May 31st, 2018 Edition

‘We need all hands on deck’

Bishop Hankerson rallies broad base of help for ‘drowning’ black community

By Ashley Jones

The St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition gathered with past, present, and prospective members at the United Way building on Thursday, May 24 to go over its mission, vision, and goals for the upcoming year.

The Clergy Coalition is a non-denominational assemblage of over 150 churches throughout the

St. Louis area that is open to churches of different religious affiliations. This gathering also included organizations with no church affiliation whatsoever.

“Yes, I am a sanctified minister, but I do realize that being in the community you must work with people that have different viewpoints other than your own,” said Bishop Elijah Hankerson III, the recently elected president of the Clergy Coalition. At 45, he

See BISHOP, A6

n “We’ve been very intentional in trying to realign neighborhoods and make the church a focal point once again.”

– James Clark, BFL

By Niara Savage For The St.

Michael Peoples has accepted the position of principal at University City High School. Peoples, who will officially assume the position on July 1, will follow Susan Hill, who will move on to work towards improving college and career-readiness and access for students PreK12. Peoples has partnered with Hill throughout the transition process, which has consisted largely of familiarizing him with staff personnel, programming for the upcoming school year, building relationships with the students and the layout of the building.

Peoples said that this is “just the beginning of a very strong, collaborative relationship.”

Although leading University City High School will be new for Peoples, he has numerous experiences working in administration and with youth. The St. Louis native, who grew up in North County, was previously the associate principal at Hazelwood East High School and remembers

By Ashley Jones

By Ashley Jones

A processional led by the Saint Boogie Brass Band kicked off the stage performances Monday, May 28 during the 27th annual

African Arts Festival in Forest Park over the Memorial Day weekend. The event took place in the World’s Fair Pavilion.

Photo by Wiley Price

For the St. Louis American

See PEOPLES, A7

Talanna Sims works with Police Officer Austin Patton on designing a video game at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Louis on May 17.

Photo by Shuntae Shields Ryan

Pusha T talks Drake beef with ‘The Breakfast Club’

In the latest development in the ongoing rap beef between Pusha T and T dropped “The Story of Adidon.”

The diss track uses a photo of Drake in blackface that Pusha T says Drake posed for as cover art – and the song itself makes scathing allegations against the rap star, including claims that Drake has a secret baby with an adult film star.

Wednesday morning, Pusha T called in to “The Breakfast Crew” to discuss the record. He told hosts that “The Story of Adidon” came about after Drake mentioned Pusha T’s fiancée in his diss track “Duppy.”

“When he did that, all bets were off,” Pusha T said. “I’m here for the sport of it.

But when it gets personal, it gets personal. I definitely didn’t go too far.”

Pusha T claims that Drake’s Adidas line “Adidon” is named after his secret child –whose name is Adonis. “It’s like ‘we couldn’t learn about your child until you started selling sweat suits and sneakers,” Pusha T told “Breakfast club co-host Angela Yee. “We don’t know [if Drake is a deadbeat father]. We just know that we couldn’t know until he [Drake] sold a sweat suit.”

He also said that he has more material for Drake if he chooses to respond.

“I’m not censoring myself, but there is more content if there is needed later,”

Morgan Freeman demands retraction

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Morgan Freeman is threatening to sue CNN if the network doesn’t issue a retraction surrounding an investigative report that claimed multiple women accused the Academy Award winner of inappropriate conduct on movie sets.

Morgan Freeman’s lawyer has asked CNN to retract the report it released last week about sexual misconduct allegations against the

actor.

The 10-page legal letter, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, is addressed to Jeff Zucker, president of CNN, and claims the story has defamed and “inflicted serious injury” on Freeman’s reputation and career.

“At a minimum, CNN immediately needs to issue a retraction and apologize to Mr. Freeman through the same channels, and with the same level of attention, that it used to unjustly attack him on May 24,” the letter from attorney Robert M. Schwartz reads. “CNN also needs to retract the portions of the story that concern Lori McCreary and apologize to her for defaming and injuring her.”

G.O.O.D. Music label, Drake suggested that he should (and ultimately did) send an invoice to the label for “promotional assistance and career reviving.”

There are also reports by accusers that their statements were misrepresented in the report.

Twitter war between Kim K. and Rhymefest shuts down Donda’s House

Che “Rhymefest” Smith inserted Kanye West into the Drake vs. Pusha T rap beef via Twitter. After a spat with West’s wife, Kim Kardashian, the nonprofit organization named in memory of West’s mother (Dr. Donda West) that was managed by Rhymefest is no more. In a diss to Pusha T, who is on West’s

Rhymefest chimed in via Twitter.

“When G.O.O.D. Music sends the money they owe you, will you please rebuild Kanye’s mother’s house for the youth of Chicago,” Rhymefest tweeted. “I spoke to Kanye about it. His response was [expletive] the youth of Chicago.”

West’s wife chimed in.

“Truth is you haven’t been able to sustain the foundation,” Kardashian responded.

“You didn’t say this when Kanye paid you up front then you disappeared during Pablo. You better believe I will make it my mission to take Donda’s House from you and let my children run it the way that it should be run.”

Rhymefest issued a lengthy response where he says that Kardashian has not bothered to ever visit or have any role in the charitable organization. Hours later, Rhymefest announced that Donda’s House was no more.

“Due to the recent events that have occurred over the last 48 hours we have decided to no longer use the name Donda’s House Inc.”

Sources: Billboard.com, Twitter.com, Instagram.com, The Hollywood Reporter, YouTube.com

Pusha T

Rhymefest

KIPP St. Louis honors Gabe Gore, Kathy Osborn, Tom Irwin

Opening of KIPP St. Louis High School hailed as major success

American staff

KIPP St. Louis recently hosted its 5th annual Champions for Education Breakfast at Grand Hall on Chouteau, honoring three people instrumental in founding and continuing to guide KIPP St. Louis. This year’s honorees were Gabe Gore of Dowd Bennett LLP, Kathy Osborn of Regional Business Council and Tom Irwin of Civic Progress.

Keith Williamson, KIPP St. Louis board member, honored Gore as a founding board member who helped bring the idea of KIPP St. Louis to fruition. Greg Wendt, founding KIPP St. Louis board chair, honored Osborn and Irwin for their accomplishments, individually and together, helping make KIPP St. Louis a success. Past honorees include Emerson, Washington University, Wendt, Centene/Michael Neidorff, Williamson, Maxine Clark and former

Mayor Francis G. Slay.

Before recognizing the honorees, KIPP St. Louis Executive Director

Kelly Garrett addressed the room to thank them for their continued support, update them on where KIPP St. Louis is heading and celebrate the successes KIPP St. Louis had in the past year, including the opening of KIPP St. Louis High School.

A KIPP alumnus returned to speak at the breakfast to thank KIPP St. Louis for being the reason he is going to college this fall. Delton Utsey, a senior at St. Louis University High School, will be attending Washington University this fall as one of 30 recipients nationwide of the 2018 Dave Goldberg Scholarship.

“I would not be going to Washington University today if not for KIPP St. Louis,” Utsey said. “My teachers pushed me to succeed every step along the way, from applying to academically challenging high schools

Racism, sports and Trumpism

How ironic. On the same day the National Football League owners announced their decision to ban player protest during the national anthem, the video exposing the barbaric behaviors of Milwaukee police was released. Sterling Brown, Milwaukee Bucks player, was tased and arrested for a parking violation. There will be no charges against the NBA player but that hasn’t silenced him. Neither will it silence most black ballers. What any self-respecting black person – athlete or not – heard in the

white owners’ decision is: We don’t care about what happens to you as a citizen; we just want to use your black body to make money for us.

The wannabe dictator in the White House declared that players need to “proudly” stand for the flag or they “shouldn’t be playing” and that “maybe they shouldn’t be in the country.” What?!

The owners have allowed Trump to dictate league policy. Worse, they have allowed him to fan the same flames of racism in the league as he

to applying for colleges. They helped me believe I could make change.”

The Goldberg Scholarship Program was established in October 2017 to support KIPP graduating high school seniors across the country who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and achievement. As a Goldberg Scholar, Delton will receive a unique

has done throughout the country. It’s clear to me the NFL cow-towed to Trump, who has been railing against football players since Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem to protest police terrorism in black communities.

In retaliation, the former San Francisco 49er quarterback is now a free agent with no team wanting to sign him up anytime soon. He also has a lawsuit against his former employer. Sterling Brown has accepted the responsibility to use the injustice against him to speak out against a police department with a long and brutal history in Milwaukee’s AfricanAmerican community. Brown has

combination of financial support and mentoring during his four-year college experience.

KIPP St. Louis showed off the talents of its students with a performance by the Kenetic Energy Step Team from KIPP Wisdom Academy and the KIPP Phoenix Honors Choir from KIPP

vowed to be the voice of police victims of brutality and murder in his city. He knows damn well if he was not an NBA player, this incident would not have seen the light of day. Brown also knows he’s lucky to be alive.

Brown understands the frustrated anger of black folks when he said, “The lack of repercussions for the police officers involved in so many of these cases is offensive. This is a slap in the face to the victims’ families and communities.” Black and Brown folks are getting tired of those 24/7 slaps. Since 2015 Milwaukee taxpayers have forked out about $20 million in settlements to victims of police violence. Rogue cops are bankrupting the cash-strapped city which has had to borrow the money for the payoffs. Still, no accountability is forthcoming. Not in Milwaukee. Not in any U.S. city. The NFL has made the anthem

Gabe Gore of Dowd Bennett LLP (left) was recognized by Keith Williamson, KIPP St. Louis board member, as a founding board member who helped bring the idea of KIPP St. Louis to fruition at the recent Champions for Education Breakfast. They were joined onstage by student emcees Kenya Nash and Jaden Taylor.

Inspire Academy. Additionally, the Champions for Education Breakfast is an annual event meant to bring together sponsors of KIPP St. Louis and honor all of those who have a hand in being champions for KIPP students’ educational journeys to and through college.

KIPP St. Louis is a network of five tuition-free, college preparatory public charter schools. It educates 1,600 students in the City of St. Louis from kindergarten to high school. KIPP St. Louis is sponsored by Washington University in St. Louis.

protests the scapegoat for its diminishing profits. It has its own set of issues, such as assignments of specialty positions to white players like quarterbacks, punters and place kickers. Note that the league has no black owners and nearly 70 percent black players. Make no mistake about the NFL decision. It is not about respect for the anthem. If that was the case, the concession stands would be closed in the name of patriotism until after singing of the anthem. This is about shutting down Black protests of white supremacy. And we know it’s not just happening in the sports arenas. The NFL is naïve to think that sending black men to a locker room like they’re naughty boys is a solution. I can’t wait to see what acts of creative resistance will come from men who have been forced to swallow their pride and hide their anger to maintain a job they love.

Dorothy Shelton

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Photo by Wiley Price

Krewson is wrong to thank Greitens for his service

Those who have been paying attention may have noticed that we never called for Gov. Eric Greitens’ resignation. It’s not because we thought Greitens was fit to lead the state while he was being investigated for at least two felony offenses; at no time, before or after these allegations emerged, did we think this self-absorbed fraud was fit to lead. It’s merely that we believe, when your enemies are arguing among themselves, don’t interrupt them. Greitens’ meltdown – and his stubborn clinging to power as he melted down in public view – kept the Missouri Republican Party weakened and divided, and we believe that is good for Missouri.

The stronger and more united Missouri Republicans are, the more dangerous they are and the more damage they can do. In political terms, Greitens’ resignation, which he announced on Tuesday, May 29, is nothing to celebrate if you believe – as we believe – that this condescending, dangerous fraud was a political leper even if he somehow clung to office until 2020.

Greitens remains innocent of the crimes for which he has been charged unless he is convicted, but his political malpractice – from the perspective of blacks and progressives in St. Louis – is a matter of public record. He helped to defeat a voterapproved raise of the minimum wage in St. Louis, he fought

Gov. Eric Greitens came to North St. Louis in July 2017 to grandstand in response to the violent crime and suffering in our city and demonized St. Louis as a hellhole. Not pictured: Mayor Lyda Krewson smiling mildly off-camera.

hard to further restrict abortion rights, he worked to undermine organized labor, he was guilty of grandstanding in response to the violent crime and suffering in our city and demonized St. Louis as a hellhole with Mayor Lyda Krewson smiling mildly beside him.

This track record makes it particularly baffling that Krewson greeted Greitens’ resignation by thanking him for his service. Krewson’s political

career may or may not outlive this startling burst of tone deafness. For a man accused of the crimes Greitens stands accused of, who did so much to hurt St. Louis and defeat what Democrats stand for, to be so gently sent into the sunset by a Democratic woman mayor of St. Louis leaves us as doubtful about who Krewson is and what she stands for as we are of Greitens.

City must be transparent in reporting inclusion on public projects

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is charged with protecting the interest of the City of St. Louis and its residents. Yet instead, SLDC continuously protects the interest of developers who receive taxpayers’ dollars to subsidize their projects.

The publicly subsidized, $229 million Ballpark Village project to build luxury apartments, an office building and retail space is currently underway. As we’ve done for decades, The St. Louis American asked to see where the developers – the Cardinals and the Cordish Company – are in terms of hiring minority workers and contracting with businesses on the project.

American reporter Rebecca Rivas sat down with Vladimir Monroe, SLDC’s director of minority business development and compliance. (The interview is featured in this week’s Political EYE.) Monroe told The American that he wouldn’t release the amount of contract dollars the developers and general contractor (PARIC) have awarded to minority businesses.

“In our conversations with PARIC and Cordish, we’ve told them we won’t disclose the information until the end of the project,” Monroe said.

Further, he said SLDC has had multiple conversations with the city counselor’s office, who advised that SLDC can withhold minority inclusion information on all publicly subsidized projects until their completion by calling them “attorney’s work products.”

This is public information, and withholding it is a violation of the public trust. Moreover, disappointing – or, as with this project, at this point, infuriating – inclusion numbers reported while a project is ongoing can and should spark public pressure for the developers to do better. When reported at the end, that’s just more public money lost from the pockets of left-out black workers and business owners.

This is not the first time that SLDC has cut a strange, secretive deal with the Ballpark Village developers regarding minority participation. In the first $100 million phase of the retail and entertainment complex, SLDC’s former executive director Rodney Crim – who was appointed by then-mayor Francis G. Slay – made a deal with the Cardinals and Cordish that the city would not monitor the minority participation on millions of dollars’ worth of contracts. Despite The American’s continuous requests in 2014, the former administration and the developers both refused to disclose the information. Mayor Lyda Krewson did order that Monroe release the public records on Phase 2 to us. However, withholding public data about the work in progress should not have been agreed upon in the first place. This year, the Board of Aldermen passed a minority inclusion bill, putting into law the city’s executive order for hiring minority businesses and workers, along with employing local residents, apprentices and women, on publicly subsidized projects. Without

these mandates, the city’s almost 50 percent African-American population – not to mention its majority women population – would be watching their tax dollars fund projects that mainly benefit the city’s white, male population without seeing any opportunity of employment or business.

It should be noted that the person who was initially involved in the conversations regarding minority participation on the Ballpark Village project was Howard Hayes, who used to hold Monroe’s position. Hayes left SLDC in January to work for PARIC – the contractor for the Ballpark Village project.

There can be no rejoicing that the city passed a minority inclusion bill if this kind of backroom dealing is going on. As we said in our editorial hailing the passage of the bill, the city’s new minority inclusion office “will not be stronger than its vigilance in enforcing compliance.”

Elected officials should be outraged at this behavior from the entity that’s supposed to be championing the city’s inclusion goals.

However, The American reached out to the mayor, Board of Aldermen president, and various aldermen and state legislators about the issue. Only one gave us a comment.

“There’s absolutely no reason to not make minority- and women-owned business participation numbers known until after the completion of a project,” said Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green of the 15th Ward. “In fact, doing so runs contrary to the public interest and negates the ability to course-correct if necessary.”

While many elected officials were silent, we heard quite a bit from people in the construction trades, both black and white.

Kenneth Barker, a white union electrician who retired last year, emailed The American after reading the Monroe interview. He said the last major job he worked on was the $100 million Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) at Scott Air Force Base. Out of about 30 electricians, only one or two were AfricanAmerican, he said. On many large-scale construction sites, he said, minority workers can be counted on two hands.

“The general attitude of the ‘skilled trades’ is still racist,” Barker told The American in an email. “Union membership does not reflect the population.” In his experience, minorities and women are “shunted to the less-skilled positions.”

Barker, like many others, thanked us for “pushing for answers.” The city’s progress continues to be hampered by racism, and especially in the trades. Our black city residents and business owners – and women – must have access to employment opportunities on projects their tax dollars fund. Unfortunately, SLDC is not our champion for the city’s inclusion goals. And unless our elected officials and residents demand change, we should expect no progress in the “racial equity” that so many people (including the mayor) now say they want to advance.

Harris-Stowe needs the support of black leadership – now Commentary

By Ronald Alan Norwood For The

St. Louis American

In a May 11 op-ed that appeared in the St. Louis PostDispatch, a “guest editor” launched a savagely racist rant, attacking Harris-Stowe State University, President Dwaun Warmack, Harris-Stowe’s Board of Regents, and HarrisStowe’s administration, faculty and staff.

Among the many falsities, distortions and outright lies contained in the piece – what is referred to in the journalistic trade as a “hatchet job” – was the suggestion that HarrisStowe degrees are worthless and inferior, Harris-Stowe graduates are unemployable, Harris-Stowe is a “failing institution” and “academic shipwreck,” Harris-Stowe’s receipt of state funding constitutes state-sponsored malfeasance, Harris-Stowe administrators are incompetent “charlatans,” Harris-Stowe professors are bullied and “shell-shocked,” HarrisStowe-sponsored community events constitute wasteful “pomposity,” and Harris-Stowe should be defunded by the state.

Given the current political climate, I was not surprised that such racially vile disdain exists for this proud historically black university in certain segments of this community. However, I was disheartened by the lack of immediate expressions of outrage and firm support of Harris-Stowe by many black social, political, business and religious leaders in our community (although a handful of these leaders have stepped up in support).

While the university has debunked this attack and others through op-ed pieces appearing in the May 18 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (“HarrisStowe deserves broad-based community support”) and in the May 24 edition of The St. Louis American (“Harris-Stowe has a right to exist”), Harris-Stowe desperately needs black leaders from all sectors to speak out in denouncing such blatant, race-based attacks on this transformative HBCU.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. warned in his 1963 “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” These types of unjust, baseless and racists attacks on this longstanding institution — an institution that in part was sown from the seeds of racism in Harris Teachers College’s refusal in 1857 to admit black students — are a threat to

the entire Black St. Louis community, and demand the sternest rebuke by each and every one of us, particularly black leadership in this community.

At this critical juncture, when overt racism is back in vogue, and when HarrisStowe’s upward trajectory has it positioned to be a premier, St. Louis-based institution of higher learning and an educational haven for many at-risk individuals looking for economic advancement, nothing less than full-throated and unequivocal condemnation by black leadership at every level is required.

Now is the time to protect this 161-year-old institution that over the last four years – under the leadership of President Dwaun Warmack and the Board of Regents, and through the hard work and dedication of committed administrators, faculty and staff – has increased fulltime-equivalent enrollment by nearly 20 percent; increased overall degree production by 34 percent; increased 2017 fall-tospring retention to its current rate of 90 percent; increased majors, minors and certificate programs by 201 percent; and increased applications for the 2018 class by a whopping 814 percent.

n Most importantly, now is the time to stand united in the defense of Harris-Stowe students – many of whom have been shunned by or priced out of other educational institutions.

Now is the time to rally around an institution that is making radically transformative changes that include: HarrisStowe being awarded the highly competitive $5 million Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Participation grant, serving as the lead institution in alliance with Washington University, Truman State, Lincoln University, and the St. Louis Community Colleges; and Harris-Stowe forming collaborative partnerships with, and obtaining financial contributions from, visionary corporate citizens like Verizon (which awarded a total of $699,000 for the Innovative Learning Program), Emerson (which contributed $500,000), Wells Fargo (which awarded $250,000 and sponsors the Well Fargo Finance Education Center that houses a live trading floor at HarrisStowe), the Steward Family Foundation (which contributed $250,000), and a soon-to-be-

announced $250,000 corporate donor (for a summer bridge program for high school seniors transitioning to college). Now is the time to demand that such amazing progress by this proud HBCU should not be thwarted by nickeldime, penny-pinching politics, or be distorted by skewed academic data or shallow media coverage, that the reputations of black, highly degreed educators and administrators not be tarnished by racially pejorative labels of incompetent, “charlatans,” and failures, and that university staff – who work daily to provide an environment where college students, the majority of whom are people of color, can learn, mature and thrive – are not marginalized and demeaned for staying committed to the important mission of this great institution. But most importantly, now is the time to stand united in the defense of Harris-Stowe students – many of whom have been shunned by or priced out of other educational institutions – in support of their efforts and dreams of receiving a college education, to become that vocal mouthpiece Harris-Stowe students need now, and to fight now against the devaluation of the invaluable value those Harris-Stowe college degrees can bestow, not only on HarrisStowe graduates but also on the entire St. Louis community. Harris-Stowe students should not be tasked with shouldering such a heavy cause, which is exactly what 18-year-old, Harris-Stowe Presidential Scholar Azalia Andrews boldly and eloquently did in a May 24 Post-Dispatch op-ed (“Harris-Stowe is not a school for mediocre students”). Instead, black leaders should be taking the lead now by doing exactly what this young, black student leader has vowed to do: “I have made it my duty to swiftly cease any negative notions made regarding [HarrisStowe].” If not now, when? If not this worthy cause – supporting committed educators educating those diligently seeking higher education – then what cause? As chairman of the HarrisStowe State University Board of Regents, I implore all black social, political, business and religious leaders in our community to unequivocally denounce these attacks and whole-heartedly defend HarrisStowe’s quest of providing quality educational opportunity for all. Such immediate, strong, unified leadership can help make the “Wakandan” fiction of self-reliance and selfdetermination a reality for the St. Louis Black community. Ronald Alan Norwood is the chairman of the HarrisStowe State University Board of Regents and a partner at the Law Firm of Lewis Rice.

Guest Columnist

Ronald Alan Norwood

Photo by Wiley Price

Americorps serves in ESL

The Americorps NCCC did community service recently at the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center in East St. Louis. Members painted interior rooms, gardened and cleaned the facility. Left to right are Bob, Reed Langer, Ronamina Davis, Sharlondra Starks, Kyle Cunningham, and Evan Kernan. AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, team-based program for young adults, age 18-24 (with no upper age limit to serve as a team leader). Members develop leadership skills and strengthen communities by completing service projects and gaining life experience. For more information, visit https:// www.nationalservice.gov.

Supreme Court to host Civil Justice Change Forum

The Missouri Supreme Court Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness will host a Civil Justice Change Forum 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 9 at the Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd. in St. Louis. The Supreme Court established the commission to examine and review current practices and recommend measures to ensure fairness, impartiality, equal access and full participation for racial and ethnic minorities in the judicial process and in the practice of law.

This will be a listening opportunity to address internal and external issues that impede the goal of racial and racial fairness in the civil justice system, moderated by attorney Gabe Gore. Topics could include issues related to case initiation, how to respond to summonses, service, statutes of limitations, pro se representation and forms along with landlord tenant, family law, and minor civil, small claims.

June 1 deadline for submissions for St. Louis anthology

Submissions are due by June 1 for a new St. Louis anthology. Belt Publishing is compiling an anthology of essays, stories, and poems about St. Louis in 2019 as part of its City Anthology Series They are not looking for news-related pieces unless there is a personal/ emotional connection to news events, and submissions should retain their relevance for years to come. They are actively looking for stories from St. Louis’ African-American, Bosnian/Kosovar, Latinx, LGBTQ, and other communities. Stories that involve humor, heartbreak, redemption and discovery – and food – will be given priority. Submissions that delve into the details and history overlooked during the coverage of the unrest following the police killing of Mike Brown, through a first-person perspective, are highly encouraged. They are looking for nonfiction personal essays between 300 and 2,000 words and poetry, but not fiction. Authors can submit multiple pieces. They will accept previously published pieces, but the author must include the original publication information and have the rights to the piece. Contributors will receive an honorarium.

To submit an entry, include author’s full name and contact information (phone, email, address and three- or four-sentence bio), indicate where the author lives/where “story” takes place, write “SUBMISSION” on the subject line, and submit all entries and questions to: STLanthology@gmail.com.

Headed to the Hill

By De’Ja Wood For The St. Louis American

Have you ever had an experience that truly shaped who you are? One that you knew would change your life even before it happened?

This summer, I’ll be interning with the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education & Workforce Committee as part of the KIPP Capitol Hill Fellowship. As a college freshman aspiring to a career in social policy, I know this firsthand look at how our country’s government works will shape my future. I wouldn’t be heading to the Hill without the support of my KIPP teachers and counselors. They met me in middle school, stuck with me all the way into college, and continue to help me find and open doors of opportunity. I came to KIPP in fifth grade, as part of the founding class at KIPP Inspire Academy in St. Louis. I still remember how on my first day at KIPP, they told us we were going to college. And, they never stopped telling us. My fifth grade teacher, Ms. Joyce, is now my KIPP Through College advisor. She was there for me all throughout high school, just like she is for all KIPP St. Louis families. Now that I’m in my freshman year, she helps me navigate the challenges of being a first-generation college student.

n I’m looking forward to contributing to the diversity of thought in offices on the Hill.

It was Ms. Joyce told me about a new fellowship the KIPP Foundation had started for KIPP alumni in college to do internships on Capitol Hill. “This is made for you,” she said, and she encouraged me to apply. Now I’m preparing to spend a summer in D.C. as a policy intern. I’m excited to network and to learn about the systems that shape our lives as Americans. I’m also looking forward to contributing to the diversity of thought in offices on the Hill. KIPP alumni have perspectives that the world needs to hear.

De’Ja Wood is a KIPP St. Louis Alumna, Class of 2017.

De’Ja Wood

Continued from A1

is the youngest jurisdictional bishop in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), overseeing 65 churches in Missouri and the Midwest, and pastor of Life Center International COGIC.

Hankerson made sure to point out that there were white partners in the room, many of whom did not represent a church.

“I can’t swim, but if I’m drowning, I don’t care if you’re white, I don’t care if you’re black, I won’t even ask you, ‘Are you a member of the Church of God in Christ? Who’s your bishop?’” Hankerson said. “I’m like Peter: Save me.”

Although not all of the coalition’s partners are faithbased ministries, Hankerson said, they all follow the same mission.

“Our community is sinking,” Hankerson said. “Our homicide rates are just out of sight. Our young people are killing each other. We need all hands on deck. We are committed to the black community. We are committed to the betterment of the community as a whole, but it’s going to be everyone working together in order to make things probable for the up-building of the community.”

One partner highlighted at the meeting was Better Family Life (BFL). It has a flagship program called the Neighborhood Alliance, taking

COPS

Continued from A1

On May 17 St. Louis police officers were joined with tech companies such as Pixel Press and Kylar. io to visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Louis. They used video gaming as a vehicle to provide information, create

social services into the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, onto front porches and into living rooms. Hankerson’s call echoes BFL’s “Pulpit to Porches” initiative announced May 2015.

“One thing that became glaringly real to us is that the depth of the dysfunction

exposure and interest toward high tech careers in video game design, code programming, web development, mobile app development, and cyber security

“In today’s society technology kind of rules, and I think STEM, science, technology, engineering, and math, are things that will lead to help you to get a better job as you move forward,” said

is real,” said James Clark, vice president of Community Outreach for BFL. “We understood that we couldn’t do it all. We partnered with over 82 social service organizations, and we meet with those organizations every month. We looked in the neighborhoods,

Josh Stevens, developer at Pixel Press.

“I think there are so many cool products and so many things out there for teaching STEM. Bloxels is a platform that allows kids of any age to create their own video games, tell their own stories. Something that is near and dear to our heart is allowing kids of all ages to have an outlet to tell their own stories. That’s what

and we said the most populated institution in every neighborhood is the church. So we’ve been very intentional in trying to realign neighborhoods and make the church a focal point once again.”

As for the structure of the meeting, board members

Bloxels is all about.”

Lieutenant Latricia Allen is commander of the Community Engagement/Organizational Development Division and a 27-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. She and her officers were present at the Boys & Girls Club event to help.

“We do a lot of work here with the community

partners in developing solutions to the spiritual, social, and economic issues affecting St. Louis in general and the African-American community in particular. The vision of the coalition is to be a leading faith-based organization in the metropolitan area dedicated to addressing issues that promote the advancement of the entire St. Louis community. Those issues include: spiritual enrichment, education, youth development, health care, political action, economic development, civil rights, and the promotion of a culturally inclusive community.

Its immediate organizational goals are to boost membership to 300, to maintain at least $10,000 in the treasury, and to honor all former coalition presidents. Its spiritual goals are to implement an annual citywide revival, to implement an annual Easter sunrise service, and to implement an annual conference. Its partnership goals are to build bridges with community groups that share the coalition’s vision and to build a strong media image.

began with a scripture from Hebrews 1-6 and a prayer.

The core of the meeting was spent discussing the Clergy Coalition’s mission, vision and goals. This mission of the coalition is to engage the local Christian Church and its community

engagement division, and we want to do more. They contacted us and asked if we would be interested, and of course I jumped on the opportunity. I gathered all these officers, and these are the officers that want to be here. They volunteered to help with this program.”

She said that involving police officers taught the youth something in addition to tech skills.

“The kids are learning the human side of officers. I think it’s great that they understand that we are humans, we have families, and we want to understand them as well,” she said.

“Even in building games, there is a conversation that happens. Naturally a lot of kids say, ‘Have you ever pulled your gun before?’ But to explain that, ‘Yes, I have, but I have not hurt anyone,’ they just have a sigh of relief.”

If students want to continue

For the rest of the meeting, Hankerson went around the room, introducing new prospective members and listing the Presidential Staff and Committee reports.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/ClergySTL/.

their game developing experience and learn more about software engineering, Kylar.io has a tech camp coming up this July. It will be held at St. Louis Community College –Florissant Valley from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday for four weeks. They also have a workforce program and offer paid internships.

“Students can learn how to make apps, websites, cryptocurrency, search engines, and video games,” said Arms. “We partner with 60 companies across the nation. The paid internship has a certification at the end. So they come through the tech camp, go through the internship, get some money, get the certification, and then we can help them get hired in a more high-paid tech job in the future.”

For more information, visit https://www.kylar.io.

Bishop Elijah Hankerson III (center), the recently elected president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, addressed the group at the United Way building on Thursday, May 24. He is surrounded by Clergy Coalition 2nd Vice President Rev. Chuck Norris, 1st Vice President Rev. Carl Smith, Special Assistant to the President Dr. Douglas Petty and Treasurer Rev. Burton Barr.

Photo by Wiley Price

FATHERS

Continued from A1

reward them for the things that they have accomplished.”

Business vendors such as Job Corps and Waffle House were tabled across the room with information on their businesses and ready applications for the students to fill out.

“We hope that they can connect with some employers, maybe connect with some educational opportunities,” Blockton said. “It’s to put a face with the name so that after this event, if they reach out to Waffle House or if they reach out to Job Corps, they can say, ‘Oh, yeah, we met at the event’ and bring them on in for an interview.”

The first keynote speaker was Jasmine D. Evans, marketing and communications professional and educator. She received her bachelor’s degree at Southeast Missouri State University and her master’s degree at Lindenwood University.

“When I started teaching, I actually started giving away the services that I essentially was charging for free to students,” Evans said. “It is all about the basic marketing advertisement principles, how can you take that and make yourself the best version of yourself? If you’re thinking about yourself as a

PEOPLES

Continued from A1

competing against U. City as a high school student in the area.

The happily married father of six credits his son with helping him discover his passion for working with young people.

Peoples said one of the primary challenges that school administrators face today is “finding creative ways to do more with less and less resources.” He said that time seems to consistently

business, who are the people that you need to surround yourself with in order to be successful?”

The second keynote speaker was Calvin Payne, founder of CQ Custom Designs. He is well known for his appearance on TV as a server at Sweetie

bring about “increased responsibilities without increased resources.”

Peoples’ goals for his new school include boosting attendance, strengthening partnerships with community businesses, increasing school pride and support within the community, and building stronger relationships with students and staff. In terms of the changing educational landscape, which is heavily influenced by technology, Peoples believes that administrators must fight to keep up by becoming

Pie’s restaurant on Oprah Winfrey’s Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s show. Prior to starting his own business and giving back to the community, Payne served 15 years at the Jefferson City Correctional Center for a drug conviction.

“What I learned while I was

equipped with new technology without overlooking the humanistic element of education. “All education begins with respect for the human spirit,” he said. He said that means administrators must endeavor to get to know students, build relationships with young people, and honor their voices with respect to their “brilliant young minds.”

Phase one of Peoples’

in prison is the only way that you can change and get your life together is if you associate yourself with different people,” said Payne. “We need to circle ourselves around people that are going to help you. What I’m seeing in this Fathers’ Support group is a circle of

n “All education begins with respect for the human spirit.”

–

Michael Peoples

leadership plan will consist primarily of listening and learning for the first 30 to 60 days. He emphasized that this phase will include listening to both students and staff. Peoples has already become heavily involved with fostering a greater connection between this high school and the surrounding community, as several community programs are already in the works.

help that is going to put you in a position to make better decisions and live a better life.”

During his speech, Payne brought Davonte Washington, Fathers’ Support Center’s 2018 Youth of the Year, on stage to highlight his accomplishments.

“I had some great

David Bass, 2010 U. City alumnus and current NFL player, is interested in hosting a free football camp at the high school on July 7, which will be open to community members ages 7 to 15. Peoples also has initiated a community tie drive, in which local business members of the community can donate new or gently used ties to the high school. These ties will be used during the spring event Tied to the Power of Greatness, which Peoples described as “a ceremony which teaches young men about responsibility and

n “What I’m seeing in this Fathers’ Support group is a circle of help that is going to put you in a position to make better decisions and live a better life.”

– Calvin Payne

accomplishments,” Washington said. “I went to Job Corps. Around the time I had a bunch of family problems, they were there to support me. I finished Job Corps, and then I went to Titan Tubes and started working in my field as a welder. I didn’t have a place to stay at the time, and then I ended up getting an apartment. Now I’m working on building a career.”

He is 21, meaning this is his last year in the program. Now he says his focus is on raising his daughter, Kayla Olivia Washington. She was born a month after he graduated from high school.

“I come from the North St. Louis area,” said Washington. “I really don’t have anything besides my daughter and my family members. My daughter is what motivates me to do better.” For more information, visit FathersSupportCenter.org.

connecting to the community.” The event culminates with the students learning how to tie a tie, which students then take home. He said he hopes to build upon the success of Susan Hill, while also bringing his own distinct leadership style which seeks to build strong relationships and set high expectations for students.

Peoples said, “It’s a tremendous blessing and honor to have the opportunity to serve the community and the district of University City.”

Keynote speaker Calvin Payne introduced Davonte Washington, Fathers’ Support Center’s 2018 Youth of the Year, at its Youth Leadership Conference on May 19 at Windows on Washington.

Photo by Tia Jenkins

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Missouri History Museum

Co-hosting

on June

15 with St. Louis Inner City Cultural Center Enterprise

By Shakia Gullette For The

St. Louis American

Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States, is one of the country’s oldest and largest celebrations. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation granted freedom to enslaved persons held by rebel slaveholders in the Confederacy. It went into effect on January 1, 1863. However, this executive order did not include pro-Union border states such as Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware. Additionally, the Emancipation Proclamation had little to no impact on enslaved persons living in Texas because so few Union troops were in the state to enforce it. But on June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger of the Union army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told those who were still held captive that they were indeed free:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere” (General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston; June 19, 1865).

Before he delivered his history-making orders, Granger served in St. Louis as a lieutenant in the Mounted Riflemen at Jefferson Barracks in 1846. He would return to St. Louis after the Civil War broke out to command the St. Louis Arsenal and later to train and lead the 2nd Michigan Cavalry Regiment at Benton Barracks (now known as Fairgrounds Park).

General Granger’s orders marked the beginning of Juneteenth celebrations that have commemorated emancipation, history, and culture for over 150 years and counting. Though

it’s the best-known, Juneteenth is not the only celebration of emancipation in the United States. In the spring of 1865 Union forces moved swiftly through the South. As they worked their way through the region, the once-enslaved population memorialized the day they were freed from slavery. In much of the South, days throughout April and May became recognized holidays celebrating emancipation. Traditionally, Juneteenth and similar celebrations consisted of rodeos, fishing, food, educational activities, and storytelling from the elders who had been enslaved themselves.

Though Juneteenth originated in Texas, its reach has grown substantially over the years. It’s now observed as a holiday in 45 states, including Missouri. In 2003 state Representative Juanita H. Walton and state Senator Rita Heard Days introduced a bill to the Missouri General Assembly to celebrate “Emancipation Day.” The bill was passed and signed into law by Governor Bob Holden on July 10, 2003.

The Missouri Historical Society is pleased to collaborate with St. Louis Inner City Cultural Center Enterprise (SLICCCE) to host a fun-filled Juneteenth celebration. Since 2016, SLICCCE – under the tutelage of its founder, Coffee Wright – has brought the Juneteenth National Anthem Parade and Celebration to the St. Louis community. Wright is the writer and creator of the official Juneteenth National Anthem.

This year’s celebration will take place on Friday, June 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the museum’s north lawn. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the Spirit of Angela African Dance & Drum, Assata Storm, Thedarox Bobby Britney Band, Marty Abdullah, and many more entertainers. Bobby Norfolk will lead a special storytelling session, and the Hip-Hop and R&B Ambassadors will stage an educational performance designed for kids 12 and under. Dorian Brown, a professor of history at St. Louis Community College, will present an informative overview of Juneteenth’s historical context and its current significance. Guests are also welcome to come to the Museum for preprogram activities, featuring 95.5 FM’s G.Wiz the DJ for an exciting workout with RJ Zumba.

Although Juneteenth festivities have evolved over the years, their purpose remains the same –to celebrate independence and freedom. Join the Missouri Historical Society for an inspirational journey as we remember the meaning of Juneteenth.

Why I am working to certify the Sheriff’s Office

By Sheriff Vernon Betts For The St. Louis American

With overwhelming support from our local officials, state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed has passed a bill through the state Legislature that changes the sheriff’s office in the city. It now awaits the governor’s signature.

Sheriff’s offices throughout the state operate as the county law enforcement agency, policing outside of municipalities, running the jails and enforcing the courts. There are 115 Missouri sheriffs, 114 of which are elected. Due to our unique governmental arrangement, the city elects a sheriff, but this office does not police the streets of St. Louis.

The responsibility of this office is to transport and guard prisoners, act as courtroom bailiffs, protect the courts, serve summonses, conduct land tax sales, safeguard court evidence and serve body attachments. Our office is the largest sheriff’s office in the state. We transport and guard more prisoners than any Missouri sheriff, and arguably the most dangerous.

Due to our unique government structure, the requirements of this sheriff’s office have differed from the rest of the state. This has left the city with a sheriff’s office that, in unfairness to city residents, does not meet the same professional standard of

every other sheriff’s office in the state.

Every single sheriff and sheriff’s office in Missouri is required to meet Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification except St. Louis city. The citizens of St. Louis deserve to have deputies who meet this basic law enforcement standard. I am personally going through POST certification to set an example for my deputies, and I want to stand by my deputies who deserve to be treated as the law enforcement professionals they are.

Sheriff’s deputies face possible assault and altercations every day in the line of duty. With the exception of patrolling streets, our deputies perform the same duties and tasks as any other deputy throughout the state. Since the department is not currently certified, an

n Every single sheriff and sheriff’s office in Missouri is required to meet Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification except St. Louis city.

assault on a city sheriff’s deputy is not considered assault on a law enforcement official. If anyone assaulted any other deputy in Missouri, performing the exact same tasks, it would be treated as assault on a law enforcement official. This is not fair to my deputies and must be rectified.

Operating a department that does not meet this training standard creates a tremendous liability for the city. Without proper certification, any incident where a deputy or other person is injured could result in much higher legal liabilities and ramifications for the city and ultimately the taxpayers. The group Better Together found: “Accreditation is not cost-prohibitive and, in fact, carries financial benefits to certified departments.” As soon as this department is certified, I can apply for federal and state grants to help offset operations, equipment, and additional training costs. Our city is facing a possible $10 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, and I want to do my part to help close that gap by seeking other sources of funding.

The new police chief recently stated that one of his biggest challenges is recruiting an additional 150 officers. I have 150 men and women who are ready to take on more responsibility. The sheriff’s office could perform more auxiliary functions and duties to free up more police officers to be out on the streets. I want to address fears aired by some about “two police departments.” We are not changing the section of state law that designates the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as the agency that is responsible for enforcing the criminal code. I am not attempting to – nor do I have the power, funding, vehicles and equipment to – order my deputies to patrol the streets answering emergency calls. But, amidst the record level violence haunting our city, having more highly trained law enforcement officials in St. Louis can’t hurt.

Coffee Wright is founder of the St. Louis Inner City Cultural Center Enterprise (SLICCCE) and creator of the official Juneteenth National Anthem. The Missouri History Museum and SLICCCE will cohost a Juneteenth celebration 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 15 on the museum’s north lawn.

Guest Columnist Sheriff Vernon Betts

Getting the runaround on minority inclusion on Ballpark Village Phase 2

Construction is underway on the $220-million second phase of Ballpark Village – which will include a 29-story luxury high-rise apartment tower, a hotel, an office building and retail space. It’s expected to be completed next summer.

The project is receiving $56 million in public subsidy from the city with a total of $65 million after adding in state subsidies. Because the project is receiving public funds, the developers must abide by the city’s policy on employing minority businesses and workers on the project’s construction.

A St. Louis American reporter met with Vladimir Monroe, director of minority business and compliance for the St. Louis Development Corporation. He is in charge of monitoring how much of the project’s contract dollars are awarded to minority businesses. The project is following the mayor’s executive order on inclusion, which states that 25 percent of the project’s contract dollars must go to Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and 5 percent to Women Business Enterprises (WBE).

During the first phase in 2014, The American uncovered hidden legal definitions in the Ballpark Village’s development agreement with St. Louis city that allowed developers Cordish Company and the St. Louis Cardinals to leave undisclosed millions in construction costs unmonitored when it comes to hiring minorities and women.

Developers contracted PARIC to complete the $21.65 million “outer shell” and exterior infrastructure on the $100 million first phase of the retail and entertainment complex. But, that was the only contract the city monitored for minority participation.

Other general contractors were hired to complete the 25,000-square-foot two-story Budweiser Brew House, the St. Louis Live entertainment plaza and other interior projects –and none of these contractors were monitored by the city for inclusion. Despite The American’s repeated requests to the Cardinals and Cordish, the developers never disclosed information on how many minority businesses or workers they hired on the rest of the project.

Monroe said that Cordish and the Cardinals have agreed that the city will monitor every aspect of the project this time.

“They know what this means and are looking at ways to maximize participation,” he said.

Monroe, who wasn’t at SLDC for phase one, said that the monitoring will be “far more robust” than it was before, and this time they are using a “modern compliance software monitoring system” that’s cloud-based. SLDC brought Monroe in from Chicago, which has “a better system, a better process.”

“When they brought me here, one of the things they encouraged me to do was to bring this system here because we know it works,” Monroe said.

The American then asked what the minority participation looks like currently on the project. Below is the

conversation between this reporter and Monroe about why he didn’t feel comfortable disclosing this information.

The St. Louis American: So where are things now as far as boots on the ground and MBE/ WBE?

Vladimir Monroe: So the challenge is, I can’t tell you or disclose exactly where the numbers are. I can disclose that at the conclusion of the project. Boots on the ground is not something that we monitor in my department. When we submitted the utilization form, we were comfortable with their ability to make the 25 and 5. They showed us the plan on how they were going to make that 25 and 5. We were comfortable with the process that they have in place, the manner in which they are going to get there, and we are working with them to make sure that end result is met.

The American: I don’t think that I’ve ever been told that I couldn’t find out until the end. Monroe: I’m not saying you can’t find out. But I’m not going to disclose that because it’s still a work in progress. In our conversations with PARIC and Cordish, we’ve told them we won’t disclose the information until the end of the project. Because if the end result is you have to be at 25 and 5 and I tell the world that you’re at two and three, then does the world panic right now?

The American: On any construction project in the city that’s using public funds, you have to be able to disclose that on all levels of the project.

Monroe: Correct. And in consultation with our attorney, we’ve discussed that we would consider this to be work in progress.

The American: This is new then because SLDC has never done it like this before.

Monroe: Correct. If PARIC wants to disclose their numbers

The American: Also, there is a larger conversation going on with the Board of Aldermen and with SLDC about transparency. And I thought what you were going to be telling me with this new software was that you’re updating it daily and the public can see. That was the last conversation that I heard about where you guys were going.

Monroe: It’s a payroll-based system. We are able to see where they are tracking, what they’re trending, and whether they are on pace or not. But the challenge that we have is if we disclose something and PARIC, who we have the contract with, is still working on moving the needle, then we’re prematurely telling you that you’re at 2 and 3 today. But tomorrow they may be at 20 and 5, right?

The American: Why not say that?

Monroe: Which is up to PARIC.

The American: It isn’t. It’s up to you. You’re the city. Monroe: Right, correct.

The American: You’re receiving public funds. You work in the public’s interest. PARIC is not running your show.

Monroe: I agree.

The American: So I don’t understand why you’re working in PARIC’s interest and not the public’s.

Monroe: And I don’t think we’re working in PARIC’s interest. I think we’re working in partnership with PARIC. And in the conversation that

We’ve all understood, okay this time they are doing cement, so they are probably going to have more minority participation on that then other aspects. I think people understand that. I think you’re taking it for granted that the public is not smart or doesn’t understand.

Monroe: I don’t think I can say the public is not smart.

The American: I think you’re going to have to have a stronger clarification than, “My attorney told me so.”

Monroe: That’s the best explanation I can provide based upon what our attorneys have told us.

The American: And where did this decision come from? Did it come from the mayor?

Monroe: No, no. We have an attorney here who is from the city attorney’s office.

The American: So the city attorney appointed by the mayor.

we’ve had with our attorney, we’ve had this conversation on more than one occasion and their interpretation has been: We’re looking at this as sort of an attorney’s work product. We have no problem disclosing this information on the project, but because it’s still fluid, once we tell you that we’re at whatever number we’re at, we’ve become locked into ‘this is their number.’ They’re below 25 and 5, when the ultimate goal at the end of the project is to be in excess of 25 and 5. We do understand it’s a process to get there.

The American: I don’t understand why you’re working backwards from what you’ve always done. You’ve always tried to have more transparency, and now you’re going backwards. Why would you do that? You’re just going to get so much more flak from the public. I don’t see the benefit. We’ve always seen the numbers throughout the time.

Monroe: For SLDC. (Side note: Whose director is also appointed by the mayor.)

The American: Who works in the city counselor’s office. Who is the attorney?

Monroe: Leslye MitchellYancey.

The American: So Leslye all of the sudden has more power than the whole Board of Aldermen, than all the people who have elected our elected officials. You’re really going to have to sell this a lot better than you’re selling it right now

Monroe: The good news is I’m not a salesman. Or maybe the bad news is I’m not salesman.

The American: Because the explanation that you’re provided so far is that we are protecting the developer.

Monroe: No, it’s actually we are only protecting ourselves. In the conversation that we had as far as disclosing this, I asked: Would this be

considered work product and would we have to disclose that?

And she informed me that we would not have to disclose that. So I said I’m comfortable with that. And we’d rather disclose this information at the end of the project.

The American: Are you comfortable disclosing information on any other projects that you’re working on?

Monroe: That are active or closed?

The American: Active.

Monroe: I am not, no.

The American: So on no project that’s receiving public funds …

Monroe: If you’re asking me, I am not comfortable. However, if I consult with attorneys and they say, “Yes, you can disclose that,” then I have no problem disclosing that. But the last directive I received – I’m a military guy, so you always go by the last directive – the last directive was until you hear otherwise, just hold on to that information. We can always disclose it later. So I’m comfortable with that.

The American: This is public information. There are laws about that. Sunshine laws.

Monroe: Yes, there are.

The American: You are comfortable going against state law that says the public has a right to know this information.

Monroe: Going against state law would be you submit a Sunshine request and I purposely didn’t respond to that request in a timely fashion, right? So that would be a violation of a FOIA request.

The American: Well, you are going to have to have a really good explanation for why you are not able to give me this public record because it’s public information. So, what is that? I can go through that process, or you can just give it

to me.

Monroe: So you’ve asked me the same question three times, I believe I’ve answered it.

The American: That’s fine. I’ll get in touch with Leslye. But, you’re the head of this department (of compliance). You’re leading, and you’re saying you’re going to do things differently. And that’s not different in a positive way –minimizing your transparency to the public. I don’t think anyone is going to appreciate that.

Monroe: And I’m fine with that. If I have to defer to legal counsel, then I’m comfortable deferring to legal counsel, which is what I was told to do.

The American: And what she said was, “We don’t have to.”

Monroe: And until she says, “Yes disclose that,” I’m going to lean with legal counsel.

Upon leaving this meeting, The American called the mayor’s office for an explanation. Monroe sent this information in an email shortly after:

“The Ballpark Village project has three components to it, with a total contract value that we are currently monitoring of $35,010,283; of that, $135,286 has gone to MBEs at this point. The WBEs have not worked on this project.

“This is still early, only less than 0.0 percent completion on this project. I apologize for not providing this information to you earlier; I wanted to make sure that I was in compliance by releasing this data.”

So with the city’s mandated goals being 25 MBE and 5 WBE participation, Ballpark Village Phase 2 currently is at 3.9 percent MBE and 0 WBE participation.

Vladimir Monroe, director of minority business and compliance for the St. Louis Development Corporation.

The group We Run the Lou participated in the Ferguson Twilight Fun Run on May 19. Core members started running together in 2016 as way to support and maintain fitness. Since then, the group has participated in a number of community runs, in addition to regular group treks in Forest Park, downtown and in St. Louis neighborhoods.

Running the Lou

Going the distance – as a group –to build cardio and a culture of fitness

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

That is how We Run the Lou began in 2016.

Stevens said each person had their own reason for choosing this path for health and

wellness. Some are survivors of serious illness, some are running to increase their cardiac health and avoid risk of illness, while others are distance runners. For Stevens, he was a sprinter in high school and running naturally carried through to his adult years. More importantly, he simply wants to maintain his personal fitness.

“In that work-life balance, I am working a lot and I needed to make sure I didn’t neglect my physical body and neglect myself,”

Stevens said, “so I started to get out and start running.”

We Run the Lou members meet most Saturday mornings and run together at their own pace and ability, either in Forest Park or downtown on the Gateway Arch grounds or at Kiener Plaza. “We also run the Lou in neighborhoods,” Stevens said, “from North City to South City, just to show a presence of

Step Up for Down Syndrome on June 3 in Forest Park

The Down Syndrome Association

n There are more than 1,800 children and adults with Down syndrome in Greater St. Louis.

The Gillespie family, from back left clockwise: James, Shay, Grant, and Dylan, or “Diggie.” Shay serves on the Board of Directors of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis.

Black babies’ lives matter

By Rebeccah Bennett For The St. Louis American

In St. Louis, black babies are dying at three times the rate of white babies. The promise of a future for so many families in our region disappears with each death.

Yet, this gap has only widened – yes, widened – over the past 50 years. With some of the best health care in the country within our city’s blocks and hardworking, dedicated citizens collaborating to end infant mortality in general, why are black babies dying at a rate worse than decades ago? The root causes of this infant mortality crisis are imbedded in the history of our city and the policies and systems that govern our region. Many policies on education, transportation, housing, and healthcare disproportionately advantage white families and disproportionately disadvantage black families. Data show that a consequence of these systemic biases is that many black mothers, no matter their economic status or background, have negative birth and pregnancy outcomes.

Historically, plans and programs to address infant mortality have focused solely on the fact that babies of all races are dying in St. Louis. While this universal approach has seen a decline in infant mortality overall, it does not address the causes of why black babies die more often than white babies. We can no longer use a one-size-fits-all approach. Focused and race-specific approaches are needed for our community.

Systems and markets must work equally well and behave in ways that support all families in order to assure that infant mortality rates will no longer be predicted by race. We need to better understand and address the ways that our institutions, policies, and systems create, contribute to, and perpetuate this current inequity.

While our nonprofit Generate Health STL has worked to decrease infant mortality for

n The root causes of this infant mortality crisis are imbedded in the history of our city and the policies and systems that govern our region. See BABIES, A11

Rebeccah Bennett

Photo by Wiley Price

RUNNING

Continued from A10

our organization. We run as a group, but everyone’s level is different, so some people can run 20 miles, other people may run two miles, but the point is to encourage one another.”

Although he was a runner, being part of the group has brought him new experiences.

“Before the running group, I had never ran a half-marathon – never had a desire,” Stevens said. “Since then, I’ve ran three half-marathons, a ton of 5Ks, several 10Ks. It has helped me just to run longer and to do things that I’ve never done before.”

Running is good for the heart, joints, legs, core and muscles. It burns calories, increases energy and relieves stress. Plus, it is inexpensive and quite effective for overall conditioning. A study reported in 2014 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology concluded there were consistent longevity benefits by running for leisure, and even running five to 10 minutes a day lengthened one’s life.

n “In that worklife balance, I am working a lot and I needed to make sure I didn’t neglect my physical body and neglect myself.”

Before beginning a new fitness program, however, you should always check with your doctor. When starting a running or jogging program, experts advise investing in a good pair of supportive running shoes; a high-impact sports bra for women; dressing weatherappropriate; be well-hydrated with non-alcohol fluid intake (six to eight glasses of water daily); and to eat a snack 30 minutes before you run. Just as you would if you were using a treadmill after a major hiatus, start off by taking it slow – walking, then running a few seconds of each minute in intervals, gradually increasing your total running time. Wearing yourself out by trying to make up for lost time of inactivity only increases the risk of injury.

“So if you’re just out for your first run and you just want to run two miles, that’s fine,” Steven said.

– André Stevens

“We kind of bring that run-cardio to the table to say, ‘you can do this, and it can be fun and you can be with people and possibly socialize after,’” Steven said. “We make it an event.” He said connecting with people from different walks of life through the running group builds camaraderie and helps people become engaged and motivated.

BABIES

Continued from A10

almost 20 years, the gap has widened on our watch. This is unacceptable. It is time to gather the community under one common agenda: that black babies and their mothers will not continue to die in our region because of the racial inequity in our systems and institutions. Our efforts are now refocused around a new vision – one where there are zero racial disparities in infant mortality and maternal health. If we accomplish this vision, 81 more black babies each year will live past their first birthday.

Generate Health wants to see how wonderful the promise of the future is with this new generation thriving and strengthening our community.

Rebeccah Bennett is chair of the Board of Directors of Generate Health STL.

STEP UP

Continued from A10

inclusive employment initiative. The community is welcome to take part in this very special event which includes activities for all ages and a one-mile awareness walk. There are more than 1,800 children and adults with Down syndrome in Greater St. Louis. The event opens and festivities begin at 9 a.m., the One-Mile Walk Begins at 10 a.m. and the event closes at 1 p.m. There will be food, games, and fun, including a rock wall, a petting zoo, bounce castles, crafts, and carnival games. The public is invited. For more information, call 314-833-7554, email erin@dsagsl.org or visit http://support.dsagsl.org/ stepup2018

“We will have somebody that will probably run that two miles with you, whereas other people who have been running for years, they may run five or six miles. We just encourage people to get out and run and just kind of have that unity. I don’t have to do this alone –it’s with a team of people.” Stevens said you too can “run the Lou,” as the group is accepting additional members. It does not cost anything to join, although you do have to sign a waiver, which is posted on the group’s website, https:// www.werunthelou.com. On June 9, the group will run in the 2018 annual Komen Greater St. Louis Race for the Cure (https://bit.ly/2KPcaYi).

a team of people.”

Area hospitals earn prime designated level for heart attack care

‘Time Critical Diagnosis’ program sets standards for trauma, stroke, heart attack care

By Sandra Jordan Of The

St. Louis American Several area hospitals are among 55 in the state that earned designation as Missouri Level I Time Critical Diagnosis (TCD) STEMI Centers for heart attack care by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. By law, patients with a trauma, stroke or STEMI, a potentially fatal form of heart attack, are transported to a STEMI center for emergency medical care. Missouri was the first state in the nation to enact such legislation. BJC’s Christian Hospital,

SSM Health’s SSM Health’s DePaul Hospital, Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Clare Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles and St. Mary’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital St. Louis and St. Anthony’s Hospital are among those designated Level 1 STEMI centers.

Hospitals needed to meet designation criteria such as the availability of advanced medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week; a doorto-balloon time under 90 minutes 75 percent of the time; and the availability of onsite services such as CT surgery, cardiopulmonary rehab and a cardiac cath lab. Hospital

Gospel for stroke awareness June 1

The annual Most Powerful Voices gospel concert returns to St. Louis at Greater Grace Church ( 3690 Pershall Road, Ferguson, Missouri, 63135) at 7 p.m. Friday, June 1. VaShawn Mitchell headlines the concert with local and regional artists. The free concert is sponsored by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and raises awareness about stroke prevention and education among African Americans. Mary Tillman will emcee.

Prior to the concert from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a free health and wellness expo will feature vendors offering health screenings, F.A.S.T. stroke awareness, smoke-free education and much more.

“Our hope is that we can save lives through our programs and initiatives,” said DeVita Stallings, Ph.D, RN, American Heart Association Multicultural Committee chair. Visit www.heart.org/empoweringstl for free tickets and to learn more about concert and health fair.

n “Our hope is that we can save lives through our programs and initiatives.”

– DeVita Stallings, Ph.D, RN, American Heart Association Multicultural Committee chair

n “Minutes matter during an emergency.”

– Dr. Randall Williams

teams work closely with EMS agencies across the region and have a pre-activation processes in place so the hospital can be notified of an incoming heart attack patient before ever leaving their house. With the designated STEMI Centers in place, individuals suffering a STEMI will receive quicker response times and improved survival and recovery rates.

“Minutes matter during

an emergency,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Having this coordinated approach through the STEMI Centers will help a greater number of people survive and recover from trauma, stroke and heart attack.”

The TCD System is a statewide system that brings together the 911 response system, ambulance services and hospitals in a coordinated way.

“The primary goal of the TCD System is to provide the right care at the right place at the right time for trauma, stroke and heart attack patients,” said Alexander Garza, MD, SSM Health chief quality officer. “Too many people attempt to drive themselves to the hospital rather than calling 911, and Missouri’s TCD System will help save those lives.” The Christian Hospital HeartWatch program team, led by Usman Qayyum, MD, STEMI medical director, coordinates closely with Christian Hospital Emergency Medical Services, in collaboration with other area first responders and clinicians, to mobilize the catheterization lab, interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and specialty teams.

Military personnel at greater risk for skin cancer

According to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, U.S. military personnel are more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population. A review of nine published studies indicates that both active duty service members and veterans have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

According to the authors, military personnel are often exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, which can increase one’s risk for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.

“From the Pacific Theater in World War II to more recent campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. military members have been deployed to areas where they face prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays,” says board-certified dermatologist Jennifer G. Powers, MD, FAAD, one of the authors of the report. “This exposure is even more intense for those serving in desert environments because the sun’s rays reflect off of sand.”

The authors report that risk of skin

cancer among military personnel is further compounded because sun protection is not a priority among active duty service members. And for many soldiers, skin cancer prevention strategies – like wearing protective clothing that is not part of their uniform, or carrying and applying sunscreen – are simply not feasible during deployment.

“U.S. military personnel face a unique set of skin cancer risk factors,” says Oliver J. Wisco, DO, FAAD, one of the authors of the commentary. “While they may not be able to take steps to reduce their risk during their deployment, they can take steps to detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable.”

The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to perform regular selfexams to check themselves for signs of skin cancer, asking a partner to help them examine hard-to-see areas like their back.

For more information on skin cancer detection and prevention, visit SpotSkinCancer. org

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

André Stevens of the group We Run the Lou said, “We just encourage people to get out and run and just kind of have that unity. I don’t have to do this alone – it’s with

Photo by Wiley Price

‘You feel secure with the union’

SEIU wins victory for janitorial workers at Express Scripts

Carey Davis will assume the role of football coach of Hazelwood Central High School football team. He currently serves as a sports analyst on ESPN 101 FM in St. Louis and a sideline reporter for Learfield sports. He attended Hazelwood Central High School and participated in winning a state championship in 1996. He went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and won a Super Bowl in 2009.

Consuelo Wilkins MD, MSCI, played a major role in the development of the national All of Us Research Program, an ambitious effort led by the National Institutes of Health to accelerate the prevention and treatment of illness through precision medicine. She has been appointed director of a new Engagement Core to support the program’s design, implementation and governance.

Delton Utsey received the 2018 Dave Goldberg Scholarship from the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation. He is among 30 students selected from nearly 350 applicants nationwide. The scholarship includes financial support totaling approximately $15,000 a year that can be used for non-tuition needs not traditionally covered by collegebased financial aid, as well as other supports.

Nick Desideri, a communications specialist at SEIU Local 1, said Centaur’s janitors were offered an insurance plan that required them to pay 63 percent of their healthcare costs, about three times as much as janitors under the SEIU’s contract. “All of this for insurance that does not even

cover all the essential health benefits as defined by the Affordable Care Act,” Desideri said. “The healthcare offered to Local 1 janitors under their contract is far superior and will help janitors at Express Scripts support their families.” Desideri worked with union organizers at Express Scripts for several years before they scored any major victories. On February 28, Centaur settled a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, agreeing to pay $7,000 to a former janitor who said he had been

See SEIU, B2 the janitors for offering low wages and overly expensive health insurance. A demonstration outside the company’s headquarters on December 18 helped win them a new contract that will include a better deal on healthcare.

CVS Health and Jennings Schools partner in mock pharmacy

Special School District students also eligible to participate

By Niara Savage For The St. Louis American

Danielle Durham was promoted to sergeant in the St. Louis County Police Department. She joined the department in 2005 and is currently assigned to the City of Jennings Precinct. She has also served in the North County Precinct. She earned her master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Lindenwood University and her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Lincoln University.

Kalon Crump of Kirkwood High School participated in a rite of passage at the St. Louis Kappa League (KL) Beautillion and Awards Ceremony. The event was the culmination of his affiliation with the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, St. Louis

Roma Bordewick

Kalon Crump

Consuelo Wilkins

Danielle Durham

Photo courtesy of SEIU

The CVS Health mock pharmacy in the Jennings School District was unveiled to members of the community at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the district’s Gore Community Center. Jennings staff and students, left to right: Superintendent Art McCoy, Zion Smith, Devon Townsend, Theresa Badgett, Rhoda Key, and Herman Harris (JETS Principal/Alt. School)

continued from page B1 dismissed for union organizing.

However, the janitors’ decision to unionize provoked a response from Express Scripts, who Desideri said have “decided to drop Centaur and go with a responsible contractor.”

Dominique Curry, who has worked as a janitor at Express Scripts for about a year, said he thought the pay was lower than it should be. Still, he was not particularly interested in unionizing until he met an organizer who explained what it would change about his workplace.

“You feel secure with the union,” Curry said. Curry said he appreciates the knowledge that he and his coworkers will now have a voice in their workplace.

“The union has made everything better,” Curry said.

The conflict over Express

Scripts is not the first time Centaur Building Services has found itself under an unflattering spotlight. In 2015, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found probable cause to believe the company had fired an AfricanAmerican janitor due to her race. Centaur, which was recently acquired by the French company Atalian Global Services, is also poised to acquire a $13.5 million janitorial contract at St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport. SEIU Local 1 is fighting against the deal, saying a company with Centaur’s record should not be rewarded for bad behavior.

n “The healthcare offered to Local 1 janitors under their contract is far superior and will help janitors at Express Scripts support their families.”

– Nick Desideri, SEIU Local

Desideri said. In the complaint of discrimination, an AfricanAmerican woman who worked as a janitorial supervisor for Centaur claimed that in 2012 some of her subordinates were “upset about Obama being reelected and spoke about their guns in a threatening manner,” including calling her racial slurs. When the plaintiff told her supervisors, she claimed, they did nothing.

1

“A company like that does not belong at our airport,”

Shortly after that, she claimed, her supervisors began asking her to sign a contract demoting her from supervisor to general cleaner and to work longer hours. A week later, she was terminated. The EEOC found that there was grounds for the plaintiff to proceed with a

TIF public hearing

By J. Ryne Danielson

University City held a long, hot, occasionally raucous public hearing on the proposed development at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170 on Wednesday, May 23. It began with standing room only — more than 700 people crowded into the Mandarin House, with at least a hundred being turned away at the door by the fire marshal — and ended four hours later with only a few dozen stalwarts holding out until the end.

Occasional cries to turn up the volume interrupted the city’s presentation on tax increment financing (TIF), which went on for almost an

lawsuit, which was filed in federal court.

The St. Louis Lambert Airport Commission has already voted to approve Centaur’s contract bid, but it will also have to go through the Board of Estimate & Apportionment (E&A), which consists of Mayor Lyda Krewson, Comptroller Darlene Green and Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed.

On May 16, the Board of E & A decided to postpone the vote on this contract until their next meeting on Wednesday, June 20.

“St. Louis Lambert janitors showed up to today’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment meeting,” Local 1 St. Louis Lambert Janitor Lasean Smith said on May 16, “and we will continue to show up until the board makes the right decision for working families: rejecting this contract.”

gets heated in University City

Resident: ‘I’m for the right project in U City and nothing less’

hour and a half before any citizens were able to add their voices to the discussion. The air-conditioning drowned out the PA system for many jammed into the back of the room, while those in the front sweltered. Others yelled questions and jeers, arguing that they couldn’t understand the numbers being thrown at them by the city’s hired consultants and the developer himself.

“Listen to me, this is good for you,” said Novus President Jonathan Browne, as citizens yelled from the audience. “Listen. Tell you what, let me present the information, and then you decide whether it’s good for you.”

That’s part of the problem,

many residents said — that they weren’t included in the process from the beginning and are only now being presented a plan seemingly out of whole cloth.

“Do you want me to walk away?” Browne continued. Several residents shouted yes. “Do you really? I heard at least one no, that’s all I need. I’m moving on. I’m not alone here.”

is still not allowed to reveal the secret commercial retail tenant that will anchor the new development, he all but admitted that it is a Costco.

n Everyone seemed to agree on at least one thing: The third ward has been neglected for too long.

He’s right about that. The city, including the city manager and perhaps the entire City Council, is firmly behind him in support of the project.

Though Browne said he

“Here’s what I can tell you,” he said. “You do a little math here. Let’s see how smart you are. There’s three wholesale clubs. It’s a wholesale club. It’s not BJ’s. It’s not Walmart [Sam’s].”

Though the development will displace 67 homes, 58 apartments, 7 property owners who rent to dozens of businesses, two churches and a school, the retail anchor will bring more than $100 million of taxable sales to the area, Browne said. Currently, the site does about $6 million worth of taxable sales annually, according to the developer, though some residents challenged that number.

More than 50 speakers lined up to express criticisms of or support for the project. Everyone seemed to agree on at least one thing: The third ward has been neglected for too long. Some said they hope this development can change that, while a great many expressed skepticism and mistrust of the city and the developer.

“I’m very optimistic about this plan,” said Cheryl Mursaddiq. “But after listening to some of my neighbors, the fact that there was such a lack of transparency definitely concerns me. I really don’t feel a decision can be made on half information.”

Mursaddiq said she was also challenged by a neighbor who is waiting to see whether the development will go forward before deciding to fix her roof or sell her house. “You can get the support for this,” she said. “It sounds like a great plan, but lack of transparency breeds mistrust, and I think that’s what

PHARMACY

continued from page B1

their training.

Students who complete the program will have the opportunity to gain internship experience at a CVS location nearby. Interns who excel during their in-store experience may be offered employment at the CVS location and be paid $11 an hour. In fact, one student has already been offered a position at a local CVS location.

Jennings Superintendent Art McCoy emphasized that the new workforce development was a collaborative effort between representatives of CVS Health, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Jennings High School students Devon Towsend and Zion Smith, who helped to install the mock pharmacy. According to McCoy, conversations regarding the opening of the

we’ve seen here tonight. If you have trust, then you’ll have support.”

That lack of transparency was readily apparent to one Asian business owner, who said she only found out about the proposed development a few hours before the public hearing, and that neither the city nor the developer had made information available in her language.

Caroline Fan, director of Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, spoke for about 40 Asian and Latino residents and business owners, including Li Ming, the owner of Lulu’s Seafood and Dim Sum, and Nobu Kidera, who owns the last JapaneseAmerican owned sushi restaurant in St. Louis.

“Currently, the top two tax generators for University City are Olive Supermarket, which is Chinese-owned, and Seafood City Supermarket, which is Vietnamese-American-owned,”

Fan said, speaking for Li. “So, what do you think is going happen if you bring in a big box?”

The businesses would go under, someone in the audience shouted.

Fan said she personally translated the city’s information for many of the residents she spoke for, all with no help from the city. “TIF is very hard to explain in English,” she said. “Try explaining it in Chinese or Spanish.”

Fan said her group previously awarded University City a “champion of diversity” award, a fact she is now ashamed of.

Many business owners said they would be unable to afford to relocate in University City, with one calling the relocation plan presented by acting community development director Rosalind Williams a joke. Kidera, speaking through Fan, said he had recently installed a new $20,000 airconditioning system in his

facility began in April of last year.

McCoy also mentioned that the mock store is the first of its kind “in the entire state of Missouri.”

sushi restaurant, and that he and his wife work five days a week with no retirement savings.

According to the relocation plan presented by the city, business owners who own their property would receive $1,000 toward their moving costs, with some “desirable” businesses receiving more on a case-bycase basis. Businesses that lease their space would receive $3,000 to cover relocation.

Homeowners would receive $10,000 toward buying a new house in the third ward, or $1,000 for relocating elsewhere within University City. That money could be used for down payments, closing costs, renovations or temporary rentals.

“$10,000 hardly pays to relocate our bathroom. The money that goes into building a restaurant is significantly more,” said the owners of Pho Long restaurant currently located in Jefferey Plaza, adding that the proposed rent to relocate in Novus’ new development is about three times what they are paying now. They said that’s unaffordable and would effectively put them out of business.

Others raised concerns about gentrification pricing current residents out of their communities. One of those people was state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a University City resident. “I am concerned because I’m looking at history,” she said. “In the district that I currently represent, there are a lot of previously historical AfricanAmerican communities where there was blighting done and they wanted to do development, and now those communities don’t exist anymore.”

“How much will property taxes go up?” another resident asked, adding that many residents in the third ward live

site with increased comfort and adaptability within a retail environment.

Leslie Reis, senior manager of CVS Workforce Initiatives and Development Programs, stated that factors such as accountability and collaboration are core values of the company, adding that ensuring that the diversity of in-store talent reflects that of the community it serves is of utmost importance.

n In order to be a part of the program, a student must simply have the desire to “work and learn.”

Rhonda Key, the district director of Secondary Education Partnerships and principal at Jennings High School, called the program’s ability to target special needs students “a blessing,” emphasizing that that the partnership also provides a “hands-on” experience. According to Key, some of the goals of the program include helping special needs students get hired, earn a living, and become independent.

Reis said she is hopeful that students will walk away from the mock pharmacy training

Representatives of both CVS Health, and Jennings School District shared similar visions for the partnership and expressed optimism that the program will continue to expand and positively impact members of the community. In order to be a part of the program, they agreed, a student must simply have the desire to “work and learn.”

“You feel secure with the union,” said Dominique Curry, who worked as a janitor at Express Scripts before the Service Employees International Union organized their shop and spurred the company to contract with a janitorial service provider that offers better benefits.

Photo courtesy of SEIU

Of Patch

n “I don’t really wanna be interviewed right now. I wanna go turn up.”

– Golden State Warriors’ Nick Young, a.k.a. “Swaggy P, after making it to the NBA Finals for the first time

Sports

traCk & FIeld notebook

Jayson Tatum almost took Celtics to NBA Finals, won praise of James

~ See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Local runners burn up track

Brandon Miller of Burroughs breaks 31-year state record

The individual star power of St. Louis boys at last weekend’s Missouri State Track and Field Championships was in full effect in Jefferson City. There is some tremendous young talent on the boys’ side in St. Louis with the likes of sophomore Brandon Miller of John Burroughs, junior Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West, junior Joshua Sutton of MICDS, junior Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter and junior Kemeric Winston of Trinity. These youngsters put on a show for the track and field fans at Jefferson City last Saturday as they burned up the track.

Miller, the national middle distance prodigy, won the Class 3 800-meter run in a blazing time of 1 minute 49.55 seconds, breaking a 31-year state record in the process. The first state meet I covered was in 1987 when Springfield Parkview’s Billy Rainey set the record with a 1:49.98. Rainey was on hand to watch Williams set the new record in spectacular fashion. Miller has been a superstar performer on the summer track circuit for years, and that success has continued at the high school level. He also won the state title in the 1,600-meter run and turned in a sizzling 46.9 anchor leg to bring the Bombers to a second-place finish in the 4x400meter relay.

Robinson took home state championships in the Class 5 200- and 400-meter dashes while finishing third in the 100. He set the stadium ablaze in the 400

Six minutes of glory

Antwan Kilbert and Jimmy Smith landed at the Lift For Life Gym for very different reasons. Kilbert, 16, found his way to the gym as a chubby 11-year-old. Despite his great affinity for honey buns, Kilbert couldn’t wait to join Lift For Life and follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Anthony. The younger sibling was mesmerized by the raucous crowds that cheered on the competitors during his brother’s weightlifting events.

watching him run around like a wild child. That woman was Linda Mosby, the former program director of the Lift For Life Gym.

“I saw him going out of town, lifting big weights in front of big crowds of people and I knew I wanted to do that too,” Kilbert said. Smith’s introduction to weightlifting was a bit less voluntary. As a kid, Smith had a penchant for finding his way into trouble. He had a strong appetite for fighting. His path towards destruction took a U-turn when Smith encountered a woman who was fed up

“One day, Miss Linda was telling me, if you want to go play, go sign the board,” Smith said. On the bulletin board was a sign-up sheet for Lift For Life’s weightlifting program. Mosby saw it as a way for Smith to channel his energy into something positive and help him stay out of trouble. That is precisely the reason the gym was started back in 1988.

The first activity at the gym was Olympic-style weightlifting. Competitions consist of two events: Snatch and Clean & Jerk. The competitors have three lifts in each event and 60 seconds to complete each lift. That means the grueling training, the restrictive diets and the sweat equity that goes into training for the competitions all boil down to less than six min-

utes of competition.

Ying and Yang

Since joining the gym, Kilbert and Smith have become virtually inseparable. They are best friends and training partners – brothers from another mother. Despite their close

bond, Kilbert’s and Smith’s personalities are as different as the reasons they joined the gym. Antwan is pretty passionate and Jerome is pretty mellow,” said Jimmy Duke, head weightlifting coach at Lift For Life. “I liken them to the Yin and Yang.”

The Wikipedia definition reads, “Ying and yang are complementary forces that interact to form a dynamic system.” It’s a perfect analogy for two young men who are not only achieving great individual success, but also

Earl Austin Jr.

See CLUTCH, B5

See TRACK, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Photo by Wiley Price

At the Missouri High School State Track Championships on Saturday, May 26, MICDS girls won the state championship with the help of Cara Johnson (860) who won the girls 100-meters with a time of 12:06. Zionn Pearson (862), also a senior from MICDS, took second at 12.42 and Webster Groves’ Britney Clark (1063) took fourth at 12.30.

Jerome Smith and Antwan Kilbert are both expected to contend

medals

2018 Pan American Championships. Both train out of the Lift for Life Gym at 1415 Cass Ave.

Photo courtesy of KMOX

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Jayson Tatum almost took Celtics to NBA Finals, won praise of James

A person can make a prediction and, as they wait to see if it is correct, hope it is wrong. Last week, I wrote that Cleveland would prevail in its NBA East Conference Finals series over the scrappy Boston Celtics even if the Cavaliers fell behind 2-0 in games.

The difference in the series was the simple fact that the Cavs had LeBron James and the Celtics did not. James turned in an outstanding performance – far from his best – in an 87-79 Game Seven victory last Sunday in the Boston Garden. He tallied 35 points on 12-of-24 shooting with 15 rebounds and 9 assists.

He’s still the “The King,” but a new prince took the court and has now caught the eye of every NBA fan.

Folks, Jayson Tatum of St. Louis is the real deal. The rookie almost led the depleted Celtics over the Cavs and into the NBA Finals. It will be Cavs v. Golden State Warriors for a fourth consecutive season, but Tatum’s crew gave the Cavaliers all they could handle.

And James knows it.

“I just love everything about the kid, the way he plays the game, his demeanor, where he comes from,” James said of Tatum following Game Seven.

“I just know he’s built for stardom. He’s built for success. And that’s both on and off the floor.” James immediately found a despondent Tatum on the court as the final buzzer sounded. Tatum, a fan of James who reached out to James via Twitter as a boy, appreciated the gesture.

“That was a special moment for me,” Tatum said.

“It’s my first year in the league. I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to compete against a player like him and be a few shots away from beating him and his team to go to a championship is something I will always remember.”

Tatum finished with a team-

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St.

high 24 points, which was 30 percent of the Celtics’ total. He played 42 minutes in the physically grueling contest and added seven rebounds, an assist and a steal.

He averaged 18.5 points over his 19 postseason games, almost five points more than his regular season average. His rookie playoffs campaign put him in the NBA record book just shy of a guy named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Tatum tallied 351 total points in 19 playoff appearances, the second-highest total in league history by one point behind Abdul-Jabbar’s 352 points in 1970. Known as Lew Alcindor his rookie year before changing his name, he accomplished the feat in just 10 games.

Tatum became the first rookie since Abdul-Jabbar to register 10 games of 20-plus

points in a single postseason, and his seven straight 20-point games established a new NBA rookie record.

Tatum is also correct in saying his team came up just a few made shots short of pulling off the upset.

With less than seven minutes left in the game, Tatum didn’t shy away from the defending James and rammed home a dunk over him. The Boston Garden crowd went wild and Tatum gave James a slight bump as he celebrated.

n “I just love everything about the kid, the way he plays the game, his demeanor, where he comes from.”

After a turnover by James, Tatum drilled a three-pointer with just more than six minutes to play and Boston led 72-71. It was the last lead the Celtics would hold as the Cavs rallied for the win.

After the loss, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the best is yet to come for Tatum.

– LeBron James, on Jayson Tatum

“I meant no disrespect by it. Just in the moment, made a play. Just showing emotion,” Tatum said.

“He can get a lot better. That’s the fun part,” Stevens said.

“I think there are so many little things that he’ll continue to improve upon, but he’s not afraid. He’s toughminded and obviously has a special talent for putting the ball in the basket.”

Remember, the Celtics lost superstar forward Gordon

Jayson Tatum averaged 18.5 points over his 19 postseason games, almost five points more than his regular season average. His rookie playoffs campaign put him in the NBA record book just shy of a guy named Kareem AbdulJabbar.

second season as a true NBA star, playing for a team with a legitimate chance to win the NBA title.

Grades of shame

Missouri’s basketball program narrowly missed punitive action from the NCAA because of a poor four-year showing in Academic Progress Rate (APR).

The Tigers tallied a 955 in 2016-17. Alarmingly, this brought the four-year APR to 932 – just two points from the 930 needed to avoid sanctions.

Transfers are the main reason for the low APR, and Mizzou has had a few more since Cuonzo Martin took over the team last year. A low score of 851 in 2013-14 has left the Tigers in peril for three years, but that score will now be part of the four-year cycle. As embarrassing as this could be for Missouri, the state of HBCU basketball is shocking when looking at these same numbers.

Among the Top 20 lowest scores are Alabama A&M: 884; Alcorn State: 895; Morgan State: 907; Grambling State: 912; Prairie View A&M: 930; and North Carolina A&T: 934. Shameful.

Another Missouri school, Southeast Missouri State, clocked in with a 918. The only other Power 5 conference school among the bottom feeders is Ohio State with a 936.

Hayward for the year on the first night of the season. Then All-NBA guard Kyrie Irving went down with a seasonending knee injury at the season’s midway point.

Tatum had to step up in minutes played, scoring and guts.

“Unbelievable,” was how veteran Al Horford described Tatum.

“For somebody to go through this their first time and go through a full NBA season and to be in these pressure situations in the playoffs, his composure, making play after play and really just poised and ready for moments all year – I couldn’t ever imagine him playing at this level and in this magnitude.”

Tatum entered his rookie season as a heralded rookie out of Duke. He’ll enter his

The presidents, athletic directors and basketball coaches of the HBCU schools should all face termination if the horrible academic progress continues. Transfers or not, it’s obvious that there is not enough emphasis placed on academics within their respective basketball programs.

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.

MICDS, Burroughs win girls state track

finished sixth in the 200.

Louis American

The girls of MICDS and John Burroughs brought home championship hardware from last weekend’s Missouri State Track and Field State Championships in Jefferson City.

MICDS powered its way to the Class 4 state championship. The Rams scored 88 points to easily outdistance the rest

of the field. John Burroughs fought off the challenges of fellow St. Louis schools Cardinal Ritter and Trinity to win the Class 3 state championship. The Bombers scored 62 points, followed by Cardinal Ritter with 59 and Trinity with 56.

MICDS dominated in the sprints to take home its second state championship in three years. Junior Jhordin Galmore won the 200- and 400-meter

dashes. Senior Cara Johnson won the 100-meter dash and finished second in the 200 to Galmore. The team of Galmore, Johnson, Krysten Holmes and Zuri Thomas won the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 41.88 seconds. The 4x100 crew of Galmore, Johnson, Holmes and Zionn Pearson won the 4x100 in 47.22 seconds. Pearson, who is headed to Nebraska, concluded her stellar

career by winning the long jump, finishing fifth in the 100 and fourth in the triple jump. The Rams also finished third in the 4x400 and seventh in the 4x800. Palmer Mihalevich was sixth in the 800.

John Burroughs was led by its standout duo of senior Bria Ward and freshman Kylie Goldfarb. Ward won state titles in the long jump and triple jump. Goldfarb won the 800meter run, finished second in

The sophomore sensation broke one of the state’s longstanding records at last weekend’s Missouri State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City. Miller won the Class 3 800-meter run in a time of 1 minute 49.55 seconds, breaking a 31-year old state record held by Billy Rainey of Springfield Parkview. He was also the prEp AthlEtE of thE WEEk

the 1,600 and anchored the 4x800-meter relay to a state championship. She was joined on the relay by Grace Gore, Arianna Latuda and Kristen Mason. Gore also finished fifth in the 3,200-meter run and the Bombers also finished second in the 4x400. Cardinal Ritter won four events en route to its runner-up finish in the team standings. Valarie Whitted won the 100meter high hurdles in 14.87 seconds. Shayla Davis was second in the 100-meter high hurdles and fourth in the 300meter intermediate hurdles while Sydney Mitchell was second in the long jump.

Brandon Miller

John Burroughs – Boys Track & Field

in age-group competition for many years. He was also the 800-meter state champion in his first state meet last season.

The Lions also swept all three of the sprint relays. The 4x100 consisted for Mecca Hamm-Bey, Teriona Gurily, Breonna Gregory and Shayla Davis. Hamm-Bey, Gurily, Gregory and Sydney Mitchell made up the 4x200 team while Mitchell, Hamm-Bey, Kristin Booker and Andrean Merriweather made up the 4x400 team.

Trinity looked very strong in taking home its third-place team trophy. Freshman Sydney Juszczyk won the state title in the javelin, finished second in the 100-meter high hurdles and sixth in the triple jump. Shaila Jones finished third in the 100meter hurdles, Deayvion Smith won the state championship in the 400-meter dash and

Samantha Sieve was seventh in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and the Titans were second in the 4x200-meter relay.

Several other notable standouts from the state championships include:

• Senior Mikayla Reed of Washington won the Class 4 800-, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs and she also anchored the Bluejays to a state title in the 4x800-meter relay.

• Senior Diamond Riley of Ritenour won the Class 5 state title in the triple jump and finished second in the long jump.

• Sophomore Michelle Owens of McCluer North won the Class 5 100-meter high hurdles and joined Kyra Perry, Lauryn Taylor and Destiny Griffin on the statechampionship 4x100 relay team.

• Jade Moore of Pattonville won the Class 5 state title in the 100-meter dash. She also finished second in the 200.

• Courtney Williams of Nerinx Hall won the Class 5 state title in the 400-meter dash in 55.43 seconds.

• Hazelwood Central’s 4x200-meter relay team of Aisha Southern, Dayna Reid, Danielle Frank and Dakota Randle won the state title in 1:39.80.

Alvin A. Reid

Aijha Blackwell of Whitfield selected to USA Women’s U18 National Team

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St. Louis American Standout girls’ basketball player Aijha Blackwell of Whitfield has been selected to the USA Women’s U18 National Team.

n Blackwell led the Warriors to two consecutive Final Four berths in the Class 3 state tournament, including a thirdplace finish this season.

A 6’0” guard, Blackwell was one of 35 players who participated in the tryouts for three days this week at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. She will compete for the USA Team that will play in the FIBA Americas U18 Championships from August 1-7 at a site to be determined. Blackwell has been one of the top players in the St. Louis area since her freshman year at Whitfield. She led the Warriors to two consecutive Final Four berths in the Class 3 state tournament, including a third-place finish this season. As a junior, Blackwell averaged 24.2 points a game to lead the St. Louis metro area in scoring. She also averaged 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 61 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.

CLUTCH

focuses on his form and sets his mind on attacking the task ahead.

Gym, Smith had never travelled outside the state. Kilbert’s only out-of-town experience was a road trip to Memphis.

top 3,” Kilbert said. “Now that I know how it feels to be up there, I want to be the best.”

Smith’s most-memorable moment came when he got the opportunity to stand atop the podium next to Pyrros Dimas, a three-time Olympic gold medalist who is widely considered one of the greatest weightlifters of all-time. Dimas’ advice to Smith, “Keep your heels down.”

Continued from C5 in, 110 total bases, 26 walks and a .700 slugging percentage. Wise was also named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week four times during the season. She was also named to the Mid-Atlantic All Regional Third Team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

“When you’re lifting the weight, they’re hollering like ‘Get up! Get up!’ I love it,” Kilbert said. His most memorable moment came in 2016 when he set the American record in the Snatch (91 kg) in the 14/15 division. Smith is more stoic in his approach. While weightlifting initially served as a distraction from trouble, Smith won’t let anything distract him from the task at hand. He appears slightly uncomfortable speaking to others about his accomplishments. Many of his classmates and teachers at Cleveland NJROTC were unaware of his lifting prowess. He’s wary of coming off arrogant or self-indulged. Smith just wants to lift. His motivation is to stay away from the trouble that led him to Lift for Life in the first place. Instead of feeding off the crowd, he prefers to get into his zone and block it out. He

TRACK

Continued from C5

with a winning time of 46.93 seconds, finishing just off the state record, which is held by former Jefferson City star Domenik Peterson.

Jameson Williams turned in a sparkling performance in four events to lead Cardinal Ritter to the Class 3 team championship. He pulled off the improbable double when he won the 400-meter dash and 300-meter intermediate hurdles. These two grueling events happen to be run back-to-back on the schedule without a lot of recovery time in between, making Williams’ accomplishment that much more incredible. He turned in a winning time of 48.68 in

Duke has been coaching Smith and Kilbert since the beginning. He’s seen the immense growth, both physically and psychologically. Though their personalities are very different, they push each other to the next level. Together, the young men have risen through the ranks of Team USA’s youth weightlifting program. Each has earned numerous medals and accolades, both nationally and internationally.

World travelers

Travel is just one of the perks for the extremely hard-working young men. Before joining Lift for Life

the 400 and 37.47 in the 300meter hurdles. He also finished second in the 100 and 200 to score 36 of his team’s 72 points on the day.

Sutton, a diminutive sprinter, finished off a spectacular season by taking home state championships in the Class 4 100 and 200. He turned in a winning time of 10.62 in the 100, but his time of 21.25 in the 200 is what will have track fans buzzing around the state.

Winston was one of the individual stars of the Class 3 meet as he won four gold medals to pace the Titans to a third-place finish in the team standings. Winston won state titles in the 100 and 200 in two tremendous duels with Cardinal Ritter’s Williams. His winning time in the 200 was a quick 21.4 seconds. He also anchored

On June 3, Smith and Kilbert will begin competition at the 2018 Pan American Championships in Columbia. No, they’re not traveling 100 miles west on I-70 to Columbia, Mo. The dynamic duo will be getting their passports stamped over 2,500 miles away in Palmira, Columbia.

The upcoming trip will mark their second time in the South American nation. They’ve also travelled across the Pacific Ocean to Thailand and across the U.S.

Last year at the Pan Am games, Kilbert placed third in the Snatch. Smith placed second in Snatch, Clean & Jerk and in the overall total. According to Duke, both are considered favorites to medal in all three categories in this year’s competition.

Kilbert and Smith believe that their experience at last year’s Pan Am games helped motivate their drive leading up to this year’s event.

“My goal is to place in the

the Titans to state titles in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays.

A few other top boys performers of note from the state meet include:

• Derrick Boyce of Pattonville who won the Class 5 state title in the javelin.

• Hillsboro’s Isaiah Martin, who won the Class 4 state title in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

• Parkway North’s Jakeel Suber, who won the Class 4 state title in the 110-meter high hurdles.

• Duchesne’s Mitchell Fairless, who won the Class 3 state title in the high jump with a clearance of 6 feet 10 inches.

• Kirkwood’s Martin Strong,

The athletes’ medal aspirations don’t stop in Columbia. Both Kilbert and Smith hope their superb strength will lead them to bigger, better things.

“My dream is to go to college, probably Lindenwood, and to go to the Olympics,” Smith said.

As long as Smith and Kilbert keep working together, setting records and collecting hardware, those opportunities will certainly come.

Until then, expect them to keep grinding away. Both Antwan and Jerome are not only lifting iron. They are also lifting up their communities through their achievements and by mentoring the next generation of youth weight lifters at Lift for Life Gym.

You can help support Antwan, Jerome and the Lift for Life Weightlifting Team by donating to the Lift for Life Gym at www.gofundme.com/ liftforlife. Proceeds help pay for the team’s travel expenses.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

who won the Class 5 state title in the 800-meter run.

• Lafayette’s Nassim Oufatlote, who won the Class 5 state title in the 1,600-meter run.

• Kirkwood’s Christian Baker, who won the Class 5 state title in the 3,200-meter run.

The freshman right fielder from Kirkwood High was selected to the All Atlantic 10 Conference First Team after a tremendous debut collegiate season. Wise led the Billikens in virtually every offensive category this season. She hit a schoolrecord 16 home runs to go along with 47 runs batted

Louis University – Softball year. He finished sixth in the in the 200 at last year’s Outdoor Nationals. McCrary also earned AllMidwest Region honors after a dominant season in which he was the Great Lakes Valley Conference champion in the 100 and 200. The junior sprinter from O’Fallon High earned AllAmerican honors at last weekend’s NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Charlotte, N.C. McCrary finished seventh in the 200-meter dash in 21.08 seconds to become an All-American for the second consecutive

Demontez McCrary

McKendree University – Men’s Track & Field

Whitfield girls basketball standout Aijha Blackwell (middle) was selected to the USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team.

continued from page B1

on a fixed income and might not be able to afford steep tax hikes.

“This is a black and white issue,” said Sandra Whitley.

“And whoever says it isn’t, you’re a damn liar. You’re taking homes where people are raising children, want to pass something down to their children. The old saying was, ‘If you’re white, you’re all right. If you’re black, stay back. If you’re brown, stick around.’ Now, there are brown people around here, and we don’t want this. You’re talking about redevelopment. You’re taking black homes. You’re taking 100 percent black homes; why can’t you have 100 percent black construction workers?”

Earlier in the meeting, the developer said a goal of 39

percent minority participation in the project — which would mirror the demographics of University City — was unattainable, but pledged to do his best. One reason for that is that the city has pledged to use union workers for the development.

“Everyone knows we were kept out of unions,” said resident Bobette Patton, who otherwise supports the project. “Don’t tell me we can’t get that. Make it happen.” Matt Stiffelman, who previously owned Vernon’s BBQ until it closed earlier this year, summed up many of the comments voiced at the public hearing.

“There are good developments, and they win. And there are bad developments, and they screw everything up,” he said. “Everyone who has a complaint, you all need to listen. Because every complaint

is what’s wrong with your plan.”

Stiffelman said the third ward has been neglected for decades and the city needs to re-earn its trust. “We don’t trust the city because the city has left us hanging while we watch the first and second wards get the treatment they deserve. So, I’m glad the money is going to the third ward. We need to make sure everything they say is contractually bound and there’s no way they can get out of it. I’m not for or against this project. I’m for the right project in U City and nothing less.”

Another public hearing is scheduled for June 6 at 7 p.m. It will again be held at the Mandarin House unless a better venue can be found.

Reprinted with permission from Patch; visit https://t. co/8zSgek4sxW.

Financial Focus

By Harsh Patel, AAMS

A map of a controversial proposed development at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170 in University City.

Black politics reimagined

Virvus Jones will sign and discuss his debut novel “Stalking Horse” on Sunday, June 10 at Legacy Books and Café.

Debut Virvus Jones novel ‘Stalking Horse’ asks, ‘What if?’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“What if black people had achieved political power the same way that every other disenfranchised ethnic group had over the course of American politics?”

Virvus Jones found himself pondering the above question repeatedly in his assessment of blacks in politics both as a member of the St. Louis political machine and as a veteran wise counsel for others looking to maneuver through it.

“We were the nice guys,” Jones said. “We said, ‘Well, if we ask these people, if we protest, if we do what no other group has done, then maybe we will have our piece of the pie,’” Jones said. “We tried to ask the people who marginalized us to give us freedom. And these other people – the Jewish, the Irish and the Italians – came in and pulled a Humphrey Bogart. They just took it.”

It’s been 35 years since he was first elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. He would go on to be appointed assessor and then appointed as comptroller (and twice reelected). His reflections on what black political power could have looked like became the premise of his newly released debut selfpublished novel “Stalking Horse.”

n “We tried to ask the people who marginalized us to give us freedom.”

“What I’m trying to say is that the only ones to pursue liberty and freedom based on what the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence say were black people,” Jones said. “Everybody else just took it. When you take it, you can hold onto it – when somebody gives you something, they feel like they can take it back. That’s the premise of the book.” Jones will sign and discuss “Stalking Horse” at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10 at Legacy Books and Café.

“Stalking Horse” is the first of what Jones says will be three novels that explore an imaginary paradigm shift in the black political machine of the fictional Midwestern town of Petersville. Told through the eyes of Billy Strayhorn, the book gives readers an opportunity

See NOVEL, C4

Stokley’s solo chapter

Mint Condition front man coming to Touhill for Father’s Day weekend

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

The band Mint Condition has been on the radar of St. Louis R&B lovers since their debut single “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” became a favorite of the “Quiet Storm” era of the early 1990s. They are known for cranking out beloved slow jams like “What Kind of Man Would I Be,” “You Send Me Swingin’” and “Nothing

Left to Say.” The live experience they present every time they hit the stage has also earned them a hardcore fanbase among concertgoers –and lends to the legend of musicianship in their native Minneapolis, made famous by Prince.

A crew of musical Renaissance men, most play more than one instrument and contribute to the songwriting and production within the group. In concert, they shift from one instrument to the next. Lead singer Stokley Williams showing off on drums usually gets the most reaction.

The singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist is reminiscent of Prince in how he sets the tone for the band’s performances. He typically works up a sweat by hopping on at least three instruments over the course of the show – in between crooning and dancing through their catalogue of hits. The rest of the band rises to meet Williams’ energy.

In two weeks, St. Louis will see Williams going at it as a solo artist for the first time

when his “My Level” tour plays the Touhill on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 17) in a show presented by AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment.

There’s no drama or mess that led to him stepping aside from Mint Condition after 30-plus years. It’s simply Williams’ opportunity to show fans more of who he is as an artist and an individual.

“I am telling my story and my journey –the evolution through music,” Williams told Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE-11 TV. “We are switching through different genres and eras and time in music, my influences and where I sit inside of all of that stuff.”

Williams’ musical journey began as a founding member Mint Condition when he was still in high school. They set themselves apart as a group of teens who played original

Two royal wedding adventures

J’rel London makes second trip to see a prince say ‘I do’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

In 2011, St. Louis-area resident and selfdescribed royalist J’rel London stood outside Buckingham Palace from midnight until 5 p.m. the next day to catch a glimpse of Prince William on the night before he was to wed Kate Middleton. She had never been to London in her life – and had never traveled alone.

“I’ve been following the Royal Family since I was a young girl,” London said.

“When Kate and William announced their engagement in November 2010, I knew I wanted to be there in the atmosphere. I told myself, ‘There was no way that I can just watch this on TV.’” London followed her personal mantra of “live with no ‘what if’ moments” and purchased the ticket. She ran with all of her might to get from one side of the sprawling

See STOKLEY, C4

Virvus Jones

J’rel London, who traveled to Windsor for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle two weeks ago, was interviewed by BBC’s “The One Show” on May 15.

Mint Condition lead singer Stokley Williams will play the Touhill for ha special Father’s Day performance on Sunday, June 17.

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

Tues., June 5, 7 p.m., Old Rock House presents Jussie Smollett. 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.oldrockhouse.com.

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

Fri., June 9, 9 p.m., First Class LLC presents G Herbo: Kickin’ Tour. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., June 10, 6 p.m., PreFather’s Day Concert feat. Bloodstone with Lamont Hadley. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63103. For more information, call (314) 4967751.

Sun., June 10, 7 p.m., Soulful Sunday Father’s Day with Carolyn Mason. National Blues Museum, 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Tues., June 12, 7 p.m., Mike Judy presents Sir the Baptist. Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. oldrockhouse.com.

Fri., June 15, 7 p.m., The Eta Boule Foundation Salute to Fathers & Mentors feat. Norman Brown. With comedian James Stephens lll, Denise Thimes, and Tim Cunningham. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., June 17, 7 p.m., AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment

welcomes The “MY LEVEL”TOUR starring Stokley Williams former lead singer of Mint Condition, Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit https://www.touhill.org/ events/detail/stokleys-mylevel-fathers-day-concert

Sun., June 22, 5:30 p.m., The Ready Room presents Trill Sammy. 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. topeventpromoter.com.

local gigs

Wed., June 6, 7 p.m., Whitaker Music Festival feat. The Lamar Harris Experience. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

June 8 – 9, 8 p.m., 3rd Annual Miles Davis Festival First night features Miles Davis Quintet. Second night features the Miles Davis Sextet and Randy Holmes Sextet. Ozark Theatre, 103 E. Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, call (314) 962-7000.

Sat., June 9, 1 p.m., U City Jazz Festival. Feat. The Fusion Warriors, Mo Egeston All-Stars, Soul Café, and more. Heman Park, 7210 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. ucityjazzfestival.com.

special events

Thur., May 31, 9 a.m., HireLive presents the St. Louis Sales and Management Job Fair. Doubletree Westport Hotel, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.hirelive.com.

Fri., June 1, 6 p.m., Saint

Kenya Vaughn recommends

AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment welcomes Stokley Williams. For more information, see CONCERTS.

Louis Science Center presents First Friday: Jurassic World 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.slsc.org.

Fri., June 1, 6:30 p.m., The Great Gatsby: Great Night, Great Cause. Join us for an evening to benefit the Care to Learn. The Coronado, 3701 S. Lindell Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 2, 8:20 a.m., Urban American Outdoors TV and the City of Ferguson host the 1st Annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby Participants must bring own equipment. Jackson Wabash Memorial Park, 501 N. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. urbankidsfish.com.

Sun., June 3, 2 p.m., City of Music All-Stars Chorus 1st Concert. The students will perform multiple genres of music including classical, spirituals, a cappella and more. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sun., June 3, 3 p.m., University City Chamber of Commerce presents the North & South Block Party. 7701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For

more information, visit www. universitycitychamber.com.

June 4 – Aug. 10, Operation Food Search’s Summer Meals Program. The mobile meal vans will serve 33 locations via three routes. A daily dose of nutrition, along with a variety of games, arts, crafts, and STEM projects. For more information, visit www. operationfoodsearch.org.

Tues., June 5, 8 a.m., KIPP St. Louis Teacher Interview Day. Applicants can apply to bypass our typical application process and be fast-tracked through KIPP St. Louis’ interview process. 1310 Papin St., 63103. For more information or to apply, visit www.kippstl.org/apply.

Thur., June 7, 6 p.m., Christopher Harris Youth Violence Prevention Day March. Compton Hill Reservoir Park, S. Grand Blvd., 63104. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., June 8, 9 a.m., MSD Rate Commission Public Hearing. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, 2350 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

Sat., June 9, 7:30 p.m.,

Afriky Lolo presents Bring on the Beat: Celebrating the Footwork of the Ancestors The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., June 9, 5 p.m., Central West End Cocktail Party. Enjoy live entertainment, a spirited cocktail competition and, more. Euclid Ave Between Maryland and McPherson, 63108. For more information, visit www. cwecocktailparty.com.

Sat., June 9, That Purple Stuff: A Prince Tribute. Performances by Blvck Spvde, The DJ JMO James Biko, and more. 2720 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 9, 7:30 p.m., Afriky Lolo presents Bring on the Beat: Celebrating the Footwork of the Ancestors The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., June 10, 4 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega presents the SophistAKAted Sunday Day Party. Central West End Bed & Breakfast, 4045 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. akagostl.com.

Sun., June 10, 2 p.m., Stan Coleman’s Jams & Preserves. Celebrate the career of musician and educator, Stan Coleman, as he performs with current and former students. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Thur., June 14, 4:30 p.m., Matt Carpenter Baseball ProCamp. Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www.procamps.com/ mattcarpenter.

Thur., June 14, 6:30 p.m., Metropolitan Congregations United presents Jammin’ For Justice 2018. Music by The People’s Key, door prizes, and more. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. mcustlouis.org/events.

Fri., June 15, 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Advisors presents A Zoo Ado. Eat and drink while strolling around the Zoo, rock out at the main stage, and help support our conservation

efforts. 1 Government Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.stlzoo.org.

Sat., June 16, 10 a.m., Emmanuel Temple Church presents a Summertime Bazaar. Join us for food, fellowship, and shopping. 4935 Union Blvd., 63115. For more information, call (314) 5988187.

Sat., June 16, 6 p.m., TLT Productions presents #BlackBoyJoy. Some of STL’s hottest young artists hit the stage to promote men of color in music, entertainment and visionary aspects. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Pop Music Critic Kevin C. Johnson will receive The Vanguard Award.Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., June 23, 11 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Theta Omega Chapter presents Pink Pizzazz Jazz Scholarship Brunch. Renaissance Airport Hotel, 9801 natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. pinkpizzazz.eventbrite.com.

comedy

June 8 – June 10, Helium presents Benji Brown, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information, call (314) 7271260 or visit http://st-louis. heliumcomedy.com

Sun., June 17, 6 p.m., Comedian Willie C presents Laughin’ Wit Yo Daddy. Feat. Charles Spinks, Kym D., Jimell Jones, and more. Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. blueberryhill.com.

June 21- June 24, Helium presents Tony Rock, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information, call (314) 727-1260 or visit http://st-louis.heliumcomedy. com

literary

Thur., May 31, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Allison Coffelt, author of Maps are Lines We Draw: A Road Trip through Haiti. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Mon., June 4, 7 p.m., Left

Bank Books hosts author

Jared Brock, author of The

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

Tues., June 5, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Michael Castro, author of We Need to Talk: Selected and New Poems, 1970 – 2016. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Sun., June 10, 4 p.m., Left

Bank Books hosts author Keith Hernandez, author of I’m Keith Hernandez. The former Cardinals first baseman takes us along on his journey to baseball immortality. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Sat., June 9, 3 p.m., Official Book Launch of No More Lemons. Join self-published author Latosha Carter for an afternoon of fellowship and the release of her testimonial book. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. latoshacarter.com.

Tues., June 12, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Zinzi Clemons, author of What We Lose. The story of a young African-American woman coming of age and a meditation on race and country. Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. slcl.org.

Wed., June 13, 7 p.m., Maryville Talks Book hosts author Dan Abrams, author of Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case that Propelled Him to the Presidency Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Dr., 63131. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

Mon., June 18, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Ben Rhodes, author of The World As It Is: A Memoir of the Obama Administration Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www.

slcl.org.

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

theatre

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

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

Mon., June 4, 10:30 a.m., Summer Family Fun Series: Traditional Music of and Dances of Panama. See a performance, learn some steps, do arts and crafts, and more. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

June 19 – 25, The Muny presents The Wiz. 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

art

June 1 – 3, 15th Annual Webster Arts Fair. Featuring more than 100 artists from across the country, activities, entertainment, and more. Lockwood and Bompart, Webster Groves, 63119. For more information, visit www. webster-arts.org.

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

visit www.fieldhousemuseum. org.

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

lectures and workshops

Sat., June 2, 9:30 a.m., Ready By 21 Saint Louis presents School to Prison Pipeline Symposium. St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Tues., June 5, 7 p.m., A Shattered Nation: A Remembrance of Robert F. Kennedy. Missouri History

Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Wed., June 13, 6 p.m., Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis presents A Meeting with Hon. Mark Parson, Lt. Governor of Missouri. St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Wed., June 13, 7 p.m., Community Conversations: Net Neutrality. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Sat., June 16, 2 p.m., Josephine Baker: A Modern Women. Olivia LahsGonzales traces Josephine Baker’s meteoric rise from St. Louis to her successes around the world. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www.

kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Sundays, Through Dec. 30, 2 p.m., Center for Divine Love Church presents Finally Understand Race in America. 3617 Wyoming St., 63116. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

health

Fri., June 1, 9 a.m., American Lung Association Lung Force Expo. Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.action. lung.org.

Sat., June 2, 6:30 a.m., American Diabetes Association presents the Tour de Cure. Featuring four different bike ride events and 5K Run/Walk. The Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Dr., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www.main.diabetes.org/ site/TR/tourdecure.

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

Sun., June 10, 7 a.m., St. Luke’s Hospital presents the Tour de Wellness. Reststops along the course, food, music, and interactive booths, health and wellness screenings, and more. St. Lukes Desloge Outpatient Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Dr., 63017. For more information, call (314) 576-2345.

Fri., June 1, 7 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents the We Praise Him Gospel Concert. Featuring Elder LeAndra Green, 8008 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. wepraisehim.eventbrite.com.

Sun., June 3, 12:30 p.m., Unity Christ Church presents the Mastering Abundance Workshop. 33 N. Skinker Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 7276478.

June 6 – 10, Shining Late Pentecostal Church invites you to their Pastoral & Elect Lady 32nd Pastoral Anniversary. 3054 Sheridan Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., June 8, 6 p.m., Shalom Church City of Peace Church & Pastor Anniversary Signature Gala. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plz., 63303. For more information, visit www.shalomccop.org.

Sat., June 16, 10 a.m., Emmanuel Temple Church presents a Summertime Bazaar. Join us for food, fellowship, and shopping. 4935 Union Blvd., 63115. For more information, call (314) 5988187.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Whitaker Music Festival feat. The Lamar Harris Experience. See LOCAL GIGS for details.

music among a roster of steady gigging cover bands throughout their native Twin Cities. They soon caught the eye of Morris Day and The Time alumni turned super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – who have created timeless music for the likes of Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Usher.

Their debut album “Meant to be Mint” included “Breakin’ My Heart” and “Forever In Your Eyes.” It was the first of nine studio albums and a dozen hit singles.

Williams has made a name for himself aside from the band as a producer, musician and songwriter, with collaborative credits that include the Luther Vandross, Prince Jill Scott, Toni Braxton and Usher.

But the release of last year’s “Introducing Stokley” marked his first full musical departure from the band where it all began.

Williams is taking the good with the bad of his 30-plus years within the industry and lending it to his next chapter as a solo artist.

“Everybody has ups and downs in the industry,” Williams told The American “You forget the experience, and you keep the lesson.”

AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment’s presentation of Stokley Williams’ “My Level” tour will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 17 at UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, call (314) 516-4949 or visit https://www.touhill.org/ events/detail/stokleys-my-levelfathers-day-concert.

Continued from C1

my first time in London and witness that, it was amazing.”

Her Prince William royal wedding experience paled in comparison to what happened when she watched American Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry two weeks ago in Windsor.

“Hello,” a British accent is heard saying from beyond the frame of a video London posted to her Facebook page. The voice continues as the video moves over to show Prince Harry sharing a warm exchange with London as he shook her hand. It was beyond everything she could have hoped for.

Images of the prince shaking her hand and sharing eye contact were shared across the internet. PEOPLE Magazine captured it fully. “I was so nervous,” London said. “All of these things ran through my mind of what to say.” She ended up saying, “Hi, Prince Harry, I’m J’Rel London.” Harry seemed to take to her.

to follow the character from a young adolescent exposed to the ills of life on the fringes of an inner-city underbelly. Despite the odds and obstacles, he does make his way inside the walls of City Hall.

Strayhorn and his crew grew up on the cusp of the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1950s. He decides to work alongside the change agents. In real life, many within the movement parlayed their activism into successful political careers. Not so much for the central character in “Stalking Horse.”

“This guy tries to pursue that same route,” Jones said. “He’s initially involved in the Civil Rights Movement. But he gets beat up and says, ‘Forget it. I

In the book, Jones flexes his encyclopedic memory and knack for vivid storytelling –including moments in St. Louis political history through thinly veiled fictional situations. He sets the stage for the power moves that come in the sequels. “This first part of the story is about them getting the political power,” Jones said. “The next part is going to be about them leveraging the political power for economic power. This first book is them getting there – by any means necessary.”

ain’t letting nobody whoop my [expletive].’”

So, instead, Strayhorn approached his politics with a position similar to Malcolm X.

“We went the NAACP route and the Urban League route as opposed to the Marcus Garvey route or the Nation of Islam route,” Jones said. “Those folks who followed Garvey and Elijah Muhammad were ostracized and called racists and separatists. But they were no more separatist than the Jewish people who did business with Jews and the Italians who did business with Italians.”

Jones said that systemic racism played a major role in limiting access to intergenerational equity and community building other ethnicities have enjoyed. Still, Jones explores what could have been if black people had operated politically in what he calls “the true American way.”

“You can’t go back and redo history, but you can have a better perspective about it,” Jones said. “There were no voting rights for the Italians, the Irish or the Jews. They just took it. And when they took it, they kept it. They used it to gain and leverage political power – which evolved into economic power.”

Virvus Jones will sign and discuss “Stalking Horse” at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10 at Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd. For more information on the book or to purchase a copy, visit https://www.facebook.com/ virvus.jones.

“Are looking forward to tomorrow?” he asked with their hands still interlocked. “You know it!” London shot back.

“I was like, ‘Checkmate,’” London said. “I was on cloud one hundred thousand million because I had just met Princess Diana’s son. It was a moment that I will never forget.”

London’s connection with the royal family came through her adoration of Princess Diana – which transitioned to Diana’s two sons when she was killed in an automobile accident 21 years ago. She learned about Princess Diana through interviews and saw the humanitarian work that she did before her life was tragically cut short.

“Harry is only a couple of months older than I am, so I feel like I grew up with him –and Prince William is the same age as my sister,” London said.

A military family, the Londons moved to St. Louis after being stationed at Scott Air Force Base and stayed put. The move came around the time of Diana’s passing. “It felt like losing a family member,” London said. People would call her crazy and didn’t understand why she felt so strongly about the royal family.

“They would say, ‘You’re never going to meet any of them.’”

London, who works as an organizational development partner in the Human Resources Department of SSM Health and is an adjunct assistant professor at Webster University, proved the naysayers wrong.

While in Windsor, London was invited to share her experience with the BBC.

After nearly a week back at home, she’s still floating from the memories she made during her second royal wedding trip.

A bi-racial

American princess

London stood outside the church where Meghan married Prince Harry on May 19. She watched the live stream on someone’s cellphone as loudspeakers outside the church provided the sound.

“You could hear the preacher,” London said. “The crowd started singing ‘Stand By Me’ along with the choir.

Being a part of the atmosphere was just amazing. I knew that when the royal processional came out, we would be the first people to watch Prince Harry and Meghan pass by.”

It made her reflect on her second visit to London in 2013.

While there she told someone that she was a royalist. They responded, “Wow, I’ve never seen a black royalist before.”

The crowd saw a bi-racial woman becoming Duchess of Sussex – which is essentially

a princess. It was a ceremony like they had never seen as far as diversity. It featured a gospel choir. Bishop Michael Curry of Chicago quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his sermon. And a black cellist performed a solo.

“I think Harry told Meghan, ‘Whatever you want, you can have,’” London said. “And she wanted to stay true to who she is.”

London shared nuggets that only a royalist might know. Prince Charles picked the gospel choir. “Stand By Me” was sung at Princess Diana’s funeral and the pastor – who thought the invitation was an April Fool’s Day prank –was a faith leader Markle got to know during her days at Northwestern University.

“You think, ‘Wow, here is this American marrying into the royal family – and she is a person of color,’” London said. “I’m ecstatic that it’s happening. I think its inspiration for anyone. It shows that love knows no color.

“And when I look at Meghan’s mother Doria (Ragland) [a black woman], it also makes me proud because this is someone who raised the Duchess of Sussex.”

J’rel London shared a moment with Prince Harry on the day before he exchanged vows with Meghan Markle on May 19 in Windsor, England (top photo) and then was able to capture an image of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they exchanged vows.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

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

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at, mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont Class of 1978 40th

Celebrations

On June 5, Rick and Audrey Wilson will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They met at MathewsDickey Boys’ & Girls Club, where Audrey worked for over 22 years and Rick was a volunteer coach. They have two successful sons, Jordan and Jaylen.

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

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

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

Birthdays

Buchanan Kyre Benton

Work Anniversary

(314) 647-0707.

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

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

O’Fallon Tech Class of 1983 will have its 35-year reunion. June 8: Ballroom Gala at Infinite Occasion Banquet. June 9: Picnic/BBQ Bash at McDonnell Park. Weekend Cost: $85 Alumni/$45 Non-

Happy 11th Birthday to Kyre Benton, who turned 11 on May 24! May God continue to bless and keep you. Love, Granny (Joyce Benton)

Happy Birthday to Ornetta Buchanan on May 30! She is a wonderful wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law and daughterin-law and a blessing to our family!

Rick Wilson recently celebrated 39 years of employment with UPS. He joined UPS in 1979 as a loader/unloader at the Earth City Hub. In 1988 he became a full-time driver and served as a package car driver at the Jefferson Avenue Center for the remainder of his career.

Alumni. June 16–20: Allinclusive trip to Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico Cost: Double Occupancy starting at $944/$1888. For more information, contact April at 314-307-9114 or Sharon at 314-623-3435 or checkout OFT Class of ’83 Facebook page.

Sumner High School Class of 1973 will have its 45th year class reunion the weekend of June 22-24, 2018. More info to follow outlining the details. If you did not receive a newsletter in January, please contact Marsha Joseph-Williams (314-6068701) or Dorris SimmonsMcGhaw(314-541-2462). You can also inbox Sid S. Shurn or Dorris on Facebook.

Sumner Alumni Association will have its 10th Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion

FREE OF CHARGE

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

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

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

Vashon High School will celebrate its 90th anniversary October 5-7, 2018 for alumni, students and community activities to celebrate educational commitment and tradition. For additional information, go to Vashonhigh. org or contact Elvis Hopson, elvishopson@att.net, (314) 535-0243, Pearl Lake, lakep6@ aol.com, (314) 388-0743 or Cozy W. Marks, Jr., jr3810@ sbcglobal.net, (314) 383-5682.

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to:

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

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

Ornetta

Rick Wilson

New ‘Religious Freedom’ appointee claims Islam ‘is incompatible with the Constitution’

Tony Perkins appointed to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

By Brian Tashman

For The St. Louis American

The newest addition to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Tony Perkins, does not believe in religious freedom.

Perkins, who was appointed to the post by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), will now serve on a commission that supposedly serves as a watchdog “dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad,” even though he has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not believe in the equal protection of Muslims and others.

The commission has a long history of politicization, along with anti-Muslim and antiLGBT bias. Perkins’ inclusion will only continue to undermine its credibility.

While he claims to support religious freedom, Perkins believes that the Constitution does not protect the rights of Muslims.

serve.

He once praised legislation in Uganda that would have included heinous punishments for homosexuality, including the death penalty, as an effort to “uphold moral conduct” and warned that marriage equality would lead to a revolution and second holocaust.

A commission that ostensibly acts as a fair-minded monitor that calls out other countries for endangering liberties can’t have much standing if one of its own members is actively working to undermine it. Brian Tashman is a political researcher and strategist for the ACLU.

Gospel for stroke awareness June 1

The Message What more is there?

Whenever I find myself at a loss for understanding, or I’m lost period, I inevitably pray for wisdom. It was just something I started doing when I began this walk and something I continue to do.

In my own way, I believed if I asked the Lord for wisdom to understand why I was going through this or that, then maybe I’d learn my lessons quicker. At the very least, I should come to know something that might bring me to a conclusion about a particular situation or circumstance.

He has said that “those who practice Islam in its entirety” should not be afforded the same constitutional freedoms as other Americans since Islam, in his words, is “incompatible with the Constitution” — an obviously false claim that, in reality, flies in the face of our Constitution. He even goes so far as to make the absurd and bizarre claim that “only 16 percent of Islam is a religion.”

A top official of his organization, the Family Research Council, once called for a ban on mosques, and the group published an essay arguing that Islam is not really a religious faith but rather “a religious government, the establishment of which the Establishment Clause prohibits.” This is clearly nonsensical. He has also smeared and vilified Muslims as violent people and claimed that the U.S. is under no obligation to safeguard their rights.

Beyond Muslims, Perkins has also questioned

whether Christians who support marriage equality and members of “fringe religions” should have the same rights under the Constitution as those who follow his personal brand of Christianity. He has also criticized supporters of the First Amendment’s separation of church and state as “cultural terrorists.”

Perkins’ appalling record doesn’t end there, as he is also known for his vicious bigotry towards the LGBT community. He has called transgender identity a “perversion” and had a role in shaping the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service members, insisting that it would be “better” to disband the military altogether rather than allow transgender people to

The annual Most Powerful Voices gospel concert returns to St. Louis at Greater Grace Church (3690 Pershall Road, Ferguson, Missouri, 63135) at 7 p.m. Friday, June 1. VaShawn Mitchell headlines the concert with local and regional artists. The free concert is sponsored by the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association and raises awareness about stroke prevention and education among African Americans. Mary Tillman will emcee.

Prior to the concert from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a free health and wellness expo will feature vendors offering health screenings, F.A.S.T. stroke awareness, smoke-free education and much more. Visit www.heart.org/empoweringstl for free tickets and to learn more about concert and health fair.

I tend to ask God for help in understanding, rather than blindly asking for elimination of something because that might the only way for me to learn. It’s called experience. From experience comes testimony. James 1:5 tells us that if you ask for wisdom, God will give it generously without finding fault. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” It is my understanding that Solomon had his choice of anything and he chose wisdom which gives great meaning to Proverbs. I heard a remarkable sermon one Sunday, that allowed me to be thankful for pleading with God for what appears to be the right thing. The minister broke it down like this. Through wisdom you can get everything you want. It’s all contained in Proverbs 3:13-18. I was amazed. There it was. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it. Wisdom offers you long life, wealth and honor. It can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. Those who become wise are happy. Now the minister’s message of course dissected this small bit of scripture in a marvelous way that I can’t. But I came away from service with a whole new view of how to approach life. My prayers for wisdom took on a new sense of urgency. I mean long life, wealth, honor, pleasure, security and ultimately happiness are all obtained via the acquisition of wisdom. What more is there?

I found it of particular interest that Proverbs, written by Solomon who was granted wisdom by God, is all about how to live. If ever there was a road map, here it is. As the pastor stated, the key is to do what it says. The key to becoming wise, as with everything else starts with fear and reverence for the Lord.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…. if you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.” That’s it for me, answers my need to know and gives me the insight I need to help me navigate a very dangerous world.

In your spare time reread Proverbs and tell me if you agree.

Columnist James Washington

Donald Trump greeted Family Research Council president Tony Perkins at the 2017 Value Voters Summit. Perkins has said that “those who practice Islam in its entirety” should not be afforded the same constitutional freedoms as other Americans’ and also has questioned whether Christians who support marriage equality should have equal rights under the Constitution.

have a strong work ethic and exceptional people skills. Your hard work, energy and strong desire to meet and exceed sales opportunities and challenges will ensure your success in this position.

Must work well independently, be entrepreneurial, persistent and have a proven work record. This is a great opportunity for those who love sales and want to be an integral part of the ongoing growth of a major St. Louis media outlet.

Your task will be to consistently sell a variety of products to meet clients’ needs: print advertising, online advertising, social media advertising, special sections, events, sponsorships, etc. Full time opportunity, with health benefits. Salary plus commission. High earnings potential.

For information, contact: Kevin Jones, Chief Operating Officer

The St. Louis American kjones@stlamerican.com

(Absolutely no phone calls will be accepted)

GALLERY ATTENDANT

Saint Louis Art Museum. Full Time Gallery Attendant. Apply online at slam.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters Job Openings

Do you have a passion for working hard to make a difference in your community?

BBBSEMO has several FULL-TIME and PART-TIME CASE MANAGEMENT positions open that work with adult volunteers, caregivers and youth. Bachelor’s Degree required.

BBBSEMO is an innovative and empowering work environment. Benefits include immediate and 100% coverage on health and dental insurance for full-time employees, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for advancement.

To Apply: Please visit www.bbbsemo.org to view full job descriptions. Then send cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references to HR@bbbsemo.org .

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

The St. Louis Center for Family Development is seeking a Mental Health Professional to provide Community-Based Crisis Stabilization Services to youth and families throughout the St. Louis Metro Area. The candidate will provide in-home individual/family therapy, skill development and assessment. Candidates must have a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or other related degree. For additional information please visit www.STLCFD.com or to apply send a cover letter and resume to Emily.dreher@stlcfd.comcomcom

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Responsible for the analysis, implementation and oversight of claims administrative functions for new and renewal Large Casualty accounts. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES SERVICES – DE SMET JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur, Missouri, invites applications for the position of Director of Facilities Services. This is a customer-oriented, hands-on administrator responsible for planning, budgeting, directing and assisting with maintenance, housekeeping, grounds, safety, and secure building access activities for approximately 225,000 sq ft and 40 acres.

Qualified candidates will have at least ten years’ experience in facility management or a related area; certification in a major technical trade with hands-on knowledge of other trades; and a valid Missouri CDL For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.desmet.org/about/ careers. Applications will be accepted through June 8, 2018.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/H/V, Committed to Diversity/Inclusion

OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYMENT

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

ORGANIZING DIRECTOR

Missouri Health Care for All is seeking an Organizing Director! Visit mohealthcareforall.org for info.

SUPERVISOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES

The St. Louis Center for Family Development is seeking a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for our Community-Based Crisis Stabilization program. The Supervisor will play a vital role in the recruiting, on-boarding, training, and professional development of Mental Health Professionals. Candidates must meet the Missouri Professional Registration requirements to provide LCSW licensure supervision. For additional information please visit www.STLCFD. com or to apply send a cover letter and resume to nicole.wood@stlcfd.com .

SALESFORCE DEVELOPER SOFTWARE DEVELOPER SYSTEM ENGINEER

Vintech Solutions Inc has openings for the positions: “Salesforce Developer” with Master’s degree in Computer Science/Information Systems, Engineering (any),Technology or related and 6 months of exp. to design, develop, test, document and deploy on the Force.com platform. Involve in development, administration,configuration and Support of sales force CRM and Salesforce applications based on Apex Language and leveraging Force. com Platform. Analyze and modify Salesforce out of box workflows, field updates and approval process to suit the business needs. Provide support to ongoing salesforce.com maintenance, administration services including custom objects, workflow and triggers. “Software Developer” with Master’sdegree in Computer Science, Engineering Any, Technology, Management, Information Systems or related to design, develop, implement, maintain and test business functions and web applications using a variety 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. “System Engineer” with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering any, Technology or related to design of system solutions, providing technical input for all aspects of projects including design, system integration, providing support in order to facilitate the delivery projects within time and maintain customer satisfaction. Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system related information. Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems. 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

CLAIMS EXAMINER

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Excess WC LOB.

To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

DRUG ANALYSIS TECHNICIAN

Drug Analysis Technicians, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2018-11. Equal Opportunity Employer.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Missouri Historical Society has a position opening for a Director of Marketing and Communications. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

RESOURCE PROTECTION SUPERVISOR-SOLDIERS MEMORIAL

The Missouri Historical Society has a position opening for a Resource Protection Supervisor for the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

LETTING #8670

AVIATION FIELDS UPGRADES & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

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 19th, 2018, 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 pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held May 29th, 2018,10:00 A.M. onsite at the Concession Stand in Aviation Fields, Forest Park. 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).

NOTICE OF AUCTION

The following people are in debt to Gateway Storage Mall of Belleville, Columbia, & Dupo. The contents of their storage unit(s) will be sold at auction to compensate all or part of that debt. Auction will be held on site with Jersey County Auctions on June 21, 2018 at 10:00 am. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Units Bel. D03 – Changa Jones, Bel. F02/23 – David Stahl, Bel. A14 – Allen Klingelhoefer, Bel. F22 - Leeah Meeks, Bel. B05 –JaNerra Carson-Slaughter, Bel. B11 – Drew Elbe, Bel. 101 – Cecelie Holmes, Bel. 636 – Daryl Jones (Jules Johansen), Bel. 406 Rachael Hettenhausen, Bel. 638 – Michael Yakich, Bel. 510 – Reginal Rowery, Bel. 614 and 615 – Gwen Lasenby, Bel. 319 – Tameka Lilton, Col. 11 – Jamie Hurst, Col. 30 – Brian Killingsworth, Dupo 85 – Dee Jerashen, Dupo 57 and 92 – Steven Dengler, Dupo 28 –Mark Howard, Dupo 205 - Will Leroy, Dupo 117 & 118 – Kevin Mitchell, Dupo 139 – Aubrey Murden Dupo 65 – Jennifer Goforth, Dupo 70 – Mark Ratterman. For all rules, regulations and bidding process, contact Jersey County Auctions. All other questions, please call 618-421-4022 or mail PO Box 81, Dupo, IL 62239.

LETTING #8671

PEDESTRIAN STREET LIGHTS

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 26, 2018, 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 pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on June 5, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in Room 305 City Hall.

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).

St. Louis Treatment Court 22nd Judicial Circuit City of St. Louis, Missouri Request for Proposal RFP-FY18-06

The St. Louis Treatment Court is seeking proposals for the following opportunities to work with participants of the St. Louis Adult Treatment Court and/or Veteran Treatment Court:

• Trauma Specialist • Substance Abuse Assessment Clinician

A copy of the Request for Proposal can be obtained by writing to: Treatment Court Administrator, Room 526, 1114 Market St., St. Louis, Missouri 63101 or calling 314-589-6702 for a mail out copy. Interested providers may obtain the proposal specifications by accessing www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com on that website click on Drug Court to find the RFP. Proposals should be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on June 27, 2017 in Room 526, 1114 Market St., St. Louis, Missouri 63101.

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 29th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Lemay Treatment Plant Fuel Tank Removal and Closure. 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 9412 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.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Fairbanks Morse Pump Assembly. The District is proposing single source procurement to Hydro-Kinetics Corp for this equipment because the sole authorized municipal dealer in Eastern MO. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com.

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

ST. LOUIS CELEBRITY SENIORS, INC. INVITATION FOR BID FINANCIAL AND/OR VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc. is accepting written narrative applications from St. Louis Metropolitan area 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that seek volunteer services and/or financial assistance for social service, scientific or educational programs for the year 2018/2019. Narratives must not be more than 500 words and must include proof of non-profit status.

Applications accepted June 1 through 30, 2018

St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc. P.O. Box 4113 St. Louis, MO 63136

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Gravois Trunk Sanitary Storage Facility 8711 Pardee Demolition under Letting No. 12569-013.3, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2018, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEMOLITION – St. Louis County 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.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of St Louis Department of Health is seeking proposals from attorneys licensed in Missouri to provide hearing services for personnel matters (pre disciplinary and pre-termination reviews), animal control appeals, and administrative fine appeals. Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning May 22, 2018 from the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Jeanine Arrighi, 1520 Market Street-Suite 4051, St. Louis MO 63103, (314) 657-1507. Proposals may also be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/

The deadline for submitting proposals is June 19 2018, by 4:00 P.M. at the address listed above. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

LETTING #8669

FOREST PARK DUAL PATH EXTENTION

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 19, 2018, 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 PRE-BID CONFERENCE for all contractors bidding on this project will be held May 29, 2018, 11:00 a.m., onsite at Forest Park.

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).

Request for Proposal

Attention: Food Service Management Companies

City Garden Montessori School is seeking bids for food service management services. The Food Service Management Company would provide services according to the requirements of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals, contact: Tiffany Whitlock Murphy at (314)664-7646 x214

Food Service Management Companies may submit proposals to:

City Garden Montessori School

Attn: Tiffany Whitlock Murphy 1618 Tower Grove Ave. St. Louis MO 63110

All proposals should be delivered in a sealed envelope marked Food Service Management Proposal.

Interested bidders must meet to review the specifications, to clarity any questions, and for a walk-through of the facilities with school officials on June 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm at City Garden Montessori School. Attendance is required.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Fairbanks Morse Pump Assembly. The District is proposing single source procurement to Hydro-Kinetics Corp for this equipment because the sole authorized municipal dealer in Eastern MO. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com.

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

East-West Gateway Council

BID

KCI Construction requests subcontract proposals from MBE and WBE businesses for the Fiery Fork Conservation Area Bridge Improvements (Camden County), Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO. Project Job #81-03-03 Plans and specifications are available • To view electronically at no charge from: http://mdc.adsmo.net

• To view at our Camdenton office: 5505 Old South 5, Camdenton, MO 65020

• By a Dropbox Link from jmorrow@kciconstruction.com

All potential bidders are asked to attend the pre-bid on June 5th at 1:00 PM Subcontractor bids are due by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018. You may email bids to jmorrow@kciconstruction.com or send a fax to 573-346-9739. Please call if you have any questions: 314-200-6496.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Midwest Cargo Hub Commission (“MCHC”) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide marketing services to promote live animal export operations at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Proposals should be sent by e-mail to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to Midwest Cargo Hub Commission, c/o St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Center for International Relations d/b/a World Trade Center-St. Louis (the “WTC”) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to organize and manage all details for an event on Sunday, September 9, 2018, to highlight the agricultural technology strengths of the St. Louis region. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Proposals should be sent by e-mail to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to World Trade Center-St. Louis, c/o St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid.

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.

STEELCOTE LOFTS

801 Edwin Street

St. Louis, MO. 63103

Due date: June 12 at 2:00 pm

Pre-bid walkthrough: May 29 at 9:00 and June 5 at 9:00

A historic renovation of three buildings (A, B, C). Building A is 6 stories with 31 units and a basement level for underground parking. Building B is a single-story building where the leasing office and bike storage will be located. Building C is also a single-story building that will have 2 additional units. (note that Demo is by owner, Fire Protection, Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical scopes have been awarded) Call or email Chris Anderson for the link to the plans and specs at 314-783-8000 ext. 7 or chris@pinnaclecontracting.com

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. MCHC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 6157663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

Midwest Cargo Hub Commission 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 20, 2018 to contract with a company for: NEW 2018 Model Forklifts 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 9391 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.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR TAX SALE LEGAL SERVICES

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is seeking proposals from firms that are qualified to provide legal services associated with the acquisition of properties deeded to the Land Reutilization Authority of the City of St. Louis, Missouri (LRA) as a result of tax foreclosure Sheriff’s sales. The complete RFQ can be viewed online at: www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/sldc/ procurement.cfm or emailed/faxed by contacting Bonnie Wade, SLDC Law Department at WadeBo@ stlouis-mo.gov or 314-657-3759.

U MOVING? Moving, Hauling, Basement Cleanout, or Junk Removal, Cutting Lawns, Call Gary Cheapest Man in Town 618-363-2379

SEALED BIDS

for HVAC Replacement, Annex Building, Missouri S t a t

w

y Patrol, General H

s Complex, Jefferson City, Missouri, Project No. R1802-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/21/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. WTC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

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, 2018 to contract with a company for: PORTABLE TOILET RENTAL.

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 9398 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

SAINT LOUIS ZOO 2018 LAKESIDE BOILER REPLACEMENTS RFP

The project scope outlined within this project is to remove two water boilers currently being used for domestic hot water, and replace with two PVI High Efficiency water heaters. The work will need to be performed in stages so as not to shut down the food service operation during the replacement. This is a turnkey job. Pro Press fittings are permitted.

MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE INSPECTION: On 6/5/2018 at 9:00AM at The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before 6/13/2018 at 1:30 PM and opened immediately after in the Facility Management Conference Room. Documents can be found on 5/24/2018 at: https://www.stlzoo.org/about/contact/ vendoropportunities/

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Geopolymer Rehabilitation services. The District is proposing single source procurement to Vortex Companies / Quadex Lining Systems for this equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TRAINING SERVICES

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is seeking a qualified consultant to provide an Urban Staging Area Manager Training Course.

ROOMS FOR RENT $500/mo, Houses & Apts for Rent, 2, 3, & 4 Bed, $625-$750/mo, North City, No Credit Check 314-657-5713 THE

ROOMS Friendly environment, clean, quiet, near shopping, busline, weekly & monthly 314-531-5602

ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS, WORKSHOPS, BID NOTICES, SERVICES HOMES FOR SALE & RENTALS

Comedy veteran Faizon Love had Helium rolling with laughter during his three-night engagement over the Memorial Day weekend. St. Louis native Vanessa Fraction, who moved to Atlanta to pursue entertainment, set the tone as his hilarious featured opener.

Swag Snap of the Week

Top notch Twilight Tuesdays Beyonce tribute. The spring season of Twilight Tuesdays went out with the bang of Queen Bey the other night thanks to the talented Tanka. Listen, she had the Missouri History Museum going up in a Tuesday by serving a baby Beychella up in Forest Park. The band was life and TIFANNIE (Tanka, these caps are for you) Stanfield’s MaTiff Dance Company provided the backup dancers to give us the Beyonce tribute we never knew we wanted – and would love to see again. Bey makes it look easy. But I know from experience (don’t ask) that singing, twirling and twerking in tribute to the baddest in the game is more than a notion. And Tanka proved herself up for the challenge by slaying Mrs. Carter’s hits. I knew when she stepped on stage with that blonde weave with the black roots and black high-cut leotard with 24K embellishments that Tanka did not come to play. She clearly studied Beyonce top to bottom and was giving us a master class with extra credit from the kick-off to the “De Ja Vu” finale.

Alright now AfroSexyCool. Saturday night I scooted over to the Ready Room to help James Biko celebrate two years of AfroSexyCool. I started not to go because the Ready Room staff lowkey set trips on me whenever my beloved Sacred Symbols brothers don’t work the door. I’m still feeling a type of way that they turned your girl away for Big Boi, but I’m glad I put my feelings aside for Biko – it was so worth it. While Biko had the folks backing that thang up thanks to his skills on the wheels of steel, hostess with the mostess Aloha Micheaux was serving the late great Vanity as Laura Charles in “The Last Dragon” realness as she worked the side of the Ready Room stage. With hair everywhere and a T-shirt and fishnet stockings ensemble, she spun around that stage singing along to everything from Lauryn Hill to Erykah Badu. I was expecting her to jump right into “Seventh Heaven.” The hardcore “Last Dragon” fans know exactly what I’m talking about. Biko is indeed the mix master! Sir, how on earth did you figure out that G-Eazy’s beat would blend so harmoniously over Talib Kweli? Oh, and since I’m on that moment, who was the glorious gentleman who got barefoot and dropped it like it was hot around the circumference of a bar stool when the Cardi B verse dropped? A brilliant move by Biko to keep that on the track of his mashup for a guaranteed turn up. I’ll bet that that if you play Cardi B in reverse, you can hear her distinctive accent saying “you better get lit like nobody’s looking, okkkaayyy...”

A supersized HEYLUV. Now you know you are on to something if you outgrow your original venue and fill the spot to capacity on your first night at the new spot. That’s exactly how it went down for the fellas who come through every month with HEY LUV. They had to leave Lucha for .Zack. It was the first time the three shifts that roll through the dance party over the course of the monthly “last Saturday” set were all partying together at the same time. I kept seeing folks that I would have to go and come back to catch when it was at the Lucha. Some of them had obviously never met, but kicked like old friends. I keep saying that HEY LUV turned Lucha into the African-American real-life adaptation of “Cheers.” I’m more convinced than ever as I jammed along to DJ J MO and Reminisce – and heard Shadzilla name-drop folks he managed to recognize in the darkness of the fourth floor of .Zack. Rock the Block kept it inside. I really feel like the threat of rain wouldn’t allow the usual epic outdoor experience that Rock The Block has become over the years truly be great. The block wasn’t quite hot, but the inside was poppin’ like dynamite. The Marquee had a solid turnout Sunday for the annual Memorial Day Weekend Affair. Bottles were snap, crackling and popping’ like 4th of July thanks to the sparklers that are attached to the ones purchased with the VIP booth package. I saw some of my favorite tastemakers in the place to be too. Hopefully those vicious clouds will stand down for 2019 so the girls won’t have to feel as if they are risking the freshness of their crochet twists and gypsy locks by coming through.

Funny Faizon and a hilarious homegirl. I left Rock The Block and hit Helium Comedy Club to catch Faizon Love. I was feeling a type of way that he replaced Deon Cole, but Faizon was funnier than I remember him. But even before he took the stage, I was hollering at his opening act Vanessa Fraction. Trust and believe I was over the moon when she said that she was straight outta STL! Her bit about considering becoming a bereavement stripper named Sympathy was absolutely everything. And when she said she decided to date herself after a series of failed relationships, only to learn that she couldn’t afford herself…I all but died. I was like “Girl, that’s the same thing that happened to me.” Okay, now back to Faizon. He’s still riding for Bill Cosby. I’m just thankful he said his two cents and skated right off of that into something that would give me a cackle. When he started talking about folks discriminate with all of the body shaming and proclaimed, “Fat Lives Matter,” I was able to giggle and regroup.

Cocoa killed at the Laugh Lounge. Since I’m already talking funny, I might as well let y’all know rising comedy star Cocoa Brown came through the Laugh Lounge and had folks hollering to the point where they were flailing from side to side and spontaneously crying on the last night of her weekend residency. I can’t say that I can relate to dating a 23-year-old tender who is so sprung that he takes you to meet his mama – only to find out that she was your friend from high school who got pregnant with him in the 11th grade. However, the idea of it and Cocoa’s ability to set it up was pure comedy gold. And in another case of a local getting it done, Jay Lee “Do She” Thomas tore it up on his last weekend living in the STL. He didn’t say where, but he

the folks know he was leaving to pursue comedy some place else. I’m assuming

since it has lowkey become the black entertainment capital of America.

let

it’s Atlanta,

Derrick, Jermaine Chauncey and Paul debuted as hosts for the latest edition of HEY LUV Saturday @ .Zack

Chi Chi, Innergy and Justice LaRue caught positive vibes from the 27th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival Sunday @ World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park

Row, Nate And Tevin repped the new Andy Burns line as SS Saturday’s kicked off @Artist Art

Frank Lyles, Will C, and Mrs. Tiffany all said their farewells to fellow comedian Jaylee Thomas Sunday @ Last Call On The Landing

Robyn, Tonya and Tenishia were at UrbArts to catch Greg The Poet and UrbSlam perform before they left town for a national competition Friday night

The Nupes had grown folks dancing like nobody was watching as Scott and Tracy soaked in the experience of Sundress and Linen set Sunday @ Ballpark Village

Nightlife Kings Wayne and Orlando hosted their Ying and Yang Birthday Bash Saturday @ Dos Salas

Averi and Richelle enjoyed a chat and chill before just before the party got amped @ Dos Salas Saturday

Candace and Amiana stepped outside the super crowded Silent Party to catch a quick breath of fresh air Friday @ Hiro

The Slick pop up Soiree atmosphere was casual, but Obi and Scott looked ready to broker the next deal Friday @ Element

Photos by V. Lang and Femme Flicks

It Might Not Be “Old Age”

The expression, “It’s just old age,” is a common reason cited for a loved one’s forgetfulness, confusion, or memory loss. But is that what’s really going on? Often, the answer is no.

In normal aging, our bodies and brains slow down. We’re less physically and mentally flexible, and we take more time to process information. Memory changes occur as well, and it’s common to have greater difficulty remembering names of people, places, and other things as we get older.

However, more substantial changes in memory and/or behavior are likely an indication that something medically is wrong. But what? There’s a good chance it’s dementia – a general term used for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough that they interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It’s a slow, progressive illness, with symptoms worsening over time. Though people can have Alzheimer’s as early as their 40s and 50s, the disease is most prevalent in people over age 65.

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss—especially forgetting recently learned information— and also forgetting important dates and events or asking for the same information repeatedly.

Alzheimer’s is more than memory loss, though. In fact, in many instances, other symptoms may occur either along with or in place of memory loss. Again, these symptoms are signs that something is going on beyond normal changes due to aging, and the key is that these symptoms represent a change in ability or behavior.

Here are some of these symptoms:

CHALLENGES IN PLANNING OR SOLVING PROBLEMS – Examples of this can be: difficulty concentrating; following a familiar recipe; keeping track of monthly bills. Typical age-related change: Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

DIFFICULTY COMPLETING

FAMILIAR TASKS – Examples of this can be: Forgetting how to get to a familiar location; trouble managing a project; being unable to remember the rules of a favorite game. Typical age-related change: Oc-

casionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE – Examples of this: Losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time; trouble understanding something if it’s not happening immediately; becoming disoriented in new/different settings. Typical age-related change: Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS – Examples of this: Difficulty reading; trouble judging distance; being unable to recognize color or contrast. Typical age-related change:

Vision problems related to cataracts.

PROBLEMS WITH WORDS IN SPEAKING OR WRITING – Examples of this: Trouble following or joining a conversation; stopping in the middle of a conversation and having no idea how to continue; repeating comments, stories, questions; calling things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “handclock”). Typical age-related change: Having trouble finding the right word.

MISPLACING THINGS – Examples of this: Putting things in unusual places; losing things frequently and being unable to locate them; blaming other for missing items or even accusing others of stealing. Typical age-related change: Misplacing things from time to time but able to retrace

steps to find them.

DECREASED OR POOR JUDGMENT – Examples of this: Making poor decisions with money such as giving large amounts to telemarketers; paying less attention to grooming and appearance. Typical agerelated change: Making a bad decision once in a while.

WITHDRAWAL FROM NORMAL ACTIVITIES –Examples of this: Decreased interest in hobbies and home/ garden projects; trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team; avoiding social outings. Typical age-related change: Feeling weary of work, family, and social obligations.

CHANGES IN MOOD AND PERSONALITY – Examples of this: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious; being easily upset. Typical age-related change: Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you have a family member or friend who’s showing symptoms such as those described above, take action. First, make a doctor’s appointment and get a diagnosis. Second, reach out for help. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a range of free services – education programs, support groups, and also care consultations (free, one-on-one meetings with a social worker to develop a plan of action for now and going forward). Additionally, the Association’s 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, is staffed by trained professionals who can answer questions, provide information and resources, and offer emotional support.

We often hear families say they wish they had found out earlier that a loved one had dementia or Alzheimer’s so that they could have managed the disease and the situation better. Don’t wait – get a diagnosis and get connected with support and services.

Regina Lowe, Director of Community Programs, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter

This article originally appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Navigating the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia get worse over time, and anyone involved with caring for and supporting a person with dementia will need to be ready for the changes that come with each stage.

Although every person with Alzheimer’s will experience the disease differently, there are common characteristics of each stage and suggestions for how to help. There are also issues that commonly come up for families, depending on the stage of disease that the person with memory loss is experiencing. Knowing more about each stage can be very helpful.

The Alzheimer’s Association supports families by providing free Care Consultations with a social worker. At a Care Consultation, the social worker helps the family develop an individualized Care Plan—a plan that will address each family’s challenges and provide steps to plan for the future.

If your family is caring for someone with memory loss, you may want to clip the information about stages of the disease and save it to refer to over time. You can call us any time--day or night--at 1-800272-3900.

Early Stage

• May still drive, work and/or take part in social activities, but may feel as if they are having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words and names, missing appointments or losing things

• Gets easily or unexpectedly frustrated, angry or tearful

• Struggles with decision-making and problem solving

• Repeats stories or questions

• Forgets information that was just learned

How to Help in the Early Stage:

• Ask directly how to help with communication.

• Speak directly to the person with dementia. Keep sentences clear, and leave plenty of time for conversations.

• As much as possible, include the person with memory loss in decision-making.

• Maintain a daily routine.

• Encourage/plan activities that are meaningful (e..g, dancing, watching movies, playing their favorite music, walks, etc.).

• Ensure you both get plenty of rest and time away from one another.

• If tempers flare, remember not to take it personally.

Issues Commonly Addressed in an Early-Stage Care Plan:

• Getting to a specialist for accurate diagnosis

• Getting educated about the diagnosis

• Using support groups and early-stage programs to connect with others and stay active

• Legal and financial planning (including things like powers of attorney, wills, changes to bank accounts, and bill paying)

• Safety issues (such as driving, guns, medication management, getting lost, making the home safe, and scam prevention)

• Telling friends and family about the diagnosis.

• Creating a daily routine and activity plan for the person with memory loss

• Getting family and friends involved in helping

Middle Stage

• Increased difficulty with speech and with understanding what’s being said

• More likely to do or say things that seem

selfish or are considered socially inappropriate (such as cursing, flirting with strangers, or saying unkind things)

• Increased confusion

• Increased risk of getting lost

• Need more help with personal care and dressing (and may refuse help or refuse to bathe, shave, etc.)

• Incontinence (for some people)

• Difficulty performing routine tasks

• Personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness or compulsive, repetitive behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding

How to Help in the Middle Stage:

• Label items in the home (cabinets, drawers, bathroom, etc.).

• Give one-step or two-step directions.

• Don’t argue or correct.

• Limit noise and too much interaction.

• Speak in a gentle voice. Use distractions such as pleasant events.

• Get a MedicAlert + SafeReturn ID bracelet in case your family member gets lost (the Alzheimer’s Association has a grant to help pay for this).

Issues Commonly Addressed in a Middle-Stage Care Plan:

• Identifying the kind of help your family member needs (such as assistance with things like cooking, cleaning, medication management, driving, and bathing)

• Developing a concrete plan for care and safety needs to be met

• Deciding if the person with memory loss should move in with family or vice versa

• When to consider in-home care, adult day programs, assisted living, or skilled care

• Identifying resources that might help pay for care (the Alzheimer’s Association has a program that may provide limited funds to pay for respite care--breaks for caregivers-or for safety items, medications, or other necessities).

• Navigating family conflicts

• Developing a self-care plan for the primary caregiver

Late Stage

• Needs around-the-clock help with daily activities and personal care

• May not be able to talk, sit, walk, or eventually, to swallow

• Is vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia

How to Help in the Late Stage:

• Pay attention to nonverbal expression of pain.

• Keep talking to the person even if you don’t get a response.

• Offer plenty of fluids (may need to be thickened) and whatever favorite foods are accepted (may need to be pureed).

• Give gentle touches.

• Play favorite music; sing favorite songs.

• If spirituality was important to the person, arrange for pastoral care, and provide familiar spiritual rituals (such as prayer and hymns).

Issues Commonly Addressed in a Late-Stage Care Plan:

• How to make end-of-life decisions

• Self-care and support for the caregivers

• When to use hospice care

For more information, support and resources, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-272-3900 to talk with one of our experts.

When should we schedule a care consultation?

Families are strongly encouraged to schedule a care consultation as early as possible – either when symptoms appear or when an Alzheimer’s or related dementia diagnosis is made. However, a consultation can be done at any time during the disease journey.

How do I schedule a care consultation?

To schedule a care consultation, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 314-801-0414. Additionally, families can contact the Association’s Helpline - 800.272.3900 - at any time with questions about programs or services available. Also, you can visit the website: alz.org/greatermissouri What is a care consultation?

A Neighborhood Geriatric Assessment Clinic

By Melissa Ramel, PhD, MS, MPH, RD, LD, Instructor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

Getting older can come with a variety of health concerns--many of which can interact. Add the complexities of living with or caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary team are immeasurable. That’s what you get when you visit the Geriatric Assessment Clinic offered at the Saint Louis University Health Resource Center (HRC). One of the many HRC clinics, the Geriatric Assessment Clinic is a care team made up of faculty and students from medicine, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech & communications disorders, and nutrition. The team provides thorough screening uniquely tailored for the older population for free at the Health Resource Center located near North Kingshighway and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. The Health Resource Center, founded by Dr. John Morley, was established in 1994 by Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Older individuals seen at the clinic participate in a comprehensive, interprofessional experience. Each member of the team completes an in-depth screening of the patient based on her/his needs and areas of concern in the presence of the other team members, the older adult, and her/his care partners. Saint Louis University faculty lead the clinic; however, students conduct the patient and family interviews and specified screening tests that are relevant to the individual’s needs. Each discipline is represented in the exam room to ensure a cohesive environment is maintained.

The health of the caregivers can also be a concern for many in the aging population. Individuals who accompany the patient are also screened for their wellbeing and provided a space to discuss concerns they may have about the patient.

Through a partnership with the Al-

zheimer’s Association, a social worker from this agency is available to provide further consultation, resources, and care for those with questions or concerns about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

At the completion of the clinic, the attending physician, along with a small group of students and/or faculty, will visit

with the patient and caregiver to discuss results of the screening tests and provide take-home recommendations for further care and follow-up. The clinic does not uncover all underlying concerns for the patients, but the interprofessional team is able to identify priorities that can provide the patients with a plan for next steps in

the management of their health care.

The Geriatric Assessment Clinic began in February 2017, and the multidisciplinary group sees patients with their caregiver one day per month. To make an appointment with the Geriatric Assessment Clinic, please call 314-977-8462.

The Most Important Step is the First One

By GeNea’ Warren

In November of 2018, my mother, age 74, moved in with me. Prior to that, she had been living with my sister. During that time, my sister and I had both seen a shift in her memory and mood. My mother was forgetting things more often, and her driving skills were declining. Right around the time she moved in with me, her best friend passed. That led to more of a decline for

her, which left me feeling confused and frustrated. I didn’t understand her belligerence when I asked her to take a bath. I did not understand her “forgetting” to eat. When things went “missing” in the house, I accused her of lying. Not only was I confused, but I was also frustrated because I could not help my mother like a daughter should. I did not know how to get services for her to help during the day since I was unable to retire or quit my full-time job to

take care of her.

Finally, a friend suggested the Alzheimer’s Association for a referral to doctors, community help services, etc. My world opened up. I met with a social worker with the Association, Mrs. Prince. She was a breath of fresh air. She sympathized with me, while preparing me for when things would get worse for my mother. She explained the moodiness and the forgetfulness with typical situations

that we take for granted. Even though she provided a lot of information, I felt at ease and not so overwhelmed as I did before walking into the office! Another Association person followed up with me after my meeting Mrs. Prince to see if there was any information I needed. I even received a call from a service that came to the house to help with “life skills/house-proofing.” The most important step is the first one-reaching out.

Losing My Mother

By Carol Daniel

I think it was my father who called one day to tell me, “They say your mother has dementia.” “What do you mean?” is all I remember of the rest of the conversation. Bits and pieces of how the diagnosis came would come later. She told me that she would drive to some of her normal spots, the gym for water aerobics or the grocery store but she’d get to the parking lot and have no idea why she was there or where she was. She said she’d sit for 30 minutes until the confusion cleared or the blank space filled up with facts again. I learned these lost moments had been going on for six months. We, her five adult children, saw no signs.

There was no time to wonder why. The shock took up all the room. Then I needed to learn more. She has dementia. There is no cure. There are only two medications on the market that temporarily improve some symptoms. Her body would likely acclimate to them and their effectiveness would wane. Again, there is no cure. This is the long goodbye. Shock moved out and an incredible sadness moved in.

My mother and I would spend several years not understanding each other. It was in many ways, typical mother-daughter drama. She didn’t like my boyfriend in high school or me really, and by the time I left for college, we were both glad for the distance. However, she helped me pay for my last two years of college and after I moved home leaving a bad relationship behind when I was 27, we were able to forgive and reestablish. We’ve been on a beautiful close-knit ride ever since. A ride that has included black Friday shopping, road trips, movies (she loves action), long talks, lots of laughter and wet kisses. I call her “Sweet Potato” because I love her sweet potato pie. I thought none of it would ever end until we were giving her back to God. Almost all of it has had to end. She no longer drives or cooks. My father has unplugged the stove after she left one too many pots on and forgot about them. He’d come home to a house filled with smoke.

Her memory is going more and more. During a visit for my birthday, she thought it was October and wanted to know my Christmas plans. I gently told her my birthday was the next day which made it March. The realization washed over her face and it was heartbreaking. I once mustered the courage to ask her what it was like knowing that she had this disease. “Terrifying,” was her one-word answer. We’ve talked about memory care. My father vehemently says, “This is my house, this is my wife and I’m going to care for her until the good Lord calls me home.” I wasn’t ready for that push back but my friends at the Alzheimer’s Association have helped me to understand his reac-

tion and so much more. They’ve wiped my tears and educated me. My husband told me recently that as terrible as this is for me to lose my mother so slowly, I needed to realize that my father was losing his wife of 62 years. We still have time though. Her wit is as sharp as ever. We giggle like little girls. She asks me about her grandsons and she still questions my choice in hair styles, “When are you going to straighten your hair.” We are still making memories even as she forgets previous ones. She’ll be there for her grandson’s high school graduation. I am resisting the urge to wonder how she’ll be next year when our other son graduates from college. Honestly, I feel like I am being robbed. But I can still hug her, paint her nails and braid her hair. I can still cook for her and tell her stories. She can still hug me back, eat my grits and scrambled eggs and tell me she wants her nails red and not pink. I’ll take it. I’ll take it all.

“ I once mustered the courage to ask her what it was like knowing that she had this disease. “Terrifying,” was her one-word answer.”

Volunteers are essential to the Alzheimer’s Association

Volunteers are the backbone of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter. They always have been. The chapter, formed in 1981 as one of the original chapters of the Association, grew out of a deeply committed group of volunteers working out of the basement in one of their homes. There are presently more than 2,800 volunteers performing a range of roles at the Chapter – faith ambassadors, advocates, event volunteers, office workers, support group leaders, and community educators and representatives. Several of those volunteers are featured here.

Full-Mission Volunteers

My husband, Ronald Bohlen, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008. My family and I began volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association in 2014, while battling the disease process firsthand. We received such tremendous support and resources from the Alzheimer’s Association that we felt compelled not only to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission but to share our experiences with other families facing this horrific disease. In an effort to provide a greater impact, we partnered with Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated - Gamma Omega Chapter to assist with equipping our community with the resources and information needed to combat this disease. Together, we have provided informational sessions, geriatric screenings, support for caregivers, so that we could highlight what behaviors and warning signs to pay attention to when looking after your loved ones. My husband lost his battle with Alzheimer’s in 2015; however, our passion for Alzheimer’s awareness has not faded. It is our duty to spread courage, love, and support to our fellow purple families as we get closer to finding a cure.

Faith Ambassador and Community Educator

I started working with the Alzheimer’s Association in 1999, when my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. After caring for my mom for 10 years with the disease, I left the legal industry and purchased First Light Home Care so I could provide care for people with dementia. I started as a faith ambassador for my church, Shalom Church (City of Peace) and then also became a community educator. I have also participated in numerous Walks. I made it my mission to learn everything there is to know about this debilitating disease after my mom was diagnosed, and I am very passionate about educating others so they know how to handle it and what to expect.

Community Representative

I’ve been a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association for one year. I am a community representative. I volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association because I enjoy providing as much information and support as possible to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and also to their caregivers/family members, who are oftentimes under so much stress.

Fannie Bohlen, Stephanie and Chris Griffin

Jacquie O-Quinn

Tasheia Floyd

Trina Elliot

Faith Ambassador

I am a Faith Ambassador at Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church in East St Louis. Reverend Jerome Jackson is my pastor. I’ve been a volunteer for four years. I volunteer to keep my mother’s legacy alive.

My mom was a strong, kind lady, and a pillar of our community. She was affectionately called “Madea” by not only her family but also her friends. She was an excellent seamstress, a great cook, and homemaker. She served as an election judge for over 40 years. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2002 and passed away October 31, 2013. She was 91 years old.

Kenneth Damper

Advocacy

I’m approaching my 11th year as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association. My initial volunteer role at age five was helping with the setup and cleanup of the Illinois Walk. At age eight, I took on an additional volunteer role and became an Alzheimer’s Youth Advocate. To date, I actively and proudly serve in this capacity with the Alzheimer’s Association. The driving force and my passion to serve as a volunteer advocate is personal and dear to my heart. It starts with my grandmother (A.K.A “Granny”). Granny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around the same timeframe I transitioned my volunteer role into advocacy. As much as I would like to restore her memory, it’s not realistic. What I said I could do, have done, and will continue to do, is be a voice to fight for advancement of medicine in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease by recruiting hundreds of new voices and advocates at the Walk To End Alzheimer’s year after year--in addition to rising to the call of duty to volunteer and support the Alzheimer’s Association. The fight is not over until there is a cure. And I can make a difference!

Midred Smith

Respite Assistance

My mother, who passed away in 2013 at age 91, had issues with her memory. I became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association after attending a workshop and talking with an Alzheimer’s Association staff member about respite assistance. Hearing her story compelled me to be supportive of families experiencing what I and my mother experienced. As a retired social worker, I felt that respite assistance was something that I could contribute to and learn from as well. It’s been a very positive and enriching experience working with families that we serve.

Charlena Johnson

Support Group Facilitator

I started volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association in December of last year. My role is facilitator for the Caregiver Support Group at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. I was looking for another group to volunteer for, and while on Facebook, I saw a chat from Regina Lowe (Director of Community Programs) looking for a support group leader. However, I didn’t really know what this was all about but agreed to check it out. I have learned so much about Alzheimer’s and dementia and met a lot of wonderful people. So “hats off” to the Association for all they do!

James Cooper

Advocacy

I have been a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association for approximately five years. I serve as an advocate and have traveled to Jefferson City for the annual Memory Day Trip; participated in Association advocacy meetings with public officials; and regularly contact legislators via letters, emails and phone calls related to Alzheimer’s topics and issues. I was motivated to volunteer due to a family loss – my Grandmother who raised me passed away with the disease.

Why should African Americans join Alzheimer Disease Research studies?

By John C. Morris, MD Pastor Douglass Petty, PhD and Norman R. Seay

Twice as many African Americans as whites develop Alzheimer disease dementia. However, studies suggest that the disease is under-recognized in the African American community. The problem is that there is very little information to determine just how frequent Alzheimer disease dementia is in African Americans, much less why they should be at greater risk than whites. Almost everything that is known about Alzheimer disease comes from studies of white people. This results in part from the lack of trust many African Americans have about joining research programs based on a clear history of past abuse, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study decades ago. This past is real and painful. Education about these and other barriers to African American research participation has been provided by the African American Advisory Board for the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Washington University School of Medicine with the aim of making our research program more welcoming to people of color.

It is very important that African Americans say “yes” to research. When studies include only white people, the treatments and cures that result from those studies may work only for white people. The importance of including African Americans and other under-represented groups in research is clear because the aging United States population is increasingly diverse; by 2050 over 40% of older adults will be minorities. The failure to study diverse populations has a huge impact on whether or not the treatments, preventions, and cures that researchers find will work for

John C. Morris, MD, Director

Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine

Pastor Douglass Petty, PhD, Chair African American Advisory Board

Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine

Norman R. Seay, Chair Emeritus African American Advisory Board

Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine

everyone.

A research goal at the Knight ADRC research is to understand why there are racial differences in Alzheimer disease. African Americans have a particularly strong reason to join the research programs of the Knight ADRC: they are much more likely to develop the illness than are whites. Research participation connects

The joy of being a caregiver

By Dr. Doug Petty

I had the wonderful privilege of being able to serve my parents during the last 10-15 years of their life. My father lived five years longer than my mother. I was the primary caretaker, had power of attorney over all of their affairs, and had a wonderful journey as their lives were fulfilled. The laughter, joy, challenges, and victories made the time unforgettable.

I learned so much more about them and myself during that time. It does not have to be a chore or inconvenience if you embrace the assignment of serving in the right way. Below are some helpful reminders:

the community with Washington University so that together we can work to build and maintain trust and decrease differences in health outcomes in people both now and for future generations.

Many members of the Knight ADRC’s African American Advisory Board are themselves participating in our programs and are willing to share their experiences

with people who may have questions about what is involved in research. If you are interested in learning more about the Knight ADRC research or in speaking with one of our Board members, please contact Myrtis Spencer at 314-286-0930 or by email at mespencer@wustl.edu. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions.

• They cared for you even before you knew that it was necessary.

• You took them for granted just because they had a documented history of being there for you.

• Not just anyone can serve their aging parents, only the chosen.

• There is plenty of time and multiple opportunities to care for yourself.

• There is help and support from agencies such as the Alzheimer’s Association.

• You are not alone…you only need to look around and talk.

• There are memories and life lessons that cannot be received any other way.

• There are always moments to celebrate.

When it comes to dementia in general and Alzheimer’s in particular, research for a cure is ongoing. There is a tremendous need for more volunteers who are ethnic minorities in general and African Americans in particular. Men, we need you as well. You can lead your entire family on this journey, just as I am.

A key and valued partnership

The Alzheimer’s Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated have been partnering for the past several years to raise awareness and dollars for the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Nationally, the sorority has raised more than $500,000 through its participation in The Longest Day, the Association’s second signature fundraising event.

The AKA-Alzheimer’s Association partnership is especially strong in St. Louis, with area chapters and their members playing an active role in community outreach and education. This has taken the form of geriatric screenings, GO PURPLE awareness initiatives in faith communities, and the launch of a caregiver support group at Friendly Village. Additionally, the five area AKA chapters have participated in The Longest Day, hosting a range of health activities throughout the actual longest day of the year (June 21) and coming together for a joint evening event.

For the Longest Day this year, the St. Louis area AKA’s are doing “Strike Down Alzheimer’s” – a fun bowling event at Tropicana Lanes from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 21. The event is open to the general public. To register, contact celiajteach@gmail.com

This past April, the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association was one of a handful of local organizations honored at the AKA Central Regional Conference. The award was given in recognition of the Chapter’s robust partnership and its commitment to the community.

GO PURPLE 2018 •

Leon and The Longest Day

By Teri Flotron

Miss Leon Braxton, St. Louis’s bubbly master chef of Southern-style soul food and drag queen Dieta Pepsi, wears many hats in support of her home state’s many nonprofits. Braxton has earned praise and numerous awards for her work as an active philanthropist, tireless volunteer, and enthusiastic participant in the LGBTQ community.

She is also an ambassador of the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day tribute event. It all started when Alzheimer’s disease struck both of her beloved older brothers a few years ago. Braxton remembers being totally devastated when they told her. “They were my heroes, and I thought heroes were invincible,” Braxton says. “I didn’t know much about Alzheimer’s disease then, and I didn’t know what I could do to help.”

The youngest of six children in Kansas City, Braxton was raised by her older brothers Elbert and Elmer when her parents died when she was just 12 years old. “When Elmer enlisted in the Army and traveled the world in service to his country, Elbert took me in and raised me as his own,” Braxton remembered. “They helped me through college. They were more like my parents than my siblings.”

When a college friend suggested Braxton get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Missouri Chapter, Braxton jumped in with both feet. She gathered her fellow LGBTQ entertainer friends and registered her own The Longest Day team to honor her brothers’ continuing brave fight against the disease.

The popular chef at Rehab St Louis has planned a special The Longest Day Sunday Fried Chicken Dinner, which will take place on Sunday, June 17, 3-8pm at BarPM (7109 S. Broadway). Dinner will consist of four pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and cornbread for $15.

Braxton’s goal is to feed 300 people from 2pm to 8pm. Braxton’s past St. Louis food establishments had been highly praised by local food writers for delicious all-you-can-eat fried chicken and favorite comfort food that packed the house and attracted long lines of eager patrons every Sunday afternoon.

She explains that The Longest Day event title refers to the long-term stress and confusion felt by both the loved one afflicted by the disease and the family members who are forced into the caregiver role upon diagnosis. She is thrilled to have a way to honor them just by doing something she loves to do--cook!

Braxton attributes her passion for serving her community to her mother. But she credits her unsinkable entrepreneurial nature to her oldest brother, Elbert, who grew his small urban development firm from his living room into a large Kansas City corporation and the top minority

company in Missouri. Her Kansas City brothers are now both retired and living at home, watched over, and cared for by their loving nieces and nephews. Her brothers love that Braxton is so involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. She insisted her sister-in-law join the local Alzheimer’s caregiver support group and reach out to others going through the same ordeal. She is proud of how the disease has united and energized her family and friends with a sense of determination and purpose. “When my brothers get

depressed, I’ve told them that if things get bad, I’ll drop everything and come home to help them. Family always comes first.”

“We all know someone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease, and right now, there’s still no cure,” Braxton emphasizes. “To beat this, we all have to work together and help each other so that one day no one else will have to go through this.” “I think The Longest Day tribute event is probably the best Alzheimer’s Association activity you can do because it’s so flexible. You can use your imagination

“The important thing is not to stop. Because for someone with Alzheimer’s, every day is the longest day.”

and your passion to come up with lots of fun ways all year to build awareness, connect others, and raise money to keep the research going.

The important thing is not to stop. Because for someone with Alzheimer’s, every day is the longest day.” To start or join a team, host an event, register as an individual, or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or facebook.com/fightalz .