May 4th, 2017

Salute shows ‘soul side’ of health care

Calls for community commitment to youth

By Chris King Of The St.

Louis American

“This feels more and more like a reunion every year,”

Dr. Jacqueline Turner said of the 17th annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon, which the St. Louis American Foundation presented on Friday, April 28 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. “It’s our chance to reconnect and offer each other encouragement.” Even more than that was

n “She cares so deeply about us. Not just our bodies, but also the soul side of it.”

– Carol Daniel, on Dr. Jacqueline Turner

offered at this Salute. Dr. Turner, who was recognized as a 2017 Stellar Performer in Health Care, is

founder of West End Ob-Gyn, now part of BJC Medical Group, and also on staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She is the personal obstetrician and gynecologist of Carol Daniel, the KMOX news anchor, newly elected president of the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists, and Salute emcee. Daniel stunned the capacity crowd of 450 when she confessed that Dr. Turner had not only delivered her two sons, but also helped and counseled her through the loss of two babies.

“She cares so deeply about us,” Daniel said of Dr. Turner, as she wept. “Not just our bodies, but also the soul side

From

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Andrisse (left) and his friend, Jerry Moore III of St. Louis want to remove the stigma of persons who have been incarcerated. Upon release from prison Andrisse earned

By Rebecca

After St. Louis police officers make their weekend arrests, sheriff deputies on Mondays take the new inmates into a room at the City Justice Center where they video conference with judges.

n “It’s a ticking time bomb. We are hurting, and it’s just a matter of time before something happens.”

– Sheriff Vernon Betts

One Monday, three deputies brought 35 men into the conference room. That ratio is asking for trouble, said St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts, who was elected in November.

“You had two Bloods over here and three Crips over there, eyeing each other,” Betts said.

In that situation especially, taking the inmates out of their handcuffs is dangerous, he said. But that’s what one judge requested the deputies do when the inmates rose to talk to the video screen. The minute the deputy released the cuffs of one man, the inmate attacked the deputy, sending him to the hospital with injuries. That was the second time that had happened during his time in office, Betts said.

With that many inmates, he said, there should have been at least 15 deputies. But there’s no way he could currently staff those numbers with his budget. And now having served more than 100 days in office, he said he is struggling to provide adequate security with his current resources and to come to an agreement with the judges on what appropriate safety measures require.

Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Chance Pinkston and Carter Lemen, students at Brittany Woods Middle School in the University City School District, worked recently on their model of the solar system for the 2017 St. Louis Science Fair, which concluded on Saturday, April 29.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Dr. Jacqueline Turner, a 2017 Stellar Performer in Health Care, with her patient Carol Daniel, the KMOX news anchor, newly elected president of the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and emcee of the 17th annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon.

Photo by Wiley Price

Aries Spears plans to hit back with lawsuit

According to TMZ, actor/comedian Aries Spears plans to be in court for payback from the radio host who attacked him on air with repeated blows to the head.

Spears is expected to file a lawsuit against Zo Williams and the internet-based radio station where the altercation took place last month.

Williams unleashed punch after punch after punch when Spears joked “light skinned [n-word expletive] like Zo always get loud.”

Spears didn’t put up a fight in-studio, but TMZ said that will change in court. He feels he was booked at the station to be a comedian, and was merely doing that when Williams attacked a “defenseless and innocent” person.

He has reportedly hired Ben Meiselas of Geragos & Geragos, who will sue the station and Williams.

The lawyers claim Williams clearly had a propensity for violence given his conduct, and the station is also responsible because it hired the

move on their own to LA to be part of the new show,” an insider told Radar Online.

“Steve never even addressed the staff about it. He never said a word about them all losing their jobs. These are die-hard loyal staff members. Staff was told by the Executive Producer, not Steve. The EP said that Steve would talk to them and then he never did. Not even an email saying ‘thanks for what you do’, or ‘good luck.”

Did Steve Harvey leave talk show crew in Chicago hanging?

Last month, Steve Harvey announced a reboot of his daytime talk show in Los Angeles. According to Radar Online, he won’t be bringing hardly any of the Chicago team to Hollywood.

“He didn’t offer interviews to many people who have been with him since beginning, and hurt lots of people who would

Janet confirms split from husband, announces tour on Twitter

Mana, saying she wanted to “keep it real” with her fans.

“Yes, I separated from my husband,” Jackson said. “We are in court and the rest is in God’s hands.” Jackson then announced that she would be resuming her “Unbreakable” tour which she has renamed the “State of the World” tour.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson took to Twitter on Monday night to make several big announcements about her family and her return to the stage.

“Hey you guys, it’s me Jan, just in case you didn’t recognize me cause I have put on quite a few since I had the baby,” Jackson said. “I thank God for him, you guys. He’s so healthy, so beautiful, so sweet, so loving, such a happy baby.”

She also addressed her separation from her Qatari businessman husband, Wissam Al

“It’s not about politics,” she said of the name change. “It’s about people, the world, relationships and just love.” Jackson postponed her tour first in 2015 for surgery and then in April 2016 as she and her husband planned their family. She confirmed in October last year that she was becoming a mother at 50. Jackson’s tour is scheduled to resume beginning with a concert September 7 in Lafayette, Louisiana. A source told Entertainment Tonight that she plans to take the baby on tour.

“She will be in court to flesh out the dissolution of her marriage,” the source said. “Touring with baby Eissa could be a possible problem, but she’s hoping it’s not.”

Sources: TMZ.com, Entertainment Tonight, Radar Online, CNN.com

Steve Harvey

Aries Spears

WUSTL graduates 25 College Prep scholars

All are collegebound with more than $4M collectively in

By Diane Toroian Keaggy Washington University

Lerone A. Martin, assistant professor of religion and politics in the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, had these words of advice for the inaugural cohort of the College Prep Program at Washington University in St. Louis: Go to office hours. Take the classes you enjoy. And never hide your light.

“When you come home from college on break, you may hear from your old friends, ‘You’ve changed. You’re not the same anymore.’ With humility, it’s OK to say, ‘I have changed,’” Martin told the 25 graduating high school seniors.

“Do not hide your light to make other people comfortable. I’m not saying shine your light in other people’s faces. But you are who are you are. You’ve been given gifts and opportunities –like this program, for example – to shine.”

The College Prep scholars gathered in Knight Hall’s Emerson Auditorium on the Washington University in St. Louis campus April 23 to celebrate the end of high school, to reflect on their three summers together, and to glean words of wisdom and encouragement from the university leaders who have

invested in their success.

Every member has been accepted into colleges across the nation from University of San Francisco to Duke University to St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and most have received generous scholarship support. In total, the cohort has received more than $4 million in scholarship offers. Five students will be attending Washington University, which will provide students financial support through its College Prep Scholarship. Emanuel Barcenas of Pattonville High School is one those students. He plans to enroll in the philosophyneuroscience-psychology

program in Arts & Sciences.

“I didn’t know what my potential was until I joined the program,” Barcenas said. “I never would have thought that I could go to a school like Wash. U., but I’m ready.”

Washington University launched the College Prep Program in 2013 as a way to prepare talented, firstgeneration high school students from the St. Louis region for college. For three summers, students live and learn on campus, participating in science labs, preparing their college essays at the Writing Center and studying with top university faculty.

Provost Holden Thorp, who

led a College Prep seminar about the importance of teamwork in both science and music, referenced the Stevie Wonder hit “Superstition” in his parting remarks.

“You learned about math and science, music and the arts, how to do research and learn things for yourself,” Thorp said. “That’s important because ‘When you believe in things you don’t understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain’t the way.’ Knowledge is the way.”

For more information on the College Prep Program or to nominate someone, visit https:// collegeprep.wustl.edu.

From swag to sag

Many believe that sagging pants began in the prison system, where belts are not allowed to be worn because they can be used as weapons or as a method to suicide. Hip-hop artists implemented this, and it rapidly became popular among the youth.

Requiring students to wear uniforms or conform to dress codes is a practice that some private schools have used for many years to help maintain order. Recent episodes of violence in schools, however, have led to an increasing interest in bringing uniforms and more stringent dress codes into public schools as well.

This form of fashion statement is contrary to the way most African-American men dressed up to the late ‘80s. In some places, local politicians passed laws prohibiting young men from sagging in public places. Several cities have banned sagging and issued fines to persons who show their underwear and, in some instances, their skin.

According to SoulfulDetroit.com, “From the 1900s to the 1920s to the 1940s, lapel widths changed, coats got a little shorter, hat styles varied, and then we hit the ‘70s, and everything exploded with color and flare.” This was undoubtedly reflected in the St. Louis area, where most AfricanAmerican men dressed immaculately and respectfully in those decades.

There was the Black Retailer’s Association, a group that presented the latest fashions and trends to men of color. Those retailers were Wallace Coopwood, Mathew Foggy, Emanuel Bryant’s Esquire Men’s Shop, Joe’s Men Shop, Rozell Johnson’s Rozelle’s Men’s Shop, Phil Montgomery’s Leading Men’s Store, Leonardo’s Men Shop and many more.

Their clothes were of quality but affordable. The community wore them with dignity and self-esteem. There was no arrogance or conceit, but the pleasure of knowing they were symbols of a proud race.

The importance and influence of mothers and fathers in families has been significant, and those who allow their sons and daughters to present this gangsta image in public show a decline in power and authority over our children.

When the Afro and dashikis were in style, many in the black community looked upon them with ridicule and contempt while others saw liberation. I wonder in a few years how we will view sagging. What do you predict?

Please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday night at 10 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on KNLC-TV Ch. 24. I can be reached by fax at 314-8373369, e-mail at berhay@swbell.net or on Twitter @ berhay.

ENDS 5/7/2017. GET

athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, baby gear, designer jewelry/watches/sportswear, gift cards, gourmet foods, jewelry trunk shows, maternity, previous purchases, restaurants, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, select tech accessories, toys, wine, 3Doodler, Apple Products, Barbour, Brahmin, Breitling, Breville, COACH, Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Kate Spade, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, littleBits, Locker Room By Lids, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Movado Bold, Natori, New Era, Nike on Field, Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Shun, Spanx, Stuart Weitzman, Tag Heuer, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG®, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford, Wüsthof & products offered by vendors who operate leased departments in any of our stores including: Burberry, Gucci, Longchamp & Louis Vuitton; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: kids’ shoes, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Chanel, Hurley, Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA & Tommy Bahama. Cannot be

Photo: Sid Hastings/Washington University

Leah Merrifield, director of the College Prep Program, and Provost Holden Thorp present Tabitha Smith, a senior at Hazelwood East, with a College Prep honor cord. Smith will be attending Washington University.

Bernie Hayes

Mayor must involve community in hiring public safety positions

We join the coalition of progressive organizations and citizens calling on Mayor Lyda Krewson – who showed political skill in negotiating the stunning retirement of controversial Police Chief Sam Dotson on her first full day in office – to include the community directly in the process of recruiting and hiring a new police chief. We believe that the participation of a diverse committee of St. Louisans in this process would ensure a more fair and transparent search and result in a more credible, competent and community-minded chief. It also would protect the new mayor from the political disaster of appearing to have eased Dotson out of office with an insider successor already in mind, a persistent political rumor. As this large group of progressives – most of whom opposed Krewson’s candidacy – remind the mayor, there are existing models for this type of search. Portland created committees of diverse residents to capture community values, write a job description and vet candidates for chief. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh had the same diverse community group work in conjunction with a professional search team to broaden the scope and quality of its outreach to candidates. If the mayor thinks St. Louis can address its problems with its police department without learning from other cities that have done a better job than we have done, she is being short-sighted. Moreover, she risks forfeiting some of the tenuous political good will she gained with some of her early hires, as well as hurting her chances of bringing improved public safety to the city, as her campaign promised. Police chiefs are lightning rods that generate a great deal of media attention and public interest. The mayor needs to get that tricky hire right, under much heat from community concern, while also staffing a more senior and critical position that unfortunately does not receive the same degree of public scrutiny, and that is the director of Public Safety. This official supervises (among other sectors) the police and fire departments and the Corrections Division. On the watch of Slay’s directors of Public Safety,

In an historic low for the regard of public safety in St. Louis, Mayor Francis G. Slay appointed lowlevel functionary Charles Bryson to direct the Department of Public Safety simply so a black man could be the public face of the demotion of Fire Chief Sherman George, the city’s first black fire chief.

Open letter about protests to PostDispatch Editorial page editor

By state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. Guest columnist

we saw inmates encouraged by corrections officers to fight for sport, escape from confinement repeatedly and cooperate with operations to smuggle drugs into prisons with the help of corrections officers. We encourage the new mayor to read (or, one hopes, since she was an alderwoman when it was published, reread) the ACLU’s 2009 report “Suffering in Silence: Human Rights Abuses in St. Louis Correctional Centers.”

Above all, Krewson must discontinue Slay’s disconcerting and dangerous pattern of making this crucial public safety position a political appointment. The most distressing example of this pattern was Slay’s appointing Charles Bryson – whose main job experience was handing out mayoral proclamations in the black community – to director of Public Safety simply so a black man could be the public face of the demotion of Fire Chief Sherman George, the city’s first black fire chief and a beloved person in the community. No, we don’t need to re-litigate Chief George’s issues, but we do need to remember how unimaginably low Slay regarded public safety to let an unqualified, lowlevel functionary like Bryson even nominally supervise our police and fire departments and jails. Slay heaped additional insult onto the black community by finally parking Bryson as director of the city’s Civil Rights Enforcement Agency. We believe this appointment qualifies as the political equivalent of a racist joke. An unqualified black man who accepted a lucrative promotion simply to sow some racial confusion about Slay’s demotion of a highly qualified black man really does sum up “civil rights” in the Slay administration. While Krewson is busy tossing out Slay’s baggage, she should also ask Bryson if he wants to “spend some more time with his family.” As long as Charles Bryson is the face of civil rights enforcement in St. Louis government, then civil rights enforcement in St. Louis government is the political equivalent of a racist joke.

Trump offers massive tax relief to corporations and the rich

You would think that the Trump administration, with so many emigres from the business world, could at least perform simple arithmetic. Judging by the president’s looney-tunes tax plan, you would be wrong.

As usual for President Trump, he has offered few details. But the outlines of his proposal, released April 26, are nothing short of hallucinatory. Next door to the White House, in the Treasury Department, there are actual economists who take seriously the responsibility of safeguarding the world’s biggest national economy. They must be deeply embarrassed at now having to pretend that two plus two equals seven.

In his desperate quest to do something yoooge, Trump proposes massive tax cuts for businesses and individuals, especially the wealthy. The impact, according to experts, would be to make federal budget deficits soar, adding as much as $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. I’ve never thought of myself as a deficit hawk, but this kind of profligacy is ridiculous.

You will recall that Trump also wants to spend $1 trillion on upgrading our sagging infrastructure, which is a good idea; and he wants to vastly boost defense spending, which is a bad idea. Meanwhile, he has pledged not to touch entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare. Although his promises typically don’t seem to mean much, all this would add up to fiscal insanity. Trump’s plan is based on

the idea that tax cuts stimulate the economy to grow, not a little but a lot. I agree with the economists who find this scenario unlikely.

“The plan will pay for itself with growth,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. His rosy projection is that increased growth would produce $2 trillion in new revenue over 10 years. But the Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, estimates the tax cuts would cost $6.2 trillion in revenue during that same period, leaving a $4 trillion gap. Even the conservative Tax Foundation, which has rarely seen a tax cut it didn’t like, foresees a $2 trillion gap. The nominal corporate tax rate would be lowered from 35 percent to 15 percent. I say nominal because many, if not most, businesses find loopholes that allow them to pay less. Still, there is bipartisan agreement in Congress that the 35 percent rate is too high. If House Speaker Paul Ryan cared less about ideology and more about results, a bill cutting the rate to, say, 25 percent could be on Trump’s desk for signature within a week. But 15 percent is too low, and fiscal conservatives in the House are already balking. Individual income taxes, meanwhile, would be simplified. Instead of the

current seven tax brackets, there would be only three – 10 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent. It is hard to gauge the precise impact, since Trump did not specify the income levels that define the three brackets. But it is clear that he and other wealthy individuals would get a huge tax cut, however, because he proposes to eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax -- a provision basically meant to ensure that rich people with lots of deductions pay at least something in taxes.

The plan would also allow many wealthy individuals who own businesses to pay income tax not at the 35 percent individual rate but at the new 15 percent corporate rate. This would surely apply to The Trump Organization and its proprietor.

Trump would keep the popular deductions for mortgage interest and charitable giving but eliminate many others, including the deduction for state and local taxes. The standard deduction, for those who do not itemize, would be doubled. Depending how the brackets are structured, it looks to me as if many middle-class taxpayers might pay a little less while some pay a little more.

I don’t know whether this is the most cynical tax plan I’ve ever heard or the most ignorant. I guess those distinctions are not mutually exclusive. Anyone who supports this mess automatically forfeits the right to be a deficit scold ever again.

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

In a recent column titled “There’s no constitutional right to commit mayhem,” Tod Robberson, Editorial page editor of the St. Louis PostDispatch, asked, “And since the protesters are so adamant about protecting free speech, would they defend religious conservatives’ right to block highways to protest LGBT rights or to block access to abortion clinics?”

To answer your question, Mr. Robberson: Yes, I absolutely would. I may not agree with their positions and I may find them oppressive, but passion is passion and I can respect that. Don’t take my word for it. I implore you to ask my Republican colleagues. You will see that I have taken the time, and have had the pleasure and opportunity, to learn from them and more fully understand why they feel the way they do.

I have been head-to-head with Trump supporters, Blue Lives Matter protesters, Pro Life activists and a host of others with whom I do not fully agree and have never once felt they didn’t have the right to be there. Free speech, and the protection thereof, is the bedrock on which the

shining City on the Hill that President Reagan spoke of so solidly sits.

You brought up the torching and looting of the QuikTrip during the Ferguson protests. While I do not condone those actions, I will not condemn them. I am sure you can recall Martin Luther King Jr.’s statement that riots are the language of the unheard, and for years the people of Ferguson and the disenfranchised across the nation have been speaking of the debtor’s prisons of our municipal courts and their brutality. As we have seen in the work of our state auditor, those unheard voices were speaking the truth.

We also cannot ignore

n Don’t take my word for it. I implore you to ask my Republican colleagues.

the fact that the number of peaceful protests in St. Louis and around our country has far outnumbered the instances of unfortunate acts of violence that have occurred. Just because they were not seen on the nightly news or written about with the same fervor and interest doesn’t mean these entirely violence- and arsonfree protests didn’t happen almost daily for the better part of a year. With that being said, you need only look at world history to know the ramifications if our institutions

Letters to the editor

Review of consent decrees is shameful

This decision by the Trump administration to launch a sweeping review of consent decrees is shameful. We worked tirelessly in the Obama administration to enact consent decrees that reform troubled police departments and keep our communities safe, so I can tell you without a doubt that what Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions are doing actively hurts communities, puts lives at risk, and does nothing to support our police departments. The American people clearly can’t trust Jeff Sessions’ Justice Department to keep them safe, but they can count on Democrats to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communities across the country focused on improving relationships with law enforcement and saving lives.

Tom Perez, chair, DNC Washington, D.C.

Big first step

The state’s highest court has spoken and now we will finally get the raises we were promised two years ago. Republican lawmakers and their corporate donors have already stolen $35 million from us by holding up our raises, but that stops now. This raise to $11/hour is a big first step to getting the $15/hour and union rights we’ve been demanding for the past four years, and we’re going to keep speaking out until we win.

Bettie Douglas, Show Me $15 St. Louis

Blatantly favoring the wealthiest

The Trump Administration’s long-awaited outline for tax reform highlights the president’s allegiance to special interests and the super wealthy through massive tax cuts for

continue to neglect the concerns of the citizens of this country, no matter their color, creed, neighborhood, political affiliation or sexual orientation. You talk about drawing a line. The line we should be concentrating on is opening the lines of communication in this divided nation so we can eradicate the need for these protests to even occur. I do know that this discussion would not be happening if those highways had not been blocked. You would not be quoting me, and the representative would not have felt the need to bring forth his bill, if these protests had not been broadcast on national television.

In addition, I would not have been able to have the positive, insightful and rational discussion about the importance of protecting free speech in committee with my Republican colleagues. I would not have known what a committee is nor what its purpose is if not for those protests. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others had to die at the hands of the very violence he spoke out against for the majority of the nation to take notice. Ultimately, we like to ignore the fact that those riots of the unheard after his death truly were the kindling that ignited the fire that pushed the powers-that-be to start listening and taking some action. Why? Because, they were uncomfortable.

Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) represents House District 78 in the Missouri Legislature.

powerful corporations. Despite claims from the White House’s chief economic advisor that such a proposal will stimulate growth and create jobs, it is clear that the only result of this plan will be a steep increase in our country’s deficit while leaving working- and middleclass families in the dust.

We’ve seen these bad ideas before, and the reality never matches the rhetoric. Recently, Kansas implemented comparable business tax ideas, and the outcome was a stagnant economy, a downgraded credit rating, and a fiscal crisis that will plague the state for generations to come.

President Trump is also proposing a “tax holiday” for businesses, to bring money back to the U.S. that has been kept sheltered overseas.

President George W. Bush implemented the same idea in

2004, but it failed miserably in creating economic growth. There was no investment in employees, infrastructure, or expansion; rather, the special tax rates were used to enrich corporate shareholders. The president’s tax outline fails to address any safeguards to stop abusive corporate practices like earnings stripping, transfer pricing or corporate inversions. Put simply, this effort clears the way for corporations to abuse wide-open tax loopholes. I am more than willing to engage with my colleagues across the aisle, but I simply cannot support tax reform that so blatantly favors the wealthiest individuals and entities in our country while completely ignoring the rest of us. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore Milwaukee

Guest Columnist

Bruce Franks

Photo by Wiley Price

Donuts with Dad

Donald Norman joined his daughter Taylor Norman for Donuts with Dads at Townsend Elementary in the Hazelwood School District, an annual event that fathers, grandfathers, uncles and mentors attend with their students. “It’s always great to have fathers visit the school,” said Patricia Wilson, principal at Townsend. “Teachers and students are accustomed to mothers visiting the school and participating in programs; however, it’s something special when we host fathers because it is outside the norm.”

County Library, Parents As Teachers promote early literacy

St. Louis County Library is partnering with Parents as Teachers (PAT) for a pilot program at five local school districts: Affton, Riverview Gardens, Jennings, Bayless and Hancock.

The library is creating early literacy kits for PAT educators to take into the homes of their clients. Each kit contains books and interactive activities around a theme, such as sleep, discipline, nutrition, concepts (shapes, numbers, etc.), animals and more. PAT educators will use the kits to help reinforce the importance of reading and play within the home, as well as the resources available at their local library.

Studies have shown that when caregivers read and play with small children it improves their school readiness. Using resources from the library, PAT educators will promote the importance of early literacy to participating families. In addition, each family visited by a PAT educator will receive a free book to add to their personal library.

Congress tries to block regulation of payday loans

By Charlene Crowell Guest columnist

Since its inception, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has faced an unrelenting onslaught of attacks. From lawmakers, to lobbyists and business organizations, many still maintain that the marketplace should regulate itself, and government should just get out of the way.

Count the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Dallas’ U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, as a key believer who is determined to rollback regulations and hamstring regulators, if not eliminate them. On April 26, he convened a hearing to formally unveil legislation dubbed the Financial CHOICE Act 2.0

This bill deserves a new name; let’s call it something more akin to what it really would do: financial harm. For U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, the committee’s ranking member, “the Wrong Choice Act” would be an apt and accurate description.

“The Wrong Choice Act thoroughly dismantles Wall Street reform, guts the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and takes us back to the system that allowed risky and predatory Wall Street practices and products to crash our economy,” Waters said during the hearing.

The bill encourages government to take a blind eye to lenders that repeatedly harm borrowers by trapping them into turnstiles of debt and re-borrowing that eventually leads to overdrafts, closed bank accounts and in the worst scenarios, bankruptcies. Today, consumers in 35 states are subject to triple-digit interest rates that range from 154 to 677 percent.

While many state officials have taken on predatory lending, the CFPB worked in concert. As states exercised their respective authorities, CFPB investigated and enforced legal provisions of a federal law that stops unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices in financial services, or UDAAP. As a federal consumer agency, CFPB also secured nearly $12 billion on behalf of American families through its decisive actions and a national scope.

The Financial CHOICE Act 2.0 would eliminate CFPB’s use of UDAAP. That one reversal would make it easier for payday lenders, banks, debt collectors, student lenders, and others to trick and trap consumers without redress. By specifically removing authority to promulgate rules for high-cost payday and car-title loans, this harmful bill would also exempt further CFPB actions on high-cost installment loans too.

In states like Missouri that allow these high-cost loans, payday and car title lenders strip away more than $8 billion dollars a year. According to CFPB, nearly one in four payday borrowers relies on either public assistance or retirement benefits as primary income. The average borrower income is approximately $25,000.

Payday and car-title storefronts tend to ply their trade in black and Latino neighborhoods. The noticeable presence of these predatory lenders in our communities illustrates how our people are targeted to become financial victims, just as subprime mortgage lenders did in the years leading up to the foreclosure crisis.

By fighting predatory lenders at both the state and federal levels, 90 million people who live in the District of Columbia and 15 states have laws that cap triple-digit loan shark interest rates on these small-dollar loans and a consumer agency that will hold violators accountable. Collectively, these states save more than $2 billion a year that would otherwise be spent on payday loan fees.

“A key goal of the proposal is to weaken the successful CFPB into an unrecognizable husk incapable of protecting consumers,” said Ed Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director with U.S. PIRG. “An important tool for regulators is the ability to challenge unfair and deceptive practices. The CFPB has been given a third prong, the ability to challenge ‘abusive’ practices as well.”

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

Charlene Crowell

BETTS

Continued from A1

“It’s a ticking time bomb,” Betts said of the Sheriff’s Office. “We are hurting, and it’s just a matter of time before something happens.”

Throughout his campaign, Betts promised to clean up the department – which had been allegedly full of corruption and disparate pay between black and white deputies for the 28 years James Murphy held the office, according to Betts.

However, Betts didn’t expect one major hurdle – the judges of the 22nd Circuit Court.

Although city residents elect the sheriff, the 31 circuit court judges have final say on new hires and on the budget request that the sheriff submits to the city budget director every year.

When Betts arrived, five members of the executive leadership team under Murphy left the department. When Betts went to fill those positions, the judges said that those candidates had to pass the same physical fitness test that police candidates do.

It was a provision that was added in March 2015 to the Sheriff’s Handbook under Murphy – at the judges’ insistence. Only one of the five people Betts wanted to hire for his executive staff was able to pass the test, and that was Steve Roberts, his chief deputy.

“I guarantee that none of the former executive leadership could have passed that test,” Betts said.

Three days after he got in office, Betts changed the handbook provision to say that he could waive the test if the deputies would only be performing a clerical function. But that doesn’t make a difference to the judges who wanted the rule in place – and who have the final say on Betts’ hires.

“If you are going to carry a gun and perform functions as a sheriff deputy, then you need to pass a fairly limited physical

fitness test,” said Judge Michael Mullen, presiding judge of the 22nd Circuit Court. “That was put in place before we knew who the new sheriff was going to be. It’s just a way to keep us safe. I feel very strongly about that, as do all the judges.”

However, Gregg Christian, Betts’ spokesman, said the physical fitness test has little to do with what’s actually going on between the judges and Betts.

“It’s not the test,” Christian said. “The judges want to control who he hires and cut him out of the process. Vernon is not willing to do that. He wants to run his department the way he was duly elected to run it. The judges keep saying it’s about the test, but it’s about them trying to wrestle control away from an elected official.”

This year – for the second time – the 22nd Circuit Court has pushed forward and rallied behind legislation to make the position of St. Louis sheriff an appointed post. On February 27, state Senator Andrew

Koenig (R-Manchester)

introduced Senate Bill 484, which states that a majority of the 22nd Judicial Circuit judges would appoint the next sheriff. Betts would finish out his term.

A similar bill was proposed in 2015 by then-state Senator Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis), but failed.

The court’s spokesman Thom Gross said the sheriff’s office is not an independent law-enforcement agency. Basically, all of the functions of the Sheriff’s Office are directed by the court, he said, including transporting prisoners to court, ordering extra protection in a courtroom and sequestering and escorting jurors.

“Unlike rural sheriffs who also perform a lawenforcement function, the St. Louis sheriff has no duties beyond those at the direction of the court,” Gross said. “The judges believe that we need a professional in that office, as opposed to an elected political figure making patronage hires.”

The court also says that

“Obviously, we want it to be safe,” Mullen said. “It’s up to the sheriff to allocate the budget that the city ends up giving him.”

The city is currently facing a $17 million shortfall, so every department is facing cuts to balance the 2018 budget.

The city’s budget division has currently suggested a $9.29 million budget for Betts’ office – about $120,000 less than last year. However, Betts said that they are already at a breaking point and can’t afford any cuts.

The starting pay for a deputy is $27,430, which is less than a corrections officer and starting positions at the juvenile detention center. There are people who have worked as a city deputy for 20 years and have never received a raise, he said.

“We want to change that,”

Betts said.

making the office an appointed position would save the city money.

The St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee opposes Koenig’s legislation.

Budget crunch

On January 4, Betts gave the judges a budget of $10,236,330, which included a request to increase the number of deputies from 154 to 175 and raise all salaries by three percent. The request was about $822,000 more than the office’s fiscal year 2017 budget, which was $9.41 million.

The court’s budget committee instead recommended to the city’s budget director a $9.65 million budget – which included cutting seven positions and rejecting the three percent across-the-board raise.

The judges instead proposed giving raises to only entry-level and low-level positions because it’s hard to attract people to do such an intense job, Mullen said.

Aside from this, Betts said that black deputies make substantially less than white deputies of the same rank and seniority. While he doesn’t intend to only give AfricanAmerican employees raises, his three-tier plan for pay raises was an attempt to address this disparity.

“As long as I’m being cut, there’s no way to fulfill my promise to get these people a livable wage,” he said.

Cleaning it up

To become an employee, one must apply to the Sheriff’s Office, take a fitness test and undergo a background test.

Starting in 2014, the court’s Personnel Committee of five judges started reviewing applications, Betts said, but personal interviews were unusual until this year. Now all candidates for employment must go before the committee for an interview.

This adds several weeks to the already long application process, Betts said, and it has made it difficult to make much-needed hires and fires.

Mullen said that the court has gone along with every hiring recommendation Betts has presented – as long as the individuals have passed the

fitness test. “Everyone he put in front of us, we’ve approved,” Mullen said.

Betts said he also remains saddled with the previous sheriff’s patronage hires – the kinds of hires the judges are trying to avoid in the future.

“That needs to be cleaned up,” Betts said, “and I don’t have the ability to clean it up.”

Taking it to the legislature

Betts has gone to the state legislature to try and resolve the issue.

“I am working with legislators in Jefferson City on two state law changes that would allow me more control over who I employ and increase the level of training and professionalism of the department,” Betts said.

House Bill 878 would allow the sheriff to make hires without the court’s approval, and Senate Bill 451 would allow the department to become POST-certified, which would require a higher level of training for deputy sheriffs as well as allow the department to apply for federal grants. SB 451, sponsored by state Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), now includes the same provisions of HB 878 and is currently up for debate on the House floor.

The bills have support from the Missouri Sheriffs Association, the NAACP and World Wide Technology. Last week, Betts announced that one of his male deputies had been arrested and charged with the felony of “sexual conduct with a prisoner.” The incident occurred a couple weeks ago at the city jail with a female inmate. The deputy is currently suspended without pay, pending the trial.

Christian said, “This latest embarrassing incident for the department is one of many incidents over the years that led newly elected Sheriff Betts to call for higher standards and powers that would allow him to change an office badly in need of reform.”

St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts met with a staffer in his ofice on Wednesday, May 3.

Photo by Wiley Price

of it.” It was that kind of Salute, where deep-soul reconnections happened before the eyes of a compassionate, supportive community, who wept – and laughed – along with the health care heroes (and their celebrity patients) onstage. Norman White also wept onstage and summoned tears in the audience. Remarkably, he walked to the podium already quietly in tears. Like many in the audience, he wept at the ending of the video about his work made by Rebecca Rivas, St. Louis American reporter and video editor. The uncanny thing is that the ending of the video is moving precisely because it ends with White quietly weeping at the reality of children “who don’t get the right to grow up.” Watching himself weep on the screen, White was brought to tears along with much of the audience. White is an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice and associate dean for community engagement and empowerment at the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice. He was awarded the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award, sponsored by the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, for his work in a funded research project called Shut it Down: Closing the School to Prison Pipeline. He is working in seven elementary schools in the St. Louis Public School District to help administrators and teachers devise strategies to calm students who live in “risk-immersed” situations and keep problematic students in the classroom, knowing that the suspension of a child is a pipeline to the incarceration of an adult.

BANBOX

Continued from A1

question, your application is incomplete and you set yourself up to be asked about it again, whether on screen or in person. If you tell the truth and say “yes,” you may not be accepted. If you say “no” when you should have said “yes” and it gets discovered, you could be kicked out of school. Too many times, that question – that box – stops the application process altogether.

Just like the Ban the Box movement to remove questions about criminal history (at least during the initial application) when seeking employment, there is a movement underway to get colleges and universities to remove those questions from their student applications.

“More often than not, the admissions process is one of the many barriers that justice-involved people face, particularly people of color, who are disproportionately represented in our nation’s justice system,” according to a May 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Education, “Beyond the Box: Increasing Access to Higher Education for Justice-Involved Individuals.”

Moreover, no correlation is found between crimes on campus and students with records of incarceration. The report states, “To the extent research exists on the issue, there are no conclusive research findings to suggest that asking about an individual’s criminal justice history during the admissions process decreases campus crime.”

The report concluded by encouraging college and university officials to look beyond the box by removing unnecessary barriers to higher education for justice-involved individuals and to demonstrate that postsecondary education can help offer students a second chance to change their lives.

In the report, “Reconsidered: The Use of Criminal History Records in College Admissions,” the Center for Community Alternatives said the collection and use of criminal justice information is problematic for a number of reasons. No link has been established between having

“We need to start asking that question. ‘And how are the children?’ And the

has to be, ‘All the

are well.’ It’s the only answer,” said Norman

who was awarded the Dr. John

Excellence in Mental Health Award, sponsored by the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund.

White challenged St. Louis to be a “committed community” willing to work collectively in educating the next generation, especially the “risk-immersed” and traumatized. He described a conventional exchange of greetings from the Masai people of East Africa. “And how are the children?” is the conventional greeting, and the conventional response: “All the children are well.”

“We need to start asking

a criminal record and posing a risk to campus safety. Having a criminal record is not an unusual characteristic in America today. It is a civil rights issue due to racial bias in the criminal justice system; criminal records are often inaccurate/misleading. And accepting college applicants with criminal records promotes public safety by opening up opportunities, enhancing critical thinking, and leading to better and more stable employment.

The center also recommends that colleges and universities should refrain from collecting and using criminal justice information in the context of college admissions.

“Given what we know about the commission of serious crimes on campus – that they are most often committed by students without criminal records – excluding people with records from attending college will only serve to create a false sense of security,” the report concludes. “Barring people with criminal records from attending college does not improve campus safety, but does undermine public safety in the larger community.”

One young man who was able to overcome the stigma of previous incarceration with the help of a college professor is Ferguson native Stan Andrisse. Immediately after he earned his undergraduate degree, the court system sent him to prison for drug offenses.

“For people with a criminal record, that box is a mountainous barrier,” Andrisse said. “It’s a psychological barrier. You see it, and your emotions immediately strike up that society doesn’t want you, that this company doesn’t want you, this school doesn’t want you.”

SLU to the rescue

The box got him too – for a while. After his release from prison, Andrisse kept getting rejection letters from graduate schools until a Saint Louis University professor vouched for him.

“I finally got accepted into Saint Louis University with the help of a former professor that I had met before I went away to prison,” he said. That professor, Barrie Bodie, is now at Northern Illinois University. “I still keep in contact with

that question,” White said. “‘And how are the children?’ And the answer has to be, ‘All the children are well.’ It’s the only answer.”

A similarly challenging tone was struck by Dr. Katie Plax in calling for more comprehensive, school-based health centers. The Ferring Family Chair in Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, she is the medical director of the SPOT (Supporting Positive

him,” Andrisse said. Bodie would send Andrisse papers on diabetes and cancer. Andrisse’s dad had type 2 diabetes and underwent a number of amputations before succumbing to complications of the disease while his son was in prison.

“He would send me scientific articles on diabetes and the different complications, and it was really stimulating my mind,” Andrisse said. “Although I was locked up in prison, my mind was still in this stimulated state –it was not locked up.”

Opportunities with Teens), which provides students with free medical, behavioral health and social services in coordination with community partner organizations. Her team at the SPOT was honored as the 2017 Health Advocacy Organization of the Year. She advocated for their successful model at the SPOT to be expanded throughout the region. “We’re making a difference,” Dr. Plax said. “More comprehensive, school-

“Going into something that is similar to a courtroom and testifying is not something that I am used to doing or comfortable doing,” Andrisse said. “It brought back a lot of feelings, really, to sit in that ‘courtroom’ and be recorded.”

n “Barring people with criminal records from attending college does not improve campus safety, but does undermine public safety in the larger community.”

– Center for Community Alternatives

Andrisse went on to earn an MBA and a PhD and now works in endocrinology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

In terms of “Ban the Box,” Andrisse said he thinks many are ill-informed. He spoke before the Maryland legislature earlier this year about Ban the Box. He said it was an experience in and of itself.

But Andrisse felt it was very important to do it.

“Education for me has been the biggest balancer to offset my criminal convictions. But it’s not just the letters behind my name,” he said. “Education broadens horizons, tears down fences, and leads to career building. It has helped me build my personal and professional support network.”

He also said that one does not have to pursue academics to benefit from education.

“A vocational program can offer this life-changing broadening of horizons,” Andrisse said.

“I try to tell all the people around me – people that I’ve

dignity and respect.” But he spoke in a mischievous style and interjected unexpected details, like that he learned new insights into his service population when he worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis by hanging out on Friday nights at “juke joints.”

The St. Louis American Foundation also recognized seven health professionals with 2017 Excellence in Health Care Awards: Dr. Samuel Achilefu, Eddie McCaskill, Melody McClellan, Dr. Leslie Scott, Rachel Simon-Lee, Danita Smith and Elatris VanHook.

The 2017 Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards were celebrated at an uncertain moment for health care in the United States, with the newly elected president and the Republican majorities in Congress working on compromises for how to undo the Affordable Care Act. This troubling national context was added at the head of the event by Keith Williamson, executive vice president, secretary and general counsel of Centene Corporation, speaking on behalf of the event’s presenting sponsors, Centene Charitable Foundation and Home State Health.

“There is all this uncertainty, with what is happening in Washington, D.C., about health care and the treatment of the underserved,” Williamson said, “so it’s all the more important that we meet like this.”

based health centers can make even more of a difference.” Comic relief came from Mark Sanford, executive vice president of Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, who was recognized as a 2017 Stellar Performer in Health Care. He shared a serious message about devoting his long career to “providing access to greater care and better service and inclusion,” acting in his belief that “health care for all is to be provided with

been locked up with, people that I grew up with, people that have been through the same things that I’ve been through – to let them know there is no ceiling,” Andrisse said.

“You shoot for what feel that you can get to. Don’t let somebody else tell you where you can be in life. And a lot of times, that’s exactly what happens to people coming out with a criminal record. Society tells them that they can only have this type of job, or you can only have this type of education.”

His experience prompted him to speaking out in favor of removing barriers to higher education and against the stigma on those who were previously incarcerated.

“I really hope to try to tear down these barriers of

The event’s gold sponsors were BJC HealthCare and Saint Louis University School of Medicine; silver sponsors were At Home Health Care and A.T. Still University; and bronze sponsors were St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Washington University School of Medicine. The St. Louis American Foundation provides scholarships to area students from the net proceeds of its Salute events.

the stigma of somebody with criminal record looks like and what somebody with a criminal record can do with their life,” Andrisse said. “I believe attacking these barriers will eventually help move policy.”

Although in its early stages, Andrisse offers reentry consulting and mentoring in Baltimore and is building a team to do the same in St. Louis. It is called From Prison Cells to PhD. For more information, visit http:// FromPrisonCellsToPhD.org. Read “Reconsidered: The Use of Criminal History Records in College Admissions” by the Center for Community Alternatives at http://bit.ly/1XfMqpJ.

Photo by Wiley Price

answer

children

White,

M. Anderson

Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon

The St. Louis American Foundation hosted its 17th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon last week at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. Centene Charitable Foundation and Home State Health served as the luncheon’s presenting sponsors. This year’s awardees included: Stellar Performers in Health Care Mark Sanford and Jacqueline Turner MD, Excellence in Mental Health awardee Norman White, Ph.D and the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year for The SPOT. The 2017 Excellence in Health Care Awards were presented to: Samuel Achilefu Ph.D, Eddie McCaskill, Melody McClellan, Leslie Scott MD, Rachel Simon-Lee, Danita Smith and Elatris VanHook.

Guests attending

Connie

Executive Director of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, presents the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award to Dr.

in support of The SPOT, the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year

Richard King, Judge Charles Shaw, Herman Noah and Cozy Marks

Cunningham,

Norman White.

Dr. Teri Murray, Dr. Michael Railey and Dr. Collins Airhihenbuwa of Saint Louis University

Rob Freund guests of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission

Dr. Katie Plax and Dr. Sarah Garwood accept the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year award on behalf of The SPOT.

Dr. Will Ross, Steven Player and Dr. Art McCoy

Stellar Performer in Health Care awardee Mark Sanford

Keith Williamson brings greetings on behalf of presenting sponsors Centene and Home State Health.

Excellence in Health Care awardee Eddie McCaskill and wife Linda Robinson McCaskill with Dawn Fuller and Dwayne Butler

Rodney B. Jackson, Tawania Jackson, Lydia McGhee, Keith Williamson and Adella Jones of Centene.

April Mickens Jolly, Leslie Hardy, Karen Morrison and Kel Ward

Stellar Performer in Health Care

Dr. Jacqueline Turner and Kelly Edwards FNP

All photos by Wiley Price

Excellence in Health Care awardees: Elatris M. VanHook, Danita Smith, Rachel Simon-Lee, Leslie Scott MD, Melody McClellan, Eddie McCaskill and Samuel Achilefu Ph.D

Emcee Carol Daniel presents a Stellar Performer in Health Care award to Dr. Jacqueline Turner.

Lillie Franks, Rev. Michael Franks and Dr. Lannis Hall

Koran Addo, Mayor Krewson and not kissing the ring

Like so many things, the more you know about it, the less conspiratorial it seems. Without at that time hearing back from Koran Addo to better understand the scene, the EYE previously described walking in on a private interview between Addo, then a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch covering the St. Louis mayoral campaign, and Lyda Krewson, then the new Democratic nominee for mayor (and, as such, the presumptive next mayor).

The date: March 8, the day after Krewson won the Democratic primary by 888 votes, in effect sealing her bid for mayor in this Democratic stronghold.

The place: The Cedars Banquet Hall at Saint Raymond Maronite Cathedral, which was what made the scene so interesting – that, of course, and the fact that Addo would later leave the Post to work for Krewson after she was elected.

The Cedars was once managed by the late Francis R. Slay, the father of now former Mayor Francis G. Slay and for decades a major rainmaker in St. Louis politics. Mayor Slay was with Krewson at The Cedars for lunch that day after the primary, as was Comptroller Darlene Green Brian Wahby, longtime Slay ally and former chairman of the city Democrats, was serving at the food line in a white chef’s hat.

That’s what made it look like the basement bar scene in “The Shining,” when the rattled guy succumbing to madness and violence in the abandoned, haunted resort hotel is told by the ghostly bartender that he “has always been here.” It was entirely possible to imagine that a ring always has been kissed at The Cedars, that Francis Slay

inherited it from his father and had just handed it over to Krewson, and everyone was now taking turns kissing the ring. It was even possible to imagine that a fellow journalist had been sighted at the precise moment that he crossed over to the proverbial dark side of power politics. It was possible to conclude that Addo had been observed kissing the ring.

Nothing in Addo’s reporting on the mayoral campaign, or at any time, supported the idea that he played a role in any conspiracy of any kind to elect anyone. Nothing he wrote suggested he was in the tank. But what was he doing talking alone to Krewson at The Cedars the day after the primary, when Krewson had clearly just left the table she was sharing with Slay and Green, with Brian Wahby wearing a puffy chef hat and doling out food – only to end up working for Mayor Krewson as spokesman just a month and a few days later?

It turns out he was … just getting an interview for a newspaper story he had been assigned.

“It was just an interview,” Addo told The American when we finally connected on May 2. “I reached out to all the campaigns and asked them where they were going to be the day after the primary to do a day-after story.” Since Krewson won the primary, she became the priority, and when Addo confirmed a day-after interview, he was told to show up at The Cedars at noon. He and Krewson were sitting alone for the interview because, like any journalist, he preferred an exclusive private interview if he could get it, and he got it.

“I was there to do a PostDispatch story as a journalist, and there was a photojournalist for the Post with me,” Addo

said. “It was strictly a day-after story. Channel 2 and Channel 5 were there, but I would always rather do my own interview, so for about three minutes I got a one-on-one. That was that.”

The EYE – who had been tipped to drop in on The Cedars by a bigfoot in local politics who suspected it would make for an interesting dayafter-primary scene – happened to walk in during those three minutes.

Everything Addo said checks out with observed fact. Laurie Skrivan photojournalist for the Post, was seen with Addo later in the parking lot, with her camera gear. As for the presence of broadcast media, that also matches the observed scene. More than one person was seen shooting footage of Addo and Krewson’s private interview, which to the conspiratorial EYE seemed to be the Krewson campaign (and the ghostly old gang that has “always been here”) documenting an important moment, a ring kiss. It’s much more likely that some bored broadcast news hands were shooting the best thing happening in the room at the moment, and certainly that was whatever Krewson was doing, and for those three minutes what she was doing was getting interviewed by the Post

This conspiracy is dead. It remains a story, though, that someone covering a mayoral campaign promptly went to work for the winner of that campaign. How and when, exactly, did that happen?

Addo said he was first approached for the job by a campaign staffer on Sunday, April 9, five days after Krewson’s election in the April 4 general election. Addo said he first declined the offer, giving the reason “that it could

call into question my coverage during the campaign.” He said the mayor-elect then called personally that night, “told me some of the things she wanted to do” in office, and asked him to give it more thought.

He agreed to give it more thought. He also did more research. He called some colleagues at the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he covered the state legislature. He called some people at Indiana University, where he earned his master’s degree in journalism. His take-homes from those conversations helped convince him to take the position.

“What I heard was this is generally how it’s done,” Addo said. “Journalists get picked all the time. I decided I can’t let this opportunity slip by me because I’m worried about public perception.”

He said it was not only his own credibility as a journalist that he didn’t want to tarnish by crossing over to work for the mayor whose campaign he just covered for the Post “My accepting a job with the mayor put myself and the Post-Dispatch in an awkward position,” Addo said. “That was part of my decision as well.”

And what of the perception from other media that the Post

will continue to have privileged access to the mayor, as they did throughout the Slay years, especially given one of their own guys now is moving the mayor’s message?

“No,” Addo said. “We’re not going to play favorites.”

Blunt murky on preexisting conditions coverage

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R–Missouri) spoke to the news media via conference call on Tuesday, May 2 about federal spending on health, education, defense and flood recovery.

The St. Louis American along with other news outlets, requested that Blunt comment on the current Republican healthcare bill. The bill may be up for a vote in the House within days. Though he said he was in support of “getting moving” on the “repeal and replace” legislation, Blunt remained tight-lipped about whether he would actually support the healthcare bill if it makes it to the Senate.

When asked whether the proposed bill would eliminate funding for pre-existing conditions, Blunt replied that “no

Koran Addo, spokesman for Lyda Krewson who covered her victorious mayoral campaign for the Post-Dispatch, spoke with a colleague at City Hall on Wednesday, May 3.

one knows if that’s accurate ... even the president and House leaders seem to have a different view of that question than they did a week ago.”

Blunt added, “We’ll decide [on the question of pre-existing conditions] once it passes the House.”

The senator further shifted responsibility away from the Senate, asserting that “the Department of Health and Human Services can make a lot of changes here” after the bill passes the House and Senate. Missourians work hard every day to pay their bills and support their families. The least they deserve is an answer from their elected officeholders on whether or not they will support healthcare coverage being drastically reduced, made more expensive, or even ripped away for people with pre-existing conditions,” said Stephen Webber, chair of the Missouri Democratic Party. “Missouri’s Republicans in Washington should come out of hiding and explain why they’ve thrown away their promise to protect Missourians who’ve been sick before.”

Sophie Hurwitz, an editorial intern for The St. Louis American from John Burroughs School, contributed reporting.

Photo by Wiley Price

From Twilight Tuesdays to the Women of Civil Rights

By Nicholas Hoffman For The St. Louis American

The temperature is creeping up and the days are getting longer, which means summer is right around the corner. It also means the Missouri History Museum is about to launch the Twilight Tuesdays Edward Jones Concert Series, its popular weekly outdoor music event. This spring we will be rocking to six different bands featuring the supreme sounds of Prince, Elvis, funk favorites, and many other deinitive genres and artists—and we invite you to join us. These free concerts take place on the Museum’s front lawn on Lindell Blvd. at 6 p.m. Tuesday nights through June 6. Space is available on a irst-come, irst-served basis. You are welcome to throw down a blanket, bring some lawn chairs, or set up a table (smaller than three feet by three feet, please). You can also pack a picnic basket and a cooler with food and beverages, though we ask you to refrain from bringing glass bottles into Forest Park. Food and drink will be available for purchase: ice cream from the Fountain on Locust; drinks from Bixby’s, the Missouri History Museum’s award-winning restaurant; and food of all kinds from St. Louis’s best food trucks. The whole family can enjoy fun, educational activities led by Museum staff. On Twilight Tuesdays the History Clubhouse will stay open until 7:30pm, and our newest exhibition, #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis, will remain open until 8:00pm. MHM’s education staff will also set up a table for kids where they can make a craft and take it with them when they leave!

2017 Spring Twilight Tuesdays Schedule

May 9: Dirty Muggs— Funk Favorites from the 1970s and 1980s

May 16: Steve Davis— The Music of Elvis

May 23: LLC’s Tribute to the Men of Soul

May 30: Jake’s Leg— The Music of the Grateful Dead

June 6: A Music Revolution Tribute to Prince featuring Karl Holmes and the All-Star Band

If you have yet not seen #1 in Civil Rights, come to Twilight Tuesdays early for the chance to immerse yourself in this powerful exhibition that examines how St. Louis has helped advance racial justice on local and national scales: From ground-level activism to groundbreaking court rulings, St. Louis has long been front and center in contesting racial inequity. If you’re interested in taking a tour of the exhibition led by a Museum staff member, meet at the Thomas Jefferson statue inside the Missouri History Museum at 5:00pm. If we have more than 25 participants, we’ll offer a second tour at 5:30pm. There are so many reasons to join us for this year’s Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series—thanks especially to our presenting sponsor, Edward Jones, and promotional support from iHeartMedia St. Louis and the Riverfront Times. So put on your dancing shoes and head down to the Missouri History

Museum in Forest Park!

Women of St. Louis Civil Rights

The Missouri History Museum’s latest exhibition, #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis, highlights the signiicant contributions the city has made in the national movement for racial justice. Countless women have poured their time, energy, and talents into making a difference, and a panel discussion in the Museum’s Lee Auditorium on Thursday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. will focus on their leadership. Women of St. Louis Civil Rights, presented in collaboration with the Women’s Group on Race Relations and moderated by Dr. Malaika Horne of the University of Missouri–St. Louis, will explore the roles women have played, and continue to play, in local activist movements. Exhibition curator Gwen Moore will talk about the vital contributions of historical igures such as Kathryn Johnson, Birdie Beal Anderson, Pearl Maddox, Marian Oldham, Margaret Bush Wilson, and Fredda Witherspoon. Contemporary leaders of the social justice movement—including Regina Davis, Joan Suarez, and Denise Lieberman—will join Moore on the panel for this engaging event.

Art Museum to Launch Inaugural Teen Zine at 2017 Young Artists Exhibition

As part of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s continuing initiative to recognize young leadership and promote teen creativity, the Museum’s Teen Arts Council (TAC) was established in 2012. TAC is a small volunteer group of teens who serve as liaisons between the Museum and their peers. Its mission is for teens to be an active, creative and inluential voice within the Museum and in the broader school and residential communities. TAC members play integral roles in implementing programs and spearheading events to establish and nurture diverse teen audiences.

This year, the Teen Arts Council embarked on a major project to publish the Museum’s irst teen zine—a small, self-published booklet featuring original or found texts and images to communicate expressive messages. The Council’s zine, titled Personality, suggestive of its name, reveals the intrinsic difference and creative potential exhibited by each and every teen member. “As one lips the pages of Personality, he or she realizes that it has a piece of everyone in it,” said Grace Ray, one of the Council members. “Everyone took something that was important to them and made it into art for others to experience in diverse ways.”

cation and various levels of teen engagement in the St. Louis area and across the country. In the future, the Teen Arts Council hopes to continue making zines to encourage other teens in the community to participate in the process by submitting artworks and literary works to be featured.

In direct relationship to the inaugural teen zine, the Teen Arts Council organized and juried an upcoming Young Artists Exhibition, which they also titled Personality. Now in its ifth year, the Young Artist Exhibition is an open call to all teen visual artists in St. Louis with the goal of exposing teen works to the Museum visitors. The Council selected 19 artworks from submissions by local teens which will be on view in the Museum’s Student Gallery. The artworks collectively respond to individuality, diversity, uniqueness, and difference.

2017 Young Artists Exhibition Opening Saint Louis Art Museum Student Gallery and Auditorium Sunday, May 7, 2017 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Zines inherently have qualities of imperfection, distinctiveness, and spontaneity and are a great platform for teen expression. Personality was produced to foster teen-to-teen communi-

On Sunday, May 7, 2017, from 2pm to 4pm the Saint Louis Art Museum will host a free public opening and we invite teens, families, local artists and supporters of the arts to join the Museum in recognizing and celebrating the city’s young and talented artists at the 2017 Young Artists Exhibition and Zine Launching Opening. This event will take place at the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Student Gallery and Farrell Auditorium, and also will feature musical and theatrical performances by local teen groups. Light refreshment will be provided. The event is free and open to all and we look forward to seeing you.

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus will host “The State Of Black Missouri” town hall forum 1-4 p.m. Saturday May 6 at the Omega Center, 3900 Good fellow Blvd. in St. Louis. The caucus currently consists of 19 state representatives and three state senators who collectively represent nearly

LLC’s Tribute to the Men of Soul plays Twilight Tuesdays at the Missouri History Museum on May 23.

The crowd gathers for Twilight Tuesdays at the Missouri History Museum.

By: Yvonne Osei, 2016 – 17 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Planting the Seeds for Success!

The weekly Healthy Kids page provides health tips on nutrition, exercise and more.

Who Are They Trying to Reach?

Spend some time this week looking through the grocery ads in The St. Louis American and watching TV commercials on TV. Make a list of 10 different food ads that you feel were specifically

Circuit Training

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

Create a list of 6-10 different kinds of exercise. You can ask your health or P.E. teacher for suggestions. You and your friends should spread out in an open room. Each friend chooses a different exercise. Set a timer for two minutes. For those two minutes you work hard to see

By far, one of the easiest ways that we can have an impact on the environment is to take advantage of recycling programs. For one day, keep a list of all of the opportunities you see for recycling. Does your school recycle lunch waste? Do you have a recycle bin

targeting children. Answer the following questions about each of the ads:

> What was the item being advertised?

> How did I know it was meant to appeal to kids?

> Did the ad include a healthy

how many times you can do the exercise you

chose. When the timer goes off, switch places and reset the timer — until you have all done each of the exercises.

at your home? Maybe the grocery store by your house recycles plastic grocery bags.

As a class, discuss new ways that recycling could become a part of your day, every day.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, SC 4, NH 1, NH 7

food choice?

Now write a persuasive essay with the topic, “Should companies be allowed to target kids with advertisements about unhealthy food choices?” (Or hold a classroom discussion/ debate.)

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 6, NH 1, NH 2

Keeping your heart rate up and breathing heavily helps build a stronger heart, burn calories and increase your lung capacity.

Set a goal to do Circuit Training at least three days a week with your friends!

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

Fruit

Kabobs

Ingredients:

5 Large Strawberries, Halved

¼ Canaloupe, Cut into Balls or Cubes

2 Bananas, Peeled and Cut into Chunks

1 Apple, Cut into Chunks (Can substitute Kiwi, Grapes, Oranges)

Directions: Thread the strawberries, cantaloupe, banana and apple pieces alternately onto skewers, placing at least 2 pieces of fruit on each skewer.

Natasha Richardson, Registered Nurse

Where do you work? I work at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Visual Performance Arts High School. I earned an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Forest Park Community College

What does a registered nurse do? I help children feel better and help my team with patient care and decision making skills. I work night and day shift assignment making stat (urgent) IVs. (An IV is a tiny tube that goes into the vein to give the body fluids or medications.) I am a certified port A Cath Nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I knew it would give me a chance to help children and families. I love children and helping others with critical thinking skills.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? My favorite part of my job is being a charge nurse and being able to be a resource to my staff members. I like being an adjoined mind to help with decision making in the moment.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Lewis & Clark Elementary 2nd grade teacher

nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is Temperature?

Did you know that temperature is created by molecules moving around? When molecules are moving slowly, the temperature is cold. When the molecules are moving quickly, the temperature is hot. Freezing point is the point where a liquid becomes a solid. For example, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so that is the freezing point of water. Melting point is the point where a solid becomes a liquid. For many substances, the freezing and melting point are nearly the same. Ice (frozen water) has a melting point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiling point is the temperature where a

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

In this experiment, you will observe how salt aids in the freezing process. When you are finished, you will have a delicious treat.

Materials Needed:

• ½ Cup Half and Half

• 1 Tablespoon Sugar

• ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla

• 1 Sandwich Size Ziploc Bag

• 1 Gallon Size Ziploc Bag

• 3 Cups Crushed Ice

• 1/3 Cup Rock Salt

Procedure:

q Put first 3 ingredients in the smaller Ziploc bag and seal bag, making sure it is tightly closed.

MATH CONNECTION

substance begins to bubble due to heat. The boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Different substances have different freezing, melting, and boiling points.

To play an online game that tests your knowledge of melting points, visit: http://www.sciencekids. co.nz/gamesactivities/ meltingpoints.html.

Learning Standards: I can read a nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-text connections.

Ice Cream In A Bag

w Put ice and rock salt in the larger bag and then add the filled small bag. Seal the large bag. e Squeeze bag until ice cream is thickened, about 10-15 minutes. r Remove small bag, unseal, and eat with spoon.

Analyze: Why is the salt helpful in this recipe?

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

If you convert a Fahrenheit temperature to a Celsius temperature, you will need to follow these steps. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiply that answer by 5, and divide that answer by 9. Follow these steps to convert the following temperatures.

z 90 degrees Fahrenheit = ________ degrees Celsius

32 degrees Fahrenheit = ________ degrees Celsius

70 degrees Fahrenheit = ________ degrees Celsius

212 degrees Fahrenheit = ________ degrees Celsius

50 degrees Fahrenheit = ________ degrees Celsius

DID YOU KNOW?

x How would you convert a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit?

2 degrees Celsius = ________ degrees Fahrenheit

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

African American Inventor Alfred L. Cralle

Alfred L. Cralle was born on September 4th, 1866, in Virginia. He went to local schools and helped his father, who worked as a carpenter. At a young age, Cralle showed a lot of interest in mechanics. He was sent to Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C., which was set up to help educate African Americans after the Civil War ended.

From the Wayland Seminary, Cralle moved to Pennsylvania, where he worked as a porter. Porters work in hotels (or airports) and carried luggage and other items for guests. Cralle noticed that the hotel employees had trouble scooping ice cream for guests. They had to use two spoons, and sometimes include their hands. It was difficult and messy, and the utensils often froze together. Cralle designed a basic ice cream scoop which used one utensil to dispense, shape, and serve the ice cream. His patent, number 576395, was made official on February 2, 1897.

The basic design is still used in ice cream scoops today.

Even though Cralle was very resourceful with this invention, he was not made famous for it. Local black investors created the Afro-American Financial, Accumulating, Merchandise, and Business Association in Pittsburgh and chose Cralle to be the assistant manager. In 1920, Cralle died in an automobile accident.

Learning Standards: I can read about an African American who has made strides in science, technology, engineering, and math. I can make text-to-text and text-to-world connections.

SCIENCE STARS MAP

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

Activities —

Syllable Stars: a star and write numbers 1-5, with 1 number on each point. Cut words from the newspaper and glue them at the tip of the star based on the number of syllables.

Syllable Dice Throw:

Divide into teams. Each team rolls a die. The highest number will go first. The first team rolls a die and will work together to find a word in the paper with the number of syllables shown on the die. They have 2 minutes to find their word. If they are successful, they earn the number of points shown on the die. Teams take turns. The team with the highest number of points wins.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can determine the number of syllables that are in a word.

Sylvia Watkins shows students Ramirez Perry and Lyric Oliver how to use the STEM page from the newspaper.

Lewis & Clark Elementary is in the Riverview Gardens School District.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Lady Ina M. Boon Memorial Celebration at MO History Museum

Despite a heavy rain downpour, about 300 civic, religious, civil rights and community leaders attended a memorial celebration for National NAACP’s long-time Region IV Director, Lady Ina M. Boon, a founding member and former president of the Top Ladies of Distinction. Lady Boon, who passed on February 27, had served in various capacities within the NAACP, for 55 years. Special salutes on stage included National NAACP Chair Leon W. Russell; Fire Chief Sherman George (retired); National Urban League Board member James Buford; J. Kim Tucci; TLOD’s Peggy LeCompte; former St. Louis Mayor Freeman R. Bosley, Jr.; Senior Rabbi Howard Kaplansky; St. Louis Aldermen; Adolphus M. Pruitt, II; St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, County Executive Steve Stenger and Lady Boon’s nephews and a grandson. U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, former St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; Congressman Lacy Clay and state oficials joined others with written commendations. Lady Boon’s remains are entombed at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Normandy. Ameren Missouri, World Wide Technology’s David Steward; Gentry W. Trotter, (Lady Boon’s son); St. Louis City NAACP; Ed Rhode and Atty. Patti Hageman cosponsored memorial festivities.

Connie Backisch, Comptroller Darlene Green, Karen Wilson, Ameren’s Connie Taylor, Leslie Miller and Yolanda Holmes.

Grandson Christopher Trotter, Carole E. Trotter and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

National Urban League board memberJames H. Buford; Christopher Trotter with UL’s local Angelia Bills and Shonte Fluelen.

Chris Trotter, Carole Trotter, Rep Steve Roberts, Jr. and

Col. Steve Roberts, Sr., Isaac Stallworth, Atty. Wayman F. Smith III and Robin Smith.

Garield Boon, Jr., State Rep Steve Roberts, Jr., and nephew Nelson Boon, Jr.

Susan Boon, Robbie Montgomery and Nelson Boon, Jr.

Presenters: J. Kim Tucci, Rabbi Howard Kaplansky, National NAACP Chair Leon W. Russell, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and City NAACP President Adolphus M. Pruitt, II.

Niece Alice Boon, St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and nephew Garield Boon, Jr.

Public Service Commissioner Maida Coleman and Atty. Jerry Hunter.

Aldermen’s salute: Sam Moore, Terry Kennedy, Merlene Davis, Jack Coatar and Sharon Tyus.

Black Roundtable’s Ron Jackson and Chief Sherman George (retired) and Michael Jones.

Business

“None of this works at all without committed employers,” said Roderick Nunn, executive vice president and head of education and employment at the Concordance Academy of Leadership, during a ribbon cutting for its new headquarters at 1845 Borman Court in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, April 25. Founded by Danny Ludeman in 2015, Concordance Academy supports and helps to retrain individuals returning from prison.

Concordance seeks employers for ex-felons

Non-profit assisting people returning from prison opens new headquarters at Westport

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Otha Jones overheard a presentation about the Concordance Academy of Leadership at work earlier this year. He is a manager in compliance at Wells Fargo Advisers in St. Louis. The company’s former CEO Danny Ludeman founded Concordance Academy in 2015 to support and help to retrain individuals returning from prison. Ludeman has been driving corporate St. Louis to join him in addressing this crisis, and people at the company he used to lead have been hearing a lot about it.

It struck Jones’ interest.

“I have a passion for trying to make a difference in the lives of the incarcerated,” Jones told The American on Tuesday, April 25, when Concordance Academy cut the ribbon on its new

n “This is the first holistic, integrated, evidence-driven service provider dealing solely with formerly incarcerated individuals on the planet.”

– Danny Ludeman, president and CEO of the Concordance Academy of Leadership

headquarters at 1845 Borman Court in Maryland Heights. “I have some nephews who are locked up back in Virginia, so I know their struggles.” Jones decided to volunteer. He ended up on the support team organized for Aaron Adams,

J. Danielle Carr honored as

J. Danielle Carr, national director of Diversity and Inclusion at Polsinelli, received the 2017 Torchbearer Award from the Missouri Asian American Bar Association. She is the first AfricanAmerican woman to receive this honor. She is pictured with St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson, a former president of the National Bar Association, and Jittaun A. Dill, the new national coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion for Polsinelli. Carr also recently received the Ronda F. Williams Service Award from the St. Louis University Black Students Association with and the Women’s Justice Enterprise Award from Missouri Lawyer’s Media. Carr, who serves on the National Bar Association’s Board of Governors, received a 2015 Business Performance Award from the St. Louis American Foundation.

who spent 12 years in prison and, at age 39, is now going through the Concordance Academy program. Together, Jones said, they developed a career plan and life plan for Adams, and the team meets with him monthly.

“My team is very influential for me,” Adams told guests at the ribbon-cutting. “I call them on the weekend when I start wanting to go back to the neighborhood and kick it. Instead, I meet with one of them and get a cup of coffee or a bite to eat, and stay focused.”

Adams is one of the program’s first 100 participants. The design is to recruit people three months before their release from prison and then work with them for a year after release. The program focuses on three core areas: behavioral health and wellness, education and

See NON-PROFIT, B6

David L. Steward will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from Washington University. He is chairman of World Wide Technology, which has more than $9 billion in annual revenue. As chairman of the country’s largest African-American-owned company, Steward plays a key role in pursuing major contracts for WWT as well as building and nurturing its culture and core values.

F. Afua Bromley was elected chair of the Board of Commissioners for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She is a licensed acupuncturist at Acupuncture Saint Louis. She said, “I am committed to finding experienced practitioners who can demonstrate excellence and competence, and can hold the standard of excellence, both in the United States and abroad.”

Tashan Reed won the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis/St. Louis Post Dispatch David Lipman Scholarship at the Missouri School of Journalism. He is a sports beat reporter at the Columbia Missourian and recently completed an editorial internship at The St. Louis American. The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis is a professional, social and charitable organization for people who make, cover and influence the news.

Veronica MorrowReel was elected to the council of the University of Missouri Extension, representing St. Louis County. The organization brings the research of the university into communities throughout the state through its researchbased programming and services. She is a community development assistant/loan coordinator at Citizens National Bank and vice chair of the Special Administrative Board of the Riverview Gardens School District.

L. Steward William ‘Will’ Cordell Witherspoon F. Afua Bromley

William “Will” Cordell Witherspoon joined the Board of Directors of the MathewsDickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. He is an advisor for Merrill Lynch and founder of a natural grass-fed beef ranch, Shire Gate Farms. Previously he was the St. Louis Rams’ sideline reporter for Rams Radio Network. He played in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans.

Jedidiah James was awarded an Honorable Mention by National Center for Women and Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing. She is a sophomore at Hazelwood West High School. The award honors high school women who are active and interested in computing and technology, and encourages them to pursue their passions of a career in the computer

David

Jedidiah James

Tashan Reed

Veronica MorrowReel

Photo by Wiley Price

By Nathaniel Sillin

Some homeowners can’t wait to see the assessed value of their home drop. In fact, they’ll tell you the bigger the drop, the better. Why? Your property taxes depend on your tax rate and your property’s current market value, which is determined by a local assessor. You can’t dispute the tax rate, but you may be able to show why the assessed value is too high.

An appeal that results in a lower value could save you money for years to come.

Find out when you can file an appeal. Start the process by determining when you can appeal your home’s value assessment. You may be able to find the deadline on your local assessor’s website, which might also have instructions on how to file an appeal.

Some areas have a severalmonth window each year for appeals, often following the annual mailing of assessment value notices. In addition, you might be able to dispute your property’s assessment following a renovation or if you just bought the home.

Check your current assessment for errors. Every year, you should receive an official letter stating the assessed value of your home. If you think your property value is lower than the stated value, start collecting proof to demonstrate your reasoning.

One of the first things to look for is a mistake on your property’s description, which may be on the letter you received or on your property card – available at the

Make sure your property’s assessed value is correct

assessor’s office or online. It’s not unheard of for a property card to list an extra bathroom or incorrect square footage. Assessors aren’t always able to look inside a home during an inspection, and they might not know about renovations to a home. Make a note of errors and try to estimate the value of each. You’ll be able to use these as a basis for your appeal.

Gather more evidence. To strengthen your appeal, you may want to find additional evidence.

• Make a list of comparable properties. Try to get a list of four to six similar properties in your area and their market value. You could use real estate websites that list recent or estimated sales prices, ask your neighbors or look through

Where self-dealing and conflicts of interest flourish

By Missouri State Auditor

Nicole Galloway

For The St. Louis American

My recent audit of Transportation Development taxing districts revealed a system of legalized selfdealing and conflicts of interest with no oversight or transparency. Most concerning, we found that taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $1 billion in outstanding project costs to be repaid with sales taxes they did not vote for. Missouri taxpayers deserve better. That’s why I have called for an overhaul of the laws that allow and encourage this kind of activity.

stand to gain the most from district tax collections.

The Transportation Development Districts (TDD) law was initially created to assist local communities with transportation projects that benefit the public interest, but have morphed into public funding sources for private developers. The majority of the state’s more than 200 TDDs are micro-districts, covering a small number of establishments. They are created and managed by the owners and developers that

For instance, the St. Louis Convention Center TDD formed in 2010 with plans to charge sales taxes in the district for 13 years. Four years later the board, which is controlled by the property owner, changed the length of the sales tax to 40 years. Under the law, there is no requirement for a vote of citizens or approval from any outside authority. In fact, districts can form with no end date in sight. Even after projects have been completed and paid for, they can keep collecting your money.

In two different Washington Avenue properties, owners formed TDDs around existing parking lots and other businesses without a public vote. The owners then elected boards, which imposed sales taxes to be charged by businesses in the district. The boards paid sales tax to the owners. The owners also charged fees to the public to park in the spaces. The property owners are earning income from sales taxes, and

profiting from charging fees for parking - essentially doubledipping on income from the same parking lot.

We found an estimated $941 million still owed in project costs by the TDDs that submitted financial information to my office. And just a little over half of the TDDs responded. The full amount owed is likely much higher, and continues to rise as new TDDs form.

I also found that the Department of Revenue doesn’t adequately keep track of district boundaries and retailers do a poor job of notifying customers of the sales tax they charge. Boundaries are difficult to search online. Often consumers can’t make informed choices about where they shop until after they make a purchase and inspect their receipt.

It’s outrageous, and I believe it’s all by design. Insiders have rigged the system to take advantage of Missourians. I’ll work with anyone willing to help me fix this. Let’s get it done.

Nicole Galloway is Missouri state auditor. For more information on state audits, visit https://www.auditor. mo.gov.

public databases to find official assessed values. If you find the homes’ sales prices or assessed values are lower than yours, or similar but your home is in worse condition, you may have a strong argument.

• Estimate the cost of repairs. A leaky roof, cracked driveway or another issue could lower your property’s value. Make a list of the faults, estimate cost for repairs and

take pictures as proof.

• Make a note of changes in your neighborhood. A property’s value depends on more than just the home. If nearby houses were recently foreclosed on or the schools’ rankings dropped, your property could be worth less than it was before.

• Get a professional assessment. You could hire

a state-certified appraiser to estimate your property’s current value. However, the assessment might cost $300 to $500, and this might only be a good idea if your research already looks fruitful. In some areas, you may need an official assessment to file an appeal. Once you organize your evidence, it’s time to file an appeal.

Present your findings. The appeal process varies depending on where you live. If you have a simple scenario, such as a mistake on your property card, you might be able to make your appeal over the phone. But some counties require you to submit the appeal online or by mail, or you may have to schedule an in-person review at the assessor’s office. It could take several weeks to months to hear back. If the decision doesn’t come back in your favor, you could file another appeal with an independent review board.

Bottom line: After gathering evidence, you can make a showing for why your home’s assessed value is too high and potentially lower your property taxes. But think twice if you’re considering selling your home soon. A lower assessed value might affect how much someone is willing to pay for the home.

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

Why invite Clarence Thomas to St. Louis for Law Day?

By Mike Jones Columnist

On Friday, May 5, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) will host its annual Law Day Celebration in downtown St Louis. The keynote speaker at this year’s luncheon is none other than U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. One of the criteria I use to measure the mental and emotional health of black Americans is their position on Thomas. So on behalf of all self-aware, emotionally stable and politically woke black folks let me give some feedback on BAMSL’s choice of a keynote speaker.

All lawyers are familiar with the term “a legal fiction.” The notion that America is a country of laws and not people is a legal fiction that has no basis in the reality of the black experience. America was founded by white male landowners for their benefit. The American legal system was designed to legitimize and maintain a socioeconomic order that suppressed black liberty for the benefit of landed white male privilege. The issue is who authors laws and who benefits from their administration. The same U.S. Supreme Court that gave us Brown v. Board of Education also gave us Plessy v. Ferguson. What changed was the people in the robes. So let’s talk

about the people who have been members of that august institution. There have been scoundrels and the epitome of legal integrity, fools and legal geniuses, reactionary Neanderthals and prescient progressives. There are two who are uniquely worthy of the contempt of black Americans. In the Dred Scott case, Chief Justice Roger Taney codified in law the American cultural conceit that a black American could never be a citizen and had no rights that had to be recognized by a white man; 160 years later, we’re still struggling to overcome the effects of his opinion. Then there’s Clarence Thomas – a breathing example of what the evil of American racism looks like when it metastasizes in a black body. His legal rationalizations for the political and economic subjugation of the least of those in America, especially if they’re black, is the judicial manifestation of his selfloathing. The fact that he sits in the seat once occupied by Thurgood Marshall is a blasphemy and the ultimate insult to the black community. Which brings me back to BAMSL and their 5,600 members. What were they thinking? I subscribe to Napoleon’s counsel that you should never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence or stupidity.

Given St. Louis’ uneven history of racial progress and its very stressed racial environment, you would think someone would have said, “Who could we bring in that could move the needle in the right direction?” If that question got asked and

the answer was Clarence Thomas, well, you can’t fix stupid. It may be relevant to point out that BAMSL’s 15-member Board of Governors has two black members, and that the organization – founded in 1873 – has had precisely one black board president in almost 150 years. What troubles me more than a speech by a black political zombie is the silence from a sector of the legal community that I thought would be disturbed by the choice of Thomas for an event like Law Day. I’m talking about AfricanAmerican lawyers. It’s impossible to tell the story of the 20th century struggle for civil rights and racial justice without understanding the role of black lawyers. The Missouri History Museum’s current exhibition about the history of the Civil Rights Movement in St. Louis bears witness to that participation. Where we stand today was made possible by the heroic efforts of black lawyers like Homer G. Phillips, George Vaughn, David Marshall Grant, Theodore McMillian, Frankie Muse Freeman and Margaret Bush Wilson. What is the black legal community’s response to the BAMSL choice of Thomas? If black lawyers remain silent, they help to legitimize the judicial philosophy of Clarence Thomas, which is antithetical to the wellbeing of the black community.

Mike Jones, who has held senior policy positions in St. Louis city and county government, serves on the St. Louis American editorial board and the State Board of Education.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway

Mike Jones

n “Hell no. I’m the modern day Draymond Green.”

– Draymond Green, when asked about Charles Barkley comparisons

Track and Field noTebook

Local track standouts shine

Burroughs’ Lailah

Many of the area’s top large and small school standouts were on hand at last weekend’s Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational and they did not disappoint. Among the top small school performers who showed out were Lailah Elliott and Brandon Miller of John Burroughs, Hasani Barr and Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter. Elliott was the meet’s top individual performer as she won three events. She won the 100-meter high hurdles in 15.05 seconds. Elliott also finished first in the triple jump with an effort of 36 feet, 6 inches and the high jump with a clearance of 5-4.

Miller, the freshman phenom turned in a couple of sparkling performances in the middle distance events. Miller won the 800-meter run in a winning time of 1 minute 53.87 seconds. He also turned in a spectacular 1:53 split on the anchor leg to rally the Bombers from a big deficit to win the 4x800-meter relay.

Barr of Cardinal Ritter was a double winner in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. His winning time of 47.54 seconds in the 400 is the fastest time in the state. Williams won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in a time of 38.27. Together, they led the Lions to victories in the 4x200- and the 4x400-meter relays.

On the team front, the Hazelwood Central girls were dominant in the sprints, relays and field events once again. The Hawks swept the sprint relays in impressive fashion, winning the 4x100-meter relay in 47.95 seconds, 4x200 in 1:41.75 and 4x400 in 4:03.02. Shauniece O’Neal won the shot put and discus with throws of 40 feet 4 inches and 139-3, respectively. Deja Ingram was first in the 200 and second in the 100, Destiny Nash finished first in the 300-meter low hurdles in 45.44 and Danielle Frank was first in the 400 in 57.7.

Pattonville’s Jade Moore also had a productive day in the sprints. Moore won the 100-meter dash and finished second in the 200 and 400.

East St. Louis and O’Fallon girls shine at St. Clair Meet

The girls from East St. Louis and O’Fallon had successful days at the St. Clair County Meet in East St. Louis. Rokelle Stanley of East St. Louis finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles. Stanley also tied for first in the high jump with O’Fallon’s Maya Watson-Blake with a clearance

Elliott is top performer at Clayton Invitational

King Joshua conquers heavyweight division

The heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko lived up to exceeded the hype. With 90,000 British boxing fans at Wembley Stadium cheering him on, Joshua (19-0-0, 19 KO) knocked out Klitschko (64-5-0, 53 KO) in the 11th round in the best heavyweight title fight in recent memory. The fight featured everything a fight fan could ask for. Both fighters displayed tactical skills, brute strength, heart and determination. Plus boxing fans didn’t have to shell out $60+ to watch it on payper-view. The moment I feared for Joshua came to fruition in the sixth round. After dropping and seriously hurting Klitschko in the fifth round, Joshua exhausted himself trying to finish off the former champion. In the sixth, a weary Joshua found himself on the end of one of

Klitschko’s trademark right hands. For the first time in his professional career, the knockout artist found himself on the canvas and in serious trouble. Once he rose to his feet, it was evident by his unsteady legs that one more big shot could’ve ended Joshua’s night early. The 18 bums he faced prior to Klitschko could not have possibly prepared him for that situation. No one could have possibly known he would handle such adversity – not the corner men, the commentators nor the crowd. Joshua had to prove to himself that he had the heart to survive. Fatigued, hurt, dizzy and embarrassed, Joshua had two options: fight or flight. The IBF champion kept his cool and managed to survive the round.

In a testament to his ring IQ, Joshua took the next few

rounds to clear his head and restore the stability in his legs.

Once the cobwebs cleared, Joshua bounced back like Big Sean and landed an uppercut that nearly decapitated his opponent.

Canelo vs Chavez The sport of boxing is riding the wave of the JoshuaKlitschko

without a signature victory. By knocking out Klitschko, Joshua established himself as the man to beat and has now pulled the heavyweight division off life support. As the late, great Muhamad Ali would say, “The champ is here!”

How Klitschko stayed on his feet (briefly) after Joshua’s See CLUTCH, B5

brutal 11th round uppercut is one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries. It was the perfect punch. Once it landed, Klitschko’s fate was sealed and Joshua’s ascension to the throne was complete. Yes, Joshua came into the fight as the IBF champion, but one

With Earl Austin Jr.

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

By knocking out Klitschko, Joshua established himself as the man to beat

Photo by Wiley Price

The Clayton Marion Freeman Relays was held Friday night to beat Saturday’s rain. In the Blue Division Cardinal Ritter Boys won the Mile Relay. Cardinal Ritter took third overall during the meet.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Black rodeo rides into town bringing history of forgotten cowboys

In May 1972, the documentary “Black Rodeo” debuted in New York. Narrated by the late actor Woody Strode, it featured the first performance of an all-black rodeo in Harlem in 1971 and focused on those that attended and the cowboys who displayed skills in bull riding, calf roping and “bronc” riding.

Strode shares the overlooked stories of black cowboys, law men and others that played integral roles in the Old West.

Black rodeos are still going strong and the Southeastern Rodeo Association Black Rodeo will ride into Chaifetz Arena at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

Like the film, the barnstorming rodeo show seeks to illuminate the work of black cowboys – and how it is virtually invisible in history books, novels and movies.

Todd Morris, SRABR communications director, told the Post-Dispatch, “When you think about a real rodeo, think about a lot of action in the professional life of the real black cowboy.

Giddyup.

KC Mahomes’ new home

The Kansas City Chiefs made a bold move by sacrificing 2017 and 2018 draft picks to move up 17 positions in the first round of last week’s NFL draft to select quarterback Pat Mahomes II out of Texas Tech.

His raw talent and booming arm made him a target of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, and Reid didn’t hesitate in making sure he landed the talented quarterback.

“He’s intelligent, he has great skill, and I just think he’s going to be a great player when it’s all said and done, Reid said.

“Right now, Patrick isn’t absolutely ready to play.

He’s got some work to do. But he’s coming into a great room, he has an opportunity to learn from Alex (Smith), which will be a great for him. We have to have some patience with him, but he has tremendous upside.”

Mahomes threw for 5,052 yards with 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.

“When you come to the rodeo you will see real cowboys competing (in bronco riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.)”

Black and Latino cowboys of both genders will participate, with more than $9,000 in prize money available to winners.

While the prize money pales in comparison to what major rodeo stars in America make, rodeo is far from an all-white endeavor.

The world’s top bull rider, competing on the Professional Bull Riders Tour which visits St. Louis, is Eduardo Aparecido of Brazil. Another Brazilian, Kaique Pacheco, is ranked No. 2.

Getting back to the movie “Black Rodeo,” the late Muhammad Ali is featured chatting with black cowboys and fans in a way only The Greatest could. He also rides a horse down 125th Street and dons a pair of chaps and rides a bull. Unfortunately, I must share two comments on the story at stltoday.com – just to demonstrate once again that some St. Louisans can be a horse’s rear end.

“I wonder how they would feel about a ‘white’ rodeo?” asks Debbie Reece Michael Salant from – yep, Ferguson – wrote, “Just keep poking that dog I’m guessing Blacks want segregation again.”

Here’s the part that makes me feel old – I met Mahomes II’s father, Pat Mahomes, before he was born. It was back during my days with USA TODAY Baseball Weekly.

Mahomes was what has become a rarity in today’s Major League Baseball – a black pitcher.

He pitched for six Major League teams (Minnesota, Boston, New York Mets, Texas, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh) over an 11-year career that began with the Twins in 1992.

While the senior Mahomes could be labeled as a “journeyman,” a pitcher who had a lengthy career that included pitching in the postseason as a member of the New York Mets in 1999 was surely talented. He was also on the Mets 2000 team that lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. He knew how to make big pitches when they were most needed.

“The thing I’ve always told (my son) is players make plays,” Mahomes told kansascity.com.

“Now, there’s a lot of stuff he’s going to have to learn.

He’s still relatively young as a quarterback, but I know how hungry and eager he is and I think he’ll pick it up pretty fast.”

Mahomes II said his father “gives me advice about how he transitioned into becoming a pro athlete and the work that

Black

you actually have to put into it.”

“Not a lot of people see that when you’re growing up. You don’t get to see that people really have to work hard to become as good as they are. So, for me seeing that as a young age as I’ve grown up, has shown me that I have to work just as hard to get to that level.”

Mahomes feels Kansas City is a great destination for his son.

“Kansas City is just far enough away from home (Tyler, Texas) that he can keep some of the people away,” Mahomes said.

“It’s a good city, and I know how this fan base is here. It’s crazy. I remember playing against the Royals. It was like,

‘wow,’ so it’s a good fit for him.”

Mahomes II is being groomed to be Smith’s successor, so the phone call Smith made to the incoming rookie impressed his father.

“It was awesome to hear from (Smith),” Mahomes said.

“Me, being a former professional athlete, I’ve had people I’ve had to teach that were probably going to take my job and did take my job. That’s just part of the game.”

The Chiefs are planning to heavily market the St. Louis area in the coming season and beyond and I’m sure there will be a lot of interest in seeing Mahomes II play. You’ll probably see me at Arrowhead Stadium for a preseason game, just for that reason.

Following up on Fowler

A full month in the 2017 MLB season (following the St. Louis Cardinals 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 1), Dexter Fowler had shown some pop, but his batting average continues to only fizz.

will ride into

Fowler was hitting just .222, but he had belted four home runs and driven in seven runs. He also had scored 17 runs. During his 10-year career he has a .267 batting average. To demonstrate how bad he was at the start of the season, from April 18-29, Fowler compiled a .389 average with five walks, four home runs and seven RBIs, and seven of his runs scored and a triple. He is still on average to have the most strikeouts during a season in his career, though. Jason Heyward, whose mediocre season for the Chicago Cubs in 2016 still makes many St. Louis sports media members giddy, has greatly improved in 2017. His adjusted swing has helped him hit .270 with three home runs, 16 RBIs with nine runs scored. He also continues to play right field at Gold Glove caliber.

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

Kaitlin Mills

Missouri Baptist – Women’s Lacrosse

The freshman goalie from Ladue High was a key player in the Spartans’ 6-4 record this season in only the school’s second year of Women’s Lacrosse. Mills finished the season with 83 total saves, which was ranked No. 23 among goalies in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ranks. Her 8.3 saves per game ranked her No. 14 among NAIA schools. Mills recorded 11 saves in the Spartans’ 12-10 victory over Lindenwood-Belleville to close out the regular season.

Jeremiah Davis

Greenville – Men’s Track and Field

The freshman sprinter from Chicago was named the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year after an outstanding debut season. Davis was a double-winner at the SLIAC Outdoor Championships this week at his home track at Greenville College in Illinois. He swept to victories in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. His winning times were 10.7 seconds in the 100 and 21.29 in the 200. He also anchored the 4x100-meter relay team to a first-place finish.

During the indoor season, Davis was a national qualifier at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in Naperville, Ill. He finished in 15th place in the 200-meter dash. thE St. LouiS AmEricAn ArEA coLLEgiAtE AthLEtES of thE WEEk

Alvin A. Reid

rodeos are still going strong and the Southeastern Rodeo Association Black Rodeo

Chaifetz Arena at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

St. Mary’s tabs

Bryan Turner as new basketball coach

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

Bryan Turner was named the new head boys’ basketball coach at St. Mary’s on Tuesday afternoon.

Turner was officially named the head coach at a press conference at the school. He follows Kelvin Lee, who stepped down after three seasons as the Dragons’ head coach. Turner was Lee’s top assistant for those three seasons. Now, he moves over to become the head coach for what has become one of the top programs in the St. Louis metro area.

In those three years with Lee, Turner helped turn St. Mary’s from a middling program into a statewide powerhouse. Last season, the Dragons finished 25-4, won a district championship and lost an overtime heartbreaker to eventual state champion Vashon in the Class 4 sectionals at Parkway West.

The Dragons will return a strong nucleus from that team, including point guard Yuri Collins, shooting guard Tony Burks and forwards Yahuza Rasas, Dominic Mitchell and Miles Jones, plus sparkplugs

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

prisingly, the bout will televised on PPV. Still, with two Mexican warriors fighting on May Day weekend, Golden Boy Promotions should make a nice chunk of change on the bout.

Though there are no titles on the line, the bout features two popular and exciting fighters and should be every bit as thrilling as last week’s heavyweight matchup.

Despite being the smaller man, Alvarez enters the fight as a big favorite and deservedly so. Alvarez always shows up motivated and ready to fight. Chavez has always had tons of talent but his love for partying and ‘herbal’ supplements seems to have prevented him from ever reaching the full potential suggested by his bloodline.

Assuming Chavez makes the 164.5-pound catchweight, some level of discipline had to be present during his training.

PREP

Continued from B3 of 5-2.

Jariah Turner of East St. Louis finished first in the 400 in 56.72. The Flyerettes also won the 4x100 in 48.0 and 4x400 in 3:56.09. In the field events, Jazzmine Poole was first in the discus with a throw of 140-6 and Evangelynn Harris was first in the shot put with a throw of 45-11.

O’Fallon’s Tamya Houston finished first in the 100 and Kersten Douglas was first in the 200. The Panthers also finished first in the 4x200 in 1:42.07 and 4x800 in 9:59.27. Lindbergh shines at Eureka

The Lindbergh girls enjoyed a fine performance at the Eureka Invitational. Alex Rosenberger finished first in the 100 and 200 and ran a leg on the Flyers’ first-place 4x100 relay team. The Flyers also won the 4x800 and Aly Van Cardo finished first in the 800meter run. McCluer North’s Michelle Owens finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.81 seconds and 300meter intermediate hurdles in 46.49.

What’s on Tap

The road to the state meet in Jefferson City begins this weekend for small schools

Lavel Harris and Donavanne Austin. They will be one of the top contenders in the Class 4 state-championship chase.

“I’m very thankful to be a head coach,” said Turner. “For three years, we’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the program. Now, we want to get over the hump. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. We’re going to continue to instill that hard work and discipline in the program.”

A 1999 graduate of Beaumont High, Turner was a four-year starter for coach Bird Hamilton. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in the school’s storied history. Turner started his collegiate career at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo, where he was a junior college All-American for then coach Corey Tate, who is now an assistant coach at Saint Louis University.

Turner then finished his collegiate career at Southern Illinois University, where he was a starting guard on the Salukis team that won the Missouri Valley Conference title and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2002.

That will help make the fight a competitive bout. However, questionable dedication just won’t get it done at the highest level. Prediction: Canelo Alvarez wins via unanimous decision in an exciting affair.

Coach Quin sees the second round

Some of my former Mizzou classmates still hold a grudge against current Utah Jazz coach (and former Tigers coach) Quin Snyder for how his stay in Columbia ended. I’ll have none of it. I’m ecstatic to see the former Mizzou coach in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Snyder brought swag and success to the Tigers during his seven year tenure from 19992006. Sure, there were some personal and team failures during his final three years. But I still have fond memories of guys like Keyon Dooling Kareem Rush, Rickey Paulding Arthur Johnson and Co. roaming the court in Columbia. Snyder leading the

2 teams will be at Monroe City on Saturday for its district meet. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for Sectional competition on Saturday, May 13. Conference meets will be held throughout the St. Louis metro area this weekend. The Metro Catholic Conference meet will be held today at DeSmet as will the Suburban XII Conference Girls Meet at Kirkwood. On Friday, the Suburban West Meet will be held at Fox, the GAC North Meet will be at Wentzville Liberty and the GAC Central Meet will be at Washington. The Suburban XII Conference Boys Meet will be held at Summit on Saturday, as will be the Lutheran South Invitational.

Missouri Team Carroll wins Nike Indy Live Championship

in Indianapolis, IN. Team Carroll

the championship a complete a perfect 6-0

to

for the

Jazz Coach

#12 seed Tigers to the Elite Eight in 2002 is particularly memorable.

Snyder has had a long, arduous coaching career since he left Columbia that has

The

included stops with the Austin Toros, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, CSKA Moskow and Atlanta Hawks.

Now Snyder has a promising and talented young team with the Jazz.

Now Sonny Snyder brought out the Salt Lake swag to help clip the league’s perennial most-underachieving team and send Doc Rivers, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan back to Los Angeles.

Even though the Golden State Warriors pointed out that Salt Lake City is one of the most-boring NBA cities when it comes to nightlife, the product Snyder has on the court is one of the more exciting teams in the league. The Jazz will get spanked by the Warriors, but if the front office in Utah can keep the team’s nucleus together, specifically Rudy Gobert and Gordon Heyward, brighter days are certainly ahead for the Jazz.

Big Baller Brand DOA

LaVar Ball seems addicted

Lailah Elliott

John Burroughs – Girls Track

The senior standout was the top individual performer at last weekend’s Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational. Elliott took home first place medals in the high jump, triple jump and 100-meter high hurdles. She won the high jump with a clearance of 5 feet 4 inches. She won the triple jump by bounding 36 feet 6 inches and the 100-meter high hurdles in a time of 15.05 seconds.

to taking Ls on social media. Last week, the talking father of UCLA standout Lonzo Ball, was mocked on the Internet after it was revealed that Nike, Adidas and Under Armour all passed on endorsement agreements with Lonzo due to LaVar’s insistence of licensing deal with his Big Baller Brand. This week, it was revealed that LaVar Ball is seeking a $200 price point for his son’s first shoe with BBB and a yet-to-be-determined partner. That would make the retail cost of Ball’s shoes more expensive than signature shoes by Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden and others. I have no beef with LaVar Ball’s desire to have more control over his son’s brand, but with all the outlandish quotes and expectations, I’m starting to think that maybe Ball is the first and only Ph.D. recipient from Trump University. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

As a junior in 2016, Elliott earned four All-State medals to help the Bombers to a second-place finish at the Class 3 state championships in Jefferson City. She finished second in the long jump and triple jump, third in the high jump and fifth in the 100-meter high hurdles. Elliott will attend The Ohio State University on a track and field scholarship.

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTe of The Week

Utah

Quin Snyder (pictured with George Hill) has come a long way from his days leading the Mizzou Tigers to the Elite Eight in 2002 to leading the Jazz into the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Congratulations to Missouri Team Carroll 17U basketball team in winning the championship of the Nike Indy Live Tournament last weekend

defeated ISG Hidden Gems (OH) 53-52 to win

record

weekend.

team members include (front row, left

right) Trent Lyles (Sedalia Sacred Heart), R.J. Lawrence (Blue Springs), Xavier Rhodes (Rockhurst), Austin Thompson (MICDS). back row (left to right) Kaden Evans (Oak Park), Cason Suggs (Washington), Jamonta Black (Columbia Rock Bridge). Not pictured. Landon Harrison (Helias), Nate Bax (Helias), Jak Kitchens (New Bloomfield), Trae Meny (Columbia Battle). The coaches are Tim Ward and Ben Lyles.

Photo by Earl Austin, Jr.

NON-PROFIT

continued from page B1

employment, and community and life skills. Participants take part in individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, including substance use programs. They receive career-readiness training and educational classes. They also meet with counselors and community support specialists to discuss a wide range of topics, from spirituality to housing to financial literacy.

Concordance has a partnership with Bryan Cave where the firm hires two associate attorneys who serve as Concordance Fellows, handling all of the Concordance participants’ legal issues with support from many of the firm’s other attorneys who offer their subject matter expertise where needed.

“So far it’s been a great partnership, and we have been able to help a large number of the participants with a variety of legal issues so that they can participate fully in the program without worrying about past legal issues causing them problems going forward,” said Hal Goldsmith, a partner at Bryan Cave (and former federal prosecutor) who works closely on the Concordance project. The firm does it all on a pro bono basis, with no cost to Concordance or the participants.

“They take care of you,” Xavier Smith, 26, told The American. Smith said the program has helped him with “education, job readiness and digital literacy” in the four months he has been released from prison and receiving services in the offices the academy had been sharing with the St. Louis Regional Chamber downtown.

The new headquarters – a 31,000-square-foot facility in an office park at Westport –was renovated with private donations. Of the $15 million in funding commitments that Ludeman said they have secured for Concordance Academy to date, he said about 25 percent has come from a mix of public funds from St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

The program is too new to have graduated anyone, but already has plans to grow. Ludeman said they plan to serve 250 people per year for the next three years and then scale up to 1,000 people regionally by 2020. Then they plan to expand to Kansas City

and four other states, with the eventual goal of staffing an office in all 50 states.

Concordance is working to raise $6 to 7 million more to fund the organization for four years.

“This is the first holistic, integrated, evidence-driven service provider dealing solely with formerly incarcerated individuals on the planet,” Ludeman said. Ludeman quoted from the Bible in his public remarks at the ribbon-cutting, and a certain missionary fervor envelops the organization, but it is grounded in evidence and data and was designed to do research. An original research partnership with Washington University already has been dissolved, and a new research partner is being recruited. Jeff Smith, executive vice president and head of

n “There will be a huge downstream impact in terms of economic stimulus by employing members of one of the most unemployable groups.”

– Danny Ludeman, president and CEO of the Concordance Academy of Leadership

community engagement and public policy at Concordance Academy (and a former state senator and ex-felon himself), said the split with WUSTL ultimately will benefit the independence of their research, since the original program design had service providers and the researchers studying them grouped together administratively. A “thirdparty evaluator,” Smith told The American, will have more credibility under peer review. Some data on which the work at Concordance Academy is based: 72 percent of people who leave prison do not find a full-time job, their wages are 40 percent lower than people who have not been incarcerated, more than 80 percent struggle with substance abuse, they are five times more likely to be homeless than the general population, and more than 60 percent of all crimes committed in the St. Louis region are committed by people who have been to prison.

Reducing the pain, suffering and death impacted in those

Missouri must raise the minimum wage

By Shawntelle L. Fisher Guest columnist

Missouri boasts of a 5 cents minimum-wage increase that leaves many workers squinting to see the difference in their take-home pay. On New Year’s Day, Missouri was one of many states to implement minimum-wage increases that are estimated to boost the incomes of 4.4 million low-paid workers nationwide. However, Missouri’s new wage is nothing to write home about. Likewise, instead of supporting the $10 an hour minimum wage for St. Louis low-wage workers in their plight to move above the poverty line, opponents have asked the Supreme Court to hear the same case that was unanimously upheld by Court Justices (upholding the city’s minimum wage). St. Louis cannot enforce the wage established by an ordinance in August 2013 until the Supreme Court writes its mandate to the Circuit Court, which then must lift its injunction on enforcement.

statistics clearly animates Ludeman, his staff and volunteers. “We want them to have what we all want: a joyful and productive life surrounded by loved ones and friends,” Ludeman said. But it also points toward a clear economic motive for the public and business sectors. “There will be a huge downstream impact in terms of economic stimulus,” Ludeman said, “by employing members of one of the most unemployable groups.”

Chris Sommers, owner of Pi Pizzeria, may not be one of the region’s largest employers, but he is working with the program. One Concordance Academy participant has earned one promotion at Pi in two months and is on his way to becoming a supervisor, Sommers said, while another is flourishing in his first three weeks on the job. Sommers said that corporate St. Louis co-owns the region’s problems and needs to play an active role in finding solutions.

Thanks to the Ferguson unrest, Sommers said, “the world looked under the rug” of the St. Louis region’s problems with race, crime and poverty. “The business community is complicit,” Sommers said. “That complicity and complacency ends today.” He encouraged other area businesses to “become a second-chance employer.”

Roderick Nunn, executive vice president and head of education and employment at the academy, was very blunt: “None of this works at all without committed employers,” Nunn said.

Aaron Adams, who spent 12 years in prison yet still feels tempted to go back and “kick it” with his old crew, also knows that Concordance Academy needs committed participants. But that comes only from within.

“This affords a good opportunity, and I am taking advantage of it,” Adams said. “I met some good people who see something in me that I see in myself. But you’ve got to see it in yourself first.”

For more information, visit concordanceacademy.org or call (314) 396-6001

Financial Focus

By Andre Nelson, AAMS

Give mom a gift to help

her financial future

n Missouri boasts of a 5 cents minimum-wage increase that leaves many workers squinting to see the difference in their take-home pay.

Shawntelle L. Fisher

Former Mayor Francis G. Slay was recently quoted as saying, “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by this move. This is nothing more than a stall tactic that is keeping money out of the pockets of hardworking St. Louisans.” Slay insists that tactics such as these deny employees a right to equality through higher wages that would help get them off government assistance. They also keep hard-working citizens from being able to put a roof over their head and food on the table for their families. Many states and local municipalities have taken matters into their own hands to support their lowest-wage earners. New legislation and ballot initiatives to increase minimum wages to $15 an hour in some cities and $10 -$12 an hour in some states are becoming widespread. Will Missouri join them?

Shawntelle L. Fisher is founder/CEO of the SoulFisher Ministries and a graduate student at the Brown School at Washington University.

Parson’s new place

Famed salon owner celebrates new location with reunion, open house

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

On any given Saturday from the mid1980s through the mid-1990s, the line leading from the sidewalk on Delmar to the door of Parson’s Beauty Salon Center would begin at 5 a.m. and stretch a city block. Ladies would show up before the sun to secure a spot in Marie Parson’s chair. Some girls from the Metro East would get there the night before –to make sure they didn’t get lost – and sleep in their cars.

They would come in and out of her chair all day Saturday and early into Sunday morning.

“I would do hair 24 hours – I wouldn’t even go home and go to sleep,” Parson said. “God gave me the strength to stand for all those hours, and a husband to support me through all of that.”

Parson was hair royalty back then. Her signature iron work styles and extravagant hair shows borrowed themes from film, television and Broadway, and they earned her the distinction of a one-name reference reserved for the grandest of divas. She was known simply as Parson, and her name carried weight on the national cosmetology scene.

Now she’s a legend. With more than a half-century of experience in the cosmetology field –and more than 30 years in the St. Louis region – Parson touched lives while creating hairstyles.

“When they sit in that chair I’m liable to be anything – doctor, lawyer, counselor or whatever they need at the time,” Parson said. “And I was happy to do that. It’s such a special feeling when someone tells you ‘you made me feel good when nobody else did… you gave me love.’”

She also gave them styles like none other. Next weekend her former clients – and the rest of the community– are being called to show Parson the love she’s so often shown to others over the years at a special Parson’s Beauty Salon Center reunion next Saturday (May 13) from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The intention behind the event is to celebrate her legacy –and to “give her flowers while she can still smell them.” The reunion will also serve as an open house for her new U. City location after decades of being located on Delmar.

‘Lion King’ road leads to home

STL’s Sophia Stephens, Congo’s Phylicia Pearl among cast of tour at The Fox through May 7

Kenya Vaughn and Cassandra Walker

“I didn’t know how. I didn’t know when. But I said to myself, from way up there, ‘One day I will be on that stage,’” Stephens said. She auditioned and secured an ensemble role on Broadway. She subsequently signed on for national tour of the production. Several years later when her statement came to fruition, she didn’t have the words to express what she felt.

Adrienne Davis recognized by Women of Achievement for arts advocacy

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

“Visual images have such a profound ability to shape how the next generation sees themselves,” said Adrienne Davis, Vice Provost and William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law at Washington University. “I am really heartened when I go to the St. Louis Art Museum and

“It was a wonderful moment that I don’t even have words for,” Stephens said. “From being way back there to standing on that stage,” Stephens said, trying to quell the emotion in her voice, “to standing there in front of my family, friends, loved ones – and in front of my city. I was like, ‘Really, God?’ It showed me how you have power and you can manifest things with what you say, what you think and how you work.” Two years ago she was the understudy to Nahla –and was blessed to step into the co-starring role for several shows during the final days of the 2015 run in her home town.

See LION, C4

Krystal Worrell and Sophia Stephens of ‘Disney’s The Lion King – Musical’ during the St. Louis run of the national tour at The Fabulous Fox

The show continues through May 7.

Davis, vice provost and William M. Van Cleve professor of law at Washington University, will be honored for her arts advocacy 2017 Women of Achievement

I see local children there looking at different pieces.” She knows the power of positive

representation, because it had a hand in shaping her life.

“For me, coming of age in the 1980s, the first art I bought was posters,” Davis said. “I was really moved by the different kinds of images, especially of African American women and black people more broadly. These were images that I found provocative and comforting and reassuring all at the same time.”

One of the posters she purchased, by an African American woman artist named Varnette Honeywood, left a lasting impression.

“It was an abstract collage that said ‘she who learns teaches,’” Davis said. “It allowed me to envision myself as a professor – as someone who would convey knowledge to other people.” While she has seen the power and

Photo by Wiley Price

Marie Parson applying care and attention to detail she’s known for to one of her clients at Parson’s Beauty Salon Center.

Theatre.

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

May 3 – 4, Jazz St. Louis presents Ben Reece’s Unity Quartet. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 571-6000 or visit www. jazzstl.org.

Fri., May 5, 8 p.m., EXMW (East By Midwest) starring RE-ACK. ReAck teams up with artists from STL, Chicago, New Jersey and New York. 2720 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 442-8749.

Fri., May 5, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents Trey Songz: Tremaine the Tour. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 726-6161 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., May 12, 8:30 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents George Benson. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Sun., May 14, 5 p.m., The Ambassador presents Big George Brock & Big Mike Aguirre. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. thenewambassadorstl.com.

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

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

Sun., May 14, 7:30 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents the Mother’s Day Music Festival feat. Anthony Hamilton, Joe, Tamar Braxton and

Raheem Devaughn. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

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

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

Fri., May 19, 7 p.m., Tip “T.I.” Harris presents the Hustle Gang Tour. T.I. will introduce his new artists including Grand Hustle’s VP Trae Tha Truth, RaRA, Yung Brooke, Tokyo, Jetz and London Jae. Pop’s Concert Venue, 300 Monsanto Ave., Sauget, IL. 62201. For more information, visit www. ticketweb.com.

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

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

Fri., May 26, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Rakim 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. Fri., May 26, 8 p.m., The Pageant presents the Strictly Strange 17 Tour feat. Tech N9ne, Brotha Lynch Hung, Krizz Kaliko, Ces Cru, and more. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112.

local gigs

Tues., May 9, 6 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Twilight Tuesdays: Dirty Muggs. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112.

May 9, 7:15 p.m., The

Featured Event

Bach Society of St. Louis presents Bach at the Bistro, Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. For tickets, or more information, call 314-652- BACH or visit BACHSOCIETY.ORG.

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

Tues., May 16, 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Remembering the Legends. This show is dedicated to the entertainment legends who are no longer with us. Featured artists include Jeanne Trevor, Linda Kennedy, Jerome Davis, Joe Mancuso, and more. 3648

Washington Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 838-9198 or visit www. thesheldon.org.

comedy

Sun., May 13, 7:30 p.m., Helium Comedy Club presents Dick Gregory. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

special events

Sat., May 6, 9 a.m., 2017

Baby Kid Expo. Join us at to learn about the best products and services available for you and your children in the areas of healthcare, recreation and educational providers. We will also have a petting zoo, CPR

Tip “T.I.” Harris presents the Hustle Gang Tour . For more information, see CONCERTS.

training, and inflatables. St Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 63303. For more information, visit www.babykidexpo.com.

Sat., May 6, 10 a.m., Mary Meachum Bike Ride & Black History Tour. Join us for a 10-mile bicycle ride and learn about events significant to St. Louis. Then stay for the “Buffalo Soldiers and Bicycles” event following the ride. Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Site, Biddle St & N Leonor K Sullivan Blvd., 63102. For more information, call (314) 436-9090.

Sat., May 6, 6 p.m., Central Institute for the Deaf’s Annual Gala: CID OUT LOUD. Cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, live auction and dancing. Guests are invited to “dress loudly.” The RitzCarlton, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, call (314) 977-0224 or visit www.cid.edu.

Sun., May 7, 1 p.m., Stray Rescue’s 12th Annual Spring for Strays. Kick off the spring season with an afternoon of fun, food and drink specials, silent and live auctions, and much more. Moonrise Hotel, 6177 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 771-6121 or visit www. give2gether.org/projects.

Thur., May 11, 5 p.m., The University City Chamber of Commerce presents Taste of U City 2017. Over 30 restaurants will have samples from an international array of cuisines. We will also have a silent auction, face painting, and more. Mandarin House Banquet Center, 8004 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 337-2489 or visit www. universitycitychamber.com.

Sat., May 13, 1 p.m. Parson’s Beauty Salon Reunion, Parson’s Beauty Salon Center, 6820 Olive, University City, MO 63130. For more information, call (314) 7219052.

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

Thur., May 18, 5 p.m., South Grand 9th International Dine Around. Sample anything from Vietnamese appetizers to delicious homemade pastas to local frozen confections. 3115 S. Grand Blvd., 63118. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

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

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

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

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

Sun., May 21, 1 p.m., 107th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade & Festival. A family-oriented area time with bounce houses, petting zoos, face painting and more. There are trucks and booths that provide a variety of food, community information, and entertainment. Downtown St. Louis. For more information, call (314) 531-0120 or visit www.anniemalone.com.

Thur., May 25, 7:30 p.m., The Art of African Fashion - A Celebration of Clothing, Cloth and Culture. A Fusion of fashion, art, history and culture celebrating local black artist, designers, retailers, restaurants and more. The Bentil’s Jah’z Art Gallery, 5561 Enright Ave., 63109. For more information, call (314) 603-4690 or visit www.Urban. Africa.com.

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

Sat., May 27, 8 a.m., Ferguson Farmers’ Market. Come out for locally grown, fresh produce. 20 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

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

May 4 – 7, Annual Greater St. Louis Book Fair Featuring millions of books spanning 150 categories with all proceeds going to area literacy and education programs. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Blvd., 63011. For more information, call (314) 993-1995.

Wed., May 10, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Yaa Gyasi, author of Homegoing. The story follows two half-sisters: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver, and their destinies through two continents and 300 years. 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl. org.

Tues., May 16, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Leigh Montville, author of Sting Like a Bee: Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 19661971. An insightful portrait

Chaifetz Arena presents the Mother’s Day Music Festival feat. Anthony Hamilton, Joe, Tamar Braxton and Raheem Devaughn. See CONCERTS for info.

of Muhammad Ali and the key moments in his life with primary focus on his 1966 refusal, after being drafted, to join the military for religious and conscientious reasons. Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl. org.

Sun., May 7, 2 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum invites you to the Young Artists Exhibition Opening Reception. The exhibition is entitled Personality: A Time to be Creatively You. Meet the teen artists behind the exhibition and enjoy teen performances. One Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. slam.org.

Fri., May 12, 5 p.m., Opening reception for Green Door art gallery’s exhibit “Florals and Botanicals” (runs May 5 – June 28 ). Exhibit features Julie Bell, Pam Bohling, Susan Greene, Ellen Klamon, Dimitrina Kutriansky, Jane Miles and the winners of the Confluence online competition plus over 30 more artists including glass, jewelry, wood, textiles and all kinds of painting. 21 N. Gore Ave, Webster Groves MO 63119, www.Greendoorartgallery.com 314-402-1959

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

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

Through May 14, COCA presents Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response. Exhibition featuring works by emerging or young artists inspired by artists associated with the Harlem Renaissance. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl. org.

Through May 20, Gallery 210 and Kranzberg Art Center present Taking it to the Streets: Grand Center. The artists featured in the exhibit address the stubborn problems of race, social injustice, and the politics of

gender and sexuality using a wide variety of media. 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.kranzbergartscenter. org.

lectures and workshops

Sat., May 6, 11 a.m., The West Side Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry hosts a Financial Empowerment Workshop Topics include home buying and credit repair, basics of banking, and more. Representatives from different banks will also be available. 4675 Page Blvd., 63113. For more information, visit westsidefinancial empowerment.eventbrite. com.

Thur., May 11, 6:30 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Women of St. Louis Civil Rights. This panel program will explore the role women have played, and continue to play, in activist movements, and look at women who have directed their time, energy, and talents toward change in St. Louis. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thur., May 18, 7:30 p.m., StarTalk Live with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Peabody Opera House,

1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

theatre

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

Through May 7, The Fox presents The Lion King. The Fabulous Fox Theatre. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

May 12 – 19, Upstream Theater presents A Human Being Died That Night During the 1990s, psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela interviewed Eugene de Kock, commanding officer of the South African government’s death squad, as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that followed apartheid. Kranzberg Atrs

Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

health

Sat., May 6, 8 a.m. registration, 13th Annual Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) Walka-thon and Health Fair, Tower Grove Park. For more information, call (314) 2897523 or visit www.cwah.org.

Sat., May 6, 9 a.m., Gateway Hemophilia Association presents Hemophilia Walk/5K. Forest Park, 1 Government Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 482-5973 or visit www. hemophiliawalk.donordrive. com.

Sat., May 6, 9 a.m., St. Louis HELP Medical Equipment Donation Drive. We accept tax-deductible donations of manual and power wheelchairs, shower chairs, canes/crutches/ walkers, grab bars, lift chairs, and more. For more information, call (314) 567-

Sun., May 14, 5:30 p.m., Denise Thimes & Friends Special Mother’s Day Concert & Lavish Buffet Dinner. See CONCERTS for additional details.

4700 or visit www.stlhelp.org.

Sat., May 6, 12:30 p.m., Slaying Dragons’ Young Actors Theatre presents Losing Hope. A play focusing on depression and suicide within our youth. A mental health expert will do a Q & A following the performance. 829 N. Hanley, 63130. For more information, call (314) 596-1219 or visit www. slayingdragons.org.

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

Sat., May 13, 9 a.m., Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis invites you to Steps for Hope Walk/Fun Run 2017. Join us for our annual 1 or 3.7 mile fun run/ walk to embrace survivors, family, and friends who have been touched by cancer. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, Maryland Heights, 63146. For more information, visit www.

facebook.com.

May 15 – July 9, Small

Business Majority’s Missouri Healthy Business Healthy Community Workplace Wellness Challenge, FREE communitybased competition where small businesses in southwest Missouri will compete against businesses in the St. Louis region to win special prizes, which will be awarded at the end of the competition and provided by local sponsors. Network, get healthy and have fun. Visit http:// smallbusinessportal.org/ benefits/wellness or call 314718-0377 to register.

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

Sat., May 20, 9 p.m., Sickle Cell Family Skate Night. Meet other sickle cell families, reunite with old friends, and learn about the program and services available through the Sickle Cell Association and Get Connected. 2700 Kienlen Ave., 63121. For more information or to register, call (314) 833-6751 or visit www. sicklecellassociation.org.

Sat., May 6, 1 p.m., The Cathedral At St. Paul AME Church Women’s Missionary Society presents their 4th Annual 1st Lady Crystal Luncheon Honoring Mrs. Estella Shockley, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave. St. Louis, MO. 63112. For more information, call (314) 385-8900.

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

Continued from C1

value in the arts –visual arts in particular – since childhood, her connection with Honeywood’s poster and the impact of it on her life was something she wanted to pass along to others.

“There’s just something about the arts that allows us to see the inherent humanity of black people,” Davis said. “It also allows us in some ways to imagine possibilities – to transcend to think about other ways of being and dreaming about things.”

Honeywood gave her the inspiration to pursue her professional path. Her connection with the poster fueled Davis to be a champion for the arts so that young people of color – young women in particular – can have similar experiences.

Because of her years of arts advocacy in the St. Louis region, Davis was named among the 2017 Women of Achievement Honorees and will be among the ten women celebrated at the annual luncheon next Tuesday (May 16) at The Ritz-Carlton.

“I’m humbled beyond belief,” Davis said. “I feel really privileged to work in the arts in St. Louis.”

Founded in 1955, the St. Louis Women of Achievement

PARSON

Continued from C1

Festivities include a hair show, along with prizes, giveaways and contests that include longest hair and brightest color.

Award is the oldest, ongoing program in the area whose sole mission is to honor and recognize the volunteer service and volunteer leadership of women.

“I don’t think of it as advocacy,” Davis said. “I just think of it as a privilege to be able to do it.”

Davis is currently the secretary for the Saint Louis Art Museum Board of Commissioners, and is the former president of SLAM’s Board of Trustees. She’s also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for Opera Theatre St. Louis, and chairs the arts facet of the St. Louis Chapter of Links, Incorporated.

“For me I was always thinking about the politics of representation,” Davis said regarding her origins of interest in the arts. “Black people have been struggling for the right to represent ourselves as human and to represent our history and our culture since we were brought to this country in chains.

By the same token, the country – before we were even a country – understood that a primary justification for enslaving black people and denying our humanity was going to be how we were represented.”

Arts serve as the great humanizer and a cultural bridge, which is what fuels Davis’ passion.

“This is all about how

Parson’s hair shows were an institution within the St. Louis hair community. “I called them hair theater,” Parson said while talking about one show that was based on the hit Broadway musical “The Wiz.” Just the thought of the opulence brought a smile to her face as she pointed to photos from the shows that she swore did no justice to the actual events.

we represent people, their humanity, their relationship to power, their interactions and the possibility of justice,” Davis said.

She sees this now more than ever before in the nine years that she’s been in St. Louis. She didn’t say that the shift was a response to the unrest in Ferguson, but it would be easy to assume that to be the case.

“I feel like there is this moment right now about race and the arts in St. Louis that I don’t want to miss,” Davis said. “The younger generation – the folks under 40 – what they are doing right now is so audacious and transformative that it inspires me.”

Davis considers herself blessed to be in a region that she feels places special emphasis on making art accessible and using the arts to bridge cultures and bring communities together.

“Not only do I feel that art touches me personally, but I see the power it can have for other people,” Davis said. “Especially for young people who may not feel empowered in their lives.”

The 2017 Women of Achievement Luncheon will take place at 11:15a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, at The RitzCarlton St. Louis. For more information or tickets, visit www.woastl.org/luncheonreservations call (314) 8964962 or e-mail woastlouis@ gmail.com.

“They were something else,” Parson said.

But her biggest joy comes in knowing that she paved the way for the next generation.

“I didn’t just keep my secrets – I shared my gifts with people,” Parson said.

Several of her former stylists have gone on to make a name for themselves. Many of them have opened salons of their own, including her niece in Las Vegas.

Parson’s sphere of influence stretches beyond the beauty industry. Her son, attorney Robert Parson Jr., made history last week when he was sworn in as the first African American ever voted onto the Florissant City Council.

But next Saturday it will be all about celebrating Parson and her continuing legacy.

“I’m still here,” she said. “And it’s a blessing that I can be a blessing to somebody else.”

Parson’s Beauty Salon Center Reunion will take place from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at 6820 Olive in University City. For more information, call (314) 721-9052.

LION

Continued from C1

Two weeks ago when the show returned to The Fox for a three-week run that continues through May 7, Stephens had risen through the ranks to play a principal. She portrays Simba’s mother Sarabi.

Stephens admits she still gets that feeling every time she steps in front of the Fox audience.

“Every single time,” Stephens said. “It feels so good to come home and to receive so much love from so many people. I’ll have people saying, ‘I’m going to come see you,’ and ‘we’ll be looking for you.’ And you see them waving at you from the audience.”

She’s been across the country as a company member of the national tour. While clearly partial, she says that there’s no place like home with respect to the audience.

“The energy after the first number is amazing,” Stephens said. “It helps you give everything that you have. Especially if you’re tired –after eight shows – it’s really inspiring to see how receptive and demonstrative our audiences are.”

Another reason Stephens loves returning to her hometown is to inspire others. She recently was a part of a “lunch and learn” session with student performers from area high schools facilitated by friend and recording artist Brian Owens at The Touhill Performing Arts Center.

“What is the worth of your success – not even just success, but your gifts – if you can’t share it with other people?” Stephens asked.

Stephens and several of her fellow cast mates spoke with the students about inspiration, faith, excellence and life in general, and how life affects the arts and how the arts make society whole.

“I see the impact my journey can have on other people as far as encouraging them,” Stephens said. “Because a lot of kids think ‘well, I’m from here and I don’t see how I can make it.’ It’s really great to be an example – even though I’m not the first, or the last, and this is not where my journey ends.”

In addition to “Disney’s The Lion King – Musical,” Stephens is working in the independent film industry and putting the finishing touches on a soon-to-be-released solo album.

“I want young people from St. Louis to know that you can be from here and go beyond what you can think, or even imagine,” Stephens said. “I was once all the way in the back of

From the Congo to ‘The Lion King’

Unlike Stephens, Phylicia Pearl is not a St. Louis native. But the journey that ultimately brought her to the share the stage as a company member of “Disney’s The Lion King – Musical” national tour is equally inspiring. As she told the story of her parents immigrating to the United States from The Republic of Congo in Africa, her eyes were bright and alert.

“I went to college and studied in musical theater, and during my time there I was cast in only two of 24 shows,” she said. “That was okay, because I kept telling myself that one day I would be cast in a major production. During senior year, agents and directors come to our school and we are allowed to audition for them. One director told me he was going

to have me audition for ‘The Lion King.’ A week before graduation I flew to New York, and I found out within one day that I would be doing the national tour of ‘The Lion King!’”

That was in 2015. Now Pearl is a member of the swing company – which means she has to understudy six different performances in each production. She had to learn all the material, dance and song, in four weeks.

“My parents migrated here from The Republic of the Congo with dreams for themselves and their children,” Pearl said. “My mother always wanted us to do something that was great. My given name is ‘Watondua.’ which means ‘people worship you.’” She has dreams and goals of writing a television show that is based on her life. For now, she is enjoying being in ‘The Lion King.’ Pearl is very honored to have been chosen for the cast – and remembers that she is a young woman whose roots she can proudly trace back to and through Africa, now starring in a stage play set in Africa. “I think that the universe sent this show to get me to a point where I was very interested in my ancestry,” Pearl said. “Because so much of the show is about ancestry – and how you can become great and become who you are because of the people who came before you.”

Disney’s ‘The Lion King – Musical’ continues through Sunday, May 7 at The Fabulous Fox Theatre. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

the balcony. Now I’m down here on the stage.”

Phylicia Pearl

Patrick Keith McKinney and Monique Channell Bowens are pleased to announce their engagement with a wedding date set for the Fall of 2017. They’ll kick off the festivities with an engagement party this month. The happy couple will reside in St. Louis after they take their vows. #mckinneysEst2017 #TheMcKinneysSayIDo

Reunions

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

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

Beaumont High School

Class of 1972 is celebrating 45th class reunion August 11 -13 2017. Activities have been planned for a fun illed weekend you don’t want to miss. Please direct all inquiries and registration request to

Sharon Webb Steele at (314) 757-2799 or Linda Howard at (314) 397-5570. You may also use Facebook , BHS72 Reunion Committee.

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

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

East St. Louis Lincoln Sr. High Class of 1967 celebrates its 50th Class Reunion, June 23-25, 2017 at The Renaissance Hotel, 9601 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO. Activities include Friday night meet & greet, picnic cruise on the Becky Thatcher, banquet with live entertainment and Sunday morning worship. Please contact Deborah Davis Holmes at deehom50@aol.com or call 314-280-3711 for more information.

Hadley Tech Classes of 1962-1963 are having their 55th year reunion on October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. For more information, please contact

Celebrations

Student Achievement

Joshua Jones, (left), a sophomore majoring in chemistry in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, received the Kimmel Scholarship at the recent Kimmel Leadership Awards Ceremony. The annual scholarship recognizes a standout student for their exceptional volunteer contributions both on and off campus.

Cornell Cox, (right), completed his first semester at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb with a 3.3 GPA. Cornell is a former SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound student, and is now interested in pursuing a major in engineering at NIU. Upward Bound provides programming and instruction to help young people prepare for higher education. Congratulations on your success, Cornell!

Hellon (Merritt) Jefferson at 314-307-3681, Ora (Scott) Roberts at 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina (Gibson) Baker at 314-630-9647, Pearl (Tillman) Holden 314-685-0466 or Virdell (Robinson) Stennis at 314-773-8177.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sumner Class of 1982 will have its 35-year reunion August 3-6, 2017 at TanTar-A resort in the Lake of the Ozarks. We are inviting all alumni, friends and families to join us. For more information, please contact Lovey Davis at 314-435-8055, Michelle Elgin at 314-452-1275 or Jonathan Butler at 314-437-9758 for more information, to make reservations or get a reunion packet.

Vashon High School 90th Anniversary Celebration will be held at Renaissance Hotel Airport St. Louis, October 6-7, 2017. On October 5, 2017, there will be an Alumni Day at Vashon High School. Please save the dates.

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. Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

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

St. Louis native Vega Sills couldn’t help but turn up at Liquid Asset’s Day Party as he officially celebrated his signing to Stevie J’s Danger Zone record label at The Marquee on Sunday.

Swag Snap of the Week

Black films and Gentlemen Jack. My weekend kicked off at the Moolah Theatre Thursday night for the Gentleman Jack Real to Reel Black Filmmaker’s competition. We got a chance to see five shorts by emerging filmmakers vying for an opportunity to have their film screened before an audience of tastemakers in Miami (including the oh so fine Omari Hardwick) and a $10K grand prize. I was feeling all but two of the films. One of them made me feel like I was on a bad trip, and the other one was a bit cheesy. Shout out to St. Louis’ own Kasia Steele and her film “Inside Job” for being in the mix of films.

St. Louis kicked off the multiple-city tour – which has stops in Houston, NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta to name a few. I really enjoyed the entire vibe of the evening. It’s so nice to get outside of the traditional club setting, not to mention give a viewing platform to aspiring filmmakers. Reminisce was killing it on the tables before and after the screenings. I applaud Gentleman Jack for the out the box evening, and I hope that our homegirl makes it to the finals!

Mood turns two. Mood boasted an open bar for its two year anniversary weekend and by the time I arrived, the folks were acting like they had already had their fill.

Does anyone know the name of the poor thing bouncing around like she had chased Krispy Kremes with a Mountain Dew energy drink? She turned the “Mobb Out” into a River Dance routine. I promise you everyone within the entire club’s front circumference was scared she was going to kick all of our shins loose with her clogging choreography. She was two high kicks away from a class action suit! I want to thank DJ Aye Eye for getting me out of harm’s way when I moseyed over to find out why he was so dapper. Other than the private River Dancer, it was still a win for MOOD. Happy anniversary!

Cuteness and clever Mirthweek comedy. Saturday night I hit up the Touhill to catch my boo Trevor Noah on stage live and in-the-flesh as he headlined UMSL’s Mirthweek festivities. Anybody who knows me can co-sign that I was checking for him way before he became a household name by way of “The Daily Show.” Sorry to all the folks’ whose nerves I worked by going on-and-on about the “South African comedian,” but hey, I was clearly right. I was prepared to laugh, but my intentions were to lust. Yes, I came to feast my eyes on Trevor – who could easily pass as my boo Maxwell’s little brother. Little did I know that the fineness of opening act Tone Bell would have me saying “Trevor who?” Those jeans were downright mesmerizing! Tone is officially my new comedy BAE. There were plenty of folks mad that Hasan Minhaj dusted UMSL for the White House Correspondents Dinner, but I was NOT one of them thanks to the “body-oddy-oddy,” of his replacement. He says his people are from St. Louis. Can one of y’all hook a sista up? Okay, I’ll get to the jokes. Tone had me dying when he talked about how he got into it with an airport fast-food worker over a pack of jelly. He did another bit that is NSFP (not safe for Partyline) where he talked about a particular dancer at a gay club he came across while working on a promotions team that had me howling. And when he talked about being petty as he paid his student loans off, you could tell everyone could relate! Trevor Noah looked cute, but regular compared to Tone. His jokes were good though. I wasn’t expecting him to go on for 15 minutes about how he hated toddlers with a passion, but folks still chuckled at it. He proved me right about him as far as the funny goes – especially when he went in on Donald and Melania Trump

Return of the Sunday Day Party. Day party season has officially popped off with the reality star everyone loves to hate but secretly loves Sunday at the Marquee. Liquid Assets brought “Steebie” from “Love and Hip Hop” through in celebration of rising local rap star Vega Sills signing to Stevie J.’s Danger Zone record label. I saw more tragic quick weaves than I’ve seen in one place at the same time – and the pastel pink one had me all the way throwed (yes, I said throwed). But when Stevie and Vega Sills showed up it was like somebody flipped the “lit” switch. When Vega finally showed up, the whole Marquee decided that they were going to squeeze into one little VIP booth with him. It was not humanly possible, but the folks did everything they could to try and make it work. I must say that if I never saw clips of him from “Love and Hip Hop” I would really like Steebie. He’s always so approachable and personable when I see him in town. He’s going to be a tough act to follow, but The Marquee is not playing with its day party rotation. The one and only Mannie Fresh will be in the building next Sunday. The party starts at 5 p.m. and the celebrities typically show around 8:30.

Classic (al) Poetic Justice. After watching the soulful element turn up for Steebie at The Marquee, I scooted on down Jefferson to catch my boy Corey Black’s monthly Poetic Justice open mic poetry set at 2720 Cherokee. It was packed to the gills and the energy was _________ (insert the “woke” equivalent to “on fleek.”). Corey, don’t be discouraged that the masses up in there didn’t appreciate your rehearsed InSync tribute to usher in the new month with a snippet of “It’s Gonna Be Me (as in May),” but I was here for every bit of it. But that was far from the only highlight of the night for me. When Bruce Franks Jr. came through and gave us a sip of Ooops In The Building, I got my life. I also thoroughly enjoyed the featured poet, Tebe Zalango – mainly because he had something for every single person’s particular taste up in there. I’ve been to my share of open mics over the years, but I’ve never seen a feature go from poetry, to hip-hop to classical musical. Yes, he played the violin and did a sickening “So Gone Challenge” verse in the same set. It was life! I was sad I dropped orchestra in the sixth grade after seeing his set. Luckily for me, I never lost these bars. Maybe I could be the feature for May.

Photos by Vincent Lang

Giles and Cassia listened to some of the city’s best poets during Corey Black’s Poetic Justice Open Mic at 2720 Cherokee on Sunday

Amanda and Amber enjoying girl’s night out @ the Marquee on Sunday

Lady Q and DJ LP of 100.3 The Beat were spotted in the crowd @Mood

Moses spoke with Shea as he prepared to paint live during Lyrical Therapy’s weekly Open Mic Collective @ Urb Arts

Emil, Brailey, G-Ray, Bianca waiting for the Young Scooter to hit the stage @ The Marquee Friday night

Alexis and Law attempted to chat it up @ the Koken Art Factory during the new hype Under The Influence Saturday night

Chase and Meagan stepped into Mood’s 2nd anniversary kickoff on Friday

Nappy DJ Needles pulled out the vinyl and rocked the house for SUPERNATURAL @ Blank Space

Sunny and Khori came out in the rain to kickback @ the Koken Art Factory for Under The Influence on Saturday

Ameche and Bryonte arrived to their booth early for the Day Party @ The Marquee

RELATIONSHIP BANKER

Seeking a Relationship Banker! Outgoing candidate with Teller, Banker, Sales, and Client Service Experience. Full-Time, Beneits, Competitive Wage, Vacation, Holiday & Sick Pay Apply at www.royalbanksofmo.com

MUSEUM EDUCATOR

he Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis seeks a Museum Educator to be the primary facilitator of exhibition tours and workshops for on-site school visits, tour groups, and the public. he Museum Educator is also the lead instructor for—and manages all aspects of—CAM’s Immersive Learning programs for ages 9–18: New Art in the Neighborhood, Teen Museum Studies, LEAP Middle School Intensive, and Summer Art Camps.

S/he is responsible for developing and implementing studio art and career-based curriculum, coordinating with teaching and visiting artists, and documenting, evaluating, and reporting on each of these programs. Other duties include conducting staf tour training for seasonal exhibitions, coordinating with university and lifelong learning groups, and assisting with CAM’s Youth & Family programs, including Stroller Tours, Morning Play Dates, and Family Days. For more info and to apply, please visit camstl.org/jobs.

SANITATION WORKER

CITY OF KIRKWOOD, MO.

Sanitation worker. Collect & transport waste, refuse &recycling from streets & dumpsters using hydraulic system on refuse truck. Work 3 to 5 days/week, start at 6:30 a.m., including holidays & weekends. CDL Class B with air brakes required. Class A preferred. 1-3 years driving exp. $17.54/hour. Call 314-984-6975 for an application or apply online at: www.kirkwoodmo.org. EOE

NORTHWOODS POLICE DEPARTMENT is now accepting applications. Applications can be obtained at 4608 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods, MO 63121. Applicants must be P.O.S.T. Certiied to apply for this position.

SPRING HIRING FAIR

Graduating Soon? New Graduate? Seasoned Teaching Professional?

he YWCA Head Start Educational Program is looking for all levels of teachers for its Early Childhood Education Program. We are hosting our Spring Job Fair on: Saturday, May 6, 2017 9:00 am – 12:00 pm YWCA St. Louis Head Start Central Oice 1911 Beltway Dr. St. Louis, MO 63114

Looking for: Teachers Early Head Start Teachers Teacher Assistants Family Outreach Worker

For a complete listing of vacancies, additional information about the positions listed, and to apply, visit our website at www.ywcastlouis.org

HOUSING ATTORNEY POSITION

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-proit law irm that provides free legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, in 21 eastern Missouri counties, seeks an attorney to work in its Housing Program and the Youth and Family Advocacy Project. he position is located in LSEM’s St. Louis oice. For more information regarding the position and the application process please visit www.lsem.org. his position closes May 14, 2017.

LCSW/LPC in Clinical and School Based Counseling

In either a clinical or a ield setting, provides counseling to clients as appropriate to the position. Apply online: WWW.JFCSAPPLY.COM with cover letter and resume. Jewish Family & Children’s Service-St. Louis. EOE M/F/D/V

Heavy Equipment

Diesel Mechanic

Professionally skilled diesel mechanic is needed in Chattanooga, Tn. You will be working with heavy equipment including but not limited to: hoist and hydraulic cranes, loaders, forklits, and towboats. Experience with these various equipment types not required but is a plus. Experience with Cummins engines is a plus. We manage a shipyard, barge oloading/ loading facilities, and operate several towboats. You will be expected preform regular and preventative maintenance duties, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and emergency repairs. We ofer health and dental insurance and a proit sharing plan.

Please call Peter or Tom at our shipyard location to set up an interview. 423-942-7000

SENIOR

IFRS ACCOUNTANT at Safety National

Responsible for assisting with the adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and subsequent IFRS reporting. Responsible for working directly with external consultants, designated personnel at Safety National, Reliance Standard Life (“RSL”), Delphi Financial Group (“DFG”) and Tokio Marine. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

CHIEF PRICING ACTUARY

at Safety National

Responsible for developing and maintaining pricing standards and models. Provide leadership of pricing team to support transactional pricing for all of Safety National’s products. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

CHURCH !

A Professional Organ Player/Accompanist, Piano, Pipe Organ, Teacher, Minister of Music is seeking an open Church Position. All churches of different faiths, Please make Inquiry: 314-652-1107

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Provide leadership in planning, development and oversight of a broad scope of program activities related to major gits, deferred giving, annual giving, special event fund raising and associated donor stewardship for the agency. Apply online: WWW. JFCSAPPLY.COM with cover letter and resume. Jewish Family & Children’s Service – St. Louis EOE M/F/D/V

PAGEDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Is currently accepting applications for the position of Lieutenant. Applicants must have a minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience, administrative skills, computer literate and P.O.S.T. certiied. Experienced in planning, organizing, policy implementation, task delegating and scheduling manpower will be needed for this position. Applications may be obtained at 1420 Ferguson Ave. Pagedale, MO.

COMPUTER OPERATOR

REJIS is currently seeking a Computer Operator to provide basic PC troubleshooting, hardware/sotware knowledge and server skills. Excellent customer service skills.

ASSEMBLY

JOBS Window mfg. co. has assembly jobs now! Temp-to-perm, 1st shift, 40 hr/wk, mid-Stl County. Tape measure & power tool skills and 75# lifting req’d. $10.00/hr, We take Appl. Mon.Wed., & Fri. 9am-11am Nextemps Staffing, 314-727-1060, Jerry. Search Nextemps on craigslist.

COORDINATOR

PSA Policy Reporting at Safety National

As a member of a self-directed work team, this position shares responsibility reviewing, analyzing, and reporting policy transactions related to Primary Worker’s Compensation policies, as well as reporting coverage for Commercial Auto vehicles insured by Safety National. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

MUSEUM EDUCATOR

he Missouri History Museum seeks a part-time temporary Museum Educator for K-12 Programming. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details. An Equal Opportunity Employer

To see our beneits or apply for this or other jobs, please visit:www.rejis.org

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/ Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity he REJIS Commission has developed an EEOP Utilization Report as required by the United States Department of Justice. It is available for review on our website atrejis.org/employment.

LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. has an opening for a full-time Legal Administrative Assistant for our Litigation Practice Group in our St. Louis oice. his is an addition to the department to support our recent growth. We have deined assignments, however, our staf focus on teamwork & supporting each other to better balance workloads. herefore, strong teamwork & communication skills are highly desired. Qualiied applicants will type at least 70 wpm & have excellent attention to detail, grammar, proofreading & customer service skills. At least 2 yrs of litigation exp required. Apply online at www.greensfelder.com or at 10 S. Broadway, Ste 2000, St. Louis, MO 63102. EOE

CITY OF KIRKWOOD DISPATCHER

Receive emergency/non-emergency calls. Dispatch police, ire, or EMS. Irregular hours and shits. REJIS Certiication, exp w/ Global CAD, ProQA (EMD) desirable. $19.96/hr. Closes May 22, 2017. Apply:www. kirkwoodmo.org or call 314/984-6975 for a paper application. EOE

MULTI-MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Forest Park Forever is seeking an Administrative Assistant in our Land Management division. Please visit our website at: www.forestparkforever.org for details and to apply on-line. Forest Park Forever is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CITY CLERK

City of Greendale seeks a City Clerk. If interested, please visit our website: www.greendale-mo.us or come by the City of Greendale, located at 7309 Natural Bridge Road, Room 204, St. Louis, MO 63121, to ill out an application. Applicants must email their resume and at least 3 references to mayor@ greendale-mo.us. Deadline: 5/9/17.

DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT

Webster University has an opening for a Department Assistant in the Financial Aid Oice. Please apply online at http:// webster.peopleadmin.com/postings/2357. No phone calls please. Webster University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other charac-

DIRECTOR, ADVOCACY

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

Must possess MO State EMT-P

St. Louis County Fire Academy Apply by 4:00 PM 05/12/17 at 9911 Clayton Road. EOE. www.cityoladue-mo.gov for

PROJECT CONNECT PROJECT MANAGER

St. Louis Development Corporation has an opening for a Major Project Manager – Project Connect. he full position description and application process can be found online at www.stlouis-mo. gov/sldc select “Careers at SLDC.”

St. Louis Development Corporation values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran’s status or marital status.

CASE ASSISTANT

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. has an opening for a full-time Case Assistant to join our Asbestos team in our St. Louis oice. his position would include: monitoring asbestos ilings, organizing and saving electronically ilings, dispersing pertinent ilings to team members, entering and maintaining information in an Access database, electronically eiling various pleadings in various Missouri and Illinois jurisdictions and other administrative duties. Qualiied applicants will be detail oriented, have strong computer skills and have at least 1 year of litigation experience or an internship in a litigation position. his position presents an opportunity for growth with the Firm’s potential future paralegal needs. Apply online at www.greensfelder.com or at 10 S. Broadway, Ste 2000, St. Louis, MO 63102. EOE

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

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

Drug Analysis Technician vacancy/ies, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/beneits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep. uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2017-04. Equal Opportunity Employer.

ACTUARIAL ANALYST AT SAFETY NATIONAL

Perform pricing analyses for Loss Portfolio Transfers (LPT) and support pricing initiatives. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

at

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Marian Middle School, an all-girls, Catholic middle school committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through a life-altering education, is seeking a faith-illed, mission oriented, highly qualiied candidate for the position of 6th-8th grade social studies teacher for the 2017-2018 school year. he ideal candidate will be certiied, with two or more years of experience in instruction and classroom management with urban adolescents. Please send letter of interest and resume to broche@mmsstl.org. Applicants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Notice to MBE Businesses

Plocher Construction Company, Inc. 2808 hole-Plocher Road

Highland, IL 62249

PH: (618) 654-9408

Fax: (618) 654-6454

bids@plocherco.com

is seeking MBE (African American) businesses for the MSD Brentmore Pump Station Replacement for Union Subcontracting & Supply opportunities in the following areas:

Site Clearing, Asphalt Pavement, Concrete Materials, Concrete Reinforcing, Misc. Metals, Equipment, Mechanical and Electrical

All interested and qualiied business should contact Andrew Wirz or Chuck Wagner in writing or via email to discuss the subcontracting and supply opportunities. All quotes must be received one day prior to the bid opening date of May 23rd, 2017.

All proposals will be reviewed for the lowest, responsive, and responsible quote.

Plocher Construction will hold its own Prebid meeting on May 5th, 2017 at 9:00am at Plocher’s oice: 2808 hole-Plocher Rd, Highland, IL.

Plans and Speciications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.”

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College is request-

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

EOE/Airmative Action Employer

SEALED BIDS

LETTING #8643

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

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

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

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

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

INVITATION FOR BID

Sealed bids for Replacement of Kitchen Cabinets and Vanities at Olivette Homes located in St. Louis County will be received at the Purchasing Oice, Housing Authority of St. Louis County, 8865 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, Mo. 63121, until 10:00 A.M., local time, May 25, 2017 and then publicly opened and read aloud. A certiied or cashier’s check, or bid bond executed by the bidder and an approved Surety Company, in the amount of 5% of the total bid (refundable) shall be submitted with each bid. Speciications can be secured from address above, starting May 08, 2017 from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. (Closed Noon – 1:00 P.M.)

A representative of the Authority will be at 9330 Rothwell Heights, MO 63132 on May 15, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. for a MANDATORY walk through. Bidders shall agree to comply with Prevailing Wage Rate Provisions and other statutory regulations referred to in the speciication. Section 3, MBE and WBE contractors are encouraged to participate. he Housing Authority of St. Louis County reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive any informalities, and to choose the bid most advantageous to the Authority.

INVITATION TO BID

GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR GREENHOUSE COMPLEX

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol- itan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 631032555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 1, 2017 to contract with a company for: CHEMINCAL OXYGEN DEMAND KITS.

Speciications and bid forms may be ob- tained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8928 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.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

America’s Center is seeking sealed proposals from qualiied companies to provide Repair and Re-insulation of existing ductwork in America’s Center. Work needs to be performed by skilled union insulators who have completed apprenticeship and training programs certiied by the Department of Labor. Project speciications will be available at a mandatory walk through, Monday May 8th, 7:00am; 9th and Cole Security entrances. Proposals will be due Tuesday May 16th at 3:00pm. Work must be complete by June 28, 2017. Please contact Bill

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Winklepresses Belt Press Replacement Rollers for Lemay WWTP. The District is proposing single source procurement to ALFA LAVAL INC for this as Alfa Laval, Inc is the sole source authorized provider for all OEM parts and services. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

he America’s Center is soliciting bids for caulking the windows on the outside of the Dome at the America’s Center. A pre-bid & walkthrough meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2017, at 10:00am. Meeting Location: 901 Broadway Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Contact David Savage at 314-342-5357 with project inquiries. he America’s Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

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

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Request for Proposals (RFP)

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

he Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) is seeking bids from qualiied General Contractors for construction of a 12,000 sq. t. greenhouse complex located at 3445 Bent Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116. Requested work includes site improvements, concrete latwork & foundations, site utilities, installation of two satellite buildings. Supply and erection of the greenhouse shell along with associated mechanical equipment is by separate contract. A pre bid meeting will be held at the site on hursday, May 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Bids will be received at 2:00 p.m., hursday, May 25, 2017. Electronic copies of the contract documents will be available Monday, May 8, 2017 by contacting Brian Micklewright via email at brian.micklewright@mobot.org for further instructions. Paper copies of documents will be available upon individual request, 48 hour notice, and $150.00 deposit.

INVITATION TO BID MBE SUBCONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that Super Excavators, Inc. is requesting quotes from qualiied MBE Subcontractors & Suppliers for the following project: FF-16 Schuetz-Meadowside to Page Sanitary Relief under Letting No. 10601-015.1, bidding on May 16, 2017 at 2:00PM (REVISED BY ADDENDUM NO. 1) with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. We are soliciting quotations for all trades including the following segments of work, and any others that may have inadvertently been let of of this list: We are soliciting quotations for all trades including the following segments of work, and any others that may have inadvertently been let of of this list: abandonments, bypass pumping, clearing, CCTV pre/post inspections, supply crushed limestone, dewatering, pipe supply, manhole construction, site restoration and protection, rock lining, seeding, sidewalks & driveways concrete removal and replacement, sodding, asphalt removal and replacement, testing; trucking & disposal, traic control, site security, and other associated works. Please contact Pete at (262) 252-3200 or email plans@superexcavators.com for additional information, to request copies of project documents, for assistance with bonding/insurance, and/or to discuss available opportunities. Complete all negotiations prior to May 12th at 5:00PM. Super Excavators, Inc. N59 W14601 Bobolink Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

BID PROPOSAL

he St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (SLEDP) is seeking proposals from qualiied irms to design a Five-Year Financial Sustainability Plan and a companion Branding Plan to stand-up the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center. he planned Center will encourage, support, and facilitate innovation in manufacturing throughout the St. Louis Region. Proposals are due 3:00 pm on June 2, 2017 at SLEDP’s oices at 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2300, St. Louis MO 63105, attention Brian Lane. he complete RFP package may be obtained online from SLEDP’s website www.stlpartnership.com or by contacting Brian Lane at 314-615-8162 or blane@ stlpartnership.com.

FOR SALE

oice at the

address, or by calling (314) 539-5015. NON-MANDATORY WALKTHROUGH: May 2, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Florissant Valley Service Building

he Saint Louis Zoo is requesting proposals from companies to assist the Zoo with our PCI Compliance Initiatives. Companies are requested to submit their qualiications, proposed approach, team members, deliverables and total proposed costfor consideration based on the scope of work outlined below. he deadline for submitting a response to this RFP is May 22, 2017. For further information go to https:// www.stlzoo.org/about/contact/vendoropportunities/

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Lincoln University

AUDITING SERVICES

he

or by contacting Judy Martin at judy.martin@ molottery.com or 573-751-4050.

Religion

First Baptist Church of St. Louis celebrates its 200th anniversary

By Roderick Wilbon For The St.

Louis American

The First Baptist Church of St. Louis was founded by a free slave named John Berry Meachum and an American Baptist missionary named John Mason Peck in 1817. On Saturday, April 22, the church, its pastor Rev. Henry Midgett and first lady Jacqueline Midgett celebrated the 200th anniversary of the church at the Randall Gallery, 999 N. 13th St. The First Baptist of St. Louis is the oldest African-American church west of the Mississippi River.

Guests and church members arrived dressed in red, white, gold and orange, which were the theme colors of the anniversary. The different colors represented the medals each member received based on years of service. It looked like a church Sunday in the building, but it was Saturday in a banquet hall. As guests enjoyed a snack and soda bar, they were invited to see First Baptist Church’s History Museum set up in the basement of the facility. It included pictures over the years, samples of robes worn, old programs, a photo booth, and some old gadgets like an 8-track tape player cartridge.

Emcee Sharon Joseph Tab offered opening remarks and introduced the first keynote speaker. Evangelist Mary Tillman, “Your Radio Angel.” She is the host of the gospel and prayer segment Sundays on 95.5 The Lou. “I will use my voice to continue telling everyone of the good things happening here at First Baptist Church,” said Tillman. St. Louis Comptroller

Jada Cohen-Robinson, Elizabeth

200th anniversary.

Christian vs. Christian

It is at times ironic to me that so many different churches profess a belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, was crucified, died and was buried to arise again on the third day and sits at the right hand of His Father in heaven. From Catholic to Pentecostal, from Baptist to Presbyterian, from Episcopalian to Methodist, from Church of God in Christ to Lutheran, from Evangelical to just being saved, each denomination wants to set itself apart from the others based upon its doctrine being more in line with God than any of its Christian cousins.

Darlene Green, the first African-American woman voted into that position, spoke next. “Let the good work God has started here at First Baptist Church be forever blessed by the hand of God and his son, our Lord and savior,” said Green. “Here’s to 200 years today and 200 years to tomorrow.”

thunderous standing ovation.

“I was only sworn in four days ago, and this is my first proclamation,” Krewson said.

n “Here’s to 200 years today and 200 years to tomorrow.”

of St. Louis. Thank you, God bless.”

Throughout history, so-called Christians have persecuted other so-called Christians in the name of being more in tune with God’s Word than the denomination being persecuted. The more I read the Bible the more confusing this becomes, or the more ridiculous.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, the first woman elected to that position, spoke next. Walking to the podium Krewson was welcomed with a

– Comptroller Darlene Green

“The City of St. Louis joins with First Baptist Church and Rev. Henry L. Midgett in commemorating its 200th church anniversary. We extend best wishes for a joyful and spirit-filled Founder’s Day celebration. Therefore, I, Lyda Krewson, mayor of the City of St. Louis, due hereby proclaim April 22, 2017 as First Baptist 200th Year Day in the City

Rev. Julius Scruggs, pastor of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, and Rev. Linden Bowie, pastor of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Riverview, also spoke and blessed the food. The congregation then ascended upstairs to enjoy the wonderful meal. Afterwards, specific members received individual awards, then the anniversary celebration closed with a benediction.

The First Baptist Church of St. Louis is located at 3100 Bell Ave. in Midtown. Visit http://www. firstbaptistchurchstlouis.org.

Roderick Wilbon is an editorial intern for The St. Louis American from St. Louis Community College.

As a point of reference in my own faith walk, one of the things that got in my way was the decision about which church to actually join. I was introduced to the rural Baptist traditions by my grandmother, only to be baptized Catholic as a young boy and subsequently not follow any particular religion most of my adult life. Even now I sometimes question which church I should, attend only to have the Lord backslap me with the fundamental question, “How does where you go to church have anything to do with my Son’s ministry?”

Do you really believe that where you go to church on Sunday carries more weight with God than what you do on the other six days of the week? When I get confused on this issue, I’m reminded to pick up a Bible and rekindle the notion faith is an internal measurement that refuses to succumb to external pressures. In this instance, the external pressure is manmade and not God-sent. For those who believe their religion or theology is better than someone else’s, they surely have missed the entire point of the life and times of one Jesus Christ.

My reading of scripture confirms for me that Jesus was antitheology and pro faith. We are talking about someone who rather angrily turned over tables in the temple because He was insulted by the goings on there, something to do with not using his Father’s house for prayer, but rather as a den for robbers. If Jesus were alive today, would you be Sadducees of Pharisees? Would you be Jew or Roman? Would you be a member of the Sanhedrin? Either way, if you were not carrying out the will of God the Father, you more than likely would have problems with God the Son. The Law, your religion, your theology will be forever secondary to the will of God. Now, I didn’t say this. Jesus did. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” There is no better place to follow the simple edict “practice what you preach” than in church. Which church is actually quite irrelevant.

Columnist James Washington

Photo by Roderick Wilbon

Robinson, Rev. Henry L. Midgett (pastor), Jacqueline Midgett (first lady), Edna Wilkinson and Stanley Wilkinson visited at the Randall Gallery on April 22 when the First Baptist Church of St. Louis celebrated its