May 5th, 2022 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

Rep. Cori Bush, Mayor Jones vow to fight if Roe v. Wade is overturned

By Alvin A. Reid

of a majority opinion written by Justice Sam Alito that would overturn Roe v. Wade and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In effect, it would leave the legality of abortion up to individual states.

Congresswoman Cori Bush (D. St. Louis) was in her hometown Wednesday and said abortion is a constitutional right that must be protected “by any means necessary.”

Congresswoman Cori Bush told reporters during a visit to Affinia Healthcare in Pagedale on Wednesday that Democrats must end the Senate filibuster to protect abortion rights.

‘He

was a renaissance man’

Orlando Watson celebrated at The Pageant

By

Entering The Pageant on the evening of Monday, May 2 to celebrate the life and legacy of Orlando Watson felt a bit surreal. As the line of family and friends entered the building, the energy was like one of the many sold out concerts he presented there through his Rockhouse Ent. brand.

“A couple of times tonight, I’ve come around the corner and I fully expected in my subconscious for him to be there,” said venue co-owner Pat Hagin. He fought back his emotions when discussing the business partnership with Watson that evolved into a friendship. Watson passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022, after a battle with cancer. He was 48 years old. The last time The Pageant was used as a memorial venue was for the funeral of music icon Chuck Berry in 2017. And as expected for those who knew Watson in any of his many capacities–

including music producer, concert/party promoter, community activist and Prime 55 co-owner –he was celebrated with swagger. Guests were asked to wear all white. Watson’s broad scope of influence was made evident by the caliber of the crowd and those who stood on the stage to pay tribute.

“Of course, we would be here celebrating his life looking as good as we do in our all white – you know Orlando loved white

Reported SCOTUS decision forges filibuster battle

Sen. Warnock in favor of ending it

St. Louis American staff and wire reports

The leaked majority opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and end federal protections for abortion rightscould trigger a showdown on eliminating the U.S. Senate filibuster.

To overcome the legislative filibuster and pass legislation codifying abortion access throughout the country 60 senators must vote in favor. However, if the filibuster is removed, a simple majority, which Democrats hold by a single vote, would be the standard for passage.

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock said he’s going to “do everything” he can to “support reproductive rights.”

He’s one of many Senate Democrats who support eliminating the filibuster.

“No Senate procedure should get in the way of basic civil rights — voting rights, reproductive rights,” Warnock said.

Vermont Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders already has called for an end to the filibuster to ensure Senators could effectively counteract judicial attempts to cancel Roe v. Wade.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced Tuesday there would be a vote soon on legislation to codify the right to abortion.

“This is not an abstract exercise,” he said.

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning Director Ta’Lisha Franklin gives a good morning hug to E’Gracy Robinson, 2, Wednesday, May 4.

NBA big men becoming center of

A group of young, big men has come to the forefront, even in the age of small ball and 3-point shooting.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Somi the Computer Scientist has arrived to encourage Black children to explore

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Violinist Bell Darris played “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth as Best Talent Center dancers performed during a May 2, 2022, tribute to the late entrepreneur Orlando Watson at The Pageant.

Photo by Wiley Price

The O’Jays announce farewell tour

The O’Jays are saying goodbye with a farewell tour. The legendary R&B/Soul group, which has performed together for more than 60 years, will feature original members Eddie Levert and Walter Williams Sr. in a tour beginning this summer.

“The reason that this is our last tour is because, between Eddie and I, our ages will be over 160 years old by the end of the tour. I will be 60, and Eddie... you can do the rest of the math,” Williams said jokingly. “But really, we wanted one last tour to say goodbye to our friends, family and fans, and ride ‘The Love Train’ together, one last time.”

“I was thinking that I would quietly retire, but our fans and my body weren’t having it. The love and physical benefits of performing keeps us on the younger side of our age,” Levert said.

“This tour is a celebration of all of our lives and the struggles and joys that got us to today. It is time for us to say goodbye and we would like to do it in person. Please come join us as we play the music we have shared together over the past 60 years, one last time.”

“Back Stabbers” was The O’Jays first No. 1

hit and million-selling song. Other hits included “Love Train,” “For the Love of Money,” and “Use Ta Be My Girl.” The group registered 10 gold albums, nine platinum albums, and 10 #1 hits.

In 2005, the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame installed the O’Jays the same year. BET honored the artists with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. The Official R&B Music Hall of Fame inducted them in 2013.

Visit http://www.mightyojays.com/ for more information.

Ms. Juicy hospitalized in ICU

Shirlene “Ms. Juicy” Pearson, a cast member on “Little Women: Atlanta,” was reportedly in an Atlanta hospital intensive care unit last week.

Pearson’s rep confirmed the news on her Instagram page with a statement.

“At this time, Ms. Juicy is stabilized in the ICU. The family is thankful for all the prayers and are asking for you to respect their privacy at this time. Please continue to keep Ms Juicy in your prayers.”

In 2016, she joined the series in a recurring role. She became the lead cast member from seasons two through six.

No details have been revealed about why Pearson is hospitalized, but Rickey Smiley wrote on Twitter on April 29, 2022, “Y’all please pray for full recovery for @ RealMsJuicyBaby.” Attached to his message

was a post from The Neighborhood Talk saying “Ms. Juicy Baby is currently in the hospital in a coma, may have had heart attack or stroke.”

Black women news team makes Texas history

Texas Today, a weekday morning show on KCEN, an NBC affiliate in Central Texas, made history this week after hiring a news anchor team composed only of Black women. The team features news anchors Jasmin Caldwell and Taheshah Moise, meteorologist Ashley Carter Caldwell shared the exciting news on Twitter.

“Promotion alert! These lovely ladies and I will be making his tory as the first African American all-female news anchor team at @6NewsCTX. I am thrilled and honored.” Caldwell tweeted.

Caldwell told the San Antonio Express-News that while growing up she didn’t see many Black news anchors, and especially not an all-Black newscast.

“You can expect a whole lot of energy and a lot of personalities,” Caldwell said about the show. “And they

always say the phrase ‘Black Girl Magic.’ A lot of Black Girl Magic.”

Lil Jon unleashes home renovation skills in new HGTV series

Lil Jon not only raps and produces music, but he can also redesign homes.

He hosts “Lil Jon Wants to do What?,” a new HGTV series that premiered May 2. “I love walking into someone’s house and turning it upside down,” he said. “When people hear my name, they automatically think … fun! That same energy goes for my designs as well. I don’t love following design trends. I would rather be the trendsetter,” he said in a statement. Anitra Mecadon, a designer and builder, will persuade homeowners to tap into their creativity for their home’s aesthetics.

“Who doesn’t want to see Lil Jon’s creative talent traverse the world of hip hop into the world of home renovation?” Jane Latman, president of HGTV, said. “We expect fans to say, ‘Yeah! Yeah!’”

Marchers teach lessons on educational freedom

March, Equity Fair held April 30

By Isaiah Peters

The St. Louis American

Last month, the Missouri House granted preliminary approval to the 10-page “Parents’ Bill of Rights of 2022.”

The bill mandates the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education must withhold funds from schools that violate any of the new provisions in the ‘Bill of Rights.’

“Missouri leads the nation in anti-equity,” said Heather Fleming, founder of In Purpose Educational Services and Missouri Equity Education Partnership, an organization supporting anti-bias education.

“Teachers need to be able to teach culturally competent material without fear of repercussions,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones.

Teching subjects such as history and current events including modern instances of racism, is being branded as “indoctrination,” as GOP Missouri lawmaker Rep. Ben Baker described it.

To alert the community to the latest efforts to purge Black history, other subjects and books from public schools by Republicans in the state legislature, a

march for Education and Equity Fair was held Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Ely Luther Smith Square.

“Legislators looking to ban identity conversations fail to realize white people are not the only ones uncomfortable discussing race if the overwhelming response is being catered to protect their feelings,” said Mya Walker, Francis Howell North High School senior and activist.

The bill also allows parents to bring civil lawsuits against school districts violating any provision.

“What is hurtful to Black students is immediate attempts to comfort white people at the expense of people of color,” Walker said.

“This is grounded in racism and shows exactly why we have to talk about race in the first place. It sends a message that there is only one type of student worth protecting.”

Joining the “Parent’s Bill of Rights” is another Missouri General Assembly proposal that, if implemented, would give parents the right “to object to class instructional materials based on such parent’s beliefs regarding morality, sexuality, religion, or other issues related

to the well-being, and education, of such parent’s child.”

State Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, a St. Louis Democrat, decried the new legislation as revisionism.

“George Floyd’s death began a racial reckoning that we now see a backlash against,” Fleming said The bill mandates the education department to create a form for parents to be notified and asked two weeks in advance whenever a divisive topic may conflict with a parent’s beliefs.

“Critical race theory [CRT] is targeted because many people have been able to attach any meaning to it,” Fleming said.

House Bill 1474 narrows in on “CRT.” The GOP-backed bill identifies CRT “as inherently, or systemically sexist, racist, biased, privileged, or oppressed.”

“If Ruby Bridges could stand to be one of the first little Black girls to integrate, then our kids need to know about that,” said Jones.

The Missouri State’s commissioner said a majority of Missouri’s K-12 schools do not teach CRT. A Missouri state education department survey found that nearly all responding school districts said the curriculum did not feature CRT.

“Republicans are doing a

great job of fear-mongering; trying to put politics into education, which has no place,” said state Rep. Rasheen Aldridge.

The state education department will be required to establish a portal with each school district to post curriculum taught and guest speakers.

“Discomfort is necessary; it allows us to grow and progress,” Walker said.

“Without discomfort, there can be no growth to move toward an equitable society. We have to acknowledge people in their entirety and see them for who they are, including talking about race, gender, identity and sexuality as they shaped life experiences.

“There were not many Black students, or [Black people] in the curriculum.” Sophia Johnson Bartwell Middle School activist, 12, said. “I always felt left out that I was not seen in the curriculum.”

“We are not having true conversations,” Aldridge said.

“They [Republicans] do not want our kids to feel the uncomfortable truth of history. They have continued to attack education that is disgusting and divisive.”

Aldridge said the conversations Missouri should have been and should be about universal quality education and resources.

“We want to create a table that is long enough and wide enough for all of us,” said Fleming.

Sofia Johnson 12, a sixth grader in the Francis Howell School District spoke on the importance of teaching race in school and the positive impact it has on students Sat. Apr. 30, 2022 during the In Purpose Educational Services and the Missouri Equity Education Partnership Education and Equity Fair.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Guest Editorial

African Americans are real Americans

By E. Faye Williams

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with family and friends who have admonished me to be a critical thinker. I was challenged not only to think, but to think with clarity, appropriate urgency, and logic. The old idea of being one who thought “while others were sleeping” was not lost on me. In fact, preemptive thinking has saved me from misfortune “a time or two” — both personally and professionally.

Because of the life of organizational leadership that I now live, I commonly spend a great deal of time thinking about the subtle and not-so-subtle statements made by political leaders. Others may find it too time-consuming to analyze every errant statement made by politicians, but, with the ever-increasing racial hostility in this nation, I find it essential.

A great example of this is the statement made earlier this year by the Senate Republican leader. Mitch McConnell told the world just what he was thinking about African Americans. To instill fear and terror in the minds of white people who might be thinking of not voting, in a moment revealing his true feelings, he warned, “African American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.”

that you oppose anything you consider beneficial to African Americans. It’s also a sure bet that your Republican cronies are going to oppose it because they, like you, don’t think we are Americans! Neither you nor any of your like-minded lackeys will ever acknowledge that we African Americans pay a substantial portion of your salaries with our tax dollars while most of your industrialist/business cronies pay little or nothing. Tell us Mitch, what makes one American? Is it white privilege? Is it the size of your bank account? Does our blood sacrifice in times of national conflict mean nothing? Or what about our 200-plus years of free labor building an economic juggernaut heretofore unknown to the world?

As a former civics teacher and political candidate, this statement was wildly offensive. The long-standing tradition in this nation’s political process has been for political parties and politicians to articulate positive policies and positions which will influence voters to vote for them. This rapidly disappearing tradition has been replaced with exclusionary rhetoric, racial animus, and hatred fueled by the desperation of “losing something those who are undeserving.”

Did Mitch infer that African Americans are not real Americans? Yes! Did Mitch tell whites that African Americans would vote against the interests of “real” Americans? Yes! Well, Mitch, we are not easily fooled! We know the reason

Consensus agrees that your party members embarrassed themselves during the confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. I’m sure that questions like “What is a woman?” or disparaging her for judicial decisions that are/were consistent with those of her peers was not because she was a woman. Since she is an African American woman, was it because your party didn’t think she is an American?

Is Sen. Tim Scott an American or do you give him a pass because he votes with you — even when his vote is against African American interests? How will you reward Sen. Scott for voting against the confirmation of a Black woman whose brilliance on the subject of American jurisprudence runs circles around every member of your party who was in the room when her confirmation vote was taken.

Mitch, despite your lame justifications, we have given great thought to you and yours. We are not fooled, and you need to re-educate yourself to the reality that we, too, are Americans!

Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Proud of community funding projects

Essential for Black communities

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

We have all sung “America the Beautiful,” a patriotic anthem that celebrates the diverse landscapes from “sea to shining sea” in our great country. This beloved song underscores what we know to be true about the United States – the diversity of our people and places are what makes our nation strong. Given that each American community is unique, it is logical that each community has its own challenges and needs. I represent the Sixth Congressional District of South Carolina made up of rural and urban communities spread over 16 counties. While they may have common concerns, their capacity and capability to address those concerns are also unique. Many of us remember when the 45th president called Baltimore, Maryland a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” Yet, when the area’s Congressman, Kweisi Mfume, recently secured $3 million in community project funding for the “green” redevelopment of the most blighted area of the city, the Heritage Foundation called it a “rancid pork project” that would have no “chance of meaningfully helping the environment.”

These Washington insiders ought to travel the short distance to Baltimore to see the transformative nature of this project.

The Tivoly Triangle EcoVillage will revitalize an area of Baltimore by building innovative, affordable homes and commercial buildings that generate 100-percent of their power needs through renewable energy sources like solar.

Black restaurants serve communities more than food

‘Beating heart of neighborhoods’

By Marc H. Morial

“Restaurants are places where people from different walks of life gather for nourishment, social interaction, and an opportunity to belong to a community. These things go to the heart of what it means to be American. Segregationists were heavily invested in preventing interracial dining from becoming a widespread reality because it spoke to something even deeper: When people sit down together for a meal, they can’t help but recognize the humanity of those eating with them. In addition, when people prepare food for you, they are letting you know that they care for your survival. In essence, cooking is an act of love.”

– Soul Food Scholar Adrian Miller

In my beloved hometown of New Orleans, a restaurant is so much more than just a place to get a bite to eat. It is the beating heart of a neighborhood, a refuge, both an archive for history and culture and a laboratory for innovation. This is true in many communities across the nation, of course. But New Orleans’ unique blend of ethnicities and heritage that is known as Creole is best expressed through our cuisine and our restaurants. That’s why I’m so proud that the Black Restaurant Accelerator, a joint initiative of the National Urban League and the PepsiCo Foundation, this week marks the milestone of its first 100 grant recipients with the soft opening of a new restaurant in New Orleans, made possible by the program, that breathes

new life into a century and a quarter of New Orleans’ Creole tradition.

The Black Restaurant Accelerator is a five-year, $10 million commitment from the PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with the National Urban League to preserve and support Black-owned restaurants, and has been a lifeline for many across the nation who continue to experience the impact of the pandemic.

The historic Vaucresson Sausage Company, which has operated under three generations in the historic 7th Ward since 1899, is launching Vaucresson Creole Café & Deli with the BRA’s support of the program, illustrating highlighting the progress of grant recipients in 11 other cities. Fellow Louisiana establishments include Addis Nola, Beaucoup Eats, Ray’s on The Avenue, and Taste & See Personal Chef Services.

It’s especially significant that we’re making this announcement at Vaucresson’s on Monday, during the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as Vaucresson’s is the last remaining food vendor to have served the original New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival three decades ago.

National Urban League and Pepsico Foundation launched the Black Restaurant Accelerator a year ago as the COVID-19

pandemic was wreaking devastation on communities of color. The pandemic hit Blackowned businesses the hardest, with 58 percent already facing financial distress. The effects of the pandemic also saw Black business ownership declined by more than 40 percent in the U.S. – the most significant drop across any ethnic group. In New Orleans, many had to make difficult decisions about the future of businesses that have been in their families for generations. Black-owned restaurants hold a special place in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Along with Black churches, they were among the few places where it was safe for organizers and activists to meet and plan strategy, and they often fed civil rights workers for free. My own parents, civil rights leaders in Jim Crow-era New Orleans, spent many hours at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.

“The strategizing that went on there, over bowls of Leah Chase’s hot gumbo and red beans and rice, helped to undercut the legal foundations of Jim Crow,” my mother, Sybil Haydel Morial, wrote in her memoir, Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Political Empowerment.

Dookie Chase’s is now a landmark of the Civil Rights Movement, along with establishments like Paschal’s in Atlanta, Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit in Montgomery, Alabama, and The Four Way in Memphis. Who knows what history could be made in one of our Black Restaurant Accelerator establishments?

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

These groups maintain that state and local funds should pay for these type efforts. Maybe they should but they don’t.

The counties impacted by the LMRWA have historically been neglected by the state and local governments. Many of them do not have a tax base sufficient to adequately support their schools and properly respond to the needs in their communities.

Another water project that similarly illustrates Washington insiders’ lack of veracity regarding community project funding is the $9.95 million that Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee secured for a stormwater detention basin and culvert improvement project in Houston. She received CAGW’s March 2022 Porker of the Month title for her “disregard for taxpayers” citing in part this water project. Yet, the Texas Tribune newspaper wrote of her community funded project, and others like it: “Houston-area representatives

In the past, I have earned the Porker of the Month award from Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a Washington organization whose stated mission is to eliminate waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in government. Criticism by groups like CAGW is often directed at community projects like the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency (LMRWA) located in the heart of my district along a stretch of Interstate-95 derisively referred to as “the corridor of shame.”

took home money to address flood infrastructure and storm draining in their districts – a continual concern for the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.”

That devastating category 4 hurricane in August 2017 killed 103 Texans and left a third of Houston underwater. Without these infrastructure upgrades, Houston, which suffered $1.5 billion in damages, could face even more devastation during the next hurricane. An investment in preventative measures seem a small price to pay given the future expenses they will help curb.

These community funded projects would not have received favorable consideration by the arbitrary standards established by Washington insiders. However, each one is a catalyst for changing the quality of life for the communities that received them. Without their elected Member of Congress advocating for them, these communities would be facing far different futures.

The return of community funded projects is a welcome relief for those of us who see as part of our mission an obligation to address the needs of those citizens living in what the Census Bureau calls, “persistent poverty communities.” These appropriations make up just a fraction of overall federal spending and are within the total federal agencies’ allocations. There is transparency in the process and protections that prevent Members of Congress and their families from profiting from these community project funds.

Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC) is House Majority Whip.

Letter to the editor

Suicide prevention lifeline is crucial

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a volunteer and advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this month I am asking everyone to join us and demand #MoreForMentalHealth.

I am doing more by calling on my legislators at the federal and state levels to support legislation that will fund the implementation of 988 and the suicide and mental health crisis system across our nation, particularly for those in underserved communities.

Currently, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255 and deescalates the crises of tens of thousands of callers each day. On July 16, those in distress and those that support them will be able to reach the

All letters are edited for length and style

lifeline through a simple 3-digit number: 988. By making the lifeline more accessible through this shorter number, calls, texts, and chats to the lifeline’s network of crisis call centers are expected to increase. It is vital that the federal government work with states to ensure callers in distress will have: 1) someone to call, 2) someone to come help, and 3) somewhere safe to go. We must act NOW to secure funding to equip call centers and community crisis response services throughout the country with the staff and resources to respond to everyone in crisis. Join me this month in urging our federal and state public officials to do #MoreForMentalHealth. Together, we can help #StopSuicide.

Kimberly Duprey, St. Louis

Columnist E. Faye William

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Columnist James E. Clyburn

Sky’s the limit for FergusonFlorissant Red Tail Cadets

St. Louis American staff

The courage and skill of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of primarily African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II with the 332d Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment, is honored and takes flight through the Red Tail Cadet Program in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

The six-member class, which was announced April 21, 2022, at the Elite Aviation Flight School includes, Cadet Capt. D.J. Beal, Steam Academy junior; Cadet Anyah Brown, McCluer High School sophomore; Cadet Jalen Reynolds, McCluer H.S. junior; Cadet Tyrese Walker, Steam Academy sophomore; Cadet Grace Ford, Steam Academy sophomore; and Cadet Micah Riggs, McCluer H.S. junior.

The six-week program, in its second year, introduces students through classroom instruction, flight simulator training, in-aircraft flight training, financial literacy seminars, leadership training, and life skills

development. Its goal is to put cadets on a runway to aviation careers.

Cadets are selected based on academic ability, community involvement, and aptitude for success in rigorous aviation program, according to a FergusonFlorissant release.

Beal was a cadet in the inaugural Red Tail Cadet class and is recipient of the Ruth Mann Scholarship.

Mann began her professional career as a RN in 1956 and became the head nurse of the St. Luke’s Department of Surgery. After moving to Hannibal, Missouri, in 1963 she became a pilot. She and her pediatrician husband pioneered “Lifeguard” flights, which entailed transporting critically ill newborns from rural areas to pediatric ICUs.

The program is sponsored by The Crossing, Elite Aviation, Boeing, The Mann Family Foundation, Spirit Jets, Holland Law Firm, and Ferguson-Florissant School District, St. Louis County Spirit of St. Louis Airport is a partner in the program.

Sorry, most of us will not be billionaires

By Oseye Boyd

The news of Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter had many people wringing their hands in consternation of what this will mean for the social media platform. Count me among those concerned about how Musk could change the platform to allow hate speech, harassment, etc., to flourish on Twitter as he strictly adheres to his belief in freedom of speech.

It’s here that I note free speech doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences to that speech. Another point that often gets lost in the free speech conversation, is “freedom of speech” as it’s referred to in the First Amendment applies to government. Government can’t punish people for criticizing it — except in certain situations such as sedition. Private individuals, organizations and businesses can tell you to hush, and Twitter can ban you (for now). Obviously, the First Amendment is important to me, but this column isn’t about that. I’m more concerned with the inequality of wealth that Musk’s purchase of Twitter has highlighted. Musk, the richest person in the world — around $273 billion — owns Tesla and SpaceX. How many zeroes are in $273 billion? The number is as unreal as Puff the Magic Dragon to me. That many of us talk about billions like it is thousands lets me know I’m not alone in my inability to understand just how much money that is. This might help: $1 billion is 1,000 suitcases filled with $1 million each.

I remember a friend asked people what they would do if they won say $500 million. The answers were buying a house, a car and save the rest. When she said, but you have $500 million, they’d think about it and say they’d buy a house for their parents or children. My point? Most of us don’t have any concept of $500 million let alone $273 billion. Because we have a lot of thousand-aires in this country, we may miss the reality that wealth inequality exists.

It’s bigger than the racial wealth gap. White Americans need to know there’s a wealth gap that affects them as well. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but chances are you’re not among the 0.00001% of the richest Americans, which is about 18 households. They had an average net worth of about $66 billion each in 2020, according to a study by economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.

According to a New York Times article, “Since 1980, the incomes of the very rich have grown faster than the economy. The upper middle class has kept pace with the economy, while the middle class and poor have fallen behind.” Wealth and income are divided into the top 1%, the bottom 90% and the upper middle class, which earns between $120,000 to $425,000 after taxes, makes up the 90th to 99th percentiles of income distribution.

The data is sobering, especially when you think about the disdain Americans have for those living in poverty, and how many of us believe we’re middle class to upper middle class. I know many of us believe one day, we, too, will become a billionaire, but you probably won’t. If it were easily attainable, there would be more.

This data shouldn’t just give you a jolt of reality; it should also make you want to do something about massive wealth inequality and what that means for the majority. We live in a country that espouses majority rules, however, when it comes to wealth, the minority rules. The uber rich — think the Koch brothers, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg — wield an inordinate amount of power and political influence in our country.

Whether these people use their money, power, and influence for good or bad is a matter of perspective and irrelevant. The American press has made a big deal out of Russian oligarchs (an extraordinarily rich business leader with a great deal of political influence) but says little about the equivalent in the U.S.A.

We’ve been lulled to sleep by the American dream — a dream that won’t actualize for most Americans.

Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent, talks to members of the Ferguson-Florissant Red Tail Cadet Program, following the rollout of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer. The planes were delivered to Boeing’s facility in Hazelwood, Missouri on Thursday, April 28, 2022, and their red tails honor the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.

Oseye Boyd

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/St. Louis American

parties,” said

In

“Orlando

DJ Cuddy setting the tone, the evening featured performances from nationally renowned local talent – including artists that worked with Watson through his Rockhouse record label.

Comedian Darius Bradford provided an overload of comic relief while serving as the evening’s host.

“I ain’t never been to a memorial with a dress code,”

Bradford said. “This is a lot of pressure. This man pressured us. I saw a lot of y’all at that Marshall’s right up there on Page trying to get your outfits together.”

In between the comedy,

Bradford – who was a friend of Watson who hosted several events for Rockhouse – offered moments of heartfelt tribute.

“We are going to miss Orlando

and all that he brought to the city,” Bradford said. “He left so much information, so many connections, so many friendships and so many examples on how we should just fight harder and complain less.”

St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed presented Watson’s family with a resolution featuring a white frame that color coordinated with the festivities.

“If life was a sport, then Orlando would be a first-ballot hall of famer,” said Tom Shepard, chief of staff for Reed. “He did everything that you could do – and he did it well. Early on, he excelled in music. Then he got good at promoting concerts. He also excelled at the restaurant business. He was successful at those things in addition to having and raising a wonderful family with his wife Michelle.”

Shepard pointed out that Watson was also interested in more than personal success – a sentiment echoed in a personal note sent by U.S Congresswoman Cori Bush read by her staff member Aja Owens.

“Orlando was a true renaissance man, an innovative and successful entrepreneur who made it a priority to give back to his community and help build up those around him,” Bush said, according to Owens. “Orlando was a beloved community activist, a

Mothers

Continued from A1 beneficiary of this year’s proceeds,” said Franklin. Franklin plans to add new furniture and purchase new educational materials that focus on a more creative curriculum.

According to Franklin, “Listen To Your Mother” provides a platform that every parent can relate to because motherhood is a unique journey. Nearly every parent can remember some advice related to motherhood supplied by their mother. Franklin is what some would describe as a rose that grew from concrete.

dedicated justice seeker, passionate artist, and an unwavering love for humanity. I am grateful for the moments we shared together.”

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell also presented a proclamation from his office – one of only three that he has issued over the past three years.

A heart for the community

Bell told the audience of a text exchange he had with Watson on March 19 where he offered Bell and his staff a complimentary meal at the Prime 55’s newly opened downtown location.

“This man was fighting the fight of his life and was still thinking about others,” Bell said. “Like Darius said, he never complained. To the very end, he gave.”

He also shared how Watson used his influence to help Bell make history.

“Orlando reached out to me and said, ‘I want to do whatever I can to get you elected,’” Bell said. “If there was a way, Orlando would find it. If there was no path, Orlando would blaze it.”

When Bell was campaigning, Watson allowed him to have The Pageant stage to speak to potential voters at several shows during the transition between acts. Ashanti, Biz Markie, and Scarface concert goers were given a commercial

A single mom of two young kids, Franklin remembers distinctly her mother teaching her not to start a family until she was financially stable. However, Franklin admits she was being rebellious when she had her children.

“ I was too rebellious to listen to her advice at that time, I just wanted to do things my way,” said Franklin.

Franklin began her journey at Cornerstone as a preschool teacher, and enjoyed helping children “reach their fullest potential by offering the best education.”

A few years later, Franklin earned a bachelor’s degree from Webster University, and was hired to serve as Cornerstone director.

She credits part of her success to her mother, who offered her important advice that helped her prosper as a single mom. She said she faced some of the same uphill battles her mom had.

interruption pitch from Bell. Bell attempted to extend a hand to show his gratitude to Watson after he was elected.

“I asked him a few times, ‘how can I help you?’ because I knew of everything he was doing in the community,” Bell said. “The answer was always the same. ‘Do your best. Do for this community.’”

Representatives from urban radio stations 104.9, 100.3 The Beat, 96.3 FM and Hot 104.1 FM spoke of Watson’s legacy. As did Kwame Building Group founder Tony Thompson. Thompson was one of many who proclaimed University City pride.

“U. City don’t die, we multiply,” Thompson joked. “He loved U. City. He loved his family. He had a lot of broad intellectual and cultural interests that encompassed a full spectrum of available knowledge.”

Thompson spoke of exchanging information with Watson – who shared invaluable wisdom about the music industry with him and he soaked in Thompson’s advice about business and entrepreneurship.

“The song [‘God Bless The Child’ by Billie Holiday] says, ‘Mama may have. papa may have. But God bless the child that’s got its own,” Bell said. “Orlando had his own, made his own and then shared it to raise others up.”

“She always had to focus on us and take care of us - we were her main responsibility and it was very challenging for her to work, pay the bills, and complete her degree,” said Franklin.

However, her mother persevered and became a Certified Nursing Assistant and received her bachelor’s degree from Webster University.

LTYM debuted in 2010, on Mother’s Day. Founder Ann Imig wanted to give motherhood a microphone, and the show is featured in over 50 cities nationwide. The charity event has raised over $140,000 for organizations that support women and families in need.

“This play is very inspiring because it shows each parent either in the play or the audience that we all have something in common. We all can relate to examples of times that we did or did not listen to our mother,” said Franklin.

“Listen to Your Mother” tickets are $17 and can be purchased at MetroTix

Franklin’s mom was also a single parent, who had four children by age 20. Franklin remembers the struggles her mother faced as a single parent of four trying to provide for her growing family and attend school.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who declared May 2, 2022

Watson Day” in the City of St. Louis.

addition to the skills of DJ Charlie Chan Soprano and

Continued from A1

“The right to choose has always been vulnerable to a Supreme Court stacked with Trump-appointed judges. It is why the American people turned out to deliver control of the House, Senate, and White House to Democrats.

“We cannot throw up our hands like there isn’t anything we can do to protect the reproductive freedom of millions of people in this country, especially when Black, brown, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and low-income people are the communities that will be harmed the most.”

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones decried the leaked opinion and blasted its potential harm to women and families.

“First, they come for our bodies - then they come for voting rights, civil rights, [and] LGBTQ rights,” Jones said in a statement shortly after the Politico story was posted.

“From the Supreme Court to the Missouri state legislature, right-wing politicians are working overtime to strip away our most personal and fundamental freedoms for their own political gain. If there was ever a time to hit the alarm and break the

SCOTUS

Continued from A1

“We will vote to protect a women’s right to choose, and every American is going to see which side every senator stands.”

During a Wednesday White House press conference, President Joe Biden asked, “What are the next things that are going to be attacked?”

“Because this MAGA crowd is really the most extreme political organization that’s existed in American history, in recent American history,” he said.

“What happens if you have changes in the law saying that children who are LGBTQ can’t

glass, this is it. Congress must take action to protect abortion rights and keep these bans off of our bodies.”

Legislation that Missouri lawmakers passed and Gov. Mike Parson signed in 2019 would ban abortions in the state with the exception of medical emergencies if Roe and Casey are overturned. There would be no exceptions for rape or incest. The law in question is currently ensnared in federal litigation.

Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said in a statement while the leaked opinion is “just a draft, it previews what we’ve long been preparing for — the day Roe v. Wade is overturned and the legal right to abortion comes to an end in this country.”

“We knew this opinion was coming and while it’s not official, it brings us one step closer to an impending public health crisis,” Rodríguez said.

“For now, patients seeking abortion care in Missouri and Illinois, can and should continue to show up for your appointments — abortion remains legal today. No matter what, with our partners, we will fight for what little is left of abortion access in Missouri and push

be in classrooms with other children? Is that legit under the way the decision is written?”

“There is no greater invasion than when a government takes charge of our bodies — controlling the most private decision of all, the decision about when and if to have children. As mamas of color, such interference isn’t new, as our families and communities are denied the resources to raise our children safely. We will continue to fight for reproductive justice until the law respects our right to control our own bodies,”

Mothering Justice Executive Director Danielle Atkinson said in a release. Biden said his administra-

forward to expand in Illinois where abortion access is protected beyond Roe.”

Democrat Lucas Kunce said in a statement: “It is fundamentally necessary that the U.S. Congress codify Roe v. Wade immediately. If they won’t, we need to replace them.”

One of Kunce’s Democratic primary rivals for Senate nomination, Trudy Busch Valentine, said in a statement that it’s “heartbreaking that the Supreme Court is now on the brink of repealing it.”

“We need to codify Roe at the federal level immediately,” Valentine wrote.

Ben Samuels, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the right to face Second Congressional District Congresswoman Ann Wagner, said “this is urgent and as real as it gets.”

“If true…it is unethical, cruel, and dangerous for tens of millions of American women. The right to make private reproductive health care decisions should be between a woman and her doctor full stop. I pledge to vote for and support legislation in Congress that enshrines the right to an abortion.”

Bush forecast that elimination of the Senate filibuster

tion will be ready when any ruling is issued.

“If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose,” he said.

“And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more prochoice Senators and a prochoice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.”

One-of-a-kind art

Gabrielle Mitchell-Bonds, a student at Rosati-Kain, stands in front of a rain barrel she painted that was commissioned by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District for St. Louis ArtWorks Saturday, Apr. 30. The one-of-a kind artistic renditions will be placed on the grounds of their newly constructed downtown corporate offices.

must be considered to protect reproductive rights.

“While abortion is still legal this morning in America, peo-

Meanwhile, Schumer proclaimed that the upcoming mid-term elections will have severe consequences “because the rights of a hundred million women are now on the ballot.”

“To help fight this court’s awful decision, I urge every American to make their voices heard this week and this year,” Schumer remarked.

“I urge Americans to call their members, to write their members, to email their members, to text their members, and most of all to cast their ballots.”

He concluded:

“Make no mistake: the blame for this decision falls squarely on Republican Senators and the Senate Republicans as a whole, who spent years pushing extremist judges, spent years confirming three far-right justices to the Supreme Court, but who claimed somehow this day

ple are going to die because of the decision of a farright Supreme Court; unless Congress acts,” she said.

would never come. But this day has come, and we will fight it all the way.”

While many Senate Republicans oppose abortion rights and would support the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, two expressed frustrations with the possibility.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, but not Amy Coney Barrett, said in a statement: “If this leaked draft opinion is the final decision and this reporting is accurate, it would be completely inconsistent with what Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh said in their hearings and in our meetings in my office.”

“The

that certain justices voting to overturn precedent would erode her confidence in the court.

“If in fact this draft is where the Court ends up being, it has rocked my confidence in the court. That is because I think there were some representations made with regards to precedent and settled,” said Murkowski.

“Comments were made to me and to others about Roe being settled and being precedent.”

NNPA Newswire and Missouri Independent contributed to this report

Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who supported Gorsuch and Barrett, but not Kavanaugh, told reporters

Senate must abolish the filibuster and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act immediately.”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

2022 Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon

The St. Louis American Foundation recently held its 22nd annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon in person 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: Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Dr. Vetta Sanders Thompson; Stellar Performer in Health Care Dr. Tifani Sanford; Excellence in Mental Health awardee Yolanda Rodgers-Garvin; Health Advocacy Organization of the Year PrepareSTL; and seven Excellence in Health Care awardees-Ketra Collins, Angela Klocke, Dr. Michelle Grimes, Dr. Dwight McLeod, Marilyn Peaston, Wilma Schmitz, and Ursula Wright.

All photos by Wiley Price

Tesh Jewell, Mia Malcom, Treniece Lucas and Kel Ward from

Yolanda Rodgers-Garvin receives the 2022 St. Louis County Children’s Fund Dr. John M. Anderson Mental Health Award from William Douthit.

2022 Excellence in Health Care awardees: Ursula Wright, Wilma Schmitz, Marilyn Peaston, Dr. Dwight McLeod, Angela Klocke, Dr. Michelle Grimes, and Ketra Collins

Awardee Wilma Schmitz reacts to her award presented by Carol Daniel.

Emcee Carol Daniel and Raven Whitener, director of the St. Louis American Foundation and special events, present the 2022 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care Award to Dr. Vetta Sanders Thompson.

Rayline Russell, Tymeisha Thomas, Carlita Vasser, Darius Chapman, Brandon Brown and Jessica Parrott

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

2022 Stellar Performer in Health Care awardee Dr. Tifani Sanford (top right) with parents Mark Sanford and Kathleen Foster, and Clara Scott and Gwen Moore

Representatives from Presenting Sponsor Centene included: Shannon White, Latasha Jennings, Keith Williamson, Anna Dmuchovsky and Jana Steward

Violinist Mario Miles entertained guests at the luncheon.

Carol Daniel and Raven Whitener present the 2022 Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year Award to Rebeccah Bennett and Riisa Rawlings representing PrepareSTL.

Rep. Thompson, Jan. 6 committee got chance at Donald Trump Jr.

Report says he testified on Tuesday

By Lauren Victoria Burke St. Louis American staff and NNPA Newswire

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), chair of the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill insurrection, was adamant the Donald Trump Jr., should testify and he got his wish.

ABC News reported Wednesday that the former president’s oldest son had appeared before the committee on Tuesday for a voluntary interview.

Thompson and the committee did not comment, but he told reporters on April 29 there will be at least eight hearings during the month of June.

Thompson did not confirm that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, an advisor to then President Trump would testify in front of the committee.

Thompson said other Trump relatives could be called to testify.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Jr.’s fiancé, has also met with the committee twice, NBC News reported.

Sources said the second interview “was at times contentions and focused in part on the fundraising efforts around Trump’s “Save America” rally on Jan. 6, 2021.”

Trump Jr.’s text messages from that are among those that former chief of staff Mark Meadows turned over to the committee, sources have said.

“He’s got to condemn [the riot] ASAP,” Trump Jr. told Meadows in a text message,

according to Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the vice chair of the panel who quoted extensively from text messages sent to Meadows, among others.

“I’m pushing it hard,” Meadows replied. “I agree.”

“We need an Oval Office

n Sources said the second interview “was at times contentions and focused in part on the fundraising efforts around Trump’s “Save America” rally on Jan. 6, 2021.”

address,” Trump Jr. said in a follow-up message. “He has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand.”

Members of Congress have been implicated in the planning of the attack with protest organizers connected to “stop the steal,” an organization

falsely claiming that the 2020 election in which President Joe Biden won by 7 million votes over Trump, was “stolen.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is one of the members who will likely be called to testify. Others include Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH). Specific dates have not been determined but one date remains unchanged: The date of November 8, 2022.

As the midterm elections close in, Democrats are faced with the challenge of having to pursue and complete a complex investigation that Republicans are likely to immediately end if they take power in January 2023. Republicans are confident the midterm elections will put the U.S. House in GOP hands. The U.S. Senate is 50-50 in terms of who supports each party including two Independents voting with the Democratic Party on key issues.

Find what you love, right around the corner.

There’s nothing quite like local. That’s why AARP St. Louis offers opportunities specifically designed for our community. We’re here to provide engaging experiences with you in mind. See what’s happening near you.

Learn more about the AARP sponsored Ten Toe Express program offered by Citizens for Modern Transit, or to register, visit aarp.org/local

Photo courtesy of Congressman Bennie Thompson

Congressman Bennie Thompson

Schools, community must help take on technological gap

By Tiffany Nelson For the St. Louis American

The second anniversary of pandemic-related school closures has passed, and we all know students have suffered major learning losses. Yet some students in Missouri still don’t have the technology they need to access education.

As the founder of TOTES 4

Tomorrow, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, I want my community to be a place where all can thrive, especially those who are traditionally underserved and under-resourced. As a parent of four children in St. Louis Public Schools, I know students needed technology to learn over the last two years.

At times during the pandemic, my kids’ entire schools were virtual only. Other times, my kids had to attend school virtually due to quarantine. Even when my kids have been learning in person, they still use iPads or Chromebooks in their classrooms, and they need devices to do homework.

School districts can make

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June 20-July 15, Monday-Friday, 7:45 am-12 pm

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Application due by Friday, May 13, 2022

Students must be enrolled in grades 9 or 10 at a St. Louis metropolitan area high school, enrolled in or completed algebra, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

To apply, visit umsl.edu/precollegiate. For more information, call 314-516-5196 or email precollegiate@umsl.edu

pandemic education even more difficult for students by refusing them access to technology when their parents can’t afford to pay technology fees.

At some point after we turned my now-fifth-grader’s device into his school at the end of the school year, it was damaged. We were still charged a fee for the damage.

My son was told that he couldn’t have another device until we paid a $320 fine. Trying to figure out how to clear up this mistaken charge was confusing and infuriating. I had to speak multiple times with the technology specialist at my son’s school and with administrators at the district office.

Eventually, I was able to advocate for my son and obtain another from his school. But I know other students are still

n Many districts still have not adjusted their technology practices— for example, to provide clarity around long-term consequences and data tracking—to the “new normal” of technology in education.

unable to get devices because of outstanding technology charges. For example, pencil lead got stuck in my son’s friend’s iPad port when it was in his backpack. The school told his family they had to pay a $320 replacement fee before he could use another iPad. Like my son, this child did nothing wrong. He was penalized and could not do homework due to these unfair charges. Because this happened when schools were frequently closed due to the omicron variant and bad weather, this child had no way to access school for many days.

Fines for lost, stolen, or damaged devices are huge bar-

riers that create inequitable access to technology. District communications to families, including mandatory technology agreements, often leave them feeling helpless and lost. Many districts still have not adjusted their technology practices—for example, to provide clarity around long-term consequences and data tracking—to the “new normal” of technology in education.

There is so much families don’t know: Could hundreds of dollars in technology charges prevent a student from graduating? Are students of color, students with disabilities, and/ or students experiencing homelessness being disproportionately affected by technology barriers? Do insurance options exist that could shift the entire burden of repair and replacement costs away from families? In the process of advocating for my child and for other students who lack technology for school, I connected with the Education Justice Program at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, which recently released a white paper on the issue of technology access in education. This paper shares the real stories of families like mine and uses public records requests and legal analysis to explore the issue. This paper shows us the problem with inequitable technology access in our community. All Missouri students deserve equal access to the technology they need to learn and succeed in school, whether their families have the resources to pay fines or the time to advocate persistently like I did. I hope we can now start talking about how to increase equity in education by equalizing access to technology.

Tiffany Nelson is the Founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, TOTES (Today’s Outreach To Encourage Spirits) 4 Tomorrow. TOTES 4 Tomorrow serves those who are homeless or near homelessness.

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Columnist

Tiffany Nelson

What repealing Roe could mean for all of us

The American legal system – as hailed and lauded as it can be -- really is a fragile network of spiderweb-thin case law that can collapse in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court, the nation’s ultimate legal arbiter, increasingly seems to be a fragile institution in American government. Earlier this week, we saw that happen with the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade effectively eliminating a pregnant person’s access to medical services in 26 states. But beyond the obvious impact on abortion rights with this anticipated opinion, Justice Samuel Alito made clear that any civil right that is based on the Fourteenth Amendment is now at risk of repeal, as well.

Specifically, Alito writes, “[the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment] has been held to guarantee some rights that are not mentioned in the Constitution, but any such right must be ‘deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition’ and ‘implicit in the concept of ordered liberty.”’ In other words, unless a

civil right is “deeply rooted” in American “history and tradition,” We the People do not hold that right under the Fourteenth Amendment. The assault, therefore, does not end with abortion rights.

The very basis of desegregation of public schools - Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - relied on a Fourteenth Amendment argument, and the Supreme Court agreed then that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,” and therefore state laws mandating racially-segregated schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Attacking the legal foundation of Roe further chips away at the basis for desegregated schools – a pattern we’ve already seen through the rise of the charter school movement and the legislative bans on teaching accurate racial history in Missouri classrooms.

Perhaps one of the most famous Supreme Court cases to come from St. Louis is Shelley v. Kraemer (1948), where the Court found that raciallyrestrictive covenants that blocked Black families from purchasing homes were uncon-

stitutional under the basis of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause. Until that landmark decision, white neighborhoods and property owners could prevent Black, Latino, and Asian families from buying houses that included these restrictive covenants.

But, because the enforcement of those racial bans required judicial action, the Supreme Court held that they violated the Constitution.

The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause was also extended to the right to marry, regardless of your spouse’s race (Loving v. Virginia, 1967) or sexual orientation (Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015). Women didn’t have the right to access or use marital property until 1981, when the Supreme Court held in Kirchberg v. Feenstra that laws that bestowed sole control of marital property to a husband - therefore legally making married women second-class citizens - violated the Equal Protection Clause. Until 1994, women could be stricken from jury duty on the basis

of their gender; the Supreme Court struck down that precedent in J.E.B. v. Alabama. Our fundamental right to privacy from government interference was bestowed to us under Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965. This case served as the legal foundation for Roe v. Wade, and also relied upon the Equal Protection Clause. This law protects the right of married people to obtain contraception without police interference, investigation, or invasion. All of these rights -- and any right that is rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment – are not guaranteed, under Justice Alito’s proposed draft opinion. To make matters worse for women residing in this state, Missouri is a “trigger state,” which means that immediately upon the repeal of Roe v. Wade, women in St. Louis and across the state no longer have the right or the access to abortion services. An estimated half of all American women, upon the repeal of Roe, will lose both the right and the access to abortion in their

states. Practically speaking, the criminalization of abortion in Missouri - which is already happening - will not look like cops pulling over white women on highways as they cross state lines. Nurses will report women to the police for having a miscarriage, as we’ve seen happen in Texas when a Latina mother was criminally charged, months after her miscarriage. Police in the Emergency Room will ask to go through a miscarrying woman’s phone. Children’s Division may even show up at a woman’s home to take her other children. A Black woman in Mississippi already is facing second-degree murder charges for a birthing a stillborn child.

We live in a state where our legislators are actively working to make illegal a pregnant person leaving Missouri for a safe abortion in other states or countries where the medical procedure remains legal and unimpeded.

But for those who thought Roe would never fall: do you still think desegregated public schools are still safe? Are you sure that the Supreme Court will continue to protect your

marriage? Do you know if your home has a racially-restrictive covenant that would prevent you from living there? Would you even be able to access your own bank accounts and assets, if the Supreme Court continues to unravel the rights that we have taken for granted? If you cannot confidently answer those questions, in consideration of this week’s leaked Supreme Court opinion, then it’s time to take action. As a practical matter, this blatant likely action by rigged hypocritical Republican Supreme Court justices, while not unexpected, might create a breaking point for enough outside the Trump electorate, who despite having mixed feelings about abortion, definitely don’t agree that abortion should be forbidden in all circumstances.

We also know that the perpetrators of this far-reaching decision by a highly-politicized court will sieze this opportunity to further pursue their nefarious long-term end game that includes denying other longestablished rights, including an absolute federal ban on abortion.

2022 Salute to Young Leaders Networking /Awards Reception

Honoring 25 outstanding African Americans under age 40 for their career achievement and community service. Presented by THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

FOUR SEASONS ST. LOUIS// 5:30-7:30pm

AWARDEES

MARQUITA CHAPMAN National Geospatial-lntelligence Agency

TIFFANY LACY CLARK Behavioral Health Response

GEOFFREY DUDLEY Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

SHELLEY EDWARDS Ascension

BRAD EDWARDS Dear Fathers

GABRIELLE FIELDS Building Futures

DART FORD Enterprise Bank & Trust

DR. ARETHA HARDRICK Maryville University

KRISTEN HARRIS Harris-Stowe State University

ONO OGHRE-IKANONE World Wide Technology I lkanite Logistics LLC

ZASMINE JOHNSON Clark-Fox Family Foundation

JEFFEREY JONES Royal Banks of Missouri

BRANYEA JONES Clayco

ANGELA LEWIS Cigna

LATANYA MACKEY Provident Counseling

CHRISTINA MCCAULEY United Health Group

KAREN MILLER World Wide Technology

PARTNER

CHRISTOPHER MILLER Claim Academy

TAMYKA GILLIAM-PERINE Cultural Leadership and Prestige Consultants LLC.

JONATHAN PLUMP Midwest BankCentre

CHRISTOPHER RANDALL KSDK 5 On Your Side

CORNELL "NIDDY" THIRDKILL Privileged Society

BMARCELL WILLIAMS bMarcell Enterprises

TERRI WILLIAMS Marian Middle School

ERIKA WILSON Urban Strategies, Inc.

“Taking Care of You”

Retired pastor spreads awareness of Alzheimer’s disease

By JoAnn Weaver For The St. Louis American

Even though Elsie Granger sometimes struggles to remember her five daughters’ names, she knows “her girls” love her and take good care of her. Elsie has dementia and lives with her daughter, Londia Granger Wright, a retired pastor.

“A few years back, she started doing things that didn’t seem normal but like short term memory loss, like getting out of her car and leaving it running in the driveway,” Wright said. “Things over the years have just gradually gotten worse.”

n “It is a tough job, and one caregiver alone cannot do this; I am blessed to have family nearby to not only help with our mother but to take time coordinate our schedules.”

– Londia Granger Wright

The other daughters live nearby and help with the caregiving. “I’m the primary caregiver, so that means

when I want to go out of town, I send a group text to one of my sisters who lives in the St. Louis metropolitan area, so we take turns making sure she takes her medicine and gets the care she needs,” Wright said.

The sisters utilize a text group, aptly named “Sisters,” to coordinate coverage for their mom and other tasks, such as grocery shopping, meal prep, and taking her to church.

“Primary caregivers cannot continue to do this indefinitely; they need assistance from others even a home health care worker to make sure the loved ones’ needs are met,”

ACA coverage reaches record level, uninsured rate drops

St. Louis American staff

Medicaid expansion part of boost

n Individuals with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level experienced larger decreases in the uninsured rate than higher income households.

A record 35.8 million Americans had insurance through ACA-related coverage as of early 2022, according to an April 29 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The number includes 21 million people with coverage through Medicaid expansion and 13.6 million with plans purchased through the ACA marketplace. Both figures are also record highs, according to the report. ACA has also helped drive down the nation’s percentage of Americans with no health insurance. The report said that the uninsured rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 8.8%, down from 10.3% during the same period of 2020.

In addition:

• Individuals with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level experienced larger decreases in

the uninsured rate than higher income households.

• There were “coverage gains” for adults ages 18-64 from the second half of 2020 to the second half of 2021 across all racial and ethnic groups. The uninsured rate declined by 3.5% among Latino adults, 1.8% among Black adults, and 0.5% points among white adults.

Missouri is expanding its Medicaid coverage after voters approved the measure in August 2020. However, the Republican dominated legislature is continuing efforts to deny funding for the program.

There is also alarming news on the national front.

Medicaid eligibility and enrollment were expanded during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which has been extended through July 15.

An Urban Institute projection concludes that 14.4

See ACA, A13

Facing the mental health crisis

Though it seems like members of our collective society can rarely agree upon anything these days, the subject of worsening mental health in our young adult population is not one where there is a lack of consensus. The COVID-19 pandemic did not cause the problem, it simply made it worse. Prolonged isolation, virtual learning, and financial instability were all contributing factors.

n Greater than 70% of young adults interviewed believe that there is a mental health crisis in this country.

A recent youth poll from the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics found that greater than 70% of young adults interviewed believe that there is a mental health crisis in this country. Approximately a quarter of the young adults surveyed reported having attempted suicide. Furthermore, 26% of respondents report that they know someone who has died by suicide. To some, these numbers may not produce a visceral effect as it does to me. Over the past several months, a couple of our local universities have experienced student deaths because of suicide. The overall number of deaths may seem small, but one is too many. Our young adults are dealing with the pressures of social media. Portrayed virtual lives appear to be so perfect. Young people witness the happy couples, the latest expensive tennis shoes, the hip, new Tik-Tok dance or challenge, and every other manufactured lie on the web. These virtual traps place an overabundance of stress on these young people whether they can identify it or not. Additionally, young people also share their thoughts about not wanting to live any more on these media platforms which can lead to copycat behavior in their peers.

Recognizing depression and anxiety early could be lifesaving to individuals who believe that all hope is gone, and they have no way out. Speaking up about mental health concerns has been an issue in the black community for years. Our community is notorious for keeping family secrets and for promoting the “keep the family business private” concept. This behavior is extremely dangerous because it impedes individual and family healing.

Hosea, chapter 4:6 states that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Our bodies are not compartmentalized, meaning you cannot separate your mental health from

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris look on as former President Barack Obama speaks during an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, April 5, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Elsie Granger, 89, who was diagnosed with dementia, is cared for by her five daughters who use a group text named “Sisters”

Photo courtesy of the Granger Family

Denise HooksAnderson

Photo courtesy of The AP

“Taking

Care of You”

St. Louis an inaugural site for HEAL asthma initiative

Goal is to ‘drastically reduce’ asthma burden

St. Louis American staff

The St. Louis area is among “the most challenging places to live in the U.S. if you have asthma,” according to a newly released Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) report.

The region’s ranking is based on estimated asthma prevalence, emergency room visits, and deaths due to asthma.

AAFA has launched its Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) program, and St. Louis is one of its first sites in partnership with its St. Louis chapter. Its goal is to “drastically reduce the burden of asthma in underserved populations who bear the heaviest burden of asthma,” Melanie Carver, AAFA chief mission officer said in a release.

“Asthma outcomes are greatly influenced by social determinants of health. We have an opportunity to focus efforts on the intersection of injustice in environment, education, wealth and income, race, and ethnicity, and how these factors determine asthma health. Asthma and allergies can affect any person, but they don’t affect everyone equally.

“Asthma rates, deaths, and hospitalizations are often different for people based on their income or race/ethnicity. Researchers are trying to better understand racial and ethnic differences when it comes to other diseases, such as allergies or eczema.

The AAFA-STL site will focus on home visits, asthma education, and care coordination for older adults with asthma and work with Oasis St. Louis to launch a home visit program which will include routine checkins, coordinated care with an asthma specialist, and providing asthma and allergy friendly products for the home. The local HEAL program’s

Alzheimer’s

Continued from A12

she said. “Just because your family members are not the primary caregivers does not mean they’re supposed to allow the main person to solely carry the burden.”

“It is important that caregivers take part in self-care to show up fully for their loved

Continued from A12

million people could lose Medicaid coverage if the emergency eligibility expires after the second quarter of 2022 on July 1, 2022. That estimate increases to 15.8 million if it expires after the third quarter. As the deadline looms, HHS

Anderson

Continued from A12

your physical and spiritual health. You are one living and breathing vessel that was fearfully and wonderfully made. Therefore, when you are not well mentally, your physical body will also suffer, causing you to experience all types of ailments that may mirror a

first year will run through mid2023, and similar programs are funded in Chicago, Detroit, and

Los Angeles. “While there are many proven and effective communi-

ty-based asthma programs for children with asthma, there are very few programs that serve

adults,” Carver said. “We hope to use best practices from pediatric programs to build successful programs for adults and teens through these HEAL Innovation awards.”

The AAFA describes health equity as “the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to reach their highest level of health.”

To reach the target, historical and contemporary injustices must be addressed; economic, social, and other obstacles to health and health care must be overcome; and preventable health disparities must be eliminated.

“AAFA is eager to invest in communities and local partners to improve asthma care and outcomes,” Kenneth Mendez, AAFA CEO and president said.

“While the costs of asthma and health disparities total billions of dollars every year for Americans, we know that we can significantly improve asthma outcomes and reduce costs through investments in the community. In addition to saving money, it’s simply the right thing to do on behalf of those who have experienced stark inequities in health.”

HEAL’s first year is supported by a $1 million sponsorship from the company Amgen, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Sanaz Eftekhari, AAFA vice president of corporate affairs and research, said, “community-based asthma interventions have been proven effective and HEAL will generate momentum to sustain critical programs across the nation.”

To learn more about AAFA’s HEAL program and health equity work, visit: aafa. org/healthequity

one,” Wright said. When asked about the loving bond she shares with her mother, Wright talked about how dementia has not changed how much she cares for her.

“When they say mean things, it is the dementia talking,” she said. “They need their loved ones around them to support them.” Additionally, it can be hard to navigate the difficulties of caring for a loved one with

and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced measures to help consumers find the right form of quality, affordable health care coverage on HealthCare. gov that best meet needs. The HealthCare.Gov Open Enrollment Period will begin on November 1, 2022, and are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing effort to strengthen and build the ACA, according to HHS

variety of other diseases. Often when you are depressed, your appetite changes. Some people may overeat while others may not eat at all and begin to lose weight. Sleep is also affected. I have patients who tell me that they just stay in bed all day. They feel tired and sluggish. Some depression sufferers report headaches, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. I have had patients want to pursue an entire GI work-up when

dementia, but Wright appreciates all the help she receives from her family.

“Of course, there is a sadness that comes with this because my mother is 89 so when her cousins or friends of 50 years call, she may not remember them,” Wright said. “It is a tough job, and

one caregiver alone cannot do this; I am blessed to have family nearby to not only help with our mother but to take time coordinate our schedules.”

Nearly twothirds of the 6 million Americans living with dementia are women,

Secretary Xavier Becerra.

“The Affordable Care Act has successfully expanded coverage and provided hundreds of health plans for consumers to choose from,” he said

“By including new standardized plan options on HealthCare.gov, we are making it even easier for consumers to compare quality and value across health care plans. The Biden-Harris

the issue was simply their depression or anxiety. The statistics tell it all. More young people are suffering from depression and anxiety. In addition, suicide rates are also up. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2007 to 2018 suicides among young people and children aged 10 to 24 rose 57%. These rates are quite alarming and should cause all of us to

Administration will continue to ensure coverage is more accessible to every American by building a more competitive, transparent, and affordable health care market.”

“The recent Open Enrollment Period demonstrated the demand for high-quality, affordable health coverage. These steps increase the value of health care coverage on HealthCare. Gov and further strengthen

pause and reflect upon what we will do differently to address these concerns. Our language around mental health needs to change. Our behavior towards people suffering with mental health conditions needs to change. Our sole reliance on friends and the church and not a mental health professional needs to change. Please hear me clearly. I am not saying you cannot seek counsel with your trusted

according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Not only are women more likely to have Alzheimer’s, they’re also more likely to be caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.

Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for people living with dementia and their care partners to develop a support system and exchange practical information on challenges and practical solutions. These groups also talk through issues and ways of coping, share feelings, needs and concerns, and learn about community resources. People can get connected to Alzheimer’s Association support groups by visiting alz. org/greatermissouri.

the health insurance Marketplace,» said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

“This policy will make it easier for people to choose the best plan that meets their needs by standardizing plan options, like maximum out-of-pocket limitations, deductibles, and cost-sharing features.”

Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services

pastor or priest. However, if that individual is not a licensed mental health professional, your treatment is incomplete. Please go back and refer to Hosea 4:6. This pandemic has revealed the fragility of our communities. But one thing I am proud of is the fact that we are a resilient people. How else could we have survived slavery and the Jim Crow era? Therefore, let’s buckle up and

Administrator Chiquita BrooksLaSure said an estimated 4 million additional people could gain coverage if Medicaid is expanded in all states.

“Medicaid expansion is key to improving maternal and infant health outcomes, addressing long-standing health disparities, and connecting people to needed essential care,” she said in a release.

“We can’t leave them behind.”

do what we need to do to help improve the mental health of our communities. If you feel suicidal or are in a crisis situation, and need immediate assistance, please call 1-800-273-TALK.

Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., FAAFP is SLUCare Family Medicine interim assistant dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and an associate professor.

Londia Granger Wright

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Nutrition Challenge:

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

Dining Out.

What Is ASize?Serving

GRAINS

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Do It For A Cause!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

First Day of Spring!

Exercise Game

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with fun and healthy snacks and dinner. Just substitute a few healthy options for the normal celebration foods.

Tech-Neck

for several different reasons.

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

>Substitute whole wheat tortillas for white tortillas.

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

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

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

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

>Make your own baked tortilla chips instead of using fried chips.

Exercise Challenge:

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

Cola

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

>Use grilled chicken instead of higher-fat hamburger.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This time of year there are many different charity walks and fundraisers. Find out how you and your family can get involved. Perhaps you can take “pledges” to raise money for an organization like the American Heart Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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

INGREDIENTS:

buying high-sugar salsa from the store.

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

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

>Use high-fiber black beans instead of white rice in your recipes.

>Use low-fat shredded cheese whenever possible.

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

>Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

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

>Make your own salsa (see recipe below) instead of

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2,

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

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

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

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

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

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

this is just a little over 3 miles. You should always start slowly and build up your strength, speed and endurance. You could begin by walking a mile every day, then try walking three blocks and running one.

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

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

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

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl.

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

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

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

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Melissa Douglass, MSW

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

Where do you work? I am a nurse practitioner at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Where did you go to school? I graduated from St. Louis Career Academy. I then earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degrees from Central Methodist University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Missouri, St. Louis (UMSL).

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

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

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

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

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

Many of these are 5K which stands for 5 kilometers;

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

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

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

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

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

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

If someone is hurt, sick, or in danger, calling 911 can get help on its way. 911 is designed to bring aid from emergency services

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Keep this up until you can switch that to running three and walking one block. Eventually you’ll be able to run the full mile. But of course, if running’s not your thing, you can always walk the 5K instead. Just make sure you walk briskly (quickly) to increase your heart rate while raising money for charity.

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

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

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

What does a nurse practitioner do? I get to talk to people from different backgrounds and countries and learn how they view their health and medical conditions. I also get to work with different people throughout the entire hospital, so I am meeting and working with new people almost every day. So, the variety of patients and coworkers help keep me from getting bored.

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

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

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

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

Why did you choose this career? I like helping take care of people and teaching them how to keep themselves healthy.

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

personnel (firefighters, police officers and paramedics). As a class, discuss when you should (and should not) call 911.

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

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

> What to do if you are bullied.

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

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

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

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

Learning Standards:

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

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

HPE 2, HPE 3, NH 1, NH 7

> How bullying hurts others.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 6, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

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

Cracker-wiches

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

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

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city. Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

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

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

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

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

Ingredients: 1 Large tomato chopped small 1 Small red or green onion, chopped 1 Mild chili pepper, finely chopped Pinch salt, Lime juice, to taste 1 Tbsp water

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy teaching children and their parents how to manage their asthma symptoms so that they can play and engage in activities like other children who don’t have asthma. I want people to know that asthma doesn’t necessarily have to limit your physical capabilities, we just have to work together to find out what works for you as an individual.

> What other ice hazards are there?

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

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

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

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

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

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

Banana PB Smoothie

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter,

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Cirese Webster, NP

Homemade Fresh Salsa

tortilla chips.

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

Students in Rhonda Stovall’s class continue to participate in the Index Card Tower Challenge. The students have to design and create a prototype of a freestanding index card tower that will support the mass of one large balloon. Rising to the challenge are fourth-grade student Kyree Lane, fifth-grade student Javion Spencer and third-grade student Adrian Smith. Gateway

Designing A Car!

Have you ever dreamed of designing a car? Do you wonder how these ideas become a reality? Car designers start with research. They study the current trends and interests. The car has to appeal to the buyers. Next, they sketch a design of the car (computers are often used for this stage). After the design is perfected, a prototype is built. A prototype is a sample, or model, of the car. The next stage is testing. Cars must undergo many tests to see how they will handle crashes, extreme temperatures, wind variations, and various road conditions. Once the car has passed the tests, then it will be built.

In factories, a steel sheet is cut according to the size of the part and then is bent and cut in a stamping machine to make parts such as car doors, roofs, and hoods. Welders use electricity to melt these stamps at certain points to join them together to form the car. One car has approximately 30,000 parts counting every part down to the small screws. After the car is formed, it will be painted. Cars can be made customized to the customer’s order.

To create your own car online, visit: http://www.abcya.com/create_ and_build_car.htm.

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

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

Design A Puff Mobile!

In this open-ended experiment, you will design a car. Get ready for some critical thinking!

Materials Needed:

• 3 Straws • 4 Lifesavers • 1 Piece of Paper

• 2 Paper Clips • 50 Centimeters of Tape Process:

q Use the materials given to design a car. This car will be used for a race. Here’s the catch! You can only move the cars by blowing on them!

Answer these questions about cars.

z A local car show sold 12,000 tickets its first year and 14,000 tickets its second year. On the third year, it sold 50% more than the first two years combined. How many tickets were sold in the third year? ______

Analyze: What did you notice about the most effective designs? What surprised you? What would you do differently next time?

Learning Standards: I can complete an experiment and create a model. I can analyze results.

African -American Industrial Designer

Earl Lucas

Earl

representatives from The College for Creative Studies. Musicians Norah Jones and Erykah Badu attended this school.

Lucas went to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, to study 3D jewelry design. He later switched to Industrial Design because of his interest in transportation. While in college, he worked with friends to help design a van to transport elderly citizens. After college, Lucas worked designing car seats, panels for doors, and headliners for an auto supply company. In Texas, he was given the opportunity to design extravagant planes with gold, platinum, and jewels for the Sultan of Brunei.

In 1999, Lucas was hired to design cars for Ford. He designs the exterior of the car. Of his 10-20 designs, he will narrow it down to one that works. He was part of the design team that developed the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, 2003 Lincoln Navigator and Expedition. His favorite part about the job? Lucas replies, “You get paid for sketching!” According to Black Enterprise magazine, Lucas is one of 25 to 30 AfricanAmerican car designers in the world.

“Whether I’m designing cars for the average person or planes for the world’s richest man, it’s those lessons I learned at College for Creative Studies that helped me become the designer I am today,” said Lucas. “I was used to working in an atmosphere where pressure and competition were the norm. Because I was not treated as a star student, I yearned for better design solutions and attention. This forced me to work harder.”

To read more about Earl Lucas and his designs, visit: http://www.ebony.com/life/the-brother-who-revivedthe-ford-taurus-earl-lucas#axzz3m32AUwm2.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

x An 800 car parking lot is divided into three sections. There are 270 spots in section 1, and there are 150 more in section 2 than section 3. How many cars are in section 3?

c Angela’s parents buy a used car for $3,500. They agree to sell it to her if she can pay it off in 16 months. How much will Angela need to pay per month?

v Andrew rented a car. The charge was $19/day plus $.10/ mile driven. If he had the car for two days and drove a total of 180 miles, how much did he spend?

b Ben’s car gets 28 miles per gallon. If he has to drive 350 miles, how many gallons of gas will he use? If gas costs $4.38/gallon, how much will he spend for the gas?

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

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One — Margin of Victory: the sports section of the newspaper to compare numbers.

Locate the final scores of two different games. Use pictures, objects, or symbols to calculate the distances covered.

Activity Two — Newspaper Road Map: With a friend, choose a news story to be your make believe road map. Both of you cut the story from two separate newspapers. Your starting point will be the first word. Your partner directions (ex: 2 words east, 4 lines south, 1 word west, etc.), while they also navigate the route. When they say “stop,” compare your maps. Choose another article so you can give your partner directions.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can compare numbers. I can follow directions.

Lucas was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1970. As a kid, Lucas loved to draw. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School of Performing and Visual Arts. At a high school career fair, he met

Oprah Winfrey

MST Elementary is in the Saint Louis Public Schools District.

Photo by Rhonda Stovall

Photo by Rhonda Stovall

African American STEM Doll inspires careers in computer science

By Megan Sayles AFRO Newspapers

It’s not often that people choose a major without knowing anything about the subject, but in the 10th grade, that’s just what Bukola Somide did. A friend at the time, who was senior, told Somide about computer science, and while she had zero knowledge of the study area, she had a love for science and figured that computers would be the way of the future.

Today, Somide regards the decision as fate. She attended the University of Maryland in College Park and was chosen for the Bridge Program there, which supported minority students looking to study computer, math or physical sciences in their transition from high school to college. During the program, Somide took her first

n Considering that she was the only Black woman- and oftentimes the only Black person- participating on software development teams that she joined, Somide wanted to do something that would inspire minority youth to take up computer science.

programming course. She was blown away by how much she enjoyed it. In spite of the loads of laborious assignments, the difficulty was no match for the gratitude and pride Somide experienced when she programmed projects from scratch.

Upon graduation, Somide began working for corporate America, but 10 years into it, she felt unfulfilled.

“I was not content, and I wanted to give back to the community in a way that truly resonated with me and also brought me joy,” said Somide.

Considering that she was the only Black woman- and oftentimes the only Black personparticipating on software development teams that she joined, Somide wanted to do something that would inspire minority youth to take up computer science.

Through internal research that Somide conducted, she discovered a few reasons for the shortage of minority youth pursuing computer science.

One, many assume that the subject is boring.

Wells Fargo accused of discrimination in lending

Similar credit scores, different results

accident.

By Lauren Victoria Burke

NNPA Newswire Contributor

Ben Crump is joining other attorneys on behalf of Black families who feel they have been discriminated against by Wells Fargo, the largest bank mortgage lender in the U.S.

“Last month, it was reported that Wells Fargo approved just 47% of Black homeowners’ mortgage applications compared to 72% of white applicants. We are suing Wells Fargo to demand they CHANGE their practices that are killing Black homeowners’ opportunities!” attorney Ben Crump wrote on social media on April 14. Crump, a noted trial and civil rights attorney, has worked for several Black clients after questionable police actions killed or harmed family members and is currently representing the family of a St. Louis teen killed in an amusement park

Crump has joined an existing lawsuit filed in February 2022 by Chris Williams. Williams is claiming that Wells Fargo sought to charge him a higher interest rate than his credit score called for. He is a Black homeowner living in Georgia. He refinanced with another mortgage company in 2019. Two other new plaintiffs also joined the suit.

“My credit score was just under 800 before I applied. They told me my credit score was 100 points less.” Williams told the media regarding his credit history.

“We are deeply disturbed by allegations of discrimination that we believe do not stand up to scrutiny,” Wells Fargo said in a news release on the matter.

“These unfounded attacks on Wells Fargo stand in stark contrast to the company’s significant and long-term commitment to closing the minority homeownership gap.”

The lawsuit also alleges that Wells Fargo denies home loans to Black borrowers at a high-

er rate and charges higher interest rates to Black borrowers.

On April 11, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander announced that the city will no longer deposit money with Wells Fargo and cited the alleged disproportionate denials of mortgages to Black loan applicants.

The bank denied applications of more than half the Black Americans seeking to refinance in 2020, and just under 50% the next year, according to an amended suit filed by attorney Dennis Ellis. “No other major lending institution refused to refinance the homes of Black Americans at such stunning rates,” it noted.

“Our lawsuit comes on the heels of reporting by Bloomberg in late March,” Ellis said of the

Brown named director at MERS Goodwill

Rachel Brown has been named as the director for MERS Goodwill’s Career Center in St. Charles. The Career Center is a resource offering individualized employment services to community members with disabilities seeking and maintaining gainful employment, considering their existing skills, interests, and more. Prior to taking over the St. Charles Director position, Brown began her MERS Goodwill career in December of 2015 as a job exploration specialist, transitioning in December of 2018 to a new role as an Employment Specialist.

Hogans appointed chief compliance officer

St. Louis native Edwin Hogans was recently named chief compliance officer for Rabo AgriFinance, a financial services provider for leading farms and ranches in the U.S. In this role, Hogans will be responsible for leading the regulatory compliance program for Rabo AgriFinance. The company’s headquarters are in Chesterfield, Mo. Hogans has more than 11 years of compliance and banking experience. He joined the Rabo AgriFinance compliance department in 2018 and worked previously with Citibank and Bank of America. He earned a business degree from Lindenwood University and compliance certifications through the American Bankers Association and Association of Certified AntiMoney Laundering Specialists.

Erica Driver has been named vice president, compliance and programs of The Little Bit Foundation. A native of St. Louis, Driver has 22 years of experience in engaging, empowering and educating youth and families. She spent 17 years with Better Family Life, most recently as vice

Anderson receives Gateway Award

PreventEd presented the 2022 Gateway Award

creating content on her brand new podcast “Black Girl Uncensored with Jess Live.” She has served as a mentor to young women through various organizations throughout the St. Louis area.

Somi the Computer Scientist (Somi), the brainchild STEM proponent Bukola Somide, has arrived to encourage Black children to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) while they play.

Courtesy photos

Rachel Brown

Edwin Hogans

Ben Crump

Chris Williams

Entrepreneurial Academy to host myriad of one-day classes

St. Louis American staff

The Entrepreneurial Academy will present 30 business master classes to celebrate Small Business Week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022, on the campus of Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville in the Morris University Center located at 1 Hairpin Drive.

Business owners offering are invited to choose classes in the areas of finance, legal, marketing, human resources, technology, and accounting in a one-day curriculum.

The day’s professors include Angelia Bills of Eagle Productions and executives from the Bi-State Law Center, Polaris Law Group, Quantum Empowerment Academy, Jen Wade Consulting, HireLevel, Dielman Sotheby’s International Realty, Global Enterprise Services, Slalom, Country Financial, Barber Murphy, Story Power Marketing, and G.W. Slaughter.

STEM Doll

Continued from B1

Two, they believe they don’t have the intelligence and capabilities to pursue computer science.

Lastly, it’s rare for minority youth to find mentors who look like them, which Somide experienced firsthand.

These findings inspired Somide to create Somi the Computer Scientist (Somi), an African-American science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) doll that speaks to youth about computer science. The doll is a part of Somide’s larger company, Innovant Technologies LLC, which also offers storybooks featuring Somi’s coding journey and other computer science activity books.

Somi is the first of her kind. She sports natural, curly hair and wears a T-shirt that says, “Princesses can code.” Somi speaks over 220 words embedded in 12 different phrases that touch on computer science concepts, and Somide, herself, voiced the doll.

“When I made these recordings, the intent was to make it fun and engaging,” said Somide. “Kids will want to listen to it when it’s fun, but

Wells Fargo

Continued from B1

news service’s reporting, which showed Wells Fargo approving only 47% of Black homeowners who completed applications to refinance mortgages in 2020, compared with 72% of White applicants.

“The notion that we’re still talking about redlining in 2022 by a major financial institution is shocking,” Ellis told CBS MoneyWatch, a reference to a practice that in the past included the Federal Housing Administration’s refusing to insure mortgages in and around Black neighborhoods.

Adding insult to injury, Black applicants were dispro-

“The Academy gives business owners around the region the opportunity to spend the day learning and interacting with business leaders who have positioned themselves in the marketplace as experts in their respective fields,” said Slaughter, founder of the Entrepreneurial Academy and business consultant for clients which include Maryville University, St. Louis Public Schools, Mastercard, and Saint Louis University.

The registration costs for the Entrepreneurial Academy in a Day are $247 and include a networking lunch and dinner.

Partnering hosts include SIUE, the Bank of Springfield, the Illinois Small Business

Development Center and the Midwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce.

“This one-day, fasttrack offering is the perfect opportunity to learn all things business from area experts whose insights can help participants’ companies succeed,” Jo Ann Di Maggio May, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at SIUE, said in a release.

“The SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs, and encouraging new investment It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.” Interested business owners are encouraged to register online at www.theentrepren eurialacademy.com or call 314798-8710.

they are also getting the true meaning. While they’re playing with the doll, they are passively learning, and that’s the whole benefit of it.”

Aside from computer science topics like algorithms and conditionals, Somi teaches youth about cyberbullying. She raises awareness about the importance of being a responsible digital citizen when using technology.

Bukola Somide to create Somi the Computer Scientist (Somi), an AfricanAmerican science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) doll that speaks to youth about computer science. The doll is a part of Somide’s larger company, Innovant Technologies LLC, which also offers storybooks featuring Somi’s coding journey and other computer science activity books.

When customers receive their Somi dolls, Somide wants them to be inspired and to envision themselves as computer scientists or in other STEM careers.

portionately denied or delayed by Wells Fargo at a time when record-low interest rates had borrowers scurrying to refinance and reduce their monthly payments, said Ellis.

“It’s significantly unfair and a detriment to our society as a whole that Black Americans did not get to take advantage of low rates that will likely never be seen again, that came during the height of the pandemic,” he said. “It affects the White Americans who live next door — their kids aren’t able to experience the diversity of a more mosaic environment.”

Wells Fargo dismissed the allegations in an emailed statement.

“In 2020, Wells Fargo was the largest bank lender for home mortgages to Black fam-

“I want to shatter this mental glass ceiling that sometimes limits us,” said Somide. “When we don’t see something that we can become, we may not believe that we can become it.” Megan Sayles is an AFRO Newspapers business reporter and Report for America Corps member.

ilies. This is consistent with the company’s performance over the last decade (2011 –2020) in which it helped as many Black families purchase homes as the next three largest bank lenders combined. Any suggestion that our home lending practices are discriminatory is meritless.”

Wells Fargo is also getting called out by Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon, with the Democrats noting the bank’s “history of scamming and mistreating consumers.”

That includes a $184 million settlement in 2012 with the Department of Justice over allegations Wells Fargo steered qualified African American and Hispanic borrowers to subprime mortgages. Four years later, Wells Fargo found itself at the center of a scandal that cost its CEO his job, along with 5,000 other employees. The bank in 2016 was fined nearly $200 million for illegally opening millions of phony deposit and credit card accounts.

Two years later, in 2018, Wells Fargo was fined more than $1 billion to settle federal charges related to its auto lending and mortgage business.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Angelia Bills

n “It’s four times more than we had last year…it’s a step in the right direction.”

– Doug Williams, former Grambling star and first Black quarterback to win Super Bowl, on four HBCU players being selected in 2022 NFL Draft

Sports

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

NBA big men again becoming center of attention

As an avid follower of the National Basketball Association for more than 50 years, I have been a fan of the big man and his role in the success of a team.

I grew up in an era where centers were the leaders and linchpins of great teams. I was a toddler at the end of the great careers of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, but I watched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, Dave Cowens, Bill Walton, and my late uncle Wes Unseld lead their franchises to NBA championships.

Those Hall of Fame ‘bigs’ passed the mantle to Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Robert Parish, and Patrick Ewing in the 1980’s, and then to Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan in the 90’s.

Since then, the pro game has gravitated in a different direction. It has embraced 3-point shooting and ‘small-ball’ lineups. The space-and-pace game has quickened the game, creating higher- scoring contests and some very entertaining basketball for the masses. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry deserves the bulk of credit for turning the NBA into a 3-point shooting extravaganza.

Curry’s ascent to the top of the pro basketball food chain has also brought smaller guards back into prominence. Two of the NBA’s brightest young stars are 6’1” Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and 6’2” Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Although their games are quite different, they have displayed the ability to dominate games and energize their respective fan bases.

Part of me was a little distressed because I felt the big man was being left behind. Traditional bigs were becoming somewhat of a dinosaur in today’s game. Around 2015, I was starting to wonder what was going to become of my beloved bigs. It looked like the big man was being phased out of the game and the only way they could survive was to become a giant guard who shot 3-pointers.

Well, in the past three or four years, my faith has been restored. A group of young, big men has come to the forefront, even in the age of small ball and 3-point shooting. It is a pleasure to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis showcase their talent and sheer dominance.

Davis started the trend of new-age bigs who can control a game at both ends of the court with scoring and shot blocking inside. He also

brings the element of ball handling and perimeter shooting that we normally see from the smaller players. Davis was a focal point of the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 run to the title with teammate LeBron James.

Injuries have curtailed Davis the past two seasons, but Antetokounmpo, Jokic and Embiid have taken their games to even higher levels.

At the end of the 2021 season, Jokic took home the regular season Most Valuable Player award with Embiid finishing as the runner-up. The postseason belonged to Antetokounmpo as he led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first world championship in 50 years.

This past season has given us more of the same from the three men known as Joker, The Process and the Greek Freak.

At 27 years old, Giannis is on a course to be

one of the best ever to play the game. He is just entering his prime years and he’s already won two MVP awards and a Most Improved Player award to go along with his championship and Finals MVP trophies.

He is clearly the best player in the league, and he simply dominates the game at both ends of the court. The scary part about him is that he is still getting better. He continues to add elements to his game, and he makes his teammates better. He is a low-maintenance superstar who led a small market franchise to a championship.

The Joker looks to be the favorite to take home his second MVP award for the regular season. As unique a talent the game has even seen, he’s a 7’0 280-pound point guard/center. He can bully defenders inside and also drain 3-pointers. He arguably is the most skilled pass-

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

It’s back to the Lions for wide receiver Jameson Williams. The former Alabama AllSEC player, who starred for the Cardinal Ritter Lions in high school, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas on April 28. The Lions moved up 22 spots via a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to land the talented wide receiver, and Williams was honored.

already won two NBA MVP awards and a Most Improved Player award to go along with his championship and NBA Finals MVP trophies.

ing big man in NBA history. The 7’0” 280-pound Embiid put together a tremendous season where he averaged 30 points a game to become the first center to lead the league in scoring since O’Neal in the 1999-00 season. He brings the old-school element of past big men with his ability to impose his will inside with his strength and physicality. He complements his power game with scoring in the mid-post and beyond the 3-point line. It’s fun watching these new-age bigs develop and dominate. But, it’s even more gratifying for these young men to show young players with size that it’s cool for a big man to play like a big man. You can still impact winning by dunking, scoring inside, blocking shots, and controlling the paint. The big man can still lead in today›s game.

Jameson Williams hopes to be another Motown hit

in 2021. Williams was the first St. Louis area player selected during the three-day draft, but he wasn’t the only local prospect to hear his name called or sign an undrafted free agent contract after the draft’s completion.

“They showed me that I was a wanted player. I’m a wanted player on their roster and I have a chance to make a big impact,” he told NFL.com Williams, who tore the ACL in his left knee in the national championship game against Georgia in early January, wrote on Twitter that he would be ready for action when Lions training camp starts in late July. He began his collegiate career at Ohio State in 2019 before transferring to Alabama. He tallied 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns

Alvin A. Reid

Former Michigan running back Hassan Haskins, who starred at Eureka High School, was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round. The 131st overall selection, Haskins’ five-touchdown performance against rival Ohio State and solid 2021 season caught Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s eye. Haskins joins All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, and he told the Nashville Tennessean “it’s a blessing.”

“[Henry] is one of the best. I’m going to learn and get better with him. I just feel like it’s going to be a good combination, so we’re going to see.”

Former Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams will join the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams

after the team selected him in the fifth round with the draft’s 164th overall pick. “I promise, y’all gonna get everything from me,” Williams, who was a standout at Vianney High School, told the Rams and L.A. fans on Twitter.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman wrote on Twitter, “[Kyren Williams] does all the right things on and off the field and has earned this moment. I’m so proud of him. Let’s go!”

Jameson Williams, who starred for the Cardinal Ritter Lions in high school, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas on April 28.

Marquis Hayes was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the draft. He played guard at Oklahoma after being a stalwart on the offensive and defensive lines of Pattonville. Former Pattonville star quarterback Kaleb Eleby, who impressed many NFL scouts while guiding Western Michigan the past two seasons, accepted a rookie mini-camp invitation from the Seattle Seahawks. This is a true

opportunity. The underachieving Drew Lock, who came to Seattle in the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, is the team’s presumed starter. He is backed up by Geno Smith. Eleby could be in the right spot at the right time.

Aqeel Glass, a two-time HBCU Player of the Year who starred at quarterback for Lutheran North before shining at Alabama A&M, was not selected but accepted a rookie mini-camp invitation from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He wrote on Twitter, “beyond blessed for this opportunity excited and ready to get to work.”

Zach Harding, a St. Peters native who attended Living Word Christian High School and punted for Army, received an invitation to attend the New York Jets rookie mini-camp.

The Reid Roundup

After no HBCU players were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, four were picked last weekend. They are Joshua Williams, CB Fayetteville State, (K.C. Chiefs, 4th round); Decobie Durant, CB South

Carolina State, (L.A. Rams, 4th round;) James Houston, CB Jackson State, (Detroit Lions, 6th round); and Ja’Tyre Carter, DL Southern U. (Chicago Bears, 7th round… The Missouri Tigers had two players drafted by respective NFL teams. Cornerback Akayleb Evans was taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the 4th round and running back Tyler Badie was selected in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens…While some NFL mock drafts had Liberty quarterback Malik Willis going in the first round, he slipped to the third round. However, Tennessee traded up to nab him and Willis handled his unexpected drop in a first-class manner. “Still super appreciative and thankful for this opportunity to be in Vegas and is a prime example on adversity and continuing to grow in your faith.” Willis tweeted on Thursday night... Recording artist Drake won $350,000

Earl Austin Jr.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Photo courtesy of BehindtheBuckpass.com

Photo courtesy of the AP

United Way announces 2022 campaign leaders

United Way of Greater St. Louis today announced that Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones, and Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies, will serve as chair and co-chair, respectively, of its 2022 annual community campaign. Additionally, Arica Harris, director of banking and payment operations at Edward Jones, will serve as vice chair.

This year, United Way of Greater St. Louis is celebrating 100 years of impact in the St. Louis region.

“Through its network of safety net agencies, United Way works to make the St. Louis region a great place to work and live and inspires so many people to realize their full potential,” said Harris. “United Way is a powerful change agent and I’m excited to expand this work even further through my role as vice chair this year.”

spent 17 years in public accounting at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) and Deloitte & Touche, supervising risk consulting, internal co-sourcing, and external IT audit projects. At Deloitte & Touche, she also developed and facilitated learning programs, events and firmwide initiatives focused on recruitment, professional development, and diversity and inclusion.

Harris founded and continues to chair the St. Louis Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on increasing college-bound minority representation within the fields of accounting, finance, and business management. She also serves as vice chair on the Missouri Baptist Foundation board and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the National Association of Black Accountants. Arica Harris

Before joining Edwards Jones in 2013, Harris

Clark receives SLUH’s highest honor

Dr. H. Eric Clark, Ed.D., president at Loyola Academy, Saint Louis University High School (SLUH) board member and former administrator, and a leader in Jesuit education nationally – was recognized on April 25, 2022 with the Backer Award. The highest honor granted by SLUH, the Backer Award

recognizes extraordinary alumni who have fulfilled the Jesuit Catholic mission of the school by serving “above and beyond” in their communities, professions and their church.

Throughout his time at SLUH (1993-2008), Dr. Clark served as administrative coordinator for the Minority Action Plan, psychology teacher, student council

moderator, coordinator of the work grant program, assistant principal for student welfare and discipline, summer school principal, dean of students and assistant principal for student affairs.

As a Jr. Bill, he was on the football and track teams (later playing football at Truman State University).

Dept. of Mental Health hosting job fair May 17

The Missouri Department of Mental Health, along with other state agencies, is hosting a hiring event May 17, from 10am-2pm at 5300 Arsenal, St. Louis, MO 63139. This is for full time

and part time positions, and the starting salary is $15 per hour.

State benefits will be available for full time employees. This is a chance for job seekers to learn about opportunities in food service, health care, administration and more.

There will be on-site interviews and conditional job offers. There will be meal options for all applicants provided by Street Dogz and St. Louis Kettle Corn.

Family is everything

SLSO presents world premiere of Nathalie Joachim’s commissioned work this weekend

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, IN UNISON Chorus and music director Stéphane Denève will present this weekend, the world premiere of Nathalie Joachim’s “Family,” a SLSO work specifically commissioned for the IN UNISON Chorus.

“I simply cannot wait to reunite the wonderful IN UNISON Chorus singers with our fantastic SLSO musicians for the world premiere of our friend Nathalie Joachim’s new piece, “Family,” Denève said.

n Michelle Byrd, IN UNISON Chorus member and manager, called “Family” “amazing,” and noted that Joachim was able to capture aspects of the ongoing pandemic and isolation in the music.

“Family” is a “very beautiful and touching lyrical piece, fully expressing Nathalie’s generous spirit, brilliant composition skills, and distinctive sound world. I look forward to collaborating with her in the future,” Denève added.

IN UNISON Chorus members’ voices and stories were recorded in interviews done by Joachim to help with Family’s composition.

Don Hutcherson, who’s been with IN UNISON for 17 years, said “Family” is like spring after coming from the COVID-19 lockdown.

“This wonderful African American woman birthing this new life of music into the world, I mean, is spectacular,” Hutcherson said. “I think the audience will enjoy her rendition of what family is.”

Michelle Byrd, IN UNISON Chorus member and manager, called “Family” “amazing,” and

A Song for Mama

Denise Thimes’ Mother’s Day affair celebrates silver anniversary

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Dave Chapelle shakes off shocking attack with wit

Man rushes him on stage

St. Louis American staff

Comedian Dave Chappelle proved “the show must go on” after a man armed with a gun and knife attacked him on stage Tuesday night at the Hollywood Bowl during the Netflix Is A Joke festival.

Isaiah Lee of Los Angeles is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on $30,000 bond, according to the L.A. Police Department. Fellow entertainers Jaime Foxx, rapper Buster Rhymes, and Chris Rock ran onto the stage to help Chappelle. Lee was raced off stage and a TMZ video shows Lee being beaten by several men – including Chapelle who had joined a security team. Lee was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

n Isaiah Lee of Los Angeles is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on $30,000 bond, according to the L.A. Police Department. See SLSO, C8

Undeterred, Chappelle returned to the stage and shared several hilarious lines about the incident.

“I had a wonderful relationship with my mother; she was the sweetest mom and wife,” Denise Thimes said. “She was a very loving and doting mom. I loved my mother to death.”

Since 1997, Thimes has dedicated The Denise Thimes & Friends Mother’s Day Concert to her late mother, Mildred Thimes, who died of pancreatic cancer.

The concert and Thimes’ organization, the Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, celebrate her mother’s legacy, spread awareness about pancreatic cancer, and memorialize all mothers, especially the deceased who’ve lost their lives to pancreatic cancer, COVID-19, and other health concerns.

When she learned about her mother’s diagnosis, she was on tour in Singapore for a threemonth residency, and it was three weeks before

the time for her to come back to the states. Instinctively, she jumped into research about cancer when she came home. She searched for information about its cause, and other factors that could impact outcomes, including eating habits.

Thimes being a woman of faith, didn’t let the doctors’ claims that her mother only had six

The annual Denise Thimes & Friends Mother’s Day Concert, in honor of her late mother Mildred Thimes, turns 25 this Sunday, May 8. It will be held at Touhill Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available for purchase on MetroTix and at Afro World.

months to live to break her. Instead, she used it as fuel and motivation to host the show for her mother to see her perform for the last time.

This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of The Denise Thimes & Friends Mother’s Day

See Thimes, C2

JUNE 1-19

“I’ve been doing this (for) 35 years. I just stomped a (man) backstage,” Chappelle said. “I always wanted to do that. I saw Busta Rhymes there, like, ‘That’s how you do it, dog.’” The incident conjured images of Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock at this year’s Academy Awards, and Rock also joked about the shocking event. “Was that Will Smith?” Rock quipped to the delight of Chappelle and the large crowd that witnessed the Hollywood Bowl assault.

Foxx said he initially thought the incident was part of Chappelle’s act.

“I’ve had an incredible time. This man is an absolute genius,” Foxx stated. “We’ve got to make sure we protect him at all times.”

Chappelle reportedly said, “whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat.”

He also made light of the incident.

“The Independent” and other outlets reported that Lee, who performs as rapper No Name Trapper, has a verified Spotify profile that reveals a count of nearly 6,000 monthly listeners. He released a song titled “Dave Chappelle” on his 2020 album Born & die in the trap. The second track off the album contains lyr-

See Chappelle, C8

Photo courtesy of Denise Thimes

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage Tuesday night at the Hollywood Bowl during the Netflix Is A Joke festival.

Photo courtesy of nathaliejoachim.com

Nathalie Joachim

Thimes

Continued from C1

Concert, and it remains an annual staple for Thimes, who said the event has allowed her not to be sad while grieving but instead encourage others whose mothers have passed away.

“That first Mother’s Day without my mom was hard, and as I continued doing the concerts, it allowed me to get my mind off the sadder things,” Thimes said. “I began encouraging others who’ve lost their moms because that first year is tough. Sometimes people may not want to get out of bed. Even though they may not feel like coming to a concert or doing anything, I hope this event engages them and teaches them how to celebrate their mothers.”

Thimes sincerely empathizes

children.

“There are children today who cannot celebrate Mother’s Day or who will not be able to celebrate their mothers because COVID has taken their lives,” Thimes said. “Like any other day and every day, I don’t take it for granted because we are

n

still in a pandemic. I am grate-

ful that God gives me the nod to celebrate the 25th anniversary in 2022 because it allows us to praise the mothers here and the mothers in spirit.”

Thimes will perform several selections in a tribute to the

“As a young artist coming up in the business, I was always told I looked and sounded like Phyllis Hyman,” Thimes said. “I remember doing my first tribute to her, and people went crazy; it was at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Then I did it again three years later, and

she is dedicating to a dear friend who passed away a few months ago. Guests can see her and featured special guest, local rising jazz artist Robert Nelson perform Sunday, May 8, at Touhill Performing Arts Center’s Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall located at 1 University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121. A buffet

– Denise Thimes

it was the same wonderful outpour. The audience loved the performance. I thought her music was a good choice for Mother’s Day because her songs speak to women in all areas of life, especially love and relationships.”

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Explore Asian American and Pacific Islander

Heritage in St. Louis

By Barry Draper,

Explore St. Louis

Originating with an act of Congress in 1977, May was chosen as the month to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage to commemorate the May 10, 1869, completion of the transcontinental railroad as well as the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the US on May 7, 1843. Here in St. Louis, there are a host of ways to honor the history and cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our region. Below are just a few ways to celebrate right here in St. Louis.

Visit the Missouri Botanical Garden

Dedicated in 1977, the same year May was designated AAPI Month, the Japanese Garden encompasses 14 acres, making it one of the largest Japanese gardens in North America. Reflecting the reverence for nature found in the Shinto religion as well as Zen Buddhism, rocks, trees and water elements come together to form a harmonious landscape that offers peace and serenity to visitors year-round. The garden is designed to be monochromatic and the garden’s centerpiece, a large lake, reflects a design style preferred by Japanese feudal lords in the 17th and 18th centuries. Each year, thousands of people from all over the country

visit the garden to experience and enjoy the Orchid Show and Orchid Nights (February) as well as Chinese Culture Days (April), one of the largest cultural festivals in the Midwest. The annual Lantern Festival (May through August) features larger-than-life lighted works designed by Chinese artists. The elaborate outdoor sets are crafted of silk and steel and are breathtakingly bold, dazzling and strikingly photogenic. The event sells out every year.

The world-renowned garden also has an array of Japanese flowering cherries, azaleas, Lotus and peonies. Its fouracre lake, or wet-stroll garden, also includes an authentic Japanese tea garden, lilyturf and a Rankei lantern (unique to 19th century style), as well as a lantern preserved from the 1904 World’s Fair.

Check Out a Museum

Take the family to The Saint Louis Art Museum where they have popular galleries devoted to calligraphy and art from India, China, Korea and Japan. Works include a stunning 4th century Gandhāran head of a Buddha that reflects influences from central Asia and Persia as well as Greece and Rome. In Grand Center, the Contemporary Art Museum currently has work on display by artist Alia Farid that represents the under-told histories of Arab and South Asian migration to Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, Saint Louis University Museum of Art is home to an

impressive collection of Asian decorative arts.

On Thu., May 5, the Missouri History Museum will host Thursday Night at the Museum featuring a presentation and panel discussion about Chinese dining in St. Louis. Lulu Seafood and Dim Sum’s Julia Li, Lona Luo of Lona’s Lil Eats and Corner 17’s Xian Wei will discuss the ever-changing Chinese dining scene.

Enjoy MouthWatering Cuisine

In St. Louis, food lovers can explore a wide variety of mouth-watering creations from Creve Coeur to South Grand and the Delmar Loop to Chesterfield. Diners are guaranteed exceptional cuisine from the diverse range of cultures that make up Asia and the Pacific Islands.

This year, the 2022 Festival of Nations will take place on August 27 and 28 at Tower Grove Park. This is one of the most beloved festivals in the St. Louis region and provides informative booths and performances as well as delicious fare from India, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Nepal, China and Hawaii among other world cuisines.

So, please – join us this month as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To find more activities, visit www.ExploreStLouis.com.

The Missouri Botanical garden

Photo courtesy of Explore St. Louis

Religion

Faith communities to help lead Moral March on Washington

By Lyndia Grant

April 4, 1968, the day Rev.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered, is a significant date to be remembered. On that date this year, Bishop William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival held a press conference at the National Press Club to show how extreme disparities are and have been in poor communities nationwide. These communities consist of African-Americans, and his report shows how they have been and continue to be hit disproportionately by COVID-19.

The Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls will be held on June 18, 2022, will be attended by all generations, and it will be a transformative and disruptive gathering of poor and lowwealth people, state leaders, faith communities, moral allies, unions, and partnering organi-

zations. It is a declaration that we won’t be silent anymore, a declaration of an ongoing, nonviolent, truth-telling multi-racial, multi-generational, interfaith moral movement that’s been building for three years.

We are a moral fusion movement with a complete Third Reconstruction agenda that has 45 state coordinating committees, over 2,000 clergies who lead congregations, economists, voting rights lawyers and advocates, and 200 partners that reach millions of people.

Mobilizing was key to the First Reconstruction in the 19th century. As a prelude to the Progressive Era and the New Deal, Coxey’s Army (1894) and Bonus Marchers (1932) assembled in Washington, D.C., to put a face on the issue of poverty that was being ignored by elected leaders. You are invited.

A report to connect COVID19 deaths in the U.S. to both poverty and race was released

April 4 at the National Press Club in D.C. by the Poor People’s Campaign and a team of world-renowned economists, researchers and experts.

The unprecedented findings of the “Poor People’s Pandemic Digital Report and Intersectional” were released

By Larry Buford

We hear a lot about freedom, rights, and liberty these days. People squawk about the right to choose, whether it be about gun ownership, sexual orientation, race, Democrat, Republican – you name it! – It all comes down to a choice.

God so loved us that He gave us free will. He created us in His image that He may have a relationship with us. It would not be much of a relationship if He created us to be robotic. He wants to know that our relationship with Him is voluntarily out of love and faith.

When we read about the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:2324 – “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” – it all begins with love. The other actions cannot exist without the action of love. You might say that love is the vine that the fruit hangs from. It is the lifeline. John 3:16 reads “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall

by the Poor People’s Campaign and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Barber, the campaign’s cochair, said:

“On the 54th anniversary of the murder of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when he was

not perish, but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the “Branch” of righteousness. Our whole existence hangs on God’s love. What should our response be to that? Free will, like love, is an agent to choose between different possibilities of action. So, if we think about free will as a vine, what hangs on it?

How about discipline, responsibility, morality, respect,

Bishop William J. Barber II (Stephen Pavey/Poor Peoples Campaign)

pleading with the nation to address poverty, racism and militarism, it is shameful that we have 140 million poor and low-wealth people in this nation.”

“Even in a global pandemic, there hasn’t been a systematic assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on poor and low-income communities,” he added.

“COVID-19 data collection does not include data on poverty, income, or occupation, alongside race and pandemic outcomes.”

“The Poor People’s Pandemic Digital Report and Intersectional Analysis addresses this knowledge gap and exposes the unnecessary deaths by mapping community char-

fairness, service, trustworthy, duty, character, integrity, and other social aspects? We can also add our own personal desires, habits and vices that we conscientiously choose or choose not.

Whatever the choice, there are consequences for the better or for the worse, that affect us personally, or those around us. Think about it! Many of us love the freedom that comes with free will and the power of choice, but sometimes we don’t want to own the ramifications that come with it.

1 Corinthians 10:23 [NIV] reads: “I have the right to do

acteristics and connecting them with COVID-19 outcomes.”

“The findings of this report reveal neglect and sometimes intentional decisions to not focus on the poor. The neglect of poor and low-wealth people in this country during a pandemic is immoral, shocking and unjust, especially in light of the trillions of dollars that profitdriven entities received.

“It is further evidence why we must have a Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls on June 18,” he added.

“As a declaration that our movement will intensify and embolden our agitation for this nation to have a third reconstruction that fully addresses poverty, racism, ecological devastation, denial of healthcare, and the war economy.”

Lyndia Grant is a writer for the Washington Informer, and host of the radio show, “Think on These Things”

everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. There is no free lunch. Freedom and liberty come with a cost. If we learn to love ourselves as God loves us, then we’ll have the power and ability to make right choices when it comes to love and free will.

The Bible says, love God and love one another as we love ourselves. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Larry Buford is a contributor to the Los Angeles Sentinel

COVID-19 has brought a lot of sorrow to our city and world. The Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer wants to bring some joy and make a few dreams come true for two special moms (MO/IL).

Send a letter telling us about that special mom in your life who has overcome many obstacles during these challenging times.

Please mail by or before Monday, April 26, 2021!

A private culminating event will be held at the Urban League Ferguson Empowerment Center, to recognize the 2 special moms on May 7, 2021.

OFFICE WORKERS

or email at harrisbestcareinc@ yahoo.com.

OPENINGS FOR HOME HEALTH AIDES

Openings for Home Health Aides

Salary above minimum wage

Contact: Delores Glasby or Edward Glasby at 314-830-2800 or email at harrisbestcareinc@yahoo.com

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK

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

· Teachable

· Ability to follow instructions

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

· Ability to plan, prioritize and organize effectively

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

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

CITY OF CLAYTON

HIRING FOR FULL-

TIME POSITIONS

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

BOOKMOBILE DRIVER

The St. Louis County Library is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of full-time Bookmobile Driver. The position is responsible for driving the bookmobile to assigned location to provide quality Library service to customers and also performs clerical duties assigned with this position.

A High School diploma or GED required. Must be able drive a truck and trailer. Must have a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. Salary - $34,320 plus paid benefits. Apply online at https://www.slcl.org/ content/employment. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Family Court of St. Louis County is seeking to enter into a professional service agreement with an attorney to provide assistance to Family Court judges who handle domestic cases filed by unrepresented individuals. These services are funded by special monies received from the Family Services and Justice Fund and are subject to continued availability of these monies. Primary responsibility will be to assist with management of the pro se docket including legal analysis, notifying litigants of requirements to revise legal documents and providing notices of court hearings and other correspondence. The professional service agreement is funded at $26.31/hour working up to 28 hours/week. A one year commitment to the position is highly preferred. Qualification: Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri. Requirement: Maintenance of professional liability insurance.

NOTE: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. To apply (position open until filled), please send a resume, along with a cover letter to the following address on or before May 31st, 2022: Contract Attorney, Attn: Human Resources Department, Family Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central., Clayton, MO 63105. OR Email same to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800 735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

BID NOTICE

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing a new elevator in the existing headquarters building. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Proposal for Ticket Paper & Envelopes

Proposals will be received by City of Saint Louis Treasurer UNTIL 5:00 pm 5/31/2022

For specific project information, go to https://www.stltreasurer.org/ Request-for-Proposals/

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org

> Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids)

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

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFP YOUTH SERVICES SUMMER PROGRAMMING @ JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY

The City of St. Louis Department of Health seeks proposals for Youth Services Summer Programming at Jefferson Elementary School. Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning May 2, 2022, by downloading from the City of St. Louis website at www.stlouis-mo. gov/health. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 19, 2022, by 4:30 P.M., timestamped via email to Craig Schmid, schmidc@stlouis-mo. gov, City of St. Louis Department of Health. The Department reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFP

FISCAL MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING SERVICES

The City of St. Louis Department of Health seeks Fiscal Management and Consulting Services proposals. Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning May 3, 2022, by downloading from the City of St. Louis website at www. stlouis-mo.gov/health. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 19, 2022, by 4:00 P.M., timestamped via email to Craig Schmid, schmidc@stlouis-mo. gov, City of St. Louis Department of Health. The Department reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Is soliciting “Proposals with Qualifications” for Environmental Contracting Services for a building abatement project at the Webster Groves High School; Little Theater: The Request for Proposal will be available on the District Website on Monday May 9th 2022 @ www. webster.k12.mo.us front page and can be accessed under RFP/RFQ at bottom of page. Responses to the RFP will be received by the WGSD Construction Project Manager on Thursday June 7th 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the WG Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. The owner reserves the right to reject all proposals

NON-RESIDENT NOTICE

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

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for the removal and replacement of airfield concrete pavement, including demo, excavation, pavement markings, underdrains, electrical, asphalt and miscellaneous other work as indicated on the plans and specifications for the STL Lambert Reconstruction of Rnwy 12R-30L from Txwy R to Txwy G project. Please phone 636-688-8794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@millstoneweber com, quotes to bids@millstoneweber. com by 12:00 PM CDT on 05/16/2022. Millstone Weber encourages qualified MBE/WBE subcontractors & vendors to bid this project. For Access to Plans and Specifications, please emailbids@millstoneweber.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:

SSD 107-22: Litzsinger School Upgrades at Litzsinger School

Project Manual and drawings will be available through County Blue Reprographics beginning on May 10, 2022

A $100.00 refundable deposit check made out to Special School District will be required for paper copies of plans, a $50.00 non-refundable fee will be required for electronic digital downloads.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 16 at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis, MO 63124

Bids are due at 2:00 pm on June 2, 2022 at Special School District Purchasing Department, 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES RFPS 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified trades to submit proposals for the following services: Automatic Door & Gate, Elevator, Fencing, Fire Panel & Device Testing, Fire Sprinkler & Fire Backflows & Repairs, Generators, HVACR, Plumbing, Roofing, Tree Maintenance & HVAC Filters. Bid documents are available as of May 4, 2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

BID PROPOSALS

Sealed Proposals for B22-1215 Charter Bus Services will be received at Lincoln University Purchasing Dept 1002 Chestnut St, RM 101 Shipping & Receiving Bldg, JCMO 65101 until 2PM CT on 16May2022. Download Proposal Request at http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/ purchasing/bids

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Color Art Construction is a general contractor seeking bids for Optometry Phase I at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Project includes demo, structural steel, wood/ plastic/composites, thermal/moisture protection, openings, finishes, specialties, shades, basic mechanical, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC, air distribution, temperature control, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security, and exterior. Details posted on Building Connected. Bids due Wednesday 5/18/2022 at 12:00pm. Email bids/questions: bidrequestsCAC@color-art.com.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace K i t c h e n Ve n t Hood System –Dining Lodge, Thousand Hills State Park, Project No. X2106-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/2/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is submitting to HUD the Annual Submission of the FY 2022 Agency Plan. The Plans outlines the goals and objectives to accomplish its vision over the next five years. SLHA has posted the “Draft” FY 2022 Agency Plan for public review on its website at https://www.slha.org/ document-center/

Additionally, the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), a component of the Agency Plan, and a revised Utility Allowance Schedule and the Flat Rent Schedule are simultaneously being made available for public review and comment. The link to the webpage is: https://www.slha.org/document-center/.

Also, the Capital Fund Program Five-Year Action Plan (FY2022 - FY2026) is simultaneously being made available for public review and comment.

SLHA will hold a Virtual Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. to accept comments on its Agency Plan, ACOP, Utility Allowance, Flat Rent Schedules and Capital Fund Program. Due to the COVID precautions, this year’s public hearing will not be held in person. Instructions to join the virtual public hearing are posted on the website. Comments and suggestions received will become part of the public record. Additionally, written comments may be submitted on the plan. All written comments must be received by June 22, 2022. Please address comments to Fran Bruce at fbruce@slha.org

For additional information or questions, contact Fran Bruce, Planning and Procurement Manager, by email at fbruce@slha.org or by telephone at (314) 286-4365 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SEALED BIDS

B i d s f o r R e n o v a t e

L a t r i n e s , Showers, and Tuck-pointing, P r o j e c t N o . T2133-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June2, 2022. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC, BAS, and Domestic Hot Water System,

Center, Project No. M1909-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 6/2/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed BIDS for Bid 22-148 – Material Testing for Various Citywide Projects will be received by the City of St. Peters, Purchasing Department, City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 until 2:00 P.M. local time, Monday, May 16, 2022 and then opened and read aloud.

Contract Documents will be available on Thursday, May 5, 2022 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376 or requested in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “22-148 – Material Testing for Various Citywide Projects”.

All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “22-148 – Material Testing for Various Citywide Projects” or by mail to City of St. Peters Purchasing Department, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, MO 63376 before noon local time, Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality in bidding, and to accept the bid most advantageous to the City.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Income Based Wait List Opening

Taking Application for 1 Bedroom Apts. Monday May 23rd- Thursday May 26th, 2022 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: 600 Kingshighway St. Louis. Mo. 63108

All applicants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license or state ID ( You must have all social security numbers for each household members) Requests for a reasonable accommodation due to a disability

Should be submitted to Washington Apts. 600 Kingshighway St. Louis, Mo. 63108. 314-361-1400

Washington Apartments does not discriminate based on disability status in the admission or access to or, treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.

SEALED BIDS

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Dome at America’s Center is seeking bids from qualified companies to install four VFDs; four (4) 60-HP motors; BAS interface and automation on existing cooling towers. Interested bidders must attend a pre-bid on-site walk-thru of project on 10AM, May 16th, 2022. Contact bsmith@explorestlouis.com. Quotes due, May 23rd, 2022,. Work needs to be completed by June 30th. The facility reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. EOE

INVITATION FOR BIDS: 2022-04-1513-NS ON-CALL DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS

St. Louis County is soliciting bids to serve as the County’s on-call demolition contractor. Part of the work will involve demolishing approximately thirty-nine residential structures, financed using Community Development Block Grant funds.

This activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect.

Be advised that contracts over $200,000 trigger Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Section 3 requires that economic opportunities generated by the expenditure of HUD funds be directed, to the greatest extent feasible, to low and moderate income persons via contracting, employment and training. All contractors and sub contractors working on this project will need to demonstrate compliance with Section 3 numeric targets and other applicable provisions. In cases where Section 3 compliance is not achieved, contractors and subcontractors must document good-faith efforts to comply.

Please see the Bid Manual for additional information regarding CDBG Regulations.

To participate, and to get more information, register for free as a vendor in the County’s Vendor Self Service Portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors.munisselfservice.com

Bids will be opened at 2:00 pm CST on May 10, 2022

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

SAINT LOUIS MHB

Accepting applications from qualified individuals with experience providing clinical behavioral health services for children and youth. Details available on at www.stlmhb.com on the careers page.

SAINT LOUIS MHB

Accepting applications from qualified individuals with experience in project management and/ or knowledge of violence prevention strategies. Details available on at www.stlmhb.com on the careers page.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF POTENTIAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To the extent that the provision of the above-referenced funding, through awarding of the Housing Needs Assessment contract, to The Cloudburst Group would constitute a prohibited conflict of interest under HUD regulations, the City may apply for and is applying for an exception to this prohibition with respect to provision of the above-referenced funding.

SLSO

noted that Joachim was able to capture aspects of the ongoing pandemic and isolation in the music.

“When you listen to it, you can hear the emotions and thoughts of everyone in the interviews,” Byrd said.

Joachim’s commission of “Family” is underwritten by a $40,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. SLSO’s project is one of 1,249 projects throughout America totaling $28,840,000 that were chosen to receive 2022 fiscal year funding in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

Also, Japanese violinist Akiko Suwanai will join the orchestra for performances of

Chappelle

ics that seemingly reference the Hollywood Bowl, the location the incident took place.

“Walkin’ straight into da Bowl,” Lee raps in the first few lines of the song.

“We care deeply about the safety of creators, and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform onstage without fear of violence,” a Netflix spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement Wednesday.

“The performances by Chappelle at the Hollywood

Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Suwanai won the 1990 award in the International Tchaikovsky Competition for violin. This is Suwanai’s second time in St. Louis, and she previously collaborated with the orchestra in 2011.

Denève will close the concert with lead performances of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. Byrd wants everyone to know IN UNISON is not ‘like a family;’ it is a family, and she said Joachim’s piece resonates significantly with the chorus.

“Nathalie’s piece captures IN UNISON’s legacy,” Byrd said. “The struggles we’ve had at the beginning of the pandemic to now, we see the fruition of all the hard work everyone has put in to accomplish where we currently are. It took some time, and now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“The IN UNISON Chorus

Bowl were epic and recordbreaking and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment,” his representative Carla Sims said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

and its director Kevin McBeth hold a special place in my heart—they are invaluable ambassadors for music and community,” Denève said. “It will be a great joy to share the stage with them and showcase their talents in this inspiring new work.”

IN UNISON Chorus is a 28-year-old choral ensemble with more than 120 singers performing songs specific to African American and African cultures. McBeth has overseen the chorus since 2011. There is a concert Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. and one on Saturday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit slso.org. For more information about SLSO’s health and safety protocols, visit slso.org/protocols.

“There was a lot of confusion. I think we all thought, at first, that it was part of the show.”

Ali said Chappelle was introducing rap duo Black Star, made up of Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli, when the attacker jumped up onstage.

“The guy tried to tackle Dave, and Dave sidestepped,” Ali said. Kee was then “corralled” by security and chased backstage. Chappelle joined his security team backstage as they surrounded the individual.

“Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music, setting record-breaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood Bowl. This run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl, reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment.” Concert attendee Ahmed Ali told USA TODAY “it was crazy.”