annual Spring Fling Health & Wellness Expo. 24:1 Coffee House, 6730 Page Ave., 63133. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., May 23, 6:30 p.m., WUSTL Prosper presents Health Disparities & Policy in St. Louis. nnovation Hall, 4220 Duncan Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.sites. wustl.edu/prosper.

Sat., May 25, 1:30 p.m., Kick, Push, Pull Training & Development Coalition presents Matters of Heart Health and Wellness: The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Free speaker series for women only. Medici MediaSpace, 2055 Walton Rd., 63114. For more information, visitwww.eventbrite.com.

Fri., May 31, 7 p.m., Pretty Faces of Lupus presents the 2nd Annual Ball for a Cause. A Lupus charity ball. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 1, 8 a.m., 15th Annual Heart to Heart 5K & 10K Run. Music, inflatables, splash mad, and more. Creve Coeur Parks & Recreation, 2 Barnes West Dr., 63141. For more information, visit www. crevecoeurmo.gov/hearttoheart.

Sat., June 8, 11 a.m., Salvation Army 3010 Apartments Health and Wellness Fair. 3010 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra hosts an Evening with Ledisi. See CONCERTS for details.

and Clayton live in different worlds. But they have many of the same goals and concerns. They all said they enjoy free attractions like the Zoo, and that they’ve feared for their kids’ safety as they walk to the school bus.

Choreographers transformed the information into movement for a trio of dance pieces. One, called “miles(dia)logged,” includes an unusual number with dancers moving – not to music, but to the words of a Ted Talk by national radio host Celeste Headlee.

The piece, based on Headlee’s talk about having better conversations, includes advice about how to talk and listen. “There’s no reason to learn how to show you’re paying attention if you are, in fact, paying attention,” she said in the talk.

It will resonate with anyone who’s tried – and maybe failed – to connect with another person, choreographer and dancer Darrell Hyche said.

“[They will think], ‹Oh yeah, I do tend to talk to my kids like that, you know,

repeating something over and over to my children› … or to your co-worker,” Hyche said.

When creating the piece, choreographers decided to strip the performers of as much identifying information as possible.

“We wanted to erase male/ female; we wanted to erase socioeconomic status,” Hyche said. “One of the things that we are going to do with this piece is that everyone is essentially in the same outfit, so that it puts everyone on that equal playing field; everyone is the same.”

‘We All Belong’

Some identities aren’t as easily erased. During an aftershow conversation following a recent performance, an audience member asked whether choreographers considered race in their casting.

Members of the dance company went out of their way not to do so, said dancer Belicia Beck, who choreographed the piece along with Hyche and another dancer.

“We for sure didn’t start off as, ‘OK, so we’re talking about racial inequality, so we need to start with a white woman because white women

are blah-dee-blah-blah, and then we’re going to … do a black man last, and then the music will fade,” Beck said. “We didn’t have those kind of conversations.”

MADCO leaders did discuss how to draw a wider crowd. Taking these performances out of theaters and into public spaces makes more people feel welcome, Artistic Director Nicole Whitesell said.

“Not everybody feels that they belong; not everybody can afford to go to the theater,” Whitesell said. “By opening up these community performances, for free, we’re just hoping we can get more and more people feeling invited and included, because they do belong – we all belong.”

Printed with permission of St. Louis Public Radio from https://news.stlpublicradio.org.

MADCO’s The Unity Movement will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Central Studio, 5617 Pershing Ave. A performance of The Unity Movement will also take place on June 12 at the Jackie Joyner Kersee Community Center in East St. Louis. For more information, visit http://www.madcodance. com.

have the audience more committed to the story than the typical teen romance.

Also a Star.” Yoon, who seems to make a point of blended romances in her work, is Jamaican-born and her husband is Korean American.

Fantasizing about the story being rooted in reality and the relentlessness with which Daniel attempts to carve a place in Natasha’s heart will

The effective nuances of Russo-Young’s direction make for delightful detours over the course of the story. The viewer will be locked in with each turn that presents the possibility of a different ending from what is expected.

Melton and Shahidi are marvelously paired as Daniel and Natasha. Besides their exceptional good looks, the pair have a genuine chemistry that lends

to the common connection of their characters. Watching Daniel destroy the barriers surrounding Natasha’s heart with attention to detail, care and charm, audiences will long for one of those fireworks-at-firstsight moments – or at least to fall in love all over again with his or her current partner or spouse. “The Sun is Also A Star” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, May 17. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 120 minutes.

Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton in a scene from the film “The Sun is Also A Star.”

History museum tackles diversity in theater

‘#MusicalTheaterSoDiverse’ discussion on Thursday, May 16

By Shakia Gullette For The St. Louis American

Last year’s debate over the Muny’s seasonopening production of Jerome Robbins’ “Broadway” drew national attention and criticism when a white actress was cast to portray a character of Asian descent. Members of the theatre community are still talking about diversity and exclusion, and on May 16 the Missouri Historical Society will host a panel discussion called “#MusicalTheaterSoDiverse.”

This program, led by Carl Overly Jr., will explore how various audiences have been portrayed or left out of musical productions throughout the region. The evening’s panelists include the Muny’s Managing Director Kwofe Coleman; choreographer and actor Keith Tyrone; Christina Rios of R-S Theatrics; and Mariah Richardson of Harris-Stowe State University.

Panelists Overly and Rios were very vocal during last year’s Muny protest. In an interview with St. Louis Public Radio, Rios offered suggestions to theatre companies that did not want protesters to disrupt their shows.

“I don’t know, maybe stop creating a level of such incredible toxic stress in this city that people of color are constantly made to feel marginalized or tokenized. And then when we do say something, we are immediately explained to how we didn’t protest in the right way,” said Rios, who is Mexican American. “It leaves me completely and utterly devoid of hope that anyone has any desire just to go: ‘Hey, I was wrong, I’m sorry, how can I do better?’”

Overly sees diversity and inclusion as more than just actors’ ethnicities; he says it’s also about the plays companies choose to produce. “Having more playwrights of color will no doubt make your season more inclusive and diverse,” Overly says. Though conversations about representation in the arts are common today, that wasn’t the case in 1940 when Kenneth Brown Billups founded the Legend Singers Chorale Ensemble at 22 years old. Billups was appointed the head of a Works Progress Administration program called the National Youth Act Music Project, and from this group he identified 18 talented singers who became the original Legend Singers. At a time when arts organizations were hiring few (if any) black performers, theatre companies hired the Legend Singers when a black chorus was needed in a show. In 1942 the Legend Singers made their first appearance on the Muny stage, and they have performed many more times since then.

Funding for the National Youth Act Music Project ended after World War II, but the Legend Singers endured, and their popularity grew. Over the years the acclaimed group has performed at major venues, with symphonies, and alongside

Carl Overly Jr. will lead the panel discussion “#MusicalTheaterSoDiverse” at the Missouri History Museum 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. It is free and open to the public.

legends such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.

In the 1970s the Legend Singers faced backlash for participating in performances at the Muny and the St. Louis Symphony. Some members of the black community expressed frustration that Billups had accepted offers that required the Legend Singers to portray stereotypical characters. Billups defended his choices, citing the dearth of job opportunities for black performers in the St. Louis area.

Billups had deep St. Louis roots. He grew up in the Ville and graduated from Sumner High School, where he became a music teacher and choral director. He was a mentor for opera singers Grace Bumbry and Robert McFerrin. He chose the most talented kids from Sumner’s a cappella choir to participate in the Legend Singers, giving them elite performance opportunities at a young age.

Billups later became the music supervisor for St. Louis Public Schools and was an adjunct professor of music at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. A dedicated musician and performer to the end, Billups passed away in 1985.

Since 1996 the Legend Singers Choral Ensemble has been led by Doris Jones-Wilson, professor emeritus of music at Harris-Stowe State University. The ensemble continues to honor Billups’ legacy by fulfilling their mission to perform and preserve the music of African Americans through their concerts, educational and community outreach, and the annual Festival of African American Spirituals.

“#MusicalTheaterSoDiverse” with Carl Overly Jr. will take place on Thursday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. Jones-Wilson and the Legend Singers will perform selections from black musicals on Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. Both events take place at the Missouri History Museum and are free and open to the public.

Let’s stop the making of a dictator

The Mueller Report is finally in. Now what?

The report found no direct evidence that Trump’s campaign colluded with the Russian government during the 2016 presidential election. Ditto on evidence that Trump obstructed justice. However, there was no exoneration on either.

Most of what is in the 400-plus page report had been covered by investigative news outlets in real time over the last nearly two years.

Some hoped for a harsher reckoning based upon Trump’s dealings. The conclusion in my network: if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a damn duck!

The report by special counsel Robert Mueller and his team stopped short of determining that Trump colluded with the Russians or obstructed justice. Let’s not forget the investigation led to the indictment of 34 individuals and three Russian enterprises. Those indictments resulted in seven guilty pleas of Trump cronies and four people looking at or doing prison time. A lot of lying is going on by a lot of people in high places to hide what’s going on.

Mueller took his part as far as he could legally, but Trump’s problems aren’t over. There are ongoing investigations into a myriad of

Trump mis-dealings from his foundation to his taxes. The U.S. House of Representatives is going hard against the president, and the bulldogs at United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will prove that their bite is worse than its bark.

While all this is going on, it’s time for a mass civic lesson to educate people about the U.S. Constitution and what is supposed to be checks and balance by the three branches of government. People need to know that this is not just a national hatin’ on Trump campaign. If the orange man gets his way, this delicate democracy will never be the same. And Trump will crown himself King.

I believe we are at the door of a constitutional crisis when the president engages in all forms of abuse of the office, teetering on criminality. The president has rebuked the authority of the other two branches of government - the Congress and the Judicial

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats have been reluctant to go down the impeachment

political backlash at the

ballot

This cannot be about political expediency. We cannot make this about convenience or financial costs or partisan retaliation. The division between impeachment proponents and opponents must reflect this understanding. This country is at a serious crossroads; our democracy is in the balance. Most of us – including elected officials – don’t know much about this country’s history or its founding documents. It’s never too late to learn. It’s always the right time to stop the making of a dictator.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Robert Mueller

Anniversary

Samuel and Carla Hudson celebrated their seven year wedding anniversary on May 11, 2019. They celebrated by having dinner and attending a concert with friends.

Congratulations and blessings for many more years!

Reunions

Beaumont High School Class Of 1969 will celebrate i’s 50 year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles.. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@

Celebrations

yahoo.com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

Beaumont Class of 1974 is planning its “We’re Living Our Best Life” 45th reunion for the weekend of July 26-28, 2019. To update us with your information please email us at ten55jw@yahoo.com, forward communications to Beaumont Alumni 1974, PO Box 37091, St. Louis MO 63141 or call James White, 314-494-5554. Details coming soon!

Beaumont High School Class of 1979 is planning its 40 year reunion. All activities are scheduled for

the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50th year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314-239-5202 or Ophelia at 314-280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

Northwest Class of 1969 is planning a 50 year reunion June 7-9, 2019. Contract Evelyn (McClendon) Hines for

Birthday

Happy Birthday to Alphonso P. Bratcher on May 17. RN bound! Enjoy your day with all your nurse friends! Thank you for your work helping people stay well. We love you! From, your mom, sister, brother and all your aunties.

Educator of the Year

Congratulations to Rhonda Charee Stovall, who was selected as St. Louis Public Schools’ 2018-2019 Elementary STEM Educator of the Year. Rhonda is a teacher at Gateway MST Elementary School.

details at (314) 361-5150.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45 year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@ charter.net or call 314-7493803.

Soldan Class of 1979 is

planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 4563391.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

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

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

College board chair refuses to resign over Islamophobic posts

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The board chair of Lewis and Clark Community College near Alton, Illinois refused to resign over a series of Islamophobic, racist and anti-immigrant messages he posted online – after protestors and other trustees asked him to step down at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting. Some trustees tried to pass a motion to request that Heyen resign from the board because the board doesn’t have the authority to make him resign. The vote failed 4-3, with Heyen voting no. A long line of people made public comments at the meeting, asking for his resignation.

For the past week, St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad Jr. and advocates for the Muslim community have been are calling for the resignation of Heyen, who became the college’s board chairman on April 30. College administrators are still investigating Heyen’s posts, which they became aware of on May 1, a spokeswoman said. Images gathered by organizers confirmed that the account was Heyen’s personal Facebook page, and Heyen admitted that he shared the posts to KSDK “It’s ridiculous for someone who oversees the education of our communities to make comments or to share posts that blatantly disrespect Muslims and any other religion for that matter,” said Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, who represents the 21st Ward in St. Louis city. “It cannot be tolerated.”

Heyen shared a post that refers to Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) as a “snake you are allowing in the country.”

Another post that Heyen shared decries

David Heyen, board chairman of Lewis and Clark Community College, said he was “relatively new to the concept of social media” after a series of Islamophobic, racist and anti-immigrant messages he posted online were met with outrage.

the fact that the three Muslim members of Congress may have access to classified documents. Yet another promotes the false and Islamophobic claim that there is no terrorism in Iceland and Japan because there are no Muslims in those countries. Both Iceland and Japan have Muslim populations.

In other posts, “unvaccinated illegal alien kids in the public schools” are blamed for spreading diseases such as mumps, measles and smallpox, and the “Democratic Party” is accused of “shaming White people.”

In a statement to KSDK, Heyen said he shared the Facebook posts to “generate conversation” and claimed he was “relatively new to the concept of social media.”

“This is now being used as a distraction

by a small faction of people who are not happy that I have asked tough questions as a trustee and sought to hold the administration accountable and provide more transparency in the spending of our tax dollars,” Heyen stated to KSDK.

The college posted a statement on its website, stating that the college has a long history of providing an inclusive environment. “These comments and posts do not represent the culture of Lewis and Clark,” according to the college’s statement.

On May 14, the three trustees that voted “no” with Heyen – Julie Johnson, Kevin Rust and Charles Hanfelder – said that his posts didn’t reflect his “real” character and were outraged that people were trying to “destroy his character.”

“The way this situation has played out really scares me,” said Johnson, who is board vice chair. “It makes me wonder who will they try to silence next?”

Trustees Dwight Werts, Brenda Walker McCain and Robert Watson voted for Heyen’s resignation. Werts said that Heyen’s statements did not reflect the values of the university and, in fact, put the college’s accreditation status at risk. Student Trustee April Tulgetske also voted for his resignation but her vote was not allowed to be counted, per college policy.

The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIRMissouri), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, called on Heyen to resign — or for the university to force his resignation.

“We urge Lewis & Clark Community College to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that the college remains a welcoming place for all of its students,” CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed said in a statement.

Umama Khenissi, a progressive Muslim organizer from St. Louis, said the messages and visuals are damaging to all people throughout our entire metro area.

“They create an unsettling and unsafe environment for students and workers at LCCC,” Khenissi said, “and they foster a greater culture of hate and ‘othering.’”

Devil having a field day

It is not always through guile and deceit that the devil works his evil. He can accomplish his goals if he can convince you that what is very important is of little matter and no consequence. This love thing is pretty well documented throughout the Bible and Christ certainly clarifies its importance in the above passage. Remember this is the Son of God talking. The single most important thing I can do to abide in God’s will is to possess love in my heart for God and my fellow man. That’s it? Yeah. That’s it!

If that’s as close to a guarantee as we can get, why are many of us hell bent on doing the things that will insure our place at the table in hell’s kitchen? I personally think the concept of loving God is pretty easy to comprehend. It’s the loving your neighbor as yourself that’s causing the problem. The devil is having a field day on this one.

Count how many people you can’t stand at this very moment. The devil has us so confused and dumbfounded on this issue that we can’t see that the hatred we harbor for others, the contempt we feel for people we don’t even know, masks an underlying reality that won’t allow us to love our neighbor. In actuality, we hate ourselves. You see the devil has tricked us into hating the mirror image of us. Deep down inside we hate in others that which we might become, because we really don’t like what we have become. The devil knows man is not perfect so he entices us into hating the imperfection of others, their flaws and faults, their weaknesses and shortcomings. All the while, being imperfect ourselves, insures that we cannot live up to the greatest commandment of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Isn’t it interesting that most people who claim being saved tell you they first had to realize that God through Jesus’ sacrifice loved them warts and all? The stories come from former drug addicts, adulterers, petty gossips, murderers and greedy, self-absorbed takers in life, who wished they knew how to have a healthy respectful loving relationship with another human being.

One by one, they line up and confess that once we accepted that God indeed loves us, then and only then, are we able to love ourselves and subsequently love others just like they are: all imperfect, all flawed children of God, all welcomed at His eternal table. At this point one sees God in every man, every woman and every child, because once you accept that God resides in your own sinful soul, you can see God in others. God knew you before you knew you. And He loved you anyway in spite of what He knew you were going to do. As incredible as that sounds, it’s true. It’s called love. God’s point is so simple. If He’s got it for you, the least you can do is have it for others. Step back, Satan.

Columnist James Washington

St. Louis’ own jazz diva Denise Thimes received all sorts of family support for her 23rd Annual Denise Thimes and Friends Mother’s Day Concert Sunday at The Touhill. Her son Jabril and daughter Simone (not pictured) were among the many family members who showed their support. This year’s “friends” included “The Voice” finalist Kennedy Holmes and Jonathan DuBose, who plays guitar for Harry Connick Jr.

RIP to Kirk, Malik and Miss Shirley. I hate to start Partyline on a somber note, but I feel like I must bid farewell to two people I came in contact with regularly as I made my rounds on the entertainment and nightlife scene and one person who was like a mother to me. I felt the shock of the century when someone hit me up asking what happened to Kirk Binion. I had no idea what they meant, but I most certainly didn’t grasp the idea that he had passed away. So much so when the person said “transitioned,” I asked them to clarify that they meant he had passed away. Even after that, I didn’t fully believe it. Concerts won’t be the same without him hemming me up to give an “insta-review” and tell me which of the shows he was looking forward to next. He loved concerts and was at just about every single one. I go to shows for a living and I truly think he had me clocked because he didn’t stick to the urban genre like I do. Rest well, Kirk. And I was (and still am) still shook about Kirk when I got word that poet Malik Parker had passed. He was always a smiling face with deep thoughts and profound words amongst the spoken/word/ creative scene. It made my heart hurt that I never told him how handsome he was. And my poetical matriarch Ms. Shirley LeFlore (or Mama Shirley as I called her) transitioned on Mother’s Day- which broke my heart and put a damper on the whole day for me. I would like to take a moment to offer condolences and prayers to all of their families – and to remind everyone to be sure to treasure folks and make them aware of the impact they have on your lives, because they can be here one minute and gone the next.

Delightful Mother’s Day with a Diva. For the first time in years I made my way back to the Denise Thimes and Friends Annual Mother’s Day Concert. I’m not going to tell y’all which year was the last time I stopped through, because I don’t want to hear anybody’s mouth. What? I stay supporting Denise; I just haven’t been as consistent as I should be for her annual Mother’s Day show that she’s been doing for twenty-something years. Well let me tell you, I am still kicking myself for not keeping it on my calendar annually because Sunday blew me away! I will say this … the last time I went, It was at the Sheldon. Well now its at the Touhill and the way it’s looking, they’ll be at the Fox or Peabody and Enterprise or America’s Center before its all said and done. I got there just in time for the pre-concert dinner, which was a classy affair which turned the downstairs foyer and another room inside the Touhill into swank restaurants filled to the brim with folks paying tribute to their mothers. It was so cute to see the generational mix of mothers and children – from guest performer Kennedy Holmes and her mother Karen, on down. Denise was killing it in grand diva-swag with a colorful dinner jumpsuit and glammed it up a notch for her show – which was awesome. She did tributes to Nancy Wilson and Roberta Flack and had Harry Connick Jr.’s guitarist Jonathan DuBose as a musical guest. You’ve got a whole year to figure out the logistics, but let me tell y’all that if you don’t put Denise Thimes on your Mother’s Day to-do list as a way to love up on your mama, you are missing out. I know there’s always a bunch of stuff going on – including national shows and performers. But if you saw what I witnessed, you would make supporting the folks who were born and bred in your own city a celebration priority. Oh, and since I mentioned jumpsuits, let me tell y’all about the slayage that my girl Lee Haynes delivered with her black little ditty. It just might be the cutest and most flattering form fitting black pantsuit that I’ve ever seen. It was absolutely everything.

Dos Salas had the sauce. So, I stopped through the graduation edition of All of The Lights presented by Sauce Events, TheInnovators and Ono Celebrations and I thought they were gonna have to knock all the walls from the club all the way down to Honey Child’s Boutique to accommodate that crowd. Listen, I did feel a bit chaperonish, but I got over being a woman of a certain age after getting into how lit the party was. LaRon, Onnie, Ono and Roger, y’all did that! It was so lit that when the DJ started playing international music, the turnup got even more real. You know a party is live when it’s a bunch of black folks in the building breaking it down to a song with no English. J. Balvin would have gotten his whole entire life from seeing y’all bustin’ a move to “Mi Gente!” The only bad thing is that I got there way later than I should have – and the humidity wouldn’t let the girls’ wig units be great. After midnight, there were few opportunities for gorgeous photo ops, but that’s partly because the girls and the guys got all the way into the turnup. I even saw a gentleman sweat clean through his cap, tassel and Kappa graduation stole. A just right Reunion. Speaking of lit, I made my way to The Reunion – A Vibe Celebrating the Early 2000s Era at Tani Sushi Friday night in Clayton. It felt like a 609/Lola set. I hit the lowkey stairway to heaven that takes you to the club portion of the spot and life was had. Now what I will say is that if you are ever at a place in your life where you want to kick it, but don’t really have the desire for anybody to know you are still in these streets, hit up the next party they have there. It’s so dark up in that spot that you won’t need a mask or witness protection ensemble to get your party on anonymously. The light level was so low that I had to invade people’s personal space just to see who was who and what was what. I’ll tell you I saw like there was a spotlight on them though … Isis Jones in those hot red, thighhigh boots. Girl, you are back in the city killing the game with those things. Tell me where you got them, so I can get me a pair for church! But back to the party. It was rightfully called a reunion because I saw some folks I hadn’t seen in a minute. Most of them seemed like they wanted to keep their presence on the hush, so I will leave it at that. Just know that some of your favorite club brothers and hotties were back in full effect like it was their heyday.

Janae and Amber were into the ambience of The Reunion Friday @ Tani’s Area 14

Keith from Koncepts and 95.5 FM’s Isis Jones Friday night @ The Reunion Friday @ Tani’s Area 14

Tyra, Kylia and Dominique were just a few of the cuties who had Do Salas busting at the seams Saturday night for All of The Lights

Kendra and Venetia came through to kick at The Reunion Friday night @ Tani

It was a job well done for Onnie, Roger, Ono and LaRon as their latest edition of All of The Lights packed out Dos Salas Saturday night

Zakiya and Mallory started their partying early and were among the first guests @ Energy Saturday @ Blue

Mother and daughter Sharita and Rita looked more like sisters as they partied @ The Reunion Friday @ Tani’s Area 14

Bryan celebrated his lovely mother Lynda @ Denise Thimes and Friends Mother’s Day Concert Sunday @ The Touhill

Jenni and B. Noman were in the building for the May installment of Energy Saturday night @ Blue Dine and Lounge

Lee and Deb were busy working to make sure the dinner portion of the Denise Thimes and Friends festivities went off without a hitch Sunday afternoon @ The Touhill

GENERAL LIABILITY & UMBRELLA/EXCESS LIABILITY PRODUCT MANAGER

This position is responsible for guiding the profitable growth and effective management of the General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability lines of business across all business units on a countrywide basis. This position will be involved in the build-out of our new policy rating and administration system, which will include the identification and implementation of enhanced pricing and predictive analytic factors. This position will also be involved as a subject matter expert and resource for heavy General Liability exposure accounts, in addition to developing, refining and delivering effective underwriting training across multiple business units.

As the recognized subject matter expert for the General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability lines, this role will lead the evolution of our General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability product offerings through regular interactions and ongoing analysis in collaboration with multiple departments including Claims, Actuarial, Compliance, Legal and IS. This role will be the thought leader responsible for determining how the company achieves and maintains a profitable book of General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability business while differentiating our approach and product offering in order to build and retain a favorable portfolio of accounts.

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

QUALITY ASSURANCE ANALYST I

Perform thorough inspection and methodical examination of all Commercial Automobile, General Liability, Excess and Primary Workers’ Compensation system changes released to the various testing environments for proper operation and freedom from defects. This process will follow all prescribed Quality Assurance rules and testing guidelines. Reports directly to the Manager of Quality Assurance. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

Webster University has an opening for a Public Safety Officer. Please visit our website at https://apptrkr.com/1457218 for a complete job description. No phone calls please. We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

COORDINATORFINANCE- ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

To assist the Finance and Accounting Department with cash receipts, accounts payable, and to assist in other accounting and administrative duties.

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

COORDINATOR-

CLAIMSSYSTEMS SUPPORT

Responsible for various administrative tasks related to: assisting in the testing, planning, organizing and documenting of the various software applications, re-engineering projects, ClaimCenter and V2 applications, continually aiding in the assessment and improvement of all Claim system support including testing and training end users.

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

A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENINGS OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS AT IT’S ST. LOUIS CLINIC:

- Associate Director, Faculty Development/CE - Comprehensive Care Unit Director Visit jobs.atsu.edu for full job descriptions.

ASSISTANT- CLAIMSEDI PROCESSING

Responsible for various technical support tasks related to: processing data into the Data repository, Claim Center and scorecards.

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

PROJECT MANAGER

PORT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS

Work for St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) as a Project Manager to promote and facilitate commercial and shipping related development projects across the Port District Work for and assist with Port Lease management. A full description can be found online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc select “Careers at SLDC” and follow the online application process.

SLDC offers a full range of benefits including deferred comp, 401(a), and medical insurance. SLDC values a diverse workforce, and is an equal opportunity employer.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition has open employment opportunities. For more information go to: www.foster-adopt.org/employment

LEAD COORDINATOR (EXPLORE ST. LOUIS)

Explore St. Louis is the official destination marketing organization responsible for selling St. Louis as a convention, meeting site, and leisure travel destination. We work to attract citywide conventions, hotel meetings, sporting events, group tours &individual leisure travelers to St. Louis. We are partners with 700+ local & regional businesses.

Explore St. Louis is seeking a highly detailed and organized individual with knowledge of the hospitality industry to join our team as a Lead Coordinator. This position is responsible for evaluating, maintaining and handling all aspects of hotel, meeting & convention center leads. The Lead Coordinator will evaluate and distribute leads to sales team members. This position also works closely with our hotel partners and maintains & updates key information in the CRM database. Our ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, good attention to detail and an intermediate level of computer knowledge. Associate’s Degree or 1 to 3 years’ related experience is required. Knowledge of CVENT or EBMS a plus. To apply, go to https://explorestlouis.com/jobopportunities-internships/. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

SENIOR CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST

Supervisory or Lead Responsibilities. Involves the preparation and/ or review of sketches, drawings, designs, specifications, schedules, requests for proposals and other documents related to the design of building construction, renovation and maintenance. Works closely with St. Louis Housing Authority staff, HUD Officials, residents, construction contractors, consultants and others to assure that design and subsequent construction are appropriate and properly constructed. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Architecture, Mechanical or Civil Engineering and be familiar with general building construction. Five (5) years’ experience in the construction industry, preferably, as a craftsman and one (1) year or more trades applicable to general building construction may be substituted for a degree and at least three (3) years of this experience must be in construction inspection. Starting Salary $59,540 Annually. Apply or send resume to: St. Louis Housing Authority, HR Division, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106 by 5:00 p.m., May 30, 2019 via website www. slha.org or email athomas@slha.org. A Drug Free Work Place/EOE.

FIREFIGHTER

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Firefighter. Apply at https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/ by Thursday May 24, 2019.

PROGRAM MANAGER

The Haven of Grace seeks a qualified Program Manager. Additional information about this position can be found at: https://havenofgracestl.org/ contact/employmentopportunities/ . Deadline to apply is May 31, 2019. The Haven of Grace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEER III

Responsible for Tier 3 technical support of end users, infrastructure monitoring and administration, and user account management.

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

A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENINGS OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ON IT’S KIRKSVILLE, MO CAMPUS:

- AHEC APEX Database Administrator

- Inventory Processing Technician Internship

- Post Award Project Manager

- Assistant/Associate Professor - OMM

- Family Medicine/Women’s Health Physician

- AHEC Administrative Coordinator

- Simulation Clinic Coordinator/ Preclinical Facilitator

- Senior Administrative Assistant - Education Manager Preclinical - Administrative Support - Enrollment Services

- IT Support Tech

- Proposal Development Specialist

- Admissions Counselor Visit jobs.atsu.edu for full job descriptions.

COORDINATOR-CLAIMSEDI PROCESSING

Responsible for various technical support tasks related to: processing data into the Data repository, Claim Center and scorecards.

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

JANITORIAL - HIRING

NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: UPGRADE RAW PUMP VFDS/ALLEN BRADLEY. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service/ equipment because FRENCH GERLEMAN ELECTRIC 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: GA INDUSTRIES 24- INCH CHECK VALVE. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because HYDROKINETICS CORP is the only available source for the equipment. 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: Aperture Card and Microfiche scanning and processing. The District is proposing single source procurement to Microtek for this service because MSD is currently under contract for other scanning services and this request is outside the original contracted services. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals for professional information technology (IT) services. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids/ and submit by May 23, 2019.

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals for Office Furniture Planning and Procurement. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids/ and submit by May 21, 2019

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: SL-RAT. The District is proposing single source procurement to InfoSense, Inc 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 is confirming procurement: CIP Manhole Bag Liners (Alternative Lining Technologies – Change Order #3. The District is confirming single source procurement to Ace Pipe Cleaning for this equipment and service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice

BIDS

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is soliciting bids from MBE/ WBE/SDVE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for work on the Dickenson Research Center, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO. Bids are due Thursday, May 23, 2019 by 11:00 am and can be faxed to (573) 392-4527 or emailed to bbrown@cms-gc.com For more information, call Bob @ (573) 392-6553. Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

The City of Wellston will accept sealed bids for its upcoming Neighborhood Cleanup Activity. All bidders are strongly advised to read and familiarize themselves with this invitation, the bid specifications, and the locations where the work will take place. This activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds pursuant to Title1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect.

A complete bid packet along with additional bid information must be obtained from Jann Trigg, City Administrator, City Administrator, 1414 Evergreen Ave., cityadministrator@ cityofwellston.com. All sealed bids must be received by Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm. The City of Wellston reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and/ or combinations thereof and to waive informalities therein.

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for S. 9TH STREET #2509 SEWER REPAIR (IR) under Letting No. 13080-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis CITY drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications 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 specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 25th, 2019 to contract with a company for a: Missouri One Call Application Software.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9972 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: FINAL TANK COLLECTOR AND DRIVE. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES 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.

Request for Proposals

Rail Upgrade, Phase II Municipal River Terminal 1 Madison Street St. Louis, MO, 63102

The City of St. Louis Port Authority will receive sealed bids for rail improvements at the Municipal River Terminal on 5/30/19. For more info, visit https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/ procurement/index.cfm

St. Louis County Department of Human Services

FY2019 Cooling Shelter Request For Proposal

SEALED BIDS

Services,Electrical, CentralRegion, State ofMissouri, ProjectNo. ZASIDIQ-9022, willbereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO, UNTIL1:30PM, Thursday,June6, 2019.Forspecific projectinformation andordering plans,go to:http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

LETTING #8696

CUSTOMIZED EVENTS TRAILER

The Missouri Lottery is accepting bids for the purpose of establishing a contract for a customized event trailer. The bid document with the specifications can be obtained by going to http://www. molottery.com/learnaboutus/ bid_opportunities.shtm or by contacting Melissa Blankenship at melissa.blankenship@molottery. com or 573-751-4050.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Department of Public Safety- Division of Corrections is seeking proposals to provide Inmate Healthcare and Associated Services for the City Justice Center and Medium Security Institution. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM CST, Monday July 15, 2019 to the Office of the Commissioner, City Justice Center, 200 S. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63102.

A pre-bid conference and walk through will be held on May 30, 2019 9:00 AM, at the City Justice Center, 200 S. Tucker. For more information or a copy of the RFP please contact Kim Maloney, Fiscal Operations Support Manager, Division of Corrections at 314-621-5848, ext. 1059, maloneyk@stlouis-mo.gov, or visit https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/procurement

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00am June 21, 2019 for: SCREW CONVEYOR INSTALL

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com - click on “MSD At Work”, then “Bidding on Projects”. The bid document will be identified as 9977 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 7686314 to request a copy of this bid.

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

Notice

The St. Louis County Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Program, is seeking proposals for the St. Louis County FY19 Cooling Shelter. The total funding available is approximately $65,000.00. Proposals are due by 11:00 a.m. on May 17, 2019. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on May 3, at 10:00-11:00 a.m. @ the Department of Human Services. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at http://www.stlouisco.com/ YourGovernment/BidsandRFPs CITY OF ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Solicitation For Bids (SFB) for Boiler Control and Repair Services Bids Wanted

Bid 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) 890-1802. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/ business/contract-opportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9970 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

SEALED BIDS

for theREBIDOF StatewideJob Order Contract, ProjectNo. ZASIDIQ-9017, willbereceived by FMDC,State ofMO, UNTIL 1:30PM, Thursday, June6, 2019.For specific project information andordering plans, goto:http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

for THEREBIDOF I

ofLethalFenceand Gu

d House, WesternMissouri CorrectionalCenter, Cameron,Missouri, ProjectNo. C1926-01willbe received byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM,5/23/19. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Pavement Repairs, Missouri S t a t e H i g h w a y Patrol, General Headquarters, 1510 E. Elm St. Jefferson City, MO 65101, Project No. R1704-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 30, 2019.For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Renovation & Conversion,CCC DiningLodge, Sam A.BakerState Park, Patterson, Missouri, ProjectNo. X180101willbe received byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 6/6/2019. Forspecificproject informationand

RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY KILO FROM TAXIWAY FOXTROT TO CARGO APRON ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 4, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl bps.org/planroom (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 and State laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. in the Ozark Conference Room (A0-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-b ps.org (Virtual Plan Room).

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi, Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the Bullman Parking Lot 20 South Side located in Rolla MO 65401

Bid Date and Time: Tuesday, May 21st at 2:00 pm Plans and specifications are available for purchase from: ADS 1400 Forum Blvd Sute 71 Columbia MO 573-446-7768 www.adsplanroom.net

Or may be inspected at our office at 13104 South US Hwy 63, Rolla, Missouri 65401

Request for Email copies of plans and specs can be sent via drop box

Our telephone number is 573-364-7733, fax 573-341-5065. An Equal Opportunity Employer. Email: maggiconst@gmail.com Donald Maggi, Inc.

Bid Date and Time: Tuesday, May 21st at 1:00 pm

and specifications are available for purchase from:

Elgin, 310 E 6th St, Rolla MO 65401 573-364-6362 www.adsplanroom.net

Or may be inspected at our office at 13104 South US Hwy 63, Rolla, Missouri 65401 Request for Email copies of plans and specs can be sent via drop box Our telephone number is 573-364-7733, fax 573-341-5065. An Equal Opportunity Employer. Email: maggiconst@gmail.com Donald Maggi, Inc.

about resource allocations, set priorities for service delivery and tailor intervention strategies for specific market types and areas. The consultant will provide an updated MVA for CDA and other City departments by utilizing the latest available data, providing an overlay to compare the current MVA with the updated MVA to determine what changes have occurred in the past five years and provide an executive summary of the findings. The selected consultant will be conversant with and knowledgeable of HUD’s expectations regarding the production of an MVA.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on the Community Development Administration (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/community-development/documents/marketvalue-analysis-rfp.cfm. Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2019 to Matt Moak, Executive Director, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to Mr. Moak: MoakM@stlouismo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency

Minority Participation is Encouraged

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH REDEVELOPMENT AREAS FOR LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis hereby requests qualifications for economic development consultants to provide assistance in the creation of redevelopment areas. For a copy of the RFQ, please visit our website at www.stlouis-mo.gov/ sldc by selecting the RFP/RFQ link for a complete copy of the RFQ, or contact:

LAND CLEARANCE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS 1520 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2000 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63103 (314) 657-3700 (PHONE) (314) 613-7011 (FAX)

Proposals are due no later than 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Saving Time on Friday, May 31, 2019.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

MSD’s North and South 1245 Storm Replacement (IR) Contract Letting No. 12849-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member:

J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. 15 Truitt Drive Eureka, MO 63025 636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. May 23, 2019

SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis Housing Program Manuals

The City of St. Louis is requesting proposals from qualified consultants for the completion of two separate Policy and Procedures Manuals: One for the Healthy Home Repair Program and one for the Housing Production Program. Both activities are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by Community Development Administration (CDA). The manuals should cover day-to-day activities and processes and address all HUD compliance issues. The selected consultant must be conversant and knowledgeable of federal regulations governing HUD-funded rehabilitation programs.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on Community Development Administration’s (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/. Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 14, 2019 to Bill Rataj, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St., Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to: RatajB@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency

Minority Participation is Encouraged

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis Affordable Housing Report

The City of St. Louis is requesting proposals from consultants for the preparation of an Affordable Housing Report relating to work completed by the Community Development Administration (CDA). The selected consultant will be responsible for compiling a report that can be presented to CDA, City Officials as well as the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The product should consist of a Narrative Report including an Executive Summary, a PowerPoint Presentation, and a listing of the various affordable housing projects produced in the City by address. The report should also include a listing of permit data. The report should list all incentives available in each individual project, i.e. CDBG, HOME, NSP, Affordable Housing, federal and state incentives including LIHTC, historic tax credits, tax abatement, TIF, etc. The selected consultant must be conversant with and knowledgeable of local affordable housing programs and incentives.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on the Community Development Administration (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 14, 2019 to Bill Rataj, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to RatajB@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency

Minority Participation is Encouraged

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan / 2020 Annual Action Plan

Analysis of Impediments To Fair Housing Choice

The City of St. Louis is requesting proposals from qualified consultants for the preparation of its 2020- 2024 Consolidated Plan, 2020 Annual Action Plan and an updated Analysis of Impediments of Fair Housing Choice. Each must be submitted to HUD in November, 2019 after a 30 day comment period. The selected consultant will be conversant with and knowledgeable of regulations governing the HUD Consolidated Planning process should have significant experience in engaging the community as well as facilitating and encouraging citizen participation.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on Community Development Administration’s (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/communitydevelopment/documents/consolidated-plan-rfp.cfm.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2019 to Matt Moak, Executive Director, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St. – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to Mr. Moak at MoakM@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency Minority Participation is Encouraged

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Industrial Development Authority of the County of St. Louis, Missouri (the “IDA”) solicits proposals from qualified legal professional services firms to serve as issuer’s counsel for the issuance of revenue bonds on an as needed basis. The issuer’s counsel will be responsible to draft various corporate resolutions and to review various financing documents.

To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Proposals should be sent by email to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to Industrial Development Authority, c/o St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE consultants are encouraged to bid, and a five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms.

The complete Request for Qualifications may be obtained at www.stlpartnership.com. The IDA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

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 4, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stlbps.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 Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 1:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

PUBLIC NOTICE

The 2019 Assessment Book of taxable property within the City of St. Louis is open for inspection in the Assessor’s Office, Room 114, City Hall. The 2019 values can also be viewed at https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/data/address-search/.

The Board of Equalization will meet from July 1st through August 23, 2019. The deadline to appeal to the Board of Equalization is July 8, 2019. Any person may appeal their assessment by writing to the Board of Equalization, 1200 Market Street, Room 120, St. Louis, MO 63103 or by email to zasr@stlouis-mo.gov.

Michael R. Dauphin City of St. Louis Assessor

LETTING #8698

ADA UPGRADE AND RENOVATIONS TO GREGORY J. CARTER PARK

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 25th, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications 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

to attend.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

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not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

ROOMS FOR RENT Fully Furn., All Util. includ., Cable Tv, on busline, all areas, starting @ $100/wk 314-930-0863 1 BED FOR RENT Loop Area, $500/mo Plus $500/Deposit 2 BEDROOM, North City $550/mo Plus $550/Deposit 314-651-6671

or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or

will not knowingly accept any advertising for

which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all

advertised are

equal opportunity basis.”