May 19th, 2022 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

St. Louisans rally to protect abortion access

By Sophie Hurwitz

For the St. Louis American

That the U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision – as outlined in a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked to Politico earlier this month – was not entirely unexpected by Missouri pro-choice activists. When the final decision is released—which could be in late June or early July—nearly all abortions will be illegal in up to 26 states, including Missouri.

“We knew, right? Here in Missouri, we knew. We have been living a post-Roe reality for years,” said Planned Parenthood of St. Louis President and

St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education member Alisha Sonnier said, “Why do we elect people who won’t even name abortion? How does it make sense that someone who can’t even name abortion will advocate for and protect it? Speaking at the abortion rights rally Saturday, May 14, in Kiener Plaza.

Michael Sack named interim police chief

Hayden steps down June 18

St. Louis American staff St. Louis Public Radio

Retiring St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden, who planned to serve until a permanent replacement is found, is stepping away June 18.

Lt. Col. Michael Sack, Bureau of Community Policing commander, will take over as interim chief and, for now, has the support of The Ethical Society of Police [ESOP], which represents Black police officers in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

“We respect him for his rank and the person he is,” ESOP said in a statement.

“We support Interim Chief Sack, yet we will hold him accountable for our community and our officers during his time as Interim Chief as we’ve held Chief Hayden and previous chiefs accountable.

“We had open lines of communication with Chief Hayden and expect that will continue with Interim Chief Sack. This continuity is especially critical as we continue to work to fill the gap between law enforcement and the community through this interim leadership. “ Mayor Tishaura Jones and interim Public Safety Director Dan Isom announced Wednesday at City Hall that the the Boulware Group will conduct a

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

As Black St. Louis lined both sides of Market Street for more than a dozen city blocks, there was a special feeling permeating downtown. May 15th marked the first in-person Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center Annual May Day Parade since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The parade was held virtually for two years – a valiant effort to keep the century-plus tradition going, and to keep resources coming in from the organization’s biggest fundraising initiative. Sunday afternoon served as a reminder of the one-of-a-kind experience the second largest annual African American parade in the nation provides for culture and the community. As the 112th parade kicked off, 2022 Grand Marshal BJ The DJ of iHeart Radio was eager to get the thousands in attendance hyped up.

“Am I too old? I don’t think so!” BJ said. He broke into an old-school dance as Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” blasted through the speakers. “Go BJ,” the crowd responded. “Go BJ!” The tone was set by the time he danced his way to the announcer’s stage, where he also served as co-host with Jess Live of Hot 104.1 FM. What went on for the next few hours was an interactive exchange of fellowship that

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

President Joe Biden visited Buffalo, New York on Tuesday and called white supremacy “a poison and it’s been allowed to fester and grow right in front of our eyes.”

On Saturday, May 14, Payton Gendron, inspired by racial hatred and “replacement theory” ideologies, opened fire in a Buffalo grocery store, killing 10 people and wounding three. Eleven of the shooting victims were Black.

“White supremacy cannot coexist with democracy,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson told MSNBC.

“We must deal with domestic terrorism. We must do so aggressively; we must do so decisively, so we won’t continue to repeat this same story over and over again.”

Marc Morial, National Urban League president, echoed similar thoughts as Johnson.

“We better understand this is a clear and present danger to American democracy,” he told ABC

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Lt. Col. Michael Sack

The Girls Scouts of Greater St. Louis participated in the Annie Malone May Day Parade Sunday, May 15, after a two-year absence. The second-largest, African-American parade in the country was sponsored by NIKE for the first

US Mint to feature Bessie Coleman quarters next year

CNN reports Bessie Coleman is one of five women chosen by The U.S. Mint to appear on American quarters next year. The other women featured on the coins include former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, ballerina Maria Tallchief, journalist and activist Jovita Idár, and hula teacher Edith Kanakaʻole

The five influential figures will be displayed on the back of select quarters, while the front of the currency will still show George Washington. Coleman’s heritage made her both the first African American and Native American woman pilot. Aviation schools denied her enrollment because of her race, however the setback did not discourage her. Instead, she learned French, applied to aviation programs abroad and earned an international pilot’s license in 1921.

Idár was a newspaper publisher who chal lenged racism toward Mexican Americans in the early 1900s. She remained resilient de spite Texas Rangers attempting to muzzle her newspaper after she penned a story condemning President Woodrow Wilson’s choice to dispatch troops to the Texas southern border.

Roosevelt, one of the most instrumental first ladies in US history and an honorary member

of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., used her power to support causes for racial justice, women’s suffrage, and disability rights. Her ac tivism continued after leaving the White House with her chairing the United Nations Human Rights Commission and help ing write the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Kanakaʻole, an Indigenous Ha waiian hula educator, assisted with protecting her native heritage and briefs associated with the 1970s Hawaiian Renaissance.

Tallchief overcame road blocks as a Native American dancer, becoming the first American prima ballerina.

“The range of accomplish ments and experiences of these extraordinary women speak to the contributions women have always made in the history of our coun try,” Ventris C. Gibson, deputy director of the US Mint, said in a

bum, “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,” Kend-

rick Lamar shocked fans when he revealed his struggles with infidelity in his relationship with Whitney Alford. They are parents

He shares his challenges on “Mother I Sober,” with a “lust addiction,” and admits to Lyrics include, “Intoxicated, there’s a lustful nature that I failed to mention/Insecurities that I project, sleepin’ with other women/Whitney’s hurt, the pure soul I know, I found her in the kitchen/Askin’ God, ‘Where did I lose myself? And can it be forgiven?’”

He also shared on the track Alford, who’s on the album cover with their children, recommended he seek therapy.

“Broke me down, she looked me in my eyes, ‘Is there an addiction?’/I said ‘No,’ but this time I lied, I knew that I can’t fix it/Pure soul, even in her pain, know

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie coming to St. Louis

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie brand is headed to stores in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Long Island, New York, Newark, New Jersey and the state of Delaware.

The brand’s official Twitter account shared the exciting announcement earlier this month.

“Y’all were so good to us during our #SavageXIRL debut, we just had to Xtend the Xperience,” the account wrote. “That’s right, we’re Xcited to announce the opening of SIX new retail locations. See you soon: #ChicagoIsSavage #NYisSavage #ATLisSavage #DetroitIsSavage #STLisSavage #DEisSavage.

Its first storefront location in Las Vegas opened in January and has netted $125 million in sales, according to the company. Savage X Fenty comes in sizes XS to 4XL.

The brand raised $310 million in the Series C funding round operated by Neuberger Berman. Savage X Fenty was released in 2018 and is co-owned by LVMH, a French luxury conglomerate that also owns shares in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Fenty skin lines. Rihanna owns a 30% stake in Savage X Fenty.

The line is reportedly thinking about an IPO that could raise $3 billion. No further details have been announced besides “see you soon.”

Sources: CNN, Biz Journals, Hip Hop DX, YouTube, WomensHistory.Org

Prairie peace

Storytelling project helps young people heal from gun violence through nature

By Sophie Hurwitz

For the St. Louis American

She’Kinah Taylor remem-

bers the first time she saw the prairie. But mostly, she remembers not what she saw, but what she heard: a quiet totally unlike the noise of her St. Louis City neighborhood. She was in her late teens the first time she went to see a prairie— Shaw Nature Reserve—though that prairie had been sitting 30 minutes outside St. Louis City her entire life.

n According to a 2020 report from the Outdoor Foundation, Black Americans represented 12.4% of the U.S. population in 2019, but only 9.4% of outdoor activity participants.

“I stay in the city, and it’s loud,” Taylor said. “You hear horns, and everything. And I do have a lot of people in my family, and we’re all loud. So when we did go [to the prairie] just walking through it at night time, the quiet part… it was very peaceful. I was like, wow, it can be quiet like this? I like this.”

Taylor is a member of St. Louis Story Stitchers, a Black youth-led art and storytelling organization that over the past six years has been working on

a project called Peace in the Prairie, in which young people reflect through song, dance, poetry and music on how a connection to the outdoors might help them—and the St. Louis community —heal from the long-term impacts of gun violence.

On Earth Day, April 22, the Story Stitchers unveiled an hour long documentary art film addressing the intersections between the violence of urban life and the violence done to the planet via extractivism and unhealthy environmental management practices. In the film, images of buffalo grazing are juxtaposed with voice-overs telling the stories of murdered family members, fights after school that nearly turned violent, and first memories of gunshots. And the Story Stitchers sing about biodiversity and building a safer St. Louis over video of their peers breakdancing amid the tall grass.

Susan Colangelo, the founder of Story Stitchers, said the seeds of Peace in the

“We noticed that, if that land isn’t set aside and preserved, it tends to be taken and turned into industrial property,” she said. “So, we’re raising awareness about climate change…we want to let nature take back the land we’ve kind of taken away from her.”

Less than one half of 1% of the original tall grass prairies remain in Missouri, making them one of the most endangered habitats in the world. As the prairies shrink, the capacity to utilize them in order to work through trauma shrinks, too. At the Earth Day film premiere event, in Forest Park, the connection between healing from gun violence and healing the prairie became explicit: groups including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and the Crime Victim’s Center made presentations, as did the Audubon Center—a nonprofit focused mostly on bird preservation—and the Missouri Prairie foundation.

Trayvon Rogers, a Story Stitchers Youth Council member, said that being in the prairie affected him profoundly.

Prairie emerged from her own childhood with a family that went camping frequently. She realized the young people she worked with didn’t have that experience—and many of them didn’t even make use of the city parks near them. According to a 2020 report from the Outdoor Foundation, Black Americans represented 12.4% of the U.S. population in 2019, but only 9.4% of outdoor activity participants. The outdoors for a child that grows up north of the Delmar divide is often what they see when they walk out of their front door; a vacant building or

lot filled with building debris. With Black families forced into the most environmentally and physically unsafe neighborhoods in the city, it’s no wonder that many of the Black young people in Story Stitchers hadn’t been to the prairie before.

In the Peace in the Prairie documentary, six members of Story Stitchers spoke around a campfire about their first experiences with gun violence. Each of the six young people, in sequence, says that their first time being aware of a shooting, or witnessing one, was in kindergarten.

“It started to dawn on me, they were telling me they really only went to city parks, and were scared to go there,” Colangelo said. “What would happen if we took them into a more natural setting? So we tried it…and we saw tremendous change from the exposure to natural areas in some of the young people. Giddiness, absolute freedom.”

Rachael Jones, a poet who worked on the Peace in the Prairie project, said that it allowed the young people to get an up close and personal look at why climate change and land use matter.

“I learned about…the importance of healing, and recharging yourself. For me, healing looks like being with myself…just chilling out, and not worrying so much about what I need to do.” In the song “Prairie Therapy,” which the Story Stitchers created at Shaw Nature Reserve, they share that same sentiment: “back at home I feel the tension in the undertones, but here it’s nothing close.”

Susan Colangelo saw that change happen. “When they get there, they’re transformed. Sometimes they might not have felt that safe, ever, I think.”

The Story Stitchers: Peace in the Prairie film is available at storystitchers.org.

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Photo by Sophie Hurwitz

She’Kinah Taylor and Rachael Jones of St. Louis Story Stitchers relax and exhale at the Shaw Nature Reserve on Earth Day 2022.

Guest Editorial

seen

the racial violence of Buffalo before

Structural racism is a cause

By Alexa Spencer

Two things are clear about the recent mass killing of Black people on May 14 in a Buffalo, New York grocery store. First, the attack committed by 18-year-old white male Payton Gendron that resulted in the death and injury of 11 Black people was an outright racist act.

Second, we’ve seen this happen before.

In 2015, we mourned after a 21-year-old white supremacist entered a Charleston, South Carolina church and murdered nine Black members during a Bible study.

Despite that, after turning off the news or shutting down social media, it could be easy to think this most recent attack is an isolated act of racial violence that isn’t likely to happen again.

But Dr. Chandra Ford, who serves as the founding director of the Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice & Health at the University of California in Los Angeles, says the thread of hateful acts toward the Black community is a part of a much larger, active, and enforced legacy in the United States — and it’s damaging the public’s health.

“We could think of racism as a societal issue or a sociological issue. We could think of racism as a political issue. But to think of racism as a public health issue is to say, sure, all those things are true, but racism also systematically produces differences in the opportunity to achieve optimal health,” Ford says.

“And those systematic differences, they don’t occur along lines of risk factors related to health, which sort of justify themselves. They occur systematically along the lines of race and ethnicity.”

Following the murder of George Floyd by police officers in 2020, the American Medical Association declared racism a “public health threat.”

Since then, nearly 200 city councils, county boards, and other institutions have declared the same through resolutions and formal statements — but these are not legally enforceable.

Ford says more can be done by those in power — particularly white people — but those individuals, institutions, and communities must act responsibly.

My caution would be, they have never been the authorities on addressing racism. And so, they are not the leaders here. What we need is a willingness for our official leaders — the government, et cetera — to open itself, to actually hearing and honoring what leaders within the field and importantly within the community have already been fighting for, for generations,” she says.

As the lead editor of the book “Racism: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional,” Ford and her colleagues highlight trailblazing Black folk working in the field. Those trailblazers are models for eliminating racism even inside the field, which “is no less racist than any other domain of our society.”

For white people, and others who carry racist sentiment toward Black people, Ford says “nice racism” must be called out — people who appear to be allies but don’t truly take the concerns seriously.

She also says the knowledge and understanding the Black community has of itself must be prioritized when considering the dismantling of racism.

A dream team of federal judges

By Ben Jealous

Something amazing just happened in the U.S. Capitol.

On one day, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for five extraordinary women of color who have been nominated to federal judgeships by President Joe Biden.

This judicial Dream Team will make our courts more representative of the American people. As judges, they will make our system more just. And they are building on an already exceptional record by the Biden White House and the Senate’s Democratic leadership to nominate and confirm what is by far the most diverse set of federal judges ever.

What a difference an election makes. Two-thirds of Trump’s judges were white men. In contrast, two-thirds of Biden’s judicial nominees, and more than three-quarters of his nominees to the important circuit courts of appeal — the level just below the Supreme Court — have been people of color. And that’s in addition to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will soon be sworn in as the first Black woman ever to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The far right did everything they could to try to smear Judge Jackson and derail her confirmation. Her qualifications and character were unquestionable, so they resorted to utterly shameful distortions about her record.

They failed to block Judge Jackson’s confirmation, but that hasn’t stopped them from running the same unprincipled playbook against civil rights lawyer Nancy Abudu, who has been nominated to serve on the 11th Circuit Court. The same groups that attacked Judge Jackson tried to smear Abudu. But I am convinced they will

fail for the same reasons.

Here, very briefly, are the latest members of the judicial Dream Team made possible by voters who elected President Joe Biden and took control of the Senate away from obstructionist-in-chief Mitch McConnell: Nancy Abudu is a civil rights advocate who spent years defending voting rights, freedom of speech, religious liberty, equality under law, and other core constitutional principles. She helped defend a 6-year-old Black student turned away from school on the first day of first grade because of his hairstyle. She will be the first Black woman to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Michelle Childs is a federal district judge nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010; President Biden has nominated her to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals; he strongly considered her for the Supreme Court this year. In her years on the bench, Judge Childs has earned bipartisan respect for fairness while protecting voting rights and equal treatment in the courtroom Natasha Merle has been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York. In her public-interest legal career she has served as a public defender in death penalty cases and as a civil rights attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, where she is deputy director of litigation, working to make real the promises of justice and equality.

Nusrat Jahan Choudhury has also been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York. Her legal work at the American Civil Liberties Union has addressed racial disparities in law enforcement and unfair treatment of low-income people in the legal system. She will be the first Muslim woman to serve as a lifetime federal judge.

Ana Isabel de Alba has been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of California, where she will be the first Latina judge. As a lawyer, she fought against barriers to justice facing mistreated farmworkers like her mother and advocated for immigrants’ rights. Since 2018 she has been a California Superior Court judge in Fresno County. If you ever notice yourself feeling too cynical to vote, or so fed up with slow progress or broken promises that you’re tempted to stay away from the ballot box, think about these women and remember this: President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans filled our federal courts with young and often unqualified judges committed to the same ideology as the Supreme Court justices who are stomping on voting rights, civil rights, workers’ rights and more. We need more judges who will be a voice for justice. Having five such women appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the same day was a remarkable sign of the progress that can be made when we elect leaders who are committed to making progress and serving justice.

Ben Jealous is People For The American Way president and CEO

Black people are not only suffering from illnesses like heart disease and asthma more than other groups — which has proven links to structural racism upheld by institutions — but are also being targeted and killed by racist individuals.

Structural racism creates the environment for individual acts of violence, such as the Buffalo mass shooting, to occur, Ford explains.

It’s what allowed for Trayvon Martin to be profiled and fatally shot by a stranger walking home from a corner store and George Floyd to be murdered by police officers in broad daylight.

The same structure allows killers, badged or not, to get off scot-free.

n Black people are not only suffering from illnesses like heart disease and asthma more than other groups — which has proven links to structural racism upheld by institutions — but are also being targeted and killed by racist individuals.

“It’s this historical and structural nature of racism that enabled the interpersonal racist violence to happen. And that’s a very different orientation than thinking that our society is free from racism and every so often racism pops up in the form of racist violence or shooting,” she says.

The UCLA professor says the job of folks like herself working in public health is to prevent people from experiencing disease and death prematurely or at high rates.

“What we need from these folks are first, a recognition that Black people are the authority on our experiences,” Ford says. And “no number of studies, or surveys,” or anything else, whether conducted by white people or anyone else, can “substitute for the expertise that we bring through our own experiential knowledge, our lived experiences — as well as the research and scholarship we ourselves have been doing for generations.”

For Black folks, she says the responsibility of correcting white people on racism is not our job.

That’s for allies to do.

“It is problematic to rely upon, and it’s exploitative to rely upon or to expect that Black people should do the work to educate white people and others about their racism,” Ford says.

“That’s not our responsibility. It is a burden we take up and carry, but it is not our responsibility. And then Black people have a responsibility to love ourselves, and to do the work that it takes to do that.”

Alexa Spencer is a health reporter and columnist for Word In Black

Be on the lookout, be wary

By Matthew Horace

As parents, we often caution our children on life’s perils and how to respond. We hope, no, we pray they never encounter those dangers.

I felt much that way two years ago as I spoke to the women’s lacrosse team at my historically Black alma mater, Delaware State University, about how to respond to encounters with police. Inquisitive young women peppered me with wide-ranging questions for fear something could happen not only to them, but more likely to the men in their lives.

“Why didn’t those officers do something when the other one was choking George Floyd?’”

“How can police go in your house, like they did with Breonna Taylor, break down the door and just shoot people?”

I also played football at the university, but I was addressing this subject because of my 30 years in law enforcement.

I was impressed with the women’s curiosity and commitment. I thought maybe, just maybe, my talk would help if any of them had a police encounter.

I was hurt, dismayed and ultimately angry last week when I saw video of the entire women’s lacrosse team pulled over on the highway by Liberty County, Georgia, sheriff’s deputies, complete with a drugsniffing dog.

I actually cried after I viewed the whole thing.

The women and their coaches were returning home from a game in Florida. Via his body camera, the lead deputy can be seen courteously telling the bus driver he had stopped him because he had committed a lane violation.

From that point, everything went sideways - an unwarranted, unnecessary search, suggestions of crime and horrible police practice that smacks of racial profiling.

The lead deputy walked onto the bus to tell the startled women that his team and their dog would search their belongings as part of their job to interdict vehicles along Interstate 95 that might be trafficking drugs, large quantities of cash and even children.

Really? Drug trafficking?

Child smuggling? This after the deputy had looked into the eyes of 30 students, their coaches and a commercial driver? Would he have continued this exercise in stupidity had the women’s lacrosse team been from the Naval Academy or the University of Maryland or Duke University or the University of Georgia?

The deputy tipped his hand early in the stop

“It’s a bunch of danged schoolgirls on the bus,” he told one deputy after questioning the bus driver. “There’s probably some weed.”

Officers pulled students’ luggage off the bus and searched them. They even explored a small cosmetic bag. No large quantities of drugs, money or children there. They did find one seemingly mysterious item, a small box wrapped in brown paper that a student explained was a surprise present from her aunt.

“This is the type of stuff we look for,” the deputy told the student.

After gently peeling off the paper, officers found a box with an accompanying photo that said the content was a book safe, a storage device designed to look like a book. Deputies gingerly opened the box and, surprise, surprise, found a book safe.

Ironically, this happened on a stretch of I-95, a federal highway for which Maryland and New Jersey settled lawsuits for racially profiling Black motorists.

I’ve spoken to at least 10 police chiefs who agree this search was bad on every level imaginable and, even more than that, could have been dangerous. What if one of the coaches or students had vehemently protested an obviously unnecessary search?

We’ve seen how bad practices escalate, like the shooting death of Philando Castille in a Minneapolis suburb. A police officer pulled him over because “the driver looks more like one of our suspects, just because of the wide-set nose.”

For me, it was also painful. It brought back memories of the fears my parents expressed when our football team headed south for games, and the times officers stopped our bus. This incident has drawn protests and will be investigated, but it begs again a centuries-old question. When do millions of Americans stop becoming suspects merely because of the color of their skin?

Matthew Horace is a security, law enforcement specialist who has appeared as an analyst on CNN and other television programs and has written about leadership for the Wall Street Journal

Columnist Matthew Horace

Columnist Alexa Spencer

Columnist Ben Jealous

Bailey Foundation to host first Take Action Gala

St. Louis American staff

The Bailey Foundation (TBF) will host its inaugural Take Action Gala at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa in St. Charles.

The celebratory fundraiser, which will be held annually, will support The Bailey Foundation’s work in the community and its enrichment programs. The foundation provides dance, theater, music, and visual arts classes, in addition to nutrition services, child and family support programs, and community action initiatives, according to Diarra Warford, Bailey Foundation executive director.

Radio director of on-demand and community partnerships.

She is a former host and producer of IHeart Radio’s community affairs program, “Sunday Morning Live.” She was recently named as one of St. Louis’ 50 Most Intriguing Women, is a Delux Magazine Power 100 and Social Influencer and is a FOCUS St. Louis “What’s Right with the Region!” Award recipient.

Registration is required for the event and tickets are $125 per person or $800 for a table of eight. Sponsored tables range from $2,500 to $5,000.

Guarantee permanent income for children in poverty

By Marian Wright Edelman

April 18, 2022, was Tax Day in the United States.

The day was an especially sad reminder that the refundable, monthly expanded Child Tax Credit [CTC], that ended in December 2021, was short lived. The expanded CTC was a lifeline that lifted 3 million children above the federal poverty line in a single month by providing families much-needed cash to afford the basics.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted 90% of families with incomes below $35,000 spent CTC resources on food, utilities, housing, clothing, or education. It was proof in real time that we know how to end child poverty, and we can do it when we find the political will. But now we are seeing what happens when that will is not sustained. When Congress let the expanded CTC expire after six months, within just one month child poverty spiked by more than 40% and nearly 3.7 million children, including 662,000 Black children and 1.3 million Latino children, fell below the federal poverty line. We will not stop fighting. The Children’s Defense Fund is a co-chair of the Automatic Benefit for Children (ABC) Coalition, organizations working to create a permanent child allowance, or a guaranteed income, for children in the U.S. Many families that desperately needed the cushion the CTC provided were left back in the same stressful positions. It ended just as prices for basics like food and gas were rising sharply. The ABC Coalition recently sent a letter to Congress demanding they prioritize tax breaks for families and children rather than corporations that reads in part:

“According to a recent report from Moody’s Analytics, inflation is costing the average U.S. family an additional $296 per month, an amount roughly equivalent to one monthly payment of the expanded CTC for a single child. This pandemic-fueled inflation is compounding a longer-term trend: the cost of raising children has been rising faster than inflation for decades . . . Last year, the expanded CTC helped families deal with pandemic-related spikes in the costs of goods like gas and food and longer-term increases in expenses like child care. In 2021, a couple with two young children paid on average about $1,000 more for food and gas than before the pandemic.

“Many of the families who used monthly CTC payments to cover their basic needs do not have the savings to cover the increased costs of living. When inflation hits, corporations can weather the storm and even turn record profits by raising prices beyond the rate of inflation, but families don’t have that luxury.”

“Our gala will delve into the importance of unity in community,” Warford said.

“Our staff, board of directors, and volunteers are working hard to create this phenomenal event. We invite the community to join us in raising $100,000 to give the children and families we serve a brighter future.”

Emmy award-winning journalist Jade Harrell is the evening’s host. Harrell is founder of the media company Rare Gem Productions and serves as St. Louis Public

Funds raised will go toward distribution of free food to those in need, building current and upcoming programs, and “laying a foundation in East St. Louis,” according to Warford. Warford’s Classic Food Service and Elle Affair Event Planning are sponsoring the gala.

To register for the Take Action Gala, go to www.thebaileyfoundation.org/events. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Carmen Ward, director of development and community engagement, at carmen@ thebaileyfoundation.org.

Children and families deserve a permanent solution. That’s also why the CDF is calling on Congress to enact measures like the ”Babies over Billionaires Act” introduced by U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-New York), and co-leads Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Illinois), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey), and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania).

It would allow taxation of the unrealized capital gains of the top 0.01% of American taxpayers with over $100 million in assets, about 700 billionaires, and invest that money in programs that support families and children in the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.

Right now Tax Day is still a reminder of our nation’s misguided priorities, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. We must envision and realize an America where every child has enough. God did not make two classes of children and we do so at our peril.

Marian Wright Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund

The Bailey Foundation provides fine arts opportunities to area youths, and offers nutrition services and family support programs. It will hold its first Take Action Gala on June 26, 2022, at the Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa in St. Charles.

Photo courtesy of Bailey Foundation

Marian Wright Edelman

Jade Harrell

Continued from A1

News.

Morial also called on federal officials to create a hate crimes task force.

“I encouraged the president today to step up and call an emergency hate crimes and extremism summit at the White House. Bring all of the parties together,” he said.

“We have to take a powerful stand. It is a moral issue. It is an issue of paramount importance.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said “it is clear is that we are seeing an epidemic of hate across our country that has been evidenced by acts of

Sack

Continued from A1

national search, with assistance from the Center for Policing Equity. The search will be paid for by the Regional Business Council

“We want to keep the public informed around the next steps of the search and ensure St. Louisans we have a plan as we move forward in the next phase,” Isom said.

Rally

Continued from A1

CEO Yamelsie Rodríguez, one of thousands of pro-choice Missourians who gathered Saturday to express solidarity, share resources, and connect people with abortion resources and clinics. Pastors, politicians, grandmothers, and babies were in attendance, surrounded by rainbow-vested clinic escorts

violence and intolerance.

“Racially-motivated hate crimes or acts of violent extremism are harms against all of us, and we must do everything we can to ensure that our communities are safe from such acts.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul demanded that social media sites be more responsible for the racist content that is allowed to flow.

“This was, no other way to describe it than white supremacy, terrorism. It’s racism. It’s hatred. And it stops right here in Buffalo. This is the last stop you’re going to have because we are coming after you,” she told media members.

Michael Edison Hayden, a senior investigative reporter at the Southern Poverty Law

“From the beginning of this process, we’ve been committed to transparency around the search for the next police chief,” said Jones. “We, as a city, must meet the moment. As a mother and a leader, I know we must rise to the challenge to confront gun violence and innovate - especially to engage and protect our youth.”

Isom noted the Boulware Group has worked to help find police chiefs for major municipalities across the coun-

from the Planned Parenthood clinic in the Central West End – Missouri’s one remaining abortion provider.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you: reclaiming abortion access is not going to happen overnight,” Rodríguez said. “But…we are not going to go anywhere until every person can access abortion in this state without the fear of jail time, lawsuits, or harassment.”

Missourians have, indeed, experienced something much closer to a post-Roe state than

Center, shared a dire warning with ABC News.

“We’ve had too many wake-up calls at this point for me to feel confident that we’re going to suddenly change the current path that we are on,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called out Fox News for constantly furthering the “great replacement theory,” writing that it has inspired a number of terrorist attacks.

The theory contends that there is a plot to diminish the influence white people in countries that traditionally have been controlled by white people. Non-white immigrants are brought into Western countries to hasten the effects of lower white birth rates. This

try, including police chiefs in Detroit, Prince George County, Washington, DC, and Charlotte.

“St. Louisans deserve an extensive, proper search that will produce the best candidates for our next police chief to help build trust between the community and the department,” said Isom.

“I am incredibly grateful for the work Chief Hayden has done, as well as his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition as we continue the police

residents in many other parts of the country. Though abortion is technically legal in this state until viability (generally defined as 24 weeks into a pregnancy), an individual seeking an abortion in the state must adhere to a complex set of requirements – long waiting lists, mandatory waiting periods, state-required medical counseling that rights advocates call inaccurate – in order to get the care they’re seeking.

Even while Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land, the

permits the “replacement” of whites by other people.

In an open letter, that Schumer copied to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, he urged the Rupert Murdoch-owned network to consider the real and dangerous impact that repeating such rhetoric has made.

“In 2018, a white man who killed 11 worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue blamed Jews for allowing immigrant “invaders” into the United States. In 2019, a white man who expressed anger over “the Hispanic invasion of Texas” killed 23 people at an El Paso Walmart and later told the police he had sought to kill Mexicans. And just days ago in Buffalo, a white man killed 10 people in a supermarket on the

chief search.”

“Everything that I wanted to do at work is focused on creating positive change,” Sack said.

“I’ve learned quite a bit from the chief, as well as from others, throughout my career, and I’m confident that I will be able to carry out these responsibilities without any issue,” Sack said during a Wednesday press conference.

Sack joined the St. Louis Police Department in 1994 and worked in District Four, the Central Patrol Detective

one abortion-providing clinic in the state has weathered yearly legislative shutdown attempts, and has operated under more and more complex restrictions. In 2020, only 167 known abortions were performed in Missouri, a steep decrease from the annual average during the decade prior. By early 2021, the clinic was only providing between 10 and 20 abortions per month, and that same year nearly half of abortions performed in Kansas were for Missourians who crossed state

city’s predominantly Black east side. In a manifesto posted online, the individual responsible for this heinous murder wrote that the shoppers there came from a culture that sought to “ethnically replace my own people.”

Gendron had written a 180-page manifesto in which he complained of the dwindling size of the white population and included his fears of ethnic and cultural replacement of white people.

He described himself as a fascist, a white supremacist, and an anti-Semite.

“While past violent white supremacist attacks seem to have factored into this heinous act, we must acknowledge that extremist rhetoric espoused by some media and

Bureau, and the Special Services Division. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007 and was assigned to the District Seven until he was promoted again in 2008 to the rank of Captain. As a Captain, he served as the commander of Crimes Against Persons. In 2015, Sack was promoted to Major and served as the Commander of the Central Patrol Division until he was transferred to command the Bureau of Professional Standards.

lines for the procedure.

The staff of the Missouri Abortion Fund, which has been operating since 2016, knows all about the effect of restrictions, including insurance requirements that block coverage of nearly all abortions in Missouri. So the fund’s dollars generally move out-of-state to places like Hope Clinic for Women just across the river in Illinois.

The plan will continue covering abortion costs for Missourians in need, no matter where those Missourians have to travel to access care.

Michele Landau of the Missouri Abortion Fund emphasized at Saturday’s rally that in this state, barriers to reproductive health care already are present: the average cost of an abortion for a Missouri Abortion Fund patient is $671, and “further abortion restrictions will only make the cost of care go up.”

“An abortion isn’t exactly something people can, want to, or should have to put off until their next paycheck,” Landau said.

political leaders on the right promoting theories that vilify or dehumanize segments of our society like ‘the great replacement theory’ is a factor too,” wrote U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson in a statement.

Had the gunman not been stopped, Buffalo police commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told CNN he planned to kill even more people.

“There was evidence that was uncovered that he had plans, had he gotten out of here, to continue his rampage and continue shooting people. He’d even spoken about possibly going to another store,” Gramaglia said. NNPA Newswire contributed to this report

In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He remained the Commander of Professional Standards until October of 2021, when he was transferred to command the Bureau of Community Policing. He has received two Officer of the Year Awards, three Awards of Excellence, and one Chief’s Letter of Commendation. He also attended and graduated from the FBI Academy in 2014.

they were pro-life they would be supporting bans on assault weapons. If they were pro-life they would be increasing funding for education…but they aren’t. They are not pro-life. We know that it’s not about being pro-life. It’s really about keeping vulnerable people and communities powerless.”

n “I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you: reclaiming abortion access is not going to happen overnight,” Rodríguez said.

“But…we are not going to go anywhere until every person can access abortion in this state without the fear of jail time, lawsuits, or harassment.”

Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) also spoke at the rally, greeted with deafening cheers by her constituents. Bush, a prominent advocate for abortion rights at the national level, told her abortion story in public for the first time in late 2021, after Texas banned all abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, often as early as six weeks. Since then, she’s told that story dozens of times, on local and national stages: the story of a 17 year old Black girl from St. Louis who was raped, and whose abortion allowed her to build a life for herself and one day enter the halls of Congress.

– Planned Parenthood of St. Louis President and CEO Yamelsie Rodríguez

“And let us be extremely clear: abortion bans are a form of class warfare that affects marginalized communities.”

In the weeks since the draft decision was leaked, the Missouri Abortion Fund has received more than $200,000 in donations, more than it received in all of 2021.

Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a clinical abortion provider and Chief Medical Officer with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, knows all too well the outsized impact the court’s ruling may have on marginalized communities.

“There are no two ways about it: the Roe decision is going away in weeks. The burden will continue to fall the hardest on people of color and people of low income,” she said. Speakers at the rally were particularly concerned with the health of Black women after Roe falls. Black women are more than three times as likely to die giving birth as White women, and that disparity is even greater in the St. Louis region. So, a policy of forced birth would likely cause greater harm to Black and Hispanic women, as Associated Press data analysis has indicated.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said this should be taken as an opportunity to push politicians—particularly Democrats—who haven’t yet taken a public stance on abortion access to make their positions clear. “If they were pro-life they would be supporting universal health care. If

“I’m here today with all of you to declare, again, that abortion care is health care…is a human right,” Bush said. “We are here because of justice. But the issue is, we have Justices that don’t believe in justice.”

In a recent speech on Capitol Hill, Bush called out some of her colleagues in Congress by name, as they have stood in the way of an end to the filibuster. Bush and others in Congress and senators have renewed calls to end the filibuster in recent weeks, opposed by only a handful of their fellow Democrats. If the filibuster is abolished, this could allow the legislature to push through laws codifying abortion access.

“I’m talking to you, Joe Manchin. I’m talking to you, Susan Collins. I’m talking to you Lisa Murkowski,” Bush said. “Anyone who dares to have the power to do something in this moment, who understands the implications of this moment and is considering choosing not to.” No matter the outcome in D.C., though, Missouri prochoice organizers wanted to make one thing clear: they’re not backing down.

“We will figure it out. Because we aren’t going anywhere,” Michele Landau said. “Missouri Abortion Fund is not going anywhere. Hope Clinic for Women is not going anywhere. ProChoice Missouri, Planned Parenthood—none of us are going anywhere.”

highlighted how the May Day Parade captures the soul of the city while keeping the spirit of Annie Malone’s philanthropy alive.

“I am here to stand to say that I’m so glad that we are back out in the street again,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “Because this parade, supporting Annie Malone, supporting our children, those who need us the most, is the first thing we should be looking out to do.”

Bush was fighting back emotion as she addressed the crowd as the first African American woman to represent Missouri’s First Congressional District.

“It felt amazing. I have no words to describe it,” Bush later said of her first appearance at the parade as a member of Congress.

She was often seen breaking the parade line to personally greet constituents. Sometimes the conversations went on to the point she had to be pulled in so she wouldn’t fall too far behind and impede on the flow of the parade. “Seeing all of the organizations, and the people and the groups – that’s St. Louis strong,” Bush said. “And your congresswoman loves you.”

May Day Black girl magic

Bush was only one example of the Black girl magic that was illustrated at this year’s parade. The pioneering parade

namesake would have been especially proud. Recently appointed CEO Keisha Lee received A-list

celebrity treatment upon her arrival to the announcing stage. She emerged from a convertible with her fitted skirt, pink

stiletto heels with a huge bow at the ankles that matched the personalized Annie Malone t-shirt with “SHE-EO” custom

wording printed on the back.

“Okay Keisha,” one parade goer shouted. “Come through, heels!” Another one said,

admiring Lee’s footwear. As she stood up front, she, and Mayor Tishaura Jones –the first Black woman mayor of St. Louis – shared one of those, “I see you, girl” greetings as Jones made her way on the parade route.

“We are back!” Parade chair and Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center board member John Bowman declared as he introduced Lee.

“We are back and under new leadership – and we are in good hands.” Lee professed her love for the parade and the energy it provides.

“This is our parade – not my parade, not just us – this is all of ours,” Lee said. She was instantly ready to get the party started. “Where the music?” Lee asked. “DJ, give us just a little something to get us together.”

DJ Stew cued up Too Short’s, “Blow The Whistle.” As the song played, Harris Stowe-State University President Dr. Latonia Collins Smith proceeded to shimmy to the beat as the Harris-Stowe royal court made their way down Market.

Only at the May Day parade can you see a college president unapologetically grooving to the beat.

“I see you soror,” said Jess Live, who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. “Skee wee, soror! The event was “so St. Louis” from start to finish – both from the presenters and parade attendees. True to form for the May Day parade, observers had no issue with offering feedback with the expectation of full response and attention.

“Come on Kappas. Y’all better show me something,” a young woman yelled out as members of Kappa Alpha Psi rode by on a flatbed and took a pause for the cause near 15th Street.

More than likely they needed to take a breather after strolling from the beginning of the parade route near Market and Jefferson. A few stood up and jumped right into a party step that was heavy on the shoulder action. “There we go. That’s what I’m talking about,” she responded.

The energy expectation went both ways.

“Just throw ya’ hands in the air, and wave ‘em like you just don’t care,” BJ The DJ said to the crowd. “If you believe in Annie Malone, somebody say ‘oh yeah.’” He pointed the microphone back and forth in the direction of both sides of the street, and parade goers were all too eager to oblige.

“Oh yeah,” the crowd yelled in unison as their arms went up. They shouted as if they had been waiting on the moment for the entire two years that the parade was on in-person hiatus.

“Oh yeah! Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah!”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The Exclusive Dance Team performed during Sunday’s 112th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade May 15. It was the first parade by the agency in two years. NIKE was the lead sponsor with KSDK broacasting the parade live.

Black Caucus helped stave off several conservative bills

Proposed gun bill, others halted

St. Louis American staff

Calling 2022 legislative session “particularly grueling,” Ashley Bland Manlove, chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, said she is proud of its members and accomplishments.

“The Black Caucus members sat through countless hearings where the legislation or witnesses attacked those who look like ourselves and the people we love; particularly in education, elections, and healthcare,” she told The St. Louis American “I’m pleased that bills aimed at censoring history, changing the initiative petition process, and allowing guns in more public spaces were unsuccessful. A lot of this success is on the shoulders of Black Caucus Members.

The caucus was unable to stop the legislature passing an elections bill that requires a photo ID to vote.

It also allows Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, to review the list of registered voters in any jurisdiction and electronic voting machines will be banned after 2024, except in cases where a voter with a disability cannot use a paper ballot.

It was not a total loss, according to Manlove. Two weeks are still allowed for “no-reason absentee voting.”

As reported by St. Louis Public Radio, some House members took umbrage with the effort, or lack thereof, of Senators in challenging the new

voting requirements.

“This is a shameful day,” said Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis.

“Hopefully, we eventually have senators with a little bit more integrity, that’s going to stand up and fight.”

Senate Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said that he respected the opinion of his fellow Democrats but that it was difficult to fight what was a top priority for the Republicans.

“We didn’t vote for the bill,” he said. “We tried to do the best we could without getting something absolutely horrible shoved down our throat, which was a real possibility.”

Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, admonished her Republican colleagues for leaving the floor while Democrats spoke against the measure.

“We’re talking about gutting elections, we’re talking about democracy at its finest, the root of what our country itself was supposed to be built on, the exact foundation, and this chamber is empty,” she said.

“This bill is a major disenfranchisement movement,” said Rep. Joe Adams, D-University City.

“It is to deny people who have fought and denied for this right to vote. It’s an attempt to restrict their participation in the process.”

Jay Ozier, Saint Louis chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists president, said in a statement it “condemns H.B.1878, another Voter Suppression bill approved by the Missouri [legislature.] This is another step by the rightwing Republicans to stomp on the democratic rights of the

Missouri Black Caucus Chair Ashley Bland Manlove said its members helped stop bills aimed at censoring history, changing the initiative petition process, and allowing guns in more public spaces.

people.”

“Discriminatory measures target voters of color, sabotage elections and prevent Missourians from having their voices heard at the ballot box.”The legislature also passed a Congressional map that will preserve U.S. Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s hold on the 5th Congressional District in the Kansas City area.

Republican conservatives including state Sen. Bob Onder of St. Charles sought to chop up Cleaver’s district. Cleaver, Kansas City’s first Black mayor, has held the seat since 2005.

Every 10 years — after the release of new U.S. Census data — state lawmakers must redraw state and congressional lines to match population shifts. Missouri was one of four states without a finalized congressional map.

CONGRATULATIONS CHUCK!

Charles “Chuck” Stewart Appointed Executive Director of Metro Transit

Please join the Bi-State Development family in congratulating our own Chuck Stewart on his appointment as Metro Transit’s new Executive Director!

Having served as Interim Executive Director of Metro Transit since January 26, 2022, Chuck has proven that his indispensable leadership and commitment to the Bi-State Development mission are a true asset to our organization moving forward.

In his newly official role, Chuck is responsible for overseeing the dayto-day transit operations of the 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; a 400-vehicle MetroBus fleet including battery-electric and low-emission diesel buses; the Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit system, and more.

We’re excited to have Chuck at the wheel, and have every confidence that his trademark enthusiasm, steadfast leadership and future-forward focus will help guide Metro Transit toward the brightest possible future for our region.

Charles “Chuck” Stewart

Photo courtesy of House Communications

Lincoln U. poised to receive full state match for land-grant funding

By Rebecca Rivas Missouri Independent

Missouri lawmakers took the historic step before the session’s end by voting to allocate the full state match that Lincoln University needs to receive the maximum amount of federal landgrant funding available.

The funding, included in the state’s $45 billion operating budget passed Friday by the House and Senate, now heads to the governor’s desk.

“This is the first year that Lincoln University has gotten a [full] state match for this land-grant funding,” said Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, before the Senate vote Friday. “For those that don’t realize, that is a big deal. That is a significant deal.”

Lincoln, a historically Black college and university located in Jefferson City, is one of the state’s two land-grant institutions – or designated universities that have received federal funding for agricultural research and instruction since the late 1800s.

In 2000, the federal government mandated that states start matching the federal funding for land-grant universities. And every federal dollar that the state doesn’t match for Lincoln must go back to the federal government.

Last year, Lincoln received a 50% state match – or $4.9 million of the required $9.75 million – which was only the second time the university had received as much as a 50% match from the state since 2000.

“This is good…but we’re not talking about all the past years of neglect that the state has done upon Lincoln,” said State Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, said before the House vote on Friday.

Not wanting to lose out on the federal dollars, Lincoln previously used its core budget – funds meant to benefit all academic departments – to match the federal funds for agricultural research and instruction.

Windham told The Independent in March that the state not only needs to fully fund Lincoln’s land grant match each year, but it also needs to reimburse Lincoln for the $43 million that it had to take out of its core funding since 2000 to use as a match.

The University of Missouri was established as a land-grant university in 1870 through the Morrill Act of 1862, which funded educational institutions by granting federallycontrolled land to the states. Proceeds from sale

of the land provided funds to focus on teaching practical agriculture, science, military science and engineering.

Nearly 30 years later through the Morrill Act of 1890, the federal government said it would cease funding to states that didn’t accept African-American students into their land-grant universities – unless the states established a separate land-grant institution where African Americans could attend.

Originally established as Lincoln Institute in 1866 with donations from former slaves serving in the Union Army, Lincoln was among the 18 HBCUs designated for the funding.

Today, nearly all of the land-grant HBCUs fail to receive a full state appropriation, according to Forbes.

Gov. Mike Parson’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year included $5.2 million for Lincoln’s land-grant funding – about half of the required match. However, there was a bipartisan push by legislators to get the full required state funding.

Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, told The Independent previously that it’s been “very painful” to watch those dollars go back to the feds every year because the state didn’t match them.

“It seems like the University of Missouri always gets the full funding of the land grant,” Griffith said, “and Lincoln University is kind of like the red-headed stepchild.”

Photo courtesy of Lincoln University Lincoln University campus

Gardner’s office drops remaining capital cases; SLPS internal dysfunction worsens

With the recent transfer of two murder cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the City of St. Louis joins St. Louis County in becoming free of pending death penalty cases within the judicial circuit. Cornelius M. Green and Phillip J. Cutler originally were charged with murder in 2016 by then-circuit attorney Jennifer Joyce, but it was the administration of current St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner that chose to pursue the death penalty for both men in 2017.

The moment marks a victory for anti-death penalty activists in St. Louis, who have lobbied Gardner for years to exercise her prosecutorial discretion and stop pursuing capital punishment in St. Louis. In St. Louis County, Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell campaigned on the abolition of the death penalty, and his administration has sought life sentences instead of capital punishment since January 2019.

On March 9, a federal grand jury indicted Green and Cutler, both for murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder for hire in the 2016 deaths of Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child. Gardner’s office maintained the case until St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Hogan quietly cleared a procedural pathway for the federal marshals to assume custody of the two men, by entering detainers against them last Thursday. Hogan’s detainers also function as a “fail-safe:” if the federal prosecutors are unable to secure convictions, the detainers ensure Green and Cutler will return to the St. Louis City Jail to face the paused state criminal charges. According to federal court records, both Green and Cutler were ordered into custody of the U.S. Marshals on March 28 and they were appointed federal public defenders to represent them. Shortly after Green and Cutler were indicted, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a notice of intent with the federal court, announcing that federal prosecutors would “not seek the death penalty against the defendants.”

take a policy position and stop pursuing the death penalty in all cases,” Max said. The Circuit Attorney’s Office has not made a public statement on the federal indictments, nor has Gardner said whether her office would continue to seek the death penalty in future cases.

Prior to federal intervention, Gardner’s office requested to appoint a special prosecutor to Green’s and Cutler’s cases, along with another capital case against Ollie Lynch, who has been accused of three 2017 murders. Lynch’s case was decertified as a death penalty case in January of this year. According to Max, with Green’s and Cutler’s cases moving to federal court, there are now 13 death penalty cases pending across the state.

• • •

A few weeks ago, the St. Louis School Board of Education was rocked when two of its members - Dr. Joyce Roberts, elected in 2018, and Regina Fowler, appointed by former mayor Lyda Krewson in 2020 - announced their immediate resignations from the Board. After months of secrecy and offthe-books meetings, insiders say that the public is finally getting a glimpse of the internal upheaval at the Board. The vacant seats left open by Dr. Roberts and Fowler have yet to be filled, but what has emerged from their abrupt departures are the subtle signs of internal struggle and a pattern of questionable behavior toward elected Black women.

Exhibit A: Fowler’s letter of resignation addressed to Board President Matt Davis, who was elected to the Board in 2021. Fowler’s letter was not public but was leaked to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. For context, Davis was internally elected as the Board of Education’s leader on April 12, beating the incumbent Dr. Roberts in a 4-3 split. While that vote seems to be where the public-facing chaos began, the drama referenced in Fowler’s letter started months earlier, when the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted to establish a City-wide plan for public schools.

Fowler is unclear what is meant by “colluding,” but what is clear is that political dysfunction at the Board of Education is getting in the way of members being able to make the best decisions for both their leadership and for the students they serve.

The Board’s nonpublic problems allegedly stem from the passage of Board Resolution 65, which supported a moratorium on opening new schools in St. Louis and tasked Board members with bringing “education system leaders, education practitioners, community stakeholders, city- and state-level policy makers, and scholars in the development of such a plan” together to develop a City-wide plan for education.

But who is included in that definition of “public schools,” however, has been where much of the Board’s internal political turmoil lies, and there are two clear divisions within the Board of Education. One faction within the Board believes that all students in the City of St. Louis should be represented in the plan discussion; the other believes that only St. Louis Public Schools students should

be considered in the plan. Instead of focusing on the obvious dysfunction discussed by Fowler in her resignation letter or sitting at the table to negotiate the City-wide plan, education activists have belitted her allegations. Their attention shifted to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Congresswoman Cori Bush and elected Black women were blamed for the internal strife within the Board of Education. Toward Fowler, white activists with Solidarity for SLPS doubted the concerns that she raised, reducing her experience on the Board to “electoral sour grapes.”

Solidarity for SLPS targeted Rep. Bush after a charter school announced her appearance at a block party; Bush was there to discuss recent trauma experienced by students at the school. Lauren Rea Preston, a vocal SLPS parent who typically sides with Solidarity for SLPS, lobbed bizarre accusations at Mayor Jones in an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch -- already hostile toward Black women – claiming that Jones’ “neoliberal” education policies are driven by capitalism without actually explaining her

position. Davis, on the other hand, has made some questionable moves since assuming power.

Board Member Alisha Sonnier, who represented the Board of Education at the City’s Tax Incremental Financing (“TIF”) Commission, was suddenly removed from her commission seat by Davis, reportedly in retaliation for her support of Dr. Roberts’ re-election bid. And notably, several of Davis’ posts criticizing Black elected women have been deleted from his Twitter account. Elected officials generally are not allowed to delete posts from social media accounts used for official purposes under Missouri’s open public records laws.

Davis did finally sit down with Mayor Jones’ administration last week to discuss an amicable path forward. In a statement following their meeting last Friday, the Mayor’s Office stated “[o]ur administration is ready to engage fellow community stakeholders as we move this appointment process forward as outlined by state law.”

Hopefully, for the sake of all schoolchildren in St. Louis, the Board of Education and its leadership are ready to do so, too.

•

No further hearings have been scheduled in the circuit court for either man, demonstrating the intent to pause those cases as the federal charges proceed. An attorney conference has been set for early June in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Elyse Max, executive director of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said the developments with Green’s and Cutler’s cases were a step in the right direction, especially with capital punishment off the table as a possible sentence.

“We remain hopeful that Circuit Attorney Gardner will become the second progressive prosecutor in Missouri to

In her letter dated April 26, Fowler specifically charged that the internal politics within the Board of Education “inevitably make the children and families the losers.” Without providing specifics, Fowler said in the letter that “collusion prevented other very qualified candidates who have longer terms to fulfill from leading the Board.” She noted, however, that her complaint was not about Davis winning or Dr. Roberts’ loss. What Fowler suggests is that she “saw soon after [her] appointment Board members colluding to get what they wanted and in effect eliminating diversity of thought.”

Roberts’ drain of campaign resources accompanies a questionable narrative planted by his campaign team in right-wing, extremist, and Republican media outlets, attacking personal security measures taken by Rep. Bush. Roberts’ suspicious leverage of conservative media aside, the timing could not be worse for his campaign.

After last week’s horrifying mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, where a white supremacist gunman specifically targeted Black customers at a grocery store, Roberts’ attacks against Bush further show how disconnected he is from the world of real leadership. One in six elected officials have experienced threats of violence related to their job, from death threats that name children or family members of the electeds, to race- and gender-specific harassment. More often than not, there is overlap between threats of violence and white supremacist values.

Rep. Bush has very valid, reasonable concerns for her safety from violent white supremacists who have already shown themselves to have no restraint toward Black people. For Roberts to make light of – or even dispute the need for -- Congresswoman Bush’s security concerns underscore his complete lack of understanding of the position for which he is running.

Finally, State Sen. Steve Roberts, who has been multiply and credibly accused of sexual violence, released his campaign’s first ad last week. With a campaign already in trouble, voters would expect Roberts to discuss his own record or how he would differ from his political mentor and former congressman Lacy Clay. Instead, Roberts’ grossly miscalculated attack ad contained disturbing “jokes” about domestic violence and reminded voters of Roberts’ own history as an alleged abuser. “Rather than making tasteless and offensive jokes about abusive relationships, Sen. Roberts should consider who’s really served by his run for higher office,” said Isra Allison, Bush’s campaign spokeswoman.

Matt Davis Steve Roberts

“Taking Care of You”

No kidding around

Doctors say young children still need to be vaccinated

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

At one of the most fragile times in American history, Dr. Jason G. Newland, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Washington University and Children’s Hospital, has a positive outlook about the future of children.

“I think our kids and our teenagers are going to be able to see beyond the political strife in our country. They will have a sense of community strength and will want to help people a lot more than older generations,” Newland said, referring to children impacted by the novel coronavirus.

“This is going to stick with them enough where they are going to support one another more in the future. They’re going to show

love and kindness like we’ve never seen before.”

Newland’s forecast was an offshoot of a question many parents are asking. They are aware that Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the United States is “out of the full-blown, explosive pandemic phase.”

Many parents are wondering if it’s still necessary to have their young children vaccinated.

“Yes, it is still necessary,” Newland vehe-

mently said.

“Thankfully, deaths and cases have gone down but just like with influenza, if we look at what happened and what could happen, we will see new cases, continued death; we will see complications with young children where they can get this multi-system inflammatory syndrome. All these things can be pretty much prevented by getting vaccinated.”

There’s no doubt that the nation is in a much better place than it was during the past two years. Two-thirds of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. People who’ve already had COVID have built up some type of immunity to it. And, according to recent CDC data, nearly six in 10 adults and three in four children carry antibodies to the coro-

Alopecia, hair loss are health matters

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

After Actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, one word was echoed around the world – alopecia.

Even though many people in the nation had no idea what this word meant, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation this condition affects both sexes and all ethnic groups can develop alopecia areata.

“The definition of alopecia is hair loss from any cause. There are 100 different categories of alopecia,” said Dr. Linda Amerson of Arlington, Texas.

Although people of all ages can develop alopecia, studies have shown that many people start to experience symptoms of this disease by the age of 30.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), “Telogen effluvium is a type of alopecia where hair sheds in excess. It can happen suddenly, or hair can thin over time. Causes of telogen effluvium include medications, stress, childbirth, physical trauma, restrictive dieting, and life changes.

n “The definition of alopecia is hair loss from any cause. There are 100 different categories of alopecia.”

– Dr. Linda Amerson

Dr. Amerson said there are over 300 medications that have a side effect that causes alopecia.

“My alopecia started after my father died. I was washing my hair when I was getting ready for his funeral, then I noticed a hand full of hair in the sink,” said Sebran Ferrell. Ferrell admits that she was dealing with a perfect storm in her life before she was diagnosed with Alopecia Areota. Prior to her diagnosis her mother was sick, her father died, and she was experiencing some personal health issues.

“After seeking help from several professionals, I finally chose to go to a holistic function management doctor. I knew that I needed help getting my insides under control as well. I was dealing with pre-diabetes, and a lot of other things that were going on with my body other

AHA study: Women, Black adults have longer ER waits for chest pain

By JoAnn Weaver For The St. Louis American

Younger women and African American adults experiencing chest pain wait longer to get care in the emergency room than their respective male and white counterparts, research shows.

According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, women ages 18 to 55 years old also received a less thorough evaluation for a possible heart attack and were less likely to be admitted to the hospital when presenting with similar symptoms as their male peers, potentially placing them at higher risk for poor outcomes.

for safety and quality in the department of medicine at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Despite a decline in the overall number of heart attacks, the number is rising among young adults, lead study author Banco said in a news release.

n “Minutes count when someone has a heart attack.”

– Dr. Harmony Reynolds

“Whether or not the differences in chest pain evaluation directly translate into differences in outcomes, they represent a difference in the care individuals receive based on their race or sex, and that is important for us to know,” said Dr. Darcy Banco, chief resident

Chest pain is responsible for more than 6.5 million U.S. emergency room visits and 4 million outpatient visits each year, according to chest pain guidelines issued in 2021 by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and others.

The recommendations aim to help doctors identify those at highest risk for heart attacks and prevent unnecessary testing in those not at risk.

“Minutes count when someone has a heart attack,” senior study author Dr. Harmony Reynolds said in the news release. She is director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Research and associate professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman

See ER WAITS, A13

A Journal of the American Heart Association study showed women and Black adults waited longer than men and white adults, respectively, to be seen by emergency room staff. Women waited an average 11 minutes longer than men – 48 minutes versus 37 minutes.

Children between the age of 5 and 11 were approved to get Covid-19 vaccinations in November. Those under 5 could gain CDC approval by the end of June.

Photo courtesy of NNPA

Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

Photo courtesy of the American Heart Association

“Taking

Care of You”

Illinois prepares for more out-of-state patients if Roe v. Wade overturned

By Sarah Fentem St. Louis Public Radio

Illinois will continue to be a haven for those seeking abortions as other states restrict access to the procedure after the U.S. Supreme Court›s expected ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

Pritzker and other state officials visited Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights on May 11, 2022 to announce they want to expand abortion services. Illinois would protect the right to an abortion, he assured patients.

“Since 2015, the number of out-of-state patients coming to Illinois to make their own decisions about whether, where and how to be a parent has tripled, and without action from Congress it’s set to soar,” he said. “Let me be clear on this: Illinois is a prochoice state, and as long as I’m governor and we retain a pro-choice legislature, we will support every woman’s right to reproductive freedom.”

Pritzker’s message comes a week after Politico published a draft majority opinion by the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. The court’s official decision could come later this year.

Planned Parenthood would expand

Missouri, Kentucky and other nearby states have laws that would prohibit the procedure as soon as judges rule against the 1973 decision. The state is an island of access, surrounded by states where Republican legislatures have for years been restricting who and how a person can obtain an abortion, Pritzker said.

Vaccinated

Continued from A12

navirus.

Still, Newland maintains, even with victories in the fight against the coronavirus, now is not the time to forego concerns about vaccinating very young children.

“We know that children less than five will be around grandparents, those in that high-risk group. These little ones didn’t seem to get it as easily, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, but, man, they’ll sure give it to you,” he said.

“Without having them vaccinated, you increase the risk for them and especially other people getting infected.”

Another reason Newland encourages vaccinating children under five is related to the unknown of the ever-mutating virus. A recent report from Johns Hopkins Medicine

ER Waits

Continued from A12

School of Medicine.

Although chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom for both women and men, women are more likely to also exhibit other symptoms, such as nausea and shortness of breath.

Alopecia

Continued from A12 than alopecia.”

Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body, according to AAD. Carmen Anderson realized that she was dealing with hair loss after her beautician noticed some balding areas when she was washing her hair. This led

Close to three-quarters of the patients at the Fairview

noted that coronavirus variants, including the highly contagious omicron variant, continue to spread. Cases are highest in areas with low rates of vaccinations and among populations such as children under 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated.

“The more people that can be potentially protected, the less likely you’ll have variants come out and you can prevent other infections,” Newland said. “So, in the end, if you can get vaccinations down to six months (of age) that will help tremendously.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics is also concerned.

Last month the agency reported a dramatic spike in 2022 COVID-19 cases among children. For the week ending April 21, the academy noted over 37,000 additional child COVID-19 cases, marking the second consecutive weekly increase in child added cases.

A vaccine for kids younger than 5 may be available soon

“Calling an ambulance is also helpful because emergency medical technicians can treat chest pain and heart attack right away. People who arrive at the ER by ambulance often receive urgent care and attention sooner compared to people who arrive at the ER on their own,” Reynolds said.

Researchers analyzed 4,152 medical records from 2014 to 2018 for nearly 30

Anderson to visit her doctor, who revealed that she had skin lupus. After being diagnosed with lupus, Anderson experienced small bumps that began to itch. These bumps would show up anywhere on her body.

“When I first started dealing with my hair loss, I wore wigs. However, it took me a lot to get comfortable with wearing wigs, because they could come off. In the beginning, I did experience a few embarrassing moments when my wig came off unexpectedly,” she said.

Heights clinic are from out of state, Pritzker said. Patients come from as far away as Texas, where a new law allows private citizens to take legal action against those who aid anyone seeking an abortion.

Pritzker expects tens of thousands more new patients to come to Illinois from other states each year if the Supreme

through the pharmaceutical company Moderna. It is expecting emergency authorization for the only population that still can’t get even their first shot. The FDA’s panel of vaccine experts are expected to make a final decision after its June meetings.

Court formally overturns Roe v. Wade, which would allow state legislatures to pass individual abortion bans. That translates to a predicted 14,000 new patients coming to Planned Parenthood’s Metro East location, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

n “I think our kids and our teenagers… will have a sense of community strength and will want to help people a lot more than the older generations.”

– Dr. Jason G. Newland, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Washington University and Children’s Hospital

Newland feels vaccines for very young kids will be approved, after an arduous process.

“The best news we’ve heard so far is that the FDA’s external advisory committee is meeting,” Newland explained.

“That gives us a sense of what will happen. They will meet, look at all the data and

million emergency room visits for chest pain. Participants were 18 to 55 years old, nearly a third of whom were Black. A small percentage were another race or ethnicity, and the rest were white.

The results showed women and Black adults waited longer than men and white adults, respectively, to be seen by emergency room staff. Women waited an aver-

After dealing with alopecia for three years, Anderson is currently having injections that are causing her to see some hair regrowth.

Tiyiesha Morgan, a hair loss practitioner, services clients in California and Texas. With over 6.8 million Americans dealing with hair loss, Morgan believes that hair loss is a silent epidemic.

“The main difference is that hair loss is unlike some other conditions, it affects your outer appearance. Women can go into depression and experience

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks about abortion rights and access on Wednesday at the Planned Parenthood Fairview Heights Health Center.

most likely approve it. Then it goes to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. They will probably recommend it. So, maybe around the second week in June, we’ll likely have it where kids 6 months to five years of age can get vaccinated.”

In the meantime, Newland has been trying his best to address the concerns of parents, he said, who fit within several distinct categories.

“There are about three groups,” Newland said.

“Those in group one are all in. They know the science; they trust the science and know vac-

age 11 minutes longer than men – 48 minutes versus 37 minutes.

Compared to their white peers, women of any other race or ethnicity waited an average 58 minutes, or 15 minutes longer for an initial evaluation. And compared to their white peers, men of other races or ethnicities waited an average 44 minutes to be evaluated, or 10 min-

anxiety after dealing with the effects of hair loss,” said Morgan. Morgan also believes that there should be more research done on the impact of hair loss in African American Women. She supports recent efforts like those of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who has alopecia, advocating for Medicare to cover the cost of wigs for those who have lost their hair from disease and treatment.

After dealing with alopecia, Ferrell admits that

“In Illinois, we have been preparing for the day Roe falls, and we are ready,” she said. Rodriguez and Pritzker urged U.S. senators to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill sponsored by Democrats that would codify the right to an abortion nationwide. Senators are

cines will help their kids live easier.

“Group two are the ones who are not getting vaccinated…period. They don’t understand the science, don’t trust it, and don’t want it. Some might even be in that camp that don’t believe COVID is even real.

“Then there’s the group that just isn’t sure, and they’re scared. Some may even be vaccinated but aren’t sure about vaccinating their kids. They may have a loved one telling them they’re crazy to do it and another telling them they should do it. They just don’t know where to go. This is the group, however, where we might be able to convince people.”

scheduled to vote on the bill today, but analysts say it’s unlikely to pass, as Democrats do not have the votes. Pritzker also called for state regulators to allow nurse practitioners to perform abortions, which he said would help with the inevitable backlog of patients coming to the state in the future.

“We need reproductive services of all sorts available to women,” he said. “And more available now, because we no doubt are going to see many more women who are seeking a place of refuge to exercise their rights.”

Abortion-rights advocates have been planning for the day Roe v. Wade would be overturned for years, Rodriguez said.

To prepare, Planned Parenthood has opened a call center in the Metro East to assist patients coming to Illinois and connect them to the Midwest Access Coalition and other groups raising money to fund abortions and related expenses like lodging and travel.

“We were angry, and we were shocked, we were also not completely taken aback,” Rodriguez said. “This is what we’ve been sounding the alarms for for a long time.”

Follow Sarah on Twitter: @petit_smudge

“There’s been educational loss [and] mental health problems that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Kids have lost staggering numbers of their loved ones. Their lives have been changed forever,” he said.

The jury is still out on the long-term effects of COVID19 on adults and children. Although the virus has not had the most severe impact on very young kids as with adults, Newland believes the best route for better future outcomes means taking the safest route.

“Thankfully, children have been less impacted, but that could change on a dime and it’s clear that you’re way better protected if you’re vaccinated as opposed to being unvaccinated.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

Revisiting his theory about the positive impact COVID will have on future generation’s attitudes, Newland doesn’t think that will happen by coincidence. He recommends vaccinating children early to help them avoid what he called “the consequences of the pandemic.”

utes longer. The study found no racial differences in how people were evaluated and treated once seen. But women reporting chest pain were less likely than men to be prescribed heart medications or to be admitted to the hospital or kept in the ER for observation. Among men, 17.9% were admitted, compared to 12.4% of women.

she has had her own personal awakening, “I used to think that my hair was my best quality. I now realize that you are not defined by your hair.”

Although there is no cure for alopecia, some forms of the condition can be reversible.

Dr. Amerson recommends that women seek help as soon as they notice hair loss so that they can have the best possible outcome from the condition.

“Don’t call your girlfriends or don’t go to YouTube University. You need to go to someone with board certified

Banco said the findings raise many questions for future research.

“Do differences in wait time vary with location?” she said. “Are the differences related to variation in hospital care quality, or are these differences applicable to all ERs? Lastly, do differences in wait time translate to differences in outcomes?”

credentials,” stresses Dr. Amerson, adding that some of the warning signs that something is going on with your hair are: strains of hair on your vanity, substantial amounts of hair in your brush or strains of hair in the shower.

Sylvia Dunnavant Hines is founder of the Celebrating Life Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to breast cancer awareness and education

Photo by Sarah Fentem / St. Louis Public Radio

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Nutrition Challenge:

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food

Dining Out.

What Is ASize?Serving

GRAINS

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

Staying Active (Naturally) DuringSummer!the Smart Summer Eating!

Exercise Game

First Day of Spring!

Smart Choices

Tech-Neck

for several different reasons.

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.

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

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

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.

Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

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

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

summer. 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!

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

Melissa Douglass, MSW

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

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.

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

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

Learning Standards: HPE

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

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, 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!

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC.

Where do you work? I am an EMT – B at Abbott

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

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

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.

> Walking to the store when possible.

> Wash your parent’s car.

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

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

in Belleville, Illinois. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lindbergh High School. I then attended the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where I studied biology.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

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.

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

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

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate

> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

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

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

Learning Standards:

HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

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.

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

What does an EMT do? My day-to-day includes helping others when they aren’t feeling their best. I also assist getting them to the hospital when they can’t take themselves.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city.

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

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

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

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

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior? Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

Cracker-wiches

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.

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

> How bullying hurts others.

> What to do if you are bullied.

doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.

Easy Hummus Dip

Ingredients:

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

Ingredients:

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans

1 cup blueberries

> What other ice hazards are there?

Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

1 Garlic clove, crushed

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

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

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

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

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

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy helping others problem solve. Also, I have twin stepsons, one who wants to be a police officer, and the other who wants to be a doctor. I thought that being an EMT helped me to meet them both in the middle. And, back in 2018, I had my own medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The paramedic that took care of me was so comforting and assuring that I realized that becoming an EMT is an honorable career. I now work with that same paramedic, at the same company.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting and learning about new people and cultures every day. I also like the adrenaline of driving fast with sirens going to get to an emergency quickly.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

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

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Banana PB Smoothie

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Marnay Howard, EMT - B

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

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551.

Gateway MST

Elementary third grade students

Jade Lee and Kyrese Williams are observing the internal and external structures of plants and animals to provide evidence of growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. Gateway Elementary School is in the Saint Louis Public Schools District.

Photo by Rhonda Stovall

People are often mesmerized by airplanes. There are many parts to an airplane that work together to achieve flight. The front section has a spinner, propeller, and engine. The engine provides the power of the plane, causing the propellers to spin and create air flow. The spinner controls the propeller to ensure smooth airflow over the engine.

Take to Flight!

the flap and aileron, to help raise, lower, and steer the plane.

Finally, the rear of the plane contains the elevator, rudder, and tail. The tail holds the elevator and rudder. The horizontal part of the tail is the elevator, which moves up and down to control the pitch of the plane. The vertical part of the tail is called the rudder, which moves left to right. Pilots use the rudders to help steer the plane.

Dontrell Thomas, Sr. Boeing MQ-25 Assembly Operations Senior Manager

Dontrell Thomas, Sr. was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. At a young age, his mother instilled strong family values in him and his sister, while emphasizing the importance of a good education and a good work ethic. Math was his favorite subject in grade school, and he enjoyed science, learning about space, being able to compute and solve problems and he has always been fascinated by airplanes, technology and working with people. These early lessons inspired Thomas to become a leader in the workplace and in the community; and when the opportunity to work for a global aerospace company such as The Boeing Company presented itself, he seized the opportunity.

Thomas graduated from East St. Louis Sr. High School. He then earned a BS in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, an MBA in Project Management from DeVry University, Atlanta, Georgia, True Lean Manufacturing Certification from the University of Kentucky School of Engineering, and a Project Management Certificate from Washington University, St. Louis.

The body of the plane, which is the middle of the plane, contains the cockpit and fuselage. The cockpit is where the pilot sits. It houses the control panels and all of the navigational aids. The fuselage is the actual body of the airplane. The wings have two movable components, called

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

Have you ever wondered how hot air balloons fly? In this experiment, you will use a variety of materials to build your own hot air balloon.

Materials Needed:

• Large Lawn Garbage Bags • Dry

Cleaning Bags • Straws • Coat Hangers

• String • Scoth Tape • Hairdryer Process:

q Use the materials given to you to design a hot air balloon. The hair dryer will provide the hot air to lift the balloon.

x

To learn about the science of flight, visit: http://howthingsfly.si.edu/flight-dynamics

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

w Compare your results to your classmates. Which balloon flew the highest? Which balloon flew the longest? What changes would you make to your design? Does the amount of hot air affect the flight pattern?

Learning Standards: I can think critically to construct a design. I can evaluate the effectiveness and draw conclusions. I can make text-to-world connections.

left 1.2 hours later and flew in the same direction but with an average speed of 396 mph. How long did the jet fly before the Air Force plane caught up?

of

mph. An Air Force

DID YOU KNOW?

c Alanna’s flight left at 6:45 p.m. If her plane travels at an average rate of 600 mph and lands at 8:20 p.m., how many miles did she travel? ______

v A round trip flight to Florida is on sale for $199. If a one way ticket is $119, how much money do you save when purchasing the round trip ticket?

b If a family of four purchased airline tickets for a total of $1675, what is the price per ticket?

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

Thomas is an Assembly Operations Senior Manager on the MQ-25 Program at The Boeing Company. The MQ-25 is an unmanned aerial refueling drone about the size of an F/A-18 combat jet. He leads the teams using the Boeing behaviors model while embracing a diverse workforce to provide support and leadership in the production assembly process. He ensures that his teammates are working in a safe environment that is free of foreign objects and debris, and that they have the right tools to perform their jobs, and the Robot Operators have the required programming and automation support necessary to perform the whole countersinking operations successfully.

Thomas received the “Be Boeing” award for implementing the First Lineside Control Center (Shipside Support team) at the St. Louis site. He is the Boeing St. Louis Site Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council founder, advisor and pastpresident.

Learning Standards: I can read biographical information about a person who has made a contribution in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. I can make text-to-text connections, text-to-world connections, and text-to-self connections.

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One — Recipe for reading the newspaper: Think about what you do when you read the newspaper. What do you do first? Second? Write a recipe for reading the newspaper by giving step-by-step directions. Make sure to include time order words. Trade your recipe with a friend.

Activity Two — Local

famous Missourian: You have been given the task to write about a local Missourian who has contributed to your community. Skim through the newspaper to find the person who best fits this description. Tell how this person has impacted the community and why he or she should be recognized for his or her contributions.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write for a specific purpose and task. I can make text-to-world connections.

Bad to the bone

The ‘Grim Reaper of Radio’ is dead but not forgotten

By James T. Ingram For the St. Louis American

Bob Romanik, who for years used the radio airwaves in St. Louis and the Metro East area to terrorize his political enemies and endear himself to underdogs and loyal listeners, has died.

The self-described “Grim Reaper of Radio” lost his long fight with cancer, passing away at his Belleville, Illinois home at age of 72.

Knowing Bob, he wouldn’t want our sympathy. If nothing else, he was a proud guy. That’s not necessarily intended as praise for this complex shock jock.

As his radio intro song “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood so aptly described, he could be a scoundrel. His words could be as irritating and annoying as a hemorrhoid. He frequently used the “N-word” during broadcasts. He was a character, to say the least.

“elites” whom he felt looked down their noses at him during his formative years. He fancied himself a “patriot,” wearing America flag patterned suits and attire. Yet that patriotism never translated into volunteering for service in Vietnam when he had the opportunity.

It was contradictory, but Bob was a walking contradiction. He railed against his wealthy detractors, including St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern. But he wasn’t exactly poor himself. He amassed millions of dollars though his various endeavors. He spoke on-air about investment savvy, but his wealth seems to have been acquired through his reluctance to snitch on childhood friend, attorney Amiel Cueto and his client Thomas Venezia.

I spent hours with him on his radio show debating race, politics, and other topics. It became clear to me that he was a mixed bag; an agnostic, misogynist, racist, homophobe who was consistently and deliberately obnoxious.

However, Romanik was not a hypocrite. He genuinely believed the venom and vitriol that he spewed. But there was a softer side that he concealed, probably to maintain his sinister reputation.

Venezia was convicted in 1995 on federal gambling and racketeering charges connected to a $48-million video gambling ring that he operated during Romanik’s days as the Washington Park police chief. In 1997, Romanik pleaded guilty to federal charges for obstruction of justice, after allegedly having served as the muscle behind Venezia’s empire.

I was always greeted with a warm handshake, as he looked me in the eye, as if to size me up before doing battle on-air.

I also witnessed his generosity toward poor Black folks and others who couldn’t bury their deceased loved ones or were in dire financial straits.

He even drove around with a bag of dog food for stray dogs that he’d encounter.

He was complex, infamous, pugnacious, and relentless in his verbal assaults on those whom he detested. His main targets were those he considered power brokers in St. Clair County, Illinois, and St. Louis.

He had a chip on his shoulder, referring to himself as “poor white trash from the Roosevelt housing projects of East St. Louis.” He detested the

Feds claimed that Romanik lied 150 times to a grand jury investigating Venezia. By his own admission, Romanik said “I probably lied 600 times.” He served 16 months in federal prison, only to emerge and rebound as the secret owner of several strip clubs and radio stations under a shell company called Entertainment Media Trust.

That party ended for Romanik in 2020 when the FCC permanently denied his stations’ license renewal applications. This followed a myriad of complaints about his on-air racist and bigoted diatribes, his refusal to appear at FCC hearings and his attempts to conceal ownership of radio stations. But Bob Romanik, as despicable as he was, still managed to live and die on his own terms, unapologetically. I guess that’s a positive thing, even for the Grim Reaper.

Columnist James T. Ingram

Convention Center project is officially underway

Groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday

By Rachel Lippmann St. Louis Public Radio

An expansion to the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis, which leaders say is long overdue, is finally underway, with a groundbreaking on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

The biggest part of the $210 million project is a new 72,000-square-foot exhibit space. The loading docks will be reconfigured and expanded, and a new entrance will be built at 9th Street and Martin Luther King Drive.

The changes are needed to sustain the region’s convention business, Mayor Tishaura Jones contends.

The convention center last underwent a major upgrade in 1993, and events have bypassed St. Louis in recent years because of a lack of space and amenities.

“These kinds of events are more than just a source of pride for St. Louis,” she said.

“They create $265 million in economic activity for our city, our state and our region.”

Kitty Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis, said “I’m ecstatic.”

“We’re taking a 45-year-old convention center and making it competitive with the cities that have much newer and much bigger buildings,”

she said. Ratcliffe thanked the staff at Explore St. Louis, who “waited years for me to get this done, wondering what it would take for people to understand that St. Louis was losing ground every year that we did nothing.”

n

“We’re taking a 45-year-old convention center and making it competitive with the cities that have much newer and much bigger buildings.”

– Kitty Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page called the expansion project a good example of “regionalism and collaboration.”

“The hospitality industry has greatly suffered over the past two years, and getting this project started is an important boost to our continued recovery,” he said.

Officials in St. Louis and St. Louis County first reached a deal on the $210 million in upgrades in 2019. The bonds sold to pay for

construction are to be covered by the hotel tax paid by guests, which was previously directed to paying off the debt for the Dome. (The Dome, which is owned by a separate entity, is not part of this expansion.)

But the coronavirus pandemic meant hotel tax revenue dropped by more than 50% in the city, and concerns about how the bonds would be funded if the hotel tax did not rebound led city officials to delay the approval of their share of the bonds.

Then, the chair of the St. Louis County Council, Rita Days, D-Bel Nor, delayed approval of the county’s share of the bonds in a dispute over a promised recreation center in North County. The council added bonds for the rec center to the convention package and voted to move forward in April.

Meanwhile, costs ballooned because of supply chain issues. But Ratcliffe said she is not concerned about having enough money to finish construction.

“Everybody bid high,” she said of the contractors and subcontractors on the project. “And now they can figure out when they order the materials what the real costs are.”

Work on the first phrase of the expansion must be completed by February 2024.

Lisa Cook confirmed as first Black woman to serve on Fed Reserve board

VP Harris casts deciding vote

St. Louis American staff and NNPA

It took a Black woman’s vote to secure the appointment of the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors in its 108-year history.

Lisa Cook, who holds a doctorate in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and has been a professor of economics and international relations at Michigan State since 2005, won Senate approval by a 51-50 vote.

Vice President Kamala Harris cast the decisive vote. Senate Republicans argued that she is unqualified for the position, saying she doesn’t have sufficient experience with interest rate policy and that she isn’t sufficiently committed to fighting inflation.

What really is drawing the GOP’s ire is her research on how hate-related violence has harmed U.S. economic growth.

In a 2020 commentary in The New York Times, Cook wrote “discrimination inflicts a staggering cost on the entire economy,” citing research that showed the far-reaching economic costs of racism. She analyzed patent records and found that riots, lynching, and Jim Crow laws that targeted African American communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s hurt Black people’s ability to pursue inventions and discoveries.

“If there is something that impedes the rate of arrival of ideas,

PeoPle on the Move

Leggett named senior VP at Loyola Marymount

Leggett

Kawanna Leggett, Ed.D., an accomplished, nationally recognized justice-oriented student development leader, will be Loyola Marymount University’s next senior vice president for student affairs. Most recently, she served as associate vice chancellor of student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis. At Washington University, Leggett oversaw residential life and housing, conference services, student transitions and family programs, and the faculty fellows in Residence Program.

Richardson named operations director

Roy

Roy Richardson

behavior science from Kings University, is a former law enforcement officer and Air Force Veteran. Thomas Dunn Learning Center offers free and low cost educational programs, and partners with community organizations and nonprofits to bring enriching programs for adults and teens.

Lisa Cook was confirmed as the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve board of directors last week by a 51-50 vote. Her research on the impact of racism on the American economy was too much for many Republican senators.

Christopher Clark has been named as the next principal of Parkway’s Highcroft Ridge Elementary, effective July 1. Clark is currently the head principal at Halls Ferry Intermediate in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Prior to this position, Clark served Ferguson-Florissant as a hearing and re-entry officer and as principal at Cross Keys Middle School. Previously, he was the director of alternative education with the Ritenour School District. Clark has a specialist degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.

Joe Mark named chair of advisory board

Clark named principal of Highcroft Ridge Promotion,

Tony Thompson, left, chief executive officer of the Kwame Building Group; St. Louis County Executive Sam Page; and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones listen to speakers Tuesday at the groundbreaking for the expansion of America’s Center.

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

Kawanna

Christopher Clark

Joe Mark

Racial Healing/Justice Fund announces new governance board

St. Louis American staff

The only thing standing between creation of many community-based projects is funding. The Community Governance Board [CGB] takes on the challenge of selecting which projects will receive resources on behalf of the St. Louis Regional Racial Healing + Justice Fund

The 14-member CGB for the 2022-2023 grant period is comprised of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Clair County community members and advocates “who are directly impacted by racialized oppression,” The Fund states in a release.

Its responsibilities include ensuring community-based priorities are met, reviewing, and selecting applications to receive funding.

“My hope for serving on the [CGB] is to continue pushing the needle forward in the St. Louis region for all Black, brown and people of color to live in an area that demonstrates core rights in housing, education, health, job/career options, policing, and more,” said Ashley Winters.

“I want to see our wildest imaginations come to manifestation where this type of work is no longer needed. I look forward to being a part of history and I’m eager to get my boots on the ground.”

The third grant cycle opens in mid-summer and the previous two grant cycles saw more than $500,000 invested in 34 Black- and brown-led organizations in the St. Louis region.

“To me, this Fund means liberation. It means that Black and queer people of all ages and intersections can get a spark for a project they’re starting, completing, or continuing. This Fund is, as we say, everything,” said Darian Wigfall.

Cook

Continued from B1 you’re going to slow down the economy,” Cook told the “Planet Money” podcast in 2020.

“Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC] led organizations often face systemic barriers in securing institutional funding, including limited staff capacity and racial biases in application review.

The Fund addresses these issues by providing technical support sessions to applicants, and by involving residents, community organizers, and healing practitioners in the review process; and specifically targeting BIPOC-led organizations for investments, according to Bethany JohnsonJavois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation.

“The Racial Healing + Justice Fund is seeding generational healing and transformation that requires commitment well beyond this current grant cycle,” she said.

“Healing community trauma and changing conditions that reinforce systemic racism requires multi-generational funding and an endowed St. Louis Regional Healing + Justice Fund.”

Deaconess Foundation will continue its role as grant administrator. Forward Through Ferguson [FTF] serves as The Fund’s project manager and provides support to the board throughout the grantmaking process.

The Deaconess Foundation, Forward Through Ferguson, and Missouri Foundation for Health established the Racial Healing + Justice Fund to invest in racial healing as a core component of achieving racial equity. A goal is making space for affected Black and brown residents and give them direct power over distribution of resources for healing, justice, and transformation, according to a release.

The Fund aligns local and national philanthropy, community-set priorities, and community-led grantmaking that

“It’s not just for that period. And it’s not just for Black people. This is a cautionary tale for all economies.” Cook was also a staff economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2012 and was an adviser to

put racial equity and healing justice at the center.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported the launch of the Fund with a matching grant, and local and national foundations have joined the pool of participating organizations.

Founded in 2016, FTF was created as an independent entity to follow the action plan outlined by the Ferguson Commission Report, Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity. FTF centers impacted communities and activates community advocacy to advance racially equitable systems and policies “that ensure all people in the region can thrive.”

Deaconess Foundation, a ministry of the United Church of Christ, has invested more than $85 million to improve the health of the St. Louis community since 1998. Its advocacy work reaches St. Louis and St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles and Franklin Counties in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois. Missouri Foundation for Health works in partnership with communities and nonprofits. Its goal is to eliminate inequities in all aspects of health, while addressing the social and economic factors that shape health outcomes.

For more information on the grantmaking process, please contact Forward Through Ferguson’s Lead Racial Equity Capacity Catalyst, Faybra Hemphill, at faybra@forwardthroughferguson.org

For more information on becoming a Funding partner, contact Kiesha Davis, Director of Partnership and Capacity Building for Deaconess Foundation, at kieshad@deaconess.org

President Joe Biden’s transition team on the Fed and bank regulatory policy.

Republicans warned that Biden had made a partisan nomination, and that he would now try to control the Fed.

“I will never interfere with the Fed,” Biden said following the vote.

“The Fed should do its job and will do its job, I’m convinced.”

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., described Cook as “eminently qualified for the position” shortly before the vote.

“She’s a great Georgian. She comes from a family chock-full of achievers and she’s going to do a great job,” he told NBC News.

The Fed Board needs governors who understand how the economy works for Americans across race, gender, and class. Dr. Cook’s deep expertise makes her exceptionally qualified to serve,” Michele Holder, president of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, wrote in a statement.

Senate Banking Committee

Chair Sherrod Brown told CNN “[Cook] will bring a critical voice to the Fed -- one that has been missing for far too long.”

The St. Louis Regional Racial Healing + Justice Fund has announced its Community Governance Board. From left (front) Michelle Barbeau, Samantha Minor, Angel McCain, Ashley Winters, Erika Essiem, and Rorke Chhouk. From left (back) Shonda Ambers-Phillips, Darian Wigfall, Perez Maxwell, and Tyrean Lewis. Not pictured: Diamond Spencer, Dawne Turner, and Mia Malcolm.

Photo by Nyara Williams & Tyler Small

n “Made the promise when I left and had to see it through.

Momma we made it!”

– Steph Curry on Twitter celebrating his Davidson University graduation 12 years after beginning his NBA career

Celtics trying to cool Heat

There is something about a Game 7 that brings out the best in St. Louisan Jayson Tatum.

Regardless of the sport, there is not a more pressure-packed contest than the seventh game of a best-of-seven series. It decides which team wins, and which team starts vacation.

For Tatum, it was another opportunity to display how he thrives under pressure. Such was the case last Sunday when he turned in another sparkling Game 7 performance in the Boston Celtics 109-81 blowout victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Following up on his 46-point, season-saving masterpiece in the Celtics’ Game 6 victory in Milwaukee, Tatum followed up with 23 points, five rebounds and eight assists to help Boston advance.

Tatum’s Celtics dropped the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final match against the Miami Heat, but he did his part. While the Celtics would certainly like to move on to the NBA Finals without playing seven games, the team knows it can count on Tatum when it matters most.

In his fifth NBA season, Tatum has played in four Game 7s, averaging 24 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game while shooting 45 percent from the field. The Celtics have a 3-1 record in those four games.

Here is a look at Jayson›s Game 7 history.

• April 28, 2018: 20 points, five rebounds and six assists vs. Milwaukee in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

• May 27, 2018: 24 points, seven rebounds and one assist vs. Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.

• September 11, 2020: 29 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists vs. Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

• May 15, 2022: 23 points, five rebounds and eight assists vs. Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

When it comes to playoff greatness, when there is no tomorrow for the losing team, Tatum is at the top of his game.

I’ve played two games of lacrosse in my life. It is a demanding and exhausting game. I was an intern at the Cincinnati Enquirer during the summer of 1981. I met several Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., brothers who played intramural lacrosse. Their team was short of players. They asked me to fill in. I was awful but I had fun. Fast forward 41 years to Liberty County, Georgia on April 20, 2022. A bus carrying members of the Delaware State University women’s lacrosse team returning home from Florida was pulled over. Deputies told the bus driver, a Black man named Tim Jones, he was driving in an incorrect lane. During the traffic stop, presumed innocence took a back seat to some downhome Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane style justice from the “Dukes of Hazzard.”

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Game 7 is Jayson Tatum time during NBA playoffs

A 1-2 punch in state track

The first round of state championship trophies and medals will be won this weekend during the Class 1 and 2 State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City. MAY 19 – 25,

The state meet will be held on Friday and Saturday with field events beginning at 9:30 a.m., and running events starting at 11 a.m. In the Class 1 meet, the Principia boys

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Brown of Pattonville won the 100, 200, 400 and ran a leg on the 4x400 at the Class 5, District 3 meet which his school hosted.

Aniyah Brown of Cardinal Ritter won the 100, 200 and anchored the Lions’ 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams to victories at the Class 5, District 1 meet at Poplar Bluff.

Aaliyah

Kalvyn Owens of Lift for Life won the 100, 200 and anchored the 4x100 to first place in the Class 3, District 2 meet at Herculaneum

Brooke Moore of Westminster won the 100-meter-high hurdles, long jump and triple jump at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Wright City Novo Onovwerosuoke of MICDS won the 200, 400 and ran respective legs on the first place 4x200 and 4x400 teams at the Class 4, District 3 meet at Parkway Central

Nnenna Okpara of Parkway Central won the 200, 400 and ran respective legs on the first place 4x200 and 4x400 at the Class 4, District 3 meet at Parkway Central Maya Anderson of MICDS won the 100-meterhigh hurdles and 300-meter-low hurdles at the Class 5, District 3 meet at Parkway Central

Genesis Dixon of Kirkwood finished first in the 100-meter-high hurdles and 300-meter -low hurdles at the Class 5, District 2 meet at Marquette.

DSU lacrosse team should stick

gonna find it, OK?,” a deputy threatened.

This isn’t “alleged” behavior by the law enforcement officer. It was captured on a player’s camera video.

Alvin A. Reid

Luggage was searched without a warrant. A drugsniffing canine made an appearance. Police said it caught the scent of marijuana, which by Georgia law can justify a search. I wish the dog could talk. It would say “liars” with a Southern accent. Deputies found a wrapped package belonging to senior captain Aniya Aiken in a gift bag. Her aunt requested that Aiken not open it until she arrived home. She had no idea what was inside.

the assumption of guilt on their behalf,” DSU coach Pamella Jenkins told the Delaware News Journal. She called the incident “traumatizing.”

“If there is anything in y’all’s luggage, we’re probably

“You see that kinda seems like, ‘What’s going on?’ ... This is the type of stuff we look for,” the deputy said. The package contained a jewelry box. It was a graduation gift. No apology was given, nor did the bus driver receive a ticket or warning.

“The infuriating thing was

Delaware State, Howard University, and the University of District Columbia are the only HBCUs that field lacrosse teams. 70% of DSU’s players are Black, according to the university.

The deputies boarded the bus, saw a Black driver and a group comprised mostly of Black women. The last thing

they thought was how much these student athletes have accomplished in their lives. A bunch of Black people? Honorable college athletes? No way.

“Something has to happen about this because it was just something that no one should go through, let alone a Division I sports team. Basically, we were violated,” freshman Brianne Johanson said.

While players had posted videos and Twitter comments after the incident, the story

did not reach mainstream media until after a story was posted online from the DSU newspaper The Hornet.

Suddenly under scrutiny, Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman, who is Black, stated on May 2 that “no personal items on the bus or person(s) were searched.”

Whoops. There is video footage of deputies rummaging through several suitcases. Cut, the ‘corn pone,’ sheriff. You’re as guilty of violating the players and coaches’ right as your backwoods deputy buddies.

DSU announced it will file a federal civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice, and the school’s investigation found “serious constitutional and civil rights issues” with the traffic stop, according to a CBS News report.

Patrick Campanelli is father to one of the players. He’s also a civil rights attorney in suburban Chicago.

“I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer for a real long time and I knew exactly what the officer was doing,” Campanelli told the News Journal

“He was trying to force

statements out of people. Would they do this if this was a Notre Dame bus? Would a state trooper ever think of going on and trying to accuse people without an inkling of evidentiary support? No.” Liberty was put on hold in Liberty County on April 20. Hopefully, the sheriff, deputies, county, and state of Georgia will pay a price.

Y’all come back now, ya here? NOT!

The Reid Roundup

Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns were booed off the court at halftime of an embarrassing 123-90 Game 7 loss to visiting Dallas…After elimination by the Miami Heat in a secondround NBA playoff series, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid told the media, “You gotta look at the players.”… Following the 2018-19 season, the 76ers signed Tobias Harris to a $180 million deal leaving Jimmy Butler to the free-agent market. He signed with the Heat. After the Heat dispatched the 76ers, Butler asked on Twitter “Tobias Harris over me?”

Earl Austin Jr.

Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum finds the needed focus to come through in the clutch of NBA playoff Game 7.

Pamella Jenkins, Delaware State women’s lacrosse coach, told The Delaware News Journal that deputies searching the team bus was “very traumatizing.”

Photo courtesy of the AP

Photo courtesy of DSU Athletics

Peyton serving as newest judge in STL County

Judge Krista S. Peyton was appointed associate circuit judge in St. Louis County by Governor Michael L. Parson. Prior to her appointment, Peyton served as the general counsel and chief contracting officer for the St. Louis Housing Authority. She was responsible for litigation, real estate matters, landlord tenant matters, contract negotiation, transactional matters and led the competitive procurement process. Before that, Ms. Peyton served as an attorney in the Legal Department for the St. Louis County Family Court, and represented the St. Louis County Juvenile Officer in all phases of prosecution of juvenile delinquency and child protection matters and appellate matters involving termination of parental rights.

Peyton is a St. Louis native who attended Rosati Kain High School and completed her undergraduate work at Southeast Missouri State University and earned a BS degree in Political Science. She completed her legal studies in 1995 at Syracuse University. During law school, Peyton completed a master’s degree in political science at the Maxwell School of Government at Syracuse University.

Peyton is a former Assistant St. Louis City Counselor where she was involved in medical malpractice defense litigation. In 2005, Peyton started working as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for abused and neglected children in foster care in the 22nd Judicial Circuit.

WEPOWER announces Elevate/Elevar Spring cohort

WEPOWER welcomed its third ever cohort of Elevate/ Elevar, its accelerator for Black and Latinx-owned companies. This year, they are scaling their impact by transitioning to run not one but two programs per year. After receiving 127 applications and interviewing 30+ entrepreneurs, they selected 11 St. Louis-proud companies to participate in its 10-week accelerator where they will access coaching, capital, connections, and a community of lifelong friends and champions. Here are some members of the Spring 2022 Elevate/Elevar cohort.

Shelby Farr owns Shelby Marie, a luxury fragrance bar in Ferguson where anyone and

everyone can make their own personal fragrance blends and bath & body products with the help of a master formulator.

Robin Taylor owns Infinite Occasions LLC, a full service banquet hall offering both onsite and offsite catering

with full-service packages that include food, decor and room rental for any budget.

Monique Richard owns Monique Cherise Beauty Boutiques, an innovative private salon suite that offers beauty professionals and

business owners private suites to service their clients in a one-on-one atmosphere where luxury, relaxation and a warm, welcoming atmosphere is priority.

Justin Harris owns Saint Louis Hop Shop, a craft beer

shop & bar with the best selection of craft beer in the St

Timothy Eleby owns Pure Catering STL, a hospitality & food company serving St Louis area childcare centers and government centers plus running the café at the St Louis History Museum and more.

Patrice Johnson owns Patrice J. Bridal, a fullservice bridal studio offering ready to wear bridal, custom dressmaking and alterations for all women of all sizes. Ps...this is the 1st black-owned bridal retailer in the greater STL area.

and

Tony Davis owns Pop Pop Hurray LLC, a premium gourmet popcorn shop offering a variety of flavor and topping options from St Louis staples like flaming hot buffalo to fun flavors like waltermelon, chili and banana pudding.

Wydonna Sumpter owns The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy, a community based cosmetic training & arts school with trades in esthetician, barber, cosmetology and nail technician.

Branden Griffin is the CEO of Juggernaut Syndicate Corporation, a virtual & automated logistics company training the next generation of CDL drivers and transportation business owners.

Judge Krista S. Peyton, a St. Louis native who attended Rosati Kain High School

completed her undergraduate work at Southeast Missouri State University, was appointed associate circuit judge in St. Louis County by Governor Michael L. Parson.

Living It

Jitney justly done by The Black Rep

The Black Rep continues its 45th season with its latest staging of Jitney by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. The production runs through May 29th at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University.

Latest staging of August Wilson play at Edison Theatre

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Twenty years have come and gone since The St. Louis Black Repertory Company last presented August Wilson’s acclaimed 1982 masterpiece Jitney on its main stage. The unforgettable 2002 production, which took place the year of the play’s 20th anniversary, featured Black Rep Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes in the role of Booster.

For that show, director Ron OJ Parson magnificently conducted the orchestra of rhythm within the dialogue. Staying on tempo with words is as important to an effective and intentional presentation of an August Wilson play as it is for singers, dancers and band members to stay on beat during a musical.

Jitney again made its way to the Black Rep stage when the show opened at Washington University’s Edison Theatre as part of the company’s Season 45 lineup on Friday, May 13 and continues through May 29th.

Jitney represents the 1970s in Wilson’s cycle of 10 plays that depict Black life in each decade of the 20th century. It studies the lives of a hand-

Local visionaries

Artists honored for ‘transformational works’

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

A trio of minority artists were among the recipients of Saint Louis Visionary Awards, a recognition celebrating local women for their contributions and accomplishments to the arts community.

“There are so many women in the region doing transformational work in the arts. We couldn’t be more impressed with the 2022 honorees,” Sara Burke, vice chair of the Saint Louis Visionary Awards, said.

“They truly deserve this recognition.” Hassie Davis, a Black artist with more than 20 years of experience, was honored as outstanding teaching assistant.

“I’m thrilled to have received this honor,” Davis said. “It validates the works I do as an artist. To know that my peers and students nominated

ful of drivers who operate in Wilson’s hometown of Pittsburgh. They provide transportation for residents who rely on an alternative to traditional public transportation and taxi services in a neighborhood that has fallen victim to urban blight –and is on the front end of gentrification.

n Jitney represents the 1970s in Wilson’s cycle of 10 plays that depict Black life in each decade of the 20th century.

This latest production is part of The Black Rep’s 30-plus year legacy of ensuring Wilson’s work has a consistent home.

Doing so is no easy feat. Even more difficult is assuming a primary role in an August Wilson play – with its robust dialogue – at the eleventh hour.

Such was the case for Ron Himes. Himes, who also directs the play, stepped in to play Turnbo

just days ahead of opening. It was a full circle moment of sorts for Himes, who played the son of a jitney driver in the 2002 showing.

The production also stars Kevin Brown, J. Samuel Davis, Olajuwon Davis, Phillip Dixon, Richard Harris, Edward L. Hill, Alex Jay and Robert A. Mitchell.

Through his breathtaking plays that feel more like compositions, Wilson amplifies the natural melodies and harmonies that are universal to Black American dialect – and reminds audiences that Black people can instinctively turn a phrase like nobody’s business. What is often reduced to “slang” and “jive talk,” Wil son brilliantly and rightfully frames it as the music and poetry that it is. His way of doing so requires words landing with razor sharp precision – and it makes Himes’ take on Turbo with such a quick turnaround all the more impressive.

There are a few hiccups with respect to chemistry and flow – probably

‘Go hard or go home’

Donnell Rawlings bringing

By Danielle Brown The St.

Louis American

In some professions, the pandemic caused business to slow or even stop. Comedian Donnell Rawlings has had the opposite experience. Rawlings has remained booked and busy with various gigs, allowing him to continue connecting with his audience.

Rawlings returns to St. Louis and takes the stage at Helium Comedy Club for four shows over two nights on May 20 and 21.

The Washington D.C.-born funny man has a lot of love for the Gateway City. He joked he enjoys coming to St. Louis to “keep Nelly out of trouble.” He also appreciates the city’s good eats and rich music culture.

“I’m looking forward to having toasted ravioli and Imo’s when I touch down,” Rawlings said. “There’s an area downtown I’ve been [to] that has a lot of live bands that perform on outdoor patios that I like. I like the vibe of the city and its music history.”

For decades it’s been common knowledge in the entertainment world that St. Louis isn’t an easy city to please. Many entertainers, comedians especially, have been vocal about the city being home to a tough crowd. However, Rawlings has always received lots of genuine love in St. Louis.

“When I first got my start in D.C. [St. Louis] … was one of the first gigs I did out of town,” Rawlings said. “ When you first start, you’re testing out what works, [and] for people to see what you’re made of.

I’ve been doing this for

me for this award blows me away.”

Davis said she has always been an artist at heart. She began experimenting with visual art, which was short-lived, and soon realized her passion was for the performing arts, including dance, acting, and singing.

She launched her career in New York, but soon moved back to St. Louis to take care of her ill father. It was then she learned of CLUB CHIPS, a nonprofit organization that informs and empowers uninsured and underserved populations about health and wellness.

Davis is a CLUB CHIPS administrative assistant and program coordinator with the company, and brings in various creatives to collaborate with students and create content about health issues young people face. She advises rising artists to persevere and follow their dreams.

Mee Jey, who received emerging artist recognition, was raised in a traditional Indian household where education was emphasized more than being creative. Rather than follow the career path desired

I think the people who come to my shows genuinely want to see me and show supRawlings said fans who’ve never been to one of his shows can expect a vibe that’s honest and unedited. “I don’t adhere to cancel culture,” Rawlings said. “I don’t take advantage of my freedom of speech,

by her parents’, she chose to create works that incorporate geographical structure relative to her native India and human anatomy.

It has been 10 years since Jey began practicing her art. She said it’s an incredible, unexplainable feeling to win the coveted emerging artist recognition.

“I’ve come across many hurdles and dry patches that have instilled faith in me that I’m walking in the right direction,” Jey said.

“I didn’t stop pursuing my passion and my dreams. It’s given me confidence in knowing I wasn’t wrong in following my dreams.”

Like Davis and Jey, artist Andrea Hughes was also surprised to receive her award. She initially thought the congratulatory phone call was to the wrong person.

“I never saw myself as a visionary,” Hughes said. “I enjoy helping people in the community, but I didn’t think much about the work I do.” Hughes has always considered herself an artist. She remembers an elementary school teacher who pushed her to be an artist.

That teacher’s motivation helped her as now she specializes in portraits and mixed media art. She shares her skill with the Zuka Arts Guild, where she teaches and entertains seniors about art. Hughes has also joined founder Dr. Paulette Sankofa and other community members in Peace Weaving Wholeness, an organization that uplifts seniors through the arts, including in summer camp and virtual paint classes.

“I enjoy working with the community and having art all around the community,” Hughes said.

Visit https://www.vizawards.org/ for more information.

See Play, C8 Donnell Rawlings

Photo by Philip Hamer

Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Visionary Awards

Andrea Hughes (holding award) was showered with love by her family who supported her community impact award honor at the Saint Louis Visionary Awards held last month.

but at the same time, I do value it.” A joke can be too soon for some audience members, but it can never be too soon to be foder for a comedian.

A few weeks ago comedian Dave Chappelle,, a frequent collaborator with Rawlings, was accosted on stage during his set at the Hollywood Bowl by 23-year-old Isaiah Lee, who was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Thiat came almost two months from the day actor Will Smith walked on stage and slapped presenter and comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Rawlings said neither of the incidents will change his approach to his jokes.

“I’ve always been a person that was very observant to my surroundings because I know how people can get people, they want to react with their emotions,” Rawlings said. “Since I’m not tied to any corporations or networks, I will smack you if you come on stage.”

Rawlings has acted in an array of television shows and movies, but one of his most famous roles is the character

‘Ashy Larry’ from “The Chappelle Show.” He said he doesn’t mind when people still mention his character.

“That character has a major effect on pop culture,” Rawlings said. “To be a part of history like that for generations and more generations being introduced to it makes me excited to be part of that legacy.”

These days Rawlings keeps himself busy with his podcast, “The Donnell Rawlings Show,” consistent acting jobs, sold-out standup appearances, upcoming comedy specials and being a father.

He said he’s been preparing himself for all he juggles in his daily life.

“The things that are happening for me right now people wanna believe that it happened overnight, but this has been

“I always tell people to go hard or go home. It doesn’t matter what experience you have in life, whether it’s good or bad, it prepares you for your next experience.”

- Donnelle Rawlings

a process of over 25 years,” Rawlings said. “Every year I do something I tell myself, ‘okay, if you do this, this is what will happen next year. If you do this, [this] is gonna happen after that.’ Nothing is surprising to me.”

When up-and-coming comedians ask him for advice he always suggests they don’t ask for guidance but instead rely on their stage presence and skill set to help them progress. He also added after bombing a set to not get discouraged but instead “go harder.”

“You need to quit if you’re gonna cry if no one’s laughing,” Rawlings said. “I always tell people to go hard or go home. It doesn’t matter what experience you have in life, whether it’s

good or bad, it prepares you for your next experience.”

To purchase tickets to Rawlings’ shows at Helium this weekend, visit the website at https://st-louis.heliumcomedy. com/shows/167568.

Fans can tune in this fall for his upcoming Netflix special produced by Chappelle. He co-stars in “Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special,” part of the “Netflix Is A Joke Festival” premiering on streaming services June16. He also reprises his role as main cast member in the Starz series “BMF.”

Visit Rawlings’ website, https://www.donnellrawlings. com for more information.

Photo courtesy of Donnell Rawlings

Gospel competition to strike right chord for mental health

St. Louis American staff

Gospel music will sound off in support of mental during the How Sweet the Sound competition on June 4, 2022, in Greenville, South Carolina.

After a 10-year gap, How Sweet the Sound returns to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena stage, and will highlight gospel choirs, soloists, and dance performances. It will also mark the launch of Sound it Out initiative, which is designed to help parents and caregivers discuss mental health with their children.

How Sweet The Sound is partnering with The Ad Council “to encourage and equip people in the Black community to have more conversations about their emotional wellbeing, which has been further impacted by the pandemic,” according to joint release.

“The partnership helps empower parents through music, using it as a powerful tool to start conversations with kids about their emotional wellbeing.”

The Sound It Out campaign will

show how music can be used to explore difficult emotions and experiences with middle schoolers (ages 10-14), with a particular emphasis on

Breath of life is God’s gift to mankind

By Velma J. Sanders

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The breath of life is life that God has imparted to every human being. It is that which activates man and gives to him breath and animation. This

breath of life, from God to man, was first imparted to Adam, the progenitor of humans.

Having been formed by God, Adam lay lifeless, as a corpse, upon the ground. James, in his epistle, stated it this way, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead, also.”

It was not until God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life that

reaching students through parents and caregivers.

“In the faith-based community, we often shy away from talking about

man lived. It was only at that moment that the eye received its twinkle, the heart started its pumping, and all other systems within the body were activated due to the breath of God, which is natural life, imparted into man.

God, the Giver of Life, grants to man this breath, and it continues in every person until death. Job’s friend, Elihu, who was born untold generations after Adam, said, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

Job states, “All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils.”

That same breath, imparted to

Dove Award winner and Grammy nominated artist, actor and author Jekalyn Carr will help judge the 2022

or dealing with mental health issues, and I hope this partnership will enable us to begin normalizing discussions around the subject,” said Nathanael Brown, an award-winning choral director, saxophonist, and CEO of Gentle Giant Music Ministries, which owns the How Sweet The Sound brand.

“Gospel music is a wonderful example of what the Sound It Out campaign is all about: music’s power to connect us to our emotions and to one another,” said Sherry Thompson,

Adam, was found in Elihu, in Job, and continues to this day in you and me, as well as in all of mankind.

Paul preached to the intellectual men of Athens, “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things . . . For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

Whether one is saint or sinner, weak or strong, regardless of stature or status, all share in the breath of life.

It is only at the time of death that the breath of life from God departs from the individual human body and returns to God.

Solomon wrote, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and

director of the Ad Council Mental Health Campaign Coalition.

“We’re thrilled to partner with How Sweet The Sound to help raise awareness of the importance of mental wellness in the Black community, while providing valuable tools and resources to help families have more open and honest conversations about emotional wellbeing.”

In addition to announcing the new collaboration, How Sweet The Sound has released its slate of celebrity judges.

They include Grammy Award winner and pastor, Hezekiah Walker; Dove Award winner and Grammy nominated artist, actor, and author Jekalyn Carr; renowned gospel choir director and Stellar Award winner Ricky Dillard; and national Billboard chart-topping choir director and syndicated radio host J.J. Hairston.

The judges, along with How Sweet The Sound’s host, Grammy Awardwinning song writer and record producer Donald Lawrence, will perform live at the event.

the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” It is this breath that God put into Adam.

Written in Job, we find, “If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself His spirit and His breath, all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.”

In conclusion, the breath of life is the breath of God that indwells a person and gives him natural life. Having received it, “without money and without price,” this priceless gift, God’s command to each benefactor is, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord, Praise ye the Lord.”

Velma J. Sanders is a religion columnist for the Omaha Star

Columnist James Washington

PARENTS AS TEACHERS

CENTER IS HIRING!

ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL –EMPLOYMENT LAW

SSM Health

Provides legal counsel to HR and other business leaders across the full range of employment-related issues 8+ years of substantive employment-law experience required

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK

Basic Purpose: To ensure accurate processing and recording of all invoices. Primarily to post, print, file and process invoices using ACS Systems as presented. Preferred Qualifications

· Teachable

· Ability to follow instructions

· Ability to communicate well with employees, customers, vendors, in person, on phone, and by written communications in a professional and timely manner

· Ability to plan, prioritize and organize effectively · Possess attention to detail, ability to balance workload and have strong time management skills.For a more specific outline of duties

Contact: bettyrichardson@ westsidembc.org or call 314 535-9002 Ext 206

MEDICAL COST MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF CYBER UNDERWRITING

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- JR64741

How would you like to be a Medical Assistant, but don’t have time or the funds to go to school? We have a solution! Once you pass our entrance requirements and are hired through Washington University, you can complete our Apprenticeship program in just 12 weeks. Upon completing, and passing the credentialing exam, along with being a continued employee for 1 year, you will receive recognition as a Certified Medical Assistant. Class times will be during working hours (4 hours a week), and there will be no tuition costs to you.

Grants and Research Administration PositionsWashington University in St. Louis is seeking Grants and Research Administration professionals for all levels including Grants Assistant, Grants Specialist I and II, Senior Grants Specialist, Research Administrator. There are several positions available in various departments. Please apply to each individual position in which you are interested and qualified. Hiring managers have immediate access to your application for which you apply. To be considered, please apply through the Washington University career site at https://jobs.wustl.edu/

JR66540 Purchasing Supervisor – Cardiology

To apply, please visit: https:// ssmh.wd5.myworkdayjobs. com/ssmhealth/job/MO-SSMHealth-Westview-Building/ Assistant-General-Counsel_ R71870 CITY OF CLAYTON HIRING FOR FULLTIME POSITIONS

This position is responsible for the division’s purchases and contracts; negotiates purchases and contracts and acts as a liaison with vendors. Minimum Requirements include equivalent of Bachelor’s degree with sufficient previous experience as purchasing agent or equivalent, some course work in accounting, business management or business law with three to five years of experience as a buyer or purchasing agent or purchasing manager.

JR66490, Senior Program Manager - Pediatrics Central Administrative Office

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for managing and directing key administrative and payroll support functions for the Department of Pediatrics. The role will serve as the primary contact for a variety of Department wide payroll and administrative initiatives. This position is expected to work closely with management, especially on payroll projects and priorities. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience to equal nine years.

JR65981, Specialist, Release Health Information - Faculty Practice Plan

The Release Health Information Specialist is responsible for directing and coordinating the release of protected health information for the University; advocates for patient confidentiality and a patient’s right of access to protected health information; serves in a substitutive capacity for HIPAA Privacy Office functions. This position directs the release of protected health information in accordance with government regulations and University policies. Safeguards and protects our patient’s right to privacy and right to access protected health information. This position requires an Associate degree in Health Information Management or equivalent experience and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Candidates who are RHIT or RHIA qualified/eligible may also be considered.

JR65951, Director Business Operations - Faculty Practice Plan

The Director of Business Operations is responsible for managing and directing the financial affairs of all financial and system support activities within a department of moderate to large scope, including management of business office services and personnel. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. At least seven years’ experience in a

Responsible for assisting Claims Department personnel with medical bill-related issues. Assignments are complex requiring the exercise of strong knowledge, discretion, use of sound judgment, and initiative. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

Responsible for underwriting and servicing Cyber Liability accounts for assigned territory. Underwriting accountability includes new business production, renewal retention, account servicing and broker/ insured relationships that lead to underwriting profitability and revenue growth within the assigned territory.

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

Work collaboratively and independently while self-directing their work processes to meet corporate objectives and goals related to the accurate and timely completion of premium audits. Will conduct audit processes for applicable large casualty/primary and excess accounts, substantiating the accuracy of policy classifications, exposure base, exposure inclusions/exclusions,information, status of subcontractors etc. Will also facilitate the order process for applicable accounts. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/careerspage/

The City of Clayton is hiring for full-time positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY EOE

City Seniors is hiring class E drivers and hand delivered meal drivers. Candidates must pass extensive background screening. Must be able to work with the elderly. Call 314.352.0141 for more information.

Responsible for providing client/ customer support for the department’s Primary Guaranteed Cost operational functions. Performs a variety of tasks for our business and in the issuance of our insurance policies. Work performed adheres to established process procedures, guidelines and customer standards set by the organization. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

OF HUMAN SERVICES

DEPARTMENT

The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Division is soliciting proposals for the FY2020 Continuum of Care Planning Grant consultation projects for CoC Application Support, Best Practices Implementation and Diversity/Equity/ Inclusion (DEI) Strategy.

Beginning May 10, 2022, RFP packets will be available via pick-up at:

Department of Human Services Homeless Services Division 1520 Market, Room 4065, St. Louis, MO 63103

Or at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement/

There is currently no Bidder’s Conference scheduled. Those that want to participate in the Zoom Webinar to obtain more information or ask in person questions can email Amy Bickford at bickforda@stlouis-mo. gov by May 18, 2022 to schedule a meeting.

Questions may be referred by email only and must be submitted on or before May 27 2022, to Amy Bickford, Chief Program Manager, at BickfordA@ stlouis-mo.gov

The RFPs closing date is 4:00 p.m., June 1, 2022.

LETTING NO. 8745

NORTH JEFFERSON AVE / PARNELL CORRIDOR PROJECT FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CMAQ/ STP/BUILD-5617(602)

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JUNE 14, 2022, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (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.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held May 24, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000, Boardroom #278, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

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).

SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

There are multiple limited term positions available (3–5 year terms, term of employment will vary for each position).

These positions will assist in the administration of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic. The SLFRF Programs are a crucial part of SLDC’s Economic Justice Action Plan for the City of St. Louis.

All positions will be funded in whole or in part with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

To see the full job description of positions available and to apply online go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.

SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.”

PUBLIC AUCTION

The following people are in debt to Gateway Storage Mall of Belleville. The contents of their storage unit(s) will be sold at auction to compensate all or part of that debt.

Auction at the Belleville- Royal Heights location will be held online with www.storageauctions. com on May 30th, 2022 at 10:00 AM. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Royal Heights --Belleville: Antoine Mosby--G42.

Auction at the BellevilleMascoutah Avenue & Tower Plaza location will be held online with www.storageauctions.com on May 31st, 2022 at 10:00 AM. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Mascoutah Avenue & Tower Plaza -- Belleville: Carolyn Miner-- 41, Jerell Crumble--543, For all rules, regulations and bidding process, please contact www. storageauctions.com . All other questions, please call 618-2338995 or mail: 17 Royal Heights Center, Belleville, IL 62226.

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL

Employee Benefits Brokers and

Consulting Services are hereby requested to submit proposals to provide services to the Housing Authority of St. Louis County. RFP packets will be available for download from the HASLC website beginning May 8, 2022. Proposals must be received by electronic submittal or at the Authority’s purchasing office no later than 3:00PM CST on June 06, 2022.

NON-RESIDENT NOTICE

Andrew Q. Carter, address unknown, a civil action was filed against you in the matter of M.A. Carter in the Circuit Court, Montgomery Co., TN, and you must respond by 30 days from the date of the last publication. This notice will run for 4 consecutive weeks. You are directed to respond in writing to the clerk and send a copy to 503 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37040. If you fail to defend this action within 30 days of the last publication, a judgment may be taken against you for the relief demanded.

NON-RESIDENT NOTICE

Andrew Q. Carter, address unknown, a civil action was filed against you in the matter of M.A. Carter in the Circuit Court, Montgomery Co., TN, and you must respond by 30 days from the date of the last publication. This notice will run for 4 consecutive weeks. You are directed to respond in writing to the clerk and send a copy to 503 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37040. If you fail to defend this action within 30 days of the last publication, a judgment may be taken against you for the relief demanded.

WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Is soliciting “Proposals with Qualifications” for Environmental Contracting Services for a building abatement project at the Webster Groves High School; Little Theater:

The Request for Proposal will be available on the District Website on Monday May 9th 2022 @ www. webster.k12.mo.us front page and can be accessed under RFP/RFQ at bottom of page. Responses to the RFP will be received by the WGSD Construction Project Manager on Thursday June 7th 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the WG Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. The owner reserves the right to reject all proposals

FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PROPOSED ZOOLINE RAILROAD EXPANSION RFQ 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Feasibility Study for Proposed Zooline Railroad Expansion RFQ 2022. Bid documents are available as of 5/18/22 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids)

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Financial Investment and Advisory Services City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office www.stltreasurer.org/ request-for-proposals

SEALED BIDS

City and Springfield Regions, Project Nos. IDIQMCA-2011 and IDIQMCA-2012, respectively, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/16/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: https://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Upgrade L a t r i n e s , Showers, and Exterior Paving, F a r m i n g t o n Readiness Center, P r o j e c t N o . T2136-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/9/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

ST.

LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F22 301, Data Center to Office Renovation at St. Louis Community College at Wildwood Campus, until 2:00 p.m. local time Thursday May 26, 2022. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314. Drawings, Specifications, bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained at ePlan, Bonfire.com, Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed to Julia Tritschler, Julia. tritschler@christnerarchitects.com .A pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday May 18, 2022, at 1pm at Wildwood campus – Lobby will be the meeting point. A walk-through of the project will follow the meeting. You can schedule a visit by contacting Brandon Strauser at bstrauser1@stlcc.edu An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

RFP

The City of Bellerive Acres is soliciting bids for street overlay and existing asphalt curbs. View RFP details on the City’s website www.belleriveacresmo.gov Deadline for bid submission is Thursday, June 2, 2022.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 5/12/22

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

On or after 5/27/22, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following Public Improvement, within the City:

Choice Neighborhoods: Elkay Building- Economic Empowerment Center

Purpose: The interior and exterior renovation of the existing public facility

Location: 1218-1224 N 15th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $9,000,000, with $2,500,000 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s CHOICE Neighborhood Implementation Grant Funds— Grant # MO7E527CNG116.

The activity proposed is categorically excluded subject to under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is can be found online by visiting https://www.onecpd.info/ environmental-review/environmental-review-records or on file at the City’s CDA, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Program Manager II, at (314) 314-657-3803.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Program Manager II, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to these programs can also be directed to Justin Jackson, CDA, Executive Director, at the address listed above. All comments received by 5/20/22 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Visit https://www. onecpd.info/environmental-review/environmental-review-records to review HUD ERR.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones, in her capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use these program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatis factory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Mr. Craig Dobson, PIH Director, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 418-5230. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tishaura Jones, Mayor Certifying Officer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Midland Boulevard (West) Resurfacing St. Louis County Project No. AR-1472 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 p.m. on June 15, 2022

Plans and specifications will be available on May 16, 2022 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NORMANDY SCHOOLS

COLLABORATIVE

IT Director Services RFP available on www.Normandysc.org

Bids Due on 6/3/22 at 4:00 PM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Proposal for Ticket Paper & Envelopes

Proposals will be received by City of Saint Louis Treasurer UNTIL 5:00 pm 5/31/2022 For specific project information, go to https://www.stltreasurer.org/ Request-for-Proposals/

SOLICITING BIDS

Sisters of Lavender Rose is soliciting bids from food service vendors. Bids are for service in the Saint Louis Area (i.e., Hazelwood, Ferguson Florissant). We are looking for providers to serve CACFP compliant meals for suppers and snacks. The days of operation are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; with additional meals for Saturday and Sunday to be served on Fridays as well. The contract will be for one year with the possibility of renewal. All contracts are subject to review by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. To obtain a bid packet contact; Sisters of Lavender Rose; Telephone: (314-885-0805) sistersoflavenderrose@gmail.com Upon contact Sisters of Lavender Rose will provide a physical address to pick up the bid packet. The deadline for bid submission WIll be Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:59p. A public bid opening will take place at 10786 Indian head Industrial Blvd on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:00am.

PUBLIC NOTICE

St. Louis Oasis Wellness Recovery Action Program (WRAP) – FREE program Tuesdays, June 7–July 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (6 sessions) Location: Christ Our Redeemer, 13820 Old Jamestown Road, Black Jack, MO 63033 WRAP® for Healthy Aging is a free program that anyone can use to feel less isolated and more in control of their life. Participants meet in a small group setting that problem-solves together and creates individualized action plans for improved well-being, physical health, and quality of life! Call 314-862-4859 ext. 24 for more information.

DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION (“DEAI”)

The Saint Louis Zoo is thrilled to be hiring its first ever full-time Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (“DEAI”), who will oversee the continued development and implementation of programs and an organizational culture that promotes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion throughout the Zoo. To apply, visit: https://careers.hiretrue.com/ stlzoo

LETTING #8744

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC, BAS, and Domestic Hot Water System, H i g g i n s v i l l e H a b i l i t a t i o n Center, Project No. M1909-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 6/2/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Showers, and Tuck-pointing,

T2133-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 2, 2022. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 301 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, then publicly opened and read in room 325. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (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 DBE policies). Mandatory prebid meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. via Zoom:

Meeting URL: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/j/86916851826? pwd=YXl3RVNzSjY2azlhb2lQMWRMMDNvQT09 [ cmtengr.zoom.us]

Meeting ID: 869 1685 1826

Passcode: 527909

Dial by your location US +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833

Find your local number: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/u/ kbK1BRFqu [cmtengr.zoom.us]

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 (Virtual Plan Room).

CITY OF ST. LOUIS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST UNDER THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

The federal regulations governing the administration of the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) grants for local governments have strict guidelines relating to conflicts of interest.

Under the federal regulations, a conflict of interest exists if: 24 CFR 574.625 Conflict of interest. (a) In addition to the conflict of interest requirements in 2 CFR 200.317 (for recipients and subrecipients that are States) and 2 CFR 200.318 (for recipients and subrecipients that are not States), no person who is an employee, agent, consultant, officer, or elected or appointed official of the grantee or project sponsor and who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to assisted activities, or who is in a position to participate in a decision making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a financial interest or benefit from the activity, or have an interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with respect thereto, or the proceeds thereunder, either for himself or herself or for those with whom he or she has family or business ties, during his or her tenure or for one year thereafter.

The regulations provide for an exception for persons who have a conflict of interest, or a potential conflict of interest, and who have applied for assistance under a program funded with HOPWA funds.

The exception request may be made to HUD only after a public disclosure of the nature of the conflict (24 CFR 574.625(b)(1)) and after an opinion of the City’s attorney that the interest for which the exception is sought would not violate State or local law (24 CFR 574.625(b)(2)).

PUBLIC NOTICE. In order to fulfill the requirements of Title 24 of the Federal Code of Regulations, Section 574.625(b)(1), the City of St. Louis makes the following public disclosure of the conflict:

The Grants Administration Division of the City of St. Louis Department of Health receives technical assistance training through programming offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assigned The Cloudburst Group to provide the aforementioned technical assistance. Technical assistance training involves training on the modernization of the HOPWA formula and provisions related to other HUD programs; updates on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA); HOPWA categories, eligibility, funded activities allowable and unallowable costs, waivers, COVID funding and flexibilities, program income, and collaborations with CDA and ESG; and a resource for reaching out to HOPWA program.

The Department of Health’s PSA Committee approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services under the City’s HOPWA program. The Cloudburst Group submitted a proposal in response to the Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services.

The Cloudburst Group does not provide any other services for the Department of Health, and is not contracted with the Department of Health. Further, it had no role in creating or drafting the Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services, has no role in the decision-making process, nor did it gain any inside information with regard to such activities in the provision of its services to the City. Still, the Department of Health recognizes that the pre-existing relationship between The Cloudburst Group and the Department of Health may lead to the perception of a conflict of interest in the awarding of the Housing Needs Assessment contract.

To the extent that the provision of the above-referenced funding, through awarding of the Housing Needs Assessment contract, to The Cloudburst Group would constitute a prohibited conflict of interest under HUD regulations, the City may apply for and is applying for an exception to this prohibition with respect to provision of the above-referenced funding.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

Continued from C1

because of the last-minute casting modification – that caused a first-week show to drag a bit. The kinks with the rhythm will work themselves out because the 2022 production has a solid foundation, particularly among the Black Rep veterans in the ensemble.

Himes’ Turnbo is one of his shining moments as an actor. He nails the role of the man of a certain age who can’t seem to keep his nose out of anyone’s business who, “just talks about what I know.”

The performance of J. Samuel Davis as Fielding is also a triumph. The late Tony-nominated actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd was mesmerizing in the role in the 2002 production. And for any actor other than Davis, filling Byrd’s shoes would have

been impossible. Davis’ portrayal of Fielding, a gifted tailor whose alcohol dependency led to a fall from grace, is delivered with impeccable authenticity and humor.

Olajuwon Davis (no relation to J. Samuel Davis) also provides an impressive take on Youngblood – a young military veteran who took up driving to make ends meet as he works to build a life for himself and his family. It is Olajuwon Davis’ first role on The Black Rep stage as a grown man. He was last seen as a youngster in their production of the musical Sarafina back in 2008. And as he flexes his chops in Jitney – particularly the scenes displaying conflict with Himes’ character – Olajuwon Davis further legitimizes the Black Rep as an institution where talent is cultivated as well as displayed.

Harlan D. Penn’s scenic design for Jitney is flawlessly accurate – from the dusty furniture and boarded up windows to the grimy linoleum floors typical of rundown storefronts of the era. The sound design of Justin Smitz relies on music that is more from the 1960s than the 1970s to set the tone, which plays well when one considers that most of the characters are men past their prime and set in their ways from the days of old. With their 2022 presentation of Jitney, The Black Rep once again proves itself to be an institution where Wilson’s plays can be performed in a manner that honors the work – and the people that provided Wilson with his primary source of inspiration.

The Black Rep’s production of August Wilson’s Jitney continues through May 29th at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University (6445 Forsyth). For additional information, visit www.theblackrep. org or call (314) 534-3807.

Photo by Philip Hamer

Olajuwon Davis as Youngblood and Ron Himes as Turnbo in the Black Rep’s 2022 presentation of August Wilson’s Jitney. The play continues through May 29th at Washington University’s Edison Theatre.