May 30th, 2019 Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Krewson, Reed try to starve Gardner’s defense

City initiated suit against circuit attorney but doesn’t want to pay for her counsel

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The attacks continue against St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a progressive prosecutor who has made some strides toward reforming the judicial system and the first African American to hold the position.

Mayor Lyda Krewson and President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed recently refused to approve a transfer of funds partially meant for Gardner’s legal fees to defend herself in the case brought against her by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

— one of Gardner’s biggest adversaries.

The legal fees relate to the grand jury investigation that is currently reviewing whether Gardner’s investigator William Tisaby lied under oath in spring 2018 during then-Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ felonious invasion of privacy case. What could have been handled at no cost to taxpayers has now exploded in legal fees from

both sides — all of which the City of St. Louis is on the hook for.

At the May 15 Board of Estimate and Apportionment meeting, Krewson said that Gardner’s estimated defense costs appeared to be $180,000. And she criticized Gardner for “fighting the search warrants” for the investigation.

“This is just a whole lot of money that we could use doing other things,” Krewson told the other two members on the board, Reed and Comptroller Darlene Green. “I just

See GARDNER, A6

Missouri could become first state with no abortion clinic

Planned Parenthood files suit over state license expiration due on Friday

By Sarah McCammon and Sam Gringlas Of National Public Radio

Missouri is within days of losing its last remaining health center that provides abortions. Unless a court intervenes, it will become the first state in the nation without such a clinic.

Planned Parenthood officials say they are filing a lawsuit in state court on Tuesday, May 28, asking for a restraining order to prevent its St. Louis clinic from being forced to stop offering the procedure after a state license expires on Friday, May 31. Planned Parenthood officials said they have been unable to reach an agreement with officials at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, who want to require several doctors who perform abortions at the health center to submit to questioning as a condition of renewing the license.

n “This is a world we haven’t seen in nearly half a century.”

– Planned Parenthood President, Dr. Leana Wen

“This means that more than 1.1 million women of reproductive age in Missouri will live in a state where they cannot receive the health care they need,” Planned Parenthood President, Dr. Leana Wen, said in a statement to NPR. “This is a world we haven’t seen in nearly half a century.” Planned Parenthood says state officials have indicated the questioning could lead to criminal proceedings or board review for those physicians, who provide the procedure at Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region. In her statement, Wen described the state’s actions as “harassment” meant to “intimidate” physicians who perform abortions.

Bonyen Lee-Gilmore, director of State Media Campaigns for Planned Parenthood, said the

Some of its ideas were ‘quite valid and operational’ and should be pursued

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

As a senior administrator and professor at the Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Will Ross does not typically talk in the brash protestor’s language of shutting things down. But his experience as a board member for Better Together drove him to talk this way about the group pushing for a merger of St. Louis city and county. Ross called “for a halt to Better Together’s activities and a complete restructuring of its leadership.” If not, then, “it needs to be shut down.”

This is not, however, a rejection of attempting to merge St. Louis city and county,

simply a rejection of one failed leadership effort to do so.

“I am hoping we can build a grass roots coalition that can carry this effort forward,” said Ross, who is associate dean for Diversity Programs, principal officer for Community Partnerships, and professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the Washington University School of Medicine.

“That means engaging community groups such as St. Louis Strong, starting a meaningful community conversation that

includes all voices and opinions, especially that of the African American community, and completely restructuring the leadership at Better Together, if not frankly dismantling the organization altogether.”

Ross said that any organization that purports to believe in accountability would have been prompted to initiate “corrective action plans and realignment” in the light of Better Together’s “extensive failures” and resulting community outcry.

Ross gave a brief, “greatest hits” of those “extensive failures.”

“For example, the recommendation that Steve Stenger serve as interim metro mayor

nurses

deaths at County Justice Center

Lamar Catchings’ family says decision was premature, his death preventable

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell will not issue criminal charges against jail medical personnel in the two recent deaths at the St. Louis County Justice Center, he announced on Friday, May 23 after concluding his investigation. In a statement, Bell said that the “two terrible cases” involving John Shy, 29, and Lamar Catchings, 20, are “tragic and deeply troubling.”

“However, neither the facts nor evidence presented to my office rise to the level of bringing a criminal charge based on proof beyond a reasonable doubt that anyone is guilty of criminal neglect,” Bell stated.

The St. Louis County Health Department has Bell won’t charge

Photo by Wiley Price

Cub Scout Jalen Robinson, 11, a student at Mason Elementary, places flags at the headstones of those who served our county and were laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Sunday, May 26. The event was the 69th Annual Gravois Trail Memorial Day Good Turn.

Kim Gardner

Will Ross

New report claims ‘The Chi’ execs were aware of Jason Mitchell misconduct

Earlier this month, “The Chi” star Jason Mitchell was fired from the show and dropped by his agents, lawyers and managers after being accused of sexual harassment by multiple women on set.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, his behavior was no secret.

“Sources claim his conduct had been a problem for at least two actresses on The Chi. More than one person on the show – including Tiffany Boone, who played Mitchell’s character’s girlfriend, Jerrika, and second-season showrunner Ayanna Floyd – filed a complaint. Despite HR training, these sources said, the alleged conduct persisted, and Boone asked to be released from the series. But Mitchell was to remain for a planned season three, sources said.

Jason Mitchell and Tiffany Boone from season one, and that Tiffany was thinking of leaving the show because of it,” said Floyd. “As a result of this information, I discussed Tiffany’s claims with the studio’s HR department and set up HR presentations for the writers, cast and crew. Ultimately, everyone was well aware of Jason’s behavior and his multiple HR cases, including Lena, the creator and an executive producer of the show, who is very involved at the studio and network level.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Floyd directly challenges show creator Lena Waithe

“When I took the helm in season two, it was Lena who informed me of the issues between

Former manager of OJ Simpson alleges Kris Jenner fling is a fact

In an upcoming documentary, a former manager of O.J. Simpson claims that the disgraced football icon admitted to a tryst with Kris Jenner – who at the time was married to Simpson’s then lawyer/best friend, Robert Kardashian.

“Simpson said he and his then-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and Robert and Kris Kardashian, were in a Jacuzzi one night while vacationing together, according to Norman Pardo in his new documentary, “Who Killed Nicole?” according to Page Six. “Nicole and Robert turned in, leaving O.J., then 44, and Kris, then 36, alone in the bubbling water. Kris and Nicole were also good friends. “That was as messed up as you can possibly get,” Pardo reportedly said. The alleged one-night

stand had longstanding consequences. “From what I’m understanding, from what O.J. told me, everything was great up until [the] little fling that they had,” said Pardo, 55, who said he managed Simpson from 1999 to 2012 and has 70 hours of videotape of his former friend. “The fallout from the hot-tub incident” damaged all their relationships, Pardo said. The Kardashians divorced shortly afterward in early 1991 and the Simpsons split by early 1992.

Remy Ma reportedly rejects plea deal stemming from new assault allegations

According to TMZ.com, Remy Ma been hit with a new criminal complaint for allegedly punching Brittney Taylor “Prosecutors filed four charges against the rapper Friday – two counts of assault in the third degree, one count of aggra vated harassment in the second degree, and one count of harassment in the second degree ... all of which are misdemeanors,” The celeb rity news and gossip site said. “Remy claimed she had visual proof she was nowhere near the venue or Taylor at the time she was accused of punching her, which was 9:30. Now that’s been updated to an hour later to match up with the rapper being present at the concert. Though she’s facing four

charges, we’re told Remy has been offered a deal to plead guilty to just the top charge –assault in the third degree – and the rest will be dropped. She’d also have to enter a long-term anger management program.” She has reportedly rejected the deal.

Tasha Smith and Michael K. Williams are a couple

Actors Tasha Smith and Michael K. Williams are boo’d up. The “Why Did I Get Married” star revealed that she is in a romantic relationship with “The Wire” actor as she made their relationship Instagram official. Tasha shared a photo of them snuggling up to each other while calling her boyfriend “the love of my life.” She went on gushing about Williams as she wrote in the caption, “Nothing makes me happier!!!!! The love of my life @bkbmg this man gives me goose bumps!!!!!” Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, TMZ.com, Page Six, Instagram.com

Remy Ma

Jason Mitchell

‘Advancing the Agenda for African Americans in STEM’

Harris-Stowe, National Science Foundation co-hosted conference

American staff

Harris-Stowe State University recently collaborated with the National Science Foundation HBCU Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) to examine opportunities to advance the agenda for African Americans in STEM through the Spark the Mind Conference.

More than 500 participants engaged with panelists and some of the nation’s top STEM experts over two days to examine STEM education from a pipeline perspective: K-12, college level, and professional STEM interventions and strategies.

University and the first African-American female to earn a Ph.D. in engineering at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, kicked off the conference sharing her personal narrative on how a nurturing community helped in her extraordinary success.

n “We are getting the word out that science and engineering is possible.”

– A. James Hicks, National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

“It is important to inspire the next generation,” said Ericsson. “I had people around me that said not to give up.” She challenged the audience to repeat her mantra: “I will persist until I succeed.”

STEM Scholars from Harris-Stowe and Missouri State University presented their undergraduate research through poster sessions throughout the conference.

“We had various voices at the table, including AfricanAmerican elementary, middle, high school and college students, discussing the impact of STEM on them and how to encourage their peers,” said Dwyane Smith, Harris-Stowe provost and convener of the Spark the Mind Conference.

STEM Trailblazer Awards were given to Claudia Rankin, program officer at the National Science Foundation HBCUUP, and A. James Hicks, program officer at the National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP).

that science and engineering is possible,” Hicks said. “It is possible for you like as it was for me, a little boy from Jackson Mississippi. If I can come from meager beginnings so can you.”

in STEM. Carol Daniel, of CBS-KMOX Radio, served as a moderator for the AfricanAmerican women in STEM panel. Local panelists included

Cheryl Watkins-Moore, director of the STEM Entrepreneurial Inclusion Initiative at BioSTL; Kendall Norris, CEO of the Global Leadership Forum; Isaac Butler, vice president of

Celebration of Life

Georgene M. Clark

Geogene M. Clark transitioned peacefully at her home on May 24, 2019. She was born on July 9, 1932, the daughter of William & Clara Shaw in Alton, IL. Georgene was educated in the Alton School System and graduated from Alton High School in 1950. She married Clarence James Clark, Sr. in July of the same year. Five children aving accepted Christ early, she was a former member of Tabernacle M.B. Church in Alton. She continued her walk of faith under Rev. Dr. F. James Clark at Shalom Church (City of Peace) in Florissant, MO where she remained a member and served on the Health Ministry & Mothers Ministry. Georgene is preceded in death by her parents William and Clara, her husband Clarence, Sr., son Gerry, brothers, Wilfred, James, Rudolph, Herbert, Clarence, Preston, and Joseph Shaw, and sisters, Dorothy Knight, Dolores Shaw, and Clara Lovett. She is survived by her children, Jacqueline, Audrey (Tony), Clarence Jr, and Malcom (Pam), brother, William (Kathryn) Shaw, Jr., sister Gwendolyn Shaw, 6 grandchildren, Ashely, Alexandria, Aneisia, Konstance, Alayna, and Cassandra, 3 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, ins, and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation Friday, May 31 from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. at Shalom Church (City of Peace) Lindbergh Campus, Florissant, MO. Cathy M. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements

Diversity, St. Louis College of Pharmacy; and Chantel Mason, STEAM and PBL teacher, Webster Groves School District.

Dwaun Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe State University; A. James Hicks, program officer at the National Science Foundation, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; Claudia Rankins, program officer at National Science Foundation, HBCU-Undergraduate Program; and Dwyane Smith, provost at Harris-Stowe State University.

Editorial /CommEntary

If Missouri is a battleground state on abortion rights, then we must fight for those rights

With a new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court and Republicans dominating many state legislatures and government mansions, it was only a matter of time before conservative states began passing new abortion restrictions so severe that they would face challenges all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which would then have an opportunity to uphold those severe restrictions. Alabama and –most alarmingly to us – Missouri have stepped forth as the first battleground states. Missouri’s unelected Republican Governor Mike Parson has signed a bill restricting abortion to the first two months of pregnancy and establishing criminal penalties for physicians who perform an abortion in Missouri after eight weeks. Stunningly –even one of the state’s largest investors in the Republican Party sounded the alarm in a press statement – the restrictions have no exemptions for women who get pregnant from incest or rape by someone who is not a family member. At the same time, state government has the governor’s support as it presses forward with licensing restrictions so severe that they would put out of business the only facility in the state that currently provides the service of abortion, Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. If this happens, as it may on Friday without a restraining order from a court, then Missouri would become the only state in the nation where a woman could not have a safe, legal abortion. It’s essential that we remember that we are only talking about access to safe and legal abortions in Missouri. If Planned Parenthood in St. Louis is forced to stop offering abortions, then only women with financial means could travel to other states, and in a short time we could expect to see abortions performed illegally and less safely here in Missouri. Even if the United States were to criminalize abortion nationwide – which is the goal of the political party currently in power in the federal executive and judicial branches as well as the most powerful chamber of the Congress – then American women of means could travel abroad to get abortions. Although abortion restrictions

infringe on the right of all women to make the proper health care decisions with their doctors and to exercise control of their own bodies, lower-income women will suffer the most from these restrictions. In Missouri and St. Louis, that means many African-American women will suffer the worst.

Like the governor, the overwhelming number of legislators who passed this measure are white men, and as men they may or may not be aware that it’s highly possible for a woman to detect she is pregnant for the first time later than eight weeks. This is especially true for women who receive less regular health care, which tends to be more true of lower-income women and again, many African-American women. As men, Parson and the Republican men leading the state legislature are highly less likely to be raped, including by a family member, and entirely incapable of growing new life within their own bodies. It’s impossible for them to know what it is like to grow new life within their own bodies due to a violent violation of their body and will. For these men to have enacted these severe restrictions on abortion without exemptions for victims of incest and other forms of rape is itself a cruel act of violence against women.

The horrible fact we must face is that this battle is only beginning, and it is beginning here, in Missouri. Missouri Republicans have decided that Missouri will be a battleground state in their party’s war against the right to safe and legal abortion for all women – which is a war against women. Republicans in Missouri have chosen to align our state with Alabama in leading the war against women, in particularly low-income women (who will suffer the most from these restrictions), and that means many AfricanAmerican women. This means the procedure will be available only to the upper class. The only reasonable response from all people of conscience is to accept this declaration of war for what it is and to enter the battle – or renew our efforts in the ongoing battle – and defend the rights, wellbeing and lives of women.

Missouri politicians are interfering in the doctorpatient relationship

By Dr. Colleen McNicholas For The St. Louis American

Mr. Governor, take your fingers out of Missouri’s vagina

I am a doctor, a boardcertified OBGYN, and a public health expert. I provide the full range of reproductive health services for my patients – that includes abortion. And that’s always been complicated in Missouri, but it’s about to become impossible.

Missouri is poised to become the first state in the nation with no licensed abortion clinic. That’s because before the state’s new abortion ban can even go into effect, Governor Mike Parson, Health Director Randall Williams, and other anti-abortion leaders are injecting politics into an oversight process in order to stop abortion by any means necessary. In just 72 hours, the state may block the license renewal of the last remaining health center providing abortion in the state. Lack of abortion access will affect everyone and will hit people struggling to make ends meet the hardest. And we know in this country, discrimination is deeply tied to how much money you’re able to make. Black Missourians are more than twice as likely to experience poverty than white people living in Missouri. So many people can’t afford to cross state lines to access safe, legal abortion. The costs of transportation, unpaid time off work, and securing child care can be overwhelming when you’re also struggling to put food on the table. I am devastated as I think of the patients I have had the privilege to care for. The new mom who thought breastfeeding was her birth control.

The couple who spent their life savings on infertility treatment only to experience a catastrophic fetal outcome.

The law student so close to graduation. The eighth-grader poised to become the first in their family to finish high school. The person living out of their car.

Guest Columnist

This politically driven licensing process is forcing doctors to perform medically unnecessary and invasive pelvic exams to even begin the three-day process to consent to a surgical abortion. And the same licensing process was used to try to force doctors to perform medically unnecessary and invasive pelvic exams before patients take the abortion pill, which has forced us to stop offering the safe and early option of abortion pills at all. That’s right – I said pelvic exam required before taking a pill. There’s a long and painful history in this country of medical mistreatment of black communities – a history that physicians, health care providers, and advocates are taking great pains to rectify. But Missouri politicians are recreating this system of oppression by forcing doctors to insert their fingers into a patient’s vagina at a time that is medically unnecessary.

Empowered by anti-abortion state leaders like Gov. Parson, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has forced doctors to make a tough decision: comply with unethical requirements while providing care, or not providing care at all.

And the state knew we would not subject patients to that treatment. In fact, Randall Williams, DHSS director and an OBGYN by trade,

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Missouri may stand for the unborn, but it lets women down

By state Rep. Wiley Price For The St. Louis American

The decisions made in the Missouri State Legislature at the end of this past legislative session will serve as a stain on America’s history of progress and equality.

As a first-term legislator, I am committed to protecting the safety of all women and all Missourians. I am therefore hurt, confused, and angry that my fellow legislators have chosen to support a bill that is intended to show political loyalty rather than to uplift the welfare the women of the Show Me State.

HB126, also known as the “Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act”, is an attempt to subvert the U.S. Constitution in order to eliminate a woman’s right to choose. As if this wasn’t bad enough, it goes further by eliminating any exceptions for rape or incest. Missouri may stand for the unborn, but our state’s government has decidedly taken a seat when it comes to the health and safety of our mothers, sisters, and daughters.

My colleagues claim that this bill is intended to show that the state of Missouri values life. They say that they are just walking a righteous path by obeying the Christian commandment that “Thou shall not kill.” Those same colleagues, however, are enthusiastic supporters of the death penalty. I have been unable to understand how the

Creator that is cited in this bill would be supportive of a government that chooses who can be put to death, as long as it is after they’ve left the womb.

As well, in a state where 14.6 percent of residents live below the poverty line along with 19 percent of children, I find it hard to find biblical or constitutional justification for my colleagues to continue their assault on our social safety net.

Former Vice President Joe Biden once said, “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” Missouri’s Republican-led legislature has shown us their budget. They do not value life. They do value guns, though.

The majority party is so set on preserving gun rights that they are willing to ignore the consistent and frequent loss of life happening to our school children on an internationally unmatched scale. It is a horrifying fact that children have died senselessly and those that say they value life have failed – or, worse, refused to answer the call.

I know there are staunch 2nd Amendment supporters

Letters to the editor

I stand with Planned Parenthood

admitted his department’s enforcement of pelvic exams led to a significant decrease in medication abortion patients.

Now the state is refusing to renew the abortion license over vague and suspicious requests to interrogate doctors without explanation, and is constantly reinterpreting its own regulations to make them impossible to meet. This is nothing short of intimidation and harassment fueled by politics.

Why is this happening?

Gov. Parson says he values life but his actions are killing women. Under Parson’s watch the adverse health outcomes are alarming, with maternal mortality rates in Missouri 50 percent higher than the rest of the country. We have one of the highest black maternal mortality rates in the country For every 100,000 live births, 65 black women die, compared with 28 white women. This is disgraceful.

Missouri has also seen a more than a 200 percent increase in new diagnoses of syphilis, a devastating illness once thought under control.

Nearly 30 Missouri counties have seen a triple-digit percentage increase in syphilis incidence since 2015, including a 600 percent increase in Gov. Parson’s home county of Polk.

This is not what Missourians want – 64 percent say they support Roe v. Wade and do not want politicians interfering in the doctor-patient relationship. In Missouri, more than 1.1 million women of reproductive age now may face a world where they are blocked from accessing the health care they need.

On behalf of my patients and all Missourians, Planned Parenthood and I will fight the state to save abortion access, but the window is narrowing.

Dr. Colleen McNicholas is a board-certified OBGYN and abortion provider.

I am appalled that the Missouri Department of Health is willing to jeopardize the health and well-being of thousands of women in my congressional district and across our state who have the right to control their own bodies and make their own healthcare decisions. Clearly, the State of Missouri should not be engaging in this dangerous game of chicken with Planned Parenthood of St. Louis. Their license should be renewed without delay, and without further intimidation of their physicians by the Missouri Department of Health. Abortion should remain safe, legal and rare. We will not return to the dark days before Roe v. Wade. I stand with Planned Parenthood, NARAL and NARAL-Missouri as we band together to defend women and reproductive health freedom.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay St. Louis

Perpetuating negative stereotypes

The role of the press is to provide a factual, unbiased narrative, from which individuals that read the published product can then draw their own conclusions. Unfortunately this was not the case with the Post-Dispatch article “Ferguson, nearing the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, searches for a new brand identity.”

I understand the desire to reach out to individuals in the community, as interviews provide depth to any news story. And you have to go to where the people are in the community to get those perspectives. There are quite a few places where you can interact with Ferguson residents, such as the Ferguson Public Library, Kathy’s

who will ask me to look in my own backyard before judging their gun policies. I am fully aware of the problems that my city faces with regard to crimes and gun violence. No one is more frustrated than those of us who are attempting to wage a battle against those ills. We just also happen to understand how social and economic inequities contribute to violence and crime, turning them into the only means of survival in a system that often lacks humanity. Helping to create sensible gun laws without taking away the rights to own guns can be one part of a larger, more intentional reform that helps us save lives in the future. This editorial does not have the right words to illustrate my anger and frustration at our state supporting the limitation of rights for women – those words don’t exist. This new law signed by Governor Mike Parson is beyond medieval. HB126, along with the other draconian measures passed this session, illustrates how undervalued women are as full and equal participants in our society. This legislation is nothing short than disingenuous and mean. Do not be surprised if this leads to many women making the choice to leave our great state for somewhere they are treated as equals. For now, Missouri is not that place. Wiley Price (D-St. Louis) represents District 84 in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Kitchen, Starbucks, the Emerson Family YMCA, and even the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center.

With that being said, why was Ferguson Market & Liquor sought out as one of the interview sites? I could be mistaken, but I have never read an article in the Post in which an interview was conducted in a liquor store.

There is no doubt about it that much more work needs to be done for the City of Ferguson to truly thrive. The first step of many involves acknowledging the fact that this community is still healing. Without that acknowledgment from its city officials, things will remain the same.

This article has done nothing but portray a false narrative of Ferguson residents, specifically those that reside in Southeast Ferguson. As data shows, a

majority of these residents are African-American. More importantly, this article has done nothing but perpetuate the negative stereotypes of Black Americans – ultimately that they are drunks that do not care about improving their community. This article exemplifies what individuals working in Ferguson are battling against – encouraging the community to engage in the systems that impact our existence. The media is part of those systems. This article has proven, yet again, that in spite of being involved and engaged in the process, they still have no control over expressing their own narrative.

Kelly McGowan Via email

Dr. Colleen McNicholas

Guest Columnist

Wiley Price

County Library offers new adult literacy program

Adults can improve their reading skills through a new online program offered at St. Louis County Library. MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach is a research-based online reading comprehension program, proven to help individuals with a wide range of reading abilities. Starting May 20, SLCL will provide a limited number of MindPlay seats to qualified adult learners who are looking to expand their literacy skills.

The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that 36 million individuals struggle with basic English literacy. That number includes about 300,000 individuals within the state of Missouri, 46,000 of whom reside in St. Louis County.

The MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach software can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. Participants will be asked to complete two hours of instruction per week for eight consecutive weeks. The program is self-guided, and students will be assigned a virtual coach to help them with assignments.

To be considered for the program, applicants must successfully complete a phone screening, followed by an in-person interview to

review the learning agreement requirements. Applicants must be residents of the St. Louis County Library District who are at least 18 years old and not currently enrolled in high school. Additionally, program applicants must have a current St. Louis County Library card or be willing to apply for a library card.

SLCL offers a variety of resources to support adult learners, including a collection of materials targeting new readers. The Adult Education Collection includes print and digital materials for emergent adult readers and English language learners. The collection is comprised of fiction and nonfiction, print and audio, physical and online resources. The print materials are characterized by larger-size font, fewer words per page, and more photographs and illustrations than standard adult books.

The library also offers the Career Online High School program, which provides adults ages 25 years and up the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and career certificate.

Visit www.slcl.org/mindplay or contact the Adult Literacy Coordinator at 314-994-3300 ext. 2381 for more information.

Addressing the blight of nuisance properties

By Jamilah Nasheed For The St. Louis American

We’ve all seen them. Driving around our city, they stick out—and not in a good way. You could say they’re broken, dilapidated or run-down. You could also call them what they are: a nuisance. Nuisance properties are more than just an eye sore, as they have tremendously negative impact on our communities. These abandoned homes, lots, and buildings drive down property values, and invite crime into our neighborhoods. Nuisance properties can be dangerous, with old, collapsing roofs and crumbling walls. They make our city ugly, and they are an embarrassment to all who live here.

To make our streets safer and neighborhoods brighter, we must address the blight brought on by nuisance properties.

n To make our streets safer and neighborhoods brighter, we must address the blight brought on by nuisance properties.

Over the past few years, I have worked in the Missouri General Assembly to help communities tackle these blighted properties. In 2014, we passed one of my first nuisance bills, Senate Bill 731 to go after absentee landlords who allow their properties to rot rather than repair them. This bill – which is now law –gives neighbors more opportunities to find a solution.

This year, I sponsored Senate Bill 203 to clean up neighborhoods and fix blight by lowering the time from 60 days to 45 days before law enforcement action can be taken on nuisance properties. Additionally, SB 203 permits attorney’s fees to be awarded in certain circumstances to the party who brought the action. I am happy to report that this bill received bipartisan support in both chambers and is on its way to the governor. These two bills are a big step forward for our community as we work together to clean up our neighborhoods and make our streets safer.

The community was all eyes as people lined the parade route of the 109th Annie Malone May Day Parade in downtown St. Louis on Sunday, May 19.

Watching the parade

Jamilah Nasheed

Photo by Wiley Price

GARDNER

Continued from A1

hate to see this kind of money expended to fight a search warrant.”

Reed said he agreed. Green pointed out that neither the mayor or aldermanic president mentioned the costs of the special prosecutor, which the city also has to pay for.

According to documents obtained by KSDK, the city recently allowed $250,000 to be transferred from the courts budget to City Counselor Julian Bush’s office in preparation of bill and expenses from Carmody’s firm.

And it was Krewson’s own appointee, Bush, who brought suit in the Circuit Court on June 27, 2018, on behalf of the police department, seeking a special prosecutor in the case. So Krewson initiated the case that she now doesn’t want the city to pay for.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen appointed high-dollar attorney Gerard Carmody — who was definitely not the most cost-efficient option for the city and who was not vetted for conflicts of interest. And in fact, he has close ties to Greitens’ law team who Gardner alleges threatened to “ruin” her professionally and personally if she continued to prosecute the former governor. Greitens’ attorneys denied these allegations, according to the Associated Press.

ABORTION

Continued from A1 situation in Missouri has been unfolding for years and is the result of what she describes as a “weaponized inspections process.”

“This didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a slow drip of restriction after restriction, and we’ve been warning for some time that abortion access

Prior to Carmody’s appointment, Gardner had suggested that Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker serve as the special prosecutor, which would have been free for taxpayers.

The Board of Estimate & Apportionment also discussed whether or not they should approve the funds, in light of the May 6 temporary restraining order that put a hold on paying Gardner’s lawyers. It came out of a lawsuit filed on April 15 by city resident and former police officer Charles Lane, who alleges that Gardners’ contracts for her lawyers did not go through the proper channels of approval.

At the meeting, the comptroller did not appear to be put off by the contracts or the approval of them. She said she is “not a judge,” but she is the city’s chief financial officer — and the fact that the board was even looking at the funds transfer was a “courtesy,” not a requirement.

The city has not seen any invoices or bills yet, Green said, but Gardner’s office gave an estimate.

In regards to Krewson’s comment on the search warrant, Gardner said publicly — before Judge Michael Mullen issued a gag order in the case — that she complied with Carmody’s first search warrant. However, the second search warrant, issued on February 21, is so broad that it would require the circuit attorney to hand over “every file in the office,” attorneys representing Gardner

is on the line,” Lee-Gilmore said.

The news comes just days after Missouri’s Republican Governor Mike Parson signed a law criminalizing abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy – with no exemptions for race or incest. In a statement upon signing, Parson said the abortion ban sends “a strong signal to the nation that, in Missouri, we stand for life, protect women’s health, and advocate for the unborn.”

Gone but not forgotten

told a judge at a hearing on March 5. The warrant asks for all files stored on the office’s server that contain 31 common terms, including “notes,” “tape,” and “recording.”

Gardner said she was not against the search warrants,

That law makes Missouri the latest in a growing number of states to ban the procedure in the early stages of pregnancy, often before women even know they are pregnant. Doctors convicted of violating the Missouri law could face prison time. Several states have passed similar early bans in recent weeks, but none have taken effect so far. Legal challenges are underway, and federal judges in Mississippi and Kentucky have already

just that the broadness and unlimited nature of the scope put residents’ privacy – and ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions – at risk.

Despite Gardner’s attempts to fight the second search warrant, the police are now in

blocked such laws.

But even without banning the procedure, restrictive health regulations can force clinics to stop offering abortions or close altogether.

A Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia, Mo., stopped performing the procedure in October 2018, after it was unable to fulfill a state requirement that doctors performing the procedure have admitting privileges at a hospital within about 15 minutes of the clinic. Planned Parenthood officials said there are some hospitals in Missouri that will perform abortions under rare circumstances, such as a medical emergency.

Missouri is now one of six states with only one remaining clinic, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights.

The St. Louis clinic will continue to provide services such as birth control and health screenings, but will have to stop offering abortions unless a judge grants a

possession of her email server and archives. And they have been allowed to search them since a Court of Appeals ruling on May 13. While Krewson said at the meeting that Gardner appeared to be drawing out the case,

restraining order. Patients seeking abortions in Missouri would then have to travel hundreds of miles, to clinics in Kansas or Illinois, Wen said.

Wen said it would be the first time in decades that an entire state would be without a health center offering abortions.

“This is a tragedy for Missouri women and doctors. And it’s a disturbing preview of what anti-choice politicians are trying to implement across the country,” Wen said.

Planned Parenthood officials said they have reached agreements with state health officials on other rules, including a requirement that physicians perform two pelvic examinations on women seeking surgical abortions.

Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an abortion provider at the St. Louis clinic, said in a statement provided by Planned Parenthood that repeat pelvic exams are “medically unnecessary and invasive.”

“For some patients, this

Gardner filed a motion to expedite the Tisaby case on May 23. A hearing is scheduled for June 12 at 1 p.m. in the Carnahan Courthouse regarding the case on Gardner’s contracts.

can even be re-traumatizing,” McNicholas said in the statement. “In this case, we had to weigh this against abortion access for an entire state — a nearly impossible decision and state officials know it.”

Planned Parenthood has stopped offering medication abortions in Missouri because of that requirement.

Dr. Sarah Horvath, a fellow at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who is aware of the negotiations in Missouri, said via email that such policies “harm the patientphysician relationship and erode patient trust.”

Asked about the state’s move to question abortion providers, Horvath said the procedure is “highly overregulated due to stigma and politics. ... Doctors should be able to provide health care without fearing interrogation.”

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Photo by Wiley Price

Kenneth Wiliamson Jr. talks to his son, Pueblo Boy Scout Kayden Williamson, 10, a student at Iveland Elementary School in the Ritenour School District, as he hugs the headstone of his grandfather who served in the United States Air Force. The event was the 69th Annual Gravois Trail Memorial Day Good Turn.

Continued from A1

removed one contract nurse and has reprimanded another nurse who were both named in the investigation, according to a spokesman for St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. Bell had considered charging two nurses involved in Shy’s death with second-degree involuntary manslaughter but did not, Bell’s spokeswoman said.

Catchings died on March 1, after being incarcerated for almost a year, and the cause of death was listed as acute leukemia. His illness was not detected when he was admitted, according to Bell’s review. Shy died on February 23, and the medical examiner determined Shy’s cause of death to be gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Bell stated that examiner did not find evidence for prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Shy died as a result of medical neglect. However, in both cases, the nurses who checked the men had failed to get them medical attention on various occasions, according to the police reports.

On the day Shy had died, he had been taken to St. Mary’s Hospital on two separate occasions and, each time, released by the hospital back to the custody of Justice Services, Bell’s reviews states. However, after his second return from the hospital, two nurses did not

ROSS

Continued from A1 was a terrible mistake; indeed, some Task Force members voiced strong reservations about Mr. Stenger,” Ross said. Better Together’s plan for the mayor of St. Louis to yield office to the St. Louis County executive – who would get to skip one election cycle as citycounty consolidation was in

immediately respond when they saw Shy lying on the floor with blood on his pants. He died 15 minutes later, according to the police report. In Catchings’ case, he had been vomiting and complaining of headaches for a week before he died, according to Bell’s review. He was also so dizzy that he had to use a wheelchair on February 22. At one point, Catchings hit his head on a mirror and had to sit back down. A nurse thought he was faking and told him that he needed to “stop that behavior,” according to Bell’s review.

Mark Pedroli, who is representing Catchings’ mother Tashonda Troupe, contends that Catchings had been throwing up the entire month of February, according to what inmates told police. If the patient is vomiting and has headaches, the nurse is ordered to immediately contact a doctor, Pedroli said. “Those orders were disobeyed,” Pedroli said. “Had the orders been followed, Lamar would have been sent to the infirmary or hospital where a doctor or registered nurse would have intervened, and then a simple blood sample would have resulted in the immediate recognition and treatment for Lamar’s highly curable leukemia, known as APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia). Lamar should be alive today. Period.”

Page asked the Clayton Police Department to determine whether there has been a pattern of deficiencies at

progress – was met with public scorn, particularly in light of Stenger’s previous marginal electoral victories (and, as he soon admitted to a federal judge, public fraud). The organization was not prepared for it.

“Better Together was simply ill-prepared to take on a community marketing campaign after the Task Force report was released and should have been more responsive to community feedback,” Ross

Justices Services, according to a statement from the county executive. They did not find a pattern, said St. Louis County Police Lt. Col. Troy Doyle, who is temporarily running the jail.

Despite this and Bell’s decision, Doyle said he called Catchings’ mother, Tashonda Troupe, and told her, “I was going to do my due diligence in trying to figure out what are the issues here and how can we make it better.”

However, there are two directors at the jail. Doyle

said.

“Better Together did not hire an ad agency to help with the rollout of the report, leaving it to take reactive and defensive postures in the face of withering criticism. The organization widely dismissed the negative community sentiment on the report, leading to an inability to promote a narrative of inclusion.”

Any “narrative of inclusion” was further shredded, in terms of African-American inclusion,

handles corrections, but he does not have authority over medical care. Dr. Emily Doucette is in charge of medical personnel and matters at the jail. Doucette and the health department declined to speak with The St. Louis American “because the decisions made are personnel matters and also they want to respect and protect the privacy of medical care of the inmates,” said Page’s spokesman. When asked if Page plans on requesting someone to look into the potential patterns of deficiencies with

when St. Louis County NAACP President John Gaskin announced the county chapter’s support of Better Together’s ballot initiative without disclosing that he had accepted a paid position to promote the ballot initiative, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch got Gaskin to admit.

Not all of the criticism of Better Together’s efforts was incensed by emotion, like the rejection of Stenger and anger at Gaskin, the effective

the jail’s health care, Page’s spokesman said that “Dr. Page has identified companies that could conduct an independent assessment of Justice Services.”

Page read the medical reports on Shy and Catchings and said he was “disturbed” by them. He did not want to comment about them from the “lens of a doctor,” he said, nor did he have other medical professionals review the reports because of the investigation.

Bell said his office is compiling recommendations of best practices based on

dissolution of a City of St. Louis with its own identity, and floating the measure for a statewide vote without stipulating that it must pass locally to go into effect. Even much of Better Together’s data was easily called into question.

People’s Community Action Corporation recently took a group of 38 high school students on a tour of historical black colleges, such as Tennessee State University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Alcorn State University, Xavier and Dillard College.

the facts and patterns his team learned during the investigations “to do our part” to prevent more deaths. While Bell’s team found no evidence to criminally charge anyone, “We do, however, believe that many concerns regarding these two tragic cases can be addressed by a civil court,” said Sam Alton, Bell’s chief of staff. Pedroli said that he believes Bell’s decision was premature because “there are witnesses they haven’t talked to.”

“Better Together never obtained an independent firm to verify its financial projections, leaving it to criticism that its numbers were not accurate,” Ross said. “And all that was before the Stenger fiasco and the misguided hiring of the St. Louis County NAACP director.”

However, Ross said, a more transparent and accountable grass roots coalition should be formed to take up the issue anew.

“I believe the issues before us are much larger than any individual or group,” Ross said. “It would be a mistake to disregard the elements of the Better Together report that are quite valid and operational.”

‘Something other than impartial administration of justice’

Those who think crooked cops run St. Louis must be following the current attack on St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner with interest.

Gardner is a progressive prosecutor who has been commended by racial-equity advocates and the city’s public defender for making strides toward reforming the city’s judicial system. She is also the first African American to hold the position.

Gardner has consistently challenged the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — even calling out detectives for obstructing her office’s investigation of a police officer who shot and killed a fellow cop. And the police — most vocally, the police union — have pushed back. Now Gardner’s enemies see an opportunity to mass an attack and they are having some success.

In June 2018, Gardner filed a police report alleging that then-Missouri governor Eric Greitens’ lawyers threatened to ruin her personal and professional life if she sought charges against the governor. Yet almost a year later, the police department said that her case is still “under investigation,” according to a statement in March from Sgt. Keith Barrett

Bush — who technically represents both the police department and the circuit attorney — should have sat this one out, but he instead inserted himself into the situation and filed the suit on June 27, 2018. Private attorney Gerard T. Carmody was appointed special prosecutor. Bush could have told the police department that they already have the tapes on Tisaby, the deposition, witnesses, the Missouri House of Representatives report. They also have the power to issue search warrants. What do they need subpoena power for? Instead, Bush all but handed the police the subpoena power, giving them access to thousands of Gardner’s files that have nothing to do with the Tisaby case. And, in doing so, using taxpayer dollars to pay for a private lawyer to access countless documents that risk the privacy of the accused, city employees and ongoing criminal investigations.

need the circuit attorney’s entire email server?

By allowing these tactics, the court is setting a dangerous precedent, Gardner’s lawyers explain.

“To require the disclosure of this highly sensitive information would eradicate the necessary confidential nature of criminal investigations and open the floodgates to others, including criminal defense attorneys, having access to the privileged information of any CAO investigation,” her motion states.

“In my decades of work in the criminal justice system, I have never seen a chief prosecutor treated this way by a court or a police department,” said Roy L. Austin Jr., Gardner’s attorney, in a March statement.

At about the same time, in May 2018, Greitens’ attorneys filed a complaint against Gardner’s contract detective William Tisaby alleging that he lied under oath during the Greitens’ felonious invasion of privacy case. The police managed to not only finish that investigation in a month, but also to ask City Counselor Julian Bush, a mayoral appointee, to file suit in Circuit Court on the police department’s behalf to seek the appointment of a special prosecutor.

At a May 15 Board of Estimate and Apportionment meeting, Mayor Lyda Krewson said she believed Gardner was dragging the case out by refusing to abide by the special prosecutor’s search warrants. And Krewson read in the “paper” that Gardner had five different law firms working in her defense and didn’t understand why, she said. Is Krewson a truly clueless mayor who is simply reading about the issue in the newspaper, even though her office had a key role in instigating this drawn-out witch hunt? Or is she really good (or bad) at playing a clueless puppet?

The legal representation is not only for Gardner but for an unknown number of employees who have been subpoenaed by the grand jury. These employees, who don’t have large salaries, otherwise

would have to pay for their own defense.

Why do these her employees need defense counsel for testifying before the grand jury?

Because the police department and the special prosecutor have so far proven to be hostile and secretive in their actions, according to court documents filed on May 16 by Gardner’s defense.

On April 29, about 10 to 15 police officers entered the Circuit Attorney’s Office armed with guns and led by Sgt. Jatonya Clayborn and Ryann Carmody, the document states. (Ryann Carmody works with Gerard Carmody, the special prosecutor.)

“For the next 3.5 hours, these officers and Ms. Carmody engaged in a campaign of intimidation, misinformation

and unethical conduct,” it states.

In one instance, Clayborn told the circuit attorney’s information technology specialist that she would “kick the door in” if he wouldn’t let her into the server closet.

The police and Carmody also told staff that Gardner and her defense lawyers knew that they were coming, which was a false statement, it states.

This is considered law professional misconduct in Missouri’s rules of ethics, it states. They also “intimidated” the IT employee to provide passwords without the office’s lawyers being present and filmed his keystrokes — taking information that he did not provide willingly.

In his response to these claims submitted on May 28, Gerard Carmody states that the officers weren’t armed, the entire search was videotaped, and the police do not have to give any notice before a search warrant.

Gardner’s writ states that the office’s server “contains highly confidential, personal, and private information relating to on-going investigations and to the office’s employees — including attorney-client privilege and work product information.”

Carmody and the officers didn’t engage in any safeguards to protect confidential and private health, financial and other information stored on the server, Gardner claims in the motion.

For this one perjury case, why does a private attorney

He believes the cityappointed special prosecutor, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and even Judge Michael Mullen are trying to “intimidate and humiliate” Gardner and “strip her of the powers granted to her by the people of the City of St. Louis.”

And while the mayor, as well as the President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed who agreed with Krewson at the May 15 meeting, pretend to be naive, they play a complicit role in the damage that is being done — the very least of which is money. More important is the community’s trust and the horrific precedents being set in the courts.

To be continued …

Carmody and the cops

If you have a real estate problem in town, you hire Gerard “Jerry” Carmody. He’s one of the best real estate attorneys in town.

The NFL also hired him to defend them in a lawsuit brought by the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority — after the Rams left St. Louis.

He also represented the city in a lawsuit challenging the city’s $390 million tax increment financing deal for Paul McKee Jr.’s Northside Regeneration project.

For reasons that the public will never know — because there is no documentation of this decision — Circuit Judge Michael Mullen thought this highly regarded and expensive real estate lawyer would be the best fit for the special prosecutor in the Tisaby case.

The American asked the circuit court if any hearings were held regarding Carmody’s potential conflicts of interest as special prosecutor, and

Mullen responded that there was at least one hearing on the appointment. The EYE can’t imagine there was more than one because the decision to have Carmody as special prosecutor was made two days after the city counselor filed suit to seek a special prosecutor in the case. No transcript exists for any hearings. There are no letters or reports explaining Mullen’s decision, and Carmody was not required to fill out any forms regarding potential conflicts of interest, a court spokesman said. However, Carmody MacDonald firm does have conflicts of interest, according to a motion to disqualify Carmody filed on April 26 by Gardner’s defense team. Edward L. Dowd Jr., of Dowd Bennett law firm, was part of the team defending Greitens. Dowd participated in the deposition of Tisaby that underlies the alleged perjury charge at the heart of all this mess. Therefore, Dowd is a significant witness in the investigation, it states. Dowd filed a police report alleging the perjury. He does philanthropic work that aids the families of police officers.

Carmody and Dowd were law partners for years with the firm Bryan Cave, the motion states, and the Carmody family has a close relationship with the Dowds.

Appointing Carmody, despite this “well known, self-evidently compromising relationship,” demonstrates a lack of “neutrality and fairness in this investigation,” the motion states. And it’s not the “norm” to appoint a special prosecutor from a private practice, it states, and the court should have conducted a conflict of interest analysis.

“These unaddressed conflicts simply sit there, like time bombs that will eventually make it nearly impossible to base any prosecution on this ‘investigation,’” the motion states. “It is almost enough to make one suspect that this investigation has always been about something other than impartial administration of justice. Indeed, the special prosecutor’s attempt to target Circuit Attorney Gardner in this limited investigation has the hallmarks of making good on the statements made by Greitens’ legal team.”

The motion further states that the court could not ignore the “very strong likelihood” that, “the police division used the Tisaby matter as a mere pretext for securing an appointment that would settle scores, old and new, on behalf of the former governor and the current partisans within the police division.”

Source: Carmody MacDonald website

Ryann Carmody and Gerard “Jerry” Carmody, principals in the law firm Carmody MacDonald. Jerry Carmody was appointed special prosecutor by the city counselor in a case involving a detective hired on contract by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner in the Eric Greitens case.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

Beyond Memorial Day

Tourism in St. Louis heats up with the weather

By Kiara Bryant

For the St. Louis American

June is nearly upon us and that means summer is just a hop, skip and a jump away. From Memorial Day Weekend and beyond, the calendar heats up with festivals and plenty of entertainment coming to a stage near you.

Starting last weekend, all ages can enjoy live music at the Saint Louis Zoo every Friday night during the Jungle Boogie concert series, which ends August 30. Memorial Day Weekend also marked the beginning of extended weekend hours at the Zoo.

Other outdoor attractions are opening for the season. Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois welcomed the public back on May 25. Stay cool this summer with pools, flumes, rafting and slides at this waterpark, right on the other side of the river. The 281-acre Grant’s Farm is now also open for the season. For 65 years, this St. Louis treasure has been a timeless tradition for all families to enjoy with over 900 animals.

Circus Flora’s 33rd Season brings “The Caper in Aisle 6” (June 6 – 30) to the Big Top in Grand Center. Don’t miss this performance of an unbelievable mix of excitement and comedy as

they come together with the best storytellers and circus acts.

Tickets are now on sale for The Muny’s riveting 101st season this summer in Forest Park. The 2019 schedule at the country’s largest outdoor amphitheater will feature: Guys and Dolls (June 10–16), Kinky Boots (June 19–25), 1776 (June 27–July 3), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (July 8–16), Footloose (July 18–24), Paint Your Wagon (July 27–Aug. 2) and Matilda (Aug. 5–11).

You can look forward to another fascinating and enriching exhibit from the St. Louis Science Center, now that Pompeii: The Exhibition has arrived in St. Louis, now-until November 3. Discover the Roman city of Pompeii that vanished when Mount Vesuvius erupted, through more than 150 authentic artifacts and engaging interactives at the SLSC. Experience the lives of the city’s residents and learn how they lived, worked and played.

The curtain closes on season 42 at The Black Rep with “Nina Simone: Four Women” now through June 2 at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University. In the final play, the Back Rep will bring Nina Simone’s lyrics to life in a story of four women alienated from themselves and one another other due to the color of their skin.

It’s said that the first cocktail party on record took place in the Central West End. The neighborhood will celebrate this history once again by hosting the 4th Annual CWE Cocktail Party on Saturday, June 8, from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy all that the neighborhood has to offer with live entertainment as well as tasty food and drinks from local bars and restaurants.

We’ve only just begun tourism season in St. Louis. Stay tuned, there’s more exciting events and information at www.explorestlouis.com.

June’s Day of Justice

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Associate Editor, Missouri Historical Society

On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived at Galveston Island, Texas, to enforce Order 3, the immediate emancipation of all 250,000 slaves in the state. Texas slave owners had suppressed news of the Emancipation Proclamation for more than two years. But now African American slavery was legally ended throughout all former slave states.

“Most American history textbooks end the story of slavery with the 1863 issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Rarely is the story of June 19, 1865, included in the teaching of enslavement in school textbooks,” says Dr. Chris Tinson, director of African American studies at Saint Louis University. The Emancipation Proclamation narrative emphasizes one white man’s action. But Juneteenth is a far different story, putting African American experiences front and center.

One year after Granger’s announcement, Galveston’s African Americans gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of their freedom—an astonishing act of bravery in a state where approximately 400 African Americans were murdered between 1865 and 1868. Despite white violence and Jim Crow laws, Juneteenth—shorthand for “June nineteenth”— quickly became an annual African American holiday throughout Texas.

Juneteenth celebrations typically featured reunions, barbecue, new clothes, and, eventually, strawberry soda pop. Heritage, education, and solidarity were the real focus, however, with lectures, tableaus, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Former slaves were often guests of honor.

African Americans who left Texas during the Great Migration and the Great Depression took the holiday with them. But cities didn’t have enough space for large gatherings, and employers refused to grant a special holiday. The threats of lynching, white terrorism, and police harassment were omnipresent. From the 1920s through the 1960s, African Americans focused on integration and civil rights, and Juneteenth participation dwindled outside of Texas.

The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 led to renewed national interest in Juneteenth. King’s widow, along with a fellow activist, Dr. Ralph Abernathy, proceeded with his plans for

the Poor People’s Campaign and encampment on the Mall in Washington, DC. Their goals were economic prosperity and human rights for workers of all races. But due to tension and demoralization among leaders and participants—particularly after the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy, a prominent supporter—the organizers ended the campaign early with a rally on June 19, a traditional day of remembrance and recommitment to action for African Americans.

At the Solidarity Day Rally for Jobs, Peace, and Freedom on June 19, 1968, Coretta Scott King urged the crowd of 50,000 people—many wearing Juneteenth buttons—that “racism, poverty, and war” had worsened the quality of life of blacks and whites alike.

It was an energizing rally and uplifting message. But over the next few days, police violently broke up the camp, leading to mass arrests, a citywide state of emergency, and overwhelmingly negative coverage of the Poor People’s Campaign.

Undeterred, participants took the values of Solidarity Day home with them. Thanks to increased awareness of African American and diaspora history and heritage over the next decades, Juneteenth is now an official day of observance or a state holiday in 45 states, including Missouri. In 1996 the US House of Representatives proclaimed June 19 “the true day of independence for African Americans in this country.”

Local Juneteenth events are a tribute to Missouri’s enslaved African Americans, who were emancipated on January 11, 1865, and an opportunity to celebrate freedom and advocate for change in St. Louis.

On Tuesday, June 4, the public is invited to learn more about Juneteenth and its relevance to contemporary social justice issues at a new program at the Missouri History Museum, The Beautiful Challenge of Liberation: Juneteenth and the Politics of Hope

“Juneteenth is as important a part of American history as the Fourth of July,” notes Faye Dant, executive director of Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center and one of the featured speakers at the program. “It’s probably more relevant as the country struggles with issues such as race and injustice.”

Together with Dr. Tinson, she looks forward to sharing the legacy of Juneteenth at the Missouri History Museum on June 4: “I always want to reach a larger audience and thus take every opportunity to teach as a firm believer that African American history is American history.”

“I think it is essential that all citizens, regardless of color, lifestyle, or background, do all they can to inform themselves about the origins of the society they inhabit,” Dr. Tinson adds. African American emancipation is “the clearest demonstration of the meaning of freedom, and its essence.”

The Beautiful Challenge of Liberation: Juneteenth and the Politics of Hope will be presented on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30pm in the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium. The program will feature two guest speakers, Faye Dant (Huck Finn Freedom Center) and Dr. Chris Tinson (Saint Louis University), as well as representatives from statewide Juneteenth festivals. This event is free and open to the public.

The Missouri Emancipation Proclamation is the ordinance that abolished slavery in Missouri in 1865. Missouri Historical Society Collections.

All ages can enjoy live music at the Saint Louis Zoo every Friday night during the Jungle Boogie concert series, which ends August 30.

Blind man runs with the help of friends

‘I can’t see, but I’m still a man. I’m still a father, and I still have a brain.’

By Shahla Farzan Of St. Louis Public Radio

Nick Silver started losing his eyesight when he was 4 years old.

He’s now almost completely blind, but the 33-year-old refuses to let his disability slow him down. The Lemay resident trains with the help of fellow runners, who jog with him and alert him to upcoming obstacles.

“It’s that comfort level knowing I can run free and there’s a set of eyes that are babysitting me,” Silver said. “I don’t have to worry about tripping over a curb or a branch or missing a step.”

On a windy Saturday morning, he met up with Liz Houghton at the Saint Louis University track. The two initially connected

n “How inspiring is it to be that limited in sight and want to run?”

– John Zarbock

online, after Silver posted on a Facebook running club page that he was looking for guides to run with him. Before getting started, the pair mapped out obstacles on the track, including a pile of hurdles and another group of runners.

Silver still has some limited vision, but his surroundings often resemble blurry shapes. When he gets tired, he says the

world starts to look like a fuzzy TV screen.

“I know it seems like I can see very well, but I really can’t,” Silver said. “As we get more into it, my vision will start fatiguing and my brain will start shutting down.”

The pair ran 200-meter sprints around the track, as Silver’s two young daughters shouted encouragement from the sidelines.

At one point, Houghton, who lives in Glen Carbon, Illinois, admitted she struggles with maintaining her speed during the sprints.

“I struggle with sight, so we’re good,” Silver responded wryly.

Silver started losing his eyesight as a young child, after he developed juvenileonset cataracts and uveitic glaucoma.

See SILVER, A11

By Dr. Nicole Robinson For The St. Louis American

Breast cancer has no color lines, nor does the scars it leaves behind. They are gems hidden in the beauty of a woman. If you look deeply into her eyes, they carry untold stories that lie within the belly of her soul. They are her hidden secrets. Her scars are rare cuts, holding intricate details left behind from the pains of life. Her tragedies and wounds are invisible to the naked eye, but they remain, gently revealed through her courage, strength, and resilience. When thinking about my own individual scars, I can’t help but admit moments in time, visiting dark places in my mind. We’ve all visited that dark place at some point in our lives, whether it’s coping with anxiety or loss, tragedy and pain, loneliness and doubt, or any life-changing event.

n Don’t ignore signs of being stuck in a continual downward spiral. It’s perfectly okay to seek the help of a professional psychologist.

In 2018, I experienced what I considered my final breaking point. I couldn’t help but question what God was doing in my life. For a moment, my life was over after being diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. But I couldn’t accept defeat. I flat out rejected the notion of being defeated, and so can you. But little did I know, He was setting me in motion for another life shift, which admittedly I wasn’t ready to accept. God has a way of allowing tragedy to reveal those who are a part of the journey while removing the heavy weights to be left behind. So, rest assured, you are not alone in this fight. My advice is to stop silently trying to balance the slippery slope of pretending. Sometimes you must admit you’re not okay. You have permission to acknowledge the hurt. Acknowledgement and acceptance are the secret toward your moving forward, not staying in that dark place. If you’re not careful, you’ll begin falling into uncharted waters of depression.

Yes, I said it, depression. It’s a word that’s often shunned in many households and among even your closest friends. There is a

Prosecutor promises to hold governor accountable for signing abortion ban

Baker: ‘I’ve seen the toll that rape, incest, and unplanned pregnancies take on women’

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

The elected prosecutor in Jackson County (Kansas City) reminded Missouri Gov. Mike Parson that he was not elected to his position when saying that he will be “held accountable” for signing into law a ban on abortion after eight weeks, even in cases of incest and other forms of rape.

“As a prosecuting attorney, I’ve seen first-hand the toll that rape, incest, and unplanned pregnancies take on women,” said Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who chairs the Missouri Democratic Party.

“It’s not the government or Governor Mike Parson’s place to get involved in a woman’s personal medical decisions about her pregnancy. This is an extreme, unconstitutional ban that is cruel to women,

including women who are survivors of rape and incest.”

The bill, introduced by state Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon), passed the Missouri House of Representatives 11044. One supporter of House Bill 126, state Representative Barry Hovis (R-Cape Girardeau), said on the House floor that there is something called “consensual rape” and that it is more common than “a gentlemen jumping out of the bushes,” based on his experience in law enforcement.

Doctors who violate the new law’s provisions could face felony charges and jail

Dr. Nicole Robinson

Nick Silver and Liz Houghton run 200-meter sprints at the St. Louis University Track. Silver, who is almost completely blind, relies on guide runners to help him avoid obstacles in his path.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson

Photo by Shahla Farzan / St. Louis Public Radio

Photo by Jason Rosenbaum / St. Louis Public Radio

Siteman coming to North County

Community learns what to expect June 10 at Florissant Valley Branch

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American PECaD, the Program for Elimination of Cancer

Disparities and Siteman Cancer Center, will hold a community town hall at the Florissant Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library on Monday, June 10 at 9 a.m. to discuss the new Siteman outpatient center under construction in Florissant, and community needs for cancer prevention and treatment.

“The topics discussed at the town halls are largely determined by the community members who attend, as it is their concerns we’re aiming to address,” a PECaD spokesman stated. “The Siteman mammography van will also be at the event on June 10,

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He also suffered from retinal detachments, a serious condition in which the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye pulls away. For this reason, he wasn’t allowed to do many sports while enrolled in the Pattonville School District.

At age 15, he transferred to the Missouri School for the Blind, where his coaches encouraged him to try track and field.

“They were like, ‘Come on out. Come show us what you can do,’” Silver said. “And from there on, I was that track star.” Silver continued running

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stigma, especially within the African-American community. It’s the cognitive distortion and failure to address potential mental health problems.

Discussing depression and mental health is not cliché.

Don’t ignore signs of being stuck in a continual downward spiral. It’s perfectly okay to seek the help of a professional psychologist to help you navigate through those tough issues.

and attendees can book an appointment.” Participants can call 314-747-7222 or 800-6003606 in advance to make an appointment.

At the PECaD town hall on May 6 held at the Rock Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library in St. Ann, topics included the design and treatment capabilities of the new Siteman campus under construction on the Northwest Healthcare campus in Florissant, along with the time frame to move Siteman to that location from the Christian Hospital site. The North County Siteman is expected to open in December. It also was discussed how the Northwest site is the better location for Siteman for persons using public transportation.

after high school, but he was no casual athlete. In 2008, he competed in the Atlanta Paralympic Trials in track and field. But as he’s aged, his sight has gotten worse, making it more difficult to run.

His guide community has become a lifeline for Silver, because he no longer feels comfortable running alone.

To build his community, he did a social media blitz last fall, posting calls for running buddies across the Internet. Tower Grove East resident John Zarbock was scrolling through Facebook last November, when a post from Silver caught his eye. “I’ve never done anything like this before, and it just kind of spoke to me,” said Zarbock, a U.S. Army veteran

Ask yourself a question: how long can you continue to suffer in silence, avoiding addressing your brokenness? Your mental fitness is at stake. It’s time to break through your silence. Whether you’d like to admit it or not, we’ve all hit a point in our lives when situations and life-changing events have launched a fullout an attack in attempt to take us out. Remember, doubt and a distorted perception always stoke fear. You are beautifully and wonderfully made, even in all your imperfections. Embrace your imperfections. Start by admitting your vulnerabilities and stand in your truth. About four years ago, I met a sister who proclaimed her truth of overcoming breast cancer. She is a powerful speaker, author, and friend, Denise Sneed, who amazed me with her testimony of overcoming her cancer. She never settled into the words of being a breast cancer survivor, but she stood firmly on the premise of her living beyond her struggles as a survivor. Life has a funny way of showing you just exactly where you need to be. Now, I truly understand the power of words. I will never discount surviving breast cancer, but I accept the call that I’ve overcome. Today, like Denise and many other women, I am living beyond my scars. I am no longer paralyzed by a prognosis led by fear and defeat. I love the words from Ciara’s new song: “my scars are beauty marks.”

Dr. Nicole Robinson is the founder of the Hatz 4 Hearts Foundation, which provides supportive services that include the distribution of new hats, headwear, scarfs, and wigs to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Visit hatz4hearts.org.

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time. Medical professionals who specialize in bringing pregnancies to term sided with the elected prosecutor, not the un-elected governor.

“As providers of obstetric care, we all too often see the real risks of pregnancy – risks that only increase as pregnancy progresses, and risks that can lead to serious morbidity and even mortality,” the Missouri Section of the American

The newest Siteman Cancer Center outpatient facility under construction in North St. Louis County on the campus of Northwest Healthcare in Florissant, Mo. is expected to open in December 2019. The $26.3 project of Siteman, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University will include state of the art technology, including a new linear accelerator to deliver radiation therapy and a computed tomography or CT scanner, which combines multiple x-ray images to better identify tumor positioning.

n His guide community has become a lifeline for Silver, because he no longer feels comfortable running alone.

who owns Freedom Fitness gym in St. Louis. “How inspiring is it to be that limited in sight and want to run?”

They met in Forest Park for their first run, and as they started jogging, Zarbock quickly realized that guiding Silver could be a helpful distraction. “I’m so focused on what I’m doing for him as opposed to how tired I am,” he said. “Like, ‘You’re not tired. You’re not allowed to be tired, because you’re here to help.’”

In Silver’s view, building

a community of running partners isn’t simply a matter of self-interest. He believes people with disabilities are often written off by society, and he hopes to change that.

“I can’t see, but I’m still a man. I’m still a father, and I still have a brain,” Silver said. Silver has been working with a visually impaired college student to start a St. Louis chapter of Achilles International, a nonprofit that works to encourage people with all forms of disabilities to compete in mainstream athletics.

“I’m just trying to open people’s minds up to this world of people with disabilities,” Silver said.

Achilles International has chapters in cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles.

Dick Traum, the organization’s president and founder, lost his leg at age 24 when a car hit him while he was pumping gas.

More than a decade after his accident, he began teaching himself how to run with a prosthetic leg — a movement he calls the little “hop and a skip.”

“There’s a certain feeling of joining society and of being out there, of not being considered frail,” Traum said.

Cancer education event

PECaD will hold a Smart Health 2019 community education event on Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Detrick Building Atrium of Christian Hospital, located at 11133 Dunn Rd. (63138), to talk about cancer prevention, survivorship, exercise, nutrition and other health issues that contribute to cancer disparities in the region. For more information, email PECaD@ wustl.edu or call 314-7471109.

College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wrote in The American last week.

“Missouri currently stands at 41 out of 50 states, making us one of the states with the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. This legislation will only serve to increase the numbers in Missouri and put our patients at a greater risk.”

Without responding to the specifics of criticism from the state’s medical professionals who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, Parson insisted the bill “protects women’s health” in his statement about

signing it into law. Previously asked about signing a bill into law that criminalizes a woman who aborts a fetus that was the product of rape, even rape by a family member, Parson responded, “We think all life has value.”

Parson is a former Polk County sheriff and dairy farmer who was the state’s Republican lieutenant governor when elected Gov. Eric Greitens resigned under investigation for felony invasion of privacy and fundraising ethics.

“Ob-gyns and other

women’s health care providers should not be threatened with criminal penalties for delivering evidence-based, necessary health care,” the state’s obstetricians and gynecologists wrote here last week.

“HB 126 would force clinicians to decide between their patient’s needs and facing criminal proceedings. All clinicians must be able to practice medicine that is informed by their years of medical education, training, experience, and the available evidence, freely and without threat of criminal punishment.”

Although the St. Louis chapter is still in its early stages of development, Silver and his collaborators hope to get it up and running later this spring.

“When doors are open, I try running through them,” Silver said. “Because plateauing is not fun. Up and forward is the only way I know to go.”

Follow Shahla on Twitter: @shahlafarzan Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Achilles International encourages runners with all types of disabilities — including visually impaired athletes — to take part in long-distance running, Traum estimates more than 1,500 visually impaired runners have participated in marathons across the U.S. in the last decade.

Kansas City’s elected prosecutor had a message for Missouri’s unelected governor and his party, which introduced and passed the bill. She put this new law into the Missouri Republican legacy of Todd Akin, who was leading a race for U.S. Senate when he said in a televised interview that women’s bodies have a way of “shutting down” pregnancies caused by “legitimate rape.”

“Missouri’s latest expansion of anti-choice legislation, for the first time, expands the denial of bodily autonomy to survivors of

Dr. Nicole Robinson (second from left) with Angelina Rodriguez and Eleseia Viveretten. “My scars are different than the sisters whose hands I hold,” Robinson said, “but we are bonded together by our strength forged in sisterhood.”

rape and incest who become pregnant,” Baker stated.

“Sadly, this is the next extreme step in the evolution of the party of Todd Akin. Across Missouri we’re seeing a profound visceral reaction to the governor’s broad expansion of the denial of the right to choose and this ultra-extremist legislation. We support a woman’s right to choose. Period. We will and we must hold Governor Mike Parson and Republicans in the Missouri Legislature accountable for this disgusting policy.”

Photo by Spencer Tegner

Community Heroes & Sheroes &

Historic ‘Shelley House’ added to Civil Rights Network

At center of landmark case against racially restrictive housing covenants

By Shahla Farzan Of St. Louis Public Radio

Melinda Jones stands next to her great-grandparents’ former house and shields her eyes against the already-hot morning sun.

The modest two-story brick house in the Greater Ville neighborhood was the backdrop for one of the most important court cases of the Civil Rights Movement, which virtually abolished racially restrictive covenants used to prevent people of color from living in white communities.

The “Shelley House” was added to the African American Civil Rights Network on Friday, May 23, making it the first property in Missouri to join the register.

“It’s just an amazing experience that I’m here to witness this,” said Jones, who attended the dedication ceremony with other Shelley family descendants.

The St. Louis neighborhood instituted a racially restrictive covenant in 1911 to keep “people of the Negro or Asian race” from living in the community.

In 1945, a white realtor purchased 4600 Labadie Ave. and signed the deed over to J.D. and Ethel Shelley, an African-American couple unaware of the restrictive covenant.

The home’s former owner,

Still, she thinks her grandparents would be proud that their legacy lives on.

“We’re still moving forward, so it’s not something that’s left dead,” said Davis, whose mother was the youngest daughter in the Shelley family. The home, which is also a National Historic Landmark, joins five other properties in the African American Civil Rights Network, according to the National Park Service:

• The Lorraine Motel (Memphis, Tennessee) - the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, now home to the National Civil Rights Museum.

• Kennedy-King Park: Landmark for Peace (Indianapolis, Indiana) - the site of an impromptu speech by Senator Robert F. Kennedy on April 4, 1968, which was later credited for preventing a riot following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home (Jackson, Mississippi)the home of two prominent civil rights activists, Medgar and Myrlie Evers.

a white resident of the neighborhood named Louis Kraemer, brought suit to enforce the covenant — a case that eventually landed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

In what became a landmark case of the Civil Rights Era, the court ruled state enforcement of restrictive covenants was unconstitutional.

“The historic legal battle was a great victory not just for the courageous Shelley family, but for the fundamental principle that in America where you live should not be determined by what you look like,” said U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, speaking at a dedication ceremony on Friday, May 23.

Clay cosponsored legislation

in 2017 that established the African American Civil Rights Network of properties significant to the struggle for racial equality.

Other speakers included St. Louis NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

“It’s so important that we understand the most shameful parts of our history,” said Krewson, adding that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past.

But for the Shelley’s granddaughter, Melody Davis, the battle against racial discrimination is far from over — particularly given the longterm disinvestment in many black St. Louis neighborhoods.

• A.P. Tureaud House (New Orleans, Louisiana) - the home of Alexander Pierre “A.P.” Tureaud Sr., a prominent civil rights attorney and legal counsel for the NAACP.

• Mitchell Jamieson Mural (Washington, D.C.) - a mural depicting African American opera singer Marian Anderson’s 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial, after she was not allowed to perform at Constitution Hall. The National Park Service is now accepting nominations for additional sites to be included in the African American Civil Rights Network at accepting nominations at https://tinyurl. com/civil-rights-apply. Follow Shahla on Twitter: @shahlafarzan. Reprinted with permission

Photo by Shahla Farzan / St. Louis Public Radio

Lenton and Joannia Morris sit on the front porch of the Shelley House during the ceremony on Friday, May 23 when the Shelley House was added to the African American Civil Rights Network. The couple now owns the historic home at 4600 Labadie Ave..

Kwame awarded for taxiway and runway rehab at Lambert

Kwame Building Group received the American Concrete Paving Association Excellence in Concrete Paving Award for taxiway and runway rehabilitation work at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The awards program recognizes high-quality workmanship, quality and creativity in concrete pavement projects. In a joint venture with HR Green, Kwame provided project management for the $9.7 million, multi-phase project. To avoid disruption of normal operations at the airport, portions of the work was performed at night and on weekends. The general contractor was Millstone Weber, LLC. The consulting engineer was Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly. Kwame has completed numerous projects at Lambert since 1999, including the $62 million, award-winning Airport Experience Program, the largest renovation in Lambert’s history, and also the restoration of Concourse C and other areas following the EF4 tornado that hit the airport in 2011.

Mogerman to lead zoo’s

North Campus

Advocate for audiences to drive programs and services

American staff

Jo-Elle Mogerman will serve as director of the Saint Louis Zoo’s new North Campus, a 425-acre property located in Spanish Lake, as well as operations of the Conservation & Animal Science Center and public attractions that will connect people with nature and animals. She will oversee the creation and the development of this new attraction for the St. Louis community and tourists alike. A native of Chicago who grew up with a love of animals, she leaves Shedd Aquarium in her home city, where she served as the vice president of Learning and Community. In that role, she oversaw the vision and strategic direction for all learning and community programs. She

n “Involve communities in planning upfront. Listen to how you can be relevant to them.”

– Jo-Elle Mogerman

previously spent nearly 14 years at Brookfield Zoo in a suburb of Chicago.

While at Brookfield Zoo, she produced a presentation on “Cultivating Conservation Communities” with a strong community focus on running a zoo. “Involve communities in planning upfront,” she urged in the presentation. “Listen to how you can be relevant to them. Become advocates for audience to drive programs and services.”

She also served as an Illinois Nature Preserves Commissioner and was chair of the

Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Diversity Committee. She obtained a doctorate in biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota, and bachelor’s degree in biology from Macalester College.

Michael Macek was promoted to the role of Saint Louis Zoo director (from chief operating officer), reporting directly to Jeffrey Bonner, zoo president & CEO.

“The next 18 months or so are incredibly important as zoo leadership works on its longrange plans for the zoo and the new property in north St. Louis County,” Bonner said in a statement.

“Michael and Jo-Elle have pivotal roles in this planning process as well as in our core zoological and operational activities. I am especially interested in working with them to create and maintain synergy between the zoo, the North Campus and our conservation efforts worldwide.”

Flint Fowler was selected to participate in the 91st Joint Civilian Orientation Conference hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. He will spend several days at the Pentagon and military installations, engaging with senior military officials and U.S. Service members. The program is designed to help close the civilianmilitary divide by educating the American public about their military.

Dr. Teri Murray is taking a one-year sabbatical to work on health policy in the Washington, D.C. area. She has served as leader of the Saint Louis University School of Nursing for the last 13 years, first as director then as dean. She serves on the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, and while on sabbatical she will become much more immersed in this work.

Wiley Price IV was named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Missouri House of Representatives for his advocacy of Criminal Justice. A Democrat, he represents part of the City St. Louis in House District 84. He told St. Louis Public Radio that Democrats, who are heavily outnumbered in the Missouri House, can make headway if they are willing to work with the Republicans on issues of common agreement.

Tamar E. Hodges joined Husch Blackwell’s Healthcare practice as an associate in the firm’s Jefferson City office. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law. Before attending law school, she worked as a registered nurse at nationally ranked hospitals in St. Louis and Atlanta. She received a 2019 Young Lawyers Division Award of Merit from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and a 2016 Leaders of Tomorrow Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Rev. Starsky D. Wilson earned his doctor of ministry from Duke University’s Divinity School. His doctoral thesis is entitled “The Truth of Reconciliation: Leadership for American Apartheid.” Founded in 1926 as one of 13 seminaries founded and supported by the United Methodist Church, the school focuses on theological education on Scripture, engagement with the living Christian tradition, and attention to contemporary contexts. Wilson is president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation and board chair for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.

Kristia P. Abernathy graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine after special guidance from Dr. Michael Railey, dean of Multicultural Affairs, and will begin her residency program in Family Medicine at SIUSpringfield. She was featured in The St. Louis American when in her senior year at Hazelwood East High School talking about her dream of becoming a medical doctor. On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to

Dr. Teri Murray

Krista P. Abernathy

Tamar E. Hodges

Flint Fowler Wiley Price IV

Jo-Elle Mogerman

Teach your children a healthy hatred of debt

By Michelle Singletary Washington Post

What your children don’t know about money will cost them – dearly.

My husband and I have made it a priority to raise moneysmart kids. I, of course, took my lessons to another level, one that often frustrated my children. Once there was a craft fair at my kids’ school. As our eldest, Olivia, was counting how much money she was planning to spend, I pulled her aside to give her tips on bargain shopping.

n Children need to be exposed to financial literacy, and their moneymanagement skills must be nurtured like you would coach a young soccer or basketball player.

“Look, you’ve got to negotiate to get a good price on what you want,” I counseled her.

Olivia just rolled her eyes. She was incredulous that I was telling her to haggle with her classmates over craft items

they had made. “Mom, why are you talking to me about this money stuff all the time?” she complained. I bent down to look her directly in the face. (I know. That was a bit aggressive.) I needed her to take me seriously. I was hoping to impress upon her that in every purchase situation you have to consider the cost – even if the seller is a friend – and try to avoid spending more money than necessary. So, I said to my 10-year-old daughter, “It is my full-time job to make sure you’re a good steward over your money.”

“Well,” Olivia started, looking me directly in the eye with her hands on her hips, “can you make it your parttime job?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

I’m pretty sure she had no idea what the word “steward” meant, but it was a teachable moment.

Fast forward 14 years, and Olivia is fiercely frugal. She and our other two young-adult children are all super savers and savvy shoppers. My youngest likes to joke about finding a discount nursing home for me. (Just in case she’s serious, it’s one of the top reasons I’m aggressively saving for my retirement.)

We’ve also taught our children – all of them are in college right now – to have a healthy hatred of debt. None of them has credit cards or student loans.

Many of their peers are not as fortunate. Recently released data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that in the fourth quarter of last year, 18- to 29-year-olds had $1.01 trillion in total debt, the highest the study has recorded since 2007 in this age bracket.

St. Louis-based Urban Initiatives nets $60M in

New Markets Tax Credits

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund allocated $60 million in New Markets Tax Credits to St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar’s Urban Initiatives CDE affiliate. These tax credits can be used to fund business startups, real estate development,

community facilities and other projects in low income areas. Urban Initiatives CDE has now been allocated a total of $410 million. Through its previous allocations, it has provided key gap financing for 46 projects across the United States that have provided community goods and services to help

educate over 45,000 students a year and provide services for over 280,000 low-income individuals while creating and maintaining more than 9,300 permanent jobs, according to the company. MBS Urban Initiatives CDE is an equal-opportunity provider.

Since 2013, debt in this age range has increased at a faster clip than in most other generations. It’s up 26 percent from 2013, compared with 24 percent among those ages 30-39 and 11 percent for those 40-59. For the young adults, student loans accounted for 38 percent of their debt. Children need to be exposed to financial literacy, and their money-management skills must be nurtured like you would coach a young soccer or basketball player. But what if you don’t feel equipped to be so relentless about teaching your children about money? What if you’ve made a wreck of your financial life and don’t have the confidence or ability to teach your children how to be money smart?

I believe financial literacy starts in the home, where financial lessons can be reinforced. But when that’s

not happening, we have to turn to the next best place to teach them the skills they will need. To that end, the nonprofit Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is leading a new nationwide campaign designed to increase financial education in schools across America.

The group’s “Project Groundswell” initiative seeks to increase by 25 percent by the year 2025 the number of U.S. elementary, middle- and high-school students who are receiving effective classroombased financial education. And by “effective,” the group means more than a one-event affair or a field trip, said Laura Levine, president and chief executive of the Jump$tart Coalition. For example, an effective program in a high school would entail 70 hours of instruction.

At the heart of this campaign is CheckYourSchool. org, an online platform designed to empower parents to find out if their kid’s school is teaching financial literacy and, if not, advocate for adding it

to the curriculum. On the site, click on your state, and then search to see what your local school offers in the way of financial literacy.

“As important as parents are in guiding their own kids to learn good financial habits, we know that doesn’t always happen,” Levine said in an interview. “So financial education in the classroom can help level that playing field. It can help us reach kids who just aren’t getting enough guidance at home.”

This is such an important project. Your child might stop playing soccer or basketball, but they will forever need to know how to handle their money.

Readers can write to Michelle Singletary c/o The Washington Post, 1301 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071. Her email address is michelle.singletary@ washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter (@SingletaryM) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ MichelleSingletary).

Fathers’ Support Center hires architect, project manager for new HQ

Fathers’ Support Center hired Arcturis as the architect for its new headquarters at the long-vacant 1601 Olive St. in downtown St. Louis and selected Cresa St. Louis as project manager during the construction phase. Construction on the two-story, 20,000 square-foot-facility will begin early Summer and run through the end of 2019.

The new building will transition the center’s current hub in North City to a more central location with more access to public transportation and increase its capacity to serve clients by 34 percent , helping up to 1,000 clients annually. “We are the only tenant at our current location in Prince Hall, and our lease runs out at the end of the year,” CEO and Founder Halbert Sullivan said in a statement. “A new and

expanded Fathers’ Support Center will allow us to serve more parents and youth, positively impacting the future outcomes of families and children in the community.” Sullivan said the center has raised over $3.3 million of its $4.3 million Fathers Forever Capital Campaign goal.

“There is some urgency to our fundraising and completing the new building,” Sullivan stated. To learn more about Fathers’ Support Center, visit www.fatherssupportcenter.org

Michelle Singletary

Halbert Sullivan

n “I’d rather win championships than be third team All-NBA.”

— Klay Thompson, on being left off all three NBA postseason All-Star teams

Sports

T

& FIeld noTebook

STL storms through Jeff City

Athletes from the St. Louis area showed up and showed out at last weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities Association Championships.

The state meet was held in three different venues due to the damage from a tornado that hit Jefferson City two days before the start of the competition. The St. Louis area had four teams win state championships along with several other athletes who brought home gold medals and set state records.

Here are some of the highlights from last week’s state meet:

• Hazelwood West standout Justin Robinson put on a show in the Class 5 sprints in leading the Wildcats to their first state championship. Robinson won the 100-meter dash in 10.56 seconds, the 200 in 21.96 and the 400 in a state-record time of 46.3. He also anchored the 4x200-meter relay team to a state title in 1 minute 26.44 seconds.

• The Trinity Titans doubled up as the boys and girls both won Class 3 state champions in impressive fashion. The boys scored 100 points while the girls scored 118 points in running away with state titles. The boys were led by sprinter Kemeric Winston, who won the 100, 200 and anchored the 4x100 and 4x200 to state titles. Malcolm Harvey was Trinity’s other state title winner in the javelin. The Titans also had three athletes finish in the top six in the triple jump as Isaiah Willams was second, Dejuan Young was third and Myles Norwood was sixth. Trinity’s girls were dominant in the field events as Akilah Heffner was first in the long jump, Brook Moore was first in the triple jump and Sydney Juszczyk was first in the javelin. The Titans also dominated in the 100-meter high hurdles as they recorded the top four finishes with Heffner finishing first, Shaila Jones finishing second, Juszczyk finishing third and Moore finishing fourth. The Titans also got state titles from Kayla Millett in the 300-meter low hurdles

Curry, Kawhi match up for all the marbles

since Durant

And then there were two. More than seven months after the season opener, only two teams remain in the chase to be crowned NBA champions. The Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors are set to face off Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The two teams have had vastly different journeys to the reach this moment. For the Warriors, this is the place they’re supposed to be. The Warriors added DeMarcus Cousins to a lineup that already featured four All-Star caliber players. Golden State was widely expected to waltz through the season and the playoffs. On paper, the talent assembled in Oakland is one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Of course, basketball isn’t played on paper. It’s played in arenas. It appears that the basketball gods weren’t exactly feeling the idea of the Golden

State Globetrotters, so they sprinkled a healthy dash of adversity into the mix for the defending champions. First, there was the blowup between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant in November. Green allegedly told Durant, “We don’t need you. We won without you. Leave!” The Warriors suspended Green for one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team due to the verbal altercation. Next, Cousins went down indefinitely with a torn left quadriceps muscle. Since Cousins was the newest addition to the team, nobody batted an eye to his injury. Instead of five perennial AllStars, the team would have to make due with four. Then the Warriors got hit with the real test. Kevin Durant, arguably the best basketball player on the planet, went down with an injury. That’s when things got interesting.

Many fans and sports personalities leapt off the Warriors’ bandwagon. One by one they proclaimed the team could not oust the Houston Rockets without “KD,” much less win a title. However, Green stepped up his game in a

major way. The Warriors also have two guys by the names of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson who are really good at basketball. Curry quickly reminded the league why he won back-toback MVPs in the 2015 and

2016 seasons. Anybody who forgot about Klay had their memories jogged as Thompson increased his average from 16.5 points before Durant’s injury to 23.3 points afterwards. In spite of the doubt and derision, the Warriors have not lost a game

See CLUTCH,

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael

Trinity Catholic’s boys and girls both won 3A state track & field championships at the University of Missouri at Columbia on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry have led their teams to the NBA Finals. The two superstars will battle for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy beginning Thursday night in Toronto.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

USWNT team heads to World Cup as favorites; so why must they sue for fair pay?

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer team has not only fared much better than their male counterparts in international play, it is also more diverse.

Three women of color are members of the team that will travel to Paris next week for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the defending champions from 2015 are favored to keep the crown.

A fixture as a defender, Crystal Dunn has made 84 appearances with the women’s national team and scored 24 goals.

USWNT coach Jill Ellis describes her as “versatile and ruthless.”

Four years ago, Dunn was the final player cut from the team that would win the World Cup. She has a chip on her shoulder and is ready to produce.

this team and I fall in love with being the best that I can be. If that means they need me to be an outside back that’s going to limit chances 1-v-1 defending, then of course I’m in love with the grind and always just being at my best every day.”

A native of upstate New York, Dunn won the 2012 NCAA Championship with North Carolina. She was the 2012 Hermann Trophy winner, which is presented to the nation’s best player. She also led the U.S. Under 20 team to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan title.

While she did not tally a goal in her team’s final tune up before the World Cup – a 3-0 victory over Mexico at Red Bull Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday – Dunn was a one-woman highlight film who excelled at offense even though she is a defender.

“I’ve always been told to put my own twist on the outside back role,” Dunn told reporters following the game.

“I just make it my own, and I think for me it’s just about trying to impact the game from that position and getting myself in pockets and being able to create whatever I can to help the team succeed in the attacking role.”

She was also brutally honest when asked if she loves being a defender.

“No, of course I don’t. I’m an attacking-minded player, but I know that that is my role on

Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was born in Salina, Kansas, and quickly grew taller than many of her classmates. She was introduced to YMCA volleyball, but “I didn’t like having to stay in your space.”

Basketball and soccer became her favorite sports and a random practice as goalie began her prolific career that has led to Paris and the World Cup. She is also the starting goalie for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC.

Franch made her USWNT debut March 2nd in a 2-2 draw against England and this will be her first World Cup appearance. She is slotted third behind goalies Alyssa Naeher and Ashlyn Harris. She is the first Oklahoma State University player to make the USWNT and, while competing in the Big 12 Conference and in the NCAA, she registered 36 shutouts — the sixth most in NCAA history.

Forward Jessica McDonald, 31, is making her first World Cup appearance after play-

ing professional soccer for more than a decade for six teams. She never gave up on her dream of playing for the USWNT and has made seven appearances and scored a pair of goals.

“I wanted to be able to tell my son 7-year-old son Jeremiah that I went for it,” she said.

“I want him to be proud of mom.”

She was named to the team in November 2016 and she stars with the North Carolina Courage of the NWSL.

While she did not play in the 3-0 win against Mexico, Ellis said fans should look for her at some point during World Cup competition.

“Jess, she’s a weapon,” Ellis said, “and we’re going to make sure we know how to use her.”

McDonald is hard to miss when she is playing because of her outstanding physique.

“Strength training has definitely helped improve my game,” McDonald told the website BarBend.

“Since I’m older, I have to up keep my body in a different way than a younger player. Strength training has helped me with longevity. I feel quicker and stronger than I have before.”

The USWNT, which also

beat New Zealand 5-0 in a match in St. Louis this month, will compete in Group F, which features Thailand, Chile and Sweden. It opens against Thailand at 2 p.m. Tuesday June 11 at Auguste Delaune Stadium in Reims. The USA then faces Chile at 11 a.m. on June 16 at Parc des Princes in Paris and takes on Sweden at 2 p.m. on June 20 at Stade Océane in Le Havre.

Much loved, way under paid

Because of its international success and World Cup titles (1991, 1995, 2015), the USWNT is far more popular than the men’s team – which failed to make the World Cup field in 2018.

It seems unthinkable, but the team will enter the 2019 World Cup competition while locked in another struggle. Several team members are part of a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation over equal pay.

St. Louis native and USWNT star Becky Sauerbrunn and 27 other players have sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in federal court. The players contend that the Federation and its leaders have engaged “in a pervasive pattern of gender-based employment discrimination,” which the players say is most glaringly apparent in the form of wage disparities.

According to the lawsuit, “In certain situations, the complaint contends, USWNT players earn just 38 percent of what USMNT players earn.”

“It was a tough a decision,” Sauerbrunn told The Guardian about the timing of the lawsuit.

“We didn’t want people to think we were distracted by

it going into the World Cup.

But it was also time-sensitive so we really had no choice in the matter. We also know that we are professionals – we are very capable of multitasking but we are 100 percent focused on winning the World Cup and this is something we can pursue afterwards.”

Sauerbrunn was a plaintiff in an original suit filed in 2016. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission could not resolve the issue and the players were eventually granted the right to sue U.S. Soccer –but had just 90 days to file.

The American women are not alone in this financial plight. Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg, the reigning FIFA women’s player of the year, is not competing in the World Cup over unequal treatment of the women’s team there.

The Reid Roundup

The St. Louis Blues were down 1-0 to the Boston Bruins after the disappointing 4-2 loss on Memorial Day evening. If they lose Wednesday night, is the series over? Ordinarily, I’d say yes. But the 2019 Blues aren’t an ordinary team …

Speaking of ordinary, that’s the St. Louis Cardinals. Everyone in the front office was a genius and all the players were great when the team was 20-10 and held the best MLB record. As of Tuesday, they were 26-26 and closer to the NL-Central last place Cincinnati Reds than the first-place Chicago Cubs … The Cubs arrive in St. Louis for a three-game series on Friday. Prediction: The Cardinals sweep the

Cubs and get right back in the division race … On Monday, there were 100 days until the first game of the NFL’s 100th season. It will be interesting to see how the league honors its pioneer African American players, coaches and front office members … Golden State is just a 1-point favorite in Thursday night’s opening game of the NBA Finals in Toronto. Yet, the two-time defending champions are heavy favorites to three-peat … Highly sought-after recruit R.J. Hampton announced on ESPN on Tuesday that he will skip college and play for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League … By not making the All-NBA team, Bradley Beal lost an opportunity at a supermax contract – making it easier for the Washington Wizards to deal him away … Latest rumors have Beal to the L.A. Lakers in a trade that would involve Lonzo Ball and Beal going to Boston and fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum heading to Washington in a package deal that would include 2019 draft picks… Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Crystal Dunn of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team

By Earl Austin Jr.

East St. Louis Flyers claim third championship this season

Of the St. Louis American

The East St. Louis Flyers boys track and field team took the baton from its state championship girls’ team by bringing home a trophy of their own.

One week after the East Side girls won the Illinois Class 2A state championship, the boys followed up with a dominant performance in winning the state championship last weekend at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

Leonard turned it into a master class.

The “Greek Freak” struggled under the pressure of the moment (and Leonard’s stellar defense). Meanwhile, the cornrowed, quiet guy with the awkward laugh and New Balance kicks was clearly the best player in the series. He made key stops on defense, big shots on the offense and willed his team to victory over the only 60-win team in the NBA this season.

The “King of the North” also became the new king of the East.

Just by reaching the Finals, Leonard has cemented his spot as one of the top-five players in the NBA. In Toronto, he became an instant legend by leading the Raptors team to its first Finals appearance in franchise history. During his first season with the team, Leonard has led Toronto to a place that Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and DeMar DeRozan failed to reach.

While the Raptors don’t have five recent All-Stars on the roster, the team can hardly be considered chopped liver. Point guard Kyle Lowry is a five-time All-Star and center Marc Gasol is a three-

TRACK

Continued from C7

The Flyers scored 84 points as they doubled the score of second-place finisher Marengo, which scored 42 points.

Juniors Willie Johnson

and Marcus Lampley finished first and second in the 400-meter dash. Johnson posted a winning time of 47.65 seconds while Lampley finished in 48.17. Lampley and Johnson also finished second and fifth in the 200meter dash respectively.

The Flyers also won

state titles in the 4x100and 4x400-meter relays. The team of Jashawn Anderson, Keontez Lewis, Nathaniel Robinson and Lampley won the 4x100 in 41.81 seconds. The 4x400 crew of Lewis, Andrew Johnson, Lampley and Johnson took the state title in 3 minutes 18.13

seconds. The Flyers also picked up a second-place finish in the 4x200.

Senior basketball standout Terrance Hargrove finished third in the high jump with a clearance of 6 feet, 7 inches. Andrew Johnson was fifth in the 110-meter high hurdles while Jamariantte Burgess finished ninth. In the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, Burgess finished in second place while Johnson was fifth. The state championship performance by the East St. Louis boys completes an incredible 2018-19 season for the Flyers’ athletic program. The Flyers won a total of three state championships in boys and girls track and field and boys’ basketball.

Both Stephon Curry and Klay Thompson have stepped-up their game since allstar Kevin Durant was sidelined. The Warriors have not lost a game since Durant’s injury heading into the NBA Finals.

time All-Star. If Durant and Cousins start the Finals on the sidelines, as expected, that means that talent pool is fairly even. Leonard already climbed Mount Antetokounmpo. Armed with home court advantage, can he now climb the mountain of talent in The and the 4x100-meter relay team.

• Parkway North took home the girls Class 4 state championship with 73 points. Junior Alicia Burnett won the 100 in 11.58 seconds and the 200 in 23.83. She also anchored the Vikings to a victory in the 4x200-meter relay. The Vikings also won the 4x400 and finished second in the 4x800. Raina McMillan finished third in the 800-meter

run and anchored the 4x400 to victory and the 4x800 to a second-place finish.

• Senior Josh Sutton of MICDS repeated as a double-state champion in the Class 4 boys’ 100 and 200. Sutton won the 100 in 10.85 and the 200 in 21.85.

• The John Burroughs duo of senior Madison Fuller and sophomore Kylie Goldfarb won five Class 3 individual state titles between them. Fuller won the 100 in 11.82 seconds, 200 in 24.03 seconds and 400 in 55.95. Goldfarb won the state championship in the 800 and

Bay?

While it’s certainly not impossible, it is highly improbable. Even though Leonard has been to the Promised Land, winning a championship with the Spurs in 2014, most of his teammates have not. The Warriors are old hats at competing for NBA titles.

1,600-meter runs.

• Pattonville’s girls produced a pair of state champions in the field events as senior Brooke Jenkins won the class 5 long jump and senior Diamond Richardson won the discus.

• It was a good day for McCluer North’s girls in Class 5 as junior Lauryn Taylor won the 100 and junior Michelle Owens finished second in the 100-meter high hurdles. Both sprinters were part of the Stars state-championship 4x100- and 4x200-meter relay teams. The McCluer North boys won the Class 5 4x400 in

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTeS of The Week Justin

The junior sprinter was the star of the Class 5 state meet in leading the Wildcats to their first state championship. Robinson won individual state titles in the 100-, 200- and 400meter dashes. He set a new state record in winning the 400 in 46.23 seconds. He also anchored the

Trinity Catholic – Boys Track & Field

The standout sprinter led the Titans to the Class 3 state championship, the first in the school’s history. Winston won four gold medals, including individual titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He posted winning times of 10.71

seconds in the 100 and 21.32 in the 200. Winston also anchored Trinity’s 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams to state championship. Winston won state titles in the same four events at the 2018 state meet.

Curry, Thompson and Green are all peaking at the right time. If Durant never suits up this series, the Warriors can still fall back on the confidence on winning a ring without him.

There is a chance the Warriors will come out cold for Game 1 after such a lengthy layoff. I wouldn’t put it past

a time of 3:18.55.

The Webster Groves girls’ trio of Nia Lyles, Angelina Arinze and Eliza Maupin also won Class 4 state champions. Lyles won the shot put with a throw of 45 feet 3 ¾ inches, Arinze won the 300-meter low hurdles while Maupin won the high jump with a clearance of 5’8”.

• Junior Lazarus Williams of SLUH won the Class 5 boys

the Raptors to smack them in the mouth and pull off a sizable victory in the series opener. However, the Warriors team is just too strong, too experienced and too locked-in. Cue up the meme generators. Kawhi Leonard, Sugar Ray Leonard, Leonard Kravitz – it doesn’t matter.

800-meter run in 1:53.29. He also anchored the Jr. Bills to a second-place finish in the 4x800. Senior Christian Baker of Kirkwood won the Class 5 boys 1,600 and 3,200 and also ran a leg on the Pioneers’ state-champion 4x800.

• Cardinal Ritter finished second in the Class 3 boys standings behind Trinity. They got state championship performances from Hasani Barr in the 400, Jaden Williams in the

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

300-meter intermediate hurdles, Rasheed Ricketts in the triple jump and the 4x400.

• Other area state champions include Arcullous Anthony Heard of Lutheran St. Charles in the Class 3 boys discus, Scout Regular of Incarnate Word in the Class 4 girls 100meter high hurdles, Cheyenne Melvin of McCluer in the girls Class 4 400-meter dash and Michael Jenkins of McCluer in the Class 4 boys high jump.

Earl Austin Jr.

Michael P. McMillan shook hands with Michael Russell – standing in the footprints of his father Herman J. Russell, founder of the largest African American construction firm in the United States. – at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame unveiling in Atlanta on May 16. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (the nation’s largest affiliate), was inducted with his footprints between those of Russell and media mogul Ted Turner. McMillan previously served as license collector and 19th Ward alderman for of the City of St. Louis. The ceremony marked the move of the Walk of Fame from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Financial Focus

By Andre K. Nelson

loan, particularly concerning taxes. If you had not borrowed from your 401(k), the money you took out could have been

Orchestrated soul ‘Ma’

Fresh faces on stage at SFSTL

Black actresses make professional Shakespearian debuts in ‘Love’s Labors Lost’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

When the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis production of “Love’s Labor Lost” opens this weekend at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, it will be the first professional Shakespeare production for Naima Randolph and Kiah McKirnan.

“I learned that it’s not scary,” McKirnan said. “It’s easy – and if you let it be, it is.”

Grammy nominated Ledisi, Grammy winning STL Symphony together in concert

By Kenya Vaughn OF The St. Louis American

Even with 12 Grammy nominations under her belt, soul music vocal powerhouse Ledisi considers the opportunity to sing with a full orchestra a “graduation” of sorts.

“It’s an enormous sound that comes around you and behind you,” Ledisi said. “It’s amazing to have that, but then you are thinking vocally, ‘I hope I’m projecting correctly and that I’ll remember what parts to stay out of.’”

Singing in the midst of a full orchestra of world-class musicianship from each individual that comprises the group requires a special voice – and Ledisi’s rich and powerful soprano fits the bill.

The amazing experience of singing with the accompaniment of a full orchestra is something she has done before, but not often. In fact, when she takes the stage with the Grammy Awardwinning St. Louis Symphony next Friday (June 7) at Powell Hall, it will be her only performance with a symphony in the United States this year.

“The truest part of the art form of being involved in music is to bring all of these musicians together and someone wrote each note out for everyone to play or sing,” said Ledisi. “All the divas did it every day back in the day, but these days, it’s once in a lifetime – if you’re so lucky.”

She’ll repeat the experience of singing with a symphony while honoring a diva when she plays a Nina Simone tribute later this summer in the UK at Royal Albert Hall. St. Louis audiences will get a sneak preview for some of those selections first during her “An Evening With Ledisi.”

The show will also feature original selections and music from artists who have inspired her over her nearly quarter-century-long career.

She shared a taste of what’s to come at Powell Hall without delivering any serious spoilers.

“I’m doing ‘Pieces of Me,’ to hear that with the strings and the rhythm section is going to be amazing,” Ledisi said. “I’m going to attempt a Stevie Wonder tune that I’ve never done before, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Blending the St. Louis Symphony’s traditional classical music listening audience with her R&B/ soul fanbase will be the icing on the cake for

See LEDISI, C4

Seeing the more seasoned actors as she worked alongside them in the production directed by Tom Ridgely gave Randolph valuable insight on the process of tackling a role in a Shakespearian production.

“I’ve been taking what I’ve learned and being able to see the notes that my teachers have given me in the past and trying to apply that here,” Randolph said. “Also being around a lot of experienced actors had been extremely enlightening and helpful.”

One might assume with their natural hair and melanin that they might not fit the mold of

Kiah McKirnan (far right)is joined by (from left to right) Vivienne Claire Luthin, Kea Trevett and Laura Sohn in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ production of “Love’s Labors Lost,” which plays through June 23 at Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen.

the typical Shakespearian actors – outside of Cleopatra or Othello.

“I grew up loving history and loving fairytales,” McKirnan said. “And unfortunately, there is this idea – particularly in period drama – that you can’t put black people in this role or that role,” Randolph chimed in.

It was through Shakespeare Festival St. Louis that Randolph learned that she belonged on the very stage she will be taking to as Moth in

See PLAY, C4

an amusing miss

Octavia Spencer’s splendid performance energizes disappointing thriller

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Even though it’s one of the most anticipated horror films of 2019, seeing Tate Taylor’s name as writer/director brings the expectation of unrealized potential.

And as with “Get On Up” and “The Help,” Taylor once again drops the ball with “Ma.” Though the film had all of the elements of an enjoyable teen scream thriller, Taylor’s docile storytelling and creation of sacred cows kill any thrill. But even with its lack of horror and limited gore, Taylor shows that he has improved as a director with respect to timing and predictability. Octavia Spencer stars as “Ma” in the title role. By day she is Sue Ann, an unassuming veterinary assistant with a mundane life. By night she is Ma, a middle-aged woman who looks to high-schoolers for companionship. Friendships derail when the Ma’s personality ticks – that border obsessive and deranged – are exposed to the group of teens that initiate the friendship without knowing the baggage that Ma carries because of traumatic experiences.

n Though the format of the revenge-style film is nothing new, the twists and turns Taylor takes through a united suspicion of Ma makes for hilarious moments of comedy and suspense.

Though the format of the revenge-style film is nothing new, the twists and turns Taylor takes through a united suspicion of Ma makes for hilarious moments of comedy and suspense.

But the brilliant movie that “Ma” could have been falls quickly by the wayside as the movie drags and drags – almost turning into a melodrama – as audiences wait for the action to kick in.

Even for a predictable, unrealistic scary film, fans are asked to have too much imagination as to Ma’s powers of persuasion as she attempts to be a part of an “in” crowd 30 years her senior. Screenwriter Scotty Landes nailed the wit and humor of Ma and the entire ensemble of teens. However, the suspense believability elements are blah at best.

The performances – and their ability to make the most of the paltry storyline – deserve at least a mention during award season for their ability to hold the movie together. Juliette Lewis enters a new phase in her career as the single mother forced to work as a cocktail waitress. Twenty years ago, she would have been one of the cadre of delinquents, which worked in her favor as the understanding, yet stern mother. And Luke Evans is delightfully nasty as a jerk of a father who still cares enough for his son to confront Ma for the inappropriateness of her relationship.

Photo by Philip Hamer

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

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

Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., Pop’s nightclub & Concert Venue presents Tech N9ne: It Goes Up Tour 2019. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www.popsrocks.com.

Sun., June 2, 9 p.m., Pop’s nightclub & Concert Venue presents DaBaby. 1403 Mississippi Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201.

Wed., June 5, 7 p.m., The Whitaker Music Festival presents Terence Blanchard feat. The E-Collective Missouri Botanical Gardens, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

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

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

Sun., June 9, 3 p.m., UMSL Alumni Association hosts Unforgettable – A Tribute to Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole. Performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra with vocalists Dee Daniels and Denzal Sinclaire. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.umslalumni.org.

Mon., June 10, 8 p.m., Old Rock House presents J.S.

Ondara with Adam Melchor 1200 S. 7 th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

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

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

Fri., June 21, 8 p.m., JHowes Events, LLC presents Throwback Legends Live in Concert: Project Pat & Crunchy Black. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 22, 11 a.m., The Omicron Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. presents Pink Pizzazz Scholarship Brunch featuring Denise Thimes, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. For more information, e-mail rbritt@ stlamerican.com

Sat., June 29, 7 p.m., An Evening with Melba Moore With special guest Lamont Hadley Sr. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sun., June 16, 6 p.m., Sound Solutions, LLC presents a Tribute to Luther Vandross Performance by the Black and White band feat. James White. The Signature Club, 9002 Overland Plaza, 63114. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., R U Still Down?!: An Art & Music Tribute to Tupac Shakur. The Fellowship, 3453 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

special events

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

Sat., June 1, 12 noon, Sumner High School Alumni Association’s 11th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, Concourse Ballroom. For more information, e-mail sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com

Sat., June 1, 12 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter presents Celebrating Excellence Through Your

Charmed Life Annual Hattitude Scholarship Luncheon. Featured speaker will be Omarosa Manigault Newman. Commons Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL. 62035. For more information, email akauphio1908@gmail.com.

Sun., June 2, 4 p.m., Journey Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse presents a Shoe Fashion Show Fundraising Event. The Jewel Event Center, 407 Dunn Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.jadasa.org or call (314) 392-3393.

June 2 – 3, 2nd Annual Hurbert H. Hoosman Jr. Circle of Excellence Scholarship Foundation Reception and Tournament. Glen Echo Country Club, 3401 Lucas and Hunt Rd., 63121. For more information, visit www.hhhcoesfoundation.org.

Tues., June 4, 6:30 p.m., Wendy L. Gordon & Friends: Honoring Our Own. Paying tribute to Jeanne Trevor, Linda Kennedy, and Fred Walker. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., June 9, 10 a.m., E. St.

Pop’s nightclub & Concert Venue presents Tech N9ne: It Goes Up Tour 2019. For more information, see CONCERTS.

Louis Vendor Fair 2019. Shop and support small business. Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizens Center, 6755 State St., East St. Louis, IL. 62203. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., June 9, 4 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Omega Chapter and the Ivy Alliance Foundation present a SophistAKAted Sunday Day Party. Privilege Lounge, 129 Flower Valley Shopping Center, 63034. For more information, visit www. akagostl.com.

Sat., June 15, 8 a.m., Bethesda Hospice Care 7th Annual 5K Memorial Walk/Run. Veterans’ table, children’s activity table, and more. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63131. For more information, visit www. bethesdahealth.org.

Sat., Jun 15, 8 a.m., St. John AME presents Vendor Summerfest 2019, participating vendor items include: jewelry, MARY KAY, AVON, household goods, crafts, clothing and more, St. John A.M.E. Church, 547 Washington Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. For more information, call (314) 7125463.

Sat., June 15, 11 a.m., 13th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. African dancers, singers, jewelry, vendors, and more. Sabayet, 4000 Maffitt, 63113. For more information, visit www.sabayet.org.

Sat., June 15, 5:30 p.m., The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Salute to Women in Leadership, among the 2019 honorees are Jenifer Lewis, Regina Belle and Bernadette Stanis, Marriott Grand Hotel, 800 Washington. For more information, visit www.ulstl. com or call (314) 615-3668. June 15 – 22, Delmar Loop Week. Each day includes a different event such as a Juneteenth Celebration, Taco Tuesday, Pride Day, and more. University City, 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Mon., June 17, 9 a.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. presents the Annual Kappa League Scholarships Fund Golf Tournament. Glen Echo Country Club, 3401 Lucas and Hunt Rd., 63121. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

June 17 – 21, 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Comedy Festival. Harris

Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 22, 10 a.m., Fiesta in Florissant 5th Annual Car Show. Knights of Columbus Park, 50 St. Francois St., 63031. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 22, 12 p.m., Girls With Goals presents Black Business Expo II. More than 40 Black owned businesses will be in attendance. Hilton Garden Inn St. Louis Airport, 4450 Evans Place, 63134. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

literary

Mon., June 3, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Sherry Jones, author of Josephine Baker’s Last Dance

A look at Josephine’s early years in servitude, rise to fame, activism, and loves and losses. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

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

Subterranean Books hosts author DuEwa Frazier, author of Alice’s Musical Debut. The story reimagines one day in the early childhood of notable jazz pianist, harpist, and organist Alice Coltrane. St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive. For more information, visit www.store. subbooks.com.

art

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

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

comedy

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

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

June 7 – 9, Helium Comedy Club presents Bill Bellamy 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

theatre

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

June 12 – 13, A Call to

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Conscience, Inc. presents Next to Normal: The Thelonius Monk Story The play will tackle the issues of mental illness as it relates to disparities in health care, police interaction, and education. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., June 16, 11:30 a.m., The Archway Links and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis present a special brunch celebrating the world premiere of “Fire Shut Up In My Bones.” Brunch guests will include Terence Blanchard, Kasi Lemmons and Charles Blow. Centene Center for the Arts. Price of brunch includes ticket to the production. For more information, visit experienceopera.org/brunch or call (314) 961-0644.

lectures and workshops

Sat., June 1, 8:30 a.m., 2019 Elevate Conference. A conference for those looking to start a business or nonprofit, or for those who already have one. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

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

Sat., June 1, 1:30 p.m., Missouri Progressive Action Group monthly meeting, Grant View Library, 9700 Musick Ave. 63123.

Sun., June 2, 3 p.m., Washington University presents Blacks in America: A Trilogy Commemorating

the 400th Anniversary of Blacks in America Civil Rights – Past and Present Guest speaker Cornell W. Brooks. Graham Chapel, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., June 4, 6 p.m., Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Rate Commission Public Hearing. Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Ave., 63117. For more information, visit www. stlmsd.com.

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

Sat., June 8, 10 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Theta Omega Chapter and West Side Missionary Baptist Church 3rd Annual present a Financial Empowerment Workshop. 2677 Dunn Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.financialpower2019. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 8, 11 a.m., NPower Missouri invites you to Shift the Hustle: Opportunities for Women in Tech. Ameren Corporation, 1901 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

health

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

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

Wed., June 5, 5:30 p.m., Myeloma 101: Symptoms, Treatment, and the Role of Clinical Trials. Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr., 63033. For more information or to register, visitwww.eiseverywhere. com/409808 or call (914) 8218409.

Sat., June 8, 7:30 a.m., 2019 Komen Greater St. Louis More Than Pink Walk.

Downtown St. Louis – Soldiers Memorial, 1315 Chestnut St., 63103. For more information, visit www.komenmissouri.org/ stlwalk.

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

Thur., June 13, 6 p.m., American Lung Association invites you to The Evening of Promise Gala. A culinary experience to try bites of all types of different food while raising money to prevent lung disease. Bissinger’s, 1600 N. Broadway, 63102. For

more information, visit www. alaumw.ejoinme.org.

Sat., June 22, 1:30 p.m., Health Education Forum. St. Louis County Library –Prairie Commons Branch, 915 Utz Lane, 63042. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

spiritual

May 31 – June 1, A.L.I.V.E. presents Kingdom Woman: Beautiful, Bold & Blessed Action Christian Center, 100 Kirkwood Pl., 63122. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

May 31 – June 4, Temple Church of Christ presents Worship Arts Summit 2019 2741 Dayton St., 63106. For more information, visit www. tcoc100.ticketspice.com.

Fri., June 14, 6:30 p.m., The Neighbors of Fountain Park present The 6th Annual Juneteenth Gospel Explosion This year’s theme is “So if the Son Sets You Free, You Are Free Indeed.” Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave., 63113. For more information, visit www.cccstl. org.

Thursdays, 6 p.m., Coffee Cake & True Islam, 4529 Emerson Ave.

Fri., May 31, MA starring Octavia Spencer Diana Silvers, and Corey Fogelmanis opens in theatres nationwide.

Fri., June 21, 8:45 p.m., BetterAngels: Reuniting America Documentary Screening. Watch Democratic and Republican voters go through a workshop toward understanding. Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Left Bank Books hosts author Sherry Jones, author of ‘Josephine Baker’s Last Dance.’ See LITERARY for details.

Continued from C1

Spencer is absolutely perfect

LEDISI

Continued from C1

Ledisi. And she’s especially excited to see it happen here in St. Louis – where she says the energy of her audiences are off the chart.

“Y’all dance in the aisles.

Y’all sing along and don’t care – and I love it,” Ledisi said.

in the role of “Ma.” She seamlessly takes the viewer through every range of emotion from empathy to lust and blind rage. The performance is so compelling that the terrible wigs Spencer is subjected to as Ma

“And I’ve always had that same response whenever I come. I can’t wait to see what kind of audience shows up next week. I want to see if they are going to scream and shout if like they feel like it. I feel like they still will.”

As a classically trained singer, Ledisi has a special respect for the genre. She weaves together different types of sounds with the purpose of being a source of inspiration.

Continued from C1

“Love’s Labors Lost.”

She was a teenager in the company’s summer camp when she caught their production of “A Winter’s Tale” a few years back. Three female leads were African-American. They came to speak to the camp and talked about how the theater industry had evolved for AfricanAmerican actresses.

“I was probably the only black woman in that space, but the fact that they spoke to that was really reassuring to me,”

Naima Randolph and Philip Hernandez in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ 2019 production “Love’s Labors Lost.” The play continues through June 23 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park

Photo by Philip Hamer

seem as if they are a part of the delusion.

It’s no wonder Taylor looked to Spencer again for one of his films. She captured the Academy Award for her performance in “The Help.” Had

“When I sing, I’m giving you all that I have. I make sure that its sacred. I want people to leave my shows knowing that they are not alone in feelings that they may have and feeling better about themselves,” Ledisi said. “That’s what music is supposed to do, and that’s why it’s so important. And this is why we have to save and keep music alive in all genres – not just my own.”

She’s grateful to the

Randolph said. She went on to study drama at Howard University, where she just received her undergraduate degree a few weeks ago.

While at Howard she performed in and helped produce Shakespeare’s work reimagined to reflect the black experience.

McKirnan, a Chicago native who just received her undergrad degree from Webster University earlier this month, said it was a scene she performed from “Antony and Cleopatra” that made her connect to the possibilities for people of color in Shakespeare’s work.

“That was so cool because I had never performed a role that had been written exclusively for me,” McKirnan said. But in this performance, Antony was black as well. Through their chemistry, there was another layer for audiences to latch on to with respect to the passion between the characters.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis has been intentional with casting that reflects the world today – a mix of cultures, ethnicities and ages that display

“Ma” been a better movie, she would have scored yet another nod.

The Academy won’t look past the film’s imperfections –most glaringly is the establishment and commitment to far

Symphony for its out-of-thebox thinking and open door with respect to brining different types of sounds to their stage – and allowing her the creative freedom to introduce herself to a new audience in her own way.

“That’s why the show says, ‘An Evening with Ledisi.’ It’s basically them saying, ‘Be your whole self. So, I’m going to bring all of the colors that I’ve learned – classical, jazz, R&B and all of the soul and the church – all of that is in my music so I’m going to be singing that.”

the beauty of diversity on stage.

“I like to think that we are ripping apart the fabric that has been so traditional,” McKirnan said. “I have a small role in this production, but I love the dynamic. In this group of friends there is an Asian woman, two white women and me. It’s a larger sense of truth – and it brings the play into 2019.”

Black joy in Shakespeare

“I enjoy the ‘Romeo and Juliets’ and ‘Hamlets,’ but it’s really nice to be able to sit and just laugh,” McKirnan said. She promises that is what will happen with audiences come to see “Love’s Labors Lost.”

Randolph, who plays a clown boy named Moth, will be responsible for eliciting many of those laughs.

And the idea of doing so brings a smile to her own face.

“Sometimes there is not a space for young black kids to be free – or they are perceived a certain way,” Randolph said.

too many sacred cows within the film that is supposed to be a terrifyingly gory and bloody. Audiences will probably be more forgiving of the film because of its comic relief and suspenseful timing – even if the

She will be bringing her jazz trio and background singers as part of the performance as well.

“I love that all these different people are going to show up and will all be in a melting pot of music,” Ledisi said.

“Because that’s what music is –a melting pot of people wanting to be inspired.”

St. Louis Symphony’s presentation of “An Evening With Ledisi” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd. For more information, visit www.slso.org or call (314) 534-1700.

“But Moth is just like having the time of his life, making fun of everybody and clowning around. He is a carefree black kid bringing black boy joy.

“When I was reading it, I connected to the role in a way because I’m also a little sister and I’m used to bugging and annoying in a way and being playful.”

And in a perfect world, she would have a similar effect as the women of “Winter’s Tale” had on her several years before.

“There have been so many black women on this stage performing Shakespeare – which has been amazing,” Randolph said. “What I hope is that there is a little black girl in the audience who sees me and says, ‘She’s having the time of her life and I want to do that.’”

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ production of “Love’s Labors Lost” continues through June 23 at 8:10 nightly at Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen. For additional information, visit www.sfstl.com or call (314) 531-9800.

with a running time of 99 minutes.

suspense ultimately makes for an unsatisfying finish.

Ma opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, May 31. The film is rated R

Ledisi

Celebrations

School Safety

Normandy Schools Collaborative recently completed a Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement as part of a rigorous review of district’s current and future security operations. The Transportation Security Administration conducted the assessment of several departments including transportation, information technology, safety and security. The district will continue to work with TSA on the district’s safety and security initiatives. Presenting the certification to Steve Harmon, Normandy safety and security coordinator (left) is Morris Harris Jr., TSA Surface Transportation Inspection.

Reunions

Vashon Class of 1974 is planning for its 45-year reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne

James-Bady 314-382-0890.

Vashon-Hadley Old School Reunion 1960-67, October 19, 2019, 2-6 pm at The Atrium in Christian Hospital. For more details text (only) Brenda Mahr at 314-580-5155 or email at: brendamahr@att.net.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

Sumner Class of 1969 50-year reunion, June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates

of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

Sumner Alumni Association hosts its 11th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show June 1, 2019, Noon until 4pm. The cost is $50 to attend and it comes with a cash bar, free parking, attendance prizes and more. For more info, contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843 or email: sumneralumniassn@ yahoo.com.

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion

Marion & Angelita Houston will celebrate their 1st Wedding Anniversary of love on June 2, 2019. “Every love story is beautiful but, ours is our favorite.” It has been an amazing year, and we thank God for our love and for guiding us into our purpose. God has truly blessed us to find fulfillment in each other. We are looking forward to living a joyous and successful life together.

activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40-year reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and

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

you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-5682057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Northwest Class of 1969 is planning a 50-year reunion June 7-9, 2019. Contract Evelyn (McClendon) Hines for details at (314) 361-5150.

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

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com

Religion

Westbrook Green Concert Choir honors member with concert

UMSL profs awarded $1M to explore medieval Islamic philosophy

What started as a conversation over beers at a local tavern has led to more than $1 million in research funding for two members of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Professor Jon McGinnis and Assistant Professor Billy Dunaway concocted their idea to bring together medieval Islamic philosophy and apply it to contemporary questions about the epistemology of religion, and they secured a grant of $933,000 from the John Templeton Foundation, plus additional funding from UMSL to support the project, entitled “The Christian West and Islamic East: Theology, Science, and Knowledge.”

“We’re going to start looking at figures who never were translated or even known in the Latin tradition, and yet who are still dealing with the same sorts of problems and questions,” McGinnis said. “What can we know? What is the relationship between science and the claims of religion? If there is a God, what is God’s relation to creation?”

These are questions that contemporary philosophers of religion continue to explore, but existing discussions don’t draw on the writings of medieval Islamic thinkers.

“Their answers to those questions haven’t been explored,” McGinnis said. “They’re the ones that Templeton is interested in. The Arabs were interested in them, and their arguments are highly sophisticated and really good.”

McGinnis and Dunaway hope the grant will help them bring more attention to this area of study and help inspire more study from younger scholars in the early stages of their careers.

“We want to involve older scholars, but a lot of times older scholars have their research program set and that’s what they do,” Dunaway said. “The whole point of

this is it’s something slightly different than what’s being done already.”

They plan to invite academics from different regions of the world, including the Middle East, to conferences or workshops each of the next three summers. They will be opportunities for individuals to present their work but also to become more familiar with texts to which they otherwise might never be exposed.

The plan is to hold the first two workshops at UMSL, but the 2021 event will take place at the University of Oxford in England.

With the grant, McGinnis and Dunaway also want to award research stipends to promising young scholars. They hope to fund at least one master’s student in the Department of Philosophy to serve as a research assistant.

They also expect to bring a visiting scholar in Islamic philosophy to the UMSL campus in 2020. They hope that individual will deliver a public lecture, just one of the

events they intend to hold to involve the public.

McGinnis and Dunaway want the project to help generate scholarly articles, presentations, an edited volume and a special journal issue that examines the contributions the Islamic tradition can make to contemporary debates.

McGinnis, who chairs the Department of Philosophy, has spent much of his career researching medieval Islamic thinkers, an area of study that also includes some Christian and Jewish philosophers writing at the time in Arabic.

Dunaway’s work has been centered more on ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and the philosophy of language. He received his PhD from the University of Michigan and went on to work as a postdoctoral fellow at Oxford under John Hawthorne, a noted epistemologist who also works in the philosophy of religion.

The Message

Jesus is my superhero

For someone who grew up when and how I did, the question of Jesus continues to mystify many of my so-called friends, when it comes to my recognized newest superhero.

If you allow yourself to view Christianity as some kind of sanitized version of European colonialism, then it is no wonder that many regard this version of religion as a cop out when compared to more ancient religions of the world, particularly those with African origin. However, when you do due diligence and study, it becomes clear how the religion of Christ has been manipulated down through the ages for political and economic purposes.

Man still kills in the name of God, whatever that name might be. Religious conflict is still the single biggest reason people die at the hands of their fellow man. Look at the hot spots around the globe, and I’ll bet you find religious persecution of some type at the center of the conflict.

Jesus was a revolutionary. He was probably a socialist given his predisposition to feed the hungry and take care of the poor. He was definitely anti-establishment. I don’t know anyone more against the status quo than Jesus Christ. He was outspoken, shameless, selfless, compassionate, passionate, an equal opportunity employer and self-confident. Can you name a more committed individual to his beliefs?

This guy was a blessing to anyone who would listen, a teacher, a provider, a source of strength and, of course, an obedient son. God or Godliness aside, I’ve come to admire so much for what He stood for and certainly what He said He came to die for: me. I mean, come on. Who wouldn’t want to lead men on a path of resistance to eliminate their persecution for what they believe in? Who wouldn’t want to change the hearts and minds of people to be more accepting of mankind’s differences in order to accept their similarities within the human race? Who among us wouldn’t want to change the face of the world by bringing it a concept of love so strong that even death cannot weaken it?

The more I see Jesus, the more I see in human terms why people continue to undermine, distort and dilute the reality of the Man. To Him, neither wealth, nor class, nor birthright distinguished one in the great scheme of things. Preferential treatment is not accorded one based on circumstance. The measure of any man comes in terms of love, prayer, faith, service and acceptance of God as God.

Jesus was a bad boy. But if you don’t know Him for yourself firsthand, I’m afraid you’ll fall prey to the version given you by those who have their best interest at heart and not yours. That includes priests and pastors, kings and presidents, CEOs, capitalists and communists, anyone who would keep you down so they might stay up. I could go on forever but that is not my intent. Jesus is forever, not me. Jesus came to be a blessing. I’m just trying to follow His lead.

Columnist James Washington

Westbrook Green Concert Choir is the oldest choir in East St. Louis, providing gospel music and awarding scholarships to high school seniors who are perusing a degree in music. The choir will perform a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at Truelight Baptist Church, 1535 Tudor Ave. in East St Louis. The concert will be performed in honor of longtime choir member Mrs. Ernestine Davis Rives.

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, BUILDING MAINTENANCE/FLEET MECHANIC, PT RECREATION YOUTH SPORTS POSITIONS, AND PT BUS DRIVER

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for Correctional Officer, Building Maintenance/Fleet Mechanic, Part Time Recreation Youth Sports Positions, and Part Time Bus Driver. Please see the full job descriptions online at www.cityofjennings.org Applications are available at Jennings City Hall or online at www.cityofjennings.org. NO RESUMES ACCEPTED WITHOUT COMPLETION

BUILDING INSPECTOR

City of Pagedale is seeking an experienced building inspector. Must be certified and licensed in St. Louis County. Send resume to City Clerk, 1420 Ferguson, Pagedale, Mo. 63133 or cityclerk@cityofpagedale.org No Phone Calls, please.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

The St. Louis County Library is seeking a full-time Graphic Designer. Responsible for creative collateral of all kinds to enhance the program and services of St. Louis County Library. Must have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Mac environment. Must be creative and able to handle multiple projects with rapid turn-around. Ability to lift 25lbs. Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and three years professional experience required. Salary: $33,758. Apply online at www.slcl.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

METABOLISM & RESIDUE

CHEMISTRY SCIENTIST I

color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council (EHOC) seeks: FT EDUCATION COORDINATOR Visit www.ehocstl.org/job-opportunities

COORDINATOR –ACCOUNT SERVICESPOLICY OPERATIONS

Responsible for providing client / customer support for the department’s operational functions to include the production of Primary and Excess Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, General Liability, Excess Liability and Specialty Lines transactions (New Business, Renewals, Endorsements, Cancellations, Reinstatements and Non-renewals). This position includes the accuracy in which transactions are issued, correct billing and proper distribution of final product to our customers To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

Maryland Heights Fire Protection District is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. Qualifications and requirement packets may be picked up from District Headquarters at 2600 Schuetz Road Maryland Heights, MO. 63043 beginning May 20, 2019 through June 5, 2019 between 09:00am and 3:00pm Monday-Thursday. Completed packets must be turned in no later than 3:00pm on June 5, 2019.

Maryland Heights Fire District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

GIVING MANAGER

Seeking person to manage offices of a historic church located in St. Louis City. Organized, Microsoft Word and good public relation skills needed. Reply to unionmemorialumc@sbcglobal.net

Forest Park Forever has an opening for an Annual Giving Man- ager. Interested applicants should apply online at: https://www. cbizems.com/extranet/recruiting. aspx?id=2A2725CB-7BD6-40E19E12-4BEC3B92A10E&src=stlamerican&rqid=8716CE54-FDFC4E56-BED9-0A2CF80E591B Equal Opportunity Employer.

Bayer CropScience L.P. seeks Metabolism & Residue Chemistry Scientist I to work in Chesterfield, MO, & support Bayer safety programs as well as enforce workplace safety. Duties include acting as GLP study director or principal analytical investigator for regulatory & investigative metabolism & residue studies, etc. Apply at https://career.bayer.us, #40693.

of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency.

“Software Developer” with Master’s degree in Computer/Digital Science, Engineering any, Technology, Any Analytical Science or related to develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user requirements and convert requirements to design documents. Test, maintain and recommend software improvements to ensure strong functionality and optimization. Work location is Olivette,MO with required travel to client locations throughout the USA.Please mail resumes to 9715 Olive Blvd, Floor 2, Olivette, MO 63132 (OR) e-mail: legal@vintech.com

FULL-TIME REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Food Outreach is seeking a full-time Registered Dietitian to provide individual counseling for low-income, chronically ill clients and their caregivers, and group education for volunteers as well as ongoing nutritional guidance to Food Outreach regarding menu planning, food production, sanitation and safety and monitoring quality assurance. Email resume to marysue@foodoutreach.org.

DIRECTOR CORPORATE COMPLIANCE - CLAIMS

Under the direction of the Vice President, Corporate Compliance, responsible for overall management of the Claims Compliance Unit of the Corporate Compliance Department which Unit encompasses claims compliance and broker licensing/appointments.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on July 1st, 2019 to contract with a company for: Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Analysis Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9986 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Corrective Site Restoration. The District is proposing single source procurement to Aztec Construction for this service because Aztec Construction is a MBE member of good standing in the Small Contractor Program and able to complete all scopes of work in a timely manner. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

INVITATION TO BID

Brinkmann Constructors would like to invite you to bid on the Demolition, Earthwork, SWPPP and Utility packages of work for the Missouri S&T Student Design Center Expansion. Please use the civil drawings dated 4/23/19 and the geotech report dated December 21, 2018 for estimating.

Please contact Andrew Lucas with Brinkmann Constructors at (636) 537-9700 with any questions.

Brinkmann will have the bid documents online at: https://secure.smartinsight.co/#/ PublicBidProject/445648

LETTING #8697

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Telog Trimble Modem 4G. The District is proposing single source procurement to Telog for this equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Trimble GC CM Products and Licenses. The District is proposing single source procurement to Building Point Mid-America LLC for this service and equipment because they are the authorized channel partner for Missouri. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Chambers Road #100 Storm Sewer Repair (IR) under Letting No. 13187015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REPLACE 4160V FEEDERS FOR TRANSFORMERS 8 & 10 IN TERMINAL 1 GARAGE AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 1:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stlbps.org (Announcements).

SEALED BIDS

for R

, NevadaReadiness CenterBuilding, Nevada,Missouri, ProjectNo.

T1831-01

willbereceived byFMDC,State ofMO.UNTIL 1:30PM, 6/20/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 19 406, Renovation of Enrollment Services, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until p.m. local time, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Voluntary Pre-bid Meeting: May 23, 2019 10:30 AM, Lobby of the Forest Park Student Center

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

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

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure diving services from River Diving & Salvage, Inc. The District is proposing a single source procurement for this service because River Diving & Salvage is the sole provider for St. Louis. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: REPAIRS TO #2 INCINERATOR. The District is proposing for this Service. INDUSTRIAL FURNANCE COMPANY was used for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

KELLER CONSTRUCTION INC.

Requests subcontractor and or material supplier quotations from Illinois Department of Transportation Certified subcontractors, suppliers and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for the letting to be held June 14, 2019. Interested parties should contact Keller Construction at (618) 656-0033. All quotations must be submitted by 4:30 PM Thursday June 13, 2019. Keller Construction is an equal opportunity employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: EFFLUENT PUMP REPAIR. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment/service because VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING is the only known available source for the equipment/service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 26, 2019 to contract with a company for: Equipment Trailers - 20,000 LBS & 24,000 LBS. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9982 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED

BIDS forKaty Trail Replacementof TrailBridges Near Augusta, Missouri, ProjectNo. X1813-01 willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30 PM,6/27/2019. For specificproject informationand orderingplans, go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for UpgradeHVAC, Multiple Buildings, FortLeonard Wood ReadinessCenter, ST.Robert, Missouri, ProjectNo. T1839-01 willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30 PM,6/27/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for Reconstruction of Taxiway K from Taxiway F to Cargo Apron, Letting No 8696 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Please phone 636-6888794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@millstoneweber.com or ryan.taylor@millstoneweber. com, quotes to Bob Stubbs by 5:00 pm Monday, June 3rd. Subcontract work includes, removals, concrete, bituminous pavement, PCC backfill, hauling, landscaping, striping, and electrical. Plans and Specifications are available for review on City of St Louis website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx or at Millstone Weber office.

LETTING #8698

ELECTRICAL UPGRADES TO MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS

A AND B

AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 2:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

(TPMC)

Located on the campus of The University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri

The initial bid solicitations include Fire Sprinkler, Exterior Envelope, Structural Concrete Frame and Miscellaneous General Trade Packages

Interested parties should access documents on the UM System website http://operations-webapps.missouri.edu/pdc/ adsite/ad.html or contact Caleb Johnson EMAIL: caleb.johnson@whiting-turner.com for access to bid packages or further information

Future solicitations will be made for remaining bid packages upon release of updated design (Late July 2019)

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 2519 Madison Avenue, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64108 Phone: 816-921-0100

LETTING #8698

ADA UPGRADE AND RENOVATIONS TO GREGORY J. CARTER PARK

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 25th, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/ planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A mandatory pre-bid walk thru for all contractors bidding on this project will be held at Gregory J. Carter Park, 5757 Lilian Avenue, St. Louis, MO. 63120, June 11, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

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

INVITATION TO BID

JUNE 1 -30, 2019

ST. LOUIS CELEBRITY SENIORS, INC.

Accepting written narrative applications from St. Louis Metropolitan area 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are seeking volunteers and/or financial assistance for social service, scientific or educational programs for 2019/2020. Narrative must not be more than 500 words and include proof of nonprofit status. Any questions should be directed to Ellen White at (314) 630-7538 or by email at ewhite5341@sbcglobal.net

Mail applications to:

St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc.

P.O. Box 4113

St. Louis, MO 63136

INVITATION TO BID

Brinkmann Constructors would like to invite you to bid on the Missouri S&T Student Design Center Expansion. Bids for this project will phased from June to late summer.

Please contact Andrew Lucas with Brinkmann Constructors at (636) 537-9700 for access to plans and further details on the bid date for your trade.

Plans can be found online at https://secure.smartinsight.co/#/ PublicBidProject/445648

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

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

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

BIDS

DowntownSTL, Inc. is seeking bids for providing political and public relations consulting services for creation of a Community Improvement District. A copy of the RFP can be found at downtownstl.org/bids.

SEALED BIDS

o

LethalFenceand G

H

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

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT

SCHOOL DISTRICT

FENCING 6 LOCATIONS

Sealed bids for District Fencing Replacement are being requested from the Ferguson-Florissant School District and will be received and publicly opened Monday, June 3, 2019 at 1:15 P.M. CST at the Operations and Maintenance Department located at 7469 Mintert Industrial Drive, Ferguson, MO 63135. Bid specs must be obtained at: http://new.fergflor.K12.mo.us/ facilities-rfq. Contact Mike Kirchoff at 314-541-3493 any questions.

SEALED BIDS

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

SEALED BIDS

for Renov

on & Conversion,CCC DiningLodge, Sam A.BakerState Park, Patterson, Missouri, ProjectNo. X180101willbe received byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 6/6/2019. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

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 to place your

RIP to Terrell (Finger) Muhammad. I really hate starting off Partyline on such a somber note but paying my respects to Terrell Muhammad – previously known as Terrell Finger – must be done. Some knew him as a local boxing legend. Others knew him as the kind spirit who worked the LucasHunt and West Florissant area for the sake of the Nation of Islam. I knew him and his brother as certified party starters. Let me tell you, that if the Finger twins were at a party, they brought the turnup with them – even if it meant that they were tearing up the dance floor all by themselves. I really, really, really didn’t want this to be true. And I hate that so many of my Partylines have kicked off on a sad note. I’m sending prayers to his family, friends and all the folks – like me – whose souls were touched by his genuine spirit. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to be graced by his presence. I know for me, just riding down Lucas-Hunt and seeing him put me in a better mood.

Duped into the dungeon. I know I’m supposed to keep up with all kinds of entertainment and pop culture because of my line of work, but I just can’t get into everything. Well, I found out the hard way how dangerous my ignorance can be when I popped over to the Pageant for Kandi Koated presents the Welcome to the Dungeon Tour. I thought I was going to see Kandi Burruss use her heavy vocal cords to vibrate through some of Xscape’s greatest hits. If I watched the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” I would have known there was vibrating of a different kind happening on that stage. Too bad for me that I can’t get into women of a certain age arguing about which one is the richest and sexiest, because it cost me my innocence. Seriously, I’m not a prude by any means. But I was not ready for what Kandi and ‘nem – and y’all who packed it out – were serving up. I found out after the fact that some sort of false accusation about Kandi having Porscha locked in a dungeon inspired her to use the scenario as a marketing tool for her sex toy line. I have to admit; it was a stroke (no pun intended) of marketing genius. The folks came out in droves dressed in garments inspired by dominateme.com (I’m not sure if that’s a real website). I’m not judging anybody; I just wish I had known. I take that back, I am judging a few of y’all – particularly the ones who didn’t think people-watchers would know the difference between Victoria’s Secret and Wal-Mart’s Secret Treasure lingerie brands. Hey, to each its own. And I must say that while I was thinking “St. Louis has a whole lot of folks I didn’t know were freaks,” the organizers were backstage talking about how conservative the St. Louis crowd was. Wayment (yes, I said wayment), so this gentlemen with the two-toned bodysuit with the front made of rubber and the whole back (from neck to ankles) made of sheer nylon is conservative? I guess. I’m sure y’all want to hear about the show. Too bad nearly all of it was NSFP (Not Safe For Partyline). Deelishis, Trina, Tamar Braxton, Kandi and Ronnie DeVoe’s wife sprinkled in a few songs, but other than that, it was a lot going on. And by a lot going on, I mean a live, adult-only variety show. I was sad that Tamar said that she was saved and that this was just a role as she walked around in a nighty. Folks around me seemed to have the time of their lives though. It started out with “the grapefruit lady (yes, the technique from “Girls Trip”) and got more raunchy by the minute. But hey, who can be mad? That just ain’t my type of grown folks’ fun. Next time there will due diligence done on my part, so I won’t be gasping and clutching my chest with “No they didn’ts” and cramp y’all’s X-rated fun.

AfroSexy Cool turns 3. If I know one thing to be true, it’s that James Biko has the superpower of getting folks on the dance floor at his sets – and Saturday night was no different when I hopped over to Blank Space for the 3rd anniversary of AfroSexyCool. Yo, he could have a party at a gang-banging convention and have those Crips, Bloods and Gangster Disciples straight cutting a rug. Now, I will say that he caters to the black-to-the-basic and traditional hip-hop crowds – and neither one of them are known to shy from the dancefloor. However, Biko and his ability to curate classic cuts nonstop would have anybody out there pop-drop-and-locking.

Afrocentric family fun. Even though it took a whole lot of trying just to get up that hill to the World’s Fair Pavilion, I’m so glad I put my body through that high-impact cardio to fellowship with my folks at the African Arts Festival. I had an absolute ball – and spent more time watching the mainstage than I normally do because I had to force myself from spending another dime with all of those glorious vendors. Listen, you haven’t heard “Old Town Road” until a New Orleans Brass Band takes it on. And wasn’t that reggae act who closed out the stage on Monday night life more abundantly? So fresh, so clean Sigmas and Zetas. I think my trip to the top of the World’s Fair Pavilion would have been less painful if I hadn’t been recovering from climbing the stairway to heaven at Lemp Grand Hall to party with the Sigmas and Zetas for their White Party. One more flight of those steep narrow things and I would have been at the top of Jack’s beanstalk. It was worth it though. The blue and white fraternal family had a beautiful spread –and a bunch of pretty people looking like they were on a luxury yacht to partake. Who was that wearing the glorious white jumpsuit with the wavy layer of fabric on the left side? Girl, you did that.

LaRon, Onnie and Josh at the Graphic T-Shirt Party Friday night @ Blue Dine +Lounge

St. Louis realtors Casey, Janelle and Roxy proudly showcased the art they produced at the Memorial Weekend edition of Trap.Soul.Paint Sunday @ House of Soul

Char, Diamond and Jay were super clean in their all white as they partied with the Sigmas and Zetas Saturday night @ The Lemp Grand Hall

Michael, Tishaura and Dre reconnected during the Ciroc Super Lounge Memorial WKND Day Party Sunday @ Delmar Hall

The St. Louis African Arts Festival became a family reunion when Steven, Lauren, Antionette and Damien crossed paths Monday afternoon

Sigmas Freddie, Mark and Donald greeted guests as they entered the All White Affair Saturday night @ The Lemp Grand Hall

Danielle and CiCi were just a couple of the cute faces who came through Delmar Hall Sunday afternoon for the Ciroc Super Lounge Memorial WKND Day Party

Brian and Justice had a ball at the St. Louis African Arts Festival Monday @ Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion

Mo Spoon and Rhashad kept it casual for the Graphic T-Shirt Party Friday night @ Blue Dine +Lounge

Natasha and Niesha took in the sights and sounds of the St. Louis African Arts Festival Monday afternoon @ Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion Fellow adult nov-

entrepreneurs

Burruss of Kandi Koated and Mrs. Chris the SexEO of The Katz Meow chopped it up following the Welcome to the Dungeon Tour Friday night at The Pageant.

Commencement Ceremony

May 18, 2019

Harris-Stowe State University Celebrates 2019 Commencement!

Hundreds of excited families, friends, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered on Saturday, May 18 to celebrate Harris-Stowe State University’s Class of 2019. They convened in the Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack Auditorium, located in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Administration building on the University’s campus, to congratulate the 105 graduates who completed all graduation requirements during the spring semester. Graduates were presented with Bachelor of Science degrees in business, arts and science, and education. These 105 spring graduates will add to the University’s yearly graduation count. In December, 91 students were awarded degrees. Altogether, we had a total number of nearly 200 graduates for the 2018-2019 academic year- making this the University’s largest graduating class. Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, served as Grand Marshal. HSSU Board of Regents Chairman Atty. Ronald Norwood provided greetings, and HSSU President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack shared remarks and conferred degrees. Tisha Campbell, a well-known actor, singer and philanthropist served as the keynote speaker for the event. Campbell is currently co-starring Fox’s sitcom, “Outmatched,” that will air in the fall of 2019, and is best known for her role opposite Damon Wayans on the ABC hit series “My Wife and Kids,” and as Gina on the iconic, successfully syndicated, “Martin Show.” For many, Campbell’s speech was both entertaining and motivational. She encouraged students to make their mark and make a difference in their community by helping others, being goal oriented, and choosing their teammates wisely. Student speakers included 19-year-old Marionna Deloney who delivered a touching speech as the class valedictorian, and Sylmaria S. Warmack the 2018-2019 Senior Class President. The University also recognized Sarah L. Archibald, Harris-Stowe State University Alumni Relations Coordinator; David J. Carroll, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Crystal Stairs, Inc.; and Dr. Christopher M. Young-El, Principal of Normandy Middle School. They all received Distinguished Alumni Awards. Members from the Class of 1969 were also in attendance as part of their 50-year class reunion. The Class of 2019 included a mother-daughter duo who received degrees together; students from Harris-

Stowe’s Hornet Summer Bridge Program Inaugural cohort; and a young man who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where his entire family was killed during the civil war. He came to the United States as a refugee in 2016 and finished Harris-Stowe in six semesters. Harris-Stowe’s newest alumni will be taking their skills to companies like Amazon, Kellogg, and Wells Fargo. Others will be continuing their education at graduate schools such as Saint Louis University, Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville, and Washington University among others. Harris-Stowe State University extends to each of our new graduates our very best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous future. Congratulations, Hornets!

The following is a look back at Harris-Stowe State University’s Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremony.

The Class of 1969 celebrated 50 years as alumni at Harris-Stowe’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony.

Dr. Dwaun Warmack, President of HarrisStowe State University addresses the 2019 graduates during commencement.

Graduate Gandy Kadisi who completed his degree within six semesters.

Atty. Ronald Norwood, Chairman of the HSSU Board of Regents, delivered a strong message to graduates.

2019 Distinguished Alumni Inductees: Dr. Christopher M. Young-El, David Carroll, and Sarah Archibald.

2018-2019 Senior Class President, Sylmaria Warmack, address her classmates.

Keynote Speaker, Tisha Campbell, encouraged students to make a difference in their community by helping others.

Honorary Marshal Mrs. Terry Daily-Davis leads the recessional.

Graduate Melanie Bugett

Graduates Darren Davidson and Desmon Armstrong

2019 Graduate, Joe Lewis III

Graduate Lance Smith, Jr. celebrates with members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Members of the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents, Debra Hollingsworth, Atty. Ronald Norwood, Vanessa Cooksey, Christine Chadwick, and Atty. Deborah Price along with President Warmack and Keynote Speaker- Tisha Campbell.

2019 Graduate Chelsee Walker

Marionna Deloney, 2019 Class Valedictorian, leads the academic procession.

Graduate Chelsea Williams

Graduate Youssef Jacon

Graduates Telayah Richards, Nakira Wash, and Bear Clarkson- all participants in the inaugural cohort of the Hornet Summer Bridge Program being recognized during commencement.

Graduates Tamia Anderson and Telayah Richards

Additional Photographs

Keynote speaker

Tisha Campbell and Reverend Kevin Kosh of Beloved Community United Methodist Church.